Strength magazine, summer 2016

Strength The Magazine of Annie Wright Schools

Summer 2016

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Annie Wright

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Annie Wright

Dear Annie Wright Community, As you know, people have preconceived notions about Annie Wright. Some retain the image of a strict, all-girls seminary. Our historic building and traditional uniforms evoke to many a formal and conventional prep school. Others who know our reputation for excellent academics assume our raison d’être stops there.

Head of Schools Christian G. Sullivan

Over the course of the next academic year, and beyond, we will make a more deliberate effort to dispel some of these stereotypes by highlighting the range of people who embody the strength, pioneering spirit and passion for inquiry and innovation that define Annie Wright. A preview of this effort begins here in Strength magazine.

In the following pages you will read about a financial executive who is building a program at the forefront of innovative thinking, a former football player who is reinvigorating our sports culture and bringing the Annie Wright experience to his own family, a career educator who embraces innovations in teaching, an alumna journalist who covered a major presidential campaign (this article by an Annie Wright student with her own passion for journalism), a rising sixth grader with a strong interest in environmental causes and green architecture, a rising tenth grader whose dedication to tennis led to a state champion title, and more.

This array of individuals helps define Annie Wright. Our school is not, however, all things to all people. Our culture is global, academic and personally engaging. Faculty truly know their students, and there is no place to hide for those who want to disappear into the crowd. High expectations of effort, commitment, responsibility and respect permeate each division. A commitment to making education a priority is essential for all families, and while, thanks to extraordinary generosity from many of you, we offer many scholarships, everyone has to contribute some tuition. A small school with an ambitious vision, Annie Wright is gaining local, national and international recognition, but it will remain authentically student-centered and true to the South Sound community it was built to serve.

I have worked in several schools around the world and have never encountered a community that values both tradition and innovation so deeply and authentically. It is thrilling to work in a truly student-centered school where each individual finds his or her strengths and voice, and is encouraged to inquire, dream big and speak up.

As for me, I was born in London and have recently become an American citizen. I have passions for international politics, history, sports, exploring new cultures, my community and my family. I am humbled by the leadership, faculty, alumni, students and families that make up this extraordinary community. I am extremely proud to be Annie Wright.

Best,

Christian G. Sullivan Head of Schools

10 contents 2 Looking Ahead: Strategic Plan 2016-2021 8 I am Annie Wright 10 Generous Donors Fuel Campaign for

Endowment and Athletic Facilities 12 Learning with Zeal

12 Lower Schoolers Engage with Experts

13 Middle Schoolers Solve Problems by Design

15 Upper School Launches Signature Programs 17 Faculty Spotlights

17 Mike Finch Elevates Athletics

18 Joy Phelps to Receive Bishop Paddock Award

18 Chuck Minor & Malcolm Davidson are Honored at May Day 20 Alumni Spotlights

20 MaryAlice Parks ’04 Berns it Up

22 John Tinsley ’01MS Pauses to Travel the World 24 Sally Atherton ’66 & Anita Murray Barbey ‘66 Win the 2016 Alumni Achievement Award 25 Annual Philanthropy Report: Your Gifts in Action 29 Jennifer Haley ’89 Becomes Director of Institutional Advancement 30 Gator Games Auction Promotes Sports, Play, Fitness & Wellness 32 Preschool Celebrates Moms 33 The Spade Continues to Make History 34 The Annie Wright Community Celebrates May Day & Graduation 2016 36 The Class of 2016 Goes to College 42 Class Notes 46 In Memoriam 48 Annie Wright’s Own British Invasion Submissions: Strength is published twice a year by the Annie Wright Schools communications office.

Submissions of story suggestions, articles and photos are always welcome and may be sent to news@aw.org. Please submit class notes to aw.org/connect or alumni@aw.org.

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Strength Summer 2016

Lisa Isenman, Editor Christian G. Sullivan, Head of Schools Susan Bauska, Assistant Head of Schools Jake Guadnola, Director of Upper School Bill Hulseman, Director of Middle School Victoria Ball, Director of Lower School Mike Finch, Director of Athletics Mary Sigmen, Director of Finance and Operations Jennifer Haley, Director of Advancement Rex Bates, Director of Business Development Contributors Melanie Aamidor Rex Bates Maya Arigala ‘16 Susan Bauska Stacey Guadnola Lisa Isenman

John Long Jennifer Shafer Christian Sullivan John Tinsley ‘01MS Cristiana Ventura

Board of Trustees John Long, Chair Julia Cho, Vice Chair John Parrott, Treasurer Kelly Givens, Secretary Michele Cannon Bessler Bob Crist Jim Defebaugh Laura Edman Tony Escobar Judy Forkner ‘63

Tom Hanly Suzanne Hattery John Lantz Marcia Moe Jamie Murray Amy Paulose ‘95 Chris Sakas Cathy Schneider Pamela Hyde Smith ‘63

Alumni Association Executive Committee Taylor Cassell ’09 - President Margot Grant ‘00MS Claire Fallat ‘08 - Vice President Shannon Grant ‘96MS Holly Bamford Hunt ‘89 Carol Hagen ‘92 Judy (Tytler) Buennagel ‘82 Alyssa Harvey ‘06 John Tinsley ‘01MS Genevieve Grant, Class of ‘17, Ellen Weiland ‘95 Student Representative Katie Zech, Highstreet Advertising, Inc., Designer Annie Wright Schools 827 North Tacoma Avenue Tacoma, Washington 98403

THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

P: 253.272.2216 F: 253.572.3616 www.aw.org

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Looking Ahead: Strategic Plan 2016-2021

In 2011, the Board of Trustees affirmed a bold strategic plan. Five years later, all of the elements of that plan have been achieved, or are in process, and the trajectory of the school has changed forever. The International Baccalaureate program is firmly positioned in every division, educational technology is thriving, and learning support resources have grown exponentially. Athletics is in the process of improving, and we are very excited to be building our new field now and an additional gym in the near future. Enrollment is the highest in the history of the school, and we are financially robust. This has allowed us to: reach our goal of our median faculty salary matching our regional association’s median salary for schools of our type maintain our facility and carry out significant renovations of the dorms and some classrooms

grow the plant fund to over $1 million, allowing us to maintain our historic campus increase the divisional instructional and programmatic budgets significantly grow the professional development budget

Annie Wright Schools’ Mission: Annie Wright’s strong community cultivates individual learners to become well-educated, creative and responsible citizens for a global society.

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THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

While Annie Wright is clearly thriving, we cannot be complacent, and that is why we are so excited for the next stage in the history of Annie Wright. Our 2016-2021 Strategic Plan, affirmed by the Board of Trustees in April, took nearly 18 months to develop, with input from well over 140 different people, including current and former parents, alumni grandparents, students, trustees, faculty and staff.

This vision statement informed their efforts: Annie Wright Schools will be internationally recognized as educational leaders where tradition meets innovation and every student is inspired to make a profound contribution in the world.

Many thanks to everyone who contributed to this visionary endeavor, particularly the Board of Trustees and the steering committee, including Julia Cho (Trustee, Chair), Christian Sullivan (Head of Schools, Vice-Chair), Susan Bauska (Assistant Head of Schools, Vice-Chair), John Long (Chair of the Board, Ex-Officio), and students Jagmit Dhami ’16 and Jessa Jeter ‘16, alumnae Kate Dorr ‘96 and Rebecca Kirkpatrick ‘97, faculty members Bridgette McGoldrick and Joe Romano, parent Divya McMillin, trustee Jamie Murray, and past parent and faculty member Allison Parks.

2016-2021 Strategic Plan ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS IN TACOMA, THE REGION AND THE WORLD Annie Wright Schools will prioritize a globalized curriculum and experiences that take us off campus and connect us to Tacoma, the region and the world.

Globalization propelled by technology and the marketplace creates growing integration and interdependence.

A globalized curriculum will provide a means of understanding the world in the midst of these changes to foster visionary leaders.

For the period of this Strategic Plan, Annie Wright Schools will: 1. become a premiere IB Continuum School, working with the IB organization to become leaders in IB programming, including the possibility of becoming an IB Teacher Training site.

2. be on the cutting edge of using and teaching social media and technology tools to maximize avenues of global communication.

3. identify and intensify local partnerships (such as with local universities and service organizations) that will enhance academic and extra-curricular offerings and increase Annie Wright’s stature as a Tacoma institution.

4. expand opportunities for direct international experiences for all students and faculty through virtual and actual exchange and travel, and create protocols with partner institutions to maximize benefits of exchange interactions.

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5. expect, enhance and benchmark progress toward student proficiency in a second language by the end of Upper School.

6. research and implement best practices in global pedagogy and content specific to each discipline

Annie Wright is already moving forward with this initiative by... ...implementing the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. An IB World School since 2009, Annie Wright is already authorized in the Primary Years Programme in Lower School and Diploma Programme in Upper School. When the Middle School receives full authorization for the MYP, Annie Wright will be one of the few IB continuum schools in the United States.

EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING Annie Wright Schools will hire, develop, nurture and retain its excellent teaching force, and will share our expertise through the establishment of at least one center for excellence in teaching on campus.

Excellent teachers represent Annie Wright’s single most valuable resource. This strategic goal is to raise the bar of expectations and define what constitutes excellence in any classroom and in any division. Our teachers and their practices must be highlighted publicly and widely while

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maintaining a focus on their primary responsibility to the individual students they teach.

For the period of this Strategic Plan, Annie Wright Schools will:

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS Annie Wright Schools will create, market and implement selective and highly competitive signature programs within the Upper School.

1. build an innovative and even more robust professional development program, blending institutional need with teacher choice and empowerment—particularly honoring those opportunities that bring innovative excellence into the community.

This strategic goal builds upon our commitment to students discovering and acting upon authentic passions. An added benefit is tremendous marketing and recruitment potential in these centers of excellence that can lead to further international recognition.

2. encourage, support and expect our faculty to share their professional expertise at local, national and international conferences, workshops and publications.

