Acorn - 2001 spring

24 Pages·2001·510.6 MB·English

by  North Shore Country Day School

SPRING 2001
THE NORTH SHORE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL BULLETIN
E V E R Y O D Y ' S S O M E O D Y A T N O R T H S H O R E
Dr. Sara Lawrence-lightfoot local fourth
grade shoe
shine boy, or
Explores Respect At North Shore
university
presidents. She
also recounted
D
the pain she
r. Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, noted
author, sociologist and Harvard felt in those
University professor, visited North moments
Shore on Tuesday, April 10 as the when she saw
2000-2001 Harold H. Hines, Jr. Visiting Fellow. her parents
disrespected by
Dr. Lawrence-Lightfoot's most recent book,
others simply
"Respect: An Exploration," was the subject of
because they
her visit to North Shore. In her book, she profiles
were African
six very different people whose lives and daily
Americans.
I N S I D E I N A interactions reveal the power of respect when
N U T S H E L L She said, "They
offered freely and genuinely to others.
sustained the Dr. Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot
Head of School's Message..2 During both her afternoon discussion session way they treated
The Passing of a Legend ... with a group of Upper School students, and in others, and yet were vulnerable and powerless
Martin J. "Mac" McCarty her evening public address, she challenged when disrespected by others."
Remembering "Mac"
Tributes to Mac audience members to reconsider their definitions Dr. Lawrence-Lightfoot's compelling personal
"Mac" Through the Years of respect, offering her vision as exemplified
Alumni Reflections 3-8 stories engaged the students, who shared their
both through stories from her own life and
own stories, experiences and ideas with her. As
Students Live School's
Motto Through Service through the lives of others. she listened to the students, and they to her, Dr.
to Others 9 Lawrence-Lightfoot lived her own definition of
Dr. Lawrence-Lightfoot shared with Upper School
North Shores' Spring students her definition of respect, emphasizing respect - symmetry empathy and connection,
Musical is "Big" 10-11 teaching by her own example the lessons she has
that she sees it not within the traditional hierarchy,
Did You Know 12 marked by deference to status, gender, age or learned through so many others.
Science Olympians race, but rather as a circle, based on commitment In her evening lecture, entitled "Will Anybody
Showcase Talents 13
and equality in relationships such as those between Know Who I Am? On Witness, Justice and
Silver Spur Soiree teacher and student, parent and child, and doctor Respect," Dr. Lawrence-Lightfoot spoke on themes
Ropes in Success 14-15 and patient. Often in her discussion with students, presented in her book. She told the audience, "I
Message from the Director Dr. Lawrence-Lightfoot shared stories and examples believe respect generates respect. With that in
of Development 16 from her personal life. She explained that her first mind, I am interested in how people work to
Dr. Michael J. Cavanaugh authentic encounter with respect came from her dismantle hierarchies rather than how they rein­
Recognized for Service ...17 force them." She identified six dimensions that
earliest years, at home, as she watched her parents
Alumni News 17 and witnessed their interactions with others. She create a framework for her vision of respect:
Alumni Gatherings was always impressed by the way that they treated Continued on page 13
in Florida 18
all people, regardless of
In Memoriam: Robert status, in a caring way NORTH SHORE
"Spike" Millet, Teacher and
that Dr. Lawrence-
Friend Extraordinaire 19
Lightfoot says honored
Class Notes 20-24
them, whether they be COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
Call for Stanton her school friends, the
Alumni Recognition
Nominations Back Cover
E V E R Y B O D Y ' S S O M E B O D Y A T N O R T H S H O R E
2J
Message from the Head of School
BY W. THOMAS DOAR. ill
W
hen Deborah Vainder Edidin '67 teachers and Heads of
accepted the Francis Stanton School. If living and serving
Award last fall, an award given means changing lives, then
annually to a graduate of North John, too, has epitomized
Shore, she remarked that it was the School's motto. John
particularly gratifying to receive the award from an promises to stay connected
institution whose motto was "Live and Serve." In with North Shore following
her brief comments at the Homecoming Reception, his retirement in June and
Deborah reminded us of the power of the North with his continued associa­
Shore experience and shared her sense of pride in tion, the Almquist legacy
being a part of a school that communicates daily will carry on. Tom Doar
Head of School
to it's students that our collective calling is to "Live
The third individual whose impact can best be
and Serve."
