Photo by Director of STEAM Education, Fine Arts Department Chair, and photography teacher Julie Fisher.
Head of School
Dear Foxcroft Community,
As you drive onto campus, there is a scene that has captured my imagination for years. Across Foxhound Lane from Brick House is a stone mounting block. It harkens to a time before automobiles were widely used and symbolizes Foxcroft’s equestrian ethos. I like to imagine Miss Charlotte leaving her office after a hard day, mounting her horse (sidesaddle of course!), and riding off with students for the afternoon or on one of her iconic overnight trips to Luray Caverns.
Directly across from this mounting block, on the Brick House side of the road, sits an electric car charging station. Installed in 2021, it speaks to the future and the growing electric car industry as well as to society’s interest in environmental sustainability. These days, electric car drivers — employees, students, and visitors — vie for the two spots. I predict we will need more stations in short order.
What a juxtaposition of two worlds!
Over my time as Head of School, I’ve come to appreciate how the past informs the present and future at Foxcroft. Miss Charlotte’s vision for her school and the traditions she started in 1914 continue to bind together generations of women. Our purpose is to prepare girls for success in college and life; our mission is to help each girl gain skills, confidence, and courage
to share her unique voice with the world; and our motto — a healthy mind in a healthy body — remains relevant, even critical, for today’s girls.
In this issue of the magazine, we cover our active campus life and the many learning opportunities our students enjoy. Meet our new girls from all over the world; get to know some of our talented faculty and the new courses we offer. Read about the addition of in-house horse shows to our riding program and about our fall athletic teams’ successes. You will see that while much has changed at Foxcroft, much stays the same.
Our feature articles, for example, focus on Foxcroft’s Fine Arts program, from 2 and 3D art courses and music to theater. Early in Foxcroft’s history, putting on plays was not only a way to pass the time; it was a way to build character. According to Miss Charlotte: “Nothing develops self-confidence or rids one of self-consciousness like acting, so every girl must be in at least one play every year.” (Junior League Bulletin, March 1927). Today, theater remains central to the Foxcroft experience (including the freshman performance, open mic nights, and Battle of the Dorms) and enjoys high levels of student participation; however, Foxcroft’s theater arts have evolved into a highly technical stagecraft and we are developing plans for a new performing
arts center in Phase 3 of the Building for Our Future campaign, a center for the community which will house a truly interdisciplinary program, in which science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) meet the arts (STEAM).
Miss Charlotte wrote to her alumnae, “Keep up with the times. Don’t be narrow.” It’s sage advice we continue to heed as we prepare our students for success, all while instilling in them timeless values and traditions that make Foxcroft so special.
I hope you will visit campus soon to meet our current students and faculty and see all the exciting progress on the Mars STEAM Wing. You are always welcome! Thank you for your support in so many ways.
English teacher Emma Cesar captured this stunning view of the Aurora Borealis (or Northern Lights) over Applegate and Dillon Cottages on the evening of October 11, 2024. A rare event this far south, students and faculty were able to enjoy the stunning light displays.
The Aurora Borealis is a reminder that is the greatest artist of all.
- Unknown
Fall / Winter 2024
in this issue
Notebook: Julie Fisher Recognized by VAIS for Innovation in Education
Notebook: Meet Our Students!
Campaign Update: The Building So Far, and the Road Ahead
Big News: The 11th Head of School, Dr. Lisa Kaenzig
Feature: A Tradition of Fine Arts at Foxcroft
Feature: Embracing the Artist Within
Mission Statement
Foxcroft’s mission is to help every girl explore her unique voice and to develop the skills, confidence, and courage to share it with the world.
Published twice a year by Foxcroft School
Please address queries to:communications@foxcroft.org, or Foxcroft School, 22407 Foxhound Lane, Middleburg, VA 20117
This magazine is printed on FSC-certified 10% post-consumer waste recycled paper.
Foxcroft School is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. Foxcroft School admits students of any race, color, religion, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national, or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, or financial aid policies, loan programs, athletics, and other school-administered programs.
Feature: The Next Phase of Fine Arts at Foxcroft: Our New Performing Arts Center!
Out & About and Gone Away
Catherine S. McGehee Head of School
Dr. Tanya Hyatt
Assistant Head of School
Bethany Stotler Director of Communications and Marketing
Christine McCrehin
Assistant Director of Publications and Storytelling
Trey Adams Director of Enrollment
Krystyna Martin Director of Admission, Access, and Inclusion
Hayley Munroe Director of Institutional Advancement
Ranata Davis Dean of Inclusive Excellence
Additional Photos: Kendall Bear, Emma Cesar, Julie Fisher, Valeska Furlong ’26, Grant Gibson, Solana Hickey ’26, Milisa Johnson, Jud McCrehin, Ginny Riley, Bethany Stotler, Bob Updegrove, Heather Whisenant, Marin Wood, and Kate Worsham. Design by Raison Brands
New In-House Horse Show Series
Notebook
A beautiful fall day was the perfect backdrop for the Foxcroft Riding Program’s first horse show in its new In-House Horse Show Series on Saturday, October 12, as 22 riders competed in five divisions ranging from walk-trot to 2’6” hunters and jumpers.
The judged competition began at 9:30am with local professional Karen Feeney as our judge for the day, awarding prizes from first through sixth place for each class. Champion and Reserve Champion honors were also announced after each division, and students were invited to our Winner’s Circle for photo opportunities in front of Schoolhouse.
All of our competitors demonstrated thoughtful riding and did their best to stick to the plan outlined by their instructors in practices earlier that week. Attention to little details such as correct posting diagonals, simple lead changes, and a well-executed entry plan was the cherry on top of each course or flat class. Student helpers were critical to the success and smooth running of the show. From filming and photographing each student to polishing boots, passing out ribbons, and helping as “jump crew,” it was an all-hands-on-deck kind of day.
The second show of the series, on Saturday, November 2, brought repeat competitors and some new entries to make up a field of 21 riders who showed off their talents in the five divisions. This time our judge was local professional and Foxcroft alumna Lillibet Motion ’10.
After hosting the first show, students and trainers felt a more relaxed energy to the pace of the day, which was a positive way to counteract the show nerves that inevitably crop up as riders prepare to demonstrate their hard work from the fall season. Student volunteers were once again essential to the smooth running of the show, including those who had competed throughout the day. They helped on all fronts and cheered on all of our horse and rider partnerships, both tried and true and brand new!
The Foxcroft Riding Instructors were proud of the teamwork, great sportsmanship, and excellent horsemanship that each Foxcroft girl exhibited. The InHouse Horse Show Series will continue in the spring season. Dates are forthcoming — stay tuned!
1. Josephine Kin '27 and Dapper Dan aka "Danny" (donated to Foxcroft by Emma Dowdle '20) celebrate in the Winner's Circle after earning the Championship in the "Journey's End" Long Stirrup Hunter Division.
2. Ellie Wahl '27 and Dream Away aka "Kitty" (donated to Foxcroft by Flat Division.
3. Isabela Dann '28 and her own Pinecroft Excalibur aka “Cal” demonstrate thoughtful technique and smooth decision making in the "Ebb Tide" Jumper Division.
partner Enderby.
Meet our Students!
This year Foxcroft welcomed 168 students from 22 states and Washington, D.C., and 21 different countries to our campus community, and our annual Family Weekend was the perfect opportunity for everyone to get to know each other!
70% boarding students 30% day students
168 girls from 22 states and Washington, D.C.
Alabama (AL), Arizona (AZ), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Massachusetts (MA), Maryland (MD), North Carolina (NC), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Pennsylvania (PA), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Texas (TX), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV)
22 students participate in the Exceptional Proficiency (EP) program. They ride, water ski, and play ice hockey, tennis, and golf. At least ten are competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL, and others in Ocala, FL.
20% are international students from 21 countries
Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Jamaica, Japan, Liberia, Mexico, Nigeria, Paraguay, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates
71 new girls 48 boarding students 23 day students
34% of students are riders
21% are related to alumnae 13 new students 23 returning students
26% are self-identified as U.S. students of color
Black/African American: 17
Native American: 2
Two or More Races: 15 Asian: 4
Hispanic/Latinx: 3
Raquel Lopez ’25 Named a Code.org CS Ambassador!
