SPRING
SPARK
2018
THE MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI, PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF COLLEGIATE SCHOOL
T R A N S F O R M I N G
RVA
ALUMNI WORK TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF RIVER CIT Y RESIDENTS
Q&A WITH BOARD CHAIR
SERVICE LEARNING BY DESIGN
Collegiate seniors Jack Wyatt, Nick Stepanian and Daniel Patterson serenade their teachers and fellow classmates at the annual Feast of Juul celebration that kicked off the holiday season. For more festive photos, see Page 22.
LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL “ How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank
Dear Collegiate School Community,
to support the Collegiate mission and vision. Chairing the Board is a significant volunteer effort, and Frank has
Collegiate School’s 103rd year is well underway and you
demonstrated in a very short period of time a commitment
will be proud of what our students will have accomplished
to this work that is inspiring to his fellow trustees and to
when the final bell rings marking the end of the 2017-
the faculty and staff. Frank bleeds Green and Gold, and
18 school year. I have no doubt that it will be one of our
we are in very good hands.
best years.
As I have shared on many occasions, I believe what
As one of Head of School Rob Hershey’s key hires to help
has united, galvanized and sustained Collegiate School
open the Hershey Fine Arts building and to grow the
since 1915 is our community’s willingness to embrace the
performing arts curriculum, Helen was charged with
call for students to make a difference in their world. Every
leading the School’s instrumental program. Today — 25
day I am inspired by the relentless pursuit of making that
years later — the instrumental program has grown from
calling a reality. In my opinion, Collegiate’s long-standing
seven students to more than 250 students. The high quality
commitment to both scholarship and citizenship is its
of our students’ musicianship is amazing. In A Teacher’s
greatest tradition.
Take, you will learn more about this groundbreaking
educator and musician and the extraordinary impact she
In this edition of SPARK, you’ll meet some of
In 1993, Helen Coulson joined the Collegiate faculty.
our alumni who are on the frontlines of transforming
has had on our community.
Richmond. Although their community endeavors are
varied, each shares a passion for making this region
time to visit Collegiate and we hope you will make plans
better. Their unique stories represent just a few of the
to do so. And as always, your support of Collegiate School
many examples of how Collegiate alumni are actively
is very much appreciated.
As our many alumni well know, spring is a wonderful
serving their communities around the world — a habit of heart that many developed at Collegiate School.
Sincerely,
This commitment to service continues today as
our current Cougars make their impact felt in the Richmond area. In the following pages, you will read about how service learning is being incorporated very deliberatively
into
Collegiate’s
JK-12
curriculum.
Another Cougar making a difference is Frank
Stephen D. Hickman Head of School
Mountcastle ’83, who this school year began serving as Chair of the Collegiate Board of Trustees. You will hear from Frank about the Board’s priorities in the coming years as well as some insights into how the Board works
SPRING 2018 1
COLL E GI AT E S C H O O L A D M I N I S T RATIO N
Erin Egan
Editor, SPARK Associate Director of Communications
Stacy H. Adams
Director of Communications Stephen D. Hickman, Head of School Stacy H. Adams, Director of Communications Charles L. Blair, Jr., Head of Middle School James M. Britto, Chief Information Officer Karen S. Doxey, Director of Athletics Susan R. Droke, Chief Academic Officer Patrick E. Loach, Head of Upper School Deborah I. Miller, Head of Lower School Phyllis Palmiero, Vice President - Finance and Administration James P. Watson, Assistant Head of School Kristen O. Williams, Vice President - Development
BOARD OF TR US T E E S 2017-18
Lauralee Glasgow Allen ’03 Director of Alumni Engagement
James Dickinson Creative Manager
Madelyne Ashworth ’13, Weldon Bradshaw Contributors
Taylor Dabney, Suzanne Fleming, Melissa Grossi, Samantha Huber ’03, Kyle LaFerriere, Corbin Neuner, Robin Reifsnider, JoAnn Adrales Ruh, Holly Smith, Deb Totten
A L U M NI A S S O C IATIO N B O A R D 2017-18
Photography
Think
Graphic Design
Carter Printing Co. Printing
Frank F. Mountcastle III ’83, Chairman of the Board John W. Martin ’78, Vice Chairman of the Board Brude D. Stoever, Vice President, Development John D. O’Neill, Jr., Immediate Past Chairman of the Board Stephen D. Hickman, President/Head of School Phyllis Palmiero, Treasurer Susan C. Wiley, Secretary Michael G. Bland ’83 Mark A. Christian ’77 David A. Gallagher Stephen D. Hickman Elizabeth F. Hutchins ’88** Eucharia N. Jackson Meg A. Johnson*** Michael S. Laming Peter E. Mahoney, Sr. John W. Martin ’78 Malcolm S. McDonald Morenike K. Miles Frank F. Mountcastle III ’83 Joan Olmsted Oates* John D. O’Neill, Jr. Judy Wagoner Pahren Carter M. Reid Sheryl A. Robins ’85 Lisa E. Roday Kenneth P. Ruscio Danielle D. Scott L. Mark Stepanian ’89 Wallace Stettinius* Brude D. Stoever Alfred L. Stratford III ’85 Robert S. Ukrop* Michelle P. Wiltshire * Life Trustee ** Alumni Association President *** Parents’ Association President
2 SPARK
Beth Flippo Hutchins ’88, President* Neely Markel Winston ’96, Vice President/President Elect* Meade Spotts ’75, Recording Secretary* Sarah Paxton ’84, Corresponding Secretary* Mayme Beth Donohue ’03 and Charley Scher ’83, Annual Fund Co-Chairs* Sarah Cook Martin ’94, Past President Laura Moore Hall ’68 and Barbara Robertson Burke ’68, Stewardship Chairs Evan Ocheltree ’05 and Camp Goodwin August ’99, Events Committee Chairs Katherine Thalhimer Adamson ’96 Clay Coleman ’89 Jo Ellen Constine ’87 John Fallon ’85 Noah Greenbaum ’03 Sarah Gray Tullidge Innes ’05 Martha Fleming Moore ’75 Scott Ruth ’91 Boo Florance Smythe ’56 Jasmine Turner ’11 Barbara Culpepper Townsend ’64 *Executive Committee
Thanks to all parents, students, alums and friends who generously share their information, photographs and archives. The Spark is published by Collegiate School. We welcome letters from readers, though we may not have room to publish them all. Submissions may be edited for publication. Photographs deemed unsuitable in quality by the Spark’s designers may not be included. We make every effort to return photographs shared with us — please send high-resolution (300dpi) digital images whenever possible (to: spark@collegiate-va.org).
Class Notes and Photographs
Please send your news and photographs and we will use them in an upcoming issue. Digital images must be high resolution (min. 300dpi).
Address
Spark Editor Collegiate School/Communications Office 103 North Mooreland Road/Richmond, VA 23229
spark@collegiate-va.org Visit our website at www.collegiate-va.org.
Phone
Spark: 804.741.9781/Alumni Office: 804.741.9757
103 North Mooreland Road/Richmond, VA 23229 804.740.7077/Fax: 804.741.9797 Collegiate School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin in the administration of its educational, admission or financial aid policies, or any other programs administered by the School.
SPARK SPRING 2018
ON CAMPUS
Highlights of Fall 2017 ....................................................................................................................................................................................4 Fall Sports Roundup .......................................................................................................................................................................................20 Holidays at Collegiate ....................................................................................................................................................................................22
FEATURES
Transforming RVA ...........................................................................................................................................................................................24 Collegiate alumni work to improve the lives of River City citizens.
Q&A with Frank Mountcastle ’83 ...................................................................................................................................................................32 Collegiate’s Board of Trustees Chairman shares his thoughts on the Board’s current priorities and its vision for the future.
Service Learning by Design ...........................................................................................................................................................................34 Collegiate strategically incorporates service learning, one of the eight pillars of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, into JK-12th Grade curriculum.
ALUMNI NEWS
Letter from Director of Alumni Engagement Lauralee Glasgow Allen ’03 ....................................................................................................42 Your Alumni Board Member – Mayme Donohue ’03 .......................................................................................................................................43 Athletic Hall of Fame Nominations ................................................................................................................................................................44 Alumni-Created Student Club Earns Philanthropy Award .............................................................................................................................46 Alum Meaghan Enright ’01 Spearheads Hurricane Rescue Effort ................................................................................................................47 Chips Off the Old Cougar Block .....................................................................................................................................................................48 Oyster Roast ...................................................................................................................................................................................................50 Homecoming Weekend/Legacy Lunch/50th Reunion ....................................................................................................................................52 Pageant Lunch ...............................................................................................................................................................................................58 Winter Party & Auction ..................................................................................................................................................................................60
CLASS NOTES
News from Alumni ..........................................................................................................................................................................................62
A TEACHER’S TAKE
We hear from Director of Instrumental Music Helen Coulson.................................................................................................................…...78
CORRECTION: In the fall 2017 issue of Spark, the following names were left off the Report on Philanthropy. Annual Fund Leadership and Gift Clubs -
Flame Club ($2,500-$4,999): Marcia and Harry Thalhimer. Amanda Surgner Endowment: Dr. and Mrs. Richard M. Clary, Mr. and Mrs. Corey W. Hill, Mr. Ivan P. Jecklin and Ms. Allison P. Weinstein, Mr. and Mrs. W. Todd Kell, Mr. and Mrs. Lee P. Martin, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. W. Crenshaw Newman, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Parsley, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Roday, Mr. and Mrs. Alex Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Brude D. Stoever and Mrs. Jane Ragland Young. Alex Smith Endowment: Mr. and Mrs. William B. Wiltshire. We apologize for the omissions.
SPRING 2018 3
ON CAMPUS
COLLEGIATE BUILDS A NEW DANCE STUDIO
S
INCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2001, the Collegiate dance program has grown exponentially. To meet the demand, the School built a new dance studio for Middle and Lower School dancers in summer 2017. It is located next to the Upper School dance studio in the Seal Athletic Center and permits every dance class and rehearsal to be held
in its own studio for the first time in the School’s history.
The enthusiastic participation of students in 3rd-12th Grades stems from the
inspiring teaching and choreography of Collegiate dance teachers Stacy Dudley and Kara Priddy. With so many dancers, and the recent addition of new companies in the Lower and Middle Schools, the new studio provides a state-of-the-art rehearsal space, in which the most modern techniques can be taught. It features wall-to-wall mirrors and four-inch sprung Harlequin wood floors.
“We are truly fortunate to be members of a school community that supports such a
large dance program,” Mrs. Dudley said.
4 SPARK
STUDENTS RAISE FUNDS FOR HURRICANE RELIEF
BOOK ILLUSTRATION PROJECT TEACHES EMPATHY
The Collegiate School community united to help survivors of three hurricanes that ravaged Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico in August and September.
During the School’s Sept. 13 day of support, which featured a
JK-12th Grade bake sale and a special red, white and blue dress day, the community (including alums and parents of alums) raised more than $7,500. Those contributions were distributed to three organizations to provide long-term assistance to those in need.
The organizations were BakerRipley, a long-established
nonprofit located in Houston that operates community centers, Head Start programs, charter schools and senior centers in low-income areas of the city; Florida Disaster Fund, the state of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster; and United for Puerto Rico, the relief organization for the U.S. territory that Beatriz Rosselló, the First Lady of Puerto Rico, endorsed and encouraged supporters to fund.
“It’s important for students to understand not only our own
community, but to also understand what’s going on around the world,” said Suzanne Fleming, Collegiate’s Director of Service Learning and Civic Engagement. “We want them to learn how to identify a need, understand the issues and respond accordingly.”
Elementary school educators in Houston, Texas responded positively to a book produced by Collegiate’s Lower School art teacher and her 1st Grade students soon after Hurricane Harvey devastated the city. The book, based on the actual evacuation of one Houston family, began as a Morning Art project for Holly Smith’s young Cougars. She had heard about the ordeal of two young siblings named Ari and Isla from her aunt, who lives in the area affected by the storm. Mrs. Smith wrote the text for the book and invited her students to contribute illustrations after completing required art class assignments. The result was Ari and Isla Ride Out the Storm, A True Story from Hurricane Harvey. “This began as a simple project to reach out to one family impacted by Hurricane Harvey,” Mrs. Smith said. “It was a chance for 1st Graders to use empathy and say, ‘We heard about what happened to you and hope you’re doing okay.’” Mrs. Smith says that during the project, many of the 1st Graders engaged in lively discussions about hurricanes, floods and evacuations, and shared their own observations, connections and questions. “As the story and illustrations came together, Hurricane Irma bore down on Florida, and then Maria devastated Puerto Rico,” Mrs. Smith said. “Before hurricane season came to a close, California wildfires forced families to flee their homes and communities. ‘Evacuate’ became a commonly understood term, even among young children…. This story speaks to their questions and concerns, with a dose of humor, some closure and an open-ended reference to the ongoing work of recovery.”
CONVOCATION CELEBRATES START OF SCHOOL YEAR In September, Collegiate’s entire student body processed onto Grover Jones Field proudly wearing green and gold, with Kindergartners sitting on the shoulders of seniors or holding tightly to their hands, for the 19th Convocation, the annual start-of-school celebration.
Prior to the event, more than 100 Collegiate alumni, parents and friends who have
given for five or more years to the Annual Fund gathered at the newly renovated McFall Hall for a thank-you breakfast.
Head of School Steve Hickman spoke about gratitude and community and how
appreciative he is of Collegiate.
“We are all a part of something much bigger than ourselves and we are all responsible
for nurturing the gift that is Collegiate School that we have been given,” he said. “Each of us has his or her unique role to play in giving life and energy to this community, and helping sustain it for generations to come.”
SPRING 2018 5
INTERNET SAFETY EXPERT RETURNS FOR THIRD YEAR Collegiate welcomed internet safety expert Katie Greer to campus in October for the third straight year to speak to students and parents about being more cognizant of their use of social media. Ms. Greer advised everyone to take a step back and be thoughtful about what they post. She challenged parents and students to say something nice and see the ripple effect it can have.
“Use social media as a tool as it’s intended so
we can make a difference in our lives and the lives of others,” she said.
C O MMU N ITY MEMBERS S H A R E IMMIG R ATION S TO R IES W ITH 4 TH G R A D ER S As part of their study of immigration, Collegiate 4th Graders heard from three community members throughout October about their experiences coming to the United States. During their study, the students attempted to answer the question: How can we help immigrants and refugees transition as they begin a new life in our community?
Speakers included Collegiate parent Mera Sabha,
who was born in Jordan and lived in Syria, alumna Ezoza Nomazova ’13 from Uzbekistan and Global Scholar-in-Residence John Dau from Sudan.
“Our 4th Graders looked forward to hearing
authentic immigration stories from members of our Collegiate community — grandparents, parents, other family members and friends, faculty and staff,” said 4th Grade teacher and grade-level chair Heather Garnett. “They gained multiple perspectives of immigrants and refugees as they listened and connected to the many stories they were exposed to.”
6 SPARK | On Campus
INTERNATIONAL F L AGS F LY IN Mc FAL L H AL L
COLLEGIATE HOSTS SEVENTH ANNUAL IELC CONFERENCE When Collegiate School parent Cornelia Moore Hall invited the first exchange student to the School in 1963, she had no idea that her commitment to helping students appreciate their counterparts around At the Seventh Annual International Emerging Leaders
the world would become a signature feature of a Collegiate education.
Conference (IELC) hosted by Collegiate in October, 41
international high school delegates and 16 Collegiate
sister Laura M. Hall ’68 (Collegiate’s now-retired Lower School
seniors collaborated in groups to design solutions to real-
nurse and current Alumni Board member), nephew Boz Boschen
world environmental issues facing their countries.
’98, and other relatives gathered during a dinner for the Seventh
Annual International Emerging Leaders Conference. The dinner also
During the 10-day conference, students, who hailed
So said her son, James K. Hall ’71, in October when he, his
from China, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico,
served as an unveiling for flags from 40 nations around the world,
Morocco, South Africa and Spain, as well as the U.S., used
representing all of the countries from which Collegiate’s exchange
the five-step process of design thinking in order to solve
students have hailed.
their team’s assigned problem. They heard from experts
in the fields of business, branding, product design and the
program through American Field Service (AFS). A mover and a
environment. They also visited the Brock Environmental
shaker, and well ahead of her time, she was interested in adding a
Center in Virginia Beach and Virginia Commonwealth
global element to the student body because, as her daughter, Laura
University’s daVinci Center for inspiration and
Hall, remembers, “She felt like we weren’t being exposed to different
workshops focused on green construction and innovation,
cultures and the School could benefit from having foreign students
entrepreneurship and experimentation.
come and spend an academic year on campus.”
The week culminated with DesignPitch, an event
Mrs. Hall launched Collegiate’s international exchange student
Before she died in September 1985, Mrs. Hall requested that
that showcased the student groups’ creative ideas as they
memorial donations go to Collegiate and the AFS program. It was
presented them to the Collegiate community and the
then that her children, Sally Hall ’67, Laura Hall, James Hall
general public.
and Justin M. Hall ’76, established the Cornelia Hall International
Exchange Student Endowment in her honor and memory to preserve
Visiting students also immersed themselves in life
at Collegiate, staying with host families, cheering on
the program at Collegiate.
Cougars at sporting events and sharing their customs and
traditions with JK-12th Grade students.
have been at the growth of the School’s global program. He also noted
At the dinner, James Hall indicated how proud his mother would
that her vision and legacy offer proof of an important truth: “One person can make a difference.”
SPRING 2018 7
STUDENTS ENJOY VISIT FROM MAA SAI CHIEF Collegiate Kindergartners, 6th Graders and
family and respecting the environment.
10th Graders enjoyed an October visit from
Students heard about gender roles and how
Maasai Chief Joseph ole Tipanko of Kenya,
the tribe uses stories to teach their children
who engaged them with stories of his people,
to live in harmony with all. Chief Joseph
history, culture and traditions.
also invited student volunteers to don a
traditional Maasai wedding necklace and
During his presentation to students,
Chief Joseph and John Parsitau, his fellow
warrior headdress and shield before he and
tribesman, shared aspects of their culture
Mr. Parsitau sang a traditional Maasai song.
and the Maasai tradition that emphasize
ENVISION RICHMOND MARKS FIFTH YEAR
T HR O U G H E N V I S IO N RIC H M ON D I LEA R N E D T H AT . . . “You simply cannot just take the first idea in your head and use it as your final product. We had a big setback in our group where we had to stop and basically scrap our main idea before we could continue. It was hard for me because my mind was set on this one idea, and it was hard to change my mindset. I thought that the first idea we had was the best, but now I know you sometimes have to start over if you want the best result.” - Christian Mayr “After Envision Richmond, I know that not every idea is a good one and you have to go through a few bad ideas before you find one that fits the situation. The design thinking process has also taught me that it takes time to find a usable solution to some problems.” - Lizzie Hagan “I can have a huge impact on our world and am a lot more important than I realized. After our presentations, our peers told us not to give up on your dreams and that young people make great ideas. They specified that you don’t need to worry about the money part and don’t let anybody break your dreams.”
- Mary Lide Wallace
“This week taught me that all people with disabilities want to have a purpose, to work and to be normal. I think this week taught me about how they aren’t very different from me and that I should act that way.” - Jack Hill
8 SPARK | On Campus
For one week in October, Collegiate’s
students will design an outreach project for
entire 8th Grade embarked on Envision
their community organization that targets
Richmond, the grade-level Capstone
an immediate need that they identified
program that immerses students in the
from their work in the fall.
local community with a focus on intensive
leadership and civic engagement.
humanities teacher and Envision Richmond
Coordinator, expressed her delight that in
During the week, students visited
Laurie Shadowen, Collegiate
more than 15 nonprofit organizations in
five years, the Envision Richmond program
the City of Richmond and wrestled with a
has grown from a small pilot program of 20
variety of issues facing the organizations.
students in 8th Grade to a robust program
Using the five-stage process of design
of 137 students.
thinking, the 8th Graders worked in teams
to develop a viable solution to the problems
our Middle School students with simple
they identified. At week’s end, the student
tools like design thinking so that they
groups presented their ideas to community
feel more confident tackling any problem,
leaders, as well as to School administrators
especially those within their community,”
and teachers.
she said. “Envision Richmond plants the
seeds for change in our students and
The goal of Envision Richmond is to
“Collegiate is committed to equipping
foster collaboration, empathy, creativity,
provides an excellent opportunity for them
communication and problem-solving
to practice responsible citizenship and give
techniques, so that students feel better
back to their community. I love that all
equipped to improve the world around
the 8th Graders now get to practice being
them. Groups continue to work throughout
change-makers!”
the year and in the spring, as a part of the second phase of Envision Richmond,
COLLEGIATE THESPIANS STAGE FALL MUSICAL AND WINTER PLAY The Collegiate Players and the Upper School Thespians presented a true Broadway classic, Guys and Dolls, for the fall musical in October. In January, five members of Collegiate’s Honors Theater class produced and directed Impulse, comprised of eight one-act plays by John Cariani, Christopher Durang, Oliver Hailey, John Patrick Shanley and Steve Yockey.
