Spark Winter 2016

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Homecoming Centennial in Review Global Engagement

Capstone Experience 8th Graders envision solutions for city challenges

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AROUND CAMPUS Collegiate School Administration Stephen D. Hickman, Head of School Phyllis Palmiero, Vice President – Finance Amanda Little Surgner ’83, Vice President – Advancement J.P. Watson, Interim Head of Upper School Charles L. Blair, Jr., Head of Middle School Debbie Miller, Head of Lower School

Amanda Little Surgner ’83 VICE PRESIDENT – ADVANCEMENT Elizabeth Woodroof Cogar ’77 EDITOR, SPARK ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Dianne Carter ’04 ASSISTANT EDITOR, SPARK COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Stacy H. Adams DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Board of Trustees 2015 – 2016

Alumni Association Board 2015 – 2016

John D. O’Neill, Jr., Chairman of the Board Paul D. Koonce, Vice Chairman of the Board John L. Walker III, Immediate Past Chairman of the Board Stephen D. Hickman, President / Head of School Phyllis Palmiero, Treasurer Susan. C. Wiley, Secretary

Marshall Schutt ’98, President Sarah Cook Martin ’94, Vice President – President-Elect Mayme Beth Donohue ’03, Recording Secretary Katherine Thalhimer Adamson ’96, Corresponding Secretary Beth Flippo Hutchins ’88, Finance Chair Lizzie Cullen Cox ’00 and Clay Coleman ’89, Annual Fund Chairs Mason Chapman ’84, Past President Susie Materne Benson ’62, Town School Representative Yogi Singh ’02 and Markel Winston ’96 Volunteer/ Community Service Co-Chairs

Richard L. Bennett, Jr. ’90 Michael G. Bland ’83 Mark A. Christian ’77 John G. Davenport Eucharia N. Jackson John W. Martin ’78 Malcolm S. McDonald Gaye C. Montgomery Frank F. Mountcastle III ’83 Jill B. Mountcastle** Sheryl Robins Nolt ’85 Joan Olmsted Oates* Judy Wagoner Pahren Tracey A. Ragsdale Carter M. Reid C. B. Robertson III* Lisa E. Roday Marshall P. Schutt ’98 *** John G. Stallings Wallace Stettinius* Brude D. Stoever Alfred L. Stratford III ’85 Robert S. Ukrop* Michelle P. Wiltshire

Barbara Culpepper Townsend ’64 Barbara Robertson Burke ’68 Laura Moore Hall ’68 Fran Chalkley Robertson ’69 Meade Spotts ’75 Hank Carter ’77 Jeff Modisett ’78 Philip Goodpasture ’78 Chris Kulp ’84 Sarah Johnson Hallock ’85 Jo Ellen Constine ’87 Jack Woodfin ’87 Alan Vaughan ’91 Stephen Spraker ’92 Camp Goodwin ’99 Liza Jarvis Scott ’99 Evan Ocheltree ’05 Sarah Gray Tullidge Innes ’05

* Life Trustee ** Parents’ Association President *** Alumni Association President

Jennifer Robertson Wilkins ’92 ALUMNI DIRECTOR Weldon Bradshaw, Alex Smith ’65 CONTRIBUTORS Weldon Bradshaw, Al Cothran, Taylor Dabney, James Dickinson, Adam Ewing, Kyle LaFerriere, John O’Neill, Jay Paul, Robin Reifsnider, Andy Wiley ’77 PHOTOGRAPHY Scout Design GRAPHIC DESIGN Carter Printing Company PRINTING Thanks to all parents, students, alums and friends who share generously of their information, photographs and archives. The Spark is published twice a year by Collegiate School. We welcome letters from readers, though we may not have room to publish them all. Submissions may be edited for publication. Photographs deemed unsuitable in quality by the Spark’s designers may not be included. We make every effort to return photographs shared with us­ – please send high resolution (300dpi) digital images whenever possible (to: spark@collegiate-va.org). Class Notes and Photographs: Please send your news and photographs, and we will use them in an upcoming issue. Digital images must be high resolution (min. 300dpi). ADDRESS Spark Editor Collegiate School / Development Office 103 North Mooreland Road / Richmond, VA 23229 E-MAIL spark@collegiate-va.org Visit our web site at www.collegiate-va.org

Groundskeeper George Cooke (center) recently shared expertise and experiences with students visiting from George Wythe High School’s landscaping training program.

PHONE Spark: 804.741.9781 / Alumni Office : 804.731.9718

103 North Mooreland Road / Richmond, VA 23229 804.740.7077 / Fax: 804.741.9797 The Collegiate school is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin in the administration of its educational, admission or financial aid policies, or any other programs administered by the School.

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AROUND CAMPUS NEWS from Mooreland Road ................................................................................................ 05 CENTENNIAL ROUNDUP .................................................................................................. 14 FACULTY & STAFF .............................................................................................................. 18 NEW TRUSTEES .................................................................................................................. 21 FALL SPORTS ROUNDUP .................................................................................................. 22 HOLIDAYS AT COLLEGIATE ............................................................................................. 28

FEATURE ENVISION RICHMOND Middle School capstone program encourages community involvement ............................. 30

ALUMNI ACTIVITIES NEWS of alumni far and wide............................................................................................... 36 CHIPS: Legacy children who joined us this year ................................................................ 46 GATHERINGS: Fall Social, Pageant Lunch ....................................................................... 49 HOMECOMING: Football Game, Oyster Roast .................................................................. 52

CLASS NOTES News from alums ................................................................................................................... 58

REFLECTIONS Ray Spence looks back on his Collegiate years .................................................................... 86

GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT Students and alums work with refugees .............................................................................. 88

PARTING SHOT Town School Bell by Alex Smith ’65 ..................................................................................... 101

Correction In the fall issue of the Spark, we erroneously omitted two names from the 2015 College Choices list. Julia Elizabeth Stewart Lennarz Virginia Commonwealth University Elizabeth Scott Vaughan University of Virginia We apologize to these two graduates and their families. WINTER 2016 1


LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is. – Yoda

Dear Collegiate School Community, By the time you receive this edition of Spark, we will have wrapped up our yearlong Centennial celebration. We hope you enjoy reading about our culminating Centennial events, especially the extraordinary time our community shared with renowned filmmaker Ken Burns. As we recalled fondly our past, celebrated proudly our present and planned purposefully for our future, our community drew closer. Together we learned that the Cougar spirit, 100 years in the making, is alive and well and continues to inspire us. You will also discover in the following pages the reflections of long-time (and now retired) Collegiate faculty member Lewis “Bubba” Lawson. He shares with us his observations on the distinctiveness of the Collegiate experience, and on the School’s tradition of remarkable educational leadership, which has been a hallmark since its inception. He reminds us of Collegiate’s unwavering commitment to educating the whole child and offering our young people the firm foundation they will need when confronting the life challenges that lie ahead. We are encouraged to give thanks for the wisdom of our founders and for all who have strived to ensure that Collegiate School fully lives its mission. Finally, you will learn about Envision Richmond, one of our Middle School’s most exciting learning opportunities, which

is rooted deeply in and inspired by our School’s philosophy of educating the whole child. This hands-on, interdisciplinary experience introduces our students to the broader Richmond community, encouraging them to take ownership of important community issues and to embrace the call to responsible citizenship. While doing so, they develop and strengthen important skills in the areas of research and analysis, critical thinking and problem solving, and collaboration and entrepreneurship. Through this innovative process, our students are creatively applying the knowledge that they have acquired in their curriculum-based studies. The mind of a child is truly wonderful, and it is with great anticipation that we enter our next 100 years of helping our students grow, thrive, lead and serve. Your continued support of Collegiate School is very much appreciated. Sincerely,

Stephen D. Hickman Head of School

THE VALUE OF A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION: COLLEGIATE STYLE A Collegiate education presents to the student a world with no limits...While at times there may be plateaus, the educational seeds sewn through its full, inclusive approach to all the disciplines, none exclusive of another, motivates students to go beyond these plateaus, never to stay in a fixed place, but always to rise above to new heights of scholarship. Times change. Schools change. Since its inception, Collegiate has always been at the forefront of educational leadership. While some schools espouse certain theoretical approaches and others specific aspects of a curriculum, Collegiate through its first 100 years has always embraced the whole school, the whole child. Its trustees, administrators, and faculty have

resisted trendiness to remain anchored in a broad based, liberal arts education, one that seeks full understanding of what makes a complete student. From the “sage on the stage” days of top down learning to the “guide on the side” collaborative approach, Collegiate has excelled at being innovative with curriculum needs and teaching methods. As many other schools have wrestled with identity and direction, Collegiate has remained true to its pedagogical values. While many schools specialize, Collegiate’s emphasis on a broad liberal arts education enables students to have over time


currently looked at from situational viewpoints. Consequently, policy makers and schools must help keep the next generation from becoming what T.S. Eliot refers to in The Hollow Men as “the stuffed men/ leaning together/ headpiece filled with straw.” The irony here, of course, lies in the contrast between hollow and stuffed. Arguments of transience versus permanence emerge while issues of “stuffed with what?” are raised. Other questions remain: Are young people best prepared for the rapid changes they will have to confront if the main bulk of their education is based only on technological innovation or cultural relevancy? How hollow is education if students have not been exposed to the great intellectual struggles debated throughout the ages? Nathaniel Rich in the June 4, 2015 editor of The New York Review of Books echoes this sentiment. Making many poignant points, he quotes Saul Bellow’s A World Too Much With Us: “For a very long time the world found wonderful tales and poems and paintings and musical performances. Now the wonderful is found in miraculous technology, in modern surgery, in jet propulsion, in computers, in television and in lunar expeditions.” Technology is certainly the wave of the future. But unless man is to be condemned to his past futilities, he must continue to be educated fully in the eternal verities so as to give shape to the science, technology, engineering and mathematics that are so important to this country’s place on the world stage. Collegiate has always been at the forefront of this movement as it blends and emphasizes all aspects of curriculum, none at the expense of another. Drawing upon the image of the human heart, William Faulkner in his Nobel Prize acceptance speech, argued man must remove himself from that which is base – rather man must leave no room in his workshop for anything but the old verities and truths of the heart, the old universal truths lacking which any story is ephemeral and doomed… Does this quest not relate to education too? Of course, many will ask just what these verities are – only a broad base, liberal arts education can begin to yield the answers. It is more imperative than ever that Until educational reformers realize the soul of a nation lies educators keep the truth of the human heart in its heart, not in its glands (as Faulkner goes on to imply in at the core of curricular studies. his speech), will America rediscover its soul and become truly competitive on the world stage. Young people must confront in depth the struggles with which hundreds of previous generations have wrestled if they ever hope to find their way out of what Eliot describes as a modern day “waste land.” Knowing Stated perhaps too succinctly and frivolously, the way to is the first part of becoming. Unless academia regains its soul, meaning and understanding is revealed much more effectively modern man will be no different than the computers that through Sophocles and Shakespeare than pop characters like already are beginning to replace him. “Dumb and Dumber” or other banalities of culture. Not to sound Students need to learn of such things as the pitfalls of hubris like a curmudgeon, but nationally the intellectual compass in Oedipus Rex, vaulting ambition in Macbeth, indecision and of previous generations in many cases has been relegated to revenge in Hamlet, manipulation of society in Fahrenheit 451, the scrap piles of trendiness over the past 40 years or more. quarrels with God in Moby Dick, the sense of the “other self” in Rigorous study and broad exposure to the liberal arts are Conrad’s The Secret Sharer, and the “milk of human compassion” critical more than ever due to the tormented, twisted world in The Grapes of Wrath. Through such rigorous study they begin young people are inheriting. Central value, which once gave to see themselves reflected in the beauty, power and wisdom identity and direction in our school systems and society, is the measuring sticks and moral compass to navigate the everchanging landscape of the increasingly turbulent, complex 21st century. In the broader society the public lament for modern education in the United States has reached a disturbing cacophony. Every few years the pendulum seems to swing back and forth between a variety of opposing positions that supposedly will save modern education. Despite the buzzwords or new, innovative approaches, many schools continue to struggle due to a plethora of circumstances. An avoidance of catchy trends without real substance represents why Collegiate has always excelled. Bombarded by images of banality, pornography, and materialism, numerous young people no longer completely grasp or appreciate what it means to be fully human and compassionate. Concomitantly, the study of such subjects as literature, history, world religion and philosophy has been delegated to secondary status in many school systems. Through the timeless works of great authors and philosophers, students need to regain their place, not just in the rush of 21st century economic and technical competition, but also in the cavalcade of man’s quest for knowledge, meaning and relevance. Then, and only then, will the problems of America and our troubled world begin to be understood and addressed in a more profound context. As it stands now, the impact of texting, the easy access to broad swaths of internet information with little ability to examine accuracy, and the depersonalization from such phenomena as video games, all have hardened and distanced many young people from the eternal verities. The classics, the truth of the human heart through literature, and questions of love, purpose and morality, garner only superficial relevance in the debate on the direction of modern education. Political correctness has claimed its victims in this debate. But should not the purpose of education be to expose, not to impose?


of their learning, not simply a few definitions or buzzwords memorized in preparation for objective tests or a certain skill. The understanding gained through a liberal arts curriculum will give students the epiphanies that will guide them through the struggles of life. These are the sensors that will enable them to grasp the complexity of the human condition and its true beauty. The compass points this way for achieving an education that prepares students for life, not simply a job or a gauge for a school’s success. Therefore, it is more imperative than ever that educators keep the truth of the human heart at the core of curricular studies. Collegiate’s strong emphasis to this type of broad-based education makes it a leader in holistic education. Traditional courses, once the mainstay of strong schools, but now out of favor or balkanized by the vicissitudes of a public unsure of its future because it does not know its past, must never fall by the wayside. Collegiate students unequivocally are strengthened for life by their exposure to these verities. As the pendulum swings back and forth in each generation to keep up with current trends, let us not forget in the debate those core values that validate man’s significance and affirm his humanity. Delving into the texts of Sophocles, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, Wordsworth, Emerson, Whitman, Thoreau, Dostoevsky, McCullers, Lorca, Angelou, Camus, Deledda, et.al. might seem rather rigorous to young people growing up in a digital age; but, as a teacher, I would rather have their displeasure now if later in their lives they thanked their teachers for exposing them to the great thinkers of

literature and history and all the sciences. Their adult life will be enriched as a result of having been challenged in the crucible of their earlier academic forging. Anything less robs them from finding their true potential and direction. Watering down, being overly simplistic, or trendy will not set their sextant to the proper longitudes and latitudes needed to know who they are and where they need to go. As I write this and reflect upon my many years at Collegiate, I am proud to affirm Collegiate remains in the forefront of creative education and instructional techniques, as evidenced by programs like STEAM. Yet, in its many innovations over the years, Collegiate remains true to its rich tradition in maintaining a strong liberal arts approach, thereby enabling students to create a richer perspective to confront more effectively the challenges in life that lie ahead. Ours is a better nation because of the vision, leadership and sacrifices that have created such a dynamic institution. Collegiate is strongly grounded for its next one hundred years! Carry on! Lewis P. Lawson Retired Collegiate Upper School English Teacher

ALUMNI DATEBOOK All Collegiate Alumni are invited to attend the following events. For more information on events at Collegiate, visit our web site at www.collegiate-va.org/alumni/events

March

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Thursday, 31

Atlanta Reunion

April

Monday, 11 Thursday, 21 Thursday, 28

Art Walk and Reception, Mooreland Road Campus Washington, DC Reunion Collegiate Networking Group

November

Friday & Saturday, 4-5 Friday, 4 Saturday, 6

Homecoming / Reunions (for classes ending in 1 and 6) Oyster Roast at Tuckahoe Plantation Football vs. St. Christopher’s at 1:30 p.m.


News From Mooreland Road

AROUND CAMPUS Lower School’s New Centennial Hall Opens

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n Sept. 28, L ower School students had lunch in the newly completed Centennial Hall for the first time. The overwhelming opinion of the new space? “Awesome! Pretty cool!” Construction on the 9,100 square-foot building, located just west of Reynolds Hall, Fort Cougar and Luck Hall, began last December and f inished on time. Students and teachers filing in for the first time were wide-eyed as they took their seats at tables with views through large glass windows of Fort Cougar to the east and a playing field to the north. The new dining center, which also accommodates other group events, includes:

An official ribboncutting ceremony for Centennial Hall was held on Oct. 7. The space offers a brightly lit dining experience for Lower School students, faculty and staff.

• Increased seating capacity for our Lower School students, faculty and staff • Circular (vs. rectangular) tables • Two student serving lines ● • Mobile faculty/staff serving line • Larger and modernized kitchen, food prep and storage spaces • Enhanced A/V and large/small group meeting capabilities • A covered walkway between Reynolds Hall and the new building, and • A wonderful view of the Fort Cougar playground!

“We are so excited to have this new space,” says Lower School Head Debbie Miller, “and to think about all the ways we’re going to use it.” WINTER 2016 5


AROUND CAMPUS

Two New Administrative Appointments Made for 2015-2016

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ollowing a national search, Head of School Steve Hickman announced on Nov. 10 that Patrick Loach has been appointed Head of Upper School. In addition, our Interim Upper School Head, J. P. Watson, will remain at Collegiate as Assistant Head of School. Both will assume their new roles on July 1, 2016. Mr. Loach, currently Upper TEDxYouth School Head at the K inkaid School in Houston, TX, has been On Saturday, Nov. 14, TEDxYouth events were held around the world in hailed by peers there for his countries such as Sweden, Mongolia, Macedonia, Germany and Egypt... student-focused leadership with and at Collegiate in our Oates Theater and Sharp Academic Commons. a positive and transformational Students in Rhiannon Boyd and Allen Chamberlain’s senior seminar style. He returns to Collegiate class worked with students from James River High School (Chesterfield) where he spent 16 years serving and Glen Allen High School (Henrico) to plan an evening of inspirational in a variety of roles, including speakers and activities that tied to the theme “Made in the Future.” Interim Head of Upper School, Divided into teams, they created a line-up of compelling speakers, Assistant Head of Upper School, interactive activities (including screen printing with Hillary Zell ’10 Director of Technology and as a of Richmond’s Studio Two Three) and a healthy meal for the sold-out member of the Upper School’s audience. Seen here is speaker Josh Bailey, director and founder of the history department. He holds a Gray Haven Project which helps survivors of human trafficking. B.A. from the State University of New York at Geneseo and both an M.S. and M.Ed. from the University of Virginia. We look for wa rd to welcoming Mr. Loach’s wife Emily and son Charlie back to Collegiate With the addition of these two as well. educators to our senior leadership Mr. Watson, who joined us as team, I’m confident that our students Interim Upper School Head at the beginning of this school year, will continue to receive extraordinary will assist Mr. Hickman and and thoughtful guidance other top school administrators implementing strategic JK-12 initiatives. Said ABOVE: Patrick Loach – Steve Hickman, Head of School Mr. Hickman in his announcement, “Mr. Watson BELOW: J.P. Watson is uniquely qualified to assume the duties of Assistant Head of School, filling an open posi“With the addition of these two educators to our tion on our senior administrative team. His new responsibilities will center on several important senior leadership team, I’m confident that our JK-12 priorities, and he will work closely with students will continue to receive extraordinary me and other members of the senior administra- and thoughtful guidance, and access to outtive team to bring them to fruition. In the next standing learning opportunities that have long few months, the Board of Trustees will finalize prepared them for success,” said Mr. Hickman. the School’s next strategic plan, and Mr. Watson “We are excited to begin a second century of stewand I will work together to firm up the specific, arding our students toward their purpose with these leaders on board.” cross-divisional initiatives he will spearhead.”

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Caleb’s Garden A new garden has been planted in memory of Caleb Wharton ’12, and everyone is invited to its peaceful location just west of the Grover Jones Field bleachers. The garden was planted in September by his mother, Abbie Wharton, her colleagues at Garden Graces, and an army of workers from Terra Forma, a local landscape design company. Among the plants in the garden are Legacy Maple, Little Gem Magnolias, Sister Theresa Hydrangeas, Amsonia (green in spring/ summer and then turns bright gold in fall/winter – very Collegiate-y!), Hellebores, Oakleaf Hollies and Cryptomerias. There is also a bench, donated along with the maple tree by Caleb’s classmates in the Class of ’12, where visitors can rest and a small stone plaque that reads, “William Caleb Wharton ’12 – You leave a mark that will stay by our grateful sides. The happiness and laughter you supplied others give us hope to follow in your beloved footsteps.”

Sculpture Given to Lower School A gift of longtime Collegiate friends Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Luck III, this sculpture by Glenna Goodacre portrays an iconic school scene that, for many years, took place every morning at schools nationwide, including Collegiate raising the American flag. The children are in various poses, both attentive and distracted just like their human counterparts would be. “I could see it out there with those precious children...I always wanted it to be at Collegiate,” says Mrs. Luck who purchased the sculpture originally through a gallery in Hilton Head, SC. The Luck family was invited to a special dedication at the Lower School in November.

SwimRVA Tests Skills Collegiate 1st Graders spent a morning in November having their swimming skills assessed by staff at SwimRVA at the Collegiate School Aquatics Center (CSAC). This activity was part of a larger initiative established when CSAC opened three years ago – to help Richmond area children learn to swim before they enter third grade. Studies show that if children do not learn to swim by the third grade, they often do not learn to swim at all. Collegiate families interested in strengthening their children’s swimming skills and water safety knowledge are able to sign up for afternoon swimming lessons at CSAC through our Activity Quest program.

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AROUND CAMPUS

Students Dive into STEAM at All Levels

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n the first day of school in August, Middle and Upper School STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) Coordinator Dan Bartels introduced Middle School students to an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that was placed in a small pool outside Reed-Gumenick Library. A crowd gathered around the pool, excitedly watching the ROV swimming below the surface. This was the first of many STEAM-related projects and activities that have engaged students so far this year. Middle School science teacher Paul Lupini went on to work with his classes throughout the semester building SeaPerch ROVs and will be holding a friendly competition at the Collegiate School Aquatics Center later in the spring. Our first ROV was also outfitted with a GoPro camera and used by Sandra Marr’s Upper School ecology class in the James River on one outing. This is the beginning of an exciting project that has applications in all divisions at Collegiate and can lead to hosting a regional underwater robotics competition that can qualify local teams for higher levels of competition as well as more sophisticated ROVs and further integration into relevant science classes. In October, PacCan, a gamification approach to recycling, was the winning project in the International Emerging Leaders Conference Design Pitch competition. Following the conference, though their international teammates had departed, seniors Ben Greer, Larus Reed and Grant Willard opted to continue their efforts. They designed and built a fully functional prototype of a video game cabinet that accepted recycling instead of coins and gives credits to play a game. Students used a motion detector from the physics lab, an Arduino and Raspberry Pi 2 (mini computers), Inventor software, Python programming language and an open source version of Tetris to make their concept a reality.

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In December, during Computer Science Education Week, Collegiate joined in on the largest learning event in history, the Hour of Code. This annual event provides a chance for everyone to see what computer science is about – students, teachers and parents. “The Hour of Code is designed to demystify code, to show that computer science is not rocket-science, and that anybody can learn the basics,” according to Code.org founder Hadi Partovi. “The Hour of Code is proving that the demand for relevant 21st-century computer science education crosses all borders and knows no boundaries.”

“Our participation in the Hour of Code reiterates our commitment to teach these foundational 21st-century skills,” says Lower School computer science teacher Karen Hurd who led the Lower School’s efforts – scheduling, teaching, creating accounts, publicizing, making certificates for all students in grades K–4. Says Lower School engineering teacher Liz Clayton, who works with Ms. Hurd on STEAM activities, “Students programmed blocks of code to solve a variety of progressively challenging online puzzles that included entertaining characters like a digital artist and Angry Birds. Along the way,


they were introduced to many computer science principles including algorithms, sequencing, loops and debugging.” Middle Schoolers built three high-performance computers during that week and programmed Arduinos to display colorful patterns on LED strips. In computer teacher Dan Bell’s Programming Club, they are learning to understand and manipulate the back end code of the game of MinecraftEDU to make their own personalized and customized changes and enhancements to the game. Due to their exam schedule, Upper School students could not participate in the Hour of Code week, but there are ongoing activities pertaining to code, particularly in robotics, that are engaging many students. “We registered as a FIRST Robotics Competition team last fall,” says Middle and Upper School STEAM Coordinator Dan Bartels. “We are now FRC Team 5804. Kickoff for the 2016 competition season – FIRST Stronghold – was Jan. 9 in the Sharp Academic Commons where we watched a webcast that revealed the challenge (a game that competing robots will play) for this year. We then had six weeks to design, prototype, build, program and test the robot before ‘Stop Build Day’ on Feb. 23

at 11:59 p.m. We’ll compete in two district events: Hampton Roads, March 18–20 and Central Virginia, March 24–26.” While most STEAM activity on campus relates to class content, junior and HAM radio enthusiast Adam Kimbrough has taken on an independent pursuit. “He is currently building our first Radio Jove Radio Telescope, a dipole array antenna that permits us to study the electromagnetic activity of Jupiter and its interaction with its moon, Io,” says Mr. Bartels. “Adam worked on his project during the interactive portion of our recent TEDxYouth@RVA event, and, when finished, will be assisting Middle School students with the construction of two more. Multiple radio telescopes can be used in tandem to create an interferometer (wavelength measuring device) that we can use for radio astronomy at the Robins Campus. This is an excellent entry point for many related astronomy projects.” LEFT: 6th Graders test drive the underwater robot that moved around a pool outside the Middle School on the first day of school. BELOW: An 8th Grader helps Middle School students build one of our high-performance computers during Computer Science Education Week.

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AROUND CAMPUS

Design Students Create Branding Elements for Clients

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uring the fall semester, Upper School students in Digital Media 1 and 2 classes collaborated with new entrepreneurs enrolled in RVA Works, a public-nonprofit partnership of the City of Richmond’s Economic Development Authority, to create logo designs for them. In early fall, our students met with the entrepreneurs to get information about their new businesses so that they could begin work on designs and images that would reflect the nature of the services and products. Students in Digital Media 2 worked on an individual basis with businesses while Digital Media 1 students worked as a class with one business. They received feedback from their “clients” on their preliminary designs and then presented their final designs this month. “The collaboration was a valuable learning experience for all involved, and our students were given the opportunity to do some meaningful work with real-world application,” says Digital Media teacher Jere Williams. “We very much appreciate the work of Dale Fickett of RVA Works for helping to make this project possible.” Collegiate student Kyle Riopelle worked with Charleen Baylor and her new startup Nutty Buttery, an ice cream shop. Ms. Baylor commented on the final designs Kyle presented to her in early December: “Kyle, you have done a great job capturing the essence of Nutty Buttery. Thank you, too, for the suggestions of what to use for the business cards versus stationery and what will appear on a website. Your information is invaluable.” Collegiate student ­Q uinn Schebell worked with Jonathan Bean of Symbuyosis. Mr. Bean said of the results, “Quinn, I love the logos. I will start publishing them on social media websites.” He even offered Quinn the opportunity to develop the graphics for a card game that will appear on his website.

