the bulletin - Summer 2015 by Stoneleigh-Burnham School

SUMMER

2015

the bulletin

Stoneleigh-Burnham School

T HE

FUTURE OF GIRLS EDUCATION

THE MISSION: Stoneleigh-Burnham School is an academic community that fosters an international perspective. We inspire girls to pursue meaningful lives based on honor, respect, and intellectual curiosity. Each student is challenged to discover her best self and graduate with the confidence to think independently and act ethically, secure in the knowledge that her voice will be heard.

But I Can Pretend by Sophie Spring ‘16 Class: International Baccalaureate Art Year 1 Materials: Spray paint and acrylics on cardboard Artist’s statement: This piece got its name from the line, “I’m not like them but I can pretend” from Kurt Cobain’s song “Dumb,” which corresponds perfectly with the other Cobain quote, “They laugh at me because I’m different; I laugh at them because they’re all the same.” I made this piece out of solidarity with my grade, my school, and the people those groups encompass. Be happy! Be weird! Be you! The idea that different is bad is one that is not only detrimental to the psyche of students but is, in my opinion, extremely false.

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2015

in this issue: 2 4

A Trimester in Photographs – Spring at SBS Why All Girls Education Matters Now

by Sally Mixsell ’69, Head of School

Changing the World, One Girl at a Time

by Nicole Letourneau, Interim Director of Communications

12 Women in Philanthropy

by Allison Porter ’89, Chair of the Board of Trustees

14 Gifts to Stoneleigh-Burnham 2014-2015 16 Transforming Our Campus 18 Stoneleigh-Burnham Connect 20 Alumnae Career Event 22 Reunion 2015 24 Alumnae on the Road 26 2015 Distinguished Alumna:

Susan Lawson Farmer

by Mark Kaschak, Assistant Director of Communications

28 Class Notes 34 In Memoriam 36 Coda

Everyone is a Girl: Why the Best Thing About Single-Gender Schools is the Fact that Gender Doesn’t Matter

by Charlotte Minsky ’16

We’d like to know what you think! Do you have story ideas? Send comments on the Bulletin and story ideas to communications@sbschool.org

ON THE COVER: Students Mily Ayala Rosas ’19, Elizabeth LaValley ’19, and Francelyse “Frannie” Joseph ’19 build a computer in their Technology and Global Awareness class.

Pictured: Vicky Ye ‘17 (left) and Yolanda Li ‘16 (right) share an umbrella on their way to the Vespers ceremony on May 27, 2015. Photo by Matthew Cavanaugh. 1

the bulletin SUMMER

2015

Editors Susanna H. Thompson Director of Communications Nicole Letourneau Interim Director of Communications Design Peter Chilton peterchilton.com Editorial Board Rachel Jackson, Asst. Dir. of Development for Alumnae Relations Mark Kaschak, Asst. Dir. of Communications for Development Susan Mattei, Director of Development & Alumnae Relations Sally L. Mixsell ’69, Head of School Ashani Petrizzi, Asst. Dir. of Development for the Annual Fund Contributors Anne Bridge, Development & Alumnae Relations Coordinator Rachel Jackson, Asst. Dir. of Development for Alumnae Relations Mark Kaschak, Asst. Dir. of Communications for Development Nicole Letoureau, Interim Director of Communications Susan Mattei, Director of Development & Alumnae Relations Charlotte Minsky ’16 Sally Mixsell ’69, Head of School Ashani Petrizzi, Asst. Director of Development for the Annual Fund Allison Porter ’89, Chair, Board of Trustees Photography Contributors Matthew Cavanaugh Paul Franz Mark Kaschak Hank Mixsell John Nordell P ’17 Student Art Contributors Sophie Spring ’16

Above: The SBS Varsity Basketball team poses after winning the 2015 RVAL championship over Dublin School © Henry Mixsell

A: Claire Lane ’16 representing SBS at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in Hong Kong B: The Class of 2015 awaits the start of their graduation ceremony © Paul Franz C: Seniors gather with their lanterns for Vespers © Matthew Cavanaugh

Change of address? Email abridge@sbschool.org or http://sbschool.org/alumnae/update-contact-info/

Stoneleigh-Burnham School

574 Bernardston Road, Greenfield, MA 01301 413.774.2711 sbschool.org the bulletin is printed with vegetable based inks on 55% recycled FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper, with 30% post consumer fiber.

Above Left: Maah Otchere ’15 works diligently in an art class © John Nordell Above Right: Faculty member Meg Reilly teaches a rock band course © John Nordell

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Board of Trustees 2015-2016 Allison Porter ’89, Chair Barbara Mayo Llewellyn ’69, Vice Chair Rich Hubbard P ’00, ’02, ’05, Secretary Annette A. Cazenave ’74, Treasurer Dr. John Barrengos Anne Quantrell Dennen ’70 Jennifer Eremeeva P ’15 Sharon Lewis Gaffey ’68S The SBS community gathers with the local community to celebrate breaking ground on Bridge Fund renovations © John Nordell

Lynn Schultz Kehoe ’77 Dr. Mary Maloney ’69 Charlotte Newton ’71 Kathy Seyffer Opdycke ’70 Laura B. Richards ’60S Melissa McKallagat ’96, Alumnae Board President, Ex-Officio Sally Leach Mixsell ’69, Ex-Officio Nancy Lowe Diver ’53B, P ’78, Emerita F. Michael Donohue, Jr. P ’78, Emeritus

Elinor Johnstone Ferdon ’54B, P ’76, ’78, ’82, Emerita John McNear P ’79, Emeritus Elizabeth T. Stout ’61B, Emerita

Above A: SBS students stand by the bridge to Panama on a school trip to Costa Rica B: The Class of 2015 celebrates 100 nights until their graduation © John Nordell C: SBS 8th graders visit Washington D.C. on a class trip in April D: The lacrosse team gets ready for a Spring Family Weekend matchup © Mark Kaschak

Our Place in the Landscape of Girls’ Education

Why All Girls Education Matter Now By Sally Mixsell ’69, Head of School

recently sat at our graduation week ceremonies, as I do each year, thinking to myself, “These speeches would never be given at a co-ed school.” And I’m right about that. A wonderful example of this happened at our 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony last spring, when rising Student Council President, Charlotte Minsky, gave an inspirational speech. At the end of her remarks, she leaned across the podium and asked, “Who rules the world?!” Without skipping a beat, her audience shouted back, “GIRLS!” Of course, it was a reference to a Beyoncé song all the girls know, but it was a powerful moment that reminded me how unaware I was at age 13 that I had any power whatsoever to rule the world. I only developed an inkling when I came to Stoneleigh-Burnham as a ninth grader. In my day, there was not explicit conversation about the power of girls, but just the fact that boys were not in the mix allowed me to gain confidence and believe in the power of who I was in ways unimaginable in another setting. Feeling Known and Heard is a Key to Our Mission Stoneleigh-Burnham girls today know very clearly what we’re up to on their behalf. All they have to do is read our mission statement to understand that we strive to “inspire girls to lead meaningful lives” and to have each student “graduate with the confidence … that her voice will be heard.”

foundational guidelines. Of course, living in a small, intimate community such as ours makes it relatively easy for students to feel “known and connected.” Still, it’s an intentional effort on the part of our faculty and staff to ensure that every girl is noticed. Class size averages eight so it is virtually impossible for a girl to go unnoticed in the classroom. Big sisters still exist, pairing each senior with a small group of underclass girls for whom they provide care and attention over the course of the year. Communication among the adults is constant to ensure the very real sense of in loco parentis. Each week at Housemeeting we highlight an Athlete of the Week and hand out Shining Star certificates to girls who have done a good deed that might not otherwise be acknowledged. College acceptances are announced by seniors, and kudos are given for individual achievement in any direction.

• feeling known and connected; • feeling empowered to take risks in a safe environment; and • learning in relationship with others.

Almost every year, the Paul Bassett Convocation Speaker – a senior chosen to address the entire school at the start of the year – chooses to talk about taking risks as the key to success. More and more often I hear seniors saying that they have decided to try a new activity or sport or class just because they want to take advantage of everything they can before graduating. Dean of Faculty Shawn Durrett, the 2015 Commencement Speaker, echoed our message about risk taking when addressing the seniors.

The adult conversation at StoneleighBurnham is constantly centered on these

She said, “Every time you asked for help or told us, ‘I don’t think I can do it,’

Well, in some ways we’re not different at all. Every girls’ school strives to help girls build confidence and feel empowered in their femaleness. We all focus on taking advantage of what we know girls need in order to learn best; that is, girls benefit from:

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you showed your vulnerability, doubts, and fears, and every time you told an underclassman at the advisory table, ‘It’s ok, it’s not that bad, you can do it,’ you showed your wisdom, growth, and leadership.” It’s a delicate balance to push a teenager out of her comfort zone just far enough to make her a little bit scared but not too far to push her over the brink. We see this all the time as we encourage girls to vie for leadership positions, do better on the athletic field, work smarter in their academics, or solve relationship problems. It is especially gratifying to see the older student who is actively looking for those opportunities because she has learned here that we will catch her if she falls. Learning in Relationship with Others When you live with so many of your teachers and coaches, it is hard not to feel connected to them. Small groups of advisory members meeting weekly encourage cross-grade relationships, as do Big Sister/Little Sister and Culture Buddy (girls from different cultures matched with each other) pairings. Day students have rooms on the boarding corridors, which has helped develop sometimes unlikely friendships and has inspired many of our local families to include a boarder from far away for a weekend, a holiday, or a vacation. It is not uncommon for a girl from Greenfield to be invited home with a Chinese or Mexican girl because

her parents want to reciprocate for the kindnesses extended to their daughter. Peer tutors reach out to girls who want to learn more about the class in which they are struggling, and our students have regular exposure in the dorms to