A N N U A L TO N O F C O IN S SUPPORTS S TU D EN T S C H O LA R S H IP On Halloween, Collegiate JK-1st Grade students, dressed in costumes, paraded from the Lower School to the Upper School, where they unloaded cups and bags of loose change that help maintain a scholarship fund established to help Collegiate students in need. Retired Collegiate English teacher and Interact Club advisor Lewis “Bubba” Lawson started the annual school-wide Ton of Coins event nearly 30 years ago. Since its inception, the event, now a favorite Collegiate tradition, has raised more than $250,000.
SPRING 2018 9
In November, Collegiate’s Instrumental Music and Choral groups, featuring 7th-12th Grade students, held concerts for family and friends.
COLLEGIATE ANNOUNCES ACADEMIC HONORS FOR SENIORS
Last November, 13 Collegiate seniors were inducted into the Collegiate chapter of Cum Laude, a national honor society that recognizes academic excellence and citizenship. Upper School Head Patrick Loach congratulated the honorees for their hard work and for embodying the society’s motto, Areté, Diké and Timé (excellence, justice and honor). The honorees for the fall were: Catherine Alexander, Ellie
Additional Cum Laude Society members will be inducted in the spring. Also that month, Collegiate School announced that 18 seniors have been named National Merit Commended Scholars. The students were: Catherine Alexander, Ellie Angle, Laine Beckler, Evan Clark, Zach Cohen, Kieran Cottrell, Mohith Dhillon, Jane Carlton Gremer, Wescott Lowe, Lauren Lynch,
Angle, Laine Beckler, Carson Coulbourn, Ashley Eastep, Hayden
Sean McHugh, Ashray Namala, Scott Phillips, Will Reid, Sam
Gee, Jane Carlton Gremer, Wescott Lowe, Scott Phillips, Laney
Roberts, Taylor Ryckman, Turner Wood and Emily Yue.
Reed, Sam Roberts, Taylor Ryckman and Emily Yue.
10 SPARK | On Campus
COLLEGIATE EMBRACES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Throughout the school year, Collegiate has strived to foster
conversation, self-reflection and meaningful action around
Richmond, spoke to 4th Graders about the work her
diversity and inclusion. During the month of November,
organization does in helping refugees transition to their new
students, faculty and staff explored how to understand
lives in Richmond and become more self-sufficient. Later in
diversity and embrace inclusion at the School.
the month, the 4th Graders hosted guests from ReEstablish
Richmond for a potluck dinner, a culminating service
Collegiate faculty and staff heard from Jonathan Zur,
Kate Ayers, Executive Director of ReEstablish
President and CEO of the Virginia Center for Inclusive
learning event as part of their immigration studies.
Communities, during a professional development session.
He spoke about the how and why of creating an inclusive
to attend the 2017 National Association of Independent
environment, including following these four steps: build
Schools People of Color Conference, Voices for Equity
community, center diversity and inclusion in lessons, address
and Justice Now and in Every Generation: Lead, Learn,
issues quickly and seek input regularly.
Rededicate, and Deliver. Six Upper Schoolers accompanied
the faculty and attended the NAIS Student Diversity
In the Middle School, the first Tuesday of the month
Seven faculty members traveled to Anaheim, California,
is designated Inclusion Tuesday, during which advisors
Leadership Conference, which is part of the PoCC.
lead students through an activity designed to foster
understanding. Middle School Advisories participated in
Network’s annual student diversity conference. Collegiate’s
#500Friends, where they mix 5th and 7th Grade and 6th and
Director of Global Engagement and Inclusion Erica Coffey is
8th Grade students. The goal of #500Friends is to allow the
also the president of VDN and was delighted that 70 students
different age groups to get acquainted and have the older
from across the state participated, including 21 Collegiate
students take on leadership roles in the discussion.
Upper Schoolers. The conference is unique in that workshops
Ten Collegiate Middle Schoolers were among the 175
conducted are student-designed and student-led. Prior to the
students from schools in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia who
conference, students submitted proposals for the workshops.
attended the fourth annual Student Diversity Conference
entitled, Do You See What I See? Examining Bias to Embrace
conversations, helpful exercises and lessons will continue,
Differences, at the St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in
said Head of School Steve Hickman.
Alexandria, Virginia.
that we have the responsibility to help educate Collegiate
Liz Jackson, Upper School Counselor and Associate
In mid-January, the School hosted the Virginia Diversity
Beyond the efforts undertaken this semester,
“Our Board of Trustees has made it is explicitly clear
Director of College Counseling, accompanied six 10th and
students about the great benefits of diversity, to offer an
11th Graders to Richmond Diversity Dialogue Day, a one-
inclusive environment that fosters empathy in our young
day youth leadership conference held at the University of
people and to help them develop the skills to better negotiate
Richmond. This year’s theme was Breaking Down Bullying
the world that they will one day lead.”
and students left the program with the tools to create school and community environments without prejudice, stereotypes and bigotry.
SPRING 2018 11
C O LLEG IATE A D MIN IS TR ATOR C O MP LETES P R O MIN EN T LEA D ER S H IP P R O G R A M Phyllis Palmiero, Collegiate’s Vice President for Finance and Administration, was among those honored in November as a 2017 graduate of Lead Virginia, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that educates proven leaders about regional differences, opportunities and challenges across the state.
Seeing firsthand Virginia’s varied economies from Northern to
Southwest Virginia helped Mrs. Palmiero and her class understand the regional challenges in education, health care, workforce development and transportation. The experience, she says, has challenged them to find innovative ways to address these vast issues for a better Virginia.
“If I learned one thing, it is that real change and forward
progress will come from our community and business leaders around the commonwealth, like my Lead Virginia classmates, and not from government or politicians,” she said. “I feel very empowered and privileged to be a part of that change and progress.”
ART-MATH COLLABORATION EXPLORES DA VINCI Building on da Vinci Alive — The Experience, an exhibit at the
connections between math and art as she demonstrated how to use a
Science Museum of Virginia last summer, Collegiate’s Lower School
ruler and a compass to draw a square and circle around their photos.
art, technology and math specialists partnered to widen 1st Graders’
The students also used yarn and other objects to measure their
perceptions of the artist beyond being the painter of the Mona Lisa.
body proportion.
As art teacher Holly Smith had hoped, studying da Vinci’s
The project also connected with an art activity on identity that
notebooks, drawings and proposed inventions inspired the students
all 1st Graders had begun in September. In that exercise, students
to put their own ideas on paper. In an extension project, three classes
drew and colored self-portraits, and collaged and positioned a
of 1st Graders engaged in the thinking/drawing/measuring cycle
favorite book in the outstretched arms and hands of each child.
of discovery that da Vinci used to investigate human proportions,
Students paid attention to painting arms and hands to match their
notably in the Vitruvian Man.
actual skin tone.
“The Vitruvian Man project provides another opportunity to
Lower School technology integrator Melanie Gregory
photographed students standing as a “T” and as an “X.” Lower School
discuss and express identity that goes beyond facial features, skin
math specialist Tori O’Shea ’08 then helped students find the
tone and even the books we read,” Mrs. Smith said.
12 SPARK | On Campus
LONGE ST- SE RVI N G E MP L O Y E E C E LE B R AT E S B IR T HDAY
Collegiate celebrated the 70th birthday of Claud Whitley, the School’s longest-serving employee, on Nov. 1, complete with a cake and decorated golf cart. Students, faculty and staff gathered in McFall Hall during lunch to serenade Mr. Whitley.
TED xY O U TH @ R VA EVENT FEATU R ES B IG ID EAS
COL L E GI AT E C O M P E T E S I N
STAT E E T H I C S B O W L
S
EVEN HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS FROM AROUND THE STATE, including one from Collegiate, competed in the the Fourth Annual Virginia High
School Ethics Bowl on Collegiate’s campus in December.
The other schools in attendance were Appomattox Regional
Governor’s School, Atlee High School, James River High School, Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School, Wakefield High School and Woodberry Forest School.
Collegiate students who participated in the Ethics Bowl did so as
part of their senior Capstone, Ethics and the Engaged Citizen, which asks the question: How can we best engage in thoughtful civic discourse and dialogue around some of the most challenging issues facing our society today?
Student teams competed by presenting a position related to a real-
world ethical case, with an emphasis on economics and public policy decision-making. In the Ethics Bowl, participants are not assigned opposing views as in a traditional debate; instead the competition depends on how thoughtfully teams have examined their case and how clearly they can state their position. Teams chose from a list of 15 cases compiled by the National High School Ethics Bowl. (Three teams competed in a Collegiate Ethics Bowl on Nov. 17. Three members of the winning team and two MVPs from the two other teams made up the School’s five-member state squad. Two alternates were also on hand.)
Collegiate’s team advanced to the semifinals, but were defeated by
James River High School, which went on to claim the state title.
The successful Fourth Annual TEDxYouth@RVA event was held at Collegiate’s Hershey Center for the Arts on Nov. 18. The diverse program, themed Monumental, featured Richmond-area speakers who dream big, think about wild ideas and find small ways to make a difference in the lives of others.
Since last May, a group of Collegiate students, as part of
their senior Capstone class TEDxYouth@RVA, and students from 10 other area schools — Thomas Jefferson High School, Henrico High School, John Randolph Tucker High School, Open High School, Varina High School, Meadowbrook High School, James River High School, Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, Huguenot High School and Richmond Community High School — planned the free event, which was open to the public.
“It’s a rare event where there are so many different
viewpoints and ideas that are all being shared at once,” said Collegiate senior Hannah Feder. “And I think that’s really interesting to learn more about the city that we live in.”
SPRING 2018 13
WHITFIELD LECTURE FEATURES ACTOR AND COMEDY WRITER Nick Kocher, an Emmy-nominated comedy writer and actor, spoke
to Collegiate’s Upper School students as 2017’s Whitfield Lecturer.
students, who submitted one- to two-page comedy sketches to be a part
The Whitfield Lecture series, generously made possible by former
of the session. He stressed that students should write about what they
Cougar parents Maha and Bryan Whitfield, has brought poets, singers,
find funny and if they want to pursue a career in comedy, not to wait for
journalists and novelists to campus to talk about their professions for
someone else to make it happen.
more than 10 years.
“But it needs to make you laugh. Don’t write to make other
Mr. Kocher appeared in Joss Whedon’s 2012 adaptation of Much
Ado About Nothing and the final season of How I Met Your Mother, and
Mr. Kocher held a Master Class session with 27 Upper School
“Just start doing it in whatever capacity you can,” Mr. Kocher said.
people laugh.”
has written for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He is currently a staff writer on Saturday Night Live.
UPPER SCHOOLERS SUPPORT
YMCA’S STAR PROGRAM
Three days a week throughout the school year, Collegiate Upper School students can be found tutoring and mentoring immigrant and refugee students at Quioccasin Middle School through the Tuckahoe YMCA’s Strengthening Teens Academically and Recreationally (STAR) program.
The program, piloted three years ago, was created to help the
burgeoning refugee population acclimate to life in the U.S. — and to life in Middle School. Each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, Collegiate students travel to Quioccasin, where they help up to 40 Middle Schoolers with their homework, engage in physical activity and participate in a craft or other project.
Amy Kaplan, a Collegiate senior, has volunteered with STAR both
semesters the past two years. She finds helping the students improve their English skills and offering guidance about Middle School to be a rewarding experience.
“I enjoy building the relationships because it can be hard when
you’re in a completely new place,” she said. “I’m really enjoying getting to know a lot of the kids.”
Being involved in STAR is enlightening for Collegiate students,
says Liz Bowling, Upper School Spanish teacher and the group’s faculty coordinator.
“Their eyes are opened up to the differences but also the same
issues we all face as humans,” she said. “We often see people as different and other when, in reality, we’re all just trying to have the same things in life and make the same connections and feel like we belong. That’s the beauty of the program.”
14 SPARK | On Campus
COLLEGIATE BEGINS PARTNERSHIP WITH Collegiate has collaborated with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to create a partnership that will allow the School to show its support for various community-wide art education programs while giving its students unique opportunities to engage with professional artists and participate in service learning opportunities at the museum throughout the year. Collegiate is the Exclusive Education Partner for VMFA’s 2018 Family Day Series: • ChinaFest (Feb. 10, 2018) • Celebrate African and African American Art: Ethiopia (June 16, 2018) • Celebrate the Art of Latin America: Patagonia (Sept. 15, 2018) Additionally, the School will serve as the museum’s sole JK-12 Education Partner for its Fine Arts & Flowers program, which raises proceeds in October every two years to provide a mobile art museum and interactive educational space called VMFA on the Road. The funds from Fine Arts & Flowers will allow VMFA to tour the state and provide access to art exhibits and activities to about 250,000 additional children, youths and adults in the commonwealth. “Partnerships like this are at the heart of Collegiate’s mission, curriculum initiatives and even our broader communications endeavors,” said Collegiate Director of Communications Stacy Adams. “We are honored to lend our support to these community-minded museum programs and have our students engage with the museum’s staff and guests in new and exciting ways.”
R O B O T IC S T E A M K ICKS OF F 2018 SEASON Collegiate’s robotics team gathered on campus on a frigid January morning for the official start to the 2018 FIRST Robotics competition, themed Power Up. Nearly 30 members of the team viewed a livestream broadcast of the unveiling of this year’s design plans and rules. Collegiate’s team, TORCH 5804, will meet after school and on weekends to design and build their creation. Regional competitions begin in March and lead up to the FIRST Robotics World Championship in April.
PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION HOSTS
FIRST-EVER BINGO NIGHT
The Collegiate Parents’ Association hosted an inaugural Cougar Bingo Night in January. Families from JK-12th Grade gathered in McFall Hall for some good old-fashioned Bingo fun! The Parents’ Association will use funds raised that night to support the Endowment for Faculty Professional Development, substance abuse programming, faculty and staff appreciation and other School efforts.
SPRING 2018 15
M
ARTINE TCHITCHIHE, a girls’ education and human rights advocate, visited Collegiate in January to speak with students across all divisions about her experience growing
up in Cameroon and her pursuit of an education despite persecution from the militant Islamist group Boko Haram.
This was Ms. Tchitchihe’s second visit to the School. In 2016, she, along with Lower
School art teacher Holly Smith and students who are now 4th Graders, wrote and published a children’s book called Pagne Pals. The book is sold in Collegiate’s campus store, the Cougar Shop, and proceeds are used to help buy books for students at Jam’s Academy, a small school in Cameroon.
Originally from Tokombéré, a town in the far north of Cameroon, Ms. Tchitchihe
holds the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in French and master’s degrees from the École Normale Supérieure de Maroua and the Université de Maroua. She told an Upper School class of her experience being attacked by members of Boko Haram, who had told her to stop getting an education. She left Cameroon to come to the U.S. for a teaching-exchange opportunity in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and was granted asylum.
HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE SHARES EXPERIENCE
“Many people come to the U.S. with broken wings,” she said. “They come to heal their wings and fly again. That is me.” Ms. Tchitchihe is currently pursuing her doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania in comparative literature and literary theory. Only a handful of women from her town have ever attained such an advanced level of education. It is her wish that more young girls have the opportunity to pursue an education, if that is their goal. “I hope that they get all the information and get the chance to explore,” she said. “I want them to know that it is possible to become whoever they want to be. Because we all should.”
STUDENTS CELEBRATE
CHINESE NEW YEAR
Collegiate Chinese language students ushered in the Year of the Dog at the Fifth Annual Chinese New Year celebration in January. Lower and Middle School students, with assistance from faculty, staff and Upper Schoolers, performed songs, dances and martial arts demonstrations integral to Chinese culture. Yu Xiao, Middle School Chinese teacher, said that while the annual program gives students an opportunity to showcase their language and cultural learning, it also prepares them to be global citizens of the world. “Through the preparation for and the participation in the performances, our students feel that they are part of this cultural immersion and China is no longer just a foreign country that’s so far away,” she said. “At Collegiate, diversity and inclusiveness are cherished and celebrated. Our students learn to embrace and appreciate other cultures and grow up to be more responsible citizens for the future.”
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WEEK KICKS OFF Collegiate School 9th Graders kicked off Community Engagement Week, and spent time volunteering at 14 local nonprofit organizations and schools. The week is a key component the grade-level Service Learning curriculum and takes place every February for members of the freshman class. The theme this year was A Strong Community Invests in its People and focused on three groups: youth, people with disabilities and the aging.
“Community Engagement Week is so important for students to develop a sense of
understanding and responsibility for broader community issues and to help them gain the skills necessary to make a positive impact on those issues,” said Suzanne Fleming, Collegiate’s Director of Service Learning and Civic Engagement.
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AT THE ANNUAL STATES FAIR IN FEBRUARY, Collegiate 2nd Graders performed songs and dances celebrating the “Fifty Nifty” United States.
FORUM ADDRESSES PUBLIC HEALTH Approximately 75 high school students from seven public and private schools in the Richmond area gathered at Collegiate in February for the Fifth Annual Global Issues Forum, themed Global Public Health. The forum empowers students to see each other as leaders — and teachers — on complex global issues. Fifteen Collegiate students enrolled in a senior Capstone class, Global Public Health, also took part. A forum dedicated to students learning from one another connects peers from public and independent schools and builds a network of passionate young citizens, said Rhiannon Boyd, who co-teaches the senior Capstone class and helped organize the event. “Most importantly, we celebrate a global mindset —- one where we recognize the complex issues we face, face these challenges with self-assuredness and seek human connectedness in order to impact a change, however small,” she said.
OATES THEATER RENOVATION GETS UNDERWAY Renovation of Oates Theater began on Dec. 18, 2017. While the footprint of the theater will remain the same, a balcony will be added and a contemporary scalloped bowl design will improve sight lines to the stage and increase seating capacity to more than 700. The space will also feature the latest technology in lighting and audio, and include a new fly system to allow for professional rigging of curtains, lights and scenery, as well as increased stage flexibility. The renovation should be complete by August 2018, in time for the theater to celebrate its 25th anniversary in the fall.
SPRING 2018 17
ANNUAL APPLICATION WORKSHOP ASSISTS JUNIORS Collegiate juniors met with 15 college deans and directors of admission from across the country in February for the yearly workshop that offers guidance when navigating the college search and application process.
The daylong session featured representatives from the following schools: Bates
College, Boston College, College of William & Mary, Davidson College, Elon University, Ferrum College, Miami University, New York University, Radford University, Sewanee: University of the South, University of California, Berkeley, University of Georgia, University of Richmond, University of Virginia and Washington & Lee University.
During the program, which is one of the foundations of the School’s College
Counseling Office, the higher ed representatives gave Collegiate students a deep dive into the college admission process.
The annual workshop is a unique experience for students to gain deep knowledge
and perspective about the admission process from deans, many of whom have more than 20 years of experience in the field, says Collegiate’s Senior Associate Director of College Counseling Kim Ball.
“The students discover that real people are behind admission decisions, and this
workshop allows them to see the essential human and personal elements that so often get overlooked,” she said.
KINDERGARTEN SHOE STORE INTRODUCES EMPATHY Collegiate Kindergartners in Beth Anne Shelly and Elizabeth Andrews’
classes collaborated on creating their own shoe store to learn about
in their store and discussed two books, Those Shoes and Stand in My
economics and empathy, and the Kinder Kids Shoe Store opened for
Shoes. Ultimately, they decided the proceeds from their sales ($527)
business for two days in February in Centennial Hall.
should be donated to United Methodist Family Services so that the
organization could buy new shoes for foster children.
For the project, students visited Richmond-based Saxon Shoes
They then collected shoes from the Collegiate community to sell
to tour an authentic shoe store. They researched the types of shoes
sold in the store, how the shoes were grouped and displayed, how the
graphing), social studies (alike and different), economics (goods vs.
storeroom was organized, where the cash register was located and how
services, buying/selling, supply/demand) and Responsible Citizenship
it worked, and the responsibilities of the salespeople. Equipped with
(developing empathy for others), says Mrs. Shelly.
clipboards and paper to write and draw, as well as iPads to take photos,
students divided into five groups and revisited areas of interest to
project,” she said. “We blew it up big, Collegiate style!”
research the business of selling shoes.
18 SPARK | On Campus
The project incorporated math (counting, sorting, tallying and
“The Kindergarten classes have loved being part of the shoe
STUDENTS EARN SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, now in its 95th year, are the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. This year, 17 Collegiate students earned gold, silver and honorable mention honors in the art category.
Last year, a record-breaking 330,000 works were submitted for adjudication.
THE FOLLOWING COLLEGIATE STUDENTS RECEIVED HONORS FOR 2018:
GOLD KEY (PROCEEDS TO NATIONAL COMPETITION)
Alec Greenberg Modern City Home Haley Kellam Broken and Recycled Haley Kellam Roots Haley Kellam The Climb Isabelle LeBey Portrait in Savannah Isabelle LeBey Self Portrait Isabelle LeBey Time and Innocence Sophie Roberts Through My Dad’s Eye Sophie Roberts Self Portrait Eva Waldron Bird Fly Free
Toilet Paper
SILVER KEY QuiQui Dempsey Winter House Eliza Goggins pop-t(art) Haley Kellam A thousand, A million Isabelle LeBey Anticipation Isabelle LeBey Sophie’s Portrait Avery Schebell Mystic Meadow
Garden Vase
HONORABLE MENTION Frank Becker Modern Mansion Concept Liam Bellamy Rhythmic Progression Jack Bullard Toilet Paper Alec Greenberg Lake Vacation Dream Home Elizabeth Hamner Bird Plate Haley Kellam Half and Half Isabelle LeBey Tension and Reflection Isabelle LeBey Jungle Trail Jenna Raggio Leaves Cameron Ruh Garden Vase Madeline Smith The Upper Hand Slade Woo Mountain House Concept Vivian Xu Poster for Guys and Dolls
Portrait in Savannah
Through My Dad’s Eye
Mystic Meadow
Bird Fly Free
SPRING 2018 19
Maggie Bostain ’20
SPORTS ROUNDUP Collegiate’s sports teams posted impressive results in the fall 2017 season.
