LFA Review Fall 2020 by Lake Forest Academy

Fall 2020

Making History: LFAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reopening of Campus During COVID-19

Review The Magazine of Lake Forest Academy and Ferry Hall

In This Issue

Parents day

Gala 2020

7 LFA’s Reopening of Campus during COVID-19

9 Alumni Weekend & Reunion 2020

review FALL 2020 Head of School José M. De Jesús P’22

PRoduction Alex Stevenson

Dean of Communications Grace Kim

PRinting John S. Swift Co., Inc.

VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT Robert J. Buckla, Ed.D. Photography Ruth Keyso Grace Kim Joel Lerner Photography Pfoertner Photography Alex Stevenson Michele Vaca Vadela Sam Wold

contRibutoRS Rob Buckla José M. De Jesús P’22 Leigh Ann M. Jacobson P'13, '23 Rachel Johns ’21 Hannah Keller Ruth Keyso Rita Schulien MacAyeal ’87 Barry Reszel Christine Ryder P’15, ’17 Garry Sloan P’19, ’21

COMMUNICATIONS Office 847- 615-3284 gkim@lfanet.org Admission Office 847- 615-3267 admission@lfanet.org Alumni Engagement Office 847-615-3268 rkeyso@lfanet.org

The Review is published two times a year by the Office of Communications at Lake Forest Academy, 1500 W. Kennedy Road, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045. Telephone (847) 615-3210. Fax (847) 615-4840. Third class postage paid at Lake Forest, Illinois. Postmaster: please send change of address notices to Alumni Office, Lake Forest Academy, 1500 W. Kennedy Road, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1047.

All the words and photos contained herein were written or taken by the editor, unless otherwise noted. Opinions express in the Review are those of the authors. No material may be legally reproduced without the written consent of the editor and Lake Forest Academy. ©2020, Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest, Illinois. All rights reserved. Lake Forest Academy supports and adheres to a long-standing policy of ReviewofFall 2020color,•religion, www.lfanet.org admitting students any race, national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

For more information about how to be included on the recognition wall through a gift to the Inspire & Invest Initiative, contact Rob Buckla, vice president of advancement, at rbuckla@lfanet.org or 847-615-3276. For more information about the Inspire & Invest Initiative and its objectives, go to www.lfanet.org/inspire.

New donor recognition space installed in Reid Hall A new donor recognition display that now adorns the north vestibule of Reid Hall was created in gratitude for donors who contribute $25,000 or more to the Academy’s endowment fund. The display, designed and installed in consultation with Friedman Fine Art of Chicago, is a tribute to philanthropists who invest in endowed scholarships, endowed faculty chairs and endowed faculty/staff professional development, as well as general endowment contributors. At its base, it reads: “This display is dedicated to loyal alumni, parents and friends of Lake Forest Academy and Ferry Hall whose committed generosity, in perpetuity, endows the Academy with the stability to look toward tomorrow, rooted in the traditions of yesterday, focused on its greatest strength—its people.”

Table of Contents

Photo Credit: Triet Ngyuyen (Vadela)

Departments Ringing the Bell 5 Ferry Tales 27 Alumni Events 29 Alumni Class Notes 31 In Memoriam 37

Features Flashback to 1920: Student Life a Century Ago

Making History: LFA’s Reopening of Campus During COVID-19

Inspire and Invest Initiative Reaches $14.8 Million

Alumni Weekend & Reunion 2020 25

Mission Statement Lake Forest Academy strives to embody in its practices and to cultivate in its students excellence of character, scholarship, citizenship, and responsibility.

LFA held its annual Harvest Hope food drive for the AJK School in North Chicago, Ill., in November. Though the service event traditionally held on the AJK School’s campus did not happen this year, LFA delivered over 200 full grocery bags of food! Photo Credit: Grace Kim

2020- 2021 Board of Trustees Mr. John S. Marlatt ’65 Chair Ms. Jessica P. Douglas ’96 Vice Chair Mr. Richard L. Zhao ’04 Secretary Mr. Charles T. Cooper ’96 Treasurer Mr. Duane C. Jackson ’01 Member At Large Mrs. Marianne Silver Member At Large

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Mr. Todd E. Altounian ’86 Mr. Bruce W. Anderson ’70 Mrs. Sylvia Barros ’90 Mrs. Molly Pearson Campbell ’04 Mr. Patrick J. Carroll II ’87 Mr. J. Patrick Corsiglia Dr. Ahmed Farag Mrs. Karin E. Fink Mr. Gregory P. Glass Mr. Haji L. Glover ’92 Mr. Ned Jessen Mr. Scott W. Kaeser ’96

Mr. Allan M. Kaplan ’72 Mr. Ted Kovas Mr. Rumi Kuli ’93 Mr. Scott Meloun ’77 Ms. Bethann Moritz Ms. Katherine Gray Pollock ’70 Ms. Tatyana I. Pramatarova ’05 Ms. Emily Sammon ’91 Ms. Ramona Sequeira Mr. Amish S. Shah ’92 Mr. Xiong Yin

Letter from the Head of School

Screenshot from a community “Thank You” message from August 2020

Photo Credit: Grace Kim

Last year in this space, I wrote about how the people at LFA are the key to the Academy. Little did I know what 2020 would have in store for us. Between a pandemic, a national conversation about race, a contentious presidential election and an unclear national financial picture - there were many things that could have gotten in the way of the Academy living our four pillars. Instead of faltering, the Academy has had one of its finest moments. Our students brilliantly navigated the election as concerned citizens. The school is engaging in conversations about equity and inclusion in our mission to exhibit great character. Our school has done a terrific job being responsible in following our medical guidelines, and our faculty and students have been able to advance scholarship despite historically challenging circumstances. My admiration for our community has grown by leaps and bounds, and I am convinced that united, there is nothing Caxys cannot accomplish. Due to our current situation, LFA, for the safety of our students, faculty and staff, closed its campus and many of the opportunities to meet with our families, alumni and alumnae, friends and more were postponed or modified as virtual events. Thanks to the work and flexibility of our community, we have stayed connected, a feat that cannot be taken for granted. My pride also comes with humility, since this pandemic has taken and upended so many lives, with still a long way to go. While I am proud of the way we have navigated these times, it is imperative the work we have launched does not stop when the pandemic is over. As a school we will continue to work to make LFA as inclusive as possible. We will strive to educate our students with the kind of scholarship that will make them inspired scholars, citizens and leaders. Our aspirations to educate thoughtful leaders who bridge gaps rather than divide will be more important than ever. During a dark moment LFA has shined its light. We are committed to continue our good work in service to our incredible students. There is hope that 2021 will allow us to meet again in-person, and I look forward to seeing everyone on campus, around the nation and world. Thank you for your attention, and as always, Go Caxys! Best, José M. De Jesús Head of School

Welcome New Trustees Karin England Fink Karin England Fink is a proven forward-thinking leader with diverse strategy, brand building and strategic planning skills, having worked for over 15 years with top-tier businesses such as Omnicom and PwC, as well as Walgreens, The Home Depot, General Motors and Dell. Over Fink’s career, she has partnered with her clients to drive and deliver market-beating results. She was head of strategic planning at Downtown Partners Chicago, an Omnicom advertising agency based in Chicago, leading all strategic initiatives with agency clients including Walgreens Company, Northern Trust, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and more. Prior to her leadership role at Downtown Partners, Karin was a senior strategic planner at DDB Chicago, leading strategic planning for clients such as Dell, The Home Depot, Napster, ALLTEL and Qwest. Fink began her career as a senior strategic change consultant with Price Waterhouse/ PricewaterhouseCoopers. During her time at PW and PwC, Karin developed enterprise-wide corporate and change management strategies with clients such as General Motors, Alliant Foodservice, MEMC Electronics and Hart Schaffner Marx. She has a master’s degree in foreign policy with high honors from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree with distinction from Georgetown University. Her work has been published in “An Historical Encyclopedia of the Arab-Israeli Conflict,” edited by Bernard Reich. Passionate about education, Fink has continued to be involved as an alumni interviewer for Georgetown University and has been dedicated to supporting each of her four children’s schools throughout the years. She and her family have also contributed to schools in South Africa and Tanzania through the Africa Foundation. Fink hails from Sydney, Australia and also enjoyed growing up in Wellington, New Zealand; Toronto, Canada; Paris, France; and New Canaan, CT. As such, her accent is at times “difficult to decipher.” A lover of mindfulness and nature, Fink is in the process of starting a cut flower farm named Choosing Calm. She will focus on growing a wide variety of dahlias and helping to bring her community closer together by sharing everyday beauty. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading and perfecting the art of growing dahlias. Fink resides in Winnetka, Ill., with her husband, Nicholas, and their four children.

Richard Zhao ’04 Richard Zhao ’04 is an asset development manager at Neste, the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel and jet fuel. He currently spearheads an effort to grow Neste’s manufacturing footprint in North America. Zhao has over a decade of business development, strategic planning and engineering experience in the energy sector, including oil and gas and power generation. Zhao is an engineer by training. He has an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University. Zhao also holds three patents. He previously served on the LFA Board of Trustees for nine years over three terms from 2010 to 2019, and was co-chair of the Committee on Trustees and a member of the Executive Committee. In addition, Zhao served on a variety of ad hoc committees including the Head of School Search Team (2018), 2014 Strategic Plan Steering Committee, and the Diversity/Inclusion Task Force (2012). Zhao regularly participates in LFA’s admission and fundraising events in China, having interviewed over 100 prospective students and families. Zhao and his family live in Houston. Zhao’s wife, Joy, is senior assistant dean of admission and director of Chinese parent development at LFA.

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2021 Calendar of Upcoming Alumni and Parent Events Please save the dates for ways to engage with the LFA community in 2021! Invites and information to come.

April 9-10: Spring Parents Weekend Times TBD

April 10: Parents Association Multicultural Dialogue Book Club

January 5: Young Alumni Virtual Coffee LFA Classes of 2016-20

11 a.m. CT on Zoom

February 1: Fireside Chat with Head of School José M. De Jesús P’22 All Current LFA Parents and Guardians

6:30 p.m. CT on Zoom

February 11: Josh Rothstein Young Alumni-Student Networking Night All Current Students with Invited Alumni Representatives

April 16: Sophomore Class Gathering: Q&A with College Counseling Team 6:30 p.m. CT via Zoom

April 16-17: Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) Virtual Annual Meeting Times TBD

April 17: Freshman Class Gathering 6:30 p.m. CT via Zoom

6:30 p.m. CT via Zoom

February 2021: Live from the Third Coast: LFA in the Entertainment Industry

11:30 a.m. CT via Zoom

Feb. 24-25, 7:30 p.m. CT – Check your inboxes for invites!

1 p.m. CT via Zoom

May 21: Parents Association Old and New Board Gathering 11 a.m. CT

April 23: Parents Association Spring Luncheon

A two-night panel discussion with alumni and other professionals in the fields of film, TV, theater and music on Zoom.

May 7: Parents Association Ambassador Training

April 18: Junior Class Gathering

7 to 8:30 p.m. CT on Zoom

All Alumni

May 5: Tri-State/NYC Alumni & Friends Reception (conditions permitting)

May 1: Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day

June 2: A Celebration of Philanthropy: Cornerstone Society and Richards & Tremain Society Recognition Night for Invitees TBD: Chicago Networking Event: Extraordinary Women: Celebrating the Ferry Hall Leadership Legacy Sept. 24-25, 2021: Alumni Weekend and Reunion 2021. Celebrating milestone classes ending in 0, 1, 5, 6 with all LFA alumni and Ferry Hall alumnae welcome!

April 3: Senior Class Parents Gathering: End of Year Tips and Dates Senior Parents

6:30 p.m. CT on Zoom

Parents Day Caxy Families Come Together Virtually to Celebrate Parents Day 2020 A total of 128 registrants, tuning in from five states and four countries, participated in the array of engagement offerings during Lake Forest Academy’s Virtual Parents Day on October 9. The virtual version of Parents Weekend was held due to COVID-19 health and safety regulations.

Teacher and Mandarin Chinese Teacher Yue Chen; Harold H. Corbin Jr. Endowed Chair in Environmental Science and Science Teacher Kevin Hagen; Dean of Curriculum and Innovation and French Teacher Kristine Von Ogden P’18; and Dean of Faculty and History and Social Science Teacher Tom Johnson.

“Even though we couldn’t be together in-person, that didn’t stop us from coming together. Despite being virtual, Parents Day 2020 offered many personal moments of connection with LFA faculty through 17 programmatic offerings that spanned the entire school day,” said Director of Parent Relations and Giving Leigh Ann M. Jacobson, CFRE, P’13, ’23.

In addition, three morning panels were offered to parents and guardians. See the side article for one featuring young alumni.

Head of School José M. De Jesús P’22 kicked off Parents Day with a warm video welcome to all parents and guardians, expressing his gratitude for parents being part of the LFA community and for entrusting their child with LFA. Parents Day was an exhibition of pure Caxy spirit, energy, intention and community as parents joined in the “Show Your Caxy Spirit” social media challenge and posted pictures with the hashtag #HomeatLFA. Highlights of the day included a faculty panel webinar featuring Director of Theater and Performing Arts Teacher Matt Boresi; Assistant Dean of Pluralism and Multicultural Affairs and Spanish Teacher Tameka Carter; Science Teacher Dr. Kerry Cedergren P’13, ’17, ’24; Huss Endowed Chair in the Humanities, Fine Arts

College Counseling at LFA featuring Dean of College Counseling Andrew Poska; Associate Dean of College Counseling Mia Rogers; and Associate Dean of College Counseling Ben Wetherbee. Health and Wellness: Navigating 2020 and Beyond featuring Director of Service Learning, School Counselor and Health, Wellness, and Community Teacher Sarah Collins, LCPC; Director of Health Services Anna Kliner, MSN, RN; and Athletic Trainer and Health, Wellness, and Community Teacher Katie Mirabelli, LAT, ATC. The day was rounded out by a variety of mini-classes, a livestream outdoor Orchestra concert led by Director of Orchestra and Performing Arts Teacher Sally Stephenson P’22, parent class virtual gatherings and the Virtual Gala benefiting faculty housing in Atlass Hall.

