Seven Hills Fall Magazine - 2015 by The Seven Hills School

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AT T H E S E V E N H I L L S SCHOOL

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04 06 18 30 47 Front cover photo: Middle School science teacher Jennifer Licata challenges students to identify a mystery object as biotic or abiotic, using the knowledge and observation skills developed in class. Above photo: Pre-kindergarten teacher Tyler McIlwraith and her students observe the properties of carbon dioxide in a science lesson using vinegar and baking soda.

Fall 2015

A special thanks to Keith Neu for his sports photography. Seven Hills Magazine is a publication of The Seven Hills School.

Contents Developing Mathematical and Scientific Literacy By Head of School Christopher P. Garten

STEM education at The Seven Hills School By Karla Dejean

School News Alumni News and Class Notes Upcoming Alumni Events

Christopher P. Garten Head of School Margo Kirstein Director of Development

Chris Hedges Editor, Writer, Director of Marketing & Communications Sarah Ott Lautar â&#x20AC;&#x2122;05 Director of Alumni Engagement

Karla Dejean Writer & Project Manager, photographer Carol Brueggemeyer Graphic Designer

Annual Fund

The Seven Hills B

A U

The Seven Hills Annual Fund and you What your gift does

From maps to microscopes, art supplies to

Your gift to the Annual Fund provides the

athletic equipment, field trips to robust

margin of excellence, all the unique learning

technologies and data networks, gifts to The

experiences that make us who we are as a

Goal =$1,325,000 • There is strength in numbers – many gifts add up to a large sum.

$1,200,000

• Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference!

$1,100,000

school: the tools and technology for hands-on,

Did you know ...

inquiry-based instruction, and the materials

100% O F SE VE N H ILL S FACULT Y

and equipment for inspiring fine and

A N D STA F F CO N T R IB U TE TO

performing arts experiences and inclusive

T H E A N N UA L F UN D?

I N S H O RT, G I F T S TO T H E S E V E N E V E R Y S T U D E N T, E V E R Y D A Y.

Seven Hills Annual Fund elevate the excellence

How your gift helps

more extraordinary for our students.

Each year, tuition covers just about 80% of the costs of everything our school provides. A portion of the remaining gap, about $1,150 per student, comes from the Seven Hills community’s support of the Annual Fund. • Annual giving funds approximately 5% of the educational expenses of the school. • All gifts to The Seven Hills Annual Fund are 100% tax deductible.

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athletic programs. HILLS ANNUAL FUND RE ACH

$1,000,000

of the Seven Hills experience to something even

BEC AUSE OF YOU . . . OUR STUDENTS DON ’ T JUST RE AD

To make your gift today, please visit www.7hills.org/annualfund or call the Development Office at 513.728.2430. Questions? Please contact Andi Fischer

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Simon ’98, Director of Annual Giving,

AB O U T DISCOVERIES, THEY

at 513.728.2436 or via email at

MAKE THEM.

andi.simon@7hills.org.

How your participation helps

Thank you

• Foundations from which we seek grants view high annual giving participation from families and friends of the school as an indicator of a healthy institution, worthy of additional support.

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for your support! 3

“OUR GOAL IS TO DEVELOP MATHEMATICAL AND SCIENTIFIC LITERACY FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, TO FOSTER IN THEM AN ABIDING CURIOSITY ABOUT HOW THE WORLD WORKS, AND HOW SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CAN BE USED TO ALLEVIATE SUFFERING AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OTHER PEOPLE. ”

D E V E L O P I N G M AT H E M AT I C A L A N D S C I E N T I F I C L I T E R AC Y

n recent years a great deal of media attention has been focused on educational policy related to STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and

leadership role in the world economy. For decades, the economic strength of our

Mathematics). At a White House event last March, President Obama cited Labor

nation has been built on cutting-edge innovation in science and technology, but

Department statistics that projected a 17 percent rise in jobs in STEM fields, with

recent studies by the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor suggest that, as a

the highest gains coming in such areas as biomedical engineering, network systems

nation, we are not producing a workforce with the requisite skills to sustain that

and data communication, and medical sciences.

competitive edge. One measure is the steep decline in the U.S. performance on

He also pointed to the higher earning potential for college graduates in these critical fields. In July, The New York Times published an analysis of wage growth in the post-recession years (2007-2014). While fields such as petroleum engineering; chemistry; mining engineering; physics; computer science; and electrical, chemical,

Program for International Student Assessment tests, which measure reading, math, and science scores of 15-year-olds in more than 70 countries. Last administered in 2012, this international assessment shows our math and science scores lagging well behind those in most industrialized nations.

and aerospace engineering all saw growth rates above 10 percent, starting salaries in

Moreover, this decline in math and science performance at the high school level has

careers such as education, journalism, social work, and hospitality have all declined.

been accompanied by a similar decline in the production of scientific research on

According to The New York Times, “STEM specialties have eclipsed the liberal arts as

which so much of our economic growth has depended. Last April, a Massachusetts

the portal to the executive track and ultimately the corner office in corporate America,

Institute of Technology committee of scientific researchers issued “The Future

even in fields where an English or sociology degree once provided entry.” Anthony P.

Postponed,” a report that warns of an “innovation deficit” bred by steep declines

Carnevale, a Georgetown University professor who runs the Center on Education and

in government spending on basic scientific research. According to the chair, MIT

the Workforce said, “You can range further across industries and, crucially, get into

physicist Marc Kastner, this drop in U.S. investment, in conjunction with massive

management if you’re an engineer or know chemistry and math.” 4

The President’s call to action was rooted in a desire for our nation to maintain its

“STEM specialties have eclipsed the liberal arts as the portal to the executive track and ultimately the corner office in corporate America...” - The New York Times

by Head of School Christopher P. Garten recent investments by China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia in centers of science and

The second new phenomenon is the introduction of a host of new programs and

engineering innovation, “really threatens America’s future.”

elective courses designed to prepare students to make more informed decisions

This issue of the Seven Hills magazine focuses on our own initiative to enrich, even further, our signature programs in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology. For years, of course, Seven Hills has offered a rich array of rigorous courses in these areas. Inspirational teachers like David Abinieri, Neil Smith, Don

about college majors and potential career paths. In the last five years, we have seen a substantial uptick in the numbers of students seeking colleges and careers in STEM fields. Colleges of engineering who visit our campus are now filling classrooms with students in this area.

Cameron, Paula Berensfeld, Jack Romig, and Jean Paddock have steered dozens of

Accordingly, we have enriched our offerings to respond to this new demand. Indeed,

our alumni into quantitative fields, preparing them through a rich array of college-

these new experiences begin quite early, with new Lower School programs to

level courses, in molecular biology, physics, chemistry, and multivariable calculus.

promote sustained mathematical problem-solving, our Middle School Innovation

Two phenomena are new. One is an attempt to incorporate collaborative problemsolving and application into the entire math and science sequence. A new generation of teachers, including Karen Glum (science department chair, director

Lab, modeled after a “design thinking” program developed at Stanford University, and a host of new elective courses in statistics, engineering, computer engineering, anatomy and physiology, biotechnology, and computer programming.

of the Innovation Lab), Anne Ramsay (math chair), Linda Ford (AP chemistry,

We believe, of course, that these new experiences will help prepare those students

environmental science), Dr. Bryce Carson (AP biology, psychology), Dr. Lenore

who aspire to pursue college majors and eventual careers in quantitative fields. But

Horner (AP physics, multivariable calculus), and Brian Arnold (AP computer

more than this, in accordance with the values of our school community, our goal

science) have enriched their courses to reflect new College Board standards,

is to develop mathematical and scientific literacy for all of our students, to foster

which call for more frequent opportunities to design experiments, and apply

in them an abiding curiosity about how the world works, and how science and

mathematical and scientific principles to authentic problem solving.

technology can be used to alleviate suffering and improve the lives of other people.

STEM Education STEM education has a distinct culture at Seven Hills. Much of that distinction echoes the School Philosophy, authored by Board of Trustee members and school administrators in 2012, which values imparting knowledge that is engaging and relevant. At Seven Hills, the maths and sciences present a unique lens through which character development can be coupled along with the academic rigor of the disciplines. Whether they are teaching the importance of employing ethics and empathy in engineering, sharing in the joy of discovery over a young child’s first experience with the effervescent properties of baking soda and vinegar, responding to a student’s desire to study college-level math by accommodating online courses, or explaining how statistics shape the mentalities of millions across the globe, Seven Hills teachers embrace these opportunities wholeheartedly. A group of first graders focus intently on a large screen projecting survey results that looms before them. They usually sit on the floor in a circle to discuss their projects or break into smaller groups. Chairs seem to be more of a barrier in this unique class, so there aren’t many. No traditional desks either. 6

“Look at how many of us want to plant spinach. And lettuce. Not too many of you want kale,” says project math teacher Liz Lorenz, as she weaves in and out of students who have found comfortable working positions on the floor. “Let’s graph this.” Lorenz waits for the class to cast their votes, then together, she and the students tally and graph their numbers. Throughout the month of October, the focused six- and seven-year-olds were planning an outdoor classroom garden with Lorenz. The new project-based math curriculum corresponds to each grade from first through fifth. A 3D printer hums in the background during the first graders’ class; while the students firm up plans for a classroom garden they are designing, they are simultaneously printing garden stakes. The scene from Seven Hills’ Lower School project math class is a quintessential snapshot of how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math come together naturally and intentionally, spontaneously, and methodically. The youngest Seven Hills students embrace STEM because it represents something they have conceived, designed, and carried through. And something they will finish, too.

at The Seven Hills School B Y

In less than 10 years, the national push toward STEM education has taken front stage. An acronym coined in the late 1990s, science, technology, engineering, and math, is now being applied and, in many ways, evolved to suit a second generation of K-12 learning communities. In its simplest form, educators across the nation are finding ways to make STEM more appealing and accessible to grade school students. Among

OWNING THEIR KNOWLEDGE First Graders are designing, building, and landscaping an outdoor classroom garden Second Graders are building bridges to incorporate certain specs and challenges Third Graders are building scale models of inclines found throughout Cincinnati, based on their study of Cincinnati history Fourth Graders are analyzing 2010 census data to inform revitalization proposals for existing Cincinnati neighborhoods Fifth graders are writing grants that present creative solutions for addressing a global decline of pollinators

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the growing number of STEM educators are those who are asking students to step into the realm of design thinking by taking risks, being slightly uncomfortable for the sake of helping others, or, simply, looking at a problem from a new angle. Lorenz has researched and implemented curriculum that allows her students to experience and influence STEM, not just learn from it. She removed desks and chairs from her classroom because she believes each of her students needs to learn in a space they create. “They need to be free to move about and around and do whatever they need to do to best support their learning,” said Lorenz. She sets the tone of respect and quiet within her room, freeing her students to delve into all aspects of STEM without physical classroom borders. “Through the blending of science, technology, engineering, and math, our students can explore their interests, work toward solutions, push themselves, and experience failure and success,” said Lorenz. “We plan to incorporate robotics, 3D printing, and elementary-level coding, but we are also learning, without the use of modern technology, to identify, understand, and address problems that affect us in the 21st century.”

Lorenz has assigned each grade level a yearlong STEM project that packs a hefty assignment tied to an existing unit in the corresponding grade: first graders have researched and are now designing a classroom garden; second graders are building model bridges to incorporate certain specs and challenges; third graders are building scale models of inclines found throughout Cincinnati, based on their study of Cincinnati history; fourth graders are analyzing 2010 census data to inform improvement proposals for existing Cincinnati neighborhoods; and fifth graders are writing practice grants that present creative solutions for addressing the global decline of pollinators. continued. . . 7

STEM Education

W H AT I S T H E MAKER MOVEMENT ? According to Techopedia, a respected wiki for tech-related terms, the Maker Movement is a trend in which individuals or groups of individuals create and market products that are recreated and assembled using unused, discarded or broken electronic, plastic, silicon or virtually any raw material and/or product from a computer-related device.

Lower School Head Carolyn Fox said STEM education is a powerful vehicle for young learners because students naturally thrive in areas unencumbered by a prescribed scope and sequence. “Though STEM is not new to Seven Hills’ Lower School, the intentional focus on integration within all academic disciplines presents new opportunities for students to make connections and solve real problems,” said Fox. “Our new STEM lab expands the level of academic integration appropriate to each grade level while offering challenging opportunities for students to experience collaborative and creative problem solving.”

Makers in the Making A strong STEM education program incorporates a balance of disciplines. For every structured, project-based study that requires students to record data and attend to trends, there are opportunities for students to shed the expectations and stipulations of academic routines and just create. Recently termed the Maker Movement, consumers, globally, young and old, are glomming onto the almost energetic force to “create,” taking students’ interests into

“It’s the excitement, that energy level, seeing that light bulb come on when they discover something new or how something works,” said Every Wednesday and Thursday morning, from Tracy Hickenlooper, designer of the studio and 7:45 to 8:20 a.m., Doherty kindergarteners director of program development & technology through fifth graders are invited to bring to integration at Doherty. “For the children who life their musings and whims in the Creation struggle with risk taking, they see someone Studio on the second floor of Jones Hall. With else just going for it and realize it’s OK to make the definitions of the words “Think,” “Create,” mistakes.” and “Innovate” posted on the classroom wall Hickenlooper sifts through a number of close by, the students are joining the Maker unfinished products, many of them composed Movement. Using recycled materials, fabric, of pieces and parts from a popular “old toy” bin wooden planks, 3D printers, and much more, the students are conceptualizing, taking apart, that students like to take apart and repurpose, such as a homemade axle a first grade girl designing, and rebuilding. diligently crafted from a paper clip, or a rabbit hutch a fourth grade boy built using broken pieces from a picket fence. the realm of textile design, knitting, 3D printing, and woodworking.

