The Magazine of Annie Wright Schools | Fall 2020
STRENGTH
Stronger Together 1
THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS
CONTENTS | FALL 2020
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Strength on Campus, Strength Online
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Strength in Students
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Strength in Community
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Strength in Leadership
Senior Leadership Team
Editor
Graphic Designer
Jake Guadnola ’90MS, Head of Schools Susan Bauska, Associate Head of Schools & Director of Upper School for Boys Sandra Forero Bush, Assistant Head of Schools Eireann Corrigan, Director of Upper School for Girls Clare Wagstaff-Brown, Director of Middle School Ann Dicks, Director of Lower School Jeff Barber, Director of Residential Life Rex Bates, Director of International Advancement Grace Finch, Director of Development Mike Finch, Director of Athletics Jennifer Haley ’89, Director of Institutional Advancement Alicia Mathurin, Director of Community Engagement
Jen Willey
Barbie Pratt
Contributors
Photographers
Grace Finch Mike Finch Erin Gann Jake Guadnola ’90MS Jennifer Haley ’89 Maddy Mancuso ’05MS Alicia Mathurin Jen Willey
Oona Copperhill OverTacoma
Jean Webber, Director of Finance and Operations
Board of Trustees
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Michele Cannon Bessler, Chair Judith (Yengling) Forkner ‘63 Jim Defebaugh, Vice Chair Janelle Guirguis-Blake David Overton, Treasurer Manuel La Rosa Lisa Hoffman, Secretary Martha Lantz Percy Abram Damani Leech ‘90MS Sally (Peterson) Atherton ’66 Marjorie Oda-Burns ‘66 Diane Bai John Parrott Stephanie Cook ‘88 Merritt (Klarsch) Pulliam ‘92 Bob Crist Marilyn Strickland Jeffrey Davis Dawn Turnipseed Laura Edman Aliya (Merali) Virani ‘96 Tony Escobar THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS
Submissions Strength is published by Annie Wright Schools’ marketing and communications office. Story suggestions, articles and photos are always welcome by submitting to communications@aw.org. Alumni may submit class notes and photos at aw.org/connect or alumni@aw.org.
827 North Tacoma Avenue Tacoma, Washington 98403 P: 253.272.2216 | aw.org
From the Head of Schools Strength. Strength is borne from commitment. Strength is borne from focus. It often comes from pain; it always comes from repetition. Annie Wright is a place of strength. Our strength comes from 136 years of focusing on students, of practicing and refining and developing our craft of teaching and advising. Never has this strength been tested more than it has these last eight months; never has it been more needed. On a dime, our faculty pivoted from in-person to virtual instruction. On a dime, our parents rearranged their lives to accommodate their children at home, at school, at home, at school…Through each of these changes, we have worked to remain committed to what matters most: students. In the Middle and Upper Schools, the faculty seamlessly transitioned the IB programming into the virtual world. This is no small feat. The IB Programme is, without question, the world’s most rigorous curriculum, and our students have not missed a step. Whether it’s Grade 6 diving head first into the Middle Years Programme and the rigors of a holistic, formative-based grading system or Grade 12 students finishing up their Extended Essays (as well as their college essays), Annie Wright ensures that each and every one of our students is accomplishing exactly what they need to accomplish. And while we would prefer to do this work together on campus, we know we can deliver a stellar virtual education until it is safe to return. In the Lower School, students returned to in-person learning shortly after school resumed in late August. It’s different from on-campus learning of the past. Students flow through the day in grade level cohorts. Several classrooms have been moved to larger spaces to ensure adequate distancing. Lunch happens outdoors, even on the chilliest of days. Yes, much is different...except for
one thing. The learning. The learning is exactly as it has been for decades. The challenge of the IB’s Primary Years Programme is rendered accessible to all students through the carefully curated and relationship-based approach of the Lower School faculty. Such faculty strength is rare, as is the Annie Wright experience. To bring our program to life, we have redesigned Strength magazine. The longer articles of the past have given way to images, lots and lots of images. Rather than tell you we’re strong, we want to show you. And, we will show you repeatedly throughout the year. Instead of just one Strength issue, there will now be three. Through photographs and infographics, we hope to bring Annie Wright to life as it is experienced by community members. We hope you enjoy this first issue as much as we enjoyed making it. Sincerely,
Jake Guadnola ’90MS Head of Schools
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Strength on CAMPUS Strength ONLINE Online or on campus, Annie Wright’s community is stronger than ever, even during these challenging times.