measured by a deeper look at North Shore's "Live
For generations North Shore has been fortunate to and Serve" motto is Sharon Cooper, our College
have individuals who by their very presence and - Counselor, who will leave North Shore at the
example have demonstrated a commitment to living completion of this academic year to take residence
and serving, through both their daily interactions in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For 17 years Sharon has
and routines. These are people who have "lived" been our incomparable College Counselor. With
their North Shore lives to the fullest and "served" warmth, wisdom, and wit, Sharon has steered North
so many in so many ways impossible to count. Shore juniors and seniors through the "perilous"
Three of these individuals are Mac McCarty, John college admissions process, helping our youngsters
Almquist and Sharon Cooper. take inventory, examine their strengths, weaknesses,
likes and dislikes, so they can land on their feet
Mac McCarty, as remembered on pages 3 through 8,
ready for the next stage of their lives. Sharon has
was quite simply one of the most skilled educators
been that person who listens more sensitively than
many of us have had the privilege of knowing. Mac
most and both speaks and writes more eloquently
lived - oh, how he lived - on the football field,
than most. She has been a friend and role-model
basketball court, baseball diamond, and biology
for many, always with a keen sense of humor and
classroom with an enthusiasm and zest that one
with admirable strength and sensitivity.
rarely sees. He served others - his students, their
parents, his colleagues and his beloved school - I am delighted to report that North Shores motto,
like no other. He was always there to help, challenge, and the legacies of Mac, John and Sharon live on -
encourage and be a friend. I feel privileged to have in the hearts and minds of North Shore's current
known Mac, and not a day goes by on campus that faculty, staff and students. I feel privileged to have
I don't think about him and remember his wisdom, known and worked with Mac, John and Sharon
outspokenness, compassion and zest for living. and to be positioned to continue to work with so
many - faculty, staff, students and parents - who
John Almquist, who will retire from North Shore
care for others and who give so much of themselves.
at the completion of the current academic year,
has exemplified North Shore's motto in each of
his 39 years at the School. In his role as master
teacher, artist and department head, John has
Editor: Cheryl Grauberger
Photographers: Claudia inspired generations of students to discover their
Lockhart, Jamey Smith
artistic skills and passions, expand their horizons
The North Shore Country Day
and gain a clearer sense of themselves. John's art
School is a coeducational,
college preparatory school classes set the standard in the Upper School for
of 439 students in grades
junior kindergarten through reaching students, stretching them to do more
twelve in Winnetka, Illinois.
North Shore does not than they could ever imagine, while engaging
discriminate on the basis of them in the processes of thinking, learning and
race, nationality, ethnic origin
or gender in any of its policies perceiving with artistic eyes. Though quiet and
or practices.
unassuming, John's voice has been heard distinctly
847.446.0674
and clearly, his counsel sought by countless students,
310 Green Bay Road,
Winnetka, IL 60093
www.nscds.org
North Shore Country Day School Mourns the Passing of a Legend...
Martin J. "Mac" McCarty
T
he North Shore Country Day School community
mourns the passing of Martin Joseph "Mac"
McCarty, legendary teacher, coach, athletic
director, camp director and volunteer known
for his compassion, humanity, and leadership.
Everyone who has been associated with the School over the
past 53 years has been touched by Mac. He taught, coached,
or in some way connected with nearly every person who has
been part of the School since 1946. Tom Doar III, Head of
School, stated, "Mac embodied the spirit of North Shore
Country Day. His commitment to, and belief in, young people
exemplifies our highest purpose."
Mac's career at Nonh Shore was an accomplished one. He simulta­
neously coached football, basketball and baseball while teaching
biology, acting as athletic director, and directing the summer
camp. Mac guided the athletic program with the philosophy
"athletics for all," which continues to be the cornerstone of
the Athletic Departments Mission Statement. Alumnus Chip
Shotwell '61 wrote in a tribute to Mac, "Mac had to take all of
us, good or bad. While some coaches may have seen this as an
obstacle, Mac saw it as an opportunity and challenge. .. .He
Julie and Mac McCarty
found the strengths and weaknesses of everyone and worked
signals, arguing, "What kind of a game is it if the players can't
with or around them. This way the average participant became
decide how to play." In a 1977 article in the Chicago Tribune,
an integral part of the team. .. .Mac never let the desire to win
reporter Jerry Shnay claimed, "North Shore Country Day doesn't
get in the way of teaching and making everyone feel a part of
fit the mold. It just breaks it," detailing how Mac didn't believe
the team."
in pep rallies, didn't take or exchange game films with opponents,
Mac's approach to coaching separated him from his peers. He and had a roster of only 20. What Shnay didn't mention was that
never cut a player from a team, saying, "That's not part of the Mac frequently laundered his players' dirty uniforms because it
program." In another unorthodox move, Mac let players call the had to be done.
