Impact - Summer 2016

impact

SUMMER 2016

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SPOTLIGHT

P H I LA N T H RO PY I N AC T I O N

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Photo by David Jones

Our donors really make an impact at St. Anne’s-Belfield School!

The Wearable Art Runway Show demonstrates the range of student creativity through wearable, non-fabric art, as modeled by faculty member Meg Van Liew and her daughter, junior Evans Van Liew. See page 4 for more information.

DEAR FRIENDS,

I

recently came across a copy of the School’s

2011- 2016 Strategic Plan, and I was reminded of those things which make St. Anne’s-Belfield School so special. The plan details many desired outcomes and areas where the Board

(and others) felt the School needed to focus attention in order to become a leading educational institution.

Top: Tom Weis and his science students explore compound microscopes, photo by Stacey Evans; Middle: Students gathering after school, photo

by James Matisse; Below: Fall Family Picnic 2015, photo by James Matisse

The varied aspirations contained in the plan all point toward one broad goal: continuing the School’s role in educating students to be, in the words of Mary Hyde DuVal, “strong in body, broad of mind, tender of heart, and responsive in soul.”

Ms. DuVal would be amazed at the progress the School has made since 1910, as we all should be impressed by the progress we’ve made since 2011.

Physical changes to the School have created spaces for greater community. Programmatic innovations and technological advances have transformed what and how our students learn. In addition, enhanced community service offerings and an expanded boarding program have increased student engagement with the broader community.

INSIDE

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ANNUAL FUND UPDATE 2015 - 2016 contributions approach goal

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GIFTS IN ACTION Programs funded by restricted giving

The student/teacher relationship remains as strong as ever, helping to create a community where every student is not only known, but known well; a community in which every teacher can also serve as coach, mentor, and friend. Faculty excellence has been and will continue to be a defining characteristic of a St. Anne’s-Belfield School education. With over 20 countries represented in our student body and myriad backgrounds and interests represented, diversity of thought is at an all-time high.

These changes, of course, would not have been possible without the many parents, alumni, family, and friends who have offered support, creating this environment in which every child has opportunities to engage the mind, and encouragement to succeed. Ms. DuVal would be proud of all that our community has made possible.

Bruce Cauthen ‘74 Director of Donor Relations and Annual Giving

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RAISE WE OUR VOICES A new initiative to attract student and faculty talent

impact

SUMMER 2016

annual fund update

2015 2016 ANNUAL FUND COMMITTEE Gee McVey, Chair MAJOR GIFTS TEAM

Rupert de Vink, Chair John Dozier Harry Frazier Brad Hunter Meghan Murray ’93

Above: Students on an Environmental Statistics trip in West Virginia, photo by James Mattise. Right: Varsity Basketball against Charlottesville High School; Learning Village students on the first day of school in 2015, photo by Kristen Gleason.

PARENT CLASS CAPTAINS

Nolan and Olivia Wages, Pre-School Nora Seilheimer ’95, Kindergarten Qian Cai, First Grade Erika Thelen Fennell ’99 and Jay Fennell ’87, Second Grade Brett Henyon ’89, Third Grade Janelle Noble, Fourth Grade Jessica Russo, Fifth Grade Linda and Penn DuPuis, Sixth Grade Gee McVey, Seventh Grade Kevin O’Halloran, Eighth Grade Pati Cunningham, Ninth Grade David Swett ’86, Tenth Grade Tim and Deanna Gould, Eleventh Grade John Leiner, Twelfth Grade ALUMNI GIVING

Tommy Brannock ’74 Cary Brannock Milley ’76 Janet Willis ’76 Jack Gwaltney ’78 Peter Abraham ’80 Michael Lyster ’83 Pepper Binner ’90 Brooke Ireland ’92 Meghan Murray ’93 Nathan Ivey ’94 Ben O’Neil ’96 Barrett Peters ’98 George Craddock ’00 Meggie Powers ’00

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Sean McChesney ’01

Our Annual Fund PROVIDES EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES

T

he School’s Annual Fund provides unrestricted support that allows the School

to offer exceptional educational

experiences to its students.