We are maximizing LARGER SPACES so that classes can spread out. Grade 4, typically residing in the Lower School’s smallest classrooms, has moved to the Chapel and Great Hall.
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THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS
This sun-filled autumn has been wonderful for OUTDOOR
LEARNING and lunch in the Bamford Commons.
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Strength in STUDENTS Our students define us, and they haven’t skipped a beat, even with all the challenges of 2020. Annie Wright students are the epitome of strength. Check out our 2020 Blue Ties’ IB results.
33 (OUT OF 34) BLUE TIES EARNED THE IB DIPLOMA
34 (OUT OF 45) =AVERAGE BLUE TIE SCORE
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THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS
44 (OUT OF 45) =HIGHEST SCORE EARNED
90
%
78% WA
AWS
79%
WORLD
PASS RATE AVERAGE PASS RATE (2017–2020)
Enrollment Remains Strong How do you keep enrollment going strong in the middle of a pandemic and with a closed campus? Annie Wright’s amazing admissions team didn’t hesitate to keep families engaged, and ultimately enrolled. Here’s a snapshot of Annie Wright’s strong student standing.
86%
OF FAMILIES RETAINED, DESPITE COVID-19
129
NEW STUDENTS ENROLLED REPRESENTING 118 NEW FAMILIES
FULL CLASSES
HIT OUR TARGET OF
84
WITH WAITLISTS IN PS 3–4, PS4–5 & GRADES 2–4
BOYS IN THE USB
45
#
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AWS
BEST PRIVATE K-12 SCHOOL IN WASHINGTON BEST BOARDING HIGH SCHOOL IN WASHINGTON BEST PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL IN PIERCE COUNTY BEST COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL IN PIERCE COUNTY 2021 rankings by Niche
VIRTUAL PREVIEW EVENTS (APRIL–NOVEMBER)
Some of our best families come from YOU!
Know a student who would benefit from an Annie Wright Schools experience? Invite them to an upcoming Virtual Preview! December 10 January 22 (Lower & Middle Schools only) April 23 Register at aw.org/preview Students applying for Grades 9–11 are invited to attend Scholar Search in early February. Upper School for Girls | Friday, February 5, 2021 Upper School for Boys | Saturday, February 6, 2021 Contact Laura Bales ’85 at laura_bales@aw.org to register or introduce a potential student.
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Strength in COMMUNITY AWS Partners with RAIN Incubator to Keep our Community Safe Annie Wright Schools have partnered with RAIN Incubator in Tacoma to provide regular COVID-19 testing to our faculty, dorm students, and studentfacing staff. RAIN uses saliva-based testing, a non-invasive alternative to the nasal swab, with an efficacy that is 3-4 times more accurate than the Abbott test (used at Walgreens, etc.), meaning fewer false negative and false positive test results. Twice monthly, RAIN collects sewage samples from seven different locations on campus, serving as a way to test our community for COVID-19. The
99.5
%
ACCURACY OF SALIVADIRECT™ TEST AGAINST FALSE NEGATIVES
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THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS
location-based testing allows RAIN to zone in on a specific building should the sewage test positive. Anonymous data collected from the saliva-based and sewage testing is part of RAIN’s COVID-19 research study. Their team hopes to help produce a vaccine as well as antibody immunity. RAIN has already developed a blood test that can determine if someone has had COVID before. Learn more about RAIN and their research at rainincubator.org
2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 | Year in Philanthropy by the Numbers ANNUAL GIVING
Gators Give
532 DONORS RAISED
$
431,561
ALL IN for
229 DONORS RAISED
295,508
$
$
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
133,145
Alumni Donors BY TIE COLOR
21% 18% 26% 35%
$
179,878
TOTAL ALUMNI GIFTS
13% ARTS
15%
34%
TEACHERS SCHOLARSHIPS
24%
15%
ATHLETICS
WELLNESS
Allocated Gifts Auction Events $
343,847
GROSS REVENUE
64,500
$
IN SPONSORSHIP
350
$
35,490
GROSS REVENUE
390
$
140,000 THEATRE SPOTLIGHT
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GUESTS
DONORS
FAMILY NIGHT
FUNDA-NEED
TICKETS SOLD
GATOR GALA
Many contr thanks to ibu all Gator ted to our who s Give annu al e can s till ma fforts. You k aw.or e a gift at g/giv e.