The orchestra performed on a livestream as Director of Orchestra and Performing Arts Teacher Sally Stephenson P’22 conducted.

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Photo Credit: Alex Stevenson

During his Virtual Parents Day mini-class, History and Social Science Teacher Ackim Mpofu (right, below) explored the motivations behind the expansion of ancient civilizations in order to further understand the core elements of agrarian culture. Parents worked in group settings via Zoom break-out rooms, acting as leaders of civilization to solve problems such as low resources. The small groups fostered creative thinking and explored the challenges faced by ancient civilizations. After the small group setting, the class engaged in a discussion on the different solutions and discovered the importance of seeking allies or conquering neighboring civilizations.

Photo Credit: Vadela

Young Alumni Panel at Virtual Parents Day For the seventh consecutive year, LFA hosted a Young Alumni Panel, which took place during Virtual Parents Day. Four LFA alumni from the Classes of 2009 through 2018 spoke to current parents about their experience at LFA, their trajectory post-high school and how LFA prepared them for success in college and beyond. Many thanks to the following alumni panelists who represented LFA this year and who participated from California, Texas, Colorado and Wisconsin.

Ackim Mpofu teaches one of his in-person classes during a regular school day.

“The LFA teaching faculty have had to rethink how they do just about everything in the classroom this year. For many, they are teaching to the students in the room as well as to students from around the globe that are tuning in through Zoom. For others, collaboration in the time of COVID looks different. My colleagues have done a remarkable job of pivoting how they teach to this environment, and many parents were able to get a taste of that on our Virtual Parents Day on October 9. That day, we offered nine mini-classes over Zoom for interested parents, including everything from calculus to introductory Chinese. The sessions gave parents a glimpse of what our upcoming planned e-learning periods will be like for LFA students.” – Tom Johnson, Dean of Faculty, History and Social Science Teacher

To see videos from Parents Day, please use this code.

Top left: Kennedy Hayes ’18: College junior double majoring in journalism and public relations and strategic communications at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas Top right: Felix Ouyang ’09: Hardware Design Engineer at Apple in Cupertino, Calif.; University of Michigan graduate (bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering) Bottom left: Aaron Beck ’10: MD, MPH Candidate at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis.; Skidmore College graduate (neuroscience major) Bottom right: Margaux Boles ’14: Audit and Assurance Senior Assistant at Deloitte in Denver, Colo.; University of Denver graduate (bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting)

Gala 2020

Photo Credit: Joel Lerner Photography

Livestreamed Gala Helps Underwrite Expanded Faculty Housing The Academy’s Gala fundraiser on October 9, 2020 was livestreamed around the globe and garnered more than $850,000 toward the $1.8 million construction of four faculty apartments in Atlass Hall, the school’s largest boys dormitory. “I am humbled by your philanthropy and the message of gratitude you sent to our faculty,” said Head of School José M. De Jesús P’22, closing the evening’s festivities. “Beginning with my first interview when I arrived here in 2018 and in each day that has followed, I have observed extraordinary kindness and generosity in the community of Lake Forest Academy. This virtual gala is the latest wonderful example. My gratitude is heartfelt.” Originally scheduled for May 2020 as an in-person, on campus event, the Gala was reformatted to meet COVID-19 gathering restrictions and held as the capstone event of the fall Virtual Parents Day. The online event featured a host of faculty and student testimonials, the performance of Phillip Phillips’ “Home” by students, a silent auction and an electronic paddle raise. The overwhelming response was headlined by a lead gift from LFA current parents Wen Zhang and Yun Jian P’23. 150 parents, alumni, alumni parents, faculty, staff and friends contributed toward the project including the Sally and Frank Atlass ’48 Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward. The boys dormitory bears Frank’s family name. Faculty families moved into the three-bedroom apartments in December. With the added entry hall on the first floor, the entire addition adds approximately 7,000 square feet to

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Students in choir sang “Home” with members of Co-ax performing on instruments.

Atlass Hall. It also brings the preferred nine-to-one student to faculty ratio to this dormitory, making it consistent with that in LFA’s other student residences. “It is my job to ensure that we recruit and retain the very best faculty possible” said Dean of Faculty Tom Johnson, who co-hosted the livestream Gala broadcast. “One of the first questions asked by LFA faculty applicants is, ‘Do you have on-campus housing for me and my family?’ I’m sorry to say that LFA has lost highly-qualified teaching candidates because of the lack of adequate housing.” This boon to on-campus faculty housing is set to be accompanied by a baby boom among its first residents. Science Teacher Matthias Kerr and wife Chelsea recently welcomed son Bradley to their family. Fine Arts and Mandarin Teacher Yue Chen and husband Isaias Cairampoma are expecting their first child in April. Mathematics Teacher and Learning Resource Specialist Katie Gilbertson, her husband Ken and daughters Emma and Addie are expecting a baby in February. Moving into the fourth new residence is Senior Associate Dean of Admission Caroline Pugliese P’13 ’16 and her son Cameron ’21.

History and Social Science Teacher and Ferry Hall Dorm Head Suzy Vaughn and History and Social Science Teacher Matt Vaughn

These new additions to the Atlass faculty and staff community join current residents Dean of Admission Carolyn Gorowski, her husband Joe and their children Henry and Vivian; Associate Dean of College Counseling Ben Wetherbee and his fiancée Emma Poland; Assistant Dean of Admission Kyle Koncz and Stuart Center International Program Coordinator Ingrid Valdez, and Mathematics Teacher Joe Ward, his wife Kim and their children Dawson, Alden and Auna.

Contributions are still being accepted toward the $1.8 million construction cost. Naming opportunities are available. For more information, contact Vice President of Advancement Rob Buckla (rbuckla@lfanet.org; 847-615-3276).

To see videos from Gala 2020, please use this code.

Atlass Hall Proctor Thomas Langston ’21 gave a speech during the program.

Families moved in to the new faculty apartments over the weekend of Dec. 12-13. A room in apartment 5. (r) The kitchen in apartment 7.

The kitchen in apartment 7. Photo Credit: Joel Lerner Photography

Campus News Three Seniors Chosen as National Merit Scholar Semifinalists On September 9, 2020, LFA seniors Max Collins ’21, Justin Hwang ’21 and Calvin Osborne ’21 were included in the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. About 1.5 million juniors in more than 21,000 high schools entered this year’s National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) last fall. Those who score highest on the test in each state enter the nationwide pool of semifinalists. The three LFA seniors represent less than one percent of all high school seniors in the country, according to the NMSC.

Calvin Osborne ’21 Justin Hwang ’21 Max Collins ’21

Caxys on CBS2 Chicago LFA Students Named National Merit Commended Scholars and Recognized Seniors Class of 2021 members Julia Birmingham, Pauline Chung, Dora Hu, Nathan Jung, Halbert Kim, Edward Nunez, Natasha Sokhi, Gigi Taillon and Richard Wu were named National Merit Commended Scholars. The College Board also recognized Ramya Herman ’21 and Tyler Watts ’21 as members of their National African American Recognition Program and Brian Figueroa ’21, Edward Nunez ’21 and Max Collins ’21 in their National Hispanic Recognition Program.

Darrin Madeley P’11, ’14 as Mentor of the Month On July 21, 2020, LFA Athletic Director Darrin Madeley P’11, ’14 was named a Mentor of the Month by the Semper Fidelis All-American Program. The Semper Fidelis AllAmerican Program, which is presented by the US Marine Corps, chose alumna Anna Schilling ’20 as the recipient of an All-American Award last year.

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On September 17, 2020, Jackson George ’21 (above), his mother Laura George P’21, ’23 and Rachel Johns ’21 participated in an interview with Lauren Victory of CBS2 Chicago. They spoke about the challenges that students and families have faced given the numerous ACT test cancellations. See the video at www.lfanet.org/int917.

Hannah Liu ’21 Commits to UPenn In July 2020, Hannah Liu ’21 made her verbal commitment to the University of Pennsylvania and will join the Quaker swim team in the fall of 2021. Liu has been previously named a Scholastic All-American for the State of Illinois.

Matt Boresi Co-Writes a Modern Adaptation of Boccaccio’s ‘The Decameron’ In October 2020, Director of Theater and Performing Arts Teacher Matt Boresi unveiled a modern adaptation of Boccaccio’s “The Decameron,” a 14th century novel about 10 people who are quarantined during the Black Plague. Boresi and his colleague, Peter Hilliard, collaborated with nine American opera companies to create “Tales from a Safe Distance,” a series of ten one-act operas. Boresi’s entry stars internationally renowned Bass-Baritone Luca Pisaroni. Every Friday in October 2020, several parts of the opera were revealed online; viewers could buy tickets to see the opera on demand. The acts consist of comedies, horror stories and an emotional piece about domestic abuse during lockdown that was written in collaboration with Women’s Advocates. According to Boresi, “It’s a good sampler of contemporary opera in the US today - more than half of the composers were women, and more than half were people of color. I hope the future of opera is, indeed, diverse, tech-savvy, relevant and representative of multiple geographies.” Boresi’s piece, “The Happy Hour,” was shown during the first several minutes of the first night and the last several minutes of night four. The piece features characters from each of the chapters having a Zoom reunion and addressing despair, hope and storytelling in lockdown. The Wall Street Journal called the project, “ingenious,” and Houston Press hailed it as “an unbridled success – edgy, novel, richly detailed, musically intriguing.” More information about the opera can be found at decameronoperacoalition.org. Matt Boresi joined LFA in 2017 as the Director of Theater. He directs the Fall Play, Winter Musical and the Spring Studio Theatre Lab. Boresi holds an MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from New York University. He has worked most recently as an adjunct professor at Carthage College; an administrator, teacher, and director at the Music Institute of Chicago; and teacher for the Chicago International Youth Musical Theatre Camp. His teaching assignments include acting, directing, public speaking and writing for performance. Boresi is the librettist for the operas “The Filthy Habit”, “Blue Viola” and “The Last American Hammer,” which was featured in LFA’s Review in fall of 2018.

LFA Musicians to Perform in Illinois Music Teachers Association Festival In November 2020, Tanya Ganesh ’24 and Mia Hernandez ’23 were selected to participate in the Illinois Music Teachers Association festival on the oboe and cello respectively this year. The students auditioned and were chosen from among the top musicians in LFA’s district. Tanya Ganesh ’24 Mia Hernandez ’23

Antonio Ferraiolo Galvao Costa ’21 Commits to Vassar On November 11, 2020, Antonio Ferraiolo Galvao Costa ’21 committed to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. Costa has played for the LFA varsity boys soccer team and will play soccer at Vassar next year. He was previously featured as the TopDrawerSoccer.com featured player for the week of July 6, 2020.

Mathieu Bourgault ’21 Commits to RPI On December 10, 2020, Mathieu Bourgault ’21 announced that he had committed to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Engineers men’s ice hockey team.

As this issue went to print, Lizzie Frekko ’21 also announced her commitment to Bates College for tennis.

Jake Wolf ’21 Commits to WashU On December 10, 2020, Jake Wolf ’21 announced that he has committed to Washington University in St. Louis. Wolf will play basketball for the WashU Bears next fall.

Campus View The latest version of a drone shot of LFAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campus shows traditional buildings along with the new addition to Atlass Hall and the Deborah Mackenzie Turf Fields.

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Photo Credit: James Rayner (Vadela)

From the Archives Flashback to 1920: Student Life a Century Ago By Rita MacAyeal ’87, Library Director and Archivist Association. The YWCA also sponsored social gatherings and philanthropic endeavors, including fundraising for the Association House in Chicago which had been founded by Ferry Hall alumna Ellen Holt in 1899.

1920 Armour Company visit by Ferry Hall school

With the arrival of the 1920s, Lake Forest Academy and Ferry Hall left behind a decade that had included some very difficult times. Nearly 700 LFA students, faculty, and alumni had fought in the Great War and eighteen had died. The Spanish Flu pandemic had swept across the land forcing the schools to close and quarantine in fall 1918. However, 1919 brought a happy occasion to Ferry Hall as the school marked its 50th anniversary with a weekend of celebrations culminating in a dinner reception attended by the whole school, many alumnae and a number of Lake Forest residents. At LFA in 1920, the school motto was “Ad Viros Faciendos” (for the making of men) and at Ferry Hall, the school catalogue declared that the school’s purpose was to “train women of strength and usefulness…” Students at both schools would have found themselves immersed in environments that promoted academic seriousness and personal responsibility. In 1920, under the leadership of Headmaster John Wayne Richards, LFA

had 135 students and 17 teachers. The annual tuition was $300 for day students and $950 for boarding students. That same year with Principal Eloise Ruthven Tremain at the helm, Ferry Hall had 156 students and 27 teachers. The annual tuition was $225 for day students and $875 for boarding students. The school campuses were both located within walking distance from downtown Lake Forest and the beach, both popular places for the students to visit. With Presbyterian roots, both schools had mandatory daily prayer services and a religious atmosphere that permeated school life. The Academy’s chapel was located inside Reid Hall, while Ferry Hall had a separate Gothic chapel that had been built in 1888. On Sundays, LFA students were required to attend morning services and evening Bible Study. Ferry Hall students were required to attend Sunday morning services, evening vesper services, and maintain a day of rest with no travel allowed. Wednesday evening prayer services were organized by student members of the Young Women’s Christian

At LFA, students lived in one of three dormitories: East House, Durand House, and Remsen House. The dining room was located in Remsen House and boys were assigned rotating table seating assignments. Academy students adhered to a strict honor code, promising that they would never leave campus without permission and would not leave their rooms at night. Violating that code meant instant expulsion. At Ferry Hall, underclassmen lived in the main Ferry Hall building and seniors lived in Senior House, a small cottage style dormitory with its own kitchen. The Ferry Hall building had been refurbished ahead of the Golden Anniversary celebration with new furniture, repainted walls and refinished floors. Academic life in 1920 was routine and orderly with an emphasis on rote memorization. Classrooms were called “recitation rooms” because of the practice of daily lesson recitation. At LFA, classes met in Reid Hall six days per week from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. with evening study hours. The curriculum included Latin, Greek,

1920 Reid Hall

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1920-21 Basketball Champs with Coach Ralph Jones seated far right

mathematics, English, history, modern languages, science and geography. Although fine arts were not part of the curriculum at LFA, the school did have an extra-curricular orchestra, mandolin club, glee club and dramatics club. At Ferry Hall, classes were held on weekdays in Smith Hall. The school offered three programs: there were two different high school courses (a college preparatory course and a regular high school course) and a separate two-year junior college program. Both high school courses required four daily recitations of 50 minutes in subjects including English, mathematics, Latin, modern languages, science, history, home economics, music and art. Students finishing the college preparatory program received a certificate that allowed admission to any college or university in the North Central Association.

