Happily Ever After The Hilltop 2023
This Valentine’s Day enjoy a good love story! We have collected the stories of some of KUA’s couples who either met while students on The Hilltop or found their way to each other in their years after graduation.
Want to be included next year? Send us your story!
May (Herbert) Lillie '94 & Justin Lillie '96
What is the story of how you met?
Unbeknownst to us, our love story likely started at KUA, but then took a decade of circling around each other before understanding that our friendship was something more. May came from Sweden her freshman year and was interviewed for the school newspaper by Justin’s sister, Jessica Lillie ’91. We both were on the KUA Alpine team and spent many days at Whaleback Mountain, which coincidentally is where one of our first memories together happened. We deepened our relationship while working together at Whaleback while Justin was coaching May’s nieces and nephew, Addie ’09, Charlotte ’11, and Jim ’14. We are acutely aware that the influence of Tim ‘83 and Sally ‘84 Herbert’s own KUA lovestory led us to follow our hearts toward each other.
Unbeknownst to us, our love story likely started at KUA, but then took a decade of circling around each other before understanding that our friendship was something more. May came from Sweden her freshman year and was interviewed for the school newspaper by Justin’s sister, Jessica Lillie ’91. We both were on the KUA Alpine team and spent many days at Whaleback Mountain, which coincidentally is where one of our first memories together happened. We deepened our relationship while working together at Whaleback while Justin was coaching May’s nieces and nephew, Addie ’09, Charlotte ’11, and Jim ’14. We are acutely aware that the influence of Tim ‘83 and Sally ‘84 Herbert’s own KUA lovestory led us to follow our hearts toward each other.
What is your favorite KUA memory as a couple?
During ski practice, May, already stuck in deep powder, watched as Justin noticed her and at the same time wiped out in front of her, despite being the better skier. We found ourselves laughing out loud on Spout! We had no idea that we would be eventually bringing up three kids who also share their love for alpine and nordic skiing.
During ski practice, May, already stuck in deep powder, watched as Justin noticed her and at the same time wiped out in front of her, despite being the better skier. We found ourselves laughing out loud on Spout! We had no idea that we would be eventually bringing up three kids who also share their love for alpine and nordic skiing.
What are you up to now?
Justin is now the Director and Head Coach of Woodstock Ski Runners, an Alpine and Nordic ski program. Justin also works with the Killington Mountain School in support of our son Fisher’s mountain bike aspirations. May is a registered nurse, and has switched from hospital nursing at DHMC to being a school nurse at The Putney School. This has allowed for summers off to enjoy their farm and help with their business, Eureka Kombucha.
Together they live on Lillie Brook Farm with their three children, Luna, Fisher and Anja.
Katie (Anson-Chapman) Mans ’98 & Peter Mans ’98
What is the story of how you met?
We met in Mr McClain's Modern European History class, Katie's first day as a new (scared) sophomore boarder, Pete in his second year as a day student. Pete reports Katie was "very pretty".
We met in Mr McClain's Modern European History class, Katie's first day as a new (scared) sophomore boarder, Pete in his second year as a day student. Pete reports Katie was "very pretty".
What is your favorite KUA memory as a couple?
Our favorite memory KUA was the horse in Miller.
What are you up to now?
Katie (Sanders) Barrette ’00 & Dave Barrette ’05
What is the story of how you met?
Kaitlyn and Dave met through her brother Ryan Sanders ’05 in 1999. Ryan and Dave have been friends since Middle School and played Basketball and Football together. Long Story short, Dave married his best friend’s sister. They started dating around Christmas 2007 after both being home for School break. After dating long distance for a few months they moved into together in RI, where Kait went to RWU Law and Dave went to JWU Culinary School. 5 Years later they were married. 5 Years after that, they had their beautiful Daughter, Zoey. And another 5 Years after that, they had their amazing Son, Jack. They are great at 5-year-plans!
What is your favorite KUA memory as a couple?
Since Kait and Dave didn't go to KUA at the same time, they don't have memories from school age together, but they do have a blast at the reunions! The classes of ’00 and ’05 know how to party! They also have had a lot of fun at KUA weddings from our classmates getting hitched.
Since Kait and Dave didn't go to KUA at the same time, they don't have memories from school age together, but they do have a blast at the reunions! The classes of ’00 and ’05 know how to party! They also have had a lot of fun at KUA weddings from our classmates getting hitched.
What are you up to now?
Kait and Dave moved back to Hanover, NH from Orlando in 2017 and had their two wonderful kids, Zoey and Jack. In Orlando, Kaitlyn was a foreclosure litigation attorney, and Dave a Chef at Disney. When they moved to Hanover, they decided to buy a long-standing kitchen store in Hanover called Main Street Kitchens. They have run Main Street Kitchens for almost 5 years now and love being back in the Upper Valley where they both grew up.
Allison Oropallo ’01 & Gretchen Gottwald ’02
What is the story of how you met?
