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Preparation for Life and Artificial Intelligence
First through fourth-grade students, along with Primary School faculty and staff, lined the courtyard to “clap in” and welcome kindergarteners and new students to HB’s celebrated community.
Contents Letter from the Head of School 11
Embracing the World of AI
HB is poised to embrace a new frontier with curiosity and excitement
News from North Park 12
Achievements and Celebration
Celebrating milestones and accomplishments on campus
Features 16
ChatHB: Preparation for Life and AI
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Coding, Robotics, Algorithms
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Creating a Special Welcome at HB
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Alumnae Spotlight: Edna Dawley Strnad ’42
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HB Through the Decades
How the growth of artificial intelligence is changing the landscape of learning HB is blazing a trail in Computer Science Jane Quayle Outcalt ’55 and her husband Jon are supporting the new Outcalt Family Primary Atrium Celebrating 100 years of learning for life
As we prepare to celebrate the school’s 150th anniversary in 2026, HB Magazine kicks off a series highlighting our rich history
Class News 32
Alumnae Updates
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Brides, Babies, Careers and Memorials
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Alumnae Weekend
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A beloved tradition in the Primary School, students sing “Lovely Birthday” to their fourth-grade classmate as she stands on her chair. The lyrics are “Lovely birthday to Cessie, love and happiness too, take time to celebrate, take time to celebrate this special day for you, take time to celebrate, take time to celebrate this special day for you!”
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Pure joy as soccer player Alice Hollingsworth ’26, daughter of Katherine Barr Hollingsworth ’96, celebrates a goal with her Blazer teammates!
Photo by Ken Furlich
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Young learners in the coed Infant and Toddler Center practice their motor, cognitive, and social skills.
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Niche.com rated Hathaway Brown as the top girls’ school for STEM in the state of Ohio. HB is also ranked among the top five percent of private K-12 schools in America.
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19600 North Park Boulevard Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122 216.932.4214
We’d Love To Hear From You! Share your thoughts. Send letters to the editor to hbschoolnews@hb.edu or to the school’s mailing address. Do you prefer a digital magazine? To cancel delivery and receive a digital copy of HB Magazine instead, email hbschoolnews@hb.edu. Artwork for the front cover was created in seconds with the help of Midjourney, a generative artificial intelligence program.
Editorial Team:
Index
Suzanne Taigen Editor Director of Communications
Alumnae featured in this issue
D.J. Reichel Art Director/Designer Visuals and Publications Manager Kendra Davis Associate Editor Director of Marketing Agnes Bahr Social Media and Content Coordinator Natasha Herbert Photographer and Videographer
Alumnae Engagement Team: Missy Iredell Gebhardt ’96 Director of Alumnae Engagement Marra Kowall Alumnae Engagement Coordinator
Administrative Team: Fran Bisselle Head of School Sheri Homany Associate Head of School Sharon Baker Director of Middle School Kendra Davis Director of Marketing Lauren Gibson ’01 Chief Financial Officer
News from North Park, pg. 12 Muna Agwa ’23 Izzy Botos ’23 Nancy Swegler Anthony ’71 Lucy Castellanos ’23 Virginia Osborne Charman ’41* Martine Vilas Conway ’49* Catherine Herrick Levy ’93 Olivia Nordstrom ’23 Miranda Pace ’23 Margaret (Molly) Paine ’17 Taplin Seelbach ’23 Meredith Stewart ’23 Alisha Vasavada ’23 Susan Kettering Williamson ’55* Celebrating 100 Years of Learning for Life, pg. 24 Edna Dawley Strnad ’42 Clara Taplin Rankin ’39 Kate Baker Spring ’39* Lyse Strnad ’72 Nina Strnad ’74 Margaret (Peggy) Sturges McCreary ’41* Creating a Special Welcome at HB, pg. 22 Jane Quayle Outcalt ’55
Clarke Wilson Leslie ’80 Director of Advancement Rachel Lintgen Director of Upper School LaShawna Adams Mitchell Director of Infant & Toddler Center Darrah Parsons Director of Early Childhood Program Elizabeth Pinkerton Director of Enrollment Management Kelly Stepnowsky Director of Primary School 8
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*Deceased
Middle School Hootenanny! The long-standing tradition continues as faculty and student guitarists lead songs and exuberant singing in Ahuja Auditorium.
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Dogs from Guiding Eyes for the Blind visited campus to snuggle and nuzzle with Upper School students. Organized by the school counseling team, the visit promoted self-care and mental health for students, and served as training for the dogs as they prepare to help people with vision loss.
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Embracing the World of
AI
H
athaway Brown has always embraced bold and broad aspirations: to help shape a future of unbounded possibility for women; to stand among the country’s leading schools in educational innovation; and to be a force for the common good beyond our campus. Our history is full of trailblazing moments and this inventive spirit makes us uniquely poised to embrace the world of artificial intelligence (AI) energized with curiosity and excitement. Innovation has defined us, and the AI frontier will challenge us. We couldn’t be more excited!
