Sundial Spring 2015

THE

SUN DIAL Spring 2015

The Magazine of The Ethel Walker School

Transforming for Tomorrow

Campaign Update • J-Term Course Offerings • New Trustees

6 PUBLISHED BY The Ethel Walker School 230 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury, CT 06070 860.658.4467 | www.ethelwalker.org HEAD OF SCHOOL

Elizabeth C. Speers P’16

EDITORIAL BOARD DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Nan Flanagan ’93 CONTRIBUTORS

Paula Brink, Nan Flanagan ’93, Kristin Flyntz, Elizabeth Greenberg ’10, John Monagan, Amy Paul P’16, ’18, Bessie Speers P’16 TAKE NOTE, OUT & ABOUT

Elizabeth Bellingrath, Paula Brink, Tom Speers P’16 PROOFREADING

Elizabeth Bellingrath, Paula Brink, Nan Flanagan ’93, Kristin Flyntz, Tom Speers P’16 PHOTOGRAPHY

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Elizabeth Bellingrath, Richard Bergen Photography, Madeline Christensen, Sarah Edson, Liss Couch Edwards ’07, Nan Flanagan ’93, Kristin Flyntz, Thom Greenlaw, Marion Paterson P’17, ’19, Julia Sheldon P’20, Tom Speers P’16, Suzanne Turcotte, Tyler Varsell ADDRESS CLASS NOTES TO:

The Development Office The Ethel Walker School 230 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury, CT 06070 Or submit via email to: alumnae@ethelwalker.org SEND ADDRESS AND EMAIL CHANGES TO:

alumnae@ethelwalker.org DESIGN

John Johnson Art Direction & Design PRINTING

Van Buren Printing

THE SUNDIAL MAGAZINE IS PRINTED WITH VEGETABLE BASED INKS ON FSC CERTIFIED 10% POST-CONSUMER FIBER CHLORINE-FREE PAPER STOCK. We make every attempt to publish accurate information. If you notice an error, please let us know so that we can fix it.

Thank you.

The Ethel Walker School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origins in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, and other Schooladministered programs.

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48

In This Issue 2

Message from the Head of School

4

Note from the Board Chair

4

Walker’s Board of Trustees

6

Centennial Campaign

8

A Message from the Campaign Chair

10

The Speers Years Endowed Fund

11

Head Search Committee Update

12

Transformation at Walker’s

13

21st Century Walker’s in Action

18

J-Term 2015

56

24 Senior Speech 26 Transforming Our Campus

48 Alumnae News

28 Athletics — Upping Our Game

48 Walker’s Out & About

30 Partnering with Horizons

53 Message from Alumnae Board President

31

Tech Transformation

54 Annual Giving 32 Alumna Profile 56 Take Note 34 Equestrian 36 On Campus & Beyond 36 Opening Days 39 Mountain Day 40 Family Weekend 42 Holiday Traditions 45 Special Olympics 46 On the Stage

Updates and News from Your Walker’s Classmates and Friends 79 EWSPA News From the Parents Association President Inside Back Cover: Planned Giving Corner Creating a Lasting Legacy at Walker’s

On the cover: Student Body President, Ella Ross ’15, addresses the Walker's community in a purple cape, which she pledged to wear during the Parent Challenge until 100% of current parents had donated to the Fund for Walker’s. She wore the cape for 93 days.

SPRING 2015

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M E S S A G E

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s a School community, we have studied which they delved deeply into non-core the meaning of the word “transform,” which subjects for which they have a particular is our Word of the Year. This word serves to passion or interest. Students built a canoe, guide and unite us in our work. The New York honed their public speaking skills, completed Times’ New Year’s Day article, “Innovation in important strategic and tactical work for a 2014: 4 Standouts in Tech,” describes the robotics competition, learned dance for the transformational impact of technology athlete, built Rube Goldman machines, innovations including Oculus Rift’s Crescent developed the program for the School’s annual Bay, Skype’s Translator, Google’s Image Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration, and Summaries and DJI’s Inspire 1. These tools, studied the chemistry of cooking through respectively, allow users to explore virtual global cuisine. These are just a few examples reality using a headset, bridge language of how our students and teachers were able to barriers via Skype, translate images into words study in depth with “real world” application as “At Walker’s, we are through an artificial intelligence system, and the end goal. You can read more about the not only preparing take high-definition aerial photographs with a ways in which we are transforming learning in remote-controlled quadricopter. At Walker’s, the feature section. our students to we are not only preparing our students to Once again, Walker’s partnered with embrace innovations embrace innovations such as these, we are Metropolitan Learning Center in Bloomfield, such as these, we are modeling innovation for them through the CT, and Plowshares Institute, for a trip to modeling innovation curricular and structural enhancements taking South Africa, which was led by Director of for them through the place on campus. It was with an eye towards Equity and Social Justice Sheri Schmidt and these changes that we chose “transform” as our Director of Global Education Lauren curricular and Word of the Year, and for this moment in Johansen. For a semester prior to the trip, structural Walker’s history. We have devoted this issue of students studied about the Apartheid system, enhancements taking the Sundial to this theme. race relations, and conflict resolution. Among place on campus.”

In December, we announced a historic many other activities, our students spent time achievement. Thanks to a transformational in Capetown meeting with Archbishop Challenge from a Walker’s alumna, which was announced Desmond Tutu and they worked with students at the Albert in September, Walker’s current parents reached 100 percent Street School in Johannesburg. Tom Speers P’16, Guthrie, and participation in the Fund for Walker’s, our annual fund. That I had the pleasure of spending time with friends and alumnae they did so was exceptional; that they did so in 93 days is for the first week of the trip, then joined our Walker’s group, extraordinary. As a result, our alumna has made a including Nellie Speers ’16, during the second week. By all transformational gift of $5 million to the School, the largest accounts, the trip was a profound and life-changing experience. single, outright gift in Walker’s history, which will go toward These are just a few examples of the transformation that is the building of the Centennial Center. In January, the Board of occurring at Walker’s every day. In these pages, you will find Trustees voted to break ground on this beautiful new building many others. Each story and every success are evidence of what in April. Far more than a bricks and mortar project, the is possible when we approach our aspirations and mission with Centennial Center will be a state-of-the-art facility designed confidence, courage, and conviction. One hundred and four specifically for the way girls live, learn, train, compete, socialize, years ago, Miss Walker knew that an exceptional education and care for each other and the world around them. It will be a would empower young women to do exceptional things. It is a space that further unifies our School community, and allows us privilege to work with such talented and dedicated faculty, to engage the broader community in new and exciting ways. staff, and students as together, we advance that vision. Thank We are deeply grateful to this generous and visionary alumna you to our Trustees, alumnae, parents, and friends for your for her gift, and to our parents, for meeting the Challenge with support, and for the many ways in which you help to ensure such enthusiasm and commitment. that the mission of The Ethel Walker School has the power to In the fall we also began the implementation of transform lives.

21st Century Walker’s, our curricular advancement initiative.

As a result, our classes are reflecting creativity, collaboration, innovation, and leadership opportunities at a significantly higher level. Upon returning from winter break, students spent Elizabeth C. Speers P’16 two weeks participating in J-Term (January term), during HEAD OF SCHOOL 2

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Walker’s Board of Trustees Suits Up and Experiences the Apiary Firsthand In September our Board of Trustees visited the apiary to learn about raising bees from parent and volunteer beekeeper Gilman Mucaj P’21.

Mucaj teaches Middle School students how to maintain healthy bee colonies. The apiary not only educates our students, but also provides valuable pollination to the Walker’s neighborhood.

Trustee Emerita Elizabeth Rockwell Cesare and Trustee Katharine O’Brien Rohn ’82

Beekeeper Gilman Mucaj P’21

Gilman Mucaj P’21 provides a close-up look

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B O A R D

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Note from the Board Chair

The 2014-2015 academic year has been exceptional, as The Ethel Walker School continues to fire on all cylinders.

Academically, the School has begun implementing 21st Century Walker’s, its curricular advancement initiative. Under Assistant Head Stephen Dunn’s leadership, and with the support and collaboration of Walker’s incredible faculty, our students are enjoying and benefitting from a variety of innovative new courses and a focus on “Our efforts to experiential, skill-based learning. advance Walker’s This year’s goal for The Fund for Walker’s is curriculum for $1.7 million. We had a successful Parent Challenge the long-term this fall, during which 100 percent of current parents benefit of our contributed to the Fund for Walker’s. It is worth students have noting that the Challenge inspired others to achieve been deliberate, 100 percent giving early in the year, including the Alumnae Board, the Board of Trustees and the Big 7. intentional, and I hope the momentum we have achieved with the are grounded in Parent Challenge will also inspire our alumnae to extensive increase their gift to the Fund for Walker’s. With such research.” enthusiasm early on, I am confident we will once again meet our goal.

The fall’s Parent Challenge resulted in an extraordinary gift of $5 million from an anonymous alumna, which has been applied toward building the Centennial Center. As a result of this gift, and the tireless efforts of Head of School Bessie Speers P’16, Chief Operating Officer and Assistant Head for Strategic Initiatives Thom Greenlaw, and the Development team to secure the necessary funding, the Board voted to break ground on the Centennial Center in April. The vision we have carried since 2011 will soon be a reality that further transforms learning and life at The Ethel Walker School.

Finally, we are only $4.5 million away from meeting our $50 million Centennial Campaign goal. Please see the Campaign section of this issue to learn more about opportunities to participate in helping to successfully close this Centennial Chapter, and to position The Ethel Walker School to continue providing the best that an all-girls education has to offer.

2014-2015 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Stuart M. Bell CHAIR HOBE SOUND, FL

Ann F. Barry P’14 VICE CHAIR WOODSIDE, CA

Spencer Lampert P’14 TREASURER GREENWICH, CT

Christopher L. Brigham SECRETARY WEST HARTFORD, CT

Lynn Allegaert ’64 EDGARTOWN, MA

Bruce Backman P’16, ’18 AVON, CT

Stephen Becker, Ph.D. P’15 AUSTIN, TX

Margot Campbell Bogert ’60 TRUSTEE EMERITA BEDFORD HILLS, NY

Elizabeth Rockwell Cesare TRUSTEE EMERITA SOUTH NORWALK, CT

Kevin Chessen P’17 SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Sarah Gates Colley ’75 CROSS RIVER, NY

Sarah House Denby ’72 BARRINGTON, RI

Harriet Blees Dewey ’60, P’86 RIDGEFIELD, CT

Laura Mountcastle ’74 ANN ARBOR, MI

G. Peter O’Neill, Jr. NEW CANAAN, CT

Amy Paul P’16, ’18 EX-OFFICIO PRESIDENT, PARENTS ASSOCIATION AVON, CT

Amanda Pitman ’90 EX-OFFICIO PRESIDENT, ALUMNAE BOARD NEW YORK, NY

Letitia McClure Potter ’55, P’85 TRUSTEE EMERITA GREENWICH, CT

Thomas G. Regan P’13 AVON, CT

Katharine O’Brien Rohn ’82 DARIEN, CT

Stuart M. Bell CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Elizabeth Cromwell Speers P’16 HEAD OF SCHOOL SIMSBURY, CT

Emily Wick P’15 NORFOLK, MA

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Meet Three New Trustees Thomas G. Regan P’13 Thomas “Tom” Regan is an attorney and partner at Brown Rudnick, LP. He practices in the areas of real estate, land use and administrative law, representing major corporations, non-profit organizations, private developers, and institutions in the development and financing of commercial real estate projects, and energy and telecommunications facilities. He also represents national clients on permitting matters throughout the state. He was recognized by Woodward/White’s The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Real Estate Law (2010-2014), Real Estate Litigation (2011-2014) and Energy Law (2012-2014).

Tom has served as Senior VP of Economic Development and Governmental Affairs for the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, and also has experience in legislative and public affairs. He has served on the Board of Directors of the New Haven Public Education Fund and as a member of the CT DOT Intermodal Concept Development Committee, the Long Island High Speed Ferry Proposal Review Committee, and the Executive Board of the Trinity Club of New Haven. Tom is also involved in the community as President of the CT Hockey Conference and a Board member of Avon Canton Farmington Youth Hockey Association. He was previously a member of the CT International Trade Council and the CT Unemployment Compensation Advisory Board.

Tom has a B.A., with Honors, from Trinity College (1987), an MBA from Yale University (1992), and a J.D. from University of Connecticut (1995). He and his wife Melissa reside in Avon, CT and are parents of Chelsea Regan ’13.

Tom and Melissa have volunteered for Walker’s in numerous ways. Both were Parent Solicitors, and Melissa served on the Parents Committee and was an Auction General Volunteer, a member of the Auction Committee, a member of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, and a member of the Middle School Auction Committee. Tom helped with the athletic task force and also worked on the sale of a portion of the Walker’s Woods to the Town of Simsbury, to be preserved in perpetuity.

Emily Wick P’15

Kevin Chessen P’17

Emily Wick, mother of Sumner Chapman Wick ’15, worked as a Reproductive Counselor at Women’s Health Services in Brookline, MA from 1985 to 2003. Emily has a B.A. in Spanish language and literature with a minor in sociology from Ohio-Wesleyan University.

She attended Kent School from 1978 to 1981 and Fay School in Southborough, MA from 1974 to 1978. Emily is a Trustee of Hillside School in Marlborough, MA (which specializes in educating middle school boys who struggle with learning differences and socialization differences, as well as main stream learners) and has served on the Board since 2009 of the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, now as a Director, which “funds innovative projects that advance solutions to basic and enduring problems in the fields of arts, environment, and learning disabilities.”

Emily and her late husband, K. Bryant Wick, Jr. helped establish Shining Valley Farm in Medfield, MA. Emily showed Hunters and Jumpers extensively, and the family spent many years on the show circuit up and down the East Coast. At one time, they had seven horses in training or showing.

Emily lives outside Boston now with two dogs and two cats.

Kevin is one of the co-founders of BTIG, LLC, a financial services company that specializes in Institutional Trading. He also serves as Head of its International operations.

After graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1986, Kevin moved to New York and started his career on Wall Street as an Assistant Market Maker on the International Trading Desk with S.G. Warburg. During his time at S.G. Warburg he worked in the New York, London, and Tokyo offices. In 1993, he joined Merrill Lynch and served as Head of Asian Equity Trading. He joined Bank of America Securities in 1997 and eventually became Head of Listed Trading. He remained there until 2002, when he set out to start Baypoint Trading, a predecessor of BTIG. Kevin is a Board member of the Chinese American International School in San Francisco. He is also on the Board of the First Tee of San Francisco and has served on Walker’s Finance Committee since April of 2014. In May 2014 Kevin and his wife Christine hosted a Walker’s reception in their San Francisco home.

Kevin and Christine reside in San Francisco, have three children and are parents of Samantha ’17.

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IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

Help Us Complete the School’s Largest Ever Capital Campaign The goal is $50 million.

The objective is to secure Walker’s place in the future of girls’ education.

During the quiet phase of the Campaign, we have raised $45.5 million.

We are now asking all constituents to join together and help us complete this historic Campaign — we only have $4.5 million to go to make Walker’s history.

Please join us!

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June 2011

September 2011

June 2012

Summer 2012

June 2013

Fall 2013

Annual giving surpasses goal of $1.5 million

Campaign soft launch during Centennial Weekend

Annual giving surpasses goal of $1.6 million

New athletic fields and pavilion completed

Annual giving surpasses goal of $1.7 million

New dorm completed

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IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

Only $4.5 Million Left to Raise!

CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES: • Capital components to attract and retain high caliber students • Endowment to strengthen Walker’s future • Increased annual giving • Campus maintenance and campaign expenses

ENDOWMENT OPPORTUNITIES The remaining $4.5 million will be directed to endowed funds, which are critically important to the future success of the School. Please visit www.ethelwalker.org/campaign to learn more about these opportunities.

June 2014

December 2014

April 2015

June 2015

Fall 2016

Annual giving surpasses goal of $1.7 million

Anonymous alumna donates $5 million to Centennial Center (largest single outright gift)

Centennial Center groundbreaking

Annual giving goal of $1.7 million

Centennial Center projected opening

WINTER 2015

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IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

A MESSAGE FROM

Sarah Gates Colley ’75 TRUSTEE AND CAMPAIGN CHAIR

Dear Alumnae, Parents, and Friends, wonderful way to support the success of this It is a great pleasure to share this Campaign building in perpetuity. update, which is full of incredible news.

I am also delighted to share that to date, we As you will read elsewhere in this issue, our have raised $45.5 million toward our $50 million dream of the Centennial Center, first conceived Centennial Campaign goal. These funds have in 2011, has officially become a reality. Getting been raised during the “quiet period” of the to this point has taken the efforts of countless Campaign. With more than 75 percent of our individuals, and I am grateful to every one of total goal raised, we are now in the public phase you. I would like to take this opportunity, of the Campaign. I hope the entire however, to join Bessie and Stuart in Walker’s community will participate in extending my deepest thanks and helping us to meet and exceed this goal. appreciation to the anonymous alumna “Your participation in the Please visit our Campaign webpage at who, in September, challenged our Campaign, at any level, www.ethelwalker.org/campaign for giving current parents to reach 100 percent opportunities, including ways to honor the participation in the Fund for Walker’s — will help ensure that incredible success of the Speers Years. Your and promised an unprecedented Walker’s mission is participation in the Campaign, at any $5 million gift toward the Centennial reflected in every aspect level, will help ensure that Walker’s mission Center if they did. I am delighted to also of this great School — is reflected in every aspect of this great congratulate our parents for meeting this School — from the exceptional caliber of Challenge in less than three short months from the exceptional — also unprecedented! — and thus caliber of our faculty and our faculty and students to our innovative and challenging curriculum and 21st securing essential funding for this students to our century facilities. transformational project. innovative and As a Walker’s alumna, a Trustee, and In January, the Board approved a challenging curriculum and Campaign Chair, I am proud of how far spring groundbreaking, and we hope we have come since our Centennial you were able to join us as we celebrate 21st century facilities.”

Celebration just four short years ago. this milestone.

The Ethel Walker School is only as great The Board has selected C.E. Floyd as the support it receives; I look forward Construction to do the construction. to its future, which grows brighter every year. Thank you for Chief Operating Officer and Assistant Head of Strategic the many ways in which you continue to support Walker’s.

Initiatives Thom Greenlaw has been working closely with the Town of Simsbury; all permits and zoning have been approved, and feedback from the Town has been overwhelmingly positive.

Please see the timeline on the previous page for key milestones related to the Campaign.

While funding is secure for the Centennial Center’s Sarah Gates Colley ’75 construction, our goal is for the building’s operations and TRUSTEE AND CAMPAIGN CHAIR maintenance to be endowed. Making a gift toward this end is a

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IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

IT’S WALKER’S TIME!

Head of School Bessie Speers P’16 and students gather to thank current parents for achieving 100 percent participation in the Fund for Walker’s, which unlocked a milestone alumna gift.

ALUMNA GIVES $5 MILLION TO WALKER’S, THE LARGEST SINGLE OUTRIGHT GIFT IN THE SCHOOL’S HISTORY. An anonymous alumna donated $5 million to the Centennial Campaign.

Her gift represents her belief in Walker’s, what the School does for young girls, and what the Campaign means for the future of the School. She also believes in the importance of the entire community participating in the School’s success; to secure her $5 million gift, she challenged current parents to reach 100 percent participation in the Fund for Walker’s.

The uniqueness of the Challenge crossed constituent boundaries and giving priorities: the alumna’s gift went toward the Campaign — specifically the Centennial Center — but only after parents committed 100 percent to the School’s annual giving program. The result? Parents took part in a historic moment, while simultaneously creating a groundswell of support for the School.

