a seasonal newsletter by the OMCD
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The ninety-third Gratwick concert
The ninety-third Gratwick concert took place on Thursday, September 14. The Gratwick Concert Fund was established by Dr. Mitchell Gratwick in memory of his wife, Katharine Perkins Gratwick. She was a cellist and graduate of the Class of 1924.Through Dr. Gratwick’s...
Coming Soon to Your Inbox
Exciting news! We're streamlining our communications to keep you updated without overwhelming your inbox. Look out for our new biweekly email, Engage@Milton, where you'll find upcoming event details and more. Stay connected with us at...
Convocation 2023: “Dare to be True” as a Community
Sharing messages celebrating strength in supportive communities, this year’s Convocation speakers challenged Milton students to “Dare to be true” to one another and the world at large.
Convocation marks the beginning of the academic year for the Upper School. Students heard remarks from Head of School Dr. Alixe Callen ’88, Director of Restorative Justice Suzanne DeBuhr, co-Head Monitors Katherine Risden ’24 and Chris Amodeo ’24, and Principal Dr. Monica Benton Palmer.
Dr. Callen recalled starting at Milton as a sophomore: Coming from a small school in her New York hometown where she had been a standout student, she struggled initially. The other girls in Goodwin House already had strong bonds with one another and classes were much more challenging. Once she opened up and shared her vulnerability, the support she received from fellow students and her teachers helped immeasurably, she said.
“What saved me in those beginning months were the people, faculty, staff, and friends who watched out for me,” Dr. Callen said. “When I opened myself up to help and support from the community, when I admitted things were hard, when I allowed myself to cry, things got better. And that’s the power of community. My belief in the power of community started here at Milton, and it’s been a theme in my life and my work ever since.”
Fall Opportunities in Performing Arts
Class IV Follies: Monsters Among Us
Milton Academy Performing Arts invites actors, singers, dancers, musicians, and those interested in tech theatre from Class IV to join the Class IV Follies. The Follies is an annual tradition where Class IV performers and crew come together to create a unique showcase of their talents for the entire Milton community. No experience is necessary and all interested students will be featured. This year’s Follies, Monsters Among Us, will incorporate monster-themed scenes and songs handpicked for each performer. Behind the scenes, tech crew members will be designing, building, and painting the sets and props to create an equally monstrous world.
A Gift With a Plan
As John Coburn ’59 approaches his 65th Reunion next year, he reflects fondly on his Milton experience. “I liked all of my teachers, classmates, and coaches, and those connections are still going,” says John. “There were twenty-five of us who went on to Harvard together and remained friends. I still go to all of my reunions!” When Milton Academy presented John with the opportunity to join the Forbes Goodwin Society by using proceeds from the sale of a family summer house to create a charitable remainder trust (CRT), he knew it was a great opportunity to give back to Milton.
Investing in Math at Milton
This fall, Cox Library will relocate to a newly renovated space in Wigglesworth Hall, which will clear the way for a renovation of the existing space for math. The new Farokhzad Math Center will be transformed into a cutting-edge facility that will breathe new life into how math is delivered and experienced at Milton, both in and out of the classroom. Trustee Justin Walsh ’99 was involved in early conversations about the need for a new space for math, and his leadership and philanthropic support are playing a vital role in making this project possible. He shares, “Math was always my favorite subject at Milton, it was my major in college, and it is foundational in my career in investing. I am very excited to have a front-row seat to this project unfolding in the coming year.”
Caring for the Whole Family
When Alok Kapoor P ’32 and his wife chose Milton for their daughter, they were most impressed by the school’s holistic educational approach that prepares children to be well-rounded, well-intended, and productive leaders. Little did they know, this holistic approach would extend far beyond academics for their family. Within a year of enrolling at Milton, their daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia, and Alok’s wife passed away. Immediately, Lower School faculty rallied around the family, building a support network that would ensure Alok’s daughter would make it through the difficult days ahead.
2022–2023 Donor and Volunteer Impact Report
For 225 years, Milton Academy has fostered critical thinkers and changemakers, all under the guidance of world-class faculty and staff. Thanks to donors investing in Milton, we will continue to do so for years to come. We are excited to share with you some of the many...
Update Your Contact Information
The best way to stay connected to Milton and be sure you receive news and invitations to our featured events is to keep your contact information current. Update your contact information today at https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1769091/1741325.
Fall Events Preview
This fall will feature several virtual and in-person events, including Milton-Nobles Day at Milton, receptions in New York and Boston, Milton Night Out: Boston Bowl, a live stream of the 93rd Gratwick Concert, and much more. Stay tuned and visit our Upcoming Events...
Register Now to Join Milton Academy on Cape Cod
Join Milton on August 26 for a captivating journey through the breathtaking Heritage Museums and Gardens. Stay on site after your tour for a boxed picnic lunch, adding a touch of deliciousness to our day of enchantment. Discounted tickets are available to 1798 Circle...
Board of Trustees’ Charge to Head of School Dr. Alixe Callen ’88
Dear Members of the Milton Community,
I am thrilled that Dr. Alixe Callen has begun her tenure as Milton’s 13th head of school!
