Forte et Gratum Columbus School for Girls Spring 2022 IN THIS ISSUE: A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP Celebrating our 13th Head of School, Jennifer Ciccarelli A LIFETIME OF TEACHING, LEARNING, AND LEADING Recognizing Carolyn Thomas Christy ’60 as Alumna of the Year LOOKING TO THE FUTURE A conversation with Incoming Head of School, Camille FRONTSealsAND CENTER After a season of virtual performances, CSG Thespians take back the stage Stronger Together: where leadership and innovation connect
Visit www.columbusschoolforgirls.org to connect with CSG on social media.
2 LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL 4 LETTER FROM THE BOARD CHAIR 5 SIGNIFICANTLY CSG 10 FACULTY AND STAFF NEWS 14 Q&A WITH DR. EMILY KRICHBAUM, THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR GIRLS’ AND YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP 16 BANDING TOGETHER 20 FRONT AND CENTER: CSG THESPIANS TAKE BACK THE STAGE IN THIS ISSUE SPRING 2022 Forte et Gratum On the cover: Form V students Parker Thomas, left, and Rickena Truesdale during Scholarship Walk Pictured here: The Class of 2021 22 Q&A WITH INCOMING HEAD OF SCHOOL, CAMILLE SEALS 26 SENIOR DAY 2021 28 Q&A WITH CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER, LEISAN SMITH 30 BEYOND THE CLASSROOM 31 THE ABCS OF CSG’S ANNUAL FUND 34 CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2021 40 CLASS NEWS
letter I have had to write in my eight years at CSG. I have never been good at goodbyes—not even little ones. I have preferred to pretend that I am not going to be separated for even a small amount of time from those I love. It is hard to think about leaving not only so many people I have come to love, but also a place and a community that I have come to appreciate. I am filled to the brim with gratitude for all that CSG has done for me, both professionally and personally. Most importantly, it has been the people of this amazing school for which I am most grateful.
When I first came to CSG, I was struck by the degree to which our faculty and staff are committed to the collective thriving of students. When I visited CSG as a candidate for Head of School, I sensed right away—and this sense has never wavered—that a CSG teacher will go to the ends of the earth for a student. Of course, Chad and I have experienced this commitment firsthand. Our daughter, Perry, has been shaped by these extraordinary professionals. She is a bookloving, algebraic puzzle-solving, baritone-playing swimmer and coder because of the way she has been supported, encouraged, and pushed by her teachers! The faculty is always willing to be flexible, to try new ways of supporting a scholar, to work together for the betterment of our program. The CSG faculty is second to none, and I have often been awed by and deeply grateful for their commitment!
CSG’s staff, who create the conditions for our faculty to do their best work, deserve my gratitude, too: They are sometimes unsung, but they are just as committed to our mission as are the faculty, and our school would not be the place it is without them.
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CSG’s administrative team has been the best group of people I have ever had the privilege of working with. They are wise, strategic, thoughtful, fun, and they always put the students first. As a group, they support one another and work tirelessly to support CSG. I have learned so much from them and with From left to right, Chad Perry, Jennifer Ciccarelli, and Perry Ciccarelli ’28
One of my first experiences with the CSG parent community came, as one might expect, when I was interviewing. A parent who was showing me around Columbus opined that it would be wonderful to have a Head of School with a daughter in the school. In that moment, as a professional woman who worried about the perception that my family would impede my ability to excel at my job, I knew that the CSG community was the right one for me. CSG parents are fiercely committed to our school, and I have benefited from their kindness, their perspective, and their advice. I am so grateful for all of the ways they have supported me and, especially, CSG. The school is stronger for it, and I am proud to call myself a CSG parent.
SCHOOLThisisthehardest
EX OFFICIO Jennifer Ciccarelli P’28, Head of School Michael Glimcher P’14, P’20 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2021–2022 CSG STAFF Amy Borntrager P’34, Chief Development Officer Julie Eikenberry, Chief Financial Officer Chelsea Woods ’00, Director of Enrollment Management them—what a gift! I am also deeply grateful to the Board of Trustees. They, too, are an amazing group of people who volunteer their time—often a lot of it—to support our school. They do so with deep caring, good humor, and a collective sense of responsibility for the CSG of 100 years from now. They have challenged my thinking, encouraging me to take bold steps on behalf of the school, and supported the strategic direction that we charted together even in really difficult times. I could not possibly ask for a better group of partners! I owe so much to CSG’s students, past and present. It is often said—and is so true—that it is easy to identify a CSG student. Each one is smart, thoughtful, opinionated, and empowered to share those opinions. They also possess a true love of learning that is a joy to behold! Embodying CSG’s motto, strength and grace, CSG students and alumnae have taught me so much about standing up for what is right, for speaking my truth, and for being unapologetic in doing both. Of all the lessons I have learned at CSG, it is those that were taught by students that I will remember most vividly and with deepest appreciation. Thank you, CSG community, for all that you have given to our family. As we leave this wonderful school, we do so knowing that we take a little forte et gratum with us: We are forever grateful!
Jennifer Ciccarelli Head of School
Liza Kessler ’86, Board Chair Steve Falk P’18, P’22, Secretary Lacey Greenwalt ’04 Denise Page Hood ’70 Taylor Lint ’11 Chris Olsen P’30, P’32, Nominating & Board Governance Chair David Paragas P’20, Diversity Chair Brandi Slaughter ’95 Anne Jeffrey Wright ’70 Lisa Young P’21, Treasurer and Finance Chair
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Jennifer has led with CSG’s mission to empower girls to discover their distinct potential as learners and leaders as her North Star. With Jennifer at the helm, our strategic plan, created in 2016 and completed this year, has positioned CSG to inspire future generations of female leaders.
Thanks to Jennifer’s foresight and strategic leadership, CSG stands ready to transition to a new era that will continue our school’s upward trajectory. Please join me in celebrating and thanking Jennifer for the strong legacy she leaves at CSG.
LETTER FROM OUR BOARD
Dear CSG Community, CSG moves forward with confidence because of the foundation that Head of School, Jennifer Ciccarelli, built since her tenure began with us in 2014.
Jennifer supported best practices for our academics and was dedicated to creating the environment necessary to build upon and support our talented team. She prioritized revamping our hiring process to build equity and ensure we were attracting the best additions to our academic community. The ability to provide competitive compensation depends on fiscal health. Jennifer’s focus on fundraising firmed up our revenue sources, giving us the ability to attract and retain talented faculty and staff, optimize our tuition assistance program, and invest in cutting edge programming and facilities.
Jennifer also completed the facilities portion of our strategic plan, including an audit to determine short- and long-term campus needs. By addressing our physical spaces with faculty, staff, and students, she worked to carry out a variety of initiatives designed to put CSG on the path to continued success.
Jennifer believes passionately in our faculty and staff and their critical roles in touching the minds and hearts of our students. To that end, she led the implementation of a professional development program, as well as the creation of a comprehensive feedback and evaluation system. A core part of the strategic plan also focused on compensation to keep our school competitive with other educational institutions and retain our world-class team.
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Forte et Gratum,CHAIRElizabeth P. Kessler ’86 Chair of the Board of Trustees Board Chair, Elizabeth P. Kessler ’86
Jennifer’s work to build upon CSG’s academic excellence cements our school’s image as a premier institution among independent schools in central Ohio and beyond. One of her notable accomplishments has been the creation of a global studies program. She also strengthened reading, writing, digital, numeracy, and problem solving to ensure every student has the foundation necessary for lifelong learning.
Members of the Class of 2021 inducted into The Cum Laude Society
The 2021 guest of honor and speaker was former CSG Director of Marketing & Communications, Brittany Westbrook ’98. Ms. Westbrook in her speech talked about the reality of racism and discrimination and students’ ability to create positive change.
Ten members of Columbus School for Girls’ Class of 2021 were inducted into The Cum Laude Society during a ceremony in the Agnes Jeffrey Shedd Theater on May 7, 2021. Sydney Anderson ’21, Isha Chabria ’21, Jonah Feinberg ’21, Sofia Feinberg ’21, Maya Garg ’21, Parker Hearst ’21, Caroline Kromalic ’21, Mara Sims ’21, Natalie Tangeman ’21, and Olivia Westley-Sherman ’21, were presented certificates and membership pins by Upper School Director, Dr. Kellen Graham. National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes five CSG 2022 seniors
Five CSG seniors earned accolades in September from the National Merit Scholarship Program as National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Scholars. Semifinalists are those students who scored in the top 1% of all students in Ohio who took the 2020 PSAT, and Commended Students scored in the top 3%. We extend our warmest congratulations to these Cynthiastudents:Alexander, National Merit Semifinalist
Inaya Fatima Hussain, National Merit Semifinalist Evelyn McCarthy, National Merit Commended Scholar Carly Priest, National Merit Commended Scholar Reilly Shackelford, National Merit Semifinalist
From left to right, Class of 2021 seniors Sydney Anderson ’21, Natalie Tangeman ’21, Olivia Westley-Sherman ’21, Sofia Feinberg ’21, Maya Garg ’21, Caroline Kromalic ’21, Parker Hearst ’21, Mara Sims ’21, Jonah Feinberg ’21, and Isha Chabria ’21
From left to right, Reilly Shackelford ’22, Inaya Fatima Hussain ’22, Carly Priest ’22, Evelyn McCarthy ’22, and Cynthia Alexander ’22 2021-2022
“You have the voice, the persistence, and hopefully with one another the relationships you need; I can’t wait to see what you do with all of it,” she said.
Significantly CSG
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Capital University selects four CSG students for Junior Winds and Cadet Band
Mandarin IV students pictured with Mr. Papp on Zoom
Form V honors Indigenous Peoples’ Day with land acknowledgment statement
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This past September, students in faculty member Ping Wu’s Mandarin IV class had the opportunity to meet a founder of a Beijing-based premium tea brand. The class talked virtually with Martin Papp, founder of Papp’s tea. Born and raised in Colorado, Mr. Papp first visited China as a foreign exchange student and was briefly on a Chinese talent show as a musician before becoming a tea entrepreneur. The students talked to Mr. Papp as part of a larger study of the history of manufacturing in China, foreigners doing business in China, and changes in the Chinese business world.
This past October, Form V honored the contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples in the U.S. with a formal statement recognizing the American tribes that were the original inhabitants of the land. The students had been studying history and culture from different Native American regions, from the Plains to the Arctic to the Southwest. With guidance from Lower School faculty member Casey Pritchard, the students drafted their statement during their annual Week in the Woods. In their statement, they recognize that they gathered on Indigenous lands of Hopewell and Adena cultures, as well as the Shawnee, Miami, Potawatomi, Delaware, Peoria, Seneca, Wyandotte, Ojibwe, and Cherokee tribes. CSG, according to their statement, specifically sits on land surrendered in the Treaty of Greenville in 1795 and land in which tribes were forcibly removed in 1830. The students committed to preserving the land by respecting its creatures, planting more trees, and keeping it clean.
Form V works on their statement at Cynthia’s Woods.
Four outstanding Unicorns have hit high notes in their musical careers. Caz Lonzo ’24, Olivia Malloy ’26, Simone Dean ’28, and Lily Bornino ’26 this past September were selected to join the Junior Winds and Cadet Band at Capital University. Bringing together musicians from schools across central Ohio, these ensembles perform challenging band repertoire.
Significantly CSG Mandarin IV explores business in China
Left to right: Caz Lonzo ’24, Olivia Malloy ’26, Simone Dean ’28, and Lily Bornino ’26
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This past October Lower School students got a crash course in all things creepy crawly, thanks to Mark Berman, also known as the Bugman. Mr. Berman shared videos and stories about insects, including the 17-year-cicadas that emerged in the late spring of 2021. He also shared with students a little about how the message of respect applies to analyzing nature: The word comes from Latin, meaning “look again”.
Upper School students deliver newest issue of Silhouette
Mark Berman, AKA the Bugman, teaches Lower School about insects
Significantly CSG
Mark Berman (the Bugman) leads a spirited lesson on bugs with Lower School students.
