The Gunnery has been selected to host a native Mandarin-speaking teacher for the 2010-11 school year as part of the Chinese Guest Teacher Program.

The Alumni Association Meeting on Alumni Weekend provides the school with an opportunity to honor alumni excelling in the arts and in athletics.

Clues and passwords from the class of 2009 generated lots of Stray Shot activity over the course of the school year.

The 2009-2010 Gunnery Annual Fund ended with a bang, reaching an all time high of $1,205,869.

Zachary Bodnar, a rising senior at The Gunnery, has been named the Gunn Scholar for 2010-2011.

On June 18th, The Gunnery hosted the Korean Gunnery Alumni Party at The Shilla Hotel in Seoul.

“You have every reason to be optimistic,” said Commencement Speaker, Gerrit Vreeland ’61 to the graduating class of 2010.

On Saturday May 22nd, eighty runners on The Gunnery campus participated in the Second Annual Memorial Run for ALS. 

The formal dinner prior to Senior Baccalaureate (this year on Sunday, May 23rd) is the venue for the second of three end-of-year awards presentations, the academic awards.

School end-of-year activities officially began on Sunday, May 23rd at the annual Baccalaureate Service.

Poetry: Reading it, writing it, reciting it, and translating it have assumed a much more prominent place in The Gunnery’s community life in the past few years.

The Alumni Office hosted the annual Senior Dinner on May 20th to celebrate the Class of 2010. 

English department faculty member, Nick Benson and students from the Advanced Creative Writing Class welcomed some very special visitors to campus. 

The celebration of Poetry Month (April) at The Gunnery is spilling over the calendar borders as aspiring students send their missives out to the public.

The Four Year Senior Dinner was held at Conroy House on Tuesday, May 18th. 

The Gunnery AP Macro and AP Micro classes ventured into downtown New York City to see the business and finance epicenter of the world. 

After years of service, Harry T. Jones III ’53 and James F. Ward ’48 stepped down from The Gunnery Board of Trustees. 

The Gunnery held its first full-blown “Career Day” for upperclassman in mid-April, and it was successful enough to replicate in future years.

For the third year, the World Languages and Cultures Department has sponsored a global film festival to enliven The Gunnery’s spring campus.

Earth Day 2010 on Saturday, April 17th, provided another opportunity for Gunnery’s students to demonstrate the power of their numbers on behalf of a worthy cause.

The results of the student government elections for prefect and head prefect for 2010-2010 were announced this past week.

The Gunnery will introduce Mandarin Chinese language into its curriculum next year.

The recent reception at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT initiated a joint effort by the Advancement and Admissions Offices.

On Friday, April 2nd at 7:00 p.m. Ian Frazier, essayist and writer will deliver The Gunnery’s 2009-2010 Distinguished Author lecture and reading at the Meeting House on the Green in Washington.

There were no classes at The Gunnery on the Saturday before spring break. Instead the students participated in a series of workshops designed “to better equip them to make healthy choices in a world full of temptations and perils.”

This past winter, The Gunnery welcomed Laura D. Eldridge as the new Director of Institutional Advancement. 

On Friday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m., the duo, Uncanny Valley, comprised of cellist Katie Kennedy and percussionist Bill Solomon will perform a broad repertoire ranging from commissioned works by living composers to transcriptions of classical composers at the Meeting House on the Green in Washington.

Four Gunnery students participated in the Penguin Plunge at Highland Lake in Winsted, CT on Saturday January 30, 2010. 

On Monday the 18th, twelve students joined teacher Ari Baum ’03 (economics and history) in presenting an inspirational program in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. in an extended school meeting.

This week, faculty member Jesse Perkins’ Advanced Jazz Class and the Rock and Blues Class were privileged to participate in a master class and workshop presented by Professor Noah Baerman, Director of the Wesleyan University Jazz Band.

The reenacted tale of a Revolutionary War era slave in Connecticut on Friday, January 15th ushered in a week of exploration into diversity as it is practiced by The Gunnery’s community.

The Gunnery Haiti Project which galvanized the school’s students in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake has continued to spawn new efforts on campus.

The Gunnery New York Alumni Association and Head of School, Susan G. Graham welcomed alumni, parents, and friends to a reception at the Kimberly Hotel in midtown Manhattan.

The Haitian earthquake tragedy has galvanized The Gunnery’s students into action.

Tones of a strong communal atmosphere were evident during the first annual Gunn Show, a day for celebrating school spirit and winter sports.

The Gunnery Hartford Alumni Association and Head of School, Susan Graham welcomed alumni, parents, and friends to a reception at the Hartford Club. 

Nineteen millennial alumni/ae returned to The Gunnery to host a panel on the college years, a highlight of the Young Alumni Homecoming event.

This year on Friday, January 15th at 7:00 PM in the First Congregational Church Meeting House on the Green, The Gunnery invites everyone to join in commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

The 2008-2009 Gunnery Annual Report is now online. To view the report go to the Alumni or Parents section of the website and click on Annual Report at the bottom left of the side menu. If you do not see the link, be sure that you are logged in to the website.  You must be a registered user and logged in to view the link and the document.  Click here to log in or to create your account if you don't already have one.

When the Grahams and members of the faculty hosted the annual freshman dinners on December 7th and 14th, there were plenty of chances to express youthful enthusiasms, dreams and desires.

Coach Richard Martin’s 2009 varsity football team continued with the third annual holiday community service project established by the 2007 team.

The winter community service group is answering as many needs as possible in these tough times. Whether for local institutions with budget cuts, programs for the less fortunate, or for their school, the eight students substitute hard labor for their afternoon sports commitment, and their advisor Karen Lincoln works right along beside them.

Mr. Ian Bickley, parent of students Sophie ’10 and Charlotte ’12, recently joined The Gunnery’s Board of Trustees.  He will attend his first board meeting in January 2010.  Due to his extensive international travel, he plans to assist the Advancement Office with fundraising efforts, visiting Gunnery constituents in Asia and Europe. 

“I wanted to get the kids away from the idea that community service equaled fund raising,” said faculty member, Karen Lincoln. “While that certainly is an important component, it is not everything.” Therefore, all tasks completed by the community service group have been hands-on.  Most recently, Amanda Kloth ‘11, Angela Seo ‘10, Clarence Park ‘10, Hallie Bonnar ’10, and Millie Huang ’11 helped with the Judea Vegetable Garden in Washington, CT.  This garden project was started last spring by Gunnery past parent, Denise Arturi with the intention of helping local soup kitchens.  Local churches and schools (including The Gunnery) were contacted for help. The students built a compost bin and fence, weeded, and hauled rocks out of the garden.  “I have been really impressed by the kids,” said Karen. “The kids said this is the best thing they have ever done, despite all the hard work.”

There was homework if you wanted to meet with Chief Justice Chase Rogers of Connecticut’s Supreme Court. The prefects, residential advisors, head tour guides, and dining hall managers, all of The Gunnery’s aspiring leaders, read a real case with compelling and far-reaching consequences before meeting with Madame Justice in the Bourne Reading Room on October 29th.

Pictures from the staged reading of Frederick Gunn: Biography of a Conscience (in five acts) written by English Department Chair, John Alter and performed by Gunnery faculty on Wednesday September 30, 2009.

Pictures from School Walk 2009.

Think of it as Gunnery’s answer to the Harry Potter Tri-Wizard Tournament.  Started in 2007, the monthly Dorm Cup Challenge lets each dormitory bond as a group throughout the academic year.  “This is a chance for the kids to have some pride in where they live,” said Director of Residence Life and Director of Student Activities, Kate Merritt.  “They work and interact with people they normally wouldn’t socialize with.” Kate meets with the residential advisors at the beginning of the year to brainstorm each challenge.  Hogwarts may have had the houses of Gryffindor and Slytherin, but Mr. Gunn’s School has Teddy House and Bourne (and eight others). “Every challenge is gender neutral,” said Kate. “It doesn’t matter how old, big, or smart they are.  This is simply about working together. “ 

The SOS call came in from the volunteer coordinator Kit Damien at the Connecticut Food Bank in New Haven. In honor of Hunger Action Month, Hallock Orchards in Washington had donated their entire apple harvest to the food banks, but the banks had to provide the volunteers to pick the apples. Butler and Gibson Dorms were first out of the gate as community service volunteers. On Sunday October 4th, a stalwart crew of fifteen senior and sophomore students accompanied by the Martin, Russillo, and Geary families joined about eighty young people from all over the state for two hours of apple-picking. Picking from 400-500 trees, the students’ enthusiastic participation elicited from an exhausted farm manager, “We can’t keep up with our gathering of the filled crates and the supplying of empty crates.” The harvest will be distributed among the 650 member banks.

The Gunnery community embarked on its annual seven mile venture through Steep Rock to celebrate the birthday of school founder, Frederick W. Gunn. The school  walk dates back to the 1860s, when Mr. Gunn led the entire school on annual camping expeditions to the shore in Milford, CT and back, a distance of over 40 miles.  For this, Mr. Gunn is recognized as the originator of recreational camping.  Although the route of the walk has changed several times over the years, the spirit remains the same.  Students and faculty hike through Washington’s Steep Rock Preserve, along the Shepaug River, through an old railroad tunnel, and into the Clam Shell.   Thus, the school community has a chance to experience the crisp fall air and scenic beauty of the river valley in keeping with Mr. Gunn’s emphasis on the teaching qualities of the natural world.

Jason Boileau, a senior at The Gunnery, has been named the Gunn Scholar for 2009-2010. The program, in its eighth year, chooses one four-year senior to pursue a year-long project of original historical research based on the contents of the school’s archives. A review panel of faculty chooses the recipient from the proposals submitted by the students.

The Gunnery is proud to announce that sixteen of its students have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) Exams in the May 2008 testing period.

The Gunnery’s new faculty arrived for orientation August 30th, and a lively group it is.  Assistant Head of School and Faculty Dean, Eileen Kelly-Aguirre, Faculty Advisor, Willy Smith, Director of Residential Life, Kate Merritt, and Dean of Students, Chris Baudo, had prepared a full program of exploration, activities, meetings, informal meals and get-togethers to allow the newcomers to adjust to the Gunnery community. They were joined by the rest of the faculty, now numbering 57, on the 31st of August to await the students’ arrival on the 8th of September.

Pictures from All School Orientation 2009 on the Quad.

The magnanimous gift from the Tisch family will enable The Gunnery to begin the enormous project of bringing the schoolhouse building into the 21st century, expanding its capacity and its scope. Since the 1980s The Gunnery’s student body has increased from 240 to nearly 300. This project has been on the drawing boards for five years. Scheduled to be accomplished in two phases, the new center for humanities studies will be renamed the Tisch Academic Center.

On Sunday, September 13, 2009, Head of School Susan Graham, Assistant Head Eileen Kelly-Aguirre, and the head of student government, senior prefect Jessica L’Heureux welcomed the school community back to campus at Convocation, an event that formally begins the school year.

Summer reading information for all students as well as summer work for AP Courses and certain electives is listed on the Academics homepage. For a PDF version of the summer reading brochure, please click here.

Last year (2008-2009) was the 50th year of the Stray Shot tradition at The Gunnery. When the ladies of the class of 2008 (LB Schmidt, Priyanka Shetty, Erin Kelly, and Lindsay Lincoln) recounted their successful search for the Stray Shot cannonball at the end of the school year in 2008, they could not have imagined the intensity of the 2009 hunt which they would unleash. Their clever and elaborate clues and passwords lodged with faculty and staff for the new school year started a fairly large group of hunters on the chase. As the clues got more difficult, the crowd was winnowed down. Finally, Josh Johnston, Joe Mashburn, JP Gould , and Kevin Tarsa, working as a team, found the 36 lb. ball, digging it out from under a bush near Gibson.

The Gunnery patch, class belts for girls and class ties for boys are available at the School Store and can be purchased once students arrive on campus. The remaining clothing items (blazers, khaki pants and skirts, oxford shirts and sweaters, etc.) can be purchased at any store. Land’s End, J Crew and LL Bean all have a large selection of these items for sale, both in their stores and online, but again families should feel free to shop anywhere that is convenient for them. Girls are required to purchase a Gunnery Plaid Skirt from Land’s End in the School Uniform section). The color is Hunter/Classic Navy plaid. The skirt should be ordered well ahead of time so that you can wear it for Convocation, which takes place on the first Sunday of the school year. We recommend that new international girls have the skirt shipped to campus rather than home to make sure that it arrives on time. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Lauraine Paquin in the Dean of Students office at paquinl@gunnery.org or 860-868-7334 ext. 280.

This past spring, the Gunnery Parent Council formed a program, “Gunn Parent-to-Parent Mentors”. New parents are matched with a current parent (much like the big brother/big sister program for the students) for advice and counsel. Now, in-coming parents have a network to contact for answers on normal school issues like pick-ups, sport schedules, and appropriate shirt colors, to name a few. “We contact parents once their child commits to coming to The Gunnery,” said Kay Caroe P ’10 & ‘10, Parent Council member. “While some questions you have may feel insignificant, we feel that none are too small. These concerns can be alleviated with just one phone call to the mentors. We all want parents to feel welcome, comfortable, and connected.” Each incoming parent is carefully matched with a current parent. The mentor will answer questions not only during the summer, but throughout the year.

The Gunnery has received the largest gift in its history—a $7 million commitment from the Tisch family. The gift represents the generosity of Joan H. Tisch, widow of the late Preston Robert Tisch, and sons Steve E. Tisch and Jonathan M. Tisch, Gunnery class of ’67 and’72, respectively.

“Give back,” charged Commencement Speaker, Dr. David Albala ’73 to the graduating class of 2009. “You may not realize yet how much this school has given you, but you will… I learned the value of giving back at The Gunnery through organizations like the Community Chest Group…. Looking back, I realize that my years at The Gunnery turned out to be the most important, most formative experience of my life.” Graduates, underclassmen, administration, faculty, and proud family and friends listened as David told stories of his high school life.

Last year, former faculty member Art Solis began the Spanish Film Series to give students an education with a global reach through the power of celluloid. Foreign Language Department Chair, Karen Lincoln decided to continue and build on Art’s work. “Since this enhances cultural pride,” said Karen, “we (the Foreign Language Department) thought it would be valuable to show films from cultures other than Spanish in our community.” This year, the 2009 Foreign Language Film Series showcased Spanish, French, and Italian movies, among others.

Professional Photographers from U S Candids will be taking photographs of each graduate. Photos will be posted online within 1-2 days after the graduation ceremony at: www.uscandids.com.

On Saturday May 23rd, seventy-five runners participated in the first Annual Memorial Run for ALS held at The Gunnery. Students and faculty at The Gunnery were joined by Washington residents and students at Shepaug High School in an effort to raise both money and awareness for the neurodegenerative disease that to date has no known cure.

On May 1, 2009, this year’s Gunn Scholar Ross Anderson ’09 presented a play, Frederick W. Gunn: The Biography of a Conscience to illustrate his year-long research project about the development of the founder’s abolitionist thought. John Alter, English Department Chair, wrote an account of Gunn’s spiritual journey beginning during his college years at Yale University and ending during his self-imposed exile in Towanda, Pennsylvania. Using the actual lectures, letters, and newspapers which were sources for Ross’s paper, Mr. Alter wove an effective and affective story of Frederick Gunn’s journey to his role as a defender of the slaves including participation in the Underground Railroad.

After two decades of service, A. Thomas Turrentine ‘71 stepped down from The Gunnery Board of Trustees. His years of hard work and unparalleled devotion to the school were celebrated at a trustees’ weekend in April 2009. A trustee since April of 1996, he is the outgoing chair of the Committee on Trustees and has also served as the Chair of the Development Committee. Additionally, he has served on the Finance Committee, the Investment Committee, and as a class agent and decade chair for the 1970s. “Tom was a very conscientious committee chair,” said Thomas H. Hollinger, Director of Alumni Relations. “He was always accessible and generous with his time and he gave thoughtful consideration to the issues whether concerning trustees or advancement planning. He worked hard as the chair of the strategic planning committee and helped to formulate the future direction of the school.”

This spring, four seniors carried out independent study projects (ISP’s) in areas ranging from the arts to sociological and international studies. Senior Master, Russ Elgin described this year’s offerings as “an interesting mix.” Each student worked one-on-one with a faculty member.

The results of the student government elections for prefect and head prefect for 2009-2010 were announced this past week. The results are: Jessica L’Heureux, (Head Prefect), Johnathan Charles, Helene Dacey, Shane Gorman, Lisa Kirk and Sam Mandl.