For more information on the Parent Challenge, see page 54.

“We are deeply grateful for our alumna’s generosity. A gift of this size is truly transformational for Walker’s. It’s a ringing endorsement of our trajectory, as we continue to enhance and advance our curriculum and facilities to ensure that our students are prepared in every way for college and life in the 21st century.”

– HEAD OF SCHOOL BESSIE SPEERS P’16

“This is a historic gift that acknowledges a historic moment for The Ethel Walker School.

An investment of this size is a huge vote of confidence in Walker’s future. I hope it encourages our entire community, including alumnae, current and past parents, faculty, and staff, to participate in the final stage of our Centennial Campaign, as we advance the School to benefit young women scholars, athletes, and artists for generations to come.”

– BOARD CHAIR STUART M. BELL

SPRING 2015

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T H E

S P E E R S

Y E A R S

E N D O W E D

F U N D

The Speers Years Endowed Fund B

y now you are aware that after eight years of extraordinary leadership as Head of School, Bessie Speers P’16 will step down from her position in June 2015.

Bessie’s leadership has helped ensure the School’s continued success.

You can help us honor her legacy by donating to the Speers Years Endowed Fund, which will support an array of initiatives, including Faculty and Staff Development, Environmental Initiatives, and the Centennial Center.

Bessie has blazed a trail towards success during The Campaign for The Ethel Walker School.

She led us to $45.5 million raised to date towards a $50 million goal.

We are so close, with only $4.5 million left to the finish line! Bessie has helped us believe that where there is the will, there is indeed a way.

What better way to honor her than to donate to the Speers Years Fund.

For more information, please call Marion Paterson P’17, ’19 at 860-408-4257.

Or visit campaign web pages at www.ethelwalker.org/campaign

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S E A R C H

C O M M I T T E E

U P D A T E

Update on New Head of School Search As you know, the search for a new Head of School is underway.

Current Head of School Bessie Speers P’16, will conclude her tenure at Walker’s June 30th. Stephen Dunn, our Assistant Head, will step up and provide seamless leadership as Interim Head upon Bessie’s departure, and until a new Head is named.

A Search Committee has been named and a search firm has been selected to guide us through the process. Updates and details are available online at www.ethelwalker.org/HeadofSchoolSearch

SEARCH COMMITTEE Katharine O’Brien Rohn ’82 CHAIR, SEARCH COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE, ALUMNA

Kevin Chessen P’17 VICE-CHAIR, SEARCH COMMITTEE – TRUSTEE, PARENT

Stuart M. Bell BOARD CHAIR, TRUSTEE

Chris Brigham BOARD SECRETARY, TRUSTEE

SEARCH FIRM SELECTED

Carney, Sandoe & Associates is a nationally-recognized leader in recruiting Heads and other senior administrators at independent schools. Senior Search Consultants Bob Fricker and Charlotte Rea, both of whom have extensive experience in Head searches, will represent The Ethel Walker School.

SEARCH COMMITTEE NAMED

The Board’s Executive Committee has asked the following Trustees, alumnae, parents, teachers, and administrators to serve on the Search Committee. We will continue to update you as the search progresses.

Sue Cesare TRUSTEE, FORMER HEAD OF KING LOW HEYWOOD THOMAS SCHOOL

Sarah Gates Colley ’75 TRUSTEE, ALUMNA

Harriet Blees Dewey ’60, P’86 TRUSTEE, ALUMNA, PAST PARENT

G. Peter O’Neill, Jr. TRUSTEE, FORMER HEAD OF GARRISON FOREST SCHOOL, INTERIM HEAD AT NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL

Amy Paul P’16, ’18 PRESIDENT OF PARENT ASSOCIATION, EX-OFFICIO TRUSTEE, PARENT

Dr. Julia Sheldon P’20 SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CHAIR, PARENT

Jenny Reynolds P’13, ’15 DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS, PARENT, ADMINISTRATOR

Chair of the Search Committee

Katharine “Kit” O’Brien Rohn ’82 A member of The Ethel Walker School Board of Trustees and an alumna of the Class of 1982, Katharine “Kit” Rohn received her B.A. degree from Dartmouth College, majoring in visual studies and minoring in environmental studies. She has worked for the National Audubon Society and Inform, an environmental research organization. She is a founding member of Conservation International.

Kit spends her free time volunteering for environmental causes, including the Maritime Aquarium of Norwalk and Audubon Connecticut.

As an alumna, Kit served as the EWS Class Representative to the Alumnae Board from 1983 to 1984, was a member of the NAG Committee from 1987 to 1988, and also served on the Alumnae Board from 1994-1995.

Kit is married to Robert “Rob” L. Rohn, the founding principal at Sustainable Growth Advisors, LP. They have two daughters and one son. The family resides in Darien, CT.

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transform (trans•fôrm' ) v.

to change (something) completely and usually in a good way SOURCE: MERRIAM-WEBSTER.COM

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The past eight years have been transformational at The Ethel Walker School.

Campus has undergone major physical changes.

A Capital Campaign to raise $50 million was launched — the largest in Walker’s history.

Technology at the School has evolved to maintain pace with the world. 21st Century Walker’s is transforming the curriculum, arming graduates with real-world skills critical to success in today’s global economy.

21st Century Walker’s in Action Semester one of 21st Century Walker’s is complete. Semester two is underway. A new schedule is in place, new classes have been launched, and J-term was enthusiastically embraced by students and teachers alike.

“It has been an exciting year so far. Change is never easy, there are always bumps in the road, but overall, we’re seeing that teachers aren’t just planning lessons as usual. Instead, they are serving as guides, giving the students the opportunity to pick a direction within the course(s). The teachers then have to keep up with that pace. It’s a real give and take, with equal work on both sides. We’re seeing greater student engagement than before; learning is more meaningful to the students when they have skin in the game.”

– DEAN OF STUDIES AND FACULTY, JILL HARRINGTON

Brainstorming a solar energy plan for campus.

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T R A N S F O R M A T I O N

A T

W A L K E R ’ S

Victoria Gawlik ’15 and Talia Basch ’15 deliver a formal presentation to client.

The Art & Science of Advertising (A.K.A. MARKETING)

This semester-long interdisciplinary course is co-taught by a veteran teacher — “Clarky” — and an advertising industry expert, and Walker’s alumna, Nan Flanagan ’93.

The class functions as an “ad agency” in order to promote teamwork and inspire inventive thinking. The students work with a real client, the School’s Admissions office, to develop a video to be used with prospective families. A business trip to a real-world advertising agency in Boston rounds out the course, where the students present and defend their work to executives for critique, in a highpressure business environment.

Students meet in teams and brainstorm creative expressions of the marketing strategy.

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The team held brainstorm sessions in the “war room.”

T R A N S F O R M A T I O N

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W A L K E R ’ S

“This course taught me lessons that I can apply in my life and hopefully, my career. I came to this class, and I felt as if I was going to work instead of a class.”

– ELLA ROSS ’15

Students defend their work to industry executives at Boston ad agency allen&gerritsen.

“I learned to better my presenting skills, that a lot of thought goes behind an ad, to get in touch with my creative side, to know how to appeal to a target audience, and to take on harsh criticism while not taking it personally.”

– NIDA SHAIKH ’15

Ad class in reception lobby of advertising agency allen&gerritsen in Boston

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T R A N S F O R M A T I O N

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W A L K E R ’ S

Arctic Studies This year-long interdisciplinary course covers multiple topics related to the polar regions, providing a unique opportunity to combine the natural and social sciences in a study of current events and critical global issues. Areas of study include the history and exploration of the polar regions, arctic biology (terrestrial and marine), arctic environmental management, arctic geography, and marine geology. The course examines the political, economic, and environmental impacts of climate change.

“My favorite part was making infographics. I was able to learn and process information, and successfully transform it into a creative message.”

– ALEXA LOCHNER ’15

“I like the big project because I love working on projects, and all the little pieces that go into the large piece.”

– ALEX CONNOR ’15

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T R A N S F O R M A T I O N

A T

W A L K E R ’ S

Harvard’s CS50 Computer Science Class Walker’s Girls Tackle Harvard’s Most Popular Computer Science Course THE COURSE: CS50-Introduction to Computer Science THE PLATFORM: edX, a platform that offers interactive online learning through top-notch universities, including Harvard and MIT.

The nine-week, college-level course is designed for students with and without programming experience, and provides “an introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming.”

Students learn how to think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently. Topics include abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, resource management, security, software engineering, and web development. Languages include C, PHP, and JavaScript plus SQL, CSS, and HTML. Students are required to solve nine problem sets inspired by real-world domains of biology, cryptography, finance, forensics, and gaming, and to complete a final project. The on-campus version of CS50 was Harvard’s second largest course in the fall of 2013.

Walker’s girls learn by doing.

As part of our 21st Century Walker’s initiative, students find and solve realworld problems, develop intellectual and creative confidence, and apply their learning to make a difference in our ever-changing world.

In addition to the fall classes profiled on these pages, students have been doing field research in Biology, explored the challenges of Entrepreneurship, learned how to sustain a healthy bee colony at Walker’s apiary, traveled to South Africa to study its Historical Parallels with the U.S., and examine the history and craft of film.

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For the first time, Walker’s offered a January term (J–Term).

When students returned from winter break, they immersed themselves in one of 40 subjects of interest, ranging from Against the Grain, modeled after the TED Talks format, to Three-Minute Terror, a workshop in which students learn the basic skills required to conceptualize, write, film, and edit a short suspense-thriller movie.

J-Term Girls chose a different intensive course for each of the two weeks. At the end of J-Term, students and faculty shared their experiences during a showcase held in Ferguson Theater. Students presented video projects, handmade fashions, original dances, musical performances, and insights into what they learned during the two weeks.

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CANOE BUILDING

In this two-week class, a small group of students traveled to Norfolk, CT each day to build a 15' canoe. The girls built the hull, varnished the inside, canvassed, filled with epoxy, added the gunnels and painted. The finished canoe is displayed in the lobby of Beaver Brook.

PIECING IT TOGETHER: MOSAIC ART

Middle Schoolers kicked off the course with a study of the history of mosaics.

Based on their learnings, they designed and completed a single mosaic as a team. The completed artwork is displayed in the Middle School.

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THREE-MINUTE TERROR

Co-taught by Scott Frey and Ella Ross ’15, who has a passion for editing, this course demanded that students engage in creative thinking through brainstorming, writing, planning, filming, and editing a three-minute suspense-drama.

LET THE SUN SHINE! A SOLAR ENERGY PLAN FOR WALKER’S

This class was committed to research, conversation, exploration, calculation, and innovation. Students explored ways in which Walker’s can better harness solar power. Engineers, contractors, and other solar power experts worked with the students throughout the course.

The girls created a white paper and submitted it to the Board of Trustees, Walker’s Business Office, and Walker’s Environmental Team for consideration.

DANCE FOR THE ATHLETE

Student athletes are dedicated to their sports teams and don’t have the chance to take dance at Walker’s.

This J-Term course introduced them to dance basics in a fun, low-pressure environment. Different technical styles and composition were explored.

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TRASH TO FASHION

HISTORY MYSTERY

Students designed garments using 90 percent trash.

Creativity abounded in this class, where girls needed to think outside the box and follow a vision. Finished items were submitted for selection in a Hartford show. Sweeta Yaqoobi ’16 (shown left) was selected to show her creation in the Hartford Trashion Fashion Show in April.

Students delved into history through the lens of storytelling, words, photos, video, audio, and other ways history can be conveyed. Each girl selected a historical topic or event and researched it extensively using resources that included the School’s archives. The end result was a multi-media, documentarystyle film about their subject.

ROBOTICS

Using J-Term as a springboard for the 2015 First Robotics Competition (FRC), this course focused on the planning and construction phases in preparation for the competition. Students in this class are required to continue with the Robotics team throughout the competition season.

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ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR WATSON

Perfect for mystery lovers and puzzle solvers, this course put deductive reasoning to the test. From beginner to expert, girls tackled Sudoku, Mind Bender puzzles, and ultimately, created their own logic puzzles.

GLOBAL CUISINE

First, research a country and select three-four class dishes.

Next, add a trip to an ethnic market to purchase ingredients, finish with a prepared meal typical of that country, and voila!, the Global Cuisine JTerm class is off and running.

By the end of this week-long class, girls had prepared a meal from five different countries based on their research and insights into different cultures.

AGAINST THE GRAIN: SPEAK TO INSPIRE OTHERS

Based on the influential TED Talk concept, students identified topics that resonated with them, as long as it didn’t mimic standards set by adults, or by their peers. They learned to write a persuasive speech that emotionally moved an audience. Using constructive feedback from other students in the course, and from previously filmed video of their initial presentation, they refined and adjusted their content and delivery for final presentation to a broader audience.

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RUBE GOLDBERG CONTRAPTIONS

Named after American cartoonist and inventor Rube Goldberg, students had to create a Rube Goldberg machine, which is a contraption, invention, or device that is deliberately over-engineered to perform a simple task in a complicated way, usually involving a chain reaction.

SHARKS AND THE CHANGING WORLD

Co-taught by senior Alex Borreil and Science teacher Caitlin Cowan, students explored the impact global warming and humans have on sharks. Breaking into groups, the girls examined everything from effects of an increasingly warmer climate to overfishing, and the destruction of the ocean environment from trash. Everything was explored through the eyes of a shark.

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S E N I O R S P E E C H B Y V I C T O R I A G AW L I K ’ 1 5

Dear You,

the chance to meet; the beautiful

We met seven years ago. I was a

girls that I will walk with in the

weird, pessimistic eleven year old

spring, the girls with whom I will

and you were the older, wiser,

walk away from you, are the

safe place that would be my

other world I live in. I draw

constant companion for the next

inspiration from them, they are

seven years. I came to this school

the roots for all the impressive

with a lack of appreciation. I did

things about me because they are

not initially see the beauty in the

the family I have been given by

place that would become my

my time here.

And though each of us loves

home in the most wholesome sense of the word. At first my

you in a way so deep that even in

Victoria Gawlik ’15

shyness came off as harsh, and

the most frustrating moments

my discomfort came off as rude,

when we want boyfriends, and

and all of my classmates thought I was an employee

non-required sports, we still cannot discard our love for

because I was five foot seven inches tall in sixth grade.

you. We each love you, but it is the cold truth that no

But you were calm and steady and patient for me to grow

matter how many of our life-defining moments are

into myself.

molded around you, our love is not enough to make us

As months went by, your true nature started to shine

stay. We will walk away from you, permanently changed

though, with your traditions and your ability to bring out

by the years you gave us. You will stand in our rear view

the best in people. This realization that you are here to

mirror on June 7 unchanged, cold, heartless, indifferent

help me, not isolate me, allowed me to appreciate the

to the all-encompassing love I have for you. It is cruel in

wonderful world that you gave me and continued to give

a way, to make us love you so much and then to push us

me over the rest of my teenage years.

away without so much as a parting gesture, but that is

For many of the people who love you, you are not the only world they have. But for someone like me who

life, and this letter is my closure.

However, even if you cannot really hear me, and even

knows no other way of life and who has been raised in

if you cannot love me in the way that I have, do, and

captivity, for lack of a better word, you are all-captivating.

always will love you, I would like the honor of thanking

The way you change with each passing month, the way

you, Ethel Walker School, for giving me inspiration,

you smell of burning bagels and shin guards and cheap

confidence, a home and a truly magnificent family to

body spray from Victoria’s Secret, and the way I know

hold onto when you are shrinking into a memory but

you inside and out, all of your showcase doors, and extra

still an impossibly large part of every one of my presents.

stairwells and secret hiding places, you have become a bigger part of me than anyone could have guessed. But it is not only you I love, it is the people you have given me

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Yours Always, Victoria

“I would like the honor of thanking you, Ethel Walker School, for giving me inspiration, confidence, a home and a truly magnificent family to hold onto…”

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Transforming Our Campus Over the past several years, new construction, renovations and improvements throughout campus have added value and enriched experiences for all.

Debby’s House (Head’s House)

New dorm

Centennial Center

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Newly-renovated barn

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Turf fields

Softball field

Bell Library renovation Sale of Walker’s Woods completed SPRING 2015

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O U R

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“Sports are so important in the lives of girls, any girl — not just at Walker’s,” says Athletics Director John Monagan. “They learn they are participants, not spectators.

They don’t need to stand on the sidelines for anything.”

A

s girls’ athletics have become more prominent on the national and global stage, the athletics program at Walker’s has transformed in myriad ways. New sports have been added, including swimming, squash, cross country, and golf, the latter of which won the prestigious Founder’s League Championship in 2013. But more important, the environment that encompasses athletics at Walker’s has changed. Competitiveness is a point of pride at Walker’s, and so is success.

“Culture doesn’t just magically transform,” said Director of Athletics John Monagan. “Instead, you need to have adults that bring about this change, and we have a group of coaches that have created an atmosphere that emphasizes hard work, success, and, of course, fun. I think it is something that has been at work since I started at Walker’s eight years ago, but, as with all things, it takes time to achieve.”

The athletic program has also shifted in the ways that it recognizes athletes — both current and former. The Athletic department started a Scholar Athletes program to honor the commitment of students who play three varsity sports and also have a 3.0 cumulative GPA. A Hall of Fame is also another pride point of the Walker’s athletics program.

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Yet the biggest changes are in what people see — the new athletic facilities.

In the summer of 2012, the School invested in new state-of-the-art athletic fields and added an athletic pavilion.

More recently, in January, the Board of Trustees voted to move forward with the Centennial Center, the capstone project in the School’s capital campaign. The new building will include a double gym, an eight lane swimming pool, new squash courts, new dance studios, a state of-the-art fitness center and training room, and social gathering spaces for students.

“The Centennial Center will be exciting for all of us at Walker’s, but especially for us in athletics,” said Monagan. “It is another way in which our girls can see the value that athletics have in their every day lives. The building will increase confidence in themselves and in the School for which they play. As a program, we always look for ways to continue to step up our game, and the Centennial Center helps us to do just that.”

U P P I N G

O U R

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“The Centennial Center will be exciting for all of us at Walker’s, but especially for us in athletics.”

– ATHLETIC DIRECTOR JOHN MONAGAN

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Horizons National Partners with Walker’s for Nation’s First All-Girls Program Horizons is a proven summer academic and cultural enrichment program dedicated to closing the achievement gap by providing underserved children with access to high-quality academics. Horizons at The Ethel Walker School will serve low-income students from the city of Hartford.

Summer learning loss contributes to the national achievement gap putting low-income students as much as three years behind their higher income peers by the fifth grade. In contrast, Horizons students gain an average of two to three months reading and math skills during the six-week summer program.

(SOURCE: Horizons National) The program begins with the Kindergartners and continues through the eighth grade. They spend six weeks engaged in a combination of academics, arts, sports, and cultural enrichment courses and activities.

Students are encouraged to continue in the program for eight consecutive summers.

“We are thrilled to be the first all-girls Horizons program in the country. Being able to offer this truly transformative program with the Hartford community is an amazing opportunity.”

– ISABEL CEBALLOS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HORIZONS AT THE ETHEL WALKER SCHOOL

“Horizons at The Ethel Walker School extends Walker’s mission of providing exceptional educational opportunities to girls, and underscores our belief that private schools must have a public purpose.”

– HEAD OF SCHOOL BESSIE SPEERS P’16

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Tech Transformation One of the biggest areas of transformation is largely a behind-the-scenes operation, but is critical to the School: technology. This is an area of tremendous change, often at mind-numbing speed.

Here are a few highlights of the tech changes at Walker’s over the recent years.

School moves to cloud-based computing, alleviating strains on the servers.

