The gala alumni gathering was a huge success. Over 50 alumni attended the event held at the Siam City Hotel in an absolutely grand room. The organizing committee headed by Sakrapan Eamegdool '72 worked very hard to put the details together. One of the big hits was giving everyone a WMA T-shirt and shorts…for a donation of course.
I gave a short PowerPoint presentation to inform them of the many changes that have occurred at the Academy in the last several years. Many in attendance remarked that they would have a hard time being accepted at the current school. They were quite impressed with the college matriculation record of the graduates of the last two years.
The main speaker was Kraisik Choonhaven '67, who spoke eloquently about "Thai Democracy Post Thaksin." Mr. Choonhaven is the second in charge of the Democratic Party and serves as a member of Parliament. He has also been a Senator representing the same Democratic Party. In attendance were several former Deputy Prime Ministers, Ambassadors, and cabinet members. Everyone listened intently to a succinct analysis of why Thailand has a unique form of democracy, a democracy similar in many respects to that of the United Sates, but not identical.
He also mentioned that many of his political beliefs were formed at the Academy, and he specifically mentioned the English class of Mr. Cohen, who used international films to get his message across to the students. One of the most influential films in this respect was Hiroshima, Mon Amour. It was through this film that Mr. Choonhavan developed a distaste for state violence as a means to achieve its ends and to this day is a vocal protestor against such actions.
The good news is that the event raised more than 250,000 bhat ($7000) from the general alumni and the four members of the Class of 1969, who celebrated their 40th reunion at the gathering and made a gift of $4000. Bangkok alumni of the 50s & 60s
Bangkok alumni of the 70s
Bangkok alumni of the 90s & 00s
Posted
by rfarrington
on Monday November 16, 2009 at 06:00PM
Saturday evening was a glorious Thai fall night...75 degrees, slight wind, medium humidity. Shirley and I met Angela Songphatanayothin, Preet's '08 mother for dinner under the stars on the 55th floor of the Grand Centara Hotel. We talked of the many plans that the Academy is presently making to improve the residential life of our vibrant international community. I'll be bringing back to campus her many insightful suggestions. We discovered in our meeting many opportunities for collaboration.
On Sunday we renewed our close friendship with the Lertsumikul and Durongkapitya families along with Shirley and my Clark University classmate, His Excellency Korn Dabbaransi, '64. Joy has just completed her Master of Science degree in Business and will begin work and study in gemology. The lunch conversation was an animated one around the topics of badminton, Thai and American politics, and the effect of the American recession of global business.
Posted
by rfarrington
on Sunday November 8, 2009 at 06:59AM
Friday was a busy day. It began early in Hong Kong with a breakfast meeting with alumnus Andy Bazarian '86. Andy kindly offered to host students this summer if we pass through Hong Kong on our way to India. We certainly appreciate the offer. Immediately following Shirley and I met with the Head of School of a new venture called Think Global School. This program will begin in September of 2010 and will be a school which travels to a different major city every trimester. The faculty will accompany the students and they plan to be hosted at various schools around the world. WMA is investigating ways in which we might partner with this interesting niche school.
Then it was off to the airport for a quick 3 hour flight to Bangkok. Traffic around the Suvarnabhumi Airport was at a standstill and the usual 45 minute trip burgeoned into two hours. We barely made our dinner appointment with alumni Sakrapan "Geng" Emeegdool '72 and Kritipone "Ko" Dabbaransi '92. Because of that traffic two other alumni, Chalermpong Cheosakul '70 and Piyabutr Cholvijarn '69 were unable to join us. We will see them at the gala alumni reunion on Sunday evening.
Saturday dawned hot (95 degrees) and humid (95%). We had a most engaging lunch at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club with the parents of Buun Tegamnuay and Tap Chirathivat. We were joined late by Tap's sister. Here we learned much about the founding of this old club in the center of Bangkok by King Rama V. There was so much history to absorb.
The Thai connection to Wilbraham & Monson Academy is long and deep. Upon my return I will post a pictorial history of that relationship beginning nearly 100 years ago.
Tonight we meet with Preet '09 Songphatanayothin's mother. More later.
Posted
by rfarrington
on Saturday November 7, 2009 at 02:45PM
This morning I had breakfast with Mr. Critz Chan, father of Wing-Ho. We had an excellent discussion about the curriculum and scope of the educational experience at the Academy. We also discussed ways in which the Academy could attract more students from Hong Kong. Clearly there are many top-notch students in this vibrant city and more of them should be attending our school.
After some time finalizing plans for our three days in Bangkok, Mrs. LaBrecque and I had a window of opportunity to visit a few of the more prominent areas of the city. This photo from atop Victoria Peak shows the scope of the forest of concrete spires that is Hong Kong.
