masters school bulletin - spring 2016

the masters school | spring 2016

Laura DanforthINTRODUCING

14th Head of School

The Masters School49 Clinton AvenueDobbs Ferry, NY 10522-2201914-479-6400www.mastersny.org

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O N T H E C O V E R

Head of School LauraDanforth with studentsoutside Masters Hall.

C O N T A C T S

Printed on paper containing 30% post-consumer waste with vegetable based inks. 100% of the electricity used to manufacture the paper is green e-certified renewable energy.

Swimmers launch from the

starting blocks at a meet in

the Fonseca Center.

INTRODUCING LAURA DANFORTH: NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL>> Masters’ new Head talks about her priorities, plans andvision for The Masters School.

04C O V E R S T O R Y D E P A R T M E N T S

F E A T U R E S

08

10

02 FROM BOARD CHAIRTRACY TANG LIMPE ’80

15 CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS

16 AUTHORS’ CORNER

20 SNAPSHOTS

22 ALUMNAE/I UPDATE

30 CLASS NOTES

MASTERS COMMUNITY EXAMINES ISSUES OF RACE AT SYMPOSIUM >> Students, teachers, staff, parents andalumnae/i engaged in a vital conversation during the Masters Matters symposium, Reimagining Race: What If We Could Transcend Racism?

12

19 IN MEMORIAM: Jane Rechtman

“DOC” WILSON LOOKS BACK ON TWO DECADES AS MIDDLE SCHOOL HEAD >> Everett “Doc” Wilson reflectson the growth and evolution of the Middle School under hisleadership, and shares some poignant memories of hisinteractions with students over the years.

MASTERS DEEPENS FOCUS ON DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE >> The Diversity Initiatives programintensifies its efforts to help cultivate a diverse and inclusivecommunity at The Masters School.

the bulletin | spring 2016 | 01

22 IN MEMORIAM: Jane Lightner Meads ’42, Barbara McDonald Stewart ’44, Khakasa Wapenyi ’88 and Susan Beck Wasch ’53

CONTENTS

02 | www.mastersny.org

FROM TRACY TANG LIMPE ’80

Dear Friends,

By the time you are reading this spring 2016 issue of The Bulletin, Laura Danforth will be

completing her first year as Head of School. In this issue, Laura shares her insights on Masters, her

personal “guiding principles,” and the beginnings of her vision for The Masters School of the future.

Laura has said that she felt “all roads led to Masters” for her. I am confident that I speak for

the entire Board of Trustees when I say that for us, “all roads led to Laura.” This began with the

head of school search process – a rare opportunity to step back and see Masters through outsiders’

eyes. This experience was hugely affirming on many levels: because of the immensely qualified

candidates attracted to Masters, because the committee, a diverse group of 10, was unexpectedly

united in our decision-making, and ultimately because this yearlong process brought us Laura

Danforth.

In the months that Laura has been on the job, I have become more and more impressed by

her as a person, a leader and as the right choice to lead Masters into the future. Laura has immersed

herself in the daily life and culture of Masters with energy and purpose, eager to know and

understand the history, traditions and people of our school. She has shown herself to be a person

who listens thoughtfully and with an open heart, and communicates her own ideas clearly and

directly. Laura is undaunted by the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, whether they

be continuing to attract and retain a stellar faculty and student body, expanding and refining

Masters’ signature programs, or leading an effort to support these programs through endowment

and capital fundraising.

As the end of the search process brought a sense of affirmation about the strength of

The Masters School and how far we have come, the end of Laura Danforth’s first year as Head brings

a sense of confidence and optimism about an even brighter future for Masters.

Sincerely,

TRACY TANG LIMPE, ’80, P ’18

Chair

Board of Trustees

Laura’s Impressive Debut


Danforth joins students in a

discussion around a Harkness table.


C O V E R S T O R Y

InTrODUCInGLauraDanforthLaura Danforth was formally installed as The

Masters School’s 14th Head of School onOctober 17, 2015. A leader known for herwarmth, energy and bold approach, she

brings a wealth of experience as an educator and administrator to her new role.

Over the course of her 30-year career in independent schools,Danforth has been a teacher, counselor, dean of students,dean of faculty, coach, and dorm parent. Before joiningMasters, she was Principal of the Upper School at EthicalCulture Fieldston School. Prior to that, she served for nineyears as Associate Head of School at Miss Porter’s School.

We sat down with Danforth in March and asked her a series of questions about her priorities, plans and vision for The Masters School.

Top: Danforth addresses the audience at her

Installation ceremony on October 17, 2015.

Above: Danforth with two Installation

ceremony guest speakers: Michelle Lee, a

family friend and former student of

Danforth’s, and John Green, a mentor and

former colleague.

When you arrived at Masters, you shared a set ofguiding principles with your leadership team. Canyou share what principles guide you in your workas Head of School?

Sure! Kindness and respect above all. Even in themost difficult conversations, I’m committed to theseprinciples. Simplicity and stewardship: I’m

committed to using our school’s financial and naturalresources carefully. Community and inclusion: balancingone’s needs with the needs of the whole; a sense of tribe andbelonging; fostering strength through diversity. Equality:honoring all faiths and peaceful traditions; respect and equityfor all individuals. Teaching our students about social justice.

A community that exists in a container of good: AuthorAugusten Burroughs uses this term in the context of hismarriage. He says: “Even when we fight, we fight inside acontainer of good.” That is, even when we disagree, there’s anassumption of basic trust and alliance. Creating a workingenvironment that isn’t “siloed”: I want to underscore a

Q:

A:

C A R E E R H I G H L I G H T S

Education

M.A., counseling psychology Lesley University

B.A., psychology and anthropologyColby-Sawyer College

Experience

Principal, Upper School Ethical Culture Fieldston School

Associate Head of School Miss Porter’s School

Dean of Faculty Suffield Academy

Dean of Students Ethel Walker School

Director of Counseling St. Paul’s School

working culture ofcollaboration and dismantlethe barriers that separateturfs unnecessarily.Caretaking the beauty ofour campus: We arestewards of our School andits grounds and are chargedwith its maintenance, itsbeautification, its sense ofwelcome to others. Whenwe’re in peaceful, attractivesurroundings, our spirits arelightened, our work isenhanced.

Now that you are well into your first year, what doconsider Masters’ greatest strengths to be?

There’s an overall culture of kindness at Masters. I felt itwhen I first interviewed, and I remember wondering ifit was real. It is. This is a tremendous strength that we

should never take for granted. It is a renewable resource weneed to safeguard and appreciate.

Also, most of the people here – students, faculty, staff,alumnae/i, parents, trustees – genuinely want to learn andgrow. When you convey that you want to understand theirperspective and want to help them be better, most people inour community are open to holding themselves to higher andhigher standards of practice and behavior. That takes courageand a sense of basic trust. It’s a great sign of health within acommunity.

The quality and culture of our academic program –

including the arts – are signature strengths. Masters offers botha challenging academic program and a supportiveenvironment in which to learn and grow, one that encouragesstudents to fulfill their potential.

The way the School employs the renowned Harknessteaching methodology is also key. The Harkness approachteaches our students how to listen closely, how to put theirthoughts into words, to take the risk of not knowing. It’s anethos, really, more than a methodology. Teaching in this wayalso requires teachers who are willing to guide, trusting in the

students’ natural capacityand desire to learn. It worksso well here at Masters,and the end result isstudents who thinkcritically and who knowtheir voice matters – as dothe voices of others aroundthe table.

Certainly our diversityis a major strength. There’snot another school in thisarea that has students from15 states and 31 differentcountries. In the world thatour students will beshaping, having

meaningful, relational experience with a wide variety ofperspectives and cultures is essential. And in light of ouremphasis on a global perspective in so much of our curriculum,having representatives from all over the globe brings depthand integrity to our program.

Because Masters is both a day school and a boardingschool, its campus is a hub of activity seven days a week, withday students joining their boarding counterparts in all sorts ofactivities. That interaction reinforces the School’s strong senseof community – another of its strengths.

When you arrived on campus, you invited allstudents to seek you out so that you could shaketheir hands. Why was that important to you?

It was fun! I wanted to meet every student personallyso they could get to know me and becomecomfortable with me as the new Head of School.

Also, I think it’s our responsibility as adults to teach studentshow to introduce themselves and greet someone. It’simportant to me that students know how to properly,confidently and warmly greet newcomers on campus – thatgoes a long way toward showing people who we are. So if astudent gave me a lukewarm handshake or didn’t actuallygreet me, we’d try again. Most students seemed game and wehad fun with it.

> >

Danforth and her spouse, Dr. Paula Chu, and their children (left to right) – Ting, T’ai and Yani.

Q:A:

Q:A:



C O V E R S T O R Y

Left: Danforth meets Middle

School students during the

All-School Community Meeting

in September 2015.

What are three or four programs at Masters that youwould like to see take hold as signatures of aMasters education?

First, I want to stress that our academic program willremain our signature strength – one that is bothconstant and evolving. Our teachers work hard to

educate our students to see the world through the many lensesthat inform a solid liberal arts program.

Alongside that core curriculum, I want very much to seeinnovation and entrepreneurship programs strengthen andspread at Masters so that we can take advantage of theconstant flow of ideas and creative energy that spring fromadolescents. These initiatives include our highly successfulrobotics program and new Innovation & EntrepreneurshipCenter. In addition, we plan to introduce an engineeringprogram next year. Computer science will continue to merit aspotlight and deliberate use of our resources.

I would like the Ethical Leadership Project, whichintroduces students from grade 9 onward to the concept andpractice of ethical leadership, and the Middle School’sinnovative theme-based and interdisciplinary curriculum, tobecome hallmarks of a Masters education. I’m also working ongenerating support and structure for our work on mindfulnessand sustainability – both important commitments that requirea long-term perspective on our health as individuals, as thehuman family, and as stewards of our planet.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in yourfirst months as Head?

I feel as though I’ve quickly gained a good grasp ofour strengths and our challenges, and that I’ve diveddeep in these first months. It helped enormously to

meet one-on-one with each adult in the community this fall.These conversations were substantive, meaningful, andtremendously informative.

I’m addressing the issue of inequity among facultysalaries head-on. Most of our teachers are paid less than theircounterparts at many of our sister institutions. We’re workinghard to recalibrate salaries in a way that is more equitablewithin Masters and comparable to salaries at similar institutionsby outside measures. I don’t want us to lose a fantastic educatorbecause a neighboring school can pay more.

What new practices and policies have youestablished?

I think I bring an emphasis on transparency andresponsiveness in communication, and I hope this ispalpable from meetings to missives. I’m working on

strengthening our responsiveness to colleagues, parents andalumnae/i. We’re moving toward a greater and greater sense ofconnectedness and repairing places where relationship and

communication need more attention. Butnothing is just mine – it takes a village. Ittakes a community. That includespromoting and practicing sustainabilityon campus – recycling, reducing use ofplastic, turning off lights, that kind ofthing. I feel strongly that Masters shouldexpand its “green” practices, so I’mworking on that. As a first step, I created aSustainability Task Force that is studyingthe various models of sustainability inplaces similar to Masters.

Q:A:

Q:A:

Q:A:


Introducing Laura Danforth, cont.

What Masters traditions do you like? Are there more to come?

I love that historically girls’ schools are replete withtraditions that underscore our connection to somethinglarger and longer lasting than ourselves. This feels

familiar and joyful to me. And there are so many wonderfultraditions at Masters. Every independent school has some flavorof Morning Meeting, for example, but ours deliberately weaves inall kinds of traditions and so Morning Meeting itself is much moretradition than routine. Founder’s Day was an absolute blast. And Ilove when the Middle School students dress up before holidaysand long weekends. MISH, our service learning program, isthriving, as are time-tested clubs such as Phoenix, Zetetics and ofcourse, DAA.

Starting this fall, we’ll be sending freshmen on a retreat asan orientation and bonding experience. I have a couple of otherideas in mind, but want to see how a full year goes beforelaunching them. Some of the best traditions develop organically,so who knows?

What are some of the major challenges facing Mastersin the next five to 10 years?

Well, we need to raise a good deal of money to bringMasters to its true potential. As we raise faculty salaries,increase financial aid, and build new programs that

help us offer a top-notch 21st century education, the capitaldemands are significant.

We also have a tremendous amount of deferredmaintenance that is in need of increasingly urgent attention.From ailing trees to the outdated theater to the worse-for-wearStrayer Hall and dorms, we have lots andlots of projects that are eventually goingto cost us more to neglect than to repair.And I haven’t even mentioned the costsof saving our one-of-a-kind EstherwoodMansion!

Boarding schools all over the U.S.are dealing with the challenge of findingmore domestic boarding students, andMasters is no different. While we areimmensely proud of our internationalstudent representation, the families ofthose students rightly have the culturalexpectation that their child will be in a

community primarily composed of students from this country.So we will always be searching for replacements for thewonderful domestic boarding students who graduate each year.

What will Masters look like in 10 years?

Masters will be well-recognized as an innovative leaderin education, and as a place where young women andmen become confident, articulate, and ethical youngadults. It will be a place that has met its many

challenges – with its might. It will be a place where learning andconnecting to others in meaningful ways is mindful and joyful.Masters will be working, again and still with its might, to produceyoung thinkers who are determined to be forces for good. Therewill be a greater continuity of learning, a stronger sense of beinga cohesive school that serves students from grades 5 to 12. AndCITYterm will be even more at the forefront of experience-basedlearning.

I hope there will be a “new” and reconceived library, a re-envisioned dining hall, a modernized theater, state-of-the-artspaces for teaching and learning music, dorms in great shape, athriving natural campus environment, and a community ofpeople who bring their own reusable bags to the local Stop &Shop! I’m thinking big!

As a final note, I want to say that I’m proud that I made thedecision to come to Masters – it’s the right place for me. It’srobust, yet I am able to address its areas of challenge and have apositive impact. That I waited for the right place – and that wefound each other – feels good.

Q:A:

Below: Sporting a red sneaker and a blue sneaker, Danforth

displays her Delta/Phi spirit on Founder’s Day last fall.

A:Q:

A:Q:


F E A T U R E S

Masters Community Examines Issues of Race

at Symposium

MEMBERS OF THE

MASTERS COMMUNITY

DELVED INTO THE TOPIC

OF RACE DURING

REIMAGINING RACE: WHAT

IF WE COULD TRANSCEND

RACISM?—A DAYLONG

SYMPOSIUM HELD ON

CAMPUS ON MARCH 4.

The thought-provoking event was the second in the annual Masters Matters series.This year’s topic was chosen in the belief that Masters should be part of the nationalconversation about race and young people should be part of the solution as oursociety continues to grapple with race-related issues.

Students in grades 8-12, faculty and staff, and about 80 parents andalumnae/i – some who came from as far as Los Angeles and Georgia – participated inthe event.

“We have to be able to have these conversations about race, about injustices,blind spots, perceptions, and practices that sometimes divide us in ways we may notrealize,” Head of School Laura Danforth said in opening remarks. “We do not wantto be a community that is, in the words of Cornel West, ‘well adjusted to injusticeand well adapted to indifference.’ The alternative to having these difficultconversations is being in a community that is too afraid to have these conversations.Let us say ‘no thank you’ to that. Let our desire to learn override fear.”

By Janice Leary

Above right: Students gather in

the Pittsburgh Library Conference

room to discuss issues raised

during the symposium.


The program began with ascreening of the documentary film I’m NotRacist…Am I? The movie follows whathappens when a diverse group of 12teenagers embark on an exploration of raceand racism over the course of one schoolyear. After the screening, students met withtheir advisors and other faculty members todiscuss their reactions to the film and theissues that it raised. Meanwhile, parents andalumnae/i participated in a workshopmoderated by facilitators from the film’sproduction company, who addressedquestions about the movie and itsimplications.

Activist and author Tim Wise, aprominent antiracist writer and educator,gave the keynote speech at the FonsecaCenter. He said that Masters’ decision toengage in substantive conversations aboutrace, racism and racial inequity iscommendable, as many Americans believethat because we have an African Americanpresident, racism simply no longer exists.

“The reality is, we all haveinternalized a certain degree of bias,” Wisesaid. “Why? Because we live in this cultureand it’s part of the culture. There’s no shamein it. You just have to own it.” All of us havebeen subjected to the same conditioningabout racial stereotypes, he added. Onlywhen we are aware of those stereotypes canwe fight them.

Wise also emphasized the need torecognize that racism is not only personalbut also “a systemic and institutionalizedforce, with patterns and practicesthroughout history.” In the U.S., that historyincludes housing discrimination, redliningpractices by banks, and law enforcementagencies’ discriminatory treatment of peopleof color.

Wise, who sprinkled his rapid-firespeech with anecdotes, ended with oneabout a college housemate who had cookeda pot of gumbo one night, only to leave iton the stovetop for days. After 36 hours,Wise finally cleaned up the mess, eventhough he had not created it. The incident,

he said, serves as a metaphor for humansociety.

“When we get tired of living withthe residue of what people did long beforewe came on the scene, and the inequitiesand injustices that they created andperpetrated, then we will clean it up – notbecause we are guilty for having created it,but because we are responsible for what wedo from this point forward.”

At Masters, efforts to address thesocietal problems of racial inequity and biasinclude the School’s Diversity Initiativesprogram. Joyce Lewandowski, AssociateDean of Students and Director of Transitionand Diversity, and three student DiversityAmbassadors – peer educators – discussedthe program during a workshop for parentsand alumnae/i. During the session, severalparents and alumnae/i asked how theycould support the work of theAmbassadors.

At the end of the day, symposiumattendees gathered for a “Reflections”session to further explore the issues andquestions raised during the event. JuniorTreasure Brooks, a Diversity Ambassador,told the group that because many whitestudents were engaging in substantivediscussions about racism for the first timethat day, it understandably will take time forthem to fully grasp some of the ideasexamined. “If we remain hopeful,” she said,“with time, these ideas will resonate.”

However, Treasure said, she noticeda change just over the course of the day onMarch 4. After watching I’m Not Racist…Am I? in the morning, some students were

skeptical, defensive or dismissive, shenoted. But after students participated infollow-up discussions with their peers andadvisors, and heard Wise speak, theyexpressed a greater understanding of theissues. “By the end of the day,” Treasure saidlater, “there were a lot of aha moments.”

Masters plans to continue this vitalconversation about race and diversity in themonths ahead. As Laura Danforth put it,“This is not work that ends or should end.We all need to be able to be part of theconversation – and part of our evolutiontoward ever-greater equity, justice andinclusion.”

See “Masters Deepens Focus on Diversity andSocial Justice” on page 10 to learn aboutMasters’ ongoing efforts to increase diversityand cultivate an inclusive community.

Masters community members gather in the Fonseca Center gymnasium to listen to keynote speaker Tim Wise.

Keynote speaker Tim Wise addresses the audience at theFonseca Center.


F E A T U R E S

Masters Deepens Focus on Diversity

and Social Justice

THERE’S A NEW GROUP AT MASTERS THAT EXEMPLIFIES THE PLEDGE TO “BE A

POWER FOR GOOD IN THE WORLD.” THEY ARE STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF

MEMBERS WHOSE ROLE IS TO ENSURE THAT THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY IS AS

DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE AS IT CAN BE.

Known as Diversity Ambassadors, they are part of Masters’ evolving and expanding DiversityInitiatives program. The primary focus of the program is “to help cultivate an inclusivecommunity through education and awareness,” explains Joyce Lewandowski, Associate Deanof Students and Director of Transition and Diversity at Masters.

That goal is carried out primarily by getting students involved as peer educators, saysLewandowski, the first Director of Transition and Diversity at the School. “Students are goingto be the main force for spreading awareness of social justice at Masters,” Lewandowski says.

After joining Masters in the summer of 2014, Lewandowski’s initial task was toobserve and ask questions of the community to help gauge Masters’ needs regarding diversityinitiatives. After consulting with Matthew Ives, Head of the Upper School, she designed and

By Janice Leary

Student Diversity Ambassadors

gather with Joyce Lewandowski,

Director of Transition and

Diversity (second from right).


taught a Diversity Seminar that debuted in the fall of 2015, withstudents, faculty and staff members participating.

“I wanted the seminar participants to have official roles,which led to the Diversity Ambassador program,” Lewandowski says.The Ambassadors – 28 students and 14 faculty and staff members –are official peer educators whose mission is to enhance diversityawareness within the Masters community.

“It’s really an amazing group,” Lewandowski notes. “It’simportant to have a team that is engaged in sharing, collaboratingand educating the community on this topic.”

The student Ambassadors are actively involved in variousdiversity initiatives at Masters. For example, they help Lewandowskifacilitate discussions during the Diversity and Inclusion segment ofthe Freshman Seminar program. In addition, the students host openforums and film screenings, develop poster campaigns, sharepersonal stories at Morning Meeting, co-sponsor events with Schoolclubs and organizations, and in the future, will do even more.

Students become Ambassadors either by completing theDiversity Seminar or attending the annual Student DiversityLeadership Conference (SDLC), a multiracial, multicultural gatheringof upper school student leaders from across the United States. Theconference focuses on such topics as developing cross-culturalcommunication skills, effective strategies for social justice, andpracticing expression through the arts.

“I got involved in Diversity Initiatives to try to educate thecommunity on social justice matters,” says Emma Friedman, aDiversity Ambassador and sophomore. “I think a lot of people in oursociety, and even in our community, don't always realize howsomething they are doing or saying is offensive or hurtful to others.Through educating people on social justice, I want to help thembecome better equipped to deal with diversity issues that arise, andequipped with knowledge of things that are acceptable and thingsthat are not.”

Emma was one of six Masters students who attended theannual SDLC in December 2015. Meanwhile, several facultymembers involved in the Diversity Initiatives program attended ThePeople of Color Conference held at the same time and location. Bothevents are sponsored by the National Association of IndependentSchools.

Victoria Mayorga, a freshman who is a Diversity Ambassador,recalls that at the public school she previously attended, “diversitywasn’t a topic discussed or even mentioned. Everyone turned a blindeye to it, as well as to social justice issues and worldwide events thataffected many people.”

