Friends Forever Benefit 2021 Program

Thursday, March 4, 2021 8:00 PM EST friendsforever.givesmart.com

Proceeds from Friends Forever: Benefit 2021 are dedicated to the increased financial needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear Friends, We look forward to the upcoming virtual Friends Forever: Benefit 2021!

This year more than ever, we are so grateful for the Friends Seminary community that came together to make this evening possible. It is the collaboration of our parents, students, teachers, staff, administrators, alumni and grandparents that makes our school so unique. While we wish that we could celebrate this event together, in person, we are grateful to have this unique opportunity to spend an evening of connection and solidarity with the entire Friends community. On March 4, 2021, we unite far and wide to celebrate all of the amazing accomplishments of the Friends faculty, staff, and students in an unprecedented and ever-shifting landscape.

It is important for us to acknowledge all those who contributed to this evening. Our appreciation and gratitude extends to the entire Friends community. In particular, we would like to acknowledge the members of the Benefit Committee who reimagined the entire framework of our usual in-person benefit to a virtual masterpiece so that we can all celebrate the accomplishments of Friends Seminary in a safe and accessible manner for our entire community to enjoy. Similarly, we thank the Art Committee for their combined resources and talent to curate an amazing collection of contemporary art. Also, many thanks to all the creative members of our community that helped keep our beloved Alphabet Project going this year. Of course, we must also recognize our young artists who masterfully created the Lower School Art Projects where collaboration and togetherness took on a whole new meaning this year. We also appreciate the leadership and passion that Bo Lauder continues to offer to this benefit each year. Finally, we are beyond thankful for our fearless leader, Geny Kimbrell, who spearheaded this entire production to ensure a seamless and thoughtful online program that truly embraces the meaning of Friends Forever.

Most notably, we thank all of you for participating and supporting the Friends Forever: Benefit 2021! The proceeds for this year’s benefit are dedicated to the increased financial needs of the school due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For all of those impacted by this pandemic, we continue to hold you in the light.

With much appreciation and friendship, Parisa Jaffer

Jennifer Miller

Evan Lewis

Opening Featuring: Amah ‘22, Calvin ‘22, Ivory ‘23, Jordan ‘22, Samara ‘22, Simon ‘25 and Bo Lauder Lydia Fenet Auctioneer Bo Lauder Principal Moment of Silence Isaac Henderson Clerk, Board of Trustees Kennedy Cogan Assistant Clerk, Board of Trustees Peter Rahbar Assistant Clerk, Board of Trustees Pankti Sevak Head of Middle School “A Day in the Life” Featuring: Sophie ‘28 & Micaella ‘25 Benjie Messenger-Barnes ‘05 Director of Distance Learning “Keep Holding On” | Avril Lavigne and Lukasz Gottwold (GLEE arrangement by Adam Anders and Tim Davis and adapted for choral publication by Mac Huff) Middle and Upper School Choral Students Eva Townes Former Head Receptionist CALL TO ACTION “You’ve Got a Friend” | Carole King Featuring: Ahron ‘23 “Friends Means” Montage

Silent Auction Items 1) 7 Days in Maui 2) 5 Days in Telluride 3) Weekend in Troutbeck 4) Birthday Party Bundle 5) Self-Care Bundle 6) NYC Staycation Bundle 7) Furry Friend Bundle 8) Leshem Loft Portraiture 100 - 126) Alphabet Project 200 - 212) Lower School Class Projects

Thank you to our 2021 Benefit Committee!

Co-Chairs Parisa Jaffer • Evan Lewis • Jennifer Miller Committee Members Sarah Barnett • Mary Bowers • Luigi Caiola • Rachel Colberg-Perseghian ‘07 Andrea DiPasquale • Tracey Flynn • Lisa Gilinksy • Lori Hawthorne Rebekah Klipper • Alexis Lipsitz • Jodi Maggio • Katie Palmer • Noelle Phillips Eve Robbins • Sarah Safer • Jill Zenker