This year’s fund drive allows donors to designate their gifts in support of five targeted areas: financial aid, teaching excellence, academic programs, athletics, and

the arts. Collectively, these gifts supplement tuition income and provide additional resources to help the School excel each and every year.

If you have not yet made a gift to the Annual Fund and would like to do so, you may visit stab.org/give or send a check to the School at 2132 Ivy Road, Charlottesville VA 22903. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

SHOW THE LOVE | Following the conclusion of the fall parent drive, attention turns to alumni giving. The February 2016 Show the Love campaign generated 110 gifts from alumni. As alumni were invited to share a story

ALUMNI GIVING

in honor of a favorite School memory, many of these contributions were accompanied by poignant comments conveying what alumni appreciate most from their time at St. Anne’s-Belfield School.

Parent and alumni solicitations will continue through June 30, the end of the School’s fiscal year.

My family chose this School to give me a good academic foundation. The School does a great job of helping students pursue their interests.

Everyone here has their own voice and feels like they are part of the family. It’s an amazing school.

- Christiaan, Grade 11

PARENT GIVING Thanks to the hard work of our parent Class Captain volunteers, the School’s fall Annual Fund drive generated more than $1.1 million in gifts from 65% of the School’s parents.

Congratulations to those who helped us achieve these fantastic results!

S T. A N N E ’ S -B E L F I E L D S C H O O L

P H I LA N T H RO PY I N AC T I ON

The New GREENWAY RISE AUDITORIUM: A Space for Community which opened on February 5.

With a seating capacity of 464 (enough to accommodate the entire Upper School student body and faculty), the auditorium also boasts a multi-level thrust stage, an orchestra pit with a removable cover, a state-of-the-art theater-quality digital projector with large screen, dedicated scene shop and costume construction spaces, dressing rooms, and storage facilities.

As a space that will not only build School community, but serve as a new home for partnership events within the local community. Construction

of this tremendous asset to the School would not have been possible without the generosity of individuals who showed their support through investing in School-endowed funds. To them, we say “Bravo!”

Left: The new Greenway Rise Auditorium, photo by Kristen Gleason. Above: The interior of the new Greenway Rise Auditorium.

SPARK! HACKATHON INSPIRES CREATIVITY & COLLABORATION

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early 50 students from

field, came together for the first

sented their solutions to a panel of

gram, and the School will expand its

seven area high schools,

SPARK! Hackathon on January

area technology leaders.

CS curriculum in the coming year.

including St. Anne’s-Bel-

30 - 31. During this two-day event,

The SPARK! Hackathon is an

The Hackathon was supported

students were

outgrowth of the Computer Science

by additional sponsors, including

challenged to

Initiative, which was launched in

Quantitative Investment

use technology

the 2015 fiscal year. Propelled by a

Management, Mozilla, Locus

to solve actual

challenge gift, donors have provided

Health, WillowTree, University of

problems

funds to support the hiring of two

Virginia Department of Biomedical

and needs

computer science faculty who have

Engineering, LeadingAgile, and

shared by area

developed and are implementing a

Stand Alone Films. We are thankful

organizations.

K-12 computer science sequence for

to them for helping provide this

At the end of

the School. In addition, this summer

benefit to the School and our local

the challenge,

will mark the second year for the

community.

students pre-

successful Tech Camp @ STAB pro-

Students participating in the first SPARK! Hackathon, photo by James Mattise.

ATHLETIC BOOSTERS

PARENTS SUPPORT & PROMOTE STUDENT ATHLETICS The Athletic Boosters kicked off the year with the Fall Family Picnic held in early September, and serving more than 900 people. This was a great opportunity for our school community to spend a fun evening together with all of our fall sports teams competing on campus.

In addition, the Boosters have funded the individual plaques for the Girls’ XC State Championship Team, contributed $5000 to

the new equipment in the Strength and Conditioning room, and have given each athletic team funds for an end of season gathering.

Boosters will be recognizing 43 athletes for the Scholar Athlete Award this year.

They will also be funding the two Silver Lining Scholarships awarded in May. Joining the Athletic Boosters is a great way for parents to support and promote student athletes.

