Kent Place Magazine - Fall 2026

FALL 2026

26

THE MOMENTS IN BETWEEN

32

SPEAKING THE SAME LANGUAGE

38

BEYOND THE REQUIRED

Class is in session!

Explore some of our unique electives in this issue’s feature story.

CONTENTS

2

From Mabie House

3

In Her View

4

Commons Room

26

The Moments In Between

32

Speaking the Same Language

38

Beyond the Required

46

Keeping Pace

59

Class Notes

72

With Wisdom

A candid exchange among classmates Julianna Abrantes, Jacquelyn Reig, Jessica Choy, Ava Lewis, Emma McQuade, Ani Mendieta-Frost, Olivia Zhang, and Mariana Pirez Ramirez captures the excitement, reflection, and joy of the Class of 2026 in the moments before Commencement.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

1

FROM MABIE HOUSE

Kent Place EDITOR Rachel Naggar P ’25 Director of Communications ASSISTANT EDITOR Paige Coviello Associate Director of Communications ALUMNAE EDITOR Aimee Bousquet Singer ’88 P ’25 Advancement Communications Manager

Fresh Pages There’s a particular energy to the first day of school — blank notebooks waiting to be filled, laptops charging, the anticipation of meeting teachers who may change the way students see the world. The possibilities are endless . . .

At Kent Place, that energy never fades. Now in our 132nd year — and my 10th as Head of School — every September renews not only our students, but also our faculty, staff, and everyone else who is part of our extraordinary community. We begin again with enormous optimism for what our girls can achieve.

In 2026–2027, we’ll launch a new strategic plan, introduce an updated Portrait of a Graduate, and open the Leadership Center for Athletics, Wellness, and Performing Arts. Each of these milestones points to a vibrant future for Kent Place, one that continues to evolve while staying true to the school’s mission.

Even as we stand on the threshold of those exciting moments, in this issue of Kent Place we feature something more immediate and enduring: the classroom experience. It’s here that Kent Place distinguishes itself most clearly.

Our story on electives provides a glimpse into the spaces where students take risks, follow their curiosity, and discover new passions. These courses are more than offerings; they’re invitations — to think differently, to create, and to engage deeply in the joy of learning.

You’ll also read about two alumnae whose love for the English language and its literature began at Kent Place — and ultimately led them to teaching at the same independent school. Their story is a reminder that the seeds planted here often grow in unexpected ways.

As the year begins, we celebrate both what lies ahead and the everyday moments that define a Kent Place education. Read and enjoy!

Yours for Kent Place,

Dr. Jennifer Galambos Head of School

2

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

CONTRIBUTORS Vicky Browne Casey Caprio Andrea Dawson, Writer Julie Gentile Beth Gottung Erin Peterson, Writer Lainey Segear Julia Soffer Sarah Stapperfenne Jennifer Sutton, Writer Edel Thomas Doris Troy, Copy Editor CREATIVE DIRECTION AND DESIGN 2Communiqué PHOTOGRAPHY Highpoint Pictures Peter Chollick Rebecca Nowalski Jessica Scranton Mark Wyville PRINTING Kirkwood Kent Place, the official magazine of Kent Place School, is published twice a year by the Communications Office, in partnership with the Advancement Office, for alumnae, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the school.

Kent Place School 42 Norwood Avenue Summit, NJ 07901 (908) 273-0900 kentplace.org We welcome your input: communications@kentplace.org

IN HER VIEW

IF YOU COULD LEAVE A STICKY NOTE ON YOUR LOCKER FOR YOUR YOUNGER SELF, WHAT WOULD IT SAY? Nurture the friends who knew and loved you at your most awkward.

Carry the strength and independence you found at Kent Place into every next chapter — and never doubt that you’re capable of more than you know.

—MEGHAN ALEXANDER ’94

C’mon, Anne. Relax. You can do it.

You studied for it. Now show me what you can do.

—ANNE (HARDING) WOODWORTH ’61

Believe in yourself.

Embrace change, try new endeavors, and don’t be afraid of failure.

—ELLEN (SMITH) CORBETT ’54

—BETSY (BUSCH) CROSBY ’66 P ’93

—ASHLEY (PINAKIEWICZ) SMALLWOOD ’00

Be imperfect. Take risks. Mess and chaos are where the act of genesis begins. Ask the trees that rise from the richest soil. Ask the caterpillar who turns to goo and emerges from her cocoon

Vote in every election.

Your right to it depends on it!

as something wholly different — something with wings!

—COURTNEY BIRD ’04

—HILDY (RIVERA) JACKSON ’82

Thank your teachers — not only are they preparing you for college, but they’re also changing your life for the better in countless ways every single day.

—AMY ALLEN ’91

You have everything you need. You’re doing fine.

—LYN (BARR) HOYT ’66

KPS teaches you how to be an independent, self-reliant woman. Don’t lose that!

—CHERIE ALCOFF ’93

time worrying, put that time toward a walk while listening to an audiobook or convincing people to play Jungle Speed.

Enjoy the journey. Be patient.

Celebrate the little victories.

—KARIN (BAIN) KUKRAL ’78

Ever onwards and upwards.

Instead of spending

Listen more, talk less.

—CONNIE MURPHY ’71

It all works out, so have fun!

—KATIE (JOHNSON) LEWANDOWSKI ’90

—IVANA KOHUT ’14

ALUMNAE, SHARE YOUR ADVICE FOR YOUR YOUNGER SELF WITH US! Email communications@kentplace.org

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

3

COMMONS ROOM NEWS AND VIEWS FROM KENT PLACE

BECOMING CHAMPIONS

Dragons Claim the Crown History was made on June 9 as Kent Place Varsity Lacrosse captured its first-ever Non-Public State Championship, defeating top-seeded Oak Knoll 8–7 in Kean University’s Alumni Stadium. Backed by a sea of green and gold supporters, the Dragons delivered a performance years in the making — earning their first victory over Oak Knoll since 2012.

In a close game defined by grit and composure, Kent Place never surrendered the lead, maintaining possession in the closing minutes to seal the win. Molly Brozowski ’26 led the offense with three goals, while Addison Quinn ’28 added two goals and controlled the midfield with 11 draw controls. Cate Collins ’28, Mira Emany ’27, and Kaitlyn Troiano ’27 also found the back of the net. In goal, Reagan Larson ’26 made five saves, anchoring a relentless defensive effort.

The storybook win turned a dream season into a championship reality, but not without hard work and trust in one another. Read about the team’s journey on page 18.

4

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

“As the final seconds ticked down, my heart was pounding, and when the buzzer sounded, I just ran straight to my teammates. In that instant, that moment wasn’t just a win; it was our dreams coming true. It’s a memory I think most Dragons will carry forever.”

—REAGAN LARSON ’26, GOALIE

The 2025–2026 Varsity team: Ciara Anderson ’28, Molly Brozowski ’26*, Lauren Carey ’29, Cate Collins ’28, Reilly Doyle ’26*, Mira Emany ’27*, Reagan Larson ’26, Dior Lukanski ’28, Ava Manning ’29, Lainey Meenan ’27, Poppy Miller ’28, Addison Quinn ’28, Caitlyn Quinn ’26*, Nisha Raval ’27, Eden Ravenell ’29, Nadia Sarafian ’29, Scarlett Saunders ’29, Sofia Sandler ’28, Madeline Small ’29, Kaitlyn Troiano ’27* *captains Head Coach Ashley Quinn P ’24 ’26 ’28, Assistant Coach Melissa Webber

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

5

COMMONS ROOM

BRAVE & BRILLIANT

Avery Delaney ’27 When Avery Delaney ’27 arrived at Kent Place, at the start of sixth grade, it was the fall of 2020, during the height of COVID. Never before had she stepped foot on campus, much less taken a tour. Seven hours later, though, she knew it was home.

“Despite the plexiglass and standing six feet apart from everyone, I felt incredibly welcomed,” she recalls.

A member of Green Key since her sophomore year, Avery enjoys sharing this story — and the inherent irony — with the tour

groups she leads.

She’s thankful for the relationships she quickly developed with her peers, and cites AP Calc BC with Ms. Majumder, AP Physics with Mr. Largo, medicinal chemistry with Dr. Carey, and AP Statistics with Mr. Wertz as formative classes. Naturally drawn to math and science, her “life of STEM” (her words) has flourished.

“Avery’s brilliance lies in her passion for discovery,” says Mr. Largo. “She sees that ‘wow factor’ when I’m teaching a new concept.”

Her fascination was on full display when Avery traveled to England over Spring Break in her junior year, to shadow engineering and manufacturing teams in the lab of a UK-based diagnostics company. It was the pinnacle experience of a three-year internship, in which she supported their development of a new rapid PCR system and respiratory test. She was on site just weeks after the company received news of their FDA clearance.

“I had the absolute best time of my life,” she says. “I saw how biotech and business collide, and that’s where I see myself in the future.”

On campus, her responsibilities are equally impressive. Alternating as secretary and class president the last three years, she earned the role of Green Key president as a senior. She is also Bloomberg Certified and president of the Investment Club, co-president of the Society of Women Engineers (SWENext), the four-year manager of the basketball team, and captain and star quarterback of Kent Place’s flag football team. Outside of school, she plays club soccer.

“Avery is a natural leader, a take-action person,” says her former advisor, retired Upper School computer science and engineering teacher Judy Bianco. “But she’s also very skilled at inviting others to be in community — she takes the initiative and welcomes everyone.”

“My Kent Place teachers have allowed me to do all I’ve done,” Avery says, “to take up my own space, to be my own person.”

But uniting people around a common cause — in the classroom or on the playing field — is what Avery says she’s most proud of.

MORNING MEETING

A MEDAL-WINNING DAY. The Middle

including second place in Anatomy

The Bioethics Symposium returned

public health and society. The theme

School STEM team earned third

& Physiology and Codebusters,

as its own dedicated event. Using

this year is “Basic Needs, Bioethical

place among 14 participants at the

demonstrating the teamwork,

“Bioethics for Everyone: Issues

Challenges: The Future of Food and

UCNJ Regional Science Olympiad

problem-solving, and scientific

in Public Health” as their theme,

Water.” FROM CLASSROOM TO

tournament, placing in the top 10

expertise that define the nationally

students presented their work and

CONFERENCE. Our KEEY$ program

in every event. Students brought

recognized competition. PUBLIC

engaged audiences in conversations

took center stage at the ICGS

home medals in six categories,

HEALTH. PUBLIC QUESTIONS.

about the ethical dimensions of

Educating

6

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

[continued on p. 8]

FIELD NOTES

RESEARCH ON THE RIVER: ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON This June, 14 Upper Schoolers and three chaperones traveled 3,649 miles to Peru’s Loreto region for a 10-day conservation expedition with Earthwatch. Living aboard a research riverboat deep in the Peruvian Amazon, the group navigated remote tributaries alongside field scientists, contributing to citizen-science initiatives focusing on wildlife monitoring and sustainable resource management.

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS. Students conducted surveys of caimans, frogs, and bats beneath the Amazonian night sky; tracked pink and gray river dolphins from covered auxiliary boats; observed macaws high in the forest canopy at dawn; and studied fish populations and shorebirds along the river’s edge using nets and observation tools.

STEWARDSHIP IN ACTION. Visits to local communities, among them Villa Belén, provided students with insight into sustainable resource management. Through conversations with residents and conservation leaders, they learned how Indigenous and local communities protect biodiversity while confronting the pressures of climate change and large-scale development.

PHOTOGRAPH: REBECCA BROWN

FLOATING LABORATORIES. Life aboard the vessel offered a rare immersion into conservation science.

From the ship’s upper deck and auxiliary boats, students surveyed an extraordinary range of wildlife helping researchers collect data used to monitor the health and biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest.

Peru participants after an unforgettable encounter with pink river dolphins: My’Asia Bennett ’27, Remy Cinquino ’27, Amelia Dobric ’28, Riya Malpani ’27, Gabrielle Maria ’29, Sophie McDavit ’28, Maanika Nanda ’29, Madeleine Richter ’29, Erin Schwartz ’29, Isabella Urgilez ’29, Asha Varma ’29, Ayushi Wadhwa ’27, Serena Wang ’29, and Carolyn Weng ’29; chaperones: Rebecca Brown, Beth Gottung, and Sandra Medina

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

7

COMMONS ROOM

Sixth-graders investigated consumer needs, gained an understanding of the critical concepts of scarcity and resource management, and applied high ethical standards to develop their own products.

Students could be spotted during “KEEY$ time” working in the hallways of the Middle School, their classrooms, and Atwood Hall — the KEEY$ hub. Laptops, posterboards, craft materials, borrowed books, and, of course, snacks from the school store to sustain their innovative thinking were never in short supply.

Sixth-graders Gracelyn Bhatia, Sindhya Karyat, Anjali Gupta, and Lily Hajduczyk at the KEEY$ Co-op

THE CO-OP

For our sixth-grade students, KEEY$ — KPS Ethical Entrepreneurs & Young innovator$ — is a window into the world of ethical sustainability and entrepreneurship. Combining the creativity of invention, the fundamentals of economic principles, the innovation of entrepreneurial thinking, and the complexities of ethical and environmental responsibility, this first-year program empowers the girls to think — and work — outside the box.

“The KEEY$ curriculum weaves together our signature programs of financial literacy, ethics, and leadership,” says Neisha Payne, Director of the Middle School. “We’re demonstrating to our students that true innovation emerges at the intersection of disciplines, a reflection of our school’s belief in the power of interdisciplinary learning.”

The program is led by Holly Moller, who teaches sixth-grade science. “The KEEY$ curriculum is designed to empower girls to be confident, intellectual, and ethical leaders who advance the world, directly aligning with the Kent Place mission,” she says.

The KEEY$ Co-op was the culmination of months of intensive work. During this end-of-year marketplace, students’ salesmanship was put to the test in front of members of our community — peers, faculty, staff, friends, and family.

Working in small groups, students presented unique products, carefully considering design and function. Showcasing offerings such as all-natural skincare items and handmade candles as well as bracelets, vision boards, and clay figurines, the girls created tantalizing displays.

Many businesses focused on sustainability and wellness. Products such as sugar scrubs, bath sets, and eco-friendly bracelets highlighted the importance of self-care and environmental responsibility. Others aimed to spark joy and creativity with memory boards capturing moments around campus and customizable jewelry designed to boost confidence and self-expression.

Affordability and accessibility were central. With all items priced under $10, the Co-op invited the entire community to participate.

Students had even encouraged attendees to bring reusable shopping bags, reinforcing their commitment to reducing waste.

Students’ commitment to social impact was also front and center.

Each business raised awareness for a nonprofit organization, such as The Bee Conservancy, Clean Shores, Girls on the Run, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and local animal shelters.

Next year, the program will expand.

