2020 - 2021 REPORT OF GIVING
Liner Notes: An Inside Look at Prairie’s Performing Arts Department | P. 30 Cheers, KP: Remembering Kevin Pearson | P. 40
A CUT ABOVE THE LEIPOLD JOHNSON EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER OPENS ITS DOORS
FALL 2021
Contents — 03 from the head of school 04 leadership 05 from the board chair 14 donor profile: the kann family 26 alumni notes 28 year in review: girls’ golf
science olympiad
boys’ soccer
shark dissection
winter carnival
prairie premiere
boys’ basketball
senior send-off
30 liner notes: an alumna looks at prairie’s performing arts history 34 calm, confident, capable: upper school thrives under “new” leadership 38 faculty notes 40 cheers, mr. p: remembering kevin pearson 46 willing and able 48 the last word: choosing joy
DONOR RECOGNITION 06 donor honor roll
21 parents
11 the trifecta
23 grandparents
12 faculty
25 golf classic & dinner
13 bigger, better, together. 37 alumni 13 endowment
44 2020-2021 financials
16 the prairie fund
45 prairie premiere
20 jack mitchell society
CONTRIBUTORS Editor: Brendan J. O’Brien Designer: Austin Gundlach Photographers: Jeff Wilson/Varitay Studios Authors: Callie Atanasoff, Pat Badger, Nat Coffman, Helen Johnson-Leipold ’74, Mckinley Leinweber ’20, Brendan J. O’Brien 2 | prairieschool.com
Meeting of the Minds: It hasn’t taken long for the LJC to feel like home. Filled with natural light and red brick and soft carpet, Prairie’s youngest learners have quickly infused the space with play, laughter, and creativity. (And perhaps just a sprinkle of chaos...organized, of course.)
From the Head of School — Dear Prairie Families, This fall, we kicked off another school year stronger and smarter. In particular, we began 2021-22 armed with knowledge and experience gained from the previous year — one that looked very different than any of us could have expected. What did we learn? Our school community is not fragile. We are resilient. Through constant challenge, we adapted and evolved. Our growth is a priority, one that persists through any environment outside school walls.
“Through it all, we see clearly that as part of Prairie, we share far more in common than we are different. Shared goals like growth, innovation, and success for our students bring us together and keep us moving forward.”
Growth isn’t only a goal we reserve for our students. We encourage our faculty to pursue growth, both professionally and personally, and they do so in spades right alongside the children they teach. If you have skimmed over the “Faculty Notes” section of this magazine in the past, I invite you to thumb through it more carefully this time around, and read about all of the various pursuits our educators take on outside their classrooms. You’ve heard me say it time and again: Prairie is Prairie because of its people. And these are the people whose innovations and successes provide the fuel for the rest of the Prairie community to innovate and succeed, too. And grow, innovate, and succeed we did in 2020-21, even during a global pandemic. Our faculty built curricula for new course offerings like STEM Reading, as well as fresh units in existing classes. Our student-athletes competed in and won state championships. Over the past year and a half, a brand-new building has sprouted out of the collaborative efforts of several members of our community — a collection of alumni, trustees, Facilities Team members, Primary School teachers, administrators, and donors, just to name a few. Through it all, we see clearly that as part of Prairie, we share far more in common than we are different. Shared goals like growth, innovation, and success for our students bring us together and keep us moving forward. I look forward to seeing where we move in the year ahead, individually and collectively. Sincerely,
Nathaniel W. Coffman, Ed.D. Head of School & President
Leadership — 2021-22 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Darryl Babu ’88 John Batten ’83 Nathaniel W. Coffman, Ed.D. – Head of School & President Joe Fallico Amy Giles-Maurer Dave Johnson Helen Johnson-Leipold ’74 – Chair Steven Joost – Assistant Secretary/Assistant Treasurer Brian Ketterer Lyndsay Knoell, D.D.S. Shakila Manogaran Shimp ’86 Gregory Mueller Jill Osiecki Pat Penman John Rowland II ’75 Richard Ruffo ’83 – Secretary Christopher Ruud ’89 Christine Shields Kann Joe Veranth ’80 – Treasurer Lisa Wolf, M.D.
2021-22 ADVISORS TO THE BOARD Andrea Bukacek ’03 Christin Gould Skye Johnson Khalaf Khalaf Tom King ’78 Jim Ladwig Jim Lynott, M.D. Roberta Puntillo-Jorgensen Kanwar Singh ’85
2021-22 SCHOOL LEADERSHIP Nathaniel W. Coffman, Ed.D. Head of School & President Kathryn Boero Associate Head of School & Middle School Head Compass Team Director Aliya Pitts Chief Advancement Officer Steven Joost Assistant Head of School for Finance – CFO/COO Susan Holum Primary School Head Margaret McDonough Upper School Head Lisa Koleske, SHRM-CP Director of Human Resources
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From the Board Chair —
Dear Prairie Families, It is impossible to look ahead without first taking a look back. And a look back at the most recent school year provides quite the view.
“Prairie’s founding values continue to drive us forward, and I am honored to be part of a place where all of us are willing to come together and do whatever it takes for the good of one another, especially for our children.”
My mom founded Prairie with a vision of an engaged community where we come together to make a difference. Her passion laid the groundwork for the school’s success during what can only be described as one of the most unique and challenging periods Prairie has ever experienced. The events of the past eighteen months have shown the strength of our school’s foundation and its core values of collaboration and mutual support are crucial when it comes to fulfilling our commitment to our students and their families. Throughout the pandemic, our faculty and school leadership have had to think on their toes, adapting at literally a moment’s notice. They are working in-person not only to educate our students, but to be present for them during a time when personal connection is more meaningful than ever. Thanks to the partnership of Prairie’s parents and the philanthropic support of our alumni, past parents, grandparents, trustees, and friends, we were able to live our mission of providing an outstanding education while also bettering our community. This year, like any other, will pose its own challenges, but we are equipped and ready to find solutions together. Prairie’s founding values continue to drive us forward, and I am honored to be part of a place where all of us are willing to come together and do whatever it takes for the good of one another, especially for our children. Thank you for your commitment and continued support. Sincerely,
Helen Johnson Leipold ’74 Chairman of the Board
Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of the following lists. We regret any oversights or errors that may have occurred.
Donor Honor Roll The Prairie School is deeply grateful to all of our supporters. Below is a list of donors at their cumulative giving levels across all areas for the 2020-2021 school year. Thank you for your support.
— LEADERSHIP CIRCLE ($50,000 +) David C. Hoogendoorn Charitable Giving
Mr. Douglas Shimp and Mrs. Shakila Manogaran Shimp ’86
H. Fisk Johnson, Ph.D. ’75 The Estate of Imogene Powers Johnson Joseph Kann and Christine Shields Kann Connor ’10 and Veronica Leipold Craig Leipold and Helen Johnson-Leipold ’74 Curtie Leipold ’11 Fordy Leipold ’15 Mary Lou Moeller The Osiecki Family Ruud Family Foundation Al and Patty Ruud Chris Ruud ’89 and Chantil Ruud SC Johnson SC Johnson Giving, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. J. Joseph Veranth ’80 Fred Young and Sandra Harrisson Young ’70
FOUNDER’S CIRCLE ($5,000 +) Anonymous (3) Ascension All Saints Hospital Foundation John ’83 and Jane Batten Laura and Rob Bishop Michael ’99 and Shay ’00 Borzynski Bukacek Construction Group, Inc Mr. William Butler Kevin and Noel Cookman Rick and Jana Fiegel Richard C. Gorton ’78 Bob and Sally Henzl Collin and Krystyn Hirsch Johnson Financial Group Pam Johnson ’73 Skye Johnson Mr. H. William Keland ’73 Mr. and Mrs. Brian Ketterer
1965 CIRCLE ($25,000 +) Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fallico Mr. S. Curtis Johnson ’73 Mrs. Dorothy MacVicar The Ruffo Family Foundation Richard Ruffo ’83 and Diane Ruffo SU Group LLC
VISIONARY CIRCLE ($10,000 +) Andis Corporation Matt and Rita Andis
Mr. Werner L. Leipold Marlo, Incorporated Steve Maurer and Amy Giles-Maurer Roberta Puntillo-Jorgensen and Kurt Jorgensen Dr. Rafi and Mrs. June Rafiullah Renaissance Charitable Foundation Kurt Jorgensen and Roberta Puntillo Charitable Fund Sandra R. Rogers ’82 RSM US LLP Brian Selmo ’96 and Suzanne Gasiorkiewicz Selmo ’98
Dick and Jo Carpenter
State Farm Companies Foundation
Mr. Alan Clark and Ms. Andrea Bukacek ’03
State Farm Insurance - Brian Ketterer
Coffman Family Scholarship Fund
Truck Country of Wisconsin - Oak Creek
Julie and Jim Coffman
Twin Disc, Inc.
Jason Green and Gwen E. Farley Green ’76
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Winnen
Horizon Retail Construction
Tony and Ann Yeung
Johnson Outdoors, Inc. Mrs. Winifred Johnson-Marquart ’77 and Mr. Michael Marquart Mr. and Mrs. Thomas King ’78 Patricia Penman Racine Community Foundation - Richard M. and Josephine C. Carpenter Scholarship Fund
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Constance and John Boticki Mr. and Mrs. Corey Brandt
Johnson Family Foundation Dave and Chris Johnson
Dr. Manoj Babu and Dr. Sheryn Abraham
Mr. Patrick Christensen and Dr. Nichole Elcano Dana Investment Advisors, Inc. Denman Insurance Services, Inc. Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, Inc. Dr. Barbara Little Earnest ’74 and Mr. Royce Earnest Fiduciary Management, Inc. First American Bank Benjamin and Jamie Hamilton Mr. and Mrs. David Hecker The Helmut Wolfgang Schumann Foundation David and Mary Drewek Fund Stephen and Jane Hogan Johnson Financial Group Knoell Family Dentistry Dr. Lyndsay N. Knoell and Dr. Wendy M. Knoell Dennis and Sandy Kontra James and Jessica Lynott Greg and Sheryl Mueller O & H Danish Bakery Patrick and Betsie O’Brien Mr. and Mrs. Dan Oakes Mr. and Mrs. Mark P. Pacchini William and Catherine Perez Nick and Aliya Pitts PNC Financial Services Group Racine Community Foundation The Rowland Family Fund Robertson Ryan and Associates Melissa and Daniel Ropiak John S. Rowland II ’75 Mrs. Julianne F. Rowland Kanwar M. Singh ’85 and Avanti K. Singh Tabak Law, LLC TG3 Electronics, Inc. Thrivent Financial - Vantage Financial Partners Armen A. Vidian ’88 Mr. Jeffrey Wolf and Dr. Lisa Wolf
LIGHTHOUSE CIRCLE ($2,000 +)
Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Inc.
Anonymous (2) AbbVie, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Gus Antonneau Associated Bank Akemi and Darryl Babu ’88
HEADMASTER’S CIRCLE ($1,000 +) Anonymous (5) 7 Mile Fair, Inc.
Mr. Matthew Adamczyk ’10 and
Microsoft Corporation
Ms. Abigail Fiegel ’12
Dottie Moll
Ms. Alexandra Fiegel ’07
Graham and Jennifer Ault
Northwestern Mutual Life Foundation
Foremost Advisors, Inc.
Pat Badger
Mr. and Mrs. Eric A. Olesen
Kurt and Lisa Frank
Michael Banco and Hope Heaster
Dr. Kimberly Rybicki Olesen ’05 and
Jerry and Lynn Franke
Mrs. Abby Gaertig Adamczyk ’10
Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund The Dr. Kanwar A. Singh Memorial Fund
Mr. Peter Olesen ’05
Van and Janet Gegas
Rick and Kristina Onyon
Gould Dentistry, LLC
The Binder Family
Oral, Facial and Periodontal Surgery, LLC.
Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth L. Gould
Tom and Theresie Bode
Patina Solutions Group, Inc.
Mike and Jessica Greb
Michael and Kathryn Boero and Family
Mr. Tristan Pearson ’99 and Dr. Amy Pearson
Mari and Jason Grobschmidt
Lisa and Tom Bolger
The Polzin Family
Ed Guion and Camille Jensen-Guion
Mrs. Virginia M. Buhler
Racine Community Foundation -
Scott Harlan and Maureen Kennedy-Harlan
Butcher & Barrel Gastropub Sarah and Andrew Chadwick Tony Chen and Crystal Chiu Mark Chulew ’72 and Stacey Chulew Dr. Irina Ciubotaru and Mr. Rocco Castellano
Eric and Lisa Olesen Fund Racine Community Foundation The Selmo Family Fund Racine Community Foundation William and Jeanne Rayne Family Fund
Mr. Bennett Harris ’10 Greg and Lisa Heath James Herre ’82 Brian Hervat and Carolyn Kirkby Ethan and Elizabeth Hoff
Richard Coates ’72
Mr. and Mrs. William F. Rayne
Ms. Jeanette A. Hoffman
Nat and Laura Coffman
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, S.C.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Joost ’03
CRB Insurance Agency
Renaissance Charitable Foundation -
Andrew ’95 and Holly Isaacson
Meg Rowland Daniels ’82 and John Daniels
Tom and Therese Bode Family Fund
The Kirsten and Emily Maki Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Brett Davis
Robert W. Baird & Co.
Drs. Piotr and Joanna Kolanowski
Educators Credit Union
Thomas J. Rodgers II ’99 and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Koleske
Carolyn Gittings Edwards ’75
Russ Darrow Group
Amy S. Larsen ’73
Dr. Mary Ellis and Mr. Garry Ellis
Tom and Wendy Schaefer
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond C. Leffler
Adam ’93 and Dr. Allison Emery
Eric and Catherine Scholz
The Lieb Family
Dr. Therese Fellner and Paul Fiegel
JoAnn and Don Selmo
John and Jodi Lopez
Michael and Ann Flegel
The Smith Family
The Louly Family
Forefront Dermatology
Specialty Finishing Inc.
Meadowbrook Country Club
Gass Weber Mullins LLC
Mr. and Mrs. Ron Steimle
Blaine and Mary Metzger
Paul and Heidi Gaylord
Robert and Sylvia Stohler
Guy and Mona Milinski
Chad and Julie Giles
Robert F. Taylor
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morocco
Adam and Andrea Godson
Dr. James Tierney and Mrs. Deborah Tierney
Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Nelson, Jr
Andrea and Henry Grady
Dr. and Mrs. Vahag Vartanian
David Park ’96
Mitch Harris ’08
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Waite
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Peery
Matt and Alyson Horton
Andrew and Ali Wassweiler
Ron and Dawn Peterson
Benjamin ’96 and Jenelle Isaacson
Paul and Paula Wokwicz
Jeff and Rita Praefke
Ted and Jill Jansen Peter and Karen Jansson Molly Lofquist Johnson and Steve Johnson Steve and Cindy Joost Charles Jorgensen Josephine P. and John J. Louis Foundation Mr. George Karegeannes and Mrs. Amy Karegeannes ’94 Jacki Kirt Knapp Manufacturing, Inc. Brian Langendorf Lenz Orthodontics Lincoln Churchill Advisors Mick and Missy Lucareli Mr. Terence S. Malone Kenneth Marek and Jacqueline Hung Kelly Mayer Brian & Georgia (Bruch) McDonough ’78 Patrick McGuire and Megan Rowland McGuire ’02
Quarles & Brady LLP
PRAIRIE CIRCLE ($500 +) Anonymous (7) Mr. and Mrs. Akil I. Ajmeri Matt K. and Lisa M. Andis Michael and Benoite Angeline Sever and Andreea Anton Katie Axelson ’07 John Baker, Jr. and Mary Baker Mr. and Mrs. Mark C. Behrens Ben Boilek and Jeanette Dutton-Boilek Carlson Racine Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Dr. David and Shawn Clark Mr. and Mrs. John Corcoran Dr. Marshall Cushman Kanwal Dhar and Shally Chogtu Bill and Renee Elworthy Mark and Karen Ettinger Rick and Nicole Farbo Sharon and William Feather
Racine Dental Group, S.C. Scott and Kara Reske Adrian Rivas and Jennifer Zeni S&P Global Mr. and Mrs. David H. Saaski Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Schaefer Jeremy Schowalter ’02 and Nicole Schowalter Mr. and Mrs. Klay Shannon Dennis Shaw and Elizabeth Pehlivanian Shaw ’86 Dr. and Mrs. Howard W. Short Neil and Ashley Staeck Todd and Laura Stoner Dr. and Mrs. Bradley S. Strimling ’87 The Strmseks Jason Strmsek Mrs. Kathryn L. Swanson Jane Tews Erin and Ryan Tollaksen
Mr. and Mrs. David J. Turek Mr. and Mrs. Tim Ulrich
Dr. Matthew Larsen and Mrs. Jenny Antonneau Larsen
Bernoli Baello Dan and Ann Bankenbush
Daniel and Dawn Vaccaro
Cathie and John Lehman
Karen and Doug Barnes
Jennifer Van Dinter ’93 and Dave Lefaive
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Marz
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Barth
Ryan and Jamie VanDeLoo
The Maurers
Mrs. Gloria S. Batten
Pat ’87 and Patty Wagner
David and Betsy McPhee
Mary Jane Baumgardt
Karen and Jim Walker
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Menzhuber
Tony and Tanya Baumgardt
Nathan Ward
Sam and Liz Modder
The Baxter International Foundation
Wisconsin Kitchen Mart
Jason and Kari Morgan
Kenneth and Susan Bergquist
Jerome and Mary Wolf
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Mark H. Murphy
The Berkey Family
Holly Wolf-Mattick
Northwestern Mutual
Wendy W. Bishop
Todd and Suzanne Yde
The Olson - Goldman Family
William M. Black III
Seth and Andrea Pearson
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Blenke
Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Perry
Dr. Michelle Braun and Mr. Adam Dillon
Emily A. Peterson ’94 and Benjamin Steward
Tony Braun and Kathy Hart-Braun
Mr. Andrew Pettibone ’10
Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Breiwick
Jeff and Kris Philippi
Fred and Bonnie Bruhn
The Posnanski Family
Pat and Don Bucy
Lucas Raimondi and Soledad Pasman
Lynn Bukacek
Philip and Eva Ray
Sarah Butterfield
Michael and Kelly Regner
Jammicca Cabell
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Regner
The Carpenters
William Reid ’73 and Nicole Reid
Ms. Kelsey Cassidy
Rexnord
Jenni and Rich Chiapete
Judith and Norris Richardson
Susan and Ferdinand Chiappetta
Salesforce.com, Inc.
