Doorways Susanna A. Jones Special Edition

D O O R WAY S Special Edition Holton-Arms School Magazine

Milestones and Memories A LOOK BACK AT SU SANNA A. JO N E S ' TIME AT HOLTON

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With Susanna at the helm, Holton completed the most successful fundraising campaign in school history, The Promise, which raised $27,500,000, and among other achievements, doubled the donor-restricted endowment.

SPECIAL EDITION

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headlines

After 16 years at Holton-Arms, Susanna A. Jones will retire in June 2023. The enormity of her influence at Holton is hard to quantify. One and a half decades of stability, improvements, and game-changing growth will be felt far into the distant future.

A leader, collaborator, an educator with vision, and always gracious, Susanna’s impressive career as Holton’s 7th Head of School will conclude in a few short weeks.

Under her leadership, Holton-Arms School achieved several milestones, including the integration of the School’s multidimensional educational philosophy known as Learn Well, Live Well, Lead Well, which rests on three pillars: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Health and Wellbeing, and Global Competence. This evolution of the School’s pedagogy is deeply rooted in founder Mrs. Holton's desire to cultivate the unique potential of young women through the “education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit.”

A leader amongst her peers, Susanna positioned HoltonArms as one of the four founding members of the Online School for Girls, now One Schoolhouse, a best-in-class provider of online education for students and professional development for independent school educators.

Susanna spearheaded the Global Education Program which has been instrumental for students as they develop global competencies, skills, and habits of mind to be leaders for a better tomorrow.

With Susanna at the helm, Holton completed the most successful fundraising campaign in school history, The Promise, which raised $27,500,000, and among other achievements, doubled the donor-restricted endowment.

While all of these milestones are notable, Susanna is also well-known for her gracious leadership. And, in her last year, her theme has been: gratitude. She is grateful for all she has learned and all whom she has met during her tenure at 7303 River Road.

We hope you enjoy learning more about Susanna’s legacy throughout this special issue of Doorways.

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Milestones and Memories 2007 school portrait

A LOOK BACK AT SU SANNA A. JONES' TIME AT HOLTON

’07

Susanna A. Jones named the seventh Head of Holton-Arms School

ON JANUARY 3, 2007, THE HOLTON-ARMS SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANNOUNCED THAT SUSANNA A. JONES WAS UNANIMOUSLY SELECTED AS THE SEVENTH HEAD OF SCHOOL, EFFECTIVE JULY 1.

Jones’ leadership was cited as embodying the qualities of strong moral character with a passion for academic excellence. The board believed her to be a leader whose strength of intellect, enthusiasm for educating young women, and excitement for the love of learning would serve as an inspiration to all members of the school community.

“I am very attracted to Holton-Arms’ ‘open door’ and its emphasis on the individual girl and her potential,” Jones said at the time. “I love the motto, ‘I will find a way or make one,’ with its optimism, its encouragement of perseverance and its implied creativity. Though written

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more than a century ago, it could not be more relevant in the flat world of the Twenty First Century.”

Jones had most recently served as head of Ethel Walker School in Connecticut for eight years and brought to Holton extensive experience across independent schools and organizations.

“We have complete confidence that Susanna will continue the School’s history of outstanding, visionary leaders, which began with Mrs. Holton and carries on through Diana Coulton Beebe,” commented Susie Cole Wean ’67, then-Chair of the board and search committee.

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"What a privilege it was to chair the Search Committee that hired Susanna as well as to serve as her first Board Chair!

It is never easy for a school or organization to transition to a new leader. However, Susanna’s intellect, energy, knowledge of academics, love of education, ability to problem solve and focus on the many tasks at hand were the right attributes to grow and sustain Holton as a school in the forefront of girls education."

