Graduation 2005

Graduation at Milton includes years of traditions and favorite rituals – formal and informal. For instance, an early morning parade from house to house picks seniors up at each stop (to the cheers of housemates) and then marches from east campus back to Straus Library. The longstanding practice of electing the student speakers has assured seniors that they will, at their last Milton gathering, hear a voice of their choosing. That alone differentiates a Milton graduation from most others.
[Full Story]

Just in Time

A gorgeous New England spring arrived in time to help each member of the Class of 2005 celebrate friendship and the imminent arrival of a diploma. The June 4 festivities witnessed Class I students dancing 'til the early morning at the Boston Radisson Hotel, then returning by trolley to the Schwarz Student Center, where a comedian had them laughing until dawn. Requisite donuts finished the "evening." The Parents' Association prepared party favors and transformed the familiar student center into a sophisticated cityscape for the event.
[View Prom Photos]

Students Study the Effects of Ozone
Environmental science students traveled to the Blue Hills to participate in a study of the impact of tropospheric ozone on white pines. Students hiked into the woods of Tucker Hill to record biometric data on the trees and collect sample leaves using pole cutters. They will send samples to the University of New Hampshire’s Complex Systems Research Center, where scientists will use a visible/infrared intelligent spectrometer (VIRIS) to collect data about the red edge inflection point of the leaves—a good indicator of total chlorophyll content at the leaf level. In the Milton Academy labs, students will use the samples to gather data such as leaf symptomatology, leaf growth and leaf retention. The University of New Hampshire will use this data in its study of the effect of ozone on the white pines of New England.

Student Tells Tale of Sea Kayaking Trip
Megan Smith '06

As the storm broke ahead of the five tents, nine of us retreated to our tents and implemented the drill used during lightning storms. My tent-mate and I sat in silence as both of us worried about the storm. Yet as the thunder rumbled and the lighting lit our tents, under the dramatic sounds we heard singing.
    “We all live in the Yellow Submarine,
    The Yellow Submarine
    We all live in the Yellow Submarine…”
And as the songs progressed from pop to oldies, we eventually became eased and hummed along. “We all live in the Yellow Submarine…”
[Full Story]
[View Photos]

Outstanding History Research Spans Wide Range of Topics and Timeframes
Following a tradition in 1983, Milton Academy annually chooses among students works the most outstanding examples of research and historical writing. Milton awards The Ethan Wyatt Bisbee Prize to students each June, and this year's winners have explored topics from the black athlete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics to the influence of the 1800 election on American political science to a century of Chinese-American stereotypes. Click here to view a list of this year's winners.

Community Service Program Receives National Recognition
Milton Academy earned the 2005 Community Service Recognition Award from the The Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE). The award recognized Milton’s relationship with the Epiphany Middle School, an independent, tuition-free school in Boston for low-income families.

Twice a week during the academic year, Milton students work with the staff and students of the Epiphany Middle School, tutoring on Thursday evenings and serving dinner to the faculty and students on Tuesdays. In addition, fourth and fifth graders from Epiphany spend a day at Milton attending classes taught by Class II students.

“Milton’s relationship with Epiphany Middle School reflects many elements that promote excellent service,” stated the CSEE. “We commend Milton on exploring the many ways an agency and a school can be resources for one another.”

Athletes Honored at M-Club Dinner

During the annual M-Club Dinner on Wednesday, June 1, students were presented awards for their outstanding performance in athletics. Among those honored (pictured above from left to right) were Zac Trudeau, winner of the Saltonstall Medal, Lindsay McNamara, winner of the Priscilla Bailey Award, Ryan Walsh, winner of the Alfred Elliott Award, and Martha Pitt, winner of the Dorothy J. Sullivan Award.

Art Students' Talent Recognized at New England Art Show
250 works of art were submitted from fifteen New England schools at this year’s Reality and Fantasy New England Art Show. Milton art student Lauren Hawkins (Class III) was awarded “Best of Show” and took first place in the category of sculpture. Izzie Mattia (Class II) received second place and honorable mention in sculpture. Izzie also took home the Reality and Fantasy Award and the Judge’s Award. Randy Ryan (Class I) was presented with the Art with a Social Conscience Award. Randy also placed second in drawing and received an honorable mention in printmaking. Nate Danforth (Class II) finished third in sculpture and honorable mentions were received by Amy Kurzweil (Class I) in sculpture, Adam Walker (Class I) in drawing, Alexandra Rodman (Class II) in drawing, Martha Pitt (Class I) in drawing, and John Denison (Class I) in photography.

Students Shine in Moon Over Buffalo

Moon Over Buffalo drew lively laughter from audiences in Ruth King Theatre this weekend. As George and Charlotte Hay, played by Andrew Oates (Class I) and Anne Sando (Class II) respectively, reluctantly face the twilight of their theatrical careers in a Buffalo theater company, they learn that Hollywood director Frank Capra may give George a final shot at stardom. Mayhem and door-slamming—and coupling and un-coupling—punctuate the comedy, which went up May 19-21. Pictured are actors Jessica Kingsdale and Robert St. Laurence, Class III. Moon Over Buffalo was directed by performing arts faculty member Darlene Anastas.

Climbing and Backpacking Class Finishes the Season with Two Weekend Trips

To culminate their season spent rock climbing and hiking, students in the Outdoor Program's spring climbing and backpacking class took part in two overnight weekend trips in New Hampshire. Click on the links below to view photos, or click here to learn more about these excursions.

Photo Galleries
[Ethan Pond, Crawford Notch]
[Whitehorse and Cathedral Ledges]

Norris House Dedicated

H. Coleman Norris '49 spoke of his gratitude to Milton, as the Academy dedicated the residence hall named in his honor. Norris House, a boys dormitory, opened in September 2004. "We turned to alumni close to the School for the generosity and leadership that would bring the architectural ideas to life," said Head of School Robin Robertson. "Today’s happy residents, who love their house, their housemates and their faculty are developing a set of traditions for Norris House comparable to those the other Milton houses enjoy."
[View Dedication Photos]

Speech Team Wows Students at Wednesday Assembly
Members of Milton Academy’s speech team took to the stage at assembly in Wigg Hall on June 1. Jessica Kingsdale (Class II) and Devin Heater (Class II) introduced the audience to duo interpretation with their 10-minute performance of scenes from When Harry Met Sally. Next year’s co-captain, Lalla Ameri (Class II), followed the duo with her dramatic interpretation (DI) monolog of a politician's wife speaking to the League of Woman Voters. Co-captain Ivy Martinez (Class II) finished the assembly with an original oratory about our society’s obsession with appearance.

Shakespearean Great Sir Derek Jacobi Performs Hamlet’s Soliloquy at Milton

British actor Sir Derek Jacobi, a protégée of Sir Laurence Olivier, taught master classes to students and delivered a performance-lecture at Milton Academy on May 11 and 12. Sir Derek’s stage roles have included Uncle Vanya, Oedipus Rex and Hamlet. Recent film credits include Gladiator and Gosford Park.

