Brewster students represent a dynamic mix of learners and thinkers. Athletes. Artists. Musicians. Math wizards. Lovers of science and poetry. Lovers of nature. Our 350 students come from two dozen states and more than 20 countries.
Brewster's vision is an approach to learning that has the exponential power to transform education, communities, and the lives of students. We cultivate competencies and qualities of character that will serve our students in the world and shape them into self-aware, capable adults.
We believe that "Brewster will be better because of me, and I will be better because of Brewster"—a principle that forms the foundation of our community core values: Respect, Responsibility, Independence, and Interdependence.
Live and learn in a location like no other—where you’re at the center of your learning experience and where you’ll discover your passions, your people, and your purpose.
Welcome to Brewster! We will help you discover your passions, unlock your potential, and prepare for a life you'll love—a life of purpose.
Inspire your creativity in the spectacular Rogers Building and Grayson Student Center, with professional-level facilities for theater, dance, music, and visual arts.
Explore the four-season beauty of Northern New England in our charming historic town of Wolfeboro, N.H., beside Lake Winnipesaukee, close to hiking, skiing, climbing, and more!
Connect with your interests, build lifelong friendships, and take advantage of 25+ clubs—plus opportunities in athletics, arts, community service, leadership, and more.
Engage in real-world learning and immerse yourself in different perspectives through your classes, Interim Studies, and Global Immersion opportunities.
There are 350 students in our student body.
Brewster is home to day and boarding students from 29 states and 23 countries, all bringing unique perspectives shaped by our shared community values.
We have more than 25 clubs and organizations on campus.
It's easy to start a new club with your passion and a faculty advisor. Each fall we hold an Activities Fair to promote existing clubs and introduce new ones—the hard part will be choosing!
Slices of pizza served each week from our wood-fired brick oven!
The Brewster Dining staff goes above and beyond to bring the community special meals. From Friday night pizza and wings to Tomlettes on Sunday to a variety of gluten-free options, there really is something for everyone.
The number of attendees at each Coffee House event.
Coffee Houses are a Brewster tradition where students perform in a warm, welcoming setting. Held in Faith Theater or the Grayson Student Center, these nights bring together performers, fans, and friends.
There are 1,082 holds in Brewster's indoor Climbing Barn!
Built in 1997, the Climbing Barn was one of the first indoor facilities of its kind in northern New England. It remains a favorite spot for beginners and seasoned climbers alike.
There are six ice cream shops in Wolfeboro.
Wolfeboro is known as the oldest summer resort in America, and its six ice cream shops are part of the charm. Students often stroll into town for a cone or dish in the warmer months.
Pets reside on campus.
Students benefit from living with and learning from the many faculty families that live on campus, and that includes their pets! Students can often be seen walking dogs around campus to help if they’re missing furry friends from back home.
We source ingredients from over 50 different local providers.
The Dining Services team works with local providers from New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts to obtain and serve sustainable, nutritious, and locally-sourced food for our students.
1/2-mile shoreline on Lake Winnipesaukee
Brewster boasts an expansive shoreline on Lake Winnipesaukee, home to the boathouse and dock for our crew and sailing programs. Brewster Beach is also a favorite spot for student activities during the warmer months.
There are 350 students in our student body.
Brewster is home to day and boarding students from 29 states and 23 countries, all bringing unique perspectives shaped by our shared community values.
We have more than 25 clubs and organizations on campus.
It's easy to start a new club with your passion and a faculty advisor. Each fall we hold an Activities Fair to promote existing clubs and introduce new ones—the hard part will be choosing!
Slices of pizza served each week from our wood-fired brick oven!
The Brewster Dining staff goes above and beyond to bring the community special meals. From Friday night pizza and wings to Tomlettes on Sunday to a variety of gluten-free options, there really is something for everyone.
The number of attendees at each Coffee House event.
Coffee Houses are a Brewster tradition where students perform in a warm, welcoming setting. Held in Faith Theater or the Grayson Student Center, these nights bring together performers, fans, and friends.
There are 1,082 holds in Brewster's indoor Climbing Barn!
Built in 1997, the Climbing Barn was one of the first indoor facilities of its kind in northern New England. It remains a favorite spot for beginners and seasoned climbers alike.
