The Seven Hills School Fall/Winter Magazine 2023 by The Seven Hills School

FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 2 3

50 YEARS OF SEVEN HILLS • • • • • •

TO • • • • • •

CELEBRATE SEE INSIDE - PAGE 10

Contents

4 Column 6 New Faces at Seven Hills 10 50 Years of Seven Hills 14 School News 22 Preparing Students for an Unknown Technological Future 24 School News: Arts 26 Fall Sports 28 The Buzz Sampler 31 50th Anniversary Kickoff Event 32 Reading at Seven Hills Deepens Understanding of Cultures and Identities 34 Alumni Profiles – 36 Alumni Board Updates 42 Let's Celebrate 50 years 44 Alumni Speaker Series 46 #ThrowBack 48 Does the School Still ... ? 50 Alumni Class Notes 55 Calendar of Upcoming Alumni Events By Head of School Christopher P. Garten

Catching Up with Jane Garvey '74 and Donna Martin '74

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

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

Auriel Buchanan Director of Communications & Marketing

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

WHY IS THE ANNUAL FUND IMPORTANT? B RIDG E

THE ANNUAL FUND IS PART OF THE OPERATING BUDGET.

Tuition covers 80% of the school’s operating budget. The Annual Fund bridges this funding gap.

THE ANNUAL FUND IMPACTS EVERY STUDENT.

ENRICH

The Annual Fund enhances each child’s educational experience with expert teachers, field trips, lab and studio equipment, costumes and uniforms, and educational support, enriching every child’s education.

EN G AG E

The Annual Fund is used to fund no-cut athletics, professional fine and performing arts, workshops, and a myriad of experiential and engaging opportunities among many other things.

THE ANNUAL FUND FUELS PARTICIPATION.

Bottom line, Seven Hills wouldn’t be Seven Hills without the generosity of our Annual Fund supporters. Won’t you join us? EVERY gift helps us reach our goal of $1.3 million. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A GIFT ONLINE, SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT 7HILLS.ORG/ANNUALFUND.

THANK YOU!

YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF YOUR SUPPORT IN OUR ANNUAL REPORT BY VISITING 7HILLS.ORG/2022-23-ANNUALREPORT/ OR BY SCANNING THE QR CODE.

Christopher P. Garten HEAD OF SCHOOL

his year, we mark a milestone of sorts: it has been 50 years since The Seven Hills School emerged, as a formal entity, out of the 1974 merger between our two origin schools, The College Preparatory School (on what is now known as the Doherty Campus) and the Hillsdale-Lotspeich School (on the present Hillsdale Campus).

School, founded in her home in 1916 by Helen Gibbons Lotspeich. Rooted in the belief of some educators at the time that fresh air could serve both as an antidote for disease and a stimulant for learning, classes in Mrs. Lotspeich’s school were held out of doors or in unheated modules in all seasons of the year. Mrs. Lotspeich, a progressive educator, took a distinctly different approach: her goal for her students was “Joy in Learning.” Mrs. Lotspeich’s creative program was also inclusive and warmly welcomed children of all faiths and backgrounds into its ranks.

The College Preparatory School was founded in 1906 by Mary Harlan Doherty as Miss Doherty’s College Preparatory School for Girls. Its curriculum was derived from the classical educational tradition. It embraced a rigorous and traditional approach to learning and appealed to many of Cincinnati’s most Mary Harlan Doherty prominent families. The school, in its student body, reflected the neighborhood and social circles in which it was located.

The Hillsdale School was founded in 1928 under the leadership of Miriam Titcomb, as a day and boarding school for girls in grades seven through 12. The Hillsdale philosophy was intentionally different from that of Miss Doherty’s School. Hillsdale was meant to be progressive and student-centered, with education meant to be “more joyous” than that commonly found in the more traditional schools of the time. The development of personality, character, and the motivation to become a life-long learner were key elements of the Hillsdale philosophy. In 1954, Lotspeich and Hillsdale became the Hillsdale-Lotspeich School.

At the opposite end of the educational spectrum was the Clifton Open-Air 4

In 1974, for a variety of financial and demographic reasons, The College Preparatory School and the Hillsdale-Lotspeich School merged into The Seven Hills Schools. And in 1993, as it became obvious that the school would benefit from more internal collaboration and external recognition as a unified entity, the name was changed to The Seven Hills School. Without some knowledge of the constituent schools’ founding principles, it might be difficult to understand the philosophical underpinnings of a school that includes two elementary divisions and perpetuates a philosophy that embraces a wide range of abilities and supports the highest levels of academic achievement for all its students. Seven Hills is unique in the Cincinnati area in the breadth of its educational process and practice, and this complex character is a direct result of its rich and diverse heritage. So, while we celebrate, this year, the 50-year anniversary of the merger, we take even greater pride in a tradition of excellence

that dates back more than 115 years. Over the last 11 decades, this school community has grown immeasurably. What began, essentially, as a one-

global and environmental issues, and world languages, and by immersing students in foreign travel and exchange programs to Italy and Greece, Spain,

room schoolhouse, and then as two single-sex girls’ schools, has grown into a complex institution with more than 1,040 students that graduates, each year, approximately 100 young individuals, all well prepared to excel in some of the nation’s most rigorous colleges and universities. Having been founded as neighborhood schools that served a narrow band of the city’s population, we have evolved into a diverse and vibrant institution, serving a broad range of families from more than 65 zip codes and all walks of life.

France, and China. As the world has become more technical, the school has expanded its offerings in mathematics, science, engineering, and computer science. And new programs in experiential learning, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship have provided opportunities for students to gain real world experience as they prepare not just for college, but for their lives beyond these walls.

As the world has changed ever more rapidly, so too has the school’s program. Over the last five decades, Seven Hills has worked hard to prepare our graduates for a world that is arguably more complex and more competitive than at any time in our history. As the world has become more interconnected, our curriculum has become more global and more multicultural in focus, offering students a chance to understand the full complexity of the human experience, by studying western and non-western history and literature,

In spite of their philosophical differences, the schools founded by Miss Doherty, Mrs. Lotspeich, and Miriam Titcomb were united by a shared sense of mission, to prepare students, as fully as possible, for the realities of their time. Indeed, throughout its long history, all of the schools from which Seven Hills emerged have been led by visionary educators and supported by generous benefactors, who found common cause in their determination to give students, here in Cincinnati, the best possible preparation for lives of meaning and purpose. Through all of its incarnations, this school has been defined by its warm,

inclusive culture, its progressive and inspirational teachers, and by its focus on fostering not only strong academic skills, but also the strength of character and the interpersonal skills our graduates will need to leave their own defining mark on the world. The story of this great institution is too rich to narrate in this short space. So, as part of our year-long celebration, we have collected, both here in the magazine and on the 50th anniversary website (50th.7hills.org), some wonderful reflections from all who love and value this great school: three generations of students, alumni, parents, and teachers. I would urge you to read through them and to add some thoughts of your own!

SCHOOL NEWS

NEW FACES AT SEVEN HILLS We are pleased to welcome new Seven Hills faculty and staff! Ashley Kohn '06 Lotspeich First Grade Teacher Ashley has

Auriel Buchanan Director of Communications and Marketing

a B.A. in

Auriel has a B.A. in English and a B.S. in

American

education from the University of Dayton. She

in integrative

studies

was marketing coordinator, senior marketing

studies from

from Miami

coordinator, and senior marketing manager at

Northern

University

the architecture firm BHDP, where she led all

Kentucky

and an M.E.

digital marketing efforts and campaigns and

University. She

in elementary

developed the

has worked as a

Eileen has a B.A.

education from DePaul University. She

company’s

was at Seven Hills as a long-term sub for

branding. She has

teacher at St. Thomas Episcopal School in

first grade during the 2022-23 school

also worked as the

Houston, where she created a comprehensive

year. Before coming to Seven Hills, she

assistant director

curriculum, weekly lesson plans, and classroom

worked at The Galloway School in Atlanta

of annual giving

activities. She has also worked as a staff coach

as a kindergarten and first grade teacher

and a copywriter

at Cincinnati Soccer Club and a recruiting

and at the Latin School of Chicago as a

for Miami

coordinator for the Mount St. Joseph

kindergarten assistant teacher. She is a 2006

University, the communications coordinator at

graduate of The Seven Hills School.

the St. John The Evangelist Church in West Chester, and as an English and theater teacher in Dayton, Ohio.

Jess Appel Accountant Specialist

preschool

University men’s soccer team.

Ann Guillerman Upper School Learning Specialist Ann has a B.A. in

Cheryl Sullivan Dixon Upper School College Counselor

biology from

Kentucky. She

Cheryl has a B.A. in psychology and an M.E. in

University. She

was the staff

guidance and counseling from the University of

has worked as a

accountant for

Toledo and an advanced specialization in career

medical and

The Cincinnati

counseling from Oakland University in

pharmaceutical

Country Club,

Rochester, Michigan. She was the assistant

sales

where she

director of early high school success and a

representative and a teacher in St. Louis,

conducted all

college counselor at Detroit Country Day

Cincinnati, and Houston. She was most recently

accounts

School, where she developed individual

a math, biology, and chemistry teacher at Xavier

Jess has a B.S. in mathematics and a minor in computer science from the University of

Saint Louis

payable and receivable functions for more

curriculum plans

Academy in Houston. She also has extensive

than 800 members. She has been an

for underclassmen

tutoring experience in math and science,

undergraduate researcher at the Georgia

and guided

including calculus, biology, and chemistry.

Institute of Technology School of

upperclassmen

Mathematics and a teaching assistant in UK’s

through the

mathematics department.

college application

Victor Harris Middle School Learning Specialist

process. She was

Victor has a B.A. in comprehensive social

also an instructor,

studies education and an M.E. in curriculum

academic adviser, and director of advising for the college of arts and science at Oakland University.

Eileen Dowd Doherty Pre-kindergarten for 2-YearOlds Assistant Teacher

and supervision from Miami University. He was

SCHOOL NEWS

a social studies teacher at Sycamore Junior High

group lessons. She

School for 33 years, teaching geography and

has been a

Andrew Neyer Upper School Mathematics Teacher

American and

substitute teacher

Andrew has a B.A. in music, a B.S. in

world history. He

for the Indian Hill

mathematics and statistics, and an M.A.T. in

also served as the

Exempted Village

integrated mathematics education from Miami

social studies

Schools,

University. He was the mathematics department

department

Mariemont City

chair, a mathematics teacher, and the varsity golf

supervisor and

School, and Madeira City Schools.

coach at Webb Schools of California. He also served as the

coached junior

mathematics

football, boys junior high and girls high school

Christine Miller Accountant Specialist

lacrosse, and girls high school basketball.

Christine graduated from the University of

chair and a

Cincinnati. She was previously the fine arts

mathematics

accounting office manager for Cincinnati Hills

teacher at

Christian Academy, an account manager for

Cushing

high baseball and

Dana Huls Doherty Learning Specialist

department

Dana has a B.A. in psychology from the

Allegra Marketing

Academy in

University of Tennessee-Knoxville and an M.E.

Print, and a staff

Massachusetts and the Leysin American School

in special education and an M.E. in curriculum

accountant for

in Switzerland. He is also the director of Camp

and instruction from the University of

numerous

Encore Coda, a music camp in Maine.

Cincinnati. She has been an intervention

companies. She is

specialist for Good Shepherd Catholic

also the owner of

Montessori, for

RCC, LCC, a

Lindsey O’Connell Lotspeich Learning Specialist

Saint William

broker between

Lindsey has a B.A. in family studies from Miami

School, and in a

wineries and grocery stores that provides a

University and an M.E. in elementary education

private tutoring

quality workforce for wine tastings.

with a special education certificate from Chestnut Hill College. She was most recently

environment for

an intervention specialist at Kilgour Elementary,

through eighth

Jon Newlie Doherty Music Teacher

grade students.

Jon began as the Doherty music teacher in

designed

She has provided services to students with a

April 2023. He has a B.M. in music education

instruction for

variety of needs using traditional and

from the University of Dayton, where he was

students. She

Montessori styles.

the drum major for the marching band for two

has also been a

years. He served as a long-term substitute for

kindergarten

Erica Lyons Lotspeich Pre-kindergarten Teacher

band at Little Miami Junior High, was the

teacher, eighth

percussion director for the Lebanon City

grade special

Erica has a B.S. in early childhood education

Schools, and was a

education

from Miami University and an M.E. in leadership

general music

teacher, and a special education liaison. She

and administration from the University of

teacher for

worked for Teach for America in Philadelphia

Cincinnati. She was a kindergarten teacher and

pre-kindergarten

and is a member of the Teach for America

literacy specialist at the Mason Early Childhood

through eighth

alumni board.