Lower School celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Señora Knotts.
The spring issue of CSG’s student-run Upper School newspaper highlighted a feature introducing incoming Head of School, Camille Seals. The issue also looked at Black history at CSG and the Culture of Indian Culture Club. Students also explored changes to the school’s uniform policy and the school-wide trip to the Columbus Zoo.
In September, Lower and Middle School Spanish faculty member Señora Rocío Knotts led a special assembly for Lower School students highlighting the work of Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space. Señora Knotts, who is an Argentine native, illustrated Ellen Ochoa’s story by reading The Astronaut With a Song for the Stars by Julia Finley Mosca. She also brought several beautiful pieces of artwork from South America, including three artisan arpilleras, which are brightly colored patchwork textile pictures that illustrate life in parts of Peru. She also brought a mate set, including a cup, a straw, and loose tea leaves. Mate is a South American drink that is traditionally shared among a group of friends or family.
Lower School celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Significantly CSG
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CSG community takes part in inaugural Service Weekend Our community came together to participate in a day of service Saturday, November 20. Participants gave of their time by volunteering at local food pantries, working outdoors in a community garden, and tidying Bexley’s Alum Creek community trail. Junior Conductors Emma Spangler ’22 and Zydeco Lamaze ’22 conducted the Fall Concert this past November, featuring the Middle School and Upper School Bands and US Select Winds Trio. Juniors or Seniors in the Upper School Band Class must audition for the honorary title of Junior Conductor. In the class, students learn about techniques for conducting, and then are invited to audition by trying their hand at conducting their classmates. Those who earn the Junior Conductor title typically also conduct CSG concerts.
Junior Conductors lead Middle- and Upper School Fall Band Concert
Let’s go Unies! On November 19, 2021, CSG kicked off its inaugural Winter Sports Extravaganza. The night was a celebration of student athletic prowess, with multiple events happening on campus at once. Our Unicorns stepped up and took Varsitycharge.Basketball gave it their all and won a challenging game, and Middle School Basketball was also victorious on the court. Our Unies don’t just dominate on land, though. Over in the pool, Swim and Dive expertly performed in their exhibition meet. Talk about making waves! The pool and gym were packed with fans, and Form II cheerleaders kept the energy alive with some enthusiastic red and gold cheers. The evening was also a celebration of community, with a book fair, food trucks, fun games, and the pop-up Unicorner store. We were grateful for the opportunity to join together and watch our students shine. Seeing Red (and Gold) Middle- and Upper School students perform in Agnes Jeffrey Shedd Theater.
Violet Demko-Garcha ’23, US and MS Faculty and Coach Genelle Castro, Brett Earles, Anne Jeffrey Wright ’70, Caspian Earles ’25, and Virginia Brown clean up Alum Creek. (Not pictured: US Director Dr. Kellen Graham.)
The Form II cheer squad peps up the crowd in the Crane Gym.
Middle School Cross Country Team finishes 1st in MSL Championship
Winning back-to-back championships for the past two seasons, CSG’s Middle School Cross Country team ran an amazing race to finish first in the Mid State League Championship meet on October 16, 2021. The team earned a score of 28 at Whitehall Community Park.
CSG basketball player Lauren Sloan earns Sportsmanship Award Lauren Sloan ’22 earned the Steve Hall Sportsmanship Award during her junior year in February 2021. The award is for any student who exemplifies sportsmanship and dedication to their basketball program, the advancement of basketball, and excellence in the classroom. Lauren was nominated for her hard-working, dedicated, and selfless attitude and her propensity to continually put the needs of her team above her own.
Form X runner competes at the state level Mira Martin ’24 Middle School Cross Country Team
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Swim & Dive Team
SWIM & DIVE Julianne Aslaner ’22 Anja Fleege ’22 Olivia Morse ’23 Riley Murphy ’22 Bethany Spangler ’24 Gabrielle Yuan ’23
Swimming & Diving Team named MSL Champs After a long, dominating meet on January 29, 2022, CSG’s Swimming & Diving team was named the 2022 Mid State League champions.
Form IX golfer Kristina Ma finishes 3rd at OHSAA Division II State Golf Championship Kristina Ma ’25 earned a third-place finish in October 2021 at the OHSAA Division II State Golf KristinaChampionship.shota77in the final round, for a total of 151. Her performance earned her the distinction of First Team All Ohio.
CSG athletes earn MSL recognition A bevy of CSG student-athletes were recognized as First Team All-MSL student-athletes this past fall and winter:
Lauren Sloan ’22 Kristina Ma ’25 Mira Martin ’24 competed in November 2021 in the OHSAA Division II State Cross Country Meet at Obetz Fortress, finishing 65th out of 180 with a time of 19:54. To qualify for the state meet, Mira finished 16th at Regionals with a time of 21:13.
CROSS COUNTRY Mira Martin ’24 GOLF Kristina Ma ’25 Player of the Year Emma Kim ’23 Madi Kim ’24 SOCCER Avery Miller ’24 Emma Spangler ’22 Annie Wagenbrenner ’23 TENNIS Becca Hoffman ’23 BASKETBALL Emma Spangler ATHLETICS’22 HIGHLIGHTS
AND STAFF NEWS
AnnieGenelleSmithCastroRuefle
Dr. Emily Krichbaum, CSG’s Director for the Center for Girls’ and Young Women’s Leadership, had a chapter this past winter on Elizabeth Cady Stanton published by the University of Notre Dame Press. It was a busy year for Emily—she also: • Was named Director of The Center for Girls’ and Young Women’s Leadership, a CSG program designed to help girls and young women find their voice and know their power; and
• Was selected as a fellow for the National Endowment for the Humanities’ 2021 Summer Institute, “Women and Colonization: Early Encounters in the American Colonies,” hosted by the New York Historical Society, Museum & Library.
Bill Miller (whose proposal was approved in 2019 but whose trip was postponed due to COVID-19) will visit the convergent sites of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism in Spain to study the eras in which these three religions have peacefully co-existed, thus serving as potential models of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the modern world. Stephanie Nelson will travel to South Africa to conduct field work on the African Penguin population, survey the Blue Crane population, and tour important historical sites related to the country’s apartheid years.
Over the past two years, we had to say goodbye to three faculty and staff members who each worked hard to better CSG. Library Assistant & Textbook Coordinator, Debbie Yoho and Administrative Assistant to College Counseling/Registrar, Kathleen (Kate) Newland retired in 2020, and Director of Libraries and Strategic Research, Dr. Linda Swarlis retired in 2021. We wish them well in their future endeavors and will miss them here at CSG!
Annie Ruefle , Lower School Librarian at CSG, in October 2021 attended and presented at a conference held by the American Association of School Librarians in Salt Lake City, Utah. She led a session called “The Boldness of Collaboration: A Librarian’s Guide to Connections, Creativity, and Community.” This conference is held every two years in various parts of the country, and about 2,000 school librarians attend. Leisan Smith, Chief Equity Officer at CSG, was selected to join the Class of 2022 at the African American Leadership Academy (AALA). The Academy is a community-based leadership development program that works to expand the number of African American leaders who excel in their professions and engage in community service in central FACULTYOhio.
Dr. Emily Krichbaum Leisan
Julie Biswas Leigh Kane Bill Miller Stephanie Nelson CSG says farewell to three retirees
Debbie Yoho Kate Newland Dr. Linda Swarlis
US Soccer Coach Genelle Castro, who is also the Middle and Upper School Health & Phys. Ed. Instructor, in January 2022 earned the EIS Sportsmanship Award for the 2021 season. Coaching peers and officials within the Central District (Divisions 1, 2 and 3) nominated and voted for her.
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A handful of incredible faculty members earned CSG’s 2022 Faculty Study/Travel Grants: Julie Biswas will travel to Oregon and Washington to observe and collect data on gray whales and hike and collect data in various national parks. Leigh Kane will travel to Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park to enhance her teaching of the Form II “Our Changing Landscapes” curriculum.
Grace Najmulski | LS Mandarin Part-Time
Meet our new community members below:
NEW FACULTY AND STAFF
CSG welcomes new faculty and staff
Grace Najmulski Rocío Knotts
Beth Chaudry | US History Part-Time Beth spent her middle and upper school years attending the Kent Place School, an all-girls independent school in Summit, NJ. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Yale University and completed her Master of Arts in Teaching, with a concentration in social studies, at Boston University. She brings five years of experience teaching Upper School social studies, as well as her most recent experience developing curriculum for an online educational platform. Beth’s personal, educational, and professional experience align with the goals and mission of CSG, and she is excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the teaching staff.
Jacqueline DeMarco | Aquatics Director & Unicorn Sports Coordinator Jacque earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology and religious studies from Colgate University and completed her master’s degree in sports management from the State University of New York at Cortland. She brings over ten years of experience coaching collegiate-level field hockey. Most recently, she has held the position of Head Field Hockey Coach at Kenyon College, where she was also the Title IX Coordinator and a Physical Education/Health Instructor. She sits on the NCAA Division III Sports Committee and has a long list of coaching accomplishments to date. Jacque excels at the challenge of planning and monitoring program success and looks forward to collaborating with her new colleagues to enhance the overall student experience at CSG.
Rocío Knotts | LS/MS Spanish Faculty Rocío earned her bachelor’s degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages from the Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto in Argentina and completed her master’s degree in world language education, with a concentration in linguistics and Spanish, at West Virginia University. She brings over fifteen years of experience teaching English as a second language in addition to
Brittany Harrison | MS/US Counselor
This school year, we welcomed new faculty and staff members who join us with an exceptional depth and breadth of knowledge, from critical care nursing to computer science and beyond. Some of the roles they fill have existed for decades, while others are brand new (like Lower School Mandarin and Digital Media). Together, they are helping to enhance and expand the CSG experience both in the classroom and in the community.
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Corey Baker
Corey Baker | Director of Library Services Corey earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and education from Swarthmore College and completed his master’s degree in library and information sciences, with a dual concentration in reference and user services and archives, at the University of Denver. He brings almost ten years of experience as a middle school librarian at Keys School and an upper school librarian at Milton Academy. Corey has used his role as librarian to enhance academic programs and build curiosity, and he looks forward to continuing this work at CSG.
Brittany Harrison Dr. Alicia Miklos
Beth JacquelineChaudryDeMarco
Brittany earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and her master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Akron. She brings five years of experience as an administrative assistant at Hathaway Brown School. During her time there, Brittany supported the integration of the Aspire Program and completed her Master’s Practicum, shadowing and assisting Hathaway Brown’s Middle School Counselor. She has also completed two six-month internships with Shaker Heights Middle School and Twinsburg High School.
Grace earned her bachelor’s with a double major in Chinese literature and language and Japanese studies from Middlebury College. She brings her experience as a beginning and intermediate level instructor and tutor for the Middlebury College Chinese Department. Grace has a passion for teaching the younger generation and instilling within them a belief that they can do anything they set their minds to.
Dr. Alicia Miklos | US Spanish Faculty
Alicia earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Ohio University. She then completed her master’s degree in Spanish, Latin American and peninsular literatures, cultures, and linguistics, and her Ph.D. in contemporary Latin American literatures and cultures, with a minor in women, gender, and sexuality studies, both from the Ohio State University. She brings over five years of experience as an assistant professor of Spanish at Texas Tech University and served as a long-term Spanish substitute at CSG for the 2019-2020 school year. Alicia looks forward to the opportunity to engage in student-centered learning and mentor beginning to advanced Spanish students.
Casey Pritchard | LS Faculty Casey earned her bachelor’s degree in adolescent young adult education and creative writing from Miami University. She brings almost five years of experience in student teaching and assistant teaching. She also taught Form V social studies at CSG for the 2020-21 academic year. Casey believes that the integration of historical and 21st-century content sparks thoughtful classroom conversations about inequality, justice, and progress, and she is excited to continue these conversations at CSG.
