The Seven Hills School Fall Magazine 2022

THE SEVEN HILLS ANNUAL FUND

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE SEVEN HILLS ANNUAL FUND, WHICH SUSTAINS THE UNIQUE EXPERIENCES THAT MAKE US WHO WE ARE AS A SCHOOL.

What felt at the time like a series of “day-in-the-life” moments are later looked back upon as a string of meaningful memories — because we experienced them together. It’s collaborating in the classroom, harmonizing on stage, passing the assist on the playing field, and exploring new ideas ... together.

FOR MORE INFORMATIO N OR TO MAKE A GI FT ONLINE, PLEASE SCAN THE QR CODE TO THE RIGHT, OR VISIT 7HILLS.OR G/ANNUALFUND.

QUESTIONS? Contact Michelle Gardner, annual giving manager, at 513.728.2438.

As the article makes clear, Seven Hills has had more than its share of athletic success, at least as it is traditionally defined. Year after year, the school fields highly competitive teams in a wide variety of sports, and the achievements of our athletes, from Lower School up through to our varsity teams, are a great source of pride for our entire school community.

That said, what truly distinguishes athletics at Seven Hills is that we celebrate not just the results, but how our athletes approach the game.

Guided by our mission-based commitment to equity and inclusion, Seven Hills provides an interscholastic athletic experience for any student who wishes to participate. Though participation in athletics is not required, approximately 80 percent of our students participate in at least one season. To accommodate students’

Christopher P. Garten HEAD OF SCHOOL

enthusiastic participation and to abide by our commitment to a “no-cut policy,” Seven Hills fields a vast network of teams, at every level of competition, during all three athletic seasons.

Take, for example, the recent fall season. School-wide, Seven Hills provided a total of 42 teams, for girls and boys in grades one through 12, fielding competitive teams in boys and girls soccer, girls tennis (boys is in the spring), girls and boys golf, girls and boys cross country, and girls volleyball. Overall, the fall athletics season involved 524 student athletes and 65 coaches.

The spring season, which includes boys and girls track, boys tennis, boys baseball, girls softball, and girls and boys lacrosse, is equally comprehensive, involving 31 competitive teams, including 394 athletes and 57 coaches.

Over the last several years, under the guidance of our Director of Athletics Scott Willard, Seven Hills has made a major push to expand our winter options, which now include girls and boys basketball at all levels, cheerleading, boys and girls swimming, boys and girls bowling, and a new pilot

program in squash, which serves nearly 50 Middle and Upper School students. We also offer a three-season weight training and fitness program, taught by Dr. Bryce Carlson, an Upper School biology teacher who is also an internationally known endurance athlete. In expanding the program, the emphasis has been on providing a team experience, in a host of “lifetime sports,” to students who might otherwise not participate.

In general, our teams in grades one through six are coached by an army of parent volunteers (thank you so much!) and those in grades seven through 12 are coached by school employees, both our own teachers and staff members and adjunct “community coaches.”

To support this extensive program, over the last several years, Seven Hills has made a significant investment in upgrading our athletic facilities. Between our two campuses, we now have four soccer/lacrosse fields (three turfed and lighted and one grass); a 440-meter track; three gymnasiums (two at Hillsdale and one a Doherty) as well as a new four-court Field House; one grass baseball field, one grass softball field, one youth baseball/

In one of the feature articles of this magazine, some of our varsity athletes describe the profound impact that their involvement in athletics has had on their lives.

softball field, a (very demanding) cross country course, and 10 new tennis courts. We also rent additional court and pool space off campus.

No summary of the school’s athletic program would be complete without recognizing the high caliber of our coaching staff. For decades, Seven Hills has been blessed with a cadre of committed and talented coaches. The current staff is made up of a core of veteran coaches with decades of experience, folks like Tim Drew (girls and boys varsity tennis), Willie Hill (boys varsity basketball),Tana Luckie (girls and boys cross country and track), and Marty Gerhardt (junior varsity and varsity volleyball), as well as some inspirational new coaches like Mike Combs (boys varsity soccer), Tyler McIlwraith (girls varsity basketball), Kristin Bowman (girls varsity soccer), Brandon Williams (girls and boys swimming), and Abby Sir Louis (girls varsity lacrosse). These coaches — and many more like them — are experts, not only in teaching

the fundamentals, but in motivating our student athletes and fostering the school’s values. As part of this effort, the athletic department has recently provided extensive training for our entire coaching staff, as well as for our student athletes, through a nationally known organization, the Positive Coaching Alliance.

In short, our athletic operation is an enormous undertaking, but it also pays enormous dividends. As the article on pages 8-11 makes clear, through their participation in athletic competition, our student athletes develop the same qualities that define our student body in general: determination and courage, hard work and dedication.

At a school like Seven Hills, with such a challenging academic program, our student athletes, like all of our students

who devote themselves wholeheartedly to the arts or to community service or any other endeavor, make tremendous sacrifices. They learn how to manage their time and to balance competing demands, and to give their best, all at once, in many areas of their lives.

We can be proud, too, of how these young people exemplify our school values, by their dedication and commitment, their character and resilience, and their ability to work together and respond to setbacks with renewed vigor and determination. Win or lose, that is always worth celebrating.

NEW FACES AT SEVEN HILLS

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

Meredith Amann

Doherty After the Bell Teacher

Meredith earned her B.A. in psychology with a minor in urban and regional analysis from Miami University. She is a wellness coach and educator with experience in somatic wellness and yoga.

productions. She has also directed and assistant directed multiple productions at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati.

Michell

Cowherd Lotspeich Pre-Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Julie received a B.A. in theology and a B.A. in mathematics from DeSales University. She was most recently a mathematics and theology teacher at Covington Latin School, where she taught numerous math courses and was the chair of the mathematics department.

Laura Dombek-Crain Upper School Learning Specialist

Jacquelyn

Berting Lotspeich Project Math Teacher

Jacquelyn has a B.S. in middle childhood education from Xavier University and an M.A. in teaching from Miami University. She has worked as a classroom teacher at St. Mary School Hyde Park and at St. Ursula Villa, where she was also a summer camp counselor and a tutor.

Natalie Bird Lower School Drama Teacher

Natalie earned her B.F.A. in musical theatre from Wright State University. She has worked as a teacher and mentor at Terry’s Montessori, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, and St. Xavier High School. In her acting career, she has appeared in numerous productions in New York City, in addition to regional

Michell earned her B.A. in liberal studies from Mount Saint Joseph University. She has worked as the assistant director at Armstrong Preschool and as a life coach at Live for Today Coaching. She has also been the head coach of the Seven Hills Stingers varsity volleyball team since 2014.

Ivette

Crichton Doherty Unit II Teacher

Ivette earned her B.S. in communications and journalism from Florida International University and her M.A. in early childhood education from Mount Saint Joseph University. She has taught preschool, first grade, and second grade at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, where she implemented project based and inquiry based learning to promote student engagement.

Julie Cruts Middle and Upper School Mathematics Teacher & Learning Specialist

Laura earned her B.A. in women’s studies from Arizona State University and her M.E. in special education from Xavier University. She is a licensed intervention specialist for kindergarten through 12th grade students and has worked as an intervention specialist at the Kilgour School for grades 3-6 and Garfield Middle School for grade 8.

Edward English Middle School Mathematics Teacher

Edward earned his B.S. in honors physics and mathematics from Purdue University and his doctorate in optical engineering from the University of Rochester. After a 28-year career in engineering, Edward began teaching in 2017 and has been a math teacher at Archbishop McNicholas High School and Immaculate Heart of Mary School.

Michelle Gardner Annual Giving Manager

Michelle has a B.A. in arts and sciences from Virginia Tech University. She has worked in local and international news as a producer and video editor. She is the co-founder of Little Sprig Productions, a firm that focuses on telling impactful stories of nonprofit organizations.

Leah Heiman Middle School Mathematics Teacher

Leah has a B.S. in systems engineering from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from Duke University. She worked as an analyst and manager for Deloitte Consulting LLP and as a manager of consumer corporate strategy for Fifth Third Bank before she began teaching in 2021. She was an ACT math and science teacher at Huntington Learning Center and a substitute teacher at Walnut Hills.

Tracy Hendricks Hillsdale Campus Assistant Chef

Tracy majored in culinary arts at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College and earned an associate of applied business. She was previously the hot lunch program and hospitality director at the Cincinnati Waldorf School, where she expanded the hot lunch program from one day a week to five.

Anna Karol

Administrative Assistant to the Head of Lotspeich

Anna has a B.S. in early childhood education from the University of Dayton and a master’s in administration from Xavier University. She was a substitute teacher at Lotspeich last year and has previously taught at Durham Academy Lower School in North Carolina and Mulberry Elementary in Milford.

Lynn Kroeger

Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operations Officer

Lynn earned her B.S. in accounting from the University of Dayton. She was the chief financial officer for Union Academy Charter School in Monroe, North Carolina, for 19 years. She was named the 2019 Chief Financial Officer of the Year for the Charlotte area in the nonprofit/ government sector and received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association and Association of School Business Officers for 11 consecutive years.

Ryan Lay Night Security

Ryan is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati Police Academy and earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from UC.

He has worked for the Mariemont and Cincinnati Police Departments. He is a member of the Hamilton County Police Association Honor Guard and was named Mariemont’s Police Officer of the Year in 2009 and the HCPA Officer of the Year in 2012.

Hannah Maggard

Administrative Assistant to the Head of Upper School

Hannah earned her B.A. in English and her M.A. in secondary education from Morehead State University. She was the front of house and operations manager for the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and taught acting workshops for kindergarten through 12th grade students.

Sam McManus

Hillsdale Campus Maintenance Staff

Sam received a certificate in engineering design from Grant Career Center and has attended the University of Akron and University of CincinnatiClermont College. He has worked at Hydro Systems Company, Walmart Super Store, and Junk King, where he was a driver and manager for working crew members.

NEW FACES AT SEVEN HILLS . . .

Meghana Mysore Upper School English Teacher

Meghana earned her B.A. in English with a writing concentration

from Yale University and her M.F.A. in creative writing from Hollins University. She was a teaching fellow at Hollins University and has previously worked as a teacher for a private tutoring company, programs at Yale, and an English as a second language program.

Esther Nam Middle & Upper School Assistant Choral Teacher & Accompanist

Esther earned her B.A., M.A., and worked toward a doctorate in vocal performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She has been a music teacher, professor, and lecturer of voice at Saint Ursula Academy, Northern Kentucky University, and Walnut Hills High School. She has also been the director of the NKU Vocal Corps, a pianist for Armstrong Chapel United Methodist Church, and the choir conductor for the Philadelphia International Music Festival.

Keagan O’Mara Middle School Director of Innovation Lab

Keagan earned his B.A. in art education from

Kent State University. He was an art integration specialist and secondary level biomedical engineering teacher at Bio-Med Science Academy STEM District in Cleveland, where he implemented a framework for teaching art that is integrated with other course work. He was most recently the production supervisor for the high purity group at the Swagelok Company in Solon, Ohio.

Nichole O’Rourke Lotspeich Pre-Kindergarten for 2-year-olds Teacher

Nichole earned her B.A. in early childhood education with a minor in child psychology and French from Lourdes College and the University of Cincinnati. She has been a collaborating teacher and lead camp counselor at Cincinnati Country Day School. She has previously been the director of Corban Learning Center and the owner and administrator for Foundations Early Education Center.

Katey Parks-Goad

Doherty Unit III Teacher

Katey earned her B.S. in early childhood education and her M.F.A. in creative writing from Miami University. She has previously taught English and language arts at the Cincinnati Public Schools, Fairfield City School District, Lakota Local Schools, and St. Michael School in Columbus.

Tom Roth Middle School Writing Teacher

Tom earned his B.A. in English with a certification in adolescent/young adult education from John Carroll University and his M.F.A. in creative writing from Chatham University. He worked as a teaching assistant, graduate instructor, and adjunct instructor at Chatham University. He has also worked as a tutor and intervention instruction in Magnolia, Ohio, and as a tutor at Pittsburgh Montessori School.

Jenna Skeens

Lotspeich After the Bell Teacher

Jenna is currently studying psychology at the University of Cincinnati. She has interned as an assistant teacher at Kenwood Elementary and volunteered with the Dragonfly Foundation, Catholic Youth Organization as a volleyball coach, and as a retreat leader for Catholic Central Religious Ambassadors.

Anna Spencer-Powell

Doherty Learning Specialist

Anna received her B.A. in elementary education from the University of Michigan and her M.A. in reading specialist from Teachers College at Columbia

University. She has worked as a reading specialist and teacher at Lakota Local Schools, Arlington Public Schools in Virginia, Friendship Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., and Memorial Middle School in Orlando.

Lindsey Steuer

Lotspeich P.E. Teacher

Lindsey earned her B.S. in health and physical education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, her M.S. in sports studies, and her M.S. in sports behavior and performance from Miami University. She was previously the health and physical education specialist at St. Mary School, where she also coached soccer and volleyball and was the chair of the health department. She was a swim instructor for the Cincinnati Sports Club and the Summit Country Day School’s women’s varsity assistant soccer coach.

Christine Stier Upper School Counselor

Christine earned her B.A. in psychology from Miami University and her M.A. in counselor education from Ohio State University. She has worked as a counselor for Westside Christian Academy and the Columbus City Schools. She was also a group counseling facilitator for Daily Behavioral Health.

Robin Taylor Fabe

Doherty Science Teacher

Robin earned her B.A. in anthropology and Spanish from the University of Michigan and her M.E. in learning and teaching from Harvard University. She was previously the head teacher for third and fourth grade at The Ancona School in Chicago. She has also been the lead STEAM teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Oakland, California and a third grade and kindergarten teacher at The Hamlin School in San Francisco. She is a 2003 graduate of The Seven Hills School.

Mary Tebbe

Lotspeich After the Bell Teacher

Mary earned her associate's degree in mass communication from Winona State University. She has worked as a preschool teacher assistant at The Goddard School and as a teacher at the Hyde Park Play School. She has previously been a real estate agent, flight attendant, and event coordinator.

Cassandra Tucker

Director of School Safety and Security

Cassandra holds an associate degree in business management from Eastern Gateway Community

College and is currently studying business management at Central State University. She has worked for the Cincinnati Police Department since 2000 serving as police officer, neighborhood liaison supervisor, and school resource officer unit supervisor.

Julie Welling

Lotspeich Pre-Kindergarten Assistant & After the Bell Teacher

Julie earned her B.S. in early elementary education from Northern Kentucky University. She has worked as a head start teacher for the Northern Kentucky Head Start Program and the Butler County Educational Service Center. She also taught kindergarten through fourth grade at Deset Springs Charter School and has been a tutor and reader/test scorer for standardized science and language tests.