”

—Susie Cole Wean ’67

SUSANNA REFLECTED ON HER EARLY TENURE IN A NEWSLETTER:

Personally, I have been trying to make connections with the many constituencies of the school: students, faculty and staff, parents, and alumnae. I have seven wonderful advisees who are juniors, and I have tried to go on some trips and take part in some activities such as the ninth grade visit to the museums on the Mall and the River Road clean up. I’ve learned my Holton history by sharing it with the third graders; fourth graders visited Granger House on Halloween, and the sixth graders and I discussed our favorite books. Watching games, soccer, field hockey, tennis and volleyball in the fall, and swimming and basketball so far this winter (and I’m looking forward to a hockey game soon) is

always great fun. Of course, at Holton, the many Arts performances are inspiring. I’ve taken part in a number of parent events including a reception for parents of the Class of 2007, who are still eager to see each other even though their daughters are off at college. I’ve been attending Alumnae Board meetings, and had the great pleasure of having dinner with four Holton alumnae who are students at alma mater, Princeton. This is a large community and I’m only just beginning to get to know its many members. However, schools are all about people and I’m looking forward to continuing to make my own connections in the months and years to come.

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"Susanna inspired novel programs such as the Online School for Girls and our own Global Education program. Increasing the endowment by developing named Instructorships and numerous funds for financial aid have put Holton in an enviable position. She accomplished all that while improving the physical campus and meeting the needs of students to tackle the 21st century.

Our school has benefited tremendously from Susanna’s vision and leadership. The direction she provided will have a lasting impact on our students for years to come. It has been rewarding to have shared this period of Holton’s history with her."

—Susie Cole Wean ’67

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’08

Tutu is one of many notable speakers to visit campus in the past 16 years.

Others include Maya Angelou, Elie Wiesel, Nancy Pelosi, Shelly Moore Capito ’71, and Christine Lagarde ’74.

Guest speakers bring worlds of experience to campus

Preeminent activist, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and leader in the fight against apartheid, the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu spoke to students, parents, faculty and staff, and trustees at Holton-Arms in November 2008. His 20-minute speech invoked laughter and brought tears. And while he spoke directly to the young, his message of youth and change

resonated with everyone. He spoke about God working through the young to bring about change, how young people “change[d] the moral climate” to end apartheid, and how the young voters galvanized to elect Barack Obama as the first Black president. His visit to Holton was covered in the Washington Post, Nov. 19, 2008.

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The Holton community knows Susanna as a visionary leader who had a positive impact on a generation of graduates. But, her reach goes well beyond River Road. In 2009, Susanna founded One Schoolhouse, formerly the Online School for Girls, and served for seven years as a trustee. To date, 15,000+ students and more than 12,000+ educators from more than 1500 schools across six continents have taken programs from the organization Susanna started. Susanna’s impact is worldwide.

” ’09 ’1 From Brad Rathgeber, One Schoolhouse Head of School & CEO

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One SchoolHouse founded

Holton was one of four founding members of the Online School for Girls, now One Schoolhouse. Along with other independent girls’s schools Harpeth Hall School, Laurel School, and Westover School, this innovative and forward-thinking program was the world’s first single-gender online school and the world’s first online independent school.

The four original members of the consortium came together with the common beliefs that online education was an increasingly powerful way to learn and that there was great value in creating an online learning environment built on the traditions of independent schools and girls’ schools.

After years of rapid growth, program and name changes to include all-gender classes, One Schoolhouse continues to offer students the opportunity to take courses in an online environment that embodies the best of independent school education – high academic standards, excellent teaching, and strong relationships where students are known by their teachers – with the pedagogical innovation, particularly in the realm of personalized learning, the digital world allows.

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’11

Freeze dance judging during spirit week

Snowmaggedon shuts down campus

Over February 5 and 6, a massive storm unloaded an inordinate amount of snow (20-40 inches!) across the Washington, D.C. area.

Days later, another storm buried cars and roads in even more snow, leading to the event being dubbed “Snowmaggedon.” Holton closed for over a week, giving students an 11-day break from class.

Teachers and students struggled to make up for the lost class time— but campus looked beautiful!

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"Susanna, you have been a hallmark of our Holton community through a wildly diverse set of challenges, accomplishments, and milestones.