AI supports HB’s culture of learning for life. As a tool, it can be used as a tutor, collaborator or thinking partner that our students can use responsibly. It can also assist our teachers and allow them to spend more time building community and coaching students on executive functioning skills and social emotional learning — two critical components of our strategic plan focus on the balanced holistic development of students. AI will also drive more interdisciplinary collaborations and facilitate the synthesis of ideas from various fields, a natural instinct of our Upper School Fellowships in Applied Studies. Perhaps most importantly, AI will demand our future leaders have well-honed moral compasses and that they are willing to lean into applying ethical principles while using it – confirming HB’s long held belief that integrity and character matter most. As we prepare for the future, Chief Information Officer Barry Kallmeyer leads an ambitious committee of our extraordinary educators to plan for curriculum innovations and professional development. In my experience, HB has always been at the forefront of the educational landscape in moments like this. I have no doubt we will continue to lead in the integration and application of AI and embrace this new frontier – as the trailblazers we are! Fondly,
Dr. Fran Bisselle Head of School
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NEWS FROM Four Upper School Students Recognized Nationally by The College Board The College Board, which administers the PSAT and SAT, announced that senior and junior students have been awarded the National African American and National Hispanic Recognition Program academic honors. The designation is based on their academic achievements and outstanding performance on the PSAT and/or AP exams. National African American Recognition Program Scholars: Alexis Everett ’24 Alia Ali ’24 Leyah Jackson ’24
13 Seniors Recognized by National Merit Scholarship Program Thirteen seniors, which accounts for 18 percent of the Class of 2024, were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program for their academic talent, as indicated by the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Nationwide, 16,000 seniors were named semifinalists. These seniors have the opportunity to advance as finalists and compete for more than 7,000 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million. National Merit Semifinalists: Gauri Gandhi Grace Gilson Nyneishia Gupta
Anna Lee Clarisse Wee
Additionally, National Merit Commended Students placed among 50,000 top scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition by taking the PSAT/NMSQT. National Merit Commended Students: Frances Berglund Margaret Chen Grace Dai Nysha Gupta *Not pictured 12
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Fiona Liu Hannah Rutherford Neha Sangani Lauren Tyrpak*
National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar: Katherine Hilbert ’25
Author Jennifer Wallace Visits Campus Hathaway Brown hosted Jennifer Breheny Wallace, author of New York Times bestseller, Never Enough. In a discussion led by Catherine Herrick Levy ’93 (right), Wallace shared information from her book which explores the “toxic achievement culture” impacting both kids and parents, and what communities can do to combat it.
Speech & Debate Nationals Seniors Gauri Gandhi and Neha Sangani, along with junior Madeleine Burke (not pictured), traveled to Phoenix, Arizona to compete in the largest academic competition in the United States – the National Speech and Debate Tournament. Gauri and Neha finished 12th out of 279 teams in the Public Forum Debate. Not only have Gauri and Neha made school history, but they have also prequalified for next year’s national tournament, they each won a $1,000 scholarship from the Arthur Rupe Foundation, and were recognized at the national awards ceremony.
Rachel Lintgen is the New Upper School Director
Nancy Swegler Anthony ’71 Receives Aspire Program Founders’ Award
Rachel Lintgen joined the administration as Upper School director. She shares, “I’m thrilled to be at HB! I love the spirit and positivity of our students. It’s been so great to see how they can be both serious students and be willing to have some serious fun. As I get to know the Upper School faculty, I am in awe of their passion for their content and dedication to their craft. I’ve only been here a few months now, but I can tell HB is a really special place. I feel lucky and proud to be a part of this community.”
The Aspire Program, HB’s tuition-free leadership and academic enrichment program for middle school girls, awarded Nancy Swegler Anthony ‘71 with their Founders’ Award. In 2012, Nancy established the Anthony Family Fund for Aspire and has since spent unwavering energy and dedication to further the program’s development.
Difference Maker Award
Beth Burtch Named Top Teacher
Upper School Academic Dean and Science Department Chair Beth Burtch was selected as a Top Teacher of the Year at the 2023 Cleveland.com High School Standout Awards. Beth’s passion for education, dedication to promoting young women in sciences, and ingenuity in creating and teaching organic Chemistry courses set her apart from the other 280 nominees.
Students Eva Kroh ‘24, Margaret Chen ‘24, Saijal Jawa ‘28, and Sofia Pace ‘28 attended Family Connections’ 40th anniversary benefit and celebration to accept the Difference Maker award on behalf of HB’s student-led foundation GROW (Girls Reaching Others Worldwide). GROW funds nonprofits in the Greater Cleveland area while inspiring students to develop an early interest in philanthropy.
