THE PHIN A MONTHLY ALUMNI NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2021 • ISSUE 2•
WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A LEGACY STUDENT AT PREP BY: ANDREW KOLB '06 AND CATHERINE SCARMINACH LEWALLEN '95
As Prep gets ready for another school year to begin, we are always thrilled to see the children of our alumni take their seats in the classrooms where their parents once sat. This is the legacy that Prep is proud to be able to continue and pass down for generations to come. The Kolb Family Andrew Kolb graduated from Prep in 2000 and headed off to Columbia, SC to attend college at the University of South Carolina. His wife, Leigh Hopper Kolb, also graduated from Prep in 2006. Upon graduating college, Andrew returned to Hilton Head Island where he reconnected with Leigh during her summer breaks while she was attending the University of South Carolina. In 2011 the two Prep grads tied the knot and in 2016 welcomed their son, Henry. Henry is now five years old and just finished his first year as a legacy student in Junior Kindergartnen. Andrew and Leigh valued their years at Prep and knew this is where they wanted Henry to attend saying,
The Scarminach - Lewallen Family Catherine Scarminach Lewallen graduated from Prep in 1995. Catherine, and her husband, Jon, enrolled their two boys, Bill and Sam, at Prep in 2020. Bill is a rising 2nd grader and Sam is a rising Kindergartner. For Catherine, having Bill and Sam attending Prep feels like coming home. Catherine says, "I love coming on campus every day because of the rush of memories that come with it. My experience at HHP was wonderful. It was like being part of a family. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend a school that offered an excellent educational foundation while promoting the building of lifelong friendships and relationships, and I am thrilled to provide the same opportunity to my children."
WHAT'S INSIDE... What It Means To Have A Legacy Student At HHP Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Maureen Berrigan '79 (SPA)
Save the Date: 2021 Festival of Trees Good Reads
"We enjoyed Hilton Head Prep as students. It's truly a special environment; almost like a big family. It's a safe and inspiring school. We both felt well prepared for life and college after HHP and know that Henry will have the same great experience".
Hilton Head Prep offers a Legacy Scholarship that was founded to encourage alumni families to keep the Hilton Head Preparatory School tradition alive and give our alumni parents something to pass down for generations. To learn more about about how to continue the tradition of excellence click HERE or reach out to the Admissions team at 843-671-2286 or admissions@hhprep.org.
THE PHIN • ALUMNI MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: DR. MAUREEN BERRIGAN '79 (SEA PINES ACADEMY) Dr. Maureen Berrigan graduated from Sea Pines Academy in 1979. After graduating from SPA, she attended Emory University where she graduated in 1983 with a degree in Business. After working as an accountant with KPMG for several years she decided that business was not her calling and she was meant for something different. She returned to Emory, this time to the School of Medicine, and became a pediatrician. With her husband, Al Moosbrugger and their three children, Maureen returned to Hilton Head Island and opened Seaside Pediatrics in Bluffton and several years later opened a second location on Hilton Head Island. Maureen's oldest son, Matthew, who graduated from Clemson University, recently married Becky Woods of Bluffton and lives in Charleston. Her daughter, Nicole, also graduated from Clemson, and is currently living in Boulder, CO. Her youngest son, Ryan, currently attends the College of Charleston. Although it has been 40 years since attending Sea Pines Academy, the friendships Maureen developed in those years remain her most cherished. Maureen resides on Hilton Head with her husband, Al, where they both enjoy island life.
Save the Date for our 2021 Festival of Trees! The trees, a spectacular display of beautifully and creatively-themed Christmas trees in all sizes and colors, are sponsored and decorated by local organizations, businesses, and individuals. Themes range from traditional, to whimsical, to humorous. In addition to the trees, we will feature wreaths, centerpieces, garland, and other holiday décor. During the festival, all holiday items will be on display in the spacious Sonesta lobby. During the 16-day display, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the trees with all proceeds to benefit the Hilton Head Preparatory School Scholarship Program for local students. There will also be local performances and a visit from Santa Claus during the event. If you would like to design a tree, wreath, or décor item please click HERE to fill out the designer form at our Festival of Trees website. A special Preview Party will take place on Thursday, November 18th at 6 PM.