Art Room Dedicated In October, woodworking teacher Steve Hart ’78 helped coordinate the dedication of the Erickson Art Room in honor of Dick Erickson, who has been instrumental in the implementation and cultivation of Collegiate’s woodworking program. Mr. Erickson, who is the father of Emily Erickson Smith ’82 and David Erickson ’86, was presented with Collegiate’s medal of service which recognizes those who have made a difference in the life of Collegiate. “Without the guidance and wisdom of Dick Erickson, our program would not have flourished in the way it has today,” says Mr. Hart. “He brought energy, creativity and a strategic mindset that have set us on a positive path forward.” Pictured are members of the Erickson family who joined us for the dedication, all of whom surprised Mr. Erickson with their attendance: Kay Spangle, Sally Erickson, David Erickson ’86, Dick Erickson ’13, Denton Smith ’13, Emily Erickson Smith ’82, Laura Rodin and Cameron Smith.

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New Team Rides Trails For the first time ever, Collegiate is fielding a competitive mountain biking team this spring as part of the Virginia High School Mountain Bike Series, a USA cycling-sanctioned interscholastic mountain bike race series. Coached by Upper School history teacher Brad Cooke and Middle School math teacher Bill Rider, the team has been training on

the single-lane trail that winds through Robins Campus woods as well as other routes around Richmond. The Cougars are competing with a wide range of teams including St. Christopher’s, Woodberry, Trinity and Blue Ridge. Good luck to this new spring sports team at Collegiate!​ Read more at vahsmtb.org.

Mini Animals Visit JK Residents of the Teeny Tiny Farm in Suffolk, VA came to visit Collegiate’s first class of Junior Kindergarten students on Nov. 3. Happily munching on lush green grass outside the Lower School were a miniature pony and donkey, pygmy goats, a zebu cow, llama, sheep, pot belly pig, silkie chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs. The students were delighted to be able to spend time with them, feeling the different textures of fur and observing them as they ate. The animals’ visit marked the beginning the Junior Kindergartners’ study of animals.

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AROUND CAMPUS

Robins Campus Field 12 Wins National Award

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ollegiate’s grounds supervisor Allison Moyer was recently notified that the varsity soccer field at Robins Campus, known as Field 12, has been awarded the distinction of Sports Turf Manager Association’s “Soccer Field of the Year.” This is the field that will be named in honor of soccer Coach Charlie Blair at the time of his retirement. “This is a tremendous honor for Collegiate and for our dedicated team that manages and maintains this playing surface (as well as many others),” says Scott Carson, the School’s Director of Facilities Management & Construction. The specific team included in the award application includes: Allison Moyer, Tito Fortis, Jesse Garrant and Mark Chambers. W hat makes Field 12 so special? “ The setting / atmosphere of the f ield, the quality of the turf on the playing surface compared to other soccer fields in the country, the level of care and attention to detail given to the f ield by our staff compared to

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other soccer f ields around the country,” explains Ms. Moyer. The award notification read as follows: “The Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) recognizes that you make personal and professional contributions to our industry and to the organization you serve. Therefore, the STMA distinguishes fields from around the country with the Field of the Year Program. Through our Field of the Year Program we are able to further one main element of our mission: To gain acknowledgement for the professionalism of our members.” Recognition of the School’s achievement includes a feature article in SportsTurf Magazine, attendance at the annual STMA Conference in San Diego in January, a plaque recognizing the facility and the Sports Turf Manager and STMA apparel for the turf manager and the crew. Congratulations to the Field 12 crew!


2015 Whitfield Speaker This year’s Whitfield Speaker, novelist, musician and songwriter Willy Vlautin was on campus Oct. 15 to spend time with students and talk about his life of writing both stories and songs, as well as songs that tell stories. In a special workshop organized by English teacher Dr. Bart Thornton, Mr. Vlautin and several students discussed the themes and mystery of the famous ballad by Bobbie Gentry, “Ode to Billy Joe.” Mr. Vlautin shared details about his own experiences as a writer and musician and the importance of having a dual career in which he can shift gears depending on his state of mind and variable success. At the Upper School assembly, Mr. Vlautin performed several songs and answered questions about his bands, his novels and the nuances of keeping both energized.

Cum Laude Students Named Congratulations to the new members of Cum Laude who achieved the required level of academic excellence to qualify in the fall. They were recognized at a special Veterans Day assembly which featured speaker Lt. Col. Mike Klein (right). In his address to Upper School students, he talked of the importance of service to others. He acknowledged that Veterans Day is a recognition of our military’s service to country, but he emphasized that service could come in any form – service to a non-profit, service to the environment, service to homeless. He encouraged students to find a meaningful way that they can serve their country and the people around them.

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OUR CENTENNIAL YEAR More than a year in the works, our Centennial celebration officially began last January with a festive Pep Rally in Seal Athletic Center and ended with a visit from famed documentarian Ken Burns. Here, we reflect on the highlights...

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K ICK- OF F PEP R A L LY The tradition of each Cougar being designated green or gold was revived this year and celebrated at our Kickoff Pep Rally in January.

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S PE A K ER SERIES Several alumni joined us on campus to talk about their professions. Many thanks to Col. Lee Wimbish, Jr. ’80 (U.S. Army intelligence officer), Laura Schewel ’02 (CEO of Streetlight Data), Stan Druckenmiller ’71 (philanthropist and investor), Mikey Thompson ’06 (above left: lacrosse player, coach and proponent), Murray Fisher ’93 (left: founder of the New York Harbor School and Billion Oyster Project) and Janet Jarman ’85 (above: Mexico-based photojournalist) for traveling to Collegiate to talk with students and others about the subjects they are passionate about.

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3 CL ASSROOM ACTIVITIES Teachers made 100 the number of the year in a variety of activities including the reading of 100 books.

5 S TO P HU N GER N OW On Jan. 31, Collegiate families and fr iends from the Rotar y Club packed 60,000 meals to be distributed worldwide.

4 CEN T EN NI A L GE A R The Cougar Shop stocked up on green and gold jerseys that could be printed with your last name on the back plus other good 100-year gear. Peyton Jenkins ’00 of Alton Lane, a clothing retailer, created several special issue accessories to commemorate the year – sold at the Cougar Shop.

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# HE A RT S T H AT SERV E For the month of February, as dif ferent g roups in the Colleg iate community participated in service learning projects they documented the moment with a #Hearts that Serve sign.

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7 8 T H GR A DE PL AY

This year’s 8th Grade play celebrated our Centennial with a mix of vignettes, voices and photos that illustrated the past 100 years of Collegiate’s history.

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COL L EGI AT E SCHOOL : 10 0 Y E A RS Our Centennial book of stories and facts about our evolution as an independent school, was published in April. Also, a reprint of The Stuffed Cougar, everyone’s favorite cookbook. Both are available in the Cougar Shop.

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Thanks to everyone who helped organize events and activities, volunteered their time and showed their Cougar spirit throughout the year. 16 SPARK

Students, parents, teachers and alumni ran a relay from the 1600 block of Monument Avenue to our Mooreland Road Campus on April 10.


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CEN T EN NI A L CO N CERT More than 800 members of the Collegiate community gathered at The National in downtown Richmond for a night of music and catching up with friends. Featured on stage were alum musicians Emma White ’11, Dave Schools ’83, Maggie Glasgow ’10, Drew Martin ’09, Mason Brent ’97, Andy Stepanian ’93, Brian Gregory ’95, Mike Bland ’83, Scott Sutton’83, John Leedes ’85, Rob Crosby ’83, Tom Crosby ’83 and Mike Henry ’84 as MC. Bruce Hornsby, son of Collegiate graduate Lois Saunier Hornsby ’44, was our special guest.

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K EN BURN S The acclaimed documentary filmmaker, talked with students on campus and delivered a compelling talk later that night to the Richmond community at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Nov. 5.

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FACULTY & STAFF

Brenda Jones, Elizabeth Andrews, Val Siff, Monica Johnston and Jenny Lindner

Faculty & Staff Recognition

Andrew Jackson Brent Award

At the opening faculty and staff meetings last August, the following awards were presented. Congratulations to all!

Class of ’77 Anne Jones Staff Award

Ann Griffin Endowment for Excellence in Teaching

In addition, Kathryn Oden received the Craig ie Endowment for Teaching Excellence Award in the Lower School at the closing Lower School meeting last spring.

Upper School French teacher Val Siff

Martha Elizabeth Schwarz Award

Middle School PE teacher and coach Jenny Lindner

Custodian Brenda Jones

Clarence B. Williams Award Lower School PE teacher Carol Lewis

Welcome to New Faculty & Staff This past fall, the following new teachers and staff members joined the Collegiate community. They bring with them decades of experience and a wide variety of special interests and talents. We are very happy to have them.

Administration

Kindergarten teacher Elizabeth Andrews

Craigie Endowment for Teaching Excellence Award in the Middle School Middle School French teacher Monica Johnston

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Susan Droke, Academic Dean BS in Elementary Education, University of Memphis; MEd in Education, University of Memphis. During her teaching career, Susan has been a classroom teacher, a gifted education teacher, a reading


specialist and an administrator. She spent the last 14 years at Presbyterian Day School in Memphis where she held the position of Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning. Susan has presented at numerous national and international conferences including NAIS, ERB and Project Zero Perspectives. She participated in Project Zero at Harvard three times, and was selected as a Project Zero Fellow in 2014. J.P. Watson, Interim Upper School Head BA Biology, Middlebury College; Master of Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, School of Medicine. After two years of medical school, J.P. left to pursue his interest in teaching. He taught for one year at Vermont Commons School and then for five years at Hammond School in Columbia, SC where he taught biology, chaired the science department, coached varsity soccer and tennis, and established an internship for Hammond students at the USC School of Medicine. He then served as Upper School Director and then Associate Headmaster during a nine year term at Athens Academy. During his time in Athens, the Upper School retooled its

advisory programs, completely revamped its schedule and established a partnership w it h UGA t hat plac ed students i n basic science research labs for summer internships. From Athens, J.P. and family moved to Newnan, GA, where he served as Head of School at The Heritage School. After his time in Newnan, J.P. served as Interim Director of Auxiliary Programs at The Westminster Schools of Atlanta, overseeing the leadership of the nursery, after school care and summer programs. Daught ers R ebecca (12 ) a nd Sa ra h Elizabeth (7) are Collegiate 7th and 2nd Graders, respectively.

Lower School Paige Archer, Junior Kindergarten / Kinder Quest Counselor BA i n A r t, Un iversity of A la sk a Anchorage; MEd in Special Education, George Mason University. Rives Barksdale, Junior Kindergarten BS in Elementary Education, Virginia C o m mo nwe a lt h Un i ve r s it y ; B A i n Sociology, Salem College.

Cathy Gregory, Co-Chair of Academic Services: Learning Specialist BA in Elementary Education, College of William and Mary; MEd in Learning Disabilities, Virg inia Commonwealth University. Kathryn Webb Heidt ’94, Lead Nurse BS in Health Science, University of R ichmond; BS in Nursing, Virg inia Commonwealth University. Nicole Jones, Junior Kindergarten BS in Elementary Education, Longwood Un iversity; M S i n Cu r r icu lu m a nd I n s t r u c t io n i n S p e c i a l E du c at io n , Longwood University. Laura Matthews, Kindergarten Assistant BA in International Studies, University of North Carolina; MT in Elementary E du c at io n a nd S p e c i a l E du c at io n , University of Virginia. Tia Owen, Junior Kindergarten BA in Education and Communications, Mary Baldwin College; MEd in Special Education, University of Virginia.

FRONT: Sandra Marr, David Kehlenbeck, Beth Ann Bell, Kristi Hillyard, Vicky Maitland, Stephanie Smith, Jenn Earle, Kelley Gueye, Paige Archer, Kim Turner, Nicole Jones, Courtney Schweickart, Cathy Kirchmier. BACK: Mandy Salhab, Rosemary Begin, Andrew Vigne, Susan Droke, Kristine Chiodo, J.P. Watson, Wendi Moss, Lynn Atkins, Jake McDonald, Greg Sesny, Bryan Hooten, Tia Owen, Joya Sellers, Laura Matthews, Daniel Bartels, Hannah Curley, Cathy Gregory, Ling Fung-Wu, Rebecca Dovi, Yu Xiao, David Privasky, Nate Jackson, Rives Barksdale. Not pictured: Kathryn Heidt, Brock Shiflett

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AROUND CAMPUS Kim Turner, Junior Kindergarten / Kinder Quest Counselor BA in English, Randolph-Macon College; Virginia Teacher Licensure, University of Richmond; Early Childhood Education Career Studies certificate, J. Sargeant Reynolds.

Yu Xiao, Middle School Chinese BA in Choreography and Performance, B e ij i n g D a n c e A c a d e my ; M FA i n Choreography, the Ohio State University.

Joya Sellers, 3rd Grade BS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Anderson University.

Daniel Bartels, STEM Coordinator, Middle and Upper Schools BS in Mathematics, Virg inia Commonwealth University; BS in Physics, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Stephanie Smith, Lower School Movement BA i n C om mu n ic at ion St ud ie s, Un i v e r s it y o f N o r t h C a r o l i n a a t Wilmington; MA in Teaching Elementary Education, Mary Baldwin College.

Middle School Dr. Lynn G. Atkins, Middle and Upper School Choral Music Director BM in Music Education, Westminster Choir College of Rider University; MM i n Chora l Conducti ng Per for ma nce, James Madison University; DMA Choral Conducting Performance, Literature and Pedagogy, James Madison University.

Upper School

Beth Ann Bell, Upper School Math BS in Mathematics, Virginia Tech. Kristine Chiodo, Upper School Math BS in Civil Eng ineer ing, Virg inia Tech; MEd in Secondary Math Education, Virginia Tech. Hannah Curley, Upper School Spanish BA in Modern Foreig n Lang uage Spanish, James Madison University. Rebecca Dovi, Coding BS in Math, College of William and Mary.

Rosemary Begin, Part-time Nurse B S i n Nu r si n g, Me d ic a l C ol le g e of Virg inia / Virg inia Commonwea lth University.

Jenn Earle, College Counseling Assistant BA in International Studies, University of Richmond; MS in Administration of Justice, Virg i n ia Com monwea lth University.

Kristi Hillyard, Middle School Math BS in Elementa r y Education, Mathematics Endorsement, ASL Emphasis, Utah State University.

Ling Fung-Wu, Upper School Spanish BA and MA in Spanish, Montclair State University; “ABD” in Latin American Literature, Penn State University.

Bryan Hooten, Middle and Upper School Band Director BM, University of Southern Mississippi; MM, Virginia Commonwealth University

Nate Jackson, Upper School History BA in Political Science, Yale University; MA in Geography, George Washington University. David Kehlenbeck, Upper School Math BA in Russian and East European Studies, University of Virginia.

Wendi Moss, Middle School English BA in English, University of Richmond; MEd in Reading, Virginia Commonwealth University; PhD in Educational Leadership, Virginia Commonwealth University. Mandy Salhab, Part-time Nurse Associates Degree in Nursing/RN, John Tyler School of Nursing.

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Sandra Marr, Upper School Biology, AP Biology, Ecology B S i n Biolo g y, Ca r ne g ie Mel lon University; MS in Environmental Science, Policy & Management, UC Berkeley.

Jake McDonald ’07, Upper School Health and Wellness/Driver’s Ed; Associate Director of Summer Quest BA in History, Hampden-Sydney College. David Privasky, Upper School Biology B S i n Biolog y, Centra l M ich iga n University; completing MS in Biology, Mississippi State University. Courtney Schweickart, Upper School History BA in Government & Politics, University of Maryland; MAT, Loyola University Maryland. Greg Sesny, Upper School Physics BEE , T he Cat hol ic Un iver sit y of A mer ic a ; M E d i n C u r r ic u lu m a nd Instruction, Science, The University of Maryland.

Staff Cindy Nott Bowling ’89, Finance & Administration Assistant Cameron Evans, Student Billing Coordinator Cathy Kirchmier, Assistant to Middle School Head Brock Shiflett, Field and Equipment Coordinator Andrew Vigne, Assistant Athletic Director


NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Collegiate’s Board of Trustees welcomed these new members recently. We appreciate the hard work they and other members of the Board do on behalf of the School.

UKAY JACKSON Ukay Jackson, mother of Madison ’19 and Mia ’17, is a seasoned nonprofit leader and volunteer in the Richmond community. She worked for more than 15 years in sales and marketing with Eli Lilly and Company. She is the chair of Circle of Red and their Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors of the American Heart Association RVA. Additional board memberships include YWCA, Council of Historic Richmond, Liaison Committee SMVA, Children’s Home Society, Science Museum of Virginia, Cure by Design Ambassador – ACS Richmond, Emerge Virginia and the Collegiate School Parent Leadership Committee. Ukay also serves as a member of the Woman’s Club of Richmond, Links Incorporated, Continental Societies and Jack & Jill Inc. Born in Nigeria, Ukay brings a direct multi-cultural perspective and outlook to her endeavors. Her family migrated to the United States when she was 8 years old under the leadership of her father, a neurosurgeon who was a critical role model and major influence in shaping her career path. Ukay is married to Dr. Richard Jackson, who directs his family’s third-generation practice serving the Richmond community. Ukay received her BS from the University of Illinois and enjoys tennis, global travel and cultural studies, theater, classical music, cooking and entertaining.

MARK STEPANIAN Mark graduated from Collegiate in 1989. He and his wife, Maureen, have four children at Collegiate – Tyler ’23, Jack ’21, Nicholas ’18 and Megan ’16. Mark received his BA from Hampden-Sydney College and his MBA from VCU. He has worked for his family’s business, Loveland Distributing Company, since graduating from college. Beginning in high school, Mark swept floors and did odd jobs in the warehousing operation. During college, he worked as a trainee in sales and after college, he began his full-time employment with Loveland as a sales representative. Over the last 22 years, Mark has worked in a variety of roles at Loveland, serving now as President/CEO. Mark currently sits on the board of the Cullather Brain Tumor Quality of Life Center at Bon Secours and the Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association (Current Board Member, Past Chairman of VBWA Management Committee). He is a past board member of the Collegiate Alumni Board, Massey Cancer Advisory Board, Comfort Zone Camp, Henrico County Police Foundation and Western Wildcat Youth Football Association. Mark enjoys hunting and fishing, snow skiing, coaching youth football and watching his children compete for the Cougars.

CARTER REID Car ter is Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative & Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary at Dominion Resources. She oversees the corporate services provided to Dominion’s operating companies, including information technology, human resources and supply chain management, as well as the corporate secretary, compliance and environmental groups. Car ter joined Dominion Resources as assistant general counsel in 1996 and was named managing counsel in 2000. While in the legal department, she focused on mergers and acquisitions, finance, securities law and general corporate law. She became director-Executive Compensation in 2003 and Vice President-Governance and Corporate Secretary in 2007. She was named Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary in 2011 and became Senior Vice President-Administrative Services and Corporate Secretary in January 2013. She became Senior Vice President-Administrative Services, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary in July 2013 and assumed her current post in January 2014. Before joining Dominion, Carter was an associate at McGuireWoods and Hunton & Williams. A graduate of James Madison University, she received her law degree from the University of Richmond’s T.C. Williams School of Law. Carter serves on the boards of the Richmond World Affairs Council, the Virginia Repertory Theatre and Energy Insurance Mutual. She serves on the executive committee of the Visual Arts Center of Richmond and is the executive sponsor of Dominion’s Women’s Resource Group. She is a past board and executive committee member of the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Carter and her husband Joe have two children at Collegiate – Will ’18 and Katherine ’16. Carter has been an active supporter and volunteer at Collegiate. She has served as room parent, hosted the Fall Parent Party, assisted with book sales and directory sales, Village Green fair events, Annual Fund parent volunteer, provided support to the International Emerging Leader Conferences and is coordinating the trip to France this summer for the junior girls.

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FALL 2015 SPORTS ROUNDUP

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thletic seasons come and go. They bring successes and, sometimes, disappointments. They teach valuable lessons that go well beyond the competitive arena. They create indelible memories of shared experiences. At best, they provide a laboratory that prepares athletes and coaches alike to deal with the challenges they’ll face once the world gets real. Each season is truly unique, but common threads run through Collegiate’s program year in, year out. “We had some incredible individuals,” said J.P. Watson, Upper School Head, “but what was more impressive was how our athletes were able to bring out the best in each other. “It was great to see such great effort and intelligent execution, and it was wonderful to watch our athletes as they competed very strongly this fall.” – Weldon Bradshaw

Tennis 17-4

LIS Champion VISAA Runnerup All-LIS Bailey Andress ’19, Georgia Beazley ’17, Anne Miller ’16, Sophie Mitchell ’19, Anya Sood ’19, Mythili Vigneshwar ’16 All-State Beazley (First Team); Mitchell, Vigneshwar (Second Team) Notable With eight of 14 players new to the varsity level, the Cougars won their seventh consecutive LIS championship. Coach’s Comment “We will most certainly miss the senior leadership, both on court and in the weight room. With more than half the team new to varsity tennis this season, the future of Collegiate tennis is bright.” – Coach Karen Whitt

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Volleyball 10-14 LIS Semifinalist

All-LIS Ellie Casalino ’17, Brigid O’Shea ’17 Notable In the RVC Tournament at the beginning of the season, the Cougars defeated St. Catherine’s (2-1) for the first time since 2011. Coach’s Comment “Every member of the team contributed to our success. We got better every day. We had tremendous leadership from all returners and seniors. We fought hard in many matches and played as a unit. This team showed grit.” – Coach Beth Kondorossy

Soccer 6-7-2

5th in Prep League VISAA Quarterfinalist All-Prep Sawyer Gaffney ’16, Dalton Ruh ’16, Colson Williams ’18 All-State Gaffney (First Team); Ruh (Second Team) Notable In Charlie Blair’s 35 years as varsity boys soccer coach, his teams have earned a record of 406139-74. His 400th victory came when the Cougars defeated Eastern Mennonite 2–0 on Sept. 8. Coach’s Comment “The 2015 edition quickly bought in to the expectations established. They competed in practices and games at a level that belied their youth. As coaches, we were very proud of their effort and the success that we enjoyed as a team.” – Coach Charlie Blair


1. Anne Miller ’16 2. Carson Pinney ’16 3. Sawyer Gaffney ’16

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Field Hockey 10-9-1

LIS Runnerup, VISAA Semifinalist All-LIS Clay Bowden ’16, Catherine DeVoe ’16, Carson Pinney ’16 All-State Bowden, DeVoe, Pinney All-Metro, First Team DeVoe, Pinney Notable Midfielder McGee Roman ’17 contributed 12 goals and three assists which accounted for 27 of the Cougars’ 104 total points. Coach’s Comment “This was a season of tremendous growth both on the field and as a group. On the field, the team improved tenfold as competitors and in their skills to play as a team. They were united by the efforts of our senior captains and leaders (Bowden, DeVoe and Pinney) into a truly cohesive group that wanted to play for each other every day.” – Coach Karen Doxey WINTER 2016 23


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Boys Cross Country 5th in Prep League 4th in VISAA All-Prep John Hazelton ’16 All-State, First Team Hazelton Notable The state meet finish was the Cougars’ highest since 2011. More importantly, they earned the Prep League Sportsmanship Award. Coach’s Comment “Cross country is about competing with sportsmanship and excellence, about respecting the weather, the terrain, and your opponent but never fearing them, about enjoying successes humbly and finding meaning in disappointments, and picking yourself up after you stumble. Mainly, it’s about team. Such is the culture of Collegiate cross country, this year, every year.”

Football 3-5

3rd in Prep League

Girls Cross Country 3rd in LIS 5th in VISAA All-LIS Caroline Goggins ’16 All-State Goggins Notable Caroline Goggins served as team captain during the 2015 season. Her brother Trey Goggins ’07 captained the 2006 team along with Caroline’s coach, Matthew Richardson ’07. Coach’s Comment “The women’s cross country team was led by an excellent group of seniors who demonstrated sportsmanship, dedication, and excellence day in and day out. The team was determined to train hard and push each other to get the most out of every single day. This was clearly the case at the LIS meet where the girls ran well in drudgingly hot conditions on a tough St. Catherine’s course, and their resiliency and belief in each other earned them a third place finish.” – Coach Matthew Richardson ’07

All-Prep Will Allocca ’16 (Linebacker), Ayinde Budd ’18 (Receiver), Mait Innes ’16 (Receiver), Patrick Kirchmier ’17 (Linebacker), Jess Speight ’17 (Offensive Line), Jack Reifsnider ’16 (Offensive Line), Jack Rusbuldt ’16 (Defensive Back). All-State Allocca, Speight (First Team); Budd, Rusbuldt (Second Team); Innes, Kirchmier, Reifsnider (Honorable Mention) All-Metro, Honorable Mention Allocca, Budd, Speight Notable The Cougars allowed only one quarterback sack in 245 passing attempts all season. Coach’s Comment “It was great to see the boys continually work for team improvement. They committed to work hard when the season started on Aug. 17 and never allowed a teammate to not try his best. Closing the season with back-to-back wins was a tribute to wanting team success. I am very proud of this team, their focus, and all they accomplished.” – Coach Mark Palyo WINTER 2016 25


Long May You Run Remarks made by Head of School Steve Hickman at the Fall Varsity Athletics Awards on the occasion of Weldon Bradshaw’s retirement from coaching cross country runners

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t could definitely be called the end of an era: Weldon Bradshaw handed over his cross country coaching duties to Matthew Richardson ’07 at the end of the fall season. The following were Head of School Steve Hickman’s comments on Weldon Bradshaw’s retirement from coaching the team, as presented at the fall varsity awards program:

His legacy lies in the many lives he has touched and enriched, the lifelong values that he has instilled in every student athlete who has crossed his path. Resiliency, compassion, grace, honor, respect and perseverance…they define Weldon’s impact. He is the embodiment of the teacher/coach/mentor model that has sustained and given life to Collegiate School for generations. We may not see the likes of him again. Please join me in thanking Weldon Bradshaw for all that he has done for Collegiate athletics and most importantly for what he has done for Collegiate young people.

Team captain William Bennett ’16 also offered some remarks which were followed by a few words of reflection from Coach Bradshaw. They will sound familiar to all who have ever run cross country at Collegiate.

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n 1978, Coach Petey Jacobs, Collegiate’s athletic director, offered me the golden opportunity to coach cross country. Over the years, from the lessons that he and Coach Hickey and so many of my colleagues taught, we developed the culture of Collegiate cross country. Conduct yourself with sportsmanship. Compete with excellence. No excuses. Just run. Respect the weather, the terrain, and your opponent, but never fear them. Run the first part of the race with your head, and the last part with your heart. And run through the finish.