1920 May Day

and that fall they won the Midwestern Academic Championship. Appreciative alums presented each player with a gold football charm, and over 3000 spectators filled the stands for the homecoming game at which LFA handily beat Culver Academy. In winter, the basketball team also won the Midwestern Championship, as did the baseball team in spring. In May, the track team took first place at the Stagg’s Academic Meet, bringing the school year to an end with four Midwestern championships. Under Coach Jones’ leadership, the football team would later win the National Academic Football Championship in 1925.

the students competed in a variety of athletic competitions. The two schools came together a number of times during the year for formal and informal social events. During the 191920 academic year, the combined events included: a Halloween dance; a football dance; a Mid-Winter Festival of fine arts performances; a carnival; a spring dance; a May Prom; and a commencement dance. Life at LFA and Ferry Hall inspired in students a feeling of loyalty and strong school spirit. In the 1920 Caxy yearbook, senior Cuthbert McKay wrote, “As now we, the class of 1920, pass into bigger worlds and step into life, we linger upon the threshold, hating to leave LFA but we step manfully out, determining to make a name for the school we all so dearly love.’ In the 1920 Ferry Tales yearbook, senior Ruth Stribling wrote, “I wonder whether there will ever be four such wonderful years and whether I shall ever love another school or class as well.”

Athletics often took center stage at LFA, and the fall of 1920 brought the arrival of Athletic Director Ralph Jones. He trained the football team on the T formation

At Ferry Hall, the students participated in required outdoor activities and athletics including basketball, volleyball, baseball, tennis, horseback riding, swimming, gymnastics and track. The required attire for athletics in 1920 was black bloomers, black shoes and stockings, and white “middies” with long sleeves. A popular event was Spring Field Day, in which

LFA football team circa 1920

1921 spring gargoyle club drama play, “Nothing But the Truth”

Photo Credit: Pfortner Photography

Making History:

Math Teacher Joe Ward meets with seniors during the Senior Retreat on Sept. 16, 2020.

LFA’s Reopening of Campus During COVID-19 By Grace Kim, Dean of Communications

How would one describe 2020? Is there a word or phrase that would ever fully encapsulate the year? The Prep Process By the time the Academy had waved a bittersweet goodbye to the Class of 2020 in late May 2020, LFA’s board and administration had already started preparations for the reopening of school in August. With the leadership and guidance of Head of School José M. De Jesús P’22, every facet of LFA’s daily operations was examined, and then re-examined, by dedicated teams for health and wellness, facilities, academics and remote learning, residential life and more throughout the summer. While keeping a pulse on the digital cyclone of news and updates from other school communities, LFA established protocols and policies for building usage, masking and sanitization, off-campus sign-outs and remote classes.

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Associate Head of School and Dean of Students and Academic Affairs Chris Tennyson described the working process for reopening of school as cohesive. He said, “The creation of the Health & Wellness group, the Density & Space group and the E-Team were critical for us to continuously pivot with the everchanging landscape and adapt our plan to make sure that we were comfortable with things. These groups, while also working with the Deans Council, Academic Council and Residential Council, allowed us to solve problems and build out a plan that was very effective.” As the State of Illinois entered Phase Four of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan in late June 2020, the Academy notified families that the start of preseason would be on August 16, 2020

Photo Credit: Pfortner Photography

Students and faculty eat outside on the Holden Terrace at the JC Cowart Student Center.

and in-person classes would begin on August 24, 2020. In order to fully open with confidence, LFA established a partnership with Franklin Rosalind University for COVID-19 testing on campus during the week of August 17, 2020. Close to 400 students, faculty and staff were tested in mid-August, resulting in an overall low positivity rate for COVID-19. With such success to start the school year, on August 24, students headed to advisory to begin the first day of school with a mixture of excitement and caution. Soon, LFA’s students and employees fell into a daily routine that involved answering questions via an app to track symptoms; attending morning advisories for temperature checks; sanitizing desks after every class; mask-wearing; and using one-way exits and entrances into buildings. In addition to regular duties, faculty and staff took on other roles, such as lunch monitors and extra van drivers for runs, especially since social distancing required that only seven students be on one school van.

Photo Credit: Vadela

English Teacher Kerri Mccaffrey, who joined LFA’s faculty this summer, teaches in-person.

Photo Credit: Vadela

Siyue “Sophie” Wei ’24 on her way to science class.

Going Above and Beyond History and Social Science Teacher Ackim Mpofu called the extra duties a part of “communal reciprocity,” in which every person at LFA played their various roles for the larger good. Mpofu was part of a larger group of teachers who taught additional classes to accommodate LFA’s remote students. He noted, “Having an e-learning section was a challenge because it was an extra class in the morning that completely changed my schedule. But it was also a benefit because I connected with students who unfortunately could not be on campus. Having the luxury of comparing my e-learning and in-person classes helped me develop my teaching skills.” Due to travel restrictions and backlogs of visa appointments at embassies all around the world, more than 80 LFA students started the 20-21 academic year remotely. Consequently, the Academy’s teaching faculty stepped up to hold 30-minute classes of all subjects from 5 or 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Central in the morning and 7:15 to 10 p.m. in the evening. Amongst the teachers was also a familiar face; former LFA teacher, parent, and Dean of Admission Loring Strudwick P’13. ’15, ’18 rejoined LFA’s faculty as an early morning math teacher this fall, and will continue to teach students until the end of the academic year. With the dedication of LFA’s teachers, remote students continued their studies throughout the semester. One student, Xinruo “Jaroy”

Michele Vaca’s ESL class learned about the history of Halloween and practiced ghost idioms over Zoom on Oct. 30, 2020.

Photo Credit: Vadela

Caroline Holland ’24 works on her ceramics piece.

Wei ’22, took classes at home in China through the fall. She stated, “I felt that LFA was very supportive. I have heard from my friends at other American high schools that they have had to wake up at midnight to take classes. LFA provided remote students with a special class schedule, so we never needed to stay up late to study.” She added, “Currently, even though we are remote, we can always send emails to arrange cycle meetings with our teachers or to ask questions, so my LFA teachers make me feel like I am next to them even though I am actually about 8700 miles away.”

went on display in the JC Cowart Student Center, or singing and playing instruments for a two-part concert at the end of the semester. Clubs and organizations like Co-ax and Science Olympiad continued to meet both in-person and remotely. Meanwhile, LFA’s Prefects, Student Council, Dorm Council and the Dean of Students Office organized themed dress days, food truck visits to campus and weekend activities like Knockerball and tie-dye shirt making.

Staying Engaged as a Community As the semester progressed, some students who started the year remotely were able to come back to campus. The LFA community underwent additional COVID-19 testing with nasal swabs on campus on September 9 and 10, and continued to follow various protocols to keep each other safe. When asked about the inperson experience, this year’s All-School President Nick Alutto ’21 answered, “Being able to go to school in-person, eat lunch in the Student Center, and play sports after school gave students a chance to enjoy a sense of normalcy in a very abnormal time.” While many aspects of life on campus had changed, LFA’s effort to provide the best student experience possible stayed the same. In the summer, when the Illinois High School Association finally announced sports schedules for the 20-21 school year, LFA’s athletics department moved quickly to accommodate studentathletes amidst the countless modifications; while boys and girls cross country, co-ed golf, girls tennis, and girls swimming were allowed to have matches, other traditional fall sports like boys soccer, girls volleyball and field hockey shifted into PE options that met three days a week. Athletic Director Darrin Madeley P’11, ’14 and his department members had to deal with daily and weekly changes, but Madeley stayed energized by the presence of the students. Madeley said, “Our students showed me once again why they always make me so proud to work here. They did an amazing job competing against other schools and showed great character during truly once in a lifetime circumstances. The cross country, golf and girls swimming teams had strong seasons while girls tennis completed one of the best all around team records at LFA in the past 10 years.” In addition to a robust sports program, LFA’s students, with the guidance of the arts faculty, worked hard to develop their artistic and performance skills, whether by creating art pieces that

Photo Credit: Alex Stevenson

Safiya Nicol ’22, a member of Student Council and a resident of Marshall Field Dorm, was ecstatic to be back on campus. As a junior, she appreciated the opportunity to learn in-person, and wanted to give back by helping to organize activities as well as showing participation at on-campus events. She shared, “We found creative ways to keep up school traditions like having morning meetings on Zoom or still having our yearly rock-paper-scissors advisory tournaments. It has been remarkable to watch the students, faculty, and especially the Sodexo staff all team up together to make this semester work, and for that, I am truly grateful.”

Photo Credit: Pfortner Photography

Sodexo employees Saloman Rocha P’21 and Raul Quintero

Photo Credit: Sam Wold

One of the many food trucks on campus was A.Sweets Girl Cupcake truck.

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Students play Knockerball during one of the weekend activities on a sunny Saturday.

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Shylee Saladi ’22 (left) and Victoria Mesropyan ’24 (right) won their set during the Independent School League (ISL) Conference at the end of the girls varsity tennis team’s season.

A Surprise Recommendation Given all the precautions that every member of the community adhered to, LFA’s overall COVID-19 positivity rate was well below the local average. Yet in a global pandemic, anything could change. In the ninth week of the semester, on October 20, the Lake County Health Department recommended that all K-12 schools, both public and independent, move to a remote learning model as a cautionary response to the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the area. The recommendation was taken seriously and required discussion amongst LFA’s board and administration. After two days of thoughtful consideration, LFA decided to prepare another round of COVID-19 tests on campus for all students and employees on October 26 and 28 while going remote during that week. With many hoping for the best, the community took a total of 475 tests. Amazingly, the conclusive data showed an infection rate of 1 percent in the community; the few individuals who tested positive and their close contacts went into quarantine for 14 days. Based on those results, on October 30, Head of School José M. De Jesús P’22 announced to the community that LFA would resume in-person classes until the start of the Thanksgiving holiday. LFA resumed classes on campus on November 2 until the start of the in-person assessment period from November 19 to 24. Students and employees conducted saliva tests in advisories on November 10 and 11 and November 17 and 18. Following the Thanksgiving break, students and teachers had two weeks of e-learning during the first two weeks of December, with final grades and comments posted on December 18. School Counselor and Health, Wellness, and Community Chair Jennifer Madeley, MSW, LCSW, P’11, ’14 summed up the semester, commenting, “I am so glad that we reopened in August. There are so many benefits to in-person learning. We put a lot of safety measures in place, and even though it was hard, I am incredibly thankful that we were able to make it through the semester.” Chris Tennyson added, “A sentiment that I have heard from many parents and students is that the way we have had to change school due to COVID is really hard, but being in-person is so worth it. Our community has proved its resiliency, its strength, and its love for the Academy. The collective power of working towards a common goal has been pretty spectacular to witness.”

Photo Credit: Pfortner Photography

Looking Ahead to 2021 LFA resumes classes virtually on January 4, 2021, with a plan to return to in-person learning on January 25 with weekly COVID-19 community testing. Director of Health Services Anna Kliner, MSN, RN, FNP-C, is working with internal and external team members to minimize the risk of infection even further. She explained, “Currently, we are doing needs assessments to see where our services would be most usefully expanded and building relationships across departments and with local medical partners.” She continued, “While all signs are that the next 21-22 school year will bring more normalcy, we should prepare to hold on a bit longer; families should remember that we are here for you and we appreciate all you do for us.” With the end of the 2020 year, both students and employees have traded expressions of gratitude to and from each other. Parents Association President Jorie Alutto P’19, ’21 also voiced her perspective, stating, “As a parent of a senior, I am so thankful and proud of LFA for the dedication and commitment to keep our students learning together as a community this year during the pandemic. The herculean efforts of the faculty and staff have successfully put the safety of our children first. I know that the LFA community will be stronger as a result of this year’s challenges.” Despite its challenges, the pandemic has given LFA yet another opportunity to unite as one entity. While there is no doubt that there are several more obstacles to come, after a historical 2020, the Academy remains prepared to continue educating students from all over the nation and world.

Photo Credit: Vadela

English Teacher and Warner Dorm Head Tyler Madeley ’14 hosted a fire pit outside for boarders to gather on Nov. 5.

Students in Physics I completed a lab on Nov. 6 after LFA resumed in-person classes for that week.

Inspire and Invest Initiative Reaches $14.8 Million LFA and Ferry Hall Reunion Classes Invest in Students, Faculty and Legacy Alumni reunion classes from Lake Forest Academy and Ferry Hall are coming together to support student financial aid and the retention of great faculty members during LFA’s $20 million Inspire & Invest Initiative. More than $14.8 million has been secured in commitments to the multi-year endowment enterprise which began in 2018.

“Tanya and Todd made a huge impact on the LFA community, and this scholarship allows them to live on at LFA” said Todd Zafirovski ’09, one of the fund’s architects, along with classmates Connor Crown, Taylor Gorter, Spencer Ferry and Samantha Moore. “Plus, being able to give back to a place that has meant so much to me is truly an honor.”

