It’s a Family Affair

Multi-Generations Enjoy a Weekend of LFA Fun and Entertainment

Wood House Coffee and Tea

Head of School Chris Tennyson and Dean of Students Jennifer Rundles welcomed families of ninth and 10th grade students and transfer students to Wood House for a casual coffee and tea to kick off Family Weekend on Friday morning.

Welcome Luncheon with Keynote by Matt Zafirovski ’04

LFA welcomed alumnus Matt Zafirovski ’04 to campus for Family Weekend. Matt delivered the keynote address at the opening lunch on Friday, Oct. 14. Nearly 80 parents gathered in the Little Theater in Reid Hall to hear Matt talk about his Academy experience, what makes LFA a great place, and where his education took him post-high school. He also shared information about his career trajectory and being COO of a tech company.

Matt holds degrees from Duke University and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He lives in Winnetka, Ill., with his family and has been the chief operating officer at ACP CreativIT, headquartered in Buffalo Grove, Ill., for the past two years. He was recently appointed CEO of the company. CreativIT is a technology company with services in Cyber Security, Cloud, Infrastructure, Voice, Audio Visual, and Endpoint Sales and Services.

Fine & Performing Arts

The Fine and Performing Arts programs took center stage throughout the weekend at The Cressey Center for the Arts. The Student Art Show displayed works by LFA students throughout the Cressey Center while the Fall Play – The Life of Galileo – culminated a three-night run on Friday night. On Saturday afternoon, Co-Ax played before the evening’s performances by the orchestra and choir at the Fall Family Concert.

Game

Caxy Tailgate Party

Sat. Morning Book Club

Dean of Pluralism & Multicultural Affairs, Health, Wellness & Community Teacher Lusanda Mayikana P’14 hosted current parents and alumni parents for a discussion on the book Courageous Discomfort

Grandparents Brunch

Caxy grandparents including Judy and Tom Linstroth with their grandson Carson Emery ’25 (above) gathered for a delicious brunch in Little Theater in Reid Hall. Dean of Faculty and History Teacher Tom Johnson discussed what sets LFA faculty apart from teachers at other schools. He also addressed campus housing, endowed chairs and the unique professional development opportunities available to LFA faculty members.

The Caxy Tailgate brought together parents, students, siblings, and grandparents for a Family Weekend favorite – the Caxy Family Picnic! Fall foods including chilis and other fall treats were enjoyed while Student Council organized games and activities for everyone, including a guess the weight contest of a giant pumpkin. Congratulations to Brian Botero ’23 who was the winner of the guess the weight of the pumpkin contest with an amazing guess of 360 pounds – only 11 pounds off the actual weight of 371!

Sunday Morning Namaste

Family Weekend wound down with a restorative yoga practice led by Information & Media Literacy Librarian and certified Yoga instructor Ashley Kolovitz who was joined by Lei Yuan P’24, and the Inouye Family (Thor and Jessica P’26 and freshman Grace).

1947

LITTA “WILLIE” WILLIAMS SANDERSON

“Willie” turned 92 years old in August 2021. Her family treated her and two friends to a celebratory dinner. She writes that she is still ambulatory, but travel is now limited to happy memories of the past. Her grandkids are great fun (her youngest granddaughter recently graduated from Chapman University, summa cum laude) and a glimpse of a wonderful future for them and for our country. Willie is proud that her grandchildren are caring, responsible, knowledgeable, and involved. She tells her granddaughters stories of her mischief at Ferry Hall, to great laughs. They were also fortunate to have wonderful educations and love hearing about hers. Keep up the good work, LFA/FH! Willie continues to take water aerobics classes and remains in touch with fellow Ferry Hall alumna Mary “Lefty” Dailey ’46. Willie would love to hear from classmates. Email her at: williesanderson@ aol.com

1958 Tim Damour

Tim writes that in September 2021, he and his wife, Susan, were in Williamstown, Mass., and visited with Carl Davis, who was visiting up there also. He is in great shape and enjoying his life. Then, a few days later, they visited with Jane Kamine in Cambridge, Mass. Jane is the widow of David Holtzman, whom they miss whenever they are with Jane.

1966

1966 Alumni

Buff Courter and Jeff Konker send in the following notes from classmates: l Mark Baker is moving toward retirement from his teaching dentistry at the University of Illinois in Chicago. l Bill Barr is still practicing law in Wichita, Kan., while maintaining his home in Park City, Utah. Southwest Airlines loves him. His son lives in New Jersey, and his daughter lives in Denver. It seems as everyone in his family, except himself, has had COVID. l Mike Boe’s son completed his PhD and is heading toward an MD degree. l Buff Courter finished the first draft of his novel “Searching for Babbo,” expected to be published in 2023. l Steven Fifield remains busy with apartment complexes in Chicago and Los Angeles. l Jon Fremd reports that he is still working as a physical therapist but has had to reduce his practice during the pandemic. Since his body cannot tolerate any injection,

