The Seven Hills Spring Magazine 2022 by The Seven Hills School

IN THIS ISSUE

S P R I N G

2 0 2 2

NEWLY BUILT &

RENOVATED

M I DDLE SCHOOL

OF F ICIALLY

OPE NS

S E E I N S I D E - PAGE 20

Contents 4 10 11 12 20 22 26 30 32 34 38 41 43 44 50 52 66 71

SPRING 2022

Congratulations, Class of 2022 Column By Head of School Christopher P. Garten In Memoriam: In Memory of Tracy Hickenlooper School News Newly Built and Renovated Middle School Officially Opens Miriam Titcomb Memorial Fund Personal Challenge Projects Winter Sports Performing Arts: The Magic Behind the Curtain Buzz Sampler Retirements In Memoriam: Susanne (Sudie) Ernst Geier L’35, H’41 Does the School Still? Catching up with Alumni Alumni Panels Reunion 2022: A Welcome Back to Campus Class Notes Calendar of Upcoming Alumni Events

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

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

Chris Hedges Director of Marketing & Communications Cassie Iseman Wissel '02 Director of Alumni Engagement

Marika Lee Writer & Project Manager Rachel Cheatham Writer & Project Manager

SCHOOL NEWS

THANK YOU!

The Seven Hills Development Office gratefully acknowledges and thanks the than 20 volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to ensure The Seven School is able to continue providing the rich learning experience and ti community that defines a Seven Hills education. 2 0 2 1 - 2 2

D E V E L O P M E N T

Judy Hauser Adams H’57 Jeanette Albright Janet Allen-Reid ’76 Janet Allgaier Nupur Anand Karin Anderson Abrell ’88 Libby Andrews Sydney & Bob Anning Dulany Anning Angie Apple Robin Smith Armstrong H’67 Helen Asbury H’72 Pakeeza Asghar John Atkinson Nancy Pechstein Aubke H’67 Steve Baggott Fran Lamson Bailey H’72 Mariam Barkawi Denia & Tom Barrett Nolan Bean Barbara Beaver Jack Binkley Rose Bitsoff Aideen Briggs ’87 Rhoda Allen Brooks H’67 Bruce Brown Gay Riedinger Bullock ’82 Terri Cain Madeline Caldemeyer ’11 Cathy Smale Caldemeyer H’72 Karen Bidlingmeyer Callard ’80 Peter Cha Lalitha Chunduri Terry Clayton Marilyn Collins Nancy Roth Cooper H’72 Dorothy Kim Corbett ’84 Marjorie Crouse Polly Adair Culp H’65 Wynne McCarthy Curry H’71 Jennifer Dauer Gabe Davis ’03 Paige deBuys

Alex Derkson ’03 Amy DeWitt Kathy DeWitt Lisa Diedrichs Tim Drew Priscilla Dunn Mark Dunson Scott Dust Colleen Dwight Patricia Eastin Tara Eaton Norman Ellard Merry Ewing ’76 Lissy Fabe H’71 Andi Ferguson Meredith Edwards Ficks ’98 Ginny Fisher Alicia Fitscher Jennifer Frey ’99 Julie Gabriel Vicki Gaffney Tom Garber ’96 Kathryne Gardette ’79 Michelle Gardner Robin Gerhardt Rahwa Ghebre-Ab ’01 Raji Ghosh Ann Gladura Sarah McDonough Goodacre ’04 Leslie Judd Graitcer C’62 Tammy Gravitt Linda Heldman Greenberg H’71 Eric Greenberg ’02 Catherine & Chris Gross Brooke Guigui Barbara Hall Regina Harris Claudia & Danny Hayes Zan Hayes ’97 Louise Atkins Head H’56 Patti Heldman Karlene Herman Carol Smith Hesser C’65

V O L U N T E E R S Debbie Hill Wendy TenEyck Hites H’67 Jill Acomb Hoff H’63 Sebastien Hue ’02 Brandon Hydrick ’92 Laurie Durbrow Hyndman H’70 Dianna Icenhower Kay Ilg Kimberly Jackson Linda & Rodney Jacobs Clay Jamison ’06 Rose Johnson Kay Johnson Sarah Johnson Jim Jurgensen II Marielle Kabbouche-Samaha Tshiunza Kalubi ’02 Jacky Kalubi Amy Bulger Kattman ’89 Lair Kennedy Sashi Kilaru Sarajane & Richard King Andrea Knarr Kelly Kocher Meera Kotagal ’99 Louann Kovach ’18 Jennifer Kreines Samir Kulkarni Claire Hummel Kupferle C’73 Susan Steman Laffoon H’57 Jutta Lafley John Larkin ’13 Chip Larkin Cissy Lenobel Laura Hoguet Leonard ’06 Peter Levin Sally Leyman Rica Ligeralde Mary Beth Losch Anni Macht C’70 Zola Makrauer Susan Makris Barbara Marin Mike Marrero

Nicki Martin ’09 Josh Martin Jill McBride Tom McElhinney ’92 Diana & Henley McIntosh Jessica McLennan Holly McLeod Abby McNerney Karen Meyer Robbie Michelman Candace Miller-Janildo Linda Miltner Chuck Mingo Velma Morelli Nancy Maxwell Mullen H’71 Sybil Behrens Mullin ’83 Devi Namboodiri ’17 Asia Reid Narayan ’05 Marianne Nelezen Theo Nelson Meghan Nelson Stephanie Norton Maureen O'Driscoll Libby Warrington Ott ’78 Jim Papakirk Carol & Jim Pearce Sarah Pearce Phipps ’96 Alana Pepper Alex Phillips ’02 Jenny Pierani Greg Pinter Dick Quimby Alex Quinn Muffie Sikes Rachford ’77 Lisa Raimondo Jessalyn Reid ’08 Elise Ring Robin Robinson ’82 Judy Lane Rogers C’72 Kimia Ghazi Rogers ’11 Connor Rouan ’14 Patricia Rouster Cinny Hastings Roy ’75 Ginger Carson Rubin C’72 John Rubin ’02

Sunny Bowman Saelinger C’61 Laura Lindner Sankey ’82 Chris Schade Walker Schiff ’10 John Schneider Samir Shah Anne Shepherd Dennis Shiels Marc Shotten ’92 Mary Jo & Bill Simpson Tiernan Sittenfeld ’92 Dr. Sarah Hamill Skoch Erin Snelting Kelli Stein Sarah Steinman Rebecca Smith Stewart C’62 Elizabeth Stock Jane Sutton Kim Takahashi Anna Topalidis Benjamin van der Horst ’05 Heather Zaring Vecellio ’92 Jacky & Raul Villar Elizabeth Walker Sharonda Washington Sheila Waterman Joy Whinery Katherine Oechler Whitbeck H’67 Taylor White ’10 Russell White Vanessa Whiteford-Wayne Judy Robinson Williams H’67 Pam Williams Dan Williams Robin Wilson Lisa Collins Winick ’85 Andi Wiot Barbara Wulsin Sharon Yosafat Elizabeth Zalkind Lori Zimmerman

CONGRATULATIONS S E V E N

H I L L S

Congar tulations

20 22 1

The graduating Class of 2022.

Pastor Peter Matthews ’91 gives the keynote address at commencement.

Student government president Anand Patil and vice president Thomas Murphy give a speech at the 48th Commencement.

The Class of 2022 throw their caps after graduating from The Seven Hills School.

Board of Trustee Chair Stephen J. Baggott gives a speech at the 48th Commencement.

Upper School students cheer on the Class of 2022 at the Senior Circle.

Head of School Chris Garten addresses the graduating seniors at commencement.

Graduating senior Mercer Krunzer address the Class of 2022.

The Class of 2022 is greeted by their parents during the Senior Circle.

10 Senior Paris Weems celebrates before

receiving her diploma.

Senior Joshua Porter leads the Class of 2022 through the Senior Circle.

“Each of you must work to the best of your abilities to be a tsunami of goodness. Acts of kindness generate waves of positive change within yourself, your family, your friends, and your community.”

The words of commencement speaker Pastor Peter Matthews ’91 charged the Class of 2022 with the responsibility of using their talents to better the world around them. Seven Hills celebrated its 48th Commencement in the Field House on the Hillsdale Campus on June 3. The 90 graduates, clad in caps and gowns, came together to commemorate their myriad achievements and time at the Seven Hills Upper School, and to listen to the words of wisdom of several school community leaders, including Head of School Chris Garten, Head of Upper School Matt Bolton, and Board of Trustees Chair Stephen Baggott. Students also heard from classmates Anand Patil, Thomas Murphy, and Mercer Kruzner, history teacher Eric O’Connor, and parent Maureen Hood. In addition, Seven Hills alumni Dr. Geoffrey Borman ’82 received the Goodall Distinguished Alumni Award. Noah Bendix-Balgley ’02 received the Young Alumni Award. Congratulations to the Class of 2022!

CONGRATULATIONS S E V E N

20 22 Ahmed Abass

Ellie DeLyons

Priya Jenkins

Robby Ligeralde

Lyn Price

Oliver Vecellio

Lance Allgaier

Caitlin Drew

Eli Joffe

Will Light

Aditi Purushothaman

Alexis Veldhuis

Rama Alshami

Pelle Eijkenboom

Jacob Joffe

Austin Lower

Naina Purushothaman

Manan Vij

Daniela

Jack Fechter

Riley Jones

Loura Ma

Josh Rising

Jenna Villar

Harper Gable

Aahana Katneni

Maya Martinez Diers

Santiago Rodriguez

Lucas Wall

Aanya Anand

Justin Gao

Miranda Kerr

Jake Messer

Sebastian Rodriguez

Paris Weems

Aleena Arif

Ana Gerhardt

Gabriella Khaskelis

Dylan Meyer

Cate Rose

Addie Wilger

Drew Balaji

Kathryn Guo

Corinne Kieser

Evan Michelman

Emma Schlueter

Elena Wilson

Liam Belluso

Suhani Gupta

Eliza Kite

Martina Miquelarena

Lucy Schneider

Luke Wiot

Noah Cagle

Grayson Halonen

Noah Kocher

Julia Moser

Will Schneider

Wendy Woffington

Collin Chen

Mackenzie Hartman

Tillie Kraus

Thomas Murphy

Shriya Sekar

Colin Yeager

Kevin Chen

Rosalie Hoar

Mercer Kruzner

Allie Nathan

Meg Seshiah

Gabrielle Christmon Jack Holden

Jonathan Lee

Anand Patil

Amaiya Sims

Sarah Croog

Cece Hood

Charlie Leeper

Christian Pedoto

Aditi Sinha

Laeticia de Cavel

Jacky Hou

Angel Liang

Ella Jo Piersma

Cristina Stancescu

Sean DeBurger

Jenny Hu

Elsa Lick

Joshua Porter

Drake Stewart

Amadeo-Muniz

H I L L S

CONGRATULATIONS

20 22 8

S E V E N

H I L L S

Middle School project rendering

Christopher P. Garten HEAD OF SCHOOL

spaces are arranged n Tuesday, April 5 , a surprisingly bright into three grade level spring morning, the Seven communities (for grades six, seven, and eight), each with its own common area, Hills community celebrated to help foster close relationships among the offi cial opening of a new teachers and students. academic building for our Middle School. To support our arts programs, in 2019,

This fabulous new facility, the product of more than a decade of planning, is the latest in a series of campus improvement projects that have been executed over the last six years. Led by our Board of Trustees and with the generous support of many of the school’s most consistent supporters, Seven Hills has invested more than $40 million in new academic, athletic, and arts facilities. These

Center, which contains a state-of-the-art 450-seat auditorium and rehearsal spaces for our theater and instrumental and choral music programs. At the same time, we completed extensive renovations to the Donovan Arts Center to modernize visual arts classrooms and support new programs in digital media. These investments have enhanced the school’s signature fine and performing arts program and made

has made a major investment in academic technology to sustain an installed base of more than 1,200 iPads and laptops as well as extensive upgrades to campus networks. Few schools in the country have accomplished such a dramatic reimagining of the school’s facilities in such a short period of time. These new facilities have been designed to support Seven Hills’ engaging and student-centered approach to teaching and learning as well as the widest possible range of athletic, artistic, and extracurricular programs which help students discover and develop all aspects of themselves.

possible more ambitious, community-wide

Over the last few weeks, I’ve had the

theatrical productions as well as a host of

pleasure of touring several of our alumni

community.

special assembly programs.

around our campuses so that they could

One effort has been the modernization

In addition, over the same six years

new facilities have had a transformative effect on teaching and learning in this

of our academic facilities in our Lower Schools. This has included the construction of the Taft Early Childhood Center (2016)

period, the school has made a significant investment in athletic facilities — resurfacing the Upper Field and adding the

witness, first hand, the extent of the transformation. They were, frankly, stunned by what we have accomplished together in such a short time.

turfed and lighted Lower Field Complex for

What a blessing it is to work in a

outdoor sports, the new four court Field

community that is so deeply committed

House for indoor sports, and, as of July, a

to continuous improvement. These new

through five at Lotspeich.

total of 10 new tennis courts.

facilities are the result of ardent, highly

Our new Middle School facility features

We have also done extensive renovations

and extensive renovations to classrooms in Jones Hall and Haile Hall at Doherty and to the main classroom building for grades one

19 spacious classrooms and laboratories designed to support the hands-on, inquirybased, collaborative learning which defines our Middle School. These new learning

Seven Hills opened the fabulous new Schiff

Finally, but equally importantly, the school

of the school’s gathering spaces including the Doherty cafeteria, the Founders Hall cafeteria, and the Hillsdale Commons on the Hillsdale campus.

effective collaboration among trustees, administrative team, and faculty and staff, and they are a source of enormous pride for all of us. My sincere thanks to all who helped make this possible.