Since the start of the Inspire & Invest Initiative, alumni, parents, alumni parents, and even one grandparent, have created 37 new endowed scholarship funds. These new funds, totaling more than $4.5 million, are invested in the school’s permanent endowment. According to LFA’s spending policy, earnings on investments are drawn to provide annual scholarship assistance or faculty support while also used to preserve and grow the fund. Prior to the start of the Inspire & Invest Initiative, only 14 endowed scholarships existed at LFA.

“The LFA community thrives because of the diverse group of students who attend the school. A class scholarship or any form of giving allows the future of an institution to continue to grow and thrive. Giving to needs-based areas like financial aid and/or endowing a scholarship is an essential pillar of what we learned at LFA, and we hope that this scholarship gives the students who receive it the ability to take advantage of everything LFA has to offer—both in and outside of the classroom,” Zafirovski added.

“Need-based endowed scholarships help keep LFA accessible to a wide range of students from many different household incomes,” said Robert J. Buckla, Ed.D., LFA’s vice president of advancement. “We are especially pleased that individuals are endowing scholarships as well as classes of alumni and alumnae.” One of the first classes to endow a scholarship as part of the Inspire & Invest Initiative was the Class of 2009. Director of Alumni Engagement Ruth Keyso worked with the class as it approached its 10th reunion. The fund is named in memory of deceased classmates Tanya Mirutenko and Todd Walker, victims of gun violence.

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Like the Class of 2009, the Ferry Hall reunion classes of 1970 and 1975 are working together to endow a scholarship. The Class of 2019 endowed a scholarship honoring Head of School Emeritus Dr. John Strudwick P’13,’15,’18, who retired from LFA in 2019, and his wife Loring Strudwick. A new effort is also underway by the Class of 1990 to endow a scholarship in honor of their 30th reunion. In addition to the scholarships, 12 new endowed faculty professional development funds have been established through the Initiative. Supporting continuing education and professional development is critical to the recruitment and retention of great faculty and staff.

The Class of 1959, which celebrated their 60th LFA reunion in 2019 with a robust turnout, is working to endow a fund that will bear its name. “It’s one way of honoring and keeping alive the names and legacies of those who helped us long ago,” said George Harmon ’59 of his class’ effort. The Inspire & Invest Initiative is directly aligned with the school’s Strategic Plan which challenges the Academy family to increase the endowment to $50 million or more by 2021. The Initiative is co-chaired by Life Trustee Jim C. Cowart ’69 and current Trustee Patrick Corsiglia. Patrick and his wife, Christina, are the proud parents of three LFA alumni (classes of 2015, 2017 and 2020). Covice chairs are Allan Kaplan ’72, P’03 and Loretta Kalnow Kaplan ’73 P’03. Next Generation co-chairs are Molly Pearson Campbell ’04 and Charlie Waddell ’03.

The $20 million Inspire & Invest Initiative, paired with responsible and thoughtful investment strategies overseen by the LFA Board of Trustees, has helped propel the market value of the LFA Endowment to more than $43 million as of June 30, 2020 - the close of LFA’s fiscal year. In addition to scholarships and professional development funds, three new faculty chairs are being endowed by philanthropists. Details and highlights of the Inspire & Invest Initiative are available at www.lfanet.org/inspire. Included are feature articles on alumni as well as four videos featuring Eric Brown ’98, Duane Jackson ’01, Margeaux McReynolds ’02 and Liz Peinado ’08.

To discuss how to support a scholarship, faculty professional development fund or an endowed faculty chair, please contact an Advancement staff member: Rob Buckla (rbuckla@lfanet.org), Hannah Keller (hkeller@lfanet.org), Ruth Keyso (rkeyso@lfanet.org), or Garry Sloan (gsloan@lfanet.org).

Honoring George R. Johnson ’60, 1941-2020 By Ruth Keyso, Director of Alumni Engagement

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Trier High School, George entered the Academy as a boarder in Warner. When reflecting on his time at LFA, George recalled the kindness of faculty member and house parent Lou Wetzel and his wife, June, and his respect for other outstanding teachers, such as Sid Ainsworth, Richard Montgomery and Robert Nelson. He remembered formal dinners in Reid Hall and informal ones at the home of Headmaster Harold Corbin and his wife, Florie; running track; and working with legendary Spanish teacher Ernie Barry in the print shop. After graduating from LFA, George matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania. He worked for four decades in the printing industry, a field he was introduced to through a career day at LFA.

George R. Johnson ’60 is among the many alumni who have supported the Inspire & Invest Initiative at LFA. One of the Academy’s most faithful and loyal donors, George endowed two scholarship funds at his alma mater: one in his name and one in his mother’s name.

Throughout his lifetime, George remained active and engaged in the alumni program at LFA. He hosted several alumni receptions in New York City and on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, and was an enthusiastic participant in his 50th reunion celebration. He was a loyal annual fund supporter at the Cornerstone Society level and also regularly contributed to the endowment at LFA. In addition, he was a member of the Richards & Tremain Society, whose members include LFA in their estate plans. When traveling through the Chicagoland area, George faithfully made stops on campus. In 2013, he had the opportunity to see the room he named for his mother in the Ferry Hall dormitory.

Both the George R. Johnson ’60 Endowed Scholarship Fund and the Eleanor Falk Johnson ’32 Endowed Scholarship Fund support students in financial need. George’s eponymous fund pays tribute to the fine educational foundation he received at LFA; the second fund honors his mother, a Ferry Hall graduate, who introduced him to the Academy.

George died October 4, 2020 after a long illness. His legacy of kindness and generosity lives on at LFA. Those of us at the Academy who had the pleasure of interacting with George over the years remember a most thoughtful man, an alumnus who held great pride in his alma mater and who cherished the memories and lifelong friendships he made at the school.

His one-year experience as a post-graduate student at LFA had a profound effect on George. After graduating from New

Lake Forest Academy remains grateful to George and his family for their generosity toward LFA over many years. George’s memory and legacy will live on at LFA in perpetuity.

George ’60 and Linda Johnson in the Ferry Hall dormitory for girls on the LFA campus, summer 2013. The Johnsons are pictured in front of the dorm room George named in honor of his mother, Ferry Hall graduate Eleanor Falk Johnson ’32.

Three Faculty Named to Prestigious Endowed Chair Posts Head of School José M. De Jesús P’22 and Dean of Faculty Tom Johnson are pleased to announce the appointment of three faculty members to endowed chairs at Lake Forest Academy. The two chairs in the humanities and a third for science are announced and celebrated at the November Cornerstone Society gathering on campus. However, COVID-19 restrictions necessitated postponement of the event to a tentative date of June 2, 2021. Despite waiting until spring for installation formalities, De Jesús and Johnson announced Fine Arts and Mandarin Chinese Teacher Yue Chen as the new occupant of the A. John Huss Jr. ’58 and Ruth S. Huss Endowed Chair in the Humanities; History and Social Science Teacher Matt Vaughn as the new occupant of the Ned and Lynn Jessen Endowed Chair in the Humanities; and Science Department Chair and Teacher Debbie Witmer as the Edmund J. Rendtorff Endowed Chair in Science. Each of these appointments is for a three-year term.

Huss Endowed Chair in the Humanities Yue Chen has taught all levels of ceramics, sculpture, 3D foundation, Chinese art history, Mandarin Chinese and courses in the Global Concentration program. She lives on campus and is co-adviser of the Asian Culture Union and is currently serving on the Head of School Equity Task Force. She has previously served the Academy as a member of the Head of School Symposium Committee and the Technology and Innovation Committee. A native of China, Chen earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in ceramics at the Academy of Art & Design, Tsinghua University in Beijing. She holds an MFA degree in drawing from Kansas State University. Chen is the author and illustrator of the bilingual children’s book series MeimeiStory, for English-speaking children studying Mandarin Chinese. She earned her Global Competence Certificate in 2018. “It is a true honor for me to be named to this endowed chair,” Chen said. “There are so many things I enjoy about working and teaching at LFA. The top two are our diverse student body and opportunities for my professional and personal growth. I also like the sense of community that LFA creates for both faculty and staff and students. As a former international student myself, I feel it is a privilege to see and be part of how our local students and international students interact and learn from each other. They grow together in this multicultural environment at such a young age, which I think will benefit their future professional and personal growth as global citizens.”

“As a former international student myself, I feel it is a privilege to see and be part of how our local students and international students interact and learn from each other.” Photo Credit: Pfortner Photography

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Jessen Endowed Chair in the Humanities Matt Vaughn has spent the past 23 years as a teacher at LFA, where he and his wife Suzy teach, parent and serve the community. As a member of the Academy’s History & Social Sciences department, Matt Vaughn is currently teaching AP economics, introductory economics and entrepreneurship. His full instructional resume includes geometry, algebra, functions/statistics/trigonometry, discrete math and global economics. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Trinity College in Connecticut. Currently he is head varsity golf coach, assistant varsity boys basketball coach and active dorm parent at Marshall Field Dorm. Vaughn has also served the LFA community as chair of the Head of School Symposium Committee on income inequality and global poverty, assistant athletic director and discipline committee faculty member representative. He has also served on the Admissions Committee, Student Handbook Revision Committee and Athletic Advisory Committee. Matt and Suzy Vaughn live on campus with their daughter, Clare. Of his endearment with LFA, Vaughn points to “the highly motivated kids and the opportunity to help prepare them for what they will face in college. The small class sizes lend itself to not letting any students slip through the cracks at any point during the year, and it truly gives us teachers a chance to push and inspire them to become great college students and future leaders in whatever their field they choose after college.”

“...it truly gives us teachers a chance to push and inspire them to become great college students and future leaders...”

Rendtorff Endowed Chair in Science Debbie Witmer joined LFA in 2017 as a member of the science department. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from the University of North Florida, and her master’s degree in instructional technology from Concordia University Chicago. Now pursuing her doctorate in curriculum and instruction at Concordia, Witmer teaches chemistry 1, advanced chemistry, AP chemistry and advanced biology while serving as Science Department Chair. Additional involvement at LFA includes service on the Faculty Advisory Council, the Discipline Committee and the E-Team Committee. She is also co-chair of the Technology and Innovation Committee, an admissions application reader and a summer science camp instructor. “I love the students, the people I work with, the love of learning and the diversity I have found here,” she said. “LFA is a place that challenges you to do more, be more—and not just the students, it does that for everyone who is part of this community. It has done that for me. I am a better teacher and a better person because of my experience at LFA.”

“LFA is a place that challenges you to do more, be more ...”

Alumni Weekend & Reunion 2020 As with many celebrations in 2020, Lake Forest Academy alumni and Ferry Hall alumnae gathered on Zoom instead of wandering campus to be a part of the 2020 Alumni Weekend & Reunion. Attendees ranged in location – from Lake Forest to northern California and New England – and in age from the Class of 2019 to a group of women from the Ferry Hall Class of 1960.

Attendees took part in three virtual sessions on September 26:

Multicultural Dialogue The Multicultural Dialogue has become an annual fixture in the Alumni Weekend program offerings. Alumni and students connect for a multi-generational discussion on current events in the world and at LFA. Although the session was facilitated in a virtual format this year, the spirit and energy remained the same. Dean of Pluralism and Multicultural Affairs Lusanda Mayikana P’14 led the discussion, which included six LFA students. The discussion was facilitated within the context of George Floyd’s death, race relations and the 2020 presidential race. The session closed in agreement about the importance of these conversations and the increased need for dialogue.

Returning to the Rink, Court and Beyond

Update from Head of School José M. De Jesús

Eric Stisser ’90, vice president of corporate partnerships for the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues, and LFA Athletic Director Darrin Madeley P’11,’14 came together to offer insights into how COVID-19 impacted the world of sports at the professional and school level. Stisser shared how the Blues front office responded to a season that was cut short in spring 2020. Madeley and his colleagues used a little creativity of their own to keep students active and engaged in the spring by creating special workouts and check-ins for students, no matter their location, during a remote learning period. This fall, there was an adjusted season for LFA’s cross country, golf, girls swimming, girls tennis and prep hockey teams, supplemented by other options like Zumba in the Formal Gardens.

Lake Forest Academy and Ferry Hall spirit was high during this last session of Alumni Weekend. José M. De Jesús P’22, in his second year as Head of School, updated alumni on the resilience of the LFA community during the COVID-19 pandemic and answered questions from participants.

One of the high points of the closing session was the announcement of the 2020 members of the Lake Forest Academy Hall of Fame and this year’s Woman of Distinction. A brief biography of each honoree is featured in this issue of the Review. Reunion classes and other small groups met in virtual breakout rooms

for dialogue and reconnection. These conversations served as a

Fun fact: Six alumni took part in all three sessions

touchstone and a wonderful way to close out the day’s festivities until

– and Molly Nitka ’05 and Doug Gilpin ’70 get extra

LFA’s alumni and alumnae are able to come together again next fall.

credit as stand-out participants in the Caxy 5K!

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For more information about Alumni Weekend and Reunion 2021, contact Director of Alumni Reunions and Reunion Giving Hannah Keller at hkeller@lfanet.org.

Hall of Fame & Woman of Distinction Hall of Fame Robert Bates ’60 Service to Society

Zaid Abdul-Aleem ’90 Service to the School

Rebecca Makkai ’95 Achievement in the Arts

LFA honors the late military hero and Purple Heart recipient Robert Bates. Tragically, he was the first U.S. soldier from Lake Forest to be killed in action in Vietnam.

Zaid served as a member of the LFA Board of Trustees for a decade and continues his service as a Life Trustee. He provided trusted guidance on LFA finances and is a strong advocate for LFA’s mission and values.

Rebecca is a nationally-recognized novelist. “The Great Believers” was a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, finalist for the 2018 National Book Award and one of the New York Times’ Top Ten Books of 2018.

Eric Stisser ’90 Achievement in Athletics

Bill Dolbee P’04,’10 Service to the School

Eric has distinguished himself as one of the nation’s top front office leaders in professional sports. He may be the only LFA alumnus/a to own Super Bowl and Stanley Cup rings from his work with the St. Louis Rams and St. Louis Blues, respectively.