On April 6th, Marcie Roth, Wykeham Rise ’74, gave a talk at The Gunnery’s school meeting which drew a path straight from her Gunnery experience in the 1970s to the corridors of power on the Obama transition team. A “can-do” personality, she recounted her experiences as part of the Southbury Training School community service group which led to her career specializing in civil rights and consideration for people with disabilities worldwide. Ms. Roth said of her experience at The Gunnery, “As a graduate of Wykeham Rise back in the days when Wykeham and Gunnery were coordinated, The Gunnery played a big part in the foundation of who I am. It has been truly wonderful to give back by sharing my experiences with the current students. I am especially pleased to discover that there is a strong commitment to meeting the educational needs of the Gunnery’s female students and proud to have been able to offer my own experience to these young women.”

“I remember the scary librarian of my youth,” said Head Librarian Susan Rogers. “I vowed never to scare a kid out of the library.” Susan, along with fellow librarian Sheila Kahn and faculty member Willie Smith, have worked together to make the library a resourceful tool for Gunnery students. In addition to The Gunnery’s many books, reference materials and database accesses, Susan and Sheila also search an Inter-Library loan program to enhance the individual projects of students and faculty . “Librarians at other schools are so generous,” said Sheila. “We get research materials from UCONN, Central Connecticut State University, and the State Library. We encourage all students and faculty to use this resource.”

According to Jarrod Sisk, “This year our Wall Street visit wasn’t so different from other years except that during our visit the Dow was up 100 points and after we left it went back down – we didn’t know if we could take credit for the uptick.” Every year Mr. Sisk takes a group of his students to the financial district in New York to introduce them to the wonders, mysteries, and excitement of the world's busiest markets. Rebecca Weisberg, Class of 1990, an employee of Seaport Securities, and her father have graciously escorted many Economics and Investing classes into the member's gallery of the New York Stock Exchange.

For the fifth consecutive year, two Gunnery students will study abroad in India at The Woodstock School through the SAGE (Studies Abroad for Global Education) Program. From June 2009 to January 2010, juniors John Charles and Nellie Simmons will participate in Woodstock's intense college preparatory program while immersing themselves in Indian culture. Woodstock is located in the foot hills of the Himalayas. "A friend of mine runs SAGE," said faculty member and English Department Chair, John Alter. "We were interested in getting involved, as we felt it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students. This is an experience unlike any other."

Sometimes you have such a passionate interest in something, you just can’t wait. Such was Andrew Rinaldi ’10’s interest in building a green computer. That’s why Andrew petitioned to do an academic independent studies project under advisor Chris Waldman. He sought to best the Dell company’s hybrid computer in both energy savings and power; and he did both.

Head of School, Susan Graham and the Advancement Office recently hosted a reception for current parents at Conroy House. “Approximately 48 people showed up,” said Evelina Erickson, Director of Parent Programs and Major Reunions. “This was a chance for parents to socialize and get to know each other. We, as an office, also proposed a challenge to the parents. To date, 45% of current parents are donors to the school’s Annual Fund. Our goal is to increase the participation level to 55%.” The parent class with the highest participation will win a dress down day and ice cream social at Conroy for their kids.

Who was that distinguished man standing next to Michelle Obama and singled out by President Obama at the State of the Union address as an inspiration to the country?

We knew the 2008-2009 Gunn Scholar, Ross Anderson’s, topic “The Abolitionist Thought of Frederick Gunn” was exciting, but we had little reason to expect it to have such a large impact on The Gunnery’s archives. In response to Ross’s questions during a research trip to the Yale archives, Cyrus Miller, brother of history faculty Chapin Miller and great-grandson of Frederick Gunn, has donated a veritable treasure trove of Gunn correspondence which illuminates the topic and enlarges our view of the School’s founder.

Following the well-received talk by civil rights activist and Dr. King’s colleague Pastor Ralph Lord Roy on Friday, January 16th, seventeen students joined teacher Ari Baum ’03 (economics and history) in presenting an inspirational program in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 19th in an extended school meeting. Together and individually they explored the meaning of diversity in the seemingly cohesive community at The Gunnery. Whether it was religion, race, ethnicity, gender or sexual preference, the students explored the subject using their own experiences and their personal observations.

Call it what it was – one of the most important days in the history of The United States. January 20th, 2009 will forever be remembered by all Americans, black and white, Liberal and Conservative. But it will be remembered most by those who were lucky enough to be in Washington on this historic day.

The Gunnery faculty has always given unstintingly of their time and talents to the school. This past January, they gave more than that. In a year of economic turbulence and uncertainty, 95% of the faculty committed to the school’s Annual Fund with their treasure. “I cannot begin to express my thanks to this group of people who have already given so much to our school,” said Barbara Sabia, Director of Institutional Advancement.

This year on Friday, January 16th at 7:00 PM in the First Congregational Church Meeting House on the Green, The Gunnery invites everyone to join in commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ralph Lord Roy of Southington, CT, a retired minister who was a civil rights activist who marched with Dr. King in the 1960s will speak on the topic “The Legacy of Dr. King.” All members of the community are invited to attend. Admission is free. For more information call 860-868-7334, ext 251.

In their 26th year at the Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic, The Gunnery Boys’ Hockey Team finally broke through, winning their first championship. The Highlanders did it in style, dominating Trinity-Pawling to a 9-4 win. It was very emotional for all the players and coaches as the win ranks among the most important in the history of Gunnery hockey.

In December the coaches of the Colonial League named four Gunnery players to the League’s 1st and 2nd all star teams. In addition the New England Prep School Athletic Association named Derek Coppola '09 to the All New England Prep Class B Team.

Like so many institutions, The Gunnery has been pursuing sustainability options for several years. These efforts have involved the students, the faculty, the administration, and the trustees. In the current business and political climate, these efforts have come to the fore, addressing both the financial and the environmental concerns of our entire community.

The Gunnery honors seven of its athletes named to all star teams in their respective fall term sports.

Two long-time Gunnery supporters, Richard “Dick” C. Colton and Virginia “Gina” Hamilton Solley de Sieyes Risley deCourcy were honored recently for their generous service and contributions to the school. Both were active on The Gunnery’s Board of Trustees. Dick joined in the spring of 2007, and Gina, trustee emerita, was the first female chairperson of the Board. Both have also been major contributors to the Annual Fund and the Campaign for The Gunnery.

Brandon Dufour ’02 may have graduated from The Gunnery a mere six and a half years ago, but that didn’t stop him from getting involved with the school as an alumnus. As the youngest member of The Gunnery Council, he joins 22 other alumni/ae who are volunteering their time to give back to an organization that is very meaningful to them. “My parents (John & Rose Dufour) were very active at The Gunnery when my brother, sister, and I were there,” said Brandon. “That definitely influenced me to get involved.”

Halloween this year drew faculty and student volunteers to St. John’s cemetery in Washington, CT for a nighttime tour of prominent gravesites. The Gunn Memorial Museum sponsored the tour, outfitted the specters in period costume, and directed the guests with guides along a route lit by more than 1,000 luminarias. As 19th century–clad guides led tours from gravesite to gravesite, the volunteer impersonators told the stories of the people buried under their feet.

Coach Richard Martin’s 2008 varsity football team continued the tradition of holiday community service established by the 2007 team. The week before fall term exams saw team members enthusiastically making Thanksgiving pies in the Martin kitchen for their sponsored family. Chris Sheahan ‘09, Derek Coppola ‘09, Andrew Romanella ‘09, Michael Hardon ‘09, and Michael LoPresti ‘10 collected the money for the holiday meal. Matt Allen ’09, PJ Hutzler ’09, and Danny O’Brien ’11 did the shopping , and Andrew Romanella ‘09, Michael Hardon ‘09, Jimmy Richardson’09 , Kevin Shaughnessy ‘09, and Victor Bogachev ‘09 baked the pies. Mary Anne Green at Bryan Memorial Town Hall provided the family information.

The Gunnery Parent Council has done it again! Despite a tense economic climate, they still managed to stage a successful school-related fundraising event. The Gunnery’s Parent Auction raised $189,000 gross. In a room illuminated in bright pinks and formal blacks, fantasies became realities for all involved as parents and faculty had the opportunity to bid on items ranging from the luxurious to the indulgent to the practical. Ultimately, the students and the school community reaped the benefits due to the generosity of the parents.

The National Hockey League’s Central Scouting Bureau recently identified The Gunnery’s Alex Vazzano ’10 and Michael Garlasco ’09 as players to watch for the 2009 NHL Draft. Central Scouting graded Vazzano and Garlasco as C level prospects, a rating that denotes “a potential late round selection in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.” Highlander alums Pat Street ’06 and John Vazzano ’08 also found themselves on Central Scouting’s radar heading into their respective senior years. The elder Vazzano currently plays with the Vermont Catamounts (Hockey East), while Street has become an All-League player at SUNY Fredonia (SUNYAC).

The One World Club is off to a compelling start this year with a Connecticut debut of a documentary on the plight of child survivors in northern Uganda. Boarding students gathered last week to listen to Matt, Jay, Rachel, and Johannes, four young people from all over the country who have left their jobs and schools to travel to New England schools and promote support for the Schools 4 Schools program. The students watched a documentary about the program, heard the presenters give their reasons for joining the program, and had an opportunity to purchase crafts from the area. The young people also gave programs at Newtown High School, the Taft School, and Branford High School.

The Gunnery is proud to announce that sixteen of its students have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) Exams in the May 2008 testing period.

Sarah (Sally) King ’10 spent a month this past summer in a village outside of Kigali, Rowanda with a group from the Putney Global Awareness and Public Health Initiative. There, she worked with AIDS co-ops in local hospitals and at Aveh, an orphanage for mentally and physically challenged children, most of whose parents were victims of genocide. Sally first heard about this work opportunity from a family friend who works with non-profit AIDS organizations.

After a first place finish in the Canterbury Invitational on September 20, Maisie Theobald ’09 blew away the competition and cruised to victory by more than 45 seconds at the O'Connell Invitational hosted by Cheshire Academy on September 24th. Theobald finished the O’Connell in 4th, 3rd, and 5th place during her first three years at The Gunnery. Saturday’s victory furthermore marks the tenth consecutive race where the long distance champion medaled. Theobald completed the course in a time of 21:39—46 seconds ahead of 2nd place finisher Doodle Funk of Forman. The Gunnery finished 5th in a field of nine teams, as Nellie Simmons ’11 ranked 34th of eighty runners.

On Saturday, October 4, 2008, The Gunnery varsity football team will play rivals Williston Northampton School at the annual match for the Ogden D. Miller trophy, which is celebrating its 23rd anniversary. The game will be a first for the school, under the lights on its home field at 7:00 p.m. Football fans are invited to cheer the team on.

The students arrived back on campus this year enthusiastic about the upcoming national election. Evidence of this mounted as Republican, Democratic and Libertarian Clubs were launched. The Gunnery’s history department was ready for them. Department Head Bett Alter, Craig Badger, Ari Baum, and Jarrod Sisk had planned a series of school meeting talks to give students a chance to educate themselves and discuss the issues as presented by the candidates.

Local hero Edwin Matthews will inaugurate The Gunnery’s 2008-2009 Speaker Series with an illustrated talk on “The History of The Shepaug River Valley.” He will speak at the Congregational Church Meeting House on the Green on Wednesday, October 1st at 7:00 p.m. The public is invited and admission is free.

Head of School Susan Graham, Assistant Head Eileen Kelly-Aguirre, Dean of Students Rob Reinhardt, and the head of student government, senior prefect Joseph Mashburn welcomed the school community back to campus at Convocation, an event that formally begins the school year.

Gunnery goaltender Alex Vazzano ’10 announced this past weekend his commitment to Union College (ECAC Division I) as a member of the school’s 2010 recruiting class. The Trumbull, CT native also visited Brown, Harvard, Merrimack and UConn but ultimately felt like the fit proved best at Union. Vazzano believed strongly in Nate Leaman and his coaching staff, but he also fell in love with the campus and people at the school. The 6’1” puck stopper deemed Union as the best opportunity to thrive both in the classroom and on the ice as a collegiate student-athlete. Leaman and his staff made their decision based upon seeing Vazzano numerous times during the Highlander season, as well as in summer tournaments and camps. Upon his commitment, Vazzano enthusiastically stated, “I feel honored to become part of such a great institution and program. Coach Leaman and his staff run a first class team, and I am lucky to become a piece to their puzzle. My years at The Gunnery will continue to provide me with the foundation necessary to be successful in college. Our goalie coach, Pete Whitney, has taught me a great deal about the technical and mental component to my game. I will be more than ready when I arrive in Albany in 2010.”

The Gunnery is proud to announce that Kevin Shaughnessy ’09 received an Honorable Mention in the 2008 High School Physics Photo Contest sponsored by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT).  Each year this contest provides high school students with the valuable and challenging opportunity to apply physics concepts to everyday phenomena using the art of photography.  Students are required to take the photos and complete descriptions themselves.  In 2008 more than 700 students in grades 9-12 submitted entries and the top 100 finalists were on display at AAPT’s Annual Summer Meeting held in Edmonton, Canada.  Hundreds of AAPT meeting attendees voted for their top photos in two categories – Natural and Contrived.  There were three top photos and four honorable mentions selected in each category. Kevin’s picture entitled “Storm on the Shore” was taken at summer camp in Florida.  As Kevin described in his essay entry “The large flash of light in the sky and the three lightning bolts are a result from static electricity within the clouds and lit up the night sky. To take this shot, my camera’s setting was on a shutter rate of about 5 seconds, which is why there are candy-cane shaped lights throughout the shoreline. Since the boat was floating on the water, it moved up and down in correspondence to the wave cycle. So during the 5 seconds that the shutter was open, the boat went from the bottom on the candy-cane, to the peak where it was on top of the wave, and then started to sink back down again. So from my point of view on the boat, that is how the shore line looked during the 5 seconds as the boat oscillated up and down in the water."

This past July, a new face, a new voice, a new Director of Institutional Advancement arrived at The Gunnery. Barbara Sabia brings a wealth of experience in non-profit philanthropy, having most recently been the principal of her own firm, Advancement Consulting Services in Litchfield, CT. Asked about her reaction to her new environment, Barbara said, “I was immediately attracted to the warmth and vibrancy of the community. My interactions with students, staff, and trustees reinforced that this is a school with a genuine heart and a strong sense of community.”

Steve Bailey’s physics students have been making news at a prodigious rate this spring. Shortly before spring break, the department was informed that Zi “Henry” Wang ’09 from Beijing, China had reached the quarter finals of the national competition for the 2008 National Physics team. To reach that level Zi had to best several thousand competitors nationally as the group was whittled to 405 in U.S. schools.

Almost everyone knows at least some part of the Stray Shot story – not the literary magazine, I mean, the errant Civil War cannon ball. This year’s triumphal presentation at graduation rehearsal was staged by four stalwart seniors, Priyanka Shetty, Erin Kelly, Lindsay Lincoln, and L.B Schmidt encouraged and abetted by the tennis coach, Jim Graham. Of course, just as quickly as it appeared at the door of the church, it was whisked away to be hidden for the rising seniors in the class of 2009.

Eighty-four members of the class of 2008 marched into the Meeting House on the Green for The Gunnery commencement exercises to the familiar chords of Pomp and Circumstance before an audience of proud schoolmates, faculty, friends and family. A heady combination of celebration, nostalgia, and optimism accompanies such an event, and the tears, hugs, shouts and applause testified to strong feelings in the audience.

Like many members of the school community, Ross Anderson ’08 and Shelby Sisco ’09, noticed that internet connections on campus had slowed considerably the last few years. Instead of complaining and settling, they decided to do something about it. With the help and guidance of BJ Daniels, Director of Information Technology, they found that they needed additional broadband width in order to install fiber optic networks. Mr. Daniels explained that this piece of equipment came with a hefty price tag. “We learned that we had to raise $25,000.00,” said Ross. Over a two month period, Ross and Shelby organized three fundraising initiatives – one involved the students, the other two involved the alumni.

Ross Anderson, a rising senior at The Gunnery, has been named the Gunn Scholar for 2008- 2009. Ross is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey J. Anderson of Florence, MA. The program, in its seventh year, chooses one four-year senior to pursue a year-long project of original historical research based on the contents of the school’s archives. A review panel of faculty chooses the recipient from the proposals submitted by the students.

Monday’s Memorial Day parade honoring our fallen veterans in downtown Washington is worthy of a Norman Rockwell painting. The high school marching band, the Boy and Girl Scouts, the Little League and the local fire engine companies march to the front of the town hall to honor the dead and pray for peace. A commemorative wreath is sent down the Shepaug River and two lonely bugles play an antiphonal “Taps”.

Gunnery alum Kate Marek ’05 recently won the Division III Women’s Lacrosse National Championship with the Hamilton College Continentals. The Continentals defeated previously unbeaten and #1 ranked Salisbury in the semi-finals by a score of 11-10, a game that saw Marek lead her team in ground balls, draw controls and caused turnovers. Hamilton’s upset win over Salisbury set up a National Championship game against #3 ranked Franklin and Marshall. The Continentals flew out of the gates and never looked back in a convincing 13-6 National Championship victory. Marek again played most every minute and contributed with her aggressive midfield play.

