Embracing Change: Bridging Past and Future
Class of 1970 Pavilion
Back-to-school BBQ attendees gather at the Class of 1970 Pavilion. The pavilion, completed in 2022, has become a popular spot for hosting events, classes, and summer camp activities. Thank you, Class of 1970, for this welcome addition to campus!
talking head
Greetings from Academy Road!
The Albany Academies has always adapted to meet challenges; this past year has been no different. Our community’s resilience and passion are evident as we make tough decisions for the School’s future.
Despite these challenges, our commitment to our mission and student success remains strong, and our students continue to thrive, building the same foundation for success as previous generations. Change also brings opportunities for growth. As we look to 2024-2025 and beyond, I’m excited about our future:
• Lower School is fully enrolled, and Middle School enrollment is increasing. We are also working to boost Upper School enrollment.
• We’ve significantly reduced a projected operating deficit, and with a healthy balance sheet and growing endowment of over $30 million, we’re exploring paths to profitability.
• We will complete the final phase of our campus realignment this year, making adjustments to honor our history and welcome students.
• We’re securing philanthropic support for our Master Campus Plan, including new locker rooms, remodeling our Lower and Middle School lobby, creating a STEM Innovation Center, and renovating the Upper School Science Wing.
• We’re refreshing our brand identity, led by Trustees Sara Strope ’96 and Neerav Patel ’96. We look forward to the brand rolling out in the coming weeks and months.
As we navigate these changes, here are three ways you can help:
1. Assume goodwill. The School’s board and leadership are acting as trustees of this institution, which we all love, to ensure that we continue to deliver on our mission well into the future.
2. Root for our success. At times, the passion we experience from invested constituents creates additional headwinds for the School. With a new year upon us, we must unite as a community to support The Albany Academies in meeting this moment.
3. Invest in our future. Philanthropic support has long ensured that the next generation of Academy students develops the same foundation for success enjoyed by those who came before them. Now more than ever, we hope you will continue or begin investing in the School so that we move as quickly as possible through this current evolution and into the brightest possible future.
Thank you for your loyal support of The Albany Academies! Feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns at lauricellac@ albanyacademies.org.
CHRISTOPHER LAURICELLA, ED.M. P’20, ’22 HEAD OF SCHOOL
l In June, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to confer Faculty Emeritus status on Mr. John McClintock II, Class of 1957, the highest honor for a retired faculty member. Since graduating from Albany Academy in 1957, Mr. McClintock has regularly contributed to the school. He was a faculty member, the author of the school’s history book, and our indefatigable archivist. The Albany Academies’ archives are the result of his consistent and steady stewardship over many decades of service. For these reasons, John McClintock II ’57 is more than deserving of Faculty Emeritus status, which will ensure that he is written into the history of this school that he loves so well.
from the board
president ’ s letter
Greetings from the Board of Trustees.
As I concluded my first year as Board President, it was a great pleasure to be among the first to welcome the Class of 2024 as the newest members of our incredible group of more than 4,000 living alumni and alumnae. This class, like its predecessors, has enjoyed tremendous success in college admissions, a testament to their hard work and the quality of education they received at the Academies.
In August, I enjoyed the personal privilege of welcoming some of them to the Ithaca, N.Y. campus as the Cornell University Class of 2028. I have been filled with Academies pride as I have watched this cohort grow through the last decade. Currently, nearly a dozen of our alumnae and alumni are pursuing undergraduate degrees on Cornell’s East Hill.
This fall, we will move into the most significant phase of our campus realignment. Excitement is building as spaces in the Upper and Middle Schools are refreshed for students, and the Trustees are incredibly grateful to our teachers and Leadership Team for their planning and execution of this transitional work.
Board members have remained busy in the spring and summer months with their usual work as well as two task force initiatives that promise significant benefits to our community.
• Trustee Sara Strope ’96, with the support of Board Vice President Neerav Patel ’96 P’31, is leading a branding initiative that will help us to capitalize more fully on the rich history of our institution with a focused and refreshed brand promise, accompanied by exciting and inspirational visual elements. This critical work has enlisted perspectives from all corners of our community, including teachers, students, alumni, alumnae, parents, and the Leadership Team.
• Trustee Andy Safranko ’91, P’23, ’26 is leading a second task force examining our athletic offerings and resources in their entirety. The goal is to understand how these opportunities continue to serve our mission and can best support our student-athletes. The task
force’s work represents the first formal and comprehensive consideration of this important aspect of an Academies experience in recent memory. The results and recommendations from this group’s early work are also eagerly anticipated by the Academies community.
As we enter the 2024-2025 academic year, the Board of Trustees will lay the groundwork for our next strategic planning process. Our most recent strategic plan was extended while the Trustees, the Leadership Team, and the Academies community worked through the details of the operational changes that were announced over the winter.
The end of summer is, as always, a busy and anticipatory time. We are celebrating the start of another year of exceptional experiences at the Academies. I hope you share my excitement about our future as we continue to thrive in our third century of unparalleled excellence.
Warmest regards,
ERIC LEWIS ’83, P’17 BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRESIDENT
Board of Trustee President
Eric Lewis is currently a Professor of Accounting practice at Cornell University’s Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. He has previously held tenured appointments at Skidmore College, Ithaca College (Accounting Department Chair), and Union Graduate College (Professor and Dean of the School of Management). His teaching interests include Auditing, Data Analytics, Intermediate Accounting, Cost Accounting, and Accounting for Mergers and Acquisitions.
Eric is a Past President of the American Accounting Association’s (AAA) Northeast Region. He received the AAA President’s award in 2014, and was inducted into the Northeast Region’s Hall of Fame in 2015.
Eric holds an MBA in Accounting and a PhD in Engineering Systems with a concentration in Accounting Systems from Union College. His research focuses on Business Valuation questions, including valuing businesses and assets that present specific valuation challenges. His work has been published in the Journal of Legal Economics, the Journal of Business Valuation and Economic Loss Analysis, the CPA Journal, and other academic and professional publications. Dr. Lewis is also the founding partner and current Managing Director of The Elliott Group, a boutique consultancy that specializes in Business Valuation and Litigation Support. He has been recognized as a subject matter expert in courts at the county, state, and federal levels.