Bleachers is a company that provides high-tech, high-def cameras installed at key locations which allow live-streaming of school events to parents.

The School adopted a 1:1 iPad program to help students develop capacities like adept use of technology, mental flexibility, and self-directed learning. The 1:1 program requires that each student own an iPad.

Campus-wide security upgrades with monitoring cameras have been installed in key locations.

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Elizabeth Greenberg ’10 A Blooming Business

BY NAN FLANAGAN ’93

At 19 years old, Elizabeth Greenberg

“Simply because she was a girl, my mom had a life plan: to study business, work never had the chance to do her own “Everything in life changes for a large corporation, travel the world, thing. That was something she never as you move through it. If and ultimately settle down to have a wanted me to experience, so she made you embrace that change, family. And then the unthinkable me a deal: as long as I stayed in school, happened: her close friend had and learn as much as you she would help me with Non-Scents.” emergency surgery after testing positive Initially, Greenberg thought the can from it, that’s when for thyroid cancer. At the time, company’s product benefit was the paper transformation occurs.”

Greenberg was unaware that gifts of live flowers: they would be allowed in flowers were banned from hospital restricted hospital units because they oncology and intensive care units for didn’t contain organic matter. “I was wrong,” she admits. “The biggest benefit has been people’s patients’ protection, due to risk of bacteria in the water and ability to uniquely personalize the arrangements in a way that airborne allergens in the flowers themselves. She learned no other product allows. They write their own messages on the quickly that she was not allowed to deliver flowers to her flowers, often things that mean something only to the friend. recipient. The reality is we have few opportunities to give Knowing he would be alone overnight in the hospital, someone a gift that is truly personalized. Even greeting cards Greenberg was determined to provide him with something to have a message pre-printed on them.” cheer him up. She marched to a crafts store, purchased origami paper, a plastic cup, and sports-themed stickers. She used YouTube to learn the art of origami. She decorated the cup and added messages to each flower petal, so her friend would have funny quotes and personal messages to read if he felt alone. Greenberg didn’t realize the impact of her idea until she delivered the origami bouquet to her friend, and myriad people at the hospital began asking her Elizabeth Greenberg ’10 demonstrates the difference about where she got it, and where could they get between her Non-Scents one, as well. flower and a real flower.

The seed was planted, and Non-Scents Flowers began to grow. Without fear of failure, and driven by the need to problem-solve, Greenberg dove headfirst into her new venture. “I had no idea how challenging it would be to start a business, especially while still in college. Thankfully my mom saw something in me that I didn’t, and she encouraged me to see it through,” says Greenberg.

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Time and again, Greenberg receives customer testimonials underscoring the importance of her product offerings. Like the one from a mother whose daughter was lying in an intensive care unit, clinging to life in a coma following a horrific car accident. One of the girl’s teachers ordered a Non-Scents arrangement filled with Dr. Seuss quotes and delivered it to the girl’s mother at the hospital. When the girl woke up, she asked her mother to read the quotes over and over again. “You can’t help but smile and ‘feel good’ inside when you hear stories like that,” smiles Greenberg. “When you help give someone hope or a moment of joy…there’s no feeling in the world that’s more powerful. I’ve been very fortunate in my life, and now it’s my turn to give back.”

Today, Greenberg’s life is nothing like what she thought it would be. When she started Non-Scents, she was a 19-year old girl planning to take the corporate fast track and make lots of money. “Society gives us a general roadmap for how life should go from the time you’re born. Today, I’m comfortable throwing that roadmap out the window and designing my own.

W A L K E R ’ S

Everything in life changes as you move through it. If you embrace that change, and learn as much as you can from it, that’s when transformation occurs.”

Today, she is doing exactly what she wants to be doing: making a difference. And with many more accomplishments yet to come, she’s proud to be able to say she started a successful company while still in college. “I had a great foundation from Walker’s,” Greenberg remarks. “The School gave me many things, but what stands out most is that I learned, while there, that if I am 100% true to myself, I will always be successful.”

Each Non-Scents arrangement is handmade with personal, removable message scrolls held by the stems of each flower. They are available in a variety of sizes.

The flower options include lilies, orchids, “cup” flowers, and roses. Centerpieces, party favors, place cards, corsages, and origami gift boxes round out the current product offering. www.nonscentsflowers.com

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Another Year, Another Shining Experience in Wellington HIGHLIGHTS • Antonia Becker ’15 finished in the top three in her 15-17 Children’s Hunter

Division every week: she did so without riding her own horse, who was hurt just before Christmas and was unable to make the trip south. Becker rode a different horse, and only had the chance to ride him a few times before heading into the show ring. Her success is a remarkable feat by anyone’s standards!

• Samantha Rice ’18 made the trip with two of her own horses, one of

which was new to her. She, like Antonia, finished in the top three in her division classes multiple weeks in a row. In the third week, Sam ended as champion in her 12-14 Equitation Division, a significant accomplishment.

Rice completed her last week with two more prestigious ribbons: a win in the 12-14 Children’s Hunters, and a second place in the Taylor Harris Equitation class with a score of 88.

• Chappie Wick ’15 and Libby Mewbourne ’18 had a good show each

week, as well. Both of them learned how to smooth out their trips in the ring, and earned ribbons in the process.

L-R: Tori Arute ’14, Antonia Becker ’15, Sam Rice ’18, Libby Mewbourne ’18, Chappie Wick ’15

• Grace Amerling ’15 brought a young, inexperienced

horse with her and they both rose to the occasion.

Amerling ended up with multiple ribbons in her Jumper Division and moved up in height each week because they were doing so well. “Grace rode better, and more consistently, than I’ve seen her do before,” remarked Walker’s Head Trainer Hillary Rheinheimer.

Antonia Becker ’15

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“I’m so proud of all of our girls that went to Wellington.

Not only did they do well in the show ring, they represented Walker’s as a community exceptionally well by being gracious, mature young ladies.”

– HEAD TRAINER HILLARY RHEINHEIMER

Chappie Wick ’15 and Antonia Becker ’15

E Q U E S T R I A N

“Kathleen’s knowledge of what Walker’s mission is all about made her an extraordinary leader of our Equestrian program. She understood that the best horsewomen are also strong scholars and should be involved in school life beyond the barn. Kathleen had the uncanny ability to be, all at once — a mom, a sister, a friend, a coach, and a firm voice — with our students!

Her legacy of a top notch program will be enjoyed for years to come at Walker’s.”

– HEAD OF SCHOOL BESSIE SPEERS P’16 L-R: Head of School Bessie Speers P’16 gives farewell remarks with Assistant Trainer Ally Butler and Head Trainer Hillary Rheinheimer to outgoing Director of Riding Kathleen Bernard P'12

Farewell to Kathleen Bernard P’12, Director of Riding

After years with Walker’s, Director of Riding Kathleen Bernard P’12 said goodbye to the School. Under her leadership, the equestrian program doubled in size and the Summer Riding Experience program continued strong enrollment each summer. The barn was expanded and renovated, and Second Chance Ranch, a community service program involving horses was solidified. She hired Head Trainer Hillary Rheinheimer, who brings her magic touch to the riding program.

Annual trips to Wellington are now a signature part of the riding program at Walker’s.

Head of School Bessie Speers P’16 and outgoing Director of Riding Kathleen Bernard P’12 in a farewell embrace

Head Trainer Hillary Rheinheimer bids farewell to outgoing Director of Riding, Kathleen Bernard P’12

Co-Captain of Equestrian Team Sheriden Beard ’16 hugs outgoing Director of Riding Kathleen Bernard P’12, alongside Co-Captain Margaret Hegwood ’15 and Head of School Bessie Speers P’16

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Opening Days

C A M P U S

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“Welcome to the one hundred-fourth year of The Ethel Walker School.

We are, all of us, part of something larger — the story and legacy of Ethel Walker.

104 years ago, Ethel Walker opened a school, unique and bold in its mission — to take the intellect of girls seriously in order to prepare them for some of the finest colleges and universities in the country, and to make a difference in the world. And today, her legacy is thriving, thanks to the extraordinary talent and commitment of our faculty. Our faculty care about your intellect, yes, but they also care just as much about your character, as did Ethel Walker.”

– excerpt from opening remarks given by Head of School Bessie Speers P’16

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Susan Knapp Thomas ’80 Runs Harp Camp at Walker’s Each summer, Susan Knapp Thomas ’80, returns to Walker’s to run a unique harp program, the Connecticut Valley Harp Intensive summer camp. Thomas is a gifted harpist herself, and is the director and founder of CVHI, which for the past six years has been held at The Ethel Walker School.

Walker’s Robotics Team Walker’s is in the process of building a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team, and has entered two competitions in February and March 2015. The School’s FRC team has been awarded $11,000 in grants from United Technologies and FIRST Robotics in order to help with the initial costs of forming a team and competing.

Author Lea Carpenter Speaks with Students About Love and War

Walker’s Hosts Event, Raises Awareness of White Privilege

Author Lea Carpenter spoke to the Walker’s community about her novel Eleven Days, which tells the story of a Special Forces soldier through the alternating perspectives of the soldier and his mother. Carpenter addressed themes of courage, motherhood, humanity, love and loss, and spoke to the strength and resilience of women in the face of harrowing situations.

Carpenter is the daughter of alumna Carroll Morgan Carpenter ’59, P’68, who is co-founder and co-chairwoman of the MGH (Massachusetts General Hospital) Leadership Council on Psychiatry.

Author, activist, and educator Allan G. Johnson, Ph.D., was the guest speaker for an event hosted at Walker’s that focused on defining white privilege, its history and manifestations, its inextricable links to class and the industrial capitalist system, and the ways in which it is systemic, invisible and unspoken in our culture.

L-R: Carroll Morgan Carpenter ’59, P’68, Julia Nye ’17, Lea Carpenter

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EdCamp CT 2014 For the fourth year running, Walker’s hosted the everpopular EdCamp CT. Spearheaded by Sarah Edson, Dean of Academic Technology and Innovation at Walker’s, event attendance has increased each year and attendees traveled from around the region to spend a day in this educators “unconference.”

Walker’s Woods Sale and Preservation Completed On October 19, Walker’s and the Town of Simsbury celebrated the completion of the town's purchase of more than 420 acres of land that is now known as The Ethel Walker Woods of Simsbury. The celebration featured trail walks, barn tours, and other family-friendly activities.

Mountain Day

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Family Weekend Here’s to another fabulous Family Weekend, with families flocking to campus from all over the country and world to spend time with their daughters.

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Walker’s Seniors Named Outstanding Participants in National Achievement Scholarship Program Jianna Footman ’15 and Enajite Igho ’15 have been named Outstanding Participants in the National Achievement Scholarship Program, an academic competition established in 1964 to provide recognition for outstanding Black American high school students (nationalmerit.org). Each scored in the top three percent of more than 160,000 students who requested consideration in the 2015 National Achievement Program when they took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Walker’s at the CT Women’s Hall of Fame Dr. Julia Sheldon P’20 and Margaret Hegwood ’15 at the annual CT Women’s Hall of Fame dinner, honoring this year’s inductees.

SPRING 2015

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Celebrating Holiday Traditions

The choir performs

Director of Music and Head of School

Student musicians

Middle Schoolers

Henderson Riding Ring adorned with a tree for the Holiday Ride

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Co-Captain of Equestrian Team Margaret Hegwood ’15

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COO Thom Greenlaw and teacher Rich Prager P’04, ’07 perform a scene from A Christmas Carol

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Teacher John Groff performs in A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol performed by faculty at Holiday Vespers

Lighted horses at the Holiday Ride

At the Holiday Ride, Director of Riding Kathleen Bernard P’12 gives a heartfelt farewell to the School after years with the Equestrian program. Among her many accomplishments while at Walker’s, she has organized the festive, annual Holiday Ride.

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The Walker’s “snow team” works tirelessly to clear campus of snow and ice to ensure the safety of our students and the rest of the community. They have been busy this year! Hooray Sunray, snow team! Back row, L-R: Mike Galvin, John Sway, Scott Bamford, Dave Allen, Tony Ranaldi. Front row, L-R: Bryan Rathbun, Dan Bruetsch, Justin Treado, Willie March, Sean Yucha

Walker’s Student Earns Silver Medal in CT Debate League Walker’s Middle School Debate Club competed in the first Maisie Smith ’19 Connecticut Middle School Debate League Tournament on January 31 in Litchfield. Of the 100 debaters from 10 different schools around the state, eighth grader Maisie Smith ’19 earned a silver medal for second best overall speaker.

Middle School Director Lee-Ann Harris P’13 says, “This is a huge accomplishment. We have only had a debate club since October, and many of the competitors have been debating for years. We had eight girls compete and they were remarkable. We are looking forward to the next tournament in May.”

Celebrating the Chinese New Year at Debby's House (Head's House)

Walker’s Dean of Digital and Library Services Receives Writing Award Sarah Ludwig, Walker’s Dean of Digital and Library Services, has been honored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) with a Writing Award for best article in Young Adult Library Services, entitled “Everyone Deserves a Place in the Library.”

Ludwig is one of four YALSA members to receive a writing award this year, and will be recognized at YALSA’s Membership Meeting at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in San Francisco this summer.

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Special Olympics This marks the second year Walker’s and the Special Olympics have partnered together. Walker’s hosts the activities that span the school year. Every Sunday morning in the fall, Walker’s girls play heated games of flag football with the Special Olympics athletes on the School’s state-of-the-art artificial turf fields. The winter season brings floor hockey to the gym, where spirited play continues. This spring, Walker’s girls will host an arts program for the Special Olympians.

“I absolutely loved being able to play with all the athletes at Special Olympics. There were a lot of returning players from last year and it was nice to be able to see familiar faces. They love the sport and had so much passion for it, they would try to get better with every play and would help anyone around them if they needed it. The Special Olympics program allows each athlete to shine and be a leader no matter what disability they have. They are supportive of everyone around them. It also allows us, as partners, to open up and accept everyone no matter what their differences are.”

– ALEXANDRA BORREIL ’15

“During Special Olympics we work alongside the athletes in their flag football practices every Sunday morning.

Playing with the athletes was a very rewarding experience. It was amazing to see the joy and happiness players experienced by being a part of a team. I admire how seriously they take it, and how they don’t let their disabilities define them. They run practices and treat each other equally, as they do to others. I admire the sense of community within Special Olympics, everyone is so accepting and you instantly feel like you’re part of a big family.”

– LAUREN SCHWARZ ’15

SPRING 2015

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Winter Dance Concert

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Eve Ensler’s “I Am An Emotional Creature” – Upper School

“Once on This Island” – Middle School Play

SPRING 2015

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W A L K E R ’ S

O U T

&

A B O U T

Fishers Island, August 2014

Michelle duPont Goss ’59 and Tom Speers P'16

Walker’s COO Thom Greenlaw and Margot Campbell Bogert ’60

L-R: Head of School Bessie Speers P’16, Maxine Porter Arnold ’44, Staley Cayce Sednaoui ’76

Staley Cayce Sednaoui ’76 and Kathy McCarthy Parsons ’75

L-R: Whitney Edwards ’11, Chris Edwards P’11, Trudi Edwards P’11, Margot Campbell Bogert ’60

L-R: Margot Campbell Bogert ’60, Staley Cayce Sednaoui ’76, Kathy McCarthy Parsons ’75, Whitney Edwards ’11, Maxine Porter Arnold ’44, Pam Peck ’68, Nancy King Howe ’57, Carroll Morgan Carpenter ’59, P’68, Michelle duPont Goss ’59

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W A L K E R ’ S

O U T

&

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Young Alumnae Pizza Party, Simsbury CT, January 2015

North Carolina, March 2015

L-R: Amanda Poniatowski ’14, Olivia Cantello ’14, Caroline Mazo ’14, Lauren Nicholson ’14, Steph Sponzo ’14, Caroline Calandro ’14, Darcy Hughes ’14, Lizzie Turner ’14

L-R: Nellie Speers '16, Head of School Bessie Speers P'16, and Liz Nash Muench ’55

South Africa, November 2014

L-R: Guthrie Speers, Tom Speers P’16, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Head of School Bessie Speers P’16, Nellie Speers ’16

L-R: Angela Tilahun ’14, Head of School Bessie Speers P’16, and Martha Namundjebo Tilahun P’14

SPRING 2015

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Palm Beach, January 2015

Head of School Bessie Speers P’16 welcomes event guests.

L-R: Constance Lavino Bell ’48, P’72, ’75, GP’12, ’14, Director of Alumnae Relations Elizabeth Bellingrath, Stephanie Schwartz ’10

Stay connected with classmates by downloading our free Walker’s app.

Gain instant access to our alumnae directory!

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L-R: Tom Speers P’16, Pauline Pitt P’17, Gerald Seay P’17, Head of School Bessie Speers P’16

W A L K E R ’ S

L-R: Clark Bullock, Whitney de Roulet Bullock ’70, and Director of Alumnae Relations Elizabeth Bellingrath

O U T

&

A B O U T

L-R: Contessa Coleman ’07, Kate Crichton Gubelmann ’67, Pauline Pitt P’17, Posey Daves ’07

L-R: Brad Thomas, Susan Knapp Thomas ’80, and Stephanie Schwartz ’10

L-R: Victoria Falk Michaelis ’78, Head of School Bessie Speers P’16, Mary Ann MacDonald ’79, and Tracy Denney Hritz ’82

Audrey Fentress Gorter ’50, P’77 and James Gorter P’77

Renee Lickle P’70, ’78, ’79 and Tracy Denney Hritz ’82

Contessa Coleman ’07 and Posey Daves ’07 SPRING 2015

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O U T

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Boston, MA February 2015

L-R: Jennifer Sieber ’09, Gizella Crawford ’81, Spencer Waybright ’09

L-R: Jamiah Tappin ’00, Jennifer Sieber ’09, Spencer Waybright ’09, Veronica Leger ’81, Gizella Crawford ’81

L-R: Pamela Safford ’81, Veronica Leger ’81, Gizella Crawford ’81 at a Boston Celtics game.

At a Boston Celtics game are, top row, L-R: Gizella Crawford ’81, daughter Lucy Crawford, Jamiah Tappin ’00. Bottom row, L-R: Veronica Leger ’81, Pamela Safford ’81, Spencer Waybright ’09, Jennifer Sieber ’09, Valerie Jarvis ’09

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A L U M N A E

N E W S

A MESSAGE FROM

Amanda Pitman ’90 ALUMNAE BOARD PRESIDENT

I feel honored to serve as the President of the Alumnae Board at this particular moment in the School’s history.

Much has been accomplished over the last few years, including several major changes on campus, most notably the barn expansion, the new athletic fields, and the new dorm. Under the leadership of Head of School Bessie Speers P’16, our alma mater continues to transform into a place that will successfully deliver a top notch education to young women.

And yet much is still underway. 21st Century Walker’s — the modernization and advancement of the Walker’s curriculum — and the new athletic building, the Centennial Center, are the School’s greatest endeavors, and will cement a place for Walker’s in the future of education.

As alumnae, our most critical work is in front of us. The School needs our support more than ever, to show that we believe in the value of a Walker’s education. If you’ve lost touch with the School, I urge you to reconnect.

If you’ve kept Walker’s close through the years, I encourage you to get even closer. If it’s your Reunion year, come back to campus.

I am celebrating my Reunion this spring, and I cannot wait to walk the campus with old friends, see my former teachers, and further immerse myself in what is Walker’s today. The excitement is palpable — The Ethel Walker School is poised on the verge of greatness. We should all celebrate our alma mater.