“I find acting much easier than the real world,” Sir Derek told Milton community members in King Theatre May 12. “In the real world, you don’t know how it ends.”

Sir Derek concluded his hour-and-a-half lecture by delivering Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” soliloquy and Prospero’s “farewell” to standing ovation. Sir Derek’s trip to Milton was part of the Melissa Dilworth Gold ’61 Visiting Artist series, which commemorates Melissa's life and interests by bringing internationally recognized artists to campus. As part of the series, each visiting artist also spends time with public school students. Sir Derek delivered a talk at Milton High School.

Interactive Comic-Mystery at Milton: The Wedding Not to Miss

Perhaps the first play of its kind at Milton, You May Now Kill the Bride drew its audience (that is, guests at the wedding) into the web of comedy and mystery that developed over the course of the evening. Guests at the ceremony might have picked up the foreshadowing of trouble. If not, conversations with the just-mingled family members while sitting at the linen-covered tables and sipping “champagne” led to a sense of unease that erupted before long into a full-scale debacle.
[Full Story]
[View photos]

Scenes From Graduates' Weekend
Plenty to Do, Rain Holds Off

On May 13 and 14, Milton Academy alumni gathered for the annual Graduates’ Weekend to enjoy student-led tours and performances, classes with faculty, an outdoor family festival, discussion panels with School leaders and dinner with friends under the stars. Click here to view a few photos from the weekend’s festivities.

A Math Assembly?
“Guts” Competition Likely to Become a Tradition

Would you have imagined that the Math Club assembly would attract a large and noisy crowd? At Milton’s weekly assembly on Wednesday, May 11, the Math Team hosted a 10-round "guts" competition. The event drew students enough for approximately 30 teams, each consisting of five students from Classes II and III. The teams—after choosing names that were then mounted on the scoreboard—solved problems in sets of three. A team member ran with the answers to Math Club members who quickly graded the answers and posted points for the team on the “Excel” scoreboard. Team members watched the updates of their own and other teams’ scores as the numbers appeared on the projected scoreboard. The competition was intense and great fun—as teams scored, cheers erupted. No team lost valuable time between problem sets. Plenty of eager ideas about how to approach a problem surfaced. Scores mounted. Students vied for prizes as well as recognition as master problem-solvers. Prizes took the shape of food—always welcome—and no one left disappointed with the event.

Students’ Gala Nets $10,000 for Tsunami Victims

“Figuring out the total of what we had raised was overwhelming,” said Alex Desaulniers ‘07, of Rockland, Maine. The student Tsunami Relief Coalition capped its semester-long fund raising efforts with a gala event in Pieh Commons, raising a total of $10,000 that will be directed to Habitat for Humanity International, for new housing in the tsunami affected areas. The students’ efforts started on the first day back at School after winter break.
[Full Story]

Captain of Milton's Golf Team Wins Golf Classic
On May 10, Claire Sheldon (Class II), captain of the 2005 coed golf team, won the 20th Annual Independent School Girls’ Golf Classic held at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Claire’s score of 83 after 18 holes placed her in a tie for the lead. Claire won the tournament with a par on the 19th hole in an extra-hole playoff. Claire becomes the second Milton Academy golfer to win this tournament. In 1987, Mindy Jeffry won the 2nd annual tournament.

Marine Science Classes Study Organisms Along the Coastline of Nahant
On April 29, the marine science classes traveled to Nahant to study the rocky inter-tidal habitat at the Northeastern University Marine Center. Students sampled living organisms using transects and quadrats, and calculated ecological indices to help analyze the vertical zonation of the rocky inter-tidal. During the afternoon, students ventured out on the R/V Mysis and studied Nahant Bay and its sandy-bottom communities.

Emphasizing the Idea of Service

In a tribute to the idea and experience of service, Milton Academy students fanned out from sites on campus to locations all over Boston to help at a range of projects for a full morning. Students brought their energy to many projects: they cleaned at the Dorchester YMCA and played with children; raked and prepared flower beds at the Franklin Park Zoo; staged a field day on the Academy campus for Boston elementary students from the Taylor School; finished an indoor painting project at the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans; prepared meals at Rosie's Place; sorted food at the Boston Food Bank; hosted Epiphany School students for workshops in science, music and art; painted the playground at Chittick Elementary School in Mattapan; did grounds work in town at the Milton DPW, Milton parks, schools and town hall; took on spring cleaning at the Boston Family Shelter; and cleaned exhibit cases at the Trailside Museum. In total, more than 700 students helped close to home and across the city.
[View photos]

Sailing Team Qualifies for Fleet Racing Nationals

On April 23, Milton Academy's sailing team competed at BC High in the New England Fleet Racing Qualifiers. The team finished third overall, qualifying for the High School Fleet Racing Nationals in Port Angeles, Washington, in May.
[Full Story]

Milton’s Underwater ROV Team Earns Trip to the Nationals at the NASA Johnson Space Center

Milton Academy’s remotely operated underwater vehicle team (MAROV) earned first place in the underwater mission competition, and second place overall, in the Third Annual New England Regional ROV competition, held this year at the University of Rhode Island’s Tootell Aquatic Center in Kingston, R.I., on Saturday, April 23, 2005. As a result of their second place finish, the MAROV Team has earned a qualifying slot, along with High Technology (New Jersey), in the Fourth Annual National ROV Competition to be held at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston June 17-19, 2005.
[Full Story]

Awards Earned by Student Musicians
HyunJin Kim, Class II, earned second place (and $1000) in the Harvard Musical Association competition, a challenging event featuring students from throughout New England. Christopher Chang, Class III, along with the Arcadia String Quartet, won the New England Chamber Music Association. As a result of their accomplishment, Christopher and his quartet will play in Carnegie Hall, New York City, on Memorial Day, 2005.

Students Performed in Two Spring Concerts
The Milton Academy music department presented two annual spring concerts in King Theatre. On April 29, Milton Academy featured music from both orchestras, the Large Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra. Click here to view a list of works that were performed. On May 1, Milton Academy presented the annual Spring Vocal Concert. This performance featured four of Milton's singing ensembles, including the Chapel Choir, the Chamber Singers, the Class IV Chorale and the Glee Club.

Milton Math Aficionados Grapple With Riemann Hypothesis at Princeton Professor's Talk

A dedicated group of Milton math students and faculty member Keith Hilles-Pilant went to the Clay Mathematics Institute (CMI) in Cambridge to hear a talk by Peter Sarnak of Princeton University on the Riemann Hypothesis. Professor Sarnak's talk was an opportunity presented by the Clay Mathematics Research Academy, which is the program for highly gifted high-school age mathematicians which Keith Hilles-Pilant started at CMI several years ago. Pictured above (from left to right) is Neil Katuna (Class I), Vincent Chan (Class I), Keith Hilles-Pilant, Julia Schlozman (Class I), Seo Hyung Kim (Class II), Dan Lee (Class I), Yoo-Na Kim (Class III), and Clare Bernard (Class I).