“We’re incredibly excited to take the girls into Kent Place’s Bloomberg Lab for the 2026–2027 curriculum,” says Ms. Moller.

“They’ll be able to investigate the global corporations that produce identical or similar products to those they made for the Co-op, enabling them to analyze real-world supply chains and see firsthand how ethical and sustainable decisions operate on a global scale.”

Girls Symposium when MS Director

COUNTY CHAMPIONS. The Upper

persuasive advocacy skills. 100

word crime stories designed to

Neisha Payne, MS science teacher

School Mock Trial team claimed

WORDS, ENDLESS TALENT. Nine

build tension and suspense while

Holly Moller, and Economics and

the Union County title. Following

eighth-grade students entered a

experimenting with character,

Financial Literacy Coordinator

victories in the opening rounds, the

Young Writers competition and every

structure, and perspective. The

Alicia Rodriguez explained how

team faced Oratory Preparatory

one of them created a story that was

anthology recognizes their creativity

students learn to become ethical,

School in the championship match

selected for publication in the Young

in the demanding art of flash

entrepreneurial changemakers. To

and emerged victorious, showcasing

Writers Anthology. In the “Unsolved”

fiction. CONVERSATIONS ACROSS

learn more about KEEY$, see above.

their preparation, poise, and

challenge, students crafted 100-

THE BUSINESS OF BETTER

KEEY$: Innovation with Impact

8

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

[continued on p. 10]

SEVEN WAYS TO PREPARE TO SEE HADESTOWN ON BROADWAY (ACCORDING TO OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL) 1: START WITH A MYTH.

5: LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS.

Meet Orpheus and Eurydice in English and Latin classes, where ancient stories became the foundation for exploration.

A special presentation by Middle School English teacher Caitlyn Roper and orchestra teacher Terrence Thornhill provided a behind-the-scenes look at Hadestown, its mythology, and its production. Students were especially excited to learn from Mr. Thornhill, who performs as the show’s cellist.

2: ASK BIG QUESTIONS.

Sixth-graders examined themes of love, hope, loss, and the human condition through a video interpretation of the myth, creating symbols to represent ideas that still resonate.

3: FOLLOW THE CHARACTERS.

Seventh-graders analyzed characterization, motivation, and theme — and discovered that understanding the original myth unlocked new layers of meaning on stage.

6: TAKE YOUR SEAT ON BROADWAY.

Students arrived ready to spot symbolism, mood, characterization, and thematic choices woven throughout the performance — and cheered extra loudly when Mr. Thornhill took the stage.

7: KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING.

4: REWRITE THE STORY.

Eighth-graders created modern retellings of the myth, experimenting with mood, setting, and perspective while exploring how adaptations shape a narrative.

Back in the classroom, students compared the original myth with Anaïs Mitchell’s retelling, debating how changes to the story affected its themes and message.

Middle School students at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York City to see their teacher, Terrence Thornhill, perform as the cellist

Ruhi Nagpal ’37 teaches her family how to put on a jacket.

Step 1: Learn to Write. Step 2: Have a Blast!

What does it take to draw a rainbow, tie a shoelace, or bust a ballet move? Just ask our first-graders, who transformed into mini– instructional experts for their “How-to” writing unit.

The assignment was simple: Pick a topic you’ve mastered and break it down using sequencing words such as first, next, then, and finally. It turns out that explaining how to navigate life as a 6-year-old requires some pretty impressive brainpower!

The grand finale was a virtual, interactive publishing party via Zoom. Students took over individual breakout rooms, assuming leadership roles as they directed their parents and siblings to act out their instructions. The results? Hilarious missteps. By the end of the event — amid plenty of laughter — some families were coauthoring brand-new guides.

“It was really fun writing all the words and drawing the pictures on how to do something,” says first-grader Michaela Vazquez. “I wrote about how to pick something up with my hands and how to do a trick on the monkey bars. I also enjoyed sharing on Zoom and making my parents act out my steps.”

In addition to learning about structure, our youngest writers made an important discovery: that words have the power to make people move and connect.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

9

COMMONS ROOM

FLUENCY TAKES FLIGHT: CAREER PORTFOLIOS IN CHINESE V What can fluency look like beyond the classroom? In Chinese V, led by Iris Guo, who teaches in the Middle and Upper Schools, students answer that question by building portfolios — entirely in Chinese — in a blend of career exploration and communication.

During classes, students often role-play to practice the language: as a weather reporter delivering the forecast, a chef filming a cooking tutorial, a travel agent designing an itinerary, a Web developer creating a school website. This final Evidence of Learning project brings together those experiences in a meaningful progression.

Each portfolio contains a résumé, a cover letter, and a creative component tailored to the chosen field, from videos and presentations to websites and original designs.

Students then host a mock job fair and participate as both candidates and members of a hiring committee.

“The most challenging aspect for me was learning how to communicate effectively in Chinese while staying accurate with vocabulary and grammar,” says Hayden Mulligan ’27. “It’s one thing to be able to communicate effectively, but the project required us to practice professionalism simultaneously. This was also the most rewarding lesson. It made the language more practical and connected to real-world situations and careers.”

Hayden chose as her career an airline owner and pilot. As part of Jocelyn Wang ’27 her job fair presentation, she took presents as a celebrity the class on a trip around the world, personal chef at introducing different foods, cultures, the Chinese V and destinations. mock job fair.

“I think language skills developed in the classroom can support success on almost any career path because they strengthen communication, adaptability, and cultural understanding,” she says.

Rooted in the program’s curriculum, the project challenges students to revisit familiar vocabulary and themes from a real-world perspective — demonstrating confidence as well as language proficiency.

Savera Rigby ’26 and Upper School physics teacher Luis Largo

DEFYING GRAVITY, ONE EGG AT A TIME. Physics students embraced the annual egg drop challenge, designing protective contraptions built from toothpicks to keep their eggs intact through a series of increasingly high drops, from one meter to the top of the Annex. The activity brought classroom concepts to life as students tested force, impact, and engineering design. Each structure reflected careful planning and problemsolving under pressure — and a little suspense as eggs met the ground.

GENERATIONS. Members of the

mentorship, broadened students’

each other in the final round and

community raised almost $700,000

B.U.I.L.D. (Building Up Inclusive

perspectives, and offered valuable

earning first and second place.

from more than 1,200 donors in

Leaders in Diversity) student cohort,

insight into the opportunities and

The all–Kent Place championship

support of the Kent Place Fund. The

run by the Office of Community Life

challenges that lie ahead. ETHICS

match highlighted the teams’ strong

outpouring of generosity reflected

and Well-Being, met with alumnae

BOWL SWEEP. Our Middle School

preparation, thoughtful reasoning,

the strength of the school’s green

to discuss everything from high

teams delivered exceptional

and collaborative approach to

and gold spirit, felt from near and far,

school experiences to life after Kent

performances at the 2026 NJ/NY

complex ethical questions. A DAY

and reaffirmed commitment to our

Place. The conversations provided

Middle School Ethics Bowl, facing

OF GIVING. In just 24 hours, our

mission:

10

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

[continued on p. 12]

FIVE THINGS ABOUT . . .

STUDENT ADVISORY PROGRAM Advisory is woven directly into the fabric of Kent Place. It’s where Middle School students find their footing and Upper Schoolers navigate the path toward independence and leadership.

Through consistent check-ins and the guidance of trusted faculty mentors, students get something rare in a busy school day: a dedicated space to pause, reflect, and truly be known.

1

IT GROWS WITH THEM. By design, Advisory evolves alongside the student. Middle Schoolers change advisors and advisory groups each year, a deliberate strategy to expand social circles and build community. In the Upper School, students remain with the same advisor for all four years, cultivating deep, lasting relationships that anchor their high school experience.

5

IT’S HOW WE DEFINE SISTERHOOD. At its core, Advisory is about learning how to show up for one another. It teaches students to listen thoughtfully and grow collectively. From the first days of Middle School to the final countdown to graduation, Advisory ensures that every student knows she is backed by a community rooted in trust.

4

SMALL GROUPS DRIVE BIG IMPACT. With just 8 to 10 students per group, no one blends into the background.

Almost daily Middle School meetings and weekly Upper School get-togethers quickly build a sense of safety and belonging.

Before long, each advisory develops its own unique personality, complete with inside jokes and cherished traditions.

IMAGE: SIHUO0860371 / ISTOCK

2

EVERY STUDENT H HAS AS AN ADVOCATE. Whether navigating friendships and exposure to pathways of leadership opportunities in Middle School or mapping out course selections and future plans in Upper School, advisors are a student’s first line of support. This role extends far beyond academics; advisors are there to spot challenges early, celebrate the small victories, and offer steady guidance through every season of the school year.

3

THE CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER HAPPEN HERE. Advisory carves out space for essential life discussions that don’t fit into a traditional syllabus. In Middle School, meetings focus on selfawareness, decision-making, and changing social dynamics. As students move into Upper School, the dialogue shifts toward leadership, inclusion, and preparing for life after graduation.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

11

COMMONS ROOM

BRAVE & BRILLIANT

Katherine “Katie” MacKay ’27 Several years ago, Kent Place Middle Schoolers were assigned an “Ethics in Action” group project: Identify a societal problem and, applying an engineering perspective, design a solution.

A sixth-grader at the time, Katie MacKay ’27 was right on it.

“That was really a spark for Katie, when she saw that ethical questions need to be asked when engaging in design,” recalls Director of the Ethics Institute (EIKPS) Karen Rezach, her longtime teacher and mentor. “Ever since, she has brought an

ethical heart to the way she thinks about technology.”

Katie explains her interests this way: “I like using technology to solve problems, but EIKPS has taught me that a good solution begins with the people it serves.”

That philosophy has continued to influence Katie’s work across ethics, bioethics, and science. A former member of the Middle School Ethics Bowl team, she now competes on the Upper School team; serves as a case writer for the Middle School

team; was a Bioethics Scholar last year (she examined the use of care robots for geriatric patients); participates in Kent Place’s Science Olympiad; and — whew! — leads Primary Schoolers in fun Math Club activities.

Last summer, she was one of 64 high school students statewide selected to participate in the prestigious Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology (GSET), four weeks of intensive coursework and research hosted by the Rutgers University School of Engineering.

“Katie stood out to me as a passionate computer scientist even in Primary School,” says Computer Science and Engineering Department Chair Suzanne Tracy, who mentored Katie through the GSET application process. “I can absolutely see her succeeding in human-centered technology.”

Another passion animates Katie and consumes much of her life outside of school: fencing. Less than four years after taking up the sport, she’s a national medalist and represents Team USA in international competitions. Does she see overlap between her academic interests and the sport she calls “physical chess”? Absolutely.

“In fencing, every practice is an iteration — it takes consistency and discipline to show up and analyze with intention,” she says. “Falling in love with that puzzle has helped me let go of the end result and stay present in the process, a lesson I carry with me in everyday life.”

What ties together these worlds for Katie is community. “What means the most is that I didn’t accomplish any of this on my own,” she says. “The friends, teachers, coaches, and teammates I’ve found at Kent Place and on the strip have shaped who I’m becoming.”

When we empower girls, we advance

thousands of regional submissions,

Among the many adventures,

together students from multiple

the world. AWARD-WINNING

our students received awards and

the group explored the streets of

schools for its annual summit, this

CREATIVITY. Twenty-two Kent Place

honorable mentions in a range of

Vieux Nice, studied the work of

year focused on misinformation and

students earned recognition in the

visual arts and writing categories.

Matisse — drawing on local art for

online safety. Students explored how

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the

A LIVING CLASSROOM. Over Spring

their own guided creations — and

false information spreads online and

nation’s longest-running program

Break, students traveled to France for

participated in a language exchange

examined the ethical use of platforms

celebrating creative achievements by

an immersive experience centering

at a French school. REBOOT JR.

such as Snapchat and ChatGPT, with

young people. Standing out among

on art, culture, language, and cuisine.

IN ACTION. REBOOT Jr. brought

support

12

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

[continued on p. 14]

SYLLABUS

RECLAIMING NARRATIVES

Karen Kisza ’26

COURSE TITLE: Rewriting the

Gaze: An Inquiry into the Asian Diasporic Voice TEACHER: Kimberly Lee, Upper School English BACKGROUND: As facilitator for the East Asian affinity group, Ms. Lee heard students’ desire for authentic representation of Asian voices in the curriculum.

Growing up Korean American in the Midwest, she could relate, and decided to create a course that centers Asian and Asian American voices.

DESCRIPTION: A trimester-long elective for seniors, this

class explores how contemporary Asian authors question traditional narratives around identity, visibility, belonging, and the body. Through fiction (Min Jin Lee), memoir (Maxine Hong Kingston), comedy (Hasan Minhaj), poetry (Ocean Vuong), and podcasts, students examine complex themes such as double consciousness, code switching, generational conflict in immigrant families, and the model minority myth. Connecting works to historical contexts (colonialism, immigration, diaspora), they are further challenged to understand Asian voices and intent.

REQUIRED READING: Min Jin Lee’s debut novel, Free Food

for Millionaires LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Ms. Lee hopes the course will develop students’ capacity to analyze how authors challenge stereotypes, complicate easy narratives, and make visible what dominant culture obscures — answering such questions as: How is narrative voice or structure being used to resist the “model minority” myth? What does a close reading reveal about double consciousness? How does this novel challenge my thoughts on identity? Designed as a skills-based curriculum emphasizing literary analysis, rhetorical sophistication, and multimodal composition, the class is structured in a way that any teacher can swap texts without losing its focus.

INSIGHT: “I’m Korean American. I’ve always been curious.

I’m still discovering new authors and voices, and I want to encourage students to do the same: to stay curious while questioning dominant narratives.”

When Research Is Personal Shortly after Karen Kisza ’26 began at Kent Place, as a freshman, she lost her sister, Julia, to Trisomy 18, a rare chromosomal disorder. Julia was just 19. Despite knowing a great deal more than most about the condition, Karen — now pre-med at Northeastern University — in her senior year took on a rigorous independent study to learn even more.

She talks about her project, “The Ethical Intersection of Healthcare and Trisomy 18”: • “Because Julia’s disability was so limiting, I wasn’t able to have a typical sibling relationship. I see science and medicine, and educating myself about the disorder, as a way to connect with her.”

• “Most people won’t encounter Trisomy 18, but understanding different stakeholder perspectives — I interviewed caregivers, clinicians, a bioethicist, an ethicist, and genetic counselors — is a skill for everyday life, and leads to greater compassion and awareness.”

• “Genetic-editing technologies like CRISPR, financial considerations, screening, and informed decision-making — never before did I have the chance to dive into these ethical issues; I was really able to push my thinking.”

• “I interviewed my brother and our parents, asking questions I wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to ask. It gave me a lot of closure.”