Amanda Pitman ’90 PRESIDENT, ALUMNAE BOARD

Back row, L-R: Caryl Van Ranst Dearing ’60, Secretary of Alumnae Board Elizabeth West Glidden ’87, Ailsa Veit Foulke ’87, Vice President of Alumnae Board Tracy Himmel Isham ’85, Lindsay Flynn ’05, Jamiah Tappin ’00, Deborah Rush ’77, Carter Margison ’07. Front row, L-R: Susan Jensen Rawles ’82, President of Alumnae Board Amanda Pitman ’90, Katherine Hypolite ’04

2013-2014 ALUMNAE BOARD Amanda Pitman ’90

*Jennifer Alter Abt ’89

Lindsay Flynn ’05

Deborah Rush ’77

PRESIDENT NEW YORK, NY

GLENCOE, IL

WASHINGTON, DC

COATESVILLE, PA

Tracy Himmel Isham ’85

Elizabeth Borland Blodgett ’91

Ailsa Veit Foulke ’87

Jamiah Tappin ’00

NEW YORK, NY

BOSTON, MA

Katherine Hypolite ’04

Gwendolyn Wood Wisely ’96

PROVIDENCE, RI

RUMSON, NJ

VICE PRESIDENT CORNWALL, VT

Elizabeth West Glidden ’87 SECRETARY EAST HADDAM, CT

Stay in touch! www.ethelwalker.org

LAKE FOREST, IL

Caryl Van Ranst Dearing ’60 MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MA

Carter Margison ’07 Leander Altifois Dolphin ’95

*New AB Member

NEW YORK, NY

HARTFORD, CT

Susan Jensen Rawles ’82 Mary Lotuff Feeny ’83

RICHMOND, VA

BRISTOL, RI

SPRING 2015

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G I V I N G

U P D A T E

Most Ambitious Annual Giving Challenge a Success!

Walker’s Current Parents Reach 100 Percent Participation in Fund for Walker’s!

In September, an anonymous alumna challenged current parents to achieve 100 percent participation in the Fund for Walker’s. If they did, the alumna pledged to donate $5 million. Not only did Walker’s parents reach the goal, they did it in a mere two and a half months.

“That our parents met this goal is exceptional,” said Head of School Bessie Speers P’16. “That they did it in less than three months is absolutely extraordinary.

We are thankful for the parents’ commitment to ensuring that The Ethel Walker School continues to provide the best possible education for girls.”

Six dedicated parent volunteers showed that a small group of determined people can accomplish great things. They worked tirelessly to bring in donations.

In particular, Parent Agent Chair Jen Bucari P’20 and her team were invaluable.

The Walker’s community will never be able to thank her enough for her passion and energy.

A maypole-themed “thermometer” was updated regularly to show progress toward reaching the 100 percent participation goal.

Parent Challenge by the Numbers

$216,276.80 Ella Ross ’15, Student Body President, wore a purple superhero cape devotedly until the Challenge was completed.

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A N N U A L

G I V I N G

U P D A T E

ALL TOGETHER, NOW.

Giving to the Fund for Walker’s feels as good as getting a hug from your best friends. And your investment in the School’s mission is critical to help prepare girls to lead today and for a lifetime.

Your gift matters, because we’re all in this together.

Online:

www.ethelwalker.org/onlinegiving

By mail:

Fund for Walker’s The Ethel Walker School 230 Bushy Hill Road Simsbury, CT 06070

By phone:

860.408.4259

SPRING 2015

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Take Note Asia with her daughters. No sooner had she returned than she was off to Iceland where she took lots of pictures of pretty scenery that she used as subjects for (pastels) her artwork. Dottie is amazing as she stays in touch with many of our classmates and often sees Hannah Griffith Bradley at her home on the beach. Hannah’s gardens are lovely. If she can figure out the logistics, Payne is considering coming to our 70th Reunion in May. Amey looked great and, as is the custom, spent time this summer in Maine. Bea, as always, looked lovely. She has such beautiful hair and eyes. She arrived with Janice who is ever the enthusiast and who also spent the summer in Maine. We missed Sophie Chandler Consagra,

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1944

Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

1941

1945

Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

Martha “Molly” Darling Bell 363 East 76th Street, Apt. 19C New York, NY 10021 212-744-8264 molly@kirkpalmer.com

1942 Sylvia Breed Gates 01659 SW Greenwood Road Portland, OR 97219-8301 503-636-6305 sylviagates@comcast.net

REUNION

Jane Cole Graves moved from Texas to Palo Alto, CA to be near her daughter and family. If you are ever at Venice Beach, look for her in a bikini and on rollerblades!

Caroline Berry Laporte 5 Timber Lane Apartment #222 Exeter, NH 03833 603-658-7041 clapor@verizon.net

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Margaret “Margie” Auger Kennerly. Having survived lung

cancer, Diana says she is fine now.

Thank goodness her cancer’s discovery was caught early. All is the same on the home front.

Theodosia “Dosia” Smith Casey says the classmate she is in

touch with most often is Penelope “Penny” Hall Porter,

A group of us including Dorothy

1943

who was sailing to Rome for a visit with her daughter and family.

She traveled with a companion and chose a ship because of the ease and pleasure of the trip. I have not heard directly from Jane Cole Graves, but I assume she may have already moved to California to be with a daughter. I had a pleasant chat on the phone with Diana Dempsey Treco, who after November, will spend the season in Florida and hopefully will play bridge with

“Dottie” Hirsch Loebl, Grace “Gracie” McGraw Parr, Payne Payson Middleton, Amey Amory DeFriez, Beatrice “Bea” Weeks Bast, Janice Tompkins Spurr and yours truly,

gathered for dinner at a favorite restaurant in NYC in May. It was a most pleasant mini reunion.

Gracie, ever the traveler, had just returned from a trip to Southeast

who, as we have noted before, is busy writing her memoirs. Dosia also shared that her daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer and chose an alternative route (no chemo or harsh chemical) and is doing fine and has no cancer at all. Other than all of that news, there are no changes on my home front.

Don’t forget that our 70th Reunion is in May — do come! I plan to be at Walker’s.

1946 Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

1947 Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

1948 Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

1949 Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

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Michelle Myers Florence 6 Hunter Lane Rye, NY 10580 914-967-3610 mimimflo@gmail.com

1951 Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

1952 Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

Take Note 1953 Susan “Susie” Kleinhans Gilbertson 18 Buttonwood Road Rumson, NJ 07760 732-842-2057 svwg@comcast.net The lights went dim this spring when Bob Bennett passed away.

Roberta “Bobbie” Gerstell Bennett and her daughter,

Laura, had a splendid service for him in Lawrenceville, NJ — friends from Walker’s were well represented. In October, my dear friend and her family hosted a wonderful birthday celebration for me. All of my children and grandchildren were in full attendance. To my surprise, my dear sister Cotheal Kleinhans Linnell ’61 traveled all the way from Maine; however, unfortunately, at the last minute, my brother’s plans to attend fell through and he did not attend the party. Not only did he miss a great party, he missed seeing the magician!

Shortly after my birthday celebration I went to NYC and met Bobbie and Mary “Molly” Goodyear Gurney for lunch —

great fun. Molly’s husband’s play, Love Letters, is playing on Broadway. When the cast changes, she attends each opening night. She jokes that she’s “running out of clothes!”

I recently received an email from Alice “Pinky” Wayland Cruikshank ’51 who had not

heard of Miss Sala’s passing until she read our last issue of Take Note in the Sundial magazine.

Although Pinky attended the Centennial Celebration, she was there only on Friday evening, and missed the great cluster of alumnae around Miss Sala on Saturday in the living room. She adored Miss Sala and wanted to reminisce and voice her tremendous admiration and respect. She reminisced that Miss Sala told her that she was a soprano, not an alto as she had thought for many years before she joined the choir and Grapes at EWS. Personally, I remember Pinky’s glorious soprano solos both in choir and the Grapes.

Pinky continued to share her confidences about Miss Sala; including, the time she was so upset about being unceremoniously dumped by a beau that she blew

her solo — I’ll chide thee not!

Uncharacteristically, Miss Sala showed her true sympathy and respect. Now, more than ever, we both are amazed at the long hours she spent rehearsing the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas (including when she was pregnant with her second son) only to face her forty minute car trip back home. Never a whisper of complaint was heard.

Helen “Henny” Frost Hale

wrote that the biggest change in her life was her husband Bill’s death in April, 2014. They enjoyed together 59 years of a wonderful marriage. However, she added “I was able to go to our island cottage in Maine for part of the summer, and to Newport, RI for a mini Smith reunion, which was great fun.”

Suzanne “Suzy” Patterson

told me that she took a “lovely trip to the sunny Riviera and enjoyed fabulous weather and panoramic views from her balcony of the Mediterranean Ocean between Cannes and Antibes, France.” She mentioned that her hotel room was broken into and she had a bagful of mostly costume jewelry robbed.

After hotel security was notified, the jewelry “magically reappeared in her suitcase.” Her return trip to Paris was on a high-speed TGV train. She recounted, “en route to Paris the train stopped several times — it seems that a goat or other animal got in the way of another train and was causing delays on the tracks. Arriving at the Gare de Lyon station, my driver met me, and “all’s well that ends well,” to quote the Great Bard, William Shakespeare.

1954 Betty Richards Tripp 18 School Street Stonington, CT 06378 860-535-0432 bettyrichards36@gmail.com Ann Higbie Eckrich noted that

her best friend in Fort Wayne, IN is Frederica “Freddie” Schaefer Wright ’45. Freddie has been Ann’s dearest friend since 1965 when she arrived on Ann’s doorstep with sandwiches, beer, and her son Max. At the time, Ann’s son Erich, was three years old and so was Max. Now both

Henderson Riding Ring

SPRING 2015

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Take Note “boys” practice medicine and live in Indianapolis and Bozeman respectively. Ann continues to see Freddie every week when possible.

She mentioned that she has been a real estate broker for 25 years and said, “I plan to remain in partnership with Re/Max as long as I can walk.” She adores her five grandchildren — the oldest attend the Kelley Business School at Indiana University, the next oldest attends the University of Southern Indiana and the other three are nine and 14 years old and live in Bozeman, MT. Katherine “Kathie” Somerville Steele sent a note to say, “Ed

and I are well and happy and very involved with family visits that included two family weddings in October. Between the two of us, we have 12 grandchildren. Cotton is in full bloom and our Delta friends are still unique and fun.

My memories of Walker’s in the autumn are especially vivid — beautiful countryside in full color, apple stands and the famous hockey field where I held the stick upside down, never having seen one before.”

Betsey Barrett Phillips wrote, “Chuck and I are getting ready to move to a smaller space, either a townhouse or smaller house, but not far from where we are now.

We’ve kind of gone overboard on the gardens over the past 25 years we’ve lived in our house, and we have more space than we need.

Less maintenance would be nice.

We will miss our wonderful pond that attracts a variety of wildlife, however. We plan to spend more time in our R.V. Last year, we spent 2-1/2 months in Texas and the Southwest. We drove to Idaho where we visited our youngest daughter and her husband and then came home the northern route. While in Maine, we helped campaign and kept track of grandchildren for our oldest daughter who ran for Maine’s State Legislature. We visited

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Florida and visited my mother-inlaw who is 103 years old — she’s an inspiration. In November, we headed off to Tanzania for three weeks. We’re involved in the support and administration of an orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania and sponsor one of the center’s little boys. We have close friends who live there, so we stay with them. Life is full and doesn’t seem to ever slow down.”

Mary Stein Dominick penned

from Colorado, “Nothing startlingly new on our front. All is well and accounted for which is always a blessing. This fall in the Rockies the colors of the trees had never been more sensational.

Snow on the high peaks and varying shades from pale yellow to burnt orange in the aspens and cottonwoods. The art auction for the Wilderness Workshop was a huge success.”

From Dedham, MA Jane McCurrach Talcott wrote, “With tremendous effort, we moved out of our house of 42 years and into a nearby ‘retirement village’. The tough winter of 2013 pushed us into the decision! I really felt there was no point in doing a ‘sideways’ move only to have to move again.

Heaven spare us another such ordeal! We are still near our old friends and activities and are enjoying all the new friends and activities the new place provides as well! Of course, it is wonderful as always to have our three daughters and their families nearby.

We feel very fortunate. It is nice to know that we are covered for care no matter what — has anyone else made such a move?”

In late April, Glenn Shannon Whipple and her daughter took their annual mother/daughter trip, this time to Rancho Valencia, about 30 miles outside of San Diego. Glenn said, “It is a beautiful resort with small Spanish style cottages and lovely

Jackie Moore Watson, her mother, Maria Mayorga Moore ’54 reunited with Mary Schwerin Ritter ’53 and her daughter Nina Ritter Armour in Locust Valley.

grounds. They had a wonderful, relaxed time with fine dining, a visit to the San Diego Zoo and several art museums. One day we drove the Rancho’s (FREE!) convertible Porsche up to Carlsbad to see the fields of ranunculus — they were in full bloom and gorgeous! During Father’s Day weekend, we had our family reunion at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs with all family members in attendance.

The grandchildren are growing up, but still love being at the pool all day. Everybody did their own thing, and we thoroughly enjoyed watching them! My daughter Emily came to visit for the Labor Day weekend. Her youngest child, 10 years old, loves our dog.

What fun being with them. We continue to enjoy good health and finally got our monsoon rain in late August and during all of September. Our little creeks are running again — yay! In November, we cruised in the Chesapeake Bay area, and in December I had my other hip replaced.”

Elodie Huntley Tilney’s note mentioned that her youngest daughter and granddaughter moved from Vero Beach to High Springs, FL. She said, “Bud and I drove over to see them, and their property is lovely. I have lived in Florida off and on for most of my life, and had never seen a lovelier part of this state. There are miles and miles of rolling hills, deciduous trees, fresh-water springs for swimming, fishing, and cattle, sheep, and horse ranches. It looks much like rural Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia and has a temperate climate. We don’t plan to leave Vero, but hope to visit my High Springs family often.”

Nell Rainer Levy mentioned that

there is nothing new to report.

Health concerns seem to have interfered with Nell’s plans for a trip from her home in Memphis, TN to New England. Now she is focused on coming in 2015.

In her inimitable style, Helen Harvey Mills wrote, “I enjoyed a ‘magical’ tea at the Russian Tea Time with Anna Backer Perlberg,

Take Note our European History teacher at EWS. I enjoyed tea and learned about Anna’s involvement with Lincoln Park Village, an organization that empowers older people to stay in their homes, and about her memoir about her as a nine-year-old emigrating from Czechoslovakia — spellbinding!

Anna was a memorable history teacher — and the reason I studied History at Stanford University — and is amazing now! There is so much going on in Chicago that I have started getting up at 5:30 a.m.! I have seen the sexy and evil opera Don Giovanni, directed by Robert Falls, and thought that Donald Runnicles conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 was sublime. I love Chicago!”

Kathryn “Katie” Auchincloss Porter reported, “Jim and I are

healthy and happy. Noting the number of deaths of good friends of late, health and happiness are very good things! We are at an age when we are ‘temporarily ablebodied.’ Summer in the Northeast was beautiful with very few really hot days. We were in Bridgehampton, NY with all of our kids and their kids for two weeks. We spent two weeks at our condo in Portland, ME as well.

While in Portland Patricia “Patsy” Blun Deetjen and her son, Leif, visited. Our daughter, Clara, and Leif grew up together, so they had fun as did Patsy, Jim and I. It is nice to know that some people never change! We are thinking about our next move.

We are on the list for property at the Ocean View in Falmouth, ME, and plan a 2016 move when construction is completed. That’s as far as we have gotten, BUT we have started tossing out stuff! As for my activities, I am still on the board of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation and the National Recreation Foundation (NRF). I am a eucharistic minister at our church and I still love my involvement with the

Garden Club. I was in Chicago this summer to participate in the search for a new executive director for the NRF. Our family is flourishing. Our daughter, Elie, and her family are here in New Jersey. Our son, James, and his son, Huston, are in Kingston, NY and our daughter, Clara, and her family are in Portland, ME. We have five grandchildren ranging in age from 11 to 22 years. We are planning where we are all going to celebrate Jim’s 80th birthday next summer.”

Patricia “Patsy” Blun Deetjen

and Katie have chatted about hosting a Class of ’54 Reunion in Portland, ME in fall 2015.

Portland is the perfect spot where there are wonderful things to do and nice places to stay. Patsy and Katie will contact classmates soon with more information.

Ursula Bitter Ulmer stayed with

me for two nights. After she left, she wrote, “2014 is proving to be a year of closure. The difficult family conflict of many years has ended and in October my sons, Francis and Martin, as well as other family members and I, emptied the house that has been my foothold in the U.S. since I was 14 years old, the year I began at Walker’s. This house was the epitome of the matrix container for the fragments my mother’s four marriages left behind.

Moreover, what helped so much was how these fragments of kinships came in person to help undo that matrix and take with them bits into their lives, like seeds with a future place to root.

The weather was an extraordinary blessing, warm and sunny enough to swim in the ocean. It poured on the day the movers came; we knew the gods wept with us.

Betty Richards Tripp housed me for my two remaining nights in the States before returning home to Zurich, Switzerland.

Her welcoming warmth was a godsend. We had good chats,

and I’m forever grateful for her friendship. Warm greetings to everyone.”

I met Patricia “Patsy” Kelly McCornack and Anita Larsen Fivek at a craft show in Woodstock, CT where Patsy was assisting her sister, Leslie “Kim” Kelly Cutler ’61, an exhibitor of beautiful glazed pottery. Patsy proudly reported that her eldest grandchild graduated from college in 2014 and is now gainfully employed as a result of a successful 2013 summer internship. He works for a commercial real estate firm, with offices in four of the five NYC boroughs as well as New Jersey.

Patsy added that he is renting a room in an apartment and thinks he is on cloud nine.

Early in the summer, Anita Larsen Fivek sold her Hamden, CT house, where she had lived for over 40 years. It was a difficult move, but she is now living in her nearby condo that previously had served as her rental investment property. This winter, Anita plans to spend two months in Florida and play golf. Her other news is that in September of 2015 one of her granddaughters will be married!

During October, I was fortunate to see four classmates on three

separate occasions. Frances “Frannie” Haffner Colburn was first. Soon after returning from Oronsay, Frannie’s Scottish island, she spent the night with me and we toured the latest exhibit at the Yale Center for British Art as well as attended an opera at the Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Midsummer, I traveled to Scotland to celebrate my oldest surviving cousin’s 80th birthday.

Many cousins attended the birthday party, providing me the opportunity of catching up with them, no easy feat given that my Scottish father was one of 12 children, most of whom had children.

Finally, on a sad note, Karen Bisgard Alexander said, “I am learning to be a widow, cushioned by lots of family. My husband, Walter, of more than 50 years, died from cancer this summer.”

Karen’s email was sent from the Black Sea, somewhere between Odessa and the Crimea, where she was on a long-planned trip with Walter’s brothers. It seems like yesterday, although it was June 2013, that Frannie Haffner Colburn and I spent a wonderful evening in Chicago with Karen and Walter — at that time, he had lost none of his charm and handsome looks from when first I met him in the 1950s.

Pine-tree lined walk to the site of Old Cluett

SPRING 2015

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Take Note getting married in April to her long time beau. We are thrilled!

1956 Adrianne “A” Massie Hill 3747 Peachtree Road NE #515 Atlanta, GA 30319 404-262-4515 travelinghills@gmail.com

1957 Sandra “Sandy” Lipson Ryon P.O. Box 1134 7201 Wilkins Lane Chestertown, MD 21620 410-778-4238 slryon@aol.com

Wedding of Clarissa Potter ’85 and Kenneth Schwartz with their son Ethan Potter Schwartz on October 11, 2014 in Quechee, VT, flanked by Tisha McClure Potter ’55 and Philip Potter, thrilled parents.

