the valley
maumee valley country day school / volume 6 issue 2 / July 2015
/ mission statement /
Maumee Valley Country Day School’s mission is to enable students to become enlightened, compassionate, and contributing citizens of our global community, while preparing graduates for their best opportunities in higher education. The school attracts motivated, able students who have a range of academic interests and diverse backgrounds, and whose families value education. Its challenging curriculum, student-centered school life, and supportive community inspire and equip them for a lifetime of learning.
/ front cover / matthew dick ‘15 high fives family and friends after receiving his diploma
/ opposite / from the bluestone to the many playgrounds and gardens, warm weather brought the Maumee valley campus to life this spring
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/ leadership at the school / administration Gary Boehm Head of School Gareth Griffith Head of Upper School Stephanie Harman Head of Middle School Mark Baker Head of Lower School Zach Klausz Early Learning Center Director Phillip Dunbridge Director of Admission Rob Conover Athletic Director Larry Anning Superintendent of Buildings + Grounds Kim Spurgeon Director of Finance Dan Karns Director of Advancement Melissa E. Kuhl Director of Marketing + Communications
publication credits Executive Editor: Melissa E. Kuhl Contributing Editors: Jeniece Corwin, Dan Karns, Shannon Markel, and Weezie Stoddard ‘82 Design: Studio Jot / Joss Kiely ‘01 Select Photography: Melissa E. Kuhl, Weezie Stoddard ‘82, and Cara Jones
To submit stories or comment on this edition of The Valley, please contact Melissa E. Kuhl, Director of Marketing: mkuhl@mvcds.org
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board of trustees
alumni council
executive officers
executive officers
Fred Deichert, President Hon. Jeffrey Helmick, Vice President Matt Buchannan, Vice President Anisha Dayal, Secretary Amy Yustick, Treasurer
trustees
Rick Anderson Laurie Julius Avery, Esq., ‘88 Martha Corcoran Todd Dapkus Mary Fedderke Areka Foster Dr. Srini Hejeebu Stephen Hickey ’79 Nabeel Jabarin ’98 Mary Lynch Jarrell Rick Kaser Jean Kay-Lee Marlon Kiser Darryl Lippman Brian Reddy Yolanda Odom Taylor
Nabeel Jabarin ’98, President Alexandra Bowe DeRosa ‘82, Vice President Kay Rathbun Foster ’58, Secretary members
Richard Andrews ‘59 Ron Birnbaum ‘89 Erickson Blakney ‘83 Mariana Brandman ‘05 Stephen Foster ‘84 O. Danielle Goodwin-Avery ‘98 Joss Kiely ‘01 Monica MacAdams ’67 Nan Parfet Miller ‘46 Tanya Pipatjarasgit Nupp ’95 Addy Rothman ‘09 Pieter Salverda ‘91 Dr. James Willey ‘70 Jewel Woodard ‘77 Mike Zerner ‘72
Trustees Emeritae
Ann Stranahan Georgia Welles endowment fund trustees
Dean Kasperzak ’76, Chair Scott Parry ’78, Vice Chair Barton Wagenman, Secretary John Bearss Mike Briley ‘63 Fritz Byers Stephen Foster ‘57 Bill Foster ‘81 Steve Hickey ‘79 Dennis Holman Betsy Kelsey ‘73 Ford Koles ‘82 Dr. Ned Lakshmipathy Joan “Nan” Miller ‘46 Ann Sanford James “Jay” Secor, III ‘69 Daniel Stranahan ‘88 Jeff Twyman
web www.mvcds.org
e-mail To receive the Alumni eArrow, contact Weezie Stoddard ‘82 at alumni@mvcds.org
facebook www.facebook.com /maumeevalleycountrydayschool /maumeevalleyalumni
/ table of contents /
current
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philanthropy
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Top chef maumee valley 2015
feature
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mvcds: one community, Interwoven
alumni
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events and happenings, in memoriam, class notes, and Alumni Council
School news and spring athletics roundup
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/ a letter from the head of school / Dear Friends, The year-end celebrations always highlight for me the depth and closeness of the Maumee Valley community. From high school graduation to all the moving-up ceremonies and rituals, to the extraordinary celebration of Jonathan Krueger’s life, our community came together in both joy and sadness. In the closing weeks of school so many parents and alumni remarked to me how thankful they feel to be a part of such a kind and caring community. This year’s graduation on the Bluestone Plaza in front of the Wolfe Gallery on a beautiful May evening provided a wonderful setting and occasion for our community to celebrate. Hundreds of parents, extended family, faculty, staff, and friends gathered to listen to speeches and send our fifty-two graduates off in high style. Earlier in the day, a new tradition was born as we celebrated the close of the school year with our first annual Senior Walk. Graduating students returned to the grades in which they started their Maumee Valley journey—for some this meant spending time with and answering questions from our youngest learners in the Early Learning Center, a scene that was repeated throughout the school. Admiration for our seniors was visible on the eager faces of the younger students as they presented seniors with handmade cards and listened to them talk about their early school memories. Armed with musical instruments (bells, sticks, triangles, etc) the ELC students and their seniors traced the seniors’ path through their years at the school, stopping first to pick up the Primary students and their seniors, and moving along through the grades until the entire school was marching through the building in one long line led by our youngest students. It was a sentimental journey for our seniors and emotional for their former teachers as many hugs were given along the route. The parade ended in front of Wolfe Gallery where we celebrated the year’s accomplishments, sang the alma mater, and said goodbye to our oldest students. We have so much to be proud of, and thankful for, at the close of our 131st year. From our record enrollment of 519 students to a full international student program two years ahead of schedule, to our strongest college admissions in years, to the many team and individual accomplishments of our students and faculty, our little school continues to grow and prosper. I am thankful to everyone in our community for all you do to support our students and faculty. I wish you all a restful summer filled with sunshine, fun adventures, and good books. Warm Regards,
Gary Boehm Head of School / opposite /
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Seniors Angie Banoub and Jeremy Anderson enjoy a lighthearted moment during this year’s graduation exercises
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/ current featured student profiles / SYDNEY SCHMITT ‘21 Sydney joined the Maumee Valley community when she was in fourth grade. She enjoys the one-on-one time she gets with her teachers, and the way people look out for one another. Sydney likes the hands-on nature of her classes, and the experiential learning opportunities that Maumee Valley provides its students have been perfect for her. Sydney described the community at Maumee Valley as, “very spirited and joyful. There is a high level of energy, and people want to be involved.” She and her classmates bonded throughout the year, particularly when taking part in special experiences such as Space Camp. Sydney enjoys the communication that occurs between students when they are engaged in group work, and she happily takes on leadership roles when working with her classmates.
sydney schmitt
Sydney and her parents have taken on another very special role within the Maumee Valley community. They have hosted four international exchange students over the years from China, Italy, Germany, and France. Sydney loves being part of a host family. As an only child, she feels like she has a big sister. All of her international sisters have been excited to try new things, and Sydney enjoys their adventures. She describes a trip to the zoo with one of their exchange students, “She had never had a corndog before, and she didn’t know what it was. So we tried it!” Another student, along with Sydney, received their PADI scuba certification during a spring break trip to Mexico. In addition to adventures and special trips, Sydney enjoys having someone around to share her everyday activities with. She described their visitors as, “a good balance of fun and studious.” Sydney said there was never a sense of competition between them when it came to sports; they both enjoyed helping the other improve. Sydney’s family is also very involved in their neighborhood, and they spend time with their neighbors tending to the local gardens and attending events at the Arboretum next door to their house. Sydney is excited to start Middle School in August. She is particularly excited to experience a new environment, new teachers, and take an environmental science course. She loves animals (she currently has a dog, a guinea pig, and fish at home), and she aspires to become a veterinarian when she is older. Sydney is currently volunteering at the Humane Society, cleaning cages, giving treats to her furry friends, and occasionally walking dogs. She noted that the Humane Society sees all kinds of animals; she once cleaned cages when a group of chickens, bunnies, and ducklings were removed from someone’s home. Sydney’s Passion Project in sixth grade focused on animal abandonment and different types of animal cruelty, such as dog fighting and animal testing, and she created materials to educate her classmates on the subject.
david “newt” ziegler
Sydney is a passionate and ambitious young woman who brings a lot of positive energy to the Maumee Valley community. Thank you to the entire Schmitt family for making Maumee Valley’s international students feel at home in Toledo!
DAVID “NEWT” ZIEGLER ‘19 Newt has been passionate about eradicating cleft lips and palates since the summer before second grade. His mother showed him an ad for Smile Train, an international children’s charity with a clear vision and mission: to provide training and funding to empower local doctors in 85+ developing countries to provide 100% free cleft repair surgery in their communities. That summer, Newt grew vegetables in his garden and sold them door-to-door out of his wagon. He also sold lemonade and told his customers that all of the profits would be donated to Smile Train to pay for surgeries for children with cleft lip and palate. It took him the entire summer to raise the funds for one surgery (a surgery typically costs $250), but he was hooked. Not only did he want to fund lifesaving surgeries for children in need around the world, but he decided he wanted to make this issue his life’s work. Newt hopes to pursue a career in genetics, specifically biomedical engineering, and find a cure for cleft. The lemonade stand and produce wagon from that first summer grew into larger fundraisers, including golf tournaments hosted by he and his father, with matching gifts from local supporters. To date Newt has raised enough money to pay for 25 surgeries. As an Upper School student at Maumee Valley, Newt will have the opportunity to put his dream into motion. He plans to spend his Winterims visiting countries where clefts are a problem; he is particularly passionate about helping children who have been marginalized and socially isolated because of their facial deformities. He would also like to participate in an independent study and spend time learning from geneticists in the field. Newt’s passion for Smile Train recently made headlines when he was chosen as the eighth grade division winner of the annual Ohio Civil Rights Commission’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Art, Writing, and Multimedia Contest. The annual contest is statewide, and it is open to students in grades 6-12. The purpose of the contest is to encourage students to reflect upon Dr. King’s life, his philosophy, and the impact he had on the Civil Rights Movement, as well as life in present day America. Students are challenged to think about 8
/ current featured TEACHER profiles / civil rights and diversity and how it affects their lives, and how they can continue to further Dr. King’s work by making positive changes in their own communities. Newt’s award-winning essay came straight from the heart. He spoke about the medical complications and social difficulties that children with clefts endure, and what he has done to raise money for the cause. He wrote about his plans for the near future and how he hopes to work with community members in affected areas to improve the lives of those children. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for his “I Have a Dream” speech, and Newt incorporated those very words into his essay. Newt writes, “By the time I’m forty, I dream of a planet completely rid of the suffering caused by cleft lips and palates.” Newt came to Maumee Valley in fifth grade, after attending public school. When asked about his Maumee Valley experience he said, “I came to MVCDS for a challenge.” In addition to that, he found a strong community where everyone knows him. He has found inspiring teachers, like Mr. Green, who tasks his students with large, challenging projects, but they feel accomplished afterward. Smile Train is fortunate to have a bright, ambitious, and caring advocate in Newt Ziegler. His passion for helping others and continuing the legacy set forth by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is an inspiration to the entire Maumee Valley community.
