Alumni Almanac Summer 2021 Proxy Edition

the benjamin franklin

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Alumni

Alumni Association annual meeting July 19, 2021, 6:30 p.m.

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Franklin Homecoming Week October 18-23 The Homecoming Game will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 22, on the Franklin Field under the new lights!

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upcomingEvents

Reunions

Class of 1960 - Ralph’s on the Park: Sunday, October 23, 2021 5:30p.m.

Contact Janice Catledge Class of 1970 - Delayed 50th Reunion November 20, 2021 Ralph’s on the Park, 7 to 9 pm Contact Becky Freedman Class of 1981 - 40th Reunion September 11, 2021 6 - 9 p.m. Felix’s Restaurant.

Contact Marilyn Gendusa Ciolino.

Class of 1989 and 1990 Reunion - December 18 Place TBA Contact Cassandra Arnold Heatherington or Viviana Gershanik Denechaud Class of 2001- Planning for December 2021.

Contact Tatiana Clay

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Recent Events

Class of 2010 Reunion

Shannon Macika, Patty Lopez Holland, David Phelps, Ariana Rupp, and Trey Gibson put together a PREunion on January 30 that was attended by class members on Zoom. The class participated in a Family Feud-style game with a 2010 theme. They played music from that year and caught up on what they have been doing since graduation. The class also broke up into groups and discussed themed questions. Everyone had fun and cannot wait until the real in-person reunion.

Class of 2010 Reunion

Class of 1970 Zoom Reunion The class participated in a Zoom reunion on December 19. The organizing committee recorded videos that were shown during the Zoom session.

The class members caught up on their life events since the last reunion and donated almost $15,600 to support several school projects and needy students. This surpassed their goal of $10,000.

Class of 2021 graduation Benjamin Franklin High School held its 2021 graduation ceremony on Monday, May 24, at UNO Lakefront Arena. There was no speaker due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the school still enjoyed celebrating its 249 graduates.

“Our graduating seniors always make us proud – but never more so than this past year,” said Head of School Dr. Patrick Widhalm. “Although they might be tired of hearing it, their resilience and determination during this challenging year have been remarkable, and we know these qualities will serve them well as they move on from our school.”

Our valedictorian is Annie Zhao, who will be studying computer engineering on a pre-med track at the University of Notre Dame next year. The daughter of Yong Yi and Dehua Zhao, Zhao is a POSSE Scholar and an Ochsner STAR Program Scholar. In addition, she served as president of Mu Alpha Theta, vice president of Baking a Difference, treasurer of Science Olympiad, and was a member of the varsity swim team. Outside of school, she was a crew member for Grow Dat Youth Farm, a volunteer at the Louisiana Children’s

Museum, and a barista at Starbucks.

Class of 1970 Reunion

Our salutatorian is Paean Luby, the daughter of Christi and Bryan Luby. Paean, who will be studying computer science and psychology with a concentration in neuroscience at the University of Richmond in the fall, won a Certificate of Outstanding Achievement for Ability and Creativity in Science at the International Science & Engineering Fair in 10th grade, the National Honorable Mention of the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award in 11th and 12th grade, and was a National Merit Commended Scholar. Additionally, she was awarded a full-tuition scholarship for the Tulane Summer Scholars Program in 11th grade and was the winner of the April Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Save the Earth National

Recent Events graduation continued

Competition in 11th grade. While at Franklin, she served as co-president of the Computer Science Club, did public relations for the Society of Women Engineers, and was a graphic artist for FTV. She also was the visual engagement coordinator of the American Sign Language Club and director of curriculum development at a nonprofit called Interns 4-Good.

The winner of Franklin’s Key Award, which is given to the senior who best exemplifies our values of honor, service, justice, and wisdom, was Zoe Marquis. The daughter of Colin Marquis and Amy Lewis Marquis ’90, she will attend Carleton College in the fall, where she hopes to pursue studies in science and education. In addition to being a National Merit Finalist, she won the Key Club Scholarship and the Williams Book Award and was a Carson Scholar and a Presidential Scholar candidate. While at Franklin, she participated in Ultimate Frisbee, Key Club, National Honor Society, Physics in Motion, and peer tutoring.

Top to Bottom: Annie Zhao, Paean Luby and Zoe Marquis

Senior Prom It was not our traditional prom, but due to loosening COVID-19 restrictions and the recent installation of lights on the Franklin field (thanks to all of our generous donors!), the Class of 2021 was still able to enjoy a special celebration under the stars. About 180 seniors turned out in their finest fashions on May 14th for a night of dancing and celebration, capped off by a midnight breakfast of sausage, eggs, waffles, and fresh fruit.