Cassie Iseman Wissel

Director of Alumni Engagement

Cassie earned her B.A. in sociology from Vanderbilt University. She has worked for numerous marketing, branding, and advertising agencies representing companies such as Procter & Gamble, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, McDonald’s, and Fifth Third Bank. She is a 2002 graduate of The Seven Hills School.

DEDICATION , INSPIRATION,

CULTIVATING A STUDENT ATHLETE

Anna Papakirk and Ryan Meador first put on a Stingers soccer jersey in first grade. Both added basketball in third grade. Papakirk also started playing lacrosse in third grade.

“I have had many of the same teammates since Lower School. We have learned each other’s playing styles and have developed lasting friendships,” Papakirk said.

Meador is also an Upper School senior. He is now an important fixture on the boys varsity soccer, basketball and baseball teams.

“Having grades 1-12 sports all in one place creates a very strong program because the school is cultivating players for years before they even reach the Upper School level,” Meador said.

Athletic Director Scott Willard compared what Seven Hills has to a “farm system.” Most commonly used in reference to Major League Baseball, a farm system is a system of affiliated teams in which younger players can grow their talent and develop until they are ready to play at the highest level.

“We are extremely fortunate to have an athletics program that spans from first grade through graduating 12th graders. Our college level facilities allow us to offer more athletic opportunities than any other school in the Greater Cincinnati Area,” Willard said.

“It is hard to count all of the ways in which my coaches have had lasting impacts on my growth as a player and a person,” Papakirk said.

She is now an Upper School senior and a member of the Upper School’s girls varsity soccer, basketball, and lacrosse teams.

Starting in first grade, Stingers can choose to play soccer, softball, baseball, basketball, or run track. Lacrosse is an option once students reach the third grade and volleyball is added in fifth. By seventh grade, there are 12 sports options and by ninth there are 16, including golf, cheerleading, bowling, and gymnastics. There is a no-cut policy for sports teams and nearly 80 percent of students participate in at least one sport.

ANNA PAPAKIRK

RYAN MEADOR

& SPORTSMANSHIP:

. FROM LITTLE LEAGUE TO STATE PODIUMS

Junior Margret Schnirring and senior Jaden Sims have both been playing basketball and soccer since the first grade. Schnirring began running track in seventh grade. Sims played baseball for many years.

“I think that the younger athletes’ ability to see older kids play gets them excited for their athletic future at Seven Hills,” Sims said.

“It allows you to be super close and have those connections with your teammates that some other teams might not have because they haven’t been playing with each other for as long,” she said.

SH ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS

STATE CHAMPIONS IN BOYS GOLF, GIRLS INDOOR TRACK, GIRLS TRACK, AND GIRLS SWIMMING

NATIONALS QUALIFIERS FOR GIRLS SQUASH

Schnirring credited it with creating the strong sense of school spirit.

“Everyone is able to cheer on each other because a lot of those people will be your future teammates or coaches,” she said.

As a junior on the girls varsity soccer team, Schnirring has at least five teammates she has been playing with since first grade.

The connections go beyond the strong bond between players.

“The benefits of having grades 1-12 sports all in the same place are the connections made between teammates, coaches, and players, and the sense of community created among the divisions. I have developed great relationships with my coaches. My coaches, current and past, always check in to see how I’m doing,” Papakirk said.

Meador said his Seven Hills coaches have always been extremely supportive.

“They have always made a point to focus not only on my growth as a player but as a person by preaching sportsmanship and leadership. They have taught me to play the game the right way,” Meador said.

MARGRET SCHNIRRING

JADEN SIMS

TENNIS COACH INDUCTED INTO COACHES HALL OF FAME

13 ATHLETES SIGNED TO PLAY IN COLLEGE

MIA MI VALLEY CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS IN BOYS SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL, BOYS TENNIS, GIRLS TRACK, BOYS BOWLING, BOYS TENNIS, AND GIRLS BASKETBALL

DEDICATION, INSPIRATION,

CULTIVATING A STUDENT ATHLETE .

“The ability to work with younger athletes reminds older kids that they are an inspiration for the younger generation and that they are playing for more than themselves. I personally feel like I am able to make the kids’ day whenever I am able to give them a high five or let them run through a tunnel o f the older athletes.”

– Upper School senior and student-athlete Jaden Sims

Willard said students are encouraged to participate in other activities as well and when there is inter est for a new team or individual competition, the school provides the help.

For years, girls interested in golf practiced with the boys team and competed individually. But when enough girls were interested in 2021, the Upper School added a girls golf team. The girls golf team qualified for the state tournament the following year. Co-ed squash was added for grades 6-12 for the 2022-23 school year after student interest led to an Upper School girls team being created the year before.

“Seven Hills’ dedication to the athletic program is evident as we boast facilities that allow us to accommodate a full first through 12th grade operation,” Willard said. “Our abundance of courts and fields gives our student athletes not only awesome competition venues, but also the opportunity to have practices after school and in the early evening for all our teams.”

On any given school day afternoon or evening, the Hillsdale Campus is teeming with practices.

There are 20 athletic facilities across the Hillsdale and Doherty Campuses used year-round by the school’s more than 100 teams. The Field House has four basketball/volleyball courts and is an inclement weather practice facility for all athletics. Additional tennis courts were completed in 2022, giving the Hillsdale Campus a total of 10 courts.

The Lower Field Complex includes three baseball/softball fields and two turf fields. In addition to being the home for the varsity, junior, and Middle School baseball, softball, soccer, and lacrosse teams, it is also home to the Fall Youth Spirit Night. On Youth Spirit Nights, the numerous Lower School and sixth grade teams are honored during an Upper School varsity game and get to run through a tunnel of Upper School athletes.

“I believe that the older kids benefit from events, such as the Lower and Middle School Spirit Nights, because the young fans give the older athletes motivation to compete and set a good example,” Sims said.

Sims said the Seven Hills farm system benefits student athletes of all ages and creates a stronger sense of team spirit. Papakirk agreed.

“The connection between teammates, players, and coaches allows our school to build cohesive programs. Another benefit of having grades 1-12 sports under the same roof is the sense of community it builds,” Papakirk said.

Papakirk was among the numerous Upper School athletes running sports

& SPORTSMANSHIP :

FROM LITTLE LEAGUE TO STATE PODIUMS, cont...

clinics for younger athletes during the Homecoming Family Festival.

“What I enjoy most about working with younger athletes is their excitement, energy, and eagerness to play sports. Athletics have been an important part of my life, and it brings me joy to see young students develop an

appreciation and love of sports too,” Papakirk said.

Meador said running the Homecoming clinics this year showed him what an important experience it was for him as a student who has spent his entire life at Seven Hills.

“I remember doing the clinics as a kid and how much I looked up to those older guys. This year as a senior has

been very surreal for me. Doing the Homecoming clinics and the Lower School Spirit Nights made me realize how important those experiences were to me as a kid,” Meador said.

Schnirring also remembers doing the clinics as a Lower School student and looking up to the Upper School athletes.

“I remember thinking the older kids were so cool and I wanted to be able to do all the same moves as they could. I wanted to be just like them and now I am one of the older kids, and I hope that those kids look at me and the rest of the Upper School athletes as inspirations, pushing them to work hard to achieve their goals,” Schnirring said.

LYNN KROEGER IS THE NEW SEVEN HILLS CFO/COO

Kroeger said Seven Hills’ reputation initially attracted her to the job but the community cemented her decision. “It is one of the best schools in the state of Ohio. When I came on campus for the first time, and even now, the warm community and family feel is so strong,” Kroeger said.

Lynn Kroeger joined Seven Hills as the new Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operations Officer for the 2022-23 school year. She oversees the finances and operations of the school and ensures it is in strong financial standing. Kroeger replaced Robert Horne, who served in the position for 25 years.

She was previously the chief financial officer for Union Academy Charter School in Monroe, North Carolina, for 19 years. She said the school was similar to Seven Hills: serving prekindergarten through grade 12, having about 2,000 students, and operating on two campuses.

She was appointed to the North Carolina Charter School Advisory

Board by the state House of Representatives and served in the position for five years. She earned her degree in accounting from the University of Dayton and has three adult children.

“I like to use my finance and operations knowledge to make a difference in the world. Working for a school and seeing the kids grow into responsible adults is very rewarding. That’s why I do it. I could count widgets anywhere but it is so much more fulfilling working at a school, where I feel that I can make a difference in a student’s life even though I am not in a classroom,” Kroeger said.

CASSANDRA TUCKER JOINS AS DIRECTOR OF SAFETY & SECURITY

CASSANDRA TUCKER JOINED SEVEN HILLS AS THE DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY.

“I’m excited about being here because I want to be here. I have an allegiance to Seven Hills now that I’ve become a part of your community and you’ve become a part of mine,” Tucker told Upper School students.

Originally from Alabama, Tucker worked for the Cincinnati Police

Department for 22 years, serving as a police officer and a neighborhood liaison supervisor. For the last seven years, she was the supervisor of the department’s school resource officer unit. Her role at Seven Hills will include ensuring the safety of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors by planning, implementing, and evaluating safety procedures throughout the year.

FAMILIAR FACES, NEW PLACES

New Directors: Karen Glum and Kristina O’Connor

Director of experiential learning:

Karen Glum

Karen Glum has guided Seven Hills students on an adventurous learning journey for 29 years. For the past nine years, Glum led the Middle School Innovation Lab and helped students learn more about the world around them, one creative project at a time. Glum is ecstatic to be stepping into her new role as director of experiential learning.

“Nick Francis piloted this program and made it into a pillar of Seven Hills’ Upper School academic curriculum. I’m incredibly excited to be in this role and expand Nick’s already deep program. I’m learning and loving every day. It’s an incredible fit already,” Glum said.

With her unending enthusiasm and creative drive, Glum hit the ground running amid a multitude of projects, such as expanding the job and mentorship program, discussing the

possibility of Upper School summer programming, and relaunching Civic Engagement Day.

“When Civic Engagement Day was initially pitched, there were all sorts of plans that, unfortunately, were deeply impacted by COVID. This is the first year we’ll be able to fully realize Civic Engagement Day’s potential, and I’m thrilled to be able to support teachers, however they need me. Additionally, I’ve been meeting with Jill Romerill and Christina O’Donnell to discuss the potential for an Upper School summer program that is dedicated to career exploration or service learning. It's been great discussing all of these projects and possibilities and seeing how we can enrich an already prosperous program.” Glum said.

Director of instructional technology:

Kristina O’Connor

Kristina O’Connor, a beloved Middle School teacher and avid math enthusiast, began the 2022-23 school year in the newly established position of director of instructional technology.

“I'm incredibly excited to transition into this role, as it offers me the ability to be a part of our wonderful Seven Hills community in a completely different way. It enables me to engage with all teachers in every division, and talk with students of all ages,” O'Connor said.

“I have two main goals as director. The first is to create engaging and effective learning

experiences and the second is to establish students as creators, not consumers. The plan isn't to just replace worksheets with iPads, but to

use technology to build skills students need to be lifelong learners in a global digital world. That's why it's important to establish and empower students as creators. Being a creator means being a problem solver, seeing an issue, and creating your own path to success,” O'Connor said.

O'Connor has been setting up one-onone support for teachers, taught mini lessons about different aspects of technology to students, and worked with Lower School librarians Jo Schnirring and Lori Suffield to create iPad contracts and iPad 101 lessons for young learners.

"I'm a teacher, a parent, and now an administrator, and I'm very excited to utilize these different perspectives to make instructional technology special," O'Connor said.

“Nick Francis piloted this program and made it into a pillar of Seven Hills’ Upper School academic curriculum. I’m incredibly excited to be in this role and expand Nick’s already deep program”

- Karen Glum

“

“I have two main goals as director. The first is to create engaging and effective learning experiences and the second is to establish students as creators, not consumers.”

“

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS

Seven Hills Congratulates Seven National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

Seven Hills continues its tradition of excellence with several students receiving recognition from the National Merit Scholarship program and College Board. Seven students were named Semifinalists and six students were na med Commended Students in the 2022 National Merit Program. Five students received National Recognition Awards from College Board.

National Merit Semifinalists

Seven Hills National Merit Semifinalists are Shanaya Bharucha, Elias Buttress, Catherine McAndrew, Rohan Nambiar, Neel Parameswaran, Jack Ringel, and Evan VordemEsche.

National Merit Commended

National Merit Commended Scholars are Logan Bien, Saahil Chunduri, Sam Froehle, Abigail Li, Emily Rosenfeld, and Julia Tamai

National Recognition Awards

Ronan Blair, Lidya Tesfaye, Gabrielle Walker, and Nathan Walker received the National African American Recognition Award. Oliver Szabo received the National Hispanic Recognition Award.

FRONT ROW: SHANAYA BHARUCHA, ELIAS BUTTRESS, CATHERINE M c ANDREW BACK ROW: ROHAN NAMBIAR, JACK RINGEL, NEEL PARAMESWARAN, AND EVAN VORDEMESCHE

FRONT ROW: EMILY ROSENFELD, ABIGAIL LI, SAM FROEHLE BACK ROW: JULIA TAMAI, LOGAN BIEN, AND SAAHIL CHUNDURI

L TO R: LIDYA TESFAYE, OLIVER SZABO, NATHAN WALKER, RONAN BLAIR, AND GABRIELLE WALKER

National Merit Semifinalists

College Board National Recognition Awards

ADVANCED PLACEMENT SCHOLARS

91% of AP Exam scores qualify for advanced standing in college

Of the 170 Seven Hills students who took 373 Advanced Placement exams in 17 subjects in May 2022, 91% qualified for advanced college standing by receiving a score of 3 or better on the 1-5 national scale on at least one exam. Among those who qualified, 85 were named AP Scholars by the College Board for their exceptional achievements of scoring 3 or higher on more than three exams.

Receiving AP Scholar with Distinction Awards for average scores of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of at least 3 or higher on four or more exams are current students Shanaya Bharucha, Logan Bien*, Saahil Chunduri, Erin Finn, Mallory Gravitt, Jerry Hou, Abigail Li, Ryan Meador, Rohan Nambiar, Anna Papakirk, Neel Parameswaran, Olivia Pohl, Jack Ringel, Aana Shenai, Annalise Wabler, and Daniel Yi. Class of 2022 graduates who received AP Scholar with Distinction Awards are Aleena Arif, Dhruva Balaji, Kevin Chen, Sarah Croog, Kathryn Guo, Rosalie Hoar, Cece Hood, Jacky Hou, Jenny Hu, Riley Jones, Aahana Katneni, Gabriella Khaskelis, Corinne Kieser, Angel Liang, Robby Ligeralde, Jake Messer, Martina Miquelarena, Julia Moser, Allie Nathan, Ella Jo Piersma, Aditi Purushothaman, Naina Purushothaman, Santiago Rodriguez, Sebastian Rodriguez, Meg Seshiah, Cristina Stancescu, Alexis Veldhuis, and Manan Vij.