Center, where she helped students in reading

grade at St. Luke

and writing through individualized and small

Catholic School.

pre-kindergarten

where she developed and implemented specially

Continued on page 8

SCHOOL NEWS

NEW FACES AT SEVEN HILLS . . . Continued

Tom Peters Upper School Theater Teacher

Adeline Roux Upper School French Teacher

Shane Walden Hillsdale Kitchen Staff

Tom has a B.F.A.

Adeline is a native French speaker, who has a

Shane began

in theater and a

B.A. in English and studied English as a

working for

B.S. in

foreign language at the University of

Seven Hills in

education from

Burgundy in France. She received an M.A.

May 2023. He

Ohio University

in French from Miami University in 2023.

attended Xavier

and an M.A. in

At Miami, she

College and

theater

worked as a

Christchurch

direction from

graduate

Polytechnic in

Roosevelt University. He has been a theater

assistant,

Christchurch, New Zealand. Having

and speech teacher, theater director, and

developed

previously worked as a cook in England, he

auditorium stage manager at Summit Country

syllabi, and

has been a cook at Sleepy Bee Café in

Day School and Walnut Hills High School. He

taught French

Cincinnati for 10 years. At Sleepy Bee, he

has received the League of Cincinnati

classes. She

worked under the executive chef and trained

Theaters MVP Award, Acclaims Theater

was a freshmen mentor at the University

new hires studying culinary arts.

Educator of the Year Award, and the Acclaims

of Burgundy and worked as a travel

Theater Educator Judges Award.

counselor at the tourist information center in Langres, France.

Beth Phillips Doherty Pre-kindergarten for 2-Year-Olds Assistant Teacher

Shauna has a

Caroline Testerman Upper School Spanish Teacher

B.S. in

Caroline has a B.S. in Spanish and an M.E. in

education from

in theater and

foreign language from Ohio State

the University

arts

University. She has taught Spanish at Lakota

of Dayton and

administration

East High School and Karrer Middle School

an M.A. in

from the

in Dublin, Ohio. She has also been a

women’s studies

University of

substitute teacher at South Lebanon

Beth has a B.A.

secondary

from Loyola University. She has been an

Kentucky and

Elementary and

English teacher at Ursuline Academy for 18

an M.A. in

Seven Hills

years and has served as the English

teaching: elementary education from the

during the

department coordinator, while teaching a

University of the Cumberlands. She has

2022-23

variety of levels, ages, and electives. During

taught preschool at Gloria Dei Preschool and

school year.

that time, she has also been a writing teacher

Lakeside Preschool and has been a third grade

for Essay Advantage, LLC and Northwestern

and substitute teacher for the Kenton County

University. She has been named an

Schools. She has also volunteered at the Ion

outstanding educator by the University of

Center for Violence Prevention, Latonia

Chicago and Cincy Magazine.

Baptist Church, and the Cincinnati Ballet.

Shauna Whelan Upper School English Teacher

SCHOOL NEWS

NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS

Seven Hills welcomes three new Board of Trustees members: Laurent Huguenin, James Lee, and Pretty Patel.

L AURENT HUGUENIN

technologist to

welcoming, supportive, and inclusive

Laurent Huguenin serves on the Finance

join the board

community for all families,” Patel said.

and Facilities Committees and has served

of trustees.

“Working on the board committees

on the board of trustees of other schools before his family joined Seven Hills.

“Tapping into my

“One of my goals is to support the school,

experience,

especially with the transition with the

I desire to

new Head

help keep the

of School,”

STEM/STEAM and Experiential Learning

Huguenin

programs relevant and up-to-date with

said. “We are

our rapidly changing world,” Lee said.

a fairly new family to the Seven Hills community, so I don’t come with a specific vision of what the school has been or should be and am approaching everything with an open mind.”

Along with continuing to serve on the Facilities Committee, Lee also looks forward to meeting other parents,

allows me an opportunity to be a part of the enhancement of the education process and encourage recruitment and retention at the level of the parent community.”

“

“The members of the Board are all talented in their own right and also incredibly

learning as much as possible, and joining

dedicated to the well-being

the Finance Committee this school year.

of the school."

“My family has been part of the Seven

- Laurent Huguenin

Hills family for 10 years, and we have a genuine love and appreciation for our

JA MES LEE James Lee serves on the Facilities Committee and brings his business and

school and the impact it has had on our children,” Lee said. “It is an honor to give

technology experience to enhance the

back and serve our community.”

Board’s knowledge. Lee is also the first

PRE T T Y PATEL Pretty Patel is the Parent Community

“

“My family has been part of the Seven Hills family for 10 years, and we have a genuine love and appreciation for our school and the impact it has had on our children.” - James Lee

Board representative. “I look forward to representing the PC and sharing how our community works with staff, faculty, and each parent organization

The Parent Community Board receives ideas and feedback from parents in all divisions, and Patel shares the information with the rest of the Board of Trustees. “Serving on the Board of Trustees gives me an opportunity to work with other parents, alums, and faculty representatives for the school,” Patel said. “I’m excited to work together to help continue to strengthen our outstanding community that enriches the experience of all Seven Hills families.”

to foster a

1980s

50 19 1974 to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1970s

Y E A R S

THIS YEAR, SEVEN HILLS IS CELEBRATING THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE MERGER THAT GAVE BIRTH TO THE SEVEN HILLS SCHOOL AND L AUNCHED A NEW HISTORY AND TRADITION OF EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND STRONG COMMUNIT Y.

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contained Middle School had opened in Faran Hall on the Doherty Campus, and the school rapidly expanded the population of male students. By 1980, 38% of Seven Hills’ 850 students were boys.

1980

In 1974, the Boards of the College Preparatory School and the HillsdaleLotspeich School voted to merge and form what is now known as The Seven Hills School. The longdebated merger occurred during a tumultuous time in education, with many schools struggling financially and single-sex schools around the

As the 1980s began, national recognition for academic achievements had increased enrollment and The Clothing Exchange had funded the purchase of the first student computers. Athletic Director Dick “Duke” Snyder had built a strong athletic program, and the Charles Sawyer Field and Barney Moore Track were dedicated in 1983.

1974

During the summer of 1987, the Lotspeich building was struck by lightning and burned down. A dedicated force of Seven Hills

4. country contemplating coeducation. The three schools began as girls-only, but Hillsdale had been admitting boys for three years. Doug Stenberg, who had headed Hillsdale-Lotspeich since 1970, was named the first Head of the combined school and began the process of merging the schools’ traditions. 10

In 1976, Peter Briggs succeeded Stenberg and continued the work of defining a shared Seven Hills culture. By the end of the decade, a self-

1976

community members volunteered to sort through the wreckage and move the school

1. DOHERT Y CAMPUS IN THE 1980s. 2. HEAD OF SCHOOL PETER BRIGGS WITH STUDENTS IN THE 1980s. 3. EARLY DAYS OF COMPUTERS AT SEVEN HILLS 4. LOTSPEICH BUILDING CATCHES FIRE AFTER BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

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1989

into temporary housing so it could still open on time in August.

spacious classrooms, a glorious sunfilled library, and capacious, wellequipped laboratories to support the school’s rich academic program.

By January 1989, a new Lotspeich building had been funded, planned, and dedicated, topped by its symbolic weather vane, a phoenix rising from the ashes. In addition, the Board voted to restructure the school by establishing a reconfigured Middle School division, including grades six through eight, to be located in a new space on the Hillsdale Campus. By 1991, that new facility and the adjacent Stoehr Gymnasium opened. The Campaign for Seven Hills concluded, exceeding its fundraising goal.

1995

In 1995, Peter Briggs announced his retirement after an extraordinarily productive tenure of 19 years. Under his leadership, the school had achieved record enrollment, rebuilt both campuses, established a significant endowment, and earned a national reputation for academic excellence and for the breadth and scope of its athletics and arts programs. After a nationwide search, Debbie Reed was chosen to guide the school into the 21st century. Reed initiated a school-wide push into technology, establishing required tech classes for faculty, who dramatically

5. 6. upgraded the use of technology in the classroom. Reed emphasized an exploration of learning styles, encouraging faculty to differentiate instruction to encompass students’ range of learning needs. In response, the world language department developed a new Orton-Gillinghamdesigned Spanish curriculum to empower differently abled language learners to find success in Spanish. Near the end of the 1990s, the Board turned its attention to modernizing the school’s academic facilities on both campuses. An ambitious fundraising effort, called the Campaign for One and All, funded the construction of the Donovan Arts Center, a new shared arts facility, as well as a state-of-the art early education center, Haile Hall, at Doherty. The most impressive achievement was the construction of a new Upper School building, with

2001

In 2001, Debbie Reed left Seven Hills and was succeeded by Interim Head of School Tory Parlin from 200102, Head of School Sandy Theunick from 2002-07, and Interim Head of School Todd Bland from 200709. In this period, Seven Hills hired the first director of diversity and embarked on a determined diversity and equity initiative. Another major focus of the decade was building the school’s endowment. The Critical Assets campaign, launched in 2006 Continued on page 12

5. HEAD OF SCHOOL DEBBIE REED WITH STUDENTS IN THE 1990s. 6. DONOVAN ARTS CENTER 7. UPPER SCHOOL BUILDING

1980s

50 50 19 1974 to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1970s

Y E A R S

2009

Y E A R S

8. 8.

8. and completed in 2011, raised $17.6 million. The campaign helped the school achieve its goal to attract and retain a superb teaching faculty and to provide scholarships to support a diverse and talented student body. When Todd Bland was named Head of School at Milton Academy in Boston, Chris Garten was named as Seven Hills’ seventh Head of School in 2009. As the 2010s dawned, Seven Hills focused on enriching its curriculum to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. The school’s enrollment became much more diverse, attracting students from 65

zip codes and families from a wide variety of backgrounds. To supplement the school’s traditionally rich offerings in science and mathematics, new elective courses were developed in engineering, biotechnology, anatomy and physiology, and computer science. Survey courses and elective courses in history and literature became more global and multicultural in focus, and the school expanded Chinese to a full world language program in seventh through 12th grade.

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in new construction, including the Taft Early Childhood Center; the Lower Field Complex, Field House, six tennis courts; The Schiff Center auditorium and performing arts classrooms; as well as major renovations on the Doherty Campus and a new Middle School, completed in 2022.

2022

After a 15-year tenure, Chris Garten announced his retirement at the end of the 2023-24 school year. Matt Bolton, the current Head of the Upper School, was named Head of School-Elect and will became the school’s next leader at the start of the 2024-25 school year.

Building on the school’s tradition of real-world experiences and meaningful community service, the Upper School launched a new Experiential Learning program, offering May Terms, Concentrations, and Civic Engagement Seminars, as well as job shadows, internships, and summer enrichment experiences, designed to help students discover who they are and what they want to do with their lives.

2014

The Build.Connect.Inspire campaign,

launched in 2014, funded $40 million

8. HEAD OF SCHOOL CHRIS GARTEN WITH STUDENTS 9. HEAD OF SCHOOL CHRIS GARTEN AND HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL BILL WASKOWITZ ENTER MIDDLE SCHOOL DURING ITS GRAND REOPENING. 10. MATT BOLTON WAS NAMED HEAD OF SCHOOL-ELECT IN 2023

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C E L E B R AT E Seven Hills’ 50th Anniversary C ELEBRATE SEVEN HILLS’ 50TH ANNIVERSARY WITH US AT 50TH.7HILLS.ORG F I N D A H I S TO R Y O F T H E S C H O O L , S TO R I E S F R O M T H R O U G H O U T T H E DECADES, UPCOMING EVENTS, AND A CHANCE TO SHARE YOUR MEMORIES ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SEVEN HILLS COMMUNIT Y. GO TO 50th.7HILLS.ORG OR SCAN THE QR CODE.

10.

SCHOOL NEWS

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS Seven Hills Congratulates 10 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. Ten students were named Semifinalists and nine students were named Commended Students in the 2023 National Merit Program. Three students received National Recognition Awards from College Board.

National Merit Semifinalists

Seven Hills National Merit Semifinalists are Alice Bachelder, Dhanush Bearelly, Nicholas Cohen, Arjun Gupta, Timothy Jordan, Ed Li, Carter Stevens, Oliver Szabo, Leo Weller, and Mikul Wyer.

National Merit Commended National Merit Commended Students are Isabelle Anthony, Megha Gaitonde, Gavin Isakov, Rishi Mittal, Riley Moser, Anish Patil, Rex Shaffer, Margaret Tenney, and Gabrielle Walker.

