The Magazine of Annie Wright Schools | Summer 2021
STRENGTH
Beginnings&Endings Presenting the First Class of Graduates from Annie Wright Upper School for Boys
from the
HEAD OF SCHOOLS Beginnings and endings. Working in schools, one becomes quite accustomed to beginnings and endings. While the COVID pandemic will no doubt keep the 2020-2021 school year alive in our minds for generations to come, this school year will live on for me because of its beginnings and endings. Four years ago, the Board of Trustees announced the founding of the Upper School for Boys, and the following fall the School enrolled its first “coordinate class.” This historic beginning achieved an equally historic end on May 2 when 21 members of the Upper School for Boys joined 44 members of the Upper School for Girls as graduates of Annie Wright Schools. The 65 students comprising the Class of 2021—not surprisingly the largest graduating class in school history—now begin their journey as alumni, a journey with no end in sight.
“
We will cherish every inch of their growth and every step of their progress.
”
And while their time at Annie Wright has ended, the Class of 2021 begins its post-AWS journey with confidence and excitement. These journeys take Yellows to cities across the country and world, and to colleges large and small. And speaking of colleges, we could not be more proud of the Yellow Ties’ college list. It reflects not only academic diligence, but also intentionality of choice. The Annie Wright education will always provide an experience that allows students to gain access to the world’s most selective
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colleges, but it will also encourage students to make the choice that is right for them. Driven by programmatic, financial, or geographical desires, the 65 members of the Yellow Tie class will begin their post-AWS life on their own terms. Exactly as it should be. And the Yellows Ties are not the only members of our community beginning their post-AWS life on their own terms. After 31 years, Susan Bauska is retiring. 1990—could that really be 31 years ago? We highlight Susan’s career in the pages of this magazine, but we will celebrate her in the style she deserves this fall during Alumni Weekend. Just like the Yellows who step out of their Annie Wright experience, Susan now begins the next phase of her journey, one that will no doubt enrich whatever community she chooses to engage next. Such is the bittersweet nature of schools. Just as the Class of 2021 ends its AWS journey, the 32 teeny-tiny members of Preschool 3-4 begin theirs. In 2036, this group will receive their diplomas, marking an end of their own. Until that time, we will cherish every inch of their growth and every step of their progress. Yes, we will celebrate beginnings and endings, but we will never lose sight of this fact: it’s the inbetween that matters most. Sincerely,
Jake Guadnola ’90MS Head of Schools
CONTENTS | SUMMER 2021
3 11
Celebrating Susan Bauska Leadership Awards
5 13
Yellow Ties ’21
Alumni, Class Notes
9 19
Welcome to the Team Welcome, New Trustees
9 20
Spring at AWS
In Memoriam 2
Celebrating Susan Bauska 31 Years of Service: September 1, 1990–June 30, 2021 Baus-ka \ boss-ka noun 1. a person who leads a group, class, division or organization. 2. an extraordinary mentor, friend, supporter, visionary.
verb 1. to wear many hats at Annie Wright Schools including, but not limited to, educator, director, interim head, co-director, assistant head, parent, lip sync performer. 2. to be consistent and true to Annie Wright’s pioneering spirit. e.g.: In 2006, the AWS academic program lacked clarity and intention. Recognizing this, Susan had the wisdom to pursue the IB Diploma Programme. She saw what others didn’t, a natural synergy between the AW mission statement and the IB philosophy. She was, as usual, very clearly correct, and AWS has benefitted ever since. In 2017, “blazed a new trail” along with 16 Grade 9 boys and their families and four faculty members to build a new division for boys in Grades 9-12. to leave a legacy of pioneering spirit, inquiry and community (see “Bauska Student Creativity Grants”) through a thoughtful and meaningful endowment gift, in partnership with husband, Barry.