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NEWS FROM Division Directors Launch Podcasts Unboxed Hosted by division directors Kelly Stepnowsky, Sharon Baker, SCANTO TOLISTEN GIVE SCAN and Rachel Lintgen, “Unboxed” goes beyond academics and unpacks the real experiences, challenges, and triumphs of being a kindergarten through 12th grade girl. Scan the QR code to listen on Spotify!
Blazer Athletes Named All Americans
Everything’s Fine
Miranda Pace ’23 was named an All American by USA Lacrosse. Miranda continues her lacrosse career at the College of the Holy Cross.
“Everything’s Fine” is a podcast dedicated to navigating SCANTO TOLISTEN GIVE SCAN the world of early childhood development. Hosted by Early Childhood Program Director Darrah Parsons, Infant and Toddler Center Director LaShawna Adams Mitchell, and Consulting Psychologist Sarah Cain Spanagel, “Everything’s Fine” offers insight and advice empowering parents to confidently embrace the joys and challenges of raising young children.
Swimmers from the Division II state championship team were also named All Americans by the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association: Sofia Jimenez ’26 Beatrice Stewart ’25 Claire Mehok ’24 Meredith Stewart ’23 Lilly Mehok ’24 Taplin Seelbach ’23 Iris Qi ’24
Lucy Castellanos ‘23 Received Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Scholarship
Meredith Stewart and Taplin Seelbach are now swimming at the collegiate level, attending Columbia University and Georgetown University, respectively.
Lucy Castellanos ‘23 earned the prestigious Immediate Scholarship Reservation (ISR). Out of 84 students who applied for the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship, 32 were selected for the national scholarship. Lucy advanced and was chosen by the commanding officer of NTAG Ohio River Valley for the exclusive ISR scholarship, an honor bestowed upon just two deserving students.
Members of the state championship swim team were recognized as Academic All Americans: Muna Agwa ‘23 Meredith Stewart ‘23 Izzy Botos ‘23 Alisha Vasavada ‘23 Olivia Nordstrom ‘23
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2023 Endowed Faculty Chairs Hathaway Brown’s Endowed Faculty Chairs are the highest academic award bestowed on faculty to honor excellence and distinguished teaching. Some of the 14 endowed chairs are on a rotating basis up to five years, while others are for longer durations
The Martine Vilas Conway 1949 Chair for Aspire Ali Black, Aspire Director Martine Vilas Conway 1949 established this chair in 2008 to support the director of the Aspire Program. Aspire is a tuition-free academic and leadership program for middle school girls and teachers who have tremendous potential in the field of education.
The Sue Sadler Award for Promise in Education Anna Gilbertson, Physical Education Teacher This award honors Sue Sadler for her many contributions to the HB community, including classroom teaching and school administration, spanning more than two decades. It is given annually to an earlycareer educator who demonstrates a deep commitment to excellence in education, possesses a sincere desire to reach every student, and through his or her work, has a powerfully positive impact on the HB community.
The Anne Cutter Coburn Chair for Excellence in Teaching Jason Habig, Middle School History Teacher The Anne Cutter Coburn Chair for Excellence in Teaching was established in 1984 to recognize teaching excellence at Hathaway Brown School.
The Paine Family Leadership in Coaching Award Danielle Kaufman, Early Childhood Teacher, Field Hockey and Lacrosse Coach In 2018, this award was created by Amy and Andrew (Randy) J. Paine III, parents of Margaret (Molly) Paine ’17 to recognize the significant impact a coach can have on the HB community and the individual development of student-athletes for life.
The Kettering Fund Chair for Student Research Program Janna Mino, Director of Fellowship in Science Research and Engineering This endowment was established in 2004 with generous grants from The Kettering Fund of Dayton, Ohio with the support of Susan Kettering Williamson 1955.
The William McKinley & Jessie M. Osborne Chair for the Writing Fellowship Matthew Rager, Director of Osborne Fellowship in Writing Virginia Osborne Charman 1941 created this chair in 2001 because she believed that the written word is and always has been a signature element of a Hathaway Brown education. This endowment supports the chair, establishing an atmosphere where student writing can originate and evolve.
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ChatHB
Preparation for Life and Artificial Intelligence
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ndless information is at our fingertips. Can’t remember that famous actor’s name? Google it. Need the weather forecast? Check your app. Need driving directions? Apple Maps. Waze. Want to do all of this hands-free? Alexa? Hey Siri? State-of-the-art technology using artificial intelligence is not new. It is around us every day. Our smart phones don’t require a password because they unlock through facial recognition. When we text, the autocomplete function suggests words and sentences to help us quickly and efficiently send our message. Netflix makes recommendations of movies or documentaries we might like based on what we watched last weekend. Amazon gives us a robust list of recommended items based on our searches. But lately, there’s a lot of buzz about artificial intelligence AI for short. OpenAI, a research and deployment company, launched ChatGPT just last year, and the discussion has gone to fever pitch ever since. What exactly are these new applications? What are the implications of AI in education? Will AI take over the world?! Data scientist Cal Al-Dhubaib met with members of Hathaway Brown’s administrative team and the alumnae Head’s Council to help explain and demystify all the chatter around AI. “I want to create an understanding of AI, but then I want to make it boring,” he explains. “Let’s see it for the pattern recognizing and reacting system that it is. I want people to come away from an AI discussion knowing how AI tools work, but also understanding they are not perfect.”