New Trustee
Dr. Kim is a board-certified general and acute care surgeon. Dr. Kim started the North Bronx Faculty Practice and served as a Director of the Board for the Physician Affiliate Group of NY (PAGNY) for many years. As editorial board member of General Surgery News, he has spearheaded Healthcare Provider Wellness as one of the most important issues for the delivery of safe patient care.
Peter is a proud graduate of The Albany Academy where he was co-captain of the football, swimming, and tennis teams. He went on to graduate from Harvard College and earned his M.D. at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. He also graduated from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business with a master’s degree in Medical Management.
Board of Trustees
Dr. Eric Lewis ’83, P’17, President
Caron O’Brien Crummey ’77, P’04, Secretary
Michael Lasch P’20, ’22, Treasurer
Jennifer Amstutz P’19, ’21
Carl Becker, Esq. ’04, P’35
Nicole Borisenok ’08
Richard Flaherty P’15, ’21
Dr. Kyle Flik P’18, ’20, ’23, ’26
Dr. Robert Higgins ’77
David J. Hollander P’19
Dr. Peter K. Kim ’87
Dr. Fran’Cee Brown-McClure
Neerav Patel ’96, P’31
Geoffrey S. Plante P’20, ’22
Andrew Safranko’91, P’23 ’26
Elissa Smith P’23, ’25, ’26
Eileen Tucker Spiro ’05
Kaari Stannard P’20, ’23
Sara Strope ’96
Richard Ward ’85
Nancy Cohen Wekselbaum ’69
Alumni Association
CDR Joseph Fitzgerald, USN (Ret) ’74, President
Mark Spiers ’99, Vice President
Neil Johanning ’73, Secretary
Sean Austin ’07, Treasurer
Anthony Cordi ’80
Edward DeBerri ’77
Kirk Harbinger ’85
John Johnson, Ph.D. ’84
Scott Lamberson ’95
Paola La Pietra ’11
Jake Miorin ’11
Michael Murray ’99
Erik Rayno ’12
Bart Sachs, M.D. ’69
Matthew Smalls, Esq. ’93
Scott Strohecker ’09
A2 The Albany Academies Magazine fall 2024
Editor: Kayla Germain, Director of Marketing & Communications
Associate Editor: Nancy Palluti
Photography: Stephanie McCauley P’21, ’24 of iSmile Studios
Design: Oberlander Group
Printing: Fort Orange Press
A2, The Albany Academies Magazine, is published annually and sent to alumni/ae, parents, grandparents, donors, friends, and other educational institutions. Comments are welcome and should be addressed to the Director of Marketing & Communications, The Albany Academies, 135 Academy Road, Albany NY, 12208 or email marketing@albanyacademies.org.
In every effort to reduce our footprint we eliminated duplicate addresses in our mailing list. For additional copies of the magazine contact the Office of Institutional Advancement.
Anthony Tracey, M.D. ’00
Seth Wander, M.D. ’02
Kenneth C. (KC) Weafer, Esq.’95
Ben Williams ’99
Alumnae Association
Samantha Miorin ’10, President
Natasha Franklin ’00, Secretary
Natalie Squillaces ’14, Treasurer
Madeline Blackburn ’17
Amari Duncan ’14
Gretchen Freihofer ’04
Margaret Lamar King ’65 (Past President)
Carol Crummey McCardle, Esq. ’04 (Past President)
Hannah McNamee ’12
Carmen Power ’04
Cathy Rosenblatt ’65, P’ 97 (Past President)
Arielle Steele ’12
Allison Walsh ’10
Jennifer Walsh ’09
Dr. Eric Lewis ’83, P’17
Dr. Peter K. Kim ’87
year in review 2023-24
September
The 2023-2024 school year got off to a great start as Lower School boys began classes on the Lower School and Middle School campus. Faculty members expressed appreciation for the opportunity for increased collaboration and sharing of resources.
The fall semester began on September 8 with our First Chapel and Opening Assembly. These time-honored traditions are always an inspiring way to start the academic year.
Our annual Legacy of Dreams event was held on September 29, and we were successful in raising funds to support our student-athletes and athletic programs.
Rain didn’t stop Homecoming on September 30, which included a Varsity Girls’ Soccer game and the annual Caird Classic Football game. It was a privilege to honor Cindy Caird and her late husband, Jim Caird ’52, for their support of The Academies. The day also included a breakfast and spirit sale hosted by the Alumnae Association, with beverages provided by our Alumni Association and food provided by our Parents’ Association.
October
On October 6, we held our bi-annual Alumni and Alumnae Speed Mentoring Session, where graduates from the 1960s to 2010s spoke with seniors about a wide variety of careers. They offered advice on education, resume building, internships, and interviewing.
Dr. Elissa Dragoni’s advisory spent Community Service Day on October 27 at the USS Slater, a decommissioned WWII destroyer escort docked in Albany. Students were given a private tour and helped shine the ship’s steering wheel, set out artifacts, and scrubbed the decks to ensure the ship looked great for the day’s visitors. Thanks to CMD Joe Fitzgerald ’74 USN (Ret) for coordinating this service project.
November
The Academies hosted our first-ever Give Week from November 15-22. Head of School Chris Lauricella and his wife, Kristin, presented a challenge match to alumni and alumnae, offering to contribute $1,813 when we received gifts from 211 alumni and an additional $1,814 when we received gifts from 210 alumnae. In total, our alumni and alumnae contributed just over $30,000 during Give Week. We are tremendously thankful for this support.
Our tradition of serving students a holiday meal on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving was filled with gratitude and fellowship and was a delightful way to mark the start of the season of thanks.
December
Our annual Poetry Out Loud assembly showcased the literary skills of eight finalists who advanced from grade-level competitions. Finalists then advanced to the regional competition. A special thanks
The 16th annual Frank O’Brien ’84 Memorial Hockey Game was held on on December 29. The event is named in memory of this three-sport athlete who played golf, lacrosse, and hockey at Albany Academy and was a member of the 1983 NYC Section II championship hockey team. Frank was inducted posthumously into the Albany Academy Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008, a year after his untimely passing at age of 40.