FIRST ROW, L to R: OLIVER SZABO, ALICE BACHELDER, ED LI SECOND ROW: TIMOTHY JORDAN, ARJUN GUPTA, DHANUSH BEARELLY THIRD ROW: CARTER STEVENS, LEO WELLER, NICHOLAS COHEN INSET PHOTO: MIKUL WYER National Merit Commended Scholars

National Recognition Awards Nate Campos received the National African American Recognition Award and the National Hispanic Recognition Award. Grace Dunson received the National Hispanic Recognition Award. Kaeden Iyoha received the National African American Recognition Award.

Congratulations! 14

FIRST ROW, L to R: RILEY MOSER, GABRIELLE WALKER, RISHI MITTAL SECOND ROW: MARGARET TENNEY, REX SHAFFER THIRD ROW: MEGHA GAITONDE, ISABELLE ANTHONY INSET PHOTOS: ANISH PATIL, GAVIN ISAKOV College Board National Recognition Awards

INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS: L to R: NATE CAMPOS, GRACE DUNSON, KAEDEN IYOHA

SCHOOL NEWS

ADVANCED PLACEMENT SCHOLARS 93% of AP Exam scores received by Seven Hills students qualify for advanced standing in college Of the 189 Seven Hills students who took 421 Advanced Placement exams in 17 subjects in May 2023, 93% 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, 104 were named AP Scholars by the College Board for their exceptional achievements of scoring 3 or higher on more than three exams.

The following current students received 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: Isabelle Anthony, Nicholas Cohen, Megha Gaitonde, Evelyn Gao, Arjun Gupta, Ethan Hu, Gavin Isakov, Julie Jiang, Elan Little, Avi Mahajan, Kyler Pang, Carter Stevens, Oliver Szabo, Celine Tan, Lidya Tesfaye, Nathan Wang, Mikul Wyer, Julia Zeng, Diana Zhang, and Lauren Zhang. Class of 2023 graduates who received AP Scholar with Distinction Awards are Christy Baldwin, Gemma Baldwin, Shanaya Bharucha, Logan Bien, Ariane Briquet, Elias Buttress, Ellie Cain, Saahill Chunduri, Riley deBuys, Josie Domet, Mallory Dorsch, Ella Dubay, Thomas Dunson, Erin Finn, Sam Froehle, Mallory Gravitt, Annelise Hawgood, Jerry Hou, Charlotte Lafley, Abigail Li, Cat McAndrew, George Mentrup, Rohan Nambiar, Anna Papakirk, Neel Parameswaran, Olivia Pohl, Piper Reusch, Jack Ringel, Emily Rosenfeld, Saloni Sachdeva, Aana Shenai, Julia Tamai, Evan VordemEsche, Annalise Wabler, and Daniel Yi.

Eli Cogan, Grace Dunson, Michelle Hu, Timothy Jordan, Alexa Kecman, Laila Kerr, Ed Li, Leon Li, Rishi Mittal, Kaiya Park, Rex Shaffer, Gabrielle Walker, Leo Weller, and Keliang Yao. Class of 2023 graduates who received AP Scholar with Honor Awards are Jai Chaudhary, Clara Chen, Biz Kohnen, Mia Mason, Zach Mason, Ashley McLennan, Ryan Meador, Reid Pease, Emerson Rinaldi, and Edie Tesfaye. Receiving AP Scholar Awards for earning scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams are current students Jameel Almuti, Aanvi Anand, Max Brown, Magnolia Fan, Riley Moser, Ahalya Nambiar, Anish Patil, Abby Robinson, Frances Schlueter, Margaret Tenney, Nathan Walker, Kyle Wang, and Julia Zhu. Class of 2023 graduates who received AP Scholar Awards are Zara Asghar, Gabe Dorsch, Rebekah Elluru, Beau Goldstein, Jack Good, Simon He, Henry Paull, Happy Quinn, Jaden Sims, and Tanisha Wasan. *Based on scores received in September 2023.

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

SCHOOL NEWS

HOMECOMING 2 0 2 3

Come for the Rumble … Stay for the Sting! The Seven Hills community came together for a night of camaraderie, food, and fun!

1. Catching up with Seven Hills community members 2. Making a save during the soccer shootout 3. Learning to cheer from the varsity cheerleaders 4. Spending time with friends 5. Grilling with the IT department 6. Testing out our volleyball skills 7. Celebrating with fireworks 8. Enjoying dinner with friends and family 9. Swinging with friends 10. Enjoying a hot dog

SCHOOL NEWS

THE ELISE EATON ALLEN CHAIR – Jacky Kalubi THE SEVEN HILLS SCHOOL AWARDED JACKY KALUBI THE ELISE EATON ALLEN FACULTY CHAIR DURING SPRING 2023. Every four years, a distinguished teacher of the arts or world languages is chosen for the position by the Head of School and divisional heads. Kalubi has collectively taught at Seven Hills for 34 years and currently teaches Middle School French. In his remarks honoring Kalubi, Head of Middle School Bill Waskowitz said merely hearing the name “Madame,” as Kalubi is commonly referred to, calls to mind one of the most caring individuals in the Seven Hills community.

“

“Jacky’s classroom is a world of love, fun, and joy; she seizes every moment as a chance to model delight, happiness, and compassion for all those who are lucky enough to be able to call her Madame.” - Bill Waskowitz

“Jacky knows that learning can’t take place without the meaningful, positive, and authentic relationships between herself and her young charges,” Waskowitz said. “Her lessons are designed to fuel her students’ curiosity not only about the French language but about the French-speaking world. Jacky’s students develop a love of language, of culture that lasts well beyond their Middle School years; and her students enter our Upper

School fully prepared for the challenges that await them.” Kalubi possesses the incredible gift of developing warm and authentic relationships with each student, a necessity for Middle School students, Waskowitz continued. “With her humor, her laughter, and her ability to put people at ease, Jacky’s students quickly find that they have a place in her classes and her heart. From Jacky, her students – and indeed her colleagues – learn to understand and embrace the human condition, in all its forms, and realize that without a love and appreciation for others, nothing meaningful can ever be learned. In sum, Jacky’s classroom is a world of love, fun, and joy; she seizes every moment as a chance to model delight, happiness, and compassion for all those who are lucky enough to be able to call her Madame,” Waskowitz said.

THE CLASS OF 1956 AWARD – Teresa Bardon THE SEVEN HILLS SCHOOL

Gabriel García Márquez, travels on an exchange trip to Spain, or holds sophisticated conversations in their new language,” Bolton said. “She teaches from the heart, and her students feel seen, known, and valued, both as who they are now and as who they might become in the future.

AWARDED WORLD LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT CHAIR TERESA BARDON THE CLASS OF 1956 AWARD DURING THE 2023 SPRING TERM. The award is given to a member of the Upper School community who fosters a love of and excitement about learning among Seven Hills

“

“She teaches from the heart, and her students feel seen, known, and valued, both as who they are now and as who they might become in the future.” - Matt Bolton

students. The award recipient is chosen by the Head of School and the Head of Upper School. While presenting the award, Head of Upper School Matt Bolton said Bardon has always demonstrated a gift for seeing her students’ potential. “She believes that the freshman who is struggling with subject-verb agreement today will – given time and encouragement and, yes, leadership – bloom into the senior who reads

“Studying a language, designing a curriculum, or leading a department are certainly all intellectual endeavors. Yet, Teresa has the wisdom to ground her work and that of her peers in the verities of the heart, creating a foundation of trust, goodwill, and collaboration that supports the language teachers' many projects and initiatives. We are grateful that Teresa has the courage, compassion, and vision to encourage and elevate her students, her colleagues, and the Upper School community,” Bolton concluded.

SCHOOL NEWS

BRODIE GRANTS HONOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE Doherty art teacher Kacey Watkins and now retired Lotspeich third grade teacher Kim Walden 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 the early and later stages of their careers.

The Brodie, Jr. Award – Kacey Watkins

Kacey Watkins’ classroom glows with imagination, inspiration, and courage to experiment. Her walls are decorated with many artists and techniques she incorporates into her curriculum, however, the true wonder comes from the warmth and guidance Watkins herself provides. Every day, Watkins captures the exploratory nature of art and empowers her students to discover and connect with a new facet of their creativity. “I am honored to be chosen to receive the Brodie Award amongst such a strong and creative group of people who work here at Seven Hills,” Wakins said. “The award feels like an extension of my care and enthusiasm for this community, and in return, it has for me. It is a joy to come to work every day and witness kids fall in love with art.” When presenting the award in spring 2023, Head of Doherty Tracy Murch applauded Watkins’ ability to teach students of all ages niche art skills. “It is clear, always, that Kacey not only fully understands her content area but also develops an engaging curriculum that guides students to becoming confident in expressing themselves through art,” Murch said.

In each lesson, Watkins seeks ways to excite her students, asking skillful questions to spark their curiosity and ignite their imaginations. “Kacey designs projects that are relevant to her students’ life experiences, and she actively collaborates with her teaching colleagues trying to design projects that tap into her students' learning in other content areas and deepen their understanding,” Murch said. “Furthermore, on each project, she allows her students a great deal of flexibility in how they approach their work, understanding that, at times, her students can surprise her by taking an assignment in a far more creative direction than she may have anticipated.”

The Brodie, Sr. Award – Kim Walden

Retired Lotspeich third grade teacher Kim Walden infused effervescent wonder into every part of her teaching. Walden retired in spring 2023 when she was also presented with the Brodie, Sr. award. Throughout her time at Seven Hills, Walden captured the magic of education within the walls of her classroom. She cultivated an environment for students to challenge themselves, take pride in their academic journeys, and discover new passions and skills along the way.

“To say I was overwhelmed when [Head of Lotspeich] Susan Miller presented the award would be an understatement,” Walden said. “For 20 years, I have been surrounded, uplifted, and supported by phenomenally talented people who are passionate educators dedicated to their students and their craft. Each and every one of them deserves awards and accolades. So to receive the Brody, Sr. Award encircled by these amazing colleagues, many of whom have become family was profoundly humbling and an honor I will cherish. I have loved getting to know each new class or student and am delighted to have spent 20 years with such a warmhearted and caring Seven Hills community.” As she was presenting the award, Miller said the excellence Walden brings to everything she does is what makes her such a deserving honoree. “Under Kim’s loving and patient gaze, two generations of students have learned to love learning and to love themselves,” Miller continued. “She is a master at establishing a classroom culture that is active and highly participatory, at setting clear and high expectations, and at creating a warm and loving environment where all students feel safe to take risks and to express their authentic selves. Year after year, her students feel known and cared for, and they flourish under her watchful care.”

SCHOOL NEWS

SEVEN HILLS WELCOMED SPANISH FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS

he Upper School welcomed 30 students

“The Spanish students were amazed by our community and, more importantly, the special relationship that the students have with their teachers,” Bardon said.

and two teachers from Askartza Claret in

Bilbao, Spain, for two weeks in September. The Spanish students were hosted by Seven Hills families and were at Seven Hills for exciting Homecoming events, like spirit week, the all school picnic, and the Homecoming dance. “These exchange programs are truly one-of-a-kind opportunities for our students, allowing them to immerse themselves in a different culture and foster lifelong

“

“These exchange programs are truly one-of-a-kind opportunities for our students, allowing them to immerse themselves in a different culture and foster lifelong friendships. -Teresa Bardon

friendships. Seeing the joy and enthusiasm on our students’ faces when they were with their host siblings was heartwarming,” said Teresa Bardon, Spanish teacher and chair of the world language department.

The Spanish students also got a chance to explore the Cincinnati area, going on tours of Great American Ballpark and Miami University. Their adventures continued with kayaking in Loveland and a picnic in Smale Park. During their stay, the Spanish students worked on children’s books in Spanish that they shared with Doherty and Lotspeich students while they were in their Spanish classes. These special books were illustrated and left as keepsakes for our students to enjoy. In May, Seven Hills students will travel to Bilbao, Spain, to reunite with their exchange students.

THANK YOU Special thank you to the Spanish Exchange Curriculum Committee for helping make the experience an

The Spanish students shadowed their American counterparts for their first two days on campus to see what life as an Upper School student is like. In a new program this year, Upper School teachers crafted classes — one for each subject — specifically for the Spanish students and taught in English.

unforgettable memory for everyone.

They learned the basics of American sports in gym class with Kristen Bowman, explored the cultural and political differences between Spain and the United States in a joint English and history class with Tricia Hoar and Brian Wabler, followed a recipe using American measurements in Cassie Levesque’s math class, and much more.

