AUTUMN VIEWS
Head of School Magazine, Summer 2024
From the Desk Of Dr. Autumn A. Graves
The following is an excerpt from the Commencement address to the Class of 2023 on May 31, 2024
This is the day that the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Today marks a momentous occasion in the life of our School, in the life of today’s 86 graduates and their families.
This class represents so much of St. Anne’s-Belfield’s history. We are excited about the future these students will shape — not just as alumni of our school, but as global citizens.
This spring I held four focus groups with members of the senior class. I use this time not only to learn about their experience at our School, but I explore ways we can be an even better School.
I asked each student to tell me which adult at School they do not want to disappoint. Through their responses, I saw numerous facial expressions and heard through their tone admiration and appreciation. I learned about the depth and breadth of connection between our
students, faculty, staff, coaches, advisors, mentors, and dorm parents.
It became clear that our students have a deep professional and personal respect and gratitude for my colleagues. And this gratefulness for the adults who devote their body, mind, heart, and soul to our students spans from Pre-School to Grade 12.
From Moving Up Chapel, to [Student Body Presidents] Ty and Sumner’s final reflections delivered last night, to [Head of the Upper School] Mrs. Miller’s welcome at yesterday’s Upper School Class Night, we have repeatedly heard about the benefits of curiosity, connection, and being present.
During aforementioned focus groups, I asked students to share one word that encapsulates the Class of 2024. They were not allowed to repeat a previous response. The students consistently chose words that reflect their class’s curiosity,
connection, devotion, and admiration of each other — and School spirit. This unique ability to describe their class with such precision is a testament to their dedication to understanding and engaging with each other.
The senior class’s commitment to meeting Ty and Sumner’s challenge of fostering connections has profoundly impacted our school community. The genuine applause, cheers, fist bumps, and high-fives exchanged at last night’s student awards ceremony demonstrate the depth of our student body’s connections. These connections extend beyond their immediate friendship circles, showing a strong sense of unity and inclusivity across the student body.
The connections you have built are not just the result of curiosity and engagement but also of shared experiences. Whether planning a Spirit Night, participating in a Harkness Table discussion, eating lunch with your advisory group, or playing in a volleyball club tournament,
these moments of shared in-person experiences have been transformative. They have allowed you to show up, be present, and fully immerse yourselves in the experience, thereby strengthening your connections.
As I conclude my observations and appreciation for your class’s leadership, I will amplify one observation each focus group made, which will become my advice for your class.
In every focus group and often in Chapel sermons or speaker introductions, I have heard references to the 9th grade advisory lunch. Remember, it was 20202021. You ate lunch with your advisory group, out of a container, for an hour almost every day.
You were not allowed to use technology to escape awkward silences. Eventually, you had to lean into the quiet and decide to engage with the other people in the room. You spent time playing trivia, debriefing on Chapel sermons or community meetings watched via live stream, or sharing stories from the weekend.
Because of the masks, you really had to look someone in the eyes to see their expressions. Those lunches were a defining experience with your advisor and advisory group.
You had to be curious about each other to make the time pass. And those curiosities, those moments of being fully present, created transformative connections across religion, race, socio-economic class, gender, sexual orientation, and political ideology. You built the strong foundation on which this class stands and for which the entire student body benefits.
As you commence the next chapter of your life, incorporate the power of a shared meal with classmates, dormmates, and teammates to build community and deep connections.
Go to meals in the dining hall or share food in the dorm common areas without your phones being in your hands.
Look at people in the eyes and soak in their expressions.
Listen deeply to their words and tone. Ask follow-up questions to build understanding — not to evoke predatory curiosity. Allow the moments to imprint on your mind, body, and eventually your soul.
I leave you with this quote from this year’s Booth Inspiration speaker, Scott Shigeoka.
“When we use curiosity as a practice of connection instead of only as an intellectual exercise, the goal isn’t to know but rather to understand.”
May you build a life of deep understanding for humanity.
May you be brave enough to ask, “Why?”
May God Bless You and Keep You. Amen.