When she came to Masters, Victoria adds, “I wanted to diveright into any program that would give me a well-roundedknowledge and open my eyes more. I believe that joining thisprogram was one of the best things I have done at this School.”

Although Masters has had diversity groups, such as Onyx andLatinos Unidos, for years and has participated in the SDLC event forat least a decade, the School’s diversity efforts have become moreformalized under the Diversity Initiatives umbrella, according toLewandowski.

“In these days of being ‘politically correct,’ we have shiedaway from those discussions that would otherwise help educate usabout what makes us different and why,” observes DiversityAmbassador Karen Brown, Director of Admission for the MiddleSchool. “I was so excited to become an Ambassador because Irealized this would give me the opportunity to not only share mystories with those I see every day but also to learn from their variousexperiences, backgrounds and beliefs.”

Brendon Barrios, an Upper School history teacher who is anAmbassador, also welcomed the opportunity to get involved. “Being afirst-generation American citizen and new to Masters, it wasimportant for me to connect and collaborate with students who comefrom diverse backgrounds, or a shared background,” Barrios says.

The program includes a four-member Faculty DiversityCommittee, which meets regularly to discuss ways in which it cansupport students and work with faculty and staff on various diversityinitiatives. The committee also sponsors forums and film screeningsfor the Masters community. One forum topic this year was “Bigotry inthe Name of Religion,” while one of the films shown was The MaskYou Live In, a documentary about boys and young men struggling “tostay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definitionof masculinity.”

Masters is also an active supporter of the Independent SchoolGender Project, which focuses on gender and equity issues atindependent schools. Lewandowski, Dean of Students Jessica Nuñezand Stephanie Mestyan, an Upper School art teacher, bring a smallgroup of students to the Project’s biannual summer conference forgirls and women, and are also part of the planning committee for thisnational conference. The next one is scheduled to take place fromJune 16-18, 2016.

In addition, Lewandowski is a member of the FairchesterDiversity Practitioners Network. The members, who come fromschools in Westchester County and Fairfield County, CT, shareresources, discuss trends at their schools, and brainstorm about next steps.

Left to right: Emma Friedman ’18, Tyler Guy ’17, Fatomata

Konteh ’17, nina Hylton ’17, Adriana Bjaringer ’17,

and Kintashé Mainsah ’17 at the Student Diversity

Leadership Conference in Tampa, FL.


F E A T U R E S

“Doc”Wilson Looks Back on Two Decades as Middle School Head

WHEN EVERETT “DOC” WILSON BECAME HEAD OF MASTERS’ MIDDLE SCHOOL

IN 1996, THE SCHOOL WAS HOUSED IN MASTERS HALL AND HAD AN

ENROLLMENT OF 78 STUDENTS. TODAY THE SCHOOL HAS ITS OWN BUILDING

AND BOASTS 175 STUDENTS.

“Dramatic enrollment growth hastransformed us from a tiny middle schoolto one that is second to none,” saysWilson, who is retiring after 20 years atthe helm of the Middle School. During histenure, he oversaw the addition of a fifthgrade, the establishment of single-genderclasses in grades six, seven and eight, andthe creation of a theme-based andinterdisciplinary curriculum centered onexperiental learning.

Underpinning his philosophy asschool Head, Wilson says, is his belief that“the children come first. I’ve always workedhard to keep in the forefront that everychild here should feel known and loved.”

By Janice Leary

Doc Wilson in his office earlier this year.

“...the children come first. I’ve always worked hard to keep in theforefront that every child here should

feel known and loved.”

“Nothing is more important than thesacred trust that a family puts into a schooland by extension, its leader,” Wilson adds. “Itell parents, ‘We will treat your child as Itreat my own children.’ We challenge them,guide them, set limits and even scold themwhen necessary – but always, with love anda desire for them to be their best selves.” TheHead and his wife, Melissa, have twochildren – Sophie ’09, age 25, and Thomas,age 23.

Wilson, who greets students as theyarrive every morning – usually whilesporting one of his signature bow ties – isknown for the strong rapport he has withthe Middle Schoolers. He starts off Morning


Meeting with an exuberant “Oh,Hello!” to the assembled students.

“Doc makes the MiddleSchool feel like a home,” observesMatthew Ives, Head of the Upper School and a former Middle School historyteacher who also joined Masters in 1996.“The kids know they can always go backand be welcomed with a hug, a handshakeand Doc’s hearty ‘Hello!’ ”

Wilson came to Masters at a pivotaltime – when the School was transitioningfrom an all-female educational institution to a coeducational one. Pamela Clark, then-Head of School, hired Wilson in part tooversee the establishment of single-genderclasses in grades 6 through 8, an approachthat has been shown to create an optimallearning environment for boys and girls inthat age group.

“It has worked from the get-go,” saysWilson, who studied the extensive clinicalresearch on the approach before putting itinto practice at Masters. “The way thatpreteen boys and girls take in and processinformation is different, as is the way thatmany adolescent issues affect them.”

During his tenure, Wilson alsoinitiated the development of aninterdisciplinary curriculum that is hands-on and theme-based. When studying theHudson River, for example, sixth graderslearn about pollution by taking watersamples from the river. Seventh gradersgain a better sense of America’s immigrationhistory by portraying early 20th centuryimmigrants during Ellis Island ReenactmentDay and visiting Ellis Island and the LowerEast Side Tenement Museum.

“It’s that kind of experience thattakes learning out of the textbook andmakes it come alive,” Wilson notes. “It’s notthe spoon-fed type of education that manyof us experienced.”

Wilson, who has been an educator for 46 years, can also

take credit for recruiting and maintaining atalented and caring Middle School faculty.“One of the things I’m most proud of ishelping over time to put together a veryskilled and professional faculty,” he says,adding that he has always been impressedby the way that the teachers collaborate,share advice, and respect each other.

Faculty members, in turn, say thatWilson has been a source of wisdom andinspiration for teachers and students overthe last 20 years.

“Doc has been a revered model forstudents and teachers alike, and his patient,compassionate and upbeat persona hasgreeted everyone who has walked throughthe doors of the Middle School,” saysStephen Hildreth, a longtime MiddleSchool humanities teacher. “I am gratefulfor his unflagging support, for hiscelebration of the middle school student,

for his Cool Hand Luke demeanor in the midst of storms, and his loyal friendship.”Another veteran faculty member,

art teacher Bruce Robbins, says of Wilson: “He is truly a dedicated leaderwho really ‘gets’ the middle school yearsand all the growth that occurs. He allowsthe students to make the mistakes youngpeople will make and then helps turn theminto teachable moments.” > >

Fifth graders meet in Wilson’s office for a humanities class.

A message to Wilson on one of the paper bow ties

sold for a Middle School fundraising effort.

Wilson presides over the Middle School’s graduationceremony in 2010.

F E A T U R E S


“Doc” Wilson Looks Back, cont.

Karen Brown,Director of Admission forthe Middle School, notesthat Wilson “has inspiredme as a colleague andcomforted me as a parent.His door has always beenopen for easy and difficultdiscussions, he neverhesitated to giveconsideration to my newideas, and he has always hada positive outlook on eventhe most difficult situation.”

In his first meetingwith the faculty at the start ofeach school year, Wilsonwould compare the MiddleSchool’s faculty and staff to aflock of geese flying in a Vformation. Noting that theanalogy borrows from “Lessons from Geese,”a speech given by an American educatoryears ago, Wilson says, “Geese are loyal andshare responsibilities. If one is ill orwounded, another stays with that gooseuntil it’s ready to rejoin the flock. When thelead goose tires, it drops back into theformation and another takes its place at thehead of the flock. That is a metaphor forhow we try to operate at the Middle School.”

Wilson’s geese story became so wellknown that over the years, students,teachers and trustees gave him figurines andsketches of geese and ducks. He now hasabout 50 feathered creatures in hiscollection, including the duck decoys thatdecorate his home.

When asked what he will miss mostabout the Middle School, Wilson saidwithout hesitation, “The kids. The joy thatthey bring on a day-to-day basis; theirlaughter, their tears, their excitement, theirfrustrations. And the way that they come to

me looking for advice.”Nina Hylton ’17 says that she learned

a great deal from Wilson when she attendedthe Middle School. “One of his mostimportant lessons is that students need tofail in order to reach their full potential,” shesays. “Doc will truly be missed in the hearts

of every student who hadthe chance to know him.”

Although Wilson, too,will miss the MiddleSchoolers when he retires,he says that his “manytender moments withstudents” will stay with himalways. In one suchinteraction this year, a fifthgrade boy who had donepoorly on a vocabulary testtold AdministrativeAssistant Kelly Torielli that“Doc is going to be sodisappointed in me.”Moments later, Wilsonreassured the tearfulyoungster that all he had todo was study over theweekend and he would be

retested the following Monday.“The student looked me in the eye,

stuck out his hand to shake mine and said,‘thank you!’ ” Wilson recalls. “Stuff like thatjust touches your heart.”

“Being around these kids makes me abetter person,” Wilson says. “It will be anadjustment to not have 175 kids in my lifeevery day.”

As for the next phase of his life,Wilson is looking forward to spending timewith Melissa and doing a little traveling. Healso plans to do service work and isparticularly interested in volunteering forHabitat for Humanity. As a lifelong educator,he says, “It’s important to me to continue tohelp others in some way.”

Editor’s Note: Tasha Elsbach will succeed Wilsonas Middle School Head on July 1, 2016. Elsbachis a veteran educator and administrator who hasserved as Head of the Middle School at TheBrearley School in Manhattan since 2000.

Wilson listens intently during an all-school morning meeting on Founder’s Day last fall.

“Being around thesekids makes me a

better person...it willbe an adjustment tonot have 175 kids inmy life every day.”


CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS

CITYterm Turns 20!CITYterm, a semester-long experience-based academic program at The Masters School, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

The program, founded by Masters in 1996, uses New York City as its classroom and laboratory. CITYterm students learn in a project-based model thatemphasizes interdisciplinary thinking and collaborative learning. Participants study New York City through a combination of Harkness seminars, cityexpeditions and meetings with New Yorkers, including former mayors, artists, authors and urban planners.

CITYterm will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Saturday, June 18 in Brooklyn, NY. Activities will include afternoon trips, such as a ride on the East RiverFerry, followed by an evening extravaganza at 26 Bridge, an event space in Brooklyn.

This summer will mark another milestone for CITYterm: the second annual Teaching for Experience Symposium, which will be held on campus fromJuly 12-15, 2016. Read more about the event in the fall 2016 issue of The Bulletin. For more information about the symposium and the 20th anniversarycelebration, visit www.cityterm.org.

Students Net Awards at Model UN Conferences

Eight Upper School students won awardsand joined classmates in learning aboutdiplomacy at Model United Nationsconferences this year.

Masters sent 25 students as delegates to thePrinceton Model United NationsConference in November, which drewsome 1,100 students from severalcountries. “We had students participatingin 19 committees” says Brendon Barrios, an Upper School history teacher who co-chaperoned the trip. “In every

committee, the awards of HonorableMention, Outstanding Delegate, and BestDelegate are given.”

Senior Grace King was named the BestDelegate in the International CriminalCourt; junior Danny Bring won theOutstanding Delegate award in theNapoleonic Wars committee; freshmanDavid Oks received the OutstandingDelegate award in the United NationsSecurity Council; freshman Drew Schottwon the Outstanding Delegate award in the

Special Knesset Committee on CyberSecurity; and senior Andrew Ciaccireceived an Honorable Mention in theCuban Missile Crisis committee.

In January, 50 Masters students attendedthe Yale Model United Nations Conference,joining 1,600 students from more than 40 countries.

Junior Willa Dow was named BestDelegate, while freshman JamesMinzesheimer and sophomore Stephen Boewere named Outstanding Delegates.

“The main purpose of the conferences isfor students to simulate the inner workingsof the United Nations,” Barrios explains.“Students are given a country or particularperson (for example, the Secretary ofState), and must research, write, and act asif they are acting on behalf of that countryor person. The committees range from theWorld Health Organization to a committeewithin the UN General Assembly. Thisallows students to have a betterunderstanding of the many working piecesof global diplomacy, and creates awonderful forum for students who areinterested in the global community.”

Masters students and teachers at the Yale Model United nations Conference in January 2016.


CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS

The opening of the Fonseca Center for Athletics and Arts lastfall marked a milestone for athletics at Masters: the debutof swimming and squash programs.

The Center’s Hamill natatorium features a six-lanecompetition swimming pool and a set of bleachers for

spectators. The second floor houses four squash courts, withglass walls that extend to the third floor and provideanother vantage point to watch matches.

The first swim meet held at Masters took place onDecember 9, when the girls’ varsity team defeated TheChapin School by a score of 73-71. Two days later, the girls’and boys’ varsity swim teams triumphed over The DaltonSchool during the first combined girls’ and boys’ swim meetheld on campus. During the spirited event, parents,students, faculty and staff members filled the bleachersand cheered vigorously for the Panthers, as the boys’ teambeat Dalton by a score of 85-53, and the girls’ team won bya score of 71-54.

Both teams improved steadily during the season, withseveral members achieving their best times during close meets in January and February, says Susan Greally,Aquatics Director and swim team Coach.

Masters’ first squash games were just as exciting. In itsinaugural match in the Fonseca Center on December 4, theboys’ varsity squash team faced off against Browning. Teammembers Jacob Vietorisz ’19 and Youssef Aly ’19 outscoredtheir Browning opponents by winning three of the fourgames that they each played during the event. While thePanthers lost the match, the team played well against atalented Browning squad that had a lot more experience in its favor.

A large crowd of parents, students and teachers turned outto witness the historic event and cheer on the Panthersteam. Many members of the community also attended thefirst match played by the varsity girls’ squash team in theFonseca Center, against King on December 11.

Skeff Young and rob Fish, assistant coaches of Masters’varsity squash teams, say they are proud of the strides thatthe teams made during their first season, especially sincemany of the members had never played the sport before.“Having individuals at different levels of ability meant thateach of us could learn and be challenged within the contextof our own skill level,” Young said in a note to the boys’team at the end of the season. “Beyond the score sheetsand match results, each of you took advantage of thelessons offered, not only by our talented coaches, but alsofrom your fellow players. Helping and instructing others,whether during a match or practice, was an integral part ofbuilding a team in a new sport at Masters.”

Fish says the girls’ team “showed tremendous improvementover the course of the year. Although Masters competedagainst much more experienced teams, the games becamefar more competitive as the season progressed, highlightedby a 3-0 victory over The Avenues School. We anticipateseeing the team’s hard work pay off next season.”

Masters Kicks Off Squashand SwimmingPrograms

A Masters girls’ varsity team member competes in abackstroke event.

A Masters player faces off against a Browning opponentat the varsity squash team’s first match on campus.

AUTHORS’ CORNER

Baby Stepping Up the Leadership LadderBy Matthew KammrathConnections Quarterlyhttp://joom.ag/tpsp

“Baby Stepping Up the Leadership Ladder,” an article by MatthewKammrath, co-director of Masters’ Ethical Leadership Project,recommends that educators help students “take ‘baby steps’ up theleadership ladder” so that they become “better future bosses, spouses,parents, and ultimately, better leaders in our communities.”

The article was published in the winter 2015 issue of ConnectionsQuarterly, a publication of The Center for Spiritual and EthicalEducation.

To help students develop into the nextgeneration of leaders, Kammrath’spiece states, educators should focus onthree areas: “developing genuinerelationships, providing meaningfulopportunities to practice (and fail), andgiving honest feedback.” The articleaddresses each of these areas and suggests ways that teachers can putthem into practice. The following is an excerpt:

“Students will be invested, engaged, and ready to work if growingrelationships is part of your curriculum. Carve out the time early andwatch the results blossom throughout the year.” To read the full article,go to http://joom.ag/tpsp.


Five Masters sports teams pursued championships last fall, the most Masters teamsthat advanced into post-season play in at least a decade, according to Kevin Versen,Director of Athletics and Physical Education.

The girls’ varsity field hockey team participated in the new York State Association ofIndependent Schools (nYSAIS) Championship tournament in november after defeatingSchool of the Holy Child on October 30 by a score of 4-0. In the team’s first playoffgame in four years, the Panthers lost a hard-fought contest with Holy Child onnovember 4. But in the game’s final seven minutes, the team played some of its bestfield hockey of the season and went down swinging, with two corners and three shotsin the final minutes of the game.

Also in november, the boys’ and girls’ varsity cross country teams participated in boththe nYSAIS Championship and the new England Prep School Athletic Council (nEPSAC)Championship. In the nEPSAC meet, the girls’ team came in 11th – the best finish inthe team’s history, Versen says. Meanwhile, Gene Perry ’17 came in 15th and juniorEmily Guzzardi finished 17th their respective events in the nEPSAC competition.

Both the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams had finished fourth in the FairchesterAthletic Association (FAA) Championship meet on november 2, in new Canaan, CT.Gene Perry was overall cross country champion at the meet, while the girls’ team hadits highest finish at the event in recent memory, Versen said.

Gene also finished fifth in the 5,000 meter race at the nYSAIS State Championshipmeet in the Bronx, nY on november 8. There were about 130 participants in that event.“As we approached the final stretch, I could see the runner who won the race,” Generecalls. “next year I plan be in his place.”

On november 9, the girls’ varsity soccer team played its first FAA Championshiptournament game in recent years. The team worked hard, but lost in the first round tothe eventual FAA champion. The boys’ varsity soccer team also competed in the FAAtournament, advancing as far as the semi-finals.

Girls’ varsity soccer team Co-Captain Samantha Coffey ’17 was named the top player inthe FAA league during the fall 2015 season among 20 nominees for the award.Samantha, who goes by Sam, received first place in the All-FAA player rankings for theseason. Coaches from the nine schools in the FAA voted on the rankings. In addition,team member Ingrid Hirt ’17 was named 12th overall by the coaches and teammember Sharon Peña ’18 received an honorable mention.

“I love the team and thecoaching staff,” says Sam,who has been a memberof the varsity team sinceher freshman year. In the2014-15 school year,Sam was ranked thehighest scoring player inthe nEPSAC league’s girls’soccer teams.

Sports Teams End FallSeason on Strong Note

Oskar and the Eight BlessingsBy Richard Simon and Tanya Simon; illustrated by Mark Siegel Published by Roaring Brook Press, September 2015ISBN: 9781596439498

Languages Department Chair Richard Simon and his wife, Tanya, co-authored this children’s book, which received the Jewish BookCouncil’s 2015 National Jewish Book Award in the category ofchildren's literature.

Simon’s book was “chosen as the best written, most comprehensive,and engaging title,” the Council stated. “Your book now joins the ranksof the hundreds of well-respected, classic Jewish books that havereceived a National Jewish Book Award.”

Oskar and the Eight Blessings, whichwas illustrated by Mark Siegel, alsoreceived glowing reviews in suchpublications as Booklist and The NewYork Times Book Review.

The following is a synopsis of theplot: “A refugee seeking sanctuaryfrom the horrors of Kristallnacht, Oskar arrives by ship in New YorkCity with only a photograph and an address for an aunt he has nevermet. It is both the seventh day of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve, 1938.As Oskar walks the length of Manhattan, he experiences the city'smany holiday sights, and encounters its various residents. Each offersOskar a small act of kindness, welcoming him to the city and helpinghim on his way to a new life in the new world.”


CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS

Masters Library Keeps Pace with D I G I TA L D E M A N D S

Several students work intensely oncomputers, while others hunch over iPadswhile seated in study carrels. This is what atypical day in the Pittsburgh Library lookslike: students tapping into online resources toresearch hundreds of topics.

Masters’ library, which has becomeincreasingly digital, is now a technology-integrated learning environment that offersan array of electronic information resourcesfor students at every grade level.

“Each year, we add more databases based onthe direction of the curriculum,” says HeadLibrarian Judy Murphy. “And each year, Ispend a larger percentage of the librarybudget on digital resources.”

Students can access these resources on a24/7 basis via the Student Portal on theSchool’s website, as well as via mobile appsin many cases.

By subscribing to the EBSCO eBook HighSchool Collection, the library provides accessto some 8,000 e-books covering all academicsubject areas, from history to language andliterature, to science and technology. Thecontent includes classic literary works,historical documents and general referencematerials, and the collection is fullydownloadable to mobile devices.

Other high-level databases available tostudents include:

• CQ Researcher, which has in-depth reportson a sweeping range of topics – includingcurrent events and social issues, government,international affairs, and political ideologies –plus extensive bibliographies and a pro/consection for each social or political issue. TheFacts on File Issues & Controversies database

also helps students learn about both sides ofcurrent debates and issues, such as guncontrol, climate change or the refugee crisis.

• Project MUSE, which specializes in arts,humanities and social science content frommore than 120 publishers. Its collectionincludes full-text versions of scholarlyjournals from many of the world's leadinguniversity presses and scholarly societies.

• Science Direct, which provides access tojournal articles and book chapters from morethan 3,500 scientific journals and over34,000 books on science, health science,social science, and humanities topics.

• JSTOR, a digital library of more than 1,900academic journals, over 20,000 e-books, and2 million primary sources that cover 40disciplines.

The library also subscribes to the onlineOxford English Dictionary (OED), in

addition to having all 10 volumes of the printOED. “It’s quite a treasure,” Murphy notes,adding that the library will continue to offer alarge collection of print materials, including16,000 books.

As part of the library’s digital trend, however,Murphy plans to replace most of the printmagazine subscriptions (now about 40) withthe Flipster digital magazine service. Thatswitch will greatly increase the number ofmagazines that students can read, she says.Flipster, for example, has 31 magazines in thescience and technology category alone.

The library has been updating its digitalassets in other ways. This year, 16 new PCcomputers were installed in the library. And aZoom video conferencing system wasrecently set up in the Library ConferenceRoom, making possible such activities as aSkype session between Masters students andchildren at Masters’ sister school in Senegal.

Students use laptop computers and other digital devices while doing homework in the Pittsburgh Library.