Receiving AP Scholar with Honor Awards for an average score of at least 3.25 on all exams and a

score of 3 or higher on four or more exams are current students Gemma Baldwin, Ariane Briquet, Elias Buttress, Ella Dubay, Thomas Dunson, Annelise Hawgood, Catherine McAndrew, George Mentrup, and Emily Rosenfeld. Class of 2022 graduates who received AP Scholar with Honor Awards are Daniela Amadeo-Muniz, Aanya Anand, Jack Holden, Maya Martinez Diers, and Lyn Price.

Receiving AP Scholar Awards for earning scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams are current students Zara Asghar, Ellie Cain, Clara Chen, Josie Domet, Mallory Dorsch, Sam Froehle, Shengze He, Alisha Khan, Mia Mason, Ashley McLennan, Kyler Pang, Piper Reusch, Emerson Rinaldi, Saloni Sachdeva, Edie Tesfaye, Mikul Wyer, Eloise Young, and Julia Zeng. Class of 2022 graduates who received AP Scholar Awards are Pelle Eijkenboom, Suhani Gupta, Mackenzie Hartman, Mercer Kruzner, Evan Michelman, Emma Schlueter, Lucy Schneider, Aditi Sinha, and Colin Yeager.

* name was inadvertently left out of the original printing of this story Based on scores received in September 2022.

HOMECOMIN G 2022

Come for the Rumble…Stay for the Sting!

School

1. Celebrating the opening of the new tennis courts!

2. Mr. Garten hands out glowsticks

3. Excited for snow cones!

4. Stinger . . . . . Rumble!

5. Volleyball clinic

6. Golf clinic

7. Delicious food, fresh off the grill!

8. Fireworks end a great night with family and friends

9. Beautiful weather, wonderful conversations

10. Catching up with friends and family

11. Shootout!

12. Thank you, donors for the new tennis courts!

13. Make sure to stretch!

The Seven Hills

community came together for a night of camaraderie, food, and fun!

MARY DRURY FACULTY CHAIR – Eric O’Connor

THE DRURY FACULTY CHAIR IS AWARDED EVERY FOUR YEARS TO A DISTINGUISHED TEACHER OF HISTORY.

O’Connor is in his sixth year of teaching Upper School history courses at Seven Hills.

In his remarks upon honoring O’Connor with the chair, Head of School Chris Garten told faculty and staff “it is only by understanding our history that we can understand our present.

explore the ways in which history continues to play out in their own lives.

The Seven Hills School has awarded one of its highest faculty honors, the Mary Drury Faculty Chair to Eric O’Connor in recognition of his excellent teaching.

“This is the belief that animates Dr. Eric O'Connor's history classes and that has caused students to flock to new electives such as Nazi Germany and the Holocaust and The Cold War. Whether teaching senior electives or the sophomore world history and AP world history classes, Eric helps students to see the relevance of whatever they are studying and to

THE CLASS OF 1956 AWARD – Nick Francis

THE CLASS OF 1956 AWARD IS PRESENTED TO A MEMBER OF THE UPPER SCHOOL COMMUNITY WHO FOSTERS A LOVE OF, AND EXCITEMENT ABOUT, LEARNING AMONG SEVEN HILLS STUDENTS.

1956 Fund for Excellence in Teaching Award, recognizing Upper School health teacher Nick Francis for his commitment to helping students find their purpose.

“While 'Doc Oc,' as the students call him, has a tremendously impressive background as a researcher and scholar of modern European history, that's not really what makes him a kid magnet. Rather, it's his approachability, good nature, and clear investment in his students' wellbeing and success. It's his masterful lesson planning, which results in students engaging in a series of different activities and viewing a topic through a series of different lenses. And it doesn't hurt that they know he can outfox them on the basketball court. Like his students, we are grateful to have Eric O'Connor in the history department.”

During a faculty and staff meeting last spring, Head of School Chris Garten announced the recipient of the Class of

“As Director of Experiential Learning these past eight years, Nick has built a signature program from the ground up, and has helped countless students learn more about themselves and about the world around them. Under Nick's leadership, the program has become an integral part of life in the Upper School and a catalyst for new approaches to teaching and learning throughout the division. Nick has worn many hats at Seven Hills, including teacher, coach,

parent, division head, and program director. He has approached all of these roles with joy and commitment, and a generation of Seven Hills students has thrived under his guidance and leadership.”

At the end of the 2021-22 year, Francis stepped down from directing the Experiential Learning Program in order to form a nonprofit that will help people who are struggling with housing insecurity.

“This is the kind of purposeful, valuesdriven decision that we all admire Nick for, and we know that he will be of great service to the people he works with in this new role,” Garten said.

BRODIE GRANTS HONOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE

Doherty pre-k for 2-year-olds teacher Julie Brackett and Lotspeich pre-kindergarten teacher Tyler McIlwraith were recipients of Brodie Grants for Excellence in Teaching from the Brodie Family Faculty Betterment Fund. The Brodie Fund is an endowed trust that provides professional development opportunities for faculty and recognizes outstanding teachers at both early and later stages of their careers.

Julie Brackett

Since joining the Seven Hills community in 1999, Julie Brackett has taken her students on academic adventures full of joyful exploration and wondrous curiosity. Brackett constantly looks for different ways to enhance her expansive pedagogy, adapting her curriculum to meet the needs of every student.

When presenting the Brodie Jr. award, Head of School Chris Garten said, “People often describe Julie Brackett as a child whisperer. She truly listens to her students. She makes her children feel important. She engages with and questions them, helping them to feel known and loved. Above all else, Julie encourages her students to step boldly into the unknown, to take risks, to try new things. She has faith that they can succeed, and though she will, of course, pick them up when they fail and guide them when they need it, her classroom is a place students know they can test their limits, make their own choices, explore and fall and grow. If their lives are stories, Julie encourages her students to write their own scripts.”

When presenting McIlwraith with the Brodie Sr. award, Head of School Chris Garten said, “Through her loving and patient guidance, she fosters in her students positive attitudes and enthusiasm for school. These traits have burnished her well-deserved reputation as a 'child magnet'.

“I am very thankful for the opportunity to learn from my students and see what they need and help them gain confidence and become more independent. I love cultivating and creating new experiences for students to grow from. This year I had a light bulb idea to create brave buddies for the students. They’re stuffed animals that the students have decorated, and are used to provide emotional support. I’ve already seen how they help students gain courage with different activities, and we’ve incorporated them into our morning meeting to help students set the tone for the day. After the meeting, students rock their buddies to sleep and we continue with our lessons.”

Tyler McIlwraith '03

Tyler McIlwraith has the incredible ability of planting the seeds of lifelong investigative learning in the hearts and minds of her young learners by providing countless opportunities for them to study and question the world around them.

“One of the greatest things about teaching kids this age is that they are curious about everything and are excited to learn. They’ll get behind any unique idea I have and will be all in for trying it. We’ve done a month-long study on owls, a hands-on construction unit with tools, opened an art museum for guests, and even wrote our own fairy tales,” McIlwraith said.

“Whether she is designing an engaging learning experience, or listening eagerly as her student shares another story, or patiently answering yet another question, Tyler provides a safe, nurturing environment, where students can safely take risks and know their successes will be celebrated. In her warm, caring manner, she builds within her classroom a strong sense of community where all students feel safe and welcome.

“In a quiet, persistent way, Tyler infuses her lessons with the foundational academic skills, background knowledge, and habits of mind that will provide a firm foundation for their future learning.”

SEVEN HILLS WELCOMES FRENCH STUDENTS

As a restart to the Upper School World Language Department’s exchange programs, Seven Hills welcomed 35 exchange students from Institution La Croix Blanche, a school in Bondues, France, in October 2022.

and gave the French students a chance to play during gym class.

A dinner was held for the French students and their Upper School host students and their families in Founders Hall. Each student was given a Seven Hills mug.

The students did a variety of activities with their host families. Many took advantage of the fall season and weather to visit pumpkin patches, go on hayrides, and carve pumpkins. Some students celebrated their birthdays with their host families. Many got to try local treats and restaurants, like Graeter’s Ice Cream and FUSIAN sushi.

The visit coincided with BLINK and numerous students attended with their host families. A group of students got to tour the FOX19

Each of the French students were paired with an Upper School student. The French students researched Cincinnati history and visited classes.

“These exchange programs are one of a kind experiences. Students get to apply the language they study and use it outside the classroom environment. All their hard work comes to fruition when they use a mode of communication to build relationships. They get to compare and contrast their cultures and, furthermore, they get to understand and appreciate the richness of diversity in the world,” said Teresa Bardon, chair of the Upper School world language department.

Senior Reid Pease, juniors Asa Guigui and Charlie Mullin, and sophomore Nicholas Stein explained the rules of American football

studios thanks to Regina Russo, former anchor and parent of sophomore Roman and eighth grader Ramsey Russo and host parent.

The Upper School students saw their French counterparts off from the Field House parking lot on Oct. 25. The Upper Schoolers will be traveling to France in May.

Students get to compare and contrast their cultures and, furthermore, they get to understand and appreciate the richness of diversity in the world.

-Teresa Bardon

SEVEN HILLS WELCOMES DANISH STUDENTS, TEACHERS

The Seven Hills community welcomed eight students and six teachers from Høje-Taastrup Gymnasium in Taastrup, Denmark in November. The new program was spreadhead by Upper School English teacher Caleb Paull. He met the gymnasium’s principal, Ida Diemar, almost 30 years ago at a language school in Denmark.

On their first school day, three of the Danish students gave a presentation about their school. They answered questions from Upper Schoolers during lunch in the Hillsdale Commons, including their thoughts on their first day in America and about the money they are paid from the Danish government for attending school.

In the afternoons, they explored Cincinnati, visited local museums, went to a Cincinnati Cyclones game, and learned to play fowling, a combination of football and bowling.

“The impact the visit had on the Danish students was extraordinary,” Paull said.

One of the Danish students wrote to thank him and said, “Thank you so much

“There is not a clear curricular reason for such a trip, but the cultural experience would certainly be valuable and their school is eager to host us,” he said.

“Over the last few years, we have periodically spoken about the possibility of some of her students coming to visit.

Over the past summer, she said she wanted to make it happen in November,” Paull said.

The students and teachers, which included Diemar, stayed with host families and attended Upper School classes in the morning. “The students who hosted learned about how daily life, expectations, and what is considered ‘normal’ are different in different cultures. They mentioned differences in food, transportation, housing, and the role of government,” Paull said.

Other Upper School teachers told Paull the Danish students were courageous, interested, had an alternative perspective, and were notably eager to interact with the classes.

for making this lifechanging experience possible! I will never forget the past week and I can’t begin to explain how much it moved me to experience such kindness everywhere I turned.”

Paull said he hopes Seven Hills students may visit Høje-Taastrup at some point, but he is still working out the details.

TO LITERARY AND BEYOND

Energetic debates among peers, quiet exploration of one’s identity, and curious evaluation of the world. All of it stems from a deep appreciation for the written word. First hand observations from visiting authors, libraries and librarians poised to expand students’ inventories, and curriculum prioritizing global and nuanced perspectives work to empower students to imagine and work toward more than they can see.

Every school year, Seven Hills is packed with visits from esteemed authors from across town and the country. From the Lower Schools to the Upper School, students in every grade level have an opportunity to meet and converse with authors about their inspirations, writing endeavors, and the book creation process.

opportunity to meet Min Jin Lee, author of “Pachinko” and “Free Food for Millionaires.”

According to Head of Upper School Matt Bolton, it’s fitting that Upper School’s only fundraiser is in the form of inviting a renowned author to speak to the community.

Visiting Authors

One of the most famous Seven Hills events is Books for Lunch. For months leading up to the Books for Lunch dinner and lunch events, Upper School students immerse themselves in the selected author’s written words.

In February 2023, students, families, and friends of Seven Hills will have the

“It creates a dynamic where everyone is reading the same author and world of books. When deciding which author we want to invite, we often gravitate toward those who will resonate with teenagers to an extent. The author’s books are ones that the older Upper Schoolers will be reading together. We incorporate it into our curriculum, and the students become an incredibly informed audience. The Friday morning when the author speaks to the student body, students have the opportunity to ask questions. Students always rise to the occasion and inquire about deep subject matters, like the role of literature or the arts at large. It’s a galvanizing event. We are a community of readers dedicated to understanding the intricacies of literature and the work it takes to create it,” Bolton said.

The annual Between the Pages event at the beginning of the school year energizes both Middle and Upper School students and helps them see not only the wonders of reading but the conception and creation of the book itself.

For the past two years, the event has taken place in The Schiff Center, where students flood the seats and sit with eager anticipation. Even before the author has a chance to greet the crowd, cheers erupt, signs emerge, and the air is filled with palpable excitement because, to Seven Hills students, authors are rock stars.

This year, Seven Hills invited the incredible young adult author Ellen Oh to discuss her journey as an author, answer students' questions, and give students insight into her writing process. Additionally, Oh hosted a creative writing class for eighth grade students, after which she expressed that she was impressed by the students' vivid attention to detail.

Doherty and Lotspeich students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade enjoy virtual author visits in late spring. The visiting authors,

“Books for Lunch is a galvanizing event. We are a community of readers dedicated to understanding the intricacies of literature and the work it takes to create it.”

- Head of Upper School Matt Bolton

like Henna Khan, share their experiences with students and ask questions for students to reevaluate their worldviews. This year, Lower School students will have at least two author visits, one in the fall and one in the spring.

In November, Lotspeich students had the opportunity to meet W. Bruce Cameron. Cameron is most well-known for his book “A Dog’s Purpose,” which follows a dog named Bailey who learns the many ways to be a good boy through his different reincarnations. In late spring, Doherty and Lotspeich students will meet Stacy McAnulty, an author who changed her career from being a mechanical engineer designing premium class airline seats to writing fascinating books for children of all ages.

During Middle and Upper School, the Young Family Library becomes an oasis. Some students debate their research topics with hushed tones, others are falling in love with a new book entirely outside their regular reading, and some are taking advantage of the quiet space to savor a few moments of down time.

Fostering the community dynamic of the Young Family Library is the intention of head librarian Megan Whitt and assistant librarian Gail Bloom. Together, the pair create an energetic environment where reading and books are synonymous with joy and fun.

“Having an author visit at the beginning of each school year, like for our Between the Pages event, reminds students that reading is an essential way to learn about people who are both similar and different from themselves.

“However, one of my favorite activities is our Spring Break Reading Challenge. We offer three book options to Middle School students and three book options to Upper School students. They check out their chosen book and read it over break. When they return, we provide lunch, while students discuss the books. They get into character motivations and the author’s intentions, and there are enthusiastic agreements and debates among them. It’s a great way to get excited about books and help to build a community of readers.