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Generative AI The popular AI platform ChatGPT - along with other programs like Microsoft’s Copilot, Adobe’s Firefly, and Google’s Bard - is referred to as generative AI. These tools act as a chatbot capable of having human-like conversations with users and generating large amounts of content, including text and images. Open AI has also released an art platform called Dall-E 2 which generates images and artwork in seconds based on the prompt given. Want to see artwork of Cleveland’s Terminal Tower
The Good and Bad of AI in Education Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are exciting, and can help students in a multitude of ways. They can help explain complex math problems, brainstorm ideas, and proofread. “A huge positive of AI is that it can act as a tutor to which every student has access,” HB’s Chief Information Officer Barry Kallmeyer shares. “Tutors can be expensive and this can help level that playing field.”
Dall-E 2 images generated with prompt asking for art of Cleveland’s Terminal Tower in styles of Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso.
in the style of Van Gogh? How about in the style of Picasso or Monet? Dall-E 2 quickly and impressively delivers. The platforms are capable of generating large amounts of information because they are trained on billions of examples of data and human language, also known as large language models. “It’s important to understand that what looks like intelligence is just an emergent property of a model being exposed to a lot of examples of human expression,“ explains Al-Dhubaib. “I like to say that it’s autocomplete on steroids.” Now that generative AI tools are readily available, individuals who are not programmers or data scientists have the ability to interact with AI directly, instead of it just working in the background. Within seconds. you can ask ChatGPT to do more than you can imagine, from the simple to the complex - generate a grocery list to make Spanish paella, write a poem about life at an all-girls school, explain the importance of the Magna Carta, or find the solution to a complex calculus problem.
However, the tools also raise questions about academic integrity. “There is still a lot of concern that students can misuse these tools,” Kallmeyer explains. “We need to normalize their use and find ways to help our students use them ethically.” As with all resources, Kallmeyer encourages students to double check and verify information found through generative AI tools. Al-Dhubaib agrees, “Language models can be wrong, and they can produce citations that look real but don’t exist. You must do your due diligence.” AI also challenges educators to take a look at the questions they are asking. Language models can supply endless amounts of words on a huge variety of topics, but they do not necessarily reflect critical thinking, feeling, or understanding. Al-Dhubaib asks, “What does it mean to demonstrate learning when creating words is now cheap or even free?”
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And just where does all the information in tools like ChatGPT come from? “Behind every AI are humans,” Al-Dhubaib explains. “It’s important for users to understand that humans are making the design choices and selecting and curating what data goes into the training process for that given language model.” With humans guiding the process, biases and limitations are possible. “A lot of these enterprises say they have ethical AI research teams, but there are currently no standards to hold the industry accountable,” Al-Dhubaib explains.
Government Regulations Al-Dhubaib believes government regulations around AI in the United States are inevitable. An example is the proposed legislation of the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act which would be the world’s first comprehensive legal framework for AI. According to the World Economic Forum, the proposed law focuses “primarily on strengthening rules around data quality, transparency, human oversight, and accountability. It also aims to address ethical questions and implementation challenges in various sectors ranging from healthcare and education to finance and energy.” Although some critics may say regulation holds back competition, Al-Dhubaib believes a set of standards are necessary just like consumers have protections through regulatory agencies like the FDA and FAA. “What you think is best is not necessarily what someone else thinks is best. This creates chaos, ambiguity, and room for bad actors to be subversive,” he says. “I’m a big fan of standards that hold us to the same measuring stick.”
AI at Hathaway Brown At HB, large language models like ChatGPT are changing the landscape of learning. “Our students will never know a world without AI so we need to lean into this and help our students navigate the fast-paced advancements,” Head of School Dr. Fran Bisselle shares. “Generative AI tools will make us more efficient, and they will also make the value of human relationships and good judgment more important.” For many years, Kallmeyer has led HB’s technology review committee comprised of faculty and staff. During the current school year, he expects the topics covered will be entirely focused on AI. “The technology and our access to it is moving rapidly and we need to build structures to make sure conversations are shared among students and employees,” he explains. Upper School Director Rachel Lintgen worked with student senate representatives to create artificial intelligence guidelines. The document underscores HB’s philosophy to “embrace the use of AI and other emerging technologies with responsible oversight, transparency, and appropriate use.” Clear guidelines are shared and the policy states that “submission of work that uses or is aided by unauthorized or uncited technology, is considered a violation of the honor code.” As students, alumnae, educators, and families know, the true mission of HB is preparation for life. “No doubt artificial intelligence will play an important role in our lives moving forward,” says Dr. Bisselle “We will empower our students to be ready.”