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

13

COMMONS ROOM

1. MAKE INTENTIONAL DECISIONS

Debbie Fermo, Director of the Upper School

I like to reference Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” but clarify: It’s not about choosing the path less traveled; it’s about making a very intentional choice when you have a choice to make. You’ll never go back to that point again — have all your facts and make a clear decision.

2. PRACTICE DECISION-MAKING

Similarly — and this comes from my life in the military — it’s important to train for decision-making. Practice living in that feeling of uncertainty and making the right choice on small things, so when big things happen, like a test of friendship, or of character, or in your profession, you are habituated to make the right choice in the moment.

3. NURTURE RELATIONSHIPS

The definition of good leadership is the ability to form and sustain healthy relationships.

Never underestimate the value of building relationships.

Leadership Lessons Few people — women or men — are more qualified to champion female leadership than former Navy combat pilot–turned educator and Kent Place Upper School Director since fall 2025 Debbie Fermo.

In 1993, two years before she graduated with distinction from the Naval Academy, the Combat Exclusion Policy was lifted, opening the door for Ms. Fermo and her female classmates to serve as combat aviators and on warships.

“That opportunity wasn’t available to us before. It got us thinking . . . we can completely change what we thought we could do,” she recalls.

4. BE BRAVE

She jumped at the chance to fly. (So did other women at the Naval Academy in many important leadership roles.)

Following 23 years of service and two deployments to the Persian Gulf piloting an SH-50 Seahawk helicopter on searchand-rescue and humanitarian operations, she retired as a commander, went on to teach at the Academy, and cofounded its Women’s Network, to provide mentorship and career support to fellow alumnae.

Her life experiences are rife with leadership lessons for 324 “amazing teenage girls,” as she calls her Upper School charges. Here, she mentions a few:

Be willing to do hard things. That said, you don’t need to feel 100 percent confident all the time. I know I can go to my “subject matter experts,” such as Upper School Dean of Students Michelle Murphy and Upper School Academic Dean Rashied McCreary, with questions. Know whom to partner with on what.

5. HUMOR IS KEY

Keep a sense of humor. Last year, when I was observing classes, I breezed into a language classroom excited to revive my French skills by saying “Bonjour” to the teacher. Turns out it was a Spanish class! We all had a good laugh. We humans are messy; having humanity is important.

from Upper School REBOOT

The Upper School welcomed a

offering students insight into the

in state, regional, and national

members Jenna Carey ’26

panel of women engineers for an

challenges and opportunities within

honor ensembles and festivals,

and Erin Kim ’27. The program

assembly highlighting a variety of

engineering. IN HARMONY. Twenty

including historic performances

continued with a Middle School

positions in the field. Representing

Kent Place choral singers have been

in newly formed ACDA groups.

assembly led by Sailee Shah ’28,

different disciplines and stages of

recognized by the American Choral

Their achievements reflect a strong

who facilitated a conversation

their careers, the panelists talked

Directors Association (ACDA) for their

tradition of artistry, collaboration,

on making responsible choices

about navigating and succeeding in

excellence in vocal music. Across

and musical growth in our choral

online. BREAKING BARRIERS.

traditionally male-dominated spaces,

divisions, students participated

program.

14

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

THE MARK THEY MADE After years of inspiring students in classrooms, studios, labs, and music rooms, four beloved Kent Place educators are retiring. We celebrate their dedication, wisdom, and the lasting impact they’ve made on generations of students.

Ken Weathersby Upper School Art and Kent Place Gallery Director | 24 years

What do you love most about teaching?

“Teaching art for almost 25 years at Kent Place has been a constant learning experience. I’ve been challenged to rethink and deepen my own understanding of art, and have witnessed the excitement and energy of so many students as they’ve found their unique voices as visual artists.”

Lori Mirabal Primary School Music | 15 years

What has this community meant to you?

“It’s been a great honor and a tremendous blessing to be a part of this brilliant, creative, and nurturing community.”

Judy Bianco Upper School Computer Science & Engineering | 24 years

What do you love most about teaching?

“What I love most is building a learning community in the classroom, publication, club, or advisory group where students are seen, heard, and valued. Being a guide on each student’s unique journey as she learns and grows is absolutely incredible. When teaching or advising students over multiple years, I’m thrilled to see how they become confident and supportive leaders who inspire younger students to become courageous, creative, and collaborative.”

Suzanne Kaplan Junior Pre-K | 20 years

What is one lesson you hope students carry forward?

“I’m ever grateful that I had the pleasure, privilege, and honor to teach so many young people. I hope I impressed upon them to be kind, to believe in themselves, to never give up, and to find and smile at the joy in every day. I like to think my students will carry just a piece of what I taught them, perhaps a song I sang to teach a concept, perhaps a goofy joke, perhaps that I held their hand when they missed their mom.”

Retirees Judy Bianco, Lori Mirabal, Ken Weathersby, and Suzanne Kaplan

A THANK-YOU TO OUR RETIRING STAFF In June, Kent Place extended its warm wishes to two devoted staff members, Joe Laspina, Campus Security (15 years), and Rod Martinez, Facilities (35 years), on their retirement.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

15

COMMONS ROOM SCORECARD

Therese Tsang ’26 on fencing’s Senior Day

The Space to Lead One of the greatest privileges of working in school athletics is being able to witness girls grow both in their sports and as leaders.

Whether a student is participating in Middle School athletics for the first time or competing at the junior varsity or varsity level, she builds confidence, discovers the importance of resilience, experiences the support of teammates, gains independence, and learns the enormous value of good sportsmanship. These attributes will serve her far beyond the playing field.

As coaches, we’re trained to be teachers, and there are certainly times when our student-athletes need instruction. Proper mechanics, game IQ, fundamentals — they matter. Especially at the Middle School level, athletes need a strong foundation and clear direction as they develop their skills.

But an equally important part of coaching is knowing when to step back. This raises a big question: How do we cultivate autonomy and self-sustaining feedback loops without sacrificing structure and purpose?

One of our core goals is to provide space for student-athletes to problem-solve for themselves. In practices and competitions, there are moments when an athlete must navigate uncertainty, communicate with teammates, adjust strategy, or respond to adversity without looking to an adult for direction. These moments — uncomfortable, probably; scary, maybe — that’s when growth occurs.

16

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

The best coaches help athletes to be independent: They create athletes who can coach themselves. We want our students to develop the confidence to think critically in real time and to trust their instincts. Sometimes the most powerful coaching tool is to ask: “What do you think?”

When athletes are invited into the process, something interesting happens: They begin to seek input not because they need someone to solve their problems, but instead because they value collaboration and perspective. This changes their investment, making them accountable to themselves and to their teammates.

This kind of leadership usually shows up quietly — it’s the art of leading without appearing to lead. Moving the needle on team cohesion and athlete autonomy relies heavily on this subtlety. Ultimately, it empowers an athlete to self-correct in the moment and take ownership of both her performance and that of her team.

Our goal is to develop stronger athletes and, more important, stronger girls — young women who can think independently, communicate effectively, and lead themselves and others with confidence. The lessons learned through our athletics program shape how Kent Place students will approach later challenges: on the playing fields, on their college campuses, in their careers.

Vicky Browne has served as Kent Place’s Athletic Director for four years.

Juliette Maria ’26

Rachel Dwek ’27

REWRITING RECORD BOOKS Our winter and spring Dragons delivered plenty of headline moments! Here are individual and team highlights.

WINTER BASKETBALL: The team qualified for the Union County Tournament for the first time in five years.

FENCING: Riley Crook ’27, London Higgins ’28, Lineysha Goel ’29, and Maanika Nanda ’29 qualified for the NJSIAA Fencing Individual State Championships.

ICE HOCKEY: The team made its first-ever NJSIAA semifinal appearance; Molly Brozowski ’26 broke New Jersey’s record for career goals with 145.

SQUASH: The team ranked in the top 25 in the country.

SWIMMING: The team took third place in the Union County Championships and broke school records in the 500 freestyle, 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay, and 400 freestyle relay.

WINTER TRACK: The team placed fifth at the State Relay Championships with 17 points.

Sumari Fox ’26

Maya Hardy ’26 high fives Emma Geppel ’26.

Ayah Bedri ’28

SPRING FLAG FOOTBALL: We graduated our first class

of four-year letter winners — Allison Ameo ’26, Claire Cherill ’26, Cecília Hirawat ’26, and Juliette Maria ’26.

GOLF: The team were Union County Champions.

LACROSSE: Our players were the NJSIAA Non-Public State Tournament, NJISAA Prep “A” Tournament, and Stars and Stripes White Division champions. Addison Quinn ’28 was named NJ.com Player of the Year and the team was ranked #1 in the state and named Team of the Year by NJ.com.

SOFTBALL: The team made its first-ever appearance in the NJISAA championship game.

SPRING TRACK: Evangeline Tezel ’27 qualified for the Meet of Champions in the 3200; Summer Rae Sharma ’29 qualified for the New Balance Nationals in the 800 and the 1600.

Charlotte Poole ’29

Emma Shannon ’27

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

17

COMMONS ROOM SCORECARD

Varsity Lacrosse team celebrates a hard-earned goal.

NEXT-LEVEL DRAGONS: CLASS OF 2026 TAKES FLIGHT

Lacrosse Sets the Standard with Historic Season This past spring, Varsity Lacrosse embraced a new slogan: SET THE STANDARD. What began as a team mantra quickly became the foundation for one of the most successful seasons in program history.

The team opened the year with a remarkable 9–0 record and built momentum throughout the season. Along the way, the Dragons reached the Union County Tournament championship game for the first time since 2011, captured the program’s first-ever NJSIAA Prep “A” Championship, and achieved the school’s firstever state championship with their thrilling victory over Oak Knoll. The Dragons finished the season 19-2, and the team was named Team of the Year by NJ.com.

For Kaitlyn Troiano ’27 and Mira Emany ’27, captains during the 2026 season, SET THE STANDARD represented a shift in identity for the program. “For so many years, we considered ourselves the underdogs, reaching for the standard,” they said. “This season, we pivoted to being the team that sets it.”

The captains emphasized that the team’s success came from a commitment to growth and accountability. “Every practice, we focused on our opportunity to get better and raise the level of play,” they said. “Collectively, as a team, throughout this entire season, we worked continuously to raise our standard of play.”

That commitment was evident both on and off the field. With team dinners, sleepovers, and constant support for one another, the players built a close-knit culture based on camaraderie and trust.

Among the season’s unforgettable moments were defeating Westfield twice to advance to the UCT final, winning the Prep championship, and, of course, hoisting the state championship trophy in front of a sea of green and gold in the stands (see page 4) — all proof that the team did more than chase excellence: These athletes went on to define it.

18

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

Congratulations to our college-bound athletes.

• Molly Brozowski, ice hockey, Hamilton College • Annabelle Chow, fencing, Cornell University • Reilly Doyle, lacrosse, Wesleyan University • Keira Kapur, tennis, Haverford College • Reagan Larson, lacrosse, Arizona State University • Caitlin Quinn, lacrosse, Loyola University • Chloe Reinman, lacrosse, Bryn Mawr College

BACK-TO-BACK MSAC CHAMPIONS. For the second consecutive year, Kent Place’s Middle School Volleyball Dragons secured the Middle School Athletic Conference (MSAC) Tournament trophy. The girls entered as second seed and won both of their matches decisively, in straight sets.

For the championship, the Dragons defeated first-seed Newark Academy. Head Coach Steven Caguana and Assistants Kerrie Burns and Holly Moller led the team. Captains were Saachi Chadha ’30, Kate Grinis ’30, Katie Hu ’30, and Zoe Provenzano ’31. Congratulations, Dragons!

Middle School Volleyball Gold team with the MSAC trophy

TEAMMATE FIRST Amel Jean-Baptiste ’27, who competes in the 100, 200, 400, and high jump events for Kent Place’s Spring Track team, is described by her coaches as a dependable performer who gives 100 percent, and — maybe more important — someone her teammates can always count on for support. We talked with Amel to learn about her approach as a teammate and a leader.

What type of teammate do you try to be?

I try to be the teammate I want to have around myself. Because track is such an individual sport, it can be mentally challenging, and people can underestimate how much your team matters. Having a team means always having support and people you can lean on when things get tough.

You were sidelined with a back injury for part of the season. How did your role change?

I focused solely on supporting my teammates, because I know they would do the same for me.

I went to every meet and cheered everyone on. That enabled me to fully see the range of talent on our team and be present for everyone.

I learned that you don’t have to be actively competing to have a meaningful impact.

Do you have a favorite team memory?

Definitely our bus rides. I bring the energy up so everyone feels confident, motivated, and excited to compete. I love singing with the team.

After meets, we listen to music, celebrate our accomplishments, and enjoy being together. It’s a fun way to decompress after competition.

What do you hope to accomplish during your senior season?

Amel Jean-Baptiste ’27

I hope to continue surpassing my own expectations. I’ve adopted a mindset where I avoid putting strict limits or goals on myself. I’m excited to see how far this mindset — along with the support from my coaches and teammates — will take me.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

19

COMMONS ROOM MARQUEE

20

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

Rhiya Parmar ’29, Evening of Dance

Repertoire with Purpose Selecting repertoire for our Upper School theater, choir, orchestra, and dance performances is both an art and a responsibility.

Every decision shapes how students grow as artists and as individuals.

When audiences sat captivated by the Upper School Orchestra’s performance of Danzón No. 2, by Arturo Márquez, they were probably unaware of the considerations behind that selection. “The piece naturally provides an incredible groove-based sound palette that students can physically connect with,” says Terrence Thornhill, who directs the group, “which helps them navigate the challenging rhythmic patterns. The many percussion parts also made it possible for our larger percussion ensemble to be featured.”

Repertoire helps students develop rhythmic precision, understand phrasing, and navigate increasingly sophisticated harmonic language. For example, when Chamber Singers performed Earth Song, by Frank Ticheli, the work demanded extraordinary focus because of its dense cluster chords and delicate resolutions, stretching their musicianship in new ways.

Choral teacher Neil Ginsberg considers the two entry points for choral directors:

text and music. A thoughtfully curated concert may include works that are reflective, joyful, humorous, dramatic, contemporary, and traditional. This breadth enables more students to find personal connections to the material and provides audiences with a rich artistic experience.

Last year’s winter theater production, Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, presented a different kind of challenge. Many students initially viewed the play as “slow, old-fashioned, or irrelevant to modern teenagers,” says Keri Lesnik, who directed it. Through close reading and exploration of the characters and themes, however, they connected with its humanity and emotional depth, and many came to love the play.

In theater, students benefit from opportunities that expand storytelling, movement vocabulary, collaboration, and artistic confidence. Repertoire selection is an invitation for them to challenge themselves, discover new perspectives, and connect with both the arts and one another.

In Dance Ensemble, repertoire decisions often begin with the music. Our dancers agreed that during rehearsals, truly knowing the music helped determine their

choreography. Amalia Benke, Charlotte Forde, and Jocelyn Wang (now seniors) all selected music from The Hunger Games.