For the period of the Strategic Plan:

3. develop and implement a consistent evaluative system for each employee with an eye toward determining and recognizing true excellence as that occurs.

4. formalize a teacher-leader training program.

5. continue to make appropriate compensation a priority in each budget year, including salary, benefits and professional development.

6. in partnership with a local university, plan and eventually establish a pre-eminent teacher training center at Annie Wright Schools.

Annie Wright is already moving forward with this initiative by... ...holding conferences and workshops for area teachers, establishing our faculty as leading experts in their fields. In May the school hosted EdCamp, an “unconference” where teachers from a range of schools and colleges present, discuss, collaborate and share their knowledge and experience on a range of topics decided that very day. Topics ranged from Mindfulness in the Classroom to Virtual Reality.

1. the Board and Administration will commit to appropriate resources (funding and personnel) to ensure programmatic success at a level that can support true and lasting excellence.

2. the Upper School will prototype two initial programs: Girls’ Business & Entrepreneurship and Tennis, beginning in the spring 2016 admissions season and throughout the 2016-17 academic year.

3. the Upper School will work expeditiously, based upon lessons learned from the prototype, toward additional signature programs. These are initially likely to be holistic programs in 1) global politics and 2) coding / computer technology.

4. the admissions and communications departments will work with the Upper School to develop and disseminate appropriate marketing plans aimed at maximizing candidate interest in the signature programs and Annie Wright Schools.

Annie Wright is already moving forward with this initiative by... ...establishing the parameters, programming and staffing for two signature programs, Girls’ Business & Entrepreneurship and Tennis, starting this fall. Read more about these exciting programs on pages 15.

Clare Wagstaff held a particularly popular session about our design program (see this program in action on page 13).

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DIVERSITY Annie Wright Schools will diversify and enhance access to all programs and will build a community that appropriately represents our region and the world.

Annie Wright will prepare innovative leaders who can actively contribute to a diverse world. We therefore need to take steps to ensure that our community appropriately reflects the kinds of diversity found in our region and the world and prepares our students to move and work effectively within that diversity.

For the period of this Strategic Plan, Annie Wright Schools will: 1. establish a committee for diversity, chaired initially by the Assistant Head of Schools.

2. formally assess where Annie Wright stands against the strategic goal, NWAIS and NAIS standards.

3. research and visit other NWAIS schools farther along in the process of developing a plan for diversity, use their successes and failures to inform our process, and engage them as colleagues in this important work.

4. develop and follow a statement of diversity, as approved by the Board of Trustees.

5. develop a five-year strategic plan for diversity, including goals, strategies and actions, and performance measures in the areas of: • teaching and curriculum • faculty / staff support, retention and recruitment • student support, retention and recruitment • outreach and community partnerships • communication • school climate

EDUCATING OUR BOYS Annie Wright Schools will create a phased plan for curriculum, finance and footprint (infrastructural needs) to support a boys’ upper school program— equivalent to but separate and distinct from the existing girls’ upper school.

The Board of Trustees is committed to educating high-school aged boys, believing that Annie Wright Schools have a duty to offer to boys the world-class education that our Upper School girls already receive. This additional educational option will support families and honor our founders’ intent to facilitate the development of Tacoma and the South Sound by offering high-quality independent school education that is attractive to many local families.

Annie Wright has not been an all-girls’ school since the early 1970s. The decision to educate boys has happened iteratively, first in the Lower School and then in the Middle School. The natural step is now to educate high-school aged boys. The enormity of this decision and the knowledge that we must honor tradition and not diminish our Upper School girls’ profoundly positive experience, however, demand more foundational work. We must ensure the eventual success of a boys’ high school program, but not at the expense of any other critical component of AWS, our community and especially our students.

For the period of this Strategic Plan, Annie Wright Schools will: 1. immediately and for the duration engage in staff research and training regarding best practices of genderbased learning and the brain. This research and training will be relevant to boys and girls of all ages.

Annie Wright is already moving forward with this initiative by... ....enlisting the help of the National Association of Independent Schools to administer a comprehensive survey, the Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism, to our community. These results along with in-depth conversations and consultation with experts will help guide Annie Wright to improve diversity and inclusivity.

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2. create and publish clear and compelling statements about the strengths of gender-based education.

3. research and visit existing models of schools where boys and girls learn separately on the same campus.

4. incorporate as a major piece of the campus master plan (see Institutional Sustainability) the location of a separate boys’ program, including potential off-campus venues.

5. plan for funding, design, staffing and phasing in of the boys’ Upper School program and implement, if feasible, by 2021.

Annie Wright is already moving forward with this initiative by... ...engaging in professional development to learn how boys and girls learn differently and how they can best meet students’ specific needs. This knowledge already informs teaching practice in the coed Day School. Conversations about establishing a parallel Upper School program for boys have become a strategic priority.

Education), including the creation of targeted signature sports in the Upper School.

3.incorporate the new gymnasium and playing field as foundations for the next phase of development of our athletics program, including in the vision the possibility of a thriving high school boy’s program.

4. develop at least two sports in which students perform at consistently high levels.

Annie Wright is already moving forward with this initiative by... ...elevating the new Director of Athletics (see page 17), to the senior leadership team and empowering him to make major improvements in the physical education and athletics programs, including developing our signature tennis program (see page 16), hiring an elite level volleyball coach, establishing teams for Lower School students and acquiring a range of new equipment through the 2016 Gator Gala Fund-A-Need (see page 30). New facilities, already in the works, will also provide ample spaces for year-round sports and play.

ATHLETICS Annie Wright Schools will deliver a top quality, developmentally appropriate athletic and physical education experience for every student.

This strategic goal is a renewed commitment to achieve success in our athletics program. During the period of the strategic plan, Annie Wright Schools will: 1. elevate the position of Director of Athletics to the senior leadership level.

2. charge the Director of Athletics with developing and carrying out a comprehensive developmental plan for athletic development and PHE (Physical and Health 6

INSTITUTIONAL SUSTAINABILITY Annie Wright Schools will complete the current capital campaign and simultaneously explore and develop financial support for future projects and growth beyond tuition dependence.

To a great extent, the success of the other goals in the plan will be dependent on the work that must be achieved within this goal.

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For the period of this Strategic Plan, Annie Wright Schools will: 1. redistribute human resources to maximize efficiency for enrollment, development and communications by adopting an institutional advancement model led by a single senior administrator.

2. create a position to leverage opportunities, space, and other current and future resources—especially in innovative curriculum and pedagogy—beyond existing programs and tuition to assure additional revenue.

Annie Wright is already moving forward with this initiative by... ...developing and exploring alternative revenue streams, a campus master plan and a culture of philanthropy at Annie Wright. The Board of Trustees and administration realize that growth beyond tuition dependence is vital for Annie Wright to thrive in the next decades and centuries.

3. create a multi-year development plan for a culture of philanthropy.

4. finalize a five-year Campus Master Plan, including any possible future building on the existing campus and / or purchases of properties elsewhere.

5. explore and, if feasible, develop international programs or campuses.

Strategic Planning Task Forces Thank you to the following community members who served on task forces and spent many hours helping to develop the plan. The Board of Trustees deeply appreciates their efforts.

Annie Wright in Tacoma John Lantz (Chair) Kirsten Carlson Ryan Dicks Annie Green Helen McGovern-Pilant Kyle Price Tiffany Shaw Pamela Transue Susan Warner Annie Wright in the World Amy Paulose ’95 (Chair) Keliko Adams Diane Bai Rex Bates Meg Billings Alyssa Harvey ’06 Jessa Jeter ’16

Divya McMillin Pamela Hyde Smith ’63 Stephanie So Maggie Wang ’16 Diversity Mo Copeland (Co-Chair) Rebecca Kirkpatrick ’97 (Co-Chair) Vicki Ball Jan Buennagel Janna Bushaw Crist Sedia Dennis Bayard Jagmit Dhami ’16 Monett (Jenkins) Gibson ’96 Zach Hansen Emily Lynn Tessa Taylor ’03

Educating Boys Jim Defebaugh (Chair) Bobbie Bailey Gayle Gray Jake Guadnola ’90MS Lisa Hoffman John Long David Overton Allison Parks Carl Peterson Faculty Cathy Schneider (Chair) Barry Bauska Angelica Calcote James Cardo Amy Eveskcige Bill Hulseman Bridgette McGoldrick

Bill Schuver Katherine Steuart Innovative Programming/ Additional Revenue Streams Michele Cannon Bessler (Chair) Bob Crist Jake Guadnola ’90MS Jennifer Haley ’89 Kristina Maritzcak Scott Moody Steve Parrott Joe Romano Dana Wasyluka

Visit aw.org/strategic_plan for the most up-to-date version of this plan.

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THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

I am...bold

thoughtful intelligent creative reflective engaged playful adventurous passionate curious confident ambitious strong.

I am

Annie Wright

An array of exceptional individuals represents the mission and spirit of Annie Wright Schools. Some of these students, faculty, staff and alumni are highlighted in the following pages, and others will feature throughout the 201617 school year in all kinds of Annie Wright communications. Together they help tell the story of your iconic institution.

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Generous Donors Fuel Campaign for Endowment and Athletic Facilities FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH: The Campaign for Annie Wright Schools Enters Community Phase

by John Long, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Christian Sullivan, Head of Schools

Two years ago, the Board of Trustees set a target to raise $6 million to enhance our athletic facilities and $6 million to increase our endowment, which is vital for the financial future of the school. This extraordinarily important endeavor is called “From Strength to Strength: The Campaign for Annie Wright Schools.�

Since the Board set that target, we have been quietly fundraising for these transformative projects. We are now thrilled to report that generous donors have helped us raise more than $11 million toward our original target of $12 million.

Construction has already begun on a beautiful all-weather field for year-round sports and play.

Many donors, especially alumni, directed their gifts toward the endowment, and because of their generosity we have surpassed the original goal for this area. We now look forward to devoting our efforts for athletic facilities to raise

the remaining $1 million needed for a new all-weather field and gym to accommodate all of our students, from Preschool to Grade 12, at times that are developmentally appropriate for them.