CHRISTINE MARKER Christine Marker is in her second year as a head prekindergarten teacher in the Early Learning Center. Prior to joining the Maumee Valley community, Christine taught Kindergarten at All Saints in Rossford and preschool at Apple Tree Nursery School (now known as La Petite Academy), located on the campus of The University of Toledo. During her time at Apple Tree, Christine was the recipient of a $5,000 grant, which she used to make the school more ecofriendly. While teaching at All Saints, Christine was nominated for a Golden Apple Award. When asked why she chose Maumee Valley, Christine noted the small class sizes, as well as her connections to existing members of the Maumee Valley community. Some of her former Apple Tree parents are now Maumee Valley parents, and her father is a professor at The University of Toledo where he works with parents who send their children to MVCDS. It is a perfect fit for Christine.
family and childhood have had a huge impact on her as both a person and an educator. Christine is an avid exercise and nutrition advocate, and this has spilled over from her personal life into her classroom. She recalls a childhood without unlimited access to junk food, and soda only being served as a treat with pizza on Fridays. Dessert was served, but only after family meals. Christine believes early childhood is an important time to teach healthy choices to kids, as well as have conversations with families about healthy meal planning. She loves cooking with her students, and has made it a regular part of her curriculum. Her class of prekindergarten students at MVCDS made a wide variety of healthy treats this past year, and they created a cookbook of all the recipes. The books were a gift to the parents at the end of the school year. In addition to a nutrition curriculum, Christine and her coteacher, Christie Bellfy, introduced an exercise component into their classroom. The students participated in various challenges including obstacle courses and relay races. They also collaborated with the Spanish teacher to create a bilingual book about food which incorporated words and colors. Christine enjoys teaching because each year is different and she’s constantly learning. She loves the warm and welcoming community at Maumee Valley, and she looks forward to the day when her own children will attend the Early Learning Center. Christine and her husband Jon are the proud parents of two children, Alli who is almost two, and William who was born in April 2015.
Christine, a daughter of two educators, was born in New Jersey, but she moved to Sylvania in seventh grade. After graduating from St. Ursula Academy, Christine attended The University of Toledo for Early Childhood education. In addition to teaching she enjoys coaching soccer. Christine played competitive soccer for many years, and coached the Maumee Soccer Club (a traveling team) for ages 8 through high school. When she’s not teaching, playing soccer, or spending time with her family, Christine can be found running. She has taken part in many local road races ranging distance from 5K to a full marathon. Some of the races she has completed include the Victory Center 5K, Racing for Recovery, and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. This particular cause is very personal for Christine. Her father is a breast cancer researcher in the Center for Drug Design and Development (CD3) at UT, and her mother and mother-in-law have both fought the disease. CHRISTINE MARKER
Family is very important to Christine. She is the youngest of five children, and loves traveling to visit her four older brothers. Her 9
/ current news /
OAIS SHOWCASE The Ohio Association of Independent Schools (OAIS) presented a professional development opportunity on February 11, 2015 at Cincinnati Country Day School. The workshop featured presentations of innovative classroom practices by teachers from OAIS schools such as Maumee Valley Country Day School, The Wellington School, Cincinnati Country Day School, Marburn Academy, and Columbus Academy. Three Maumee Valley Country Day School faculty members presented during this exciting showcase titled, “Highlighting Exemplary Programs of Ohio’s Independent Schools.” Kristin Kowalski, an art teacher for grades 8-12, presented “An Exploration of Cultural Ceramic in Connection to Contemporary Experiences.” Her presentation discussed a high school art curriculum that explored an intensive study of cultural ceramics. She discussed the lessons, processes, projects, concepts, skills, and technologies used to make the course successful. The students in the course study historical and contemporary ceramic works from around the world, and develop an understanding of diversity. Ivy Gauler, an Upper School Chinese teacher, presented “How to Implement New Technology into Your Daily Teaching.” Her presentation taught participants how to use Google Site to create an online student portfolio, how to create a paperless classroom, how to use QR codes, and how to use iPads to design online video lessons. Jana Smith, an Upper Intermediate classroom teacher, presented “A Process Based Approach to Designing and Implementing Student Driven Projects.” Participants learned about the journey taken by Maumee Valley’s fifth and sixth graders to design a project centered on a personal passion. A panel of eight students accompanied Smith and presented the process they went through to develop their projects. The student panel included Angelica Alby Gabara ‘22, Bryce Griffith ‘22, Sophie Keiser ‘22, Cimran Naik ‘22, Catherine Bigenho ‘21, Lila Foster ‘21, Cameron Kaminski ‘21, and Shoshana Lavetter-Keidan ‘21.
KAtie wilmore ‘19
eighth Grader Wins National Essay Contest Katie Wilmore, a member of the class of 2019, was selected as the winner of the first annual National Essay Contest created by The Anne Frank Center USA. Katie’s winning essay, “Soar!,” awarded her the grand prize of a trip for three to Amsterdam. Katie and her parents traveled to Amsterdam after her eighth grade graduation, and they were given a private tour of the Anne Frank House during their visit. Writing for an authentic audience is a goal that the Middle School teachers are committed to at Maumee Valley. Eimile Green, Katie’s eighth grade English teacher, makes this a reality in her classes by encouraging students to choose a writing contest each month in which they wish to participate. This contest, created by The Anne Frank Center USA, was open to students in grades 5-8. Katie’s entry was selected for its honesty, optimism, and poise, according to The Anne Frank Center web site. As she wrote in her essay: “Anne Frank once wrote in her diary, ‘I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.’ When I first read this, it confused me…Doesn’t she know that millions of people are being slaughtered for simply being themselves?… Eventually I realized she did probably know these things, and was openly refusing to give up on people. She knew that even behind the most shortsighted of eyes was a mind reaching out, struggling to understand the world around it.”
TEACHER JANA SMITH AND OAIS PANEL OF FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS
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The Anne Frank Center USA was founded by Otto Frank, Anne’s father and the only member of the family to survive the Holocaust. The Center hosts exhibits and programs dedicated to eradicating bigotry and promoting peace. To learn more about the Center, and to read Katie’s entire award-winning essay, please visit: http://annefrank.com/afc-nationalessaycontest/.
/ current news /
Cinderella
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic, Cinderella, returned to the Millennium Theater stage this year, and the production’s modern twist combined with timeless magic attracted audience members of all ages. Maumee Valley Theater Director, Kevin Hayes, recalls walking into the theater with his fifth and sixth grade students the Wednesday morning following the production. They had struck the set, and put into storage all of the flats, props, and costumes. Only the footprint of the set and the lovely ballroom floor pattern, designed and painted by Michael and Melinda Arrigo, remained on the stage. The students, upon seeing the empty stage, sighed and remarked how sad it was that the production was finished. One young wit quipped, “I guess the ball is over.” She was right. Like the sad ballad from the 1890’s, After the Ball is Over, the magic of the three performances to near capacity audiences was, indeed, over. When they reached the bottom of the stairs in the Millennium Theater, the students jumped onstage and replayed their favorite scenes from the show. Perhaps a little bit of the magic remains in the hearts and memories of those who attended, and performed, in the spring musical.
William Cagle ‘16, Jude Furlong ‘18, and Neema Kamala ‘15
Says Kevin Hayes, “I often warn my actors and crew, especially those new to a Maumee Valley production, about the ‘post show blues.’ They sneak up on you a day or two after closing night. This is when they begin to feel the absence of the large extended family they became part of during rehearsals. After spending months preparing for Opening Night, sharing three evenings with audiences, and the excitement in the theater lobby after each show, there is a deafening silence after classes are done for the day and there is no rehearsal to go to. This is the bittersweet side of being part of the theater. The modern education system has come to discover what those involved in the arts have known for centuries: performance is experiential learning.
Cinderella brought together 37 Maumee Valley student performers from nearly every grade, 13 musicians, both students and adults, in the pit, and another 48 students, parents, and faculty behind the scenes. It was truly an ensemble effort, not a team effort, because the word team implies competition rather than the cooperation that a creative project requires. Thanks to everyone who made Maumee Valley’s production of Cinderella a success. To those who carry with them a cherished memory of the magic that happened on the Millennium stage, thank you for your attendance and support.
Kassie Fuiten ‘16 and Ashley Taylor ‘15
32nd annual ninth congressional district invitational art exhibition The Arts Commission and Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur celebrated the creativity and artistic talent of area youth during the Ninth Congressional District Invitational Art Exhibition held January 26-February 22, 2015. Art teachers from high schools within Ohio’s Ninth District were invited to nominate up to three student artworks for display. Artworks were selected to receive awards by a jury composed of art educators, local artists, and representatives from institutions sponsoring awards. Forty-nine artworks from students attending nine different local high schools were included in this year’s exhibition. Juliette Labonne ‘15, Zoe Pham ‘16, and Bari Resnick ’15 represented Maumee Valley in the exhibition. Zoe won the HCR ManorCare Award, Juliette received a Commercial Design Honorable Mention, and Bari was a Congressional Runner-Up.
Zoe Pham ‘16
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/ current news /
northwest ohio solo and ensemble competition The Middle School string students received all top marks this year at the Northwest Ohio Solo and Ensemble Competition held at Defiance High School on Saturday, April 11. Their strings teacher, Colleen Sieberg, could not praise this group of talented young musicians enough for their stellar performance. A local band director, who happened to be sitting in the room when the quintet played, remarked, “You could have charged admission for this one!” Congratulations to all of the Middle School string performers for their fine performance. Maumee Valley’s performance included the following soloists and ensembles:
Middle school strings students warming up prior to the northwest ohio solo and ensemble competition
Seth Griffiths ‘20: Viola Quartet, String Choir Charlotte DeRosa ‘20: String Choir Melisa Slye ‘19: Viola Quartet, String Choir Hannah Shariff ‘20: Violin Quartet, String Choir Mihir Joshi ‘20: Violin Quartet, String Choir Annie Kaser ‘19: Violin Quartet, String Choir Joel Helmick ‘19: Viola Quartet, String Quintet, Choir Lucy Arrigo ‘20: Violin Quartet, String Choir, Violin soloist Duncan Jones ‘20: Viola Quartet, String Choir, Viola soloist Michelle Lee ‘19: String Quintet, Choir. Cello and piano soloist Shreyas Banerjee ‘19: String Duet, Quintet, Choir. Violin soloist Jonathan Buchanan ‘20: String Duet, Quintet, Choir. Violin soloist Paradon Pipatjarasgit ‘20: String Quintet, Choir. Piano and bass soloist
FIRST ANNUAL MAKER FAIRE Maker faire 2015
Maumee Valley’s Lower School students took part in the first annual Maker Faire on April 16, 2015. Each participant created something inspired by their hobbies and passions, and the Maker Faire gave them a venue to share these creations with their peers and the Maumee Valley community. Students focused their ideas in one of four categories: art, electronics, engineering, and music. Attendees saw everything from pottery to catapults, to handmade instruments and computers. In addition to student projects, there was a rubber band racer competition, and other guests from outside of the Maumee Valley community shared their creations. Imagination Station’s chief scientist, as well as some of their extreme scientists, attended the Faire to see what the students invented.