Jing Yu and Eric Chien
Raana C. Saric ’81
Kevin and Kelly Christensen
Joseph Schatz
Shelly and Joe Clayton
Randy and Debi Schlicht
Gretchen Coffman
Vicki and Ted Schmitz
Shawn and Samantha Comaris ’95
The Schrader Family
Mr. and Mrs. David P. Cook
Felix and Gloria Servantez
Kirsten Cousin
Christina Sheinfeld
The Cubas Family
Thomas Sheinfeld
Roslyn Davis
Mr. and Mrs. Brian E. Smith
Michael J. Degenhart ’80
Mr. and Mrs. Chad Solodio
Sheetal and Ratnang Desai
Robert and Dawn Stepien
Jennifer Dooley-Hogan and John Hogan
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stoner
Tom and Melissa Dreifuerst
Rich and Victoria Svejcar
Jackie and Dal Drummer
The Tao Family
Jim and Bonnie Eastman
Thrivent Financial
Dave and Kathy Eberle
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Venn
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Eitel
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wagner
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Elcano, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Brian C. Weaver
Ms. Dru Andrea Farnham ’70
Marcus and Ann White
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Farr
John and Jenifer Wietfeldt
Peter Farruggia and
HAWK CIRCLE ($250 +) Anonymous (12) Judy and Tom Addison Victoria and John Albert AmazonSmile Apple, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Jason Atanasoff Mr. Andres Baptista and Mrs. Zaida Puy Arena Mr. and Mrs. Jason L. Barrett Tressa and Michael Bates Faye Becker Joan Bolewski Dr. Michael A. Boticki Shawn and Angie Burwell Mr. and Mrs. Caron Butler John and Terie Carpenter Mr. Gregory Davis ’82 Jennifer Eastman Keith and Pamela Erickson Dr. Julie Ericson ’83 Dave and Julie Feiler Nate Franke ’99 Jon Fredrickson and Sarah Friday Fredrickson ’91 Mateo Garcia-Novelli ’15 Kevin S. Hall ’85 Dave and Debbie Hamilton Jane and Tom Hearn Mary and Owen Heath David and Clair Holland The Holum Family Mr. and Mrs. David Horvath Susan Inbusch Majed and Reem Jandali
Kevin and Liz Will
Michelle Boero Farruggia ’03
Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Wilson
The Feathers
Jean Xin ’10
Massi and Alison Ferrentino
Mr. Jim Zielinski
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Foltz
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Zlevor
Mr. and Mrs. R. David Foster
The Kelly Family
RED & BLUE CIRCLE ($100 +)
John and Abigail French
Tom and Maria Koritsaris
Anonymous (29)
Mr. and Mrs. Ragnar H. Korthase
Lois Alexander
Mr. and Mrs. James Ladwig
Brian Andrew
Mr. and Mrs. Steve LaLonde
Mona Archibald
Gary and Mary Sue Langendorf
Tony and Casie Arnone
Pete and Paula Jedlicka Jockey International Jason and Destiny Johnson Cymbria Jung ’98
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Bonnie B. Friday Mrs. Carey Fry ’89 and Mr. Robert Fry Liz Gabriel ’86 Charles and Alicia Gasser The Gerulski Family Mr. Marcelo F. Ginestel and Ms. Alice Place
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Glines
Calvin and Leslie Motsch
Jenni and Ted Goad
Jim Mueller and Christine Henke Mueller
Dennis and Sandra Grinde
Dr. Tawfiq Nadi and Mrs. Hoda Matariyeh-Nadi
Steven Grinde and Rachel Burton-Grinde
Paul and Liz Nass
Catherine Ritter Guendel ’79 and Doug Guendel
Mrs. Mary P. Nikitas
Dr. Jolyn and Mr. Austin Gundlach
Brendan and Lisa O’Brien
John and Patricia Gunia
Diane and John Oakland
Dorothy Gutenkunst
Erik and Michelle Olson
Mario and Claudia Gvuzd
Torben and Bridget Ovesen
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Harlan
Mr. Fletcher Paulsen
TJ and Amber Hearn
Walter and Cynthia Penkala
Richard and Laurie Hennig
Ms. Amy Peterson
Dave and Nicole Higgs
Jeff and Missy Peterson
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Hoffman
Mr. Richard Pettibone and Mrs. Ann Jones-
Kevin and Beth Hokanson
Pettibone ’71
Ed and Jody Holle
Emilie Polzin
Robin and Bob Holzinger
Robert and Carolyn Rashleger
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Horton
Edie Schumann Ravenelle and Andre Ravenelle
Nancy and Warren Icke
Jeanne Rayburn
Tom and Pat Isaacson
Pula and Sabitha Reddy
Pat and Katie Johnson
Jessica and Steve Rezmer
Jeff and Katie Jorgenson
Sudip and Amrita Ringwala
Caroline Jung ’01 and Sai Pulugurta
Lindsay Roskovensky ’02 and Mathieu
Tyre and Daiana Kern
Roskovensky
Herb Kincaid
Nick and Jen Ruetz
Jessica and Brian Krivsky
Elena Ruffo ’16
Kristine Kulig-Doss and Christopher Doss
Helen Schaefer
Dennis and Leslie Lantz
Nich and Shannon Schafer
Richard and Tanya Larsen
Gary and Sharon Schonert
Marcio and Paola Leal
Lisa Schumacher
Rebecca Joyce Leffler ’11
Bob and Sue Siegert
Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Leinweber
Toni Alicia Jackson Smith ’84
Wolf and Nancy Leitheiser
Andrew and Valerie Sprunger
The Lescher Family
The Stahl Family
Susan Lescher
Mr. Nolan Stracke ’10
Mr. and Mrs. Don Libby
Judy and Steve Stead
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Linstroth
Kenneth Swanson and Barbara Hoppa Swanson
Dr. William Little
The Swedberg Family
John Lyle
Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Tennant
Ernie MacVicar III ’74 and Janice MacVicar
Patrick Tews and Elizabeth Morack
Joe and Christina Manley
Mr. Del Todd ’96 and Mrs. Lindsay Todd
Karin Martin
Martha Rattan Tubinis ’76
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Marz
Paul and Jennifer Ulrich
Joseph Mathew
U.S. Bank Foundation
The Dan and Helen May Family
Barbara and Charles Vallone
Luciano Mazon and Michelle Maiochi Mazon
Sofia Alvarez Villa and Manuel Fernandez de
Cathy and Dennis McCombs
Castro Munoz
Rev. Mark and Mrs. Margaret McDonough
The Wadhwani Family
Mr. Everett McKinney and Dr. John Magerus
Drs. Jean Weaver and Francis Peterson
Charles and Judith McManmon
Dr. Rebecca L. Wheeler
Jane and Ronald Means
Ben and Katie White
The Mehra Family
Eric and Marcia Wilks
Mr. Matthew Meyer ’99
Jeff and Sonja Wilson
David Milaeger ’01 and Elsa Milaeger
Eleane Wokwicz
Shazia Miller ’85 and Sam Miller
Sharon Wrensch
Alan and Melissa Mills
Dr. Brian and Mrs. Aneta Zafonte
Helen and Robert Morelan
Mike and Linda Zolnosky
TPS CIRCLE ($1 +) Anonymous (29) Ms. Perla Aguilar Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Ahlensdorf, Sr. Ms. Melissa Alexander Chris and Virginia Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Angeline Adelaida Aragones Dr. Helen Arkema ’83 and Mr. Garry Arkema Mr. Gil Atanasoff Mr. and Mrs. Karl Atanasoff Lisa Auerbach Mike and Debbie Ault Rodney and Barb Baerbock Ms. Shirley J. Bailey Linda Baker Jane Baldassi Amparo Beatriz and Pedro Garcia Gretta Begas Ricky and Patty Begotka Stephanie and Steve Benner John and Janice Bernez Jennifer Betournay ’97 and Scott Betournay Patricia Black Frank and Sharon Boerner Mr. and Mrs. Paul S. Boese Ms. Barbara Borthwick Mr. Ryan L. Brandon Thomas Bresnehan Mr. James Broetzmann Tom and Sally Brown Mr. and Mrs. Jim Brzezinski Mr. Thang Bui and Ms. Polly Doan Izzi Buikus Mr. and Mrs. John Burgess Bob and Sue Burton Mark and Cheri Burwell Steve and Anne Callaghan David and Wallapa Carlson Reverend Erik Carlson and Kimberlee Tomczak Carlson Jim Cauley and Brenda Andrews Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cavey Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Chodoronek Kylie Christensen Kevin and Andrea Chuc Mark Ciotola ’80 Coca-Cola Give Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cookman Mr. Jonathan Cushman and Ms. Jennifer Cobb Marjorie Czop Mr. and Mrs. John Dana Daniel and Danelle Davies Ms. Elizabeth Davis John and Lee Davis Ms. Melissa Dixon
Tim and Theresa Dixon
Amanda Henkel
Andrew Mielke and Casey Latus
Lee and Bev Doyle
Cheryl Henkel
Michael Minasian and
J.D. Dreifuerst ’19
Ms. Emily A. Henkel
Luann Dreifuerst
Peggy Hirsch
Ms. Barbara D. Mitchell
Lois Dunbar
Bernardine Hoff
Ms. Sally Moore
Hortense Dupin de Saint Cyr
Terri Holland
William and Peggy Moore
Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Ebert
David and Virginia Holle
Ms. Kelly L. Mould
Tim and Julie Eckert
Mr. Eric Hollow ’11
Ms. Arooj Mukarram
Jersey Eickhorst
Dennis and Liz Homolka
Mrs. JoAnn Drewek Murtha and
Mrs. Loretta J. Ellis
Charles and Erin Housiaux
Amber Engel
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Huebsch
Donna Nash
Norm and Mari Erickson
George and Linda Huggins
Dan and Sally Natchek
Regina Ernst ’98
Scott and Kathryn Huggins
Mr. Michael Nelson and Ms. Sharon Kellogg
Lessia and Robert Fasshauer
Timothy Ipsen
Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Norton
Grazyna and Glen Feld
Kim, Steve & Kelly Jackson
Lucille Nowak
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Fenkl
Steve and Terri Jenkins
Robyn O’Brien
John and Joanne Ferraro
Johnson Keland Management, Inc.
Mike and Connie O’Neal
James Fiers II and Cathy Fiers
Cynthia Johnson
Corey and Laura Oakland
Mr. Jose Nogueira Filho and
Dom and Susan Kegel
Cheryl and Kevin Orlowski
Mr. Warren Kekahbah and Ms. Melissa Jahnke
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew R. Oscarson
Patricia Fillman
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce J. Kelly
Mr. and Mrs. George Oteman
Dr. and Mrs. Louis Floch
W. Ann Kirkwood
Sue Ott-Holland
Melissa G. Flynn
Leonard Klappauf
Keith and Melody Owsley
Dr. and Mrs. Robin Ford
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Knier
Jon and Suzanne Palmen
Kim and Dave Forsman
Emma P. Knoell ’20
Kathy Palmen
Scott and Charmaine Foster
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford J. Kogutkiewicz
Mark and Dori Panthofer
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Fredenburgh
Jay Kohr ’98 and Elaina Kohr
Linda and Mark Pawlak
David Frey
Joan Kozlowicz
Lee and Patricia Pearson
Robert and Nancy Fritz
Mr. and Mrs. Carl M. Krejcha, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Pehlivanian
Ms. Ona Funderburg
Mr. and Mrs. Mark H. Krekling
Sophia and Joseph Penkala
Geoff and Melissa Gallert
Bernadette and Ray Krivsky
Zach and Cassie Perkins
Donna and Jim Garard
Ms. Brianna Kunstman
Bruce and Kathleen Pessin
Sandra R. Garard
John and Sandra Kwas
Ms. Patty Petersen
Dr. Eduardo Garcia-Novelli and
Ashley and Laura LaBarber
Sandy Petersen
John and Mary LaBarber
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Piché
Ms. Kristina Gile
Diana Lamberton
Mrs. Sheila Polzin
Mr. J. Thomas Giles III
Ms. Hannah Lane and Dr. Peter Sattler
Mr. and Mrs. Sukhwant S. Puri
Helga and Bob Gold
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Larsen
Audrey Putnam
Rachel and Steve Gold
Ivan and Amanda Lawler
Mr. Alfonzo Puy Arena and
Joann Goodyear
Ms. Diann Lebow
Angeline Gragasin ’03
Stephanie Ledvina and Lisa Luchun
Jim and Jane Raufus
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Grauwels
Connie and Joseph Lipari
Heather Remington
Scott and Pat Grobschmidt
Jake Lipor
Mr. David Reske ’16
Dennis and Judith Guiliani
Elizabeth Long
Carol and John Rezmer
The Gutenkunst Family
Alfred and Kelly Longoria
Carol Richie
Sara Luther Hagerman and Dan Hagerman
Jason E. Louttit and Abigail King
Nikunj and Kirti Ringwala
Patty and Jay Hammes
Mr. and Mrs. Dan G. Marginean
Ms. and Mr. Dena Roncone
Phillip and Nancy Hansen
Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Martin
Wayne and Patricia Rose
Frederick and Jonee Harbour
Molly Mathew
The Rossi Family
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Hartig ’76
Augustine and Jaya Mathews
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ruetz
Sonja and Doug Haske
Tessy Mathews
Ken and Lynn Rustici
Ann Hearn
Mike and Gail May
Mauricio and Elizabeth Salazar
Joshua Hearn
Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. McCleary
Francisco and Alix P. Sanchez
Edward and Donna Heidemann
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne McGuire
Mr. and Mrs. David Santalucia
Therese Heller
Andrew and Gail McIntosh
Brad Schafer
Mr. and Mrs. James E. Henderson
Rick and Karen Mews
Melissa Schafer
Mrs. Gabriela Martins
Dr. Maria Fiocchi
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Edith Soghomonian-Minasian
Mr. Robert Murtha
Ms. Zaida Dager de Puy Arena
Richard and Sharon Schober
Jeff and Cindi Stewart
Larry and Karen VanDeLoo
Marilyn and Bill Scholz
Dr. Rebecca Stohler ’90
Dan and Christina Wade
The Schram Family
David and Suzanne Stoltenberg
Benjamin Wagner
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Schwalbe
Steven and Lisa Sullivan
Helmut Wagner
Pamela Sharpe
Dr. and Mrs. Alistair Sundareson
Dr. Edward and Mrs. Janna Waldeck
Caryn Schniederjan
Paul Suprak
Ms. Eileen Walter and Mr. Gregg Baumann
Tom and Lynda Schrader
Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Svoboda
Shannon Watt ’01
Gardner and Jessica Seawright
Drs. Tatyana Taranukha and Ryan Doyle
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Westerfield
John Seiber
Tameka Tate
John and Jodi White
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Shipe
Michael and Linda Thomas
Michael and Rebecca Wienke
The Siegel Family
Alida and Bob Trocke
Rhonda Williams
Jim and Joyce Smith
Jane and Joe Truka
Kathryn Winnen
Herbert and Eva Spalla
Ann Tucker
Ms. Alison Wojahn
Staff of the Illinois State Museum & RCC
Jenny Ulbricht
Chao-Ying Yan
Patricia and Glenn Stalker
Kathleen Ulbricht
Mr. Luke H. Yehlen
Dr. Elizabeth Nicole Steffensen ’04 and
Sharon Vaccaro
Kayla and Jason Zeno
Stephen Van Daele
Ms. Margaret Zimmermann ’14
Michael and Mary Vandegriffe
Lynn Zobel
Mr. Ryan Mattsen Mr. Tony Stevens and Mrs. Jean Stevens
The Trifecta: Support of The Prairie Fund, Golf Classic, and Premiere Prairie’s three annual fundraising efforts – The Golf Classic & Dinner, the Prairie Fund, and Premiere – constitute the majority of the school’s philanthropic outreach. The individuals below made a financial contribution to each of these initiatives, and we are grateful for their all-encompassing support.
— Matt and Rita Andis
Dr. Lyndsay N. Knoell and Dr. Wendy M. Knoell
SC Johnson
Graham and Jennifer Ault
Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Koleske
SC Johnson Giving, Inc.
Akemi and Darryl Babu ’88
Mr. and Mrs. James Ladwig
Mr. Douglas Shimp and Mrs. Shakila
Michael ’99 and Shay ’00 Borzynski
Brian Langendorf
Bukacek Construction Group, Inc
Craig Leipold and Helen Johnson-Leipold ’74
State Farm Insurance - Brian Ketterer
Mr. Alan Clark and Ms. Andrea Bukacek ’03
Steve Maurer and Amy Giles-Maurer
SU Group LLC
Adam ’93 and Dr. Allison Emery
The Osiecki Family
Mr. Nicholas and Dr. Christina Sullivan
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fallico
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Peery
Mr. and Mrs. J. Joseph Veranth ’80
Dr. Jolyn and Mr. Austin Gundlach
Patricia Penman
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Waite
Dave and Chris Johnson
Nick and Aliya Pitts
Paul and Paula Wokwicz
Skye Johnson
John S. Rowland II ’75
Mr. Jeffrey Wolf and Dr. Lisa Wolf
Joseph Kann and Christine Shields Kann
The Ruffo Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Ketterer
Richard Ruffo ’83 and Diane Ruffo
32 Knoell | prairieschool.com Family Dentistry
Chris Ruud ’89 and Chantil Ruud
Manogaran Shimp ’86
Faculty For the eighth consecutive year, 100% of Prairie’s full-time faculty made a charitable gift to the Prairie Fund –– yet another reminder of their extraordinary commitment to their students.