As the Board of Trustees, we seek to align with the head of school on her priorities and also to perform our primary role—which is to partner with her as the leader of the institution—by offering guidance and support as we ultimately hold her accountable for achieving the school’s goals. During a leadership change, it is considered a best practice for a governing board to communicate its “charge” to a new head, setting expectations on both sides for the start of her tenure.
In the interest of transparency—and recognizing that an excellent school is the product of collaboration and effort by all members of the faculty and staff, students, families, and alumni—included below is our letter to Dr. Callen as well as her response.
Alixe has exceptional qualifications as an educator and school leader and I hope you will join me and the Board in the warmest of welcomes as we continue to make Milton Academy the best possible community for our students.
Sincerely,
Claire Hughes Johnson ’90
President, Milton Academy Board of Trustees
Advancement Year in Review
2022–2023 was an exciting year for Milton. The incredible generosity of 3,074 alumni, parents, students, and friends provided more than $12.6 million in support for Milton Academy. Together, our community contributed an incredible $6.1 million to the Milton Fund to...
The Results Are In
Thank you to the 536 generous donors who made a Milton Fund gift and shared wonderful memories on our shout-out board during the Shout-Out to Todd Challenge this June. Because of your support, the Milton Fund earned $75,000 from our generous anonymous challenger! Take...
Celebrating Our Board of Trustees
Milton recently had the chance to celebrate the contributions of four Board of Trustees members whose terms have come to an end: Douglas Crocker II ’58, Eleanor “Tabi” Haller-Jorden ’75 P ’09, Elizabeth B. Katz ’04, William A. Knowlton P ’23, and Sylvia Westphal P ’18...
Reunion: Highlights from 2023 and Save the Date for 2024
On Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, 521 graduates and guests joined us for an unforgettable weekend! The weather may not have always cooperated, but it did not put a damper on our spirits. Please take a few moments to visit www.milton.edu/reunion to relive some...
Head of School Leaves Lasting Imprint
Todd Bland’s successful tenure as Milton’s head of school is the result of a unique blend of talents, says former Board of Trustees President Lisa Donohue ’83. I still remember the moment as if it were yesterday. Spring of 2008, and I was a new trustee at Milton...
Register today for Milton at Tanglewood on July 30
Harmonious notes await! Register today to attend Milton at Tanglewood Music Festival on July 30. Join us for lunch hosted by former trustee Dottie Weber ’60 P ’04 as you mix and mingle with the Milton community. Enjoy a performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra,...
A Fresh Start for a Family Business
When the Sicilian-born Joseph DeLuca took over ownership of the Charles Street fruit and grocery store, in the 1930s, a gallon of milk cost about 32 cents and a loaf of bread 6 cents. Almost 100 years later, his great-nieces, Caroline Aiello ’98 and Victoria Aiello...
Volunteer with Milton
Alumni and parent volunteers serve as a vital resource for our students, build community for those who are no longer on campus, and support our annual fundraising activity. If you would like to explore ways to stay connected and give back to the Milton community in...
Milton Magazine Recognized for Excellence
For the second year in a row, Milton Magazine, Milton Academy’s alumni publication, received a Gold award in the Circle of Excellence from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
The award recognizes Milton Magazine’s spring and fall 2022 issues. The Circle of Excellence celebrates “exceptional achievement in advancement services, alumni relations, communications, fundraising, and marketing,” according to CASE. “These are the creative, inspiring projects that impact institutions and their communities—and transform lives around the globe.”
CASE judges noted: “Milton Magazine is a well-designed and well-written magazine. With its elegant design and smart writing, this magazine has all the hallmarks of a commercial publication. The variety of art and illustration, including the use of charts, boxes, numbers, and pull quotes, adds an extra level of interest and depth to the content. The feature stories written by the editor and associate editor were particularly enjoyable, providing insightful and engaging content that is sure to captivate readers.”
Milton Magazine was also a finalist for the 2023 Robert Sibley Magazine of the Year Award.
2023 State of the School
State of the School June 17, 2023
John Avlon ’91 Delivered Commencement Address
One-hundred-ninety-two seniors received their Milton Academy diplomas during the school’s commencement exercises on June 9, 2023. Graduation at Milton is a ceremony that carries years of traditions and favorite rituals—formal and informal. One longstanding tradition...
Shout-Out to Todd Challenge
Milton’s academic and fiscal years are ending, and we are taking this moment to recognize Head of School Todd Bland’s 14 years of institution-wide improvement. Before Todd moves off Centre Street, you can show your appreciation for his leadership by participating in...
Dive Into Summer With Milton
Get ready to immerse yourself in the excitement that awaits as we embark on a series of summer adventures for our Milton community. Events include Milton Night Out: Red Sox Game, Milton at Tanglewood, Milton Family Gathering: Red Sox Game, and Milton on Cape Cod....
A Lasting Legacy
One of the first tributes came during a night filled with laughter. When “Dare to be Todd” flashed onstage before the final sketch of Wicked Sketchy, Milton’s irreverent annual comedy show, the packed audience might have expected some pointed jokes from the student...
Seeking Equity In Sports
Olivia Greenaway ’22 fell in love with the game of squash in middle school after following her older sister into the sport. By the time she reached Milton’s Upper School, she was the only freshman to make it to the varsity team—and the only Black girl in the...