In This Issue
Anne’s-Belfield
P. ’29 & ’38
Photography
Art Director Taylor Morris ’19
Kelsey Dowling, Erika Phillips, AeroWing VA, Digital Minerva Editorial
Dr. Autumn A. Graves, P. ’33 & ’35; Bob Clark, P. ’19 & ’22; Lisa Ha, P. ’29 & ’38; Laura Robertson, P. ’20, ’23, ’26, & ’29; Joe Sandoe
2023-24 Senior Administrative Leadership Team (SALT)
Dr. Autumn A. Graves, Head of School; Beth Miller, P. ’22 & ’25, Head of the Upper School; Marie Reed, P. ’27 & ’30, Head of the Middle School; Lisa Keeler, P. ’15 & ’16, Head of the Lower School; Seth Kushkin, P. ’24 & ’25, Director of Athletics; Randie Benedict, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management; Lisa Ha, Chief Communications Officer; Pam Winthrop, Chief Advancement Officer; Sally Woods, Chief Operating and Financial Officer (COFO)
Congratulations, Class of 2024!
2024 College Acceptances and Matriculation
As of June 20, 2024
It is with pride and admiration for our seniors that we share the list of colleges and universities that accepted members of the Class of 2024. Colleges in bold are where students plan to enroll (matriculate) in the fall.
American University
Appalachian State University
Auburn University
Babson College
Bard College
Belmont University
Benedict College
Boston University
Bowie State University
Bridgewater College
Brown University
Carnegie Mellon University
Catholic University of America
Christopher Newport University
Clark Atlanta University
Clark University
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
College of Charleston
Colorado School of Mines
Commonwealth University (Mansfield)
Cornell University
Davidson College
Dickinson College
Duke University
East Carolina University
Elon University
Emerson College
Emory & Henry College
Fayetteville State University
Florida State University
Franklin & Marshall College
Furman University
George Mason University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Gettysburg College
Grinnell College
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampton University
Harvey Mudd College
High Point University
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Howard University
Indiana University (Bloomington)
Jackson State University
James Madison University
Kenyon College
Lehigh University
Longwood University
Marshall University
Marymount University
Miami University (Oxford)
Morehouse College
Morgan State University
New York University
Norfolk State University
North Carolina A & T State University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina State University
Oberlin College
Old Dominion University
Paul Quinn College
Penn State University (Altoona)
Penn State University (Harrisburg)
Penn State University (University Park)
Purdue University (Main Campus)
Radford University
Randolph College
Randolph-Macon College
Rhodes College
Rice University
Roanoke College
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rollins College
Rutgers University (New Brunswick)
Salem College
Sewanee: The University of the South
Shaw University
Shenandoah University
Southern Methodist University
Stanford University
Stony Brook University
SUNY College at Brockport
SUNY College of Environmental
Science and Forestry
Susquehanna University
Syracuse University
Temple University
The Ohio State University
The University of Alabama
The University of Montana
The University of Tennessee (Knoxville)
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise
The University of Virginia (Main Campus)
The University of Warwick
Towson University
University of Arizona
University of California (Davis)
University of California (Irvine)
University of California (Los Angeles)
University of California (Merced)
University of California (Riverside)
University of California (San Diego)
University of California (Santa Barbara)
University of California (Santa Cruz)
University of Central Florida
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Connecticut
University of Denver
University of Georgia
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Lynchburg
University of Mary Washington
University of Maryland (Baltimore County)
University of Maryland (College Park)
University of Maryland (Eastern Shore)
University of Massachusetts (Amherst)
Class of 2024
University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)
University of Mississippi
University of New Hampshire (Main Campus)
University of North Carolina at Asheville
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
University of Oregon
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)
University of Richmond
University of South Carolina
University of South Florida (Main Campus)
University of Southern California
University of St Andrews
University of Vermont
University of Toronto
University of Washington (Seattle Campus)
University of Wisconsin (Madison)
University of Wyoming
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Voorhees University
Wake Forest University
Washington and Lee University
Washington University in St. Louis
West Virginia University
Wheaton College - MA
William & Mary
Wingate University
Wofford College
Celebrating Our Fabulous Faculty & Staff
Michael
Pam Grosch April Waylett Teaching Award
Mark Raffinan Lower School Teaching Award
Susan Brodie Lossie N. Wilkinson Award
Dr. Paloma VisscherGingerich, P. ’29
Elizabeth Copeland Norfleet Award
Julie Sweeney
E. Waylett Service Award
Kathy Carpenter, P. ’07, ’09, & ’12 Malone Prize
Dr. Rosanne Simeone, P. ’21 & ’23
Diana Edwards Smith Teaching Mastership
Erika Phillips
Michael E. Waylett Service Award
Academic Accomplishments
AP School Honor Roll
PLATINUM
DISTINCTION