CS Ambassadors connect with their peers to share their excitement and love of computer science. They visit classrooms, host tables at lunch, and speak at assemblies and club meetings. CS Ambassadors work with teachers and school administrators to break down stereotypes that hold young women back.
"I applied to be a Code.org ambassador," shared senior Raquel Lopez, "because I wanted to be a support system for girls who might not have considered computer science or felt they weren't capable, and to help bring more diverse voices into the field. Last summer, I had the opportunity to be a part of a seminar as a newly selected Code.org Ambassador, where we discussed how to better encourage women in STEM and the importance of learning computer science. Now, I'm planning to organize an Hour of Code at Foxcroft to show that coding is for everyone and to inspire more young women to get involved in STEM!"
AP Honor Roll
For the 21st consecutive year, Foxcroft has reached double-digits for our number of AP Scholars. Three Foxcroft students achieved the premier status of AP Scholar with Distinction, and one achieved the status of AP Scholar with Honor to lead a group of 11 students who earned 2024 AP Scholar Awards from the College Board for outstanding achievement on Advanced Placement exams taken last spring.
The School has also earned Platinum recognition on the College Board's 2024 AP School Honor Roll for the second consecutive year and was recognized with the AP Access Award for demonstrating a clear and effective commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework.
Veteran,s Day Speaker
Christine Thebaud ,09
A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point who served as an officer in the 95th Civil Air Force Affairs Brigade (Airborne), Christine Thebaud ’09 spoke during Morning Meeting about her service and offered the following advice:
“I strongly encourage any of you who have an interest in the military ... If you think it may not be for you — and it is not for everyone, that is okay — I offer this to you instead: take your preconceived notions of yourself — I'm not good at math, I'm not a fast runner, I'm not brave enough to stand up and be a leader. It's too much work. I don't know if I have those skills — take all those doubts and think again. Be there for one another… you'll be surprised how far you can go when you see yourself as part of something larger than just your individual self.”
After her service, Thebaud earned her J.D. at American University and currently practices law for Cooley LLP, where she represents clients in high-stakes government enforcement matters, and her pro bono practice is focused on helping active-duty service members and veterans.
Foxcroft's Award Winning Print and Digital Media
Magazines
The Fall/Winter 2022 and Spring/Summer 2023 issues of Foxcroft Magazine won a Best of District III Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Using our 2022-23 school year theme "Be Well, Be Green, Belong at Foxcroft" as inspiration, we chose to showcase the intentional ways that Foxcroft uses traditions, curriculum, boarding and day student programming, student-led organizations, and our 500-acre campus to facilitate wellness, community and belonging, and unique learning experiences for our students.
The Spring/Summer 2024 issue of Foxcroft Magazine was recently a Bronze Winner in the InspirED School Marketers Brilliance Awards in the category of Magazine Overall Design (Enrollment 350 or Fewer) Single issue.
Following a recent brand refresh and subsequent website redesign, Foxcroft worked with the magazine design team at Raison Brands to refresh the magazine. The first issue featuring that refresh is the winner of this award.
Brand Video
Foxcroft's "All-Girls at Its Best" brand video, in collaboration with Creosote Affects, won a Gold Award in the 12th Annual Education Digital Marketing Awards for outstanding work in the category of Digital Special Video: Under 2 Minutes and a Silver in the InspirED School Marketers Brilliance Awards for the category of "Enrollment/Admissions Video.
The video captures the spirit of Foxcroft and is the perfect companion piece to our new website, telling Foxcroft's story in a fresh, authentic, and meaningful way.
Viewbook
Scan the QR Code to view each of these pieces!
We are excited to share that our new Viewbook, in partnership with Creosote Affects, won a Bronze InspirED School Marketers Brilliance Award! This admission marketing piece demonstrates what makes Foxcroft special, inviting prospective students to take a closer look at Foxcroft.
Social Media
Foxcroft’s "Come Experience Foxcroft" social media advertisement won a Best of District III Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)! This "hype video" is upbeat, generates excitement, and leaves the viewer wanting to learn more about our school! The fast-paced, fun visual representation of the many aspects of Foxcroft uses engaging visuals, active language, and a good beat.
TENNIS
FIELD HOCKEY
VOLLEYBALL
SPORTS
SPORTS
yers
Foxcroft’s fall varsity sports teams had 16 players receive All-Greater Piedmont Athletic Conference (GPAC) recognition. Highlights include:
rence
Capping another winning season (12-6) with their third consecutive GPAC Championship and a #8 Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) State Division II ranking, Varsity Tennis saw six players, including Player of the Year OLIVIA RICKARD ’28 and Coach of the Year Susan Spector, receive All-GPAC accolades. First Team recognition went to FLORA HANNUM ’25, PENELOPE MARGARITOPOULOS ’25, and MINA OZGEN ’27. Second Team honors went to KIKI HUGHEY ’25 and FRANKIE WASINGER ’25
GPAC Runner-Up Varsity Field Hockey (9-5-2) finished their season at #5 in the final VISAA DII rankings, making it to the semifinal game of the state tournament (upsetting #4 Cape Henry in the process) before exiting. The team produced five All-GPAC First Team athletes: PATTY ARWINE ’25, HELENKA CHODAKIEWICZ ’26, MARGARET PITT ’25, AVA PUMPHREY ’26, and FLORA WARR ’25
Varsity Volleyball finished a competitive season with five players recognized as All-GPAC athletes, including First Team honors for ADDIE AYERS ’25 and Second Team honors for RUBY DEWLING ’25 Honorable Mention was received by SOPHIE ARELLANO ’28, HAYDEN AYERS ’27, and GRETA LAUBACH ’25
CROSS COUNTRY
Varsity Cross Country qualified five athletes for the GPAC and VISAA Championship meets. Those athletes were CHIARA DELLACCIO ’25, SUBIRA KIBALI ’25, RAQUEL LOPEZ ’25, AVA RUDY ’25, and CAROLINE WECK ’26. Ava led the team at VISAA finishing with her best time of the season (25:18).
Three Fall Athletes Receive All-State Honors
All-Sta
Foxcroft saw three varsity athletes receive VISAA Division II First Team All-State accolades — one in tennis and two in field hockey!
Varsity Tennis’ OLIVIA RICKARD ’28 went undefeated in singles matches this season. “She is an incredibly hard worker,” shared Coach Susan Spector, “diligent in her study of tennis, the execution of the game, the strategy of the game, the mental game, and the fun of the game. She is an inspiration to teammates, kind and respectful on and off the court to all she comes in contact with.”
Foxcroft sa t ennis and Tennis matches this Coach Susan gam on “ since freshma was a Ca as ou fie
FLORA WARR ’25 has been on the varsity field hockey team since freshman year,” offered Coach Michelle Woodruff. “She was a Captain and the emotional leader on the team as well as our biggest playmaker, tireless on both ends of the field. She was the quarterback, a multi-dimensional player who distributed, scored, and frustrated her opponents — a standout in all her games.”
“PATTY ARWINE ’25 has also been on the varsity field hockey team since freshman year, a Captain, and heart of the team,” confirmed Coach Woodruff. “She was consistent, mature, fast, and fearless. Able to track down opponents and stop their attacks — a difference maker in all our games.”
8. VISAA Division II First Team Field
the Year and VISAA Division II First Team honoree the powerful swing that frustrated her opponents. Field Hockey player with purpose pushing the ball forward.
11. Varsity Tennis players pose with their third consecutive
the VISAA state cross country
7. VISAA Division II First Team Field Hockey player
Hockey player
Julie Fisher Recognized by VAIS for Innovation in Education
Julie Fisher, Director of STEAM Education, was awarded a 2024 Innovation in Education Award from the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS). She is one of only three independent school teachers from across Virginia to be recognized.
In her nomination, Head of School Cathy McGehee noted, “Julie is a transformative educator who has expanded and raised the bar for Foxcroft's arts program through her vision, leadership, and hard work. Nowhere is this more evident than in Arts Week, a herculean effort to celebrate the creativity, expression, and talent of our student artists and invite visiting artists to share their creative journeys and give workshops.”
