ley n i F n o c a M ed as the
is Welcom of School d a e H h t n Fiftee
fall 2017
39
19
29
donor report
leading ellis into a second century
from the head of school
2
campus news 3 noted and quoted
10
retirements 25 the ellis thread
27
alumnae gatherings 47 class notes 51
student spotlight : ashley priore
41
faculty spotlight : ciera young
44
alumnae spotlight : jamie beth cohen schindler ’93
Macon Finley Head of School Diana C. Hurd, M.B.A. Director of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Boughner Director of Development Molly Petrilli Marketing and Communications Manager
milestones 61
ON THE COVER Fifteenth Head of The Ellis School, Macon Finley Please forward address changes to: The Ellis School | Development Office | 6425 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206 | 412-661-6796 | alumnae@theellisschool.org
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
D E A R EL L I S CO M M U N I TY, One of my favorite parts of working in schools is the rhythm of the school year. Fall brings fresh beginnings, as new students, parents, and faculty join our community, and returning students and faculty come back to campus with renewed energy. One of my deeply held beliefs as an educator is the importance of the creation of community. As Head of School at Ellis, one of my top priorities is for us to create a strong sense of community in each classroom, to move from those first tentative days of school as students and teachers all get to know each other, to a place of real connection that allows students to feel equally challenged and supported while growing in their sense of their individual unique selves and their strong communal bonds. I believe this has been a key to Ellis’ ability to be an exceptional school and will continue to be a key as we move forward.
This strong sense of community applies to both our families and alumnae. I want every Ellis parent to know that they are welcome at Ellis, that they belong to our community, and that we want to partner with them to empower their daughters to grow into their own best selves. Likewise, I want Ellis alumnae to feel connected to the School and each other, to share their stories with us, and to find ways to mentor students, showing them what lives of leadership, service, and passionate engagement look like. This is a particularly exciting fall for me as your new Head of School. I am so honored to be joining this special community. Much of my time this year will be spent getting to know the students and families who are at Ellis now, as well as the alumnae who have graced our halls. It’s an exciting time for Ellis as we move together into a second century of providing deep roots and incredibly strong wings for Ellis girls.
Warm regards,
Head of School
Fall 2017 ELLIS MAGAZINE | 2
CAMPUS NEWS AWARDS
PENNSYLVANIA JUNIOR ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
WORLD LANGUAGES HONORS SOCIETY
Six Middle and Upper School students took top awards at the state level Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) Competition at Penn State University, May 14–16, 2017. PJAS is a statewide organization designed to stimulate and promote interest in science and mathematics among junior and senior high school students through the development of research projects and investigations.
Seventeen Upper School students were inducted into three National Honor Societies: The Société Honoraire de Français, The National Latin Honor Society, and The Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica for excellence in world languages on April 25, 2017. To qualify for induction, students maintained an A- average through two years of the language, were in good academic standing in other courses, and demonstrated an enthusiasm for the language.
SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS
JUNIOR CLASSICAL LEAGUE
The Ellis School continued to have strong success at the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, winning a total of 98 awards among 68 different students in spring 2017! Girls in grades 7–12 were encouraged to submit their artwork to the awards, which is the nation’s longestrunning and most prestigious arts recognition program.
Ellis Latin students won three group and seventeen individual awards at the 66th annual Pennsylvania Junior Classical League (PAJCL) convention at Penn State University on May 19–21, 2017. Twenty-nine students traveled to State College to compete against schools from across Pennsylvania in Latin academic tests, creative projects, and Olympics-inspired sporting events.
3 | ELLIS MAGAZINE Fall 2017
SPRING 2017 VISITORS
CHAZ KELLEM
SALLY HOBART ALEXANDER
Chaz Kellem, Senior Director of Advocacy for Race & Gender Equity at the YWCA, visited Ellis to speak about disability awareness and advocacy on January 11, 2017. A motivational and charismatic speaker, Chaz discussed living with the bone disease Osteogenesis Imperfecta and how he refuses to let this obstacle keep him from achieving his goals. He sparked conversation about the value of reaching out and building relationships with people who have different lived experiences than their own.
Children’s literature author Sally Hobart Alexander visited grade 3 students on April 11, 2017 to supplement their literature and history studies on Helen Keller and Laura Bridgman. Prior to her visit, students read Child of the Silent Night by Edith Fisher Hunter and Helen Keller by Lorena Hickok to learn about these inspirational women and the struggles visual and hearing impaired people face.
JENNY JOHNSON AND LAUREN RUSSELL Poets Jenny Johnson and Lauren Russell visited Ellis for a poetry reading on March 17, 2017. Jenny and Lauren read new pieces for students and passages from their books In Full Velvet and Dream-Clung, Gone. Following the reading, the poets held a question-andanswer session with students and signed copies of their books.
FEMALE LEADERS FROM UBER Female leaders from Uber Advanced Technologies Group visited campus to meet with Upper and Middle School Computer Science students last spring. The women spoke to students about their educational backgrounds, career path and positions, and showed a presentation on the technology and programming in Uber’s self-driving cars. Ellis girls then had the chance to check out the self-driving car complete with sensors, screens, and cameras.
Fall 2017 ELLIS MAGAZINE | 4
ATHLETICS
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL
MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL
VARSITY BASKETBALL
VARSITY TRACK
MIDDLE SCHOOL SWIMMING
VARSITY SWIMMING
5 | ELLIS MAGAZINE Fall 2017
VARSITY LACROSSE
VARSITY SOFTBALL
PERFORMING ARTS
FOOTLOOSE
KINDERGARTEN GERMAN ADVENTURES
THE HISTORY OF ELLIS
THE JOURNEY OF EMPOWERMENT
PIPPIN
Ellis girls across divisions showed their talents on stage in 2016–2017 in vibrant, upbeat musicals and empowering, historical plays. There was magic in the theater for the colorful and comedic performance of the Upper School musical Pippin, and infectious energy and slick dance moves in the Middle School operetta Footloose. Kindergarten explored the country of Germany and its culture in Kindergarten German Adventures, while grade 1 traveled back in time with The History of Ellis and grade 2 honored influential women throughout history in The Journey of Empowerment.
Fall 2017 ELLIS MAGAZINE | 6
EVENTS
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
POW(H)ER HOUR PARENT EDUCATION SERIES
Students, faculty, and staff were invited to celebrate International Women’s Day at Ellis on March 8, 2017. Dressed in red and purple to show their support, Ellis girls were challenged to think about how they could “Be Bold for Change” and use their voices to empower each other and themselves. The Feminist Student Union gathered for a group photo and promoted discussions on campus about equality and intersectionality.
Ellis was very proud to launch the parent education series, Pow(h)er Hours, in spring 2017. The series consisted of three one-hour talks: “An Introduction to Maker Education” hosted by Ellis faculty; “Reimagining the Independent School Library” hosted by Ellis parent and Dean of Libraries at Carnegie Mellon University, Keith Webster; and “An Evening with Dr. Lisa Damour” hosted by psychologist and New York Times best-selling author, Lisa Damour, Ph.D.
ROBIN NEWHAM DAY
MARCH OF DIMES
On May 11, 2017, the Upper School celebrated Robin Newham Day in honor of Mrs. Newham’s contributions and service to the School ahead of her retirement. Students, faculty, and staff dressed in their best skirt suits, scarves, and brooches for a Mrs. Newham inspired costume contest with winners taking home gift card prizes. The community followed along on social media with the hashtag #NewhamNation and looked back on Mrs. Newham’s 36 years at Ellis!
For their annual service learning project, grade 4 students raised $2,000 for the March of Dimes to support their mission to prevent premature births and birth defects. Resourceful and determined, grade 4 students jumped into high gear with a month of fundraising—distributing change jars in the Lower School, knocking on neighbors’ doors, asking family and friends for spare change, baking brownies for sale, and even completing extra chores for the cause. To celebrate their efforts, the entire Lower School participated in a coin-game walk on the athletic field followed by Rita’s Italian Ice in the courtyard on April 22, 2017.
7 | ELLIS MAGAZINE Fall 2017
A CELEBRATION OF ROBIN NEWHAM The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts was decked out in shades of Ellis green and white on Thursday, May 25, 2017 for beloved fourteenth Head of School Robin Newham’s retirement party. The soiree was thrown in honor of Mrs. Newham’s 36 years of service and dedication to the School and in celebration of her well-deserved “big break” and transition into her next starring role as full-time grandma.
FINE ARTS FESTIVAL The Ellis School hosted the 2017 Fine Arts Festival, Make It!, in celebration of the School’s Fine Arts program on April 30, 2017. An unforgettable day for the Ellis community, the biennial festival offered hands-on workshops, student art, musical performances, food trucks, and plenty of family fun. Special guests The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Assemble, and multidisciplinary artist Di-ay Battad also joined the Fine Arts Festival lineup to present kid-friendly workshops and make-andtake activities for attendees.
Fall 2017 ELLIS MAGAZINE | 8
END OF YEAR
LOWER SCHOOL CLOSING ASSEMBLY
MIDDLE SCHOOL CLOSING ASSEMBLY
Lower School students celebrated the end of the school year at the Closing Assembly on June 2, 2017. Interim Head of the Lower School Susan Freudenberg reflected on the accomplishments and achievements of each grade and wished grade 4 students good luck as they moved on to the Middle School.
Middle School students were honored at the Closing Assembly on June 6, 2017. Faculty celebrated a year of hard work and learning, and honored grade 8 students as they moved on to the Upper School.
UPPER SCHOOL AWARDS ASSEMBLY Upper School students and faculty honored graduating seniors for outstanding academic achievement, sportsmanship, and service to the community on June 6, 2017.
9 | ELLIS MAGAZINE Fall 2017
NICOLE VELEZ ’00 was selected by
SARAH CURTIS HOOPER ’95
the Pennsylvania Medical Society as one of the Top Physicians Under 40.
was recognized by Pittsburgh Councilman Daniel Gilman for ten years of success, community-building, and sustainability at her restaurant Legume Bistro in Oakland.
SHIRA TOEPLITZ CENTER ’01
AMANDA SWANK SAUER ’94
was named one of Editor & Publisher Magazine’s 25 Under 35 in addition to joining Poynter’s Leadership Academy for Women in Digital Media.
was featured for her remarkable rise as a college football official and her commitment to becoming an NFL official on ESPN.
LIZZIE SHACKNEY ’13 delivered
AMBER CHAUDHRY ’10 had a piece
the student commencement address at Wesleyan University’s commencement on May 28, 2017.
on her lived experience as a Muslim woman in Pittsburgh published by Public Source.
JAMIE BETH COHEN SCHINDLER ’93 had a piece on
ANDREA HAIRSTON ’70 was a
the importance of arts education in schools published by Teen Vogue.
finalist for the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature for her book Will Do Magic For Small Change.
ELISE ADIBI ’83 had an art
LANI LAZZARI ’12 was awarded
installation at The Frick Pittsburgh from April to October 2017. Her installation, “Respiration Paintings”, was comprised of 18 paintings installed in the north and south wings of the greenhouse and two paintings in vitrines at The Frick Art Museum.
the EY Entrepreneur of The Year 2017 Award in the Western Pennsylvania region on June 16, 2017. Lani beat out 28 other prestigious finalists to win the award.
Fall 2017 ELLIS MAGAZINE | 10
Congratulations Mrsu. for Newham , and thankinygo and your excel ent teach ooks up leadership. Aveeka l y!!! to you every dEallis Parent) ormer Kalyani Rai (F
Thank you, Robin, for all that you've done for Ellis. You will always be treasured and you will be missed! Betsy Radcliffe (Ellis Grandparent)
Lynette MORRIS Malone ’95
Lorrie KIGER ’04
“You have truly enriched the Ellis community and touched all of our lives in one way or another through art, leadership, or cheers at sports events. You deserve the best retirement! Much love from all of the Kigers.”
“Mrs. Newham is the BEST! Go make art again! Congrats!”
You were the first person to welcome our family to Ellis. Thank you for all you have done for so many girls and their families. Enjoy your wel -earned retirement! Ma ureen Kelly Busis (Former Ellis Parent)
r Fo ! m ha w e N . rs M u, yo k n a Th your your unwavering supporndt aoflumnae! students, faculty, staf , ased, but just You will be greatly mis n't think you'l like Mrs. Upham, I do are truly an be too far away. You teacher! amazing leader & ER ’08
Sami SCHOPP
11 | ELLIS MAGAZINE Fall 2017
Ginnae HARLEY ’88
“I love and truly appreciate all you have given to Ellis over the last 36 years. You will be missed. Enjoy your next adventure!!!”
Janet Edwards ’68
“So happy to have your gifts lead our all-girls education!”
Karen Chambers (Former Director of the Lower School)
Welcome! Michelina Fato (Ellis Parent)
Welcome! We wil have one glorious year together, then my daughter graduates in June! Betty Thomas (E llis
Parent)
“Welcome to Ellis. You will find it is a great school for girls. There is a wonderful community waiting to welcome you and work with you. I wish you all the best.”
Great to meet you in Philly! Have fun at El is!
N Schindler ’93
Jamie Beth COHE
Welcome, Mrs. Finley!! Look forward to meeting you in person.
Pete Aven (Ellis Parent)
Roy Aguiar (Ellis Parent)
"We are new fifth grade parents. You are highly accomplished and will be a great role model for our children. Welcome to Ellis. Welcome to Pittsburgh!"
Welcome to Ellis, Mrs. Finley. I'm a former parent and retired staf member. I hope you love Ellis as much as my family and I have. Looking forward to meeting you in the next month or so. Susan He ller (Former Ellis employee and parent)
Fall 2017 ELLIS MAGAZINE | 12
CLASS OF 2017
Commencement The Ellis School honored the Class of 2017 at Commencement 2017. Ellis families, faculty, trustees, and friends watched with pride as the class processed through the courtyard, in the traditional white hats, before receiving their diplomas from fourteenth Head of School, Robin Newham. A passionate and diverse group brimming with personality, compassion, and ambition, the Class of 2017 included thirty students.
13 | ELLIS MAGAZINE Fall 2017
PALLAVI MULUK, SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT “There is no one else I would rather have spent my high school years with. You are all so weird in the most beautiful and incredible way. Never change who you are. Never compromise what you believe. And never forget that your potential is infinite.”
ABIGAIL STUBENHOFER, STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND ELLIS LIFER “The Ellis School cultivates something in each one of us that is far more consequential. The Ellis experience, whether it be thirteen years, four, or even just two, gives to its students a strong sense of self.”
VANESSA GERMAN, MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTIST AND 2017 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER “When fear comes for you, when anxiety comes to distract and debilitate. Remind yourself that you already know strength. That it is within you and that should you need to, you can call upon the magic, power, and wisdom of your .01%—and from there, you decide. Where you are going to go, what you are going to do, and what song you are going to sing when you get there.”
Fall 2017 ELLIS MAGAZINE | 14
Class of 2017 Erika Amemiya
Kaley Forster
Zoe Michaela Papernick
Courtney Dionne Baldwin
Janay Nicole Giles
Luka Guy Pierce
Leah Eliana Berman Kress
Jessica Gabrielle Jones
Taylor Jaelynn Robinson
Katelin Arianna Brandegee
Miranda Keri Jones
Eliza Lili Savage
Taylor Janet Brown
Matilda Carolyn LaBranche
Meredith Norris Scherer
Abigail Mara Busis
Maya Reut Milch
Abigail Egan Stubenhofer
Nyjah Cephas
Madeleine Isabelle Mortimer
Jordyn Nicole Tomlin
Hongyue Dai
Pallavi Devi Muluk
Emma Katheryn Trimbur
Madisen May Daily
Maura Michael O’Connor
Yinyin Wang
Erin Wuxiang Delaney
Alexandra Marie Papernick
Eleanor Anne Yaruss
15 | ELLIS MAGAZINE Fall 2017
CLASS OF 2017
Academic Awards Each year, The Ellis School honors students who have demonstrated exceptional talent in academics, athletics, and the arts. This year’s Class of 2017 awardees are: ENGLISH PRIZE Matilda LaBranche HISTORY PRIZE Pallavi Muluk MATHEMATICS PRIZE Madeleine Mortimer WORLD LANGUAGES PRIZE Erika Amemiya PERFORMING ARTS PRIZE Jessica Jones SCIENCE PRIZE Taylor Robinson VISUAL ARTS PRIZE Maura O’Connor SPORTSMANSHIP PRIZE Maya Milch HIGHEST ACADEMIC AVERAGE Pallavi Muluk HEAD OF SCHOOL PRIZE Emma Trimbur BENJAMIN R. FISHER AWARD Abigail Stubenhofer AUGUSTUS K. OLIVER CUP Katelin Brandegee DR. VICTORIA BERNARDIS JORDAN LATIN AWARD Katelin Brandegee
Fall 2017 ELLIS MAGAZINE | 16
CONNECT & COMMUNICATE Receive updates on upcoming alumnae events, follow current campus news, and get a behind-the-scenes peek into student life when you follow The Ellis School on social media! We are posting, tweeting, and instagramming all things Ellis to keep our growing community network in the know. Connect and communicate as we share and celebrate Ellis across all social channels.