There are six ice cream shops in Wolfeboro.
Wolfeboro is known as the oldest summer resort in America, and its six ice cream shops are part of the charm. Students often stroll into town for a cone or dish in the warmer months.
Pets reside on campus.
Students benefit from living with and learning from the many faculty families that live on campus, and that includes their pets! Students can often be seen walking dogs around campus to help if they’re missing furry friends from back home.
We source ingredients from over 50 different local providers.
The Dining Services team works with local providers from New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts to obtain and serve sustainable, nutritious, and locally-sourced food for our students.
1/2-mile shoreline on Lake Winnipesaukee
Brewster boasts an expansive shoreline on Lake Winnipesaukee, home to the boathouse and dock for our crew and sailing programs. Brewster Beach is also a favorite spot for student activities during the warmer months.
For more than 30 years, Brewster has cultivated a unique team-based, collaborative, and student-centered educational model to prepare students for lives of purpose. Based on evidence-based best practices, our approach is both challenging and transformative. The Brewster Model® is intentionally designed to ensure that every student within our global community of diverse thinkers can THRIVE.
Our supportive team environment helps you understand yourself, learn from others, and experience the joy of achieving together.
You’ll receive the optimal levels of challenge and support for your unique needs and build strategies for success at Brewster and beyond.
There are so many opportunities to explore new perspectives and interests and find your path in life at Brewster.
Learning opportunities beyond the classroom, Instructional Support, and other resources are truly integrated into your learning experience.
You can shape your studies to your interests and goals, and prepare with an expansive selection of course offerings.
Our teachers’ expertise is honed through professional development and the Brewster Summer Institute.
newsAugust 27, 2025
Topsides Bed & Breakfast will be transformed into a new residence hall.
newsAugust 21, 2025
Congratulations, Mr. Browher!
newsAugust 21, 2025
Get to know our newest Arts faculty member Melanie Fedorowicz in this Q&A
newsAugust 13, 2025
A day to honor Brewster athletes who changed the game
eventsSeptember 22, 2025
Join us for the Bobcat Open Golf Tournament in September!
newsAugust 7, 2025
The 2025 Back to School Guide and orientation schedules are now available.
In August, Brewster purchased Topsides Bed & Breakfast, a stately house located at 209 South Main Street next to Anderson Hall. Going forward, the gracious five bedroom home will be transformed into a beautiful new dormitory. Head of School Kristy Kerin shared that in addition to a new life, the building will also have a new name. “The names of our alumni are associated with so many good works and deeds, and now, another alumnus’s name will forever be part of our campus map. I am pleased to announce that Brewster’s newest dorm will be named Bradley House—named for Bradley Grayson, a Class 2014 Brewster graduate.
Bradley’s father, Peter, is a longtime Brewster Trustee. “Our family is connected to Brewster for so many reasons, not the least of which is Bradley’s positive experience here on campus,” Peter shared. “I’m so pleased we could help Brewster acquire this premier property.”
Since graduating from Brewster in 2014, Bradley earned a bachelor’s degree from Hobart & William Smith Colleges. After college, he worked in sales and marketing before pursuing a career in finance. He currently works for Merrill Lynch in New York City.
When the Inn’s owners retired this spring, Brewster had the opportunity to purchase the property and expand our dorm offerings. The building required minimal interventions to transition from an inn to a dormitory. The community life parent will live in the innkeepers’ apartment. The former owners’ den will become a cozy dorm common room. Wireless internet and access control doors will be added to complete the transition. Kerin expressed her thanks to the Facilities and IT departments for coordinating the work. “They made a plan in short order, ensuring that the new building will be ready to welcome students this fall.”
The gift from the Grayson Family that made the Topsides purchase possible is just the most recent example of their dedication to Brewster. The Grayson Student Center was so named because of Peter’s founding gift to the Reimagine Rogers project—and the resulting space has quickly become the heart and hub of our creative, artistic, and innovative programs. Likewise, the Grayson Performing Arts Center in Anderson Hall is home to All School meetings and community concerts, musicals, and events.