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Bauska Student Creativity Grants In the spirit of the founders of Annie Wright Schools and the pioneering students, families and faculty of the Upper School for Boys, this annual grant supports and encourages student initiative with funding for generative and original creative projects that express Annie Wright’s standards of excellence, critical inquiry and community mindedness. To learn more and make a gift in honor of Susan’s legacy, visit aw.org/Bauska.
extraordinary mentor, friend, supporter, visionary
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Yellow Tie Grads
2021
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Annie Wright Schools Yellow Ties 2021 ARIZONA
Arizona State University University of Arizona
CALIFORNIA
Chapman University Loyola Marymount University San Diego State University Scripps College University of California (Berkeley) University of California (Davis) •• University of California (Los Angeles) University of California (San Diego) University of Redlands •••
FLORIDA
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Parsons School of Design at The New School Sarah Lawrence College •• School of Visual Arts •• Syracuse University University of Rochester
NORTH CAROLINA
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
OREGON
Lewis & Clark College ••• Oregon State University •• University of Portland Willamette University
PENNSYLVANIA
United States Army (Fort Benning)
Carnegie Mellon University Penn State Unversity
INDIANA
RHODE ISLAND
LOUISIANA
TENNESSEE
MASSACHUSETTS
WASHINGTON
GEORGIA
Purdue University Loyola University New Orleans Boston University Northeastern University Williams College
MINNESOTA
Macalester College St. Olaf College
Off 10
= average number of applications per student
Brown University Vanderbilt University Peninsula College University of Washington ••••• Washington State University Whitman College
WISCONSIN
University of Wisconsin (Madison) ••
9
acceptances to
7
different arts schools
NEW HAMPSHIRE Dartmouth College
NEW YORK
Barnard College Fordham University New York University •••
INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA
University of Melbourne (Victoria)
JAPAN Waseda University
•• Represents number of students attending
Visit aw.org/2021 to view an interactive map that features where our Yellow Ties ’21 are headed. 7
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3
National Merit Finalists
! o They G
Across the U.S. & Beyond
1
65
recruited Division 1 athlete
individual applications to
230
different colleges and universities
acceptances to
10
different international universities
students submitted
670
12
7
acceptances to
4
different women’s universities
4
students attending honors colleges
1st
class of grads from the Upper School for Boys
44
girls &
21
boys 8
Welcome to the Team
Omari Maulana
Human Resource Manager Joined AWS April 30
Currently reading Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson Teacher who impacted you most Dr. WJ Hardiman, undergrad at Evergreen State College, because of her patience, challenging concern and inspiration. Theme song “A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane IB Learner Profile you most relate to Principled: It is important to me that in my work I always have a humanistic approach to things. I aim to center my work on ethics, values and people. Favorite weekend activity Yard work and gardening What excites you about your role and AWS? The ability to impact my hometown community and the fact that I will see my daughter at school most days (Omari’s daughter will be a Blue Tie ’24!)
Visit aw.org/news to learn a bit more about Omari, including his personal ties to Juneteenth.
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Spring
at AWS
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Faculty& Leadership
Awards
Faculty and leadership awards are typically presented at May Day. Though we were unable to gather for this beloved community celebration, we’re thrilled to announce the 2021 recipients.
Beverley Brown Excellence in Teaching Award Named after iconic art teacher Beverley Brown, this award is presented annually to the faculty member who most successfully challenges, motivates and supports students. There is no professional development for effective teaching during a global health pandemic, just as there was no playbook for the AWS faculty this year. Live-streaming, hybrid, and in-person education; each shift coming suddenly. Excellence requires confidence, expertise, flexibility, and empathy. As we considered the winner of the Bev Brown Excellence in Teaching Award, we looked for the teacher who rose above others in their ability to
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deliver a stellar education to their students, a teacher who successfully managed the online and in-person task, a teacher who never failed to keep students at the heart of their instruction. Looking across the faculty, the choice became obvious. No one teacher rose above the others because every teacher rose. Every single teacher at AWS distinguished themselves this year. With deep gratitude and boundless esteem, the Beverley Brown Excellence in Teaching Award is awarded to the AWS Faculty. In its time of greatest need, Annie Wright Schools were blessed to have this faculty. They carried us through.