— Joy and Jon Aragones
Mr. Marcelo F. Ginestel and Ms. Alice Place
Seth and Andrea Pearson
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Atanasoff
Mari and Jason Grobschmidt
Sophia and Joseph Penkala
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. Axelson
Dr. Jolyn and Mr. Austin Gundlach
Zach and Cassie Perkins
Pat Badger
Dana and Michael Handrow
Ms. Amy Peterson
Bernoli Baello
Chad Harvey and Dena Roncone
Nick and Aliya Pitts
Dan and Ann Bankenbush
TJ and Amber Hearn
Jim and Jane Raufus
Mr. and Mrs. Jason L. Barrett
Ms. Emily A. Henkel
William Reid ’73 and Nicole Reid
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Barth
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Hoffman
Mr. David Reske ’16
Tressa and Michael Bates
Mr. Eric Hollow ’11
Mr. and Mrs. David Santalucia
The Berkey Family
The Holum Family
Nich and Shannon Schafer
Michael and Kathryn Boero and Family
Charles and Erin Housiaux
Joseph Schatz
Joan Bolewski
Scott and Kathryn Huggins
Vicki and Ted Schmitz
Michael ’99 and Shay ’00 Borzynski
Timothy Ipsen
Gardner and Jessica Seawright
Dr. Michael A. Boticki
Abigail and Lee Jaramillo
Mr. and Mrs. Klay Shannon
Mr. and Mrs. Corey Brandt
Molly Lofquist Johnson and Steve Johnson
Rachel and Bill Shuster
Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Breiwick
Steve and Cindy Joost
Mr. and Mrs. Brian E. Smith
Thomas Bresnehan
Dom and Susan Kegel
Andrew and Valerie Sprunger
Mr. James Broetzmann
Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Koleske
Kenneth Swanson and Barbara Hoppa Swanson
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Brzezinski
Mr. and Mrs. Mark H. Krekling
Tameka Tate
Izzi Buikus
Ms. Brianna Kunstman
Mr. and Mrs. David J. Turek
Shawn and Angie Burwell
Mr. and Mrs. Steve LaLonde
Benjamin Wagner
John and Terie Carpenter
Ms. Hannah Lane and Dr. Peter Sattler
Mr. and Mrs. Brian C. Weaver
Ms. Kelsey Cassidy
Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Leinweber
Drs. Jean Weaver and Francis Peterson
Jenni and Rich Chiapete
Jake Lipor
Dr. Rebecca L. Wheeler
Kevin and Kelly Christensen
Elizabeth Long
Ben and Katie White
Nat and Laura Coffman
Jason E. Louttit and Abigail King
Eric and Marcia Wilks
Kirsten Cousin
Joe and Christina Manley
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Winnen
Mr. Jonathan Cushman and Ms. Jennifer Cobb
Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. McCleary
Ms. Alison Wojahn
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel W. Davies
Rev. Mark and Mrs. Margaret McDonough
Holly Wolf-Mattick
Ms. Elizabeth Davis
Alan and Melissa Mills
Chao-Ying Yan
Hortense Dupin de Saint Cyr
Michael Minasian and
Mr. Luke H. Yehlen
Jersey Eickhorst
Edith Soghomonian-Minasian
Kayla and Jason Zeno
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Fenkl
Jim Mueller and Christine Henke Mueller
Mr. Jim Zielinski
James Fiers II and Cathy Fiers
Ms. Arooj Mukarram
Lynn Zobel
Melissa G. Flynn
Zachary Nacev and Erin Curtis Nacev
Kim and Dave Forsman
Paul and Liz Nass
John and Abigail French
Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Nelson, Jr
Geoff and Melissa Gallert
Brendan and Lisa O’Brien
Dr. Eduardo Garcia-Novelli and
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew R. Oscarson
Dr. Maria Fiocchi
Keith and Melody Owsley
Charles and Alicia Gasser
Mark and Dori Panthofer
Ms. Kristina Gile
Mr. Fletcher Paulsen
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Bigger. Better. Together. In 2020, Prairie announced plans to build an all-new Early School building in order to expand the program, create intentional space for Stay & Play, and free up additional rooms for older students. Thanks to the generosity of the following donors, the Leipold Johnson Early Childhood Center opened in the fall of 2021, with fundraising completed a full year ahead of schedule.
— Akemi and Darryl Babu ’88
Connor ’10 and Veronica Leipold
John S. Rowland II ’75
John ’83 and Jane Batten
Craig Leipold and Helen Johnson-Leipold ’74
Richard Ruffo ’83 and Diane Ruffo
Mr. Alan Clark and Ms. Andrea Bukacek ’03
Curtie Leipold ’11
Ruud Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fallico
Fordy Leipold ’15
Al and Patty Ruud
Jason Green and Gwen E. Farley Green ’76
Mary Lou Moeller
Chris Ruud ’89 and Chantil Ruud
The Estate of Imogene Powers Johnson
The Osiecki Family
SC Johnson Giving, Inc.
Dave and Chris Johnson
Patricia Penman
Mr. Douglas Shimp and
Skye Johnson
Roberta Puntillo-Jorgensen and Kurt Jorgensen
Joseph Kann and Christine Shields Kann
Renaissance Chartiable Foundation -
Mrs. Shakila Manogaran Shimp ’86 Mr. and Mrs. J. Joseph Veranth ’80
Knoell Family Dentistry
Kurt Jorgensen and
Mr. Jeffrey Wolf and Dr. Lisa Wolf
Dr. Lyndsay N. Knoell and Dr. Wendy M. Knoell
Roberta Puntillo Charitable Fund
Fred Young and Sandra Harrisson Young ’70
Endowment Prairie’s endowment generates interest to fund the school’s annual operations as well as its scholarship program. We are grateful to all of our endowment donors, whose gifts will ensure our financial health for years to come.
— Keith and Pamela Erickson
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Mark H. Murphy
Dr. and Mrs. Howard W. Short
The Estate of Imogene Powers Johnson
Dr. Kimberly Rybicki Olesen ’05 and
Mr. and Mrs. Ron Steimle
Richard C. Gorton ’78
Mr. Peter Olesen ’05
Mr. and Mrs. David Hecker
Emily A. Peterson ’94 and Benjamin Steward
Bob and Sally Henzl
Dr. Rafi and Mrs. June Rafiullah
Dennis and Sandy Kontra
Philip and Eva Ray
Mary Lou Moeller
SC Johnson Giving, Inc.
Pat ’87 and Patty Wagner
Coming Full Circle KANN FAMILY PHILANTHROPY CELEBRATES STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHO GO WIRE-TO-WIRE IN WIND POINT. – By Brendan J. O’Brien, Director of Communication
The word is “lifer” and it refers to a Prairie student who starts in Early School, Kindergarten, or 1st Grade and continues all the way through to Commencement. It’s an endearing term, one that recognizes not just a student’s hard work, but the commitment a family demonstrates during an education that can span fifteen years. However, Chris Kann, parent to Elynn ’10 and Rebecca ’14, and current Prairie trustee, will tell you there’s another important meaning to the term, one that has to do with a lifer’s journey after Prairie. “Both of our girls went here from age three to graduation, and the breadth of experiences they had during that time was remarkable,” says Chris. “They had the opportunity to be on stage in plays, to travel to the Grand Canyon and Costa Rica, and to be three-sport athletes. A large part of who they are now as confident, successful adults was formed during their time here.”
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“We were deeply affected by the devotion Prairie’s teachers have to their students and their work. They helped us be better parents,” says Chris. “They are consummate professionals and we know they made a lasting impact on Elynn and Becky.” That impact, from the girls’ first year of Early School all the way through graduation and beyond, was more than enough motivation for Chris and her husband Joe to consider a gift in support of the new Leipold Johnson Early Childhood Center (LJC). In making a contribution that would both benefit Prairie and be personally meaningful, the Kanns chose to commemorate the significance of that fifteen-year relationship with a plaque in the LJC that speaks to that journey that so profoundly impacted their own family.
DONOR PROFILE THE KANN FAMILY At its best, Prairie is a fifteen-year adventure of discovery, exploration, joy and growth, and this wall recognizes the commitment of Prairie lifer students and their families to the school’s holistic mission. We hope your family will join ours in experiencing the journey that begins in this building and will come full circle when your children graduate more than a decade from now, ready to positively impact their communities and the world.
The Prairie Fund The Prairie Fund is our most critical fundraising endeavor, as it supports every facet of school life. Our entire community is grateful to the donors who contributed to the Prairie Fund in the 2020-2021 year.
— Anonymous (15)
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Barth
Bukacek Construction Group, Inc
7 Mile Fair, Inc.
Tressa and Michael Bates
Lynn Bukacek
AbbVie, Inc.
John ’83 and Jane Batten
Michelle and Anthony Burch
Mr. Matthew Adamczyk ’10 and
Mary Jane Baumgardt
Mr. and Mrs. John Burgess
Tony and Tanya Baumgardt
Bob and Sue Burton
Judy and Tom Addison
The Baxter International Foundation
Mark and Cheri Burwell
Ms. Perla Aguilar
Amparo Beatriz and Pedro Garcia
Shawn and Angie Burwell
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Ahlensdorf, Sr.
Faye Becker
Mr. William Butler
Mr. and Mrs. Akil I. Ajmeri
Gretta Begas
Sarah Butterfield
Victoria and John Albert
Ricky and Patty Begotka
Jammicca Cabell
Dr. Andrew C. Alexander ’87
Tiffany and Jon Behrends
Steve and Anne Callaghan
Lois Alexander
Mr. and Mrs. Mark C. Behrens
David and Wallapa Carlson
AmazonSmile
Stephanie and Steve Benner
Reverend Erik Carlson and
Chris and Virginia Anderson
Kenneth and Susan Bergquist
Matt and Rita Andis
The Berkey Family
Dick and Jo Carpenter
Nijole and Julius Andriusis
John and Janice Bernez
John and Terie Carpenter
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Angeline
Jennifer Betournay ’97 and Scott Betournay
The Carpenters
Michael and Benoite Angeline
The Binder Family
Ms. Kelsey Cassidy
Sever and Andreea Anton
Laura and Rob Bishop
Jim Cauley and Brenda Andrews
Mr. and Mrs. Gus Antonneau
Wendy W. Bishop
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cavey
Tom and Kirsten Antonneau
Patricia Black
Sarah and Andrew Chadwick
Apple, Inc.
William M. Black III
Tony Chen and Crystal Chiu
Adelaida Aragones
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Blenke
Jenni and Rich Chiapete
Joy and Jon Aragones
Tom and Theresie Bode
Susan and Ferdinand Chiappetta
Mona Archibald
Frank and Sharon Boerner
Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Chodoronek
Dr. Helen Arkema ’83 and Mr. Garry Arkema
Michael and Kathryn Boero and Family
Kevin and Kelly Christensen
Tony and Casie Arnone
Mr. and Mrs. Paul S. Boese
Kylie Christensen
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Atanasoff
Ben Boilek and Jeanette Dutton-Boilek
Mr. Patrick Christensen and Dr. Nichole Elcano
Mr. and Mrs. Karl Atanasoff
Joan Bolewski
Kevin and Andrea Chuc
Graham and Jennifer Ault
Lisa and Tom Bolger
Mark Chulew ’72 and Stacey Chulew
Mike and Debbie Ault
Asewanetta Bonner
Mark Ciotola ’80
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. Axelson
Ms. Barbara Borthwick
Dr. Irina Ciubotaru and Mr. Rocco Castellano
Katie Axelson ’07
Michael ’99 and Shay ’00 Borzynski
Mr. Alan Clark and Ms. Andrea Bukacek ’03
Akemi and Darryl Babu ’88
Constance and John Boticki
Dr. David and Shawn Clark
Dr. Manoj Babu and Dr. Sheryn Abraham
Dr. Michael A. Boticki
Shelly and Joe Clayton
Pat Badger
Mr. and Mrs. Corey Brandt
Richard Coates ’72
Bernoli Baello
Dr. Michelle Braun and Mr. Adam Dillon
Coca-Cola Give
Rodney and Barb Baerbock
Tony Braun and Kathy Hart-Braun
Gretchen Coffman
Ms. Shirley J. Bailey
Andrea and Jorge Bravo
Nat and Laura Coffman
John Baker, Jr. and Mary Baker
Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Breiwick
Shawn and Samantha Comaris ’95
Linda Baker
Thomas Bresnehan
Kevin and Noel Cookman
Rachel and Derek Baker
Mr. James Broetzmann
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cookman
Jane Baldassi
Tom and Sally Brown
Mr. and Mrs. John Corcoran
Michael Banco and Hope Heaster
Fred and Bonnie Bruhn
Craig Cortez
Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund -
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Brzezinski
Kirsten Cousin
Pat and Don Bucy
Donald and Teri Craft
Dan and Ann Bankenbush
Mrs. Virginia M. Buhler
The Cubas Family
Mr. Andres Baptista and Mrs. Zaida Puy Arena
Mr. Thang Bui and Ms. Polly Doan
Mr. Jonathan Cushman and Ms. Jennifer Cobb
Mr. and Mrs. Jason L. Barrett
Izzi Buikus
Dr. Marshall Cushman
Mrs. Abby Gaertig Adamczyk ’10
The Dr. Kanwar A. Singh Memorial Fund
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Kimberlee Tomczak Carlson
Marjorie Czop
Michael and Ann Flegel
Jacob and Kristin Gunia
Mr. and Mrs. John Dana
Dr. and Mrs. Louis Floch
John and Patricia Gunia
Meg Rowland Daniels ’82 and John Daniels
Melissa G. Flynn
The Gutenkunst Family
Daniel and Danelle Davies
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Foltz
Dorothy Gutenkunst
Mr. and Mrs. Brett Davis
Erika Ford ’95 and Aaron Ford ’96
Mario and Claudia Gvuzd
Ms. Elizabeth Davis
Dr. and Mrs. Robin Ford
Marie Haertel
Mr. Gregory Davis ’82
Foremost Advisors, Inc.
Sara Luther Hagerman and Dan Hagerman
John and Lee Davis
Kim and Dave Forsman
Kevin S. Hall ’85
Roslyn Davis
Scott and Charmaine Foster
Dave and Debbie Hamilton
Michael J. Degenhart ’80
Kurt and Lisa Frank
Patty and Jay Hammes
Sheetal and Ratnang Desai
Jerry and Lynn Franke
Dana and Michael Handrow
Kanwal Dhar and Shally Chogtu
Nate Franke ’99
Phillip and Nancy Hansen
Tim and Theresa Dixon
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Fredenburgh
Frederick and Jonee Harbour
Andrew and Ally Docksey
Jon Fredrickson and
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Harlan
Mr. Dhaval Doshi and Mrs. Dhruti Joshi
Sarah Friday Fredrickson ’91
Scott Harlan and Maureen Kennedy-Harlan
Lee and Bev Doyle
John and Abigail French
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Hartig ’76
J.D. Dreifuerst ’19
David Frey
Chad Harvey and Dena Roncone
Luann Dreifuerst
Bonnie B. Friday
Sonja and Doug Haske
Tom and Melissa Dreifuerst
Robert and Nancy Fritz
Jane and Tom Hearn
Jackie and Dal Drummer
Mrs. Carey Fry ’89 and Mr. Robert Fry
TJ and Amber Hearn
Lois Dunbar
Ms. Ona Funderburg
Greg and Lisa Heath
Hortense Dupin de Saint Cyr
Liz Gabriel ’86
Mary and Owen Heath
Dr. Barbara Little Earnest ’74 and
Geoff and Melissa Gallert
Edward and Donna Heidemann
Mr. Royce Earnest
Donna and Jim Garard
Therese Heller
Jennifer Eastman
Sandra R. Garard
The Helmut Wolfgang Schumann Foundation -
Jim and Bonnie Eastman
Dr. Eduardo Garcia-Novelli and
Dave and Kathy Eberle
Dr. Maria Fiocchi
David and Mary Drewek Fund Mr. and Mrs. James E. Henderson
Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Ebert
Mateo Garcia-Novelli ’15
Cheryl Henkel
Rachel Ehlers and Johrie Dyess, Sr.
Charles and Alicia Gasser
Ms. Emily A. Henkel
Jersey Eickhorst
Paul and Heidi Gaylord
Bob and Sally Henzl
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Elcano, Sr.
Van and Janet Gegas
James Herre ’82
Mrs. Loretta J. Ellis
The Gerulski Family
Michael and Sandra Herrera
Dr. Mary Ellis and Mr. Garry Ellis
Ms. Kristina Gile
Brian Hervat and Carolyn Kirkby
Bill and Renee Elworthy
Chad and Julie Giles
Dave and Nicole Higgs
Adam ’93 and Dr. Allison Emery
Mr. J. Thomas Giles III
Val and Alena Himin
Amber Engel
Mr. Marcelo F. Ginestel and Ms. Alice Place
Collin and Krystyn Hirsch
Norm and Mari Erickson
Chris Gittens and Jennifer Orsted
Peggy Hirsch
Dr. Julie Ericson ’83
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Glines
Bernardine Hoff
Regina Ernst ’98
Jenni and Ted Goad
Ethan and Elizabeth Hoff
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fallico
Helga and Bob Gold
Ms. Jeanette A. Hoffman
Rick and Nicole Farbo
Rachel and Steve Gold
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Hoffman
Ms. Dru Andrea Farnham ’70
Joann Goodyear
Stephen and Jane Hogan
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Farr
Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth L. Gould
Kevin and Beth Hokanson
Lessia and Robert Fasshauer
Andrea and Henry Grady
David and Clair Holland
Sharon and William Feather
Angeline Gragasin ’03
David and Virginia Holle
The Feathers
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Grauwels
Ed and Jody Holle
Grazyna and Glen Feld
Mike and Jessica Greb
Mr. Eric Hollow ’11
Dr. Therese Fellner and Paul Fiegel
Dennis and Sandra Grinde
The Holum Family
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Fenkl
Steven Grinde and Rachel Burton-Grinde
Robin and Bob Holzinger
John and Joanne Ferraro
Mari and Jason Grobschmidt
Dennis and Liz Homolka
Massi and Alison Ferrentino
Scott and Pat Grobschmidt
David C. Hoogendoorn Charitable Giving
Ms. Abigail Fiegel ’12
Mr. Jogrim Grotmol and
Horizon Retail Construction
Ms. Alexandra Fiegel ’07
Mrs. Lisa Piché Grotmol
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Horton
Rick and Jana Fiegel
Catherine Ritter Guendel ’79 and Doug Guendel
Matt and Alyson Horton
James Fiers II and Cathy Fiers
Dennis and Judith Guiliani
Mr. and Mrs. David Horvath
Mr. Jose Nogueira Filho and
Ed Guion and Camille Jensen-Guion
Charles and Erin Housiaux
Dr. Jolyn and Mr. Austin Gundlach
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Huebsch
Mrs. Gabriela Martins
George and Linda Huggins
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Knier
John and Jodi Lopez
Scott and Kathryn Huggins
Knoell Family Dentistry
The Louly Family
Nancy and Warren Icke
Emma P. Knoell ’20
Jason E. Louttit and Abigail King
Mr. and Mrs. Kurt E. Ignasiak
Dr. Lyndsay N. Knoell and Dr. Wendy M. Knoell
Mick and Missy Lucareli
Susan Inbusch
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford J. Kogutkiewicz
The Lucht Family
Timothy Ipsen
Steve and Dana Kohl
John Lyle
Andrew ’95 and Holly Isaacson
Drs. Piotr and Joanna Kolanowski
James and Jessica Lynott
Benjamin ’96 and Jenelle Isaacson
Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Koleske
Mrs. Dorothy MacVicar
Tom and Pat Isaacson
Dennis and Sandy Kontra
Ernie MacVicar III ’74 and Janice MacVicar
Kim, Steve & Kelly Jackson
Tom and Maria Koritsaris
Mark and Becky Madsen
Jennifer Jacobson
Mr. and Mrs. Ragnar H. Korthase
Carol and Robert Malik
Majed and Reem Jandali
Thomas and Rebekah Kowalski
Mr. Terence S. Malone
Ted and Jill Jansen
Joan Kozlowicz
Dr. John and Becky Mamalakis
Peter and Karen Jansson
Mr. and Mrs. Carl M. Krejcha, Jr.