Bill has helped shape the LFA landscape for 36 years. He retired in June 2020 following his exemplary career as a history teacher; department chair; dean of faculty; assistant head of school; associate head of school; dorm parent; football, softball and basketball coach; club adviser; and mentor.

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Woman of Distinction Gloria Harper P’93 For more than three decades, Gloria has served the Academy and her students with enthusiasm, energy and love. She began her LFA journey as a faculty member and administrator and continued with volunteer service as a Trustee and now as a Life Trustee. Her leadership has extended beyond LFA to the Golden Apple Foundation, the Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center and the Global Youth Leadership Institute.

Ferry Tales Happy 151st Anniversary, Ferry Hall!

1920 Ferry Hall Building Ferry Hall Prefect Rachel Johns ’21 with Head of School José M. De Jesús P’22 at the Ferry Hall sign in the Reid Courtyard.

On September 22, the Academy celebrated the 151st anniversary of the opening of Ferry Hall School. Faculty, staff and students dressed in yellow and white and enjoyed yellow and white frosted cookies at lunch. Ferry Hall Prefect, Rachel Johns ’21, along with former Ferry Hall Prefects Kennedy Hayes ’18, Audrey Taillon ’19 and Elizabeth Campisi ’20, sent video messages of cheer to the community. Thank you to all Ferry Hall alumnae who remain active and involved with the Academy today. Kennedy Hayes ’18

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Audrey Taillon ’19

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Elizabeth Campisi ’20

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When I first arrived at Ferry Hall Dormitory in the fall of 2017 I didn’t fully comprehend just how crucial this community would be to my LFA experience. I wasn’t even aware of the legacy the dorm represented. My first formal schooling on the history of Ferry Hall came from the 20172018 Ferry Hall Prefect, Kennedy Hayes, during a Freshman Student Seminar Class. It wasn’t until then that I realized how much Ferry Hall culture LFA reincorporated into the community, including my favorite day of the year Move Up Day. Now, I’m the person who teaches new students about Ferry Hall’s significance. The dorm quickly became my new home after getting to know the dorm parents and making fast friends with the other inhabitants. In this way the dorm emulates the legacy of the school, which entails respect, kindness, and curiosity. The legacy of Ferry Hall extends well beyond the walls of the dormitory. Ferry Hall’s spirit is embodied everyday by all the young women of Lake Forest Academy through their unyielding compassion, genuine intellectual curiosity, and respect for others.

Ferry Hall Prefect Rachel Johns ’21 in the JC Cowart Student Center

Ferry Hall was a trailblazer in women’s STEM education, and my peers honor that sentiment by utilizing the school’s resources to pursue their academic queries with the full support of the community. Ferry Hall’s scientific legacy is quite tangible, as I used microscopes from Ferry Hall just a few weeks ago in my biology class. Ferry Hall was also known for being supportive of social justice movements, and many of my classmates reflect this value in their own activism. I am deeply impressed by my peers who have raised their voices to support many different causes and to protest countless injustices. Progress is the very spirit of Ferry Hall.

Ferry Hall karaoke night in 2018

It has been an unusual year, but the spirit of Ferry Hall remains unwavering as usual. Its strong values carry us throughout the day as we uphold them. Oftentimes, we embody Ferry Hall without even realizing it. For this reason, the Ferry Hall community has become my rock, providing a sisterhood and a home. I am faithful that the spirit of Ferry Hall will remain strong within the LFA community, and it will continue to promote the growth and connection of countless young people for years to come.

By Rachel Johns ’21 Young alumni who were seniors at the 2019 Ferry Hall Luncheon: Jazmín Montes ’20, Sophie Waimon ’20, Kayla Kuehmann ’20, Jaiyenan English ’20, Elizabeth Campisi ’20

Alumni Events Young Alumni Virtual Summer Happy Hour • July 16, 2020 Young alumni and faculty members gathered on Zoom teleconferencing on July 16 for a virtual happy hour. Registrants received Caxy cocktail kits in the mail prior to event. The gathering was a great opportunity to network with one another, to reminisce about Dear Old LFA, and to hear remarks from Head of School José M. De Jesús P’22 and Associate Head of School and Dean of Students and Academic Affairs Chris Tennyson.

London Calling • Sept. 16, 2020 LFA hosted a casual Zoom teleconference with young alumni living and working in London. It was a trip down memory lane as seven faculty members joined to reminisce with the young alumni and to learn about their post-LFA lives. Participants included Courtney Gainer ’03, Ibrahim Peeran ’06, Carolyn Johnson ’06, Alejandro Fernandez ’07, Joyce Hung ’07 and Georgiana Wagemann ’11.

(from top left) Science Teacher Ed Shaughnessy P’14, ’16, ’17, Director of Alumni Engagement Ruth Keyso, Senior Associate Dean of Admission and Director of International Admission Adam Gerber P’21, ’24, Science Teacher Dr. Kerry Cedergren P’13, ’17, ’24; (middle row): Joyce Hung ’07, Associate Head of School and Dean of Students and Academic Affairs Chris Tennyson, Courtney Gainer ’03, Alejandro Fernandez ’07; (third row): Dean of College Counseling Andrew Poska, History and Social Science Teacher Chris Dozois ’84, P’17, ’21, Georgiana Wagemann ’11, Ibrahim Peeran ’06; (bottom row): Carolyn Johnson ’06

Want to hold a networking call with fellow alumni in your city or region? Contact Ruth Keyso at rkeyso@lfanet.org.

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BSU Alumni Affinity Gathering • Oct. 26, 2020 Members of the Black Student Union (BSU) visited virtually with Drs. Hussein ’01 of San Antonio, Texas and Shamsideen Musa ’01 of Anchorage, Alaska along with Johnnie Johnson ’01 of Naperville, Ill., for an affinity group networking and dialogue session. The alumni talked about their journey to LFA and their experiences post-high school; they shared advice on applying to college and managing their workload in school. Students and alumni also engaged in conversation about the current pandemic and national events surrounding race in the United States. In addition to being active and enthusiastic volunteers for LFA, Sham and Hussein Musa established a needbased endowed scholarship at LFA: the Dr. Hussein B. and Dr. Shamsideen O. Musa ’01, ’01 Endowed Scholarship Fund.

(from top left) Gabi Stewart ’24, Director of Alumni Engagement Ruth Keyso, Darius Duff ’22, Safiya Nicol ’22, Assistant Dean of Pluralism and Multicultural Affairs and Spanish Teacher Tameka Carter, Akindele AboyadeCole ’22, Kendall Scales ’24, Dr. Shamsideen Musa ’01, Bryson Royale ’23, Kathryn Githinji ’22, Joie Smith ’23, Nalani Hill ’24, Ferdoss Ibrahim ’22, Dr. Hussein Musa ’01, Braeden Murray ’23, Johnnie Johnson ’01, Senior Associate Dean of Admission Kassandra Hayes P’18, History and Social Science Teacher Ackim Mpofu

Alumni Virtual Town Hall • Nov. 10, 2020 Alumni from around the globe, including Japan, Alaska, Florida and New York City, gathered for a Virtual Town Hall on the topic of student health and wellness at LFA with Head of School José M. De Jesús P’22; Director of Health Services Anna Kliner, MSN, RN; and Health, Wellness and Community Chair Jen Madeley, LCSW, P’11, P’14. The panelists shared information about the Academy’s decision to return for in-person classes this fall: the measures the school is taking to keep the LFA community safe and healthy, both physically and emotionally, throughout the pandemic; the frequency and extent of COVID-19 testing; the financial impact COVID-19 has had on the school; LFA’s remote learning plans; the ways the community is staying connected during this time of social distancing; and the Academy’s plans for the spring semester. Watch alumni e-news and your email for information on upcoming events!

Class Notes 1947 Litta “Willie” Williams Sanderson writes that COVID-19 has certainly turned everyone’s lives upside down! Like everyone, she misses so many things and yet feels fortunate to be where she is during this difficult time. She can still see her family - although at a distance and less frequently. The outdoor pools are open by reservation and to a limited number, and many of their performances and activities are available by Zoom or on a special TV channel. Bocce, golf, tennis and pickleball are available with new rules. Rossmoor does a wonderful job of keeping life as normal as possible. The summer barbecues with live music have been replaced by pre-ordered events and either eaten at the patio’s socially distanced seating or taken home. Litta’s neighborhood meets on Friday afternoons for wine and discussions, though the dark and chill may make changes to that. Her handyman service is still available, and there are many options for remote shopping. Litta can manage seating for three on her front porch. For her summer birthday, her family, including all three grandkids, brought a picnic supper, and her gifts were a year of Netflix and a bottle of Dom Perignon! She says to stay safe and healthy!

1960 Joel Lipman and his wife, Cindy, recently moved from Toledo to Lambertville, Mich. Their granddaughter, Ophelia, was born in July 2019 and grandson, Theodore, in January 2020. Joel and Cindy retired from their professorships several years ago and split the year between the Midwest and a log cabin in coastal Maine.

Joyce Standish recently moved to Staunton, Va. She misses her family in S.C. and Ariz., but has missed the mountains - both the Blue Ridge and the Allegheny Mountains.

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The Ferry Hall Class of 1960 celebrated its 60th reunion by having a Zoom call set up by Christine Ryder of LFA. Hannah Keller of LFA put together a list of current contact information which was distributed to everyone on the list. She also uploaded our 1960 yearbook which was great fun to readily look up people. We had a good turnout and reminisced about lots of old times, many long since forgotten. Participating on the call were Ruth LeVan Bison, Ann Dine Gray, Dale Snyder Holditch, Sue Bromberg Kleinsinger, Lynn Hellyer Mathias, Diane Davis McGonigle, Lynn Todd Paolillo, Wendy Miller Patry, Sue Reid Pepitone, Jennette Alvey Simkins, Marjorie McNeil Spuzello, Susan Wood Taylor and Joyce Mesenbrink Standish. Unfortunately, Ann Leman Larson, Barbara Minas and JoAnne Hoellerich Siebel were unable to make it at the last minute. Everyone agreed it was such fun that we’re going to do it again. It’s a wonderful way to get together during this time when traveling is often not possible.

1963 Pamela Boston is currently living in Sweden, so she has been part of a fairly open COVID-19 policy so far. She has been able to continue as usual for now. Her grandchildren in the United States have been trying to keep up their schoolwork online since March. The oldest is just starting college virtually, bringing back Pamela’s own memories of the year when she was also 18 and graduated from Ferry Hall in 1963. She attended St. John’s College in Annapolis on that fateful day of November 22. She says that she is proud to be a graduate of Ferry Hall and she was especially proud of Ferry Hall/Lake Forest Academy when she read the statement by Head of School José M. De Jesús P’22 concerning the death of George Floyd.

1966 Carol Greenberg Feiner writes that the Ferry Hall Class of 1966 has been having monthly Zoom meetings! It has been so good to catch up with everyone. Some of the

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classmates have not seen each other for over 50 years! The group invites all members of the 1966 class to join by contacting carolena1948@gmail.com.

Richard Lang shared a video of his granddaughter Clementine’s hamster and grandson Gray. See the Spaghetti Western at www.lfanet.org/rlang.

1969 Jim C. Cowart was formally elected a Life Trustee at LFA at the Nov. 6 meeting of the school’s Board of Trustees. Jim served his alma mater on the Board of Trustees from July 2011 through June 2020. He continues to serve the school as co-chair of the $20 million Inspire & Invest Initiative Jim Cowart ’69 and as a member of the LFA Advancement Committee. During his 9 years on the Board, Jim served in a variety of capacities, including Vice Chair. He led the Advancement Committee as chair or co-chair for a total of seven years and was a member of the following committees: Compensation, Education and Finance. He also served as a volunteer on the Endowment, Financial Sustainability, Governance, the ad hoc Budget Committee subcommittees. Jim was an active member of the Head of School Search Team and the Head of School Transition Committee as the school welcomed José M. De Jesús as Head. Jim and his wife, Janet, live in Laguna Niguel, Calif.

1970 Barbara Curtis is currently completing an MFA with an emphasis on painting, though she wishes she had attempted the degree 30 years ago. She lives in Champaign, Ill., and is doing her studies at Eastern Illinois, a state university an hour west of her home.

1971 Reverend Linda (Langpop) Graham is the pastor at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. She and her husband, Bruce, moved to Davison, Mich., at the end of February and then COVID-19 hit. From March until July, Bruce had COVID-19, pneumonia, two strokes; on July 28, 2020, Linda had to say her final good-bye to her beloved husband. Their two sons, Derek, with his wife Maria, and Carel, and daughter Mimi were able to see Bruce in June. The kids have been a huge support system, and Linda says she is truly blessed.

1977 Susan Kupperman Simon is happily married for 37 years and currently living in Sewickley, Pa. She has two adult children and two adult dogs!

1983 Kristin Rey (left) recently caught up with classmate Vanessa Hart (right) in Park City, Utah.

1985 Dr. Regina Spellers Sims earned the North American Board Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certificate and opened a company division called She Sells Solar. #SheSellsSolar reviews solar contracts and helps you decide which company to select for solar panel installation; we provide a fun interactive curriculum to introduce youth to solar; and, we provide qualified sales leads.

1987 LFA Life Trustee Jeff Keller is vice chair of the Board of Trustees at his undergraduate alma mater, Colorado College, and chair of the presidential search committee. Jeff’s son, Breck ’18, is a junior at the college.

Class Notes 1990

come from his time with the St. Louis Rams and St. Louis Blues, respectively.

After launching the film finance and development company Lagralane Group with his wife, Yvonne, in 2015, Jason Delane Lee is proud to announce a project portfolio which includes an Oscar-winning documentary in “Icarus,” an Emmy winning documentary in “The Apollo,” and a Grammy and Tony winning Broadway musical in “The Color Purple.” Jason and Yvonne are also founding members of the award-winning LA based non-profit arts organization Lower Depth Theatre. As an actor, Jason originated the role of Malcolm X in Kemp Powers’ play “One Night in Miami” and performed in it in Los Angeles, Denver and Miami. On film, he most recently was seen in the award-winning independent film “G O D- Givers of Death” which screened in 2020’s American Black Film Festival’s virtual platform in August. With multiple projects lined up for 2021 and beyond, Jason and Yvonne also stay busy at home with their 3 kids, Grace (11), Maya (8) and Maximo (5). They live in Studio City, Calif. Jason will be a panelist for LFA’s virtual panel discussion in February: “Live from the Third Coast: LFA in the Entertainment Industry.”

