Echoes: Spring/Summer 2006

SMALL SCHOOL BIG OUTDOORS = FOR ALUMNAE/I AND FRIENDS OF THE WHITE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL = www.whitemountain.org

EchoesSpring/Summer 2006

Contents

EditorRachel TardelliDirector of [email protected]

Dennis H. GrubbsInterim Head of [email protected]

Kathy BryanAlumnae/i [email protected]

Send notice of address changes to the WMS Alumnae/i Office.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (603) 444-2928

Mail: White Mountain School371 West Farm Road Bethlehem, NH 03574

C Echoes is published two times each year and printed on recycled paper.

Morning Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4At 7:40am Morning Meeting starts as students at the White Mountain School listen to annoucements inthe Great Hall, followed by Morning Reading. Ranging from reflection to fodder - Morning Readingoffers a thoughtful time for the students before heading to a day of classes.

Championing Independent Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Introducing Dennis H. Grubbs as Interim Head of School for the 2006-2007 school year.

WILSKI Succeeds at Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Exploring the accomplishments of the Wilderness Skill Program as it helps the connection betweenacademics, outdoor learning, and the education of the whole person.

WMS Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Sam Brown, of the Performing Arts Department, highlights spring’s theater performances.

2006-2007 School Calendar & 33rd Annual Cultural Events Series . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Timberframing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Reflections of a student built, hand-crafted, timberframe shed.

Graduation 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Identify your classmates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Help us find out who these mystery classmates are.

On My Coming and Going . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Leaving after seven years as White Mountain School’s Head of School, Alan Popp reflects on his love of nature.

A Journey Through the Spirit of Ireland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Sophia Evans reflection on her passion of photography during her Independent Study in Photography.

Above: To prepare for prom, Sam Brown (Performing Arts Department) and Andy White (former Director ofTechnology) teach the fine art of the “hustle” to WMS students.

On the Cover: Jan ‘07 looks out at a beautiful waterfall while on an Outdoor Learning Expedition (OLE) toArizona, March 2006. Photo credit: Andy White.

Back cover: OLE 1957 Style. Students at Saint Mary’s-of-the-Mountains jump into an old truck as they headout on their Fall Expedition in 1957.

On March 11, 2006, hoping to emphasize the urgency of hunger in the world, the White Mountain School’s ArtDepartment and National Honor Society hosted an annual Empty Bowl Banquet at the Parish Center at All Saint’sEpiscopal Church. This simple yet symbolic event included your choice of a handmade ceramic bowl and a dinner of soup,bread, and dessert freshly prepared by local eateries while learning about hunger issues affecting our local and globalcommunities. After dinner, guests took their empty bowls home as literal reminders of someone else’s hunger in the world.

More than $835.00 was raised for OXFAM, while another $835.00 was raised for The Bethlehem Food Bank.

What a success!

Empty Bowls

Morning

SMALL SCHOOL. B IG OUTDOORS.page 5


Read on May 26, 2006

In the middle of our poetry unit, my sophomores and Iread a William Carlos Williams poem. I’m sure you’llrecognize it; it’s called The Red Wheelbarrow. Here’s alittle refresher.

“So much dependsupon

a red wheelbarrow

glazed with rainwater

beside the whitechickens.”

Some colleagues of mine might deem this a poem of irony– one that laughs at the over analytical scholar who paintsmetaphors into every line and believes each piece ofliterature holds a hidden lesson. If this is true, maybe I’minvesting this poem with far more meaning than Williamsintended. Still, I like holding onto that image. And so Ido. Perhaps I want to believe that something profounddoes depend on that wheelbarrow sitting in the rain.Somehow it feels sane to think about a forgotten itemsitting out in the yard as we run around chasing afterpink slips, lost homework, LAP reports and lesson plans.

As I was lying in bed the other night, I asked myself whatour wheelbarrow was. I mean, what is the wheelbarrowof the White Mountain School upon which “so muchdepends.” I thought of the three rugs sitting before me.

So much dependsupon (I thought)

three multi-coloredcarpets

covered with lazybodies

gathering in the morning.

Yes, that seemed to fit. After all, there is something aboutmorning meeting that I cherish. One may call it the

twenty minutes of rest between pancakes and first block.For me, it’s a bit more sacred than that.

We all have our rituals upon arriving. For some it’s aspot – back against the pillar, no questions asked. Forothers, it’s a posture: one resembling the pancake justenjoyed for breakfast. And others still, certain company.My morning routine involves five young women whom Icare greatly about. They each have their own way ofresponding to my usual inquiry. Even if it’s small talk, wecheck in with one another. I know they’re there. Theyknow I’m looking out. We slip in a last word before thehands start going up and announcements have begun.

Sports, last minute reminders, lost items, big events, even discipline. Yet, I love the announcements. Theyremind me of all that goes on around me while I’mbuzzing around room 2. I am given a glimpse into thelives of students I don’t teach, colleagues who spend their days on other floors, communities within ours Ihave yet to tap. Announcements are, in their own right, a checking in.