COLLEGE COMMITMENTS @TheEllisSchool #EllisGirls #MorePowerToHer
17 | ELLIS MAGAZINE Fall 2017
Ellis celebrated the many accomplishments of the Class of 2017 as they were accepted to distinguished colleges and universities this past spring where they will study art, engineering, humanities, and the sciences—among many other majors. Many students from the Class of 2017 received merit scholarships, and direct entry to specialized honors and leadership programs upon acceptance.
Albright College • Muhlenberg College • American University • Ohio Wesleyan University • Barnard College • Pennsylvania State University • Case Western Reserve University • Pratt Institute • Columbia University • Purdue University • Cornell College • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Duquesne University • School of the Art Institute of Chicago • Dickinson College • Smith College • Elon University • Spelman College • Emory University • Temple University • Fordham University • The College of Wooster • Franklin & Marshall College • Trinity Col-
30
seniors committed to
lege • Johns Hopkins University • University of Pittsburgh • Kalamazoo College
27
distinct institutions
accepted to
83
distinguished colleges and universities, representing
11
different states plus the District of Columbia
Fall 2017 ELLIS MAGAZINE | 18
2016–2017
On the following pages, you will read the names of the people who joined or continued a strong tradition of philanthropy by making gifts between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017 to The Ellis School. It is our pleasure to share with you these incredibly supportive alumnae, parents, employees, and friends who represent every facet of the Ellis community. What you won’t see in these pages is what they’ve made possible: the access and opportunities their contributions create for Ellis students and faculty every day. If you haven’t been to campus in awhile, we hope you’ll come visit soon and see for yourself. Thank you to all who hold up Ellis—with your time, talent, and generosity.
2014–2015
2015–2016
$3,020,366
$2,506,647
$1,882,180
GROWTH OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS
2016–2017
EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT TAX CREDIT
OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit is a tax credit for eligible businesses that contribute to a scholarship organization, an educational improvement organization, and/or a pre-kindergarten scholarship organization.
The Opportunity Scholarship Tax Cred is a tax credit for eligible businesses that contribute to an opportunity scholarship organization. Business contributions are then used by opportunity scholarship organizations to provide tuition assistance in the form of scholarships to eligible students.
The following companies made gifts totalling $45,000 to Ellis during the 2016–2017 fiscal year: Allegheny Mineral Corporation Duquesne Light FCC Asset Management, Inc. First Commonwealth Bank Heritage Community Initiatives Simpson & McCrady, LLC UPMC Health Plan
The following companies made gifts totalling $63,833 to Ellis during the 2016–2017 fiscal year: Hardin Compliance Consulting, LLC HM Insurance Group Mercedes Benz of Pittsburgh PA Partners for Education, LLC UHS of Pennsylvania, Inc. UPMC Health Plan
Fall 2017 ELLIS MAGAZINE | 20
$76,110
$46,077
$239,704
$7,739
$94,581
trustees
parents of alumnae
alumnae
current employees
current parents
100%
7%
15%
97%
67%
The following faculty and staff made gifts to the Ellis Fund during the 2016–2017 fiscal year: Anne Marie Adler Liz SUCCOP Altman ’70 Becky Amis Kris Arnoni Kelly Basil George Bawks Adam Bisno Jen Boughner Karen Boyer Leah Brennan Sara Brooke Janice Burgett Tara Catone Sarah Ceurvorst Andrea Christian-Michaels Lisa Citron Karen Compton Michelle Cook Susan Corbesero Pat Crosby Lou D’Abruzzo Helen Daley Lucy Delaney Ashley Dotson Patrick Fägersten Juliette Farrell Susan Freudenberg
Jack Gaddess Terry Geese Margaret George Katy Gess Betsy Gianakas Regan Gibney Tom Gill Liza Goldberg Jessie Hainesworth Keith Bryner Kim D. Hardin Kim M. Hardin Edie Hazlett Elisa Hill Erica Holtgraver Tim Howard Diana Hurd Tim Israel Sharon Jackson Patty Jones Janemary Karuga Alyssa TREMPUS Kinney ’07 Alison Kissel Cheryl Kotowski Carol Krescanko Brian Krugle Deborah Kuchta
Jennifer Lakin Cara LaRoche Denise LaRosa Amy MACKAY Larsen ’95 Lauren Laschon Beth Leu Michele Lombardi Henry Luck Caroline Lynett Camille Mackey Lynette MacLeod Rick Malmstrom Bonnie McConnell Brooke McLane-Higginson Kim Mechling Jean Mercier Karin Miller Stephen Mitchell Isabelle Moldovan Jackie Mroziak Robin Newham Jessica Nolan Petra Obley Patti Persun Molly Petrilli Sam Rauhala Diane Reckless
Our gift provides educators and administrators a strong financial foundation to innovate—to truly shape relevant, effective curriculum, programs, and physical spaces. Already we’ve seen the positive influence this Ellis experience has had on our daughter.
Marni and Jonathan Pastor (Ellen, Class of 2029)
21 | ELLIS MAGAZINE Fall 2017
Anna Redcay Carly REED ’02 Amy Rigsby April Roberson Shannon Rohr Michelle Rust Shayla Scott Emily Scott Amy Sidari Jeri Simon Amye Sledge Dejana Smajic Ceil Sturdevant Sara Sturdevant Bayh SULLIVAN ’02 Whitney OKONAK Sunday ’98 Cyndy Tabor Leah Thompson Kristy Tomashewski Linda Tonetti Dugan Kassie Wadsworth Rick Walker Terry Wilson Amy Yam Ciera Young
1916 Founder's Society ($25,000+) Anonymous Janet EDWARDS Anti ’68 Audrey Hillman Fisher Foundation Patricia GRABLE Burke ’46 The Burke Foundations Partnership Margaret MATHIESON Conver ’73 EQT Foundation HM Insurance Group Susan SCHUMACHER Morris ’62 & James Morris The Pittsburgh Foundation UPMC Health Plan
Head of School Society ($10,000–$24,999) The Barensfeld Family The Double Eagle Foundation Duquesne Light Edith ELIGATOR ’77 Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Shanan GUINN ’93 Catherine & Michael Haggerty Henry John Simonds Foundation Heritage Community Initiatives The Hillman Company Juliet Lea Hillman Simonds Foundation Blythe JONES Lyons ’73 Patricia & M. Robert Mistick Courtney & Chip Muse Nimick Forbesway Foundation Carol OSTROW ’73 Kimberly Roberts & Stanley Ference Barbara AARON Rosston ’80 Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group Colleen DAILY Simonds ’95 & Henry J. Simonds UHS of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Arbuthnot Society ($5,000–$9,999) Elisabeth Bennington & Brad Korinski Susan Berman Kress & Douglas Kress BP Corporation North America, Inc. BP Foundation, Inc. Carmela & Matthew DiAndreth B. Jean Ferketish & David Thomas First Commonwealth Bank Elsie & George Geiser Cindy & Murry Gerber Kristina & Peter Gerszten Sally FLANNERY Hardon ’55 & Clayton T. Hardon James M. & Lucy K. Schoonmaker Foundation Eileen & Nicholas Lane Lilah Hilliard Fisher Foundation Marcena WATERMAN Love ’56 Diane & Craig Markovitz Mercedes Benz of Pittsburgh Blair E. Merkel Mistick Construction, Incorporated PA Partners for Education, LLC Sally RIAL Phelps ’58 Charles Porter & Hilary Tyson Michelle & R. Mark Rust The Rust Foundation Simpson & McCrady, LLC
Nellie Lou JAFFE Slagle ’55 Susie GILBERT Tabor ’70 & Mark Tabor Ritu Thamman & Andrew Watson Thomas Insurance Services, Inc. The Trustees of Kiski Rebecca Upham & Will Vinver Vanguard Charitable Hannah BRUSH Van Horn ’57 & Neil Van Horn Jordan ZAPPALA ’99
Fifth Avenue Society ($2,500–$4,999) Allegheny Mineral Corporation Amy & Michael Bernstein Joan SEAMAN Bradshaw ’47 Susan & David Brownlee Sarah ALTMAN Bumsted ’95 Dawn & Chris Fleischner Leslie & Hans Fleischner Elizabeth H. Genter Darcy FRANK Mackay ’85 Robin & Bob Newham Nina Baldwin Fisher Foundation Delia & Timothy Parks Lisa Porter & Robert Davis Beth Prairie & Todd Underwood Ann KILCHENSTEIN Scharpf ’79 Carrie LEVINE Schiff ’83 Helene Marie MONTGOMERY Shafran ’85 Rose & William Strickland, Jr. Bayh SULLIVAN ’02 & Matt Pekar Gayle Tissue & Yiannis Kaloyeropoulos
Kentucky Avenue Society ($1,000–$2,499) Susan Allison & Patrick Koeppl Elizabeth SUCCOP Altman ’70 & Charles Altman Ganya Alvarado-Reagans & Raya Alvarado-Reagans Susan Amara & Geoffrey Murdoch Bernadette & Richard Ardemagni Lachelle & Andrew Arnt Bartlett Foundation BBR Benefits Solutions, LLC Jennifer Boughner Alice REED Buchanan ’39 Alyssa BURRELL Cowan ’94 & David Cowan Judith COHEN Callomon ’54 Margaret MARSHALL Carothers ’63 Catharine MELLON Cathey ’85 Chu Investment Counsel, Inc. Connie & Donald Coffelt Anita Courcoulas & Ira Gumberg Devon GAFFNEY Cross ’74 Paula & Francis Daily Debra Elkins & Daniel Miller Victoria NIMICK Enright ’83 Jean DAVIS Falk ’56 Luciana FATO ’84 Macon & Peter Finley Linda CRAWFORD Fisher ’70 Nancy CONEY Forhan ’80 Mary Louise & Henry Gailliot Cynthia & Mark Goodman Dr. Mary H. Grant Allison Haley & Keith Bryner
Mary Anne & Howard Hanna Diana DREW Harbison ’70 Hardin Compliance Consulting, LLC Ginnae R. HARLEY ’88 Maria & Christopher Harrington Rimi Hazra & Samit Ghosh Tonya HENRY ’84 Susan HIGINBOTHAM Holcombe ’58 Suzanne PROPST Honeycutt ’67 Hudson Community Foundation Wendy Huntoon & Amro El-Jaroudi Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Kristin & Richard D. Kalson Usha Rani Karumudi & Gopala Amarnath Ramineni Sally & Peter Kay Emma GILMORE Kieran ’96 & David Kieran Debbie & Frank Kim Stefi Kirschner & Gilbert Schneider Lee WHITEHILL Landes ’62 Lauren & Steve Laschon Victoria Lee & Otto Chu Janet Lee & Matthew Rosengart Courtney LOCKHART ’93 Jenny RYAN Machak ’72 Allison & Clark McGeary Lisa Merkel Diane Meyers & Thomas Poerio Marion BECKER Miller ’54 Amy SUCCOP Millin ’87 Fritz & Jim Mitnick Margaret McCHESNEY Mohr ’92 Mary RUST Montgomery ’65 Bonnie McKNIGHT Murphy ’67 Kathleen McMORRAN Murray ’70 Muse Foundation Patricia & Raymond Nepa Rona Nesbit Elizabeth & Douglas Nury Tara O’Brien & Gerald Stubenhofer Mildred GOLDSMITH Palley ’74 Marni & Jonathan Pastor Paypal Charitable Giving Fund Susan Petersen & Stefan Frembgen Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures, Inc. Marisa PORTER ’05 Margot COPELAND Pyle ’52 Cary & Richard Reed Richard King Mellon Foundation Louise BELL Rogers ’55 Shirley & Murray Rust Schwab Charitable Fund Jeri & William Simon Juliet Lea HILLMAN Simonds ’65 Heather GREEN Skurek ’01 Susan BERGER Smerd ’57 & Peter G. Smerd Anica REED Smith ’61 & David Smith Carrie Sparks & Christopher Palmer Andrea SEED Spear ’96 Stacy & Robert Stanton Susan STEVICK ’64 Cynthia STRAUSS ’72 JoAnn & Thomas Succop Jill SWENSEN ’87 Betty Thomas & Keith Conover Barbara SCHEETZ Todd ’54 Kathryn WHOLEY Vreeland ’02 Louise Kay CHILDS Woodside ’87 & Nevin Woodside Stanley E. & Darlene K. Zin
Fall 2017 ELLIS MAGAZINE | 22
The Ellisian Society recognizes individuals who have named The Ellis School in their wills or have provided for the future financial strength of Ellis through planned gift vehicles such as life income trusts, gift annuities, life insurance policies, or other special deferred gift plans. Anonymous (3) Alice SNODGRASS Beckwith ’49* Dorothy BRADLEY Brown* Alice REED Buchanan ’39 & Gibson Buchanan* Judith COHEN Callomon ’54 Anita Courcoulas & Ira Gumberg Ann Cutter* Margaret BREWER Dowler ’33* Linda CRAWFORD Fisher ’70 & Benjamin Fisher* Fred W. George* Jacquelyn Gregory-Rauzan & Charles Rauzan Julia HOWARD Grimstad ’57 Sandra GLOCK Harrington ’64
Suzanne PROPST Honeycutt ’67 Kelly BREEN Hunt ’92 Janet Jacobs* Jane & Lee Klingenberg Eileen HALPERN Lane ’64 & Nicholas Lane Susan SCHEINMAN Leonard ’64 Marcena WATERMAN Love ’56 Blythe JONES Lyons ’73 Mary Louise HEIDENKAMP Magnus ’41 Mary KINTER McEldowney ’37* Kathleen OLIVER Parker ’43* April EILER Pinney ’60 Jennifer RODMAN Dawson Purdom ’60
Visionary ($40,000) UPMC Health Plan
Partners in Leadership Excellence ($5,000) Bennington Law Firm, LLC First Commonwealth Bank The Kiski School Board of Trustees Mistick Construction, Incorporated
Special Anniversary ($20,000) Nimick Forbesway Foundation Partner in Educational Excellence ($10,000) Audrey Hillman Fisher Foundation
Ambassadors ($2,500) Jean Ferketish & Dave Thomas Susie SWARTZ Perelman ’82 & Gregg Perelman Gayle Tissue & Yiannis Kaloyeropoulos Simpson & McCrady, LLC
Inspired by faculty who broadened my thinking, shaped by experiences on the field of play and abroad, challenged by classmates clever, curious, and dear — these are the reasons I give to Ellis. Ellis gave me the confidence to pursue all of my interests and be the best version of myself. For that, I think it is important to give back and acknowledge the School’s role in my individual development, while simultaneously helping to ensure girls have access to such a vital environment for learning and developing for generations to come.