In 1998, we met at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York where we had been selected to play ice hockey. While there, during downtime we played basketball with the other trainees. You might think our athleticism would transfer from one sport to another. Alas, our talent on the ice remained in the rink. We were terrible basketball players and bonded on the court. And truly, that is the first place our spark ignited. We became pen pals. The Oropallo-Gottwald (OG) relationship was cemented in letter-writing. Before Gretch transferred to KUA for her sophomore year, we spoke on the phone each night. Allison had a reputation for hogging the Welch payphone. With the help of Mr. Williams, Gretch transferred to KUA her sophomore year and we were inseparable.
What is your favorite KUA memory as a couple?
Once we were both on the KUA campus, the payphone was replaced by our walkie-talkies. We talked late into the night from our own rooms. We were formidable teammates on the Ice Hockey team. We relished every moment we got together at KUA because we didn’t think it was even a possibility to have a life together afterwards. This is a really interesting question to consider 23 years later because revealing our sexuality, nevermind our relationship, in 1998 was not an option. We did not experience a lot of overt homophobia but culturally, as teenagers living away from home, we understood that we should be safe and quiet about our love for each other. We were not an open couple at KUA but are so encouraged that KUA is a supportive and thriving place for young, gay people today.
Once we were both on the KUA campus, the payphone was replaced by our walkie-talkies. We talked late into the night from our own rooms. We were formidable teammates on the Ice Hockey team. We relished every moment we got together at KUA because we didn’t think it was even a possibility to have a life together afterwards. This is a really interesting question to consider 23 years later because revealing our sexuality, nevermind our relationship, in 1998 was not an option. We did not experience a lot of overt homophobia but culturally, as teenagers living away from home, we understood that we should be safe and quiet about our love for each other. We were not an open couple at KUA but are so encouraged that KUA is a supportive and thriving place for young, gay people today.
What are you up to now?
We are living our dream. We have been in the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years and own our home in Sonoma County. Yes, of course, we adore our wine country living! Allison is a renowned carpenter and teacher who has appeared on HGTV and continues to teach construction, wood shop, engineering, and photography. Currently, she teaches in San Rafael, CA and is the lead instructor for Girls Garage in Berkeley, CA. Gretchen is an SEO Director in Marin County. All of this pales in comparison to our biggest news - Gretch gave birth to our twin babies in December 2021: Mazlo and Nash Oropallo-Gottwald. The OG girls! We feel especially blessed that we were able to enjoy 23 years together before having our children. There is such an advantage to having a long relationship, knowing each other so well, and bringing two girls into this world. We look forward to sharing our KUA stories with our daughters: how we used walkie-talkies late into the night to get acquainted and provide a safe haven to each other as we discovered our love. Most definitely, we will relate to their distinct dispositions: girls who have different personalities, different physical features, one that leans towards offense and one who is definitely a defensewoman. We have always been teammates and now have our own [team of] four OG Girls. Someday we’ll show them KUA - the place where Mom and Amo met.
Jesse Gendron ’02 & Mallory (Lefebvre) Gendron ’04
What is the story of how you met?
Jesse and Mallory met at an open mic night at Flickinger Art Center on a closed weekend. Jordan Loessor ’02 was playing the guitar and Jesse was singing. He then walked Mallory to her dorm at Hall Farm. Soon after, Headmaster Knox called "Headmaster’s Day," which in the fall was Mountain day. Jesse and Mallory both climbed Mount Cardigan with their friends and then met at the top and walked down the mountain together. Soon after they began dating and that last 20 years are history!
Jesse and Mallory met at an open mic night at Flickinger Art Center on a closed weekend. Jordan Loessor ’02 was playing the guitar and Jesse was singing. He then walked Mallory to her dorm at Hall Farm. Soon after, Headmaster Knox called "Headmaster’s Day," which in the fall was Mountain day. Jesse and Mallory both climbed Mount Cardigan with their friends and then met at the top and walked down the mountain together. Soon after they began dating and that last 20 years are history!
What is your favorite KUA memory as a couple?
One of their favorite memories was when their friend Alicia Cerrone ’04 (formerly Sargent) coordinated Jesse flying home for Mallory's senior prom. Former faculty members Bill and Shelly Farrell helped hide Jesse in their Volkswagen van and surprised Mallory before leaving for prom!
What are you up to now?
Mallory and Jesse have started to teach their girls how to ski and ice skate. Jesse has enjoyed teaching their oldest daughter Hattie all about mountain biking. They are looking forward to some outdoor family adventures this year as their girls get older. Jesse is in his 6th year as a UPS driver. Mallory is in her 15th year of public school teaching. They continue to look forward to the spring when they can be back on Bear Island,Lake Winnipesaukee.
Justene (Larnerd) Dorr ’03 & Rob Dorr ’04
What is the story of how you met?
It started out with a simple, joking question: “Can I have your ticket to Russia?” That was what a random senior girl at KUA said to a new repeat Junior as he got on to a bus for a soccer game. After that, the senior girl found that junior at a weekend dance, asked for him to write her notes, and asked him to visit her after study hall.
This all culminated during Headmaster’s Day on November 7, 2002 when that junior boy asked that senior out. 20 years later, those two hockey goalies are still together!
What is your favorite KUA memory as a couple?