Our graduates today move on to college knowing that they have a strong sense of who they are, passion for at least one thing they have discovered or developed here, and a network of friends who will likely be with them for life. the languages we teach in the classroom, French, Spanish, and Chinese. Communication and relationship building can happen in many languages. I cannot talk about Stoneleigh-Burnham’s place in the panoply of all-girls’ education without mention of the value of community in the learning process. Knowing that girls thrive in relationship, we have built very deliberate language around who we are in community and how that works. All our students understand that they play an important part in the success of every year and that the choices made in how they live in this

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community will affect each and every one of the rest of us. Our discipline system is steeped in community understanding. The major rules of the school exist because violation of any of them impacts members of the community in negative ways. The girls understand that I will speak to them at Housemeeting when a student has been punished for breaking a major school rule. This is not to set an example but, rather, to help the others understand that there is room for growth when mistakes are made, that whoever has been punished should not be made to feel like a bad person, and that gossip doesn’t help anyone. We simply need to support one another to be our best selves. We are in that mix of schools that belong to the umbrella organization called the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS). NCGS does a wonderful job communicating the most up-to-date research on girls and girls’ learning. We know from a recent 2015 study*, for instance, that students from girls’ schools report stronger positive response to the following areas of their learning than do girls in coed environments: • aspiration and motivation • the challenge to achieve more • engagement in the learning process • participation in “real world” activities • feeling more comfortable with themselves and expressing their ideas 5

Our Place in the Landscape of Girls’ Education

• gains on core academic and life skills • being and feeling supported in endeavors The International Baccalaureate Program at SBS Since becoming an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in 2010, Stoneleigh-Burnham has been more deliberate in its curricular decisions as we work to create meaning on the way to our very clear end point of a possible IB diploma. From the beginning, students in the IB Diploma Program have reported feeling more challenged and more motivated in ways that signal growth and satisfaction. Not only are they in an all-girls’ environment, but now they are engaging in a curriculum that focuses on integrated learning, reflective writing, creativity, and critical thinking. Girls are learning in an international environment with an international curriculum so that “participation in real world activities” becomes a no-brainer. We are the first allgirls’ IB World School in New England and only the third in the country; it’s hard to believe not more girls’ schools have figured out what we now know: that the IB and all-girls compliment each other in significant ways. The IB Diploma Program creates a wonderful bookend with our project-based, progressive Middle School program, and grades 9 and 10 provide a lovely segué from one to the other. At the middle school level, girls are helping craft the nature of their lesson units; they pose the questions (with some skillful guidance from their teachers), and their teachers lead them through a curriculum to help them find the answers. They write 6

and perform their own play in grade 7, and they make connections through the complementary nature of their visual arts and Humanities classes. They are constantly sharing ideas and excitedly being creative in their learning. During Family Weekends each middle schooler leads a meeting with her advisor and parents in which she presents some of her best work and assesses her own prog-

Teaching Girls to Take Risks, Pushing Girls to Succeed

their place in a larger context. We have reached that goal in targeted areas, including riding, debate, music, and dance. In the latter two, we engage in area activities where our musicians and dancers can be highlighted: town holiday events, a cappella festivals, and arts festivals. Almost every weekend, our equestrians compete on or off campus, and they usually return to show off a few ribbons. Our debaters have many scheduled tournaments each year, usually taking them off campus, and they – more often than not – bring home accolades worthy of a much bigger school. Last year, we had a second place winner in the statewide Lions Club competition for original speechwriting and delivery, a fifth place overall out of the 15 Americans at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship in Hong Kong, and first and second place winners in Impromptu Speaking at the Robert H. Gile Tournament of Champions. Our debate and public speaking society under the remarkable leadership of Paul “PB” Bassett, has been such a seminal experience in the lives of so many of our students that we have now added a required course in Rhetoric for all sophomores. We want all our girls to benefit from what our debaters have learned over the years: how to build a strong argument and to speak well publicly. These are some of the core academic skills we strive to have our students learn, and in the all-girls’ environment that learning is made all the more accessible.

One of the goals of our last Strategic Plan was to afford our students more exposure to performance and competition, encouraging them to understand

Similarly, our Forum Program teaches life skills in grades 7-12. Each year’s curriculum focuses on what is developmentally appropriate. Because we are

We are the first all-girls’ IB World School in New England and only the third in the country; it’s hard to believe not more girls’ schools have figured out what we now know: that the IB and all-girls compliment each other in significant ways. ress. This exercise, too, leads to greater engagement in learning and the desire to achieve more. Certainly, our girls are gaining confidence to express themselves. As they move into the high school years, our middle schoolers enter with notable skills to tackle the work at hand, to enjoy learning for learning’s sake, and to continue to grow in beautiful ways.

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Today We have seen women making strides and STILL being forced to hide behind their accomplishments But we will see the end of all that with you Because You are women of tomorrow

Nafisatou Mounkaila ‘13 speaks during 2015 Commencement

all-girls we are able to focus on some of the basics of being female: understanding the workings of the female body, learning about negative behaviors and strategies to avoid acting in “mean girl” ways, developing good nutrition for women, and avoiding situations where date rape may take place. What happens here – the messages that girls receive here – would not easily happen in an alternate environment. We women do not need to live in relative isolation of the coed world for a lifetime, but isn’t it lucky for those of us who have been given the privilege of punching out for awhile to figure out who we really are at the core without the distraction of gender stereotypes, without competition for leadership positions, and without feeling lost and unknown? I began this article talking about the unique messages inherent in our graduation week, and I’d like to end there as well. The senior class works with me each year to determine all of the speak-

ers at its graduation; they choose their class speaker, the key Commencement Speaker, and whom they want to open and close the ceremony. This year’s choice for opening and closing was, surprisingly, a graduate from the Class of 2013, Nafisatou Mounkaila, a young woman who was with us for four years before heading to NYU Abu Dhabi. She is such a remarkable person that she was chosen as her class speaker two years ago, when she wowed us all with a powerful and inspirational speech. This year’s seniors wanted to hear from Nafisatou again, and she generously agreed to join us. Once again, Nafisatou did not disappoint. I want to share with you a piece of the poem she wrote to close our ceremony. It is both inspirational and specific to us – and to girls. Nafisatou would probably be remarkable if she hadn’t gone to an all-girls’ school, but I contend that she’s all the more powerful because she did. Here is an excerpt from her closing thoughts for the Class of 2015:

You have what it takes You have started the journey You are on your feet You come second to nobody You are women So your strength burns as bright as the stars Along the way we may scar But. Scars. HEAL. Feel like you are worth it because YOU ARE Feel like you are stunning because YOU ARE Feel like you are everything because YOU ARE I could only imagine that every senior listening to Nafisatou felt super-empowered to go take on the world; that this was the indeed the right place for her to grow and learn and love. Our graduation is such an intimate experience. Would that every girl in the world could be at a school like ours where she is known, empowered and in special relationship with those around her. How lucky for those who are in this place today.

*Holmgren, Richard. Steeped in learning: the student experience at all-girls’ schools. National Coalition of Girls’ Schools website (www.ncgs.org). 2015.

Social Justice in the Classroom

CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE GIRL AT A TIME By Nicole Letourneau, Interim Director of Communications

very day, a girl at Stoneleigh-Burnham School finds her voice. And, more importantly, she uses it, because, as the school’s mission states, she is “secure in the knowledge that her voice will be heard.” Students in this small, all girls’ setting are given the space to explore many sides of an issue, problem, or injustice. They are encouraged to question, to share their opinions, and to be open-minded. They are asked to allow for their own views to evolve as they gain knowledge and experience. The all girls’ environment at SBS may very well be a catalyst for fostering social justice, first in the classroom, then in college, and eventually in the “real” world. One of the most potent lessons students learn is that there is power in their voices. There are opportunities everywhere for girls to learn how they can affect change by using their voices. Girls here learn with power comes a responsibility to lend their voices in places where another person’s voice has been ignored or suppressed. Teachers, students, and alumnae share, in their own words, in their own voices, how SBS fosters social justice, and attempts to change the world, one girl at a time. Shawn Durrett, Dean of Faculty: Sometimes, we’ve seen a social justice interest sweep its way throughout the whole school, such as when thensenior Mary Pura ‘13 helped bring the documentary “Girl Rising” to us, which

more spontaneous. I try to offer some very open-ended and creative assignments each year, which allow students to pursue the interests that really matter to them. This year, I had students looking at unrealistic/ unfair expectations for women in the music industry, double-standards in American society in regards to women’s versus men’s sexuality, racism, and female artists and censorship in China, to name a few issues.

We are an international community, and the evercomplex world we live in is reflected within our own walls. – Shawn Durrett started conversations school-wide about education for women and girls around the world. Sometimes, I choose an issue for my class to examine, such as when we learned about North Korea when studying “The Handmaid’s Tale.” I wanted my students to compare a modern-day totalitarian regime to Atwood’s dystopian novel. This led to a lot of discussion about freedom and oppression. This unit fascinated and frustrated my students, especially in trying to understand how such a society can exist in today’s world. However, as an English teacher, the moments I tend to witness relating to social justice are much smaller – more personal,

There is continual work we must do as educators to create platforms and opportunities for students to explore social justice issues. After some discussion in Housemeeting about the events in Ferguson, MO, and Staten Island, N.Y., one of my students, who is AfricanAmerican, told me she didn’t feel she could say anything to the whole community in Housemeeting because she was so angry about the events that she didn’t know how to express her feelings, and was worried others might be upset by what she had to say. A true test of a community’s strength is not whether we all “get along,” but whether we can engage together in critical and potentially uncomfortable dialogue about sensitive issues. And the issues we need to talk about are not just domestic ones. We are an international community, and the ever-complex world we live in is reflected within our own walls. It takes work to have a strong, healthy, diverse community.

