Milton Academy - Yearbook (Milton, MA)

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by Thomas Cleveland Few people associated with Mil- ton could be said to represent the very best traditions for which our school stands. Frank D. Millet is one of those people. He is an in- stitution, as Mr. Webster says, something that serves to in- struct. Mr. Mil1et's loyalty and service to Milton Academy and its students goes back a long way, farther than the enrollment in this school of many of the parents of this year's graduation class. Would that any of us could be as in-touch with so many for so long! I respect and admire and look up to him as much today as I did when I was a student here in the early 1940's. Some things about Frank Millet will never change, and probably the most important thing that has made him such a great schoolmaster is that he really cares about other people. To Frank peo- ple come first, and all of his high principles follow. He has never lost his gentlemanly and gracious ways or his beautiful sense of humor. lf as much learning is done from the personal example of the teacher as from the study of the subject matter, then those of us who have been lucky enough to have known Frank Millet in any of his many roles at school have learned a great deal about honesty, straight-forwardness, and what the Chinese call the well-conducted life. F RAN MILLET The man to whom this Yearbook is dedicated has made a great dif- ference to so many who have gone here. With a handshake, a smile, and some pleasant remark to set one at ease, he has been the first contact of thousands in the Admis- sions Office. And then he never seems to forget a face or a name for relationshiplj as he follows and shepherds students through the school. Whether he was coaching Third Football in his vintage can- vas football pants, or teaching someone a lesson in squash, or running Warren Hall, or helping someone with his Latin third de- clension, or living in Robbins House, F.D.M. has been there - doing his best to lead some student to being his best. He writes literally hundred of thoughtful hand- written notes a year to students, graduates, faculty, and families saying Thank you, or Congrat- ulations, or Happy Birthdayf' or Fm sorry . If we have not been blessed with one of his more per- sonal notes, there is no student who has not been touched by the gift of his precise calligraphy on a prize award or a diploma. After students have left, and before they send their children back, they are not forgotten, but Mr. Millet's con- cern and contact seem to continue. Probably one of the most heard re- marks from graduates beyond the school is t'How is Frank Millet? It is good to be associated with Milton because of people like Mr. Millet, and it means a great deal to have him as a teacher, a helper, a colleague, and above all a friend. Thank you, friend, for what you have given and are giving to us and to our school! 21

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IA ET ELL by Gloria Perkins Guardian of Goodwin Room grammar, interpreter of arcane test scores, friend and advocate of the Class of 1984, Ianet Warren Buell arrived at Milton in 1970, when her husband George was appointed to teach History and serve as Master of Robbins House. The four younger Buells, George, Ir., Lisa, Becky, and Sam, attended Milton. A graduate of Bryn Mawr College, Ian also took special train- ing in Language Skills and re- ceived the Certificate of the Lan- guage Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital. She joined the Milton faculty in 1972, becoming Department Chairman in 1979. Upon the retirement of Miss John- son, the Buells moved into the house she had formerly occupied and opened their mini-dorm, with four students in residence. Living at the Buells has become a much sought-after privilege -the occupants' birthdays are cele- brated with parties, their teachers and friends are invited to dinners, and each girl is encouraged to re- quest a favorite food on the weekly marketing list. Ian combines style with sub- stance and firmness with kind- ness. Though she would probably prefer to spend her leisure hours on her omnivorous reading, she al- ways manages to find time to bake 20 a treat, knit a sweater, or talk to her advisees. She has been Class Advi- sor to the Senior girls since they were in Class IV and can fairly be said to know them well! As Lan- guage Skills Chairman, Ian is tact- ful, efficient, and above all suppor- tive of the teachers in her depart- ment, each of whom speaks admir- ingly of her. As teacher, she is pa- tient and positive, and her helpful hints for taking the S.A.T.'s are valued. As though all this were not enough for two women to do, Ian has also devoted much loving care to members of her family and has been taking courses for her Master of Arts degree, which she expects to complete soon. In fact, she is the embodiment of the versatile mod- ern woman as she goes on leave next year to continue her graduate work and ponder a possible change of career. With characteristic New En- gland reticence, Ian herself would never dream of speaking about her many accomplishments, but the rest of us at Milton are grateful for the opportunity to recognize them and to thank her for using them to our benefit.

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CL SS HISTCRY by Michelle Dandridge As one looks around Straus at a typical Class I meeting, it is hard to imagine the roots of the Class of 1984: a kindergarten class of sev- enteen. Now, possibly this thought doesn't come to mind to the aver- age senior at 8:00 on a Thursday morning. However, to one who has watched and been a part of the change and growth of this class over the last thirteen years, the re- flective thoughts become a con- tinual occurrence. In looking back at our earlier years in the Lower School, the first feeling that comes to mind is the sense of closeness that our class had, and continued to have. This closeness always helped us to turn the many class projects into something special. Our first big effort was a performance of The Princess and the Pea, a stunning . Ju l 22 extravaganza, as kindergarten per- formances go. From there, we were off to take on the many projects that lay ahead. Yet, the highlight of any lower-schooler's career was the Sixth Grade Play. We went to work to produce our version of the musical Oliver. Once again the class pulled together not only on the musical, but also in a tribute to Sir Patterson, our teacher and in- spiration. With characteristic class unity and spirit, we made a scrap- book of class pictures, and rewrote the words of To Sir with Lovei' to fit our feelings for a man we came to love. The sight of thirty kids crying and hugging each other as our performance ended will al- ways be a vivid memory. As we moved to the next phase of our experience, the Upper School, new students joined and opportunities opened, yet we maintained our closeness. With the first taste of boarders came the first real challenge of our identi- ties, which we met head on. Soon we became visible on sports teams, r l l in clubs, on the Speech Team, and on the stage as we went to work on our production of the Fourth Class Play. The class took on the task of per- forming Bertolt Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle. It was one of Milton's largest Class IV produc- tions, for it involved over eighty- five people on stage at all times including intermission, calling on the limitless energy of our class. The inventive direction of Rey Buono, the acting and musical tal- ents of the performers, and the adeptness of the technical crew assured a stunning performance. The many weeks of hard work cer- tainly paid off. The play served as a unifying force experienced by the whole class. The Class IV play is truly a highlight for all who par- ticipated in itg for many, it became the first step to strong theatrical careers at Milton. During the years that followed, more people came, more talents were discovered, more friendships made. As a class, we became a