SPRING
2020
the bulletin
Stoneleigh-Burnham School
PROGRESS
the bulletin S P R I N G 2020 Editor Maeve Ryan, Marketing & Communications Manager Design Peter Chilton, peterchilton.com Editorial Board Stephanie Luebbers, Head of School Susan Mattei, Director of Development & Alumnae Relations Kathleen Tuck Fontaine ’83, Assistant Director of Development & Alumnae Relations
Connect with SBS sbschool.org
Facebook Celebrating 150 Years Celebrating 150 Years of Girls’ Education facebook.com/sbschool of Girls’ Education facebook.com/stoneleighburnhamalumnae and friend “Athena Stoneleigh-Burnham” Instagram instagram.com/sbschool instagram.com/stoneleighburnhamalumnae Twitter @sbschoolorg Youtube youtube.com/user/StoneleighBurnham
Cole Whitaker, Assistant to the Head of School Sharon Weyers, Associate Director of Admissions Contributors Kristen Mariotti, Director of Admissions & Enrollment Management Mark Luebbers, English Teacher Photography Shana Sureck, shanasureck.com
Celebrating
150 Years
Celebrating
150 Years
of Girls’ of Girls’ Education Change ofEducation address? Email kfontaine@sbschool.org or sbschool.org/alumnae/update-contact-info/
in this issue: 3
Progress & The Flywheel Effect by Stephanie Luebbers
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What’s in Stephanie’s Bag?
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SBS Women in Science by Mark Luebbers
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Day Student Tuition Reset by Maeve Ryan
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2020
10 10 Things You Don’t Know
About Shawn Durrett
11 Then & Now 13 Class Notes 16 In Memoriam 16 Coda
by Kristen Mariotti
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 NOTE: Some of the events published in this issue of the bulletin may have been changed or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABOVE: Mia Mullings ’20 (pictured in front) leaves Geissler Gallery after the 100 Nights Celebration on February 21. OPPOSITE: Stephanie Luebbers with Bee Brynda ’20, Jayla Webber ’25, and Kate Swasey ’21
Stoneleigh-Burnham School
574 Bernardston Road, Greenfield, MA 01301 413.774.2711 sbschool.org the bulletin is printed with vegetable based inks on 10% post-consumer recycled FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper.
ON THE COVER: Sofia Sherman ’20, Mia Mullings ’20, and Siena Gamberoni ’20 conduct a chemistry experiment in Meghan Lena’s science class. 1
News & Events & Information Technology (NCWIT). She was selected from a pool of 4,700 applicants and will receive a special cash prize. Head of School Stephanie Luebbers added, “As Olly’s advisor, I’ve had the opportunity to see the remarkable growth in her commitment to her pursuits while at SBS. Her curiosity and initiative make her a leader in our community, and I look forward to seeing where this field takes her in the future.” Serinah Ruiz ’20 and Gina Wisner ’21 were also named 2020 National Certificate of Distinction recipients of the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing.
Facilities Updates: Geissler Gallery, Equestrian Center Paddocks, and Fitness Center The renovation of Geissler Gallery and the arts spaces began in the fall and was completed during winter term. SBS girls now have a bright and updated space for working and displaying their visual art. We are completing work on the new equestrian paddocks to be located behind the barns, and we have started a major expansion and renovation of the fitness area in the gym. To learn more, visit: http://bit.ly/ SBSrenovations
IEA Teams - Zone 1 Region 10 Champions Stoneleigh-Burnham School’s Middle School and Upper School Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Teams both took home championship titles at their 2020 IEA Regionals on Sunday, February 16. The event was hosted at the Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center in South Hadley, MA. SBS eighth grader Jessica Romano ’24 and ninth grader Ava Smith ’23 also qualified individually for Zone 1 Finals on the flat and over fences. Middle School team riders advancing to Zones included Chaya Friedman ’25, Claire Drahzal ’24, Jessica Romano ’24, and Skye Evans ’24. Upper School team riders advancing to Zones included Ava Smith ’23, Julia Yuan ’23, Madeline Johnson ’22, and Siena Gamberoni ’20.
Julie Moser ’22 in Young Rider Magazine SBS sophomore Julie ’22 was featured in the January/February issue of Young Rider magazine. For the past two years, Julie has been studying for the British Horse Society Certification Program at Stoneleigh-Burnham School and will take her exam this May.