1955

REUNION

Letitia “Tisha” McClure Potter 44 Rockwood Lane Greenwich, CT 06830 203-869-6069 lmpotter@earthlink.net

Glenna Holleran Ottley called me with the following news: “We enjoyed renting a camper and used it for travels throughout Montana, Oregon and ended in Napa Valley, CA. Our yellow Lab loved being on the go. Our BIG news is that our daughter Heidi is

Sally Mason Ellison ’55 and husband Dave with their five children during their 55th wedding anniversary event in Montecito, CA June 2014

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For many of us, this has been the year of the 75th birthday celebration.

“Happy Birthday to everyone!”

My news is that Mort continues to have a difficult recovery from open-heart surgery that he had over 14 months ago. In July, we moved to a house in Chestertown.

The house is on one level with an easy walk to town and a nice view of the river. We have a wonderful support system here and attentive children — for which we’re grateful. (The Alumnae Office has

learned that Mortimer Ryon passed away on November 22, 2014. Our sympathies go to Sandy and her family.)

Some of my favorite recent books were All the Light We Cannot See

by Anthony Doerr, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, Wonder by R.J. Palacio, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, A Fighting Chance by Elizabeth Warren, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. In addition, I reread A Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Abigail Trafford’s My Time prior to giving it to two of our girls. I continue to hear nothing but praise for Bessie from her friends in Baltimore and the Vineyard, and, of course, from Walker’s. She is doing a superb job for our School.

Victoria “Tory” Kitchell

mentioned, “In June, I took my entire family (23 members) to The Greenbriar in West Virginia for a long weekend to celebrate my 75th! Yikes, we are getting up there! What a fun time we had together. My granddaughter, Sophie McCoy, is a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and plays lacrosse.

My grandson, Sawyer Grow, plays baseball at Principia College in St.

15 of the 17 grandchildren of Sally Mason Ellison ’55 and Dave at their 55th wedding anniversary

Take Note Louis, MO and another grandson, Dougie McCoy, a junior in high school, has a verbal commitment with Furman University to play lacrosse. My youngest son, Gray Thouron, is a golf pro in Richmond, VA. He has three sons who are 2, 5, and 7 years old.”

The following is the news from Randall “Randy” Furlong Street, our classmate who takes

Needless to say, Tory’s offspring have obviously inherited her athletic ability!

Mary Fentress Grumhaus

celebrated her 75th in NYC for a weekend with her three girls. She says that her big news is that her son Whitney was married this summer. The already huge Grumhaus clan continues to grow!

Mary “Mimi” Gibbs Piper said,

“Jimmy and I had a wonderful trip to the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Paris. After reading the book and seeing the movie Monuments Men, we wanted to visit the two famous works of art returned from the Nazi regime — Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child and the Ghent Altarpiece. Amsterdam was beautiful with visits to the Rembrandt House and Van Gogh museums. We felt challenged by the many bikes, trams, and cars that seemed to try to run you over. Also, we were lucky to get in to see the Anne Frank House museum that is similar to visiting a church, as everyone is quiet and respectful of her memory. Before our trip, I had read The Almighty Virtue about a woman in Amsterdam who helped relocate many of the Jews who fled there from Germany. The Madonna and Child is in a church in Brugge, Belgium; the piece is small but beautiful. Brugge is a lovely city with buildings untouched by the wars. The Ghent Altarpiece is magnificent, and I am now reading a book about it, Stealing the Mystic Lamb.

We also visited a museum in Bastogne, France that details the Battle of the Bulge — a guide

Lisa Dobbin Sherwood ’57 in London with her family

through the stories of four soldiers. Finally, we had three glorious days in Paris. Despite eating the delicious breads, cheeses and desserts, not a pound was gained — thanks to all the walking! All is good in Baltimore.

It is always nice to come home.”

For her 75th, Elisabeth “Lisa” Dobbin Sherwood took her children and grandchildren (nine in all) to London where they rented a house for 10 days and had a glorious time. Highlights of the trip included attending The Eye and Wicked for the girls, Lion King for the 4-year-old, and a delicious tea at Fortnum & Mason for all. In July, they continued their family time on Nantucket where they stayed with Lisa’s sister, Anne Dobbin Bailliere ’59 and her family. Lisa and John are very thankful for continued good health.

According to Jean “Jinny” Tilt Sammis, “Sam and I have had a very busy year running all of our projects in Randolph, VT. These projects include a lot of real estate development, the Three Stallions Inn, and the Montague Golf Club. Because we still have a business in the Greenwich area, we are there too. We have six wonderful grandchildren, two of

whom I see a great deal. My son’s family is in Sun Valley, ID. He has four daughters, so who knows, maybe someday EWS might be in their future. We intend to visit them in December.

Last March, the whole family spent spring vacation in Big Sky, MT. Great skiing was had by all.

I still sing with my choir, and we perform a couple of concerts — love it! I am a member of two Bible study groups, and would like to suggest reading Made for Goodness by Desmond and Mpho Tutu and Lawrence of Arabia by Scott Anderson. In May, our kids gave us a lovely golfing vacation at Tucker’s Point in Bermuda for our 50th wedding anniversary.

Eleanor “Holly” McKallor Page said, “Living in Colorado

continues to be beautiful, but after last winter’s record snowfall, I dread the winter. I have yet to meet people my age as most of the residents of Eagle Ranch are young married couples with a lot of kids. I received over 200 trickor-treaters on Halloween! My son David and his wife, Breezy, just had a little girl to join big brother Colton, who is three years old.

Being around the young keeps me feeling young — most of the time. I haven’t read a book in ages as I’m usually in the garden.”

the most wonderful trips. Randy reported, “This old girl is bumping along and doing well. I am still able to travel so that is my news. Last summer I made a trip to Madagascar — a very interesting place. I traveled with friends whom I met from previous travel trips, so that was an added benefit. We saw slews of lemurs of a number of varieties, and other animals that are only indigenous to Madagascar. In 2013, I traveled to Uganda where I faced the ultimate challenge of reaching the mountain gorillas and visiting them ‘up close and personal.’ Uganda is a beautiful country trying hard to recover after all the atrocities visited on the people and the wildlife.

Ugandans are beautiful people. I love reading about all that is happening at Walker’s! Sending kudos to Bessie and her team!”

Susan “Sunny” Rodormer Kaiser wrote a very nice note in

response to our Christmas card.

We have good friends here in Chestertown, MD, who went to grade school with her. They are good resources of news about Sunny. She is living in Falmouth, ME, and she says that “due to health issues she isn’t doing much traveling.”

Gertrude “Trudy” Beebe Miller wrote that David’s spinal

fusion surgery limited their travel.

They hope to get over to see us in Chestertown sometime soon. She reported, “After a year of recovering from spinal fusion, David and I realize that the two of us can’t do the kind of outdoor work required to maintain our country house and four acres of land that we have enjoyed for 25 years, thus we began looking for a new home in May. In November, we signed a contract to buy a condominium in Baltimore on North Charles Street; a short walk from the campus of Johns SPRING 2015

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Take Note Hopkins University and the Baltimore Museum of Art. I retired from my work as an advisor at Harford Community College in December. I miss the work, the students, and my coworkers very much. We plan to be somewhere warm during February and March as we have done for the past six years. Things are good with children and grandchildren, and we saw them all in Concord, MA for Thanksgiving, which was a treat.

1958 Barbara “Barbie” Welles Bartlett 4853 Congress Street Fairfield, CT 06824 203-259-2346 barbiebartlett@aol.com

1959 Lynn Sheppard Manger 8 East 81st Street New York, NY 10028 212-772-3068 lsm81012@aol.com

1960

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Phyllis Richard Fritts 910 Ladybug Lane Vero Beach, FL 32963 772-234-7096 prfritts@earthlink.net From Phyllis Richard Fritts, “In October, my wonderful (no prejudice there!) father turned 100 years old with many, many friends and family present to share toasts, hugs and stories. He was thrilled and is doing very well. A U.S. American flag that flew over the Capitol in Washington DC on October 15 was dedicated to him, and he received a letter of congratulations. It’s nice to be in warm and sunny Florida where the weather eases my arthritic bones. Other than that, all is well.

Life’s big joke is that while my kids are getting gray hair, I remain ‘blond.’ Best to you all.”

Beverly “Bea” Vander Poel Banker added, “My

granddaughter, Tate Smith, is in her freshman year at Parsons The New School for Design and loves NYC. She travels out to Long Island to visit us, which we enjoy.

Carroll Morgan Carpenter ’59, P’68 with daughter, author Lea Carpenter, at Walker’s

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I feel well and use my a.m. yoga to get me going. Love to all and see you at our ‘55th’ in May!” A wonderful new grandson for Ellen Carroon Petersen,

Findlay Edmund Jones Petersen — his nickname is “Finn.” Happy and busy times for her.

Mary “Mimi” Gardner Gates emailed from Tania Whitman Stepanian’s home in San

Francisco, CA where they were attending their 50th Stanford University reunion. She reported, “We had a blast at our reunion!

Also, Tanya and I went to see the Ai Weiwei installation at Alcatraz — powerful! If you are in the San Francisco area, we recommend highly that you visit Stanford University’s Cantor Art Museum and its Anderson Collection, and Ai Weiwei’s work on Alcatraz Island.

It is a little late, but ‘Go Giants!’

Warmest regards to all."

An email arrived from Caryl Van Ranst Dearing in which she stated, “I can’t believe that 2015 is just around the corner, and we will celebrate our 55th.

Has it been that long? Well, I am gray, 72 years old and feeling older, but energized about being upward and ‘being seen.’ With this in mind, I want the Class of ’60 to think positively about coming back to Walker’s for our Reunion. You can’t imagine what is happening on campus. It is wonderful! There are new buildings and Walker’s is moving into the 21st Century academically. I want to go back to school! I have learned about and seen these changes and additions because I am on the Alumnae Board. Under Bessie’s leadership, it is an exciting time for Walker’s and its alumnae!

As for the rest of my life, I still live year round on Martha’s Vineyard — enjoying all seasons along with our kids who come seasonally to visit and/or live here.

Melissa is married and a massage therapist on ‘Island.’ Our son Alex is a physician and a

substance abuse specialist in Boston and is married and the father of two boys. Juliet lives in Monterey, CA with her husband.

Jim is involved with our town, and I play mahjong, bridge, tennis, and golf, in addition to my favorite activity — knitting.

There is always a lot to do on the Vineyard. From ‘across the pond,’ that’s all the news.

Margaret “Margie” Field

wrote, “I am well and have enjoyed one of the most beautiful fall seasons here in Connecticut.

My nine grandchildren, three pigs, 25 cows, 24 chickens, and two dogs keep me busy. I find my position on the Charter School Board in Waterbury (the first charter school in Waterbury) rewarding and great fun. The school is in its second year and has 165 children — Pre-K through first grade — enrolled with plans to add a new grade each year. To date, there are over 300 students on the wait list for admission! My best to everyone from the Class of ’60.”

News from Patricia “Patty” Connors Warrender includes, “Another busy year has flown by.

Most of my time is consumed by my dogs and raising puppies; however, I did manage to sneak in fun traveling, as well. Summer was a blur and included two trips to Mt. One in Paradise Valley, MT where we rented a converted barn. An assortment of invited friends pitched in with cooking great dinners, all eaten outdoors.

For one of the trips, I drove out from Virginia with the three youngest dogs, all tucked into a huge round bed resting on an ice chest on the passenger seat. It took three full, long driving days, but I am delighted that I did such a crazy thing. I wanted my dogs to experience Montana. Another trip was to our favorite place, the Bob Marshall Wilderness area.

Our last trip was a ten-day-trip to Saint-Remy-de-Provence in France to stay with a fun group of

Take Note international friends. Of course, there was a lot of culture, hikes in the Alpilles, fabulous food, and wine. My grandchildren are growing up fast. The oldest, Hope, a senior in high school is hoping to go to the College of William and Mary, which would bring her closer to us. Our son, Patrick, was engaged in the spring and quite suddenly decided to get married without fanfare or fuss — he and his wife intend to redo their vows again next year! We went to Florida where they live and had a barefoot beach wedding. ‘Mom’ and ‘dad’ were the attendants. The wedding was totally stress-free and intimate. He was my last to tie the knot!”

Marilyn Hodges Wilmerding

sent a note from her iPad that read, “After putting up a fierce resistance, I’ve gotten into the electronic world. It seems that we can’t function without gadgets.

Now, am I in the loop with my brilliant electronic classmates? I hope so — let’s keep in touch!”

1961 Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

1962 Sage Dunlap Chase P.O. Box 238 Elkins, NH 03233 603-526-4788 sagedunlapchase@gmail.com Margaret “Margie” Holley Sparks 101 Bellant Circle Wilmington, DE 19807 302-655-1969 Margaret.holley@cox.net

1963 Cythlen “Lynn” Cunningham Maddock 1160 North Ocean Boulevard Palm Beach, FL 33480 561-844-9231 cythmad@aol.com This summer, Elizabeth “Liz” Jack Ghriskey spent two wonderful weeks on Nantucket.

She mentioned that she ran into Helene Henning Tilney at a wedding. Last winter, I ran into Helene and her husband at the Sloane Club in London and had fun chatting. They planned another trip to England in November. Suzanne “Suzy” Schroeder Chapman reported that she had a fabulous time at the Rose Bowl. I enjoyed a picnic with Robin Frost Bessin at the beach in Fairfield, CT. She was excited about her upcoming trip out West to visit her daughter and family. During our picnic, she received a call from her mother who had fallen and broken her hip.

Poor Robin had to leave to take care of her. I traveled to Iceland this summer in June. If you have never been there, GO! Iceland is a beautiful country, easy to get around by car, great food and friendly, friendly people. If you go in June, be sure to bring your parka and ski hat! I must admit that the cold weather was a wonderful change from Florida’s heat. I hope this finds everyone from the Class of 1963 healthy and happy. Do send in your news either to me or to alumnae_office@ethelwalker.org — we would love to hear about your adventures, jobs, and grandchildren!

1964 Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org Cynthia “Cindy” Higgins Roby wrote in and said, “I enjoy

watching my sons thrive. My son Jay is living in Atlanta with his wife Ali and son Ryan. I have a new grandchild on the way! My youngest son Nick lives and works in the Bay Area. Volunteering with various non-profits in the community keeps me busy, and I always, always love re-connecting with my EWS friends.”

1965

Janet “JJ” Taylor Lisle

reported, “Dick and I are still in a Little Compton, RI but have a small pad in NYC in Midtown for spontaneous getaways. I have continued to publish novels for children and young adults — 16 to date. You can access my web site at www.janettaylorlisle.com.

Our daughter, Elizabeth, lives with her family in Berkeley, CA and just produced her second child.

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Sarah Elting Doering 18453 Cliff TopWay Malibu, CA 90265 310-766-6045 sefmalibu@earthlink.net As you see from my address above, I still live in Malibu and do so with my second husband Fred, a Choate graduate. Fred and I both grew up in Lake Forest, IL. My three children and two granddaughters live in the area, so we are very lucky. We are both retired and have never been so busy. I am definitely coming back for our 50th and can’t wait to see who comes back too.

An email from Carolyn “Rusty” Foley, thanked me for taking on the task of being our Class Correspondent. She added that she retired as a secretary and currently lives and does volunteer work in Port Chester, NY. Although it is “a little too soon to make reunion plans, she hopes we can communicate about them at a later date.”

It looks like Henrietta “Pruyn” Clement Hildebrand won’t make it to reunion because she doesn’t travel anymore. Although she confessed to not having much news, she stays busy managing her late husband’s estate-ranching interests. However, a few years ago the prolonged drought convinced her to sell her cattle.

She said that she has two children and four grandchildren.

Nancy Brookfield Burke ’65 and her husband Duncan

Nancy Brookfield Burke

attended and survived her 45th Reunion from Vassar College in June. She found it “delightful to reconnect with classmates from years ago.” When she is not in Greenwich, CT, she and Duncan spend a lot of time in Telluride at film festivals and skiing. Together they are proud parents of six grown children. Her son Brooke is living in London after his graduation from Columbia Business School, and Duncan’s four married children with their children. She mentioned, “It would be wonderful to see everyone at our reunion. However, I am unsure whether I can attend because the date might conflict with my next graduation? I will graduate from Manhattanville College with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. It’s never too late to learn or do something new.

Sending my very best to everyone from the EWS Class of 1965.

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Take Note Writing from Scottsdale, AZ, Helen Frederick says, “Having lived in many parts of the world, I have been ensconced in Scottsdale for the last 11 years, and love it.

When I lived in Seattle, WA, I saw a lot of Mary “Wendy” Frey Textor ’64 and Phoebe Haffner Andrew ’56. Once, when skiing in Zermatt, Switzerland, I ran into Nancy Brookfield Burke. While living in the mountains of Colorado, I saw Lucie Sides Bourdon ’67, Sara “Sally” Burke Gilmore,

and Marcia Corbin ’62. I have seen Sophie “Posie” Sides Cowan since she became a snowbird in Tucson. Cynthia “Cindy” Higgins Roby ’64 and I got together periodically while I lived in San Francisco, where I also got together with Pamela “Pam” Morgan. Attending a wedding in Southampton, I ran into Linda Vander Poel Duryea.”

Helen added “now that I have finally regained my health, I’ve gotten back into sports as well as working with other ostomates and have regained an active, fruitful life. It would be great fun to catch up with the other members of our Class of 1965, and see what’s going on with them in our very active and involved worlds. I hope to see you at our 50th!”

Ethel Olmsted Hansen

recounted the following: “After college, I spent time in public relations in NYC. After, I moved to Washington, DC where I worked for a political relations firm, Hill and Knowlton, and then for Senator Javits as the assistant press secretary throughout Watergate. Later, I moved to Pittsburgh where my now deceased husband was asked to run Dollar Bank. During George H.W. Bush’s run for President, I was the scheduling director for Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey during the primary, and then the deputy director in

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charge of field operations for his general campaign.

I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Public Policy and Management.

Since graduating, I have worked as a strategic planner for a municipality, as well as served as a board member and vice chair for nonprofits, such as the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Andrew Carnegie Free Library, the Domestic Abuse Counseling Center and the Episcopal Church.

I continue my insanity by serving on boards and attempting strategic planning using a newer, more efficient approach that sometimes evolves into executive coaching. I have a wonderful stepson, Lee C. Hansen, who runs a turn-around fund that manages middle-market distressed businesses, and three grandsons, all of whom live in San Francisco.

Finally, I saw Linda Vander Poel Duryea just this September. She was in great form and looked better than ever, and, in fact, referred to our 50th.

“I am still in full-time ministry as an episcopal priest pastoring an ecumenical congregation in Sunriver, OR” reported Nancy Sargent Green. “My husband has just retired from 40 years in ordained ministry. After seven years of management work with Enterprise Rental Car, my son is looking for a direction of work in Portland. Having received her masters degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington, my daughter is enjoying her Hirshman fellow in Olympia, WA. As I will be on sabbatical in 2015, and plan to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain next May, I am sorry to say that I will miss our 50th Reunion.

Humorously, Pauline “Polly” Wiessner sounded a “UUUFFF” sound when mentioning our pending 50th Reunion. She

exclaimed, “That does not seem possible! Alas, I am sorry to say that I will not be able to attend as I will be in Namibia doing fieldwork in May. Briefly, I live in Utah and am a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Utah. I have one foot in research in the Kalahari and another in Papua, New Guinea. My work keeps life busy!

