2023-24 Brewster Academy Annual Report

Annual Report 2023-24

Dear Brewster Community,

I write with deep gratitude for your unwavering partnership and support. Your commitment to Brewster is a testament to your belief in our mission and vision—both of which are truly unique and worthy of investment.

With your help, we surpassed our goal for The Fund for Brewster—a vital fund that supports immediate and ongoing investments in our people, place, and programs. Thank you for your unrestricted support, and for your targeted gifts to support Friends of Athletics, arts, and other programs that mean the most to you.

We are also filled with gratitude for the special gifts to Our Watershed Moment: The Campaign for Brewster. With your help, we completed the third and final phase of the Reimagine Rogers project, making transformational investments in the arts, robotics, and community spaces. Your contributions enrich our students’ educational experiences in ways we get to witness every day. From the student who did not previously consider themself an artist who discovers a creative outlet in the new ceramics studio, to the student who finds friendships and a knack for engineering on the robotics team: You make moments like this and literally thousands more possible.

Mingling with graduates and their families on the newly opened terrace and inside the beautiful Grayson Student Center was an unforgettable way to conclude the year.

I would like to highlight one donation in particular. Last winter, a Trustee made a generous gift to support upgrades to our faculty apartments. This donation sent a powerful message of recognition and appreciation for our devoted teachers. With this gift, we will be able to renovate and improve more than half our faculty apartments, providing modern, functional spaces that allow our teachers to be their best—and to feel how valued they are by Brewster, where they have chosen to make their home.

As we look to the future, we hope you will continue to stand with us in realizing our vision. Your support is vital as we strive to achieve our goals and provide an exceptional educational experience for our students.

Thank you for your commitment to Brewster and the difference you make!

With appreciation,

Kristy Kerin
Head of School

2023-24 Honor Roll of Donors

Please click the button below to access the Honor Roll of Donors. The file is protected with the following password: Brewster

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A Year of Impact

Welcome to Brewster Academy’s Annual Report. You and others in the wider community who love the Academy have given of yourselves often and generously. We are thrilled to share the stories that capture your support.

Admissions Office: Another Successful Year

Our Admissions team repeated its prior year’s success, as interest in Brewster remains steady in an ever-growing and competitive market. More and more families are recognizing Brewster’s unique positioning and the programmatic opportunity we provide for their children—both in and out of the classroom!

As always, families possess unique requirements when it comes to their boarding school search process. Brewster’s student-centric approach, our athletic and co-curricular program, our global experience opportunities, and our fully integrated Instructional Support program continue to be the lead drivers in Brewster families’ decision-making.

Your support of student scholarships, academic programs, athletics, and student experiences continue to keep Brewster a preferred independent school.

Brewster Worldwide

Brewster continues to expand its unique, student-centered approach to education outside the U.S. and has opened its second school in Spain. Under the guidance of President of Brewster and BA International Craig Gemmell, BA International continues to focus on location selection for additional schools, driving enrollment success, and ensuring the delivery of a “Brewster Model” education to our students.

Brewster in Spain

School opened in two Spanish locations on September 4—at our downtown Madrid campus and at our recently acquired campus in the southern Spanish city of Murcia. Construction continues on a third campus that will open on the outskirts of Madrid in the fall of 2025. Brewster currently serves approximately the same number of students in Spain as in Wolfeboro, illustrating Brewster’s scaling influence in Spain.

Summertime Is Busy Time!

Next, let’s look at a revenue stream many folks don’t know about: Summer Programs. Brewster’s Summer Programs make full use of our amazing facilities and gorgeous setting by hosting a variety of camps and events. Because of these incredible lakefront facilities, we are able to raise revenue through the use of our fields, dorms, dining hall, and performance venues. Your giving helps maintain and create these physical assets on campus and correlates directly with Brewster’s financial health.

This past summer, Director of Summer Programs Kaly Spilhaus reports that Brewster hosted camps for 1,300 athletes focused on improving their skills in lacrosse, soccer, field hockey, tennis, and (new for 2024) pickleball and rowing! We were particularly excited about leveraging two of our newest spaces on campus—the Tyler Balint Robotics Lab and the Ceramics Studio—for additional programming and revenue.

But, we don't just host camps. The Pinckney Boathouse and the Grayson Student Center hosted performances from the Great Waters Music Festival (a Wolfeboro institution), luncheons for local organizations, and wedding festivities. Our lakefront location makes Brewster a desired venue for all kinds of events, and we love to share our beautiful campus with the community at large!

