Strength | Winter-Spring 2022

The Magazine of Annie Wright Schools | Winter–Spring 2022

STRENGTH The

RISE of the

Arts 1

CONTENTS | WINTER-SPRING 2022

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Art Sparks

Class Notes

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Community Engagement Day Alumni + Arts

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Together We Set Sail

In Memoriam

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Community Connections Artistic Horizons

from the

HEAD OF SCHOOLS Dear Annie Wright Community, The arts are on the rise at Annie Wright. Under the direction

selecting plays that offer new ways of understanding,

of Annie Katica Green, Director of Arts, AWS recently

witnessing and questioning the human experience is

launched the initial phase of a comprehensive, robust and

another way of upholding diversity through the arts. Making

transformative arts program. This program cuts across all

more visible the work—in classroom units of study, in

segments of our school community, and for those who have

after-school specialty classes, in summer programming, in

been at Annie Wright Schools for more than a year, I suspect

rehearsals and design processes—is the big opportunity we

the arts emphasis has felt palpable. That has been the goal.

have. And so we will lift every young artist so they can be

Why? Why focus on the arts? Because the arts are, in their most basic sense, the expression of human experience.

Innate to each of us is the desire to understand who we are, both individually and collectively, and to understand our purpose in life. But there are no answers. And so we squint at the sun trying to see clearly. We paint images.

We write prose and pen verse. We tell stories and act out the stories of others. We pound rhythm and hum in

seen, valued and nurtured in whatever form of expression they choose to explore.

“

Why focus on the arts?

Because the arts are, in their most basic sense, the expression of human experience.

”

harmony. We dance and dance and dance. The sands of

Here at AWS, there is no roadmap for the arts…but there is a

understanding inevitably slip through our fists, but with

compass. This adventure has just begun, and with excellent

every engagement of artistic expression, we feel that much

arts leadership, a commitment to stellar community-

closer to understanding. We are building the arts program at

based instruction and a willing student body, there is

AWS to be a sandbox, with students encouraged to grab with

transformation in the wings. I can’t wait to see the results for

both hands!

your student.

The intersection between people, stories and skills really

Sincerely,

resonates with me. The sweetest spot of vibrant arts programming resides at the heart of that intersection.

Who do we engage to teach? At this juncture, we’ve found tremendous resources locally by engaging non-profit arts organizations for after-school specialty instruction. What stories do we uphold and about which people? In theatre,

Jake Guadnola ’90MS Head of Schools 1

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Art

SPARKS -

What new activities, interests or behaviors have the Arts Sparked for our Gator Creators in After-School Arts?

Art Sparks…A New Connection with My Mom

“My mom told me that she did a type of weaving when she was a little girl… cardboard weaving, and that is the kind of weaving we are doing! I feel happy we have a connection—we did the same thing!”

Cora N., Grade 2, Intro to Weaving & Theatre with Puppets

Art Sparks…Going Slow “You should always go slow. It helps us be more in the lines. If you rush, what are you going to do when you are done?”

Alaya G., Kindergarten, Stories & Art

Art Sparks…

Independence “I’m telling people about what I‘m working on and how I’m making it and the personalities and the details. I like how you do it with details in art and get to pick your own way of how to do it.”

Josephine A., Grade 2, Theatre with Puppets

Art Sparks…Observation “It changes the way I see pictures. I notice brown trees, and I see branches and the differences between them.”

Christopher S., Kindergarten, Stories & Art

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Art Sparks…Inspiration “At the fall Arts Showcase, I saw the games created by the Game Making activity. I thought those were really fun, but then I challenged myself to make a game that is just as fun or more fun!”

Luke G., Grade 5, Sketch Comedy

Art Sparks…Joy “I like the joy of weaving. I love making my own woolen things so I’ll be warmer. I’m making a scarf at home now. It's rainbow! The yarn is multiple colors, and right now I’m doing the red part of it. You’ll be so surprised when I bring it to school! I got my wooden weaving loom at Christmas!”

