T H E
M A G A Z I N E
Welcoming
Head of School Mary Rose Guerin WINTER 2020
O F
F O R E S T
R I D G E
S C H O O L
Inside This Issue
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Welcoming Head of School, Mary Rose Guerin
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Thinkers with Heart: The Portrait of a Graduate
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Ten Years Later, Graduates from the Class of 2010
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Meet Elizabeth Ayer ’06, Director of Enrollment Management
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Alumnae Choose Forest Ridge
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Meet the New Trustees
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Kaila Davis Nsimbi ’04 Talks About Fostering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Education
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A Place Like Heaven: My Exchange in Seoul
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The Internationality of the Sacred Heart
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An Enduring Connection
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Beyond the Paintbrush: The Visual Arts Build Critical Thinkers
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When Women Support Women, Anything is Possible
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2 Head of School, Mary Rose Guerin
18 Alumna, Kaila Davis Nsimbi ’04
20 Society of the Sacred Heart Central Council
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THE MAGAZINE FOR THE FOREST RIDGE COMMUNITY
Head of School Mary Rose Guerin
Director of Institutional Advancement Casey Hall O’Rourke ’90
Editors
Lucretia Jacobs, Director of Communications Julie Lundgren, Director of Development and Alumnae Relations
Contributors
Helena Farrell Carol Gould Lucretia Jacobs Rozella Kim, Class of 2020 Julie Lundgren Saveria Tilden Mazzola ’91 Tracy Mintz Kaila Davis Nsimbi ’04 Marcia O’Dea, rscj Vesta Weed, Class of 2022 Erika Reinitz White ’04
FOR E ST RI D G E . O R G
Design
Brin Hamilton Erika Reinitz White ‘04
Printing
Litho Craft, Inc. If you wish to send a letter to the editor, update your information or contribute a written piece for consideration, please contact Lucretia Jacobs, Director of Communications, at ljacobs@forestridge.org.
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Studio B Photography
Welcoming Mary Rose Guerin As Forest Ridge’s 24th Head of School, Mary Rose Guerin brings experience as an educator, leader and passionate advocate of Sacred Heart education.
By Lucretia Jacobs
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fter a nationwide search and a year of preparation, the Forest Ridge Board of Trustees and the Head of School Transition Committee began the 2019-2020 school year with new Head of School, Mary Rose Guerin. “We are excited about the future of Forest Ridge with Mary Rose’s passion and energy for Sacred Heart and all-girls education and her inclusive, collaborative leadership style. She is recognized in the Chicago-area academic world for her knowledge of curriculum and ability to implement dynamic programs,” said Campbell Mathewson, Board of Trustees Chair 2017-2019. As Principal of Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart, Mary Rose implemented a series of strategic initiatives and curricular programs. Among them were a “wall-to-wall,” school-wide International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to provide individualized academic and social-emotional interventions for students, and the Sophie Scholars Inclusive Education Program. While at Josephinum, she was accepted as a Fellow at the University of Notre Dame Center for Transformational Educational Leadership, a two-year professional development program focused on examining the best practices of the nations highest performing schools. In addition, Mary Rose holds a BA from Loyola University of Chicago and a MEd in leadership education from DePaul University. As Forest Ridge gets to know Mary Rose, I asked her to share her thoughts with our community.
How did your work at Josephinum School of the Sacred Heart influence you as a leader? Mary Rose: To me, leadership means service. I truly
believe that the best leaders work in the service of their communities, leading them forward towards what is best for their organizations. I feel incredibly grateful to have spent the beginning of my career at Josephinum. Working there not only shaped me as a leader but also taught me that the work I do is truly about meeting the needs of the people I serve.
Moving your family from Illinois to Washington must have been a tough decision. What motivated you to embrace the unknown? Mary Rose: While the move was a big one for our
family, coming to Forest Ridge never really felt like a choice I needed to make. From the moment I learned about the position opening through our move to Washington, my husband and I knew that this was the
right decision for me—and our family. My husband, Quinn, has been such an amazing partner throughout my career. He knows that the work I do is such an important piece of who I am. He pushes me to be brave, just like I push our students to do. Without his support, it would be easier for me to doubt myself.
What do you believe makes a Sacred Heart education so special? Mary Rose: A unique aspect of a Sacred Heart
education is that it is committed to fostering the individual strengths of each student as well as the betterment of the overall community. At the crux of Sacred Heart education is the idea that each student should be met where she is and given the opportunities to grow into the best version of herself. As a result, our students are individually supported as they grow their unique gifts and talents. They, in turn, are encouraged to share these gifts with their communities. It’s what they do with their gifts that makes a difference. And to me, this is what education is about.
To me, leadership means service. I truly believe that the best leaders work in service to their communities, leading them forward towards what is best for their organizations.
What has impressed you about Forest Ridge? Mary Rose: I think the most obvious answer is our
students. Anyone who meets them is immediately impressed by their gifts, their grace and their passion. We serve young women whom I know are going to impact their communities, cities and our world in positive ways. In addition, I have been energized by how many people believe in the transformative power of a Forest Ridge education. Everyone in our community—from the board of trustees to the faculty and staff, parents, alumnae and even former employees—understands Forest Ridge’s importance in
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Mary Rose Guerin and students get to know each other.
the landscape of Seattle education and is committed to ensuring its success for years to come. It is exciting to be a part of something so powerful and meaningful.
During this time of transition, there are many priorities. What do you hope to accomplish during this school year? Mary Rose: My most important goal for the year is
to work alongside the community to develop a clear and compelling vision for our future. In doing so, I will work to strengthen the relationships of all members of our community and align our work so we are all moving in the same direction towards a common vision of success.
One of the reasons I believe so strongly in Sacred Heart education is because it is relational. The people matter.
What do you see as opportunities for Forest Ridge? Mary Rose: Forest Ridge truly has the ability to
reshape the future of girls’ education; to redefine what it means to educate girls in light of the unique opportunities and challenges that will characterize the lives of our students. How one accesses knowledge is shifting dramatically as it becomes increasingly possible to connect with people in the most remote places of the world. In many ways, it is difficult to envision our students’ future, but we know that they will be charged to lead in a world that looks much different than ours; a world that no longer draws clear lines between the digital and physical worlds. To prepare our students to lead in a global and integrated world, we must teach them to collaborate across cultural contexts and to grow as agile thinkers, able to make connections across content
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and disciplines. In doing so, we need to provide our students with the opportunities to grow their critical and creative thinking skills so they are prepared to innovate solutions that solve real-world problems. Furthermore, we need to ensure we are educating the whole person, so our students not only grow in the intellectual skills necessary to thrive, but also in the social and emotional intelligence to lead others towards positive change.
You talk about managing roles as a mother and head of school. What does that look like for your family? Mary Rose: People often ask me how I balance the
two roles, and I’ve come to realize that it’s not really about balance but rather integration. Balance suggests that I am going to spend equal time as a mother and as head of school. Most days, the truth isn’t that simple. Instead of trying to ensure that I am spending equal hours each day both mothering and working, I try hard to invite each part of my life into the other. Any time I can bring my kids to campus I do, and when I have work to do at home, I carve out time for it and talk to my kids about it. It’s the only way I know how to feel good about both roles, and above this, I feel a strong responsibility to model for all our children, a healthy lifestyle for a working mom. We tell our girls they can have both a career and a family. And it’s true, they can. But it is not always easy, and oftentimes we have to make sacrifices to do so. We should be honest about this and do everything in our power to support women as an institution. I hope to set the standard for this as the leader of the school.
Forest Ridge truly has the ability to reshape the future of girls’ education; to redefine what it means to educate girls in light of the unique opportunities and challenges that will characterize the lives of our students.
It’s a new chapter for the Guerin family. Mary Rose, her husband Quinn, 5 year-old daughter Elise and 2 year-old son Mack, are exploring the Pacific Northwest. Seattle is a hit, but they still haven’t found a pizza worthy of their Chicago roots.