From the moment he stepped on campus in 2004, faculty member Seth Low has endeavored to teach and show by example the principles of environmental responsibility. His “green” 1978 diesel Mercedes 300D is just the latest manifestation. But it does generate a lot of interest.

Jonathan Hartmann ’08 is known on the Gunnery campus for his thoughtful poetry and writings, but very few know of his other passion. “I’ve been a photographer for ages (as a hobby),” said Jon “I have always had an interest in this art form.” His hobby came to life on May 19th when 25 photos showcasing recent work were displayed at the Gunn Memorial Library. His exhibit focused on the industrial buildings in the Waterbury and Roxbury, CT areas. Both towns were the headquarters for industrialism in the area which was, at a time, the mainstay of the local economy. “I grew up looking at this dead industry,” he said, “the brass mills in Waterbury and the bridges around Roxbury.” His photo exhibit examines the remnants of the local economic history. The exhibit was showcased for a week.

The anxiously awaited college acceptances are in, and for many the enrollment decisions have been made. The senior class of 2008, soon-to-be freshman class of 2012, were excited to show off their new colors for next year. Here is the list of matriculations:

The One World group under the supervision of faculty advisor Bett Alter sponsored a number of activities during Diversity Week, April 20th -April 26th (with Monday off to celebrate Seth and Ann Lowe’s new baby son David). Beginning with the film Kite Runner on Sunday and ending with an international flag quiz at Friday’s formal lunch, the group sought to remind the Gunnery community of the challenges and blessings of the diverse world we live in.

Prefects for the 2008-2009 were announced this past week to an enthusiastic school community. Those elected included: Joe Mashburn (Head Prefect), Pat Loglisci, Adam Katzenberg, Blake Tretter, Kurt Bailey, and Maisie Theobald. This was the second time that students and faculty could submit their votes electronically. The head prefect election was held separately after the six prefects were announced. In a collaboration between BJ Daniels, Director of Information Technology, and Rob Reinhardt, Dean of Students, a user friendly online voting system was created to meet with the sensibilities of the Millennium Generation. However, before the voting process began, candidates had to win over the support of their fellow students and faculty through passionate, ethical, and credible speeches. Below are excerpts from speeches given in April by the prefect-elects.

The Gunnery honors ten of its athletes named to all star teams in their respective winter term sports: Jeff Buvinow ‘08, William Sanborn ‘08, John Vazzano ‘08, Nicholas Izzi ’08, Adam DeSanctis ‘11, and Thane Heller ‘10 in boys' hockey; Stephanie Blasnik ’08 in girls’ hockey; Lindsay Lincoln ‘08 and Daniellle MacDonald ’08 in Volleyball; and Sarah Lane '09 in girls' basketball.

Seniors this spring have chosen academic ISPs (Independent Study Projects) in the arts and humanities and athletic ISPs emphasizing physical fitness. The last term of their last year, seniors have the option to submit proposals to rearrange their schedules to accommodate a project of compelling personal interest. Below you will glimpse the nature of their wide-ranging passions.

Gunnery goaltender John Vazzano ’08 and defenseman Jeff Buvinow ‘08 recently earned New England Prep School Ice Hockey Association All-West Team Honorable Mention honors. Vazzano received the fourth most votes of any goaltender, while Buvinow found himself ranked fifth in the defenseman pool.

On Friday April 11th at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting House on The Green in Washington, author Debby Applegate will present the 2008 Distinguished Author reading and talk in the ongoing Gunnery Speaker Series. Her book, The Most Famous Man in America: The Biography of Henry Ward Beecher won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for biography. Ms. Applegate follows such recent authors as Dr. Henry Kissinger, Russell Banks, Richard Russo, Ha Jin, Frank McCourt and poet, W.S. Merwin. She will sign copies of her books for members of the audience. The public is invited to the presentation and admission is free.

The Gunnery’s Ski Team did very well at the championship meet for the Berkshire–Hudson League in February. Sam Funk ’09 took first place for Men’s Varsity both in the championship race and, more impressively, the season overall. Rachael Henne ’09 took 3rd place for Women’s Varsity for the season. Mike Brice took 1st place for J.V. in the championship. The team placed second out of seven teams for the season, a stellar showing for a first year effort.

For personal reasons, Joe Beck who was scheduled to appear as part of The Gunnery’s annual Speaker Series is unable to perform. Dave Samuels has graciously agreed to bring his unique sound to The First Congregational Church Meeting House on Washington Green on Friday, February 15th at 7:00 p.m. The public is encouraged to call Paula Krimsky at 860-868-7334 extension 251 for reservations as seating is limited. Admission is free.

Gunnery scholar-athlete Chance Logan ’08 recently announced his decision to attend Georgetown University to continue his studies and play NCAA Division I football.  Logan plans to arrive in Washington, DC this September and chose Georgetown after entertaining offers from various other Division I schools.  The 5’10” running back ultimately felt that Georgetown provided him the best opportunity to thrive both in the classroom and on the playing field.  US World and News Report ranked Georgetown as the 23rd best university in the nation, while the Hoya football program competes in the highly competitive Patriot League.  Upon his commitment, Logan commented, “My time at The Gunnery has been outstanding. I have never experienced a community so tightly knit where it seems that everyone is part of one big family. Everyone is there for each other in a time of need and everyone also celebrates for any and all accomplishments. Like The Gunnery community, The Gunnery football program is a family rather than just a football team. The Gunnery football program taught me discipline, and that it takes all eleven players in order to achieve the goal of winning every game.”

The Advancement Office (the office formerly known as Development) received some new blood in addition to its new name with the arrival of Evelina Erickson in January 2008. As the Director of Parent Programs and Major Reunions, she will utilize almost a decade of experience in fund-raising, event planning, and community outreach.

As part of The Gunnery’s annual Speaker Series, Joe Beck is bringing his jazz trio to perform for The Gunnery community and the public in The First Congregational Church Meeting House on Washington Green on Friday, February 15th at 7:00 p.m. The public is encouraged to call Paula Krimsky at 860-868-7334 extension 251 for reservations as seating is limited. Admission is free.

Dear Gunnery Family and Friends, So many people helped to make the Annual Fund a success. Alumni, parents, grandparents, students, faculty, staff and friends have all played a significant part. However, I want to recognize two individuals—Co-Chairs David N. Hoadley ’51 and Harry T. Jones III ’53 & P’89. They are role models and ambassadors for the school. Their leadership and passion inspired the many volunteers who worked on this year’s Annual Fund.

On Thursday, January 17th, seven senior Gunnery students under the direction of history teacher, Ari Baum ’03, gave the whole school something to think about in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Jeff Buvinow, DJ Cingari, Erin Kelly, Danielle McDonald, and J. Conor Reilly delivered stirring speeches about different aspects of Dr. King’s legacy. Each brought his/her thoughts of the progress toward the realization of Dr. King’s “Dream” into his presentation. Zoey Greco and Sage Bachmann sang the familiar protest song from the civil rights movement “We Shall Overcome”. Interspersed throughout the program were quotes from other philosophers, authors, and protesters as well as those of Dr. King.

For the second year, The Gunnery chose to celebrate the holiday season musically in two very different ways: with a lively, celebratory presentation of pop and jazz performances in the Emerson Performing Arts Center and with a contemplative, more spiritual approach to the meanings of the season in the Meeting House. The music department under Jennifer Wojcik worked overtime to showcase the Troubadours, the Chorale, World Drumming, the jazz band and the private music and voice students in these contrasting events.

In December the coaches of the Colonial League named eight Gunnery players to the 1st and 2nd all star teams. In addition the New England Prep School Athletic Association named Wilburn (Chance) Logan ’08 as the all New England Class B Co-Player of the Year. Chance and Tom Musumeci ’08 were named to the All New England Class B All Star Team.

The Gunnery’s Mathletes scored well and finished in a tie for third among six teams (and approximately 400 students) in the Western CT League Math Meet held at New Milford High School on December 3rd. The only independent school competing in a competition where, for example, New Milford High School fielded a team of 130 members versus The Gunnery’s stalwart nine, the team had some outstanding individual scores on the test of 30 problems. Zi (Henry) Wang ’09 had one of only two perfect scores and the highest score for a junior. Yuze (Michael) Sun ’10 had the second highest score for a sophomore. Other participants who contributed to the team’s success were: Tianyu (Allen) Li ‘’10, Allen Chang ‘10, Shelby Sisco ‘09, Emily Bell ‘08, Sam Funk ‘09, Coco Haroldson ‘09, and Jung Min Park ‘08.

A lively crew of both veterans and newcomers brought Larry Shue’s 1984 farce, The Foreigner, to The Gunnery stage on November 9th and 10th. The play’s premise: what happens when a group of divergent characters deals with a stranger who (they think) knows no English.

Gunnery athletes, past and present, were honored at the Athletic Banquet on November 13, 2007. Athletic Director Jon Russillo initiated the festivities with the presentation of the Colonial League Championship trophy to the captains of the football team. The baton was then passed to Tom Hollinger, Director of Advancement, to present the awards to the 2007 inductees to the Athletic Hall of Fame. “Those nominated,” he said, “were outstanding athletes and contributors to their sports either during their time at The Gunnery and/or during subsequent collegiate and/or professional careers.”

The Gunnery is proud to announce those athletes who have been named all stars by their respective athletic conferences for the fall term.

In recognition of National Diabetes Month, The Gunnery’s students raised $1,053.45 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Initiated and led by senior Kristina Roberts (daughter of Mrs. Geralyn Roberts of Beaumont, Texas), events were organized with the support of Kate Merritt and the Residential Life Office. Kristy remembers walking around campus and seeing a lot of efforts to increase breast cancer awareness. “I knew just as many, if not more people who had diabetes,” she said. “My father has diabetes. I wanted to raise money for this cause and educate the campus about diabetes and its effects.” Kristy was thrilled to hear that alumnus Edsel Ford ’68 offered a two for one match for the students’ efforts. Edsel’s wife Cynthia is on the JDRF board. An additional $2,106.90 will be donated to the JDRF in the name of Gunnery’s students.

Somehow in the midst of an unbeaten season, the prospect of a Colonial League Bowl game, looming first term exams, and the approaching Thanksgiving holiday, The Gunnery’s varsity and jv football teams found time to think of others. Spearheaded by Captain Austin Dean ’08 (Bayside, WI) and Alex Rinaldi ’08 (Greenwich, CT), the team “adopted” a family of six whose names and holiday wishes were provided by Mary Anne Greene in the selectmen’s office in Bryan Memorial Town Hall.

A 30-16 victory over the Canterbury Saints on Saturday, November 10th and an unbeaten season (8-0) earned the Gunnery Highlanders a berth in the NEPSAC New England independent school post-season Bowl Games. The football team, captained by Pat Brennan’08 (East Falmouth, MA), Austin Dean ‘08 (Bayside, WI), Zach Grossman ‘08 (Lithia, FL) and Nick Izzi ‘08 (Lakeville, CT), clinched the Colonial League championship in their final game against Canterbury with a standing-room-only cheering section of hundreds, including trustees, faculty, alumni, neighbors and the players’ families. Chance Logan’s grandmother came from Birmingham, Alabama for the event. The decisive win put an end to the possibility of a three way tie for the league championship between Canterbury, Wilbraham and Monson and The Gunnery.

In spite of first term exam pressures, Gunnery students rally to cheer the field hockey team, which was invited to their post-season NEPSACC tournament. The girls will play Westover at Taft in a quarter-final matchup on Wednesday, November 14th. In addition, the team coaches, Kate Merritt and Jen Wasserman for field hockey learned that team captains, Lindsay Orszulak ’08 and Lindsay Lincoln ’08, were named all-stars by WNEPSFHA.

Parents’ Weekend is billed as a time for parent/ teacher conferences and reunions with their children, but Gunnery’s parents managed to have some well-deserved adult time and to simultaneously support the school at the 2007 Gunnery Parent Auction on Friday, October 19th. Up for bid were items covering the gamut of 21st century life: electronics, travel, sports entertainment, household, personal, and Gunnery-specific privileges. Auction Co-Chairs Laurie Ryer and DeeDee Hill joined by Gunnery Parent Council Co-Chairs Leigh Graham and Dana Dayton led an enthusiastic group of parent volunteers in collecting and presenting numerous items donated by alumni, parents, and friends of the school. The crowd rose to a “Mystery Challenge” with an added burst of generosity by committing in various denominated increments to purchase audio visual equipment for the school meeting venue in the lower gym.

The Gunnery is proud to announce that fourteen of its students have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) Exams in the May 2006 testing period.

Russ DeGrazia ’10 has certainly beaten out Charlie Brown in the search for the Great Pumpkin. On Friday, September 28th, Russ brought his “personal best”, as he termed it, to The Gunnery so that his dorm mates, coaches, and teachers could see what 648 pounds of pumpkin looked like. It took eleven men to load the delicate vegetable on the back of the family pick-up. “You have to be very careful when you move them,” he said. “It’s very easy to develop splits when they’re this size.”

Gunnery defenseman Jeff Buvinow ‘08 announced his decision to commit to Brown University and become part of the school’s men’s ice hockey program. Buvinow plans to arrive in Providence, RI in 2009 and chose Brown after entertaining offers and interest from Colgate, RPI, and numerous other ECAC and Hockey East schools. The 5’9” blue liner ultimately believed in education first and loved the opportunity to become a student-athlete at an Ivy League institution. US World and News Report ranked Brown 14th best among National Universities, fourth of the eight Ivy League schools. The Bear hockey program boasts one of the most up and coming teams in the nation. Coach Roger Grillo enters his 11th year behind the bench after rebuilding a program from 1997 to the present. When speaking about his decision, Buvinow exclaimed, “I could not be more excited to attend Brown and play for Coach Roger Grillo. The entire Brown staff displayed nothing but selfless character during the recruiting process, and for that I am thankful. The Gunnery’s academic demands and hockey program prepared me all too well for this opportunity. I look forward to bringing my Gunnery experience to Brown.”

The fifteen members of The Gunnery’s Outdoor Club are oiling their hiking boots, cleaning their water bottles, and poring over their maps as they prepare to accept the Steep Rock Challenge. The Challenge, which is open to all, involves the payment of $36 and the commitment to hike each of the 36 miles of Steep Rock trails in the Reservation: Steep Rock, Hidden Valley, and the Macricostas Preserve. Those who complete the trails receive a Steep Rock cap.

Schedule of events for Parents Weekend 2007

The Gunnery Parent Council Auction Friday, October 19, 2007

“This was a life-changing event,” said Zoey Greco ’09. “It was wonderful to be around people who really care about what’s going on in the world.” This past summer, Zoey, along with Jessica L’Heureux ‘10 and Clark Johnson ‘09 participated in the National Leaders Conference in Washington, DC. This ten-day event gave young people from all over the country an opportunity to live the life of a U.S. politician, and in some cases, the President of the United States. The students were nominated for the program by Gunnery faculty members. Participants worked together to come up with solutions to current political issues. “We were split up into groups,” said Jessica, “and given mock scenarios.”

This past Thursday the entire school embarked on a venture through Steep Rock to celebrate Mr. Gunn’s birthday. It seemed that many new students were unaware of the seriousness of this event, but those returners understand that when the Gunnery goes for a hike, we don’t mess around. The school was led onwards for about 7 miles, following the ominously hanging orange markers that hung in groups of 6 or 7 around intersecting paths. Everything was running smoothly for the first part of the walk, until we ran into a slight glitch. We were meant to be led off the path by the river onto another path that would run parallel to the original and would later take us to the tunnel. However, many students were thrown off by the presence of 2 large buses parked intrusively right at the beginning of the new path, successfully blocking the sight of the orange markers. Luckily, Captain of outdoor club Liz Hawley (’08) was there to save the day, and with the help of the other hikers around her were able to call out and redirect those who had been mislead, to bring them back upon the right path. It was a close call, but the walk continued. Circling around the paths for hours led the conversation to different points depending on who you found yourself walking with. Sporadically, students could be heard calling “Where are we?!” to which the answer would be given, “The clamshell!” Though I can’t imagine this answer would really clarify the issue very much, seeing as most of the students have no idea what the “clamshell” is or what that even means. The clamshell is so named because if you are at the peak of Steeprock and you look down there is a section of land divided off by the river that comes to a point resembling almost perfectly a clamshell. Another popular topic that arose was the similarity between the school walk and Speed Dating. The theory goes that School Walk is like Speed Dating because you are walking along with a group of other students for a certain amount of time, talking and joking and bonding until maybe you decide you see someone more interesting, or perhaps this particular group just doesn’t quite cut it for you anymore. At this point you have the freedom to pick up your pace a little bit and move on to the next group. This idea was brought to my attention by Mr. Miller, who found the idea very reasonable, and who was taking part in this process by moving through groups of students at his leisure. The day was hot, and muggy, and the addition of water dispensers at the first checkpoint was much appreciated. The temperature rose to about 85 degrees by midday, which was around the time most of the students reached the summit. The sun burned through the clouds, leaving only a little bit of haze in the distance. The view from the top revealed the much-famed clamshell along with a close-encounter view of hawks circling nearby. Students sat in their respective spaces, each taking in the view for what it meant to them. After the rest it was time to turn around and head back down a quicker 4 miles to lunch at the chorale. Overall it was a very successful day; students were able to take advantage of a much needed day off and spend it all together, bonding as they walked, played, and ate together. For seniors, it’s safe to say this is the last time they will embark on an 11 mile celebratory hike by a river and through a clamshell. It was an enjoyable experience for all, and from our school we wish Mr. Gunn a happy birthday.