Mac also broke the mold with his
attitude toward winning. He aston­
ished fellow coaches and sports
reporters saying, "We play just for
the joy of it. Winning has never
been that important." Although he
may not have been preoccupied
with winning, Mac was nonetheless
named "One of the winningest
coaches in Illinois." His teams won
64% of their games, and he saw 38
teams win league championships.
He received numerous accolades
throughout his coaching career,
including the Chicago Sun-Times
award for Illinois Football Coach
of the Year in 1977; the Illinois
High School Baseball Coaches Hall
of Fame in 1978; and in 1982, the
Chicago Tribune's honor for the
second highest active winning
football coach in Illinois.
Continued next page
3 E V E R Y B O D Y ' S S O M E B O D Y A T N O R T H S H O R E
1
Remembering "Mac" McCarty
Mac is one of nine coaches in Illinois history to win more than
200 football games, having coached 214 winning games, and
he is the only coach ever elected to the Illinois Halls of Fame
in three sports. In a 1977 interview with Chicago Sun Times
columnist Taylor Bell, however, Mac said that his greatest
accomplishment was not being elected to three Halls of Fame.
Instead, he told Bell, "It was my relationship with the people
I coached and taught."
Mac was a year-round
educator. He taught biology
and physical education,
coached and served as
athletic director during the
school year, but he kept
Mac and his wife, Julie (center) with Elsie Harridge and Joe Licata (left) and
up the pace during the
Maxine and George Mitchell (right) at Julie Hall's retirement party in May, 2000.
summers as well. In 1950
he realized another educa­ commentary, Weigel stated, "Given the chance to spend an
tional vision when he evening with Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman or Mac McCarty,
opened the North Shore I'd choose Mac every time." Veteran referee Norm Krupnick
Country Day Summer praised Mac as one of the most outstanding gentlemen he's ever
Camp, a program that worked with.
grew and evolved under
As countless former students and colleagues mourn Mac's death,
his direction and that
Alumnus Paul Loomis '56 remembers, "Mac taught mental
enrolled more than 1,000
toughness and courage more than anything else. It was an
campers during its 50th
enormous honor and privilege to have had Mac as a mentor and
Anniversary in the summer A dedicated teacher..
coach during my high school days. Even his least promising
of 2000.
athletes have a lifelong debt of gratitude for what he has given
Widely recognized for his to them in character development, for that was really what Mac
coaching, Mac was also was all about."
recognized for his leadership
Services were held on Saturday, January 6, 2001 at Saints Faith
in education, having been
Hope and Charity in Winnetka. More than 350 colleagues,
named "Educator of the Year"
friends, alumni and current students were in attendance.
in 1977 by the Winnetka
Following the service, the School held a reception in the Mac
Chamber of Commerce.
Gym at which generations of Mac fans celebrated his life and
Richard P Hall, former
shared stories about the impact he'd had on their lives.
Headmaster, said of Mac,
"He is charismatic, tireless, Plans are underway for a
warm, and courageous. Again memorial tribute to Mac at
and again graduates of this North Shore Country Day
school talk about how this to be held during
man had a lasting effect upon Homecoming weekend,
...a passion for teaching their lives." October 5-7, 2001.
In September of 1996 Mac was honored by North Shore Country
Day at an event to celebrate his 50th Anniversary at the school.
The evening drew record attendance at a North Shore event as
more than 400 students, parents, alumni, colleagues, and
friends came to honor the man who'd made an indelible mark
on the lives of so many over half a century. Event Chairperson
Bruce Blair '69 recalls those in attendance spontaneously taking
baseballs from the table centerpieces and asking Mac for an
Mac working the phones
autograph. Tim Weigel, WBBM sportscaster, attended the tirelessly for the development
event and interviewed Mac for the evening's broadcast. In his office, relishing the opportunity
to reconnect with former students.