Thank you for your quick embrace of the Holton community and culture, your determination to leave the school better than you found it, and your steady presence. I wish you the best in retirement but we will miss you!"

”

—Rachel Williams ’12

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New Front Entrance and Dining Room

The campus has experienced several changes during Jones’ time, most notably in the 2012-2013 school year. On the 50th anniversary year of the opening of Holton’s River Road campus, the front entrance underwent a significant, dramatic makeover. Now, the space welcomes students, faculty, alumnae, and parents to the School. Along with bright natural light and soaring ceilings, the space features thoughtful architectural details that reflect the more-than-100-year history of the School. As visitors enter, they cross over Holton’s timeless School seal and beneath the cherished motto, Inveniam viam aut faciam (or “I will find a way or make one”).

The dining room also provided an updated space for all to gather for a meal. The kitchen was also completely redone, its first renovation since 1963!

“Although having hallways closed off and offices relocated was a bit of a hassle, all expressed awe and appreciation for the modernized, updated look of the front entrance and dining hall.”

- 2013 Scribe

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More alumnae find a way or make one Beloved traditions continue to bring alumnae back to their alma mater, most notably Reunion. During Jones’ tenure, hundreds of classes have celebrated milestone reunions, and hundreds of alumnae have engaged with the school.

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"I met Susanna at my 25th reunion. I introduced myself and told her I had become a teacher because of the teachers I’d had at Holton. She asked me if I knew any Middle School Science teachers. I told her that I was a middle school science teacher and found myself interviewing for a job a week later. Returning to Holton as a teacher is a gift and I’m so thankful to have met Susanna at exactly the right moment."

”

Elizabeth Davis ’90

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’17 ’16

Promise Campaign Launches In 2017, the comprehensive fundraising campaign, The Promise of Holton-Arms: The Campaign for our Future began. By the time it wrapped up in 2022, Holton raised a record-breaking $27,500,000 – the most successful campaign in School history.

Our generous donors established two new instructorships in STEM and Science, named 44 new endowed funds supporting financial aid and teaching excellence, contributed $17,000,000 in unrestricted support, helped renovate the Marriott Gymnasium, and will help us create a new Learning Commons.

The groundbreaking for the Learning Commons will be held on June 6, after Jones wraps up her final Closing Ceremony at Holton.

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Global Education Transforms the Curriculum Founded in 2009, Holton’s Global Education program is a pillar of the student experience.

All education is global, and the program helps students cultivate knowledge, skills, and perspective they’ll need to understand and address the shared global challenges that their generation will inherit. Holton weaves global perspectives throughout the curriculum, works with established institutions to infuse our culture with students from a variety of countries, and has created a range of opportunities for students to travel within the United States and internationally to strengthen their language skills, develop deeper understanding of and empathy for other cultures, and learn about issues of global significance.

In 2018, Jones traveled to Peru on a Junior Journey trip, one of several global education trips made during her time as head. Another transformational trip was a Junior Journey to India in 2013.

“No program has more significant impact on our ability to develop leaders who will make the world a better place,” she said. “I’m very proud of our Global Education Program and exceedingly grateful for all the people who make it so successful, not the least of whom are the students themselves.”

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"So many adjectives spring to mind to describe Susanna: a well-informed intellect, disciplined, forthright, unafraid to make necessary, hard decisions, and most importantly, she always prioritized our students, collectively and individually. Susanna knew she needed to lead and, with her team, manage a well-run dynamic organization, the focus of which always was on the nurturing growth of our girls. She accomplished this, and I wish I’d found her source of unlimited energy during the remarkable years we worked together! "

”

Martha Dippell ’68, former Chair of the Board of Trustees

’19 —

Learn Well, Live Well, Lead Well

A highlight of the past sixteen years is the development and implementation of Learn Well, Live Well, Lead Well (LW3). This spiraled approach to robust and rigorous curriculum stands out among our peers as some of the best-in-class, while unique offerings like Seminar are distinctive to Holton. LW3 manifests through school-wide goals and competencies across all subjects, along with the innovative 3-12 spiraling curriculum known as Seminar. This evolution of the School’s pedagogy is deeply rooted in Mrs. Holton’s desire to cultivate the unique potential of young women through the “education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit.”