Cal Al-Dhubaib met with members of HB’s administrative team and the alumnae Head’s Council. Cal is a data scientist, entrepreneur, and innovator in responsible AI. He is the founder and CEO of Pandata, a consulting company that designs and develops AI-driven solutions, with clients including globallyrecognized organizations.
Until there are regulations, ethical and responsible behaviors are voluntary, and many in the industry are stepping up. For example, some language learning model companies are creating “data cards” which might give information about where data was sourced or how it was filtered for bias.” Think of it as a nutritional label on food products, but for AI,“ Al-Dhubaib explains.
Cal Al-Dhubaib
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When AI Enters an HB Classroom
English Teacher Marty Frazier reflects on AI classroom experience
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y first reaction to ChatGPT and the rise of AI-generated prose was to block students from any exposure to this resource; I feared its complete overthrow of my entire discipline. When I finally signed up for the service myself, I felt like a student furtively sneaking CliffsNotes into an English class. Once I ran several of my essay prompts on Death of a Salesman through the system, I read the results with a mix of awe and skepticism. Certainly ChatGPT had written a functional, complete essay—even citing direct evidence from Arthur Miller’s play—but there was something missing: voice. I shared the essay with my class of 10th graders, but I did not tell them it was written by a robot. I asked them to share their reflections, and here’s what they noticed: • the language rang flat and hollow,
• you could see the formulaic, predictable structure in every paragraph, • it got the job done but lacked flair, individuality, and soul. When I told them ChatGPT had written it, they were surprised at its accuracy and capacity, but underwhelmed by its artistry. I left class with much less fear, unconvinced that a machine can convey the ineffable beauty of the human experience, one of writing’s most powerful possibilities. What I love about teaching at HB is that I can encourage students to bring their personality and identity into their writing—even in analytical papers—and to construct unique responses to our prompts, refusing to restrict expression to one singular “right” way. HB offers students a chance to sharpen their thinking and personhood through the writing experience and focuses much more on the process of growth and learning through the practice of writing over the outcome-oriented priority of AI. By bringing ChatGPT into the classroom, I was able to start a conversation about the power of this practice and encourage students to find their voice through their own adventures in writing rather than letting a robot speak for them.
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Coding, robotics, algorithms:
How Hathaway Brown is leading in computer science education By Sara McCarthy, Crain’s Content Studio-Cleveland
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n today’s world of rapid technological advancements, educators are asking: what should we do now to give students the skills needed to be successful in work and life in the not-too-distant future?
Administrators and teachers at Hathaway Brown, the oldest all-girls school in Ohio, have answered that question, in part, by building a robust Computer Science (CS) curriculum. HB is also among the first schools in Ohio to include a CS component in its graduation requirements. This makes HB a trailblazer when it comes to CS education in Ohio and beyond.
“A student’s ability to use technology strategically is now identified as foundational and just as important as Mathematics and English Language Arts, from which all other learning is built,” said Valerie Yarmesch, the CS department chair. “Our approach is unique because we have a dedicated time each week to CS. And it starts in kindergarten.” While the Ohio Department of Education has adopted learning standards for CS, the state does not recognize it as a core subject and schools are not required to offer CS curricula. Ohio is not alone. Many states and countries have been slow to adopt CS curriculum even amid recognition of its growing importance. According to a 2020 Brookings report, “multiple studies indicate that CS education can help students beyond computing. CS education has been linked with higher rates of college enrollment and improved problem-solving abilities. CS education promises to significantly enhance student preparedness for the future of work and active citizenship.” CS is distinct from learning about the general use of computers and programs, like performing an internet search or creating a digital presentation. While these computer literacy skills are complementary, computer
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Computer Science students examine how data tells a story.
science focuses more on logical reasoning, data and analysis, algorithms and programming, the impacts of computing and structured problem-solving skills applicable to a variety of fields, careers, and life experiences. The move to expose HB students to more computational thinking and problem solving at all grade levels began about a decade ago when the school developed a course called Exploring Computer Science and made it a requirement for graduation. Students take the first half of the course in seventh grade and the second half in eighth grade (if they enter HB for Upper School, students take the course then). HB has since expanded its CS offerings to include Programming Interactive Media, two AP-level CS courses and Post-AP CS. HB also supports an all-girls chapter of a computer science honor society and for the last several years, has hosted an annual computer programming competition called BYTE (Bring Your Tech Expertise) for students across Northeast Ohio and beyond. New for the 2023–2024 school year is a data science course that is several years in the making, designed by Upper School CS Teachers Sarah Barkley and Michael Buescher. “It’s the way the world is going,” Barkley said. “What happens to data? Where does it go? What does it do? How do you manage huge chunks of data and find patterns?”