Final Call for Class Notes
Time is running out to include your news in the fall issue of Milton Magazine. Share your accomplishments and life updates with your Milton family. Submit your class note by Tuesday, June 20, at https://forms.gle/4NHrztmPtjPpGq6n6. Pictured: Lily Choi ’10, Nana Amoh...
2023 Prize Assembly
Prize Assembly June 8, 2023
2023 Humanities Workshop Conference
Advancing Health Equity Prominent Theme of Milton Academy Conference on Global and Public HealthOn Sunday, May 21, Milton Academy students participated in the Humanities Workshop’s Student Conference on Public Health hosted at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the...
44th Persky Awards Celebrate Student Writers
A lifelong love for writing and storytelling, stoked by English classes at Milton, propelled Neha Wadekar ’07 into a career in freelance journalism, she told students at the recent 44th Annual Laurence S. Persky Memorial Awards.
“I joined Milton in seventh grade, and I remember coming back for my revisit day and Ms. Simon was teaching Pride and Prejudice,” Ms. Wadekar recalled at the ceremony, which honors the best in student-published writing and artwork. “I was blown away by the level of back and forth discussion that the students were having about the meaning of the novel and the specific intentions of certain passages and the construction of particular sentences.”
John Avlon ’91 to Speak at 2023 Graduation
This year’s Graduation speaker is John Avlon, Milton Academy Class of 1991. John is an award-winning journalist and author of six books, including Lincoln & the Fight for Peace and Washington’s Farewell. He is a CNN senior political analyst and anchor, known for his “Reality Check” segments across the network. Previously, he was the editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast and chief speechwriter for the mayor of New York City during the attacks of September 11, 2001. He lives in New York with his wife, Margaret Hoover, and their two children, Jack and Toula Lou.
Humanities Workshop Hosts Student Conference on Public Health
On Sunday, May 21, Milton Academy students participated in the Humanities Workshop’s Student Conference on Public Health hosted at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. The goal of the Humanities Workshop is to show students how key themes prominent in humanities studies—in particular, the importance of empathy and compassion—can be instrumental in working to solve the world’s complex problems.
Urged by a COVID pandemic that has raised immediate concern about the safety and well-being of our school communities and forced us to consider the intersection of health and justice, the Humanities Workshop chose PUBLIC HEALTH/GLOBAL HEALTH as this year’s theme.
Milton Medal Awarded
Head of School Todd Bland P ’13 ’14 ’14 and Trustee Emeritus Brad Bloom P ’06 ’08 embarked on their journey together as Milton’s leaders in 2009. Brad was elected as president of the Board as Todd began his first year as head of school. The two shared aspirations of...
Head Over Heels Sets a Classic Story to an 80s Soundtrack
The spring musical, Head Over Heels, reimagines a 16th-century royal love tale—told mostly in iambic pentameter—and features the music of the 1980s rock band The Go-Gos. Its mash-up of music, visuals, and script work, however, to tell a story as old as time.
“It’s a great mix of elements,” said director and Performing Arts Department faculty member Peter Parisi. “It feels like they’re in this Shakespearean world and the characters are in a modified Elizabethan wardrobe, using the music of The Go-Gos, but it makes sense. They’re talking about issues that are both timeless and contemporary.”
The musical adapts the plot of The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia by Philip Sidney, which was written in the late 1500s. It tells the story of the royal family in a kingdom, Arcadia, whose future depends on the family avoiding four predictions by an oracle. Set to some of The Go-Gos’ most recognizable hits as well as their lesser-known songs, the show is magical, dramatic, and fun.
“The theme is love,” Mr. Parisi said. “It’s about loving who you want to love, status, power, responsibility, duty to family, duty to your country, duty to yourself. In the end, the message is that love is love is love is love, and no matter who you are, you deserve love.”
Shout-out for Todd
This summer, Head of School Todd Bland’s 14-year career at Milton Academy will come to a close. All of us at Milton will forever be grateful for Todd’s incredible impact on our school. We invite you to reflect on Todd’s tenure and to share well-wishes and messages of...
Leading with Love
“Let’s go football! Go field hockey! Go soccer! Go cross country!” The pep rally leaders were a cyclone of energy, hyping up their peers to support the athletes about to compete that weekend. Then, without skipping a beat: “Let’s hear it for the robotics team! Give it...
Soft Power: A Defense Against Extremism
Engaging with Muslim communities around the world, foreign-policy strategist Farah Pandith ’86 pioneered a new approach to fighting extremists and changed the narrative around how radicalization occurs and how to stop it. Read more.
Share Your News
We love to hear what’s going on in the lives of Milton Grads! Madeleine M. Winrow '06 recently shared the wonderful news of the birth of her son, James Winrow, who arrived on Valentine’s Day 2023. James joins his big sister, Hailey, and the Winrows are enjoying living...
Head of School Todd B. Bland P ’13 ’14 ’14 and Trustee Emeritus Bradley M. Bloom P ’06 ’08 Recognized with Milton Medal
Head of School Todd Bland P ’13 ’14 ’14 and Trustee Emeritus Brad Bloom P ’06 ’08 embarked on their journey together as Milton’s leaders in 2009. Brad was elected as president of the Board as Todd began his first year as head of school. The two shared aspirations of great progress for Milton Academy, and on Friday, May 5, the Board of Trustees honored their transformational service with the Milton Medal.