TINA KUHLMAN

BRIAN BERNING KRISTEN BOWMAN NICK FRANCIS TRICIA HOAR JASON KNARR CASSIE LEVESQUE MARCUS TWYFORD BRIAN WABLER

SCHOOL SCHOOL NEWS NEWS

BOOKS FOR LUNCH 2024 Please join us for the 37th Annual Seven Hills Books for Lunch with Pulitzer Prize winning author Andrew Sean Greer!

BOOKS FOR LUNCH

2 024

NEA grant, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His sixth book, “Less,” was published by Lee Boudreaux Books in July 2017. It is the comedy of a man fleeing the humiliations of love, middle age, and failure by accepting invitations that lead to a trip around the world and back, at last, to face his final demon: himself. It

PLEASE JOI N US! F E B . 2, 2024 Luncheon in the Madisonville Ballroom at The Summit Hotel

won the Northern California Book Award for Fiction, was one of The Washington Post’s 10 best books of 2017, and made best book lists as well in The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Post, and ANDREW SEAN GREER

Andrew Sean Greer is the author of seven works of fiction, including the bestseller “Less.” Greer has taught at several universities, including the Iowa Writers Workshop, and has been a TODAY show pick, a New York Public Library Cullman Center Fellow, a judge for the National Book Award, and a

The Paris Review.

Prize for Fiction as “a generous book, musical in its prose and expansive in its structure and range, about growing older and the essential nature of love.” Join us on Feb. 2, 2024, in the

LUNCHEON SCHEDULE

Madisonville Ballroom at The Summit Hotel for lunch, community, and an

11 a.m. Cash bar opens

engaging address from Greer.

12 p.m. Luncheon begins

The annual luncheon is hosted by the

12:20 p.m. Author introduction

winner of the California Book Award

12:25-1:30 p.m. Keynote speech and Q&As

and the New York Public Library Young

1:35-2 p.m. Book signing

Lions Award. He is the recipient of an

In April 2018, it was awarded the Pulitzer

Upper School Parent Community. Click here 7hills.org/BFL or scan the QR code to learn more about the author and to reserve your spot today!

P R E PA R I N G S T U D E N T S F O R A N U N K N O W N TECHNOLOGICAL FUTURE Having a camera on your doorbell might seem like a simple thing to the average person, but for Upper School computer science teacher Marcus Twyford, it poses a difficult question.

“

HAT IS THAT GOING TO MEAN FOR WHERE OUR STUDENTS ARE GOING TO BE 20 YEARS FROM NOW, OR 10 YEARS FROM NOW?”

The Upper School offers four computer science classes and micro-, macro-, and computer engineering. The world is too technologically advanced to only teach the students programming, Twyford said, so the classes cover topics like cybersecurity, networking, big data, databases, 3D printing, and six programming languages.

“

“ Technological literacy equips our students with skills and knowledge they need to contribute to an evolving workforce and engage meaningfully in society.” Kristina O'Connor

“There is so much for them to learn in four years. It is a little overwhelming, but we give them enough, so they feel like they are confident enough to explore because they have seen a little bit of foundation in all these topics,” Twyford said. Twyford has certainly achieved that goal.

Students have coded their own apps and built and programmed drones for their Personal Challenge projects. A studentcreated prototype of home environment controls sits on a shelf in his classroom. The Upper School started an FTC Robotics Team during the 2023-24 school year, and a classroom in the science hallway is being turned into an engineering lab. For senior Megha Gaitonde, Twyford’s computer science classes were a great introduction to the field of computer science, one she initially did not think she would be interested in. “Mr. Twyford is a teacher who is genuinely passionate about the topics he teaches and every project we do,” she said, adding she

1 Senior Megha Gaitonde, center, works on a project in Marcus Twyford’s computer science class.

got involved with INTERalliance, a local nonprofit that gets teens interested in technology, because of Twyford’s enthusiasm. Seven Hills received the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for expanding young women’s access to AP Computer Science Principles, and Twyford was honored for his work to close the gender equality gap in computer science during the 2022-23 school year. Gaitonde took the AP Computer Science Principles exam and was in the AP Computer Science class that year after taking Computer Science 1 and 2. “I soon realized that the class didn’t involve just sitting around writing code but all the inner workings of the subject as well,” Gaitonde said

2 Members of Stinger Robotics compete at the FIRST Lego League tournament hosted by Seven Hills.

of her first computer science class. “I decided to continue because I realized the value of the concepts I was learning when applied to my other classes. I was learning about different concepts that I realized could be used way outside the classroom, and wanted to continue to see how far I could get.”

the Innovation Lab. Micro:bits are pocket-sized computers designed so students can understand and experiment with how software and hardware works together. Students develop their familiarity with the micro:bits through various challenges, such as coding a specific image with lights, throughout the year.

The work to give Seven Hills students an understanding of technology begins with the youngest learners, and teachers use technology in kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms in a variety of ways.

Eighth graders have the opportunity to attend one of Twyford’s Upper School classes to get a preview of what they could learn in the future.

“Instructional technology in education is the intentional and effective integration of technology in classrooms across grade levels. It improves the teaching and learning experience for both the teacher and learner by providing more collaborative experiences, higher levels of engagement, and various levels of support,” said Kristina O’Connor, Seven Hills’ director of instructional technology.

“You want to feed that interest in technology,” Twyford said.

going to use software, and you need to be able to understand it,” Twyford said.

O’Connor and Twyford are both focused on technological literacy.

Gaitonde is not planning to become a programmer, but she is considering a minor in computer science because she echoes Twyford’s statement.

“Technological literacy is essential for students to succeed in the 21st century,” O’Connor

Twyford and his students have gone to the Lower Schools to teach coding during the Hours of Code. There are 3D printers in the Lower Schools and both have incorporated age-appropriate robotics into their science classes. Lotspeich has a FIRST Lego League Robotics team, and Seven Hills hosted its 2

said. “The world demands it. Technology has become an integral part of how society functions, and it is constantly evolving. Technological literacy equips our students with skills and knowledge they need to contribute to an evolving workforce and engage meaningfully in society.”

O’Connor’s goal is for students to have an understanding of technology and for it to boost their education at Seven Hills.

Twyford often dispels the idea that only students who want to be computer programmers should take his classes. first robotics tournament during the 2022-23 school year. In the Middle School, students learn about the relationship between hardware and software using micro:bits in Keagan O'Mara's classes in

3 Middle School teacher Keagan O’Mara assists students programming their micro:bits.

“I want students to understand the why of technology and that is really hard to teach. They come in here and think I’m not going to be a programmer. You are not going to be a programmer, but you are going to use technology, you are going to use code, you are

4 Kristina O’Connor was named Seven Hills’ director of instructional technology in 2022.

“Computer science is beginning to apply to every different field, such as AI’s relevance in healthcare and education. I think what I learned will undoubtedly be helpful in the future, and I definitely find myself turning back to my coding knowledge and experience with web development,” she said.

“Our goal is to get students to use technology to become creators, not simply consumers,” O’Connor said. “Successful integration in instructional technology requires careful planning, training, ongoing support, and a focus on pedagogy to ensure that technology enhances the educational experience.”

5 Upper School computer science teacher Marcus Twyford teaches a class.

SCHOOL NEWS - ARTS

THE DYNAMIC DUO OF UPPER SCHOOL THEATER Inside the musical and theatrical walls of The Schiff Center, Upper School theater teachers Tom Peters and Marc Raia empower students to create grounded and nuanced performances and equip them with a range of skills to thrive beyond the stage.

Upper School Theater: Tom Peters and Marc Raia

complementary

Tom Peters joined the Seven Hills

“Truly, we have far

community in August 2023 and brought

more similarities

with him an incredible depth and variety

than differences,”

of skills that will continue to

Raia said. “We both

strengthen the brilliantly creative

love Sam Shepard,

Upper School drama department.

Arthur Miller, and

Before coming to Seven Hills, Peters was a theater and speech teacher, theater director, and auditorium stage manager at Summit Country Day School and Walnut Hills High School. He has received the League of Cincinnati Theaters MVP Award, Acclaim Theater Educator of the Year Award (co-winner with Raia), and the Acclaim Theater Educator Judges Award. Peters and Raia also previously worked together for seven years at Walnut

working styles.

rock and roll-esque musicals. We’ve also introduced new

Marc Raia directing one of the two “ Clue” casts.

things this year that we’ve never done before. Tom directed Arthur Miller’s ‘View from the Bridge,’ and students watched as professional actors performed the play’s second act in the Upper School theater classroom in September. The fall comedy, ‘Clue,’ is also double cast because of how many students auditioned. It’s the first time I’ve directed a

Hills High School.

double cast at Seven

“This has felt completely natural,”

ensure each student had a

Raia said. “From the first day of the school year, it felt like we picked up where we left off 15 years ago.” Peters agreed, explaining he loves working with Raia because of their

Hills, but I wanted to chance to experience a role, hence the double cast decision. We both work very closely with Technical Director Trey Tatum; Upper School theater is

students’ development always at the forefront.”

“

“Chris Garten and Matt Bolton value what we do and are incredibly knowledgeable about our field as well. On my first day, I was talking to Matt and referenced Act 1 Scene 1 of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing,’ and he immediately began quoting lines back to me. It was wonderful.” - Tom Peters

truly a collaborative process with

visual art drama music visual art 24

SCHOOL NEWS - ARTS

The administration's systemic support

the performing arts,”

for the arts is something Peters said he

Peters said. “This

hasn’t experienced in quite a while.

building inspires us to

“The support makes me want to try even harder,” Peters said. “[Head of School] Chris Garten and [Head of Upper School] Matt Bolton value what we do and are incredibly knowledgeable about our field as well. On my first day, I was talking to Matt and referenced Act 1 Scene 1 of Shakespeare’s ‘Much

create work that befits the space. Every day, I’m excited to come here and hear musicians, the chorus, and see the passion on students' faces.” Tom Peters instructing students during class.

Ado About Nothing,’ and he immediately began quoting lines back to me. It was wonderful.” “In addition to their knowledge of theater, Garten and Bolton also encourage the department to choose

The Upper School "Clue" production

worthwhile and challenging material for students to study, such as ‘American Idiot,’” Raia said. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have this palace [The Schiff Center] dedicated to

drama music visual art drama 25

SCHOOL NEWS - SPORTS

FALL SPORTS HONORS Talented teams, competitive players, and great matchups There were several highlights of the Seven Hills fall sports season. Student athletes traveled to state tournaments, and all of our teams had great matchups. Congratulations to our athletes and coaches who made the fall 2023 sports season successful!

finishing in third place at the district meet.

The boys varsity golf team continued its years

The girls varsity tennis team won the

of dominance by again winning the Miami Valley Conference title. Senior Charlie Mullin

8. Girls Golf

3. Girls Varsity Soccer

9. Girls Varsity Volleyball

at regionals. At the Seven Hills Invitational,

4. Boys Soccer

the girls team came in second overall with

5. Boys Varsity Golf

10. Campbell Coyne and Carter Stevens

freshman Penelope Hwang coming in sixth place. For the boys, Stevens finished first and freshman Marshall Mert in 11th.

Greater Cincinnati Tennis Coaches Association Coaches Classic, defeating win the title. They had a strong showing into

post-season as they won the sectional and

the post season with junior Brogan Bell,

place finish. The girls varsity golf team finished second at the sectional tournament, with sophomore Madeline Jordon tying for eighth overall. Senior Julia Zhu led the team at the state

sophomore Daniela Alper, and junior Katie Stevens winning multiple matches at the sectional tournament. Bell had a #3 seed and advanced to the district tournament. The girls varsity volleyball team won the MVC Gray Division title for the second consecutive year. The team was undefeated 12-0 in

tournament with a two-day score of 179.

conference with an overall

The Stingers finished in 10th at the state

record of 17-5. Junior Annie

tournament. The boys varsity soccer team advanced to the regional finals this season. The Stingers defeated Cincinnati Christian 7-1 and Troy Christian 2-1 in a speculator overtime finish to become the district champions. The Stingers also won the sectional tournament, after ending the regular season with a record of 17-2. Senior Leo Weller had 23 goals this season, while junior Everett Rinaldi had 22 goals and 23 assists. Senior goalkeeper Eli Cogan has 92 saves and nine shutouts. The boys and girls varsity cross country teams both had excellent seasons. Senior Carter Stevens competed at the regional meet after

Katuska led the conference in aces with 146. The girls varsity soccer team had an excellent season and bid farewell to seven seniors. Senior Callie Drew had seven goals this season, and senior Lily Hardware had six. Congrats to Drew, Hardware, and fellow seniors Alice Bachelder, Grace Dunson, Laila Kerr, Margret Schnirring, and Sophie Wiles on a great final season as a Stinger.