IN MEMORIAM:

In Memory of Tracy Hickenlooper

TheSevenHillscommunityisdeeplysaddenedbythedeathofbeloved DohertyLowerSchoolteacher,colleague,andfriendTracyHickenloope whounexpectedlypassedawayonJune29.

Tracy was an extraordinary teacher who brought great energy and enthusiasm to her classroom, every day. To her students, Tracy was a warm and encouraging teacher who made them feel known, heard, and valued. Her learning experiences were hands-on, inquiry-based, and collaborative. In Mrs. Hickenlooper’s class, learning came to life. A born problem solver, Tracy was a person who saw challenges as opportunities and never failed to step up when asked. Over her 28-year tenure, Tracy seemed to be anywhere help was needed or new innovations were budding — collaborating with colleagues and sharing her experience, expertise, and leadership. Whether in her Doherty Unit III classroom, serving as director of program design & technology, as Assistant Head of Doherty, as Acting Head of Lotspeich, as Lotspeich fifth grade

teacher, or in her many other roles, Tracy lead by example with her expertise and can-do optimism. In 2010-11, Tracy was awarded the Drury Faculty Chair for distinguished teachers of history and in 2000-01, she was honored with the Brodie Award for Excellence in Teaching. When asked a few years ago about her teaching philosophy, Tracy replied, “I want my students to be curious, deep thinkers and creative problem solvers. Deep thinking is at the core of creativity.”

To the people with whom she worked every day, she was a trusted, respected, and beloved colleague. A rock upon which to depend. Tracy both led and followed with equal grace; she was the consummate team player and collaborator. With a heart as big as her sunny smile and contagious laugh, Tracy loved teaching second only to her love for her husband David, and their daughters, Beth ’12 and Kate ’14, and son, Smith ’18. The Seven Hills community holds the Hickenlooper family in our hearts and thoughts.

SCHOOL NEWS

STUDENT WRITERS GREW AND IMPROVED WITH NOVEL WRITING FEAT

Students in the Upper School’s creative writing seminar accepted the challenge of starting and finishing to write a novel in just one semester. Students in the Upper School’s creative writing seminar accepted the challenge of starting and finishing to write a novel in just one semester. “I knew I had a lot of students who were interested in taking creative writing again. I wanted to see if they could do it, if I could push them to do something of this scale,” said Upper School creative writing teacher Caleb Paull. Inspired by National Novel Writing Month and a program his sister, also an English teacher, uses, Paull had his six creative writing students write an entire novel during the first semester of the 2021-22 school year.

After having read “House of Leaves” by Mark Z. Danielewski for the Upper School’s Summer Reading Program, Wyer wanted to incorporate ways to alter the structure of the world created in his novel using format. His characters suffer from intrusive thoughts and PTSD, both of which he spent time researching to ensure he portrayed it correctly. “I chose to write a novel to improve my writing ability, which it did significantly. I ended up learning quite a bit, especially about having your supporting characters as fleshed out as your main characters,” Wyer said.

Senior Maya Martinez Diers usually writes poetry. “It was a huge step to take. Even now, I don’t really know how I did it,” Martinez Diers said during a lunch with the author event.

Martinez Diers realized a foreward was needed to explain the myth of Lilith, so everyone who reads the novel understands its intention. “The idea for my novel was from a deep need to rewrite a story that vilifies women with independence, intelligence, and power and to give a voice to the other side of the story that has been silenced and crushed and buried,” Martinez Diers said.

Martinez Diers picked fellow creative writing classmate senior Jenny Hu, who wrote the longest novel in the class at 204 pages.

Sophomore Mikul Wyer mostly writes plays in his free time but had started working on a novel before the class began.

He added persistence and resilience were important for the students as they sometimes struggled to keep writing throughout the semester. For some of them, it was the first time they learned to accept not “being in love” with something they produced. Wyer admitted he struggled with liking a lot of his writing, but was most pleased by the ending. “The ending is the best paragraph I have ever written.”

Each student hosted a lunchtime event where they talked about their novel and their writing process. They also answered questions from three people who had read their novel: Paull, another Seven Hills teacher of their choosing, and a third person. Most students picked an Upper School classmate as their third reader.

“Dr. Paull helped me grow as a writer for basically my entire time in high school, and writing a novel really just feels like another challenge that he helped me get through,” said Martinez Diers, whose novel is written entirely in verse and retells the Jewish myth of Lilith the First Woman.

“The students saw that learning in a community of writers can help them improve in ways they had not expected. They were able to recognize that they each have their own writing strengths and they can learn from others who have different strengths than theirs,” Paull said.

Paull said Wyer took the most advantage of the community of writers in the class. “I did definitely appreciate the environment of the class. It was very inclusive. They would just accept your story idea and focus on the core content,” Wyer said. He worked on character development with Hu and Martinez Diers helped him with setting.

Going forward, Paull is giving the students the opportunity to design covers and have their books printed and bound. “Typing 15,000 words onto a screen is one thing but having a physical book is different. Even if they don’t love everything they wrote, I want them to think ‘Whoa, I did that.’ I want them to be proud of what they accomplished,” Paull said.

SCHOOL NEWS

CREATING CONVERSATIONS SPEAKER SERIES

The Seven Hills School’s Creating Conversations is a speaker series des engage as a community, with each other and with the help of experts in their about raising bright, healthy, happy children.

REDUCING STRESS AND I M P R O V I N G M E N TA L H E A LT H W I T H D R . S L AV I N Seven Hills counseling department welcomed Dr. Stuart Slavin via Zoom for the final Creating Conversations discussion of the year, which focused on stress and mental health for teenage students. Slavin, the senior scholar of well-being at the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, talked to Seven Hills families about ways to help adolescent students deal with stress that can lead to mental health issues, like depression or anxiety. Replicating his work with medical students, Slavin has conducted surveys about stress and mental health in high school in three states. He said most stressors are caused by common problematic mindsets, which are viewing performance as identity, comparison, personalization and self-blame, maladaptive perfectionism, and impostor phenomenon. In his work with Saint Louis University medical students, Slavin found reducing unnecessary stressors, increasing

A SIMPLE MODEL TO REDUCE STRESS AND IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH

• REDUCE UNNECESSARY STRESSORS AND ENHANCE THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT • INCREASE STUDENTS’ ABILIT Y TO DEAL WITH STRESS • HELP STUDENTS FIND MEANING IN THEIR SCHOOL WORK

Dr. Stuart Slavin

students’ ability to deal with stress, and helping them find meaning in their school work decreased the rate of depression and anxiety. Relating it to high school students, Slavin talked about creating a less stressful environment regarding grades and college acceptance and ensuring they are getting enough sleep. Slavin explained that there is hope because every one of the problematic mindsets can be changed with the right cognitive skills and tools. Slavin is working with MindPeace, a local nonprofit that helps schools better understand their mental health needs, to begin teaching his resilience training in Cincinnati high

schools. Seven Hills is partnered with MindPeace. “Giving students the ability to recognize their thought patterns and be able to develop and change their thinking is really what I am after. It is super simple to teach and grasp, harder to put into practice. High school students have already been thinking in a certain way for a while, so it is about getting them out of the rut of thinking in a certain way. It takes practice,” Slavin said.

The Seven Hills School Speaker Series

SCHOOL NEWS

SEVEN HILLS CONGRATULATES NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS Seven Hills continues its tradition of excellence with several students receiving recognition from the National Merit Scholarship program. Three students were named as recipients, eight were named Finalists, and five were named Commended Students in the 2022 National Merit Program.

National Merit Finalists Scholarship Recipients Jenny Hu, Naina Purushothaman, and Manan Vij received National Merit Scholarships, the highest award the organization gives. National Merit Scholarship winners are among a select group of students with high PSAT scores and strong academic records. More than one million high school juniors take the test each year and compete for the scholarships.

NAINA PURUSHOTHAMAN, KATHRYN GUO, JENNY HU AND MANAN VIJ

National Merit Finalists Eight Seven Hills seniors were named National Merit Finalists in 2022. Congratulations to Hu, Purushothaman, Vij, Kevin Chen, Sarah Croog, Kathryn Guo, Robby Ligeralde, and Sebastian Rodriguez.

National Merit Commended Students

NATIONAL MERIT FINALIST STUDENTS ARE FRONT: NAINA PURUSHOTHAMAN, KATHRYN GUO, JENNY HU BACK: MANAN VIJ, SEBASTIAN RODRIGUEZ, KEVIN CHEN, SARAH CROOG, ROBBY LIGERALDE

National Merit Commended Students are Grayson Halonen, Aahana Katneni, Ella Jo Piersma, Aditi Purushothaman, and Cristina Stancescu.

NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED STUDENTS ARE: GRAYSON HALONEN, AAHANA KATNENI, ELLA JO PIERSMA, ADITI PURUSHOTHAMAN, CRISTINA STANCESCU

SCHOOL NEWS

2022 FREDERICK A. HAUCK SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

CONGRATULATIONS TO NEW MEMBERS OF CUM LAUDE SOCIETY

The Seven Hills School awarded the 2022 Frederick Hauck Scholarship to eighth grader Ethan Avera, sophomore Dhanush Bearelly, and juniors Christy Baldwin, Shanaya Bharucha, Rohan Nambiar, and Jack Ringel. The Hauck Scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding commitment and achievement in math or science. Recipients are chosen based on their academic achievement in math and science and a demonstrated special interest in math and science outside of the classroom.

Cum Laude Society Inductees for 2022

The Upper School honored its 19 inductees

MS Hauck Winners — Mikul Wyer, Nicholas Stein, Dhanush Bearelly, and Arjun Gupta

Hauck winners L to R: Jack Ringel, Rohan Nambiar, Shanaya Bharucha, Christy Baldwin

The award is named after Dr. Frederick A. Hauck, a world-renowned nuclear scientist and philanthropist. He served on the Atomic Energy Commission and worked closely with Albert Einstein. In addition to his scientific achievement, he was a businessman, explorer, historian, industrialist, metallurgist, nature lover, and humanitarian. Winning Hauck winner Dhanush Bearelly students entering grades nine through 12 receive a one-year scholarship of $1,000 to be applied to next school year’s tuition at Seven Hills’ Upper School. Hauck winner Ethan Avera

for 2022 and nine inductees for 2021 into the Seven Hills chapter of the Cum Laude Society, a national honor society that recognizes academic excellence, during a dinner in April.

modeled after Phi Beta Kappa at the collegiate level, recognizes academic excellence in some of the country’s best high schools. Seven Hills is one of only 21 schools in Ohio with a Cum Laude Society.

New members from the junior class are Shayana Bharucha, Ellie Cain, Erin Finn, Annelise Hawgood, Jerry Hou, Charlotte Lafley, George Mentrup, Rohan Nambiar, Anna Papakirk, and Jack Ringel. Cum Laude Faculty Committee New members from the senior class are Suhani Front Row L to R: Katie Swinford, Lenore Horner, Nate Gleiner, Marielle Newton. Back Row L to R: Marcus Twyford, Bryce Carlson, Gupta, Rosalie Hoar, Riley Beth Driehaus, Matt Bolton. Not pictured: John Rising Jones, Aahana Katneni, Gabriella Khaskelis, Robby Ligeralde, Naina Purushothaman, “To reach this designation at a school this Santiago Rodriguez, and Sebastian strong is an honor. You know from your Rodriguez. classroom experience just how talented so The following seniors, who were inducted in 2021 as juniors, were also honored at the event: Sarah Croog, Kathryn Guo, Jacky Hou, Jenny Hu, Angel Liang, Julia Moser, Allie Nathan, Ella Jo Piersma, and Manan Vij.

Former Seven Hills English teacher Linda Maupin was the event’s guest speaker, who spoke about how strength of character is more important than recognition and awards. Head of School Chris Garten shared with inductees that Cum Laude Society,

many of your classmates are. You all did incredibly hard work to get to this point, and we thank you for your focus,” Garten said.

As part of the annual Cum Laude Society induction ceremony, faculty members of the Cum Laude Committee addressed each new member with remarks compiled from quotes from the student’s teachers. Scan the QR code to read the faculty remarks for the 2022 inductees. 15

SCHOOL NEWS

TEACHERS ARE THE DIFFERENCE Teachers control the climate of their classrooms. They shape what students learn, when they learn, and how they learn it. Together, we are celebrating our amazing teachers in this magazine installment, which features

JULIE GUMINEY: A STUDENT-CENTERED APPROACH IN UNIT II During her 15 years teaching at Doherty Lower School, Julie Guminey has learned to sometimes default to her students. She is not quick to answer a question from a student when she knows that if they talk it through, they could reach the answer themselves. “I really try to help my students establish independence. I am always there to help them, but I also want them to problem solve and try to figure things out on their own. I try to be open with their ideas and encourage them to be creative with their learning,” she said. In Language Arts, her students broke into small groups and picked their own discussion topics about a book they recently read about jumping off a high dive. Guminey shared that she never

THINGS I LEARNED FROM MY STUDENTS … Doherty Unit II teacher Julie Guminey

to do things

3. Recognize that sometimes a problem cannot be solved with anything other than a hug

with her students is what makes her an excellent teacher.

She enjoys having discussions one on one or in small groups with her students. Murch commended her for taking stock of students’ interests and incorporating them into her teaching. Guminey said her favorite projects to teach are those where students work together and take the lead.

Head of Doherty Tracy Murch said the true connection that Guminey forms 16

Murch called Guminey a responsive teacher.

“She sees what the kids are giving her in the moment and makes decisions based on that. It is not a one size fits all type of 2. Understand that there is classroom by any means,” Murch said. never really only one way 1. Be a good listener

“It is very important to me to establish a trusting relationship with my students, so they know they can come to me for anything. I work really hard to make my classroom a community, where we are all supportive of each other and are willing to help one another,” Guminey said.

has because she’s afraid of heights and multiple students admitted they were too.

the engineering design process are my favorite. I love when students can solve problems on their own,” she said.

