 The 2006-2007 school year will go down as one of the most exciting years in the history of Avon Old Farms School. During this school year, two spectacular new facilities will open their doors and go into full operation. The new Student Center & Athletic Complex with Field House and the new Performing Arts Center are now accelerating toward climactic completions, the former in the early fall and the latter during the winter months. Built to complement founder Theodate Pope Riddle’s architectural vision on the boundary of Avon’s Village Green, these buildings will provide an amazing integration of student activity. What’s inside: the student center, school store, and game room; the post office; the fitness center, wrestling arena, and squash pavilion; the field house for all sports—75 yards long, 45 yards wide, 4 stories high; locker rooms, training room, and equipment cage; the Great Room or Commons for special meetings; the Hall of Fame; offices of the Provost, Dean of Students, and Director of Athletics; the 500 seat auditorium for morning meetings, presentations, plays, and concerts; and an entire floor in the Performing Arts Center dedicated to a flourishing music program. These new facilities will have a dramatic impact on every student every day!  Click here to view a photo gallery of the new construction.
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   While other Avon students were spending their summers relaxing, Richard Woodwell '08 was waking at six, taking a dip in the cold Maine waters, making breakfast, and sailing a 30-foot ketch (or rowing, if there wasn't wind!). And that was just his morning schedule. Richard was on a 15-day adventure at Outward Bound's Sea Program based in St. George's, Maine as this year's Woodwell Leadership Award recipient.
Richard sailed north and east along what is considered the wildest hundred miles of rocky coastline. Richard loved his adventure and said "I learned so much. It was my first time learning navigational skills. I also found the two-day solo experience on an island a challenge as it rained and my tarp leaked!" As Avon has prepared Richard to live in a community with others, he was able to gain more leadership skills in team-building and communication as he spent his two weeks with eight other students. Richard will never forget his summer odyssey--not just memories of seal or porpoise sightings--but the realization that he conquered new challenges and has gained some great life lessons. The Woodwell Leadership Award is offered to an "exemplary rising junior at Avon who demonstrates potential for community service and leadership." It enables a young man to attend the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School program of his choosing. In the fall of 2001, the Woodwell Award was established by Al O’Connor ’75 in memory of Richard’s father, and Al’s friend, “Woody” Woodwell '75. 
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 Mr. Brian Doyle Perhaps few people on campus are more excited about the opening of the new Student Center and Athletic Complex than Athletic Director Brian Doyle. He says, “The new facility is first class in every possible way! Not only are the main areas such as the field house/gym, wrestling room, squash courts, and weight room amazing, but Avon will also have facilities that we lacked before such as: locker rooms for all teams, meeting rooms for big and small groups, and a vast assortment of indoor training options. This is an awesome addition to the campus and will be a place where our students thrive.” Interestingly, Brian’s wife, Lara, operates the Hawk’s Nest (campus store) which will also be new and improved in the new building! Brian Doyle is about to enter his fourteenth year at Avon and his second as the leader of the athletic department. Mr. Doyle is an accomplished and beloved teacher, coach, mentor, and administrator. A former student comments, “Mr. Doyle really knows how to connect with young people. His sense of humor, obvious passion for his work, and genuine kindness made his class and his team a pleasure to be part of – he is a demanding yet enormously thoughtful person who has a special gift for his profession.” While the appointment to the athletic director position in May of 2005 was an enormous thrill and professional accomplishment, Mr. Doyle faced a unique challenge for the 2005-2006 school year. » Please click here to read more. |
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