Elise Skaggs | Executive Assistant to the Head of School Elise earned her bachelor’s degree in strategic communications as well as a bachelor’s degree in viola performance from Miami University. She also earned a master’s degree in viola performance and violin/viola pedagogy. Prior to coming to CSG, Elise served as Lead Copywriter at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus. She joined CSG in August of 2019 as Administrative Assistant to Middle School and became Executive Assistant to the Head of School in January of this year.
Emily Krichbaum | Director of the Center for Girls’ and Young Women’s Leadership
Emily earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Malone University. She went on to earn her master’s degree in American history and American women’s history and Doctor of Philosophy degree in American history, African-American history, and American Women’s history from Case Western Reserve University. For ten years, Emily taught at Ashland University, where she received both Female Faculty Member of the Year and multiple Mentor of the Year awards. At CSG, Emily has also served as History Department Chair since October of 2019.
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Kelly Privette ’16 | Digital Media Coordinator Kelly is a CSG graduate from the class of 2016 and earned her bachelor’s degree in new media & digital design, economics, and creative writing from Fordham University at Lincoln Center. She brings two years of experience as Fordham University’s Digital Manager for Branding, where she created branded informational materials and merchandise for prospective students. Kelly is excited to be back and to help share CSG’s best stories on social media to embrace and expand the CSG community.
Jennifer Price, RN, BSN | School Nurse
teaching Spanish. Rocío believes in the value of creating real-life situations for students to practice Spanish and looks forward to using this lesson plan strategy at CSG.
NEW FACULTY AND STAFF
Will Sierzputowski
Jennifer earned her Associate Degree of Nursing from the Central Ohio Technical College and completed her Bachelor of Science in nursing at the Chamberlain College of Nursing. She brings over fifteen years of experience as a registered nurse. Most recently she served as a clinical team lead RN, developing and leading school nursing services at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She has previously worked in both New Albany and Licking Heights Local Schools, and served as a substitute school nurse at CSG from 2013-2015. Jennifer is excited for the opportunity to bring her knowledge and passion for school nursing to work at CSG.
Jennifer Price Ben Simon Casey Pritchard Elise Skaggs Kelly Privette Dr. Emily Krichbaum
William Sierzputowski | US Computer Science Will is a graduate of the Wellington School and earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering education from Ohio Northern University. He brings two years of experience as a college math tutor and STEM curriculum developer for ONU. As a curriculum developer, Will created lesson plans for high school- and college-level courses that focused on integrating engineering content and design processes into standard mathematics curricula. Will is heavily invested in the future of STEM education. In particular, he is interested in leading after-school activities such as robotics, esports, and theater tech, and cannot think of a better way to connect with students and help shape them into confident women.
Ben Simon | Director of Marketing and Communications Ben earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ohio Dominican University. Prior to joining CSG, Ben worked in both the photography and business industries. He served as a design and photography director and also managed his own photography business. He also served as an operations manager for over eight years. Ben joined CSG in November of 2016 as Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, and served as Director of Marketing and Communications in an interim capacity from June to December of 2021.
Sarah
Leisan
Sarah Sole | Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
Leisan Smith | Chief Equity Officer Leisan has a B.S. in Communication from the University of Cincinnati and an MEd. in Educational Foundations and Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies, University of Cincinnati. She has fifteen years of experience as a school administrator in both K-12 and university communities. She most recently served as Director of Student and Community Engagement at Bexley City Schools and was tasked with ensuring that the academic programs of the Bexley schools were culturally responsive and student-centered. Prior to that, Leisan served as the inaugural Director of the LGBTQ Center at the University of Cincinnati, where she oversaw the Center’s day-to-day operations.
| Campaign Development Associate Jessi earned her bachelor’s degree in English language and literature with a focus in professional writing, literature, and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies from Miami University and completed her master’s degree in digital rhetoric and professional writing from Michigan State University. She brings previous experience in communications management, social media, and document design skills. In her free time, she has also volunteered directing symposia for the purpose of engaging community members in social justice and gender equality work. Smith
Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a Choral Emphasis from Bowling Green State University. She brings 30 years of experience in public and private vocal music education, and 35 years as a professional performer and teacher of piano and organ. Many of her former students are professionals in the music industry from opera and Broadway to talent management and technicians. Jennifer believes that students need to enjoy lessons, love learning, and know how to successfully practice, and that her job is to inspire and instill knowledge in a way that each individual learns and gains confidence.
Jennifer Sugerik | Choral Director/ General Music Teacher
KristinJenniferSoleSugerikTremper
NEW FACULTY AND STAFF Join us! If you'd like to become part of the CSG team, you can learn more about available positions by visiting our Careers page about/careers.columbusschoolforgirls.org/at
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Kristin Tremper | US History Faculty
Sarah is a graduate of Youngstown State University and earned her bachelor’s degree in professional writing and editing with a concentration in journalism. She has several years of experience in local community news reporting as well as magazine writing and editing. She’s also served in a marketing and communications capacity in various industries. Sarah looks forward to building on her writing experience and is excited to work for an institution whose mission is empowering girls and young women.
Kristin earned her bachelor’s degree in history from George Mason University and completed her master’s degree in history from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently working towards her Ph.D. in history from Lehigh University. Kristin brings over ten years of experience in the field of education, working as a teaching and research assistant, teaching fellow, and college level history instructor. In the time she has spent in independent schools, Kristin has gained an immense appreciation for how they are able to create academically rigorous and nurturing learning environments, which align with her own values as an educator.
Jessi Wright
Jessi Wright
Dr. K: Ultimately, the Center is focused on providing experiences and opportunities centered on building leadership skills. Whether students are in the PYC or graduating seniors, they will experience a curriculum that is inspired and shaped by the latest research on girls’ and young women’s leadership. The goal is to instill greater amounts of confidence in our students and provide opportunities for them to succeed…as well as fail, helping them realize failure isn’t problematic or something to be feared—it’s simply part of the process.
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A Q&A with the Director of the Center for Girls’ and Young Women’s Leadership Launching next spring at CSG, The Center for Girls’ and Young Women’s Leadership is designed to help girls and young women find their voice and know their power. This important resource will offer enrichment opportunities inside and outside the classroom for students starting with the Program for Young Children and continuing through the Upper School. The goal is to ensure that students are prepared and empowered for the leadership positions available to them at CSG. Through classroom activities, small-group mentorships and training, and partnerships with community organizations and universities, the Center will help our students realize their potential as leaders. During the summer months, the program will also be offered to students from the wider Columbus community.
To learn more about this exciting initiative, we sat down with Dr. Emily Krichbaum, who serves as Director of the Center for Girls’ and Young Women’s Leadership as well as Department Chair of History here at CSG. An expert in American women’s history and politics, Dr. Emily Krichbaum earned her doctorate from Case Western Reserve University and authored numerous articles on nineteenth and twentieth-century women’s reform leaders. Before joining CSG, Dr. Krichbaum taught at Ashland University, where she created the first women’s history and gender history class at both the undergraduate and graduate level and started 1girl on Ashland University’s campus, a student-led mentorship program where female undergraduates receive mentoring from community professionals and provide mentoring to middle-school girls in the Ashland community. She has also taught as a faculty-in-residence for POWER’s NEW Leadership program at the John Glenn School of Public Policy at The Ohio State University as well as Rochester Institute of Technology’s Center for Statesmanship, Law, and Liberty.
Dr. Emily Krichbaum WITH
QA
What type of resources will the Center provide for students?
The Center will also embolden and equip teachers by curating lessons and projects for their particular needs. I hope to also partner with teachers and develop classes that focus on experiential learning. Instead of telling students about legislation in their AP US Government class, why not allow them to research issues young women face in the greater Columbus area and have them draft their own bill to introduce to the Statehouse?
Learning and leadership development will also take place outside of CSG’s campus. Students will have the access to work on political campaigns, conduct interviews, and even carry out research projects at labs at The Ohio State University, for example. We’ll also be offering our own student leaders here at CSG—the Student Council officers, the head of the robotics team, the mock trial team, and so forth—the opportunity to participate in mentorship training, to help them learn how to lead as their authentic selves, with open mindedness and empathy.
These opportunities should be accessible to all—not only developing young female leaders but also providing professional development to those who teach girls and young women. We’re very proud of our graduates and our faculty. We’ve created something at CSG that should not be kept hidden but shared for the benefit of all.
Dr. K: Our goal is to have the funding to offer programming for girls outside of CSG by summer of 2023. We want to take the programming that we’ve developed at CSG and share that, positioning our school as a catalyst for all girls and young women to find their voice and know their power.
It’s clear that we need to harness every opportunity to affirm the strengths and unique qualities of our students. There’s no such thing as too much of this good thing. Who is a female in history that you believe embodies the mission of the center?
How will the Center serve as a resource for faculty?
The sky’s the limit. We can start with Columbus, expand to Ohio. It can even become country-wide, because if we’ve learned anything from the pandemic, it’s that people can access resources, connect, and collaborate online. What would it look like, for example, for young girls from Columbus, Ohio to speak with other girls in Des Moines, the Bronx, Charleston, Phoenix, LA…about being a girl, about the challenges they face, about how to overcome adversity and know your power?
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Dr. K: I think Miss Kelly and Miss Scott, the founders of CSG, best embody the Center’s mission. It was 1898, and they wanted an alternative to a finishing school. Instead of trying to find a spot at the existing table, they built their own table. A lot of the inspiration for the Center comes from our founders, who, with strength and grace, forged their own path. I want our students to have the confidence to lead themselves and others. I want them to know, deep down in their bones, who they are and never, ever apologize for it.
How will the Center collaborate with community organizations?
Dr. K: Our faculty are some of the most committed and passionate individuals in education. They bend over backwards to do what is best for our students. I want faculty members to see the Center as a resource and bring me the ideas they haven’t had time to work on. I hope that the Center can serve as a catalyst for their ideas and ensure that our curriculum here is truly helping girls and young women find their voice and know their power. Additionally, the Center will stay abreast of best practices and the latest research to help augment and update existing educational programming.
Dr. K: Research suggests that leadership and development is absolutely imperative to foster at a young age. And, this work must continue through their adolescence. A study from ROX (Ruling Our eXperiences), a nonprofit organization providing evidence-based empowerment programming for girls, found that 23% of girls in elementary school and 46% of girls in high school don’t think that they are smart enough for their dream jobs. The study also found that almost half of girls report not speaking their mind or disagreeing with others because they want to be seen as likable. We also know that starting in the fifth grade and extending to the ninth grade, girls typically experience a significant dip in confidence and never fully recover from that. Fostering leadership early and often is key.
What does the research say about the importance of fostering leadership skills in young girls and women?
Dr. K: We’ll be working with the community in a number of ways. For the Senior May Program (SMP) experience, for example, we’ll connect students with various corporations and nonprofit organizations in four different fields including business and finance, the visual arts, politics and advocacy, and STEM. If a student has a particular interest in botany, for example, we might connect them with the Franklin Park Conservatory or an OSU professor. One of the most important aspects of my role is creating greater equity in this process by establishing relationships with community organizations to provide numerous opportunities for our students. In other words, their SMP experience will not be circumscribed by who they know but will be determined by what they are interested in. Next year, as part of our Leadership Academy, students in Form IX will have the opportunity to meet and learn from some of the most impactful women across Columbus. Students will also be exposed to various career paths, potentially igniting an interest they didn’t even know existed. Exposure and demystification are key in positioning young women to realize their potential. Why was it important to offer this program to students beyond CSG during the summer months?
16 FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022 Banding Together: How CSG worked and is still working to meet the needs of students during a pandemic
This day, however, members of the CSG community drove their cars up Columbia, and students and their families from the class of 2020 lined the street in a “reverse parade” format.
Our faculty and staff had already been examining the technology necessary for virtual learning prior to the pandemic. We had already selected a platform to be used for online learning and were working to roll it out. Still, when Governor Mike DeWine told schools they would be going virtual following spring break, the shift forced everyone to work extra hard to make learning happen at home.
