Academy World: Spring 2020

Reflections: Class of 2020

The final 60 days of the senior year for the Class of 2020 were marked by a global pandemic and an abrupt end to their time on campus when the Academy went to full, Online Distance Learning for the spring trimester. Without the chance for final memories, goodbyes and the likes of Prom, Prize Day and Commencement, we’d like to share a few thoughts and images to help soothe their hardships. Stay TitanStrong, Class of 2020!

‘We all talked about what the future held for us. Optimistic and ready.’

I’ve been trying to find closure in this whole situation. I am the type of person who hates endings, especially if it’s an ending of something I love. I’ve always hated my birthday because I hate growing up and saying goodbye to that year of my life, and I never finish a book that I love because I do not want it to end. Goodbyes are really hard and I personally get nervous saying goodbye because I want to say something that resonates with a person. I do not want them to think “that was a crappy goodbye.”

'This will be some amazing, surreal story for our grandchildren’

I first came to WMA as an eighth grade international student in 2015. I still can’t believe I’m a senior and about to graduate. In eighth and ninth grade, my grades were slipping and I was not much of a leader. But starting in 10th grade I became a different person. Change was so visible that (English Department Faculty member) Mr. (Tim) Harrington asked me, “What happened between ninth and 10th grade?”

From Head of School Brian P. Easler

‘There are so Many Beautiful Reasons to be Happy’

Excerpts from Head of School Brian P. Easler’s video message to the WMA community.

Hi everyone, I hope you are all doing well and taking care of yourselves and those close to you, while also hopefully finding some ways to be happy. Just saying that phrase, finding ways to be happy, makes me think back to Olexander Oliinyk, otherwise known as Sasha, in the Class of 2014.

Online Distance Learning

Spring trimester brought global challenges to our classrooms

As the world adjusted to the spread of COVID-19, students left for Spring Vacation on March 6 and soon after learned that they would not return to classes on campus for the remainder of the academic year. WMA quickly began the transition from a brick-and-mortar program to a virtual one — Online Distance Learning.

Alumni in Action

Demetri Tsolakis ’01: ‘WMA opened me up to a much broader sense of the world’

Demetri Tsolakis ’01 is on a mission to share his appreciation for Greek culture with the world. With the opening of his latest passion project, Back Bay-based meze and wine bar Krasi, Tsolakis keeps finding new ways to bring his favorite characteristics of Greek life to the restaurant scene in Boston.

Heather Little ’13: ‘WMA instilled a confidence in me and a willingness to try things’

Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Heather Little ’13 had made it.

After graduating from the Academy and New York University, where she double majored and finished with a successful internship in New York City, Heather was offered a job in finance in Manhattan.

Anthony Gulluni ’99: WMA ‘was a jump-start for my life ahead’

Hampden County District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni ’99 said his postgraduate year at Wilbraham & Monson Academy was a turning point in his life.

Three years ago, with the foundation provided to him at the Academy, Mr. Gulluni’s career took a turn that landed him in the national spotlight.

‘Passion for the game was evident’ for retiring coach Don Nicholson ’79

The timing was never going to be great, and 25 years seemed like a good number.

Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls’ Soccer Coach Don Nicholson ’79, who brought the program to the pinnacle of prep school soccer, stepped down from his role as head coach following the final game of the 2019 season.

Sommer Mahoney ’11: New era begins in Girls’ Soccer

The top position for the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls’ Soccer program is staying in the family.

Sommer Mahoney ’11, a former player and assistant coach for the Titans, took over as head coach when Don Nicholson ’79 retired after a remarkable 25-year run at the end of the 2019 season.

Every Stone has a Story

In 1947, Wilbraham Academy Headmaster Charles Stevens sought a way for graduates of the Academy to leave a piece of themselves for posterity. For many years, students had engraved symbols into the foundation of Fisk Hall. Mr. Stevens’ idea resulted in the creation of the Alumni Wall, which is now a series of walls throughout various parts of the campus on which graduating classes leave their Senior Stones.

Also in this issue ...

Continuing a Legacy

Dr. Kathleen Gorski was a truly inspirational teacher and dedicated educator who shared her love of all things science with the WMA community for 10 years — from 2008 to 2018 — until she succumbed to a long struggle with cancer.

From the Archives

The Monson Bell: A Historic Legacy

What connection do the Mayflower, Paul Revere and Sir Francis Bacon have to Wilbraham & Monson Academy?

Why the Monson Bell, of course!

Class Notes

Check out the latest news and updates from alumni, and submit your own while you're at it.