1966 Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

1971

1967 Your class needs a Correspondent!Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org Jesseca Ferguson lives, works, and teaches in Boston, MA; she currently works with pinhole photography, 19th century photo processes and collage. Her works can be seen on her website www.museumofmemory.com

1968 Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

1969 Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

1970

Jesseca Ferguson ’67 print from a solo exhibition at the Brooklyn Public Library

REUNION

Gail Chandler Gaston 202 East 75th Street New York, NY 10021 212-744-0070 GCGaston@aol.com

Jean Hamilton 661 Bering Drive, Unit 201 Houston, TX 77057 713-785-6817 witchofendor@earthlink.net

1972 Joanna Betts Virkler 15826 Lake Ridge Road Charlotte, NC 28278 704-588-1959 Joannav2000@aol.com In October from the 15th to the 19th, the Class of 1972 had a very successful Pawley’s Island mini reunion. The Pelican Inn was a delightful venue, offering rooms with a large kitchen, dining room and living room, not to mention oceanfront and amazing views of the marsh. With some classmates coming and going, we had about 19 in all. It was fun to welcome Elizabeth Bellingrath from the Alumnae Office. Four days and nights included walking on the beach, swimming, bike riding, kayaking, exploring nearby sites ,and restaurants. Best of all, we relaxed and enjoyed the company of our sisters-in-spirit. Now to plan for a redo in October of 2016!

Take Note Mary “Mimi” Mead-Hagen

thoroughly enjoyed the EWS reunion at Pawley’s Island and thinks Margaret “Peggy” Wascher Hellebush will join us in two years. Mimi’s oldest son, Harry, is a junior at Hobart and William Smith College, and her youngest son, Will, is a junior at the Hun School of Princeton. Her husband, Lee, commutes into NYC each day working at Callison, a Seattle-based architectural firm that specializes in retail projects. Mimi sends her best wishes.

From Sarah House Denby, “The Pelican Inn was perfect — what an amazing kitchen, light, and those views! I loved having the beach on one side and marsh on the other side. As for new news, other than reaching 60years-old (hurrah!), we took a Viking river trip on the Danube in November. We plan to be at the Walker’s Board meeting on Jupiter Island at the end of January, and then we leave for Patagonia and places beyond with National Geographic and another couple in February. Since Charley is still such a ski nut, we’ll visit our son and wife in Switzerland in March. More big news (finally!) is that we’ll be grandparents in February — our first! Charley’s daughter Mari (Mimi) and husband, Colm Leahy, are having a boy. They live in Brooklyn Heights, so it’s not too far a drive for us. They will add another floor to their condo and include a roof garden so there should be plenty of room. This is número uno, so we’re quite excited!”

Jill Englund Jensen agreed with Sarah and said, “It was a perfect reunion. I am so grateful for all the hands that helped put it together and made it work. I can hardly wait for the next. Now for my news — hmmmm. I finished my doctorate in nursing — Dr. Nurse; it has a certain ring to it, doesn’t it? I traveled to the University of Alabama this

summer to walk at graduation and receive my diploma. In three years, I plan to retire from the hospital, and pick up teaching some classes at the University of Delaware, which is close to my home. Our reunion was so much fun. I am always amazed at how strong and resilient our classmates are. We have made it through a number of trials and are still on our feet moving forward. I can hardly wait to hear the new stories at the next reunion.”

Jane Hadden Geisse added,

“What a fabulous reunion!

Joanna, thanks again for making it all possible. A special shout out to Karen and DeeDee, who both made sure I was up at 4:30 a.m., so I could get to the airport on time. I think a return to Pawley’s would be terrific! It has everything we could possibly wish for! Plus, now we have the lay-of-the-land.

So great to see all of you — we are an amazing group of women!

It was fun to have Elizabeth join us. I am sure she got a taste of what it was like to live in Beaver Brook back in the dark ages.

Hope everyone’s reentry into ‘real life’ was smooth. Take care.”

A message to all from Cynthia Anderson Barker: “What a gathering of eighteen 60-year-olds on Pawley’s Island. The ease and the grace of former classmates who have so much to share and offer each other still resonates with me. Some of us had not seen each other in 45 years! We shared a lifetime of milestones; such as the following: marriage, divorce, second marriage, birth of children, discovery of love later in life, careers, winding down of the career, thoughts about and planning for retirement, children (some yet to be ‘launched’), and some of us with grandchildren.

We talked, discussed ideas, sang together, and shared the joys and the challenges we face at each stage of our lives. We healed when we shared our challenges. We also explored and discovered our

1972 South Carolina mini reunion. L-R: Reggie Scrugs, DeeDee Roach-Quarles and Priscilla Cushman

shared strengths. We plan to gather again in two years. I thank my wonderful classmates Joanna and Karen for organizing and reconnecting us. Because of you, we were able to share the gift of each other.”

Susan “Susie” Churchill Bowman recounted, “The

reunion at Pawley’s Island was just wonderful. I took home many great memories of meaningful conversations, music, long walks on the beach, kayaking, and swimming in the ocean (for the first time in years), bird watching in the marsh, Jill’s bread, and much more. I returned home and began wrapping up my job as Teacher/Naturalist at Massachusetts Audubon’s Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary on Martha’s Vineyard. After 15 years on the staff, I will retire at the end of 2014, and devote more time to my music and art. I’m very excited!”

Anne Boynton Hilton chimed

in, “Awesome reunion on Pawley’s Island! Hopefully, even more folks will join us in two years. Thanks to all who pulled together the gathering. On to my news. I still live in New Hampshire on a large woodlot. I am rapidly approaching 39 years at the same company where I do meeting planning and

copy-editing! Hubby and I travel now and then, mostly exploring various states in the U.S. I still have horses and enjoy watching granddaughter number one. As of January, I have six grandchildren.

This spring, we will be traveling to Missouri to watch my youngest daughter graduate from medical school. It was great to catch up with everybody in South Carolina.”

Barklie Eliot wrote, “I continue to live and teach in Vero Beach, FL at Saint Edward’s School. I’m now on my second generation of students! However, retirement is definitely hovering on the horizon and will probably be sometime within in the next five years. I’m moving into carpe diem territory.”

Beryn Frank Harty reported that she and her hubby, Rick, took their first R.V. trip early this summer. They had a simply wonderful time visiting Sedona, Red Rock State Park, BOTH the south and north rims of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest National Park.

Whew! After enjoying our fabulous class reunion on Pawley’s Island, she returned to the Florida Keys for a round of doctor visits and MRIs — she might need yet

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Take Note a third cervical spinal fusion and bone grafts in the near future.

(Sigh) Beryn said, “Not nearly as much fun as my news.”

to retire in 2015 and do some traveling, so don’t be surprised if we show up on your doorstep!”

Deirdra Roach-Quarles

Priscilla Cushman emailed, “I

am living in Minneapolis, teaching physics at the University, and running an experiment deep in a mine in northern Minnesota that is looking for dark matter (the cosmic particle kind, not coal!). I am in a good second marriage to a great guy, who is also a professor of physics. He travels a lot to CERN in Geneva to study the Higgs particle and all that (no, don’t call it the God Particle — please!). The kids have all flown — but they flew to the same places — Boulder and Denver. Their locations serve as a great excuse to do a Christmas ski vacation with the family, and it means we have plenty of room for visitors (hint, hint). The summer and fall are great seasons in Minnesota; however, if you want a really interesting experience, visit us in February. The lake is only three blocks from the house and the Zamboni drives right onto it to clear it for ice skating, there is a cozy warming hut, and the lights are on until 10:00 p.m.

My neighbor has a little kiosk on wheels that he drives down to the skating area and sells hot chocolate.”

Catherine “Cathy” Miller Patel

stated, “Eric and I are about to head off to his Stanford University graduate school reunion now! It’s a month of reunions! What a joy to see my wonderful classmates again!”

“The mini reunion was such a fabulous time, exclaimed Aimee Gilleaudeau Lundy. She continued to say, “Mark and I are still in Cincinnati. Our daughters, Michaela and Meghan, are on their own with Michaela in Cincinnati and Meghan in Chicago. I’m back on the tennis courts after recovering from spinal surgery last year. We are planning 66

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reported, “Husband, Ernie, daughter, Adira, and I are still living in Mitchellville, MD — about a half an hour outside Washington, DC. Adira is in the eighth grade and has a new found passion for cheerleading. She continues to excel at tae kwon do and has won multiple state championship titles with silver and bronze medals at the AAU National TKD Championships.

These are relatively minor accomplishments compared to her most recent challenge — instructing mom! This is quite painful to her in some respects (imagine me doing a jump-snap kick!), but on the other hand, she LOVES bossing me around since I’m a fledgling yellow belt compared to her brown senior.

Ernie continues to practice law in DC and to teach cardio-tennis on the weekends, using dance music with motivational lyrics to keep his students pumped up. I’m still working as a medical project officer at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in Rockville, MD. My work involves helping to support research on promising approaches to treating alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder, particularly among women and people living with HIV/AIDS. In the little free time I have, I write poetry (and even tried my hand at writing a play a couple of years ago!), help to facilitate a children’s history and culture club, take Spanish lessons, and pray! Reconnecting with my EWS classmates at our informal reunions on Martha’s Vineyard and Pawley’s Island has given me some of my most cherished memories and inspired some of my most cherished dreams. EWS women are truly phenomenal!”

Karen Brooks wrote, “This has

been an amazing and emotional

year. For the third year, I’ve opened my farm and home to strangers from many countries. I have had 25 lambs born this spring, learned to use a Japanese baler, a hay rake from Turkey, made 82 jars of pesto, 60 pints of grape juice and sold hundreds of pounds of tomatoes to my local store. The harvest is almost done now — just a few hundred pounds of pears to deal with not to mention the winter squashes and pumpkins! My four children are well, and, for the most part, happy; something to be especially appreciative of these days. I was so lucky to be a part of our South Carolina reunion — what a beautiful time together. I hope to see even more of our classmates next time. Thank you all!”

Regina “Reggie” Scruggs

enjoyed the autumn in Texas. Is there an autumn in Texas? I thought there were just two seasons: “January and summer!”

In October, she had the wonderful opportunity to have dinner with Priscilla Cushman in St. Paul, MN. Can you believe that they hadn’t seen each other since graduation — 42 years ago!

Although she couldn’t make our class reunion at Pawley’s Island, she and Pris had a mini-reunion of their own. Also, she took a trip to Jacksonville, FL, to visit with her sister Sheila. Sheila is a home healthcare aide and helps the elderly; as such, she has very little time off. She said that her visit was “one of our rare visits.”

Kathryn “Kathy” Loomis Harris announced she is happily

the grandmother to little Henry, and she sends her best to all.

Karin Wyman Morgan

announced that she and her husband Jeff are expecting their first grandchild this April and are very excited!

Leslie Zinkand Petter is also expecting a grandchild soon.

Little Henry, grandson of Kathy Loomis Harris ’72

From Catherine “Cappy” Clark Shopneck: “We traveled a lot this summer. We went wing shooting in Argentina in June with our older son Andy. In late July, Bob and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary in Paris and then went on to South Africa where we went to Cape Town, and then met up with a group from the Yellowstone Association in Johannesburg. From there, we went to Kruger National Park and then to a private preserve next to Kruger where we witnessed and assisted in the preserve’s rhino identification initiative. We watched as three rhino were darted from a helicopter, and Bob drilled the hole in the horn of one of the rhinos so that an identification chip could be inserted. It was a great trip. I continue to be very involved with the University of Denver and served this past year, among other responsibilities, as vice chair of the search for our new Chancellor, Rebecca Chopp. Our boys are still living in Denver, and we are so grateful that we get to see them often. I was sorry to miss the big Pawley’s Island reunion. I’m glad that it was so much fun. Best to all.”

Take Note 1973 Your class needs a Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

She added, “I have seen a lot of Sarah Gates Colley in numerous places, as well as

1974 Vanessa Guerrini-Maraldi Wilcox 580 West End Avenue New York, NY 10024 212-877-3413 vgmwilcox@nyc.rr.com

1975

Melbourne, FL. Once our house in McLean, VA sells, we will determine if Florida will be a permanent move. By the time our reunion rolls around in May, I should know our plans.”

REUNION

Doris “Veda” Pendleton McClain 8810 Doe Run Ct. Louisville, KY 40242 502-384-7041 veda_mcclain@yahoo.com My son Micah, a junior at Maryland Institute College of Art, was featured recently in the Baltimore Sun as a young fashion designer who creates fresh looks.

Micah is a Fiber Major and will spend the spring semester in Florence, Italy. Also, I am excited to announce that I anxiously await the arrival of my seventh grandchild in April.

Catherine “Cathy” Cary Wood sent news that said, “I had

my first grand-baby in May. My youngest was married in August, and my middle child married in September. I have had quite the last six months! I think I had some sort of shower every weekend.

Now, I’m sad that it’s all over!”

“In September, Ron and I became empty nesters when our daughter headed off for her freshman year at Samford University in Birmingham, AL and our son started his sophomore year at the Berkshire School in Sheffield, MA,” wrote Deborah “Debbie” Bell Spoehel. She continued her note and said, “To avoid the cold; we have rented a house in

Kathryn “Kathy” McCarthy Parsons and Helen Potter Wagner when visiting my

mother in Florida. Hoping to see everyone back at school for our 40th Reunion! Yikes, it doesn’t seem that long ago.”

In April, Nyoka Browno Woods welcomed a new grandson; Kingston “Buster” is her fourth grandchild. Nyoka continues work that she enjoys as a creative mathematics teacher in Orangeburg, SC. Cynthia “Cyndi” Donn Tessler

added, “All is well with me in Virginia Beach. I am still working hard. My oldest son Aaron lives and works in DC, and my baby is in college in Philadelphia. I had the amazing luck to get together with Elizabeth “Betsy” Fitzgerald Welton in September in Sarasota, FL. She is still talented and amazing! I am in touch on a regular basis with Carol Hoffman Jason and Monica Boyd. Walker’s friends are still the best! If anyone is down this way, I would love to see you. Carol and I can’t make our reunion, but we’re thinking about planning a mini one in DC. Who is game?”

1977 Lisa Bourget Frisbie 2 Caryn Lane Weatogue, CT 06089 860-416-2428 academicinsight@aol.com

Recently, I discovered that Stephanie Economu is a race car driver — how cool is that? I have taken excerpts from a recent interview for the Lime Rock Drivers Club to give you an idea of her talent and expertise:

Deborah Rush Two Sisters’ Farm 400 Fairview Road Coatesville, PA 19320 610-380-9312 tusis@aol.com In November, I enjoyed seeing Deborah Rush and her daughter Isabel when they were visiting Walker’s. Deborah is on the Alumnae Board and spent two days in meetings listening to various teachers and administrators report about all of the wonderful things that are happening at Walker’s.

While Deborah was in meetings, Isabel toured the campus, spent a night in the “new dorm” and interviewed — she is considering joining Walker’s as a freshman in the fall of 2015. When not consumed with meetings, Deborah and I shared a delicious meal out at a local Asian restaurant in Simsbury. I look forward to her return in March when she returns to be a guest teacher in the Equine Studies class.

Q. What was your first car?

Officially I inherited my dad’s 1974 Cadillac Sedan. The year was 1976. I weighed 82 lbs. I prefer, however, to claim that my first car was a 1981 Scirocco S. My dad bought it for me as a college graduation gift. Loved this car.

Q. What was your first race car?

In June 2009, I raced my Bugatti Blue, 1990 Spec Miata at a SCCA regional race at Lime Rock Race Park (LRP) – in Salisbury, CT. Simon and Peter Argetsinger, race car drivers and instructors, asked me where I wanted to go with my driving, and I said I wanted to get my racing license and race. And that did it!

Q. What is your current race car?

I still race the Miata — doesn’t look as good as it used to! I have tracked a 2005 Mini Cooper S Cabrio (a hot orange one with bonnet stripes and the plate GPMPKN for Great Pumpkin) at both LRP and Watkins Glen. I also track a 2006 Dark Olive Metallic

1976 New CorrespondentN Larke Woods Wheeler 4584 East Conway Drive NW Atlanta, GA 30327 404-256-0322 larkew@bellsouth.net I am our new Class Correspondent.

I would love to hear from you — please, send me your news.

Stephanie Economu ’77 gearing up

SPRING 2015

67

Take Note

Still smiling after a two day, 39.3 mile walk — Karen Polcer Bdera ’79

Enjoying a Bermuda sunset — Kate Clark ’77 and classmates Lucy West Engebretson and Andrea Sinclair

Porsche Cayman S and a 2013 Fire Orange BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition.

It sounds like our class has quite the race car driver in our ranks.

Stephanie is also the founder of GearHead Girls Racing LLC and you can check out her web site: http://gearheadgirlsracing.com. Did I mention that I drive a 2011 Jeep Cherokee Sport? Vroom! Vroom!

When K.C. Wideman Pickett wrote to let me know about Bettina McMahon’s death, she said that Lissa Crichton ’78 visits her every year and mentioned that there is always a plethora of EWS’ers who migrate down to Palm Beach when it is cold up North. She exclaimed, “I just discovered that my tennis partner is an alumna as well —

K.C. Wideman Pickett ’77 and husband John

68

THE SUNDIAL

Kate Crichton Gubelmann ’67.

Because Kate is a Sun and I’m a Dial, I am not sure that we can continue to be partners. When I am not playing tennis, I am helping people find their dream home.

My husband, John, and I own Barrett Welles Property Group (www.barretwelles.com) in Palm Beach. Cheers to Class of ’77!”

1979 Karen Polcer Bdera 24-03 86th Street East Elmhurst, NY 11369 718-429-7594 pinkwalk@gmail.com Since my last missive, I’ve been on the move. I attended our 35th Reunion and spoke on a panel about Walker’s Women Today; admirably moderated by our own Catherine “Cathy” Terry Taylor

1978 Katharine Swibold 29 Independence Street Tarrytown, NY 10591 914-524-9624 KSwibold@aol.com While there are no notes to include in this issue, I hope to hear from many of you for the next Sundial. I enjoyed getting together with Laura MacIntyre Shaw one Friday when she was in NYC babysitting for one of her grandchildren. We started to catch up, and I hope we can continue where we left off soon.

Feel free to email me anytime. I'd love to hear from you, and I know our classmates would too! I hope all is well with you and yours.

(who engaged in a furiously competitive campaign for the office of Lt. Governor of the State of Rhode Island, this fall).

Although we had a few last minute cancelations, those of us who came to Reunion Weekend 2014 had an awesome weekend!

Other travels have included a July trip with my step mom to

London and Rome, and a September trip with my amazing husband to Aruba to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. I returned from Aruba in time to complete my 16th Avon Walk for Breast Cancer — a 39.3 mile, two-day event. To date, I have raised over $205,000 for breast cancer awareness and research.

Due to a grumpy knee, I volunteered at this year’s NYC Marathon — actually RUNNING a 26.2 mile event is no longer a good idea, for me.

Life is grand!

Elizabeth “Lisa” Danforth Hurst reported the following:

“Our last is off to Middlebury, I have two working in NYC and I have gone back to work! I have the perfect job as a Personal Stylist for J. Hilburn, (www.jhilburn.com) a men’s custom clothier, and enjoy the freedom of running my own business while offering clients an affordable, superior alternative to traditional retailers. I have met the most amazing people, and I’m learning something new and fun — my job is totally rewarding.

Best of all, I still have time to walk the dogs, go to yoga class, tend to the garden and house, and be a good wife and cook!

Cynthia Reed Klein emailed

and said, “Our oldest, Margaret, graduated from Washington and Lee University this past May.

1979 friends Ellen Gerry Breed, Lela Schaus Philip, Dar Reimer Barrett and Lisa Danforth Hurst meet at Lela’s art show.

