The Buxton Virtual Reunion

by Deanna Dement Myers, Director of Development

The 2021 Buxton alumni reunion was held online June 17-19. Alumni joined on Zoom and in Kumospace from all over the country and around the world, making this one of the most memorable gatherings in recent memory, despite the fact that we couldn’t be together on campus. A variety of sessions on art, yoga, cooking, Buxton’s impact on the field of social action, and even a trivia game made the weekend fun for all involved.

Alumni really responded to the panels on art and on social activism, which seems in keeping with Buxton’s long-held values.

Thursday evening was kicked off with a lively discussion about The Value of Imagination, led by art faculty member Frank Jackon, talking with Philip Rickey ’78 , Alisa Sikelianos-Carter ’01 and Lola Dement Myers ’16. These artists shared their work and insights on how they are making art a viable career.

On Saturday, the afternoon sessions kept alumni engaged by exploring the human effect on the environment and the people who are impacted by various systems of inequity, like the prison-industrial complex and educational access. The panel, Making Change Inside and Outside “The Bubble,” was facilitated by Buxton trustees Rebecca DeCola ’00 and Yolanda Lawrence ’00, and featured a robust discussion by Maurie Levin ’81, Williams Cole ’86, Jessica Grindstaff ’96, Jessica Neptune ’98, and Brian Ford ’09 who shared their thoughts on how a Buxton education set them on paths dedicated to helping break down barriers and create actual change in the world.

At another session, Buxton COVID Task Force members Grame Fincke ’61, David Bluestein ’08, Linda Burlak, Lindsey Wyatt, and Franny Shuker-Haines provided insight on how we were able to keep Buxton whole and hale throughout a global pandemic. The alumni audience gave kudos to the team—and the faculty and students!—for showing themselves to be thoughtful and and caring of each other during this time. Throughout the weekend, alumni shared how much they enjoyed connecting with other alumni—and in response to that, an Alumni Council has been created to promote and continue the connection between Buxton and the alumni community and between alums as well. Already, the group has generated ideas like: a lecture or workshop series led by alums on topics of interest to the students; regional alumni reunions; an alumni network sharing job opportunities, career mentoring, and sharing interests.

If these ideas are exciting to you and you would like to become a part of the Alumni Council and share your talents with the community, please contact Deanna at deanna@buxtonschool.org. We’d love to have you join us!