In the celebration surrounding the dedication of Teddy House, a dorm for freshman boys, it may have escaped notice that girls were not neglected in the generous gifts of parents, friends, and alumni. The inhabitants of Bourne dormitory were delighted when they returned from classes one day to find a completely re-furnished, redecorated common room. Current parent Joanie Hall (Frannie Hall ’10) and her mother Barbara Baekgaard gave the recreational area a long-needed face lift with new couches, ottomans, mirrors, lamps, and a flat screen television. “This project was done on a shoe string,” said Mrs. Baekgaard, who along with Mrs. Hall, donated all items. “The furniture came from my company, Vera Bradley.” Other items came from IKEA and other local retail outlets.

On Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting House on The Green in Washington, Dr. W. Donald Hudson, Jr. President of the Chewonki Foundation will initiate The Gunnery's 2007-2008 Speaker Series with a lecture entitled “Teaching and Learning for People and for the Earth.” The public is invited to the presentation and admission is free.

The much-anticipated Teddy House dormitory was dedicated in a celebration of life and The Gunnery community. Trustee Peter Slone ’73 & P’11 stated it best when describing the dedication of the new dormitory: “This truly is a beautiful day.”

In July this year six-year faculty veteran, Jarrod Sisk, took over the role of Academic Dean from long-time faculty member Chapin Miller. With his first-hand experience, Jarrod hopes to lead his colleagues and the student body through an academic protocol that is both practical and innovative. “I’ve always had an interest in school administration,” said Jarrod, “particularly in academics.” Chapin Miller will continue as a member of the history department.

For the 158th year, The Gunnery community was formally called together at the First Congregational Church Meeting House on Washington Green on Sunday, September 10th.

The Gunnery announces its Speaker Series for 2007 - 2008. Series programs are open to the public and admission is free. Most programs are held in the Congregational Church Meeting House at 7:00 PM. It is recommended you call beforehand to confirm arrangements.

Thanks to overwhelming generosity with their time, talent, and money, The Gunnery’s alumni, parents, faculty, and friends have taken the 2006-2007 Annual Fund over the million dollar mark ($1,060,091) for the second year in a row. Expressing his gratitude to our donors and fund volunteers for the record-breaking gifts, Tom Hollinger, Director of Development, enumerated the programs which benefit from a healthy Annual Fund, “the academic curriculum, the athletic teams, the visual and performing arts, faculty salaries, cultural enrichment, campus technology, and other investments in student growth and well-being.”

Alumni Weekend 2007 brought the largest contingent of classmates and friends seen on this campus in quite some time. The buzz and laughter at receptions, lunches, and dinners brought the campus back to life. The weekend stirred many emotional moments from the jubilation of the Alumni Procession to the bittersweet good-bye to long time faculty member William Chase.

The Gunnery community said good-bye this past spring to longtime faculty member and recent retiree, William Chase. Since his appointment at The Gunnery in 1980 as a librarian, he has filled a number of pivotal roles, including teacher, coach, advisor, Academic Dean, editor of The Gunnery Bulletin, and most of all, friend, mentor, and colleague.

Gunnery ice hockey forward Austin Smith ’07 (son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Smith of Irving, TX) was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the fifth round, #128 of the National Hockey League. In a press release Stars Assistant General Manager Les Jackson said, "He has a ton of talent, he has a great work ethic, and he has a burning desire to play in the NHL. We would have taken him no matter where he was born."

After finishing with one of the best records in Gunnery history, the Girls’ Lacrosse team was recently named WNEPSWLA Co-Champions of Class B. The team shares this honor with Williston-Northampton, who was the reigning Class B Champions in 2006. The Highlanders finished with an impressive 10-1-2 for the season. Highlights include wins over powerhouses Hopkins School and Millbrook and an overtime win over Suffield. The Gunnery was slated to play Williston on May 16th, but was canceled due to weather.

US Lacrosse has named Gunnery lacrosse defenseman Mike O’Brien '07 an All American for 2007. He is the only player in the WNESSLA (Western New England Secondary School Lacrosse Association) and one of only a handful of players in Connecticut to receive this honor. Mike has earned a number of top honors this spring. Mike was selected as an All League Player of the WNESSLA and he was chosen as the WNESSLA Defensive MVP. In the league All-Star game, Mike was chosen as MVP of the Western team.

The Gunnery Commencement on June 1st is the culmination of the school year for faculty and staff and the focal goal toward which this year's seniors have been working since the minute they set foot on campus be it one or four years ago. Their years of hard work and accomplishment paid off when the eighty members of the class of 2007 marched into the Meeting House on the Green to the traditional Pomp and Circumstance before an audience of proud parents, families, teachers, and friends. PRIZE NIGHT—MAY 31, 2007 Athletic Awards Cross Country Margaret Theobald, '09 Field Hockey Kirsten Elizabeth Cleary, '07 Football Nicholas Joseph Bianchi, '07 Richard Charles Nolan, '07 Andrew John Shulkosky Boys Soccer Daniel Joshua Sherman, '07 Girls Soccer Heather Anvilla Bell, '07 Kelley Adair Davies, '07 Fall Crew Marissa McEneany, '08 Andrew Mackenzie Bagley, '07 Girls Basketball Alyse Josephine Dufour, '07 Boys Basketball Sean Louis Kelly, '07 Wrestling Kyle Bruce Endres, '07 Volleyball Alyson Sue Hill, '07 Girls Hockey Jessica Maye Cofrancesco, '07 Boys Hockey Matthew Keagan Dyer, '07 Austin Barry Smith, '07 Girls Crew Simone Michelle Greenspan, 07 Boys Crew Andrew Mackenzie Bagley, 07 Softball Felicitas Rose '08 Golf Casey James Fallon, '07 Girls Lacrosse Heather Anvilla Bell, 07 Boys Lacrosse Michael Patrick O'Brien, 07 Baseball Brooks Beaupré Belter, 07 Adam Paul Houli, 07 Zachary James Levy, 07 Boys Tennis Martin Harlan Lustgarten, '08 Lee Andrew Shapes, '09 Girls Tennis Alyse Dufour, Lindsay Diane Lincoln, '08 THE VREELAND ROGERS ATHLETIC AWARDS Established in 1998 by Gerrit Vreeland ’61 and Andrew Y. Rogers, Jr. ’61, awarded to the male and female athletes who have contributed the most in spirit, discipline, responsibility and teamwork to the success of The Gunnery’s athletic program this year………..Mr. Russillo To: SARAH ELIZABETH MACARY, '07 RICHARD CHARLES NOLAN, '07 *THE ATHLETIC CUP AWARDS……Mr. Russillo Awarded to the students, male and female, who have contributed most significantly to the success of athletics during the school year through consistent achievement and sportsmanship.

“I’ve only given two speeches in my entire life,” said Senior Dinner guest speaker, Rebecca Weisberg ’90 seconds after taking the podium before the class of 2007, “and the last one was my junior speech here.”

The end of school year 2006-2007 entails the unveiling of the academic program for school year 2007-2008, the planning of which has been ongoing throughout the year. A brief description of some of the additions to the curriculum follows. Classes for the following year will span the academic spectrum.

Sophomore Addison Owens, son of Mr. and Mrs. Reese Owens of New Preston, scored a 7 over-par 77 at the 34th Annual Kingswood-Oxford Invitational Golf Tournament. Leading The Gunnery's golf team, he placed 11th in field of 115 golfers. The medalist, Andy Irish, from Northfield Mount Herman scored 73.

As the school year draws to a close, The Gunnery's Varsity Baseball team and its coaches took time out from their grueling schedule on the way to the Western New England Prep Baseball League playoffs to honor retiring English teacher and school librarian William Chase. They presented Mr. Chase with a cap and a wooden bat inscribed with the names of all the players. In his 27 years of service to the school, Bill has earned a reputation for steadfast loyalty and unbounded enthusiasm for The Gunnery's baseball program. His contributions both on the field as an umpire and off are legion. When asked about the honor, Mr. Chase said, "It means more than all the accolades and hoopla that accompany a retirement."

Errorless baseball and clutch pitching paved the way for The Gunnery Highlanders to win the inaugural Western New England Prep Baseball League Championship with victories over Suffield Academy (4-3) and Salisbury School (3-1) over the weekend. The Highlanders won both games on the road, with Sunday’s championship win over Salisbury coming in front of a packed crowd of Crimson students and parents. A loyal but smaller group of Gunnery faculty and parents made the trip to Salisbury, CT to support and watch the Highlanders capture their second championship in the last four years (2004 Connatonic League Champions).

Bright red and shiny with yellow lettering, the new girls' crew boat in its slings on the lawn was being spit polished last Saturday to prepare for its christening at The Gunnery's Beebe boathouse. Head coach Libby Peters '02 first expressed her gratitude to the many donors who contributed to the boat's purchase. "I never expected to have this expressed need fulfilled so quickly, and it has already contributed to the great year our girls' team has had," she said. Team captains, Marissa McEneany '08 and Simone Greenspan '07 spoke about the importance attached to a boat's name and their decision to honor their longtime assistant coach Willie H. Smith by naming the boat for him. Mr. Smith, who has coached the team since 1992, was present to pop the champagne cork and bathe the bow in satisfying white bubbles as the team and spectators looked on.

According to Rob Reinhardt, organizer and head boys' crew coach at The Gunnery, strong headwinds at the start and variable light to 20 mph winds over the final 1000 meters of the race course made the annual Founder's Day Regatta one of the fastest and most competitive on record. The event, the second largest regatta in New England (after the NEIRA New England championships), hosted 28 high school and boat club teams from CT, MA, NH, NJ, and RI with approximately 1400 student athletes. There were 280 boats entered in 50 events who rowed an estimated total of 11,178 miles (not including warm-ups).

Sara Silverman, a rising senior at The Gunnery, has been named the Gunn Scholar for 2007- 2008. Sara is the daughter of Mrs. Christine Bodi of Cold Spring Harbor, NY. The program, in its sixth year, allows one four-year senior to pursue a year-long project of original historical research based on the contents of the school’s archives. A review panel of faculty chooses the recipient from the proposals submitted by the students.

For the third consecutive year, vocalists and instrumentalists from The Gunnery's Performing Arts Department participated in the Connecticut Independent School Music Festival hosted this year by the Choate Rosemary Hall on Friday, April 13th. Elected to participate at the discretion of The Performing Arts Department, Gunnery students joined performers from other independent schools including Loomis-Chaffee, Miss Porter's, St. Luke's, Suffield Academy, Hamden Hall, Taft, Kingswood Oxford, Ethel Walker, Westminster Academy, and Choate Rosemary Hall in an all-day musical event. The students joined together in instrumental and choral ensembles and rehearsed their respective pieces throughout the afternoon. Their hard work culminated in an evening concert performance attended by parents, teachers, and guests.

On April 1, 2007 at their annual banquet, The Litchfield County Basketball Officials Association Board #7 presented the Gunnery’s boys’ basketball team with the James Logan award for outstanding sportsmanship throughout the 2006-2007 season. Coach Jon Rusillo and players, Casey Fallon '07 and Patrick Brennan '08 were present to receive the award. The Highlanders have received the award in each of the last four years. Patrick and Sean Kelly '07 were the captains of the team.

Prefects for the 2007-2008 were announced this past week to an enthusiastic school community. Those elected included: Peter MacKenna, Lindsay Lincoln, Emily Bell, Zach Grossman, Pat Brennan, and Cassidy Goepel. Candidates, as in years past, were elected by both students and faculty; however, this marked the first time that students and faculty could submit their votes electronically. In another change the head prefect election was held separately after the six prefects were announced.

In the theatrical production, Beat Café, the audience was taken on a musical and literary journey through the period from 1954-1963, moving from post-war optimism to the turbulence of the early 1960s. The music was interspersed with the poetry of popular poets of that era: W.B. Yeats, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Gregory Corso, Langston Hughes and Allen Ginsberg. Jointly produced by the Music and Drama departments, the event showcased the individual singing, acting, and dancing talents of twelve students, which included The Gunnery Troubadours.

The Gunnery was well-represented at the second annual After School Arts Program (ASAP) fundraiser, "A Celebration of Young Writers" held at Bryan Memorial Town Hall on Saturday April 21st. The event featured the reading of young writers' essays and poetry by well-known writers, actors and celebrities from the area. Twenty-three students from area public and independent schools ranging in age from 5-17 listened with a capacity audience to the readings which appeared to have been carefully chosen to suit the personas of the celebrities presenting the work.

On Friday, May 4, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. the public is invited to view an exhibition of the photography and artwork of William Hamilton Gibson, Class of 1866, at the Stonbely Gallery in the Dining Hall/Bretter Student Center. The exhibition is part of the project of Gunn Scholar Alyse Dufour '07. The program, in its fifth year, allows one four-year senior to pursue a year-long project of original historical research based on the contents of the school’s archives. A review panel of faculty chooses the recipient from the proposals submitted by the students.

Again this year the One World group under the supervision of faculty advisor Bett Alter sponsored a number of activities during Diversity Week, April 7th -April 13th.

For the third consecutive year, two Gunnery students studied abroad in India at The Woodstock School through the SAGE (Studies Abroad for Global Education) Program. From June 2006 to January 2007, juniors Jonathan Hartmann and Brandon Rodriguez participated in Woodstock’s intense college preparatory program while immersing themselves in Indian culture.

Why do students choose to attend The Gunnery? There are hundreds of thousands of schools all over the world. What made The Gunnery stick out? Here’s what the students had to say.

The Gunnery honors nine of its athletes named to all star teams in their respective winter term sports: Austin Smith '07, PJ Tatum '07, and Adam Houli '07 in boys' hockey; Jessica Cofrancesco '07 in girls’ hockey; Sarah Gallagher '07 and Alyson Hill '07 in Volleyball; Sarah Lane '09 in girls' basketball; and Luis Padilla '07 and Kyle Endres '07 in wrestling.

"I stumbled out of the basement. Kurt ('09) had turned off the light without realizing I was still down there; he's been lecturing me all month about electricity and conservation" said Jane Bailey, faculty spouse and beneficiary of faculty housing. She was commenting on the newly-formed Green Club's initiative to reduce electricity usage on campus for the month of February. Everywhere, from the school store's sale of compact fluorescent bulbs to the sale of Washington Environmental Council bracelets to purchase the energy-saving bulbs to the darkened hallways of the dining hall, there was evidence of the effectiveness of the club's educational efforts. The group used school meeting presentations, bulletin boards, signs on light switches, and e-mail tips to promote the initiative.

On Friday April 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting House on The Green in Washington, poet Naomi Shihab Nye will present the 2007 Distinguished Author reading and talk in the ongoing Gunnery Speaker Series. Ms. Nye follows such recent authors as Dr. Henry Kissinger, Russell Banks, Richard Russo, Ha Jin, Frank McCourt and poet, W.S. Merwin. She will sign copies of her books for members of the audience. The public is invited to the presentation and admission is free. Ms. Nye's visit is timely as the Gunnery celebrates poetry month in April and diversity week that week.

Under the tutelage of captains Kyle Endres '07 and Luis Padilla '07, and coaches Rod Theobald, Peter Feen and Peter Pappas, The Gunnery's wrestling team had a memorable season. Although plagued by injuries and illness, several wrestlers came to the mat for the first time; Joseph Löbb '10, John Charles '10, Jason Boileau '10, and Kevin Tarsa '09, contributed new spirit to the success of the relatively small group. Match wins do not tell the whole story because The Gunnery has a small team and therefore loses points when forced to forfeit in certain weight classes. The boys can be proud of their team's record of 5-13-1 which was bolstered by impressive individual scores.

It may have escaped the notice of many in The Gunnery community, but a committed group of competitors launched a different kind of season at the school this fall: a Mathlete Team founded by faculty members Jarrod Sisk and Alisa Croft. "We really like how athletic competition makes kids respond,” said Jarrod, regarding the launch of the club, “and we think it is good if we bring some of this to the academic world. We meet around one night a month during study hall. We will have a math team party at the end of the year with food and t-shirts for kids who are "regular" attendees.”

