Bishop Paddock Award

The Bishop Paddock Award honors members of the Annie Wright Schools community who have given time, service and support for the greater good of Annie Wright Schools through outstanding leadership and commitment to our mission.

Annie Wright Schools could not have been more honored to award the 2023 Bishop Paddock , surrounded by classmates, Trustees, fellow donors and friends. Sally has given generously of her time, expertise and resources. Among her extensive contributions to our school community, Sally has established The Sally Atherton, PhD ’66 Chair of Biological Sciences through her membership in Heritage Society and is entering her seventh year on the Board of Trustees as the Board Secretary. Making multiple cross-country trips annually from her home on St. Helena Island in South Carolina, Sally holds the undisputed title for hours given in service to the Board, and the school is stronger for it. Please join us in acknowledging Sally for all the many ways she has helped her alma mater

Christian G. Sullivan Strength in Leadership Award

The Christian G. Sullivan Strength in Leadership Award is given bi-annually to a member of the community whose leadership has actively enhanced the mission of the schools, and demonstrably advanced the institution from strength to strength. Key characteristics of the award recipient include vision, creativity, accountability, intellectual curiosity and decisiveness in matters familiar and challenging. This year, we are honored to present two recipients with this award.

Two years ago we set about licensing our Early Childhood program, and we needed someone who was organized and flexible, direct and empathetic, and who, above all, had a deep knowledge of Preschool students. Fortunately for us, that unicorn was on our team. From the get go, Adrienne Peterson never wavered, never balked, never did anything other than figure out how to make it happen. The work was immense and stressful and confusing and flawlessly executed.

As we worked to best support our students’ mental health in the wake of COVID-19, we realized it was incredibly difficult for students to receive ongoing counseling, as such appointments often took months to book. And so under the leadership of Matina Hawkins, we got creative. Matina identified a local counseling group and worked to negotiate a partnership that ensured our students could have access to counseling support both on an immediate and ongoing basis. With a rare blend of strategic thinking, business acumen, and bottomless empathy, Matina has made this partnership a resounding success.

Beverley Brown Excellence in Teaching Award

Named for iconic art teacher Beverley Brown, the Beverley Brown Excellence in Teaching Award is given to the faculty member who most successfully challenges, motivates, and supports students.

For the last 18 years, a gentle force of nature has existed within our Upper School math department, one that has pushed and challenged students to reach mathematical heights they never dreamed possible. That force is Troy Droubay, who has helped countless students— particularly young women—believe that they can be successful in STEM-related majors and careers. His care and conviction for students is without limits, as is his ability to form meaningful and lasting relationships. For all of the ways that he has helped guide, mentor, and teach our students, we were proud to present him with the Beverley Brown Excellence in Teaching Award.

Alana Zautner

Alana is a program manager with the Federal Aviation Administration. A prior U.S. Air Force Air Traffic Controller, she received her BA from the University of Washington, her MSc. from the University of Oxford, and MSc. from EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University. She and her husband, Jared Zautner, currently have three children at Annie Wright and are passionate about building and engaging communities. An avid soccer player, rower and sailor, you’ll find Alana and family enjoying the beautiful outdoors & Puget Sound most days.

Thomas Baker

Thomas Baker, Ph.D. mathematician, was the Operations Research Coordinator for Exxon before starting Chesapeake Decision Sciences, a successful software/consulting company in the supply chain arena. Upon the sale of Chesapeake, Tom established a charitable foundation focused on providing funding and counseling for inner city students wishing to enter college-track programs. An avid sailor, Tom has logged 60,000 miles. Tom’s daughter, Josephine, is a rising Grade 9 student at Annie Wright.

C’Ardiss “CC” Gardner Gleser

CC began her career in the tech sector, later transitioning to non-profit work to better fulfill her purpose and passion. CC moved from working in nonprofits to the funding side to increase her impact and is now entrenched in the philanthropic sector. CC was the first Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives at Satterberg Foundation, whose mission focuses on promoting a just society and sustainable environment. In 2021, CC left Satterberg Foundation and started Black Ivy Collective, which provides consulting services in the philanthropic sector and provides healing spaces for Black scholars, artists, and social justice advocates in the community. CC has always enjoyed showing up at school and embarrassing her kids, while serving and contributing to the school community in the process. She has served on the boards of Giddens School and The Bush School. Seeing our children thrive in schools ignites a passion in CC to serve. She's seen that first hand at Annie Wright with her daughter, Christian. CC's other board service includes Andrus Family Fund, Charlotte Martin Foundation, EPIP (Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy), and Grist. As the parent of a boarder, CC looks forward to getting more involved and spending more time on campus!