Penelope K., Grade 1, Intro to Weaving

Art Sparks…Well, a Lot! “Thinking on my feet.”

Griffin S., Grade 7, Improv

“Now, I can write in one go—I don’t need to pre-plan to write.” Tyler W., Grade 6, Improv “Getting out of my head!” Laila G., Grade 7, Improv “Speaking out.” Trinity M., Grade 8, Improv

Art Sparks…Paying Attention— Especially to the Backstory “The way a character dresses usually shows how they grew up. The way they dress, how they dress, socio-economic status, where they were raised and how they were raised…”

Art Sparks…Self-Awareness “I’m realizing how disproportionate my [drawings of] people are!”

Gabriel C., Grade 8, Costume Design & Intro to Filmmaking

Bo J., Grade 6, Costume Design & Intro to Filmmaking

Art Sparks…Resourcefulness & Patience “Puppets take a really long time to make, and they don’t really get done in one day. People can make puppets out of things people use, like trash, chopsticks, and recycled paper.”

Megan C., Grade 1, Theatre with Puppets & Intro to Weaving

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Community Engagement @ Annie Wright

ORGANIZED BY

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125 VOLUNTEERS

UPPER SCHOOL (S)ELECTIVE STUDENTS

12.4.21

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PINTS OF BLOOD DONATED IN AN ONSITE BLOODMOBILE =

39

LIVES SAVED

20

290

415

1ST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH

CARDS CREATED & DELIVERED TO ISOLATED SENIORS

SACK LUNCHES PACKED AND

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VOLUNTEERS

x

4

HOURS

SERVING MEALS FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS

M OP VO ON PO LUN TH RT TE LY UN ER IT Y!

BAGS OF GARBAGE PICKED UP IN HILLTOP NEIGHBORHOOD

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1st ever Community Engagement Day on

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AWS VOLUNTEER SPOTS FOR AGES 8+ TO SERVE MEALS AT TACOMA RESCUE MISSION To volunteer please contact dymphna_bloodworth@aw.org

Together We Set Sail 2022

GATOR GALA How incredible it was for our community to gather for the Gator Gala Auction on February 26 in support of our beloved Annie Wright Schools! With a thirst to travel, auction items revolved around outings, adventure and trips of a lifetime.

Many thanks to our auction co-chairs Lynne Parrott and Alana Zautner and the following committee members who catered to every detail, big and small.

Shelly Abella-Davis Philamer Adams Mary Benefield Kelley Brine-Rhodes Courtney Browne Wendi Cook Kate Dorr Naomi Douglas

Maggie Eliel Amara Gill Gwen Gill Stacey Guadnola Amy Haedt Michelle Hunter-Behrend Meehae Joo Shaena Langley

Jen Mortensen Sonia Pal Kylin Pieper Brenda Sanders Katherine Steuart Derek Stanley-Hunt Dawn Turnipseed Berengaria Winkler

200,000

$

NET RAISED

(NOT INCLUDING FUND-A-NEED)

88,500

$

IN SPONSORSHIPS

(THANK YOU SPONSORS!)

2022 Fund-A-Need

MORE THAN 170 DONORS RAISED

270,000

$

(AND CLIMBING!)

Thank you! Your generosity will...

Replace the wood bleachers in the Kemper Gym with new modern bleachers that increase capacity by 30 seats and are ADA compliant Provide new bleachers with greater capacity and accessibility on James Memorial Field Improve the sound system and provide coverage with all-weather shades on the Bamford Commons Purchase a new sound system to enhance the audio experience in the Great Hall

It’s not too late to make a gift to this year’s Fund-A-Need at aw.org/auction.

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----- Community In addition to contracting with teaching artists to bring a range of instruction to students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 through after-school classes, Annie Wright Schools have featured guest programs with some of Tacoma’s leading arts organizations. Read up on the incredible work these organizations are doing with AWS Gators and for Tacoma!