John Springer and his wife, Katherine, have been living in Fort Worth, Tx. for the past eight years. Aside from their “day jobs,” they founded a non-profit called Msomi Academy whose mission is to bring educational opportunities to young girls and boys in Kenya who wouldn’t ordinarily have the opportunity to attend school. Learn more about these efforts at msomiacademy.org, and they would love feedback and support!

Eric Stisser is vice president of corporate partnerships for the St. Louis Blues and co-led a session titled “Return to the Rink, Court and Beyond” during LFA’s virtual Alumni Weekend & Reunion on September 26, 2020. Eric shared an inside look at the NHL’s new norm, as well as how the Blues kept fans and community connected during the season pause prompted by COVID-19. Eric is the only LFA alumnus to own Super Bowl and Stanley Cup rings. They

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1999 Gwynne Monahan successfully defended her memoir and earned her MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Sierra Nevada University.

2002 Haley Wallace Zaffar and her husband welcomed their second child, Zach, this past May. His big sister, Zahra, loves her newest playmate. The family lives in Chicago, where Haley works for Chicago Public Schools as a teacher. She would love to connect with other alumni working in the education field.

2003 For the past 10 years, Courtney Gainer (formerly Larson) has been based in London, where she lives with her husband, Emre, and their one-yearold son, Ollie. On the work front, Courtney is running the operations for the undergraduate campus of Hult International Business School. She just had the opportunity to reconnect Ollie, son of Courtney Gainer ’03 with a number of amazing faculty members, including her advisor, Mr. Chris Tennyson, and fellow students during a London alumni Zoom meeting. Please let Courtney know if you are ever passing through London - she would love to welcome you to the city!

2004 Max Bernstein and his wife, Kimmy Kirkwood, announce the birth of their daughter, Charlie, on August 10, 2020.

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2005

The family now lives in Seattle after spending several years working and living in London. Max wanted to tell Matt Vaughn to get ready for some coaching duties in a few years!

Fran Crane Dotson and her husband, Matt, live in Deerfield, Ill. They have two children: Grace, who is two-and-a-half years old, and Paul, who was born on November 17, 2019. The Dotsons will be relocating to Dallas, Texas, this winter and look forward to being closer to family, including Fran’s siblings, Kate Crane McMillan ’04 and Wes Crane ’07, and their families. Charlie Bernstein, daughter of Max Bernstein ’04

Molly Pearson Campbell and Lisa Perrone Cirelli posed for a photo together as two Caxy mamas and their tiny tadpoles in Southampton, N.Y., in September 2020. l: Trustee Molly Pearson Campbell ’04 and her daughter, Sloane, with classmate Lisa Perrone Cirelli ’04 and her son, Rocco.

Kate Crane McMillan and her husband, Patrick, welcomed a baby girl, Alice, on April 22, 2020. She joins big brothers Dominick and Evan. The McMillan Family lives in Dallas, Texas.

Evan, Dominick and Alice McMillan

Artie Preiss and his wife, Megan, announce the birth of their daughter, Molly, on June 9, 2020. The family lives in Chicago.

Molly Preiss, daughter of Artie Preiss ’04

Asona Lui completed a harrowing one-year internship at Mount Sinai-BronxCare Health System, where she spent her last six months as a frontliner in a temporary COVID-19 ICU in the South Bronx, N.Y. She has now started a medical residency in the Department of Radiation Medicine at the University of California San Diego - Moores Cancer Center. She is looking forward to focusing on oncology and beginning a research project in cancer immunotherapy.

Mghnon Martin got engaged to James Wagner in July 2020 in Door County, Wis. The couple is planning a September wedding in the suburbs. Mghnon left government practice to become an associate attorney in the Commercial Litigation department at SmithAmundsen LLC in January 2020, and currently lives in Chicago.

Mghnon Martin ’05 and James Wagner

2007 Harrison Crown and his wife, Marlowe, announce the birth of their son, Maxton River, on September 18, 2020. The family lives in Denver. Harrison Crown ’07 and his son, Maxton River.

Class Notes

The Hayes Family: Will ’07 and Meghan with Fletcher, Dorothy, and Russell

Will Hayes and his wife, Meghan, announce the birth of their third child, a son, Russell Joseph, on October 4, 2020. Russell joins big brother, Fletcher, and big sister, Dorothy. The family lives in Geneseo, N.Y.

2008 Emily Morrison Krall and her husband, Steven, announce the birth of their daughter, Caroline Walker Krall, on Nov. 12, 2020. She joins big brother Charlie. The family lives in Lake Bluff, Ill.

Anneika “Nike” Verghese married Thomas Patterson in Chicago, in front of their parents and siblings on October 31, 2020. The Pattersons reside in Manhattan and are very excited for their reception with friends and family and lots of dancing next year. Nike ’08 and Thomas Patterson

2009 Trevor Wilson married Megan Auringer on October 10, 2020, in Scottsdale, Ariz. It was a small wedding due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2010 Leah Klein Fox and her husband, Cameron Fox, have welcomed their first child, Hallie Kathryn Klein Fox, on August 25, 2020.

Hallie Kathryn Klein Fox, daughter of Leah Klein Fox ’10

The Academy cherishes the memory of alumnus Ju Young “Chris” Lee, who died during his senior year at LFA following a tragic train accident. A plaque honoring his memory was recently replaced after the previous one was damaged by Chicago’s harsh winter weather, and once again graces the patio behind Atlass Hall, where Chris lived. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Chris’ death. He remains beloved and missed by all who knew him.

2011 Charlie O’Connor and his wife, Hillary, announce the birth of their daughter, Reese Oaklie, on August 29, 2020. The family lives in Alexandria, Minn. Stay safe, Caxys!

2012

Hillary and Charlie O’Connor ’11 with their daughter, Reese.

Yoonghyun (Shawn) Shin says he is currently in South Korea! Trevor Wilson ’09 and Megan Auringer

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Trevor Wilson ’09 and his sister, Alexa ’11

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Gift Planning

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Our Mission and Your Legacy By Garry Sloan P’19, ’21, Director of Individual Philanthropy Lake Forest Academy strives to embody in its practices and to cultivate in its students excellence of character, scholarship, citizenship and responsibility. The sentence above is the official mission statement of Lake Forest Academy. As a school, we unquestionably exist to provide a quality education that instills in our students the skills necessary to succeed in college and beyond. What separates LFA from other schools is our mission to go beyond the basics of education and cultivate young people who exemplify the four pillars identified in this statement – character, scholarship, citizenship and responsibility. We do this by developing critical thinking skills in a diverse educational environment rooted in the Socratic tradition. As the parent of an alumna and a current senior, I have marveled at the development of my own children at LFA. They have had opportunities and reflected on ideas and perspectives I am confident they would otherwise have not experienced. How does one put a value on such things? Perhaps more importantly, how can we ensure that other young people have access to the same opportunities? In my role as Director of Individual Philanthropy for LFA – and especially as the manager of our gift planning program – I often find myself talking about the benefits that come from charitable giving. Donors can create lifetime income for themselves or their heirs, realize significant tax benefits and even lower future Medicare

premiums, to name a few. What I understand is that rarely are these benefits the catalyst for meaningful charitable gifts. For most, individual philanthropy is inspired by worthy organizations doing noble work. I can think of few causes more worthy and noble than cultivating the talents of the young women and men who will be the next great generation of leaders, thinkers, entrepreneurs, artists, scientists and public servants. That’s what happens at Lake Forest Academy every day. The challenges created by COVID-19 mean that Lake Forest Academy must rely more than ever on the generosity of alumni, parents, alumni parents, grandparents and friends who believe in the school’s mission. There are numerous ways you can support the school during this difficult period in world history. One opportunity is to consider a gift to the Inspire & Invest Initiative. The Initiative is a direct outgrowth of LFA’s mission and provides opportunities to invest in students and faculty through the creation of new endowed funds and gifts to existing endowed funds. Already more than $14.8 million has been committed toward the $20 million goal, and we are grateful to all those who have stepped forward in support of LFA’s worthy and noble mission.

If you would like join this important and vital effort or wish to discuss other ways to support the school’s mission, please contact a member of our Advancement team: Rob Buckla (rbuckla@lfanet.org; 847-615-3276), Ruth

For more information about the Inspire & Invest Initiative, please use this code.

Keyso (rkeyso@lfanet.org; 847-615-3268), or Garry Sloan (gsloan@lfanet.org; 847-615-3287).

2013 Allie Cedergren completed her two years of service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic in midMarch when she was evacuated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She spent the next six months living at home, enjoying time with family and starting her own little Spanish tutoring business during the summer. In September, she moved to Hyde Park, Chicago with her Dominican Chiweenie to start her Masters in Public Policy at the University of Chicago where she will focus on Energy and Environmental Policy.

2015 In May of 2019, Jasmine Sawyer graduated from the University of Missouri with her Bachelors in Health Science with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Science. She also

received a minor in Psychology and a Multicultural Studies certificate. The following summer, she worked in The University of Missouri hospital in their therapy department until she moved to Miami, Fla., in the fall. She is currently attending the University of St. Augustine in Miami working towards her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and will be off to her first clinical residency in the Spring.

2016 Catherine Kvam recently moved to New York City to pursue a career as a strategy business analyst at Deloitte. During the summer and fall 2020, she started a venture capital firm, TimberHearth Capital, with an emphasis on women and other traditionally underrepresented leadership teams. Check out the company’s website at www.timberhearthcapital.com. Catherine is a 2020 graduate of Vanderbilt University.

In Memoriam 1934 Charles E. Compton died peacefully on June 16, 2020 in Evanston, Ill., on the week of his 104th birthday. He was born in Chicago as the son of Don M. and Wilda Woodruff Compton. Compton attended the University of Chicago Lab School in childhood, Lake Forest Academy in prep school, and earned his bachelor’s degree at Dartmouth College. He also attended The University of Chicago Business School. Compton was an accomplished videographer whose color and sound movies date back to the late 1940s. He was also a devoted animal lover, a passion he passed along to his children Susan and Arthur. He retired from a long career in broadcast advertising sales in agencies, at CBS, and as regional advertising manager for H&R Block. Compton remained active in civic affairs, including his term as president of the Glencoe Rotary Club at the age of 90. In 2014, he received the Congressional Gold Medal for service during WWII as a Coastal Air Patrol pilot flying anti-submarine patrols along the Atlantic seaboard. In 2017, the Civil Air Patrol unit in Evanston was renamed the Col. Charles Compton Composite Squadron IL-090 in his honor. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, and his brothers, Richard and Gail Compton. He is the proud father of Arthur (Linda) Compton, Michael M. (Dyanne) Compton, Susan M. Compton and Ann Compton Hughes (William). He is beloved by seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

1942 Mary Lundgaard Schmidt died on July 9, 2020 in Greenwood, Ind. Upon graduating from Escanaba High School, Schmidt attended Ferry Hall. After graduation, she worked as secretary to the president of the American College of Surgeons in Chicago. Schmidt and her beloved Edward married in February of 1945. Schmidt is preceded in death by her parents, Grace and August, and brothers Neal, Fred, Louis and Robert. She is survived by her daughter Karen (Charles) Wilson; granddaughter Tonya; great grandchildren Michael, Jacqueline and Joseph Okuniewicz; son-in-law Charles Wilson’s daughter Ann (Mike) Wilchzynski and children Emily and Erica; daughter Mary (Tony) Schmidt and children Megan and Brent

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Horsefield; and daughter Kathy Wilson. Many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews survive. The family thanks Schmidt’s devoted, dedicated, caregiver and friend Barbara Forth.

Una Corley Groves passed away August 14, 2020 with her daughter Reggie, son Asa, and daughter-in-law Denise by her side. She was born in Evanston, Ill. on April 4, 1924, to Mr. and Mrs. Morris Corley. Groves graduated from Ferry Hall and then Northwestern University. Afterwards, she joined the Congressional Office of The Honorable Marguerite Stitt Church, 13th District IL in Washington DC. She married Asa Biehl Groves Jr. in 1952. In 1954, they moved to Miami, Fla., and raised children Asa Biehl III, Regina Eunice, and Robert Corley. Along with her son Asa Biehl III (Denise), and daughter Reggie, she leaves three grandchildren, Corley Alexandra Groves, John Wesley Groves II and Robert Vaughn Gelly.

1949 George Innes “Gim, Middy, Monk” Middleton, aged 88, died peacefully at his home in Greenville, S.C., on August 20, 2020 with family members to comfort him. Middleton was born in Ripon, Wis., on March 15, 1932 to Phoebe Jane and James Archibald Middleton. Middleton attended elementary school in his hometown of Ripon and in Green Bay, and attended high school at Lake Forest Academy. He spent his first year of college at Dartmouth and then completed his studies at Ripon College. Following graduation, he served two years of active duty in the army in Germany. Soon after his honorable discharge, he began coursework on an MBA at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1964, Middleton began his career with the U.S. State Department. He married in 1968, was commissioned as a Foreign Service Officer, and left for his first assignment to Belgrade. Throughout his career, he and his family lived in eight foreign countries before he retired and moved to the mountains of Western, N.C. His parents and elder siblings, James V. Middleton and Myra J. Becker Erdmann, predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Judith (Lewis) Middleton; children Christopher (Vicki) Middleton, Andrew Middleton

and Sarah Middleton (Chris) Taylor; and grandchildren Joshua, Daniel, Amelia and Christopher. He also leaves a pack of enthusiastic nieces and nephews, as well as many friends around the world.