FIRST LEGO League STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM
10 MS
3 US Regional Orchestras Students and Writer’s Eye Writing Competition
3 LS 2 MS Students and
KidWind Turbine Competition
3 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS
Athletic Accomplishments
19 SENIORS
committed to play college sports (20%)
17 SPORTS
37 all conference student-athletes
participated in VISAA state tournaments; coed squash played in national tournament
TOP 100
boys’ basketball team in the country
GIRLS’
LACROSSE
State Championship Team
4
league & Central VA coaches of the year
Phil Stinnie, P. ’10 & ’13
Ann Bell, P. ’35 & ’37
Duke Fox, P. ’26
Carrington King, P. ’24, ’26, & ’29
45 all state studentathletes
2 TEAMS
boys’ basketball and boys’ lacrosse were state runners up
19 school records broken in swim & dive and track & field
TOP 10
girls’ lacrosse team in the country
Cross Country VPL and State Champion Quinn Eliason ’26
Track and Field State Champion in the Discus Hudson Toll ’24
Sophie Gangemi ’24 Girls’ Basketball LIS Player of the Year
CARRINGTON
KING State Coach of the Year Girls’ Lacrosse
Martha Oakey ’24 Girls’ Lacrosse LIS and State Player of the Year
Chance Mallory ’24 Boys’ Basketball VPL and State Player of the Year
Ryan Steeper ’26 Baseball VPL Player of the Year
100 Fly and 100 Free Swim State Champion Will Browne ‘25
The Soul of Belonging: St. Anne’s-Belfield Chapel in the 21st Century
By Bob Clark, P. ’19 & ’22
At my 25th Upper School Moving Up Chapel, I reached out my arms for the closing benediction in Grisham Hall, but for this occasion, the entire Class of 2023 joined me with arms outstretched spanning the breadth of the stage. The outstretched arms embodied
A journey into Chapel is not an antiquated religious endeavor, but rather reflects the vibrant, evolving heartbeat of the school in the 21st Century.
From Perspectives magazine, Summer 2011
a sacred physical gesture, a mudra of St. Anne’s-Belfield School Chapel, celebrating tradition, community, and the spiritual dimension of life. Smiles and tears abounded, myself included.
While innovation appropriately drives many conversations in education, exceptional schools also embrace the timeless along with the timely. United by more than a century of students and alumni, Chapel remains the oldest continuous tradition of St. Anne’s-Belfield; the call of the Soul echoes anew in each generation.
When campuses closed in March of 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, pressing questions in my email box included: What will we do about Chapel? Should we wait a few weeks and focus on a slim-downed, sermon podcast? Members of the senior class, however, rallied quickly. Without missing a beat, Andreas
Rivera Young ’20 gathered an ensemble of musicians and readers, our intrepid Audio-Visual Performance Specialist worked his magic, and we released our first Upper School Chapel recording that Friday afternoon, including a full order of service from prelude to benediction, all from the socially-distanced locations of our homes. I remember Andreas saying, “We have senior speakers for the rest of the year. I don’t want to miss any!” Yearning for connection, our community heartbeat continued through online chapels each week. Stone steps in the Clark family meditation garden became the symbolic setting for another year of Moving Up Chapel.
The intentional choice to center student voice provides the key to understanding Chapel’s navigation of the complex in-
terplay between innovation and timeless tradition. Chapel leaders across the divisions celebrate the increase in student voice. 137 middle schoolers participated in MS Chapel last year and even more this year. Lower School Chapel features numerous “class chapels” involving the contributions of all class members. Perhaps the most impactful innovation has been the expansion of student musical offerings across divisions in developmentally-appropriate ways. Orchestrated by our fabulous music teachers, Chapel nurtures a beautiful venue for integrating the performing arts, student voice, and the spiritual dimension of life. At its heart, Chapel embodies a celebration of community, a continual encounter of seeking to know
“We come together not as one religion but from many forms of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taosim, skepticism, atheism, agnosticism, and more. Our diverse stories provide profound opportunities to learn from and to deeply listen to each other.”
Innovation and increase in student voice is counterpointed by the enduring traditions that span the divisions. Chapel buddies unite kindergarteners and fourth graders, and the relationships continue into Middle School. “The Birthday Song” remains a perennial favorite cherished by Lower School students and beyond. Moving Up Chapels culminate the transition between each and every academic year. Candles continue to be lit on an altar in Grisham Hall nearly a century old or its replica on the Belfield Campus. Lessons and Carols sends kindergartners through seniors off for two glorious weeks of winter break. The anchors of tradition remain strong and well.
An additional element indelibly shapes the contemporary Chapel experience: the role of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). In my opening words for Chapel each fall, I always share a variation of the following: “We come together not as one religion but from many forms of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taosim, skepticism, atheism, agnosticism, and more. Our diverse stories provide profound opportunities to learn from and to deeply listen to each other.”