Tributes to Mac McCarty - Eulogy Excerpts
Following are excerpts from three of the eulogies delivered at Mac's Excerpt from the eulogy given by Julie Hall, former Head of School:
memorial service held at Saints Faith Hope and Charity Catholic Mac McCarty is a school legend for a good reason. It's not just
Church in Winnetka on Saturday, January 6, 2001. because of all the coaching honors he accrued, but because
Excerpt from the eulogy given by Tom Doar, Head of School: of the person he was - one who gave so much to so many at
North Shore Country Day for over half a century. In many
"The song has ended, but the melody lingers on..."
ways, the School was his life.
I first met Mac McCarty in the fall of 1980 when I came to
Mac's work ethic was legendary. If something needed doing at
North Shore to be the Head of the Lower School. He was then,
the School, often it was Mac who did it. I remember the first
and continued to be throughout his years, the ultimate school
December I was Head of School and suddenly realized I had no
person - that person who epitomized the best in teaching -
idea where the Santa Claus outfit was. Panicked, I went to Mac,
a teacher, coach and colleague who demonstrated caring,
who smiled and told me he had the outfit all ready
commitment and a remarkable level of competence.
One August morning, not that long ago, we had one of those
Mac was a proud man - proud of his roots - who can't recall
scorching days that dawned with 95° heat and 95% humidity
his stories about growing up in Minnesota; he was proud of
and just went up from there. Before Patrick McHugh or Jim
his family - demonstrated by the love and pride he constantly
Deuble had even arrived at school, Mac had lined the fields.
showed for Lucy for Evelyn and for Julie; he was ever so proud
He just never gave up.
of his school - no one wore the North Shore purple, although
wrinkled, with more enthusiasm than Mac; and proud of his Pulitzer Prize winning poet Mary Oliver, in her poem, "When
students - Mac loved nothing more than to talk about his Death Comes," ends with these lines:
former students - their exploits in the classroom, the athletic
When it's over, I don't want to wonder
arena and after their graduation.
if I have made of my life something particular, and real
Mac was opinionated, passionate, friendly and determined. He
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,
believed in students - their potential and capacity to grow -
and did all that he could do to stretch and support them. or full of argument.
Mac was successful because he was Mac - an original. Who but I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.
Mac could be at the same time passionate about football and
No one would say that Mac McCarty simply "visited this
also passionate about dancing; be incredibly blunt and direct,
world." He made of his life something very particular and very
yet be thoughtful and sensitive; be modest, yet so comfortable
real - for his immediate family and for his very large extended
accepting praise, whether it was having a gym named after him
family, for all of us whose lives he touched and enriched in so
or his so graciously accepting a full community salute on his
many ways.. .God bless him.
50th year at North Shore. Mac was a person who gave his all
and then gave even more. He demanded the best from everyone Continued on page 6
and had a remarkable ability to help others give their best -
their best as a biology student, an athlete, as a parent or as
a colleague.
Members of Mac McCarty's family
gather after his memorial service
including (second from left) his wife Julie,
sister Lucille, brother Andy,
daughter Lucy McCarty Hodges '63,
and granddaughter Pearl.
"Mac" McCarty Through the Years
Excerpt from the eulogy given by Bruce Blair '69: had, he wouldn't have been able to field a team some years. Mac
Like all of you, I'd have bet this day would never happen. When wouldn't cut a player for lack of ability or even if he created
we celebrated Mac's 50th anniversary at North Shore in '96 and problems on the team. We didn't have too many of those, but
presented him with an Energizer Bunny, we figured the bunny there were some. Yet as Mac told Taylor Bell in one of 5 articles
had finally met his match. Mac told me that night he was looking Taylor wrote on him in the Sun-Times and Daily News, "if I cut
forward to his 60th. a player, that solves my problem but not his." That one stopped
me in my tracks.
It's been tough to think about how sad it is that we won't get
And Mac believed in "athletics for all" regardless of gender.
to do that, and I've been feeling pretty lousy and choked-up all
week. Then on Wednesday 1 got a little boost when I was at Believe it or not, until 1974, the Illinois High School Association
the doctor's office and I saw a small sign with this quote from wouldn't sanction girls sports, so Mac refused to join. The result
is that we had one of the best girls sports programs in the state.