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’20 COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic completely upends education across the country.

With a steady hand and shrewd decisionmaking, Holton students return to the classroom in fall 2020 on a highly orchestrated schedule to keep safety front and center. In partnership with Holton's dedicated faculty and staff and an agile Administrative team, Jones found a way or made one to carry the school through a difficult period.

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During a recent school event, as the Holton Chorus led those in attendance in singing the Alma Mater, I thought about Susanna and the legacy of her leadership.

The familiar words to the Alma Mater had special meaning as I reflected on Susanna’s tenure as Holton’s guiding star. She has been a strong leader, unifying the community during challenging times as well as joyful times and always maintained a clear focus on the school’s enduring mission. She has given aid to those in need and has served as a guide to countless students, alumnae, parents and employees by holding us to all that’s finest in ourselves and making standards high throughout the school community. Susanna, a grateful school will never forget your dedication and thoughts of you we’ll cherish ever.

”

Cathy Johnson Butz ‘87, Search Commitee Co-Chair, Chair of the Board of Trustees

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’21

SAJ announces retirement Jones announces that she has decided to retire at the end of the 2022-23 school year, marking the end of a sixteen-year tenure. She notes that she has spent longer at Holton than any institution in her life, and that “it is hard to describe the significance of its impact on me as a person as a professional.

“From the time the Board offered me the Holton-Arms Head of School position in December 2006, I have felt blessed to have this opportunity. I stand on the shoulders of great leaders who came before me, leaders, especially my immediate predecessor, Diana Coulton Beebe, who bequeathed to me a great School. My responsibility has been to build on that legacy and eventually pass the School onto the next leader with its mission kept sacred and its programs strong.”

The Alma Mater Far into the distant future, Strong and clear above

Shines the star of our dear Holton, Shines the star we love.

It is there to aid and guide us As the years pass by, Holding us to all that’s finest, Making standards high.

Hail to thee, our Holton-Arms, Alma Mater dear, You will be our inspiration Through each coming year.

Thoughts of you we’ll cherish ever, Be we far or nigh, Weaving in our hearts and lives Blue and White for aye.

Weaving in our hearts and lives Blue and White for aye.

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Susanna’s contribution to the Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington (AISGW) in the five years I have been here has been significant. Despite the many demands of her role as Head at Holton-Arms, she is somehow always available - to sit on a panel or a task force, to act as a mentor, to volunteer her time and experience.

During the pandemic, Susanna was a regular on our weekly Head of School Zoom calls and could be relied upon for sensible advice delivered in her calm demeanor, regardless of the level of anxiety we were all feeling. Earlier this year, I asked Susanna to share some thoughts with her fellow heads about her time as a head of school. Susanna was candid, funny, philosophical and astute in her observations. When asked what she would miss on leaving Holton, she responded: the funny and touching moments with kids, working with smart, motivated colleagues, and the ability to shape an institution. One AISGW head of school later described her as “so smart, such a straight shooter, such relentless humility and humorous self-deprecation, and so right at the end of the day about so much.” I agree wholeheartedly. We will miss her very much and look forward to hearing about her next chapter.

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Susanna Jones is a faithful and respected trustee of AIMS, The Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools, and the conclusion of her second term in that role will coincide with her retirement from Holton-Arms. As executive director, I feel privileged to have been able to work with Susanna in this context. She is insightful, caring, dedicated, and she has a deep knowledge of education and the needs of school communities. She is a forward-looking and bold thinker, and she participates in meetings in ways that are both confident and humble. I know her fellow AIMS board members value her insight as much as I do. We all want to continue to benefit from Susanna’s wisdom, and I’m thrilled that Susanna has already agreed to chair a visiting accreditation committee following her “retirement.”

Knowing that she will be living nearby in Annapolis, we look forward to all the ways that Susanna will continue to be part of our extended AIMS family.