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Bill Ivey, Middle School Dean: Our mission is at its core feminist. In a patriarchal society, when you talk about students in a girls’ school discovering their best selves and graduating secure in the knowledge that their voices will be heard, not only are you committing to support the students themselves, you are also committing to rebuild our society and to work for equity.

The sad fact is, in the cultures of most of the countries from which our students come, simply to honor girls’ voices is a statement and a political act. Through acknowledging and supporting a diversity of sexualities as well as gender identities and expressions, and through seeking an explicitly anti-racist attitude, we are challenging established hierarchies every single day. Perhaps that is one reason why, as Linda Sax’s landmark 2009 study showed, graduates of girls schools are more likely to embrace social justice causes and to actively get involved than are girls who graduate from coed schools. You see that effect when an eighth grader, during a discussion on microaggressions, raises a fist and yells, “Fight the power!” or when graduates join feminist organizations when they go off to college. To foster social justice in the classroom, I begin with a democratic classroom. If

we are to value student voice, which by definition here means girls’ voices, we need to walk the talk. My Humanities 7 students co-create our curriculum from scratch every year. For each unit, they come up with questions they want to explore, group them, extrapolate a theme, and choose supporting books. They learn to how discuss, collaborate, seek, and find solutions. They choose individual focus questions, then gather information, write multiple drafts of an essay, and finally present on what they learned. Besides being true to democratic ideals, all of this is supported by the principles of best middle school practice. Being at an age when they are exploring who they are and how the world works, and when they naturally have a strong focus on fairness and justice, the seventh graders frequently choose units with a social justice-oriented theme. Recent theme questions include “What is a girl?” and “Why do people judge each other and themselves?” and “What are the explicit and implicit rules of different communities and how do they affect their members?” Beyond my work with students, I write extensively for the school blog. Over the years, I have consciously evolved my focus from being generally girl-positive to one of intersectional feminism. I believe that reflects a gradual shift in thinking in the school itself. I view my role as a combination of working to help ensure these shifts are visible and understood in all their nuance, and attempting to push at the edges, in print and in daily conversations, to help keep us continually moving forward. I’m also working to support increasing the number of voices on the blog. This year, that included a speech given on Martin

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Luther King Day by Eni Owoeye ‘18, an essay on teaching the full diversity of gender in school by Beatrice Brynda ‘20, a posting by faculty member Ellen Carter on the “Rejection Boot Camp” that Rachel Simmons, an expert on girls psychology, brought to the school. Finally, I manage the school’s Twitter account, which has been consciously oriented toward thought-leadership. I deliberately seek out links to articles and posts on education and/or with an intersectionally feminist outlook. It’s been fascinating to see the school being followed not just by the usual mix of members of our own community, other schools, and consultants and educational associations, but also by educational and social justice activists. We are already seen by many as a thought leader in the area of social justice, and are working to spread our influence. Claire Lane ‘16: Education is at the core of promoting social justice and introducing activism into young women’s lives. It is

vital for women to feel empowered to speak up for their passions, but all too often it takes an “extra mile,” so to speak, for women to get their ideas legitimately recognized and accepted. Women have to overcome internal and external social conditioning and pressures, as well as 9

Social Justice in the Classroom

misogyny, in a world that still strives to oppress their voices. When we neglect the power of half of the population, social justice issues lose their potential strength and vitality. I believe an all-girls’ education gives girls the opportunities to ponder and address social justice in a way that a co-educational environment does not. All-girls’ education offers a space for girls to gain confidence and comfort in their own decisions. In a coeducational environment, whether intentionally or not, we see that a certain type of culture exists where women are pushed out of spaces. This is apparent in the statistic that in co-educational environments, women are perceived to speak an equal amount of times as their male cohorts, but in fact women speak only about 20 percent of the time that men do. There are not many places in the world where will you see groups of only women sitting around a table having as intense discussions as you see in all girls’ schools and here at SBS. An all-girls’ environment also allows educators to cater to specific issues that affect girls, and nurture us and prepare us for a world where we will have to overcome so many challenges. Social justice issues, especially racism, feminism, and poverty, all needed women’s voices in order to succeed, and SBS encourages us to grow into women who are independent, savvy, and ready to tackle these issues headfirst. Maah Otchere ’15: I have always known about social justice because of the melanin in my skin. Ever since I was younger I have been told that even if I have the same credentials as a white person, they might get the higher grade or the position that I would like. Because of my knowledge about the racial injustice in America, I have 10

also been exposed to other social justice movements, such as the fight for marriage equality and women’s education. I embraced the opportunity to be in SOC (the Students of Color club at SBS). We attempt to teach the community about black culture and about the African and Caribbean sides of the culture. We held movie showings and discussions hoping to spark conversation about racial equality. SBS has made me more aware of social justice issues and has forced me to open my eyes to what is happening around me. When I go to college this fall, I will definitely join my multicultural club to further talk about the issues that are currently happening around the world with social justice. Recently, there have been a lot of racial incidents on television and in the news, and I wanted to share my opinions not only on the incidents but on black history itself. In light of this I created a series of poems titled Revelations. I named the poems Revelations because the poems were small realizations for me during the course of my life as a young black American.

and still its mulatto shade is superior to her own “Team light-skin!” they scream these words will be carried by the Black community for eons to come. the dirt on her skin is not made up of the ground, but of her own melanin she scrubs until harsh red and scratched lines appear and satisfy her fear of becoming one with the endless black of night but to no avail the dirt does not go away and her colorblind mind remains in the way no matter how hard she auditions she will never be allowed to be one of those above her. but still she attempts to scrape off what is like a stain on her canvas her escape is but a never ending tunnel of her own despair. for she knows that only He can change her you are so dark no, I look to dark light-skin babies are always pretty i wish i was the color of the paper bag.

Team Light-Skin

Mary Pura ’13: When you spend everyday with a large number of girls from all backgrounds and experiences, it makes you start to think about who you are as a girl or woman and who you want to be. You don’t realize how special an all-girls’ education is until you’re in the classroom. You learn to listen to one another and learn from one another. An all-girls’ education provides a platform for unity.

paper bags continue to rule not by their structure, but by their meaning she puts the bag up to her cognac skin

My awareness of social justice occurred started when I first attended Housemeeting. I was in awe of all of these girls getting up in front of the entire school and speaking

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with such determination. When a student shows the courage to stand up and speak to her school, she inspires another girl in the audience to do the same someday. That, in itself, makes a difference in the world. Social justice on a wider scale became more and more present when I started the International Baccalaureate program. I remember having such riveting conversations about the world and its history with my fellow IB candidates. Every one was so passionate and determined to make a difference. That inspired me to want to do the same. I really started to embrace social justice in 11th and 12th grades. I had become increasingly aware that the majority of literature that we were reading was about men. How could we identify with the white-male experience? Then we started reading women’s literature in English class. I became particularly inspired by Kate Chopin’s, “The Awakening.” The story of a young married woman’s struggle for independence and passion spoke to my interest in feminism. I ultimately decided to write my Extended Essay on Chopin’s literature and its examination of the female experience in the 19th and early 20th century. It made me appreciate the freedom I had as an educated woman. But that confinement still exists for many women. Over time, I realized that we were an all-

girls’ school with no real hands-on work in regards to spreading education for women. So, for my CAS (Community Action Service) project, I created a Women’s Film Series. For weeks, I held screenings of movies and documentaries about women’s suffrage, education, and representation in the media. It culminated with the public screening of “Girl Rising” with the partnership of Bookstore Manager Lisa Ganci. My time at SBS gave me the tools to use my voice at the college level. It made me value the importance of women’s education in strengthening social progress and creating new leaders in all sectors of society. I was always known at SBS as the class feminist but I’m pretty happy about that reputation. Senior Class predictions even wrote that I would “become the next member of Pussy Riot.” I haven’t achieved that yet, but I’m still a part of an all women’s environment at Mount Holyoke College that continues to strengthen my passion for equal rights. Karen Suchenski, Middle School Humanities: Young girls are making history all the time. My job is to expose students and open their minds to things they didn’t know existed, and show them

that girls are the actors in history and not just the victims. And, then, I follow their lead. I help them do the research and ask

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them questions like, “What do you do with this information?” I help them find ways to take the actions they are moved to take. Through community service learning, I expose them to various perspectives. For example, we look at writing as a form of activism. We study the writing by slaves, who were writing for freedom, who were slave activists, who were breaking the law by writing. My students write their own memoirs and learn about the power of their words. I ask them: What does point of view mean? What does it mean to look at a map and then turn it upside down? We study The Diary of Ann Frank and discuss the ethical issues, such as who was helping Ann and why and who was trying to expose her and her family? We look at girls’ education and talk about the Nigerian students, about Malala, discuss girl heroines in history. We look at racial slavery in the United States and human trafficking around the world as a terrible injustice. In the spring, we were stuck on an hourslong delay on the train during our 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. During that delay, we discussed what actions, if any, could be taken in response. We got out our iPads and the girls discovered that Amtrak is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. government. Together, we wrote a letter expressing our thoughts and frustrations, and I emailed it off. I can’t tell you how gratified they were when I shared with them that an official from Amtrak had responded to their letter. That’s real life activism. Girls here are learning to be passionate and to develop their voices and they are learning the power of persuasion in their speech and writing. They learn that community service isn’t just a club, it’s an educational foundation. 11

Alumnae Contributor

WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY By Allison Porter ‘89, Chair of the Board of Trustees

Women are a Force in Philanthropy Finally the data is proving what many of us have known all along: women are emerging as leaders in philanthropic impact. Women are not only making their own fortunes, but many are inheriting wealth through intergenerational transfer, and they are exercising leadership in family philanthropy, shaping how wealth is being given away. Furthermore, women are emerging as leaders and catalysts for philanthropy today, bringing people together for great causes. Inside Philanthropy recently announced its list of the 15 Most Powerful Women in U.S. Philanthropy, and it reads like a “who’s who” list of strong women. It includes Melinda Gates, Susan Buffett, and Susan Dell, who, despite their uberfamous names, often donate outside the limelight that their husbands, fathers, and other male counterparts operate in. For decades, the power of women in philanthropy has been overshadowed, overlooked, undervalued, or simply not recognized. But, the modern woman philanthropist is asserting independent and collaborative leadership in how they and their families are making charitable contributions. The Research is In Forbes magazine recently reported that, according to Boston College’s Center on

Wealth and Philanthropy, women will inherit 70 percent of the $41 trillion in intergenerational wealth transfer expected over the next 40 years. Furthermore, women tend to donate more of their wealth than men do. The Lily Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University released Women Give 2012, which looked at the effect of age and gender on charitable giving and reported that women at every

Philanthropy is not a quiet power; it is a roaring engine for change.

income level give to charity more often than men do. Moreover, women tend to donate more money on average than their male counterparts. According to the report, “Even though women, in general, earn less than men, have less money in retirement, and outlive their spouses, this study demonstrated that Boomers and older women are more likely to give and give more to charity than men.”