The school community gathered on June 9 for a celebratory groundbreaking on our beautiful new field, waving goodbye to our old field, constructed in 1924.

Thank you to the hundreds of donors who have already participated in this historic campaign that will change the lives of children now and for decades to come. We look forward to sharing more news and opportunities to be a part of this extraordinary community effort.

A student-centered groundbreaking ceremony for the new all-weather field included the whole school.

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“I am so honored to work with strong leaders and wonderful families during this time of growth for Annie Wright, Tacoma and the South Sound.

Together we are creating exciting, innovative programs that will inspire our students and prepare them for a future in which they can make a lasting contribution to the world.

At the same time, we are providing excellent opportunities for faculty professional development and facilities to support our students’ growth and passions.” ­ — John Long, Chair of the Board of Trustees

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Together we are creating exciting, innovative programs

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Annie Wright

Campaign in a Nutshell In 2014, the Board of Trustees identified two top strategic priorities. These became the heart of “From Strength to Strength: The Campaign for Annie Wright Schools.”

1. Growing the Endowment from $19 million to $25 million, which generates $1 million annually to support and enhance scholarships, learning support, endowed faculty positions, professional learning, athletics and the arts. We have already surpassed this goal!

2. Enhancing Athletic Facilities to provide every student with year-round opportunities for physical activity in safe, attractive and high performance facilities. These include a new allweather field and an additional gym. We still need a final $1 million to complete this project.

Learn more: www.aw.org/strength-campaign

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Learning with Zeal Lower Schoolers Engage with Experts Lower School students go beyond the classroom, and the internet, for purposeful inquiry, which is at the core of the IB’s Primary Years Programme (PYP). Meeting experts and engaging actively in their own learning help students develop their sense of how the world works.

Grade 1 students visited Seattle’s Teatro Zinzanni to learn about using their unique skills and talents to express themselves before staging their own circus. In another unit, whose central idea was “Different forms of transportation help us connect,” they visited the Port of Olympia to learn how goods are transported overseas.

Grade 4 students turned to faculty and staff experts within the building including Jack Fallat, Joy Phelps, Rex Bates and Jean Young, as well as alumni from a range of decades, to learn about Annie Wright’s history. Each student chose one topic to research, for example Bishop Bayne, May Day traditions, the school's Coat of Arms, Ruth Jenkins and the different uniforms over the years. Through personal interactions students were able to glean experiences, stories and details unavailable in written texts.

The culminating project for the PYP experience, which takes place in Grade 5, is an inquiry into how individuals, communities, businesses, and government agencies impact the environment. Classroom speakers and expeditions to area museums, lakes, ecology centers and businesses provide access to experts.

Students make connections with these adults, who go on to help them with their individual research.

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Grade 1 students juggle with the experts at Teatro Zinzanni in Seattle.

Grade 4 student Elijah Mathisen explains the history of the cloister (now the Bamford Commons) to a younger schoolmate.

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“I’ve always been interested in green buildings, so I chose the research question ‘How do green buildings impact the environment?’ for my capstone project. I went to visit the Bullitt Center in Seattle and it is really, really cool. It is the most sustainable and ecofriendly building in the world.”

— Nico Cefalu, Grade 5 student

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Middle Schoolers Solve Problems by Design Grade 7 students used the design process to create their class project for the Annie Wright auction. Humanities teacher Kyle Price and math teacher John Rockne charged students with developing an original idea that would highlight the creativity and uniqueness of Grade 7. Students worked in groups, then pitched their ideas to their peers.

Maeve Hunt, Ella Salam and Emma Harrison presented the winning idea: Annie Wright playing cards. Students identified iconic spots around the school and consulted photography and marketing experts before snapping artistic shots for each playing card. The girls also made

a pitch to the auction steering committee and to two potential “investors,” Annie Wright bookstore manager Erin Gann and philanthropy director Stacey Guadnola, who agreed to help fund the project.

“We’ve had design elements across the curriculum for as long as I’ve been here,” said Mr. Price,“ but there’s never been a coordinated class to help organize the thinking behind the design cycle. Design is broader than tech skills.

It’s more conceptual and empathetic, and the creation can involve lots of kinds of technology, even basic technology like a hammer.”

Grade 7 students Ella Salam, Emma Harrison and Maeve Hunt pitch their Annie Wright playing cards idea to the auction steering committee.

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Grade 8 students designed Wikiseats to meet a variety of needs.

As part of the Middle School’s design program, Grade 8 students developed, built and tested three-legged chairs, called Wikiseats. This six-month project followed the Middle Years Programme (MYP) design cycle, which includes inquiring and analyzing, developing ideas, creating a solution and evaluating.

With a focus on process, students visited two local furniture companies that produce sustainable furniture. After consulting their “clients” (Annie Wright’s faculty and staff) to learn their specific needs, students set about building chairs to suit. The process included an interview with the client, design of a prototype, further consultation and refinement, construction of the seat, documentation, selfassessment and reflection.

Addressing a range of requests, from a small chair for toddlers for our advancement office, to a waterproof seat to submerge in the pool for our swim instructor, students constructed seats from wood, plastic, metal and fabric.

“This project was about involving our school community and using the resources and talent in our Tacoma community,” said Clare Wagstaff, design teacher and assistant director of Middle School.

“It suspended the instant gratification that many of our students are used to. Instead, this project required multiple prototypes and iterations to accomplish the final goal. As with all our design units, it is the process we prize so highly; the end product is a bonus!”

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Upper School Launches Signature Programs Annie Wright Upper Schoolers continue to follow their passions and advocate strongly for them. School leadership is listening. In direct response to their desire to engage more deeply in certain areas, Annie Wright is developing signature programs to complement the IB curriculum. The first two, launching this academic year, are Girls’ Business & Entrepreneurship and Tennis.

Girls' Business & Entrepreneurship will offer girls in Grades 10-12 the opportunity to explore the fundamentals of starting and building a business, including defining a business model, accounting, recruiting, management, marketing and more.

Students will choose an elective business course in Grade 10 and then follow the globally focused IB business curriculum in Grades 11-12. Mentorship opportunities are a strong component of the program, as are summer internships, startup ventures and related travel. The program culminates with personally designed capstone experiences and presentations of final business & entrepreneurship portfolios.

Former Russell executive Sandra Forero Bush, who has spent the past year with her family in Spain, will lead this

program. Mrs. Bush joined Annie Wright Schools in 2010 as IB Business and Management Teacher. With degrees from Brown University and the University of California San Diego, she worked for a non-profit in Washington DC before moving to Tacoma to work for Russell Investments.

“Allowing high school students with a deep passion for business and entrepreneurship the ability to delve into and deepen those interests is unique and exciting,” said Mrs. Bush.

“We are looking to build a program that also draws on personal and group interaction with people and organizations who are successful in their fields and at the forefront of innovative thinking in business practices through conferences, workshops and, ultimately, mentorships and internships.”

Scan this QR code or visit www.aw.org/business to learn more about Girls’ Business & Entrepreneurship at Annie Wright.

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“Our goal is to allow the girls to analyze the many different facets of this complex world through a challenging curriculum coupled with compelling projects, experiences and activities, and the necessary tools to succeed in any entrepreneurial venture they wish to explore.”

— Sandra Bush, Girls’ Business & Entrepreneurship Director THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

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After I won I felt like I just created a moment that I would remember for the rest of my life.

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The tennis program is for scholar/athletes who want to play year-round tennis and take part in the Upper School’s full academic program, providing the opportunity to train intensively and experience the benefits of a challenging IB curriculum and all-girls environment.

The program will include rigorous training sessions every day in a small group environment with other committed players. The team will travel together to high level tournaments throughout the school year.

Coaches Steve Wright and Nick Moxley, based at the historic Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club next door, have decades of experience developing youth players. Their combination of nurturing and high expectations leads to motivated tennis players who achieve excellence on the court and in the classroom.

“It is very unusual to get a pool of so much talent in a small area, and I am anxious to see how far we can take the girls and what we can achieve,” said Steve.

I am

Annie Wright

“Before I actually started playing tennis I used to watch it on TV. My parents said they would see my head going back and forth following the ball. I loved tennis so much that when they would try to change the channel to something that a threeyear-old should be watching I would get really upset until they changed the channel back to tennis.”

One of those girls, rising 10th grader Agye Mintah, was number one in the Pacific Northwest U12s for three years in a row. At 14 years old, she is currently number 20 in the U18s. In May she was named Emerald City League Tennis Rookie of the Year, and a few weeks later won the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association 1A tennis tournament to become the 2016 singles state champion.

Scan this QR code or visit www.aw.org/tennis to learn more and see a video of our tennis players in action.

— Agye Mintah, Grade 9 student

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FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Mike Finch Elevates Athletics Tacoma native Mike Finch joined Annie Wright second semester as Director of Athletics. Mr. Finch, who graduated from Wilson High School in 2002 and Harvard University in 2006, where he played football and earned a BA in statistical psychology, was formerly head football and track coach and a math teacher at Charles Wright Academy.

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a lasting I’m excited to foster for our culture in athletics students and my family.

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Appointing Mr. Finch to this position addresses a key strategic goal: to elevate the schools’ athletic and physical education programs to a standard akin to academics and arts.

“Mike Finch is an exceptional educator, a dedicated coach and a passionate and ambitious leader who puts students at the center of everything he does,” said Head of Schools Christian Sullivan. “He is a perfect fit for our mission and culture.”

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The Day School already has daily physical education classes and team offerings in a variety of sports. The Upper School also offers a range of team sports, including a particularly strong volleyball team which, during the past ten years, had three undefeated seasons and went to state finals seven times.

Mike Finch, Director of Athletics, with future Gator Jack

Mr. Finch has already begun to build on these strengths.