Joy Lundberg ’20 - SBS’ 19th Debater to Qualify for WIDPSC Joy Lundberg ’20 qualified for the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship (WIDPSC) this spring, after qualifying for it two times at two different events. Joy received the Top Speaker Award of the tournament in After Dinner Speaking at the International Independent School Public Speaking Competition and later received First Place in Impromptu and Second overall with her combined scores at the Winter Debate Tournament. Olly Ajao ’21, Serinah Ruiz ’20 and Gina Wisner ’21 - Recipients of NCWIT Awards Olly Ajao ’21 received a 2020 Honorable Mention from The National Center for Women
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the bulletin S P R I N G
Letter from the Head of School
2020
Progress & The Flywheel Effect
T
his year, I have thought a lot about how progress is catalyzed by lots of little steps that combine to shift an institution forward. At the beginning of the school year, I spoke to the faculty and staff about the “Flywheel Effect” from Jim Collins’ book Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don’t. He notes that in growing organizations, lots of small positive steps build the momentum of a flywheel to a breakthrough point, after which the flywheel has energy to spin on its own. Work is done, progress ensues, and momentum is accelerated. Since its inception in 1869, StoneleighBurnham School has always been an institution that adapts with the times. And yet, we have always stayed fiercely committed to giving girls the space, the support, and the challenge to grow and learn. As we move through the early days of a new decade, I am reminded of our need to adapt! The world is changing quickly around us, and an educational focus on helping each girl find her own voice and be confident that she will be heard remains at the core of our work. How we achieve that, how we adjust our program to meet the needs of today’s girl, and how we envision a strong future are the underpinnings of our progress. This issue of the bulletin focuses on progress, and wow, are we ever excited about the progress we are making! Our wonderful 150th Anniversary year turned quickly into the first year of our future, and we have been tallying all the ways we have made progress in the last two years. Gifts to last year’s annual fund hit an all-time high. We are nearing completion on three major capital projects:
“We are leading the way among independent schools as we reset our day student tuition and begin to structure a new boarding tuition model. In doing so, we make the power of a Stoneleigh-Burnham education accessible to more girls who will thrive in our program.”
program to meet our purpose. We are leading the way among independent schools as we reset our day student tuition and begin to structure a new boarding tuition model. In doing so, we make the power of a Stoneleigh-Burnham education accessible to more girls who will thrive in our program. Progress also comes in other ways too, but especially in the everyday work that we do with our students. We focus on interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and student voice. Each of these priorities builds strengths for our students as they move on to college and into a world full of amazing opportunities and daunting obstacles. Their future will require them to work with people from all over the planet and to bring ideas from one discipline to another in order to solve our world’s crucial challenges. Our students are nimble and flexible in their approach to problemsolving, and they are ready to make a difference. This issue of the bulletin illustrates just some of the ways that our “flywheel” is gaining momentum. As you read, I hope you’ll be as impressed by these glimpses into the passion, commitment, and generosity of spirit in our community as I am every day.
Geissler Gallery and the arts spaces, the expanded fitness center, and the state-ofthe-art equestrian paddocks. We’ve renewed our accreditation with both NEASC and International Baccalaureate (IB), and while doing so, both groups praised the strength of our community, our program, and our ability to constantly assess and adjust our
Stephanie Luebbers Head of School
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Stoneleigh-Burnham Annual Fund Your gift to StoneleighBurnham can help girls build confidence, speak up, and speak often.
What’s in Stephanie’s Bag? Ever wonder what Head of School Stephanie Luebbers carries in her bag on the picturesque walk to and from Coleman House each day? We did too, which is why we asked her the question, “So, Stephanie, what’s in your bag?” She was more than happy to empty the contents for us. Here are just 11 of the items that she carries with her on a daily basis.
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5 6 8
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Beatrice “Bee” Brynda ‘20 Student Alumnae Association President, Co-Editor of Sententiae, Member of the Debate and Public Speaking Society, Drama Club President, Musician, Dancer, and International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate
support.sbschool.org/GiveNow
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1. Notecards and a pen for when she wants to leave a note for someone 2. An “Owls for Life” bag for her keys 3. The latest issue of Independent School magazine 4. An orange notebook for ideas 5. A “Favorite Quotes” zine, designed and distributed by Bezawit ’20 6. A carrot for one of the horses at the Equestrian Center
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7. The “Creating Schools That Thrive” strategic planning book 8. A nametag to wear when visitors come to the school 9. Chapstick… her “go to” 10. A mini flashlight for walking to Coleman House at night 11. A bag of Twizzlers for an advisee
OUR 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 confidence to think independently and act ethically, secure in the knowledge that her voice will be heard.