Women have every reason to feel great about giving back. A study by Dunn, Aknin, and Norton titled, “Prosocial Spending and Happiness: Using Money to Benefit Others Pays Off,” describes the science that proves that we are hard-wired to be generous. In fact, many studies show that people who spend money on others report greater happiness. Michel Norton has a wonderful TEDxCambridge talk in which he shares his research on how money can buy happiness — when you don’t spend it on yourself. Moving Beyond “Quiet Power” to Impact the Lives of Women and Girls In addition to feeling happy, women should also feel empowered. I bristle when I see publications use the phrase “quiet power” to describe this phenomenon. Women in philanthropy are making an impact – and we should be bold about it. Some of us are in the public eye, and others choose to give privately or even anonymously. Our financial means vary widely. But all of us make resolute statements with our charitable giving. By choosing particular causes, we assert our priorities and our vision for a better world. We empower our charities to be impactful, and we rightly hold them accountable to their missions. Philanthropy is not a quiet power; it is a roaring engine for change.

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Frequently, charitable giving by women, directly or through women’s funds, focuses on improving the quality of life and opportunity for girls and women. Women have long understood that the key to building and raising up communities is through empowering and educating their women, and philanthropic investments in women and girls can fuel positive change in communities around the world.

enhance student life. This past spring, SBS began the construction of a new student center, café, and foyer to transform the experiences of students, as well the addition of a beautiful new terrace and pergola. The first new construction undertaking at SBS in 15 years, this project is one very visible and tangible result of our charitable giving. But, we all know there is so much more to do.

This is something every StoneleighBurnham girl – past and present—can relate to, and is reflected in our strategic positioning.

When you make a contribution to Stoneleigh-Burnham School, your donation supports everything from financial aid to faculty development, from maintenance to student life programs, and so much more. As women and as SBS alumnae, we have an incredible opportunity to make a tremendous impact with our financial gifts. Giving to Stoneleigh-Burnham School is an investment that ensures the future of allgirls’ education and allows us to change the world one girl at a time.

“With its history of fostering the development of strong individual female identities, its small and inclusive multicultural environment and its dedication to understanding how girls best learn and grow, Stoneleigh-Burnham School guides emerging women to become active agents of their own destiny.” – SBS Strategic Vision, 2011. Make Stoneleigh-Burnham School a Priority in Your Philanthropic Portfolio Years ago, I made Stoneleigh-Burnham my personal philanthropic priority simply because I knew that if I gave to SBS, my contribution would ensure that many more girls have the SBS experience and that my gift would really make a difference.

Giving to Stoneleigh-Burnham School is an investment that ensures the future of all-girls’ education. It allows us to change the world one girl at a time. As donors, we want to make sure that we are making smart investments through our giving, that organizations will use our money wisely, and that our gift – no matter how big or small – will make an impact. If you’ve been to campus recently you can see the tangible results of what your gift means to SBS. The $1.2 million Bridge Fund has kicked off capital renovations that will improve the spaces for the girls to live and learn, and

Allison Porter ’89, Chair of the Stoneleigh-Burnham School Board of Trustees, is a business owner, fundraiser, and philanthropist. She is president of Avalon Consulting Group, a full-service direct marketing fundraising agency in Washington D.C. She is wife to Greg Barranco and mother to Luca and Alex Barranco.

Gifts to Stoneleigh-Burnham 2014-2015

YOU DID IT LET’S CELEBRATE! It’s easy to celebrate the major accomplishments like passing an exam and winning an athletic competition. But here at Stoneleigh-

Burnham, we put a special emphasis on the small celebrations, too. And every time a girl makes a presentation in class, scores her first goal, or hands

in a successful draft of an essay we think of you, our loyal alumnae and parents, who support all we do for students.

Without you, we could not thrive Whether you gave $10 a month, volunteered your time, or made a major gift to the Bridge Fund for building renovations, we want you to know you mean the world to us.

It’s important for girls to know that they have people like you on their side – people who don’t even know them, but care about their education and well-being. Your support gives

Stoneleigh-Burnham students the enthusiasm and energy they need to pursue their dreams. Thank you for being such wonderful friends.

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Your Impact Through Gifts to Stoneleigh-Burnham 2014-2015 This year, the Annual Fund reached $288,634, exceeding our goal by 5%, and the Bridge Fund has grown to $821,112 thanks to the tremendous generosity of alumnae, parents and friends.

Cash Gifts Received for all Funds (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015)

Total Donors: 709 Annual Fund ................................................................ $ 288,634 Restricted (non budget relieving).......................................... $ 29,031 Endowment - Restricted................................................. $ 1,175 Endowment - Unrestricted ............................................ $ 11,000 Bridge Fund Gifts (cash and pledge payments)....................... $ 354,236 Total Received............................................................... $ 684,076

Bridge Fund as of June 30, 2015 Goal: $1.2 Million

Bridge Fund (2012 – June 30, 2014)...................................... $626,670 New Gifts and Pledges (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015)............. $194,442 Total Received............................................................... $821,112

SCHOOL PROJECTS

TRANSFORMING OUR CAMPUS

Above: Ghazeleh Agazadeh ’15, State Representative Paul Mark, Trustee Rich Hubbard, Head of School Sally Mixsell, Architect Maria Chao, General Contractor Robyn Provost, and Charlotte Minsky ’16.

toneleigh-Burnham School kicked off the renovation and construction of a new student center, café, terrace, and foyer with a small celebration and groundbreaking ceremony on May 20. Joining Head of School Sally Mixsell and the extended SBS community were several local officials including State Representative Paul Mark.

Noting that this is the first new construction project at SBS in 15 years, Mixsell said the renovations of three contiguous spaces, including the Red Room, will transform the experiences of students. Mixsell explained that two years ago SBS launched a $1.2 million Bridge Fund to address some of the small

capital projects in the Campus Master Plan and build enthusiasm around our vision for the future. The new student center construction that is underway is part of Phase I of that initiative, with its completion planned for this fall. We will celebrate the completion of the project with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 1, 2015.

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Behind your gift, there’s a story. JOIN US. GIVE NOW.

“ THIS SCHOOL HAS SHAPED US. WE ARE READY TO MOVE ON. THANK YOU, STONELEIGH-BURNHAM.” Grace Powers Class of 2015, Senior Class Commencement Speaker

Ways to give: •

Give securely online at sbschool.org/donate

•

Set up a recurring gift; call Anne Bridge in the Development Office at 413.774.2711 x262

•

Use the enclosed gift envelope to send a check or charge a gift to your credit card

Your gift matters, thank you. Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law. 17

Opportunities to Engage with SBS

STONELEIGH-BURNHAM CONNECT

lumnae involvement in the life of Stoneleigh-Burnham is critical to our success and mission. Stoneleigh-Burnham Connect, our alumnae engagement initiative, invites all alumnae to:

HONOR

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• Refer and recruit prospective students • Gather with fellow alumnae at reunions, on-campus events, and regional happenings • Volunteer as a class agent or reunion planner • Help prepare students for careers and life • Connect with classmates • Give advice and suggestions • Recognize and honor the lives and accomplishments of fellow alumnae • Give to the Annual Fund, the Endowment, and Capital Projects to impact student financial aid, ensure quality faculty, and GATHER enhance important priorities of the School

R TO ER

We invite all alumnae, and all who love StoneleighBurnham to join us.

LOYALTY PRIDE GENEROSITY

This multi-year initiative aims to honor and advance the legacy of our remarkable alumnae. Not only will alumnae involvement help students while they are attending Stoneleigh-Burnham, it will launch them into a lifetime of active engagement with their alma mater.

GIVE

LEARN

Heading Your Way Watch for invitations and join us for a Stoneleigh-Burnham event near you! Asia Atlanta Austin Boston Cape Cod & Islands Central Massachusetts Connecticut

Dallas Florida Houston Los Angeles Maine Mexico New Hampshire

New Jersey New York, NY Oakland Palm Springs Philadelphia Rhode Island San Diego

San Francisco Savannah Seattle Vermont Washington, DC

Would you like to host an event or volunteer to help? Contact the Office of Alumnae Relations: alumnae@sbschool.org or (413) 774. 2711 x270.

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Family Legacy Proud alumna Kathleen Tuck Fontaine ’83 is leaving a gift to the school in her will and has become a member of the Sayles Planned Giving Society.

“Education was paramount in my family. My gift through a bequest is a way for me to thank my parents for their dedication to my learning and education. They encouraged me to find what I’m passionate about and to learn as much as possible about that interest. Though I do not have children of my own, I want my gift to help ensure that other young women have the same StoneleighBurnham experience that I did.” - Kathleen Tuck Fontaine ’83 Alumnae Board Member

Planned gifts support the School’s Endowment. If you would like to remember or recognize a family member through a gift to StoneleighBurnham, call Susan Mattei at 413.774.2711 or smattei@sbschool.org.