PROGRAMS FUNDED BY RESTRICTED GIFTS

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uring all times of the academic year, visitors to the School can expect to see a wide variety of arts programs in action. From Orff-Schulwerk musical instruction in Kindergarten through fifth grade, to fall plays and winter musicals on the Greenway Rise campus, an astonishing variety of arts offerings and opportunities are available to each student.

The most recent demonstration of the School’s commitment to the arts and community is the new Greenway Rise Auditorium,

TARRING ENDOWMENT SUPPORTS LACROSSE PROGRAM

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or the past five years, alumni and friends have gathered to celebrate the Doug Tarring Boys’ Lacrosse Endowment. This year’s event was held on March 19 at King Family Vineyards.

The Endowment was established during the Campaign for the Next Century to provide assistance to the Boys’ lacrosse program.

Named in honor of longtime lacrosse coach and athletic director

Doug Tarring, the Endowment provides additional funding to support equipment purchases and trips for the boys’ lacrosse program.

To date, the Endowment has grown to exceed $250,000.

Fundraising efforts will now pivot to the the Doug Tarring Endowed Scholarship, which provides needbased tuition assistance to deserving students.

Left: The Boys Lacrosse team competing against Norfolk Academy, photo by Jesus Pino.

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impact

SUMMER 2016

Far Right: Dr. Sugata Mitra speaking at the Jefferson Theater on October 16, photo by David Jones. Near Right: Dr. Gene Batiste speaking on Courageous Conversations, photo by James Mattise.

Inspiration Speaks NEW SERIES ENCOURAGES MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE

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stablished in 2015, the new Inspiration Speaks series hosts innovators and vision-

aries who bring myriad ideas to the School and local community, encouraging discourse on a variety of topics related to teaching, learning, education, and growth. The series

PROGRAMS FUNDED BY RESTRICTED GIFTS

is underwritten by private gifts and grants, including support from English Construction.

TED prize winner Dr. Sugata Mitra launched the series with a

visit in October 2015. Dr. Mitra is the impetus behind the “Hole In the Wall” program, which places computers into classrooms in rural India. The program demonstrates that in the absence of supervision or formal teaching, children can teach themselves and each other if they’re motivated by curiosity and peer interest. In his presentations to the School and local educators on Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16, Dr. Mitra spoke on

pendent Schools. Area educators, and School and local community members engaged in activities and exercises, listened to information about busting myths of diversity, and explored the mission-driven rationale for diversity and inclusion in independent schools. Many also asked questions related to practical aspects of carrying out diversity work in their schools.

Doug Wardle’s contributions to the School was advocacy for service learning.

He realized that these efforts help build the School community as well as assist others.

In celebration of his

E

contributions, his ach year, the School’s entire senior classmates dedicated their ninth grade class spends a class gift to his memory and directweek in the spring collaboraed it to a service trip for the ninth tively working grade to travel on a service as a group to a project that location where helps an area their energy NINTH GRADE of the country and empathy STUDENTS LEARNING in need of would have a assistance.

THROUGH SERVICE genuine impact.

For the past Since then, the several years,

DOUG’S TRIP

students have worked with Christian Appalachian Project to complete home improvements for those in need, building ramps, replacing windows and siding, installing drywall, and painting. This year, the group of 90 freshmen, five seniors, and 24 faculty traveled to Martin, Ky., and served from April 11 – 15, 2016.

This annual trip is known as Doug’s Trip, and is named for Doug Wardle ‘08, who passed away unexpectedly during a service trip to Nicaragua in 2007.

Begun in 2009, Doug’s Trip was a gift from the Class of 2008 to recognize their classmate. Among

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ways to implement technology and to engage students in self-directed and group learning. More than 1,000 people heard Dr. Mitra during the course of the two days.

Former Vice President of the National Association of Independent Schools, Dr. Gene Batiste conducted both a presentation and discussion on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. He facilitated discussions on Courageous Conversations about Race and Ethnicity in Inde-

trip has been sponsored by private donations, with additional support from the Annual Fund.

Above and Below: Students completing home improvements during Doug’s Trip, photos by Erin Bottomlee.