Beyond Foxcroft, Fisher seeks opportunities for students to apply their learning with purpose and impact. “Julie has partnered with a variety of local non-profits to provide our students with realworld learning opportunities,” shared McGehee, “from having our girls curate regional student art shows at local galleries to facilitating student service learning projects at Banneker Elementary, Aldie Mill, and Goose Creek Association.”
Fisher's passion for art is clear as she shares, "Being an art educator, it's important to be visible, and really convey the message that art is essential; it's something that everyone should be exposed to and have a chance to create.”
2024 Kenan Grant Recipients
Endowed in 1979 by the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, Foxcroft was the first girls’ school to award “Kenan Grants” to faculty for summer research, scholarship, and creativity to enhance teaching and learning at the School.
JESSICA CANNON (left), Director of Wellness Education and Services, was awarded a Kenan Grant to develop a year-long wellness initiative for all grade levels, using monthly themes based on the needs and trends our community experiences throughout the academic year, to provide students with concrete learning and activities and to emphasize the validity and importance of prioritizing their wellness and the wellness of their community.
KARIN THORNDIKE (center), Fine Arts Teacher and Theater Director, used her grant to research various DMX lighting systems, software, and equipment to elevate classroom instruction. Her focus was identifying userfriendly options that deliver professional-quality lighting effects for all events. Next summer, she will finalize her research and create a curriculum for the Technical Theater class that integrates traditional lighting theory with practical experience using DMX systems and software.
KATE TOMASKOVIC (right), Director of International Student Services and Recruitment, worked on a new orientation program for equestrians. Originally conceived to help international riders navigate the unique terminology and culture of an American equestrian program, the focus shifted to creating an online barn orientation for all students new to riding at Foxcroft, covering key equestrian terminology, safety protocols, and riding culture to ensure students are fully prepared for the dynamic environment of the barn and riding ring.
McDonald, Alexandria Country Day School, and Brittany Austin, Fredericksburg Academy.
Cultural Exchange: Alex Northrup Speaks at South Korean Conferences
“South Korea will provide multiple real-world examples for my class as we study international conflict and borders, language and religion, and economic development,” shared Director of The Innovation Lab and AP Human Geography teacher Alex Northrup. Korean culture, including K-pop and Korean dramas, is already popular at Foxcroft, and students are eager to learn more about this small but influential country. Northrup was selected as a delegate and presenter at a geography education conference and field study in Seoul in June 2024 and then returned to South Korea in September for a seminar in Busan.
“Both of my trips to South Korea were tremendous learning experiences,” said Northrup. “The South Koreans are a warm, generous people who are justifiably proud of the immense economic growth the country has experienced over the past 40 years.” South Koreans are also quick to acknowledge the crucial role the United States has played in preserving their independence. In Busan, Northrup visited the UN Memorial Cemetery, which memorializes the casualties from the 16 countries that sent troops to the Korean War, including about 36,000 American deaths. “I was pleased to play a role in continuing the long-standing friendship between South Korea and the United States.”
Northrup was not the only faculty or staff member to present at conferences this summer and fall.
Spanish teacher ESTHER SÁNCHEZ spoke about Spain’s various transformations throughout its history during the Foreign Language Association of Virginia Conference in Norfolk, VA.
Director of Marketing and Communications BETHANY STOTLER shared her project management experience during a School Marketing Day virtual session hosted by Finalsite, a community relationship management platform for K-12 schools.
Dean of Inclusive Excellence RANATA DAVIS presented a session titled "Liberatory Design: Mindsets and Modes to Design for Equity" at the People of Color Conference.
New
to the Board of Trustees
Foxcroft welcomes three experienced and enthusiastic volunteers to the Board of Trustees.
Collins is Communications Leader at Northrop Grumman, where she has held roles of increased responsibility across multiple organizations from engineering to global business. She previously worked at the White House, U.S. Department of Education, and U.S. State Department where she was posted at the American Embassy in Switzerland.
Darrin is Head of School at Blue Ridge School, a college-preparatory boarding school for boys in grades 9–12. He also serves as the Chairman of the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) board and on the Executive Committee of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) Board of Directors.
Joyce is a retired government IT manager, who joined the Foxcroft community as a parent in 2019. His daughter, Mary, graduated in 2023, and his second daughter, Fiona, is a current sophomore. He has four sons and is married to Sandra, who works in cybersecurity. In his spare time, he enjoys bicycling of all kinds, cooking, and is working to complete Wine and Spirits Trust Diploma of Wine.
William A. “Trip” Darrin, III
Traci L. Collins ’89
Eric Joyce
THE BUILDING SO FAR, AND THE ROAD AHEAD
Building for Our Future
Foxcroft launched the Building for Our Future campaign in 2022 with four phases designed to strategically improve our academic facilities. Phase 1 centered around our Music Building restoration and extended site work. Phase 2, fully funded and underway, will usher in the new Mars STEAM Wing, to be completed in Winter 2025.
We are so grateful for the support that allowed the first two phases to move forward. Phase 3 fundraising is underway to support the Ruth T. Bedford 1932 Performing Arts Center. As we continue planning that, we also know that our beloved Schoolhouse needs updating, which will happen in Phase 4.
We have raised $31,165,102 as of November 2024, and have $33,834,898 to go. We are proud to share that so far, we have received five multigenerational gifts, and four of the $1 million or larger gifts have been given by women who are 40 or younger.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Construction on our new Mars STEAM Wing began with the start of the school year! We have been eagerly anticipating the initial measures since our groundbreaking ceremony in April, and are excited to share the progress so far.
The Mars STEAM Wing made possible through the incredible, multigenerational support of Victoria Beth Mars ’74, Pamela Mars Wright ’78, Bernadette Schuetz Russell ’03, and Charlotte Audrey Rossetter ’12, will bring Foxcroft’s academic programming into the future. Once open, it will house stateof-the-art facilities to support innovative science, technology, engineering, art, and
math (STEAM) curriculum with dedicated labs for physics, biology, and chemistry; collaborative spaces for group projects; and updated classrooms. At this moment in the construction timeline, much of the initial progress lies in what’s underneath.
Since construction began in September, we have installed safety fencing and removed the old maintenance building and garage to make way for the new space. Our Internet fiber lines were moved and reconnected with minimal disruption for students, faculty, and staff. After installing erosion and sediment controls on the site, we acquired quite a large dirt pile, which will remain as construction continues.
In the coming weeks and months, our construction team will grade the new parking lot and source the key materials for the building’s structure and roof. The underground plumbing, electric, foundations, steel setup, and slab will also all be installed, continuing to move the project forward.
While progress is slow and steady, the excitement is high!
For more information on the Building for Our Future campaign, please call or email Hayley Munroe, Director of Institutional Advancement, at 540.687.4515 or hayley.munroe@foxcroft.org. Scan this QR code to learn more about the building progress of the Mars STEAM Wing.
2. The building is really taking
with wall formations and the elevator pit.
3. A full view of the construction site shows just how much has been done and how much is left to do. 1 3 2
1. Project STEAM Build Seminar students watch the old maintenance building and garage come down.
shape,
FOXCROFT APPOINTS 11TH HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dr. Lisa Kaenzig
On October 30, Foxcroft’s Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Dr. Lisa Kaenzig as the 11th Head of School, effective July 1, 2025. Following a nationwide search, the Board endorsed the unanimous recommendation of the Search Committee.
“Dr. Kaenzig brings a wealth of experience and passion for advancing educational excellence, inclusion, and opportunities for young women,” shared Board of Trustees Chair Natalie Wiltshire ’95, “and we are confident that her vision and dedication will usher Foxcroft into an exciting new era.”
A graduate of The College of William & Mary with a Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership, Kaenzig is currently the Dean of Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation & Director of the Centennial Center at Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS). Over her 21-year career at William Smith College, the women’s college within HWS, Kaenzig has demonstrated a deep commitment to educating young women, including 14 years as the Dean of First-Year Women and seven as the Dean of the College. She also holds a master’s degree in human resource development from The George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Rutgers University.
Throughout her career, Kaenzig has actively promoted women’s participation in politics and government service, including as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN), a national organization that encourages young women to engage in public policy. She has dedicated her research to understanding the needs of K-12 gifted students, particularly girls, and advancing women in STEM fields.