Photo by John Nordell

EVENTS

2015 ALUMNAE CAREER EVENT

Photos by Matthew Cavanaugh

On Thursday, March 26, 2015, the SBS Student Alumnae Association hosted our annual Alumnae Career Event. The event gives 11th and 12th graders the chance to meet with alumnae who have exhibited great efforts to achieve their professional position and are notable, career-driven individuals. As adolescents, many students are uncertain of the career path they would like to pursue and can often times be inspired to discover new career opportunities when encouraged by our dynamic alumnae. Denise Bruner ‘70, a physician of bariatric medicine, Marcela Sanchez Grover ‘89, a corporate lawyer, Elizabeth Neal ‘97, who works in fashion for Mark Jacobs, Katie Troyanoski ‘97, of SmartPak, an equine supplemental company, and June Coolidge Scott ‘83, founder of a values-based disability consulting services company Visual Vitality, came to campus to share their career experiences. Their words of encouragement and empowerment inspired our students. If you are interested in participating in the next Alumnae Career Event, please email: alumnae@sbschool.org. A

A: Ghazaleh Aghazadeh ’15 B: Rose Watson ’16, Maah Otchere ’15, Sarah Carty ’15, Yasmin Baksh ’15, Cynthia Ntare ’15, Michelle Sun ’15, Olivia Fernandez ’15, Caitlyn Grover ’16, Siobhan Pascal ’16, Sophie Spring ’16, and Maria Bahnassi ’15 C: Rachel Jackson, Assistant Director of Development for Alumnae Relations, introduces Denise Bruner ’70, Max Sanchez Grover ’89, Elizabeth Neale ’97, Katie Troyanoski ’99, June Coolidge Scott ’83, and Melissa Joseph

C D

D: Katie Troyanoski ’99, Max Sanchez Grover ’89, and Denise Bruner ’70 E: Julia Thayer ’18 and Max Sanchez Grover ’89 F: Elizabeth Neale ’97 and Katie Troyanoski ’99

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G G: June Coolidge Scott ’83 H: Natalie DiMario ’16, Clara Swartzentruber ’16, Linda Limeri ’16, and Max Sanchez Grover ’89

I: Julia Thayer ’18, Charlotte Minsky ’16, and Jennifer Jin ’15 J: Elizabeth Neale ’97, Linda Limeri ’16, McKim Jean-Pierre ’16, and Jordan Alber ’16 K: Francesca Eremeeva ’15, QianQian Li ’15, Cathy Sun ’15, and Katie Troyanoski ’99 L: Heather DiGregorio ’15 and Kaleigh Intrator ’15 M: Denise Bruner ’70 speaks to current students and Head of School Sally Mixsell ’69

REUNION 2015

Photos by Matthew Cavanaugh and Hank Mixsell

A: Stoneleigh-Burnham School Reunion 2015 B: Hannah Risser-Sperry ’05 C: We honor our classes of MAB & SPH 1965 D: Construction tour with Head of School Sally Mixsell ’69 E: Alumnae performance by Obehi Janice Utubor ’05 F: SBS Trustee Charlotte Newton ’71

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A: Leadership Council Member Denise Bruner ’70 & SBS Trustee Anne Quantrell Dennen ’70 B: Forever Young - Patsie Holloway Tucker ’43B & Connie Johnson Corsiglia ’45S C: Leadership Council Member Michelle Hanney & Tamar Cooke Luck ’90

D: Perfectly Coordinated - SBS Trustee Laura Richards ’60S & Ceci Ament Roberge ’60S E, F and G: Photo Booth Fun with 2005 - Celebrating 10 years. Emma Balazs, Alicia de la Vega Billingsley, Julia Blakeney-Hayward, Damara Campbell, Jessye Deane, Lacey Faulkner, Heather Hoover-Borromeo, Eliza Hussey, Jenna Hubbard Karcher, Pei-zu Liao, Erica Marback, Emily Nadel, Hannah Risser-Sperry, Meghan Royal, Brittany Sadler, Angela Smith-LaClaire, Amanda Streeter, Wen-Hsing Su, Obehi Janice Utubor, Meira Wainstein, Aliana Warwar, Hui-Wen Yang

EVENTS

ALUMNAE ON THE ROAD A: Gwen Maynard, Marilyn Bennett, SBS Riding Instructor, Ginger Robitaille ’69, Franny Eremeeva ’15, Beth McGranahan ’17, Leslie Chan ’76, Susan Mattei, Director of Development and Alumnae Relations, Head of School Sally Mixsell ’69, and Colby Maynard at the White Horse Tavern in Wellington, FL in March.

B: Leadership Council Member Michelle Hanney ’90 and her daughter, Chiara, Ashani Petrizzi, Assistant Director of Development, Franny Eremeeva ’15, Mily Ayala Rosas ’19 and her mother, Maria, Mina Williams ’74, Director of Riding, and Susan Mattei, Director of Development and Alumnae Relations, in front of the Stoneleigh-Burnham table at IEA Nationals in West Palm Beach, FL. C: Leadership Council Member Andrea O’Naghten ’89 and Head of School Sally Mixsell ’69 overlooking Miami Beach in March D: SBS student Mily Ayala Rosas ’19 hugs her mother, Maria, before she rides at IEA Nationals in April. E: Former Trustee and Leadership Council Member Betty Stout ’61 (left) in Historic Savannah with Ashani Petrizzi, Assitant Director of Development (right). F: Leadership Council Member Michelle Hanney ’90 and her daughter, Chiara, at the Stoneleigh-Burnham table during IEA Nationals in April.

G: Coral Gabels, FL was the setting for a Head of School dinner in March. Attending were Leadership Council Member Michelle Hanney ’90, Director of Development and Alumnae Relations Susan Mattei, Head of School Sally Mixsell ’69 and Andrea O’Naghten ’89. H: Franny Eremeeva ’15 (left) and Ghazaleh Aghazadeh ’15 (right) give Trustee Nancy Corsiglia ’74 a hug after announcing the Senior Class had reached 100% participation in the Annual Fund. Corsiglia challenged the Senior Class by offering a matching gift. I: Chiara, daughter of Michelle Hanney ’90, talks with Franny Eremeeva ’15 after Emereeva’s Open Varisty ride at IEA Nationals in April.

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Meet the Alumnae Relations and Development Team

Left to right: Rachel Jackson Assistant Director of Development for Alumnae Relations phone: 413.774.2711 x270 email: rjackson@sbschool.org Ashani Petrizzi Assistant Director of Development for the Annual Fund phone: 413.774.2711 x317 email: apetrizzi@sbschool.org

Susan Mattei Director of Development and Alumnae Relations phone: 413.774.2711 x247 email: smattei@sbschool.org Anne Bridge Development Office Coordinator phone: 413.774.2711 x262 email: abridge@sbschool.org

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to hear from you! Photo by John Nordell, P â&#x20AC;&#x2122;17

Distinguished Alumna Award 2015

SUSAN LAWSON FARMER ‘60S Distinguished Alumna By Mark Kaschak, Assistant Director of Communications

he Stoneleigh-Burnham Distinguished Alumna Award was created in 2010 to honor one alumna each year that has distinguished herself in her personal or professional life, in her intellectual pursuits, or in her dedication to service of community, country, or society. The award also serves to inspire the entire Stoneleigh-Burnham School community to strive “to become their best selves” in their pursuit of a meaningful life.

I’d probably be somebody’s secretary right now instead of Secretary of State.”

This year, the Distinguished Alumna Award was given posthumously to Susan Lawson Farmer ’60S, who in 1982 became the first women elected to statewide office in Rhode Island. Farmer died in September 2013 after a protracted battle with cancer at the age of 71. Her dear friend and classmate, Laura Richards, accepted the award on behalf of Farmer’s family members, who were unable to attend the award presentation that was held as part of Stoneleigh-Burnham’s Reunion on June 13, 2015.

Farmer garnered great distinction as a Rhode Island politician despite myriad obstacles. According to an article in the Providence Journal, Farmer noted one particular obstacle.

Farmer was a politician in her early career, serving as Secretary of State, revamping and reorganizing the legal system, shifting around employment in the state office, and serving as chairman of a Presidential candidate in 1972. She later worked in broadcasting as head of the Rhode Island public television station WBSE, spearheading revolutionary programming and eventually becoming president of the Rhode Island PBS Foundation. 26

Her husband, Malcolm Farmer III, described the depth of her public service. “She was also a court-appointed advocate for abused and neglected children, chair of a New England-wide drug addict rehabilitation program and a member of the Providence home rule charter and human relations commissions,” he said.

“Susie often spoke of how much StoneleighBurnham contributed to her development into such an accomplished leader and contributor in the world of politics and public television.” - Malcolm Farmer

Farmer proved that being successful often meant creating her own success. She was once featured on a quote-of-the-day calendar saying, “My mother told me, ‘Never call the boys on the telephone. Let them take the first step.’ If I’d done that,

“I came from the East Side and went to private school ... I am blond-haired and blue-eyed and wear pearls,” she was quoted as saying. She was even given the nickname “Muffy,” a not-so-playful jab at these characteristics. Farmer’s competence, dedication, and never-back-down attitude led her to Rhode Island political history, as she became the first female Secretary of State in 1982. The path to statewide office was not an easy one, nor was it the first time that she had walked it. Two years prior, she lost the 1980 secretary of state election to Democrat Robert Burns. The next time around, Farmer would have to defeat Democrat Victoria Lederberg to win the seat. Lederberg would continue on to

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become a Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice after being ousted by Farmer in 1982 in the Rhode Island Secretary of State election. The Providence Journal quoted Farmer regarding her victory over Lederberg saying, “I did all this work to open the door for a woman holding statewide office. I wasn’t doing that to hold the door open for another woman to cruise through on the Democratic side.” Her first order of business was revamping election laws and reorganizing voter registration data. However, the most notable early move Farmer made was the firing of 14 longtime employees within a year of her election. The Providence Journal quoted Farmer regarding the controversial decision saying, “I’ve never for a moment thought that I should not do it.” Farmer also ran the 1972 presidential campaign in Rhode Island for California Republican Paul McCloskey, was a candidate for lieutenant governor in 1986, served as a state coordinator for the President Ford campaign, and served on John Chafee’s U.S. Senate campaign as finance director. According to an article in the Providence Journal, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts said of Farmer, “She made a lasting impression on me and so many of my peers. Women from all walks in this state will be forever indebted to Susan Farmer for her service to Rhode Island state government.”