Poodle skirts, leather jackets, and sock hops backed up an enthusiastic cast, crew, and orchestra when Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s much-beloved musical, Grease, hit the Gunnery stage in late February co-directed by Krystopher Perry and Chris Waldmann. Over fifty students made up the cast, crew, and orchestra pit which brought this musical, a parody and homage to the 1950s, to life.

For anyone who has ever struggled with verb conjugations or blearily reviewed endless vocabulary lists one more time, the students of Arturo Solís' Spanish II: Accelerated class are showing why the study of language is worth the effort. In two short years of language study, they have developed enough skill to understand a native speaker lecturing on a topic of interest.

The much-anticipated, second annual Mr. Gunn pageant took place in the Emerson Performing Arts Center on Friday, January 26th. A "beauty" pageant for boys, the program is open to students from all four classes, and includes categories for formal wear, casual wear, swim wear, talent and "intellect". Students paid $5.00 for a ticket and all the proceeds went to charity. This year the designee is the Stephen Reich Fund.

“It’s always great to be back at The Gunnery,” said Al Lussier ’81 one of several alumni who recently returned to play an alumni hockey game against the current varsity team. The alumni team, comprised of Al and numerous twenty-somethings and teenagers, were victorious over the current students with a final score of 13-10. Having begun playing as a Gunnery student, Al has returned perhaps more than most to play and coach hockey at the Linen Hockey Rink. Besides participating in previous alumni hockey games, he has coached several games for his son, AJ’s hockey team, The Northwestern Pee Wee Team. Several members of his son’s team were in attendance to cheer on Al, their own Head Coach, as he scored two goals for the alumni team.

Alumni came from as far away as York, PA (Sam Meisenhelder '41 and his wife Zoe) to join us at the Merion Cricket Club in Haverford, where on January 29 we were guests of Robert and Joanie Hall, parents of Frannie '10. Current parents joined alumni whose classes spanned the decades. T. Sargeant Pepper '62 was there with his son J. Sargeant '89 and his daughter, Grace, prospective student, class of 2021. It was a lovely evening with lots of reminiscing. Tom Hollinger, Director of Development took some time to show attendees The Gunnery's new Strategic Plan and report on the progress of Teddy House.

There was a special impetus to the fundraising efforts of the community service group this fall which chose the Connecticut Children's Medical Center (CCMC) as its recipient, where Alex Daniels, the five year old son of The Gunnery's IT department head, is undergoing a 54 week treatment program for abdominal cancer. Alex, a well-beloved faculty child, who shares a love of Star Wars and Lego Bionicles with his father, captured the imagination of the students with his courage. His parents, BJ and Karen, have kept the concerned faculty and staff apprised of Alex's travails and triumphs through the Caring Bridge website. Their website stories of the wonderful doctors and nurses at the hospital reinforced the students' decision.

The Gunnery Boys' Hockey is off to a rousing start having defeated three top-ten-rated opponents (#1 Taft, #6 St. Paul's and #8 Kent) before and during the winter break, and coming in second in the 24th Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic and the Nichols/Belmont Hill Tournament at the end of December.

This year on Monday, January 15th at 7:00 PM in the First Congregational Church Meeting House on the Green, The Gunnery invites everyone to join in commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a talk by Dennis Watlington, author of Chasing America: Notes from a Rock 'n' Roll Soul Integrationist. Gunnery students will read from school founder, Frederick Gunn’s, writing on slavery in the 1840s and 1850s and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. All members of the community are invited to attend, and admission is free.

In December the coaches of the Colonial League and the New England Prep School Athletic Association named six Gunnery players to 1st teams and honorable mention all-star status. All Colonial 1st team players were: Rich Nolan ’07, Nick Bianchi ’07 and Adam Houli '07. All Colonial Honorable Mention were: Colin Thompson '07, Luis Padilla '07 and Lawrence Gregorek '07. In addition The New England Prep School Athletic Association coaches named Nick Bianchi and Adam Houli as All New England Players.

The crew team voted overwhelmingly to name the new addition to The Gunnery's crew fleet, the Major Stephen Reich, in honor of the son of retired physics teacher Ray Reich who was killed while serving in Afghanistan. A graduate of West Point and an Army Special Forces officer, Stephen was commanding a Chinook helicopter when it was shot down and all aboard lost in the mountains of Afghanistan on June 28, 2005.

At the fall athletic banquet, a new tradition begun last year was repeated with the induction of five new members of the Athletic Hall of Fame for 2006. Stephen W. Baird ’68, F. Bruce Bradshaw ’51, Sherman R. Hotchkiss ’63, Charles A. Miletich ’70, and Elizabeth K. Peters ’02 were present to receive their citations.

In spite of first term exam pressures, Gunnery students rallied to cheer the field hockey and girls’ soccer teams, which were both invited to their respective post-season tournaments. In addition, the team coaches, Kate Merritt and Jenn Wasserman for field hockey and Alisa Croft and Jeff Trundy for soccer learned that Lindsay Orszulak ’08 was named an all-star by the WNEPSFHA and Heather Bell ’07 and Sarah Macary ’07 were named all-stars by the WNEPESSA. Lindsay Orszulak and Jessica Cofrancesco '07 were named to the NEPSAC all tournament team and Sarah Macary was named All-State team player for prep schools (one of 22 in CT).

Students are on the web in record numbers whether it be for research, instant communication with others, or outlets for personal expression. In the last few years, several sites such as Wikipedia, MySpace, U-Tube, and Facebook have become a huge hit with users of all ages. With the information boom at an all time high, schools, like The Gunnery, are taking measures to live securely and knowledgeably in an ever-changing cyber-world. As technology evolves, school policies protecting the privacy and well-being of the students must be changed to reflect the seriousness the school places on proper use of the internet. A three paragraph policy statement on student internet access in The Gunnery's student handbook in the mid '90s has expanded to a two page statement this year. Students, from day one, know where The Gunnery stands on internet access.

Gunnery audiences were treated to another experience of the stage chemistry between Peter MacKenna ‘08 as Felix Ungar and Connor Reilly ‘08 as Oscar Madison when the Drama Society produced Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple on November 10th and 11th. This was Peter and Connor’s second effort at performing Simon, having played the roles of Artie and Jay, respectively, in last fall’s production of Lost in Yonkers. Their acting skills and comic timing have only matured with time and experience.

Having fielded a girls’ cross country team for the first time in several years, the Gunnery’s boys’ and girls’ teams competed on a five kilometer course in the New England Track Association Division IV Championships on November 11, 2006 at Brooks School in North Andover, MA. Maisie Theobald ’09 repeated her 2005 winning performance as an 11th place medallist, an improvement over last year’s 15th place. Her time was 21:59. By virtue of her medaling, she was also named an All-New England Runner.

After a disappointing season of race cancellations because of weather, The Gunnery crew teams swept their second outing at the Head of the Fish Regatta in Saratoga, NY on Saturday, October 28th. The boys’ 1st boat placed first in a field of 40 in the Mens Junior Fours ahead of their rival St. Catharine’s Rowing Club from Canada who had edged them out at the Head of the Charles regatta the week before. Their time was 11:28:73 on the two mile course. The Junior Fours is open to teams under age 20. The boys' second boat placed eighth and the third boat 14th. With a show of great determination, the girls’ 1st boat placed 1st in the Womens Junior Fours with a time of 12:59:53 proving that the disappointing showing at the Head of the Charles was an aberration.

It is a ritual repeated year after year with the entire Gunnery community present. It is also a chance for administrators and faculty to model ethical behavior in the organizational culture. Members of the student body, led by Academic Dean, Chapin Miller, take an index card bearing the school’s academic honor code, and write verbatim said code on the card, thereby acknowledging (in writing and with their signature), their commitment to exercising academic honesty. A few years ago Gunnery Registrar, Peg Small, recommended the change from a verbal recitation to a written commitment. Secondary schools across the country have taken similar steps in response to increased cheating in the classroom. “We have to convince the students that it’s in their favor to do their own work,” said Mr. Miller. “We take this very seriously because we’re worried about the academic experience. They need to be adults and take responsibility for their academic work.”

The Gunnery's football team reached another milestone, playing its first home game "under the lights" at Pomperaug High School. Adding to the nighttime drama, was a Highlander victory 14-6 over the visiting team, Tabor Academy. Varsity football coach, Richard Martin explained that the team, comprised mostly of seniors and juniors, persevered and overcame a number of obstacles. The game was the culmination of Spirit Week when the students celebrated the teams and classes at The Gunnery.

The Gunnery’s crew teams had a wonderful Sunday on October 22nd. At the Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, MA, the boys’ 1st boat placed second of 50 entrants in the Youth Fours behind St. Catharine’s Rowing Club from Canada with a time of 17:28.262.They were five seconds behind the winners and 15 seconds ahead of the third place finishers, the Boston University freshman team. The Youth Fours is open to teams under age 20.

“It was a great day for football, and we were fortunate to come away with a victory against a tough Williston team" said Head Varsity Football Coach Richard Martin. “To win at home, and on Parent’s Day, made it even better.”

The Gunnery is proud to announce that eight of its students have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) Exams in the May 2006 testing period.

On Friday, October 20, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting House on The Green in Washington, Professor Daniel S. Burt of Wesleyan will initiate The Gunnery's 2006-2007 Speaker Series with a lecture entitled " The Landscape of American Literature: The Importance of Place in Literary Imagination." The public is invited to the presentation and admission is free.

Learn about the summer 2006 activities of The Gunnery Faculty.

When Priscilla Manning Porter closed her Plumb Hill Studio in anticipation of a move to Rhode Island, The Gunnery was the grateful recipient of her kiln for firing glass and ceramics for its new Woodward Center for the Visual Arts. A longtime resident of Washington, who pioneered a technique for glass fusion in which actual flora are imbedded between layers of molten glass, Ms. Porter has exhibited widely and mentored many glass artists working in the field today. Her most notable piece locally is the many-character Christmas crèche, which is exhibited at The First National Bank of Litchfield in downtown Washington during the holiday season.

Schedule of events for Parents Weekend 2006

The Gunnery Parent Auction is coming up on Friday, October 6, 2006 at the Dining Hall / Bretter Student Center.

For the 157th year The Gunnery community was formally called together at the First Congregational Church Meeting House on Washington Green on Sunday, September 10th.

Alyse Dufour, a senior at The Gunnery, has been named the Gunn Scholar for 2006-2007. The program, in its fifth year, allows one four-year senior to pursue a year-long project of original historical research based on the contents of the school’s archives. A review panel of faculty chooses the recipient from the proposals submitted by the students.

Over the past decade, since his 1996 appointment to The Gunnery faculty, Rob Reinhardt has realized many of his career goals. He has guided students in the difficult mastery of the sciences. He has led the transformation of novice rowers into national champions. He has also raised the school’s Residential Life Program to the next level through new on-campus programs. However, in July 2006, his biggest dream came true. “I always wanted to be a dean,” said the newly-appointed Dean of Students.

Read about what new and returning Gunnery students did over summer vacation.

Say good-bye to ninety minute class periods – at least at The Gunnery. After three years of researching various scheduling models, the Gunnery faculty, guided by Dean of Faculty, Eileen Kelly-Aguirre, has implemented a new academic schedule for the 2006-2007 school year. Ms. Kelly-Aguirre hopes the new setup will provide classroom atmospheres conducive to “active learning and deep understanding”. The revised schedule will increase the frequency of the extended class block (shortened from ninety to seventy minutes) from one to two per week, decrease the encroachment of other aspects of the day on class time, roll the weekday start time back slightly to 8:15, hold the 8:30 start for Saturday mornings, and incorporate formal passing time from classes to facilitate students walking longer distances.

Classmates Pat Ruby '03 and Vince McCall '03 rowed for the U.S. Team in the 2006 Under 23 National Rowing Championships held from July 20 to 23rd in Hazewinkel, Belgium. Shane O Mara '02 finished sixteenth in the 2006 World Championships at Eton, England on August 24th

Gunnery's new and rising sophomores for 2006-2007 are going to have a very different adventure from prior classes. The Sophomore Saunter (see photo gallery for a taste of last year's experience) has been moved from May to September. The Saunter, a chance to camp, to explore the beauty of Steep Rock, to share with classmates, to contribute to the preservation of a regional resource, and to experience the closeness to nature which inspired the journals and thought of New England's Transcendentalists, is an annual foray. Non-electronic music, poetry, and shared tales around the campfires have all been and will continue to be a part of the day and a half commitment.

On June 17th three Gunnery students had their works read by distinguished local celebrities, authors, and poets at an evening sponsored by the After School Arts Program (ASAP) for the Region 12 Public School System. Named "A Celebration of Young Writers", the evening included 22 works by young writers from ages five to nineteen, which were read to a standing-room-only audience at Bryan Memorial Town Hall in Washington, CT. Guest readers included actor/comedian and Gunnery parent Denis Leary, author Frank McCourt, actor Peter Gallagher, playwright A.R. Gurney and playwright/authors Susan Kinsolving, Dani Shapiro, Rose Styron, Fran Brill Kelly, Ann McDonough, Tom Cole, and Susannah Salk.

Ten members of the Washington Golf Club and ten alumni of The Gunnery met at the Washington Club Golf Course on June 10th to compete for the inaugural Alfred S. Bourne Challenge Cup. The Washington Club took the event 4 ½ to ½ in a close competition set up by Washington Club pro, Fran Hoxie.

The final week of classes before exams is a fitting time for the first celebration dedicated to the class of 2006: the Senior Class Dinner sponsored by the Alumni Office. The dinner gives the school a chance to honor the class, and the class a chance to assemble and share their anticipation of graduation festivities and memories of their Gunnery experience.

The Gunnery’s sports radio show, “4 Guys and a Highlander” chose the show’s athletes of the year for the 2005-2006 seasons from a pool of five nominees, both male and female. The winners for this year were Will McKee ’06 and Katrina Knickerbocker ’06. McKee had outstanding seasons in both the fall and the spring, playing football and lacrosse. He made the All-Star team for the Colonial football league and was chosen league offensive M.V.P., all-league attack, and was selected for the all star game. Knickerbocker had outstanding seasons in the fall, winter, and spring; where she co-captained the field hockey, volleyball, and lacrosse teams. Congratulations to both and good luck next year.

The Gunnery graduation, which took place on June 2nd, is the culmination of the school year for faculty and staff and the focal goal toward which students have been working since the minute they set foot on campus be it one or four years ago. Their years of hard work paid off when the eighty-three members of the class of 2006 marched into the Meeting House on the Green to the traditional Pomp and Circumstance before an audience of proud parents, families, teachers, and friends.

On Wednesday, May 24th the inaugural McKee Cup was awarded after a match between the varsity lacrosse teams of The Gunnery and Berkshire School on The Gunnery field. The silver cup was awarded in a moving ceremony by its donors, Russell (Gunnery '72) and Libby McKee, parents of twin sons, Parker (Berkshire '06) and Will (Gunnery '06) who are captains of their respective varsity lacrosse teams. Winning the match 13-4, Berkshire will hold the cup for the first year.

For six and a half hours on May 15th Gunnery students had a chance to relive a 19th century school day at Mr. Gunn's School. Kyley Cheever, the Gunn Scholar for 2005-2006 presented a partially-scripted program employing over twenty-five volunteer student actors which included classes, a school meeting, a Civil War preparatory drill, a 19th century lunch prepared by the dining hall food service, and punishments that Mr. Gunn is known to have imposed. English department chair, John Alter assumed the part of Mr. Gunn. Students and faculty could observe during their free periods from risers in the one room schoolhouse. The whole school attended a re-enacted school meeting (Mr. Gunn was an early proponent of student participation in the governance of the school).

“They could be the Picassos and Mozarts of tomorrow,” said Cecilia Marshall, Arts Department Chair, referring to the painters, actors, writers, and singers honored at the annual Arts & Letters Luncheon for their contributions to the visual and performing arts. “Gunnery arts programs have grown tremendously over the past few years.” The Arts and Letters Society provides a forum to showcase the arts within the campus community.

The Gunnery Chorale and Troubadours, under the direction of Jennifer Wojcik, Performing Arts Chair, sang selections from the works of W.A. Mozart, G.F. Handel, and other classical and contemporary composers. Backed by a brand new musical shell, the student performers filled the Emerson Performing Arts Center with a rich, full sound. This concert was the final offering from the music department for the 2005-2006 school year.

The weather was picture perfect, the rowers committed athletes, the coaches hopeful, the volunteers ready and the parents and spectators supportive for The Gunnery's annual Founder's Day Regatta at Lake Waramaug on Sunday May 7th. The event, the second largest regatta in New England, hosted 23 high school and boat club teams from CT, MA, NH, NJ, and RI. The four person crew with cox boats predominate in the competitions, but single sculls are raced by both boys and girls.