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. The 2020-2021 school year was a critical one for Annie Wright Schools. COVID presented challenges unseen in more than a century. The School’s ability to navigate these unfamiliar waters hinged on leadership. The community wanted to see strength, intentionality, and clarity. They wanted AWS to deliver its stellar education and be safe in the process. They wanted accountability and empathy, stewardship and rigor. In a year where leadership was critical, Michele Cannon Bessler delivered. As Chair of the Board, Michele actively supported the work of the institution by keeping the Board regularly and fully informed. As a pediatrician, she stayed in close contact with local health professionals and directly informed Annie Wright’s COVID response. She pushed forward a strategic planning process
to ensure AWS came out of the pandemic ready to soar. She worked closely with Head of Schools Jake Guadnola on a nearly daily basis, helping Annie Wright Schools deliver on mission, vision, and values. AWS knew Michele’s strength in times familiar, and it learned firsthand of her strength in times unfamiliar. In this year, under these circumstances, Annie Wright Schools needed strength in leadership. It found it with Michele Cannon Bessler, this year’s recipient of the Christian G. Sullivan Strength in Leadership Award.
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Alumni Weekend 2021 September 23–25
my history my experience
my Annie Wright We are excited to welcome alumni from around the country and world to Alumni Weekend 2021. This timing will provide opportunities for alumni to see firsthand your alma mater’s exciting changes and enduring traditions, attend sports and theatre events, and most importantly, connect with classmates and schoolmates from your Annie Wright days. While we welcome all alumni, we particularly encourage the 10th reunion Class of ’11, the 25th reunion Class of ’96, and the 50th reunion Class of ’71, to join us.
Schedule Thursday, September 23
2:00 pm Registration Opens (s)Electives/Clubs Athletics Campus Tours 5:30 pm Art Reception with Veronica Sauer ’86 7:00 pm Upper School Artist Laureate Showcase
Hotel Options Due to the impact the pandemic has had on the hospitality industry, there are currently no group rates available. We will communicate via email if one is secured. 1 Courtyard by Marriott Downtown 253.591.9100 | www.marriott.com/seatd Hotel Murano 2 253.238.8000 | hotelmuranotacoma.com 3 McMenamins Elks Temple 253.300.8777 | www.mcmenamins.com/elks-temple 4 Marriott Tacoma Downtown 253.294.9200 | www.marriott.com/seaom 5 Silver Cloud Inn—Tacoma Waterfront 253.272.1300 | www.silvercloud.com/tacoma ilver Cloud Hotel Tacoma Point Ruston Waterfront 6 S Opening Soon! 253.319.8600 | www.silvercloud.com/pointruston
Friday, September 24 1:00-3:00 pm Young Alumni Care Packages & Note Writing 2:00 pm Opportunities with students (s)Electives Athletics Campus Tours 4:30 pm Cocktail Party on the Bamford Commons Join us as we celebrate visiting alumni as well as recent retirees.
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Alumni Chapel Champagne Brunch Class Photos Community Service Opportunity with Students
Visit aw.org/alumni-weekend for schedule updates, class events and community engagement opportunities.
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Saturday, September 25 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:30 pm 1:00 pm
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ALUMNI NEWS
Notes
Anne Murray Barbey ’38 Anne celebrated her 100th birthday on May 31.
Patricia Layden ’57, Cordelia Hartwell Puttkammer ’57, Ellen (Pearson) Redfield ’57 & Marilyn Carlsmith ’57 We all zoom two times a month during COVID-19; previously we traveled to meet up somewhere for a few days.
Laura Bales ’85 & Jennifer Haley ’89 Laura and Jennifer, both Yellow Ties, each had a Yellow Tie graduate in the first class of Upper School for Boys students.
Anne, at the 2018 Alumni Reunion, with Helena (Barbey) Lankton ’68 and Anita Murray Barbey ’66
Laura (above) with son Eli Dugan ’21 and Jennifer (left) with son Connor Hancock ’21, after presenting their sons with their diplomas.
