Auction Action

With the Patriots Hall building project generating genuine excitement, the BA community again demonstrated its generosity by making the 2009 Dinner Auction an unbelievably successful night. The 250 attendees enjoyed a terrific evening of fun and camaraderie while never losing sight of the fact that the evening was designed to generate support for the campus-wide needs that Patriots Hall will create. Held for the first time at the Pfister Hotel, this year's theme, "Under Construction," truly captured the buzz that is surrounding Brookfield Academy.
Some of the highlights of the evening included an appearance by one of the world famous Milwaukee Brewer racing sausages, the unveiling of two videos: the student-produced Patriots Hall Library project video and Peter Eggert’s always excellent “Thanks, Mom and Dad!” video, not to mention an astounding $87,000 in "Raise the Paddle" for BA libraries.

The night culminated with a dance where guests truly showed that they are better bidders than they are dancers. There is no truth to the rumor that BA is going to replace the auction with a "Dancing with the Stars-type" event. Some of the revelers took "cutting a rug" a bit too literally. Fortunately there were no broken bones and all made it home safe.

When people ask how Brookfield Academy can continue to put together such an extraordinary auction, the answer is quite simple. The role played by our volunteers in organizing and executing this event is unequivocally the most important reason for its success. Led by co-chairs Amy Strong and Judi Balistreri, the volunteers are responsible for every facet of the event and they leave no stone unturned. Blogger joins with the rest of the BA community in thanking the co-chairs and the volunteer staff for their selfless effort. Not surprising, Blogger has heard that the volunteers are already busy planning the 2010 Dinner Auction, but strongly suggests they take a well-earned few days of vacation.

Blogger also thanks the many student volunteers who provide essential assistance to the auction.

Blogger and the students thank all who attended Under Construction for their enthusiastic support of Brookfield Academy. As Dr. Solsrud said in his opening remarks, "It doesn't get much better than this...."

Beam Me Up

With the Patriots Hall building project moving along at a rapid pace, the signed beam was recently lifted and placed in the southwest corner of the building. Over 800 people signed their name to the beam that was carefully lifted to its final location, where it will become part of the history of Patriots Hall. This was the last beam to be placed in Patriots Hall.

The building is really beginning to show progress. Although the rough winter put the construction schedule behind by almost three weeks, the builders have already made up all that time and are back on schedule. Walls are beginning to go up around the academic wing and the outer brick is being placed on the gymnasium. Blogger is amazed at how big the building is!

Be sure to check out the webcam for the latest look. BA Blogger recognizes Eggert Farm Productions for the photos of the beam placement.

Leaving A Mark

In a celebration of the future, BA students from Level A to Level 12, along with their teachers and staff, journeyed across the street to sign what will be the only beam in Patriots Hall, the new Upper School, not covered by bricks, dry wall or other building materials. Academy students, faculty and staff created a little history by signing their name and including some rather unique messages on one of the Patriots Hall 30' steel beams. And, of course, because this may be the only time BA students were allowed to write on school walls, over 800 people took full advantage of the opportunity! Throughout the course of the day students not only signed the beam, but were given an orientation on Patriots Hall. Despite the rather harsh winter, there has been great progress on the building project and students began to envision the location of the academic wing, the library, the student commons and the gymnasium. Students were especially surprised by the fact that the building will be double the size of the existing high school. When asked who could lift the 1200 pound steel beam, one student enthusiastically shouted "Chuck Norris" and all agreed that Chuck Norris was a worthy choice. "My mom," "my dad," "Superman and Superwoman," "Arnold Schwarzengger," and "me" were some of the other individuals presented as capable of lifting the large beam. Ironically, "Chuck Forklift" was not mentioned in the list of people capable of lifting the beam, but at the end of the day, this Chuck came and put the beam inside the job site. It is scheduled to be placed in the building sometime before spring break.
With the signing of the beam, students leave an indelible mark on their school and one that will live on far beyond their years at the Academy. When they return to visit campus, one suspects they will inevitably visit the beam and remember the day they left their mark on BA.
This was one of many activities planned to engage the students in the Patriots Hall building project. It is an exciting time for BA and the goal is for all to feel a part of the excitement. From the looks of the many smiling faces, putting their stamp on the future certainly accomplished that goal. To see pictures of each class signing the beam on this historical day, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/brookfieldacademy/sets/72157615033436960/ or watch live action of the day's events in this short video.

Cookies for the Construction Crew

Level A students in the Peter Rabbit program baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies and personally delivered them to the Patriots Hall construction site today. Before entering the job site, the kids checked in at the site manager's trailer to pick up their hard hats. Tromping through the wet and muddy conditions did not deter Brookfield Academy's youngest students. They happily presented their gift to a group of steel workers who had just finished their lunch break. The men were most appreciative of the tasty homemade treat! More photos from the construction site can be seen on Flickr

A Party For The Rest Of Us!

Six inches of snowfall didn't keep all the BA Alums from the 70s, 80s and 90s from partying last Saturday night!