Joe and Christina Manley
Abigail and Lee Jaramillo
Mr. and Mrs. Mark H. Krekling
Kenneth Marek and Jacqueline Hung
Pete and Paula Jedlicka
Bernadette and Ray Krivsky
Mr. and Mrs. Dan G. Marginean
Steve and Terri Jenkins
Jessica and Brian Krivsky
Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Martin
Jockey International, Inc.
Kristine Kulig-Doss and Christopher Doss
Karin Martin
Johnson Family Foundation
Dr. Pradeep Kumar and Dr. Jaya Iyer
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Marz
Johnson Keland Management, Inc.
Ms. Brianna Kunstman
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Marz
Cynthia Johnson
John and Sandra Kwas
Joseph Mathew
Dave and Chris Johnson
Ashley and Laura LaBarber
Molly Mathew
H. Fisk Johnson, Ph.D. ’75
John and Mary LaBarber
Augustine and Jaya Mathews
Jason and Destiny Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. James Ladwig
Tessy Mathews
Josh Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Steve LaLonde
The Maurers
Molly Lofquist Johnson and Steve Johnson
Ms. Hannah Lane and Dr. Peter Sattler
Steve Maurer and Amy Giles-Maurer
Pam Johnson ’73
Brian Langendorf
Cheryl and Tony May
Pat and Katie Johnson
Gary and Mary Sue Langendorf
The Dan and Helen May Family
Mr. S. Curtis Johnson ’73
Dennis and Leslie Lantz
Mike and Gail May
Skye Johnson
Rachel Lantz
Kelly Mayer
Mrs. Winifred Johnson-Marquart ’77 and
Amy S. Larsen ’73
Luciano Mazon and Michelle Maiochi Mazon
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Larsen
Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. McCleary
Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Joost ’03
Richard and Tanya Larsen
Cathy and Dennis McCombs
Steve and Cindy Joost
The Family of Jolie and Lilie Larson
Brian & Georgia (Bruch) McDonough ’78
Charles Jorgensen
Tiffany Larson
Rev. Mark and Mrs. Margaret McDonough
Jeff and Katie Jorgenson
Ivan and Amanda Lawler
Patrick McGuire and
Josephine P. and John J. Louis Foundation
Marcio and Paola Leal
Caroline Jung ’01 and Sai Pulugurta
Ms. Diann Lebow
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne McGuire
Cymbria Jung ’98
Stephanie Ledvina and Lisa Luchun
Andrew and Gail McIntosh
Joseph Kann and Christine Shields Kann
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond C. Leffler
Mr. Everett McKinney and Dr. John Magerus
Mr. George Karegeannes and
Rebecca Joyce Leffler ’11
Charles and Judith McManmon
Mrs. Amy Karegeannes ’94
Cathie and John Lehman
Kristin McManmon
Dom and Susan Kegel
Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Leinweber
Carolyn McNeil
Mr. H. William Keland ’73
Craig Leipold and Helen Johnson-Leipold ’74
David and Betsy McPhee
The Kelly Family
Mr. Werner L. Leipold
Jane and Ronald Means
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce J. Kelly
Wolf and Nancy Leitheiser
The Mehra Family
Tyre and Daiana Kern
The Lescher Family
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Menzhuber
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Ketterer
Susan Lescher
Blaine and Mary Metzger
Chris Kettmann
Mr. and Mrs. Don Libby
Rick and Karen Mews
The Khalaf Family
The Lieb Family
Mr. Matthew Meyer ’99
Herb Kincaid
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Linstroth
Garet and Kristin Mianecki
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas King ’78
Connie and Joseph Lipari
Sophie and Thomas Michaud
Mary Kirkby
Jake Lipor
Microsoft Corporation
W. Ann Kirkwood
Dr. William Little
Andrew Mielke and Casey Latus
Jacki Kirt
Terry Liu
David Milaeger ’01 and Elsa Milaeger
Leonard Klappauf
Elizabeth Long
Guy and Mona Milinski
Knapp Manufacturing, Inc.
Alfred and Kelly Longoria
Shazia Miller ’85 and Sam Miller
Mr. Michael Marquart
18 | prairieschool.com
Megan Rowland McGuire ’02
Rusty and Dave Millin
Seth and Andrea Pearson
Alan and Melissa Mills
Mr. Tristan Pearson ’99 and Dr. Amy Pearson
Mark and Christina Milos
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Peery
Michael Minasian and
Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Pehlivanian
Edith Soghomonian-Minasian
Kurt Jorgensen and Roberta Puntillo Charitable Fund Renaissance Charitable Foundation Tom and Therese Bode Family Fund
Sophia and Joseph Penkala
Mr. David Reske ’16
Ms. Barbara D. Mitchell
Walter and Cynthia Penkala
Scott and Kara Reske
Sam and Liz Modder
Patricia Penman
Rexnord
Dottie Moll
William and Catherine Perez
The Reyes Family
Ms. Sally Moore
Zach and Cassie Perkins
Carol and John Rezmer
William and Peggy Moore
Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Perry
Jessica and Steve Rezmer
Helen and Robert Morelan
Bruce and Kathleen Pessin
Judith and Norris Richardson
Sara Mornar and Joe Marshall
Dr. Joshua and Mrs. Christa Pessin
Carol Richie
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morocco
Ms. Amy Peterson
Nikunj and Kirti Ringwala
Calvin and Leslie Motsch
Emily A. Peterson ’94 and Benjamin Steward
Sudip and Amrita Ringwala
Steve Mudroch ’06
Jeff and Missy Peterson
Adrian Rivas and Jennifer Zeni
Greg and Sheryl Mueller
Ron and Dawn Peterson
Roy and Vanessa Rivera
Jim Mueller and Christine Henke Mueller
Mr. Richard Pettibone and
Thomas J. Rodgers II ’99 and Family
Ms. Arooj Mukarram Mrs. JoAnn Drewek Murtha and
Mrs. Ann Jones-Pettibone ’71
Sandra R. Rogers ’82
Jeff and Kris Philippi
Melissa and Daniel Ropiak
Rick and Teri Pias
Wayne and Patricia Rose
Zachary Nacev and Erin Curtis Nacev
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Piché
Lindsay Roskovensky ’02 and
Dr. Tawfiq Nadi and Mrs. Hoda Matariyeh-Nadi
Nick and Aliya Pitts
Donna Nash
The Polzin Family
The Rossi Family
Paul and Liz Nass
Emilie Polzin
John S. Rowland II ’75
Dan and Sally Natchek
Mrs. Sheila Polzin
Mrs. Julianne F. Rowland
Mr. Michael Nelson and Ms. Sharon Kellogg
The Posnanski Family
Nick and Jen Ruetz
Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Nelson, Jr
Jeff and Rita Praefke
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ruetz
Peter ’94 and Gwen Nguyen
Roberta Puntillo-Jorgensen and Kurt Jorgensen
The Ruffo Family Foundation
Mrs. Mary P. Nikitas
Mr. and Mrs. Sukhwant S. Puri
Richard Ruffo ’83 and Diane Ruffo
Northwestern Mutual Life
Audrey Putnam
Ken and Lynn Rustici
Northwestern Mutual Life Foundation
Mr. Alfonzo Puy Arena and
Ruud Family Foundation
Mr. Robert Murtha
Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Norton
Ms. Zaida Dager de Puy Arena
Mathieu Roskovensky
Al and Patty Ruud
Lucille Nowak
Anastasia Rab ’11
Chris Ruud ’89 and Chantil Ruud
Paul Nowak and Elizabeth Spalla
Racine Community Foundation -
S&P Global
Brendan and Lisa O’Brien Patrick and Betsie O’Brien
Eric and Lisa Olesen Fund Racine Community Foundation -
Mr. and Mrs. David H. Saaski The Saboia Family
Robyn O’Brien
Richard M. and Josephine C. Carpenter
Mauricio and Elizabeth Salazar
Mike and Connie O’Neal
Scholarship Fund
Salesforce.com, Inc.
Corey and Laura Oakland
Racine Community Foundation -
Francisco and Alix P. Sanchez
Diane and John Oakland
Robert and Beth Taylor Fund
Mr. and Mrs. David Santalucia
Mr. and Mrs. Eric A. Olesen The Olson-Goldman Family Erik and Michelle Olson Rick and Kristina Onyon Cheryl and Kevin Orlowski Mr. and Mrs. Matthew R. Oscarson
Racine Community Foundation The Rowland Family Fund Racine Community Foundation The Selmo Family Fund Racine Community Foundation William and Jeanne Rayne Family Fund
Raana C. Saric ’81 SC Johnson SC Johnson Giving, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Schaefer Helen Schaefer Tom and Wendy Schaefer
The Osiecki Family
Asad and Rabia Rahman
Brad Schafer
Mr. and Mrs. George Oteman
Lucas Raimondi and Soledad Pasman
Nich and Shannon Schafer
Torben and Bridget Ovesen
Jon Ramos ’85
Joseph Schatz
Keith and Melody Owsley
Robert and Carolyn Rashleger
Randy and Debi Schlicht
Mr. and Mrs. Mark P. Pacchini
Jim and Jane Raufus
Vicki and Ted Schmitz
Jon and Suzanne Palmen
Edie Schumann Ravenelle and Andre Ravenelle
Richard and Sharon Schober
Kathy Palmen
Jeanne Rayburn
Mr. and Mrs. Todd Schober
Mark and Dori Panthofer
Mr. and Mrs. William F. Rayne
Eric and Catherine Scholz
David Park ’96
Pula and Sabitha Reddy
Marilyn and Bill Scholz
Mr. Fletcher Paulsen
Michael and Kelly Regner
Gary and Sharon Schonert
Linda and Mark Pawlak
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Regner
Jeremy Schowalter ’02 and Nicole Schowalter
Christine Pearson
William Reid ’73 and Nicole Reid
The Schrader Family
Lee and Patricia Pearson
Renaissance Charitable Foundation -
Tom and Lynda Schrader
The Jack Mitchell Society Named for The Prairie School’s first Headmaster, the Jack Mitchell Society honors those who have supported the Prairie Fund for five or more consecutive years. Our entire community appreciates the unwavering loyalty of these donors.
— Mr. Matthew Adamczyk ’10 and
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fallico
Molly Lofquist Johnson and Steve Johnson
Grazyna and Glen Feld
Pam Johnson ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Ahlensdorf, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Fenkl
Pat and Katie Johnson
AmazonSmile
Ms. Abigail Fiegel ’12
Steve and Cindy Joost
Matt and Rita Andis
Ms. Alexandra Fiegel ’07
Joseph Kann and Christine Shields Kann
Nijole and Julius Andriusis
Rick and Jana Fiegel
Mr. George Karegeannes and
Dr. Helen Arkema ’83 and Mr. Garry Arkema
James Fiers II and Cathy Fiers
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Atanasoff
Melissa G. Flynn
Mr. H. William Keland ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. Axelson
Dr. and Mrs. Robin Ford
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce J. Kelly
Akemi and Darryl Babu ’88
Kim and Dave Forsman
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Ketterer
Dr. Manoj Babu and Dr. Sheryn Abraham
Jerry and Lynn Franke
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas King ’78
Pat Badger
Nate Franke ’99
Jacki Kirt
Ms. Shirley J. Bailey
Jon Fredrickson and
Dr. Lyndsay N. Knoell and Dr. Wendy M. Knoell
Mrs. Abby Gaertig Adamczyk ’10
John Baker, Jr. and Mary Baker
Sarah Friday Fredrickson ’91
Mrs. Amy Karegeannes ’94
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford J. Kogutkiewicz
Michael Banco and Hope Heaster
John and Abigail French
Drs. Piotr and Joanna Kolanowski
Dan and Ann Bankenbush
Liz Gabriel ’86
Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Koleske
Mr. Andres Baptista and Mrs. Zaida Puy Arena
Geoff and Melissa Gallert
Dennis and Sandy Kontra
Mr. and Mrs. Jason L. Barrett
Dr. Eduardo Garcia-Novelli and
Mr. and Mrs. Ragnar H. Korthase
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Barth
Dr. Maria Fiocchi
Mr. and Mrs. Mark H. Krekling
John ’83 and Jane Batten
Charles and Alicia Gasser
Ms. Brianna Kunstman
The Berkey Family
Ms. Kristina Gile
Mr. and Mrs. James Ladwig
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Blenke
Mr. Marcelo F. Ginestel and Ms. Alice Place
Mr. and Mrs. Steve LaLonde
Michael and Kathryn Boero and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Glines
Ms. Hannah Lane and Dr. Peter Sattler
Mr. and Mrs. Paul S. Boese
Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth L. Gould
Gary and Mary Sue Langendorf
Michael ’99 and Shay ’00 Borzynski
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Grauwels
Amy S. Larsen ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Corey Brandt
Mike and Jessica Greb
Ms. Diann Lebow
Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Breiwick
Mari and Jason Grobschmidt
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond C. Leffler
Mr. James Broetzmann
Ed Guion and Camille Jensen-Guion
Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Leinweber
Bukacek Construction Group
Dr. Jolyn and Mr. Austin Gundlach
Craig Leipold and Helen Johnson-Leipold ’74
John and Terie Carpenter
Kevin S. Hall ’85
Mr. and Mrs. Don Libby
Jenni and Rich Chiapete
Scott Harlan and Maureen Kennedy-Harlan
Jake Lipor
Mark Chulew ’72 and Stacey Chulew
Chad Harvey and Dena Roncone
Elizabeth Long
Mr. Alan Clark and Ms. Andrea Bukacek ’03
Mary and Owen Heath
James and Jessica Lynott
Dr. David and Shawn Clark
Bob and Sally Henzl
Mrs. Dorothy MacVicar
Richard Coates ’72
James Herre ’82
Carol and Robert Malik
Gretchen Coffman
Ms. Jeanette A. Hoffman
Mr. Terence S. Malone
Nat and Laura Coffman
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Hoffman
Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Martin
Kevin and Noel Cookman
Kevin and Beth Hokanson
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Marz
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cookman
The Holum Family
Steve Maurer and Amy Giles-Maurer
Kirsten Cousin
Mr. and Mrs. David Horvath
Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. McCleary
Mr. Jonathan Cushman and Ms. Jennifer Cobb
Charles and Erin Housiaux
Cathy and Dennis McCombs
Dr. Marshall Cushman
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Huebsch
Rev. Mark and Mrs. Margaret McDonough
Meg Rowland Daniels ’82 and John Daniels
Nancy and Warren Icke
Patrick McGuire and
Ms. Elizabeth Davis
Susan Inbusch
Mr. Gregory Davis ’82
Benjamin ’96 and Jenelle Isaacson
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne McGuire
Michael J. Degenhart ’80
Tom and Pat Isaacson
Mr. Everett McKinney and Dr. John Magerus
Dr. Barbara Little Earnest ’74 and
Majed and Reem Jandali
Blaine and Mary Metzger
Peter and Karen Jansson
Rick and Karen Mews
Mrs. Loretta J. Ellis
Johnson Family Foundation
Mr. Matthew Meyer ’99
Dr. Mary Ellis and Mr. Garry Ellis
Dave and Chris Johnson
Microsoft Corporation
Bill and Renee Elworthy
H. Fisk Johnson, Ph.D. ’75
Shazia Miller ’85 and Sam Miller
Mr. Royce Earnest
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Megan Rowland McGuire ’02
Rusty and Dave Millin
Scott and Kara Reske
Robert F. Taylor
Alan and Melissa Mills
Lindsay Roskovensky ’02 and
Dr. James Tierney and Mrs. Deborah Tierney
Ms. Barbara D. Mitchell
Mathieu Roskovensky
Jane and Joe Truka
Greg and Sheryl Mueller
John S. Rowland II ’75
Mr. and Mrs. David J. Turek
Jim Mueller and Christine Henke Mueller
Richard Ruffo ’83 and Diane Ruffo
Jennifer Van Dinter ’93 and Dave Lefaive
Ms. Arooj Mukarram
Al and Patty Ruud
Armen A. Vidian ’88
Mr. Michael Nelson and Ms. Sharon Kellogg
Chris Ruud ’89 and Chantil Ruud
The Wadhwani Family
Brendan and Lisa O’Brien
Mr. and Mrs. David Santalucia
Helmut Wagner
Patrick and Betsie O’Brien
SC Johnson
David and Rosemary Wait
Diane and John Oakland
SC Johnson Giving, Inc.
Ms. Eileen Walter and Mr. Gregg Baumann
Mr. and Mrs. Eric A. Olesen
Helen Schaefer
Mr. and Mrs. Brian C. Weaver
Cheryl and Kevin Orlowski
Tom and Wendy Schaefer
Drs. Jean Weaver and Francis Peterson
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew R. Oscarson
Nich and Shannon Schafer
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Westerfield
Mr. and Mrs. George Oteman
Vicki and Ted Schmitz
Dr. Rebecca L. Wheeler
Keith and Melody Owsley
Gary and Sharon Schonert
Ben and Katie White
Kathy Palmen
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Schwalbe
John and Jodi White
Mark and Dori Panthofer
Mr. and Mrs. Klay Shannon
Michael and Rebecca Wienke
Mr. Fletcher Paulsen
Mr. Douglas Shimp and Mrs. Shakila
Eric and Marcia Wilks
Christine Pearson
Manogaran Shimp ’86
Kevin and Liz Will
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Peery
Jim and Joyce Smith
Kathryn Winnen
Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Pehlivanian
Toni Alicia Jackson Smith ’84
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Winnen
Patricia Penman
Andrew and Valerie Sprunger
Ms. Alison Wojahn
Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Perry
State Farm Insurance - Brian Ketterer
Mr. Jeffrey Wolf and Dr. Lisa Wolf
Nick and Aliya Pitts
Dr. Elizabeth Nicole Steffensen ’04 and
Chao-Ying Yan
Mrs. Sheila Polzin
Mr. Ryan Mattsen
Fred Young and Sandra Harrisson Young ’70
Jeff and Rita Praefke
David and Suzanne Stoltenberg
Mr. Jim Zielinski
Jim and Jane Raufus
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stoner
Ms. Margaret Zimmermann ’14
Jeanne Rayburn
Mrs. Kathryn L. Swanson
Lynn Zobel
Mr. and Mrs. William F. Rayne
Kenneth Swanson and Barbara Hoppa Swanson
Parents Family partnerships are a cornerstone of the Prairie experience, and our community is grateful to the current parents who demonstrated their philanthropic commitment by making a gift to the school in 2020-2021.