Can you tell us more about your hands-on leadership style? Mary Rose: I believe it is critical for leaders, especially school leaders, to know their communities. How can I set the vision for a community I do not know? How will I make decisions that are in the best interests of Forest Ridge if I am removed from the faculty and staff, students and parents? The best way for me to lead this community is to be a part of it. In addition, I really love people. One of the reasons I believe so strongly in Sacred Heart education is because it is relational. The people matter. As a leader, it is my responsibility to hold and model the mission of Sacred Heart education. I think that the best way for me to do this is to build strong relationships with the people I serve at Forest Ridge.
Tell me something surprising about yourself. Mary Rose: I am a huge horror and true crime fanatic. I taught literature and truly respect and adore literature as a form of art. However, when given the opportunity to read for pleasure, I’ll choose one of Stephen King’s novels 99% of the time. I also listen to spooky podcasts on the way to and from work. Anything that combines history and horror is my favorite!
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Portrait of a Graduate Forest Ridge School’s Portrait of a Graduate serves as the framework for designing and implementing our integrated, global curriculum, rooted in the Sacred Heart Goals. With a firm commitment to our core values, we prepare our students to think critically, embrace challenges, model resilience, confront injustice, seek equality and lead globally.
Sacred Heart Woman
• Lives with integrity from her core values • Develops significant and reciprocal relationships for service • Uses prayer and reflection to grow in faith • Expresses respect, compassion, forgiveness and generosity • Values and protects the dignity of others
Authentic Leader
• Faces challenges with confidence and resilience • Listens with openness, respect and empathy • Communicates clearly and authentically • Supports and celebrates the success of others • Practices personal well-being • Demonstrates autonomy over her own body, voice and choices
Agile Thinker • Adjusts as new challenges and opportunities arise • Adapts knowledge to make fresh connections • Actively seeks opportunities to stretch learning • Negotiates differences to foster collaboration and connection among people • Learns from and applies feedback
Innovative Problem Solver
• Responds to real-world issues with original and useful solutions • Examines issues from diverse, creative and entrepreneurial perspectives • Leverages technology to create new knowledge and understanding • Takes appropriate risks and learns from failure
Global Citizen
• Seeks to understand the natural and cultural complexities of problems • Takes responsibility for her impact on the world • Advocates for equity and justice • Demonstrates personal, social and civic responsibility • Acts as a steward of the earth’s resources
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Thinkers with Heart:
The Portrait of a Graduate
By Lucretia Jacobs
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s school leadership collaborated to develop the Forest Ridge strategic plan last spring, one goal was clear: to promote leadership and continued innovation in girls’ education. “The goal of leadership and innovation in girls’ education is positioning Forest Ridge as a recognized global leader and a source of expert research, best practices, innovation and model of educational effectiveness in preparing young women for their futures,” explains Mary Rose Guerin, Head of School. “Therefore, we commit to delivering an innovative school program rooted in the best practices in girls’ education and designed to develop intellectual leadership, social-emotional skills and the global perspective needed to become effective agents of change.” Guerin continued, “One of the strategies to deliver on this promise is to articulate the Portrait of a Graduate. As Forest Ridge defines a curriculum that is uniquely its own, the Portrait of a Graduate starts with the end in mind. It articulates who Forest Ridge graduates will become upon graduation to ensure the curriculum is purposefully designed to provide the learning opportunities to grow the necessary skills.” Courtney Caldwell, Director of Teaching and Learning, and Betsy Briardy, Director of the Center for Girls, were deeply involved in shaping the Portrait of a Graduate and are using it to guide curriculum development and the Center for Girls’ programming. They explained that to develop global citizens, one should approach learning from an integrated curriculum. Caldwell and Briardy describe what it means to be a global thinker at Forest Ridge: "To be ‘global’ means
to be a flexible thinker, able to stay curious and apply learning from differing opinions and unfamiliar experiences,” says Briardy. Caldwell added, “Too often in schools, learning is very subject-focused. For example, students may only think about what it means to be a citizen when they are taking government. However, if you are going to be a thinker and a person of action, you need to be able to make connections and decide how you are going to act with your gifts in an interconnected way.”
To be ‘global’ means to be a flexible thinker, able to stay curious and apply learning from differing opinions and unfamiliar experiences.
Global trends support an increased focus on “human” skills. The 2018 World Economic Forum Report estimated a dramatic shift in 42% of required job skills by 2022 alone. Before our current sophomores enter college, the landscape of desirable skills and emerging industries will significantly change. With the shelf-life
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Following graduation from Forest Ridge, Zisha “Lisa” Sun ’19 (left) is attending NYU and Cierra Norman ’19 (right) is attending Emory University.
Perhaps the greatest gift I received from Forest Ridge is my love and respect for the power of words . . . written, spoken, exchanged, examined, challenged and heard. I will be forever appreciative of the safe and loving setting that allowed me to explore, challenge and assimilate the exchange of ideas through the power of well chosen words. — Kathy Shoemaker Jinguji ’70
of job skills becoming shorter each year, the World Economic Forum foresees an increased value on skills such as creativity, critical thinking, flexibility, resilience and emotional intelligence. Forest Ridge graduates are especially prepared to navigate these unknowns. The Forest Ridge experience is grounded in the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria, and its alumnae are a testament to the timeless importance of those values. “Sacred Heart values are prevalent in the development of the Portrait of a Graduate. I would argue that the goals we have today are very similar and rooted in our Sacred Heart foundation. However, we want to ensure we are clearly articulating our values for our community and intentionally building the curriculum around these values to ensure the integrity of our program,” Guerin explains. The new Advanced Integrated Studies (AIS) program is a senior-year capstone project that incorporates students’ learning and interests inside and outside the
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classroom. Students have the freedom to choose their own area of study and dive into the often-messy journey of research and discovery. During this year of exploration, students are mentored through a process of inquiry, development and final presentation of their findings to the school community. The 2019 AIS graduating class demonstrated the variety of their interests and their ability to tackle college-level research while learning to take risks, raise questions and own the process. Cierra Norman ’19 focused on the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder and treatment options. Bane Singian ’19, who has a passion for film, explored how classic storytelling and marginalized-group narratives are expressed within horror genres and culminated the research in a screenplay and short film about social issues surrounding transgender identity. Classroom experiences like AIS allow students to take ownership of their own engagement in the classroom and beyond. Service opportunities are another way that students learn to critically evaluate the many facets of complex issues. Take Mollie Martinez, Class of 2021, as an example. She is a junior who works with the International Rescue Committee and volunteers her time working with refugee families because she wants to be an immigration attorney. As Caldwell points out, “Her volunteer work, her school curriculum and her leadership experiences are all tied to that goal. This is a powerful example of what an integrated and global curriculum does for our students. It enables them to become thinkers with heart.” Across campus, Mollie and her classmates are exemplifying the work necessary to become a Forest Ridge graduate and leave the Ridge as well-rounded young women who are guided by their core values, know who they are and nurture their spiritual and emotional selves. The Portrait of a Graduate defines Forest Ridge’s promise to provide an environment where girls can grow to become Women Who Can.
The Portrait in Action Center For Girls’ Advisoryy Program Advisor The Advisory Program centers around building a support network for students as they navigate academic challenges and adolescent social-emotional development. Advisors are a point of connection for each of their advisees, and her parents, to provide individualized support. Developmentally-appropriate skill building is integrated into the curriculum. For example, seventh-grade students explore the theme Know Yourself: Your Strengths and Stretches. The next year, in eighth grade, they take their skills further in Appreciating Complexity.
Exploring Global Culturess Class Culture How does culture influence decisions? Ninth-grade students explore this question, and many other complex issues, in this integrated social studies and religious studies course. Students build a framework of cultural literacy for examining global issues such as health justice, immigration, climate change and leadership structures.
Interactt Service Club Interac In partnership with the Bellevue Rotary Club, over 100 Forest Ridge high school students work with other high schools to focus on homelessness in our community. The Forest Ridge chapter was the only Interact Club in the Puget Sound region to receive the Rotary Presidential Award for exemplary service in 2018.