Students Take On Rattlesnake Rock
Milton students climbed Rattlesnack Rock in the Blue Hills on Sunday, April 10.
Click here to view photos from the trip.

Springtime Flicks: 2 Milton Alumni Write for Hollywood’s Silver Screen
Hadley Davis ’89 and David Lindsay-Abaire ’88 were lead screenwriters for 2005 releases Ice Princess (Walt Disney Pictures) and Robots (Blue Sky Productions), respectively.
[Full Story]

9 Student-Writers Earn Recognition from Scholastic, 12 Writing Honors Won This Academic Year
This year, writing talent is emerging as nine Milton students take prizes in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Scholastic made 624 awards from more than 5,000 submissions.
[Full Story]

Students' Auction Benefits Tsunami Victims
The Tsunami Relief Coalition is calling on Milton parents, faculty, and staff to join them at a gala event and silent auction in the Kellner Performing Arts Center on Saturday, May 7, at 8 p.m. The event is organized by the Coalition to raise money for tsunami victims through Habitat for Humanity International.

Many members of our community have donated items to be auctioned at this fundraising event. Among these generous donations, is French River, P.E.I., a painting by faculty member Jim Ryan. Other auction items include a "personalized" hockey stick autographed by Ray Borque, Red Sox tickets, jewelry, and more.
[View a list of auction items]
[Learn more about the event]
[Take a closer look at French River, P.E.I.]

Milton Presents Annual Dance Concert

The curtain rises for Milton's annual dance concert — a favorite event for Milton students. The house is packed, the lights go up and the audience feels the grace and energy of student dancers performing classical, modern, hip-hop and Indian dance under the direction of performing arts faculty member Kelli Edwards.
[Full Story]
[View Photo Slideshow]

French Exchange Students Visit Milton

As part of the French Exchange 2005, 18 French students from the Lycée Georges Duby in Aix en Provence in the south of France are spending two weeks at Milton. They are sharing Milton students' family life as well as attending some classes and doing some sightseeing in Boston. Milton students will visit them in Aix in June.

Academy Celebrates 75 Years of Extraordinary Musicians
Steven Isserlis, cellist, and Stephen Hough, pianist, performed for the 75th annual Gratwick Concert on April 14, 2005. The concert series provides students with the rare opportunity to hear and meet world-class artists in a beautiful and accoustically rewarding setting—Straus Library. Recent Gratwick artists have included Garrick Ohlsson, Joshua Bell, Eduardo Fernandez, Lorraine Hunt and the Emerson String Quartet.
[Full Story]

Visual Arts Faculty Member Exhibits Sculpture at Boston Gallery
A collection of work by Milton Academy visual arts faculty member Larry Pollans opens at the Boston Sculptors Gallery in April 19–May 21. “New Work, Sculpture and Drawing,” opens with a reception on May 6, from 5–8 p.m.

“This is my first show in four years, as I have tried to balance the full-time responsibilities of teaching at Milton with my ongoing career as a sculptor,” Larry says. “Each activity energizes the other. The process of discovery is exhilarating as much as it is exasperating—but discoveries in either venue feed both interests.”
[Full Story]

Patrick Radden Keefe ’94 Sparks National Praise, Intrigue With Chatter, an Exposé of Modern Espionage
In recent months, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, Washington Post and NPR have been talking about Chatter by Patrick Radden Keefe ’94. Chatter (Random House, 2005) is Patrick’s debut non-fiction account of how, where and why Big Brother is watching terrorists, and citizens, of the world.
[Full Story]

Speech Team Qualifies to Compete in State and National Tournaments

While most students started their spring break on March 10, the Milton Speech Team was working on the third leg of its state and national qualifying tournaments. The team competed for seven straight weekends to complete the qualifying process. Pictured are qualifiers for Nationals: Kathy Han, Nathaniel Obler, Simin Lee, Frank Smith and Laila Ameri.
[Full Story]

Who's on Stage Now?
Arts Night 2005, a spring tradition at Milton, showcases all the arts, from creative writing through visual and performing arts, throughout the campus. Milton students publicly share the diversity of their work with audiences in many venues—a lively, night-long moveable feast. One year of an arts program course has been a Milton requirement since the '70s; students use the course to explore a completely new art form as often as they do to pursue a known skill.
[Full Story]
[Arts Night 2005 Poster by Randy Ryan '05]

Three Students Named Candidates in Presidential Scholar Program

Seniors Clara Kim, Julia Scholzman and Meg Weisman have been named among the country’s 2,600 candidates in the 2005 Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 2.8 million students expected to graduate from high school in 2005.
[Full Story]

Students Tour South Africa

In March, The Milton Academy Jazz Combos completed a two-week tour of South Africa. From Soweto to Cape Town, students experienced the sounds and beauty of the country, while performing in concert with local talent. Click here to view photos of the trip.

As Part of Milton's Outdoor Program, Students Travel to Belize

Twelve Milton Academy students embarked on an outdoor adventure in the jungles and pristine waters of Belize over spring break, paddling, hiking, snorkeling and sailing their way through the rich and diverse land and seascape. As part of Milton Academy's H. Adams Carter Outdoor Program, students in every class of the Upper School joined Outdoor Program staff member Kim Walker and her fiancé John Hultgren in a week long exploration of Belize lead by Island Expeditions.
[Full Story]
[View Photo Gallery]

Success for Milton Athletes

The girls’ volleyball team took home the second prize trophy at the Eastern New Englands on February 26, and again took second place at the New Englands on March 2.

After winning five of his six matches during the National Wrestling Tournament, Ken Lee (Class I) placed third overall in the tournament.

Milton’s swim team broke a number of School records at the Easterns. Click here to view swim team tournament results.

Students Compete in Annual Climbing Event

The Milton Academy Outdoor Program ended the winter season with two traditional winter events, the Milton Outdoor Club and Milton Outdoor Program Climbing Competition and the annual Carter Weekend trip.
[Climbing Competition Photos]
[Carter Weekend Photos]

By Invitation, Milton Academy Jazz Combos Perform in Boston

One of only six groups selected to appear, Milton Academy Jazz Combos perform in Boston on Sunday, April 10, at 3 p.m. This concert, part of the New Notes Series, showcases the best youth talent in Metropolitan Boston. This free concert, held in the Hall of Ideas in the Mary Baker Eddy Library, is open to the public.

Rod Briggs of Mindlink Foundation Visits Milton Academy

On April 6, over 30 students and other members of the Milton community attended The Barbara Lee Family Foundation presentation featuring speaker Rod Briggs of Mindlink Foundation. On April 7, Briggs returned to campus to meet with students in smaller groups to discuss accessing creativity, relieving stress, and improving physical health.