Sarah Barkley, one of HB’s Computer Science teachers, helps students understand what data reveals through patterns, trends, and insights.
These are questions the course explores while digging into very specific project-based examples. For instance, students explore how Spotify uses the data it collects from users to make song recommendations. Barkley recently worked with students to examine how data tells a story. “The story is revealed through patterns, trends, and insights,” Barkley explains. “Each student authored the project and got to determine how they were part of that story.” Clare Hess ’25 examined how many photos she took each week on her phone and what kinds of photos she took — selfies, screenshots, photos, and video. It illustrated for her how much detail and consistency was needed to gather the data and brought about new questions she might want to ask in the future. What would the data reveal to her about her story if she also plotted locations of photos? “I’m really interested in how apps and algorithms work, and how they impact the decisions we make,” Clare shares. “My interest in Computer Science was sparked by my participation in the school robotics program, and I really think it’s fun.”
Of nearly 700 K-12 students, Yarmesch estimates about a third take a CS course beyond the requirement. And that number is growing every year. “The students who started in kindergarten and early on like Computer Science and see a connection to their future,” she says. “Computer Science (is a skill) you will use in all sorts of fields…our motto is “we learn not for school but for life.” At the same time, Yarmesch is acutely aware that women, particularly minority women, are extremely underrepresented in CS-related fields, so exposing students to coding and new technologies is critical to fostering greater equity in the future workforce. “Being able to provide these opportunities for all our students regardless of what their background is, is really important,” she said.
This story originally appeared in the 2023 Crain’s Cleveland Business Private School Planner.
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Jane and Jon Outcalt Support New Primary Atrium
H
athaway Brown is incredibly grateful to Jane Quayle Outcalt ’55 and her husband, Jon, for supporting the construction of the new Outcalt Family Primary Atrium.
“We are deeply appreciative of Jane and Jon for their support of this beautiful entry which will serve as the central welcoming space for our Primary school students, families and other members of our celebrated community,” said Head of School Dr. Fran Bisselle.
Creating a Special Welcome at HB
Jane is a lifetime trustee at HB, having served as trustee for 17 years and as board president. In 2005, she was named a Distinguished Alumna. Throughout her decades of involvement with the school, she and her family have supported all facets of HB’s growth and excellence. “Jane’s leadership at Hathaway Brown and throughout the Cleveland community has been extraordinary and will surely inspire future generations of students,” said Dr. Bisselle. The new Outcalt Family Primary Atrium is part of the extensive Primary School renovation currently underway on campus. Renovations, including the new atrium, were designed by GUND Partnership of Boston, the same architects who oversaw the update of the Classic Building and created many of HB’s spaces over the last 30 years, including the four-story Rosenthal Family Atrium, the JewettBrown Academic Center, and the Carol and John Butler Aquatic Center. “The Outcalts understand HB’s priorities of having spaces for students to pursue distinguished academics, feel empowered, and have a sense of belonging,” Dr. Bisselle shared. “We are truly thankful for their partnership as we build the future!”
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Architectural renderings for the bright, welcoming lobby in the new Outcalt Family Primary Atrium.
Exterior rendering of the Outcalt Family Primary Atrium designed by GUND Partnership of Boston.
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Celebrating
Edna Dawley Strnad ’42 100 years of Learning for Life
A Garden of Memories
Edna Dawley Strnad ’42 enjoys early mornings spent on her balcony.
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n the quiet, early morning hours, Edna Dawley Strnad ’42 sits on her balcony to prepare for the day. She watches the birds and hummingbirds visit her feeders and she peacefully meditates. For nearly 50 years, she has practiced transcendental meditation with a deep breathing mantra, and incorporates it into her interfaith life. “I find it to be a wonderful way to start the day,” she shares. “Before you get busy with things, just sit there and take in the present.” There is much to reflect on as Edna approaches her 100th birthday on January 27, 2024. Her extraordinary life and the legacy she and her husband, James J. “Budd” Strnad, built together are cause for celebration and admiration. As she contemplates the many stages of life, it is also meaningful to Edna to spend time reminiscing about how Hathaway Brown was foundational in her life as a student, and later as a parent, alumna, board member, and administrator.