Heather GREEN Skurek ’01
23 | ELLIS MAGAZINE Fall 2017
Christine HEITZENRODER Quillian ’91 Elizabeth Reese* Letitia RIECK ’43* Eleanor B. Scheetz* Carolyn SHI ’97 Joan DODDS Shrader ’32* Anica REED Smith ’61 & David Smith Mary Jane SHUMAN Stewart* Sylvia & John Van Jura Sarah KING Wilmer ’58
*Deceased
Ellis Friends ($1,000) BBR Benefits Solutions, LLC HB Retirement Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures Media Sponsors NEXTpittsburgh Pittsburgh Magazine WYEP 91.3 WESA 90.5
Ginnae HARLEY ’88
I contribute to Ellis because I strongly believe in the importance of education and how that education creates strong female leaders. Ellis has had a profound effect on who I am today. I am very thankful for all the love, support, friendship, and faith in me that the Ellis community provides.
OPEN HOUSES & INFO SESSIONS
Tell your friends! The Ellis School offers events throughout the year for parents interested in giving the gift of an Ellis education to their daughters. Please pass the word along that the following Open House and Information Session events are open to all families who are interested in learning more about The Ellis School. All School Open House @ 5:30 p.m. Thursday, November 2, 2017
Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten Information Sessions @ 8:30 a.m. Thursday, November 30, 2017 We contribute to Ellis because the School was a partner in raising our daughters. The wonderful faculty not only cared about challenging them intellectually but also cared about their character development. From a young age, they developed a concern and respect for all people—in their classroom, the local community, and across the globe. All young women should receive an Ellis education.
B. Jean Ferketish and David F. Thomas, A. Mallory THOMAS ’12, E. Anna THOMAS ’13
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Grades 1–12 Open Houses @ 8:30 a.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018 Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Thursday, June 14, 2018
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RETIREMENTS
2016–2017
Liz SUCCOP Altman ’70, Director of Alumnae Affairs Liz Altman departed Ellis as the Director of Alumnae Affairs after 10 years in the Development Office. During her tenure in Development, Liz served as the beloved point of contact for alumnae across the country and provided priceless insights on behalf of Ellis. In her retirement, Liz looks forward to cooking, sewing, and learning how to play cello!
Cathleen Callahan, Upper School French Teacher Cathleen Callahan joined the Ellis faculty in 1979 and taught French for a mere 38 years! During her years at Ellis, Madame Callahan served as chair of the World Languages Department, as secretary of the Ellis chapter of Cum Laude, and as Student Council advisor. Her retirement plans include visits to see her mom in Washington D.C. and her brother and his family in Long Island, NY.
Andrea Christian-Michaels, Learning Specialist
The Ellis School said goodbye and good luck to five incredible members of the Ellis community as they retired at the end of the 2016–2017 school year. Liz SUCCOP Altman ’70, Cathleen Callahan, Andrea Christian-Michaels, Beth Leu, and Robin Newham represented all three divisions and the administrative side of the School at their retirement. Combined, these exceptional individuals have dedicated over 130 years of service to Ellis.
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Andrea Christian-Michaels provided learning support and guidance to Middle and Upper School students since 2001. Mrs. Christian-Michaels organized, advised, and assisted hundreds of students, and championed countless activities and events in the Middle School including Olympiad and Future Cities. In addition to Grandma duties, Mrs. Christian-Michaels plans to take time to enjoy creative endeavors that she loves, such as quilting and traveling.
Beth Leu, Grade 1 Teacher Beth Leu joined Ellis in 1984 and was a beloved grade 1 teacher in the Lower School for 33 years. Mrs. Leu guided and enriched the lives of thousands of young learners with her love of teaching and her understanding of early childhood development. In her retirement, Mrs. Leu looks forward to having more time to visit her grandson, Jack, and his mom, Jessica LEU Hoy ’00.
Robin Newham, Head of School After 36 years at Ellis, Robin Newham formally retired as the fourteenth Head of The Ellis School. Mrs. Newham taught Studio Art and Art History for 15 years before becoming Director of the Upper School, a role she held for 17 years. In 2013, she officially became Head of School and worked to balance the budget and build a regulation athletic field, all the while steering everyday operations on campus. In retirement, Mrs. Newham plans to spend as much time as possible with her family and her grandson!
YOU can make these opportunities possible Now is the time to invest in the next generation of Ellis girls. Your support provides rich and wide-ranging opportunities for every student at Ellis. The Ellis Fund is made up of hundreds of unrestricted gifts and helps offset yearly operating expenses. A gift to the Ellis Fund ensures that we can continue to prepare, empower, and inspire each and every girl through an excellent education in an all-girls environment.
Make your gift today at www.theellisschool.org/give.
Fall 2017 ELLIS MAGAZINE | 26
ashley priore, class of 2018
the ellis
Sara Frazer Ellis developed the foundation for The Ellis School in 1916—the same year Alice Paul and Lucy Burns created the Congressional Union, now known as the National Women’s Party. With women’s suffrage on the rise, Miss Ellis knew a female empowerment movement could not go forward without strong intellectual spirit and vigor. The Ellis School was founded to promote change for girls. If women were prepared for “the rigorous admission requirements of the Eastern women’s colleges,” they could continue their education and be just as ready as men for the challenges and opportunities of life. In short, if young women were effectively educated, they had the potential to be the leaders of gender equality and change the world. In October of 2016, Ellis Centennial Laureate Sara SUTTON Fell ’92 wrote an article for the Huffington Post titled, “Why All-Girls Schools Can Help Fight Gender Inequity.” When individuals ask me why allgirls schools are still in existence given 21st century gender awareness, I wish I had come across Ms. Sutton Fell’s article sooner. Last year Ellis celebrated its 100 year anniversary. I wrote an ode in honor of the School’s history. As I spoke with several alumnae, a certain thread, as I call it, began to develop. Through new Heads of School, changing slogans, and political milestones, every alumna mentioned something their class was fighting for. Whether it was 1960, 2000, or 2016, Ellis had a purpose. There is still work to be done, as Ms. Sutton Fell states in her article, but that is okay.
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Why does Ellis still matter? Ellis has found its place in the community with a grand reputation for girls’ education. However, Ellis would not be where it is today without the strong foundation created by Miss Ellis. She didn’t simply lay the groundwork in Pittsburgh for girls to get an excellent education, Miss Ellis also set an example as a female leader and showed girls that if you have a goal, the harder you work to achieve it, the more you will realize its potential. A potential that takes more than a lifetime or even 100 years to accomplish. We have not yet achieved gender equality. Women are still paid less, do not have full access to education, and in some countries, have no choice in marriage. This year, juniors in Global Leadership By Design learned that the wage gap between men and women is about 40 percent and out of the 781 million individuals who are illiterate, two-thirds are women, according to the globalcitizen.org. While we have made some progress in the United States, there is still so much work to be done at home and globally, and our peers across the world need our help. These goals and achievements are the thread that has carried us through 100 years and will continue to carry us through Mrs. Newham’s retirement and our fifteenth Head of School Macon Finley. Mrs. Finley, will learn there is always something to fight for at Ellis, and this why The Ellis School will continue to thrive. A few months ago, my former classmate asked me if I worry about Ellis in a changing society. Our Ellis thread is the reason why I don’t.
“
. .if young women were effectively educated, they had the potential to be the leaders of gender equality and change the world.
”
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Leading Ellis into a Second Century Macon Finley is Welcomed as the Fifteenth Head of School
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When Macon Finley first visited The Ellis School in fall 2016 as a Head of School applicant, she knew the community was something special. “I was so drawn to the warmth of the place. From the very first interview, I felt welcomed and embraced and that really appealed to me. I felt like I could make this place my home.”
Macon’s intuition was not only correct, but reciprocated as The Ellis School announced in October 2016 that she would become the fifteenth Head of School in Ellis’ one hundred year history. Her official tenure began on July 1, 2017, but Macon’s preparations for her new role started far earlier. Throughout the winter and spring months, she made frequent trips to campus to meet faculty, parents, students, and community leaders ahead of her arrival in Arbuthnot House. One meeting was particularly memorable during her initial campus introductions, a sit-down with the members of the Class of 2018. The casual, relaxed setting gave Macon her first glimpse of what an Ellis girl is truly like, in the junior class’ case—spunky, curious, and intelligent. “This was a really interesting group of young women that I met with and they didn’t get that way by accident. They have been nurtured, challenged, and inspired by their teachers at Ellis in wonderful ways, and I could pick up on that instantly.”
the finley’s enjoy spending their summer vacations in northern ontario.
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Attuned to the indelible spirit and spark of Ellis girls from the start, Macon’s excitement for the 2017–2018 school year amplified. She and her husband, Peter, purchased a home in the East End and prepared to say goodbye to their beloved city of St. Louis. A move across the Midwest and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity awaited.
#FinleyFacts
THE BIG MOVE TO PITTSBURGH Macon, Peter, and their golden retriever, Scout, relocated to Pittsburgh’s East End in June. “We were excited to have found a house in the neighborhood. I wanted to live nearby, to be near the School, and to know the community. My husband and I both tend to get very involved in the communities we live in and we look forward to getting to know the area well.” Their three adult children, Lynn, age 31; Cory, age 28; and Thom, age 25, are spread across the country in Chicago, New York, and California but have already expressed how excited they are to visit their parents in Pittsburgh and get to know the city. In her downtime, Macon has been busy walking the neighborhood, sampling the restaurants, and exploring the city sights. She says she already feels very at home here, thanks in part to the similarities between St. Louis and Pittsburgh. “The move has been an easy transition. Both cities are about the same size, they are both river towns, they both have great sports teams, and both have great food. I am excited about ST. LOU IS Pittsburgh’s stage of life and it has been really interesting to hear about its renaissance from afar. All of the growth in the tech world, development in the startup world, and the infusion of young people coming back to the area is really exciting. The best part is that Ellis is right in the thick of it all in the East End.”
when you hear ellis’ tagline “more power to her,” what does that mean to you? “More Power to Her” means girls developing their own unique voices and power. It means launching girls towards success and letting them know they can be whoever they want to be in the world.
what woman inspires you and why? The women in my family inspire me. I come from generations of amazing women. My mom, who passed away last year, my maternal grandmother, who I was named after, my sister, and my daughter.
what’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume alone? I used to be a really ace water skier! I spent my summers growing up on the Great Lakes where we wouldn’t wear shoes for a month. I haven’t done it in about ten years, but I still love being on the water.
you played basketball in college at princeton. what position did you play? did you have a signature move? I played small forward. I was more of a defender but had a good under-thebasket shot!
what’s your favorite place to vacation? Northern Ontario. There is so much to explore in the woods and on the water. We like to take scenic walks, hike, and bike, but our visits are very water-oriented as well. Everything from swimming to sailing, to skiing and rowing, it’s a beautiful place.
how would you describe yourself in three words? Creative. Warm. Organized.
PITTSBU
RG H
what one word comes to mind when you think of ellis? Vibrancy.
ALL PATHS LEAD TO ELLIS Most recently, Macon was Assistant Head of School at John Burroughs School in St. Louis, Missouri where she played a pivotal role in strengthening support for students, recruiting outstanding faculty, enhancing professional development, and developing plans for a new science, technology, and research facility. During her seventeen years at John Burroughs School, Macon served in various positions, including Mathematics Teacher, Principal, and Director of Academics. Macon earned a B.A. in Statistics with honors and a lifetime Teaching Certification in Mathematics from Princeton University and an M.B.A. as an Arjay Miller Scholar from Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Prior to joining John Burroughs, Macon worked in the corporate sector for Ralston Purina and Pacific Gas and Electric Company as a Product Manager and Market Research Analyst, respectively. Early in her career, she worked for Washington University in St. Louis and for Stanford University as a Research Assistant in Biostatistics. But it wasn’t until Macon began volunteering and tutoring students in mathematics at her children’s school that she considered a long-term career in education. She says, “I was always incredibly drawn to education as a field because I believe it is the most important gift you can give a child. When I think about the impact that educating a young person can have on the world, I don’t think there is any more important work to do.” Macon’s unique experience in the corporate and independent school sectors positions her perfectly for the Head of School role at Ellis. Her interdisciplinary understanding of education and management, combined with her leadership and community outreach work at the St. Louis Regional Child Care Partnership, Junior League of St. Louis, and University United Methodist Church, enables her to think strategically, problem-solve analytically, and innovate collaboratively. Not to mention, her blend of disciplines aligns with a hallmark of the Ellis curriculum, Integrated Studies—and who better to exemplify that approach than the Head of School herself.
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I was always incredibly drawn to education as a field because I believe it is the most important gift you can give a child. When I think about the impact that educating a young person can have on the world, I don’t think there is any more important work to do.
Macon says, “When I think about my life’s path, I realize that I have been able to tackle many interesting challenges in my career, and I am very grateful for that.” She adds, “I feel very ready for this next challenge and the adventure of moving to a new city, making a new home in a new school, and embracing a different kind of role.”
LEADERSHIP BASED ON COMMUNITY When asked why she pursued the Head of School position, Macon says, “I became a school leader because I love creating school communities in which students are known, supported, and challenged. I am passionate about the work of teaching and learning, and I am deeply committed to the Ellis community—to the faculty, students, parents, and alumnae who comprise it.” As a leader, teacher, and administrator, Macon’s educational philosophy is based on the transformative power of education. And more specifically for Ellis, the belief that an all-girls education has the power to transform futures by empowering each girl to be her best self, find her voice, and prepare for a life of great impact and meaning. Macon’s passionate perspective focuses on the critical role interpersonal relationships play in students’ academic, social, and emotional development and growth. “I want to really know the students and adults in the Ellis community and to be known by them. I want the students to see
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that I care about their world—in the classroom, on the playing field, in the cafeteria, in the art studio—and that I care about them as individuals.” Dedicated to this philosophy from all angles, Macon acknowledges that when student, faculty, parent, and alumnae relationships are cultivated and strengthened, the investment is invaluable. Macon shares, “When I talk to girls about what makes Ellis special, they talk about their relationships with each other and with their teachers. They talk about the kind of learning that happens at Ellis and the ability to fully be themselves. That is how girls grow best and I think it is especially important for young women to feel comfortable being fully themselves and finding their own voices. I am excited to be in a place where that is valued.” The Ellis School is indeed a very special place and this X factor, or Ellis factor, if you will, imbues the community with deep commitment, pride, and passion for the School. This feeling wasn’t just evident to Macon in her interactions with students. She witnessed it as she interacted with Ellis faculty, as well. Reflecting upon a May visit to Ellis, Macon shares, “The faculty here are so dedicated. You can feel that people have Ellis in their bones. That is a pretty special feeling.” After taking the time to meet with students, parents, and faculty early on in her Ellis career, Macon began to notice this
1 1) thom, lynn, cory, macon, and peter finley. 2) macon and daughter lynn, with lynn’s fiance josh wright. 3) cory, macon, and thom enjoying a holiday. 4) macon enjoying idyllic time in ontario.
2
3 4 Primanti’s or pierogies? ? Play or m usical
Pirates or Penguins?
Tea or coffee?
Mac or PC?
WOULD YOU RATHER... m? Libra ry or m useu Kindle or pa perbac k? Text or call?
Hike or bike?
Night out or even ing in?
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She [Robin Newham] has been an enormous part of this community and she has led it beautifully. I feel honored to be the next person in line to carry on the work of leading The Ellis School.
intangible Ellis factor time and time again. However, it wasn’t until she attended a national alumnae event in Philadelphia this past summer that she got a real sense of the power of an Ellis education. “The alumnae couldn’t have been more different from each other, yet they all shared a deep affection for Ellis. They were some of the brightest, fiercest, most engaging, and warmest women I have met in a very long time,” she says. Macon acknowledges that as a newcomer, Ellis’ stellar community is tangible proof of the power of an all-girls education and a testament to Ellis’ ability to transform lives.
THE NEXT CHAPTER Charged with honoring Ellis’ history and traditions, while shaping its future for Ellis girls to come, Macon is dedicated to ensuring that the School continues to provide the exceptional education that has defined the Ellis experience for 100 years. She brings momentum to the School while holding true to the mission of preparing, empowering, and inspiring each and every girl through an excellent education in an all-girls environment. Macon says, “There is a great history to The Ellis School, when you think about one hundred years, and you think about serving girls for all of those years, you can feel and see the rich history on campus.”