Booker T. Washington: "Those who are happiest are those who
In 1962, he even went down to Springfield and told the Illinois
do the most for others". That helped put it all in perspective
and a little brighter light.. .even though it was posted where General Assembly how shortsighted they were. Everyone now
knows that Mac was right then as he was about almost every­
you pay your bill.
thing else. And he didn't back down when he felt he was right.
Has anybody ever met anyone who did more for people and was
happier doing it than Mac? As an illustration, I can remember Mac was just as proud of being a biology teacher as he was a
one day after baseball practice he grabbed a fungo bat and hit coach, and he'd have loved to hear about a call I got this week
me fly balls for 35 minutes because he saw how much I enjoyed from Suki Lipman, class of '70, who's now a doctor and member
playing the outfield. There was no evidence I'd ever bring great of the faculty at Northwestern University Medical School. Mac
glory to the school on the baseball field. The truth is I could loved talking to students who wanted to be or became doctors.
barely hit a ball if you'd placed it on a tee right in front of me. He talked the language and kept up with medical issues -
My Dad wasn't on the Board. So why do this for me at 5:30pm surprising since he seemed to think everything could be cured
when there were plenty of other things he could be doing? The with Strawberry Ointment. Anyway, Suki wanted me to make
reason is that he enjoyed it. And think about the message that sure Mac's biology students were represented so she took time
sends to a student as a teacher and a role model: to write a note and fax it to me, and I'd like to share some of it:
- "You are important enough as an individual to make this "With straightforward explanations that could make the material
worth my time." feel familiar, Mac introduced us to the ideas that explain the source
of life. With a sense of flexibility he could explain complicated
- "There is nothing I'd rather be doing than helping a student
concepts using different examples appealing to the different styles of
improve and have fun doing so."
learning among the students in the class. His reliability, discipline
This little memory also illustrates Mac's "athletics for all" and humble, unfailing service as our teacher provided one of the
philosophy that he shared with former headmaster Perry finest role models at Country Day for any service-oriented career
Dunlap Smith. Everyone played, no one got cut from the team. including those in science and medicine. Mac's sense of humor
Most coaches at least cut the guys who show up the first day of counter-balanced our teenage ability to take ourselves too seriously
basketball practice in brown socks. Not Mac. Of course, if he and at the same time he challenged us to take science seriously.
His attitude instilled confidence in classroom after
classroom. And we, even the girls, found science
do-able. And some of us could take for granted that
we were good at it and concentrate on it. 'Think
about it as a career', he might say. 'You can do a lot
of good that way.' One of the words we have used
in the 90s which perhaps no man of the 40s and 50s
ever expected to hear applied to him is 'nurturing'.
Well, Mac was. In biology class early in the year he
would comment on the wood chairs in the room.
'Sit a bit forward in your chair. Sit up straight. Being
a little uncomfortable will make you concentrate
better.' When we studied the G.I. system, he added
to his lecture: 'And remember to chew your food.'
Mac conveyed that it was important to take care
of yourself."
Mac with Coaches Jim Deuble '76 and Jay Bach with the 1995 football team.
E V E - R Y B O D Y ' 5 S O M E B O D Y A T N O R T H S H O R E
1948-49 North Shore Basketball Team - Back Row: Larry Perlstein, John Roberts, Pete Byron Campbell '51 & MJ "Mac" McCarty, trophy of the
Noble, Monty Schneider, Sam Belshe, Sunny Wynn,John Hinchman; Front Row: Tim 1951 Way land Academy Invitation Tournament
Rudolph, Chris Sholes, Al Bender, David Holies, Paul Farrar, MJ McCarty - Coach
Mac's simple, basic approach was best illustrated in his pre-game 2. Represent yourself, your school and your family with dignity.
speech to us before the 1968 Independent League Championship
3. Win with class; don't rub it in. You don't want to make the
game. I've worked in sports all my life and read far too many
losing team feel any worse.
sports books and it remains the single greatest pep talk I've ever
heard of. 4. A basketball game isn't the most important thing in the world.
