Memories and Milestones The Steward School marks 50 years

If you’ve walked around campus lately, you’ve likely noticed a special feeling in the air. It’s a celebratory atmosphere — and it only occurs once in a lifetime. This year, The Steward School turns 50!

Marking a half-century birthday is always a cause for celebration. For The Steward School, which was founded in 1972, turning 50 is a year-long opportunity to look back, think ahead, and celebrate the people who make Steward a buoyant, nurturing community.

Beginnings

When educator Helen Dixon founded The Steward School in 1972 in a church basement in the west end of Richmond, she was likely guided by the same principles that inspire current Steward teachers: offering students opportunities to learn and thrive in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Ninety students in kindergarten through grade 10, plus 12 faculty members, called Steward home during that first academic year.

Fifty years after its founding, Steward has grown to a student body of more than 700 in junior kindergarten through grade 12, a group of dedicated faculty, staff, and coaches numbering nearly 200, and a verdant campus that spans 37 acres.

Steward Through the Years

The pillars of honoring the past and planning for the future are deeply intertwined with the School – tied together like emotional ribbons in the hearts and minds of all who love Steward. Students, faculty and staff, alumni, parents, and friends: As they have for the past 50 years, these spirited Spartans are what make the School a true community. And together, they will be celebrating Steward with special 50th-centric events all year.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, SPARTANS

Beginning last fall, members of the Steward community were asked to create one-minute videos of themselves as they completed the statement, “When I think of Steward…” These heartfelt testimonials — sweet snippets from current students, alumni, parents, current and former faculty and staff, and friends — represent a tapestry of experiences and emotions about life at Steward. Below are a few excerpts from this unique collection:

First Grade Teacher Kenley Smalkowski (mother of Charlie ’35) is the granddaughter of Steward founder Helen Dixon Ms. Smalkowski grew up hearing her grandmother talk about her love for the School and her

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1977 hopes for its future. “If my grandmother could … see Steward today, she would be beyond proud of what it’s become and how it has evolved,” she shared.

Looking back at his family’s experiences at Steward throughout the years, Don DeLaney (Foundation Board member; former Board of Trustees chair; and father of Ryan ’06, Liz ’08, and Mary Martha ’08) said fondly, “We have incredible memories of the years we spent at Steward as parents and volunteers.”

Susan (Cramer) Twining ’84, daughter of Steward’s second headmaster, Paul R. Cramer, is a member of Steward’s Board of Trustees and a former field hockey coach. She’s also the proud parent of Abbey ’13 and Mason ’18. Ms. Twining, who first set foot on the campus in 1975, said, “When I think of Steward, I think of my parents … my father was headmaster, and my mother was the administrative ‘everything.’ I think of how the School started … the transformation has been amazing.”

Former Steward Music Teacher Bonnie Anderson developed the School's music program and taught for more than 30 years. Ms. Anderson said, “When I think of Steward, I think of colleagues who work together to find the very best in every child.”

Matthew Cantor ’20, a Debbie Robson Merit Scholarship recipient who is currently a student at University of Michigan, thinks of “some of the best times of my life … where I met my lifelong group of friends” that he catches up with whenever he can. He also cherishes his friendships with former teachers, which he calls “some of the best connections I’ve ever had.”

School spirit is top of mind when Ebika Odibo (mother of Ryan ’18, Nicole ’21, and Nadine ’26) thinks of Steward. “I think I’m the best cheerleader out there!” said Ms. Odibo in her video.

Scan this QR code to view the entire video library. Want to add to our video archive? Email your one-minute video to photos@stewardschool.org

Party Hats And Spirited Events

No 50th birthday party would be complete without fanfare, special activities, and a few surprises, and Steward has had plenty of all three … with more to come!

On the first day of school, families were greeted during carpool with smiles, blue and gold party hats, balloons, and an appearance by Sparty. With a firstday-of-school buzz in the air, families arrived in cars decorated with paper flowers, “50” balloons, and fun messages celebrating their love for all things Steward. Adjacent to Waddell Terrace, students posed for selfies in front of giant letters that exclaimed, “Celebrating 50 Years!” Spartans young and old blew bubbles, hugged teachers, and highfived Sparty before heading to their classrooms.

In October, Spirit Week filled the campus with Spartan pride. Paying homage to our year-long theme of “celebrate,” the week gave Spartans opportunities to dress up each day in fun clothing, from team jerseys (to celebrate team spirit) to 1972 garb (to celebrate the “groovy” fashion that was popular when Steward was founded).

The Blue and Gold competition, which returned this year after a two-year break due to the pandemic, capped off Spirit Week at rousing Lower, Middle, and Upper School pep rallies. Every family is assigned to either the Blue or Gold team when their first child starts at Steward, and student spirit T-shirts indicate a family’s team color. On designated days, Spartans wear their spirit shirts to school or after-school events, and “sparticipation” points are tallied for each team. The shirt design was created by Nick Preston '32 and includes the slogan, “Half a century old, still brave and bold!” which was submitted by Catherine Graves ’98 Team shirts were unveiled in the spring during Blue/ Gold Reveal Day in the gym.

Scan this QR code to see the Spirit dashboard.

HOMECOMING, STEWARD STYLE

When Spartans gather, magic happens. And that’s what our 50th Anniversary Homecoming Weekend, which took place October 14-16, was all about. The community shared laughter, food, (and lots of selfies!) over three fun-filled days.

On Friday evening, Trucks and Shucks, an annual fundraising event hosted by the Alumni Association, kicked off the weekend. More than 270 guests gathered on Waddell Terrace and enjoyed delicious food, danceable music, and beautiful weather as they mingled, posed for photos, and toasted the School’s milestone birthday. Thank you to the Alumni Board and alumni class agents for hosting this terrific event.

The following day, families and friends had a blast at SpartaFest, a beloved Steward tradition that was hosted by the Parents Association. SpartaFest’s return to campus was much-anticipated after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. There was something for everyone to enjoy, including carnival games, a bake sale, train rides, a climbing wall, inflatables, food trucks, music, and pumpkin painting. More than 500 people attended SpartaFest this year!

Throughout Homecoming Weekend, alumni reconnected at class reunions off campus, and on Sunday morning, they gathered in the Carolyn R. Brandt Gallery for an Alumni Brunch and to enjoy “A Year of Alumni Art,” a rotating exhibit.

50th Magic

Befitting a half-century milestone, the campus is adorned this year with 50th-anniversary touches throughout. There are photos galore — from “vintage” snapshots of the School’s beginnings to images of current students — decorating doors and windows. A giant “50” on the fence of the athletic field serves as a popular backdrop for photos, and a “50” shield on the athletic field greets Spartans and visitors alike.

A 50th-anniversary theme is also peppered throughout beloved Steward events, including the Sparticipation Fair, Fall Social, Whirled Peace Day, Bingo Night, Middle/Upper School Grandparents and Special Friends Day, and the Thanksgiving Program.

Looking Ahead

The Steward community has always been forward-thinking, setting its sights on the future of the School and its students. With a challenging curriculum that encourages meaningful connections, a focus on innovative problem-solving, and an environment that encourages empathy and civil discourse, the School is preparing students who will help shape the future. Here’s to the next 50 years!

Save The Date

March 18, 2023, 6-10 p.m.

The Parents Association Gala and Auction: 50th Anniversary Edition

Mark your calendar for this extra-special event, which will feature dinner, a band, dancing, a live auction, and more.

The 2023 Golden Gala will be held at the Dewey Gottwald Center (adjacent to the Science Museum of Virginia), and formal invitations will be sent in the coming weeks. You won’t want to miss this black-tieoptional extravaganza!

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