It was the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and CSG students were attending classes virtually.
From food service, to classroom layouts, to pick-up and drop-off, each aspect of the school day needed to be reevaluated to ensure the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff.
Staying the Course Getting through a pandemic requires perseverance.
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Like other schools across Ohio, CSG emerged from an extended spring break in 2020 to finish out the school year in a virtual format. The June celebration was just one way our community of parents, students, faculty, and staff have supported each other since the onslaught of COVID-19.
The pandemic motivated teachers to learn how to use technology differently, creating innovative practices to meet the educational and social needs of students.
“We probably got five years of technology training in six months,” said Director of Middle School Pam ParentsHartshorne.alsohad to be partners in learning, especially with our youngest students. While pivoting to virtual learning took a great amount of effort and dedication, our faculty and staff had to again rally their strength to make a return to the classroom possible for the 20202021 school year.
CSG administrators, faculty, and staff equipped themselves with tape measures and CAD
One sunny afternoon on June 1, 2020, a parade was held at Columbus School for Girls on Columbia Avenue in celebration of the Class of 2020.
While faculty augmented their teaching during the pandemic to include Owl cameras, Zoom sessions and pre-recorded videos, they also had to reevaluate their curricula to determine what was essential. For many, this meant returning to CGS’s core competencies: communicating effectively, thinking analytically, seeking balance and wellness, leading confidently, thinking globally, and solving problems creatively.
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“It was brought home to us powerfully because of the pandemic,” said Director of Upper School, Kellen Graham. Making adjustments
drawings to ensure classrooms and alternative learning spaces had proper social distancing. Families at home appreciated being included and met where they were. Those returning to school did so with a renewed appreciation of being together, in Oneperson.ofthe biggest things that faculty learned was that building relationships together in person, on campus, is crucial for academic engagement and well-being, for adults and especially for students.
The pandemic forced teachers to not only conduct their classrooms differently, but to learn different ways in which to preserve a sense of community—especially when learning was happening virtually. Younger students had the opportunity to eat lunch together via Zoom, and listen to their teachers read to them. In Lower School during the virtual learning period, students had a day dedicated to community service.
While teachers welcomed many students back to campus last school year, they still had to adapt their teaching to accommodate other students who chose to learn virtually from home. This was just one of the ways in which our community learned to be flexible in the face of the countless challenges that the pandemic posed. One important bridge between those learning at home and those returning to school were cameras purchased from Owl Labs that allowed for interactive engagement, zooming in on anyone who was speaking. The cameras were a useful tool, enabling virtual learners to access the physical classroom environment.
“It just broke up some of the monotony of some of the online learning days,” said Lower School Director Betsy Gugle. Community service was a focus for more than just Lower School students.
Though the pandemic continues, we are stronger because of what we went through together, and move forward as a more resilient community.
front lawn of assisted living facility Inniswood Village and serenaded a community of people who at the time were prevented from receiving visitors for health reasons. Residents stepped outside onto balconies and opened windows to hear her Whetherconcert.they were singing, sewing, or assembling care packages, our students stepped up to support our community during an exceptionally trying time. One of CSG’s core values states that we are individual in mind and community at heart. Our students lived out this ideal, finding the strength during a time of many unknowns to help lift up those around them.
Leading by Example The pandemic inspired CSG students to support their community in a variety of ways. At the start of the pandemic in March of 2020, Cameron Tiefenthaler ’20 began making masks to address what at the time was a major shortage. Tiefenthaler, like other CSG students, was attending school virtually, and she used her expert sewing skills to construct the masks outside of class time. She ended up making over 500 masks, which she donated to local healthcare workers, nursing homes, family, and friends.
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“It feels great to use my skills to help and protect those who need it most,” Tiefenthaler said. Donations such as Tiefenthaler’s were an important way that students advocated for others during the height of the pandemic. In December of 2020, the Upper School Swimming & Diving Team assembled over 60 care bags for the homeless with hand-written messages. Forty bags were dropped off at a local homeless shelter, and the rest were distributed throughout the community. While some students gave out much-needed items, others gave of their time. In April of 2020, Natalie Tangeman ’21 set up a speaker on the …building relationships together in person, on campus, is crucial for academic engagement and well-being, for adults and especially for students.
This spirit of support exemplified by our students was also carried out daily by our faculty, staff, and families. In the face of adversity, we carried each other through a myriad of challenges.
From left to right, Boula Ross ’25, Anna Carey ’24, Cammie Kleinman ’23, and Lailah Lomax ’27
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From left to right, Gabby Clarke ’25, Adriana Massimiani ’26, and Jayden Clarett ’23 From left to right, Casey Sussman ’22, Chloe Steere ’25, and Jayden Clarett ’23
Up on stage this past October for the first time since March of 2020, Kleinman heard a sound she had been missing for months: laughter from a crowd of spectators. “It felt so good,” she said. “It was like coming Kleinmanhome.”wasone of a group of Middle and Upper School students who participated in The Revenge of the Space Pandas or Binky Rudich and the Two-Speed Clock, a comedy shown last fall in the Agnes Jeffrey Shedd Theater. The play represented a return to in-person theater after a considerable time away: While Upper School last performed on stage in spring of 2020, Middle School hadn’t performed since October of 2019. But while the pandemic prevented students from performing on stage, CSG theater didn’t disappear. Middle and Upper School students innovated, taking the show online instead. In October 2020, Middle School students kicked off CSG’s virtual theater with a cabaret. The show, a compilation of monologues and songs, was shared via Zoom. Students used the online platform to rehearse, and then the show was pre-recorded for an audience. Upper School also performed a compilation of monologues and scenes from Shakespeare in November 2020, and in March 2021, Middle and Upper School came together for a virtual performance of the Wizard of Oz. Though the productions were completed far from the stage, those who normally worked behind the scenes were still able to participate.
After a season of virtual performances, CSG Thespians take back the stage It felt likegood…Itsowas home.coming Gabby Clarke ’25 —Cammie Kleinman ’23
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And the audience’s first laugh during their first performance stuck out in Bishara’s mind, too. “That was the big moment,” Bishara said. “I was very happy and relieved for them.”
The students were up on stage for the first time in a long time. For Kleinman, that meant more nerves than she was used to having during a performance. She worried if she would remember the skills she had been practicing since the sixth grade. She worried whether she could meet the audience’s expectations after so much time away. But now that she was finally back in front of a crowd, Kleinman was able to see and hear proof that all her practice in rehearsals had paid off. She was able to do something she greatly enjoys—making people laugh. Center
Front and
After trying her hand at virtual theater performances, Cammie Kleinman ’23 won’t be taking a live audience for granted ever again.
Tech students selected images that would serve as backgrounds for students performing in their homes, and they also assisted with video and sound Althoughediting.virtual theater offered a variety of ways to get involved, the platform still had its challenges. Students missed having a live audience. Practicing virtually together also was a learning curve. “It was very different,” said Theater Director Elizabeth Bishara. “It was hard to form a connection, especially with the students I hadn’t worked with Understandably,before.”students were overjoyed when they were finally together again, rehearsing in person for Space Pandas “They were so excited that it was hard to get them to focus,” Bishara said.
I also found the school’s mission statement very energizing, as well as its legacy and reputation as a transformative institution. Being a part of a community that is vibrant and has been thriving for almost 125 years, with much to celebrate, is exciting. During the interview process, I learned more about the school’s commitment to academic excellence as well as its approach to girl-centered teaching and learning. Being on campus, I saw that the school is fertile ground for much to bloom. It is exciting to have the opportunity to join a community that is poised to start its next chapter and to be the leader that has been charged with guiding the school through the process of writing what comes next. to the Future
Camille: When I was preparing for my first interview with the hiring committee, I found CSG’s brand anthem video that describes being a girl as a position of honor. The video ends with an inspiring image of a smiling girl and talks about her knowing her power. I showed the video to my friends and family when I saw it, because for me, it was a wonderful example of how girls’ schools should tell the story of the work that we do. It’s about helping girls understand who they are as leaders, and learners, and scholars, and advocates. It’s about really making sure that they leave our doors feeling that sense of efficacy, and that sense of agency, and the ability to be agents of change in the world. For the school to say that in such a powerful way was really compelling.
Looking
CSG sits down with Incoming Head of School, Camille Seals Camille Seals WITH
QA
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In July 2022, CSG will welcome Camille Seals as our new Head of School. As a graduate of Hathaway Brown School and Spelman College, Mrs. Seals knows firsthand the value of an education uniquely shaped for girls. As an administrator at her alma mater and later, at the Agnes Irwin School, she has tirelessly worked to ensure her students were empowered with the tools necessary to thrive in the classroom and beyond. She now stands poised to steer CSG into a new era of leadership, with the commitment to growth and change that has been a staple of our legacy. We sat down with Mrs. Seals to discuss her move to CSG, the importance of an all-girl education, and how education should evolve to continue serving new generations of students. What inspired you to come to CSG?
In addition to working at Hathaway Brown, you attended school there. What do you believe an all-girl education has given you?
Having the opportunity to serve as the first Assistant Head of School for Academics & Inclusive Excellence at the Agnes Irwin School (AIS) is another accomplishment of which I am proud. This role, which was re-designed in 2019, offered me the opportunity to marry two of my passions: academic excellence and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. In this role, I envisioned and implemented the Summit on Racial Justice—a three-day virtual conference experience for the entire AIS community focused on healing and reconciliation during the summer of 2020—and have focused on the alignment of the school’s curriculum and teaching practice across the PreK-12 program through the implementation of a faculty evaluation process, as well as a hiring process, with a focus on equity and consistency. I am proud of the work I did during the pandemic to build community, bring back the joy, and remind the team why we do the work that we do. I am proud of my ability to rebuild communities, rebuild trust, bring people back together, and focus on what’s important. I also had the wonderful opportunity to moderate the Making Her-story panel discussion featuring Billie Jean King & Tory Burch, an event that was a part of the school’s sesquicentennial celebration. How lucky I was to learn from these women, who were joined by an AIS alumna, in a discussion about how women can come together to create inclusive communities. This event was a great way to celebrate the school’s anniversary, and I’m excited to think about how we will honor the 125th anniversary of CSG!
Camille: In girls’ schools everybody is a leader in her own way, and everybody gets a chance to shine and have her voice heard. Being in a girls’ school, I was offered so many chances to be a leader, and I also had many chances to fail. I remember vividly losing the seventh grade student council election and crying in the bathroom stall. Through these failures and successes, I was learning and growing and trying new things in a space that was specifically designed with me in mind. Learning in girls’ schools allowed me to develop confidence and the ability to use my voice without fear. Maybe not entirely without fear—but certainly not allowing the fear to override the importance of what I feel my contribution to be. That is a very concrete gift that you get from an all-girl education. I think the relationships you build with teachers in an environment that’s cultivated for you, and where teachers really understand how girls want to be heard—how they want to be understood, how they want to be engaged—is a really powerful experience for students.
Ever since I was a little girl, I had dreamed of going to Spelman College. What I gained in my experience at Hathaway Brown all those years ago, as one of four Black students in my
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Throughout the course of your career, what achievements have filled you with pride?
Camille: I’m really very proud of the work that I did for almost 10 years at Hathaway Brown as the Director of the Aspire Program, a college access and leadership development program for promising young women from under-resourced schools and communities across greater Cleveland. I am proud of my stewardship of the program, which included increasing student enrollment through the development of strategic partnerships with school leaders across greater Cleveland; overseeing all of the functions necessary to execute the program including admissions, recruiting, hiring and training of faculty, fundraising, and more; and partnering with the community to write a strategic plan for the program. I am proud of my leadership, and the way in which we carried out our mission to impact educational outcomes for students in greater Cleveland. Our program sent first-generation college students to top colleges and universities across the country, and our alumnae are professionals and leaders in industries including medicine, law, entertainment, education, and more. I take tremendous pride in knowing that we did life-altering work for our students and changed the trajectory of their lives.