Jane served at Masters from 1975-1980(as Ms. Baron) and then again from1996-2014 as Ms. Rechtman. As amember of the History and ReligionDepartment, she taught world religionsand world history I, as well as variousreligion elective courses, such asbioethics. With colleague Terry Ward,she developed and published the WorldReligions compendium, which is nowused at Masters and other schools.

Jane served as acting chair of the Historyand Religion Department for 2003-2004,was appointed the Henry Sloane CoffinChair of Religion in 2005, and receivedthe Alumnae/i Board's Anna HoweFaculty Award in 2013. Jane also servedas Dean of the Classes of 2009 and 2013.

Spirited, sensitive, compassionate, joyfuland wise, Jane ministered to so many ofher colleagues over the years, nurturingour community through the Matters ofSpirit program she stewarded faithfullyfor so many years, infusing her spirit intothe life of the School, sharing her lifewith her students and her colleagues.Remaining active until the end — sheattended an alumnae/i event on campusin January 2016 — Jane defied thelimitations of her illness, just as shedefied the darkness and despair thatthreaten to engulf our world.

During her Matters of Spirit presentationon the eve of Rosh Hashanah inSeptember of 1999, Jane said this: “Last

week began the new school year, and Ibet many of us here – old and new –reflected on the year gone by, the year tocome, and New Year's resolutions. Ifwe're honest with ourselves, we take thetime to look back and say, ‘You know,there are some things I'm really proud ofthat I did. But there are other things Icould have/would have/should havedone differently.’ Now is a newbeginning. Some of us need to listenmore carefully; some of us need to caremore about the others around us or caremore about ourselves. All of us need totend to our spirits and those of others inthe world.”

The Masters School created the JaneRechtman Faculty Chair in 2015 torecognize a Masters teacher who mostclosely exemplifies the humanity,generosity of spirit, self-reflection, andworldview that Jane bought to the

classroom and the wider Masters Schoolcampus during the years she served onthe faculty.

In an interview in May 2014 with Tower,the student newspaper, Jane spoke of thelessons she, in turn, had learned fromMasters students. “She has learnedthrough questions students have asked,whether it’s about the subject at hand ora broader life question,” the articlestated. “She also learned from herstudents outside of the classroom,through their resilience, their ability toget through tough situations. Herstudents remind her of her own journeywhen she was younger and had to getthrough difficult things as well.”

Former Masters teacher Jane Baron Rechtman passed away on March 3, 2016 at her Ossining, NY home. After a long and

rich career at Masters, Jane retired in the spring of 2014, a few months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Jane Rechtman 1950-2016

IN MEMORIAM

Jane rechtman with Olivia Mason ’14 (far left) and Jena Goldman ’14 at the Young Alumnae/i Event atthe Fonseca Center in January 2016.


SNAPSHOTSStudents Put Creative Spin on Shakespeare >> Upper School thespians performed A MidsummerNight's Dream on October 23-24 in the ClaudiaBoettcher Theatre to the delight of the audiences.More than 30 actors and stage crew memberscollaborated on the 90-minute version of theShakespearean comedy about lovers, heroes,fairies and rude mechanicals.

A Growing Spotlight for Dobbs 16 >> Dobbs 16 continued to raise its public profile this year, as theensemble was invited to sing at events ranging from a Glasgow-based conference to a prince’s birthday party.

The contemporary a cappella ensemble, along with the Tower Singers,was selected to perform at the 32nd World Conference of theInternational Society for Music Education in Glasgow, Scotland onJuly 24-29, 2016. “This is the major international conference in musiceducation and features incredibly fine musical performances,” saysJennifer Carnevale, Music Department Chair. “To be included amongthis year’s performers is an incredible honor.”

Earlier in the year, Dobbs 16 won the Northeast Semifinals of theInternational Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA),placing the group among the top 10 high school a cappellaensembles in the U.S. The group advanced to the Finals, a nationalcompetition, in late April (after press time).

Before the Seminfinals, Dobbs 16 was named runner-up in the ICHSANortheast Quarterfinals after competing against eight other a capellagroups. Moreover, Dobbs 16 member Hannah Weiss ’16 won theaward for Outstanding Soloist at both the Quarterfinals and Semifinals.

On October 22, 2015, Dobbs 16 performed at a charity eventhonoring the Crown Prince of Serbia’s 70th birthday at Le Cirque inNew York City. The group performed several songs during the LifetimeNew York event, which raised money for medical equipment in Serbiaand celebrated HRH Crown Prince Alexander’s birthday.

UPPER SCHOOL

Dance Company Presents An Evening of Dance >> The Masters Dance Company performed jazz,modern dance and other well-executed piecesduring An Evening of Dance on November 13-14in the Claudia Boettcher Theatre. The concertshowcased six student works, as well aschoreography by Artistic Director Mary Rotellaand guest artists Kathleen Fitzgerald and Nathalie Jonas.


MIDDLE SCHOOL

Seventh Graders Take on “Survival” Challenges >>

Middle School Shines in Winter Concert >> Middle Schoolers performed before a full house during theMiddle School Winter Concert on December 17 in the ClaudiaBoettcher Theatre. The concert featured the Middle SchoolOrchestra, Middle School Jazz Orchestra, MastersSingers,eighth grade soloists, and the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighthgrade choirs. The program included songs ranging from thetraditional to the contemporary, and was capped by aperformance of the traditional round “Now I Walk in Beauty”by the combined choruses and Middle School alumnae/i.

Middle Schoolers’ Talents Showcased >> The Middle School’s Winter Talent Show on February 12 showcased the artistic skills of more than20 students before a rapt crowd of parents, faculty andfellow students. The 90-minute show, which took placein the Claudia Boettcher Theatre, featured performancesof songs and music in a variety of genres, plus anoriginal magic act.

Masters’ seventh grade students created shelters from treebranches, built fires and fanned out across campus during ascavenger hunt as part of the Middle School’s annualExploration Week this year.

“Exploration Week begins the students’ journey through theseventh grade,” says Middle School humanities teacher MaryChappell. The program is designed to help students learngroup communication skills, how to overcome challenges, howto ask for help, and more.

The fall program culminated in “Survival Day.” On that day, thestudents gathered branches to build shelters around treetrunks in woods bordering the campus. Two pairs of studentsbuilt small fires, using only one match to start each fire. Later,the seventh graders crossed an “acid swamp” by gingerlywalking from one carpet square to another on a field, avoidingthe grass, which represented the “acid.”


ALUMNAE/I UPDATE

Jane Lightner Meads ’42, theoldest living matriarch of theLightner/Meads family—one ofthe greatest legacy families in thehistory of The Masters School—passed away surrounded byfamily on October 30, 2015 atthe age of 91.

After graduating from Dobbs,Jane went on to attend WellesleyCollege but left after her

freshman year to marry Don, herhusband of 70 years, before he wentoff to the war. Together, they raisedseven children and although theymoved frequently for Don’s work,

Jane and Don raised their family inhomes full of love, guided by theircredo of “Faith, Family and Friends.”

Jane served as a member of theSchool’s Board of Trustees from 1976-1982, lending her guidance andsupport to the institution duringdifficult financial times. During whatwould be her last visit to campus forReunion 2015, Jane shared thesignificance of her appointment tothe Board with guests at the annualEstherwood Society Luncheon. Shewas incredibly proud and honored tohave been asked to join the Board atDobbs, not because she was the“mother of seven children” or “Don’swife,” but “just because I was Jane.”

Her love for her alma mater and thejoy she felt being back on campuswere palpable and inspirational to allwho met her during her visit.

Jane will be remembered by thosewho knew her for her intellectualcuriosity, her unwavering kindness,and the strong foundation of family,ethics, integrity, and Christian valuesupon which she built her life. Shewill be profoundly missed by theDobbs community, but Jane’s legacylives on through the manygenerations of Lightner/Meadsalumnae/i who continue to sustainand enrich The Masters School in hermemory, including Jane’s niece,Trustee Suzie Paxton ’88.

Jane Lightner Meads ’42

Paying Tribute to “Mighty” Dobbs WomenThe Dobbs community has been deeply saddened by the passing of three remarkable alumnae whose heartfelt affection for Dobbs and lifelong commitment to their alma mater placed them in a class unto themselves. Together, we celebratethe full lives and rich legacies of Jane Lightner Meads ’42, Barbara McDonald Stewart ’44, and Susan Beck Wasch ’53.

Barbara “Bobby”Stewart ’44 passedaway surrounded by herfamily on the final dayof a much-enjoyedfamily vacation to theGalápagos Islands inEcuador on December31, 2015.

After graduating fromDobbs, Bobby received

her undergraduate degree fromNorthwestern University and went on

to earn a Ph.D. from ColumbiaUniversity. Bobby, a historian, taught atPace University as an adjunct professorof American history. Her lifelongpassion for history was likely ignitedby her father, James Grover McDonald,who served as the League of NationsHigh Commissioner for Refugees inthe 1930s, founded the Foreign PolicyAssociation, and was the first U.S.Ambassador to Israel in 1949.

Over the course of several years,Bobby edited a critically acclaimed,three-volume series of her father’sdiaries and papers, which were

published by Indiana University Pressand reviewed in The New York Times.

Bobby shared her immense knowledgewith Masters students when shereturned to campus as a guest lecturerin 2008, speaking to ninth gradehistory classes on the topic of earlyIsrael and World War II. She alsoserved as a Reunion committeemember and remained closelyconnected to her classmates and toDobbs over the years through her roleas a dedicated class notes editor forthis magazine.

Barbara McDonald Stewart ’44


Susan Beck Wasch ’53, a devoted alumna and formerTrustee of The Masters School,passed away peacefully at herhome in Middletown, CT on February 5, 2016.

Susan was an extremely activeand engaged Dobbs volunteerover the years, serving as AnnualFund Chair, Phonathon volunteer,Reunion Chair, and a member of

the Strategic Planning Task Force.During Susan’s three-term tenure on theBoard of Trustees, she took a leadershiprole in shaping the future direction ofMasters, and helped to ensure its long-term financial stability by shepherding

the transition from an all-girls schoolto a coeducational institution. Shehelped to promote and establish theHarkness teaching pedagogy and wasinstrumental in the creation of ourCITYterm program.

After leaving the Board, Susan remainedinvolved in Masters by serving on theEstherwood Society Planned GivingCommittee and through her support ofkey initiatives, such as the MastersAdvantage Campaign, the Kathryn W.Davis International Fund, and theFaculty Development and Sabbatical AidFund, which she established togetherwith her husband, Bill, in 1993.

In addition to being a passionateadvocate for women’s education, Susan

was committed to several importantcauses and community organizations.She was an energetic member of TheChurch of the Holy Trinity, the LiteraryClub, and the Middletown GardenClub. She also took a strong interest inthe revitalization of the Middletown, CTwaterfront. In her last decade, she andBill focused their energy on the creationof the Wasch Center for Retired Facultyat Wesleyan University, where he servedas the Alumni Director for many years.

Susan will be remembered for her warmsmile, her generosity of spirit, and herdevotion to her family, as well as for hermyriad contributions to theorganizations and causes she held dearto her heart.

Susan Beck Wasch ’53

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ALUMNAE/I UPDATE

Deeply moved by Khakasa’s passing, several members of the Classof 1988 banded together to celebrate her legacy by organizing aspecial on-campus tribute to their dear friend. Classmate LisaEnch Semler and her family donated a beautiful redbud tree,which was planted along the circle drive in front of Masters Hall.A memorial plaque, donated by Elizabeth Szatmari Krasnoff withcontributions from other classmates, bears the inscription: “Dr.Khakasa Wapenyi; 1970-2013; Beloved and distinguishedmember of the Class of 1988; Devoted friend, sister, daughter,mentor and advocate of those marginalized by society.”

Khakasa’s classmates and friends returned to Masters to take partin a memorial service and tree dedication ceremony on September25, 2015, on the occasion of the opening of the Fonseca Center.The women shared stories and memories, reflecting on thetransformative impact that Khakasa’s life, work and spirit had onso many. Following the ceremony, the Class of 1988 held a dinnerin celebration of Khakasa’s life in Manhattan, organized by AlysonSivak Grossman, Aneesa Majid, Lauren Martin and Suzie Paxton.

Thanks to thecollective efforts of herclassmates, Khakasa’smemory will live on at Dobbs, and in thehearts and minds of all who knew andloved her.

Members of the Class of 1988 lost a beloved classmate and friend in the fall of 2013, when Khakasa Wapenyi passedaway suddenly, after a short illness. Khakasa was a practicing psychiatrist and advocate in New York City, specializingin the care and treatment of members of the LGBT and AIDS communities. She attended Harvard after graduatingfrom Dobbs and earned her medical degree from Tufts University.

Class of 1988 Celebrates the Memory of Khakasa Wapenyi

Above, beginning front left and moving around the table clockwise: Alyson SivakGrossman ’88, Sandrine Humbert ’89, Lauren Martin ’89, Katy Spahn Thatcher ’88,Jennifer Poole Pride ’88, Diana Pryor Combs ’89, Amy Levitin Walsh ’88, MelindaPanella Insana ’88, Amanda Cox Skinner ’88, Aneesa Majid ’88, Amy ZimmermanFreed ’88, Suzie Paxton ’88, Amy rice Curley ’88, Heidi Ziegahn ’88 and AdriaDevereaux (personal friend of Khakasa).

Below: First row, left to right: Sandrine Humbert ’89, Adria Devereaux (personal friendof Khakasa), Suzie Paxton ’88, Aneesa Majid ’88. Back row, left to right: StephanieDunne Cohen ’88, Alyson Sivak Grossman ’88, Katherine Spahn Thatcher ’88.


Marin Alsop ’73Conducts West Side StoryMarin Alsop ’73 played a starring role in a production of West SideStory as Musical Director and Conductor of the performances onMarch 4-6, 2016 at the Knockdown Center in Queens, NY.

Weill Music Institute presented the novel interpretation of the iconicmusical as a celebration of Carnegie Hall’s 125th season. Theexuberant production featured professional actors in the lead roles,with 15 high school students rounding out the cast, plus a chorus of200 singers from high schools across New York City.

“The production was staged beautifully and conducted artistically byMarin Alsop,” Masters music teacher Curt Ebersole said afterattending the March 5 performance. “The venue, with a long dancefloor surrounded by table seating and rows of bleacher seating on thelong sides, created a dramatic in-the-round setting for the production.

“The addition of New York City students in the adjunct theaterchorus made for a moving interpretation of this American classic. Itwas a true pleasure and honor to meet and share a few minutes withMaestro Alsop prior to the performance,” added Ebersole, whodirects the String Ensemble, the Symphonic Winds, and the MiddleSchool Orchestra, as well as serving as Conductor/Music Director ofthe highly regarded Westchester Symphonic Winds.

Ebersole was joined at the performance by Head of School LauraDanforth, her spouse, Paula Chu; Masters Trustee Lynn Pilzer Sobel ’71, ’99, ’05 and Eric Sobel; Tim Kane, Associate Head of Schoolfor Institutional Advancement; and Annegret Koltze, a sophomorefrom Germany who plays harp in Masters’ String Ensemble.

Charles Isherwood, a theater critic for The New York Times,acknowledged Alsop’s contribution to the production in a rave review.An excerpt:

“Conducting the lush 40-piece orchestra was the eminent MarinAlsop, Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, whowas once a protégée of Leonard Bernstein, the composer of WestSide Story, of course…to hear this rapturous score played by an

orchestra of such size, under the guidance of a first-rate conductor,was a pure pleasure in itself.”

Alsop has served as Music Director of the Baltimore SymphonyOrchestra since 2007, and became Music Director of the São PauloSymphony Orchestra in 2013. She has guest-conducted many of theleading orchestras of the world, including those in Philadelphia andCleveland, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, La Scala Philharmonic,Orchestre de Paris, and Bavarian Radio Symphony. A recipient ofnumerous awards, Alsop is the only conductor to receive theprestigious MacArthur Fellowship, which is given in recognition ofexceptional creative work.

(Left to right) Head ofSchool Laura Danforth,Annegret Koltze ’18, Dr. Paula Chu, Marin Alsopand music teacher CurtEbersole at theKnockdown Center.

Photo: © Grant Leighton


Reunion 2016: Meet the HonoreesTHE RICHMOND BOWL

Diana Davis Spencer ’56, P’84 is this year’srecipient of the Richmond Bowl, which wascreated to honor the late Nell AngleRichmond ’34 and Tom Richmond. It ispresented each year to an alumna/us whoseexceptional support of and service to TheMasters School reflects the same outstandingquality of creative leadership demonstrated bythe Richmond family.

Diana, who grew up in Tarrytown, NY,graduated from The Masters School in 1956 and from WheatonCollege in 1960. She now lives in Washington, D.C., where she isChairman and President of the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation,which focuses primarily on education, public policy, global initiativesand national security. In 2015, the Foundation made anunprecedented $10 million endowment gift to Masters, the largestone-time gift in the School’s history. The gift is used to help offset theoperating costs of the new Fonseca Center, as well as to providepermanent funds for faculty salaries, time to develop new courses,and continuing education opportunities.

Diana’s commitment to education is evident in her philanthropicwork. She became a Masters Trustee in 2008 and serves actively onseveral other boards, including the Network for TeachingEntrepreneurship. Diana is a board member emerita of WheatonCollege and the Northeast Harbor Library in Maine.

ANNA HOWE FACULTY AWARD

Everett “Doc” Wilson, Middle School Headfrom 1996-2016, is this year’s recipient of theAnna Howe Faculty Award. The awardrecognizes an outstanding current or formerfaculty member who has shaped and changedthe lives of students in a positive and impactfulway. It is presented to a faculty member who hasnot only excelled in the classroom, but who,through guidance, encouragement and support,has also made a meaningful difference to his orher students.

Doc has had a profound impact on the School since his arrival. In hisyears at Masters, he has made numerous and important contributions,

including overseeing the creation of an outstanding Middle Schoolprogram, adding a fifth grade, and establishing single-gender classes ingrades 6, 7 and 8. Doc also directed the formation of a Middle Schoolprogram that is interdisciplinary and theme-based, with experientiallearning at its core.

In 2007, Doc stated: “The quality of a school is measured by the magicthat happens during interactions between students and teachers, whenthe exchange of ideas and values takes place.” Under Doc’s leadershipand example, this magic between students and their teachers hascreated an environment where children are seen, known and loved.

ELIZA BAILEY MASTERS FELLOWSHIP AWARD

Claudia Boettcher Merthan ’51 is this year’srecipient of the Eliza Bailey Masters FellowshipAward, which honors an alumna/us whoexemplifies Miss Masters’ philosophy throughoutstanding service to his or her community,seeking a common good beyond personalcomfort and influenced by his or her years atThe Masters School.

Claudia came to Dobbs as a boarding studentfrom Colorado. She went on to attend the

University of Colorado and earned her master’s degree from AmericanUniversity in 1984, after her sons were in college. Claudia’s involvementin community-based philanthropy has its roots in a longstanding familytradition of civic-mindedness. Inspired by his desire to give back to hisnative state, Claudia’s grandfather, Claude Boettcher, founded theBoettcher Foundation in 1937. The foundation supports the promise ofthe state of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans by investing in itsmost talented citizens and high-potential organizations, primarilythrough capital grants and scholarship programs in four areas:education; civic and cultural programs; community and social services;and hospital and health services. Claudia served the foundation for 21years and was chair of the board from 1992-2007.

After retiring from her work with the Boettcher Foundation, Claudia,who now resides in Eureka, SD, has remained committed to supportingphilanthropic causes in her local community. She is actively involved inthe construction of a new community hospital in Eureka and serves asthe Secretary of the Eureka Pioneer Museum (which she and her latehusband, Lee, helped to build) and the Eureka Public Library.

ALUMNAE/I UPDATE


MAUREEN FONSECA YOUNG ALUMNAE/I AWARD

Ava Bynum ’10 is the inaugural recipient ofthe newly minted Maureen Fonseca Young

Alumnae/i Award. Created in 2015 to honor former Head of SchoolMaureen Fonseca, the Young Alumnae/i Award recognizes analumna/us under the age of 30 who embodies the values and missionof The Masters School—to learn, to strive, to dare, to do, and to be apower for good in the world—and who maintains a deep connectionto Masters and to his or her fellow alumnae/i through volunteerismand active involvement in the life of the School.

Ava is the founder of Hudson Valley Seed, a nonprofit organizationthat educates children in school gardens, empowering studentsthrough curriculum‐integrated lessons focused on healthy eating,food literacy, outdoor learning, and academic success. This type offarm‐to-school education addresses society‐wide issues of childhoodobesity, poor nutrition, and a curriculum void of life‐skill training.

Hudson Valley Seed’s work combines Ava’s love of food and educationand follows her personal values of making both of these human rightsaccessible to all children.

SHOW YOURPRIDE!

Hats, mugs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, ties,blankets and more…find them all at the Campus Store!

Go to www.mastersny.org/campusstoreto see the new Dobbs line and otheritems. To place a phone order, pleasecontact the Campus Store at 914-479-6404 or www.mastersny.org/campusstore.

Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMand selected weekend events.

For more information about gift planning at Masters, orto receive our semi-annual newsletter, please contact:

Erin Fredrick, Assistant Director for Advancement914-479-6575 • [email protected]

When it came time for Courtney to think ahead for her family, shealso thought ahead for her school. Consider making The MastersSchool a priority in your gift planning.

The Estherwood Society is an honorary group of alumnae/i, parents,and friends of Masters who have made future plans for the Schoolthrough trust, estate, or other future gifts of any amount. EstherwoodSociety members leave a legacy that extends beyond our generationand provides security to The Masters School for the long term.

To me, Dobbs is aboutlifelong friendships. I was only there for a year-and-a-half,and the friends I made at school are thebest friends I have. I love Dobbs becauseit had such a profound impact on mewhen I really needed it. When I gotmarried and started having kids, theneed for a more detailed will becameapparent. There was no question thatDobbs would be a part of that process.