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the bulletin S P R I N G
2020
SBS Women in
SCIENCE
By Mark Luebbers
On an early winter afternoon, SBS Science Department Chair Meghan Lena is working closely with a small group of seniors in the downstairs lab in Jesser Science Center. The group is intensely focused on a small device called a gel electrophoresis chamber which is just starting to show the results of their current experiment: measuring the amount of genetically modified material in... a tortilla chip! As they watch, the device starts to show its colors by projecting the sequence of the DNA in the sample as a spectrum through a tiny display. The verdict: after comparing the tortilla chip DNA to two control samples, one of which contained a GMO ingredient, and one which did not, they determine that at least one of the ingredients in a tortilla chip of this kind is certainly genetically modified. The experiment is typical of the kind of discovery that happens in SBS science classrooms today. Learning is geared not just to give students a practical understanding of the tools and techniques required to make them comfortable and adept in a laboratory or technology space, but to spur their interest, give them a passion or even a cause that will lead them to pursue a course of study in the sciences or technology in college, and perhaps a career in these fields. This gives Meghan and the other science teachers at SBS a clear challenge: “We try to expose them to as many disciplines and
skills as possible; ones that are as transferable as possible to the college classroom and lab.” Unlocking the DNA of a tortilla chip to see what’s really in the food we eat is the kind of real-world science that Meghan thinks intrigues SBS students, makes them confident in a science or technology setting, and may motivate them to make a career in science or technology their life’s work. Meghan says, “When kids have a clear vision of where they want to go, it’s a big motivator, and therefore program offerings at SBS need to be flexible so they can pursue their interests and curiosity. This requires lots of potential resources for them.” Katie Kowalyshyn ’20 has loved science since she can remember, but her passion really took hold when she came to SBS. She remembers baking bread in Beth Stinchfield’s class as a 9th grader and realizing how much fun discovery can be. Katie loves science because, she says, “There’s so 5
SBS Women in Science CONTINUED
much mystery, so many things that even the most knowledgeable people don’t know, from DNA to outer space, and everywhere in between. The idea that there is so much left to explore makes me want to learn as much as possible.” That joy and curiosity has continued into Meghan’s IB Biology class, where the biotechnology experiments give Katie the chance to explore “something I didn’t think I’d get to do until college.” Andrea Tehan Carnes teaches Computer Science at SBS and she has a mission: getting girls to code. She believes girls aren’t being encouraged to find their talents or follow a passion in technology, so in recent years Andrea has developed programs to nurture future developers at SBS. The curricular component is Computer Science Principles, a course for students in grades 9 through 12, and to get students to realize their interest, Andrea hosts “Computer Science Education Week” before Winter Break. Each afternoon during the week, students can get into computer science with an array of increasingly challenging and fun activities: creating their own dance party, designing a digital greeting card, or working with Sphero and Lego Mindstorm robots. In order to keep up with the rapidly changing world that students will find once they reach the science lab and classroom in college, Meghan, Andrea and the rest of the SBS Science Department are constantly working to stay on top of the field, averaging three to four professional development trips per calendar year, many of these during the summer months. Andrea notes,“We try to take advantage of as much professional development as we can, especially if it’s free.” This includes trips to the academic tech hotbeds around Boston and the Pioneer Valley such as Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the University of Massachusetts. SBS science faculty also pursue professional development opportunities nationwide, such as the National Council of Girls in Science 6
meeting in Richmond, Virginia, and a space education seminar in Houston. Maintaining a science and technology program that meets these considerable and changing needs requires more than just a dedicated and forward-thinking faculty. Lab equipment, both basic and cutting edge, as well as technology tools and consumable materials, all weigh heavily on the annual budget at a small school like
‘Abbé the Science Angel’ not only provided enough funding for these materials but also funding for the program expenses for four years. I think Abbé would be pleased that we funded this effort in her name.” – Annette Cazanave ’74 SBS. With this important need in mind, a group of supporters recently devoted their time and energy to building a significant gift in memory of Abbé Janov Litvack ’74. Abbé completed her Master’s degree in Epidemiology at Columbia University and did further study at Harvard. She worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and planned to become a doctor. Abbé was challenged by poor health for many years, and passed away on June 21, 2016 at the age of 59, but she had made it clear to her many friends and her family that she hoped they could honor her by making a providential gift to the future of science at her school. Annette Cazanave ’74 is a current member of the Board of Trustees, and was a classmate
and lifelong friend of Abbé. It became a mission for a team of eighteen of Abbé’s supporters, including Annette and Abbé’s sisters; Laurie (Fly) Janov Williams ’69 SPH, and Gwenellen Janov ’66 MAB to build a gift that would leave a lasting legacy for Abbé at SBS. She recalls,“A group of five or six of our classmates had a tradition where we gathered at least once a year. During one of those years – about two years before she died – we asked her what she would like us to do to memorialize her at SBS.” When asked about the group’s motivation and Abbé’s vision for the gift, Annette is emphatic when she says, “This is where we all met, and the school is beloved to us… so Abbé didn’t hesitate when she told us, ‘Anything science related. Anything that will encourage girls to pursue careers in science.’” Fly credits former teacher Mrs. Sally Davis with providing the spark that fueled Abbé’s enthusiasm for science. She says, “She was one of the most influential people in Abbé’s life. Abbé’s career in epidemiology was her passion. Had things been different with her health, she would have been a wonderful doctor.” The vision gained focus with the approach of the Sesquicentennial, “We had promised we would do something science related in her name and so we pursued the effort,” says Annette, “The School’s 150th anniversary and our class’ 45th reunion were approaching. With the School’s and science teacher Meghan Lena’s help, we came up with the project ‘Abbé the Science Angel.’ Meghan had a wish list that included about $15,000 of new, updated equipment. ‘Abbé the Science Angel’ not only provided enough funding for these materials but also funding for the program expenses for four years. I think Abbé would be pleased that we funded this effort in her name.”