COVID has been a challenge. But, he says he is currently healthy and doing great! l Neil Gumenick had to close his successful acupuncture practice during COVID and transition to teaching. At this point, he has reopened a new office in Santa Monica. Both of his daughters are pregnant, each due in summer 2022. l Jeff Konker is doing well in Chicago. He continues to take his University of Chicago literature course, currently reading Shakespeare. His son, one of those young men who star in national Ultimate Frisbee tournaments, was maried in July 2022. l Richard Lang, the artist of our class, continues to create new pieces of art and still participates in exhibits. He works with many mediums, but remains renowned for his artistry with plastics, much of it from his own California beach. l Mike Leonard is adjusting to retirement. l Mike ran into Mike Boe, but Mike did not recognize him. Are we looking different as we grow older? Or are we losing our eyesight? l Scott Lennox shared that his wife died last year, but his son, a future botanist, works just three blocks from his home, so that helps keep him enjoying life. l Doug Read is still recovering from his earlier cancer. If you think two years of restrictions was a challenge, imagine four years of isolation, steering clear of any possible infection. Finally, he is out and about, last seen exploring Alaska. l Stephen Sheppard, with his continued sharp wit, remains ready to regale classmates with his LFA memories.

1971

REX VOLAND

Rex just completed the Texas Child Care Directors Certification Course and has been promoted to director of Pflugerville Martial Arts Academy. He has been working as a child care worker there for 5 years and was asked if he would like the position and, of course, he said yes. He is starting a new career at 69! This goes well with his other career as a Professional Santa Claus, which he has been doing since 1986 (and still going strong). His child care experience began at LFA Summer Day Camp as a counselor. He worked there for three years (1969-1971). He has been involved with children ever since. So, thank you, LFA!

1972

JIM MCLAUGHLIN

Jim and his wife, Karolee, relocated from Allenspark, Colo., and are now permanent residents of Homosassa, Fla. “We’ve turned in the snow shovels and ATV plow for a lawn mower. 60 years of shoveling has been enough on my back.” Jim has turned over day-to-day operations of the company he founded, Americule Inc., to his daughter, Janis Marshall. He remains involved in Americule’s product development and manufacturing improvement arenas.

KEN ROTHSCHILD

Ken, Richard Nast, and Jennifer Barthel got together for lunch.

1978 Mark Childers

Mark attended his 20th Major League Baseball All-Star game when he visited Los Angeles for the 92nd edition on July 19, 2022, at Dodger Stadium.

1994 Tim Jackson

Tim lives on Bangs Lake in Wauconda, Ill. Danette Riehle Gioia and her partner, Matt, spent a day on the boat with Tim before COVID. If anyone is ever venturing out this way, let’s meet up!

2003

Courtney Larson Gainer

Courtney and Sonia Wang ’02 (below) reconnected in London after nearly two decades.

2004

2007

Lisa Perrone Cirelli

Lisa is pleased to announce the birth of her daughter, Layla Rhode, who was born in June 2021. Layla joins big brother, Rocco. Lisa is also happy to share that the tech start-up she co-founded, Stylyze, was acquired by Neiman Marcus. Lisa spent 10 years building the company, alongside her business partner, Kristen Miller. Lisa and Kristen joined the Neiman Marcus team to help further its digital merchandising initiatives. News about the acquisition was published in The Wall Street Journal, Women’s Wear Daily, and Geekwire, among other news outlets. Lisa writes that she is thankful for the impact her teachers at LFA had on her, instilling skills and confidence to build a business and see it through. She is especially grateful to her advisor Dr. Kerry Cedergren.

Megan Gallagher Gosselin

Megan and Shaun Gosselin welcomed a baby girl in September 2021 - Charlotte June. Charlotte joins big sisters Elliott and Blair. Everyone is doing well!

2009 Sydnee Burns

In 2021, Sydnee transferred into the business of Newborn Care by becoming a Newborn Care Specialist and Postpartum Doula. After being a Professional Nanny to infants and toddlers over the years, she decided to strictly focus on newborn care, working with infants 0-4 months. She provides knowledge, guidance, and assistance to parents welcoming their new bundles of joy. She helps establish proper feeding and sleep habits and support to parents during the first few months. She provides care 24/7, day or night, depending on one’s preference. She would love to extend her knowledge and services to the LFA community!

2011

2018

COURTNEY BRADAC

Courtney was united in marriage to Rockne McDaniel at The Vine Church on June 12, 2021, in Carbondale, Ill. The couple will reside in Carbondale. Courtney graduated from Southern Illinois University in 2022 with a degree in Fashion Merchandising. She and Rockne welcomed a baby girl, Fern, in August 2022.

CODY WATSON

2012

FAITH EKAKITIE

Faith and his wife, Mikaela Ekakitie (girls varsity volleyball coach at LFA), announce the birth of their son, Ezra James.

2014

JENNA SELATI

Jenna is in her third year at The University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design working on a dual master’s degree in architecture and landscape architecture.

2017

PETER CORSIGLIA

Peter is a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs, Chicago. He graduated from the University of Richmond Robins School of Business in 2021 with a degree in accounting (concentration in finance).

201 9

JACK SELATI

Jack is a senior at Colgate and plays No. 1 singles and doubles on the tennis team. He earned All-Patriot League honors last season and is majoring in economics with a minor in Jewish Studies.

2021-22

CHRISTINA FRANCO

SUNNY SUN

Associate Dean of College

Counseling Mia Rogers was at Rice University for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) conference and had lunch with two LFA alumni, Christina Franco ’21 (right) and Sunny Sun ’22 (left).