ABOVE: Known always for giving encouragement throughout races, Coach Bradshaw urges Melinda ’07 and Madeline Sisk ’05 to finish strong. BELOW: Coach Rives Fleming ’83 offers a tribute to Coach Bradshaw. For nearly 40 years, Weldon Bradshaw has been the heart and soul of the Collegiate cross-country program. On Nov. 13 on a beautiful fall day at Fork Union, he coached his last meet. Fittingly, his teams dug deep that day and delivered their best performances of the year. I don’t think he could have been prouder. His legacy of achievement coaching cross country includes multiple Prep League and LIS championships and three state championships. A professional record of excellence that stands on its own. But Weldon’s real legacy cannot be defined using the traditional measurements of athletic success.

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And if somebody gets to the finish ahead of you, make sure it’s because he’s faster, not because he’s tougher. Enjoy the successes humbly, and find meaning in the disappointments. True strength is picking yourself up after you stumble or fall or even face-plant and finishing the race strongly. It’s not about individuals, not about the athletes, not about the coaches. It’s about the team. In all that you do, make each other better. Finally, remember that your experiences in cross country – and in any other sport, for that matter – are merely preparation for the real challenges that you will inevitably face in life.

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On Jan. 6 the fall boys’ cross country team and parents held a surprise reception for Coach Weldon Bradshaw to express their gratitude for the four decades of team coaching and mentoring he has given hundreds of students. All runners who were coached by Mr. Bradshaw since 1975 were invited. The Estes Student Center in the Sharp Academic Commons filled with nearly 100 runners, past and present, and

quite a few of their parents, all of whom remember their cross country team experiences with great fondness. Colleague Rives Fleming ’83 presented Coach Bradshaw with a scrapbook containing memories including many submissions from runners who couldn’t attend the party. In addition, students and alums signed a ceramic platter that he will take home. Thanks to the parents of senior runners who planned

the event (Julie Bennett, Lillian Hazelton, Mary Cay Kollmansperger and Mary Kendall White) and to Coach Bradshaw for his years of service.

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HOLIDAYS AT COLLEGIATE: 2015

4. The Madonna and Joseph make their way up the aisle at the Pageant. 5. A Kindergartner performs a solo at the Kindergarten Chapel, the last holiday performance of the year.

1 1. Seniors toast their lacrosse coach Andrew Stanley at Feast of Juul. 2. Cub Boutique shopper gets help from 5th Grader elf at the Holiday Express. 3. Parents often visit classes to help teach students about holiday celebrations. Zach Sisisky ’96 and daughter share Hanukkuh traditions with her Junior Kindergarten class.

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6. Juniors scheme to steal the senior girls’ presents in the Brunch – the theme was Monsters, Inc. 7. The 3rd Grade presents their annual Concert of Carols.

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8th Graders tackle real challenges faced by local organizations and offer thoughtful solutions through the new Middle School capstone experience, Envision Richmond.


CIT Y CL A SS ROO M

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n a beautiful clear morning in October, the 8th Grade class boarded buses to ride to the edge of the James River where they were given paddles, life jackets and instructions for rafting on the waters that lead right into the heart of downtown Richmond. Fun, challenging and educational, the exercise was a fitting beginning to a week of activities that, using the city as their classroom, exposed the students to important issues facing Richmonders. By week’s end, they had devised creative proposals to help solve them. Three years ago a group of teachers lead by Cathy Melton, now-retired Director of Economics Education, and Clare Sisisky, then Director of Global Education, considered a number of ideas for a capstone Middle School experience for our 8th Graders. The result: Envision Richmond, a program that aims to foster lifelong responsible citizenship by giving our students the skills and confidence they need to make a difference in the

world around them. “The program fits perfectly into our Responsible Citizenship initiative as it involves civic engagement, economic literacy and service,” says Ms. Sisisky who is now Director of Responsible Citizenship at Collegiate. The program was piloted with a small group of 8th Graders for two years and offered to the entire grade level this year. Divided into teams, the students visited various locations throughout Richmond including Tricycle Gardens, Home Again, the Virginia War Memorial, GRTC and the downtown YMCA. They rode a GRTC bus the length of a route, played hoops in wheelchairs, pedaled their bicycles around downtown and toured a homeless shelter. Through those activities, they learned first-hand about challenges Richmonders encounter and the agencies that serve them. “It is essential that our students actually visit various sites around the Richmond area and interact with people outside of Collegiate’s community, so they broaden their knowledge base and feel more empathy for those most affected by

Rafting into downtown Richmond was a great way to start off a week of focus on ways to make the city a great place to live and work for everyone. WINTER 2016 31


FEATURE a specific challenge,” says Middle School teacher Laurie Shadowen, coordinator of the program. “It’s also imperative that our students collaborate and do some creative thinking away from the traditional classroom in settings where they are more inspired to think beyond the textbook and class discussions. At first the issues seem so big (like homelessness, foster care, lack of green

Many thanks to these individuals who made time to explain the issues on Monday and return to view some possible solutions on Friday: GRTC

Tim Barham, Jonathan Owens RESOURCES FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

Kelly Hickok GREATER RICHMOND ARC

Kim Watson, John Walker CAMERON K. GALLAGHER (CGM) FOUNDATION

Ruthie Burke TRICYCLE GARDENS

Sequoia Ross SPORTS BACKERS / CYCLING

Brantley Tyndall RICHMOND CYCLING CORPS

Matt Crane GROUNDWORK RVA, INC.

Giles Harnsberger WATERSTREET STUDIO

Keith Whipple ’98 VIRGINIA HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

After the students arrived by raft, they divided into small groups and visited various sites to learn about needs and projects underway. Here, Ted Elmore, president of the Richmond BridgePark Foundation, explains to one group his vision for a “Low Line” (vs New York’s High Line) park that would bridge the James River.

Claiborne Scott Mason ’78 spaces in the city), but as they learned strategies to narrow the problems, they became much more manageable. So often in life people see big problems and choose not to do anything because it seems so overwhelming, but if you whittle it down, then people feel more comfortable acting. That’s what we try to do in this ER Program – give students strategies to feel like they can do something.” Back on campus, the teams got to work, using the design thinking process (see box on pg. 34) as a method for understanding needs and generating ideas for solutions. Prototypes were developed and marketing experts helped them with logo designs and promotional language. On the last day, panelists, most of them hosts for the students’ visits earlier in the week, came to campus to listen to the final team presentations.

FOSTER CARE / CATHOLIC CHARITIES

Bebe Tran HOME AGAIN

Sean Monroe, JoLinda Underwood VIRGINIA WAR MEMORIAL

Paul Galanti VCU MILITARY STUDENT SERVICES

Stephen Ross VP, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, YMCA

Tricia Puryear ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL (PEDIATRIC)

Alan Carney CHURCH HILL ACADEMY

Skip Long SPORTABLE

Cat Anthony FORMER ENVISION RICHMOND COORDINATOR

Cathy Melton

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In the final phase of Envision Richmond, this spring the 8th Graders will develop a community outreach plan in partnership with the organizations that helped their group learn so much in the fall. “The energy that our students bring to all of their ideas is contagious, and I am truly inspired by their desire to make a difference,” says Mrs. Shadowen. “Having been involved for the last three years and seen the process ignite so much passion and interest in young teenagers, I believe Envision Richmond plants the seeds for change in the next generation.”

STU D E NTS R E F LEC T O N E NVI S IO N R ICH M O N D “Before Envision Richmond I had no idea that there was any problem with refugees or immigrants. I knew the basics but I had never thought to consider the problems that the families and their children would be having with new students. Now that Envision Richmond is over, I have a new perspective on how to create an effective and efficient solution and to make a presentation about it. I will definitely use these tactics throughout my life.”

“Now that Envision Richmond is over, I have a new perspective on how to create an effective and efficient solution.”

“It was really an eye opener to go off campus and see different problems in our city. ER showed me that we really can make a dif ference in our community even if we aren’t adults yet. It also showed me that there is so much to be done for our community.”

“I think the best part about collaborating with my team was the fact that everyone in our group understood the issue, and people were creative in coming up with ideas for solving the issue. We each brought different and unique ideas, streng ths and weaknesses that all really worked together and came out with a strong and positive outcome. Just like the real world.”

“I loved talking to the panel! Sure, it was stressful getting up there and presenting our idea, but watching them listen to our idea, watching them nod when we said something, and watching them clapping and appreciating what we did was very inspiring. I also loved how all of our ideas came together. Everything else in the week was really fun too!”

Having learned about population groups who could be better served, the student teams considered attributes of those people to gain a better understanding of their needs. Middle School teacher Maria Benson (left) looks on her students work on a design solution to the lack of greenspaces in the city. They ultimately created a model of a rooftop garden.

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FEATURE

THINKING ABOUT DESIGN Design thinking is a way to approach challenges in a thoughtful and fun way while applying the four Cs – collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication. As our 8th Graders tackle the challenges they identify at each of the community sites, they follow the steps of design thinking to generate creative solutions to problems.

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Visit to the site to learn about its goals and challenges and, by interviewing those who use the services, develop empathy by understanding what it means to be one of them.

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Critically assess and narrow their focus to a few specific types of individuals affected by the challenges.

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Collaborate / develop ideas to try to solve a few specific needs of those folks affected by the issue.

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Create a 3-D prototype of an idea for a solution.

Communicate a possible solution to a panel of experts from the community.

Envision Richmond coordinator Laurie Shadowen chats with former Collegiate classmates Shelley Daughtrey ’98, senior account manager at West Cary Group, and Boz Boschen ’98, director of digital at Neathawk Dubuque & Packett, who came to campus to share information about branding and marketing ideas with the 8th Graders.


A SAM P LI N G O F SO LUTIO N S

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nvision Richmond is not just an exercise that begins and ends during one week in the fall. One local entity is taking the ideas of past Envision Richmond students very seriously: The Bridgepark Fou nd at ion , wh ic h i s work i n g on Richmond’s “Lowline” project, is interested in these students’ idea for sidewalk murals that would lead visitors to the river. The following are a few of this year’s ideas conceived by 8th Graders as solutions to some of the challenges they observed in the Richmond community.

Sports for People with Physical Disabilities Uniteable – a camp for kids with disabilities and able-bodies kids to participate in sports together. Teens and Mental Health Forming a camp-like experience for teens with anxiety or depression. Families and support dogs would be included in this camp.

Food Deserts Refrigerated food lockers located in former markets in area neighborhoods, filled with fresh produce from Tricycle Gardens from orders received from the corner markets. Homelessness Turning abandoned buildings into apartments for homeless through a homeless job training in construction program. Military Veterans Build a place for military veterans to go to relax and/or get treatment and counseling in a calm tranquil setting. Education / Literacy Develop a program that has buses take underprivileged children to different job locations to learn about a variety of career opportunities. GRTC Bus Service Well-lit bus stops with special light that would indicate if bus is on time or behind schedule.

Students explain their concept.

Panels of representatives from local agencies listened to the student presentations, asked questions and offered feedback.

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ALUMNI ACTIVITIES

ALUMNI ACTIVITIES Seeking Justice in a High Profile Crime Case

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uneeta Hazra ’88 was in the national news in September as she took on the challenge of prosecuting a high profile murder case in Colorado. The case involved Harold Henthorn, who was accused of pushing his wife Toni off of a cliff in Rocky Mountain National Park to her death in 2012. Henthorn, who had $4.7 million in life insurance on his wife, contended that she had fallen by accident. He is also a suspect in his first wife’s accidental death. We recently asked Suneeta a few questions about her career and the Henthorn trial.

Tell us how you got from here to there. After graduating from Collegiate, I went to Yale for undergrad (graduated in 1992) and University of Virginia for law school (graduated in 1996). After law school, I clerked for a federal district court judge in Richmond and then went to Covington & Burling in Washington, DC for a few years. I left the law firm in 2000 to work at the Department of Justice. I worked for a few months in DC and then moved to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado in the summer of 2000. I have been here ever since prosecuting criminal cases. I have prosecuted all types of cases including violent crimes, child exploitation, environmental crimes, securities fraud and complex financial crimes. I am currently the Chief of the Economic Crimes Section responsible for supervising the unit that prosecutes fraud, tax, environmental, export, securities and other financial crimes.

What was the timeline from when you were assigned the Henthorn case to trial?

Attorney Suneeta Hazra ’88 recently prosecuted a high profile murder case.

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I was assigned the Henthorn case in the summer of 2013. T he g ra nd ju r y ind icted the case in the fall of 2014. We had a big motions hearing in May 2015 about whether the evidence about the death of Henthorn’s first wife [who also

died in an accident] could be introduced at trial and we went to trial in September of this year.

Were there particular challenges you faced as you dealt with such a high profile case? The main challenge we faced in this prosecution was that the evidence was purely circumstantial. Henthorn claimed his wife fell accidentally, and we had no eyewitnesses, or confession or any direct evidence to contradict his story. All of our evidence that he deliberately committed first degree murder was circumstantial.

Did you get the outcome you hoped for? We absolutely got the outcome we hoped for. The jury convicted him of first degree murder which is what he was charged with. He will receive a mandatory life sentence without parole pursuant to the statute.

What do you enjoy about being a prosecutor? I enjoy many aspects about being a prosecutor. I enjoy being in court, sifting through the evidence to put together a case, arguing before a jury. The most enjoyable aspect though is simply I have a job where the only requirement is to do the right thing. Sometimes that is seeking a lengthy sentence for a criminal defendant but sometimes that is finding an alternate resolution or even declining to hold some criminally accountable for wrongdoing. Put simply, my job is to seek justice which is very rewarding.


Bike Races Yield Opportunities for Hospitality and Local Crafters

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s all of Richmond focused on the UCI Road World Championships in September, two alumni came up with ways to be involved with the event. Downtown home furnishings store La Diff, co-owned by Sarah Paxton ’84, was situated right in the middle of the course which cut off customer access so Sarah devised a way to make the most of their position. “We hosted a ‘fan zone’ in our parking lot with our neighbors at Ledbury, and friends at Hardywood Brewery,” she says. “Hardywood invited some of their food truck friends and vendors to hang out, too, so spectators could watch, enjoy a pint and feed their appetites. Our lot was at a great turn from 15th Street to Dock Street, so we got to see a lot of speed as they went by! We were also in a great halfway point between the 23rd Street / Libby Hill stretches and the Governor’s Street final push.” Meanwhile, Tyler Negus Snidow ’80 operated two retail pop-up shops downtown during race week. Launched in 2007 with a successful art event that was recognized with a VMFA Muse award, Tyler’s Viva-la-Local business now has markets that pop-up in various places around Virginia about three times a year. During the races, her shops touted local talent and products to the world. “With locations at the Convention Center and in the Arts District, we did our best to make sure that visitors to Richmond had an opportunity to see and purchase locally made goods. Popular items were hand-screened posters, tees and Richmond themed artwork.”

During the year-end holidays, Viva joined 15 other local retailers including Sarah Paxton’s LaDiff to help launch the three-year redevelopment of Regency Square. With a prime location next to Santa, the Viva holiday shop offered visitors a variety of uncommon locally made gifts. “ With Richmond’s thriving start-up and maker communities, we have a vast selection of quality local products to share with consumers,” Tyler says. “Viva markets sell everything from award-winning specialty foods to letterpress artwork to hand-forged ironworks to quirky greeting cards you won’t find in most retail locations. Everything in the shop is something special.” Tyler Negus Snidow ’80, Viva la Loca, with Mike Ritchie, eMarketing Manager of Richmond Regional Tourism

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ALUMNI ACTIVITIES

Veteran Swimmers Return to Compete Collegiate’s head swimming coach Mike Stott reports on the Dec. 19, 2015 meet in which graduates were invited to participate:

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he alumni turnout for our second COOL Henrico High School Invitational was encouraging. Nine former Cougar swimmers (eight of them former captains) attended: Thomas Stephens ’11, Mary Katherine Kish ’14, Vivien Fergusson ’14, Andy Cuthbert ’14, three Sisks (Mark Wayne ’03, Madeline ’05, Willie ’12), Cameron Moore ’13 and Drake “Bucka” Watson ’08. Alums readily accepted the Collegiate caps and water bottles made available by Jennifer Robertson Wilkins ’92, Director of Alumni and Special Events. Five alumni swam. The Sisks cobbled together a family relay with the addition of brother and current team member Winston Sisk ’18. They had formidable Collegiate opposition in the form of a two-man relay, consisting of Watson swimming the leadoff, and anchor 50s, bookending 7-time NCAA All-American Stephens who went 45.8 on his continuous 100 leg. Stephens had done only one pool workout since his final college meet at the March 2015 NCAA championships. The short version of the results is that Collegiate girls missed winning (by 9) and boys (by 152), finishing second behind Douglas Freeman in the six-team meet.” LEFT TOP: Collegiate swim teach coaches Mike Peters and Mike Stott with alumni swimmer Thomas Stephens ’11 who swam for Stanford University until he graduated last spring. LEFT: Cameron Moore, Coach Mike Peters, Drake “Bucka” Watson ’08, and Thomas Stephens ’11 reunited at the alumni swim meet.

Cougars Make 40 Under 40 List Congratulations to the four Collegiate graduates who were included on Style Weekly’s 2015 list of 40 accomplished individuals under the age of 40. KEITH WHIPPLE ’98

TUNSTALL BAGLEY WILLIS ’00

Co-founder of Waterstreet Studio, a landscape architecture firm with offices in Richmond and Charlottesville. Founder of Stockbridge Cos., a development and project advisory group that takes on infill and adaptive reuse projects in the city.

Coordinator of Bon Secours’ Movin’ Mania, a program that convinces children to stay active while having fun so they can maintain healthy body weight.

PEYTON JENKINS ’00 Co-founder and president of Alton Lane men’s clothing line.

TORIA EDMONDS-HOWELL ’07 Executive director of RVA Future, which helps Richmond’s public school students to plan for life after high school.


HOLLYWOOD REPORT

In a world where finding work in the film business can be tough, a handful of alumni are making it, on- and off-screen.

Running Shows

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fter receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in film/video production at New York University, Scooter Yancey ’98 headed to Los Angeles to seek work in the film industry. Fifteen years later, he has produced more than 600 hours of television, including shows for the Travel Channel (America’s Secret Swimming Holes), Food Network (American Diner Revival), HGTV (Selling LA), Animal Planet (I Was Bitten), Court TV (Murder by the Book, The Investigators), NBC (Fear Factor) and many others. Here, he answers three questions about his career in Los Angeles.

When did you move to LA and what was your first job out there? I moved to L.A. just after college in 2001. But my first film and TV work was in Virginia when I was still in high school. One of my teachers at Collegiate, Alice

McGuire Massie ’79, helped me get an internship at the Virginia Film Office. They act as a resource when productions come to town, helping them find locations, crew, gear, anything local. So, after that internship, when productions came to town looking for crew, they would recommend me. My first job in L.A. came through random chance. I was at a park near my new apartment and ran into someone who I had worked with on a Dave Matthews Band video in Richmond. So here we are, three years later, the guy had started his own company, and I started working there the next day! We produced a bunch of music videos, commercials and photo packages for clients like Dave Matthews, Tommy Lee, Queens of the Stone Age, Iron Maiden, A Perfect Circle, Busta Rhymes, Everlast, Jason Mraz and many more.

Scooter Yancey ’98, on location in Palm Springs, CA.

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ALUMNI ACTIVITIES What has been most challenging about finding work in film production?

What are you up to now?

Early on, you have to hustle all the time. You’re constantly looking for the next gig, and there’s definitely some down time. After the music video producing job, I found myself doing more and more TV, simply because there’s more of it being made. I went where the opportunities were. And luckily the work kept coming. Nowadays, I have an agent who does all the work-finding for me. Getting to that level was a relief, because the hustle is definitely my least favorite part of the job. I just want to make shows; I don’t want to have to spend my limited free time networking and selling myself. But for people who are good at that sort of thing, it definitely helps.

I’m an executive producer, pretty much only in TV at this point. The industry term for what I do is “showrunner.” That means I oversee all the creative and logistical aspects of producing a TV series, start to finish. From prepping and pitching new concepts, to writing and filming, on through to editing and final delivery. I do mostly documentary television – science, crime, food, travel, real estate – those kinds of genres. Currently, I’m finishing up an outdoor show for Travel Channel, and I have another project lined up with them as soon as this is done. I’ve also recently sold a fun new comedy/prank show format that I’m pretty excited about. More news on that as it develops.

On Screen Talent For the last 10 years, Scottie Thompson ’00 has been working as an actress in Los Angeles with many roles in television and film projects. Most recently, she has had recurring parts on NBC’s The Blacklist as well as on NCIS, playing Dr. Jeanne Benoit. She’ll also be in a recurring role in the upcoming second season of Syfy’s 12 Monkeys. As she writes here, she was included in an ensemble cast for Project Greenlight’s new production released in November.

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ABOVE: Scottie Thompson ’00 (right) and co-star Brenda Strong on the set of The Leisure Class.

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his past spring I had the chance to act in the feature film The Leisure Class, which aired on HBO as part of its docu-series “Project Greenlight” about a first-time director making a feature film. For me, it was a thrilling experience as I have wanted to be a part of the HBO family for many years, and with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon executive producing, it seemed like a wonderful opportunity. And it was. Although the crew faced challenges, as rather dramatically portrayed in the series, it was similar to many independent film experiences I have had, in that a limited budget often requires rather creative approaches. The director, Jason Mann, a recent Columbia film school graduate, knew what he wanted and stuck to his vision for the movie, an important aspect in the entertainment world. The film is about a wealthy New England family on the eve of the wedding of one of the daughters to a perfect-on-paper British man, Charles, who in truth is far from perfect, as the audience discovers once Charles’s brother shows up. The rest of the cast – including Ed Weeks (“The Mindy Project”), Bridget Regan (“Jane the Virgin”), Bruce Davison (incredible character actor whom I’ve worked with before on an independent film 37: A Final Promise), Brenda Strong (“Desperate Housewives”), Christine Lakin, Tom Bell and Melanie Zanetti – were are incredibly talented and so fun, and we all worked together very well, which was necessary on such an ensemble film. Ed and Tom set the tone with their incredible sketch comedy skills – which they actually developed over a decade ago while in school at Cambridge University – and it was entertaining to work alongside them. Despite the dramatic bent of the docu-series, it was an overall enjoyable experience, and I hope everyone tunes in to the series and the film!


Assisting a Star Mike van Reekum ’09 graduated from HampdenSydney College with a BA in psychology, minor in rhetoric, summa cum laude. The following is an account of his activities since then:

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moved to L.A. about two years ago because I needed a change of pace after I graduated from Hampden-Sydney. I knew I had sufficient accolades and recommendations to pursue a graduate degree; however, I felt the need to push myself outside of my boundaries after college. Thus, I packed three suitcases and moved to L.A. I got a job as the general manager of a nightclub, and after about a year, one of my fraternity brothers from Hampden-Sydney reached out to me saying that his friend was searching for an assistant. Turned out, his friend was Ashton Kutcher, and I got an awesome opportunity. Crazy turn of events. Working for a person like Ashton has been an experience that I can’t even begin to describe. I’ve gotten an in-depth look into the life of one of the busiest people in all of Hollywood and what it takes to be successful. From his work as an actor, to his non-profit foundation, Thorn,

and his incredibly successful investment ventures – I’ve been fortunate to be introduced to ma ny d if ferent aspects of the busi ness world. A s A shton’s assista nt, I have my h a nd s i n e ver y t h i n g. I maintain his information database for his investment funds, spend time on set, schedule his calendar, work directly on his social media sites, and lend another hand wherever he needs me. Above all, he’s taught me the importance of family, working hard and never giving up on your dreams. Ashton’s insight into building a brand on social media has helped me and my boyfriend organically build our YouTube channel to just over 100,000 subscribers. Our channel showcases our relationship and travels with one mission: to remind the world to smile (youtube.com/ pkcreedon514).

Coming Up Getting started in Hollywood, on both the production and on screen si d es, takes perseverance, resilience and r e s o u r c e f u ln e s s . These five recent graduates are living in LA and pursuing careers in “the business.”

Dylan Moon ’09 with a prop pen.

Lizzie Bassett ’07 (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) is a writer/ pr o duc er on t he daily YouTube show “ G o o d My t h ic a l Mor n i ng ” wh ich has nearly 8 million subscribers.

R ob Cave do ’ 0 8 (Jam es Ma di son University) works at animation studio Psyop in Venice on projects spanning VR, 2D, 3D and live action. “On fun days I write treatments or edit video for pitches, but most days it’s paperwork.” James Cogar ’07 (University of ColoradoBoulder) is a freelance film production assistant. He interned at The Traveling Picture Show Co., which produces commercials and feature films, and has worked on the crews of projects for French’s Mustard, T Mobile, Budweiser, MasterCard, Sleepy’s Mattresses and Funny or Die, and feature films Beyond Skyline and 31, directed by Rob Zombie. Zach Mendez ’06 (University of Virginia) appeared in a Subway commercial and has been acting in various short films. He’s also been participating in acting workshops, working as an ACT tutor with Compass Tutoring group and bartending.

Mike van Reekum ’09 (right) and his boss, actor Ashton Kutcher, in an appearance on Kutcher’s video channel A Plus

Cougar Connection In an odd twist, alums were recently involved in the same project without knowing it. In Los Angeles, James Cogar ’07 worked on a T Mobile cell phone commercial in December. Meanwhile, in Richmond, Kemper Blair ’01 and Stuart Holt ’04, both members of the band Sports Bar, sold the rights to use one of their songs – “I Was Going to Shave My Beard, but I Took a Nap Instead” – to T Mobile. Turns out the song is being used for the same commercial James worked on in L.A. It’s a very small world when you’re a Cougar!

Dylan Moon ’09 (Elon University), an actor, is represented by Avalon Artists Group and has attended casting director workshops, taken classes at Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), and booked a Brother Printer commercial. He writes for a “mildly successful YouTube channel” and recently returned to Richmond to direct a touring show for Virginia Rep. He’ll be directing a show in the Hollywood Fringe Festival in June.

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ALUMNI ACTIVITIES

Destination: Hermit Kingdom North Korea is not on everyone’s travel bucket list, mainly because we can’t get there from here (no flights from the United States) and, even if we could, we’d want to make sure we’d be able to leave. It’s a closed country, with minimal information seeping in and out and dubious intentions regarding its relationships with the rest of the world’s countries. So, how did Tristan Benson ’02 get to spend four days there over the New Year’s break?

A Tristan Benson ’02 stands in front of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, Kim Jong-il and Kim Il-sung’s mausoleum in Pyongyang, North Korea.