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Ten Years Later,
Graduates from the Class of 2010 Jomeka Bland
continued an all-women’s education tradition after Forest Ridge, moving to Georgia to attend Agnes Scott College, where she graduated in 2014 with a BA in psychology. She found a love for bridging business and psychology in the field of human resources at Zulily in Seattle. Missing the Southern traditions of Georgia, she returned to Atlanta where she has navigated the human resources sector in various Big 4 accounting firms such as Deloitte and her current employer Ernst & Young. She finds her passion for HR has always been fueled by her Diversity and Inclusion exposure at Forest Ridge and led her to become involved as a committee member for Ernst & Young employee unity groups. Jomeka lives by a motto of encouraging everyone to bring their most authentic self to work. Catch Jomeka in the future navigating the Atlanta market on inclusiveness.
Katherine Burgess spent four sunny years at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and
graduated with a BS in physics and a minor in studio art. Following graduation, she worked managing a frame shop and drew custom pet portraits on the side, all while preparing for a future in law. In 2016, she moved to San Francisco to attend the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She earned a JD with honors last May and after the California bar exam spent the summer traveling and relaxing on many beaches. Katherine is currently a lawyer in the San Francisco office of global law firm Baker Botts LLP in its intellectual property department. She lives in the Bay Area with her boyfriend, Wesley. Outside of work, she still enjoys drawing and painting, in addition to bouldering, regular board game nights with friends and baking along with the Great British Baking Show.
Lauren Byrne attended Washington State University, where she graduated
magna cum laude with a degree in finance. While at WSU, she was a member of the sorority Chi Omega and continues to be very involved in the local Chi Omega alumnae chapter. After working in retail finance at Amazon, Lauren scored her dream job with Nordstrom. For the past five years, she has held a range of positions within the buying office: from financial planning to stock management and buying. She is currently a buyer for Nordstrom’s Topshop brand and is responsible for the Topshop product assortment found in Nordstroms nationwide. Outside of work, Lauren and her sister, Kelda ’14, run a personal finance and travel blog. They have been featured on NerdWallet, The Financial Diet and more. You can read their blog at hellohenrys.com or follow them on Instagram @hellohenrys. Lauren will be getting married in Mexico in February of 2020.
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Adriana Cherskov studied molecular biology and piano performance at
Princeton University. As an undergraduate, neuroscience captured her curiosity unlike anything else, and she pursued her passion in the lab, studying the development of autism. Broadening her studies, she completed an MPhil in psychiatry at the University of Cambridge as a Gates Scholar, where she studied the effects of hormones on autism development. She is now an MD/PhD student at Yale University, fulfilling her dream to be a professional student and (eventually) a physician-scientist. Her work has been published in several academic journals, including Science and Translational Psychiatry. When not in the lab, she loves teaching and enjoys sharing her passions for neuroscience and medicine through talks and seminars for the greater community with science outreach groups. She also continues to enjoy performing piano, as well as rowing, comedy and inflicting puzzle hunts on her lab-mates.
Cristela Delgado-Daniel attended Whitman College, where she majored
in sociology and minored in psychology. At Whitman, she developed an interest in social justice issues, leading her to take a job at a non-profit law firm in Portland upon graduation. Cristela developed a passion for law, and in 2019 graduated with a JD from the University of Oregon. She is now clerking for a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals and plans on practicing employment law following her clerkship.
Malena Harrang graduated from Vassar College, where she majored in
international studies and played lacrosse. After deciding that snow without mountains was not much fun, she returned to Seattle and worked for a startup that ran immersive programs to prepare and connect recent graduates to jobs at growing companies. After almost five years in operations and customer success with that company, she took a few months off to travel through Asia with Forest Ridge classmates. Now she's back in Seattle with another education startup, Adjacent Academies, which partners with higher-ed institutions to create for-credit learning experiences to help liberal arts students graduate with the technical skills needed for career success. She also co-runs a women's mindfulness and community group called Marvelous Women that holds monthly gatherings, retreats and events. And, of course, she spends as much time as possible playing outside!
Katie Hudson graduated from Washington State University in 2014, where she
studied accounting and French. After graduating, Katie moved to Portland to work for Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) in the Assurance Practice and obtained her Oregon and Washington CPA licenses. Three years of diligent auditing later, she was accepted into the firm's first cohort of Digital Accelerators and relocated back to Seattle. The Digital Accelerator program is an elite initiative designed to "future-proof" the workforce and it has enabled her to upskill in a wide range of digital technologies. This year, Katie was sponsored by PWC to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration, the world's largest conference for female technologists, where she was inspired by diverse, brilliant women and was able to reflect on the women who impacted her life—many of them students and teachers from Forest Ridge. Katie has recently joined the Forest Ridge Alumnae Board and looks forward to giving back to the school that gave her so much.
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Malika Jhawar studied psychology at the University of Washington, where
she discovered her passion for the field of dentistry. Malika moved to Philadelphia, to attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and is looking forward to graduating with honors in May 2020. In dental school, Malika has spearheaded study clubs and a lecture series with faculty at the forefront of the field of dentistry, in addition to her leadership position on student government. Currently, she is applying for residency to specialize in implant and periodontal surgery. When Malika is not looking at teeth, she enjoys lifting weights, exploring every corner of the world and trying to find the next best happy hour in Philadelphia with her friends!
Amanda Klug Fortune is in the eye of the beholder—Amanda has learned that
lesson the hard way. No one would say taking seven years to receive her BA was fortunate, nor was living with chronic illness and being bedridden for much of that time. Amanda feels proud to have graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in interdisciplinary studies where she focused on business and psychology and achieved a perfect GPA. Having passed her Series 65 exam, she became a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) which allows her to practice nationally. In July, Amanda launched a financial advising firm with her mother, Sue Katz, called Candid Financial. They are proud to be a women-owned and operated business in a field predominantly run by men. Amanda is happily living in Washington D.C., where her boyfriend Stan is finishing medical school at Georgetown. They both look forward to ultimately returning to the Pacific Northwest.
Mitra Raman studied computer science at Carnegie Mellon University. Her
college days were filled with classes, hackathons, sorority events and dancing in CMU's award-winning bhangra team. Upon graduation, Mitra moved back to Seattle to work at Amazon GO as one of the first software development engineers. She was promoted to software development manager leading a team of five engineers at Amazon Books when she decided to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. In 2017, Mitra launched The Buttermilk Company, a direct-to-consumer Indian food startup. Buttermilk was covered by tech news, like Geekwire and TechCrunch, and accepted to a prestigious tech accelerator, Y Combinator. This year she married her college boyfriend in a traditional 4-day Indian wedding in Thailand, moved to NYC and decided to wind down Buttermilk. She's now offering her consulting services to earlystage startups. If you're looking for guidance or collaboration in software or consumer packaged goods, reach out!
Margot Nelson attended the University of Washington, and in 2015 completed a BS in biology and a second major in earth and space sciences. During her time at UW, Margot combined her love of paleontology with her obsession with whales; she completed an undergraduate research project on a fossil whale from Washington at the Burke Museum. Margot moved to Virgina to attend George Mason University and completed a MS degree in earth systems science. She is now working on her doctorate under the eminent whale paleontologist Dr. Mark Uhen. Her research explores the fossil record of toothed whales, with a focus on better understanding the evolutionary relationships of key groups. In addition, Margot’s research has a particular emphasis on the whale fossil record of the Pacific Northwest. Margot is still an avid equestrian, has taken up piano lessons and attends marathon readings of Moby Dick.
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Miranda Roberts earned her degree in political science and economics
from the University of Washington. During her senior year, she managed a state senate campaign, beginning a four-year career in politics and government. After managing a successful statewide race for Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib, Miranda transitioned to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor to serve as Director of Economic Development and International Relations, managing a policy portfolio focused on job growth in Washington state. She recently finished her second year at Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago, where she serves as a staff editor on Northwestern’s Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology and board member of the Northwestern Chapter of the Women’s Leadership Coalition. She plans to return to Seattle after graduation to practice in commercial litigation and white collar and government investigations. But for now, she lives in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood and enjoys running, eating her way through Chicago’s restaurant scene and remaining active in politics.