FIELD HOCKEY 10-11
SOCCER 8-6-3
All-LIS: Maggie Bostain ’20, Hallie Brost ’21, Paige Murphy ’19 All-State: Murphy ’19 Times-Dispatch All-Metro: Murphy ’19 (First Team, Defense)
All-Prep: Carson Groce-Wright ’18, Colson Williams ’18 All-State: Groce-Wright ’18 (Second Team)
LIS Semifinalist // VISAA Quarterfinalist
TENNIS 18-2
LIS Champion // 2nd in VISAA All-LIS: Helena Huff ’21 (#1 Singles, #1 Doubles), Sophie Mitchell
Ayinde Budd ’19
5th in Prep League // 7th in VISAA
All-Prep: Nate Holdych ’19, David Hugo ’18, Johnny White ’20
FOOTBALL 8-2
GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY
All-Prep: T Brewer ’18, Ayinde Budd ’19, Thomas Graeber
All-LIS: Elyse Cram ’21, Isabelle LeBey ’18, Maddy Watkins ’19 All-State: Cram ’21, LeBey ’18, Kathryn Sutherland ’22, Watkins ’19
VOLLEYBALL 12-14 LIS Semifinalist
All-LIS: Eva Whaley ’18
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BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY
’19 (#2 Singles, #1 Doubles), Anya Sood ’19 (#3 Singles, #2 Doubles), Alyssa McDaniel ’20 (#4 Singles, #2 Doubles), Bailey Andress ’19 (#3 Doubles), Saanvi Mittal ’21 (#3 Doubles) Tournament Champion: Huff ’21 LIS Coach of the Year: Karin Whitt
2nd in LIS // 2nd in VISAA
Eva Whaley ’18
5th in Prep League // VISAA Quarterfinalist
3-way tie for 1st in Prep League // 2nd in VISAA Prep League Sportsmanship Award ’18, Lew Rice ’19, Joe White ’18, Somers Wilton ’18 (Offense); Charles Armstrong ’20, Evan Clark ’18, Travis Reifsnider ’18 (Defense) All-State: Budd ’19, Wilton ’18 (First Team, Offense); Clark ’18 (First Team, Defense); Brewer ’18, White ’18, Graeber ’18, Rice ’10 (Second Team, Offense); Armstrong ’20, Reifsnider ’18 (Second Team, Defense) Times-Dispatch All-Metro: Budd ’19 (Second Team); Brewer ‘18, Graeber ‘18, Reifsnider ’18 (Honorable Mention)
Selected to Big River Rivalry All-Star Game: Graeber ’18, Reifsnider ’18 Note: In January 2018, the Collegiate girls’ lacrosse team was awarded the 2017 Sportsmanship Award from the Richmond Chapter of United States Lacrosse.
Helena Huff ’21
Isabelle LeBey ’18
David Hugo ’18, John Diemer ’18 and Adam Nimaga ’21
Carson Groce-Wright ’18
2
TW O C O LLEGIATE GOLFERS EA R N FIR S T-TEAM HONORS In November 2017, the Richmond Times-Dispatch presented its All-Metro golf team, and Collegiate’s Caroline Curtis ’19 (1) and Jack Montague ’18 (2) earned first-team honors.
1
SPRING 2018 21
HOLIDAYS AT C O LLE G I ATE
1
3 2
1. Third Grade Concert of Carols 2. Feast of Juul 3. Lessons and Carols 4. Brunch
4
22 SPARK | On Campus
5
6
7
8
9 5-7. Cougar Holiday Express 8. Kindergarten Chapel 9. Pageant
SPRING 2018 23
TRANS FORM INGRVA 24 SPARK | Features
C OLLEG IATE ALUMNI IN THE RIVER CITY WO RK TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF ITS CI TI ZE N S
N E V A H A CREATING Y T I C E H T WITHIN
of Monroe Park rt a p r ve o g n vi a red p cted ichmond conside R f o y it C ill Pantele conta B e n th a in m il ls c n ia u c o ffi c o t tric In 2003, when cGuire Massie. rsity, Second Dis M e iv e n c li U A h lt te a a e u w d n ra o g mm te near Virginia Co em 1979 Collegia th g n o m a , a re a of the several residents His call reactivated the Monroe Park Advisory Council, which
Charles Samuels ‘94, a Second District councilman from 2009-2016,
eventually getting involved. The coalition became the Monroe Park
led to city, corporate, private, community and university entities Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to transform the
historic 166-year-old location into a garden spot. Mrs. Massie, who taught at Collegiate from 1992-2014, began leading the charge to
resuscitate and revitalize the area. She currently serves as president of the Conservancy’s board of directors.
“Our goal,” she said, “is an urban living room with green.”
The city contributed $3 million to fund infrastructure and the
Conservancy raised another $3 million for “furnishings.” The former Monroe Park closed Nov. 14, 2016. Tree care to improve sight
lines, protect the mature specimens and create a more open and pleasing ambiance was the first order of business when revitalization began in earnest. Next came the procurement of permits, then the heavy-duty renovation.
When the project is complete in June 2018, Mrs. Massie
envisions the park hosting groups of students preparing for an exam,
senior citizens reading the newspaper in the morning sun or enjoying a leisurely game of checkers or chess, folks playing bocce or croquet or tossing Frisbees and participating in yoga, tai chi or tai kwon do.
“Overall, I see a respectful place where you can do your own
thing, where nothing is over-programmed,” she said.
26 SPARK | Features
worked closely with Mrs. Massie on the Monroe Park project.
“She’s put blood, sweat and tears into this,” he said. “What
impressed me was her patience and resilience. She was tireless in her efforts to convince people that the project was worthwhile.”
Mrs. Massie estimates that she spends 30 hours a week onsite,
raising funds and collaborating with the constituencies that are making a new and improved Monroe Park a reality. Because of her
passion, the project is on track, says Suzette Denslow, chief of staff to Mayor Dwight Jones (2009-2013) and deputy chief of staff to Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Gov. Ralph Northam.
“Alice is an immovable force,” she said. “Whenever there’s
a setback, she gets right back on her feet and works harder to
make things happen. This project wouldn’t be where it is without Alice Massie.”
– Weldon Bradshaw
G N I R E V I DEL VITAL S E C I V R SE TO THE Y T I N U M COM t family-owned a e m ti rt a p g in work ity of Virginia in atcher ’80 began rs H e s iv e n m U Ja e , th 4 f 1 o s t a ou When he w on full time fresh d e n g si e 00 until 2016. H 0 . 2 re a m o w fr rd t a n H e d ts si n s pre Pleasa nks and served a ra e th h g u ro th 1984, rose In 2016, C.F. Sauer, which acquired Pleasants in the 1980s, sold
Hatcher found himself looking into the future with no firm plans.
I was looking for that kind of atmosphere. We have that at the Red
the company to Virginia Beach-based Taylor Brothers, and Mr.
About the same time, the position of CEO of the Virginia
Region of the American Red Cross became available. His interest piqued, he applied, interviewed, received an offer and began work on Oct. 10, 2016.
“It’s impossible to do something 30 years and not be
nervous,” Mr. Hatcher said. “I was apprehensive but also kind of excited.”
As CEO, his responsibilities include coordinating and
overseeing the nonprofit’s lines of service: disaster response, blood collection, volunteer services, health and safety training and service to the armed forces. Mr. Hatcher also serves as the public face of the Red Cross in Virginia and speaks around the state to promote its mission and initiatives.
“The people who worked at Pleasants were part of my
family,” he said. “Collegiate fosters a similar sense of community. Cross. Everybody pitches in to do what needs to be done.”
With a lot of help from their friends, of course.
“The financial generosity during recent hurricane events
was unbelievable,” Mr. Hatcher said. “People called us and said,
‘I collected $3,000 at my church.’ Or ‘My kid’s lemonade stand raised $75.’ One woman put a dollar bill in an envelope and mailed
it to us with a note that said, ‘I hope this can help the people in Texas.’ It’s really affirming how events like this pull us together.
They can happen anywhere. I have faith that if something happens in Virginia, people from around the country will pitch in to help.”
– Weldon Bradshaw
While the learning curve has been steep, he admits, he has
managed the transition thanks to past experiences.
SPRING 2018 27
NURTURING D E T I M I L N U THE F O L A I T N E POT STUDENTS
en, the reality.
the action plan. Th me the dream. Then
First ca
So began UP RVA, a nonprofit entity that facilitates the transition to area independent schools for students from Richmond’s East End, then provides encouragement,
mentoring, advocacy, transportation and financial assistance for incidentals once they enroll.
Toby Desch ’06 is the dreamer. As founder and
executive director of UP RVA, he created the blueprint three years ago, and has guided its success since then. He credits his Collegiate education for the inspiration.
“Service learning experiences during my time at
Collegiate gave me a passion for working with kids,” said
Mr. Desch, who served for three years as a coach and Upper School student life coordinator at his alma mater. “It taught
me that UP RVA was needed. I just took the idea into the real world.”
Most of the young men and women to whom UP
RVA offers support attend (or graduated from) Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School, a faith-based middle school in
east Richmond that educates promising students of limited economic resources.
In 2015, its first year of service, UP RVA – the U-P
stands for Unlimited Potential – helped place eight students in four local independent schools, including Collegiate. This year, 24 Anna Julia Cooper graduates attend seven area independent schools, and a dozen public school students participate in the UP RVA after-school program.
At first, UP RVA had one van and a staff of one: Mr.
Desch. Now, the organization owns two vans and an SUV, employs a full-time after-school director, a part-time
counselor and three drivers. The organization also thrives
28 SPARK | Features
with the support of about 50 volunteers, many of whom provide dinner for attendees several nights per week.
“It’s been my dream to make independent education
available to more people than just the folks in the West End,” Mr. Desch said. “I thought that if a student could be accepted, his or her life would be changed.”
Initial funding came from $150,000 in private donations.
In 2017, UP RVA received gifts of almost $500,000 from individuals, family foundations and corporate sponsorships.
“I meet with new families on a weekly basis who tell me
they couldn’t send their kids to these schools and get the
education they want if not for UP RVA,” Mr. Desch said. “We
fill a serious need within the community. I couldn’t be more proud of what we allow our students to do.”
– Weldon Bradshaw
S D I K R O F P SPEAKING U lland ’90 began her
argaret Nimmo Ho ity engagement for M
The road to commun llegiate. freshman year at Co
That’s when she served on a Habitat for
Richmond. Several transitions later, she
and doing research, assimilating information
in the crawl space of a house. The path
Voices for Virginia’s Children, a statewide,
to real-life problems.”
Humanity project and installed insulation
continued during her junior year when she
and her class performed their Brunch skit for
youths at the Friends Association for Children in Gilpin Court.
“I definitely felt that at Collegiate
there was always a community service and a community involvement in everything that we did,” Mrs. Holland said.
She went on to attend the University of
Virginia and major in religious studies, and soon after graduation, landed a position writing grants for and overseeing the sexual assault outreach program at the YWCA of
now serves as the executive director of nonpartisan
nonprofit
that
focuses
on
securing policies and programs that benefit marginalized youth.
She works with a staff of eight, and their
goal is to enact laws that have a positive
impact on funding, focusing on programs for children who are living in families of economic
disadvantage, those with mental health issues and those in the foster care system.
“What I love about the policy work
is that it uses a lot of the skills I learned at Collegiate and the University of Virginia,” Mrs. Holland said. “There is a lot of reading
and thinking critically about how to apply that While
many
Collegiate
teachers
contributed to Mrs. Holland’s love of service,
her memories of Dr. Barbara Anderson stand out.
“Dr. Anderson is a teacher who I
remember as always trying to help us understand the larger world in which we live,
and trying to get us out of our bubble,” Mrs.
Holland said. “You learned what she was teaching you, but you learned so much more from what she brought to the classroom.”
– Madelyne Ashworth ’13
SPRING 2018 29
SERVING YOUTH IN CRISIS is a Claiborne Mason ’78 an. true Renaissance wom
She graduated from Davidson College as an economics
and sometimes with their families, is VHBG’s end goal
advertising. After retiring in 2004 and spending eight years
ensuring they have the tools to thrive.
major and went on to have a long career in marketing and out of the workforce, Ms. Mason began consulting for
nonprofit organizations throughout Richmond, as well as serving on several boards. She served as interim CEO for United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg until she
found her more permanent home as president of Virginia Home for Boys and Girls (VHGB).
“I’ve sort of zigged and zagged in my career, but I
landed in a really good spot that was right for me at the
time in my life when I went back into the working world,”
Ms. Mason said. “It was where I felt I needed to be. It’s a wonderful organization. The children we serve come from
truly dire circumstances and have endured abuse that is unimaginable for any child.”
The Virginia Home for Boys and Girls is a group home
that serves youth in crisis in the Richmond area by providing
a safe and nurturing alternative to foster homes when none are appropriate or available. The Home hosts an onsite
K-12 school and a clinic where therapists support children’s mental health needs. Re-integration with the community,
30 SPARK | Features
for the youths in the organization’s care, as well as
Ms. Mason felt called to work for nonprofits
after she realized how gratifying it was to help an organization by using the skills she learned in her
previous career. Having sent both of her children to
Collegiate (Elizabeth ’09 and Jay ’16), she’s thrilled that the School continues to make community service an important part of the curriculum.
“I think modern-day Collegiate, the Collegiate
that my children attended, has put such a wonderful
emphasis on giving back and on the responsibility that we, as people who have the ability to give, really
have to our communities,” Ms. Mason said. “I think Collegiate does a wonderful job of underscoring that from a very early age.”
– Madelyne Ashworth ʼ13
N I S R E H T O HELPING S Y A W S U O R NUME a woman Ginny Wortham ’03 is . who wears many hats
She finds multiple ways to engage with
organize the Foundation’s annual ball, whose
schooler it was a struggle, despite her fond
time at Davenport and Co. as Senior Vice
for Children, as well as the Children’s Hospital
her community in addition to working full President - Investments.
The organizations with which she now
“I think I was so fortunate to grow
volunteers were also important to her parents.
up watching my parents, who gave so
generously of their time and their talents to so many different organizations,” she said.
After finding a love for community
involvement
serving
as
the
president
of Richmond Tennis Association, which
promotes the sport of tennis in the Richmond
community, Ms. Wortham has spent the last seven years as a member of the Junior Board of the Children’s Hospital Foundation. As
part of the 50-woman board, she has helped
proceeds assist the Virginia Treatment Center Foundation Heart Center, a newer program
at the hospital. As co-chair of the 2017 ball,
the event raised an unprecedented $264,000.
More recently, she joined the YMCA of
Greater Richmond’s “Millennial Initiative”
project, which is a group of philanthropists and young professionals who are committed to philanthropic efforts in the community
through the Y. Ms. Wortham also fundraises for St. James Episcopal Church, where she co-chaired an event that raised money for the church’s homeless feeding program.
memories of Freshman Service Week.
“I now have found things that I’m
passionate about, and I think Collegiate instilled the importance of service toward others,” she said. “I do remember a sense of service through the School that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.”
– Madelyne Ashworth ’13
Editor’s Note: We applaud all of our alums in the Richmond area who are serving the community in rich and meaningful ways.
Although Ms. Wortham would have no
trouble earning her Upper School community
service hours now, she admits that as a high
SPRING 2018 31
Q&A WITH FRANK MOUNTCASTLE ’83 Collegiate’s Board of Trustees Chairman shares his thoughts on the Board’s current priorities and its vision for the future
How and why did you get involved in Collegiate’s Board of Trustees?
I’ve always been involved at Collegiate over the years. It has been a big part of my life. I’m a 1983 graduate and my mother (Deane Hotchkiss Mountcastle ’59) and grandmother (Frances Arrington Hotchkiss ’25) went to Collegiate. Two of my kids (Grace ’14 and Fisher ’17) have gone through K-12 and I have a current 9th Grader (Henry ’21), so the School is constantly on my mind in one way or another. It has been a side passion of mine for many years, so when the opportunity came to join the Board in 2013 it was an easy decision. I so respect the history and leadership of the School, and we’ve got a great Board. It’s really easy to work with such talented people.
What are the functions of the Board?
As a Board, we are strategic and high level in our mission. The job of the Board is not to involve ourselves in the day-to-day minutia of the School. We’ve got strong leadership and wonderful division heads. Our job is to work with Head of School Steve Hickman and his team on vision and on strategy. A few years ago, we spent a lot of time on a strategic plan, Focused Forward 2016-19. If members of the community who are interested have not reviewed our strategic plan, I highly recommend they do so. [Focused Forward 2016-19 can be found on Collegiate’s website under the “Our School” and “Our Leadership” tabs.] Much of what we do during the year is to make sure Steve and his team are executing according to this plan. I like to think that we are stewards of Collegiate’s long history, but embracing of the bold leadership and thoughtful change our recent Heads of School have brought to the School.
How did your Collegiate experience prepare you for your service on the Board? If you are a student here for 13 years, like I was, or for one year for that matter, that time at
Collegiate nurtures a love for the School. For me, that love for the School has been enduring. Here, nearly 35 years later, my appreciation for Collegiate and the way we educate and develop our children is as strong as it ever was. It all starts from a love and a passion for the School. This is a place that has a 103-year history. It’s a very successful school with a great mission, great leadership and great vision. Simply put, our job is just to make sure that continues for the next 100 years. I think all Collegiate Board members keep that in the back of our minds.
32
What is the Board’s vision for the future?
In one word: sustainability. Our Board is working hard to ensure that Collegiate’s value proposition is a sustainable one and that our students, likewise, leave Collegiate with an experience that will help them be sustainable leaders in our changing world.
Regarding financial sustainability, Steve has brought discipline to our tuition strategy. He has conveyed visibility
and transparency in communicating that we have embraced more of an inflation-based, tuition-setting approach, which should provide our families with much more predictability around tuition costs. Also, importantly, we are preparing to focus on growth in our Endowment. A larger Endowment will give us greater flexibility regarding tuition levels while continuing to support need-based financial assistance to more of our families and professional development for our faculty and staff. This is critical in terms of securing Collegiate’s continued success. We want to ensure that the School’s value proposition is affordable and remains a place where students, families, faculty and staff want to come and stay. A larger Endowment will play a big role in the success of this part of our vision.
In terms of providing our students with an experience that will help them be sustainable leaders beyond
Collegiate, the Board, Steve and his leadership team, and the faculty and staff, in addition to promoting academic excellence, want to create an inclusive, global-minded community that replicates the real world. In doing so, we will educate our students about the benefits of inclusion and responsible citizenship and the importance of creating a welcoming environment where empathy is a core belief. That way, when they graduate, our students will be well prepared to lead and flourish beyond Collegiate.
If we are successful in supporting this vision, we will help keep Collegiate on the forefront of independent school
education and it will be a place where our students thrive and our families feel part of this community.
What’s next on the horizon for the Board?
One of our most important near-term jobs is to find the next leader of our School. The Search Committee is hard at work and the search process is progressing well. The Search Committee and full Board are committed to hiring a new Head of School who will continue to push Collegiate forward and shape our exceptional School. Replacing a leader like Steve is not easy, but we are comforted by the strong reputation and brand that Collegiate maintains in the independent school world, and are confident that Collegiate will be an attractive “destination” for Steve’s successor.
SPRING 2018 33
SERVICE LEARNING
n g i s e by d
Collegiate strategically incorporates service learning into JK-12th Grade curriculum
Several years ago, Director of Service Learning and Civic Engagement
Suzanne Fleming and other Collegiate faculty members met to define the
it, but it is more of an activity as opposed to being integrated into the
eight pillars of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. The group came
curriculum,” she said.
up with the following explanation of Service Learning:
teaching technique, is not limited by subject matter, content or grade
A teaching strategy that integrates meaningful service with
“Community service is important and there’s definitely a place for
And unlike the other pillars, service learning, aside from being a
instruction and reflection to enrich the learning process
level, says Clare Sisisky, Collegiate’s Institute for Responsible Citizenship
Director and Director of Strategic Planning.
“Service learning can be defined in different ways, but this is
Collegiate’s definition,” Mrs. Fleming said. “We want to be consistent
across each division so that everyone is talking about the same thing.”
science, in Spanish or math. It could be in Kindergarten, 5th Grade or
12th Grade.”
What differentiates service learning from community service is
“It can really be applied in anything,” she said. “It could be in
that the former is connected to the educational component, Mrs.
Service learning doesn’t drive the curriculum; it enhances it.
Fleming says.
“The curriculum is in place,” Mrs. Fleming said. “We’re looking for
34 SPARK | Features
A teaching strategy that integrates meaningful service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning process
entry points where it might be a natural fit for a service
learning opportunity.”
to instill empathy in students and equip them with skills they will
need in the future, skills they sometimes don’t even know exist.