THANK YOU!

Dr. H. Patricia “Patty” Feddersen ’44

Hi, I am writing this note on behalf of my 96 year old mother! Patty has been living at North Hill (an independent living facility) in Needham, Massachusetts for the last ten years and is enjoying it very much. Her activities include teaching others there to read, write and enjoy poetry. Prior to Needham, Patty was living in Brookline, Massachusetts for 50 years while she enjoyed a teaching career at the Arlington School in Belmont, Massachusetts. Patty says: “Massachusetts seems far away from Annie Wright, but I think of it often. I have many happy memories of life at Annie Wright. I want to wish you all well for the coming year!”

We are sorry to share that Patty has since passed, and we are grateful to know that she lived such a full and joyful life into her 97th year.

Betty Lou (Ervin) Broderick ’53

Betty Lou shared a couple of meals and lots of laughter with Director of Development Grace Finch in Anchorage this spring. The visit was just a couple of weeks after the Coronation of Prince Charles III, providing a fun opportunity to share memories of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, which took place while Betty Lou was a boarding student. She recalls all the boarding students gathering around a radio in the Great Hall with Head of School Ruth Jenkins to listen to the historic event.

Pictured with Grace Finch, Director of Development.

Patricia (Pierce) Layden ’57

Old Annies on Zoom! Pictured: Ellen Pearson Redfield ’57, Patricia Pierce Layden ’57, Cordie Hartwell Putkammer ’57 and Marylin Carlsmith ’57.

Karen (Warren) Wickstrand ’60

Dear Classmates, Pete and I moved to a lovely retirement home named Parkshore last May 9.

Our 1st year anniversary is coming right up. We are very pleased with our apartment and others in the building—several who are old friends.

We are off to California this weekend for about a month to visit our sons and their wives and watch our grandchildren play volleyball and lacrosse and ride horses! Love to hear from you.

Margund (Primus) Haskell ’61

Gundl shared that she is looking forward to a beautiful Sun Valley summer that includes lots of golf and patio dining. She reminisced about her days at Annie Wright over lunch with Director of Development Grace Finch. Like so many, Gundl recalled the many ways that “Ms. Jenkins” shaped her experience as she lovingly held students to an incredibly high standard.

Dr. Marie (Dodge) Eaton ’64

Recently I published an article in Newsweek and participated in an NPR podcast about my family’s experience with NonOrganic Reduction (also known as “Human Composting”).

Hurlaine (Johnson) Hamilton ’69

Hurley brought some surprises to dinner with Director of Development Grace Finch in Ketchum this May. Over a delicious Peruvian meal, Hurley showed off the small red shovel she had used to help break ground on the Annie Wright library in the 1950s. She was one of many Lower School students who had the honor of helping kick off the construction project. She also shared a beautiful map of Tacoma, W.T. (Washington Territory) as it existed in 1884 when AWS was founded. In addition to other key landmarks, the original school building is included. Hurley and Grace were joined by Hurley’s sister Julie, who also attended Annie Wright briefly. Pictured left to right: Hurlaine (Johnson) Hamilton ’69, Grace Finch, Director of Development, and Julie Johnson.

Laurie (Sass) Rossman ’73, Louisa “Lisa” Bean ’73, Laurie (Bennett) Soderholm ’73

Laurie (Sass) Rossman ’73 called recently to share that her classmate, Louisa “Lisa” Bean ’73 passed away on March 12 in Canby, OR.

She also shared that she recently received a card in the mail from Laurie (Bennett) Soderholm ’73, who had seen her name somewhere and looked her up. They had not been in contact since they were 21 years old but have been back and forth by email multiple times since that initial contact. She is also curious about other classmates from 1973, and hopes to hear from them!

Leslie (Smalling) Fenrick ’83

After moving back to the Pacific Northwest from Nevada, Leslie made her first trip back to campus in many years. Grandmothers on both sides of her family attended Annie Wright—Helen K. Williams ’28 and Dorothy (Havens) Smalling ’30— so her history with the school runs deep.

Regan (Armstrong) Lamb ’92

Regan added a trip to Annie Wright Schools onto the end of a family vacation on the Oregon Coast to share the place that has such a critical place in her story. In addition to the pivotal years Regan spent as an Annie Wright student, our beautiful campus was also the location where Regan’s husband proposed marriage!

'My Brother Didn't Want a Burial. He Just Wanted to Put His Body to Good Use.'