Scan this QR Code to view a video of Tracy Hickenlooper, as she gives a short tour of the Creation Studio on the Doherty Campus.

The Creation Studio is full of everything from corn husks and buttons, to sewing machines, dried flowers, bins of Legos, and a 3D printer. Hickenlooper said the need for more space underscores its popularity, and the students’ need for an invitation to think conceptually. Hickenlooper said she would like to see the Creation Studio become a resource for all disciplines.

at The Seven Hills School C O N T I N U E D

Design Thinking as Standard Curriculum

“I would like it to become more incorporated into the everyday classroom, just an extension of the classroom,” said Hickenlooper. “I would also like it to be part of the everyday curriculum because I think that’s where it’s going.” Lower School Head of Doherty Patti Guethlein said she enjoys seeing the energy present in the Studio. “It is a place where the students can wonder, ‘What might happen if ?’ ‘Who can I ask?’ ‘How does it work?’ It’s a place where children can explore, take risks, and challenge traditional thinking. It is the process rather than the result that is important,” said Guethlein. “The Studio challenges the scientist, mathematician, artist, and dreamer.”

While grade schools on the east and west coasts throughout the U.S. are beginning to add design thinking to their educational programs, very few in the Midwest are offering an extensive curriculum for all students. Seven Hills is one of the few schools in the Midwest to offer a formal curriculum around innovation. The Seven Hills Middle School’s Innovation Lab moves into an even more exclusive category when one considers the fact that the Seven Hills Middle School design thinking curriculum is not an elective. All Seven Hills seventh graders are required to participate in SHIEP, which stands for Seven Hills Innovative Entrepreneurship Program, said Middle School Head Bill Waskowitz. A continuing student of brain-based education, Waskowitz said programs like the Innovation Lab are necessary especially for adolescents, whose developing brains thrive on principles of idealism, wrestling with the distinctions of right and wrong, and doing rather than thinking. “The Innovation Lab is here because we see an opportunity to make the curriculum

A LEGACY OF STEM E D U C AT I O N AT S E V E N H I L L S . . .

relevant,” said Waskowitz. “We impress upon our students the importance of empathy, of understanding someone else’s point of view, and of the importance of improving the lives of others. Middle School students have to ‘do’ to learn, so the Innovation Lab is the perfect place for our students to grow, both academically and personally.”

Scan this QR Code to take a quick look around the Middle School’s Innovation Lab.

“Can we show you now?” It’s the question two Middle School girls at Seven Hills have been asking their teacher, Karen Glum, as they

When I would pack up to go home … there would be math teachers getting ready to leave also. We would invariably start talking for 30 minutes about a mathematical problem or concept. Then I’d stop in at Turansky’s room and we’d have a good chat, too. Having those kinds of faculty around, with the same kinds of inquisitive students, just made Seven Hills a great experience, every day. – David Abineri

Once or twice a year, from 1995 to about 2010, Seven Hills student stargazers would meet on the soccer field for “Astronomy Night.” Telescope in tow, David Abineri would invite them to observe the moon and planets and even the moons of Jupiter and Saturn’s rings. On other days in class, he showed how the functionality of speaker systems was very similar to that of a power generator. He built an electric car and did away with paying for gas for two years. He demystified the property of beat frequencies and sound waves – all by demonstration and experimentation. Abineri was a physics, calculus, and computer teacher at Seven Hills. While his students studied the laws and principles of

continued. . . continued on page 11

STEM Education enter the Innovation Lab. Glum told the girls she would love to learn how to sew, so the girls have been looking for a pocket of time to share

their skills with their Innovation Lab teacher. “The students like it, and I like it, too, as they are able to teach me something,” said Glum, director of the two-year-old Innovation Lab and Seven Hills’ science department chair. “A lot of

dynamic learning can occur when students see their teachers as learners as well.” This two-way spirit of learning is prevalent in Seven Hills’ Innovation Lab, a program that boasts a Stanford University-inspired curriculum and dedicated classroom space replete with anything from adult-supervised power tools and 3D printers, to scrap fabric, two-by-fours, and recycled water bottles. Originally created as a standalone program, the Innovation Lab represents the caliber of STEM education that is developing at Seven Hills. Lower School faculty prepare students to thrive in the STEM disciplines that their young students will eventually encounter in seventh grade, and Upper School faculty guide students to higher level programs and courses, using the Innovation Lab as the launch pad, encouraging their students to work with and mentor their Middle School peers. In just two years, the Innovation Lab has garnered the attention of local engineers, non-profit organizations, and news reporters. Glum and her students have invited the engineers of the May We Help? organization, a local non-profit run by engineers who build devices to help people with disabilities live more independently. This type of vision

perfectly meshes with the work that Glum and her students seek to develop — inspired and empathetic creators who seek to make the world a better place. Among the list of Glum’s students’ product designs is a device that will allow someone who uses crutches to wield an umbrella while walking in rainy weather. Not all of the products students create are geared toward fixing serious problems. Some center on the light side — such as helping toddlers reach bathroom faucets when even a stool isn’t quite enough, or finding ways to keep car windshields free of bird droppings. Regardless of what the students’ creations are designed to solve, the theme of empathy is the foundation that supports all that is created in the Innovation Lab. “We are asking them to sit down with the problem owner, to ask them what they are experiencing, how they feel when they are not able to accomplish a particular task or enjoy a particular experience,” said Glum. “The product designed by an empathetic, knowledgeable engineer is much more attuned to the needs of those for whom he or she is engineering and designing the product.”

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A LEGACY OF STEM E D U C AT I O N AT S E V E N H I L L S

C O N T I N U E D

The Culture of STEM at Seven Hills Middle School math teacher Theresa Keller uses actual blueprints from her house to ignite her students’ interest in pre-algebra concepts. Scan this QR Code to view Melissa Khoo’s “spaghetti project,” which explains the derivation of the sine and cosine graph from a unit circle.

Upper School dean and AP calculus teacher David Brott likes to start off his math classes with current events. Upper School math teacher Melissa Khoo often launches her statistics classes with ethical dilemmas such as the Milgram Obedience Experiment, or excerpts from The Lady Tasting Tea, a book on the power of statistics, by David Salsburg. And, bucking a national trend of the deficit of women in the STEM field, computer science teacher Brian Arnold takes specific steps to tackle a problem the National Center for Women and Technology calls “The Gender Equality Equation.” Known for their hands-on approaches, and, in many ways, harking back to the style and

. . .

commitment of the retired Seven Hills math department chair trailblazer and physics teacher David Abineri, faculty at Seven Hills present discipline in ways that spur discussion and make sense to their students. In every case, students find themselves leaning into riveting conversation, jumping into projects, debating ideas, and wrapping themselves in deep

T H E M A N Y VA R I AT I O N S OF STEM STEM comes in many forms. The following STEM-related acronyms are acknowledged and used globally, illustrating the dynamic movement of STEM over the past few years. • STREM (science, technology, robotics, engineering and mathematics); adds robotics as a field • STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics); adds the arts as a field for a more holistic view • STEAM (science, technology, engineering and applied mathematics); more focus on applied mathematics • GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science); used for programs to encourage females into these science fields • STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine)

his teaching, Abineri studied his students. He constructed his curriculum to reach the student with the lowest grade in his class and still challenge the student whose world revolved around physics. “In my class I would ask a question and pretty much call on those who didn’t have their hands up, or at random, because as a teacher, I would better learn what the problems were from the person who didn’t know the answer, than from the one who did know the answer,” said Abineri. “I also encouraged them to go to the lab and test things out. It was a thread throughout everything I taught.”

discussions – all driven by the principles of math, science, and technology. “I want them to be able to answer the question, ‘what’s the point of learning the math?’” said Khoo, whose students rarely sit and listen in her classroom, because they are busy working with manipulatives as part of their math lessons. “Math is more meaningful for the students when they have an emotional attachment to something in the world. They then discover for themselves math’s real purpose.” Math department chair Anne Ramsay said students in Khoo’s class have come to know that they will not learn about math. In Khoo’s class they will do math, such as the “spaghetti” project, which requires students to “unravel” the degrees of a circle and map out each degree with continued. . .

That healthy dose of skepticism spurred alumni like Stephen Zoepf ’97, to pursue a career in engineering. “I never would have gone on that path had it not been for Abineri. He really brought physics to life,” said Zoepf, who recently received his Ph.D. in engineering at MIT. “Abineri took us from the theory of calculations to trying to build something new ourselves based on that theory.” The strength of Seven Hills’ current STEM program is a progression of a longstanding tone of inquiry-based, labrich teaching. Zoepf said he distinctly remembers one of Abineri’s gravity experiments, in which students dropped a weight in front of a piece of tape that ran vertically. As the weight fell, students used equipment to generate a spark that jumped from the weight through the tape and punched a hole in the tape. Because the spark occurred every 60th of a second as the weight fell, the students were able to measure the effect of gravity.

continued on page 15

STEM Education measured pieces of uncooked spaghetti glued on poster board. “I’ve seen kids who aren’t particularly mathinclined love it because math is not theoretical in her class,” said Ramsay. “This is how they perceive math here. It’s not - Junior Jessica Seibold abstract.” In his fourth year teaching computer science, Brian Arnold, a Silicon Valley transplant, has been able to capitalize on the interests of his students, from freshmen to seniors. And, while the gender gap in the STEM field isn’t talked about in some circles, Arnold makes a point of focusing on it. His airy, decorated classroom (think IKEA+Apple store) is attracting an increasing number of girls to his computer programming and computer engineering classes because Arnold has set up his room to look 12

more welcoming to girls, adding lamps and comfortable pillows, and less like a traditional classroom. Arnold said, because boys often unwittingly dominate the classroom space, the area tends to be less attractive to girls. “It’s a real phenomenon. The National Association of Women in Technology is one of many organizations addressing this issue,” said Arnold. “Through their work, we’re becoming more aware of the role of the classroom space in making students feel like they belong, and in my classes specifically, I’m learning to be more aware of micro-inequalities or unconscious biases that might steer girls away from computer science. Unfortunately, some girls may never consider a computer science field due to a perceived stereotype, so that’s something we’re trying to address. We’re letting girls know that this field is another choice they have. We need their voice and their contributions.” To Arnold’s point, alumna, Hadiya Harrigan`13, recently received the Girl Scouts 2015 National Young Women of Distinction Award for composing a manual entitled, Computer Programming Handbook & Modules.

Harrigan, who participated in the Black Data Processing Association’s national high school competition as a Seven Hills student, noticed that each year, information that would help the group would leave when students graduated. “I decided to write the manual that contained all of the information we would need so each competing group wouldn’t have to reinvent the same information each year,” said Harrigan, an engineering major at Tuskegee University. The classroom tone, student-teacher relationships, and foundational skills faculty work so hard to establish, translate into

a comfortable transition to colleges and universities for Seven Hills graduates.

at The Seven Hills School C O N T I N U E D

Brott, who likes to keep the tone of his classes “conversational,” often starts off his classes with a question, such as “What does it mean when we say a national deficit is increasing but at a decreasing rate?” The discussion and the responses that ensue unfold into a lesson on first and second derivatives. “We approach math as a family. The kids are comfortable with asking questions and it’s not just the teacher lecturing and kids listening,” said Brott. “I love solving math problems. But I also love hearing what the kids think about solving math problems.” Alumnus Chas Gregory `15 said Brott’s description of math principles being “a tower that, with no strong foundation, topples over” came to mind many times as he settled into his freshman year at The Ohio State University. He also thought back on the meticulous nature of lab note-taking in Linda Ford’s AP chemistry class. “AP chem at Seven Hills was so hard,” said Gregory. But he had to do a double take when his eyes scoured a wall of test results for his chemistry grade at Ohio State. Gregory’s score – of the 340 students in his class – was

. . .

Dear Mrs. Ford, I just wanted to send you an email to update you on my chemistry career so far here at Ohio State. I received my score for the first General Chem 2 midterm, and, while the class average was a 67.5, I scored a 96.5. A major reason for this is undoubtedly all the preparation and resilience you give your students. Chem here is a breeze.

We must also keep a lab notebook that is set up in a manner very similar to the ones in your class. While labs here are taken very seriously and professionally, I am comfortable in the setting and with the work. I just wanted to say thank you for doing such an excellent job preparing me and helping me realize my appreciation for chemistry. I have never had a teacher make such a profound impact on my educational career. I hope you have an excellent year. Very respectfully, Chas Gregory `15

From: Linda Ford <linda.ford@7hills.org> Date: September 24, 2015 at 3:12:58 PM EDT To: “Gregory, Chas” <gregory.390@buckeyemail.osu.edu> Subject: Re: Update & Thank You Hey, Chas! Make my head swell! I so appreciate your kind words. I am so happy to hear how well you are doing. It is sure nice to feel confident and empowered to do great science during that first semester. I am very proud of you.