ANNUAL RUNWAY SHOW

CELEBRATES CHARLOTTESVILLE & THE ARTS A highly anticipated highlight on the School’s annual arts calendar is the Wearable Art Runway Show each November. This past year, nearly 40 students showcased fashions they designed and created from non-fabric items, each representing the theme of “Charlottesville.” From Greenberry’s Coffee to the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Paramount Theater to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, iconic sites and

cultural representations of Charlottesville were brought to life in the tenth annual show, which also featured accessories made by the School’s Learning Village students. The event is hosted by StABFab, the School’s fine arts booster organization dedicated to enriching the arts culture at St. Anne’s-Belfield School within all School divisions.

Runway Show participants created clothing from non-fabric items with a theme of Charlottesville, photo by David Jones.

S T. A N N E ’ S -B E L F I E L D S C H O O L

P H I LA N T H RO PY I N AC T I ON

HOW TO GIVE BACK

PLANNED GIVING

PROVIDES FOR THE FUTURE

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ach year, St. Anne’s-Belfield School receives gifts from alumni, parents, and friends in the form of a bequest or other estate planning.

Most recently, the School received a realized bequest gift from the estate of Carolyn Sanders ’48., and facilitated a planned giving commitment from a longtime alumna donor. These gifts, and others like them, help ensure the School’s enduring tradition of excellence.

forget that there are several planned gift options that allow donors to make significant gifts to the School, but also provide tax benefits while the contributors are still living. For more information, please contact Bruce Cauthen, director of donor relations and annual giving, at

bcauthen@stab.org.

The School’s 1910 Society recognizes those who have made a planned gift to the School. If you have included St. Anne’s-Belfield School in your estate plans, please be sure to let us know, so we can recognize you as a member of the 1910 Society, and inspire others to follow your example.

planned gift to the School? Many of us

ALUMNI GIVE BACK BY COMING BACK

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Above: Junior Kindergarten students learned about plant growth in April, photo by Stacey Evans.

DAY OF@TulaneArch GIVING |

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Have you considered making a

hilanthropy is not just about money. Giving time can be as important as giving money, especially when it offers our students an opportunity to get “real-world” perspectives from people “in the know.”

This Spring, many alumni returned to campus to contribute to the vitality of our School community. Phil Evans ’80, managing director at Blackrock, the world’s largest asset management firm, met with students interested in working on Wall Street. His message? Stay smart, work hard, and don’t just follow others. Instead, be comfortable offering your unique perspective.

Sellers Smith ’77, who works with IBM in Atlanta, spent two days working with Upper School students studying computer sciences and en-

#only-

o you follow St. Anne’sBelfield Alumni on Facebook or Twitter? If so, you may have seen a lot of excitement on May 18! During the “Day of Giving,” the School, alumni, and friends posted messages celebrating the accomplishments of our Senior Class, as well as the School’s athletic, artistic and academic

MAY 18

programs. Designed as a giving day for young alumni (’02 and after) in particular, the effort generated more than 100 gifts and more than 600 views of 11 videos produced for the day. This young alumni support will help ensure that the School continues to provide exceptional offerings to students.

gineering and students in the digital arts program at the Learning Village.

During his visit, Sellers was able to meet with several students and have casual conversations about careers in computer sciences.

The School hosted a Career Day for the senior class on April 14 which featured 11 local alumni.

Each student met with three alumni in small groups to really understand

the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of careers (law, medicine, firefighting, homeland security, internet marketing).

If you are interested in helping our students by sharing your story, please contact John Blake, director of alumni relations, at jblake@stab.org. In advance, thank you!

OLYMPIC DREAMS AUCTION CREATES FACULTY OPPORTUNITIES

On April 16, the School’s Parents’ Association held its biennial auction, Olympic Dreams: Golden Opportunities for Our Faculty. This was the largest auction yet, with more than 500 attendees. The event was held in the Conway Convocation Center, with silent and live auctions, which generated almost $300,000 to benefit faculty professional development.

A lower ticket price (made possible by private donations) and a changed format contributed to an intentional change to promote a spirit of inclusiveness.

Each year, nearly all of the faculty are provided with opportunities to take part in activities that deepen understanding of particular subjects or help improve teaching skills. Many of our teachers attend conferences and workshops, but others take online courses or participate in programs which help them guide their students more effectively.

