Continuing the Family Tradition Lorna Lyell Chain ’83 • The St. Andrew’s Loyalty Award
“As a parent, volunteering gives you a different perspective on day-to-day life at the school. You get to know the teachers, students, and families who are involved with your children. They’re a big influence on your child and the opportunity to get to know them better has meant a lot to me as a parent.”
“I was flattered that St. Andrew’s realized and rec- chase of the land upon which the Lower School now ognized my volunteer work for the school, but I was stands. The family legacy also includes Chain’s mother, never keeping score,” Lorna Lyell Chain, recipient of Tippy Reimers Lyell, who attended St. Andrew’s and the 2011 St. Andrew’s Loyalty Award, says. “I was just served as the school’s first Alumni Association chairdoing what I wanted to do and what I loved to do.” man; Chain and her sister, Louise Lyell Lampton ’84; Whenever St. Andrew’s has been in need of capa- and Chain’s own children, Alison and John, who are now ble leadership or a willing pair of hands, Chain has Middle School students at St. Andrew’s. answered the call. Her history of volunteer leadership “As a parent, volunteering gives you a different perat St. Andrew’s includes serving on the board of trust- spective on day-to-day life at the school,” Chain says. ees, as chair of Twinkletoe Mar“You get to know the teachers, stuA Trunk Full ketplace, chair of Saints Day at dents, and families who are inof Memories Lemuria, and Annual Fund grade volved with your children. They’re chairman. Most recently, Chain a big influence on your child and During Lorna Lyell chaired the alumni drive for the the opportunity to get to know Chain’s senior year at Campaign for Science and Art and them better has meant a lot to me St. Andrew’s, the school served on the steering committee as a parent. brought a small circus to for the inaugural St. Andrew’s “Of course, John is reachPresents: Arts on the Green spring ing that stage when he turns the campus as a fund-raising arts festival. Chain has already volother way when he sees me comevent. As the student who unteered to chair the 2012 Arts ing,” Chain adds with a laugh. sold the most circus on the Green event. In addition to “But it’s fun when my kids’ friends tickets, Chain won the these high-profile leadership posiare excited to see me at school and once-in-lifetime experience tions, Chain has also served as a come over to say hello.” of riding an elephant on room mother, grade coordinator, While St. Andrew’s has grown and selfless volunteer for countconsiderably since Chain was a the Saints football field. less activities at the school. student, she still feels the same “A lot of my motivation for serving now is because sense of community today that she loved about the my own children are students at St. Andrew’s, but I school as a child. also feel a great sense of indebtedness to those who “Through volunteering at St. Andrew’s, I’ve met and supported the school when I was a student,” Chain, an come to know an unbelievable group of parents, stuAlpha Omega graduate, says. “I’m following a strong dents, and teachers. Their dedication to the school and family tradition of volunteerism at St. Andrew’s. I had to each other is inspiring,” Chain says. “The school is good role models in my parents and my grandparents.” larger now, but that feeling that you’re part of a close Chain’s family connection to St. Andrew’s spans four knit community – the same feeling I always loved as a generations. The tradition began with her grandpar- student – has never changed. You feel that closeness ents, Warren and Lorna Reimers, who were support- and it carries on through the years. It’s something you ers of St. Andrew’s from the school’s earliest days and can’t really explain. You have to come to St. Andrew’s whose generous gift to the school resulted in the pur- and experience it.” The St. Andrew’s Loyalty Award The St. Andrew’s Loyalty Award honors St. Andrew’s alumni who, in deed or action, reflect and recognize the importance of being an alumna or alumnus of St. Andrew’s; who demonstrate pride in their alma mater; and whose interest and loyalty are evident by their significant, notable and meritorious contributions towards the advancement of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. One alumna/us will be recognized each year.
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