For their last semester as Gunnery students, several seniors have elected to work on academic Independent Study Projects (ISPs) in the arts, sciences, and humanities. The ISP program allows seniors to spend concentrated time on a particular subject of interest to them utilizing resources that might not be available to them through the regular Gunnery curriculum. They also have the opportunity to do hands-on work at a site off campus, far from Washington, CT for up to 30 days. “Through this experience, some students have discovered some future career interests,” said faculty member Russ Elgin. “However, the most important benefit is the ability to develop one’s own program and take the risks and challenges inherent in such an undertaking.”

To thunderous community applause Nick Carter, Dean of Students announced in school meeting the results of the elections for prefects for 2006-2007: Sarah Macary, Joe Woermer, Ben Greenfield, Kara Grogan, Alyson Hill, and Sean Kelly. Sean Kelly was elected Head Prefect. “I couldn’t be more pleased with this new group,” said Head of School Susan Graham. “It is a diverse, hard working group of individuals of strong character and vision - young men and women who will lead the school with enthusiasm and grace.”

In an ambitious undertaking the The Gunnery Drama Society mounted The Secret Garden, a musical based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The fourteen member cast displayed ample talent to convey the dream and memory sequences, the original Burnett storyline and the miracle of the growing garden through descriptive dialogue and lyrical music.

On April 7th a lecture and slide show by Sadiqa Basiri, Afghan advocate for women's rights and education for girls, kicked off The Gunnery's annual Diversity Week sponsored by the One World Group to remind students of their role in the wider world. Ms. Basiri, at great risk to herself, has founded schools for Afghan girls. The Gunnery chapter of Girls Learn International has been partnering with two of those schools. The One World Group, who have been raising money for their sponsorship, presented Ms. Basiri with a $1,000 donation at the lecture. Alexandra Budabin, Program director for Girls Learn International accompanied Ms. Basiri.

Every year Jarrod Sisk takes a group of his students to the financial district in New York to introduce them to the wonders, mysteries, and excitement of the world's busiest markets. Each year the tours are a little different as alumni and parents facilitate entry onto the trading floors of the exchanges. Rebecca Weisberg, Class of 1990, a Gunnery trustee and an employee of Seaport Securities, escorted this year’s Economics and Investing classes into the member's gallery of the New York Stock Exchange. Jarrod commented, "The stock exchange is quiet relative to our next stop at the commodities exchange. The majority of the business is transacted by computers now so there's very little paper." Nevertheless, the evidence of moving markets fascinates the aspiring future financial moguls.

In 2004, under the tutelage of Dean of Faculty, Eileen Kelly-Aguirre, The Gunnery added a separate teacher evaluation of students' effort, collaboration, self-regulation and disposition towards learning and thinking to the grades and teacher/advisor comments already delivered twice each term. The program is called the Academic Merit system. It represents an attempt to raise student awareness of the sorts of beliefs, behaviors and attitudes that support life-long learning. It also recognizes the strengths and progress of students whose grades do not yet reflect adequately their commitment to their studies and their assumption of responsibility for their own education. Finally, and most powerfully, it also gives their teachers opportunities to clearly indicate ways in which the students' behavior and learning habits are impeding their progress to academic independence and the school's goal of creating "life-long learners".

In Ireland for spring break Gunnery students, Kate O’ Connor ‘06, Kristen DeForge ‘06, Sarah Macary ’07, and Brittany Dougherty ’06, encountered a local couple outside a shopping district. Noting the girls' American nationality, the man and woman commented that one can find great craic (pronounced crack) in Ireland. Puzzled and somewhat alarmed, the girls returned to faculty member (and trip organizer) Courtney Dohman with what-have-you-gotten-us-into looks on their faces. As they continued their journey into the foothills of the country, Courtney explained that craic is Irish for “fun”. And thus began a journey of fun and discovery for the neophytes in world travel.

On Friday, April 7th at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting House on The Green in Washington, Sadiqa Basiri, an Afghan advocate for women's rights and education, will present the fifth lecture in the ongoing Gunnery Speaker Series. The public is invited and admission is free.

On February 25th , 2006, two former Gunnery rowers, Elizabeth Peters ’02 and Patrick Ruby ’03, competed in the annual CRASH-B World Indoor Rowing Championship, held in the Agganis Arena at Boston University. These 2000-meter races are completed on rowing machines as part of a demanding winter season and draw an elite field of athletes from high school, collegiate, national and international teams. Pat, who is a junior rowing at Northeastern University, raced in the men’s lightweight event, finishing first in the collegiate division with a time of 6:18.10 and 8th overall in a field of 121 rowers. Libby, a senior and captain of the women’s team at Columbia University, also raced as a lightweight in the women’s event, winning the collegiate division with a time of 7:14.9 and placing 5th overall, also in a field of 121. Both Pat and Libby were thrilled with their wins and their hammers, the traditional award of the event.

Gunnery students, faculty and guests were greeted by a haunting, eerie, recording of wolf howls as they entered the Meeting House on the Washington Green on February 23rd. Guest speakers Jim and Jamie Dutcher presented a program of slides, video and, sound, giving an intimate portrait of their six year life with the Sawtooth pack of wolves in Idaho. The complex social life of the pack was carefully documented to an enthralled audience by images of the Dutchers rolling on the ground with the virtually wild wolves snarling with pleasure. Other slides showed Jamie being invited into a den of new wolf pups by the alpha female through body language.

To coincide with the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, the freshman class staged their own Olympic ceremonies (on a slightly smaller scale) during the annual freshman trip to Lake Placid, NY. The students competed in winter athletics activities such as sledding, toboggan racing and ice skating. The competition culminated in an awards ceremony on the final night of the trip. The weekend's athletic excellence awards were complemented by other categories such as “best camper” and “best outfit”, adding to the informal, fun tone of the weekend.

Everything's Coming Up Broadway, the musical revue produced by Gunnery’s Troubadours for the school community on February 28th, was a rollicking success. Jointly produced by the Music and Drama departments, the event showcased the individual singing, acting and dancing talents of the twelve participants, dipping into Broadway's favorite tunes and lyrics from the past 50 years.

First time novelist Benjamin Kunkel presented the Distinguished Author lecture at The Gunnery on February 17. First reading from the prologue of his book, he proved to be an engaging speaker as he commented on his path to the writing craft and his life as an author. Having centered the tension of his book on a ten year reunion at a boarding school, Mr. Kunkel related some of his experiences at St. Paul's, thereby establishing an immediate rapport with his student audience. Afterward, he answered the eager questions of would-be writers among the students.

“This was my first time on the ice at The Gunnery in five years,” said Ryan Kelly ’01. “A lot has changed in a short amount of time.” Ryan was one of several alumni who returned in early February to play an intense Alumni Hockey Game against the current varsity hockey team. “It was a close game,” said Ryan. “We (the alumni) won within the last 30 seconds. However, the atmosphere was friendly. We were all there to have fun.”

On Thursday, February 23rd at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting House on The Green in Washington, award winning cinematographer and filmmaker Jim Dutcher and his wife Jamie Dutcher, an Emmy-winning sound editor, will speak about their six years living with the Saw Tooth wolf pack in Idaho. The Dutchers, who give the third lecture in The Gunnery’s annual Speaker Series, will sign copies of their book, Living with Wolves, for members of the audience. The public is invited to the presentation and admission is free.

It was a delightful melding of purpose and entertainment as the school community gathered at the Emerson Performing Arts Center to cheer the twenty contenders for “Mr. Gunn 2006”, a “beauty” pageant for males. The Community Service group, who organized the evening to raise money for the Steven M. Reich Memorial Fund, managed a varied program including competitions for formal wear, casual wear, beach wear and talent.

On Friday February 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting House on The Green in Washington, author, Benjamin Kunkel, will present as the 2006 Distinguished Author in the ongoing Gunnery Speaker Series. Mr. Kunkel follows such recent authors as Dr. Henry Kissinger, Russell Banks, Richard Russo, Ha Jin, Frank McCourt and poet, W.S. Merwin. Mr. Kunkel will sign copies of his books for members of the audience. The public is invited to the presentation and admission is free.

Trustee Joan A. Noto P ’97 joined Head of School Susan Graham in honoring fellow board member Christine Stonbely and husband George P ’99 for their generous contributions to The Campaign for The Gunnery. In front of an audience of trustees, faculty, administration and students, the main foyer in the Dining Hall / Student Center complex was named in the Stonbely’s honor. In her opening speech, Joan commented that George and Christine were instrumental in the creation of this new complex, and that anytime anyone walks down this foyer, they will be reminded of that fact.

On January 4th, the Korean Gunnery Alumni group hosted the second annual alumni party for Head of School, Susan Graham and her husband Jim in Seoul. Organized by the Korean Gunnery alumni leadership team of Andy Kim ‘95, John Won ‘95 and Mrs. Choi (Ms. Park) PP ’04, the gathering took place at the lovely Grand Intercontinental Hotel.

On January 16th the First Congregational Church Meeting House on the Green rang with story and song in celebration of the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Deborah Calhoun of the Afrikan-American Cultural Awareness Association brought the Sounds of Afrika ensemble for an evening of music, dance, and old/new-fashioned storytelling.

In December the coaches of the Colonial League and the New England Prep School Athletic Association named eight Gunnery players to 1st teams and honorable mention all-star status. All Colonial 1st team players were: Cameron Ahouse ’06 (Woodbury, CT), Rob Feeley ’06 (Seekonk, MA), Chris Ward ’06 (Exeter, NH) and Ewan Wright ’06 (Brooklyn, NY). All Colonial Honorable Mention were: Dakota Farrar ’06 (Salisbury, CT), Pat Labruzzo ’06 (Lake George, NY), Will McKee ’06 (Old Greenwich, CT) and Bryan Seaman ’06 (Peabody, MA). In addition The New England Prep School Athletic Association coaches named Rob Feeley, Chris Ward and Ewan Wright All New England all stars on their 1st team.

Make a point and back it up with concrete research. Listen effectively to an opposing side’s views. These are some of the skills practiced by The Gunnery’s Debate Club. Started in 2004 by then-student Vincent Marron ’05 and current head prefect James Estreich ’06, this club gives students the opportunity to debate current social and political topics both in and out of school.

This past December, former trustee Stephen Bent ’53 and wife Ann joined Head of School Susan Graham in welcoming Chicago area alumni to a reception at the Women’s Athletic Club. Mrs. Graham gave the group an update on the highly-anticipated renovation of the underclassmen’s dorms as well as other current school news.

The Gunnery announces its Speaker Series for 2005-2006. Series programs, held in the Congregational Church Meeting House at 7:00 PM, are open to the public and admission if free. It is recommended you call The Gunnery beforehand to confirm arrangements.

The Gunnery Holiday Concert at the Meeting House on December 13th offered a wide variety of musical selections ranging from Da Pacem Domine to contemporary renditions of Jingle Bell Rock. Traditional spiritual standards were balanced by rock versions of holiday songs.

English Journal #2 (May 2004) is the first student publication to be made available on The Gunnery website. Print issues of the English Journal have come out twice a year since the founding of the journal in the Fall Term of 2003. The issues have contained a representative sixty pages or so from the most recent postings to the online Journal (available on the Gunnery intranet only).

The Gunnery is pleased to announce plans to begin construction on the first of three new dorms to be built on the site of Bache, Butler and Emerson dormitories. Bache will be the first to be replaced. The first dorm will be named Teddy House, in memory of Edward “Teddy” Ebersol ’08, who died tragically in a plane crash in Colorado in November 2004. “The construction of Teddy House,” said Head of School Susan Graham, “will help us to honor an extraordinary young boy whose optimism not only buoyed up the morale of the freshman boys of Bache, but also set the spirit and tone of the entire school.”

Gunnery lost a great friend this fall when Elizabeth Dwight Bellinger Miller died on October 18, 2005 at age 72 after a long battle with cancer.

Gunnery athletes, past and present, were honored at the Athletic Banquet on November 29, 2005. As in years past, current team coaches summarized their seasons and honored current Gunnery students with awards for excellent athletic performance in the fall term. However, this year’s banquet was also an opportunity to inaugurate an Athletic Hall of Fame to which seven alumni and a former teacher-coach were inducted.

This past November, receptions held at Sidecar at P.J. Clarke’s in New York City and the Chilton Club in Boston saw record attendance by parents and alumni whose connections to the school spanned five decades. Alumni and parents chatted, networked and celebrated Gunnery’s past, present and future.

The Gunnery honors eight of its athletes named to all star teams in their respective fall term sports. In addition, the varsity field hockey and the varsity girls’ soccer teams played in the post-season tournaments in their respective sports.

A November production of Neil Simon’s Lost in Yonkers, under the direction of new Drama Department head, Chris Waldmann, was presented by an enthusiastic and disciplined cast and received raved reviews from an audience of students, faculty and parents. The comic dialogue was well balanced with the meaty, emotionally charged story line, a paradox often associated with Simon’s work.

Following in the footsteps of the transcendentalists – well, not exactly! The seventy-eight juniors on a field trip to Salem and Concord, MA at the end of October did, in fact, stop at the museums, houses, and landscapes which are associated with their American literature readings of Emerson, Hawthorne, Alcott and Thoreau. However, their first stop was at the House of Seven Gables in Salem on the day before Halloween.

The boys’ first and second boats traveled to Philadelphia, PA this past weekend, November 11 through 13, to participate in the annual Frostbite and Braxton Regattas.

The Gunnery’s Highlanders 20-6 victory over the Canterbury Saints on Saturday, November 12th earned them a spot in the New England independent school post-season Bowl Games. Their season record in the new Colonial Football League, inaugurated in September, was 7-1-0. The football team, captained by Cameron Ahouse, Dakota Farrar, Christopher Ward and Ewan Wright was elated by the invitation, the first for the school since 1998.

Maisie Theobald ‘09, Gunnery’s freshman cross country sensation, again triumphed at the annual New England Prep School Track Association (NEPSTA) meet at Millbrook School on Saturday, November 12th. In the Division IV race Maisie came in 15th out of 96 runners from 17 schools on a three mile course. The win earned her a NEPSTA medal and naming as an All-New England Runner.

Board members, faculty and staff joined Head of School Susan Graham in honoring trustees and their spouses for their contributions to the campus in recent years. Three ceremonies were held during the weekend of October 29th to officially name The Leo D. ‘52 & Frances Bretter P ‘88 Student Center, The Joan A. Noto P ’97 Technology Center and The Judy Jones P ’89 Memorial Garden. For The Gunnery community, it was a chance to recognize the invaluable generosity of these alumni and parents.

Past parent Susan Schmertz along with daughter Nicole ’99 opened their home for the year’s second event catering to the younger alumni in the New York City area; the first was a reception held at the Central Park Boat House in mid August.

On Friday October 14, 2005, The Development Office joined hosts Sam and Shari Sirkin P ’04 in welcoming alumni and current and past parents in the northwestern region of Connecticut to the Rock Ridge County Club in Newtown, CT. “These are people,” said Tom Hollinger, Director of Development, “who can’t make it to our receptions in New York due to distance. A critical mass of our Gunnery family comes from this side of the state.”

The electricity in the air of The Gunnery’s Dining Hall/Student Center was palpable for the auction which kicked off Parents’ Weekend on Friday, October 21st. Auctioneers Tommy Adams and Jim Graham began the evening with “Heads or Tails”, an icebreaker game which warmed up the already enthusiastic crowd. Mrs. Karen Sadik-Kahn P ’06, who survived the many eliminations of the game, generously donated her nearly $1,000 grand prize back to the school.

The Gunnery is proud to open its 2005-2006 Speaker Series with a program of classical Indian music presented by The Kalavant Center for Music and Dance of New York City. The recital will take place on Friday, November 4th at 7:00PM at The First Congregational Church Meeting House on Washington Green. The public is invited and admission is free.

“Playing in the rain under the lights,” said Head Varsity Football Coach Richard Martin, “was enough to get the team excited.” On October 8, 2005, The Gunnery varsity football team defeated rivals Williston Northampton School at the annual match for the Ogden D. Miller trophy, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. With a final score of 34 -7, The Gunnery team played in torrential downpours while a small yet vocal audience of Gunnery alumni, students and parents cheered on in the stands of Williston Northampton Academy’s Berube Stadium at Sawyer Field.

Susan Graham, Head of School at The Gunnery, is proud to announce that Joseph Clapis ’06 has been named a Commended Student in the 2006 National Merit® Scholarship Program. Joe is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Clapis of Southbury, CT.

Since its inception in 1997, attendance at the immensely popular school event, Grandparents’ Day, has increased dramatically. On Wednesday, September 28, 2005, over 200 grandparents came to visit their Gunnery grandchildren. Special events included: a student panel, a class visit, a student performance, and a presentation by Head of School, Susan Graham, on The Gunnery’s strategic plan for next few years. Lunch with their grandchildren was a festive affair for the visitors.