— Courtney Walthour Lamontagne ’84

“

”


Masters on the MoveHead of School Laura Danforth took to the road to meet with alumnae/i across the country in the winter of 2016. Alums inNew York City, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. had the chance to celebrate Masters’ momentum and talk withDanforth about her vision for the future of the School. Thank you to all who joined us!

new York City Masters on the Move event at Il Gattopardo

ALUMNAE/I UPDATE

Far left: (Left to right): Charlotte Moquin Voznesenskiy ’00, Alex Voznesenskiy, former Music Department Chair nancyTheeman, Director of Dance Maryrotella, and KC Tondel Lundy ’99.

Near left: Alums enjoyreconnecting, catching up withfaculty, and meeting Head ofSchool Laura Danforth.

D.C. event at nPr Headquarters Far right: (Left to right): Standing, left to right: Elgeo Harris ’02, remy Aronson ’13, Meg Carter; Sitting: Amanda Cooke ’04 and Andrea Martinez.

Near right: (Left to right): Edith Chapin ’83 and nicole Pilevsky ’83.

Chicago event at CelesteNear left: (Left to right): Carole Wood ’89, natalie Harris Thompson ’87, Dorothy Mixter Crabb ’61,Susan Thompson ’55, Jennifer Block Cromheecke ’85, Susan “Spark”Cremin ’65, Sally Jones Loeser ’60, Laura Danforth.

Reconnectingthrough the Annual Fund

On February 29, 2016, The Masters School hosted its first alumnae/i Giving Day –

the Leap Day Alumnae/i Giving Challenge.

he Giving Day had so many laudable results: 35 alumnae/i and current senior students volunteered to contact their classmates and other alums, and over 80 alums made a gift to the Annual Fund. But one of our favorite outcomes is two alums who reconnected by volunteering at our on-campus

Connect-a-thon: Linda Byrne ’85 and Jennifer nay Masters ’84, P’21. Below, Linda and Jenny reflect ontheir time at Dobbs and the School today.

reconnecting with friends from mydays at Dobbs was such a treat. It

was a fun way to spend a few hours whilealso raising money for this wonderful school. Ifeel extremely lucky to have gone here andam so happy that my son, Teddy, is benefitingfrom all of the positive changes the Schoolhas undergone, and that he is enjoying someof the time-honored traditions as well.

— Jennifer Nay Masters ’84, P’21 ”

“

Linda Byrne ’85 and Jennifer nay Masters ’84, P’21 reconnect witheach other and with their classmates at the Leap Day Alumnae/iGiving Challenge Connect-a-thon.

TThe six years I spent at Dobbs werelife-changing. I am ecstatic that the

School has expanded to enhance the superioreducational experience with unbelievableextracurricular facilities housed in the FonsecaCenter. The students who also volunteered atthe Connect-a-thon expressed the same corevalues that existed in the community when Iwas there. I was really pleased by this.

— Linda Byrne ’85 ”

“



CLASS NOTES

1935Volunteer Needed Please call the Office of Alumnae/iRelations at 914-479-6532.




1939Rosetta Merrick Celentano 6152 Verde Trail N. Apt. B125Boca Raton, FL [email protected]

1940Joan Revell Vaughan PO Box 187Prides Crossing, MA 01965-0187978-927-0025

1941 75th Reunion YearVolunteer Needed Please call the Office of Alumnae/iRelations at 914-479-6532.


Wanted: Class Editors!

If you yearn to discover what your formerclassmates are doing and wish to reconnect theDobbs ties that bind, consider volunteering towrite your class’ “notes“ for The Bulletinmagazine. The following years are in need ofclass scribes: 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1941,1942, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1958, 1959, 1971,1972, 1990, 1993, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015; andformer faculty. If you are interested, pleasecontact: [email protected] or 914-479-6532.

We want your news and photos!

Have you taken an interesting trip? Or pursued a new interest? Gotten married, had a child,moved across country or just the county line? Or have you been doing what you’ve done allalong? We want to know! Our class notes pagesalso need your smiling faces to liven them up.Please send along photos with your news thatshow you with your family, pursuing yourhobbies, or travels to faraway lands. If you send adigital photo, please save the image as a JPEG atthe highest quality. You can send all news andphotos to your news editor, email:[email protected]; or send them directly to our office via snail mail:Office of Alumnae/i Relations, 49 ClintonAvenue, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522.

We need your Email Address!

We’d love to contact you via email occasionally,and many times we learn that we either do nothave an email address for you or do not haveone that is current. Please take a few minutesto update your information at:www.mastersny.org/update or send your email address to: Office of Alumnae/i Relations, The Masters School, 49 Clinton Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522.

Editor’s note: To be included in the next issue, please send your news to your class notes editor or to the Office of Alumnae/i Relations:

Angelique ChielliOffice of Alumnae/i Relations49 Clinton Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-479-6532 • [email protected]

First Ladies


1943Julie Richards Anderson 372 Plain RoadBath, NH 03740-4626203-762-7438


1945 Penelope Spurr Marshall Five Elphis Road • P.O. Box 221 Biddeford Pool, ME 04006-0221 207-282-0620 [email protected]


1947Emily Van Voorhis Harris (Mrs. Edward R.)211 2nd Street N.W. Apt. 1903Rochester, MN 55901-2899507-288-3631 [email protected]

Gioia Connell Brock continues to be oneof our class' most articulate recorders of lifearound her. She and husband Mitchell areactive in a small study group in BocaGrande, their winter home. Last season,the group explored aspects of Russian

history, including the Versailles Treaty andhow Russia entered the war. Late May,Gioia and Mitch attended Mitch’s 70threunion at St. Paul’s School. Gioia creditsgreat class morale and excellentorganization for a record attendance, eventhough only a third of the class was stillliving. Gioia goes on to describe her dreamhouse, Yamasakura - in the Catskills -spring 2015. A cool spring followed bysudden warmth forced everything to burstat once into a profusion of bloom. "Wecould not recall any prior spring,” shecomments, “that offered such a floralextravagance.” And so our classphilosopher sends us on our way, musingabout aging and its natural transition frombeing an actor to increasingly an observerwatching the “blooming” of the young.


1949 Volunteer Needed Please call the Office of Alumnae/iRelations at 914-479-6532.

1950 Margaret Detmer Rossi 450 Sand Hill Circle Menlo Park, CA 94025-7107 [email protected]

The New Year started with the news abouttoo much rain, snow and freezing wind,and was followed by too many candidates

thinking they could win the presidentialelection. The May reunion will be a happychange. I spoke with Cynthia KeatingDoolittle, who had a wonderful trip toTurks and Caicos for Christmas with herdaughter. Marlene Schwartz Jones iswaiting for spring so she can play golf.Mary Bowden Lyman has moved to Orr’sIsland, PO Box 27, Maine 04066. Nina JoMiller Griggs is busy remodeling herhouse for sale in Westport, CT.

In April I will be going to Boston, down the Cape and on to NYC with my daughter,Melissa ’76 and Gary. Sue Alsop Mugler ’56is rounding up our yearly luncheon in NJ.Then in June my granddaughter will bemarried at Silver Oak Cellars in Oakville,CA. Thank you for your continued supportof the Annual Fund!

1951 65th Reunion YearRuth Mitchell Freeman 72 Mountain LakeP.O. Box 832Lake Wales, FL 33859-0832863-676-5938 [email protected]

By the time you read this, we will have hadour 65th reunion. I have talked to MargotMann Reed, Claudia Boettcher Merthan,and Anne Carpenter Barney and hope tosee them. In my next column, I will be ableto tell you all about it.

The news from school is good, admissionsare strong. Take care; there will be morenews in the next Bulletin.

>>


CLASS NOTES

1952Cynthia Ferris Casner 54 Fairgreen PlaceChestnut Hill, MA [email protected]

There was the usual newsy Christmasgreeting from Anne Tyler Calabresidetailing the family’s “expedition” tocelebrate her 80th birthday, organized andrun by her children, to “warm and sunnyPortugal.” There was New Year’s Eve in amonastery with music, dancing andfireworks in the cloister; then on to Rome,where Guido’s book on judging waspresented and the President of theRepublic invited him to chat privatelyabout it. It was home again after theirannual trip to Florence for picking andpressing olives in November. Anne’s closingcomments are so heartfelt: “So, dearfriends, let us be together in person andspirit, to communicate and commune, asoften as possible in the coming year.” Anne was my junior year roommate and it’s wonderful to keep in touch throughthe years.

Laura Strong Butterfield (one of mysenior year roommates along with RobinLawrence Bates) always sends a niceChristmas greeting card, but, unfortunately,no news! Try to return for ReunionWeekend on May 20-21! The campuslooks lovely that time of year and theMaureen Fonseca Center for Athletics andArts is stunning. Peggy Dale McCain andher husband are usually there, so comejoin us and don’t forget to give to theAnnual Fund.

1953 Anne Thorndike Cover 3052 N. Snow Canyon Parkway • Unit 56St. George, UT 84770-7232435-275-2455

1954 Lee Masselman Kallos Fairthorne113 Bellant CircleWilmington, DE [email protected]

I am excited to be writing you having soldmy old house and now living in a newtownhouse in the same area. It has two guestrooms waiting for those thinking of comingto Longwood or Winterthur... Muffy, yourbed awaits.

I heard late last summer from Kay FarwellWilliamson. She had had a great trip toScotland with a small group, and thenwent on with a personal guide to exploreher Cameron roots. Her guide ended upgiving her numerous interesting andamusing stories of the cast members of theHarry Potter movies; it seems he was anassistant to the director and he drove threeof the main cast members around.

Kay and Bev Wilson Watling were togetherin Upper Michigan in late August, a traditionfor years.

MC White Chandor and Steb moved into aretirement community in Santa Barbara, CAa few years ago. Daughter Charlotte andfamily are near Columbus, OH with bothchildren in Midwest colleges. Their son Steband wife were in the process of relocating.For 65 years MC has gone to a ranch in

Wyoming and that tradition carries on today.Years ago she met Madeleine SmithMoriarty there. She, too, sees Bev WilsonWatling when they are visiting out in CA.Right now MC is in the Caribbean with herfamily, most likely playing golf and bridgeand enjoying herself.

Hope this finds you all well and keepingbusy. I am hoping that we can think of somegreat way to connect in NYC or the likeabout the time of our next reunion. It willtake some planning! Meanwhile I hope to getto Masters/Dobbs to see the new buildingsand maybe meet the new Head of School.

1955 Liz Rodman Stevens6 Bent Avenue, Apt. 13Wayland, MA 01778-4457508-653-1447

1956 60th Reunion YearDibbie Spurr Appleton 98 Hersey StreetPortland, ME [email protected]

Our 60th reunion! Can you believe it? I lookforward to seeing many of you at Reunionand it is always great to hear your news.There are a number of our classmates forwhom I have no email address. If you don’tget my emails asking for your news, it meansI have no email address for you. Mine islisted above; how about sending me a quickemail so I’ll have that contact?

One of the best news items of the year isthat our classmate Diana Davis Spenceris to be awarded the Richmond Bowl atReunion in May!


This is a huge honor and we are very proudand happy for Di to be receiving this well-deserved recognition. Diana took her“daughter, Abby ’84, and two teen grandson a cruise from Barcelona to Athens, butbailed in Rome due to the financial debacle!Last fall I came to the dedication of theFonseca Center and was WOWED to seethe finished product!” Diana graduated froman intense public speaking course, CapitolSpeakers, last spring. “Our Foundationcontinues to embrace entrepreneurialinitiatives, including launching a smallgraduate school for national security.” Manythanks to Diana, who helped me get the ballrolling on our reunion dinner. It was much-needed help just at the right time!

Sarah Lincoln-Harrison and husband Picreluctantly made a small effort to sell theirfarm in Maine last year. “No goodcandidates,” writes Sally. “There is a verysmall market for such a situation as ours. Sowe have reversed our thinking and will beputting the condo (in Marblehead) on themarket soon…We’ll become Maine residents and settle in at the farm while and after wesell the condo and catch our breath!”

Alix Ritchie is unable to attend reuniondue to a longstanding conflict. “I foundgreat importance in the conversations werather boldly had last time,” she writes. Shereports what she calls her “Geminicollection of not getting bored” as follows:“I am working on several politicalcampaigns, serve on the boards of a coupleof PACs and am enduring a continual losingbattle with time management. Celebrating a40th anniversary. Designed a house that isfor sale on Cape Cod. ‘Investing’ (using thatword loosely) in several Broadwayproductions and some in London.”

Look herein for a photo of Alix with herpartner of 40 years, Marty Davis. Alix has apenchant for Shakespearian names: herboat is named Froth — a character from

Measure for Measure — and we should allknow from what play her newest dog isnamed (Peaseblossom — PB for short) since it is the play our class did on class day.

Bobbi Deeds Schaus and Eve HallTatlock both sent me the same photo!They “ran into each other in Vero Beach ona tennis court. We have a mutual friendwho ‘introduced’ us to each other. Well,you can imagine how excited we were tosee each other and then play tennis andhave lunch,” says Eve, who also writes:“Hooray for Diana and her loyalty toDobbs!” Eve says she is, “grateful for goodhealth. We continue to split our timebetween Key Largo and our small island onthe St. Lawrence River. Our children,grandchildren and grand dogs visit duringthe summer — what could be better thanthat? We enjoy boating, tennis and beingwith family.” Eve reports that she (as doesSally Mills) gets to see their great friendRuth Goodwin Murray several times ayear. Eve says they sing camp songs whenthey visit! Ruthie and her husband, Bob,live in State College, PA.

Bobbi Deeds Schaus says the surprisemeeting with Eve Hall Tatlock was “reallya good time! Now I have to go pack mybags for the ski country. Bonnie Brooks isgoing to meet me in Vail for a week. Wemay see each other in Utah, too, as she isgoing to be there skiing with her son andgrandchildren!”

Ann McDowell Santen is not able toattend reunion because she leaves “earlierin May for Greece to excavate at the Palaceof Nestor in Pylos. I was there last springand helped to dig the Grave of the GriffinWarrior. This was an amazing find, coveredby The New York Times in October and bynews services all over the world. It was anundisturbed stone-lined grave dating toabout 1300 BC.

About a meter down we uncoveredevidence of a wooden cover; under that wehit bronze armor, vessels, a sword and amirror with ivory handles. Then we foundthe skeleton, a man in his 30s. He hadbeen buried with gold and silver cups, goldjewelry, beautifully carved sealstones andan ivory plaque with a griffin in relief. Andso he has become famous as the ‘GriffinWarrior.’ As soon as we realized we had anuncovered a grave, a guard was set round-the-clock and work continued beyond the

>>

Bobbi Deeds Schaus (left) and Eve Hall Tatlock, class of 1956,bumped into each other on the tennis court in Vero Beach.

Alix ritchie ’56 (standing) on her boat with Marty Davis,somewhere in Florida.


CLASS NOTES

regular digging season until the grave wasfully excavated. I couldn’t stay to see all thetreasures come out, but I look forward toreturning this season to work on the materialand to explore the area further!

Ann and Mimsy Miles McCredie wouldhave much to talk about were they able to beat reunion. Mimsy and her husband Jim arein Samothrace every summer. “We don’tknow whether the island will be overrunwith people trying to get to Europe.” Mimsywrites that her daughter “Meredeth andhusband Mark still live in a beautiful placeright on the water in South Freeport, ME.Their children are now 13 and 10, and busywith school, sports, horseback riding, etc.Mark, who was in charge of prisoners atGuantanamo, is trying to find a place for the100-plus prisoners still in Cuba...he is nowin Africa looking for a new place for them.Meredeth is still very busy with the NatureConservancy. Son Miles has changed jobs,but still is very busy and happy in what hedoes (which is too deep for me)!”

Nancy Vidal Mahler continues to “go toLondon often to visit our son and his familyand our new granddaughter.” It’ll be fun tocatch up with her at reunion. I have touchedbase with several classmates to get feedbackon planning our Friday night dinner. I amgrateful to Nancy for her input.

Leigh Phillips Beeman writes, “I wish thatI could somehow be in two places at once onthe weekend of May 20th to share in the funof our 60th reunion, but instead I will be inDenver for my youngest granddaughterMelissa's high school graduation. TheEvergreen High School ceremony will beheld at the beautiful Red RocksAmphitheatre, which is a place dear to myheart, dating back to the years I lived innearby Englewood, CO. Have fun at thereunion, and take lots of pictures. I’ll bethinking of you!”

Betsy Flower Gotbaum (B.G.) says sheneeds to see “if my crazy work and socialschedule allows me” to make it to reunion.We reported the death of her husband,Victor, last year and she says, “He had a greatand long life and even though he had beenill, it is always an adjustment. I am workinghard as a consultant, which keeps me verybusy. One of my clients, the Museum ofJewish Heritage, occupies the most beautifulbuilding in the city: it looks over the Statueof Liberty and New York Harbor. Anyonecoming to the city should come visit.Otherwise, I welcome any contact withclassmates.”

In my email request for news, I asked ifanyone remembered walking down the stairsbackward on the first day of the month,saying “bunny, bunny,” having dutifully said“rabbit, rabbit” last thing the night before.(Out with the old month, in with thenew…) B.G. said she didn’t remember butwas probably too busy playing pranks oncertain people. Margery Nelson said sheremembered doing it with Margy Harris,but only in May!

Speaking of Margherita Gale HarrisWeeks…Margy and Ralph Weeks are “stillsplitting time between MN and AZ. This fallwas so beautiful and warm that we stayedalmost for winter. We scooted into Tucsonthe 22nd of December. Ralph did theChicago Mac race again, as well as a coupleof other big races. Meanwhile I decided totackle the many years of family photos:figure thousands. It was an interestingjourney, lots of laughs, some amount of ‘I didthat?’ and a few tears. They are ready fortransfer to DVD and sending to the kiddies.My intellectual property lawyer has becomemy literary agent and is now in process oflooking for an editor. (Previous columnsrevealed that Margy has written a book!)Julie Brown Gordon and I have been intouch by phone. She and Mark have been on

several trips of late. We are planning ongetting a corgi puppy this spring. We arehoping for a tricolor…The pup will benamed Yoda! We have guest rooms in bothoutside Minneapolis and Tucson…visitorswelcome!” Margy does not expect to make itto reunion, as they will “still be in Tucsonand that is a long haul,” she said.

Many thanks to Judy Sperry MacEwan,another classmate to whom I turned foradvice when beginning to make classreunion plans. Judy is “busy taking care ofNigel, who has Parkinson’s. Fortunately, wehave two daughters and their families nearby, plus grandchildren! All the others visit asmuch as they can. I am definitely planningon returning for our reunion and so hope tosee many of you then!”

Sally Mills plans to be at reunion andreports she and Ginny Norton Naudé willbe rooming together. Sally has “startedinternational folk dancing again…and I stillam in an African drumming group. I workout with heavy weights three times a weekand take an advanced yoga class. Mypersonal indulgence is two massages a week.I also take Burt (the great brown Lab whocame to the reunion with Sally last time) toplay group as often as I can, often when I amin State College at the lab where I work.”Sally, who is also a quilter, tends her beehives and was generous in telling me about theprocess. Sally was also a helpful backboardon whom I bounced some reunion plans.

Barb Elliott Niles, Deborah CollinsPapps and I will all be at reunion. Biff hasbeen “struggling with a chronic conditionthat is painful and puts me back to the rollerand the cane.” Not to be outdone, I canreport that I have been battling vertigo(every day) since October 3, the result of apressure change when flying to Amsterdamin September. A good friend and I did aRoad Scholar (aka Elder Hostel) barge


trip in the Netherlands. Only 20 of us onboard and it was a glorious time with eightwell-known art museums visited. My firsttrip to Europe in 50 years! Next big trip:Dobbs Ferry, NY, with the hope of seeingmany of you there! Do share your emailaddresses with me, please. It’ll help me stayin touch with more members of ourillustrious class! Hail 1956! Heartfeltcongratulations to Diana Davis Spencer!Way to go! Love to you all!

1957Frederica “Freddie” Johnson Conroy 929 West Foster Avenue, Apt. 903Chicago, Illinois [email protected]

First, to straighten out the last Bulletin, mygrandson, Casey Quast, got married May 17, 2015 in St. Augustine, FL. Thecaption said Louise Millholland’s grandson.My entire brood was on hand for thewedding. We all gathered again in Telluridefor Christmas blessed with three feet of snowand fantastic skiing.

Also, another marriage, May 30, 2015 inNapa, CA, was Lynn Beach O’Riley’sgranddaughter, Lizzie Osgood. What I find

quite festive is Lizzie is our class’ firstgrandchild and her mom, Nina O’RileyOsgood, was in the Dobbs Class of 1980.

Lucy Rodgers Davis and I had a quickbreakfast reunion in Colorado last October.It was great fun, as her daughter, Lucy, wasthere as well. The two Lucys are the best!Attached is a snapshot her daughter took of us!

Deborah Smith’s 94-day trip in 2015 was“AWESOME!” she said in a brief phonecall. She loved experiencing amazingsnorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, goingto a Bedouin camp for dinner in theArabian Desert. Her favorite city wasBarcelona. Deborah’s first stop on her wayto this amazing trip was in Honolulu, where she had lunch with Charla Forbes Trotter.

Katie Ringland Kotz writes: “I think it hasbeen a while since I have written. Our livesare full, happy and in good health with ourgrandchildren between the ages of 14 and22. We will have a graduation from highschool or college every year from now until2020. Three are already in college. Ourpermanent address is now Kiawah Island,SC. We love the nature and beach, and lovehaving Charleston so close.

“Our hobbies are many with the top being

biking, walking, concerts, photography,and traveling as much as possible. We havetaken each grandchild abroad (no parentsallowed) to the Galapagos, London, andParis. Our own travels in the past threeyears have included London, Paris,Portugal, Botswana, South Africa, Italy,Croatia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam,Thailand, Turkey, Panama, Costa Rica, aswell as in the U.S. This year we have plansfor Scandinavia in the summer andChristmas on the Danube.”

Susan Follett Morris tuned in: “Bulletinnews? Only that I, I’m sure along withCindy, am thrilled with Laura’s first monthsat the school. What a choice!”