Advancement and Alumni

FUNDRAISING SUCCESS!

Brewster Academy alumni, families, board members, and friends came together for another successful fundraising year in FY24. The Fund for Brewster, our annual fund, is our first priority every year. The Fund for Brewster annual goal exists on Brewster’s books as an annual revenue line, and I’m happy to report that we achieved our budgeted goal of $1.1M!

Head of School Kristy Kerin notes that The Fund for Brewster provides financial support for people (our students, faculty, and staff), place (our campus grounds, waterfront, athletic fields, facilities, dormitories, and residences), and program (academics, athletics, clubs, labs, travel, and training).

Kristy points out that FY24 also saw the completion of the Reimagine Rogers project when the outdoor terrace was finished in the spring of this year. The Grayson Student Center is the most expensive capital project the Academy has ever undertaken and we are very proud of the campus centerpiece and the many donors who contributed toward its completion. Well done!

Brewster’s FY25 fundraising focus will include The Fund for Brewster, delivering the Brewster Campus Master Plan, growing our endowment with a focus on scholarships, and a special project to fund the replacement of the Brown Field turf.

Alumni Engagement: Momentum Continues to Grow

Spearheaded by Danielle Krause, our Fund for Brewster & Alumni Relations Officer, alumni engagement and interactions continue to grow in number and quality.

The Advancement Office hosted a number of regional receptions, the Bobcat Open golf tournament, the Winni Classic Alumni hockey game, and a memorable Reunion that included our biannual Athletic Hall of Fame induction. Also, many alumni engaged with current students through Interim Studies, the College Counseling Office, Admissions, and the Cooper Speaker Series. Go Bobcat Nation!

A Year of Student Success

You helped give the Class of 2024 everything they need to succeed at the next level. Take a look at this incredible class, who thrived despite beginning their high school years at the height of COVID. We’re proud of them, and thank you for helping them along the way.

Because student success is our bottom line, here are some positive insights into the class that YOU helped send into the world in May!

The Class of 2024’s 104 graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas filled with the experiences and confidence you made possible by keeping Brewster’s offerings so strong. Strength and resilience were themes special to this class, which started at the height of the COVID pandemic and weathered the storm. On Commencement Day, with not a cloud in sight on Brown Field, Head of School Kristy Kerin noted that the Class of ’24 has shown fearlessness, curiosity, a love for fun, and leadership. This year’s student speakers represented programs and experiences that donor foresight made possible, from the community service opportunities that shaped Salutatorian Zoe Hausler ’24 of San Francisco, California to the support that Paulina Trott of Antigua, Guatemala mentioned in her valedictory address to the transformative experience of friendship and dorm life that Thai Scholar and Top Postgraduate Pipitchaya “Sprite” Sridam of Hat Yao, Thailand described so eloquently in his Ivy Address speech. Every student is a direct beneficiary of the funds that drive Brewster at every level.

The Class of 2024 is out doing what they’ve been prepared to do: continuing their learning journey all over the globe. Bobcats are succeeding at Vanderbilt, Villanova, Emory, Boston College, Northeastern University London, MIT, NYU, and so many more colleges and universities. In her closing remarks, Kristy advised the Class of 2024, “Enjoy the adventure, stay true to your values, and look to make a daily difference.” We know they will, thanks in large part to you.

A Year of Excellence

2023-24 has been a year of excellence at Brewster Academy. Your support propels that success, and the world is noticing. Students, faculty, and staff had moments to shine in the arts, athletics, academics, and more.

Let's look at a few of those shining moments, starting with the Bobcat Golf team, which earned back-to-back MAISAD League championships (and just garnered a third!).

In early January, Brewster received word that Outcroppings had won a REALM First Class award—a national recognition of excellence in student literary magazines bestowed by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) recognized the video work of Kara McDuffee, Brewster’s Digital Media Marketing Manager, in its 2024 Circle of Excellence Awards. The coveted awards highlight exceptional achievement in advancement services, alumni relations, communications, fundraising, and marketing. “The Fund For Brewster” video took the Silver Award in the Video: Fundraising and Stewardship (Short) category. And “Teacher Appreciation: Day of Giving” took bronze in the Video: Fundraising (Flash Campaign/Giving Day) category.

