Reunion 2024 sees great turnout amid true Tiger spirit

Thayer Academy held its annual Reunion celebration this past weekend and recognized classes ending in 4 and 9. 

Festivities got underway Friday evening (Sept. 27) when the Thayer Academy Alumni Association held its Evening of Alumni Excellence in Cahall Dining Hall. There, the alumni association honored Dr. Alicia Genisca ‘99 (Achievement Award), Amy Ryder Pickel ‘94 P ‘22, ‘26 (Loyalty Award), and Andrea Werner Insoft ‘79 (Humanitarian Award). 

During the same event, the association also inducted two individuals and one team into the Thayer Academy Sports Hall of Fame: Nazy Kerr Krygier ‘07, field hockey and lacrosse; Shaun O’Sullivan ‘83, hockey; and the 2010 varsity field hockey team, a squad which earned both the ISL and NEPSAC championships that year. 

Head of School Chris Fortunato P ‘26, ‘28 welcomed guests and provided a brief update on campus life in 2024, including recent events such as the Academy’s most successful admissions season and the completion of The Campaign for Thayer Academy, a five-year fundraising initiative which set a $25 million goal yet raised more than $30 million. 

“There’s so many great things happening here,” Fortunato told the crowd. 

Genisca was the first alum honored that night. A board-certified pediatric emergency physician and an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical College of Brown University, Genisca’s career has been dedicated to improving pediatric emergency care worldwide. As such, she has led World Health Organization training courses in Africa and Central America, created emergency care curriculum for low-resource settings such as Belize and Nepal, and conducted research focused on mortality in children from Ebola and sepsis abroad. She serves on national committees for the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine to promote improved pediatric care. 

Genisca thanked her family before detailing the ways in which Thayer prepared her both for college and the world beyond. 

“I am beyond grateful to my teachers, coaches, and fellow students,” she said upon receiving the achievement award.  

Pickel accepted the loyalty award and thanked the Thayer community, especially its faculty members, for encouraging students to take risks. She spoke of the myriad connections she has to the school — “The greatest gift that Thayer ever gave me is sitting at that table,” she said at one point as she pointed to her family — and expressed how much she appreciated the alumni association’s recognition. 

“Thayer is a special place,” she said,” and I’m so proud to be a member of this community.” 

Insoft, a licensed clinical social worker who consults with numerous area hospitals to help them start support programs for families whose children have died or are fragile newborns, noted that her Thayer experience began in nursery school as a proud member of Thayerlands (a multi-grade school located at the former home of Anna Boynton Thompson that, very roughly speaking, is the precursor to today’s Middle School at the same site). 

“Thayer is in my blood,” said Insoft, who later quipped: “I don’t wear black and orange — It doesn’t look good on me — but the pride still runs deep.” 

Athletic Director Bobbi Moran kicked off the second part of the night by thanking Hall of Fame honorees not only for their achievements but also for their willingness to serve as role models and for their stories illustrating the ability of sports to transform lives. 

“We thank each of you for your dedication, your passion, your commitment to Thayer, and your commitment to one another,” said Moran. “Thank you for raising the bar for all of us.”  

The night’s first Hall of Fame inductee was Krygier, who earned eight varsity letters — four in field hockey and four in lacrosse — during her time at Thayer. 

“This achievement was not on my Bingo card,” said an obviously moved Krygier, a standout Division 1 lacrosse player at the University of Massachusetts following her Thayer days. “This is by far the proudest moment of my athletic career.” 

Krygier thanked her parents and other family members for “supporting me on my best days and my worst days.” She thanked her former coach, Upper School Visual Arts Faculty Anni Zukauskas P ‘28, ‘29, for both mentorship and friendship. She thanked her husband, Sean, for being “the best teammate I’ve ever had.” And she thanked her alma mater for both the challenges and the opportunities.

“Thayer has forever changed my life,” Krygier said. 