He is creating, for example, after-school sports offerings for Lower Schoolers. “Families should not have to drive

Mr. Finch is also recruiting top coaches to work with students throughout the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools to grow elite athletes within the school. He hired renowned club volleyball coach Jeff Grosshans, for example, to lead both the Lower School and Upper School Varsity volleyball teams.

Mike Finch, with his wife Grace and children Ellie (5), Charlie (7) and Jack (2), sport their Seahawks pride at Annie Wright’s Family Night Auction.

15-45 minutes to another facility for their child to play on another sport team,” he said. “We want Annie Wright students participating in Annie Wright athletics on the Annie Wright campus.”

Building on this momentum and adding to their signature offerings, Annie Wright is starting a tennis program that will offer intense training for elite players. See page 16 to learn more.

“In today’s college admissions world, top institutions are turning away applicants who have perfect SAT scores and perfect GPAs,” said Mr. Finch. “These colleges are opting for students who participate in the full educational experience including athletics. With a stronger athletics program, we are helping students both learn life lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom setting alone and develop a resume for college applications that will help them compete for their top choices.”

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17

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Faculty & Staff Awards Honor Distinguished Service to Annie Wright Schools

by Susan Bauska

Chuck Minor: L.T. Murray Family Chair for Excellence Charles “Chuck” Minor joined Annie Wright in April 2011 as housekeeping supervisor. Prior to joining our community, he served in a similar capacity at Saint Martin’s University for 15 years, after retiring from a career with the US Army in 1995.

Chuck has an extremely positive attitude and a seemingly indefatigable work ethic, taking pride in everything he does, both personally and professionally. He is a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and an avid Seahawks fan, raising 12th man spirit around school throughout the season. He launches housekeeping team meetings with Annie Wright’s studentcentered mission and commits himself to any and all tasks asked of him, often staying late to cover for his employees that may be out sick or on vacation.

Beyond his paid employment he volunteers both at work, for example by donating his time to the annual auction, and in his wider professional community, for example by serving on the board of the Washington Association of Maintenance and Operation Administrators. He endears himself to fellow staff and faculty with his warm smile, can-do attitude and constant sources of nourishment, from “donut Fridays” to barbecue lunches in the summer.

“Like some of my students, I am easily bored. Because of this, I am always looking for new, different and more engaging ways to encourage deeper learning.”

“

s I love teaching fifth grader they are because developmentally ful realm

plunging into the wonder

of abstract thought.

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”

I am AnWrignieht

— Malcolm Davidson, Grade 5 teacher

THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

Malcolm Davidson: Bev Brown Excellence in Teaching Award Nineteen years ago, Malcolm Davidson joined the Annie Wright faculty, replacing the iconic Barbara Klarsch (at her request) when she retired due to illness. Malcolm and Barbara were students together at the University of Puget Sound and Malcolm was like a son to Barbara and her husband, former Head of School Bob Klarsch. According to Klarsch family lore, Barbara suggested to Malcolm at the end of his freshman year that they meet at the library; Malcolm did not know where the library was. Since that inauspicious beginning, Malcolm can now not only find the library, but also has likely read more than his fair share of books therein.

Throughout his years teaching at Annie Wright, Malcolm has come to epitomize the teacher as learner. Whenever

he has the opportunity to extend his teaching expertise or master a new concept, Malcolm exemplifies the spirit of inquiry and active learning, taking initiative, for example, to win multiple summer grants through the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Mr. D., as he is known by almost two decades of students, believes that everyone is a student, has potential and can become excited about learning. An anchor of the perpetually strong Grade 5 teaching team, working for years with Jan Buennagel (as the famed duo Mr. D. and Mr. B.), Malcolm has embraced innovations in teaching, for example by implementing the International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Programme, while staying true to solid pedagogy and his excellent sense of humor.

Joy Phelps: Bishop Paddock Award to Honor 40 Year Veteran It is certainly rare these days that an employee would choose to spend her entire career in one place, but Joy Phelps is a rare human being. Completing her 40th year of service at Annie Wright Schools, Joy began as a student teacher, became a dorm parent and then moved on to teach both English and French in the Middle and Upper Schools. Joy served as “Interim” Director of Middle School (for three years, which begs the “interim” status) and is now Day School Admissions Director.

Both of Joy’s children, Adrienne ‘04 and Mack ‘08MS, are Annie Wright “lifers,” and Adrienne has returned to the fold as Preschool teacher; Adrienne’s son Preston, who loves to visit his grandmother in her office in the administrators’ hallway, starts at Annie Wright this fall.

Save the Date THE 2016 BISHOP PADDOCK AWARD to honor 40-year veteran faculty and staff member Joy Phelps Friday, September 23, 5:30 pm Bamford Commons

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Over the last 40 years, Joy has sported three last names and more than a few hairstyles, all with characteristic grace, warmth, balance and good humor. The Annie Wright community is proud to honor Joy’s extraordinary service to Annie Wright with the Bishop Paddock Award. The ceremony will take place on Friday, September 23, at 5:30 pm in the Bamford Commons.

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

MaryAlice Parks '04 Berns it Up

by Maya Arigala ‘16

I’ve met some very impressive alumni over my four years at Annie Wright, but none so eloquent, interesting, and down to earth as Class of ‘04 alumna turned ABC journalist MaryAlice Parks.

When I first got on the line with Parks, I was a little nervous.

A last minute scheduling change had me sending a text underneath the table in the front row of Mrs. Schwartz’s biology class, and the tentative typing left my palms a little shaky. She opened with a hello, and paused our conversation to order a ginger ale, giving me a moment to recover from my embarrassment at responding to her greeting by asking her how she was… three times.

The conversation flowed a little more naturally after that.

Parks and I took a second to bond over the fact that we were both Blue Ties, which segued pretty neatly into a discussion about how her Annie Wright experience prepared her for a career in journalism. Parks spoke of the writing-intensive Annie Wright curriculum as a huge asset in the formation of her career, and said that the rigorous program has ended up serving her “exceptionally well.”

Parks also mentioned her background in theater at Annie Wright, and to the vocal culture of Annie Wright students in general. “It changes who you are, your ability to prepare for public speaking, to be confident talking in front of other people,” she said. “I feel very fortunate that that was a part of my upbringing.”

We then transitioned into a conversation about Parks’s experience personally knowing Senator and Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, and her opportunity to see his behavior both on and off the debate stage. Sanders is often described as an atypical politician, and his campaign has a very home-grown, genuine feel to it. After observing this over the course of the last few months, I was curious to know whether Sanders’s presidential persona echoed the manner in which he carries himself day to day.

Parks gave a very nuanced answer – yes and no. “Whether he’s just talking to a small group of reporters or on the big debate stage, he is the same kind of argumentative, sometimes aggressive, and very passionate speaker,” she said.

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MaryAlice interviews Bernie Sanders for ABC News.

Parks has also, however, had the opportunity to witness him in softer, more human moments, and recalls a charming anecdote at Boston’s Logan Airport in which Senator Sanders, extremely tired at the time, asked if they just could have a cup of coffee off the record.

“I’ve seen different sides of him, but I would say that for a politician, he’s shockingly consistent in who he is,” she said.

After establishing that the image of Sanders’s homegrown campaign is genuine, I inquired about the process of watching Bernie Sanders go from a relatively unknown senator to a major Presidential candidate. “It’s been incredible to watch the grass roots support behind him,” Parks answered, before going on to talk about how the campaign, “a ragtag group of folks from Vermont,” would not have developed in the manner it did without the enthusiasm of the volunteers behind them. When the

THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

“

campaign went national, Sanders had volunteers already on the ground, which helped it quickly grow and gain momentum. Parks talked about how, in the beginning, the campaign staff didn’t know how to plan events for crowds as big as those turning out for Bernie, and had to bring in people who had previously worked on the Obama campaign for assistance.

Parks also described how interesting it was to watch Sanders adapt to having secret service following him around and having to notify them every time he wants to do anything like go to a coffee shop. She contrasted his experience with Hillary Clinton, who, as a former first lady, has had the secret service following her around for three decades.

The writing-int ensive curricul um at Annie Wrigh t has been a h uge asset in building my career.

”

ight I am AnWrnie MaryAlice Parks ‘04 on the road with Bernie Sanders at Mt. Rushmore

In order to get a more holistic view of Parks’s experience of covering Sanders’s campaign, I asked her about her most memorable moments and experiences on the trail. She describe several smaller, more personal moments in her journey, beginning with a story about visiting a mosque with Senator Sanders and being subjected to his awkward, grandpa-type joking: “Oh, that’s a good look for you,” when she put on a headscarf. She also described an experience where Sanders was sitting in a diner and getting so annoyed by all the cameras that he turned, looked directly into Parks’s camera, and said, “You want the scoop? The scoop is tuna fish sandwich on rye. You got it ABC?”

Parks also offered some sound advice for other young women interested in pursuing journalism: have a versatile skill set and be willing to put yourself out there. She described a profile of a typical Annie Wright girl who is ready to introduce herself to total strangers and adapt to different environments, and cites these skills as major assets in her career today.

Parks closed these memories with a story about going trickor-treating with Sanders and his grandkids on Halloween, and watching the surprise on people’s faces when they opened their front doors and saw a Presidential candidate on their porches. “There are really big moments too,” she said. “It’s been incredible to cover the Iowa caucus and it’s been incredible to race around the state and the country, but in some ways I will probably cherish the more personal, small moments.”

After this, Parks inquired about my college and career plans, and we informally chatted for a bit about my dauntingly uncertain future - which seemed a little less daunting after speaking to someone who comes from a background so similar to mine and has managed to achieve my dream life.

Before we said our goodbyes, Parks asserted that I should feel free to reach out to her and ask for advice on my career or schooling options at any time, and though I shuddered at the thought of how meticulously I would proofread any email I sent to her, I was happy to agree to keep in touch.

To close out our interview, I asked a few slightly more personal questions about Parks’s career as a whole. She relayed a humorous detail about how, while she didn’t figure out she wanted to be a journalist right away, her family and her Annie Wright teachers, especially Mrs. Gettel and Mrs. Bauska, had known it all along.

THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

This article was originally published in Inkwell, Annie Wright Upper School’s newspaper. Maya will attend Reed College in Portland this fall.

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

John Tinsley ‘01MS Pauses to Travel the World Middle School alumnus John Tinsley, a member of Annie Wright’s Alumni Association Executive Committee, took three months off to travel to eleven countries on four continents with his wife, Katie, earlier this year. He describes his motives, his challenges and his highlights.

Strength: How did Annie Wright inspire your desire to travel and to serve?

JT: Mr. Owens class and 6th Grade Roman Day was the first time I became truly fascinated with another culture's history.

I still love Roman history to this day and vividly remember the way Roman Day brought history to life for me.

Strength: What were you doing before the trip, and how did it come about?

JT: Katie's dad passed away in 2010, and his death had a profound impact, making us realize how short life can be and the importance of taking advantage of the time we have control over. As we got closer to "having kids" age, planning the trip finally came down to saving up the money and putting a date on the calendar. Once we set a date, everything just came together. We were very fortunate to have extremely supportive and flexible employers (CHI Franciscan Health and Groom Energy Solutions) and helpful family and friends.

John Tinsley ‘01MS and his wife Katie visit Punta Tombo, Argentina, the largest Magellanic penguin colony in South America

Strength: How did you plan it? How much did you plan it?

JT: Our primary destination criteria were places that aren't "kid-friendly" and destinations that are harder to get to on a normal two-three week work vacation. Our thought was that, once we have kids, we'll keep traveling, but that the destinations will change a bit. We both made separate lists, then combined them into the final itinerary, choosing either destinations we had in common, or destinations one of us felt extremely passionate about visiting. In retrospect, many of the places we traveled actually are kid-friendly, but that was our approach at the time. Once we had our destinations, we planned our airfare and lodging (mostly through Airbnb). We figured everything else out was we went along.

Strength: Where did you go?

JT: We traveled to eleven countries on four continents:

John poses with the residents of an an orphanage in Pokhara, Nepal.

“This orphanage is well on its way to being completely financially selfsustaining, and the children are impressively motivated and successful,” he said. “The ‘mothers’ are saints. Unbelievably inspiring experience.”

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Argentina (Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn), Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), Spain (Madrid), Egypt (Cairo), Turkey (Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus), Nepal (Kathmandu, Thecho, Dolalghat, Pokhara), UAE (Dubai), Myanmar (Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake), Cambodia (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh), Indonesia (Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Penida) and Hong Kong.

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Strength: What were two or three highlights?

JT: 1. Traveling the world with my wife and encountering the inherent challenges associated with travel in less developed countries together. I felt we had a pretty strong relationship before the trip, but this definitely brought us closer together and taught us to rely on each other.

“

e most Traveling the world is th d personally revealing an ence

generally insightful experi

one can have.

”

2. Floating in a hot air balloon in 0 degree weather at sunrise over the rock spires of Cappadocia, Turkey. Unreal.

3. According to the villagers in the small farming town we stayed in outside of Dolalghat, Nepal, we were the first foreigners John and Katie ride camels at the pyramids outside Cairo, Egypt. to ever stay in their town. We happened to be there on the one of two days per year that they perform a ritual goat sacrifice and were led to the temple by our host at the right time of day almost by accident.

Witnessing such a rare religious ceremony while fully immersed in the local culture was by far the most unique travel experience I've ever had.

ie Wright I am Ann

Strength: Why did you include a service component?

JT: It was very important to me to try to give something back as part of our trip. I felt strongly that if we had the opportunity to take three months off, we should use some of that time to help others.

Strength: What are you going to do now?

JT: Both of us are back to work and enjoying being back in Tacoma with our family and friends.

Strength: Would you recommend traveling around the world to the AWS community?

JT: Absolutely. In my opinion, traveling the world is the most personally revealing and generally insightful experience one can have. From learning to embrace discomfort and live on a completely different and slower schedule (or no schedule) to seeing the United States through the lens of another culture, I find every single trip abroad changes me in some way for the better. I come home grateful for what I have and reinvigorated.

“In Myanmar especially, lots of people asked to take pictures with us.

We thought it was hilarious and started asking them to take one with our camera in return. This is one of those taken at Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda on Inle Lake.”

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Class of '66 Red Ties Sally Atherton and Anita Murray Barbey Win the 2016 Alumni Achievement Award Head of Schools Christian Sullivan awarded the 2016 Alumni Achievement Award at May Day to Class of ‘66 alumnae Sally Atherton and Anita Barbey for their contributions to healthcare.

Sally Atherton has studied, researched, taught and advocated for vision and eye health for the past 35 years.

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Colby College (Waterville, ME), her Master of Science in Biology from Trinity University (San Antonio, TX), and her PhD in microbiology/virology from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, she went on to a number of postdoctoral fellowships and professorships.

Esteemed positions include Executive Director of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and Regents Professor and Chair of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University, where she was the first female chair. She also taught and mentored students during her faculty appointments at the University of Texas Health Science Center and the University of Miami School of Medicine.

Her studies on herpesvirus infections of the retina were funded by the National Institutes of Health for over 30 years, and during that time, she frequently lobbied US Congressional leaders for vision and eye research and advocated for eye-related health services.

Anita Murray Barbey earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Stanford University and a Master of Science in Nursing and Doctorate in Public Health from the University of Texas. After studying midwifery in London, she became certified in nurse-midwifery in the United States, where she introduced such care into reproductive health clinics in Multnomah County, Oregon, and standards of reproductive health care into county clinics statewide.

Anita published, in The Lancet, the results of the first national study of freestanding birth centers in the United States and served as a consultant to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and National Research Council in their report Research Issues in the Assessment of Birth Settings.

Anita went on to be a leader in the US midwifery movement and served as a self-employed health services consultant on women’s health issues and policy in the United States and developing countries, especially in Africa and South Asia, 1984-2005. She served as the Chair of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Research and Statistics Committee and Chair of the ACNM International Health Committee.

Anita has also been a leader and advocate of historic preservation, environmental sustainability and education, serving as president of Oregon’s National Society of the Colonial Dames of America and as a board member of numerous educational institutions including Annie Wright Schools, land conservancies and historic preservation organizations.

According to Joan Robertson Lamb ‘69, who was later her roommate at Stanford, “Anita has always been a leader wherever she finds herself and has inspired countless numbers of young women as they embark on their careers.

She has truly embodied ‘From Strength to Strength’ in her personal and professional life.”

Anita Murray Barbey ‘66, Head of Schools Christian Sullivan and Sally Atherton ‘66 at May Day 24

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py Report ro th n ila h P l a u n n A 16 0 2015-2

n o i t c A n i s t f Your Gi

2015-2016 was a phenomenal year for philanthropy at Annie Wright Schools. More than 750 donors gave generously to the Campaign, Auction and Annual Fund, many to all three.

Generous philanthropists in our community continued to support the school’s historic campaign to bolster athletic facilities and the endowment during the 2015-16 academic year. This endeavor, called “From Strength to Strength: The Campaign for Annie Wright Schools,” now in the community phase, drew tremendous support from alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff and friends (see page 10). Reinforcing the strategic goal of enhancing athletics, the auction committee raised nearly $360,000 at the sports-themed Gator Games Family Night and Gala (see page 30). Turn the page to see how Annual Fund gifts totalling $488,000 profoundly impacted Annie Wright and its students.

This year Annie Wright Schools are pleased to publish a comprehensive Annual Philanthropy Report online at www.aw.org/annual_report. Visit this page to find donor names, income & expenses, statistics, graphs and more for our financial year beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2016.

Thank you to all of the donors and volunteers who make Annie Wright thrive.

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Brought to you by the The Annual Fund is a community effort to support Annie Wright Schools’ operating budget every year. Thanks to more than 500 generous donors in our community, the Annual Fund supported a range of projects, programs and special experiences this year, many of them described in this issue of Strength, such as...

As well as Activities Art Athletics Clubs College trip

Cultural celebrations Exhibitions Experience days Field trips Holiday celebrations

2015-2016

Philanthropy at Annie Wright 26

IB programming Journeys Learning Support Orientation trips Professional development

Retreats Scholarships Technology

...and more!

From Strength to Strength: The Campaign for Annie Wright Schools

$1.9 million $488,000 Annual Fund

THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

Annual Fund

Fun Fact PERCENTAGE OF FACULTY GIVING:

100% Auction

$359,000

Restricted Gifts

$343,000

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FOR A TOTAL OF

$3,090,000 Thank you for your profound generosity.

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The Heritage Society honors alumni and community members who have included Annie Wright Schools in their wills. Planned giving is a cornerstone of financial stability and future growth.

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 James 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*

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Mary (Turrill) Ellis ‘39 Anne Field* Jane (Spencer) Foster ‘56* Will and Anne (Middleton) Foster ‘70 Barbara (Leake) Glasgow* ‘36 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 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 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* Allen and Elizabeth (Ayrault) Moses ‘48

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* Priscilla Royal ‘62 Frances (Young) Rushton* ‘38 Ruth (McFarland) Rystogi* ‘31 Robert and Eleanor* Sanders Rand and Lynn (Beaty) Sealey ‘61 Jay and Peachy Smalling Lance and Marion (Williamson) Shipley ‘89 Ann (Terteling) Sparks* ‘53 Barbara (Brooks) Spaulding* ‘34 Mary Jane Stamm* ‘42 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 *Denotes individuals who have already left their legacy to Annie Wright Schools.

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Jennifer Haley ‘89 Becomes Director of Institutional Advancement Annie Wright Schools are pleased to announce that alumna Jennifer Haley ‘89, formerly Director of Enrollment, became Director of Institutional Advancement on July 1. In addition to leading the admissions department, Jennifer will also oversee development and communications. The institutional advancement model is increasingly being adopted by independent schools and universities for its streamlined efficiency and opportunity to enhance focused, consistent messaging.

an executive at DIRECTV Broadband and in other positions in leadership management, technology, customer service and restaurants. Her sons Connor and Logan Hancock are students at Annie Wright’s Middle School.