But Macon isn’t just moved by the deep history of all-girls education at Ellis. She is also careful to acknowledge and thank the predecessors who came before her. She had this to say about fourteenth Head of School, Robin Newham: “I feel a huge sense of gratitude to her and hold significant admiration of all that Robin has accomplished. She has been an enormous part of this community and she has led it beautifully. I feel honored to be the next person in line to carry on the work of leading The Ellis School.” When asked what she most looks forward to at Ellis, Macon responded that she is looking forward to making Ellis her home and spending time with and getting to know the girls of Ellis individually. Macon says, “I am a big believer in school community and it being a place where people feel like they are really pulling together for the good of the students. I feel that deeply at Ellis. I have really appreciated the way I have been welcomed and I feel as if I have been given a very special gift. I am really looking forward to being a part of this community and making it my own.”
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Ashley Priore Class of 2018
Creative, competitive, and motivated, Ashley Priore is a senior who has taken her love of chess to the next level by integrating her mastery of the game into every aspect of her life. From history essays to original poetry, Ashley infuses the lessons she’s learned through chess—problem-solving, concentration, strategy, and critical thinking—into her Upper School studies, Creative Writing Club, and youth chess classes. Always at the center of her universe, chess is the bridge that connects her talents, imagination, and passions. For Ashley, chess is not only a game, but the moral compass that guides her through teenage trials and tribulations, a female empowerment movement, and without question, her future.
how did you get involved in chess? how long have you been playing?
years at ellis Grade 9 to Grade 12 graduation year 2018 location Pittsburgh, PA clubs/extracurriculars Student Council Representative, Student Diversity League, Chess Club, Creative Writing Club, Volunteer at Carnegie Library in Squirrel Hill
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I started playing when I was four years old. It was something my mom wanted my siblings and me to learn. My dad taught us and we would play every afternoon at 4 o’clock. As a competitive and rated chess player, I go to tournaments around the area and play everyday. I started teaching chess to kids, not only to teach them, but to learn more about the game myself. Right now I teach classes at Ellis, St. Edmund’s Academy, and the Carnegie Library. It’s a really cool perspective, being a teacher. For me, chess is more than a game, it’s an education system. I’m starting a chess institute called The Queen’s Gambit. The mission is to get more young women and girls involved in chess, because it’s typically very male-dominated.
tell me more about the queen’s gambit.
I didn’t connect with the message of the Pittsburgh Chess Club, so I decided I wanted to start my own club. I’m one of those people who sees things a certain way, and if it’s not out there for me, I’ll start it. The Queen’s Gambit Chess Institute is an inclusive organization that teaches chess to the community, ensuring as many individuals as possible have the opportunity and necessary tools to learn chess through a 21st-century approach to studying the game. My idea started with a website, but it’s morphed into something else entirely. I want to combine all my passions into the Queen’s Gambit—chess, writing, psychology, and journalism. Chess connects STEM, literature, problem-solving, and the values of competition with statistics and winning and losing.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
you mentioned you were also passionate about writing. what inspires you as a writer? what do you like to write? I’m influenced by all kinds of writing. I’ve always kept a journal and enjoyed writing, but it wasn’t until I took an after-school class at Ellis called “Poetry in the South” that I really committed myself to it. The class changed my life. When I’m writing, I have control over what I’m putting on the page and I really enjoy that aspect of it. My passion started with poetry, but now I’m interested in all kinds of creative writing, literature, and journalism. I don’t just write in English class anymore, I write for fun and to learn.
how does ellis fuel your passion for chess and writing?
When I think about Ellis, I think of students not only learning, but leading. Ellis gave me the opportunity to start a chess club and a creative writing club. The English department is unrivaled, and when you attend Ellis, if you want to do something—you can do it.
what have you learned about leadership and mentoring others through chess?
I have learned that others are only as excited, motivated, and determined as you are. People respond to your commitment and effort. People say leadership is hard, but it is only hard if you do it all yourself. My students make mentoring easy because they teach me all of the time.
what is the biggest challenge you face as a female chess player?
As a seventeen year old, people judge me all the time. But as a seventeen year old female chess player, I have faced questions such as, “What does she know? You are their teacher? How old are you? Why are you teaching?” I just brush it off; it is the 21st century, and if you aren’t comfortable with me teaching chess, you don’t have to listen.
is there a teacher at ellis who has a particularly strong influence on your life?
Ms. Brennan. Last year, when we read Crime and Punishment in her class, she would let me come in and just talk about how much I loved it. She fueled my passion for that novel and literature. I’ve always been quieter in class, but in English, I feel the most comfortable speaking up. Ms. Brennan is the kind of teacher who, if I tell her ideas about literature, makes me want to learn even more about it. I still send her my poetry and writing to look at. She has always been there to guide me.
for younger ellis students reading this: is there any wisdom you’d want to pass on to them? what would you want them to know?
Don’t think that your writing has to be perfect or that you have to be writing for a long time to consider yourself a writer. The first poem I wrote, I still connect to. Writing has no limits and someone out there will connect with your writing. I wrote a poem about anxiety and when my sister read it, she didn’t get it, but my friend who has struggled with anxiety did right away. You just have to get the words out there and write it for the people who will understand your point of view.
what are you looking forward to most about your senior year?
For as long as I’ve been at Ellis, I’ve always had someone to look up to. My sister, Claire PRIORE ’14, was a senior when I was a freshman, so I had her. My sophomore year, I had our big sister class and now that we’re juniors, we still have that one class above us. I’m looking forward to being that senior who can help people coming in and transitioning, just like past seniors have helped me.
if you could interview anyone living or dead, who would it be and why? Frances Jenkins Olcott. I wrote my junior research paper on her. She was the first head librarian of the children’s department at the Carnegie Library, and she dedicated her life to establishing children’s rooms in libraries. As I read more about her, I really began to relate to her, especially through chess. I would ask her how she handled her ambitions. How did she deal with other people’s feedback and advice?
last book you read?
The Awakening by Kate Chopin.
what does your future hold? do you have certain plans for colleges/majors?
I want to go to college and major in Journalism or English. I have always loved New York City and I really want to try something totally new next. I know it will be really hard, but I don’t want to choose something that’s a comfortable choice. I want to choose something a little uncomfortable, because it’s the best way to learn.
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Ciera Young Coordinator of Equity and Inclusion
Coordinator of Equity and Inclusion Ciera Young is a leader, mentor, and ally to students at Ellis as she promotes messages of inclusion, tolerance, and acceptance across all three divisions. Her efforts to build awareness and create positive change, on campus and in the community, empower and equip Ellis girls with the tools they need to have respectful dialogue and compassionate conversations in today’s diverse, global world. Focused on embracing diversity and recognizing the beauty of our individual differences, Ms. Young works tirelessly with students, faculty, staff, and local organizations year round to create programming that aligns with Ellis’ mission. From talks on how to be a good neighbor in the Lower School, to honest exchanges about cultural differences in the Upper School, Ms. Young enriches the Ellis curriculum by teaching students the importance of building bridges, not walls.
years at ellis Two hometown Columbus, Ohio education B.A. Cultural Studies, African American Studies Concentration, Chatham University outside ellis Serves on the Adagio Health Young Leaders Council, Civic Engagement Committee Chair at the Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh, After School Program Coordinator at Arsenal Middle School 41 | ELLIS MAGAZINE Fall 2017
A fierce advocate for women and girls, Ms. Young’s commitment to equity and inclusion at Ellis and in Pittsburgh have not gone unnoticed. She is a graduate of the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs program, serves on the Adagio Health Young Leaders Council, and is the Civic Engagement Committee Chair at the Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh. She also works as the After School Program Coordinator at Arsenal Middle School in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Prior to Ellis, Ms. Young facilitated family planning workshops and voter registration in Gambia, West Africa; lobbied for Ohio’s first-ever anti-human trafficking bill, and was successful; wrote an op-ed for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about her lived experience as a black woman; and organized the 2016 Equal Pay Day Rally in Pittsburgh, to name a few.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
This past summer, Ms. Young took her advocacy abroad when she traveled to Ethiopia as the recipient of the Fulbright-Hays Curriculum Development Grant. In Ethiopia, Ms. Young studied gender responsive pedagogy and developed a multimedia and co-curricular syllabus for all-girls classrooms in Ethiopia and the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Ms. Young’s unwavering dedication to the advancement and education of girls stretches from Ellis to Ethiopia, as her students become confident and capable women with vision.
how did you become an advocate for girls and young women? what fueled your activism? I grew up in Columbus, Ohio, in the inner city on the East side of Columbus. Just across the way from where I grew up is a primarily white suburb, Bexley. When I was younger, I remember walking into Bexley High School and it was pristine. There was a trophy case lined with trophies, a swimming pool, just endless opportunities. It really tuned me into the disparity caused by my zip code. I didn’t understand why I had to go to a school with no resources because of where I lived and why that was okay. Then when I was 16, my cousin was targeted by a human trafficker when she was walking home from school. I was shocked because no one spoke about it or seemed concerned! So I gathered a group of people to create a block watch that would make sure girls got to and from school safely. We would report any suspicious activity to law enforcement, and then it grew from there. A teacher at my high school urged me to channel the block watch into meaningful action. I ended up connecting with the Council of World Affairs and received a spot in the Junior Council Fellows Program. I worked with other high school students to make an impact towards ending human trafficking. As a result, we successfully lobbied for the first anti-human trafficking bill in the state of Ohio.
what is your main role as coordinator of equity and inclusion at ellis? My main goal is to create follow through, whether that’s a conversation you’re having at lunchtime or at a school-sponsored event like Stand Against Racism. We need to have conversations about race, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, and religion out in the open because the world is changing, the city is changing, and people are changing. We know students are going
to encounter situations around diversity and we need to brief and prepare them on the issues.
did your education at chatham university play into your decision to come to ellis? Yes, definitely. Advocating for women and girls is my passion and the core of what I do. After I graduated from Chatham University in the last all-girls class, I didn’t even look at career possibilities that weren’t aligned with those interests. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do anything effectively unless I was passionate about it, and fighting for the rights of girls is the spark that fuels me. I have always found ways to invest my energy into my passion. I want to create an environment where girls are always seen and heard.
what do you hope to offer to the ellis community in your position? I want to expand upon and dig deeper into of the conversations we are having. More follow-up discussions about diversity after assemblies and in advisory periods are needed at Ellis so that we can continue to have conversations that facilitate change. I’d also like to develop stronger relationships with parents and connect all three divisions more. I want the Ellis community to explore what it means to be a good neighbor and an ally. How can we be change agents? I also look forward to establishing and maintaining relationships with local community organizations because Ellis is lucky to have neighbors who have a lot to offer. Ellis has a lot to offer our neighbors as well, so I would like to continue exploring those connections.
you mentioned that in your work at ellis, you facilitate conversations and discussions that give girls the opportunity to share their perspective. how did you find your voice at a young age? what was the impetus for you? When I was young, I stayed with my Nanna for a couple of weeks in Cleveland. We would go to this store that had an ice cream stand out front. I literally did not like talking, so when it was time to order my ice cream, I would just point at what I wanted. But that didn’t work with Nanna. She would tell me, “You need to speak up even when it scares you, because there are so many things you’re not getting because you’re not talking.” So my Nanna gave me my voice. She taught me to speak up for what I want, and made me realize at a very early age that agency is important. She taught me that even if situations are uncomfortable, you need to have conversations because the benefits outweigh the discomfort.
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FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
what have you learned about female leadership and mentoring others through your work at ellis? I am learning that it is necessary to nurture different types of leaders. There is this clear-cut expectation of what a leader should look and act like, but not everyone fits that mold. As for mentoring, I have observed how the faculty at Ellis approach and appreciate students across the spectrum. Faculty are open and willing to recognize things they don’t know and embrace students for who they are. Teachers support and nurture students, but they also push them to keep them accountable. They truly want students to succeed.
do you have a mentor? how has that relationship benefited you professionally? can you tell me about him or her? I have various mentors, which I think is helpful because you don’t want your knowledge or growth to only come from one place. It’s important to connect with people who are different from you, so that you can check your blindspots. Now that I’m at Ellis, I have mentors in education within the Equity and Inclusion space who work at independent schools. I’m always thinking, “How do I make movement in Pittsburgh?” and about the people I should meet or the networking event I should attend. It’s my turn to mentor someone now. I know I have something to offer. We tend to have a lot more to offer than we give ourselves credit for.
tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career. I studied abroad in Gambia my sophomore year of college and worked for the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP). It’s a Gambian non-governmental organization run exclusively by women for women. The only reason they had a man on staff was for security! I archived media records for documentation and, thanks to our efforts, the records helped prove a pivotal case involving GAMCOTRAP. It was so rewarding to help the women there and see tangible results.
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if you could interview anyone living or dead, who would it be and why? Solange Knowles. I love her bold sense of style and her recent EP A Seat at the Table. It really defined my experience as a black woman. She also sheds a lot of light and wisdom on being the mother of a black child in this day and age. She’s just so dynamic—a musician, stylist, DJ, visual artist, blogger. I aspire to be as dynamic as her, not to leave any talents on my death bed.
Jamie Beth COHEN Schindler ’93
A storyteller who has had her byline in The Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, and Teen Vogue, Jamie Beth COHEN Schindler ’93 is an Ellis lifer, political activist, and writer in the process of penning her first young adult novel. This past year, Jamie cofounded the Lancaster Action Now Coalition (LANC) to support, protect, and empower marginalized communities following the 2016 election. Propelled into action like a true Ellis girl, Jamie’s desire to stand up, speak out, and get involved has led to educational opportunities and meaningful conversations across communities, class levels, and party lines in rural Pennsylvania. When she’s not planning her next LANC event or sending pitches to editors, Jamie is a dedicated mother of two who chose to leave behind the all-consuming world of higher education admissions for more time to focus on her writing, her family, and her own personal form of resistance.
tell me about how you started writing for publication.
years at ellis Kindergarten to Grade 12 location Lancaster, PA education B.A. English, George Mason University M.S.Ed., Baruch College published in The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue
I had been doing live storytelling in my town for about a year when a friend placed a personal essay in The New York Times. I asked her about her process, and she told me that she thought any of the stories I told on stage would make good essays for her editor. Storytelling and essay writing are not the same thing, but I enjoy both. With the help of a few wise friends, I pitched a piece to The New York Times. It wasn’t accepted there, but it ended up running in The Washington Post.
what inspired you to become a writer? how did ellis support your writing efforts? I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. The family lore is that I wrote my first play in second grade because I had a Strawberry Shortcake boardgame that no one would play with me. I wrote at home, but Mrs. Mauch, my second grade teacher was very supportive of my writing. At every step of the way, I had teachers who supported and encouraged me. I’m lucky to still be in touch with some of them now. My Ellis friends also supported my writing and still do.