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In September 1939, 15-year-old Edna and her parents decided it was time to explore the possibilities of an allgirls school, and make a change from the public school which felt too focused on the development of boys in that era. Originally set to attend the other all-girls school in Shaker Heights, plans changed when she met new friend Margaret (Peggy) Sturges McCreary ’41 at summer camp. Peggy encouraged her to join her on North Park Boulevard and Edna’s mother made the arrangements with Miss Coburn, HB’s head of school from 1938-1968. “I often say entering HB was like entering the story of The Secret Garden,” she laughs. “It was all about girls and only girls. They were springing up like flowers everywhere. It was just beautiful and I loved every minute of it.” Those HB years were full of special memories. Edna happily recalls attending weekly chapel when the girls would sing together and listen to Miss Coburn share words of wisdom (Edna also confirms that the seats in today’s Ahuja Auditorium make the same “thump-thump” sound they always have as students scurry up and out!). She loved English with an inspiring Miss Bruce and she credits Hathaway Brown for preparing her well for college. At her graduation in 1942, Edna was valedictorian and Clara Taplin Rankin ’39 presented her with the Alumna Academic Award. Upon graduation, she spent three accelerated wartime years at Vassar College obtaining a bachelor’s degree in English, followed by a career in journalism. Edna’s senior photo from Specularia 1942
Edna loved her time as part of HB’s faculty and staff. And she especially loved working at school with her dear friend from long ago, Peggy Sturges McCreary, who was an English teacher. “I am proud of the school’s development program — now referred to as advancement — and all of the directors who have led us through the years,” Edna says. Today’s advancement department, led by Clarke Wilson Leslie ’80, is a team of nine and includes fundraising and alumnae engagement staff. Today, the endowment is $76M, making it one of the largest girls’ school endowments in the country. Edna’s early efforts led the way for HB’s future.
A Strnad family photo from 1969 - Budd, Lyse ’72, Edna ’42, Jeff and Nina ’74.
Leadership In the late 1940s, when Edna returned to Cleveland, she was quickly asked to be involved at her alma mater. “In a way, this HB Magazine can be traced to my first assignment as an alum,” she shares. Kate Baker Spring ’39 was president of the board of trustees and asked Edna to put her work experience to use by creating this news publication. “I sorted the many issues for mailing in the recreation room of my parents’ house in Shaker Heights!” she laughs. It was important to Edna and Budd that their daughters, Lyse ’72 and Nina ’74, receive the same unique education Edna valued (their son, Jeff, attended University School). As a parent during that time, Edna began service as a faithful member of HB’s board of trustees. In 1973, Board Chairman Bill Strong asked Edna to take a different role as the school’s first director of development. “I stepped down from the board and undertook the administrative role with tutelage of a very successful fundraiser from Case Institute of Technology,” she remembers. “Our first goal was fundraising and I made a trip to Boston to spend time with Miss Coburn who had retired. She was a godsend to our program because of the many close personal relationships she had, and she was most generous and helpful on that visit and in the years following.”
Edna’s commitment and faithfulness to Hathaway Brown went even further after her time working on the administrative team. In 1981, Edna and Budd established the Edna Dawley Strnad Fellowship in Creativity. Buoyed by the couple’s generosity, generations of students developed new talents, cracked codes, explored their artistic sides, studied a variety of disciplines, and found innovative ways of looking at, and allowing others to see, the world. Even at age 99, Strnad Fellows see Edna at the presentations year after year, along with her daughter, Lyse. Edna curiously listens, takes notes, and demonstrates how she cares deeply about the projects. She also continues to serve on the board, having been named a life trustee in 1986. “Hathaway Brown was so very foundational in my life,” Edna shares. “I hope others realize the value of their HB education because it goes way beyond academics — the experience is unique.” As Edna takes in the present and prepares to celebrate her 100th birthday, she also enjoys remembering her past foundational HB experiences. “As I look back over my 100 years, I am thankful that Hathaway Brown has been part of my life. I am grateful to Miss Reeves who took us on those early morning bird watching walks and inspired my love for them each morning on my balcony. I remember learning about the importance of exercise from Miss Nixon, and still make daily walks part of my routine. In those early years, I first observed that setbacks could be good learning lessons for the future; a useful fact when I became legally blind later in life. And I truly value the motto: not for school, but for life!”
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Anne Hathaway Brown
through the
DECADES Hathaway Brown is making plans for our 150th anniversary in 2026! We’re kicking off a series to share highlights from our rich history. We are abundantly grateful for the incredible legacy of education, empowerment, and progress for young women that was first established in 1876! 1876-Late 1800s
I
t all began in a highly unlikely place just 11 years after the end of the Civil War: the all-boys Brooks Military School in downtown Cleveland. At the time, quality education for girls was practically nonexistent. After what likely took some serious convincing, the principal of Brooks agreed to allow Dolly Glasser, Grace Fay Hooker, Clara M. Lyon, Carrie M. Smith, and Carrie A. Tisdale to take classes there in the afternoons, once the boys had gone home for the day. This seemingly small gesture led to the establishment of a separate all-girls school the following year. Originally named The Brooks School for Young Ladies and Misses, the school served students in three divisions: ages seven-11 (Preparatory), 11-15 (Intermediate), and 16-20 (Collegiate). Early students listed in the records included daughters of John D. Rockefeller; Charles Foster, a former governor of Ohio; U.S. Senator Harry B. Payne; and John Hay, who later served as secretary of state under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. Some boarding students came from as far away as New England and New York City.