Indeed, research shows the most rapidly-growing demographic in American society is the “Nones,” those who
when asked about their religious identity answer “None of the Above” or “Atheist” or “Agnostic,” and this is especially true among the younger generation. As of 2023, 28% of Americans identify as a “None,” up from 16% in 2007. In one sense, much has changed in the demographics of Chapel since the merger between St. Anne’s and Belfield Schools over fifty years ago. In another sense, however, the message of belonging rings eternal; its circumference just gets wider, from ecumenical to interfaith to the secular-religious divide itself. It especially intrigues me that 49% of the “Nones” describe themselves as “spiritual.”
One of the things I cherish most about my profession in independent school chaplaincy is the opportunity to work with young people as they encounter and navigate complex issues of meaning. Sermons about loss, change, identity, unconditional love, connection, wonder, and more shape our Chapel year, each from a unique voice authentic to their roots and hopeful for collective growth. We hear stories of grandpa’s blue and green plaid Bible, of fleeing a cherished homeland in Afghanistan, of Buddhist stupas in Colorado, of Buberian encounters with the unhoused in Charlottesville. Belonging is not merely a buzz word; it’s the existential yearning for wholeness that animates humans across time and space; it spans the intersectionality of all forms of identity. Cici Yu ’24, beautifully expressed this at the recent Moving Up Chapel. “The concept of belonging is where you make your own category rather than meeting the shape of someone else’s fit.”
Echoing this underlying theme of belonging, James Carter ’23, closed
an especially beloved Chapel with the words: “Take it from me. It’s taken me a long time to find my place in the world, but I know who I am now. I’m James, and I know that I’m not alone, not by a long shot, not anymore.”
The profound significance of introspection, meaning, and community spans time and space. I see its roots in the classics of spiritual literature: St. Augustine’s Confessions, Shantideva’s Bodhicaryavatara, Lao Zi’s Tao Te Ching, and many more. I’m also drawn to researched-based, contemporary expressions like the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University, founded by professor Lisa Miller.
The art of belonging in action, St. Anne’s-Belfield Chapel remains uniquely positioned as an enduring ritual for deep reflection, communal learning, and creative expression. We continue to fulfill the mission statement articulated over 100 years ago by Mary Hyde DuVal: “We wish our students to become strong in body, broad of mind, tender of heart, responsive in soul.” When I stretch my arms out at the close of each week for the benediction, we experience a community expression of timeless blessing.
Alumni Reflections on Chapel
The best way to appreciate Chapel continues to be the voices of alumni.
Korben London ’16
Looking back, I think about how cool it felt when someone would ask you to be a part of their Chapel by sharing a quote, scripture, or performing. It was something you would never turn down, as it felt like an honor for someone to want you to be a part of something so deeply ingrained into the fabric of the school, as well as their own personal journey as many chapel sermons were about.
Giving my own Chapel was a tough but rewarding experience. Oftentimes at that age you attach your identity to trivial or materialistic things, but the process of writing a Chapel allowed me to take a deeper look inside to what was important to me, which was huge for my development as a young adult.
sermons and incredible music by our own classmates is what I miss most. I gave my sermon the spring of my senior year and I had an incredible time doing so. It is my favorite memory of my senior year and felt like the perfect way to say goodbye to St. Anne’s-Belfield. With each special message shared, it makes you feel connected to something greater within our school.
Peter Hartwig ’12
“To me, the Chapel tradition exemplifies everything that I love about St. Anne’s-Belfield”
— Sasha Rinkevich ’23
Helen Ambrosi ’22
As I look back at the 15 years I spent at STAB, Chapel is still my favorite piece of such an amazing place. Chapel created a calm and special environment where I felt like I got to know my peers and teachers so well. I graduated only two years ago, but I often miss the weekly time to be able to listen and be still. Listening to the beautiful
STAB Chapel was one of the single most formative forces in my young life. Now as a chaplain myself at an independent school, I really don’t think this is an overstatement in the least. STAB’s Chapels, all the way from the old Lower School auditorium to my one alumni sermon in Grisham Hall, constitute for me a long and sacred chain of moments in which I learned just about everything I know about the Good Life. I remember, though, moments when I was asked by friends to read or sing or pray in a Chapel — those are such cherished memories for me when I felt seen by my friends, honored by my community, and opened to God. It remains my prayer that generations of STAB students will continue to find that particular and precarious grace of a school Chapel for many years to come.