In December, the Alumnae Council initiated a new project called The Commencement Closet. To celebrate AAG traditions, encourage sustainability, lower cost barriers, and incite connection between our community, the council instituted a new tradition where alumnae can donate their gowns to members of the senior class who are interested in a secondhand dress. Those interested in participating can drop gently used, “like
January
Our January 9 Alumni Speaker Series event highlighted law and justice and offered meaningful insight into the field and specific careers in law. We thank Carol Crummey McCardle ’04, Andrew Safranko ’91, Andrew Sommers ’75, and Julia Camarco ’03 for participating and engaging with our students.
February
The Albany Academies Visual and Performing Arts Department presented “The Drowsy Chaperone,” with music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar on February 16 and 17. The performances highlighted was held on
February 26, this one focusing on entrepreneurship and featuring Sean Austin ’07, David Holloway ’02, Michael Murray ’99, and Hollis Puig ’10.
hearing about each entrepreneur’s success. Thank you to the panelists and to Barnaby Bullard ’89, who moderated
year in review
March
During March we celebrated 210 years of Albany Academy for Girls and 211 years of The Albany Academy. Alumni Council President Samantha Miorin ’10 shared a short history of AAG and a list of famous alumnae with the boys at Chapel on Founder’s Day, and Alumni Association President Joe Fitzgerald ’74 shared a short history of AA and a list of famous alumni with the girls on Morning Meeting on Charter Day. Both days were celebrated in their respective buildings with cupcakes, a scavenger hunt, and an archival presentation. Many thanks to volunteer Margaret King ’65 and archivist John McClintock ’57 for their invaluable help in marking these important days for our students.
The seventh grade held its annual Science Symposium on March 7. This event marked the culmination of the class’s hard work and showcased our school’s emphasis on academic rigor and project-based learning. Students explored scientific concepts and presented their findings to a panel of judges for feedback.
We hosted our annual International Taste of the World Festival on March 9, during which families and student groups shared food and information about the various cultural heritages represented in our community. Families participated in the event by creating a food table with sample-sized portions of food, presenting a cultural display related to their family heritage, or providing entertainment or an interactive activity or craft. Live entertainment included student and professional dance, martial arts, and musical groups.
April
The Gifford History Speaker Series proudly hosted Dr. Tracey Gendron on April 9 as she presented “Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It.” Dr. Gendron is the chair of the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Gerontology and director of the Virginia Center on Aging. Using her sharp wit and real-world examples, Dr. Gendron transformed decades of research about age discrimination into a thought-provoking conversation and provided actionable steps to overcoming ageism with ourselves, our communities, our policies, and our culture. The goal of the Gifford Series is to host speakers who illuminate areas and voices that are often overlooked in historical studies.
Our Upper School students had a chance to learn about a wide range of careers at our Speed Mentoring Event on April 11. Alumni and alumnae shared their experiences and answered questions in brief tabletop discussions. Thanks to Samantha Miorin ’10, Joe Fitzgerald ’74, Sean Austin ’06, Madeline Blackburn ’17, Barnaby Bullard ’89, Amari Duncan ’14, Miles Heller ’59, David Holloway ’02, Jennifer Levy ’93, Jake Miorin ’12, Morgan Ruthman ’97, Arielle Steele ’12, and Allison Walsh ’10 for taking the time to come to campus and speak to our students, and thanks to the Alumni and Alumnae Associations for sponsoring this event.
We had a lovely evening on April 20 as we joined together at the Albany Country Club for our annual fine arts fundraiser, Spring Gathering. This special event provides meaningful resources for talented students to attend
The Academies who might be unable to afford to do so. In addition, it provides resources that support our faculty and staff, including tuition remission and professional development opportunities. We were pleased to honor four incredible members of our community, each of whom has created a lasting impact on the Albany Academies through their countless contributions of professional expertise and notable engagement over multiple decades. This year’s honorees were John McClintock ’57, The Albany Academy faculty, 1963-1971, co-editor of Our Academy, and archivist; Neil Murray ’62, P’99, ’05, ’06, former trustee and chair, and Board of Visitors; Inga Tomson P’83, ’85, GP’15, ’19, The Albany Academy, head of Lower School, 1979-1991; and Mary Ellen Tomson, P’14, ’19, Albany Academy for Girls faculty, 1989-1995 and 2006-2022. Our hearty congratulations to these outstanding individuals! Their commitment to our students and the mission of the School is immeasurable.
May
In early May, we hosted our annual Scholar Luncheon, which allows our scholarship students and their families to meet with scholarship donors and learn more about the program. Our guests heard from former scholarship recipient Commander Joe Fitzgerald ’74 US Navy (Ret.), who discussed how attending the Academy set him up for success. In addition, Amari Duncan ’14 and Ben Williams ’99, mentors for the Carl Touhey ’35 Scholarship recipients, spoke to the group. We are grateful for the support of all our donors and thankful that our scholarship students and their families chose The Albany Academies.
This year’s Reunion weekend on May 16-18 was a great time for all who attended. We celebrated class years ending in 4 and 9 and gave special recognition to the Class of 1974, celebrating 50 years. We also honored inductees to our Athletic and Arts Halls of Fame, our Distinguished Alumnus and Alumna, Outstanding Young Alumnus and Alumna, and the Fredricka Voohaar Slingerland ’32 Volunteer Service Award recipient. Those honored were:
· Athletic Hall of Fame: Mark Bonavita ’94, Dustin DiNola ’99, Matthew Kandath ’09, Adam Lavallee ’94, Amara Steenbrun ’14, Megan McNamara ’05, Kristen McNamara O’Brien ’05, Mark Spiers ’99, Robin Spitalny ’67, and Bryan Zabinski ’99.
· Arts Hall of Fame: Val Altournian ’09, Elon Johson, ’94, Dr, John Johnson ’84, Martha Hinman Ellis ’29 (posthumously), and Alice Tweedie P’59.