For the full Annual Philanthropy Report, including donors and levels of giving, please visit aw.org/annual-report. Annie Wright Schools’ financial year ran from July 2019 to June 2020. ie W
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A morning stretch in Mrs. Archbold's Kindergarten class sets the foundation for a strong day.
EFITING ANNIE WRI GH BEN N TS IO T CH C U A
LS OO
AN
You’re invited!
GatoR GaLa 2.27.21
Join us for Gator Gala, a virtual auction benefiting Annie Wright Schools.
February 27, 2021 aw.org/auction Raise your paddle for wellness!
Investing in the Strength of
ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS
All in this together
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THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS
Strength in LEADERSHIP Introducing Annie Wright Schools’ Four Newest Trustees
Diane Bai, MD
Gastroenterologist at Tacoma’s CHI Franciscan and co-founder of South Sound Women in Medicine Serves on the AWS Finance Committee Diane and her husband Clay are parents to two current Gators, Sasha ’23 and Hannah ’25
Martha Lantz Manuel La Rosa,
DDS
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at Sound Surgical Arts Serves on the AWS Head’s Support and Evaluation Committee Manny and his wife Silvia are parents to two Gators: Sebastian ’13LS and Sofia ’23
Deputy City Attorney for the City of Tacoma Serves on the AWS Governance Committee Martha and her husband Andy Fitz are parents to two alumni Gators: Owen Fitz ’12MS and Allison Fitz ’19
Damani Leech ’90MS
Chief Operating Officer, International at the National Football League (NFL) Serves on the AWS Finance Committee Annie Wright alumnus, and in the first class of boys to graduate from the Middle School
Diane, Manuel, Martha and Damani join a dedicated Board, full of volunteers who help lead and shape the future of Annie Wright Schools. Learn more about each of our Annie Wright Schools’ Trustees at aw.org/trustees. Michele Cannon Bessler, Chair
Bob Crist
John Parrott
Jim Defebaugh, Vice Chair
Jeffrey Davis
Merritt (Klarsch) Pulliam ’92
David Overton, Treasurer
Laura Edman
Marilyn Strickland
Lisa Hoffman, Secretary
Tony Escobar
Dawn Turnipseed
Percy Abram
Judith (Yengling) Forkner ’63
Aliya (Merali) Virani ’96
Sally (Peterson) Atherton ’66
Janelle Guirguis-Blake
Stephanie Cook ’88
Marjorie Oda-Burns ’66
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GET TO KNOW ANNIE WRIGHT’S
Senior Leaders
JAKE GUADNOLA ’90MS Head of Schools Favorite AWS tradition: I’m hard pressed not to answer Lip Sync. This Upper School for Girls tradition builds community unlike any I’ve seen.
EIREANN CORRIGAN
Director of Upper School for Girls
First trip once it’s safe to travel: The Kemper Gym to watch our phenomenal girls basketball team!
IB learner profile you most relate to: One of the aspects I aim to cultivate in myself and my students is curiosity, so I’d choose inquirer.
IB learner profile you most relate to: Two: reflective and risk-taker. I greatly value reflective practices and then putting what I learn toward endeavoring into new spaces. Keeps me feeling young and fulfilled.
Something that might surprise us: I played basketball in high school and my nickname was “Killer.”