We haven’t been able to offer this program for the past couple of years due to COVID, but we’re excited to bring it back this upcoming spring,” Bloom said.

In between meeting authors in real life, students can find gateways into new worlds, different perspectives, and endless possibilities in any of the three libraries Seven Hills offers.

Our Libraries

For Lower School students, the library is a destination, with librarians Jo Schnirring and Lori Suffield guiding them on discovery quests. Not only do students learn about genres, but also how to spot a potential bias or altered image. In the library, students learn how to uncover the truth, whether in the mystery book in their hands or the world around them.

“A new favorite activity is the book carnival in December. Sixth grade students come to the library with their English class and play carnival-style games that introduce them to new authors and genres. In one game, blindfolded students are guided by a friend to a particular section and choose a book from the shelf. In another game styled after darts, students throw ping pong balls at targets with different authors and titles. Whatever they hit, they have the option to check out. We also host spring break reading lunches, a book ‘speed dating’ event for sixth graders, and an annual book fair,” Whitt said.

Whitt and Bloom agree that meeting authors, whether in-person or virtually, enables students to see how books come to life and reinvigorate their deep love for literature.

Doherty Lower School librarian Jo Schnirring lays the groundwork for kids to fall in love with reading by helping them find connections to different books they might not have considered.

“Finding fun and relevant books for the students is also a way to help their love for reading grow, and something I enjoy. I find, oftentimes, that if I have a reader who can't find a book they love, it helps if they can make a connection with a book—is it about a character they can relate to, or does it take place somewhere they have been? I also help group books together for students to consider, like book award books such as the Caldecott, Siebert, or Buckeye awards. Students love to see a book they've read win an award, which in turn makes them want to read more awardwinning books. I also do a book challenge every year for myself,” Schnirring said.

Schnirring’s excitement for books and reading, in general, is contagious. After learning about her personal challenge to read 50 chapter books this year, students frequently ask her for recommendations and her thoughts on the books she's read.

LOTSPEICH LIBRARY:

10,000 unique titles

DOHERTY LIBRARY:

15,000 unique titles

YOUNG FAMILY LIBRARY:

16,000 unique titles

126 available databases from the Library of Congress, Scholastic, World Book, and more!

“I help foster a love of reading by being excited about reading myself. If the kids see me excited about a book, that joy is contagious. I also read various genres to the students to hopefully reach everyone and help them discover something they love. During my personal reading challenge, I put up the book covers of the book I am currently reading and the ones I have completed. The students like to see that I take my time to read books that are on their level. Additionally, during one library class a month, I'll read the first chapter of several books to capture their attention and get them to want to know what happens next,” Schnirring said.

Lotspeich Lower School librarian Lori Suffield’s grade level book clubs, a curation of books that have many student requests, high-interest levels, and, more, showcase a celebration of reading in every grade level.

“At Seven Hills, we have three fully staffed and funded libraries, library class every week, and faculty who love reading and share that love with their students. All these things create an incredible foundation for students’ love for

reading to soar. But in addition to these crucial points, we incorporate different life skills into library class to show students how to better apply what they’ve read to real life. I teach digital citizenship classes that help students learn how to be responsible digital citizens. We learn about photo editing, how to spot opinions when they’re presented as facts, and how to be aware of and manage our emotions as we research things online. My goal is for students to not only know how to navigate the Dewy Decimal system, but how to decipher the words within books, their meaning, and how it relates and impacts the world around them,” Suffield said.

Seven Hills’ strong literary foundations also enable students to transfer their literary skills to other subjects with ease. Students may go from analyzing science fiction to understanding the theory of relativity in smooth transition because, at Seven Hills, books spark students’ creative thinking in new and unique ways.

Upper School Literacy

The Upper School’s curriculum incorporates and emphasizes literacy in almost every subject, from history to science to world languages.

“Our history department does a big unit on a nonfiction book, like ‘The Invisible Child,’ and it provides students with really interesting takes on social-economic issues. Even in a hard-hitting science class, there are opportunities for students to read novels about the topic at hand. In world language courses, students learn beyond the language’s grammar rules. They’re encountering literature in another language, and thereby learning about its culture, economy, politics, and religion,” Bolton said.

The English department’s curriculum is specifically designed to expose students to classic and contemporary works as, Bolton said, the two are part of an ongoing continuum.

“We’re interested in texts that provide an opportunity for mirrors and windows. Mirrors,

The Upper School’s curriculum, specifically the reading in English classes, is created for students to grapple with as individuals, but thrive when learning as a community. During class, students bounce ideas off one another, debate theories, and come to new conclusions.

“Our literacy is more than the sum of our reading lists, it’s about the process and learning together,” Bolton said.

The idea of learning as a community and utilizing local and global resources to better understand the world around us is at the base of the Middle School’s approach to transferable literary skills. As a result, students can be in conversation with the rest of the global community, right from their classrooms. Students may read about a young adult who identifies as the “odd one out” in their

as students may see themselves or part of themselves in the text, and windows when they see into someone else’s life that is entirely unlike their own. It’s one of the strong arguments for a multicultural curriculum. One of the many benefits of an ever-evolving society is that students can analyze classics through a modern lens. For example, in Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales,’ students have found textual evidence that the Pardoner doesn’t seem to fit into the gender binary, and the reading becomes more sympathetic and nuanced for the complicated character. Things that we might have taught 15-20 years ago, might be different today. Like in Shakespeare, it is a common stage trope for women to dress up as men to go around the world. Now the same trope opens up the discussions about gender binaries and lends itself to heavier topics and great experiences. That is great for high-order thinking skills, not just developing their reading skills,” Bolton said.

community and discuss that protagonist’s experiences, struggles, and successes and how they relate. Other times, students might read books like former Between the Pages author Jasmine Warga’s “Other Words for Home,” to get a variety of viewpoints about what it means to be a refugee.

Middle School Literacy

"In Middle School, students learn to use their literary skills in unique ways. We use the strong foundation created by Doherty and Lotspeich to help mold students into well-rounded thinkers who read critically and produce written works that grow in complexity and expression. From reading non-fiction to understanding bias in the sixth grade It’s Your World class or analyzing books and their tropes to seeing patterns in science and math, students learn a myriad of ways to utilize their strong literary foundation. Students have ‘stepped’ into the shoes of a Syrian refugee during writing activities, learned the difference between equity and equality and how it applies to adolescents, and rewritten well-known stories like Hansel and Gretel from a different perspective to better understand how different people

interpret the same events. Middle School students, and Seven Hills students in general, enthusiastically lean into every opportunity to expand their worldview,” Head of Middle School Bill Waskowitz said.

FALL SPORTS HONORS

Talented teams, competitive players, and great matchups

There were several highlights of the Seven Hills fall 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 fall 2022 sports season successful!

The boys varsity golf team were 2022 Miami Valley Conference, districts, sectionals, and Division III state champions. At state, the Stingers had a come from behind victory, after starting the second day down six shots. They made up 11 shots and junior Charlie Mullin birdied on two of the final three holes. He finished third overall and was named to the First Team All-Ohio.

The girls varsity golf team, in only its second season of existence, qualified for the state tournament for the first time in Seven Hills history. The team finished eighth overall with junior Julia Zhu shooting a combined 172 and finishing in 26th.

The boys varsity soccer team finished the season with a record of 11-2-4 and tied for the MVC title. They advanced to the district final after beating Clark Montessori 10-0 and higher seeded Georgetown 2-0. Sophomore Everett Rinaldi had 14 goals and 16 assists, senior Daniel Yi had 12 goals, and senior Will Gabriel had 11. Junior goalkeeper Rex Shaffer had 87 saves and nine shutouts.

The varsity volleyball team had an inconference record of 10-2 and tied for the MVC title. The Stingers defeated North College Hill in the first round of the sectional tournament. Sophomore Annie Katuska had 103 aces on the season.

The girls varsity tennis team had a season record of 12-6. The doubles team of sophomore Charlotte Scharfenberger and senior Sohana Thompson defeated Summit Country Day in the sectional tournament and took third place. They competed at the district tournament and advanced to the second round.

The boys and girls cross country teams had a great season. At the MVC championships meet, the girls team placed third overall with seniors Annelise Hawgood and Abigail Li making second team all-conference. For the boys, junior Carter Stevens also made second team all-conference. Both teams placed fourth at districts and advanced to regionals, where they finished 11th overall.

The girls varsity soccer team had a strong season with big wins over Clark Montessori and Deer Park. Sophomore goalkeeper Sammy Willard was fourth in the MVC in saves with 116 and had four shutouts. The team made it to the sectional tournament.

1. Girls Varsity Soccer

2. Sohana Thompson

3. Girls Cross Country

4. Charlie Mullin

5. Charlotte Scharfenberger

6. Boys Varsity Golf

7. Boys Varsity Soccer

8. Girls Golf

9. Girls Varsity Volleyball

EMPOWERMENT THROUGH FINE ARTS

Upper School Fine Arts: Jason Knarr ’86 and Daniel

Vance

We sat with Knarr and Vance in midOctober to discuss their time at Seven Hills and their wonderful fine arts program.

“What's fun about our job is we get to be creative with creative kids. It's energizing, and helps maintain a positive classroom atmosphere. We set up our classes to be both a classroom and a professional studio. We encourage a lot of artistic freedom and let students guide themselves toward their final product,” Knarr said.

Students seek Knarr and Vance’s advice and expertise even if they are not taking their classes. As students explore their creative skills outside of the classroom, through short films, pottery, or other pursuits, they frequently ask for Knarr’s and Vance’s input.

“Students come down to consult on a variety of creative projects when they are not students in either of our classes, and I believe that’s due to the environment we’ve cultivated. We’re listening to them more than we’re speaking at them. Our

classes are constructed so students make creative decisions and then explain their process for how they got there. We use problembased learning, which is when we introduce a problem with a vague answer to strengthen creative thinking skills. We design our classes for students to think through and handle different obstacles to learn how to troubleshoot their creative process. We emphasize the need to focus on the journey, not on the end result,” Vance said.

“Seven Hills has better art facilities and classrooms than some small colleges, and we, as teachers, are trusted with creating our own curriculum. It’s incredible to have that much trust and mutual respect from the administration. Because of it we have freedom and flexibility in the classroom and we continuously get

“Our goal is for kids to have the ability to think laterally and creatively in whatever situation they’re in. And, after taking our class, they know how to approach problems, deconstruct them, and plan a solution from multiple angles in the real world.”

great results. Most of our students are geared toward a liberal arts education, and we also have students choosing to attend art colleges all the time.

In the Donovan Art Center’s basement is the Upper School’s fine arts creative powerhouse duo, Jason Knarr '86 and Daniel Vance. The pair has spent over 25 years combined helping students become artists and creatives in their own right.

- Jason Knarr '86

“Even in our most fundamental classes, like Drawing 1, we’re exploring the necessities for learning how to draw, but not what to draw. We teach students techniques and might offer suggestions, but it’s up to the students to decide how to use them. Our peer critique is a transformative experience for students. They’re able to see other people try new things and learn about different ways of approaching the same process,” Knarr said.

“The peer critique helps foster divergent thinking. Students learn from us but also from each other because they can see and hear why one student decided to paint outside the lines and another colored their horse purple. One time,

I gave the assignment to draw nothing. A student carefully cut out a large portion of his piece of paper, leaving only a border behind. He cautiously presented it for his peers to review. Suddenly, the rest of the class had their own lightbulb moments understanding they shouldn’t impose limitations on their interpretation of an assignment. What we, Jason and I, are trying to foster is creative risk. When you do a peer review and students see the risk and understand that they can try different things, they keep trying and pushing themselves as creatives,” Vance said.

The pair agree, though they teach art, their main goal isn’t for students to become artists.

“Our goal is for kids to have the ability to think laterally and creatively in whatever situation they’re in. And, after taking our class, they know how to approach problems, deconstruct them, and plan a solution from multiple angles in the real world,” Knarr said.

“At the end of the day, creative teaching, like incorporating problem-based learning into art classes, is important because students discover how to push their own imaginations, strengthen their

analysis skills, and create something wholly new for themselves,” Vance said.

Vance and Knarr, along with the rest of the performing and fine arts department, are excited for the school-wide Arts Alive this coming spring.

"It's going to be a great display of students' talent and creativity. We're looking forward to it, and I know the students are too," Knarr said.

CREATING CONVERSATIONS SPEAKER SERIES

FINDING PURP OSE WITH AUTHOR AND THERAPIST TIM KLEIN

Award-winning educator, clinical therapist, and school counselor Tim Klein spoke to students, faculty, and parents in The Schiff Center about his research

“HOW TO NAVIGATE LIFE” BOOK CLUB

Seven Hills for six years to provide ageappropriate information to students relating to prevention of substance abuse, managing peer influences, and developing coping skills. He will speak with parents about ways to encourage prevention at home.

into the importance of purpose and belonging at the Creating Conversations event on Oct. 11.

Klein is the co-author of “How to Navigate Life: The New Science of Finding Your Way in School, Career, & Beyond,” which is based on his research at the Purpose Lab at Boston College. He explained how having a purpose mindset, instead of a passion or performance mindset, can lead to greater happiness in life for students.

On Sept. 29, the Seven Hills Counseling Department, Seven Hills parents, and members and friends of the Seven Hills community gathered in the Young Family Library for a book club style meeting to talk about Klein’s book “How to Navigate Life: The New Science of Finding Your Way in School, Career, & Beyond.” Upper School counselor Vicky Hausberger said, in addition to being a guide to tackling stress and anxiety for students, Klein’s book is a parenting guide. Parents expressed admiration for the book’s definition of success and how it should be about fulfillment, instead of academic or professional recognition.

COMING UP NEXT . . . . . FEB. 1

PREVENTION AT HOME WITH GLENN HALL

Glenn Hall is the senior prevention specialist at Hazelden Betty Ford Prevention Solutions, a nonprofit formerly called Freedom from Chemical Dependency. Hall has been visiting

COMING UP NEXT . . . MARCH 9

FINDING B ALANCE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

“Like” is a documentary about the impact of social media on our lives. It is the second installment of the award-winning Indieflix Mental Health Trilogy. Before COVID, smartphone users were checking their phones on average 150 times a day. Research continues to confirm that too much social media usage is the perfect recipe for low self-esteem, isolation, and depression, as well as loss of focus and patience. Join Seven Hills for a special screening of this important documentary.

The Creating Conversations speaker series is hosted by Seven Hills’ counseling department.

“Purpose is living a life that is personally meaningful and contributes to the world beyond the self. What this means in practice, is for students to have a goal or aspiration or future orientation that is personally meaningful to them and that they feel contributes to the world,” Klein said.