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Earlier in the year, Maumee Valley fifth and sixth grade math and science teacher, Brian Soash, was awarded a STEM classroom grant by FirstEnergy. This grant was used to help fund equipment for a future Maumee Valley Makerspace, a space where students use the engineering process to make and refine their own inventions. The students documented the process of creating, evaluating, and refining their designs throughout the year, and they shared their documentation at the Maker Faire in April. Maumee Valley’s curriculum places an emphasis on writing and research skills, critical and original thinking, scientific exploration, problem solving, collaboration, global education, and appreciation for creativity. The Maker Faire allowed students to engage in all of these important processes, while sharing their own passions and ideas with others. Students and community members learned from one another and explored new and exciting ideas. The Makerspace will continue to enhance and enrich classroom experiences in the coming years.
/ current athletics recap / Varsity Girls’ Basketball The
story of the year was the effort, passion, and emotion the Girls’ Basketball team conveyed each time they stepped onto the court. Game after game, win or lose, they gave everything they had. Toughness and grit is something Maumee Valley cherishes, and the Girls’ Basketball team was a living example of those characteristics. Kennedie Jackson‘15 highlighted an awardwinning year with a string of games scoring 30+ points.
Varsity Boys’ Basketball The
team had several memorable moments, none more epic than Lucas Isaza‘15 pouring in 37 points in a win versus Danbury. Seniors Turner Booth, Nick Towns, Truth Foreman, Lucas Isaza, and Osama Alkhalili provided great leadership to pave the way for future success.
8th Grade Girls’ Basketball finished their season as champions of the Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC). 8th Grade Boys’ Basketball started the season 0-4, and then won 12 out of the next 14 games, including the last 9 games in a row. They finished the season with a Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC) championship.
It was a banner year with District, Regional, and State Finals for the track and field team. Each athlete set personal records this year, and there is a promise of good things to come from this young team. The track team also saw several T.A.A.C. Champions this season with Emma Daugherty ‘18 winning the high jump, and Sam Shekut ‘16 winning the 3200.
Varsity Track and Field
Freshman Emma Daugherty represented Maumee Valley at the State High Jump Meet Friday, June 5. Emma was one of only sixteen jumpers that qualified in the State of Ohio for this year’s High Jump competition. She finished in 11th place overall clearing 5’2” and just missing placing in the top 5 when she barely clipped the bar at 5’4”. Great job Emma! Coaches Dias and Reineck feel that this young group is poised to be one of the best in school history. Middle School Track and Field needed an extra bus to bring back all of the Individual Championships won at the Annual Middle School T.A.A.C. Track Championships. The girls’ team took 3rd place overall and the boys saw several individual winners as well. With 30 competitors the Middle School Team saw its largest group of participants in recent memory. The Boys’ Varsity Tennis team experienced growth in numbers with several talented upperclassmen providing sound leadership to a group of ambitious underclassmen. Ryan O’Toole ‘15 and Jacob Lape ‘16 were the #1 and #2 singles players and enjoyed a great year of tennis. Baseball is back, and the team enjoyed a very successful season. Highlights included an 8-3 win over Gibsonburg and a no hitter versus Horizon Academy by Trevor Reed ‘16. Turner Booth ‘15 and Nick Towns ‘15 led a young group that showed great potential and growth throughout the year.
Emma daugherty ‘18 clears the high jump bar
finished the regular season tied for first place, and they finished the Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC) tournament as runners-up.
7th Grade Girls’ Basketball
finished their season at 12-2, losing in a close semi-final game to Cardinal Stritch, who went on to become champions of the conference.
7th Grade Boys’ Basketball
Alex Pechlivanos ‘16, Tatiana Monger ‘18, and Vivienne Monger ‘18 all set personal bests in their young swimming careers.
Swimming
Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse The team had a great year defeating the likes of Northview and Southview High Schools, as well as competing in the newly formed Northwest Lacrosse League. Girls’ Lacrosse continues to grow here at Maumee Valley, and we are excited to have Coach Weezie Foster Stoddard ‘82 leading the program into the future.
The maumee valley swim team
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/ current graduation 2015 /
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Maumee Valley class of 2015
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Head of school Gary Boehm presents Sachin Hejeebu ‘15 with the 2015 head of school award
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Yihuai Qu shaking hands with President of the Board Fred Deichert as she receives her diploma
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Sukanya Dayal and Asma Elgamal posing for a picture before the ceremony
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Lucas Isaza waving to family and friends after receiving his diploma
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Families, friends, faculty, and staff look on as class speakers finn burres and ashley taylor address their classmates
graduation 2015
/ current graduation 2015 /
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/ current college matriculations / Osama Adnan Alkhalili University of Michigan
Luke Peter Hanlon Loyola University, Chicago
Ryan Patrick O’Toole Miami University of Ohio
Jeremy Michael Anderson Purdue University
Sachin Ram Hejeebu The Ohio State University
Hannah Waltz Parry University of Denver
Emma Roisin Baker Oberlin College
Delaney Grace Howard University of Toledo
Yihuai Qu Columbia University
Angela Marie Banoub John Carroll University OU Medical Program
Lucas Isaza Stanford University
Abirami Sandra Raj George Washington University
Kennedie Mijan Jackson University of Toledo
Sarah Kate Reddy Oberlin College
Eunjeong Jeong University of Washington
Bari Sarah Resnick School of Visual Arts
Kadar Nathaniel Jones University of Toledo
MeiLin Shao University of Colorado Boulder
Neema Shubirwa Kamala Washington University, St. Louis
MeiQi Shao University of Colorado Boulder
Lauren Elise Kohler Yale University
Lindsey Soyeon Shin New York University
Juliette Reine Labonne Jean Baptiste Say
Katharine Louise Stoddard Ithaca College
Jessica Chen Lee Dual BA Columbia University/Science Po
Kendall Marie Swartzell Butler University
Henrique Bom Lima Columbia College, Chicago
Ashley Alan Taylor The Ohio State University
Ranim Maaieh University of Toronto
Nicholas Matthew Towns Bowling Green State University
Olivia Clare Mader Denison University
Alicia Grace Underwood University of Toledo
Catherine Adele Martin The University of Akron
Tianrui Wang Case Western Reserve University
Mckella Margaret McDonald Bowling Green State University
Zoe Marie Willhight Oral Roberts University
Isaak Yael Melendez Lehigh University
Deena Paulina Zucker Barnard College
Zain Alexander Bedi Mercy College Breanne Cristine Bergeon Milsaps College Ludovico Borghi University of Arizona Turner Graydon Booth Rhodes College Finnegan Grant Burres Bowling Green State University Sofia Io Celli University of Virginia Yi-Chin Chang Michigan State University Sukanya Meghan Dayal Cornell University Matthew Donald David Dick Worcester Polytechnical Institute Hedyeh Elahinia University of Toledo Asma Hesham Elgamal The Ohio State University Truth Malachi Foreman Northwestern University Jessie Marguerite Griffith Kenyon College
Nicole Uma Mohan The Ohio State University 16
philanthropy
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/ philanthropy /
Team 1884 - Golden Spoon Award winners. L-R, Phil Dunbridge, Todd Dapkus, Srini Hejeebu, and Fred Deichert
Top chef maumee valley 2015 Event Chairs Dr. Maneesha Pandey and Mr. Ajay Joshi
Some of the raffle items included an AppleWatch, gourmet dinners, a
welcomed almost 300 guests at the third biennial Top
treasure chest of wines, Guys’ Night Out, Ladies’ Night Out, and much
Chef MV at Maumee Valley Country Day School. “This
more.
is a very fun party for the Maumee Valley community to support their children’s school, meet new friends,
Guests also vied for great live auction items such as tickets to see Taylor
and enjoy great food. Top Chef would not have been
Swift in Detroit and box seats at Yankee Stadium. Reserved parking
possible without the exciting participation from the
spaces for next school year were a hot commodity, as was an opportunity
cheftestant teams, volunteers, and excellent support
to name the “circle” on campus, and the favorite Glitz and Glam Sleepover
of guests who attended and enjoyed themselves.” said
Party with our beloved Lower Intermediate teachers.
Dr. Pandey. In addition, guests had an opportunity to raise their paddle to purchase Ten teams of “Cheftestants” created main dishes to
a new Field Hockey and LaCrosse score board. A big thank you to all
serve to guests, while they vied for tips with antics,
the volunteers, cheftestants, sponsors, and other supporters who helped
raffles, signature drinks, and items for sale or bid.
make this year’s event a big success. Top Chef MV 2015 exceeded its
Teams were comprised of current parents, alumni,
goal of $70,000 and raised $93,000 for the school’s valued educational
alumni parents, current faculty and staff, and friends.
programs.
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/ philanthropy /
Amy & Lee Heritage, Maumee Valley parents, tipping the “Not Yo’ Mama’s Nachos” team with Kevin Tolles and Frank Daugherty
Ajay Joshi and Maneesha Pandey, Top Chef Maumee Valley 2015 chairs
Erin & Mike House manage the bidding frenzy at the “Smorgasbord.” Bidders are Helen Mabry ‘88, Leslie Smith, Amy Yustick, and Yasmin Sidiq ‘91
Enjoying the live auction are current parents Maia Radjenovic and Muna Joshi
Tequila Mockingbird, People’s Choice award winners, L-R Heather Rohrs, Aimee Bretzloff, Lisa Reddy, and Brian Reddy. Also picturesd are emily Bretzloff-Rohrs ‘13 and Tommy Sandwisch.
Tom Foster ‘79 with Gary Boehm after winning a baseball package in NYC. Go Yankees! 19
feature
/ THE FEATURE STORY /
MVCDS
One community, interwoven It is the end of the spring term and students, teachers, and staff are pushing through to the finish: summer break. The air is scented with lilacs and honeysuckle, and the dogwood trees are at the peak of their bloom. Small communities of students and teachers are found spread across campus preparing for the end of another academic year. Outside the community uses the grounds to learn, reflect, and enjoy – students can be found planting in the gardens, mulching on the playgrounds, and working on a newly planned science trail. The seniors have recently celebrated their last day of classes with a bonfire next to the Dayal House and everyone is looking forward to summer renewal, travel, and camps.