6. Brogan Bell

Stingers’ winning streak continued into the

strong performance and secured a seventh-

7. Girls Tennis

2. Charlie Mullin

Lakota West, Ursuline, and Country Day to

state tournament. At state, the boys had a

1. Boys Varsity Soccer

the girls race at districts and also competed

was a co-medalist at the tournament. The

district championships and qualified for the

Freshman Campbell Coyne finished 14th in

SCHOOL NEWS

S A M P L E S

F R O M

O U R

O N L I N E

N E W S L E T T E R

D O H E R T Y

CELEBRATING NEW HIVE MEMBERS! Doherty Hives welcomed new members with a celebration in mid-September! The Hives are multi-age buddy groups with students in kindergarten through fifth grade, each with their own color. Kindergartners and new students were sorted into Hives with Head of Doherty Tracy Murch announcing the students’ names as a colored confetti canon went off to reveal their Hives’ color.

Fifth grade and first grade students continued the beloved buddy tradition in mid-September. Excitement filled the air as first graders waited to meet their new buddies in the Lotspeich courtyard, and

adventure and wished their beloved L O T S P E I C H

BELOVED TRADITION CONTINUES!

butterflies safe travels. “We can’t wait to meet your great-greatgreat-great-great grandchildren!” they said as they waved goodbye.

the fifth graders couldn’t contain their smiles. The buddies drew portraits of each other and discussed their favorite hobbies to get to know one another better. Their Unit III sampled books from different genres at their “book tasting” in Katey Parks-Goad’s language arts class in early September. The playful event encouraged students to try new books and explore different genres. The students spent about eight minutes at each table, which had several books in a specific genre, to look at the book’s cover and the author and read the back of the book and the first few pages. They wrote down favorites they “tasted” and why they liked the books.

friendships will continue to deepen throughout the year by engaging in various activities and field trips.

MONARCH MIGRATION In late September, science teacher Kate

SEVENTH GRADERS READ SOL AR SYSTEM BOOKS TO LOTSPEICH FIRST GRADERS

LeBare’s fourth grade students released some of their recently hatched Monarch

In November, seventh graders in science

butterflies into the wild. The butterflies departed for their multi-generational journey to central Mexico, and the newly released butterflies’ descendants will migrate back to Cincinnati next summer. Students learned about the biology and mechanics of the perilous 3,000-mile

M I D D L E

BOOK TASTING IN UNIT III

teacher Kristin Suer’s class read their handmade solar system books to Lotspeich first graders. Before this, the seventh graders worked in groups to research and design their books based on their choice of planet for their unit two

F R O M

O U R

O N L I N E

N E W S L E T T E R

project. Students could base the book on

environment,” sixth grade science teacher

Last year, current seniors Grace

the planet itself or as a setting for their

Jennifer Licata said.

Dunson, Nathan Walker, and

story. The leaders of each group presented

In a discussion, students labeled running

Gabrielle Walker redesigned the

the books to their peers, as well as to Lotspeich students. The seventh graders will read their out-of-this-world books to Doherty first graders in the spring.

plugged in, and leaving the car running

more multicultural.

when no one’s inside as energy vampires.

“Congratulations to Grace, Gabrielle,

UPPER SCHOOL HOSTED L ATINX SUMMER READING EVENT The Upper School hosted its first LatinX Summer Reading Program event in mid-September. The day started with an assembly with Sergio Mata, the immigrant liaison for Community Action Agency; Mayra Jackson, a paralegal case manager for the Immigrant and Refugee Law

SIXTH GRADERS BECOME ENERGY HUNTERS In a cross-curricular exercise, sixth graders became energy vampire hunters and discussed the importance of energy efficiency while they gathered data from around the Middle School. The activity was directly related to their summer reading book, “Two Degrees” by Alan Gatz, which follows four students who encounter different forms of climate change from melting polar ice to wildfires.

summer reading program to make it

tap water, electronics at 100% but still

Center; Dr. Maria Piombo, the director of

and Nathan on this massive U P P E R

M I D D L E

S A M P L E S

accomplishment. When Grace reached out and set up a meeting to discuss her ideas, I could not have imagined the magical, year-long journey that was about to begin,” said Mark Beyreis, chair of the Upper School English department. Each year, the program will highlight a different culture or identity with each grade reading a different book.

the Child and Family Treatment Center at Central Clinic Behavioral Health; and Dr. Megan Nieto, an English professor at Xavier University, talking about their experiences in working in immigration, literature, and mental health. Students then attended workshops diving deeper into the topics of law and immigration, LatinX literature, and serving Cincinnati’s Hispanic community. Continued on page 30

“Understanding climate change can be overwhelming for anyone, much less an 11- or 12-year-old. Our goal with this activity was to help ground the students’ knowledge in their ability as individuals to fight climate change. Students began to understand how ‘energy vampires,’ or things that use energy but are currently unused, can impact more than their own

SCHOOL NEWS

S A M P L E S

SEVEN HILLS NAMED TO AP SCHOOL HONOR ROLL The Seven Hills School earned a place on the AP School Honor Roll for the

All State Orchestra Alternate: Senior Julia Zhu Cincinnati Youth Jazz Orchestra:

The AP School Honor Roll recognizes

(Upper School):

AP courses, support them on the path to college success, and maximize college readiness. Seven Hills offers 17 AP courses and 189 students took 421 AP exams in May 2023. Ninety-three percent of the students earned a college-

Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble

N E W S L E T T E R,

C O N T .

insightful knowledge about how to create and express a character’s motives and backstory without a lot of preparation. His credits include “Black-ish,” “Chicago Med,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Black Lightning,” and many more.

AT H L E T I C S : Girls Tennis Win GCTCA Coaches Classic

Senior Nathan Wang Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble (Middle School): Seventh grader Angella Zong Southwest Regional Honor Orchestra: Senior Julia Zhu, junior Kyle Wang Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra: Seniors Evelyn Gao, Ed Li, Anish Patil, Julia Zhu, junior Kyle Wang, freshman Irene

The girls varsity tennis team won the Greater Cincinnati Tennis Coaches Association Coaches Classic. The team defeated Lakota West, Ursuline, and Country Day to win the title. Junior Brogan Bell competed at the district

qualifying score of 3 or higher.

Zhang, and eighth grader Mia Wang

tennis tournament. The girls

“We are so proud of our students’

at the sectional tournament at Mason High

really distinguished themselves,”

PROFESSIONAL ACTOR VISITS UPPER SCHOOL THEATER STUDENTS

Director of College Counseling Susan

Eric C. Lynch visited Upper School theater

performance on last spring’s APs. They

Marrs said. For a school to qualify, 40% or more of the graduating class must have taken at least one AP exam, 25% of the class must have scored a 3 or higher on at

teacher Marc Raia’s classes for a Q&A with students. After answering questions about his

varsity tennis team competed School. In addition to Bell, sophomore Daniela Alper and junior Katie Stevens had strong showings, each winning multiple matches. Congratulations on a incredible season, Stingers! Varsity Boys Soccer Finish Season at Regional Tournament The boys varsity soccer team competed in

least one exam, and 2% of the class

the regional tournament in early November

must have taken five or more exams,

against Waynesville High School. The

with at least one of those exams being

competition was fierce, and while the

during their freshman or sophomore

Stingers lost the match, they ended

year so that students are spreading

the season district and sectional champions

their AP experience across grades.

and with a regular season record of 17-2. After a season filled with growth and

ARTS: Congrats, Stingers! Congratulations to our incredible musicians for their recent musical accomplishments!

O N L I N E

Seniors Celine Tan and Nathan Wang

Junior Diego Godoy

work to welcome more students into

O U R

All State Band:

2022-23 school year. schools that have done outstanding

F R O M

memories, the team is already excited to experience in the industry and how the actor’s strike was impacting him, he helped students workshop scenes and gave

tackle next year’s challenges. Congratulations on a spectacular season, Stingers!

SCHOOL NEWS

50th ANNIVERSARY KICKOFF EVENT AT SEVEN HILLS

T H E 2 0 2 3 - 2 4 S C H O O L Y E A R M A R K S O U R 5 0th A N N I V E R S A R Y T H E 2 0 2 3 -24 S C H O O L Y E A R M A R K S T H E 5 0 t h A N N I V E R S A R Y O F T H E S E V E N H I L L S S C H O O L. A LU M N I G AT H E R E D O N T H E H I L L S DA L E C A M P U S DURING HOMECOMING FOR A KICKOFF EVENT FILLED WITH FOOD, FACE PAINTING, AND STINGER PRIDE. THE ALUMNI AND THEIR FA M I L I E S C H E E R E D O N T H E B OY S VA R S I T Y S O C C E R T E A M A S T H E Y

1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Gardner Follin paints faces at the kickoff event.

D E F E AT E D F I N N E Y TOWN 5-0 A N D T H E G I R L S VA R S I T Y S O C C E R T E A M A S T H E Y B E A T W I L L I A M S B U R G 3 -1 . O L D A N D N E W F R I E N D S C A U G H T U P, W H I L E G E N E R AT I O N S O F F A M I L I E S R E T U R N E D T O C A M P U S TO S TA R T A Y E A R O F C E L E B R AT I N G S E V E N H I L L S’ 50T H Y E A R. T H I S E V E N T K I C K S O F F A Y E A R O F F E S T I V I T I E S, L E A D I N G U P TO O U R S P R I N G C E L E B R AT I O N F O R T H E E N T I R E S E V E N H I L L S C O M M U N I T Y.

2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Four Shaffer family alumni return to campus to watch senior Rex Shaffer play for the Stingers. 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The boys varsity soccer team beats Finneytown 5-0 on the lower field. 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The 50th Anniversary Kickoff event invited alumni back to campus. 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The girls varsity soccer team defeats Williamsburg 3-1 on the upper field during Homecoming.

UNCOVERING N EW PE R SPECTIV ES:

READING AT S E V E N H I L L S • • •

R E A D I N G A N D N A R R AT I V E S P R O V I D E A W I N D O W I N TO D I F F E R E N T C U LT U R E S A N D I D E N T I T I E S O R A M I R R O R TO R E F L E C T T H E R E A D E R’S C U LT U R E A N D I D E N T I T Y. S E V E N H I L L S U T I L I Z E S B OT H TO E N S U R E T H AT

RTAYA

STUDENTS IN ALL DIVISIONS FEEL SEEN AND ARE ABLE

TO S E E T H E W O R L D THROUGH NEW P E R S P E C T I V E S.

It is a topic middlegrade and young adult author Pablo Cartaya touches on in his books and spoke to the Doherty and Lotspeich fifth grade book clubs and Middle and Upper School students about when he visited for Between the Pages, an annual event that brings authors to Seven Hills to spend the day with students. “There is no one way to express yourself and your connection to your culture. If you think of your culture like an umbrella, you are under that umbrella and your experience with that culture

DEEPENS • • •

UNDERSTANDING O F C U LT U R E S AND

IDENTITI ES is your own,” Cartaya told the Upper School students, during his talk in The Schiff Center. Cartaya’s parents and grandparents are from Cuba and he spoke Spanish at home with his abuela. But when she died when he was in the fourth grade, he stopped speaking Spanish and could no longer speak the language by the time he moved to a Cuban neighborhood in Miami as a teenager. The experience made him feel like an outsider in his own community, he said.

to school, and I studied writing. It wasn’t until I started writing that I realized the words I was creating, the words that I was putting together was to honor my abuela, to honor my culture and how I see myself in that culture,” Cartaya said. The Lower Schools are utilizing the idea of windows and mirrors by encouraging students to read all types of books and broaden their interests in different topics, cultures, and genres. Unit III students at Doherty had a “book tasting” in their language arts classes and sampled books from all different genres.

“It was not until I realized that I needed to find a way to understand my feelings of not belonging to my own culture, my feelings of missing my grandma, my feelings of how to connect to my own family, to my community, to my culture, to the language. So, I went PA B LO C A RTAYA B O O K S I G N I N G

W E N G N I R UNCOVE

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Each year for Valentine’s Day, the sixth graders go on “speed dates” with nonfiction books in the Young Family Library that they never considered reading before. They are encouraged to check out the one they find the most interesting. At the Upper School, the idea of windows and mirrors led to a redesign of the summer reading program to make it more multicultural so all Upper

Schoolers have the opportunity to see themselves represented. Seniors Grace Dunson, Gabrielle Walker, and Nathan Walker led the redesign. Each year the program will highlight a different culture or identity with each grade reading a different book. “Congratulations to Grace, Gabrielle, and Nathan on this massive accomplishment. When Grace reached out and set up a meeting to discuss her ideas, I could not have imagined the magical, year-long journey that was about to begin,” said Mark Beyreis, chair of the Upper School English department.