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what is the biggest challenge you face as a writer? At this point I’m not making a living writing, and I may never make a living writing. Becoming okay with that and still calling myself a writer was hard. It’s still a struggle. I made a decision early on not to go into journalism, and there are days that I regret that decision. But what I’ve done recently is take a step off my career path in education to make more time for my family and my writing. If ultimately, I’m able to write full-time, that would be amazing, but right now it’s a side-project that’s taking off, and it feels great. As a friend recently said when I placed a piece in The Washington Post, “They paid you for something you made up in your head. That’s great!”
do you have a mentor? how has that relationship benefited you professionally? can you tell me about him or her? I’m lucky to be connected with a lot of great writers all over the world through a very intentional online community. The women and non-gender conforming members of the group are eager to share advice and contacts, which is huge when you’re trying to place things in major publications. There are also a lot of people in my personal life who have extended their time and expertise to me. A good friend from New York is a magazine editor who used to look at all my pieces and pitches before I sent them out. A friend in Boston who is a former journalist and current professor of nonfiction writing has been my first-read (after my husband) on everything I’ve placed. And Jaime LEVINE ’92 who works in the publishing industry in New York has been instrumental in shaping my young adult novel (which is back in revisions for the umpteenth time at the moment). In all of these cases, I just asked for help. These are some of the people who said yes, others said no, but I never feel bad asking.
what advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace? I would tell them how much compromise is involved with being a professional woman. Balance is incredibly important as well as knowing that not all things will be able to happen all the time. The choices you make one day may have far reaching implications that you would have no way of predicting. My two children were born in different states while I was working at different jobs. I was committed to breastfeeding both of them and met different challenges at each place where I was employed. I did not expect becoming a mom to activate my feminism, but it did. And I was
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lucky that many of my Ellis friends were on that same journey and were able to offer great advice.
how did the all-girls environment at ellis shape you? Ellis provided a wonderful opportunity for us to be our best selves, but in an all-girls environment you can lose sight that the world is not post-gender. It is because of Ellis that I am a well-educated, critical thinker who is able to communicate my thoughts and ideas verbally and on paper. I didn’t realize how intimidating that would be to many of the men and women I’ve worked with and for. I believe strongly in all-girls education, but an understanding that it is special cuts both ways: I felt completely prepared to take on the world when I graduated from Ellis, but I’m not sure the rest of the world was prepared for me!
what is your best ellis memory? Naps on the top bunk in kindergarten. Our Habitat for Humanity service trip during mini-courses was amazing because I was doing things outside my comfort zone like putting a roof on a house or installing ductwork or preparing and serving meals at a soup kitchen. There was also a moment during graduation I will never forget. By June of 1993, I was really excited to leave Ellis, not because I was unhappy, but because I felt ready for the next thing. Some girls were crying before or during the ceremony, but I was just excited. As we left the “stage” and were walking back towards the Benjamin R. Fisher Gallery to turn in our brims, I ran into Mrs. Gray, my Lower School music teacher, and we both burst into tears. I was not a good music student. I cannot carry a tune and Mrs. Gray used to make us sing solos in class. She’s also the only teacher ever to give me detention in my 13 years at Ellis. And still, I loved her. I think I realized in that moment that I would never again be in a place where people knew me as well as the people at Ellis did. They had watched me grow up. They appreciated my strengths and didn’t condemn me for my weaknesses. That moment was huge.
was there a teacher or teachers who had a particularly strong influence on you? I am tremendously lucky that almost every teacher I had at Ellis influenced me in some way. Dr. Free and Dr. Greco were instrumental in getting my writing to the next level. Dr. George held my hand through AP Calculus and took me on the Habitat for Humanity service trip. Mr. Altman and Mrs. Calloman taught me in and out of the classroom. But more important, all of my teachers really knew me. A few years ago I came to campus for a reunion
ALUMNAE SPOTLIGHT
and ran into Mrs. Hazlett. I was not a good French student, but Mrs. Hazlett wanted to talk about our trip to Washington D.C. in Middle School and asked if I was still writing. Here I thought I was this huge disappointment to this woman because I couldn’t spell French vocabulary words, but what she remembered about me went far beyond the classroom. That’s a gift I wish every student everywhere had.
who has been the biggest influence on your life? what lessons did that person teach you? My daughter Nora and my son Jozy have had the biggest influence on my life. Although having kids is something I always wanted, I had no idea what that would actually be like in practice. They’ve taught me, just by virtue of being born and being themselves, that we can’t always plan for things and sometimes we have to do things we’re bad at. It’s sort of the same lesson I learned in AP Calculus from Ms. George, but on a much larger scale with greater consequences. Math did not come easily to me and neither does being a parent. Ms. George didn’t let me quit on AP Calculus, and I’m not going to quit on my kids. Everyday is an exercise in negotiation, compromise, balance and the search for quiet time (something we don’t have enough of in our house). There’s also a lot of joy and not enough sleep!
what woman inspires you and why? My friend Eva is currently involved in fighting a gas pipeline that, if built through our community, will put her family’s home in a dangerous blast area. She’s a reluctant activist in that she doesn’t like to be the center of attention and would much prefer not to be fighting this fight. However the moment and the movement chose her. She now balances a job as a kindergarten teacher, her role as a wife, mother, and daughter, and her calling as an activist in a truly inspiring way. Also, Elizabeth Warren. She has absolutely no desire to make herself palatable with regard to outdated societal norms.
what is the last book you read? I’m reading The Secret Place by Tana French right now. Next on my list is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.
List of publications: “Why Funding Arts Education is So Important”, Teen Vogue, May 5, 2017
“Freedom’s Just Another Word... “, AllTheWayYA, May 26, 2016
“How the death of one of my students helped me finally, fully bond with my baby”, The Washington Post/On Parenting, March 1, 2017
“Amateur Hour”, AllTheWayYA, Jan. 21, 2016
“Was I sport to the drunken Under Armour salesmen?”, The Baltimore Sun, Feb. 23, 2017 “Controversy over ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Hempfield elementary school is being fueled by divisive forces”, LNP, Dec. 24, 2016
“First Time Motherhood: The Real Scoop”, The Next Family, July 9, 2010
SPOTLIGHT SERIES
#HearHerRoar
Are you an activist passionate about a cause? An artist working on your latest masterpiece? A doctor making a difference? The Ellis School wants to hear from YOU! The Ellis Marketing and Communications Office is looking for enthusiastic alumnae to feature in our new Spotlight Series. We want to support the sisterhood and sing the praises of the 3,000 strong, empowered women in our alumnae network. We know that Ellis girls grow into courageous, successful women who are leading the way in the workplace, at home, and in the greater community and we are committed to celebrating and sharing your success! Help us tell the Ellis story! If you are interested in participating, please contact Molly Petrilli, Marketing and Communications Manager, at petrillim@theellisschool.org.
“An Ode To Moms To Be”, The Next Family, May 10, 2010
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ALUMNAE GATHERINGS The Development team hit the road again in Spring 2017 with events in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Sonoma, Boca Raton, Naples, Boulder, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. An unprecedented number of Ellis girls attended spring events where they reconnected, networked, and learned about the exciting things happening at Ellis. With such an enthusiastic turnout, more events are planned for 2017–2018.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA | february 4, 2017 SONOMA, CALIFORNIA | february 11, 2017 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND | march 3, 2017 NAPLES, FLORIDA | march 20, 2017 BOCA RATON, FLORIDA | march 24, 2017 PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA | april 21, 2017 BOULDER, COLORADO | may 20, 2017 PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA | june 27, 2017
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Nell COX Yates ’02 and Caroline KELLEY ’10
Robin Newham and Richard Reed with event co-hosts, Barbara AARON Rosston ’80 and Diana HOLLIDAY ’66
Ellis Alumnae in la la land with Robin Newham.
Anne CLARK ’01, Robin Newham, Francie CHEEVER ’02, and Jeanette NERI Quinlan ’01
LOS ANGELES, CA february 4, 2017 | home of kathryn may mcbride ’93 hosts: kathryn may mcbride ’93, gecole harley ’85, and amy walters ’85
SONOMA, CA
february 11, 2017 | el dorado hotel and kitchen hosts: barbara aaron rosston ’80 and diana holliday ’66
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NAPLES, FL
march 20, 2017 | home of ellen and russ swank, ellis grandparents
Ellis alumnae and friends enjoy cocktails and conversation.
PITTSBURGH, PA
april 21, 2017 | eastside bond hosts: carly reed ’02, kiely lewandowski ’02, susan dickey gilmore ’65, emma gilmore kieran ’96, elizabeth sagan ’71, and molly quinlin o’brien ’99
Maria MONGELLUZZO ’12, Eleanora KALOYEROPOULOU ’12 and Mallory THOMAS ’12
Melanie BORETSKY ’05 and Ngani NDIMBIE ’05
Nancy CAMPBELL Fales ’57, Susan DICKEY Gilmore ’65, Diana DICKEY Joss ’62, and Genevieve EBBERT ’62
Elizabeth KELLER ’99, Molly QUINLIN O’Brien ’99; Angeline WONG ’99, Lynn ROBINSON ’98, and Whitney OKONAK Sunday ’98
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18 SAVE THE DATE Upcoming Alumnae Gatherings Ellis alumnae sharing stories from their time at Ellis over brunch.
January 2018 Young Alumnae Ice Cream Social February 2018 Naples, Florida Gulf Stream, Florida
March 2018 San Francisco, California Los Angeles, California
Robin Newham and Hallie BENNETT ’09
April 2018 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Washington, D.C. May 2018 Boston, Massachusetts
Check theellisschool.org/alumnae for additional details and udpates.
Ellis alumnae get caught up on all things Ellis.
BOULDER, CO
may 20, 2017 | home of carrie levine schiff ’83
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Blythe BICKEL Edwards ’59 and Ellen Jane McCASLIN Srodes ’59 at Phipps Conservatory during a visit in April.
Julianne CUTRUZZULA Beil ’03 and Liz CRYAN ’03.
Liz HEALY ’07, maid of honor, Sami WALKER ’07, Margot LEWIS Gaffney ’07, the bride Lauren RAJAKOVICH ’07, Tricia McMAHON ’07
CLASS NOTES
Ann CANCILLA Gaudino ’85 and son Bill skiing in Colorado.
Carrie LEVINE Schiff ’83 and Senator (D-NY) Kirsten Gillibrand at the Women’s March on January 21, 2017.
Lindsay MURDOCH ’09 and Katie FERGUSON ’09 hiking in Utah, Summer 2016.
submit class notes online
51 WRIGHT | ELLISNickens MAGAZINE Fall 2017 Kristen ’99, sons, Cameron (6) and Carter (1) and husband Corey.
The Development Office wants to hear from you and share your news with your fellow alumnae! Have you recently gotten a promotion? Won an award? Started a business? Gotten married or had a child? Ellis Magazine's online Class Notes form makes it easy for you to share your news and keep in touch with your classmates. Online Class Notes must come directly from the graduate who has news to report. Notes are edited to fit available space. Log on at www.theellisschool.org/classnotes today.
Class of ’33 A Class Correspondent is needed! Submit your class notes online at www. theellisschool.org/ClassNotes. Anne Hepper, former Ellis parent: In light of the fact that Ellis is celebrated its Centennial, I thought share this article about Ellis alumna Margaret KINCAID Look who celebrated her one hundredth birthday in the summer of 2016. I received the article (printed in the Powell Tribune; Powell, Wyoming) from Jean Kincaid Hepper, who is her younger sister as well as being my mother-in-law. My daughter [and Margaret’s great niece], Claire HEPPER ’08, attended Ellis from September 1997 to May 2000, and Margaret KINCAID Look came to Ellis and spoke to her grade 4 class when she was visiting Pittsburgh for a family reunion.
Class of ’49 Barbara MAYNARD Hattemer barbhat@infionline.net Shirley FOLLANSBEE Reineman: I am living at Longwood with everyone there over 70 from Fox Chapel, mentoring other octogenarians, a big effort by all. Walter’s children: Katherine is working in Baltimore, translating Arabic. Evan graduates from UMI. Lisa’s children: Matthew is a senior next year and is looking at colleges. Lisa is proud of them all. She sees Peggy MATHIESON Conver ’73 frequently because Peggy’s mother Helen lives at Longwood. Margot BELL Woodwell ’53 and Sallie De VOU ’52 also moved to Longwood recently.
our grandchildren, Mikayla and Caeden from California, will be visiting us without parents.
“My best mentor was Miss Claire Hasson! She always greeted us with a friendly smile and cheerful “good morning.” Pauline FOSTER Mullins ’59
Class of ’55 Dede WEIR Wills dedewills@sbcglobal.net Sally FLANNERY Hardon: I have been very busy working with the Jefferson, Kenney & Taft Community Volunteer’s Award Committee. They give scholarships to kids that have done amazing volunteer work in their community. Two of the three latest winners went on to Duke University. The third went on to become a priest after having no parents. Linda STURGEON Clayton: My grandkids weddings have been keeping me very busy. My oldest grandchild and his wife, Emily, are living in Pittsburgh as she is getting doctorate at University of Pittsburgh. Small world. I have a publishing company for books I write. Latest book is An Ice Way to Die.
Mary Ann RHODES Hicks: Harry and I are still enjoying living in Vero Beach during the winter and love having many of our four children, six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren come to visit. After we return to New Jersey, we plan to visit two of our grandchildren and one great grandchild in British Columbia and then explore the Pacific Northwest.
Madaline WENTWORTH Baker: Being 80 is indeed special. As for mentoring, while my Ellis education helped me greatly, my real mentors are my two daughters. I was brought up in a world far different from theirs and watching them raise their daughters, help their husbands, and get through the hard times and enjoy the good times has made me a very determined older wife and mother. Watching them tackle life has made me stronger, more assertive.... and certainly not the Southern girl I once was. Thanks to Parke and Whitney...and Ellis.
Barbara MAYNARD Hattemer: I’m down to my last rewrite of my present novel Can It Ever Be. Just this week my first children’s picture book was published: Hungry Foxes on Our Hillside. About the two littles foxes that played on our hillside in Maine all summer. Written for grandchildren and great grandchildren, it can be ordered online from CreateSpace. I was fortunate to attend President Trump’s Inauguration with Greg’s wife, my daughterin-law. So many good things happened during the Inauguration. We attended the Biker’s for Trump rally. Bob and I are thrilled that we can still play tennis and pickleball regularly. We love visiting our four children, eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. This summer we will have lots of visitors in Maine—two of
Julia MATHEWS Trelease: Dede WEIR Wills, my best friend at Ellis in grades 8 and 9, was all set to celebrate her 80th birthday on Easter Sunday. Pondering what gift I could bring, I asked Liz SUCCOP Altman ’70 if it was possible to get another 1955 yearbook; Dede had attended Ellis from grade 1 and had known many of our classmates for a long time. But the office had only one copy, so ever-resourceful Liz joined the plot and spent part of her spring break scanning the book. I printed a new yearbook for myself, and gave my original to Dede. My own 80th birthday will be in November, and I’m planning to be in Arvada, Colorado, to celebrate with my son’s family. My older grandson, Jacob, born on my 60th birthday, will be celebrating his 20th at the same time!
Dede WEIR Wills: Celebrating my 80th was so very special. All four of my kids with spouses were here, and five of my seven grandchildren plus my sister, Ann WEIR ’59, loved her first trip to Kansas.
Class of ’59 Pauline FOSTER Mullins gnatmoon@me.com Sally ARMENTROUT Majak: On short notice, I was recently invited by an old college pal to tour Egypt—a place I had always dreamt of seeing. Wow! What a place. Each day I thought I could not possibly see anything as spectacular as I had seen the day before, but each day was better than the last. Looking back to 5000 B.C., I discovered that many things have not changed much—wars, floods, religions, power, social structure, and more. I highly recommend a visit to Egypt for anyone who hasn’t been there. Suzi ARENSBERG Diacou: The Ellis teachers I admired the most were Margaret Band in fourth grade, who made us not only find the main definition of a word, but also write a sentence with the word in it, and, oddly enough, Miss Buckmaster, in twelfth grade, who made us read and analyze the Addison and Steele articles from the 18th Century, and write papers that she then pointed out mistakes within and made us rewrite with our essays corrected. Most enjoyable class activity, however, was playing cards (replicas of elegant 18th-Century French cards) in Ms. Amundsen’s French class. Gerry EVANS Tuten: My Third grade teacher Mrs. Huntoon made a huge difference. She loved my art work unconditionally! Also Miss Band was so supportive. Penny PORTER Meyer: I vividly remember Mrs. Wick, our grade 7 math teacher. She was quite imposing and strict. Nevertheless, I am certain that she was the person who influenced my decision to teach math after college. I’d still rather work with numbers than I would write almost anything. We’re taking the Paris-toNormandy cruise from May 6 to 14. Pauline FOSTER Mullins: Life is always interesting, and the family is always growing! My best mentor was Miss Claire Hasson! She always greeted us with a friendly smile and cheerful “good morning.” She took care of students who forgot their homework, lunch box, warm coat, or wore an “inappropriate” uniform. Miss Hasson was kind and caring to everyone, her signature message on an envelope was always “with kindness.” This was her way of telling us how she felt about her responsibilities as our “Ellis mother!” We were at an age when each day was different and a challenge…during those years she instilled confidence in each of us in her own unique way.