Tomorrow a couple of breakfast meetings and then on to Bangkok.
Posted
by rfarrington
on Thursday November 5, 2009 at 01:48PM
After a short flight from Taipei to Hong Kong, we arrived amid this densely populated modern city. Traveling under the shadow of the 118 story International Commerce building, we reached our hotel and quickly dressed for dinner at the home of Mr. John Wright, the father of former student Sam Wright. Over a scrumptious dinner we solved all of the challenges facing WMA...and of the world. For those who knew Sam, he is doing quite well and now has his horses on campus with him. Thus, he can continue his dedicated preparation for the numerous jumping competitions with which he's involved.
Tomorrow more meetings with parents and alumni.
Posted
by rfarrington
on Thursday November 5, 2009 at 05:53AM
Shirley and I were the WMA hosts for a fantastic dinner tonight at the Butterfly Restaurant with so many of the parents of our students from Taipei. The dinner arrangements were made by Taipei City residents George and Julie Wood (Michelle's '08 parents) and Mr. Wood's assistant, Angeline). The motorbikes were lined up in anticipation of our arrival. We were welcomed by a large screen announcing the WMA dinner. After a multi-course meal, it was my pleasure to talk to the parents about our drive to raise capital funds to renovate the campus center. This was followed by a Q and A period and then all, including yours truly, got involved in a bit of karaoke. Many fond memories of our last night in Taipei.
Tomorrow it is on to Hong Kong.
Posted
by rfarrington
on Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 10:21AM
Looking at the arrivals board at the Taipei Airport, I am reminded that this is what our school embodies. This kind of board could be one that characterizes the nature of our student body. Because we are in the midst of a vibrant global community in Wilbraham, we simply don't recognize how unique a school we really are. You cannot find this kind of diversity in many places at the high school level.
This morning, Monday November 2, I met with educational consultant Mr. Robert Chen. He works out of the City of Hsinchu, about two hours south and west of Taipei. He generously agreed to meet me at our hotel in Taipei, the Grand Formosa Regent. We had a productive discussion, and I learned that Wilbraham & Monson Academy has a solid reputation here in Taipei. The word among prospective families is that we are the school that emphasizes global education and we have an important trading facility component in our curriculum. Our faculty attention to student concerns is another attribute that gets high marks from current and prospective parents.
In the afternoon, Mrs. LaBrecque and I accompanied Mr. George Wood and his administrative assistant Angeline for a trip into the southeast region of Taiwan, about 90 minutes drive away. This is a region hard hit by the last typhoon, and the devastation along the wide Luodong River is still very apparent. A severe mudslide, similar to that of LaConchita in Santa Barbara a few years ago, but much much larger, caused an entire farming village to disappear. To get to the Yilian City area, we made our way through the technologically impressive Hsueh Shan Tunnel, 13 km long and one of the most difficult tunnels in the world to ever be built. Video of the tunnel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzbe2X2NCFU
There are two main industries in this area: tea production and scallion (green onion) growing. We stopped at a small village to sample not only the tea but a special cake made with ground tea leaves. While it looked dry, it tasted moist and creamy. The tea that accompanied this snack was some of the best anywhere. The cake stimulated our appetite and so we were forced to stop along the roadside and order some spicy scallion pancakes topped with a fried egg and hot sauce. This filling meal kept us energized as we toured the steep mountains in the area and drove along side the now quiet Luodong River. During the last typhoon, this river was a raging torrent, and many bridges and roads were eroded and collapsed. Extensive reconstruction is now on-going in this area.
On Tuesday evening we will hold the Taipei area current and former parent banquet. Photos of this event to follow tomorrow.
Posted
by rfarrington
on Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 06:26AM
This morning we had a very nice breakfast with Mr and Mrs. An. who are as anxiously awaiting college acceptances for Sanjin as he is. We then embarked on a day of cultural sightseeing with Jong Il's mother, Ah Young Chyun.
Swedish Footprints: An Exhibition of Swedish Art and Design at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center was spectacular. Almost every work showed the influence of the Nordic climate upon the creativity of the artists. The fabric pieces were particularly inspiring with tremendously intricate needle work and fabric handling.
On the way back to the hotel we stopped at the largest bookstore in Seoul, Kyobo. I loved the fact that I was directed to the "foreign language" section of this immense store. Any Barnes and Nobles I've visited across the USA would have easily fit into the computer reference section alone.
Tomorrow we head off early to Taipei.
Posted
by rfarrington
on Saturday October 31, 2009 at 12:38PM
The Alumni and Parent dinner last evening was a great success. Thirty attendees enjoyed a never-ending banquet of Korean, Chinese, and American cuisine. The conversation among parents was so animated that before anyone realized it was 10 PM and time to leave. Unfortunately, we did not take pictures of the group.