And then that moment – that bit of silence as one of mycolleagues stands up and approaches the front of the hall.The anticipation is as good as what’s to come. I wonderwhat nugget I’ll take with me that day. And yet, regardlessof its substance, this moment alone is invaluable: a chanceto see a person I respect share their wisdom – sharesomething he believes in and to have an entire group sit inquiet and listen to that conviction. It’s quite remarkable.And all too rare.

Many of our recent mornings have been dedicated to the dispelling of advice. (We teacher folks like to get wiseand sentimental this time of year.) Perhaps I’m selfish, but I too wanted the chance to send off this class of seniors with an immense thank you for touching our lives as well as with a simple thought or two. So here’s my lesson foryou graduates:

FFiinndd tthhrreeee mmuullttii ccoolloorreedd ccaarrppeettss iinn yyoouurr nneexxtt hhoommee..

Frankly, it doesn’t matter whether those carpets become aback yard, or a front porch, a particular coffee house or a

friend’s ratty plaid couch. What I mean is, find a place to gather –regularly – just for the sake of checking in, asking if there are anyannouncements, and taking a moment to listen and then learn fromone another.

After all, checking in is far more than checking someone off on thegreat attendance list. So often we exchange that all too commonphrase, “How are you,” and never really take the time to ask thequestion with some authenticity. Checking in is just that: an honestinquiry into how someone is feeling, doing, getting by. What a gift togive to someone first thing in the morning. How are you?

Then onto the announcements. Much of the information will nolonger be relevant to your lives – you won’t care about junior Englishclass meeting in the student lounge, for example. And yet, there are other daily announcements you might want to remember: asummary of a New York Times article that helps to keep youinformed of the events in the Middle East. The success of a friend:he’s recently received an incredible scholarship, or a chance tointerview for a great job. Or perhaps the harder stuff: his mother issick. Ask for the announcements.

Lastly, take a moment to just listen to one another. I think of all thatI have learned listening during the last five to ten minutes of morningmeeting and I’m astounded. I’ve learned about bravery as Julieattempted to learn to juggle yet again. I’ve learned how to laugh asSam and Andy taught us to disco dance. I learned about taking a riskas Alex Foss has performed his music, or how to better recycle, thanksto Torrey and a gang of sustainability folks. I have learned about thetenderness of friendship, thanks to the bond between a raccoon and aporcupine. I have remembered how incredible the soil is, thanks toJill’s image of the wildflowers growing in an abandoned mansionsomewhere in Detroit. I’ve appreciated the magic of mathematics asDan solved all of our tax problems. I’ve learned about sharing one’ssoul as I listened to Jen G’s tales, and been reminded of why I loveheading into the wilderness, thanks to none other than Mr. Vermeal.

It’s incredible what occurs when we take a moment to listen to thepeople in our lives. They have amazing lessons to teach – or, perhapssimple reminders of truths we once held and have since forgotten.

I guess we can all learn something from this WMS ritual – a littlesomething about friendship. So here’s my corny message for youseniors. Wherever you head, find your three carpets – a meetingplace – and gather there. Check in with one another – withyourselves. Mind the announcements. Sit back and listen every nowand then, and remember to share a bit of your own wisdom. Thinkof the wheelbarrow. So much depends upon it.

Have a good day.

By Lauren ReberHuman Values DepartmentReading



by John BrownWhite Mountain School Trustee

A lifelong educator, committed to making a difference and a man passionate aboutexcellence, Dennis H. Grubbs becomes the Interim Head of White Mountain School.

Many years ago, while serving as the Director of Admissions at The Gunnery inWashington, Connecticut, Dennis H. Grubbs recalls a visit with the head of a small NewEngland boarding school. He arrived only to discover that the entire school, includingthe head, had gone bowling. He later learned that during assembly that morning,someone had suggested a mid-winter change of pace, and the head had asked forsuggestions. A faculty member, possibly joking, mentioned bowling and the headimmediately said, "Yes!" "Yes" has been for me since very powerful" says Grubbs, knownto family and friends as Denny. "I've never taken a school bowling, but I believe I havealways greeted ideas with enthusiasm. Dignifying the thought and thinker. Creating thespirit of constructiveness - and integrity of mission - that make good schools work."

Making good schools work better has been a lifelong avocation and even passion for Grubbs, who brings to WhiteMountain School more than forty years of experience as an independent boarding and day school teacher, headmasterand trustee. Known for his support of comprehensive excellence, Grubbs has become known in recent years throughoutNew England for helping schools shape their identities, especially by providing interim leadership. Since retiring as theHeadmaster of The Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Massachusetts, after fifteen years as that school'sHead, Denny has served as interim head of Stoneridge Children's Montessori School in Beverly, Massachusetts, RuxtonCountry School in Baltimore, Maryland and Winchester Thurston School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

"Denny is a wonderful educator and has got all the right stuff to lead White Mountain School during this period oftransition," says Stephen G. DiCicco, a Trustee of White Mountain School and someone not unfamiliar withaccomplished independent school educators as an educational consultant himself. "Denny Grubbs is a man of deepexperience, one with passion and insight into the ethos of independent school education. Add to that a fine sense ofhumor, impeccable values and a strong family man and you have Denny Grubbs," said DeCicco.