Grace (Rexroth) Seaman ’48 & Diane (Rexroth) Keller ’50 We are well! Grace is back in Gig Harbor with her caregiver after spending the winter months in Arizona. I am fine; still going strong and feel blessed to have my good health at my age of nearly 89. Grace turned 91 last month and remains very involved with her garden. She now has four great grandsons under the age of four, all coming to see her over July Fourth. Won’t they have fun on the beach! She is hoping to show them how to make and decorate Easter eggs! I predict bedlam, but having been a teacher in her very early days after Stanford, I can see the teacher returning now with her enthusiasm for projects.
Betty Lou Broderick ’53 was featured in her neighborhood publication Coastal Trail Neighbors, where she talked about growing up with her two best friends and her time attending AWS.
Kana Akagi ’90 Recently, Arab News Japan interviewed me and I talked about my experience at AWS. I talked about Mr. Self who was my English literature teacher at that time and what he taught me as a turning point in my life. I don’t know where he is now, but I would 14
like to express my heartiest gratitude to him and people who helped me during my time at AWS. I have been an entrepreneur for about two decades in several fields, such as real estate, online education and consulting. I am an author of two books about how to prioritize family and also succeed at work. I am also a mother and a wife of a beautiful family. I feel I am really blessed. I have this amazing life because I had a chance to meet with amazing people who supported and showed me a new world like Mr. Self. Without those experiences, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Thank you, AWS!
Ellen K. Stephens ’90 When I married Dan, my firefighter, almost nine years ago, I knew life would be an adventure as a firefighter wife. Yes, I did meet my husband on a 911 call. Dan and I are avid cyclists and love to get out on the road as much as we can. As I was taking a leave of absence from my job as a judicial assistant/clerk in the juvenile courtrooms of Pierce County, WA, a few firefighter friends asked if I could help them out by supporting firefighters and veterans and since my husband is both—I thought “why not?”
This volunteer work is rewarding, and I have met amazing individuals over the past few cycling events. It is inspiring to me to see the dedication of these firefighters who give their all at work saving lives in the community to continue to give their all for others outside the fire department. I know at the end of the day; I have helped make a difference in someone’s life. That is the best feeling and most beneficial job I can think of having.
Shawna (Krantz) Poliquin ’93 & Ramona (Dunbar) Smart ’93 Ramona wrote to brag about her friend and classmate, Shawna, whose work was featured in Sunset Magazine. The piece entitled “Garage-turned-Garden Room in L.A.” included beautiful photos of a garage transformation, for which Shawna was the architect.
Heather Chase ’01
Northwest Fire Velo is a nonprofit group of mainly active and retired firefighters who bicycle to raise funds for first responder and severely wounded veteran foundations. I have put my business and marketing skills to good use as well as my paralegal degree to help manage NW Fire Velo. This summer NW Fire Velo members will bicycle cross country for 40 days from Los Angeles to New York City for the 20th Anniversary of 9/11. My role is acquiring sponsorships and media awareness and offering my business skills to make the event successful.
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I’ve done a lot since I graduated—a lot I wouldn’t have even considered options in high school. I have two master’s degrees, the second of which I finished in December while working full-time and raising two kids during a global pandemic. Right after I finished high school, 9/11 happened which was quite a bang into the new century as a freshman in college in Massachusetts. I fundraised for Obama on his first Side note of trivia: the cover campaign, was the logistics illustration is from a painting I did chair for Boston Pride, as for the Senior Art show in 2001.
well as the festival manager for Honolulu Pride. I even met the Notorious RBG at an event in Boston a few years ago. I have Type 1 Diabetes, in addition to Asperger’s, and was diagnosed while I was a boarding student, managing insulin and blood sugars. I recently published a book about my experience with Asperger’s, Why Are the Lights So Loud?, which reached Amazon’s #1 New Release on Parenting Children with Disabilities.
Samantha Dowling ’07MS I work with The PATH in Tacoma, WA. We are a group of four doctors of physical therapy, partnered to serve motivated clients looking to return to, and exceed, prior levels of function post-injury, surgery, or chronic pain.