“My career has been devoted to the advancement of educational and leadership experiences for girls and young women,” shared Kaenzig, “and I look forward to this next chapter at Foxcroft. I am excited to join a talented team and a devoted community of alumnae, Board of Trustee members, and Foxcroft families as we strive to advance the impactful experience of a Foxcroft education for the girls of today and those who will join us in the future.”
This follows the May 2024 Board of Trustees announcement that current Head of School Cathy McGehee will retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year and the formation of a search committee co-chaired by Board of Trustees Chair Natalie Wiltshire ’95 and Vice Chair Elizabeth Lester ’88. The committee was supported by Carney, Sandoe & Associates, a consulting firm with a depth of experience in assisting independent schools with leadership searches. McGehee will work closely with Kaenzig and the Board to ensure a smooth transition. A committee of trustees, administrators, faculty, and staff will support Kaenzig as she steps into this leadership position at Foxcroft.
Kaenzig is married to Dr. Christine de Denus, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Chemistry at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Together, they have raised two adult daughters, Morgan and Madison, and are excited to call Foxcroft home.
In a letter to the community, Kaenzig acknowledged the special place that is Foxcroft: “Foxcroft’s mission to ‘help every girl explore her unique voice and to develop the skills, confidence, and courage to share it with the world’ was embedded in every one of my [on campus] conversations,” she wrote. “Miss Charlotte’s original goal to educate the whole student in a community of kindness is clearly alive and well at the Foxcroft of today, more than 110 years later. I am very excited to continue that important mission at Foxcroft in the years ahead.”
Dr. Lisa Kaenzig, current Dean of Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation & Director of the Centennial Center at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, has been appointed 11th Head of Foxcroft School.
All Girls Can Be Artists
A Tradition of Fine Arts at Foxcroft
By Christine McCrehin, Assistant Director of Publications and Storytelling
Miss Charlotte loved a good story. As a young girl, she enjoyed creating impromptu plays that she and her siblings would perform for family and friends and formed a Literary Club with her sister Rosalie (no boys allowed!). She even won $25 for writing a clever poem to advertise Ivory Soap!
The fine arts of poetry, theater, music, and art were all brought to — and embedded in — Foxcroft. Art classes, music recitals, dancing, poetry and writing competitions, Fox/Hound cheers and songs, banners and buttons, and plays — lots and lots of plays. Plays by Old Girls, New Girls, each dorm, and faculty; a play for Miss Charlotte’s birthday, vaudeville shows, plays for the surrounding community — even a traveling performance that encouraged the purchase of war bonds during World War I.
One can see where many of the School’s current traditions were inspired by those early years. Impromptu plays, storytelling, and songs evolved into Battle of the Dorms skits, Poetry Festival and Slam, Open Mics, Jam Session,
Royalty and Romany
"One can never recapture all the fun of that first year. It was a great adventure and Miss Charlotte improvised School traditions as each fresh day arrived… Miss Elizabeth Lemmon taught dancing and decorum… Every Saturday we created a play and acted it. The Costume Closet in the attic of Brick House was the scene of much merriment and many arguments… On free evenings the girls would gather for stories told by Miss Charlotte and songs led by Miss Ida with her guitar."
From the biography Charlotte Haxall Noland 1883-1969 3
1. Not one to turn down a good part, Miss Charlotte (under the tent) plays Queen Elizabeth in Royalty and Romany, ca. 1920s.
2. In another scene from Royalty and Romany, Queen Elizabeth (Miss Charlotte) sits on her noble steed as
3. Nobles and Romany (played by students and faculty) wait in line to meet the Queen (Miss Charlotte).
Fall Revue, the Winter and Spring Theater Productions, Fox/Hound Sing Sings, Octet, Soggie Cheerios, and more.
And, of course, the most endearing and longstanding (other than Fox/Hound) tradition of them all — the Christmas Pageant, written by Miss Charlotte and still performed each year by the School’s New Girls and Chorale as a gift to the residents of Middleburg. This tradition provides an enduring and vital connection not only to our wider community but also connects
our students to our alumnae and our alumnae to each other — just like every student and alumna is either a Fox or a Hound, they all also participated in the Pageant as a New Girl.
The School also has an endowed lecture series, the Helen Cudahy Niblack ’42 Arts Lecture Series, established in 2007 by Austi Brown ’73 in memory of her mother, which brings visual, performing, literary, and practical artists and designers to Foxcroft. Artists have included alumnae Rachel Means ’08 (mixed media),
Cina Alexander Forgason ’73 (film producer), Dede Pickering ’71 (photographer), Kristin Leachman ’84 (painter), and others. In a more recent tradition, for the past eight years, Foxcroft students have partnered with local elementary schools to fully curate a display at the Artists in Middleburg Gallery during Youth Arts Month.
This penchant for fine arts has also fueled a rich tradition of artistic achievement. Almost 100 regional Scholastic Art & Writing Award winners — including a 2022
FoxHound Players
National Gold Medal in photography, and a 2021 National Silver Medal in mixed media — have been recognized in the past decade; a Permanent Student Art Collection was launched in 2001 with works displayed throughout Schoolhouse; and the Fine Arts Concentration within our Academic Concentration program, has graduated seven students with a Fine Arts Concentration designation on their diplomas since its inception in 2018 — four in the visual arts and three in performing.
Ahead of her time in so many ways, Miss Charlotte recognized the value of creativity in building community (on and off campus) and nurturing students’ confidence and leadership skills, before the science existed to back her up. Because of her foresight, the fine arts have always been — and will continue to be — integral parts of Foxcroft’s curriculum and traditions.
3. Christmas Pageant as a gift to the Middelburg community.
4. Fox/Hound banners, some more than 100 years old, are are passed from generation to generation of Foxes and Hounds, offering a snapshot of the creativity, pride,
5. The Dramatic Club may have given way to the FoxHound Players, but the quality of production and acting talent remain.
6. Techniques and mediums may have been added, but arts curriculum.
Foxcroft
Embracing the Artist Within
By Julie Fisher, Director of STEAM Education, and Steve McCarty, Dean of Academics
Art reminds us of our innate human desire to create. It allows us to more deeply understand ourselves and our connection to the world around us, making it an essential part of life.
Picasso once wrote, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Children freely embrace creativity, but with age comes a fear of making mistakes that hinders expression. That is why helping our youth see themselves as creators and innovators is absolutely crucial.
Creativity takes courage, and we empower girls to step bravely into the spotlight at every turn. We unite theater programming with the New Girl experience to involve every student in at least one performance before she graduates. All freshmen share a
collective song and dance during the Fall Revue, and every New Girl plays an important role in the annual Christmas Pageant performed as a gift to our local community. As they take in the applause, they feel more confident in themselves and more connected to one another.
Our performing artists are not the only ones out there in front of an audience. The English Department hosts the annual Paul K. Bergan Poetry Festival to celebrate creative writing and poetry performance. A portion of the evening is dedicated to an open mic, inviting community members to shine a light
Leonardo da Vinci said that to have a complete mind, one must: “Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses — especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”
That sense of discovery and experimentation is seen regularly in our learning spaces, teaching practices, course programming.
on their musical talents. International Week even boasts a runway fashion show to celebrate traditional clothing designs from cultures around the world.
Every time students step on stage — whether during a theater performance, a song, or a spoken word poem — they take a risk. Sometimes a wrong note in a performance is just that — a wrong note. But other times it is a “portal of discovery,” as the Irish author James Joyce described. Our “Jam Club” has been active for ten years, accumulating an array of recordings fondly labeled “train wrecks,” which are those performances
that went so badly they went right off the tracks. Even if they were bad, they were not failures. They were iterations that taught students what not to do.
Giving the students opportunities to lead and learn should not be void of mistakes, as these are rocket fuel for creativity. In a safe and supportive environment, one that eliminates fear, ideas can take flight. We invite students behind the scenes to undertake all aspects of planning, producing, and promoting community performances so they experience creative problemsolving firsthand. No one knows how to pivot better than a technical theater crew working to engineer stage sets and design corresponding lights and sound.