The Seven Hills Creating Conversations speaker series has returned this year and features experts in their fields relating to raising bright, happy, and healthy children.

SEVEN HILLS RECEIVES TOP RANKINGS LOCALLY, STATEWIDE BY NICHE.COM

BOOKS FOR LUNCH 2022

The 2023 Books for Lunch committee, chaired by Seven Hills parents Amber Hassan and Nupur Anand, is honored to present this year’s guest author, National Book Award finalist Min Jin Lee.

The Seven Hills School is pleased to announce it has been ranked, for the fourth consecutive year, #1 Best Private K-12 School, #1 Best Private High School, and #1 Best College Prep Private High School in the Cincinnati area by Niche.com, a nationally recognized, datadriven organization that researches and ranks K-12 schools, in national, state, and local categories. Seven Hills was also ranked in the top two in the category, Best College Prep Private High School in Ohio, and Best School for STEM in Cincinnati Area.

“We are pleased to be designated a top Cincinnati school in several Niche.com categories,” said Head of School Chris Garten. “The Seven Hills School strives for academic excellence in all areas. We are blessed to have an exceptional faculty who create an environment that allows students not only to thrive, but excel in the classroom and beyond.”

Niche.com analyzes statistical data from sources such as the U.S. Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics to determine a school’s rankings and grade. The organization also factors in surveys and reviews by parents, alumni, and students as part of its ranking methodology.

Lee is an award-winning author of “Pachinko” and “Free Food for Millionaires.” Lee is also a recipient of fellowships in Fiction from the Guggenheim Foundation, the Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study at Harvard, and the New York Foundation for the Arts. This year, the committee will hold a special book club facilitated by Head of Upper School Matt Bolton, discussing Lee’s book “Pachinko.”

Please join us for an inspiring afternoon of reflection and words from a talented, nationally recognized author. Save the date for the Feb. 3, 2023, luncheon at the Summit Hotel.

Please visit 7hills.org/BooksForLunch to purchase tickets and learn more about Lee and her work.

“After deciding to reschedule last year due to COVID safety, I am excited to have an author whose book examines cultures and race-relation issues through a completely different lens, as it takes place in East Asian countries,” Hassan said For 37 years, Books for Lunch invites noted authors to Seven Hills for a morning with students and a luncheon with students, parents, and the greater Cincinnati community.

Feb. 3, 2023

Boo ks For Lunch luncheon at the

Author Min Jin Lee

STUDENTS PRESENT FROM BUTTERFLY MIGRATION PROGRAM

Until II student Narayan King and Unit III student Kishan King gave Zoom presentations for their Doherty classmates from Cape May, New Jersey, where they were volunteering with the Monarch Migration Project. The Migration Project is a research and educational program focusing on the fall migration of monarch butterflies along the Atlantic coast. Kishan and Project Director Mark Garland taught the Doherty students about how monarch

students from kindergarten through fifth grade in early October. “It is a cross-grade bonding activity to build a supportive community with the older students as leaders,” said then-Interim Head of Doherty Lower School Christine Garten

meeting getting to know each other and their teacher assistants. The Hives then gave themselves a name and created a logo and poster based on their color.

STUDENTS L EARN THE WEIGHT OF BUILDING BRIDGES

butterflies cross the bay in Maine and fly all the way to Mexico. The King family has been volunteering with the program since Kishan was a baby. Kishan explained how to catch the butterflies and determine their size, sex, and weight. Narayan and a volunteer naturalist showed the students how to tag the butterflies. The butterflies are then released to see how many survive the migration flight to Mexico.

DOHERTY B EES MEET THEIR HIVES

Doherty students had their first meetings with their Hives, a group made up of 12

The idea to revamp the buddy program to be school-wide came from Head of School Tracy Murch, who was out on medical leave. The Hives are led by the fifth graders, with assistance from two teachers. The Hives spent the first part of the

In early October, Lotspeich second graders in Jacquelyn Berting’s Project Math class constructed bridges out of wooden blocks, tape, paper, and more to analyze how different styles of bridges can sustain heavy weight for long periods. Students then tested their bridge designs by placing metal washers across their bridges, and saw if they could withstand the weight. The experiment was part of second grade’s semester-long bridges unit, a beloved

SAMPLES FROM OUR ONLINE

tradition that culminates with students researching and reconstructing bridges from around the world, and presenting their findings to family and friends in December in Founders Hall.

LOTSPEICH WELCOMES LOWER SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM

Lotspeich added a brand new option to their rich extracurricular offerings this

IT’S YOUR WORLD

During their It’s Your World class, sixth graders explored what it means to be human, to have human rights, and the ongoing global struggle to secure rights as laws. Students discussed qualities like “emotions,” “making mistakes,” and “unique” as central to the human condition. Head of Middle School Bill Waskowitz then showed a video from the

United Nations that explained the timeline from the initial concept of human rights several thousand years ago to the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1945.

school year with the introduction of the Stingers Robotics Team, advised by fifth grade teacher Laura OGrady. As a club, fourth and fifth grade students learn more about the intersection between science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) while completing various robotics challenges provided by First Lego League. Seven Hills hosted its first Lower Schools robotics competition on Dec. 10 where 12 different school teams competed in different kinds of events.

ANALYZING LATIN

Seventh graders in Latin teacher

Katie Swinford’s class analyzed a skit about Forum Boarium, a cattle forum in ancient Rome. From character descriptions to settings to dialogue, students read the entire skit in Latin. After getting a feel for the characters, students then began to analyze their actions, and how they related to the modern day. For example, students compared the sales strategy of the Mercator with a door-to-door salesman.

DOHERTY STUDE NTS LEARN ABOUT EQUITY

Doherty students had a visit from the Upper School Equity Council and did an activity to teach them about equity. Senior Jack Ringel and Equity Council advisor Amaris White visited Doherty and Ringel told them about the work the council does to promote diversity,

equity, and inclusion in all divisions.

Doherty counselor Angie Bielecki had four student volunteers all try on the same shoes to demonstrate the difference between equity and equality. The students pointed out how one size does not work for everyone and

TROJAN ARTIF ACTS VISIT WORLD HISTORY

As part of their study of the Trojan War, students in Katie Swinford’s freshmen world history class got to handle artifacts from the Trojan War. The class borrowed several artifacts, including pottery and knives, from excavations in Troy and Pylos conducted by the University of Cincinnati’s Classics Department. Based on everything they had learned about the Trojan War history, artifacts, and legend, the students had to argue if the conflict truly happened or not.

differences are needed and helpful.

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Unit II and III students presented on people of Hispanic heritage they had learned about from FC Cincinnati Player Luciano Acosta to Unit II teacher Ivette Crichton.

FORMER BOARD OF TRUSTEE CHAIR JE N STEIN NAMED Enquirer Woman of the Year

Jen Stein said she is proud of the work she has done with Seven Hills, which includes developing the Board’s strategic plans for programming and curriculum enhancements and raising funds for new facilities. She hopes these efforts will help benefit the school’s next generation of students.

“When my husband and I were raising our children, The Seven Hills School became an important community for our entire family and helped shape my children into young adults who have a good sense of their place in the world,” Stein said.

Stein and her husband John were Seven Hills parents from 2004-20, with Kate graduating in 2018 and Michael and Peter graduating in 2020. Stein served on the Board of Trustees from 2009-21 and was the Board Chair from 2018-20.

“With her tireless work ethic, attention to detail, her stunning generosity, commitment and dedication, Jen challenged us all — Board members and administrators alike — to be our best selves.”

- Head of School Chris Garten

She is currently a member of the Head of School Search Committee.

“It is serendipitous that Jen's time on the Board, and especially her leadership role as Board Chair from 2018-20, coincided with one of the most productive periods in the history of Seven Hills,” said Head of School Chris Garten.

During Stein’s time on the Board, the $40 million Build. Connect. Inspire. campaign was completed. Garten said Stein was an advocate and galvanized support for the Taft Early Childhood Center, the Lower Fields project, significant renovations of Jones and Haile Halls on the Doherty Campus, the new tennis courts, The Schiff Center, and the Field House.

“Jen engaged the Board in a much more granular understanding of the continuing evolution of the school’s educational programs. May Term, Civic Engagement Seminars, more robust programs in computer science, and social emotional learning have all benefited from Jen’s active interest and support,” Garten said.

Stein was also a member of the Academic Program, Student Life, and Nominating & Governance Committees.

“With her tireless work ethic, attention to detail, her stunning generosity, commitment and dedication, Jen challenged us all — Board members and administrators alike — to be our best selves. We are a more focused, productive, and coherent group because of her example and leadership,” Garten said.

In addition to Seven Hills, Stein has worked with the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, Mayerson JCC, Isaac M. Wise Temple, Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati Ballet, and the Freestore Foodbank.

Jen Stein, former member and chair of the Seven Hills Board of Trustees, was named one of the Enquirer’s 2022 Women of the Year for her dedicated volunteer work and philanthropy.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE PROJECTS

Five Stories of Discovery

Starting a HOSA Chapter SENIORS ELLA DUBAY AND EDIE TESFAYE

Project Description: Ella and Edie started, ran, and competed with the Seven Hills chapter of Health Occupations Students of America, or HOSA.

Project Process: Edie and Ella decided to start a HOSA chapter in their junior year because they were both interested in pursuing medicine in the future. The

placed first at the regional competition and multiple teams, including Edie and Ella’s, qualified for the state competition. Ella and Edie both agreed that running the club was more work than they initially thought it would be but were glad they got to hear from health professionals at the competitions and help other students explore their interests in medicine.

Edie: “The club is meant to help people explore different pathways. The medical field is just so broad and HOSA is meant to help you find your interests and focus on a specific field. So, when you are further through your education, you have a better understanding of what you’re interested in.”

chapter raised more than $900 through two bake sales and received a service award of merit.

Exploring Archeology SENIOR GEMMA BALDWIN

Project Description: Gemma spent a week at the Fairfield Foundation working with a team of archaeologists.

internationally recognized club took much more approval than a regular club. Ella and Edie learned how to run the club while also studying to compete in the HOSA competition, which involved a written test and a case study for the forensic science event. They assisted the other teams with planning and providing study materials for events, such as health education and health career display. One of the teams

Ella: “It is hard to find opportunities if you want to pursue medicine—typically you can’t shadow until after your senior year. So, there is nothing we can really do in the meantime, even if we had a specific interest.”

Quick Fact: HOSA chapters compete to see which one can raise the most money for Be the Match Foundation, which raises awareness about bone marrow and blood disorders. The Seven Hills

Project Process: Gemma was interested in majoring in archaeology the summer before her junior year and found the Fairfield Foundation in Virginia, which focused on preservation and education. At the foundation, she worked alongside a team of archaeologists, who taught her how to do field work and lab work. She went to two dig sites, the first being at an old mansion home owned by the foundation. She also got to assist with the archaeological excavation at a nearby house where unknown remnants were found during cable installation.

Gemma: “It was hard because I had never done anything like it before. I

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

have worked at a barn before so I’ve been in the mud, working hard, but it was different because you have to be so careful and precise with every layer you excavate. I was really surprised by how much time it took.”

Quick Fact: Fairfield Foundation Co-Director Dr. David Brown’s passion for archeology, history, and education made Gemma realize there is something out there that she could be more passionate about than archeology. She is now planning to major in engineering.

Planning and Going on a Backpack trip SENIOR ELLIE CAIN

Project Description: Filled with the love for adventure, Ellie researched, coordinated, and

journeyed on her first backpacking trip for four days and three nights on the Appalachian trail in Virginia.

Project Process: Ellie began her challenge project by looking over maps and researching potential routes and water sources online. After deciding her trail route, Ellie planned how many miles she would need to walk each day, her food, and possible campsites.

Ellie: “For safety reasons, my cousin joined me, and I loved having him there. We woke up early in the morning and hiked about 10 miles every day. We saw wild horses and beautiful scenery and hiked with a backpack that, at the beginning of the trip, weighed about 60 lbs. We travelled in a bear-heavy area and took many precautions to limit our risk. Overall, I loved the experience and can’t wait to plan my next trip. Backpacking lets you be with other people in a special way. There are no distractions, and you’re focused on

getting from point A to point B. I was able to grow closer to my cousin while accomplishing my goals.”

Quick Fact: Ellie was inspired to create her own backpacking adventure from scratch after participating in Adventure Treks.

T HEIR COMFORT ZONES TO REACH NEW ACHIEVEMENTS, DISCOVER THE THRILL OF MASTERY, AND SATISFY THEIR NATURAL CURIOSITIES.

IN FIVE STORIES, WE SHARE A GLIMPSE INTO WHAT PERSONAL CHALLENGE HAS MEANT FOR SIX UPPERCLASSMEN.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE PROJECTS, Continued . . .

Five Stories of Discovery

Starting a Teen Tutoring Service

SENIOR ERIN FINN

Project Description: Erin, her brother, and a group of friends began virtual tutoring sessions during the first lockdown of the COVID pandemic in spring 2020. Interest grew, and soon Erin was volunteering 15-20 hours a week on the project, prompting her to pitch the idea for this to be her Personal Challenge project to former Director of Experiential Learning Nick Francis.

to advise and mentor others, and partnered with the Cincinnati Reds.

Erin: “I started with zero entrepreneurial skills, and now I’ve learned how to manage large groups of people, different communication styles, crisis aversion, marketing, graphic design, Airtable to keep track of forms and spreadsheets, and so much more. However, my favorite part of this entire process is hearing the testimonials from students and parents about how Tutor Teens has helped empower students by fostering a deeper love for learning and motivation to try. though I do the back end work, this program couldn’t run without our tutors. They are the ones who achieve our main goal of empowering the students we work with.”

Quick Fact: In October, Tutor Teens was one of 31 organizations selected as a grantee by Accelerate, a national nonprofit backed by the Gates Foundation.

The Fabled Olympic Triathlon

JUNIOR SHRAVAN SEKHAR

Project Description: Shravan trained to run an Olympic Triathlon that consisted of a six mile run, a 25 mile bike ride, and a one mile swim.

Project Process: Tutor Teens has grown in the past two years to over 3,500 free tutoring hours, 150 tutors, 200 students, and over 120 different elementary, middle and high schools served. In that time, Erin learned how to streamline communication with parents and tutors, created a team of teen leaders from eight different schools

Project Process: Shravan began by asking his mother, who has a nutritionist background, for help in designing a high protein vegetarian diet. Then, he cut out soda and added sugars and other types of processed food to help his body adjust to the strenuous training, he developed with his father and coach. Shravan began to run every day, and once he established a habit, he rotated between swimming, biking, and running. After finding a groove, he trained

in two of the three activities a day to begin pushing his endurance. Shravan also frequently worked out to increase his strength and endurance.