Shira (Spinosaurus) Goldstein ’04 Opened our third vaccine site in Rio today! The energy and excitement was incredible to witness, along with the support from the Secretary of Health, our incredible partners Viva Rio, and the entire Rio health department. Together we are getting those shots in arms!
Kathryn Kimple ’12 I’m so happy to be starting my career as an emergency medicine physician in June!
Addie Francis ’13 Shira (back row; third from left) with her team in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Kelsey (Bell) Farish ’06 I’ve been living in London for the last 10 years and am a media lawyer (solicitor). I suppose the most exciting thing is that I’m actually one of Europe’s leading experts on deepfakes and manipulated media, as well as social media law. In the last year or so I’ve been on TV a few times and have been working with the European Parliament on how to regulate disinformation.
Nora Swenson ’08 I recently launched my new business, Norzyboo, LLC.,” where I provide personalized astrology and tarot readings to help bring clarity and insights to people all over the world. After double majoring in human development and French at Connecticut College and working at branding agencies in New York City for the past decade, I am excited to pair my academic knowledge with my mastery of astrology and tarot to help guide others in their personal journeys.
I’m now two years post my masters graduation in speech language pathology from UNC-CH in North Carolina. I work full time as a speech language pathologist at PMSV in West Seattle. My areas of interest include neurodegenerative diseases and geriatrics.
Emily Betts ’17 I am excited to announce that I will be pursuing my doctorate in clinical psychology at Spalding University. I want to thank all my professors, mentors, and friends for supporting my educational and personal growth. Finally, I want to thank my parents for their unconditional support, strength, and love. Without them, I would not be the woman I am today. Here’s to much more time learning in the Bluegrass State! 16
CLASS NOTES CONT’D.
Emma Verbovski ’17
Katherine Erickson ’17
I graduated magna cum laude at Northeastern in criminal justice and music industry. I’m currently interviewing with Seattle & Los Angeles law firms for paralegal positions in entertainment law.
I am both excited and proud to share that following my graduation this May, I will be joining DeciBio Consulting as an analyst in their Los Angeles office. I am very excited to enter this fast paced environment in the rapidly evolving space of life sciences consulting, and to be working with such an excellent firm. Thank you to everyone who has supported me in my academic career and beyond. I look forward to this next chapter in my life, and to beginning my career in consulting!
Caitlin Farrell ’17 I graduated this year with three bachelor’s of science in microbiology, molecular biology, and biotechnology from the University of Idaho. I spent the past two years working on the molecular mechanisms of STDs and hope to continue this research with the CDC in Atlanta. I will be attending Emory University Rollins School of Public Health with an emphasis in global health and community health development in fall 2021. And, finally, I am incredibly excited to marry my fiancé, Army Field Artillery 2nd Lieutenant Jacob Skelton, in Idaho in December 2021.
CLASS NOTES SUMBISSIONS We want to hear from you! Alumni may submit class notes and photos at aw.org/connect or alumni@aw.org. When including photos, please send the highest resolution possible. When you submit a class note, please be aware that information may have to be edited for consistency and in order to fit space requirements. Thank you!