Farmer was also a prominent figure in the public television industry, becoming a longtime president of Rhode Island PBS station WSBE after landing the general manager position for Channel 36. She was head of the station from 1987-2004 and president of the Rhode Island PBS Foundation from 1987-2005.

Rabbi Leslie Y. Gutterman said of Farmer at her funeral, “It’s never easy to say goodbye to a loved one. Rabbi means teacher, but it was I who learned from Susie Farmer. She learned to live with cancer with grace. It could not darken her radiant spirit. She was an exclamation mark in a row of commas.”

As was the case in her political career, many of the moves she made in the public television industry were met with resistance. For instance, in 1999 she approved the airing of a documentary titled “It’s Elementary: Talking About Gay Issues in School.”

Stoneliegh-Burnham School is honored to award Susan Farmer with this distinction.

To those who knew her best, Farmer was a genuine and care-driven individual. “From an early age, Susan Farmer proved she had a big heart and cared for the well being of Rhode Islanders,” said John Chafee.

“Susie often spoke of how much StoneleighBurnham contributed to her development into such an accomplished leader and contributor in the world of politics and public television,” said Farmer’s husband, Malcom. “We also know how much she would have appreciated this award. We are truly honored on Susie’s behalf to accept the award for her.”

Class Notes Kristen McKenzie-White ’07, and her husband, Ben, on their wedding day

Class Notes Do you have news to share? We have improved with technology and you are now able to submit your own class note and photos at any time during the year directly at: sbschool.org/alumnae/classnote/. If you would like to request contact information for your classmates, please call the Alumnae Relations Office at 413-774-2711 x.270 or email: alumnae@sbschool.org.

1943B

1945S

Patsie Holloway Tucker shares: I had such a wonderful time as a guest at Reunion this year! Audrey Willgoos Meehan writes: In 1942 and 1943, I was at Mary A. Burnham and I took snapshots of WWII WAVES marching past Southwick House, where I lived by Smith College. Many, many years later, I was in Vestavia, Ala., and a woman mentioned she had been a WAVE stationed at Smith. I showed her my pictures, which Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and her entourage were in as they were coming to lecture at the college. She was so delighted, as she could see herself amongst the marchers. Here I am, in 2015, and my memories of Mary A. Burnham are bright – a bright spot to come alive again in my 90s! I am encouraged that StoneleighBurnham School is giving the youth of today memories for tomorrow.

Connie Johnson Corsiglia writes: My daughter, Nancy Corsiglia ’74, and I had a lovely time at Reunion this year. It was such a magical time to connect with old friends and to make new friends.

If you don’t see your class listed, unfortunately we did not receive any notes for your class.

Mother-Daughter Legacy: Connie Johnson Corsiglia ’45S, P’73, ’74, ’77, ’80 and Nancy Corsiglia ’74.

Class Agent: Patsie Holloway Tucker patriciatucker333@gmail.com.

Class Agent: Connie Johnson Corsiglia cjcorsiglia@gmail.com.

1948B Anne Atwood Ellis shares: I was honored to receive the Women in American History award for 2015 from the Major James Kerr Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of The American Revolution, as I have spent my life committed to helping others. Betty Wright Follett writes: I have four children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. My daughter, Cindy, is a registered nurse and recently wrote a book, Salt of the Sea: Stories told by the Fisherman of Point Judith, and it has been listed on Amazon. I learned so much during my years at Burnham. It prepared me well. I owned a beauty salon for over 36 years that is still going strong (under new ownership). Believe it or not, some of my clients and myself will be 85 in May. My husband Charles and I are still living in Florida and enjoying the sunshine.

1950B

Class Agent: Kate Chames Vlachos saydeekaytee@aol.com Kate Chames Vlachos shares: I have been nominated to take over class notes for 1950 Mary A. Burnham. Emily Cooper Stephenson has done a phenomenal job as our class scribe and I am very thankful for her commitment all of these years past. Please be in touch with me if you would like to share anything or just have a nice chat to catch up. I made every effort this year to get back for Reunion, but at the last minute, a minor health problem kept me at home. I am hoping to make it back for another Reunion and would love to see some of you. Sending everyone “hello” from Kalamazoo! Meredith Jarvis Boyd writes: I am so happy to share that all is well with my family. My daughter, Katherine, is living in Maine, and my other daughter, Susan, is in New Hampshire, close enough to East Longmeadow, Mass., where I still reside. I have four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren sprinkled throughout the country. They all keep me busy!

1950S

Class Agent: Addie Warner Minott pulpitfm@myfairpoint.net Addie Warner Minott shares: My daughter, Priscilla, and I attended Reunion in June. The campus is under construction, which was quite exciting to see. If you get a chance to

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“All in the Family” Pat Reinking McBane ’55B Honoring Mary A. Burnham Traditions and Memories - Linda Barrows Bloodgood & Elena Scott Whiteside ’55B at Reunion. Anne Atwood Ellis ’48B accepting her award see it for yourself, I would encourage you to do so. I am so proud of the improvements our school has made. It is such a beautiful place!

1952S Joanie Polak Stoltz writes: I received a copy of the Bulletin in the mail, and it is WONDERFUL! My time at Stoneleigh helped mold me into the woman I became. StoneleighBurnham School will always hold a special place in my heart.

1955B

Class Agent: Pat Reinking McBane forbirch@aol.com Eleanor Kuchta O’Neil writes: My sad news is that Bob, my husband of 54 years, passed away August 24, 2014. We all miss him dearly. He was ill with sarcoma for 13 months and was very accepting through his illness. My good news is that I have two grandchildren graduating from college this May. Patrick is graduating from Northeastern in Boston, Magna Cum Laude, might I add. We are all very proud of him. Meghan is graduating from Becker College in Worcester with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Two grandchildren are still in college: Brendan and Kristina. Kristina is running the Boston Marathon this year for Brigham & Women’s Hospital in honor of her grandfather. I am so proud! Bob and I have been living in Venice, Florida, and I plan to remain here and live the

Proud Grandparents! Manuela Veve Margarida ’55B Florida lifestyle for as long as the Good Lord allows! Elena Scott Whiteside shares: What a lovely time at Reunion. I was able to see my dear friend Linda Barrows Bloodgood and her husband, John. As you may know, we are invited back as guests of the school each and every year, as a post-50th reunion class. There were so many activities available; the food was delicious, the accommodations on campus were wonderful, and of course, the conversations were interesting and intriguing. I truly enjoyed connecting with what is now Stoneleigh-Burnham School. I was so pleased to see that many of the honored traditions of Mary A. Burnham are visibly present around campus. I encourage all of you to make the effort to visit, whether it be for the next Reunion or an afternoon sometime when you are passing through. I promise you will be proud to see all of the exciting things happening on campus.

1961S - 55th Reunion!

Class Agent: Julie Stephens Wyman julie4cats@gmail.com Julie Stephens Wyman shares: As I write this I am looking at the Gulf of Mexico in Naples, Florida. We’ve traveled the world (except for Barcelona) but didn’t want to travel anymore so we bought a “get-away” condo in Naples. People think we’re crazy to buy a place so close to Sarasota but that is why we did. With our cats we couldn’t easily travel up north. We considered Miami and Palm Beach but Naples is perfect because in just 90 minutes we can be in a different environment. If you are in the area, email me at julie4cats@gmail.com. After 14 years on our HOA Board of Directors (12 as president), I retired to enjoy our new home. Also, my 3.5 USTA tennis team (I’m captain) had a great season of fun, competitive tennis. I’ll be contacting you all shortly, so hopefully we can have a lot of Stoneleigh 1961 class news in the next Bulletin.

1961B - 55th Reunion!

Class Agent: Antonia Schust Zegras tzegras@aol.com Elizabeth Burn DeWitt shares: In June 2014, I retired from working retail for over 24 years and moved from Columbus, Ohio to Oro Valley, Ariz., to be nearer my daughter and her husband. Best thing I have ever done! You can submit class notes directly to the Alumnae Office on our website at sbschool.org/alumnae/classnotes

Class Notes

1963B

Anne Sears writes: I’m sorry I couldn’t get to Reunion this year, but I have a great excuse. My first grandchild, Mackenzie Anne Fortune, was born on March 16. She is beautiful and we love her so much. She has a few obstacles to overcome in her future, but we are prepared to battle them together. I want everyone to know that having sisters from SBS (or S or B) is so important, as I have recently learned. You never know when one of them might be able to help you through whatever you are facing. Thanks Charlotte Lewis-Hankus ’72!

Class Agent: Judi Whaland Dunbar - judidunbar@aol.com Nancy Anderson Judge writes: I’ve been going through “stuff” and many memories popped up! At Christmas, as I was placing this angel ornament on the tree, I realized how long this ornament/card has been on my tree. Here’s to 55 years of wonderful memories.