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Una Wu ’21 is fascinated by chemistry, plans to study biochemistry as an undergraduate, and has her sights set on a career in medicine. She says, “I’m aiming to help as many people as I can in the future, especially in terms of solving health issues.” Una credits her early experiences in the chemistry lab and classroom with forming this vision of her future; “One day Mr. Roosa spent the whole class period teaching us the chemical mechanism behind global warming. He said chemists are playing a big part in saving our planet...I learned the potential of chemistry study and it inspired me to discover more possibilities in the sciences.” Chemistry and IB Physics teacher Nick Roosa understands the urgency that comes with being a science educator in today’s world. “We have developed to the point that the health and survival of every living thing on the planet depends on the choices
we make as a society in the coming years. Without an understanding of the nature of science, it’s impossible to know who to listen to or what the best course of action is.” Nick knows that as a science teacher in a girl’s school, he has both a broad challenge and a special opportunity to change how girls can see their role in this crucial time. “I have heard girls tell me they ‘can’t do chemistry’, or ‘science isn’t their thing’, or they’re ‘bad at science’. So I think it’s particularly important right now that girls hear the message that they can and are expected to develop scientific literacy.” He feels that in many educational settings the negative expectations facing girls in science are reinforced, but he says SBS “is in a fantastic position to encourage girls and to redefine expectations around girls’ science education. We want every girl who
2020
graduates from SBS to view themselves as a capable scientist.” Stoneleigh-Burnham School, through its immediate forebears Mary A. Burnham School and Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill School, is continuing a long history of championing the study of science for young women. Even with a creative and seemingly tireless faculty, and curious and passionate students, considerable resources are required for an ambitious and sustainable program of this kind. Providing these essential resources is the focus of some passionate alumnae who have worked over the past several years to raise funds for a substantial gift, one that will go a long way to ensuring that the future of the science program will be as powerful as its past and present.
The Science of Trash Beth Stinchfield wants her students to really understand trash: the chemistry of trash, the physics of trash, even the impact of trash on economics and geopolitics. On a recent Monday, Beth started her IB Environmental Science Studies students on an unpleasant but crucially important subject by dividing the class into four groups and passing around a variety of recent news articles: on failed
recycling programs in New York City, changes in the recycling industry in China, and how our assumptions about recycling the trash we produce can have unintended consequences. A teacher at SBS since 1983, Beth wants her students to know that their choices; what they buy, what they throw away, and importantly, how they do so, can make a significant difference in the future of the planet. 7
Day Student Tuition Reset By Maeve Ryan
In October, Stoneleigh-Burnham School announced that the Board of Trustees voted to significantly decrease day student tuition for the 2020-2021 school year. The new day tuition rates are $18,500 for middle school (grades 7-8) and $22,500 for high school (grades 9-12 & PG year). Independent school tuitions have increased much more rapidly than family incomes for years, and this imbalance has made it increasingly difficult for many of our local families to afford a quality private school education.
The announcement of a reduced day student tuition for families in the Massachusetts Pioneer Valley has positioned StoneleighBurnham School on the leading edge of an important trend in independent school education. Head of School Stephanie Luebbers consulted with some peer schools, such as The Kiski School in Pennsylvania, that are already taking this leap and seeing excellent results. She says that she and the Board of Trustees are, “excited to be making SBS a courageous thought leader in this area.” The initiative not only makes SBS a 8
possibility for more local girls, it enriches the academic and co-curricular experience for all. Stephanie adds, “It also reinforces the message to our girls that courage is the force behind all that we do.” SBS is spreading the word about the day student tuition reset through local and regional media outlets as well as through our Admissions Office. We invite all of our current families to let friends and neighbors know about this wonderful opportunity.
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Current and past SBS parents share their thoughts about the tuition reset:
“As a mom who prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, the tuition reset restores the commitment Stoneleigh-Burnham has to families in the neighboring communities, like us. I am hopeful that this reset will allow more girls and young women opportunities to join a community that will uplift their voices and provide space for their own cultural ways of knowing and being.” – Alisha Jean-Denis P ’25
2020
“The tuition reduction was an unanticipated gift for our family. As parents, it is allowing us to focus our efforts on saving for college tuition. Private school was not in our plan, but sending our daughter to SBS was the best decision we ever made for our daughter and our family.” – Kimberly Swasey P ’21
“I think the day student tuition reduction is a wonderful move. This should encourage more families to consider SBS for their daughters by making it more affordable. Even if it simply encourages more people to come take a look, that's great. Stoneleigh-Burnham is so much more than most local folks know.”