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Left to right: Freddie Johnson Conroy ’57, Caleigh and Casey Quast (Freddie’s Grandson) and Andy Conroy. Lucy rodgers Davis ’57 and Freddie JohnsonConroy ’57.

Left to right: nina O'riley Osgood ’80 and Ed Osgood,Elizabeth and Bryan Fulton and Lynn Beach O'riley ’57.


CLASS NOTES

Polly Rogers Larned writes, “As promised,I’m sending you a little note about my triplast week to Cap-Haitian, Haiti. I’ve beeninvolved with a Portland-based, nonprofitorganization, Konbit Sante(www.konbitsante.org), working to strengthenthe health system in Haiti’s second largestcity. Traveling with me were two daughters,Wendy Price, Leigh Greenberg, and mysister Fran Zilkha. Our rooms in the hotelwere next to each other, and it was a littlelike being back in Estherwood! Sharing theexperience with family was very special,and now they understand why I love Haitiand its people! I plan to return to Dobbs forour 60th!”

Louise Millholland Cecil writes: “Marion‘Mouse’ Parsons DeGroff and I were cabinmates on a fantastic expedition to theAntarctic in January 2016, visiting TheFalkland Islands, South Georgia, and thecontinent of Antarctica. This was the seventhcontinent for both of us, and we each cannow check this wonderful experience off ofour ‘bucket lists.’ Being chased by a fur seal,checked out by countless curious pups,admiring the gymnastics of Rockhopperpenguins, and watching the interesting andoften amusing activities of Gentoo, Chinstrap,King, Magellanic, Macaroni, and Adeliepenguins was a total delight. The often-

rough seas produced moments of joy inseeing pods of Humpback and Orca (Killer)whales along with occasional Minke, Sei andSouthern Right Whales and Peales Dolphinsplaying in the bow waves. Of course, visitingthe grave of Ernest Shackleton merited atoast to ‘The Boss.’ A highlight of the trip wasbeing on the continent and zipping aroundamong icebergs in Zodiacs off the shores ofAntarctica, admiring the astounding shapesand sizes and the artistic formations of theseice sculptures. This trip is not for the faint ofheart but we Dobbs girls did it with ourmight and enjoyed being inspired by themagic of the area.”

Mouse adds: “Today’s Wall Street Journal hasan excellent article about South Georgia andits recovery from overfishing, rats, reindeer,etc.: ‘South Georgia Island: A WildernessReplenished,’ by Matt Ridley, who was onPRINCESS ANNE’S SHIP!

Thanks again for a great trip, Louise.”

Sisters Nancy Sargent Hunterton ’65 andSandy Sargent Holcombe spent a fun andenjoyable weekend getting reacquaintedwith Dobbs, and the new name of Masters.The campus is beautiful and constantlygrowing with new buildings and marvelousfacilities.

Particularly special were the opportunities tosay thank-you and good-bye to MaureenFonseca for her many valuable years, as wellas saying hello, and a warm welcome toLaura Danforth.

Deborah Alderdice Randolph writes, “Ourdaughter Elizabeth Bliss Randolph died 10months ago, as I reported in the last classnotes. We have managed the last year withobvious sadness and slowly gainedacceptance. I have learned much about grief

— and I am most grateful for the supportivefriends here and in Baltimore, whereElizabeth and her wife Louisa and their twochildren (our grandchildren) live (d). Louisaand the children are prevailing in the midstof great sadness.

“I have returned to my little post-retirementbusiness, walking and boarding dogs, andthe dogs have provided great love andcomfort. I have also returned to my researchproject, ‘Rescuers during the Holocaust:Uncommon Goodness in the Midst ofHorrendous Evil,’ and I have given a fewtalks to survivors of the Holocaust and totheir children (all those research skillslearned in Miss Cole’s history classes arepaying off).

“I wish I could return to Dobbs (I guess thename has changed to Masters) once againbut it does not look promising. My very bestto each and everyone.”

Hopefully, all of you are having a wonderful2016. We are rapidly approaching our 60threunion in 2017. I am hoping many of uscan make that milestone. Sandy RobinsonRighter and Cindy Burling Emmet willteam up to spearhead this reunion. We are inthe best of hands!!

Louise Millholland Cecil and Marion “Mouse” Parsons DeGroffon their fantastic January 2016 trip to Antarctica are seennear a mixed Gentoo and Chinstrap penguin colony.

From left to right: Sisters nancy Sargent Hunterton ’65 and Sandy Sargent Holcombe ’57.




1960 Marilyn Rooney Clement 1175 Broadway E • Unit 2Seattle, WA [email protected]

Frank and I have been in Palm Springs sinceNovember. It’s been unseasonably chilly(which I love) and the crowds of touristsseem unusually light. It’s nice to have thetown more to ourselves. I well understand,despite the incredible heat in the summer,why the year-round residents prefer thattime of year. However, as for us, we're out ofhere well before the triple-digit temperaturesdescend. This year, in particular, we arecutting our time by a month as Frank hasplanned a trip to New Orleans in late March,a trip back to Buffalo toward the end ofApril, and a three-week Seaborne cruise toScandinavia in May! I think he spends toomuch time on the Internet searching outtravel deals! Perhaps I had best considerlimiting his computer access. Fat chance ofthat, I’m sure.

Sebern Ferry Fisher writes, “As aconsequence of publishing the book,Neurofeedback in the Treatment ofDevelopmental Trauma: Calming the Fear-

Driven Brain (Norton 2014), I have beentraveling to provide talks and workshops inthe U.S. and Europe. I taught for a week inMilan and traveled with my husband John toRome, Florence and Venice last March. Wehad two days of sun. Over the past few yearsneurofeedback has brought us to Udine andGenoa, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, Stockholmand St. Petersburg, as well as to Aucklandand Sydney. In late February, we take offagain, this time with our 18-year-oldgrandson Luke, to Johannesburg, KrugerPark, Cape Town and Victoria Falls. I amthinking of 2016 as my big travel year, andthen hope to settle in here and perhaps writea second book.

“John and I are celebrating our 50thanniversary this June, quietly with ourdaughters Molly and Blake, our twograndsons, Jakob and Luke, and ourgranddaughter Emily. Some of you glancingat this might have known my sister, Kevy,who graduated in 1963. Her daughterWendy, a veterinarian in Columbus, joinedus on the Cape last summer for the betterpart of a week. We went back that way tocelebrate John’s 75th birthday, renting awonderful big Victorian with the family inOak Bluffs over the Columbus Day weekend.

I am in clinical practice providingpsychotherapy and neurofeedback inNorthampton, MA. Life is good. Be in touch:[email protected].”

To celebrate her birthday, Kiki Michalos isflying to Sweden to spend three nights at anice hotel. Kiki and family are dealing withthe very difficult loss of her very clever andaccomplished younger brother. Hesuccumbed in September after a four-monthstruggle with brain cancer. Having had ahip replacement in 2015, Kiki is hoping fora better year in 2016. She said she islooking forward to the reunion in May.

For Carolee Davis Willison, 2015 alsoproved to be a difficult year given the lossof husband, Scott, from Alzheimer’s.Resettled in Connecticut after living inChicago for 50 years, Carolee has enjoyedexploring the Cape and Provincetown andattending concerts at Tanglewood. Livingcloser to her daughter and grandchildren,Luke, 11 and Elizabeth, 13, has been a realjoy. Luke is into athletics and especially,baseball. Elizabeth, having been acceptedinto the Elison School of Ballet, is beinghomeschooled. She is working hard torealize her dream of dancing classicalballet. Carolee looks forward to spendingtime in Florida this winter, and on a cruisethis spring.

Nancy Hamill Winter has traded her farmin Illinois for another in Woodstock, VT, tobe closer to family. She writes, “I’d bedelighted to see classmates at any reunionsin New England or New York.”

1961 55th Reunion YearNancy Blossom Hebard Fox Hill Village10 Longwood Drive, Apt. E251Westwood, MA [email protected]

There has been some emailing around sincethis is the year of our 55th Reunion. Manyof us are disappointed that the datesconflict with prior commitments. As aresult of expressing this disappointment,Becky Bennett Crocker, Lynn LenfesteyFey and Debbie Drum English gottogether in Florida. Other members of theclass were unable to attend that get-together either, but we are still committed to eachother and are doing our best to stay active.

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CLASS NOTES

Tom and Lynn Fey are deeply involved inPark City life, where they have enjoyedfantastic skiing this year. They warmed upat the Hillsboro Club in Florida and haveplanned a trip to Spain in May to visit theirdaughter and son-in-law.

Becky Bennett Crocker loves her newfriends and activities in Boynton Beach, FL,where she is an avid bridge player andgolfer. Her son and daughter-in-law stayinvolved in the arts and theater with theirthree girls. Her daughter and son-in-laware enjoying skiing with their three sonsand daughter. The sad news from Becky isthat her brother, Rob, has brain cancer. Wehope that his participation in a Mayo Clinicstudy will yield positive results.

Tina Blake Girdwood and Andrew arehappy to report that there is no sign of hiscancer after four-and-a-half years. Theyvisit their children and grandchildren inMinnesota and Vermont and play golf andpaddle tennis in between. An upcomingtrip to Italy will keep them from attendingthe reunion. Polly Cushman Higgins andPrentiss will be in Italy at the same time.Wouldn’t it be amazing if they found a wayto see each other?

Sybil Pickett Veeder wrote from herrented condo in Key West to say that shehad lunch with Parlin Hargrave Meyer.They reconnected at our 50th and havemet each year since. Sybil has sevengrandchildren from 5-15, none of whomlive in Pittsburgh. When she is not visitingthem, she attends board meetings andtravels internationally.

Our two sons have provided us with sevengrandchildren as well. The newest arrivalwill have her first birthday in May. On ourreunion weekend, we will be attending her

daddy’s 25th Groton Reunion and helpingto watch the four darlings while Mommyand Daddy catch up with friends.

As you can see from Sybil and Parlin’s story,there is nothing like a Dobbs Reunion.Please send me news from the people whoare able to attend. The 60th is a hugepriority for us.

Barbara Juergens McCormack ’63contacted the Alumnae/i Office with newsthat her sister, Dorothy “Deedee”Juergens Borland, had passed away.Barbara wrote the following beautiful noteabout her sister:

Deedee Juergens Borland passed away inJanuary 2016 after championing throughyears of illness and disabilities. She was thecenter of her family of three children andhusband Bruce of 49 years, alwayscheering them on. She owned a business inLake Forest, IL, with her sister, Barbara’63 and later became a master gardener.She applied those skills to spearhead therenovation of the Elawa Farm gardens andstables in Lake Forest. Her contribution,vision and perseverance were recentlyhonored. She is remembered for herengaging spirit and generous soul.

The class of 1961 mourns the loss ofclassmate, Clare MacIntyre-Ross, whopassed away at age 73, on March 9. Clarewas an early female trailblazer on WallStreet, having worked at Drexel BurnhamLambert as its first female institutional salesperson, and then at Citibank as an accountofficer in the International ServicesDivision for Latin America. Our thoughtsand prayers are with her family during thisdifficult time.

1962 Pamela Kinnicutt Motley 17E Sea Breeze LaneNahant, MA [email protected]

Cuppy Henry Kraft celebrated her bigbirthday (we all know which one) bytaking her eldest daughter Kendall and hertwo children to London and Paris for abirthday treat. It was a grand trip and avery special one for all of them.

Kathy Shortall Hensley finds gratificationin watercolor and pastel classes, gentleyoga, leading a book club, writing publicityfor fundraising, visiting her grandson andanticipating the arrival of her secondgrandchild.

Dallas Bindley Bellio writes that 2012 wasa truly memorable year, with our 50threunion and a Pan Am reunion in MonteCarlo. This year she came down with athud…starting with a 10-hour brain surgeryin April for a non-malignant tumor. Sheunderwent three months of physical therapyto reclaim herself and her driving ability.Hopefully, by the time you read this column,she will have passed her driver’s test.

Peggy Sloan Runnette and husband Bobhave sold the house they built in 1984 andmoved to a townhouse community, a bigadjustment for both of them. They spendthe winter in Gulf Stream, FL, within fivemiles of Cuppy Henry Kraft, KathieHannah Walker, Marty Don Nicholsonand Weasy Kimmel Blodgett. Also nearbyare Lynn McGrath Tone and NancyWendt Evans. Bob and Peggy spent theJuly 4th holiday


with Margot Sutton McConnel, herhusband Mike and their family at their homeon the Tred Avon River in Easton, MD.

Linda Fialla Mettler had such fun at ourreunion, and felt so envious of all theclassmates who have kept friendships goingfor 50 years that she decided to find somefriends with whom she had lost touch.Through Google, she succeeded in contactingseveral of them. She would love to hear fromDobbs classmates for purposes of getting toknow them again.

Nancy Angst Weber sent an email with newsin July while sitting in the English home ofMartie Don Nicholson and her husbandCharles. She was in England when the futureking was born, and also was able to see aspecial exhibit of the 60 years of QueenElizabeth’s reign. She is planning on thisschool year being her final year of teaching.Her older son, Todd, lives near her in theBoston area, so she is able to spend time withhis children, Justin, 16 and Emily, 12. Heryounger son, Chuck, and his wife live inEagle, CO.

Mackay Andrews Crampton’s big news isthe birth of twin granddaughters, Eila Sarahand Skye Finley James on May 19, 2013 toher son Chip and wife Linda in Santa Monica,CA. Mackay and Gary have moved from Ojai

to an independent senior retirementcommunity south of LA, and five miles inlandfrom Laguna Beach. She says it feels good todownsize.

Katy Eaton Depew writes that her husbandDick has worked for two months during thewinter in St. George, UT, a beautiful area toexplore on foot and on bikes. After Dick flewhome, Katy stopped in Vail to see JennyGaylord Lorch, and they enjoyed skiingtogether.

Weasy Kimmel Blodgett writes that not onlyis her new condo in Florida very near to someof our classmates (see above), but both BarbySloan ’64 and Laura Sloan ’69, Peggy’ssisters, are in her building. Weasy has beenpainting a lot, and spent some time in PortoErcole in Italy, where she learned a greatdeal…and had a ball.

Katerina Vaughan Fretwell’s husband Jackpassed away on January 30 from cancer, butshe is glad that some of her Dobbs friendshad a chance to meet him. Her seventhpoetry collection, including some of herartwork, is being published by YorkUniversity’s Inanna Press.

My summer has been busy, with a fewaccounting clients, and being part-time nanny for my daughter Jennifer’s children. My

younger daughter, Kendra, broke her right legbadly in early July, and she has four childrenunder the age of 8…so you know where Ihave been spending much of my free time.

Let’s hear from more of you for the nextBulletin.

Linda Fialla Mettler ’62 and grandsons.Katerina Vaughan Fretwell ’62 at the Hermitage Gate.

Above, left to right: Flora Campos Cornfeld ’62and Sue Smith Collinson ‘62.

Mackay Andrews Crampton ’62, husband Gary withgranddaughter, Charlie nola James.


CLASS NOTES

1963 Elizabeth Hoopes Field Pretty Penny 123 Mill RoadNorth Hampton, NH [email protected]

Greetings to the Class of ’63! I hope thateveryone has enjoyed a happy and healthypast few years! Between three beautifulweddings in a nine-month span, threeadorable granddaughters soon thereafter,and a husband who is afflicted with “a rareform” of Parkinson’s disease, I have beenvery busy, and apologize for not keepingyou up-to-date with your classmates.

Most of the class news comes from RozAllen, who not only stays in touch withme, but with several of our classmates. Asalways, Roz is involved with her passion inhelping indigenous people all over theworld. Most recently, she is working with“Haiti Partners,” whose mission is to helpHaitians through education. Theorganization is located in Vero Beach,where she and Paul winter. Because of theirgreat concern about our environment, theyare also involved with the local botanicalgardens in Vero Beach, as well as one inBoothbay Harbor, ME.

Periodically, Roz will see Charmaine MinerCaldwell, who also maintains a house inVero Beach. For the last few years,Charmaine has worked on Long Island for a“home staging” company, Meridith BaerHomes, which specializes in “staging” ahome for sale. She is very busy, but lovesthe job. She has a beautiful daughter namedAshley, who also works with her.

Roz also sees Kathy Collins Love inMaine, where she has a summer cottage

not far from Roz and Paul in Damariscotta.Kathy has retired from the Kansas City ArtInstitute, where she was President for 15years. This winter Kathy and her husband,Jeffrey, are spending the winter in their newhome in the charming colonial town ofPatzcuaro, Mexico.

Wynne Dewart Killebrew has moved to anew home in New Canaan, CT, five minutesfrom her daughter and three grandchildren,whom she sees often. She has two othergrandchildren on the West Coast nearSantiago, and two grandchildren in Kenya,where her daughter, Penny, lives. Penny, whois Roz’s goddaughter, organizes custom-designed safaris for Europeans and Americanfamilies. They are highly recommended for avery special and unique experience.

Several years ago, Roz reconnected withPolly Sanford, who lives in Seattle, WA.Until her mother passed away recently,Polly would frequently come to Vero Beachto visit. It was then that she reconnectedand bonded with Roz as a result of readingour class notes.

Betsy Hamill Bramsen wrote that exceptfor a few major health issues crossinggenerations, this has been an excellentyear, especially being able to welcome theirsixth great-grandchild. Last June, althoughshe felt that she was a little bit slower, shecame in First in the “over 70” division ofher 14th marathon (26.2 miles).Congratulations, Betsy! However, thehighlight of the year was a trip toBurma/Myanmar, where she lived for aweek with the villagers in Nagaland in ahouse made of 100% bamboo. What agreat adventure she had! She hopes thateveryone will join her in trying to takegood care of our land, air and water. Shebelieves that we can and do make adifference by taking action in our smallindividual ways! Let’s prove her right!

Anne Slater Coyner and her husband,Gray, are well and enjoying life in Virginia.Anne stays healthy by swimming fourtimes a week. Her favorite class is wateryoga, which she highly recommends! Theirson, Christian, who was married two yearsago, lives five miles north in the beautifulrolling hills of the Virginia countryside onan old farm. Her daughter, Meg, who livesin Norfolk, VA with her husband, is upbeatand happy working for a nonprofit, Girlson the Run.

I hope that I can continue to write thesenotes, but I certainly cannot do it withoutyour help and input! Please send me and/orthe School any news that you would likepublished. The greater the number ofclassmates who send in news, the moreinteresting and fun the column will be andthe more that our lives can cross andreconnect. Remember the advice that Roz’smother gave her when she arrived at Dobbs:“Academics are important, but the mostimportant thing that you can take awayfrom boarding school is the friendships thatyou make and keep for life.”

1964 Tina Carson Steckmest 1189 Spring Hill WaySan Jose, CA [email protected]

These tidbits of news resulted from a quickSOS email asking you to contribute a shortblurb in honor of our 70th birthday year.Thanks to those who responded.

Bonnie Herron Harris writes, “Okay, here’smy bragging news: My 33-year-old daughterwas just accepted into Princeton’s doctoralprogram in music composition! It’s the bestschool in the country for composition and


she is beyond the beyond. So are we.

In other news, I have three grandchildrenfrom my son — a 4 1/2-year-old and his 3 1/2-year-old twin brother and sister. Wow.How they do it is astonishing, but so far so good!

I continue to write and to counsel parents,with some traveling for speakingengagements thrown in. (Ed. Note: Bonnie isDirector of Connective Parenting — website:www.connectiveparenting.com). I see Bones,Lee McDonald Monro and Linda GrantReiman fairly regularly. Life is good.”

Charlotte Vandeweghe Scott writes,“Tennis players: my niece’s daughter, Coco,played in her first Grand Slam finals inmixed doubles at the Australian Open. I’mhoping to make it to the US Open this year— anyone usually attend? I’m ready for aWest Coast reunion! Is there any interest?”

Vida Bateau (Buffy Berg) writes, “Okay,shooting from the hip (which is still theoriginal, although not the knees, great toes,or thumbs)…Like Timex, I’m still ticking.Duke Ellington said, ‘Retire to what?’

I love my elementary school music teachingjob and plan to carry on until I can’t. Addinga Mindful Schools component has made thewhole experience easier for me and the kids.Why didn’t anyone teach this to US?

Playing alto sax in a big Latin Jazz Orchestrais my anti-Alzheimer’s plan. And yoga!

Our two kids are mostly, sort of, for themoment, out of the house, so here we aredoing Airbnb (see Web). Come stay!

Oh yeah, 70. And my Beloved and Icelebrate 35, so it’s a big year. Best to eachand all.”

Mary Ann Blanchard Essex writes,“Turning 70 this year and I spent it in PerthAustralia with my eldest daughter, Dr.Samantha Simmons from Washington, andmy youngest one, Kimberley Morgan, andher Australian husband Robert and their twodaughters, Evelyn 3 1/2 and Ann, 1 1/2. Wewere able to stay at Robert’s parents’ home.Had a fantastic time experiencing bush fires,crabbing on the estuary, exploring MargaretRiver vineyards, breweries and fantasticbeaches…such happy memories for my70th. Now I am back in England with thisterrible cold dark winter, anxiously awaitingsigns of spring…the nights are gettinglighter. Hope you all are well. Cheers.”

Kitsy Heroy Hartley writes, “Can’t think ofany real new news. Life continues on aboutthe same, which in the grand scheme I guessis actually good news!”

I, Tina, couldn’t agree more: life continueson about the same and we like it that way.The Steckmests are busy being retired(which just means responsibilities are mixedwith more play time), planning for thingsand then finding plans have to ebb and flowwith ever-changing circumstances. Life isnever boring. We both cross the 70-yearmarker in March and in June celebrate 47years of marriage. My sister, Pamela CarsonDePetrillo ’60, passed away in January,leaving her younger sister very sad. Yes, lifedoes ebb and flow. I am reminded not towaste a precious minute.

Until next time, Tina.