20 points higher than the next highest grade. Stunned, Gregory promptly emailed Ford that same day in late September 2015 to thank her.

“What Seven Hills does really well,” said Gregory, “is they push you harder than you thought you could go, and they know you can do it so they don’t let up.”

STEM Education A

o f D i s co v e d l r ry Wo

Seven Hills’ focus on STEM education encompasses the school’s academic program, starting with its youngest students in pre-kindergarten for two-yearolds. Each lesson is designed to help them love science and develop a sense of scientific inquiry. In 2011, Doherty pre-kindergarten teachers Cyndi Kenyon and Katie Dawson used a summer grant to research and design a science curriculum for their students. The curriculum is now shared throughout the early childhood program, reaching all pre-kindergarteners on the Doherty Campus.

Based on the foundational work charted by Kenyon and Dawson, pre-kindergarteners are now experiencing hands-on lessons by studying a number of concepts, such as pendulum movement, sound and vibration, static electricity, the properties of yeast, catapults, and density, among many others. “Science is a verb,” said Kenyon. “And it is one of the most natural ways to learn.” Kenyon and Dawson said they are constantly receiving positive feedback and signs that their students are engaged in the science lessons.

Scan this QR Code to watch Katie Dawson explain the concept of density to her students.

middle of the jar, and why others floated. The students responded with wide eyes and requests to continue the experiment with more items, a response their teachers welcomed. “We want them to leave each topic with more questions,” said Dawson. “Inquiry is huge for this age. We want them to say, ‘I have to keep working on this, I want to know more.’”

“It’s in their body language,” said Kenyon. “They squeal, they jump. They want to be close to whatever it is we are doing. They get very quiet. You can almost see the thinking happening.” This level of attentiveness was apparent last fall, during a lesson on density. Dawson and Kenyon poured maple syrup, oil, and water in large jars. The students gathered around, waiting with rapt attention, to see what would happen next. While students observed, Kenyon and Dawson explained why certain objects sunk, why others seemed suspended in the

The opportunities for teachable moments are limitless in Seven Hills’ early childhood

at The Seven Hills School

A LEGACY OF STEM E D U C AT I O N AT S E V E N H I L L S

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are developing and using critical thinking, observation skills, the scientific method, problem solving, and team work.”

program. Fueled by the inquisitive natures of their students’ age group, our teachers are constantly pursuing ways to build upon the foundation of academic excellence by expanding the learning landscape. On the Lotspeich Campus, Lower School science teacher Natalie Williams carts her science wagon to Lotspeich’s Early Childhood Center regularly to teach new concepts and reinforce the lessons within each teacher’s units. Williams has covered plant lifecycles, color mixing, units of measurement, baking soda experiments, and, of course, polymers in a very popular unit on “goo.” A focus on STEM education has also aided in the expansion of the outdoor classroom. Kindergarten teacher Theresa Cohen and early childhood director Kara Meador received a grant to research, write, and implement

For Alumna Kerri Martin ’05, it was her memory of Abineri’s teaching style that sustained her during her first few years as a math teacher. “I called him all the time to ask him for advice on teaching. I hope I will one day be as good a teacher as he was at Seven Hills.” Indeed, Abineri is still teaching. After retiring from Seven Hills in 2010 – 27 years after he walked onto campus with 10 years of experience – he still teaches, but without the boundaries of classroom walls. That marked the beginning of a new era of STEM education for Abineri. His virtual classroom reaches from his Blacksburg, Va., home to Alaska, to Atlanta, from Cincinnati to the west coast. He is currently teaching multivariable calculus to a class of 12 students across the United States, and a college sophomore-level math class – differential equations – to Seven Hills senior

curriculum for outdoor education. Meador said the curriculum is designed to engage students in exploring the complexity of the global community. The students have already used gardening materials and tools, as well as resources found outside of their classroom doors. “We are also working directly with native materials, such as insects, plants, the weather, and birds,” said Cohen. “They are using composting bins and rain barrels. The students

Scan this QR Code to view Abinieri’s online class on differential equations with Seven Hills senior Tigar Cyr.

Tigar Cyr. Via the software application “Wiz IQ,” Tigar and other students across the country are taking classes in real time, and the students have the capability to discuss and react to the ideas. The classes are always recorded, should they have to miss a class. continued on page 17

STEM Education ST

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T H E P R O C E S S O F S C I E N C E A N D A R T A R E O N E A N D T H E S A M E . TA K E A L O O K AT T H E P R O C E S S E S U S E D B Y O U R A R T D E P A R T M E N T. T H E N TA K E A L O O K AT T H E P R O C E S S E S U S E D B Y T H E I N N O V AT I O N L A B .

INNOVATION PRO CESS

VISUAL ART PRO CESS

1. Empathize

1. Define

2. Define

2. Dig Deeper

3. Ideate

3. Dream

4. Prototype

4. Develop

5. Test

Just as the leaves were beginning to turn last fall, students of Middle School art teacher Elissa Donovan pulled goggles over their eyes and excitedly struck matches for their art lesson. The flames flared and students guided lit tea candles over tiny glass straws, so thin they quickly became malleable under the flames. With students clustered around her, Donovan walks her students through a recent lesson on glass fusing asking her sixth-grade art students to list the ingredients of glass. The students quickly called out the three materials; sand, limestone, and sodium carbonate – or soda ash. 16

5. Deliver 6. Debrief

“And why sodium carbonate?” Donovan asks. “It decreases the melting point for glass and makes it easier to work with,” a student responds. “And why do we score our glass when cutting it?” Donovan asks. “So it won’t shatter,” a student responds.

“Yes. Glass has an amorphous molecular structure. Because the molecules don’t line up in a given pattern, glass will break in jagged lines. Scoring it provides a path of least resistance to break along,” says Donovan. Donovan refers to this lesson, which prepares students to craft six-legged glass figures for Insect Day, because it illustrates that art and science are naturally integrated. The two are inextricable, said Donovan. “In my art curriculum, we talk about the concept of viscosity of the paint media. When we are looking at watercolors, we are looking at chemistry. When we are graphing a drawing,

at The Seven Hills School C O N T I N U E D

D I D YO U K N O W ? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM jobs are growing at 1.7 times the rate of non-STEM jobs, and computer science jobs alone are expected to jump 15 percent from 2012 to 2022.

we’re using math. We’re plotting points and using grids. We’re using fractions to help draw things in proportion.” In even more subtle ways, however, there is no question that science and the arts are linked. “Science, math, technology and engineering provide building blocks. Art is the key to imagination, the inspiration to arrange these blocks in new ways” said Donovan. “Innovation doesn’t exist without these components working together.”

same path artists must take to produce the finished product – empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. Art is not a part of STEM, said Donovan. It is STEM, which is why, in many academic circles, the term is now

. . .

being called STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). “Art is already a part of how we problem solve. There is a creative, artistic process being employed whenever we build a product, whether that product is physical, visual, or experiential,” said Donovan. “Art is how we communicate, it’s already ingrained into the engineering and design thinking process.”

A LEGACY OF STEM E D U C AT I O N AT S E V E N H I L L S Abineri compares the tech boom of the 1960s to the current rise of the Maker Movement and STEM in K-12 education. Always a progressive thinker ready to share a thoughtful word, Abineri said he applauds the efforts of Lower School faculty and administration for introducing code writing, design thinking, and computer programming to the youngest students at Seven Hills. “Almost every job in the future will be strongly computer related and programming will be a large part of most jobs, as we are already seeing today,” said Abineri. “Educators across the country could really benefit from introducing computer programming in the first or second grade and continue working it through the curriculum.”

In fact, the process design thinkers encounter as they build products is essentially the

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We are pleased to welcome new Seven Hills faculty and staff!

Akau Betustak Carlson Catalan Clemens Del Vecchio Hanley Hauser 18

Stephanie Akau Lower School Instrumental Music Teacher

Stephanie received her B.A. in music from University of New Mexico, her M.A. in music from Michigan State University, and her Ph.D. in musical arts from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Stephanie most recently served as a woodwind sectional instructor for the Southwest Ohio Regional Honor Orchestra in Cincinnati. She also taught clinics on the fundamentals of the bass clarinet at University of Wisconsin and served as a graduate teaching assistant at University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music. Stephanie continues to perform in the Queen City Chamber Opera, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, as well as the Blue AshMontgomery, Richmond (Ind.), and Lansing (Mich.) symphony orchestras.

Joshua Betustak Doherty Unit II & III Math Support & Afternoon Pre-K Assistant Teacher

Joshua received his B.S. in Science Education from Indiana University. Joshua serves as an After the Bell program teacher at Seven Hills, serving students in kindergarten through fifth grade. He also served as a substitute teacher for pre-kindergarten through fourth grade throughout the 2013-14 school year. Joshua served as freshman assistant baseball coach at Avon High School, as well as an instructional assistant and student council leader at Maple Elementary School.

Bryce Carlson Upper School Science Teacher

Bryce received a B.S. in biology from University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in biological anthropology from Emory University. Bryce most

recently held the position of assistant professor in the department of anthropology at Purdue University, where he taught in the ingestive behavior research center and interdepartmental nutrition program. Bryce coached for the Atlanta Junior Rowing Association in Roswell, Ga., and has studied extensively the dietary ecology of chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in Uganda.

Alex Catalan Upper School College Counselor

Alex received a B.A. in political science from Beloit College and an M.S.Ed. in higher education from University of Pennsylvania. Alex most recently served as an admission graduate assistant at University of Pennsylvania and as an external application reader at Yale University, where he evaluated undergraduate applications from the United States to Yale-NUS College, a highly selective joint-venture liberal arts college in Singapore.

Laura Clemens Middle School English

Laura received a B.A. with Honors in English literature and an M.S. in curriculum and instruction from University of Wisconsin. Laura most recently held the position of humanities faculty and department head at Franklin Academy in East Haddam, Conn., where she designed and taught a variety of humanities electives, including five honors literature courses. Clemens also participated in Franklin Academyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residential program, where she led Life Sport activities, facilitated weekend activities, and supervised evening routines.

Christina Del Vecchio Early Morning Caregiver and Pre-Kindergarten for 2-year-olds Assistant

Christina received her B.S. in education from Miami University, with a major in early childhood education. She most recently served as an After the Bell teacher for pre-kindergarten students at Seven Hills. Christina student taught at Highland and Monroe elementary schools and tutored elementary students at Kramer Elementary in Oxford, Ohio. Christina served as a camp counselor at Camp Wayne for Girls.

Hannah Hanley Middle School Physical Education Teacher

Hannah received a B.S. in health promotion and education from University of Cincinnati. Hannah most recently taught physical education to children in grades kindergarten through eight at Alliance Academy of Cincinnati, where she implemented a new physical education curriculum focused on health education and lifestyle. She has also coordinated wellness programs for the City of Cincinnati and General Cable Corporation.

Jacob Hauser Middle School Drama Teacher

Jacob received his B.A. in theater from Oberlin College. Jacob most recently taught math, theater, and literature at the Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, Pa., where he planned and oversaw all aspects of the Upper School theater program. He also designed and developed Perkiomenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Middle School theater program.

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Kristen Hunnicutt Assistant to the Head of Upper School

Kristen received her B.S. in family studies and human development from University of Arizona. She most recently held the position of Assistant Director of Operations at Primrose School of Ahwatukee in Tucson. Hunnicutt has also served as a youth facilitator for CODAC Behavioral Services and as an intern at Child Protective Services.

Kim LaChance Development Coordinator

Kim most recently held the position of yearbook coordinator and commencement photographer at Springer School and Center. She has also held positions as a photographer for a number of school events at Springer, and has coordinated a number of projects and facilitated after-school programs for students.

Michaela Luchka Lower School Instrumental Music Teacher

Michaela received her B.A. in music from DePaul University School of Music and her M.A. in music from University of

Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Michaela is currently a cello faculty member and beginning strings instructor at Northern Kentucky School of Music and has served as a Seven Hills strings instructor since 2012. She also continues to perform as a member of the Springfield, Richmond, and Huntington symphony orchestras, as well as the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.

Brooke Richart Middle School Learning Specialist

Brooke most recently served as an individualized education program liaison for the John Peterson Special Needs Scholarship at Springer School and Center, where she managed a caseload of approximately 50 students in grades 1 through 8, from 15 school districts. Brooke also held the position of freelance curriculum writer, as well as a Middle School English language arts special education teacher. Brooke was also the dean at students in Breakthrough Cincinnati, a nonprofit organization that provides academic support to children in under served populations.

Sydney Schmidt Lotspeich Afternoon Pre-Kindergarten Assistant Teacher & After the Bell Teacher Sydney received her B.S. in early childhood education from Ohio University. She most recently served as a primary student intern at Mason Early Childhood Center and as a pre-primary student intern at Athens Head Start in Athens, Ohio. Sydney also has experience

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as a camp counselor, and has served as an assistant lacrosse coach at Kings High School.

Robin Vanover Lotspeich Fifth Grade Teacher

Robin received her B.A. in education, her M.A. in educational leadership, and her M.A. in teaching English from Miami University. Robin most recently served as curriculum specialist at Cincinnati State STEM Academy. She served as an instructional consultant in literacy and math in Hamilton County Educational Service Center. Robin has also taught fourth grade in all content areas and served as a reading specialist in the Sycamore Community School District.