“They might research a topic then decide how to present the information or what the final outcome will be. Projects that students create themselves, that are hands on and follow

SCHOOL NEWS

Doherty Lower School teacher Julie Guminey and Middle School learning specialist Marisa Shubert. It’s easy to see why, at Seven Hills, #TeachersAreTheDifference.

MARISA SHUBERT: MIDDLE SCHOOL LEARNING SPECIALIST As a learning specialist for sixth and seventh graders at Seven Hills, Marisa Shubert has created a warm and encouraging environment for students to accomplish her classroom’s goal of always facing forward.

Shubert’s effectiveness as a Middle School learning support teacher is grounded in her training and familiarity with child psychology alongside her understanding of neurological child development, Head of Middle School Bill Waskowitz said. One of the ways Shubert utilizes her understanding of neuroscience and child development is through her multiple intelligences unit, a theory that states there are eight different intelligences that everyone possesses at varying levels.

“Students are learning study and support skills here that help them build a strong foundation for their entire academic career. My goal is for students to understand that everybody has potential as learners, we just have to keep facing forward and understand what it means to succeed,” Shubert said. During class, Shubert uses a variety of learning methods to help students figure out how they learn best. “Everyone understands information differently and I want students to become comfortable with trial and error. Once they understand mistakes are part of the process, the whole world opens up for them,” Shubert said.

“It’s one of the first units we cover, as it gives students a baseline to explore their thought process and skillsets. With music-oriented students, we talk about how to incorporate songs, chants, or rhythm into their studying. For visualoriented students, we might use chalk outside or create diagrams. These methods enable students to think outside of the box and propel them forward even after seventh grade to be able to consider what methods work

for them. The unit helps students see the difference between a growing versus a fixed mindset. I see students go from ‘I can’t do this.’ to ‘I can’t do this yet,’” Shubert said. Shubert works with her students, not only in the context of her learning support classroom but also equips them with the skills and tools to be successful in their day-to-day work outside of her classroom, Waskowitz said. “Add to these talents her ability to compassionately understand, empathize, and support Middle Schoolers at this point in their complex social and emotional development, Marisa is uniquely qualified to give Middle School students the best educational experience possible,” Waskowitz said.

THINGS I LEARNED FROM MY STUDENTS … Middle School learning specialist Marisa Shubert

1. Be flexible 2. Always be willing to learn new things 3. Laugh at yourself 17

SCHOOL NEWS

UPPER SCHOOL CIVIC ENGAGEMENT DAY Civic Engagement Day is part of the initiative driven by the $250,000 matching grant Seven Hills received from the E.E. Ford Foundation in 2019. Each Civic Engagement Day is centered around a specific topic, such as anti-racism and diversity, consumerism and global warming, and mental health.

Media Literacy with E.R. Fightmaster ’10 E.R. Fightmaster ’10 spoke to Upper School students in The Schiff Center about media representation and the importance of empathy as part of their keynote speech for Civic Engagement Day, focusing on media literacy, on March 11. “You are watching television because you have empathy for the people on your screen. If your screen has a lot of diverse representation, then you are developing empathy for different people. Empathy is this thing

that fills your cup while filling the

Fightmaster, the first nonbinary

cups of other people. Empathy is

cast member on “Grey’s

what makes you charismatic, it is

Anatomy,” talked about how

what makes you warm. Empathy

being exposed to diversity while

takes your talent to a level that

touring with Second City helped

people want to see it. It is all about

them realize their own identity.

empathy,” they said.

SCHOOL NEWS

The day was planned and organized by English teacher Marielle Newton, and history teachers Eric O’Connor and Kyla Young. As part of the day, students participated in a media representation game show and a media literacy escape room. Fightmaster answered student questions over lunch and did improv with theater teacher Marc Raia’s improv class. “I am meeting a bunch of different people that do not look like me and do not have my beliefs, and I am learning a bunch about myself. Which is always what we come back to with any kind of diversity, any kind of representation. When you are encountering people who are not like you, you have the unique opportunity of learning more about yourself. It is so nice, you guys,” they said.

Students ended the day by filming video reflections of their takeaways of what they learned. “Our hope for the day was that students will better understand the impact their media choices have on their worldview. This is all part of our desire to increase student awareness and understanding of their place

in society and how they might influence what is happening in the world around them,” said Director of Experiential Learning Nick Francis.

SCHOOL NEWS

NEWLY BUILT AND RENOVATED MIDDLE SCHOOL OFFICIALLY OPENS Waskowitz said the building was designed The newly built and renovated Middle Schoolto equip Middle School students with the best academic and social-emotional was unveiled with a ribbon opportunities. cutting ceremony and tour in mid-April. “This building is designed with the

Head of School Chris Garten thanked the Seven Hills administration team, board of trustees, Director of Development Margo Kirstein, Middle School faculty, and Head of Middle School Bill Waskowitz for seeing the project through to fruition. “This project has been a 10-year vision for this team to build and renovate our Middle School into a truly remarkable facility. Middle School is a time in many kids' lives where they become disaffected about schooling. They are struggling to understand who they are, they can be self-conscious, and frankly, they can be bored with school. One of the things that defines Seven Hills is that doesn’t happen here. If anything, our Middle School is one of the anchors and strengths of this great community,” Garten said.

understanding that function dictates form. The Middle School was built and renovated to honor our exploratory style of hands-on academics. The spaces we have inside our Middle School enable us all, from faculty to students, to be the best we can be. We are not present in every moment of their lives, but we are there and they sense that and know they have their own community which is why we have common areas for each grade to build on our philosophy of being a ‘community in a community.’ We want our kids to know if you are a sixth grader you have your own community but you are also part of a Middle School community that loves and supports you. I do feel that at the end of the day that is what this building was designed for,” Waskowitz said.

FAST FACTS about the

NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL

THE RENOVATION AND EXPANSION INCREASED THE BUILDING SIZE BY 63%,

THE AVERAGE CLASSROOM SIZE BY ABOUT 280 SQUARE FEET, THE SCIENCE CLASSROOMS BY 150 SQUARE FEET, AND

THE INNOVATION by Henry Farney LAB BY 200 SQUARE FEET.

SCHOOL NEWS

HIGHLIGHTS • GRADE LEVEL TEAM AND T EACHER WORKSPACES • L ARGER HALLWAYS • COMMON AREAS FOR EACH GRADE • UPDATED ACCESSIBLE DESIGN • GENDER NEUTRAL RESTROOM FACI LI TI ES

SCHOOL NEWS

MIRIAM TITCOMB MEMORIAL FUND

Grants for Enrichment

ince 1978 , the Miriam Titcomb Fund, an endowed enrichment fund established by alumni, has made it possible for more than 10 Seven Hills faculty and staff to have meaningful travel and study experiences. These adventures are personally and professionally inspiring for our faculty and staff. Their increased scholarship and enthusiasm enrich the entire school community. We are pleased to share the stories of 20 recipient Aaron McIntosh and 20 1 recipients Jody Knoop andLaura OGrady.

LOTSPEICH LOWER SCHOOL ART TEACHER JODY KNOOP, 2021 RECIPIENT Jody Knoop was awarded a Titcomb grant for her experience, “Finding Henry Farny.” Knoop had grown up hearing stories about Henry Farny, or “Uncle Farny” as her family called him, as he was Knoop’s great-great-uncle. Surrounded by artists and creative thinkers in her family, Knoop wanted to learn and explore what Farny saw with her own eyes. Thus began her three-day saddle pack trip from Swan Mountain Outfitters near West Glacier Park in Montana and a one-day rafting trip on the Lower Flathead River. “Farny painted many scenes of Native Americans along rivers, so I felt a river

trip was an important part of the trip. It was beautiful and exciting,” Knoop said. Knoop saw scenery only reachable by horse, mule, or foot throughout her journey. She relied on two different horses during her trip, Apache for flatter terrain and Big Peanut for the steep climbs. “We changed horses about halfway through the six hours ride to base camp. All food and equipment were hauled by our mule. We spent another six hours in the saddle on the second day, up to a lake and back. On the third day, we rode six hours back down the mountain. I’m not sure which was more exciting, going up or coming down!” Knoop said. Being surrounded by the mountains and valleys that were featured in so many

of Farny’s paintings were some of her favorite parts of the trip. Knoop also loved hearing the peaceful sounds of wildlife around her, along with the occasional babbling brook completing her picturesque adventure. Like her great-great-uncle many years ago, Knoop found inspiration in nature as a source for her art. Knoop sketched during her travels, memorializing her own experiences alongside the storied tales her family told her about “Uncle Farny.” “This trip cleared away any doubts I had about traveling on rough trails, despite my advancing age. I still am up for and love the challenge,” Knoop said.

SCHOOL NEWS

LOTSPEICH LOWER SCHOOL FIFTH GRADE TEACHER LAURA OGRADY, 2021 RECIPIENT Laura OGrady was awarded a Titcomb grant for her experience, "Extreme Cycling Adventure.” For two weeks,

OGrady and her daughter Hannah biked hundreds of miles across France and Germany. Originally, OGrady planned to bike from Berlin to Budapest, but in the face of five different COVID restriction policies, Hannah suggested an alternate route.

“Hannah suggested the theme for our new itinerary should be visiting sites that were connected to famous French scientists and mathematicians. Our route took us to places related to Curie, Pascal, Descartes, Cuvier, Lavoisier, Pasteur, Lamark, and DaVinci, who spent his final years in France,” OGrady said. OGrady had never gone on a longdistance cycle trip before her Titcomb adventure. With knowledge gained through thorough research, OGrady selected the best cycling clothes for SPF protection, sourced efficient bikes which could fold like a box to get on trains, and prepared for any obstacle while cycling.

gears, and chain tensioner adjustments. Our toughest day was about 60 miles through the French countryside, including an elevation gain of about 1,500 feet and strong crosswinds,” OGrady said. Traveling on two wheels allowed OGrady to experience many small towns that did not receive a large influx of American tourists. “We came across so many people who were eager to offer advice and encouragement. We were also frequently in areas where there were few fluent English speakers, so it was both rewarding and humbling to put ourselves in situations where we knew we would make embarrassing language mistakes.

According to OGrady, part of the joy of the cycling trip was overcoming challenges with her daughter. “We could have booked a guided bicycle tour that would have covered similar ground, but I wanted the experience of fending for ourselves. I carefully planned the items in our emergency repair kit. I was so gratified when we had the tools and supplies we needed to deal with roadside repairs. These repairs included flat tires, loose spokes, misaligned brakes, slipping

This trip taught me many things about overcoming obstacles, working through one problem at a time, and how the brain works when you are completely out of your comfort zone,” OGrady said. continued on page 24

SCHOOL NEWS

MIRIAM TITCOMB MEMORIAL FUND

Grants for Enrichment, continued

TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST A A R O N M C I N T O S H , 2 02 0 RECIPIENT Aaron McIntosh was awarded a Titcomb grant for his experience, "Ukraine: An Exploration of Culture

invaded. The Cossacks originally settled in Ukraine and were a group of fierce warriors that would hire themselves out to other countries that wanted to conquer other lands. Now the government is trying to turn Ukraine into a tech hub. The barrier of entry is low, and they have a robust internet network. Everyone has a smartphone, and almost everything needed for daily life can be digitally conducted,” McIntosh said. Visiting Ukraine completely changed his perspective, according to McIntosh.

and Technology.” McIntosh became interested in Ukraine’s history and technology advancements after watching HBO’s “Chernobyl” miniseries. “Ukraine is the breadbasket of Europe and has a long and complex history. They still use buildings built in the 11th century. They have never been the aggressors, but have been constantly 24

“I immediately noticed more similarities in our culture and society, than differences. I had the opportunity to visit the mansion of the former President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, whose decision to reject the EU agreement led to the 2014 Revolution of Dignity. It was evident that the revolution solidified Ukrainian pride, their deep love for their country, and their strong desire for independence,” McIntosh said.

Throughout his time in Ukraine, McIntosh also sought out restaurants that served traditional Ukrainian food. “I made a particular effort to eat at restaurants that served traditional Ukrainian food and I really enjoyed all of them. From the borscht to the blini to the varenyky, it was all delicious. They love to put sour cream on everything. I loved everything about the trip,” McIntosh said.

SCHOOL NEWS

LOTSPEICH STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO BE GREAT DIGITAL CITIZENS During Lotspeich librarian Lori Suffield’s year-long digital citizenship course, Lotspeich kindergarten through fifth grade students learn about the adventures and responsibilities of being good digital citizens. “I say to kids all the time, whether you want to be or not, you are digital citizens. We are using technology every day so let’s learn how to use it kindly and safely,” Suffield said.

The curriculum has specific lessons and goals for each grade, beginning with kindergarten. The first lesson kindergarteners learn is how to balance technology with real life. Students also learn how to take breaks from their technology usage, even when they don’t want to, and how to identify safe spaces online. First graders analyze how different online situations make them feel, which enables them to set boundaries for themselves. For instance, during a lesson, Suffield asks students how they would feel after a Facetime call with a grandperson versus missing playtime with friends because they were distracted watching videos. From a list of six emotions, students identified which ones they felt. Students

commonly chose joy and frustration for the respective situations. “The kindergarten and first grade curriculums focus primarily on safety and feelings when using technology. It is all about giving our younger students tools and permission to keep themselves safe and to make healthy screen time choices. Starting in second grade, the lessons expand to address online communities. While we continue to discuss how technology use affects students personally, we also begin to address how technology use can affect others. Older students are also ready to think more critically about the media they consume, so we begin to talk about the motivations behind different types of media content and how to give credit for others' work,” Suffield said. In second grade, students find the answers to questions from “how can you be a good digital citizen?” to “why is it important to have time away from technology?” to "what can you do if someone is mean online?" As third graders, students learn about taking responsibility while online, examine how posting may impact their identity, and analyze why people alter photos and videos. During their “is seeing believing?” unit, third graders work in groups to discover how photos were altered, the potential reason behind the alteration, and whether it was ethical. During fourth grade, students learn about what information is safe to share online, how their online activity affects their digital footprint, and what to do if they witness online bullying.