TACOMA LITTLE THEATRE (TLT) has delivered after-school classes at AWS in musical theatre, improvisation and sketch comedy. TLT has been enriching the community with high quality, live theatre performances for over 100 years—truly, it is one of the oldest community theatre houses west of the Mississippi! tacomalittletheatre.com

THE GRAND CINEMA knows good cinema, offering independent, international and local films on the silver screen. Instructed by Director of Education Paul Richter, Annie Wright Middle School Students are taking their turns behind the camera (and all over campus!) to explore the art of filmmaking. grandcinema.com

MUSEUM OF GLASS continued to develop their interactive Junior Curator Academy program with Annie Wright Middle School students this past fall, by “focusing on art objects and installations at Museum of Glass as they explore[d] the creation process, influences and materials used in individual works of art.” Culminating with a special trip to blow glass in the Museum’s hot shop, students explored the entire spectrum of glass art creation.

--------------museumofglass.org

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Ta W

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Connections ---Through After-School Arts Programming

tacomaartslive.org

TACOMA URBAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (T.U.P.A.C.), founded by world class professional dancers, provides performing arts training to Tacoma’s most deserving youth, with a focus on ballet, West African dance and other movement-based traditions. Gators experienced both areas of study with T.U.P.A.C. instructors, and some joined the dance company’s seasonal performance of The Urban Nutcracker, hosted on our very own Kemper stage. tacomaupac.org

TACOMA YOUTH SYMPHONY instructors, as an extension of their budding Young Violin Program, joined small groups of Lower School Gators on campus after school to teach beginning violin skills and music foundations. How thrilled we are to be part of Tacoma Youth Symphony’s decades-old leadership in music education and performance in our region.

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acoma W as h i n g to n

TACOMA ARTS LIVE “energizes the community through live performance” and has likewise energized arts instruction through puppetry and playwriting classes this fall and winter. Embracing and upholding a range of artistic disciplines and cultural practices that bring value to our region is one of many things Tacoma Arts Live does well, and the AWS community is committed to doing the same.

tysamusic.org

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Marie (Dodge) Eaton ’64

ALUMNI NEWS

NOTES Phyllis (Ridge) Gill ’49, Ross Syford-Hoyle ’63 & Beth Jensen Chew ’75 Beth, Phyllis and Ross returned to campus in December to attend the Current & Former Trustee Social. They shared stories of leaner times and immense challenges for Annie Wright Schools and helped put our current strength into good perspective. We even learned that Phyllis did a short stint as an Annie Wright bus driver!

Molly (Dahlquist) Fay ’53 & Betty Lou (Ervin) Broderick ’53 Molly received a surprise birthday phone call for her 86th birthday from classmate Betty Lou. The two women live on opposite coasts, but the date on the calendar caught Betty Lou’s eye, and she picked up the phone to catch Molly at her Florida home. Molly was packing to spend time with family in New York, but Betty Lou caught her at just the right moment.

They both had a good laugh and were grateful to connect after so many years.

Alma (Corry) Campbell Fleet ’64 Trying to stay out of the way of COVID! Enjoying a 15-monthold Tamaruke puppy with my husband and grown children— thankfully, living nearby. I'm in the middle of writing another book (with colleagues) for early childhood teachers as well as consulting with centers and groups interested in educational change. I think of you all often and wish you well.

Marie (Dodge) Eaton ’64 12

I am still the Community Champion for the Palliative Care Institute at Western Washington University. Our most recent project, the Art of Aging, collected stories from elders in our community to challenge the stereotypes about growing older. Visit www.agingwellwhatcom.org/art-of-aging and click on one of the portraits to hear a short reflection. Otherwise, seven grandchildren, songwriting and a morning writing group keep me busy.