Grubbs is particularly proud of his ability to make significant improvements to a school even while serving as interimhead. "I cannot seem to shake my need to be part of a meaningful educational process, of service to students andsignificance for them. I look forward to being a part of White Mountain School and part of the ongoing wondrous,purposeful, and good humored environment all quality schools share. " Anne Hutchins, Chair of the Board of Trusteesof Stoneridge Children's Montessori School, recalls Grubbs as a stabilizing force who was not afraid to help that schoolmove forward with a great many issues during his stay as interim head. "Denny did a masterful job of preparing the wayfor the permanent head of school," says Hutchins. Another Trustee, Anne-Seymour Ellis, recalls that "Denny alsoworked development wonders, more than doubling the school's annual fund donations in his interim year atStoneridge."

Grubbs is a graduate of Princeton University and has a Masters Degree in Education from Trinity College. In addition tohis lifelong career as an independent school educator and administrator, Grubbs has served as a member of the Board ofTrustees of Tenacre Country Day School since 1999. Grubbs will serve as Interim Head during the 2006-2007 schoolyear replacing Alan Popp, who has elected to return to private educational consulting. The Board of Trustees hasretained an outside consulting firm to undertake a national search for Grubbs’ permanent replacement as Head ofWhite Mountain School.

Student Council2006-2007

I feel that being president is notsomething to be taken lightly or as a joke.As I was talking to Amaar (WMS StudentBody President 2005-2006) about the job,he told me that it could be easy butnothing would get done. It is only as hardas you make it, and the harder you makeit, the more change will happen. I amwilling to work my hardest to keep thegood things in our communitity stable butat the same time make progressive changefor everyone’s well being.

Championing

TIM BREEN & JULIE YATES APPOINTED DEAN OF STUDIES

We are very excited to announce that TimBreen and Julie Yates have been appointedDean of Studies. Tim and Julie (husband andwife) will share the Dean’s job beginning thisfall. The two have been a part of the WMScommunity for five years, with Julie servingas Dean of Students for the past four yearsand Tim as interim Dean of Studies duringthe spring 2006 academic term.

Tim and Julie will share the responsibilitiesof chief academic officer for the school, with

Tim providing primary support to upperclassmen, humanities and artteachers, and the learning assistance program, while Julie will provideprimary support to underclassmen, math, science, and language teachers,the sustainability department, and the advisor program.

Tim received his Ph.D. in Education from The University of Michigan andundergraduate degrees in English and Physics from Bucknell University.Julie holds a M.S. in Science Education from Michigan and a Bachelor’s inBiological Sciences from Smith College. Both have significant experience atother private schools, most recently at St. Paul’s School in Concord.

WMS is fortunate to have the combined energy, commitment, talent, andexperience of two people like Tim and Julie wrapped into one job! Pleasejoin us in wishing them well.

“

”

Lucas MoskunPresidentClass of 2007

Austin WalkerJudgeClass of 2008

Nina BartschSocial ChairClass of 2007

Sedona ChinnSecretaryClass of 2009

Independent Education National Honor Society adds fourteen new members

This May, the WMS chapter of the National Honor Society welcomed 14 newinductees. NHS recognize students who have demonstrated excellence in theareas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. The current NHSmembers, Brienne Black ’06, Bupe Mazimba ’07, Daniel Lee ’07, Ziggy Martin’06, Alex Foss ’06, and Elsa Camuamba ’06, welcomed the following 2006inductees:

Austin Walker ’08* Chelsea Heath ’08* Grace Ochieng ’08*Dan Finklestein ’07* Emma White ’07* Nikki Virnelli ’07*Jake Dexter ’07* Marenka Thompson-Odlum ’07*Adam Chodoff ’07* Rufy Kennedy ’07* Eileen Clancy ’06*Sarah Lopez ’06* Sarah Morrison ’06* Sam Angeloni ’06*

*indicates 2006 inductee.

By Josh LawtonResidential Life Coordinator

& Solar Dorm Head



Over the past several years, students and facultyfrom the White Mountain School have ventured tothese and other destinations in search of wilderness,community service, and language immersionopportunities that extend our learning communitybeyond the North Country. As we become moreand more committed to offering these types ofexperiences to our students, it made sense to bringtogether a small group of faculty to plan theschedule of trips, develop and maintain clearprotocols and procedures for leading an extendedoff-campus experience, and support new andcontinuing leaders of these trips. Having passedthe National Honor Society advisory on to AmyLawton at the end of 2005-2006, Jane Zanger willassume the role of Coordinator for Off-CampusExperiences next year. Jane looks forward toworking with Community Service Director MaryLockhart, Wilski Director Mark Vermeal, andveteran trip leader Matthew Toms to ensure thatthese powerful and often life-changing experiencesburgeon and continue to enhance the WhiteMountain School program.

We are getting very excited for the upcoming school year andwant to thank Ginger Beattie for all of her hard work with theResidential Curriculum during the 05-06 school year. We willcontinue many of the great activities Ginger helped bring to thestudents and will be trying some new and exciting things throughthe ‘06-’07 school year.