Todd Bland Milton Medal Recipient
The Milton MedalTodd B. Bland P ’13, ’14, ’14 Head of School, 2009–2023 On May 5, the Board of Trustees honored Head of School Todd B. Bland with its highest honor, the Milton Medal, recognizing his 14 years of exemplary service to the school and the love and care for...
Bradley Bloom, Milton Medal Recipient
The Milton MedalBradley M. Bloom P ‘06, ‘08 Member of the Board of Trustees, 2004–2015President, 2009–2015 On May 5, the Board of Trustees honored former Board member (2004-2015) and former president (2009-2015) Bradley M. Bloom with its highest honor, the Milton...
Leah Li ’26 Selected As New York Times Science-Writing Winner
Leah Li ’26 was selected as one of the top ten winners of the New York Times Student STEM Writing Contest this year, and her essay exploring what glass frogs can tell us about human blood clotting was published by the Times last month.
“I’ve always been interested in how nature gives us such a good handbook for dealing with problems, like how the design of bullet trains was inspired by birds because they’re so aerodynamic,” Leah said. “Nature tells us a lot about what we can do. In terms of the glass frogs, their ability to put all their red blood cells into their liver could give us some guidance on how we can prevent blood clots in humans.”
Leah, a boarding student from Texas who lives in Hallowell House, was one of more than 3,000 entrants in the contest. Competitors had to write about a stimulating discovery or topic that they found interesting and cite at least one source from the New York Times, Science News, or its sister site, Science News Explores.
In selecting her topic, Leah read through science articles she found fascinating and learned about glass frogs in Panama. The frog species, as Leah wrote, is “one of the few transparent terrestrial creatures.” As a result, the operation of its circulatory system was visible to scientists who studied the frogs during different activities. They found that while the frogs slept, almost 90 percent of their red blood cells traveled to the frogs’ livers, effectively allowing them to safely be translucent and better protected from predators.
Spring 1212 Play, Things You Can Do, Opened Thursday
The spring’s 1212 play, Things You Can Do by playwright Kristen Palmer, opened last Thursday in the Studio Theater at the Kellner Performing Arts Center.
Things You Can Do tells the story of an over-achieving graduate student on a visit to her hometown, where her mother and sister are grappling with anxiety and isolation.
“It’s a play I’ve always loved, and I’m so excited that we’re doing it,” said Performing Arts Department faculty member Eleza Kort, who is directing. “It explores the question of what we can do—on a broad level, while facing global problems like climate change, and on a personal level to help the people in our lives.”
Milton Medal
The Milton MedalThe Milton Medal is Milton Academy’s highest honor and an expression of the school’s deep gratitude to those who have contributed the most to our community. Established in 1982, the Medal is bestowed by the Board of Trustees in recognition of...
One Year Later: Remembering Kendall Chun
Eliot Hack ’24 arrived at the base of Mount Katahdin last summer ready to complete a technical climb in memory of beloved Milton Academy teacher Kendall Chun. Mother Nature had other plans.
Rain forced Eliot to ditch his plans for a technical ascent—using rock climbing gear and heading up a steep path to the summit—and he instead hiked the mountain on foot, completing his first effort to raise money for access to public lands and celebrating the massive influence Mr. Chun had on Milton’s adventure-seeking students.
“Mr. Chun did so much for our community and for me, personally. I really wanted to honor him,” Eliot said. “He was focused on getting people out there and breaking down any kinds of barriers to the outdoors.”
Mr. Chun, who died April 26, 2022 after a recurrence of cancer, ran the school’s Outdoor Program in addition to his work as a computer science teacher and role as a Robbins House faculty advisor. His love for outdoor adventures was infectious as he introduced students to hiking, rock and ice climbing, cross-country skiing, kayaking, and more—regardless of their prior experience or skill level.
Sherry Downes ’58, Mother of Head of School Todd Bland, Speaks About Legacy
Sherry Downes arrived at Milton in 1955 and immediately felt at home. With the last polio epidemic raging in Boston, she and her fellow boarders were required to stay on campus. It was that time at Hathaway House where she made long-lasting relationships. “We were all...
Sherry Downes ’58, Mother of Head of School Todd Bland, Speaks About Legacy
Sherry Downes arrived at Milton in 1955 and immediately felt at home. With the last polio epidemic raging in Boston, she and her fellow boarders were required to stay on campus. It was that time at Hathaway House where she made long-lasting relationships. “We were all remarkably alike,” she says. “We hit it off immediately, sharing inside jokes and common interests.”Although the Girls’ School was completely separate from the Boys’ School, Sherry remembers crossing Centre Street for special events. It was at a theater production in March of 1958 that she met a boy, going home that night to write in her diary that he gave her a “nice, warm feeling.” That boy was James Bland, who would become her husband and the father of our current headmaster.
A Look Back at Buckminster Fuller 1913: Lesson Plans for Spaceship Earth
In 1966, a New Yorker article described R. Buckminster (“Bucky”) Fuller 1913—one of Milton’s most famous graduates—as “an engineer, inventor, mathematician, architect, cartographer, philosopher, cosmogonist, and comprehensive designer.” An internationally renowned...