“Mexican WhiteBoy” by Matt de la Pena and “My Broken Language: A Memoir” by Quiara Alegria Hudes.

BOOK SPEED DATING

The LatinX Summer Reading Program event, held in September, brought four members of Cincinnati’s LatinX community to campus to talk about their experience working in immigration, literature, and mental health. DOHERTY STUDENTS

BOOK TASTING

“I hope you found something that you really connected with, that you found interesting, something that gave you a window into a different culture or a mirror of your own culture over the course of this summer,” Head of Upper School Matt Bolton said to students during the event.

L ATINX SUMMER READING

SUMMER READING

The students chose LatinX for the first year and students read books like

S E V I T C E P PERS

ALUMNI NEWS

JANE GARVEY CPS ’74 REMINISCES ABOUT CPS’S LIFELONG IMPACT It’s hard to put into words what an incredible impact attending the College Preparatory School for Girls had on Jane Garvey’s life.

CPS

1974

The timeless friendships, the committed teachers, and the school’s empowering atmosphere created a lasting foundation for Garvey to achieve whatever she set her mind to.

“A few years after becoming a trustee,

Garvey joined CPS in the third grade. She

selection of Chris Garten. I was asked

was initially surprised by the differences

to be Board chair and partner with Chris

between her former school, the larger and

during his first couple of years at Seven

co-ed Kilgour School, and the all-girls

Hills. I got to be a champion of our new

CPS. However, Garvey quickly fell in

Head of School. He needs to take all of

love with CPS’s culture, teachers, and

the credit because he’s led a remarkable

classmates.

period of growth. He’s always putting

I was asked to co-chair the search committee with Sarah Steinman,” Garvey said. “I love searches because it's a real opportunity for any organization to think about what they need in a new leader. It was a great process that led to the

students and teachers first.” “I always felt empowered by the teachers at CPS, and I remember feeling how they focused their attention to suit the needs of each member of the class,” Garvey said. “They knew us really well because the classes were so small. There was a lot of freedom, and I received individualized instruction. That foundation helped me understand the importance of a strong team spirit while still being able to tap into your own individual skills.” Years later, after the merger, Garvey sent her daughter Blair and her son Ike to Seven Hills to receive the same excellent education she did.

“Each of my children has their own incredible strengths,” Garvey said. "Seven Hills really got them to thrive during their time at the school, and they both recognize the huge foundation they received by attending Seven Hills.” Garvey’s daughter, Blair Lanier, graduated in 2006, and her son, Ike Lanier, graduated in 2015. Throughout the years, Garvey has served on the Advisory Council, as a trustee from 2005-13, as co-chair of the Head of School search committee, and as the Board chair from 2009-2012.

Garvey said she and her classmates are excited to celebrate their 50th reunion this year. “It was very small with only 42 students in our graduating class,” Garvey said. “We got to know each other in a deeper way, and as we’re thinking about getting together, you can really feel the desire and enthusiasm to trade stories and find out how our lives have unfolded. I think we’ve all realized we had unique bonds during our time at CPS and the memories are still very strong.”

ALUMNI NEWS

DONNA MARTIN H’74 AND THE “NONTRADITIONAL” LAST HILLSDALE CLASS One of Donna Martin’s favorite memories at the Hillsdale School was when Jack Romig taught her about photography when she was in the seventh grade.

HLS

1974

“He taught me everything he knew about photography. The very first time he showed me how to develop a black and white photo was like magic to me,” Martin said. It sparked her passion for photography.

Seven Hills in 1976 and 1977. Her triplets, Merri Martin, Terri Martin, and Kerri (Martin) Rizzolo graduated in 2005. Martin was a member of the Seven Hills Board of Trustees from 2004-08, serving because she wanted to make a difference in supporting the efforts to increase diversity at Seven Hills.

Martin and the Hillsdale School Class of 1974, the school’s last graduating class,

Her advice for current Seven Hills students

spent their time forging their own way

is pulled from her own experience. She went

and being “nontraditional.”

through Hillsdale and into Tufts University thinking she wanted to be a doctor but

“We took great pride in being

soon realized it was not for her. She double

nontraditional,” she said with a laugh. “So, throughout our tenure at Hillsdale, we either ignored traditions or changed them to be something that we liked to do. In a lot of ways, the fact that we were the last class at Hillsdale School made sense to us. We felt that we had broken the mold in every single way,” Martin said. Martin said she and her peers felt ambivalent toward the new Seven Hills School, though, she admitted, they would have liked to have been around when boys were allowed at the school. While Hillsdale no longer remained, much of the faculty, which always stood out to Martin, did.

“The faculty were fantastic, just absolutely fantastic. That was one of the things that stood out to me the most being at Hillsdale, the outstanding faculty. Susan Marrs was just the best. Susan Marrs had just started her teaching career when she came to teach my class, and she became very much a favorite teacher and a cool friend. There is just no one like her,” Martin said. Despite her teenage ambivalence to Seven Hills, Martin stayed connected to the school, first through family and then through volunteerism. Martin’s two younger sisters, Lyneise and Marsha, graduated from

majored in sociology and psychology and worked in photography, juvenile justice, and market research before landing in the health insurance industry working for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. She wants to tell students to not fall into the trap of having to make a decision about the rest of their lives at 17. “Take full advantage of the faculty and the learning opportunities you have at Seven Hills. Learn as much as you can in all areas and don’t put yourself in a trap where you feel pressured to follow through on a major you just don’t want to pursue,” Martin said.

ALUMNI NEWS

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

THE ALUMNI BOARD IS

Cincinnati (including 50 West, Madison

THRILLED TO HELP BUILD

Bowl, and at the homes of classmates).

REL ATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE SEVEN HILLS COMMUNIT Y, STRENGTHEN ENGAGEMENT, AND REPRESENT OUR ALUMNI. Last year, the Board had success hosting events such as the Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating Class and Zoom trivia. Alumni also actively participated in mainstays like the Seven Hills Roadshow, Alumni & Parent Book Discussion, and annual Young Alumni Holiday Party. The 2023 Reunion Weekend was also a huge hit, with several classes (my own Class of 2003 among them) reconnecting at events on campus, such as the Alumni Art Show, as well as at venues across

Great things are in store for the 2023-24 year. As we come together to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Seven Hills, the Alumni Board jump-started commemorations this fall with the Seven Hills 50th Anniversary Kickoff at Homecoming, which featured varsity

Gabe Davis ’03

soccer games, lunch for alumni, and face-painting for kids. The alumni community also eagerly awaits the 50th Anniversary Celebration slated for April 13 during the 2024 Reunion Weekend; it promises to be a night to remember. We plan to bookend those festivities by hosting alumni, family, and friends for other fun events. In addition, by popular demand, we’re bringing back the Zoom Magic Show

Seven Hills Alumni Association Board Chair Gabe Davis ’03 has served the community in many ways, and Seven Hills is fortunate 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

this January.

appointed as Executive Director of the Cincinnati

As always, watch for more events in your

investigations of reports of police misconduct. In

inbox, on the Seven Hills Alumni Page on

2023, Davis became CEO of the Ohio Justice and

Facebook, and @sevenhillsalumni on

Policy Center, a non-profit law firm and advocacy

Instagram. We would also love it if you

organization.

would share pictures and stories with us from your own gatherings with alumni throughout the year. Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the new members we’ve added to our Alumni Board. We’re delighted to welcome Brandon Hydrick ’96 and John Bloch ’03 to our ranks.

Citizen Complaint Authority, where he oversaw

S TAY C O N N E C T E D ! Like … Seven Hills School Alumni page on Facebook

Follow … Seven Hills on Alumni on Instagram

We look forward to seeing you at a future event. Happy 50th to all!

Join … Seven Hills School Alumni group on LinkedIn

ALUMNI NEWS

WELCOME TO TWO NEW ALUMNI BOARD MEMBERS John Bloch ’03 and Brandon Hydrick ’96 join Seven Hills Alumni Board

J OHN BLOCH ’03

national brands before he moved back to

“Being on the Alumni Board is a great way to reengage with the school after being away for so long,” John said, adding it has extra meaning now that he is a Doherty parent. After graduating from Seven Hills in 2003, Bloch spent a year with AmeriCorps *NCCC and joined the United States Forest Service as a wildland firefighter.

an MBA from Xavier University. He is currently the director of research and development for Graeter’s Ice Cream and

“It is quite a feeling to see the growth

I wanted to give back in any

fortunate to be able to send my child

continued focus on a holistic education supporting the students of today is incredible." - John Bloch ’03

amazed by the curriculum, programs, and evolution of our school. The continued focus on a holistic education supporting the students of today is incredible,” Bloch said.

wanted to stay connected to Seven Hills, and I wanted to give back in any way that I can,” Hydrick said.

Brandon followed his love of cooking to the Culinary Institute of America and received an A.O.S. in baking and pastry arts. He began working for Whole Foods Market in New York City and is still with the company today as a bakery team leader. He has helped open stores in New York and Los Angeles and moved back to Cincinnati to open the store in

graduating

Kenwood. He is currently working on his

from Seven

master’s in professional studies with a

Hills in 1996,

focus in the food business at the Culinary

Hydrick began

Institute of America.

interning at Huntington National he studied psychology and finance at

from the Culinary Institute of America

the University of Rochester. He worked

and a bachelor’s in culinary and food

in various departments in the bank,

science from the University of Cincinnati.

including mortgage lending, indirect

research chef developing foods for

Instead of going to graduate school,

After

Bank while

He spent seven years working as a

- Brandon Hydrick ’96

to such a great school. I continue to be

“I joined the Alumni Board because I

evolution of our school. The

way that I can."

and evolution of the school and feel so

BR AND ON H Y DRICK ’ 96

the curriculum, programs, and

because I wanted to stay connected to Seven Hills, and

arts and earned an A.O.S. in culinary arts

“I continue to be amazed by

“I joined the Alumni Board

his son Benny is in pre-kindergarten.

He then followed his passion for culinary

“

Cincinnati with his wife Sarah and earned

lending, and personal banking, while in college and full-time after graduation.

As a member of the Alumni Board, he hopes to grow engagement among the alumni. “I want to be able to maintain connections and set a trend of alumni remaining in contact with Seven Hills, so we can all hear about what our classmates have been up to,” he said.

ALUMNI NEWS

SEVEN HILLS ALUMNI AT FCC : TIED IN FRIENDSHIP The fall weather was perfect on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 21, when Seven Hills alumni of all ages gathered at TQL stadium.

The event, hosted by the Alumni/ Development Office, brought together 40 alumni, including their families and friends, for an exciting match between FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United, the final regular season game for first place FCC. The jumbotron displayed “Welcome to Seven Hills Alumni” for the sold-out crowd to see. For some alums, this was

their first visit to the new stadium and as one noted, the occasion was even more special because it was organized as a Seven Hills alumni event. Although the match ended in a tie, everyone enjoyed the evening that reinforced the power of shared experiences and continued to create connections to last a lifetime.

ALUMNI NEWS

FALL ALUMNI SPORTS NIGHT 2023 The annual Fall Alumni Sports Night brought together more than 40 alumni for exciting games of volleyball, tennis, and soccer against our current Stinger athletes. Although it was a very hot evening on Friday, Aug. 4, the real heat was coming from the action on the field and courts. 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. Alumni connected with old friends and coaches, reminisced about their school days, and created new Stinger memories. As the evening came to a close, everyone savored the memories made during this sweltering Fall Alumni Sports Night. Thank you to everyone who came out and made this an unforgettable night!

S E

H I

L L S

Reunion N

REUNION CLASSES

2024 April 12 &13 We look forward to welcoming our alumni celebrating their reunions back to school! Are you interested in helping to make this a special weekend for your class? Please contact Director of Development Margo Kirstein at margo.kirstein@7hills.org or 513.728.2437 to volunteer.

CPS & HILLSDALE classes of 1949, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, and 1974 LOTSPEICH classes of 1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, and 1973 SEVEN HILLS classes of 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, and 2004

All reunion 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. Please note, there will be a $50 charge per person for Saturday evening’s 50th Anniversary celebration. Please visit www.7hills.org/reunion for hotel information, transportation, and schedule of events, as well as any updates for the weekend.

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S T O T H E C L A S S O F 1 9 9 9 O N Y O U R 2 5t h R E U N I O N !