The most effective learning experience occurs when the
The goal of incorporating service learning at each grade level is
educational outcomes that teachers want connect seamlessly with the
needs of the community for a mutually beneficial partnership.
become adaptable and resilient,” Mrs. Fleming said. “They are able to
“Students gain self-confidence, learn about themselves and
“There are so many ways that our students can contribute,
recognize challenges in different situations and possess the tools to
perhaps in a more meaningful way, to the community partner when
address those challenges, think through problems and know how to
it’s need-based,” Mrs. Sisisky said. “When service learning is used as a
explore ways to make a difference.”
strategy to excite students’ learning, it helps them get there even more
quickly, more deeply.”
Collegiate faculty, Mrs. Fleming is charged with integrating service
An important part of the process includes reflection.
learning into Grades JK-12 every day. The following are just a
“The deepest learning takes place when you have a cumulative
few examples.
With the help of Mrs. Sisisky and input and suggestions from
reflection at the end of the program, but also reflect along the way,” Mrs. Fleming said.
35
LO W E R S C H O O L
KIN DERG A RTN ERS A N D FAISO N FRIEN DS Since January 2016, Lower School music teacher Christine Hoffman has invited students from The Faison Center, which serves children with autism, to participate in a music class with Collegiate Kindergartners.
Three to five students and their teachers from Faison come to a Kindergarten music class once a week for 30 minutes. Prior
to their first visit, Ms. Hoffman talks to the Collegiate students about autism and what it means for someone to have autism. The discussion fits in with the Kindergarten theme of Alike and Different, in which students try to appreciate which traits and characteristics they have in common and those they don’t.
Ms. Hoffman introduces Julia, a Sesame Street character with autism, and offers students advice about how to better
communicate with someone like her, such as speaking simply and waiting patiently for a response.
When the Faison students arrive, the first few classes focus on the children learning each other’s names and playing games
that highlight the similarities among them, such as favorite foods, sports, animals, etc. As the classes progress, if a Faison student has a special accommodation or doesn’t like a particular musical instrument, Ms. Hoffman sees these as opportunities to further develop students’ empathy and understanding.
“My goal is for the kids to realize that they have much more in common than they think,” she said. “I also want the kids (and
adults) to build confidence in interacting with new people, especially those that may look or act differently than them.”
The service learning piece enhances the impact on the students, says Mrs. Sisisky.
“Interacting in a music class is going to be totally different than just reading a book about someone with autism,” she said.
“It really is engaging at a much deeper level.”
2 N D G RA DE ENV IRON M ENTA L S TUDY To prepare for a service learning component of their study of
watersheds, wetlands and the Chesapeake Bay, Collegiate 2nd
scientist Chris Senfield, who explained what coastal grasses
Graders explored the Five Stages of Service Learning prior to
were before the classes visited the center.
a visit to the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach
While at the center, the students received coastal grass
last fall. Several Upper School students who had been to the
seeds, which they grew over the winter and will replant at the
center spoke to the 2nd Graders about what to expect as part
Brock Environmental Center when they return this spring. The
of service learning’s Stage 2: preparation. (See Five Stages of
experience is one that 2nd Grade teacher Samantha Huber
Service Learning.)
believes will make a lasting impression on her students.
“We’re trying to take advantage of the relationships
between divisions,” Mrs. Fleming said. “That’s an important part of our service learning program.”
36 SPARK | Features
The Lower Schoolers also heard from environmental
“This makes a lot of sense to them,” she said. “They learn
to give back authentically and they’ll remember this forever.”
4TH G RA DE IM MIG RATIO N UNIT In 4th Grade, Collegiate students experience a journey of self-discovery as
helps refugees transition to their new lives in Richmond and become more
they dive deep into the study of immigration. In addition to exploring their
self-sufficient. In November, the 4th Graders hosted nearly 100 guests
own family stories and reading novels about the immigrant experience,
(parents and children) from ReEstablish Richmond for a potluck dinner.
students hear from community members, who share their personal stories.
Guests this year included Collegiate mom Mera Sabha from Syria; VCU
guest’s country flag, “to make the guests feel welcome,” said one 4th Grader.
student Ezoza Nomazova ’13 from Uzbekistan; and John Dau, Collegiate’s
Global Scholar-in-Residence, from Sudan.
guests, served food and cleaned up after the event.
“They are studying immigration in American history and then looking at
The students helped to set up, created colorful signs and drew each The 4th Graders also interacted with and played games with their Laura Jones, Refugee Outreach Coordinator for ReEstablish Richmond,
the modern-day connection,” Mrs. Sisisky said. “It is a more complicated way
said the dinner was a wonderful opportunity for the attendees to experience
to understand immigration.”
a purely social situation.
In a new partnership this year, Kate Ayers, Executive Director of
ReEstablish Richmond, spoke to 4th Graders about how her organization
“It is a gift for them to be the honored guests and be welcomed by
Americans,” she said.
5TH G RA DE W ATER PROJ EC T For several years, the partnership between Collegiate history teachers and the James
MIDDLE SCHOOL
River Association has enhanced the annual 5th Grade Water Project. The partnership helps connect the students’ study of ancient cultures to modern-day concerns locally and globally, which in turn enhances their understanding of the permanence and necessity of clean water, water scarcity and the role water played in the development of each of the cultures they are studying.
Students also read A Long Walk to Water about the Sudan, raise money to build a
well in the Sudan and perform a local service project to protect the James River. Global Scholar-in-Residence John Dau, a former Lost Boy of Sudan, has spoken to the entire grade about his experiences.
This spring, students will take a field trip to Pump House Park, part of the James
River Park System, where they learn about the building’s history. The 5th Graders also perform a service project for the James River Association. In past years, students have painted structures, cleaned canals, maintained trails and constructed “seed bombs,” that grow wildflowers to draw monarch butterflies and different species of bees.
The project culminates with a Water Olympics at the end of the year, with activities
that include collaboration, creativity and science.
“The project is one of the most comprehensive examples of service learning at
Collegiate and how it has evolved organically,” Mrs. Fleming said.
SPRING 2018 37
F I V E
MIDDLE SCHO OL
1
STA G E S
O F
SE RV I C E
I NVESTIGA TIO N
2
L E A R N I N G
PREPARATION
3
ACTION
6T H G R A DE CH INE SE L A N G UAGE STUDE NTS AND S ENIO R S Middle School Chinese teacher Yu Xiao really didn’t know what service learning was until she attended a professional development workshop on the subject two summers ago, facilitated by Mrs. Sisisky and Mrs. Fleming. After the session, Ms. Xiao had an idea: She knew of a local church that hosted Chinese senior citizens one morning a week. These older adults, who spoke little to no English, either lived in the area for part of the year or were visiting relatives in Richmond. They felt isolated and disconnected from American culture.
Ms. Xiao thought about having her 6th Grade class spend time with the seniors. The
students could practice their Chinese and experience a greater appreciation for Chinese culture. For the seniors, meeting the 6th Graders could lessen their social isolation.
She prepared the students with lists of questions to ask and had them practice with
each other. When the students arrived, the seniors were ready for them with Chinese arts and crafts, calligraphy and tai chi lessons.
“It worked really well,” Ms. Xiao said. “It was a multicultural and multigenerational
experience. For the students, it was more impactful than just reading a book or talking to me. They thought it was fun. They were totally learning. And the seniors want us to come back. They also think it’s a great idea.”
7 TH G RA DE CON N EC T RICHM ON D For six weeks beginning in March, Collegiate School 7th Graders work with more than a dozen Richmond-area nonprofit organizations as part of Connect Richmond, their grade-level service learning project.
Now in its third year, Connect Richmond aims to foster interaction and connection between
students and local community members. Program sites for students have included The Faison Center, Children’s Museum of Richmond, The Doorways, Amelia Street School, Circle Center, St. James’s Children’s Center, YMCA, Lakewood Manor and The Founders Center of Commonwealth Autism. During the six-week project, students actively engage with individuals at these organizations and explore their needs.
Students experience a lot of self-discovery over the course of the program, as those who have
never spent time with adults with Alzheimer’s or children with autism show patience, compassion and empathy, Mrs. Fleming says.
“They learn a whole lot about themselves and they’re stretched beyond their comfort zone,”
she said. “Learning the empathy piece is a huge thing that will serve them well later on.”
38 SPARK | Features
4
REFLECTION
5
DEMONSTRATION
8TH G RA DE ENV ISIO N RICH M ON D Every fall, Collegiate’s entire 8th Grade embarks on the grade-level Capstone program, Envision Richmond, which immerses students in designated Richmond-area nonprofit organizations and the populations they serve.
During the week-long program, now in its fifth year, students tackle issues facing the
nonprofits, create solutions to these challenges and present their ideas to Collegiate teachers and administrators as well as to community leaders.
Envision Richmond seeks to equip students with collaboration, empathy, creativity,
communication and problem-solving techniques to make an impact in the real world.
“It’s also us saying to them, ‘You can do something about this,’” Mrs. Fleming said. “‘You have
the ability, and every little bit makes a difference.’”
Envision Richmond concludes every spring with 8th Graders creating a service learning
project based on the needs they discovered at the nonprofits in the fall.
“The spring piece of Envision Richmond was really created because students wanted more
action,” Mrs. Sisisky said. “They wanted to be able to do something.”
UPPER SCHOOL 9TH G RA DE CO M M UNITY EN G A GEM ENT WEEK Each February, Collegiate’s entire 9th Grade class participates in service learning during Community Engagement Week by volunteering at local nonprofit organizations and schools.
After preparing for the week on Monday, the 9th Graders spend Tuesday through Friday at
more than a dozen partner organizations that have included Lakewood Manor, The Hermitage, The Faison Center, St. James’s Children’s Center and the Children’s Museum of Richmond. The students interact with residents and students and perform various duties depending on the organization’s needs. As part of their English 9 curriculum, students write about their experiences during the week.
“It’s a great opportunity to have students immersed in an environment that’s outside of their
comfort zone where they’re learning something new and coming back and writing about that,” Mrs. Sisisky said. “That is very different than just giving the assignment without that experiential piece.”
During this week of hands-on experience, the students gain knowledge about the community
around them and perhaps became familiar with an organization or population that sparked an interest in them, says Mrs. Fleming.
“We’re hoping they can at least think about next steps and how they would go about making
change,” she said. “But we want them to come away with having those skills to be able to know what to do once they see the inner workings of organizations and the challenges they face.”
SPRING 2018 39
UPPER SCHOOL
S ENIO R CA PS TO N E IEL - AMERICAS The first part of the senior Capstone class, International Emerging Leaders - Americas, focuses on understanding human rights challenges in Mexico and preparing for the weeklong Youth Forum on International Dialogue in that country.
The forum, hosted by Collegiate’s partner school, Colegio Carol Baur, welcomes more
than 200 delegates from around the globe, with Collegiate typically serving as the only U.S. school in attendance.
During the event, students debate and negotiate in Spanish about some of the
region’s and the world’s most pressing issues and work together to form resolutions through discussion and collaboration.
“When they come back, they try to understand how these issues impact the U.S.,
especially the Spanish-speaking community in Richmond,” said Mrs. Sisisky.
For the second half of the semester, the seniors focus on an in-depth service learning
program in the city. Last year, they partnered with Sacred Heart Center, a nonprofit serving Richmond’s Latino community. They visited Sacred Heart and interviewed the center’s executive director to learn about the organization, who it benefits and what its needs are. The students compiled those needs into a list of projects that they could tackle.
The seniors later presented three products to assist the center in its mission: a volunteer manual, a screening and
hiring process for volunteers, and recommendations for ways to follow up with individuals once they leave the center, including a registration form, a more active social media presence and face-to-face evaluations.
The students not only delivered viable items to Sacred Heart, they also learned a tremendous amount.
“They understood the much more complicated issues in a way that would have been really different if their
teacher had just led them through a series of articles from the local newspaper,” Mrs. Sisisky said.
SAT URDAY AC ADEMY For the past several years, Upper School Spanish teacher Esperanza Soria-Nieto has brought the language to life for her Upper School AP Spanish students. The students who participate in the Saturday Academy volunteer every Saturday morning at Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School to help English as a Second Language (ESL) students.
Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary has a large population of Spanish-speaking students
and limited resources to help them build English-language proficiency. Collegiate students assist ESL students with homework and other curriculum-based activities. They also spend time engaging the young students in fun activities and learning about the Hispanic culture.
Saturday Academy was incorporated into the AP Spanish curriculum to improve students’
oral proficiency in the language and to meet the need of the community partner, even though the day of the week may not be ideal for students, Mrs. Sisisky says.
“That really came from their need,” she said. “That is the only time that they can do it.”
Mrs. Soria-Nieto has noticed the results of the interactions between students.
“The main thing is empathy,” she said. “But they are using interlocution to communicate
with the children who do not speak English. They are learning about different cultures and the different situations that have brought the students here.”
Collegiate students are required to attend twice a semester, but many volunteer every week.
“There’s enthusiasm for it,” Mrs. Sisisky said. “We design it as school, but the students don’t
see it that way.”
40 SPARK | Features
U P P ER S C H OO L E N G L I S H C LASS AND L OC A L N O NPR O FIT Collegiate 11th and 12th Graders enrolled in Upper School English teacher Dr. Leah Angell Sievers' elective course, The Literature of Elegy & Redemption, have read Truth & Beauty: A Friendship by the prolific American writer Ann Patchett for the past two years. The book examines the friendship between Ms. Patchett and her best friend, the accomplished writer Lucy Grealy.
Ms. Grealy suffered from the depression and
addiction that resulted in part from her diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma at age nine. The subject of the book lent itself to a partnership with the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation, which helps teens struggling with mental illness.
Dr. Sievers and Mrs. Fleming contacted Grace
Gallagher, Executive Director of the Foundation, about the possibility of adding a service learning component to the course. Mrs. Gallagher came to Collegiate to speak to the class, after which students generated a list of ways in which writing-based projects could be helpful to the Foundation and to their peers across the globe.
“Mrs. Gallagher had all kinds of ideas,” Mrs. Fleming said. “Since this was an English class, a
couple of thoughts involved the students' helping with writing for grants or the foundation’s blog.”
In response to Mrs. Gallagher's inspirational story about how she came up with the
Foundation's mantra, "fight-finish-faith," students wrote about their own mantras and the stories behind them. Students also wrote personal narratives about situations in their own lives that have presented them with significant emotional challenges. Dr. Sievers, Mrs. Fleming and Mrs. Gallagher are currently determining the best forum through which to communicate the students' messages of strength and support to other teens.
Over the past three years, Collegiate’s partnerships have included, but are not limited to, the following entities and organizations. (Please note: This is an ever-evolving and increasing list.) Adams Elementary School
Miracles in Motion
Shalom Farms
Amelia Street School
Northstar Academy
Sitter and Barfoot Veterans Care Center
Chesterfield Innovative Academy for Girls
Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School
SPARC
Children's Museum of Richmond
Organization of Chinese Americans - Central
Sportable
Circle Center
Virginia Chapter
Spring Arbor of Richmond
The Doorways
Partnership for Families
St. James’s Children's Center
The Faison Center
Partnership for the Future
Tech For Troops
FeedMore
Peter Paul Development Center
The Virginia Home
The Founders Center of Commonwealth Autism
Puppets Off Broad Street
Tricycle Gardens
Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation
Quioccasin Middle School
United Methodist Family Services
Greater Richmond ARC
RAMPS
World Pediatric Project
Groundwork RVA
Reach Out for Life
Virginia Home for Boys and Girls
The Hawthorne Cancer Foundation
READ Center
Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind &
Hermitage Richmond
ReEstablish Richmond
Vision Impaired
HomeAgain
Remote Area Medical
Virginia War Memorial
James River Association
Richmond SPCA
YMCA
John Dau Foundation
RVA Works
YWCA
Lakewood Manor
Sacred Heart Center
Linwood Holton Elementary School
Saint Francis Home
Milk River Arts
Sarah Dooley Center for Autism
SPRING 2018 41
ALUMNI NEWS L ET T E R F R O M
LAURALEE GLASGOW ALLEN ’03 DIRE C T O R O F A L U M N I E N G A G E M E N T
As I write this letter, a new year has begun and with it comes excitement for all that 2018 has in store. I have enjoyed these first few months serving as your Director of Alumni Engagement as we continue to build on the strong program that my predecessors set in motion. This year, I have been very excited to work with our Upper School team and many of our local alumni to create a new mentoring program, Trailblaze. The mission of Trailblaze is to pair alumni with Collegiate rising seniors so that they may discover career inspirations and aspirations. Our hope is to expand domestically and internationally. It comes as no surprise that so many of you have been willing to participate during our pilot year. This is one of the many reasons why I love the Collegiate community; its members genuinely enjoy giving back to others and do so very willingly.
While I only attended high school at Collegiate, the relationships I formed with my teachers
and peers have been long-standing and have helped make me the person I am today. Many of you share this same sentiment of gratitude. When I took this job, I left the nursing profession and have not looked back. I love coming to campus every day and am so fortunate to serve more than 8,000 alumni worldwide in this role. So much has changed since I was a student, but all for the better. And at its core, Collegiate remains the same in its commitment to forging long-lasting relationships and acting in the best interest of its students. No matter how far you are from Richmond and our campus, please know that my door is always open to you!
ALUMNI EVENTS MARCH 28 COUGAR BITES Pasture
APRIL 18 REUNION PLANNING KICKOFF MEETING FOR CLASSES ENDING IN 3 AND 8 The Backyard Grill
APRIL 25 WASHINGTON, D.C. REUNION The Metropolitan Club
All Collegiate alumni are invited to attend the events noted here. For more information, contact Director of Alumni Engagement Lauralee Glasgow Allen ’03 at lauralee_allen@collegiate-va.org. 42
JUNE 2018 TOWN SCHOOL TEA Location TBD
NOV. 2-3 OYSTER ROAST AT TUCKAHOE PLANTATION AND REUNION WEEKEND
YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD Mayme Donohue ’03 has served on the Collegiate Alumni Association Board since 2013, including co-chairing the Annual Fund for two years. We talked with her via email about her connection to Collegiate and how her work on the Board helps ensure the School’s excellence for future generations.
ARE YOU FROM RICHMOND ORIGINALLY?
which is fundamental to providing the financial resources required
Technically, no. I was born in Denver, Colorado, but moved here when I
to educate each student. The Annual Fund supports the heart and
was an infant, so RVA is the only home I know!
soul of the Collegiate experience and funds everything from resources for students in the classroom to professional development and
HOW DID YOU ARRIVE AT COLLEGIATE?
training programs for teachers. The Alumni Board also gets involved
I am the oldest in my family and the first to attend Collegiate. My
in programs going on now and looks for ways to build mentorship
parents picked Collegiate because they wanted to be sure I was in an
opportunities for current students. Ultimately, we are open to taking on
environment that pushed me to be my best individually.
anything that helps support Collegiate!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AFFILIATED WITH THE ALUMNI BOARD?
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF THAT THE BOARD HAS ACCOMPLISHED?
Since 2013! I’ve been co-chair of the Annual Fund for going on two
The Alumni Board stepped in to help with Giving Day last year on
years now and love this job.
May 2, 2017, and I was SO proud of the energy that sprang forth from the Collegiate community that day. It is easy to look at a school like
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE BOARD?
Collegiate and dismiss the importance of fundraising and community
Collegiate’s role in my success is undeniable and I feel so thankful to
awareness, but the record-setting number of gifts received that day
have had access to the amazing teachers and facilities Collegiate offers.
make a HUGE impact on the School and its ability to push the envelope
I value the opportunity to be a part of a group that helps to continue
on what’s attainable while keeping the cost of tuition as low as possible.
Collegiate’s excellence and shape it for generations to come.
WHAT KEEPS YOU CONNECTED TO COLLEGIATE?
WHY SHOULD OTHERS CONSIDER BEING A PART OF THE BOARD?
My friends from Collegiate are friends for life. This Christmas, the
Somebody was on the Alumni Board when each Collegiate alum was
ladies of the Class of ’03 organized a casual gathering to catch up before
going through school, helping to connect fellow alums and grow the
the holidays, and despite years since seeing some of these friends, it
School’s resources. Not only is the Alumni Board a chance to pay that
felt like no time had passed. I also coached the girls’ varsity basketball
forward, we also happen to have a blast in the process!
team with Coach [Rives] Fleming while I was in law school, so Cougar box scores always catch my eye in the paper.
WHAT TYPES OF DUTIES DOES THE BOARD PERFORM? The Alumni Board serves a few key purposes. The Alumni Board
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?
works to maintain strong connections among Collegiate alums across
My fiancée, Phoebe, and I have recently gotten into spinning and we
graduation year and geographic location by fostering a continued sense
also love to travel to warm places. I also drag her to RVA’s amazing
of community long after we each walked the halls as students. We also
restaurants, which has made the spinning a nice new addition!
take on leadership giving roles in supporting Collegiate’s Annual Fund,
FAVORI T E T H I N G S RESTAURANT: Too many to list. I am a real
foodie and love so many. Favorite in the neighborhood – Metzger. COLLEGIATE TRADITION: Convocation COLLEGIATE MEMORY: Killing time with friends during senior year “study halls” OUTDOOR ACTIVITY: Eating
MUSEUM: VMFA, but really looking forward
to the Institute for Contemporary Art PARK: Libby Hill Park BOOK: Covering by Kenji Yoshino SONG: So many. Currently my favorites are Sorry Not Sorry by Demi Lovato or anything by Cardi B.