Nancy Thomas Only one week after graduating from Forest Ridge, Nancy
started researching Mars as part of the Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium. She continued working as a research assistant in the Remote Sensing Lab while pursuing double majors in physics and astronomy and minors in mathematics and earth and space sciences at the UW. Her summer research at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics further encouraged her to pursue graduate studies in planetary science. After graduating from UW in 2014, Nancy pursued a PhD at Cal Tech in Pasadena. She was awarded an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship for her work on the MSL Curiosity Science Team. Nancy successfully defended her thesis Remotely Sensing Aqueous Alteration on Mars and graduated in June 2019. Nancy now works at Spaceflight Industries in Seattle on a constellation of global imaging satellites. Outside of work, Nancy enjoys choir, watching UW and Seahawks games, trivia, volunteering and leadership projects.
Tianna Tinner moved to Los Angeles to attend Marymount California
University in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. After a year of the hustle and bustle of LA life, Tianna moved back to Seattle, where she earned her BA in public health from the University of Washington. For the past five years, she has worked at Seattle Children’s Hospital where she is a lead in the Revenue Cycle office and oversees the training program. Last year, she began attending Seattle University working towards a master of public administration degree with an emphasis on non-profit management. While working full time, going to school full time and taking French lessons, she loves traveling around the world with friends and enjoying time for all things self-care.
Victoria Zinsley After finishing at Seattle University, and unsure of her goals,
Victoria worked at the American Red Cross as an AmeriCorps member. After her contract ended, she returned to school with a new goal in mind. She took prerequisite classes for nursing school and worked for the UW Neighborhood Clinics. She then attended Xavier University in Ohio, where she received a master’s degree in nursing. Victoria currently works at a local hospital in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. When she is not working, she is hanging out at home with her three cats: Apollo, Nova and Plato. Victoria is a season ticket holder to FC Cincinnati and tries to catch as many games as she can. She also enjoys video games, catching up on casual reading and camping. She aims to run her first half marathon in October 2019, with the hope that she will finish with no serious injuries.
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in education allows me to support young women to develop a global perspective and feel empowered to take risks, think critically, self-reflect and take action when they recognize injustices in our world.
Q:
What drew you to make the transition from teaching into administration?
Elizabeth: I love teaching and will always be an educator first. Throughout my years as a teacher, I developed a curiosity about how the myriad of school departments work together to ensure that students and families have the best experience. Mary Rose Guerin, our new head of school, was an instrumental part of my decision to transition out of the classroom and into administration. I was immediately struck by her vision and leadership style and knew I wanted to be part of her team.
Q:
Meet Elizabeth Ayer ’06, Director of Enrollment Management By Lucretia Jacobs
For Elizabeth Ayer ’06, ’06 returning to Forest Ridge as the Director of Enrollment Management is a full circle moment. Following graduation, Elizabeth attended Stanford University, earning a BA in art history and MA in comparative literature. She later earned her MEd from the University of Washington and shared her love of literature with her high school English students at Holy Names Academy. We asked Elizabeth why she made the switch from teaching to administration.
Q:
Why have you decided to make education your career?
Elizabeth: My decision ties directly to the values I learned on the Ridge. I graduated knowing that I wanted to serve others and keep myself intellectually challenged. I had wonderful role models in Judy Pettet and Sr. O’Dea, who inspired me to pursue advanced degrees in English and education. As a high school English teacher, I had the privilege of introducing students to literature, and therefore cultures and concepts, outside their present paradigm. My career
What do you believe makes a Sacred Heart education so special?
Elizabeth: Our Sacred Heart tradition connects our community and serves as a daily reminder of how to live our lives and interact with one another. As laid out by the Goals & Criteria, our education is truly holistic and aims to serve each girl’s individual growth. Also, our international network of over 150 schools ensures that our perspectives remain globally-focused. The network provides opportunities to share cultures and ideas, always reminding us that we’re one piece of a global society.
Q:
How do you see the role of girls’ schools changing and how is Forest Ridge addressing the needs of today’s girls? Elizabeth: Girls’ schools are more important now than ever. I think much of the world has finally caught on to the gender equity issue that Forest Ridge has been actively addressing for over a hundred years. As an all-girls school we are able to develop curriculum specifically with girls in mind. For example, our Center for Girls’ Advisory Program provides social-emotional skills learning that caters specifically to girls’ emotional development milestones from middle to high school. This type of girl-focused programming would not be possible in a mixed gender classroom. It allows us to focus on what we do best, preparing girls to become their best selves. Elizabeth looks forward to connecting with fellow alumnae, students and families. To learn more about how you can get involved in the Office of Enrollment contact Elizabeth at eayer@forestridge.org or 425-201-2425.
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From left to right: Corina Jung Rahmig ’98, Deb McLaughlin ’83, Julie Lundgren, Honorary Alumna, Louisa Fish-Sadin ’08, Casey Hall O’Rourke ’90, Zarina Parpia ’99, and Erika Reinitz White ’04. Not present: Elizabeth Ayer ’06 and Sam Nicols ’11
Alumnae Choose Forest Ridge By Julie Lundgren
For some in our community, their years in uniform were only the beginning. This year, eight Forest Ridge alumnae are serving on campus. In the high school, Louisa Fish-Sadin ’08 teaches Global Cultures, Climate Change and Choreography; Deb McLaughlin ’83 coordinates the Learning Support Program; Corina Jung Rahmig ’98 teaches Biology and serves as the High School Academic Dean; and Zarina Parpia ’99 teaches Business, Economics and Entrepreneurship. In the Office of Enrollment, Elizabeth Ayer ’06 began the 2019-2020 year as the Director of Enrollment Management. She works with Sam Nicols ’11, Enrollment Management Associate. Casey Hall O’Rourke ’90 leads as the Director of Institutional Advancement and works with Erika Reinitz White ’04, the Director of Marketing. Having such a strong group of alumnae on campus, in many different departments, ensures that the Sacred Heart spirit lives on. Students love knowing that their teachers were once girls just like them—wearing uniforms, singing Coeur de Jesus and waiting for Congé.
I’ve worked at Forest Ridge a couple of times during my career. I love this school for what it was, is, and can be in the future. We are well-grounded in best practices for girls’ education as well as our own Sacred Heart philosophy. This de facto means we face the present and future with a pioneering spirit, seeking even more effective ways to prepare girls to lead full, purposeful lives. I love working in this creative, dynamic place that I know so well, doing my part to contribute.
FOREST R I D G E . O R G
—Deb McLaughlin ’83, Learning Support Specialist
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Eric Martinez
Meet the New Trustees By Lucretia Jacobs
The 2019-2020 Board of Trustees welcomed Bill Uyeda as Chair and added six new members who bring a wealth of talent and energy to the school leadership. As the board works to finalize the 2020 Strategic Plan, they are defining a vision for Forest Ridge to serve its Sacred Heart mission with a business model that will support generations of future graduates.
Sue Heffernan ’72 The Heffernan family has a long connection with Forest Ridge. Sue Heffernan ’72, her sister Patty Heffernan ’73 and mother Mary Helen Strout Heffernan ’42 all attended Forest Ridge. Sue has continually supported Forest Ridge both on the Alumnae Board and the Development Committee. She was named Forest Ridge’s 2012 Distinguished Alumna for her outstanding contributions to Seattle Children’s Hospital. Sue has served Seattle Children’s Hospital as a pediatric nurse and philanthropist for over 30 years. She believes strongly in giving generously to her community and was the former president of the Dr. Stanley Stamm Guild, a fundraising organization benefitting Seattle Children’s Hospital. As she steps into her new role as trustee, Sue wants to share her knowledge of Forest Ridge’s history and expertise in non-profit fundraising.
Arden Tellini Hofler ’88 Arden believes that serving on the board is a wonderful way to support a cause she cares deeply about while also making a lasting difference in our Forest Ridge community. The legacy of a Sacred Heart education runs in the family as her daughter Julia H., class of 2025, and many nephews and a niece are all “lifers” at Sacred Heart schools. As a board member, Arden will leverage her experience in her current position as Senior Director of Events and Stewardship at the Swedish Medical Center Foundation, as well as her extensive contributions to Forest Ridge as Alumnae Director (2000-2003) and Development Committee member.