Student Wins Grand Prize in Seventeen Magazine Short-story Contest
Dan Corkum (Class I) won the grand prize in Seventeen magazine’s annual short story contest for high school students. Dan’s honor wins him a $1,000 cash prize and a trip to New York to meet with a Barnard College creative writing professor. Dan’s story, “Painting By Numbers,” is a tale of self-discovery, he says.

Dan wrote the story in a creative writing class with Lisa Baker, who joined the ranks of Milton’s legendary English department in 2001. “She makes me want to write,” Dan says. “I would not be who I am as a writer without my classes with Ms. Baker. She’s engaging. She’s supportive.”
[Full Story]

Milton Academy Students Selected for the All-State Orchestra

Over 1000 students from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts auditioned to be a part of the Massachusetts Music Educators All-State Orchestra. Auditions required students to perform a solo, prepare scales, and sight read. Among the students selected to participate in the All-State Orchestra are Stephen Wagner, Class IV, Myung-Ju Kim, Class III, and HyunJin Kim, Class II.
[Full Story]

Professor of Islamic Studies Shares Expertise on Religious Co-Existence
Dr. Ingrid Mattson is the third annual speaker in the lecture series that was established by members of the Class of 1952 who wished to foster religious understanding in the wake of September 11, 2001. Dr. Ingrid Mattson talked to students about “Circles of Community: an Islamic Model for Religious Co-existence” in the Fitzgibbons Convocation Center on March 9. The Class of ‘52 Endowment for Religious Understanding lecture series honors the 50th reunion of the Class of 1952.
[Full Story]

Milton Academy Celebrates Diversity

Culture Fest 2005: Indian dance, African drums and songs from around the world served as backdrop for the Milton community to celebrate the strength of our community and diversity in its many forms. The festival featured potato latkes from the Jewish Student Union, spicy pickled kimchi from Korean students and faculty, and mellow but rich Irish stew. "This event is really our mission statement coming to life," says Heather Flewelling, director of student multicultural programs and event organizer. "Our mission focuses on learning, respect for others, diversity, and building confidence and creativity within an active learning environment."
[View Event Photos]

Honors Biology Students Put to the Test
Students in Honors Biology took a laboratory exam designed to test science process skills and understanding of biological concepts. The students had three hours to design, conduct and analyze an experiment, and write a lab report about their findings using a science lab rubric designed this summer by faculty members.

Annual Alumni Squash Tournament Draws Crowd for 28th Year
The 28th Annual Graduates' Invitational Squash Tournament took place on Saturday, March 5. Nearly thirty alums competed in the tournament, and over 120 alums and friends attended to cheer on the participates. The tournament was arranged and hosted by Milton Academy’s squash coach, Frank Millet.
Click here to view a snapshot of the results.
Click here to view results of the consolation matches.

Dodgeball, Just for Fun
Andrew de Stadler and Katie Hendren, head dorm monitors at Norris and Centre houses respectively, recently organized a dodge ball game between the houses. “The two dorms dressed up; Norris wore matching uniforms," Andrew says. "Everyone got really into the game and it was fun. We started out girls vs. boys and then mixed the teams. The two houses are brother-sister dorms and we try to do several activities together over the course of the year. For Valentine’s Day, we also had a dessert where the Norris guys performed some music for the girls and the girls baked.

Concert Launches Jazz Combo's Fifth South Africa Tour
Prior to beginning a fifth concert tour in as many years to South Africa, the Milton Academy Jazz Combo performs for the School community. Their Send-Off Concert takes place this Sunday, March 6, at 3 p.m. in King Theatre. In South Africa, the group performs in townships, schools and performance centers throughout the country.

Students Visit with Internationally Known Glass Artists

The Milton Academy community hosts a reception in honor of internationally renowned glass artists, Monica Guggisberg and Philip Baldwin, on March 4, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Schwarz Student Center. Guggisberg and Baldwin’s latest work, entitled Circus of Spheres, will be on display in the Student Center until March 10.
[Full Story]

Setting Sail in Straus: Parents Thank Faculty, Staff

In Straus Library, on February 14, the Parents' Association hosted an appreciation brunch for faculty and staff. Each year, theme and decor add to the event's fine food and warm welcome. This year, the invitation quoted Shakespeare—"There is something in the wind"—and featured gently suspended sails and kites. After enjoying cello music and gorgeous food including sushi, smoked salmon, French toast, fresh fruit and delicate pastries, the Milton Academy faculty and staff return a sincere thank you to the Parents' Association.

Milton Academy Outdoor Program Hosts Ice-Climbing Excursions

Mt. Washington, New Hampshire attracts national participants to its annual event “Chicks with Picks,” a two-day, women’s ice-climbing clinic. This year, the Milton Academy Outdoor Program hosted a similar trip. Eight Milton Academy students joined Outdoor Program Director Matt Bingham for ice-climbing on the Auburn Ice Canyon near Worcester, Massachusetts. In addition to Auburn Ice Canyon, Milton students ice-climbed Kinsman Notch in New Hampshire twice this winter and plan to climb again on Sunday, February 13.
[Full Story]
[View Photos from Auburn Ice Canyon]
[View Photos from Kinsman Notch]

Work by Visual Arts Faculty Member Anne Neely Exhibited in New York
Milton Academy visual arts faculty member Anne Neely’s new collection of work, The Edge of the World, opens at the Lohin Geduld Gallery in New York on February 19, 2005. Milton graduates and friends are invited to view the collection with Anne at a wine reception on Thursday, March 3, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. or at the February 19 opening, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
[Full Story]

Nationally Known Expert on the Image of Women in the Media Speaks with Milton Students
Jean Kilbourne, Ed.D., internationally recognized for her pioneering work on alcohol and tobacco advertising and the image of women in advertising, speaks with Milton students on February 16. Dr. Kilbourne is the 2005 Talbot Speaker. Many have seen Jean Kilbourne's award-winning documentaries, Killing Us Softly, Slim Hopes, and Calling the Shots. Dr. Kilbourne's recent book Can't Buy My Love: How Advertising Changes the Way We Think and Feel was called by Publishers Weekly "a profound work that is required reading for informed consumers." It won the Distinguished Publication Award from the Association for Women in Psychology. A Visiting Research Scholar at the Wellesley Centers for Women, she lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Ukraine: An Eyewitness on the Orange Revolution
Myron Stachiw will present an eyewitness account of the recent "orange revolution" in Ukraine and discuss the historical and cultural context of that important event, on Thursday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m. in Straus Library. This lecture is part of the Straus Dessert Program run by Milton Academy's Public Issues Board and is open to the public.
[Full Story]

Milton Academy Theatre Presents The Sins of Sor Juana
Milton Academy students perform Karen Zacarias' The Sins of Sor Juana in Ruth King Theatre on February 10, 11 and 12. Thursday and Friday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and curtains open at 7 p.m. for Saturday's show. For ticket information, please contact David Peck at (617) 898-2129. Click here to read about the play and the poet, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz.