· Distinguished Alumnus and Outstanding Young Alumnus: Major General C. Donald Alston, USAF Ret. ’74 and Prosper Mbongue-Muna ’09.
· Distinguished Alumna and Outstanding Young Alumna: Katie Symansky Hunter ’94 and Elizabeth McDonald ’04.
· Fredericka Voohaar Slingerland ’32 Volunteer Service Award: Wendy Summer ’69.
The Albany Academies participated in Proctors High School Musical Theater Awards, through which adjudicators were sent to 18 Capital Region schools to evaluate and score productions. Our February production of “The Drowsy Chaperone“ was nominated for four awards: Best Musical, Best Choreography Execution, Best Actor (Aleks K. ’25), and Best Supporting Actor (Kevin H. ’25). Congratulations to the entire production team for their outstanding work!
June
June marked commencement celebrations for the Albany Academy for Girls Class of 2024 on June 10 and The Albany Academy Class of 2024 on June 11. Thank you to AAG commencement speaker Wendy Muhlfelder ’67, P’94, ’98, ’99,’00, for a wonderfully insightful and inspiring speech. We also thank this year’s Academy keynote speaker, Keenan Nix ’81, who shared his wisdom with those gathered. We wish all the graduates the best as they begin the next phase of their lives, and we welcome them as alumnae and alumni of The Albany Academies!
The Academies hosted 88 golfers at Colonie Country Club on June 17 for our annual Golf Outing. The event began with a noon shotgun start and featured a day full of fun and camaraderie among alumni and alumnae. Fifteen students were involved in event logistics, and we were happy to have their help. Congratulations to Mike Vita ’11 on winning the Closest to the Pin contest with a hole-in-one!
Embracing Change: Bridging Past to Future
Understanding Our Journey through a Transformative Time
The last few years have been a time of significant change at The Albany Academies.
Some changes have been deliberate, such as campus realignment and facility master planning. Some changes have been adaptive responses to disruption, like the School’s COVID response and this year’s restructuring plan.
Managing this change has been a testament to our school’s resilience. This resilience is grounded in our mission to develop diligent students of high character who become curious, critical thinkers, assuring us that we can navigate any transformational era.
Change is challenging, and even more challenging for schools with long and complex histories. Living through a transformative time evokes strong emotions, particularly in those most passionate about the status quo. Yet continuous evolution allows schools to thrive long enough to enjoy their histories.
It’s clear that 2024-2025 will be a pivotal year for all constituents to come together and support the School as we navigate to a more harmonious era. Support begins with understanding, and with this in mind, what follows is a review of our journey to this point and a preview of what’s to come.
Campus Realignment
In November 2022, The Albany Academies Board of Trustees voted unanimously to realign how we serve students, organizing the School by students’ developmental stages and then by sex where appropriate. This decision was informed by a comprehensive study that began in 2019 and examined the School’s educational program, culture and climate, economic fundamentals, and facility needs.
Campus realignment aims to improve student experiences through a more collaborative approach to teaching and learning and a unified school culture and climate. This reorganization allows the School to focus developmentally appropriate resources on each division rather than spreading them across two buildings, enhancing the quality of education and student support.
The first phase of this reorganization was completed in September 2023, when Lower School boys and their teachers moved across Academy Road and into the Lower School and Middle School building. The second phase began this September, with Middle School boys moving to the Middle School building and Upper School girls moving to the Upper School building.
The School will be organized by students’ developmental stages and then by sex where appropriate.
Restructuring
In February 2024, The Albany Academies announced a plan to restructure the School to prepare for success long into the future. The Board of Trustees and school leadership developed the plan in response to projected deficits due to declining enrollment. Like many private schools, Academies’ enrollment has been impacted by a declining birthrate, affordability concerns among younger families, and a local market saturated with educational choices, both public and private.
The restructuring plan is designed to ensure the School’s financial sustainability and continued success by adapting to changing demographics and market conditions. Beginning in 2024-2025, the Lower School will combine two small single-sex classes into one coeducational class, with single-sex elements retained in its co-curricular program. The Middle School will continue to provide a single-sex student experience but will now be in one building with girls and boys in different wings. The Upper School will become fully coeducational, with single-sex elements retained in its co-curricular program and nearly all classes in one building.
Master Facilities Planning
In 2021, we partnered with an architectural firm to develop a master facilities plan that unifies the School into a single, 52-acre campus that optimizes our buildings and grounds for student learning. The plan included an engineering study that allows a deliberate campus preservation and renewal approach.
The first phase of this plan calls for a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) through developing a STEAM Innovation Center on campus and renovating the school’s science wing. Other first-phase projects include refurbishing Middle School classrooms, renovating the Lower and Middle School lobby, and creating additional spaces for female athletes in the Picotte Field House.
These immediate efforts are the first steps in a series of future improvement projects identified for the next decade and beyond. All are tied to the School’s realignment and, as always, guided by our mission of developing students of the highest character as well as our foundational vision for teaching and learning.
A Foundational Vision for Teaching and Learning
The Albany Academies’ evolving organizing principles and use of space are firmly anchored in our fundamental beliefs regarding teaching and learning. These beliefs, rooted in our history, provide a firm foundation for our future evolution:
• Excellence: We strive for academic excellence, fostering a love of learning through dynamic and personalized instruction that ignites curiosity and critical thinking.
• Belonging: We are guided by core values, inclusive mindsets, and behaviors that value and support all members of our community.
• Diversity: A diverse learning community contributes to our academic excellence.
• Character Development: We are dedicated to instilling the core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, and compassion while empowering our students to become contributing members of our community.
• Best Practices: We embrace a studentcentered approach to teaching and learning, integrating emerging practices and proven teaching methods to prepare students for an ever-changing world.
• Collaboration: We foster a collaborative spirit among students, educators, parents, and the community, recognizing that collective efforts lead to a more enriching educational experience.
• Diligence: We inspire students to develop the habit of diligent study and inquiry to support their educational and life goals.
• Accountability: We serve as accountability partners for one another and our students as we work together to maintain the highest standards for teaching and learning.