Shravan: “I trained for about 1.5 years to complete the triathlon. The most challenging part of my project was the mental part. I had to find ways to keep going when it seemed endless, and it taught me how to find the strength to accomplish my goals even when they’re difficult. It took me six hours to complete my triathlon, and I hit a wall during my fifth hour. I pushed through because my friends and family were cheering me on. After completing it, I feel I can trust my skills and abilities more and take on any challenge before me.”

Quick Fact: Participants are allowed to take a 10 minute break between each activity. Shravan utilized each break to hydrate, refuel with a snack, and complete a couple mindful breathing exercises.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CARES

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE & GOALS

THE MAIN GOAL OF MIDDLE SCHOOL CARES IS TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’ SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE, ACADEMIC SUCCESS, BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS, AND OVERALL SCHOOL CLIMATE. THIS GOAL ALSO SERVES TO IMPROVE TEACHER HEALTH AND WELL-BEING BY CREATING POSITIVE, RELIABLE, FAIR, AND SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS WHERE EVERYONE THRIVES.

Head of Middle School Bill Waskowitz and his faculty recently looked at how they wanted to establish the types of social and emotional behaviors that will create a community of learners where students, as well as faculty, truly thrive. This past summer, Waskowitz and his team put an enormous amount of work into creating the framework introduced to students at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, which they have named Middle School CARES. The acronym itself, CARES, captures the true intent of what they are striving to do: Cultivating Accountability, Respect, Empathy, and Safety. The essence and purpose of the CARES framework can be understood in the intentional “Statement of Purpose & Goals” that was developed this past summer.

“As educators, we must provide a clear understanding of the behavioral expectations in our school, as these expectations are centrally supportive to the three core beliefs of our Middle School community and culture: care of self, care of others, and care of our community.

When students take care of themselves, their classmates, and their school community, we can ensure that we are striving to support their best selves at all times.

“We believe that students need to be a part of the process of identifying and understanding the behavioral expectations that result in creating a community where everyone can thrive. Knowing that the three core beliefs of our Middle School are central to a healthy community, we worked with our students during the opening three weeks of school to create a set of expected behaviors for each of these beliefs,” Waskowitz said.

Middle School’s Healthy Community Guidelines:

Care of Self: Ensuring that a student has what they need to be a personally successful member of our Middle School.

Care of Others: Helping students understand the responsibility they have to care for others serves to develop the empathy needed for a compassionate community that best supports the needs of all its members.

Care of Our Community:

Understanding that every member of the Middle School plays an integral role in creating and supporting our community, it is appropriate that all students develop and understand their sense of ownership and the role they play in maintaining the positive academic, social, and emotional behaviors that define our community.

“When our students can bring a sense of purpose, understanding, and relevance to the expected behaviors that will positively augment their overall experience in school, a true community of learners emerges,” Waskowitz said.

CATCHING UP WITH THE REID SIBLINGS

We caught up with the Reid siblings; Ramsey ’03, Asia Reid Narayan ’05, and Jessalyn ’08, to see where life has taken them and how Seven Hills has impacted their lives.

The Reid family’s longstanding history at Seven Hills dates back to the early 1900s. Ramsey, Asia, and Jessalyn, along with their cousins, are the fourth generation of their family to attend.

Great-grandmother Augusta Forker Reid began the more than centurylong tradition in 1914 when she graduated from Miss Doherty’s College-Preparatory School for Girls.

Grandfather David F. Reid was in the Lotspeich School’s Class of 1940.

In 1976, mother Janet Allen-Reid graduated from The Seven Hills School.

RAMSEY REID ’03

Q: What was your education and career path after graduating from Seven Hills?

A: After graduating from Seven Hills, I went to Tulane University in New Orleans, where I double majored in history and art history

and then attended law school at Ohio State. After school, I started working on political campaigns, starting with President Obama’s reelection campaign, and have been working in Democratic politics and progressive advocacy since then. I currently live in Washington, D.C., and am the director of states for the Democratic National Committee.

Q: How did Seven Hills help you prepare to meet and understand a wide variety of people and viewpoints and influence your career path?

A: Seven Hills was such an important part of creating and shaping my worldview and building appreciation for different perspectives. The teachers, classes, and community at Seven Hills were incredibly influential in making me feel like I could pursue anything that I wanted to.

One of the most important aspects of my work is communication, written and oral. At Seven Hills, part of the educational experience is based on creating different ways of understanding, learning, and listening, and those pillars

of learning have played an integral role in how I communicate professionally today.

Q: If you could give your high school self one piece of advice, what would it be?

A: Don’t sign up for 8 a.m. classes in college!

Q: What is one of your favorite memories from your time at Seven Hills?

A: When you’re in school and growing up, many times you focus on the outcomes and the big moments. The moments I remember most are the ones in between the big moments. Riding in the car with friends on the way to a basketball game at Miami Valley or studying for a physics test at my friend’s house. Seven Hills has amazing people, really kind, smart teachers, and parents who are involved in the community and their kids’ lives; that sense of community is what I remember the most.

In seventh grade during a basketball practice, Coach (Ed) Wiseman lined us up and went down the line, one by one, and made us shake hands; then he taught us how to shake hands properly. That is a life

skill you’re not going to get in a class. He cared about making sure that we were able to communicate and present ourselves well, both on and off the court.

Q: In what way did your time at Seven Hills influence your choice of career in market research?

Q: What was your education and career path after graduating from Seven Hills?

A: After graduating from Seven Hills, I attended Boston College where I majored in English and French. When I graduated, I worked at some tech startups in Boston to figure out my career. I moved back to Cincinnati for a job with Scripps, where I found my passion and career. I worked in consumer insights and research and loved working in media. In Cincinnati, I met my husband Neil, and soon we moved to New York City. I now work for MSNBC in audience research, and I love what I do.

A: Seven Hills taught me to have an interest in the world outside of our immediate bubble and have the desire to understand how other people work. French teachers Madame Curry and Madame Griep were both huge influences on me and encouraged me to go out into the world and experience it. I heeded their advice and studied abroad in France for a year in college. I wasn’t afraid of new opportunities thanks to what my teachers at Seven Hills instilled in me. My year abroad was a big part of why I wanted to work in research since a large part of research is thinking outside your perspective.

Q: A Seven Hills education is a shared experience in your family. What role has the school played in your family’s life?

A: I think I can speak for everyone in my family and say that the friendships that we have made at Seven Hills and Hillsdale

have been constants in all of our lives. The people you associate yourself with at Seven Hills at such a young age become so influential in the type of life you decide to lead. We all had a shared opportunity to push ourselves, pursue our passions, and try to live the lives we wanted to live. I had my 15-year reunion virtually because of COVID and it was crazy how fun it was. It’s so nice that we’ve kept the connection alive.

Q: What is one of your favorite memories from Seven Hills, or one of your favorite memories with your siblings at Seven Hills?

A: I will always remember hanging out next to our lockers, chatting with friends, and teachers would walk by and join in the conversations. That’s what I miss the most, that sense of community. I haven’t found that anywhere else.

In terms of memories with my siblings, I remember when Ramsey got his license, cruising up to the junior lot in his Jeep Wrangler and we felt so cool getting out and walking into school!

ASIA REID NARAYAN ’05

CATCHING UP WITH THE REID SIBLINGS, CONT . . .

Q: What was your education and career path after graduating from Seven Hills?

A: After graduating from Seven Hills, I went to McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. Madame Curry encouraged me to look at McGill, and it is the polar opposite of Seven Hills. I was grateful that Seven Hills had prepared me to work in any learning environment. I majored in psychology with a minor in philosophy, and after graduation, I worked in marketing at the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce for three years. Partnering with their government affairs department got me interested in politics and in 2014, I left Cincinnati and moved to Texas to work on a political campaign.

I feel like Seven Hills uniquely equipped me — and a lot of my peers, too — to do something unknown, like drive across the country with everything I own in the back of my car and live in my boss’s spare bedroom. Working on the campaign in Texas got me hooked on politics and I ended up moving to Washington, D.C., afterward, where I worked for the

Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign before starting my consulting firm in 2018.

Q: Was there a particular class or teacher that influenced or prepared you for your career?

A: Patty Flanagan’s Theatre Workshop senior year prepared me for politics more than anything else ever could have. In the course, you and your classmates work together to create a play from start to finish. It’s incredibly difficult to sit down with a group of 12 fellow 17-year-olds and write a play; write out the dialogue, figure out the blocking, direct it, and do every single piece of it. You have to learn how to manage personalities and work together as a team, even if you may not agree on everything. It was a unique experience that wasn’t actually that different from a career in politics!

Q: A Seven Hills education is a shared experience in your family. What role has the school played in your family’s life?

A: I am the fourth generation of my family to go to the Seven Hills family of schools, so we knew from a young age that we would be a part of the Seven Hills family and community. What I love about Seven Hills is that it’s more than just a school, it’s a welcoming collective of people — not only

in Cincinnati but across the world — and makes you feel a part of something bigger than yourself. You could lose touch with the school for a decade and come right back in and connect with another alumni or faculty member and feel like you have a real shared piece of history. It’s very grounding to have that sense of community as you move through the world.

Q: What is one of your favorite memories from Seven Hills, or one of your favorite memories with your siblings at Seven Hills?

A: My favorite Seven Hills memory is the Homecoming bonfire. I started going to the bonfire in kindergarten and continued to attend through 12th grade. It was something that I looked forward to every year — experiencing it at all those different ages was almost a mark of growing up.

In terms of a memory with my siblings, it was really interesting to be the youngest, following after Ramsey and Asia. By the time I was going to the Middle and Upper Schools and meeting teachers, I was a bit of a known quantity and there was something kind of fun about that; being called “Little Reid” in the hallways might have annoyed me, but it also reminded me that I was in a home away from home whenever I was at Seven Hills.

JESSALYN REID ’08

IN MEMORIAM: Peter Briggs

Peter guided The Seven Hills School through numerous significant changes and challenges during his 19-year tenure as head of school, from 1976 to 1995. He took over only two years after the College Preparatory School and the HillsdaleLotspeich Schools merged to become The Seven Hills School. He undertook the complex task of establishing a unified school community, rebuilding enrollment, and making salaries and benefits more competitive and equitable.

A native of Wellesley, Massachusetts, and a Korean War veteran, Peter earned his master of arts in teaching from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. He worked at Harvard, the Ford Foundation in New York City, and as a teacher in California before serving as the head of school at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio, for 10 years. He succeeded Douglas Stenberg as the head of school at Seven Hills.

Peter led the school through the summer fire at Lotspeich Lower School and an engineering study at the Doherty Campus, which forced both Lower Schools into temporary facilities as new ones were constructed. He also grew the campuses, overseeing the fundraising and construction of Jones Hall on Doherty, the Lotspeich building, a

new Middle School, Stoehr Gym, a new track and soccer field, five tennis courts, and the Wuerfel Early Childhood Center on the Hillsdale Campus. His legacy remains in every Seven Hills classroom, for Peter established the seven values shared by the Seven Hills community. He created a robust culture of commitment to academic excellence, increased diversity, professional training, and understanding the needs of students. He was an ardent supporter of Seven Hills athletics and a constant presence at school and community events.

In the 1995 Seven Hills yearbook, he was recognized for “blending four schools into one” and “knowing the names of all the faculty, students, staff, alumni, parents, and friends of the school.”

Peter is survived by his wife Charlin, children Payson’87 and Heather, and their extended family.

The Seven Hills community lost a dear friend and longtime head of school when Henry Payson “Peter” Briggs, Jr. passed away on June 15, 2022.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWS

After a terrific 2021-22 school year, the Alumni Board is excite d about the 2022-23 year. We are thrilled to be back in person for meetings, after a year of activity that was predominantly virtual.

OUR BOARD PROMOTES THE IDEAL THAT OUR ALUMNI COMMUNITY CREATES “CONNECTIONS TO LAST A LIFETIME.” WITH THE PANDEMIC KEEPING US FROM IN PERSON EVENTS FOR OVER TWO YEARS, WE COULD NOT WAIT TO KICK OFF OUR YEAR OF ALUMNI EVENTS, SO WE COULD RECONNECT AND INTERACT WITH THE ALUMNI COMMUNITY FACE TO FACE.

We hosted a reception to kick off BLINK weekend on Oct. 13 at Taft’s Ale House, where approximately 50 alumni enjoyed local brews and mingled with friends old and new. For the first time since the pandemic, the Seven Hills Roadshow made a stop in New York City at the end of October for a lively cocktail reception to congregate with alumni. The annual Young Alumni Holiday Party made a welcome return, to fight the post-holiday blues, on Dec. 26.

We are looking forward to all of the events we have planned for the first half of 2023, starting with our Alumni & Parent Book Club to discuss “Pachinko” by Books for Lunch author Min Jin Lee at the end of January. We cannot wait for the muchanticipated Reunion 2023 weekend coming up on April 14-15, where we will enjoy the

Classics Luncheon, tours of the Doherty and Hillsdale Campuses and the Alumni Art Show and reception held in Founders Hall. Watch for more events in your inbox, on the Seven Hills Alumni Page on Facebook, and @sevenhillsalumni on Instagram. We hope to connect with you at a future event.

Lastly, we’ve added a few new faces to the Alumni Board. We are proud to welcome new board members Ashley Ackerman ’05, Max Gollobin ’09, and John Ficks ’89.

“I accepted the Board position to connect with fellow alums. I look forward to working behind the scenes to encourage alumni to get involved in the wonderful community here at Seven Hills!” Ashley has been keeping busy since graduating from Miami University in 2009. She taught at the Latin School of Chicago while simultaneously getting her M.S. in elementary education from DePaul University. Before her return to Cincinnati and her beloved school, she lived in Atlanta, where she was a first grade teacher and varsity golf coach at The Galloway School. She returned to Cincinnati this summer to continue her teaching career; she is currently serving as a long-term substitute teacher at Lotspeich Lower School and tennis coach for the Seven Hills JV and varsity teams. Ashley has a passion for volunteerism. She serves on the planning committee of Closets for a Cause, a shopping event benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Cincinnati, as well as participating in the DAV 5K to honor and support veterans.

ASHLEY ACKERMAN ’05

By Gabe Davis ’03, Seven Hills Alumni Association Board Chair

MAX GOLLOBIN ’09

“I ultimately decided to accept a position on the Alumni Board in an effort to give back something to the school that gave me so much.” Max’s connection to, and love for, the school goes all the way back to pre-k. “As a Seven Hills student from pre-k all the way through 12th grade, the faculty and my classmates during my time at Seven Hills were such positive influences toward my personal growth. I hope our work with the Alumni Board can help drive positive experiences for all current and future students.” A Seven Hills lifer, Max ventured south to Nashville for college where he studied economics at Vanderbilt University and graduated in 2013. He then headed east to study at Fordham Gabelli School of Business where he received his M.S in global finance in 2014. He worked in the foreign exchange trading department at Brown Brothers Harriman in New York City for four years, before moving back to his hometown. Max is currently a private banker at J.P. Morgan in Cincinnati and is serving not only as an Alumni Board member, but as a Class Representative for the Class of 2009, as well.

