Virtual Alumni Weekend a Success

By Director of Alumni Programs Laura Brown We were overjoyed (and humbled) by the many smiling faces from across the generations and around the globe which popped up on the screen as each event unfolded during our Virtual Alumni Weekend on April 22-24, 2021. Alumni and past faculty spanning eight decades, hailing from Nova Scotia to California, from Texas to Hong Kong, joined us to celebrate their time shared at Oldfields School. It quickly became evident that the Oldfields magic could indeed be felt via Zoom and transcend a pandemic!

Beloved art teacher Dori Reigner P'03 retired at the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

Kae Nomura '03 is one of Oldfields' newest trustees.

As always, Alumni Weekend offered a variety of opportunities for alumni, past and present faculty, and special friends (including the school horses) to reconnect. Attendees also heard from Head of School David Perfield as well as current students, about Oldfields' life on campus, current priorities, and plans for the future. It was heartwarming to see how much current students had in common with alumni as they swapped stories like they were old friends. The most well-attended session was a toast to Dori Reigner P'03, our beloved art teacher, who has retired after dedicating 43 years to Oldfields. The accolades and tears flowed in equal measure. The schedule also included opportunities to grow as a community by learning more about the School's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work and the Inaugural Black Alumni Town Hall— both critical steps in fulfilling our commitment to be an anti-racist and anti-discriminatory organization. Trustee Marney Babbitt-Pierce '04 led a workshop on empathy based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown. In times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, empathy can be the magic that changes our relationships. During this interactive session, participants learned four steps that can be used to help those around you feel truly heard and loved. A special-shout out to the class years who organized their own virtual happy hours surrounding the Alumni Weekend dates. The love, reminiscences, and stories shared were inspiring and a testament to the magic that is Oldfields. The energy was palpable across the miles. Can you imagine what fun it is going to be when we can all gather in person together in 2022!

Katherine Potter Randall '47 joined the Riding Reunion.

Heidi duPont '95 Victoria Ohanna '01

Wow! We were blown away by the amazing work submitted by our very talented alumni for the Virtual Alumni Weekend Art Show. If you haven't seen it, you can view the full gallery at

www.oldfieldsschool.org/ alumni/art-show

STAY CONNECTED

n Share your news regarding your careers, weddings, births, travel, grandchildren, etc. by submitting a Class Note on the Alumni pages of the website or by emailing

Alumni@OldfieldsSchool.org.

n Make sure we have your correct email address so we can invite you to Oldfields events in your area. n Let us know your ideas for alumni programs and meaningful ways you would like to engage with Oldfields.

n And most importantly, start making your plans to attend in-person Alumni Weekend on April 29 through May 1, 2022!

Daisy Biddle Eiman '45