Kerin expressed her deep appreciation to the Grayson Family: “I can’t thank the Graysons enough for their commitment and vision. The impact they have made at Brewster cannot be overstated. I look forward to generations of students being able to live, learn, and build lasting friendships together in Bradley House.”
By Kara McDuffee
“I want to teach my students to learn how to create their own meaning.”
This is what history faculty Jonathan Browher cites as the driving force behind his 14-year teaching tenure at Brewster. It’s also what helped earn him the title of New Hampshire’s 2025 State History Teacher of the Year, awarded by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (an honor that feels especially meaningful given his roots in the Granite State). The annual recognition program, presented by the nation’s leading nonprofit for K-12 American history education, celebrates one outstanding teacher from each state for their dedication, creativity, and effective use of primary sources. These teachers each received a $1,000 prize.
Browher didn’t always see himself as a teacher. Early in college, he thought journalism might be his path, but a series of history courses changed his trajectory. “I realized it wasn’t just about learning facts,” he recalls. “It’s about learning how to experience history as an apprentice learns a trade, and to learn how to dive into and make sense of primary sources.” A women’s history course at Bates College taught by a professor connected to the Gilder Lehrman Institute left a lasting impression, sparking a deep respect for the organization that would one day honor him.
In his classroom today, Browher works to recreate that same spark for his students. Lessons move beyond rote memorization to hands-on historical inquiry. Students might interpret primary sources by literally taking sides in the room, or deliberate on complex, unsolved dilemmas such as the future of healthcare or questions of governance. “I try to make history generative,” he says. “Students should walk away not just knowing what happened, but able to make sense of it for themselves.”
This teaching style can be fun, but it certainly isn’t always easy. Browher’s courses are known for their rigor, especially his AP U.S. History. But in line with Brewster’s mission, rigor doesn’t mean rigidity. Browher is always differentiating his curriculum, both engaging his students and tapping into their unique skill sets and perspectives. The results can be transformative.
Brewster alumna Maura McDonald ’18 is proof of this. She recounts that she felt uncertain to join Browher’s AP U.S. History class, given her learning differences and challenges with traditional testing. “Mr. Browher went out of his way to ensure I was supported and could succeed,” she remembers, recounting that he allowed oral exams and measured her knowledge of the subject, not just her ability to write it down on paper. “He met me where I was and allowed me the space to grow.”
That growth was substantial. “He inspired me to work harder than I ever had,” Maura said. “I credit much of my success in adult life to the confidence his class gave me.” An Environmental Studies and Parks, Recreation, and Tourism major from the University of Vermont, Maura now works as an Account Executive for a national educational tours company.
It should be no surprise that Browher also models growth as a teacher. He’s continually evolving his teaching through conferences, professional development, and collaboration. He borrows from research-based practices like Harvard’s Project Zero and the Case Method Institute, finding ways to make learning active and collaborative. “When you see what your students can contribute, you’re constantly wondering, ‘How will they respond to this? What if I tried this?’” he said. “It creates this positive feedback loop that makes you want to keep finding new ways to teach.”
He credits part of his professional growth to the opportunities and flexibility he’s had as a teacher at Brewster, but he also emphasizes that it’s curiosity—his own and his students’—that keeps him motivated.
Not surprisingly, Browher’s love of learning doesn’t stop with students. He’s also inspired by working with colleagues and academic leaders at Brewster, which is part of the reason he earned Brewster’s prestigious Arthur Morris Kenison Career Growth Award in 2018. Whether it’s leading a Professional Learning Community on visible thinking routines, presenting on how to foster student-led discussions, starting a summer book club, or regularly facilitating department meetings where members of the History Department practice tools to expand their teaching, he’s known for his love of professional sharing. Beyond Brewster, he’s presented at annual conferences for NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) and NCSS (National Council for the Social Studies).
Browher leads with passion and community outside of teaching, too. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Wolfeboro Area Children’s Center, as well as the Castle Preservation Society for Castle in the Clouds in Moultonboro. Chairing the educational committee for this National Historic Landmark and hiking trail system seems fitting, as it combines everything Browher loves: history, education, and the outdoors. At Brewster, he also serves as the Outdoor Skills Coordinator and leads all outdoor climbing and activities programs.