Milton Academy Hosts Special Olympics Basketball Tournament
Students from Milton 's Community Service Program hosted 17 Special Olympics basketball teams from the Boston and the South Shore area. On Sunday, January 30, over 200 athletes played in this tournament to qualify for competition at the state level.
[Read More]

Harvard Professor to Deliver Talk on Global Warming
Professor Michael B. McElroy P’88 of Harvard University delivers the Milton Garden Club’s annual conservation lecture on Monday, February 7, in Milton Academy’s Straus Library. Open to the public, the 7 p.m. lecture, “Global Warming: Understanding the Challenge,” is co-sponsored by the Academy’s science department and student environmental groups, LORAX and C.A.R.E.
[Full Story]

Faculty Member Matt Bingham Demonstrates Newton's Third Law
Matt Bingham demonstrates Newton's Third Law for the Class IV Physics class. Using a rocket-wagon fabricated by Tom Sando, Mr. Bingham shows the students that "for every force, there is an equal and opposite force." The carbon dioxide coming out of the modified fire extuinquiser propels Mr. Bingham and the wagon forward.
[Full Story]

Jazz Students Get a Lesson from Alto Saxophonist Cercie Miller
Prominent alto saxophonist, Cercie Miller, visited Milton Academy this month to work with Milton jazz students. While on campus, Cercie coached and played during regular jazz classes and conducted a saxophone master class. Cercie is a respected band leader, performer and composer and teaches at Wellesley College. She has also taught at other institutions including Harvard and Northeastern University. Cercie’s visit was sponsored by the Barbara Lee Family Fund.

“Body Paint” Makes Performers Out of Gallery Goers
Milton Academy alumna and installation artist Nell Breyer (Class of 1989) has intrigued audiences with her i: move series. Now Milton’s Nesto Gallery features the latest of her exhibitions, entitled “Body Paint.” Through her art, Nell captures the chance or purposeful movement of everyday people in public places. I:move explores how we perceive movement. It embeds daily activities into formal choreography and is being developed for public spaces that are centers of human motion. It has been shown at MIT's IM Pei archway. Pedestrian traffic is tracked and transformed into 2-dimensional shadow play. Continuous motion trails occur like reliable yet unpredictable weather patterns.

“The result of Nell’s installation is to make a performer out of each of us,” says Visual Arts Department Chair Gordon Chase. “Each person catches his or her eye in the ‘electronic mirror’ and is challenged to respond—to move, to dance, to walk about, to gesture in space.” In the Nesto Gallery exhibit, Breyer is the casting director and choreographer, while the gallery-goers are the stars of the show. Nell’s exhibit is “live” at Milton Academy from January 7-February 3.

National Book Award Finalist Sarah Bynum '90 Speaks to Students
Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum ‘90, finalist for the 2004 National Book Award for Fiction, spoke to Class I and II students during Wednesday’s assembly in King Theatre on January 19.

Sarah read passages from her novel, Madeleine is Sleeping, including one about a fat woman Mathilde who sprouts wings to rise above the cobbles stones, scraps of food and the dirty, curious children below. Sarah also read from a short story about a young teacher and her class: While studying This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff, the teacher shared with her students stories of youthful misdeeds, finally admitting that she had not been an accomplished student herself—though she was more than proficient at any exam involving “bubbles”.
[Full Story]

Speech Team Takes First Place at Hull
After only two short days of practice following winter break, the Milton Academy Speech Team placed first against 12 schools at the Hull Tournament on Saturday, January 8. Out of the 13 events held on Saturday, Milton Academy students placed in 9 of them. Click here to view individual award winners. The team has already competed in tournaments at Yale, Kingston, Natick, Lincoln, and George Mason University. Twenty of the team’s members have already qualified for the state tournament in April. The team is now gearing up for the Catholic Nationals in Milwaukee in May and the National Forensic Tournament hosted in Philadelphia during the month of June.

Author and Musician James McBride Visits Milton Academy
James McBride, award-winning writer, composer and saxophonist, visited Milton Academy on Wednesday, January 12, as the 2005 Dr. Martin Luther King Speaker. Realistic, insightful and humorous, Mr. McBride connected with students whom he urged to think, to question, to read, and to challenge the ubiquitous propaganda.
[Full Story]

Students Send Care Packages to Soldiers
The Young Republicans enlisted classmates to help write letters to soldiers serving in Afghanistan. Under faculty advisor David Ball and student head Colin Tierney (Class I), the Young Republicans sold pizza and solicited contributions to fund care packages for soldiers in the Bravo Company of the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry. The packages contained frequently requested items such as batteries, comic books and Chex Mix. “We were inspired by Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) who spoke here,” Colin said. “In his speech here in October, he suggested adopting units of soldiers,” Colin said. Colin said that the Young Republicans will send additional packages to troops in the spring. “Helping soldiers is a non-partisan issue, and we promoted it as such within the community,” Colin said. “Each box had a cover letter from me and a letter from another student— most of those letters were written by non-Republicans.”

President of the Log Cabin Republicans, Patrick Guerriero, Speaks to Milton Students
Patrick Guerriero, president of the Log Cabin Republicans, spoke recently at Milton, as the guest of the Academy’s Young Republicans and GASP (Gay and Straight People’s Alliance). Prior to his current role, Mr. Guerriero served three terms for state representative and two terms for mayor of Melrose, Massachusetts, his hometown. He was also a Rebublican advocate and political adviser to several Massachusetts governors, including Governors William Weld, Paul Cellucci, and Jane Swift.
[Full Story]

Class I Artists Represent the Human Figure

According to visual arts faculty member Anne Neely, students’ drawings in “An Exploration of the Figure” explore the figure in materials such as pencil, oil bar, paint and ink. For two years, student-artists worked with a single model in their Advanced Drawing and Painting courses. Now, immersed in Advanced Independent Art, students found that working with the model offered additional inspiration. Class I exhibitors are Randy Ryan, Martha Pitt, Adam Walker, Rachel Doorly, Randi Spoon, Emma Sando and (not pictured) Cullen Winkler.
[Full Story]
[View Photos]

“What the Future Will Bring”: Inventor, Author and Futurist Delivers Science Lecture
Ray Kurzweil, one of the nation’s leading inventors, authors and futurists, delivered the 2004 science lecture, “What the Future Will Bring,” on December 15, in the Fitzgibbons Convocation Center. Ray is the father of Amy Kurzweil (Class I) and Ethan Kurzweil ’97.
[Full Story]

Milton Academy Winter Concerts

The music department presented the Milton Academy Winter Concerts in King Theatre on December 10 and 12. The performances featured music by the Chamber Singers, the Orchestra, the Class IV Chorale and the Glee Club. Click here to view a complete list of music performed at both concert events.