— Anonymous (12)
Rachel and Derek Baker
Dr. Michelle Braun and Mr. Adam Dillon
Mr. and Mrs. Akil I. Ajmeri
Mr. Andres Baptista and Mrs. Zaida Puy Arena
Tony Braun and Kathy Hart-Braun
Dr. Andrew C. Alexander ’87
Mr. and Mrs. Jason L. Barrett
Andrea and Jorge Bravo
Chris and Virginia Anderson
Tressa and Michael Bates
Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Breiwick
Matt K. and Lisa M. Andis
John ’83 and Jane Batten
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Brzezinski
Nijole and Julius Andriusis
Tony and Tanya Baumgardt
Mr. Thang Bui and Ms. Polly Doan
Michael and Benoite Angeline
Tiffany and Jon Behrends
Michelle and Anthony Burch
Sever and Andreea Anton
The Berkey Family
Shawn and Angie Burwell
Tom and Kirsten Antonneau
The Binder Family
Jammicca Cabell
Joy and Jon Aragones
Laura and Rob Bishop
Reverend Erik Carlson and
Tony and Casie Arnone
Tom and Theresie Bode
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Atanasoff
Ben Boilek and Jeanette Dutton-Boilek
The Carpenters
Graham and Jennifer Ault
Asewanetta Bonner
Sarah and Andrew Chadwick
Akemi and Darryl Babu ’88
Michael ’99 and Shay ’00 Borzynski
Tony Chen and Crystal Chiu
Dr. Manoj Babu and Dr. Sheryn Abraham
Dr. Michael A. Boticki
Kevin and Kelly Christensen
Kimberlee Tomczak Carlson
Kylie Christensen
Benjamin and Jamie Hamilton
Marcio and Paola Leal
Mr. Patrick Christensen and Dr. Nichole Elcano
Dana and Michael Handrow
Stephanie Ledvina and Lisa Luchun
Kevin and Andrea Chuc
Scott Harlan and Maureen Kennedy-Harlan
The Lescher Family
Dr. Irina Ciubotaru and Mr. Rocco Castellano
Chad Harvey and Dena Roncone
The Lieb Family
Mr. Alan Clark and Ms. Andrea Bukacek ’03
TJ and Amber Hearn
Terry Liu
Dr. David and Shawn Clark
Greg and Lisa Heath
Alfred and Kelly Longoria
Shawn and Samantha Comaris ’95
Michael and Sandra Herrera
John and Jodi Lopez
Kevin and Noel Cookman
Brian Hervat and Carolyn Kirkby
The Louly Family
Craig Cortez
Dave and Nicole Higgs
Mick and Missy Lucareli
Donald and Teri Craft
Val and Alena Himin
The Lucht Family
The Cubas Family
Collin and Krystyn Hirsch
James and Jessica Lynott
Daniel and Danelle Davies
Ethan and Elizabeth Hoff
Dr. John and Becky Mamalakis
Mr. and Mrs. Brett Davis
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Hoffman
Joe and Christina Manley
Sheetal and Ratnang Desai
Stephen and Jane Hogan
Kenneth Marek and Jacqueline Hung
Kanwal Dhar and Shally Chogtu
Kevin and Beth Hokanson
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Marz
Tim and Theresa Dixon
David and Clair Holland
Joseph Mathew
Andrew and Ally Docksey
Ed and Jody Holle
Tessy Mathews
Mr. Dhaval Doshi and Mrs. Dhruti Joshi
Matt and Alyson Horton
The Maurers
Tom and Melissa Dreifuerst
Scott and Kathryn Huggins
Steve Maurer and Amy Giles-Maurer
Hortense Dupin de Saint Cyr
Mr. and Mrs. Kurt E. Ignasiak
Cheryl and Tony May
Jennifer Eastman
Benjamin ’96 and Jenelle Isaacson
The Dan and Helen May Family
Rachel Ehlers and Johrie Dyess, Sr.
Jennifer Jacobson
Kelly Mayer
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Eitel
Ted and Jill Jansen
Luciano Mazon and Michelle Maiochi Mazon
Dr. Mary Ellis and Mr. Garry Ellis
Abigail and Lee Jaramillo
Patrick McGuire and
Adam ’93 and Dr. Allison Emery
Pete and Paula Jedlicka
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fallico
Jason and Destiny Johnson
Kristin McManmon
Rick and Nicole Farbo
Josh Johnson
Carolyn McNeil
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Farr
Molly Lofquist Johnson and Steve Johnson
David and Betsy McPhee
The Feathers
Pat and Katie Johnson
The Mehra Family
Dr. Therese Fellner and Paul Fiegel
Skye Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Menzhuber
Massi and Alison Ferrentino
Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Joost ’03
Garet and Kristin Mianecki
Mr. Jose Nogueira Filho and
Jeff and Katie Jorgenson
Sophie and Thomas Michaud
Mr. George Karegeannes and
Andrew Mielke and Casey Latus
Mrs. Gabriela Martins Erika Ford ’95 and Aaron Ford ’96
Mrs. Amy Karegeannes ’94
Megan Rowland McGuire ’02
David Milaeger ’01 and Elsa Milaeger
Scott and Charmaine Foster
Dom and Susan Kegel
Guy and Mona Milinski
Jon Fredrickson and
Mr. Warren Kekahbah and Ms. Melissa Jahnke
Rusty and Dave Millin
The Kelly Family
Mark and Christina Milos
John and Abigail French
Tyre and Daiana Kern
Sam and Liz Modder
Charles and Alicia Gasser
The Khalaf Family
Jason and Kari Morgan
Paul and Heidi Gaylord
Dr. Lyndsay N. Knoell and Dr. Wendy M. Knoell
Sara Mornar and Joe Marshall
Van and Janet Gegas
Steve and Dana Kohl
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morocco
The Gerulski Family
Drs. Piotr and Joanna Kolanowski
Dr. Tawfiq Nadi and Mrs. Hoda Matariyeh-Nadi
Chad and Julie Giles
Tom and Maria Koritsaris
Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Nelson, Jr
Mr. Marcelo F. Ginestel and Ms. Alice Place
Mr. and Mrs. Ragnar H. Korthase
Peter ’94 and Gwen Nguyen
Chris Gittens and Jennifer Orsted
Thomas and Rebekah Kowalski
Paul Nowak and Elizabeth Spalla
Jenni and Ted Goad
Mr. and Mrs. Mark H. Krekling
Brendan and Lisa O’Brien
Andrea and Henry Grady
Jessica and Brian Krivsky
Corey and Laura Oakland
Mike and Jessica Greb
Kristine Kulig-Doss and Christopher Doss
The Olson - Goldman Family
Steven Grinde and Rachel Burton-Grinde
Dr. Pradeep Kumar and Dr. Jaya Iyer
Erik and Michelle Olson
Mari and Jason Grobschmidt
Ashley and Laura LaBarber
Rick and Kristina Onyon
Mr. Jogrim Grotmol and
Mr. and Mrs. Steve LaLonde
Cheryl and Kevin Orlowski
Brian Langendorf
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew R. Oscarson
Jacob and Kristin Gunia
Rachel Lantz
Torben and Bridget Ovesen
The Gutenkunst Family
Richard and Tanya Larsen
Jon and Suzanne Palmen
Mario and Claudia Gvuzd
The Family of Jolie and Lilie Larson
Seth and Andrea Pearson
Marie Haertel
Tiffany Larson
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Peery
Sara Luther Hagerman and Dan Hagerman
Ivan and Amanda Lawler
Sophia and Joseph Penkala
Sarah Friday Fredrickson ’91
Mrs. Lisa Piché Grotmol
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Dr. Joshua and Mrs. Christa Pessin
Mr. and Mrs. Todd Schober
Mr. and Mrs. David J. Turek
Jeff and Missy Peterson
Eric and Catherine Scholz
Jenny Ulbricht
Ron and Dawn Peterson
The Schrader Family
Paul and Jennifer Ulrich
Rick and Teri Pias
The Schram Family
Mr. and Mrs. Tim Ulrich
Nick and Aliya Pitts
Lisa Schumacher
Daniel and Dawn Vaccaro
The Posnanski Family
Felix and Gloria Servantez
Ryan and Jamie VanDeLoo
Jeff and Rita Praefke
John and Melissa Sharpe
Dr. and Mrs. Vahag Vartanian
Roberta Puntillo-Jorgensen and Kurt Jorgensen
Dennis Shaw and
Sofia Alvarez Villa and
Asad and Rabia Rahman
Elizabeth Pehlivanian Shaw ’86
Manuel Fernandez de Castro Munoz
Lucas Raimondi and Soledad Pasman
Thomas Sheinfeld
Dan and Christina Wade
Pula and Sabitha Reddy
Mr. Douglas Shimp and
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wagner
Michael and Kelly Regner
Mrs. Shakila Manogaran Shimp ’86
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Waite
Scott and Kara Reske
The Smith Family
Karen and Jim Walker
The Reyes Family
Mr. and Mrs. Chad Solodio
Nathan Ward
Jessica and Steve Rezmer
Neil and Ashley Staeck
Andrew and Ali Wassweiler
Sudip and Amrita Ringwala
The Stahl Family
Shannon Watt ’01
Adrian Rivas and Jennifer Zeni
Anne and Richard Stoltenberg
Mr. and Mrs. Brian C. Weaver
Roy and Yadira Rivera
Todd and Laura Stoner
Drs. Jean Weaver and Francis Peterson
Melissa and Daniel Ropiak
The Strmseks
Ben and Katie White
The Rossi Family
Jason Strmsek
Rhonda Williams
Nick and Jen Ruetz
Mr. Nicholas and Dr. Christina Sullivan
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Winnen
Chris Ruud ’89 and Chantil Ruud
Rich and Victoria Svejcar
Paul and Paula Wokwicz
Mr. and Mrs. David H. Saaski
Kenneth Swanson and Barbara Hoppa Swanson
Holly Wolf-Mattick
The Saboia Family
The Swedberg Family
Tony and Ann Yeung
Mauricio and Elizabeth Salazar
The Tao Family
Jing Yu and Eric Chien
Mr. and Mrs. David Santalucia
Drs. Tatyana Taranukha and Ryan Doyle
Casey and Lisa Yunker
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Schaefer
Patrick Tews and Elizabeth Morack
Dr. Brian and Mrs. Aneta Zafonte
Tom and Wendy Schaefer
Mr. Del Todd ’96 and Mrs. Lindsay Todd
Nich and Shannon Schafer
Erin and Ryan Tollaksen
Vicki and Ted Schmitz
Alida and Bob Trocke
Grandparents The Prairie community always appreciates the philanthropy of our grandparents. Those listed below made a charitable gift to our school in the 2020-2021 year.
— Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Ahlensdorf, Sr.
Mary Jane Baumgardt
Lynn Bukacek
Lois Alexander
Amparo Beatriz and Pedro Garcia
Mr. and Mrs. John Burgess
Matt and Rita Andis
Ricky and Patty Begotka
Bob and Sue Burton
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Angeline
Stephanie and Steve Benner
Mark and Cheri Burwell
Mr. and Mrs. Gus Antonneau
Kenneth and Susan Bergquist
Steve and Anne Callaghan
Adelaida Aragones
John and Janice Bernez
David and Wallapa Carlson
Mona Archibald
Patricia Black
Jim Cauley and Brenda Andrews
Mr. and Mrs. Karl Atanasoff
William M. Black III
Susan and Ferdinand Chiappetta
Mike and Debbie Ault
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Blenke
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cookman
Rodney and Barb Baerbock
Frank and Sharon Boerner
Mr. and Mrs. John Corcoran
Ms. Shirley J. Bailey
Michael and Kathryn Boero and Family
Marjorie Czop
John Baker, Jr. and Mary Baker
Ms. Barbara Borthwick
Mr. and Mrs. John Dana
Linda Baker
Constance and John Boticki
John and Lee Davis
Jane Baldassi
Tom and Sally Brown
Roslyn Davis
Mrs. Gloria S. Batten
Pat and Don Bucy
Lee and Bev Doyle
Luann Dreifuerst
Mary Kirkby
Wayne and Patricia Rose
Jackie and Dal Drummer
W. Ann Kirkwood
John S. Rowland II ’75
Lois Dunbar
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Knier
Mrs. Julianne F. Rowland
Jim and Bonnie Eastman
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford J. Kogutkiewicz
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ruetz
Dave and Kathy Eberle
Mr. and Mrs. Carl M. Krejcha, Jr.
Ken and Lynn Rustici
Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Ebert
Bernadette and Ray Krivsky
Al and Patty Ruud
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Elcano, Sr.
John and Mary LaBarber
Helen Schaefer
Mrs. Loretta J. Ellis
Gary and Mary Sue Langendorf
Brad Schafer
Bill and Renee Elworthy
Dennis and Leslie Lantz
Richard and Sharon Schober
Norm and Mari Erickson
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Larsen
Marilyn and Bill Scholz
Lessia and Robert Fasshauer
Ms. Diann Lebow
Gary and Sharon Schonert
Sharon and William Feather
Cathie and John Lehman
Tom and Lynda Schrader
Grazyna and Glen Feld
Susan Lescher
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Schwalbe
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Foltz
Mr. and Mrs. Don Libby
Pamela Sharpe
Dr. and Mrs. Robin Ford
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Linstroth
Christina Sheinfeld
Kurt and Lisa Frank
Connie and Joseph Lipari
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Shipe
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Fredenburgh
Mrs. Dorothy MacVicar
Jim and Joyce Smith
Bonnie B. Friday
Mark and Becky Madsen
Herbert and Eva Spalla
Ms. Ona Funderburg
Carol and Robert Malik
Patricia and Glenn Stalker
Donna and Jim Garard
Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Martin
Judy and Steve Stead
Sandra R. Garard
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Marz
Mr. Tony Stevens and Mrs. Jean Stevens
Mr. J. Thomas Giles III
Molly Mathew
David and Suzanne Stoltenberg
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Glines
Augustine and Jaya Mathews
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stoner
Helga and Bob Gold
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne McGuire
Steven and Lisa Sullivan
Rachel and Steve Gold
Andrew and Gail McIntosh
Dr. and Mrs. Alistair Sundareson
Joann Goodyear
Charles and Judith McManmon
Paul Suprak
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Grauwels
Jane and Ronald Means
Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Tennant
Dennis and Sandra Grinde
Rick and Karen Mews
Jane Tews
Scott and Pat Grobschmidt
Ms. Barbara D. Mitchell
Michael and Linda Thomas
Dennis and Judith Guiliani
William and Peggy Moore
Jane and Joe Truka
John and Patricia Gunia
Calvin and Leslie Motsch
Kathleen Ulbricht
Dorothy Gutenkunst
Donna Nash
Sharon Vaccaro
Dave and Debbie Hamilton
Dan and Sally Natchek
Michael and Mary Vandegriffe
Phillip and Nancy Hansen
Mr. Michael Nelson and Ms. Sharon Kellogg
Larry and Karen VanDeLoo
Frederick and Jonee Harbour
Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Norton
Helmut Wagner
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Harlan
Lucille Nowak
David and Rosemary Wait
Sonja and Doug Haske
Robyn O’Brien
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Westerfield
Jane and Tom Hearn
Mike and Connie O’Neal
John and Jodi White
Mary and Owen Heath
Diane and John Oakland
Kathryn Winnen
Edward and Donna Heidemann
Mr. and Mrs. Eric A. Olesen
Eleane Wokwicz
Therese Heller
Mr. and Mrs. George Oteman
Jerome and Mary Wolf
Mr. and Mrs. James E. Henderson
Kathy Palmen
Cheryl Henkel
Linda and Mark Pawlak
Peggy Hirsch
Christine Pearson
Bernardine Hoff
Lee and Patricia Pearson
Ms. Jeanette A. Hoffman
Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Pehlivanian
David and Virginia Holle
Walter and Cynthia Penkala
Dennis and Liz Homolka
Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Perry
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Horton
Bruce and Kathleen Pessin
Mr. and Mrs. David Horvath
Jeff and Kris Philippi
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Huebsch
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Piché
George and Linda Huggins
Mrs. Sheila Polzin
Tom and Pat Isaacson
Mr. Alfonzo Puy Arena and
Cynthia Johnson
Ms. Zaida Dager de Puy Arena
Pam Johnson ’73
Robert and Carolyn Rashleger
Mr. S. Curtis Johnson ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Regner
Steve and Cindy Joost
Carol and John Rezmer
Charles Jorgensen
Judith and Norris Richardson
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce J. Kelly
Carol Richie
Herb Kincaid
Nikunj and Kirti Ringwala
24 | prairieschool.com
The 24th Annual Golf Classic & Dinner Prairie’s Golf Classic & Dinner is a long-standing tradition that, over the past two decades, has raised over $1.6 million for the school’s scholarship program. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and donors, the 2020 event netted over $125,000 in support of deserving students who would otherwise be unable to afford the full cost of tuition.
— 2020 COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Dr. Jolyn and Mr. Austin Gundlach
Jeff and Kris Philippi
Brian Langendorf - Chair
Mr. Bennett Harris ’10
Nick and Aliya Pitts
Mitch Harris ’08
PNC Financial Services Group
Kevin Cookman
Gregory Mueller
Ann Hearn
Quarles & Brady LLP
Brian Glines ’08
Peter Olesen ’05
Jane and Tom Hearn
Racine Community Foundation - T
Krystyn Hirsch
Richard Ruffo ’83
Joshua Hearn
Dave Johnson
Chris Ruud ’89
TJ and Amber Hearn
Racine Dental Group, S.C.
Alan Mills
Jeff Wolf
Amanda Henkel
Asad and Rabia Rahman
Cheryl Henkel
The Rathi Singh Private Wealth Group
Richard and Laurie Hennig
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, S.C.
Stephen and Jane Hogan
Heather Remington
Johnson Financial Group
Robert W. Baird & Co.
Johnson Outdoors, Inc.