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During those early years, the school was sold, moved locations, and changed names a number of times, due in large part to the fact that headmistresses left work after being married, as was customary during the era. One of the more successful principals was Frances Fisher, who served the school from 1881-1886. Miss Fisher was highly recommended by her former professor at Vassar, Maria Mitchell, the first female astronomer in the United States. At the end of Miss Fisher’s first year, graduation exercises attracted a crowd of 700 people. Miss Fisher addressed the attendees and did not shy away from expressing feminist ideas. She declared, “No woman’s future is assured unless she be equipped with a well-trained mind.” When Miss Fisher became engaged, a Vassar classmate recommended Anne Hathaway Brown who led the school from 1886-1890 and gave it its name. She adopted the motto that continues to guide HB: Non scholae sed vitae discimus or we learn not for school, but for life. She also chose the colors of brown and gold, meant to signify that the school is rooted in the earth, but reaching for the sun.
When Anne Hathaway Brown married, she sold the school to Mary Spencer, who decided not to change the name, which was hyphenated at the time (and remained that way until 1945). Miss Spencer never married, and as the school’s impressive leader for 12 years, she increased HB’s stature in the community and provided much needed continuity until she retired in 1902.
Front door of East 97th Street School showing students from the Prime, Prep, and Academic departments, from Specularia, 1924.
1910s As the school continued to grow, so did the extracurricular activities available to students. Numerous clubs and interest groups became increasingly popular, including basketball, mandolin, theater, and dance. Mary E. Raymond, a highly respected Hathaway Brown English teacher since 1898, began a lengthy and celebrated tenure as headmistress after the sudden death of Cora Canfield in 1911. Miss Raymond would serve as headmistress for the next 26 years, moving the school’s location to Shaker Heights during the 1920s and keeping the school stable during the Depression.
The Class of 1892
1900s Cora Canfield, who was originally hired in 1889 by Anne Hathaway Brown to teach Latin, replaced Miss Spencer as head of school. Under her nine-year leadership, college acceptances increased among students. The Order of Willing Service was established in 1901 and encouraged fundraising for philanthropic causes. The commitment to community has continued at Hathaway Brown ever since. In 1907, the school moved from a small building on Euclid Avenue in Cleveland to a new, state-of-the-art building constructed a bit farther away from the bustle of downtown on East 97th Street.
During World War I, students found many ways to volunteer and support worthy causes, including knitting for the Red Cross, which allowed them to raise enough funds to support 10 orphaned French children. Read more about Hathaway Brown history in the next issue of the magazine. Have an historical photo or story to share? We’d love to hear from you, email hbsalum@hb.edu.
SOURCES: Learning for Life, The First 50 Years of Hathaway Brown School 1876 to 1926, by Virginia P. Dawson The First Hundred Years: Hathaway Brown School 1876-1976, by Ruth Crofut Needham ‘31 and Ruth Strong Hudson ‘27 Tradition and Transformation: A History of Educating Girls at Hathaway Brown School, 1876-2006, by Virginia P. Dawson and Mark D. Bowles
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HB girls do not hesitate to speak up or raise their hands! Second graders in Ashley Ahmad’s class are eager to apply their knowledge in action.
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During their class trip to Washington, D.C., eighth-grade students toured the Capitol and met with U.S. Representative Shontel Brown who serves Ohio’s 11th district. Class News
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Boundless joy and camaraderie are experienced in the Primary School as students grow together as lifelong learners!
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Are you with us? Now is the time to be bold! Make a gift to the Fund for Hathaway Brown.
HB gives girls the tools to become women who lead. But, we can’t do it without you. Your gift empowers girls to build a future of unbounded possibility. Here, they’re taught to rise boldly, challenge the status quo, and to raise their hand and their voices. Your contribution to the Fund for Hathaway Brown allows girls to learn not for school, but for life.
Are you with us?
Make your gift today by scanning the QR code with your smartphone camera or visiting www.hb.edu/give to use a credit card, Venmo or PayPal. SCAN TO GIVE
Questions about your gift? Contact Lauren Gulley, Director of the Fund for Hathaway Brown, at 216.320.8110 or lgulley@hb.edu. Class News
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Welcome Home
HB welcomes alumnae all year long. To schedule a visit or tour, contact the alumnae engagement office at 216.320.8778 or hbsalum@hb.edu.
Andrea Vincent Downes ‘97, visited with her four-year old Lyla, and her parents in May. She lives in Sydney, Australia.
Ann Lai ‘01 visited and presented at the Business and Finance Fellowship lunch.
Murray family visit.
Kelsey ‘09 and Kim Heinen ‘07 visiting in winter 2022.
Reverend Whittney-Marie M. Ijanaten ‘07 visited in February 2023 and met with Upper School students.
The Brown Bag is now online! BROWN BAG
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Grab your Blazer swag by scanning this QR code or by visiting hb.edu/BrownBagShop
Alumnae Weekend 2023 Thank you for an amazing weekend!
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