Work of Gingerbread Art Raises Funds for Shelter Farm

Each year, the Community Service Program sponsors a gingerbread raffle to raise funds for a local or international cause before students go on winter break. This work of art (and candy) is lovingly created each year by Margorie Stone, parent of Milton graduate Andrew Stone '00. This year, the student board has chosen to donate all proceeds to The Farm at Long Island Shelter located in Boston Harbor. Tickets will be sold this Monday through Wednesday and a drawing for the lucky winner takes place at the all-school holiday assembly on Thursday, December 16.
[Full Story]

Photographer and Author Greg Halpern Speaks to Milton Students
Photographer Greg Halpern, author of Harvard Works Because We Do spoke to students on Wednesday, December 8. His book of photographs grew out of his senior project, a photo essay of the people who work as Harvard's cleaning people, cafeteria workers, custodians, grounds workers and security guards. The project became a four-year study of the University's working poor. Halpern also helped form the Living Wage Campaign at Harvard, a three-year drive to win higher pay for Harvard's labor force. Greg Halpern writes, " They dust the portraits, polish the oak panels, and prune the trees. They cook the food and guard the campus; they work in every room of every building, day and night, and yet one of their frequent complaints is that the nation's most perceptive students and scholars simply do not see them." Greg's visit to Milton was sponsored by the student group Common Ground.

Alumna Jean Valentine Wins National Book Award for Poetry
On November 17, Jean Valentine '53 was awarded the 2004 National Book Award for Poetry for her book Door in the Mountain. The newest of her ten books, Door in the Mountain is a collection of Valentine's work dating back four decades and includes 70 new poems by the writer. Click here to learn more about Jean Valentine.

2 Class I Students Win National Writing Awards

Seniors Emily Cunningham and Andrew Gorin have each won a 2004 Achievement in Writing Award. They were among the 689 winners chosen from 2,600 outstanding student-writers nationwide. The awards are sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and recognize excellent high school prose and poetry. A team of English teachers judge the entries, looking for effective and imaginative use of language to inform and move an audience. Judging is based on two compositions, a supervised impromptu writing exercise with topics designated by NCTE and a writing sample that the student considers to be his or her best work.

A Wonderful Tune: Milton Musicians Win Seats in Competitive Music Ensembles

On Saturday, November 20, 10 Milton Academy musicians were chosen by audition to participate in the Southeastern Massachusetts Music Educators Association District Music Ensembles. They were selected for the festival from among 600 public and private high school students in southeastern Massachusetts. [Full Story]

Harvard University Professor Jill Lepore Speaks to Milton Students
Jill Lepore, Harvard University professor and historian, recently shared with students aspects of her research about an alleged conspiracy of enslaved Americans in New York City in 1741; she presented the Henry Heyburn Lecture of 2004 to students in Classes I and II.
[Full Story]

Seussical the Musical Packs King Theatre

Milton Academy students received standing ovations for their performance in Seussical the Musical. Co-conceived by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Eric Idle, Seussical combined the works of Dr. Seuss into one fun and colorful story. Click here to view photos from the show.

Milton Senior Publishes Book of Poetry, Written With Her Mother
Amy Kurzweil (Class I) and her mother, Sonya Kurzweil, have published a book of children’s poetry, Forever Poems for Now and Then (BenBella Books). Written by the mother-daughter collaborators over 10 years, the original poems are matched with striking paintings by great master artists. The eclectic project becomes an act of community service as the Kurzweils, through their family foundation, deliver 1,400 copies of the book and its accompanying educational CD to Massachusetts elementary schools. The launch, which will be followed by readings at the Borders in Chestnut Hill’s Atrium Mall (November 20) and the Harvard Coop in Cambridge (November 27), helps celebrate American Education Week, November 14-20.

Milton Mustangs Stampede Bulldogs

For more than a century, Milton’s arch athletic rival has been found in neighboring Noble and Greenough School. Six inches of snow stymied the traditional day of competitive fun between the schools. The rescheduled primary attraction–the heated football contest between the Bulldogs and the rough and resilient Milton Mustangs–occurred under more clement conditions on November 17. A stampede by the wild Mustangs left the Bulldogs howling in defeat as the sun set in Milton. The final score: Milton 27, Nobles 0.
[View game photos]

Marine Science Class Conducts Research Off the Coast of Nahant
On November 8, Milton Academy’s marine science class took its annual field trip to Nahant, Massachusetts. Despite cold and blustery weather, students completed a full day of research. In the morning, students voyaged out to sea on Mysis, a research vessel run by Northeastern University. Milton students sampled water in Broad Sound and off the coast of Nahant to assist with Northeastern’s research project of water quality and marine biodiversity. [Full Story]

The Class IV Play: 33 ninth-grade students stage Spanish classic

No one left Fuente Ovejuna without feeling he or she had met a town’s-worth of lively characters. The audiences participated in a drama that involved comedy, romance, violence and familiar historical themes.
[Full Story]
[View Photos]

Music Faculty Member Commissioned to Write Three Anthems
Composer and Milton faculty member Louise Mundinger has been selected for the American Composers Forum New England’s 2004-2005 Faith Partners Program. Selected from among 23 composers, she will serve as the composer in residence at the New Covenant Christian Church in Mattapan, Massachusetts, and Temple Ohabei Shalom in Brookline, Massachusetts. [Full Story]

Girls’ Hockey Alumna Earns Place on U.S. Team at Four Nations Cup
Liz Keady ’03, a sophomore at Princeton, is among the 21 players representing the United States in women’s hockey at the upcoming Four Nations Cup in Lake Placid, New York, this November.

Liz, who captained girls’ hockey at Milton, was named to the team following her participation in the USA Hockey Women's Festival in August. Liz was also on the U.S. Women's Under-22 Select team that met Canada in a three-game series. She was the second highest scorer for the team with two goals and an assist.
[Full Story]

Milton Students Pay Tribute to Veterans

Abiding by an annual tradition since the post-World War I era, students gathered in silence around the campus flagpole this Veteran’s Day to honor those who have fought and died for our country. The bells of Apthorp Chapel rang and a trumpeter played “Taps” as the American flag was lowered to half-mast.

Election Day 2004

They may be too young to vote, but they are old enough to hold, and share, their opinions. Milton students Alexandra Desaulniers (Class III) and Wiley Caine (II) sported a Bush-Cheney sign. Headquartered in front of Head of School Robin Robertson's home, they waved to passers-by. The political enthusiasm of Charlie Posner (Class III) for Kerry-Edwards was made equally evident by his attire.

Milton students are active in more than 40 clubs, cultural groups and organizations, including the Young Republicans and Public Issues Board. In recent weeks, Milton faculty members encouraged the adult community to register to vote and be counted at the polls on election day, which many called the most significant and contentious election in years.