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Class of ’63 Margaret MARSHALL Carothers carothersmm@gmail.com Susan WILNER Plum: To confirm that I am the latest bloomer among us, last year Harvard Law Women and the Harvard Development Society named me among The Fifty Most Inspiring Female Change Makers Worldwide. I was listed with people like the first female judge in the Congo. It was unexpected when I was at Ellis, but somehow I found my calling in my thirties. Check out this really magnificent honor for Susan at Linkedin and at www. SkaddenFellowship.org. Jennifer GILL: The Echo Park Library in Los Angeles recently asked me to tutor a student from Mexico in English. This includes a reading workbook, grammar, and cursive writing. The student and I work together each week, one-on-one, in the library, a very quiet and safe place to study. This responsibility has taught me to observe with great empathy the current immigration quandary in the world. The joy that I have derived from this weekly encounter is almost inexplicable. The bottom line: I want to travel to Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras…the sooner the better. I found a bus line that can take me there. Roxane PETERSON Thomas: I received news of my son’s remarriage and the addition of two more granddaughters to the clan, for a total of seven granddaughters. Still no grandsons. My daughter, Nicole, had a marvelous trip with her family to Italy and Mass at St Peter’s. Roxy is still managing the family farm. Kaffie WHITE McCullough: Bob and I have moved to a retirement community after Bob had some health setbacks with declining mobility and a diagnosis of head and neck cancer. The move occurred in the midst of Bob’s chemo and radiation. The really good news is that his first scan in March showed him cancer free. Now that we are peacefully settled in, I am having a hard time realizing that all my neighbors are old! One great upside is having all our meals delivered from the dining room to the cottage. And the grandchildren love the pool! Suzanne WEINBERG Bursaux: I saw Harriet DAVIDSON Baum ’62 who came to Paris for a visit. Margaret MARSHALL Carothers: We are settled into our new “high efficiency” house in town, having sold the farm after 20 years. We turned a combined 150 years old and decided that managing 175 acres and heating a 275-year-old farm house with wood was not the ideal way to glide into our “golden years.” I am looking to retire from being our class correspondent. I have enjoyed being the one to keep in touch with as
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many of you as I can, but I think a fresh hand may be called for. Who will step up? We extend our condolences to the family of Margaret ELLER Page as well as to the family of Cathy McCONNON, the best center forward this old goalie could have had. We will miss them both.
Class of ’65 Carolin KIRKPATRICK Dick a2carolin@gmail.com Gretchen CUPP: For the last two years, I have been president of Yuba Sutter Domestic Animal Disaster Assistance (YSDADA). We swear the Disaster Service Worker oath in the two counties where we work (Yuba & Sutter), take online FEMA tests, and train each year. I have been on the board of YSDADA since I retired. This was the first year we were activated, and it was very satisfying to see that we were able to do what we had trained to do. Kathleen CONNELLY Murphy: My husband has been in declining health for a year now. Next year, I will send some cogent notes. I could be living back in Pittsburgh by then or maybe the Outer Banks. Polly GIBBONS Dufresne: Last November, I moved to Stonington, Connecticut and am busy settling in. My son, Wylie, a world-famous chef; my daughter-in-law, Maile Carpenter, the executive editor of Food Magazine; and my two granddaughters, Sawyer and Ellery, have a weekend home only 40 minutes away, so I get to spend more time with them. I moved my books from my books business, Optos Books, which focus on the history of modern design, but the market is slow in Connecticut. Nancy HAYES Kilgore: Last summer at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, Joan SLESINGER Logghe and I were both leading writing workshops that overlapped. We met at a gospel sing on Friday between our two weeks, a rousing beginning for me to my time in this magical setting—near to where Joanie has lived for years. It was great to see Joan and catch up a little. My new novel Wild Mountain is coming out in September! Joan also has a new book, Unpunctuated Awe: Santa Fe Poems. Pam PROPST Campbell: Susan DICKEY Gilmore is not in today, so she has authorized me to pass on her life updates. Susan is very happy that daughter, Emma GILMORE Kieran ’96, and Emma’s husband, Dave, have moved to Pittsburgh! They live on the North Side in a great house in the Mexican War Streets. Dave is a history professor at Washington and Jefferson College, and Emma has her own business, Pilot Peak, which is a nonprofit fundraising consulting company. I am now working only Mondays and Wednesdays, so both of those days feel like Fridays to me (except when they
feel like Mondays)! We just returned from Naples, Florida, where we had a wonderful time and some great meals at my sister, Sukie PROPST Honeycutt’s ’67, restaurants. Sister, Terry PROPST MacPhail ’63, was there for a few days, too, as was daughter Karin. I should also mention that my mom passed away last June at the age of 99. No matter how much it is expected, it is not easy. Susan and I had lunch with Nancy WANDERER and Susan Sanders last month when they were visiting friends in Pittsburgh. I also had dinner with Tally CRAIG at Susan’s a few weeks ago. Nancy WANDERER: We had a fantastic time at the Ellis 2016 Reunion, connecting over
“We had a fantastic time at the Ellis 2016 Reunion, connecting over dinner at Susan DICKEY Gilmore’s house, at a luncheon and dinner at Ellis, on a Ducky Tour of Pittsburgh, and at tea in Shadyside, where everyone shared something important to them.” Nancy WANDERER ’65
dinner at Susan DICKEY Gilmore’s house, at a luncheon and dinner at Ellis, on a Ducky Tour of Pittsburgh, and at tea in Shadyside, where everyone shared something important to them. We had a great turnout, and everyone can hardly wait five years for another Ellis reunion. This past year I spent campaigning for my Wellesley friend and classmate Hillary Clinton. I ran successfully to be a Maine delegate for Hillary to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July. My spouse, Susan; son Andrew; and I enthusiastically attended the Women’s March in Washington. Joanie WEIDLEIN Mudge: It’s fun to be back in the Pittsburgh area and reconnecting with some people I haven’t seen since I left after the grade 6—amazing that we are still recognizable after almost 60 years! Carolin KIRKPATRICK Dick: Mac retired in January 2016 but still goes to the hospital most days. He did spend seven weeks in Sonoma at our daughter’s weekend place this past winter. He got to enjoy the grandkids—Leighton (1) and Lexi (3). I am still working with my best friend in our communications business. Spinning, running (sort of), and golfing are my stress relievers.
Class of ’67 Marguerite HUNSIKER bonsaimark@yahoo.com Marguerite HUNSIKER: It really is hard to believe that it has been 50 years since we graduated from Ellis. We have an enthusiastic response, and plans are underway for our October 2017 Ellis Reunion. I am sad to report that Ellie RUTTENBERG Rabin died last year. I continue to travel and visited the geologically fabulous Death Valley National Park and the mesmerizing Glacier National Park in Montana. Now only Arkansas and North Dakota remain in my quest to visit all states. This spring I will visit Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon national parks. This Autumn features a month-long visit to Australia.
Class of ’71 Meryl RECTANUS Thomas ptaqueen@hotmail.com Judith HEINITSH Tran: Ellis was one of the most important forces that formulated my strength and self-esteem, and it provided the tools to find out how to do things right. My son was admitted to Stanford University and will graduate this year with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (4.0 GPA). My husband, Kim-Chinh Tran, co-founded Carbon Recycling International in Iceland and was CEO until June 2016. I still get to Pittsburgh occasionally because my brother, George, still lives there. I have visited Ellis a lot over the years, and I especially enjoyed seeing Miss Hasson while she was still alive and working the front desk. She would always remember me. I am enjoying being a “Gaga” to Sarah (9) and Leah (7). They live in Pittsburgh with my daughter, Kristen, who is a licensed therapist. My son, Michael, is a golf pro and lives in Maryland with his wife, Dana. Our youngest daughter, Bethany, lives in California and is a naturalist at an outdoor school—all of which means, I have lots of places to visit! I sit on the foundation board of our local library and also a foundation for promoting education of the arts.
Class of ’73 Carol OSTROW carolsusanostrow@gmail.com Peggy MATHIESON Conver: The person who comes to my mind when I remember the many mentors I have been lucky to have was a 65-year-old, white-haired, huge-hearted man who decided that he saw something in me that he felt I could successfully take over his job as the Comptroller of Drexel University when he retired the following year. A $400-million budget, a staff of 40—I thought him crazy. I
“Ellis was one of the most important forces that formulated my strength and self-esteem, and it provided the tools to find out how to do things right.” Judith HEINITSH Tran ’71
was 28, opinionated as all get out, and easily frustrated with the “archaic” decision-making process in effect at Drexel in the 1980s. Much has changed in the world of business since then, but the importance of respecting and acknowledging the personal rights of everyone “in the room” remains a keynote of my career— despite my still-very-present impatience and desire for quick resolutions! Madeline Louise DeBOR: Ceil Lieberman at Ellis was my first mentor who taught me to follow my passion no matter what the discipline. I have been lucky to be able to transfer my creative passion from art to food. I am in my second year of this present position, loving it, and enjoying a kind of Harry Potter experience. We are hoping to change the food culture embedded since the last caterer who was at the school for 30 years! Yes, a lot has changed in the food scene. Katrin HALLEN: I have good—if patchy— memories of many of the girls I knew when I was at Ellis, and I’ve often wished to be in touch, so it’s great to hear from you! Carol OSTROW: There have been many people who mentored me along the way, but I can’t help but think of Lu Wenneker as the monumental mentor in my life. Mrs. Wenneker was the first teacher to start me on an artistic path, one that I have stayed on since my days at Ellis. She illustrated to me that theater is an essential part of the cultural landscape and a compelling aspiration. Over the years, I have had the incredible opportunity to mentor literally hundreds of young artists as they come through the doors of The Flea, the off-offBroadway theater that I call home. As for me, it has been a year of tremendous change and progress. The Flea Theater will open this fall in our new home—three unique theatrical spaces under one roof. We are busy planning this season and beyond. And with all of our children fully launched, my husband, Michael Graff, and I are moving into a loft in Soho to start another chapter. Visitors to The Flea and our new digs are most welcome.
Class of ’75 Elisabeth HENSHAW echenshaw@gmail.com Susan CREIGHTON: All is great with Garry and me. We are still working; Garry at his criminal defense work and me at property management. We are looking forward to our vacation at the Grand Canyon, spending time rafting the Colorado and exploring the South Rim. We moved into a town house in Squirrel Hill. With regard to mentoring, when I worked at Mellon Bank, they developed a formal mentoring system, which formed successful and nurturing partnerships across business departments. I believe whether formal or informal, everyone benefits from mentoring throughout their life. Susan HUNSIKER Howard: I just celebrated 20 years as Vice President of Sales at Associated Luxury Hotels International and 28 years of marriage to my husband, John. Our son, Henry, just joined Third Bridge in NYC as a research analyst for hedge funds and our daughter Liza is a junior at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. I am having fun catching up with fellow Ellis classmates on Facebook, including Karen KRIEGER, Peggy STEIN Almond, Johnsie SCOTT Irwin, Judy JARRETT Exton, Tracey WILSON, Lisa HURITE Fischer, Ro CARTER Gabriel, Patsy HAZLETT McKenna, Sally CHILDS Walsh, Mimi ARMSTRONG deGruy, and Connie HIRT Erlanger, to name a few! Anne GOLDHAMMER Moore: I have had a career change and started a company doing recruiting. If anyone needs help hiring, please contact me at www.partnersalliance.com. As for mentoring, I love it. I started mentoring in college and have continued throughout my career. My biggest takeaways are as follows: first, your boss does not have to be your mentor. It’s better to find a co-worker who can look at you objectively, who will give you feedback that has no impact on them. Secondly, sometimes mentoring works, and sometimes it doesn’t. If it isn’t working, move on and find a better partner. Elisabeth HENSHAW: All is well in mid-coast Maine. My son Will is graduating from Champlain College in May 2017. My daughter Lila got married on October 10, 2015 and is very happy and living near Portland, Maine. She is internationally certified in yoga and enjoying that immensely. I continue to do nonprofit work, which is very fulfilling. Johnsie SCOTT Irwin and I had lunch in Kiawah, South Carolina.
Class of ’77 A Class Correspondent is needed! Submit your class notes online at www. theellisschool.org/ClassNotes. Mary Helen McMORRAN Earle: My family and
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I have lived in and around the Raleigh, North Carolina area for the last 11 years, so I have been difficult to contact for Ellis events. Finally, I am teaching high school level Social Studies, which had been my original plan after school. Ms. Calloman and Ms. Thompson are often in my mind, as it was they who inspired much of my teaching practice. Michael and I have been married for 31 years and have three children who, of course, are wonderful.
to learn how to do and write about research. But I take a special interest in mentoring female students when they go on the job market as women are notoriously underprepared to negotiate salary, work conditions, and benefits— and if it doesn’t happen in the first job, that affects the entire career trajectory. Students are often disappointed that their advisor might not serve as their mentor, and I encourage them to seek out others as well.
Class of ’79
Anne MAGNUSSEN Lockhart: My daughter Meg, now 16, will be the “lady of the house” during my deployment. Meg is doing well in a challenging grade 10 academic environment at Norfolk Collegiate School and is also studying piano, Chinese, and learning to drive. Tim continues to practice law and is excited about the forthcoming publication of his first novel, Smith, in June. On a sadder note, my father, Dr. Max G. Magnussen, passed away last year, and this year we had to say goodbye to Toby, our beloved West Highland terrier. We continue to enjoy life in Norfolk, so please let us know if your travels bring you to the Tidewater area.
Annamaria FATO annafato@yahoo.com Nina GARFIELD: To all my classmates, I hope you are doing well and it would be great fun to reconnect. With my daughter a freshman in high school at the biggest public school in Montgomery County, Maryland, I find myself reflecting on the amazing education and friendships I had and wish in many ways that she could benefit from that kind of school environment. I think about how when I was at Ellis, I nominated myself to represent our class on the curriculum committee in the spring of senior year—it was the last and only opportunity for me to participate in a leadership role for the class. I was really nervous to nominate myself, and the impact that it had on me, knowing that every one of you raised your hands for me that day, was profound. Also, I want to put out there that it would be really cool to organize a reunion just for our class. I would be happy to be on a planning committee if anyone wants to work with me on it. Feel free to get in touch. Lauren AZAR: I am getting married in June! To Rebecca Ryan. Hugs and kisses to the Supreme Court for paving the way. Heading to the Galapagos for our honeymoon. Due to unseasonably warm weather, sailing will begin in the next week or two in Madison, Wisconsin. My law and consulting firms are doing fine. As for mentorship—I was CLUELESS until about 15 years ago. I had viewed getting help or guidance from people as a sign of weakness, which I presumed was bad. Wish I had realized that it isn’t weakness, but a sign of maturity and how important it is not only in the working world, but also in college. I am involved in a woman’s organization intended to mentor younger women. Mary Jane CURRY: I’ve been doing a fair amount of traveling for my job. In this academic year, I’ve given talks at Dartmouth, Georgetown, University of Michigan and conference talks in Bogotá, Portland, and Seattle! Upcoming are Syracuse, Brazil, and Chile! The Ellis School’s mentoring questions are important: as a faculty member who works with Ph.D. students, a large part of my work is mentoring future scholars
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Annamaria FATO: I am still living and working in Zurich, Switzerland. I did not have any Class of 1979 visitors this year. However, Rachel GROSSMAN Baxter ’84, stopped in Zurich to spend Easter with me before her business trip to Norway! Rachel was my neighbor growing up. I used to babysit her and her siblings, and she was in my younger sister, Lucy FATO’s ’84, class. With regards to mentoring, I have been very involved in mentoring younger women and men throughout my global corporate career, and I have been a leader with the women’s networks at both General Motors and today at Zurich Insurance. I am very engaged in the topic of diversity and inclusion and, more specifically, mentoring since I wish someone had told me about the importance of mentorship when I first started my corporate career 30 years ago. Once you find a mentor, be proactive in setting the meetings, come prepared with specific goal in mind, ask good questions, seek advice proactively, and make sure the meetings are efficient and productive so that you both find them useful. A mentor can learn as much from a mentee as vice versa!