“Stoneleigh-Burnham’s deep roots in Western Massachusetts and branches stretching to embrace the whole world made it the ideal choice for our multi-cultural family. Our daughter thrived in the all-girls environment, acquiring study habits, a passion for learning, and values that have stayed with her throughout college.” – Jennifer Eremeeva P ’15
– Michelle Savage Brynda ’84, P ’20 9
10 Faculty Profile
Things You Don’t Know About Shawn Durrett
Get to know Dean of Faculty and English Teacher Shawn Durrett! She has been at Stoneleigh-Burnham School since 2004. Shawn’s first experience with SBS was when she was a guest speaker in her friend Katie Lipp’s class to talk about her work in prisons (see #5 below)! Soon after that, she applied for an opening in the English Department. Since then, Shawn has coached field hockey, directed a summer academic program called Owlbridge, run the Senior Project Program and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay, served as English Department Chair, and chaperoned a student trip to Vietnam. 1
My first job was folding pizza boxes.
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I went to college at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. I
SBS English Teacher and Dean of Faculty Shawn Durrett with some of her favorite books.
showed up alone on registration day with a cardboard box and a suitcase, having never visited the school. 3
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profoundly clicks for students and they have an audible or physical
In college, I studied Nautical Archaeology with a minor in Bagpiping.
reaction to their learning.
Just kidding. I was an English and Creative Writing major with an unofficial minor in Spanish. 4
I studied abroad in Seville, Spain.
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When I was in graduate school for poetry at the University of
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excited, whether it’s about curriculum design, something someone learned at a conference, a breakthrough moment in the classroom,
Last summer, I took a therapy dog training class with my dog Lu, local library (where little kids can read to him), and hopefully at my children’s elementary school as well.
My favorite thing about my role at SBS is helping facilitate professional learning for teachers. I get excited when teachers get
Project, and facilitated a weekly writing workshop in a men’s prison.
and we are now a certified team. I plan to volunteer with Lu at my
My advice to a recent SBS graduate would be: treat the college course catalogue like a buffet and try to sample as much as you can.
Michigan, I volunteered with a group called the Prison Creative Arts
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I’m inspired by Aha! moments in class. It’s amazing when something
or a new program/idea a teacher wants to implement. 10
My favorite thing about SBS is the fact that this community is driven by a generosity of spirit. Everyone pitches in. People get excited to join forces and share passions with each other. There is so much caring and support in this school, both among the students and the adults.
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THEN&NOW
the bulletin S P R I N G
2020
Here are some fun photos from then and now. How much has changed since you were a student? Are you or a friend in one of these photos? Let us know by emailing alumnae@sbschool.org. THEN: Mary A. Burnham science students in the 1950s NOW: Stoneleigh-Burnham science students in December 2019
THEN: Unidentified woman walking toward Bernardston Road in the 1940s NOW: Head of School Stephanie Luebbers heading to Coleman House in February 2020 THEN: The Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill yearbook staff in 1957 NOW: The Stoneleigh-Burnham yearbook staff in 2020 11
THEN&NOW CONTINUED
THEN: Mary A. Burnham student taking a plunge! (Date unknown) NOW: The SBS Swim Team watches their teammate dive into the Eaglebrook School pool
THEN: Four Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill riders in the 1950s NOW: Four Stoneleigh-Burnham riders in the 2000s 12
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Class Notes
2020
Burnham Equestrian Wall of Fame, is one of the most well-known and most decorated side saddle riders in the U.S. Her farm has hosted USEA/ USEF events, SCDCTA and GDCTA dressage and schooling shows.
Joannah H all Glass ’59 MAB Beth McGranahan ’17 visited campus and met with some of the current SBS equestrians
Submit class notes and photos to alumnae@sbschool.org or at sbschool.org/alumnae/classnote. We want to hear the latest, as well as update your contact information. If you would like to request contact information for another alumna, please call the Alumnae Relations Office at 413-774-2711 x317, or email alumnae@sbschool.org.
More Class Notes and photos are online at sbschool.org/alumnae.
1951 MAB
Priscilla (Pris) Rice Oehl I loved seeing the picture of Luisa Kreis Whiting ’51 MAB in the last Bulletin and would love to know who else is still around from the Class of ’51. Here I am in this photo, also at 86. We spend winters in Ft. Pierce, FL, the summers in Avalon, NJ, and in between in Pittsburgh, PA. pregg@aol.com
Priscilla (Pris) Rice Oehl ’51 MAB
1957 SPH
Karen Asselta Beard I am hitting my 80th birthday and feeling great. I moved to San Francisco, to be near my kids and grandkids. Sending my best to all.