Eric is a current Forest Ridge parent of “lifer” Mollie M., class of 2021. He firmly believes in the power of a Forest Ridge education and has been a part of the community since his daughter enrolled in fifth grade. Eric earned his BS in mechanical engineering from Clemson University and MBA from Valdosta State University. He has extensive experience in the insurance claims industry and formerly led a team of 30,000 employees with a $3 billion operating budget as head of AIG’s Claims and Operations Division. Eric is the founder and current CEO of Modjoul, a data innovation company focused on wearables that help prevent workplace injuries.
Anne Hotz Moran ’83
(Duchesne Academy, Omaha) The women in Anne’s family have a strong connection to the Sacred Heart mission. Anne’s grandmother, mother, sisters—including Mary Hotz, RSCJ—and aunts are all graduates of Sacred Heart schools. As Senior Assistant to the President of Seattle University, Anne is often called upon to serve on committees and assist in University initiatives. Faith has played a strong role in her life and she is proud to serve Forest Ridge and support the shared commitment to educating young women in the Sacred Heart tradition.
Anne Romano Sarewitz ’71 Forest Ridge has always been a part of Anne’s life. Her mother, Jean Parker Romano ’44, her sister, Maureen Romano ’72 and Anne are all alumnae. Anne brings to the board a wealth of insight an independent school admissions consultant and extensive experience in board governance. She has held many roles at independent schools and organizations throughout the Seattle area, including: Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at both Epiphany School and The Bush School, President of the Board of Trustees at both Epiphany School and Giddens School, and member of the Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation Board of Directors.
JK Schatzman JK is a current Forest Ridge parent of Madison S., class of 2023, and believes in supporting Forest Ridge as it has been a positive place for her daughter to be her best self. She is passionate about empowering girls and breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect for children and families in our community. JK leverages her skills as an experienced healthcare marketing professional in the roles of board member and fundraising chair for several non-profit organizations that make an impact in our community, including: Attain Housing, Northwest Children’s Foundation, Cancer Pathways and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
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F
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Board of Trustees 2019-2020
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Bill Uyeda, Chair Mary Rose Guerin, Head of School Javier de Lucas Mary Frances Feider Marie-Louise “Bunny” Flick, RSCJ Sue Heffernan ’72 Marina Hernandez, RSCJ Arden Tellini Hofler ’88 Eric Martinez Campbell Mathewson Arul Menezes Anne Hotz Moran ‘83 Duchesne Academy, Omaha Anne Romano Sarewitz ’71 JK Schatzman Jean Schlinger Paula Toner, RSCJ Samantha Totton ’09, Alumnae Representative Susan Long Walsh Michelle Whitten
From left to right, back row: Javier de Lucas, Mary Frances Feider, Campbell Mathewson, Arul Menezes, (middle row:) Michelle Whitten, Anne Hotz Moran ‘83, Jean Schlinger, (front row:) Marina Hernandez RSCJ, Bill Uyeda, Mary Rose Guerin, JK Schatzman, Anne Romano Sarewitz ’71 and Paula Toner RSCJ. Not present: Marie-Louise “Bunny” Flick RSCJ, Sue Heffernan ’72, Arden Tellini Hofler ’88, Eric Martinez, Alumnae Representative Samantha Totton ’09 and Susan Long Walsh.
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Kaila Davis Nsimbi ’04 Talks About Fostering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Education By Lucretia Jacobs
are awe-inspiring. Being a scholar changes a student’s future and opens the imaginations and ambitions of their siblings and family. I sat down with Kaila Davis Nsimbi ’04, Forest Ridge alumna, to learn more about her work with Rainier Scholars and how her own experience at Forest Ridge shaped her future. Kaila believes it is important to be conscientious of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). “When I was a student, there were two African American women on staff: Alycia Long Allen ’69 and Ayanna Moore ’71. I naturally gravitated towards them, and they supported me so much in my time at Forest Ridge. In addition, I also had great relationships with Sue Turner, Judy Pettet, Linda Palin and so many others who saw the potential inside me,” said Kaila. She applauds the work of Dr. Maritza Tavarez-Brown, who is fostering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Forest Ridge. However, as Kaila explained, “DEI is not just the job of one teacher, or even a handful of teachers. It is everyone’s role on campus to reach out to every student. They’re everyone’s kids.” “Doing what I do is heart-work and it is purposeful. Sacred Heart values and goals, such as faith, community, leadership and service are a common thread in my life.”
Kaila Davis Nsimbi ’04 Talks About Fostering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Education By Lucretia Jacobs
She has devoted her career to ensuring that students of color have education equity. She was recently promoted to the role of Director of Leadership and Career Development at Rainier Scholars. Her new role allows her to innovate and be thoughtful about how the program can consistently support the scholars and their families as students explore who they want to be in the world, and how they contribute to the greater good. During her years with Rainier Scholars, Kaila has mentored hundreds of students in public and private schools throughout the Seattle area. This experience provides Kaila with a unique perspective of what Forest Ridge offers students.
Seattle is fortunate to be home to Rainier Scholars, an academic and leadership program that serves low-income students of color, in an effort to provide equitable access to what are often exclusive pathways to success. Since the early 2000s, Rainier Scholars has earned a national reputation for developing innovative leaders who are committed to a college education.
“Forest Ridge creates a safe space for taking risks and exploring interests—it is just in the water. When I think about the scholars with whom I have worked, they possess self-assurance and confidence, and I believe that is from being able to be successful in trying things out and risk-taking,” reflects Kaila.
Becoming a Rainier Scholar is no easy task. Everyone is in it for the long haul: students, families and the Rainier Scholars team. Students begin the program as fifth graders and finish as college graduates, and the results
She finds joy in watching her scholars grow and change into the people that they become. “I get to watch how they become the strongest, best parts of those kids I first met in sixth grade,” says Kaila.
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Vesta Weed, ’22 (second from left) with Sacred Heart exchange and host students
A Place Like Heaven
By Vesta Weed, Class of 2022
This past August, I did something that scared me. I left the comfort of my family and culture and walked onto a plane bound for Seoul, South Korea. I was going on a Sacred Heart Network exchange for three weeks, and I was both excited and terrified. To my delight, the city felt like home. A big reason for that feeling of familiarity is my love of Korean Pop music, better known as K-pop. I daydreamed about making friends, having fun and simply being in the city streets where my idols live. One of my most memorable experiences took place on the banks of the Han River. After a delicious dinner with my exchange sister, Minseo, and her best friend,
Hyomin, we headed to the river to listen to the cicadas and make memories under the moon. I remember the warm lights and smiles, kids splashing and couples walking. Under one of the river’s many bridges, there was a book market. Lit with strings of lights, it felt like a fairytale. In the glowing market, we gathered chalk and wrote our names on the warm concrete. And when I walked away, a happy piece of my heart was still laying on the ground among the swirls of chalk. Even though I began my journey so incredibly nervous, it was all worthwhile. The voices of my friends and dreams of Seoul will be forever with me.