Class of ’83 Lauren THOMPSON lthompson@bbdconsulting.rocks Lauren THOMPSON: I have happily relocated to a lovely house in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. I am reconnecting with local alumnae, including Amy YUNIS Podheiser (who introduced me to the uproarious drag queen, Bingo, bless her heart!) and leveraging the proximity to visit the ever-delightful Mrs. Callomon regularly.
“I really enjoyed the Ellis Centennial event in Pittsburgh last fall, including hanging with my dear friend Lauren THOMPSON and my beautiful sisters.” Carrie LEVINE Schiff ’83
Kristen BOYLE Dowd: Our son Ollie was accepted to the MPAS program at Chatham University. He will be moving home with us for a couple years before becoming a PA, and we are thrilled. Our younger son is a mechanical engineering student at University of Pittsburgh. Jimmy and I just celebrated our 24th anniversary and are happily living in Aspinwall. Susan SLATER Ellenberg: I have watched my small group of teenagers grow from confused 14 year olds to young adults who confidently navigated the challenges of school, growing up, and planning their futures. Interestingly, I learned as much from my students as I hope they gained from me. They shared their life experiences and priorities. I became a mentor to guide students; I remain one because of the richness the mentees bring to my life. I am currently serving as an elected School Board member, an appointed Commissioner, and working as Senior Director for Community Development at The Silicon Valley Organization. I’m also running for a seat on the County Board of Supervisors in 2018. All of this is possible because my kids have grown and flown the coop! My youngest daughter will be heading east to college in August. Carrie LEVINE Schiff : I really enjoyed the Ellis Centennial event in Pittsburgh last fall, including hanging with my dear friend Lauren THOMPSON and my beautiful sisters. To me, a mentor is someone who will answer my questions. I have found them all over the place. All it takes is the courage to ask. Alexis MAMAUX: I am now the Director of Studies at UWC-USA; I still have time to teach two history classes, making the move into education administration less jarring. Recently I realized that I had become Mrs. Koch, and have a newfound respect and empathy for her, especially as I am the one who now writes the ‘please see me’ notes, albeit via email. Leslie ROSENBERG Bellas: I have been living in Abu Dhabi for seven years with my husband David Weiler and two dynamic children, Alexander and Katharine Weiler. I advise the Abu Dhabi government on environmental laws, policy, and regulation. I serve on the Board of Trustees
for the American Community School of Abu Dhabi. We travel as much as possible but I love returning to Pittsburgh to see family and friends.
Class of ’85 Ann CANCILLA Gaudino ann.gaudino@yahoo.com Gecole HARLEY: My sister, Ginnae HARLEY ’88, and I enjoyed a yoga retreat in the rain forest of Costa Rica and had a fabulous time! I am also grateful that both of my parents are still going strong. Amy WALTERS, Kathryn MAY McBride ’93, and I also hosted an alumnae event in Los Angeles in February and enjoyed connecting with Ellis alumnae. I have had wonderful mentors throughout my career and they have been crucial to my success. I have mentored through some youth programs—CASA (or Court Appointed Special Advocates) comes to mind. Louise MITINGER Torbert: I am so glad to keep in touch with our extraordinary class—not only through our class notes but on social media as well. I was so proud to see Darcy FRANK Mackay receive a Centennial Laureate award from Ellis for her accomplishments. It is heartening to know that she—and all of you out there in the world—are smart, strong, and capable. These are the traits that I hope my daughter develops. Every day I draw on my Ellis education in one way or another. Darcy FRANK Mackay: All is well with me and the family. We are still in San Francisco and enjoying a full life of activities with the kids, work, and travel. Katherine (almost 9) and Calder (7) both enjoyed coming back to Pittsburgh and to Ellis with me last fall for the Ellis Centennial events. They were particularly enchanted when I took them to the pre-gala festivities at the Carnegie ahead of Saturday night’s opening gala! I still keep in regular touch with Ewi (Helene) MONTGOMERY Shafran, Debbie McWILLIAMS McLaren, Kelly WORRAL Reade ’84, and Jill DEITCH ’87, who also lives in Mill Valley, and it was fun to reconnect with Connie WALSH recently. Would love to hear from others! I have been an active mentor for folks within CBRE as well as in the commercial property industry at large. CBRE runs a formal mentoring program, and I now serve as an Executive Sponsor Rhiana WIGGINS: Happy to update that I am in school to get my Master of Divinity and have left Seattle for Berkeley, returning to the Bay area after almost 20 years away. As a Zen Buddhist and Universalist, I am excited to be attending Starr King School for the Ministry, a graduate theological school, seminary, and member of the Graduate Theological Union. Being here in Berkeley, post-divorce, feels like the right place at the right time! My sleeves are rolled up. Allow
me to add a kudos here for the outstanding Global Development and Humanitarian Aid Training program that alumna Carly REED ’02 was running at La Roche College. I completed the three-week training last May (after learning about Carly’s work in none other than the Ellis Magazine), and this program has incredible value and will no doubt be part of my formation in where I take my work post MDiv into the world. Thanks, Carly! And thank you, Ellis, for our network of amazing women. Ann CANCILLA Gaudino: Being a “lifer” at Ellis from Kindergarten through grade 12, I had many wonderful teacher mentors. Being a female leader is the norm at Ellis and is very natural. After Ellis, I sought out female professors in college and the workplace—strong, bright women who were experts in their field and who cared about me personally and my success professionally. Without them, I could have never accomplished all that I have. Since that time, I have “given back” by implementing induction and mentoring programs for teachers, faculty, and administrators both at the K-12 and university levels. I currently teach graduate courses in supervision, where I train future principals and superintendents how to mentor and guide others to become mentors of teachers and administrators. Throughout these programs, I continue to use some very wise words that Norma Greco shared: the word ‘mentor’ which means faithful and wise advisor, is derived from the name of the classical figure Mentor, Odysseus’s close friend to whom he entrusted his son’s education. In the same way, we entrust the early professional experience of our employees to the veterans who mentor them.
Class of ’93 Heather HILLIARD hhilliard01@aol.com Jamie Beth COHEN Schindler: With my recent job change, I learned that empowerment and mentoring can be achieved when your passion meets a purpose. By switching careers, I have been able to look inward for better writing, recently being published in The Washington Post’s “On Parenting” as well as The Baltimore Sun. However, I didn’t have a mentor for writing per se. The important bridge was the support and encouragement of others in the field, both writers and editors, who provide feedback and guidance. Heather HILLIARD: I’ve been involved this year in a more “traditional’ vision of direct mentoring at Ellis in the Voice and Vision class, bringing real-world experiences to the course that investigate real-world problems. Gaining access to a nuclear power plant for a tour and providing exposure to non-traditional roles in fields not normally discussed in the hallways on
Fifth Avenue has allowed me to show students not only how to identify, but also how to open the gate to new pathways. You don’t need a role model in your field for inspiration or in your community endeavors. It is incumbent upon us, though, to share our strengths in some facet as well as lift others higher. The tag of “mentor” is merely a formalized reflection of helping to feed hopes and grow strengths for others rather than cloud opportunities. Each of us can help someone else make better choices. Make yourself available where things matter most.
Class of ’95 Amy KOZUSKO amykozusko@yahoo.com Sarah ALTMAN Bumsted: I’m living in Point Breeze with fourth-generation Ellis girls, Kit and Annie, and our dog, Ace Boy. I teach preschool part-time, and my girls are enjoying Ellis and have settled in well since their move back to the States. Lee PASTRICK Covelli: I balance a busy life with work and family in Charlotte, North Carolina. My husband, Tom, and I will celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary in September, and our three children—Avery (9), Carlie (7), and Colton (4)—keep us both very busy. My current hobbies include folding laundry, chauffeuring kids to practices, and trying to keep our house in something that resembles order! My best wishes to the good ole’ class of 95! Megan MARKS: My partner Melissa and I bought a house in Lexington, Kentucky last fall, where we have plenty of room for visitors! I love working with students in my role as the outreach coordinator at the University of Kentucky’s Counseling Center. I was happy to see Sarah ALTMAN Bumsted, Britt KEEFER, Amy MACKAY Larsen, and Lynette MORRIS Malone on a recent trip to Pittsburgh. Kate STRACCIA: I just marked 16 years with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh this year, where I serve as a senior reference librarian. I live in Greensburg and send everyone my best. Lilah FISHER Wise: I moved to Battery Park City last year, and my husband, Jeff, and I love our new neighborhood. We keep busy and full of joy with our children, Charlotte (8), Beau (5), and Hudson (2). Jeff started a small theater company, and I am working on a novel and philanthropic projects and serving on the board of my kids’ school, Blue School, which I love. The whole Wise family marched in the Women’s March in NYC, and I miss Colleen DAILY Simonds and Colleen’s husband, Henry, since their move back to Pittsburgh, but I’m thrilled for their new adventures. Amy KOZUSKO: I’m enjoying my job as a
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marketing manager for UPMC’s Heart and Vascular Institute; volunteering with a local pit bull rescue Hello Bully as their community events coordinator; and of course working on new recipes for my baking blog. Mike and I will celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary this year, and our dog, Millie, is 13. One of Millie’s favorite people in the world is her Grandma Genny Kozusko, who stops by regularly to take her for walks. My mom also sends her best to the class of ’95!
Class of ’97 Tomar Pierson-BROWN tomarbrown@gmail.com Elizabeth HOOVER: I was recently selected, through an extremely competitive process, for a Chancellor’s Award from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. While at Wisconsin, I will pursue a Ph.D. in creative writing. Saskia BERANEK: I have spent the last two years as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Art History at the University of Pittsburgh. One of the great benefits of this position has been the truly remarkable mentorship I have received from my senior colleagues. I think academia requires a particularly complex sort of mentoring because both your development as a scholar and as a professional navigating a complex field are equally important. Not only have I received positive mentorship, but I also work to mentor my students as well. Heidi HOLZAPFEL: I am a firm believer in imparting successes (and failures!) to others, “…so the proverbial wheel does not continue to be reinvented.” I particularly like a recent comment made by Kevin Spacey: “If you’re lucky enough to do well, it’s your responsibility to send the elevator back down.” My successful path is not solely mine; mentoring and sharing my experiences is the only way I can be truly successful. Through working with aspiring young entrepreneurs, I hope to be able to help them build their own unique paths to achieving their goals. Mary BARENSFELD: I’m an architect living in San Francisco with my wife Caroline. I would also love to be of assistance to aspiring architects who’d like some insight into the profession. I, too, welcome the opportunity to pay forward the generous mentorship I’ve received over the years. The best piece of advice I received was to cultivate both mentors and sponsors. A good mentor prepares you to own your seat at the table, and if you are not at the table, a good sponsor tells others why you should be.
Class of ’99 Alicia KACHMAR aliciakachmar@gmail.com Brooke GENERETT Titus: I was recently promoted to Director of Prevention Services at Family Resources, a trauma-informed organization focused on abuse prevention. I also started a private mental health practice, Generett Counseling Services, LLC, in 2012, and I continue to see clients on a weekly basis. I recently traveled to Spain and am planning a trip to Cuba. Sarah JORDAN Rosenson: I’m celebrating 10 years of marriage with my husband and I will be taking a summer trip to Cape Cod with family, along with Jessica LEVENSON and her family, much like we used to do in Ellis Middle School days. My daughter, Molly Rosenson, Ellis Class of 2028, is really enjoying first grade with Mrs. Leu; Molly has become quite a bookworm and is now reading chapter books! Kate DAVIS: I recently vacationed in Boca Grande, Florida with my husband, three kids— Pearl (5), Theodora (4), and Solomon (2)—and Marla GREENWALD and her seven-month-old, Ezra. Highlights of the trip include lots of swimming, sunsets on the bridge, a golf cart rental, and Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday party at the local library. Kristen WRIGHT Nickens: I work as a product quality reviewer for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, ensuring pharmaceuticals are safe for the American public; I find it extremely fast-paced and rewarding. I recently went on a two-week adventure in India, which was an amazing experience. My husband and I welcomed Carter Allen Nickens in March of 2016 to our (now) family of four. Erin SZETO Chan: My husband, Alex, and I have been taking our three kids on road trips to places like Hershey Park, the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, the Hamptons, and Pittsburgh. Our oldest son, Connor (6), spends his free time building LEGO cars and learning new songs on the piano; Lila (4) enjoys taking ballet classes and reading Fancy Nancy books; Sawyer (almost 2) is giggly and playful. Elisabeth FLEMING Barr: We moved to College Station, Texas last year, where my husband is an economics professor at Texas A&M University. We recently welcomed a baby boy, Smith Barr. I work as a project manager for TNTP, an education nonprofit based in Brooklyn. During work trips, I make time to see Annie COLVIN Bolton ’98 and her daughter Cameron. Marla GREENWALD: I continue to reside in Brooklyn, but I showed my “412 love” by marrying a classmate from The Falk School. We recently welcomed our first child, Ezra Maxwell,
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who loves playing with his “cousins,” the Davis-Bookers, and his aunt Mimi LaVALLEY’s improvised ukulele songs for him. Joy RICASA, MD: I recently traveled to Peru to help the Sisters of Bon Secours care for victims of serious floods. My husband, Joe Legradi, and I welcomed our baby girl Josie Anne in early 2016. Jenna MCALLISTER Gannon: My husband Bill and I are building a house on a lake in New Jersey; we have two sons, William and Maverick.
Class of ’01 Shira TOEPLITZ Center ShiraT@gmail.com Tara BAHL: I’ve had a busy two years: in Fall 2015, I successfully defended my doctoral dissertation in Urban Education from the City University of New York Graduate Center. My defense date happened to also be my first day of a new job as an Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Guttman Community College. In November 2015, I married John-Paul Quattrone at The Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn. A few Ellis alumnae were on hand to help us celebrate, including Courtney GRATTAN, Kate QUINLIN ’02, and Gillian BERNARD ’02. Morgan ZIPF-Meister was also there, assisting her awesome husband, Kent, with photography. Now in my second year of teaching, I look forward to focusing my research on examining effective practices and policies to support first-generation college students complete their schooling. Jessica BENN Hortman: My family have relocated to the “DMV” (Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area), where I am now the director of the after-school program at Georgetown Day School. We love the area and have already connected with Cristine DAVIS, who teaches dance to my daughter on Saturday mornings. Kate CSAKVARY: I graduated in May 2017 from Fairleigh Dickinson University. I continue to develop my career at Booz Allen Hamilton in Annapolis Junction and am excited for the new opportunities my degree will offer. Despite a challenging year,, I am checking goals off of my bucket list and appreciating every moment with my family and friends. Allison GOLDMAN Irwin: I live in Phoenix, Arizona, with my husband Chris and two dogs, Flower and Sidney. I have worked at Yelp for two years as a national account executive, helping local businesses and national brands increase new customer acquisition. I enjoy visits with my sister, Danielle GOLDMAN Dorfman ’92, and my niece and nephew who live in Los Angeles. Dorothy HOOVER: I make art and theater in Los Angeles, churning out work in my garage studio located in the east side neighborhood of
Glassell Park. My last play was shown recently at Machine Project, an alternative arts venue in Echo Park. I had an exhibition of my sculptures and photography in the summer of 2017. I live around the corner from Sophie KLAHR, which really shouldn’t surprise anyone. I come back to Pittsburgh as often as I can to see my family, including my sister Elizabeth HOOVER ’97 and my mom who still lives on the Mexican War Streets, always making a stop in Chicago to visit my oldest sister Margaret HOOVER ’96 and her three kids. Sophie KLAHR: My first book of poetry Meet Me Here At Dawn was published by YesYes Books in December 2016, and my frequently published poetry appears in journals such as American Poetry Review, Ploughshares, and Harvard Review Online, among many others. You can find my poetry, alongside essays, reviews, and interviews, on my website www.sophieklahr. com. I live mostly in Los Angeles, where I make money as a literary manager, editor, and copywriter; drink too much expensive vegetable juice; and take lots of dance classes. When not in California, I spend my time at an artist’s residency in rural Nebraska, where I work simultaneously on my second and third books, make lots of fires, and catch baby raccoons. Jeanette NERI Quinlan: I live in San Francisco with my husband, Mike, and regularly see classmates Whitney PATROSS and Frances CHEEVER. Following over a decade as a thermal engineer for satellite manufacturers, I am now the Managing Director of the U.S. office of Starburst Aerospace Accelerator, which matches startups with investors and large companies in aerospace. I also run a Women in Aerospace group in the Bay Area that hosts happy hours with panels and speakers relevant to women in the very male-dominated aerospace field. Simone SILVESTRI: I am an engineer in Tennessee and mother of one human, although, we did add a canine into the mix last December. A few words/thoughts on mentoring: In my profession, there is not a lot of official mentoring—we take more of a sink-or-swim approach. The mentor I hold most near-and-dear to my heart retired many years ago, and we still keep in touch. Marisa SKOGLIND: In May, my husband, Mike, and I welcomed our son, Brooks, into the world. The very next day, I was offered my dream job in Colorado. We bought our first house shortly thereafter, closed on our anniversary, and moved to Colorado in late June. Mike and I enjoy our jobs, which have great flexibility to spend time as a family. We miss everyone back in Boston, but we are loving life in Colorado and are excited to celebrate Brooks’ first birthday in a few weeks!