Our academic program must honor that our children are living in a time when history is being written. They have unique experiences and perspectives as young people who are coming of age when so much is happening around them.
The world they will inherit will be one that none of us have quite seen, and that will require them to be able to be nimble and adapt, think critically, solve problems, work together, understand each other, and appreciate the value of their divergent perspectives within a global community. A rich academic program should provide students with the tools they need to be successful in careers that have not yet been developed, and it is our job as educators to provide a distinguished academic program that offers that preparation. With two years of pandemic life nearly behind us, what opportunities do you see to reconnect the CSG community?
What are the elements of an academic program that will prepare girls for college while also giving them tools that will still be relevant once they join the workforce?
24 FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022 class, was for me an incomplete picture of my story. I had learned that girls could do anything, but I felt what I hadn’t gotten was this deep-dive understanding of the ways my layers of identity would define my unique womanhood. Going to Spelman College allowed me to gain a more complex understanding of the foundational lessons I had learned by being in a girls’ school. The combination of these experiences has empowered me to be able to navigate any professional space I enter with confidence and self-assuredness.
I also really believe in the power of sisterhood. Girls’ schools provide the opportunity to shift away from the narrative that women only tear each other down. I love the saying ‘empowered women empower women’ because I really believe that to be true. If we commit to building a community that cultivates a belief in the power of sisterhood—the power of women helping women and women supporting women— our students will graduate with a network of intellectual, empathetic, and empowered women who will work together to help each other rise. For me, this is a really incredible gift to give students before they go out into the world.
study. It will also be important for us to explore new writers, theorists, academics, ideas, topics, and stories that will give our students the skills they need to engage with and thrive in a diverse, evolving, and multicultural world. We want to provide them with experiential learning opportunities that allow them to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts so that they are prepared for whatever life may present them.
We will certainly be having gatherings and events on campus that bring our community back together. Form and divisional events, as well as all-school activities, will allow us to get to know each other again and re-engage around the values that are important to us and the love that we have for CSG. I also want to get out into the greater Columbus community and get to know people. I would love to see us going into different neighborhoods and communities and hosting events where people live and play. It is important to me that we create and sustain a community where all of us feel like we have a seat at the table. I am looking forward to gathering as a community in ways that feel meaningful for all at CSG. I also want to consider the ways that we’re already celebrating and engaging with our community and examine how they can be improved upon. How might we come together to learn as a community? How can we make sure that the theater is packed when there is a student show or concert? How can we make sure our athletic teams have their supporters on the sidelines and in the bleachers? I want to
Camille: I am very much looking forward to connecting with the community and focusing on rebuilding after the years of separation that the pandemic has required. I see the opportunity to bring back beloved traditions that we perhaps have had to cancel or re-imagine virtually, and I am also enthusiastic for the chance to create some new points of connection across the school.
Camille: One of the things I asked my department chairs to do last summer was to reach out to college professors and ask them what they are actually seeing from freshmen who are arriving on their campuses as well as what they are trying to teach them. The pandemic has changed the landscape of college admission, the workforce, and the ways in which people think about life and career. As we move into a postpandemic era in schools, it will be important to evolve our program to respond to the needs of today’s students and the ever-changing world into which they will graduate. A strong academic program empowers students to read the world around them. It is one in which students are gaining the knowledge, skills, literacy, and the fluency necessary to navigate life’s changes. I became a teacher because I had a fantastic Shakespeare class my senior year of high school. I believe that there is importance to all of the classics, and I want our girls to read Jane Austen and Maya Angelou, and learn physics, and geometry, and embrace all the things that are part of what we might call a more traditional course of The world they will inherit … will require them to… appreciate the value of their divergent perspectives within a global community.
Two of the tools that I think are really important are the ability to ‘do it afraid’ and the use of affirmations. I was a part of a panel discussion during which a student asked, “how do you get yourself ready to go into your first meeting in your career when you are nervous and not sure what to do?” and the panelist responded and said, “you just do it.” This is an important tool that I believe we should teach our girls: Sometimes you have to do it afraid. It means that we teach them that you don’t shy away from the hard things—you prepare the best you can, and then you walk in there and you do it anyway. I also really believe in the power of affirmations and the importance of saying positive words to yourself over and over again until they become a part of you. I am committed to making sure that my two daughters have what they need to break the bias. Each morning, before we go to school, we say these affirmations together: I am strong—I am powerful—I am beautiful—I am important—My voice matters—I can do hard things. It is my hope that they will take these words and in times of discomfort or hardship, they will pull them out and remember who they are and what they can do. This is a gift I hope to give to every girl at CSG.
FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022 25 really examine the things that are authentic to CSG, so we can really feel that vibrancy and joy about the community that we all love.
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day was #BreaktheBias. What are some of the ways we can empower girls to combat bias? Camille: I always make a point to celebrate International Women’s Day and wear purple on March 8. I loved this year’s theme, especially as an educator at a girls’ school because frankly, the existence of girls schools is a form of resistance that breaks the bias. Girls’ schools are powerful places where girls have the opportunities that prepare them to be bias breakers in the world around them. In order to empower them to do this important work, we have to make sure to educate them about the biases that they’ll encounter. So often, we want to protect our girls from the things that feel hard and scary, but this can be a disservice to them. If we do not teach them about bias when they are in a space where it is safe to take risks and ask questions, how will they be ready to push back when they experience bias in their lives? I believe it is also important to really help our girls understand the intersection of identities and the ways in which women of different backgrounds and experiences encounter bias. I want to challenge our girls to feel a responsibility to be an ally to other women who might experience bias in a different way and to play a role in helping women around the world break the bias. Helping girls combat bias is a matter of supplying them with knowledge and education, as well as tools that can be utilized in different scenarios so they can actually walk in the door and break down those walls.
A DeliciouslyDelightful Time Senior Day 2021
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The silver screen was the inspiration for the Class of 2021, who made “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” their theme for Senior Day. The school was transformed for the annual celebration, with hallways decked out with imagery from the popular film.
FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022 27 Seniors ran the show, leading activities including a cake walk, dancing, boat races, and laser tag. Proceeds from the fundraiser went toward the Class of 2021’s Senior Gift.
Leisan Smith QA WITH
No stranger to the education realm, Leisan served as a school administrator for fifteen years in K-12 and university communities before joining us at CSG. She most recently served as Director of Student and Community Engagement at Bexley City Schools and prior to that served as the inaugural Director of the LGBTQ Center at the University of Cincinnati. We sat down with Leisan to talk about what inspired her career trajectory and just why diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work is so vital to a K-12 education. What inspired you to pursue a career focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging?
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Since joining CSG in January of 2021 as CSG’s Chief Equity Officer, Leisan Smith has hit the ground running, working with students in classrooms, talking to parents, faculty, staff, and alumnae via online Zoom discussions, and leading the charge of crafting an updated diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging statement that will help guide efforts to make our school as welcoming as possible for everyone in our community.
Leisan: I’ve always been an educator; all the work I’ve ever done has been related to education. But when I was an undergrad at the University of Cincinnati, I was introduced to their African American Culture and Resource Center. The University of Cincinnati is a large, predominantly white institution, and so the AACRC—which is what we call it—was like my home away from home. And so I participated in a lot of programming specific to retaining and supporting Black students. And then I had an opportunity to actually be a student worker there. After I graduated, I think it was two years later, I went back to UC to get my masters, and I was a graduate student in the Women’s Center. So this time, I got to help lead some identity-based education in programming, as well as participate in it. And I think that those experiences really impacted me. Eventually, I had the opportunity to come back to UC again to work. I just fell in love with working with students, with supporting students, and feeling like I was helping them navigate barriers that they might have. And I love the education piece. I love being able to facilitate conversations with different groups of people, to get them to understand the role that they play helping others feel they are included and that they belong.
A Welcoming Space Chief Equity Officer, Leisan Smith, discusses diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at CSG
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What accomplishment so far in your career are you most proud of, and why?
What motivated you to work at CSG?
Leisan: I grew up in Columbus, so I had heard great things about Columbus School for Girls. The year before my daughter Maleia was supposed to start kindergarten, my wife and I were looking at possibly buying a house in a specific neighborhood based on the school district. A few friends asked if we had considered CSG. I went to public schools. My mom was a retired public school teacher. But I finally told my wife that we should just go take the tour. We ended up loving it. We loved the things that the students were doing in the classrooms. The tour, of course, was led by a student—this was before the pandemic. We loved her excitement in sharing what they do here at CSG. And so we were really tempted to send our daughter here but ended up sending her elsewhere for kindergarten. But when the opportunity came to possibly work here, I already knew it seemed like a great place in terms of what I saw of the community during my tour, and I already knew that the education that they were offering was great. And I would have the opportunity to come in as the First Chief Equity Officer and the first person who was full time and leading the school’s DEIB work. It just seemed like a natural progression of the work that I had currently been doing. Now, my daughter is in first grade here this year, and she absolutely loves it. It’s been exciting to be able to see her most days in the hall or in the cafeteria and see how she has really blossomed this year—in terms of her confidence, in terms of even just the way she speaks and the things she thinks and talks about. It’s always fun to hear her say “My mommy is the Chief Equity Officer.” I’m not exactly sure she knows what that means, but it’s just been a great experience for us to have together. I love that.
Why do you believe DEIB work is an integral part of education? Leisan: We live in a diverse world. And so our students need to know how to navigate that, not just here, but when they graduate. How do they do well in a global society? We have to know how to navigate across differences. We all come into this space with different experiences. A lot of those are based on our identities. And so I think that that’s important and something that shouldn’t be ignored. I think the other part that sometimes people don’t consider is that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work helps improve communication and critical thinking skills and really makes our students more well-rounded individuals. And it challenges stereotypes. I also think DEIB work is important because while this space is much more diverse than it used to be, it is still a predominantly white institution. What does it look like for us to acknowledge that? What does it mean for Black and Brown students to be in this space, and to be supported and to thrive, and to know that they belong and have access to all of the same things that the rest of our students do? We have to be having those conversations. And we live in a country in a world where all of these ‘isms’ are still happening—we still have racism and homophobia and transphobia, and folks being persecuted because of their religious beliefs. Our students need to know how to navigate that and what it means to be an ally to someone who might be different from them.
What do you enjoy most about the opportunity to work directly with students? Leisan: They have so much passion for whatever it is that they’re working on. I recently had an opportunity to teach a session of a diversity course to students. Being able to hear that they are thinking about diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging, and being able to see the things that they’re passionate about, and the things that they want to see improved either for them or for other people in their class, their peers—it’s just great. I can’t do my work well unless I know what is going on with students. Being able to hear from them and work alongside them is so valuable. And then, of course, I feel like a proud parent when I see the end results. In February we hosted the MLK program, and students put so much time and energy into it. To see what a great program it turned out to be—those are always great moments.
Leisan: Because I’m such a loyal Bearcat, having had the opportunity to go back to the University of Cincinnati and work there is something I’m very proud of. I was actually the founder of the LGBTQ Center there. I was the first Director, and I started it from the ground up with the help of students. Students, most of whom were somehow connected to the Women’s Center, had pushed for an additional center. So to go back to my alma mater and to be able to lead that work is probably one of my proudest accomplishments.
For Lisa, a science faculty member, the visit to the Caribbean island of Curaçao for a week during March of 2021 was an invaluable opportunity to see firsthand the effects of climate change. During her trip, Lisa snorkeled along the island coast, and took an eco tour to view the coral reefs that suffered from climate change and an invasive species of lionfish. She also learned about the impact of an oil refinery located on the island and visited a research aquarium.
Studying history, Lynn said, helps us understand who we are now. Opening students’ minds to some of the struggles that occurred in the 1960s gives her students context as they begin to understand the constructs of a society and the complexities of democracy. While Lynn stayed stateside for her exploration of a famous chapter in U.S. history, Lisa’s trip took her out of the country.