Cross-Divisional Learning Opportunities
As we realign the campus into divisions, we must now be more deliberate in providing cross-divisional opportunities for younger and older students to come together. As we live in a new school structure, we are developing a range of additional programs for this, including mentorship programs that pair students across divisions to facilitate knowledge sharing, peer support, and leadership development. These programs foster a sense of community and collaboration among students from different divisions, enhancing their learning experience and personal growth and include:
• Mentorship programs that pair students across divisions to facilitate knowledge sharing, peer support, and leadership development.
• Collaborative projects and events that encourage cross-divisional students to work together.
• Shared leadership positions that require students from all divisions to collaborate closely and share decision-making.
• Cross-divisional meetings or forums where student leaders can come together to discuss common goals, share updates, and address challenges.
• Recognition and celebration events to recognize students’ contributions.
What traditions are we preserving, and how are we doing this?
AA Charter Day will hold special assemblies by division to celebrate the day that AA was granted its charter.
AA House Ceremony (New Students First Assembly) will remain as is.
AAG Founder’s Day will hold special assemblies by division to celebrate the day of AAG’s founding.
AAG Senior Tea will remain the same conducted on the US campus.
Bacon Bat will remain an Upper School-centric activity with opportunities for student leadership and cross-divisional experiences with sister classes. It will occur on the Upper School campus in advisory spaces. Legacy components, such as chants, can also be done on the Lower and Middle School campus.
College Commitment Event will remain as is, an Upper School, coeducational event.
Cum Laude Induction Dinner will remain the same as currently celebrated with a separate dinner for boys and girls.
Declamations will remain as is, a single-sex, cross-divisional opportunity.
Eighth Grade Field Trip will remain as is, single-sex.
Eighth Grade Play will be brought back and have single-sex plays.
Fifth Grade Pen Pals will remain as is.
Final Assembly will remain the same to honor our history and will be conducted on the Upper School campus.
First Chapel will remain the same to honor our history and include all Lower and Middle School boys. Will be conducted in the Upper School Chapel.
Fourth Grade Moving Up Day will remain part of Moving-Up Day.
Fourth Grade Play will become coeducational.
Fourth Grade Tie Ceremony will remain as is, single-sex.
Girls’ Senior Speeches will remain as is with an opportunity to develop this into a coeducational event.
House Day will remain an Upper School-centric activity, with opportunities for student leadership and cross-divisional experiences within houses. It will occur on the Upper School campus in advisory spaces.
Last Chapel will remain the same to honor our history. It will include all Lower and Middle School boys and be conducted in the Upper School Chapel.
Lower School Closing Ceremony will be combined with Closing ceremonies.
Lower School Moving Up Ceremony will be combined with Moving-Up Day.
May Project Dinner will remain the same. Coeducational on Upper School campus.
May Project Fair will remain the same. Coeducational on Upper School campus.
Middle School Closing Ceremony will remain as is, single-sex in the Auditorium.
Middle School Moving Up Ceremony will remain as is, single-sex in the Auditorium.
Mini Bat will be enhanced as a crossdivisional opportunity and will occur on the LS/MS campus. US Girls will share chants on the front field of the Lower and Middle School campus.
Ring Dares will be conducted on the Upper School campus.
School songs will remain the same with the “Classic Columns” AAG school song and “Old Academy Song” as the AA school song. Song cues will be on each campus.
Senior Breakfast will remain the same; located in the Upper School Buttery.
Sister Class Activities (AAG) will remain as is.
Student advisory will remain single-gender.
Thanksgiving Lunch will become a divisional event, with single-sex seating in the Middle and Upper Schools and coeducational seating in the Lower School.
The Opening Assembly and Blazering Ceremony will remain the same to honor our history. It will be conducted in the Lower and Middle School Auditorium and include all Lower and Middle school girls.
US Chapel & Morning Meeting will become a combined meeting in the Chapel. Girls and boys will sit separately by their advisory group.
Winter Arts Day will have performances in each division. ECA will be a separate day.
Honoring Traditions
In addition to adhering to a foundational vision, we also look to our traditions as a way of bridging the past to the future. As we navigate change over the next few years, we are dedicated to keeping these stabilizing traditions and developing new experiences that help define the current student experience, ensuring a strong sense of connection and continuity.
A Unified Community
2023-2024 was a year of peak change with urgent, responsive changes layered on top of long-planned initiatives, which created a deep desire to understand what the future may hold.
2024-2025 is that future. It will be pivotal for The Academies. It needs to be a time of repair, stability, and unity as we live in a new structure and allow the School time and grace to fully realize our plans.
As we complete our transformation and begin to write the next chapter of our history, we call on our community to come together to support the School’s evolution with a growth mindset, ensuring the core strengths of The Albany Academies continue long into the future.
Building on Our Legacy
As the first and only non-denominational independent preparatory prekindergarten through grade 12 school in the Capital Region, The Albany Academies remains committed to excellence beyond measure. For over two centuries, we have cultivated curiosity, nurtured confidence, and set high expectations while preparing our students for success in college and life beyond. With a legacy built on resilience, innovation, and a steadfast dedication to character and academic rigor, we are poised to navigate future challenges and continue shaping exceptional leaders who will make a meaningful impact on the world. Together, we will honor our past, embrace our present, and boldly step into the future, ensuring The Albany Academies thrive for generations to come.
2024-2025 will be a pivotal year for The Academies. It needs to be a time of repair, stability, and unity as we live in a new structure and allow the School time and grace to fully realize our plans.
Commencement 2024
June 10th & 11th
AAG
On June 10, graduates of the Albany Academy for Girls Class of 2024 had the pleasure of hearing words of wisdom from this year’s featured speaker, Wendy Muhlfeider ’67, P’94, ’98, ’99. ’00. Wendy has had a remarkable and multi-faceted career in education. After living and working in Boston for a few years, she returned to Albany in the mid-1980s, fulfilling her dream of teaching at both The Albany Academy and Albany Academy for Girls. She had a long and distinguished career at the Academies, where she served as a member of the Lower School and Middle School faculties before transitioning to administrative roles, including Dean of Students and eventually Head of Albany Academy for Girls.