1970

Class Agents: Perky Heath Hamill peezola@optonline.net & Kathy Seyffer Opdycke - wlpmom@verizon.net

1974 Mackenzie Anne Fortune, first grandchild of Anne Sears ’70

“My angel” Nancy Anderson Judge ’63B The Mr. and Mrs. “E” Alumnae Scholarship The Mr. and Mrs. “E” Scholarship is named for Mr. and Mrs. Edward E. Emerson who led StoneleighProspect Hill and then StoneleighBurnham from 1950-1970. This scholarship is awarded annually to a student who has demonstrated above-average academic ability and well-rounded interests and talents in their school community. A strong sense of community responsibility and care for family and friends, traits instilled by the Emersons, are also considered. Preference for this $5,000 award will be given to a relative of an alumna. For consideration First Round Applications should be completed and submitted to our Admission’s Office by February 15, 2016.

The ladies of 1974 on their annual trip: Mimi Gridley, Sarah Turner Steen, Abbe Janov Litvack, Annette Cazenave, Bar Cochran Cocherell, Kacey Konwiser, & Tenley Morse Chevalier

“Our Annual Trip” Mimi Gridley ’74, Sarah Turner Steen ’74, Abbe Janov Litvack ’74, Annette Cazenave ’74, Bar Cochran Cocherell ’74, Kacey Konwiser ’74

Class Agents: Mimi Gridley - mdgridley14@gmail.com & Bar Cochran Cocherell - barcocherell@gmail.com Mimi Gridley shares: Mimi Gridley, Sarah Turner Steen, Abbe Janov Litvak, Annette Cazenave, Bar Cochrell and Kacey Konwiser met in Florida for our annual gathering. We met Tenley Morse Chevalier for lunch and had a wonderful time catching up. It’s amazing how fast we can revert back to teenage years. It is such fun to keep up with many classmates via Facebook; I would love to hear from more! Vicki Zialcita Strousse shares: Reunion 2015 was a blast even though it wasn’t a milestone year for me. I was able to share the magic with my amazing daughter, Kate ’13, and witnessed many happy reuniting alumnae. I also made new friends and caught up with others. Reunion is such a happy time! I say come to Reunion whenever you can! Kudos to the hard-working staff for the well organized event with the best food ever and all the gorgeous flowers. We were blessed with beautiful weather. I can’t say enough about how lucky we are to have such a great place to go back to time and time again. If you haven’t been to a reunion yet, you must plan on it. Don’t forget to participate in giving to the Annual Fund each year. It speaks volumes and your voices really matter. Cheers to all!

If you don’t see your class listed, unfortunately we did not receive any notes for your class.

Alumna Profile

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Class Agent: Kathryn Whitney Mansfield katmansfield@gmail.com Debbie Magidson Martinez shares: Just a quick note to fill you in on what I’ve been up to. For those who don’t know, I am a Certified Life Coach specializing in divorce, and a Florida Supreme Court Family Mediator with a private practice in Miami. I keep very busy writing columns for The Florida Villager magazine and Huffington Post. In addition to my practice, I’m also a travel editor for a magazine here in Florida, which keeps me hopping. Tennis continues to be my number one form of exercise as I am on a women’s team here in town. With my youngest heading off to college this year, I am picking up stakes and heading to Charleston, S.C. I am looking forward to my new adventure, so if anyone has any contacts who can give me the inside scoop on Charleston, please let me know. I hope all is well with everyone in the class of ’77.

Sharon Lewis Gaffey ‘68S What has inspired you to remain connected to Stoneleigh-Burnham through volunteerism, first as Alumnae Board member and now as a member of the Board of Trustees? My Mother always said I was a “joiner.” Whether it was at church, in the Junior League, at our boys’ school, or at Stoneleigh-Burnham School, I wanted to be part of the activity, and upon reflection, I realize that I wanted to belong. I wanted to make a contribution towards accomplishing the goal, at whatever level was needed.

“An added bonus at Reunion is getting to visit with this wonderful lady.” Kathleen Tuck Fontaine ’83 (right) with beloved former SBS faculty member Cyndee Meese.

When a group of us Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill (SPH) ’68 ladies came back for our 20th reunion, we had a wonderful time together, looking back to the 1960’s at SPH, and sharing all that had happened since then. Although there were many strong opinions voiced about issues (after all, this was the 60’s), we all still shared a special friendship together, forged all those years ago, at SPH. We belonged there.

1983

My SPH roommate, Mary Cobb ’68S and I represented our class at our 40th reunion. I knew then, that I wanted to re-connect with SBS, and have the opportunity to give back to the school that had given so much to me. Sally Mixsell ’69 had just become Head of School, and I knew that under her leadership, SBS would grow even stronger. I wanted to be a part of this momentum, so I joined the Alumnae Board that year. I thoroughly enjoyed being a member of a group that works so hard to keep connections strong among alumnae of StoneleighProspect Hill, Mary A. Burnham, and Stoneleigh-Burnham.

Kathleen Tuck Fontaine shares: I had a wonderful time back on campus for Reunion this year! Alex Goldstein Rappaport and I spent the whole weekend reminiscing about our time on campus, and we got to see beloved former faculty member Cyndee Meese!

I have recently joined the Board of Trustees, and I will work hard to address the challenges ahead. Almost 50 years ago, Stoneleigh-Burnham believed in a shy sophomore, with very little self-confidence, and gave her the time and place to find her own voice. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to assure that the young women of SBS today will have this same opportunity for many years to come.

Class Agents: Martha Quinlan Indelicato - m.indelicato@comcast.net & Lois Kuiper Fuller - lcmfuller@comcast.net

Photo by Matthew Cavanaugh

Class Notes

an art business called BOW WOW HOME DECOR. I would love to hear from all of you. Call me (781-837-3979) or email me (suzedesigns@verizon.net) so we can connect.

1990

Class Agents: Melanie McCusker Fenstermaker - dmfence15@comcast.net, Teresa Williams-Yetming - paris100@aol.com, Tamar Cooke Luck - twnsrul@yahoo.com, and Dionne Cason Renee Picard Walsh shares: I had SO much fun at our 25th Reunion! Twenty-eight years of friendship still going strong!

1996 - 20th Reunion!

“My latest SBS creation.” Suze Stutzman Genereux ’85

25 years later & 28 years of friendship still going strong! Class of 1990: Renee Picard Walsh, Jaqueline Shediac Brunell, Susan Dannaher Reposa, Meg Hartley McKitchen & Alicia Carlson

1985

Class Agents: Suze Stutzman Genereux suzedesigns@verizon.net & Sharon Barbour Petrecca - spetrecca@cox.net & Evelyn D. Treblicock Evelyn.Trebilcock@oprhp.state.ny.us Suze Stutzman Genereaux writes: Hello Ladies of 1985. I spoke with many of you this past spring about coming back for Reunion 2015. I know this year’s date did not work for many of you, and I want you to know that you were missed. Many of you mentioned planning on next summer. That would be really great. So many things are happening on campus: renovations and construction have started on the new student center and cafe with a terrace that overlooks the front lawn. It is going to be beautiful when completed. I really love coming back to campus every summer and meeting new and old friends. Plus, some of our old teachers are still here. I took a yoga class with Anne Sorvino and had dinner with Roger Turton, Cyndee Meese, Paul Bassett, Pam Brewster Benson ’64S, P’89 along with fellow SBS sisters Kathleen Tuck Fontaine ’83 and Alex Goldstein Rappaport ’83. I am currently living with a husband and two chihuahuas just south of Boston near the beach. Anyone up for a swim? I am doing my art and loving dogs, and some fashion on the side. We own two pet boutiques and

Class Agents: Mary Ellen Hennessey Blake - mary_ellen_hennessey@hotmail. com & Marguerite Barrett Murray margueriteba@yahoo.com Melissa McKallagat writes: Our 20th Reunion is next summer. Can you believe we graduated that long ago? I hope you all will make the effort to come back and celebrate. I look forward to seeing you and catching up on life events.

2001 - 15th Reunion!

Class Agents: Joydae Albert joyhdaec@gmail.com & Katelyn Morgan Kmorgan926@hotmail.com

“Catching up with old friends at Reunion.” Michelle Hanney ’90, Tamar Cooke Luck ’90 & Heatherle Clingerman ’93

Ann McCoppin-Plascencia writes: We just welcomed our newest little angel, Penelope, into the world She is the perfect addition to our family She will be coming with me to Reunion next year. I’m so excited to see everyone again. I love the California weather but I hate living so far from some of my best friends from SBS. Class of 2001, start planning! xoxo Dara Raskin writes: I always love being back. It was so great to see SBS sisters, including April Ainsworth Greene, faculty, and staff. Our reunion is in June 2016. Let’s start planning, ladies!

2003

Class Agent: Jessica Fydenkevez - jess.fydenkevez@gmail.com Emily Hadley Peterson writes: I am living in Fairbanks, Alaska and am competing in Fitness/ “Always love being back.” Dara Raskin ’01 with SBS Faculty Member, Paul Bassett

If you don’t see your class listed, unfortunately we did not receive any notes for your class.

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Class Agents: Rose Kelleher rckelleher4@gmail.com, Alysha Romain - aromain@conncoll.edu & Kate Strousse katestrousse@gmail.com

Emily Hadley Peterson ’03 competing in a Fitness/Body Building Competition

Rose Kelleher writes: I am starting my sophomore year in the fall at Endicott and just declared my major in psychology and double minor in human services and gender studies. I am interning at a child/adolescent residential program this summer. Courtney Hartford writes: I just sent my paperwork in to become a pharmacy intern! Kate Strousse shares: I saw my fellow SBS sister Melissa McKallagat ’96 at a synchronized skating competition in Boston, Mass. The Catamount Blades came in first! I also made friends with Cora the Owl on Spring break in Hubert, N.C. at Possumwood Acres Wildlife Sanctuary. Tillula Lowe-Stuart writes: I am interning for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as a START Intern in the New York Metro region in New York City this summer. Rachel Gledhill shares: I will be graduating from Elon a year early in 2016.

DO YOU KNOW A STONELEIGH-BURNHAM

GIRL?