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The Heritage Society recognizes alumni, parents, and friends who have committed a planned or deferred gift to Annie Wright Schools. Planned giving to Annie Wright Schools ensures that generations of students will benefit from your investment. By joining the Heritage Society you help shape the legacy you will leave while strengthening and providing stability for the institution. Jae-Chan Ahn and Young-Sun Nam Shirley Anderson* ’52 Sally (Peterson) Atherton ’66 Grace (Brynolson) Atkinson* ’33 Elaine (Tubbs) Austin* ’36 Martine Baker-Anderson* ’57 Ruth (Nunan) Bartells* ’26 Sue (Spiegle) Batema ’61 Rex J. Bates* Barry and Susan Bauska Mildred Anne (Campbell) Bechtel* ’45 Florence Behnke* Catherine (McPherson) Bernhard* ’30 Suzanne (Baker) Bethke* ’55 Kay Bishop* ’60 Ruth Bishop* ’63 Ann Bogrette Dzidra Briedis* Betty Lou (Ervin) Broderick ’53 Samuel Brown* Alma (Corry) Campbell Fleet ’64 Laura and Mark Carlson Michael Churng and Kate Dorr ’96 Tad Ellis* Mary (Turrill) Ellis ’39 Anne Field* Jane (Spencer) Foster* ’56 Will and Anne (Middleton) Foster ’70 Barbara Glasgow* ’36 Stacey and Jake Guadnola ’90MS
Pamela Hanson ’70 E. Harvey Headland* Greta (Shaw) Heide* ’24 Allan and Melissa* (Sallee Sheldon) Hess ’63 Henry and Barbara Hewitt* William and Anne (Fisher) Hofius ’55 Susanne (Fisher) Hubbach* ’37 William and Elizabeth (Doud) Hyde* ’38 Mildred (Russell) Jensen ’50 Joan Gardner-Johnston Barbara (Roberts) Kenney ’38 Helen (Edwards) Kenney ’46 Rebecca Kirkpatrick ’97 Susan Kirkpatrick Janet (Ferris) Koltun-Titus ’53 James Mack Koon Jr Elizabeth (Allen) Koons* ’36 Michèle Laboda ’79 Sally Briggs Leighton Phyllis Lewis John and Sara Long Rose Magrini* Susan* and David Manger Patricia (Gibson) McAvity ’60 Amy (Schanno) McCarthy* ’54 John and Burdette (Craig) McClelland* ’36 Edward and Adele (Houx) Miller ’49 Kathryn Monroe* Derry Ann Moritz* ’53 Allen and Elizabeth (Ayrault) Moses ’48
Lynne (Rubush) Nickel* ’60 Marjorie Oda-Burns ’66 Yu Chin Pan* J. Bruce and Laura (Gonyea) Partridge ’70 Cordelia (Hartwell) Puttkammer ’57 Marlene (Westfall) Robbins ’73 Peggy Lou (Stebbins) Roberts* ’35 Jean (Harriett) Roskos* Frances (Young) Rushton* ’38 Ruth (McFarland) Rystogi* ’31 Robert and Eleanor Sanders Rand and Lynn (Beaty) Sealey ’61 Lance and Marion (Williamson) Shipley ’89 Jay and Peachy Smalling Suzanne P. Smith* ’82 Ann (Terteling) Sparks* ’53 Barbara (Brooks) Spaulding* ’34 Mary Jane Stamm* ’42 Waldo and Norma (Gjertsen) Stone* Herman Tenzler* Camilla Titcomb* Mary Trodden ’69 Bob and Emily (McFadon) Vincent ’49 Kristen Wallerich ’75 Marilyn (Muckey) Walter ’44 Barbara Jean White Eckles Peter and Karen (Warren) Wickstrand ’60 Wilbur Woodhams* Virginia (Baker) Woolf ’36
*Heritage Society members noted with an asterisk have already left their legacy at Annie Wright Schools.
“
I have Annie Wright Schools in my will because the school has been an important part of my life and this will be one last chance to give back and help it continue in its mission. KATE DORR ’96 With children Lee ’27 (left) and Gwen ’30 (right)
”
WAYS TO GIVE A beneficiary designation is one of the simplest ways to make a planned gift. Simply list Annie Wright Schools as the beneficiary on a retirement or insurance account. A bequest is a gift provision in your will or revocable living trust that transfers assets to Annie Wright Schools at the end of your life.
For more information about the Heritage Society, please contact Director of Development Grace Finch at 253.284.8604 or grace_finch@aw.org. 18
Welcome, New Trustees Tenley Cederstrand
Monica Torrez-Pfister
Tenley works at RAIN Incubator in grant development and community outreach. With a bachelor’s in biology from Washington State University, her background is in business development, primarily in life sciences. She has also fostered start-up companies in apparel, fine art and real estate, and has served on the board for RAIN Incubator, Children’s Museum of Tacoma, AWS and Junior Achievement of Washington. Tenley and her husband Eric have two children who attended AWS, Avery ’11MS and Annika ’17. She serves on the Philanthropy and Community Engagement Committee.