The atmosphere, energy, and storytelling embedded in the score informed the movement vocabulary and the emotional arc of their dancing, demonstrating that music is a powerful partner in the choreographic process.

Also important is creating diversity within the Performing Arts program. This entails a range in artistic style, historical period, cultural perspective, emotional tone, and creative language.

In all of the performing arts, we begin with a script, a score, or a choreographic concept, but each work is a blank canvas until students bring it to life. Long after the final curtain falls or the last note fades, though, students remember the relationships they built, the trust they developed in one another, and the joy of creating something larger than themselves.

And ultimately, isn’t that the greatest reward?

Edel Thomas, Director of Performing Arts, is in her 35th year at KPS.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

21

COMMONS ROOM MARQUEE

A “First” for Jacqueline Pothier ’18 — and KPS Girls When theater teacher Keri Lesnik learned that Kent Place had been accepted to perform at Scotland’s famed Edinburgh Festival Fringe — as part of a competitive high school program — she got in touch with Jacqueline Pothier ’18. A 2026 graduate of NYU’s Dramatic Writing MFA program, Jacqueline stage-managed for Ms. Lesnik’s summer theater camp and was known around KPS for experimenting with filmmaking.

Vincent Wilson ’26 (Monroe Township High School), Avery Sinclair ’26, Dylan Klug ’29, Cecília Hirawat ’26, and Hannah Kelley ’26

22

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

Did she know of anyone interested in writing a custom script for 14 Upper Schoolers? Jacqueline didn’t, but countered, “I’d love to!”

Last spring, following many trips between New York City and Summit and hours of collaboration with Ms. Lesnik and the students, Sin-Eaters, a 72-minute dark comedy — “eerie, funny, unnerving,” says Jacqueline — was born. The play,

which drops the ancient Celtic practice of “sin-eating” into a present-day debutante ball, premiered at the Fringe in August, with Jacqueline cheering on the girls from the wings. (The winter/spring 2027 issue of Kent Place will have details about the performance.)

A classically trained vocalist, Jacqueline immersed herself in music — not theater — at both Kent Place and as a politics major at Princeton. But her path to screen- and playwriting was not a pivot, she says; it was reasoned: “Music and writing reflect a very similar rhythm and structure.”

And politics? Princeton lacks a standalone creative writing major (she pursued a minor instead), and, Jacqueline says, “I wanted to feel engaged with the world.” Her work often reflects a political framing, she notes. She left Princeton with a film, TV, and theater portfolio, and the commitment to write for the stage and screen.

Currently an assistant to Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright and screenwriter Branden Jacobs-Jenkins — and churning out her own work — Jacqueline is fulfilling that resolution.

“Presenting at the Fringe is an honor, and I feel lucky to share this ‘first’ with Kent Place girls,” she says. “What I’ve grown to love about theater is that you can’t write alone. We inspired one another. The more I heard their voices in the read-throughs, the more excited I became.”

TAKING CENTER STAGE. Upper School theater students brought their work to the annual high school theater festival hosted by the Speech and Theater Association of New Jersey at Montclair State University. Competing in multiple performance categories, students advanced to final rounds and earned top placements among performers from across the state.

The recognition adds to a strong year for KPS theater, including 17 FOXY Award nominations for the 2025 season’s mainstage productions, underscoring the program’s growing momentum.

A NEW RHYTHM IN PRIMARY SCHOOL Music in the Primary School sounds a little different these days.

Instrumental instruction has always been part of Primary School, but the way it fits into a student’s day has been reimagined. Lessons once took place during lunch or recess; now, students in Grades 3–5 are picking up instruments during their regularly scheduled music class.

One moment the girls may be clapping out rhythms together; the next they’re translating those patterns onto their instruments, learning through hands-on repetition and movement. Concepts such as pitch, notation, and balance become second nature when students can immediately apply what they’re learning.

“There’s a magical moment of translation when a student goes from clapping a rhythm on her lap to producing that same sound on an instrument,” says Terrence Thornhill, Primary School Ensemble teacher. “Embedding this into the daily curriculum demonstrates our commitment to music education and highlights the profound benefits of music-making for young minds. It lowers the barrier to entry, enabling every child to discover the joy of creating music.”

Equally important, students are figuring out how to play as a unit. As they practice, they adjust to one another and recover from mistakes, and learn patience and cooperation — skills that extend beyond the music room.

When students move into Middle School ensembles, they arrive with confidence; they’ve already experienced the delight that comes from playing something beautiful as part of a group.

Finding the Note That Matters: 60 Seconds with Sam Calanog ’27 You take part in many performing arts activities, such as Chamber Singers, musicals, and Chorale. What do you find most meaningful about being involved?

I love music. There’s nothing more moving than being able to hear, listen, relate to, and make it, and there’s nothing more connecting, either. Choir and musical productions have gifted me with many friends and people to look up to. Even though I couldn’t sight-read at first and constantly got the notes wrong, everyone was supportive, and it’s that sense of community that motivates me to involve myself in these activities.

As co-president of Chorale, what are you most excited about? Any ideas

Addie Walker ’34

you’d like to introduce?

I’m especially looking forward to STAR. It’s always fun to prepare repertoire and get excited with all of my peers, and it’ll be extra special as it’s my class’s senior year. I’d love to see Chorale sing contemporary, traditional, and multilingual pieces, because the ability to diversify while maintaining a culture around our shared love is an integral and amazing part of participating in Choir.

Balancing New Jersey Youth Chorus, school performances, and academics must take planning. What strategies help you manage your time and stay successful in these arenas?

I keep my online calendar organized. Classes, homework, tests, Choir, and musicals each have their own section, so I can quickly search one or another. The most important thing is take everything one step at a time and always do the best you can, even if you can’t always be at your best.

Sam, who came to Kent Place in ninth grade, is also a member of the Art Club and Treblemakers.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

23

COMMONS ROOM MARQUEE

Evening of Dance

Upper School Spring Instrumenal Concert

Middle School Broadway Showcase

Evening of Dance

Cue the Applause!

The lights came up, the music began, and our students took the stage. This spring, performers shared their work through theater, concerts, and ensembles — both on campus and at local venues.

Behind every performance were hours of practice and preparation, along with the excitement of bringing something special to an audience. From our youngest performers to our Upper School artists, students reminded us why the arts are such an important part of the Kent Place experience.

24

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

Primary School Spring Concert

Middle School play: Alice in Wonderland

Grade 4 musical: Olympus

Upper School Choral Showcase

Upper School play: Our Town

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

25

Amalia Benke ’27 and Allison Weil ’27

Maya Hardy, Citizenship Cup recipient, the school’s highest honor

26

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIGHPOINT PICTURES

The Moments In Between Annabelle Chow, Medha Sahay, Phoebe Krowitz, Sophie Ewart, Imani Farrell, Nandini Thatavarthy

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

27

T

he Class of 2026 will be remembered for plenty of accomplishments, but its members’ defining characteristic is a bit more untraditional: a knack for finding the moments of joy in the everyday.

Over the course of their time at Kent Place, these graduates discovered that what were becoming etched in their memories were rarely the scripted milestones. Instead, they were the conversations in their lounge between classes, laughs exchanged over morning coffee as they pulled into their newly painted senior parking spots (green, of course!), and the enthusiastic cheers at big games and opening nights.

In fact, if you ask the graduates themselves, they’ll tell you their crowning achievement was dominating the Upper School’s lipsync battle four years running — a feat that required equal parts rehearsal and unabashed school spirit.

And through challenging seasons, their bond was strong as they showed up for one another, building a community rooted in togetherness and belonging.

The Class of 2026 created lasting memories from thousands of small interactions that gave meaning to the larger achievements. In fact, the Cargoes senior editors revealed their theme for the 2025–2026 yearbook: “Moments.”

As they embark on what comes next, these graduates are leaving Kent Place with a forever sisterhood and the invaluable understanding that so much of life is lived in the moments in between — and that joy is within them every step of the way.

28

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

“Don’t only think about what you want to do with the big moments. Think about what you want to do with the in-between ones.

The walks around campus.

The bus rides. The drives home. The quiet moments before something begins.

Those are the moments when you become the person who is ready for the big ones . . . So much of life happens in between the milestones.”

—PETER WERTZ, COCHAIR OF THE MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT, IN HIS FACULTY ADDRESS

Julianna Abrantes

Vivienne Vengroff ’27, president elect

Peter Wertz, faculty speaker

The Class of 2026 chose Brinkley the Bear as their senior class mascot, in memory of their late classmate Gretchen Weng.

Brooke Rosely

“The shared experience of a Kent Place education creates a unique and extraordinary bond. The people sitting with you and those who are here to celebrate you have witnessed your stumbles, your successes, your growth. They’ve known you before you knew yourself. Hold on to these relationships . . . and come back to visit, attend events, cheer on our Dragons — this place will always be your home.”

—KATIE HERBST MACHIR ’95 P ’28, PRESIDENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

29

“The most beautiful and rewarding moments of our Kent Place journeys were those that came from left turns we never planned on . . . I think what I’ll remember most about our class is not just what we accomplished, but the energy we brought everywhere we went . . . Whether through our class meetings that turned into arm wrestling tournaments, our drives into town during breaks, and our very loud music parties on the first floor, we made ordinary school days memorable and exciting by showing up for each other.”

Naomi Ravenell

—NAOMI RAVENELL, SENIOR CLASS SPEAKER

Members of the Class of 2026

Isla Naik, Kate Lee, Anna Bulto

Justine Wu

Upper School Director Debbie Fermo, Head of School Jennifer Galambos, Board of Trustees President Katie Herbst Machir ’95 P ’28

“As you cross this significant threshold and step into the boundless opportunities awaiting you, I urge you to use your voice, wisely and with compassion . . .

Remain curious. Remain open. And above all, remain connected to one another and to the vast and complex world around you.”

—JENNIFER GALAMBOS, HEAD OF SCHOOL

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

31

Amy (Rosoff) Sampson ’93 and Jessica Angell ’92

32

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

BY JENNIFER SUTTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA SCRANTON

Three decades after graduating from Kent Place, two alumnae found themselves reunited in an unexpected place: an independent school on Boston’s North Shore.

SPEAKING THE SAME LANGUAGE KENT PLACE FALL 2026

33

IN 2023, AMY (ROSOFF) SAMPSON ’93 was looking for a new job. She’d been teaching for 20 years at a magnet high school in Baltimore, where she led the English Department and helped open a writing center. She loved the work but was ready for a change. She learned about a position at Pingree, an independent school on Boston’s North Shore, which was close to her in-laws, so she tweaked her résumé, wrote a cover letter, and checked the job posting to see where to send the application. The contact was Jessica Angell, chair of Pingree’s English Department.

I know a Jessica Angell, thought Amy. A few minutes of online research confirmed that this was indeed the same Jessica Angell who’d been a year ahead of her at Kent Place. They’d played on the same field hockey teams and sat in the same classrooms but hadn’t been friends, so, Amy says, “I didn’t know anything about where Jess’s life had taken her. But I felt like this was a sign — a good omen.”

When the two women met on Zoom to talk about the job, they hadn’t seen each other in 30 years. Still, there was something unspoken between them. Jessica calls it trust. “I just knew this was a good, solid person,” she says.

As Amy puts it, “I knew we would speak the same language.”

That has proved true, almost literally. Amy got the job — because of her experience, not the Kent Place connection — and today, sitting beside Jessica in Pingree’s English Department office, she pulls a thick paperback with a red cover from a nearby bookshelf: Warriner’s English Grammar and Composition, a classic from their Middle School days. “I still have this book, too,” Amy says.

“Mrs. Scher would say, ‘It’s Wednesday, don’t forget to bring your Warriner’s’ — you’d be in trouble if you didn’t.”

“The best grammar book ever,” says Jessica.

34

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

“WE WERE HAVING REALLY PARALLEL EXPERIENCES WITHOUT KNOWING IT.” KENT PLACE WAS WHERE Amy and Jessica

learned to avoid comma splices and where the two self-described shy kids established lifelong friendships and began to take risks.

“It was modeled for us — the ability to try things out. If you fail, so what? You just try again differently,” Jessica says.

Amy first attended Kent Place for Kindergarten, then went to public elementary school.

She returned to KPS for Middle School, with little enthusiasm. “I remember my parents taking me out to dinner at Marco Polo, this old Italian restaurant, and I was crying because I didn’t want to change schools,” she says. At the same time, she says, “my parents could see that I wasn’t very jazzed about where I was. My mom said, ‘It’ll be good for you.’

She probably thought I could find a more vibrant community, and she was right.”

She initially found Kent Place’s spreadout campus and high-energy atmosphere overwhelming. “I was showing up to my classes with a huge pile of books because I couldn’t open my locker to put them away,” she says. “I remember hoping every day that I would be too sick to go to school.”

Eventually, Amy found her footing, and in eighth grade she was elected president of the Middle School Student Government. And as she read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and

Cyrano de Bergerac and, later, The Odyssey and Romeo and Juliet, she felt her identity as an “English person” beginning to form.

Meanwhile, Jessica followed her older sister to Kent Place in seventh grade and immediately got involved in athletics — field hockey and lacrosse mainly, but also basketball, volleyball, and, briefly, softball.

Despite her shyness, Jessica served as class president twice. “The small environment of Kent Place gave me the confidence to push myself in ways that I probably wouldn’t have in other places,” she says.

When she wasn’t on the field or the court, Jessica loved watching documentaries about sharks and thought she might study marine biology in college. That changed during 11th grade, when she took classes in U.S. history and American literature. Learning about the Puritans and early North American history, she says, and reading The Scarlet Letter — “it lined up for me and kind of put me on a different path.”

Other than playing on the field hockey team together, Jessica and Amy didn’t cross paths. “It’s a little weird, because we have the same memories and a common understanding, but we don’t have many literal experiences of actually being together, of knowing each other,” Amy says.

Amy (Rosoff) Sampson ’93

KENT PLACE FALL 2025

35

“IF YOU FAIL, SO WHAT? YOU JUST TRY AGAIN DIFFERENTLY.”

Jessica Angell ’92

36

KENT PLACE FALL 2025

One of their clearest shared memories is of English teacher Jane Cole — Dr. Cole.

“She made you feel like studying English was hard, and there were definite rights and wrongs, and if you were wrong, she was going to tell you, and if you were right, you felt like you were really achieving something,” Amy says. “There was a lot of close reading and seeing the beauty in the language. She had high standards and pushed us, but she also allowed us to bring our own curiosity to the material. You were in awe of her and adored her at the same time.”