"All right you guys. If you win this thing, I don't want any 5. He had no intention of going home wet, and Elsie Harridge
jumping up and down or throwing me in the shower. If you didn't give him enough money in his budget to repair a
lose, I don't want any moping around or crying. Sheesh! I think warped floor.
Solomon put enough water out here last night to warp the
Well, we won that game by 17 points. But this week we all
floor..."
suffered a pretty big loss.
So what was he really telling us?
O.K. Mac. We promise we won't leave enough water out here
1. Use your head. Don't let your emotions get the better of you: today to warp the floor... but only because you said so.
Act like you've been there. Thanks for everything, Mac.
MAC'S RECORD
• 920 varsity wins - almost 1400, including
freshman, sophomore and middle school
• 38 league championships
•21 second-place finishes.
• Won 64% of his games
• Only coach in the country elected to
his state's Hall of Fame in three sports,
football, basketball and baseball.
North Shore's Baseball Team 1951-52 - Back row: Ray McDonald, Rufus Jeffris, Hanny
Gridley, Chuck Mayer, ER Moone, Don Taylor, MJ "Mac" McCarty, Coach; Front Row:
Carsteno, Bill Adder, Doug Bard, Bill Getz,John Hutchins, Mike Wallace
1
Alumni Reflect on Mac McCartys Lasting Influence
Mac McCarty was a man who brought the values of a different The day I learned of Mac's death, AMC aired the movie Knute Rockne,
America into the North Shore of Chicago and changed us for the All-American. I cried as I watched Pat O'Brien's portrayal of Knute Rockne
better. He grew up on a farm in northwestern Minnesota during the as he reminded me of Mac. In one scene, Rock testified before Congress on
Depression and learned to work to put food on the table. He talked why colleges should support student athletic programs and, in particular,
about the Dust Bowl years and how the sky was dark at midday, and football. In Rock's speech, one could almost hear Mac as Pat O'Brien pleaded
about tending crops and livestock all day. He came from a family of with Congress to support college sports. Mac taught the benefits of discipline,
tough people, and this toughness carried him to the North Woods of courage, patience, sportsmanship, loyalty, teamwork, taking risk, losing with
Minnesota and Civilian Conservation Corps work there. He worked grace and winning with quiet pride. Mac knew the true meaning of athletic
his way through college in Minneapolis and served in the armed forces competition and that lessons learned in sports competition could be transferred
in Europe years later. Mac understood the dignity and importance of to our daily lives. In my senior year, I received a surprise invitation from
hard work and his coaching and teaching style embodied this. Years Yale University to attend Yale and play baseball. I had no idea why Yale was
later, as a successful coach and teacher on the prosperous North Shore, interested in me. I soon learned it was because of Mac. I never asked Mac
Mac remained true to his upbringing. He had no patience for players for help. He took it upon himself to look out for his student athletes. I still have
and students who didn't want to work hard and learn. The humorous the gold ball from our 1969 ISL Baseball Championship. Mac was not about
"You're a bunch of rich kids" speech had an important underlying winning. He was about doing your personal best. I can still hear him make
message, which was that wealth can be arbitrary and temporary and that chippy shot and say jeeeez! Mac was truly a great man, and he helped
did not reflect the essential person. Mac's players had to work to earn to make North Shore Country Day School a great institution. I hope my
his respect, and this work ethic did not fail us in later life. His own boys who currently attend North Shore, will someday understand Mac's
values were forged in dark economic times and world war and were legacy. Mac was a very positive influence on their father.
more important and lasting than the self-importance of the world - Mike Malpede '72
around him. He was the rock of stability and assurance and we looked
to him at our most impressionable and vulnerable times. "Although 1 had not spoken to Mac in several years, his influence
upon my life has been permanent. Mac was a source of stability
We can't think of high school, North Shore Country Day or sports
during my tumultuous teenage years. His advice was consistent,
without remembering Mac McCarty and his leadership, his example
firm, helpful and wise. His ability to coach was the same as his
and his friendship.
advice. His caring for others and love for North Shore Country Day
- Jeff Swanson '86
School will be sorely missed. 1 am deeply saddened by the loss of
one so thoughtful. His memory, his tradition, shall not be forgotten
"1 shall miss you, Mac. You always saw the good in us that even
by those of us who were lucky enough to have been touched by
we ourselves failed to see. 1 know that my life was enriched from
his wisdom and his tough love."
knowing you. Thank you so much."