Michelle Wales Lotspeich After the Bell Teacher & Pre-Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Michelle received her B.A. in psychology with a certificate in deaf studies and American Sign Language from University of Cincinnati. Michelle most recently served as a part-time supervisor at Kenwood Towne Center and has served in a number of capacities involving tutoring and childcare.

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Hunnicutt LaChance Luchka Richart Schmidt Vanover Wales

Get a fresh start for today and dona the new year! Clean out closets te your items to the Resale Shop and cupboards . Happy New Ye ar!

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Homecoming 2015: A night to remember!

Volleyball Clinic Students show off this year’s Homecoming theme – “Greatness Stings”

Our Books for Lunch committee members stopped by to say hello

The sky is the limit at Seven Hills!

Students and families enjoyed getting ready for their close-up at the photo booth

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Seven Hills parents show their Stinger Pride

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Serving up meals for hundreds of happy, hungry Stingers

A few students take a moment to review their game plan Soccer clinic

Homecoming is in full swing!

Cheerleading clinic

Students and faculty members enjoying the night at the concession stand

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Allen Faculty Chair Awarded to Elissa Donovan are also struggling to know themselves. Elissa provides an invaluable apprenticeship, teaching the technical skills of master craftsmen, but more than that, she helps her students to discover their own voices and develop the confidence to explore and express themselves.” The Seven Hills School has awarded one of it’s highest faculty honors, the Elise Eaton Allen Chair in the Fine and Performing Arts, to Elissa Donovan, in recognition of the excellence of her teaching. Donovan has been teaching Middle School visual art at Seven Hills for 16 years. In an assembly of faculty and staff this fall, Head of School Chris Garten shared these thoughts about Donovan: “Under Elissa’s skilled and compassionate guidance, our Middle School art students learn to express their thoughts, ideas, and feelings, at a time in their lives when they

Garten continued, “This ‘miracle’ of growth doesn’t occur merely because Elissa provides engaging projects or stimulating materials or painstaking technical training; it unfolds because Elissa provides an environment that is built upon respect. Elissa sees her students as artists; she respects the power and imagination that each child brings into her classroom, and feeling that respect, that nurturing expectation, frees her students to dream and design and create with an emerging sense of confidence, even boldness, that will be, in the long run, Elissa’s most lasting legacy in their lives.”

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Brodie Awards Honor Mandy Hayes, Regina Daily for Excellence in Teaching Two teachers are recipients of Brodie Grants for Excellence in Teaching from the Brodie Family Faculty Betterment Fund — Middle School English teacher Mandy Hayes and Doherty Unit III teacher Regina Daily. The Brodie Fund is an endowed fund that provides professional development opportunities for faculty and which recognizes outstanding teachers at both early and later stages of their careers. Mandy Hayes In a meeting this fall with faculty and staff, Head of School Chris Garten said, “Each day, Mandy orchestrates impassioned discussions about human relationships: about Lennie’s devotion to George, or Atticus Finch’s love for the downtrodden. She helps students hone their ideas into carefully crafted paragraphs that move them — in lurching, quantum leaps — toward the realms of analysis and abstraction. “In her scrupulously organized classroom, Mandy scripts learning activities that engender passion for the world of ideas and an ardent desire to explore that world with greater confidence and skill. And she is ready, always, for those teachable moments that arise when we least expect them, believing, like Shakespeare’s Henry V: ‘All things are ready, if our mind be so.’ We are proud to recognize Mandy’s efforts with the Brodie, Jr. Award.”

Regina Daily Of Regina Daily, Garten said, “To a generation of Doherty students, Regina personifies creativity, energy, and dedication to the art of teaching. “She is both a whirlwind of ideas and a quiet measured presence, and she has long been a teacher well ahead of her time. Long before 21st century skills were in the headlines, Regina was devoted to projectbased learning and to creative problem solving. For decades, she has fostered critical thinking and encouraged thoughtful collaboration and clear communication. “For many, many students, Regina Daily symbolizes their pride in meeting life’s challenges head on, and in rising beyond what they thought they could do. We should all have a Mrs. Daily in our lives. “George Eliot said that ‘Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another.’ There is no safer place for a student than under Regina’s wing.”

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Hillsdale Class of 1956 Award for Faculty Excellence: Jason Knarr

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Creating Conversations speaker series

Our speaker series continues this year and features experts in their fields relating to raising bright, healthy, happy children.

The Hillsdale Class of 1956 Award is given to a member of Seven Hills’ Upper School faculty who fosters a love of, and excitement about, learning among Seven Hills students.

that emotional wellbeing works in the body and brain, to help change brain chemistry and improve healthy living.

At a faculty and staff meeting last spring, Head of School Chris Garten announced the recipient of the Hillsdale Class of 1956 Award, saying, “Jason Knarr has mastered many forms of art, from drawing, to print-making, to film and digital media. But it is the art of teaching that makes him such an inspiring figure in the lives of his students.

Don’t miss Jessica H. Thiede, Psy.D., who will present “When to Worry and What to Do,” which will take place at 7 p.m. on February 23, 2016. This poignant presentation will equip parents of pre-teens and teenagers with the skills necessary to detect signs of their children’s distress. Dr. Thiede, a Hyde Park clinical psychologist, will share ways parents can recognize and understand these signs, and know what to do when they see them.

“Jason believes that each student has something to express, and in his art classes, he helps them develop the tools for self-expression. Whether he is teaching a lesson on drawing by hand or on digitally enhancing an image, Jason always brings to his classroom tremendous energy, a great depth of knowledge, and a palpable care for his students. “Outside of the classroom, he champions the arts by moderating the photography club, teaching summer courses, creating artwork for Books for Lunch, and helping to organize creative events such as the talent show. “Today’s award recognizes Jason for his teaching of art and his art of teaching, but most of all for his deep and abiding impact on the lives of our students.”

In an interactive kickoff event for Seven Hills’ annual Creating Conversations speaker series, speaker Eileen Kennedy-Moore, Ph.D., offered parents and faculty members ways to help children find joy in their everyday lives, which included definitive direction on handling homework. “Parents, don’t do your children’s homework,” said Dr. Kennedy-Moore. “When you do their homework, it sends a confusing message that it isn’t OK to make mistakes, it blurs the line of understanding between who is responsible for their homework, and it hampers communication between the student and the teacher.” Our November 17 speaker Shannon Jensen offered ways parents can teach children to practice self-compassion in the midst of daily stress or high levels of anxiety. Jensen expounded upon the importance of mindfulness, sharing

The Seven Hills School speaker series, Creating Conversations, welcomes you, your family, and friends to attend these free-of-charge events. To learn more visit www.7hills.org/CreatingConversations.

The Seven Hills School Speaker Series

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AP Scholar Awards 97% of AP Exam scores qualify for advanced standing in college

Sixty-three members of the Classes of 2015 and 2016 have been named AP Scholars by the College Board for their exceptional achievement on the college-level AP Exams. Of the 262 Advanced Placement exams in 17 subjects taken by 127 students, as of June 2015, 97 percent of the scores were 3’s or better on the 1-5 national scale, qualifying our students for advanced college standing. Receiving National AP Scholar Awards for average scores of at least 4 or higher on all AP Exams taken and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more are 2015 graduates Ben King, Ellen Lu, Ellie Pasquale, and Andrew Wilson, and senior Alex Jiang. Receiving AP Scholar with Distinction Awards for average scores of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more are seniors Fatima Anwar, Tigar Cyr, Ada Huang, Matthew Marquardt, Holly O’Neal, Bennett Smith, Nicole Tiao, and Kathleen Wang. 2015 graduates who received AP Scholar with Distinction Awards are Stefan Antonsson, Nicole Barresi, Adam Buford, Grace Carroll, Grace Cawdrey, Alayna Choo, Maddy Cole, Arjun Dheenan, Claudia Fernandez, Chas Gregory, Srishti Kapur, Pearce Keiser, Joanne Li, Nicole Malofsky, Mitch Polansky, Chris Shoemaker, Clarke Waskowitz, and Sean Yoshitomi-Gray. Receiving AP Scholar with Honor Awards for average scores of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more are junior Matisse Peppet and seniors Kate Coley, Lauren Collette, Margaret Cox, Brian Hills, Andrei Savu, Camille Williams, and Louise-Audrey Zenezini, and 2015 grads are Carl Compton, Avery Coombe, Jeff Dedeker, Alex Hunter, Chris Janidlo, and George Karamanoukian. Receiving AP Scholar Awards for scoring 3 or higher on three or more exams are seniors Alyssa Akiyama, James Coyle, Ryan Green, Clay Hausberger, Zach Sorscher, Danny Mutasim, Mike Nazzaro, Zach Sorscher, Claire Stewart, Gary Wang, and Kaylan Young, and 2015 graduates Henry Chavez, Sarah Kanter, Max Pochobradsky, Mollie Rouan, Mona Scheiber, Evan Smithers, Judy Sun, and 24 Tessa Weisenborn.

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National Merit Semifinalists and Commended Students Seven Hills Tops National Merit Percentage Among Cincinnati Schools

The Seven Hills School continues its tradition of excellence with 25 students who received recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Program. Eight students were named Semifinalists and 17 were named Commended students.

Seven Hills National Merit Semifinalists are Fatima Anwar, Katherine Coley, Tigar Cyr, Alex Jiang, Bennett Smith, Zachary Sorscher, Claire Stewart, and Kathleen Wang. Commended students are Maria Bobbitt Chertock, Brandi Bryson, Abigail Clark, Matthew Clayton, James Coyle, Elliot Glum, Ada Huang, Jacob Lautman, , Matthew Marquardt, Mike Nazzaro, *Ben Nordmeyer, Kenneth Remaklus, Hayley Samson, Andrei Savu, Nicole Tiao, Camille Williams, and Jai Williams.

National Merit Semifinalists Bottom row: Kathy Wang, Kate Coley, Claire Stewart, Fatima Anwar Top row: Alex Jiang, Zachary Sorscher, Bennett Smith, After an extensive analysis of the percentage of students named National Merit Semifinalists based on the graduating class size Tigar Cyr of schools in Cincinnati, Seven Hills is please to announce that our Class of 2016 has produced the highest percentage of National Merit Semifinalists based on the graduating class size of schools in Cincinnati. “We are very proud of the Class of 2016 for many reasons, just one of which is their terrific scores,” said Head of School Chris Garten. “Twenty-nine percent of our graduating class has earned National Merit recognition and 9.6 percent of them are semifinalists, giving them the distinction of having the highest National Merit Commended Students percentage in the city!” Bottom row: Abigail Clark, Ada Huang, Nicole Tiao, Camille Williams, Andrei Savu, Hayley Samson, Brandi Bryson, Maria Bobbitt Chertock Top row: Mike Nazzaro, *We dedicate this page of academic Matthew Clayton, Elliot Glum, James Coyle, Jai Williams, Kenneth Remaklus, Jake accomplishments in memory of Lautman, Matthew Marquardt Ben Nordmeyer (1997–2014)

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Fall Sports Honors

Laney Saggar

Seven Hills student athletes and coaches earned a number of rewarding accolades in cross country, golf, tennis, volleyball, and boys soccer. Tennis coach Tim Drew and golf coach Doug Huff received the Miami Valley Conference (MVC) Coach of the Year Award, while junior Laney Saggar received the Dick Snyder Sportsmanship Award.

Congratulations to the varsity boys and girls soccer teams who received the Southwest Ohio High School Soccer Coaches Association’s Academic All Southwest recognition award. These students have maintained a 3.7 cumulative GPA during the soccer season: Brice Hill, Trey Kieser, Nate Rising, and John Stewart, of the boys varsity soccer team; and for the girls varsity soccer team, Dottie Callard, Maggie Kersting, Grace McVey, Jessica Nordlund, Mary Grace Ramsay, and Alexis Tucker.

40 of the nation’s girl’s high school soccer players from fall playing states to take part in the third Annual High School All-American Game in early December. In a record-breaking Olivia Silverman season, the boys and girls cross country team ran at Voice of America in Mason, Ohio, in the MVC Cross Country Championship. Chase Gardner won the meet in the boys division setting a new school record of 16.17.19 in the 3.1-mile race. Gardner earned MVC Runner of the Year for his performance. Matthew Marquardt finished in third place and Matthew Maring finished in 12th, earning each of them All-MVC honors. On the girls side, Nia Page finished with a team best, 27th place. The cross country team was district runner-up, with Gardner being named district champion, Marquardt placing second, and Maring placing fifth. Both Gardner and Marquardt competed in the Division III State Cross Country Championship. Gardner finished in 26th place and Marquardt finished in 61st. Marquardt committed to swim for Princeton University in the fall.

The varsity golf team carried an outstanding season, winning the MVC Championship for the third year in a row, and advancing to district championships. Congratulations to Alyssa Akiyama, who earned Second Team All-State, and to Jack Lane, who moved on to play the Scarlet course at The Ohio State University in mid-October.

Alyssa Akiyama

The varsity girls tennis team put forth consistent and focused effort throughout the season, winning the MVC Championship, advancing to compete in the doubles district championship, and showing strength in doubles and singles. Lauren Saggar was named MVC player of the year.