That deeper and broader scope of skill development is echoed in our visual arts program as well. We facilitate the annual Youth Art Month Exhibit for local public and private schools, which is hosted by the Artists in Middleburg (AiM) gallery each March. This nonprofit organization is on a mission to protect that creative spark that is glowing in our youth. Our students lead lessons for local elementary kids, reconnecting them with that sense of joy and freedom in creative play. We collect artwork from the schools, then layout and physically install the entire exhibition at the AiM gallery in town. From start to finish, students gain realworld experiences while strengthening ties to the outside community. This year’s exhibit will feature works from our new interdisciplinary Scientific Illustration course, which reinforces the connections among STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and the arts.
These satisfyingly creative endeavors are most often seen in our Innovation Lab, which, apart from the art classrooms, exists as the creative hub for the school. This is also the space where service learning meets design thinking in our EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) program. Students use new tools and technologies to create in ways they never thought imaginable
while making a real difference in the lives of others, through partnerships with local nonprofits. Now they are faced with living in an age where artificial intelligence plays an increasing role in their daily lives. While it is safe to say that AI can produce art, that does not make it an artist. AI is content creation, but it is not creativity. Students recognize they can solve complex problems with purpose, meaning, and authenticity; therefore creativity is not obsolete, but more important now than ever before.
To be an artist is to be unapologetically human; to make mistakes and recover, to go through fits of production and moments of stasis; to yearn for the spotlight one moment and solitude the next. Art is self-expression in the most vulnerable sense, as one's identity is on full display. We help our students set a stage for themselves that may or may not be in a theater. The ideas they sit down to craft and share out to the world may or may not be in a museum. It is that freedom to create that helps them design a future that is uniquely theirs. It’s not that all girls can be artists — it’s that they already are.
It’s not that all girls can be artists — it’s that they already are.
Julie Fisher, Director of STEAM Education
In addition to our Fine Arts classes, Foxcroft offers students multiple ways to experience the including Arts Week workshops, all the tools of The Innovation Lab, Poetry Festival Open Mic and Slam, and multiple theater productions each year.
at Foxcroft: Our New Performing Arts Center!
By Heather Whisenant, Major Gifts Officer
Ask any alumna who participated in the Fine Arts at Foxcroft and they will tell you about their performances, art classes, teachers, and technical snafus. For many, it is a core memory within their Foxcroft experience.
Ask any current student, and they will tell you how much they like our Fine Arts program and what they see as potential for the future. For many, this program ignites a spark to explore the arts and all they can be as artists at Foxcroft.
“Theater has made me more me,” shared Raven Lahaie ’26, who currently takes Scientific Illustration and Theater Production II, and will also take Mainstage III this spring. “It has shown me who I can be, and the different people I can play, the different people and stories. It’s an art — a means to connect with people.”
Ruby Dewling ’25, currently taking AP 3D Art and Design, a ceramics course, added, “Fine Arts has taught me to pay attention to detail, to slow down, that it’s okay to take your time.”
Our students are so excited about their chosen or potential disciplines that they want everything to expand — space, collaboration, and opportunities. Phase 3 of the Building for Our Future campaign aims to do just that. This phase centers on the Ruth T. Bedford 1932 Performing Arts Center, connecting the Mars STEAM Wing to Schoolhouse and serving as the new Fine Arts hub.
While renderings and fundraising for the Performing Arts Center are still underway, we interviewed students for their thoughts about what’s to come:
1
A new FoxHound Auditorium with flexible and multifunctional performance spaces, and seating for over 300 guests.
“I’m excited to hear how many people we’ll be able to house in the theater. It can accommodate more of the community...it will make the theater feel more open to people!” - Aradeal Hatcher ’26
“...With the more updated theater, we can have better lighting, sets, and room for blocking and choreography. It’d be fun to use it for community events!” - Lauren Graham ’26
A large lobby and reception area with comfortable seating and a gallery to showcase student artwork and host artists’ exhibitions.
2
“I think it will be great to finally have a designated space for Foxcroft students to spotlight their talents. The improved support spaces will help students gain confidence to step out of their comfort zones and absorb the amazing world of art.” - Bronte Broadwell ’26
“The reception area will be so amazing. It’ll be a perfect place for people to stay. We’ll have space to get into the performance mindset too.” - Raven Lahaie ’26
“From what I’ve seen of the Music Building, I feel that the new space is going to be modern and a nice addition that could expand on what is already here.” - Lulu Leach ’28
3
New dressing rooms with storage areas, an updated lighting and sound booth, a new darkroom for photography students, and collaboration spaces for students and faculty.
“In Tech class, we have [people into all aspects] of Tech — sets, costumes, and lighting. It will be easier to break people into groups; that way we can all work on our thing and come back more organized. This will make the designs more inviting and immersive.” - Aradeal Hatcher ’26
“I think the space will give us more experience with better equipment. We could do so much more with an improved dark room that allows us to get better photos. We’ll have more collaborative spaces and things to take pictures of!” - Ellie Wahl ’27
Hellman’s Hollow, a landscaped, vibrant amphitheater at the outdoor entrance, will invite student and community performances outside.
4
“I am most excited about the new amphitheater! I think this space will encourage students to spend time together in nature while maybe cheering on their friends at a play, or enjoying the evening breeze as they listen to their classmates perform musical pieces. I think this space will be instrumental in fostering a stronger art community at Foxcroft, not to mention a super cool artistic addition to our campus as well!” - Bronte Broadwell ’26
As we look ahead to Foxcroft’s Fine Arts future, there will be increased opportunities to show how STEAM truly incorporates the arts. Already, our students are getting creative with lighting and set design, costume sewing and alterations, building, and programming as they explore all facets of the Fine Arts. Photography students learn to adjust settings based on the physics or chemistry of their actions, and math and science factor into all forms of art, from ceramics to painting to music.
As Lauren Graham ’26 shared, “I’m creating punchlists, building stuff, designing, and programming lights. At other high schools, you apprentice under a director and watch. At Foxcroft, I have done so much that it’s made me want to continue. I just love it; it’s my thing, and majoring in college and continuing in the industry is the plan.”
Stay tuned for more updates on the Ruth T. Bedford 1932 Performing Arts Center. We look forward to seeing you at future events!
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE
Alumnae Council
By Tarin Heilman Horan ’93
As I reflect on my final year as President of the Alumnae Council, I am deeply grateful for the camaraderie, laughter, and shared purpose that have defined this journey. It’s been an honor to represent such a vibrant community of alumnae who carry Foxcroft’s legacy with pride. As we continue to build on that legacy, I encourage you to explore new ways to engage and strengthen our network.
Here are a few opportunities to get involved:
Alumnae Hub: The new Alumnae Hub (https://www.foxcroft.org/alumnae) on Foxcroft’s website is your go-to resource for news, events, and ways to support the school. Stay connected and get involved!
Foxcroft Features: The new monthly newsletter shares inspiring stories, updates, and alumnae achievements. There is a fun "Foxcroft Favorites" section designed to bring a bit of campus spirit to your inbox! Be sure to sign up and stay in the loop.
Join a Committee: Make a deeper impact by joining an Alumnae Council committee. It’s a great way to give back and connect with other passionate alumnae.
Host a Regional Event: Bring Foxcroft to your area by hosting a regional gathering. These events help keep our community vibrant and engaged. Please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement if you are interested in learning more.
Attend Reunions: Reunions are a chance to reconnect, share ideas, and celebrate our shared experiences. If you haven’t attended in a while, consider joining us this year on April 10-12, 2025. All classes are welcome to come celebrate, connect, and see how much Foxcroft has grown!
Follow Us on Social Media: Stay updated and connected by following Foxcroft’s social media for stories, news, and event reminders. There are special accounts just for Foxcroft alumnae, too, so make sure you follow both!
As my term ends, I am proud of how strong and supportive our alumnae community has become. It’s been an honor and absolute pleasure to serve as your President over the past two years. Let’s continue this journey together, staying engaged and supportive of Foxcroft and one another.
Stay in Touch and Get Involved!