“With everything this group of students has been through since March 13, 2020, we wanted to be able to give them as much of a normal senior experience as we could,” said Student Activities Coordinator John Parauka. “We hope this prom, while not exactly the same as what we’ve done in years past, will be a special memory for them.”

Class Notes 1960

Lloyd Gross My book was published in 2017. It is alternative history/fiction.

Title is Fried Oyster Sandwich.

1966

Patricia Pennington Corres I recently lost my husband, Lucilo, of 46 years.

1972

Kevin Wegener Retired as Deputy Director of Public Works for Engineering, City of Aurora, Colorado, 2018.

1974

Gilda Barnum Barabino Full News Article The world’s largest scientific society has named a Black woman from New Orleans and Xavier University graduate as its president-elect. Gilda Barabino began her term as president-elect of the American Association for the Advancement of Science last week. She will serve a year as president-elect, then a year as AAAS president and then a year as chairwoman of the association’s board of directors. The AAAS is the world’s leading scientific Dr. Gilda Barabino professional organization and publishes the major scientific journal Science. Science has the power to change the world, Barabino said in a statement posted by the Olin College of Engineering, where she already serves as a professor and the school’s president. “Harnessing that power requires science for all in service of humanity. I am excited to join the leadership of AAAS and contribute to the advancement of its mission in new and transformative ways.” Last July, Barabino became only the second president of Olin College, an engineering school in Needham, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. She is a biomedical engineering professor at Olin and a former dean at City College of New York. Barabino is noted for her work on sickle cell disease and cellular and tissue engineering.

1989

Liz Parrott I have moved from Nashville, Tennessee, to the Staunton,Virginia, area to be closer to my brothers. I am Director/Attorney for Weinstein & Riley PS managing the Southeast office. We do bankruptcy creditor/collections/ mortgage default services. I presently am licensed to practice in Georgia, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee and have pending applications to practice in Virginia and West Virginia. I bring my NOLA spirit here with my four black cats (the ninja squad).

Christy Cowart Read Recently celebrated my 50th birthday and 17th anniversary in Hawaii.

Grateful to be able to start traveling again!

Christine Zebley Married William Turcotte in June 2021.

Beau & Christy Cowart Read

Christine Zebley

1995

Anis Mojgani Selected as Oregon’s Poet Laureate: News Article

1998

Anya Kamenetz Read her special NPR report, “9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen” NPR Article

2013

2001

Natalie Sciortino Beck Married Jeffrey Beck on October, 10, 2020 and is enjoying life with 5 kids: Caroline, Charlotte, Camille, Bobby, and Liam!

Ava Walker Married Jack Weston in Las Vegas on March 21, 2021.

2014

Mathieu Pitre Married Lauren Martin on May 27, 2021.

Colin Sharpe Colin is a writer and author currently working in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, for the growing town of Las Catalinas. He is also the creator of The Seventh Valkyrie, a book and audiobook series. He has recently released the second novel of his fantasy series The Seventh Valkyrie.

Natalie Sciortino Beck & family

2015

2003

Jeremy Jackson Promoted to Chief Quality Officer for Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc.

Zoe Beriss & Jacques Boudreaux are traveling across the U.S. visiting National Parks.

2004

Mandy Walkenhorst I am a veterinarian in the city.

Tricia Bordelon Barrera is a Wealth Manager and Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments. She opened her own branch office in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans in 2019 and loves helping fellow Ben Franklin alumni, their families, and businesses build and protect their wealth. She and her husband, Uriel, welcomed a daughter, Natalie, into the world in 2020 and have two Golden Retrievers. Her website is www. edwardjones.com/tricia-barrera and her email address is: tricia.barrera@edwardjones.com

2012

Bryan Manson Recently graduated from LSU Sports Medicine School. Matched with Morehouse College of Medicine in Atlanta.

Alison Mikes Graduated from LSU Veterinary School and moving to Charlotte!

Caitlyn Anderson Reyes Just had twin daughters!

Tricia Bordelon Barrera

Zoe Beriss & Jacques Boudreaux

2016

Noelle Higginson Drafted by the Racing Louisville FC of the National Women’s Soccer League in Louisville, Kentucky.