Jack Lane

Volleyball finished on an outstanding note, with a record of 12 -12 and 7- 6 in the MVC. Senior Sydney Lewis earned MVC First Team Honors.

Boys soccer finished: 10-6-2. Girls soccer finished: 10-8. Senior Olivia Silverman, who committed to play soccer for Saint Louis University in the fall, was named All-American. She joined Chase Gardner and Matthew Marquardt

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K I N D E R G A RT E N E R S U S E I PA D A N D SE E S AW A P P TO SH A R E CL A SS WO R K W I T H PA R E N TS After finding and identifying shapes in their indoor environment, Doherty kindergarteners paired up for an outdoor shape hunt around the Doherty Campus. The students used iPads to take photos and videos of the shapes they found, which served as a digital archive of the images they “collected” in their searches. “We viewed and talked about the shapes when we returned to our classrooms,” said kindergarten teacher Jenny Carr. Carr said both students and their parents enjoy using an app called SeeSaw, which enables the students to capture and post their learning throughout the day to the app. Parents are invited to view their child’s SeeSaw

Upper School Afternoon of Service

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journal with each new entry and have an immediate, personalized window into their child’s learning. S T U D E N T S , FA C U LT Y CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY DURING UPPER SCHOOL SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT In a comprehensive Upper School activity called “Afternoon of Service,” a group of 400 Upper School students and 35 faculty members boarded buses to volunteer their time and energy in several neighboring communities, assisting local residences and organizations with a variety of tasks. Students put in a collective 60 hours of community service in a single afternoon. This service time did not count toward the graduation requirement of 30 hours per student. The Oct. 23 service trip was planned and organized by director of experiential learning Nick Francis. SIX TH GR ADE SPANISH This year, sixth grade Spanish instruction is coming to life in Philip Thornberry’s classroom. Introduced during the 2014-15 school year for the first time, the sixth grade Spanish curriculum offers a bridge between the Lower School and Middle School Spanish programs, which previously didn’t begin until seventh grade. Thornberry said the students are enjoying carrying over the knowledge gleaned from their

fifth grade Spanish class to sixth grade. Among the many activities planned for this year, the students recently acted out skits in Spanish and reviewed the geography of Spanish-speaking countries throughout the world. H U N T I N G A N D G AT H E R I N G AT K N O O P FA R M

In one of many favorite Lotspeich traditions, last fall fifth graders explored, gathered, and foraged at art teacher Jody Knoop’s farm.

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“We all had such fun, helping each other as we hiked down a creek bed and explored the farm,” said fifth grade teacher Karla Balskus. Balskus and fellow fifth grade teacher Robin Vanover transformed every step of the rural journey into an outdoor classroom, as students gathered tinder and kindling, black walnuts, and marigolds — some of the natural materials they put to use for their Colonial Days dye baths, which took place a few weeks after the farm trip. HONORS PHYSICS STUDENTS TEST PAPER STR EN GTH

This fall, Upper School students in Lenore Horner’s honors physics class put their knowledge of physics and their creative minds to the test when they completed Horner’s challenge to use only one sheet of paper to create a structure that would support as much weight as possible. “They could have no glue or tape, but cutting was allowed,” said Horner, who also

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ruled out using the one piece of paper in stacked strips. Rising to the challenge, the students were very successful with their mission. The champion design supported nearly 39kg – more than 85 pounds! KINDNESS LETTER WRITING PROJECT Students in Unit III will be writing three separate letters this year to students and adults who make a difference in their lives, said Unit III teacher Patty Dawson. The first letter will provide the students with an opportunity to make a connection with someone new. The second letter is intended to pay someone a compliment and celebrate his or her uniqueness. The final letter will express gratitude and thanks. “Instilling kindness is one of the values at Seven Hills, and Unit III is proud to be spreading kindness throughout the school community,” said Dawson. STUDYING THE CONSTITUTION This fall, Doug Huff ’s Middle School history class solidified their knowledge of U.S. government and the Constitution using the format of the popular TV quiz show Jeopardy! as a launch pad for review. Huff divided his class into thirds and hooked up a buzzer system for each group. The students worked through several categories, hitting their buzzers when they had the correct answers (or rather, the

correct questions) to statements such as, “The number of U.S. senators,” “Total number of Congressmen and Congresswomen not counting the nonvoting delegates,” and “The written plan for the U.S. Federal government.” P R E D ATO R O R P R E Y ? First graders in Natalie Williams’ science class observed and journaled their findings during a comparative study of their class pets — gerbil vs. hamster — to determine body types and whether the animals are predator or prey. In this hands-on activity, Williams and her students sat in a circle in the Leyman Science Building, surrounding the small pets Williams had set loose to roam the hardwood floor. The students observed the animals and wrote down the similarities and differences of the pets. Williams said the students enjoyed the exercise, which helped hone their observational and writing skills. 27

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Doherty Campus Celebrates New Kemper Playground

One by one, students on the Doherty Campus filed onto the field, taking a moment to pause for a ribbon cutting in celebration of their new Kemper Playground. The smiling, giggling students and their teachers enjoyed the festive occasion, officiated by Doherty Parent Association past president Lessa Trindle, Head of Doherty Patti Guethlein, and Head of School Chris Garten. Guethlein and Garten kicked off the festivities under sunny skies on a brisk afternoon in early November. The students cheered for the new

playground and applauded when Garten held up the official, large ribbon cutting scissors that would be used to celebrate their new digs. “When we didn’t see many of you playing on the playground, we knew we needed to do something,” Trindle said to the students. “On behalf of the Parent Association and the school community, we just want to thank everyone for making this happen.” Kemper Playground was made possible by a generous challenge grant from the Hauck Foundation, which led to many gifts from members of the school community. The expansive playscape features a number of amenities, including slides, swings, a jungle gym, spider web crawler, a clatter and lily pad bridge, gym bars, a curved chute slide, and many more manipulatives.

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Books for Lunch 2015 The 2016 Books for Lunch committee, co-chaired by Seven Hills parents Colleen Dwight and Victoria Karamanoukian, is honored and excited to present this year’s guest author, New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Fuller. In its 30th year, Books for Lunch brings authors of note to the school for a morning with Upper School students and a luncheon with parents and the Greater Cincinnati community. If you haven’t participated before, you are invited to come and see what it is all about. And if you have, please rejoin the fun. Save the date for the Feb. 5, 2016, luncheon at Xavier University’s Cintas Center. Tickets are $50. Please visit: www.7hills. org/BooksForLunch for more information about Alexandra Fuller and her poignant, awardwinning work.

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Friday, February 5, 2016 11 a.m. Luncheon and book signing at the Cinta s Center, Xavier Uni versity For more inform ation visit www.7hills.org /BooksForLunc h

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The new Nellie Leaman Taft Early Childhood Center – N O W O P E N ! Students, teachers, families, and friends of The Seven Hills School joined for an exuberant celebration of the opening of Lotspeich’s new Nellie Leaman Taft Early Childhood Center during the first week of the 2015-16 school year. The joyous occasion included a performance from Lotspeich students, statements from Nellie Taft’s brother Dudley Taft, Sr., and Seven Hills Head of School Chris Garten.

Nellie Leaman Taft H’55, now deceased, attended Hillsdale School, a school that later merged with Doherty College Preparatory School for Girls and the Lotspeich School, to become Seven Hills. Taft, a descendent of Presidents William Howard Taft and William Henry Harrison, became a schoolteacher and continued to study fine arts in Cincinnati.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony for the 17,000 sq.ft. center, Garten and Lotspeich Head of School Carolyn Fox addressed the pre-kindergarteners and kindergarteners who now call the Taft Early Childhood Center their school home.

Dudley Taft, Sr. shared his gratitude with the school community when he stated, “My sister would be so happy to see this.” Dudley Taft, Sr. cut the ribbon with several members of his family,

“Today, it’s like we are moving into a new house — and we’re excited,” said Garten. “We miss our old home and all the memories we made there, but we’ve packed up all our things, we have all the people who love us here, and we’re ready to start a new chapter of our lives in an exciting new space.”

“Nellie Taft was adventurous. She traveled all over the world. She also spent her life helping people,” Garten said during the ribbon cutting. “She especially wanted to help give children a chance to study and get excited about the arts. As she neared the end of her life, she wanted to thank some of the organizations that helped her become the person she was. She left a gift to Seven Hills.”

including his son Woody Taft; his son Dudley Taft, Jr., and his wife Michelle Taft; and Taft Jr.’s daughter Kaitlin Taft, a Seven Hills senior. Carolyn Fox said the Early Childhood Center stands as a testament to the professionalism, vision, and dedication of the Seven Hills faculty and administration. The building, located on Seven Hills’ Hillsdale Campus, houses Lotspeich’s Beginnings Parent and Toddler Enrichment Program, pre-kindergarten for two-year-olds, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten classes. “Our faculty, who teach the children and nurture them each day, helped design this building, and the administration empowered them to get intimately involved,” said Fox. “The Early Childhood Center houses a rich, comprehensive, and coordinated year-round program for our students.” 29

Catching up with Kalpana Kotagal ’95 I was fortunate to attend Seven Hills from kindergarten through graduation from the Upper School. The teachers at Seven Hills made that experience, from the very beginning to the very end.

capacity, I am responsible for making my firm an even better place for everyone to work.

What was the interest/passion that brought you to this work?

Kalpana: I am a partner at Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, where I practice employment and civil rights law. My practice consists primarily of representing groups of employees who have been subjected to discrimination, or otherwise treated unfairly, in the workplace. This might take the form of a company’s failure to pay its employees for the time they worked, taking advantage of immigrant workers, or company policies governing pay or promotion that discriminate against women or people of color. My work is to identify and understand such problems and to seek redress for employees. It is a privilege to represent employees who have come forward seeking to ensure that they, and others, are treated fairly. I also chair my firm’s Hiring & Diversity Committee, and in that

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Wyatt King, Narayan King (6 months), Kishan King (4 years), Kalpana Kotagal

Meera Kotagal ’99, Kalpana Kotagal ’95

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Kalpana: Social justice and civil rights issues have been of central importance to me since Middle School at Seven Hills. It may be that the beginning of my trajectory to the work I do now was the student-led environmental organization I founded and led in Upper School. That environmental education organization, which worked closely with students and teachers in many of the most urban public schools in Cincinnati, exposed me to the race and class dimensions of environmental issues. It complicated my world view. Activism in college at Stanford, including work with a community organization in East Palo Alto organizing against the irresponsible operations of a major industrial facility nearby, and several years working as an organizer honed and matured that passion. I went to law school looking for a way to apply my organizational skills in a different way and found it in laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII creates the opportunity for employees to collectively, or individually, challenge their employers’ unfair practices and to root out the underlying causes of discrimination in the workplace.

What were significant points — events, experiences or people — that made a difference along the path you’ve taken in pursuit of this passion/work? Kalpana: I have been so fortunate since childhood to benefit from life-changing experiences, among them: traveling to Norway with Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV) as an 11-year-old; exploring the rainforests of Trinidad and Tobago and magical places closer to home as a Junior Zoologist at the Cincinnati Zoo; and working with remarkable students and teachers to found a student-led environmental organization. As I reflect back on these important experiences and other formative moments, what is clear to me is how much I have benefited from mentors who saw potential in me and guided my development. Some of these mentors, including David Abineri and Bob Turansky, encouraged my intellectual development and curiosity. All of them helped me develop more fully as a human being — valuing hard work and honesty, striving for justice, working on behalf of those in need, and hopefully, having fun along the way.

What are your goals now? Kalpana: My goals are different now

than five years ago; having children shifts priorities, or perhaps simply adds to those one might already have had. As I return to my full-time litigation practice after the birth of my second son, I am considering how to “compose” my life — to prioritize the things that matter most and eliminate the clutter, physical and otherwise. My family, my work, my community, my mentors, and role models these days are my mom and dad, who have had careers defined by meaningful and important work and simultaneously made their children a priority. I look to friends and family, men and women, who negotiate the challenges of work and family on a day-to-day basis with joy and humor for guidance, ideas, and support.

Is there anything you would like to share with your Seven Hills teachers or about your Seven Hills experience? Kalpana: I was fortunate to attend Seven Hills from kindergarten through graduation from the Upper School. The teachers at Seven Hills made that experience, from the very beginning to the very end. They taught subjects, but they also taught skills, life habits, and passion. I feel so profoundly grateful to each of them for their commitment to their students and to their craft.

Catching up with Alex Maggio ’03

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I think that every great story has a thesis. So I’m grateful for the teachers at Seven Hills who taught me to write essays with power and intention.

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Alumni News Alex’s selfie, taken in the “Rose Garden,” on the set of Madam Secretary.

Tell us briefly about your work. Alex: I’m currently a story editor and writer for the CBS drama Madam Secretary. I started as a playwright, and did some work in theater before becoming a writers’ assistant on Homeland and beginning my transition to writing for television.

What was the interest that brought you to this work? Alex: I’ve always had a strong affinity for storytelling, ever since I hijacked my parents’ bedtime stories and made them my own. I find writing exhilarating. I’d be doing it for fun if I wasn’t getting paid for it.