Wendy praised the graduates’ parents and grandparents for helping them grow into “curious, creative, compassionate, and courageous young women.” She told the class members that they “stand at the starting point of exciting challenges and infinite possibilities.” She also asked the graduates to consider their good fortune in having had the opportunity to attend Albany Academy for Girls, reminding them that “throughout the world, such educational possibilities don’t exist for all women.”
We offer our heartiest congratulations to all members of the Albany Academy for Girls Class of 2024!
AAG commencement speaker Wendy Muhlfeider ’67, P’94, ’98, ’99, ’00
AA
On June 11, Keenan R. Nix ’81, a partner in the trial law firm of MORGAN & MORGAN whose skill and passion in the courtroom are legendary, was the commencement speaker for the members of The Albany Academy Class of 2024. He shared many inspiring remarks with graduates and their families gathered to celebrate the occasion. A true champion of justice, Keenan’s impressive string of winning verdicts and settlements have earned him a reputation as one of Georgia’s finest trial lawyers on the side of injured people. His practice focuses on catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and business tort ligation. As a leader in the trial bar, Keenan also frequently teaches on the subject of trial advocacy.
Keenan shared, “It was here that I first learned how to think with excellence, lead with integrity, and live with character.” He spoke of his hope that 40 years from now, this year’s graduates will look at their experiences at The Academy with the same pride and fondness. He also shared his belief that “Education is not just for high school; education is not just for college or graduate school. Education is for life. When you stop learning, you stop growing.”
Congratulations to the members of the Class of 2024 of The Albany Academy. We wish you much success!
AA commencement speaker Keenan R. Nix ’81
Students’ Perspective: Telling the Albany Academies’ Story
At the start of the 2023-2024 school year, students in The Academies’ Senior English VI: Communications class were given an assignment—, one might call a unique opportunity, that was out of the ordinary and is currently playing an essential role in marketing the school to prospective families.
Tasked with telling The Academies’ story from the student perspective, class members dove right in and began researching and analyzing current marketing efforts, including a deep dive into school-related social media posts and a strategy for engaging more followers on social media accounts.
Students then planned, drafted, and produced a nearly four-minute video illustrating how the School successfully prepares students for the next stage of life. The video is an authentic, compelling, and essential reflection on student success at The Academies that generated tremendous feelings of pride among the class members.
“Being the first students to actively promote the school and all its best attributes is very meaningful,” said student Aiyemah Pringle ’24. It allowed us, as seniors, to set the landmark for the communications classes to come in later years. It also allowed us to introduce what we thought was most important about The Academies. We worked hard to portray the best examples of not only the school but also our class.”
Classmate Mia Corso ’24 agreed, “This experience allowed me to be a voice in the community and help The Albany Academies find a new identity with the swell of change occurring this year. I believe all students have a unique and meaningful voice that should be heard, and being the first to put that voice out onto our school’s platforms taught me and many others to develop and articulate our ideas and opinions.”
Class instructor Cristi Marchetti said the experience “gave students the platform to meaningfully put their ideas into action, and the creative freedom they were given helped The Albany Academies community see the School from a student’s perspective.”
Senior English class tasked with immersive marketing experience, from research and analysis to fully produced recruitment video.
That creative freedom and the license to share their opinions and ideas meant a lot to the students. “I was able to voice my opinions and ideas to not only my classmates but also to administration and Institutional Advancement, and when doing so I was treated as an adult and a partner, not just a student,” said Brady Sears ’24.
“I’m proud of everything we accomplished this year,” said Joshua Kaufman ’24. “Between working with some incredible people and producing content that the school values and appreciates, this class has been a tremendous experience to partake in.”
“We have never had a recruitment video fully produced by students that shares their pride in the School and what they think makes it stand apart from other schools.”
Joshua Kaufman ’24
Class members dedicated themselves to promoting the School and, in their words, “laying the foundation for what student involvement and the promotion of our school is to look like over the next several years.”
The video underscores the mission of each division and illustrates how the Lower School lays the Foundation for success in later grades, the Middle School is all about Formation and putting basic skills into action, and the Upper School focuses on Preparation for success in college and careers.
“We have never had a recruitment video fully produced by students that shares their pride in the School and what they think makes it stand apart from other schools,” said Kaufman. “We are thrilled to share it with prospective students and families.”
Another significant part of this project included reviewing and analyzing The Academies’ social media posts and the development of a strategy to elevate engagement. The students discovered that leveraging diverse forms of media, including photos and videos, across all major social media platforms is most effective in engaging the School’s audience through likes, shares,
and website visits.
During their analysis, they identified specific types of posts that traditionally perform well, including those with content on groups of students, athletics, arts programs, and activities inside the classroom. From there, they made several recommendations to the marketing team: Focus on parent-friendly content, celebrate important milestones, encourage community engagement, and share behind-the-scenes content.
“I was able to voice my opinions and ideas to not only my classmates but also to administration and Institutional Advancement, and when doing so I— was treated as an adult and a partner, not just a student,”
Brady Sears ’24
Class members, who are very familiar with social media for personal use, enjoyed posting on behalf of and promoting the School. Patrick Johnson, ’24 said, “I was excited to make posts that will expand The Albany Academies outreach to new students and parents.”
Scott Hanson ’24 added, “Through social media, we were able to highlight the school’s positive attributes in certain posts on different social media platforms.”
“Making content for a school versus making content for myself is very different because of the audience and the planning. Posts for The Albany Academies are more professional but also fun, so the takeaway for
me was learning to adjust,” said Zamari Turner ’24.
Colette McCleneghen ’24 shared, “I learned how to create content for a certain audience and how to know who your audience is.”
All of the students began the class with specific goals in mind, everything from exploring whether communications was the type of career that a student could see himself in, to learning how to believe in themselves and trust their instincts, to being more confident in their own ideas, to learning more about the writing process and understanding a working group dynamic.
“This group of seniors exceeded expectations by setting goals for themselves, developing timelines, creating methods to track accountability, and evaluating themselves authentically,” said Marchetti.
“I learned how to create content for a certain audience and how to know who your audience is.”