Teddy Oakey ’22
In general, I think of outdoor Chapels as some of my best memories from St. Anne’s. I remember great joy from listening to a friend tell an engaging story while surrounded by peers on a nice day on the field.
I strongly believe my sermon was my first true attempt at self-expression, and I think this is true for most people who delivered a chapel sermon. It was really the first time I had a chance to sit down, of my own accord, and figure out: “Who am I?” The process of applying oneself, one’s beliefs, and one’s character into a single block of text is crucial for the development of any of us, and is not easy by any regard. The Chapel program at St. Anne’s lowers the barrier to entry for self-consciousness by inserting students into a comfortable, warm environment of supportive friends and faculty, which ensures the act of sharing one’s story will be a positive experience. I look back on my sermon as the starting block for a lifetime of fulfilling self-determination. Personally, I believe the Chapel environment catered to students has left lasting influences on all of us, especially in partnership with a strong Religious Studies program at St. Anne’s. In particular, the conjunction of delivering a sermon and participating in the Comparative Religion Senior Seminar has set me on a
Sasha Rinkevich ’23
Giving a Chapel last March as a member of the Class of 2023 is one of my most cherished memories, and to this day I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to do so. To me, the Chapel tradition exemplifies everything that I love about St. Anne’s-Belfield: the incredibly warm sense of community, genuine curiosity and value of learning about others’ experiences, and empathy and connection. I found myself amazed, time and time again, that someone you may have never spoken to or appear to have anything in common with can share an experience or emotion that resonates with you so deeply. I carry so many Chapels that I’ve heard over the years with me. My worldview has been forever shifted by the stories I have heard, and I could not be more grateful to have grown up with Chapel.
As I go forth into this week before me, the peace, love, and fond memories of Chapel will certainly be with me.
Powerhouse Parents and Guardians
Arts Boosters
• Organized and sold concessions at the Middle and Upper School theater productions
• Underwrote the purchase of art frames for the Visual Arts Department, two iPad Pro devices for the US Orchestra and US Choir conductors, and LED lighting enhancements for campus theaters
• Sponsored guest performers for the Winter Concert and A Cappella Fest
Parents’ Association
• Supported funding for the Annual Wearables Arts Runway Show
• Organized an art activities station at Fall Family Festival
• Raised $6,812 during the April Annual Plant Sale Saints Athletics Club
• Funds from the Saints Athletics Club memberships, concessions, and other sales will support a portion of the upgrades to the strength and conditioning improvements in the Conway Convocation Center (CCC)
• Staffed concessions for home football games through parent, guardian, and student volunteers
• Partnered with Upper School Student Life Committee on game themes and swag to increase school spirit
• Held retro uniform sale and raffle at Fall Family Festival
• Sponsored letterman jacket fittings, end-of-year team events, a DJ for the girls’ and boys’ basketball double header game, and record boards for swim & dive and track & field located in the CCC
• Supported three Athletics newsletters (fall, winter, and spring)
Added Residential Life representatives to the PA Executive Committee and held on-campus events for Residential Life families
• Directly supported teacher professional development with a financial contribution during the Semicentennial Gala
• Welcomed a record 485 grandparents and special friends to campus for Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day
Held a Learning Village Book Fair in partnership with New Dominion Bookstore (local and alumna owned!)
• Hosted themed library hours after school, including one to celebrate a book written by our own Mr. Perry and another to highlight the Upper School musical!
• Delivered 528 bagels and 102 tubs of cream cheese/butter to faculty and staff
• Provided refreshments for the End of Year All-Staff Party
• Added logos to 230 polo shirts to sell through Saints’ Closet
• Held five days of Faculty/Staff Appreciation Week activities
• Sponsored a Wednesday Wellness parent/guardian enrichment event with the hosts of “The Puberty Podcast”
Dr. Graves’s Summer Reading List
I love books that highlight the resiliency of people and put into perspective the challenges our society is managing today. I am reminded of the saying, “There is nothing new under the sun.” Each of these books on my summer pleasure reading list tells a story of a person or family (family by blood/marriage or by proximity) that overcomes societal challenges. These stories grow my empathy for those who are different from me and I find multiple ways that I share similarities with the characters. Everyone is looking to belong, to make a difference, to love, and be loved. — AAG
Broad of Mind
We cultivate curiosity and creativity by desiring to learn about and from each other We pursue knowledge and wisdom to generate positive impact by reading profoundly and widely
— Excerpts from the St. Anne’s-Belfield Portrait of a 2036 Graduate
The Women: A Novel by Kristin Hannah James by Percuval Everett
The Book of Charlie by David von Drehle
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
Growing my Curiosity Practice
We cultivate curiosity and creativity by posing questions that do not already have an answer
— Excerpts from the St. Anne’s-Belfield Portrait of a 2036 Graduate
I am on a multi-year journey to grow my curiosity practice. While I have always been a curious person, I think my questions started to point to a particular point or direction and not keeping me completely open to “drawing novel conclusions.” I think entering my 50s started me on a wisdom journey. I am realizing there is so much more for me to learn and so much of that learning will come from other people, often people who do not share my gender, race, age, religion, national origin, or socio-economic class. I started by reading Scott Shigeoka’s book, “Seek,” last year and enjoyed welcoming him to our school for the Booth Family Inspiration Speaks Series. I am developing the types of questions I ask and how I ask them.