Written by Alex DeRosa ‘82
It is no surprise that the MVCDS community embraces a wide array of affinity groups. These groups have been woven into our community for decades, and the snapshots below include commentary from current community members as well as some alumni recollections from when I was a student over 30 years ago.
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/ THE FEATURE STORY /
RUNNING: A LONGTIME COMMITMENT IN THE MVCDS COMMUNITY “Anyone can run!” exclaimed Sarah Dias, Maumee Valley associate business manager and parent. “We are born to do it, and every skill learned from running is transferable to every other part of your life: goal setting, assessment, having a plan before you embark on a journey, and self-reflection ... it’s a grit builder.” For as long as I can remember, Maumee Valley has had a running community, loose-knit groups of runners and running aficionados. The proximity of the campus to Swan Creek and the school’s size have fostered a running ethos. Rooted in the school’s history, from the days of Bruce Waite, to a track program established and built by Sam McCoy and Margaret Blackburn, to the Terri Herrmann Turkey Trot, running has been a part of many Maumee Valley student experiences. “It was not uncommon for us to win every running event in meets we participated in,” Leland McCoy ’83 said. “Subsequently, in 1981-82, we were undefeated in duals and triangular meets, and came in second only once in a quad meet.” He recalled what Ottawa Hills state track champion Andy Summers once commented, “When you guys got off the bus, everyone in the stadium knew they were competing for second place.” McCoy still holds records from high school in the 1,500 meter indoor of 4:28 and in the 10,000 meter at 34:20 minutes. In cross country, it was much the same in 1982-83. Maumee Valley was undefeated. In the prior two years, the team lost only one meet, to Perrysburg and Maumee. Although Maumee Valley now has other fall and spring sports, running still has a place in the hearts of students in the Upper, Middle, and Lower Schools.
Spring 2015: Megan McNally, Shoshi LavetterKeidan, Catherine Bigenho & Lila Foster Medley Relay 2:18. The Medley Relay record was previously held by Sarah Boyk, Karena Amy, Grace O’Leary, and Samantha Sperlik in 2010, with a time of 2:22.9
Now it is springtime 2015. The air smells of washed dirt, and the rain trickles down the backs of the young runners as they pound and glide around the track that encircles the McCoy/ Knight soccer field. From the Lower School students who run to prepare for their invitational at the end of April, to the Middle Schoolers and Upper Schoolers who have been training for their multiple meets this season, they are all working hard to achieve their personal bests.
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/ THE FEATURE STORY / Dias added, “Running is not really about running; it is about goal setting and perseverance.” Examples of this credo are alumni and brothers Jonathan James ’83 and William James ’82 (100 meters - 10.8) who both ran and won often, meeting their personal goals and continuing to run in college. Jonathan James noted that William had even qualified for the Olympics, but moved on to other challenges. Another spring season brought another round of broken records, even at the Lower School level. Megan McNally ’21 not only broke the long-standing 400 meter record that was previously held by Edna Kollarits ’01 with a time of 1:08.4, she also led her medley relay team of Shoshana Lavetter-Keidan ’21, Catherine Bigenho ’21 and Lila Foster ’21 to a record breaking time of 2:18 — a time almost five seconds faster than the previous record held by Sarah Boyk ’16, Karena Amy ’16, Grace O’Leary ’16, and Samantha Sperlik ’16.
Megan McNally ‘21 400 Meters 1:08.4. The 400 Meter record was previously held by Edna Kollarits ‘01 in 1995, with a time of 1:11. Edna went on to win 2 State High School Track Championships and ran track for The University of Michigan.
Now, to take advantage of the long-awaited spring warmth and faculty/parent coaching, current students meet after school to run, sprint, jump, throw, and hurdle. The track is where they start and finish, in the tradition of Maumee Valley track athletes since our school’s inception in 1885. Sally Pont, college counselor and track coach, explained that running is really “a lifetime commitment” as it “is a practice … a type of meditation.” “Every time you reach your goal, you win,” Dias concluded. Given this legacy of running in our school community, it makes sense that this community, like a family, continues to hold its own.
Bryan Bashaw ‘83, Mike Metzger ‘85, Lee McCoy ‘83, and Jamey Katzner ‘84
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Alumni Bryan Bashaw ’83, Richard ’64 and Nick Browne ’62, Tracey Morrow ’84, Chris Sackmann ’06, Chris Finkbeiner ’59, Pieter Salverda ’91, Jamie Afridi ’04, Rafae Hasan ’01, Lincoln Kynard ’90, David Maurer ’99, Ryan Hess ’91, Donald Baril ’93, Kristen Meister ’06, Sophia Afridi ’02, Hope Sandwisch ’10, Edna Kollarits ’01, Ronata Bryant ’99, Aaron Baker ’90, Chauncey Ferguson ’83, Kathy Shelley ’01, Lynn Daboul ’12, Nichole Kanios ’14, Angie Banoub ’15, Zoe Wilhight ’15, Megan Sieberg ’03, Ann Hoag ’96, Taylor Cone ’97, Lisa Collaco ’00, Jesse Bohl ’98, Beth Young ’98, Laquell Brown ’02, Debbie Lehman ’83, Jessica Bashaw ’85, Lisa Ziems ’89, Brigitte May ’84, Priya Shah ’01, Glenn Siddons ’92, and others ran in relays and alone, for shorter and longer distances, setting records that have not been broken since.
/ THE FEATURE STORY /
MEDICAL RESEARCH: AN IMPORTANT COMMUNITY AND RELATIONSHIP WITH MCO/UTMC Winterim 2015 in the labs at University of Toledo Medical College: MVCDS students Audrey Corcoran ’16, Thomas Cunliffe ’16, and Chris DeRosa ’16 are bent over their beakers, muttering, as they calculate amounts and adjust their measurements for their research projects. Corcoran blogged about her experience, “All of us understand that research is key to developing new life-sustaining treatments and that caring for ill patients is paramount.” Under the tutelage of various friends of Maumee Valley, along with alumnus and alumni parent James Willey ’70 and Maumee Valley parents Rashmi Goyal and Amanda Bryant-Friedrich, students continue to explore the areas of health care, medicine, and medical research. When I connected with recent graduate Robbie Ariss ’13 who is currently in the dual bachelor of science in biomedical engineering and M.D. program at UT, he was excited to describe both his Winterim experiences with UTMC biomedical research shadowing Drs. Thomas Schwann, a cardiothoracic surgeon, and Jerzy Jankun, in pharmaceutical proteomics,
Thomas Cunliffe ‘16 outside the North Engineering building at The University of Toledo Medical College during winterim 2014
and how these experiences shaped his current endeavors. “Through support by The University of Toledo’s engineering and business colleges, I have co-founded a company, Medical Communication Technologies LLC (MCT), dedicated to revolutionizing health care by approaching the industry in a patient-centered manner. Currently, we are working on commercializing two products: an innovative patient portal designed to reduce readmission rates by increasing patient compliance, and a surgical site infection-detection software designed to detect infections as early as possible, reducing the risk of complicated infection treatment,” said Robbie. Ariss said his experiences achieved the ultimate goal of the Independent Study Winterim option: “Maumee Valley provided me with priceless opportunities that set the tone 25
/ THE FEATURE STORY / for my future, and, simply put, you cannot find a school more focused on providing opportunities for its pupils to succeed.” His experience is representative of many more Maumee Valley student experiences over the years. Through the many supportive relationships and the willingness of both the MVCDS and UTMC communities, many students have been able to work in the biomedical field in high school, in college, and beyond.
T HE T HE AT R E : E C LE CT Ic P R O D U CT IO N S S TA R R IN G THE W HO LE M VC D S C O M M U N ITY Shreyas Banerjee ’19 will remember “the clock” fondly since it was the inside joke of this spring’s musical, Rogers and Hammerstein’s
Cinderella, which demands lilting strings as well as challenging vocal moves. At a dress rehearsal, the cast is also busy tweaking their entrances and exits and remembering where to be onstage, singing, all while using the correct props. This rehearsal is polished, and the audience, including parents, alumni, and students, is rapt. When Kassie Fuiten ’16 sings her song “Impossible, It’s Possible” with Ashley Taylor ‘15, you can see the twinkles in their eyes and the impish grins on their faces. It is clear that these students would not miss a chance to sing and dance despite the long rehearsal hours and the challenges of balancing drama with academics. A live Maumee Valley musical production is an example of many individuals successfully coming together to make a family classic come to life once again. This year the pit orchestra included Audrey Corcoran ‘16 on violin, Poom Pipatjarasgit ’17 on keyboard, Chris Samul (US math teacher) on drums, Jonathan Buchanan ’20 on viola, Ben Schetter ’16 on strings, and music teacher Colleen Sieberg on viola. 1981 Maumee Valley Theater Production of THE BOYFRIEND
Of course, MVCDS productions can also be dramas without live music. Recent examples include Antigone, Radium Girls, and Chekhov in
Yalta, as well as some Shakespeare comedies. Also, the tradition of the senior class play is alive and well. Started generations ago, it allowed the oldest Maumee Valley students to showcase their theatrical talents.
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/ THE FEATURE STORY /
Many recent productions have included students spanning all grades.
Lower School students as White horses and townspeople in Cinderella
For example, in Hairspray and The King and I, Lower School students acted in the crowd scenes, danced, and worked behind the scenes, while the Middle and Upper School students acted and designed lighting, sets, and costumes. Parents work alongside the students in these endeavors and help the productions come to life. Parents Melinda and Michael Arrigo, Jay Griffith, Stephen Foster ‘84, and Stephanie McClellan have worked on sets, lighting, and costumes. In the recent production of Cinderella, they helped provide audiences with a unique perspective on a fairy tale set in the present, with characters we felt in sync with. Parent Robin Cagle worked alongside art teacher Lou Ann Glover and music teacher Colleen Sieberg, who directed the live music. “The amount of talent within our community is incredible, but what is even more incredible is the dedication and the family-like community that pervades each production,� Melinda Arrigo exclaimed. Some years, we have student stage managers/directors, and in others, we have parents who assist with the logistics. This year, new lighting made the cueing both easier and more challenging, but Kevin Hayes, drama instructor and director, was very pleased with the new options available for lighting design and the 27
/ THE FEATURE STORY / effects that these designs can bring to both scripting and storytelling. Thirty years ago, lighting was not a fancy, highly technical affair, but audiences did not expect it. Instead, they enjoyed an evening out in the Millhon Auditorium, with a classic proscenium stage filled with student and faculty actors. My classmates remembered those days in a recent Facebook chat session in which Margot McIlliwain Nishimura ’83 wrote, “Well, there was the production of the Skin of our Teeth when I got hit by a motorcycle in the Southwyck parking lot (a bunch of us rode the bus which stopped there) and Abby Stranahan ’83 had an emergency appendectomy within a week or two of production and Amy Dana ’82 jumped in as understudy. It was the spring of 1982. Sue Campbell was directing then.” Janet Readus Turner ’83 confirmed: “Margot was only concerned with her … baklava, as the motorcyclist ran her down … I totally forgot my lines and Erickson Blakney ’83 stood in front of me, shaking with laughter, as I struggled to recover … fun, interesting times!” Then Michelle Morgan ’82 chimed in, “I was behind the scenes so not right in the action. I remember Ms. Campbell telling Jane Burke ’81 and Stephen Hankins ’81 to go practice their kiss because it wasn’t real enough. I do remember lots of late nights and little sleep. I had no costume budget so I remember stalking students to borrow clothes for certain characters … lots of uncontrollable giggling late in the evening.” And, last but not least, Jody Katzner ’82 added, “I remember being in Dear Brutus and Chuck Sprandel was onstage for much of the show but never had a line! An a propos memory Kassie Fuiten ‘16, as Cinderella, and William Cagle ‘16, as Prince in this year’s production of cinderella
because Sprandel, in his role of Lower School Head, shepherded and watched over us like we were family, even after we had aged out of his purview.” In fact, the Maumee Valley theater community has remained very much the same entity throughout the decades: a close-knit, hardworking, multiage community enjoying the moments it prepares for its audiences, although they are brief and must be rehearsed at a feverish pace.