When Amy and Jessica became English teachers themselves, they wanted to give their students a similar experience. Jessica recalls reading “Anecdote of the Jar,” the Wallace Stevens poem, in Dr. Cole’s class and talking about human perception and perspective. Dr. Cole held a potted plant in front of the class, then stuck a pencil in the soil and asked the students what they noticed more now — the pencil or the plant? “I’ve done that same lesson as a way to talk about perspective and ways of seeing,” Jess says.

And decades ago, Amy was asked to lead a teaching demonstration as part of her job interview at the Baltimore high school where she would spend a big chunk of her career, and she drew from On Writing Well, by William Zinsser, which she’d read in Dr. Cole’s class. “The foundation I got from reading and writing at Kent Place is a common thread through everything I’ve done professionally,” she says.

There were other teachers at Kent Place who left an imprint. When Amy got that Baltimore teaching job, she reached out to another former English teacher, Terry Kidner, for advice: “I asked her, ‘What did you do with us?’” she recalls, “because I feel like it all worked, and I wanted it to work for me, too.” Jessica still remembers the Kent Place history class in which Gail Jacobus — Mrs. J — had everyone stand on their chairs to read the Declaration of Independence aloud. After she became a teacher herself, Amy did something similar, taking students outside to read the poem Song of Myself, by Walt Whitman. “I had them really belt it out,” she says.

From Kent Place, Jessica headed to Middlebury College, then taught briefly at

a small independent school in Boston and worked as an editor at a publishing company. Amy went to Brown University and taught English for a year in Ecuador; back in the United States, she continued teaching English-language learners, mostly adults, in Boston. Both women earned graduate degrees at Harvard around the same time: Jessica in American and English literature; Amy in education.

“We were having really parallel experiences without knowing it,” Amy says.

Jessica got a job in the English Department at Pingree; Amy landed at Baltimore City College, the third-oldest high school in the nation. Amy also traveled to Finland on a Fulbright Research Fellowship, the year before COVID hit. When she returned to the United States, she began to think about her next move, which would turn out to be on the same campus as her old field hockey teammate.

NOW THAT THEY’RE TOGETHER AGAIN in a

school environment, Jessica and Amy find their Kent Place experience seeping into their lives all the time. “It’s mainly in the interactions we have with students,” Amy says.

“There’s a similar ethic of challenging the kids and pushing them, but in a way that isn’t so outlandish that it’s impossible.”

Because Amy runs Pingree’s Writing Center, she frequently works with students who are writing papers for Jessica’s classes.

Sometimes, the assignments are based on Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, which both women read at Kent Place. “We learned to think about that book when we were teenagers,” Amy says. “Now Jess is teaching teenagers to think about that book, and I’m helping them write their papers for her class. I say to them, ‘Don’t worry, I got you, because she and I know the same things.’”

Because Pingree and Kent Place foster a similar sense of community — emphasizing strong relationships between students and teachers — sometimes the students writing those papers on Their Eyes Were Watching God feel comfortable enough to dig a little deeper, Amy says. “They say, ‘Give us the dirt on Ms. Angell!’ And I say, ‘A, there’s no dirt, and B, there’s no way I’d tell you if there were!’”

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

37

give e s e v i Elect s a chanc ge nt n e u d l u p st the hat e k a to t topics t . into r to them e matt N TERSO IN

BY ER

38

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

PE

The most memorable learning sometimes happens at the edges of the required curriculum. Electives — elevated, challenging, even idiosyncratic — enable students to follow their unique passions as far as they can go.

At Kent Place, the electives are where students put the literary character Dorian Gray on trial, build working theremins, and write mathematical research papers. They’re where a tentative student walks into the room at the beginning of a course and a confident artist walks out at the end of it.

Students begin choosing those courses in Middle School. Here are just a few of them.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

39

UPPER SCHOOL

Research in Advanced Mathematics In traditional mathematics courses, students are often rewarded for speed and accuracy. But that approach doesn’t work in the Research in Advanced Mathematics elective. This class — offered only to seniors who have completed calculus — requires a different skillset entirely.

The advanced elective helps students to discover that mathematics is a field of inquiry that addresses logical reasoning, abstract concepts, and the discovery of patterns, says Upper School math teacher and department chair Spandita Majumder. “We pose problems with no immediately clear method of solution and no guarantee that a solution can even be found, so it requires a different kind of confidence.”

In this elective, students learn a range of mathematical concepts.

For example, they study Pascal’s Triangle, a pattern that can be used to understand concepts in probability, genetics, and even medical trials.

They also study bump functions, which are commonly seen in physics and engineering. Throughout the year, students pursue investigations that expose them to both classical and contemporary topics, learn how mathematicians communicate their work, and develop the skills necessary to read mathematical literature and to write formal math papers.

Students ultimately write a complete mathematical research paper on a topic of their choosing. Some have studied game theory, including the prisoner’s dilemma; others have studied topics linked to mathematical knots, chaos theory, or probabilistic models. They present their findings to the Upper School community at the annual Academic Symposium.

The skills they develop in the course apply well beyond it, says Ms. Majumder. “By the end of the course, students leave with a deeper understanding of mathematics as a creative and evolving discipline — and with the confidence to tackle complex problems in any field.”

40

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Leadership Seminar

Students refine mathematical arguments before the annual Academic Symposium.

Head of School Jennifer Galambos knows that the Middle School students who take the Leadership Seminar aren’t usually dreaming of big jobs and big roles — yet.

“At this point in their lives, they’re focused on what’s right in front of them,” she says. “But I’m also a big believer that if you can see it, you believe that you can be it.”

Over the course of a trimester, students learn about and meet a dozen Kent Place alumnae leaders.

Guests have included Emmy winners and authors; they work at Hermès and have served as lifelong volunteers. “They might be in their 20s or in their 70s — but they’re all leading in some aspect of their life,” Dr. Galambos says.

For some students, the experience is transformative. Dr. Galambos recalls one quiet student who met a Kent Place artist and was electrified by their conversation: “It unleashed a side of her I hadn’t seen — she started bringing in art for me to see, and now I have one piece that hangs in my office. That meeting opened her up to sharing her gift. That’s what I want from this class: to light a spark.”

Students engage in thoughtful dialogue, examining history, media, and multiple perspectives.

UPPER SCHOOL

Black Studies The Black Studies elective is — nominally, at least — an exploration of how history, sociology, and media illuminate Black experiences and the construction of race in the United States.

But the lesson Upper School Academic Dean Rashied McCreary is always driving at goes deeper than content: It’s that there’s never just one way to see the world or our place in it.

Students read texts such as the essay anthology The 1619 Project and the Trump administration’s rebuttal, the 1776 Commission Report. They read Jared Diamond’s Gun, Germs, and Steel and essays from Rethinking the Color Line.

One project requires them to choose an important historic moment — significant enough to have earned the front page or cover of at least two publications — and analyze how the two publications told the story differently. “I ask: What voices and perspectives were left out? How could they create a fuller recounting of this story? Neither publication will be 100 percent correct,” says Dr. McCreary.

He wants his students to feel moved — but he’s careful not to tell them what to do with that feeling. Action can look like writing policy or marching in the streets, like organizing behind the scenes or speaking loudly. What matters is that they’ve done the work to understand why they’re taking specific actions — and both the benefits and the costs of those actions.

He hopes that his students see there are many ways to act in the world to create change: “If anyone tells you there’s only one way to go about anything,” says Dr. McCreary, “they’re already lying to you. There’s always more than one way.”

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

41

UPPER SCHOOL

Advanced Fiction Workshop The Advanced Fiction Workshop helps students find their voices as writers through a deceptively simple idea: Try everything. Upper School English teacher Lisa Cohen invites them to do just that. They read George Saunders and Ernest Hemingway, Rachel Cusk and Tony Kushner.

They read short stories and one-act plays.

And all along, they write. They play with the length and focus of individual sentences.

They interview one another and shape those conversations into scenes. They do exercises that require them to closely observe the world and capture it on the page.

The exercises help them hone their craft as fiction writers, says Ms. Cohen, but the skills transfer well beyond the course. “Whether they’re writing a research paper for science or asking for a grant, the steps we work through in class are useful for whatever they end up writing.”

As a final project, students write a short story, a one-act play, or a long scene in a movie or play. But Ms. Cohen sees it as only the start.

“I hope this is a foundational experience for continuing their creative work,” she says.

42

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

UPPER SCHOOL

Engineering, Ethics, and Entertainment We’re surrounded by an endless hum — radio jingles and streaming music, video game scores and wind chimes. Most of us never stop to ask how these sounds came to be or how they’re designed to affect us. In the Engineering, Ethics, and Entertainment course, students finally do.

To get a deeper understanding of this world, students build working theremins on circuit boards, use software to distort easy-to-recognize sounds like crinkling paper into something unrecognizably different, and discuss how AI has blurred the lines between human- and machinecreated work.

Discussions can get philosophical fast: Chloe Jenkins ’28, a guitar player who has a wide range of musical interests, initially chose the class because she was fascinated by the technology of the music she liked. A class exploration of a musical device created by sound artist Laetitia Sonami, which enabled her to control sound using specific hand gestures, made Chloe reconsider how music was defined.

“I now see music as not just specifically songs, but instead something that is defined by the listener,” she says. “This definition allows any sound, or absence thereof, to be considered music.”

By the end of the class, students listen differently to the ambient sound of their lives: They learn to think critically about the steps that go into making the music, the sounds, and the media they interact with on an everyday basis.

UPPER SCHOOL

Students build a light-sensitive theremins using Arduino microcontrollers.

The Literature of Creativity Literature — whether it’s a novel by Oscar Wilde or a poem

by Langston Hughes or a short story by Kate Chopin — can feel like a world away from students’ everyday experiences.

But in the Literature of Creativity elective, Upper School English teacher Sonia Joseph makes these works feel relevant by inviting students to use them as raw material to create something new.

For Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, for example, students put Gray — a complex character who makes numerous morally questionable choices — “on trial,” with students playing judge, jury, and Dorian Gray himself. To play their roles convincingly, students must understand the text at a deeper level and build a point of view about it. “This course is about treating literature as something you can interact with, rather than something static,” says Ms. Joseph. “You can respond to what you read.”

For example, after reading Langston Hughes’s “Mother to Son,” a poem that utilizes an extended stair metaphor, students create a multimedia project that uses the same poem template but with a metaphor about something that feels meaningful to them, like athletics or nature.

The point, Ms. Joseph says, is to find creative ways to build emotional connection with the texts themselves: “I want students to enjoy literature, and to understand that they have the power to interpret literature and connect it to their lives.”

UPPER SCHOOL

Meraki Ensemble When Director of Instrumental Music Terrence Thornhill named the school’s new ensemble, he chose a Greek word, meraki, which means to do something with soul, creativity, and love.

The Meraki Ensemble, which transformed from its original iteration into an auditioned elective this fall, is designed to give students a chance to perform in smaller groups. “You learn how much your individual part matters to the group,” Mr. Thornhill says. “You learn how to take responsibility and to rehearse your own music.”

Students have numerous opportunities to perform — at morning meetings, poetry nights, and community programs around Summit.

Mr. Thornhill says he sees the value of the ensemble in the same way some might see the value of playing a team sport. “It’s so healthy, and there are many benefits,” he says.

“You don’t have to become a professional violinist to want to spend a couple of hours making instrumental music. I want this to be something students can carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

43

UPPER SCHOOL

Medicinal Chemistry Over the span of a year, students can take any of three distinct but interconnected courses about female health, anatomy, and scientific communication.

The courses pair scientific concepts with art, history, and communications skills.

My’Asia Bennett ’27, who took all three courses, says they opened her eyes to what’s possible. “It shows that anyone can contribute to this field in their own unique way,” she says. “You don’t have to be a doctor or a scientist.”

Students evaluate data after testing their slipper design.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

STEM for Humanity In a world of complex products like self-driving cars and artificial hearts, how difficult can it be to make a cozy, sensible slipper?

Students in the STEM for Humanity elective discover that it’s surprisingly challenging.

Over the course of a trimester, Middle and Upper School computer science and engineering teacher Kim Mattappallil guides students as they closely study the needs of the people they’re creating for and design a slipper built around what those people actually need.

Before they begin selecting the fabric for the upper or rubber for the sole, students select a target population — in this case, older adults — and come up with lots of questions to determine what those individuals are looking for: “Who wears them, and where? What are some potential hazards they might face?” says Ms. Mattappallil.

“Everything starts with empathy.”

From there, those answers shape the design: grippy soles and a shoelike silhouette that won’t slide off.

Students consider the sustainability of the materials, production costs, and pricing. And they learn that designs are never perfect the first time — they require minor tweaks or major improvements.

Ms. Mattappallil hopes they walk away from the class seeing design not as a technical problem, but rather as a human one. “You don’t have to create a product that changes the world, but you can actively think about who will use something and how it can make their lives better.”

44

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

Design and Innovation of Medicine Students learn basic concepts of organic chemistry as they create a synthetic progesterone molecule called Norethisterone, which is used as birth control. Then they turn to history, looking at the types of birth control that have been used in the past and the ones that are available now. As a final project, students compare two states that have vastly different laws for female reproductive rights.

Visual Representation of Medicine After studying female anatomy, the menstrual cycle, and pregnancy with near medical-school depth, students take art lessons and then combine the two, creating original work that expresses what they’ve learned. “As a class, we used art to show the beauty of childbirth,” says Jordan Hall ’27. “It was really cool to take something scientific and use art to express the emotional and amazing experience of new life. It helped me realize that even the smallest parts of science are connected to the biggest moments in people’s lives.”

Marketing Medicine to the World Students choose a female reproductive issue — endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or toxic shock syndrome, for example — and write a research review paper about it.

They also practice translating that research for different audiences, such as in elevator pitches and to the general public.

Choice projects give students the opportunity to design their own stories.

UPPER SCHOOL

Identity and the Graphic Novel By the time students land in the Identity and the Graphic Novel elective, they’ve had plenty of experience analyzing the text of novels and other written work. They know how to look carefully at the structure of sentences, the choice of words, the metaphors that thread through a text.

But Upper School English teacher Kim Lee asks them to treat that kind of analysis as just the beginning. The class requires that students — who read Art Spiegelman’s Holocaust narrative, Maus, and Josh Neufeld’s Hurricane Katrina chronicle, A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge — analyze panel size and margins, gutters, and recurring visual motifs. “Students choose this course because they already have an interest in graphic novels — and that accessibility is exactly what lets the nuance in, often before they even realize they’re analyzing it,” says Ms. Lee. In students’ independent reading, they select a book that reflects either their identity or the identity of someone close to them. Two options are Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home and Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis. “There’s an aspect of vulnerability with these conversations,” says Ms. Lee. “These are works that ask something of you.

They nudge you in ways that can be uncomfortable.”

In many ways, the graphic novels serve as something bigger for these students, who are on the edge of a major transition and are still discovering who they are. “I hope they learn a little more about who they are,” says Ms. Lee — “to figure out what they want to carry with them once they leave the class.”