Robertson Ryan and Associates
Dave and Chris Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick E. Rooney
H. Fisk Johnson, Ph.D. ’75
John S. Rowland II ’75
Pat and Katie Johnson
RSM US LLP
Mr. S. Curtis Johnson ’73
The Ruffo Family Foundation, Inc.
Skye Johnson
Richard Ruffo ’83 and Diane Ruffo
Mrs. Winifred Johnson-Marquart ’77 and
Russ Darrow Group
EVENT SPONSORS & DONORS Anonymous Andis Corporation Matt and Rita Andis Matt K. and Lisa M. Andis Ascension All Saints Hospital Foundation Associated Bank Mr. Gil Atanasoff Mr. and Mrs. Karl Atanasoff Graham and Jennifer Ault Akemi and Darryl Babu ’88 Joan Bolewski Michael ’99 and Shay ’00 Borzynski Mr. Ryan L. Brandon Buddy’s Sports Grill Bukacek Construction Group Michelle and Anthony Burch Mr. and Mrs. Caron Butler Carlson Racine Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. The Carpenters Mr. Alan Clark and Ms. Andrea Bukacek ’03 Coffman Family Scholarship Fund Julie and Jim Coffman Kevin and Noel Cookman CRB Insurance Agency Denman Insurance Services, Inc. Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, Inc. Tim and Julie Eckert Educators Credit Union Carolyn Gittings Edwards ’75 Mr. and Mrs. Peter Eitel Adam ’93 and Dr. Allison Emery Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fallico Peter Farruggia and Michelle Boero Farruggia ’03 Dave and Julie Feiler Fiduciary Management, Inc. Rick and Jana Fiegel First American Bank Mr. and Mrs. R. David Foster
Mr. Michael Marquart
he Selmo Family Fund
Al and Patty Ruud
Joseph Kann and Christine Shields Kann
Chris Ruud ’89 and Chantil Ruud
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Ketterer
SC Johnson
The Kirsten and Emily Maki Foundation
SC Johnson Giving, Inc.
Knoell Family Dentistry
Melissa Schafer
Dr. Lyndsay N. Knoell and Dr. Wendy M. Knoell
John Seiber
Jay Kohr ’98 and Elaina Kohr
JoAnn and Don Selmo
Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Koleske
Mr. Douglas Shimp and
Mr. and Mrs. James Ladwig
Mrs. Shakila Manogaran Shimp ’86
Diana Lamberton
Kanwar M. Singh ’85 and Avanti K. Singh
Brian Langendorf
State Farm Insurance - Brian Ketterer
Stephanie Ledvina and Lisa Luchun
SU Group LLC
Craig Leipold and Helen Johnson-Leipold ’74
Mr. Nicholas and Dr. Christina Sullivan
Lincoln Churchill Advisors
The Swedberg Family
Marlo, Incorporated
Tabak Law, LLC
Steve Maurer and Amy Giles-Maurer
The Tao Family
Dan and Helen May Family
Thrivent Financial - Vantage Financial Partners
O & H Danish Bakery
Truck Country of Wisconsin - Oak Creek
Dr. Kimberly Rybicki Olesen ’05 and
Varitay Studios
Mr. Peter Olesen ’05
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Venn
Oral, Facial and Periodontal Surgery, LLC.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Joseph Veranth ’80
Cheryl and Kevin Orlowski
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Waite
The Osiecki Family
Wisconsin Kitchen Mart
Jon and Suzanne Palmen
Paul and Paula Wokwicz
Mark and Dori Panthofer
Mr. Jeffrey Wolf and Dr. Lisa Wolf
Patina Solutions Group, Inc.
Chao-Ying Yan
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Peery
Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Inc.
Patricia Penman
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Zlevor
Ms. Patty Petersen
Alumni Notes — 1970s
2000s
Patti Rivituso ’78 is an Insurance Coordinator at
Corey Sebastian ’05 received the Volunteer
Jennifer Schmidt ’14 was crowned the new
Patti, “After 24 years of working with Hospital
Award. In recent years she has been involved
Rock River Valley, she was crowned after
Corporation of America (HCA) in various roles
with the Young Leaders Academy at the
including CFO, I stopped working to take care
YMCA, has served as Secretary and Community
of my parents in Atlanta. I then connected with
Task Force Chair for the Racine Community
the Auditory-Verbal Center where my sister
Foundation, has served on the Board of Directors
is the Executive Director and the mom of two
for the Wheaton All Saints Foundation, has
profoundly deaf children who went through the
served on the United Way of Racine Board, and
program to learn to hear and speak. This Center
has led volunteer efforts benefitting HALO and
provides life changing therapy. We are living life
Racine Unified.
Canary Room, recently had her single “Christine”
Margaux (Melzer) Mich ’06 is the owner of
National Public Radio. “Christine” is included
normal independent lives since they learned
WI. After launching Book Art Bookmarks, LLC,
name. Says NPR’s Lars Gotrich, “There’s a lot
to hear and speak without sign language or lip
an online elastic bookmark jewelry company, she
reading once they had access to sound.”
decided to chase her lifelong dream of opening
the Auditory-Verbal Center in Atlanta, GA. Says
Center of Racine’s 2021 Economic Development
as a normal family, communicating with my niece and nephew who both have cochlear implants and are able to talk on the telephone and lead
Lunar and Lake Book Market in Fond Du Lac,
a bookstore. Per the Lunar and Lake website, Cathryn Rench ’73 earned her master’s from
“In summer of 2020 Margaux discovered Fond
Franciscan University of Steubenville and her
du Lac’s Downtown Partnership Pop Up Shop
Ph.D. from Capella University. She resides in
program. The Pop Up Shop program allowed
Ohio. [A]
Margaux a space to grow her online business
1980s
bookstore in Fond du lac, the community reached
David Simmons, M.D. ’88 checked in with
Prairie shortly after finding himself on a Zoom training led by – much to his surprise – fellow TPS alumnus Gurpeet Dhaliwal ’91. Dr.
Simmons is the Medical Director of Treatment and Recovery Services for Samaritan Health Services in Lebanon, OR. Fun fact: he originally went to college to study music (BA, Oberlin College; MA, Indiana University) and has performed at Carnegie Hall. He went back to medical school at the age of 37 and earned his medical degree from the Oregon Health and Science University in 2014.
1990s This summer, Sabrina (Vora) Puglisi ’93 was
named new President of the Miami-Dade Bar Association. She has been a Florida Board Certified Criminal Trial attorney since 2008. She worked for both the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office and the Federal Defender’s Office for the Southern District of Florida prior to opening her own firm, Puglisi Law, in 2011.
26 | prairieschool.com
as well as share her love of books. Lacking a out and shared their desires to have a reading space in the city. Margaux was able to grow from the Pop-Up Shop program to a permanent location in Downtown Fond du Lac.” Lunar and Lake was voted Best New Downtown Business
Miss Wisconsin on June 19th. Formerly Miss winning preliminary awards for both Talent and On-Stage Question/Social Impact Pitch. She captured the title among 21 other candidates, earning the right to compete in the 100-year anniversary of the Miss America pageant. [B] Maddy Heide ’17, known by her artist name
selected by a July Staff Pick of the Month by on the recently released album of the same of noise in my life: a toddler, an endless inbox, a constant barrage of punk and metal blasting from my office speakers. It takes a lot for a singersongwriter with only an acoustic guitar to break through. Then I heard the song “Christine” by Canary Room. It’s from a short, five-song EP recorded outdoors on a four-track; listen closely and you can hear birds chirp and leaves rustled by the wind. But mostly you just hear Maddy Heide’s voice up close, as if she’s sitting right next to you, thinking out loud about the way seasons change in a person, and how you love them anyway. The melody ascends and descends like rolling foothills — gently, but not without
for 2020. [C]
a heart pumping blood. Canary Room’s got a
Kat Clark ’08 was elected student
a listen, but this one’s on repeat.” Listen at
commencement speaker at her MBA graduation from the Haas Business School at University of California, Berkeley. She wore the same gown her brother Kyle wore at his graduation from
bunch of songs on her Bandcamp page worth canaryroom.bandcamp.com. Last semester Kayla Goelz ’17, a Business major at Lake Forest College, was named to Phi Beta
UC-Berkeley in 2018.
Kappa. The recognition honors excellence in the
2010s
Jacob Ruud ’17 got off to a perfect start this
Justin Maio ’10 is a Gameplay Programmer
liberal arts and sciences.
summer during the debut of the TCX racing
at Deck Nine Games. His penchant for AI
division in the TC America competition. Driving
programming was recently featured in the online
the No. 81 Light Speed/Classic BMW M2
story, “On Life Is Strange: True Colors, Justin
for Fast Track Racing, Jacob, a college senior
Maio Trades Combat AI for Colorado Passersby”
studying cybersecurity at Rochester Institute of
on the Digipen Institute of Technology website.
Technology in upstate New York, won 6 main events in 6 starts including 6 pole positions and
Lauren Chars ’14 earned her Doctorate in
5 fastest laps. He was featured in the Milwaukee
Pharmacy from Butler University. She is
Journal Sentinel’s August 26th story, “You
currently employed as a pharmacist at CVS
probably don’t know this 21-year-old Racine
Health.
college senior, but he’s unbeaten heading into the Road America race weekend.” [D]
A
B
SHARE YOUR NEWS You, our Prairie School alumni, are an inspiration to all of us. We would love to hear from you! Share your special news with us, whether it is a new job, a promotion, a special award you have received or some other accomplishment –– we would love share it with others. Please take a minute to fill us in on what is happening in your life so we can print it in the
C
Class Notes section of our alumni publication. Items of interest include: •
A degree earned
•
A move to a new city
•
A marriage (please include exact wedding date and the full name of your new spouse)
•
A new family member (please include child’s full name and date of birth)
•
An honor received
•
Your volunteer work
•
Other news about you or your life
Class notes are published as space permits. The editors of this magazine reserve the right to revise and rewrite items for content and length.
STAY IN TOUCH Update your address, phone number, email address, profession, family information and anything else
D
you would like to share. To do so, email Brendan O’Brien, Director of Communication, at bobrien@prairieschool.com or use the Update Your Information form in the Alumni section of our website.
A YEAR IN REVIEW — Brendan O’Brien
OCT NOV
CONSISTENCY IN KOHLER
PITCH PERFECT
Girls’ Golf brought home some serious hardware last fall.
On the strength of an impenetrable defense that didn’t allow
Led by sophomore Sophia Lawler’s two-day total of 128,
a single goal the entire postseason, the Hawks won their latest
the Hawks finished in 2nd Place at the Division 2 State Tournament held at Blackwolf Run in Kohler. It was the third
gold ball by defeating Mt. Calvary St. Lawrence 4-0 in the WIAA Division 3 State Championship.
runner-up finish in the recent history of the program, going along with State titles in 2010, 2015, and 2016.
FEB
FEB
BOYS’ HOOPS DELIVERS SEASON FOR THE AGES TAKING AIM ON AWESOME
After winning their fifth consecutive WIAA Regional Title, the Hawks went on an unforgettable run, winning a
What do you do when a pandemic takes away your ability
Sectional Final against perennial state power Cuba City in
to have fun indoors? You put on your winter coat and head
their gym and defeating Luther High School in the State
outside. February’s doldrums didn’t stop Middle School
Semifinal, en route to reaching the program’s first State
students from finding a way to have a blast this winter.
Championship since 1982. The title game was not without
Prairie’s Frozen Winter Carnival featured everything that
theatrics and heartache as the Hawks fell short in a gritty,
makes winter living in Wisconsin worthwhile – snow angels, building snowmen, hot chocolate, and of course, firing snowballs at overmatched teachers.
28 | prairieschool.com
hard-fought affair, losing 43-41 on a buzzer beater by Oshkosh Lourdes.
2O/21 APR
APR
THERE’S A SCIENCE TO IT
A CUT ABOVE
The Prairie Science Olympiad team has always thrived on two
Any 1st Grade student can tell you dissecting sharks is a rite
things: diligent preparation and an impressively deep roster.
of passage, one that was denied to students in the spring of
Never has the second trait been truer than in 2020-21 when
2020 when COVID-19 forced everyone to learn from home.
the squad included more freshmen than ever, split between the
Not to worry – when 1st Grade classes started dissecting this
Varsity and JV teams, as well as a 7th Grade student! The group
spring, they invited their friends from 2nd Grade to join in on
not only garnered a 7th place overall team finish at State, but
the fun. Sharing the opportunity with their Primary School
Mehul Dhar ’22, Luci Ellis ’22, Grace Semrau ’21, and Erik
mates made the entire experience in–fin –itely better.
Westman ’21 were all named Individual Champions.
MAY
MAY
PANDEMIC PREMIERE Teachers weren’t the only ones getting creative in an attempt to return to normal. Premiere partygoers donned their stocking caps and winter coats to combat Mother Nature’s springtime moodiness as they celebrated Prairie’s
THE RETURN OF TRADITION Whether it was grandiose, community-wide events like Premiere or 12 Days or Diwali, or small, everyday occurrences
signature event outside on the Johnson Athletic Center
like eating lunch together in the Dining Room, one of the
grounds. Did it look different? Absolutely. Were people
toughest things about the pandemic was losing our traditions.
still excited to gather together in celebration of this remarkable school? You better believe it.
One of those – Senior Sendoff – returned in style on a beautiful May morning, Prairie’s students and faculty cheering and clapping as the Class of 2021 traveled down the Upper School pathway one last time.
Liner Notes
The Awesome Eighties: Pat and Co. gathered around – what else – the piano
A GRATEFUL ALUMNA, A PRAIRIE STALWART, AND A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW PERFORMING ARTS GREW INTO THE POWERHOUSE IT IS TODAY — Mckinley Leinweber ’20 Since its early beginnings in the 1950s, the Performing Arts Department has delivered quite a range of diverse performances.
As I sat down to interview Ms. Badger my
Jazz shows. Concert band. Comedies. Dramas. The Prairie stage has been home to an incredible array of talent and creativity and for decades, Pat Badger, former Performing Art Department Chair, had the best seat in the house.
I am struck by how even after graduation, Prairie
This summer, Mckinley Leinweber ’20, a recently-graduated performer, sat down with Pat to pick her brain on what moments stand out from a lifetime in Prairie showbiz.
voice shook with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. Being a former Upper School Player, still manages to bring me closer to my aspirations. Pat recounts an experimental mentality alongside professionalism from her early Prairie career in the 1970’s. Both faculty and students were dedicated to trying new, creative, and inventive things in the art departments, working toward “planting the garden” for the future of Prairie arts. In the mid-70’s, she pioneered a class dedicated to building a harpsichord over a year’s term. While this had no precedent, Pat remembers the class’s adventurous members, excited by the challenge and knowledge gained from building an instrument from scratch. In its early years, both Middle and Upper School choirs, though small, were full of actively participating students and teachers. Pat says this inclusion of faculty
The author, middle, in The Drowsey Chaperone 30 | prairieschool.com
The author, right, in Mamma Mia!
helped students and teachers better relate to each another, as they could witness firsthand one another’s passions for music.
BUILDING THE BOND This partnership between student and teacher, as well as the always curious nature of Prairie students and faculty, continued throughout Pat’s career. In the late 70’s she was promoted to Performing Arts Chair and spearheaded a mosaic of programs and projects at Prairie, including an off-campus opera program that performed Amahl
and The Night Visitors by Gian-Carlo Monotti and Noye’s Fludde
Cast and crew of Amahl and the Night Visitors.
by Benjamin Britten.
Additionally, she began the school’s involvement with the Racine Symphony and Choral Arts Society, started the yearly Jubilate concert, and spurred the creation and premiere of eight compositions at TPS. Reaching out into the community for the material that best fit a combination of choirs, jazz bands, and
o.
orchestras helped create some of Prairie’s most memorable and exciting performances. With the opening of the John Mitchell Theater in 1981, Prairie
Pat at home teaching in the band room.
was able to showcase even more professional and substantial performances. Pat mentions the ones that impacted her most were pieces that brought new experiences or concepts to the performers and the audience, such as Prairie’s production of Zlata’s Diary,
an original adaptation of the non-fiction novel by Zlata Filipović about her childhood in Sarajevo. She also mentions dynamic shows like Fiddler on The Roof by Bock and Stein, a production that contained both surface level entertainment and deeper messages about genocide and discrimination. It is often said the shows that compel discussion have the greatest impact, which could not be truer for another of Pat’s honorable mentions – Prairie’s 2014 production of Dead Man Walking. In
preparation for the production of this adaptation of Sister Helen Prejean’s book, Prairie invited religious leaders, scholars, and attorneys to hold a discussion for the cast and crew in which they discussed the morality, legality, and efficacy of the death penalty in America. Pat remembers hearing from students she never imagined would speak, but were compelled by the content to share their thoughts and feelings. Though I was not in attendance for the discussion, I In 1975, a year after a major fire decimated the campus, TPS commissioned and welcomed composer Nelson Keyes to campus to promote his work, Prairie Fires.
was lucky enough to see the performance, and even at the age of 12, I was affedted both emotionally and intellectually.
The Show Went On: In the spring of 2021, unwilling to let the pandemic threaten another run of shows, the Performing Arts did the previously
Cast and crew of Dead Man Walking.
unthinkable – built a brand new outdoor amphitheater, the Pat Badger Amphitheater.
OH, WHAT A CRESCENDO Ms. Badger often mentions the powerful connection between students and faculty: their ability to leave an impression on each other. I have had the pleasure of watching Prairie performances through a wide variety of lenses, all
Pat and the orchestra performing in the Field House, 1970s.
of which have shaped me as an evolving artist. From the time I was in Primary School, I would attend plays and musicals, enchanted by the scenery, acting, and beautiful spectacle of the theater. As I moved to Middle School, inspired by the work of my older peers, I became involved with the 7th and 8th grade shows. The Little
Mermaid Jr. and James and The Giant Peach laid a foundation for my performing skills and my passion for theater and music. As I moved to Upper School, I deeply committed to the theater, making the complete transition from audience member to actress. Under the tenacious and ever compassionate guidance of Dena Roncone, Theatre Director, and Fletcher Paulsen, Performing Arts Chair, I watched as Prairie moved away from its traditional fall play, dedicating all its efforts to the spring musical. Through my years of high school, the Mitchell
Dead Man Walking.
Theater became home to Aida, The Drowsy
Chaperone, Mamma Mia! and Into The Woods. Each show seemed more popular and more
highly-regarded than the last, creating enough momentum and buzz to add extra performances three years in a row.
32 | prairieschool.com 32 | prairieschool.com
THE SHOW WENT ON In March of 2020, however, rumors of a flu-like virus spreading to Racine began to stir as the cast of Into The Woods prepared for the second of five shows.