Take Note While a student at W&L, she played lacrosse and was named the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Player of the Year and an All-American her senior year.

Currently, she is in NYC and works for Charlotte Brody, a custom clothing line. Our youngest is a sophomore at Colby College where she plays both soccer and lacrosse and is still determining her major. As for me, I have returned to the world of work. I am a manufacturer’s rep for five textile companies throughout the country. I job share with another women whose name is also Cynthia — thankfully she prefers to be called Cyn. I am learning a lot and loving my work. While Margaret was at W&L, we spent many spring weekends in Lexington, VA to watch her games. For many of those weekends, I stayed with Wendy Buck Brown who lives in Charlottesville, that made the trips much more fun. Now we spend our weekends traveling to Waterville, ME to watch soccer games in the fall and lacrosse games in the late winter/spring. I was sorry to miss our reunion last spring, but both of our girls’ college lacrosse teams made it to the Division III NCAA lacrosse championship tournaments. I keep in touch with Lisa Danforth Hurst, Katherine “Trina” Jones Stillwell, Lela Schaus Philip, Wendy Buck Brown, and Sarah “Sally” Peck. I hope to see many of you

at our next reunion, if not before.

“One of the best things I’ve ever done is re-connect with Heather Baker,” said Arabella Wattles Teal. “Heather was the friend who (among others) helped me survive my adolescence. This summer, I visited her in Maine.

We spent a week together and had a fantastic time — cooking, walking, drinking, and snuggling with her two wonderful dogs, Daisy and Patsy. If any of you out there have wondered if it’s a good idea to stay a week alone with a

friend you haven’t seen in 35 years, don’t worry. We discovered that the stuff we liked about each other in high school, we still like about each other. Our experiences since graduation enriched the conversations immeasurably. How many of us have literally or metaphorically lost touch with people who were crucial to us when we were at EWS? Allow me to echo the quote of one of my stepmother’s heroes, novelist E.M. Forster, ‘Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its highest. Live in fragments no longer.’” (Note: Heather Baker also sent me a quick note, reiterating Arabella’s news).

except for having to get up at 4:45 a.m. two days a week. I stay in close contact with Elizabeth England and keep up with lots of others on Facebook.”

Emily Carson, daughter of Victoria McCain Carson ’80, with fiancé Rex Atwood

Victoria McCain Carson Robin Flynn Wagner wanted

us to know that her daughter Samantha started her freshman year at Boston College. She would love to connect Samantha with any children of former EWS alumnae who might be at BC!

1980

REUNION

Ann O’Reilly 110 South Road Winsted, CT 06098 860-738-4442 ASOR1@aol.com An email from Daria Blackham said, “I am currently working for a mental health and substance abuse agency that sees mostly court-mandated clients. I facilitate groups and provide individual counseling. Certainly, never a dull moment. I’m in the process of getting a state license to open my own practice. I have three kids.

The oldest, age 21 is out on his own and working. My 19-yearold is a sophomore at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and my 15-year-old is a freshman at King and Low-Heywood Thomas School in Stamford, CT. Deana Washburn is still my oldest and dearest friend, and we get together as often as possible!”

reported, “Emily is getting married! We are busy with the plans from a distance. Because the couple has a tight medical school schedule, it is on for March 7th in Newport, RI. We love Rex and cannot wait to welcome him to the family!”

Hope Thurston Carter noted that she enjoys photography and is hard at work on building her Hope Carter Photography website: www.hopecarterphoto.com.

Please visit!

My news is that my son Jake started at the University of Connecticut (UConn) this year, where he’ll major in math and possibly minor in music. His sister Katie ’17 loves being at Walker’s. I’ve been having a great time reliving my EWS days through her sharing her experiences. Although it’s strange to sit in a teacher conference where my old dorm room used to be, I love all the changes the school has implemented. We’re very excited about plans for the Centennial Center (donations welcome!) — a multi-purpose athletic facility. I also want to give a shout-out to my niece Thea, the daughter of my cousin Priscilla Buckley Illel ’74 for her music video Thea, Rose Ryot & Jaw Drink www.youtube.com./watch?v=AAIzS PJR7KU

1981 Veronica “Roni” Leger 91 Fayerweather Street #3 Cambridge, MA 02138 617-547-4130 veronical@alum.mit.edu Here is my most recent small world story. I had to drive to New Jersey to visit a client and decided

Full of Color by photographer Hope Thurston Carter ’80

Dale Seiffer Oberlander wrote: “I live in Rye, NY and work as the director of a preschool. My son William started college this year at the University of Colorado, Boulder. His younger brother Bert is a junior at Rye High School. I have been divorced for two years. I have taken up rowing that I love;

Selfie! Roni Leger ’81 with classmate Laura Whiteman SPRING 2015

69

Take Note to leave a day early and stay with my sister, Marion Leger Murphy ’80, in New Canaan, CT. The next morning, I didn’t have to leave until 10:00 a.m., so I went into town, got a coffee, and walked around. During my walk, I looked up and gasped, “Laura?” The woman responded, “Roni?” Both of us together exclaimed, “What are you doing here?” What fun! I had lost track of Laura Whiteman and didn’t know that she was living in New Canaan. Our chance encounter happened when she was out walking her dog. We had a great visit! Of course, we took a selfie as evidence!

Leonarda Boughton is an

amazing artist! I remember years ago when she had a one-woman show in a gallery on Newbury Street in Boston. I pretty much wanted to buy every piece. She has since moved and wrote, “I am part of an art show right now at the Washburn Cultural Center and Museum in Washburn, WI. My piece Venus Transit just won Best of Show! I was interviewed by the editor of the Bayfield County Journal and it turns out that she is an EWS graduate.

What a small world!” Narda will conduct an art workshop in Costa Rica this April. It’s open to all levels of artists, and it will be held in an incredibly beautiful spot.

I’m sure she would love to see some EWS alumnae there!

Venus Transit winning Best of Show by Leonarda Boughton ’81

70

THE SUNDIAL

1981 classmates Liza Paschal Alrick, Meg Filoon, and Robin Lorton Danell catch up in Vail.

What fun! Margaret “Meg” Filoon wrote that Elizabeth “Liza” Paschal Alrick, and Robin Lorton Danell spent the day in Vail together. Meg had come to Vail from Charlotte, NC to watch her two boys play in a lacrosse tournament. Robin drove down from Aspen, and Liza lives in Vail. They had a wonderful time sharing stories and re-living some fun Walker’s moments from the early 80s!

Virginia “Ginny” Thorson Moll

shared a great picture (see photo) of her family: Cooper, 24, Jack,

22, Ginny, Zachary (her husband), Megan, 32, Lauren, 29, Kellen, 26, Henry (now 2-1/2), Manny, 26 (Henry’s dad). The photo was taken at Ginny’s ranch All Five Ranch in Big Pine, CA where they farm hay, cattle, and raise grass-fed beef. Also, she raises Nubian goats and sells their milk, and goat cheese and soap. It is not enough that she has cattle and goats, but she also has 65 hens and runs a small egg business. PLUS, she tends a HUGE organic garden that grows tons of gorgeous veggies and beautiful flowers. She wrote, “My

Gizella Callender Crawford ’81 with daughter Lucy and son Will

greatest joy, however, is my family.

I am thrilled that I just got the last kid through college! Whew!”

Gizella Callender Crawford

sent in a picture of her family and wrote, “I’ve had a busy year with Will graduating from high school.

He has loved trucks since a toddler and is going to school to be a diesel mechanic. Lucy made her high school varsity basketball team as a freshman and plays also on an AAU basketball team.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Schreier Davis sent a wonderful picture

Ginny Thorson Moll’s ’81 clan includes children, husband, baby, son-in-law, and dogs

Take Note

Down in front! Shelley Marks ’81, Roni Leger ’81, Pam Safford ’81 with Jim

1982 Eve Agush Costarelli 16 Porter Road Natick, MA 01760 617-879-6062 AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com Ashley Bourne Dewey

A day in paradise. Betsy Schreier Davis ’81 backbacking in the Dolomites.

remarked, “It is hard to believe my daughter Katie is a senior at Middlebury College. Time is flying. My other daughter, Allison, is a freshman at Bates College with Whitney Williams Jones’ son, Clarke. Both were recruited for lacrosse, and they

Sarah Davies ’82 married Whitney Tilt, August 15, 2014.

have become very good friends.

Love it! I do love seeing and talking with Whitney! Now I just hope the next four years do not go as fast as they did with Katie. I hope all is well with the class of ’82.

Eve Agush Costarelli wrote in

and said, “I have recently become the lead teacher for the Nourishing Teachers, Strengthening Classrooms Project. The project brings yoga into the Framingham public schools targeting their special needs populations. Not only do I bring yoga into the classrooms, but I also use curriculum tie-ins to help

students understand their work kinesthetically. As a result of the work I did last year in the Cambridge Public Schools (tying the 2nd grade science curriculum to yoga), I have learned how important kinesthetic, or bodybased, teaching methods can be in reaching students, particularly those with special needs. For more information about this work, you can access the following link: http://alwaysbedancing.wordpress.com.

Working with schools is a fun experience and enriching for myself, the teachers, the students, and the whole school community.

(see photo) of her backpacking this summer in the Dolomites in Italy; her backpacking partners were other NOLS alumni.

Pamela “Pam” Safford and I went to visit Shelley Marks in

Wingaersheek, MA when she was on the East Coast last June. Pam’s dog, Jim, was the center of all of the pictures.

Eve Agush Costarelli ’82 and the students from the Maria Baldwin School, Cambridge, MA

SPRING 2015

71

Take Note Courtney Callahan wrote and

said that she is the coordinator for religious studies at St. John’s of Lattingtown Episcopal Church in Locust Valley, NY. Recently her school underwent a redecoration project with the help of Emily Eckelberry Johnson’s creative and decorating expertise.

Courtney added that Caitlin Nammack Weissman’s daughter Meg, a ninth grade student, helped out too. She sees Beverly “Bea” Banker ’60, P’82 at the Church. Bea cooks

for the homeless shelter, serves at the 8:00 a.m. service and does so many other special things. At Christmas time, she sees Billings Day Cay and her daughter.

1986 Tahra Makinson Sanders 2260 North Point Apartment 6 San Francisco, CA 94123 707-576-8401 tmaksan@yahoo.com

1987 Elizabeth “Liz” West Glidden 40 Stocking Lot Road East Haddam, CT 06423 860-808-4232 Lizwest8@gmail.com

1988 1983 Anna Perkins de Cordova 2406 New Hackensack Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 845-452-3045 Ade_cordova@hotmail.com

1984 Your class needs a Class Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

1985

REUNION

Your class needs a Class Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

1989 Fiona Cox de Kerckhove 1133 37th Avenue Seattle, WA 98122 206-605-5355 fionaccox@aol.com I have taken a semi-sabbatical this year from my legal career and will spend five months studying French in the South of France.

Class of 1989 mini reunion in NYC — Judi Glaser Marash, Preeti Pathela, Betsy Timken, Carolyn Espasas Muchacho, Judy Artime Berkley, Carrie Christensen, Paula Vega

If traveling through France, look me up. Also, I am ready to pass the Class Correspondent baton on to anyone who wants to connect with our class. However, I will continue until someone else takes over.

Karen Brundage finished a

wonderful six week run starring as “Mrs. Van Daan” in The Diary of Anne Frank this September. The production was hailed a triumph, with rave reviews across the board for the performances. Karen was cited as being “especially effective” in the role. The experience has renewed her love for live theater, and she looks forward to more opportunities — while still

Elizabeth “Betsy” Potter Giddings 14 South Shore Lane Albany Township, ME 04217 860-805-8711 dearepg@aol.com Congratulations to Clarissa Potter! Clarissa married Kenneth Schwartz on October 11, 2014 in Quechee, VT. (See photo on page 60.)

Karen Brundage ’89 in The Diary of Anne Frank (seated at left)

72

THE SUNDIAL

pursuing TV, of course! She is also still actively penning her TV blog, TVTourGuide.net and living a pretty decent life in LA. Jennie Alter Abt’s oldest daughter Jessie (age 16) transferred to a new school in Chicago that is only two years old, called the Wolcott School.

Wolcott is a college preparatory school for students with learning disabilities. She loves her teachers and feels like she really belongs in this small, nurturing and hard working community of faculty and kids. Her middle child Emily just turned 15 years old. Jennie now has two kids with driver’s permits! It’s terrifying for her and exciting for them. Emily is a freshman at New Trier High School and is on the NT Dance Team. Jennie’s youngest, Coby, is in 8th grade. If it were up to him, he’d play volleyball and video games all day. But he’s making the most of his last year in middle school. Jennie and Mike are hanging in there managing teenagers and trying to escape when they can to Colorado. Jennie is looking forward to returning to her Walker’s Alumnae Board position this year. She hopes to see more of Walker’s and its students in the year to come.

Take Note Business at Northeastern University in Boston. She teaches, writes and performs research on economic development, social impact metrics, impact investing and social enterprise with a focus on global poverty and sustainable design. She teaches classes in India, Africa, and rural communities in the U.S. If anyone from our class is involved in any of these spaces; she would love to connect with you.

1990

REUNION

Your class needs a Class Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

Many Walker’s alumnae and friends enjoyed the wedding of Donya Nagib Soriano in NYC; in attendance were the following:

1992 Whitley Ram Schoeny 4850 Burley Hills Drive Cincinnati, OH 45243 513-478-7871 whitleyschoeny@yahoo.com

1993

Timken, Morenka “Niki” Williams, Carrie Christensen, Judy Artime Berkley, Preeti Pathela, Eleanor Taylor, Emma Simon, Sarah Mendez, and Judi Glaser Marash.

Holly Legler Cortes ’91, Carolyn Bower Welch ’91, Sarah Keefer ’91, Brooke Gaffney Redmond, Elizabeth Borland Blodgett ’91, Stephanie Bothwell Grillo, Gabriela Porta Beecher ’91, Tatyana Bradford Ourubka, Abra Prentice Wilkin ’60, Amanda Pitman, and

Constance and Hugh Hildesley P’85.

Amanda “Mandy” Eastman and Augusta “Mimi” Morrison Harrison made Jennifer “Jen” Jackson’s birthday extra special

1991

Sending love from NYC is Honor

Sarah Keefer 59 North 3rd Street Apartment 3C Philadelphia, PA 19106 443-326-9357 Sarah6369@gmail.com

this year by showing up in Washington, DC as a surprise on Jen’s big day. In March, Mandy and Jen took a trip to explore some of New Mexico together.

Jen mentioned that she had connected with Allyson “Ally” Wainer ’91 via the web since they both work at the U.S. Agency for International

1989 classmates Stephanie Lee, Marsha Davis, Betsy Timken at Madison Square Garden at the New York Rangers game.

Marsha Davis was part of a mini reunion that took place in NYC and included the following people: Elizabeth “Betsy”

Prouty Brodie. Her son

Nicholas is in fourth grade and Alexandra is starting her last year of nursery school.

Sarah Duggan said that her kids

are doing well, and she is still at the same job in Boston — Director of Education and Support, The Brain Tumor Society.

Daughters of Stacey Lombardo DiPiazza ’89 — Marcella (8), Ameilia (12), and Marina (14)

Augusta “Mimi” Morrison Harrison 120 Riverside Boulevard Apartment 3E New York, NY 10069 212-769-2254 mimiharrison@me.com

Sara Minard said it was

wonderful to see everyone at our 25th Class Reunion! She was so impressed by the Walker’s 21st Century curriculum and Centennial Campaign: so creative, innovative and forward-looking.

She sincerely hopes to connect with those who couldn’t make it to reunion. She sends a shout out to Catherine Aurelio, Debbie Cha, Rebecca “Becca” Disbrow! She did mention that

Reunions — it turns out — are really a fun opportunity to reconnect with the amazing work of our school. After five years at Columbia University, she’s now executive professor at the D’Amore-McKim School of

Many Walker’s alumnae gathered for a post-wedding reception to celebrate Donya Nagib Soriano ’90’s marriage. L–R: Holly Legler Cortes ’91, Carolyn Bower Welch ’91, Sarah Keefer ’91, Brooke Gaffney Redmond ’90, Elizabeth Borland Blodgett ’91, Donya Nagib Soriano ’90, Stephanie Bothwell Grillo ’90, Gabriela Porta Beecher ’91, Tatyana “Tanya” Bradford Ouhrabka ’90, Abra Prentice Wilkin ’60, and Amanda Pitman ’90

SPRING 2015

73

Take Note 1996

1998

J. Drusilla Carter 13 Falknor Drive Manchester, CT 06040 860-634-7519 jdrusillacarter@gmail.com

Brooke Berescik-Johns 118 West 75th Street Apartment #3A New York, NY 10023 646-483-9383 BrookeBJohns@gmail.com

Fernanda Gilligan Jess wrote

Surpise! Classmates Mimi Morrison Harrison ’93 and Mandy Eastman surprise Jen Jackson on her birthday.

Development. Finally, in September, Jen and her husband Clifton Smith celebrated their one-year anniversary and welcomed their son, Alexander Ernest Smith to their family.

Nancy Wong Bryan’s ’94 daughers Ella (7) and Nora (5)

in to say that she was married on October 12, 2014. She and her husband Adrian spent their honeymoon in Maldives and Sri Lanka. Sounds like heaven! She added that she received well wishes from Walker’s friends: Gwendolyn Wood Wisely, Ashley Kaye Bernon and Camille Obering Musser.

1994 Your class needs a Class Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

1997

1995

Karen Crowe 220 Boylston Street Apartment 1109 Boston, MA 02116 617-875-7240 Kcrowe79@gmail.com

REUNION

Alexandra “Ali” Townson 49 S. Willow Street East Aurora, NY 14052 716-308-6697 alexandratownson@hotmail.com

Alicia Kelly Benedetto 6 Little Bear Drive Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 917-622-9946 Acbenedetto15@gmail.com

Alexander Ernest Smith is a cutie! Son of Jen Jackson ’93

I have been enjoying reconnecting with Walker’s alumnae in NYC, and looking forward to attending my cousin’s, Caroline Olesh ’15, June graduation!

This year, Ipsita Das was able to attend a couple of the NYC EWS events and enjoyed being able to hang out with Meaghan McLean Boisfeuillet ’99, Sumitra Daswani ’97, Aiko Ishikawa ’97, Nicole Madison ’99 and Brooke BerescikJohns. In May, she fit in a lovely vacation to Greece with Vivienne Felix ’99. Most importantly,

Ipsita said that she has been in remission for almost five years.

“Hooray! Sunray!”

1999 Vivienne Felix 11333 201st Street Saint Albans, NY 11412 484-597-0633 Viviennefelix@hotmail.com Nicole “Nikki” Dunson McAllister wrote, “I still live in

Atlanta with my hubby and now two children. I gave birth to Nicolas McAllister on May 1, 2014. We are so in love with him.

I am also still practicing bankruptcy law.”

Traci Brinling works for MetLife as their Creative Project Manager & Junior Video Editor/Motion Graphics. She also works as a freelance video editor and motion graphic artist; view her work on her website: www.tracibproductions.com

Welcome to the world Sabrina Huynh Schorr, daughter of Toan Huynh ’93 Wedding day in Northern Ireland, Fernanda Gilligan Jess ’96 and husband Adrian

74

THE SUNDIAL

Take Note 2001 Alicia Little Hodge 142 Hampton Avenue West Hartford, CT 06110 860-970-9156 alittlehodge@gmail.com

2002 First day of school! Tami Baroody Wolpert ’99 with Jameson, Elena, and husband Ryan

Kristin Decker Somerville ’00 with her husband Taylor and son Sam

Kristin Decker Somerville wrote,

“I am living in Simsbury with my husband, Taylor, our 18-month-old son Sam, and our Boston Terrier, Winston. I am currently an operations manager at Allstate and recently completed my master’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Jamiah Tappin ’00 presents at her first national conference

Tami Baroody Wolpert ’99 on her wedding day in the hills of Asheville, NC.