Deirdre (Allen) Timmons ’84 Brain Candy is a humorous and irreverent memoir about surviving a rare form of brain cancer. The story opens on a return flight from LA where, as a filmmaker, I was pitching a musical comedy movie about six men competing to become the world’s King of Burlesque. Suffering from an inexplicable loss of focus, crushing fatigue and unending dizziness, I returned home empty-handed with nary a single investor for my next film. I called my doctor feeling like a hypochondriac when all I could say was, “Things just don’t feel right.” After numerous blood tests, catscans, X-rays, MRIs, and finally, a brain biopsy, I found out why things “just didn’t feel right” … I had an inoperable fast-growing malignant brain tumor, and I was given one month to live.

Deirdre (Allen) Timmons graduated from Annie Wright in 1984. After taking a break at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, she received her bachelor’s in English literature, with a minor in theoretical math, at Smith College. She has written for newspapers, magazines, online publications and films, in addition to her debut memoir, Brain Candy. Deirdre lives in Seattle and currently is working on her second memoir.

Dierdre (Allen) Timmons ’84

THE MAGAZINE OF ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS

Amanda Tice ’00s

Kari Ayres ’11, Jingjing Ni ’11 & Liang-Yun “Kitty” Lo ’12 We had a mini reunion in December. Kari is currently in year two of a program in Tacoma to qualify as a physician’s assistant. Jingjiing is the lead data scientist for Macy’s based in Atlanta and Kitty is in her third year of dental school at Temple University in Philadelphia. We were excited to be back to see all the changes at Annie Wright, and, for those who might be curious, Jingjing still wears glasses with no glass in the frames. Some things stay the same!

Leslie Bauska ’13 I just moved back during COVID and bought my first home.

Going to go back to school for nursing soon, but still currently working for the company I have worked for for five years as the executive graphic designer.

Grayson DeBolt

Karen (Smith) DeBolt ’92 Hello my gorgeous Annies! All is well in Chicago. Recently, I was a reluctant guest on my college classmate's podcast "Roads Taken." It's a series where members of my graduating college class are interviewed about what has transpired for them since graduation. The big take-away from all the interviews is that everyone was an insecure mess in college, but we all turned out just fine. If you want a good giggle, give my interview a listen. In other news...like everyone else, I'm just languishing my way through the days as we deal with COVID. But I did manage to make my son a fierce Halloween costume this year. Love you all! xx Karen

Amanda Tice, Alumni Associate, 2000s Amanda Tice recently released a new book which reached #1 on Amazon Kindle Parent’s Health and Nutrition category. The New Mom Code: Shatter Expectations and Crush It at Motherhood is a book about Amanda’s personal experiences with motherhood. Through various questions, reflections, prompts and exercises, Amanda helps readers better understand the true challenges, meaning and joys of motherhood.

Left to right: Susan Bauska, Leslie Bauska ’13, Barry Bauska

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Simran Pental ‘15

Caitlin Farrell ‘17

Simran Pental ’15

Caitlin Farrell ’17

I currently work as a consultant at Ernst & Young with a focus in Financial Accounting and Advisory Services. My interest in accounting started from my very first business class at AWS, taught by Mrs. Bush. Raised in a family of entrepreneurs, I chose the elective because I wanted to learn more about the inner workings of businesses. It was at Annie Wright that I first learned about balance sheets, income statements and all things accounting.

Jacob and I met at the University of Idaho in 2017 where we were both getting our bachelor’s degrees and have been inseparable since. Jacob proposed at Cheekwood Estate in Nashville on March 14, 2021, and we began planning our small wedding at home in Idaho. We got married on December 21, 2021, with our closest family and friends.

It was an incredibly special and emotional day. We are currently stationed at Fort Campbell, KY, where Jacob is a Field Artillery Officer with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division. I am attending graduate school at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University and traveling between our home and school. One bright side of online learning and work is currently being able to spend more time together. Thank you to everyone who has wished us well, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you find yourself in Nashville or Atlanta over the next three years!