Here's how:
Follow our Socials: fxcalumnae (Instagram) and Foxcroft School Alumnae (Facebook)
Reach out to the Office of Institutional Advancement: advancement@foxcroft.org, 540.687.4510
Scan this QR code: to express interest in serving on the Alumnae Council
A True Servant Leader
Anne Michele Lyons Kuhns ’87
Honored with the Anne Kane McGuire ’52
Distinguished Service Award
For her love and loyalty to Foxcroft, volunteer spirit, and dedicated service, the Board of Trustees and Head of School Cathy McGehee honored Anne Michele Lyons Kuhns ’87 (above center) with the School's highest award, the Anne Kane McGuire ’52 Distinguished Service Award, in September. Established in 1984, the award is named for Anne Kane McGuire ’52, who served Foxcroft with loyalty and distinction for 13 years as a Trustee, including six years as Board Chair during a period of extraordinary difficulties for the School.
The moment you meet Anne Michele, you recognize she is a true servant leader. With her “can do, will do” attitude, attention to detail, and incredible love for Foxcroft, she has served the School with distinction since joining our community as a freshman. The Tally Ho! lists her many activities and honors: field hockey, Archaeology Club, CAPS, French Club, Southern Club, and Cum Laude Society. She was a Class Officer, Fox Manager, and “Golden Oldie.” She loved horses, riding, and the equestrian culture, and won the Math Award and earned High Honors her senior year.
A Vanderbilt University graduate with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and Math, Anne Michele started her career on the banking side of municipal fixed income then moved into trading municipal derivatives, retiring in 2005 after serving as Managing Director and Principal at Bear, Stearns, & Co. Inc.
A Foxcroft Board of Trustees member for ten years, she sat on the Investment
and Finance Committees, chairing the Investment Committee from 20122014. Her Wall Street expertise helped Foxcroft grow the endowment, putting the School in a place of long-term strength. She was elected Vice Chair of the Board in 2014 and was a member of the search committee that appointed Cathy McGehee as Foxcroft’s 10th Head of School. She went on to chair McGehee’s Transition Committee.
From 2016-2019, Anne Michele served as Board Chair and was key in drafting a history of Foxcroft’s endowment, revising the investment policy, and overseeing the Ruth T. Bedford ’32 $40 million bequest and the Board’s decision to put the majority of those funds in the endowment, largely unrestricted, providing a strong foundation to weather the economic downturn due to the global pandemic. During her tenure, Foxcroft completed the Centennial Campaign, which ended two years early and almost $5 million over the goal, installed two
synthetic turf fields, and built two new faculty houses. Her leadership and integrity also guided the School during a historic misconduct investigation, helping strengthen current policies and practices to foster healing in the alumnae community. When the Board asked, she agreed to extend her term as Chair one year to provide stability during a trustee leadership transition.
Anne Michele continues to serve Foxcroft as co-chair of the $65 million Building for Our Future campaign, raising funds to construct the new Mars STEAM Wing and Ruth T. Bedford 1932 Performing Arts Center, and renovate the Music Building and Schoolhouse. She has also served on several Boards and volunteers in her local community.
Former Board of Trustees Chair Reggie Groves ’76 said of Kuhns: “Elegant in thought as well as style, Anne Michele embodies what we want in ourselves and our students. She is a genuinely kind person and a treasure for the School.”
Elite Rider and Former Olympian
Ann Hardaway Taylor ’76 Inducted as 15th Member of Foxcroft Sports Hall of Fame
Founded in 2014 as part of our Centennial Celebration, Foxcroft’s Sports Hall of Fame receives nominations from anyone affiliated with Foxcroft, including alumnae, school employees, family, and friends. The athlete must have graduated from Foxcroft at least 10 years prior, been a varsity competitor, and distinguished herself by her outstanding athletic achievement, including the athlete's college career or other outstanding achievements beyond the grounds of Foxcroft. Above all, candidates must serve as examples of outstanding character, courage, and leadership, which Foxcroft seeks to develop in its athletic program.
Ann Hardaway grew up in the idyllic countryside of Columbus, GA, as the youngest of four sisters … to a father who was larger than life. The late Ben Hardaway is a legend in the foxhunting world and founded the famed Midland Fox Hounds in 1950.
For as long as good friend and classmate Florence Calloway ’76 can remember, Ann has been riding — ponies first and then horses. She had a pony named Little Rebel; they would ride all over the countryside without a worry in the world. She knew Ann in childhood as “…adventurous and fearless on a horse. She was a natural, and horses just became a part of her body.” Ann got her first taste of eventing by attending the Midland Pony Club.
Ann followed her sisters (Mary Lu Hardaway Lampton ’66 and Susannah Hardaway ’70) to Foxcroft, bringing her horse Scamp from Georgia to ride all four years. She would foxhunt with Middleburg Hunt and compete in eventing competitions. While tremendously athletic, Ann focused mainly on riding and was a member of Foxcroft's elite Riding Officers Club.
While in Virginia, Ann began training with renowned Olympic-level event rider and trainer Jim Wofford in Upperville.
This introduction sparked her interest in pursuing higher levels of eventing.
In 1986, Ann was named Top Lady Rider by the United States Combined Training Association after winning five events, including the Debroke Preliminary National Championships. In 1987, her horse, Rolls-Royce, was named Mare of the Year and Ann won the RolexLittle River selection trial, which put her on the shortlist to go to the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
She achieved her goal and was named to the Olympic 3-day event team with her horse, Tarzan. The United States did not medal that year, but that did not stop Ann. In 1989, she was third in the Rolex
Kentucky 3-day event — one of only seven 5-star level events worldwide.
Ann met her husband Nigel Taylor, a toplevel British event rider, while training in England in 1989. Together, they have three children, Grace and twin boys Ben and Neil. Since moving abroad, Ann believes she has ridden in every 3-day event in England and Europe. She still competes today and runs a tremendously successful horse trials, called Aston-Le-Walls, with her husband from their base Washbrook Farm.
Ann (center) celebrates her Foxcroft Sports Hall of
Out & About
Gatherings around the country — whether official Foxcroft events attended by Head of School Cathy McGehee, or informal outings organized locally — celebrate the shared experience of Foxcroft. All photo captions are from left to right.
JINGLE & MINGLE
In early December 2024, alumnae gathered to celebrate the holidays in seven cities: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Philadelphia, New York, Sarasota, and Washington, D.C.
3. Georgia: Adrianne Peschard ’09, Alexis Hall ’12, Saki Perinchief Solis ’98, Diana Holguin ’98, Kiah Williams ’95, and Luci Amberson Gregg ’78
4. Texas: (Front) Tracy Lorton Salisbury ’82, Kate Cruikshank Fauntleroy ’81, Melanie Lozier Henke ’89, Kim Elting ’82, and Stephanie Mirshak ’02 (Back) Shannon Doenges Collins ’85, Kaye Durham ’81, and Elise DeCleva ’85
5. Massachusetts: (Back) Jennifer Kumpitch Bretl ’86, Maria Donaldson Collier ’07, Sloan Kennedy ’02, Felicity Forbes Hoyt ’67, Elizabeth Lester ’88, and Hope Jones ’82 (Front) Leslie Goodwin Stonestreet ’86, Bertie Couch Woeltz ’74, Hunter Mayo White ’77, and Nancy Meyer Hovey ’67
6. Pennsylvania: Emily Buckland Keleher ’04 and Bernadette Schuetz Russell ’03
7. New York: Isabel Martin ’15, Carrie Bassett ’84, Elizabeth Fischer ’06, Andy Jennings ’24, Yee Yip ’84, Molly Murphy ’15, Erica Wyckoff ’15, Guen Geiersbach ’17, Jeannie Ryan ’85, Amanda Hartmann Healy ’98, and Jessica Mirshak ’07
8. Florida: Chantal Tanous D’Larenti ’89, Carol Der Garry ’79, Susan Bagnoli Brown ’81, and Karen Lilly ’84
9. Washington, DC: (Back) Lydia Bubniak ’14, Stephanie Young ’00, Allie Mackey ’14, Jane Brookins ’64, Tess Mackey ’11, Cathy McGehee, Lindy Davenport ’17, Sylvia Ellison ’83, Carolina Wasinger ’17, Virginia Barnett ’96, Michelle Caputy Reynolds ’04, Bonita Ellison ’84, and Prescott Bond ’94 (Front) Catherine Kushan ’10, Erikka Knuti Gogos ’00, and Amber Compton Samol ’00
CHIGACO
ILLINOIS
1. Penny Wick DeYoung ’65, Cathy McGehee, and Heather Whisenant had a lovely lunch at Tocco in Winnetka, IL, in November 2024.