Winifred Steele Walker I haven't written to the School in sometime, I’m a graduate of the class of ’57 Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill. I have been well, keeping busy with several interests and activities here in Vermont. During the past year I’ve done a little traveling. Early in May 2019 my youngest daughter Merri, my oldest son’s girlfriend Cindy, and I drove to visit Nova Scotia, connecting with sites of ancestors in and around Bridgeport. A long-time friend Alan Huskins, made a great tour guide. Such a nice time. In early September my three sisters and I traveled to Michigan to visit with cousins. Our family on our mother's side is from Michigan. We enjoyed a great visit. It was nice to be spending time together as well as seeing sights we hadn't seen in awhile. I am enjoying my life here in Vermont. I have various events I like to attend, as well as spending time with several horse friends. My family visits, as well as my two children and their families that live nearby. winwlk@yahoo.com
1959 SPH
Joannah H all Glass Joannah showed Director of Development Susan Mattei around her farm, Sporting Days Farm. (sportingdaysfarm.com/founder-joannah-hall-glass) They toured through the Aiken Horse District. Joannah, a 2011 inductee to the Stoneleigh-
1962 MAB
Jane Konheim Kasov At Burnham I was in the Riding Club. Trail rides past Dippy Hill, dusty classes in the Smith stables ring, and a fabulous chilled original Coke (in its curved green-glass bottle) — from the machine next to the tack room. That, music, art, acting, and writing was the true me. Nothing has changed, except I was hit by a car one year ago as I was walking in a crosswalk. I did PT all year and felt a sudden release from pain last week. Now I entertain fancies of going for a horseback ride this spring. I loved all the cultural events we all were able to attend at Smith and in Northampton, and I know you in my class felt the same. Burnham was special, and so are Burnham girls. But what if I'd gone to Stoneleigh...
Jane Konheim Kasov ’62 MAB and husband, Joe at the 89th birthday party of Aaron Rosand, then the greatest living violinist. He passed away this July. His playing has inspired me so much.
1963 MAB
Nancy Anderson Judge I am 75 years old today as I write this. I have been writing a memoir as my doctor suggested it would make things clearer. I recommend this to everyone! When I
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Class Notes got to my time at MAB, things were very clear. Since I was born with Spina Bifida, my life was not quite like everyone else's. I did not know it then, but I know now how amazing it was that I had survived, let alone that I was leading a fairly normal life. In my sophomore year however, fate caught up to me. I had to return home for some surgery and finished my sophomore year at Plainfield High School in New Jersey. My father took a new job in Ohio, so I finished my high school years at Glenwood High School in Canton, OH. I often wonder how my life would have changed if I had returned to MAB. I have so many good memories from my year with Joanne Hall Von Culin, Suzy Brown Blake, and Barbara Lauer in the front corner quad in Burnham House, right across the hall from the amazing Mrs. Cook. I was also fortunate enough to have Mrs. Corliss for English. I learned so much from her, not just in English, but in how to be a super teacher — which I was for 25 years! I also was lucky to have Barbara Babcock Broadbent ’60 MAB as my sponsor. My sophomore year started out great with Lana Friend Noyes, a perfect roommate! Mid-year, things in my health went downhill, and I had to leave MAB. Should I have returned? How different would life have been? Those are questions that will never be answered. I just wanted anyone who is left from that time period to know what a great school Mary A. Burnham was, and what a wonderful student body it had. God bless everyone and thank you to the Emerson/Peters' for the opportunity of singing in the Hartford Music Festival. I will also always remember 'Mountain Day' and our strange school dances. So, should I have returned? Probably, yes; but the experiences I had in New Jersey and Ohio were also broadening. Thank you for my MAB time!
Kathy Seyffer Opdycke 50th Reunion....Calling all classmates! Time to make your reservations. Register online......it's easy. Let's see how many classmates we can tempt back to campus. Bring your family photos and your memories. We'll have lots to talk about. See you in June!
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CarolAnn (Kitty) Hibbard Kitty shared the news that her husband of 33 years, Vincent Holbrook, passed away in October of 2018.
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Rachel Hobbie Hi Class of ’82! So happy to have seen so many at our last reunion in June. If you have not been to a reunion or it has been in a while, please consider coming to our next; the weekend is so much fun and is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with classmates and make new friends. Most of my free time is devoted to my dog showing pursuits. We continue to show primarily in New England and have had some wonderful compliments on my newest charge; she is a delight both at home and in the ring. I had a great visit with Liza Elliott McKelvey ’82 this past October. She and her husband were in the area to see family so we got to catch up over dinner in Northampton. Just recently, I had the pleasure of sitting with Kathleen Tuck Fontaine ’83 and her husband Bob at a Robert Burns dinner here in our area. I had a lovely New Year’s day visit with Kara Savage Nottage ’83 and Michelle Savage Brynda ’84 and their families. A great start to the New Year. Best wishes to all, cheers!