AUGUST 2021
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THE PHIN • ALUMNI MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
G O O D
reads Have you enjoyed a book that was so good you couldn't put it down? If so, send a note to lhart@hhprep.org and we will add it to our list of recommendations! A few good reads for this issue are: 1. The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix - This Steel Magnolias meets Dracula work is set in Mt. Pleasant, SC during the 90's about a women's book club that does battle with a mysterious newcomer. This will definitely be a page turner if you are looking for something eccentric and spooky. Submitted by Leslie Hart 2. The Cage-maker by Nicole Seitz, Hilton Head Prep class of ‘90 - This is my favorite offering by the very talented Nicole Seitz. It is a must read for all who love puzzles, riddles, and mysteries. Bringing to life that most musical, exotic, cosmopolitan city, New Orleans of the late 1800s and early 1900s, The Cage-Maker unfolds as a series of letters, journal entries, and newspaper articles discovered in the secret compartment of an enormous and exquisitely detailed birdcage that the twenty-firstcentury protagonist, Trish, has inherited from a heretofore unknown relative. Submitted by Dr. Mike Bassett '92 3. The Sea Queen by Linnea Hartsuyker - Historical fiction that fuses real life figures with vivid imagination, The Sea Queen transports readers to Viking-Age Scandinavia. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting, the complex and captivating characters, and the intrigue and action-packed plot. Even if you are not especially interested in Viking culture, the lush and beautiful description and the smart reflection and psychology in this novel may win you over. Submitted by Dr. Mike Bassett '92
AUGUST 2021
2021-2022 ALUMNI GIVING GOAL FOR 2021-2022 Total Dollars Goal: $35,000 # of Alumni Donors Goal: 75
Let's crush our goals for 2021-2022!
To make an alumni gift to Hilton Head Prep click HERE.
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THE PHIN • ALUMNI MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
WHERE ARE PREP ALUMNI NOW? Nancy Fowler Fish '83 (SPA) - Congratulations to Nancy on opening her new location of The Sandbox Children's Museum at Celebration Park on Hilton Head Island. The Sandbox Children's Museum, a 15-year-old community favorite for young children and their families, has made their long-awaited move into a new building at Lowcountry Celebration park. This location has new and updated exhibits, features a two-story sandcastle with a slide, has dedicated outside space with exhibits, and additional programming rooms for art and STEM/Makerspace activities. Exhibits have been designed for children up through age twelve years and new programming will be coming shortly.
Britt Hamilton '00 - Britt and his wife, Erica welcomed Lennon Scarlett Hamilton earlier this year. Britt's mom, Prep faculty member Peg Hamilton, (aka Grammy Hammy), was thrilled to spend a week with her new granddaughter over the summer. Britt, an attorney, and Erica, a psychologist, are currently working from home while enjoying time with baby Lennon. Lennon is spending her days eating, sleeping, and getting cuter by the day! Britt and his family currently reside in Plainview, NY.
Alumni Gatherings/Reunions Have you visited with your old Prep buddies or had a class reunion? If so, we would love for you to share your photos! Email Leslie at lhart@hhprep.org and we will put them in the next issue of The Phin.
Several ladies from the Class of 2020 met up for dinner at Jane Bistro and reconnected over the summer! L to R: Ella Alsko, Mackenzie Joyner, Caitlin Heidel, Kierstin Clark, Maddie Frank, and Susan Brooks
2021-2022 Alumni Board Michael Bassett '92 - President Addison Goss Cook '06 - Vice President Andrew Hazel '06 - Special Events Co-Chair Andrew Kolb '00 - Special Events Co-Chair Claire Noonan '09 - Marketing/Social Media Chair Margaret Crenshaw '85 (SPA) - Class Reps Shane Scibelli '91 Catherine Scarminach Lewallen '95 Susan Ochsner '78 (SPA) Nancy Fish '83 (SPA) Leslie Hart - Director of Alumni Relations Margot Brown - Director of Development
AUGUST 2021
Attending 1979 SPA alum Maureen Berrigan's son's recent wedding: Alumni Marla Garrison (Bates) '79, Jan O'Neill (Geiger) '79, Maureen Berrigan '79, Churchill McMurrain (Bird) '79, Kim Killebrew (Long) '79, and Amanda Cherry (Palmer) '79. Also in attendance were MRA alumni Pam Graves and Cheryl Graves Hughes.
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