October 2004 · Volume l · Number l
The eNewsletter of the Boston Latin School Association

Congratulations to World Series Champions the Boston Red Sox!
1918 Red Sox Player, Oil on Canvas
by Nicholas Abraham '55

A TEST OF TRIVIA
With so many Latin scholars in our midst, it seems only fair to test the trivia knowledge among us from time to time. To this end, each issue of @blsa will include a challenging query for the quick and clever. The first alumnus/a to answer the conundrum correctly will receive either a BLS T-shirt or hat (your choice!) and will be rightfully recognized in the November e-newsletter.

October's question:
What is the name of the sculptor and alumnus who created the "Alma Mater" statue which resides in the ceremonial main lobby of Boston Latin School?

Please send responses via e-mail to blsa@blsa.org!

TAKE THE CHALLENGE!
What is the Challenge? How can you become involved in the Challenge? Watch your mailbox in November to learn more about the Challenge and how to participate.

LATIN TOPS MCAS
BLS students who took the May 2004 MCAS test once again topped the state's list of highest performers, with members of both the class of 2006 and the class of 2008 ranked # in Massachusetts.

GO SOX!
Clever BLS seniors are utilizing Red Sox fever to their advantage and are holding their second fund-raising event to prove it. On Wednesday, October 27, seniors sponsored “World Series Day” at BLS, with students permitted to wear Red Sox caps for the fee of $1 or, if they dare, a Cardinals cap for $2. During the Pennant race, shrewd seniors held another official Red Sox Day where participating students were charged $1 for wearing Red Sox attire, while those wearing the blue and white pinstripes of a certain New York team were charged $2. All funds raised will benefit Class I activities as well as the senior’s class gift to the school.

CALLING ALL ALUMNI & PARENTS
Phonathons are back and better than ever. These volunteer calling sessions are a great way for alumni and parents to connect with each other, learn more about what’s happening at the school and raise support for BLS programs and activities. On October 17, 20 alumni met at the Target Software offices for the first successful phonathon of the year. We raised $24,180 in pledges from 97 people and a number of prizes were award to callers for their efforts. Our next two phonathons will be on Tuesday, November 30, and Tuesday, December 7, both at the Merrill Lynch offices on High Street. If you are interested in participating, please contact the BLSA at (617) 450-0004. We hope to see you there!

BLS HOME & SCHOOL AUCTION
The Home and School Association of Boston Latin School is currently planning its annual fall fund-raising auction to be held on November 13 in the school dining hall. All proceeds from this event will benefit members of the class of 2005. The goal this year is to raise $80,000, which will provide more than 100 scholarships to graduating seniors. For more information, please contact David or Carol O'Donnell at (617) 327-2713.

ATTENTION IBM-BLS ALUMNI
If you are a current IBM employee, or an IBM retiree, and would like information on how this affiliation can benefit students at Boston Latin, please contact Kate DeForest at (617) 450-0004, ext. 26. Your gifts can translate into hardware and software for the students' immediate use.

ALUMNI IN THE NEWS

Nicholas Abraham '59 opened a one-man show of bold and colorful works at the Artists Gallery at the Hyatt Regency Boston on Thursday, September 30. Abraham is "often compared with the great masters Matisse, Modigliani and Picasso."
Joe Deitch '68, chairman and CEO of Commonwealth Financial Network, is featured in the new book "Leadership Secrets of the World's Most Successful CEOs."
Murtonda Durant '84 was recently inducted into the University of Massachusetts Hall of Fame for her outstanding performances in women's indoor/outdoor track. Her many successes include earning All-America status 15 times in a four-year career; helping the Beacons to four NCAA team championships; being a part of UMass/Boston's incredible feat of becoming the first school in NCAA history to capture both indoor and outdoor team championships during the same year; and, competing in the NCAA Championships and winning the indoor title in 1985 and 1987 when she ran a 56.66 to set an NCAA record, which stood for 10 years. She currently holds indoor school records for the 55-meter dash and the 600-yard dash.
Lynne Mooney Teta ’86 has been named Assistant Head Master at Boston Latin, succeeding longtime teacher and Assistant Head Master Philip Haberstroh ’66 who retired this month. A Harvard graduate, Teta had worked as an administrator in the Needham Public Schools before returning to Alma Mater.
Frank Woods ’94 succeeds retired Coach Dave Coleman as head hockey coach this winter. An assistant coach of both BLS hockey and baseball, Woods also served as captain of the Wolfpack hockey team during his senior year.

Click here to submit news of your own

JOIN THE ONLINE COMMUNITY!
In September, the Association officially launched its online community, @blsa.

Partnered with BLSA's existing website, additional features include an online directory, where alumni can update their home and business contact information as well as look for old friends; club and regional chapter pages with news and events; online event registration; class notes and photo postings. Future plans are to add chat rooms and message boards as well.

All alumni are eligible to join the online community. Simply visit BLSA's website, click on "Online Community" and then "Click Here to Register". You will be prompted through the setup and will need to use your class year as your password, and your user ID, found on the most recent BLSA appeal letters or available by request by e-mailing blsa@blsa.org. This information is only needed the first time you enter, and then you can establish your own personal ID and password. Happy surfing!

Click here to join the Community now

COMING SOON
Next month, please look for our first alumni survey that will help us serve you better!