/ opposite / Monica Rostocki ‘03 climbing in bishop, ca
So, these varied communities of multiple generations, families, friends, and teachers over years and decades continue to give our community the richness and complexity that make Maumee Valley so lovely. We come together on many occasions, formal and informal, a few or many, to support our own, and we garner strength and understanding. Ultimately, when our community looks to the past and internalizes it, we are better able to understand in what direction our future leads us.
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alumni
2015
/ alumni news, events, and happenings /
smead
luncheon The 81st Annual Smead Luncheon held on May 1st was a wonderful event. More than 140 alumni, parents, trustees, and friends gathered to celebrate the work and achievements of some of the most dedicated members of the Maumee Valley Country Day School community. Alumni Stepper Girard LeBoutillier ‘63
and guests gathered to see teachers and friends, and to honor this year’s Alumni Achievement awardees, “Did’s Kids:” Mr. Duane “Pat” Stranahan Jr. ‘48, Dr. George Stranahan ‘49, Mr. Stephen “Steve” Stranahan ‘53, Mr. Michael “Mike” Stranahan ‘57, Dr. Mary Stranahan ‘63, and Virginia “Dinny” Stranahan ‘64 (posthumously). The class of 2015 joined the Smead Luncheon again this year and were welcomed to the Alumni Association by Alumni Council President Nabeel Jabarin ‘98. The event started in the Millhon Auditorium with music by the Middle School string ensemble, and the Upper Intermediate girls performed the Maypole Dance for guests. Once seated, guests enjoyed quiche and salad before hearing about the Smead School for Girls Scholar, Grace Ludwig ‘16. Other recipients included alumna Monica MacAdams ‘67, who was honored for her volunteer work on behalf of the school; Steve Foster ‘57 for his dedication to serving MVCDS for the past 40 plus years; and Hans Fedderke ‘98 as the young alumni awardee for his achievements. Julia and John Bearss were also honored as dedicated alumni parents. Head of School Gary Boehm spoke about how the Stranahan Family legacy has
THE MAYPOLE DANCE
helped build Toledo into the city it is today, and recapped each family member’s personal achievements.
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/ alumni news, events, and happenings /
Caroline ‘10 and Bailey ‘06 Bearss after presenting their parents, John and Julia, with the alumni parent dedication award
Steve Stranahan ‘53 represented “Dids Kids” as they were honored this year
ALUMNI council president nabeel jabarin ‘98 CONGRATULATES Hans fedderke ‘98 after receiving the young alumni award
Graduating seniors attend the alumni council’s annual smead luncheon on may 1, 2015 31
/ alumni news, events, and happenings /
e a s t coast swing
n e w yor k c i ty
Head of School Gary Boehm and
Maumee Valley’s Director of the Early Learning Center Zach Klausz, graciously opened his childhood home for a gathering of New York City alumni. Alumni from recent years including Rachel Bryan ’14, Gillian Osswald ’10, Jennifer Pesin ’06, Rachel LeSage ’06, Kayla Lindsey ’08, Wynn Turner ’14, Jesse Rubin ’06, Lucas Madrazo ’02, Alex Mandros ’08, and Jonny Zarkower ’00 joined long time supporters Lisa West Alpert ‘80, Phil Griffin ‘75, Puneet Agrawal ’94, Therese Joseph ’76, Bridie Myles ’97, Erickson “EB” Blakney ’83, and Emily Koelsch Rebori ’97. Everyone had a wonderful time catching up and reconnecting with each other.
Alumni Director Weezie Foster Stoddard ’82 enjoyed reconnecting with East Coast alumni this past fall.
g ree n w i c h An elegant evening was hosted by Joseph Profaci and Amy Dana ’82 at their home in Greenwich, CT. Friends from the NYC suburbs joined the festivities, including Christine Wolfe Nichols ’80, Lynn Lieder Kelly ’76, Sarah McPeck Shaw ’83, Stephen Boeschenstein ’84, Jane Eyster ’75, Cynthia Hall McCraven ’78, Steve Hickey ’79, Scott Fauver ’79, and Jerry Kapp ’70. While in New York City, Gary and Weezie volunteered alongside Erickson “EB” Blakney ’83, with DreamYard Project. DreamYard Project was founded by Tim Lord ’82 in the Bronx. Their mission statement is to “use the arts to inspire youth, public schools, and communities. DreamYard programs develop artistic voice, nurture young people’s desire to make change and cultivate the skills necessary to reach positive goals.” Gary and Weezie worked with about 30 students at the DreamYard College Prep School. They guided students on essay writing and conducted mock interviews. 32
/ alumni news, events, and happenings /
washington d.c. PJ Clarke’s Restaurant, Sidecar, was the location for a gathering of alumni from the greater Washington D.C. area. The swank surroundings were the perfect backdrop for sharing stories and catching up with alumni Katie Foster Beverstock ’80, Bill Hulse ’08, Adam Sulier ’11, Michael Esten former alumni director, Jim Carroll ’69, Ford Koles ’82, Addy Rothman ’09, and Sean Martin ’88.
southern s w i n g Head of School, Gary Boehm, had a great time visiting with alumni and friends this past January on his trip through North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Janet Readus Turner ’83 hosted the alumni event at her home in Milton, GA. Alumnus Len Phillipps ’59 and his wife Barbara attended. Thank you to all the alumni that took time to meet with Gary on his trip South.
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/ alumni news, events, and happenings /
w e s t coast swing
Weezie Foster Stoddard ’82 led this year’s West Coast Swing with stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Denver.
los a n g eles
D E NV E R The final stop in Denver was hosted by Lisa Kowaleski Voss ’81 at her restaurant, Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery. Former Alumni Director Jodi Krochalis, alumni Gretchen LeBoutillier ’89, Natalie Hoag James ’00, Matt Osterman ’02, Weston Wenner ’02, Sami Lipman ’02, and Amirah Shahid Fassett ’01 enjoyed visiting with friends in the fun pub atmosphere. The LA area alumni had a spectacular view of The Valley at the home of Ron Birnbaum ’89. Kari Sprandel Coughlin ’82 traveled all the way from San Diego to join Ted Koupal ’55, Jamie Brooks ’82, Parul Agrawal ’01, Tyler Boehm ’01, Edie Magoun ’80, Jason Gilmore ’94, and Eric Stachura ’08.
S E A T T L E
Seattle area Maumee Valley alumni gathered to catch up and meet new friends. Guests included Marc Salverda ’79, Blythe Phillips ’96, Bennett McPeck ’94, Trip Hart ’71, Sallie Hancock ’70, Aaron Blackstone ’93, Steven Lundholm ’94, Eric Blackstone ’94, Jayson Powell ’92, Alysia Tromblay ’79, Brennan Kasperzak ’00, Pieter Salverda ’91, and Rob Franco ’93. Former Head of School Jerry Millhon joined Weezie for lunch along with Polk Millhon Prud’homme ’90 and Peter Boeschenstein ’82. 34
/ alumni news, events, and happenings /
San
Francisco
In San Francisco, Stephen Hankins ’81 graciously hosted alumni at his law office overlooking the Bay. Sloan Johnson ’82 traveled all the way from Calistoga to join Peter Miller ’81, Julintip Thirasilpa ’95, Janice Yoon ’95, Dan Riley ’03, Jessica Riley Hale ’98, Marilyn Mulford ’59, Mike Kasperzak ’72, Jane and Bob Sullwold ’71, Andy Salverda ’88, Josh Beren ’08, Angela Anagnos ’84, and Cameron Jones ’85. Old friends reconnected and reminisced while enjoying the spectacular view. Weezie also visited with educators Andrew Salverda ’88, Middle School Head at San Francisco Friends School, and Gretchen Koles ’80, a math teacher at The Branson School in Marin County, CA. She met with Neely Upamaka ’09, who is working for the Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA), and is a Project Associate at Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY).
chic a g o
The Chicago Alumni gathering on April 16th was a great success. In attendance were 21 alumni and their significant others. Chris Johnson Gordon ‘76 and her husband Scott hosted the event in their beautiful home overlooking Lake Michigan. Everyone had a wonderful time catching up, sharing old stories, and creating new friendships. L-R: Susanna Patrick Hedblom ‘82, Weezie Foster Stoddard ‘82, Alex Bowe DeRosa ‘82, Berkley Welles Wellstein ‘02, Laura Wade ‘74, Chris Johnson Gordon ‘76, Alex Karcher ‘12, Nollie Brown ‘09, Mary Hutton Burgi ‘79, Mari Brandman ‘05, Hannah Kasperzak ‘05, Leigh Rorick ‘06, and Leslie Andrews Athmer ‘04.
Although these were fast-paced trips, connecting with MVCDS alumni is always fun. Seeing the outcome of a Maumee Valley education and being able to share the success of our alumni with the MVCDS community is wonderful.