“Jennifer brings a wealth of both business and non-profit experience to this position,” said Head of Schools Christian Sullivan. “She combines tenacity, efficiency and fortitude with a passion for Annie Wright and the South Sound.”

Jennifer returned to Annie Wright Schools in 2009, and served in both the development and admissions offices for seven years before securing her current role. After graduating from Annie Wright in 1989, she earned a BA in Economics from Smith College and an MBA from Western New England University. She went on to serve as

Jennifer with her sons Logan, left, and Connor, right

Save the Date for May Day ‘17 Next year May Day will honor the Yellow Tie Class of ‘17 and all of our alumni, especially those whose graduation years end in 2 and 7.

Make plans now to attend May Day 2017 on Friday, June 2, with alumni festivities continuing on June 3. Help plan your class reunion! Contact Jennifer Shafer at 253.284.8611 or jennifer_shafer@aw.org.

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The Gator Community Comes Together for our Annual Auction For the 13th consecutive year, the Annie Wright community came together to celebrate Annie Wright and raise money to support our students and programs. This year’s theme, Gator Games, highlighted our renewed commitment to deliver a top quality athletic and physical education experience and make sports, play, fitness and wellness lifelong passions for every student.

Many thanks to our leading sponsors: Columbia Bank, Multicare, Bates Family Foundation, Wells Fargo and BJ's Bingo...and to all of the generous sponsors, donors, volunteers, bidders and guests who made our Gator Games Family Night and Gala so successful. We are honored and humbled by your generosity and community spirit.

Family Night

Special thanks to our Visionary Sponsor, Columbia Bank.

More than 300 people enjoyed a tailgate style dinner (complete with Mr. D's home brewed beer and the "tailgator" signature cocktail for the grown-ups) and lots of fun activities, including obstacle courses, bowling, dancing and a most popular grand finale...good old-fashioned tugof-war!

Gator Gala The Kemper Gym was transformed into a sophisticated, clubby venue and generous donors and bidders helped achieve very successful silent and live auctions. Generous donors helped us blow through our $100,000 goal for this year's Fund-A-Need to “Fill the Gym” to furnish students with athletics and play equipment, technology to assess and measure progress, and innovative ways to make sports, play, fitness and wellness integral to the student experience.

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2016 Gator Gala Steering Committee Co-Chairs

Wendi Cook, Gayle Gray

Procurement

Lisa Jangard, Ellen Palmer

Sponsorships

Kirsten Carlson, Tenley Cederstrand, Kelly Givens

Family Night

Sonia Pal, Gia Reyna

Fund-A-Need

Patty Casillas, Jason Stockton

Class Projects

Susanna Buttorff

Food & Beverage

Ken Jangard, Brenda Sanders

Data Manager

Lindsey Snow

Dessert Frenzy

Tammy Piatok

Table Captains

Lynne Parrott

Silent Auction

Kristen Wynne

Volunteer Coordinator

Holly Bamford Hunt

General Help

Maggie Eliel, Nicola Hewitt, Heidi Kress, Brittany Marion, Catherine Mulhall, Stacey Olson, Cristiana Ventura, Deedee Walkey

Get Your THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

Gator On THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

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Preschool Celebrates Moms As part of the PYP theme “How We Express Ourselves,” preschoolers shared their thoughts and feelings about their mothers and celebrated their love at the annual Preschool Mother’s Day Tea in May.

Mother's Day Tea

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THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

The Spade Continues to Make History

by Susan Bauska

Annie Wright’s oldest surviving tradition, the spade, continues to make history. Its most recent chapter began a little more than five years ago, while the Green Tie Class of ’11 scoured the campus, searching for the spade and, ultimately, their senior privileges. Senior class advisors knew that the recently graduated Red Ties had hidden the spade in a cardboard box and disguised it as outgoing mail in the front office.

When the receptionist After the spade was rediscovered earlier this year, the presidents of each class knotted their discovered one morning colored class tie around the handle during Chapel. that the box was missing, everyone – not just the Soucey, to whom we are indebted for making sure that seniors – joined a massive spade hunt, fearing the worst: the tradition would continue even in the absence of the that the box had been picked up by FedEx or the postal original artifact. service to molder away unseen for decades in some storage facility. For five years, the incredible historic artifact that is The original antique spade, a memento of one of our the spade, with years and years of colored ties representing school’s most cherished traditions, proudly hangs in a decades of graduating classes, remained missing – an showcase in the main hallway, where it will remain as unsolved mystery that left us all heartsick. yet another reminder of our prevailing traditions and our motto: From Strength to Strength.

Fast forward five years: Annie Wright faculty received a “tip” that perhaps the spade was, indeed, within the walls of the main building. A little sleuthing, and we discovered that oblong box created by the Red Ties of ’10 in the The spade, originating in 1891 to plant farthest corner of a little used attic crawl space. Inside, a tree given by the senior class, is Annie carefully wrapped in plastic, was the spade, fully intact, Wright’s oldest tradition. The outgoing senior class hides the spade and presents the totally preserved, still proudly bearing the ties of so many incoming seniors with a series of clues. In groups of Annies – minus the ties from those classes of the the fall, the new seniors conduct a frenzied last five years. search lasting weeks or months. Once they have found the spade, they are entitled to How the spade came to be in that crawl space and who senior privileges. Upon graduation, seniors might have known for all these years still remain a mystery. wrap their own colored tie around the spade.

What matters though is that our beloved spade is back, Read more and learn about other cherished better than ever and never to be hidden (or at risk of loss) traditions at www.aw.org/traditions. again. Instead, seniors now hide a spade replacement, an incredible facsimile created by iconic former teacher Diane THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

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The Annie Wright Community Celebrates May Day & Graduation 2016

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THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

A range of festivities and honors for the Blue Tie Class of ‘16 culminated with May Day June 3, the Upper School Awards Ceremony and Step Songs June 4 and Commencement June 5.

Donning their own style of white dress, with an array of impressive footwear, the senior class processed to their position of honor with poise and grace on May Day. Crystal Zheng represented her peers in her typical modest and gracious way as May Queen. Entertainment took a rocking turn with a modern finale to the May Pole dance music and the all-school orchestra’s rendition of Guns ’n Roses’ “Sweet Child of Mine.”

THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

The student-directed Upper School Awards honored a range of students for their accomplishments in the IB program and contributions to the Annie Wright community. “Step Songs,” a tradition in which each class sings a fun and gently ribbing tribute to the others, followed. The next day, Reverend Rebecca Kirkpatrick ‘97 presided over the traditional Commencement service in the Chapel honoring the 45 graduates. Extended families, faculty and students were there to witness the graduates with pride and admiration.

Learn more about May Day, Awards and Honors, Step Songs and other treasured traditions at www.aw.org/traditions.

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6 1 0 2 f o s s a l C e h T

1. Soojin An Boston University

2. Madison Archuleta San Diego State University 3. Maya Arigala Reed College 4. Leila Bensarghin Florida Atlantic University 5. Cecilia Black Gonzaga University 6. Emma Bock San Diego State University 7. Young “Aiden” Choi Univeristy of California at Riverside 8. Jiaxin “Caroline” Dai Wake Forest University 9. Jagmit Dhami Occidental College 10. Noelle Dillman University of Redlands 11. Laurel Fimbel Montana State University (Honors College) 12. Saya Fyock University of Oregon 13. Tana Givens University of Washington, Seattle 14. Erica Greening Mills College 15. Qiaobei “Betty” Guo Seattle University 16. Zining “Anna” Guo Pennsylvania State University 17. Caitlin Harrison Post Graduate Experience (Australia) 18. Jisoo “Alexis” In Parsons School of Design 19. Jessa Jeter Occidental College 36

13 15 32 31

20. Nancy Jiang University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign

21. Felicia Jones Rochester University

5 37 34

3 33

22. Sara Kelm Savannah College of Art Design

12

23. Min Kim University of Southern California 24. Harim “Melody” Ku Purdue University (Engineering) 25. Wing Hei “Esmee” Lai University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)

27 14

26. Jialian “Lillian” Li Wesleyan University 27. Xin “Tracy” Li University of California at Davis 28. Germaine Mai Parsons School of Design 29. Gabrielle McCarthy Post Graduate Experience (United Kingdom)

10 35 25 7 9 23 19 38 45 2 6

30. Hanbin Moon Bryn Mawr College 31. Sammy Morris Pacific Lutheran University 32. Harman Narwal University of Washington, Seattle 33. Natalie Nygren University of Portland 34. Katherine Olivieri Washington State University 35. Emma Salam California Polytechnic State University

38. Josie Tiffany Chapman University 39. Khue Tran St. Lawrence University

36. Cynthia Sheu Pennsylvania State University

40. Sally Walker Williams College

37. Ameya Susarla Washington State University

41. Virginia Walkey Wake Forest University THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

44

goes to

COLLEGE!

11 39 40

42 26

21 36 16

30

1 43

18 28

24 20

8 41

22

4

42. Haitong “Tong” Wang Brandeis University

44. Natalie “Dom” Ward University of Montana

43. Ludi “Maggie” Wang Boston University (Trustee Scholar)

45. Xinyi “Crystal” Zheng University of Southern California

THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

37

Beijing native Crystal Zheng, an award-winning clarinetist, co-founder of a fully student-run IB magazine, and the 2016 May Queen, will attend the University of Southern California this fall.

“

My friends at Annie Wright rent have shown me many diffe over

worlds and helped me disc who I am.

I am

Annie Wright

”

Congratulations Middle School Class of ‘16 We are very proud of our Grade 8 class. Nineteen of our 24 girls will attend Annie Wright Upper School, and every student has been admitted into his or her first choice for high school.