How did you discover this in yourself? Alex: It’s always been there, I think, though I was pretty suppressed in college. I tried a few odd jobs in the real world before I really embraced it.

What were your goals at the start of this particular job? Alex: I look for every opportunity on Madam Secretary to improve my craft. Our showrunner, Barbara Hall, has a mantra about making your first draft read like a third draft. I’m nudging my way in that direction.

What were significant points — events or people — that made a difference along the path you’ve taken in pursuit of this work? Alex: I’ve only gotten this far because kind, accomplished people believed in me. Sarah Treem (creator/showrunner of The Affair on Showtime) was my first playwriting teacher and a strong early influence. Without her encouragement, I probably wouldn’t have started down this path. I’d also like to single out Chip Johannessen, who gave me a chance to work as an assistant on Homeland, and Barbara Hall, who took a risk on me when she made me a staff writer on Madam Secretary.

Is there anything you would like to share with your Seven Hills teachers or about your Seven Hills experience? Alex: I think that every great story has a thesis. So I’m grateful for the teachers at Seven

Hills who taught me to write essays with power and intention. Every time I build an argument between two characters on the page, I’m drawing on those roots.

What are your goals now? Alex: I’d love to work in multiple genres, including theater and film. I’d also like to create and run my own show.

What gives you the most satisfaction? Alex: Collaboration. I’m a social creature, and I love it when different creative voices converge on a single project.

Alex riding the Moscow “subway,” on the set of Madam Secretary (CBS, Sundays 8pm EST).

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Alumni News The Seven Hills Annual Fund Every Alum: 5,017 of you have the common thread in your lives of being part of the Seven Hills alumni community. Gifts to the Annual Fund helped make your Seven Hills experience unique, and we hope you will join us in maintaining the tradition of excellence for our current students. Any Gift: Truly, any size gift makes a difference! A $10 gift from you boosts our alumni participation percentage, making Seven Hills more likely to receive grants. A gift this size can provide a semester’s worth of white board markers for a teacher or the cost of a spring field trip for a student. $10 goes a long way! Every Year: We know that many organizations request your support, but we hope you will consider putting Seven Hills on your giving list if you haven’t already. To make your gift, or to set up your annual or monthly recurring gift, please visit www.7hills.org/annualfund.

Thank you for your support! Volunteers Needed: Connect with classmates and help the school at the same time! The Alumni Annual Giving Team connects with classmates to encourage participation in the Annual Fund. Please contact Andi Fischer Simon ’98 for more information at andi.simon@7hills.org. Thank you! 32

Download the Seven Hills Alumni mobile app Attention Seven Hills alumni! Download the free Seven Hills School Alumni App for iPhone and Android. When you sign in using the email address on file with the Seven Hills Alumni Office, you can access contact information and the LinkedIn profiles of fellow alumni. No matter where you live or how busy your schedule, you can connect with alumni and keep up with the latest Seven Hills and alumni news.

F E AT U R E S I N C LU D E : • Alumni directory searchable by “Name” or “Class Year” • Update your contact information • “Nearby” function lets you search for fellow alumni by location and view the result on a map • Integration with LinkedIn • Access to the Seven Hills’ Career Mentoring Network • Access to alumni and school events calendars • Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr feeds • Easily upload photos and class notes to the app • Make your gift to The Seven Hills Fund

SUPPORTED DE VICE S: • • • •

Android iPhone iPod Touch iPad

Please contact Sarah Ott Lautar '05 at Sarah.Lautar@7hills.org if you’d like to check the email address we have on file for you. *This free app is available through Apple iTunes App Store and Android Google Play.

Alumni News The Seven Hills School Career Mentoring Program Are you a recent college graduate eager to access job interview tips and advice? Are you a seasoned professional seeking a mentor to help you chart the course of your career path? Are you a business owner or corporate leader with an interest in helping Seven Hills alumni by sharing your experience and guidance?

Athletics Hall of Fame Seven Hills selected six new members for The Seven Hills School Athletic Hall of Fame. The following men and woman were formally inducted on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, in the Hillsdale Commons in a ceremony held during the break between the girls varsity and boys junior varsity basketball games. Congratulations to the following: P E T E R M AT T H E W S , C L A S S O F 1 9 9 1

If yes, then the Seven Hills Career Mentoring Program may be of interest to you.

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CAREER MENTORING IS AVA I L A B L E F O R A L L S E V E N HILLS GRADS

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The Career Mentoring program provides opportunities for Seven Hills alumni to connect with business executives around the country to make professional contacts and access career advice. Participation in the program is available for renewable one-year terms. Mentors provide valuable help and guidance but do not offer employment opportunities.

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Join the Seven Hills School Alumni Page on Facebook F

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Keep up-to-date on events, alumni news, Seven Hills today, and be part of Throw Back Thursdays! Next time you’re on Facebook, search for Seven Hills School Alumni Page and “Like” us today! Please note: We currently have a Facebook “PAGE” and “GROUP.” In order to streamline communications, the Seven Hills School Alumni “GROUP” (not “PAGE”) will be taken down on January 31, so please be sure to “Like” the Seven Hills School Alumni Page so you don’t miss a thing! Free-bell Circa 1991 in the breezeway to the old Upper School Little Gym

HELP US GROW THE MEN TOR NET WORK! Please join the program today by completing the brief online form at www.7hills.org/jobnetworking. Q U E S T I O N S ? Contact Sarah Ott Lautar '05 at Sarah.Lautar@7hills.org or 513.728.2432. 33

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Please join us as we welcome our new Director of Alumni Engagement Sarah Ott Lautar ’05, and wish our long-time friend Nancy McCormick Bassett ’83 our best wishes as she embarks on new work for Seven Hills. Nancy McCormick Bassett ’83

We asked Nancy McCormick Bassett ’83 to share her thoughts, as she leaves her position as director of alumni engagement to take on a new challenge as the associate director of admissions, where she’ll meet new prospective Seven Hills families. “It feels right. But it’s emotional. Saying goodbye to anything you’ve done that long is hard.” - Angela Rugerrio

FROM NANCY MCCORMICK B A S S E T T ’ 8 3 : “Hard” is indeed the word. I have loved serving as your alumni director for the past 11 years. This role has given me the opportunity to meet so many incredible people; all of us tied together by our experiences with Seven Hills or one of the predecessor schools. Over the course of my time in this position, I have met many of you at school events in Cincinnati and across the country. What I discovered is that I would walk into a room of seeming strangers, and walk back out with new friends. Whether we had attended CPS, 34

Hillsdale, Lotspeich, or Seven Hills, there were always new stories to hear, memories to share, and friends to make. Though I have loved serving in the Development Office, I have now accepted a position in the Seven Hills Admission Office, where I am handling admissions for first through fifth grades. As the parent of a Seven Hills alumnus (2015) and two current students (2017 and 2020), I can assure every alum that Seven Hills continues to provide a strong sense of community, an excellent education, and, most importantly, a place that allows each student to reach his or her full potential. Please join me in welcoming Sarah Ott Lauter ’05 who will take over the role as director of alumni engagement on January 4, 2016. She is excited to take on this role and will be a welcome addition to the Development Office. My sincere thanks to each of you for all of the volunteer hours and phone calls, the support and resources, and the help and

friendship you have provided. You have truly made the last 11 years a pleasure.

Sarah Ott Lautar ’05 reached out to share her thoughts about her new role as director of alumni engagement. F R O M S A R A H O T T L A U TA R ’ 0 5 : I’m thrilled to be returning to a place that felt like a second home to me for so many years! The most valuable part of the school is its people — the alumni, families, students, teachers, and administrators who make up Seven Hills’ dynamic community. It’s especially exciting to be in a position to give back to the school by helping to strengthen the amazing alumni community. My best friends from my Seven Hills days are still very close today. We keep up through regular group emails and visits to see each other in our new homes. Knowing how important the school was in shaping all of the creative and successful Seven Hills grads that I know from my own past makes me really excited to become acquainted and engaged with the wider alumni community.

Sarah Ott Lautar ’05

It also means a lot to be working at a place that has been so important to my own family over the years. As a graduate of Seven Hills’ Class of 2005, I attended the school at the same time as my sister and several cousins. My mother, Elizabeth Ott ’78, is also a Seven Hills graduate, and we were able to share in some of the same traditions and even had some of the same teachers. My grandmother, Suzanne Warrington H’43, was also an alumna of Hillsdale, and my grandfather, John Warrington, was on the Board when CPS, Hillsdale, and Lotspeich merged to become The Seven Hills School. One of the school’s best qualities is its ability to remain grounded in its rich past, while simultaneously striving to be the best school possible for current and future generations of students. I’m looking forward to being a part of bridging that gap between the alumni and the Seven Hills of today!

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Greetings from your Alumni representative!

By Scott Carroll ’85, Seven Hills Alumni Association Board Chair I write this update not only as a 1985 alumnus (think big hair, “popped” collars, and Top Gun) but now also as the parent of a 2015 alumna! (Think, “OMG I’m Back to the Future.”) What a transition it has been. The stressful parenting process, as my daughter Grace tried to secure admission to college, was followed immediately by the build up to graduation. That was quickly replaced by an even more stressful build up and move to college. The fact that Grace was moving into Columbia University, in the heart of Manhattan with all of its traffic and congestion, only added to the “fun.” But then something extraordinary happened. Grace was prepared in every respect. The move itself was uneventful. Natural nerves were reigned in by confidence. Classes were manageable. It all culminated in a line she spoke during a call I’ll not soon forget, when she said, “Dad, I love this place. I’m amazed by how prepared I am.” She went on to describe how all those 7 Hills students with whom she speaks to, Facebooks, Instagrams, and Snapchats report similar preparedness.

While highs and lows will naturally come, one month after moving Grace into college, I heard a sentence that made all the long nights, tension, and other trials of parenting a child through elementary, middle, and high school go gently into that good night. She’s ready to take on this next great adventure called college — and young adulthood. I’m often reluctant to speak of Grace in my alumni capacity, but as an alumnus, and now the parent of an alumna, I wanted to share her own recognition of preparedness and joy as she confronts this new phase of her life; just as I — and I suspect all the other alumni of this great school — felt long ago.

Seven Hills Alumni Association Board Chair Scott Carroll is a Seven Hills lifer who entered Lotspeich in 1973, and was a Seven Hills graduate — Class of 1985. Scott, his wife, Erin O’Grady, and their daughter, Grace (Seven Hills Class of 2015), live in Cincinnati. Scott is the Managing Partner and Litigation Manager of the Cincinnati and Dayton offices of Jackson Lewis LLP.

S TAY C O N N E C T E D ! Like • • • NEW Seven Hills School Alumni Page Download • • • Seven Hills Alumni mobile app, available FREE through the Apple iTunes App Store and Android Google Play.

We are (and she is) a product of this school we love. We were prepared in both mind and spirit to flourish in the world before us. By continuing to nurture our connections, and this school, we pay homage that we owe, in order to ensure similar opportunities exist for generations of students to come.

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In memory of Sam Jenike By Bob Turansky Upper School history teacher Bob Turansky composed the following essay, in memory of his friend and former colleague, Sam Jenike. Every time I encountered Sam, I wanted to hug him. I think just about everybody did. He brought it on himself. His laughter reverberated through the corridors of Seven Hills. His banter enlivened the history department office. His repartee animated my classroom. His sage words at faculty meetings induced silence as colleagues strained to listen, and his charismatic teaching, laced with humor and wisdom, enthralled his students. Sam was loved. He reminded me of some of those mischievous students I’ve taught over the years, the kind you can’t help but get a kick out of—because of their charm, affability, wit and irreverence. But beneath Sam’s antics was a clear-eyed, straight-arrow intelligence. His

irreverence was aimed where it was due—at bromides, pieties and hypocrisy, undergirded by his bedrock respect for sincerity, integrity and truth. Sam liked to have a good time, but he was a truth seeker. And for a purpose. He shared the Enlightenment faith that the light of reason can expose inequities and injustice. That’s why he taught history with such passion—

because it matters in setting the record straight. His was a raffish erudition. He also believed it wasn’t enough just to straighten out our understanding of the crooked timber of humanity. For him, knowledge ought to lead to action. We should attempt to level the contemporary playing field. So history was a struggle for Sam, a struggle he immersed himself in. He was a

Alumni News leader in the public school teachers’ strike of the 1970s. He handed out fliers calling for a “no” vote on a proposition that would have limited collective bargaining rights for public employees. He joined in demonstrations against the Iraq invasion well before the war was initiated and the dismal pretext—weapons of mass destruction—was exposed. He put his money where his mouth was. Sam was a hero. He wouldn’t, I think, want this occasion to be solemn and morose. If he were here, he’d crack a few self-deprecating jokes. We would be reminded of all the times we caught him with telltale smudges of powdered sugar on his lower lip, evidence of an illicit donut. He might duck guiltily around a corner to avoid his ninth-grade advisees who tried in vain to keep him from the cream puffs they knew weren’t good for him. They, too, wanted to take care of him. He was cherished by students and faculty alike, and he brought out a nurturing instinct in others. The other side of the coin, of course, was that he was absolutely resolute—and clear about his convictions—a role model to us all. If we were his protectors, he was our mentor.