Kat WANG: Dan Clary and I had a farm wedding in July with Anne CLARK as maid of honor. We honeymooned in France and are living happily ever after in Chicago. Shira TOEPLITZ Center: My husband, Eli, and I have had an unprecedented year. Eli was accepted into Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, and he begins his one-year program there in August. Last year I was honored by Ellis as a Centennial Laureate, and we celebrated all weekend long with Alice CURTIS ’02, Heather GREEN Skurek, Cristine DAVIS, and Whitney PATROSS. In 2017, I was named one of Editor & Publisher’s top 25 under 35 publishing leaders. We recently bought an adorable condo in Jamaica Plain, and I joined a tennis league.
Class of ’03 Elizabeth Cryan elizabeth@elizabethcryanphotography.com Courtney PATROSS: I married my fiance, Christopher Braden, in October 2017. My sisters, Whitney PATROSS ’01 and Lindsay PATROSS ’98, were bridesmaids along with classmate Mary Ellen KORMOS. In attendance were classmates Andreina PARISI-AMON, Shellie HANDELSMAN, Erin O’BRIEN, and Liz CRYAN. Liz CRYAN: I got married to a fellow Pittsburgher, Dave Barry, on June 18, 2016 with Julie CUTRUZZULA Beil in attendance! We are living with our dog, Tuna, in Charleston, South Carolina, where I am teaching art to first- to eighth-graders and photographing weddings and portraits.
Class of ’05 Adrienne ATTERBERRY atterberrya@gmail.com Katie HELLNER-BURRIS Boatright: I live in Grove City, Pennsylvania with my husband and three cats. I work at Butler Veterinary Associates and Emergency Center as a small animal general practitioner and emergency veterinarian. The veterinary profession is a small community and having good mentors is essential in becoming successful, as I have learned both during my pre-veterinary and veterinary studies as well as in my four years as a practicing veterinarian. I still enjoy reading and am working on starting a blog to get back into writing. I have also taken up running and completed my first 5K last year at Race for the Cure in honor of my mother, Janet HellnerBurris, who underwent breast cancer treatment during my senior year at Ellis and now is over 10 years in remission! Adrienne ATTERBERRY: I was recently awarded a Fulbright grant to conduct dissertation
research in South India. I could not have gotten to this point without the help of great professors who believed in my dissertation project idea and supported my efforts to seek external funding. I look forward to finishing up my degree and entering the job market in the next year or so.
Class of ’07 Alyssa TREMPUS Kinney alyssajkinney@gmail.com Margot LEWIS: Michael and I live and work in New York City, and we were married July 2, 2016 at Castle Hill Inn in Newport, Rhode Island. We met very briefly during our senior years at Ellis and Central Catholic, but were “officially” introduced by Sami WALKER at her 20th birthday party. Mary CHEEVER: This past summer, I went on vacation to the San Francisco area with some New York City-based friends, including Abby LEMBERSKY and Grace McALLISTER ’08. I also went to Italy with my family for my dad’s birthday. While there, I got to climb many towers with my sister, Frances CHEEVER ’01. I had fun catching up with many Ellis classmates over the holidays in Pittsburgh. I’m keeping busy working in Times Square and am really looking forward to having a fun summer with lots of Ellis grads in New York—particularly reuniting with Abby, who is returning for the summer and will be working right near me. We’ll continue our pursuit of trying all the drinks that come in mason jars in New York. Alexa CHU: I married James Castiglioni on April 2, 2016 in Brooklyn, New York. We had a chance to catch up with some Ellis folks at the wedding. Andrea STEPHAICH was the maid of honor. Anna KASICKY was my bridesmaid. Also, I recently had my five-year anniversary at Capital One. I’m doing alternative energy and project finance out of our capital markets division. I’ve been in New York since I started working at Capital One.
“I spent some time out west last summer and was lucky enough to have Lindsay “Bean” MURDOCH, tour guide and host extraordinaire, show me around Utah. She religiously checks Ellis’ Instagram, which brings her much delight, squealing, and even group texting.” Katie FERGUSON ’09
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Brittany FONG: I live in the Washington, D.C. area, where I work for the E.W. Scripps Company (better known for the National Spelling Bee), as a data visualization developer. I am a leading voice in the Tableau Software and data visualization communities, where I co-founded the DC Data + Women group. The group focuses on advocating for women in data fields as well as teaching technical and soft skills. In my spare time, I’m playing with my dog, Maggie, and coach gymnastics! Edlyn LEVINE: I completed my Ph.D. at Harvard University in Applied Physics in May 2016, and have taken a position as a senior physicist in the Quantum Information Sciences and emerging technologies division at MITRE Corporation in Boston. I remain involved in the university community as a research associate in the Department of Physics at Harvard, and was nominated to the alumni council. Last summer, Anna KASICKY and I went together to the North Cascades in Washington state, enjoying time out in the beautiful mountains. I also visited Ellis last year and spoke to the AP physics class about physics careers. It has been an exciting journey since taking AP Physics with Mr. Walker back in our senior year.
Class of ’09 Jennifer HEINAUER j.m.heinauer@gmail.com Hallie BENNETT: I have been working as a traveling physical therapist primarily in Virginia but most recently in Colorado. While out West, I have enjoyed seeing Ellis alumnae Lindsay “Bean” MURDOCH and Laura STEPHAICH. Frequent visits to Pittsburgh keep me in the black-and-gold sports loop, but the travel bug took me across Asia in the fall of 2016. All A P art historians should know that Angkor Wat is even more amazing than Ms. Sturdevant’s slides led us to believe. The wedding season years are upon us, and I hope to continue reconnecting with classmates at each celebration. Heather ACUFF: I am currently finishing my second year as a graduate student in the M.D./ Ph.D. program at the University of Pittsburgh. My research is focusing on ways in which we can use neuroimaging techniques to identify children at risk for developing bipolar disorder. After graduation, my goal is to become a psychiatrist focusing on treating young adults with mood and anxiety disorders. I married John Blakeney this past October, and we bought a house in Glenshaw. We also adopted two rabbits named Scruffles and Rabbert. Brittany RAUZAN: I am finishing my fourth year in the Materials Chemistry Ph.D. program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am completing my thesis under the direction
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of Dr. Ralph Nuzzo. My research focuses on the development of stimuli-responsive materials for 3D printing. Ali MORRISON: I am living in Pittsburgh and back in school at University of Pittsburgh pursuing a master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education. I am planning to teach either kindergarten or first grade! I will be graduating in Spring 2019. I’m really excited about the career change and have been loving my classes and student teaching opportunities! Sarah ROBINSON: I recently made my way from the fast-paced world of finance in New York City to a political job in Washington, D.C. When I’m not lobbying on the Hill, I’m taking watercolor classes in Dupont or completing a hot yoga challenge. Ellen KAUFMAN: I returned to the United States in May 2016 to pursue a master’s degree in Communication, Culture, and Technology at Georgetown University. Since moving back to the States, I have loved reconnecting with friends, family, and fellow Ellisians. I’m looking forward to my first muggy summer in the District before starting my thesis—focusing on intimacy and artificial intelligence—in the fall of 2017. Sara NESS: I mentor community leaders. I have helped to found more than 15 communities based around authenticity and empathy practices in multiple states and countries over the past five years and trained more than 350 leaders. I believe that most often the best thing my mentors have given me was proactive attention: reaching out to ask how I am, offering space and time, and reaffirming my commitment to my work. Jen HEINAUER: I moved from Pittsburgh to New York City at the end of 2015. I currently work for a corporate real estate company and spend my evenings ushering at an Off-Broadway theater. I enjoy running into celebrities and exploring the city with friends new and old! Katie FERGUSON: I graduated from the Columbia Journalism School last May and am now a freelance radio producer and reporter based in Brooklyn. I spent some time out west last summer and was lucky enough to have Lindsay “Bean” MURDOCH, tour guide and host extraordinaire, show me around Utah. She religiously checks Ellis’ Instagram, which brings her much delight, squealing, and even group texting. Hannah ZIN: I am celebrating my eight-year anniversary with beautiful New York City and am thrilled to have just completed my first season dancing with The Metropolitan Opera. I love that Alexa ZIN ’07 lives and teaches in exciting places (i.e. Thailand, Italy, and Austin!) so that she has many excuses to travel and that Andrea ZIN ’04 bought a new apartment just a
few subway stops away in Brooklyn so that she has many excuses to stay put!
Class of ’11 Natalie HONKALA nhonkala11@gmail.com Rebecca ATKINSON: I graduated from Richmond the American International University in London in May. There, I studied communications, literature, art history, and British studies. I plan on returning to London in the fall to get my master’s in publishing from University College London. Laura CONGELIO: I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in May. I am staying in St. Louis for another year to work as a medical scribe in an emergency room while applying to medical school. Norah KARLOVICH: I graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in Biology (with distinction!) and a B.A. in Spanish. After graduation, I traveled to South America with friends to visit Peru, Brazil, and Chile. Now I’m working for ClearView Healthcare Partners, a biotech and medical device strategy consulting firm in Newton, Massachusetts, outside of Boston. Rabia MALIK: I had a very busy senior year at Emory University. I performed with the Emory Dance Company, served on the executive board of Kappa Alpha Theta, and was elected to plan and execute Emory University’s school-wide Homecoming Week. In November, I traveled to Amman, Jordan with my family to visit sister, Zaynab MALIK ’12, who was spending seven months studying abroad there. I graduated from Emory in May with a B.A. in International Studies and Anthropology and Honors. I moved youngest sister, Hanaa, into her freshman dorm at Tufts before flying back to Atlanta to start my career as a Human Capital Analyst at Deloitte Consulting, LLP with plans to go to business school in the future. Lauren MEISNER: I graduated Cum Laude from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minors in Marketing and Electronic Media. I am continuing at UC to pursue a master’s degree in Applied Psychology. I also have been enjoying my current job with CityBeat Magazine as the Marketing and Events assistant. Natalie HONKALA: I graduated Cum Laude from Vanderbilt in May with a B.A. in chemistry and Spanish. I will now attend The Ohio State University College of Medicine. However, I have deferred my matriculation for two years, and in the interim, I will teach junior high school science with Teach For America in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Carolina VELEZ ’06, Edlyn LEVINE ’07, Alicia ATTERBERRY ’07, James Castiglioni, Alexa CHU ’07, the bride, Alissa RICCI ’07, Andrea STEPHAICH ’07, and Anna KASICKY ’07.
Husband Alex, Connor (6), Lila (4), Erin SZETO Chan ’99 and Sawyer (2).
Grace McALLISTER ’08 and Mary CHEEVER ’07 in the Muir Woods National Monument.
Gecole HARLEY ’85 and sister Ginnae HARLEY ’88 in the Costa Rica rain forest.
Julia TRELEASE Mathews ’55 and Dede WIER Wills ’55 with the 1955 Ellis yearbook Julia gave to Dede.
Nancy BOWSER McConky ’59, Polly FOSTER Mullins ’59 and Mary Louise Meyer Dyer ’59 at Joshua Tree National Park in February, 2017.
Andreina PARISI-AMON ’03, Liz CRYAN ’03, Shellie HANDELSMAN ’03, Courtney PATROSS ’03, the bride, Mary Ellen KORMOS Solomon ’03, Erin O’BRIEN ’03, Whitney PATROSS’01 and Lindsay PATROSS ’98.
Carrie LEVINE Schiff ’83 with Lauren THOMPSON ’83 at the Ellis Centennial Gala.
Ellis Alumnae at Kat WANG’s ’01 wedding: Liz WORGUL ’01, Frances CHEEVER ’01, and Anne CLARK ’01.
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Sally ARMENTROUT Majak ’59 in Egypt.
MILESTONES 2
1
4
3
5
1) Newlyweds: Dan Clary and Kat WANG ’01. 2) Tara BAHL ’01 and her husband John-Paul Quattrone at their wedding in November 2016. 3) Liz CRYAN ’03 and her husband, Dave Barry. 4) Newlyweds, James Castiglioni and Alexa CHU ’07. 5) Jess DEMOISE ’05 with her new-born daughters, Daphne and Phoebe. 6) Molly GUYER Hall ’03 and Finley Marie Hall in 2016.
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6
Marriages Lauren AZAR ’79 to Rebecca Ryan on June 9, 2017 Alexa CHU ’07 to James Castiglioni on April 2, 2016 Margot LEWIS ’07 to Michael Gaffney on July 2, 2016 Tara BAHL ’01 to John-Paul Quattrone on November 21, 2015 ·
ELLIS NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE
Elizabeth CRYAN Barry ’03 to Dave Barry on June 18, 2016 ·
Kat WANG Clary ’01 to Daniel Clary on July 30, 2016
New Arrivals Elisabeth FLEMING Barr ’99, a son, Smith Barr, on July 18, 2016 Kristen WRIGHT Nickens ’99, a son, Carter Allen, on March 22, 2016 Marisa SKOGLIND Bannon ’01, a son, Brooks Bannon, on May 8, 2016 Jessica DEMOISE ’05, twin daughters, Daphne and Phoebe Franklin, on February 14, 2017 Molly GUYER Hall ’03, a daughter, Finley Marie Hall, on November 11, 2016
Shop the Ellis online store for men’s, women’s, and kids’ clothing and accessories! Purchase a flannel blanket for those chilly game nights at the field, or buy a classic logo tee to wear with jeans—you can’t go wrong with any selection from our spirit store. Outfit the whole family in signature green and white gear at the Ellis online store!
In Memoriam Lane ROBY Hardy ’33 on March 9, 2016 Marie COOLEY Haabestad ’42 on April 8, 2017
Shop online: ellis.aeconlinestore.com
Margie McCAFFREY Cogswell ’43 on November 10, 2016 Ann RAYMOND Luce ’43 on January 11, 2017 Letitia E. RIECK ’43 on April 5, 2017 Peggy CLIFFORD ’47 on February 13, 2017 Virginia M. DUFFIN ’67 on March 26, 2015 Ellen RUTTENBERG Rabin ’67 on October 24, 2016
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100 Years, 15 Leaders Left to Right: Sara Frazer Ellis (1916–1941) | Harriet Sheldon (1941–1944) | Marjorie Tilley (1944–1955) | Marion Hamilton (1955–1962) | Helen Moore (1962–1971) Janet Jacobs (1971–1986 ) | Ellen Fleming (1986–1990) | Helen Chinitz (1990–1991) | Frances Koch (1991–1992) | Rebecca Upham (1992–2001) | 63 | ELLIS MAGAZINE 2017 Judith Callomon (2001–2002) Fall | Mary Grant (2002–2009) | A. Randol Benedict (2009–2013) | Robin Newham (2013–2017) | Macon Finley (2017– )