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Members of the Central Council of the Order and the Provincial Team of the USC Province of the Order visit Forest Ridge (from left to right): Barbara Dawson RSCJ, Daphne Sequeira RSCJ, Sheila Hammond RSCJ and Theresa Moser RSCJ
The Internationality of the Sacred Heart By Marcia O’Dea, rscj
In October, Forest Ridge welcomed four Religious of the Sacred Heart; two of these Sisters, Barbara Dawson and Daphne Sequeira, hearken from Rome where they serve on the Central Council of the Order; two of them, Srs. Sheila Hammond and Theresa Moser serve on the Provincial Team of the United States-Canada Province of the Order. While the visit of the Central Council members of the Society of the Sacred Heart offered the Forest Ridge community many inspiring insights, one of the themes which emerged from their visit was that of “internationality.” We saw this quality not only in the Council members themselves but also in the points of interest which the faculty and guests shared with our visitors. In a world moving more and more towards global understanding and engagement, this visit was singularly uplifting. The sisters have traveled to 29 of the 41 countries in which RSCJ live. Appreciating each school or ministry in its cultural and educational context, Sr. Dawson, Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart, and Sr. Siqueira, a member of the Order’s Central Council from India, hope to gain a picture of how the Congregation might best structure itself for its service and mission for the next fifteen years. From September 15 to October 15, the Central Team members met Religious, students, faculty, Associates and others in the Sacred Heart family in Canada and the United States who live out the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education. Our four visitors met with some faculty, administration and the Head of School at Forest Ridge; in this assembly
the theme of “internationality” emerged. Some teachers spoke to the meaning of our global curriculum at Forest Ridge; they addressed how students come to know themselves as “learners” through their Advanced Integrated Studies projects. The Religious heard how the students are laying aside ethnic and cultural barriers as they come together in “Houses”—rather than as grade levels—for school gatherings. Also, they learned from the Education to Mission committee how the community at Forest Ridge respects each one’s religion while preserving, as Sr. Dawson mentioned, “windows to God” in its culture. Then in the Commons during lunch time, many visitors and faculty spoke informally with our guests. Audrey Threlkeld, former Academic Dean at Forest Ridge, discussed with Sr. Siqueira two special opportunities our faculty and students had in 2006 in India where, among other activities, they served in the Sadhana School in Mumbai and learned about a microeconomics program for village women initiated by the RSCJ’s in Bhokar. So just as the visitors are seeing new ways to connect and new structures for the RSCJ, so each Sacred Heart school community is reflecting on its relationships and internationality. As a note on the RSCJ web page mentions: “Internationality . . . requires openness, mutual respect, an acceptance of differences and an attempt at understanding those differences through dialogue. Internationality. Unity. Cor unum. In the Society of the Sacred Heart, they are very much the same experience. With it comes trust, acceptance, . . . and the confidence and strength to continue Sophie’s mission.”
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An Enduring Connection By Lucretia Jacobs
Judy Kuguru (left) and Wamaitha Kiarie (right)
Judy Kuguru and her freshman daughter, Leila, were excited to attend their first Ravens Reconnect backto-school event. Meanwhile, Wamaitha Kiarie and her sixth-grade daughter, Jada, were also finding their way around campus. By chance, while standing in line in the library, Wamaitha heard a Kenyan accent and walked over to introduce herself. What followed was a moment that made even bystanders a little misty-eyed. Far from strangers, the women had once been schoolmates at Sacred Heart Kyeni Girls Boarding Primary School in Kenya. While this school is not part of the Sacred Heart Network overseen by RSCJ religious, Kyeni School provides students with a Catholic education and instills strong values similar to those at Forest Ridge.
Wamaitha moved to Seattle in 2007 and Judy relocated with her two daughters just three years ago. For both women, America meant better opportunities, especially for their daughters. “In Africa, women are second-class citizens,” says Judy. “Relocation to a new country is hard. But we were able to do it because we went to Kyeni,” shared Wamaitha. They both fondly remember Mrs. Njue (pronounced “N-joy”). She was a tough but equally loving headmistress devoted to girls’ education. Judy recalls arriving in fourth grade, a self-proclaimed rebel who
was not used to anyone caring about her. “The first time I met Mrs. Njue I wrote a letter to my mother. I said if you do not come and get me, I will die.” Judy continues, “Mrs. Njue says to me, ‘I know you wrote a letter to your mother and you want to leave school. But I tell you by the time you leave school you will be a woman who can survive and make a home’.” True to Mrs. Njue’s promise, Judy and Wamaitha graduated not only able to survive but also with a desire to thrive.
Wamaitha, in 5th grade, sits with her mother (center) and cousins on a parent visit day
Judy firmly believes there was no coincidence to the decades of choices and opportunities that brought them both from Kenya to Forest Ridge. It has not been a path of comfort or easy choices. Both women summoned their faith and courage to make a new future in America for themselves and their children. They both agree that without the foundation of their education, none of it would have been possible.
“Mrs. Njue intentionally molded us into citizens with heart. And that has played an instrumental role in my life. I learned empathy, compassion and authenticity at a young age,” reflects Judy. Their education also had an effect on the next generation. Since the sixth grade, Leila has wanted to attend high school at Forest Ridge. Jada fell in love with Forest Ridge during an Open House visit and is excited now be in the Forest Ridge class of 2026. Twenty-three years later, Wamaitha and Judy’s deep connection is evident as they laugh and share memories of Kenya. Clearly, Forest Ridge is a community of global citizens with heart.
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Beyond the Paint Brush:
The Visual Arts Build Critical Thinkers By Tracy Mintz and Carol Gould, Art Faculty
Often art is valued in its final form, but the significance of the process itself is even more profound. The curiosity, discipline and problem solving that occur in an art classroom are essential to education. As art teachers, our aim is to provide a solid structure with an emphasis on lasting fundamental skills while supporting artists as they innovate and explore. We approach teaching the arts with rigor but without requiring that every project looks the same. After all, we don’t all look the same, our lives and cultures don’t look the same, so why should our artwork? As students form ideas, create rough drafts, edit, reflect and finalize works of art, they are fine-tuning the skills necessary to complete their other academic coursework. Our focus
is to help students build artistic skills while allowing them opportunities to build confidence and trust their choices. By senior year, Forest Ridge students are prepared to find a place in any fine arts college program. Every fall, we invite visiting college representatives into the studio to meet with our seniors. We are proud of the variety of work our students produce and the risk-taking and problem solving they navigate throughout their creative process. Not only do they become stronger artists, but they also build critical thinking skills which they can apply to all disciplines—whether they aspire to a career in math, science, psychology or the arts.
The Contortionist
This is Home
King County Executive Award Winner, PSESD Regional Art Show
“Neurological differences are just one way people can have a different perspective on the world. I have dyslexia and dyscalculia which causes me to look at the world differently than my peers. My hope is that my artwork will open up a bigger conversation about neurodiversity; that it is a good thing that everyone learns and perceives the world differently.”
“Prior to this class, I had not explored 3D art or making art installations using 3D printing. This class has taught me to keep exploring new things.”
— Kiera Finnegan ‘19
— Ariana T., Class of 2020
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Outside Myself No. 2 Winner of the 2019 Congressional Art Award By Rozella Kim, Class of 2020
As teenagers, we are often trapped inside an ‘identity box’ in which our society expects us to stay. However, over time we begin to discover our own identity and who we are becomes clear. At first, just like when we are underwater, our vision is blurred, but then it develops over time. I have realized that going outside of myself and looking above my ‘identity box’ is essential to finding clarity about who I really am, and I hope to share this message through my painting.
Outside Myself No. 2 will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year. I was awarded first place at the Congressional Art Competition and was flown to Washington D.C. for the award ceremony this summer. It was an honor to represent Washington’s 9th Congressional District and I am highly grateful for such an opportunity to be celebrated among other national artists.
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Saveria Tilden Mazzola ’91 is the founder of AdventurUs Women, an outdoor experience company. She is dedicated to creating outdoor learning environments for women that encourage friendship, skill building and connecting with nature. Below is an excerpt from her blog at adventuruswomen.com.
When Women Support Women, Anything is Possible By Saveria Tilden Mazzola ’91
I am pretty confident that my parents chose a girls’ school because I came home from 6th grade preview day at the local junior high and happily exclaimed, “Did you know you can get credit for cheerleading!?” I am sure my parents would say that the decision was made to provide me with an environment where girls were encouraged to become leaders. They were right, of course, but at the time I did not appreciate their decision to deprive me of cheerleading and boys. I most definitely did not appreciate the importance of an all-girl environment—not like I do now, decades later. Here I am: loving, fostering and embracing the collective power of all-women environments and fully appreciating the impact women have in my life. I established AdventurUs Women Escapes to provide a space where women can experience the outdoors together in a fun and supportive environment; where women of all experience levels can learn new skills, connect with each other and take time for themselves. Because so much of our connecting today happens in a digital space, in-person, real-life events have become more important than ever. Retreats, adventure camps, meet-ups and hikes bring women together so that they can relate openly, without filters or editing. Women leave AdventurUs feeling rejuvenated and empowered.