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s a social studies teacher at an international school in Shanghai, China, Tristan says, “I am fortunate because I work with very like-minded people who enjoy traveling to far off and bizarre places.” He and 20 others, escorted by two North Korean guides and a Western guide, flew to Pyongyang, North Korea to see the sites. As they prepared to land, they filled out arrival cards that asked if he’d be bringing into the country any “killing devices, publishings of any kind, GPS, or meets [sic].” Then it was off to their hotel which, he says, “is located on an island so that foreigners can’t simply walk around Pyongyang but are physically separated from the populace. The hotel itself is a massive structure with a revolving restaurant at the top. There is a bowling alley, sauna, karaoke, ping pong, and massage in the basement if you’re bored. All the designs feel quite retro.” Over the next three days, Tristan and the rest of the tour group visited such landmarks as the Grand People’s Study House, many monuments of leaders, the Anti-American, Anti-Japanese Museum (containing the U.S.S. Pueblo, the only official American vessel still in enemy hands), the “road of Scientists,” the DMZ and the Kim il-Sungs’ mausoleum featuring his private yacht and train as well as their bodies. The group took a helicopter tour over Pyongyang and visited the Metro station, “an absolutely beautiful old metro with subway cars from the ’50s!” While underground, Tristan made this observation: “I actually admired this more than I thought I would. No cell phones, no devices, and no advertisements anywhere. Everyone talking to one another or merely gazing off wistfully. It was refreshing not to see everyone zonked out on their mobile devices.” While streets were empty in many areas, blue buses returned people to the city from the factories at the end of the day. “The North Koreans have a very strict philosophy of ‘Juche’ or self-reliance,” Tristan explains. “This means they want to do everything themselves. Though they get aid from China, they attempt to make everything for themselves. We went to a local shop one night and I bought some random things (mechanical pencil, notebook) and they were all made in North Korea, not China as you may expect. The ‘Pyongyang Mechanical Pencil Factory’ to be precise. I assume they operate at almost zero unemployment because so many are needed in the factories. Can you imagine going to a country that has less people than California, but they attempt to do everything themselves? In this day and age it really blew my mind!” Back in China, T r istan is consider ing returning to North Korea again. The trip he took is open to anyone, including Americans, as long as you fly from China. Says Tristan, “It was such a great experience that left me with more questions instead of less.”


Super Talent Imagine someone graduating from Collegiate School, going to college, pursuing their goals and beginning a career. Imagine them excelling at the professional level and capturing the attention of fans around the world. Perhaps an athlete who may or may not be wearing blue and neon green? While many of us would be picturing that guy, the description provided above would be equally fitting for Jonathan Marks ’02 who has been turning heads for his work as a comic book artist for such publishing companies as Aspen and Marvel Comics.

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ans of comic books may recognize his work in the Aspen-published Shrugged and Soulfire, as well as Marvel books such as Wolverine, Dark Tower: The Drawing of Three – The Lady of Shadows, and Secret Wars Journal. His organic style is instantly recognizable, incorporating loose ink washes and fine line work. The path to his style and to his career in comics took several turns and detours for Marks. In his youth, Marks formed an interest in comics, drawn especially to the characters of Wolverine and the X-Men, Daredevil, and Thor. As he got older, Marks says, “I would buy some comics just because of the art – or even just the cover.” Although he had a passion for art, Marks opted to not study it in college but instead attended the University of Queensland, a research-based school in Australia.

Though he ventured in different directions, working on film storyboards, as a designer for a clothing boutique and an apprentice to a tattoo artist, “comic books, and telling stories visually, was always where I came back to, artistically,” Marks says. “I think that a one-track-mindedness can absolutely help with pursuing a creative career, but the experiences you have – both artistic experiences as well as any life experiences – from trying different things will always hugely influence your art anyway, so I don’t regret the meandering path I took to get here.” Once he had made his decision to pursue a career as a comic book artist, Marks dedicated his time to breaking into the business, no small feat for any creator. He illustrated short stories that he would write and mail to publishers. He attended comic conventions where he met artists

Comic book artist Jonathan Marks ’02 at the drawing board.

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ALUMNI ACTIVITIES and editors, building connections and receiving critiques on his artwork. “As long as they were pointing out different things to work on every time, I knew I was improving,” Marks says. Eventually, the hard work paid off. In 2012, Marks landed a job drawing for Aspen Comics, a publishing company based in Santa Monica, CA. After working on their books Shrugged and Soulfire, Marks quickly caught the attention of Marvel Comics, possibly the most well-known comic book publishing company in the world. His style fit perfectly for his favorite character – Wolverine – and he has had the opportunity to work on several stories centered around the popular mutant. His work has been well-received, with critics praising that he “has a gorgeous painting-like quality that works perfectly for the somber faces of the characters.” So what’s next for Jonathan Marks? “For the time being, I’m very happy to be where I am,” he says. “I love working on these characters with whom I have such a history as a fan.” Looking to the future, he acknowledges that while there are some characters he would be interested in drawing (Moon Knight, Black Panther, Dr. Strange, among others), he is equally interested in working on projects with writers that he admires such as Neil Gaiman, Rick Remender and Ed Brubaker, and eventually exploring the possibility of creator-owned books. “We are all storytellers in this job,” Marks says, “and being in a position to tell my own stories exactly as I see them is a daunting but exciting aspect of my future in this industry.” – William Bennett ’16 This story was originally published in the Match: www.matchcollegiate.org A detail of one of Marks’ illustrations from Issue 18 of the series Wolverine.

World Traveler

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here was no doubt whatsoever. One day soon, Arielle Galston ’12 would make a bold leap of faith from the secure, familiar confines of Richmond’s Far West End and Collegiate School and travel to parts still unknown to her. Her journey began in earnest during the fall of 2010 when she attended the School for Ethics and Global Leadership, which convenes high school juniors from around the country in Washington, DC, for a semester of study that focuses on ethical decision making. “That,” the 2012 graduate said, “was the tipping point.” The next fall, her interest intensified when she served as a senior ambassador in Collegiate’s first International Emerging Leaders Conference (IELC), a symposium of students from our partner schools on four continents. Five years later, she returned to campus to speak at

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the welcome dinner for IELC delegates and host families. She spoke of the challenges she’s faced, the lessons she’s learned, the culture she’s absorbed and the enlightenment she’s gained. Mainly, she spoke of her inspiration. “What stands out most is the opportunity to sit in a room and interact with others my age from over a dozen different countries,” she said. “When else and where else will we have this unique experience? I decided I wanted to do more than a semester abroad. I wanted to integrate into another culture and become a member of another community.” After graduating from Collegiate, Arielle enrolled in the University of St. Andrews – College of William & Mary Joint Degree Programme. An international relations major, she spent her freshman year

in Williamsburg, then studied in Scotland as a sophomore and junior. Now 21, she’s completing her senior year at W&M and will graduate in May 2016. “The Joint Degree Programme,” she explained, “combines the breadth of a traditional liberal arts education with the depth of study of a British degree.” There’s more, much more to the experience. “At St. Andrews,” she said, “you walk the streets and hear students speaking diverse languages. You listen to their various perspectives on issues from so many backgrounds. You don’t typically see that at a U.S. university.” During her two years in the United Kingdom, Arielle traveled far and wide, from London to such history-laden venues as Amsterdam, Rome, Florence, Venice, The Vatican, Paris, Berlin, Nuremberg, Prague and Vienna. She also traveled to


Australia and Peru. Now, closer to home, she’s working on her senior honors thesis, a still-untitled treatise about counter-terror-

ism, an area of interest that just arrived and having the same strugemerged during her time gles I had. I went on so many ‘coffee-walks’ abroad and which she hopes with them. Helping them helped me grow. That’s when I knew this was the right prowill become her career. Her message to students, gram for me.” Her eureka moment came when she though, has more to do with following dreams, growing traveled to Dublin to meet friends. “I in confidence and maturity, planned the trip and went by myself,” she and stepping outside one’s said. “Mom was a phone call away, but she comfort zone than a partic- wasn’t right there. If anything happened, there was no safety net. This was the ular field of endeavor. “It was really difficult first time I jumped off the springboard. adjusting to everything in It was sink or swim at that moment.” Scotland: social, academic, – Weldon Bradshaw the climate,” she said. “A lot of us questioned, Why are we putting ourselves through this? In my third semester, everything started Arielle Galston ’12 wears her academic gown on the pier clicking. I was helping other people who in St. Andrews, Scotland.

Wall Art

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raphic designer and sign painter Marshall Higgins ’98 was recently commissioned to paint the outside wall of Plaza Art, an art supplies store at 927 W. Grace Street near VCU. Part of the mural he painted is a memorial to former Collegiate art teacher Kevin Kelley who passed away in 2012. Here, Marshall writes about how he came to include Kevin in the mural: “I had Kevin Kelley for a few classes at Collegiate and, like most people, I remembered how much fun he was as a teacher. He was particularly positive without being cheesy...I liked that. I remember seeing Kevin at a bicycle event and being really excited to reconnect with him. After that I saw him at art shows, parties, at my friend Pat’s house fixing/upgrading his moped, at the VCU School of the Arts building a robot – all kinds of places, really. I think that over time, his enthusiasm and his curiosity about creative stuff really rubbed off. That was Kevin Kelley to me, just really excited about life. Especially at the time I started seeing him around again – I must have been 25 or 26 – that was especially important for me in my life to see. Well, I’m about 36 now and have finally gotten the ball rolling painting and making art that I want to make, as a career. It’s really a job that you have to remind yourself often of the people like Kevin whose attitudes inspire you, otherwise you can become very tired, because it’s an intense amount of work. Recently, I’d been bugging Plaza Art to let me do a mural on their building, and when the opportunity finally opened up, well, what better place, other than on Collegiate School I suppose, to paint Kevin’s face than an art supply store?” A mural painted by Marshall Higgins ’98 pays tribute to Kevin Kelley at Plaza Art.

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ALUMNI ACTIVITIES

CHIPS OFF THE OLD COUGAR BLOCK This fall we welcomed the following legacies of Collegiate alumni… Harper Anderson ��������������������� JK ���������������������������������������� Happy Vaughan Anderson ’95 and Matt Anderson ’00, Garland Anderson ’70, Kate Donnahoe Vaughan ’65 and Bucky Vaughan ’63 Howe Aronson �������������������������� K �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Jacquelin Ukrop Aronson ’89 Julian Baird ����������������������������� JK �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Todd Baird ’87 Brice Beckstoffer ���������������������� JK ��������������������������� Mary Wiltshire Beckstoffer ’99, Weezie Vincent Wiltshire ’67 and Buck Wiltshire ’67, Jean Betts Wiltshire ’38 (deceased) Charlie Boyle ���������������������������� K ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������Ellen Ritsch Boyle ’97, Nan Ellen Williams Ritsch ’64 Gracie Burress ������������������������� 9 ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Daphne Bickel Amyx ’83 Colin Call ��������������������������������� JK �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Susan Stokes Call ’56 A.J. Condlin ������������������������������ 5 �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Anne-Marie Shaia Condlin ’84 Clay Conrad ����������������������������� K ����������������������������������������������������������������Whitney Smith Conrad ’93 and Scott Conrad ’93, Dan Smith ’68 Amanda Derian ������������������������ JK ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Margaret Reynolds Mackell ’63 Giles Ferrell ����������������������������� 4 ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Wortie Ferrell ’88, Susan Farley Ferrell ’64 Rosewell Ferrell ����������������������� 1 ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Wortie Ferrell ’88, Susan Farley Ferrell ’64 James Ferry ������������������������������ K ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Jenny Nuckols Ferry ’96 Thomas Galanti ����������������������� K ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Jeff Galanti ’97 Ella Garnett ����������������������������� 7 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ April Sharp Garnett ’91 Evie Goodwin ��������������������������� JK ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Matt Goodwin ’90 Khloe Greene ���������������������������� JK ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Jay Greene ’86 Kaitlyn Grinnan ���������������������� JK �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Richard Grinnan ’86 Silas Gwathmey ����������������������� 5 �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� John Owen Gwathmey ’80 Brent Hailes ����������������������������� 6 ���������������������������������� Brent Hailes ’89, Virginia Brent Evans ’61, Virginia McGuire Brent ’38 (deceased) Carter Hofheimer �������������������� JK ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Ginny Harris Hofheimer ’96 and Adam Hofheimer ’95 Barkley Jamison ���������������������� K ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Jay Jamison ’89 Izzie Jewett ������������������������������� K ����������������������������������������������������������������������� Erin Smith Jewett ’94 and Bryce Jewett ’93, Alex Smith ’65, Gay Montague Jewett ’65 (deceased) and Bryce Jewett ’64 Hunt Lansing ��������������������������� JK ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Hunter Lansing ’00 Taly Leibowitz �������������������������� 7 �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Amy Becker Leibowitz ’88 Ed MacNelly ����������������������������� K ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Danny MacNelly ’92 Jake MacNelly �������������������������� 4 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Danny MacNelly ’92 Richard Malveaux �������������������� JK �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Mary Bennett Malveaux ’86 Charlotte Grace Marshall ������� 9 �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Mac Marshall ’88 Adrian Matthews-Bennett ������ JK ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Richard Bennett ’90 Connor McGeorge �������������������� K ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Lee McGeorge ’91 Douglas Miller �������������������������� K �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Elizabeth Cook Miller ’99 Eric Nichols ������������������������������ K ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Vicki Barrett Nichols ’89 Andrew O’Toole ������������������������ K ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Brendan O’Toole ’98 Sophia Peck ������������������������������ K ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Suzanne Kitces Peck ’96 Betsy Proutt ����������������������������� JK ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Martha Orr Proutt ’98 Hayden Pruitt �������������������������� JK ����������������������������������������������������������������Michael Pruitt ’96, Niki Carlson Pruitt ’71 and Gray Pruitt ’69 Continued on Page 44

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Junior Kindergartners

Kindergartners

WINTER 2016 47


ALUMNI ACTIVITIES

Middle School

Lower School

Upper School

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Ellie Purcell ������������������������������ JK �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Barry Purcell ’92, Nancy Cann Purcell ’36 Tee Purcell ������������������������������� K ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Sagle Jones Purcell ’94, Nancy Cann Purcell ’36 T. Rigby ������������������������������������� 5 �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Marshall Bates Rigby ’93, Isabel Spilman Bates ’67 Isabel Schaaf ���������������������������� K �����������������������������������������������Anne Taylor Drake Schaaf ’99, Nancy Diggs Drake ’67, Stephen Drake ’66 Eva Sisisky ������������������������������� JK ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Zach Sisisky ’96 Sam Slater �������������������������������� K ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Andrew Slater ’96, Scottie Newell Slater ’69 Benjamin Thalhimer ��������������� K ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Adam Thalhimer ’97, Bobby Thalhimer ’70 Carson Trible ��������������������������� K ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Chris Trible ’91 Daniel Whitlock ����������������������� JK ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Jennifer Daughdrille Whitlock ’97 Leyton Zelenak ������������������������ K ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Ken Zelenak ’93

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Fall Alumni Social

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Alumni and friends gathered at Alton Lane in Richmond on Oct. 22, 2015 for the Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers football game.

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1. Michael Brost ’85, Alex Brackett, Mason Chapman ’84 2. Jeff Modisett ’78, Shep Lewis ’96, Tara Modisett, Michael Palmore ’93 3. James Wright, Brinkley Taliaferro Gary, Jeb Latham (all ’03) 4. Lauralee Glasgow Allen ’03, Caroline Stutts ’05, George Stephenson, Kate Robertson ’05, Michelle Carter ’05

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WINTER 2016 49


ALUMNI ACTIVITIES

Pageant Lunch

Collegiate alumnae ranging from the Class of ’36 to the Class of ’09 gathered in the Sharp Academic Commons’ Craigie Board Room on Dec. 4 for a delicious lunch prepared by Kate Robertson ’05 and then adjourned to the Pageant dress rehearsal at All Saints Episcopal Church. Everyone enjoyed catching up over lunch and reminiscing at the Pageant.

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9 1. A chorus of 3rd Graders sang for the ladies prior to lunch. 2. Carter Butterworth Felvey ’66 and Sue Eastham King ’66 enjoy looking at old photos of Pageant. 3. Nicole Kelleher ’93 and Jennifer Robertson Wilkins ’92, Alumni Director 4. Laura Hall ’68 and Lower School friends who were glad to see her for the first time since she retired last spring 5. Kay Tilghman Lowe ’53 and Anne Mountcastle Rusbuldt ’85. 6. Connie Whittet Garrett ’61 and Mary Bruce Featherston DeVoe ’56 7. Mary Carrington Williams ’60 and Ann Lee Saunders Brown ’36 8. Joanna Parker Harris ’03, Lauralee Glasgow Allen ’03, Kim Frazier Childs ’03 and Alexandra Squire Saunders ’03 9. Connie Kennon Harriss ’59, Susie Materne Benson ’62, Mary Kennon McDaniel ’61

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ALUMNI ACTIVITIES

Homecoming Weekend Football Game

On Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, Cougars gathered at the Grover Jones Field on Mooreland Road to watch our varsity football team win 23-19 over Flint Hill School.

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1. Coach Mark Palyo celebrates victory with the team. 2. The esteemed chain gang: Mike Edwards, E.C. Eck, Patrick Kirchmier, Jay DeVoe ’82, Hank Carter ’77 and Mark Allocca 3. Homecoming Queen and King 4. In the first half, the wide receiver runs for a 54-yard touchdown after leaping over an opponent and making the catch. 5. Student waves the flag with fellow fans on the sidelines. 6. The Spirit Squad cheers for the home team. 5

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ALUMNI ACTIVITIES

Oyster Roast

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The 32nd Annual Oyster Roast was graciously hosted at Tuckahoe Plantation, home of Sue and Tad Thompson ’66, on Sept. 25, 2015. 3

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5 1. Ann Dunnington Loncar ’90, Jeff Dunnington ’01, Kathryn Dunnington Miller ’95 2. Molly Hickerson Congdon ’03, Whit Congdon ’02 3. Colin Jamerson ’94, David Word, John McLarin ’79, Richard Thalhimer ’79, Alex Massie ’79, Bob Henley 4. Alumni and friends enjoyed a night at Tuckahoe Plantation 5. Lizzie Cullen Cox ’00, Ginny Harris Hofheimer ’96, Hayes Blackburn, Anne Gray Cullen Siebert ’97 6. Troy Baldridge, Emily Baldridge ’87 7. Tommy LePage ’01, Alyssa Zurawsky, Patrick Wolfgang ’01 8. Russell Harper ’10, Anne Bruce Baskerville Ahearn ’87, Emily Baskerville Oney ’89

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ALUMNI ACTIVITIES

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7 1. Jay DeVoe ’82 2. Lee Moreau ’85, Bobby Bell ’87, Antoinette Lucas ’87, Lorna Warren 3. Wilbur Athey, Jennifer Robertson Wilkins ’92 4. John Eggleston ’87, Louise Reed ’87, Bobby Bell ’87, Cyane Crump ’87, Hank Campbell 5. Michelle Carter ’05, Amy Staples Ribock ’05 6. Steve Hickman, Caroline Watson, J.P. Watson 7. John Daniel ’70, Princess Daniel 8. Richard Bennett, Louise Bennett, Andrew Chernack ’90, Heather Robinson Laskin ’90, Glenn Laskin ’89 9. Haley Johnson, Russell Harper ’10, Maggie Glasgow ’10, Dottie Grover ’10, Mac Foley ’10 10. Grant Steadman ’04, Bob Steadman, Susan Heiner Steadman ’71, Nora Hermes

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WINTER 2016 57


CLASS NOTES

CLASS NOTES 1942

DIED: Elizabeth Hill Brauer on Feb. 5, 2016. At Collegiate, she was a member of the Gold team and the KK Club. She was also art editor of the Torch and the Candle and played field hockey. Elizabeth and her husband Harrol were supporters of Christopher Newport University where a room is named in their honor. In 1984, they co-chaired the 375th Anniversary of Hampton celebration. In 1986, they were honored with the Distinguished Citizens Medallion from the City of Hampton. She and Harrol were given the Art of Public Service Presidential Award from Hampton University and were presented with framed articles flown on the Space Shuttle Discovery for Outstanding Contribution

to the NASA Langley Research Center. That same year, they were presented with the Book of Golden Deeds, the highest honor of the Wythe Exchange Club. Elizabeth was awarded a lifetime membership in the National Parent Teachers Association and was a member of P.E.O. She was a founder of the Hampton Beautification Committee and the Less Secure Detention Home in Hampton. She was also chair of the Hampton Historical Preservation Committee of the Woman’s Club of Hampton and served on the vestry of St. John’s Church. In 2014, she published a book called My Journey of Faith at over Four Hundred Year Old St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Oldest Continuous Anglican Parish in America. She is survived by her sons, Harrol Andrew Brauer III ( Jenny), William Lanier Brauer (Michelle) and Gregory Hill Brauer (Cindy), and grandsons Harrol, Chris, Stuart, Colin (Lauren) and Peyton (Jackie).

Betty Long Sale on Aug. 14, 2015 in Jacksonville Beach, FL. At Collegiate, she was president of the senior class and a member of the Green team, the KK Club and the Candle staff. She also played field hockey, served as a student government representative and received the Rosemary Medal. Betty earned a BA from Agnes Scott College and a master’s in reading education from Jacksonville University. She was an elementary school teacher for 24 years. She was also a leader in the Jacksonville home schooling movement and provided testing and tutoring services for many local families. Betty was predeceased by her husband, Barnes E. Sale, Jr. She is survived by three children and their families: Betty Edwards (Martin), and their children Angela and Joshua; Mary Anne Rogers (Gary), and their children Brendan and Ryan; and Barnes Sale III (Leslie), and their children Jessica Otto (Ian), Rachel, Zachary and Drew.

1943

The Class of ’55 celebrated its 60th Reunion at the home of Adrienne Gould Constine. Pictured are Bernice Spathey Walker, Elizabeth Minor McCommon, Adrienne Gould Constine, Tabb Thornton Farinholt, Elizabeth Kennon Shuey, Lucie Hall Fitzgerald, Lucy Boswell Negus and Alice Reed McGuire.

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DIED: Ann Murphy Dameron on Jan. 16, 2016. At Collegiate, she was the Madonna in Pageant and served as secretary and treasurer of the senior class. She was also a member of the KK Club and photography editor of the Torch. Ann attended Westhampton College and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She was president of the Junior Woman’s Club of Fredericksburg, a member of the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club and St. George’s Episcopal Church. She was also a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames and served as a docent at Wilton House, was a member of The Woman’s Club, the Tuckahoe Woman’s Club, the Virginia Museum Council and a volunteer at Mayfair House at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, where she


The Class of 1960, the last class to graduate from Collegiate on Monument Avenue, gathered for an impromptu 55th Reunion luncheon on Nov. 4, 2015 at the home of Maria Wornom Rippe. Wanda Cervarich Petrasy and Beth Price had planned to attend but both had unexpected complications with international travel. FRONT: Maria Wornom Rippe, Clai Brumback Bachmann, Betsy Jo Viener Spence. BACK: Barbara Porter, Susan Williams Snead, Mary Carrington Williams, Ginny Ewing, Grace Whitehead Broaddus, Betty Jane Stone Jefferson, Carter Beattie Watkins, Barbara Munsch Bayler.

was a member at the time of her death. Ann was also a member of the Country Club of Virginia. She is survived by her husband, Zachariah Courtney Dameron, Jr.; and by her three children, Katherine Dameron McCormick and her husband, Geoffrey Howard Jones, Zachariah Courtney Dameron III and his wife, Rebecca Doull Dameron and Tayloe Murphy Dameron and his wife, Susan Donahey Dameron. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Emily O’Neill Dameron, Tayloe Dameron ’12, Corbin MacQuarrie Dameron and Elizabeth Braxton Dameron.

1947

DIED: Anne Harrison Eastman on Jan. 14, 2016 in Aldie, VA. At Collegiate, she was a student council representative. Anne went on to attend St. Timothy’s School in Maryland and received a BA from Hollins. She was a systems engineer with IBM and later worked for the US government, serving in various agencies as a computer specialist. Her varied interests included volunteer chaplain in a Fairfax Hospital, storytelling performances, “caring clown” activities in hospitals and nursing homes, teaching English as a second language and various church lay minister activities. Anne is survived by her son, Charles Willson Eastman and his wife, Marisa

Tsai; her daughter, Anne Eastman Harrell and her husband, Herbert “Bud” Hathaway Harrell, Jr.; and three grandsons, Harrison John Eastman, Pierce Franklin Eastman and Carter Hathaway Harrell.

1955

60th Reunion

boy and a girl at Collegiate! I am blessed. Come see me! Collegiate friends are always welcome.”

1959

DIED: Jane Libby Luck on Nov. 3, 2015. She graduated from Marymount High School and was a member of the DAR and of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. She spent many years volunteering for various organizations in the Richmond area. She is survived by cousins including John Luther Libby and Ann Luck Taylor as well as many dear friends.

To celebrate our friendships of 70 years, members of the incredible Class of 1955 gathered at Adrienne Gould Constine’s home on the last Saturday of September. So much to talk about, laugh about, remember and share! Adrienne’s beautiful dinner, course after course, will long live in our memories. Jo Ellen Constine King ’87, our delightful co-host for the first half of the evening, added great sparkle and fun. For our next formal get-togethers, we, the Class of ’55, voted to always go back to Adrienne’s, because she loves us all, she loves Collegiate School and she really has the most fabulous parties. – submitted by Lucy Boswell Negus

1960

1957

1963

Ginger Puller Dabney writes, “After Bill’s death, a broken hip and a bout with cancer, I sold our wonderful home in Lexington and moved to Westminster Canterbury in Lynchburg. I’m close to my son and his family (two girls at VES). I’m the proud grandmother of six: those two girls plus two in Connecticut and a

55th Reunion

Maria Wornom Rippe received an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland during commencement 2015. She also holds a BA from Agnes Scott College, MS from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master of Divinity degree.

DIED: Emily Chewning on Jan. 25, 2016. At Collegiate she served on the Honor Council, was editor of the Match, sang in the Glee Club and the Chapel Choir and was a member of the Green

Continued on page 62

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CLASS NOTES

1964 Special Reunion Report

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n September 2015, a group of Collegiate ’64 “girls” took an artful, well-planned bite out of the Big Apple while the Pope just happened to be in town. Then, driven in rented vans by the intrepid Lynn Bugg Pritchard and our fabulous city trip organizer Austin Tucker (Sachs), we headed east for a wonderful weekend in the Hamptons. It all started in 2014 at our 50th Collegiate Reunion when Kathy Markel Soutendijk invited classmates to a gallery walk in New York’s Chelsea district and suggested we might as well come to the Hamptons while we were at it. Or maybe it was the other way around – a family hospitalization kept me from our 50th, so I never quite knew how the plan was hatched. Whatever – over five perfect, sunny days, we had a very special reunion 51 in New York and the Hamptons.