PIECE OF ADVICE: In the middle of chaos
when everything seems out of control, sometimes the only thing you can control is also the most powerful thing – your self talk and your attitude. SPRING 2018 43
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:
COLLEGIATE SCHOOL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME The Collegiate Alumni Association will induct a new class of coaches,
selected to the Athletic Hall of Fame, you do NOT need to nominate that
players and teams into the Collegiate School Athletic Hall of Fame. These
person again; a second nomination from you will not count twice.)
inductees will be selected from current and past nominations! Please take
a moment to think about the outstanding athletes, coaches or teams you
the memory of those individuals who, through fair play, have brought
remember from your days at Collegiate and send in your nomination!
recognition, honor, distinction and excellence to Collegiate School and its
interscholastic athletic programs.” Alumni/ae are eligible beginning five
We need your help to be sure we honor the BEST of the best. The
The purpose of the Athletic Hall of Fame is to “honor and perpetuate
more nominations a person or team receives, the more likely they will be
years after they have graduated from Collegiate. Coaches are not eligible
strongly considered, so don’t assume someone else has done it! (However,
until they have retired from Collegiate.
if you have already nominated someone in the past who has NOT yet been
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE MEMBERS
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME ADVISORY BOARD
Alex Cecil ’83 – Chair
Gray Stettinius ’79
Philip Janney ’99
Karen Doxey, Director of Athletics
Lucy Fitzgerald Steele ’62
Wortie Ferrell ’88
Drew Cheely ’02
Andrew Stanley, Associate Director of Athletics
Bill Porter ’65
Michelle Deal Lewis ’89
Brad Jones ’03
Charlie McFall, Former Director of Athletics
Beth Watlington Marchant ’72
Stephen Spraker ’92
Kim Pettit O’Shea ’77
Erin Smith Jewett ’94
Lauralee Allen, Director of Alumni Engagement
COLLEGIATE SCHOOL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME MEMBERS INDIVIDUALS
COACHES
Mary Fry Fritch ’28
Behle Schaaf ’72
Michael Campbell ’87
Bill Chambers
Ann Lee Saunders Brown ’36
Robbie Perkins ’73
Antoinette Lucas ’87
Gwen Donohue
Rosa Hodges McLaughlin ’36
Frank Jones ’77
Craig Scott ’87
Jim Hickey
Katherine Chewning Crane ’46
Robert Wrenn ’77
Rob Ukrop ’88
Petey Jacobs (posthumously)
Alice Lewis Flower ’49
John Owen Gwathmey ’80
Wortie Ferrell ’88
Grover Jones (posthumously)
Pearson Grymes Gibson ’54
David Murphy ’80
David Cox ’90
Lewis Lawson
Rick Wiltshire ’64
Trib LaPrade ’81
Ta’ Bingham Frias ’94
Charlie McFall
Nancy Sadler George ’65
Anne Overton ’82
Katie Schoolwerth Gustafson ’96
Leroy Vaughan ’66
David Shannon ’82
Andrew Slater ’96
Sanford Boisseau ’68
Chris Tate ’83
Courtney Owen Mattes ’97
Ray Easterling ’68
Beth Curry ’84
Joey Rackley ’99
Janet Grubbs ’69
Lisa Coleman ’84
Harry Wilson ’01
Boodie Wiltshire McGurn ’71
Walter Spence ’84
Jamie Whitten Montgomery ’03
George Whitley ’71
Lee Moreau ’85
Russell Wilson ’07
SUPPORTER Mr. Malcolm U. Pitt, Jr. Coach John Moreau
TEAMS
44
1959 “A” Field Hockey Team
1982 Varsity Football Team
1990 Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team
1963 Varsity Football Team
1986 Varsity Field Hockey Team
1997 Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team
1969-70 Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team
1987 Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse Team
1996 Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Team
1970 Varsity Football Team
1988 Girls’ Varsity Tennis Team
1998-99 Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team
1972 Varsity Football Team
1989-90 Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team
ANY NEW NOMINATIONS SHOULD BE SENT VIA THIS FORM TO: Lauralee Allen Director of Alumni Engagement Collegiate School 103 N. Mooreland Rd Richmond, VA 23229
You may also nominate an individual via email: lauralee_allen@collegiate-va.org. The more information you can give us regarding the nominee’s athletic career at Collegiate, the better!
PLEASE RESPOND WITH YOUR NOMINATIONS NO LATER THAN APRIL 16, 2018! QUESTIONS? PLEASE CALL LAURALEE ALLEN ’03 AT 804.741.9757. NAME OF NOMINEE(S)
CLASS YEAR
REASON FOR YOUR NOMINATION (including any exact information you have about their Collegiate School athletic achievements)
YOUR NAME
CLASS YEAR
YOUR PHONE NUMBER
YOUR EMAIL
SPRING 2018 45
ALUMNI-CREATED STUDENT CLUB EARNS PHILANTHROPY AWARD Ramps Access Made Possible by Students (RAMPS), a Collegiate student club created by three Class of 2007 graduates, earned the Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Virginia Chapter Youth Philanthropy of the Year Award in November.
Collegiate Cougars Mike Dowd, Coleman Wortham and Gray
Fain created RAMPS as students in 2005. The club raises funds to purchase modular metal ramps that are installed at the homes of wheelchair-bound individuals. Last April, Collegiate’s club constructed and placed its 100th ramp.
“We had no idea what RAMPS would become,” Mr. Dowd
said. “Once we realized the impact, we thought we could grow the organization and make even more of a difference in the region.”
Current Collegiate student club officers Sean McHugh, Shreya
Sharma, Anya Sood and Sarah Robins, as well as Upper School science teacher and club faculty sponsor David Headly, were on hand to accept the award.
COLLEGIATE ALUMNI PANEL GIVES ADVICE Ten Collegiate alumni from the Classes of 2014-16 spoke to juniors in January about what to expect from college life. The recent graduates hailed from schools including the College of William and Mary, Hampden-Sydney College, Kenyon College, Muhlenberg College, University of California, Berkeley, University of Miami, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Military Institute and Yale University.
46 SPARK | Alumni News
Meaghan Enright ’01 speaks to the media and works on the relief effort with St. Croix native and NBA star Tim Duncan.
ALUM SPEARHEADS HURRICANE RESCUE EFFORT
F
IRMLY ENTRENCHED IN CRUZ BAY, a town of 2,700 on the island
The relief and rescue effort was underway.
of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Meaghan Enright ’01
Meaghan, along with Tenesha Keyes and Siobhan Mulvey,
can’t see herself living anywhere else. Ever.
would spearhead it from the Cruz Bay side. They call their
disaster aid group Love City Strong. In 12 days, using savvy and
After arriving on St. John (nicknamed Love City) on Nov. 1,
2005, Meaghan worked a series of jobs. Since 2014, she’s headed
instinct, ignoring fatigue and surmounting myriad obstacles, they
Writtenright Consulting, which provides marketing solutions for
facilitated the evacuation of 1,200 people from the island.
local small businesses.
put in a situation where things needed to be done, and I did them.”
“The longer I stayed, the clearer it became that I wouldn’t
“We did this because somebody had to,” Meaghan said. “I was
function very well moving back to the States,” she said. “This
community is special. People take care of each other … in the best
native), the Bloomberg Foundation and the Kenny Chesney Love
FEMA, Global DIRT, NBA superstar Tim Duncan (a St. Croix
of times and the worst of times.”
for Love City Foundation, among others, played – and continue to
Little could she have imagined.
play – important roles in the recovery and reclamation effort.
On Wednesday, Sept. 6, Meaghan and her fellow Islanders fell
The rebuilding process will last indefinitely. All is not
victim to the unfathomable fury of Hurricane Irma, a Category 5
lost, however.
monster that wreaked havoc on the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico,
Florida and points north.
said. “This place is about community. It’s about love. It’s
about taking care of one another. It brings you back to a much
From her house, she, her boyfriend Matt Mooney and her
“We’ve rediscovered the core of who we are,” Meaghan
mutt Finnegan holed up and hoped for the best. It was only when
simpler perspective.”
Thursday dawned that they witnessed the terrible destruction.
upbringing and experience, Meaghan was conditioned to organize,
“It was like an alternate reality,” she said. “It looked like a
Perspective. Yes. An elusive concept, at best. Through
bomb went off. Everything looked like a war zone.”
plan and execute. Getting her head around this Herculean task
thrust upon her without notice, though, has been very challenging.
On Friday, she was able to connect to Wi-Fi and notify her
family that she was safe. She also found a message from Nils
Was she heroic? She scoffs at the notion.
Erickson, a friend from St. John who was traveling in Rhode
“I don’t feel different,” she said, “but people are different
Island on business. He explained that he’d contacted East Island
toward me. I’ve gained their trust. The experience doesn’t feel
Excursions in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and a 40-passenger Power
defining, but it’s certainly life-changing.”
Catamaran was en route with supplies.
– Weldon Bradshaw
SPRING 2018 47
CHIPS OFF THE OLD COUGAR BLOCK THIS FALL WE WELCOMED THE FOLLOWING LEGACIES OF COLLEGIATE ALUMNI
Kindergartners (all ’30) from left to right: Eliza Reynolds, Annie Thalhimer, Rowan Zelenak, Patrick Short, Caddie Cox, Patrick Fruth, Jamie Scott, Zubin Mate, Jackson Charles, Carter Purcell, James Plucinski, Cole Chambers
Townsend Anderson JK
Happy Vaughan Anderson ’95 and Matt Anderson ’00 Garland Anderson ’70, Kate Donnahoe Vaughan ’65 and Bucky Vaughan ’63
Jack Bradley
7
Ryan Bradley ’92
Ryder Bradley
5
Ryan Bradley ’92
Cole Chambers
K
Lara Tyler Chambers ’99
Jackson Charles
K
Tyler Charles ’96
Caddie Cox
K
Lizzie Cullen Cox ’00
Richard Duncan
JK
Richard Duncan ’02
Thomas Farrell
JK
Stuart Farrell ’03
Devon Fogg
7
Hunter Fogg ’88
Patrick Fruth K
Alice Collins Fruth ’97 Dianne Nunnally Hoppes ’64 (deceased)
Eliza Logan
JK
Michelle Kahn Logan ’98
10
Arielle Duncan ’01
K
Meera Pahuja ’97
JK
Jamie May ’97
Phillip Lopez-Duncan Zubin Mate John May
Sam McGeorge
JK
James McGeorge ’91
Clara McNeely
3
Tyler Fonville McNeely ’90
5
Tyler Fonville McNeely ’90
Grayson McNeely 48
1. Clara McNeely ’27 2. J unior Kindergartners (all ’31) Front row: Thomas Farrell, Richard Duncan, Townsend Anderson, Eliza Logan. Back row: John May, Sam McGeorge, Bryson Nichols, Evie Schutt, Archer Siebert, Ben Pruitt 3. Michael Plucinski ’29 4. Phillip Lopez-Duncan ’20
1
2
Left to right: Jack Bradley ’23, Ryder Bradley ’25, Turner Shield ’25, Grayson McNeeley ’25, Ella McNeeley ’22, Devon Fogg ’23
Ella McNeely Bryson Nichols
James Plucinski Michael Plucinski
8
Tyler Fonville McNeely ’90
JK
Blake Hamill Nichols ’98
K
Leslie Beach Plucinski ’99
1
Leslie Beach Plucinski ’99
Ben Pruitt JK
Michael Pruitt ’96 Niki Carlson Pruitt ’71 and Gray Pruitt ’69
Carter Purcell K
Sagle Jones Purcell ’94 Nancy Cann Purcell ’36 (deceased)
Eliza Reynolds
K
Austin Reynolds ’94
JK
Marshall Schutt ’98
Evie Schutt
Jamie Scott K
Liza Jarvis Scott ’99 Cristy Conner Jarvis ’68 Michael Jarvis ’64 (deceased) Libby Boinest Conner ’41 (deceased)
Turner Shield
5
Henry Shield ’91
K
Estelle Munford Call ’64
JK
Anne Gray Cullen Siebert ’97
Patrick Short Archer Siebert
Annie Thalhimer K
Adam Thalhimer ’97 Bobby Thalhimer ’70
Rowan Zelenak
Ken Zelenak ’93
K
3
4
SPRING 2018 49
OYSTER ROAST The 34th Annual Oyster Roast, hosted by Sue and Tad Thompson ’66, was held on Oct. 27, 2017. The Class of 1967 gathered before the event to celebrate its 50th Reunion. Later, nearly 400 alumni joined them for oysters and music by Nashville-based singer/songwriter Emma White ’11.
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1. Emma White ’11 sings for the crowd. 2. Alums enjoy fresh oysters at the roast. 3. May Ellen Boyd Oakley, Susu Schmidt, Kathleen Hawks Walker and Elizabeth Coleman James (all ’67) 4. Lee Mallonee ’67, Tad Thompson ’66 and Dick Bennett ’67 5. Peyton Jenkins ’00, Scott Jenkins ’94, Howard Jenkins ’92 and Tad Thompson ’66
50 SPARK | Alumni News
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6. Alums take a tour of Tuckahoe Plantation before the Oyster Roast festivities begin. 7. Andrew Gilmore, Brant Tullidge ’11, Daniel Bagbey ’11, Walker Surgner ’11, Jasmine Turner ’11, Morgan Baggesen ’11, Nicolette Lerch ’11 and Matson Roberts ’11 8. Scott Reed ’92, Anna Reed, Jennifer Ruth ’90 and Scott Ruth ’91 9. Russ Daniel ’82, Charlie Blair, Joe Bugg ’82, John Owen Gwathmey ’80, Bob Shelly ’81 and Lee Wimbish ‘80 10. Ry Marchant ’71, Beth Marchant ’72, Muffy Greenbaum ’04 and Noah Greenbaum ’03 11. Alden Ramsey McDaniel ’00, Gary McDaniel and Nathan Knight 12. Jim Ivins ’07, Jordan Farmer ’07, Whitney Chase ’07, Kathryn Failon ’07 and Andre Constantine 13. Sarah Gray Innes ’05, Philip Innes, Will Allen ’03, Lauralee Allen ’03, Melinda Koonce ’07, Mark Wayne Sisk ’03 and Abigail Parker
10
13
SPRING 2018 51
HOMECOMING 2017 On Friday, Oct. 27, 2017, Collegiate’s entire student body, decked out in green and gold, convened in Seal Athletic Center for a classic Pep Rally that ramped up excitement for the Homecoming game against Norfolk Academy. The next day, a warmer than normal fall Saturday, Collegiate won 42-0 on Grover Jones Field.
1. Girls on the Homecoming Court celebrate their victory over the boys. 2. Spencer Lyons is crowned Homecoming King. 3. Cougar spirit starts early. 4. Middle Schoolers cheer the loudest. 5. Wacky relay races rev up the crowd. 6. Junior Annie Mahoney greets her fellow SCA Vice Co-Chair and emcee Zaed Karabatek. 7. Even the youngest Cougars get caught up in the excitement. 8. Upper Schoolers show their stuff. 9. The football team addresses the audience. 10. The boys’ soccer team performs a song and dance.
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52 SPARK | Alumni News
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SPRING 2018 53
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1. Trey Boll runs the field. 2. Ayinde Budd and T Brewer congratulate each other. 3. With colleague Ray Crouch, Claud Whitley, Collegiate’s longest-serving employee, helps with the coin toss. 4. The crowd enjoys the warm fall day. 5. Collegiate’s student section rocks out.
54 SPARK | Alumni News
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6. Cougie leads the Homecoming Court onto the field. 7. Lauren Brizzolara and David Hugo 8. Kate Farrell and T Brewer 9. Wescott Lowe and Homecoming King Spencer Lyons 10. Homecoming appeals to Cougars of all ages. 11. Ellie Angle and Evan Clark 12. Harper Zaun and Joe White 13. Homecoming Queen Caroline Hall and Travis Reifsnider
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SPRING 2018 55
LEGACY LUNCH
On Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in McFall Hall, alumnae celebrated Homecoming at the annual Legacy Lunch.
1. Collegiate School Board Chairman Frank Mountcastle ‘83 speaks to the group. 2. Mary Kennon McDaniel ’61, Marion Smith Chenault ’62 and Margot Deck ’59 listen to remarks. 3. Head of School Steve Hickman welcomes alumnae to the luncheon. 4. Fluff Shinnick Manderson ’62, Lucy Fitzgerald Steele ’62, Susie Materne Benson ’62, Alex Smith ’65, Kay Rucker Strohl ’62, Carolyn Gray Allen ’62 and Margaret Bryson ’62 enjoy each other’s company. 5. Deane Hotchkiss Mountcastle ’59 and Margot Deck ’59 catch up.
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56 SPARK | Alumni News
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50 TH REUNION THE CLASS OF 1967 GATHERED ON CAMPUS ON OCT. 28, 2017.
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1. Nancy Diggs Drake shares a laugh. 2. Mark Slezycki, Norvell Miller Slezycki, Betty Wood Delk and Rod Delk reminisce. 3. Alumni enjoy lunch in Craigie Board Room. 4. Susie Kemp Kump, Sally Ryland Duane, Jodi Jett Karr, Isabel Spilman Bates and Nancy Diggs Drake pose in the Sharp Academic Commons. 5. Kathleen Hawks Walker and Susu Schmidt reconnect. 6. Alumnae meet up at Quirk Hotel to start the weekend. Front row: Susu Schmidt, Joan Hedgecock and Isabel Spilman Bates. Second row: Martha Clark Goss, May Ellen Boyd Oakley, Bruce Johann Muller-Thym, Elizabeth Whittet O’Conor and Elizabeth Coleman James. Third Row: Lucy Correll, Eleanor Hind Smith, Norvell Miller Slezycki and Sally Ryland Duane.
57
PAGEANT LUNCH
Before attending the Pageant dress rehearsal on Dec. 1, 2017, alumnae enjoyed lunch in the Craigie Board Room of the Sharp Academic Commons.
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5 1. Barbara Lockwood Ambrose ’75, Tyler Norman Scott ’75, Christina Allen ‘14, Victoria Allen ’11, Susan Gill Dull ’70 and Nancy Cox Vaughan ’70 2. Estelle Munford Call and Barbara Culpepper Townsend (both ’64) 3. Bettsie Adamson ’66, Ginger Whitehead Chalkley ’66 and Liz Broaddus Scioscia ’90 4. Deane Hotchkiss Mountcastle ’59, Elizabeth Whittet O’Conor ’67, Elizabeth Coleman James ’67, Terry Tosh ’71 and Ann Lee Saunders Brown ’36 5. Elizabeth Coleman James, Elizabeth Whittet O’Conor and Lucy Correll (all ’67)
58 SPARK | Alumni News
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6. Lower School music teacher Sarah Denison greets former Collegiate piano teacher Nancy Archbell Bain. 7. Martha Orr Proutt, Michelle Kahn Logan and Ashley Krupin Tischer (all ’98) 8. Members of the 3rd Grade entertain Pageant Lunch guests. 9. Betsy Conner Flippen and Lucy Correll (both ’67) 10 . Mary Catherine Williams Washo ’01, Katherine Thalhimer Adamson ’96, Allison Johnson Whittemore ’96, Neely Markel Winston ’96, Missy Seymour Wood ’96 and Ginny Harris Hofheimer ’96
10
SPRING 2018 59
WINTER PARTY & AUCTION
1
Chaired by Stephanie and Hunter Lansing ’00 and Carrie and Thayer Montague, the 42nd Annual Winter Party & Auction, Building Imagination, was held Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, at the newly renovated Main Street Station Train Shed. More than 400 parents, alumni and friends entered the chic urban setting to enjoy cocktails, spectacular city skyline views and mobile bidding on fantastic silent auction items. Guests then headed to their tables for a seated dinner and the live auction, featuring auctioneer Ernie Rogers. Proceeds from the event will support the renovation and expansion of Oates Theater and other academic priorities. Thanks to Winter Party & Auction Coordinator Susan Brizzolara and Stewardship and Donor Relations Manager Melissa Grossi for a magical night to support Collegiate!
2
1. Winter Party & Auction chairs Thayer Montague, Carrie Montague, Stephanie Lansing and Hunter Lansing ’00 2. Collegiate Board member Morenike Miles and her husband Brandon Miles are ready for the evening. 3. Stewardship and Donor Relations Manager Melissa Grossi and Winter Party & Auction Coordinator Susan Brizzolara prepare for the festivities.