Back row: Benjamin Lee, Eva Gleitz, Elijah Grinstead, Nina Ye, Geoffrey Dalbalcon, Ellie Crist, Eric Holland. Third row: Mia Dobbins, Alex Keller, Lily Gray, Abby Givens, Kahlen McConnell, Kayla Mathurin, Alexandra Bessler, Emily Feliciano. Second row: Cecilia Cobbs, Cora Shandrow, Bailey Black, Aeron Ward, Jessica Zou, Henry Carroll, Madison Leon, Ukweli Dennis, Michelle Foster. First row: Grace Stokes, Joshua Piatok, Sophie Jeter, Audrey Johnson, Mia Kao, Daniel Peterson, Natalie Fah, Sitara McMillin, Xinzhuoyun “Cindy” Li, Jade Cheatham. Not Pictured: Julen Givelber, and Yuqi “Michael” Liu. 38

THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

Annie Wright Middle School Presents

by Larry Blamire | April 28 & 29, 2016

“How I wish you’d been here with us to view the process.

I am so extraordinarily proud of this young cast and crew. They have met their challenges with courage and grace, and they rose time and again. The spirit, tenacity and resilience that these students possess is a testament to their parents and teachers. It has truly been an honor to work with them.”

-Elizabeth Gettel, Director

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39

Ebullient Alumni Celebrate

May Day Reunion Weekend Seven decades of Annies, from the Classes of 1944 to 2015, gathered for May Day Reunion Weekend June 3–4, traveling from as far as Belize, China and Germany. The Classes of 1961 and 1966 were particularly well represented with around 15 members from each. Following the festive cocktail party on Friday night, Saturday’s chapel service provided further opportunities to share cherished memories. Mary Bargion ‘66, for example, shared her memory of gathering with her schoolmates to watch, in great excitement, the Beatles’ first television appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. The elegant alumni brunch, where Class of ‘66 health care professionals Sally Atherton and Anita Murray Barbey received Alumni Achievement Awards, culminated a very special weekend. the 50th reunion class in their 1966 May Day photo

Class of ’66 alumnae Michelle (Parrow) Burkheimer, Sally (Peterson) Atherton and Susan (Backus) Stoller catch up at the alumni brunch.

40

Class of ‘06 alumnae Pia Inkamp, Alyssa Harvey, Michelle Miller and Mandy (Strickland) Strome celebrate their ten year reunion at the alumni cocktail party.

THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

Class of 1961

Front Row: Kim (Lenz) Suyama, Bonnie Jean (Will) Anderson, Sally (Rooney) Morbeck, Janet (Millar) Hunter, Margot (MacLaren) De Lorenzana. Middle Row: Viki (Woolf) Kocha, Kay (Mattson) Stern, Lynda (Menendez) Avis, Camille “Mimi” (Seeley) Dokken, Margund “Gundell” (Primus) Haskell. Back Row: Helen (Hunter) Berg, Lynn (Beaty) Sealey, Caroline Woodhams, Gay (Sharp) Larsen, Kathy (Parks) George.

Class of 1966

Front Row: Grace “Missy” (Jones) Ross, Marjorie Oda-Burns, Sally (Peterson) Atherton, Susan (Backus) Stoller, Virginia “Ginny” (Martin) Butler. Middle Row: Debbie Day, Kathy (Devlin) Deming, Linda (Sackett) Smith, Carole Fuller, Michelle (Perrow) Burkheimer.

Back Row: Winnie (O’Farrell) Postle, Anita Murray Barbey, Alice (Harden) Findler, Elizabeth “Lisa” Robertson, Mary Bargion.

Class of 1976

Front Row: Maria Nelson, Mary Ann (Ball) Allen. Back Row: Dana Iverson-Luchini, Jane (Woolard) Knutson, Elaena Fredrickson.

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41

class notes 1930s

are also enjoying our 11 grandchildren who are having adventurous lives.

Grace (Rexroth) Seaman ‘48 I live in an old, old fixer-upper house overlooking the Olympic Mountains and Henderson Bay. I love to ski and that is how I met my wonderful husband...I love to garden and have many rhododendrons and spring bulbs.

Eleanor (Godfrey) Thompson ‘38 Eleanor’s granddaughter, Michele Pardo, reported that Eleanor turned 96 in February. Eleanor’s mother, Memorie (Stiles) Godfrey, was also an Annie Wright alumna. She graduated in 1909.

Gail (Snively) Burg ‘49 In 2001 my husband and I bought a 32-foot Grand Banks trawler and have traveled every year since then. DAWN is a 1971 wooden boat – a beautiful old lady. We cruise all year but in summers usually spend 2 months in Canadian waters visiting remote marinas in the Broughtons. Most of the marina owners have become “family” and we are totally involved in their lives and with their families.

Since we seem to be getting long in the tooth (how did that happen?) this may be the swan song for long trips.

Hopefully we will have one or two more years cruising the South Sound, but we want to go out smiling so may have to sell our “baby” if physical limitations get the better of us. Hello to all my classmates. Hope you are doing well and enjoying life. Here’s to the gold class of 1949 – Onward from Strength to Strength.

1940s

1960s

Norma (Demick) Baker ‘45 Long ago but still special – I received a phone call in Phoenix while vacationing with my parents (Bill was overseas)... Kindergarten teacher broke her leg skiing.

Could I come home and teach the class? YES! P.S. Met Bill at Jr. Prom in 1944! (Norma came back to teach at Annie Wright during the 1950s.)

Lloyd (Allen) Pettichord ‘60 Despite a little bout with cancer a couple years back, I’m blessed with very good health. With turning 75 I’m keeping the older body active; back to weightlifting three days a week and hiking three days a week. I’m keeping up with husband Ron who is an avid hiker. Retired life is great! My family = son and daughter (48-year-old twins), daughter (52), step-daughter (44)...and three grandsons.

I am living in Gresham, Oregon (outside of Portland). I would enjoy hearing from anyone wherever they may be.

Katherine (Parks) George ‘61 Looking forward to Holland America’s maiden voyage across the Atlantic in October. We board in Rome and disembark in Florida.

Norma and Bill at the Seattle Alumni Cocktail Party last fall

Patricia (Sutherland) Carver ‘45 Not much going on in our house these days. Gene is not well - on a walker and blind. Our three girls are very busy as are our seven grandchildren. We feel very blessed.

Elizabeth (Ayrault) Moses ‘48 Allen and I continue to live in our 54-year-old home enjoying our towering trees and rhododendrons. We 42

Kathleen (Finnigan) Brooke ‘61 Kathleen shared the following with Lynn Sealey before she died on January 2, 2016: “I have been blessed with good health and my children and three granddaughters, who fill my life with unspeakable joys...I live a comfortable, quiet life surrounded by my family in faith and thanksgiving for my blessings. I cannot ask for more...I send my love to you and my dearest fellow Annies. May each Annie gather strength in the love and goodness that surrounds each of you!”

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Left: Sally Atherton ‘66 and Anita Murray Barbey ‘66 at the May Day festivities Right: Ruth (Ohm) Sutherland ’85 and husband Jim Far Right: Ruth’s son Dominic

Marie (Dodge) Eaton ‘64 Just retired from 40 years of teaching and administration at Western Washington University. The next day I was offered (and accepted) a new job directing the Palliative Care Institute. Our goal is to help Whatcom County become a competent and caring community for those with serious chronic illness or facing end of life. Not what I expected from retirement, but good work!

1980s

Sally Atherton ‘66 Sally received Annie Wright’s 2016 Alumni Achievement Award for her dedication to vision and eye health. Read more about Sally on page 24.

Judy (Motulsky) Walker ‘66 I still live with my college sweetheart, Dan Bonow, and have two kids. I live on Kauai and still run my own business called TOPS Malibu. I am a designer and entrepreneur and am happy!

Ruth (Ohm) Sutherland ‘85 I’m glad to finally be in touch again! Here’s the 30 year update: After finishing doctoral studies in Theology and Archaeology in 2004, I began seminary level teaching in the Bay Area. I loved the nearly 10 years I taught Scripture both on the San Francisco side as well as in the East Bay, adults as well as children. In September 2013 I (re)married, and my son Dominic and I moved to Wisconsin. My husband Jim has four adult children and one still at home.

Dominic (now 11 years old) and I love beautiful central Wisconsin; after living on both coasts my whole life, I never thought I would love the Midwest so much. I have begun teaching again on a part-time basis, both adults and children. I would love to hear from others, especially of course my yellow tie class of 1985!

1970s

1990s

Cynthia (Gritten) Wood ‘71 I have enjoyed being retired for the last several years.

Ellen Weiland ‘95 I am still living in Berlin, Germany, with Kai and my two-year-old son, August. While he is in kindergarten I enjoy my work as a strategy director with a German communications agency specializing in sustainability. I am also still very active with my foundation Wilderness International, saving the temperate rainforests of Canada’s West Coast. My dream would be inspire the students of AWS to do a wilderness run for this most unique nature.

We have over 75 schools in Germany who are involved in our wilderness runs for Canada’s wilderness.

Anita Murray Barbey ‘66 Anita received Annie Wright’s 2016 Alumni Achievement Award for her services to global healthcare for women.

Read more about Anita on page 24.

Joanie (Schwabe) Bayhack ‘74 Random Acts of Flowers (RAF) Chicago, a non-profit organization that repurposes donated flowers and engages volunteers to deliver bouquets to individuals in healthcare facilities nationwide, named Joanie Bayhack an executive director of its Evanston, Illinois-based branch.

Previously Joanie served for 16 years as senior vice president of communications & corporate partnerships at WTTW & WFMT, one of the Midwest’s premier public media organizations. Prior to that, she served in a variety of communications, marketing and community engagement roles at Aaron Cushman & Associates, Hyatt Hotels and more recently served as director of development & communications for CASA Lake County and director of development at Lambs Farm in Libertyville.

THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

Angela (Salatino) McKee ‘82MS This year I want to remember Mrs. Keiley, my 7th grade English teacher at Annie Wright in 1980-1981...She was so strict in drilling us on grammar but her legacy has helped my writing throughout my career.