By train, plane and auto, we congregated from Marin County in California, far Northwest Illinois, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, DC and New Jersey. Most arrived in time to visit the 9/11 Memorial together before sharing dinner at the Union League Club’s 21st-century version of the Round Table (apologies to Miss Moon). The next day, we got a glimpse of Kathy’s high-energy life in contemporary art as she showed us a sampling of exuberant, colorful work by the artists she represents at Kathryn Markel Fine Arts. Then she took us through neighboring galleries exhibiting a wide spectrum of art pieces and installations. After that, we enjoyed walking around New York and some trekked the High Line together. That night, we were thrilled to see “Hamilton, An American Musical,” which all agreed is a standout, especially for its unique take on history, clearly enunciated rap verse, brilliant staging and creative choreography. After an uneventful drive the length of Long Island to the “East End,” we gathered at Kathy’s comfortable, bright beach house,

Estelle Munford Call and Linda Hull Felcone at the LongHouse in East Hampton

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where Kathy, Estelle Munford Call and Gay Goodwin Goldstone had prepared lunch and lodging. (Susan Farley Ferrell was our much-appreciated bookkeeper for expenses.) From there, we discovered the wonderful Parrish Art Museum, a gem of beach architecture with an eclectic collection to match. Back at Kathy’s huge oval table, we shared food, friendship and fond memories – many triggered by the 1964 Torch and a treasure trove of memorabilia supplied by Nan Ellen Williams Ritsch and others. It was a blast from the past for us all. We also honored Kathryn Markel for her work as board president and enthusiastic supporter of GlassRoots, a Newark, NJ, based nonprofit whose mission is “to transform lives, especially of underserved youth, by fostering life-long learning and creative self-expression through the wonder of glass-making.” (Check out www.glassroots.

org to learn more and to shop at the delightful GlassRoots gallery.) Saturday we reveled in the LongHouse Reserve tour of the home and sculpture gardens – where we just happened to meet Martha Stewart’s two Chow Chows


Austin Tucker (Sachs) at the LongHouse in East Hampton, with friends

and two French Bulldogs! In

were not with us, including the friends who

Bridgehampton, Kathy treated

have died. As we shared the fun, blessings,

us to the eye-popping yet oddly

humor and challenges of our individual

serene neon art installations at

lives, it was clear we have come full cir-

the Dan Flavin Institute (Dia

cle in a very real way. We all spoke of how

Art Foundation), which occupies

much we appreciate the gifts Collegiate

the former First Baptist Church

gave us, especially curiosity, consideration,

building just around the corner

caring and a commitment to serve our var-

from the Hamptons location of

ious communities.

Kathryn Markel Fine Arts. After

As we hover around “the big seven-0”

being let loose to wander Bridge-

many of us are so enmeshed in multi-gener-

hampton a bit, we strolled the

ational family care and professional activ-

artist’s gardens of Sagaponack’s

ities that we almost did not make the trip.

Madoo Conservancy, a secret

But our reticence was trumped by the sense

garden if ever there was one.

that this would be a once-in-a-lifetime ex-

Saturday night, it was dinner in

perience, and it was. The support of “old”

Sag Harbor, then talking into

classmates, the chance to reminisce and the

the night.

time to laugh and “be girls” together won out,

We packed a lot of art into our

and everyone who made the trip was grate-

time together, and some of us

ful for the chance to be refreshed, relaxed

even stole off to walk the beach

and rejuvenated.

a bit. But most important, we

Our hostess summed it up perfectly when

had a heart-felt reunion of wom-

she affirmed “I’m so glad my parents sent

en who have known each other

me to Collegiate.” Hail, Collegiate, indeed.

since girlhood (some since kin-

– submitted by Elizabeth Mitchell

dergarten!), and we lovingly remembered the friends who

ADDITIONAL NOTE Susan Farley Ferrell adds: “Backstory to how we started down the Hamptons path was I (being the pot-stirring instigator that I am) initiated a groundswell at Nan Ellen’s during our 50th that we visit. Kathy was graciously game and at the time Kay Van Doren (married to Robert Reid) also had a house in the Hamptons and was game, too, with the caveat that their house was on the market. It sold and the weekend we settled on Kay was unavailable to join us.”

Girls from the Class of 1964 visited Kathryn Markel Fine Arts, a gallery in New York. KNEELING: Susan Baskerville Otteni, Linda Hull Felcone. FRONT: Kathryn Markel Soutendijk, Elizabeth Mitchell, Randy Pollard Gamble. BACK: Courtney Goode Rogers, Nan Ellen Williams Ritsch, Terry Hyde Ketchem, Lynn Bugg Pritchard, Austin Tucker (Sachs), Susan Farley Ferrell, Parke Finold. NOT PICTURED: Alice Collier Cochran, Connie Godsey and the two who were only in the Hamptons: Estelle Munford Call and Gay Goodwin Goldstone.

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CLASS NOTES

Bucky ’63 and Kate Donnahoe Vaughan hosted the Class of ’65’s 50th Reunion at their home.

During the Richmond Marathon on Nov. 14, 2015, Bill Thalhimer ’64 ran the 8K with his granddaughter and her father John Adamson.

team, the French Club, the Science Club, the KK Club, the National Honor Society, Quill and Scroll and the American Field Service. Emily is survived by her mother, Virginia Davenport Chewning; her husband, John William Smith; her sons and step-daughter, Clifford Bridges Fleet III, David Rutherfoord Fleet, Charles O’Bryan Fleet and Cameron Smith Toms; her brothers, Charles Carpenter Chewning, Jr, Lee Davenport Chewning and David Wingfield Chewning; and her beloved grandchildren, Callie Grace Fleet, Cabell Macgill Fleet, Carlos Taylor Ysip Fleet, Ysabel Maria Ysip Fleet, Joaquin Baker Ysip Fleet, Rafael Tomas Ysip Fleet, Alexander Parker Fleet and Andrew Hayden Fleet.

1965

50th Reunion

The Class of ʼ’65 enjoyed an activity-filled 50th Reunion Weekend. We kicked it off with the Oyster Roast on Friday night, followed by a luncheon and tour of the school on Saturday hosted by Collegiate. None of us could believe the changes to the campus. Our old haunts were either gone or barely recognizable

62 SPARK

Jeannie Yager Dortch writes, “Eighteen girls from the Class of 1963 met at the home of Emily Chewning in Barboursville, VA for a September 2015 weekend of non-stop talking, Emily’s excellent cooking, memory making and very little sleep. What a joy to celebrate so many years of friendship and genuine love!” ROW 1: Sally Bates Allen, Lucy Oliver (Coons), Ethel Fultz Walker, Joan Roberts Cates, Ki Shinnick Caldwell. ROW 2: Jeannie Yager Dortch, Page Robinson Kemp, Carolyn Baker Bottger. ROW 3: Gini Mapes Street, Dottie Albright, Mary Logan Holland Snyder, Retta Leigh Perel Keil, Emily Chewning, Katherine Henley Bennett. ROW 4: Anne Gordon Cooke Curran, Meade Howarth Williams, Patsy Margraf Bussard, Priscilla Belt Webster

– apparently, it’s no longer a demerit offense for boys and girls to talk to one another, and for some unfathomable reason, smoking is not allowed any longer in Senior Study! We further celebrated on Saturday night with cocktails and lots of catching up at the home of Kate Donnahoe Vaughan and her husband Bucky ʼ’63. Maybe it was the Botox, the dye jobs, or possibly the bourbon, but we all agreed that we had weathered the storms over 50 years pretty well! We’re

busy making plans for our 75th! – submitted by Anne Dobbins Brasfield DIED: Julie Dillon Gibson on Sept. 8, 2015 in Houston. After Collegiate, she attended Alliance Francoise in Paris. After returning to Richmond, Julie worked for the Federal Reserve Bank. She moved to Houston in 1975, where she worked at First City Bank.


As part of their 50th Reunion, the Class of ’65 gathered at Collegiate for lunch and a tour on Saturday of Homecoming weekend.

In 1982, she moved to Rocky Mount, VA, where she began her advocacy for children and their families. She was instrumental in developing the Henry Fork Service Center and was its executive director until she moved to Tyler, TX in 1994 and became the executive director of Parents Anonymous. She retired in 2014, when she moved to Houston to be closer to her family. Julie is survived by her son, Lynn Gibson, Jr.; daughter, Kari Gibson Bradbury and her husband, Sean; daughter, Bobbye Gibson Kolter and her husband, Kenneth; five grandchildren, Margaret and Vaughn Bradbury, Katlyn, Madison and Alison Kolter; sister, Margaret Dillon Bowles; and brother, Peter Lewis Presnall Dillon.

1966

Mary Anna Toms Broadbent retired after teaching for the last 24 years at Reveille Weekday School. Her seventh grandchild (first granddaughter) was born in November to daughter Elizabeth Broadbent Cruickshanks ’03. Charlie Wood writes, “I am retired, though teaching year round. It’s an avocation I began working on in 2004, when I joined UCLA Extension. Sixty courses and 1000+ students later, I enjoy more each quarter. Last year I joined the USC Gould School of Law faculty, teaching Business for Lawyers. Son Charlie, Jr. and wife Stephanie have three darling daughters.

He works for EA, the computer/Xbox/iPad, etc. gamemaker. Wife Stephanie has been telecommuting to Dell in Round Rock, TX since 2008. Daughter Libby, an LCSW, and her fiancé Mike, a PA, both work in the ER at Stanford Hospital up north. My wife of 42 years, Joan, is both a trauma/ER and ICU social worker. I met her Jan. 15, asked for her hand on Mar. 22 and married her on Sept. 1, all in 1973!”

1967

DIED: Al Stuart on Dec. 31, 2015. At Collegiate, he played soccer and tennis. Al is survived by his wife, Eva Stuart; his daughters, Katherine Campbell and her husband, Kip Campbell; Anne Kirk and her husband, Campbell Kirk; his grandchildren, Addison Campbell, Izabella Campbell, Liam Kirk and Emma Kirk; his mother, Dorothy B. Stuart; his brother, Thomas Stuart and his wife, Cindy Stuart; and their daughters, Carter and Lydia.

1968

Mike DeCamps was recognized on Virginia Business magazine’s 2015 Legal Elite list for his work in labor/ employment. He is a shareholder at Sands Anderson.

1969

DIED: Larry Wallace on Jan. 4, 2016. After graduating from Midlothian High School, he spent a post-graduate year at Collegiate, where he played football and baseball. He went on to graduate from Randolph-Macon College, where he played on the 1969 NCAA Championship football team. Larry worked in the auto industry for over 40 years at various Richmond-area car dealerships and was most recently employed at Richmond Ford West. He volunteered as a baseball coach at Huguenot Little League and coached several Huguenot All-Star teams. He is survived by his wife, Bettie Wallace; children, Chris Wallace ’93 and wife Christine, Nick Wallace ’00 and fiancée Christina Dancy and Kathleen Wallace and fiancé Dan Ruchka; his father, Alva Hill Wallace; brothers, Frank Wallace and John Wallace; and grandchildren, Whit Wallace, Nora Wallace and James Wallace.

1970

45th Reunion

The Class of ’70 celebrated their 45th Reunion in grand style at the Richmond home of Susan Gill Dull and her husband Keith on the evening of Saturday, Continued on page 66

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CLASS NOTES

1969

Bryce’s son, Hunter Powell ’01, was married to Carla Meyer last summer, and they live in St. Louis. Bryson Powell ’98 and his wife Lauren have two sons and live in Hope Valley in Durham, NC. Franny and Bryce continue to volunteer at the Virginia Home where Franny has been inhe Richmond ladies of ’69 volved since high school. decided to celebrate our Merri Ann Hunt retired after a long 46th reunion during this career of 31 years as a nurse anesthetist Centennial year of Colin Florida and in Richmond. Merri Ann legiate’s founding on Sept. 23, 1915! keeps active both physically and mentally Several of us met for lunch to wish – swimming and playing Mahjong. She reBetty Fisher well on her retirement afcently enjoyed a Viking river cruise down ter 36 years at AAA. Many Collegiate the Rhone River in France. Many thanks friends will miss seeing her smiling face to Merri Ann for encouraging us to have at AAA, but we are happy Betty now this reunion get-together. has the freedom to pursue church and Christi White Barranger and husvolunteer interests. band Gary journeyed to China, Sri LanWe had an impromptu “mini reunion” ka, Bangkok, Thailand and home by way dinner on Oct. 27, 2015 when Melinof Paris during the past year. They also da Vick Wilson came up from Charlotte, enjoyed a family wedding in Highlands, NC. Melinda and Pam Williams, our seNC, where Christi put her sewing skills to nior class officers, invited the Richmond work altering flower girl dresses. Christi girls to gather and reconnect. On a rainy is a “semi-retired” lawyer. Tuesday night, 10 ladies met at Brio TusPat Moss is a dentist in Richmond, folcan Grill for a cozy evening of good food lowing in her father’s footsteps, and has and fun! her own practice, Patterson Village DenMelinda’s family has grown again this tistry. Pat’s daughter, Leah Batten ’99, is year with the addition of a second grandin her last year of physical therapy school at MCV. Everyone was happy to see Becky Jones, and we enjoyed looking at the pictures of her legendary parents, Anne and Grover Jones, in the Collegiate Centennial book. Nancy Bonsack was sorry to miss the get-together and sent this message: “I can’t believe I’ve been back in Richmond for 15 years! I went to the dress rehearsal for the Christmas Pageant one year and was pleased they hadn’t changed too much. My mother is in an assisted living facility, but she keeps me busy.” Martha Donohue was also disappointed to miss the reunion. Martha lives off Route 10 in Chesterfield and is very close to the Ladies from the Class of 1969 got together for a “mini reunion” on Oct. 27, 2015. FRONT: Becky Jones, Betty Fisher, Merri new Collegiate School Aquatics Ann Hunt, Pam Williams, Melinda Vick Wilson, Fran Chalkley Robertson. BACK: Franny Simpson Powell, Pat Moss, Sarah Powell Prior, Christi White Barranger. Center. She enjoys swimming and taking line dancing classes there.

Special Reunion Report

T

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child, Zachary, and a new son-in-law, Hayes. Melinda’s daughter Lauren was married last summer in Blowing Rock, NC. Melinda and Bill stay busy keeping up with their three children’s families, summering in Blowing Rock and travelling. Pam Williams retired after 28 years of teaching gifted students language arts and social studies in various elementary schools. Pam now uses her teaching experience as a recreation therapist aide at Cedarfield retirement home. In her spare time, she is a pet sitter and house sitter. Pam is the proud mother of adult daughter, Eliza. It was great to see and visit with Sarah Powell Prior. Sarah retired after 34 years of teaching 7th grade English in Chesterfield. Sarah and husband Duane have a married son Jordan in Richmond, a married daughter Courtney in Philadelphia and two grandchildren. Sarah commented on seeing fellow Cougar Joan Pruitt Buhrman ’72 when they were packing boxes as volunteers at FeedMore! Sarah is looking into starting a Class of ’69 Facebook page. Franny Simpson Powell is senior VP at East West Communities. Franny and


Durham and daughter Karen is living in Newport News and working for NASA at Langley Research Center in Hampton. My brother Hal saw Johnny and Fran Chalkley Robertson at his 50th Collegiate reunion.” Virginia Budwell Heindl and husband Bill live in Goochland. Virginia stays busy these days caring for the needs of her mother who is in assisted living. Both Virginia and Anne Vail Thomas were visiting with and tending to grandchildren at the time of our gathering; however, they enjoyed a bit of Halloween fun with some other classMembers of the Class of 1969 celebrated Halloween together FRONT: Fran mates later that week Chalkley Robertson, Virginia Budwell Heindl. BACK: Pam Williams, Anne Vail (see photo!). Thomas, Betty Fisher, Christi White Barranger, Merri Ann Hunt. Betsy Masters is president of American Institute of ArPatsy Dowdey Mottley and husband chitects, Pennsylvania chapter for 2016. Sam had a great visit from their son JaShe is also teaching architecture full son, who is a labor union lawyer in the time at Community College of PhiladelSan Francisco area. Patsy is an avid armphia. Daughter Julie Dennis works at chair football and basketball fan. ExPlus Inc. in business development for Both Lindsay Burn Wortham and the museum exhibition fabrication comScottie Newell Slater regretted they pany and lives in historic Waterford, VA. would be out of town, but sent emails Melinda received an email from Lisa Herwishing everyone fun. Lindsay, we learned on Bankoff who lives in Atlanta. She and from Franny, qualified and played in the husband Joe were busy planning their USGA Senior Women’s Amateur this year daughter Margaret’s wedding in Guatein Nashville, TN. mala. Lisa comes to Richmond when she Scottie writes: “Love to all and Happy visits her mother who lives here. Birthday as we turn 65.” She and husband Wheatie Hyman Gibb emailed that Tom have five Cougar grandkids: two she and Bob live in Vero Beach, FL and Middle Schoolers, two 2nd Graders, and Woody Creek, CO. Their 28-year-old one Kindergartener. daughter Rennie lives in Dallas. Wheatie Katie Tyler Berger emailed: “Just still sees Stuart, Linda, Lindsay, Franny want to say hi and I am still kicking, and Beth from the old crowd and says it working at UNC-Chapel Hill and living would be fun to see the entire crew! in Durham with husband Ken. Daughter Marilyn Linhart Moses emailed from Kristen is working for Lab Corp here in Mobile, AL. Marilyn’s daughter Jennifer

was married last year and lives in Philadelphia. Daughter Lin lives in Atlanta. Lyn Carneal wrote Melinda that she had hoped to come but she was taking her 8-year-old grandson, Benji, to his Tuesday night football practice. We were saddened to learn from Lyn that her daughter Heather, Benji’s mother, had passed away almost seven years ago. Stuart Carr Weismiller’s son, Wyn Ferrell, is the owner of Mile High Spirits Distillery and Tasting Bar in downtown Denver. Stuart and husband Chip live near the water in Rowayton, CT. Linda Carr Corbin, owner of Shuga’s Fine Foods, is not only famous for her chocolate sauce but also is a busy realtor in Owings Mills, MD and has two grandchildren. Liza Diggs works for Cape Fear River Watch in Wilmington, NC. Debbie Jenkins Gibson is owner of Paws Inn in Manakin-Sabot, a Christian family owned pet resort. All the Robertsons’ dogs have been guests there over the years. Fran Chalkley Robertson sings in the Heartstrings women’s chorus directed by Nancy Archbell Bain and serves as a deacon at her church. Sons Tommy Robertson ’01 and Jamie Robertson ’04 are doing well. Fran enjoyed attending her husband Johnny’s 50th Collegiate reunion. Cheers to all who came for dinner, and thanks to everyone who emailed and sent in news! On to our co-ed 50th reunion in 2019!! – submitted by Fran Chalkley Robertson

SEND US A CLASS NOTE! We love to hear from alums about your activities – jobs, travels, academic adventures, visits with other alums and family. Send us a quick note and we’ll get it in the next Spark...photos, too! Email us at spark@collegiate-va.org.

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CLASS NOTES

The Class of ’70 celebrated its 45th Reunion at the home of Keith and Susan Gill Dull.

During a trip to France, Chris Vaughan ’05, Nancy Cox Vaughan ’70, Molly Prince Johnson ’71 and Zoe Anne Green ’71 paused in front of Mont Sainte Victoire, the mountain painted and made famous by Cezanne.

academic all-American and was part of the NCAA National Championship winning team in 1975. He was later elected to the ODU Basketball Hall of Fame and was a Rhodes Scholar candidate. He graduated with honors from the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine. In the last few years, Gray sang in the choir, led Bible studies and served in various capacities at East Naples United Methodist Church. He is survived by his mother Nancy Gray Eubank, John Eubank III and wife Elizabeth, David Eubank, Susan Eubank and husband Lawrence Bowers, Tracey Barry and husband Theodore, two nieces and four nephews.

1971 “Fulfilling a dream from our Kindergarten May Day…dancing sur Le Pont Avignon” – Molly Prince Johnson ’71, Zoe Anne Green ’71 and Nancy Cox Vaughan ’70.

Sept. 26, 2015. Traveling from distances both near and far, classmates, their spouses and guests enjoyed catching up with one another and had an all-around good time while feasting on great food and drink. The gathering enjoyed exceptional catering by “Very Richmond Indeed” (a Collegiate patron) and the flowers were provided by FLEURS by Missy. – submitted by Missy Mallonee Buckingham

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DIED: Gray Eubank on Apr. 11, 2014. Before coming to Collegiate, he attended Norfolk Academy. At Collegiate, he played basketball and baseball, was a member of Key Club and the Match and Flame staffs. Gray went on to play basketball at Old Dominion University, where he was a two-year

Boodie McGurn won the Virginia State Golf Association Senior Women’s Amateur Championship in July 2015 with daughter Gracie McGurn Mason ’05 as her caddie. She defeated Lindsay Burn Wortham ’69 on the Old Course at The Omni Homestead Resort. The two were playing against each other for the first time in a state tournament but each has won a Richmond Women’s Golf Association title match against the other. Boodie also won the VSGA Senior Women’s Amateur title in 2004 and 2009. Mike Smith recently joined Yarmouth Venture Group, a New York-based investment and advisory firm that helps experienced businesspeople find companies to purchase. Yarmouth expanded to Richmond with the hiring of Mike, who also has a separate advisory practice through AdviCoach.


The Class of ’75 gathered at the home of Shep and Cynthia Luck Haw to celebrate its 40th Reunion.

This past summer, Walker Jones ’74 starred in an off-Broadway production of Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe. Also starring in the Classic Stage Company’s production were Chris Noth and Zach Grenier, who currently appear as Peter Florrick and David Lee on the television show The Good Wife. Ellen Taylor Sisson ’72 and Frances Taylor Anton ’74 were lucky enough to see the production and to enjoy some time afterwards with Walker.

1973

Yard Works, a company owned by Billy Stinson, was featured in the Richmond Times-Dispatch Metro Business column “Trade Names” in February. The company is a manufacturer, recycler and provider of landscape products and services for residential and commercial customers. Billy’s son, Billy Stinson ’06, is also an owner. To learn more, visit www.yardworksva.com.

1975

40th Reunion

Fifty-five classmates and guests celebrated our 40th with a BBQ dinner at Shep and Cynthia Luck Haw’s beautiful home on Sept. 26, 2015. Many classmates made a special effort to join the fun. Carol Dawes Williamson and Katie Oates Nixon traveled from the northeast to join us, while Andy Andrews and Beth Jones Geraghty made

their way from Atlanta. Jane Johann Gresham, Lisa Levey Freeman and John Maser came up the road from the eastern part of the state, as Billy Call and Allison Brewer drove in from the west. It was great seeing Patty Black Barnhardt, who lives in Charlotte. As usual, there was a strong Richmond contingent present! Thanks to generous donations from some classmates and good budget planning, our class was able to make a very nice contribution to Collegiate with the funds left over from the dinner ticket proceeds. Many thanks to Nancy Kennon Bruchbacher, Cynthia Luck Haw, Sarah Kay, Martha Fleming Moore, Tyler Norman Scott and Mory Wood for hosting a memorable evening. Looking forward to seeing you in 2020 at our 45th Reunion, if not before! – submitted by Pem Boinest Hall Meade Spotts was recognized on Virginia Business magazine’s 2015 Legal Elite list for his work in legislative / regulatory / administrative law. He is a shareholder at Spotts Fain.

1976

Wendy Kuhn writes, “I continue to live in Michigan with my family. I am a faculty member and department chair of sciences on my campus of Oakland Community College. We also get outdoors to ski, hike and travel whenever possible.”

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CLASS NOTES

1977

Nell Goddin has written a series of three mysteries and published them on Amazon. Called Molly Sutton Mysteries, they are set in a French village and include plenty of mouthwatering descriptions of culinary delights. Molly Sutton is an amateur sleuth who has managed to solve crimes so far in The Third Girl, The Luckiest Woman Ever (dedicated to retired French teacher Helen Tanner ’49) and The Prisoner of Castillac. You can read them on a tablet or order paper copies from Amazon. Tom Kastenbaum continues to act in various productions around Virginia. Recently, he appeared in the PBS series Mercy Street which premiered in January. “I play a Union officer who has no love for Virginians. It was filmed only a short distance away from Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg where one of my Confederate ancestors is buried. This is the second time Ridley Scott’s production company has had me in a Union uniform in Petersburg, the first being on Killing Lincoln. In November, Helene and I attended the premiere at the Byrd Theater of a short film that I had the lead in, called The Wages of Sin. It is currently on the film festival circuit. “I also filmed the final episode of the first season of a British TV sci-fi series called Dystopia. The character is supposed to figure prominently in the second season (if there is one...).”

1979

Frank Geho and Chris Daly are among a group of investors who have acquired the rights to and built a continuous still in Richmond to resume production of Cirrus Vodka. Cirrus is a super-premium potato vodka that has won several international tasting competitions in San Francisco. Cirrus is gluten free and available in Virginia ABC stores.

1980

35th Reunion

The Class of 1980 celebrated its 35th Reunion at Betsy and Brian Riopelle’s fantastic home. Great BBQ and a visit from Mister Softie ice cream. We had alumni from near and far. Clair Frederick Hamner and Bonnie Crater came from California, Scott Brooks from Tennessee. Anne Ratcliffe Chamblee from North Carolina, Mamie Seaman Sarkes from Baltimore. Chris Svoboda was in from Washington, DC. Many local alumni attended including Sarge Reynolds, Ann Cabell and Russ Williams, Sally and Peyton Johann, Erin and James Hatcher, just to name a few.

A group of girls from the Class of ’79 got together for dinner at Martha Estes Grover’s house in December. SEATED: Perry Shelly Gunn, Sandy Moore Carli, Julie Greenbaum Hak, Carrie Pruitt Emery, Mary Carter Pettit Dabney. STANDING: Alice McGuire Massie, Kathryn Pilcher Davis, Martha Estes Grover, Laurie Stanwood Stettinius, Sally Hubbard Jesensky, Anne Huston Moore Parker, Courtney Barnes Blankenship, Libby Kay Dunn.

Everyone looks great, just like they did in high school, and shared stories of their children, most of whom are in college! A fun time was had by all! – submitted by Patricia Hobson Hunter Brian Riopelle was recognized on Virginia Business magazine’s 2015 Legal Elite list for his work in intellectual property. He is a partner at McGuireWoods. In November, Scott Tolleson was featured in the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s Metro Business section as a “Decision Maker.” He is a managing director with New Richmond Ventures, an early stage venture firm that provides counsel, connections and capital to opportunity-driven entrepreneurs. MARRIED: Beth McKenney to Curt Kiser on Jan. 9, 2016. She was escorted by her brother, Carlton McKenney ’67. Brothers Frank McKenney ’68 and Bruce McKenney ’77 were also in attendance. Beth is a retired software developer who has worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena and at Tridium, Inc. in Richmond. Curt served four years in the US Air Force and 37 years as a metrologist for the US Army and Navy Standards Laboratories.

1983

DIED: Rusty Shropshire on Oct. 2, 2015. After attending Collegiate, he graduated from Woodberry Forest and received a BA in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the Sigma

Phi Society. He also earned an MBA from the Darden School of Business at UVA. In his professional career, Rusty served as chief market analyst for the Virginia State Corporation Commission and was later co-founder and chief equity consultant of MOS Capital, Inc. He was most recently lead health insurance specialist, project manager and contracting officer’s representative for the Division of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight within the US Department of Health and Human Services. He was listed in the International Who’s Who in Business in 1994 and served on the board of directors of Henry County Plywood Corp. Rusty was a kayaker, trail runner, bicyclist, trekker and mountaineer, having climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro as a tribute to his late father. He most recently climbed Mera Peak in the Himalayas. Rusty cared deeply about the environment and the problems of hunger and poverty, especially in Africa. He is survived by his mother, Anne Gravely Shropshire, four aunts, an uncle and many cousins. DIED : Billy Sullivan on Nov. 15, 2015. After graduating from Collegiate, he earned a BA in economics from the University of Virginia. He also received a master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Billy is survived by his father, William E. Sullivan III; his mother, Carolyn C. Lewis and husband, Richard G. Lewis; his brother, Richard G. Lewis, Jr.; sister, Sara Lewis Vorlop and husband, Steve Vorlop ’04; and uncle, Bruce C. Sullivan.