Milton Academy Competes in 2005 Team America Rocketry Challenge

The 2005 Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) is underway. Milton Academy students are again taking part; this is the third annual national TARC event. Students will design, build, and fly a one - or two - stage model rocket (less than 3.3 pounds liftoff weight, 125 grams propellant in NAR-certified model rocket motors) that takes one or two raw eggs and on-board timers for a flight with duration of 60 seconds. Of course, the rocket must fly safely and the eggs must return undamaged!
[Full Story]

Junot Diaz Visits Milton Academy

Junot Diaz, author of Drown, a collection of short stories published in 1996, visited Milton Academy on Wednesday, November 3. His work has appeared in many publications, including Story, The Paris Review, Glimmer Train, Best American Short Stories of 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2000, and The New Yorker.

And the Winner is...
On Halloween, Norris House hosted an evening of pumpkin carving and seed cooking. Students crafted jack-o-lantern designs to be judged by the girls’ dorm. Norris House then elected their Pumpkin Carving King. The ballots were counted late into the evening and as morning broke, Andre Heard, admitting defeat, conceded to incumbent Hee-Seung Yang (Class III). Yang, creator of The Midnight Skull, walks away with the title and a gift certificate for Simon Malls. Runner-up Andre Heard won firewood for his second place finish and third prize winners Alex Tin (Class IV) & Raymond Gramble (Class I) received smoothies from Milton’s snack bar.

Assembly Focuses on the Misconceptions of Muslim Beliefs

Tamara Kirdar spoke to Class I, II & III students on October 27 about the Islam religion, misconceptions surrounding Muslim beliefs, and what it is like living in America as an Arab Muslim.
[Full Story]

Faculty Members Give Beyond Classroom

Milton Academy faculty members give generously in the classroom every day, as they encourage students to excel within an intellectually challenging environment. Many faculty members model for students a spirit of giving as they support charities that are meaningful to them.
[Full Story]

Milton Academy Hosts Orchestra from France

As part of a music exchange program, Milton Academy hosts the orchestra from L’Ecole de Musique de Persan during the final weeks of October. While visiting Boston, this group of musicians will attend Milton classes and perform concerts both on campus and in our surrounding communities.

Alum Earns a Place as 2004 National Book Award Finalist
For her first novel, Madeline is Sleeping (Harcourt, Inc.), Sarah Bynum '90 earned a place as a 2004 National Book Award Finalist in Fiction. The 20 Finalists for the 2004 National Book Awards, announced today, are among America's most gifted and original writers and their books represent an astonishing range of styles, voices, and themes. Winners will be announced on November 17.

[Click here for more information]

[View a synopsis of Sarah's novel]

Milton Academy Students Perform for Archbishop Desmond Tutu

On October 8, the Milton Academy Jazz Combo, under the direction of faculty member Bob Sinicrope, performed at the Second Desmond Tutu Award Celebration. The award ceremony included a presentation of the 2004 Desmond Tutu Award honoring actor Danny Glover for his commitment to social justice. Among those in attendance to enjoy the music of The Jazz Combo included Archbishop Tutu, Danny Glover, Lt. Governor Kerry Healey, and the South African cast members from The Lion King.

Margo Johnson Lecturer Tells of Forgiveness, Action After Daughter Dies During Apartheid-era Violence

“As much as I offended people, I also offended myself,” said Ntobeko Peni, a South African man who played a role in the death of American Fulbright scholar Amy Biehl in 1993.

Mr. Peni, who now works at the foundation named in Amy’s honor, told the Milton Academy community how his life changed when the Biehl family forgave him during the Truth and Reconciliation hearings in Cape Town. “The impact of forgiveness changed me, which is why I share this story.”

Standing shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Peni today, Margo Johnson lecturer Linda Biehl told students that she wished that South African children—now free from the political oppression that caused her daughter’s death—enjoyed the nurturing and resources that many American students do. While the post-apartheid South African government has made great progress toward integration, Mrs. Biehl explained that poverty, lack of education, HIV-AIDS and hopelessness still consume many lives. She told how—only 11 years earlier, before her daughter’s death—words such as “justice,” “truth” and “reconciliation” were just words to her. [Full Story]

Milton Academy’s Lower School Parents’ Association hosts Swap-It, an annual indoor yard sale fundraiser. If you’re interested in donating items, the dates and times are as follows: Monday, October 18, through Tuesday, October 26, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the hockey rink in the Fitzgibbons Convocation Center. On Tuesday, October 19, and Thursday, October 21, you may drop off items from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. If you’re interested in purchasing items, the sale takes place on Halloween weekend. Public sale hours are: Friday, October 29, from 6:30 – 9 p.m.; Saturday, October 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and on Sunday, October 31, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
[View Swap-It poster]

Crafting Cardboard Vessels
In its eighth consecutive year, Paul Menneg’s Sculpture class commenced with a friendly boat-building competition. The contest introduces new students to the ideas and methods of sculpture and engineering in a fun and interactive way. The class is divided into teams and each group is allotted four pieces of cardboard and one half of a roll of duct tape. With only these materials, students must build a boat. The ship that remains buoyant for the longest amount of time claims bragging rights for the semester. Students spent the first couple of days constructing their vessels and on the morning of September 16, the class assembled at the Milton Academy pool to test their projects. The record time set in past years is one hour and fifty five minutes. This year, the longest sailing craft lasted 10 minutes. “The students got a little carried away,” joked Menneg, “and sabotage may have played a role in this year’s results.”

New York Times Op-Ed Features Economist Austan Goolsbee '87
In an October 1, 2004, New York Times op-ed, Milton alumnus Austan Goolsbee '87 warns the nation about a serious financial disaster on the horizon - one that neither presidential candidate is touching. The crisis, which could cost Americans $100 billion - about half what the war in Iraq will cost by the end of 2004 - comes to us from Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the federal agency that insures workers' pensions in case their employer defaults. But poor judgment and a new federal law could leave taxpayers holding that hefty bill, says Austan, who is a professor of economics at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.
[Read Austan's piece in the New York Times]
[Read Austan Goolsbee's commencement address to the Class of 2004]

Who Came to Milton This Fall
The 2004-05 admission process began with nearly 1,000 applicants over one year ago. This September, at the beginning of its 207th academic year, Milton Academy welcomed 153 chosen students to campus. Among them are 70 boys and 83 girls. They come from 22 states, nine countries and collectively speak at least 16 languages. Forty-four percent define themselves as students of color and 40 percent come from public schools. Prior to attending Milton, most earned straight A’s and scored in the 88th percentile on the SSAT test. Six students ranked number one in their class. Twelve were elected president of either their class or Student Council, and 15 were captains of at least one athletic team. According to Paul Rebuck, dean of admission, “They are athletes who paint, painters who love math, and mathematicians who dance.” [Read Paul Rebuck’s Address to the New Students]

Painter Stephen Haderski Adds Names to Honor Faculty
The more things change, the more they stay the same: In the foyer of Wigglesworth Hall, on September 28, sign painter Stephen Haderski added names to historic Milton signs honoring faculty members. Among the new additions is the name of Johnston Torney '37, an Academy alumnus and faculty member who died in summer 2004. "I've been painting signs here for 45 years," Mr. Haderski said.