The first night had gone so well we were expecting to add a possible sixth show; rave reviews were coming in and tickets were selling out. However, all the momentum, all the expectation had led to a final, unexpected crescendo:
In early May, 7th and 8th Grader students performed Moana Jr. in the brand new amphitheater to a full and socially distanced crowd. Later
that same month, the Upper School Players performed Monty Python’s Spamalot, sporting a full cast, band, and crew. I was lucky enough to attend a showing and was transported back to my time as a young Primary School student, once again dazzled by the stage and the actors, and how their passion shone through, never flanked by the trials the previous year had brought.
the Coronavirus lockdown and cancellation of all subsequent performances. For almost a year, live theater everywhere was put on hold. When it came time to discuss what was possible for this past spring, it was apparent
Mckinley Leinweber ’20 is a sophomore at Luther College in Iowa. She is double-majoring in Vocal Arts and Journalism.
adjustments would still need to be made here at Prairie. Enter The Pat Badger Outdoor Amphitheater. Here, from the beautiful landscape of Prairie’s campus, a new (outdoor) home for musical excellence was found, one built by the very people who have always brought theatre to life at TPS: the students and the faculty.
When I asked Pat about her hopes for the future of Prairie theatre, she says she wants to see what new things Prairie can achieve. “Authentic art happens when you don’t reproduce the art, you recreate it,” she says. Over her career she’s witnessed waves of dramatic change and growth, so she can’t wait to see what comes next. She’s excited about the flourishing passion for the arts at Prairie and implores both faculty and students to, “Do it because you can’t help it, not because someone told you to.” Like a great performance, Pat closes our conversation memorably. “Spirit still exists, still thrives at Prairie,” she says.
Calm, Confident, and Capable UPPER SCHOOL THRIVES UNDER “NEW” LEADERSHIP. — Brendan J. O’Brien It was last January and for Maggie McDonough, College Counselor persona grata at Prairie, suddenly everything was new. With retirement plans and a relocation to her beloved Vermont already bubbling in the back of her mind, TPS suddenly needed the calm demeanor and steady leadership of the 19-year Prairie veteran in a place near and dear to her heart: Upper School. With her predecessor, Sophie Michaud, departing mid-year, Dr. Coffman approached Maggie about taking the reins as Division Head for the duration of the semester. She agreed. And soon after, the eloquent, affable, mild-mannered counselor you all know and love did what she does: she got to work. Turns out that her new gig didn’t just last one semester, but this school year and the next year as well. Paused are the retirement plans, removed is the “interim” from her title as Maggie has agreed to continue leading the Upper School at least through the 2022-23 school year. Consider it a matter of fortuitous timing. Or call it a match made in Prairie heaven. Regardless, one thing is certain – when the school was in need of leadership, during a global pandemic no less, Mrs. McDonough was ready and willing to answer the call. This June, she delivered her first Commencement address as Upper School Head. And that thing we said about her eloquence? Well, just take a look for yourself.
34 | prairieschool.com
CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2021
Opening Remarks: Prairie School Commencement 2021
Grammar Lesson #4:
I’m silently correcting your grammar.
Other people’s sentences — their lived experience — are theirs to
Do not finish other people’s sentences. Literally, but mostly figuratively. determine.
That’s the message on a small but not-so-subtle sign in my office, a gift
Finishing other people’s sentences steals their voice, their perspective, their
from my colleague Jim Zielinski, who knows that the English teacher and
identity.
compulsive editor in me cannot not note the grammar.
Finishing other people’s sentences commandeers their story and sentences them to being misunderstood, “mis-taken,” or altogether unseen.
Grammar . . . in the Middle Ages, synonymous with learning in general, the
Finishing other people’s sentences presumes upon their right to define who
knowledge peculiar to the learned person.
and how they are in the world. Finishing other people’s sentences prevents them from speaking their
As I watch you soon-to-be-graduates prepare to write a new chapter in your
unique selves into being.
lives, I wonder what “grammar,” what learning, you take with you. Knowing
I believe that, for the same reason you would not want others to define you,
Prairie and knowing you — a strong, thoughtful, eclectic class — I hope, I
you have learned not to finish other people’s sentences.
believe you take a few grammar lessons. To wit . . . Grammar Lesson #1:
Grammar Lesson #5:
But first, a footnote: I’m going to use the term “prosaic.” It does not mean
Choose the interrogative more often than the declarative and the
prose. Prosaic means borrowed, unoriginal, cliché.
imperative.
So back to grammar lesson #5:
The interrogative inquires.
Choose the poetic life over the prosaic one.
The interrogative seeks first to understand and only then to be understood.
The prosaic is dull, thinned out, weak. The poetic is vivid, intense, potent.
Ask. Listen. Learn something new. Make that new knowledge a part
The prosaic is dilute. The poetic is concentrate.
of your understanding so when you do need the declarative and even
The prosaic is the safe thing that will cause you to contract and shrink and
imperative, you know what you’re talking about.
gray out.
The interrogative is interested, and therefore interesting.
The poetic is the brave thing that will cause you to stretch and grow and
Ask. Listen. Learn something new. Repeat.
develop vibrant color.
I believe you have learned to choose the interrogative more often.
I believe you have learned to choose the poetic life over the prosaic one.
Grammar Lesson #2:
For you, then, the Class of 2021, whose developing “grammar” I have
Prefer the plural to the singular.
watched, and for your parents, whose olio of love, pride, and welling
Yes, you should be and become as fully your individual self as you can in
nostalgia I fully understand, I want to close with the poetic, penned with
your one wild and precious life.
you in mind:
But when you prefer I, me, my over we, us, our, the world suffers. Community — com + munus — means “with service or duty to others.” We are our neighbors’ keepers. And everyone is our neighbor. Together we can do anything and everything. I believe you have learned to prefer the plural to the singular.
Unrooting, evanescent child,
pitched forward into adulthood, fast upon the tipping point, you lean, eager,
Grammar Lesson #3:
Write complex sentences about most things, but simple sentences about some things. Complex sentences illuminate nuance, complication, multifaceted truths. Complex sentences honor diversity of thought and perspective. Complex sentences are the only thing that can account for most things in this world. Because most things are complex. But for the deepest, clearest truths, simple sentences are the thing: I love you. I trust you. I believe in you. I miss you. I am here even and especially when you are there. I believe you have learned to recognize the time and place for complex sentences and for simple ones.
already there.
But the time that is too long for you is too short for us,
too close to minutes ago when you were born. Unfurling child of the curious mind and hopeful heart and extravagant dream,
you will go,
and we will wait and watch,
hanging lightly in the margins of your becoming, marking your journey from the wings.
This valediction is your commencement, this farewell, your beginning.
You are captain now of your own flight. Godspeed.
THE PRAIRIE CLASS OF
2O21 66 Students in the Class of 2021
$10,400,000 Total Merit Scholarships Offered
$158,000 Average Merit Award Per Student
281 Offers of Admission
119 # of Colleges and Universities Making the Offers
29 Different States Where Colleges are Located
22-28 Middle 50% Range of ACT Scores
1 WIAA State Championship (Boys’ Soccer)
2 WIAA State Runner-Up Finishes (Girls’ Golf, Boys’ Basketball)
13 Cum Laude Society Members: Kethan Bajaj, Jack Berkey, Daniel Dreifuerst, Helene Holland, Maryam Khan, Sarah Kolanowski, Sydney Peterson, Bridget Pettinger, Kadin Purath, Alexander Raskin, Caitlyn Ruud, Grace Semrau, and Mia Stache
“I admire your persistence and hope you will keep a growth
mindset as you head off to college. Mindset is a conscious choice –
2 National Merit Finalists : Kethan Bajaj and Grace Semrau
one we make every minute of every day. What lens are you looking through? Are you embracing change as a chance to expand your
perspectives, seek out opportunities to meet new people, learn new
1 National Merit Scholar: Kethan Bajaj
things, and have new experiences?” – Dr. Nat Coffman
Alumni We appreciate the support of our alumni, who know firsthand the power of a Prairie education. Thank you for ensuring that today’s students continue to experience excellence both within and beyond the classroom.
— 1970 - 1979
Pat Wagner ’87
Steve Mudroch ’06
Darryl Babu ’88
Katie Axelson ’07
Armen A. Vidian ’88
Alexandra Fiegel ’07
Carey Fry ’89
Mitch Harris ’08
Ann Jones-Pettibone ’71
Chris Ruud ’89
Mark Chulew ’72
1990 - 1999
2010 - 2019
Anonymous (1) Dru Andrea Farnham ’70 Sandra Harrisson Young ’70
Richard Coates ’72 Pam Johnson ’73 S. Curtis Johnson ’73 H. William Keland ’73 Amy S. Larsen ’73 William Reid ’73 Barbara Little Earnest ’74 Helen Johnson-Leipold ’74 Ernie MacVicar III ’74 Carolyn Gittings Edwards ’75 H. Fisk Johnson, Ph.D. ’75 John S. Rowland II ’75 Gwen E. Farley Green ’76 Stephen Hartig ’76 Martha Rattan Tubinis ’76 Winifred Johnson-Marquart ’77 Richard C. Gorton ’78 Thomas King ’78 Georgia (Bruch) McDonough ’78 Catherine Ritter Guendel ’79
1980 - 1989 Mark Ciotola ’80 Michael J. Degenhart ’80 J. Joseph Veranth ’80 Raana C. Saric ’81
Matthew Adamczyk ’10
Rebecca Stohler ’90
Bennett Harris ’10
Sarah Friday Fredrickson ’91
Connor Leipold ’10
Adam Emery ’93
Mr. Andrew Pettibone ’10
Jennifer Van Dinter ’93
Nolan Stracke ’10
Amy Karegeannes ’94
Jean Xin ’10
Peter Nguyen ’94
Mr. Eric Hollow ’11
Emily A. Peterson ’94
Rebecca Joyce Leffler ’11
Samantha Comaris ’95
Curtie Leipold ’11
Erika Ford ’95
Anastasia Rab ’11
Andrew Isaacson ’95
Abigail Fiegel ’12
Aaron Ford ’96
Margaret Zimmermann ’14
Benjamin Isaacson ’96
Mateo Garcia-Novelli ’15
David Park ’96
Fordy Leipold ’15
Brian Selmo ’96
Mr. David Reske ’16
Mr. Del Todd ’96
Elena Ruffo ’16
Jennifer Betournay ’97
J.D. Dreifuerst ’19
Regina Ernst ’98
Emma P. Knoell ’20
Cymbria Jung ’98 Jay Kohr ’98 Suzanne Gasiorkiewicz Selmo ’98 Michael Borzynski ’99 Nate Franke ’99 Matthew Meyer ’99 Tristan Pearson ’99
Meg Rowland Daniels ’82
Thomas J. Rodgers II ’99
Mr. Gregory Davis ’82
2000 - 2009
James Herre ’82 Sandra R. Rogers ’82 Helen Arkema ’83 John Batten ’83 Julie Ericson ’83 Richard Ruffo ’83 Toni Alicia Jackson Smith ’84 Kevin S. Hall ’85 Shazia Miller ’85 Jon Ramos ’85 Kanwar M. Singh ’85 Liz Gabriel ’86 Elizabeth Pehlivanian Shaw ’86 Shakila Manogaran Shimp ’86 Andrew C. Alexander ’87 Bradley S. Strimling ’87
Abby Gaertig Adamczyk ’10
Anonymous (1)
Shay Borzynski ’00 Caroline Jung ’01 David Milaeger ’01 Shannon Watt ’01 Megan Rowland McGuire ’02 Lindsay Roskovensky ’02 Jeremy Schowalter ’02 Andrea Bukacek ’03 Michelle Boero Farruggia ’03 Angeline Gragasin ’03 Michael S. Joost ’03 Meg Richardson ’03 Elizabeth Nicole Steffensen ’04 Kimberly Rybicki Olesen ’05 Peter Olesen ’05
Faculty Notes PURSUING EDUCATION ON CAMPUS AND IN THE WIDER WORLD — In addition to her role as Division Head for the Middle School,
KATHY BOERO also serves as Director of Compass, a multidisciplinary program that exists to support the diverse, schoolrelated needs of all students. To supplement this work, Boero participated in three classes last summer run by ADDitude, a resource network focusing on the latest research and strategies to support Middle School-aged students’ social-emotional learning and executive functioning skill development. She plans to use the training in Nutrition and Eating Habits, Inattentive ADHD, and Fortifying Executive Functioning Skill Development and Practices in particular to inform her work with students who have either been diagnosed with ADHD or present behaviors that make focusing and organizing a challenge. Last spring, Early School Lead Teacher TERIE CARPENTER graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin with her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Along with her studies and research, Carpenter completed and implemented a capstone project — all while continuing her tireless work to create unique learning experiences for her Wise Owls. For the second year in a row, Upper School Humanities Teacher
SCOTT HUGGINS received accolades for his fiction writing from publisher Baen Books. Huggins was named winner of the Jim Baen Memorial Award for his short story, “Salvage Judgment”; the top honor earns him the distinction of having his piece published electronically. The annual contest seeks stories that demonstrate “the positive aspects of human space exploration and discovery,” and entrants hail from all over the world, including Libya, Romania, Bolivia, Iraq, Sweden, the UK, Australia, and Canada. Last summer, Huggins won the Baen Fantasy Adventure Award, an honor that recognizes stories exemplifying the spirit of adventure, imagination, and storytelling in the style of fantasy greats like Elizabeth Moon, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Andre Norton. He is the only author to win both awards.
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A Artist-in-Residence BILL REID ’73 learned that his “Catiwhack” catfish-shaped pedal car creation (which doubles as a moving musical instrument) has been accepted to be part of the permanent collection at the National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota. The New York Times calls the NMM and its collection of over 1,200 musical instruments, “a musical Smithsonian.” A few of its pieces include the world’s oldest cello, the Harrison Stradivari violin from 1693, and more recent pop culture artifacts, such as guitars used by Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley. [A] Last spring, DENA RONCONE , Theatre Director, served as the dramaturg (head researcher) for Interior of the Artist Without Her Sister, a new play produced by Emerson College about sisters Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf from their childhood to the aftermath of Virginia’s death.
RACHEL SHUSTER and her husband Bill welcomed their first child, Cecilia Eloise, on July 20th. Eager to join Milwaukee’s biggest party in years, their baby girl was born roughly 30 minutes after the Bucks won the NBA title down the street. [B] B
C
The Racine Journal Times selected School Nurse JULIANNE
SMITH, R.N., among its 2021 honorees for their special section saluting nurses, “The Heart of Healthcare.” Smith started working part-time at Prairie in summer 2018 before assuming the lead position in the Health Office during the fall of 2020. “I enjoy getting to know and caring for all of our school children,” she told reporter Robb Luehr. “Hospital stays are generally short so you don’t have the same social opportunity. I feel supported and appreciated every day by the staff, students and families.” Over the summer break, Science Teacher and Department Chair
JEAN WEAVER and her family traveled to Washington state to spend some time hiking in Olympic National Park. They expected the sunshine and gorgeous views — but what they encountered along the way surprised them. “We bumped into the Nelson family [Ben Nelson ’19 and Madeline Nelson ’22] on a trail. We saw very few people from the eastern side of the Mississippi, so it was especially odd to run into them!” [C]
D
PAST FACULTY JIM CUMMINGS, a former Middle and Upper School History and Social Studies teacher at TPS (1989-1993), recently opened the doors of Kijana Global Innovation School, a pre-primary and primary private school located in Western Kenya. Cummings has a long and impactful history with the country, a history that began when he landed in Bunyore, Western Kenya to English in the early 1980s. In 2002, along with fellow educator Bruce Huber, Cummings established the Kijana Educational Empowerment Initiative, a nonprofit organization that would go on to serve a pivotal role in transforming education in Vihiga County in Western Kenya. This new school serves students in Kakamega, Vihiga, and Siaya Counties, which have a combined population of 3 million people. For more information about the new school and Jim’s work in Kenya, you can visit kijana.org. [D]
KEVIN PEARSON (1949 - 2021), BELOVED ART TEACHER, PASSED AWAY THIS SUMMER. HERE, PAT BADGER, ANOTHER TPS STALWART, REFLECTS ON HER FRIEND’S REMARKABLE WIT, TALENT, AND ABILITY TO MAKE LIFE BETTER. — By Pat Badger, Advisor to the Head of School for Arts & Equity
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In the round and round of your life what space do you spin? Do you fill space? Do you hold space? Do you make space? Making space is the art that Kevin Pearson devotes his heart to. There’s the ever and always artist, Kevin. As a stoneware and raku potter, he is a chemist of earth, water, air, and fire. This means hefting, mixing, nudging, and revealing what’s hidden within, which also describes the teacher Kevin becomes. Bill Reid ’73 says it this way, “Unavoidably, objects fill up space. The air that they take up never would have dreamt in a bazillion years how lucky it is to be inhabited by these perfect rounded clay creations, letting the currents flow around them in peace, never bruising the air itself. How do you inhabit or make a space perfectly? Just ask Kevin.” Prairie’s legendary art Pied Piper, Dave Drewek, senses something about our space maker and visits Kevin and Chris in their Door County studio in the ’70s. He says, “I want you to come to The Prairie School as a Visiting Artist.” So, Kevin arrives to spin the clay, and, one pot leading to another, becomes a part-time art teacher and Kindergarten assistant before moving on to full-time art teacher and, after a lengthy stint in the Prairie Administration, Art Department Chair. What does Kevin feel in the Prairie space? Reid recalls, “He feels grateful and thinks most highly of Gene Johnson and Dave Drewek for giving him the chance to work in this beautiful experiment of a school.”
THE SHEPHERD TEACHER Mr. P expands his creativity to embrace all of us. Kevin becomes a Middle School Dean; next, he settles in for a long run as Middle School Head. He teaches science, launches rockets, plays chess, talks kites, trips to St. Louis, DC, and Outdoor Ed, creates theatre sets, installs his mugs in the new boardroom credenza, chairs ISACS accreditation studies, puts together endless yearbooks, coordinates Premiere art, and mentors - always mentors - new teachers and colleagues.
“When I stepped in to fill his very big shoes as Head of Middle School, we would talk after school every day,” says Bonnie Benes. “He would say, ’What did you learn, what was the challenge, what was the best part of the day, and - the most important question - did you do best by the students?’” Associate Head of School Emeritus Everett McKinney reflects how he maintained his space: “Kevin was the model for doing one’s job well, but never letting the job become more important than your own well-being, your family, and your friends.”