In my work, I see the rise of women supporting other women and setting examples of what it means to be a woman in the outdoors: all colors, all backgrounds, all shapes, all sizes and all orientations. Some are fully clothed. Others are buns out. There are minivan lifers and weekend warriors. There is a mix of confident, raw, vulnerable, imperfect women who are brave enough to put themselves out there and be a beacon for others. As I look back, I would tell my younger self to be a cheerleader. The kind of champion who encourages women to find their own journey and recognizes that helping other women to succeed helps us all to succeed. A woman who is confident about who she is and what she wants to be, and is definitely not standing on the sidelines watching with pom poms, but is on the field passing the ball to her teammate to score. Are You an AdventurUs Woman? Saveria will be hosting two AdventurUs Women Escapes in 2020 and can be reached at saveria@theadventurus.com or follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
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Count
HER in... ...the classroom. ...the courtroom. ...the locker room. ...the operating room. ...the boardroom.
THE FOREST RIDGE FUND
therShe’s , counting on us. Can we count on you? Your gift to the Forest Ridge Fund supports our girls every step of the way, making a difference for... Community
Curriculum
Campus
Tuition assistance, speakers and community events
Academic enrichment, arts, sports and technology
Maintenance and campus beautification efforts
Every girl matters. Every gift counts. Give today at forestridge.org/FRFund or call 425-201-2414 FOREST R I D G E . O R G
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Alumnae Reunion Weekend 2019
By Julie Lundgren
Alumnae Reunion Weekend brought together alumnae from 1949 to 2014. The campus came alive with joy and laughter as alums celebrated their milestone reunions together. The weekend started off with a tour of the Interlaken campus in Seattle on Friday afternoon. Alumnae enjoyed exploring their beloved school from the basement to the fourth floor where the nuns lived. Memories flooded back as they reflected on a much different time, when the teachers were nuns and the students were required to curtsy in the hallways. The following day, the Alumnae Reunion continued at the Bellevue campus with Master Classes and tours which included the Digital Media Lab, the Center for Girls and the Residential Hall. This year, Zarina Parpia ’99 taught a Master Class with Sr. O’Dea, and Dr. Maritza Tavarez-Brown (a.k.a. “Dr. T”) engaged alums in the world of exoplanets. Alums also spent time in The Shop, Forest Ridge’s makerspace, where they made personalized keychains with a laser cutter. The evening culminated in a sumptuous dinner provided by Mud McHugh’s Classic Catering (’70) and recognition of Susan Benton Meier ’81 as our Sacred Heart Alumna Award recipient for her dedication to Forest Ridge.
Members of the Class of 1999 listening to a Master Class presentation by Sr. O’Dea and Zarina Parpia ’99
“For me the best part of
Save the date
the reunion was getting
......
to tell Kathy Tolan Kunath ’59, who was my 4th
Classes ending in
grade teacher at Sacred
“0” and “5”,
Heart School in Bellevue, that she was the reason I always wanted to go to Forest Ridge! I loved her then. Still do today.” —Tina Jacobsen Kucher ’74
......
Tina Jacobsen Kucher ’74 (left) and Kathy Tolan Kunath ’59 (right)
mark your calendars for 2020’s Reunion Weekend on May 29 and 30, 2020. We can’t wait to see you and welcome you home!
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Linda Seering Ware ’59 and her husband Thomas Ware
Class of 1979
Class of 1989 with Sr. O’Dea
Class of 2009
Class of 1959
Regina Quiban ’14, Rachel Krause ’14 and Christine Shoemaker ’14
Ann Jenkins Rockett ’79
Class of 1969 with fellow alumnae
Sacred Heart Award Recipient Susan Benton Meier ’81
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Class of 1999
Christy DiJulio Smith ’74 and Elizabeth Bangasser Hall ’74
Class of 1974
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Class Notes ..............
..............
Sonya writes, “I admit to one imprudent act on our part: running up and down the terraces in our habits and waving at a convertible full of Seattle Prep boys. That afternoon Reverend Mother was showing a visiting bishop around and observed our terrace activity. He asked what order we were...Reverend Mother had a few words for us later; otherwise we were models of piety.”
The class of 1958 have gotten together almost every year since their 50th reunion. “It just keeps getting better and better so we keep doing it,” says Kitty Morrow Meredith ’58. ’58 Sharon Carey LeeMaster ’53 writes that she is in her second year of operations on her hand and wrist due to preventing a fall by a fellow parishioner before Mass. She is hopeful 2020 has no more operations in sight. She and her husband Parley will celebrate 58 years of marriage on December 27. She shares that her sister, Colleen Carey Sayler ’58, ’58 still lives in the Seattle area, while sister Judy Carey Peterson ’55 lives near Madison, WI. Both sisters are enjoying the amazing adventures of their many children and grandchildren.
Sonya Quitslund ’53 shares a bit of nostalgia in sending in a photo of herself with Marilyn Seering Cass ’55 taken in the summer of 1952 when they taught a daycare school for preschool kids at FRC (Forest Ridge School was known as the Forest Ridge Convent in the 50’s). To fill the afternoons, after the children had left, they formed their own “religious order.”
Lael Lowry Wedekind ’61 enjoyed a small, summer reunion where friends from the class of 1961 poured over their yearbook, The Portal, and relived many good memories of their senior year.
Members from the class of 1970 met last summer to get ready for their big 5-0 reunion coming up in May 2020!
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Nancy Scott Jackson ’70 was recognized by Sharp Healthcare for her service to veterans. As a veteran herself, Nancy helped start Sharp Hospice Care’s We Honor Veterans Program at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in San Diego. Over the past year, Nancy has conducted individual, community and Veterans Day flag ceremonies, providing the opportunity for families to honor their loved one and their service to our country. Dressing in uniform, Nancy prepares the bedside with flags and memorabilia, even providing certificates and pins for other family members who have served in the U.S. armed forces. Nancy says it is a privilege and a ministry. Alix Furness ’86 writes, “After more than four years at the Foster School of Business and eleven at the UW overall, I moved into a new position as Administrator for the Comparative History of Ideas Department (CHID). The program aims to provide students with critical thinking tools and hopes to engender within students an attitude of personal engagement and creativity. The emphasis on critical thinking skills reminds me of Forest Ridge! Also, I am turning 50 soon, and my present to myself is a trip to Tokyo. I lived in semi-rural Japan for a few years, but I haven't been back to visit that country for a couple of decades. So, this seems an appropriate way to usher in my 2nd half-century!” Andrea Moody ’88 moved her family back to the Pacific Northwest after several years in Washington, DC. Her son Ernesto is a sophomore at Pitzer College and his brother Jahiem is a freshman at Nathan Hale High School. She continues to work as a fine art appraiser with a specialty in modern and contemporary American art. Martha Powell Ledezma ’88 married Carlos Ledezma on September 8, 2018. Martha is a first grade teacher and lives with her husband, Carlos, in Naples, FL.
Yvonne Ochoa Rosellini ’92 was named by Mexican business magazine Expansión as one of 2019’s 100 Most Powerful Women in Mexico. Yvonne has had a successful career in banking and finance as a member of the elite executive team of BBVA Bancomer, the largest financial services group in Mexico. She spent a decade building six businesses from the ground up in the management consulting, entertainment, biotech, health, legal services and nonprofit sectors. Today she is the CFO for Grupo Coppel. Emily Castle Bemis ’02 and her husband Dustin welcomed their second daughter, Gloria Grace Bemis on June 8, 2019. Her big sister Lucy was very excited to have little Gracie enter her world. Emily continues her work as a middle school teacher at The Bear Creek School in Redmond.
Kate Phillips Trigg ’04 and Simon Trigg celebrated their first anniversary on September 23, 2019. Several Forest Ridge alums attended the 2018 wedding weekend festivities: sisters, Beth Phillips ’01 and Maddy Phillips ’08, Zain Lakhani ’01, ’08 ’01 Liz Voeller ’04 and Alexa Skilling ’04. Kate, Beth and Maddy all live in the California ’04 East Bay working in the social work, public health and education fields, respectively. Tegan Klein Hampton ’07 shares, “I'm a manager at Resuscitation Academy Foundation, a small non-profit in Seattle. King County has the world's highest survival rates for cardiac arrest, with 50-60% of our patients surviving. However, the rest of the world has survival rates around 23%, with many communities in the U.S. seeing rates as low as 10%. At the Resuscitation Academy, I work with King County medics, EMTs, medical directors, dispatchers and data professionals to educate the medical community on what King County does and how to improve survival rates worldwide.”