1965 Gladys Levis-Pilz 2262 Ella CourtLouisville, CO [email protected]

1966 50th Reunion YearElizabeth Boyce Hoover 118 Westerly RoadPrinceton, NJ [email protected]

1967Cynthia R. Perin P.O. Box 996Flagstaff, AZ [email protected]

Okay, classmates…Here is your firstreminder…Next year is our 50th and I don’twant to hear any excuses about NOT beingable to attend, such as… “can’t comebecause I am having a facelift” (do itnow)…“I have gained weight since Igraduated”…Who hasn’t? …“I have toomany wrinkles”…They are not wrinkles —they are character lines and we all havethem. I mean, MOST of us have them. Soput your big-girl panties on and come for thefun of seeing old friends, because we maynever see each other again.

Now, on to the latest news. Some of youhave heard and some of you have not heardabout our classmate Lory Lockwood’sphenomenal success as an artist. Justrecently she was the featured artist at theBoca Raton Concours d’Elegance. Look it upand you will be amazed at her work. She iscalled a “renowned female automotiveartist!” I hope to see Lory and her husband,Tony Watts, in April in New Orleans becauseI am taking a paddleboat trip down theMississippi from Memphis to New Orleans.Just call me a “modern” Tom Sawyer!

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CLASS NOTES

Chappy Bailey, Lotsie Hermann Holtonand Boots Lindsey Kuhnke all recently metfor lunch in Palm Beach, where they allspend the winters — only Chappy justupset the apple cart and after many years inPalm Beach, she has just moved to Bluffton,SC to be near an old school chum from wayback…before us. She said Palm Beach wasjust getting too big and busy for her.

Now here is a name that I have not heardfrom in years…Louie Blake Pickel. Thanksso much Louie for getting in touch with me.She thinks no one will remember her but Iknow differently. Seems she has been livingin Idaho for the past 20 years with horses,dogs, cats and whatever other wonderfulfour-legged creatures. They have a son inSeattle, a daughter and her husband and twokids live in Northern Idaho, and theiryoungest daughter and hubby live inPortland. She said that they are nowspending winters in Buckeye, AZ, sohopefully I will get down to visit her. Heremail is [email protected], so get intouch with her and let her know youremember her.

Gloria Etzbach Garvey-Hanington writesthat she has nothing to report from Hawaiibut we all know that one cannot live inHawaii and not have some wonderfulnews…like “The weather is gorgeous” or“Guess what? I know how to do the hula!” Iwant more news from you next time, Gloria.Remember my brother, Gloria? I foundGloria and my brother in a mad embraceone time while she was having an overnightat my house in Scarsdale. She wasn’t the onlyone! The tales I could tell.

Received a nice Christmas card from RandiGronningsater Stroh; she is keeping verybusy in Boulder, CO and she and Tony aredoing well.

Lotsie Hermann Holton reports that she is

having a blast with all her lovelygrandchildren and just spent some timeskiing in Vail. She keeps on her toes and stillloves to travel, which is wonderful.

Most of us know about Alison Jones andher continued wonderful work with NoWater, No Life. Well, she has done it againand just received a Philip HydeEnvironmental Grant from the FoundationBoard of Trustees of the North AmericanNature Photography Association…whew...that was a mouthful! Philip Hydetrained some of our greatest photographers...the likes of Ansel Adams, Dorothy Lange,and Edward Weston, just to name a few.Congratulations are again in order, Alison.

Judy Joslin McCaffrey has been going backand forth to California to visit her daughtersand the grandchild of her daughter Nina.She sounds great but I did forget to say lasttime, that her brother, Allen, died suddenlylast year and he was so young.

Now Boots Lindsay Kuhnke and I reallykeep in touch, which is wonderful. Now thatshe has moved to Switzerland, I haveanother reason and another friend to visitthere and I cannot wait. Amazing Boots isabout to have her book (BLFD) be issued fora third edition. Her other two books areCommunication Skills and Persuasion andInfluence...both for Dummies. Wow! She andher husband, Karl, have been married 30years now and are enjoying doing quite a bitof traveling. Her daughter Kristina is back inLondon working for a private equity firmand Max is a lieutenant in the BritishArmy…American mother and Germanfather…as she says, “go figure.”

Seems Georgette Lovemet with Pat HornerAllen for lunch in New Hampshire this pastDecember when she was also visiting herbrother and his wife (Lorrie BarstowLove…Class of 1962). Georgette wants to

know if anyone still has their uniform shirtthat Dionne Warwick autographed for someof you when she came to see her father, acook at Dobbs. She thinks his nickname was“Speedy!” Anyone know that for sure?

Susie Nickerson Palmarin writes that all iswell in Venice but that she sadly reports thatour Dobbs art teacher, Dick Spyer, and hiswife, Helen, have died. He was working on apainting at 93 when he died, and she fourmonths later. I never took any art classes butI do remember them as quite inspirational.

Bhajira Radsch Townsend was up here inNorthern Arizona visiting the fabulousAntelope Canyon and I am sorry I did notknow because she was so close and we couldhave met...but next time. She is off to IndianWells to watch some great tennis and is stillbusy with her music.

It is always nice to hear from classmates on acontinual basis and Diane Morris Raphaelis one of those. Sadly, she reports that hermother died in 2014 at the age of 98 andthen her brother died of pancreatic cancersix weeks later, so she has had quite a time ofit. She is semi-retired now and doing sometraveling with her husband, David, and lastDecember they welcomed their sixthgrandchild. Three children and each have aboy and a girl. Pretty good planning, I wouldsay.

I was truly glad to hear from Cici ProxmireZwerner because having her husband die afew years back was quite a shock and luckilyfor her, she has children and grandchildrento keep her busy. I hope to get down to seeher soon since she lives in North Scottsdale.

Helen Stanton Chapple has moved into anindependent living community and seems tobe enjoying it. Now all of you who arescoffing at this…I am thinking of doing thesame thing after I sell this house. In Tucson,


maybe. I have decided that being alone andwhat appears to be a future with no hunkof a man around to look after me, I hadbest take the bull by the horns and startlooking for the future. Of course, Mr.Adonis could appear out of nowhere at anytime. Helen is still enjoying teaching atCreighton College and singing.

Although I haven’t talked to her in ages, Idid receive a Christmas card from NancyWarriner Smith announcing that herdaughter Abby has married. Great pictureof the entire family but that is all I know.

Okay...where are you…Jennifer SmithHuntley, Lorn MacDougal, CandyStaempfli Steel, Marty Ward, GayKimberly? And where are the rest of you?Now I really do not have much news aboutme this time. I am off to Tucson tomorrowto go riding on a ranch called Elkhorn, forthree weeks… look it up online. Some ofyou might love it. I have not missed a yearin 25 years and that has nothing to do withthe cowboys and their delightful butts thatI get to ride behind (bad girl, Cindy). Irecently found a letter that I had written tomy sister Annchen ’53 when she was atWheaton College. I was nine at the time.The last sentence said, “by the way,Annchen…I really like boys!” Oh God…Iwas doomed from a very young age butsadly, most boys and now men don’t likeme. Seems I intimidate them or so they say.That’s what happens when you learn self-confidence from going to Dobbs and thenmen of the 21st century are a bunch ofpantywaists.

Enough of that. Have a great spring…thanks for all the news and send all thestrong men my way or I will be forced togo on match.com or the like. Much loveand cheers, Cindy.

1968 Margot Kuhn Mehringer1277 Bird RoadAnn Arbor, MI [email protected]

I didn’t get a lot of responses back thistime. Maybe twice a year asking you all fornews is too much. I would love you toanswer once a year… as I personally LOVEto hear from you and hear what you are upto in your lives. I went too far back on myinfo here just to make some news for ourclass! I am really just moving along at thespeed of life now. I like the quiet life. Lessabout me and more about you is better.Thanks to Vicki, Charlie, Barbara andElizabeth for your input. Don’t hold outuntil 2018, gang…Let’s start gettingreconnected now so we can get togetherand have fun for our 50th. Okeydoke?

I am happily not having any major lifeoccurrences. Had a few years of “OMG”that have settled down now. Most recently,I was doing reupholstery and gardening forcustomers in my early 50s until a few yearsago. Now I am retired and doing all myown furniture. I also volunteer for severalnonprofits that involve music or protectingnatural areas.

My main career was wildlife conservationand educating all ages about the naturalworld. I worked at wildlife parks and zoosas animal caretaker (I spent time with andcared for most wild critters that you canthink of…yes, lions and tigers andbears…oh, my! Elephants, gorillas andwolves) and then as Curator of Education.I later morphed into other jobs as I startedother chapters of life. Getting married,created recycling programs at corporations(before it was cool and appropriate),

worked at Henry Ford Museum, marketedfor Kerrytown District in Ann Arbor, thengarden design and gardening forcustomers, apprentice upholsterer and thenon my own in business of reupholstering.

Tom, my husband, is also now retired andstill enjoys being on the water and scubadiving in the Great Lakes. He loves divingto the historic shipwrecks and actuallydiscovered a ship that no one had seensince it had sunk. This winter he isaccomplishing his own projects and lots of“Honey Do” for me!

I am embracing the good in life and tryinghard to not let any mean people get medown. The sad or bad feelings are just awaste of my senior time! (Sounds good,but not always easy; every day, new start.)All and all, life is good. Keep your eyes ona fun reunion for us in 2018…WOW!

Vicky Graf writes, “Not sure if I reallyqualify as a 1968er, since I left after oursophomore year! But…my two years atDobbs are influential in my life even today. Working with children and helpingchildren learn and succeed has been mylife's work. I am a principal of anelementary school in Jericho, VT. Everyday is a joy because I get to make adifference for my students. I am also luckyto have three beautiful grandchildren:Kaylan, 15, Jarrit, 13, and Zia, 5.”

Barbara “Charlie” Brown Murphy writes,“My news is cool in a weird way. I am aVillage Trustee in Highland Falls (hostcommunity to West Point). At the June2015 board meeting, I was participating inan impassioned debate when something inmy brain went ‘pop.’ Ironically theambulance crew who picked me up wasthe same one I used to be an EMT on. Iwould like to say it was like old times but

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CLASS NOTES

I was in too much neck pain at the time.My symptoms defied the usual descriptionof a stroke…but it was a brain bleed and Iwas transferred to Westchester MedicalCenter, where I had surgery and spent aninspiring nine days in intensive care.

“I felt very fortunate to have received suchgood care from the neuro docs and nurses.What surprised me most, however, was the‘Zen-like’ experience of having the normalchatter in my brain quieted for a few days. Ithink the ‘right side’ of my brain took overwhile the left noisy side healed. If this issimilar to the state achieved throughmeditation, I would like to master it one day.

“Oh, and Zen mastery aside, I survived thestroke and have made enough progress tobe ice dancing again. Starting to study forrecertifying as an EMT, too. Sixty-five is the new 40. Woo-hoo! All best to the Classof ’68!”

Barbara Thilly writes, “It's finally winterhere, but too mushy for the snowshoes. Igo to the nearby Indian Community gym(which is free for local ‘elders’), to knit,cook, read, watch TV, talk to the cats andBob, repeat. Occasionally, I clean out adrawer or a closet, maybe sew on a button,and once in a while, we go out to dinnerwith some friends. We go to Canada if wewant something other than bar food; theexchange rate is currently in our favor.Usually we take an annual trip somewhere,maybe Norway this year. It's a small lifeand pretty satisfying.”

Elizabeth Wickenden McMahon writes,“News from my neck of the woods is thus…Ihave a solo show opening on February 5 in agallery in Ithaca. It has made January fly byand I am excited about the work. Threeyears have passed since I waved good-bye toperforming as Mrs. McPuppet and startedback into painting and I am beginning to

have a real feel for what I like. Finding yourvoice takes time.

“On other fronts my younger son, Brendan,has been in DC this year with a Casvafellowship, which has been a treat. He is inthe last stages of his Ph.D. in Latin Americanart history and being with a group ofpredoctoral candidates and a handful of coolprofessors has been fun and stimulating. Ianis continuing his path as a sculptor, with ashow in Boston next month.

“Kevin and I had the chance to go to Indiathis November with a week beforehand inIstanbul. So loved the entire trip…stillfilling in the photos in my journal.Travel…one of the elixirs of life; so thankfulwe are able to experience it. That’s the newsfrom upstate New York...maybe we will getsome real spring.”

Sally Nolan writes, “I retired in May 2014,after 30-plus years in the banking/financialservices industry. After 10 years of splittingmy time between NY and CT, I moved full-time to Bloomfield, CT in 2007. The bigdraw to CT initially was my sister Lucy andher three boys.

“I’ve been enjoying some travel. I went withsister Beth Nolan ’69, her husband andthree other friends to Cuba in late Decemberon a GeoEx tour. The tour was fabulous,very interesting and educational; I highlyrecommend it. I spend the summer in theAdirondacks at our family camp, withimmediate and extended family.

“My four-year-old labradoodle, Bebe, keepsme walking at least five miles most days. Wejust had our annual visit from KathyStevenson Garst and her golden, Honey.Kathy retired a year ago, and seems to bevery busy visiting family and friends, amongother things. I also keep in touch with VickiIrons Walch, and Kathy and I are hoping toget Vicki to come to our 50th. Hard tobelieve it but it will be here before we knowit...I look forward to seeing you there!”

Sally nolan ’68 sent in this photo of her and her dog. “My Xmas card picture for the cards I didn't send thisyear...” she wrote.

A snapshot of Elizabeth Wickenden McMahon ’68 duringher travels.


1969 Libbie Payne 47 Shellton RoadQuincy, MA [email protected]

Andi Harriman Dorff writes, “On Feb. 21,we celebrated 37 years of marriage. It was arainy Wednesday night in Los Angeles, andneither of us had any family who could goin the temple with us, but our new wardfamily showed up and filled the room!Outside the temple, just before we entered,the rain became lighter and a beautifulrainbow arched across the sky. Thirty-sevenyears, four kids (plus six miscarriages), 13grandchildren (so far)...Today wecelebrated our most expensive anniversaryto date by buying a brand new 2016Honda CRV. Since that was for me, we alsobought a new vacuum cleaner for David, ofcourse. Topped the day off with dinner atRuby Tuesdays. Not your kind of romanticanniversary? Sorry, but I love my practicaland generous husband!”

Jody Meads Antrim writes, “After living inthe Springfield area in Illinois for 38 years,we moved in August! We now live in thefar northwest suburbs of Chicago to becloser to our two daughters and seven (yes, seven) grandDAUGHTERS! We lovethe change. We are happy to say thatKaren Hoffman Embree is going to visit inJune. Both my husband and I are findingour way around, volunteering in ourvarious areas of interest, and settling intoour neighborhood. Chicago is just an hourtrain ride from our home. And there are somany parks, trails and nature preserves toexplore in our area. In other news, mymother, Jane Lightner Meads ’42, passedaway this past October. She was quite alady right up until the end and is greatlymissed.”

Betsy Claggett Smith writes, “Still living inPass Christian, MS, one hour east of NewOrleans, LA. All three children aresuccessfully launched. Lizzie, 35, marriedwith three children. William, 28, andCharlson, 27, graduated from Ole Missundergraduate and Ole Miss MBA program.Both are extremely handsome, tall, smart,unmarried and available. Would make agreat contribution to any gene pool. I stillshow Golden Retrievers under theRunnymede Kennel prefix. From all theposts I have read from other classmates, I amprobably the only politically conservativeEvangelical member of our class. I have adrawer full of Lululemon active wear buthave only been to one yoga class. Preferbeing a gym rat and power walker. Love tospend time on our boat with my husband,cruising the Mississippi Sound.”

Janice Wald Henderson writes, “Stillworking, writing articles online and inprint, plus doing an international radioshow. All food and travel, my usual. Off toFrance, Russian Far North (into the ArcticCircle), and England and Ireland starting inspring. Last year was the Galapagos,Eastern Europe and India. I love what I do,but I only go now if it’s with my husbandor daughter. Life’s too precious to be awayfrom loved ones long.”

Hester Kinnicutt Jacobs writes, “We arehaving an interesting winter in Montana.Lots of snow in November and December,but now we have spring weather and mybushes have started to bud. I know we willhave another round of snow before our realspring arrives. I remain busy with myposition on the Musselshell County Councilon Aging Board. This is my third term and Iwill stay until we get a new senior center.The good news is we should be moving intoa new facility next year. I have been workingon this project for nine years. I remain thesecretary/treasurer of our local volunteer fire

department. Plans for the future include aroad trip with my daughter and her twochildren to Frankenmuth, Michigan for awedding in May.”

Joanie Vaughan Ingraham writes, “Let’ssee... Lucy Pugsley visited me in August.She retired as of Dec 31. Linda VipondHeath’s sons are having great success withtheir Bombas socks. Annie Van LeerEkberg is back living in New York, caringfor her mother with her sisters. Herdaughter is preggers. I am blessed with awedding. Son Sam is going first down theaisle this spring, but Alex, too, is engaged. I am currently chasing the whereabouts ofone American sailor who was wrongfullyimpressed into the British Navy in1809...deep into reading logbooks andletters from the British National Archives.Fascinating stuff for this student of history!Oh, yes, the first female Master in the 250-year-old history of the Salem MarineSociety is yours truly.”

Beth Nolan writes, “I am still living inWashington, D.C. and working as SeniorVice President and General Counsel atGeorge Washington University. My husband,Charley Wright, and I also have a house inThe Plains, Virginia, about an hour west ofDC. I am finishing up my seventh year onthe Masters Board of Trustees, and encourageeveryone to find their way to campus to seethe amazing new Fonseca Center forAthletics and Arts, and meet the great newHead of School, Laura Danforth. So manyexciting things happening on campus. I lovefollowing our classmates on Facebook, andhope others will join in.”

Kristy Heffner Alpert writes, “I got myNorth Carolina driver’s license and my car isregistered in NC. I will vote here, so I think Iam officially a North Carolina resident. Fortax purposes, we will be Connecticut

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CLASS NOTES

residents for 2015, but North Carolinastarting in 2016. Bill will officially retirefrom UConn at the end of June. I joined thelocal gym and have been going to a morningclass three times a week and getting theremyself another two to three days. I’m tiredand achy at the end of the day, but the jointsare okay and I’m hoping to prolong the slidefrom osteopenia to osteoporosis! Such fun!Son Jesse came to North Carolina at the endof January. I think his plan is to head toFlorida in March, get trained to use deep-water diving equipment, called a Rebreather,and ultimately head back to Palau. He hasbuilt his own website: www.jessealpert.org. It’squite impressive and is helping him definehimself and what he wants to do, I think. Allthe grandchildren are good. David’s littleones, Evan and Cecily, are both in Chinesenursery school and have a Chinese nanny.I’m hoping they might come for a visit whenthey have a school vacation; daughterMelissa is considering a North Carolina visitwith her twin boys. I’m doing a regularMeals on Wheels delivery, have a couple ofother weekly volunteer activities, write amonthly summary of the AAUW LegalAction Fund involvement for our chapternewsletter, and have been asked to beTreasurer for Friends of Silvermont, theboard for a local historical home built by theSilversteen family. I think I am as aboutcommitted as I want to be. And, I amenjoying retirement — and probably shouldbe committed!

1970 Katharine “Moo” Bishop 69 Bushnell StreetBoston, MA [email protected]

Greetings Class of 1970! This is MooBishop, your errant class correspondent.

I am on year 13 at Thomson FamilyAdventures, an amazing company formultiple-generation travel. On the side I alsodo travel for adults – if you are thinkingCosta Rica, Peru, the Camino, Galápagos –let me know! The end of 2015 I spent a week in Cuba, which was fantastic. This summer Ireturn to the Camino de Santiago in Spain todo another 100km, this time from Santiagoto Muxia. My three kids are all awesome andmake me feel grateful every day.

I’ll continue my practice of letting everyonespeak for themselves in the notes. Keep youreye out for our “Most Wanted” (andseemingly disappeared) classmates we allwish we knew more about. If anyone has any info, please let me know! I want to find all ofthem, and Paula Towne, too. My cell is: 617-413-3536. Texting encouraged!

Belinda Norris didn’t respond but I’ll speakfor her! She continues her wonderful life inVermont, and is quite successful with hercompany Belinda Norris Events. I had thegreat pleasure to work with her for aweekend on the MIT Media Lab 30thanniversary extravaganza – exhausting but so much fun.

Fran Robertson writes, “I had the flu allthrough Fashion Week so I probably haveinfected all models who are on their way toParis shows. My biggest news is I was hiredto teach a more academic course this past fallterm: Oral Interpretation, which is the studyof literature through performancetechniques. My theater background has beenvery helpful but I barely stay two steps aheadof my class regarding the literature. I triedvery hard to channel Miss Newman, hopingthat she might help with the literatureportion. I teach at a New York StateCommunity College and so my population isvery culturally diverse – I am learning a greatdeal, discovering playwrights, poets andfiction writers I might not have heard of.

This winter term I took off to help with mysister’s recovery from knee replacementsurgery and Mom's health issues. SpentJanuary in Vermont and I had hoped to seeJane (Whitney) but I didn’t have one secondto myself except for my walks ... Sorry, Jane.

Sydney Shafroth Macy writes, “I wanted toshare with everyone that I had a lovelydinner with Leilee Weyerhaeuser justbefore Christmas. As you know, she was inDenver most of the fall supporting her sonKyle, who suffered a critical spinal cordinjury over Labor Day and ended up at CraigHospital in Denver. Kyle experienced greatprogress at Craig, but he has a long way togo. He is back home in Seattle but withoutthe incredible support at Craig his progresshas slowed a bit, and it has been tough onhim emotionally. The transition has alsobeen hard on Leilee, as she said, ‘without thecocoon of support’ in Denver. She has beenable to spend more time at home in Berkeley,and their summer-like weather has helped.When I saw Leilee she looked fabulous, andso young! Of course, like all of us, she hasn’tchanged a bit! We had a wonderful couple ofhours together, which I will always cherish.She is incredibly strong, and I know sheappreciates all the support and love from ouramazing class. So, thanks to everyone. All iswell in Colorado. Still working full-time andenjoying it. I love being on the Dobbs Board,and I am so impressed with our new

Sydney Shafroth Macy ’70 in the new pool in theMaureen Fonseca Center for Athletics and Arts.