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Seeing the island in person, Lisa said, helped her better understand just how real the danger is to coral reefs like those found in Curaçao. She also saw the plight from the perspective of those who live there. “It’s part of their local environment, and it’s something that we don’t experience here,” Lisa said. Since returning from her trip, Lisa has brought what she saw and heard in Curaçao to her students learning about ecology. She’s also shared her accounts of the effects of climate change on reefs with students interested in doing independent study courses in environmental science. The trip will also help her facilitate the creation of an environmental science class in the future.
It was two very timely topics—civil rights and climate change— that inspired CSG faculty members Lynn Sweeney and Lisa Gullett to pack their bags for two very different adventures.
The recipients of CSG’s faculty grants, Lynn and Lisa made trips this past year to the southern states of the U.S. and the Caribbean, respectively. Their experiences and what they’ve been able to bring back to their students are important examples of why CSG’s commitment to ongoing faculty development is so vital. After reading a book in her classroom called One Crazy Summer, a historical fiction novel chronicling the lives of three sisters during the summer of 1968, Lynn, a history and English faculty member, was motivated to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement. “I wanted to increase the cultural responsiveness of my curriculum,” she said. So in the summer of 2021, Lynn and her husband—fellow CSG faculty member Kevin Sweeney—and their three children visited places that were home to important Civil Rights-era events. Over the course of three weeks, they visited Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Lynn returned home with a profound feeling of excitement for the accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement, and a heightened sense of the enormous opposition that people faced in their daily lives and that still linger today. Reflecting on stories helped her learn about the extraordinary changes made during that time—changes that often were influenced by people whose names didn’t land in history textbooks. Lynn’s travel experience affirmed some of the changes she had already begun making to her classroom curriculum while researching and planning the trip. Her English students practice their interviewing skills by talking to someone who lived during the 1960s and draft what they learn into essays. Her history students research various events, leaders, and theBeyondClassroom How a passion for lifelong learning inspired two CSG teachers to dig deeper artists who were active in the Civil Rights Movement. Since the trip, Lynn has further expanded these projects.
Experiential learning, Lisa said, is so important, and CSG’s opportunity for faculty travel is truly unique.
“I can see the difference in the educators who have taken advantage of this,” she said.
Lynn Sweeney Lisa Gullett
FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022 31 Dear CSG community, Thank you for all that you make possible for our students through your support of CSG’s Annual Fund! At CSG, like other independent schools across the country, we face a funding gap each year as we work to balance affordable tuition with the actual cost to educate a student. Year after year, our community rallies together to fill this gap by making an Annual Fund gift. As you’ll see on the following pages, your Annual Fund donation offers so many exciting experiences and opportunities for our students—from ant hills to egg drops to reading trains and more. The Annual Fund supports CSG from A to Z! If you have not yet had the opportunity to support the Annual Fund, we ask that you join this community initiative and make a gift today. Gifts can be made by mail using the enclosed envelope or by going to columbusschoolforgirls. org/giving/give-now. Please know that every gift, in any amount, makes a significant difference. With gratitude, Amy Borntrager P’34 Chief Development Officer P.S. Turn the page to explore everything CSG offers through your Annual Fund support!ANNUAL FUND
Students in Form X–XII can audition to join the Grace Notes, CSG’s premier choral performance ensemble.
The PYC purchased an ant hill when students discovered their love of nature and were determined to bring it inside the classroom.
Physics students are challenged to calculate an egg drop from nearly 7 meters on their teacher’s head.
From computers and keyboards to 3D printers and laser cutters, CSG students don’t just use technology—they design and create it too.
CSG students have the unique opportunity to develop their own photos in a dark room.
CSG offers 11 sports in Middle and Upper School, along with unicorn sports for Form III–V. Our girls wear their jerseys with pride. Even our youngest learners have access to computer science curriculum, 3D printers, robotics, and coding with bee-bots, bee-shaped robots.
CSG faculty bring learning to life and inspire our students to dream big.
CSG, like other independent schools, doesn’t rely on government funding, giving us flexibility to design advanced, innovative curriculum.
Leaders Launch, a brunch celebration honoring senior students of African descent, is just one of the special ways we celebrate diversity and foster belonging. D G J B E H K C F I L B CsA of CSG’s Annual Fund
The 12 CSG students are challenged to push forward and jump over any hurdle whether on the track or in the classroom!
Your gift supports everything from A to Z!
32 FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022
Cynthia’s Woods, CSG’s 100-acre nature preserve, is a place of learning and adventure for students of all ages.
A
The treehouse on the PYC playscape is a popular destination for our youngest learners to play, have “meetings,” and unleash their sense of adventure.
Here at CSG we are committed to providing xtra support to ensure that our students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
ANNUAL FUND
CSG students are bold, courageous, and ambitious. They lead with strength and grace. They are truly unicorns.
From toilet paper to hand sanitizer to vacuum cleaners, the Annual Fund helps ensure our school is primed and ready for learning each morning.
In ceramics class, students can use one of CSG’s 16 pottery wheels to throw clay and make vases, bowls, sculptures, and more.
Gifts to the Annual Fund helped us purchase new equipment and transform our weight room into a functional and top-notch facility. At CSG, every leadership position belongs to a girl. Our students excel in the arts and the sciences, they shine on stage and on the field—they have zero limits.
FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022 33
Upper School students complete an anatomy lab in which they use clay to label and identify organs and other parts of the human body on a skeleton model.
Every gift, in any amount, makes a significant difference!
From quinoa to General Tso’s, lunch is the talk of the town in the CSG hallways and at alumnae gatherings!
Each August, the new senior class takes pride in painting their cubbies and redecorating the Senior Commons, gifted by the Class of 1972.
CSG was founded by two bold, passionate women in the year 1898, and because of the generous CSG community, we are still here today empowering girls and young women. Your support of the Annual Fund helps purchase necessary resources to keep our natatorium safe and clean for our students and athletic teams.
M P S V Y N Q T W Z O R U X
Once a month, students in Lower School hop aboard the Reading Train, igniting a love of books and inspiring a lifetime of learning.
Our students’ love for STEM extends past the classroom—just take a look at the Upper School’s robotics team, Murphy’s Outlaws!
COMMENCEMENT
34 FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022
ClassCongratulations,of2021
Dressed in customary white, members of the Class of 2021 walked proudly across a carpet as red as the bouquets of roses in their arms. It was a day for goodbyes and well-wishes, perhaps peppered with a few tears but also with plenty of eager smiles for the adventures ahead. It was a day for celebrating accomplishments and appreciating treasured relationships with classmates, faculty, and staff built upon years of shared experiences.
McKenna Merriman ’21 carries the American flag during the Commencement procession.
At CSG, shooting for the stars is encouraged, McKenna said. Students are encouraged to dream without limits in a supportive environment of fellow peers and teachers. But though her classmates stood poised to enter a new phase of their lives, McKenna reminded them to take a moment to remember childhood memories and those who have helped them become the strong individuals they are “Taketoday.the seeds of your life from home with you to college, and don’t forget to water them,” McKenna told her classmates. “Because how are you supposed to grow into what you want without staying connected to who you were?”
Student Council President, McKenna Merriman, echoed this sentiment in her address to students, saying that the class built a home in her heart.
FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022 35
“Over the past four years, CSG and you have become my North Star,” McKenna told her classmates. “There are so many little things you do that put marks on this compass, bringing joy to our lives.”
No two stars are alike. Individuality was a strong theme in McKenna’s speech, and she highlighted heartfelt memories of fellow students and also congratulated her classmates on all of their remarkable accomplishments.
Olivia University
State University
Khushi
of 2021: What’s Next
Allyson Schuster University (Oxford)
Caroline Kromalic Case
Jonah
Ally Werstler Wake Forest
Isha
Baillie of York
Deskins The Ohio State University
Jordan of
Fortney The
Parker Ohio
Sophia Vershinin University of Michigan
College
of St Andrews
Carpenter
Cincinnati
Chabria The Ohio State University
Ava Ohio
Hartshorne Ohio Wesleyan University
McKenna Merriman
Eva Nicolosi Villanova
College
Jolien Kenyon
Ami
of Utah
Charlotte Love University of
Katharine
Alyssa University of Maryland
University
Alexandria Rodgers The Ohio State
Olivia
Clarke University of Southern California
Gabriella Ohio
Horner
in college shirts
Class
Anderson
Feinberg Columbia University
State University
Koffler Virginia
Bauknight University
Ava
Kramer Wellesley College
Miami
Natalie Tangeman Northwestern University
Kennedy Watkins Ohio Wesleyan University
Emma Young Southern Methodist University
Feinberg Tulane University of Louisiana
Isabella Sloan Ithaca College
Amelia Purdum Miami University (Oxford)
Breckenridge University
KaIsis College
Alison Zheng Fordham
Reading
36 FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022
Barry-Wilson
of Art and Design
The Class of 2021
The Ohio
Olivia Shuff Furman University
Lauren
Nova
Sydney University
Dayton
Giller Boston College
Gumina Case Western Reserve University
The New School
Funderburke The Ohio State University
Courtney Pascol Southeastern
The
University
Garg Tufts University
Anthony The
Maya
Leah
Kayla
Kusi
Julia
Canowitz
Sophia Polytechnic
Lee Minneapolis
Olivia Westley-Sherman Kenyon
State University
University
Nyah
University
Cincinnati Gabriella Cain New
Sydney University of
Institute and State University
Western Reserve University
Mara Sims Harvard University
Sofia
University
Dittrick Case Western Reserve University
Chabria George Washington University
Emma Salamon University of Alabama
State University
Hearst The
University
FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022 37
Gabby Anthony ’21, winner of the 2021 Virginia McCloudColganAward
Robin Ives Canowitz ’85 with her daughter, Alyssa Canowitz ’21
Dayna Baird Payne ’87 and her daughter, Kate Kramer ’21
McCloud Award
38 FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022 ALUMNAE Legacies
Over 100 alumnae gathered together virtually to celebrate accomplishments and listen to their peers speak on a variety of subjects during Alumnae Weekend 2021. Graduating classes dating back to the Class of 1951 connected all weekend to celebrate what it means to be a Unicorn.
Gabby Anthony ’21 was honored as the 2021 Virginia Colgan McCloud Award winner during a virtual gathering during the 2021 Alumnae Weekend. The award is given to the member of the senior class who, in the opinion of her classmates, best exemplifies the same qualities of friendship, responsibility, and continuing loyalty to the school, for which Mrs. McCloud ’25 will always be remembered.
Kate Carlin Giller ’87 and her daughters, Leah Giller ’21 and Jessica Giller ’16
Carolyn Thomas Christy ’60 has continually worked to lift up CSG
FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022 39 ALUMNAE
For her leadership in administration and education, Christy was recognized as 2022 Alumna of the Year, and accepted her award April 29, 2022 during Alumnae Weekend. The CSG Alumna of the Year Award celebrates a CSG graduate who represents the highest principles of CSG, and through that display, has made outstanding contributions in her area of endeavor. As former Director of Development and Upper School History Teacher at CSG, Christy ensured the school was firmly positioned to continue carrying out its mission to empower girls to discover their distinct potential as learners and leaders. For Christy, the distinction of Alumna of the Year holds special significance. Her mother, Virginia Boring Tice Thomas ’31, also received the award. And Christy herself was responsible for creating it in the early 80s while serving as Director of “It’sDevelopment.sortofbreathtaking,”
Christy said. “It’s thrilling to be recognized by your school.” CSG played a vital role in Christy’s education and career, and the school’s legacy lives on in her family. Her daughter, Louisa, graduated from CSG in 1989, and her granddaughter, Amanda, graduated in 2019. Christy graduated from CSG in 1960 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in history from Connecticut College and a Carolyn Thomas Christy ’60 Master’s degree in American history from The Ohio State University. During her tenure as history teacher at CSG, she also served as the Senior Class’ Faculty Advisory and President of the Faculty Association. Later, she served as the Director of Development from 1976 through 2010, leading three successful capital campaigns and increasing the Annual Giving contributions each year during her time in the role.