How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks
Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents, and What They Mean for America’s Future by Dr. Jean M. Twenge
High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out by Amanda Ripley
Try to Love the Questions: From Debate to Dialogue in Classrooms and Life by Lara Schwartz
I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times by Mónica Guzmán
PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE 2036
By Lisa Ha, ’29 & ’38, P. Laura Robertson, P. ’20, ’23, ’26, & ’29, and Joe Sandoe
The Portrait of a 2036 Graduate is an articulation of the habits, mindsets, and skill sets that St. Anne’s-Belfield School believes are essential for our graduates in the present and the future.
The Portrait is an aspirational document and applicable in an age-appropriate manner for our entire student population, from age 2 to Grade 12. Completed in the 2023-24 school year, the Portrait was created by a design team of faculty members and administrators, with input from the board of trustees, all faculty members, futurist subject matter experts, and a focus group of seniors. The date, 2036, symbolically represents the year that the then-Kindergarten students will walk the stage at Commencement.
The Portrait ties together the St. Anne’s-Belfield School mission, vision, and core values. We believe that all of our students should become exemplary citizens, as stated in our school vision statement. We define exemplary citizens as those who are strong in body, broad of mind, tender of heart, and responsive in soul, as articulated in our mission. The Portrait of a 2036 Graduate further explores how we define these ideas and our expectations for our students as they grow into exemplary citizens. Each of the School’s six core values (integrity, curiosity, diversity, creativity, agency, and impact) is found in these definitions.
Exemplary citizens are…
… Strong in Body
We STRIVE for optimal health
… by knowing and respecting our minds and our bodies
… by practicing good habits and purposefully developing new ones
We ENHANCE the connection between physical and mental health
… by creating overall wellness through the synergy of body, mind, and emotion
… by nurturing a connection with the natural world
We EMBRACE challenge and PERSEVERE through adversity
… by developing mental and physical capacity for resilience and endurance
… by meeting consequential moments poised with confidence and perspective
… Tender of Heart
We SERVE others and DO good
… by seeking what is best for the community
… by standing up for others in times of need
… by being a good steward of the environment
We SENSE when to lead when to delegate, and when to follow
… by being a trusting and trustworthy collaborator
… by honoring the work of others
… by understanding that excellence requires sacrifice
We UNDERSTAND and MEET the needs of the community
… by listening deeply, speaking judiciously, and acting with empathy
… by investing in and elevating others
… by serving as agents of change
… Broad of Mind
We CULTIVATE curiosity and creativity
… by desiring to learn about and from each other
… by posing questions that do not already have an answer
… by innovating and making
We SEEK to engage diverse perspectives, cultures, identities, and practices
… by inquiring thoughtfully and developing cultural literacy
… by contributing with humility as a member of a team or group
We PURSUE knowledge and wisdom to generate positive impact
… by reading profoundly and widely
… by researching valid and applicable information from reliable sources
… by integrating ideas and drawing novel conclusions
… Responsive in Soul
We ENGAGE in reflection
… by increasing self-awareness and understanding of the world
… by participating in spiritually-rooted traditions
… by cultivating spiritual beliefs
We PRIORITIZE moments of reverence and awe
… by respecting what others hold sacred
… by communing with the natural world
… by honoring the present with complete attention
… by finding the sacred in the simple
We DEMONSTRATE moral character and integrity
… by making choices that respect shared human dignity
… by choosing the difficult right over the easy wrong
… by being a force for good
We CREATE a meaning-filled life
… by seeking truth and joy
… by committing to a purpose larger than self
Visionary leaders…
We believe we are preparing the next generation of visionary leaders. The standard is high for someone to be a visionary leader, and we believe that there are not many of them in each generation. While we believe that all St. Anne’s-Belfield students should become exemplary citizens, we know that not all have the desire or ability to be visionary leaders, nor should they. If the world is full of leaders without followers (or exemplary citizens, perhaps), then there are actually no leaders. This is why, in our Portrait of a 2036 Graduate, Visionary Leaders are set apart from Exemplary Citizens. There is purposeful overlap in the language between these two components of the portrait, displaying the similar foundation and fabric of exemplary citizens and visionary leaders while also illustrating the enhanced responsibility and calling on a visionary leader. For example, we state that exemplary citizens “prioritize moments of reverence and awe,” while visionary leaders “build communities of purpose and belonging by cultivating moments of reverence and awe.”