SEVEN HILLS

1999

ION 2

0 • •

• • • •

•

Classics Luncheon & State of the School by Head of School Chris Garten for CPS & Hillsdale classes of 1932-1974 and Lotspeich alumni from 1931-1968 Cincinnati Country Club 2348 Grandin Road, 45208

2024

HILLSDALE

1974

NION 20

•

• •

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

F R I D AY, A P R I L 12, 2024

REUNION SCHEDULE

ALUMNI NEWS

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

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

Friday Evening

Reserved for class-specific celebrations

S AT U R D AY, A P R I L 13, 2024

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Come back to school to attend classes and/or a tour of the Hillsdale Campus. Classes will be taught by current teachers and are for kids and adults. A listing of classes is available at www.7hills.org/reunion 5400 Red Bank Road, 45227

7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Seven Hills! The Field House The Seven Hills School 5400 Red Bank Road, 45227

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S T O T H E C P S A N D H I L L S D A L E C L A S S E S O F 1 9 74 O N Y O U R 5 0t h R E U N I O N S !

CPS

1974

S AT U R D AY

APRIL 13

HILLSDALE CAMPUS

2024

LET'S CELEBRATE 50 YEARS!

7-10

P. M .

JOIN ALUMNI, CURRENT PARENTS, AND FORMER PARENTS AT THE SCHOOL’S 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION! THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION COMMEMORATES 50 YEARS SINCE THE MERGER OF THE COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL (CPS) AND THE HILLSDALE-LOTSPEICH SCHOOL IN 1974. FEATURING LIVE ENTERTAINMENT BY •••

SOUL POCKET • • •

a 13-piece band to make you move and groove, & performances by current students and alumni ENJOY DRINKS AND BITES BY •••

EAT WELL • • •

Tickets are $50 per person For more details, visit 50th.7hills.org or contact Margo Kirstein, director of development, at margo.kirstein@7hills.org or 513.728.2437.

1980s

20 00s

2010s 50 1974 to . . . . . . . . . . .19 . . . 90 . . . .s. . . . . . . . . . 2024 1970s

Y E A R S

O F

S E V E N

H I L L S

s 43

ALUMNI NEWS

ALUMNI RETURN TO CAMPUS, SHARE CAREER AND LIFE ADVICE AT PANEL

This year, the Seven Hills School introduced the Alumni Speaker Series in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the merger between the College Preparatory School (CPS) and the Hillsdale-Lotspeich School in 1974. The invited alumni share their life and career experiences with current Seven Hills students. This fall, Marsha Williams ’77 and Peter Wojda ’06 kicked off the series with a student-led Q&A panel and met members of different student clubs. Williams visited in September and addressed the Upper Schoolers in The Schiff Center. Williams discussed her career in market research, where she specialized in brand and consumer insights and had clients like Nickelodeon and LEGO. She also encouraged students to lean into self-discovery while in school.

“

“High school is a time to discover who you are. Be conscious and aware of your own self-discovery. Self-discovery is fun and exciting, even if it can be scary." - Marsha Williams ’77

“High school is a time to discover who you are. Be conscious and aware of your own self-

discovery. Self-discovery is fun and exciting, even if it can be scary,” Williams said. While visiting Seven Hills, Williams met the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Club to share her experience as a volunteer domestic and international courier with the National Marrow Donor Program. As a courier, Williams transports bone marrow and stem cells from the donors' location to the medical facilities where people with cancer and other life-threatening diseases await life-saving transplants. Williams also discussed her ongoing volunteer experiences with Habitat for Humanity and spoke about her passion for volunteering and desire to help people. One of Williams' earliest volunteering experiences was at CPS. In the early 1970s, CPS celebrated its first annual Earth Day, and Williams volunteered to pick up litter around campus and the nearby community. Wojda visited the Upper School in October and met with members of the Investment Club and the entrepreneur class during the students’ lunch period. Wojda currently works as the general manager of the North America Fulton Market Group and discussed the excitement and challenges of working in a food industrybased start-up, especially during a global pandemic. Additionally, Wojda offered advice

about college, how he balanced risks and stability in his career path, and fondly recalled his history classes with the late Bob Turansky. During the student-led Q&A panel, Wojda discussed the strong foundation he gained

from Seven Hills and the value of understanding different perspectives. “In my experience, one of the most valuable things to learn is how to put yourself in other people’s shoes, learning how to work with others so you can help them get to where they need to go,” Wojda said.

For more information about the 50th anniversary celebrations, visit 50th.7hills.org.

SEVEN HILLS ROADSHOW :

New York City

On Oct. 4, Seven Hills alumni gathered at The Cosmopolitan Club in New York City for an evening of reminiscing with old friends and meeting new ones. More than 25 people came from New York and the surrounding area to hear school news and updates on the campuses from Matt Bolton, Head of Upper School and Head of School-elect, and Margo Kirstein, director of development. The intimate setting brought back memories as alums shared stories, exchanged contact information while networking, and reminded us all that connections do last a lifetime. Many thanks to the hosts: Oliver Brooks ’06, Lucy Callard ’18, Peter Dumbadze ’06, Margaret Kent Edson ’04, Jan Fulgraf Golaan H’67, Michael Heldman ’16, Evan Joiner ’03, Margo Taft Stever H’68, and Sharon Worthing Vaino C’70.

ALUMNI NEWS

# THROWBACK:

Miss Godfrey’s Hillsdale Sewing Class In the 1950s and 60s, Miss Godfrey taught sewing to the students of Hillsdale School. Sewing was just one of the many types of home economics course offerings of the time — like shop class and cooking — and Miss Godfrey’s students remember her class fondly.

them. When I attended Smith, I also made most of my own clothes, inspired by the First Lady at the time, Jackie Kennedy.” Alumnae Cecile (Drackett) Allyn ’56 and Louise (Atkins) Head ’56 also recall their introduction to sewing. “We made 2 a slip first. And then a denim suit. The slip was a little awkward to model,” Head laughed.

Alumna Peg (Hogan) Wyant ’60

Miss Godfrey in 1957

took Miss Godfrey’s class and even won a trip to New York City through Shilito’s her junior year. Cincinnatians will remember Shilito’s as Cincinnati’s first department store. Today, the store is operated under Macy’s. “I was the local newspaper’s featured Teen of the Week after I won the contest,” Wyant said. “They interviewed me about my academics, my tennis skills, and of course, winning the Sewing Board contest and the trip

Peg (far left) at Waldorf Astoria NYC, courtesy of Macy’s, in 1960

Hill Manor in 1951

to New York. During the trip, I remember standing at the top of the Waldorf Hotel wearing the dress. I loved every minute of it.” Wyant remembers Godfrey as an incredible teacher who helped students create works of art with a sewing machine and set the standard for excellent sewing. “My experiences with Miss Godfrey were extremely valuable,” Wyant said. “Miss Godfrey also taught us more than making clothes. As her students, we were learning about the intellectual side of life. While I’ve always been purposeful, Hillsdale was an inspiration in that regard. There was a great group of Hillsdale teachers, and Smith College was relatively easy thanks to

In 1953, the sewing class held a fashion show during an all-school assembly to model the pieces they made in class. The show became a phenomenon among students, who enjoyed the sewing class so much that they 3 enrolled year after year. 1. Cecile (Drackett) Allyn 2. Louise (Atkins) Head 3. Peg (Hogan) Wyant

ALUMNI NEWS

Allyn took the class all four years of high school and received the recognition of “Shilito’s Representative” on Awards Day due to her commendable talents with a needle and thread.

Hillsdale Sewing Committee in 1953

As the Shilito’s Representative, each month, Allyn would pick up fabric and a pattern from Shilito’s, make the piece of clothing, and then model it one Saturday a month in the fabric department. When asked if she was able to keep the clothing, Allyn said, “Oh, yes. I wore it all. It was my clothing outside of school.”

The sewing class was small, with only four sewing machines, and held in Hill Manor.

“It was fun!” Head said. “Lots of laughs and many very happy memories.”

Miss Godfrey also taught Allyn’s mother how to sew, prior to teaching at Hillsdale. Her teachings endured well beyond the classroom and, in the case of Allyn’s family, even impacted generations. Allyn’s own daughter made alterations for her friends in Hillsdale Class of 1953 with Louise (Atkins) Head and Cecile (Drackett) Allyn college.

Fashion show from 1965

The skills the students learned in Miss Godfrey’s class continued to prove useful for years after they left Hillsdale. “A friend called me when she was pregnant and said, ‘You were so smart for taking all those sewing classes in school. Would you help me make some maternity clothes?’” said Allyn. “After that, I started to teach sewing and dressmaking classes in New York.”

Fashion show from 1965

ALUMNI NEWS

DOES THE SCHOOL STILL . . . HAVE OLYMPIC DAY? 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!”

Clad in tie-dyed T-shirts they made in art teacher Kacey Watkin’s class, Doherty kindergarten through fifth grade students took to the soccer field on Olympic Day in May 2023 to complete obstacle courses and sack races, toss water balloons, and play giant tic-tac-toe and tug-a-war. For the grand finale, fifth grade students faced off against the teachers in a game of kickball, with their classmates cheering them on. The soccer field, or athletic field, has been a part of the campus since CPS

Bouncing on a hippity hop in 2000

acquired it in 1941, but the dedication to athletics and physical activities dates back even further. In 1931, Miss Doherty was quoted as saying “we now realize the immense value of play activities as a part of education.” Though there were no hippity-hops or cornhole boards back then, students have been competing in sack races and tug-of-war since the beginning of Olympic Day. While some of the events have changed over the years, the spirit of Olympic Day has remained the same.

Sack race in 1989

“It’s an incredibly fun day of camaraderie and community building,” said Marty Gerhardt ’85, who has been Doherty’s physical education teacher since 1991. “Throughout the years, it has always been an opportunity for students to try new things and compete in a lighthearted way while building a team-centered community across the grades. Last year,

we incorporated the Hives into Olympic Day, which are kindergarten through fifth grade teams, as a new way to enjoy the spirit of Olympic Day.” Former Doherty P.E. teacher Ed Wiseman and Gerhardt introduced the famous teacher vs. fifth grade kickball game years ago. The two envisioned the game to not

“

“Throughout the years, it has always been an opportunity for students to try new things and compete in a lighthearted way while building a team-centered community across the grades.” - Doherty’s Physical Education Teacher Marty Gerhardt ’85

ALUMNI NEWS

only get the teachers more involved but also serve as a rite of passage for the older students. “They’re able to see their teachers in a different light, and it’s a tradition that all of the kids look forward to, even if they’re not competing,” Gerhardt said.

of our maintenance staff members when they’ve joined in, and former Doherty Head of Maintenance Rick Questa could do it. It was awesome when Rick cleared the fence because the kids just couldn’t believe their eyes. Administrative Assistant Susan Coldiron has gotten

Pre-kindergarten students attempt handstands in 2018

Teacher Bill Schmidt aims for the fence during the fifth grade vs. teachers kickball game in 2023

very close; Spanish teacher Kristin Diersing can send the ball flying, and of course, Unit III teacher Bill Schmidt. We have new teachers, and we’re looking forward to them joining in the fun!”

“Younger students will make signs cheering on either the older kids or their teachers. It’s a true highlight of Olympic Day to see that level of passion and fun from everyone at Doherty.” The storied tradition of the teachers vs. students kickball game also inspired a sense of lore, both with past and current teachers. Epic tales circulate among the students about teachers who have kicked the ball so hard it cleared the fence. “We’ve had a few teachers and staff members clear the fence,” Gerhardt confirmed. “Wiseman, along with some

Students compete in a game of tug-of-war in 1985

ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES News from Our Alumni 1963

1978

Sanna Goyert (H) (New York City) shares, “I am teaching med students in a seven-year program, and I do basic science research in immunology, searching for the next best therapy for sepsis/sepsis shock.”

Cathy (Schwab) Prichard (Portland, ME) works for Maine Tourism as a travel counselor.

1989

1967 Jan (Fullgraf) Golann (H) (New York City) tells us, “Steve and I are enjoying our five grandchildren. We still live in New York City but also spend time in Florida and Nashville.”

1968 Margo Taft Stever's (H) (Sleepy Hollow, NY) third full-length poetry collection, “The End of Horses,” was published in April 2022 by Broadstone Books. One of three winners of a 2022 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award and a 2023 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite in the category of poetry, the book focuses on the sixth extinction. With poet Susana H. Case, Stever also edited “I Wanna Be Loved by You: Poems on Marilyn Monroe,” (Milk & Cake Press, 2022) which was the sole winner of the 2022 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award and a finalist for the 2023 Eric Hoffer Grand Prize, for the 2022 International Book Award, and for the American Book Fest Award, all in the anthology category.