JOHN FICKS ’89

“I accepted the alumni board position because as an alumni and current parent, I care deeply about ensuring the future success of the school. This is my opportunity to contribute time and effort to assisting the Seven Hills community

as best I can.” He and wife, fellow alum Meredith (Edwards) ’98, are continuing their legacy at the school, as their children attend Lotspeich Lower School. This played an integral role in his decision to serve on the board. John is no stranger to supporting Seven Hills. He served on the Alumni Board of Visitors from 2015-19. After graduating from Seven Hills in 1989, John went on to attend Hobart College and graduated with a B.A. in geoscience in 1993. After a brief period enjoying the outdoors in Jackson, Wyoming, he returned home to Ohio to attend Miami University for his M.B.A. in marketing and graduated in 1997. He is the global sales & marketing manager for Robbins Sports Surfaces, a manufacturer and distributor of athletic and recreational flooring based in Cincinnati. He is also an award-winning landscape and nature photographer and also serves on the Board of Directors and Finance Committee of The Cincinnati Nature Center.

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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 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.

GABE DAVIS ’03 Alumni Association President

Reunion 2023 April 14 &15

Class Representatives are still 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 to volunteer.

REUNION CLASSES

CPS & H ILLSDALE classes of 1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, and 1973

LOTSPEICH classes of 1942, 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, and 1972

SEVEN HILLS classes of 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2003

Please visit www.7hills.org/reunion for hotel information, transportation, and schedule of events, as well as any updates for the weekend.

All events are free of charge courtesy of your Alumni Association and the Alumni & Development Office. Spouses, guests, and families are welcome to all events except for the Classics Luncheon.

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

REUNION SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Classics Luncheon & State of the School for CPS & Hillsdale classes of 1940-1973 and Lotspeich alumni from 1939-1967

Cincinnati Country Club

2348 Grandin Road, 45208

1:30-2:30 p.m.

CPS Tour of Doherty Campus with Head of Doherty Lower School Tracy Murch 2726 Johnstone Place, 45206

5-6 p.m.

Tour of Hillsdale Campus, including The Schiff Center, Field House, and newly renovated Middle School

Meet in front of Founders Hall

5400 Red Bank Road, 45227

6-7:30 p.m.

Alumni Art Show & Reunion Reception in Founders Hall for all Reunion classes and local alumni

Founders Hall, Hillsdale Campus

5400 Red Bank Road, 45227

SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2023

Reserved for class-specific celebrations.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CPS AND HILLSDALE CLASSES OF 1973 ON YOUR 50 th REUNIONS!

H ILLSD ALE

ALUMNI RETURN TO CAMPUS, SHARE CAREE R AND LIFE ADVICE AT PANEL

Four Seven Hills alumni returned to the Hillsdale Campus on Oct. 18 to take part in the first Alumni Career Panel of the 2022-23 school year. The panel, moderated by senior Anna Papakirk, took place during Upper School lunch in the Hillsdale Commons.

The alumni gave advice on picking a major, deciding when it was the right time for graduate or law school, and determining if it is time for a career change.

Max Gollobin ’09, a banker with J.P. Morgan, told the students that being uncertain what steps to take and needing to reach out for mentorship and career support is normal.

“Even the people you perceive as being the most successful, they had help along the way. If people are willing to help, take the opportunity and reach out to them,” Gollobin said.

Mary Taliaferro ’09, a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management,

added that the strength of the Seven Hills alumni community is a great place to find mentorship.

“Do not be intimidated to ask. When I moved back to Cincinnati, I reached out to Seven Hills alums that I had never spoken to in school, but I was touched by how open and caring they were,” Taliaferro said.

When asked how their Seven Hills education helped them in college, Kalpana Kotagal ’95, a civil rights attorney, instantly credited critical thinking skills.

“I feel that the emphasis on hard questions and hard answers in math and science and in writing and literature work made me ready for those hard questions and answers in undergrad,” Kotagal said.

THANK YOU to our Alumni Career Panelists!

GABE DAVIS ’0 3

Executive Director of Citizen Complaint Authority for the City of Cincinnati

MAX GOLLOBIN ’09

Banker at J.P Morgan Private Bank

MARY TALIAFERRO ’09

Financial advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

KALPANA KOTAGAL ’95

Partner at Cohen Milstein’s Civil Rights & Employment Practice

Seven Hills Roadshow: New York City

After a three-year hiatus due to COVID, the Seven Hills Roadshow returned to the Big Apple on Oct. 26. On the crisp autumn evening, more than 40 alumni and friends from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut convened at the Cosmopolitan Club on the Upper East Side of Manhattan for the Roadshow reception. The class years spanned from 1957 through the newest college graduates of the Class of 2018. There were even a few alumni in attendance who had moved to the city the day of the event! Guests enjoyed cocktails and light bites on the terrace, and chatted and mingled with faces old and new. Director of Development, Margo Kirstein, gave a brief update on the school, and then opened the floor to guests to share a little bit about themselves and what they are doing. The evening resulted in new professional and personal connections, proving, once again, that Seven Hills builds connections that last a lifetime.

Thank you to our hosts, Frank Cohen ’91, Peter Dumbadze ’06, Jan Fullgraf Golann H’67, Michael Laurence ’87, Asia Reid Narayan ’05, Margo Taft Stever H’68, Sharon Worthing Vaino C’70, and Liza Martindale Weiner ’99.

# THROWBACK:

Honorary Athletic Club (HAC)

Many alumni will fondly reminisce about the clubs and activities they were involved with during their time at school. College Prepatory School (CPS), Hillsdale School, and The Seven Hills School have offered a myriad of activities, clubs, and associations over the years. One club that is dear to a number of CPS and Seven Hills alumni, is the prestigious Honorary Athletic Club, or HAC. We chatted with former HAC member Carol Smith Hesser C’65, to learn more about this prestigious program.

Inaugurated in 1948 by CPS’s physical education teacher Miss Martha Carey, the HAC recognized proficiency in

sports and sought to “promote enthusiasm and encourage participation in after-school athletics.” Throughout the year, HAC members would play varsity sports, including field hockey, volleyball, and soccer. Notable CPS games were field hockey against Hillsdale and Summit, volleyball against Hillsdale, and the annual HAC-FAC volleyball game against the faculty and HAC alums. The emphasis on sportsmanship carried on throughout the lifetime of the organization, to its final year in the early 1990s.

In its earliest days at CPS, new members were chosen, or tapped, in the spring at the end of the annual “HAC Show,” a themed variety show performed by HAC members for the

student body and faculty. To signal the start of the tapping ceremony, the HACs would sing a traditional song, “A little birdie told us we’d be tapping, we’d be tapping, and that is what we’re going to do!” Hesser recalled the tapping process, “A senior HAC

A little birdie told us we’d be tapping, we’d be tapping, and that is what we are going to do!

- Carol Smith Hessler

One of the first HAC Classes in 1949

Carol Smith Hesser C’65 models her white HAC Blazer from her CPS days, adorned with the blue Doherty ‘D’ on the pocket.

member would walk through the audience, while HAC members would call out ‘You’re getting close! No, you’re cold!’ Once they got to the freshman or sophomore girl to tap, they would slip behind and tap her to surprise her and give her a bit of a fright! The new member would jump

with a theme, build the sets, and perform the numbers, which were themed song parodies and skits. They would perform for the student body at convocation, and then again the next night, as the final event of May Fete. The HAC shows were a mainstay at CPS until the merger in 1974, when tapping was moved to a special assembly.

In the early decades of Seven Hills, HAC remained a coveted club but evolved to honor athletes who played two or more varsity

sports and embodied the three S’s of sports: spirit, skill and, most importantly, sportsmanship. The white cardigans or blazers with the Doherty D gave way to t-shirts after the merger, until the club’s last year in the early 1990s. While the club may no longer exist, it will always have a special place in its members’ hearts.

up to hug and cry, and then be led back to the stage to join the current HAC members.” New HACs would receive their pins, a blue and gold enamel H, that they could put on their recognizable white HAC blazers with the blue Doherty D patch on the pocket.

The HAC show was just as anticipated by the student body as the ceremony to tap new members. The variety show was produced and performed by the current HAC members, with a parent volunteer to help direct and accompany. The members would come up

Group photo in their HAC shirts, 1987-88 school year

HACs photo from 1964, including Carol Smith Hesser ’65

One of the last HAC classes 1989-90 school year

Seven Hills Alumni BLINKed!

Alumni enjoyed a lively happy hour reception in the heart of Over-the-Rhine to honor the kickoff of BLINK weekend.

On Oct. 13, a group of alumni from the classes of 1980 to 2009 gathered at Taft’s Ale House in Over-the-Rhine for a happy hour to kick off BLINK weekend; a four-day festival that featured intricate and breathtaking light, music, and art installations meandering through Over-the-Rhine, into Downtown, and jumping across the river to Northern Kentucky.

Approximately 50 alumni, spouses, and friends of all ages socialized, and enjoyed snacks and brews in the laid-back vibe of the North Mezzanine Lounge at Taft’s before venturing out to enjoy the sights and sounds of BLINK.

Many thanks to our hosts, Alumni Board President Gabe Davis ’03 and Alumni Board members Ashley Ackerman ’05, Maddie Caldemeyer ’11, John Ficks ’89, Kathryne Gardette ’79, Max Gollobin ’09, Amy Bulger Kattman ’89, Meera Kotagal ’99 and Laura Hoguet Leonard ’06, who helped bring so many people together.

FALL ALUM NI SPORTS NIGHT 2022

Oh, what a night! More than 50 former Stinger athletes returned to Hillsdale Campus on the evening of Friday, Aug. 5 for Fall Sports Night. Former athletes from our soccer, volleyball, and tennis programs came out to take on our current Stingers for some friendly scrimmages under the lights and in the new Field House.

Soccer alumni dribbled around the boys and girls varsity teams, the varsity volleyball team spiked their alumni competitors, and tennis alumni volleyed against their varsity opponents.

To cap off the evening, athletes, coaches and their supporters toasted a good match with pizza and soft drinks. A big thank you to the fans, alumni, varsity athletes, coaches, and athletic department staff for being part of the fun filled, amazing event — a great time was had by all!

#Stinger…Rumble

DOES THE SCHOOL STILL . . . ENJOY FOU NDERS HALL AS THE CENTER OF HILLSDALE CAMPUS LIFE?

Alumni often wonder if the school maintains the traditions, events, and activities that they enjoyed while they were students at the school. Many times, our answer is, “Yes! We still have that!”

A shared tradition for generations of students of Hillsdale-Lotspeich School, and later The Seven Hills School, is dining and attending events, assemblies, dances, and performances in Founders Hall. Built in the late 1950s, the free-standing Founders Hall was needed to accommodate the growing student body of Hillsdale-Lotspeich School, and was dedicated in 1959 as a dining and recreation facility. Constructed with an open dining room and a stage anchoring one end, it has been used and enjoyed through the years for thousands of lunches and fruit breaks, and hundreds of assemblies and performances.

Asia Reid Narayan ’05, reminisced about a memory that stuck out from her years of eating lunch in Founder’s Hall, “I remember sitting in Founders while at Lotspeich and being in ‘Lunch Bunch,’ a table at which students who had gotten in trouble would sit with their teacher. I remember sitting there with my fellow Lunch Bunchers, having a great time eating our lunches and talking together, and thinking to myself, ‘this is punishment?’”

In the past few years, upgrades have been made to Founders, including new windows, overhead lighting, and round tables and chairs, as well the addition of a salad bar and toppings bar. One feature that hasn’t changed a bit is the tradition of lining up each day to walk through the lunch line. One remembers being met with the smiling faces of the culinary staff while being served favorites like pizza, brunch for lunch, and the famous warm cookies, to be enjoyed in the lunch room at the long tables, set up in

perfect rows. But the memories don’t stop with the students, the kitchen staff are sentimental, as well. A staple of Founders Hall, Food Service Director Jan Alford said “When I started in 1991, we had eight people on the floor and one supervisor. The food and cooking have evolved during my time here, but much remains the same. My favorite part of working on the lunch line for so many years is seeing the kids who I’ve served since they were in kindergarten

Since I was a student, Founders has always smelled the same to me and every morning when I walk through the door at work, I think about that and what an amazing pleasure it is to come back and work for the school that I love.

- Culinary Innovation Manager John Snyder ’96

Lunch time in Founders Hall 1963

Students in lunch line in Founders Hall 1963

come back to visit after they’ve graduated and gone off to college. It’s just amazing.”

Some students remember the space not for what they ate there, but more for what they saw or performed on stage. Many events and assemblies have been held on the dark wood stage in Founders Hall. Scores of plays, chorus concerts, and graduations have graced the stage in

he saw and participated in. He recalls, “I mostly remember Founders as a place where we had performances, plays, and choral concerts. I performed a couple of times in the talent shows and those are some of my favorite memories at Seven Hills. It’s funny because I don’t have any memories of eating there, just performing.”

The newly built Schiff Center and Field House are now homes of our theatrical and music performances, guest speakers, graduation ceremonies, school and division meetings, and much more, so many of the old traditions still last, they’re just taking place in new venues.

Founders Hall. The PTA donated stage lights and the Class of 1960 donated the original velvet curtain for Founders as their senior gift, to enhance the performances, ceremonies, and assemblies taking place in the space. In the Hillsdale days, Freshman Day, Fashion Show, and variety shows were held on the stage, which was twice the size as the old stage in the gym. It was also where the Harvest Fair Talent Show took place until its last show in 1999. Current Culinary Innovation Manager John Snyder ’96 has a unique perspective experiencing Founders as a student, and then again as his place of work. Interestingly enough, his fond memories are not centered around the food or lunch at all, but the performances

Founders Hall will always hold a special place in the hearts of the

Seven Hills community. Snyder said, “One thing I can tell you is that since I was a student, Founders has always smelled the same to me and every morning when I walk through the door at work, I think about that and what an amazing pleasure it is to come back and work for the school that I love.”

We hope you will indulge your nostalgia and join us in Founders Hall for the Alumni Art Show and Reunion Reception on the evening of Friday, April 14th…the lunch line will be open!