Sam loved to argue. Sometimes I think he loved just to playfully needle. His master’s thesis was on the 1913 British Cat and Mouse Act aimed at Suffragettes. I suspect Sam was attracted to the topic not only out of his commitment to equality, but because he liked the game. Here, too, behind the mischief, lay, I think, a more serious purpose. Because Sam didn’t seek humanity’s spirit in the transcendent. He didn’t need to. He found it right in the middle of the profane historical struggle of humanity for a world in which all could flourish. We all wanted to hug him—and embrace what he stood for. He allowed us, and we were the ones rejuvenated—nurtured, protected. We drew upon the vitality he radiated. But anyone who knew him knows also that he was a cheerful and self-confessed Luddite. Who among us has not tried in vain to get him out of a snarl on his computer? Nothing ever worked. In the end, he would shrug, and smile, and go off, as I like to imagine he has done now—his arms full of books— because the printed page was his idea of the civilized way to do business. We would be

left bemused—just happy to be allowed to take care of him. He was—in the words of a quote he liked—“a man for all seasons”— wise, kind, learned and loving. Probably, for any life, you can’t say fairer than that. But, as always—and Sam would have agreed— Shakespeare said it best: “we shall not look upon his like again.”

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reunion 2016 april 15 & 16

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Lotspeich classes of 1940, 1945, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970 Seven Hills classes of 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 The classes of 2006 and 2011 will celebrate their reunions on Saturday, November 26, 2016.

Reunion reps are needed to help make this a special weekend for your class. Contact director of alumni engagement Sarah Ott Lautar â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;05 at sarah.lautar@7hills.org or 513.728.2432. T O

CPS & Hillsdale classes of 1941, 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971

W E L O O K F O R WA R D T O S E E I N G Y O U T H I S S P R I N G !

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All events are free of charge courtesy of your Alumni Association & the Development Office Spouses, guests, families are welcome. All information is available at 7hills.org/reunion.

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12 - 2 P. M . L U N C H E O N for 1937 - 1966 CPS and Hillsdale alumnae and 1936 - 1965 Lotspeich alumni Cincinnati Country Club 2348 Grandin Road, 45208

All events are held on the Hillsdale Campus 5400 Red Bank Road, 45227

Friday, April 15:

5 - 7 : 3 0 P. M . ALUMNI ART SHOW & COCKTAIL RECEPTION Hillsdale Commons and Deck 5400 Red Bank Road, 45227

11 - 11 : 4 5 A . M L I F E L O N G L E A R N I N G C L A S S E S The Transformation of China since 1980 with Brian Wabler, Chair of the History Department The Next Great American Novel: What our Search for a Unifying Book Suggests about our Diverse Culture with Dr. Matt

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Please C ontact Sa rah Ott Lautar â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;0 5, Directo r of Alumn i Engage ment sarah.lau tar@7hil ls.org 513.728 .2432

Bolton, Head of Upper School 12 - 12 : 3 0 P. M . W E L C O M E and State of the School by Chris Garten, Head of School 12 : 3 0 - 2 P. M . P I C N I C L U N C H

5 - 5 : 3 0 P. M . T O U R S O F U P P E R S C H O O L

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INTERE STED I N BEIN A REUN G ION RE P FOR YOUR CLASS ?

Saturday, April 16:

2 - 3 P. M . R E M E M B E R T H E PA S T, V I S I T T H E F U T U R E Doherty Campus tour with Patti Guethlein, Head of Doherty 2726 Johnstone Place, 45206

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Reunion reps are needed to make this a special weekend for your class. Look in the Alumni Class Notes section to see if there are reps for your class.

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HOT E L I N F O R M AT I ON : A block of rooms has been reserved at

Courtyard by Marriott Midtown/Rookwood for $154 plus tax. 3813 Edwards Road, 45209 513.672.7100 Reservations must be made by March 10, 2 016, to receive the discounted room rate.

Alumni News Alumna Joan Fleischer Reckseit (H’44)

Love of Learning Was a Gift From Mrs. Lotspeich

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We are pleased to honor our family of CPS, Lotspeich, Hillsdale, and Seven Hills alumni and friends who remembered the school in their estate plans. The Seven Hills School has a rich history, which, from 1974 to the present, has combined the traditions and standards of educational excellence of three well-known Cincinnati schools: Miss Doherty’s College Preparatory School for Girls (CPS); the Lotspeich School; and the Hillsdale School.

Dr. Joan Fleischer Reckseit (H’44) believes that Seven Hills provides the best combination of learning, community service, good values, and superb overall education. Joan says, “I have an ambition for learning that was nurtured by my sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Helen Lotspeich, and it has stayed with me and guided me my entire life. My love of learning was a gift I received that I now want to pass on to the next generation. I want to honor my education, which meant so much to me, and my hope is that my estate gift will help ignite a passion for lifelong learning for future children.”

After graduating from Hillsdale during WWII, Joan went through an accelerated plan and finished her degree at Vassar College in three years and then received her Masters in Psychology from Columbia University. Many years later, her educational journey continued when, at the age of 35 and with a husband and three children, she received her doctorate in child psychology from the University of Cincinnati. Joan has continued through the years to be impressed with Seven Hills’ values, explaining, “The way that Seven Hills approaches learning and education is impressive. At the school, interactive classrooms where teamwork and cooperation are fostered are the norm. Seven Hills teachers inspire learning, and students enthusiastically participate.” Joan’s daughter, Lucy, graduated from CPS in 1971 and she inherited her mother’s passion for education and lifelong learning. Lucy graduated from Vassar College, received an MA in education and psychology from Tulane University, and a JD from the University of California, Berkley. Lucy is now the General Counsel to the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute in California. Joan explains, “The values that Seven Hills bestowed on my daughter and me are reminiscent

of the gift that Mrs. Lotspeich gave me — joy in learning. I’m honored to provide a gift in my will that will help to continue these admirable and important principles.” If you would like information about becoming a member of The Seven Hills School Legacy Society, please contact Marney Hupper, major gifts officer, at 513.728.2431 or marney.hupper@7hills.org.

Including The Seven Hills School in your estate plans makes possible the full richness of the Seven Hills experience. Learn more about the Legacy Society at 7hills.org/giving/plannedgiving

new york

New York City A L U M N I

G A T H E R I N G

The Seven Hills road show visited New York alumni on Thursday, April 30. Alumnae enjoyed a lunch at the Doubles Club, thanks to sponsor Jan Fullgraf Golann H’67, and an evening networking reception.

(photo at right) Sharon Liao ’12 Marti Newland ’98

(photo at far right) Bryan Bibler ’04 Liz Westendorf ’06

Margaret Kent Rachel Hoffheimer Evan Joiner Brit Cowan

’04 ’02 ’03 ’03

(photo at left) Henry Antenen ’08 Collin Arnold ’07 Alistair Motch ’07 Brit Cowan ’03 Megan Rockwell ’03

(photo at left) Chris Wade ’05 Liz Westendorf ’06 (photo below) Jill Donenfeld ’02, Margo Kirstein

(photo at right) Susan Marrs Adam Hayes ’94 Henry Antenen ’08

41 36

Alumni Class Notes 1935

Nancy Andrews Donaldson (C ) (Cincinnati) died on May 11, 2015. New job? Recently married? Written a book? If you have stories to share, please don’t hesitate! Go to www.7hills.org/alumniupdates. Drop us a line and send photos (jpeg format, please) to

sarah.lautar@7hills.org.

Our condolences to family and friends who lost loved ones as reported in this issue.

Emmy Lou Mather Thompson (C) (Cincinnati) died on October 6, 2014.

1945

Lotspeich Reunion Rep Frank Huss fhuss3@aol.com Margery Hill Webb (H) (Lima, OH) shares, “I am still keeping busy and in good health but use a walker. I am at Primrose, an assisted living community, but listed as ‘independent.’ I have written a book for seven grandchildren about my memories growing up in Cincinnati, about Lotspeich and Hillsdale, as well as college, marriage, etc. They seemed to have loved it. Kept me busy for quite awhile, but fun.”

1946

70th Reunion: April 15 & 16, 2016 June Robinson Smith (H) (San Diego, CA) died November 13, 2014.

1947

Mary Anderson Hamill (L, H) (Cincinnati) died August 6, 2015.

Linda Aloe Abrahamson (H) (Cincinnati) died on May 11, 2015.

1951

65th Reunion: April 15 & 16, 2016

Barbara Knauft Rodes (H) (Cambridge, MA) died June 6, 2015.

1952

1957

Francie Hauck Pavey (C) (Cincinnati) shares she is still keeping busy with animals, church, gardening, and volunteering.

1953

Sally Sampson Wilson (C) (Cincinnati) died August 28, 2015.

1954

Eleanor “Ellie” Payler Dunn (C) (Rochester, MN) writes, “My years at Miss Doherty’s are remembered with fondness. My husband and I have lived in Rochester for 54 of our 55 years of marriage. We have three sons and seven grandchildren. Blessings to all!”

1956

60th Reunion: April 15 & 16, 2016 CPS Reunion Rep Melinda “Mimi” Plattenburg Gilbert Mimigilbert505@gmail.com

Paul Foerster (L) (San Antonio, TX) says, “I turned 80 this year. Retired from high school math teaching in 2011 after 50 years in the classroom. I am writing my life story.”

Hillsdale Reunion Reps Nancy Hogan Dutton DuttonDC@aol.com Louise Atkins Head louhead@zoomtown.com

1949

Carol Wachs Kirby (513) 231-1620 Carolyn Huwe Ludwig cludwig3@cinci.rr.com

Ann Kinsey Dexter (C) (Tucson, AZ) died February 8, 2015.

Betsy Alexander Berry (H) (Cincinnati) shares, “I am still the traveling Nana with my kids living in Colorado and now Texas, and working on my bucket list with a trip to the South Pacific last March.” Elizabeth “Betty” Wiehe Carr (H) (Scottsdale, AZ) writes, “My husband Bill and I moved to Scottsdale in April 2015 from Sanibel, Florida, to Vi at Grayhawk, a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community). We now live just 30 minutes away from our daughter, Margaret, and her family.”

1958

Betsy Benedict Peabody (H) (Thetford Center, VT) shares, “Bill and I once again spent five winter months at our cottage at Wake Robin, a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community) in Shelburne…a wonderful community — diverse, friendly, active. I’m enjoying oil painting and now back to gardening and biking.”

1961

55th Reunion: April 15 & 16, 2016 CPS Reunion Rep Sunny Bowman Saelinger saelincb@ucmail.uc.edu Hillsdale Reunion Reps are needed.

1962

Pamela Lee Lowry (H) (Santa Cruz, CA) is pleased to report publication of her second novel, Judge Not. Previews are available on her website: www.leelowryauthor.com. Pam and her husband, Allen Rozelle, continue to enjoy life in Santa Cruz, California, where Pam is active in conservation work.

1965

Susan Krehbiel Holzapfel (L’59, H) (Cincinnati) sent a note saying, “Had a great time at our 50th Reunion. Thank you to all who came!”

1966

Middle Row: Emma Egbert Tracy H’67, Sissy Lambert Stearns H’67, Leezie Walker Borden H’67, Jamie Burnam Abrams H’67, Jenny Lamson Magro H’67, Judy Robinson Williams H’67 Back Row: Christy Graf H’66, Missy Kinne Norton H’66, Kitty Hawley Schmidt H’66, Kathy Dowd Baumann H’66, Robin Smith Armstrong H’67, Nancy Pechstein Aubke H’67

1969

Debbie Meyer Chamberlain (C) (Cincinnati) shares, “One of my clients moved to Boston shortly

50th Reunion: April 15 & 16, 2016 CPS Reunion Reps Deb Brown Cummins deb@debcummins.com Anne “Annie” Ratliff Naberhaus naberhaus_a@yahoo.com Ann Westheimer Williams annduffie@gmail.com

Front Row: Pattie Scifres Jamison H’68, Pam Robinson Terp H’68, Weenie Schweitzer Rush H’68, Terry Harrison-Kropp C’68

45th Reunion: April 15 & 16, 2016 Reunion Reps are needed for CPS and Hillsdale.

1972

Dr. Helen Asbury (L’66, H) (Cincinnati) writes, “I feel very fortunate to still have a strong connection with Seven Hills, both as a parent of a recent graduate and as a consulting psychologist. The school is truly amazing! Hi to my Lotspeich, CPS, and Hillsdale friends!”

Please Contact Sarah Ott Lautar ‘05, Director of Alumni Engagement sarah.lautar@7hills.org 513.728.2432

1976

40th Reunion: April 15 & 16, 2016 Reunion Rep Janet Allen-Reid janetallenreid@ gmail.com

1967

Judy also hosted alumni friends at a Reds game … fun for all!

1971

INTERESTED IN BEING A REUNION REP FOR YOUR CLASS?

Melissa Morris Mishoe (Winter Park, FL) shares this photo of herself with Francesca Contreras, her new granddaughter.