During the second half of this past school year, we continued ourbi-monthly advisor meetings. These meetings focus on stressmanagement and communication skills. The paper crane activitywas a hit! Our school was filled with colorful cranes and laughter.Our annual Stress Relief Day filled with games and other funthings like nap time, joyful reading, and bowling was created as away to help combat the stress associated with the loomingmidterms. The day seemed a great success. And our Power ofWords activity illuminated the complexities of communicatingabout stereotypes, differences, and diversity. Students and facultyengaged in some meaningful discussions about the topic.

These bi-monthly advisor meetings will continue into the 06’-07’school year as we carry on with the themes of Community,Respect, Stress Management, and Communication. A few newthemes that highlight certain aspects of living away from homeand preparing for the next step will also be added to the thesemeetings.

One of the greatest aspects of the Residential Curriculum at WMSis its role in creating and supporting student leaders. DormProctors are the heartbeat of our community and we are excitedfor our new Proctors to bring their ideas and energy into anothergreat year. Our new Proctors will be returning to school a fewdays early for Proctor training. New for the 06’-07’ school year,Solar Dorm will be getting its first Proctor.

Dorm tutors were also a great success this past year. We will belooking for new dorm tutors in September and have begun toexplore the possibility of content specific study groups to be heldin the dorms by dorm tutors with the support of their faculty.

The 06’-07’ school year is looking to be an exciting one for WhiteMountain School!

LifeResidentialEEssccaallaannttee,, UUttaahh ~~ NNeevveerrss,, FFrraannccee ~~ JJoonneessttoowwnn,, MMiissssiissssiippppii

DDoommiinniiccaann RReeppuubblliicc ~~ BBaallttiimmoorree,, MMDD ~~ AArriizzoonnaa

MMaannaagguuaa,, NNiiccaarraagguuaa ~~ JJaacckkssoonn HHoollee,, WWYY ~~ BBaarrcceelloonnaa,, SSppaaiinn

By Jane ZangerDirector of College Advising

Coordinator for Off-Campus Experiences



The White Mountain School is first and foremost a college preparatoryinstitution. One aspect of our school that separates us from other schools isour Wilderness Skills Program (WILSKI). The outdoors is a significant partof our school’s identity and contributes greatly to meeting our mission.

“It is the mission of The White Mountain School to prepare young peoplefor rigorous college studies, and for life beyond formal academics, by helpingthem learn who they are, how they contribute to their communities, and howthey can become responsible citizens of a changing planet.”

Some people may still ask, “How do rock climbing and other outdooractivities contribute to the mission of The White Mountain School?” Tothat, we have many answers. Time spent with a small group in the outdoorscreates a microcosm of society. This can help individuals learn who they areand how they can be their best self. One who contributes to the greater good of the group sees and feels theircontributions on many levels. The actions of one affect all, both positively and negatively. The outdoors deliversnatural consequences for actions and gives our students a clearer understanding of what it means to be a responsibleand contributing member of this changing planet. These lessons help to build a strong and positive community.

Biking, paddling, backcountry skiing, hiking and fitness, and rock climbing allcontribute to a healthy life beyond formal academics. These sports are activitiesthat people can, and hopefully will, enjoy forever. We teach our students the skillsto participate in these wonderful activities in a safe and enjoyable manner.

Outdoor activities such as these can be a great relief of stress and aid in physicaland mental fitness.

Having well educated outdoor enthusiasts contributes to helping our environmentby creating outdoor users who care; stewards of the outdoors. Our WILSKIProgram creates stewards of the environment and thus helps conserve and protectthese wonderful areas we recreate in.

While The White Mountain School never loses its focus on rigorous collegestudies, we see the value of life’s lessons learned in the outdoor environment. Theconnection between academics, outdoor learning, and the education of the wholeperson are seamless. The WILSKI Program truly helps WMS to meet its mission.

WMS

WMS theater continued the traditions of the past, presenting an evening of One Act plays and afull length play in the spring term. However, with enthusiasm and motivation by students, therewere new developments in the theater department.

In January, the Introduction to Theater class performed 3 One-Act plays. The hilariousness ofthese plays had audience members laughing with delight as a penguin in an Antarctica Wastelandgave relationship advice in Rich Orloff's "Off the Map" and a group of workers did "Last MinuteAdjustments" in preparation for a baby's birth into an unknown world.

Accompanying the Introduction to Theater classes One Acts was Ben Meisel’s ’06 independentproject “A Minor Incident.” Ben wrote, cast, and then directed his very thought provoking OneAct play, exploring the life of two brothers, one dealing with the other’s death, and the othertrying to escape the waiting room leading to heaven. Ben, recipient of this year’s Art Prize, planson following his theater passions next year at Hartwick College in upstate New York.

On the weekend of May 26th, the spring’s Performance Theater class presented “The LaramieProject” in Bethlehem’s Colonial Theater. Although the WMS theater program has focused oncomedy the last couple of years, this play was more serious, telling the story of the small townLaramie, Wyoming after the brutal beating and murder of Matthew Shepard in the fall of 1998.Moises Kaufman’s beautifully written play follows a different theatrical approach, consisting of acompilation of actual interviews with the people of Laramie Wyoming. Students within the castemailed various people they were portraying, receiving responses with helpful words of advice.Each of the 10 actors portrayed 5 – 9 different characters was on stage most of the play, andorchestrated all set changes; the play was an actor driven play. This was a very powerful play,affecting not only those involved, but audience members as well. The purpose of theater here atWMS is not only to educate students about the process of performance, but to help provokediscussions and thoughts about issues that arise from within the pages of a script.