- Michael Block '74
- Bill Walling '57
I'm guessing it was probably my junior year at North Shore and
I was never able to have Mac as an athletic instructor or as an
I was pitching in a game against Francis Parker at Francis Parker. I
educator, but his impact was still felt deeply. Normally a person grieves
was having significant control problems that day. It was about the fifth
when a person passes away, but when I discovered Mac's name in the
inning, in which I had walked three batters, and Mac came walking
obituaries I wasn't sad, 1 was proud to look back at his accomplish­
out to the mound. I was fully expecting that he would take me out of
ments and the way he touched other people's hearts. When a person
the game. When he got to the mound, he was irritated. He looked at
dies we become sad at things they never got to accomplish. But Mac
me and said "You probably thought I was coming out here to take you
truly showed me, and I'm sure many others, how to live a beautiful
out." I nodded yes. He said "Well, forget about that. This is your game
and full life. I remember running into him before class and starting a
to win or your game to lose and I'm leaving you out here to do one or
conversation and ending up missing 20 minutes of class listening to
the other". He abruptly turned around and walked off the field. If this
him. Somehow I knew that what he had to say was more important
were a perfect story, I would next be telling you that I won that game.
than being on time to class. He was as dedicated to North Shore as we
I did not. I think we lost five to three. But I did finally get out of that
were to him. Generations after generations of students came to know
inning, and, from there forward, I always knew that I could. He took a
Mac as not only a teacher or coach but as a great friend. Thinking of
losing situation and used it to give me more confidence in my abilities.
Mac pushing that shopping cart full of football gear out to practice will
As all of us come to find out, life is going to hand each of us many
always bring a smile to my face and maybe a tear to my eye. He would
losses. Being taught how to deal with them and go forward with
never forget North Shore, and we will never forget him.
confidence is a great lesson.
- Bryan Fydryck '00
- Stewart Ames '76
"What a great guy he was to work with at North Shore, and what
an incalculable contribution he made to the school. I'll miss him
very much."
- Dean Sexton, Former Faculty Member
1_9_
Students Live School's Motto Through Service to Others
f ^ ommunity Service has always been central to the COMMUNITY SERVICE PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
m mission of North Shore. "Live and Serve" is not just
COMMUNITY SERVICE AT NORTH SHORE BRINGS TO LIFE THE
% the School's motto, it is a philosophy that has guided
SCHOOL'S MOTTO. "LIVE AND SERVE." IT REQUIRES STUDENTS TO
^ generations of North Shore students and inspired PARTICIPATE IN MEANINCFUL COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS
them to continue service in their lives beyond graduation. THAT ARE OFTEN INTEGRATED INTO THE CURRICULUM AND THAT
CONNECT STUDENTS WITH THE LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMMUNITY.
The Board of Trustees has reconfirmed the North Shore's
commitment to the ideals of "Live and Serve," and has adopted COMMUNITY SERVICE AT NORTH SHORE ENCOURAGES IN
a philosophy statement (at right) that will guide the School, STUDENTS A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND COMPASSION
FOR OTHERS. RESPECT FOR THE RICHNESS OF HUMAN
across all grade levels, in future efforts.
DIFFERENCES AND THE DIGNITY OF ALL PEOPLE, AND
Below is a graph of community service efforts that North Shore stu­ A LIFE-LONG COMMITMENT TO, SERVICE.
dents participated in during the first semester of the academic year.