Brian and Betsy Riopelle hosted the Class of ’80’s 35th Reunion at their home.

1984

Ken McArthur, a partner at Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP, was recently named to Virginia Business magazine’s 2015 Legal Elite List. He was acknowledged for being one of the top health law attorneys in Virginia, as voted on by his peers. Ken is a member of the American, Virginia and Richmond Bar Associations as well as the American Health Lawyers Association, the American Society for Pharmacy Law and the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity. Since 2005, he has taught the pharmacy law course in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at VCU’s School of Pharmacy.

1985 Beth McKenney ’80 married Curt Kiser on Jan. 9, 2016.

On Oct. 29, 2015, American Field Service (AFS) alum Atsuyuki Kugimiya ’83, made Collegiate one of his stops during his visit from Japan. He was thrilled to see that his nameplate is still displayed under the Japanese flag in McFall Hall.

30th Reunion

To celebrate its 30th Reunion, the Class of ’85, and many welcome friends, gathered at the Backyard Grill, owned by John Harper ’83 and Patrick Kirchmier ’83. Fennario, also known as Brad Crouch ’82 and Tripp Vaughan ’79, provided a fabulous, acoustic musical backdrop as ’85 alums caught up, shared memories, met spouses, reconnected and enjoyed a laid-back West Richmond haunt. – submitted by Robin Rison Ashworth

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CLASS NOTES Wyatt Beazley was recognized on Virginia Business magazine’s 2015 Legal Elite list for his work in health law. He is a partner at Williams Mullen. Kevin Martingayle was also recognized on the 2015 Legal Elite list for his work in labor / employment. He is a partner at Bischoff Martingayle in Virginia Beach. On Dec. 8, 2015, Catherine Crooks Hill served as a judge in the final round of Collegiate’s Ethics Bowl. The winning team went on to compete in the Virginia High School Ethics Bowl in January. Catherine is secretary and treasurer of the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners.

1987

In September 2015, Cyane Crump was named executive director of Historic Richmond, the local organization that seeks to preserve the city’s historic character and spark revitalization. She had been serving as interim executive director. Cyane has served on a number of community boards, including the YMCA of Greater Richmond, The Richmond Ballet and Historic Richmond. She is a former partner in the business practice group of Hunton & Williams.

These four vintage 1985 Collegiate classmate troubadours entertained recently at the Country Club of Virginia on the occasion of Richard Cocke’s 85th birthday. Pictured are Ted Pettus, PhD, on the harmonica, who teaches biology at Emory University in Atlanta; John Leedes, who performs professionally in Richmond; Rob Frayser, who lives and entertains in Charlottesville; and Michael Cocke, Richard’s son who performs and records music in his “Bell Creek Studios” under the stage name Michael Iris near Seattle, WA. Photo by Jane Malbon Abbe ’84

Class of ’85 classmates Elizabeth Twohy, Sheryl Robins Nolt, Laura Frayser Giddings reunited at the Oyster Roast on Sept. 25, 2015.

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Elizabeth Twohy, Leigh Baird Hall, Lee Moreau, Doug Reed, Eleanor Nelson Barnes and Elizabeth Buchanan Ledford got together at the Class of 1985’s 30th Reunion on Sept. 26, 2015.


The Class of ’85 celebrated its 30th Reunion at the Backyard Grill. Will Johnson ’89 and his wife Jessy attended the Wreaths Across America Gala in Washington, DC in September 2015, where Will spoke to the American Trucking Associations representing the Soldier for Life Program.

played.) During his career, the team had a record of 49-11-8 with two league titles (again, there was no state organization). Technically, he was equally adept at shooting with either foot and he was very dangerous in the air scoring a number of goals off headers. His ability to receive a ball then quickly turn and shoot is unparalleled in my 35 years of coaching.”

Elisabeth Arnold Weiss ’86 and Ellen Turbeville Bonbright ’86, with their sons Jake and James, caught up over the summer when Elisabeth and her family were in Richmond.

1988

Congratulations to Rob Ukrop on his induction into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. Rob was an AllAmerican soccer player in 1992 while at Davidson and played 12 years professionally for the Richmond Kickers. He now coaches Collegiate’s varsity boys team with Charlie Blair and Shep Lewis ’96 and is head coach of the varsity girls team. Says Coach Blair, “Every so often, I am asked who is the best player that I have ever coached. I usually duck the question, but when pressed, I say that Rob

Ukrop was the best goal-scorer that I have had the privilege of coaching. And given the opportunity to create an All-Time Team of Collegiate players, Rob would be my first choice, hands down. Scoring in soccer is the single most difficult part of the game and he was a great high school goal scorer (as well as at the college and at professional levels). “Rob is the leading goal scorer in the history of Collegiate, netting 74 goals over the course of his four years on the team. He was All-Prep his junior and senior years, and served as captain as a senior. (There was no All-State for independent schools when Rob

1989

Will Johnson writes, “The Johnsons left Washington, DC in the summer of 2011 as I was assigned to command a Field Artillery Battalion (about 500 soldiers) at Fort Hood, TX. After taking command, we trained for a deployment to Afghanistan, where my unit provided artillery fires in support of Coalition Forces and trained the Afghan Army on how to use their newly acquired artillery equipment. While we did sustain some combat injuries, it was with great relief and humility that we were able to bring everyone home and back to their families after nine months. After Afghanistan, I was sent back to DC to work for the Army Chief of Staff, in his Soldier for Life Program. A great opportunity to travel the northeastern US and western Europe meeting with companies from Google to Mom and Pop stores on how to recruit, hire and Continued on page 73

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CLASS NOTES

In February, friends from the Class of 1990 enjoyed a girls’ weekend in Virginia Beach. Pictured are Tyler Fonville McNeely, Laura Miller Meyers, Betsy Schnell Livesay, Margaret Randolph Pace, Jennifer Jewett Ruth and Tovi Laughon Heffron.

Angie Ledford Hutchison ’90 (right) enjoyed serving as co-chair of the 2015 Village Green Fair (with co-chair MH Bartzen). Her daughter is in the Class of 2023. “What an honor to chair Collegiate’s 50th fair!”

Kerrigan Smith, Charles McGill and Frank Fowlkes (all ’90) reunited at Virginia International Raceway in September. Kerrigan is VIR’s chief operating officer.

Steve ’81 and Carter Gibbs Miller hosted the Class of ’90’s 25th Reunion at their home.

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Lee McGeorge ’91 keeps spare change in his old Interact cup from the late 1980s, around the time that Bubba Lawson started the Interact Ton of Coins. This year his son, kindergartner, brought home his own cup for collecting coins.


maintain a veteran workforce. We also purchased a house in Alexandria, VA, and my wife Jessy and son Davis, 8, are settling in nicely. In August 2015, I was promoted to the rank of Colonel in the US Army, and was selected to attend Senior Staff College at National Defense University (Eisenhower School) in Washington, DC. We are enjoying the extra time in the area as we have made some great friends and look forward to what waits for us next after graduation in June 2016.” Three years ago, Glenn Laskin and Heather Robinson Laskin ’90 purchased European Stone Concepts, a stone fabrication business in Zion Crossroads, VA. Since then Glenn and Heather have re-engineered the company with a strict focus on quality, pride and teamwork, which has led to a true diligence in quality and excellence. The company specializes in stone fabrication for countertops, fireplaces, custom sinks, furniture and much more. ESC fabricates materials such as granite, marble, quartz, soapstone, recycled glass and travertine. “Whether the project is commercial or retail, a short 40-minute drive is worth the trip to come see us!” Customers can also visit www.escstone.com for more details.

1990

25th Reunion

In the weeks leading up to our 25th Reunion, closets, attics and storage containers were raided and photographs and memorabilia were displayed on a 1990 class reunion Facebook page. It was hard to contain the laughs over the hair and fashion choices of 25 years ago…before Reunion Weekend even started. I learned that I truly am a hoarder (one of several in our class) finding not only pictures, but other treasures including a VHS tape of graduation. Classmates traveled from near and far for the Class of 1990 reunion at the home of Steve and Carter Gibbs Miller on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Andrew Chernack traveled the farthest, from Austin, TX, followed closely by Cameron Crouch Myrick and her husband from Maine and Bill Hofheimer from Connecticut. A few brave spouses (and even a few fiancés) attended. We all agreed that most of us look exactly the same, just with maybe a little less hair. The late night kitchen dance party proved that Andrew Chernack secretly wishes he was in a headbanger band instead of an attorney and he had plenty of back up dancers. The dancing was carefully supervised by Patrick Henry

(who has a memory like an elephant!). The girls outnumbered the boys 3:1 but we all had a fantastic time and many laughs were had. Jenny Courain proudly announced that she still fits in her earrings from high school. Bill Chappell (funny as ever) kept us all laughing with his dry sense of humor. Taking a group photo proved to be the most challenging part of the evening by far! We missed those who couldn’t attend and all decided we have to get together more often! – submitted by Angie Ledford Hutchison

1991

Lauren Melton Lineweaver, a teacher at Falling Creek Elementary School in Chesterfield, recently received an REB Award for Teaching Excellence. The cash award is for travel within the United States to experience cultural and historical landmarks that celebrate our country’s rich history. The award, which allows teachers to pursue their passion and bring what they learned back to the classroom, was first handed out in 1988. Since then, the program has awarded $3.2 million to 712 teachers.

REALTOR OF THE YEAR

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Several classmates got together in November to celebrate Patrick Henry ’90’s birthday at Travinia. Big thanks to John Nolde ’90 for organizing. Those pictured are Class of 1990 unless otherwise noted. FRONT: Eric Myers ’91, Margaret Randolph Pace, Matthew Goodwin, Patrick Henry, Heather Robinson Laskin. BACK: Glenn Laskin ’89, Courtney Moore Henderson, Richard Bennett, Laura Miller Myers, Angie Ledford Hutchison, Carter Gibbs Miller, Ann Dunnington Loncar, Hampton Bargatze, Anne Lowe Thompson, Jennifer Jewett Ruth, John Nolde, Beth Vetrovec-Smith.

ongratulations to Scott Ruth ’91 of Long & Foster Realtors on being named Realtor of the Year by the Richmond Association of Realtors. He was presented with the award on Dec. 8, 2015. From the Richmond Times-Dispatch article on RAR’s award ceremony: “The Realtor of the Year Award reflects the body of work undertaken on behalf of the association,” said Laura Lafayette, CEO of the Richmond Association of Realtors. “Scott Ruth has consistently volunteered his time and talents to RAR – before, during and after his tenure as president.” She noted Ruth’s commitment to the professionalism and integrity of the industry. “He is incredibly conscientious,” she said. “It’s rewarding to see a wonderful person like Scott receive this accolade.” Scott is the managing broker of the Tuckahoe office of Long & Foster, and he served as president of the RAR in 2012. A graduate of The College of Charleston, he has been in the real estate business for 12 years. He and wife Jennifer Jewett Ruth ’90 have four children at Collegiate: Anne Mason ’19, Scotty ’22, Bayler ’25 and Parker ’27.

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CLASS NOTES

1992

Danny MacNelly was the subject of an October edition of Richmond Times-Dispatch’s “Getting to Know” feature. Danny is a partner with ArchitectureFirm, a Richmond-based architecture and design firm.

1993

Trip Phillips was recently named president and CEO of Neurogastrx, a California-based pharmaceutical company that is working to develop novel drugs for gastrointestinal disorders. BORN: Hayden Elizabeth Sopka to Mary Cappuccio Sopka and husband Dennis on June 17, 2015. Her middle name is after Mary’s sister, Elizabeth Cappuccio Vandevere ’97.

1994

Gray Broughton was recognized on Virginia Business magazine’s 2015 Legal Elite list for his work in criminal law. He is an attorney at Kaplan Voekler Cunningham & Frank. Jamie Galanti was recently promoted to first vice president of Commonwealth Commercial Partners, LLC. He specializes in landlord and tenant/buyer representation services. Anya Schwender writes, “I spent the first half of 2014 working at a school in Croatia, and the second half back in Milan teaching privately. In between, I had a glorious summer touring the Balkans and a few other spots in Eastern Europe. My favorites were Belgrade, Budapest and Bratislava.”

BORN: “Avery” Stephen Carter to Farrow Adamson Carter and husband Kent on Sept. 24, 2015. Rebecca Diane Grandstaff to Armistead Grandstaff and wife Lesley on Apr. 22, 2014. She joins siblings Charlotte, 8, and Joel, 4. The family lives in the Indianapolis area.

1995

20th Reunion

The Class of 1995 met at the home of Callie Lacy Brackett for their 20-year reunion on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Despite the rain, old friends and classmates reconnected and reminisced, sharing memories and stories that went well into the wee hours of the morning. Highlights included the 1995 soundtrack and

Daughters of Mary Cappuccio Sopka ’93.

Andy Mathews ’94, Murray Fisher ’93, Clark Coulbourn ’93 and Tom Callahan ’94 got together when Murray visited campus on Sept. 23, 2015 as part of the Centennial Alumni Speaker Series.

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The Class of ’95 gathered at the home of Alex and Callie Lacy Brackett to celebrate its 20th Reunion.


green and gold Jello, both provided by Andy Jaspen. The Class of ’95 enjoyed reconnecting so much that a Class of 1995 Facebook page was created so we can all keep in touch between reunions. Big thanks to Chrissie Bachtell Eckis, Sarah Maxwell Kerr, Whitney Montague Mathews, Meghan Feore Morel and Happy Vaughan Anderson for contributing to the success of the party. We are all looking forward to the next reunion of our “oldest” friends. – submitted by Chrissie Bachtell Eckis and Happy Vaughan Anderson MARRIED: Amanda Beck to Travis Gano on Aug. 15, 2015 in Highlands, NC. Sister Alexis Beck ’03 was the maid of honor and Meredith Diehl was a bridesmaid. Brothers Andy Beck ’93 and Austin Beck ’99 were groomsmen. Amanda and Travis live in Atlanta.

1996

Thomas Cullen was recognized on Virginia Business magazine’s 2015 Legal Elite list for his work in criminal law. He is a principal at Woods Rogers PLC in Roanoke. DIED: Hardin Brotherton on Sept. 10, 2015. At Collegiate, he played soccer and was on the wrestling team. Hardin graduated from Virginia Episcopal School and went on to graduate cum laude

with a BA in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. He worked as a research specialist in the Social Behavioral Health Department at VCU and received a scholarship for the psychology PhD program with an emphasis on pediatric psychooncology at the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain. During his doctorate studies, he researched, wrote and published six studies in medical journals with his mentor. He also presented his research projects at international medical conferences in Amsterdam and Lisbon. After returning to Virginia, Hardin worked to promote access to free health care for the poor at the CrossOver Ministry. His passion for music led him to write three full albums of original work and many unpublished songs. He is survived by his wife, Angela Przybylski Brotherton; his sons, Thomas Kemper Brotherton III and Andrew John Brotherton; his mother, Dorothy Reynolds Brotherton ’70; his sister, Lisa Brotherton Pumphrey ’95; and many other family members and friends.

1997

John Merrick was recognized on Virginia Business magazine’s 2015 Legal Elite Young Lawyer list. He is an associate at Harman, Claytor, Corrigan & Wellman. MARRIED: David Lacy to Maribeth Turner ’06 on Aug. 8, 2015. Groomsmen included Chuck McFall ’98

and Jon Goodman. Mason Brent, Matt Hunter, John Merrick, Kito Pruitt and Rett Turner ’00 were ushers. Grace Turner Creasey was the maid of honor and Becca Sellergren ’06 and Ellen Munson ’06 were bridesmaids. David and Maribeth live in Richmond where he is a partner with Christian & Barton, LLP and was recognized on Virginia Business magazine’s 2015 Legal Elite Young Lawyer list. She works at the Senate of Virginia Clerk’s Office.

1998

Brendan O’Toole was recognized on Virginia Business magazine’s 2015 Legal Elite Young Lawyer list. He is a partner at Williams Mullen. BORN : Fielding James Boschen to Boz Boschen and wife Amelia on Aug. 30, 2015. In September, Boz was featured as a “Decision Maker” in the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s Metro Business section. He is director of digital media at Neathawk Dubuque & Packett. Baby Fielding joins big brother Reeves and sister Hunter. Samuel Luck Mitchell to Georgia Luck Mitchell and husband Jeff on Apr. 11, 2015. He joins big brother Wesley. Kai Massey to Nik Massey and wife Ilana on Sept. 29, 2015.

MUSIC MAN

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hen Stephen Lecky ’98 saw best bands you’ve never heard. For Friday that Richmond had won the Cheers my goal is to find some of the next bid to host the Folk Festi- big bands.” The Folk Festival has gone on to val in 2005, he took note. At be the biggest of its kind in the country, hostthe time, he was working as a booking agent ing over 40 bands each year, on seven stages at East Coast Entertainment and playing playing to hundreds of thousands of people. drums in various bands around town. Ready “The Richmond Folk Festival has become a for a new challenge, he applied and got the signature event for the City, one that folks job as festival manager. “The first year it can be proud to attend or volunteer for,” he poured rain,” he says, and 70,000 Rich- says. “It brings all sorts of people down to monders showed up. This year, more than the Richmond’s beautiful riverfront to enjoy some amazing music food and culture from 200,000 attended. Now, almost 11 years later, he’s manag- around the world.” In September, Stephen helped organize ing some of Venture Richmond’s special events including Dominion Riverrock, Friday Collegiate’s Centennial Concert at The NaCheers and the Folk Festival. Bands, spon- tional, putting his music management expersors, schedules and securing volunteers are tise to work for his alma mater. “We could not all part of what he does. “I listen to a lot of have pulled off an event of that complexity music,” he says, to determine which are the without his help,” says Margaret Randolph cutting edge bands to hire. “I try to find the Pace ’90, coordinator of Centennial events.

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CLASS NOTES

Son of Stuart Winston ’98.

Son of Nik Massey ’98.

Bryson Powell and Paul Roper (both ’98) caught up at Matt Brock’s ’98 wedding in September.

Lara Tyler Chambers ’99 and her family visited VMI this past fall. Lara is the first female alumna to serve on VMI’s Board of Visitors. Pictured are Webb and Donna Tyler, Lara Tyler Chambers, Cole Chambers and Stuart Chambers.

Sons of Georgia Luck Mitchell ’98. Daughter of Becky Nuara Helms ’99.

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Jade Elizabeth Myers to Bret Myers and wife Jill on Sept. 3, 2015. She joins sister Hayden, 5, and brother Brody, 2. Bret is still working as an assistant professor of management and operations at Villanova University. He’s also an analytics consultant with Toronto FC of Major League Soccer. Harrison Stuart Winston to Stuart Winston and wife Caroline on July 7, 2015. He joins big sister Ryland.

1999

The Class of ’00 celebrated its 15th Reunion at Alton Lane’s headquarters.

Collegiate friends reunited when Blake Smith ’00 married Morgan Libbey on May 23, 2015.

Laura Selene Rockefeller ’00 is an ensemble member with the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company and a resident company member with Annapolis Shakespeare Company. Photo by Joshua McKerrow for Annapolis Shakespeare Company

Lara Tyler Chambers writes, “I still live in Manakin-Sabot with my husband Stuart, 3-yearold son Cole, and golden retriever Mya. We have another little boy due in March 2016. I still have my land development business, Tyler Development Group, and I’m currently selling residential home lots in the West End of Richmond near Innsbrook. This past summer, I was appointed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe to the Virginia Military Institute’s Board of Visitors. I am the first female alumna to serve on that board and so far, it has been fantastic experience. I am VMI Class of 2003.” BORN: Lucille “Lucy” Lynn Helms to Becky Nuara Helms and husband Cory on Feb. 26, 2015. She joins brother Eddie.

2000

15th Reunion

The Class of 2000 gathered at the Alton Lane Headquarters in Scott’s Addition on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. In addition to catching up with old friends and classmates, Michael Taliaferro generously provided a photo booth from Photo Boom Boom, which was quite a highlight of the evening! It was great to see friends from near and far and we look forward to getting together again in five years for our 20th! – submitted by Lizzie Cullen Cox Laura Rockefeller is based in the DC area where she is an ensemble member with the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, and a resident company member with Annapolis Shakespeare. Her recent productions with Annapolis Shakespeare – A Tale of Two Cities, The Two Gentlemen of Verona and The Servant of Two Masters – were Helen Hayes Awards Recommended. Laura’s most recent productions include A Christmas Carol and Wild Oats with Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. If you are ever in the DC area and would like to see her in a show, you can always find updated information on Laura’s performances at www.LauraRocklyn.com.

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CLASS NOTES

Sarah Clore ’01 married Peter Brown on July 18, 2015.

Hunter Powell ’01 married Carla Meyer on June 27, 2015.

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Class of 2001 friends celebrated the marriage of Geoff Shudtz ’01 and Julie Mueller on Aug. 15, 2015. Pictured are Warren Hunter, Stephen Douglas, Ethan Wirt, Lucy Moore, Kristen Ekey Berke, Steve Sica, Lizzy Cutchins Messick, Geoff Shudtz, Lizzie Thomson, Harry Wilson, Julie Shudtz, Courtney Fain, Chris Decamps, Laura Johnson, Suzanne Smith Stovall, Jeff Dunnington and Anne Dunnington.


Cougars got together when Melissa Preston ’03 married Eric Jessell on Sept. 19, 2015. Pictured are Brock Saunders ’02, Alexandra Squire Saunders, Kim Frazier Childs, Melissa Goodman, Alexis Beck, Melissa Preston Jessell, Jamie Whitten Montgomery, Carolyn McCandlish, Kiltie Tompkins, Christopher Preston ’99 and Ben Holland ’00 (all ’03 unless otherwise noted).

Geoff Shudtz to Julie Mueller on Aug. 15, 2015 in Cincinnati, OH. Fellow Cougars who were groomsmen included classmates Stephen Douglas, Jeff Dunnington and Ethan Wirt. BORN: Meriwether Elizabeth Hubbard to Meghan Gehr Hubbard and husband Justin on Oct. 5, 2015. Alice “Paige” McDermid to Elizabeth LaGow McDermid and husband Gray on Nov. 12, 2015. She joins her sister Nancy Gray, now 2. Owen Paul Stauffer to Karen Paul Stauffer and husband Craig on Nov. 5, 2015 in Arlington, VA. His godparents are Lisa and Walton Makepeace ’80.

2002

Daughter of Elizabeth LaGow McDermid ’01.

Son of Karen Paul Stauffer ’01.

MARRIED: Blake Smith to Morgan Libbey on May 23, 2015 in Vero Beach, FL. Brother Kerrigan Smith ’90 and father Alex Smith ’65 were best men. Nieces Madeline Jewett ’25 and Isabel Jewett ’28 were flower girls. Attendees at the wedding included former faculty Jim and Kaye Hickey, Moore McMahon ’74, brother-in-law Bryce Jewett ’93, sister Erin Smith Jewett ’94, Joe Blackburn ’99, Jeff Dunnington ’01 and Drew Wiltshire ’99.

2001

MARRIED: Sarah Clore to Peter Brown on July 18, 2015. Sister Lennie Clore Chaisson ’99 was the matron of honor and brother Johnny Clore ’04 was a groomsman. Hunter Powell to Carla Meyer on top of Aspen Mountain on June 27, 2015. Brother Bryson Powell ’98 was the best man and Jackson Martin ’02 was a groomsman. Hunter and Carla live in St. Louis where he is a vice president of Forsyth Capital Investors and she is director of guidance and counseling at Westminster Christian Academy.

Richard Bagby has teamed with Sharon Drennan (stepmother of Cole Drennan ’12 and Ian Drennan ’14) to found the Virginia Chapter of the United Spinal Association. They are very proud of the strides they’ve made since the organization’s inception (fall ’15), including their marquee program (peer and family mentoring to newly injured individuals), consulting with Gov. Terry McAuliffe on ways to make the Executive Mansion more accessible and inviting to disabled Virginians, and developing tremendous partnerships (VCU Health Systems, Sheltering Arms, Samaritan’s Walk, Sportable, etc.). They are very excited to continue to grow their nonprofit organization to serve the spinal cord injury (SCI) community in a variety of different ways. Richard serves as the deputy director under the leadership of Sharon Drennan, executive director. Visit their website at www.unitedspinalva.org. For more information, please contact Richard directly (Richard@ UnitedSpinalVa.org).

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CLASS NOTES

UPDATE: WENDELIN NEUBERT ’03

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hen I first set foot on the Collegiate campus, I thought to myself: Can you believe this place? That was before I met its people! Now, it’s been over 13 years since I was a foreign exchange student at Collegiate, and wherever I go, my amazing experience there with its inspiring teachers and multifaceted students are constant companions. After going back to Berlin, my German hometown, in 2002 and graduating from my high school – which is somewhat similar to Collegiate – I studied law at the University of Freiburg, a college town beautifully situated at the hems of the Black Forest, and the University of Geneva. I specialized in international law and finished my German law degree in Freiburg. After working as a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law, I got a PhD in constitutional law and the laws of armed conflict. Now I am a legal trainee at the Berlin Appellate Court and currently working at a law firm with a European Union, constitutional and public law focus. For all these years, my memories of my time in Richmond and especially my close relationship with the Northen family – Ellen, Buzzy ’73, Sarah Brucker ’02 and Blair ’04 – have been and remain an important part of my life, and I am thankful for every moment of this transatlantic adventure. Being a student at Collegiate teaches you a lot about the great things this world has in store, and it offers an education that few are fortunate to relish. It is a reason to be grateful and diligent, to get involved and take responsibility, to share your strengths, accept your weaknesses, and learn from your mistakes, to excel in helping others and to make the world a better, safer, more peaceful place.

Tristan Benson, who is teaching social studies at an international school in Shanghai, China, recently traveled with a tour group to North Korea for a four-day stay in Pyongyang. Read more in Alumni News. BORN: Aaron George Stutts to Peter Stutts and Barbara Kahn Stutts on Dec. 21, 2015. Peter, Barbara and George live in Lexington, KY where she has been doing her medical residency, but they’ll be moving in July to Chicago where Barbara will complete her Northwestern University Andrology Fellowship.

2003

MARRIED: Melissa Preston to Eric Jessell (from Kensington, MD) on Sept. 19, 2015 on Fishers Island, NY. Alex Sooy to Abigail Chambers on Oct. 3, 2015 at the Museum of the City of New York. They live in Palo Alto, CA where Alex works on the corporate strategy team at eBay Inc. and Abigail manages product operations for Facebook. BORN: Anna Carol Cruickshanks to Elizabeth Broadbent Cruickshanks and husband Allan on Nov. 16, 2015. She joins big brother Vaughan. Bryce Christopher Bier to Christina Sweeney Bier and husband Chris on Sept. 10, 2015.