The theater program will be expanding next year, providing more opportunities for students toget involved. The two Introduction to Theater classes, during the fall ‘06, will be combining forcesand performing a selection of One Act Plays the weekend of January 19th, 2007. See you there!

TheaterWILSKISUCCEEDS AT MISSION

By Ben MirkinLAP & WILSKI

By Sam Brown

Performing Arts Department



Aug 27: Registration Day

Aug 30 - Sept 1: Orientation Trips

Sept 1: Book Signing

Sept 1-3: Community Weekend

Sept 21: CES - Grupo Fantasia

Sept 26-29: Outdoor Learning Expedition #1

Oct 6-7: Term I Family Weekend

Oct 7-11: Fall Break

Oct 13-14: Trustee Meeting

Oct 13-15: Alumni Weekend &Fred Steele Dedication

Nov 9: CES - Won-Ldy Paye

Nov 16: Fall Sports Awards Dinner

Nov 18-27: Thanksgiving Break

Nov 27: Faculty In-Service

Dec 15: Holiday Celebration

Dec 16-Jan 7: Winter Break

Jan 7: Faculty In-Service

Jan 12-14: Winter Festival

Jan 20: Trustee Meeting

Jan 25: CES - Ramon de Los Reyes

Feb 2-3: Trustee Meeting

Feb 12-14: Outdoor Learning Expedition #2

Feb 15-18: February Break

Mar 1: CES - International Night*

Mar 16-17: Term II Family Weekend

Mar 17-Apr 1: Spring Break

Apr 1: Faculty In-Service

Apr 10: CES - Paul Taylor

May 6-8: Outdoor Learning Expedition #3

May 11: Community Service Day

May 11-12: Trustee Meeting

May 17: Prom

May 18: Field Day

May 24: Sports Awards & National Honor Society Induction

June 1: Pass the Book, Baccalaureate

June 2: Graduation

GGrruuppoo FFaannttaassiiaa -- MMuussiicc aanndd CCuullttuurree ooff tthhee CCaarriibbbbeeaann ((SSeepptteemmbbeerr 2211))Formed in 1993, Grupo Fantasia offers a multi-cultural introduction to thepercussion sounds of the Caribbean and Latin America. Lead by Angel Wanger,musical director and master percussionist, much of Grupo Fantasia’s music isperformed on original handmade indigenous instruments.

WWoonn--LLddyy PPaayyee -- LLiibbeerriiaann AArrttss iinn MMoottiioonn (November 9)Award winning author and renowned Liberian artist and performer, Won-LdyPaye brings traditional Liberian stories to life with his attention-grabbing one-man show. Won-Ldy Paye will entertain and capture the attention of theaudience by playing Liberian instruments such as the Kola, Balafon, andSnakpa, and by telling stories in the Liberian tradition passed down to him fromhis grandmother.

RRaammoonn ddee LLooss RReeyyeess -- SSppaanniisshh DDaannccee TThheeaatteerr ((JJaannuuaarryy 2255))As New England’s only fully professional Spanish Dance company, founderRamon de los Reyes has taken Flamenco and the artistry he possesses aroundthe hemisphere to wildly enthusiastic audiences. Born and raised in Madrid,Ramon started dancing at seven with the gypsies. He has a control unequaledin classical Spanish dance. As an active choreographer for the last twenty years,Ramon has received numerous awards including fellowships in choreographyfrom the National Endowment for the Arts. The fire and passion expressed inflamenco dancing provides an unforgettable experience.

WWhhiittee MMoouunnttaaiinn SScchhooooll IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall NNiigghhtt ((MMaarrcchh 11)) **A night of student exibitions with an international flare. In the past, we haveenjoyed student prepared treats from Africa, Asia, and Europe as well asAfrican dancing and international fashion shows which display the traditionalcustoms of countries represented within the WMS student body, faculty and staff. (*Sorry, not opened to the public.)

PPaauull TTaayylloorr -- MMuussiicc aanndd SSttoorriieess ooff AAuussttrraalliiaa ((AApprriill 1100))Performing artist and educator, Paul “Walking Stick” Taylor, will join WMS for anevening of story, song and playing of the traditional Australian instrument, thedidjeridoo. Taylor helps bring Aboriginal and European Australia to life as heengages the audience’s participation with dance, song, and storytelling. Comeenjoy stories such as “Waltzing Matilda” as they come to life!

Annual Cultural Events Series

So now that the timberframe garden shed isfinally up, I took a few moments to reflect onthe journey of getting here….

We started building the timberframe 3seasons ago with a group of five. It wasWhite Mountain’s first Farm & Forest Groupand they took on the responsibility ofbuilding our mallets, our toolboxes, and oursawhorses. I can still see Emma White ‘07 thefirst time we showed her how to use ahatchet, Emma Daughton ‘07 making her firstcrooked saw cut, and Bucciarelli ‘07...justsitting on the tractor in the backgroundtaunting me.