It’s clear that Browher feels purpose in building opportunities for students and teachers alike. This is part of the reason earning New Hampshire History Teacher of the Year was such an honor. “The Gilder Lehrman Institute does so much for teachers, so being recognized by them means a lot to me.”
Still, he is already thinking ahead. He talks about continuing to explore how historical study can prepare young people for a world full of conflicting narratives and constant information. “Thinking is more important than ever,” he says. “If students can question, evaluate, and make meaning for themselves, they’ll be ready for whatever comes next.”
By Suzanne Morrissey
Lifelong artist Melanie Fedorowicz is new to Brewster’s Fine Arts faculty, bringing 18 years of art teaching experience to her role. Passionate about helping students discover their creative voice, Ms. Fedorowicz enjoys teaching all ages and sharing her love of art history, diverse cultures, and varied techniques. We sat down to get to know this dancing painter, traveling reader, and singing baker from Keene, N.H. by way of Boston a little bit better!
Q. Easy stuff first: We heard you like to sing and are not afraid to jump on a karaoke stage. What’s your go-to karaoke song when there’s a mic in hand?
A. This so depends on the vibe and crowd, but “Zombie” by The Cranberries is one I always keep in my back pocket!
Q. What attracted you to Brewster?
A. Its team approach to education, where collaboration and connection are at the core of what we do. I admire the Brewster Model, its core values and what those philosophies can bring to our students. Meeting students where they’re at and supporting them to be their best selves through thoughtful and meaningful curriculum and approaches that fit different types of learners and varied interests is really incredible.
Q. And Keene is where you began teaching, correct?
A. Yes. I started teaching Visual Art at Keene High School in 2007. While working, I pursued my Masters of Art in Education at UMass Amherst. In 2020, I started K-8 art teaching at Chesterfield School in Chesterfield, N.H.
Q. And you’ll hit your 20th anniversary as an art teacher here at Brewster!
A. Yes I will. I’ve always loved making art and knew I wanted a career where I got to share that passion and joy with others. I took many education courses while at UNH but then decided to pursue Museum Education out of college. My love of art history and learning and teaching about different cultures and artists is evident in my classroom. I enjoy teaching learners of all ages, small children to retired adults, myriad artistic techniques and to find something in themselves they didn’t see before. My biggest joy is watching students take pride in their work and grow creatively and artistically.
Q. What do you say to a student who says "I don't have any art skills. I'm not creative."
A. We all have the potential to be creative, just many have lost it. I always say, start with something you love as an inspiration for your own work and, when in doubt, draw a dragon...I meet students where they're at, give them the skills and tools they need to be successful and improve, and give a lot of positive and meaningful formative feedback.
Q. And have you seen that turnaround in your students?
A. I have taught the full range, K-12 and beyond, and it never ceases to amaze how different we all are, yet how similar at the same time. Recently, I taught art at a camp for students with cognitive and/or physical differences. One student, who had limited verbal expression, told his aide he didn't like art…really didn't like art. After our first session, he and his aide came up to me and told me that he loves art and can't wait to make it tomorrow. It's examples like this that keep me doing what I'm doing.
Q. Which art medium or technique do you personally find most relaxing to work with?
A. Watercolor paint—you can create small watercolor studies, which can be done on the go or in a short period of time, which I like.
Q. Do you remember a piece of art or a moment when you realized, “I want to be an artist”?
A. I remember creating a large figurative painting my senior year in high school that started to show my own style. I thought, this is really something I want to do when I'm older! I began making more paintings in that style showing my work around Keene.
Q. If you could spend a day with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
A. Oh, this is a really hard one but I would have to say Frida Kahlo. She was such an interesting and influential female artist who really pushed the boundaries and subject matter for her time. She was very eccentric and intelligent and it would be so fun to walk around her Casa Azul in Mexico City with all of her animals she kept and cared for.
Q. What’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to, and did it inspire any art projects?
A. Italy holds a special place in my heart for so many reasons. My mom's side is Italian so I've always been drawn to Italy for ancestral reasons in addition to the art and beauty. I also studied abroad there in college and took high school students there while at Keene High School. Recently, I went with my whole family—my kids, parents, sisters, and niece and I actually painted a few paintings from photos I took on that trip. Most of my work focuses on places I've traveled both solo or with family or friends.