2004

Wendelin Neubert ’03 worked for the public prosecutor’s office in Berlin last spring as part of his legal traineeship in Germany.

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MARRIED: Davis Gouldin to Frances Grimball on June 27, 2015 in Charleston, SC. Kemp Gouldin ’98 served as best man and Harrison Jones ’03, Jimmie Massie, Alan Miller and Steve Vorlop were groomsmen. Bridesmaids included Meghan Gouldin Young ’00 and Becky Massie ’10. Davis and Frances live in Richmond where he works at Capital One and she is in dental school at VCU. Christin Lipscomb to Mike Walsh on Oct. 24, 2015 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Richmond. A reception was held at the Country Club of Virginia. Classmates Margaret Overton Geiger ’04, Tyler Massey Helfrich ’04 and Blair Phillips Hoffmann ’04 were bridesmaids and brother T.J. Daly ’88 was a groomsman. Christin and Mike honeymooned in Thailand and Cambodia and now live in Wilmington, NC. Will Mertens to Michelle Kutcher on July 11, 2015. Brothers Andrew Mertens ’08 and Robert Mertens ’09 were the best men. Ian Chavis ’05 was a groomsman. Will is an audit senior manager for KPMG, and Michelle is a tax manager for KPMG. They live in Richmond. Chad Zalesiak to Sarah Tyler Shands on Sept. 19, 2015 at Tuckahoe Plantation in Richmond. Sarah is a graduate of Douglas S. Freeman High School and Continued on page 82


Daughter of Meghan Gehr Hubbard ’01.

Son and daughter of Elizabeth Broadbent Cruickshanks ’03.

Chad Zalesiak ’04 married Sarah Shands on Sept. 19, 2015 with many Collegiate alums and friends in attendance.

Will Mertens ’04 married Michelle Kutcher on July 11, 2015.

Daughter of Adriaan Follansbee Gomez ’04. Collegiate friends celebrated the marriage of Christin Lipscomb ’04 and Mike Walsh on Oct. 24, 2015.

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CLASS NOTES Virginia Commonwealth University. She is the director for supporting organizations and celebrations for the Science Museum of Virginia. Chad is a national account manager for LaSalle Solutions, an equipment leasing company headquartered in Chicago, IL. The couple lives in Richmond with their dog, Willie. There were many alumni in attendance, as well as a few of your favorite Lower School teachers. BORN: Julieta Cecilia Gomez to Adriaan Follansbee Gomez and husband Erick on Aug. 21, 2015. The family moved to Richmond from Washington, DC in June.

2005

10th Reunion

The Class of 2005 celebrated our 10-year reunion on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. The class hosted our party at the Answer Brewpub. It was a fun gathering of alums, significant others and spouses. We had a great turnout with people traveling from both near and far! – submitted by Sarah Gray Tullidge Innes Walker Terry is an associate focusing on civil litigation at Morris & Morris in Richmond. He is a graduate of Washington & Lee University and The Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University. MARRIED: Catherine Anderson to James Gregory on June 6, 2015 in London. Sister Laura Anderson ’07 was the maid of honor. Catherine and James live in Budapest, Hungary. Jordan Cobb to Luis Mendez on June 6, 2015 at Fearrington Village in Chapel Hill, NC. Jordan graduated from UNC School of Law in 2014 and is now practicing at Ogletree Deakins in Raleigh, NC. Christina Merchant to Tom Carpenter on July 18, 2015 in Charlottesville, VA. Pearson Moore to Marshall French (St. Christopher’s ’04) on Sept. 12, 2015. Emily Moore ’10 was the maid of honor and Christina Merchant Carpenter, Claiborne Buckingham Colombo and Kate Hanley Mostrom were bridesmaids. Greeters included Ellie Fleming ’16, Katie Fleming ’18 and Mary Grace Fleming ’20. Pearson and Marshall live in Philadelphia, PA where she works in marketing at Campbell Soup Company and he is a construction manager with National Real Estate Development. Caitlin Rawles to Andrew Teden on Sept. 5, 2015 at Tuckahoe Plantation. Lots of 2005 Cougars were in attendance including Chris Vaughan, Mary Alex Gordon Murray, Sarah Byrd Crawford, Lauren Brady Manson, Michael Manson, William O’Flaherty, Will Farmer, Walker Terry, Sarah Gray Tullidge Innes,

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The Class of ’05 celebrated its 10th Reunion at the Answer Brewpub.

Collegiate friends reunited when Pearson Moore ’05 married Marshall French on Sept. 12, 2015.

Class of 2005 alums got together when Caitlin Rawles ’05 married Andy Teden on Sept. 5, 2015. Pictured are Lauren Brady Manson, Caitlin Rawles Teden, Mary Alex Gordon Murray, Chris Vaughan and Sarah Byrd Crawford.


Amy Staples ’05 married Adam Ribock on Oct. 16, 2015.

Class of 2005 Cougars reunited when Jordan Cobb ’05 married Luis Mendez on June 6, 2015. FRONT: Carmen Thornton Carraway, Christina Merchant Carpenter, Margaret Ann Mazzenga. MIDDLE: Walker Terry, Chris Vaughan, Liza Parrish, Luis Mendez, Jordan Cobb Mendez, Burch Hazelgrove, Pearson Moore French, Ashley Davis Young. BACK: Will Farmer, Jack Ivins, William O’Flaherty.

Cougar alums celebrated the marriage of Christina Merchant ’05 and Tom Carpenter on July 18, 2015. Those pictured are Class of 2005 unless otherwise noted. FRONT: Ellen Beane Wright, Martha Fleming Moore ’75, Sarah Chase ’06, Christina Merchant Carpenter, Tom Carpenter, Pearson Moore French, Jordan Cobb Mendez, Burch Hazelgrove, Sara Hairfield Hogan. BACK: Will Cosby, Carmen Thornton Carraway, Walker Terry, William O’Flaherty, Will Farmer, Elizabeth Garson Koteles, Ashley Davis Young, Sara Hairfield Hogan.

Katie Hurst ’05 met Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe at the Legacy 2020 Gala on Sept. 18, 2015. The gala benefited the Richmond Bicycle Coalition. Katie’s pedicab company, Spoken4, partnered with the UCI Road World Championships.

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CLASS NOTES Will Cosby and David Coleman. Caitlin writes, “Andy and I live in Richmond and love seeing familiar Cougar faces around town!” Amy Staples to Adam Ribock on Oct. 16, 2015. Laura Staples ’08 was the maid of honor. Bridesmaids included Liza Parrish and Ellie Ratliff ’08. Amy and Adam live in Columbia, SC. David Zuelzer to Allison Pagano on May 30, 2015. Classmates Will Farmer, Craig Miller, William O’Flaherty, Taylor Richardson and Walker Terry were groomsmen. David and Allison live in Lexington, KY and are both in residency at the University of Kentucky.

2006

Mikey Thompson is serving as Christopher Newport University’s interim men’s lacrosse coach for the 2016 season after spending the past four years as the team’s assistant coach. Since arriving at CNU in the fall of 2011, Mikey helped the Captains secure their first-ever berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2013 and has helped oversee the team’s transition to the Capital Athletic Conference during the past two years. MARRIED: Emily Melson to Will Halliday on Aug. 8, 2015. The wedding party included classmates Sarah Chase, Paige Crosby Hurlbut, Margaret Rosebro Sprewell, brother Jack Melson ’08 and sister Katherine Melson ’13. Will Shannon to Maria Gohean on June 27, 2015. Father Randy Shannon ’76 was the best man. Will and

Cougar alums celebrated the marriage of Maribeth Turner ’06 and David Lacy ’97 on Aug. 8, 2015.

Emily Melson ’06 married Will Halliday on Aug. 8, 2015.

IN THE KITCHEN

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little over a year ago, Kate Robertson ’05 was living in New York when she decided to pursue something that was new to her professionally but very familiar personally – her love of cooking that she’d developed while spending time as a child with her grandmother. She scrapped her New York life and headed to Ireland where she enrolled in 12-week intensive program at Ballymaloe, a world-renowned farm-to-tablefocused cooking school located on an organic farm in Cork, Ireland. “This turned out to be the best decision of my life to date,” says Kate on her new website Kate Uncorked. “Ballymaloe changed my approach to food, helped me to develop a true respect for ingredients and molded me into the cook that I am today.” Now Kate is living in Richmond and cooking full time providing personal chef services that include ready-to-eat meals, private dinners and small events.

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MAKING AN IMPRESSION

Henry Ware ’06 married Jordan Lockhart on July 25, 2015.

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ach Mendez ’06, visiting Richmond from Los Angeles, stopped by Collegiate on the first day of school in August, and Upper School counselor Alex Peavey offered him an impromptu invitation to meet with his advisory group. Alex reports: “Zach spoke about doing the things you love, being passionate about those things, not being afraid of taking some risks and pushing yourself, connecting with the people around you, and using the first day of school to make a great first impression to your teachers that you then uphold throughout the school year. I also think it is important for our students to know that the Thomas Jefferson quote that hangs on the wall just inside the doors of the Estes Student Center was given to the school by Zach, and it reads: ‘And never suppose … that it is best for you to do a dishonorable thing however slightly so it may appear to you … From the practice of the purest virtue you may be assured you will derive the most sublime comforts in every moment of life.’ Zach has always followed his passions with great energy, but never at the expense of his honor and integrity, and that is what I hope our students can emulate.”

Ryan Smoot ’06 and his fiancée, Alicia Riddle Lingerfeldt, live in Charlotte, NC.

Maria live in Washington, DC where he is in medical school at George Washington University and she is a first grade teacher. Maribeth Turner to David Lacy ’97 on Aug. 8, 2015. Grace Turner Creasey ’97 was the maid of honor and classmates Becca Sellergren and Ellen Munson were bridesmaids. Groomsmen included Chuck McFall ’98 and Jon Goodman ’97. Mason Brent ’97, Matt Hunter ’97, John Merrick ’97, Kito Pruitt ’97 and Rett Turner ’00 were ushers. Maribeth and David live in Richmond where she works at the Senate of Virginia Clerk’s Office and he is a partner with Christian & Barton, LLP. Henry Ware to Jordan Lockhart on July 25, 2015 in Charleston, SC. Shep Ware ’08 was the best man and Robert Ware ’13 was a groomsman. Henry and Jordan live in Richmond where he is the satellite office leader for Total Quality Logistics and she is a logistics analyst with SAIC.

On Nov. 27, 2015, Collegiate alums and friends completed a charity ride at TidalWheel - West End, raising just over $525 for Cycle for Survival, an organization that supports rare cancer research. To give, visit www.cycleforsurvival.org. Click DONATE to enter Gettin Wiggy With It (team name). ROW 1: Caroline Terry ’07, Betts McGurn ’07, Frannie Parkinson ’07, Elizabeth Layfield ’09, Margaret Parkinson ’09. ROW 2: Sloane Beaver ’07, Carly Golliday ’07, Bonnie Zimmer Bedell ’07, Amanda Rayner ’04, Matthew Bare. ROW 3: Catherine Barnett ’07, Berkeley Robins ’07, Joanna Callaway, Megan O’Hare. ROW 4: Steffi Ross ’07, Meredith Ascari ’07, Virginia Layfield ’07, Kendall New. WINTER 2016 85


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2007

Laura Bagbey ran the November ’15 Richmond Marathon in Boston Marathon qualifying time. She is in her fifth year of teaching seventh grade English at Glenvar Middle School in Salem, VA. She lives in a converted old ice house in Roanoke adjacent to the greenway and the river so she can run, hike and bike right from her house. Greeley Beck writes from Norway: “After I graduated from Princeton (degree in ecology and evolutionary biology), I did a master’s in wood science out at Oregon State, and, when I was finishing up that degree, I traveled to several conferences around the US to present my thesis. At one of these conferences, I met my current Norwegian supervisors, and they told me about a PhD position opening in their lab. At that time, I thought I wanted to move into the wood products industry in the US after finishing my masters and was not really considering a PhD. But after a few more days at the conference (and a few more late nights drinking beers with my soon-to-be Norwegian colleagues) I decided that the idea of moving to

Gray Fain ’07 married April Patterson on Oct. 3, 2015.

RETRO BAND MOMENT

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everal musicians from former bands got together over the winter holidays on Dec. 22 to play in Richmond at the Canal Club. The crew included Eric Barley ’07, Kyle Miner ’07, Jim Ivins ’07, Bobby Gary ’07, Drew Martin ’09, Stephen Stites ’09 and Jack Ivins ’05. Bands represented were Busted Wire, The Jim Ivins Band and Drew Martin & the Limelights. Jim Ivins ’07 reports: “Since Busted Wire broke up seven years ago, we always joked about doing a reunion show but with us getting older, people moving away, getting married, etc., the window of opportunity seemed to be ever-closing. So when I found out that Eric, Kyle, Bobby and myself would all be here for Christmas, I knew that this was our chance, and, bittersweetly, possibly our last. Once we locked ourselves in, Bobby suggested we also get JIB back together. So I figured that if we were doing those two, then Drew Martin & The Limelights had to get back together as well. Meaning I would be on triple duty. Self indulgent?

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Maybe. Fun? Absolutely. Playing music with all of these guys again and going down memory lane to honor this music that was created in such a crucial time in our lives was a dream come true for me. We all never get to see each other so being able to get everyone all in one place made for one of the funnest nights I and everyone else have ever had.”


Eric Bronson ’08 married Melinda Carpenter on June 27, 2015.

Collegiate friends reunited when the Seattle Seahawks played the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 13, 2015. Pictured are Rob Charma (friend of Russell’s from NC State), Cole Hawthorne, Wit Robertson, Russell Wilson, Mikey Thompson ’06, Tosh Bance, Jeff Modisett and Bryce Sweeney (all ’07 unless otherwise noted).

Norway to do a PhD sounded pretty fun. And when I realized the salary for a Norwegian PhD was higher than most of the wood products industry positions I would have been applying for, I was sold. “So, now I am in Norway writing my PhD in wood technology about wood modification systems and fungal degradation, and I’m loving every minute of it. My project is very interesting and the work environment is really friendly and collaborative. Things are much more relaxed than the cut-throat competitive atmosphere in American academia, and I like that. Not to mention that the country is beautiful and the people here are so welcoming and happy. I’ve got only two more years on this PhD, but I can really see myself staying in Norway when I’m finished.

“The degree will be prepping me either to work in academia or in research and development for a company making wood products (structural timber or other wood-based materials and/or chemicals). Thanks to Dr. Fourness, Mrs. Griffin and Mr. Pagel who definitely helped to shape my love of science!” Zach Birnbaum is living in Denver, CO and playing acoustic guitar music. You can check out his recent release here: zachbirnbaum.bandcamp.com/ album/the-great-unknown. Jenna Kaminsky is now living in Oakland, CA and working as a senior digital designer for Sephora. Walker Redd, who is in his second year of medical school at UVA, was featured in the Jan. 8 UVA Today Daily Report. The story was about a special

program called the “Phronesis Project” which aims to “inspire wisdom and empathy in student physicians, primarily through early and long-term relationships with patients.” Walker and 12 other students are participating in the program. He has been paired with both adult and a pediatric patients and has established ongoing relationships which enable him to see the patients in the context of their lives, not just their medical issues. House calls and regular phone contact are part of the protocol. “The idea is to see the whole person,” Walker said in the story. “You already have the medical history in the electronic medical record, so you know that. This is allowing an hour or two for someone to tell you their life story and to see what they think is significant to include. It was a good way for me to learn a lot about my patient and also for her to feel like she was comfortable sharing with me.” In December 2015, Brooke Stallings completed a master’s degree in ecohydrology from the College of Natural Resources at University of Idaho. Grace Zell graduated from Dickinson College in 2011 with a BA in art history and will complete her master of information studies degree from McGill University in April of 2016. She hopes to pursue a career in librarianship and is currently seeking employment opportunities in public libraries, government offices or school libraries. MARRIED: Gray Fain to April Patterson on Oct. 3, 2015 in Richmond. Father John Fain and brother J.C. Fain ’04 both served as best man. Sister Courtney Fain ’01 was a bridesmaid. Classmates Jake McDonald, Sam Middleton and Will Stettinius were groomsmen.

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Chesley Goodstein ’09 designs her line of jewelry at her worktable in her New York apartment.

Allie Albright ’09 married Tabitha Jett on Aug. 29, 2015.

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On New Year’s Day, two Collegiate graduates faced each other in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL – Jake McGee ’10, a tight end for the University of Florida, and Wilton Speight ’13, back-up quarterback for the University of Michigan. Michigan was victorious.


The Class of ’10 celebrated its 5th Reunion in September.

2008

MARRIED: Eric Bronson to Melinda Carpenter on June 27, 2015 in Biddeford Pool, ME. Brothers Evan Bronson ’05 and Andrew Bronson ’10 both served as best man and classmates Braeden Crosby, Chase Gottwald and Matt Ruscio were groomsmen. Eric and Melinda live in Charlottesville where he is employed by Albemarle County Fire Rescue and she is employed by the University of Virginia Law School.

2009

Chesley Goodstein is a jewelry designer living in New York City. She writes, “It’s been a whirlwind up in here in this city that never sleeps and a place where resiliency and determination are key when you’re in the fashion industry! Of late, I’ve been busy learning the ins and outs of jewelry design and overseas product development for mass production by being a designer at renowned private label company up here called Catherine Stein. Little did I know, but jewelry design is closer to engineering than a painting. The detail, construction and computer-aided technology we use is insane!! It’s been an incredible learning experience and opportunity for me as I develop my jewelry brand on the side. I work a year in advance

as a trend forecaster and design lines based around what will be on trend the following year. We have an incredible showroom at Catherine Stein that overlooks all of 5th Avenue. I recently designed my first line for the trend ‘Tribal Luxe’ which will hit the department stores and/or chains like Express this coming fall. As for my own jewelry, I have been freelancing on the side with stylists and clients, and continue to make strides to heighten my exposure and brand image. I got scouted in May for an international music festival called Mysteryland up in Woodstock to vend my jewelry and had a great success! Another fun fact – got flown out to LA this summer by MTV for a fun and silly avatar show they’re producing – on confidentiality contract so can’t give away too many hints except to keep your eyes peeled!” Stephanie Middleton is an independent lyricist, melodist and vocalist in Nashville, using the stage name Notelle. Since 2014, Stephanie has been a featured vocalist on EDM (electronic dance music) tracks around the world. Fellow classmate, Franklin Geho, works alongside helping with creative marketing, artist management and administrative work. You can find Notelle’s music on Spotify and follow her @notellemusic on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Drew Martin has also recently moved to

Nashville to pursue songwriting while continuing to work for Capital One. Ashwin Narla is in his first year of law school at the University of California-Berkeley. MARRIED: Allie Albright (daughter of Upper School math teacher Karen Albright) to Tabitha Jett on Aug. 29, 2015 at the Historic Tredegar in Richmond. Timmy Albright ’11 was the best man. Classmates Elizabeth Jessee, Libby Rosebro and Emily Tatum were bridesmaids. Many Collegiate families and faculty were in attendance.

2010

5th Reunion

The Class of 2010 spent the night of Sept. 26, 2015 catching up with old friends and listening to music from the early 2000s. There was much to celebrate: Nicole Barr and Matt Weber got engaged when visiting Sevilla this past summer, Maggie Glasgow released her album in August and a flood of classmates were accepted to graduate schools. Those who weren’t able to make it to the reunion sent along news of their whereabouts: Mimi Darden Gottwald is living in Beijing. Pat Blank started his PhD in chemistry at UPenn. Justin Crews now serves as a logistics officer in an airborne calvalry unit in the 82nd division. Bridgette Williams Continued on page 91

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CLASS NOTES

Anna Nott ’11 soaks up the French culture in Montbéliard, France.

Ali Moore ’13 participated in JMU’s Washington Semester program this past fall (see notes for details). This picture was taken on her 21st birthday when her parents came to visit. Pictured are former Speaker John A. Boehner, Ali Moore ’13, Rud Moore ’76 and Linda Moore.

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Rachel Barbieri ’13 and her UVA a capella group, Hoos in the Stairwell, gave a mini concert in the Estes Student Center this past fall. She visited with chemistry teacher Susan FournessEwell before continuing on their musical tour.


Gottwald moved to Brussels. Taylor Daniels is on the Broadway tour of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Five more years until another class reunion but there’s no doubt that these lifelong friends are getting together in miniature reunions all across the globe. – submitted by Addie Gottwald Carter Hunter is working in DC at Children’s National Medical Center as a pediatric nurse in the hematology / oncology unit. Ally Koonce and Emily Moore are working for ESPN. Amy Matson graduated from Wake Forest University in December 2015 with a master of science in accountancy, concentrating in financial transaction services. She is also a Certified Public Accountant licensure candidate for the state of New York, having successfully completed the CPA exam within two months during summer 2015. Amy will be moving to New York City in September to begin a career in corporate deals advisory with PwC and will be traveling in the meantime. Taylor Thomas is in nursing school at George Washington University. Hillary Zell recently graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in graphic design and has moved back to Richmond. She is a graphic designer, printmaker and letterpress artist who works as operations manager at Studio Two Three, a community arts space in Scott’s Addition.

2011

SMALL WORLD

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ustin Spivey ’12 writes, “I have a great Cougar sighting story for you! One of my best friends at Collegiate, Jordan Lee (also ’12, now at Yale) and I, were both studying Arabic abroad in Morocco this past summer, but he was studying in the country’s capital, Rabat, and I was studying in a small historic city 90 miles to the east, Meknès. One weekend, I decided to travel about 130 miles north of Meknès to Morocco’s infamous ‘Blue City’ of Chefchaouen, a tiny, beautiful town. Little did I know that Jordan was there on that same day, as well! “I remember coming around the corner and noticing a large group of Americans, which wasn’t uncommon as Chefchaouen is a touristic town. Suddenly, I noticed Jordan about 20 feet ahead of me, mouth agape – he had seen me too! “We made such a racket as we ran to hug each other that people came out from their homes to see what was going on – a wonderful Cougar reunion across the ocean in a tiny town, and neither of us knew the other was going to be there! Had I not come around that corner, we would have missed each other!”

Andrew Franz is a senior at Washington & Lee majoring in business and accounting. He continues to play for the Generals basketball team. Maddie Jecklin and Sarah Rose are living together in the East Village and working in New York City. Anna Nott has been working as a English teacher’s assistant in Besançon, France since Oct. 1, 2015. She writes, “My presence at the French high school can provide the students’ first contact with a native speaker of the language being taught. I am invited to bring a playful dimension to learning English, so I do my best to bring fun to the classroom. Whether it’s through playing Jeopardy, teaching about subjects like the history of music in America, or notions surrounding the ‘American dream,’ or telling them stories about life in Virginia, I hope to find ways to make learning English more exciting. Whenever I show the students pictures of Collegiate, they are stunned

Continued on page 92

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CLASS NOTES with degrees in finance and marketing. He now lives in Richmond and is selling real estate with RE / MAX Commonwealth. Preston Williams lives in Atlanta and is working with McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm. MARRIED: Will Catterton to Rachel Fraser on Oct. 3, 2015 in Lewisville, TX. Thornton Saffer was the best man.

2012

Matthew Disler, a senior at Harvard, is editor-in-chief of Satire V, a satirical news publication in the style of The Onion. He’s in charge of all of the written content. He writes, “Last summer, I was first at RealClearPolitics, a political news and polling website, where I was doing an editorial internship with the Washington, DC bureau. Then, Strib Walker ’15, a freshman at Princeton, returned to campus this for the second half of the summer, past fall to see his Kindergartner (now 1st Grader), perform in the 1st Grade play. I went to São Paulo, Brazil to conduct research for my senior thesis on government responses to a wave of protests that occurred there in 2013.” by its beauty. One student asked if he could come with Michael Howard was selected by the Chesapeake me to Virginia at the end of the school year! In addition Bayhawks during the Major League Lacrosse draft to interacting with the students, I have enjoyed living in January. He is currently a long stick middie on the in the greenest region of France with its flowery parks, UVA lacrosse team. green forests, and various hiking trails. I have also gotten to experience living and working with other language assistants from all over the world: including Argentina, Germany, Utah and Georgia. “In France, there is an emphasis on the idea of ‘la Ali Moore, a junior at James Madison University, joie de vivre’ (the joy of living) which infiltrates day to participated in JMU’s Washington Semester program day life. This part of French culture can translate into this past fall, which includes taking classes and no school on Wednesday afternoons, stores closing having a full time internship. Ali writes, “I interned every Sunday, or even going on strike to fight for in the Office of the Speaker with Speaker John A. improved working conditions or better hours. Living Boehner and was lucky enough to be asked to stay here has taught me to slow down, enjoy each bite, and on to help assist with the transition to Speaker encourage myself to rest rather than compete. Ryan. My internship started on Sept. 1 and ended While I miss my family and home, I am thankful in mid-December, and I returned to JMU in January. for all this experience has offered me. I have gotten I had the opportunity to get to know Speaker to travel to multiple other cities in France, as well as Boehner personally (see picture).” Berlin, Germany, and Basel, Switzerland, and I hope to visit Florence, Italy before I return to the states in May.” Sam Sharpe, a University of Georgia graduate, is a Phillip Colón is a sophomore at American University risk management account technician at Rutherfoord, studying International Relations with a dual minor a Marsh & McLennan Agency in Richmond. in Chinese Language and Finance. He’s currently an Brant Tullidge is a recent graduate of the Moore intern with Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and School of Business at the University of South Carolina is president of his fraternity, ZBT.

2013

2014

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2015

Drew Colón is on a gap year program in Lohja, Finland through American Field Service. Next year, he will be a freshman at Champlain College in Burlington, VT, where he’ll study environmental policy.

FACULTY UPDATE

On Aug. 8, 2015, retired Collegiate teacher and coach John Moreau was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. According to a story written by Weldon Bradshaw for his Reflections column on our website, “He was recognized for his 25 years of service as a referee to the Atlantic Coast Conference and his NIT and the NCAA tournaments assignments. Hes been a featured speaker at numerous clinics and camps and, in retirement, has been an observer of officials for the Atlantic 10 Conference… He’s officiated in the World Games in several venues – including New Haven, CT – and also in the World Scholar-Athlete Games in Rhode Island, hence the New England connection.” Congratulations, Coach Moreau! To read the complete article on John, visit Weldon Bradshaw’s Reflections page on our website and search for his story that ran on July 17, 2015.

OBITUARIES

Our condolences are offered to these Collegiate families. Ashby B. Allen, father of Ashby Allen ’69, Rebecca Allen ’70 and Charles Allen ’72, died Oct. 23, 2015. Barbara H. Baldwin, mother of Anne Baldwin Jamerson ’78 and Preston Baldwin ’80 and grandmother of George Jamerson ’08 and Ellie Jamerson ’10, died Oct. 4, 2015. Hardin Brotherton ’96, son of Dorothy Reynolds Brotherton ’70 and brother of Lisa Bortherton Pumphrey ’95, died Sept. 10, 2015. Elisabeth S. Brown, former faculty and parent of Wilson Brown ’70 and Laura Brown Cronin ’72, died Sept. 15, 2015.