Along with faculty speaking to their peers at important academic conferences, Head of School Kristy Kerin was asked to join the Board of AISNE (The Association of Independent Schools of New England), which shapes the educational landscape for independent schools through leadership, education, service, and strategic advocacy. These, of course, are just a few of the highlights of the past fiscal year. We shine the spotlight on all our student, faculty, and staff kudos and wins on Brewster’s website, social media channels, and magazine. We hope you follow us there, and thank you for helping Brewster’s reputation for excellence grow.

By The Numbers: A Year in Review

Stories of Gratitude

Each year in our Annual Report, we talk with members of the Brewster family who understand the school’s vision and share a passion for supporting that vision. Those conversations become our Donor Spotlights.

Meet the Mulgrews

Colleen and Michael Mulgrew of Marstons Mills, Massachusetts, say Brewster was a stellar choice for their son, Bill ’20, who arrived as a junior. And their positive experience has spurred them to give generously to support the school that their son loved from the start. “There were so, so many reasons we chose Brewster,” Colleen, who is a bookkeeper with her own business, shared recently. “It had such a profound effect on Bill.” Though their local school had many positives, Bill was getting lost as “just a number” there. A veteran teacher, Michael knew what student burnout looked like. “When we saw Brewster,” Michael says, “we saw something different, something going in another direction. We started thinking that it really does live up to that slogan ‘the way education should be.’ We saw it at Brewster more than anywhere else—it really is a special place.”

They remember with a chuckle the day Bill made up his mind to become a Bobcat: Walking around campus on a frigid day Bill simply announced, “I have to go here!”

Everyone arrives at Brewster with their own unique needs and challenges, and for Bill, he was completely accepted on Day 1. “Like the people at Brewster, Bill thinks outside of the box, and we just saw him thrive. And when it was time to go off to college, he was ready, well prepared, and able to find himself,” Colleen says. One of their most memorable moments was seeing Bill performing in “Madman Across the Water,” a tribute musical to Elton John, in October 2019. Bill’s proud parents recall walking into the concert in Anderson Hall, hearing him sing, and thinking, “Holy moly, that’s our son!”

Brewster‘s dedication to offering immersive learning experiences, the complete care of students, and paying attention to stress points for each student also impressed the Mulgrews. “Also, every time we went to pick him up and would talk with administrators, the things they would say were just spot on…they know their students. The people who do the hiring at Brewster know what they are doing—there are very strong connections between students and the faculty and staff.”

Bill has recently graduated from Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island, where he majored in Management, focusing in leadership and innovation. Plus, he carried a double minor in English and Human Resources. “He had a wonderful experience at Bryant,” says his mom. “He’s picked very good schools!” He’s now tackling an accelerated, one-year MBA program, and landed an internship with a growing local bank, Cape Cod 5.

“That confidence that Brewster gives the kids, that’s why we support the school because that’s what it did for Bill. Our experience was wonderful there,” Colleen shares. “We originally had our donations to go to the Reimagine Rogers project, because Bill was heavily involved in both the theater and singing in his two years at Brewster. We saw under incredible tutelage how much his confidence grew. The support the entire community gave him has lasted as he went off to college. We also felt that Brewster needed another space for the kids to hang out and just be kids. What a wonderful addition the Rogers has been to the campus!” The couple have also supported the Tyler Balint ’21 Robotics Lab, need-based student scholarships, and The Fund for Brewster, among other initiatives that speak to their passion for education and student success.

Colleen ended our chat with loving words about her Bobcat. “Bill is such a wonderful son. When he went to Wolfeboro, he knew no one. But he wanted to reinvent himself and not be in the shadow of an older brother. And he succeeded! He’s a very kind person, too. Every day he goes off to work and asks ‘Is there anything I can do for you today Mom?’ We are very lucky.” And Brewster is lucky to count the Mulgrew family among its biggest fans!

Colleen and Michael Mulgrew P '20

Bill Mulgrew '20

Bill Mulgrew '20 performing in "Madman Across the Water"

Julie Trask '83 (pictured left) with wife, Wanda

Catching Up with Julie Trask ’83

Julie Trask did what many recommend to students when they come to Brewster: Jump in with both feet! An academically focused student, she was also a four-sport athlete, a dorm proctor her junior and senior years in Kimball, an Admissions Tour Guide, and to top it all off, a writer and editor for The Brewster Browser! We caught up with Julie and learned more about her experience at Brewster and why she supports her alma mater to this day.