During their final year of digital citizenship lessons in Lotspeich, fifth graders learn about clickbait and how to avoid it, how to maintain safe online friendships, find reliable news sources, and analyze how gender stereotypes shape online experiences. "Even though kids are surrounded by technology, from iPads to laptops to phones, they still need to learn how to navigate the internet just like they're taught to navigate real life. It's why these lessons are so important because they help prepare students for the good and bad parts of the internet,” Suffield said.

SCHOOL NEWS

PERSONAL CHALLENGE PROJECTS Four Stories of Discovery Building a Car: JULIA MOSER

Establishing and Promoting a Fitness Brand:

Julia Moser

A A N YA A N A N D

Project Description: Julia built a Type 65 Shelby Daytona Coupe with her dad.

Project Description: Aanya established

Project Process: Julia credits her dad

and promoted Stable Bodied Squash, a squash-specific physical performance

with getting her interested in cars and car racing. The Type 65 Shelby Daytona

brand.

Coupe was originally a race car in the

Project Process: Aanya is constantly

1960s. She ordered the frame, body,

training for squash but wanted to

and more than 50 boxes of parts from

know more about the physical side

Factory Five, a company that specializes

of the game off the court while also

in kit cars. She and her dad began building the car the summer before her junior year. They worked year-round and Julia estimates the whole project will take 300 hours. Throughout the process, she has learned car mechanics as she modified the engine, installed the rear axle, assembled the shocks, brakes, Julia Moser

learning about design, networking, and suspension, and wired the car. She did extensive additional research to see how others have built similar cars.

and advertising. With the help of her coach, she created a business plan for Stable Bodied Squash, which provides instructional videos and content to

Julia: “I’ve learned a lot helping my dad

improve the physical side of squash

with car maintenance. I love things I can

players’ game and prevent injury.

do with my hands and that have a process.

Stable Bodied Squash’s videos help

I find it relaxing and it helps me focus in

improve speed, strength, conditioning

other areas of my life. Cars are beautiful

and general movement mechanics. It

machines and I am truly happiest when

also offers one-on-one coaching for

I’m at a race track or car show.”

specific needs. Aanya worked to grow

Quick Fact: Only six Type 65 Shelby Daytona Coupes were originally made to

the social media following and create content and brand awareness.

take on Ferrari at Le Mans. It took Julia about 175 hours to complete the mechanical work on the car before she moved on to interior design and body work.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE IS A REQUIRED EXPERIENCE THAT SPURS SEVEN HILLS STUDENTS TO EXPLORE A TALENT OR INTEREST, IN-DEPTH. PERSONAL CHALLENGE EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF SEVEN HILLS AND ITS DEDICATION TO EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING. STUDENTS MOVE OUTSIDE

SCHOOL NEWS

Anand Patil

Aanya: “I am super into squash and I wanted

exercises that could take

to dive further into my interest and take a

my game to the next level.”

look at the physical

Quick Fact: With

side of the sport. I

the website and app

am always on court

completed, Aanya was

training but I never

able to double Stable

truly understood

Bodied Squash’s social

the physical

media following. It is now being used by players at the junior, collegiate, and professional levels, including by the Xavier University club squash

all lighting fixtures. Once everything is

team.

set up, Anand fine tunes the light cues

Learning, teaching, and performing on the light board:

through rehearsals, making any necessary adjustments before opening night.

ANAND PATIL Project Description: Anand learned how to program light boards for theater productions, learning 100-200 cues per production. Project Process: Anand first reads the script to begin mind-mapping where Aanya Anand

light cues, such as spotlights, may go. Afterwards, he records a play rehearsal and decides where and what kind of light

Anand Patil

cues are needed.

THEIR COMFORT ZONES TO REACH NEW ACHIEVEMENTS, DISCOVER THE THRILL OF MASTERY, AND SATISFY THEIR NATURAL CURIOSITIES. IN FOUR STORIES, WE SHARE A GLIMPSE OF WHAT PERSONAL CHALLENGE HAS MEANT FOR FOUR UPPERCLASSMEN.

From there, he hangs lights and hooks them up to a DMX, which uses one controller (computer or lighting board)

Anand: “I first saw the lightboard my sophomore year. Something about it just clicked for me. I spent many free blocks during my sophomore and junior years learning more about it. Lighting is an intricate form of art to me, and I wish more people saw it as the art form it is.”

to command continued on page 28

SCHOOL NEWS

PERSONAL CHALLENGE PROJECTS, Continued . . . Four Stories of Discovery Quick Fact: Anand has designed

Project Process: To begin his project,

mechanical engineering. Biology and space

lighting cues for three productions:

Sebastian first designed his model on

fascinate me.”

Seven Hills’ “War of the Worlds,”

paper. After figuring out the dimensions

“Shrek,” and the Commonwealth Artists

of each component from the wing spar

Student Theater’s (CAST) “Indecent.”

to the tail, Sebastian used Fusion 360 (a

He uses 90 lights for The Schiff

professional-grade engineering software

Center productions and 30 for CAST

program) to create his 3D models. He

productions.

printed his models at school using Seven Hills’ 3D printers. Sebastian also coded a

Ornithopter: SEBASTIAN RODRIGUEZ

remote control from scratch that uses a radio frequency.

Project Description: Sebastian created

Sebastian: “My goal is to one day create

an ornithopter, an aircraft that flies

my own company where I can be in

by flapping artificial wings rather than

charge of designing and selecting projects

being propelled forward by an engine.

that interest me. I want to develop projects that correlate to aerospace and

Sebastian Rodriguez

Quick Fact: Sebastian loves blending engineering with bio-mimicry, the idea of taking inspiration from nature to design solutions for mankind's problems. He drew inspiration from the red-tailed hawk for his ornithopter's design.

SCHOOL NEWS

FIFTH GRADERS PILOT NEW WRITING CURRICULUM Lotspeich fifth grade teacher Danielle Levine was selected as one of six fifth grade teachers in America to participate in the second-round pilot of the new writing Unit of Study curriculum entitled, “Research-Based Argument Essay,” written by the Teachers College at Colombia University. Both Lotspeich and Doherty fifth

program on working and which needs

graders use the Units of Study. After

refining for her students.

noticing one of the directors for Teachers College asked for teachers to consider piloting new units on a forum, Levine jumped at the chance to submit her application.

“A few changes might be made as a result of the pilot, and some of our student work might be used in the publications or in additional materials created to support teachers and students. Overall, it has been a phenomenal experience for all of us. Students absolutely flourished during the pilot. I have seen tremendous growth in their writing during the pilot's six-week timeline,” Levine said.

argumentative essays. Topics ranged

Levine’s fifth graders transitioned from

energy sources to climate change.

persuasive writing to argumentative

“I love to try new things in the classroom with my students. We were going to be working on a similar unit, so this was a perfect opportunity. I also love that our class can give feedback on the lessons. The students love getting to voice what they think about the curriculum and how they feel about the experience,” Levine said. Levine met every Thursday with her cohort group to record feedback and to reflect on what aspects of the pilot

from endangered animals to new

writing through the pilot program.

“It is amazing to see students writing

“The updated unit really pushes the

meaningful to themselves,” Levine said.

students' thinking. A huge part of the

about and researching topics that are

writing process is getting students to understand how to find relevant and reliable information and how to use it effectively. Students now see that they can support their ideas with facts, statistics, and information that comes from experts. They also see how these parts strengthen their claims in their writing,” Levine said. In the final phase of the unit, students chose social action issues they were passionate about for their last

SCHOOL NEWS - SPORTS

WINTER SPORTS HONORS Talented teams, competitive players, and great matchups There were several highlights of the Seven Hills winter sports season. Some student athletes traveled to state tournaments and all of our teams had great matchups. Congratulations to our athletes and coaches who made the winter 2021-22 sports season successful!

This winter marked the first time Seven Hills has had an official squash team. The team went 3-1 at the School Squash Scrimmage and qualified for the U.S. High School Team Squash Championship. At nationals, the team went 2-2, finishing 10th for Division II teams and 26th in the country.

The Stinger swimmers had excellent individual and team results this season. Senior Ella Jo Piersma increased her career number of state titles to six, winning and setting a new record for the 100 Butterfly and winning the 200 Freestyle. The girls team placed fourth overall at state, with senior Corinne Kieser placing seventh in the 200 Freestyle and eighth in the 100 Freestyle. The relay team of Piersma, Kieser, and juniors Carolyn Wolujewicz and Josie Domet placed fourth in the 200 Freestyle relay. For the boys, junior Sam Adams finished 14th in the 100 Backstroke.

The girls basketball team tied for the MVC Gray Division title with an inconference record of 9-1 and the boys team finished third in the division with a 8-4 record. The girls’ season started with an 11-game win streak. Sophomore Margret Schnirring was nominated for Enquirer’s Girls Basketball Small School Player of the Week for having 12 points and seven rebounds in one game. For the boys, junior Jaden Sims and senior Eli Joffe were third and fourth in the conference in field goal percentage.

The boys and girls bowling teams had excellent seasons. The boys team won the Miami Valley Conference Title with an in-conference record of 13-1. The team placed fourth at sectionals with junior Jonny Osman placing 10th overall. The team broke numerous school records this season, including overall score, Bakers Game score, and team total. The girls team finished fourth in the conference. Junior Erin Finn was the individual points leader for the MVC and competed at sectionals.

Erin Finn

The cheerleading squad had a great season, lighting up the sidelines and cheering on our girls and boys basketball teams. Senior gymnast Emma Schlueter had a strong performance at the City Championship. She finished third in the all-around thanks to her second place finish for the floor routine and third place finish on vault. She and freshmen Evie Ferguson qualified and competed at sectionals.

Cheerleading

Seven Hills Squash Team

SCHOOL NEWS - SPORTS

Ella jo Piersma

Girls Swimming

Boys Basketball

Boys Bowling

Margret Schnirring

Girls Basketball

31 Gymnastics Team

T H E M A G I C B E H I N D T H E C U R TA I N The term "technical theater" refers to everything that goes into putting on a staged production. Scenery, lighting, properties, costumes, and sound are all key elements of technical theater. They work together to establish a production's setting, time period, and mood.

Imagine a spotlight shining down on The Schiff Center’s stage and as the music swells, an actor steps forward to sing a showstopping number. At the same moment, Middle and Upper School tech crews cue lights and sounds

"Often when kids join tech theater, it's because they want to be in theater without being onstage. That in-the-shadows kind of role may be initially deceptive to students who are new to technical theater. It can take a while for the kids to understand that they aren't supporting the art with their work — they're contributing their own art collaboratively to create something more expansive," Tatum said. During Tatum's tech theater class, students play a game using their key rings to learn how to deduce backstory for characters.

enhancing the experience of the actor’s magical performance. In between scenes, the tech crew is adjusting makeup and completing last-minute costume alterations in the dark with strategically placed safety pins. The tech crew works as a cohesive behind-the-scenes team, making a thousand on-the-spot decisions to ensure the actors' performances run smoothly. Upper and Middle School technical theater director and teacher Trey Tatum teaches students that theater design is a crucial part of storytelling.

"Everyone puts their keys in a pile and we go through them one at a time, examining keychains, fobs, discount cards, and keys. The kids make deductions about who they belong to. It's great how quickly the kids can write whole backstories based on something so little. It helps them learn how to build a world starting from the smallest details and working their way out into the bigger picture," Tatum said.

“

“It can take a while for the kids to understand that they aren't supporting the art with their work — they're contributing their own art collaboratively to create something more expansive.” - Theater director and teacher Trey Tatum

For students who want to further their crafts with technical theater, the Middle School offers ample opportunities to explore new skills. From learning how to choreograph lights and sound, to creating set pieces, students can reimagine the world around them through tech theater. “This year, I had seventh grader Amruthu Juluri and sixth grader Ami Hariharan backstage during the show 'Dear Edwina Jr.' They started with me during tech week, the week before the show, and learned all of the quick changes and how to pre-set for a show so they could take the lead during performances,” Middle and Upper world language teacher Kathryn Rosenberg said. The pair had several responsibilities to ensure everything was performance-ready. “Before a show run, they handled pre-setting the backstage area (making sure all quickchange costumes were complete and in the right place, organizing prop-type costume pieces like leis and bandanas, etc). During the

show, they were responsible for managing costume changes, making quick fixes with safety pins as needed, and distributing the costume pieces. After the show, they cleaned up backstage, helped check dressing rooms to make sure things were tidy, and checked in with me to share any changes or repairs that needed to be made before the next run or performance of the show,” Rosenberg said.

"Students who choose technical theater love setting the stage for others, like placing blue blocks where the river will go or pulling curtains back for a grand entrance. They want to build the magic of the stage, but in the way that speaks to them," White said. Behind the scenes of each production is a dedicated team of technical theater artists who craft a new world to bring to life on stage, said Tina Kuhlman, head of fine and performing arts.

Set design, costumes, and makeup all play into a character's nonverbal storytelling. “Imagine a kid dressed in the latest fashions versus a kid dressed in hand-me-downs. You've already started telling a story, building a relationship without uttering a word. Lights convey time of day, time of year — costumes convey season, era, locale — sets clue us in if we're in store for a comedy or something darker. When students grasp this concept, they go from 'building a staircase' to contributing to the creation of a world,” Tatum said.