She is the first Franklin alum to be drafted by a professional sports team. Noelle, along with her twin sister, Cadie, played on the state championship-winning Franklin girls’ soccer team during Noelle Higginson their years at Franklin. Noelle was valedictorian of her class and Cadie was salutatorian. Noelle attended Yale University after leaving Franklin and majored in economics and political science while Cadie pursued a military career at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, majoring in engineering. The twins even got to play against each other for the first time in their sophomore year when Yale played the Naval Academy. Noelle played four

years for Yale University and in three of those was recognized as an All-Ivy League selection. The midfielder made 62 appearances, scored 14 goals, and logged 11 assists. Off the field, Noelle was a 2020 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee for her athletic performance, academic achievement, service, and leadership. She has been accepted to law school but has deferred to first pursue her professional soccer career. Noelle is a midfielder on the Racing Louisville FC team.

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2017

Connor Travis Graduated from the US Naval Academy and being stationed in Charleston, South Carolina.

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IN MEMORIAM 1960 – Gene Brian passed away on December 29, 2020.

1961 – Lurline Klung Kirchem passed away on June 14, 2021.

1963 – Vic Thomas passed away on June 13, 2020.

1966 – Judy Hogan Cantwell passed away on July 1, 2021.

1966 – Kathryn Venturatos Lorio passed away on July 19, 2020.

1966 – David McCammon passed away on March 8, 2021.

1974 – Gabriel Nassar passed away August 23, 2020.

1975 – Bryan Taylor passed away in March 2021.

1979 – Paul Bowerman passed away on June 13, 2020.

1992 – Tammy McCormick Broussard passed away on June 2, 2021.

1992 – Heidi Nuss Morice passed away on January 18, 2021.

1998 – Lauren Charles passed away on March 7, 2021.

2002 – Andrew Thompson passed away on December 4, 2020.

2017 – Janaye Blake passed away on June 27, 2020, Past Administration and Faculty Carol Christen passed away on February 26, 2021.

Audrey LaPlante passed away on March 13, 2017.

Frank Peterson passed away on April 10, 2021.

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ELECTION PROXY

________2021

I, __________________________________, a member of the class of ________, hereby appoint one of the following Board members whose term expires in 2022, as selected by the Secretary, to act as my proxy at the Monday, July 19, 2021 annual meeting of the Benjamin Franklin Senior High School Alumni Association and to vote my proxy as directed below.

Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2022 1.

2.

3.

4.

Natalie Sciortino Beck ’01 Elena Ogden Cambre ’04 Wayne Collier ’63 Wayne Gordon ’63

5.

6.

7.

8.

Bonnie Ittmann Happel ’62 Seth Knudsen ’00 Chelsey Richard Napoleon ’90 Jessica Villers ’14

My proxy shall cast my vote as follows: I vote FOR / AGAINST (circle one) the slate listed below. If I have stricken through any member(s) of the proposed slate, that indicates my desire to withhold my vote for that/those candidate(s). If I do not indicate a vote, my proxy will vote FOR the entire slate. If elected, the following Directors’ terms will expire on June 30, 2023.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Simone Bacchus Boustead ’98 Adrian Herbez ’97 Jacob Kareores ’03 Lacy Smith Lister ’02 Lucas Morehouse ’99 Jason Otis ’94 John Otis ’63

8. John Parauka, Honorary Alumnus 9. Eve Kidd Crawford Peyton ’98 10. Christy Cowart Read ’89 11. Daniel Schenck ’94 12. Bridget Smith ’98 13. Leslie Ogden Toledo ’01 14. Dominique Lang Verner ’06

This proxy is revocable by me if revoked in writing before the commencement of the Monday, July 19, 2021 annual meeting of the Benjamin Franklin Senior High School Alumni Association.

SIGNATURE____________________________________

DATE___________________

NAME (please print) _________________________________________________________

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Contributions, including dues, are tax deductible under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Benjamin Franklin Senior High Alumni Association is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization.

Dues (July 1 – June 30): Student Needs Fund: Other:

$____________ $____________ $____________

Total Amount Remitted:

$____________

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Name: __________________________________ Maiden/Former Name: ________________ (if applicable)

Address: _____________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _______________________________________________________________ Preferred Email Address: _______________________________________________________ Home Phone: ______________ Cell Phone: ______________ Work Phone: ______________ Affiliations: □ BFHS Graduate, Class of _____________

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□ Faculty Alum; years: __________ to __________ Other/describe: ____________________ News/Comments:______________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ An envelope is enclosed.

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