Colette McCleneghen ’24
In describing their time in the class, the students agree that their experiences were positive for themselves and the school because their work impacted future classes.
“Through all of this, the feeling that best captures my thoughts and beliefs is ‘accomplishment,’” said Kaufman. “I feel this because the school has never before given the students this much of a voice in the school’s marketing efforts, and to be a part of that effort is something I will carry for the rest of my life.”
“Seniors often have great ideas and proposals that, before this class was created, weren’t able to be heard. The class mobilized the students’ voices and allowed us access to people in the school who can make change,” said Sears.
“The opportunity to represent the school has definitely been special. It isn’t often that young voices are given the platform they deserve for their ideas, but we had the chance to change that, to share our ideas,” said Courtney Phelan ’24.
Ryan Jackson, ’24, said, “I feel that (our work) was a big responsibility and a crucial step in further developing The Albany Academies. No one knows the school better than the students, especially those who have been here since they were young, and I feel it is necessary to show the school in its entirety and feature all aspects.”
By all accounts, the students successfully shared their viewpoints and impressions of The Albany Academies in a meaningful way. They paved the way for current and future seniors to continue representing the student experience at The Albany Academies. Due to its popularity, two class sections will be offered in the 2024-25 academic year.
View the SEVI class video
the A-Teams
Fall 2023
In the fall, the Boys’ and Girls’ Golf Teams had some outstanding achievements. The boys were undefeated in league play and captured the Colonial Council Golf Tournament, and the girls were also undefeated and captured the league and sectional title. Four female golfers—Kennedy S., Gillan R., Lizzie R., Sophia K.—qualified for the state championship.
Winter 2023
During the winter, the Boys and Girls Basketball Teams had strong seasons. The boys were undefeated in the Capital District, beating all the large schools, and went on to another Class A NYSAIS Championship! Unfortunately, the Federation tournament was canceled, so they played Poly Prep in a one-game challenge and won by 30 points. The girls had another fabulous season, again capturing the Section 2 Class B championship and going on to capture the regional championship. They finished by playing a great state championship game vs. Utica Notre Dame. Unfortunately, they came up a bit short in the state championship game. Two Academies boys and one girl made the prestigious News Channel 13 all-star team.
The Girls Golf Team went on to state competition in early June at the Edison Club in Rexford, and Kennedy Swedick ’24 captured her third consecutive state championship!
At the end of each season, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association honors teams and individuals who excel in the classroom. These student-athletes and teams work very hard throughout the year to deserve to be recognized for their academic success. To receive the student-athlete honor, a team’s average for three-quarters of the roster must be greater than or equal to 90%. Most of our teams that qualify have achieved the NYS scholarathlete status again during the 2023-24 school year.
Divisional Championship Teams
FALL
Boys Golf Colonial Council Champions
Girls Golf Section 2 Champions
WINTER
Boys Basketball NYSAIS Champions
Girls Basketball Section 2 Champions, NYSPHSAA State Finalist
SPRING
Baseball Section 2 Champions, Regional Finalist
Boys Tennis Colonial Council Champions
Boys Track & Field Colonial Council Champions
Spring 2023
The spring season was among the best and busiest in the school’s recent history. The Track and Tennis Teams were undefeated in league competition. The Baseball Team wrapped up the regular season at 10-7 and received the #6 seed in Class A sectional play. They captured the sectional title by beating LaSalle at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy. Unfortunately, the team lost a great game in the regional final against James Ville Dewitt.
In July, Girls Golf Team member Kennedy Swedick ’24 was named as one of 10 Scholastic Award recipients for 2024 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization. She was recognized at the organization’s awards gala in August.
the arts
This year’s fall theatre production was “An Audition for Murder,” about a theatre group holding auditions for a murder mystery called “Death of a Disco Dancer.” The show kept everyone guessing as the troupe—the fictional one, that is—worked without a finished script as they tried to solve the mysterious death. The show was a delight for all who attended.
The Upper School Theatre Class presented a “Kindness Assembly,” which illustrated how to use improv to stop bullying.
Cameron M. ’25 won both the School and regional English-Speaking Union Shakespeare Competition and went on to compete in the national competition in New York City.
Our fourth grade students presented their play, “Folk Tails,” about six different animal stories from around the world.
Once again, Upper School Performing Arts students went to the Beverwyck Senior Living Community to perform for residents during the winter season.
Joan Dembinski ’55 sponsored the CapRep on-the-go program performance of “Henry Johnson: The Lost Hero” for students here at the School.
This summer Alex K. ’25 and Keane O. ’27 were a part of the ensemble and Kevin H. ’25 was a part of the Tech team in the Proctor’s Collaborative School of the Arts Broadway Camp production of “Fiddler on the Roof.”
Fall Play — An Audition for Murder
Chamber Singers
Sofie L. ’25 and Lily K. ’27 performed in the musical SIX: Teen Edition with the Capital District Arts Initiative at the end of July.
Our students were recognized as top artists in their disciplines at the Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The students who were featured include dancers Dalia E. ’25 and Sofie L. ’25, who performed an original piece by Dalia E. ’25; Empire State Youth Orchestra Symphony Orchestra musicians Kevin L. ’25 and Sam W. ’27; and visual artist Chloe P. ’24. (artwork pictured above).
Congratulations to this year’s Arts Hall of Fame inductees:
Martha (Hinman) Ellis ’29
First teacher of dance at The Albany Academy for Girls
Alice Tweedie ’59
Visual artist, puppeteer, and performer
Dr. John Johnson ’84
Wisconsin state leader in arts and creativity
Elon Johnson ’94
Senior creative executive and head of development at Tyler Perry Studios
Val (Altounian) Levinson ’09
Visual artist and science illustrator
This year’s winter theatre production of the musical “The Drowsy Chaperone,” about The Man in Chair who listens to a recording of a fictional 1928 musical comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone, earned four nominations for the regional High School Musical Theatre Awards at Proctors, part of the Jimmy Awards and the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (NHSMTA). Nominations for the show included Best Musical and Best Choreography Execution. Individual nominations were Best Actor for Alex K. ’25 and Best Supporting Actor for Kevin H. ’25.
