THE YEAR OF THE

THE YEAR OF THE ZOOM REUNION 2020 AND BEYOND

While virtual get-togethers may have started o as a substitute for in-person gatherings last spring, we quickly found that the video chats we’ve held since then—more than 55 of them—have served to connect us even more deeply with alumni from across the country and around the world. “That is the definite plus side to virtual events,” said Tammy Neils-Walker, Williston associate director of alumni engagement. “Everyone can attend, no matter where they live!”

As you’ll see on the next few pages, during Reunion Weekend—June 5 through 8—sixteen classes convened virtually, with alumni ranging from the class of 1955 to the class of 2015 and hailing from as far away as Alaska and as nearby as the Pioneer Valley. Photos were shared, stories were told, beverages were hoisted, and old friends were reconnected. An array of other gatherings have followed, as you’ll see starting on page 64. Whether alumni were sharing golf scores on the green, chatting with Emmy Award–winning actress Ann Dowd ’74, learning about financial planning and money management from Mijanou Spurdle ’86, talking sports, or dressing up with dogs—our community expanded in new and unexpected ways. We are heartened to know that Wildcat Nation remains, no matter what happens.

1970

John Greenwood WA ’55 and Joanna Jones NSFG ’55 proudly represented at their 65th Reunion!

1950 1960

The Williston Academy classes of ’55 and ’60 joined up for a lively group Zoom call. The class of 1960 NSFG did their own thing, hopefully enjoying Whitaker-Bement mojitos! These Williston Academy alumni love reuniting so much, they were dubbed honorary members of Reunion 2020, all 34 of them!

1960 1965

From the West coast to the East, ’65ers joined up with their 1960 classmates for a virtual tour of campus, which showed the new Residential Quad. “We had a lovely time this evening. No one has changed at all, except for the 50 years of life ex-

1955

1968

perience behind them!” said Diane Eskenasy ’70.

1970

1975

The class of many sideburns and turtlenecks gathered from towns in Massachusetts and

Florida to say hello.

1990

“Arise, go forth, and conquer.” Tennyson said it and Denise Dumouchel quoted it in her 1980 yearbook. She was one of seven members of the class of 1980 to Reunion-Zoom.

1980 1985

A baker’s dozen members of the class of 1985 had a great time reliving memories and reconnecting on a Zoom call during Reunion weekend. This illustrious class brought together 19 alumni to celebrate their 30th Reunion! That’s enough Wildcats to make a really impressive

1980

human pyramid.

1990

1995

We had some Southwest representation on this call, as Wildcats Zoomed in from Colorado and New Mexico!

2000

A lone member of the class of 2000 connected with the school, and we love him for it! Thanks for your dedication to Williston, Akintoye Moses!

2000

2005

Lilliana Santiago, who joined her 15th Reunion, said it best in her yearbook: “I can’t forget Williston.” Aw.

2010

Our furthest Zoom-in from Williston within the 50 states comes from this impressive class: Jazz hands for you, Savannah Sella from Kodiak, Alaska!

2010

2015

Five years flew by for Jenna Phelan, who joined in a Reunion call from nearby East Longmeadow, Mass.

IT’S HAPPENING @ THE WILDCAT HUB

Want to join the fun and connect with classmates? Navigate over to williston.com/ alumni/the-wildcat-hub for tools, events, videos, inspiration, and resources. Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find.

1READ ALUMNI NEWS & STORIES

Find out about front-line workers, strategic educators, and policy makers all facing today’s biggest challenges.

2WATCH ’CATS ON FILM

Catch some wit, wisdom, and artistry from luminaries such as Alan Alda GP’11, Ann Dowd ’74, and Brad Hall ’75 in our video library.

3LEARN SOME SKILLS

Bake a crusty baguette, make your own personal protective equipment, or boost your wine IQ after watching alumni tutorials.

4JOIN AN EVENT

Download a sweet campus background, sign up for a class social, and catch up with old friends.

5GET CONNECTED

Wherever you are in your career, you’ll find potential colleagues, mentors, and networking opportunities on WillistonConnects. Joining is a snap!

AN EVENTFUL YEAR!

Your community of alumni, though scattered widely, is always here. Thanks to everyone who snapped and shared a pic, joined a video conversation—and tapped into the Wildcat spirit!

JUST FORE FUN

Plenty of golfers hit the links this summer to play solo or join with friends in their bubble to compete for glory (and prizes, of course) in our virtual golf tournament.

Jeremy Deason Teak Kelly ’65 Will McLaughlin ’05 Julie Haney Henry ’03 and family Darrell Harrison ’05 Amanda Bogue ’11, Erin McCullough ’10, Alex Starzyk

’13, and Laura Aptowitz ’13 Nancy Kang ’17

Nell Heidinger ’14

Designer Nell Heidinger ’14 received her architectural training at the Parsons School of Design, where her focus was urban planning and sustainability. Now LEED certified, she works for Brook Landscape, a New York City firm specializing in “living” green roofs, planted with grasses and native species. She is also a freelance interior designer and artist, so when we asked her about herself, we invited her to answer us in words and pictures.

What do you like to do for fun? What makes you laugh? Full-bodied dancing! What is your favorite natural space?

I like to explore places throughout the city via bike that are out of range by the subway or by foot.

If we traveled back in time to Williston in 2014, what would you be doing?

I’d be basking in the sun room in the Reed art studio. You say you wear many hats, but which one is your favorite? My most floral one, of course! What would your dream vacation be?

What was your favorite view at Williston?

The view of Mount Tom from the track.

You live in New York. What do you miss from western Massachusetts?

Tompkins Square Park, home to many wild creatures.

The view from the top of Mount Tom.

A ride on the rings of Saturn.

What is the view out your window?

My fire escape, home to mourning doves and sparrows.