Louise O.B. Cochrane, mother of Jimmy Cochrane ’71, grandmother of Amy Gilman Remke ’78, Chris Gilman ’82 and Anne Gail Gilman Jennings ’88 and great-grandmother of Justin Schruijer ’17, died Dec. 10, 2015. Ann Murphy Dameron ’43, grandmother of Tayloe Dameron ’12, died Jan. 16, 2016. James L. Doherty, husband of Mary Lou Heindl Doherty ’53 and father of Frank Doherty ’81 and Mary Beth Doherty Poggi ’83, died Dec. 8, 2015.

Frances B. Minor, mother of Ben Minor ’86, died Nov. 14, 2015. Dr. John W. Morgan, father of Kelby Morgan ’91 and Molly Morgan ’92 and grandfather of Kelby Morgan ’24 and Madelyn Morgan ’26, died Nov. 16, 2015. Mary Catherine Overton, mother of Lynn Overton Arvin ’75, John Overton ’76, Kathleen Overton ’80 and Anne Overton ’82, died Feb. 11, 2016.

Coleman D. Figg, father of Drum Figg ’75 and Wyatt Figg ’77, died Feb. 15, 2016.

Charmaine M. Perera, mother of Jeff Perera ’88, Estelle Perera ’92 and Chris Perera ’00, died Jan. 12, 2016.

Frances A.S. Graham, mother of Claude Graham ’76, Anne Graham Mauck ’77, Kate Graham Reynolds ’81 and Trip Graham, died Jan. 1, 2016.

Kenneth A. Randall, father of Shelly Randall Millard ’72, Nancy Randall Mackey ’75 and Tami Randall Relick ’77, died Jan. 26, 2016.

Susan P. Hall, mother of Anne Cary Hall Allen ’74 and grandmother of Cary Allen Whiteside ’99, Will Allen ’03, David Allen ’10 and Russell Harper ’10, died Aug. 30, 2015.

Hubel Robins, Jr., father of Trip Robins ’77 and Raleigh Robins ’79 and grandfather of Justin Robins ’08, Kelsey Robins ’10, Palmer Robins ’15, Sarah Robins ’19 and Will Robins ’21, died Aug. 24, 2015.

John “Jack” S. Hart, father of David Hart ’87, died Jan. 1, 2016. Dorothy “Dot” Honaker, mother of Lisa Honaker Nickel ’79, died Jan. 15, 2015. Bernard M. Kastenbaum, father of Jane Kastenbaum Asch ’73, Bobby Kastenbaum ’74 and Tom Kastenbaum ’77 and grandmother of Jon Kastenbaum ’06, Drew Kastenbaum ’08 and Karl Kastenbaum ’23, died Oct. 26, 2015.

Joyce S. Scher, mother of Jon Scher ’80 and Charley Scher ’83 and grandmother of Owen Scher ’18 and Katie Scher ’20, died Dec. 16, 2015. Dr. L. Thurman Scott, Jr., husband of Ashby Dunn Scott ’56, died June 24, 2015. Jean F. Siff, mother of Bob Siff ’73 and Sara Siff Katzin ’77 and grandmother of Lauren Siff Anderson ’02, died Jan. 23, 2016.

Burnett S. Kastenbaum, mother of Jane Kastenbaum Asch ’73, Bobby Kastenbaum ’74 and Tom Kastenbaum ’77 and grandmother of Jon Kastenbaum ’06, Drew Kastenbaum ’08 and Karl Kastenbaum ’23, died Oct. 3, 2015.

F. Carlyle Tiller, father of Tim Tiller ’80 and Bill Tiller ’82, died Dec. 28, 2015.

Richard A. Makepeace, Sr., father of Richard Makepeace ’76 (deceased), Marcia Makepeace ’77, Walton Makepeace ’80, Douglass Mottley Weeks ’83, David Makepeace ’84 and Helen Makepeace Pruitt ’89 and grandfather of Austin Makepeace ’13, Chandler Makepeace ’13 and Daniel Makepeace ’16, died Feb. 16, 2016.

Patricia W. Twohy, mother of Tricia Twohy Sharpley ’82 and Elizabeth Twohy ’85, died Nov. 3, 2015.

James M. Minor, Jr., father of Ben Minor ’86, died Nov. 13, 2015.

Vinod K. Trehan, father of Tanu Trehan Gulati ’90 and Vinni Trehan ’94, died Feb. 4, 2016.

Larry Wallace ’69, father of Chris Wallace ’93 and Nick Wallace ’00, died Jan. 4, 2016. James H. Whiting, stepfather of Stanton Thalhimer ’82 and Barbara Thalhimer Wiltshire ’84, died Nov. 12, 2015.

ALUMNI Elizabeth Anne Hill Brauer ’42 Betty Long Sale ’42 Ann Lemoine Murphy Dameron ’43 Anne Willson Harrison Eastman ’47 Jane Libby Luck ’59 Emily Watkins Chewning ’63 Julie Maupin Dillon Gibson ’65 Albert Stuart III ’67 Alva Lawrence Wallace ’69 Gray Fitzgerald Eubank ’70 Richard Thomas Shropshire ’83 William Eugene Sullivan IV ’83 Hardin Thomas Brotherton ’96 FORMER FACULTY & STAFF Elisabeth S. Brown died Sept .15, 2015. Elizabeth Rennolds Catron, Girls School English and French teacher, died Jan. 13, 2016. Jon W. Regen, English teacher, died Jan. 25, 2016.

HOW TO REACH US Update Your Info & Write a Class Note www.collegiate-va.org • Sign in on any page. • Your user name is your first name, last name and class year, as in JaneSmith79. • Click on “login help” to receive a temporary password. • Click on your name, then Profile to update your info. Click on Directories to find a friend. Call (800) 522-1915 or (804) 741-9718 E-Mail jwilkins@collegiate-va.org Mail 103 North Mooreland Road Richmond, VA 23229 Find Us on Facebook! Like Collegiate School and friend Cougar Alums Follow Us on Twitter @collegiaterva (school news) @cougarsrva (athletic scores)

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CLASS NOTES

REFLECTIONS Ray Spence Remembers Early Days

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lash back to the ’60s and the funky clothes, long hair “When Collegiate was just getting things together, every private and vegetation-challenged landscape of Collegiate’s school we played would beat us,” said Spence, a defensive end and North Mooreland Road campus. The Boys School was in offensive tackle at LSU in the late ’50’s. “There was one phrase that its infancy and struggling to find its identity, and its ath- I never really liked but had to learn to accept. The opponents, people letic teams were learning that the competition with long-established you knew, would pass by and always say, ‘You all are such good programs brought more character-building moments than victories. sports.’ What that really meant was, ‘Well, we beat you again.’” Dr. Raymond L. Spence, Jr., who arrived in Richmond as pastor Don’t misinterpret. Spence believes wholeheartedly in fair play. of Second Baptist Church in 1962 and quickly became a vital mem- “I wanted to be a good sport,” he continued, “but I wanted to win too. Bit by bit, we became the team that won. It gave me a good inner ber of the Collegiate family, remembers those times quite well.

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feeling when people quit saying that to us. When that changed, I was so happy.” Becoming competitive in athletics isn’t the only change that Spence, a Collegiate School Board of Trustees member from 1971– 1993, has seen during his 50-plus-year association with our school. Today, the facilities are state-of-the art, even opulent. The school has the wherewithal to fund programs that were only dreams in the days when the school operated on a shoestring budget.

Spence has seen Collegiate from pretty much every angle. He was a frequent chapel speaker years ago and taught Bible in the Boys School. He and Ann sent their sons Lee ’79 and Walter ’84 to Collegiate. Walter’s son Bucky is a 2014 graduate. Over the years, he’s attended myriad musical performances, theatrical productions and athletic events and still checks the progress of Collegiate athletics on the sports page. “Actually, less than a shoestring,” Spence said. “I saw us come to the end of the year at times and have less than $1000 in the budget. We had to be very careful how we allocated resources to meet the needs of our faculty and staff. Teachers worked for very little. There was no retirement, no health insurance. The faculty just came and taught. My wife (Ann, a Kindergarten teacher) was one of them. We were glad she was here and glad things worked out as they did.” He recalls other budget-related challenges. “We didn’t always know whether we’d be able to have a certain number of classes,” said Spence, who served as Board chair from 1982-1984. “How many children would be coming to Kindergarten? Would we have three sections or four? What would the numbers be when we added the all-day Kindergarten? Who would come to 9th Grade? Would we have enough students to have a certain number of classes, a certain number of teachers? “That was always a tense time because of the finances. We never had enough money.” Spence recalls the icons who led the school through the early years on North Mooreland Road. Catharine Flippen headed the Collegiate School for Girls on Monument Avenue, then the new Girls

School, and along the way oversaw the move west in the late ’50s. Malcolm U. Pitt, Jr. headed the Boys School in its early days and, when Mrs. Flippen retired in 1972, became the head of the entire Collegiate School. “Mrs. Flippen was a very gracious, intelligent, inclusive lady,” Spence said. “Her leadership was strong enough that she got the point over, but she was never confrontational. Buck Pitt was equally quiet and gracious and got his point over. I was amazed by the lack of rancor that always moved us through those very difficult times. We discussed things, but the disagreements never carried over to the friendships. That, to me, was a high-water mark. Collegiate has been characterized by that spirit through the years.” Over the years, Spence, like so many others, has come to understand that the confluence of leadership excellence set a positive tone for Collegiate. “Things don’t happen because we’re lucky,” he said. “They happen for a purpose. There was a purpose and a reason that Mrs. Flippen and Buck Pitt were here at a time we needed them. Because of their lives and their personalities, Collegiate’s purpose was met.” Spence has seen Collegiate from pretty much every angle. He was a frequent chapel speaker years ago and taught Bible in the Boys School. He and Ann sent their sons Lee ’79 and Walter ’84 to Collegiate. Walter’s son Bucky is a 2014 graduate. Over the years, he’s attended myriad musical performances, theatrical productions and athletic events and still checks the progress of Collegiate athletics on the sports page. An astute observer, he has found that, though much has changed, much remains the same. “I’ve always seen the support for students,” he said. “That attitude still exists. I’m always proud of Collegiate and proud to have been part of Collegiate.” – Weldon Bradshaw

Ray Spence remains busy in retirement. He’s the chairman of the board of the Carmel School. He serves on the executive committee of MEDARVA. He continues to counsel and perform weddings. He loves the outdoors and spends time at the Chesapeake Bay and hunts occasionally. He’s also training a new puppy. “I’m not sure why,” he says, “but I really enjoy it.” This profile was first published on our website in Mr. Bradshaw’s weekly column, Reflections. Visit www.collegiate-va.org/reflections to read more.

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CLASS NOTES

GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT Understanding World Issues through Travel and Study Inspires Action

While Collegiate has been engaged in international activities since the 1960s when we first hosted American Field Service students, this year we’ve wrapped our worldwide travels, studies and service activities into our new Responsible Citizenship initiative. Global Engagement is one of the eight pillars, or Responsible Citizenship components, that make up our cohesive curriculum, crafted to ensure that each student graduates with a solid foundation of scholarship and citizenship. The result of these efforts is a confidence in our young alumni that they can not only navigate the world but also take action or offer thoughtful reflection when they encounter challenges.

Emerging Leaders Conference Continues to Expand Impact

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Alumni Peyton Rowe Melita ’86, Arielle Galston ’12 and Lillian Fu ’12 returned to Collegiate to assist with and add insight into the International Emerging Leaders Conference. Arielle, a senior at William & Mary, spoke at the welcome dinner about the value of international travel and study; Peyton, director of CreateAthon at Virginia Commonwealth University, worked with IELC teams on their DesignPitch presentations; and Lillian talked about her experiences with social entrepreneurship at William & Mary at the DesignPitch event.

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or the fifth year, Collegiate was host in October to 45 international students who came from 11 countries to participate in our International Emerging Leaders Conference (IELC). Students and their teachers arrived, were greeted by their host families and settled in to spend the week working in teams to come up with solutions for environmental challenges in the countries represented. Using the Design Thinking process and expertise shared by professionals at Virginia Commonwealth University’s DaVinci Center for Innovation and Robertson School for Media and Culture, the University of Richmond and WestRock, students created a product and a prototype of it plus branding and messaging to communicate their idea. Their work culminated with a DesignPitch event where each team presented their product idea, prototype and plan for production. In addition, our guests visited classes and shared their cultural traditions at a fair in the Lower School. “Over the past five years, we have built incredible reciprocal relationships with our partner schools around the world,” says Clare Sisisky, Collegiate’s Director of Responsible Citizenship and founder of the IELC. “They continue to send highly engaged and thoughtful


students to represent their countries at IELC, and have created opportunities for us to host forum discussions on challenging topics such as the migrant and refugee crisis that allow all Upper School students to learn with these international visitors. In addition, our students from across our Upper School have been able to participate in new similar programs hosted by these partner schools in India, Mexico, South Africa, China and Italy. The impact of IELC grows every year, not only on our campus but on the unique and challenging opportunities for Collegiate students to connect with their peers from around the world in multiple countries and focused on multiple topics.” Three recent graduates who participated in our International Emerging Leaders Conference have recently been connected to major events happening around the world. Here, they share about what they have seen and what they are doing.

refugees from Syria, as well as from Iraq, Afghanistan, north and sub-Saharan Africa, and other areas of the world, to Europe in the hope of finding a better life. Many of these refugees perish before completing the journey, and rising xenophobia and fear among the international community that extremist elements lurk among incoming refugees have led to sporadic closings of inter-

The Refugee Crisis: Being Part of the Solution by Cole Phillips ’12

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he world is currently facing the largest refugee and displacement crisis since World War II. When most people hear these words, they think of the 4 million Syrians externally displaced because of the civil war in their country, which makes Syria the single largest source of refugees worldwide. The challenges facing these refugees are innumerable, and poor economic conditions in combination with rising tensions between refugees and local communities are serving to marginalize these vulnerable populations even further. While studying abroad in Jordan, I worked for Collateral Repair Project (CRP), an NGO that provides aid to Syrian and Iraqi national borders and a stagnation in resettlement efforts for all refugees in urban areas around Amman. Contrary to the popular refugee populations. Left without reliable international sponsors conception of the Syrian refugee crisis, involving sprawling tent or benefactors, members of the global refugee population are now cities that constitute refugee camps, only 18% of Syrian refugees facing a grim future and this serves as a damning indictment of live in camps in Jordan. In camps, mobility is restricted, economic the international community’s inaction in addressing the plight of opportunities are scarce, and international aid is lessening. Urban the world’s displaced peoples. This past fall, I co-founded the Wesleyan Refugee Project (WRP) refugees living outside of camps receive less media attention and as a result, less funding and aid. In Jordan, food aid for urban at Wesleyan University. Every week, student volunteers work with refugees is now $14 per month at most and has been cut altogether three different organizations: Integrated Refugee and Immigrant multiple times in the past year. As a result, urban refugees are Services (IRIS), helping refugees who have been resettled in New forced to try to find jobs in the black market, and many live day-to- Haven, CT apply for housing and energy subsidy programs; the day on little or no income. However, though the scale of the Syrian refugee crisis is huge, Cole Phillips ’12 (right) became friends with Ahmad Bayer, a Syrian refugee who fled to it is not the only crisis. Displaced populations across the world Jordan in 2012, when Ahmed served as Cole’s interpreter when he was doing research in face similar conditions, and this has given rise to a mass flow of Jordan in August 2015.

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CLASS NOTES International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), working on resettlement applications for Iraqi and Afghan refugees who have worked for the U.S. government and are now, consequently, facing a multitude of threats in their home countries; and Paper Airplanes, pairing Wesleyan students with Syrian refugees to tutor them in English over Skype. We also set up speaker events and panels, organize advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about refugee issues on campus, organize fundraisers for local and international refugee aid organizations, and are currently working on the creation of scholarship funds both at Wesleyan and abroad for Syrian refugee students. However, we do not just focus on the Syrian refugee crisis. With our volunteer programs, we have intentionally sought out diverse opportunities for Wesleyan students to work with refugees from many different countries including Syria, Iraq, Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Afghanistan. We believe that it is important to realize that, though the Syrian refugee crisis may be the largest, there are so many other displaced populations in the world that have escaped international attention, and many of them are even in Middle Eastern host countries where local and international efforts have focused solely on the Syrian crisis. As 2016 begins, it is important to consider the suffering and inhumane treatment endured by all displaced people around the world, and what we can do to help. Donating to international aid organizations and NGOs would restore funds that are needed in order to address the challenges facing refugees worldwide. Advocating for increased resettlement here in the United States and abroad for refugee populations could help convince our elected representatives that accepting the world’s most vulnerable populations into our borders does not, in turn, make us vulnerable to extremism and violence. Instead, by addressing refugee crises at their core and expanding aid and resettlement efforts, the social and economic deprivation of refugees are minimized. These are the reasons why marginalized people are drawn into extremist ideologies, and they can be at least partly addressed if we, as a nation, decide to open up our borders and our hearts.

Cole, a senior at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, lived in Jordan during the fall of 2014 and summer of 2015. He is a Government major (international politics concentration) and will also receive certificates (minors) in Middle Eastern Studies and International Relations. To get involved with humanitarian efforts to aid refugees: www.collateralrepairproject.org WRP’s education fund set up by Wesleyan students to send a Syrian refugee to university in Jordan: www.crowdrise.com/wesleyanrefugeeproje /fundraiser/colephillips

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A Visit to Beirut

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hile back at Collegiate to speak at the International Emerging Leaders Conference welcome dinner, Arielle Galston ’12 met Lucia Mock, a teacher at our partner school in Beirut, Lebanon, who invited Arielle to visit in January. Arielle, a senior in the University of St A ndrews-College of William & Mary Joint Degree Programme, took her up on the offer and traveled to Beirut in January. “While there, I was able to see different parts of Beirut, but the most memorable experience was accompanying students from American Community School (ACS), where Lucia works, to a refugee camp. On Saturdays, a few girls from ACS go to the camp to teach English to Syrian girls ages 5-13. Many of these girls have been out of formal schooling for Syrian girls in Beirut open letters from years due to the war. Collegiate 4th Graders. It was a great experience to not only see Beirut, but also see what it is like to live and teach abroad.” Prior to Arielle’s trip, Collegiate seniors from the IELC program gathered materials to send with her as a donation to the school. “I flew over with two large duffle bags packed full with items Collegiate students and others donated. These items included letters to the Syrian refugee girls and more than 70 socks, hats, gloves, scarfs, sweaters, spiral notebooks, pencils and math workbooks. When the girls opened the letters and saw the drawings they got so excited. With the help of the ACS student teachers, the girls practiced reading and writing responses. In the letters, Collegiate students included their names, where they go to school, and a few words of encouragement. I brought the letters back with me to deliver to the 4th Grade class and one ACS student hopes to continue correspondence between the two groups.”


Near the Paris Attacks by Madelyne Ashworth ’13

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t around 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, I go out to get a take-away dinner for a night in. Around 10 p.m. during my quiet night watching Netflix, I get a message from a friend in the US asking if I’m okay. A few seconds later I become aware of a chorus of sirens from outside my building and really in every direction I can hear. At 10:30 p.m. I am calling my mom to tell her that I’m safe, inside, away from any explosions or shootings. I’m alone in my host mom’s apartment as she has gone away for the weekend to visit friends, watching a never-ending breaking news feed on her French television and I realize I am only 1.5 miles from one of the attacks. It’s a long night. After staying inside for the past couple days as recommended by the French government, I start to get the sense that it wasn’t really real. That it must be happening somewhere else, somewhere far away that could only reach me from a news station, or that it was just a dream. On Sunday, Nov. 15, I leave my apartment taking the metro to a stop near Bastille and walk to 92 Rue de Charonne. A huge crowd surrounds La Belle Equipe, a bar and café, and now the site of a terrorist attack. Flowers, candles, signs and notes are placed on the sidewalk while reporters take pictures and film. I join them. Dozens of people walk up to the memorial to light candles,

leave flowers and bouquets, and say prayers. There are notes of outrage, confusion and upset, but mostly notes of love. There is a lot of love. People embrace and cry, many stand by themselves in silence. I take as many pictures as I can without disturbing anyone’s personal space and back away from the crowd to look at the rest of the block. Cars and bikes move along the road to continue their days as usual, all the other streets appear as normal as ever. However, on the adjacent storefront window, I spot two large holes in the glass, epicenters of spider weblike cracks whose glassy fibers create tangible evidence of what happened here two nights ago. It’s real for me now. Someone who wanted those bullet holes to be more than empty reminders of tragedy put a rose in the broken glass, instead making it look like the flower caused the rupture in the window. In the other one, someone hung a little sign saying “Tous Ensemble” – all together. Next I walk over to the Bataclan, which isn’t easy. After stopping for a while to watch a crowd with white roses walk to La Belle Equipe, I find the concert hall, just a 15-minute walk from the café. The entire block is taped off and guarded by police and military personnel while news teams, both local and international, crowd the street in front of the tape. Trying to see over everyone, I watch a small group of people being escorted from behind the barrier as they hold flowers and candles. They begin a small memorial on their side. I can only imagine why they are given special permission behind police blockades.

Madelyne Ashworth ’13 places a candle at one of the Paris attack sites.

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CLASS NOTES After visiting both memorials, I have had enough. I walk back into the metro to go home and find myself sitting next to a beautiful young woman with dark hair. She is crying. But she smiles at me when I sit and I smile back. She has a brief phone conversation, looks at the picture of a baby boy on her lock screen, and we sit in silence while she quietly sniffles and stares at the couple across from us holding hands while I stare at her small feet. I have the urge to place my hand on her arm. Before I can, she gets up at the next stop, presses the button, and walks out the door. Madelyne is a junior at The George Washington University majoring in journalism and mass communications and minoring in French. She was spending a semester in Paris with Academic Programs Abroad-Paris and taking classes within Paris’ public university system.

2. 4th Grade Immigration Unit Service-Learning Project with Ridge Elementary School Carolyn Villanueva’s 4th Grade class has piloted this project which has included a speaker series of recent immigrants and refugees designed to foster empathy of the experience of being a new arrival in the United States. The students also interviewed staff at the Tuckahoe Y and refugee students and parents from Ridge Elementary School and identified warm clothes as a need. They organized a coat and hat drive as well a cultural and learning exchange where the Bhutanese students from Nepal shared their culture and experiences with the Collegiate students (songs, stories etc.), and our students asked them to take the coats and hats back to their school as an appreciation for them coming to Collegiate as “teachers.”

3. Saturday Academy at Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School

Off Campus Activities Offer Perspective, Opportunities to Serve Others

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ollegiate students have been learning about the experience of moving to another country, learning a new language, finding work and making a home far away from one’s homeland, and they’ve found meaningful ways to serve this population in Richmond. Clare Sisisky, our Director of Responsible Citizenship, describes how our involvement has evolved: “During the summer of 2015, leaders from the Tuckahoe YMCA approached Collegiate about forming a partnership to serve the growing refugee population in the surrounding area. They approached Collegiate because they needed committed volunteers with cross-cultural communication skills and because our institution values teaching our students to become global citizens. We hope to grow this partnership into a collaborative and sustainable service-learning program for Collegiate students and local refugee students in Richmond.” The partnership with the Tuckahoe Y has blossomed in the last few months, and, through collaborative meetings to understand their needs in serving the refugee population in partnership with Henrico County Public Schools and sharing our educational goals for our citizenship programs, we have co-designed three pilot programs.

In recent years, the community served by Oak Grove-Bellemeade, a longtime Collegiate partner, has seen a dramatic increase in English Language Learner students, coming primarily from recent refugee and immigrant families from Honduras and Guatemala. The program partners very recent refugee or immigrant students one-on-one with a Collegiate tutor who uses a mixture of Spanish language and English language to teach. Other students with a basic foundation are placed in small groups with a Collegiate student to work on an more advanced ESL curriculum. The whole group is also led in a mixture of games, physical activity, and lifeskills lessons by Collegiate students who design the curriculum with their AP Spanish teacher.

1. STAR (Serving Teens Academically and Recreationally) afterschool service learning program with a group of our Upper School students and Byrd Middle School sixth-eighth graders. The program includes lessons related to life-skills and resettlement in the United States, homework help with a focus on English language skills and physical activity such as basketball.

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Collegiate Senior works with two students on homework at the Oak Grove-Bellemeade Saturday Academy.


PARTING SHOT The Old School Bell by Alex Smith ’65

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n the 19th and early 20th centuries, schools were often opened and closed by the ringing of a large handheld bell. The bell handle was made of hardwood; the bell itself was brass with a steel clapper. Also, the ringing of that same bell often brought far flung children back to the classroom from recess. At the Collegiate School for Girls on Monument Avenue, this same bell process was very much in play. Helen Tanner ’49 remembers a push-button bell starting to ring as she was scampering down a Park Avenue sidewalk en route to school. Helen was known for being “a little late” and was often given reprieve by Rebecca, who extended the ringing until Helen made it to class. Betty Shewmake Johannessen ’50 remembers a handheld bell rung by Pearl and Rebecca. The bell was also used for recess and changing of classes. Motorized bells came later. According to Missy Herod ’72, the handheld bell was still used here on Mooreland Road in the then Girls School, but only for recess. There were large open spaces behind present day Flippen and Pitt Halls where the bell was needed to round up game-playing little girls. Missy remembers the bell ringers to be Mrs. Goddin, Mrs. Abbe, Mrs. Miles, Mrs. Jett, Mrs. Higginbothem and Mrs. Ferneyhough. As the years passed, the play areas got smaller and the bell became less used. The last time I saw the bell was on Anne Jones’ front hall countertop holding down a stack of papers. Today, the bell lives with Ben Lamb in the Julia Williams Study and Archives Center located in the Saunders Family L ibra r y i n t he Sha r p A c adem ic Commons. A s we “ r i n g i n” t he New Ye a r and bring closure to our marvelous Centennial year, this bell is a symbol for all those who have gone before us.


103 North Mooreland Road Richmond, Virginia 23229

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Richmond, VA Permit No. 1714

All Hands on Shovels

Winter Storm Jonas covered the Collegiate campus in January with 14 inches of snow. While most faculty, staff and students enjoyed three days hibernating at home, our physical plant snow team put forth a Herculean effort to clear our sidewalks, parking lots and roads. Thank you to the crew who made getting around campus safe for everyone upon our return by picking up shovels and climbing aboard snow removal equipment: Robert Moore, Allison Moyer, Robyn Hartley, A.J. Johnson, J.P. DiGiacomo, Bryant Logan, Bryan Voltz, Carroll Campbell, Spencer Evans, Tyrone Peakes, Paul Teeples, Douglas Johnson, Kenny Hazelwood, Mikey Carter, Tito Fortis, George Cooke, brothers Jesse and James Garrant, and Wilbur Athey.


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