1990
Tamar Cooke Luck Hello, Class of 90! I cannot believe that we will be celebrating 30 years this year! Things have certainly changed a lot over the last year with us. JD and Andrew turned 18 last February and graduated from high school in May after 5 years of Homeschooling. They began the process of enlisting in the Colorado Army National Guard. JD has enlisted and is currently in Infantry Basic Training until May. Andrew is waiting to hear from them to enlist, it has been a process. I have started to work as a Respite Care Provider for Airforce families that have children with special needs. It has been such a blessing to help these families and be a support for them. The Airforce pays me to give care for each family and they get 40 hours each month of “free to them”, childcare. God really placed this in my life at a great time as I transitioned from being a stay at home (home school)
Tamar Cooke Luck ’90 and family mom to getting out and doing something that gives back to the community. My husband is still currently active duty in the Army. He celebrated 31 years of service last November and will continue until 2022. We have loved living in Colorado Springs and have taken advantage of hiking, skiing, and much more. If you come to Colorado, hit me up! I would love to see you.
1996
1970
Board of Trustee members Darcy McCormick Tarbell ’70, Denise Bruner ’70, and Barbara Mayo Llewellyn ’69, met over brunch in CA, getting committee work done in advance of Board meetings on campus.
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Bridget O’Brien ’82, P ’24, (left) and sister Kerry O’Brien ’84 (far right) took Bridget’s daughter Claire ’24 and SBS senior Nina ’20 to a Rangers hockey game over Long Winter Weekend.
Linda Tucker Jones I have wrapped up 7 years of service to St. Mary's College of Maryland as the Director of Events and Conferences. I began the new year with a family vacation to Disney World and a new job as the Events and Marketing Coordinator for Calvert County Parks and Recreation; a brand new position and a new opportunity to continue doing the events work I love. About a year ago I started my own small business, Linda's Little Lovelies, selling ‘handmade with love’ children’s wear, gifts, and accessories. My
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2004
daughter is 7, loving second grade, and continues to grow like a weed. We love life in Maryland and look forward to the summer and our next round of “glamping” adventures in our camper.
Lena Rosen I graduated from veterinary school at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. I spent 3 years working as a veterinarian in a mixed animal practice before switching to working in a small animal 24/7 ER in Springfield, MA for another 3 years. In 2017 I bought my first horse, after riding since I was 6 years old, a 7 year-old freshly off the track thoroughbred. I decided to take the opportunity to take a hiatus from the hospital and follow my horse trainer to Aiken, SC for the winter. While there I rediscovered my love of the horse world, more specifically, Eventing, and working outside on a farm all day. As a result I decided to keep working for my horse trainer, O’Reilly Equestrian now in Vernon, VT, and switched to Per Diem veterinary work. I now spend most days working on the farm with the horses, and pick up about 5-10 vet shifts a month, mostly at the ER in Deerfield, MA, and a local GP clinic in Brattleboro, VT. This has been a much better work/life balance for me and allows me to continue going to South Carolina from January to April with the horses. I’ve discovered I really love working with young horses more so than showing, so last winter I bought another 3 year old OTTB (offthe-track Thoroughbred) that I intend to re-sell after
2020
teaching him some of the basics. He’s been a blast to work with, and if all goes well I’ll find another project horse when we’re south this winter.
DO YOU FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA? Help us increase our followers by spreading the word! Facebook @sbschool @sbsequestrian @StoneleighBurnhamAlumnae Instagram @sbschool @sbsequestrian @stoneleighburnhamalumnae Twitter @sbschoolorg
Reunion 2020 SBS
Now a special virtual alumnae event on June 6!
FRIDAY, JUNE 5 – SUNDAY, JUNE 7
To Register Online Visit: support.sbschool.org/Reunion2020
#OWLYOUNEEDISLOVE
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In Memoriam
Coda By Kristen Mariotti, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management
Listed Left to Right, Top to Bottom: NAME
CLASS DECEASED
Janet Davis Keegan
1943 SPH
10/3/19 (not pictured)
Barbara Beck Donovan
1946 MAB
5/6/19
Elizabeth Abercrombie Flynn
1949 SPH
9/10/19
Sue Heubisch Milkey
1949 SPH
5/10/19
Marina Rubezanin Lillard
1952 MAB
3/4/19
Margery Lawton Cooper
1960 SPH
7/22/19
Nancy Shepard Nation
1963 SPH
11/8/19
Randi Daum de la Gueronniere
1964 SPH
9/27/19
Christine Herlihy Weeks
1965 SPH
7/28/18
Robin Abbott Burwick
1971 SBS
11/4/19
Jill Holley
1980 SBS
11/21/19
FORMER STAFF NAME DECEASED
Former nurse, Barbara Edson-Greenwald
2/13/20
Former librarian, Clifton F. Giles
2/13/20
Former tennis instructor, Richard (Rich) Kells
2/16/20
Former teacher, Tom Iampietro
3/4/20
Contact Kathleen Tuck Fontaine ’83 in the Alumnae Relations Office with any questions at alumnae@sbschool.org, or 413.774.2711 x317.