Come Back for Reunion June 16–17
Join us Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, as we celebrate class years ending in 3 and 8. This Reunion is especially memorable as Head of School Todd Bland will deliver his final State of the School Address with reunion-year alumna and incoming Head of School...
Calling Alumni Authors: Share Your News
Have you recently published a book? We want to know! Julia Shirvan ’00 recently shared with us that she published her first children’s book, “Baby, MD: Neurology in the Park,” in February 2023. Dr. Shirvan hopes caregivers will use the book to create fun teaching...
Volunteer with Milton
It’s National Volunteer Week! Raise your hand and make an impact today. Volunteers are the heart of your alumni network. Recently, we had the pleasure of hearing from Beverly Leon '10, Dennis Clifford '11, and the late Eli Wolff '95, in conversation with Director of...
Submit an application for TEDxMiltonAcademy
Next winter, on Friday, December 1, Milton Academy will host our next TEDxMiltonAcademy in King Theater on Milton's Campus. The event is student-run, featuring a variety of talks from Milton students, faculty, staff, and alumni. If you have an idea that you would like...
TextLess, Live More: Merritt Levitan’s ’13 Legacy Continues
Just a few weeks after graduating from Milton Academy, Merritt Levitan ’13 was on a bicycle trip across the United States when a driver, who was distracted by texting, hit and killed her.
Merritt, a passionate and active young woman who loved the outdoors and spending time with family and friends, left a legacy of adventure, humor, and love that continues today at Milton and well beyond.
Several of Merritt’s Milton friends—Emeline Atwood ’14, Abigail Lebovitz ’14, Kaitlin Gately ’14, and Erika Lamere ’15—joined with her family to form TextLess Live More, a nonprofit whose mission is to end distracted driving and, over time, has evolved and expanded to promote digital wellness. The national awareness campaign, which has a chapter at Milton Academy, educates people about the effects of digital distraction, including the safety risks of distracted driving along with the overall impact of digital habits on physical and mental health.
“Merritt set an example for all of us to live life to the fullest and to be present for others and ourselves in everything we do,” said Head of School Todd Bland. “A decade after she was taken—far too soon—from her beloved family and friends, we can still find inspiration in her joy, excitement for life, and her deep care for others.”
Multimillion-Dollar Gift Supports Math Education
As the parents of two Upper School students, trustee Shadi and Omid Farokhzad P ’23 ’25 know the importance of having a space that inspires a modern approach to teaching and learning. That is why they made a multimillion-dollar commitment to create a new home for math at Milton. The new Farokhzad Math Center will move the Math Department from the cramped attic of Ware Hall to a modern, light-filled, renovated building currently occupied by Cox Library—which is moving to Wigglesworth Hall this year.
The Victoria S. H. and Mark R. Graham Scholarship
The Victoria S. H. and Mark R. Graham ScholarshipThe Victoria S. H. and Mark R. Graham Scholarship was established by Mark and Vicky [Hall] Graham in 2013 to provide support to Milton Academy students in need of financial assistance. Their generous endowment of the...
Multimillion-Dollar Gift Supports Math Education
As the parents of two Upper School students, trustee Shadi and Omid Farokhzad P ’23 ’25 know the importance of having a space that inspires a modern approach to teaching and learning. That is why they made a multimillion-dollar commitment to create a new home for math at Milton. The new Farokhzad Math Center will move the Math Department from the cramped attic of Ware Hall to a modern, light-filled, renovated building currently occupied by Cox Library—which is moving to Wigglesworth Hall this year. Please visit www.milton.edu/graduates/math-update to learn more about the math center renovation, and how you can partner with the Farokhzads in making this bold vision a reality.
We Cannot Imagine a More Giving Community
On Thursday, March 9, over 1,100 Milton community members came together to give more than $1.4 million dollars to Milton on Giving Day! We are incredibly excited for all of the possibilities this year’s Giving Day support will bring to our students. While we met—and even surpassed—our 1,000-donor goal, we are still tallying all of the generous gifts and preparing microchallenge totals. Stay tuned for the final total and a summary of your Giving Day impact!
John Avlon ‘91 to Speak at Graduation
This year’s Graduation speaker is John Avlon, Milton Academy Class of 1991. John is an award-winning journalist and author of six books, including Lincoln & the Fight for Peace and Washington’s Farewell. He is a CNN senior political analyst and anchor, known for...
Women’s History Month: A Look Back at Elizabeth “Betty” (Greenleaf) Buck, Lower School Principal, 1947–1979
In the aftermath of WWII, Milton Academy needed a revolutionary educational thinker to lead the preparatory school (later the Lower School) into a more hopeful and vibrant future. In the tumultuous post-war period, principal Elizabeth Greenleaf (later known as “Betty...
Reunion Registration is Open
Join us Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, as we celebrate class years ending in 3 and 8. Reunion will feature panels with current students and fellow alumni, classroom experiences with Milton faculty, a Family Festival on the Quad, class gatherings, and more....
DEIJ Speaker Series Recap
Over the last few weeks, we hosted the Milton Academy 2023 Department of Equity, Inclusion, and Justice speaker series. The series featured talks from Dr. Howard Stevenson, Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer ’87, and Grace Chan McKibben ’86. Dr. Howard Stevenson discussed how to...