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Class Notes Kate Shaner ’12 and her sailing partner, Katie Love, have their eye on the 2020 summer Olympics in Tokyo. Kate began sailboat racing at age nine and transitioned to skiff sailing as a youth. After Forest Ridge, Kate excelled in collegiate racing for Tufts University and has competed on the 49er FX World Cup circuit for the past three years. Kate is currently training for the U.S. Olympic trials which consists of two World Championships; the first in New Zealand in December 2019 and the second in Australia in February 2020. You can follow the Olympic journey of these determined skiff sailors and read their blog at www.skiffracing.com.
Last spring, Audrey Sarin ’19 was selected after a rigorous audition process against thousands of applicants to compete in the 2019 Jeopardy Teen Tournament. The Forest Ridge community cheered for Audrey as she found herself on her favorite game show with THE Alex Trebek. "[I have so much] gratitude for this amazing experience," Audrey said. "I’m grateful to be a part of that community and the amazing opportunities that have opened up to me through Jeopardy."
School Rings are Close to the Heart Lael Lowry Wedekind ’61, ’61 lost her school ring years ago. Her partner called to help Lael buy a new one, knowing how the ring was a beloved treasure from her days at Forest Ridge. “I am thrilled to be able to replace it for my memories. It may not be an exact replica but it is very close for so many years ago. I will treasure this forever,” says Lael.
If you have lost your ring and want a replacement, you can order one through Herff Jones at highschool.herffjones.com.
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A Letter from the Forest Ridge Alumnae Board President ...... Dear Friends, I joined the Forest Ridge Alumnae Board in 2013 as a recent college graduate. Six years later, I am now serving my second year as Alumnae Board President. I recently celebrated my 10-year reunion and was inspired to hear about the accomplishments of my classmates. Our alumnae really do change the world. During my time on the board, I have had some of the best experiences of my life: meeting new Sacred Heart sisters at the national AASH conference, traveling the world with fellow board members, catching up with my classmates and working with current students. I can only describe my time here as a blessing. Another benefit of serving is deepening my understanding of the Sacred Heart founding mothers, most recently in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Sacred Heart education coming to America. In school, I remember learning about the tenacity of St. Philippine Duchesne—granted, my ability to recall was aided by the fact that her last name was the WIFI password—but at the time, I didn’t realize the impact her story would have on my life now that I am an adult.
I encourage you to come back home to Forest Ridge. As Julie Lundgren, our Alumnae Director, always says, “Learning about Forest Ridge and the Sacred Heart traditions only strengthens over time, peeling back layers of love, tradition and history.” Every time I walk away from a Forest Ridge event, my heart is full. I encourage all our alumnae to get involved by reaching out to myself at samanthatotton@gmail.com or Julie Lundgren at jlundgren@forestridge.org. In closing, I would like to say thank you to all the teachers, staff, students, parents and community at large. You have helped build Forest Ridge into what it is today, and I am so grateful. In Gratitude,
Samantha Totton ’09 Forest Ridge Alumnae Board President
Today, I get to be part of the new energy at Forest Ridge as we grow with our Head of School, Mary Rose Guerin. She is another inspiring woman who comes from a Sacred Heart background and I am thrilled she is leading our school. And with the formation of the Forest Ridge Houses—go House Duchesne!—there is renewed energy and excitement on campus.
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In Memoriam Alumnae
Loved Ones
M’Liss Rae Frandsen Hawley ’75 on November 14, 2019.
Anne Davidson, RSCJ on November 1, 2019.
Marilyn Lockwood Jones ’57, sister of Gloria Lockwood Schwartz ’69 (dec.), on April 11, 2019. Patricia Powers McIntyre ’52 on August 28, 2019. Tami Pickering ’85 in June 2019. Catherine Quigley ’59, sister of Cara Quigley Brown ’60 and Nancy Quigley ’65, on February 15, 2019. Michele Garvey Seaver ’81, sister of Nicole Garvey ’84, on April 26, 2019. Joan O'Sullivan Strand ’46 on May 28, 2019.
Laurene Kay Lundberg, mother of Nicole Lundberg ’96 and Kathryn Lundberg ’02 (dec.), on May 13, 2019. Patty Regin Murphy ’53 (Villa Duchesne) on October 27, 2019. Marilyn Prince, mother of Jennifer Prince West ’83 and Elizabeth Prince Vowles ’85, on August 12, 2019. Paul Sifferman, husband of Louise Quinn Sifferman ’49 and brother-in-law of Catherine Quinn Turner ’62, on August 30, 2019. Donna Stafford, mother of Ann Stafford ’79, Lynn Stafford Yilmaz ’82 (dec.) and Mary Stafford Stanley ’85, on March 30, 2019.
"There is no way to talk about my faith absent the Society of the Sacred Heart. The women who were my teachers and remain my dear friends mean the world to me. They took girls seriously in the 1950s—a radical notion, so there was never any 'grown-up' need to reject them, only to thank them—and they keep the faith.” – Cokie Roberts ’60 (Stone Ridge) on September 17, 2019.
Mary B. Flaherty RSCJ ’49 (left), Cokie Roberts (center) and Mary Magnano Smith ’61 (right) during a visit to Forest Ridge in 2009
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2020 Upcoming Events
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Children of Mary Meetings
All meetings are held on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. January 16 | Fr. Tom Vandenberg | Pacific Regent, Bellevue February 20 | L’Arche Program | Royal Manor Condos, Seattle April 16 | Annual Retreat and Mass | Forest Ridge May 14 | Mary Lou Sanelli | Royal Manor Condos, Seattle
Auction—House Party on the Ridge Saturday, February 29 | Forest Ridge
Center for Girls’ Parent Education Speaker Speaker Series:
FRAA 2020 Induction Ceremony and Spring Luncheon Each spring, the Forest Ridge Alumnae Association Board recognizes a Distinguished Alumna for her accomplishments and dedication to our Sacred Heart values.
Save the date!
Enough As She Is, presentation by Rachel Simmons Wednesday, March 4 | 7:00 p.m. | Forest Ridge
Forest Ridge Alumnae Association:
Induction Ceremony and Spring Luncheon Thursday, May 7 | 11:30 a.m. | Newcastle Golf Club
Alumnae Reunion Weekend
Celebrating graduation years 0’s and 5’s Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30
Thursday, May 7, 2020 11:30 a.m. at the Newcastle Golf Club, Bellevue, WA To nominate an alumna for upcoming awards and for event information, visit forestridge.org/alumnae.
February 29, 2020
House Party! On the Ridge
A Night Out Supporting Forest Ridge School Join the Forest Ridge community for a fun-filled evening of silent and live auctions, raffles, guest speakers and more as we come together in support of our students and our school. For event information and to purchase tickets, visit www.forestridge.org/auction.
FOREST RIDGE
THE SACRED HEART SCHOOL OF SEATTLE
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Seattle, WA Permit No. 6781
FOREST RIDGE SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART 4800 139TH AVENUE SE, BELLEVUE, WA 98006-3015 WWW.FORESTRIDGE.ORG
Save ...... the Date Forest Ridge Alumnae Reunion May 29-30, 2020
All Alumnae are Invited | Celebrating Classes Ending in 0’s and 5’s
1945,, 1950 1945 1950,, 1955 1955,, 1960 1960,, 1965 1965,, 1970 19 70,, 1975 1975,, 1980 1980,, 1985 1985,, 1990 1990,, 1995 19 95,, 2000 2000,, 2005 2005,, 2010 2010,, 2015 2015 Follow us @forestridgealum Interested in being a class agent or have questions? Contact Julie Lundgren, Director of Development and Alumnae Relations, at jlundgren@forestridge.org or 425-201-2414.