Monica is an attorney with over a decade of specialized experience in employment law, currently serving as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer at TrueBlue, Inc. She has earned academic and professional honors, and served on community boards such as Lawyers Helping Hungry Children, Association of Corporate Counsel, Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, and has served as the Employment Law Chair of the Hispanic National Bar Association. Monica and her husband Bill have three children attending AWS, Maxx ’28, Maison ’34 and Mia ’35. She serves on the Head’s Support and Evaluation Committee.
Misa Furumoto ’92 After graduating from AWS, Misa attended Mount Holyoke College and Yale Divinity School where she obtained a master’s in religion. She and her husband Yasuhisa were ordained together as Anglican Church priests in Japan in 2015. Now she serves as a chaplain at a private girls school in Kyoto while serving at Nara Christ Church on Sundays. Misa and Yasuhisa have a 13-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy. She serves on the Philanthropy and Community Engagement Committee.
Kevin Sanders, MD PhD Kevin is a radiation oncologist at Sound Cancer Care in Puyallup, Washington, and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital and MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital. He received his medical degree from University of Illinois College of Medicine. Kevin and his wife Brenda have two children attending AWS, Alyssa ’24 and Natalie ’26. He serves on the Finance Committee.
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Rt. Rev. Brian N. Prior Bishop Brian N. Prior has previously served on the board for Breck School and Shattuck-St. Mary’s School when he was the Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. Brian now serves as the Assisting Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia and owns his own business, Prioritize Coaching. Summer Camp Director, High School Girls’ Basketball Coach and frequent Keynote presenter at youth conferences, Brian loves working with young people. He serves on the Philanthropy and Community Engagement Committee.
These community members join our dedicated Board of Trustees— and check out our new Executive Committee for 2021-22!
In Memoriam With strength in our hearts, we remember those we have lost from our Annie Wright Schools community. Winifred Saxton O'Farrell ’42 Janet (Beall) Broadbent ’45 Mildred Russell Jensen ’50 Ann Gowen Combs ’52
Engagement Series UNTAMED BY GLENNON DOYLE (Book Club) Saturday, July 17 | 11:00 am THE OFFICE OF HISTORICAL CORRECTIONS: A NOVELLA AND STORIES BY DANIELLE EVANS (Book Club) Saturday, August 14 | 11:00 am RSVP to Alicia Mathurin, Director of Community Engagement, at alicia_mathurin@aw.org
Lael (Harris) Maurins, Alumni Associate, 1957-1959
Senior Leadership Team
Editor
Graphic Designer
Jake Guadnola ’90MS, Head of Schools 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 Annie Katica Green, Director of Arts Jennifer Haley ’89, Director of Advancement Alicia Mathurin, Director of Community Engagement Jeremy Stubbs, Director of Upper School for Boys Jean Webber, Director of Finance & Operations
Jen Willey
Barbie Pratt
Contributors
Photographer Oona Copperhill
Submissions
Board of Trustees Jim Defebaugh, Chair Lisa Hoffman, Vice Chair David Overton, Treasurer Janelle Guirguis Blake, Secretary Michele Cannon-Bessler, Past Chair Sally (Peterson) Atherton ’66 Diane Bai Tenley Cederstrand Stephanie Cook ’88 Jeffrey Davis Laura Edman Misa Furumoto ’92
Rex Bates Angela Ferguson Grace Finch Jake Guadnola Maddy Mancuso ’05MS Dianne Matthaei Bridgette O’Brien Jeremy Stubbs
Manuel La Rosa Martha Lantz Damani Leech ’90MS Marjorie Oda-Burns ’66 John Parrott Merritt (Klarsch) Pulliam ’92 Kevin Sanders Monica Torrez-Pfister Aliya (Merali) Virani ’96 Rt. Rev. Brian Prior (ex-officio) Dawn Turnipseed (ex-officio)
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.
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