Head of School, Laura Danforth. She willreally take Dobbs to the next level, I amsure. The new athletic facility is amazing,and I have already managed to sneak aswim in the new 25-yard lap pool! Pleasebe in touch if anyone is ever inDenver/Boulder!

Chris Fung writes, “I read the class noteswith interest and think of our years atDobbs with great fondness. I have notretired, difficult to do when one is involvedin a family business. My husband, Randy,and I have three lovely grandchildren. Weare lucky that both our daughters havereturned to live in Hong Kong so we seethem often and are able to participate in thegrandchildrens’ activities. Like many of ourclassmates, I travel when I am able to. I amfortunate that my daughters enjoy travelingwith Mum. Last year we went on a trip torediscover the Austro-Hungarian Empire(Mrs. Laupheimer would be delighted)and spent a week in Budapest and Vienna.We spent the days in the museums andpalaces and the evenings at the opera. Inaddition, as I had to visit Japan severaltimes on business, I was able to persuademy daughters to spend some time with methere. We have just celebrated the LunarNew Year; hence I wish everyone a Healthy,Happy and Successful Year of the Monkey!

Jenny Levis Sadow writes, “I broke mykneecap this winter, so I am getting lotsdone on my knitting and needlepoint.Going to Iceland, Norway, and north of theArctic Circle in June. Does anyone knowwhere Lois Stiger Pruitt is? Her birthday isFebruary 29 and this year she will celebrateher ‘21st birthday.’ I remember celebratingher fourth birthday sophomore year andwanted to wish her the best.

Cia Comnas writes, “I am getting ready togo on vacation to the same place inMarigot, St. Martin. Ed and I go every

couple of years. We’ll fall immediately intovacation mode, which we both desperatelyneed. I keep in touch pretty regularly withLaura Schwartz Stewart and from time totime with Mallory Marshall Haffenrefferand on the odd occasion with Betsy MalmHoldsworth— I wish I saw everyone more!

“My ‘Most Wanted’ list – I would love to beback in touch with Lyn Smith Shaw, LoisStiger Pruitt, Tessa Winterbotham, BohnBuechner Whitaker ’69, Annie Allen,Muffin (another Marilyn) Scripps and Sue Joslin.

“Otherwise work is ridiculously busy and Iam starting to yearn for retirement – but Iam not sure I would be happy not workingeither. The boys are well – each pursuinghis own creative path – and brothers arewell and boyfriend of 10 years is well. Theone hardship was putting my sweet 14-year-old dog down last fall – hit me like aton of bricks – much harder than I wouldhave imagined.”

Sarah Hamilton-Outcalt writes, “I recentlysaid something about Dobbs to a localfriend and she piped up that she went toChase and how much they enjoyed thedance socials with Masters! What a smallworld it has become as we age. We’recelebrating 25 years in business this year atThe Gourmet Shop Barbados. We’re alsorenovating my parents’ home, after theirpassing, into two apartments for holidayrentals. My hobby, Rhodesian Ridgebackdogs, continues to lavish joy in my life,with the support of my husband of 40years. Our multiple Best in Show boyearned his IPO 1 obedience and AKCUtility Titles this year. Neither task is easyfor a freethinking hound that prefers theAgility ring. We’re again honored to be thebreeder of our third BKC Dog of the Year.”

Susie Clark Love writes, “I retired this year

after 42 years of being a nurse, though stillworking one to two days a week, just notthe boss anymore. I do see Leilee, andwhat is really fun is our kids live in thesame town, so our grandkids Annie andEvie ski together. I have four grandchildren– two in Los Angeles and two here inVermont. They keep me busy. Love livingin Vermont. My Mom turns 90 this yearand still going strong.”

La Pearl Logan Winfrey writes, “Last fall Iwas appointed Dean, School of ProfessionalPsychology, Wright State University, inDayton, OH.”

Chris Fung’s ’70 grandchildren with Santa.

Sarah Hamilton ’70 and her dog Mac.


CLASS NOTES



1973 Norene Ginsburg Peck P.O. Box 1729Manchester Center, VT 05255-1729 [email protected]

Suzy Tipson Hall 773 Twin Fox DriveMilford, OH [email protected]

Leslye Lynford P.O. Box 389Croton-on-Hudson, NY [email protected]

A great many of you were good enough torespond to my entreaty for news and I thankall who did. If I ever neglect to include yourreplies, please contact me to rectify thatinadvertent omission and forgive theshortened versions of your replies, but spaceis limited and distillations are essential.

Viki Randall Kaczkowski offered up a bit ofnews; she is not alone in creeping towardretirement by giving up a very part-time jobwhile retaining her full-time career four days

per week. Vicki’s goal is to have a little extratime to figure out what comes next sinceCommunity Mental Health in New Jersey ismoving to a fee-for-service model andsalaried jobs may be replaced by per-clientpositions. If this happens, hopefully it will beafter she retires, enabling her to remainactive in the field. Viki and husband, Frank,are well and the extended family is spendinga lot of time with Viki’s mom, who stillmanages to live independently.

Lisa Humphrey Fish continues to have abusy year as a physician and in her addedrole as President of the Endocrine Society, anorganization of 18,500 doctors andresearchers in 122 countries. In the lattercapacity, Lisa has traveled to meetings inIreland, Turkey and Egypt and hosted theiryearly meeting in Boston in April.

Rikke Borge wrote, “All is well in the houseof Borge.” Daughter, Johanne, is a full-fledged butcher, spending all day in a cooler,breaking down grass-fed, organically raisedsheep, beef, poultry, piggies, and whatevercomes her way. Granddaughter, Jazmine,turned 10 in February and en route toDisneyland, they will visit fellow Dobbs girlStell Anderson Snyder ’74.

Suzy Tipson Hall and Leslye Lynfordremain very close; Leslye enjoyed attendingSuzy’s son’s wedding last fall and in turn,Suzy looks forward to attending the weddingof Leslye’s son next September. Among otherpursuits, Leslye keeps busy with friends,family and career, including recent contactwith Lenore Laupheimer and Nancy Klein.

Speaking of weddings, Sally Claggett Kipsent a beautiful Christmas card with manyphotos of son RJ’s gorgeous wedding inBermuda last spring.

Freya Darvall Newman’s frenetic lifecontinues at work (she wrote from Portugal

and was returning to UK for an INSEADalumni dinner… no rest for the weary asthey say), as a mum and stepmum and wifeextraordinaire. Daughter, Eloise, is back ather new school, Marlborough College(where, as it happens, Kate Middleton went)working really hard and doing well and mostimportant, LOVING it! Always on the go,Freya nevertheless juggles her myriadresponsibilities and interests with style, graceand irrepressible energy.

Ann Halsey Davis weighed in to reportthat son Jack, 21, is happily pursuing anengineering degree at Northeastern inBoston, where he also sings with Unisons,one of NEU’s a cappella groups; anddaughter, Meg, graduated from UC Davislast June and is working for CaliforniaMentor, serving developmentally/intellectually disabled adults and matchingthem with foster families. Halsey is stillhappily working for CEB, a legal publisher,and loves living in Santa Rosa/SonomaCounty, practicing yoga and working out ather local studio.

Maestro Marin Alsop had another yearfilled with accolades as she conducted theChicago Symphony for her first time; wasinvited to lead the Orquesta SinfónicaNacional de Cuba in celebration of Havana’s500th Anniversary; closed the BBC Proms atLondon’s Royal Albert Hall on its final nightof 2015 and was named Director ofGraduate Conducting at the PeabodyConservancy at Johns Hopkins.

Ibbits Warriner Newhall stealthily keeps aneye on a number of our classmates viaFacebook and also reported that theirdaughter, Sarah, married Elliot Tarloff inJanuary of 2015. The wedding was great;everyone had a blast. A week later heavysnows arrived, so they lucked out big time!Second daughter, Caroline, is getting herM.A./Ph.D. in history at UNC Chapel Hill


and loving it. Husband, Bill, is carrying thefamily acting torch and appeared as thesinging, acting, and occasionallyswashbuckling Captain Smollet in a musicaladaptation of Treasure Island in the worldpremiere of Devil and The Deep by GrahamRussell of Air Supply. Ibbits continues towork in the eating disorder field as Directorof Outreach for Oliver-Pyatt Centers andwill be directing nationwide teams for OPCand its partner, Monte Nido and Affiliates.Last February Ibbits moderated a panelcomprising some top names in eatingdisorder treatment and research at theInternational Association of Eating DisorderProfessionals Symposium.

Marguerite Rizzi conveyed her sentimentsby saying, “I have been thinking of all mywonderful classmates these last few weeks.”She reported that the Stoughton SchoolDistrict is in great shape, and she andBrenda moved last August to theirwonderful, self-designed net-zero energyhouse in Rhode Island, watching theirvisions take shape on their amazing piece ofland in a town of farmers and artists. Theresult is just what they wished for andMarguerite is highly motivated to retire anddeeply engage with this truly magical place.

Anne Gibson Wnorowski expressedexcitement for the Munch exhibit scheduledto open in early February at New York’sfabulous Neue Galerie, where Anne hasworked for many years. Husband, David,was poised to play with one of his bands atthe Sundance Film Festival, which pleasedAnne, as she got to tag along.

Lucy Herbert Flynn was recovering fromreconstructive ankle surgery following amajor fall in June. Otherwise, Lucy andGreg had a fair amount of fun in 2015. Son,Keegan, got an M.A. in management fromWake Forest and before he moved to workfor Oracle, the family spent two weeks in

Argentina. Lucy enjoyed introducing themto their Argentine cousins, showing themher old haunts and discovering new ones.Daughter, Genevieve, headed to Spain for aterm abroad, affording the opportunity tovisit her, as well as Lucy’s brother inPortugal. Always challenging herselfintellectually, Lucy took another writingclass at Sarah Lawrence last year and felt itwell worth the effort.

Lucy keeps in touch with Dorothy EscherKerr and by coincidence, Dorothy’s daughteris now a sophomore at Wake Forest, so thetwo mothers are pleased to share that mutualinterest, among many others.

In closing, I include news of the mostdifficult kind as Sara Blum Hadden wroteto notify us that they lost their beloved son,Jamie, on October 11, 2015. To Sara, Davidand Liza, we extend our deepest love andsympathies. No words can ease their pain. Ifyou would like to send your condolences toSara, please contact the Alumnae/i Office [email protected].

1974 Audrey Watson Wigley 535 Westview DriveMattituck, NY [email protected]

Alison Krafft Rempel writes, “All wellwith me and mine. My oldest is in her firstyear of a bio Ph.D. program in Madison,WI. My youngest is about to graduate fromSt. Olaf College as a studio art major. She’llreturn to California to work and build upher portfolio before applying to gradschools in furniture making. My husband,Steve, is seriously considering retiring sohe can join me on fun trips.”

Anne Conley Ondrey and I are both

celebrating becoming grandmas.Anne writes, “Our first grandchild, ThomasGabriel Carr, was born in New York Cityon January 27 at eight pounds, 14 ouncesand 21 inches to our daughter, Clare andhusband Doug. The baby is named formaternal grandfather Thomas and paternalgreat-grandfather Gabriel. We’re over themoon!”

As for me, my daughter Robin and herhusband, Andrew, had Eleanor (“Ellie”)James McCarthy, six pounds, 14ounces…middle name after my littlebrother, whom most of my close friends atDobbs knew. (He is well and living inPittsburg, PA.)

Hope you are all well.

1975 Barbara Butcher Uboe Quito, [email protected]

1976 40th Reunion YearPatricia M. Murphy 301 Quaker RoadChappaqua, NY [email protected]

Kate B. Rousmaniere 10 Quail Ridge DriveOxford, OH [email protected]

Kate Rousmaniere has been zoomingaround the world as part of her job as aneducation professor at Miami University.Most recently, she’s stopped by universities

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CLASS NOTES

in Turkey, Qatar, and Colombia. When notdealing with international customs, shepresides as Mayor of the City of Oxford, inOhio, where regular duties are somewhatmore mundane – repaving streets, sewereasements, and reviewing zoning variances.

Pat Murphy, still in Chappaqua, continuesto represent writers and directors in herentertainment law practice. She intends todevelop a small-budget film on the life andtimes of the mayor of a small Midwesterncity whom she has known since 1973. Herson, Jackson, is now a sophomore atAmherst College.

We know this issue will be published afterour 40th reunion. It is our fervent hope thatmany of you did attend, healthy and happy,danced around the Maypole, sang along withthe Glee Club, indulged in cheese and/orwine offerings, and generally providedfodder for the next Bulletin.

1977Patrice Pulvers Coleman 27 Old Logging RoadBedford, NY [email protected]

1978 Holly Kirchner Goulet 43 Authors RoadConcord, MA [email protected]

Elyse Lazansky writes, “I am blessed tohave just been re-elected to my fourth termas Town Justice in my hometown of NorthCastle. My daughter Zoe Kreutzer ’16 is

graduating this spring from Masters andwill head south in the fall to her first-choice college: Wake Forest University inWinston-Salem, NC. My youngestdaughter, Hannah Kreutzer ’20, will finisheighth grade at the same time; then in thefall will join Masters’ Upper School, maybeeven as a boarder. Maybe she would live inmy room at McCormack!”

1979 Whitney Sanford 1806 N.W. 10th TerraceGainesville, FL [email protected]

1980 Laura Corvinelli Thornton 20 Dunraven RoadWirral CH48 4DSUnited [email protected]

1981 35th Reunion YearChristine Hoffman Taylor 149 Country WayMadison, CT [email protected]

1982Catherine Walter 43 East 1st Street, Apt. 1New York, NY 10003-9326 917-399-5976 [email protected]

1983 Alexandra W. Luckett 2 Peck Avenue, Apt. 215ARye, NY 10580-4037914-967-5458 [email protected]

1984 Christine Grim Neikirk 5336 Edgewater DriveNorfolk, VA [email protected]

Dear Class of 1984: This may be the firsttime EVER that I have nothing to report.Think it’s because so many of us are onFacebook that we know what’s up. If youhave some fun news, please share it withme so I can share it with all. Take care andkeep doin’ it with thy might!

1985 Elizabeth Hargraves Mandy 23 Daheim RoadMillbrook, NY [email protected]

1986 30th Reunion YearDiana Turk 79 Leighton RoadWellesley, MA 02482-6926 [email protected]


1987Alessandra L. Ghini 350 Francisco Street, Apt. 2San Francisco, CA [email protected]

Get the heck out of Dodge — I have someclass news to share because I got someemail updates. Jump on the trend and sendme your updates so you, too, can befeatured in our newsletter the next timearound.

I got a wonderful email from StephanieSchiffman Buggie. She is teaching ESL at atechnical high school on the NewHaven/Hamden town line. Most of the kidsshe works with are from New Haven, andshe has to stay on her toes to address thelearning challenges there. As a teacher, sheis always working on her craft andapproach to how to be a better teacher. Shehad this to share about her recent musings:“When I reflect about my most inspiringteacher from high school, I keep comingback to Mr. Hopkins, and I was wonderingif any other Dobbs alumnae feel the same.He was always one step ahead of usstudents, and he always made it look soeasy! I’ve also wondered lately if there areany other Dobbs alums who are nowteachers and would be interested informing a teachers’ alliance, for thepurposes of sharing field tips, etc. When Ilook back on the education that we gotthere, it was organically challenging andfulfilling.”

I think that is a great idea and Stephanie hasagreed to spearhead the effort for any of youfellow teachers in our class. You can contacther through email [email protected] orvia her Facebook page. If there are enough

of you out there, she will create a FB pageso you can share ideas and collaborate onsolving the growing pressures and demandsteachers face today.

Stephanie also writes that she has startedpracticing bassoon again, as a hobby, andjoined her local community orchestra. Shetook a hiatus from playing from 1997 until2014, so playing again makes her feelyoung again!

She keeps in touch with Carolyn MurphyCaruso. Carolyn lives in Pennsylvania. Andhere is a piece of news that will make us allfeel our age: she had a son shortly aftergraduation, and he recently got married!Stephanie, thank you for writing in; I lookforward to your next update.

I keep in touch with Erica Tabor Razgaitis.She lives in the Bay Area, which is great, butI still don’t get to see her enough. Her twogirls, Royce and Zoe, have made asuccessful transition from home schoolingto junior high and love all their new friendsand adventures. Erica works as a stylist forRuby Ribbon, so if any of you ladies arelooking for flattering outfits, drop Erica anote and she will send you her latest picks.

My sister Ellie Ghini ’89 has bought a newhouse over on Alameda Island just acrossthe bay from me in San Francisco. It’s anold Victorian house, which she loves, andto me screams, “too much work!” But shehas wanted a Victorian house for a longtime and now she has one and can enjoynever-ending home projects! She is alsomanaging the trials and tribulations ofhaving two boys in high school. Luckily,she still has a good sense of humor and avery short-term memory, which I think herboys take full advantage of!

I saw Alexandra Murphy Hutchings a few

months ago while she was passing throughCalifornia on her way back to Paris. She isdoing well and enjoying her daughterSophie’s point of view on life, politics andfriends.

Randi Rituno Vannucchi is doing well andliving in Connecticut with her husband,Rob, and her daughter Mia. Randi is asbusy as ever with work, family andcommunity groups. Her parents celebratedtheir 50th a few months ago and it lookedlike a great party. I remember what a greatgraduation party they hosted at Dobbs.

As for me, 2016 has started off with lots ofchanges. I decided to close my StrategyAgency after one of my clients asked me tojoin them on their crazy start-up adventureas the Chief Marketing Officer. I figured Ionly had one more start-up in me anddecided to go for it. It’s a tea companycalled Teforia – and I'm loving it. I feeloverwhelmed at times but it’s keeping meon my toes and I like that. I was getting alittle too comfortable and needed to shakethings up a bit. I will have to curb mytravel habit quite a bit while I get thisbusiness up and running but I’m still acommitted wanderer. This past year I madeit up to the northern-most part of Swedento go to this amazing restaurant calledFaviken. If you have watched “Chef's Table”on Netflix, it’s the last episode in seasonone. It took some doing to get up there butwas totally worth it. It was a great trip that Irounded out with time in Copenhagen andon a remote island in the FinnishArchipelago to study design andprintmaking. For 2017, I think we areheading to Namibia. If you find yourself inthe Bay Area, please look me up, I wouldlove to catch up.


CLASS NOTES

1988 Anne Dowling803 35th Avenue NorthSaint Petersburg, FL [email protected]

Heather Finck41 Oxford RoadPleasant Valley, NY [email protected]

Victoria A. Love72 Circuit RoadTuxedo Park, NY [email protected]

Sarah C. Whitehead44 Gramercy Park North, #11BNew York, NY [email protected]

Hello, Class of 1988! Your amazing classnotes editors, Laura Buchwald, KatherineSpahn Langner, and Stephanie DunneCohen, have passed the class notes batonover to a new set of classmates. Thank you,Laura, Katherine and Stephanie for yourdedication to this great undertaking. Youdid a fantastic job and the Alumnae/i Officeis greatly appreciative of your service.

Now, I am pleased to introduce to you yournew class notes editors: Anne Dowling,Heather Finck, Victoria Love and SarahWhitehead. Thank you, ladies, forstepping up to take on this responsibility.Their contact information is above, soplease send them your news!

All the best, Angelique Chielli, AssociateDirector of Alumnae/i and Parent Relations.

1989 Jennifer Zimmermann 511 E. 80th Street, #14CNew York, NY [email protected]

Hello everyone,

By the time you read this, winter willprobably be gone. The groundhog told us anearly spring was on its way, and then we gota winter weekend with below-zerotemperatures. A week later, it was 60degrees in New York! We’ll see whathappens next.

I’ve been enjoying watching EmilySilverman Mathews’ student teachingjourney on Facebook. She is teaching asecond grade as part of her master’s degree.She wrote, “I’m studying at Texas StateUniversity. It is at once both exhausting andexhilarating.”

Emily and Helen Packard went to a VanHalen concert together in Austin and had agreat time.

Diana Combs�has a new job working forJetBlue. She writes policy and proceduredocuments for airport operations. She hasgone through some interesting training forthis job, and now knows a lot about manyparts of the airline’s operations.�

Kate Benjaminmarried Mark Allred onOctober 28 in a tiny ceremony in Phoenix,AZ. They had the reception in January at agallery in Phoenix in conjunction with theCats & Guitars art show that she produced.Mark plays guitar (and other instruments) ina punk/bluegrass band called TheHaymarket Squares.

Let me know if you have any other news!


After 18 years of service, Janann Eldredgehas retired as the Class of 1990’s class noteseditor. Janann, thank you so much for yourdedicated service! The Alumnae/i Officeappreciates your hard work in compilingyour class’ news.

If anyone would like to take on the charge ofbeing the 1990 class notes editor, pleasereach out to Angelique Chielli, [email protected].

1991 25th Reunion YearMarah Rosenberg 1086 Commonwealth Ave., Apt. 303Boston, MA 02215-1132917-940-4549

1992Macha Ross 101 W 23rd Street, Apt. 3PNew York, NY 10011-2442917-301-0393 [email protected]

Hello class of ’92. With Facebook at ourdisposal, it seems old-fashioned to post tothis printed Bulletin but I hate to see anotherround of empty space. I apologize inadvance for the fact that this will be slightlypersonal, but no one ever emails me thingsto share. Please email or Facebook messageme for next time!

I am still living in New York, in the sameplace many of you have visited since my childhood! Watching the city change in ways


I find hard to believe. I work at BananaRepublic with the design team and have a7-year-old son and a great husband, partnerand friend, Peter. This past Halloweenwhile trick-or-treating in Chelsea, a veryunique New York experience, I ran into thebeautiful Michelle Peperone Prini and hercute son and daughter and we lamentedthat we don’t see one another more!