Q. You’ve got a full house with your husband, young daughters, a pooch, and two cats! How do you spend what little downtime you have?
A. When I’m not working, I love to spend time with family and friends, paint, bake, be outside walking or lounging with a good book, travel, and try as many gluten-free pastries as I can find. You know I love to sing, and you will often find me out on a dance floor!
Q. Very important final question: What is your go-to pizza order?
A. Well, I am gluten free, but there are some excellent choices out there. If I'm at home, it's 100% Against the Grain's frozen Pesto Pizza and if I'm out, I usually go for a classic pepperoni.
By Suzanne Morrissey
On Saturday, August 2, members of the Brewster community gathered for one of its most treasured traditions—the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The 2025 celebration honored seven individual inductees and one unforgettable team whose achievements and character have left a lasting imprint on the school.
Head of School Kristy Kerin opened the ceremony, extending a warm welcome to alumni, families, friends, and special guests—among them former Head of School Dr. Michael Cooper and his wife Andrea, Board Chair Roy Ballentine, trustees Jean Regnier and Ronn Bronzetti, and the faculty, staff, and coaches who shaped the journeys of this year’s honorees.
“I absolutely love Hall of Fame ceremonies,” Kerin began. “There’s something really special about pausing to honor the people who have left an undeniable mark on a place we all care so deeply about. I love the stories. The standout moments. The victories. The failures. And the lessons learned along the way.”
She reminded the audience that Hall of Fame status can sound immense—after all, inductees are memorialized in the history of the school in perpetuity. “But today’s honorees are the kind of people who made greatness feel...human. They worked hard, they lifted others, and they engaged fully in our community.”
The Baxters: A Love Story on Skis
The ceremony began with a tribute to Harry Baxter, Class of 1950, and Martha White Baxter, Class of 1952—a couple whose shared passion for skiing took them from Wolfeboro’s local slopes to the peaks of international acclaim.
Born and raised in the Wolfeboro area, both Harry and Martha first made their mark skiing and winning races at Abenaki before joining Brewster’s ski team. After serving in Korea, Harry built his reputation as a racer and instructor with the Hannes Schneider Ski School in North Conway. By 1959, he was Ski School Director at Whittier Ski Area in Ossipee, N.H., with Martha—also a certified instructor—by his side as mentor and organizer.
Their talents soon carried them to Sugarloaf in Maine, where from 1964 to 1974 they transformed the fledgling resort, making the sport fun and accessible to all. Together, they pioneered programs for blind skiers and amputee veterans—initiatives ahead of their time in adaptive sports.
Harry later served as marketing director at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming, with Martha managing guest services and ski school operations. Over 21 years, they helped establish Jackson Hole as a world-class destination, bringing World Cup events to the slopes and fostering a culture of inclusion and joy.
Harry, who skied until age 92, was inducted into multiple ski halls of fame and earned the U.S. Recreation Ski and Sport Pioneer Award. Martha, who retired from the sport at 87, joined the Maine Ski Hall of Fame in 2023. Harry passed away in January 2025, but their story remains a testament to dedication—to sport, to community, and to each other.
Accepting on their behalf, Board Chair Roy Ballentine spoke as a longtime friend. “The Baxters were married for 72 years—a romance that began when they were both students at Brewster,” he said, adding that Harry taught all five of the Ballentine kids, including himself, how to ski. He recalled Harry skiing from the daunting top of Mount Whittier. “Mount Whittier had no snow making and had a main slope that was so intimidating that when seen from the highway, most people drove right past it to someplace that was easier,” he recalled. Smiling, he shared a lighter memory: “The legend goes that Martha never shopped for meat or fish at a grocery store—she became a master chef of whatever Harry brought home.” His personal reflections on an amazing couple who helped bring the sport of skiing to new heights set the tone for a heartfelt, emotional afternoon of sharing stories and gratitude.
Dodie Dunson II: Perseverance and Purpose
From Bloomington, Illinois, Dodie Dunson arrived at Brewster in 2005 as a postgraduate basketball player with a gift for the game and a drive to succeed. Under Coach Jason Smith, he became an All-NEPSAC Class A selection before moving on to Division I basketball at Iowa State University and later Bradley University.