Following high school, I continued my education at Santa Clara University, majoring in accounting. After graduating in 2019, I began my career as an auditor and embarked on my journey to becoming a CPA. The path to obtaining the designation was long and difficult, requiring immense discipline and time management skills. Balancing multiple examinations and long work weeks was incredibly challenging at times. However, I was lucky to have my family and colleagues' support each step of the way. After spending two years in audit and obtaining my CPA, I recently decided to transition to my current role, which includes transaction (M&A) advisory engagements and implementation of technical accounting standards. The road from my plaid skirt days at Annie Wright to becoming a full-time consultant has been filled with hurdles, but I am grateful to this community for providing me with a solid foundation and allowing me to achieve what I have so far.

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Ashley Nelson ’18 I had Sophie Rockne, Maddie Cook, Caitlyn Bell and Zyaire Cheatham over to my house for my 22nd birthday. We ate pizza, played games and had a nice, wholesome sleepover like we would back in high school.

Cleo Hudson ’19 I’m a junior studying journalism and mass communication and English at George Washington University. I’m a news reporter for my school newspaper, the GW Hatchet, and I’m also a feature writer for a nonprofit called The Borgen Project, which aims to alleviate global poverty. For The Borgen Project, I write articles about different ways to combat global poverty, and they’re often science and technology related. I started out at the Borgen Project as a writer/ journalist intern in June 2021, and I’ve been a feature writer there since my internship ended in August 2021.

Nina Doody ’20 Since moving to San Diego for school, I really wanted to keep my passion for riding going. I was super fortunate to find a job within my barn that allows me to see all aspects of the horse industry! It’s cool that I can now say I’ve shown up and down the west coast (California, Oregon and Washington)! I’m looking forward to more showings this spring and summer and learning more about professional opportunities in the equine industry.

Kaitlin Tan ’20 Kaitlin, who is playing tennis at and attending Boston University, was named Patriot League Women’s Player of the Week for February 8, 2022 for her No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles match against Harvard.

Nina Doody ‘20

We love hearing from our AWS alumni.

To be included in Class Notes, please send your submissions to communications@aw.org.

Left to right: Sophia "Sophie" Rockne ’18, Zyaire Cheatham ’18, Madeline "Maddie" Cook ’18, Caitlyn Bell ’18, and Ashley Nelson ’18

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Yellow Ties Inspire Future Gator Artists

Makaela Mautz ’13 (www.makaelajoy.com) Since her last performance on the Kemper stage during the 2013 production of Little Shop of Horrors, Makaela has been busy building her career as an independent artist alongside her occupation as a voice teacher in Tacoma. She entered the content-creator-sphere during the pandemic, writing and releasing over 30 short "Vlogsongs," culminating in the recent release of her first three official singles with more to come. In December, she shared inspiration and wisdom with the inaugural group of Upper School Music Laureates.

Haley Parks ’13 After earning her bachelor’s degree in theatre design and technology from Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts, Haley went on to pursue her love of the theatre-designing process.

She served for several years making costume and wardrobe magic at the award-winning Seattle Children’s Theatre. We are so happy to have Haley sharing about “the industry” and inspiring new designers as she teaches Introduction to Costume Design with our Middle School Gators.

Annika Christensen ’21 This award-winning short story author, whose authorial voice was nurtured in part by Upper School for Girls English faculty Laura Barber and her fellow Annie Writers (s)Elective members, came back to campus this fall to inspire a new generation of storytellers. As a special guest instructor for the After-School Arts program, Annika had Middle School students hanging on her every word…that is, until they wrote their own.

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Re-purposing AWS Relics into Art Last summer there was a shuffle of pianos. A Steinway that was over 100 years old was in rough shape and relegated to be removed. I asked if the Maintenance Department could re-purpose it. I had thoughts of making it into a bar for the auction. Sam Glavick, new to our team in November, voiced a passion for antiques, and I passed the project on to him. While taking the Steinway apart, all these beautiful parts emerged.