Thank you to the Parents’ Association, to our Auction volunteers, and to the many donors who attended and participated. Your investment in our teachers will show results for years to come!

Above: Director of Alumni Relations John Blake introduces alumni taking part in Career Day.

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impact

SUMMER 2016

Raise We Our Voices

FOR ACCESS AND EXCELLENCE

THE

ST. ANNE’S-BELFIELD SCHOOL SONG (1980)

S

ince its founding in 1910, St.

cellence, marking a renewed focus on

the point where investment earnings

Anne’s-Belfield School has

our students and teachers, as part of

are sufficient to ensure that all qual-

been synonymous with edu-

the final phase of our strategic plan.

ified students can attend regardless

cational excellence, creating a

community where students, teachers, parents, and others come together in pursuit of extraordinary goals. Here, every child is known, nurtured, and

Though years may find us far apart, each gone our separate way The mem’ry of those special days will ever with us stay.

The mem’ries of the people who inspired us in our quest For truth and knowledge will, through time, inspire us to our best.

SO RAISE WE OUR VOICES TO ST. ANNE’S-BELFIELD, THROUGH LIFE HER MEMORY WILL LIGHT OUR WAY. New challenges, ‘neath giant spreading trees, each day unfold, A chance to grow, a chance to learn each lesson new and old.

The games we win, the games we lose, the times we give our all, The laughter and the tears we share through winter, spring and fall.

SO RAISE WE OUR VOICES TO ST. ANNE’S-BELFIELD, THROUGH LIFE HER MEMORY WILL LIGHT OUR WAY.

— Pat Davis

encouraged to do his or her best.

Students and faculty learn from each other and develop friendships that last a lifetime. Young people are prepared for lives as engaged, empathetic leaders.

At the Auction on April 16, and again on April 29 during Alumni Weekend, the School announced that, since the conclusion of the Campaign for the Next Century and the launch of the current Strategic Plan five years ago, nearly $40 million has

of their ability to pay full tuition,

As we look forward, we know for certain that our students and teachers will be the drivers of innovation and progress, the embodiment of our values, the pillars of our vision, and the very voices that carry out our mission. This initiative is about propelling them forward and ensuring a strong St. Anne’s-Belfield for generations to come.

- David S. Lourie

port for financial aid and teaching ex-

As the last step toward completion of the Strategic Plan, the School is launching RAISE WE OUR

VOICES: For Access and Excellence,

DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS

community that affords all students the benefits of robust classroom discussion and meaningful friendships.

This initiative also will bolster our efforts to engage the best faculty possible, people who are subject-matter experts as well as innovators and mentors.

To learn more about RAISE WE OUR VOICES: For Access and Excellence, please visit stab.org/voices.

This initiative is an important step for the School. Many parents, alumni, family, and friends have helped the School reach its goals and secure resources to make a St.

been raised from over 2,500 donors.

Recent gifts include significant sup-

thereby ensuring a dynamic, diverse

a $10 million campaign that will facilitate access to the School for the most talented students wishing to attend, and deliver needed resources to help the School hire, support, and

Anne’s-Belfield School education possible for the brightest, most ambitious students in our community, and to recruit outstanding educators as well as enable innovative teaching and learning. RAISE WE OUR VOICES: For Access and Excellence will contin-

ue their work and benefit generations of students in years to come.

retain the most qualified faculty.

JOHN BLAKE

Director of Alumni Relations

The School’s vision is to grow funding for access and excellence to

WARREN BUFORD

Associate Head of School for Advancement

KAY BUTTERFIELD

School Historian

BRUCE CAUTHEN ‘74

Director of Donor Relations and Annual Giving

LANE CRAWFORD

Development Services Manager

MARIA GALL

Annual Fund Manager

KATHY MCKELVEY

Executive Assistant for Development and Alumni Relations

DOUG TARRING

Development and Alumni Relations Officer

NANCY VELASQUEZ

Campaign Coordinator

Above: Kayla Carter’s students get hands-on in a Learning Village science lab, photo

by Stacey Evans.

Please make your contribution today.

Thank you! stab.org/give 6

2132 IVY ROAD | 799 FAULCONER DRIVE | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22903 | (434) 296-5106