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

45

KEEPING PACE CONNECTING THE KENT PLACE FAMILY

46

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

Daisy Chain, Class of 2008

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

47

KEEPING PACE SINCE LAST TIME

Chief Advancement Officer Beth Gottung (lower left) on the Amazon River during the Global Learning trip to Peru.

Dear Alumnae, One of the most rewarding aspects of my role as Chief Advancement Officer is serving as a bridge between our alumnae and our current students and their families. As I travel across the country meeting many of you at our Green and Gold on the Road events, I love sharing stories about the vibrant life on campus today; likewise, when I return, I’m always excited to provide an update on the remarkable achievements of our alumnae.

This year, I had the privilege of spending extended time with some of our Upper Schoolers when I accompanied 14 of them on a Global Learning conservation expedition to Peru with Earthwatch (which you can read about on page 7). Spending 10 days aboard a research riverboat deep in the Peruvian Amazon enabled me to witness firsthand our students’ capacity for discovery. It also left me thinking about the journeys they embark on — both during their time at KPS and long after graduation.

48

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

In many ways, this magazine is a celebration of those very journeys. Within these pages, you’ll read about alumnae who are doing meaningful work, giving back, leading, mentoring, and exploring the world.

Their paths reflect not only where a Kent Place education begins, but also the extraordinary places it can lead. For example: • Audrey Bellezza ’92. A two-time Emmy Award–nominated producer turned contemporary romance author, in 2024 Audrey was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She then cofounded Love4Lungs, a charity dedicated to helping those affected by ALK+ lung cancer.

• Kate (Swayne) Wilson ’99. As vice president of environmental and social responsibility at Vail Resorts, Kate has dedicated her career to protecting the places in which communities live, work, and play.

She credits her leadership approach — grounded in connection, authenticity, and rigorous critical thinking — to her years at KPS. • Gabrielle Sher ’11. Inspired by the books she read in her AP English class, Gabrielle pursued her love of literature to earn both an MFA and a PhD in creative writing and, most recently, publish her debut novel, Odessa.

This is just a small sampling of the brave and brilliant alumnae featured in this issue of Kent Place.

Please continue to share your own stories, updates, and milestones with us. Your journeys inspire the next generation of Kent Place alumnae to dream big.

Warmly,

Beth Gottung Chief Advancement Officer

GENERATIONS UNITE At this year’s Commencement, seven women — mothers, aunts, and a grandmother — had more in common than family ties: They were connected by generations of Kent Place diplomas. These alumnae, representing classes spanning the 1950s through the 1990s, have a special bond with the graduates who walked through the daisy chain that day. Each was presented with a daisy corsage in recognition of her role as both alumna and family member.

Anne Bugliari ’26 and Elizabeth Budd Bugliari ’59 GP ’22 ’26

Libby Franklin ’26 (center), aunt Jennifer Franklin ’89, and great aunt Janet (Mauriello) Simon ’71

Molly Brozowski ’26 (right) and Megan (McConnell) Brozowski ’95 P ’26

Phoebe Krowitz ’26 and aunt Lisa (Cohen) Lee ’86

Reilly Dangler ’26 (center), Hallee (Branin) Dangler ’96 P ’26 ’28 ’30, and aunt Kim Cornell ’84

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

49

KEEPING PACE

Audrey Bellezza ’92

The Ultimate Plot Twist: From Jane Austen Retellings to Lifesaving Research with Audrey Bellezza ’92

By Whitney Tancred ’92 Audrey Bellezza ’92 makes you smile immediately; she exudes happiness and kindness. But she’s also a go-getter. She took the tools she learned at Kent Place and went on to become a television producer and working mom. During the pandemic, when many of us binged-watched Netflix and made sourdough, Audrey and a friend thought it would be fun to write a romance novel — a modern retelling of a Jane Austen classic.

I read Emma of 83rd Street and it was outstanding, a page-turner. It was extremely well written, and I’m sure our sophomore English teacher, Edie Scher,

50

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

would have been proud. Audrey signed on with Gallery Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. Impressive, right? I remember when Audrey called me and said, “Guess what! I’m quitting my television production job. I’m getting paid to write!”

Audrey and I talk all the time. But on a call in the summer of 2024, something in her voice was different. She told me she had cancer. Stage 4 lung cancer. But how?

We consider ourselves relatively young and fit. She didn’t smoke. Turns out, if you have lungs, you can get lung cancer.

With her world turned upside down, Audrey’s go-getter energy burst through:

The diagnosis ignited her determined spirit. She started advocating for herself, seeking second opinions, meeting with leading doctors in the field, and learning about the latest scientific breakthroughs.

She started a nonprofit, Love4Lungs (Love4Lungs.org), which raises money for a vaccine targeting ALK+ lung cancer — the first in the world — through one of her doctors at Johns Hopkins. Now a prominent face in the world of ALK+ lung cancer, she uses her happiness and kindness to educate.

Let’s delve a little deeper and ask Audrey some questions, shall we?

Tell us about Love4Lungs.

Thank you, Whitney. You’re such a wonderful best friend. My nonprofit grew out of one of the worst times in my life. It’s the silver lining of receiving a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis out of nowhere, with no symptoms.

When I met with my second-opinion doctor at Johns Hopkins, Vincent Lam, he told me about his breakthrough vaccine to treat ALK+ lung cancer, which had just begun clinical trials. The first dose was administered in May 2024. This felt like hope, and I’m currently on the waitlist.

There are many variables and costs that make a vaccine happen. I had no idea, and it was Dr. Lam’s patients who were raising the funds to support him. Once I met the other ALK+ lung cancer patients and saw how their fundraising efforts were making it all possible, I knew I wanted to help. Soon after, Love4Lungs was born.

Our mission is to use the power of storytelling and media to raise awareness, fund research, and support a lifesaving vaccine. It’s incredibly exciting because it could be a cure for cancer. My incurable disease might actually have a cure!

Audrey (left) with classmate Whitney Tancred

Have you always had such a lust for life?

You’re a writer now; when did you discover your love for reading?

You have a lust for life, too! I think for both of us, that joie de vivre came from the same place: our mothers, who just happened to be best friends as well. My mom and my dad had a great attitude about life, and I grew up watching them say yes to every opportunity. I live my life the same way. Every trip out the door is an experience, so let’s try to have fun doing it. I’m also lucky my husband is as big a goofball as I am, and we’re raising little goofball boys.

One of my mother’s careers involved writing, and she’s also a voracious reader. My home was creative, with books everywhere, but my passion for it clicked when Kent Place’s sophomore year summer reading list included a book called Katherine, which was connected to Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. I didn’t know who Chaucer was, but by the end of the summer I did, because Katherine was a steamy historical romance. After that, I read everything on the curriculum — Jane Austen, Shakespeare, all the others.

What are some of your fondest memories from Kent Place?

And what made you decide to sit down and write?

My favorite memory is our senior year talent show skit, when you and I performed a take on SNL’s “Wayne’s World”— you were Garth and I was Wayne. A friend recorded it on a Hi8 camcorder, before everyone had an iPhone. The skit was comedy gold, and it still holds up.

It’s a wild story. I was working in television production and development — I’d had a long career at The Food Network and many production houses — when the pandemic struck. Television shut down, and I needed a creative outlet while stuck inside. My colleague and close friend Emily Harding and I were on the phone one

night and came up with the idea of writing a modern retelling of a Jane Austen novel.

We chose Emma and got to work the next day. We approached it in the same way we developed our unscripted television shows.

We didn’t think it would go anywhere, but once it was done (and my mother read and loved it), we tried for an agent and were beyond thrilled to sign with Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

Emma of 83rd Street came out a year before my diagnosis. Since then, we’ve written two more modernized Jane Austen novels, Elizabeth of East Hampton and Anne of Avenue A, making it a trilogy — and we’re still writing rom-coms together.

You can follow Audrey’s writing journey on Instagram @audreybellezzawrites and her Substack, https://audreybellezzawrites. substack.com.

For more information on Love4Lungs, please visit love4lungs.org and join the community on Instagram @ourlove4lungs.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

51

KEEPING PACE

Celebrating Connection: Alumnae Weekend 2026 On April 25–26, some 200 alumnae from the Classes of 1961 to 2021 returned to campus for Alumnae Weekend. Graduates across these seven decades celebrated milestone reunions, reconnected with friends, exchanged stories, honored accomplished alumnae, and experienced firsthand how Kent Place continues to evolve. Just as meaningful was the sense of connection woven throughout the gathering. More than a reunion, the weekend underscored the enduring bond among KPS alumnae — as captured in the moments of joy and community shown here and on the following pages.

1. Recognizing Legacy Donors. Head of School Jennifer Galambos welcomed a record number of guests to the Legacy Luncheon, which took place this year on Friday of Alumnae Weekend. The annual event recognizes the longstanding commitment and support of Heritage Society members, who have included KPS in their estate plans, and members of the Oak Leaf Society, who are 20-plus-year donors to the Kent Place Fund. Poet Anne (Harding) Woodworth ’61, guest speaker, recounted the impact that Kent Place faculty had on her.

2. Back in Class. Anne (Harding) Woodworth ’61 taught a poetry lesson to a senior English class.

2.

52

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

1.

(P)SLUG_SMALL_GREEN

3. Welcome to the

(P)Caption_flush-left.

Wisdom Circle. On Friday night, the Class of 1976 joined the Wisdom Circle, a special distinction earned by alumnae for their 50th Reunion. Along with alumnae who previously marked their 50th, they were celebrated with a dinner at the Beacon Hill Club.

3.

4.

4. Congratulations, Award Winners. The Alumnae Association recognized four outstanding graduates for their achievements. Pictured with Alumnae Association President Beth Oliva ’97 (left) and Head of School Jennifer Galambos (right) are Andrea Carson Tanner ’91, Alumna Community Service Award; Lizzy (Miggins) King ’11, Young Alumna Award; and Gretchen (Pfaff) Riley ’66, Barbara Wight Biddison ’30 Distinguished Alumna Award. (Not pictured: Meredith Bayse ’06, Alumna Professional Achievement Award)

5.

5. Progress in Action. The Director of Campus Operations led tours of the construction site of the Leadership Center for Athletics, Wellness, and Performing Arts. Pictured here are members of the Class of 2006, looking chic in their hard hats.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

53

KEEPING PACE

BACK WHERE IT BEGAN

1.

1. The 50th Reunion Class of 1976 joined fourth-graders for a Pen Pal tea and a chat about Kent Place then and now.

2. The Class of 1986 returns to the window seat in the old Upper School.

3. Selfie time for the members of the Class of 1966 4. Photobooth fun 5. A walk down memory lane in the archives 6. Cheers!

7. Members of the Class of 2021 share memories in the Center for Innovation.

8. 2001 alumnae on a campus tour led by Green Key student guides 9. A large crowd attended the Saturday-morning brunch to hear a school update from Dr. Galambos and celebrate the Alumnae Association’s award recipients.

10. Lots of smiles, hugs, and joy at reconnecting 11. Class Agents Andrea Carson

2.

Tanner and Liz Hines accepted the Founders Day trophy, awarded to the Class of 1991 for the highest

3.

Kent Place Fund participation.

12. The Class of 1991 celebrating the Founders Day trophy 13. Board of Trustees President Katie (Herbst) Machir ’95 P ’28 (right) honors fellow Trustee Nancy Van Duyne ’76 for her dedication

4.

and leadership.

14. The celebration culminated on Saturday evening with cocktails, dinner, and dancing.

54

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

5.

(P)SLUG_SMALL_GREEN

6.

(P)Caption_flush-left.

7.

8.

9.

12.

11.

10.

13.

14.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

55

KEEPING PACE

TOGETHER AGAIN From first hugs to familiar smiles, reunion photos capture the excitement of returning to campus and celebrating the bonds that have lasted through the years. Here are a few of the classes that reconnected.

’61

’66

’86 56

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

’91

(P)SLUG_SMALL_GREEN

(P)Caption_flush-left.

’01

’06

’11

’16

’21 KENT PLACE FALL 2026

57

KEEPING PACE IN HER WORDS

Kate (Swayne) Wilson ’99 Kate (Swayne) Wilson ’99 is vice president of environmental and social responsibility at Vail Resorts, where she leads enterprise-wide climate strategy and social impact while building and supporting a high-performing, purpose-driven team. With more than two decades of experience in environmental policy and sustainability leadership, she is known for developing talent, fostering collaboration, and embedding environmental and social responsibility into core business decisions.

My leadership approach is grounded in connection, authenticity, and rigorous critical thinking — early foundations cultivated during my years at Kent Place and carried throughout my career. At Kent Place, the bar was set high, and we were encouraged to try new things, put ourselves out there, and use our voices, within academics, athletics, the arts, and as young leaders. Teachers such as Jane Coil Cole demanded a great deal of us because they saw what we were capable of, often before we did. Experiences like those with Dr. Cole taught me the power of high expectations, paired with seeing poten-

58

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

tial, even when someone is still growing into their full capabilities — lessons that guide how I show up as a leader today.

At Vail Resorts, my role is as much about leading people as it is about leading strategy. I set direction for our climate and social priorities, but the work moves ahead only through strong, committed teams. My focus is on developing talent, creating clarity, and supporting people so they can do their best work. I lead a multidisciplinary team advancing sustainability, community, and access initiatives across a global portfolio of 42 resorts.

In particular, Commitment to Zero, our bold sustainability goal, is more than a corporate strategy for me: It reflects why I chose this work in the first place. Protecting the places we all live, work, and play (and now, where I’m raising my family, in Colorado) is fundamental to who I am. Mountains are for everyone, and that responsibility — to care for these places so they can withstand time and welcome future generations — anchors my leadership decisions.

These beliefs come to life through our community and access programs, which introduce the mountains to people who may not have grown up seeing themselves there. I often think about a youth program during which we brought a group of urban-based students to ski for the first time. As they stepped off the bus, several of them stopped, completely still — they were seeing stars for the first time. Moments like that stay with me. They’re reminders that access matters, and that exposure to nature can expand not just experiences, but also perspectives and possibilities.

One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing team members step into leadership. For example, I’ve watched someone who struggles with public speaking lead more than 50 key partners through a behind-the-scenes tour of our waste system at Vail Mountain — explaining complex work with confidence and pride. This wasn’t about eliminating fear; it was about choosing to lean forward anyway. Growth lives in those moments.

Creating space for that growth requires a culture built on authenticity, trust, and the ability to feel both known and challenged.

On my team, we begin weekly meetings with a simple leadership question — sometimes light, sometimes reflective — to foster connection. When people feel seen and supported, they’re more willing to take risks, use their voices, and lead with confidence.

Ultimately, my goal as a leader is to help develop people who can navigate complexity, challenge conventional thinking, and drive meaningful impact — using their voices with clarity, courage, and wisdom, and lighting the way for others along the path, much as Kent Place taught me.