The next inductee of the night, O’Sullivan, spoke from the heart about his love of hockey and baseball, his love of family, and his love of Thayer. The oldest of 11 children, the Dorchester native’s late parents, John and Ann O’Sullivan, were never far from his thoughts. 

“They sacrificed everything for us so that we’d have opportunities,” O’Sullivan told those gathered. 

Nor did O’Sullivan — who earned four varsity letters in hockey and four varsity letters in baseball at Thayer before becoming a goalie at Northeastern and leading the Huskies to a 1984 Beanpot Championship — forget those at Thayer who helped to fulfill his parents’ dreams of an education for their children. Among those singled out for praise were the late Peter J. Benelli P ‘75, ‘80, ‘81 GP ‘09, the Academy’s former headmaster; the late Arthur Valicenti ‘51 P ‘75, ‘75, ‘77 GP ‘10, ‘14, the Academy’s longtime athletic director and legendary hockey coach; and Marshall Litchfield P ‘78, Thayer’s longtime principal. But in addition to “The Big Three,” O’Sullivan thanked buildings and grounds personnel, food services team members, Southworth librarians, and anyone else involved in making his family’s Thayer experience possible. 

“Thank you, Thayer, and love to you all,” O’Sullivan said. 

The last inductee recognized was not a person but a group: the 2010 varsity field hockey team, a squad that etched its name into Thayer athletics history by winning the program’s first ISL Championship and following that up with the program’s third NEPSAC Championship and first since 2001. 

“This was the greatest team I was ever on,” said Allie Morey ‘11, who spoke on behalf of her teammates. “It was the highlight of my day, and we would run to the bus to get to practice.” 

Although the team’s coach, Erin Cash, was not present for the Sept. 27 ceremonies, Moran read a message from Cash which read: “I look at that 2010 field hockey team as a prime example of what teams can be. These teammates were committed, resilient, kind, enthusiastic, and so, so talented. I’ll never forget the joy I felt for them when I watched them run to each other after our NEPSAC victory … but that vision is also joined with countless other snapshots of them during that season, cheering each other on, challenging each other in practice, patting each other on the back in encouragement, and smiling at each other with love. I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to lead this group of fantastic and determined young women. It’s a team that will remain in my memory forever and with love.” 

Led by their coach, the 2010 field hockey team included: Jess Ludvigsen '11, Allie Morey '11, Sammie Miller '11, Bridget Darling '11, Anna Friedman '11, Kathryn Ginns '11, Emma Quigley '11, Allie Bookstein '11, Allyson Dwan '12, Emily Matthews '12, Anna Kenyon '12, Katherine McManus '12, Melissa Piacentini '12, Kim Sportack '12, Lily Teevens '13, Amy Dugan '13, Robin Spofford '13, Kelsey Poole '13, Kelcie Finn '13, and Madeline Lewis '13. 

Early Saturday morning (Sept. 28) saw the annual Thayer Alumni Memorial Service, which honored members of this year’s Reunion classes who had passed away. Shortly after, ceremonies were held in Memorial Gym to dedicate a plaque honoring William C. Gould Jr. ‘64, Thayer’s lone casualty of the Vietnam War. “Bo,” as he was known to those who knew him, died in March of 1969 when he yelled “ambush” immediately before a firefight. The decision cost Gould his life, but he is credited with saving the lives of many of his platoon members. Gould was posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal for his actions that day. 

Once again, this year’s Reunion celebration coincided with Homecoming, offering attendees a chance to cheer on Thayer sports teams and enjoy extra festivities, including a TAPA (Thayer Academy Parent Association) bake sale and a variety of food trucks. Throughout the day, Reunion guests also explored campus through student-led tours, adding a personal touch to the experience.

Each class then held its various celebrations across campus. The Class of 1974, for example, enjoyed its 50th Reunion Dinner. As the festivities came to a close, Reunion attendees walked away with unforgettable memories, renewed bonds, and a deepened connection to the Thayer community.