“Our students learn to be creative problem solvers while using the latest technology to design lighting, engineer sound, design and build sets, and ultimately manage the running of the show. Technical theater is everything from concept to creation using hard work and collaboration to achieve the final showcase,” Kuhlman said. “They request sound effects and songs to augment or underscore a scene. They can select different colors for the lighting to add to the dramatic action. I have a piano that is used to further a mood, make a character entrance better, or lead sing-alongs,” White said. The core message White impresses on his learners is that technical theater can dramatically enhance a performance. White accomplishes this by incorporating sounds or lighting cues in theater games, such as using the sound of crashing waves during a pirate simulation or using different lights to demonstrate elongated shadows as students become monsters in the night.

Inside the famous Red Barn on the Hillsdale Campus and Faran Hall on the Doherty Campus, creative dramatics teacher Russell White inspires dozens of students to discover the wonders of the performing arts, both on stage and backstage. Beginning in first grade, students learn about the importance of light and sound cues, discovering how to engage their audience and tell stories in different ways aside from acting.

“Fourth graders recently wrote their own scripts for a performance, and one group requested birds chirping at a specific point. Students wrote about cats and an owner and were able to use the bird sounds as a transition for a mood shift," White said. Every year, White observes a sorting, as some students gravitate towards technical theater while others are drawn to on-stage performing to share their storytelling talents.

SCHOOL NEWS

S A M P L E S

UNIT III EXPERIENCES ELLIS ISLAND

As part of their study of immigration in social studies, students in Bill Schmidt’s Unit III class went through a simulation of what it was like to immigrate to the United States through Ellis Island. While half the class acted as immigration agents, the other half was given a character description and visited stations where they had to explain and were judged on their background, vocation, health, and character. Based on the number of points they received, they were either sent to a station to take a loyalty oath or to be deported. The simulation ended with a debrief so the students could talk through the experience and what they learned. FIRST GRADERS GROW THEIR OWN GARDEN

First graders in Phoebe Dierkers’ class gained hands-on experience planting basil, spinach, green beans, mint, and peas using indoor gardens in late 34

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January. Students prepared a spread sheet with estimated germination dates based on their planting dates and the time needed for each plant to begin to sprout. “When the plants sprouted, the students calculated the difference between the estimated and actual germination date of each plant, and use their measuring skills as they watch the plants grow from week to week,” Dierkers said. SEVENTH GRADERS LEARN ABOUT STOCK MARKET DYNAMICS

Seventh graders learned first-hand the trials and thrills of the stock market during teacher Doug Huff’s class. After students learned how and why the stock market has changed through the last century, they participated in a stock market simulation game. Students strategized the ways they

O N L I N E

N E W S L E T T E R

should diversify their portfolios, and how they might balance risk and reward by making aggressive or cautious investment choices. The students spent two days

following their stocks, with the ability to sell their shares or buy more before the market closed. SUPPORTING UKRAINE

Seven Hills students and faculty at all levels found ways to support those affected by the war in Ukraine throughout March. Upper School senior Gabriella Khaskelis, who has family from Ukraine, started a fundraiser to raise $2,000 for Razom for Ukraine, a UkrainianAmerican nonprofit that helps people in need in Ukraine. “My dad was born and raised in Kiev, Ukraine, and I have known many Ukrainians who have never wanted anything other than peace, but now many of them are suffering in attempts to stay alive,” she said in an email to the Upper School asking students, teachers, and faculty to donate. She exceeded her goal by $50. The Upper School history department held two lunchtime information sessions for

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Upper School students with questions about the conflict. The sixth grade It’s Your World Class held the school-wide Aid for Ukraine Drive that coincided with Global Education Day. Each division focused on a set of supplies, which were donated to Matthew 25: Ministries for the organization’s Ukraine aid shipments.

JUNIORS RESTART TUTORING CLUB

After being positively impacted by it as freshmen, Ellie Cain and Abigail Li, now juniors, restarted the JPP Club, in which Seven Hills students go to John P. Parker School during free bells to tutor elementary school students in math and English. “Being a part of the community created by the JPP Club taught me to love the Seven Hills

community as much as it taught me to love doing service,” Cain said. The club’s activities were paused because of COVID-19 but Cain and Li were determined to keep the club going. They received overwhelming interest from other students and were thankful for teachers and faculty that volunteered as drivers. “We hope to build a strong foundation for the future of the club so that younger members can continue its work for many years to come,” Cain said. EQUITY AND INCLUSION COUNCIL ATTENDED LEADERSHIP RETREAT

The Upper School Equity and Inclusion Council had its first leadership retreat

in mid-January, where they began to take a deeper look into their leadership styles, set goals for the year, and bonded as a group. The council set its mission statement as, “We are a group of students whose shared purpose is to further promote belonging and agency by educating the student body, fostering community building, and promoting change.” During the retreat, they mapped their identities and explored how to translate it to leadership, and defined the council’s goals for 2022, said Upper School diversity initiatives leader Amaris White. Council members include freshmen Roman Russo, Ahalya Nambiar, Erin Jackson, and Shlok Mehta; sophomores Aleesha Adhami, Susie Stahl, Nathan Walker, Diana Zhang, and Magnolia Fan; juniors Emerson Rinaldi, Zara Asghar, Jack Ringel, Gigi Hawgood, and Clara Chen; and seniors Collin Chen, Santiago Rodriguez, Liam Belluso, and Rama Alshami.

SCHOOL NEWS

STINGER MADNESS AND SEVEN HILLS DAY OF GIVING

DuringthefirstweekinMarch,theSevenHillscampuseswereabuzzwithtwoimportant eventsthatsupportTheSevenHillsAnnualFund—StingerMadness,whichranthewe Feb.28throughMarch4,andtheSevenHillsDayofGiving,whichranfor24hoursonMarch 1.Inthebustleofthisbusyweek,emails,letters,andvideosflowedfromourDevelopment volunteersandstaffwhilegiftsfromacrosstownandaroundtheworldflowedin.

Seven Hills Families showed their spirit and Stinger Bees Filled the Hills!

As Stinger Madness and Day of Giving gifts were pouring in, our Development team was out on the Doherty and Hillsdale campuses Filling the Hills with Stinger bees, each with a sticker bearing the name of the donor who made the gift.

Stinger Madness

Our weeklong Stinger Madness brought together families of current Seven Hills students. As always, our friendly competition between the divisions for the Stinger Madness trophy was tight. At the end of the week, the incredible school spirit of the Doherty and Lotspeich families pulled off a win for the Lower School division. Even more importantly, our collective spirit brought us closer to our $1.15 million Annual Giving goal! Check out www.7hills.org/StingerMadness to see our Stinger Madness videos!

SCHOOL NEWS

Seven Hills Day of Giving During our 24-hour Day of Giving, friends of the school — alumni, grandparents, parents of alumni, and many others — showed tremendous support by making their gifts to the Annual Fund. It was a great pleasure to hear from so many friends of Seven Hills.

Thank you for Filling the Hills!

We are grateful to all our donors and Annual Fund volunteers whose encouragement helped us Fill the Hills during Stinger Madness and Day of Giving! A grand total of 243 friends and families of Seven Hills made Annual Fund gifts during these events, joining the more than 1,200 donors who have already supported the 2021-22 Seven Hills Annual Fund.

THANK YOU!

ret i rem nts

KITTY FISCHER Administrative Assistant to the Head of Lotspeich 22 YEARS OF SERVICE

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“WorkingwithKittyatLotspeichhastrulybeenagiftoverthesemanyyears.I couldalwayscountonKittyarrivingwithapositiveoutlookandendlessenergyas shemanagedthechallengesofthedaywithakindandcaringspiritforall.She offeredunconditionalsupporttostudents,parents,faculty,andcertainlytome. GuestsandprospectiveparentsarealwaysgreetedwarmlybyKitty,whoepitomizes thespecialnessofourschool.TheLotspeichcommunityandIknewwecouldcount onanyneededassistanceandafeelingofjoyafteravisittoMissKitty’soffice.Kitty isagemofafriendandcolleaguetomeandtoSevenHills.” - Carolyn Fox, former Head of Lotspeich

CYNDI KENYON Doherty Kindergarten teacher 25 YEARS OF SERVICE

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“CyndiKenyonhasbeenanearlychildhoodeducatorformostofherlifeandshe hasthenaturalskillandexpertisetoshowforit.WhatisuniqueaboutCyndiisthat shestillhasthere fi forteaching.Sheisfullofenergy,joy,andwonder.Astheworld ischangingrapidly,Cyndicontinuestotransformwithit,withanopenmindto newideasandwaysofteaching.Atthesametime,Cyndiholdstheinterestsofour youngestlearnersashertoppriorityandshewillspeakupandadvocateforthem evenifitisnotthepopularbelief.Shebelievesinchildrenlearningthroughplay anddiscovery.Cyndiisgenuine,warm,andcaringineverythingshedoes,andthis naturallycomesacrossinherinteractionswithhercoworkers,students, andfamilies.Cyndi,withhersunnysmileandcheerfulsenseofhumor,

willtrulybemissedatSevenHills.” - Lindsay Pietroski, Doherty kindergarten teacher

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LYNNE MILLER Upper School Choral Accompanist 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

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“I’vebeensofortunatetohaveworkedwithMrs.Millerforoverwonderful 02 yearshereatSevenHills.Lynneisamasterfulandgiftedmusician,teacher,and collaborator,andIhavelearnedsomuchfromher.Withhighexpectationsanda creativesenseofhumor,Lynnehashadapositiveimpactonthelivesofcountless SevenHillsstudents.Wewillmissherengagingpresence,memorablequotes,andher abilitytomultitask.Trustme,it’snoteveryonewhocansitdownandsightreadafull orchestralscore,jumpinandsingwiththealtoswhentheymisstheirentranceall whilesimultaneouslygivingthebaritonesthestink-eyeinresponsetobadintonation orbadbehavior.Orboth.OneofLynne’soft-usedadagesis“neverlouderthanlovely,”

butweknowthatit’sherloudvoicealongwithcoordinatingoutfitscomplete ( with

glasses)and , kindnessandgenerositythatmakehermostlovely.I’vecherishedour timetogetherandthoughshewillbegreatlymissed,Iwishherallthebestasshe spendstimeenjoyinghergranddaughteranddoingwhatevermakesherhappy.” - Tina Kuhlman, Fine & Performing Arts Department Chair

BARB CHRISTIE Hillsdale Campus Kitchen 39 YEARS OF SERVICE

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“Barbhasbeenaloyalandreliableemployee,wonderfulwiththekids,and mostimportantlyafriendtoeveryoneatthisschoolforalmost40years. She’sworkedinmultipledepartmentsduringhertimehere,startingwith maintenance,goingfromcleaningtoworkingintheHillsdalekitchen,

tomanagingtheDohertykitchentomovingbackhereatHillsdale.She’s beenabletoconqueranytaskgiventoherwithgrace.Shehasbeenan unforgettablepartoftheschoolcommunity,andwillbesorelymissed.” - Jan Alford, Food Service Director

RUSSELL WHITE Lower School Creative Dramatics Teacher 22 YEARS OF SERVICE

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“Russellisaverycreative,talented,gentlesoul,andkindcolleagueandfriend. Heisalwaysthinkingofandnding fi somanyfunandimaginativewaystohelp hisstudentshereatDohertylearnaboutdrama,learnaboutcreativeplay,gain confidence,andnd fi theirdramaticvoice.Hisstudentsnd fi ithardtonotrunupthe stairstohisclassroom,theyarethatexcitedaboutdrama.Overthepastyears, 71 RussellandIhavebeenworkingcooperativelywiththeUnitIIIstudentsontheir fairy-talebasedmusical.Andthroughthegoodtimesandroughspots,Russelland Ihavedevelopedastrongfriendshipandworkingrelationship,thekindthathas growndeeperandstrongerastheyearsgoby.Iwanttowishhimonlythebestof luckandeverythinggoodinhisretirement.” - Maria Eynon, Doherty music teacher

“Russellhasbeenastaplefordrama,excitement,andfunhereattheLowerSchool's foryears.Thestudentsgetsoexcitedwhenitistheirdayoftheweekfordrama. Theyloveplayinggutbusters,writingscripts,puppetry,anddoingimprov.Itis afunplacewherestudentsgaintheconfidencetoperforminfrontofothersand havefunwitheachother.Allwhileunderthekind,empathetic,andcreativeeyeof RussellWhite.Hewillbegreatlymissed.” - Sara Snyder, Lotspeich fourth grade teacher

IN MEMORIAM:

Susanne (Sudie) Ernst Geier L’35, H’41 TheSevenHillscommunityissaddenedbythelossofalongtimefriend oftheschool,Susanne(Sudie)ErnstGeierL’35,H’41,whopassedaway peacefullyatherhomeinCincinnationFeb.,20at 1 theageof98.She wasmarriedtoherbestfriend,PhilipGeier,whopredeceasedherin209.

Sudie’s decades-long generous support of the school will continue to benefit students and teachers for generations to come through her gifts to three capital campaigns, her lifelong support of Annual Giving, her volunteer work, and in remembering the school in her estate plans by making a gift through the Seven Hills Legacy Society. Sudie was a 1940 graduate of the Hillsdale School for Girls, and then attended Pine Manor College and earned her B.S. from the

University of Cincinnati. Among her many honors throughout her life, Sudie was presented in 2011 with Seven Hills’ Goodall Distinguished Alumna Award, named one of the Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year in 1981, received a Voices of Giving Award in 2009 by the Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council, and honored for her distinguished service by Pine Manor College at her 50th reunion.

from Sudie’s leadership, talent, dedication, and generosity were the Convalescent Hospital for Children, Cincinnati Symphony, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Historical Society, Cincinnati Town and Country Garden Club, Cincinnati Nature Center, Hillside Trust, The Christ Hospital, and Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services. She also served on the boards of Pine Manor College, The Garden Club of America, The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, and the School for Creative and Performing Arts. We send our deepest condolences to Sudie’s four children and their families.