KEEPING PACE CLASS NOTES

1939

Lisa Krieger ’73 submitted this for a dear family friend: Nancy (Nichols) Burling died peacefully on February

28, 2026, in Bluffton, SC, at the age of 105. Shortly after graduating from Kent Place, Nancy traveled to France, where she married her first husband, days before the Germans invaded. After her husband was taken as a POW, Nancy went to Paris and, with the help of the French Underground, fled to southern France, to Nice, where she worked in the American consulate. After Nazi Germany’s control of southern France forced the U.S. Consulate to close, she fled to Italy, eventually making her way to the Vatican, where she served as secretary and translator for Myron Taylor, former personal representative of the American president to the pope. After the war, Nancy returned to the United States, where she met and married Sherman Burling, of South Orange, NJ. They lived in Summit and Chatham, and later retired to Savannah, GA, and Bluffton, SC, where she loved to

swim, read, and write. She is survived by her children, John, James, and Cynthia, and their families.

1947

Anne (Campbell) Dowell annedowell@triad.rr.com

Kent Place learned that Kathanne (Harter) Webster passed away on July 11, 2026. Our condolences to Kathanne’s family and friends.

Evelyn (France) Kalagher lives in a retirement home cottage in Bennington, VT. Her house has a pond out back with at least one goose. She sometimes goes to Saratoga, where there’s gambling. Her last time there, she was lucky and won $2,500, and then hit the jackpot and got another $2,500. Her niece lives nearby and can help with shopping. Her nephew lives in the Far West but calls often.

Preusy, Helen (Preus) Mairs, lives in an Episcopal home in St. Paul, MN. “I sing in the Sage Singers, which meets weekly,” she says. “I go to group exercise daily, often walking outside. We have morning coffee, and someone from each

floor keeps the little ‘store’ going and discusses the current menus in the Pub and the Grill. Our oldest daughter, Heide, is moving here from Houston. Julia and her friend Roger are wintering in Indian Wells, CA. Elizabeth lives here and is a great help to me. Son Rob and wife Aimee live in nearby Edina. Joe, Rob’s son, works in Minneapolis, and his son, Will, is a junior at St. Louis University. We’re looking forward to trips to Lake Superior and the cabin this summer.”

Sue (Savage) Speers has been going to weddings of several of her grandchildren. She sent me a picture of the whole family at one of them, in Skagit Valley, WA. Sue lives in Kendal, in Hanover, NH, and every summer goes to her place at the lake, where she sees many of her family.

I, Anne (Campbell) Dowell, often called Camby, live in Homestead Hills, a nice retirement community in Winston-Salem, NC. I have a great cottage with a deck out back where I see lots of birds. I go to exercise classes and swim in our nice saltwater pool. I often eat with friends at our clubhouse. We have many interesting programs, and I play bridge once or twice a week. I have two daughters who live nearby and one who lives in Portland, OR. 1950

Liz (Dun) Colten lizcolten@aol.com Penny (Burley) Thomas mbtedt@gmail.com

1951

Mary-Carey (Bachmann) Churchill mcchurchill@gmail.com Becky (Kincaid) Mathewson writes

Alvene (Farrell) Carpenter ’51 P ’87 and daughter Gail (Carpenter) Palmer ’87 enjoy a visit with Head of School Jennifer Galambos (left) on Nantucket in July 2026.

from California: All is going well.

I’m more than busy with church activities. The flowers are blooming along with the weeds, and my orange trees are full of wonderful fruit. My home seems to be the perfect stopover spot for traveling relatives. What fun to have new visitors every few weeks. Keeping up with the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren is delightful. A chalkboard is needed to keep everyone’s activities straight. Each day is a joy for me, and I wish you the same.

From Alvene (Farrell) Carpenter, in New Jersey: Just got back from a three-day stay at Canyon

In Memoriam Nancy (Nichols) Burling ’39

February 28, 2026

Barbara “Bebe” (Lord) Johnston Gow ’44

March 18, 2026

Barbara (Llewellyn) Walters ’44

April 18, 2026

Jacqueline (Cochran) Dunnington ’45

March 11, 2026

Nancy (Canova) Schlegel ’46

February 15, 2026

Kathanne (Harter) Webster ’47

July 11, 2026

Frances (Holt) Covert ’51

March 26, 2026

Denise A. Offray ’70 P ’01 ’03

May 2026

Katharine (Lyons) Beyerlein ’75

December 28, 2025

Ranch, Lenox, MA, with my two daughters. It was such a fun and relaxing time. Looking forward to my granddaughter’s wedding in June on Nantucket. It will be an exciting time for the family.

I caught up with Patti (Steiner) Nathan, who is in West Orange, NJ, still very active, walks every day, does volunteer work for the Interfaith Food Pantry and also Life Town, an organization supporting children on the spectrum. Patti was a special ed teacher in the South Orange/Maplewood School District for 32 years. She has three children, one son and two daughters; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. “I’m feeling so lucky,” she says.

MJ (Cabrera) Shaw writes from Stowe that she now has her eighth great-grandchild. That might be a record for the class! Maybe if Sally (Needles) Toffey were still with us, their clan would be a challenge.

Yours truly is still enjoying Florida. Back pain cramped my lifestyle this winter for croquet and walking, but I can still swim, when I’m weightless and painless. On the volunteer side, for 10 years, I’ve

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

59

KEEPING PACE CLASS NOTES

mentored high school girls, helping them to gain free tuition at Florida colleges. Very rewarding for me, too.

Thanks for writing. There are so few of us still around; I’m sure we all feel very lucky.

1954

Marianna (Ruprecht) Mitchell mariannarmitchell@gmail.com Ellen (Smith) Corbett: After more than

30 years in South Carolina, I relocated with my partner, Bill, to Naples, FL, in January. We live independently in a community of old folks, with help close by when and if we need it. My sons live only a couple of hours away, so that works out well. Naples is a lovely area, and we’re enjoying our new community. Lots to see and do!

1957

Jean Van Orman: Because of recent

world events, a few of us living at

Princeton Windrows (Princeton, NJ) decided that though we were thinking globally, we would act locally. We’re an affluent retirement community near Trenton, with 30,000 people in poverty. We have 40 residents who each fill a grocery bag and the contents are trucked to a regional food bank. We do that every two months and expect our numbers to grow.

1958

Marty (Nettleton) Behr was named

a 2026 Falls Church Women’s History Walk Honoree for her remarkable lifetime of service and leadership in Falls Church, VA. Her dedication to advancing education, supporting the arts, and creating opportunities for future generations has left a lasting impact. Congratulations!

1959

Elizabeth Budd Bugliari GP ’22 ’26 bugliarie@gmail.com

In Remembrance Barbara “Bebe“ (Lord) Johnston Gow ’44 passed away on March 18,

2026, at the age of 98, leaving a legacy both in her life and at Kent Place.

After her time in Summit, Bebe’s life was a whirlwind of adventure, art, and athletics in Houston. A multitalented athlete, she won numerous country club tennis championships, frequently partnering in mixed doubles with former president George H. W. Bush and secretary of state James A. Baker III. Her competitive spirit extended to the game room, where she famously defeated Prince (later King) Juan Carlos of Spain in an attic Ping-Pong match — and won the requested rematches, too.

Bebe was also a gifted pastel portrait artist, a restorer of Mayan ruins, and a co-owner of a gourmet honey business. But it was her passion for words that brought her back to her roots. At age 85, she published her first novel, Seeking Hakka Bakka, followed by a second at 89, A Bright Yellow Yoyo, cementing her place as one of America’s oldest female novelists.

To ensure that future generations of writers find their voice, Bebe proudly funded a Creative Writing Award at Kent Place in honor of her influential eighth-grade teacher, Miss English.

Her legacy lives on in the Kent Place writers she continues to inspire.

60

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

1961

Doris (Hodges) Heiser: Having just

come from our 65th class reunion at Kent Place, I’m full of excitement about how our school has grown and evolved since we graduated.

I’ve long felt that KPS gave me nine wonderful years: excellent teachers and classes, competitive sports, chances to develop leadership skills, lasting friendships, great preparation for college, etc. It’s great to see the new opportunities young girls have now: For example, ethics is taught starting in Kindergarten. Wow! Anne (Harding) Woodworth:

Such fun to see old friends during Alumnae Weekend in April. After all our Zooms, it was a pleasure to see classmates in person, all of us in our 80s, and it’s as if nothing has changed since the 1960s except we’re definitely more experienced and wiser, just as KPS girls are supposed to be, right? Don’t know if we’re “lighting” any way, but we’re a cohesive class, and it showed at Reunion.

Many thanks to KPS for putting on such a beautiful time. From meals to tours, from classes to fun on our gorgeous campus, the organizational aspect was phenomenal. And the new Leadership Center is going to be fantastic — I wore a hard hat for the first time!

Green & Gold on the Road Connecting with our alumnae community is always a major highlight for us. Thank you to everyone who made our recent gatherings so memorable. To stay in the loop about what’s coming up next, be sure to check out our website and follow our social media channels. If you’re interested in hosting an alumnae event in your area, please contact Lainey Segear, Senior Director of Community Engagement, at (908) 273-0900, ext.

335, or segearl@kentplace.org.

1. San Francisco: Hosted by Nicole Elliott ’95 2. Palo Alto: Hosted by Lori (Arthur) Stroud ’75 3. Los Angeles: Hosted by the Los Angeles Regional Club (LARC) 4. Vero Beach: Hosted by Dhuanne (Schmitz) Tansill ’60 5. Sarasota: Hosted by Debby Farrington ’68 6. Delray Beach 7. Hobe Sound: Hosted by Lili (White) Durling ’72 8. Ocean Reef: Hosted by Pam (Baker) ’71 and Dan Harding (Not pictured) Miami: Hosted by Lindsay (Landmesser) Kissel ’00

1.

2.

3.

4.

6.

5.

7.

8.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

61

KEEPING PACE CLASS NOTES

1963

Louise (Hall) Grauer louise.a.grauer@gmail.com

Life after 80 has settled in, albeit with more aches and pains and other limitations. I try to stay active with hiking, tennis, and biking. I love photography and take photos, especially on my trips and for photo workshops. My husband, Ferdy, and I are still traveling and anticipate a summer trip to Greece. I’m so lucky to have my daughter and two granddaughters living in Boulder, so I get to see them often. The older is at Wellesley, and when I visited her last fall, I stayed with Shanny Schieffelin, and it was great fun to catch up.

Now here’s news from other members of the Class of ’63. Sorry for the delay, and thanks to Suzanne (Love) Talbott for nudging me.

Nancy Schieffelin: Married 50 years, I’m playing club league tennis and paddle tennis, cycling, and skiing with sons and five grandkids (for free, as a super senior 80+); and doing pro bono photography for a school for challenged kids, a daytime shelter for homeless and poor women, a national educational leadership program for unserved teenagers (YouthBuild), and Boston Roller Derby. Most important, I’m protesting all racist and fascistic actions. All of this keeps me busier than ever.

Mary (Solmssen) Heldenbrand:

After I lived in Arizona for 57 years, my children created a beautiful living space on 15 acres in Virginia. Being able to live my last years among my children and grandchildren is all a mother could ask. Even though I can’t ride anymore, I have my daughter’s beautiful horses to look at out my window. I’m very blessed.

Mary (Brennan) Gerster: I guess we all turned 80 this past year, which was a daunting landmark, but I’m happy to have made it. I’m still painting, and heading to Tuscany again in June to a wonderful organic farm outside Siena that I’ve been visiting since 2004. Mostly I’ll be painting but also doing yoga and just vacationing. Alec and I spent the winter at our home in Manchester, VT. Very cold, but lots of snow.

Usual issues of hitting 80 but still enjoying friends and family, New York City and all its treasures, and painting and reading. Grandchil-

62

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

dren are scattered among Tennessee, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Colorado, and two in Connecticut.

Hope to hear what everyone else is doing. I’m enjoying life. It goes too fast.

Suzi (Sincerbeaux) Brian: How the years have flown by! We in the Brian family, all 13 of us, are very happy and healthy. Jimmy and I retired in 2013 to an active golfing community (Anthem) near Phoenix.

We have two great courses and play at least four times a week. I love hiking, but unfortunately had to stop tennis, pickleball, and skiing (bad knee). Our three daughters, their husbands, and five grandchildren, ages 9–17, live close to one another in Superior and Lafayette, CO. We’re fortunate to live close enough to drive or take a short flight to see them. And in winter, they love to come down here to swim in our heated pool. We do go back to Vermont every summer to visit my two brothers and their families. I have very fond memories of my years at Kent Place and wish the best to all my classmates.

Karen (Long) Dwight: It will come as no surprise to my classmates that I’m still showing horses, even at age 80, although now I have a great Canadian rider, Chris Pratt, to do the job. We’re showing stadium jumpers nationally and internationally and having so much fun, even though my focus has shifted from rider to owner. I married Glen Fleischer five years ago, although we’ve been together for 24 years. Along the way, he took up my passion wholeheartedly, even learning to ride dressage himself. My son, an architect in Washington, DC, and my daughter, a lawyer who now lives in Costa Rica and Japan, are doing great and fun things in their lives, including producing three amazing grandchildren. I still think fondly of my years at Kent Place and the great friends and classmates I had there. I wish them all health and happy lives as we move into our 80s. We were so lucky to have had the foundation of our education at KPS. Dana (Brough) Boyce P ’88:

Fortunately, all is well with us here on Nantucket. Reasonably healthy, which is always a positive, given the years. Where did they go? Our major news is that we’re downsizing from a family-sized house that we

built in Sconset in 1997 to a property that we bought with our son.

It’s a three-acre lot on a private lane, so we’re far enough apart, and the street is surrounded by conservation land. That part is pretty wonderful. The real challenge is that our son and his family, with our three grandkids, get the main house and we get the cottage. That makes sense at this stage, but we moved here from Summit lock, stock, and barrel. Do we have stuff! My head is fine with it; my heart, not so much. But we’ll get it done. Both structures are undergoing major improvements, including full, usable basements with windows under each. Our cottage will have enough space overall. It’s all the things on the main floor, but we’ll figure it out. It will probably be late fall or so before we call it home.

Wendy (Jaeger) Thielbar: I lost Rick in November 2022 to a stroke.

We had 57 wonderful years!

Our three daughters each invited me to come live near her. The Pittsburgh daughter won. It’s been a good fit. I live a mile from my daughter and three blocks from the Carnegie Mellon library, museums, and concert hall. There are five colleges within three miles of my front door, and I enjoy the OSHER program at Carnegie Mellon University. It’s a friendly city with many interesting opportunities.

In 2024, Sonia (Doty) Lewis and I took a trip to Spain and Portugal.

It was wonderful — old friends are the best!