Q. Thanks so much for chatting with us for this donor profile. How many years were you at Brewster?
JT: Three: sophomore through senior year.

Q. And who were you at Brewster?
JT: I was involved in several different activities…including four sports: soccer, tennis, softball, and skiing. When I arrived, I was a young, naive kid trying to find my way in a new community—making new friends, trying new activities, keeping up with school work, learning to live away from home. It was an adjustment since I was not a fan of sleepovers. I liked it at home and I was very homesick! But within a few weeks, I adjusted and found a comfort zone. Being adaptable to change is a skill that I continue to rely on in the ever-changing landscape of work in the technology field and in life, more generally.

Q. And you discovered your love of golf at Brewster, right?
JT: Yes, I remember Mrs. Nentwig took me golfing the day after I graduated and that was life-changing. To this day, I continue to play recreational and tournament golf.

Q. After Brewster you headed to the University of New Hampshire. What did you study there?
JT: I graduated from UNH with an interdisciplinary degree in Mathematics and Economics.

Q. And then you began a career in tech, right?
JT: Yes, I moved back to my native state of Massachusetts and began a 38-year career in High Technology. I currently work at Oracle where I have worked for the past 13 years. For several years, I was leading an R&D team working on virtualization solutions. More recently, I have changed focus to Cloud Operations.

Q. Will you share a special moment or person that comes to mind when you look back to your Brewster days?
JT: I think there are just too many memories and people to pick out just one…but I will pick out two students I admired. In Kimball, I used to go upstairs to the dorm room of Martha Trepanier ’83 (nee Weyand) and ask her to play me songs on her guitar. She was always so kind and willing and I loved her generous spirit! And I have always described Greg Branzetti ’84 as the most memorable boy at Brewster! He was outgoing and kind to everyone. I saw Greg last year while having dinner with my family at The Woodshed in Moultonborough and he remains the gentleman I admired.

Q. You and your wife Wanda live in Hudson, Massachusetts. What do you two do for fun when you’re not working?
JT: Yes, Wanda and I live on a small lake and her mom, Gloria, has been living with us since early 2022. Our main family focus is golfing. We play both for fun and sometimes in competition. It’s been a great way to make many great friends over the years. In the off-season, we spend time at our cabin in the Mount Washington Valley area, enjoying hiking, skiing, and all winter activities.

Q. You’re a member of Brewster’s 1887 Society and have been so generous to The Fund for Brewster. With so many great causes and nonprofits in our world that need financial help, why is it important to you to give to Brewster?
JT: My years at Brewster were formative. I learned to be more open to new ideas and experiences. My agility skills improved. In short, I began to mature.

Q. Thank you for your time and your generosity over the decades. Before we end, what advice would you give current Brewster students?
JT: Soak in the whole experience and environment! Enjoy the amazing nearby natural resources, try to get to be friendly with everyone—you may be surprised by your classmates and peers, but only if you get to know them!

BREWSTER ACADEMY 2023-2024
BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Our deepest gratitude for the support of our 2023-2024 Board of Trustees who give generously of both their time, expertise, and resources.

Roy C. Ballentine P’94,’97
(Chair of the Board)
Arthur W. Coviello, Jr. (Vice Chair of the Board)
Brian Ballentine ’97 (Second Vice Chair of the Board)
Robert J. Mueller GP’17 (Treasurer of the Board)
Carlos Noble ’70 (Secretary of the Board)
Richard W. Blackburn GP’19 (Estate Trustee)
Ronn Bronzetti ’92
C. Richard Carlson (Estate Trustee)
B. Martha Cassidy P’17
J. Scott Curvey
Dr. George J. III Dohrmann P’05, ’12
Karen W. “Karey” Fix P’11,’13
Gabrielle Joy “Bri” Gatta ’05
Peter Grayson P’14
Joan Hill P’20
Kirk Koenigsbauer
Jean C. Regnier
Andrew N. Reyes ’06
Reverend Nancy Spencer Smith (Estate Trustee)
Steven R. Webster P’08, ’11
Richard “Rich” Wood III P’21, ’23

TRUSTEE EMERITI
David L. Carlson ’54, GP ’15
James C. Curvey
P. Fred Gridley ’53, P’81
Michael Keys P’04
Daniel T. Mudge P’98, ’02

EX-OFFICIO
Dr. Craig N. Gemmell (President of Brewster and BA International)
Kristy Kerin (Head of School)