Among the many community organizations that benefitted

ALUMNI NEWS

MAKING MAGIC! On Jan. 27 Seven Hills alumni, faculty, and staff came together by Zoom for a fun and entertaining night of magic.

years. At around the age of 7, Watkins asked his father to teach him to do magic, and, as they say, “the rest is history.”

More than 100 people watched the nationally renowned magician and mentalist Dennis Watkins give a performance of magical wonder.

Not only was Watkins a wonderful storyteller, he also amazed and baffled the audience with his interactive magic and mindreading. Choosing several of the audience members, who were participating by Zoom, both kids and adults were able to join in his tricks.

Watkins’ grandfather, Ed Watkins, was a self-taught sleight of hand magician from Texas. He operated a store-front magic shop for 30

Watkins concluded the show by teaching the entire audience a card trick. It was a superb performance, enjoyed by alumni, friends, faculty, and staff from all over the country.

ALUMNI NEWS

DOES THE SCHOOL STILL … THE RESALE SHOP,

YESTERDAY AND TODAY

Alumnioftenaskusiftheschoolmaintainseventsandtraditionsthatt rememberfondlyfromtheirownyearsattheschool.Manytimes,ouransweris, “Yes,westillhavethat!” Across the street from the Hillsdale Campus lies a vibrant community hub, the Resale Shop. Inside the shop, customers can find a wide array of clothes, decor, an occasional canoe, and even a child-sized suit of armor.

2005

and hardworking. The Resale Shop is by far the best in Cincinnati,” Fisher said.

“That was one of my favorite things that ever came through those doors, that and the skeleton missing a femur,” said Louise Cottrell, a former Seven Hills parent and Resale Shop manager. Cottrell, who worked in the Resale Shop from 1997 to 2011, said she loved every minute there.

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“It was so much fun. It was a wonderful thing to be associated with the Resale Shop. I worked while my children were going to school, and it was truly a win-win job. Parents, even more than faculty, had a place to contribute really cool stuff. It was a win as an outlet with the parents, and with the general public because we always had new inventory. We found a space for everyone who wanted to help with the Resale Shop. It was undoubtedly a community effort,” Cottrell said. The Resale Shop can be traced back to the 1960s when it was first known as The Closet to Doherty girls in need of a new uniform. At the time, parents realized their children were outgrowing uniforms faster than they were wearing out. The Closet was born, offering families the ability to swap their children’s uniforms for the next year. “It started with uniforms, yes, but then the mothers who were going to balls in fancy dresses decided to add those too. It was a

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practice not to wear the dress more than once. Or that’s how the story goes. Women would ask if they could sell their evening gowns and fancy birthday party dresses in addition to the uniform swap. That got the ball rolling. Then somebody came up with the idea for a housewares sale once a year. The Closet would collect and store them until it was time for the sale. It was a very successful fundraiser where the funds went directly back into the school,” Cottrell said. The Closet was soon renamed the Clothing Exchange and finally the Resale Shop as it transformed from a uniformsonly exchange to the wondrous variety store it is today.

Long time employees Marty Hamilton and Nancy Shulhoff, who have worked for more than 30 years at the Resale Shop, have become living legends. Over the years, the pair of friends have seen their fair share of incredible items, warm gatherings of friends, and delighted customers who found an unexpected gem. “I started in 1992, and Nancy started in 1995. The Resale Shop has grown exponentially over the years. It's been

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Seven Hills grandparent Ginny Fisher has found treasures, friendships, and adventures at the Resale Shop for over 25 years. “When my sister comes to town, it’s the first place she wants to go. We’re always able to find unique and high-quality items. It becomes a fun day of exploring, and it’s always a wonderful adventure. I’ve made friendships with other shoppers and the people who work there over the years. Everyone is so nice and kind, helpful,

wonderful to see how much it's grown and what it's become. We have customers from all over the place, and it’s turned into a gathering place for people,” Hamilton said. According to Shulhoff, people like to spend their time in the Resale Shop, even if they’re just browsing, because it’s such a friendly atmosphere. “We’ve had people meet up or catch up with friends here, they love listening to the music. As a staff, we sometimes act as sounding boards for the people who come in here. It’s just a wonderful place to be and we're so happy to be a part of it,” Shulhoff said.

ALUMNI NEWS

CATCHING UP WITH ELISABETH (LISA) BARRETT ’98

“SevenHillsgavemeroomtobecreative,mischievous,highachieving,insatiablycurious,andincrediblycommunity-orient

TWENTY-FOUR YEARS AFTER

BARRETT ’98. OUR DIRECTOR OF

focused on creating a diverse group of future leaders through an alternative path to college, by training individuals through professional apprenticeships. I currently serve as Vice

DEVELOPMENT MARGO KIRSTEIN

President of Learning.

CHATTED WITH ELISABETH ABOUT HER

Q: In what way did your time at

GRADUATING FROM SEVEN HILLS, WE CAUGHT UP WITH ELISABETH (LISA)

TIME AT SEVEN HILLS AND HOW HER EXPERIENCE HERE HELPED SHAPE WHO SHE IS TODAY AND LED HER TOWARD HER CURRENT PROFESSION.

Q: Where has life taken you since you graduated from Seven Hills?

A: After graduation, I attended my dream

school, Yale University, where I got a bachelor of arts in 2002. After Yale, I did two years of Teach for America (TFA) in Oakland, California, and my experiences while working with TFA led me to found the Oakland Teaching Fellows in 2004: an organization to recruit, select, train, and support teachers for the highest need classrooms across Oakland. In 2011, I spent a year abroad in Tanzania, which expanded my perspective and inspired me to apply to and attend INSEAD where I completed my MBA across France, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the U.S. Upon graduation, I briefly moved back to California, but my heart remained in Europe. Since 2015, I have been based in London and have worked for three top-tier education technology start-ups/scale-ups, and have worked on data-driven transformation and culture change at senior levels of the British government, in the UK Ministry of Justice and the UK Office of the Cabinet. In April of 2020, I joined Multiverse.io, a company 44

Seven Hills influence your career path?

A: I couldn’t possibly list everything that

Seven Hills gave me, but I will try to capture the essence. I credit Seven Hills entirely with being able to attend Yale. It was there, building on my strong foundations from Seven Hills, that I deepened my understanding of who I am, how the world works, who human beings are, and what is possible. I have always been a unique personality. Seven Hills gave me room to be creative, mischievous, high-achieving, insatiably curious, and incredibly community-oriented. My teachers allowed me to channel my personality into true exploration and a love of every subject. For instance, a group of us made the most absurd video for a Middle School French class assignment and, though it was undeniably silly, it absolutely demonstrated our knowledge of the subject material, culture, and language. And, we got an A! To dear Bob Turansky we brought endless questions about life, philosophy, politics, culture, and power (and his Volvo and why he lived in Hyde Park) — and discussed things that really mattered. At Seven Hills, I was seen as a meaningful person who mattered. My opinions counted. I took it seriously to know my stuff and to speak based on facts and logic.

Elisabeth (Lisa) Barrett ’98

For the rest of my life, I want people to have the kind of opportunities, space, love, support, challenge, and responsibility that Seven Hills gave me. I did Teach for America so that kids born in under-resourced neighborhoods could have something akin to what I had. I am Vice President at Multiverse because I know that learning is so much more than skill-building. It is how you are challenged, listened to, held accountable, and seen. I probably always had an optimism and belief in people, but Seven Hills taught me that I wasn’t naive for believing that. And that where we put our attention, we get results. Kids can experience that being smart is cool. Communities can find ways to be kind and empathetic, as well as highperforming. People can and should be able to express themselves through different talents. I want to live in a world like that.

ALUMNI NEWS

CHRISTINE PORTER GRAF, H ’66, shares her trajectory to Ukraine and back again THEN AND NOW

Like all of you alumni, I feel the imprint of those tender years together, the six years of bonding and sharing until graduation. Then, we cried at separating. Now, we rejoice in coming together. After Hillsdale, I went to Lake Forest College and crossed another stone in my walkway. Then, after a brief four years in Boston, I began my career at large, global advertising agencies in New York. I loved it, but careers don’t last forever. So, I decided to become a United States Peace Corps Volunteer, inspired by a TV commercial showing an older woman in a far-away place saying, “Peace Corps, the toughest job you’ll ever love.”

THEN

I sit in my window seat looking out at the morning scene, sun climbing in the bluest of skies, mangy dogs in search of food, street cats lolling in the warm sun, a woman hanging laundry out the window, babushkas with canes, struggling under the uneasy gait of their heavy frames over potholes and puddles to meet the milk truck. If I move way to the left, I can see the sea. It is the end of June 2011, and I have been here one month; my new home. I live in Kerch, Ukraine, a 2,600-year-old seaside town on the eastern tip of the Crimean Peninsula where the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea come together. Kerch used to be an important port for ancient Greece, now it is a beautiful town, wide city embankment, pastel houses and flowers everywhere, ship-building plant, and a marine university — sending many of the Kerch men to a lifetime at sea. I work at the Central Library developing programs as the library morphs into an active community center. I am a Peace Corps Volunteer and I love it.

has just sent troops to the east and is poised to take Crimea, which it soon does. It is May 2015, and Ukraine reopens for Peace Corps. I return to Ukraine, this time to the charming western city of Lviv. I work at City Hall and I love it. I continue to live there until President Vladimir Putin begins his ruthless assault on the Ukrainian people.

THEN

It is early 2022. I never thought Putin would invade, primarily because the very thing he longs for, stature and respect on a world stage, to be king of a bigger kingdom, and to attract the awe and fear he imagines would be eclipsed by an invasion. I was very wrong. It is Feb. 24, 2022, the day I am scheduled to return to the states. I awake to sirens and soon see notification that my flights had been cancelled. After some last-minute phone calls and emails, I leave by taxi for the border of Poland. I have a small wheelie bag, a carry-on, and my purse. I wear a long-sleeve t-shirt, a sweater, a light leather jacket, a fur coat, jeans, and boots. I am cold. Arriving 3 kilometers from the border, I join mobs of people on foot, advancing slowly toward the Polish border, so many people tightly massed together, strollers, babies, all of us moving toward the same end, to escape Ukraine. It is now dark, I am cold and trying to meditate, not to think. Sometimes, we barely move for the longest time, then move a few more inches. Fifteen hours later, I cross over into Poland and burst into tears, not from fear or feelings for myself, just the pure, dense accumulated emotion and fatigue that had been parked in some

unknown place, forbidden to be released until now.

NOW

I reflect on that journey back, on my friends who are still there, or those who are safe in Poland, Canada, New York, Hungary. Some of those who stayed are in the northern Christine Graf H '66 city of Chernihiv which was pummeled by Russia, but they are OK. Others, in Kiev with bombing and fear and chill the daily norm, they too are OK. Those in Lviv who are all still OK, going to work every day, apprehensive for their homeland, furious at the torture and slaughter of innocent citizens in Bucha and Irmin, wonder where and when additional help will arrive. They don’t understand why the U.S. can’t just come over and bomb Russia and fight by their sides, provide more relief more quickly, give them planes now. I don’t know what to say.

THEN

We stand in line in our white dresses, smiling inside and out, jumpy with excitement and wonder. It is June 9, 1966 and we are graduating from Hillsdale School for Girls after six years of coming of age together, now going off to our separate colleges and unknown futures. We don’t know that the bond we share is deep, that we will still feel it decades later. Then again, we don’t really know anything.

NOW

I sit in my window seat looking out at the fog and drear, in the cocoon of security and protection, a warm bed, a smart TV, drinking coffee, and eating a fresh blueberry muffin. It is early April 2022, and I have been here one month; my original home. I live in Cincinnati, where my trajectory began.

THEN

It is February 2014, and all Peace Corps Volunteers are being evacuated from Ukraine. We are upset, we do not want to leave. Russia

LOTSPEICH

classes of 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, and 1972 SEVEN HILLS

classes of 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2003 The classes of 2008, 2013, and 2018 will celebrate their reunions on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.

ION 2 0 3• • • • •

All events are free of charge, courtesy of your Alumni Association & the Development Office.

Reunion reps are needed to help make this a special weekend for your class. Please contact Director of Alumni Engagement Cassie Iseman Wissel ’02, at Cassie.Wissel@7hills.org or 513.728.2432.

classes of 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, and 1973

2023

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU BACK TO CAMPUS FOR REUNION IN 2023!

CPS & HILLSDALE

Reunion 2023 April 14 & 15

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L S I L

• • • • •

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Spouses, guests, and families are welcome. All information is available at www.7hills.org/ reunion.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 1998 ON YOUR 25TH REUNION!

SHS

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ALUMNI NEWS

CPS

1973 REUNION REPS Reunion reps are needed to help make this a special weekend for your class. While the schoolsponsored reunion events are for everyone to enjoy, each class organizes its own class-specific events. Please volunteer to help plan an event for your class, and gather some friends to join you in planning. To volunteer or for questions, please contact Cassie Iseman Wissel ’02, director of alumni engagement, at Cassie.Wissel@7hills.org or 513.728.2432.

CONGRATUL ATIONS TO THE CPS AND HILLSDALE CL ASSES OF 1973 ON YOUR 50TH REUNIONS!

