CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2021

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.

Student Council President, McKenna Merriman, echoed this sentiment in her address to students, saying that the class built a home in her heart.

“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.

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 today.

“Take 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?”

Class of 2021: What’s Next

Sydney Anderson University of Dayton Gabriella Anthony The Ohio State University Olivia Barry-Wilson University of St Andrews Jordan Bauknight University of Cincinnati Baillie Breckenridge University of Cincinnati Gabriella Cain New York University Alyssa Canowitz University of Maryland Kayla Carpenter The Ohio State University Isha Chabria The Ohio State University Khushi Chabria George Washington University Olivia Clarke University of Southern California Ava Deskins The Ohio State University Lauren Dittrick Case Western Reserve University Jonah Feinberg Columbia University Sofia Feinberg Tulane University of Louisiana Ava Fortney The Ohio State University Nyah Funderburke The Ohio State University Maya Garg Tufts University Leah Giller Boston College Julia Gumina Case Western Reserve University Ami Hartshorne Ohio Wesleyan University Parker Hearst The Ohio State University Sydney Horner University of Utah Sophia Koffler Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

The Class of 2021 in college shirts

Katharine Kramer Wellesley College Caroline Kromalic Case Western Reserve University Jolien Kusi Kenyon College KaIsis Lee Minneapolis College of Art and Design Charlotte Love University of Reading McKenna Merriman The New School Eva Nicolosi Villanova University Courtney Pascol Nova Southeastern University Amelia Purdum Miami University (Oxford) Alexandria Rodgers The Ohio State University Emma Salamon The University of Alabama Allyson Schuster Miami University (Oxford) Olivia Shuff Furman University Mara Sims Harvard University Isabella Sloan Ithaca College Natalie Tangeman Northwestern University Sophia Vershinin University of Michigan Kennedy Watkins Ohio Wesleyan University Ally Werstler Wake Forest University Olivia Westley-Sherman Kenyon College Emma Young Southern Methodist University Alison Zheng Fordham University

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.

Robin Ives Canowitz ’85 with her daughter, Alyssa Canowitz ’21 Kate Carlin Giller ’87 and her daughters, Leah Giller ’21 and Jessica Giller ’16

Dayna Baird Payne ’87 and her daughter, Kate Kramer ’21

McCloud Award

Gabby Anthony ’21, winner of the 2021 Virginia Colgan McCloud Award

A Lifetime of Teaching, Learning, and Leading

How Alumna of the Year Carolyn Thomas Christy ’60 has continually worked to lift up CSG

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.

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 Development.

“It’s sort of breathtaking,” 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.

“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.”