Each season we progressed, learning newskills, fine tuning old ones. We timberframedeevveerryyddaayy. Our very first group decided thatwe would only use hand tools, no power tools.This, after all, was the “traditional” way tobuild a timberframe. As hard as it was towatch someone new saw through a 7 x 7 “beam, the skills we all learned along the waywere invaluable.

In the late Fall 05, when the days were cold, thewarm lower garage was a welcome site. Thethought of the alternative, freezing our hands inthe garden, was in the backs of our minds. Onthe sunny days we’d bust open the doors andcrank Lucas Moskun’s (‘07) “interesting” CDmixes he’d made especially for us.

This season came and we thought we wereready to raise the structure. We brought all thebeams into the field and spread them out forone final check. “Is that mortise supposed tobe that shallow?” “I don’t think it’s supposed tobe on that side, is it?” “Don’t we need 8 braces,not 6?” These folks had a couple of skills tolearn quickly to remedy some of our“oversights.” They did this with so much ease,it’s hard to believe they were beginners.

Spencer ‘09 was the master of the bit n’ brace, Matt ‘06 the pro at chiseling, Pete‘06 was always the best choice for a difficult saw cut and Christina ‘08, of course,was great at it all. Everyone took part, folks on the roof yelling out measurementsto those below who would measure, cut and anticipate the next task.

Since the eventful weekend of the raising in which so many of you turned out,some for an hour, others for 20 hours, I’ve watched these folks put up walls,frame out windows, scratch their heads as they try to add fractions, and put ona roof with the agility and comfort that could only come from a season ofclimbing with Mark, Jen, Pavel, Ben, Jaime, Kate, Hiapo and Larry.

The season is ending and they have all worked so hard to better ourcommunity. We just wanted to say “Thank You”.

By Heidi Choate

LAP and Farm & Forest

TimberframingCalendar2006-2007

33rd



2006 Commencement AwardsThe Head’s AwardGrace Ochieng ‘08

The Faculty AwardSarah Blaisdell Morrison ‘06

The Bishop’s Prize Nikki Virnelli ‘07

The Lt. Michael S. Pierce ‘82 AwardAndrew Edward McKean ‘06

The Courage PrizeBupe Mazimba ‘07

The Samuel Robinson II Community Service AwardEmma White ‘07

The Mountaineering Award Austin Walker ‘08

The Valpey Prize for History Bupe Mazimba ‘07

The Robin MacQuire Pearson ‘92 Award Elsa Natalia Hilario Camuamba ‘06

The Richard J. Hayes Prize for MathematicsAdam Phillip Chodoff ‘07

The Caroline O. McMillan ‘47 Music AwardPeter Wesley Elkins ‘06

The Frederic L. Steele Prize for Science Jung Hyun Daniel Lee ‘07

The Alice C. Humphrey Prize for Spanish Eileen Ruth Clancy ‘06

The Religion and Humanities Prize Samuel Patrick Griffin ‘06

The Ethel W. Devin Prize for EnglishSamuel Patrick Griffin ‘06

The Goodrich Prize for FrenchMaximilian Koeser ‘07

The Departmental Prize in ArtBenjamin William Meisel II ‘06

The Jack Cook Sustainability PrizeSarah Blaisdell Morrison ‘06

2006 ScholarsHoughton-Duane ScholarAustin Walker '08

Paula K. Valar ScholarJake Dexter '07

Ann Jane Connor ScholarGrace Ochieng '08

June 3, 2006

Deborah McIlwaine/Brantwood ScholarChristina Blank '08

Mary Holbrook-Russell ScholarChelsea Heath '08

Dorothy Ellingwood McLane Scholar Bupe Mazimba '07

Congratulations, Graduates!

Lewis Feldstein, president of theNew Hampshire CharitableFoundation, gave a wonderfullyupbeat and energizingcommencement speech to the classof 2006. “Challenge the known andlook for the unknown,” he urged.“Don’t make the mistake of stayingonly with the comfortable. Push forchange.” He told the class “You’regoing to do well. The question iswhether you will also do good. Do both.”

119th

Seated Left - Right : Brienne Lee Black, Sarah Blaisdell Morrison, Eva Marie Fuschillo, Sophia Helene Evans, Brittany O’BrienSherburn, Lee Richmond Choubane, Eileen Ruth Clancy, Kendra Victoria Lowe, Sarah Shepard Lopez, Elsa NataliaCamuamba, Chelsey Brianne Dator, Zekeria Nicole Martin, Mary Elizabeth Virnelli, Hannah Jeanne Stampleman, and YanaVicki Ostrovsky.

Standing Left - Right: Nathan Devost Semiao, Kyle Roger Hedman, Samuel Joseph Angeloni, Matthew Douglas Fitts, BenjaminWilliam Meisel, Zachary James Orme, Peter Wesley Elkins, Avran David Forman-Rubinsky, Robert Michael Kempton, Jr.,Amarr Lesgar-Ernest Clarke, Alexander Sturtavent Foss, Braden Victor Smith, Andrew Victor Horn Elmaleh, BenjaminChristopher Partlow, Samuel Patrick Griffin, Max Benedict Reim, Andrew Edward McKean, and Aaron Daniel Bowen-Ziecheck.