First job: I worked at a bookstore, dressing up as costume characters for the children’s section.
CLARE WAGSTAFF-BROWN SUSAN BAUSKA
Director of Middle School
Associate Head of Schools & Director of Upper School for Boys
Currently reading: Educated, a memoir by Tara Westover
Currently reading: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong First trip once it’s safe to travel: Italy (we canceled a scheduled trip there) or Baishan School in Qingdao, China. IB learner profile you most relate to: Caring. I could not do this job without caring as much as I do about each one of my students and each of my colleagues. I often cannot sleep at night, worrying about individuals and their well-being.
Favorite Tacoma restaurant: Macaluso’s—you have to try the Pappardelle Bolognese! IB learner profile you most relate to: I’d like to be more balanced but that’s a work in progress. I would probably say an inquirer as I am constantly still learning, growing, and evolving as an educator.
ANN DICKS SANDRA FORERO BUSH Assistant Head of Schools Favorite Tacoma restaurant: Fancy? The Table. Less fancy? Go Philly. IB learner profile you most relate to: Open-minded. I think it speaks to my love of travel, cultures and traditions; my deep desire to see, experience and learn from and with others. First job: Tour Guide at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
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THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS
Director of Lower School First trip once it’s safe to travel: A warm, sunny beach! IB learner profile you most relate to: Balanced. I try to move through all parts of my day in a way that is steady, planning ahead as needed, so that I feel balanced in regards to my physical and emotional needs and personal and professional demands. Choose one song that plays every time you walk in a room: “So We Won’t Forget,” by Khruangbin
JEFF BARBER Director of Residential Life
JENNIFER HALEY ’89
Favorite AWS tradition: Lunar New Year Formal Dinner; it’s student-driven, everyone has a blast and it’s delicious.
Favorite AWS tradition: Annies vs Gators—I love a good game of tag!
Director of Advancement
IB learner profile you most relate to: Principled. The fate of society depends on standing for truths.
Teacher who impacted you most: Diane Soucey because she taught me to think, question and write.
Share something readers may not know about you: I write and publish science-fiction-themed role-playing games.
IB learner profile you most relate to: Risk-taker. I tend to favor high adrenaline activities and hope to wingsuit in Europe someday.
REX BATES
ALICIA MATHURIN
Director of International Advancement
Director of Community Engagement
Favorite weekend activity: Long walks and hikes with my wife
First trip once it’s safe to travel: Pitzer! My daughter Kayla graduated from AWS in 2020 and is currently attending Pitzer online.
Favorite Tacoma restaurant: The Lobster Shop IB learner profile you most relate to: Caring. I like to think that I identify, reach out and assist those who may need some help from time to time.
Favorite Tacoma restaurant: Quickie Too IB learner profile you most relate to: Caring. If we care for our planet and all of her inhabitants, everything can occur in safe and healthy spaces.
GRACE FINCH Director of Development
JEAN WEBBER
Currently reading: Still Lives by Maria Hummel
Director of Finance & Operations
IB learner profile you most relate to: I would like to think of myself as a communicator. My favorite thing about my job is the opportunity to relay stories, memories, triumphs and even challenges as they relate to the amazing impact our community makes possible for our students. First trip once it’s safe to travel: Disneyland! Brought to us by Santa in 2019 but haven’t been able to redeem!
MIKE FINCH
IB learner profile you most relate to: Risk-taker. I am always willing to take on new challenges and do things differently. I love to enact change to ensure that I am doing things smarter and more efficiently. Choose one song that plays every time you walk in a room: “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John Favorite weekend activity: I love to hike and run and try to do one of them each weekend.
Director of Athletics Favorite Tacoma restaurant: Salamone’s IB learner profile you most relate to: Open-minded. I’m fascinated by the perspectives of others and like to incorporate their strategies into my professional and personal life. I’ve always felt that I grow and learn best from observing others.
Psst... Find answers to all of our questions from each leader at aw.org/SLT!
Favorite weekend activity: Gator practices and sport competitions. 11
On- and off-campus activities build a STRONG boarding and school community.
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