The BA Alumni Association hosted the first ever "Party For The Rest Of Us" as an alternative to the traditional December Christmas party that attracts many college-aged alums.

The evening at Western Racquet Club in Elm Grove kicked off with cocktails and conversation as alums stretched their memories to answer trivia questions submitted by their classmates. (The complete list of questions can be found at the end of this post.)
During the fabulous Italian dinner, alums were treated to a power point showing the construction progress on Patriots Hall, the new Upper School, and prizes were awarded for the most correct trivia answers.

If you weren't able to attend this year's alternative party don't despair...it is likely to become an annual event! The full album of photos from the party can be seen on Flickr.

Trivia Questions - to play, submit your answers to baalumni@brookfieldacademy.org or ask for a list of answers if you're just curious.
1960s and 70s
1. Where did BA’s first basketball team practice at first?
2. What was Mr. Drez so afraid of?
3. What car did Mr. Hunt drive (’63-’64)?
4. What was Mme. Lugassy’s favorite punishment?
5. How many headmasters did BA have in 1977?
6. What was the Middle School building before BA bought it?
7. What was the first musical presented by BA drama?
8. Who was the girls’ JV basketball coach from 1977-78?
9. In which play did Bob Solsrud appear?

1980s
1. Who broke the glass backboard?
2. Who burped the alphabet live on WTMJ and on the PA system?
3. What was Mr. Hahn’s sports cheer?
4. What senior prank ended all senior pranks?
5. What was the name of the group that gathered for varsity basketball games?(Hint: led by a guy with a saxophone.)
6. What is the 100 gun salute? Who performed it?
7. What was the theme song for Sadie Hawkins in 1986?
8. In what class did we read Beowulf?
9. What famous music singer’s father directed plays at BA in the 80s?
10. Class of 83 – Who was our physics teacher?
11. What movie paralleled the 1985 ski trip punishment?

1990s
1. What BA teacher skateboarded during class?
2. Name three of the French teachers at BA from 1994-98.
3. When travelling to a sporting event on the team bus, what was the protocol to follow upon encountering a set of railroad tracks?
4. How does Mr. Rottman get to school?
5. Where did the BA van break down on the Heritage Club trip to Glacier Park?

Blogger Loves The Sound of Pounding Steel in the Morning

With aplogies to Robert Duvall for paraphrasing his most famous line, Blogger has been busy watching steel rise from the ground as the Patriots Hall project moves into another exciting phase.


Steelworkers are busy constructing the academic section of the school and the combination of large cranes setting the steel in place and the workers pounding the huge rivets makes for pretty cool sights and sounds.

In addition to the steel girders that are dominating the job site, the large brick column located in the northeast corner of the construction site is home to the elevator shaft. The large brick wall on the west end of the site is the outside wall of the athletic wing. In addition to rise of steel girders, there is a tremendous amount of concrete being poured. Weather has been a challenge, but our friends at Beyer Construction tell us we are just a bit behind their ambitious schedule.

Don't forget to occassionally visit the Patriots Hall webcam. It updates every minute and with the feverish pace of construction, the landscape is changing quite quickly.

Living the School-Year Theme Step-by-Step: Dr. Solsrud Hikes the Grand Canyon

Every year, Brookfield Academy chooses a theme to frame specific goals. In November 2008, Dr. Robert Solsrud, Head of School, found himself living out this year’s theme: “Be Uncommon: Appreciate, Aspire, Accomplish,” as he reached for a personal goal.

BE UNCOMMON Fewer than one percent of the 5 million annual visitors to the Grand Canyon actually hike into the Inner Canyon, where the mighty Colorado River courses between steep canyon walls. Dr. Solsrud became one of those uncommon adventurers when he hiked to the floor of the canyon and back.

APPRECIATE Dr. Solsrud stood in the cold, thin air at the South Rim’s 7,000 foot elevation, ready to take his first step down the South Kaibab Trail on a 7-mile descent to the floor of the canyon. He had anticipated this moment for eight months, ever since a stranger he met at a sandwich shop told him about his own Grand Canyon hike, piquing Solsrud’s interest. He read everything he could get his hands on about hiking the canyon and trained hard in preparation. Thankful for good health and the opportunity to undertake this adventure, he now stood at the rim, ready to test his mettle.

ASPIRE The aspiration to successfully hike in and out of the Inner Canyon was fueled when Solsrud watched the Jack Nicholson/Morgan Freeman movie, The Bucket List (2007), about goals the movie’s characters wish to accomplish before they die. Solsrud made hiking the Grand Canyon the top priority on his personal “bucket list.” He’d always enjoyed hiking and keenly appreciates the beauty of nature.

ACCOMPLISH He did it! When Solsrud safely returned to the rim from the 10-mile Bright Angel Trail two days after his descent into the canyon, he experienced relief first, and then a great sense of accomplishment. “I was so happy to have had the experience. Descending and ascending on the trails makes the canyon part of you in a way that cannot be experienced viewing it from the rim,” he said. “I now have a vastly different appreciation for the canyon. I didn’t really know what it was like until I hiked it.”