You know the value of our equestrian, dance, debate and International Baccalaureate Diploma programs better Friends from the Class of 2005 at Reunion 2015: Mandy Streeter, Aliana Warwar, Alicia Billingsley, Meghan Royal, Jessye Deane, Julia Gray, Emily Nadel, Hannah Risser-Sperry, Lacy Love Faulkner, Brittany Sadler & Obehi Janice Utubor Body Building competitions. My husband, Chris, and I have two childrenl, Lily and Corbin. Mary Dooley shares: I am living in South Pasadena, Calif., workingas a Resident Services Coordinator for Skid Row Housing Trust in downtown Los Angeles, which provides outreach, housing, and services to the homeless population. In my spare time, I train for two ultra-marathons: the Lean Horse 50-miler in August, and the North Face Endurance Challenge 50-miler in December.

2007

Class Agent: Kristen Porter McKenzieWhite - kirstenemckenzie@gmail.com

than anyone. We’d love to hear if there are girls in your area looking for an unforgettable Stoneleigh-Burnham experience. “My new friend, Cora the Owl.” Kate Stousse ’13

THANK YOU Class of 2015

100% Annual Giving participation

To refer a prospective family, please contact the Admissions Office at 413-774-2711 x257 or admissions@sbschool.org www.sbschool.org

Kristen Porter McKenzie-White shares: I got married September 20, 2014 in Barrington, R.I. I met my husband, Ben, at Wheaton College, and we are currently living in Providence, R.I.

In Memoriam

Listed Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Jean Rustici Leora Marvin Johns Ursula Adams Rowse Barbara Webster Cahill The Rev. Marjory Beach Chamberlain Lucy Metcalf Woodman Shirley Beebe Davis Barbara Sullivan Birney Barbara Schaff Blumenthal Cynthia Clarridge Handelsman Laura Fannell Deane Penelope Rockwell Meek Jane Crampton Reed Jane Goodnow Doyle Wendy Walters Veigel Amy Chase McMahon

43 43 45 45 45 47 47 51 52 53 55 56 59 59 63 92

Departed: Departed: Departed: Departed: Departed: Departed: Departed: Departed: Departed Departed: Departed: Departed: Departed: Departed: Departed: Departed:

2/5/15 10/24/12 9/13/14 2/12/12 12/21/14 6/22/12 3/1/15 6/15/15 3/17/15 2/8/15 12/30/13 1/10/15 9/20/13 3/31/15 3/20/15 12/17/14

Mary A. Burnham Mary A. Burnham Mary A. Burnham Mary A. Burnham Mary A. Burnham Mary A. Burnham Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill Mary A. Burnham Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill Mary A. Burnham Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill Mary A. Burnham Mary A. Burnham Mary A. Burnham Mary A. Burnham Stoneleigh-Burnham

37 37 45 59

Departed: Departed: Departed: Departed:

10/12/14 1/17/14 2/16/15 4/24/12

Mary A. Burnham Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill Mary A. Burnham Mary A. Burnham

Not Pictured: Mimi Moog Cary Barbara Rudd Dinwiddie Sarah Hall Johnson Margaret Van Kennen Correa

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In Memoriam Nancy Mills Lee (February 17, 1927-January 12, 2015) Teacher at Stoneleigh Prospect Hill, 1965-1968 Nancy Mills Lee, 87, died on January 12, 2015, in Albuquerque, N.M. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Day Lee; daughter, Pamela Lee Cranston â&#x20AC;&#x2122;68S of Oakland, Calif; daughter-in-law, Margaret Lee of New Ipswich, N.H.; granddaughter, Rebecca Lee of New York City, and brother, John Welch Mills of Kenilworth, Ill. Nancy attended Smith College in Northampton, Mass. and earned a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in English and drama from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She did additional coursework in drama at both Smith College and Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. After World War II, she worked in Paris for the Economic Cooperation Administration (ECA), which was known as the Marshall Plan. In 1950, Nancy married Day Lee, son of Ronald Currie Lee and Louise Day Putnam Lee. Passionate about theater and music, Nancy performed and directed in three acting companies, the Dramalites in Washington, Conn., the Stockade Players in Deerfield, Mass., and the Arena Civic Theater in Greenfield, Mass. She taught drama and English at the Bement School in Deerfield, Mass. and Stoneleigh-Burnham School. She also taught English at the American School in Lugano, Switzerland. Nancy served as the church organist and director of the junior choir at the UCC Church in Washington, Conn., and she sang in the Pioneer Valley Symphony Chorus, based in Greenfield, Mass., for three decades. She was a published writer, archivist, and researcher for the Keene Valley Library in New York and the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association in Deerfield, Mass. She also served as a docent for Historic Deerfield. Throughout her life, she traveled widely, dabbled in photography, completed the daily New York Times crossword puzzle, and adored standard poodles.

Coda

Everyone is a Girl: Why the Best Thing About Single-Gender Schools is the Fact that Gender Doesn’t Matter by Charlotte Minsky ’16 Everyone at an all-girls’ school is a girl.

flaws and all/And that’s why I love you.” In 2013, she recorded “Flawless,” singing, “You wake up, flawless/Post up, flawless.”

Actually, that’s not strictly true; the emerging awareness and acceptance of trans and non-binary individuals makes the definition of single-sex education complicated, and each all-girls’ school has its own policy and its own blend of students from across the gender spectrum. However, for the most part, everyone at an all-girls’ school is a girl. The Student Council president is a girl. The varsity soccer goalie is a girl. The Rock Band bassist is a girl. But equally important, the 10th grader who always has her door open to students on DHC who just really need Pop-tarts after a long day is a girl. The IB History student who can bring her class back to productive discussion when the debate gets heated is a girl. In every functioning community, large and small, the same roles, dynamics, and hierarchies will emerge. At an all-girls’ school, all of the roles will be filled by girls. Modern feminist media tells girls that they can do whatever they want to do, but the unique message of a community where all the roles are filled by girls is that we can be whatever kind of person we want to be. Furthermore, when gender and the expectations that come with it are removed from the equation,

we can see what other characteristics and skills are important for different social and academic responsibilities. In order to meet success outside the confines of a gender-neutral environment, women often have to compromise their assertiveness – in order to seem less confrontational than their equally assertive male counterparts – or their femininity. Within the SBS community, that simply cannot be the case. Instead, other skills come to light - skills like knowing and admitting weakness.

My job was to welcome the incoming upper schoolers and reflect on what it means to move from middle school to high school. My point was that this transition means learning to accept – and love – our flaws so that we can “wake up, flawless/Post up, flawless.” I am flawless because I know I have flaws. I know that there are empty slots in my toolbox, that I am not equipped to handle the weight of even my own small world, and I know that admitting that is the bravest, and hardest, thing I can do. For me, high school has meant learning that the moments that define me, that make me proud of myself, are the moments that I achieve in areas of weakness. High school has meant the opportunity to discover my own contributions, my own specialness, my own flaws, and my own #flawlessness. It has meant learning that knowing my own weaknesses is imperative to succeeding as the kind of person I want to be.

When I addressed the rising 9th graders at their Moving Up Ceremony in May 2015, I talked about Beyoncé. Queen B. A cultural enigma. In 2006, she wrote, “You catch me when I fall/Accept me

And I wouldn’t know any of this if I hadn’t watched the girls around me become leaders and grow into their own unique roles, from day one in 7th grade. I wouldn’t know any of this if

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self-knowledge were an important tool for success for male students, but the right blend of overkill modesty and unconventional appeal were equally important for female students. I wouldn’t know any of this if the skills I do want to learn were wrapped up in a brand of compliance to gender roles that I don’t want to learn. Fortunately, at an all-girls’ school, they are not. I am excited to walk into my senior year as Student Council president armed with the knowledge that I will succeed by being equally unafraid of my own confidence and weaknesses, and to have learned, and still be learning, that to ask for help is one of the most valuable skills I can develop. But beyond the dwindling months I have to grow as a leader and a person in an environment where being female doesn’t compromise that growth, I am excited for how this six-year adventure will have taught me to see the rest of the world. Two criticisms I’ve seen of all-girls’ schools are that they don’t prepare students for the real world, and that they turn us all into angry feminists. Contrary to the former, I believe that calibrating to an environment where gender-based societal expectations don’t interfere will better prepare us to identify when they are interfering in coed environments. Figuring out what is sexist can be surprisingly hard, and having virtually grown up in incredibly non-sexist conditions will make it that much easier. As for turning us all into frustrated feminists? Well, I can’t argue with that.

Charlotte Minsky ’16 is a rising six-year senior from Greenfield, Mass. She is president of the Student Council and co-president of the Debate & Public Speaking Society. Charlotte’s interests include mathematics, science, and history, and in her free time, she plays the piano and binge-visits art museums.

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Upcoming Campus Events September 7, 2015.......... Stoneleigh-Burnham School Convocation September 30, 2015........ Leadership Council Meeting Leadership Dinner and Dedication of Bridge Fund Phase I Projects October 1, 2015............. Student Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony October 1 & 2, 2015........ Board of Trustees

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 200 SPRINGFIELD, MA

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrate the completion of Stoneleigh-Burnhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent Student Center renovations and construction, including the Student Lounge, Cafe, Foyer and Terrace.

October 3, 2015............. Alumnae Board Meeting

Thursday, October 1, 2015

December 10, 2015......... Reunion Work Day (Classes ending in 1 & 6)

Continental Breakfast 7:30 a.m.

Alumnae Board Meeting

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 8:30 a.m.

January 29 & 30, 2016..... Board of Trustees Spring 2016.................. Alumnae Career Event April 21 & 22, 2016......... Board of Trustees May 27, 2016................ Commencement June 3-5, 2016.............. Reunion 2016 (celebrating the classes ending in 1 & 6)

Please RSVP by September 23 to the Office of Alumnae Relations 413.774.2711 x270 or alumnae@sbschool.org