The Victoria S. H. and Mark R. Graham Scholarship
The Victoria S. H. and Mark R. Graham Scholarship was established by Mark and Vicky [Hall] Graham in 2013 to provide support to Milton Academy students in need of financial assistance. Their generous endowment of the scholarship helps Milton to continue to welcome exceptional students into our community, regardless of their ability to pay, allowing Milton to sustain the vibrancy of our student body.
Snow Day – Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Milton Academy classes and regular extracurricular activities are canceled Tuesday, February 28, and all other operations are suspended. No buses will operate.
Save the Date for Giving Day
March 9 is Giving Day 2023! From arts to sports to hands-on learning experiences and enrichment, a Milton Fund gift makes a positive impact by helping our students learn, grow, and become the leaders we know they can be. The best part? You don’t have to just imagine...
Share Your News With Us
As we prepare for the Spring 2023 edition of Milton Magazine to drop in the mail soon, we are already looking forward to reading the class notes and receiving submissions for the fall issue. Do you have a Milton love story or a new addition to the family to share? How...
DEIJ Speaker Series
Dr. Howard Stevenson, the first of Milton’s 2023 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) speakers, recently spoke to the alumni community, as well as Upper and Middle School students. You can access the recording of his talk to the alumni community here....
What’s Next For Public Schools?
While the past two years have brought myriad heartbreaks and headaches into the public school classroom, alumni working in public school education say they have also profited from important lessons and opportunities. Read more.
Humanities Workshop Panel Details Key Roles of Empathy, Community Connections in Public Health
Welcoming experts in public health, two Milton Academy faculty members recently convened a forum to examine challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of supporting mental health—particularly among young people in our communities.
The Feb. 6 panel discussion, hosted by Boston College High School, was the latest event in the Humanities Workshop series. A collaborative initiative connecting public, private, and charter schools, each biennial program explores a single social justice issue through the lens of the humanities—the academic disciplines including arts, literature, languages, history, society, and culture. Created in 2018 by Milton faculty members Lisa Baker and Alisa Braithwaite, the initiative currently involves hundreds of students and faculty across eight area high schools.
The goal of the Humanities Workshop is to show students how key themes prominent in humanities studies—in particular, the importance of empathy and compassion—can be instrumental in working to solve the world’s complex problems.
Humanities Workshop Panel
Awareness is Key to Racial Literacy, Says Dr. Howard Stevenson
“Racial stress is observable and resolvable because we can see it,” Dr. Howard Stevenson told Milton students recently. “And if we can see it, we can do something about it, but only if we face it in our own racial stories. Courage is in how much we ask about what we don’t know.”
Stevenson, the first of Milton’s 2023 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) speakers, gave Upper and Middle School students racial literacy strategies to handle the inevitable discomfort of situations involving racial stress and threat present in our everyday lives. When people are prepared with tools—including reading and recasting scenarios, locating where stress manifests in our bodies, communicating with ourselves and others, and deploying calming breathing techniques—they are better prepared to make just decisions.
When people encounter conflicts related to race, they’re not just facing the facts of the moment: They’re bringing in a lifetime of internal and external factors that may influence their reactions, so awareness is necessary for a good resolution, Stevenson said.
Save the Date for Reunion 2023
Classes ending in 3 and 8, get excited because Reunion is just five months away! Mark your calendars for Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, and keep an eye out for registration information in February. In the meantime, please visit www.milton.edu/reunion to view...
Thinking Big with Eric Schwarz ’79
Sitting in the bright, airy headquarters at College for Social Innovation in downtown Boston, Eric Schwarz ’79 describes what has driven him over the past several decades to envision and create two experiential learning programs that give students from underserved...
Life at Milton: Clubs, Community, and Connection
Milton recently hosted a virtual event that explored the collaborative and engaging student clubs that uplift Asian culture at Milton. “Life at Milton: Clubs, Community, and Connection” featured faculty panelists, as well as students who expressed that these clubs...
A Brave Space: MLK Jr. Day Speaker Régine Jean-Charles ’96
“In my view, the job of the formative educator is to make justice irresistible.”
So writes Régine Michelle Jean-Charles ’96 in her 2021 book, Martin Luther King & The Trumpet of Conscience Today. In the same passage, she describes helping a group of students process an act of police brutality they witnessed in Paris at the tail end of a course she taught there.
Jean-Charles, a Black feminist literary scholar, cultural critic, and university professor, had led students in a summer course called Paris Noir: The Literature and Culture of Black Paris, which covered Black culture in France from the 1930s to the Black Lives Matter movement. During their final week in Paris, students were unwinding at a nightclub when they saw French police officers violently detain a Black man. Following the incident, Jean-Charles asked the students to reflect on what they’d seen. It was a moment not only to care for their well-being but also consider the role they play in making a more just world.
Invest in Milton’s Mission
Gifts to the Milton Fund provide vital resources for Milton to fulfill its mission by supporting financial aid, faculty development, innovation, and flexible funding for Milton’s greatest needs. Please make your donation before the calendar year ends at...