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As I settle into a long flight traveling from China back to our beautiful New England campus, I am still fascinated by WiFi on airplanes. This year marks 50 years since the introduction of the internet, and the fact that I can stay in touch from just about anywhere in the world, including from over 30,000 feet in the air, is still sometimes hard for me to believe. To our students, this is a given. They are accustomed to so much more than I was at their age. I tell stories to them sometimes about writing all of my college essays on a word processor, how I didn’t have an email address until I was 20 years old, and how somehow I traveled, in a car, from Connecticut to Arizona for graduate school without a cell phone or any kind of navigation system besides an actual map. I called my family from pay phones, booked hotel rooms on-site, and made many discoveries and had many adventures traveling this way. The pages of this magazine have inspired us with the incredible excitement of progress. And the progress in technology alone in our world has made things so much easier for us all, but just think about how much more progress in the world there is to come with our girls leading the way! I was ruminating on all of this today as I logged into WiFi in the sky having just completed a trip to Hong Kong and Mainland China to meet with SBS parents, alumnae, and future Owls. Before this trip, I spent time in many parts of the U.S. and on campus hosting many local girls and their parents. What strikes me this admissions season most, is that folks really all want the same thing for their children whether they are from Rumson, NJ; Beijing, China; or all of the many
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"Not only can we find more great-fit students for SBS from all corners of the U.S. and the world, but the more we visit these places, the more we begin to understand the cultures and the backgrounds our student body so vastly represents.”
places in between. They want their kids to be challenged, cared for, safe, and happy. Yes, they want their children to attend great colleges and universities, take rigorous classes, succeed in their co-curriculars, make lifelong friends, but more than anything they want their kids to feel important and accepted, want their voices to be heard, and want them to feel supported to become the best version of themselves, whatever that may be. I think we do all of these things exceptionally well at Stoneleigh-Burnham School, better than most places I know.
What I also have learned after nearly 20 years of visiting countries, cities, villages, and towns right in our backyard from where our students come, is that just being in these spaces is incredibly important. Not only can we find more great-fit students for SBS from all corners of the U.S. and the world, but the more we visit these places, the more we begin to understand the cultures and backgrounds our student body so vastly represents. SBS has students from 13 U.S. states and 13 countries this year. This is incredible diversity that many schools of our size cannot claim. As we move to the future and continue to find ways to offer our incredible experience to more girls, we can learn a lot from where we have come. In a time where we are more connected by technology than ever before, we must still find opportunities to connect in meaningful and personal ways. Right here in Greenfield, MA, we are able to hear many languages in the hallways, learn about traditions from all over the world, and appreciate the gifts all of our members bring to our global community. This is true progress, in my eyes. Aren’t we lucky? Kristen Mariotti is the Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at Stoneleigh-Burnham School. Kristen has over 20 years of experience in admissions and previously held leadership roles in admissions at The Ethel Walker School, St. Timothy’s School,
Cheshire
Academy,
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.
and
2020
SUMMER
AT STONELEIGHBURNHAM
Overnight & day camps for girls ages 8-18 focused on riding, dance, and animation. For more information or to register, please visit sbschool.org/summer or contact Liz Vollinger, Admissions & Summer Program Coordinator at lvollinger@sbschool.org
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Stoneleigh-Burnham School 574 Bernardston Road | Greenfield, MA 01301
sbschool.org
Parents: If this issue is addressed to your daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumnae Office at alumnae@sbschool.org, 413.774.2711 x317 or online at sbschool.org.
Upcoming Campus Events SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: As the bulletin went to print, Stoneleigh-Burnham School made the difficult decision to deliver its mission remotely for the remainder of the school year, cancelling on-campus graduation and reunion. Our primary concern during the COVID-19 pandemic is for the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. We thank you for your continued support and we are so very proud of our Stoneleigh-Burnham community. August 1-2 September 7 September 19 October 12 October 16 October 17-18 November 11 December 5 December 8 January 18, 2021
Board of Trustees Meeting First Day of School/Convocation Alumnae Board Meeting Admissions Visit Day Leadership Council Meeting Board of Trustees Meeting Admissions Visit Day Alumnae Board Meeting Admissions Visit Day Admissions Visit Day
For more event information, visit sbschool.org/alumnae.
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