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Alumni to Gather for Special Weekend
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xcitement is starting to build for Takoma Academy’s annual Alumni Weekend April 29-May 1. Takoma Academy (TA) students are looking forward to welcoming back the following honor classes: 1916, 1921, 1926, 1931, 1936, 1941, 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011. Lynda Hodges (’83), TA Alumni Association president, her fellow alumni officers and the TA Office of Alumni Affairs staff have worked to prepare an unforgettable event. “Our theme, ‘One School, One Family, God’s Vision,’ for alumni weekend this year is focused on bringing the current students, faculty, staff and parents/families together with all alumni. [We want] all former students (not just graduates), faculty, staff and families to enjoy looking back at our time spent at TA, marvel at the great things happening now and engage with our current TA Family,” says Hodges. “God’s purpose is for us to always be a guiding force in bringing people together to serve and fellowship. It is my desire that Takoma Academy and the Takoma Academy Alumni Association become an example of school, family and alumni being one.” The second Annual Alumni Tennis Tournament, hosted by Irving Westney (’81), will kick off the festivities April 23, the Saturday before Alumni Weekend, at the Fairland Tennis Bubble in Laurel, Md. Alumni Weekend starts Friday, April 29, with registration, a welcome reception and meeting. A vespers service will follow with guest speaker Steve Silver (’71) (left), the creator of the Success Weekend that pairs CEOs and other major thought leaders with TA students for mentoring. Honor class mini-reunions will follow vespers. Sabbath School, taught by
Rodney Cartwright (‘81) (right), will take place in the renovated Mrs. John Jay Hopkins Chapel. Cartwright is chief of procurement and contracts at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and also serves on the Takoma Academy Board of Trustees. Charles Tapp (below), senior pastor of Sligo church in Takoma Park, Md., and former TA Bible teacher, will speak at the Divine Sabbath Service. Honor class pictures and a catered luncheon will follow in the cafeteria. The price of the luncheon is $16. Alumni Weekend will conclude Sunday with an Alumni Basketball Game and Family Activity Day organized by Kevin Carreno (’84) and Glen L. Charles (’84). The second Annual Alumni Tennis Tournament, hosted by Irving Westney (’81), will take place Saturday night at the Fairland Tennis Bubble in Laurel, Md.
Special Note Members of the following classes: 1947, 1962, 1988, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014 should contact business manager Rashawna Young at ryoung@ta.edu in the next 60 days for information on remaining funds in your class accounts.
TA Today is published in the Visitor by Takoma Academy n 8120 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912 Phone: (301) 434-4700 n ta.edu n Principal, Carla Thrower n Editor, Ron Mills
36 | VISITOR April 2016