Gail Cook Kargas died peacefully of natural causes on July 2, 2020 with family by her side. Karges was born on September 12, 1931, in Evansville, Ind., to Edith and Stephen W. Cook. She was the oldest of three children and went to boarding school at Lake Forest Academy. She attended the University of Michigan and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education. While attending U of M, Karges dated and subsequently married the love of her life, David, also from Evansville. The couple went on to live in Indianapolis, Ind., where their first child was born, and then moved to Germany for two years and then to San Francisco, where David finished his orthopedics residency. In 1961, the young family, now with three children, moved to Seattle, and two more children were born there. Karges had many talents; she was a fantastic cook, entertainer, gardener, published poet and writer. In her later years, she also became an accomplished painter and watercolor artist. Karges loved to spend time with friends and family near and far, including her seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband David of 61 years in 2014 and her son Steve in 1976. She is survived by children Kate Rosso (Bob and Stephen), David Karges Jr. (Kim, Elles and Adrien), Chris Karges (Mary, Lily, Michael and Will) and Mary Hall (Mat and Joe); and by her younger brother, Stephen W. Cook.

Peter Brescia Thorpe passed away on April 12, 2020. Thorpe resided in Napa Valley, Calif., for the past 34 years. He was born on December 20, 1930 in Oakland, Calif., but spent his childhood on a farm in Mich. Thorpe graduated from the University of Michigan and joined the Air Force during the Korean War as a first lieutenant. After earning an MBA at Harvard University, Thorpe was recruited as an executive in the country’s manufacturing sector, often acting as the “fixer” for companies that were not functioning optimally. He qualified as a pilot during these years and flew a single engine airplane as part of

his employment. He left manufacturing after 34 years of work to retrain as a secondary school teacher of math and science, and taught at Vallejo High School. He taught many students the mysteries of algebra using one of the first high school level computer training programs. Thorpe retired from teaching after 23 years. Peter had many interests. As a volunteer for the Audubon Society, he led a group that tagged birds. But his greatest love was music. Peter attended every possible symphony performance. He loved the opera, attending performances in San Francisco and Santa Fe, N.M. He traveled to Carmel for Bach festivals and never missed the Napa Valley Symphony when it was available. Peter is survived by his wife Betty; his son Paul; daughter Emme; brother Chris; sister Elizabeth; stepson Lee Lambert; and stepdaughter Irene Topor.

1951 Thomas P. Gorter, Jr. passed away on August 10, 2020. He was born on January 22, 1933 in Baltimore, Md., to Swan and Poultney Gorter. Gorter attended the Gilman School in Baltimore before moving to Lake Forest in 1947. He finished his high school education at Lake Forest Academy and graduated from Princeton University in 1955. After serving in the U.S. Army, Gorter returned to live in Lake Forest. He is survived by Jackie, his wife of 48 years, and by a brother Jim (Audrey).

With his sons by his side, Dr. Charles “Chick” Hatch Patton passed away peacefully on June 25, 2020, at his residence in North Bay. Dr. Patton was born in Springfield, Ill., on May 11, 1933 as the son of the late William and Octavia (Hatch) Patton. Dr. Patton graduated from Lake Forest Academy in 1951. He received his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Michigan in 1955, and his bachelor’s and M.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago in 1957 and 1959 respectively. He began his residency at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago (1959-1961), and then served as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Navy (1961-1963), stationed in San Diego. Dr. Patton completed his residency at St. Luke’s Hospital (1963-1964) and at the University of Michigan (1964-1967), before becoming certified by the American Board of Dermatology in 1968.

In Memoriam On September 12, 1964, Dr. Patton married the love of his life, Joan Ann Sheridan, at Saint Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Chicago. The couple settled in Racine in 1967 where he served the Racine community with integrity and compassion for 27 years until his retirement in 1994. He held his practice at Kurten Medical Group, All Saints Healthcare and the Healthcare Network. In his spare time, Dr. Patton enjoyed family, sailing, skiing, tennis, biking, travel, woodworking, dry martinis, his many dogs and the great outdoors. He was a consistent advocate for Racine’s lakefront, as a contributor, spectator and avid boater. Dr. Patton will be best remembered for his great love for his family. After 54 happy years of marriage, Joan preceded Dr. Patton in death on November 25, 2018. He will be dearly missed by his sons James (Jill), Charles and William (Michelle); five grandchildren Alex, Julia, Drew, Charles and Jessica; his brother William (Susan); sisters-inlaw Sharon (John) Hann and Kathleen (David) Siefken; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

1952 Stanley Joel Diengott was born on February 26, 1935 and passed away on November 26, 2019.

1954 Dave Allan passed away on April 22, 2020. He was born in Stroudsburg, Pa, on March 5, 1936 and graduated from Western Reserve Academy and Williams College. He received his master’s degree from NYU. He taught for two years at Nichols School in Buffalo and went to Pingry School in 1960 where he taught history for 41 years. He served as the history department chair and as director of college guidance. He also coached football, basketball, baseball and lacrosse. Allan served as a lacrosse referee and was a member of the N.J. Lacrosse Hall of Fame. He was predeceased by his daughter, Lisa Allan, in 1999. Allan is survived by his wife Cornelia; son David (Betsy); son Chuck; son Christopher (Alison); and former son-in-law Andrew Smith. He also is survived by eight grandchildren and two step grandchildren.

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David F. Taber, aged 84, passed away on September 24, 2020. He was born in Evanston, Ill., to David F. Taber Sr. and Mary (Ambrose) Taber. He grew up in Wheaton, Ill., but enjoyed summers spent at camp in the woods of Maine and Northern Wis. During his high school years, he worked out with the football team at Wheaton Community High School under coach Bob Horsley. He attended Choate Academy in Wallingford, Conn., and Lake Forest Academy. He graduated from Kenyon College in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and was a member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. Taber had three successful businesses in Naperville. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Mary Ann Lancaster and Ruth Todd. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Jennifer (Hamilton); and daughter Madeline. Also surviving are his niece Mary (Tim) Blackford; and nephews Fred (Donna) Keyes and David (Heidi) Lancaster.

1955 Richard Giles Cubberly, aged 82, passed away on September 22, 2020 peacefully in the comfort of his home surrounded by family. Born on November 4, 1937, Cubberly grew up in the Chicago area and attended Lake Forest Academy. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Denver where he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. Cubberly married his wife Carol Abigail Burritt after graduation. He and Carol were married for 61 years. The couple enjoyed family, working together and travelling. Cubberly initially worked with his grandfather, Henry J. Moheiser, at a women’s and children’s clothing store. It continued to be an anchor for the town for a total of 75 years up until the time they retired in June 2001. Cubberly is survived by his beloved wife Carol; children Sue, Steven and Christopher; grandchildren Michael, Matthew, Daniel, Kelly, Edward and Charles; sisters Susie McDonald, Dale Ann Watne and Rosie Breazier.

Martha Louise “Mrs. C” Eikenmeyer Owens, aged 82, passed away January 31, 2020. Owens was born May 11, 1937 in Normal, Ill. to John A. and Mary Lita (Stoddard) Eikenmeyer. She married James Cunningham on October 3, 1965. He preceded her in death in May 2003. She also

married James L. Owens, who sadly preceded her in death as well. Owens was educated in Minonk-Dana Schools and Ferry Hall. She also attended several universities. She graduated from the University of Illinois and Illinois State University, with her master’s degree in English. She devoted her life to teaching English for over 30 years. After retirement, she moved to Calif., and continued teaching as a substitute teacher and helping students obtain their GEDs. Some of her other ventures in life were working as a manager at Kohl’s for several years and as a reporter. She was very active in several organizations, especially the U of I Alumni association. She was an avid quilter, making many for her family. She was also a lover of trivia and a voracious reader. Her parents and one sister, Janice Teas, preceded her in death. She is survived by her children Michael (Lisa) Cunningham, Jeremy (Julie) Cunningham and Meredith (Jeff) Spalding; nine grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and brother John S. (Carolyn) Eikenmeyer.

1959 James N. Brennan M.D., aged 75, passed away on June 26, 2017. He was born to Joan (Dinkelaker) and Kinsley Barry Brennan on December 15, 1941 in Fort Wayne, Ind. Dr. Brennan was a pioneer in the field of ultrasound. He completed his residency in radiology at University Hospitals in 1974. He worked in diagnostic ultrasound with an emphasis in obstetrical and gynecological ultrasound from 1973 to 1995. Dr. Brennan served as chief of ultrasound section at University Hospitals of Cleveland and chief of ultrasonography at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital. He was founder and medical director of Diagnostic Ultrasound Clinics at Cleveland, Inc. He was a founding member and served as president of the Northeast Ohio Cleveland Ultrasound Society. Dr. Brennan is preceded in death by both parents and two siblings. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Martha Elizabeth (Brocksmith); his daughter Martha Maria; his son Daniel Barry; granddaughter Abigael Morgan; three living siblings, nieces, nephews and many friends.

Ferry Hall alumna and LFA Woman of Distinction Ruth DeYoung Kohler II, aged 79, died on November 14, 2020. As published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,

Kohler earned a bachelor’s degree in art and art history at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., and did further studies at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Hamburg. She spent a year teaching art in Beloit public schools. Kohler then joined the faculty at Canada’s University of Alberta-Calgary, where she founded the printmaking program. She spent a year in Spain as an artist afterwards. Kohler served as Sheboygan’s John Michael Kohler Arts Center assistant director from 1968 to 1972 after starting as a volunteer. She then served as director from 1972 to 2016. Under Kohler’s direction, the Arts Center collection grew to include over 25,000 works by more than 30 art-environment builders. She and her brother worked to create an unusual arts and industry residency program at the company. Since the program was started in 1974, nearly 500 residents have benefited from her vision that artists and industrial craftspeople can benefit by exchanging creative ideas and technical expertise. In 2016, Kohler became the Arts Center’s director of special initiatives. She worked to help develop a new facility for artist-built environments. Kohler served on the Kohler Foundation Inc. Board from 1969 to 2019 and as the foundation’s president from 1999 to 2006. She was also a major shareholder in privately held Kohler Co., which John Michael Kohler founded in 1873. She also served as chair and member of the Wisconsin Arts Board. She was also a loyal and enthusiastic alumna of Ferry Hall. She served on the Academy’s Board of Trustees in the late 1980s; was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 1988; and was named a Ferry Hall Woman of Distinction in 2008. She was a generous and loyal supporter of LFA, focusing her annual gifts on scholarship for girls. Kohler is survived by her brother Herbert V. Jr.; two nieces Laura and Rachel Kohler; and one nephew David Kohler.

1960 Dorothy “Lynnie” Lynn Dawson Solner, passed away peacefully in Chicago on March 20, 2020, spending her last days with her daughters and lifelong best friend. Her kindness, humor and gratitude were fully intact. Solner was born on December 20, 1941 and raised in Detroit, Mich., to Russell and Virginia Dawson. She attended Kingswood, Ferry Hall Academy and Michigan State before raising her three girls in Birmingham, Mich. She was the

In Memoriam loving younger sister of the late Russell “Buck” Dawson, Frances Woodruff and Virginia Dawson. She is survived by her younger brother James Dawson. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert Solner and loving mother of Tracy Hedstrom (Tim), Stephanie Kemp (Adam Bluming) and Ginny Kemp (Mike Biondi). She was also the adored and proud grandma of Madeleine, Jack, Will, Dawson, Olivia, Elise, Frances and Bobby. Solner was the dear stepmom of Michael Solner (Susan), Kathleen Pearce, Susan Janjigian (Michael), Patricia Heimer (Paul) and Ann Seraydarian (Gregory). She loved being Grandma Lynnie to Michael (Mallory), Katie (Jamey), Jacqueline, Kiersten, Michael, Thomas, Gregory, Katie (Matt) and Maggie. She often bragged about her and Bob’s 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Will.

George Ross Johnson passed away on October 4, 2020 after a long illness. Born on March 9, 1941, in Flint, Mich., Johnson was the only child of the late Eleanor Falk and Ross Bryant Johnson. Johnson grew up in Kenilworth, Ill., and graduated from New Trier High School in 1959. Following a post-graduate year at Lake Forest Academy, he attended the University of Pennsylvania and received his bachelor’s degree in 1964. After service in the Navy, Johnson began a successful 40-year career in financial printing, working as a sales manager at RR Donnelley and rising to senior vice president at Bowne Inc. Often referred to among friends and associates as a “true gentleman”, Johnson was known for his modesty, reserve and lifelong dedication to service. He was a deacon and elder at Central Presbyterian Church in Summit, active at Hilltop Presbyterian Church in Mendham and served on the board of Presbyterian Homes, a non-profit provider of senior and assisted living housing. In his free time, Johnson enjoyed golf and was a member of Baltusrol Golf Club since 1979. Insatiably curious, he also loved to read—history in particular—and, after his retirement in 2005, traveled widely with his wife Linda. Above all else, Johnson loved being with his family, especially during biannual Christmas visits to his beloved Quebec City. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Linda (Frank); his two sons Arthur Bryant and Ross (Kelly) Butler; and his granddaughter Kelsey Lynn.

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1962 Mary “Noni” Harrington Gardner passed away on May 31, 2020, knowing how much she was loved and the legacy she would leave behind in her children and grandchildren. True to form, Gardner was born in the middle of a hurricane on October 16, 1944 in Jacksonville, Fla. While she spent the majority of her life outside Fla., there were few things she loved more than the wide expanse and beauty of beaches. She attended Ferry Hall, American University and graduated from Roosevelt University with a bachelor’s degree in art history and journalism. Her unique sense of style, impeccable eye for detail and her love of art served her well as an interior decorator. Garder’s life was marked by her fierce devotion to both her family and her faith. She was preceded by her beloved brothers the late James Holcomb, Jr. and the late David Harrington. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Bill, and children Catherine Buell (Daniel), Carrie Ravagnie (Ryan) and William Gardner. She leaves behind a legacy in her granddaughters Bailey, Summer, Lydia and Millie. She is also survived by her sisters Susan Grove and Jamie Lou Henwood, brother Hampton Holcomb and numerous nieces and nephews.