60 SPARK | Alumni News
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9 4. Winter Party guests enjoy dinner. 5. Director of Alumni Engagement Lauralee Glasgow Allen ’03 showcases an Ed Trask painting during the Live Auction. 6. Liz Shield and Anna Reed revel in Cougar camaraderie. 7. Mitesh Amin, Neema Amin, Ginny Hofheimer ’96 and Adam Hofheimer strike a pose at the selfie station. 8. Upper School history teacher Brad Cooke and Director of Outdoor Collegiate rappels from the ceiling before the Paddle Raise. 9. Katie Lareau and Mark Lareau admire Silent Auction items. 10 . Head of School Steve Hickman welcomes guests. 10
SPRING 2018 61
CLASS NOTES 1946
she spent her days playing golf, gardening,
DIED: Carolyn Tiffany Taylor on Sept. 14, 2017. After graduating from Collegiate, she attended Sweet Briar College and Virginia Commonwealth University. Carolyn returned to college in 1984 and received an A.A.S. degree in data processing from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. She was employed by Computer Sciences Corp. as a programmer and database designer until her retirement. Her hobbies included gardening, reading, interior decorating and doll house construction. She was devoted to her beloved Maltese dog, Lucy, and loved horses. She was preceded in
entertaining friends, walking on the beach with her golden retriever, Rhett, and hosting her adored grandchildren. She loved to travel and especially treasured her two trips to Africa to follow in the footsteps of her brother, Charles, and her warm winters with friends in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Patricia was a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, The
and Quincy Cole Rhodes. Edythe Reed Funsten on Dec. 22, 2017. After graduating from Collegiate, she attended Hollins College, where she developed her skills and love for painting. After college, Edie returned to Richmond and taught
Houck and Benjamin Meacham.
the 4th Grade at Collegiate School for several years. She was an accomplished artist
her husband of 46 years, B. Nolting Rhodes, moved permanently to their home in Virginia Beach, where
62 SPARK
also an adjunct instructor of history at the University of Richmond from 1984 to 1994. Kaye was a former
Neville Rhodes ’11, Joseph Grigsby Rhodes
great-grandchildren, Justin Houck, Alexandra
years. In 1985, she and
72). She was
Rhodes, Jr. ’11 (Mackenzie), Margaret
Matthew S. Dyke. She is also survived by three
and away games for many
School (1971-
(Martha); and grandchildren, J. Glenn
Wendy C. Houck, James Kevin Carneal and
team, attending home
(1961-63) and government at Collegiate
’78 (Cynthia) and Robert Q. Rhodes ’82
brother, Frederic L. Taylor; and grandchildren,
Richmond Spiders football
world history at Tuckahoe Junior High
is survived by her sons, J. Glenn Rhodes
daughter, Carolyn Taylor Carneal ’69; her
on her beloved University of
the University of Richmond. Kaye taught
brother, Charles Melancthon Glenn, Jr. She
by her son, James Durrette Carneal IV ’72;
Patricia enjoyed cheering
received her master’s degree in history from
her sister, Doris Cole Glenn Hancock; and her
James Durrette Carneal III; and is survived
attended Endicott College.
Collegiate, she attended Hollins College and
Club. She was predeceased by her husband;
Heather Dyke. She was married to the late
2, 2017. After graduating from Collegiate, she
on Dec. 21, 2017. After graduating from
Country Club and The Tuckahoe Woman’s
C. Taylor, Jr.; and granddaughter, Carolyn
DIED: Patricia Ellen Glenn Rhodes on Nov.
DIED: Kaye Culver Brinkley Spalding
Country Club of Virginia, the Princess Anne
death by her parents; her brother, Arthur
1948
1958
member of the boards of the Woman’s Club, St. Joseph’s Villa, Flagler Home, the Virginia Center for the Book, the Esther Thomas Atkinson Museum of Hampden-Sydney College, the William Byrd Community House and the Collegiate School Alumni Board. She was also a docent at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for many years. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Henry Cannon Spalding, Jr., and their three children, Mary Parke Spalding Holland ’81 (Wes), Henry Cannon Spalding lll (Wendi) and Maria Spalding Hadlow (Patrick); as well as six grandchildren, Benjamin Spalding ’13, Emily Spalding ’16, Robert Holland, William Holland, Seth Hadlow and Parker Hadlow.
1959
and a longtime member of Bruton Parish
DIED: Frances Bramble Petty Sargent on
Church. She was an active member of the
Dec. 13, 2017. After graduating from Collegiate
Williamsburg Garden Club and the Muscarelle
in 1959, she
Museum in Williamsburg, VA, as well as
attended St.
The Woman’s Club in Richmond. She was
Mary’s Junior
preceded in death by her husband, Herbert
College in
Oliver Funsten. She is survived by her sons,
Raleigh, NC.
Herbert III (Ann) and Landon II (Martha); her
Following
grandchildren, H. Oliver IV, Emily and Kristin,
work in
Landon III, Melissa and Jennifer; and her close
Richmond
siblings, Charles L. Reed Jr. (Ann) and Jane
as an office
Reed Fields ’52 (Jim).
manager and legal
1. Members of the Class of 1962 connect during Homecoming Weekend. Pictured from left to right are Laney Hull Mullen, Ann Strickland Davenport, Marion Smith Chenault, Kay Rucker Strohl, Anne Hunter Larus Roe, Fluff Shinnick Manderson, Carolyn Gray Allen, Susie Materne Benson, Lucy Fitzgerald Steele and Margaret Bryson. 2. Alex Smith ’65 attended a dual birthday celebration for Ann Lee Saunders Brown ’36 and Tad Thompson ’66, hosted by Terry Tosh ’71, on Oct. 29, 2017. 1
2
secretary, Frances married Edmund F. Petty
Fluff Shinnick Manderson, Susie Materne
Stanley, Lee Valentine Snyder, Temple
of Muncie, IN, in 1967. In addition to Ed’s two
Benson and Taylor and Rusty and Lucy
Kester Joyner, Anne Hirschler Long, Susan
children, Edmund F. Petty, Jr. and Carolyn Jill
Fitzgerald Steele. The magical night was
Shaffer Wells, Leigh Wilson Joblin, Sherrie
Petty, Frances and Ed had two children, Frank
the perfect way to turn the clock back and
Welton Parker, Penny Winfree Gooch, Anne
Ball Petty and Elizabeth Petty McClinchie.
reconnect. We were especially happy to have
Chapman Lubliner and Libby Coleman Price
While raising her children, Frances dedicated
Anne Hunter join us.
left a “hole” in our celebration that we hope will
time to serving on the board of Ball Stores,
Saturday kicked off with the Legacy
be filled next time. We also remembered those
which the Petty family owned and operated.
Luncheon in the new “cafetorium” at Collegiate –
of our class who had passed away – Wendy
Following her husband’s death in 1985, she
complete with a pizza oven and two-tier seating!
Garibaldi Williams, Diane Hedgecock,
honored his legacy with the establishment
Very impressive. We ate a fabulous lunch
Peppy Armstrong, Anne Macon Gunter and
of the Edmund F. Petty Memorial Lecture
overlooking Mooreland Road while we watched
Joly Duesberry. We are looking forward to
Series at the David Owsley Museum of Art at
pictures from the past on the video screen
getting together again and hope ALL members
Ball State University. In 1987, she married
and heard remarks from Head of School Steve
of this special class – the last all girls class
Thomas A. Sargent, with whom she spent the
Hickman and President of the Board Frank
to graduate from Collegiate – will be able to
next three decades. Frances dedicated herself
Mountcastle ’83. Alex Smith ’65, who is now
come “home” for our next reunion. Let’s start
to supporting the creation and evolution
retired, joined our table for many jokes and
planning that now! – Submitted by
of Minnetrista in Muncie, IN. Frances also
memories. After lunch we had an impromptu
Lucy Fitzgerald Steele
worked tirelessly as a member of the Oakhurst
tour of the new buildings – unbelievable. (They
Advisory Committee, seeing through major
even have a SNACK BAR now that students
renovations to the historic G.A. Ball family
can visit ANYTIME they have a free period
home. Over the years, Oakhurst and its
from breakfast on!!!) Definitely different from
surrounding gardens became one of Muncie’s
our days there! Carolyn, Susie and Taylor
most treasured gems, a testament, in part,
and Rusty and I arrived at Marion Smith
to Frances’ ongoing support and dedication.
Chenault’s to a gorgeous spread prepared by
Just a few months before her death, she was
Cabell Chenault! We had another grand time,
honored with the 2017 “Lifetime Achievement
sipping wine, eating “gourmet” food, looking
Award” at the Mayor’s Arts Awards. Preceding
at old yearbooks, laughing and, of course,
her in death were her father, mother and first
remembering younger times!
husband, Edmund F. Petty. Surviving family
Sunday found us at Margaret’s for another
members include her husband, Thomas A.
wonderful brunch. The weather wasn’t as
Sargent; sister Elizabeth Bramble Brown ’52
nice this time so we stayed inside but her
(Mann); son Frank Petty (Angie) and daughter
lovely home in the country was just what we
Elizabeth McClinchie (Michael); Edmund Petty
needed to enjoy each other’s company one more
(Jane) and Carolyn Jill Petty (Chris Clayhold);
time. We took a group picture for posterity
Sarah Hetzel (Charles) and Andrew Sargent
that included all but Rossie, discussed how
(Rebecca); and 13 grandchildren.
wonderful it was to be together again and
1962 - 55
TH
REUNION
Our 55th reunion weekend started out with a wonderful dinner at Dover Lake, hosted by Rossie Reed Fisher. Attending were Margaret Bryson, Anne Hunter Larus Roe, Carolyn Gray Allen, Ann Strickland Davenport and Byrd, Kay Rucker Strohl,
that we really wanted to do it sooner rather than wait for another five years. Those of our classmates that couldn’t come were mentioned often and dearly missed. The absence of Sims Brockenbrough Foulks, Martha Jane Daniel Hudnall, Susan Dortch Barnes, Sue Neale Fox, Anne Coleman Davidson, Joy Burgess, Sandy Graves, Ginny Williams
Alex Smith ’65 ran into former University of Virginia basketball star (and Collegiate parent) Ralph Sampson and his granddaughter (daughter of Rachel Sampson ’06) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in October 2017.
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4 1. Class of ’67 Cougars enjoy their 50th Reunion Weekend. 2. Laura Hall ’68, her brother Jim Hall ’71, her son Boz Boschen ’98, his wife Amelia and their children Reeves, Hunter and Fielding, celebrate the efforts of her mother, Cornelia Hall. 3. Sally Hall ’67 caught up with Diana Giese ’66, a former American Field Service student from Darwin, Australia, during a trip Down Under. 4. James David Conway, grandson of Peggy Moncure Conway ’68, was born Oct. 5, 2017. 5. Members of the Class of 1970 gathered at the home of Missy Mallonee Buckingham in October 2017. Front: Patricia Fairlamb Gregory and Louise Coukos Spotswood. Back (left to right): Nancy Cox Vaughan, Ginny Kemp Hardman, Barrie Miller Sutton, Becky Allen, Gayle Allen Fitzgerald, Susan Gill Dull and Cathy Robertson Bauer
1965
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class took place prior to the Oyster Roast,
Saturday, Anne Marie and Jon Perel
which enabled us to enjoy one another before
graciously opened their beautiful home for
the official activities got underway on the
our class and spouses. One of the highlights
grounds of Tuckahoe Plantation, the home
was going through a bunch of Torch yearbook
of Sue and Tad Thompson ’66. Many of
pictures. We all left with promises to stay in
us agreed that this was one of our favorite
touch and visit each other whenever possible.
gatherings of the weekend.
Many thanks to Jon and Anne Marie for their
Saturday, we took a tour of the Collegiate
second hosting of our reunion dinner! This
campus, and those of us who had not been
magical 50th Reunion Weekend has bound us
back for years were overwhelmed and
together even more strongly than we were. We
impressed with the expansion of the School,
also remembered our deceased classmates who
the new library and the new cafeteria, all
will always been in our hearts. – Submitted
tastefully designed to fit in with the older
by Norvell Miller Slezycki, Sally Ryland
buildings. We all got a chuckle remembering
Duane and Lucy Correll
What a memorable weekend our class had!
that the only “co-ed” place at Collegiate back
Sally Hall writes, “The photo is of me
With a record turnout of more than 40
in our day was the library!
(chubby face under white hair on the left)
classmates (and lots of spouses as well!) for
A delicious lunch was served after the tour,
and Diana Giese ’66, who was an American
one or more of our weekend’s events, we
and the very first Homecoming Queen, our
Field Service (AFS) student from Darwin,
began the festivities with a cocktail gathering
own Nancy Diggs Drake, was presented with
Australia. Diana lived with the Newell family,
at Quirk Hotel in downtown Richmond. It
a dozen yellow roses. We also enjoyed a very
Patty, Scottie and Meg, and she and I were
was the first time some of us had seen each
moving video of Ann Lee Saunders Brown
friends. (I’ll date myself by saying I was her
other in 50 years, although it felt as if we had
’36 being interviewed by Mike Henry ’84. Her
flower girl.) After Diana returned home, we
never been apart, and it was great catching
very generous contributions to Collegiate are
lost touch. Several years ago, I found myself
up! Eleanor Hind Smith and her husband,
realized in the new library, with the names
wondering what had happened to her. In
Nathan Smith, came all the way from Hawaii!
of her teachers from her days at Collegiate
this age of the internet, she was easy to
We were all delighted that our American Field
carved around the outer façade of the library.
find, particularly since she has had a very
Service (AFS) exchange student, Hiroko
Her reminiscences of the early days of
successful career in writing and editing. We
Sasaki Sakomura, came all the way from
Collegiate, when it was on Monument Avenue,
began an email communication which was
Japan for Reunion Weekend as well. And
were priceless. (If you haven’t seen this video,
terrific fun. Time passed, and my husband,
Lucy Correll from Amsterdam! What a treat!
you can find it on YouTube. It totally captures
Roger Ruckman, and I both retired. Last
Friday evening, a cocktail party for our
the very essence of “The Collegiate Spirit.”)
spring, we took a tour of Australia and New
Alex Smith ’65 writes, “I have never been to a birthday party for a 99-year-old! A double celebration for Ann Lee Saunders Brown ’36 and Tad Thompson ’66, whose birthdays were close together, was hosted by Terry Tosh ’71 on Oct. 29. I was honored to sit beside Ann Lee and enjoyed watching her open cards and blow out candles (not 99!) on two cakes. Sorry Tad, but Ann Lee stole the birthday show! Best wishes to two of our finest Cougars!”
1967 - 50TH REUNION
64 SPARK | Class Notes
Zealand and linked up with Diana in Sydney, where she has lived for some years. It was completely wonderful to see her again (had only been 50 years, right?). She hosted us
Members of the Class of ’72 gathered at the home of Pam Guilford Redd for their 45th reunion.
at her high-rise apartment in the Manly section of Sydney — complete with a view of the Sydney Harbour that I’ll dream about for the rest of my life — and we talked about old (real old) times and caught up on our lives since Richmond. Roger and I were particularly interested in her tales of growing up in Darwin, teaching English in Uganda and working in London. Her keen intellect
DIED: Donald Kenton Muhleman,
for hosting us at her lovely home. Here’s
and delicious sense of humor were just as I
Jr. on Dec. 13, 2017. After graduating
some scoop: Ellen Hatcher Hamner is a
remembered. She took us on a walking tour of
from Collegiate, he attended West Georgia
snowbird in Florida. Elaine Ferebee Osburn
the Manley coast and visits to the New South
University,
continues to be a leader in her tennis court
Wales Library and Museum and the Botanical
where he
construction business, Tennis Courts, Inc.
Garden (site of the photo). Having her guide
earned
Sarah Masters is a renowned visual artist.
us around glorious Sydney was a highlight of
undergraduate
Sally Burford is still an attorney for the U.S.
our trip.”
and graduate
Court of Appeals. Mary D. Bennett Ellison
degrees. Don
is the Chief External Relations Officer for
was a master
United Network for Organ Sharing. Ann
Laura Hall writes, “Collegiate recently
carpenter
Young Fairman is still enjoying life in the
honored the efforts of my mother, Cornelia
and proficient
country and her horses. Kim and Boo Gentil
Hall, in establishing an international student
in home
are busy with real estate in and around
exchange program through American Field
restorations
Richmond. Connie Spilman runs her own
Service (AFS) at the school in 1963. On
and home
business called Connie’s Chores. It’s great
Oct. 1, 2017, at the International Emerging
additions. He
to have Bunny Gentry Williams back in
1968
Leaders dinner on campus, we marked the
is survived by his wife, Jean King Muhleman;
Richmond, and it was wonderful to meet Julia
occasion. In attendance were my brother,
her son, Anthony Patrick Zito (Deanna); his
Shannon’s fiancé. Mary Conner is enjoying
Jim Hall ’71, my son, Boz Boschen ’98,
sister, Marilyn Muhleman Rausch (Art);
traveling with her son and highly recommends
and his wife Amelia and their children
and his nephew, Kenton Muhleman Rausch.
retirement. Beth Watlington Marchant
Reeves, Hunter and Fielding, along with 41
He was predeceased by his brother, James
continues a celebrated art career and enjoys
international students from nine countries
Kirkmyer Muhleman ’73; and his parents,
her new granddaughter. Grandparenting also
and their Collegiate host families.”
Donald Kenton Muhleman, Sr. and Agnes
keeps Behle Schaaf, Becky LeCompte
Peggy Moncure Conway writes, “Rich and
Weeks Kirkmyer Muhleman.
Thornton, Stephanie Lelong Waller and
I have just welcomed our first grandchild, (finally!) James David Conway, born Oct. 5, into this world.”
1970
Members of the Class of 1970 gathered for a fun lunch at the home of Missy Mallonee Buckingham in October. She writes, “Everyone had a wonderful time catching up with one another. Some of us are teachers, artists, master gardeners, floral designers, technology wizards, world-wide travelers and more. We missed those who were unable to come, but look forward to all getting together again to renew our friendship and share our memories
Wiltshire and Craig Martin are loving the retirement life. Pam Guilford Redd continues her consulting business called The Leadership Team and a furniture restoration business. Our California girl, Susan Smith Stewart, came all the way from Fresno! Sarah Masters and Mary D. Bennett Ellison enjoyed kayaking the James River with Susan the afternoon of our party The night was special, so let’s repeat it in five years with EVERYONE! Mark your calendars for fall 2022.
of Collegiate.”
– Submitted by Brenda Britten Mathews
1972 - 45TH REUNION
1973
Smith Stewart coming from California and
election observer with the Carter Center
The award for furthest travel goes to Susan
Franny Simpson Powell, Lindsay Burn Wortham, Scottie Newell Slater and Stuart Carr Weismiller, friends from the Class of 1969, enjoyed a spontaneous dinner.
Brenda Britten Mathews very busy. Chris
Craig Martin coming from Mechanicsville. Many thanks goes to Pam Guilford Redd
Dr. Lyn Graybill served as a long-term in Liberia from August-November 2017. Unfortunately, one of the opposition parties
SPRING 2018 65
1. Collegiate’s Class of ’82 celebrates its 35th reunion at the home of classmate Jay DeVoe. 2. Collegiate alums from the Class of 1977 reminisce about their Cougar days at the home of classmate Tom Kastenbaum.
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filed a complaint alleging fraud, and the runoff
Frank Watkins is a licensed professional
early childhood in King and Queen County
for the top two presidential candidates was put
counselor, working at The Farley Center in
and later in Essex County. Her many talents
on hold, pending resolution of the complaint
Williamsburg. He focuses on the center’s
led her to pursue art, specializing in sea life
After 40 years of service in the U.S.
residential substance use disorder program for
glass painting. Her numerous craft shows in
Navy — 30 years of commissioned service
medical and legal professionals.
Virginia were attended by people from all over.
as a naval aviator achieving the rank of captain and 10 years of service as a senior government service civilian performing the duties of Executive Director of the Navy Reserve Force — R. Kent Hudgens retired from government service on Sept. 30, 2017. Kent received recognition for a lengthy list of achievements during his extensive naval career. He flew more than 1,000 hours piloting
She is survived by her husband of 23 years,
1979
Stan Creighton; her parents, Pat and Harry
DIED: Richard D. Wells on Dec. 13, 2017. After graduating from Collegiate, he earned a degree in theater from the University of Virginia. Professionally, Richard was the chief
Dr. Michael Armstrong, Jr. and Ellen Armstrong are pleased to announce that their
forward to reconnecting with his former
witty, he passed
daughter, Meredith Haley Armstrong ’11,
on his love of
married Mark Carideo Linnville, on June 10,
music, theater,
2017, in Richmond.
cooking and
Collegiate classmates and his Richmond roots.
fishing to his
His initial retirement plans are to reside in
kids, who both
Norfolk and to travel extensively.
are currently majoring in
1976
anthropology in college. He was
Dr. Benita Atiyeh Miller was installed as
1977 - 40 REUNION TH
A great time was had by all at our 40th
Reunion Party near school at the home of Helene and Tom Kastenbaum, which has seen more than its share of great times over the years. More than 60 classmates and their spouses or significant others attended and really enjoyed catching up and sampling the delicious food and drink provided by caterers Otis, Kee Kee and Charles. Many came from out of town including Tim Jarvis, who with his brother Dennis, operates the secondranked wedding venue in the Charleston area on the old Jarvis family land. We missed those who could not make it and look forward to seeing them next time. – Submitted by Hank Carter
66 SPARK | Class Notes
1981
and health care companies. Passionate and
landings on an aircraft carrier. Kent looks
the end of September.
Laura Luzzatto.
technology officer at leading insurance, media
the F-14 Tomcat and logged several hundred
president of the Virginia Dental Association at
Helton; sister, Jennifer Luzzatto; and niece,
preceded in death by his father, Archie O. Wells; and sister, Linda J. Fuller. He is survived by his beloved wife, Victoria Lyne Graham Wells; son, Harrison Graham Wells; daughter, Sarah Noel Wells; mother, Marjorie M. Wells; brothers, Michael O. Wells ’75 (Sarah) and William I. Wells (Kate); and nephew, Kevin Andrew Wells.
1982 - 35TH REUNION
We had a good start to the reunion weekend with several alumni from the Class of ’82 attending the Oyster Roast at Tuckahoe Plantation on Friday night. Amy and Jay DeVoe hosted our class party on Saturday night at their home in Mooreland Farms. Jay demonstrated his impressive cooking skills with superb culinary delights for us. Thirtyfour classmates attended the party, and we were thankful to see those who traveled from Tennessee, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia to join us local folk.