Saturday night, October 8th The Gunnery football squad and coaches Richard Martin (head coach), Hugh Caldara, Nick Carter, Sean Walsh, Seth Low and Christopher Waldman will journey to Easthampton for an annual match game under the new lights at Williston Northampton Academy’s Berube Stadium at Sawyer Field. The game at 7:00 PM will be played for the Ogden D. Miller Trophy, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. “It’s a huge, ornate, silver Victorian thing that Nancy Lemcke donated in 1985,“ said Hugh Caldara.

After three short days at their new school, the freshman class was whisked off campus by Freshman Dean Jarrod Sisk, the prefects and four faculty members. They spent the weekend of September 10th at Camp Washington five miles from The Gunnery. There, the class was given the opportunity to meet one another, make friends, bond and in some cases, come out of their shells.

On a Saturday afternoon in late August, Emily Sandefer ’08 was shopping for school clothes. The next day, she and her family were asked to evacuate her home in New Orleans. On the day after that, she and her family were en route to Florida when Hurricane Katrina arrived. One week later, Emily arrived at The Gunnery.

The Gunnery is proud to announce that nine of its students have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) Exams in the May 2005 testing period.

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Over the summer, Gunnery faculty proved that learning does not end once you leave the classroom. From the academic to the recreational to the profound, it was a rich summer of discovery.

For the 156th year The Gunnery community was formally called together at the First Congregational Church Meeting House on Washington Green on Sunday, September 11th. The Gunnery’s Convocation marks the formal beginning of the school year with attendance by the whole school community. It includes a welcome from Head of School, Susan Graham and the head of student government, Senior Prefect, James Estreich, prayers for the success of the school year and the singing of the Gunnery hymn.

Ten New England prep schools have joined together to form a new football league based upon shared principles and parity in competition. The participating schools made the decision to create the Colonial Football League to promote healthy contests among teams by aligning schools with similar philosophies and goals for this sport. The group’s collective aim is to ensure fair competition and a meaningful experience for students in a sport that is both challenging and physical.

It has been a busy summer for Gunnery’s students. From hockey camps to voice lessons to world traveling, it has been three months of fun and hard work.

For the second consecutive year, two Gunnery students will study abroad in India at The Woodstock School through the SAGE (Studies Abroad for Global Education) Program. For the fall semester, juniors Gus Ryer and Paul Henne will participate in Woodstock’s intense college preparatory program while immersing themselves in Indian culture based in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Athletics have always been a major part of newly appointed Athletic Director, Jon Russillo’s life. He excelled in soccer, football, basketball, baseball and track at his high school in Windsor Locks, CT and received his B.A. in Sports, Fitness and Leisure Studies with a concentration in Athletic Training at Salem State College. He was a certified athletic trainer at Sacred Heart University for two years (where he also received his M.A.T. in Education) when he landed a job in The Gunnery’s Athletic Department.

The Gunnery Parent Auction is back, stronger than ever! Under the guidance of Honorary Chair Ginny Kagan P ’00, Laura Shaughnessy P ’07 & ’09 and Laurie Ryer P ’07 & ‘09, the auction will kick off Parents Weekend on October 21st. Current parent Rose Dufour P ’01, 05 & ’07 came up with the idea of resurrecting the auction in conversation with Head of School Susan Graham earlier in the year. Enthusiasm in the parent community has begun to really build in the last few months. “All the other schools have an auction,” said Laura, “Why don’t we?”

On July 25, The Gunnery submitted to the Town of Washington’s Zoning Commission a proposal for limited use of off-campus property on South Street, which it has owned since 1958.

The Gunnery is pleased to announce colleges and universities to which members of the Class of 2005 were admitted.

The Gunnery is deeply saddened to report the death of Special Services Officer Stephen Reich, aged 34. Stephen was the son of 25 - year veteran faculty member Ray Reich and his wife Susan. Stephen was killed in action in Afghanistan on 28 June 2005. A graduate of West Point and an Army special forces officer, Stephen was on a rescue extraction mission when his Chinook Helicopter was shot down and all aboard were killed.

On June 3, 2005 ninety-two Gunnery seniors followed the be-robed faculty into the Meeting House on the Green in Washington, which was packed with underclassmen, alumni, family and friends. They emerged little more than an hour later as Gunnery graduates and alumni of the school.

The Gunnery honors thirteen of its athletes named to all star teams in their respective spring term sports: Kristen Emerick ’05 in softball; and Kathryn Marek ’05 and Sarah Macary ’07 in girls’ lacrosse. Michael O’ Brien ’07 , Greg Holt ’05 , Jack Cullen ’05, Troy Machir ’05 and Will McKee ’06 were named all-stars in boys’ lacrosse. Wes Ulbrich ’05, Jarrod Smith ’05, and Adam Houli ’07 were named to the first team all-stars in baseball. Nick Lahoud ’05 and Shane Murphy ’05 were named to the second team all stars.

Prize Night was lit with expectation and luminaries in memory of cancer victims as the entire school assembled to celebrate the accomplishments of the year.

On Thursday May 19th the Alumni Office kicked off graduation festivities for the Class of 2005 with the annual Senior Dinner. “This is our chance to welcome the new graduates into the broader Gunnery family,” said Tom Hollinger, Director of Development.

In a departure this year faculty Jarrod Sisk and Chad Cookinham opened the senior seminar students’ culminating presentations to the school community. For three evenings in mid-May the thirteen members of the class undertook some aspect of the seminar’s year-long topic, mathematics and economics. The presentations and accompanying research papers represented 75% of the spring term grade for the double-period class. The paper and presentation grades were weighted differently depending on whether the topic was one of research or application. Another aspect of the assignment was the engagement of the audience in activities relating to the topic.

For one special week The Gunnery celebrated the painters, poets, writers, actors, singers and musicians in our midst with a series of exhibits, shows and recitals. The tradition of the Annual Senior Art Show prompted Cecilia Marshall, Art Department Chair, to want more exposure for all the arts represented in our community. She, along with John Alter, English Department Chair, collaborated to create the Arts & Letters Celebration. “This was a chance,” said John “to celebrate not only the arts, but the students who really excelled at the arts. We wanted to recognize that some of our artistic kids are equivalent to a varsity athlete.”

On May 16th Gunnery student Caleb Elston ‘05, presented the results of his complex year-long study of the construction and interior design of “The Knoll”, now called “Bourne”, one of The Gunnery’s best-known buildings.

The Gunnery community gathered together in front of the James R. Haddick Field House on Tuesday, May 10th to honor the memory of Edward “Teddy” Ebersol ‘08 who tragically died in a plane accident in November 2004. Members of the Ebersol family joined students, faculty, staff, and alumni to listen as Acting Head of School, Nick Carter, and faculty member, Ed Small celebrated Teddy’s life and legacy.

Kyley Cheever, a junior at The Gunnery, has been named the Gunn Scholar for 2005-2006. Kyley is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Cheever of Southbury, CT. The program in its fourth year allows interested juniors who have been at the school since their freshman year to submit proposals for a year long project of original historical research based on the contents of the school’s archives. A review panel of faculty chooses the recipient. Kyley will study curriculum developments in the school’s history.

On April 29th , a presentation by guest speakers, Alexandra Budabin, Program Director of Girls Learn International, and Lisa Alter, Girls Learn International founder, served as the climax for a week-long Gunnery event sponsored by the Amnesty International chapter to remind students of their role in the wider world. Lisa, along with her daughters, founded Girls Learn International which now includes 25 chapters in 6 states.

On Saturday, April 9th from 12p.m. to 12a.m., students, faculty and parents gathered together for the annual Row-a-Thon on Lake Waramaug in Washington, CT. Sponsored members of the boys’ and girls’ crew teams rowed a total of 80 miles to raise money. Individually, each student rowed approximately 10 miles. Monies raised will go to the crew program to supplement its yearly budget and to update the equipment. “We lucked out this year, “said boys’ crew coach, Rob Reinhardt, “because for the first time since I’ve been here, it was a beautiful, warm day and night.”

Gunnery’s Music Department presented Antonio Vivaldi’s Baroque masterpiece, the Gloria,on Friday April 22nd at the Meeting House on the Green. Tri-Music Honor Society President, Greg Chere ’05, introduced the twelve movement program, which featured solos by Meredith Spratt ’06, Emily Patnaude ’05, Susannah Forte ’05 and Chris Laycock ’05.

On April 27th Nick Carter, Dean of Students, announced to an enthusiastic and supportive Gunnery community the 2005-2006 Prefects-Elects: Rising seniors Joe Clapis, Emily Alter, Josh Vidro, Nathan Elston, Elizabeth McKenna, and head prefect, James Estreich.

An enthusiastic cast under the direction of Drama Chair, Melissa Chamberlain-Walsh made Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream come alive at the Emerson Performing Arts Center. This was the Drama Society’s first venture into Shakespeare in almost ten years. The fast-paced, comedic classic included standout performances by Tabby Molapo ’05 as Titania, Nicky Pratt ‘06 as Bottom, Gwen den Breems ’05 as Helena and Chris Laycock ’05 as Puck.

The Gunnery honors five of its athletes named to all star teams in their respective winter term sports: Kat Kroleski ’05, Kathryn Marek ’05 and Kristen Emerick ’05 in girls’ hockey; and Marisa Mastrianno ’05 and Alyson Hill ’07 in volleyball.

Emily Patnaude ’05 has been honored with a Bronze Award from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation for her volunteer work at the Mitchell School in Woodbury and on the Gunnery’s community service team.

Seniors this spring have chosen academic ISP projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities; and they have also chosen to apply their knowledge in the working world. The last term of their last year seniors have the option to submit proposals to rearrange their schedules to accommodate a project of compelling personal interest. Below you will glimpse the nature of their wide-ranging passions.

The Gunnery held a formal dinner to honor their fall and winter athletes for outstanding play during the respective terms.

Students of the Creative Writing and NY Literature classes visited NYC in March for writing inspirations and opportunities. “The kids in NY Literature,” said Bill Chase, “were assigned to interview random people within the city as they had practiced on campus. Creative Writing students were to write about their first-hand experiences.” As this trip was being planned, the faculty realized that it would coincide with the exhibition of Christo’s Gates. Faculty member, Robin Osborn, said that this would be an opportunity that the kids shouldn’t miss. The trip was reworked, allotting for time to visit the exhibit.

Style and elegance are not words one usually associates with Gunnery’s students trudging through the muddy dregs of winter with end-of-term, forty-pound bookbags, but “style” and “elegance” aptly describe the impact of An Evening with Cole Porter put on by Gunnery’s Troubadours for the school community on March 1st.

The Gunnery was delighted to learn that long-time Washington resident, Margaret P. (“Peg”) Jones had decided to leave her house to the school. She has long held an affection for the school, and made the gift of her house when she moved to smaller quarters.

The Senior Seminar class, Mathematical Economics, along with faculty members Jarrod Sisk and Chad Cookinham recently went on a trip to the financial district in New York City. The idea for this trip was born from an in-class exercise. “Since we had mock-up stock exchanges in class,” said Chad, “we thought it would be great for the students to have some first-hand experiences.”

On February 14 & 15, the freshman class, student prefects and faculty members Nick Carter, Kate Merritt, Ed Small, Jarrod Sisk and Peg Small headed to Lake Placid, NY for some rest, relaxation and winter term relief. “The main purpose of this trip,” said Jarrod, Freshman Dean, “was to get the freshmen to bond as a class. They were really looking forward to this trip. On the drive up, prefect Wes Ulbrich ’05 kept telling them how awesome it was going to be.”

Caleb Elston’s ambitious Gunn Scholar project to research the transformation of Bourne, an 1880s shingle summer cottage, into a magnificent 40-room Tudor mansion received an information boost during a visit to New York with Carole Bourne, granddaughter-in-law of the owners. Known as The Knoll by the owners, Alfred Severin Bourne and Louise Barnes Bourne, who converted the house in the late 1920s, Bourne serves as Gunnery’s administration building and girls’ dorm today.

On Friday February 11 author and Boston University professor, Ha Jin, spoke to Gunnery’s student body, faculty and guests as the 2005 Distinguished Author in the ongoing Gunnery Speaker Series. Mr. Jin follows such recent authors as Dr. Henry Kissinger, Russell Banks, Richard Russo, Frank McCourt and poet, W.S. Merwin. The audience was treated to a frank and appealing look into the writer’s life and experiences with his craft.

Sixteen students with faculty advisors, John Alter and Willie Smith, spent a weekend in New Haven representing Jamaica and the Philippines at the Yale Model United Nations (YMUN) XXXI. As one of 68 high schools represented by about 1000 delegates, The Gunnery group was enthusiastic about their experience: “We were more committed this year,” said Dan Agius ’05. “We were also more prepared, and knew better what to expect,” said Greg Chere ’05.

Since January, different groups at The Gunnery community have been organizing numerous benefit events to help the tsunami victims in Southeast Asia.

On Friday February 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting House on The Green in Washington, esteemed author, Ha Jin, will present as the 2005 Distinguished Author in the ongoing Gunnery Speaker Series. Mr. Jin will follow such recent authors as Dr. Henry Kissinger, Russell Banks, Richard Russo, Frank McCourt and poet, W.S. Merwin. Mr. Jin will sign copies of his books for members of the audience. The public is invited to the presentation and admission is free.

On January 17th the First Congregational Church Meeting House on the Green rang with story and song in commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This past weekend, January 14 and 15, 2005, Susannah Forte ’05 and Christopher Laycock ’05 performed in the Connecticut Regional Chorus Music Festival. After auditioning and being accepted in October, the students traveled with Music Director, Jennifer Wojcik to New Britain High School for the rehearsals and performance. The Music Festival was sponsored by the CMEA (CT Musical Educators Association).

Again this year on Monday, January 17 at 7:00 PM in the First Congregational Church Meeting House on the Green, The Gunnery invites everyone to join in commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Gunnery students and faculty will join guest artists, the Peace is Possible Chorus and Fre Atlast, drummer, to produce a multi-faceted program of song, music, art and story-telling. Victoria Christgau, the organizer of the program, is the founder of the Sound Body Production Company, which has produced events in Litchfield County honoring Dr. King for the past 14 years.

A pas de deux in outer space. Piqué turns that defy gravity. These were some of the highlights behind Sunflower Moon, a new dance piece performed by internationally renowned dance troupe MOMIX. An astounded audience of students and faculty were given a sneak peak of this performance before it makes its world premiere at the Warner Theater in Torrington, CT.

The Gunnery is proud to announce that thirteen of its students have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) Exams in the May 2004 testing period.

The Gunnery’s boys’ 1st and 2nd boats took 1st and 4th in their respective races on Saturday, November 13 at the appropriately named Frostbite Regatta on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. The following day the boats both took 1sts in their races over the same 1500 meter course in the Bill Braxton Memorial Regatta. The races were open to crews which were enrolled full-time in secondary schools.

The Gunnery community mourns the loss of Teddy Ebersol, beloved ninth grader tragically killed in a small plane crash on Sunday afternoon, November 28, 2004. Teddy was en route with some of his family to South Bend, Indiana following the USC – Notre Dame football game.

The Gunnery honors six of its athletes named to all star teams in their respective fall term sports. In addition, the varsity field hockey and the varsity girls’ soccer teams have been invited to the post-season tournaments in their respective sports.

On Sunday and Monday, October 31and November 1, 72 juniors set off from The Gunnery to explore Concord and Salem, MA. The trip is designed to engender a 19th century mood for the winter term Junior Research Paper, a combined project of the English and history departments. Most students see it as a suspension of daily classes and a break from routine; an adventure.

“I feel very passionately about what I do and what I believe in,” said Air America Radio Host Mark Riley ’69 to The Gunnery community and town guests. Mark returned to campus on Friday, November 5th as the second guest in the 2004 – 2005 Speaker Series. In his presentation, he delivered a high-powered, thought-provoking and, at times, disturbing portrait of his career in journalism and the current political state of the country. Mark felt that his Gunnery training proved to be more useful than any other school he had experienced including college. “The Gunnery,” said Mark, “balanced the discipline of academic rigor and the right to question. When I was a student here, I questioned everything.”

Contemporary and classic pieces of theater make up The Gunnery Drama Society’s 2004- 2005 season. In addition to the two Main Stage productions, a musical revue and a staged reading are in the works to offer more artistic outlets to the student body.

On Thursday, October 26th two Gunnery teams revived a long Gunnery tradition of debate clubs, journeying to the Legislative Building in Hartford to participate in The Great Connecticut High School Debate. Vinnie Marron ’05 and James Estreich ’06 were on one team, and Dan Agius ’05 and Dillard Butler ’06 were the second team.

On October 27th, for the eighth consecutive year, The Gunnery welcomed over 200 grandparents to spend a day-in-the-life of their grandchildren. A wide variety of activities were offered to them including class visits, a student performance, a student panel and a special luncheon with their grandchildren.

The Gunnery’s crew teams had a wonderful Sunday on October 10th. At the Head of the Connecticut Regatta in Middletown, CT it was a first place sweep for the Men’s and Women’s Secondary Fours Races.