Volunteer at Milton
Alumni and parent volunteers serve as a vital resource for our students and the greater Milton community. Board of Trustee member Yeng Felipe Butler ’92, P ’35, ’33 recently spoke with Milton's Invest in Girls club about her life and career in finance. Invest in Girls...
Building Brighter Futures
Emma Pengelly ’98 is working with communities in Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta to create greater opportunities for their citizens. “Our job is really to help people with ideas and people with passions realize their vision,” she says. Read...
Spring Events Preview
This spring will feature several virtual and in-person events, including Milton Basketball at TD Garden; receptions in Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, and San Francisco; virtual conversations with new Milton faculty and staff members; a DEIJ speaker series; Reunion; and...
Hong Kong Speaker Lisette Le Shares How Asian Immigrants Have Shaped Massachusetts
Born in Vietnam, Lisette Le moved with her family to Akron, Ohio, at the age of 6, and was one of just a handful of Asian American students in every school she attended. She had to quickly learn English, losing some of her Vietnamese language skills except when she translated for her parents.
“There’s a major intersection among race, immigration, and class that shapes our country and our familial structures,” said Le, this year’s Hong Kong speaker. “My story is an individual’s story, but it’s in the context of systems and policy.”
Now a nonprofit leader with more than 16 years of experience in community organizing, civic engagement, and advocacy at the local, city, and state levels, Le shared her personal immigration story and provided some history of Asian communities in Massachusetts. Milton is situated just a few miles from several communities with strong Asian and Asian American populations, such as its neighboring city of Quincy and the Dorchester and Chinatown neighborhoods in Boston. Massachusetts has several enclaves of Asian communities, including Nepalese families in Somerville, South Asian communities in Central Massachusetts, and Vietnamese families in Dorchester’s Fields Corner.
Holidays Mean Music
Join Milton Academy—either in-person or virtually via a live stream—to experience the Jean McCawley Orchestra and Chorus Winter Concert. This annual event is a celebration of music by the students of Milton Academy’s vocal and orchestral program. The concert features seasonal tunes to celebrate the holidays, alongside repertoire ranging from Baroque to Contemporary, and classical traditions representing a diverse range of cultures and geography.
Heyburn Lecturer Elizabeth Hinton Discusses Race and Protest
Acts of rebellion and resistance in American social movements have received vastly different responses from police and mass media—based on the race of protesters—since the foundations of the country, this year’s Heyburn lecturer Elizabeth Hinton told Milton students.
Hinton, an author and Yale professor who researches poverty, racial inequality, and urban violence in the United States, described the history of Black protest movements and their characterization as “riots,” even when they were peaceful in origin. In order to understand the disproportionate response to Black social movements, we have to look at history, she said.
Milton Robotics Is On a Roll
This past weekend, Milton’s Robotics Team—comprised of 11 students and three robots—attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s WAVE Tournament, a three-day competition against 78 other robotics teams from across the United States and Canada. One of Milton’s teams, self-dubbed Duct Tap & Dreams, advanced to the eliminations round and finished 16th in robot skills. Another of Milton’s teams, under the name of Moonrise, won the Innovate Award, one of the top three awards given to a team based on overall performance, organization, and teamwork.
In November, Milton’s Robotics Team also attended a VEX Robotics tournament in Framingham, Massachusetts, where our students competed against 45 schools from across southern New England.
#GivingTuesday
What makes Milton Academy so special for today’s students, faculty, and staff? On #GivingTuesday, November 29, we will hear from Milton’s newest community members about what drew them here. Your Milton Fund support helps our school grow and thrive through recruiting...
Milton Academy Reaccreditation Survey for Graduates
Thank you to the hundreds of Milton Academy graduates who have completed the alumni survey sent earlier this week as part of the school’s self-study process. Your voices are vital as the school prepares for reaccreditation by the New England Association of Schools and...
A Brave Space
As a professor and the director of Africana Studies at Northeastern University, Régine Michelle Jean-Charles ’96 strives to create a community where students and ideas flourish. “In my view, the job of the formative educator is to make justice irresistible.” So writes...
Share Your News
Have you written a book? Gotten hitched? Added to your family? Your classmates want to know! Share your news in the spring issue of Milton Magazine by submitting your class note by December 2 at forms.gle/4NHrztmPtjPpGq6n6. Rosamond van der Linde '54 shares that she...
Milton-Nobles Day
Milton-Nobles Day was held on Saturday, November 12, at Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, Mass. Many students, alumni, family members, and friends cheered the Mustangs on to victory in varsity volleyball (3-0), JV field hockey (2-1 OT), varsity football (38-26),...
Milton Academy’s Performing Arts Department Presents Lobby Hero
This fall’s 1212 play is Kenneth Lonergan’s Lobby Hero, a dialogue-rich play set entirely in the lobby of a Manhattan apartment building. Directed by Performing Arts Department faculty member Darlene Anastas, the show features four main characters whose lives intertwine during the investigation of a crime.
“Lonergan is a Tony-award winning playwright who is known for his dialogue and how he integrates ideas and action into his dialogue,” Anastas said. “It’s a very naturally flowing play. It’s fitting to set it in the lobby of a residential building in Manhattan, where people from all walks of life are passing by. It deals with interpersonal interactions, some social issues with policing, and the personal issues of the ‘lobby hero’ whose life is on display for the whole show.”