As Sam worked on the “bar,” I pondered the inner workings. The hammers screamed “peacock” to me. As I dismantled the pieces, I found the body there, too. The hammer butt whippen became the body, the hammers became the eyes and the damper arms became the other feathers at Sam’s suggestion. The piece is framed with the ivory piano keys.

The parts were all laid out on a piece of cardboard, waiting for a home. I was in need of something to mount it on and I knew the old pool and locker rooms were scheduled to be renovated, so I took one of the doors from the old towel cupboard. The Steinway was a black upright, so I thought I would honor it by using black paint as the background. The chain used to hang the piece is an old transom window chain. So in 2023, everything used in the “Peacock” will be 100 or more years old.

I was asked if I did this kind of thing often. I guess “when I feel a need.” I see things in a different light.

It may come from working 18 years in theatre or an appreciation of “old” things. As I worked on repurposing the piano, many people came to mind. I am who I am because of AWS—the teachers I had, the women I grew up with, the students I taught, the co-workers I have had.

­—Judy (Tytler) Buennagel ’82 Judy with her "Peacock" piano art.

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In Memoriam With strength in our hearts, we remember those we have lost from the Annie Wright Schools community.

Margaret Snyder Cunningham ’44 Marsha (York) Solmssen ’47 Anne Gyllenberg ’54 Alana (Hougland) Strauch, Alumni Associate, 1960s

Marsha (York) Solmssen ’47 is pictured in the center of this photo with some of her fellow grads. This picture currently hangs in the building and has been recreated by Tie Classes in recent years.

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Artistic

HORIZONS

Coming in April Middle School Mainstage production of The Birds, a modern adaptation of Aristophanes’ comedy by Yvette Nulan Coming in May Upper School One Acts and Storytelling Laureates Showcase Coming in June Spring Arts Festival, featuring After-School Arts class creations & performances

Senior Leadership Team

Editor

Graphic Designer

Jeff Barber, Director of Residential Life Rex Bates, Director of International Advancement Sandra Forero Bush, Assistant Head of Schools Eireann Corrigan, Director of Upper School for Girls Ann Dicks, Director of Lower School Grace Finch, Director of Development Mike Finch, Director of Athletics Annie Katica Green, Director of Arts Jake Guadnola ’90MS, Head of Schools Jennifer Haley ’89, Director of Advancement Alicia Mathurin, Director of Community Engagement Jeremy Stubbs, Director of Upper School for Boys Clare Wagstaff-Brown, Director of Middle School Jean Webber, Director of Finance & Operations

Jen Willey

Barbie Pratt

Contributors

Photographers

Dymphna Bloodworth Judy (Tytler) Buennagel ’82 Angela Ferguson Grace Finch Annie Katica Green Jake Guadnola Mia Kao ’20 Lindsey Joyce Donald Sidman Shelli Strate

Lisa Blackmore Medina Broadenax

Submissions Board of Trustees Jim Defebaugh, Chair Lisa Hoffman, Vice Chair David Overton, Treasurer Janelle Guirguis Blake, Secretary Michele Cannon-Bessler, Past Chair Sally (Peterson) Atherton ’66 Diane Bai Tenley Cederstrand Stephanie Cook ’88 Jeffrey Davis Laura Edman Misa Furumoto ’92

Manuel La Rosa Martha Lantz Damani Leech ’90MS Marjorie Oda-Burns ’66 John Parrott Merritt (Klarsch) Pulliam ’92 Kevin Sanders Monica Torrez-Pfister Aliya (Merali) Virani ’96 Rt. Rev. Brian Prior (ex-officio) Dawn Turnipseed (ex-officio)

Strength is published by Annie Wright Schools’ marketing and communications office. Story suggestions, articles and photos are always welcome by submitting to communications@aw.org.

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The future belongs to young people with an education and the imagination to create.

–Barack Obama

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Alumni Weekend 2022 September 23–24, 2022 my history my experience

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