1980
We enjoyed a slideshow of old photos from
DIED: Mary Ellen Helton Creighton on
comments about the dress code at Collegiate. A
Dec. 13, 2017. After graduating from
memorial of photos was displayed to remember
Collegiate, she earned her bachelor’s degree in
the six classmates who are no longer with us:
the Collegiate archive, which elicited many
education and a
Meade Edmonds, Stephen Riopelle, Chris
master’s degree
Shaia, Henry Liebert, Emily Erickson
in special
Smith and Ashley Johnson Ownby.
education, both
It was wonderful to see and catch up
from VCU.
with old friends again, and we hope more
Teaching young
classmates can join us in five years for the
children was a
40th reunion.
passion that led
– Submitted by Parker Plaisted
Mary to teach
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3. Meredith Haley Armstrong ’11, daughter of Dr. Michael Armstrong, Jr. ’81 and Ellen Armstrong, married Mark Carideo Linnville on June 10, 2017. 4. Cougars from the Class of 1987 enjoy the hospitality of classmate Will Ferrell, who hosted their 30th reunion. 5. Anne Scott Obenshain Zumbro, Elsbeth Schelbert Husser, Missy Falls Mauck, Sarah Paxton, Lelia Grinnan and Gordon Stettinius (all ’84) got together at The Backyard Grill.
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1984
1985
Schelbert Husser returned to Richmond for a
of the 2017 Emma C. McKinney Award
short visit, her first since 2004. A few folks got
from the National Newspaper Association
together to visit with her at the Backyard Grill,
in October. She was honored during the
including Anne Scott Obenshain Zumbro,
National Newspaper Association’s 131st
Missy Falls Mauck, Sarah Paxton, Lelia
Annual Convention and Trade Show in Tulsa,
Grinnan and Gordon Stettinius. Elsbeth
OK. Recognized as the highest and most
and her husband Puis live in Switzerland and
dignified tribute in community journalism, the
she works in the travel industry specializing in
McKinney Award is presented to a working or
Scandinavian and Arctic travels. She welcomes
retired newspaperwoman who has provided
anyone for a visit!
distinguished service and leadership to the
American Field Service (AFS) student Elsbeth
Anne Witschey Adams was the recipient
community press and to her community. Anne, publisher of The Recorder in Monterey, VA, was the 50th recipient of the award.
1987 - 30TH REUNION
Elsbeth Schelbert Husser ’84 poses with Missy Falls Mauck ’84 and Mark Falls ’86. Elsbeth lived with the Falls family the year she attended Collegiate.
friendships and involvement in Collegiate. If you weren’t there last fall, we will be working hard to recruit you for the next one! There is a closed class Facebook page if any other ’87s want to join (look for Collegiate Class of 1987 Unofficial Page). It will stay open to build momentum for 2022. We will be posting pictures and funny, fond memories. If you are coming back to RVA and would like to catch up with classmates, you can post it there. Thanks to everyone for attending the party and making it a special night. We haven’t aged a bit! As Walt Disney said, “Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.” – Submitted by the Class of ’87 Reunion Committee Mary Elizabeth Parker, P.T., Ph.D., NCS, PCS, developed the Bobcat Babies program in the Department of Physical Therapy at Texas
The Class of 1987 wants to thank Cynthia and
State University’s Round Rock Campus. Bobcat
Will Ferrell for hosting our 30th reunion. A
Babies is a comprehensive developmental
terrific turnout of 40 classmates plus spouses
assessment clinic for infants and children with
made it our largest reunion yet. Bobby Bell
suspected developmental delays. The clinic’s
entertained us with live music and everyone
mission is to provide pro bono developmental
laughed and reminisced over the old pictures
evaluations to address the unmet needs of the
Todd Baird compiled into a video. We all
community. Its goal is to meet the challenge
appreciated their efforts! We realized we really
of reaching those underserved in the Central
did have a terrific class of talent, interests,
Texas area.
SPRING 2018 67
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1. The Class of 1992 catches up at its 25th Reunion at The Answer Brewpub. 2. Harrison Randall Gerczak, son of Lexie Arnett Gerczak ’96, was born Aug. 21, 2017. He joins big brother Hayes. 3. Salma Grace Bowler, daughter of Alyah Rafeh Bowler ’94, was born Aug. 8, 2017. She joins brother Mason. 4. Anya Schwender ’94 hangs out with comic book mogul Bret Carreras ’96 and Helen Tanner ’49. 5. The Class of 1997 held its 20th reunion at Triple Crossing Brewery in Fulton Hill. 4
1989
MARRIED: Richard Grossman to Bethany McCunn on June 3, 2017.
1992 - 25TH REUNION
Sarah Corcoran, Estelle Perera and
We’re already looking forward to the next
Will Wiltshire from New York; and Bekka
reunion and hope to see everyone then, or
Melino, all the way from Portland, OR.
better yet, before another five years goes by.
In the weeks leading up to the reunion,
Stay in touch, y’all!
Lauren Diehl Ford created a Facebook page
– Submitted by Rachel Everett
for everyone to post old photos and memories.
Twenty-five years never looked better! The
We were reminded of a time when Laura
Class of ’92 gathered at The Answer Brewpub
Ashley florals and rugby shirts were all the
to catch up over craft beers and prove that,
rage, and that Chris Rivers did, in fact, seek
yes, we still know how to party.
candidacy for President of the United States.
More than 30 classmates, many flying solo,
Though the famed bands of our class,
came from near and far to laugh, reminisce
Never Mind (Chad Montgomery, Palmer
and share stories. We were thrilled to see
Wilkins) and Jabberwocky (Ben Jones,
out-of-state Cougars, Henry Massie and
Adam Caldwell, Scott Seal), weren’t able
Mason Maynard from Atlanta; Scott Teal
to play, DJ Mac (Danny MacNelly) kept the
from Tampa; Howard Jenkins from Raleigh;
party going with his totally awesome ’80s mix, inspiring some impromptu dancing. Once the open bar ended, the guys were treated to a nice surprise: a free round of beers, compliments of Mason Reed, who wasn’t able to make it from Austin, TX. That kept the festivities going until well after
The children of Laura Sydnor Powell ’91, Will (11), Clare (5), Mary Caroline (9) and Haley (7), pose with Santa Claus.
68 SPARK | Class Notes
1993
Windley Peterson Gravatt began her new role as Vice President Workforce Services at Westminster Canterbury on Oct. 16 2017.
1994
BORN: Salma Grace Bowler to Alyah Rafeh Bowler and husband Ryan on Aug. 8, 2017. She joins brother Mason (5), who is thrilled to finally be a big brother. Anya Schwender writes, “I’ve been in D.C. for a year now and have enjoyed catching up with many East Coast friends.”
1996
midnight, with Jeff Ukrop claiming the title
BORN: Harrison Randall Gerczak to Lexie
of last man standing, closing the place down.
Arnett Gerczak and husband Gregory on Aug.
All in all, the reunion was a blast. Our class
21, 2017. He joins big brother Hayes.
has been through many ups and downs, and
Aman Sidhu is a partner at McDermott
it was great to have that time to reconnect.
Will & Emery, based in Washington, DC. He
We’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the
focuses his practice on compliance counseling,
classmates we’ve lost over the years: Stephen
complex civil litigation and disputes involving
Adamson, Mary Ryan Bottger George,
regulated industries, including state and
Gargi Pahuja and Richard Massie. You all
federal government investigations and related
are missed.
litigation. In 2017, Aman was recognized as
a “40 Under 40” by the Washington Business
so impressed by our fellow classmates who
Journal, “DC Rising Star” by The National
made the incredible effort to travel from both
Law Journal, “Rising Star” by the Minority
near and far to make the event so meaningful.
Corporate Counsel Association, “Best Under
Thank you to everyone for making the night
40” by the National Asian Pacific American
possible. We look forward to doing it again in
Bar Association and one of the “Outstanding
five years. This year’s reunion will be tough
50 Asian Americans in Business” by the Asian
to beat! Until next time, Class of 1997! –
American Business Development Center.
Submitted by Kristan Schaaf McGehee
His pro bono work with the Sikh Coalition
Grace Turner Creasey was selected
— a nonprofit civil rights organization he co-
to become the Executive Director of the
founded after 9/11 — resulted in a landmark
Virginia Council for Private Education
policy change in 2017 that ended a 30-plus
(VCPE) Association beginning in October
year ban on the service of observant Sikhs and
2017. VCPE has a long history of leading and
other religious minorities in the U.S. Army.
supporting excellence in private education in
In recognition of this historic success, Aman’s
the Commonwealth through strong advocacy,
McDermott team was named to the National
accountability and thorough accreditation
Law Journal’s Pro Bono Hot List in 2017. He
standards. Grace previously served at Blessed
lives in Washington, DC, with his wife and
Sacrament Huguenot Catholic School,
twin daughters.
Goochland Middle School, Goochland High School, Maury High School and McGuireWoods
1997 - 20TH REUNION
Consulting. She has been active in Virginia politics and is a strong advocate for private
Our 20th reunion was amazing! Our reunion
education and accountability for all schools.
was held at Triple Crossing Brewery in
Pasha Paterson, who works as a computer
Fulton Hill with a huge thank you to our
science researcher in Richmond, competed on
party planner, Alice Collins Fruth and her
Jeopardy! on Sept. 27. Pasha had taken the
team of Cameron Chewning Stockner,
online test for the show every year since 2009,
Ashley Hackler Freeman and Kristan
and had been through two rounds of auditions.
Schaaf McGehee. The night together was a
His most recent audition for the show was in
great success and such fun with our friends
2015, and it took two years for the show to
of ’97. We had some great laughs and trips
contact him. “I thought it was just another
down memory lane! It was a great turnout,
failed audition, but then I got the call in March
and those of us who live in Richmond were
Jamie Gregory, John Merrick, Jeff Galanti and Scott Hairfield (all ’97) got together at a NASCAR race in Richmond on Sept. 9, 2017.
to go to a taping,” he said. “It was a surprise, but a pleasant one. It’s one of those things you put on a bucket list and never expect to check off.” Pasha flew to Los Angeles for the taping in April. Once he was on set, he said, “I didn’t really have time to be stressed, I was so excited to be there. It felt unreal.”
1998
Kemp Gouldin has developed a nonprofit, Because Baseball, to bring Little League baseball to Egypt. His goal is to use baseball as a vehicle to help bridge the divide between East and West. As noted on the organization’s website becausebaseball.org, “Beginning in Egypt, children (and even their parents) are learning and playing the game, finding shared purpose and common humanity on and off the playing field.” According to Kemp, “Baseball has a unique framework that celebrates feats of the individual that collectively benefit the team
1. Kemp Gouldin ’98 has developed a nonprofit, Because Baseball, to bring Little League baseball to Egypt. 2. Charlotte Flynn Fitzmaurice, daughter of Ashley Butler Fitzmaurice ’99, was born May 24, 2017. 3. Tanvi Shah Berry ‘99 and husband Lake live in Jacksonville, FL, with their two sons, Dylan and Carson. 1
as a whole. And, as a new sport here in Egypt, there are no preconceived notions attached to the game — it has the ability to be a sport for all Egyptians. As such, baseball can bring people together and break down barriers.” Anna-Claire Fourness works as the store manager at Lululemon in Short Pump. She is enjoying married life with husband Bryan Hooten, Collegiate’s Middle and Upper School Band teacher and member of the No BS! Brass band.
1999
2
BORN: Charlotte Flynn Fitzmaurice to Ashley Butler Fitzmaurice and husband Evan on May 24, 2017. Tanvi Shah Berry and husband Lake are living in Jacksonville, FL, with their two sons, Dylan (3) and Carson (1). She is a pediatric anesthesiologist at Nemours/Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
3
SPRING 2018 69
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1. Jacob Groopman ’00 plays guitar for Front Country, which was nominated for Emerging Artist of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. 2. The Class of 2002 poses at its 15th reunion, held at classmate Caroline Gibson Logan’s home. 3. Henry Fitzgerald “Fitz” Nixon, son of Andrew Nixon and Liz Costin Nixon (both ’02), was born Aug. 30, 2017. He joins big brother Shep. 4. Juliet Gehr Hubbard, daughter of Meghan Gehr Hubbard ’01, was born Oct. 25, 2017. She joins big sister Meriwether. 4
2000
Jacob Groopman is the guitarist for a bluegrass/acoustic group Front Country. The group was recently nominated for Emerging Artist of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association.
2001
DIED: Taylor Preston Burgwyn Leake on Oct. 27, 2017. After graduating from Collegiate, she attended James Madison University. Taylor was a kind soul who loved to travel. She fought a long, hard battle with mental illness and addiction. Despite her illness, she lived incredibly with wit, intelligence and courage. She is survived by her brother, Darryl C. Allen and his wife, Stewart; sister, Christine A. Sexton and her husband, Bertram; niece, Lindsy Maris Sexton; plus aunts, uncles and cousins. BORN: Juliet Gehr Hubbard to Meghan Gehr Hubbard and husband Justin on Oct. 25, 2017. She joins big sister Meriwether. Helen Jane Fourness is living in
the position, he manages the cash position,
Boston, Atlanta, Charlotte and Wilmington for
investment accounts and debt portfolio for the
the festivities. It was so wonderful to pick up
oldest and fourth-largest transit authority
right where we left off. We can’t wait for the
in the country. John and his wife, Diana,
20th! – Submitted by Caroline Gibson Logan
recently moved to Marblehead, MA, with their
BORN: Henry Fitzgerald “Fitz” Nixon to
daughter, Charlotte (2.5 years old) and dog,
Andrew Nixon and Liz Costin Nixon on
Mila. They are expecting another baby girl due
Aug. 30, 2017. He joins big brother Shep.
in April.
Reese Elizabeth Wit to Leigh Enoch Wit
2002 - 15
TH
REUNION
The Class of 2002 had a fabulous time celebrating its 15th reunion at Paul and
and husband Art on June 28, 2017.
2003
DIED: Sarah Portlock Fellman on Nov. 6, 2017. After graduating from Collegiate, she
Caroline Gibson Logan’s Ginter Park
attended New York
home on Oct. 28. The reunion was planned
University, where she
by Talley King, Bane Williams McLellan,
served as editor-in-
Liz Costin Nixon, Laura Martin Mills,
chief of Washington
Caroline Gibson Logan, Ryan Schilling,
Square News. A
Drew Cheely and Richard Duncan, who all
Columbia Journalism
had a fantastic time planning and taking trips
School graduate and
down memory lane over dinner and drinks the
tenacious journalist,
past year! The delicious food was prepared by
Sarah scaled the ranks
Bane Williams McLellan and her husband
of the Wall Street
Chris (including the smoking of several pork
Journal to become
butts which required a 5 a.m. wake-up call!)
the publication’s day editor, responsible for
Kate Robertson Stephenson ’05 catered
the daily editorial plan. She was a beloved
scrumptious desserts. Classmates traveled
colleague and digital media innovator who
from as far away as Montana, New York City,
wrote guides for co-workers, mentored younger
Brooklyn and working at Brooklyn Arts Exchange. She still dances with Ballez, a nationally known company, and was promoted to lead instructor at the Center for AntiViolence Education, where she teaches selfdefense classes for women. John Markowitz accepted a job as Director of Treasury Services at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston. In
70 SPARK | Class Notes
Ladies from the Class of 2003 gathered together before the holidays at Quirk Hotel in Richmond. Pictured are (back row): Morgan McCrocklin Cheatham, Brinkely Taliaferro, Catilin Shalley Cottrell, Samantha Huber Price, Kate Schilling, Tyler Gordon Joiner, Anne Wiltshire Henry, Alexandra Povlishock Newell, Ginny Wortham and Mayme Donohue; and (front row) Lea Peck Gray, Jamie Whitten Montgomery, Lauralee Glasgow Allen, Molly Hickerson Congdon, Alexandra Squire Saunders and Kim Frazier Childs.
reporters and organized networking events
MARRIED: Harrison McKenzie Jones
Kirkpatrick ’06 and Susan Hart Cook.
for digital journalists. In addition to WSJ,
to Christina Lynette Flippin on June 3, 2017,
BORN: Todd Kemper Dolan to Jay Dolan
Sarah reported for the Associated Press,
at Dungeness Farm in Goochland. Cougars in
and Emory Dabney Dolan ’06 on March 30,
Newsday, The Star-Ledger and the Brooklyn
the wedding party included Aven Jones ’16
2017. Todd is the nephew of Elizabeth Dolan
Paper. She was an adventurer as comfortable
and Hannah Jones Proulx ’06 (sisters of the
Wright ’01 and the grandson of Mary Carter
on Sixth Avenue as she was on a hiking trail
groom); Davis Gouldin ’04 and Steve Vorlop
Pettit Dabney ’79.
in the Shenandoah Valley or a boat on the
’04; and James P. Massie IV ’04 (best man).
Carter “Taliaferro” Keeney, Jr. to Carter
Chesapeake. Sarah was overjoyed about
And two Cougar moms were the Mistresses of
Keeney and wife Taylor on Aug. 15, 2017.
becoming a mother. She was seven months
Ceremony — Sandy Gouldin, Davis’ mom, and
pregnant when a brain aneurysm ruptured
Elizabeth Massie, Jimmie’s mom.
March 31, and she gave birth to Aviva Portlock
Chris Morgan to Ashley Hudson on Sept.
Fellman. Over the next seven months, Sarah
23, 2017, in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Cougars
made a courageous recovery. In late October,
in the wedding included Jeff Mullen,
in what would be their last visit, she told
Max Comess, Alex Sooy, Jack Parrish,
her daughter, “I love you” and kissed her
Reilly Marchant, Richard Cullen, Peter
head twice. She will be remembered for her
Goodwin and Will Allen.
kindness, poise, generosity and strength, and for the friendships she forged around the country and world. Sarah is survived by her husband Sam Fellman, her father Bill Portlock, her mother Nancy Raybin, her brother Nathan Portlock ’06, and her daughter Aviva.
2005
MARRIED: William Bennett Sooy to Chelsea Lorraine Cody on June 3, 2017, in Charlottesville. Cougars in the wedding party included Julia Maxwell Taylor Sooy ’08 (sister of the groom); Alexander Hartman Sooy ’03 (brother of the groom); Benjamin
2004
Burbank Schewel and Nicholas
MARRIED: Sarah Pleasants Ailsworth
Liza Parrish to Thomas Julian King on
to Thomas Paul Leonard, Jr. “T.J.” on Sept.
April 29, 2017, in Duck Key, FL. Amy Staples
16, 2017, in Charlottesville. Cougars in the
Ribock served as matron of honor.
wedding party included Caroline Thomas
William O’Flaherty to Emily Parker on
Gregory Such.
1
2
3
1. Liza Parrish ’05 married Thomas Julian King on April 29, 2017. 2. Sarah Pleasants Ailsworth ’04 married Thomas Paul Leonard, Jr. on Sept. 16, 2017. 3. William Bennett Sooy ’05 married Chelsea Lorraine Cody on June 3, 2017. 4. Chris Morgan ’03 married Ashley Hudson on Sept. 23, 2017. 5. Todd Kemper Dolan, son of Jay Dolan ’04, was born March 30, 2017. 6. Harrison McKenzie Jones ’03 married Christina Lynette Flippin on June 3, 2017. 7. Carter “Taliaferro” Keeney, Jr., son of Carter Keeney ’04, was born Aug. 15, 2017.
5
4
6
7
SPRING 2018 71
1
2
3
4
1. Molly Bance ’06 married Scott Shepherd on May 28, 2017. 2. Todd Armistead “Teddy” Bedell, Jr., son of Bonnie Zimmer Bedell ’07, was born May 23, 2017. 3. Amy Elizabeth Hedgepeth ’06 married Michael Patrick Civetti on Aug. 5, 2017. (Lisa Blume Photography) 4. Owen Alexander Kirby, son of Laura Anderson ’07, was born July 20, 2017. 5. The Class of 2007 celebrates its 10-year reunion at Southern Railway Taphouse. 6. William O’Flaherty ’05 married Emily Parker on Sept. 23, 2017. 7. Elizabeth Morgan Rist, daughter of Thea Childress Rist ‘06, was born Aug. 30, 2017. 8. Page Bond Gallery hosted a book signing for Benjamin Schewel ’05. 5
6
Sept. 23, 2017, in Richmond. Cougars in the wedding included Will Farmer, Walker Terry, David Zuelzer, Will Cosby and Taylor Richardson. Benjamin Schewel is a fellow at the Centre for Religion, Conflict and the Public Domain at the University of Groningen and an affiliate scholar at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia. A signing for his book, 7 Ways of Looking at Religion, was held in December 2017 at the Page Bond Gallery.
7
2006
MARRIED: Amy Elizabeth Hedgepeth to Michael Patrick Civetti on Aug. 5, 2017, at Longview Gallery in Washington, DC. Anne Hedgepeth ’03 served as her sister’s maid of honor. Molly Bance to Scott Shepherd on May 28, 2017. Cougars in the wedding party included Hayley Bance ’11, Marion Cosby Kastenbaum, Wynnie Long Angus, Lina Scott, Hallie Gillespie and Katie Bo Williams.