HILLSDALE

1973

SCHOOL NEWS

ALUMNI NEWS

USHER IN THE NEW! By Gabe Davis ’0 3 , Seven Hills Alumni Association Board Chair

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S AND WELCOME, C L A S S O F 2022! As graduation approaches, I want to take this opportunity to send congratulations and a warm welcome to the Class of 2022! Congratulations on your many accomplishments over your time at Seven Hills. And, a warm welcome as you enter life as the newest members of the Alumni Association. Throughout your years at Seven Hills, you have worked diligently and enjoyed the company of great friends. You have experienced moments you will take with you for the rest of your lives. You found role models with upperclassmen, and faculty, and inevitably, became ones yourselves for your underclassmen. We, the Seven Hills alumni community, have witnessed your growth and feel immense pride in your achievements. We wish you well as you move onward in life, and look forward to seeing you back on campus, around the country, and around the world at alumni events for years to come. Go Stingers!

teachers, and a warm and welcoming community," Cassie said. After graduating from Seven Hills in 2002, Cassie completed her undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University. Since her collegiate days, Cassie has worked in various roles strengthening her marketing, branding, and promotion skills. Cassie joined the Seven Hills Development Office in March and immediately hit the ground running brainstorming ideas for new alumni programs. She is looking forward to connecting with old and new friends among the Seven Hills alumni community during the alumni roadshows coming to a city near you in 2022-23. Keep an eye out for updates on social media! Director of Development Margo Kirstein said she is thrilled to have Cassie join the Development Office team.

SEVEN HILLS NEW D I R E C TO R O F A LU M N I E N G A G E M E N T: C A S S I E I S E M A N W I S S E L ’02! I’m very pleased to welcome the new Director of Alumni Engagement Cassie Iseman Wissel ’02 to the Seven Hills’ Development Office. "It's great to be back! Time doesn't stand still, and that's truly the case at Seven Hills. But, as much as things have changed and progressed, Seven Hills is still an exceptional school, with amazing 48

Cassie Iseman Wissel ’02

"Cassie’s energy, ideas, and love of Seven Hills are already making an impact," Margo said. Please take a moment to send Cassie a quick hello via email or on our alumni Facebook page. And don’t forget to send

Gabe Davis ’03

Cassie any news about births, marriages, new jobs, and promotions, reunions with Seven Hills friends, or other exciting things happening in your lives! Cassie can be reached at cassie.wissel@7hills.org or 513.728.2432. Seven Hills Alumni Association Board Chair Gabe Davis ’03 has served the community in many ways, and Seven Hills is fortunate now to have his guidance as the Alumni Association President. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School, Davis has held positions at in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Frost Brown Todd, and, in 2020, was appointed as Executive Director of the Cincinnati Citizen Complaint Authority, where he oversees investigations of reports of police misconduct.

S TAY C O N N E C T E D ! Like … Seven Hills School Alumni page on Facebook Follow … Seven Hills on Instagram @sevenhillsalumni Join … Seven Hills School Alumni group on LinkedIn

ALUMNI NEWS

THE GOODALL DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA/US AWARD AND YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD PRESENTATION AND WINNERS On June 3 at the Upper School Commencement Ceremony, Head of School Chris Garten presented in absentia, Seven Hills’ two highest alumni awards, the 2022 Goodall Distinguished Alumna/nus Award and the Young Alumni Award.

Established in 1978, the Goodall Award honors annually an alum of CPS, Hillsdale, Lotspeich, or The Seven Hills School who has achieved distinction bettering the lives of others in a public or private career or activity. This year’s recipient of the Goodall Distinguished Alumnus Award is Dr. Geoffrey Borman ’82. Geoffrey Borman is the Alice Wiley Snell Endowed Professor at Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers

research. His work has been published in numerous academic and scientific journals, and is regularly featured in major news outlets, including Time Magazine, the Washington Post, and the New York Times. His scholarship has supported the growth of evidence-based literacy programs, and he has been at the forefront of research-backed solutions for healing relationships between students of color and their teachers — in particular, with his work to mitigate exclusionary disciplinary policies, such as suspension and expulsion, and his research on the difficult transition period from elementary to middle school. Borman has received numerous awards and has secured more than $75 million in federal and private funding to support his research and the training of more than 50 doctoral students. He previously served on the faculties of Johns Hopkins University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Established in 2018, the Young Alumni Award is given annually to an alum under the age of 40 who has made outstanding contributions in their area of endeavor or community, exemplified the Seven Hills values in a well-rounded life, demonstrated the value of a Seven Hills education, and shown leadership among their peers. This year’s recipient of the Young Alumni Award is Noah Bendix-Balgley ’02. Dr. Geoffrey Borman ’82

College. He received his doctorate in 1997 from the University of Chicago, where he trained as a quantitative methodologist and educational psychologist. His research focuses on the social distribution of the outcomes of schooling and the ways in which policies and practices can help address and overcome educational inequality. He has led four federally-funded Institutes of Education Sciences doctoral training programs in causal inference and interdisciplinary

Bendix-Balgley is a professional classical violinist and First Concertmater with the Berliner Philharmoniker. He previously served as concertmaster of the Pittburgh Symphony Orchestra from 2011 to 2014. He is the youngest concertmaster in the history of the Berliner Philharmoniker, one of the finest orchestras in the world, and is one of a few Americans to hold the honor. Bendix-Balgley has won a number of prizes in competitions. In 2008, he won third prize, together with a special prize for creativity, at the Long-Thibaud International Competition in Paris. In 2009,

Noah Bendix-Balgley ’02

he was a laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, and was awarded first prize and a special prize for best Bach Interpretation at the 14th International Violin Competition “Andrea Postacchini” in Fermo, Italy. In 2016, Bendix-Balgley composed and premiered his own klezmer violin concerto with the Pittsburgh Symphony, a piece which he also performed with the China Philharmonic. Other highlight performances include a concerto debut with Berliner Philharmoniker, concerto appearances with the Verbier Festival Orchestra at Schloss Elmau, debuts with the Shanghai and Guangzhou Symphony Orchestras, and recital tours throughout Asia and Europe. After graduating from Seven Hills in 2002, Bendix-Balgley studied violin under Muricio Fuks at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. He is a renowned performer of traditional klezmer music and has performed at klezmer music workshops throughout Europe and the U.S. Congratulations to both recipients!

ALUMNI NEWS

ALUMNI RETURN TO SHARE ADVICE DURING PANELS

Six Seven Hills alumni visited the Hillsdale Campus to give career and life advice, share stories, and answer questions with Upper School students during two Alumni Career Panels in February and April. Bryan Bibler ’04, Ellie Fabe ’78, Jennifer Frey ’99, Vitaly Goldfeder ’04, Blair Lanier ’06, and Peter Matthews ’91 talked about how Seven Hills gave them the opportunity to study a variety of topics, which helped them determine what they wanted to do in the future. The panels were moderated by junior Anna Papakirk. Bibler, who started his own tutoring company Thirty-Six Education, told students to believe in themselves and be confident in their abilities. “Stay open to opportunities and when they present themselves, pounce on them,” he said. Fabe, an artist and singer/songwriter, encouraged students to take control of their careers and determine where they go themselves. Matthews, a pastor and speaker, talked about the importance of finding an enjoyable career. “The one thing I learned after Seven Hills and I think it is important for everyone, is to find a way to motivate yourself internally instead of externally,” Matthews said. “I was very achievement orientated when I was here. Now, I am more motivated internally and that goes a long way.”

Goldfeder encouraged students to make connections within the Seven Hills community because it can open up pathways to new opportunities. “Seven Hills is a place where there are so many talented people: your friends, your peers, students in other grades, the faculty. As you all go off to college, just keep in touch with those people because they are going to go and do amazing things. Don’t lose track of everyone in your life, reach out to them, nurture those relationships. It is really going to serve you well,” Goldfeder said.

THANK YOU TO ALL ALUMNI WHO PARTICIPATED! • Bryan Bibler ’04 — Co-founder of Thirty-Six Education • Blair Lanier ’06 — Product Manager at Upstart • Vitaly Goldfeder ’04 — Vice President at Enhanced HealthCare Partners

• Ellie Fabe ’78 — Artist and singer/songwriter • Jennifer Frey ’99 — President of Every Child Succeeds • Peter Matthews ’91 — Lead Pastor at McKinley United Methodist Church and Founder and President of Holistic, Inc.

ALUMNI 15 Year Reunion

Covington Yard at The Banks

Classmates from the Class of 2006 got together on Nov. 27, 2021, to share memories and catch up at Covington Yard at The Banks. There was a great group in attendance, including a surprise appearance from favorite Mr. Brott and sweet treats, provided by Jillian Jones Adams, from her local catering company. The Class of 2006 is already looking forward to their next reunion!

ALUMNI NEWS

REUNION 2022: A Welcome Back to Campus

ewerethrilledtowelcome inductionoftheHillsdaleandCPS Followingtheluncheon,anumber backalumnitoourcampuses classesof1972intotheClassics ofalumnimadetheirwaytoDoherty forReunion20.Theweekend Societyontheoccasionoftheir50th CampusforatourwithDoherty kickedoffwithmorethan70Alumni reunions.HeadofSchoolChris EarlyChildhoodteacherJulie whogatheredforthefirstin-person GartengaveaStateoftheSchoolBrackett.Laterintheday,alumni ClassicsLuncheonintwoyears, address,whileseniorsMananVij,convenedfortoursoftheHillsdale atTheCincinnatiCountryClub.EllaJoPiersma,KathrynGuo,Evan Campus,includingtoursofthenew Greetingourguestswerejuniors Michelman,andGabriellaKhaskelis MiddleSchool,followedbyacocktail GeorgeMentrup,SaahilChunduri,regaledtheattendeeswithstories receptioninTheSchiffCenter,where andNeelParameswaran.The abouttheirexperiencesatSeven morethan150peopleattended. annualluncheonhonorsalumniwho Hillsandtheirplansforthefuture. Throughouttheweekend,classes graduated50yearsagoandbeyond. Guestswerealsotreatedtoamusical gatheredforindividualclasseven Reunionandlocalalumnienjoyed performancebyjuniorsEllieCain totoasttheirreunionsandcatch reconnectingwhilecelebrating and the MalloryGravitt. upwitholdfriends.

ALUMNI NEWS

Director of Development Margo Kirstein welcomes the luncheon attendees

Juniors George Mentrup, Saahil Chunduri and Neel Parameswaram help Susan Steman Laffoon H’57 locate her nametag

Back row: Christopher Knoop L’53, Carol Iannitto Euskirchen H’61, Francie Garber Pepper H’58, Janet Keys Simpkinson H’58 Front row: Gay Seybolt Bain H’51, Missy Richards Holzman H’59, Lee Adair Adams H’58, Nancy Donaldson Kollin H’59

Back row: Sharon Twachtman McGraw H’71, senior Ella Jo Piersma, junior George Mentrup, Julie Rust Webster H’71 Front row: Ridgely Trufant H’71, Lissy Fabe H’71, Wendy Gradison H’71

ALUMNI NEWS

REUNION 2022

Classics Luncheon at Cincinnati Country Club

Back row: Junior Neel Parameswaran, Cherry Rouse Calender C’72, junior Saahil Chunduri Front row: Ginger Carson Rubin C’72, Marsha Hoffman Gerdes C’72, Sara Ware Howsam C’72, Holly Hackemeyer Dapore C’72, Karen Guard Krueger C’72

ALUMNI NEWS

Back Row: Charlotte Lackman Weber C’62, Barbara Huenefeld LeBlond C’62, Sally Swigert Hamilton H’62, Louise Bettman H’62, senior Kathryn Guo Front Row: Susan Warrener Smith C’62, senior Gabriella Khaskelis, Roxann Dieffenbach C’64, Barbara Anderson Landen H’62

Photo above: Sally McGuire Muspratt H’57, Susan Steman Laffoon H’57, Sladie Martin Morrison H’57, Betsy Alexander Berry H’57, Debbi Gale H’57, Margaret Parlin O’Malley H’57, Naomi Tucker Gerwin L’51 H’57

Back row: Marge Davis C’65, Carol Smith Hesser C’65 Front row: Ann Bartlett Blemker C’65, Polly Adair Culp H’65, Patty Bigham Journeay H’65

ALUMNI NEWS

REUNION 2022

Classics Luncheon and Hillsdale Campus tour

Back Row: Nancy Pechstein Aubke H’67, Head of School Chris Garten, Margaret Farmer Planton C’67, Judy Robinson Williams H’67 Front Row: Helen Garber H’67, Christine Porter Graf H’66, Shannon Kelly Carter H’67, Susan McCaslin H’67, Jan Fullgraf Golann H’67

Back row: Nancy Roth Cooper H’72, Anne Mitchell Pezzano H’72, Melissa Morris Mishoe H’72, Kimberly Andress Olson H’72, Helen Asbury H’72, Molly Maish Harrison C’48, Lib Asbury Stone L’42 H’48 Front row: Senior Manan Vij, Diana Avril H’47

ALUMNI NEWS

Far Left: Senior Manan Vij speaks to attendees

Left: Senior Gabriella Khaskelis

Back row: Junior Ellie Cain, junior Mallory Gravitt, Debbie Meyer Chamberlain C’69, Ina Zimpelman Loftspring C’69 Front row: Ginger Howard Kuhn C’68, Barbara Busener Miller C’69, Laurie Crutchfield Leonard C’69

Alumni on the tour of the Doherty Campus

ALUMNI NEWS

REUNION 2022

Hillsdale Campus tours and cocktail reception in The Schiff Center

ALUMNI NEWS

REUNION 2022: Individual Class Events

Throughout the weekend, alumni gathered for individual class events to celebrate their reunions and reminisce with old friends.

CPS 1962: CPS Class of 1962 celebrated its 60th reunion, both in-person and virtually, as just a few of the classmates were able to be in Cincinnati. The class gathered on a Zoom call the afternoon of April 22. Eleven classmates joined the conversation — from Washington state to London, England, and many places in between. Class reps Leslie Judd Graitcer and Becky Smith Stewart shared that it was great fun to reminisce and hear about everyone’s current interests. The class plans to continue the tradition with an annual Zoom call.