This fall I was able to take some time offfrom the big bad city and go visit JaneMeads Hopkins in Colorado, where weattended a yoga retreat at a hot springs.With the exception of my altitude sickness,it was an incredible rejuvenatingexperience. I also got one night in Denver,where she is living, to see her husband,Steve, and daughter Hayden. Hayden is anAMAZING artist and 8 I think? I, of course,also met their adorable, HUGE new puppyLola, who they adopted through a rescueservice. I would like to think I played asmall role in her adopting a dog versusbuying one from a breeder or pet shop!Jane is busy teaching Pilates and doingmassage therapy (my personal favorite).

I am expecting a visit from Jane andHayden to New York City in April wherewe will eat lots of food and maybe do alittle yoga. We will do a few touristy thingsfor them as well as see Jane’s cousin andDobbs alumna, Suzie Paxton ’88.

Over the Valentine’s Day weekend,Meredith Curts Madsen was in town forher INCREDIBLE business Sparkle Screen(plug to follow). She was able to come toour house party and looks amazing. I am soproud of her and her accomplishmentswith her two businesses! My family will bein Boca Raton, FL in the coming monthsand will get to visit with her and her sweethusband, Rene, and her great kids Oliverand Elliott at their new home!

Meredith Madsen has created a sunscreencompany called Sparkle Screen, a sunscreenwith glitter! (If you haven’t heard.) It wonthe American Melanoma FoundationSunscreen of the Year award, besides beinga very good sunscreen. It doesn’t havePABA, parabens, benzenes or cinnamates,and has a new SPF 30+, 80-minute water-resistant formula. This is a shameless plug,but you better do it! It makes kids want towear their sunscreen and is the onlysunscreen sold by the Girl Scouts of America!

I do still speak to Susan Isard Bai, thoughnot often enough. She is a busy lady withthree kids and a husband and I think shehas a new job – but I owe her a call!!

Please send me emails so I can add you tothe next Bulletin, as I am sure people wantto know more than what I am up to.

1993 Volunteer NeededPlease call the Office of Alumnae/iRelations at 914-479-6532.

1994 Katherine A. Henry 21 East Place Chappaqua, NY 10514-3605 [email protected]

1995 Theresa Bowen Daly 143 Garth Road, Apt. 3D Scarsdale, NY 10583-3853 [email protected]

1996 20th Reunion YearNicole Ruskin Nevarez 21 W. Meadow Road Goldens Bridge, NY [email protected]

Things are fairly uneventful here inGoldens Bridge, NY – where the winter hasbeen mild and the kids have mostly stavedoff rampant suburban winter illness. Icontinue to work for Moving Traditions asthe New York Director, doing my part tosupport Jewish teens with a feminist andgender lens … and I continue to miss thetheater that Dobbs and MA Haskin solovingly introduced me to. I am officially amother of two elementary school kids andlife is full but quieter until 4:00 PM everyday. Jason continues to grow his Rabbinateat Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford, NYand I am ever proud of his leadership andcommunity service.

I have been getting a bit more involved inwhat’s happening at Dobbs in part due tothe amazing Amie Servino Kritzer ’95,who remains the Alumnae/i RelationsDirector and to whom I remain blessedlyclose… and in part due to the phenomenalnew Head of School, who I am reallymoved by. As such, I attended an alumnae/ievent (first one ever) in February and willbe attending the Masters Matters forum onrace soon. I also toured the new FonsecaCenter recently and am blown away by theresources that Masters students now havein this state-of-the-art sports and artsfacility – whoa! This is such a hugestatement to me of the power ofindependent schools and the freedom theyhave to tackle meaningful issues andeducate, innovate and community organizein ways others often cannot. I am a huge

>>


CLASS NOTES

advocate for public education, but with twokids in a suburban school district inWestchester, NY, I also see the perils andpitfalls of government-funded education, in2016 anyway, and I am so deeply grateful formy time at Dobbs. I hope to deepen myinvolvement in the coming years and IHOPE YOU WILL TOO! The 90s are the lostdecade of grads – we were the decade of co-ed transition and perhaps that left its mark… but Masters needs and wants our voiceand our memories and I would love to hearfrom more of you! Hopefully our 20 (what?!)year reunion will bring much, well…reunion.

Lucy Wickramasinghe Van Horne writes,“Hey girls – here is a quick update, withsome photos. Leo is now six and loving firstgrade, Legos, soccer and all things Star Wars.Taj is three and is learning how to speakFrench, makes friends wherever he goes andloves to emulate his big brother! I am stillrunning my foreign language tutoringbusiness, vis-à-vis-sf, in San Francisco. Myhusband, Robert Van Horne, and I recentlycelebrated our 10-year wedding anniversaryin Istanbul this summer. Hoping to make thetrip back East to reunion this year!”

Rachael Running writes, “Last spring myfamily and I moved back to Massachusettsafter 10 years in Denver so that we could becloser to family and I could start a new jobdoing communications work for theMassachusetts AFL-CIO. It’s wonderful to beback on the East Coast, though we miss theColorado sunshine and our friends quite abit. My wife, Sarah, and I just bought ourfirst house in Malden, a suburb just north ofBoston. We have two amazing kids, Willa, 4and Luca, 2. I got to see Joanna Schlesser-Perry and her family this summer and nowthat we’re in Massachusetts I hope to be ableto see a lot more Dobbs friends soon.”

Porscha Burke writes, “I’m still here in NewYork City, working at Random House by day

and now getting my M.F.A. by night – part ofGoucher College’s creative nonfictionprogram. My thesis centers on hip-hop andNew York in 1993-1994 – our antics inthird-floor Strong feature prominently!Looking forward to seeing as many of youladies as possible at our 20th reunion thisMay!”

Caitlin Procter writes, “Hiya, so really bad atever responding to these emails. Here’s a verybrief update: I work in VFX for feature film asan artist manager and have done so for thelast 10 years. At the moment I work for acompany called Double Negative. I’ve beenliving in London since 2012, and recentlymoved to Vancouver to help set up a newstudio for DNeg. We’ve been nominated foran Oscar this year; it would be our third, sofingers crossed! Being back in North America,I’ll actually be able to make it to any reunion-type things ...Think we’re 20 years thissummer. How did THAT happen?!”

nicole ruskin nevarez ’96 and her husband, Jason.

Porscha Burke ’96 at random House's Big Ideas night, facilitating a Q&A with (from left) Bryan Stevenson, JacquelineWoodson, Gloria Steinem and Ta-nehisi Coates. (“I'm the total fan girl geeking out on the right,” she writes.)

rachel running ’96 with her wife, Sarah, and their twochildren, Willa and Luca.

Lucy Wickramasinghe’s ’96 son, Leo.

Lucy Wickramasinghe ’96 and her son, Taj.


1997Elisa M. Ortiz Maloney 197 Branch Brook Drive Belleville, NJ [email protected]

Melanie Rothenberg Pandit 3511 State Route 80Fort Plain, NY [email protected]

A few words from the very last all-girls class:

In 2014, Emily Park cofounded Meadowlark(http://meadowlarkpdx.com), a Portland-basedsupper club that hosts pop-up dinners aroundthe Pacific Northwest with an emphasis onlocal, seasonal cuisine and handcraftedingredients. Meadowlark was recently namedone of the “Best Portland Pop-Ups to TryNow” by Eater PDX. If you live in Portland orare passing through, Emily would love to seeyou at a Meadowlark dinner!

Dow Wanapun now lives in Murrieta, CA,consulting with families with childrendiagnosed with ASD. She has two children –the oldest is in Girl Scouts and lost her firsttooth in February, and her youngest juststarted T-ball!

Robin Matarazzo lives in Melrose, MA. Shehas two kids, Ethan, who is 8 and Mia, whois 5. She works at a nonprofit mental healthagency doing community-based treatmentwith adolescents struggling with substanceabuse disorders.

Mariel Walentine-Young McRae is married(Rob) with three boys (Darius, Chandler andTucker). They recently moved to theIndianapolis, IN area, where she is stayinghome with the children and focusing on herhobby, gardening.

Elisa Ortiz Maloney writes, “I live inBelleville, NJ. I have three kids, ages 4, 2, and9 months ... Unless you want to write aboutthe adventures of trying to potty-train a kidwho doesn’t give a crap about my opinion,that’s pretty much all I’ve got. I don’t haveany pictures where it doesn’t look likesomeone is making a plea for child protectiveservices, so nothing from me there either.”

Marka Belinfanti writes, “I live in New YorkCity, perhaps my first love :) And still areluctant lawyer. This summer I attendedAndrea Thomas Augustine’s nuptials andwas in it, too! We had a blast and I alsoconnected with Marina Distant, who alsoattended the wedding and remains abeautiful spirit. Till next time!”

Toni Mundy McGill-Hipp writes, “Myhusband and I moved from San Diego, CA to

Princeton, NJ about a year ago for his job. Welike Princeton, but after living in the amazingweather San Diego has to offer, it was hard toget used to cold weather and blizzards again!We have an 18-month-old son and a five-month-old daughter, so we definitely haveour hands full with two kids under two yearsold! Someone is always hungry or in need ofa diaper change. Right now, I am stayinghome with our kids, but I was a managementconsultant at Deloitte for many years beforetaking time off to start a family. Probablygoing back to work in the next year or two,when the kids are a little bit older.”

As for me, the family and I maintain ourloyalty to country, living in our growingAmish neighborhood near Cooperstown,NY. I work part-time at the Fenimore ArtMuseum and Farmers Museums and alsocommute to nearby cities to teachmeditation classes, which are increasinglyin high demand! www.meditateupstate.com

1998 Carol R. Adair 1518 W. 187th StreetGardena, CA [email protected]

Dow Wanapun ’97 and family. Dow Wanapun’s ’97 daughters. Emily Park ’97 doing what she loves with Meadowlark,a Portland-based supper club.

CLASS NOTES

1999 Corinne Van Beek 9 Kensett Lane Darien, CT [email protected]

KC Tondel Lundy sent in the photo, below,of some Masters alumnae/i from the class of 1999 along with Nancy MaginnesKissinger ’51, who were dressed to impressfor Animal Medical Center’s 2015 Top Dog Gala.

2000 Daniel K. Low 401 Commons Park S. Unit 280Stamford, CT [email protected]

2001 15th Reunion YearSujata Adamson-Mohan 1601 3rd Avenue Apt. 14CNew York, NY [email protected]

I recently started a new job at PaceUniversity working in their Alumni &

Development office. It has been a greattransition and I love being back on a campus!

Gloria Evans Domiziano writes, “I wouldlike to share that Frank and I are purchasingour first home. Our son, Frankie, is gettingready to enter kindergarten in Septemberand he is very excited to be starting “big boyschool” — and daughter, Sofia, is gettingready to enter PreK in September. We are alllooking forward to our second familyvacation to Disney World later this year!”

I hope to hear from more of you soon andsee you back on campus for our 15-yearreunion! Yes, 15 years!

2002Jonathan J. Hartrey 447 W. 47th Street Apt. 6New York, NY [email protected]

2003 Eva DeAngelis-Glasser 400 West 43rd Street, Apt. 20RNew York, NY [email protected]

2004 Matthew P. Dollar 385 Midland Avenue Rye, NY [email protected]

2005 Jodi Innerfield 170 Hillside AvenueEnglewood, NJ [email protected]

2006 10th Reunion YearLubomir Ivanov 62 Marine StreetFarmingdale, NY 11735-5603516-221-1397

Edward Robinson is now a proud husbandand father. William Michael born on April 31, 2015 is a beautiful bouncing baby.

2007Liza A. Ciaramella 591 Palisade Avenue Yonkers, NY 10703-2109 914-980-1328 [email protected]

John M. McGovern 341 Oakland AvenueOakland, CA [email protected]


From Left to right: Chris Danzig ’99, KC Tondel Lundy ’99,Stephanie Junger-Moat ’99, nancy Maginnes Kissinger ’51,Beth Maria reed ’99, Marlena Burroughs ’99.

Gloria Evans Domiziano’s ’01 children.


2008 Volunteer NeededPlease call the Office of Alumnae/iRelations at 914-479-6532.

2009 Chelsea Dieck 60 Haven Avenue, Apt. 20DNew York, NY [email protected]

Dobbs alums from various years gatheredtogether at the wedding shower of AlexasConnell Nikiforakis ’09.

2010 Hannah Miller 4400 Lindell Boulevard Apt. 20MSaint Louis, MO [email protected]

Rebecca Plotkin 253 Palisade AvenueDobbs Ferry, NY [email protected]

2011 5th Reunion YearJaclene Fleming 42 Ogden PlaceDobbs Ferry, NY [email protected]

Dylan Pager 21 Quaker LaneWest Harrison, NY [email protected]

2012Volunteer NeededPlease call the Office of Alumnae/iRelations at 914-479-6532.


2014Henry DuBeau26 Gesner AvenueSouth Nyack, NY [email protected]


Former Faculty & StaffSusan A. Nickerson Palmarin ’67 wrotewith sad news: “Four months after formerMasters School art teacher Richard Spyerdied, his wife, Helen, also a ‘Dobbs’ artteacher, died. Her full name was HelenLouise Spyer-Stetson.

“If by chance any former ‘Dobbs’ studentswould like to get in touch with the Spyers’daughters, Ginny and Patsy, with theirmemories of those days, it would beappreciated. Patsy’s email address beginning in February 2016 will be:[email protected].”

Office of Alumnae/i Relations 49 Clinton Avenue Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-479-6532 [email protected]

Left to right: Jean Wheeler Hoffman ’52, Jean HoffmanPrior ’74, Carolyn Hoffman Junker ’78, and ChrisHoffman Taylor ’81 at the wedding shower of AlexasConnell nikiforakis ’09.

Alexas Connell nikiforakis ’09 at her wedding shower.


CLASS NOTES

1931 Marjorie Farson Griffin of Southbury, CT on January 9, 2015

1932 Mary Fisher Burnis of Monterey, CA on November 13, 2015

1932 Rosanna Robbins Shull of Wayzata, MN on June 11, 2015

1934 Margaret Lanphier Wengren of Lexington, MA on March 8, 2016

1936 Mary Chamberlin Scranton of Dalton, PA on December 26, 2015

1938 Caroline Hart Bergh of Portola Valley, CA on June 4, 2015

1938 Jane Magin Thomas of Naples, FL on February 25, 2015

1939 Ethlyn Dulin Ware of Saint Charles, IL on December 17, 2015

1941 Mary Ann Riegel Lockhart of Sarasota, FL on October 7, 2015

1942 Jane Lightner Meads of Jupiter, FL on October 30, 2015

1943 Janet Chatman Goedecke of Rye, NY on September 10, 2015

1944 Barbara McDonald Stewart of Fairfax, VA on December 31, 2015

1944 Patricia Shuell Buckley of Tucson, AZ on March 12, 2013

1944 Barbara Brent Lewis of Middleburgh, NY on February 24, 2015

1944 Marilyn Muse Wilson of Pittsburgh, PA on February 15, 2015

1945 Paula Cornell Amy of Torrance, CA on October 20, 2015

1945 Nancy Redway Pugsley of North Branford, CT on February 9, 2016

1946 Priscilla Storms McKechnie of Baltimore, MD on April 16, 2014

1946 Mary Walbridge Fulton of Somers, NY on January 26, 2015

1947 Barbara McCown Menzie of Indianapolis, IN on February 15, 2015

1948 Gloria Jones Borden of Princeton, NJ on May 16, 2014

1949 Sheila Wilmer of Wethersfield, CT on October 4, 2015

1951 Robin MacGregor Morton of Greenwich, CT, on January 6, 2016

1952 Carol Pope Luby of Punta Gorda, FL on July 4, 2014

1953 Susan Beck Wasch of Middletown, CT on February 5, 2016

1956 Linda Canaday White-Mays of Sanibel, FL on January 7, 2015

1959 Linda Childs-Van Wijk of Moruya, Australia on September 12, 2015

1961 Clare MacIntyre-Ross of Falls Church, VA on March 9, 2016

1961 Dorothy Juergens Borland of Lake Forest, IL on January 12, 2016

1963 Mary McNichols Oldfield of Tacoma, WA on September 8, 2015

1963 Patricia Skeoch Warren of West Palm Beach, FL on October 17, 2015

1966 Tina Cassini of Paris, France on March 31, 2015

1981 Susan B. Goldstein of Fort Lauderdale, FL on September 7, 2014

Former Faculty & StaffJane Baron Rechtman of Ossining, NY on March 3, 2016

Richard Spyer of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in 2015

Helen Spyer-Stetson of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in 2015

Remembrances


COMMUnICATIOnS

Bob Horne Director of Marketing &Communications [email protected]

Janice Leary Assistant Director ofCommunications and The Bulletin [email protected]

Aisha Mohammed Digital Communications [email protected]

ADVAnCEMEnT

Timothy Kane Associate Head of School forInstitutional Advancement [email protected]

Angelique Chielli Associate Director of Alumnae/i andParent [email protected]

Judy Donald Development [email protected]

Erin Fredrick Assistant Director for Institutional [email protected]

rosaria Golden Campaign & Special ProjectsManager [email protected]

Lisa nussbaum Campus Store [email protected]

Maryann Perrotta Database Administrator [email protected]

Mary ryan ’00 Director of Annual Giving [email protected]

Jen Schutten Assistant Director of Annual [email protected]

Amie Servino ’95 Director of Alumnae/i and Parent [email protected]

T H E B U L L E T I N

s p r i n g 2 0 1 6

Head of SchoolLaura Danforth

Board of TrusteesTracy Tang Limpe ’80, P’18, ChairEdith C. Chapin, ’83, Vice ChairRalph Rosenberg P’13, ’15, ’16, Vice ChairJ. Keith Morgan, P’17, TreasurerBeth Nolan ’69, Secretary

Jonathan Clay P’19Laura DanforthMichael D’Angelo P’15, ’19Michelle DeLong P’17Karen Feinberg Dorsey ’84Lucinda Emmet ’57Michael Greene P’10, ’13Alexandra Herzan P’13Sheree Holliday P’16, ’20Clay Lifflander P’14, ’16Sydney Shafroth Macy ’70Edgar M. Masters H’98, Life TrusteeKeryn Norton Mathas P’19, ’22Susan Follett Morris ’57, Life TrusteeChristine Grim Neikirk ’84Suzie Paxton ’88Janet Pietsch P’09, ’20Elizabeth “Penney” RiegelmanLynn Pilzer Sobel ’71, P’99, ’05Diana Davis Spencer ’56, P’84Shan Zhu P’16

Honorary TrusteesMarin Alsop ’73Cynthia Ferris Casner ’52, P’76, ’86Lilian Hall Fisher ’37, H’65, P’60, ’65, ’72 GGP’15Jeannette Sanford Fowlkes ’58, P’87Ruth Mitchell Freeman ’51Nancy Maginnes Kissinger ’51Claudia Boettcher Merthan ’51

Dobbs Alumnae/i Association BoardKaren Feinberg Dorsey ’84, PresidentDavid Heidelberger ’01, Vice PresidentSujata Adamson-Mohan ’01, Recording Secretary

Sharon Nechis Castillo ’84Linda Vipond Heath ’69Priscilla Franklin Hindley ’66Lusyd Doolittle Kourides ’70

Elyse Lazansky ’78Evan Leek ’01 John McGovern ’07 Hannah J. Miller ’10Ricardo Oelkers ’03 Mary M. Ryan ’00

Parent Association Executive CommitteeJanet Pietsch P’09, ’20, PresidentKristy Fitzgerald P’16, ’18,

Co-Vice President Upper SchoolKim-Adele Rosner P’17, ’18,

Co-Vice President Upper SchoolSara Jazayeri P’21,

Co-Vice President Middle SchoolMichelle New P’21,

Co-Vice President Middle School

Committee Chairs and RepresentativesLeslie Rusoff P’17, ’17, ’18,

Chair, Admission Support Cori Worchel P’19, ’21,

Chair, Annual Fund Leslie DuBeau P’14,’18,

Boarding Parent RepresentativeTracey Davies P’16,

Co-Chair, Faculty-Staff Appreciation Day Kathy Cohen P’15, ’18,

Co-Chair, Faculty-Staff Appreciation Day Anne Termini P’20, Chair, Parent Programs

Class RepresentativesDana Alonzo P’21Janet Bernstein P’13, ’16Pedro Ceron P’16Marie Fabian P’22Kristy Fitzgerald P’16, ’18 Rachel Khanna P’17, ’18, ’18, ’23Mary Lockhart P’19, ’20Jillian Miller P’22Allison Moore ’83, P’17, ’19Janet Pietsch P’09, ’20Kim-Adele Rosner P’17, ’18 Leslie Rusoff P’17, ’17, ’18Robin Scheuer P’18, ’20Anne Termini P’20Cori Worchel P’19, ’21

leadership 2015-2016

Photography: Bob Cornigans, Bob Horne, Janice Leary, JoyceLewandowski, Aisha Mohammed, Michael Polito.

Design: White Communications, Inc.Printing: Puritan Capital

Laura Danforth Head of School

[email protected]

You Own the School.

Eliza Bailey Masters wrote in a 1919 letter to alumnae,

“you own the School.” Inspired by her call to action, the alumnae raised the

money for a new school building, completed

in 1921, and named it Masters Hall in her

honor. Today—nearly 100 years later—

The Masters School still relies on the

generosity of our community to continue

Miss Masters’ legacy and support our School’s

mission, students, programs and future.

FINANCIAL SUPPORTAnnual GivingEndowment SupportCapital ProjectsPlanned Giving

For more information about giving opportunities, please contact the Advancement Office at 914-479-6433 or visit www.mastersny.org.

VOLUNTEERINGThe Parent Association The Dobbs Alumnae/i Association

There are numerous ways to get involved and give back to Masters through theorganizations listed above.

Please contact Director of Alumnae/i and Parent Relations Amie Servino ’95 [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering.


49 Clinton Avenue | Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522-2201

Non-ProfitOrganizationUS Postage

PaidNashua, NH

Permit No. 375

Masters Spirit On Founder’s Day in September 2015, Head of School Laura Danforth got in the spirit of things by wearing sneakers inthe traditional Delta blue and Phi red.

masters school bulletin - spring 2016

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