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/ alumni in memoriam /
Remembering those who are no longer with us... JONATHAN KRUEGER ‘12 Son. Brother. Friend. These are only a few of the words that describe Jonathan. When you speak with his family and friends, you will find that those words are the foundation but only a drop in the ocean of words that can describe him. On April 12, 1993, Jonathan was born into a family of two loving parents and three older siblings who immediately took him under their wing. Since day one they were four peas in a pod, and countless family photos show years of love and adventures across the country along with a few intrepid trips abroad. Over the years he developed into quite the athlete and outdoorsman; hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, skiing, snowboarding, swimming, playing soccer, tennis, golf, and his favorite, basketball. He was team co-captain of the Maumee Valley Country Day School basketball team his junior and senior years, helping to lead his team to victory after victory. His buzzer-beater 3-point shot for the win against a rival school may be the most
defining moment of his high school basketball career, and will forever be remembered by his teammates, coaches, and fans. Throughout his time at MV, he became known as “the man behind the camera,” always taking pictures and capturing moments. He studied photography and never missed an opportunity to photograph people, places, and things. His passion for basketball led him to the Big Blue Nation at the University of Kentucky, and his love of photography led him to the Kentucky Kernel. From the moment he discovered the possibility of sitting on the sidelines, photographing his favorite team, he knew what he wanted to strive for. Although he photographed everything from student meetings to breaking news across Lexington, he lived for his moments on the sidelines of UK sports. When he became the head photo editor his junior year at UK, during one of their basketball team’s most promising years, he began dreaming of photographing the Final Four. Thanks to the Big Blue run, that dream came true, and he was courtside for the biggest games of the year. All that knew him describe him as compassionate, driven, genuine, always smiling, always willing to lend a hand, always the bright light in any moment. He was known for his bone-crushing bear hugs that could cure any ailment. Though his life was taken too soon, he lived every moment to the fullest with no regrets. To Jonathan, life was always an adventure, and every moment an opportunity to seize. He will forever be remembered for his extraordinary personality, and above all, his kindness. We would like all of those individuals who helped to mentor and guide Jonathan along the way to know that we will forever appreciate them for the young man that he became. Jonathan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Edward and Mary Jane McCormick Jr., and Hazel June Krueger. Left behind to cherish his memory and celebrate Jonathan’s life are his parents, Walter and Mary Krueger Jr.; his brothers and sister, Michael (Sarah) Krueger ‘03, Elizabeth Krueger (Cal) Roberts ‘06, and William Krueger ‘09; nephew, Mason Krueger; his grandfather, Walter Krueger Sr.; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. A scholarship fund at Maumee Valley Country Day School has been set up in Jonathan’s name. Contributions can be sent to 1715 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo, Ohio 43614 or GiveToMaumeeValley.com. DAVID EDWIN “TED” WELLES ‘98, of Boulder, Colorado, and formerly of Perrysburg, Ohio, died on Saturday, October 25, 2014. He was born on November 5, 1979, to Hope (Jones) and David K. Welles, Jr. Ted attended Maumee Valley Country Day School from the age of four through graduation in 1998. He attended the University of Oregon and moved to Vail, Colorado in 2003, where he was the head of guest services for the Christiania Hotel in Vail. Ted subsequently moved to Boulder, Colorado to pursue his lifelong passion for music.
jonathan krueger ‘12
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Ted developed a love of music at a very young age, and played in his first band at the age of 13. He played many instruments and sang vocals, but his true passion was percussion. He played drummer for many bands in
/ alumni In memoriam / high school and college. His move to Boulder allowed him to pursue this passion more fully, and he found his calling as the drummer for The Drunken Hearts, a Boulder based bluegrass group. Ted was not only passionate about music, but about life in general. His kindness and generosity were known and felt by all who knew him. For ten years, he dedicated much of his free time to volunteering for BeadForLife, a nonprofit organization which combats extreme poverty in communities in Uganda by providing entrepreneurial training and fair trade wages for women who create handcrafted beaded jewelry. Ted was one of the longest serving volunteers for BeadForLife and one of their all time largest marketers. Ted also volunteered with an organization for young people called Culture Jam in western Oregon. Culture Jam is a program for youth, ages 14-18, where participants discover their purpose and potential through arts-centered activities. He spent three summers with the program and was well loved by all the participants. Ted was known by everyone as a funny, thoughtful, and deeply compassionate individual. He embraced the world and spread his love by his words, actions, and care for all. Ted made friends wherever he went and was truly inspiring to those around him. To acknowledge the way he led his life and in his memory, his family and friends created the “Ted Pledge” so that he would live in our hearts forever, and his light in this world would never fade:
Be generous with everything Give thanks for something every day Give everyone the benefit of the doubt Take care of ourselves and each other Do random acts of kindness Look everyone in their eyes Be careful with our grammar Be proud of our bodily functions Offer a smile to friends and strangers Give two-armed hugs with every hello and goodbye Strive to be the nicest person in the room
ted welles ‘98
Ted is survived by his mother and father; fiancée, Samantha Lipman ‘02, sisters, Hope W. Jernagan ‘00 (Luke) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Berkley W. Wellstein ‘02 (Bob) of Chicago, Illinois, nieces, Hope Jernagan, Maude Jernagan; nephew, William Wellstein; paternal grandmother, Georgia Welles and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. MARCIA CARR ROBERTSON ‘47 died at home in Grafton, New
Hampshire on May 23, 2014. She was a dedicated daughter, sister, mother, teacher, and friend. Her appreciation of the best in each person she knew made her a natural leader and role model. Marcia was born in Toledo, Ohio, to Dorothy (Foote) and William P. Carr on November. 21, 1929. She grew up in Toledo and Perrysburg. She went to Maumee Valley Country Day
Marcia carr Robertson ‘47
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/ alumni in memoriam / helped found the outdoor drama Tecumseh in Chillicothe, was active in Al-Anon, served as the founding President of the Board of Pickaway County’s first alcohol and drug treatment program, and was very active in two churches (St. Phillips Episcopal Church and Grace Church). In New Hampshire, she was a member of the East Andover Congregational Church, and also attended the Millbrook Church in Grafton. Marcia is survived by her daughter Nancy (Carr) Robertson; brother, William P. Carr ‘45 (Peggy); sister, Nancy (Carr) Sjostrom (Carl-Eric Sjostrom); nephews, Peter Tomasi-Carr, Jan and Eric Sjostrom; and nieces, Molly Carr Thornton, and Caren. NANCY GOULD BRITZ ‘48, of Cape Elizabeth, ME, aged 83, died
peacefully at her home on Monday, December 1, 2014, surrounded by her children. She was born on December 7, 1930, the elder daughter of Toledo attorney George Gould and pianist/composer Elizabeth Davies Gould. nancy gould britz ‘48
School, attended Northwestern University, then transferred to Ohio State University in 1950. That year she married William M. Robertson. They graduated together in 1952 and settled in Waterville, Ohio. Marcia was an elementary school teacher for a long time until she went back to school in the early 1970s. She believed teachers, herself included, were not adequately prepared to bring out the innate intelligence in all of their pupils. She wanted better methods for teaching students who would otherwise be left behind. After she finished her graduate studies, Marcia taught at Salt Creek and Laurelville elementary schools in Southern Ohio. She specialized in teaching students who learned differently or whose experiences outside of school interfered with their education. She taught grades one through six in a single classroom, and had some students all through grade school. Many invited her to high school graduations, weddings, and baptisms, and she was delighted to attend. Several students stayed in touch until she became too ill to keep up her end of the correspondence. Marcia was active in her church and community. During the Circleville-Laurelville years she 38
An acclaimed local piano teacher and composer, Nancy performed as a duo pianist with her mother, and taught calculus at The University of Toledo. She lived many exciting lives beginning as a concert pianist and playing four hands concerts with her mother. She graduated from Maumee Valley Country Day School, and went on to Smith College, finally getting her MA in Mathematics from The University of Toledo. She taught at UT, then went on to teach at secondary schools in Massachusetts and New York. A self taught horticulturalist, she hybridized hundreds of daylilies, often naming them for family and friends, including Congressman John Tierney. She was recognized with an article in Fine Gardening, and other nursery catalogs. She designed many delightful and elegant gardens. A lifelong Democrat, Nancy was proud to be called a liberal and had an appreciation for labor unions. She was politically active her entire life, instilling her children with a deep sense of the importance of every citizen’s civic responsibility. Nancy was a world traveler, making several trips to Israel, Europe, Russia, and Japan, among other places. She particularly enjoyed her vacations on the yacht, Kestrel, in the Caribbean. She is survived by her three children, Jennifer Duryea ‘69, Beth Duryea ‘70, David Turin ‘75; and her sister, Elizabeth Herrera ’50. She has eight grandchildren and step grandchildren scattered across the country. She leaves behind her beloved toy poodle, Sophie.
/ alumni In memoriam / JOANIE MELOY SCHOENBERGER ‘49, 84, of Perrysburg, Ohio, died
peacefully with her husband at her side on Wednesday, December 31, 2014. She was born in Orange, New Jersey, on December 7, 1930, to William T. and Esther (Selby) Meloy and was married on April 10, 1954, to Robert “Bob” Schoenberger.
relatives prominent in American history. She maintained connections with Mennel relatives in the Alsace-Lorraine area of France where the family originated.
Joanie was a graduate of Maumee Valley Country Day School and Pine Manor Junior College in Brookline, MA. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker. She had an inviting smile, a contagious laugh, and a very witty sense of humor. A longtime member of Belmont Country Club, she was an avid tennis player and was known as the “Lob Queen.” Joanie is survived by her husband, Robert; sons, Bruce Schoenberger (Karen) and Jeffrey Schoenberger (Vivian); grandchildren, Scott, Nikki, Grace, and Van Schoenberger; brothers, John Meloy (Cynthia) and Stephen Meloy ‘54 (Ginny); and many nieces and nephews. MARGARET “PEGGY” MENNEL BAILEY ‘33, formerly of Toledo, Ohio
and Marshall, Michigan, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2014, at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, West Virginia. She was born September 25, 1916, in Toledo, OH, a daughter of the late Mark N. and Margaret L. Mennel. She was preceded in death by her husband, John H. Bailey; three brothers, Mark N. Mennel, Jr., Walter M. Mennel and William C. Mennel; and one daughter, Kate Bailey.
joanie meloy schoenberger ‘49
She is survived by two sons, David F. Bailey and Peter H. Bailey (Chris); three grandchildren, Megan Harvey (Ryan), Joseph Bailey (Haleigh); two great grandchildren, Reese Parker and Tanner Harvey; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was the oldest member of her immediate family, and the last grandchild of Alphonse Mennel, founder of the Mennel Milling Company of Fostoria. Her father, Mark, was Chairman of the Board there prior to his death, and the company remains owned and operated by the Mennel family. Margaret attended Smead School in Toledo, Mount Vernon College, and George Washington University in Washington, DC. Margaret lived on a pioneer farm in Michigan for over 65 years. Proficient in written and spoken French, she enjoyed reading and solving crossword puzzles: in English and French. Margaret appreciated all forms of music and art, played piano, and was an avid horsewoman, jumping competitively when she was younger. She volunteered for years at hospitals wherever she lived and continued that until she died. She also loved golf, and twice achieved a hole in one, once at the Greenbrier and once at the Homestead. She became very interested in her family genealogy later in life, as it was discovered that there were several
margaret mennel bailey ‘33
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/ faculty in memoriam / SYLVIA BASCH died suddenly March 11, 2015, while on vacation in Switzerland. She was 73 and had been living in Vienna, Austria for the last 20 years. She loved teaching, traveling the world, and playing her violin in many chamber and orchestral music ensembles. She was happy and enthusiastic right to the end. She is survived by her daughter and son. JEAN EMERY WOMMACK, 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 4, 2014, at her home in Cincinnati, Ohio, surrounded by her four children. Her husband of 58 years, William Walton Wommack, preceded her in death in 2010. Jean was the daughter of Bartlett Edwards Emery and Mildred Swartzbaugh Emery. Her beloved stepmother was Blanche Searles Emery. Born and raised in Ottawa Hills, Ohio, Jean graduated from Ottawa Hills High School and Wellesley College. Following graduation she taught at The Brearley School in New York City and Maumee Valley Country Day School in Toledo.