2. Cathy McGehee and Sally Bartholomay Downey ’78 had a wonderful lunch at Onwentsia Club in Lake Forest, IL in November 2024.
NEW YORK
NEW YORK
We’re sending many thanks to our wonderful Class of 1984 cohosts Caroline (Carrie) Bassett, Yee Yip, and Rannylin DalleyCarrenard for hosting a fantastic event at The Century Club.
10. Sarah Hope de Mayo ’07, Kaye Durham ’81, Morgan Manley ’07, Kate Hastings ’78, and Amanda Hartmann Healy ’98
11. Carrie Bassett ’84, Yee Yip ’84, and Rannylin Dalley-Carrenard ’84
12. Mary Park Durham ’17, Kaye Durham ’81, and Jeanine Primm Jones ’81
13. Courtney Maier Burbela ’85 and Bonita Ellison ’84
14. Devon McCarthy ’12, Amanda Hartmann Healy ’98, and Carrie Bassett ’84
15. Mary Park Durham ’17, Cathy McGehee, Guen Geiersbach ’17, and Erica Wyckoff ’15
16. Yee Yip ’84, Rannylin Dalley-Carrenard ’84, Kate Hastings ’78, and Beth Barnett ’84
17. Sarah Hope de Mayo ’07, Morgan Manley ’07, Jessica Mirshak ’07, and Charlotte Rabbe ’05
18. Bonita Ellison ’84, Beth Barnett ’84, Valerie de Souza ’84, Rannylin Dalley-Carrenard ’84, Carrie Bassett ’84, and Yee Yip ’84
19. (Back) Bonita Ellison ’84, Cathy McGehee, Erica Wyckoff ’15, Elizabeth Fischer ’06, Yee Yip ’84, Rannylin Dalley-Carrenard ’84, and Beth Barnett ’84 (Front) Guen Geiersbach ’17, Charlotte Rabbe ’05, and Jessica Mirshak ’07
LEXINGTON
KENTUCKY
Cathy McGehee and Heather Whisenant enjoyed a wonderful dinner with our alumnae at Dudley's On Short in Lexington, KY, in October 2024.
20. Chelsea Dickson Ferraro ’09, Heather Whisenant, Jessica Brown Zoeller ’04, Cathy McGehee, Virginia Kerr Zoeller ’04, Wadell "Dell" Hancock ’71
STIRRUP CUP
AND FOX/HOUND FIELD HOCKEY BIG GAME
Once again, the Stirrup Cup and Fox/Hound Field Hockey Big Game drew several alumnae back to campus to send off the Hunt and cheer on their respective Fox/Hound teams.
23. Isabelle Munoz ’23, Ashleigh Helal ’23, Lexi Hill ’23, Lucy Moan ’23, and Adair Stanley ’22
24. Meaghan Hogan ’10 and Catherine Kushan ’10
25. Patricia Mora ’95 and Olivia Moreno ’27
26. Juliana Rose ’24 and Grace Pumphrey ’24
27. Phebe Mason Wahl ’96 and Ellie Wahl ’27
28. Alice Lane Lloyd ’97 and Gigi Lloyd ’25
29. Kelli Boswell ’03 and Patty Boswell
30. Grace Pumphrey ’24 and Gracie Rea ’24
31. Elise Rovde ’25 and Lindsay Langdon Rovde ’87
32. Lisa Kelly ’87
CLASSIC CAR CLUB
OF AMERICA, AT FOXCROFT!
The Classic Car Club of America came to campus last September as a stop on their Virginia Hospitality CARavan tour! What a fun experience for our students!
21. Cathy McGehee poses with Classic Car Club of America members Allen Richards P’09, Lynn Shirey P’17, and Gunther Hoyt.
22. Students Patty Arwine ’25, Cadey Peterson ’28, and Gracie Johnson ’28 pose with one of the classic cars that participated in the CARavan.
Virginia “Ginnie” Cretella Mars
Virginia “Ginnie” passed away September 1, 2024, at age 94 after a short illness. She was surrounded by the love and presence of her daughters and many other family members in her final days. Ginnie was the mother of Victoria Mars ’74 and Pamela Mars Wright ’78, the grandmother of Bernadette Russell ’03 and Charlotte Rossetter ’12, and aunt of Christa Schmidt ’92. Ginnie served on Foxcroft's Board of Trustees from 2003 to 2012. As co-chair of the Advancement Committee, she was instrumental in the planning and building of Stuart Hall and the implementation of our geothermal wells. Fueled by her passion for the environment, Ginnie always asked the challenging questions that ensured we were environmentally responsible in all we did on our campus. As plans began to take shape for our Centennial Celebration, the launch of our Centennial Campaign, and the retirement of a long-standing Head of School, Ginnie thoughtfully and purposefully worked to make this time of change a positive one, leading by example in word and deed. Ginnie received Foxcroft’s highest award, the Anne Kane McGuire Distinguished Service Award, in May 2018 for her high standards of dedication, integrity, and service to the School.
A passionate philanthropist and environmentalist, she founded the Virginia Cretella Mars Foundation in 1994 to support the arts, conservation, and education. She strongly supported the work of the Washington National Cathedral and was a longtime supporter of the National Symphony Orchestra, the Smithsonian, the Kennedy Center, the Lake Sunapee Protective Association, and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests among many other organizations. She believed in contributing not only her resources, but also her time, energy, and brainpower and was a firm advocate for those responsible for running the organizations she supported. Ginnie’s passion for education inspired the creation of the Virginia Mars School in Barro Prêto, Brazil to support quality education in the region.
Ginnie is survived by her four daughters, Victoria (David), Pamela (Mark), Valerie (Philip), and Marijke (João), as well as 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Lucy Aldrich Burr ’42
Lucy passed away on July 22, 2024, at the age of 100. She was born in New York City and attended the Chapin School, Foxcroft School, and Barnard College.
Lucy graduated from Foxcroft in 1942 and served on the Board of Trustees from 1979-1985. In addition to her board service, she served as Co-Chair of the For the Future of Foxcroft Capital Campaign Committee, Chair of the Library Committee, Class Representative, and Vice President of the Alumnae Association. During her time as a student, she served as Student Head of School and was a member of the Glee Club, French Club, Tallyho! staff, and Horse Show Committee, among many others.
In addition to serving Foxcroft, Lucy volunteered for over 30 years at Massachusetts General Brigham Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, (LVC) where she was Chairwoman from 1992 to 2001. Her contributions to various organizations are numerous and include the Cotting School, Lexington Mass, The Islesboro School Oxford program, the Islesboro Pre-School, and many others. She enjoyed artistic and creative projects, such as decorating, painting, and art history. Most recently, she wrote about her life and travels and produced several artworks from her drawing class at Stoneridge, Mystic, CT.
She is survived by her daughter Wenonah “Nonie” Devens ’69 and David Devens. She also leaves one sister, Liberty Aldrich Redmond ’43, three grandchildren: Lucy Davidson, Devin Fields, and Robert Devens, five great-grandchildren, three stepdaughters, one stepson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by sisters Mary Aldrich Homans ’38, Harriet Aldrich Bering ’40, and her brother Alexander Aldrich. She was married to David W. Devens, George Aldrich, and Francis H. Burr.
The Foxcroft Community remembers former Board of Trustees members.
Barbara “Kerry” Lawrence Garside ’52
Barbara “Kerry” died at her home in Norfolk on July 26, 2024. She was 89. Born in 1935 in New York City, Kerry graduated from Foxcroft in 1952 and served on the Board of Trustees from 1975 to 1978, and was an important and active member of the Foxcroft community throughout her life. During her time as a student, she was a part of the Honor Board, Grandchildren’s Club, Glee Club, French Club, and Cum Laude and was the Courtesy Prize winner and Hound Manager.