It was a CSG history teacher who inspired Carolyn Thomas Christy ’60 to go into the education field herself. “She really taught you how to think about something,” Christy said. Christy in turn would go on to work with countless students, teaching Upper School history at CSG from 1966 to 1969. But her teaching career is just one way that Christy affected change at her alma mater. After serving as a substitute history and government teacher for Columbus Public Schools from 1975 to 1976, Christy was asked to return to CSG to serve as Director of Development.
A Lifetime of Teaching,Learning, and Leading How Alumna of the Year
“Carolyn’s dedication to CSG is inspiring,” said Head of School Jennifer Ciccarelli. “As a teacher, she touched the lives of countless students. As Director of Development, she led initiatives to ensure teachers could continue to empower students for generations to come. The gifts of her time and talent are priceless, and I am honored to recognize her as Alumna of the Year.”
40 FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022 Help us grow the Class News sectionContactLisaDodgeinthethe Development Office at Whenalumnae@columbusschoolforgirls.orgyouopenyourcopyof Forte et Gratum, do you turn to Class News first? We need Class reps!
Barbara Van Meter Carey and her husband, Don, are also able to stay in their old New England farmhouse with help from two nearby offspring. They are certainly less active than they were a few years ago but are still able to manage the usual household chores and get out for walks in nearby woods. Donna Brenholts Salsich is happily living in Denver, Colorado, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. She has just taken up tap dancing; life is good. Unfortunately, Barbara reports that Martha “Mickey” Willcox Roberts has died. She had been living on Bainbridge Island in Washington.
1951 Class rep: Nancy Cottingham Miles
1952 Class rep: Jane Power Mykrantz 1953 Class rep needed 1954 Class rep needed 1955 Class rep: Bobbie Isaac Weiler 1956 Class rep: Andrea Smith Lorig Andrea writes: “Sadly, our ranks are diminished with the loss of Ellen , Sally, and Helen , as you may know. This news prompted a long conversation with Myra , who is busy as ever. Joanna and Jerry are moving to the Great Northwest. It took them long enough! Nice to have them in my neck of the woods. As for me, I’m still learning Widow 101 and grumbling through mountains of paperwork. Son, Gray, and daughter, Alison, are an invaluable help. Spent most of this year in and out of quarantine and joined the ranks of Long Haulers. Given the food in this retirement facility, a loss of taste and smell ain’t all bad, but the lack of energy is frustrating. A new hip and shoulder are coming up.”
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1948 Class rep needed 1949 Class rep needed 1950 Class rep: Judith Gibson Stone Judith Gibson Stone’s youngest, Jim, is a visiting professor at Harvard Law School two blocks away, so she gets to see him and his wife. She writes: “I have a to-do list for him, including cutting fallen branches into logs. Two granddaughters are working in London, England, and I hope to visit them after Covid-19. My three grandsons are in the USA. My whole Israel family (son, his wife, my grandson, and my granddaughter and her husband) all got Covid-19, although all were vaccinated. Their two grandbabies (my great-grandbabies) also got Covid-19, but all survived. My son David’s widow lives nearby—my only family in Boston. I swim 30 minutes three times a week, walk other days. So I fully expect to celebrate my 100th—and to enjoy our CSG Reunions for years to come. Much to do in Boston, so I only decamp in the summer to Martha’s Vineyard: for family, garden, swimming, and sailing.”
With thanks to proofreader and editor Carla Pollack Lane ’64
1947 Class rep needed Jeanne Willcox Whittaker is still in her home in Golden, Colorado, enjoying an active life with two daughters and two grandkids nearby. She has three greatgrandchildren with another on the way. Pat Goss Dick is able to remain in her home in Lenexa, Kansas, with her daughter, Lynne, nearby as a helper. She has five greatgrandchildren with one more on the way.
Nancy Rice Bott reports from California that she and Harry are still playing tennis each week. Karen Tweedy-Holmes is adapting to Covid-19 by photographing nature in the Big Apple. As always, her photos are stunning and uplifting.
1961 Class reps: Abigail Hobbs Faerber & Joann Smith Abigail Hobbs Faerber writes: “[In Spring of 2021] because Covid-19 forced the cancellation of our in-person 60th reunion, I collected updates, and photos from classmates and reprinted and mailed them out as a pamphlet. At least that way all of us who participated could keep up with each other. With sadness, we report that Mary Sue Pringle Anderson died peacefully in hospice care at her home in Galena, Ohio
CLASS NEWS
1957 Class rep needed 1958 Class rep: Julie Myers 1959 Class rep: Ramona Lopez Dreebin It is with great sadness that the Class of 1959 reports the death of their beloved classmate, Antoinette (Toni) Farrar Seymour, on November 27 in Philadelphia, PA at age 80. Rest in Peace, Toni.
1960 Class rep: Carolyn Thomas Christy Carolyn Thomas Christy writes: “Happy 80th year to each of us! As I recall, Sandy has led us off, and Kate will be the tail end in December 2022.”
Carol Benua Major reports that her family had a magnificent trip to Hawaii over Thanksgiving. “Aloha! Celebrating Mike and my 50th wedding anniversary (1/1/2022), our three children decided it was the perfect time to make my dream of visiting Hawaii come true. Over the 50 years, we’ve rarely vacationed, spending Mike’s few free days away from the farm either visiting my family in Westerville or more recently our daughters, their husbands, and five grands in Austin and son, Madison, and his wife, Sara, in Chicago. We traveled the entire trip with Madison and Sara, enjoying the first four days in Honolulu, where we hiked to the summit of Diamond Head. At the North Shore, our daughter, Laura, and family joined us for Thanksgiving, snorkeling, and a visit to Pearl Harbor. Finally, Emily’s family arrived in Maui. It was a dream come true!” Snorkeling, a luau, gorgeous sunsets, tropical plants, skies, beaches, and the Hawaiian hospitality were highlights of her trip.
1974 Class rep: Muffy Hamilton Parsons
1978 Class rep: Kate Estabrook Schoedinger
Janie Aronson Baskin is teaching workshops on journal-making, journaling, and a class on book making. She also has a new website, janiebaskin.com. Her daughter, Bree, has planted a “Food Forest.” Part of the bounty includes exotic fruits and vegetables, of which Janie and her husband are lucky recipients—all organic and grown with love. Less grocery shopping for Janie!
Having just retired from 35 years in education, Ruby Steigerwald decided to do something teachers can never do—take a fall trip. So on October 12, she began a ride around Lake Champlain with her wife, Jamie Buss, and sister, Betsy Steigerwald Yingling ’76, as well as a couple other good friends. In seven days of mostly glorious weather (with one crazy windy and rainy day!), they rode about 290 miles, and climbed a total of roughly 18,000 feet.
1971 Class rep: Nancy Pace
1976 Class rep: Charlotte Stiverson
42 FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022 on May 7, 2021. She was Vice President for Corporate Operations at Huntington Bank.
1975 Class rep: Julie Friedlander
1965 Class rep needed 1966 Class rep needed
1972 Class rep: Caroline Farrar Orrick 1973 Class rep: Susie Bauer
Susan has just opened her own store, Susan Alexandra, at 33 Orchard St., and Janie is a wax artist. They’ve hung in through the pandemic, and Janie Marr is very proud of them. Sally Schmidt Austen is ensconced in Vail, enjoying an all-too-white Christmas and new year, cooking comfort food for husband George, twins Watts & Lang, who are both home for winter, and Mr. T— their two-year-old springer spaniel who is always ready to “clean a plate.” Sally is also developing Instagram/website displays for fabulous fashions.
1977 Class rep: Constance Staber
1967 Class reps: Carol Benua Major & Mary Larrick Schmertz Benny Alba (Benua) had a solo show in the Los Angeles area’s Conejho Valley Art Museum this past year. In January 2022, she had a solo show in the Maturango Museum—also in California. “The American Storm series continues with paintings morphing into dusk and the indigos of evening. I sure have appreciated symphonies, long distance calls with dear friends, a deepening interest in archaeology, ravens n’ crows n’ Ridgeback dogs, plus Native American weaving this past year, thanks to the Internet.”
1968 Class rep: Pamela Lynn Pam Lynn , living in Massachusetts, was able to visit her sister, Jo Lynn ’76, who had just retired from the OSU Medical Center. It was their good fortune to attend an OSU football game on the warmest of fall days. Pam continues to keep herself busy serving as a library trustee and leading several book groups.
1969 Class rep: Candace Corson 1970 Class reps: Leslie Huntington & Lesley Schaab From Leslie: “The Class of 1970 turns 70 years old this year, and plans a big Birthday Party. Most girls were born during 1952, and this year marks the 52nd anniversary of CSG graduation. The class looks forward to being together!”
1962 Class rep: Patricia Tice Offenberg 1963 Class rep needed 1964 Class reps: Carla Pollack Lane & Linda Benua Karen Wise Jaffe, who lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, has volunteered for Wes Moore’s campaign for the Democratic nomination to the 2022 Maryland Governor’s race. It’s a long shot, Karen explains, as Moore is one of nine Democrats on the June primary ballot. The main election is in November, so here’s hoping that Karen will have a very busy summer and fall. From Greensboro, North Carolina, Linda McNealey Anderson reports: “Through our church, we are sponsoring an Afghan family, a young couple from Kabul. Thankfully the husband speaks English well and, as of today, they both have social security cards and can get jobs. This has been very different from other experiences I have had with refugees because they have cell phones and can talk to their families who are in refugee camps in the U.S., as well as to those who are still in Afghanistan.”
Janie Marr Werum ’s step-daughters, Janie and Susan Korn, are both in NYC.
Annie Chapwell gave a fabulous performance in the podcast of a play, called “Covenant Farm,” available at wildducktheatre.com. Her character called for an Ohio accent, which was new for the actress, who has lived in England for 50 years.
1982 Class rep: Leslie Rogovin Fox 1983 Class rep needed 1984 Class rep: Andrea Krupman Powell Andrea Krupman Powell writes: “Happy New Year to the class of 1984! I’ve heard from a few that it was a challenging year with some of you coming down with Covid-19. Joe and I were in that group. We were double-vaccinated at the time, now boostered and all. Hoping you/your family members have recovered. “We lost some family and friends: The earliest, and most significant blow to many of us was our very dear friend, and as a class our wacky, brilliant, anythingfor-the-shock value classmate, Andrea Wobst Jeney. My heart is still heavy. Kim Feinknopf-Dorrian lost her beloved and oh so talented father, Mark Feinknopf. Judge Marvin Romanoff passed away too—our sympathies to Hilary (and Andrew CA ‘84) Romanoff. Nowhere near as significant, but heartbreaking just the same, Joe and I put down our 12.5-year-old sweet, funny, goofy Stella Paje, (Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Yorkie mix) just before Thanksgiving. Our eight glorious days at the Hyatt Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic for Joe’s 50th birthday a mere four days after putting Stella down may have been the only thing that kept me from completely losing my mind. I do miss the pitter patter of her little paws on the stone floors, and having her curled up in my lap—like she would be now as I type this.