Like Traci and many of you, I am also working full-time. I moved to New Jersey this summer to work for a college access nonprofit organization. While in NYC, I was surprised to run into Nicole Madison. My days are super busy, but it is a treat to live closer to friends and family. Stay well everyone,

2000

In November, Jamiah Tappin presented at her first national conference in New Orleans. A community organizer at the Boston Alliance for Community Health, Jamiah’s presentation was titled, “Racial/Ethnic and Income Disparities in Child and Adolescent Exposure to Food and Beverage Television Ads across U.S. Media Markets.” Hooray!

Sunray!

Holly Jackson 425 East 63rd Street Apartment E9H New York, NY 10065 860-593-1081 hjackson17@gmail.com Cerra Cardwell ’02 recently moved back to NYC after a two year stint in Baltimore with U.S. Lacrosse. Currently working for a supplemental education nonprofit, HEAF, she was honored to be supported at a recent fundraising event by fellow Walker’s Sundials Brooke Berescik-Johns ’98 and Sarah Heinemann ’00. She also recently caught up with Margo Hanlan ’01, Selma Rano Collier ’01 and Sylvia Ericson ’01

— when Sylvia was visiting from Brazil.

Sisters! Morgan and Madison, daughters of April Bolton Mwangi ’00

Brittany Coons Noble and her husband Andy welcomed Nora Marie Noble to their family on October 16, 2014. She weighed in at 6 lbs. 3 oz., and joins big brother Nico (2) who is (most of the time) thrilled about his little sister.

REUNION

Allison Quigley 15 The Meadows Stratham, NH 03885 603-247-0784 allisonmquigley@gmail.com

Bonnie Ewald ’00 and Arjun Majithia are wed. Cheers!

Cerra Cardwell ’02, Margo Hanlan ’01 and Sylvia Ericson ’01

SPRING 2015

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Take Note 2005

REUNION

Emma Bedford-Jack 324 Throop Ave. Apt 3 Brooklyn, NY 11206 860-966-6631 emmabedfordjack@gmail.com

Brittany Coons Noble ’02 with son Nico, and husband, Andrew, welcome Nora Marie

Holly Guzman and Dale Chube have purchased their first home in Bellevue, KY. Holly, Dale, and baby Julian are enjoying the additional space and their cute neighborhood.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying what is about to be the tenth year since we roamed Walker’s halls! I am now the Class Correspondent for Class of 2009, and I am eager to hear your news! Please send any updates and photos to emmabedfordjack@gmail.com.

All entries regarding past weddings, promotions, babies, degrees, and the like are welcome!

As for me, a little over a year ago I married a lovely lady named Angela Jack and we are happily residing in Brooklyn, NY with our two pups. What’s new with you?

If you ever come to Orlando, FL give me a call as I live there now.

And EWS 2006, I want you to know that there’s no need to wait until the next Take Note deadline to contact me; you can send updates anytime or just contact me to stay in touch. I love hearing from you!

Victoria “Tory” Evans shares a blissful update and a wonderful picture: “I married Elizabeth Saunders, now Elizabeth Evans in April of 2014. We are living in northeast Ohio.”

2006 Alle Shane 101 S. Eola Drive Unit #1204 Orlando, FL 32801 561-309-6883 alleshane@yahoo.com

Holly Guzman ’02 and Dale Chube with Julian

2003 Your class needs a Class Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

2004 Your class needs a Class Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

76

THE SUNDIAL

Marielle Vigneau-Britt 1865 North Fuller Avenue #314 Los Angeles, CA 90046 860-559-0466 mariellevigneaubritt@gmail.com I’ve gotten glimpses of your graduation, wedding, and yes, even honeymoon pictures, thanks to social media. It’s absolutely amazing seeing your families, babies, snapchat masterpieces, adventures, and status updates.

I think my favorite pictures are those of Walker’s girls reuniting.

In person, I’ve seen Diane LaPosta and Contessa Coleman ’07 every year since graduation! I miss you all very much and wish you each the best.

Brittany Ross McClernon

joyfully announced: “Pat and I are going into our fourth year of marriage and we are currently residing in the Pittsburgh area.

Our son Colton just turned 3 and our daughter Lily will be 1 the beginning of November. I am currently working in sales for a residential furnishings company.”

Hillary Rohback Johnson

wrote with delight, “I’m currently living on the Upper East Side and enjoying my new life as a mommy! We had our first son, Hunter Adams Johnson, on April 9, 2014. He is growing up so fast but I love every minute of it! I still teach kindergarten at a NYC public school on the Upper East Side and very much enjoy it.

Over the past few months we have enjoyed taking trips to Nantucket, RI, and Connecticut.

We plan on traveling even more this coming year, as our son gets older.

Best wishes to the class of 2006, I hope everyone is doing well!”

Tory Evans ’06 and Elizabeth Evans

From the desk of Reema Dedania: “I am in my last year of medical school now and in the process of applying for residency in psychiatry. I am hoping to go into academic medicine and pursue global mental health with the possibility of working with refugees abroad who have mental illnesses. I’m living in Phoenix, AZ right now, which I love, but I am looking forward to the possibility of going back on the East Coast for residency. When I’m not at the hospital, I’ve been exploring different running and hiking trails around Arizona and taking advantage of the endless taco bars in my neighborhood. I hope all the Walker’s ladies are doing well and I wish you the best!”

“I’m not sheeping!” Hunter, son of Hillary Rohback Johnson ’06

2007 Carter E. Margison 200 W. 70th Street Apartment 9A New York, NY 10023 860-839-0770 carter.margison@gmail.com

Take Note Emily Casey 446 Cedar Lane New Hartford, CT 06057 860-489-4700 feelflowfree@gmail.com

Marianne Pettit 10 Flagstad Road West Hartford, CT 06107 860-614-3212 12pettit@cardinalmail.cua.edu Katherine “Katia” Charov

2008 Kathleen Kirby 425 Coppermill Road Wethersfield, CT 06109 860-882-2195 kathleenangelinekirby@gmail.com In October, Arielle HallerSilverstone performed her one act solo play, Doris Day: What Will Be on the stage of the United Solo Theatre Festival — the world’s largest solo theatre festival on 42nd Street in NYC.

2009 Katherine “Katie” Reid 1016 River Haven Circle Apartment N Charleston, NC 29412 860-810-7519 reidkt25@gmail.com

2010

REUNION

Sydney Satchell 245 North Undermountain Road Sheffield, MA 02157 860-752-8822 sydneysatchell@gmail.com

announced, “I graduated from Johns Hopkins University in May 2014 with a degree in biophysics.

I’m taking a gap year to be a snowboard instructor in Aspen, CO and intend to start a doctoral program in chemistry in the fall of 2015. Last summer I drove cross country with my cousin and I saw Bria McCurdy in Steamboat Springs, CO — that was nice.

Girl Power! Taylor Lampert ’14 in her new truck.

2011

2012

Kelsey Ballard 80 Pilgrim Road Windsor, CT 06095 860-688-9589 Kelseyballard11@gmail.com

Jordana “Monet” Clarke 81 Brewster Road Windsor, CT 06095 860-874-3752 Clarke@college.harvard.edu

Kelsey Ballard wrote, “I hope everyone is well! I’ve recently slipped into the state of nostalgia that usually follows Mountain Day posts on Facebook, and I’m truly missing Walker’s. I’m still studying biological sciences at the University of Connecticut, but I’ve recently added a psychology major and healthcare management minor. I’m in my third semester as a Resident Assistant in a first- and secondyear residence hall, and I just started my third year working for the UNESCO Chair & Institute of Comparative Human Rights at UConn. I’m looking forward to dropping by Walker’s to say ‘hello’ this winter. Miss you all!”

2013 Your class needs a Class Correspondent! Contact alumnae@ethelwalker.org

2014 Olivia Aker 65 Pioneer Drive West Hartford, CT 06117 860-798-1023

Taryn Anderson 25 First Street Hamden, CT 06514 203-985-5911 Brittany Camacho 55 East Westfield Avenue Roselle Park, NJ 07204 646-724-5293 beebeemusic163@aim.com Artemis Talvat 88 Main Street Apt. 4 New Canaan, CT 06840 561-339-6741 Lisa Volg 6 Silkey Heights North Granby, CT 06060 860-986-3756

SPRING 2015

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Take Note Births & Adoptions

The Walker’s community extends its condolences to families of those who passed away between April 5, 2014 and October 22, 2015.

MARGOT BALCH JACOBS Daughter: Frieda Jacobs ’71 Nieces: Barbara Arnold ’69, Laura Arnold ’73

1947

ALICE C. BROWN Niece-in-law: Wendy Buck Brown ’79

1947

ELIZABETH PAYSON DUNCAN

1948

VIRGINIA WILMOT BAILEY

1949

JOAN PRUITT IRELAND Sister: Barbara Pruitt Siniscalchi ’47

1993

Jennifer Jackson Alexander Ernest Smith, September 1, 2014

1993

Toan Huynh Schorr Sabrina Huynh Schorr, July 1, 2014

In Memoriam

Nicole Dunson McAllister Nicolas McAllister, May 1, 2014

1929

ELIZABETH DONHAM CASTLE

1934

MARGARET KIPP KELSEY

2000

April Bolton Mwangi Madison and Morgan, April 9, 2014

1935

CHRISTINE DUNCAN MORRISON

1950

BRUCE RIAL BOALT

1951

KATHERINE ANDREWS NALEN

2002

Brittany Coons Noble Nora Marie Noble, October 16, 2014

1936

RITCHEY FARRELL LAROCHE

1952

1936

DORA BROMFIELD BRADLEY

PRISCILLA DAVIS Sister: Frances Davis Johnstone ’54

1937

CATHERINE MCINTIRE LESLIE Sisters: Barbara McIntire Gorham ’39, Jean McIntire Leuchtenburg ’43 Daughters: Catherine Smith Leonard ’62, Patricia Smith Perron ’66 Nieces: Robin Gorham Sedgwick ’61, Christine Gorham Cox ’67

1958

ROBIN BERRY DAVEY

1967

JUDITH PORTER FERGUSON

1977

BETTINA MCMAHON

1999

2006

Hillary Rohback Johnson Hunter Adams Johnson, April 9, 2014

Marriages & Unions 1982 1985

Sarah Davies To Whitney Tilt, August 15, 2014 Clarissa Potter To Kenneth Schwartz, Summer, 2014

1990

Donya Nagib To Andres Soriano, May 30, 2014

1996

Fernanda Gilligan To Adrian Jess, October 12, 2014

1999

Tamara Baroody To Ryan Wolpert, July 27, 2014

2000

Bonnie Ewald To Arjun Majithia, October 4, 2014

2006

Julia Howles To Henry Johnson, June 21, 2014

2006

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1947

Victoria Evans To Elizabeth Saunders, April 11, 2014

THE SUNDIAL

1938

VIRGINIA PETREE RIFENBARK

1938

CATHERINE AHERN SPENCER Sister: Cornelia Ahern Fry ’48 Daughters: Cornelia Spencer Ives ’63, Olivia Spencer Tuttle ’66

1939

1940

DOROTHY ORDWAY MILLS Cousin: Kathryn McCarthy Parsons ’75 Daughter: Joan Mills McCall ’59 VIRGINIA BACKUS CAULKINS Daughter: Dr. Shelley Marks ’81 Nieces: Susan Richardson Jewett ’52, Virginia Backus Vanocur ’54

In Sympathy WALTER ALEXANDER, Husband of Karen Bisgard Alexander ’54 ANTHONY J. CASTELLANI, Father of Trustee and Former Board Chair David J. Castellani P’09, Grandfather of Rebecca Castellani ’09 WILLIAM PATRICK CONLEY, Father-in-law Mary Beth Conley, EWS Faculty CHRISTOPHER JAMES ELKUS, Husband of Gretchen Miller Elkus ’60 DORIS A. FASS, Grandmother of Shannon Lenz Guidotti ’99 and Erin Lenz ’05

1940

KATHERINE REID FRICK

1940

PATRICIA CROOKS WHITELEY Sister-in-law: Sally Whiteley ’45

ELBA NOEMI MENENDEZ, Mother of Ezequiel Menendez, current EWS organist

1941

RUTH MATHES GERRITY Sister: Mary Mathes Jackson ’36 Niece: Rev. Mary Jackson ’63

THEODORE M. NESTOR, Father of Jesse Nestor ’11

1941

DIANE NEWTON SUMNER Daughter: Elise Burns ’70 Sister: Joan Newton Calder ’39 Cousin: Vera Richard Wood ’39

1943

DOROTHY SHEPARD CLEMENTS

1943

JOAN PATTERSON SIMONDS

1945

MEREDITH PETTIT BARRUETO

MORTIMER RYON, Husband of Sandra Lipson Ryon ’57 DONALD STANTON, Father of Laurie Hine P’16, current EWS Staff, Grandfather of Mackenzie Hine ’16 MARY WOLTER, Wife of Jack Wolter, Former EWS Staff and Mother of Lindsey Wolter, Former EWS Staff

F R O M YO U R PA R E N T S A S S O C I AT I O N P R E S I D E N T

It has been a good year to be the President of the Parents Association. The implementation of 21st Century Walker’s coupled with the groundbreaking of the Centennial Center creates a palpable sense of excitement on campus.

It has been wonderful to see the changes that 21st Century Walker’s has already brought to the School.

The 8:30 a.m. start to the day has given students some needed extra sleep, and time for breakfast. J-term was a tremendous success, allowing students to start the new year with opportunities to try amazing classes including Canoe Building, Robotics, and Three-Minute Terror. Our students are also learning code with their Computational Thinking class. These changes are just a few examples of how Walker’s has embraced the challenge of preparing our daughters to succeed in college and their careers.

It has been rewarding to participate in planning events for students and parents. In addition to our traditional class parties and parent receptions, we added a few new events this year. We had our first EWSPA Book Club in January, and a Parent Talk in February with Clarissa Basch P’15, Director of College Counseling, and Lauren Johanson, Spanish Teacher and Director of Global Programs.

Our major fundraiser, the Garden Oasis Gala Dinner and Auction was held on April 11, 2015. Monies raised will benefit the Centennial Center. It was a fantastic evening with an opportunity for us to toast our outgoing Head of School Bessie Speers P’16 and her tremendous success at Walker’s these last eight years.

The transformation here is truly inspirational. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to see so much of it through my daughters’ eyes, and more importantly, our daughters are the lucky beneficiaries of the thoughtful planning that has brought 21st Century Walker’s and the Centennial Center to fruition.

Warm regards,

2014-2015 BOARD Amy Paul P’16, ’18 PRESIDENT

Lori-Jean Foster P’17 VICE PRESIDENT

Tracy Smith P’18 SECRETARY

Grace Niland P’15 TREASURER

Kim Foster P’18, Ramla Shaikh P’15, Carol Ross P’18 CO-CHAIRS, ALL SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Lori Savino P’16 CHAIR, US COMMITTEE

Shayna Cohen Luciani ’93 P’20, ’21 CHAIR, MS COMMITTEE/MS PARENT LIAISON/VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Ayesha Dewan P’17, Bing Han P’18 INTERNATIONAL PARENT LIAISONS

Renee Coleman-Mitchell P’17, Ayesha Dewan P’17 OUTREACH COMMITTEE

Renee Coleman-Mitchell P’17 WELLNESS COMMITTEE

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

2015 Leslie Silverman P’15 and Pat Olesh P’15 2016 Tracey Backman P’16, ’18 and Sally LaBonte P’16, ’18 2017 Elizabeth Hariprasad P’17 and Jennifer Sica P’17, ’21

Amy Paul P’16, ’18 PRESIDENT, EWSPA 2014-2015

2018 Renata Ranaldi P’18, ’20 and Sherry Lang P’18

EWSPA-hosted events L-R: Opening Days Parent Reception; Family Weekend Bake Sale; Facepainting at the Barnes & Noble Book Fair; Sweet Treats to Celebrate Valentine’s Day SPRING 2015

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Catherine McIntire Leslie ’37, P’62, ’66 At Walker’s Mackie was a Dial, a Prefect, a Varsity rider and the Business Manager for the Yearbook. Her class voted her “most practical, most tactful, biggest bluffer, and wittiest” and she was awarded the Isabel Jackson Memorial Prize for Faithfulness and Dependability. In 2002, she was awarded the Vander Poel Bowl for Distinguished Leadership in the Annual Fund. Mackie liked to encourage alumnae to support The Ethel Walker School, because “that is where you got your start.”

Mackie was devoted to education and served as a Trustee of Walker’s, as President of the Alumnae Board, as well as serving as President of the Board at Dwight-Englewood School and on the President’s Council of the National Association of Independent Schools.

Mackie had an enthusiasm for life. She was an independent thinker and always spoke her mind. Even in her last days, Mackie exhibited her positive attitude and great sense of humor with family members and friends. Her sister, Lady Barbara McIntire Gorham, is a member of the Class of 1939, and her sister, Jean McIntire Leuchtenburg, is a member of the Class of 1943. Her daughter, Catherine Smith Leonard, is a member of the Class of 1962, and her daughter, Patricia Smith Perron, is a member of the Class of 1966.

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Creating a Lasting Legacy at Walker’s Whether you choose to support the next generation of students, finance innovative teaching, or provide faculty support, every estate gift impacts Walker’s in a way that will stand the test of time.

Matured bequests preserve the quality of education at Walker’s and provide future generations of girls with the skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world. Our graduates continue to make major contributions in many fields and provide a real-world example to inspire our students.

Many alumnae have generously remembered The Ethel Walker School in their estate plans once family needs have been secured. It is important to understand that bequests of all sizes are greatly appreciated and make an immediate difference in the quality of education that we can provide.

Your gift may create just the right opportunity for a talented student to attend Walker’s or participate in an outreach project during spring break.

Our intimate size allows us to employ funds strategically and immediately, with measurable results.

Here are a few easy tips to consider when you would prefer NOT to update your entire estate plan. Consider naming Walker’s as a “Beneficiary Designation” on an IRA, bank account or mutual fund. Just ask the financial institution for their Pay at Death (POD) or Transfer at Death (TOD) form. These simple gifts will avoid probate and taxation.

We also have sample bequest language to share with your attorney or or estate planner. Remember Walker’s in your estate plans by: • Naming Walker’s as residuary beneficiary of your estate after providing for family and friends • Creating a separate testamentary charitable lead or remainder trust to support all of your charities • Designating one asset like a stock portfolio, mutual fund, IRA or vacation home for Walker’s benefit

MARION PATERSON P’17, ’19 NAMED NEW DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Marion initially joined the Development Office as Campaign Manager, and immediately began making positive contributions. Her strategic thinking and eye for detail combined with her outstanding relationship building skills helped drive forward Campaign initiatives and lead donations. Effective March 1, Marion assumed the role of Director of Development and is already making positive headway with her team.

Marion graduated from Middlebury College and then the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, after which she was the personal assistant to a conservation architect in Edinburgh, where she met her husband, Guy. Marion has held numerous board positions and was then President of the Simsbury Newcomers Club. Marion currently has two daughters at Walker’s.

For more information, contact Marion Paterson P’17, ’19, Director of Development at 860-408-4257; mpaterson@ethelwalker.org, or visit our website at www.ethelwalker.org/support-walkers/planned-giving.

When making any philanthropic commitment to Walker’s, please be sure to include your attorney and/or financial advisor in the conversation to ensure the transaction is arranged with respect to your individual requirements.