After graduating from Foxcroft, she attended Smith College and continued to Harvard to receive a Master's in Teaching. She taught at The Elisabeth Morrow School in New Jersey
Milestones
and The Potomac School in Virginia. In addition to serving on the Foxcroft Board of Trustees, she devoted 11 years of service to Sheridan School, culminating in leading the board. In 1983, she was recognized for this work by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the only elementary school volunteer so honored.
Kerry is survived by her three children and their spouses: Betsy Garside and Stephen Warren, Jon and Shauna Garside, and Zang Garside and Nicole Outsen; and her four grandchildren: Charlie, Henry, Finn, and Kaya Garside.
She is also survived by her siblings Susannah Lawrence Wood ’66 and Starling Lawrence and was predeceased by her husband Gren Garside, sister Jane Lawrence Mali ’55, and brothers Peter and Vint Lawrence.
Our heartfelt sympathies to all our alumnae who have recently lost loved ones.
Sympathy To
LIBERTY ALDRICH REDMOND 1943, NONIE DEVENS 1969 on the loss of their sister/mother
PATSY WHITE TIMPSON 1952, NINI STRAWBRIDGE 1984 on the loss of their sister/mother
CARLA PATERNO DARLINGTON 1954 on the loss of her husband
ANNE TALIAFERRO WHITERIDGE 1955 on the loss of her husband
SUSANNAH LAWRENCE WOOD 1966 on the loss of her sister
HOPE SCOTT ROGERS 1971 on the loss of her mother
VICTORIA MARS 1974, PAMELA MARS WRIGHT 1978, BERNADETTE SCHUETZ RUSSELL 2003, CHARLOTTE WRIGHT ROSSETTER 2012, CHRISTA BADGER SCHMIDT 1992 on the loss of their mother/ grandmother/aunt
BETTY SAYLER YOULES 1981, SHELBY YOULES 2026 on the loss of their mother/grandmother
COURTNEY MAIER BURBELA 1985 on the loss of her brother
LAURA RHODES FORTSCH 1987, LILY FORTSCH 2019, AMELIA FORTSCH 2022 on the loss of their father/grandfather
COURTENAY HANSEN 1974, MARY MARSHALL HANSEN 1975 on the loss of their mother
BRIDGET BRESEE BRYANT 1983 on the loss of her father
ELIZABETH LIND on the loss of her father
Marriages & Commitments
ADELA GRISWOLD 2006 to Zac Sherbiny
DISH HARRIS 2010 to Lucas Leveillee
In Memoriam
LUCY ALDRICH BURR 1942
LAURA LEONARD AULT 1947
MARY FOSS HOWARD 1947
GAY ELLIOT SCOTT 1947
JUSTINE EATON AUCHINCLOSS 1950
MARTHA WHEELWRIGHT GALLEHER 1951
SYLVIA HOUGHTON GARRETT 1951
KERRY LAWRENCE GARSIDE 1952
SANDY SNOWDEN TRUMP 1956
ALIX WHITE SMITH 1957
LAURA NEGLEY GILL 1966
HOLLY BELLINGER THOM 1976
ELYSE ROOKER HATCHER 1990
LEE LOCKHART
JOAN SCHNEIDER
through future gifting opportunities (i.e. honoring or memorializing.)
Why I Give
The Class of 1973
Miss Charlotte once said, “Learn to put yourselves in others’ places and to think their thoughts. Remember the educated heart does kindness with style.”
Empathy and kindness are traits instilled during a student’s time at Foxcroft, and it is empathy and kindness that is behind the 50th Reunion Gift of the Class of 1973. In celebration of their milestone reunion, the Class of 1973 created an endowment fund to support a needbased scholarship for Foxcroft students who are willing and eager to embrace the qualities of community spirit and an understanding heart. The total size of the gifts raised is the largest Foxcroft reunion gift to date at $240,186.
Endowed scholarships are vital to creating access to a Foxcroft education. Scholarships augment need-based financial aid and ensure the economic diversity of our student body. An endowed gift also ensures inter-generational equity because the investment earnings provide a perpetual annual source of scholarship funding. For our students, it can also be an affirmation that they are seen, supported, and valued within our community.
Scholarships would not be possible without our incredible alumnae. Philanthropy is a personal choice, and is often rooted in individual values and meaningful experiences.
The Class of 1973’s scholarship is a wonderful example of the power and impact a collective gift can make. We asked class members to share why they give, and what has inspired them from their experiences as Foxcroft students and alumnae.
What inspired you to make a gift in honor of your 50th reunion?
Virginia Lynch Dean: Our class gathering inspired me - reliving our high school/boarding school years with friends and ones that have been long lost friends!!
Barkley Boutell Henning: This was a significant milestone year. I wanted to acknowledge my class and the unity that we have. We wanted to help other girls have our experience.
Veda Howell: This gift celebrates my time at Foxcroft and the lifelong friendships established there. It will allow new generations of girls to have the unique experience that is Foxcroft.
What made you decide to fund an endowed scholarship?
Blair Young Thompson: I felt that an endowment fund would provide a lasting benefit for students and the school. An established endowment fund could also encourage fellow classmates and their families to continue support and additional impact
Veda Howell: The endowed scholarship allows us to pour directly into girls' lives. It is more important to build women than things.
Austi Brown: It was a group decision; helping an individual or individuals was more compelling.
As you can see from these testimonies, recognizing the value of the Foxcroft School experience, the 1973 class members wish to perpetuate the opportunity for young women to explore, discover, and develop their unique voices. We hope this helps and motivates future milestone classes to brainstorm and connect with us on meaningful giving for them!
Above: The Class of 1973 class photo featured on the “Tally Ho!”.
Below: The Class of 1973 celebrated their 50th reunion together at Reunion 2023. (Front) Virginia Lynch Dean, Veda Howell, Barkley Boutell Henning, Alice Evans Nahigian, Debbie Atkins Cross, Stacey Morse Ahner, Blair Young Thompson, and Sandra Marhoefer Roberts. (Middle) Virginia McCarty, Susan Mastin Lane, Isabelle Johnson Mender, Nancy Sears
Wilkins, and Nancy Stewart Krewson. (Back) Eliza Stephenson Meyer, Austi Brown, Marietta Molay Hartt, Sallie Ketcham, Wendy Wood, Kate Brantly, and Sherley Shevlin Weld.
Will this be your class in 2025?
Reunion giving is a wonderful way to celebrate your class and the impact that Foxcroft had on each of you! Your gift makes a difference and could be the one that puts your class in the lead for one of our Reunion Giving Awards!
Classes celebrating a milestone reunion (this year it’s classes ending in 5 & 0), with the highest participation in The Foxcroft Circle or a class initiative that honors its reunion, are eligible to win a Reunion Giving Award in one of two categories: Those celebrating their 5th through 20th Reunion and those celebrating their 25th through 60th Reunion. The awards are presented during Reunion weekend at the Alumnae Association Brunch.*
*If your class is celebrating a milestone reunion, gifts made to The Foxcroft Circle between July 1, 2024, and the start of the Alumnae Association Brunch on April 12, 2025, will count toward class
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Reunion Giving Award in 2024.
22407 Foxhound Lane
Middleburg, VA 20117
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 4 • Accepted Student Day
April 9 • Fox/Hound Riding
April 10–12 • Alumnae Reunion Weekend
April 24–26 • Spring Theater Production Little Women
May 2 • Admissions Open House
May 30 • Commencement for Class of 2025
Please note that these dates are tentative and subject to change.
MOST LIKES/COMMENTS
The beloved tradition of Fox/Hound lives on as the newest members of our community become Foxes and Hounds at Choosings!
MOST PLAYED REEL
"All girls can be _____." At Sunrise Service, students leaned into our 2024–25 school year theme — All Girls Can Be — and filled in those blanks with thoughtful and empowering remarks. The ceremony closed with the community singing the School Song around the flagpole before new students dashed off to a delicious breakfast. Have a great first day of classes, everyone!
FOLLOW FOXCROFT
DO YOU KNOW A FOXCROFT GIRL? JOIN US FOR OUR SPRING OPEN HOUSE May 2
FOXCROFT.ORG/ADMISSIONS/EVENTS-VISITS
MOST ENGAGEMENT
We took a day off from classes yesterday for a school-wide field trip to Washington, DC where our students explored history, soaked up culture, and had a monumentally good time!