Hillsdale Reunion Rep Anne Drackett Thomas anne.thomas@drackett.com

Judy Robinson Williams (H) (Cincinnati) writes, “Our son had his fourth child in August. He now has two boys, ages 6 & 4 years old, and two girls, ages 2 years old & 8 weeks.”

hopefully October 2016 at age 65! Hope all my classmates are healthy and happy!”

after I finished completing the interior design of their home in Carmel, IN. They were so pleased with the results, they flew me to Boston to do the interior design of their new home (which was quite different than their last). Once again, they were thrilled with the finished look of their Boston home. It was a satisfying trip for me as well as them.” Dr. Patsy Robinson (H) (Short Hills, NJ) writes, “I have started the countdown to retirement –

Allison Lett Essinger (Yuma, AZ) writes, “My husband Jim took the Head of Chemistry position with Gowan Company — an agro-chemical company in Yuma, Arizona. We are acclimating to the desert southwest, and finding Ohioans and connections to Cincinnati everywhere we turn!”

1981

35th Reunion: April 15 & 16, 2016 Reunion Reps Sarah Mitchell Buller sdecmb5@aol.com Elaine Fluent Fening effening@aol.com Gerri “Diana” Avril Tully davril2052@aol.com

1986

30th Reunion: April 15 & 16, 2016 Reunion Reps Sean Donovan rcrx7279@gmail.com Ted Egan eegan564@gmail.com INTERESTED IN BEING A REUNION REP FOR YOUR CLASS?

Please Contact Sarah Ott Lautar ‘05, Director of Alumni Engagement sarah.lautar@7hills.org 513.728.2432

New job? Recently married? Written a book? If you have stories to share, please don’t hesitate! Go to www.7hills.org/alumniupdates. Drop us a line and send photos (jpeg format, please) to

sarah.lautar@7hills.org.

1988

Krista Vitz Taylor (Cincinnati) On May 12, 2015, Krista was named the Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year. She is the seventh and eighth grade math and language arts intervention specialist at Gamble Montessori High School. Krista was one of 18 finalists nominated for the award. She has worked at Gamble for the past five years. Krista also received an above average rating on the Ohio Department of Education value-added measure — something only 14 percent of teachers in the state achieved. Krista donated the $10,000, which came with the award, to the Gamble Montessori Foundation to be used for scholarships for field experiences.

1991

25th Reunion: April 15 & 16, 2016 Reunion Reps Lisa Binkley Briquet LisaBriquet@aol.com Sarah Buzzee Flem sbfairweather@gmail.com Mandy Hayes supermandy1@yahoo.com Kelly Myers phunkykell@aol.com

1992

In June, Jennifer Spaccarelli (Cincinnati) celebrated one year working at Endeavor and Heritage Schools.

1996

20th Reunion: April 15 & 16, 2016 Reunion Reps Sarah Pearce Phipps sarahpphipps@gmail.com Rachel Turansky Finn rachel.turansky@gmail.com 44

1998

John Hepp (Cincinnati) writes, “Over the past five and a half months, I backpacked the entire 2,189 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Beginning on Springer Mountain in Georgia and ending on Mt. Katahdin in Maine, I hiked across 14 states, over countless mountains, through the breathtaking beauty of the Appalachian wilderness. I typically hiked from sunup to sundown, tenting along the

way, and resupplying my food and cleaning my body and clothes in mountain towns every seven days or so. The Trail has been the most challenging and rewarding endeavor of my life. Thank you to my parents and the Seven Hills community for the encouragement and support.”

2001

15th Reunion: April 15 & 16, 2016 Reunion Reps are needed.

2002

Lumen Sivitz (Cincinnati) founded a technologyenabled marketplace for startup talent four years ago called Mighty Spring. It survives today and has been a launchpad for him professionally. He was recently offered and accepted a position as Head of Recruiting with Shyp, an extremely fast-growing tech company in San Francisco. Shyp is an on-demand shipping company with operations in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and, later this year, Chicago.

2004

Sarah McDonough Goodacre (Loma Linda, CA) writes, “Brian Goodacre and I were married

in Cincinnati on August 31, 2014. We are living in Loma Linda, California. I graduated from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in May 2015. Brian graduated from the same dental school in 2013. He is pursuing specialty training in prosthodontics and implant dentistry.” Jenna Harris (Charlottesville, VA) graduated from the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture with a Master of Landscape Architecture in May 2015. She received the Stanley and Helen Abbott Award and Endowed Scholarship, the highest departmental award for excellence in the study of landscape architecture and for promise in the field. She also received a Merit Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects.

2005

Rob Cottrell (Lakewood, OH) has been a Research Associate with the Cleveland Research Company since September 2012. He is in the Life Science, Vision Care, and Managed Care Equity Research division. Previous employment included ING and Merrill Lynch, and an internship with the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development. He is a graduate of The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Christopher Warrington (Seattle, WA) sent this note, “A mini reunion at Frederick Hall’s wedding this summer, August 27, 2015, in Atlanta, Georgia with our second grade teacher!”

Alumni Class Notes Laura Hoguet Leonard and Jeff Leonard (Denver, CO) were married August 1, 2015, in Cincinnati. Seven Hills friends in attendance included: Malinda McReynolds, Kitty Blair Fischer H’68, Pegi Leonard, Pamela Pierson, Wynne McCarthy Curry H’71, Lynn Niehaus, Tim Drew, Angie Drew, Roger Schnirring,

Leah Robertson (Brooklyn, NY) is now the Business Operations Manager at Success Academy Charter Schools in New York. Robin Schimberg (Cincinnati) celebrated eight years this past June with Uptown Rental Properties.

Pictured are: Christopher Warrington, Benjamin van der Horst ’05, Frederick Hall ’05, Anne Greenwald, and Tim Balskus ’03.

2006

10th Reunion: November 26, 2016 Reunion Reps are needed. Anna Wulsin Hathaway (Cornelius, NC) was married to Andrew Hathaway on September 20, 2014 in Huntersville, North Carolina. Douglas Wulsin ’09 and Luke Wulsin ’10 were in the wedding party.

Brian Phelps, Kyle McNeill ’06, Anna Wulsin Hathaway ’06, Cooper Sawyer ’06, Caroline Kalnow ’06, Katie Donovan ’06, Hannah Wheatley McNeill ’05, Alexa Lowe ’09, Richard Fink ’07, David Leonard ’09, Blair Lanier ’06, Nate Gilman ’06, Sarah Eustis ’07, Kim Walden, John Bloch ’03, Ali Carter ’05, Laura Houston ’06, Jane Garvey C’74, Jake Shifman ’06, Meredith Decker ’06, Leah Hoffheimer Broder ’06, and Molly Berman ’03.

2007

Zaki Anwar (Cambridge, MA) has completed his first year at Harvard Law School and is working at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz in New York. He recently won the Sears Prize, given to the top two students in the class. He will be clerking for Judge Jeffrey Sutton of the Sixth Circuit in Columbus in 2017 and Judge Sri Srinivasan of the DC Circuit in Washington, DC, in 2018. Zaki is currently engaged; his wedding will be in September 2016.

Alumni Class Notes 2010

Anthony Clark (Milford, OH) graduated from Ohio State University in June.

2011

5th Reunion: November 26, 2016 Reunion Reps are needed.

For more Seven Hills news, download a QR Code app to your smartphone and scan the code below to view Seven Hills’ e-newsletter, The Buzz (or visit www.7hillsBUZZ.org).

Brett Cunningham (Cincinnati) married Kelly King Cunningham on October 25, 2014, at Canyon Run Ranch in Pleasant Hill, Ohio. Brett is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and Hondros College. He is a realtor with Sibcy Cline, Hyde Park. Several alums were members of the wedding party (pictured), including: Scott Stough ’06, Brett Cunningham ’07, Will Chatfield ’07, Zach Wood ’07, and Collin Arnold ’07. Alumni also in attendance included Ross Woodworth ’07, Grace Myer ’08, Katherine Steinman ’07, and David Koenig ’08.

2008

Jessalyn Reid (Washington, DC) is now the Deputy Email Director with the Democratic National Committee. Clare Schroder (Berkeley, CA) writes she is back in school at UC Berkeley, where it is warmer and sunnier — loves it so far! 46

Christian Clark (Milford, OH) As a rising senior at The Ohio State University in Voice Performance, Christian was selected to participate in the Lingua e Canto program in Saint’Angelo in Vado, Italy, this past summer. He will graduate from OSU in 2016. Miles Hill and Gilbert Richards (Cincinnati) celebrated their graduation from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky.

2014

Hadiya Harrigan (Lebanon, OH) Girl Scouts of the USA announced the 2015 National Young Women of Distinction in August, and Hadiya was one of the 10 chosen. This is the highest Girl Scout honor, and is bestowed upon young women because their Gold Award projects demonstrate extraordinary leadership, have measurable impact and sustainability, and

address a local, national, and/or global issue. Hadiya created a web development handbook, (available online http://www.bdpa-camp.org/tutorialmysqlnet.aspx) that contains more than 20 lessons to help students and the public learn ASP.net and MySQL. As a member of the Cincinnati Black Data Processing Associates and a participant in the High School Computer Competition, Hadiya understood the importance of developing a resource that is constantly updated and that keeps useful information about web development in a centralized location. As a passionate advocate for greater girl involvement in STEM fields, Hadiya hopes that her handbook will bring more girls and young women into the world of STEM and help bridge the STEM gender gap. CONNECTIONS

Former Seven Hills Upper School Head and math teacher Neil Smith and his wife Linda (also a former Seven Hills staff member) reconnected with former Admissions Director Marilyn Collins during a weekend visit in May. Linda discovered she volunteers at the church where Marilyn’s cousin’s daughter works, and thought it would be fun for all of them to get together! Marilyn writes, “We seemed to pick up our friendship right where it left off, even if it’s been 31 years! It was lots of fun to reminisce about life ‘back in the day’!” Pictured: Neil and Linda Smith

S A V E

THE SE VEN

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Alumni Events \

D A T E

Alumni Calendar 2015-16

HILLS S CHOO

L INVIT ES N AT I A REA AL UMNI OF CPS , HILLS DALE, AND LO TSPEIC CLASSE H S 1936 -1966 TO THE CINCIN

CLASS

Save the Date The Seven Hills School presents

Books For Lunch Lecture Luncheon and Book Signing

New York Times bestselling author

Alexandra Fuller

ICS LU NCH

F R I D AY

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at noon Seven Hills goes to Santa Barbara, CA Hosted by Clover Gowing C’53, and Melinda Staveley L’55 Stella Mare’s Restaurant, 50 Los Patos Way Friday, April 15, and Saturday, April 16, 2016 Reunion Weekend See page 37 for a full list of Reunion activities or go to 7hills.org/reunion Friday, April 15, 2016 Classics Luncheon for local alumni 1936-1966 Cincinnati Country Club 2348 Grandin Road, 45208, 12-2 p.m. Seven Hills Alumni Art Show Hillsdale Campus Commons, 5-7:30 p.m.

EON

, APRI L

15, 20 16 12 - 2 P .M.

CINCIN N AT I C OUNTR Y CLUB 2348 G RANDI N ROA D, 452 08

The lunc heon is complim the Alum e n t a r y, c ni Assoc ourtesy o iation an f d Develo pment O I N V I TAT I ffice.

Friday, February 5, 2016

11 a.m. Luncheon and book signing at the Cintas Center, Xavier University For more information visit www.7hills.org/BooksForLunch See page 28 in School News

ONS W ILL BE M AILED

IN FEBR U A RY

T H E

S A V E

PLEASE

D A T E

JOIN

US!

Seven Hills

Alumni Art Show 16 Fri., April 15, 20 Commons Hillsdale Campus 5 -7:30 p.m.

Our 2014 -15 Annual Report is available for viewing online at 7hills.org/AnnualReport.

I N V I TA T I O N S

16 FEBRUARY 20 COMING IN

The Seven Hills School Roadshow Join us in the following cities to hear Head of School Chris Garten share a “state of the school” update and meet our new Director of Alumni Engagement Sarah Ott Lautar ’05 Naples, FL January 29, 2016 at noon Hosted by Anne Drackett Thomas H’66 The Royal Poinciana Golf Club, 1600 Solana Road Washington, D.C. March 21, 2016 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Hosted by Nancy Dutton H’56 and Chris Wyant ’01 New York, NY April 6, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. Hosted by Jan Fullgraf Golann H’67 The Doubles Club, The Sherry-Netherland Hotel 783 5th Avenue Boston, MA May 3, 2016 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Hosted by Tim Meckel ’77 John Hancock Tower, 50th Floor 200 Clarendon Street 47

Hillsdale Campus 5400 Red Bank Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 Intellectually vibrant, individually attuned, future-ready learning for students two years through grade 12. 2015-16 Seven Hills Board of Trustees Bottom Row: Christopher P. Garten, Elizabeth Schiff, Sashi Kilaru Second Row: Dorothy Corbett ’84, Jennifer Dauer Third Row: Jen Stein, Lalitha Chunduri, Meghan Nelson, Abram Gordon,

Margaret Lawson ’75, Karen Meyer Fourth Row: Michael Coombe L’72, Scott Carroll ’85, John Silverman, Shannon Carter H’67 Fifth Row: Michael Nordlund, Craig Young, Marc Fisher Not Pictured: Steve Baggott, Cathy Caldemeyer H’72, Mike Collette, Ron DeLyons, Mark Heiman, Jan-Michele Kearney, Lair Kennedy, Andrew Quinn, Dan Schimberg ’80, Jim Shanahan

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Cincinnati, OH Permit No. 9695