” ”’21 —

Peter Baily, AIMS

Amy McNamev, AISGW

3/30/23 8:27 AM

day in the life

with Susanna

7:45-7:55 a.m.

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7:55-8 a.m.

8-8:15 a.m.

day in the life

10 a.m.

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Noon

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3:30 p.m.

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Morning Greeting

Starts the day by greeting Lower School students during morning drop off – even meeting a sweet pup!

7:55-8 a.m.

Employee Breakfast

2022 brought the return of employee-hosted breakfasts, a wonderful opportunity for faculty and staff across the school to connect. Jones grabbed a pastry and shared laughs with Grade 11 Dean Mary Quirk Kline and Physical Education teacher Jacquie Fernandes over a story about Kline’s daughter.

8-8:15 a.m.

In advisory

Twice-weekly check-in with Advisory group and her co-advisor, Upper School Spanish teacher Roxana Lopez. These meetings serve as touch points for the 12 juniors and seniors in the advisory; this day covered the upcoming holiday ball and speculation about its theme.

She also popped by the Upper School office to drop off a form to Upper School Assistant Director Lisa Craig ’76.

8:30 a.m.

Board leadership meeting

As is typical on a given day, Jones has several meetings with employees, board members, and others in the Holton community. This day brought meetings with then-chair of the Board of Trustees Adrena Ifill Blagburn ’87 and now-chair Cathy Johnson Butz ’87.

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Phone and Zoom calls

Jones hosts regular Holton Hour meetings, which are Zoom calls for Holton families to discuss topics such as mental health, well-being, and curriculum, and often feature guest speakers. On this day, Brenda Conlan, a prevention specialist, discussed addiction in adolescents.

Noon

Lunch

3 p.m.

Birthday gathering

Lunch is usually a quick grab-and-go affair to fit in a busy schedule.

After an afternoon of meetings with the Admissions team and an interview for the next Academic Dean, Jones makes her way up to Lower School for Gathering.

Each month she recognizes birthdays with a special presentation. Brooklyn L. ’32 also wowed with a big performance.

3:30 p.m.

JV basketball game

Many afternoons, Jones ends her day on campus while watching an athletic or fine and performing arts event.

JV basketball warmed up to take on Covenant Life.

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Penny B. Evins to take the reins as Holton’s eighth Head of School The Holton-Arms Board of Trustees unanimously approved the appointment of Penny B. Evins as Holton’s eighth Head of School. Evins is a seasoned school leader who brings deep experience working collaboratively with faculty, staff, trustees, families, students and alums to strengthen school communities–always keeping the needs of the students front and center.

Read letter from Board of Trustees here!

With nearly a decade of experience serving as Head at two other prestigious independent schools–including Collegiate School in Richmond and St. Paul’s School for Girls in Baltimore–Evins has an exceptional record of building strong, lasting relationships and motivating those around her to be the best versions of themselves.

With that said, Jones thought it fit to bestow a few words of wisdom upon Evins before she arrives on campus July 1.

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Dear Penny, As you take up the mantle as Holton-Arms’ eighth Head of School, here are a few thoughts that will hopefully help you to get a running start.

In no particular order: Holton loves initials and we call all kinds of things from rooms to classes to programs by their initials.

The main conference room is referred to as the FCL, for Father’s Club Lounge (more to that origin story for another time); the TSR, standing for Trustee Seminar Room, is a meeting room in the Marriott Library; the Advancement Center has a meeting room called the ZMR for Zalcman Meeting Room. The Junior Lounge is often referred to as the JL, and the Senior Lounge as the slounge. You already know about LW3; USPH is United States Political History, the eighth grade history class; AGAES (pronounced ages) is Advanced Global Applications in Environmental Science, an advanced course in the science department. Just to get you started…

Find the staircases – there are four in the Lower School alone and more than twelve altogether. I just discovered two I didn’t know about.