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

1970 Sharon Vaino (C) (New York City) and her husband, Jaan, commissioned Sarah-Margaret Gibson ’07, the daughter of her classmate Anni Macht C’70, to paint a portrait of them. Also, Sharon shares that she and her husband have two granddaughters: Lydia Arlene Vaino, 2, and Penelope Irene Vaino, 1 month, both having great-grandmothers' first names as their middle names. 1

1977 Ellis Stewart (Lafayette, LA) retired eight years ago for health reasons. “Before retirement, I was a production manager, master sound engineer, and a lighting director. Some of my clients included The Rolling Stones for five world tours, Tom Petty, The Black Crowes, and The Georgia Satellites, etc. Ronnie Wood was my son Graham’s godfather, and I was a pall bearer for Stevie Ray Vaughn.”

Katie Austing (Savannah, GA) lets us know, “We are in a life transition! Before settling in Savannah, Georgia, we decided to travel the world. We just spent three months in Europe — Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, Italian Dolomites, Switzerland (St. Moritz and Zermatt), Dordogne region of France, Portugal, and Spain. We are currently in Australia and will head over to New Zealand before heading home for the holidays. We may continue traveling next spring. This is a long-time dream come true.”

1994 Julie (Witten) Lloyd (Cincinnati) works as a fundraising consultant for Ignite Philanthropy.

1995 Kalpana Kotagal (Cincinnati) started a new position as commissioner at U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

1998 Justin Kreindler (Chicago) lives in Chicago with his two kids (ages 5 and 8) and wife Lizzy. During the pandemic, John Lin ’98 invited him to join the board of John's CO2 removal (CDR) research nonprofit. John’s ideas slowly gained traction in the CDR community and beyond. Dr. Damian Park-Bickett ’99 invited them to present their business ideas to his environmental econ class at Santa Clara University, and they received valuable feedback. In March 2022, with a

In Memoriam Our condolences to the families and friends who have lost loved ones. Ellison ’98. We also talked to Mark Huntress ’98 and Matt Vitz ’98, who are both professors and each helped with their thoughtful questions and suggestions.” 2

2002 2

S SHARE YOUR NEW

d? New job? Recently marrie e Written a book? If you hav n’t do stories to share, please hesitate! Go to es. www.7hills.org/alumniupdat h Drop us a line and send hig mat) resolution photos (.jpeg for .org. to Margo.Kirstein@7hills

third co-founder, they launched Tau Carbon to commercialize above-ground dry wood storage, and this past April, they oversubscribed their pre-seed round of funding. Justin reports that "our work is progressing rapidly; we have gained widespread acceptance for our approach and it’s tough to beat getting to start a successful business with an old friend." In the photo, John and Justin are pictured testing out a small wood storage container in their office in Alameda, California. “Along the way, our team has met with a handful of Seven Hills alums. We met with Dave Richardson ’98 and Aaron

1952 Beth Burchenal Jones (H) (Bellefontaine, OH) passed away on June 5, 2023. 1956 Martha Nichols Brown (H) (Hillsboro Beach, FL, and Lexington, KY) passed away on Aug. 13, 2023.

Oliver Brooks (Brooklyn, NY) is a filmmaker who was recently accepted into the Director's Guild of America as an assistant director and location manager after location managing the New Jersey portion of an upcoming Netflix film.

1957 Marian Strickland Powers (H) (Ft. Thomas, KY) passed away on May 14, 2023.

2003

1966 Christine Porter Graf (H) (Cincinnati) passed away on Oct. 10, 2023.

Julia Andress (Brooklyn, NY) currently works as a VP in finance at Link Logistics. John Bloch (Cincinnati) and his wife Sarah welcomed a new baby in September. “Sarah and I are happy to announce that our newest son Jude arrived healthy and well on Sept. 19. Big brother Benny is adjusting great and can't wait to introduce him to the Stinger Rumble.” John Bloch (Cincinnati) and fellow alumni Gabe Davis ’03, Dave Schuh ’03, and Mark Mitchell ’03 recently attended a Bengals game together. 3

1965 Sandy Love Bennhoff (C) (Fairview Park, OH) passed away on Oct. 23, 2023.

1969 Cathy Fox Blassaras (C) (Scottsdale, AZ) passed away on May 11, 2023.

Continued on page 52

ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES, Continued . . . News from Our Alumni 2004

already spawned its own interesting sagas (Dan Filardo ’06 can weigh in on this), it led to this following exchange [condensed for length and clarity]:

Katherine Menzies (Salt Lake City) works for Lucid Software as a group product manager.

Dean: What were you doing in Cincinnati? Why would you go there for furniture?

Margot Wood (Portland, OR) and her husband Sean Willis (who met at Emerson College) had a baby! They welcomed daughter Maeve Willis Wood on Aug. 20 in Portland, Oregon. 4

Peter: [proudly] I’m from Cincinnati, and you get good deals on … Dean: Where in Cincinnati are you from? Peter: [quizzical expression on face] I’m from Hyde Park … Wait ...

Dean: I grew up in East Walnut Hills when I was young. I lived on Keys Crescent … 5

the boxed wine that you’ll find at a departmental event.

2005 Asia (Reid) Narayan shares, “We celebrated our sister Jessalyn’s ’08 wedding to Ryan Mahoney on June 10, 2022, in Washington, D.C. 5 6

2006 Peter Dumbadze (Brooklyn, NY) writes, “A few weeks ago, I was at a faculty get-together for the architecture department at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Like any sort of function with your co-workers, you are mingling amongst one another making small talk and trying to dutifully balance a plate with oddly cut pieces of cheese, crackers, and a plastic glass of

“Eventually, I got around to talking with the interim dean of the college of architecture. A noted scholar on midcentury American architecture, I wanted to ask her about her experience interviewing Natalie de Blois, the primary architect for the Terrace Plaza Hotel 6 in Downtown Cincinnati. I mentioned to her that I have a sofa from the hotel that I purchased in Cincinnati. A sofa that has

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

Peter: [mouth agape] I went to Doherty. My brother went to Doherty. My aunt and my mother both went to CPS. The number of times I have driven down that street! Dean: I used to go play on their playground; we had friends over on Johnstone Place. That’s a pretty old campus. Peter: [very shocked by all of this] I played on that playground, too. I have run past your old house literally over a thousand times coming up from the cafeteria or coming from science class in Faran Hall … Wow, this is a small world.

ALUMNI NEWS

2016

Catherine Bain (Norman, OK) started a new position as instructor of record at University of Oklahoma – Department of Psychology. Anna Davis (Cincinnati) started a new position as director of Volleyball Operations at University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics. Jared Fisher (Los Angeles) started a new position as associate at 4B Advisory. [The dean and Peter proceed to talk about East Walnut Hills, the views of the Ohio River from the Doherty Campus and adjacent areas and established mutual family friends. And scene.] Postscript: I should note that last fall, the dean and I were invited guest reviewers for a middle school architecture program that undergraduate architecture majors at NJIT were running. The students in the program had designed ideal playgrounds for their school. Now looking back on it, the dean and I, when referencing our childhood experiences on play sets and the like, were quite literally referring to the SAME PLAYGROUND.” 7

Lily Yan (New York City) shares that she has a 1-year-old baby boy named Kai.

2009 Mary Taliaferro (Cincinnati) shares, “I have some big news to share about the next chapter of my career as a financial adviser! I've joined Wealth Enhancement Group and am thrilled to partner with Mary Herrington, CFP.” 8

2010 Baker Leyman (Chicago) started a new position as associate director at EssenceMediacom.

Brian Hills (Cincinnati) started a new position as law clerk at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP.

SHARE YOUR NEWS

New job? Recently married? Written a book? If you have stories to share, please don’t hesitate! Go to

www.7hills.org/alumniupdates. Drop us a line and send high resolution photos (.jpeg format) to Margo.Kirstein@7hills.org.

2015 8

Adam Buford (Philadelphia) started a new position as an MBA candidate at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Kristin Stratman (Jeffersonville, IN) started a new position as technical writer at Amatrol.

2017 Lukas Geiger (New York City) shares that he has recently become NYU’s rowing coach. He is also working for Google as a customer engineer. He works in the Generative AI space in Google Cloud.

ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES News from Our Alumni 2018 9

Mary Grace (Ramsay) Mantica (Indianapolis) started a new position as graduate assistant for Pre-Professional & Career Preparation at School of Science at IUPUI and also got married this summer (July 8, 2023) to Nicolette Mantica. “We got married in Carmel, Indiana. Nick Purple ’18 played violin at our ceremony.” 9

2019

Piper Spooner (Charlotte, NC) started a new position as teaching fellow at Providence Day School. She shares that Bill Waskowitz and Matt Bolton were amazing resources who connected her to a huge network of independent schools.

SHARE YOUR NEWS

New job? Recently married? Written a book? If you have stories to share, please don’t hesitate! Go to

www.7hills.org/alumniupdates. Drop us a line and send high resolution photos (.jpeg format) to Margo.Kirstein@7hills.org.

Claire Harrison (Chicago) tells us, “After I graduated in May from Loyola with a bachelor’s in global studies and a bachelor’s in poli sci, I was hired by their undergraduate admissions office in July. This year, I’m recruiting for Loyola in Indiana, central Texas, southern California, and the Chicago suburbs. Aside from being an admission counselor, I am also the office's faculty visit coordinator, scheduling meetings between prospective students and faculty members. I help organize special group visits as well! Once fall travel ends, I will start reading applications in late October and meeting with admitted students and their families in the spring. I also hope to start working on my master’s through Loyola by the end of 2024!” Gaurav Kilaru (New York City) started a new position as research analyst at Jigsaw Productions.

Tessa Robinson (Chicago) started a new position as staffing consultant at Beacon Hill Staffing Group. Drew Vecellio (Los Angeles) started a new position as legal assistant/ management analyst at the Department of Justice Executive Office of Immigration Review. Michael Weirich (Dallas, TX) started at Bain and Company as an associate strategy consultant in the Dallas, TX office in mid-October.

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

ALUMNI NEWS

We look forward to seeing everyone at our events in the coming year! Please keep an eye on the calendar at www.7hills.org/alumni/alumni-events and your inbox for more details!

Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Friday, Jan. 26, 2024

Thursday, April 25, 2024

A Night of Magic with Dennis Watkins – Back by Popular Demand! 6:30 p.m. Via Zoom

Seven Hills Roadshow – Naples 12 p.m. Naples Yacht Club 700 14th Ave. South, Naples, FL 34102

Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024

Next Chapter Event: Cookie Decorating with Glenda Jones of Cocoa Bites and Flower Arranging Workshop with Tim Lieber 12:30-2 p.m. Founders Hall, Hillsdale Campus

Friday & Saturday, April 12 & 13, 2024 REUNION WEEKEND Friday, April 12, 2024 11:30 a.m. Classics Luncheon at the Cincinnati Country Club for CPS and Hillsdale Classes 1937-1974 and Lotspeich Alumni 1937-1968 1:30 p.m. Tour of Doherty Campus EVENING Reserved for class gatherings

Seven Hills 50th Anniversary Community-wide Celebration 7-10 p.m. Hillsdale Campus

Next Chapter Event: Alumni Book Discussion of “Romantic Comedy” with author Curtis Sittenfeld ’93 6-7:30 p.m. Hillsdale Campus and Via Zoom

TBD

Spring Seven Hills Roadshow — Washington, D.C. Stay tuned for more details!

Recently moved? Just got married? New email? Go to www.7hills.org/alumniupdates to update your information or send to development@7hills.org.

save the date

2024 Alumni Calendar

Saturday, April 13, 2024 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Classes on Campus and Hillsdale Campus Tours

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

2 0 2 3 - 2 4

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

S E V E N

H I L L S

B O A R D

Top row left to right: Peter Cha Nolan Bean Gabe Davis ’03, Alumni Representative Samir Kulkarni, Secretary John Schneider, Vice-Chair Josh Martin Chuck Mingo Stephen J. Baggott, Past Chair

O F

T R U S T E E S

Thomas Charles Garber ’96 John Atkinson Sitting, left to right: Karen Callard ’80 Kelli Stein Kimberly Jackson Amy DeWitt, Vice-Chair Heather Vecellio ’92 Lair Kennedy, Chair Chris Garten, Head of School

Laurent Huguenin Pretty Patel, Parent Community Representative Samir S. Shah Meredith Ficks ’98 Angie Apple, Treasurer Not pictured: James Lee Steve Leeper Alana Pepper James and Elizabeth Schiff, Life Trustees