Paradise in the Pacific

Class Notes
Class of 1955
Posted on October 4, 2017

In July, Merry and I decided to give ourselves a change of venue. We rented our Carlsbad, CA, home for a year and are now happily residing in Kauai to be followed by a venture to the Big Island of Hawaii for the remainder of our year. There’re aren’t enough superlatives to describe marvelous Kauai. We’ve discovered that many folks who come here for a visit choose to stay. Eighty degree daily air and water temps plus gentle refreshing trade winds keep us in good spirits. The islanders are friendly, too, reflecting nature’s generous benevolence on the Garden Island. ’55ers John Moran, Peter Clapp, and Tom Crawford currently live in Hawaii and enjoy the unhurried lifestyle.

We empty nesters can travel and still keep in touch via the Internet for our Class Notes. I don’t have to call everyone repeatedly for news nowadays since obituaries are sadly filling up our column. Do keep your notes coming, though. We can have a mini-reunion three times a year via our Class Notes. They’re a pleasant respite from mortuary announcements and we all assuredly have vivid memories along the way that we would like to share with each other since our Deerfield Days 62 years ago!

Captions for the photos:
1. Hanauma Bay on the island of Oahu
2. The scenic Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail near Shipwreck Beach, Koloa, Kauai
3. The giant fig tree featured in the movie, Jurassic Park, located at Allerton Garden of the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Kauai
4. Waimea Canyon, commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon of Kauai, located in the Koke’e State Park
5. Tom and Merry L’Esperance on our lanai (porch) in Kalaheo, HI

Tom L’Esperance

1955

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of the Alumni Association?

Upon graduating from Deerfield, alumni enter a diverse network of former Deerfield students. Deerfield alumni have ventured into almost every area of employment, and many are at the top of their respective fields. The advantages of this vast network are numerous and significant, as every member of the Deerfield family receives the following:

Automatic subscription to Deerfield Magazine
Online subscription to the Deerfield Scroll
Access to the Deerfield Mobile App and directory
Invitations to special events both on and off campus
Eligibility for membership in a number of recognition societies

Alumni are also eligible for alumni awards, such as the Ashley Award, Heritage Award, and the Mimi Morsman Award.

As a member of the Alumni Association, do I have dues?

There are no membership fees or dues for members of the Deerfield family, but Deerfield does ask for assistance in a few areas. First of all, in order for Deerfield to have the most up-to-date records possible, we encourage members to keep us apprised of their current contact info. Alumni are also urged to direct all concerns and suggestions regarding Deerfield’s operations through the Executive Committee, the governing body of the Alumni Association. The committee acts as the voice of the alumni body, and works closely with the school administration. In order to keep tuition affordable and the quality of a Deerfield education at its highest, the Academy depends upon the continuing support of alumni and their families. This support can take the form of annual or capital gifts, or time spent volunteering on behalf of Deerfield.

How can I network with other alumni in my area?

There are Deerfield Clubs in many major American cities. Please visit here for more information on specific clubs and their sponsored events.

As a Deerfield alum, am I invited to campus athletic events and performances?

Of course! Be sure to read the latest issue of From Albany Road in your email’s in-box for current news of what is happening on campus. As we also send out periodic invitations, it’s always best to make sure we have your current physical address. And if you do plan on visiting campus, why not tell us ahead of time?

Contact the Office of Advancement

alumni@deerfield.edu
413-774-1474

7 Boyden Lane, PO Box 306
Deerfield, MA 01342

7 Boyden Lane, PO Box 87, Deerfield, MA 01342

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS: Deerfield Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.