There are several traditions associated with seniors that are sacrosanct, the first being Senior Spirit Day which takes place on seniors’ last day of classes. It involves a class video, dancing, singing, pizza, and ice cream (all before 10 a.m.), but THE most important part of the event is the slip-and-slide down Granger Hill. It’s an elaborate creation of plastic sheeting, soft bumpers, pipes, hoses, water, and dish soap. My first year, two girls ended up in the ER, one with the other’s front teeth in her forehead. Hazardous, to be sure, and so much fun. I recommend trying it, but make sure you’re properly dressed.

Graduation stands out as one of the most consequential events of the year, of course. It takes place in the amphitheater and the students are deeply attached to the symbolism of walking across the bridge and back. Short of a monsoon or hurricane, you should

do everything possible to hold graduation outside in the amphitheater.

Speaking of seniors, lipsync, which happens every other year, is no longer a competition. Regardless, you already know, even months or a year in advance, that the best performance belongs to the seniors.

Many people’s favorite annual event is the Thanksgiving Assembly, one of the few times in the year we gather as a full school. Just like a Thanksgiving dinner menu, any proposed changes should be treated with due consideration for tradition.

Members of the community have great affection for the Holton plaid. It is so ubiquitous that it can become a neutral, as it does on Fridays when Middle Schoolers are free to wear any shirt they wish. Plaid and tie-dye?

Don’t let the clashing colors and patterns offend your sensibilities.

I would strongly recommend memorizing the Alma Mater, the school song, as it is traditionally sung several times a year, and it is often quoted. Not having to refer to the program for the words will serve you well “far into the distant future” and demonstrate that you are “keeping standards high.” Moreover, “be we far or nigh,” students or alumnae may spontaneously sing it – at a school for Sikh orphans in India, in the lobby of a House office building, or upon winning a championship – so it’s good to be prepared.

While the “education of the mind, the soul, and the spirit” is central to all we do, it’s the motto, I will find a way or make one, that many find most compelling.

Be ready for conversations about how it served as a guiding star for an alumna or to have a parent advise you that you’re not living up to it when you don’t make the exception they want.

Finally, as alumna and Assistant Upper School Director Lisa Craig told me when I started, when in doubt, ask yourself: “What would Mrs. Holton do?””

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Janice DeMaré

Janice DeMaré began her career at Holton-Arms School in August 1990 as the HR manager. Her organizational and people skills were soon noticed and she was transferred to the Head’s Office to work as an assistant to then-Head-of-School Charlie Lord’s administrative assistant. Janice had found her place. She continued to help out in the head’s office and was one of the administrative assistants who were there when Diana Colton Beebe was named Head of School. It was during Diana’s tenure that Janice was named Diana’s full-time assistant, Executive Assistant to the Head. She has been in that role since and helped welcome Susanna Jones when she was named Head of School. Three heads of school, one mainstay: Janice.

Her colleagues’ words capture the many strengths and joys that Janice brings to the Holton community.

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There is not a single person at Holton that has not been touched in some way by Janice.

Whether she’s fielding questions as assistant to the Head of School, knitting a blanket for a colleague’s new baby, or singing at Convocation, her dedication to Holton is always front and center. For me, she’s more than a colleague. She lends spiritual and emotional support when I need it most. In the 32 years that I’ve known her, she’s been more than my dearest friend, she’s the sister that I never had. Words can’t express how bittersweet her retirement is for me. As her favorite artist, Elvis Presley, would say, “I’m All Shook Up.”

—Yolanda Keener, 12th Grade Dean, US Psychology Teacher Janice is a Holton icon--I just can't imagine the place without her! I remember back when she worked in Facilities, and I was convinced she ran the whole school. I think one of the most telling facts about Janice is that she loves and collects elephants. Most of us have brought her elephant figurines from our travels, and this wonderful creature proves an apt comparison for Janice. Elephants represent strength, wisdom, and happiness. They are also loving, nurturing, and loyal to their families. All of these characteristics pertain perfectly to Janice; you can always drop in on her for advice, empathy, knowledge, and good cheer. We will lose a big piece of Holton's heart when she retires!