2000s Candace Williams ‘04 Candace is head of community operations of a podcasting startup and a poet. She is the winner of the Clinton Foundation + SELF Women’s Health Codeathon and was 43

Freshta Hazim ‘10 with her husband, Maiwand, and baby daughter, Sofia, now six months

Alyson Mitchel ‘05

Shira Goldstein ‘04 Candace Williams ‘04

featured in SELF Magazine. She was previously a K-5 science, robotics and comic book writing teacher in the South Bronx. She has an MA in Elementary Education from Stanford University and graduated cum laude with a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from Claremont McKenna College. Read and hear her work at www.brooklynpoets.org/ poet/candace-williams.

MaryAlice Parks ‘04 MaryAlice, a journalist for ABC, traveled with Presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders throughout his major campaign. See page 20 for an article on MaryAlice by a fellow Blue Tie, recent graduate Maya Arigala ‘16.

Shira Goldstein ‘04 Shira came back to Annie Wright Upper School in April to talk to Bridgette McGoldrick’s Global Politics class about her work in public health in Africa.

John Tinsley ‘01MS We’ve ended up traveling around the world for three months as well as doing service work in Nepal for about 3 weeks in the middle. (Read about John’s journey on page 24.)

Jessica (Millstead) Hansen ‘05 Jessie visited Annie Wright Upper School’s Global Engagement/ Model UN activity to speak about her work with the Refugee Resettlement Office in Seattle. She assists refugees and asylum seekers with finding public housing, accesses health care coverage and teaches ESL classes. She presented a great overview of the refugee application process in the US and described her own journey through college, studying abroad in Madagascar through to her current job.

Alyson Mitchel ‘05 Alyson graduated from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine on May 7.

Sarah (Gann) Squiers ‘07 My husband, Galen, and I bought our first home in Fircrest in August and had our first baby, Devynn on November 1, 2015.

She is our world!

2010s Andrea Edman ‘06MS Andrea is currently serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cambodia teaching English to grades 7-12.

Elizabeth Nichols ‘06MS When she wrote in, Elizabeth was the newest field engineer for Amazon’s biosphere project.

John Tinsley ’01MS and his wife Katie explore the Roman ruins of Ephesus, Turkey.

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THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

Elizabeth Ferrie ‘10 Elizabeth graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Biochemistry from Cornell University in 2014. She is currently pursuing a J.D. degree at Harvard Law School. Incorporating her science background, Elizabeth is focusing her studies on issues at the intersection of law, business, and technology.

While at Annie Wright, Elizabeth was captain of the speech and debate team, an experience that sparked her interest in becoming a lawyer.

Freshta Hazim ‘10 Freshta graduated from York University in Toronto with a honors degree in biology.

Middle School Class of ‘12 Reunion The Middle School Grade 8 Class of 2012 reunion was April 29.

Fourteen students and numerous staff gathered in Mr. Price’s classroom to laugh at old videos, eat pizza and reconnect.

Hannah Gaffney ‘14 and Haley Parks ‘13 at the Berlin Wall

Haley Parks ’13 Hannah Gaffney ’14 and I met up in Berlin, Germany, while both studying abroad in Europe. Hannah was in Berlin, while I was in Madrid. This picture is at the East Side Gallery on the remaining pieces of the Berlin Wall. We also met up with Assist exchange student Anna Madlener ’13.

Megan Absten ’14 I moved to Florida last August to allow myself to focus 100% on track. I’m training at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. The road to Rio is a challenging one indeed; I spend anywhere from 5-7 hours a day training and recovering...Without AWS, I wouldn’t be where I am today: training for my first Paralympic Games, doing what I love and inspiring others along the way!

Megan Absten ‘14 at Annie Wright Schools Graduation

Megan Absten ‘14 at the track training for the Paralympic Games

Middle School Class of ‘12 Reunion. Those in attendance included Katherine Oliveri, Virginia Walkey, Jessa Jeter, Emma Salam, Tana Givens, Josie Tiffany, Sammy Morris, Nolan Adberg, Vern Atkinson, Paxton Reunanen, Alec Woodruff, Noel Dyer, Owen Fitz and Colby Enebrad.

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In Memoriam Betty Lou (Brittenham) Hull ‘44

Lynn Sealey ‘61 shared a memory of community activist Betty (Brittenham) Hull ‘44, who died on April 3, 2016: “When Rand and I first began coming to Walla Walla from Seattle in January of 2008, I looked up Betty. Betty became a good friend and we enjoyed many happy and engaging times over the past eight years. I even took the short story class she taught through “Quest” at WW Community College. She did that for years until recently.”

Karen (James) McCulloch ‘57

Karen’s classmates Marilyn Carlsmith, Patricia Layton, Cordie Puttkammer and Ellen Redfield, who celebrated their 60th Annie Wright reunion at May Day this year, started a scholarship in her honor. A cultural anthropologist with lifelong commitments to social justice, women’s rights and preserving the natural environment, Karen died on January 31, 2016.

Florence (Meyer) Ball ‘51 R. James Bates, AWS grandparent Kathleen Finnigan Brooke ’61 Kathleen Annette Casey ‘70 Jane (Leake) Chisholm ‘30

Martha Anne (Fisher) Hofius ‘55 “Annie” Hofius, an alumna from the Class of ‘55 and former Annie Wright trustee, died on November 11, 2015, at the age of 78. Born in Tacoma, she graduated from Annie Wright Seminary in 1955 and attended Connecticut College and Finch College. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, William Hofius, as well as two sons, Douglas, (Betsy) and Christopher. Annie was preceded in death by her third son, Thomas Dent Hofius.

Anne Fisher Hofius was noted for her grace and poise in her senior yearbook.

Annie was a nature lover and outdoors-woman. She grew up on American Lake in Tacoma, waterskiing behind her father's Cessna floatplane.

She also loved animals, and had an incredible green thumb, growing beautiful gardens throughout her life. Strong willed and determined, she survived uterine cancer in her 30s and lymphoma for the last 20 years. Annie and William were active members of the Annie Wright community for more than 50 years. Their long-standing generosity includes the beautiful Hofius Garden at Annie Wright.

The beautiful and serene Hofius Garden borders the Bamford Commons.

Sally (Brown) Cobasko ’49 Patricia (Benson) Davis ’64 Martha Anne (Fisher) Hofius ‘55 Betty Lou (Brittenham) Hull ‘44 Cis (Steel) Kirtland ‘39 Anita (Derby) McCreery ’42 Karen (James) McCulloch ‘57 Frances (McLallen) Meeks ‘51 Melissa Mudgett ’05 Ellen Oppenheim, former faculty Mary (Roberts) Ripley ‘34 William Walkey, AWS parent Patricia (Osborne) Wright ‘40 46

THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS | SUMMER 2016

Ellen Oppenheim

Ellen joined Annie Wright Schools in the fall of 1989 and, for 23 years, encouraged eager five-year-olds to love learning as much as she did. We will remember Ellen for her infectious smile, commitment to all children, and genuine warmth she brought to every interaction, professional and

personal. She was an integral and beloved member of our Annie Wright family.

Ellen is survived by her daughter Laura (Brian) Ross, son David Austin, and grandsons Grahame Ross and Jack Austin.

Ellen’s children, David and Laura, honored their mother at a widely attended memorial service for the Annie Wright Schools community on May 14. Held in the Chapel and Great Hall, the service reflected Ellen's boundless spirit and love of a good laugh. Former student Henry Nettleton, now a Broadway performer, sang two numbers accompanied by music teacher Liz Gettel, and former Kindergarten colleague Sandy Pell recounted a number of touching and hilarious stories.

All the participants in the service – Henry Nettleton, Amber Bates, Elle Hansen, Kelsey Reunanen, Eric Peterson, Maria Peterson, Maeve Hunt, Tana Givens, Josie Tiffany and Claire Nelson – were Kindergarten students at Annie Wright.

Ellen inspired more than two decades of Kindergarteners to love learning.

R. James Bates

Rex James “Jim” Bates of Sequim, Washington, father of Annie Wright’s business development director Rex Bates and grandfather of Gabrielle and Amber Bates, died on March 8, 2016.

Jim was born in Seattle on November 9, 1923, and grew up in Portland, Oregon. He served in the Army Air Corps Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, the first “Hurricane Chasers,“ flying into the eyes of hurricanes. During one of many reconnaissance flights, his B-24 ditched into the South Pacific, and while Jim was severely burned he aided the rescue

of several of his crewmates. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal.

After earning a BS and MBA from the University of Chicago, he worked as an analyst and partner at the investment firm Stein Roe and Farnham and Financial Vice President of State Farm Insurance in Bloomington, Illinois. He was a member of the Boards of Directors of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and all of its affiliates and retired in 1991 as Mutual Company Vice Chairman.

Jim served on multiple boards, both corporate and non-profit, and touched the lives of many. He loved to mentor young people and provided financial assistance to an unrecorded number of students struggling to get through high school, college and graduate school. Jim was Annie Wright Schools’ largest modern benefactor, and our institution is one of several recipients of his generous philanthropy.

Jim was predeceased by his wife Reva in 2011. He established the Reva Bates Endowment for scholarships to Annie Wright a few months later. He is survived by their children Patricia Bates Mattingley (Dave) of Sequim, Rex Bates (Angela) of Seattle, and three granddaughters, Jennifer Mattingley Hommel (Tom), Gabrielle Bates and Amber Bates.

Jim and Reva Bates with granddaughter Amber at Annie Wright Grandparents’ Day in 2002

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Annie Wright’s own It may be 50 years since the British Invasion, but our former colonists are flocking to Annie Wright. Grade 4 teacher Steve Parrott, head of schools Christian Sullivan, school nurse Paula Coumou, executive assistant to the head Melanie Aamidor and assistant director of Middle School Clare Wagstaff, pictured from left to right on our own version of the Beatles’ Abbey Road cover, will be joined by fellow Brits Emma Cuthbertson (Upper School science) and Lucy Iwamoto (Preschool) this fall. photo staged by school chaplain Jack Fallat

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