Commencement

The Class of 2006


Alumnae/i

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Registration ~ See who’s coming, sign up for activities, and find out what’s happening in the area.

Campus Tours

All School Welcome Barbecue

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Breakfast Buffet

Alumnae/i Activities - Hiking, Climbing, Paddling, Foliage tours, and more!

Campus Tours

Fred Steele Science Center Dedication - 5pm

Alumnae/i Dinner, Memorial Service and Awards

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Breakfast Buffet and Farewell

Promise Partner and Breeda Edwards at Prom in 1999

Neale Howard (faculty), HelenRotch (Fergurson), & Carol

Russell (Sherer) 1939/40

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Freshman Class - 1970Patty Whitney ‘66

Jill Henderson ‘56 and Nancy Nicolson ‘57

Sue Oakes ‘58, Georgia Doolittle ‘56, Kristina Engstrom ‘56 and Peggy DuBois ‘56

WeekendOctober 2006

Alumae/i Weekend is during Fall Foliage this year.Don’t forget to make your lodging reservations today!


1984-85. Mystery Ski Tuner.

1940s Mystery Study Maven.

1971 - WMS Skiers

Help us identify your classmates...

1940s Going swimming at the pond.

Please help us identify these WMS and Saint Mary’s Alumae/i by [email protected]



y story begins and ends in the country.

We were young then, still in our twenties, when Cindy and Imoved to the country. The house was an antique cape with atiny barn attached. It sat on eight acres—some was fencedpasture, the rest woods. The lawn sloped gently to the south,ending where our garden began. Ancient maples lined theroad in front. A rope swing hung from one of them. In thespring, sap buckets hung from them all.

On the weekends, I would work outdoors all day. In warmweather, when the work was done, Cindy and I would sit onthe screened porch. It was good to be in the country.

Although I love the outdoors any time of year, the mostprecious day of all to me is in early spring when there havebeen just enough warm days that the air suddenly changesand, finally, I can smell the earth, it’s scent no longer trappedby the frost. I love the smell of the earth. I like to work theearth with my bare hands. I like to work in the woods,scuffling through the layers of leaves, listening to the quiet.

My favorite places are thegarden and the woods. Ithink it’s genetic, becausemy maternal grandfatherwas a nurseryman. Bythe time I was ten I wasmowing lawns andtending neighbors’ flowerbeds. I needed themoney. I needed more tobe outdoors, close to theearth. Even then, I likedthe feel of the earth inmy hands.

Yes, that old cape in thecountry was a good placeto be. We expanded thegarden. We pruned theapple trees. I savored thefirst peach our youngtree produced. Then wehad children.

Children and the country go well together. We mucked stallsand tended the garden. We built a tiny stone fireplace andboiled sap in the warm sun while we rubbed smoke from oureyes. We sat on the grass and marveled as our cat carried hernewborn kittens to us.

Yes, kids and country go together quite well. Soccer andcountry do not. Piano and country don’t either. It was atwenty five minute drive into the city when our first sonjoined a youth soccer league. It was still twenty five minuteswhen our second son began piano lessons; then he took upsoccer. The boys were too far apart in age to be on the sameteams. We caved in. We moved to the city.

We adapted well to our city home. We were surrounded bytrees and had just enough lawn and shrubbery to tend that Icould enjoy weekends outdoors. It wasn’t the country, but forme it was as good as the city gets.

For a while, things were fine. We found a private elementaryschool with enthusiastic teachers, an environmental ethic anda great outdoor program. (It would be a long time before wesaw a school like that again.) We purchased a condo inSunapee, NH. It had lakefront access and was only tenminutes from Mt. Sunapee ski area. Life was good. Thenthings began to go wrong.

We enrolled our first son in a private middle school forseventh grade. He was bright, precocious, quick with mathand science, and a voracious reader. That school was perfectfor him. So we thought.

Our son loved sports and played his heart out, but that wasn’tgood enough for his new school: It only wanted to win. Whensoccer season came he mostly sat on the bench. Then camelacrosse season—more winning meant more sitting. Our sondidn’t understand. He knew it was only seventh grade. Hebecame dispirited. He lost his confidence, then hisprecociousness, then his self-esteem. My appeals to his coachesand the headmaster fell on deaf ears. The call to win seemedto be the only voice they heard.

Eighth grade was worse. Our son’s eyes became downcast andhis shoulders drooped. No one at school seemed to care.There were more appeals by me; they fell on more deaf ears.Our son had changed so much we could hardly believe it wasthe same child.

On My Coming and GoingOur Sunapee condo became our salvation. We sold our cityhome and moved there as the two boys were entering seventhand ninth grades. The Sunapee school was small so the soccerteam needed all the boys it could muster. Reluctantly, our sonsigned on, encouraged by the promise of “everybody plays.”

Everyone did play. Our son played fifty-eight out of sixtyminutes in the season’s first game. I watched an incredibletransformation take place on the field that day, as the son wehad once known began to return. His head was up and hisshoulders square; his eyes were focused. He was not onlyplaying, he was healing. The year was 1989.