Milton Alums "Dominate" New England Film Festival
On October 1–3, Newburyport Massachusetts hosts the first annual Northern Lights Documentary Film Festival. This weekend-long gala showcases non-fiction films submitted by filmmakers around the world. On opening night, the event will feature “Touching the Game – The Story of the Cape Cod Baseball League,” a film produced by Milton alum Peter Frechette '78. Northern Lights was co-founded by Milton graduate Hailey Klein '79 and film critic for the Boston Globe, Ty Burr '77, will be present as one of the festival’s judges.
[Learn more about Northern Lights]

Vusi Mhlongo from The Lion King Helps Student Vocalists
On October 8, Milton Academy jazz students and singers will perform for Archbishop Desmond Tutu and actor Danny Glover at this year’s “Desmond Tutu Award Dinner.” In preparation for the event, Milton students are learning Archbishop Tutu’s favorite hymn in the Sutu language. Vusi Mhlongo, performer from Disney’s The Lion King, visited the Academy on Monday to teach students the correct pronunciation of the hymn’s Sutu lyrics.

Exchange Students Visit the State House
What began as a guided tour of the Massachusetts State House for the Spanish Exchange students visiting Milton Academy this fall, became an event when The Speaker of the House, Thomas Finneran and Milton representative Walter Timilty ('87) greeted the students and posed with them for a picture in the House chamber. The Speaker presented both Milton Academy and Colegio El Pilar of Madrid with citations recognizing the first international exchange between the two schools.

Margo Johnson Lecturer to Tell of Power of Forgiveness after Apartheid-Era Tragedies
“Long Night’s Journey Into Day” is the Academy-Award winning documentary that presents four of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases. One of those hearings centered on the 1993 murder of American Amy Biehl in South Africa. A Fulbright scholar, Amy was in Cape Town working against apartheid.

The Biehl family offered forgiveness to those responsible for their daughter’s death and created a foundation in her honor and to carry her work forward. The foundation funds educational, environmental, health education and other programs for South African youth. Amy’s mother, Linda, will speak to the Milton Academy community on October 6, 2004, as a Margo Johnson lecturer. [Full Story]

Inventor Buckminster Fuller 1913 Honored
A 1973 black-and-white photograph of Buckminster Fuller, Class of 1913, hangs in the Milton Academy admission office. He signed it, “To: Wonderful Milton Academy, where I learned how to organize thought and was urged to ‘Dare to be true’ to what I learned from organized thoughts.”

Since Buckminster’s death in 1983, appreciation for the legendary American inventor, architect, engineer, designer, geometrician, cartographer and philosopher has grown.

The Palasadian-Post (Pacific Palisades, California) was among media to deliver news of a United States commemorative postage stamp to honor R. Buckminster Fuller, whose best-known invention is the geodesic dome. [Full Story]

Convocation Launches Academic Year
On Monday, September 13, Convocation launched the 2004–2005 academic year. Head monitors Gladys Girabantu, of New York City, and Anthony “Buddy” Calitri, of Whitman, Massachusetts, welcomed students, urging them to strengthen the Milton community through open communication with faculty, administrators and classmates. “[Our School environment] is up to all of us,” Buddy said. “Everyone must ‘Dare to be true.’” Head of School Robin Robertson reminded students that getting involved challenging conversations and embracing diversity are central to the School’s mission and the world’s future. “When differences are seen as undesirable…we are in danger,” she said. She pointed to alumnus Elliot Richardson, Class of 1937 and the only American to head four different Cabinet departments, as a model for doing the right thing—even when expressing differences meant opposing then-President of the United States Richard Nixon by refusing to fire Archibald Cox, the independent prosecutor investigating Watergate.
[View Robin Robertson's Convocation Welcome]

Moving In
Summer is over and the not-so-subtle sound of excited students floods Milton’s residence halls again. Heavy rains did not dampen the anticipation heard in voices of Milton’s boarding students as they moved into newly opened houses, Norris and Centre, as well as long-standing houses such as Hallowell and Wolcott.

As parents said good-bye and good luck, conversations between new roommates and old friends about summer trips, camps and jobs helped transform the Academy’s empty hallways and quiet green fields to a campus full of life.
[View moving day in pictures]

Milton Academy Welcomes New Students
Less than a year ago, over 1,000 applicants began the admission process for the 2004-2005 academic year. Now, 153 admitted students are beginning their Milton academic careers. These students come from 22 states and nine countries. Their hometowns stretch from Jamaica Plain in Boston to the beaches of Kingston, Jamaica. They collectively speak 16 languages. Of the 153, 70 are girls and 83 are boys. While virtually all are straight ‘A’ students and rank in the 88th percentile in SSAT scores, each new member of our community brings to campus unique talent and energy. [Full Story]

Milton Magazine Wins Prestigious Award from Education Association
Milton Magazine earned a gold medal, the only top honor awarded nationwide this year by CASE (the Council for Advancement and Support of Education) to independent schools for alumni magazine excellence. Three other independent schools won bronze or silver medals. CASE is the international association for education professionals in alumni relations, communications, and development.

Class of 1953 Honored
The School honored the Class of 1953 for its generous 50th reunion gift, which helped fund the faculty lounge in newly renovated Wigglesworth Hall. In a September 23, 2004 dedication ceremony, Upper School Principal Hugh Silbaugh thanked members of the Class of 1953. Faculty, staff and School leaders also gathered to thank the graduates. A plaque revealed at the ceremony reads, “Class of 1953 Faculty Room given on the occasion of their 50th reunion in honor of the Milton Academy faculty.”

Spanish Exchange 2004
Students spent June living and learning in Madrid, Spain, as part of Milton Academy’s Spanish Exchange program. [Full Story]

Milton Students Compete at ROV Nationals

While some high school students spend their summers lounging poolside, Milton’s remotely operated underwater vehicle team (MAROV) members competed poolside against the top schools during this year’s National Student ROV Competition.[Full Story]

2004 Graduates: Where Are They Going?
As September approaches and the dog days of summer come to a close, our newest graduates will begin a new chapter in their academic lives. Members of the Academy’s Class of 2004 will commence their collegiate careers this fall, joining the communities of over 65 colleges and universities nationwide. [View College Matriculation]

Kaleidoscope 2004
Kaleidoscope, an arts and creativity program hosted on Milton Academy’s campus this summer, comes to a close this week. The program, designed for students ages 8-13, offered a wide variety of enjoyable activities, including problem solving, theatrical improv and creative writing.[View All Summer Programs]