New York City radio personality Mark Riley ’69 will speak to The Gunnery community and their guests in The First Congregational Church Meeting House on Friday, November 5th at 7:00.pm. Mr. Riley’s topic is “Who Won? And Why?: Lessons of the 2004-2005 Presidential Race”.

Inquiring parents want to know. How’s my child really doing in school? Is he/she profiting from and also enjoying the experience? Is he/she taking his/her education in hand? And what better way to find out than by visiting their child in his/her dorm, in his/her class, or at his/her athletic contest. Then, of course, there’s a chance to meet their child’s classroom teachers and advisor in individual discussions. This is Parents’ Weekend at The Gunnery which this year took place on October 8th & 9th in near-perfect early fall weather with 83% of the student body’s parents in attendance.

On September 19th, The Gunnery Parent Council joined Head of School Susan Graham in welcoming over 48 boarding and day parents to a luncheon and informational meeting at Conroy House. It was an afternoon for parents to acquaint and/or reacquaint with each other.

On Thursday, September 30, 2004 the whole school gathered for the School Walk which takes place annually as close as practicable to founder, Frederick W. Gunn’s, birth date of October 4. Classes are suspended and athletic commitments are optional. Teachers, staff, students, campus dogs and other members of The Gunnery family trekked this year to the top of Steep Rock and returned to the dining hall for a cookout. Etymology teacher, Peg Addicks, walked for the 25th year.

The Chilean music group Inti-Illimani will perform for The Gunnery community and their guests in The First Congregational Church Meeting House on Thursday, October 28th at 7:00.pm. This performance will kick off The 2004-2005 Gunnery Speaker Series, a program that builds on The Gunnery’s Distinguished Author Series started by Henry Kissinger in 1999. Described as South America’s “ambassadors of human expression,” their distinct sound serves as a call for human rights. Since the group formed over three decades ago, they established a reputation for being open-minded in their musical approach. More than thirty wind, string and percussion instruments are used to produce their sound of “passion and poetry.”

Susan Graham, The Gunnery’s Head of School, is pleased to announce that Katherine G. Danziger, Kirk K. Jensen, Henry B.D. Jewkes, and Nicholas J. Volkmar have been named Commended Students in the 2005 National Merit® Scholarship Corporation. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program, will be presented by Mrs. Graham to these scholastically talented students.

Chilean music group inti Illimani, journalist Mark Riley ’69 and musical group producer Victoria Christgau are among the performers participating in The Gunnery’s 2004 – 2005 Speaker Series. Originally started as The Distinguished Author Lectures in 1999 with Henry Kissinger as its inaugural speaker, this yearly event was expanded to include more areas of interest. “The Gunnery has always had speakers visit,” said Paula Krimsky, head organizer, “We have tried with the new series to be more inclusive by inviting county residents and interested alumni. The students have been very enthusiastic about the expanded list of topics.”

In the first arrangement of its kind Stephanie Conant ’06 and Dennis Bergan ’06 set off this past August to spend a semester at The Woodstock School in the Himalayan mountains in India. Woodstock is one of the famous “Hill Schools” of India, many of which were founded by missionaries in the mid-nineteenth century. English Department Chair John Alter, whose family has been closely associated with the school and who taught there himself in the 1980s accompanied the students and helped them settle in.

For the 155th year The Gunnery community was formally called together at the First Congregational Church Meeting House on Washington Green on Sunday, September 12th.

Washington turned out in force on Saturday, August 28th to celebrate its 225th birthday with a gala parade and all town picnic. Gunnery was well represented at the festivities.

On Thursday, July 15th Mark Rhoads ’04 presented his 19th century baseball research project to the Society of American Baseball Researchers (SABR) at their annual convention held in Cincinnati, OH this year.

All registered Gunnery students can install Sophos antivirus on their personal laptops.

Six Gunnery athletes have been named league all stars for the spring season.

Eighty one Gunnery graduates filled the Meeting House on the Green in Washington, CT on May 28, 2004 to receive their diplomas after a week of festivities celebrating the achievements of the school year. Guest speaker John Ratté, an independent historian and associate director of the Hill Center for World Studies, challenged the students to avoid complaints until they were willing to inform themselves and act to make a difference in their community. Reading the New York Times and exercising the right to vote were examples he cited.

The Gunnery’s boys’ first boat placed fourth in the finals of the US Rowing National Youth Invitational Regatta on Lake Harsha in Cincinnati, OH on June 5-6. The five boys who make up the first boat are Garner Blume ’04 (Wenham, MA), David Tamaroff ’04 (Doylestown, PA), Martin Leonard ’04 (Stamford, CT), Cameron Brown ’04 (Washington, CT), and Caleb Elston ’05 (Guilford, CT).

Gunnery’s campus during the month of April was vibrant with poetry in honor of National Poetry Month. In addition to opening school meeting three times a week with a student or faculty member reading a favorite selection, an Open Reading took place on the evening of April 12th in the Bourne Reading Room.

The Gunnery’s boys’ first boat had a triumphant 1st place finish at the New England Interscholastic Rowing Association’s (NEIRA) regatta on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Massachusetts on Saturday, May 22nd.

The Gunnery’s Varsity Baseball team clinched the Connatonic League Championship in an 8- 0 win over Williston-Northampton. Dave Mott ‘04 pitched a no hitter and hit a two run homer in the first inning. Ray Vallee ‘04 went two for three with a triple; and Wes Ulbrich ‘05 was two for three with a double. The last time the Gunnery varsity baseball team won their league’s championship was in 1977.

On Thursday and Friday, May 13th and 14th at 7:30 PM nine Gunnery students will perform a staged reading of The Laramie Project in the Emerson Performing Arts Center.

Gunnery baseball player, Ray Vallee, recently accepted a 4-year athletic scholarship to the University of Maine at Orono and will matriculate in September 2004.

At the Founder’s Day Regatta hosted by The Gunnery at Lake Waramaug on Sunday, May 2nd, the school’s boys’ 1st boat beat their nearest rival Choate by just short of two seconds. Choate-Rosemary Hall took home the points trophy for the girls’ team and Salisbury won the points trophy for the boys’ team.

Mark Rhoads, Gunn Scholar for 2003-2004 presented his project with a slide presentation to the school on April 28th in the Emerson Performing Arts Center. Mark has spent the school year in a full credit class doing original research on the 1st known picture of a baseball game in progress. The picture was taken on Washington Green at the first Gunnery reunion in August 1869.

The Senior Seminar class, Mathematical Economics, took a three day trip to Philadelphia from Sunday April 11 till Tuesday April 13. The 16 students along with teachers, Jarrod Sisk and Chad Cookinham drove from The Gunnery to downtown Philadelphia on Sunday to prepare for a fully packed day of sightseeing and discovery on Monday.

The Gunnery Drama Society presented Clark Gesner’s You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown for its annual spring musical. Under the direction of Melissa Chamberlain-Walsh, the cast and crew told the story of Charlie Brown (the charismatic and versatile Dan O’Brien) and the rest of the Peanuts gang in a series of vignettes and musical numbers. It is hard to point out one single brilliant performance since this was truly an ensemble show.

Tuesday, April 20th was a perfect, sunny, slightly cool day for Gunnery’s annual spring work day.

You can now contribute to the annual fund by giving online.

On Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting House on The Green in Washington, ESPN’s baseball “guru” Peter Gammons will speak on “Baseball: Today and Tomorrow”. This is the last in the five speaker series lectures for the school year 2003-2004.

Register for our Admissions Spring Open House on May 8, 2004

On March 23, 2004 at their annual banquet, The Litchfield County Board of Basketball Officials presented the Gunnery’s boys’ basketball team with the James Logan award for outstanding sportsmanship throughout the 2003-2004 season.

For complete 2004 regatta information, past race results, directions and more visit the Founder's Day Page

The Amnesty International group at The Gunnery invites the public to join the Gunnery community for a lecture by Janet Wallach from Seeds of Peace in the Congregational Church Meeting House on Friday, April 2nd at 7:00 PM.

On Friday, February 13, author Frank McCourt, presented the 2004 Distinguished Author lecture in The Gunnery’s ongoing series.

The Gunnery’s Music Department invites all to enjoy “An Evening with W.A. Mozart” on Friday February 20th at 7:30 PM in the First Congregational Meeting House on the Green.

On Friday 13 February at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting House on The Green in Washington, esteemed author, Frank McCourt, will present as the 2004 Distinguished Author in the ongoing Gunnery School series.

The Gunnery community gathered together on December 16, 2003 for a yearly holiday tradition: The Holiday Concert. Under the direction of Jennifer Wojcik and accompanied by pianist Barbara Geary, students of the music department performed a wide variety of selections intertwined with readings from faculty members.

On Monday, January 19 at 7:00 PM in the First Congregational Church Meeting House on the Green The Gunnery invites everyone to join in commemorating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Gunnery students and faculty will join guest artists, the Peace is Possible Chorus and Fre Atlast, drummer, to produce a multi-faceted program of song, music, art and story-telling. Victoria Christgau, the organizer of the program, is the founder of the Sound Body Production Company, which has produced events in Litchfield County honoring Dr. King for the past 13 years.

Bullfrog Tribute, a band of six local area musicians, announces that it won the December competition on America Online’s “First Break” and is a finalist in the national contest where they are pitted against the November winner.

The Gunnery’s 154th year started off with a new look. It’s not a new building, a new logo or a different landscape. It is a spruced up dress code that includes class ties and required blue blazers, among other changes. The new look has prompted a positive reaction by all who have visited the campus. The change was welcomed not only by faculty and parents, but by students as well.

Concept II, manufacturer of rowing machines and paddles, has sent an erg machine to The Gunnery. The reward is in recognition of the Boys’ First Boat which came in 1st in the High School Division at the Head of the Charles Regatta on October 22. Missing by only 8 seconds Youth (for 20 years and under) Division title to the German Youth National Team, the boys’ first boat included Garner Blume ’04 (Wenham, MA), David Tamaroff ’04 (Doylestown, PA), Martin Leonard ’04 (Stamford, CT), Cameron Brown ’04 (Washington, CT), and Caleb Elston ’05 (Guilford, CT).

Luis Balceda (New Milford), a member of the senior class at The Gunnery, has been recognized by the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program, as announced by Head of School, Susan G. Graham.

The Gunnery Drama Society presented William’s Inge’s Picnic to open its 2003-2004 season. Under the direction of Melissa Chamberlain-Walsh, the cast and crew presented a deeply moving piece both visually and emotionally.

Last Friday (November 7) Barbara Geary presented a uniquely structured program of poetry and music to enthusiastic Gunnery students, faculty, their families and guests.

The end of the fall term brought an exciting research trip to The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown New York for the Gunn Scholar, Mark Rhoads ‘04. Mark’s project is the research and explication of the photograph of Gunnery’s first reunion in 1869, which is believed to be the first picture ever taken of a baseball game.

On Saturday, November 8, twenty-five enthusiastic Gunnery hockey fans traveled to Hartford to watch the Hartford Wolfpack play the Springfield Falcons. Everyone wore their Gunnery colors and the group stood out in the crowd, showing off their dancing and cheering moves on the jumbo movie screen over center ice. It was a very exciting game in which the Wolfpack (the AHL farm team for the New York Rangers) beat the Falcons 4-3. It was great night for all the students and faculty who attended!

This year, The Gunnery Parent Council is organizing and implementing a new program called Adopt-a-Dorm.

The Gunnery’s boys’ first boat beat the nearest high school by over 11 seconds and finished second overall to Bayer Leverkusen (the German youth national team) in the youth division (20 and under age category) at the 2003 Head of the Charles regatta this past weekend. Thirty-one boats entered the race total, and the victory allowed The Gunnery to remain undefeated for the year.

Ms. Barbara Angstman Geary will perform a lecture/recital entitled “Music and Poetry” in the Congregational Church Meeting House in Washington on Friday, November 7th at 7:00 PM. Ms. Geary will give an Arts Department Lecture.

Paula Gibson Krimsky, the school’s archivist/historian, has opened an exhibit of colored pencil drawings in the foyer gallery of The Emerson Performing Arts Building at The Gunnery. The 21 drawings are primarily landscapes of the Litchfield County area with a couple of family portraits.

Dr. Marron, an optical engineer who has been working for many years on the space telescopes, the Hubble and the James Webb, spoke on the topic: “What’s New in the Universe? Exploring NASA’s Goals for the James Webb Telescope, Successor to the Hubble” on Tuesday, October 7th at the Congregational Church Meeting House in Washington. The father of Andrea ’04 and Vince ’05, Dr. Marron gave the Science Department Lecture.

The Gunnery community gathered on Sunday, September 6th for its annual all school orientation.

Taking as his subject “A Natural History of Sorts”, Jake Page ’53 gave the inaugural lecture in an annual series which builds on The Gunnery’s Annual Distinguished Author Lectures begun in 1999 with Henry Kissinger.

Dr. Marron, an optical engineer who has been working for many years on the space telescopes, the Hubble and the James Webb, will explore the goals and accomplishments of these NASA programs which include gathering information about the origins of the universe and searching for planets in distant galaxies. Taking as his topic: “What’s New in the Universe? Exploring NASA’s Goals for the James Webb Telescope, Successor to the Hubble, he will speak in the Congregational Church Meeting House in Washington on Tuesday, October 7th at 7:00 PM. Dr. Marron will give the Science Department Lecture.

View the premiere issue of Alum Online, The Gunnery's new online alumni newsletter.

Two of the three named Gunnery faculty chairs were announced at The Gunnery’s Convocation on Sunday, September 7, 2003 in the Meeting House on the Green. William Chase was appointed to the Hamilton Gibson Chair in the Humanities. Eileen Kelly Aguirre accepted the Tisch Chair for Excellence in Teaching. Two of the three named Gunnery faculty chairs were announced at The Gunnery’s Convocation on Sunday, September 7, 2003 in the Meeting House on the Green. William Chase was appointed to the Hamilton Gibson Chair in the Humanities. Eileen Kelly Aguirre accepted the Tisch Chair for Excellence in Teaching.

At Convocation in the First Congregational Church Meeting House on Sunday September 7, 2003, The Gunnery honored the top scholars among the underclassmen for the school year 2002-2003.

Taking as his subject “A Natural History of Sorts”, Jake Page ’53 will be the inaugural speaker in an annual series which builds on The Gunnery’s Annual Distinguished Author Lectures begun in 1999 with Henry Kissinger. Mr. Page will speak in the Congregational Church Meeting House in Washington on Friday, September 19th at 7:00 PM. Mr. Page will give the School Walk Commemorative Lecture. Mr. Page and his wife will also be visiting the Gunnery campus on September 19th and 20th meeting students in classes and sharing their experiences.

At The Gunnery’s dining Hall and the Meeting House on the Green Thursday night, May 29, nearly a hundred luminaries lighted the way of students and parents to the traditional Prize Night festivities prior to commencement the next morning. Each luminary bore the name of a friend, relative, or loved one of a member of the Gunnery community who was a survivor or victim of cancer.

Seventy-eight new graduates of The Gunnery listened attentively to speaker Patrick Dorton ’86 in the Meeting House on the Green in Washington, May 30, 2003. Mr. Dorton’s theme, the value of a Gunnery education in the inevitable times of life crises, was compelling; he knows whereof he speaks. Mr. Dorton joined Arthur Anderson LLC just in time to become its chief spokesman and director of media relations during the firm’s 2002 Enron accounting crisis, extensive litigation and subsequent sale of assets. He had unwittingly chosen the career path at Arthur Anderson because of the unrelenting pressure of the Clinton White House where he was Special Assistant to the President and Communications Director for the White House National Economic Council. Just this week he launched Rational Public Relations with headquarters in Washington, DC.

At 7:00AM on Sunday, May 6 Karen Lincoln, Community Service supervisor, bearing juice and donuts, wished godspeed to eight volunteers for the Special Olympics Regional Games at Naugatuck High School. Jon Rusillo, camera in hand, chaperoned the group who seemed, from the pictures shown here, to have had a wonderful day in near perfect weather.

Senior, Jesse Soffer, was a member of the Gunn Seminar, a year-long independent study program which delved into the 19th century beginnings of The Gunnery and created an on-campus museum for the students, faculty and guests. His speech at school meeting where he spoke of what his walk with Mr. Gunn, the school’s founder, meant to him in his daily student life deserves wider readership and we are reproducing it here.

The winner of The Gunnery's first The Saunter Poetry Contest is Katie Stones, for her untitled poem with the provocative opening line I’m hiding in my closet.

Samantha Collum, the Gunnery’s first Gunn Scholar presented her senior year’s research project to members of the school community on May 1st. Samantha, a descendant of Abigail Gunn’s family, transcribed and annotated thirty hitherto-unread letters between Frederick Gunn and his then fiancée, Abigail Brinsmade, during the six month period leading up to their marriage in March of 1848.