Date Lower School Middle School Upper School
* Second Grade begins monthly visits to Senior • Collect crayons for • Collect School supplies for the adopted school
^ Center children in Haiti in Oaxaca, MX
£ • Third Grade establishes buddy relationship at • Serve dinner at Good News Community
sL, Evanston Preschool Kitchen, Chicago
TO • Serve at Lunch Bunch, Inspiration Cafe, Chicago
• Participate in AIDS Walk, Chicago
• Collect school supplies for North Shore's • Collect school supplies • Collect school supplies for Oaxaca, MX
adopted school in Oaxaca, MX for adopted school in • Good News Community Kitchen
• Third Grade takes Halloween items to children Oaxaca, MX • Lunch Bunch, Inspiration Cafe
at Evanston Hospital • Begin efforts to benefit • Serve Saturday Breakfast, Inspiration Cafe
• Fourth Grade paints pumpkins, writes, poems HIVCO • Begin weekly visits to Molloy Ed. Center to tutor
and cards for Heiwa Terrace Residence • Collect toiletries for area and work with students
agencies • Begin weekly visits to Oak Terrace School to
tutor elementary students
•JK/SK and First Grade begin canned food drive • Make and package • Sponsor Food Drive for HIVCO
£3 for Circle Friendship Food Pantry, Chicago holiday ornaments for • Good News Community Kitchen
"g •S econd-Fifth Grades collect food for HIVCO AIDS benefit • Lunch Bunch/Saturday Breakfast, Inspiration Cafe
> • Fourth Grade prepares bag lunches for • Sponsor Food Drive for • Molloy Ed. Center
^ Heiwa Terrace Residence HIVCO • Oak Terrace School
• Fifth Grade begins visits to Howard • Participate in service projects for
Community Center Interim Week
•JK/SK collect and donate hats and mittens to • Collect holiday gifts for • Collect holiday gifts for families named
^ YWCA's women and children's Shelter in families named by NU by NU Settlement Association
£ Evanston Settlement Association • Good News Community Kitchen
^ • First grade collects and donates hats and • Sing carols and present gift • Lunch Bunch/Saturday Breakfast, Inspiration Cafe
^ mittens to childServ bags at Evanston Hospital • Molloy Ed. Center
• Fifth Grade visits Howard Community Center • Oak Terrace School
• Second Grade plays Animal BINGO with • Lunch Bunch/Saturday Breakfast,Inspiration Cafe
§ Senior Citizen buddies • Good News Community Kitchen
sAs • Molloy Ed. Center
• Oak Terrace School
•JK/SK Senior Buddies make placemats for • Conduct toiletries drive for • Inspiration Cafe, Good News Community Kitchen
Inspiration Cafe homeless shelter • Sponsor Penny Drive to support earthquake
• First Grade with their Seventh Grade Buddies • Collect and deliver books victims in India
make Valentines for children at Lydia House to Jungman School, • Conduct clothing drive for Skokie service agency
• Second Grade hosts Senior Citizen buddies for Chicago and read to • Create Valentines/placemats for: Molloy Ed.
their performance of Billy Goats Gruff Kindergarten students Center, Good News Community Kitchen,
;>, • Third Grade creates Valentines for children in Evanston Hospital, Inspiration Cafe
§ Evanston Hospital Pediatric Ward • Molloy Ed. Center
• Fourth Grade writes poetry and sends Valentines • Oak Terrace School
(JH to friends at Haiwa Terrace Residence
• Fifth Grade and Ninth Grade buddies create
Valentines for students at Molloy Ed. Center
• Fifth Grade reads stories to children at
Howard Area Community Center
• Lower School collects books for Uptown Ministry Continued on page 16
E V E R Y B O D Y ' S S O M E B O D Y A T N O R T H S H O R E
M
North Shore's Spring Musical is "BIG"
N
orth Shore staged "Big" as the all-school spring
musical March 15, 16, and 17. Based on the
movie of the same title, the North Shore production
was also "big" in scale, with 76 actors and another
34 crew members participating, representing a quarter of the
school's enrollment. The actors told the story of 12-year-old
Josh Baskin whose wish to be big is magically granted, and he
awakes the next morning in the body of a 33-year-old man.
The audience learns through Josh's experience to be wary of
wishes such as this and to appreciate the joy of living in the
present. Directed by Lynn Kelso, the student actors, in grades
4-12, rehearsed for six weeks while also juggling homework,
sports practices and other extracurricular activities.
"Bigjosh" crosses the line and helps the toy company with
his ability to understand what kids consider fun.
"Bigjosh" (Nick Whalley '03) and Susan (Laura Harris '03) say
goodbye as Josh prepares to return to his 12-year-old body. Mr. and Mrs. Kopecki (Ross Blumenfeld '03 and Lizzie Horevitz '01).
"Big Kids" Maddy Lockhart '07, Rachel Smith '07,Jeannie Slezak '07, Billy Kopecki, (Bill Reitz '05) and "Bigjosh" (Nick Whalley
Ross Matsuda '03 and Alexandra Land '06. '03) figure out what to do now that Josh's wish has been granted.