72 SPARK | Class Notes
8
BORN: Elizabeth Morgan Rist to Thea Childress Rist and husband Eric on Aug. 30, 2017. Amrik Sahni writes, “I left Globex International, where I was Director of Sales, and have joined Lamex Foods, a multibillion dollar trading company specializing in frozen food commodity, retail, foodservice and further processed items. My title is Middle East Trade Manager, and I’ll be establishing a new office for Lamex in Atlanta in 2018. Also, I got engaged on July 13, 2017, to Lara Fatima Fawaz and we will get married on Oct. 6, 2018, in downtown Atlanta.”
2007 - 10TH REUNION
2010
our 10-year reunion at Southern Railway
Alexander Taylor Burden on Oct. 8, 2017, at
Taphouse. We had at least 50 classmates
Tuckahoe Plantation in Richmond. Cougars in
stop by at some point and it was great to see
the wedding party included Marden Shelly
everyone. Thanks to those who made it. It was
and Emma Damon.
The Class of 2007 had a great time celebrating
fun catching up! – Submitted by Virginia Layfield McAndrew MARRIED: Katelin Brandt Mikuta to Joshua Carl Gornto on May 27, 2017. Brittany Hallberg Rosell served as a bridesmaid. Cole Hawthorne to Jamie Melhorn on June 17, 2017. Cougars in the wedding party included Jess Hawthorne ’09, Andrew O’Shea ’06, Wit Robertson, Russell Wilson, Jake Mcdonald, Mikey Thompson ’06, Will Stettinius, Walker Redd, Tosh Bance and Adam Baker (groomsmen) and Annie Hawthorne ’14 (bridesmaid). BORN: Todd Armistead “Teddy” Bedell, Jr. to Bonnie Zimmer Bedell and husband Todd on May 23, 2017. Owen Alexander Kirby to Laura Anderson Kirby and husband Nicolas on July 20, 2017.
Everyone had a great time catching up and
MARRIED: Kali Sutton Newlen to
seeing where everyone landed after college. It was wonderful that so many people were able to travel back home from all across the country to get together after five years. Looking forward to seeing what everyone is doing after the next five years! – Submitted by Emily Flippo
2011
Geoffrey Gelozin and fiancée Alexis
Lt. John Charles Wood graduated from the
Kay Drewer are engaged and planning
U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training
an October 2018 wedding. Geoffrey is a
Program in July. He is currently stationed in
project manager with Piedmont Concrete
Little Rock, AR, training on the C-130J, Super
Contractors, a division of R.E. Lee Companies
Hercules. John Charles will begin a three-year
in Charlottesville.
assignment at Yokota Air Base, Japan, in 2018. MARRIED: Meredith Haley Armstrong to Mark Carideo Linnville on June 10, 2017. Julia Sroba, Blair Munford and Caroline Gallalee served as bridesmaids. Meredith works at Yext in New York City and Mark works at Bridgewater in Westport, CT.
2012 - 5TH REUNION
2015
DIED: Sean Rodway Reynolds on Oct. 6, 2017. Sean attended Collegiate from 2002 to 2005. He graduated with honors from Benedictine College Preparatory, where he was Pipe Sergeant of the School’s Pipe & Drum Corps. He was also a member of St. Andrew’s Legion Pipes & Drums. Sean was working for
Our first reunion was an absolute success!
Reynolds Development as an Assistant Project
More than 60 of our classmates were able to
Manager. He loved his family, his dogs and
attend the cocktail party at Sine Irish Pub.
his music. Sean is survived by his parents,
10
11
9
12
13
9. Cole Hawthorne ’07 married Jamie Melhorn on June 17, 2017. 10 . Geoffrey Gelozin ’12 and fiancée Alexis Kay Drewer are planning an October 2018 wedding. 11 . Kali Sutton Newlen ’10 married Alexander Taylor Burden on Oct. 8, 2017. 12 . Lt. John Charles Wood ’11 (pictured with his sister Bayley Wood ’13) graduated from the United States Air Force undergraduate pilot training program in July. 13 . Meredith Haley Armstrong ’11 married Mark Carideo Linnville on June 10, 2017.
SPRING 2018 73
2
1
3
1. Cougar alums from the Class of 2012 share some laughs at Sine Irish Pub. 2. Emily Gerber ’15 teaches dance at Grace Arts in Midlothian. 3. Ellie White ’15 stars as the female lead in singer Kenny Chesney’s music video.
Karen Sparkes Reynolds, Randy ’84 and Clay
Sony Nashville and Chesney’s team. This was
Atlantis Project program. The program offers
Reynolds, Jr., “best buds” brothers, Randy
a life-changing experience for me. I’ve always
pre-med students the opportunity to shadow
’12, Chris ’14 and Adam Reynolds; nephew,
been the one behind the camera, but being in
physicians in hospitals from South America
Gage Reynolds; grandparents, Larry Sparkes,
front was an entire different feel. I learned so
to Eastern and Western Europe. The program
Randy and Susan ’61 Reynolds, Sr., and Barbro
much about myself and my interests, and the
is unique because attendees get to experience
Caperton, all of Richmond; and by many aunts,
entire video made me realize what I aspire to
many different specialties instead of just one.
uncles, cousins and friends. Sean was
do with my career. I hope to pursue a career
Tiffany will be shadowing in Athens, Greece, for
preceded in death by his grandmother, Carol
in television, specifically commercials, either
four weeks in summer 2018.
Duthoy Sparkes.
behind-the-scenes of pre- and post-production
Emily Gerber writes “Although it is not
or in front of the camera. I love seeing how
a full-time job since I am still in college, I
a team of different types of people can come
teach drama and musical theater to 3- to
together to produce something so spectacular.
12-year-olds at Grace Arts in Midlothian. The
The directors of Chesney’s video, Will Renner
studio was recently named the No. 1 dance
and Jess Martinez, had a specific vision, but
studio in the Richmond area by the Richmond
were willing to take constructive criticism
Times-Dispatch. I have worked there since
and consider conceptual ideas from others.
January 2016 and love every second of it. Each
As a result of so many creative minds coming
spring, the studio puts on a 2 ½-day-long final
together as one, the video was perfected and
performance where each class presents what
obviously struck a chord with Chesney’s fan
they have been working on for the semester. In
base. As a result of its creativity, it currently
the past, my kids have sung, performed skits
has over 5 million views and is ranked No. 9 on
they wrote, created and performed an improv
Country Music Television’s Hot 20 Countdown.
variety show, danced and more.”
This video was such a cool experience, and I’m
As a follow up to the Class Note in fall Spark,
already anxious to start a new project!”
Ellie White writes, “I had the opportunity to star in a Kenny Chesney music video as the female lead. Kenny put out a contest for college students to create a video for his new song, All The Pretty Girls, and the panel of judges included Country Music Television,
74 SPARK | Class Notes
2016
Tiffany Crawford, a pre-medical student at the University of Miami majoring in microbiology and immunology and minoring in chemistry and Spanish, was accepted into the
2017
Lucy Diggs writes, “I recently walked onto the varsity women’s rowing team at Boston College, and I competed in my first college regatta at Dartmouth! I am incredibly thankful for the wonderful athletic department at Collegiate; without the dedication to hard work and perseverance that is taught at Collegiate, I would not have had the confidence or ability to join the D1 team. All of the training and hard work that I had in high school really prepared me for the rigor and intensity of a college-level sport. Rowing has been a blast, and I am having a great time competing and continuing my athletic career. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate Collegiate and the athletic program. It has changed my life for the better!”
I N MEMORIA M Our condolences are offered to these members of the Collegiate family.
Betty Combs Pitt, wife of legendary Collegiate Head of School Malcolm “Buck” Pitt, died Nov. 2, 2017. Mrs. Pitt was much beloved in the Collegiate community and a great supporter of everything related to Collegiate.
She served the School alongside her husband during his 28-year tenure as leader of Collegiate, from 1959 to 1987. Mr. Pitt passed away in 2008.
In addition to their steadfast commitment to Collegiate and its students and families, Mr. and Mrs. Pitt devoted more than 60 years of service to
Camp Virginia, where Mrs. Pitt was a surrogate mother to many who attended the summer program year after year.
Mrs. Pitt was predeceased by her daughter Louise Hope Pitt Miller ’68. She is survived by daughters Betty Combs Pitt Cimmino ’71
(Christian Peter Cimmino) and Anne Latham Pitt Rogers ’75 (Nigel William Rogers); a grandson, Christian Peter Cimmino, Jr., and several nieces and nephews.
ALUMNI Mary Ellen Helton Creighton ’80
Donald Kenton Muhleman, Jr ’68
Kaye Culver Brinkley Spalding ’58
Sarah Portlock Fellman ’03
Sean Rodway Reynolds ’15
Carolyn Tiffany Taylor ’46
Edythe Reed Funsten ’48
Patricia Ellen Glenn Rhodes ’48
Richard David Wells ’79
Taylor Preston Burgwyn Leake ’01
Frances Bramble Petty Sargent ’59
SPRING 2018 75
IN MEMORIAM
Reverend Joseph R. Young, grandfather of Addison
Russell Buchanan Rowe, father of Russell A. Rowe ’73
Young ’27, died June 30, 2017.
and Frederick Rowe, died Sept. 15, 2017.
Hooks K. Johnston III, husband of Betsy Edmunds
Harvey Blair Farinholt, husband of Tabb Thornton
Johnston ’80, died Sept. 4, 2017.
Farinholt ’55, died Sept. 28, 2017.
Ellen Long, sister of Recruiting and Professional
Robert Gordon Gray, brother of George W. Gray, Jr. ’74
Development Coordinator Amy Blackmer, died
and Cynthia G. Ellis ’79, died Oct. 5, 2017.
Sept. 8, 2017. Dr. William Whitfield Regan, father of Rebecca Keever Robert Walter Bashian, grandfather of Rob Spratley ’10
Tolerton ’73, Michael Gibson Regan ’75 and Elizabeth
and Cindy Spratley ’15, died Sept. 10, 2017.
Garner Regan ’80, died Oct. 6, 2017.
Mary “Opal” Moran Dyke, mother of Mary Dale Dyke
Sean Rodway Reynolds ’15, son of Randy Reynolds ’84,
Barry ’75 and Norris Moran Dyke, died Sept. 13, 2017.
died Oct. 6, 2017.
Walter John McGraw, father of Walter J. McGraw, Jr. ’81
Dorethea E. Lemons, mother of Middle School art teacher
and Martha McGraw McKaughn ’79, died Sept. 13, 2017.
Teresa Coleman and grandmother of Noah Orlando Coleman ’17 and Nigel Odell Coleman ’13, died
The Honorable Edwin Harris “Buddy” Ragsdale,
Oct. 10, 2017.
grandfather of Edwin Harris “Jake” Ragsdale II ’10, Carrie Davisson Ragsdale ’15 and Jordan Lee Spence,
Mary Hunter Larus Fulmer, mother of Anne Hunter
died Sept. 13, 2017.
Larus Roe ’62 and grandmother of Anne Kelsey Larus ’94, Mary Traylor Larus Mathis ’97 and Elizabeth Lewis
Carolyn Tiffany Taylor ’46, mother of James Durrette
Larus, died Oct. 19, 2017.
Carneal IV ’72 and Carolyn Taylor Carneal ’69, died Sept. 14, 2017.
Leonard Bogaev, father-in-law of Kindergarten assistant teacher Shirley Bogaev, died Oct. 20, 2017.
76 SPARK | Class Notes
Faye Galaspi, grandmother of Chelsea Kornblau Tinsley
Dorothy Ann Negus Gentil, mother of Kimberly Gentil
’08, Linsey Kornblau ’11, Megan Perez, Alex Rainey, Mark
’72, Dorothy Gentil ’72 and Kenneth Gray Gentil, Jr.
Rainey, Jr., Hope Rainey, Hart Rainey V, Haley Rainey, Logan
’68, mother-in-law of Margaret Conner Gentil ’70 and
Rainey and Reaghan Rainey, died Oct. 20, 2017.
grandmother of Robert Gentil ’01, Conner Gentil ’03 and Claire Gentil ’06, died Dec. 6, 2017.
Carmine Anthony “Tony” Ruffa, former faculty member, died Oct. 21, 2017.
Mary Ellen Helton Creighton ’80 died Dec.13, 2017.
Taylor Preston Burgwyn Leake ’01 died Oct. 27, 2017.
Donald Kenton Muhleman, Jr. ’68, brother of James Kirkmyer Muhleman ’73, died Dec. 13, 2017.
Dr. James Lawrence Lynde, grandfather of Anne Stewart Lynde ’12, died Nov. 1, 2017.
Frances Bramble Petty Sargent ’59, sister of Elizabeth Bramble Brown ’52, died Dec. 13, 2017.
Patricia Ellen Glenn Rhodes ’48, mother of J. Glenn Rhodes ’78 and Robert Q. Rhodes ’82 and grandmother of
Richard D. Wells ’79, brother of Michael O. Wells ’75, died
J. Glenn Rhodes, Jr. ’11 and Margaret Neville Rhodes
Dec. 13, 2017.
’11, died Nov. 2, 2017. Carole Garnett, mother-in-law of 4th Grade teacher Sarah Portlock Fellman ’03, sister of Nathan Portlock
Heather Garnett and grandmother of Elle Garnett ’26,
’06, died Nov. 6, 2017.
died Dec. 17, 2017.
James Michael Stevenson, husband of Elizabeth Carr
Brenda Burgess, mother of Rachel Burgess ’01 and
Stevenson ’65, died Nov. 7, 2017.
Nathan Burgess ’99, died Dec. 19, 2017.
Deng Leek Deng, father of Global-Scholar-in-Residence
Kaye Culver Brinkley Spalding ’58, mother of Mary
John Dau and grandfather of Agot Leek ’25, Leek Leek
Parke Spalding Holland ’81 and grandmother of
’27 and Akur Leek ’28, died Nov. 11, 2017.
Benjamin Spalding ’13 and Emily Spalding ’16, died Dec. 21, 2017.
Braxton Glasgow, former Collegiate Trustee and father of Lauralee Glasgow Allen ’03, Gracey Glasgow Duthe ’08,
Edythe Reed Funsten ’48, sister of Jane Reed Fields ’52,
Maggie Glasgow Negaard ’10, Abigail Glasgow ’14 and
died Dec. 22, 2017.
Natalie Glasgow ’17, died Nov. 13, 2017. Howard Wesley Dobbins, father of Anne Dobbins Bill Noftsinger, father of Lower School cafeteria staff
Brasfield ’65 and Leigh Dobbins Johnson ’78 and
member Sara Noftsinger, grandfather of Elizabeth
grandfather of Mollie Heilig Storey ’92, John Randall
Noftsinger Wiertel ’96 and great-grandfather of Alex Deal
Heilig ’90, Carter Crenshaw ’06 and Liza Crenshaw
’27 and Grace Virginia Deal ’24, died Nov. 17, 2017.
’10 and great-grandfather of Lucy Storey ’22 and Daisy Storey ’23, died Dec. 25, 2017.
Pam Hall, mother-in-law of Kindergarten assistant Katherine Hall and grandmother of Brooks Hall ’21 and
Dr. A. William “Bill” Feria, father of Alexis Feria ’07, died
Anne Carrington Hall ’24, died Nov. 18, 2017.
Dec. 30, 2017.
Sue Hickerson Jett, former faculty member and mother of
Virginia Bragg James, grandmother of Charles
Jodi Jett Karr ’67, died Nov. 26, 2017.
Montgomery Vogel ’99 and Alexandra Vogel Spitzer ’96, died Dec. 30, 2017.
Lillian Holden, mother of 1st Grade assistant teacher Beth Wilson and grandmother of Harrison Wilson ’16 and
Linda Mae Garrant, mother of Physical Plant staff
Holden Wilson ’19, died Dec. 5, 2017.
members Jesse Garrant and James Garrant, died Jan. 2, 2018.
Please note: These notices were received as of Jan. 2, 2018. The In Memoriam section is taken from printed obituaries. Please contact our office if the information is incomplete. The information included is compiled from our database, which is continuously updated. To submit a condolence, email spark@collegiate-va.org.
SPRING 2018 77
A TEACHER’S TAKE
SPARK HEARS FROM DIRECTOR OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
HELEN COULSON
78 SPARK
H
"
It is very satisfying to see our students spread their wings after they leave Collegiate.
”
ELEN COULSON, COLLEGIATE’S DIRECTOR OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC, JOINED THE SCHOOL IN 1993-94 AFTER A 20-YEAR, full-time
beyond. I try to nurture learning, expression and musical discipline so
professional career as a violinist with the Richmond Symphony.
students today are tomorrow’s audience in support of the arts. When
that the arts experience for students is meaningful and lasting. Our
When she arrived 25 years ago, the Hershey Center for the Arts had
the students leave here, they have a voice and should have a deep
just opened. “I’ve taught here as long as the building has been here,”
understanding of the value of the arts in education.
she said. “That is very special for me.” Ms. Coulson talks about growing
the Instrumental Music program from seven students to more than 250
WHAT MAKES TEACHING AT COLLEGIATE SO SPECIAL?
students, changes to the campus and what she hopes music brings to
Collegiate is a place where learning comes first. Having the support
her students.
of the Administration, engaged students, amazing colleagues and beautiful facilities makes it very easy for me to come to work every day.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE COLLEGIATE?
I discovered from the first day that the most important thing I wanted to do was develop lasting relationships with my students and families.
Number one, it’s a caring community. It’s a place with vibrant learning
The students give back to me more than I could ever give to them. I’ve
and it is also very spontaneous. There are no two days that are alike
also enjoyed working in all three school divisions. I have the advantage
at Collegiate. Even though we have our whole program laid out, at
of teaching some students for more than 10 years and am able to watch
any moment something can change. It requires a lot of flexibility and
them mature into outstanding musicians and young people who are
understanding, but that is what makes it very exciting.
ready to embrace a rapidly changing world. I love hearing students’
WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN DURING YOUR TENURE? The biggest thing is probably the physical changes. When I arrived,
stories of how they have immersed themselves in the arts community in college and beyond. It is very satisfying to see our students spread their wings after they leave Collegiate.
we had a brand-new Hershey Center for the Arts. I was here for the building of the new Lower School and the Science buildings. I was here
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
for the transformation of the artificial turf field. The Robins Center.
I am most proud of the performing arts at Collegiate being under one
The renovation of Luck Hall and the new Cougar Quest, Reynolds,
umbrella. It has always been my desire to work with strong choral,
Nunnally, the Sharp Academic Commons, Middle School Library,
instrumental, dance and theater programs. Since my first day, I have
Centennial Hall, McFall Hall, and now we are back to Oates. We have
always wanted to collaborate with the other departments and to give as
come full circle. What really strikes me is the beauty of the campus.
many performance-enriching opportunities as possible to our students.
We are a green space and so much effort and thought and expense has
I am also proud of all of our music faculty and our private instructors.
been put into making this a beautiful campus. And the community has
Building and developing an arts program is a team effort every single
changed. Changes in the programs have changed the community. Our
day, working with mutual support from each other.
campus is so much more broad-minded than it used to be. It’s much more diverse. It’s much more inclusive.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLLEGIATE TRADITION?
WHAT DO YOU HOPE STUDENTS TAKE WITH THEM WHEN THEY LEAVE YOUR CLASSROOM? Very simply, when my students leave the classroom, I hope that they
I really like the service of Lessons and Carols. It’s a gathering for one
have a love of music. That they have developed kindness and concern
hour. I love preparing the instrumental music for the service. It’s a time
for each other. It is a Collegiate value that we teach in a different
when I can work with a smaller group of just boys. And it is probably
format. We treat each other with respect. I hope that they have found
one of the most peaceful services during the year. There is something
joy in making music with their friends. For me, that is the most
very special about Lessons and Carols and I hope it never goes away as
important part of this process. The skills will be there because we care
a Collegiate tradition.
so much about developing them. But if you don’t have joy, what’s the
WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY?
point? That is what I want for all of my students, no matter what age they are.
I strive to teach foundational music skills that will last beyond studies at Collegiate. When our students leave here, they will enjoy a lifetime
Editor’s Note: Mrs. Coulson will retire at the end of the
of music making, participating in university music programs and
2017-18 school year.
79
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F I N D U S O N FA C E B O O K
C A LL
Like Collegiate School and friend Cougar Alums
804.741.9757
F OL L O W U S O N I N S TAG R A M
EMA IL
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F OL L O W U S O N T W I T TER
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80 SPARK | Class Notes
CLASS OF 1967 50TH REUNION At their 50th Reunion, members of the Class of 1967 remember their favorite Collegiate tradition and offer advice to today’s students. 1
1. “Phil’s Continental after class” - Robert Lecky 2. “Christmas Brunch, Flower Girls” Norvell Miller Slezycki; “Appreciate the education you are receiving, follow your dreams, give back to your communities, Never give up, Keep up with your classmates” - Betty Wood Delk; “Be true to yourself, Be kind, Never give up” - Bruce Johann Muller-Thym 3. “The Christmas Pageant and the Brunch, Class plays, Graduation Party, May Day, Brunch, Class trips on the train to D.C.” - Martha Clark Goss and Elizabeth Coleman James 4. “Senior study (and all we did there!)” - Joan Hedgecock; “The Pageant” - Sally Ryland Duane 2
4
3
McFall Hall, Collegiate’s Middle and Upper School cafeteria, lights up the night.