Dunson’s early years in college presented academic challenges, but his persistence paid off. Earning a place on Bradley’s Athletic Director’s Honor Roll his first semester, he repeated the achievement every term thereafter. On the court, his senior season brought honors including MVC Scholar Athlete First Team and selection as a Lowe’s Senior CLASS All-American.
After college, Dunson dedicated himself to coaching and community service, founding the Dodie Dunson II Foundation and, in 2024, becoming head coach of women’s basketball at Lewis University in Illinois.
Taking the podium, Dunson began with gratitude. “First, I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—without Him I would not be where I am today.” Turning to Coach Smith, he admitted, “I’m going to hold back tears. You took a chance on me, a kid from a small town in Illinois, sight unseen. A lot of the things you taught me about high character, integrity, values, discipline, resilience—I’m teaching my daughters now.”
He thanked his parents for instilling the belief that he could achieve anything through hard work, and closed by acknowledging his wife of 10 years.
Ryder Garnsey: Hometown Hero
Few names in lacrosse are as recognizable as Ryder Garnsey, Class of 2014. A native of Wolfeboro and the son of longtime Brewster staff member Fred Garnsey, Ryder was a multi-sport athlete at Brewster, playing lacrosse, hockey, and golf. By graduation, he was the school’s all-time leading scorer in lacrosse.
At the University of Notre Dame, Garnsey’s achievements included ACC Freshman of the Year and multiple All-American honors. Professionally, he plays for the PLL’s California Redwoods, earning All-Pro and All-Star recognition, and serves on Notre Dame’s coaching staff, helping guide the team to back-to-back NCAA Division I titles in 2023 and 2024.
Unable to attend in person, Garnsey sent a video message filled with heartfelt thanks. He recognized his teachers, advisors, and coaches. He spoke warmly of his teammates, lifelong friends who remain in daily contact.
His words for his family brought smiles and laughter: “Mom, my former teammates still talk about the thousands of batches of cookies you made—usually fresh before games because you knew everyone liked them better that way. You were the team mom without the title, and you dominated that role.” Then, to his father: “You were an average lacrosse coach, but a hell of a dad and an incredible person.”
Fred Garnsey took the stage to share his pride. Joking about Ryder’s BMPs, he spoke seriously about the special role Brewster played in shaping his son’s life, assuring everyone that Ryder is an incredible young man making his dreams come true today. “Anyone who has gone to school here or worked here understands how special this place is, and on behalf of my family, I say thank you.”
Devonte’ Graham: From Wolfeboro to the World Stage
In 2013, Devonte’ Graham left his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, to spend a postgraduate year at Brewster—a decision that would propel him to national championships and an NBA career.
At Brewster, Graham earned First Team All-NEPSAC honors and led the Bobcats to both a NEPSAC Class AAA Championship and a National Prep Championship. At the University of Kansas, he collected a staggering list of honors, including Big-12 Player of the Year and consensus First Team All-American.
Drafted into the NBA in 2018, Graham has played for the Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Pelicans, and San Antonio Spurs, and will now take his talents to Serbia’s Euroleague.
In a video message, Graham said, “That year at Brewster was an adjustment for me, but it helped me a lot in the future. For me and my family, it is a very big honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.” He offered “shout outs” to friends and mentors, noting that his enduring relationship with Coach Smith speaks to the bonds formed at Brewster. With a grin he added, “Shout out Lake Winnipesaukee! I wish I could be there.”
Donovan Mitchell Jr.: More Than Basketball
When Donovan Mitchell transferred to Brewster in 2013, he was seeking growth—on the court and in life. Over two years, he became a two-time NEPSAC and National Prep champion, team MVP, and, notably, Senior Prefect, a role he still calls his proudest achievement.
After two standout seasons at the University of Louisville, Mitchell entered the NBA in 2017 as the 13th overall draft pick. Now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he is a six-time NBA All-Star, an All-NBA First Team selection, and one of the league’s most dynamic scorers.