It is the first 1212 play for Anastas, who has taught at Milton since 1981—she has always worked on the larger, main-stage productions. “It was exciting to me to work in depth with just a few students and to explore the issues the play has, which are very relevant today.”
King Theatre Gets Wicked Sketchy
On the main stage at King Theatre for the first time, the fan favorite sketch-comedy show Wicked Sketchy will feature funny sketches and musical numbers written and performed by students.
First performed in 2014, Wicked Sketchy began as a 1212 play—a Milton tradition named for the former room in Warren Hall where pared-down, intimate performances were staged—giving students an opportunity to flex their comedy muscles. Last fall, the show moved to an outdoor tent to accommodate audience restrictions during the pandemic; for the first time, the show had a stepped-up production, said director and Performing Arts Department faculty member Peter Parisi.
“We were able to see the impact that lighting and sound design had on the show, and it just raised the stakes,” Parisi said. “It’s certainly evolved.”
This year, the show has about a dozen sketches, including some musical numbers. Students brought their ideas for sketches to the group, and together they fleshed out the ideas. Writing comedy is hard work, particularly for a show with a broad audience of students and adults.
reserve tickets online
Coming Soon: Milton Self-Study Survey
Every ten years, Milton Academy undertakes a self-study in preparation for reaccreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. This period of thoughtful, thorough reflection relies on the participation of the full Milton community. We need to hear...
Inaugural TEDxMiltonAcademy Event
The inaugural TEDxMiltonAcademy event filled King Theatre with ideas about belonging, health, climate, identity, and psychology, as six speakers from the Milton community shared carefully crafted and passionate talks on subjects of their choosing. The event featured...
New Affinity Group Opportunities
We are pleased to offer a host of affinity spaces and cultural groups across a wide range of identities, including gender, ability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, and race. Trained facilitators are working with school leadership to create and maintain...
Love Milton Magazine?
You're not alone! Many alumni say that the Class Notes section of Milton Magazine is one of their favorite things to flip through. That’s because people want to know what you’re up to! Share your news and life updates with your Milton family by submitting your class...
TEDxMiltonAcademy Takes the Stage
The inaugural TEDxMiltonAcademy event filled King Theatre with ideas about belonging, health, climate, identity, and psychology, as six speakers from the Milton community shared carefully crafted and passionate talks on subjects of their choosing.
Milton junior Benjamin Siegel ’24 had the idea to bring TEDx to Milton after attending a TEDx conference years ago. Siegel, along with Bea Becker ’25, Grace Grady ’23, and Alexa Burton ’24, organized the event, licensing it through TEDx and soliciting applications from potential student, alumni, and faculty speakers. Together, they narrowed the speakers to six.
“Tonight is about community,” said Siegel as he introduced the event. “We were inspired to put on this event to shine a light on all the talent, creativity, and knowledge in the Milton community. Milton is full of people with diverse backgrounds and inspirational stories, some of which we bring to the stage for you tonight.”
An Update for the Milton Community
Dear members of the Milton Academy community, As we keep our focus on ensuring the safety of our students now and in the future, we also continue to care for those who were harmed by past sexual abuse in our community. In that regard, we want to update you on the...
Alumni Restore Milton’s Harkness Tables
Last week, Austin Vyas ’17 delivered a beautifully restored Harkness table to Milton just in time for the start of school. This restoration was part of a large, four-table project that Vyas took on as an homage to his career at Milton. Vyas shares, “As a 2017...
Share Your News in Milton Magazine
Have news to share? The fall issue of Milton Magazine will be delivered to mailboxes in the coming weeks, but there’s still time to share your news for the spring issue. Share your accomplishments and life updates with your Milton family by submitting your class note...
Volunteer for Reunion 2023
Milton will celebrate alumni in class years ending in 3 and 8 on Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, 2023, and there are many opportunities to get involved as a volunteer. If this is your reunion year, and you would like to explore ways to stay connected and...
Convocation Kicks off Academic Year with Celebration of Togetherness
Hope and unity emerged as the central themes of Monday’s Convocation, marking the official start of classes for the 2022–2023 school year.
Co-head monitors Victor Chen ’23 and Robin Storey ’23 both encouraged their peers to make meaningful friendships and be themselves. Following the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, such sincere connections are more precious than ever, both said.
Chen described feeling alone during his Class IV year, and said he started to build a sense of belonging after he came out of his shell and sparked a silly debate (orange juice vs. apple juice) in his U.S. History class that “put the Constitutional Convention to shame.” He encouraged students to embrace the things that make them unique and to pursue their passions.
“One thing I’ve learned in my time here is that whatever I put into this community, Milton will give back,” he said. “If you give this community your most genuine self, you’ll find the love and support that Milton provides.”
Milton is an ever-changing place, which allows students to grow, said Storey, who encouraged students to take advantage of the time and space they get to share.
“Stick with what brings you hope, what pushes you to keep pushing, and will hold you when you fall,” she said. “The stress of life is inevitable, but the people you’re around make it worthwhile. I want us to find comfort in letting our guard down. We all have things to learn and mistakes to make. Let’s be the people we need, for ourselves and for others.”