sylvia basch
Jean and Bill met in Toledo and were married there in 1951. In 1958, they moved to Cincinnati with their young family, and Bill began his career with The Mead Corporation. They traveled across six continents, both with Bill’s job and with their family. They spent many happy years in their second home in Georgia surrounded by friends, children, and grandchildren. A tireless volunteer, Jean was particularly interested in the arts, musical therapy, education, and organizations that served special needs individuals. She was a docent and supporter of The Toledo Museum of Art. For 20 years, she was a board member of The National Lime and Stone Company in Findlay, Ohio, remaining engaged with this family company until her death. Jean is survived by her four children, Judy Pfingstag (Henry) of Maitland, Florida, Kent Wommack (Gro Flatebo) of Yarmouth, Maine, Lynne Espy (Jay) of Freeport, Maine, and Mary Wommack (Jim Mackenzie) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and eleven grandchildren, Allison, Lauren, and David Pfingstag; Rikka, Sanders, and Reed Wommack; Adele and Josh Espy, Hannah Espy (Bill Blackburn), and Sam and Louisa Mackenzie. She is also survived by extended family from the Toledo area.
jean emery womack
BRIAN SUTTON-SMITH, died on March 7, 2015, in White River Junction, Vermont. He was 90. Brian Sutton-Smith, a developmental psychologist whose work — prolific, scholarly and precedent-setting — was quite literally child’s play, died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease, his daughter Emily Sutton-Smith said. A former teacher at Maumee Valley, Professor Sutton-Smith went on to be one of the first people to bring the study of play into the academic arena, and for more than half a century he was considered the field’s foremost scholar. He was the author of a spate of books, including “Toys as Culture” (1986) and “The Ambiguity of Play”(1997); a consultant to toy makers and children’s television programs; and a regular presence in the news media, which quoted him on subjects including the inclination of modern-day schools to abolish recess (a trend he deplored) and helicopter parents (ditto).
brian sutton-smith 40
His other books include “Child’s Play” (1971, with R. E. Herron), “The Study of Games” (1971, with Elliott M. Avedon) and “How to Play With Your Children (and When Not To),” a parenting guide written with his wife,
/ faculty In memoriam / published in 1974. Professor Sutton-Smith, who helped found what is now the Association for the Study of Play, received lifetime achievement awards from that organization and from the American Folklore Society. His vast archive of research materials on play is now part of the Strong Museum, a national museum of play in Rochester, where he was a scholar in residence. Despite the academic respectability he had almost single-handedly conferred on play, interviewers persisted in asking Professor SuttonSmith why he spent his life on the subject. “Why do we study play?” he replied on one occasion. “We study play because life is crap. Life is crap, and it’s full of pain and suffering, and the only thing that makes it worth living — the only thing that makes it possible to get up in the morning and go on living — is play.” MARIE SAVAGE WITHEREL, a career school teacher, died March 7, 2015, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. She was 92. Formerly of West Toledo, she lived at Kingston Residence of Sylvania. She was in declining health recently, according to her son Michael. Marie was a realtor for more than a decade, retiring in 1998. Through the years, she taught elementary students at St. Thomas Aquinas, Garfield, Lincoln, Harvard, Trilby, Westwood, and Maumee Valley Country Day School. “She had a terrific connection with young children,” her son Michael said. Her brother Robert said, “She would get ecstatic teaching them to read, so they could go on these adventures through books.” An alumna of Notre Dame Academy, Marie attended Mary Manse College on a scholarship. She received a Master of Education degree in 1971 from the University of Toledo.
marie savage witherel
Surviving are her sons, Thomas, Michael, Dennis, and Jack Witherell; sisters, Elizabeth Campbell and Nancy Coyle; brothers, James and Robert Savage; 13 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
board member In memoriam THOMAS I. WEBB, JR., a partner in the Toledo law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick and a leader in cultural and civic groups, died April 22, 2015 in his Ottawa Hills home. He was 66. He’d had a long illness, his wife, Polly, said. Mr. Webb joined Shumaker Loop in 1973 after admission to the Ohio bar and became a partner of the firm as his late father had been. He regularly represented financial institutions and publicly and privately held businesses, according to the firm’s website, and regularly received professional honors. “He had tremendous finesse to resolve the most complicated and combative situations,” said Mr. Dave Rectenwald, who met Mr. Webb as a Shumaker Loop summer intern in 1984. “He dealt with opposing attorneys with great respect, rather than being aggressive. He had an approach different from most corporate lawyers, and it was very effective.” Mr. Webb was appointed by Gov. Bob Taft to the Medical College of Ohio board of trustees in 2001. He’d also been a trustee of Lourdes University and Maumee Valley Country Day School. He was born Sept. 16, 1948, to Marcia and Thomas Webb and was a graduate of Ottawa Hills High School. He was a graduate of Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., and Case Western Reserve law school.
thomas i. webb, jr. 41
/ alumni class notes /
class notes 58
Kay Foster: kkrf@sbcglobal.net
is now the only spacecraft ever to orbit two extraterrestrial destinations. This ambitious expedition is enabled by ion propulsion, which Marc first heard of in a Star Trek episode. (The first mission to rely on ion propulsion was Deep Space 1, which he also was lucky enough to lead.) Anyone interested in Marc’s adventure might enjoy his Dawn Journals at tinyurl.com/MarcDawn. One reader of the March 6, 2015 Dawn Journal, which includes an amusing video with Marc, said he has “the mind of a brilliant rocket scientist, the heart of a poet, and the soul of an explorer.” Marc has written many other articles for the public on science, including a recent short overview of Dawn, Ceres, and his lifelong passion for exploring the cosmos and can be found at tinyurl.com/Marc-Ceres.
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Charles Witte: chadwitte@hotmail.com
Kay Foster and her toffee team have been making Sinful Toffee since early 2012. When the toffee is just the right temperature, Kay smothers each slab in luscious Belgian chocolate and then sprinkles it with the finest chopped walnuts. “She loves to make the toffee that you love to eat, so go ahead and indulge!”
74
Neil Sunders: saundersfamily@mindspring. com
Living the life he always dreamed of, Marc Rayman ‘74, is Mission Director and Chief Engineer for NASA’s Dawn mission. On March 6, after an interplanetary journey of 7.5 years and 3.1 billion miles, Dawn entered orbit around dwarf planet Ceres, the largest object between the Sun and Pluto not previously visited by a spacecraft. Ceres was discovered 129 years before Pluto, which was the second, but more famous dwarf planet. The spacecraft will spend at least a year taking pictures and making other measurements of the mysterious alien world of rock and ice, which may have a subsurface ocean of liquid water. Dawn explored the giant protoplanet Vesta in 2011-2012, and it 42
communicating the law enforcement priorities of the Federal government to disparate audiences over his career,” said LEVICK Chairman, Richard Levick, Esq. “He set the standard for his field and his expertise now significantly elevates LEVICK’s litigation support capabilities.” “Chicago is a global business and legal center, and I’m excited to bring LEVICK’s renowned expertise in legal and crisis communications closer to my home,” said Samborn. As an Assistant United States Attorney and the chief Public Information Officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, Samborn’s media relations and litigation communications skills have been widely praised by lawyers, judges, and journalists in legions of cases that attracted intense local, national, and international headlines. Prior to his federal government service, Samborn was the Chicago Bureau Chief for The National Law Journal and covered crime, courts, and legal affairs for The Blade newspaper in Toledo, Ohio. After MVCDS, Randy attended Washington University in St. Louis and then The University of Toledo College of Law. In addition to local jobs at the Toledo Blade and Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office, he also served as the Chicago Bureau Chief of The National Law Journal prior to starting his twenty year career for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Thank you to Ted Chung ’85, an attorney in Chicago, for submitting this article about Randy from the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
76 Former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Federal Prosecution Spokesman Randy Samborn Joins LEVICK in their next step of ongoing growth and rapid expansion, the communications firm announced the hiring of Randall Samborn, an attorney and former legal journalist who spent two decades with the Federal prosecutor’s office in Chicago leading one of the Federal government’s most active and successful prosecutorial public affairs operations. Over the course of his career, Samborn played a key role in the prosecutions of Illinois governors Rod Blagojevich and George Ryan as well as cases involving corporate, financial, and health care fraud, civil rights, cybercrime, national security, and terrorism. He also served as the sole U.S. Justice Department spokesman during the high-profile Special Counsel investigation and subsequent trial of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, a senior White House official who was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in 2007. “Randy Samborn wrote the book on
Stephen Goldberg: sandgoldbery@bex.net
After 23 great years of living in Michigan and raising their kids, Stan (Orser) and Therese Joseph ’76 moved to NYC three years ago. Therese is a licensed mental health therapist, specializing in children and adolescents. Currently, Therese is working at Boys Prep Bronx Charter School, located in South Bronx, as their founding counselor.
/ alumni class notes /
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Lisa West Alpert: alpertnyc@gmail.com Christine Wolfe Nichols: cwolfenicols@optonline.net
Lisa West Alpert ’80 with her 1980 varsity letter blanket at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
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Libbey Call Best: libbeycall@bet.ne Daniel Siegel: siegel@uad.edu
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Evan Creutz: lordevan@msn.com Sarah Osborn Noviski: osbornsc@yahoo.com
Eric Blackstone ’94 and his wife Dawn welcomed Luke Stetson Blackstone to the world on January 29, 2015 at the Puget Sound Birth Center. Luke weighed 7lbs 13oz and is their first child. He is the first grandchild in the Blackstone family.
00
Anurag Gupta: anuraggz@umich.edu Alyson Wall: amiganiwall@gmail.com
Spencer Dreher ‘90, Head of the Process Chemistry Automation Lab at Merck, is working with University of Pennsylvania chemists on cutting edge technology research capabilities. You can read more about it at http://goo.gl/mSjwY3.
Jonathan Crow ’90, is an artist, writer, filmmaker, teacher, coffee enthusiast, dad, and creator of Veeptopus, a collection of sketches featuring U.S. Vice Presidents with octopuses on their heads. “It was like a lightning bolt from Zeus,” he said, when asked why he created the collection.