CPS

1962

th REUNION

HILLSDALE

1967

HILLSDALE

1967

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HILLSDALE

1971

HILLSDALE

1972

CPS

1972 61

ALUMNI NEWS

REUNION 2022: Individual Class Events

Throughout the weekend, alumni gathered for individual class events to celebrate their reunions and reminisce with old friends.

1977

1982

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1987

1987 T H A N K

CPS 1962

Leslie Judd Graitcer Becky Smith Stewart

1972

Judy Lane Rogers Ginger Carson Rubin

Hillsdale 1957

Judy Hauser Adams Susan Steman Laffoon

Y O U

C L A S S

1967 Robin Smith Armstrong Nancy Pechstein Aubke Rhoda Allen Brooks Wendy TenEyck Hites Kathy Oechler Whitbeck Judy Robinson Williams

1971

Wynne McCarthy Curry Lissy Fabe Lane Sikes Merten

1972

Helen Asbury Fran Lamson Bailey

R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

Cathy Smale Caldemeyer Nancy Roth Cooper

Seven Hills 197 7

Julie Ziegler Perry Megan Sikes Rachford Marsha Williams

1982

Gay Riedinger Bullock Robin Robinson Laura Lindner Sankey Mary Wommack

1992

Tom McElhinney Brandon Hydrick Marc Shotten Jen Spaccarelli

1997

Peter Barrett Zan Hayes

2002

Eric Greenberg Sebastien Hue Thank you to all of the Reunion Class Reps for your time, effort, and enthusiasm planning fantastic gatherings and assembling your classmates throughout Reunion weekend!

ALUMNI NEWS

REUNION 2022: Individual Class Events

Throughout the weekend, alumni gathered for individual class events to celebrate their reunions and reminisce with old friends.

1992

1992 64

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1997

2002 65

ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES News from our Alumni 1962 Bill Lovett (L) (Fort Wayne, Indiana) misses his Lotspeich classmates and wishes them all well! He’s retired and healthy, and would welcome hearing from Lotspeich friends.

1965 Margaret Knowles Deupree (H) (Bainbridge Island, Washington) writes, “I have been out in the Seattle area for 10 years now. It's hard to believe how fast time goes by. My grandchildren were 3 and 5 years old when I arrived and are now 13 and 15! I’m lucky to live five minutes away and have a wonderful little house on the water. I spend a lot of time quilting, more on Zoom now than in person. I also enjoy counted cross stitch, puzzles, and time with my two golden retrievers.”

1972 Jay Moore Reighley (H) (Cumberland Foreside, Maine) writes, “Life in Maine could not be better. I closed my women's health practice when COVID made it unsustainable. I am now teaching medical students’ physical assessment and enjoy the freedom of not having my own business. Christmas was spent in Vermont with my two daughters and their partners in an Airbnb where we cross country skied, played games, and communed around a fire and table full of lovingly prepared food. Jessie, my 95-year-old mother, still lives independently nearby and enjoys my frequent visits.”

1976 Janet Allen-Reid (Cincinnati) writes, “My husband, David, and I are up to three grandsons — all on the East Coast. I have recently shifted gears in careers and opened a postpartum doula service offering 66

Cincinnati area families care in the first months after their newborns arrive.”

1982 Gay Riedinger Bullock (Cincinnati) writes, “In addition to volunteering at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, I am now also doing outreach education for RAPTOR, Inc., a nonprofit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured birds of prey. As an educator, I visit local schools, senior centers, libraries, etc. with our Avian Ambassadors — usually hawks and owls — to talk to people about these magnificent birds and how people can help protect them in the wild.”

1987

SHARE YOUR NEWS

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 high resolution photos (.jpeg format) to cassie.wissel@7hills.org.

1992

Roger Magnus (Amherst, Massachusetts) has lived in Western Massachusetts since 2008 with his wife and two kids, ages 9 and 13. His research business, Roger Magnus Research, helps nonprofits learn more about donor and foundation funding opportunities. Roger tells us he enjoys playing tennis and running to stay fit.

Gregory Newmark (Manhattan, Kansas) is teaching city planning at Kansas State University and his wife, Elena Aronson, is getting her doctorate degree in nutrition. Greg writes, "During this time of coronavirus, we have been pretty hunkered down with our four kids on our proverbial ‘Home On The Range' (which is, no joke, the state song of Kansas)."

1989

1995

Andy Paris (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) is a professor at The University of North Carolina School of the Arts in the School of Drama, teaching Devised Theater and Directing. He writes, "Every day I teach, I bring with me so many voices from my days at Seven Hills — Patty Flanagan, Bob Turansky, Jack White, Wynne Curry, Diane Kruer, and so many other voices — all guiding me. I am forever grateful to the faculty and staff for their dedication and commitment to all of us who have been privileged enough or lucky enough to be part of that community."

Ryan Plumley (Frieberg, Germany) has been working at the University College Freiburg since 2012. He writes, "My wife, Marie Muschalek (also an academic historian currently employed at the University of Constance), and I have two children: Zoë Muschalek (11) and Rosa Muschalek (6). Rosa started school this year (in Germany, ‘K’ is still daycare and first grade is the first year of actual school), so that was exciting. We were all recently in Cincy for Christmas, mostly to visit with my mother, but we also caught up with Matt Bramlage ’95 (Cincinnati) and his family."

ALUMNI NEWS

1998 John Lin (New York) and Justin Kreindler (Chicago) are currently running a research nonprofit called Exaquest Carbon that was founded after John received his master’s of science in chemical engineering from Stanford University in 2019. Chemical engineering is John’s second career; his first career was law. Exaquest is developing open-source technologies for long-term biomass storage, either aboveground or underwater, as a way to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, and they're currently preparing a submission for Phase 1 of Elon Musk's $100 million Carbon Removal XPRIZE competition.

Gillian Abineri (Savannah, Georgia), sixth grade English teacher and head swim coach at Savannah Country Day, and band director David Elliott welcomed David and Nancy Abineri’s first grandchild, Artemus Wiley Abineri-Elliott on Feb. 15, 2020. 2

Our condolences to the families and friends who have lost loved ones. 3

1936

Dr. Taylor C. Asbury (L) (Cincinnati) passed away on Nov. 9, 2021.

1941

Sudie Ernst Geier (H) (Cincinnati) passed away on Feb. 1.

1947

Helen Ann Martin Gradison (H) (Durham, North Carolina) passed away on Dec. 19, 2021.

2000 Jeff Donenfeld (Denver) and his wife Hilary welcomed twin boys, Ari and Asher, in October of 2021. 1

In Memoriam

1951

2002 Wesley Filardo (Mountain View, California) returned from Cambridge and is currently living in Mountain View, California. Wes works in cybersecurity, paid by Microsoft Research but assigned to his Cambridge University lab, where he completed his two-year postdoctoral fellowship work. The global project, called CHERI, is a corrective effort to redesign computers from the hardware up, obviating known errors.

Ellie Head Paulsen (H) (Cincinnati) passed away on Feb. 26.

1962

Pamela Lee Lowry (H) (Santa Cruz, California) passed away on Nov. 16, 2021.

1965

Ann McLaurin (H) (Raleigh, North Carolina) passed away on April 22, 2021.

1967

Deborah Banker-White (H) (Naples, Florida) passed away on Feb. 19.

1977

Susan Rowat Steiner (Cincinnati) passed away on Dec. 27, 2021.

2001 Karan Goel (Chicago) runs GetSet, which helps develop a sense of belonging and growth mindset at scale to help students succeed.

Continued on page 69

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ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES News from our Alumni Sam Marrero (Washington, DC) wed Emily Garber on April 10, 2021, in Islamorada, Florida. Sister Molly (Marrero) Aquilino ’99 (Glencoe, Illinois) and fellow alums Jill Donenfeld ’02 (New York) and Lumen Sivitz ’02 (San Francisco) were in attendance to celebrate the happy couple. 4

Tshiunza Kalubi (Houston) married Lena Kongolo on April 2 in Houston. Fellow 2002 alums Jill Donenfeld (New York), Eric Greenberg (Cincinnati), Sam 4

financial securities. He writes, "That's what I do in my spare time, when I'm not chasing around my two daughters Simone (two years old) and Kathryn (four months old)!" Evan Joiner (New York) is in his fifth year of neurosurgery residency at New YorkPresbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. He plans to specialize in spine surgery, with a research focus on spinal cord injury and interventions to reduce postoperative pain. Evan writes, "It’s been a challenging few years here in New York

Marrero (Washington DC), Ben Reed (Chattanooga, Tennessee) as well as Kalubi’s siblings Isabelle (Kalubi) Harper ’00 (Cincinnati) and Gabriel ’06 (Cincinnati) and mother, Middle School French teacher Jacky, feted the newlyweds. 5 6

Katherine Menzies (Eden, Utah) married Anthony Wilkinson on Oct. 9, 2021. Samantha Buyniski Goldfeder and Vitaly Goldfeder (Cincinnati) welcomed their second child, Alexandra McKinney Goldfeder, on Dec. 31, 2021. Alexandra joins older brother Jacob, age 2. 7 Gabe Davis (Cincinnati) and his wife, Princess, welcomed their second daughter, Sophia Rae, on March 15. Older daughter Lizzy is excited to be a big sister!

Sarah Ott Lautar (Cincinnati) and her husband, Daniel, welcomed a new addition to their family, daughter Frances Kelley, who arrived on Jan. 11, 2022, and

2003

2004

2005

Alex Phillips (Cincinnati) and wife, Olivia, welcomed their daughter, Adelaide French, on March 14. Congratulations to the new parents!

Jake Wylie (New York) currently manages a sales team at Bloomberg in New York City. His platform facilitates global trading in a broad range of

City, as it has been throughout the rest of the country and world."

Our condolences to family and friends who lost loved ones as 6

reported in this issue.

ALUMNI NEWS

EING INTERESTED IN B FOR P E R N O A REUNI ? S S A L C YOUR

Please Contact , Cassie Iseman Wissel ’02 ment director of alumni engage cassie.wissel@7hills.org 513.728.2432

In Memoriam, cont. Our condolences to the families and friends who have lost loved ones.

1981

Susan Kaufmann Campbell (Davidson, North Carolina) passed away on April 29.

joins big brother James. Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! 8

2006 Daniel Filardo (Denver) and his wife Nancy were in New York City for two years. In February 2021, they had twins, Vera and Enzo. Daniel finished his infectious diseases fellowship at New York University, and they have moved back to Denver. Nancy finished her Buffet Foundation-funded fellowship in family planning at Columbia University, and she is now faculty at

University of Colorado Denver, a dream job for her. Daniel, also landing his dream job, is an epidemic intelligence officer with the Centers for Disease Control on the domestic tuberculosis team, technically based in Atlanta but primarily working from his home in Denver. Peter Dumbadze (New York) writes, “I am delighted to report that in addition to having opened my own architecture practice here in Brooklyn, I have also started teaching an undergraduate architecture studio class at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. While the days are long, the reward of working with students and seeing them grow as designers and thinkers is hard to beat.”

2014 Andrew Ligeralde (Oakland, California) is currently a doctoral student at University of California, Berkeley.

2011

Luke Beckwith (Cincinnati) passed away on Dec. 17, 2021.

2017

Jacob Weinstein (Cincinnati) passed away on March 3.

Friends of Seven Hills

Dr. John A. MacLeod (Cincinnati) passed away on Feb. 25. Roger Sherman Loud (Lake Placid, New York), former Hillsdale Head of School and math and history teacher, passed away on April 29. Roger taught from 1958-1970 and served as Head of School from 1967-1970.

2015 Grace Cawdrey (Boston) works as a patent agent at a law firm in Boston. She has applied to law school and plans to start in the fall of 2022.

2017 Joe Dizenhuz (Philadelphia) is currently working at a small market research company in Philadelphia after graduating from Haverford College in May 2021. 69

ALUMNI NEWS

Alumni Calendar 2022-23 We look forward to gathering with alumni in the coming year! Based on the continued positive response, we will host some virtual events throughout the year (dates TBA). Our plans are subject to change based on public health recommendations related to COVID-19. July 2022 Cincinnati Reds baseball game Location: Great American Ballpark More details to follow Friday, Aug. 5, 2022 Alumni Fall Sports Night Volleyball: 6 p.m. Tennis (co-ed): 6 p.m. Women’s Soccer: 6 p.m. Men’s Soccer: 7:30 p.m. Hillsdale Campus, 5400 Red Bank Road Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 Seven Hills Roadshow - Chicago 6-8 p.m. at 21c Museum Hotel

Monday, Dec. 26, 2022 Young Alumni Holiday Party Time and Location TBA April 14 - April 15, 2023 Classics Luncheon, tours of campuses, cocktail reception, and Seven Hills Art Show. More details to come! Dates TBA Seven Hills Roadshow Visits in 2023 Be on the lookout for more information about where the Roadshow will be heading in 2023!

Sept. 23-24, 2022 Homecoming Weekend Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022 Alumni cocktails and BLINK event! Location: Start the evening at Taft's Ale House before heading out to explore BLINK! Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 Seven Hills Roadshow - New York City 6-8 p.m. at The Cosmopolitan Club Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022 Alumni Trivia Night via Zoom! Time: TBD Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 9 Alumni Basketball Games Women’s: 10 a.m. Men’s: 10 a.m. Field House, Hillsdale Campus

5th Reunion – Class of 2017 Time and Location TBA 10th Reunion – Class of 2012 Time and Location TBA 15th Reunion – Class of 2007 Time and Location TBA 71

The Seven Hills School Hillsdale Campus 5400 Red Bank Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45227

Class of 2022 C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !

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