Newsweek

Rameswaram, S., & King, N. (Hosts). (2023, Jan 17). Compost Yourself. In Today, Explained. Vox Media, Inc.

Shawna (Krantz) Poliquin ’93 & Ramona “Mona” (Dunbar) Smart ’93

Shawna and Ramona spent a few hours reminiscing about their days at Annie Wright over dinner with Director of Development Grace Finch in Los Angeles this April. In addition to describing “Yellow Meal” and building a mental picture of the campus they remember, they shared that their families had recently celebrated Easter together with a huge egg hunt planned and executed by Ramona. The evening included lots of laughter and a beautiful view of the city they now call home.

Rebecca “Becky” Kirkpatrick ’97

After almost a lifetime in the PNW, my wife, Cara, and our son, William (b. August 2022), will be moving to the Midwest. I am taking a new position as the Associate Rector for Children and Families at Trinity Episcopal Church and School Chaplain at Saint Richard’s Episcopal School in Indianapolis. We would love to hear from fellow Annies in the area.

Philomena Bradford ’09

My husband and I are moving to the East Bay area in May for work. I’d be happy to reconnect with other alumni living there. Pictured: Philomena's recent ceramic artwork.

Leslie Bauska ’13 and Taylor Murrey ’09MS

Former classmates Leslie and Taylor are excited to share that as of this past February, they are engaged! Both homeowners in their own right, they currently reside with their two cats in Tacoma, WA, within just a stone’s throw of several of their fellow Yellow Ties. Leslie is working as an executive graphic designer, and Taylor recently became a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. The pair plan to be married in August 2023. Congratulations to this match made in AWS heaven!

Molly Bryant ’18

Molly is thrilled to announce that she has accepted a new role as a Content Producer with the Puyallup Tribal Communications Department. She shared that she is excited to be a part of their team creating content for the Tribal News. Molly will also begin graduate school at the University of Washington.

Nina Ye ’20 & Allison Fitz ’19

Allison and Nina spent a morning sharing updates and touring the Pomona campus with Director of Development Grace Finch this April. Nina took the lead when it came to highlighting the athletic facilities and spaces where she spends extended hours as a member of the Pomona-Pitzer tennis team. Allison introduced Nina and Grace to hidden gems on campus, including the organic farm. Both Annie Wright alumnae were excited to share about their experience and confidently reported that they definitely ended up in the right place for college. They invite other alumni to visit them and apply to the 5 Cs!

Nina Doody ’20 & Terah Gruber ’21

Nina and Terah met up with students on this year’s Yearbook (s)Elective trip in San Diego for fried chicken and updates this April. They had lots of questions about faculty, friends and their alma mater. Both Nina and Terah are thriving in college. Pictured with AWS yearbook (s)Elective.

YoonSurp “Sean” Lee ’22, Jessy Li ’20 & Hannah Song ’21

Sean, Jessy and Hannah met up with Director of Development Grace Finch at UCLA in April. They were all smiles in the California sunshine as they shared updates. All three are thriving in college and credited teachers like Mr. Droubay with their success and smooth transitions. Pictured left to right: Hannah Song ’21, Jessy Li ’20 & YoonSurp "Sean" Lee ’22.

Anna Parrott ’22

Anna is thriving at Pomona College and enjoying opportunities to hike and explore through student programs. She loves the scale of her college campus and the way she has quickly developed connections and friendships in her first year.

To submit a Class Note of your own, please email Lindsey Joyce at lindsey_joyce@aw.org.

We cannot wait to welcome you home for Alumni Weekend 2023. Join us for tours of your alma mater, class-specific activities, and social gatherings that will allow you to reconnect with your former classmates and make new memories. While we welcome all alumni, we particularly encourage the 10th reunion Class of ’13, the 25th reunion Class of ’98, the 50th reunion Class of ’73, and the 60th reunion Class of ’63 to join us.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

2:00 pm Registration Opens

2:45 pm Professional Panels

4:30 pm Alumni Cocktail Party

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

10:00 am Alumni Chapel

11:00 am Alumni Champagne Brunch

12:00 pm Tours & Class Photos

We love welcoming alumni back to campus for all of our community-wide events! Sing with us at Lessons & Carols, celebrate with us at May Day, raise a paddle at Gala, or come spectate at one of our countless arts showcases and athletics events. Upcoming events are listed at aw.org/alumni-events. See you soon!

Not able to make it to Tacoma? Email Lindsey Joyce at lindsey_joyce@aw.org for help contacting classmates or planning a class reunion in your area!

EXPERIENCE my Annie Wright