HEARTFELT AND HANDMADE…FOREVER
THANK YOU, NIGEL
One of Kevin’s ways to make community is through his “groanarama” jokes, which are legendary KP lore.
Finally, one of Kevin’s heroes (and Bill Reid’s, too) is Formula One race car driver Nigel Mansell. Once, in a legendary Dallas race on a day hotter than hot, he finds himself in the lead only to have his tires blow. Cars are flying out of control all around. Later, running fifth, he grazes the wall, breaking his gearbox. With the end in sight, he gets out of his car and pushes it across the finish line before collapsing. Kevin identifies with Nigel’s Herculean effort. For years Kevin sends Bill messages ending with, “your friend, Nigel.”
Reid aptly says, “He is letting you know you are welcome to be a part of his group, and he is your pal, although if you want to ignore the worst joke you hear that month, he totally understands. Never at anyone’s expense. And never to place himself in the spotlight. He has what you might call Attention Deflection Disorder. In the heart of the laughter and groans you know he is there for you.” Kevin, also, has a wry way of managing students, especially in the lunch line. He hides in the glass studio or lurks on the art room ramp or actually becomes a human speed bump. Perhaps his most original effort, his wife Chris recalls, is when he locates a high step ladder in the small courtyard outside the building, climbs up, and proceeds to tap on the clerestory windows at unsuspecting miscreants who dare to jump their position in line! Making space is also about staying Kevin outside of Prairie. Which means sharing life with Chris, sister Beth, daughter Erika ’95 and her husband Aaron Ford ’96, son Tristan ’99 and his wife Amy Pearson, grandsons Garrett ’24 and Karsten Ford ’27, and granddaughters Annika and Astrid Pearson. It means singing an ode to common things like flying kites, sailing the boat he builds himself, creating hammered dulcimers, haunting Husher’s Taco Tuesdays, mixing CDs for friends, baking Swedish pretzels, pepparkakor cookies, and breads, wearing a lighted holiday bow tie, fly fishing, and recently creating magnificent handmade books, each with their own special paper, design, and wondrous stitching, marked inside with a Pearson thumbprint. 42 | prairieschool.com
Pushing clay or shepherding students or nurturing friendships are Herculean efforts, too. Requiring making space for commitment, dedication and love of heart. Kevin knows and, like Nigel, he makes an art of scooping us up, pushing us forward, and helping us shape ourselves into the wondrous vessels that we are. Like the potter’s wheel, these KP stories, and so many more, spin and endure, turning timelessly into the deepness of night’s black beauty and yearning of the dawn. So, thanks, Nigel. But above all, with our hands raised round and round in this Prairie School space, so many cheers, KP!
As the wheel spun and the years flew, Kevin crafted his relationships with students in hands-on ways. For Mr. P, teaching was pastoral; he was a compassionate but accountable, humble but loyal guide.
Mike Mason ’12 discovers he is constantly finding out new things about Mr. P in their six years of conversations. “He always underplays himself but then reveals a fresh dimension. Like the time he is so excited to share a newly-discovered tape of a Jimi Hendrix concert he’d gone to years before. He is so genuine, encouraging, and wise. And I remember that he signs his emails, Cheers, Mr. P.
It is 5th Grade and a new school for Matt Campbell ’95. Mr. P is hanging out in the hallway as is his practice, providing security, not of policing, but of a personal nature. He takes the time to listen. To know his students. To form honest relationships. So, he discovers baseball is Matt’s main hobby, and that’s also a Mr. P interest. Matt is wondering: “How will I find a new league, go to games, find new friends?” Together, they discover their own mutual strike zone, become supporters of one another, and it’s a home run Matt remembers to this day. “I was at a similar college prep school in Chicago, and yet I have no recollection of the principal there.” John McDonald ’02 arrives at Prairie in 7th Grade and in 8th Grade is Mr. P’s only advisee. In the fall he is at his locker at the end of the day.
For Kevin, being a shepherd teacher means watching over his student flock in real, honest ways. Benjamin Isaacson ’96 remembers, “Middle School is a very awkward time for me. I am academically strong, but extremely shy. Mr. Pearson understands what I’m going through, and he supports me from the beginning.” For Ben, that includes helping navigate his fears of being the only 5th Grader in a 7th Grade math class and writing a fancy pass after his locker was jammed by another student (he wishes he’d saved that pass!). Ben sees that Mr. Pearson knows he will thrive, and from that seed Ben begins to believe, too.
“What are you doing?” says Mr. P. “Going home,” says John. “No, you’re not,” says Mr. P. “There’s a 5/6 play going on in the theatre. Yesterday there was too much backstage cast noise. We need help and I volunteer you to manage the students.” Mr. P walks John to the stage door, a crew member slips a headset on his head, and John begins cueing cast entrances. The rest is history. The theatre becomes John’s Prairie home space, his passion, his college major, and his profession. John and Mr. P develop a tradition; if Mr. P is out of his office when John stops by, John flips the receiver of Mr. P’s desk phone – “like Mickey Mouse ears” – an enduring, whimsical prank that John carries forward until Kevin retires in 2014. Even after Mr. P’s MS Head role formally ends, the magic of his relationships remains.
2020-2021 Financials —
REVENUE Tuition and Fees
$10,593,100
Endowment Income
$2,202,000
Prairie Fund
$1,005,492
Special Events
$287,427
Other Total
$72,000 $14,160,019
EXPENSES Salaries and Benefits
$8,817,000
Scholarships
$2,910,000
Instructional & Administrative
$1,070,000
Plant
$997,000
Capital
$147,000
Other
$215,000
Total
$14,156,000
2020-2021 ANNUAL FUNDRAISING SUMMARY Below shows a breakdown of Prairie's advancement income by purpose and source.
FUNDRAISING SOURCES Golf Classic and Dinner
$126,609.00
Prairie Premiere
$160,818.00
Prairie Fund
$1,070,737.00
Restricted
$1,168,156.00
Imagine-Inspire-Transform
$150,000.00
Bigger, Better, Together
$4,225,593.00
Total
$6,901,913.00
FUNDRAISING BY CONSTITUENCY Foundations and Corporations
43.5%
Current Families
7%
Current Grandparents
2%
Alumni
38%
Alumni Families
8%
Friends
1%
Faculty
0.5%
Prairie Premiere 2021 First as a rummage sale and now as a gala auction, the Prairie Premiere has always raised significant funds for student scholarships. Forever a labor of love, Premiere’s success has been tied to its extraordinary volunteers, donors, and all of the guests that make each event so unique. In 2021, Prairie overcame many obstacles created by the pandemic, and hosted the first large scale event in the city: an outdoor auction, hosting guests under heated tents and domes. Over 200 bidders supported the auction in person and online, raising $160,000 to afford even more students access to a Prairie education.
— 2021 PREMIERE LEADERSHIP TEAM Jane Batten
Amy Giles-Maurer
Shay Borzynski ’00
Mona Milinski
Raquel Fallico
EVENT SPONSORS AND DONORS Mr. Matthew Adamczyk ’10 and Mrs. Abby Gaertig Adamczyk ’10 Ms. Melissa Alexander Andis Corporation Matt and Rita Andis Brian Andrew Nijole and Julius Andriusis Sever and Andreea Anton Tom and Kirsten Antonneau Ascension All Saints Hospital Foundation Lisa Auerbach Graham and Jennifer Ault Akemi and Darryl Babu ’88 Dr. Manoj Babu and Dr. Sheryn Abraham Mr. Andres Baptista and Mrs. Zaida Puy Arena Karen and Doug Barnes Tressa and Michael Bates Mrs. Gloria S. Batten John ’83 and Jane Batten Tiffany and Jon Behrends Belle City Family Dentistry Berkshire Hathaway Epic RE The Binder Family Laura and Rob Bishop Blue Bear Michael and Kathryn Boero and Family Michael ’99 and Shay ’00 Borzynski Constance and John Boticki Dr. Michael A. Boticki Bradford Renaissance Portraits Mr. and Mrs. Corey Brandt Dr. Michelle Braun and Mr. Adam Dillon Breezy Hill Nursery Brilliant Stranger Mr. and Mrs. Jim Brzezinski Bukacek Construction Group Steve and Anne Callaghan Sarah and Andrew Chadwick
Kevin and Kelly Christensen
Michael and Sandra Herrera
Mr. Patrick Christensen and Dr. Nichole Elcano
Collin and Krystyn Hirsch
Christin Gould Flowers
Ethan and Elizabeth Hoff
Mr. Alan Clark and Ms. Andrea Bukacek ’03
Kevin and Beth Hokanson
Dr. David and Shawn Clark
David and Clair Holland
Coffman Family Scholarship Fund
Terri Holland
Julie and Jim Coffman
The Holum Family
Nat and Laura Coffman
Matt and Alyson Horton
Mr. and Mrs. David P. Cook
Abigail and Lee Jaramillo
CRB Insurance Agency
Pete and Paula Jedlicka
D. W. Davies & Co, Inc.
Jeffrey Wilson Photography
Dana Investment Advisors, Inc.
Jockey International, Inc.
Ms. Melissa Dixon
Johnson Financial Group
Dooley & Associates, LLC
Johnson Outdoors, Inc.
Jennifer Dooley-Hogan and John Hogan
Dave and Chris Johnson
Dr. Barbara Little Earnest ’74 and
Jason and Destiny Johnson
Mr. Royce Earnest
Molly Lofquist Johnson and Steve Johnson
East View Coffee Company
Odinn Johnson ’93 and Lauren Wimmer
Educators Credit Union
Skye Johnson
Dr. Mary Ellis and Mr. Garry Ellis
Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Joost ’03
Bill and Renee Elworthy
Steve and Cindy Joost
Adam ’93 and Dr. Allison Emery
Joseph Kann and Christine Shields Kann
Mark and Karen Ettinger
Mr. Warren Kekahbah and Ms. Melissa Jahnke
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fallico
The Kelly Family
Patricia Fillman
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Ketterer
First American Bank
Knapp Manufacturing, Inc.
Forefront Dermatology
Knoell Family Dentistry
Jon Fredrickson and
Dr. Lyndsay N. Knoell and Dr. Wendy M. Knoell
Sarah Friday Fredrickson ’91
Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Koleske
Gass Weber Mullins LLC
Thomas and Rebekah Kowalski
Charles and Alicia Gasser
Mr. and Mrs. James Ladwig
Paul and Heidi Gaylord
Lake Geneva Cruise Lines
Van and Janet Gegas
Mr. and Mrs. Steve LaLonde
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Gelhaus
Brian Langendorf
Adam and Andrea Godson
Dr. Matthew Larsen and
Gould Dentistry, LLC
Mrs. Jenny Antonneau Larsen
Mike and Jessica Greb
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Larsen
Mari and Jason Grobschmidt
Lauren Wimmer Jewelry
Gundlach Graphics, LLC
Craig Leipold and Helen Johnson-Leipold ’74
Dr. Jolyn and Mr. Austin Gundlach
The Lucht Family
Jacob and Kristin Gunia
James and Jessica Lynott
Benjamin and Jamie Hamilton
Manny’s Makes
Michael and Peggy Harris
Chad Marek
Mitch Harris ’08
Kenneth Marek and Jacqueline Hung
Chad Harvey and Dena Roncone
Marlo, Incorporated
The Maurers
Jeff and Missy Peterson
Todd and Laura Stoner
Steve Maurer and Amy Giles-Maurer
Mr. Andrew Pettibone ’10
SU Group LLC
Rev. Mark and Mrs. Margaret McDonough
Nick and Aliya Pitts
Mr. Nicholas and Dr. Christina Sullivan
Patrick McGuire and
The Polzin Family
Rich and Victoria Svejcar
Posnanski Family
Tabak Law, LLC
Carolyn McNeil
Jeff and Rita Praefke
Tangles Salon Studio
Meadowbrook Country Club
Roberta Puntillo-Jorgensen and Kurt Jorgensen
Patrick Tews and Elizabeth Morack
Blaine and Mary Metzger
Racine Country Club
TG3 Electronics, Inc.
Microsoft Corporation
William Reid ’73 and Nicole Reid
Erin and Ryan Tollaksen
Guy and Mona Milinski
The Resonant Voice, LLC
Ann Tucker
Mark and Christina Milos
John S. Rowland II ’75
Tuna Traffic, LLC.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Ruffo Family Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. David J. Turek
Milwaukee Food & City Tours
Elena Ruffo ’16
Twenty Twenty Family Vision Center
Jason and Kari Morgan
Richard Ruffo ’83 and Diane Ruffo
Twin Disc, Inc.
Ms. Kelly L. Mould
Russ Darrow Group
Mr. and Mrs. Tim Ulrich
Greg and Sheryl Mueller
Chris Ruud ’89 and Chantil Ruud
Daniel and Dawn Vaccaro
Jim Mueller and Christine Henke Mueller
Mr. and Mrs. David H. Saaski
Varitay Studios
Mr. Zane Navratil ’14
Mr. and Mrs. David Santalucia
Dr. and Mrs. Vahag Vartanian
Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Nelson Jr
SC Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. J. Joseph Veranth ’80
O & H Danish Bakery
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Schaefer
Armen A. Vidian ’88
Patrick and Betsie O’Brien
Tom and Wendy Schaefer
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Waite
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Oakes
Vicki and Ted Schmitz
Karen and Jim Walker
Rick and Kristina Onyon
Caryn Schniederjan
Andrew and Ali Wassweiler
The Osiecki Family
Mr. and Mrs. Todd Schober
Ben and Katie White
Sue Ott-Holland
Mr. Douglas Shimp and
Marcus and Ann White
Megan Rowland McGuire ’02
Painted Portraits by Deb Marett
Mrs. Shakila Manogaran Shimp ’86
Wines For Humanity
Pampa Mîa
Rachel and Bill Shuster
Paul and Paula Wokwicz
Mr. Fletcher Paulsen
The Smith Family
Mr. Jeffrey Wolf and Dr. Lisa Wolf
Seth and Andrea Pearson
Mr. and Mrs. Chad Solodio
World Class Outdoor Lighting
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Peery
Specialty Finishing Inc.
Todd and Suzanne Yde
Patricia Penman
Neil and Ashley Staeck
Dr. Brian and Mrs. Aneta Zafonte
Sandy Petersen
State Farm Insurance - Brian Ketterer
Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Inc.
Ms. Amy Peterson
Stitchroom
Willing and Able THE ABILITY CENTER VISITS TPS
— Brendan O’Brien
For a seven-year-old everything is “easy.” Picking out clothes. Gardening. Metaphysics. Take basketball. A seven-year-old will tell you basketball is easy. And basketball on wheels? Wow! No problem! Well…think again, seven-year-olds. Last spring, The Ability Center (Milwaukee, WI) came to Prairie for a visit. After playing a team of 1st Grade students, teachers, and Upper School students in wheelchair basketball – and, to put it mildly, wiping the Field House floor with them – Damian Buchman, a 2x one-in-a-billion survivor of bilateral bone cancer and The Ability Center’s Founder and CEO, had the 1st Grade students circle around. His message? Everything isn’t always easy – and people don’t always have the same abilities – and that’s okay. “Who thinks they’re good at math? Reading? Writing? Drawing?” he asked, as hands shot up and hands went down. “A lot of different hands at different times. And who was better at wheelchair basketball?” In unison, thirty-some index fingers pointed at the captivating guy in the spinning chair. “And that’s not good or bad or indifferent,” Buchman said. “We all have different abilities. And that make us special.”
The Last Word CHOOSING JOY What happens when we spread love out loud and in-person?
— Callie Atanasoff, Director of External Relations August marked one year since we purchased our first home. We’ve lived in other houses, other spaces, but this place these walls are the culmination of patience and planning and being humbled (and more patience) and finally feeling at peace when the keys became ours. The previous owners left a swing set in the backyard that is arguably underwhelming to many six or seven-yearolds (“The swing should go higher, the slide is too small”). But I will never forget the pampas grass rippling in the breeze that first night at home as I sat on an empty patio, watching my kids laugh and play on this new-to-them contraption. I felt the kind of joy that is consuming, so intensely illuminating the space around you. The identification of joyful moments: somehow with all that has been swirling around us, it feels as though that has become easier to do, more deserving of appreciation. At Prairie, being siloed last year meant more than keeping kids in their respective classrooms; as faculty, we found ourselves disconnected from each other, from the community that is so inherent to our school. We slipped out of one semester and into the next, hoping for the opportunity to come together. Then the spring musical happened. Outside. Evidence that “against all odds” demands once-in-a-lifetime innovation and an entire theatre department banding together - sawing, hammering, painting - to build the Pat Badger Amphitheatre. Spamalot’s stage was bordered by trees instead of brick, and the weather kept its urge to send showers at bay. I found myself on a blanket next to a few of my colleagues, sunglasses perched on our heads so our views of each other were unshielded. Because seeing someone in person, watching them laugh, hearing about what’s going on in their classrooms and how their new puppy is behaving at home and discovering they picked up an interesting hobby doesn’t need to be filtered. Another example of all-consuming joy.
This summer, new 9th Grade students came to a campus for a regular old back-to-school meeting… then a kickball game broke out.
I would venture to say that others at Prairie noticed these moments, too. Talk to a Leadership Society member in the Upper School, and they might recall a summer afternoon spent meeting new students and an impromptu game of kickball. First days of school always have confetti-like energy, but this year parents gathered in front of Door 2 to sip coffee and stay awhile, to celebrate the return of a busy fall calendar, field trips, and quick classroom visits at the end of the day. Our food service team welcomed the community into the Dining Room with open arms, like mothers feeding their hungry college kids returning home during break. We’ve all had to pivot and change plans in the last eighteen months, to learn the art of being patient. And I can see more of those lessons coming into my line of sight. What makes that easier to stomach, though - what makes it worth pressing on - is taking the time to pause and reflect. To choose the joyful moments and put them out there in the world. Prairie is on a mission to collect these stories, and we would love for you to join us. If you have a special Prairie memory, a moment that impacted you during your time on campus, we want your fellow classmates, your teachers, your Prairie community to hear about your joy. It’s time to spread the light.
Prairie kicked off its Season of Joy on Giving Tuesday. To share your memories visit www.prairieschool.com/joy
4050 Lighthouse Drive Wind Point, WI 53402
DISCLAIMER: As always, we appreciate hearing from you and welcome your input, contributions, comments and suggestions. Information in this publication is presented in good faith. Please email the school or send your feedback to us at ahearn@prairieschool.com. To guarantee delivery, update your mailing information by contacting us at ahearn@@prairieschool.com. Please call 262.752.2532 if you no longer wish to receive this publication.