… DISCERN the signs of the times
… to make informed decisions for our future world
… to meet the pace of change and demands of leadership
… to embrace the moment with originality and adaptability
…to develop cultural fluency in all mediums and modes of communication
… CONFRONT communal issues
… to develop solutions for the greater good despite risk to self
… to achieve a more just, merciful, and humble world.
… BUILD communities of purpose and belonging
… to cultivate moments of reverence and awe
… to instill respect for shared human dignity in others
… to develop consensus around a shared vision
… to identify and enhance the talents of others
The second stage of the Portrait of a 2036 Graduate development is now underway. A new design team has been assembled, organized around the four elements found in our mission statement and the Portrait: body, heart, mind, and soul. Using design thinking methodologies, they have been charged with identifying two to four high potential strategic initiatives that will be transformative for the whole school, and that will further students’ competency acquisition or mastery of the Portrait. We expect their work will be complete by spring, 2025.
A Head Looks Back
By Dr. Autumn A. Graves
November, 2023
Donors stepped up in support of students in big ways. In the fall, generous supporters made it possible to complete Phase 1 and begin Phase 2 of the Early Childhood Natural Classroom, pledged their support for creating the Edmonds Family Fund for Financial Aid, and began the Class of 1984 Fund for Financial Aid
August, 2023
In August, we welcomed 937 students back to school, including 196 new students. Students K – Grade 12 and their families would come together later in September for Convocation, a celebration the senior class, faculty/staff tenure, and the opening of school.
Also in August, we launched the first Saints Serve Saturday as part of the new Civic Engagement Initiative. Under the leadership of Dr. Bob Troy and partnering with local organizations, families took part in a variety of community service activities through Saints Serve Saturdays, and students from age 2 through Grade 12 took part in academic units focused on civic engagement. It was a strong launch to a program that will only strengthen with time and deepen our connection to Charlottesville/Albemarle organizations.
March, 2024
Phase 1 of the Portrait of a 2036 Graduate work was completed in March. It marked the culmination of a school-wide effort involving committee work, all-faculty workshops, a student focus group, and board of trustee workshops with subject matter experts. The Portrait is in the design phase now, with academic committees and advisory committees to begin building out in 2024-25.
April, 2024
Together, we began the year-long celebration of 50th anniversary of the merger of the St. Anne’s School and the Belfield School. Alumni from multiple decades, current families, and faculty and staff came together for a weekend of celebration that included reunions, Spring Family Festival, and an All-Alumni Birthday Party with a ceremony to honor alumni award winners and the inaugural inductees into the faculty emeriti program. In 2024-25, the Semicentennial Celebration will go on the road. Saints in 12 cities and nine states plus D.C. are invited! Learn more at www.stab.org/semicentennial
June, 2024
During their May meeting, the Board of Trustees voted to begin renovations of the Student Activity Center (SAC) on the Greenway Rise Campus. Thanks to generous supporters, fundraising for this project is 85% complete, and construction began June 3. We expect the project to be complete in time for Residential Life and athletics use in the spring. Students can expect an indoor turf area, moveable strength and conditioning equipment, a practice court for basketball and volleyball, a small cardio/weight training room, and renovated green top. In addition, the strength and conditioning space in the Conway Convocation Center (CCC) is getting an upgrade this summer with new equipment and space redesign.
May, 2024
The closing of a year is always marked with a flurry of activities, including end-of-year projects, Moving-Up Chapels, final community meetings, celebrations — and in the Upper School, AP exams and senior internships. It’s also a time for reflection and gratitude for the members of our community who made the school year a success — including you. On the following pages, you’ll find a photo snapshot of the year for each division. Thank you for being a member of our community, and Go Saints!!