Justene and Rob remember their favorite memory as being that one day when Justene was invited to practice with the KUA boy’s hockey team. Justene and Rob got to practice together, Rob lost to Justene in a foot race (which he still hears about to this day), and she reflects that this was one of her favorite days but also one of the most embarrassing, as she was so anxious about practicing with her boyfriend. We are still connected by hockey and this memory.
Justene and Rob remember their favorite memory as being that one day when Justene was invited to practice with the KUA boy’s hockey team. Justene and Rob got to practice together, Rob lost to Justene in a foot race (which he still hears about to this day), and she reflects that this was one of her favorite days but also one of the most embarrassing, as she was so anxious about practicing with her boyfriend. We are still connected by hockey and this memory.
What are you up to now?
We are now busy…really busy! We are proud parents of 4 beautiful children, ages 16, 11, 4 and 2, 3 girls and 1 boy. We live in Colorado and are both in education and mental health. Rob is in the final stages of obtaining his Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision and hopes to complete the dissertation by the end of 2023. Rob is also a mental health counselor in schools and in the community, focusing supporting crisis, and trauma. Justene is the Dean of Student Success at a K-8 school. Together with our children, we love to spend time outdoors, travel the country, and see the ocean as often as we can! Any free time as a couple we can be found challenging ourselves to stay healthy and fit though many different activities. We still do not have any little hockey players in our house but we hope to change that with time! One day we hope to return to the hilltop with our family to show them the beauty of where it all began.
Kemper Pierce ’04 & Megan (Bennitt) Pierce ’04
What is the story of how you met?
We met originally during freshman orientation on the new student camping trip and were then 4-year Wildcats together! Meg boarded all four years, and Kemper became a boarder sophomore year after realizing how great the dorm experience was. We 're-met' at the KUA Holiday party at Anthony's Pier IV in Boston in 2011 and have been together ever since. KUA alumni gatherings and holiday parties remain one of our favorite things because it is what brought us back together.
What is your favorite KUA memory as a couple?
Our '04 graduation is one of our favorite KUA memories. Kemper's father, Bill Pierce (KUA Trustee & Treasurer '03-'08) took the first picture of us together that we can find. We love it so much we used it on our wedding invites!
Our '04 graduation is one of our favorite KUA memories. Kemper's father, Bill Pierce (KUA Trustee & Treasurer '03-'08) took the first picture of us together that we can find. We love it so much we used it on our wedding invites!
What are you up to now?
After living in Boston, Munich and Brooklyn, we moved back to the Upper Valley in March of 2020. Meg is a 1st grade teacher at Crossroads Academy in Lyme, NH, and Kemper is a managing director at Altman Solon, a strategy consulting firm. Our daughter Lucy, age 6, is also at Crossroads, and in November 2021 we welcomed our twins, George and Winnie. KUA is in our family - Meg's father, Colin, was class of '73 and Meg's brother, Ian, was class of '01. We can't wait for Lucy, George, and Winnie to be Wildcats!
Evan Roberts ’07 & Sarah (Cutts) Roberts ’08
What is the story of how you met?
Sarah and Evan met right when Evan came to KUA as a new junior in 2005. Sarah was a retuning sophomore and a mutual friend thought they’d make a great pair. However, the couple didn’t connect until Sarah was working at a KUA event in the fall of 2012 at Anthony’s Pier 4 in Boston. They started dating shortly thereafter, leading to Evan relocating from Rhode Island to New Hampshire, an engagement, a wedding, and two beautiful baby girls, London and Florence.
What is your favorite KUA memory as a couple?
Sarah and Evan had the same group of friends but were both too shy to connect while attending KUA. However, they both remember watching each other in their sports games. Both were three-sport varsity athletes.Their favorite KUA memories as a couple surround hosting Sarah’s advisees and students in their on-campus home for dinner, snacks, and good conversation. They still keep in touch with former students to this day!
What are you up to now?
After playing lacrosse in college, Evan is now a senior financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in Hanover, NH. After playing both tennis and squash in college, and spending eight years teaching, coaching, and working at KUA, as well as earning a master’s degree at Middlebury College, Sarah is an author and artist who also watches her daughters, London(2) and Florence (9months), full-time. They enjoy being outside as family as much as possible; from lake and trail time in the summer to skiing and skating in the winter.
Lauren Borislow ’10 & Josh Dollinger ’10
What is the story of how you met?
Lauren and Josh first "met" very briefly at the all school photo in 2007 on the first day of classes. Josh was late and got placed between Lauren's friends and her – the group was not pleased about this random guy separating them! Definitely a few eye-rolls came his way. A few hours later they both walked into the same classroom and realized they had algebra together. They often talked before and after class, in the dining hall and on the fields during soccer practices – some very average flirting attempts from both parties.
What is your favorite KUA memory as a couple?
Once a week, Josh and Lauren used to get into our comfiest sweatpants and meet at the school store after dinner. They would each pick out a pint of Ben and Jerry's and find somewhere on campus to sit and eat it, which was usually the steps of the old Miller building. This was basically their KUA version of "date night."
What are you up to now?
Josh and Lauren are living in Andover, MA with their dog, Morty, and are expecting their first baby in April!