Kristin Kirk Florey writes of scuba diving along the river bottoms of South Carolina’s Cooper River in search of giant 6” Megalodon shark teeth, Wooly Mammoth molars and tusk remnants, primordial whale bones (including the inner ear bones from prehistoric Sperm whales—of which she found a record SIX!), dugong rib bones, shark vertebrae, fossilized turtle shell pieces, giant sloth claws and beaver incisors, extinct hoofed herbivores, petrified tree roots, historic artifacts, and other antiquated fossils-o-plenty. It’s an adventure for sure because the diving is in near pitch black, muddy waters with rapid currents on the coastal river bottom with little to no visibility (!). The finds that amazed her the most were the whale rib bones she unearthed that have distinct bite marks, gashes, and gnaw indentations indicative of the colossal, serrated teeth of the Megalodon sharks who preyed on them! Kristin’s epic escapade was supplemented with a bonus, preternatural encounter. Upon surfacing after one of her ominous dives, she looked to her right and found herself FACE TO FACE WITH AN ALLIGATOR! The ’gator was so close that she could see its pupils dilating. Unsure of just how to respond, Kristin pretty much had no choice but to continue floating about in hopes that the gator didn’t come any closer. Once the dive boat spotted her and headed in her direction, the gator went under. This maneuver left Kristin equally as rattled because she wasn’t quite sure if his having submerged was a good move or a bad one in terms of her safety. Ultimately however, she successfully made it back onto the boat unharmed. From Ashland, Oregon, Sheila Foster is happy to report that she has so far successfully survived her daughter Clarity turning 13 and becoming a real teenager. She has also discovered that one of the advantages of being a Sheila,nearbyofthejobsorganicchildren,increasetoExecutiveadvantage!Thereneat-nick—becominghersomewhat-disorganizedless-than-fastidious-motherhasgivendaughterampleroomtorebelbyawell-organized,compulsiveha,whowouldhavethunk?!arewaystoturnrebelliontoone’sOntheworkfront,astheDirectorofRogueValleyFarmSchool,Sheilahasbeenworkingtoaccesstohealthy,freshfoodforincludingdistributingboxesofproducetofamilieswholosttheirasaresultofCovid-19orwhosurvivedAlmedaFire,whichleftmorethan50%theschoolchildrenwithouthomesintowns.It’sbeenaroughyear,saysbutalsoaninspiringone.
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Laura Chu Stokes is weathering unexpected health challenges with positive/realistic goals that can have surprisingly empowering moments!
Ronda Mankamyer McIntyre shares good news mixed with sad: Before she was diagnosed with post-concussive syndrome and multiple binocular vision dysfunctions, her oldest son, Stuart, married Lee Pepper in early June. It was the absolute perfect timing as Covid-19 restrictions had just been lifted and there was no Delta variant yet. Unfortunately, because of a traumatic fall in July, Ronda is currently unable to do many everyday activities such as reading, cooking, using a computer, and walking without support without great difficulty. It will be a long road back. She misses her work in the classroom, but has been putting all of her energy into healing and hopes to someday be able to work again.
“On the flip side, I’ve had the good fortune to spend quality time with classmates Kristin Kirk Florey ; Becky Joblonicky Begala; Susan Moseley Salisbury ; Julie Schottenstein Saar (on Wednesday mornings at Shul), and her mom Lenny on Tuesday night for a Refresher Class in Judaism; Theresa Sugar ’85; Ellen Glimcher; and my sister Marla ’81 and brother Jeffrey (CA ’88), who have both been in town a couple times this year. Katie Kessler Chatas sent me a message via Facebook letting me know she’s been able to hang out with Sarai Brachman Shoup since moving to, you know, THAT city … Ann Arbor! I noticed an Instagram post of her adorable father ringing the bell at The James indicating that he’d completed radiation treatment. Big congrats to Mr. Kessler! Continue to be well!”
Good company, beautiful scenery, good food, and a big dose of gratitude for still being strong enough to do this (many moments of coaching her legs, “You can do this! You’re strong!”), all made it a wonderful trip.
1979 Class rep: Margaret Cunningham Basiliadis 1980 Class rep: Robon Warburton Donaldson 1981 Class rep: Marla Krupman Stephanie Halliday and Leigh Giroux are happy to report the engagement of their daughter, Alexandra, to Philip Pearlman during a recent family trip to St. Thomas. Alexandra’s sisters, Charlotte and Olivia, helped ensure the proposal was a surprise during a special sunset backdrop—after which rounds of applause and cheers erupted from area beach goers.
Tammy Patterson Backenstoe was thrilled to celebrate her son, Sam, among the 17 young men of The Ohio State Buckeyes Club Football team for winning the National Championship All-American honors. Manette Watson Sykes reports that she was promoted to the Financial Counselor position at the Recovery Centers of America drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in Pittsburgh. It is a great opportunity to use her 15 years of sobriety and years of experience with health insurance and claims processing.
1988 Class reps: Cathy Vrenna & Paige Lucas O’Mahoney 1989 Class rep needed 1990 Class rep: Janet Knight Rauschenberger 1991 Class rep: Michelle Congbalay McMichael Ann Bancroft writes: “I had the wonderful pleasure of hosting Eva Nicolosi ’21 at MedVet for her May program this year. It was a rewarding experience, and I look forward to keeping in touch with Eva as she moves on to college. In September, I was honored to accept an alumni award from Otterbein University. One of my dear clients nominated me for this distinguished award that recognizes the achievements I have made as a veterinarian. I am so honored to receive this award. The foundation I built at Otterbein led me to MedVet, where I still work today (going on 23 years). I am so grateful for the many opportunities I have had to continue to grow as a doctor there.”
1994 Class rep: Jessica Bailey Rush 1995 Class reps: Audra Longert & Bernadette Kuhnsman Donovan Ohio finally called Bernadette “Bernie” Kuhnsman Donovan home. She writes: “After 20 years of living in Marin, a county in the San Francisco Bay Area, and believing that I would never leave, I moved my family across the country to Columbus. I left Columbus in January of 2001 for San Francisco and ended up moving back in January of 2021. A full 20-year cycle! It took being a healthcare provider (nurse practitioner) during a global pandemic and climate change to finally push us out. We bought a house sight unseen without a realtor in Bexley. We could never have done this without the help of Clare Willoughby Ceballos ’95 , who never gave up trying to get me to come back. And now my 7-yearold son, who is named Bexley, now lives in Bexley. (Clearly, we never thought we would move.) The name is an homage to a place that changed my life for the better via CSG and is now proof that sometimes right back where you started from is right where you belong. It’s been amazing to entwine my day to day life with Clare and Audra Longert and to sing class songs together with the influence of wine. I’ve gotten to see the actual faces of Katie, Lindsey, Natalie, and Brandi . I hope to see more of you all when this pandemic subsides, especially as Audra and I are now your class reps!” 1996 Class rep: Molly Schirner Fortune 1997 Class reps: Julie Ferber Zuckerman & Krissy Fenner 1998 Class rep: Miranda Martin Warren 1999 Class rep: Amanda Moore McGinnis 2000 Class rep: Jennifer Good Skrobarcek 2001 Class rep: Janis Cherise Penn 2002 Class reps: Jane Alexander & Katherine Exline 2003 Class rep: Liz Liston
Kristin reports that Missy Tell Ottinger was showcased in the video “Faces of Resilience,” where Missy shares her experiences battling bipolar 1 and all that goes along with it. Julie Schottenstein Saar was helping out in the Program for Young Children classrooms at CSG, and so was her daughter, Maya ’14 . Maya is now in NYC, Shai (Bexley ’16) is in California, and Ruthie is a SENIOR! Laura Porter-Jones reports: “So our holidays got a whole lot brighter and merrier on Thursday evening (12/30/21) when this guy showed up on our doorstep fresh from Iraq. Forty-eight hours of travel and at least five flights—we are all so grateful! Army Specialist David Jones was stationed at Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq. He’s returned to the U.S. and, after a brief respite at home, will head to Ft. Carson in Colorado.”
Debbie Betz Mertz has news! She writes: “I’m a mother again! I’m fostering my cousin’s daughter’s baby. We’re all in love. Ava is now 18 months old and pure sugar.”
1985 Class rep: Robin Ives Canowitz Pam Prouty is a grandma! Her son and daughter-in-law, Zach and Erika, welcomed Caroline Kae Prouty to the world on September 23, 2021. All are doing well, and she’s enjoying regular visits with Caroline as they all live in the central Ohio area.
1986 Class rep: Sandra Kim 1987 Class reps: Maggie McLeod Bowers & Karen Lurie Jones
1992 Class rep: Bethany Broderick 1993 Class rep: Marnie Stein Marnie Stein writes: “Look who is in the same class! Please welcome to the class of 2028 Graceann Brake, who is the daughter of Joanne D’Ippolito Brake ’93 . I could not be happier that my daughter, Goldie Poulos, and Joanne’s daughter are in the same class, just like Joanne and I were many years ago! Good luck to these girls in the years to come.”
44 FORTE ET GRATUM • SPRING 2022 Rebecca McCabe Ibel is happy to share that her daughter, Sarah, is now in Form VIII, and they are grateful to CSG for navigating this time with strength and grace. “She is having a great year at school, in person and from home and even able to play sports in a limited capacity. I continue to work in the gallery, wearing my mask, and exploring a balance of virtual and real art exhibitions. I’m learning the art of the Zoom artist studio visit and exploring the worlds of Instagram and Facebook. We are lucky to be healthy and productive, as best we can. Fortunately, I get to spend lots of time riding my horse, and I am a new member of the Rocky Fork Headley Hunt! Tally Ho!”
reunited this October to celebrate the marriage of Chloe Hansen Moran to Brennan Moran. 2005 Class rep: Maria Dixon LeBlanc Georgia Ruch Gocken and her family welcomed their second child in April of 2021, a daughter named Wingate Ruch Gocken. Maria Dixon LeBlanc and her family welcomed their second son, Timothy Luke, in October.
2006 Class rep: Marielle Perrault McGregor 2007 Class rep needed
2018
2004 Class reps: Carolyn Thurman & Carey Rabold Woodruff After having to postpone launching their wines until 2022 due to Covid-19 disruptions and her fibroid surgery, Diana Hawkins is happy to announce that the first vintage for Responsible Hedonist will kick off in Aotearoa, New Zealand in March 2022! “We’ll be making Syrah and Chardonnay, and the wines will be arriving stateside in Q4. It’s been a long road, and Frank and I want to thank you for all your support and good vibes. You can follow along as we make our first wines at @ResponsibleHedonistWines on SeveralInstagram.”classmates
2008 Class reps: Megan Fitzmartin & Teresa Eigel 2009 Class rep: Laura Raines 2010 Class rep: Molly Schissel 2011 Class rep: Taylor Lint 2012 Class reps: Angela Mentel Burd & Jordan James Angela Mentel married Logan Burd on October 23, 2021 in Columbus. They were excited and grateful to celebrate with Columbus School for Girls friends Alexandra Wesolek , Alexis Jones , Susan Wendt , and Tora Bonnier 2013 Class rep: Evlin Hogan Victoria Williams married Keith Whitson on June 26, 2021. Class rep: Hannah Barends Class rep needed Class rep needed Class reps: Marissa Madison & Mia George Class reps: Katie Watts & Julia Lunt Class reps: & Class reps: Greta Schoetmer & Amirah Lomax 2021 Class rep needed
2015
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2016
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2019
Eleanor Richardson
Mackenzie Peterson 2020
IN MEMORIAM Patricia Davisson Skinner ’46 May 1, 2021 Martha “Mickey” Willcox Roberts ’47 No date in obituary Mary Stoddart Miller ’48 December 14, 2021 Patricia Price White ’48 April 4, 2020 Susan Hayward Collins ’51 November 28, 2021 Margaret Knies Handley ’55 January 5, 2021 Ruth Tucker Harris ‘55 December 27, 2021 Antoinette “Toni” Farrar Seymour ’59 November 27, 2021 Maureen Stevens Shedenhelm ’63 January 16, 2022 Kathryn “Kay” Jeffrey ’66 August 8, 2021 Peggy Kauffman Connors ’70 January 30, 2022 Left to right: Beth Meyer, Lindsey Innes, Chloe Hansen Moran, Jessica Turpin Dawson, Jacqueline Bleck Maier, Carey Rabold Woodruff. Maria Dixon LeBlanc ’05’s new son, Timothy, and big brother, Andrew.
Age 3 to Grade 12 Columbus School for 614-252-0781www.columbusschoolforgirls.orgGirlsext.442SCHOOL2022-2023FORAPPLICATIONSACCEPTINGCURRENTLYTHEYEAR Columbus School for Girls 65 S. Drexel Ave. Columbus, OH www.columbusschoolforgirls.org43209 NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. COLUMBUS,PAIDPOSTAGEOHPERMITNO.153