LOWER SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
UPPER SCHOOL
All the News You May Have Missed
EMA Podcast “Headspace” with Dr. Autumn A. Graves [S2:E8]
Spring Athletics Club Newsletter
Alumn Sophia Hunt ’15 Elected Second Black Woman President of Harvard’s Law Review
K – 8 Computer Science Coordinator Robbie Munsey Wins CBIC Educator of the Year
Upper Schoolers Create Bilingual Books for Virginia Discovery Museum
Four Upper School Students to Attend Prestigious Language Programs
STAB sends three teams to renewable energy design competition
Emily Couric Leadership Forum honoring women leaders at annual luncheon [CBS19]
Six More Saints Commit to College Athletics
Beyond Words
Wednesday Wellness: “Jess” Movie Screening and Panel with Cecilia Y. ’24 and her mother, Annie Deng, P. ’24
STAB’s Lego robotic team heads to 2024 FIRST Championship [CBS19]
Semicentennial Celebration: We celebrated like it was 1974!
Op-Ed: Chris Long: Football — more than a series of downs [Daily Progress]
St. Anne’s-Belfield School celebrating 50 years since merger [CBS19]
Local baseball coaches hope inaugural Aidan Peters Memorial Classic can become a Central Virginia staple
NFL champion and Pittsburgh Steelers star, Heath Miller, P. ’28, ’29, ’31, & ’33, will be the acting head coach for Saints Football in the 2024-25 season.
Charlottesville-area students spending time with international kids at Darden Towe Park [29News]
Autumn Views: Head of School Newsletter
Spring 2024
Saints’ Arts Boosters Spring Newsletter
St. Anne’s-Belfield filmmaker’s award winner being screened in upcoming weeks [97.5 3WV Radio]
Saints Athletics Club Winter Newsletter
How to Hit Reset with Teens and Technology
Five St. Anne’s-Belfield Students Named Winners in 2023 Writer’s Eye Competition
Op-Ed: Dr. Autumn A. Graves: In a future dominated by AI, children must become curious thinkers [Richmond Times-Dispatch]
Saints ‘Share the Love’ on Giving Day
Inspiration Speaks Presents: Scott Shigeoka
STAB students show off one-of-a-kind handcrafted garments on the runway [CBS19]
Curiosity Leads to Impact in Ms. Elizabeth’s “Squirrel Class”
Academic Team Returns to the Upper School
William Sbach Named Varsity Track and Field Coach
STAB students show off one-of-a-kind handcrafted garments on the runway [29News]
How to Help Your Teen Walk Away From the Admissions Process with Pride [Grown & Flown]
Alumna LaRissa Rogers ’14 Recognized by Forbes’ “30 Under 30”
Recording: Wednesday Wellness Webinar: Nurturing Young Athletes
Wednesday Wellness: Mindfulness for Parents with Robin Albertson-Wren
St. Anne’s-Belfield Gets National Attention for Squash Teams [CBS19]
Welcome to a New Year!
Cville Girls Show Their Stuff in Tech Competitions [WVTF]
Alumni Catch Ups
St. Anne’s-Belfield LEGO Robotics Team Heading to Nationals [CBS19]
Middle School Weaves a Vibrant Tapestry of Growth and Learning at St. Anne’s-Belfield
Chris Long ’04 Inducted Into University of Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
Fall Family Festival 2023 Brings Community Together [Belfield Banter]
A Message of Thanksgiving and Gratitude [Video]
Tips for Taming College Application Stress Season for Students and Parents
Class of 2024 College Bound Athletes Honored on November 8
Sonia K’s first single reminds young people to mind mental health [Daily Progress]
St. Anne’s-Belfield Launches Civic Engagement Initiative
Growth in Discomfort: Supporting Risk-Taking and Mistake-Making in the Middle School Years
Supporting Students When the News is Distressing
Dr. Autumn A. Graves Gives Invocation at The Baldwin School Installation of Lynne Macziewski
Little Women: A Look into the Fall Play [Belfield Banter]
Faculty/Staff Feature: Anni Quinn ’12, Director of Alumni and Faculty Engagement [Belfield Banter]
Convocation 2023: Curiosity Grows Our Community [Belfield Banter]
College Counseling Team Catches Up with Young Alumni
First Wednesday Wellness Webinar of 2023-24 Focuses on Supporting Our Students’ Mental Health
New Innovation Space Sets the Stage for Runway Show Success
Studying in Scotland: Anders Knospe Selected as a Fulbright Scholar
Alumni in NYC
Knocking Out Cancer, Fighting for a Cause
Welcome to Year 114! [Video]
Watch: All Colleagues Opening Chapel