Sixth-grade students presented a staged reading of Lindsey Price’s “School Daze” for peers and families. This vignette-style play tells the story of the first day of middle school from various student perspectives.
Our Upper School Chamber Singers presented a recital of solo and small group performances in late May, showcasing their talents outside of the larger group setting.
Fifth and sixth graders performed in a school talent show in early June, beginning a tradition that will continue in future years. Students performed for their peers and several Lower School classes. They prepared their acts in advance and had to audition to participate as hosts or performers; students also assisted with backstage and technical elements of the production. The audience was treated to a variety of entertainment, including dancing, singing, piano, martial arts, and magic.
Academies
student Kinsey M. ’31 danced with the New York City Ballet at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Reunion 2024
May 16-18
Katie Symansky Hunter ’94
Cypriana McCray ’94
Enjoying the Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony, pictured left to right: Elena Spitalny, wife of Peter Spitalny ’69; Peter Spitalny ’69; Barbara Fineberg Fletcher ’67; Deborah Robb Twombly ’67; Wendy Muhlfelder ’67; and Mimi Evans ’67.
REUNION 2024 AWARDS
Athletic Hall of Fame
Honorees:
Mark Bonavita ’94
Dustin DiNola ’99
Matthew Kandath ’09
Adam Lavallee ’94
Amara Steenburn ’14
Megan McNamara ’05
Kristen McNamara O’Brien ’05
Mark Spiers ’99
Robin Spitalny ’67 (posthumously)
Bryan Zabinski ’99
Arts Hall of Fame
Honorees:
Val Altounian ’09
Elon Johnson ’94
Dr. John Johnson ’84
Martha Hinman Ellis ’29
(posthumously)
Alice Tweedie ’59
Distinguished Alumnus & Outstanding Young Alumnus:
Major General C. Donald Alston, USAF RET. ’74
Prosper Mbongue-Muna ’09
Distinguished Alumna & Outstanding Young Alumna:
Katie Symansky Hunter ’94
Elizabeth McDonnell ’04
Fredericka Voorhaar
Slingerland ’32 Volunteer Service Award:
Wendy Summer ’69 See more Reunion photos
Outstanding Young Alumna Elizabeth McDonnell ’04, Distinguished Alumnus
Major General C. Donald Alston, USAF (Ret.) ’74, and Distinguished Alumna Katie Symansky Hunter ’94.
Our 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame Honorees. From left to right, Peter Spitalny ’69 (on behalf of his sister Robin Spitalny ’67), Mark Spiers ’99, Mark Bonavita ’94, Amara Steenburn ’14, Bryan Zabinski ’99, and Matthew Kandath ’09.
Our Arts Hall of Fame Honorees. From left to right, Dr. John Johnson ’94, Susan Rockmore ’63 on behalf of her mother Martha Hinman Ellis ’29, and
Athletic Hall of Fame
Arts Hall of Fame
A Unified Campus and Brand Strategy
PAVING THE WAY FOR THE FUTURE
CONFIDENCE BUILT. CURIOSITY ENCOURAGED.
This year, Albany Academy completed a significant realignment, integrating The Albany Academy and Albany Academy for Girls into one cohesive institution while maintaining essential elements of our single-sex traditions. To accomplish this, the school is now organized according to developmental stages, positioning the Lower and Middle Schools on one campus and the Upper School on the other.
The realignment was driven by a commitment to academic excellence and longterm sustainability. It optimizes the use of campus spaces, fosters better faculty collaboration, and enhances the overall learning environment for students. Our current configuration also helps unify two distinct school cultures that merged in 2007.
As part of this realignment, the school developed a brand strategy to communicate its values, mission, and promise to prospective families more effectively. This strategy includes a unified identity system that reflects the school’s current structure while honoring its rich history and traditions.
To guide this process, the Board of Trustees formed a branding and identity subcommittee chaired by alumnae Sara Strope ’96, a global marketing expert, and Neerav Patel ’96, P’31, a leader in data intelligence. This subcommittee, which included alumni, alumnae, students, parents, faculty, and staff, was tasked with developing essential marketing messages, a consistent naming convention, and a cohesive visual identity.
With the help of a branding expert and graphic designer, the subcommittee conducted an in-depth analysis of the school’s archives and stakeholder feedback. Through several rounds of refinement, the group developed a final visual system that now guides the school’s marketing efforts.
Critical Elements of the New Branding
A Simplified Naming Convention
The school will now use “Albany Academy” in its marketing efforts. Research revealed that this is the name most commonly used by current stakeholders and most familiar to prospective families. An analysis of web searches showed that 85% of users searched using “Albany Academy,” highlighting the need for a more straightforward and recognizable name.
Refined Academic Seals
The school’s academic seals were previously used as its logo, diluting their formal purpose. Moving forward, the seals will be reserved for official academic and historical uses, such as diplomas and alumni and alumnae communications. These seals have been refined to create a more cohesive visual identity.
A New Logo
A new logo was designed to represent the school’s unified identity while respecting its history. The logo features a classic column, symbolizing the original Albany Academy for Girls building, combined with the iconic fish and pumpkin elements of the Albany Academy campus. Topped with a tulip—a nod to Albany’s Dutch roots—the logo conveys that the school is a unified institution woven into the forever fabric of Albany.
Looking Ahead
The new branding rollout began in October 2024 with updates to digital platforms and newly branded items in virtual stores. Over time, the brand strategy will be integrated across all school assets as updates are needed. Albany Academy’s new brand strategy and visual identity mark an exciting chapter in the school’s history. It combines its rich traditions with a forward-looking vision and reflects the institution’s ongoing commitment to providing a rigorous and dynamic education that prepares students to adapt and excel in an ever-changing world.
Please be aware that this publication went to press before the brand was finalized. Look for a newly branded alumni publication in 2025.
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(518)429-2300
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FRANK O’BRIEN MEMORIAL HOCKEY GAME Friday, December 27, 2024, 4:00pm SPRING GATHERING Saturday, April 26, 2025, Details to come