She is, hands down, the best head’s assistant anywhere. First and foremost, she is very wise and insightful about people. I joke with her that she has earned a PhD in psychology. She is tremendously thoughtful and caring, always looking after my well-being as well as everyone else’s. These qualities draw people to her and visitors from all areas of the school stop by regularly to chat. I turn to her for advice all the time, and her perspectives and suggestions are invariably helpful. As I’ve told her many times, I would not have been able to do this job without her, and I am eternally indebted to her. She serves as everyone’s surrogate mother, including my own son, is the holder of institutional memory, and makes the most lovely handmade baby presents. Holton will not be the same without her.

Susanna Jones, Head of School

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read more tributes to Janice

—Marsha Scherbel, US English Teacher ADVICE TO SUSANNA FROM PAST HEAD DIANNA COLTON BEEBE:

Congratulations on a great run! We are so grateful for your wise and steady leadership. And now you get a well-deserved rest! I can predict, from experience, that you won’t miss getting up at the crack of dawn after being up late at night, and a few other things.

Maybe you’ll get to travel, or read a book for pleasure, or take a leisurely walk with your dog. Such luxuries!

But you probably will miss, as I did, a few things as well. The hardest thing for me, that I had not expected, was that I missed my sense of identity! Who was I? That was a shock. Happily it goes away as you begin to build a new life and get involved in new ventures, but it takes a while. And I missed being involved with the kids. And what about all the entertainment-plays, concerts,

athletic contests, etc. And, oh boy did I miss Janice!!! And my tech support!!

That was a big adjustment.

My hope for you is that you will find activities you love, ways you can make a difference, and other pleasures to explore. You deserve it!!

Bon Voyage, and Best Wishes, Diana

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73 Questions

with Susanna A. Jones

SOPHIA HALL ’23 and COURTNEY WAT TS ’23 , co-presidents of the Upper School news show Screen, got to know Jones during a Vogue magazine-inspired interview. The rapid-fire questions covered Jones’ time at Holton, her favorite things, and, of course, her beloved dog Percy (and Clio).

Q. What word would your friends use to describe you?

A. Opinionated.

Q. What’s one thing you had to learn the hard way?

A. Listening.

Q. What would you like to be remembered for?

A. Caring about people and helping them reach their potential.

Q. What’s one thing people don’t know about you?

A. I played rugby in college [at Princeton University].

Q. If your life was a song, what would your title be?

A. One of my answers to the question ‘what’s one of your favorite songs’ is Helen Reddy’s ‘I am Woman (Hear Me Roar),’ and I would like to think that that’s what my life is kind of like.

Q. What’s inspiring you in life right now?

A. I think the possibility of doing something really different that I’ve never done before.

Q. What’s your favorite memory from Holton?

A. I think graduation. Every graduation where I’ve been able to watch you all walk across the bridge and then walk back across the bridge, it’s so special.

Q. What will you miss the most?

A. All of you.

Watch the entire interview here!

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Contribute to Susanna's Legacy Susanna A. Jones is grateful for all she has learned and all whom she has met during her tenure at 7303 River Road and wants the gratitude she so distinctly feels to be demonstrated to Holton’s teachers.

Now, it is time for key, members of the community to honor Susanna and the fine legacy she leaves at Holton. One hallmark of the Holton education is our Humanities program. And generations of alumnae would agree. Susanna aspires to honor excellent teachers and teaching, and the Board of Trustees would like to establish the Susanna A. Jones Instructorship in the Humanities to both recognize Susanna’s tenure and celebrate excellent teachers and teaching.

It is Holton-Arms’ goal to raise $500,000 to fund this endowed initiative – please consider a contribution today.

Scan to contribute today

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NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

BETHESDA, MD PERMIT NO. 7003 7303 River Road Bethesda, Maryland 20817 www.holton-arms.edu RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

May 5–6, 2023

JOIN US FOR REUNION 3's and 8's are celebrating milestone years, and all are invited for a family cookout Saturday.

Visit holton–arms.edu/reunion for more details and to register

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