Nine years later. By then that son had graduated from collegeand gone on to a career as a civil engineer. Cindy and I wereproud of the young man he had become and of what he hadovercome, thanks to a small school. I was at White Mountainto interview as a consultant, hearing for the first time about asmall school with a three-part ecology of self, community andEarth. White Mountain School spoke to my own core values,even before I learned “everybody plays.” I immediatelyrecognized that this place would have been a great place forthe son who had once again thrived because he found himselfin a small school. My profound personal connection to WhiteMountain’s mission informed and energized my work as aconsultant for nearly two years.

On the home front, we had sold our condo and built a homein Sunapee while the boys were in still in high school. Our twoand one-half acres provided us with plenty of outdoor chores.Once our sons were out of college and on to their careers, thelawn and the views began to lose their luster. I yearned for areturn to the country life we had left more than fifteen yearsearlier. We began planning for that return.

Our home was for sale, a prospective buyer was activelyinterested and our return to the country seemed imminent.Then Ruth Cook called. “I think you would like doing this,”she said. “You like having lots of balls in the air.” That wastrue.

It was even truer that I was immediately moved by theopportunity to do more than I could ever do as a consultantto help White Mountain School succeed. It was anopportunity to help preserve White Mountain for futuregenerations of teens that, like our son years before, loved theoutdoors and needed a small school where everybody caresand everybody plays. So, instead of moving to the country,Cindy and I were moving to campus.

It is now seven years later. Over those years I’ve watchedmany teens find success here. Time and again I’ve witnessedtransformations like the one I first saw in our son those manyyears ago. The school has changed, too. It is a more vibrantplace—healthier financially, better facilities, more students andmore diversity.

The opportunity to help White Mountain School succeed wasa dream come true. Coming here meant, of course, thatanother dream be postponed. So, we purchased a home in thecountry five years ago—a cape on thirty-five wooded acres.We thought of it as our future retirement home. Thatchanged the week before Thanksgiving, 2005.

It was a Saturday. As usual, I had been working in the woods.It was a perfect fall day—warmer than usual for November. Istopped to rest on the stump of an oak, taking in the smellsand sounds of the woods, the sun warming me, and a gentlebreeze brushing my face.

Suddenly, an incredible peacefulness washed over me. No, itwashed through me. The message was clear: The time hadcome to leave the school I love and move to the country, tofollow the dream that we had set aside almost seven years ago.

By the time you read this, Cindy and will have finallyreturned to life in the country. Almost any day I’m not at myoffice, you’ll find me in the woods, listening to the quiet, or inthe garden, the earth in my hands.

Alan now resides in Gilmanton, NH, with an intervention andeducation consulting office in Boston. His email address [email protected].

M

By Alan Popp

Head of School 1999-2006

Last fall at a Morning Reading,Alan led the community in plantingnearly 2000 acorns on campus -acorns that were harvested from thisgiant oak at his Gilmanton tree farm."Think of the power you hold in yourhands with each acorn," he stated, inwhat clearly was designed to be ametaphorical experience, not simply atree planting.


2005 - 2006 WinnersDark Blue! Congratulations to the Dark Blue Team for winning this year’s competition.

When I take my photos I try to capture the spirit and the emotionsthat I experience as I observe a scene. I take into consideration thelight and the shadows being cast, the composition, and the beauty ofthe scene upon which I gaze. I am privilaged to live in an area whereyou can find breath taking images around each corner, if only onetook the time to look close enough.

I was introduced to photography during my first photo course at theWhite Mountain School in 2004. We began our class with pinholephotography and then moved quickly to 35mm. During this firstsemster I found a passion for capturing images and seeing a differentperspective on everyday scenes.

In April of 2005, during my second semester of photography, Itraveled to Kenmare, Ireland. I shot dozens of rolls of film. There wasso much spirit to be found and so many landscapes that I had neverseen before. When I returned, I spent hours in the darkroomdeveloping the film. Seeing the images appear before my eyes, as Ideveloped the rolls and enlarged the photos, is one of the best feelingsabout photography. You are able to jump back into that moment,revisit the experience, and feela the emotion. I felt as though I hadnever left when I saw my photos come to life. Even today, when I lookback on my final prints, I am able to put myself back in the momentand experience once more, my journey through the spirit of Ireland.

A Journey Through the Spirit of Irelandby Sophia Helene Evans

Class of 2006

Sophia Evans displayed her photographyas part of her Independent Study during

the second half of her senior year atWhite Mountain School.

371 West Farm RoadBethlehem, NH 03574

(603) [email protected]

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Parents of Alumni/ae:If Echoes is addressed to your son or daughterwho no longer maintains a permanent addressat your home, kindly email us with his or hernew address. Thank you.

Alumnae/iWeekend

Load up your fondest memories and

get going to White Mountain School,

October 13th -15th!

Alumnae/i Weekend is a wonderful

opportunity to reconnect with the past,

rekindle friendships, and explore the

White Mountain School of today. Be there

for the dedication of the Fred Steele

Science Center, our first new building on

our campus in twenty years, and help us

honor one of our own as we dedicate a

science room to Lee Zanger, the head of

the Science Department.

October 13th - 15th, 2006

Documents

Echoes: Spring/Summer 2006