Students convening in 2022

The Cafeteria staff from the 1993-94 school year

Students enjoying lunch in 1973

News from Our Alumni

1965

Polly Adair Culp (H) (Cincinnati) writes, “I enjoyed spending time with Patty Bigham Journeay H’65 this spring when she visited Cincinnati; we had fun seeing Joan Archiable Maxfield H’65 at her home where she has a wonderful family of animals and a collection of her own beautiful needlework. Patty and I also attended the Seven Hills Classics Luncheon and toured the Seven Hills new Middle School and The Schiff Center. Very impressive facilities, especially for theater and music!”

and knits for their knitting group the Knitten’ Kittens! Carol also loves to needlepoint, travel, and sail while she and her husband spend summers at their cottage in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan.

1966

Dr. William Sawyer (L) (Cincinnati) writes that he tried to stop a pandemic by creating the Henry the Hand Foundation, promoting the four principles of Hand Awareness!

1968

Margo Taft Stever (H) (Sleepy Hollow, NY) had her third full-length collection of poetry, “The End of Horses,” published by Broadstone Books in April. In early December, she did a reading of her works at The Mercantile Library in Cincinnati and the next day taught two AP English classes at Seven Hills on Dec. 9.

1969

Carol Smith Hesser (C) (Cincinnati) a CPS lifer, lives in Cincinnati with her husband Grant, an alum of Walnut Hills High School. They have two grown children, Torie and Jim, and three beautiful grandchildren. Her love for the school goes beyond just CPS, for which she is active in reunion planning and as a Class Rep. She also was a substitute teacher at Seven Hills from 1999-2012. Hesser remarked, “It was truly a challenging yet rewarding time in my life. Great support from the teachers and staff!” She has served on the Vestry at The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, currently participates as a guitarist in the Celtic Service and in the weekly Bible study group, chairs the Bread Ministry,

Debbie Meyer Chamberlain (C) (Cincinnati) reported that she has a new grandson! Debbie’s daughter, Jill Chamberlain-Moran, and her husband Brian Moran welcomed Zachary Taylor Chamberlain-Moran on May 6, 2022. Debbie notes, “Since I’m retired and they live nearby I will be able to see and spoil him often!” Congratulations!

1970

Anni Macht (C) (Cincinnati) visited her daughter, Sarah-Margaret Gibson ’07 , and her husband Lee Craigmile and their son, Charlie, in September in Scotland. Sarah and Lee are artists and own The Glasgow Academy of Fine Art in Glasgow.

Sharon Worthing Vaino (C) (New York) and her husband Jaan are happy to be the subjects of a portrait being prepared with consummate skill by Anni Macht’s C’70 daughter, Sarah-Margaret Gibson ’07.

Laurie Hathaway Monahan (H) (Gettysburg, PA) reports, “A group of 1970 graduates got together for a Zoom call during COVID and now it has become a regular call once a month. It has been so great to reconnect!”

Laurie Durbrow Hyndman (H) (Cumberland Foreside, ME) writes, “My husband and I have been living in Maine for the last 34 years and raised our three children here. They are now scattered across the country. We just attended our son’s wedding in LA and loved having my

sister, Betsy Durbrow Parker H’68 , and her family and Margaret Walker Comey H’70 come out for the celebration. While Maine is far from Cincinnati, we have a good contingent of alums here — Jay Moore Reighley H’72, Lynne Wommack Espy ’76, Polly Smith H’70, and Poppy Yeiser Hawkins H’67. COVID derailed our 50th Reunion, but it did prompt a group of us to get together via Zoom every month. Those currently on the monthly Zoom are Margaret Walker Comey, Maril McCord, Lisa Carothers Morgan, Sara Vogeler, Laurie Hathaway Monahan, Emily Krehbiel Lewis, Kathy Radcliffe Semmens, Hope Robertson and Carol Campbell Bemis. We’d love to have more classmates jump on.”

1972

Lisa Lillard Caldwell (H) (Santa Fe, NM) is still dancing, painting, and singing when she can. Her husband is busy with his photography, fly fishing, hiking, and camping, but also does “nia” dance classes with her. Lisa writes, “In the pandemic... we renovated our yard here in Santa Fe, thinking more about the years ahead and hoping to stay in our home, to age in place. Two grandchildren are local and two live north of Chicago in Libertyville, attending Forest Bluff School, cofounded by my mom and one sister, and run for years by Mom and then another sister.”

1974

Jane Garvey (C) (Cincinnati) is trying to keep up with her grandsons, ages 2 and 4, who live nearby!

1976

Janet Allen-Reid (Cincinnati) writes, “After training to become a Postpartum Doula, I started a new business in

In Memoriam

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

1946

Janet Hengstenberg Hauck (H) (Cincinnati) passed away on May 21.

1951

Joan Fankhauser Ireton (C)(Cincinnati) passed away in August.

1956

Carol Wachs Kirby (H)(Cincinnati) passed away on May 26.

1957

Margaret Parlin O’Malley (H)(Burt Lake, MI) passed away on Oct. 26.

1962

Sally Swigert Hamilton (H)(Cincinnati) passed away on June 26.

1972

Cincinnati — Beyond The Bump Cincy. We work with families in the first three months after a new baby arrives helping parents adjust and thrive! It’s been fun to shift my focus from nannying newborns in the first year, to helping moms and dads feel comfortable with their parenting! And we are also offering a Grandparenting 101 class, which is so fun. So much can change in a generation on baby care! Check out our website, designed by Jessalyn Reid, Class of 2008!”

Catherine (Cathy) Smale Caldemeyer (H)(Cincinnati) passed away on Dec. 2

1974

Barbara Ullman Gerla (C)(Dayton, OH) passed away on May 7.

1975

Laura Gamble Thomson (Cincinnati) passed away Oct. 1.

2003

Alex Rush (Colorado) passed away on Nov. 9.

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.

Friends of the School

Peter Briggs (Cincinnati), former Head of School who served the Seven Hills community from 1976-1995, passed away on June 15.

Tracy Hickenlooper (Cincinnati), devoted Doherty educator for 28 years, passed away on June 29.

CLASS NOTES, Continued . . .

News from Our Alumni

Christie Evans (Delray Beach, FL) writes, “I recently finished a three-day road trip from Vermont to Florida with my parents. My dad, 92 and going strong, shared wheel duty, and I’m here to report he’s still a better driver than I am. We had a blast taking the long way through Pennsylvania during high foliage and then dropping down to Virginia, where my mom cornered the horse racing folks populating the Comfort Inn and learned a great deal about trotters. The track was adjacent to the hotel, so I had to peel her away before she started betting. At our next stop, in South Carolina, the hotel staff accommodated my dad by rushing his cheeseburger to Room 201 so he could watch Ohio State trounce Michigan State — simple pleasures! Final trip review: five stars for sharing and making memories, but back seats are a bummer for aging bodies. Next time, we’ll fly.”

1982

Mia Reeder Williams (Layton, UT) sent this update, “This year has been busy for me. I remarried in February 2022, and I retired from the Internal Revenue Service at the end of July. I have been living in Utah since 2019, though this is the second time that I have lived here, as working for the IRS is the reason for the relocation on both occasions. I have a grown daughter, Deborah Alread L’05, who is a nurse, and she and her husband have two young sons.”

1988

Eric Ruder (Chicago) wrote to share that he is working in communications for the Chicago Teachers Union.

Julianne Richardson Wagner (Atherton, CA) lives with her husband Scott and their three teens. She manages the busy family and exhibits her skills on their golf club’s finance committee and on two non-profit boards. For one of these, Figure Skating in Harlem, Ed Baynes ’88 joined her at its annual NYC gala a couple years back. For the other, Special Operations: Finding Kids, Ellen Haude ’88 awarded a UPenn student strategy project to help them identify how to rescue more minors from sex traffickers in the Bay Area. The family schedule is full of basketball, water polo, cross country, and lacrosse games.  Julianne had a brisk catch-up fitness walk with Amy Greenberger Venturi ’87 in Denver in the recent past, and she runs into Drewry Simpkinson Wolf ’87 at the occasional Bay Area cross country meet.

1990

Dr. Georgia Lorenz (Lake Mary, FL), only the third President to helm Seminole State

College of Florida in its 50-year existence, was awarded one of the “50 Most Powerful in Orlando 2022” by Orlando Magazine.

1997

Arthur Motch (Brooklyn, NY) presented some of his most recent prints at an art show in Brooklyn in June. Classmate Jason Byrd ’97 attended the exhibition to support his friend. Congratulations!

2002

Noah Bendix-Balgley (Berlin, Germany), accomplished violinist and concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, recently had solo performances at Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Ann Arbor, and Naples, Florida. He has been based in Berlin since 2014, when he became concertmaster. Noah will be making a return to Columbus in March 2023, to perform the klezmer violin concerto he composed.

Will Nacev (New York) has earned a Michelin star as co-executive chef at the Le Pavillon restaurant in New York City! After rising to executive sous chef at Restaurant Daniel, Daniel Boulud’s eponymous NYC restaurant, William was named co-executive chef at Le Pavillon, which opened in May of 2021 and is now celebrating its Michelin star. What a prestigious honor!

2004

Asher Lanier (Cincinnati) and wife Kelsey welcomed daughter Charlotte Taylor on May 11! The new parents could not be more overjoyed. Congratulations!

2003

P.G. Sittenfeld (Cincinnati) and wife Dr. Sarah Sittenfeld welcomed their second child, Francis-Paul Coyne Sittenfeld, on Aug. 27, 2022. Frankie’s older brother, George, started in the Early Childhood Center on the Hillsdale Campus this year, marking the third consecutive generation of Sittenfeld involvement with the school, dating back to George and Frankie’s grandmother, Betsy Sittenfeld, who started her teaching career at Seven Hills in the 1970s. “Seven Hills has always felt like family,” Sittenfeld said. “We’re thrilled to be back!”

Claire Rubin Prat (Cincinnati) and husband Ashton welcomed son Remy Ashton on May 31. Remy joins big sister Frances and big brother Sam. Congratulations!

2005

Drew Gibson (Falls Church,VA) is in his seventh year working for AIDS United in Washington, D.C. He is the organization’s director of advocacy working on policy. He and his fiancée Rachel Leipow recently announced their engagement.

2010

Rebecca McDonough (Cincinnati) married Summit alum Barrett Albrecht on Oct. 1 at Christ Church Cathedral’s Centennial Chapel. They then danced the night away at the Queen City Club with family and friends, including Seven Hills alums Sarah McDonough Goodacre ’04, Emily McDonough Murphy ’05, Brian Hepp ’05, Nancy Cohen ’10, and Amanda Meredith ’10. Rebecca and Barrett also just purchased their first home together in Terrace Park. Best wishes to the happy couple!

Emily Zemboch Werbel (Cincinnati) and husband Aaron welcomed daughter Mollie Blair on Sept. 20. She joins big sister Livia and big brother Jake. Congratulations!

News from Our Alumni

2011

Kevin Pan (Cleveland) graduated from the Ohio University’s accelerated three-year medical school program in May and will be continuing his training at The Cleveland Clinic for his family medicine residency. Kevin noted that joining Teach for America after his undergraduate studies at Kenyon helped him create a better identity for the populations he wants to support in his future medical practice and gave him a better vision for what type of physician he aims to be.

2014

Connor Rouan (San Francisco) shared that he lives in the Bay Area and works as an engineer for a Boston-based company doing industrial automation, process improvement, and energy reduction projects.

2016

Margaret Cox (Philadelphia) is getting a master’s in social work and in non-profit leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and will graduate in May 2023.

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

2012

Linnea Head (Cincinnati) is serving her community! She was sworn in as one of the newest firefighters for Colerain Township on Oct. 25. Congratulations, Linnea, and thank you for your service!

Matthew Marquardt (Columbus, OH) is an Ironman World Champion! On Oct. 6, he competed in the Ironman World Championship on the Big Island of Hawaii and took home the Male 25-29 World Title, while dealing with a damaged bike days before the race and battling a bacterial infection! Matthew is a secondyear medical student at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and plans to use his platform and medical knowledge to help educate people on cancer prevention practices and healthy behaviors.

2018

Alex Kreines (Boston) moved to Boston after graduating from Bowdoin College in May. He is now working at Vertex, a pharmaceutical company, as an analytical chemist.

Matt Kreines (Cincinnati) graduated in the spring from Union College in New York, with a degree in biomedical engineering. He currently works at Medpace.

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

2023 Spring Alumni Calendar

We look forward to seeing everyone at our events this winter and spring! Please keep an eye on the calendar at www.7hills.org/alumni on social media, and in your inbox for more info on upcoming events!

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Alumni & Parent Book Club

Book discussion of “Pachinko” by Books for Lunch author Min Jin Lee

6-7:30 p.m. Hillsdale Campus

Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023

Alumni Trivia Night!

7-9 p.m. via Zoom

Details to come

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023

Next Chapter Event: Family Valentine Cookie Decorating class with Glenda Jones, owner of Cocoa Bites

12:30-2 p.m. Hillsdale Campus

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023

Alumni Career Panel Lunch & Learn Series for Upper School Students

11 a.m. in the Hillsdale Commons

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Next Chapter Event: Work out class with fitness instructor Anna Holwadel, owner of Pure Barre Kenwood

Join us for a Barre class

9-10 a.m. in the Field House

Hillsdale Campus

Friday & Saturday, April 14 & 15, 2023

REUNION WEEKEND

Friday, April 14, 2023

11:30 a.m. Classics Luncheon at Cincinnati Country Club for Classes of 1940-1973 and Lotspeich Alumni from 1939-1967

• Lunch served at 12 p.m.

• State of the School from Head of School

Chris Garten

1:30 p.m. Tour of Doherty Campus with Head of Doherty Tracy Murch

5:30 p.m. Tour of Hillsdale Campus

6 p.m. Alumni Art Show and Reunion Reception in Founders Hall

Saturday, April 15, 2023

Reserved for class gatherings

Connect with Reunion reps for details

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Alumni Career Panel Lunch & Learn Series for Upper School Students

11 a.m. in the Hillsdale Commons

Dates TBA

Seven Hills Roadshow Visits in 2023

Be on the lookout for more information about where the Roadshow will be heading in 2023!

The Seven Hills School

Hillsdale Campus

5400 Red Bank Road

Cincinnati, Ohio 45227

2022-23 SEVEN HILLS BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Terrance J. Porter

John Atkinson

Kimberly Jackson

John Schneider

Nolan Bean

Josh Martin

Chuck Mingo

Steve Leeper

Angie Apple

Alana Pepper

Jim Jurgensen

Samir S. Shah

Peter Cha

Dorothy Corbett ’84

Jutta Lafley

Kelli Stein

Lair Kennedy

Amy DeWitt

Stephen J. Baggott, Chair

Christopher P. Garten, Head of School

Samir Kulkarni, Secretary

Gabe Davis ’03, Alumni Representative

Meredith Ficks ’98

Thomas Charles Garber ’96

Top row left to right:

Heather Z. Vecellio ’92

Bottom row left to right:

Not pictured: Karen Callard ’80