I enjoyed meeting all the new parents, several of whom traveled a considerable distance (Busan) to attend.
Today, Saturday, Shirley and I will be the guest of Mrs. Chyun and attend a photography exhibit at the National Museum. Tomorrow it is on to Taipei.
Posted
by rfarrington
on Friday October 30, 2009 at 07:35PM
On my way to visit an educational consultant, I couldn't resist taking a few snapshots of a Halloween celebration outside the COEX Mall in Seoul. "Mr. Tar Heel", from what I could gather, was one of the teachers at the children's pre-school. I could only think how at home Mr. Lagomarsino and the entire Blake Middle School faculty would feel in Seoul today. Seeing the thousands of mums displayed Tournament-of-Roses-Parade style was also very interesting.
Posted
by rfarrington
on Friday October 30, 2009 at 11:57AM
The gala alumni gathering was a huge success. Over 50 alumni attended the event held at the Siam City Hotel in an absolutely grand room. The organizing committee headed by Sakrapan Eamegdool '72 worked very hard to put the details together. One of the big hits was giving everyone a WMA T-shirt and shorts…for a donation of course. 
Saturday evening was a glorious Thai fall night...75 degrees, slight wind, medium humidity. Shirley and I met Angela Songphatanayothin, Preet's '08 mother for dinner under the stars on the 55th floor of the Grand Centara Hotel. We talked of the many plans that the Academy is presently making to improve the residential life of our vibrant international community. I'll be bringing back to campus her many insightful suggestions. We discovered in our meeting many opportunities for collaboration.
Friday was a busy day. It began early in Hong Kong with a breakfast meeting with alumnus Andy Bazarian '86. Andy kindly offered to host students this summer if we pass through Hong Kong on our way to India. We certainly appreciate the offer. Immediately following Shirley and I met with the Head of School of a new venture called Think Global School. This program will begin in September of 2010 and will be a school which travels to a different major city every trimester. The faculty will accompany the students and they plan to be hosted at various schools around the world. WMA is investigating ways in which we might partner with this interesting niche school.
Then it was off to the airport for a quick 3 hour flight to Bangkok. Traffic around the Suvarnabhumi Airport was at a standstill and the usual 45 minute trip burgeoned into two hours. We barely made our dinner appointment with alumni Sakrapan "Geng" Emeegdool '72 and Kritipone "Ko" Dabbaransi '92. Because of that traffic two other alumni, Chalermpong Cheosakul '70 and Piyabutr Cholvijarn '69 were unable to join us. We will see them at the gala alumni reunion on Sunday evening. 
This morning I had breakfast with Mr. Critz Chan, father of Wing-Ho. We had an excellent discussion about the curriculum and scope of the educational experience at the Academy. We also discussed ways in which the Academy could attract more students from Hong Kong. Clearly there are many top-notch students in this vibrant city and more of them should be attending our school. 
After a short flight from Taipei to Hong Kong, we arrived amid this densely populated modern city. Traveling under the shadow of the 118 story International Commerce building, we reached our hotel and quickly dressed for dinner at the home of Mr. John Wright, the father of former student Sam Wright. Over a scrumptious dinner we solved all of the challenges facing WMA...and of the world. For those who knew Sam, he is doing quite well and now has his horses on campus with him. Thus, he can continue his dedicated preparation for the numerous jumping competitions with which he's involved.
Shirley and I were the WMA hosts for a fantastic dinner tonight at the Butterfly Restaurant with so many of the parents of our students from Taipei. The dinner arrangements were made by Taipei City residents George and Julie Wood (Michelle's '08 parents) and Mr. Wood's assistant, Angeline). The motorbikes were lined up in anticipation of our arrival. We were welcomed by a large screen announcing the WMA dinner. After a multi-course meal, it was my pleasure to talk to the parents about our drive to raise capital funds to renovate the campus center. This was followed by a Q and A period and then all, including yours truly, got involved in a bit of karaoke. Many fond memories of our last night in Taipei. 
This morning we had a very nice breakfast with Mr and Mrs. An. who are as anxiously awaiting college acceptances for Sanjin as he is. We then embarked on a day of cultural sightseeing with Jong Il's mother, Ah Young Chyun.
On my way to visit an educational consultant, I couldn't resist taking a few snapshots of a Halloween celebration outside the COEX Mall in Seoul. "Mr. Tar Heel", from what I could gather, was one of the teachers at the children's pre-school. I could only think how at home Mr. Lagomarsino and the entire Blake Middle School faculty would feel in Seoul today. Seeing the thousands of mums displayed Tournament-of-Roses-Parade style was also very interesting.