Maumee Valley graduates and friends gathered in Chicago to support Berkley Welles Wellstein ’02 at the 3rd Annual Jane’s Pink Party on January 24. Front L-R: Berkley Welles Wellstein ’02, Sami Lipman ’02, Hope Welles, Deke Welles ’70, and The Reverend Hopie Welles Jernagan ’00. Back L-R: Amir Khan ’00, Weezie Foster Stoddard ’82, Gail Mahaffy, Anant Tamirisa ’02 , Kitsy Sabin Choka ’75, and Mike Hardman.
Lucas Madrazo ‘02 is currently office manager and tour coordinator for Depth of Field Management in NYC, a small boutique office servicing a handful of internationally touring jazz artists. He is a freelance music teacher and plays in several bands around town.
Sarah (Breier) Sherwin ’00 and her husband Ryan celebrated the birth of their second daughter, Vivienne Marie Sherwin, on February 25, 2015. Vivienne weighed 8lbs 3oz and was 20” long. She’s doing great, and her older sister, Evelyn, couldn’t be more excited!
02
Sophia Afridi: sophie.afridi@utoledo.edu
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/ alumni class notes / In August 2014, Anant Tamirisa ’02 joined Pantelion Films, a joint venture between Lionsgate Entertainment and Televisa (a Mexican multimedia company) in Santa Monica. He is an attorney of Business & Legal Affairs. Anant graduated in May 2014 from the University of Toledo School of Law, receiving a joint JD/MBA, and was admitted to the California State Bar in November 2014. His practice focuses on film finance, international distribution, film production, and business development. Prior to law school, Anant spent four years with Lionsgate Entertainment in film finance and distribution, and as a legal intern with Relativity Media. While there, he worked on Limitless, Immortals, The Switch, 50/50, and Kick-Ass. After Maumee Valley Country Day School, Anant graduated with a BA in American Studies from Miami University in Oxford, OH. He currently resides in West Hollywood with his four year old Goldendoodle, Flynn.
03
She is teaching climbing at the local bouldering gym, working intermittently for the Ventura County School District and Educational Testing Service, and pursuing local positions in outdoor education, a popular curriculum in schools in the western United States. In her downtime, Monica takes care of her 16 chickens and goes hiking. You can usually find Monica on the road to some climbing destination. She has been learning the art of trad climbing and hopes to head to Yosemite later this spring. Monica will be earning her Wilderness First Responder certification soon, and will be returning for a third summer as a trip leader with Wilderness Ventures, a teen outdoor adventure company based out of Jackson, WY. Monica says, “It feels like I never stop plotting out my next challenge!”
Leslie and her husband Brian, have launched an apparel company called Sailored. After the Lake Erie algae bloom last year that left Toledo residents with no water for several days, they wanted to help. With every purchase, 15% of net proceeds are donated to The Alliance for the Great Lakes to help conserve the Great Lakes. Check it out and feel “great” about your purchase of Great Lakes nautical apparel and accessories knowing you’re supporting a good cause. Visit their on-line store at sailored.com
05
Prathima Pangulur: prathima@hotmail.com Morgan Bayer: mobayer@gmail.com
Dan Riley ’03 was recently featured in a New York Times article about a new program at Berkeley National Lab called Cyclotron Road, an innovation pipeline for energy technologies. The program is supporting his efforts to develop clean alternative energy technologies and form start up companies. Dan recently graduated from Stanford with a Ph.D. in Physics.
Four fellow alumnae gathered in Chicago in celebrate the New Year in January: Megan Sieberg ’03, Kelsy Grefe ’03, Monica Rostocki ’03, and Leslie Andrews Athmer ’04. Megan is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Chicago. Kelsy has been teaching Spanish at MVCDS for five years, and is the World Languages Department Chair. Monica is teaching climbing at a bouldering gym and working for the Ventura County School District. Leslie has recently started an apparel company with her husband, Brian, called Sailored.
04
Geoffrey Madrazo: glasseye@aol.com Jena Pugh: jena.pugh@gmail.com
On November 8, 2014 Kyle O’Connell ’05 married Whitney Zielinski in Philadelphia, followed by a honeymoon in Hawaii. Kyle is employed at SEI of Philadelphia as a Senior Fund Accountant. Whitney is currently employed at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia in the Surgical/Trauma Intensive Care Unit.
Front row: Charlene Ratliff O’Connell ’80, Kyle O’Connell ’05, Kara Ford ’09, and Erin Anderson ’05. Back row: Dan Walsh ’05, Davis Bothe ’05, Mike Martinez ’05, Stacey Stinson Benner ’80, and Kevin Ford ’05.
06 Monica Rostocki is happily settling into her new life in the serene, alternative town of Ojai, CA, tucked into a valley in the Los Padres Mountains in Southern California. 44
Mariana Brandman: marianabrandman@gmail.com
Liz Seeman: easeeman@gmail.com Mario Valone: mariovalone@gmail.com
/ alumni class notes / Zuri Hall ’06 is the new After Show host for MTV’s hit reality game show, The Challenge: Battle of the Exes 2. She got down to the bottom of all the steamy hookups, crazy challenges, and fiery fights this season.
Elizabeth “Liz” Seeman ‘06 is living and working in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, working for JaRco Consulting, PLC. They do development consultancy work, mostly Monitoring and Evaluation, for health, gender, “WASH” (water, sanitation, and hygiene), and education projects in Ethiopia. Along with many other adventures, Liz spent her birthday on top of Angafo Mountain at 3,460m this year.
08
Forrest Foster: emailforrest@gmail.com
Pictured: Andrew Schmidt ’08, Caroline Bearss ’10, Bailey Bearss ’06, and Kathleen Choka ’06. Maumee Valley alumni gathered over the holidays at Christmas Eve mass at St. Timothy’s in Perrysburg.
10
Alex Brooks: brooks.alexjames@gmail.com
Lee Bigelow ’10, Asia Gauler ’13, and Dillon Stoddard ’10 had a mini reunion in Troy, NY, in November 2014. Dillon is in his senior year as a Mechanical Engineering major at RPI, Lee Bigelow is working at Emerson Process Management as a Controls Engineer, and Asia Gauler is in her second year at RPI.
Jangus Whitner ’10 was recently accepted to be a returning team member on a Medical Mission reaching rural villages in Nicaragua. This team consists of medical students, physicians, a pharmacist, and one pharmacy student. As the pharmacy student, Jangus will be assisting the pharmacist in preparing and dispensing medications, advising the medical students and physicians, and counseling patients in Spanish. The team will travel to different sites each day in the month of August.
To volunteer to be a class agent, update information about your class, or share your news, please contact: alumni@mvcds.org 419-381-1313 x 112
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/ alumni council / Dear Alumni, When I was asked to write this letter, I had no idea where to begin. Then it came to me, Maumee Valley Country Day School! All of our lives have been impacted by the same place. The one common thread that we share is our school. We can debate that each of our eras were the best times of the school; “My teachers were better than yours.” If it wasn’t for Chuck Lundholm would we have read Ethan Frome? Probably not, but we are better for it, right? The truth is, Maumee Valley Country Day School has not left its “golden era” since 1884. The alumni, the teachers, the staff, the administration, and our parents have made the School and continue to sustain its prestige. I am honored to be the one who can represent all of our alumni as President of the Alumni Council. As of today, we have 18 alumni representing roughly 2,200 alumni spread throughout the world. We are a proud and successful bunch. We have been lucky enough to have had the participation and dedication of Kay Rathbun Foster ’58, Dick Andrews ’59, Ron Burnbaum ’89, Danielle Goodwin-Avery ’98, and Mari Brandman ’05. They have served on the Alumni Council for years. Each have added their own unique identity to the Council. I express my tremendous gratitude to them. And as Robert Frost wrote, “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” those wonderful people are stepping down and we are lucky enough to have four new members stepping up; Helen Mabry ’88, Jamie Thompson ’96, Morgan Bayer ’03, and Kelsy Grefe ’03. Please join me in a collective welcome to our new Alumni Council representatives. Each of us can give back to the place that has provided so many memories. Whether it is hosting an alumni event in your region, helping set up or take down a local event, joining us at the homecoming events, or even the dreaded, helping raise money, there are plenty of opportunities to help in whichever way fits your strengths. At the end of the day, we are a part of MVCDS and MVCDS is a part of us. This is a great thing! If you are reading this publication, it is because our alma mater had an impact on your life, and now, you can have an impact on MVCDS. I look forward to seeing everyone at homecoming this fall. Until then, have a great summer. Sincerely, Nabeel Jabarin ’98 President Alumni Council
1961 reunion gift
Thanks to the Class of 1961, students are able to eat lunch together on a nice spring day 46
For their reunion gift, the Class of 1961 wanted to pay homage to Maumee Valley history by purchasing twelve dogwood trees in memory of Dogwood Days. Additionally, they wanted to help the school’s new landscaping efforts by creating a space where a group of students could congregate and gather. This effort was led by classmates Karen Bailey Brobeck, Melinda “Biggs” Bigelow Ward, Marilyn Miller Mitchell, Tom Handwork, and Doug Shelton. In addition other classmates who supported the the project include: Betsy Loutrel Glanville, Mary McKechnie Fish, Don Ochs, John “Dutch” van Merkensteijn, Erie Chapman, Jim Birr, John Meyer, Roberta “Bobby” Bowers, and Bill Belt. “We appreciate members of the Class of 1961 and their willingness to help connect current students with the school’s rich history.” said Gary Boehm, Head of School. “The dogwoods along with the benches provide a wonderful accent to the The Anning Lawn, one of the most popular outdoor spaces on campus.”
CAPTURE THE WEATHERVANE Don’t forget to capture the Weathervane during your travels, family reunions, or in your backyard. We want you to take fun photographs of yourself holding the Weathervane in crazy places all over the world and beyond. THERE ARE FOUR SUBMISSION CATEGORIES: “Where in the World”- International Submissions “Artistic Apertures”- Digitally Enhanced Photos “Extreme MVCDS”- Extreme Sports Submissions “MVCDS Family”-Alumni Gatherings There will also be a “Best in Show” Grand Prize winner that will be announced at the All-Alumni Reunion on September 25, 2015 and featured in the January 2016 issue of The Valley. To print a full-size copy of the weathervane, Go to www.mvcds.org/weathervane
maumee valley country day school
1715 S Reynolds Road Toledo, OH 43614-1499 419 381 1313 www.mvcds.org
opening minds opening doors
Back to school picnic
open house 19TH aug
Homecoming 2015 september 25TH-27TH
First day of HAWK HUSTLE 5k 26TH SEPT 20TH school aug grandparents & special friends day 2ND oct
Get Back Day Holiday hoops & ALUMNI HOLIDAY EVENT 25th NOV
26TH
DEC
Save the dates!