1965 Jean Huebner Fetridge, aged 73, died on May 4, 2020. The daughter of Imelda Walters and Charles A. Huebner, she grew up in Northfield, Ill., and attended Sunset Ridge School, Tournesol and Brillantmont schools in Switzerland, New Trier, Ferry Hall and Briarcliff College in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. Fetridge worked for Dean Witter Reynolds, the office of Mies van der Rohe, Needham, Harper and Steers, but she particularly enjoyed working for a wonderful team at Drexel, Burnham Lambert. She was active in many civic and charitable organizations. She was a 40-year member of the Women’s Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, chairing the 1993 Passavant Cotillion, and she especially enjoyed looking after and assisting at the board’s gift shop, Pulse, in Northwestern Hospital. Fetridge had a love for learning and trying new things, and went after those objectives with steeled determination. She was a mentor and good friend to many. Fetridge was preceded in death by her parents and brother Edward. She is survived by her

loving husband Clark; her devoted children Clark W. II (Jessica) and William Hamilton; her adored grandchildren Matthew Clark and Nicholas William; and her sister Anne Huebner Abercrombie.

1967 Helen Cecile Eilert, aged 71, passed away on July 22, 2020. She was born in Aurora, Ill., on January 29, 1949 to Dr. William G. and Geraldine (Divekey). Eilert attended Ferry Hall before graduating from West Aurora High School in 1967. She then attended Sullin’s College in Bristol, Va. receiving an Associate of Arts Degree. She studied abroad at Schiller College in Heidelberg, Germany. She graduated from North Central Illinois in 1971. Through her schooling, she participated in ballet, cheerleading, gymnastics and was on the Ferry Hall synchronized swimming team. She received several academic accolades including making the dean’s list while receiving her bachelor’s degree in history and English. After college, she lived in New York City working at Rockefeller Plaza for Paramount Movie Company. She spent a short period of her life working as a safari tour guide in Africa before settling on a family owned farm in Steelville, Mo. She then took several agricultural classes at University of Missouri – Columbia. She served as a member of the Missouri Farm Bureau Beef Advisory Committee, and the local Flower and Garden Club. She was an active member on the Planned Parenthood board for many years. Eilert spent the remainder of her life residing on her farm in Steelville. She was a lifelong member of the Trinity Episcopal Church. She was preceded in death by her parents Dr. William and Geraldine Eilert. She is survived by her son Will (Allison); grandchildren Marley Elenora and WIlliam Jeffries Jr.; brother Dr. Jeff Eilert.; niece Dr. Eloise Eilert and husband Dr. Elmer Linboom; great-niece Eloise and great-nephews Hunter and Walker; and many cousins and friends.

1968 Margaret Ellen “Meg” Leslie Withall, aged 70, died on September 2, 2020. She was born on July 18, 1950 in Chicago, Ill. to Orren S. Leslie and Margaret Howard. Withall married Gary on December 18, 1971. Withall

attended Ferry Hall and the University of Denver where she received a bachelor’s degree and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. After college, she taught English and literature at Gila River Community School in Ariz. and at Grant High School in Fox Lake, Ill. She will be especially remembered for her work as a court appointed special advocate for children in Kane County, Ill. She is survived by her husband Gary; her children Michael G. and Leslie (Stout); her brother Terry R. Bivins; and her grandchildren Victoria Leslie and Henry Adam.

1970 Thomas Shea Bulger II was born on February 5, 1952 as the only son of Jean and John Bulger. He grew up in Winnetka, Ill., on Cherry Street. Bulger attended Saints Faith, Hope & Charity School, New Trier High School, Lake Forest Academy and Drake University. Bulger spent many years in the furniture industry, including working for the family business, Gately’s, Inc. He will be most remembered for his gentle, kind soul who always had positive words of encouragement for all and a smile to share. He will be sorely missed by his three sisters, Barbara Drake (Harry), Jane Gallagher (Kris), Caroline Folkl (Tod) and their families.

1971 Carol Anne Dolezal, aged 67, died May 12, 2020. She attended college in Loretto Heights, Colo., and then joined the Foreign Service. During her career, she served in many different countries throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia. She enjoyed traveling and getting together with family and friends. She is survived by her brother Edward; nephew Patrick; two nieces Laura and Kathryn; and four great nieces.

1974 Mark Johnson, aged 63, died September 3, 2020. Johnson was born on October 30, 1956, in Creighton, Neb., as the son of Kenneth Arland and Charlene Ann (Moore) Johnson. At the age of 14, he won a Citizenship Award for his intelligence and character, which in turn led to him receiving a scholarship at Lake Forest Academy.

In Memoriam After graduation, he received a full scholarship to Grinnell College where he majored in Russian and political science, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in those fields. He settled in Walnut, Iowa, where he worked at a local restaurant. He later took a job at the Danish Inn in Elk Horn, which would lead him on a new career path that he grew to love and took great pride in. He later accepted a chef position at The Green Lake Resort in Green Lake, Wis., as their manager of catering, giving him a chance to share his skills on a larger scale. While there he met his wife, Sandy; the couple married in 1985 and moved to Florida. for two years where he was a chef at a local Christian school. They later returned to Green Lake, Wis., to continue working at the resort. In 1992, Johnson’s restaurant, The Farmer’s Table, opened its doors and continued to prosper the next 12 years. From awards for his creations and hosting politicians to being featured in many food publications, Johnson’s dedication to his work was evident. It wasn’t long before he discovered a new passion; he began advocating for himself and others with kidney issues. He attended numerous meetings and met with senators and representatives. A few of his main focuses in conversation were issues regarding individuals with his condition obtaining life insurance due to preexisting conditions and working with Medicare on benefits. Johnson was an avid reader and a member of the Atlantic Public Library Board. He was an Iowa Hawkeye fan through and through and never hesitated to heckle the Iowa State fans. In 2017, he was baptized and welcomed Jesus Christ into his life at the First Church of Christ in Atlantic; this acceptance brought a new-found joy to him. He was a greeter and helped at the church whenever it was needed. Johnson became active in the various children’s programs, including vacation bible school. He is preceded in death by his father Kenneth; his brother Christopher; and his grandparents Raymond and Myrtle and Art and Bessie. He is survived by his mother Charlene; siblings Elizabeth, Arden (Carol), Nathan, and Sara; nieces and nephews; and greatnephew George.

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1978 Tom Fahey passed away September 5, 2020. Fahey was born on July 18, 1960 in Lake Forest, Ill., and attended the elementary school of St. Mary and high school at Lake Forest Academy where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track. He then attended college at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history. Fahey is further survived by his many “brothers” of the Phi Kappa Theta chapter of Marquette University in which he held long close friendships with Bob (Marija) Weidman and Lindsay “Bo” Jones. Fahey was an avid sports enthusiast and a diehard fan of the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bulls. He was a lover of classic rock, his Irish roots and Catholic faith. Amongst his various occupations, he was most admired by his friends for his devotion to caretaking of the elderly and our veterans. Fahey was very humbled and grateful to give something of himself back to the Veterans of North Chicago for the freedoms he received due to their sacrifices. Fahey is preceded in death by his loving parents Robert J.and Anna Marie (Harvey), his aunts Theresa Stenson and Patricia Harvey; his uncle John Harvey; and his cousin Kathryn Vaglienty. He is survived by his brother John (Lori); nephew Michael (fiancee Sarah Uptagrafft); Carly and his loving partner Nancy Nunnally. Fahey was a beloved godfather to Aleksandar Weidman and dear “Uncle Tom” to Alena Weidman.

1982 Cameron Hach, aged 57, died on August 4, 2020. Hach was a friend to everyone who crossed his path, and he will be missed by so many. His kindness was of a rare caliber in this busy world of hurried interactions. He was born on January 16, 1963 in Elmhurst, Ill. to William and Jacqueline (Wood) Hach. He was a natural athlete from a young age and excelled in sports in high school, serving as captain of the lacrosse and football teams at Lake Forest Academy, as well as all-school president. Hach embodied all of the attributes that earn high schoolers praise from their peers:

athletic, good-looking, funny and smart. This made him popular, but popularity was never his priority. Instead, he was someone who people looked up to because he would never sacrifice kindness for coolness. Hach just made kindness cool. Hach loved to travel because it was a chance to meet new people and to become a part of their world, if only briefly. After attending Kendall College, Hach entered the family business and climbed the ranks until he was a leader in the concrete restoration industry. He became president of William Hach & Associates, Inc. in 1998. He will be remembered as a delightfully eccentric uncle, a committed friend who could never hold a grudge, a lighthearted funny guy, and a fiercely kind and generous soul who put others before himself. He is predeceased by his parents, William and Jacqueline (Wood) Hach. Hach is survived by his brother William (Ann); his sister, Dawn (Tom) Lawler; his nephew William and nieces Ashley (Matt), Claire and Arden; his great-nephew Henry and great-niece Jacqueline Claire.

2021 Abigail Alexandra ShanleyRoberts, aged 17, died suddenly and unexpectedly at home of a pulmonary embolism on June 26, 2020. She was the beloved daughter of Ross and Eileen, and sister of Emily ’14. She was a rising senior at Lake Forest Academy and a competitive sailor with Lake Forest Sailing. She was a member of the Vestry and Choir at St. Elisabeth’s in Glencoe. In addition to being an honors student who took five AP classes last year, she was a talented knitter and baker who always found time for her friends. She was well known for her dry sense of humor. Most importantly, she was kind. Her life’s goal was to attend the US Coast Guard Academy to study naval architecture and serve and protect people on our waterways. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Ronald and Rosalee. She is survived by her parents, Ross and the Rev. Eileen; sister Emily ’14

(Alejandro Ruiz-Ramon); grandparents Donald and Helen; pugs Oliver and Mildred; cats Ambrosius and David; aunts and uncle Robyn Roberts (Steve Morger), Robert Wisz (Doree) and Mary Wisz; and cousins Clara, Lucy, and Kasey.

Former Faculty Member Jacqueline “Leinbach” Rigaud Leinbach died peacefully on October 5th 2020. Leinbach was born on June 11, 1931 in Spring Valley, N.Y. to Guy Rigaud and Hazel Mary Allen Rigaud. She graduated from Vassar College in 1952 but not before meeting the love of her life Russ. They were married for 63 years. They started their marriage by living in Orleans, France where Russ was stationed during the Korean War. After the war, they lived in many places. She started at Lake Forest Academy as the secretary to the assistant headmaster and worked her way up to director of admissions. She loved working, traveling to feeder schools and developing the public relations tools to attract an increasingly talented student body. Leinbach retired to the Charlotte, N.C. area and loved to travel all over the world. She is preceded in death by her husband Russell Dundore, their son Rusty, and her sister Jeanne. She is survived by her daughters Deborah Kilner (Peter), Jeanne Amole (Gary), and Linda Allen Mays ’81 (Foster); and six loving grandchildren, Kathryn, Margaret (Chris), Brad Stewart ’09 (Danielle), Will Stewart ’14, Russell (Brady) and Nick.

Remembering Abbe Shanley-Roberts ’21 On October 13, LFA held a memorial to honor Abbe Shanley-Roberts ’21. Thanks to the organization and help of the Shanley-Roberts family, including Abbe’s mother, the Reverend Eileen P’14, ’21, Abbe’s father Ross P’14, ’21, sister and alumna Emily ’14 and Emily’s partner Alejandro Ruiz-Ramon; School Counselor and Health, Wellness, and Community Chair Jen Madeley, MSW, LCSW, P’11, P’14; senior Emily Hawkins ’21; Advancement Events Coordinator Rachael Josephsen; and the Sodexo staff, students and employees gathered in the Formal Gardens at sunset. Students lit floating lanterns, followed by remarks from friends Emily Hawkins ’21 and Calvin Osborne ’21, Abbe’s advisor and Dean of Communications Grace Kim and the Reverend Eileen Shanley-Roberts P’14, ’21.

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Meeting Student Needs • Keeping LFA Accessible Expendable Annual Scholarships “Lake Forest Academy played a fundamental role in our development into independent, selfassured citizens of the world. The Academy provided an enormous breadth of experiences across academics, athletics and leadership opportunities. The unique social environment created by the community of boarding and day students fostered lifelong friendships. Finally, our relationships with faculty inside and outside of the classroom fulfilled the highest possible expectations for mentorship and coaching. We were each able to have a unique experience at the Academy and we give to support the experiences of future generations of Caxys.” – Andrew ’08, Elizabeth ’10, William ’12 and Caroline Duckworth ’14 Duckworth Family Expendable Annual Scholarship Fund

Scholarships Impact Students Now Keeping the Academy accessible for low-and middleincome students is a top priority, especially as LFA families experience hardships due to COVID-19 or other related circumstances. Expendable Annual Scholarships ensure that talented students from all socioeconomic backgrounds are able to attend LFA, making the Academy a vibrant community for all. With a gift or pledge commitment of $5,000 or more for two years, donors can establish their individual annual scholarship to provide immediate support for a current student. Donors will receive an update on their scholar at the end of the school year. (Minimum commitment is $10,000.)

“We believe it is important for every child to be able to receive a good education, and a good start on their future, whether they can afford it or not. We want to give someone a chance who might not otherwise have this opportunity.” – Lynda Pepper Bollman ’72 and Robert Bollman Lynda Pepper Bollman ’72 & Robert Bollman Expendable Annual Scholarship Fund

Make your commitment today using the reply envelope included in this magazine or online at lfanet.org/give. For more information on supporting financial aid, making gifts through Donor Advised Funds or gifts of securities, please contact Christine Ryder at cryder@lfanet.org or call 847-615-3215.

Lake Forest Academy 1500 West Kennedy Road • Lake Forest, Illinois 60045-1047

in this issue

Review

LFA’s New Trustees - pg. 5 Flashback to 1920: Student Life a Century Ago - pg. 15 Making History: LFA’s Reopening of Campus During COVID-19 - pg. 17 Inspire and Invest Initiative Update - pg. 21 Ferry Tales - pg. 27 Alumni Class Notes - pg. 31

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