Mitchell returned to Wolfeboro for the first time in a decade to accept his Hall of Fame honor. Joking that he wanted Connor Wells to introduce him at every event after the Director of Athletics shared a long list of the former Bobcat’s achievements, Mitchell got another laugh when he said he’s upset “this place wasn’t here when I was here,” motioning to the renovated and now-modern Rogers building where the ceremony was held. He shared that he felt a wave of nostalgia after seeing local favorites like Three Sisters Country Store, Huck’s Hoagies, and the exact spot where he and his mom decided Brewster would be the place for him even though it was the farthest he had ever been from home. “It reminded me of the kid who was a baseball player,” he said. “I didn’t think I was capable of playing at the level of Devonte’ Graham” and other basketball players at that time. But with his coaches’ encouragement, he found that he excelled on the court. Mitchell thanked his parents for allowing him to go to Brewster, where he said Coach Smith's lessons on discipline helped him not only as a player but as a man.
“I tell my fiancée every day that our kids are going to boarding school—it prepares you for not only college but life,” he said, thanking teachers, coaches, and friends for shaping his Brewster experience.
Even with his professional accolades, Mitchell told the audience, “Being able to be class prefect is what I really model my life around. Even with all the basketball accolades, it’s being class prefect that means the most to me and it’s definitely the one I brag about the most because this experience is much bigger than basketball.”
Mitchell closed his speech by acknowledging his fiancee of one month. “This is the first time I’m giving a speech where I can call you my fiancee, so that’s very special,” he said.
The 2015 Prep Basketball Team: A Brotherhood of Champions
The 2015 team dominated its season, winning the NEPSAC Class AAA regular season title, the championship, and the National Prep Championship—marking back-to-back national titles for the program. Five players went on to the NBA, with others finding success in the G League and overseas.
Representing the team, Donovan Mitchell returned to the podium. “Coming off a national championship, it’s easy for guys to come in relaxed, but this team wanted to work, wanted to be the best. That’s what made this crew special.” He highlighted the leadership of Coach Lee, whose message was simple: whether up by 40 or down by 40, play with the same mindset.
Mitchell offered a special nod to teammate Sam Kiley, “the energy guy” who brought positivity to every 5 a.m. practice, even in freezing weather.
Closing Reflections
As the ceremony drew to a close, Director of Athletics Connor Wells addressed the inductees: “Please know that you have impacted all of us in this community—YOUR community—and thousands of Brewster students who will read your inscriptions in the Turner Hall of Fame Room.”
Director of Advancement John Northrop summed up the day: “I was struck by the words of each inductee, who spoke about the special people and place that made Brewster the school it was when they attended, and is today. What a great group of athlete scholars in our Hall of Fame Class of 2025.”
To see photos of the Hall of Fame induction, click here.
To read about all of the Brewster Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, current and past, click here.
Proceeds from this event directly support student scholarships. The growth and success of more than one third of our students are made possible by this financial support. Scholarships provide educational opportunities and empower students who otherwise would not have the means to pursue their academic dreams at Brewster.
2025 Bobcat Open Tournament Schedule
Monday, September 22, 2025
Registration with Continental Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.
Shotgun Start: 8:30 a.m.
Reception and Awards: 1:30 p.m.
Tournament Reception will take place outdoors, so please watch the weather and dress accordingly.
If you’re eager to get into the back-to-school groove, take a peek at the New Student and Parent Orientation Schedule here or the Returning Student and Parent Orientation Schedule here. You can see all the arrival dates and times (pre-season athletes, student leaders, etc.) on the main School Calendar here. We also have a handy Back to School Guide here, with lots of helpful information to make sure you have the smoothest start to 2025-26.
Questions? Just reach out to Admissions Office Manager Marsha Brooks at (603) 569-7200.
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Topsides Bed & Breakfast will be transformed into a new residence hall.
Read more
Congratulations, Mr. Browher!
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Get to know our newest Arts faculty member Melanie Fedorowicz in this Q&A
Read more
A day to honor Brewster athletes who changed the game
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Join us for a half-day event to learn more about Brewster!
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New families, join us for a casual welcome BBQ! (This event is optional.)
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Join us for the Bobcat Open Golf Tournament in September!
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Save the Date for Grandparents’ Day on Tuesday, September 23, 2025!
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