Suzanne (Love) Talbott: John and I had our 80th birthdays, reaching that milestone six months apart.We celebrated with a road trip through New Hampshire, part of Maine, and Tanglewood, MA. I spent my birthday with my old Peterborough friends, Nancy and Steven Tripp, who live in Newmarket, NH. The beauty of New England in July is beyond imagining. We visited old friends and familiar country places, places I taught, New England College, Franklin Pierce College, and back to our alma maters, Smith and Dartmouth. The area around Cannon Mountain, where I used to ski with Shanny and other classmates at Franconia Notch, is lovely. The drive between there and St. Johnsbury, VT, is exquisite. To top off our celebration, we went

to England in October on a small Rabbie’s tour of Devon, in Cornwall, which was delightful and really highlighted the culture. Then we sailed on the Princess to Normandy, and John went to the beaches while I went to Rouen Cathedral. We were delighted to see Gehry’s Bilbao museum and the pilgrims’ Camino of Santiago de Compostela. We then scooted around Madeira in a tuk-tuk before sailing across the peaceful blue Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale. There was also a trip to Colorado to see our daughter in Glenwood Springs, and I went to Santa Fe, NM, for Christmas with friends from Morristown, NJ. All this travel was a good idea because on January 2, we were greeted with an unhappy new year when John had a stroke. He was paralyzed in his left arm and leg and is still in skilled nursing rehab, but his brain is as sharp as ever. It’s amazing how your life can change in a snap. His nursing home is more than an hour away, so driving up there and back consumes most of my time when I’m not involved with AAUW meetings, Nova activities, and just socializing with friends. I belong to three book clubs, play bridge, and took an oil painting class in January. PT and yoga keep me going. Divesting of stuff is an activity now. I was very lucky to find a home for my international doll collection in Peterborough, NH, at the Mariposa Museum. Also, you might see my wedding dress someday if you go to the history museum in Roswell, GA. Now I have to figure out what to do with all the pottery and baskets I’ve collected over the years. I imagine everyone else is trying to figure out what to do with stuff, too.

Life at the beach has been limited to one or two days a month.

Would very much welcome any KPS classmates who want to spend a few days in Venice, FL. Just send me an email or text. We live in an active community called Island Walk, which was a fairly quiet place until the developers got hold of it during COVID, and now there’s a whole new town next to us called Wellen Park, where I used to ride with my bike group through tall grasses and palms and no buildings.

I believe there are now 10,000 new homes there.

It’s hard to believe that our oldest daughter and her husband are about to retire from teaching, in Glenwood Springs, CO. We may gravitate in that direction if we need the old people’s place. (Does anyone know of a rent-only assisted living company that has facilities in New England in the summer and in Florida in the winter? The idea of moving back and forth seems like a good one.) Hope you’re all doing well; miss hearing from you.

1964

Gail (Giblin) Flynn gailgiblin29@gmail.com

1965

Dr. Janet B. W. Williams jbwwny@gmail.com Susan (Looney) Solomon: My

husband, a retired Connecticut College economics professor, and I, a retired special ed teacher, live in Branford, CT, near the Sound.

We still ski, and I play in a New Haven orchestra and enjoy taking Romance language classes at Conn and SCSU. Fortunately, one of our children lives in Connecticut and the other in New York City.

1966

Linda “Lindy” (Burns) Jones finallylbj@gmail.com Lyn (Barr) Hoyt: Alumnae Weekend

THEN & NOW: SCHOOL SPIRIT

School spirit has always been a part of the Kent Place experience. It shows up in the cheers from the sidelines, the applause after a performance, and the pride we feel when our students accomplish something extraordinary.

We’ve always loved this photo of Kent Place cheerleaders from 1956/57 — a reminder that while traditions may change, the energy and enthusiasm of our community remain strong.

Today, there’s no official cheer squad, but the spirit continues through our Pep Squad, who bring the crowd to life and close out our Thanksgiving Assembly each year. It fills the stands at athletic events, including this spring’s historic first-ever state championship lacrosse victory, and comes together during Sport and Spirit Days, sponsored by the Parents’ Association.

The Dragon spirit continues to unite generations of Kent Place students.

What was your favorite school spirit memory at Kent Place? We’d love to hear about it; please email communications@kentplace.org.

was awe-inspiring! I loved seeing current students and the facilities in contrast to our reminiscences from 1966. Even more inspiring were classmates who’ve accomplished so much in the arts and business, as well as personal wisdom that was shared. It was heartening to reconnect with many old friends: Betsy, who led the festivities; Nia, who kept me in the loop; Linda, with whom I hope to hike a nearby trail soon; and others I hope to visit.

I walk every day, spend time with friends and family, and cultivate my garden with an eye to natives and pollinators. It’s a never-ending project, but gardening is healthy for you!

1968

Barbara Wiss barbarawiss@gmail.com

1969

Gay (Garth) Legg gaylegg@gmail.com

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

63

KEEPING PACE CLASS NOTES

1970

Harty (Platt) du Pont hartleydupont@aol.com Lisa Schmucki lisaschmucki@gmail.com Denise Offray P ’01 ’03 has passed

away, and we extend our condolences to her daughters, Claudia

Offray ’01 and Jaclyn (Offray Garrity) Ellison ’03, and the rest of her

family. We all have great memories of Dede. She had so many facets, and it’s very difficult to accept that we’ve lost someone who brought so much light to our lives. From her legendary, wildly comic side to her kindness, love for her children, and outstanding generosity, Dede was also a serious innovator. While dealing with breast cancer years ago, she developed an innovation for the reconstructive surgery she endured. I don’t remember the details, but I recall her enthusiasm.

She later used a similar application for a spaceship. In her later years, she was often private, and she brought dignity to whatever she endured. In her professional life, Dede worked diligently to run her family ribbon business and preserve its historic legacy.

I remember just how incredibly generous she was in her donations to charity events.

I (Harty) saw her not long ago.

Her face was still so lovely. A smile infused with the sun itself, and behind the keen sense of life — a glimmer of the perpetual humor she always courted and a promise of laughter always present in her blue eyes.

Kate Debevoise writes: I have so many memories of Dede, including skiing trips — she was an excellent skier. Friday lunches with her hardboiled eggs and tuna, and those of us in her chemistry lab will remember the bridge to Bermuda. She was also a star on the trampoline team.

And always laughter. She took over her family’s ribbon company, worked really hard, and branched out into making a special heat-resistant protective fabric that was used in spacecraft. I also remember that Dede had breast cancer quite a long time ago, from which she recovered. So many memories. I wish we had seen more of her in recent years.

Lynn (Daeschler) Magrane P ’00 ’02, ever the class cheerleader,

64

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

is still dedicated to teaching at Northern State Prison in Newark.

“Even after 24 years,” she says, “each day is new and exciting.”

She and Scott welcomed their 10th grandchild: “We’re so blessed to be near eight of them in New Jersey, and we see our other two in Alaska a couple of times a year,” she writes. Their youngest son, Teddy, is getting married this summer in Krakow, Poland.

Lisa Schmucki is happily engaged in all things KPS. She reached out to classmates to help Joy Weiner organize a Memorial Day reunion at Joy’s home in Dutchess County.

She had lunch recently with Karen Rezach, Director of the Ethics Institute at Kent Place, and always loves hearing about its programs. She also loves visiting Detroit as much as possible, where her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson (age 5) now live.

It’s great to hear from Liz (Allen) Post. Now that winter has passed, with lots of skiing in Aspen, she’s been spending a few weeks in the warm waters of Cozumel with Bill and Henry. Liz volunteers at Wheeler Opera House, “staying in the 1800s,” she says. “Hugs to all.”

Hallie (Klopfer) Lent is still on the eastern shore of Maryland, and we’ve stayed in touch consistently all these years. She continues to embrace her love for flowers and gardening. In addition to her wallpapering business, she and her artist husband, Roger, like to escape to their camp in rural Pennsylvania, where they spend lots of time hiking and fishing. Hallie also sings in a local group.

We’re all thinking about Mary (Prendergast) Kinney, who had to miss our class get-together due to a medical procedure, and we’re sending all our love. She hasn’t lost her characteristic sense of humor: “Sending have-fun vibes! Hugs, Mary, the ghost/absentee senior of ’70,” she wrote.

Judy Chamberlain, who’s keeping up with her horse activities, is also “knitting lots of Norwegian resistance hats,” she writes, and was at the reunion.

However, Liz Van Lear is having an ankle replacement and had to miss the weekend “unless,” she said, “a fairy godmother was able to whisk me away.”

Liv Eltvik was originally reluctant to return to the United States because of the current political climate, but she suddenly had a change of heart — and came after all!

Patti Kummel, Chris (Scott) Walden, Caroline (Butterworth) Forsman, Betzi (Ulrich) Powers, Kim Noling, Emmy (Perina) Katz, Carolyn (Stickney) Gregson, Kate Debevoise, Beth Sullebarger, Valerie McEntee, and Lis Bensley were all at the

reunion. Lis says she’s still working on her book, but given how diminished the publishing world is, she’s considering a shift to photography.

“It may be a better medium for me now,” she says.

Talented Tricia Tunstall just won another award! She’s being celebrated this time by the South Orange Maplewood Adult School for community activism and support of lifelong learning. She’s also having a wonderful time playing with her female pop trio, Broadband. On a sad note, her sister Leslie ’72, whom we all remember fondly, passed away in November 2025.

Christina (Mennen) Andrea is always doing good deeds. Living by the adage “To whom much is given, much is required,” Chrys has always epitomized putting generosity into action. “Life is good here for all my family,” she writes. “We made a donation to the Children’s Hospital and have been given naming rights to the main atrium entrance.”

Chrys is involved in many organizations, and she plans to support them for years to come. She dearly hopes her family will continue her work, eventually taking over the reins and supporting all the good she does through the Andrea Mennen Family Foundation. She’s still an avid golfer but has recently given up skiing, preferring instead to do jigsaw puzzles and play with the dogs in the snow. She likes cooking, watching movies, and driving the family back and forth to ski runs.

Meantime, her son Adam has finally “found his person,” and they’ve moved into a new home together.

Chrys expects that they’ll soon marry. Her two young grandsons are growing up to be courteous and bright. But she worries, as many of us do, about the future. “I’m praying for the world to find peace, and I’m horrified by the wars that rage overseas,” she writes. “Why can’t we

all just get along on this planet God has given us all?”

Emmy (Perina) Katz writes, “Since last July, Bruce and I have been rather quiet with our hiking adventures. I had a total hip replacement and slowly worked on walking farther and farther.”

Undaunted, Emmy is the infallible mountain woman. She started skiing in early January and ended in the last week of March. She enjoyed a fabulous ski season. “I’m not the greatest skier,” she writes, “and with my new hip I’m especially timid.

Bruce and I ski differently. I liken it to a dog that runs away only to return and run off again, always to return. Once Bruce makes sure my wax is okay, we give each other our possible routes and off he goes. We usually cross paths at some point.

It’s almost like a surprise when we see each other. He takes a picture of me, we chit-chat, we give a little kiss, and off we go again, catching up at the lodge to eat lunch and drive home.”

In April, she took a three-generation girls trip with Marilyn and young Emma, age 10. They had planned to go to San Francisco for a week, but Marilyn changed course and got them booked at Disney for five days. “Somehow,” says Emmy, “I kept up with all the power walking between rides in the Magic Kingdom, Animal World, and Epcot.”

Emmy’s son, Ethan, is a lawyer with the Navy JAG. He met his wife, Chiaki, shortly after his first duty port, in Yokosuka, Japan.

They married on February 14, 2025. She’s a dentist specializing in endodontics. Ethan was sent to Guam last fall, and Chiaki is an auxiliary dental worker in an office there, alongside two general dentists and one endodontist. When Ethan’s tour of duty is finished, in July 2028, Chiaki will hopefully have been admitted to a dental program for foreign dentists so she can get a U.S. license.

Now it’s gardening time. “The garden will consume the next four to five months,” she writes, “with planting and then harvesting. Last year was a disaster with raccoons, crows, groundhogs, and drought.

But it’s now time to plant, so who knows when I’ll be on that mountain. One thing I do know is

that I need to hike to be in shape for more mountain trips. I do miss the Himalaya.”

Buff, Amy, and I (Harty) weren’t able to make the Memorial Day reunion at Joy’s home, as we needed to travel elsewhere, but I want to acknowledge Joy’s incredible bravery and generosity in offering to host us all. I visited my grandchildren in California that weekend. I’m still chair of the 1754 Society at Columbia University for the School of the Arts, and I also give an annual art prize in my parents’ names, Helen and Adrian Platt, as well as a prize in my name, the Hartley du Pont Fellowship Award. The university is also creating a “spirit award,” combining merit and spirit, to be named after me.

1971

Jamie Gifford-Modick jamie.giffordmodick@gmail.com

We almost made it! Not for a reunion, but for a Zoom call, as we did for our 50th Reunion, with guest Mr. Wrangham. This year, maybe we can do a Zoom reunion as we did before. With time zones from the West Coast to Europe, not so easy to coordinate, but it’s possible! Here’s some news from our classmates: Robin (Cavallaro) Weber and her husband, Paul, moved last year to North Carolina after 46 years in New Jersey to be near one of their sons. “We actually live on Pleasant Road. How could that be bad?” she writes. She responded to a question in this issue’s In Her View — “I like the idea of writing a Post-it for my younger self ’s locker: “Your parents are wiser than you realize.

Listen up!”

Janet (Mauriello) Simon saw Blake (Rimbault) Zoephel at an art exhibition at The Pingry School.

“I recognized her right away,” Janet writes, “and had a nice catch-up with her husband. I ride by Kent Place frequently, and the massive construction project, including an art center, is moving along. The campus has changed a lot; however, it still has the most important original buildings.”

Pinny (Bristol) Kuckel has another children’s book, called Pamela’s Flamingo. It’s about a flamingo who is cold and her family of assorted animals who help her get warm.

Available at store.bookbaby.com. So, for all those grandmothers out there . . . And she recommends Susan Cory’s latest Iris Reid mystery, The Forger’s Daughter.

Michele Ory and I would love to revisit the States (actually, because a 99½-year-old aunt passed away, I’ll be over for her memorial ceremony and visit with Pam and Rosie, although I’d planned to keep my distance at least until this spook, this swing toward autocracy, comes to an end). Michele writes that it’d be marvelous to see classmates again, “but right now, I’m not really enthusiastic about traveling to the States.”

Wish I could write more about classmates, but I’m stuck filling some lines on myself! Please don’t be so shy for the next issue!

Took a great ebike trip down the coast from Porto to Lisbon with two cousins and my brother and our partners. After finishing this column, I’m off to Crete with Klaus, back in time for Rosie and Pam, and then a week with girlfriends in the German Alps for very light hiking. After that, Tønder Festival (country/rock), in Denmark, and finally a month of traveling through Canada with Klaus and University of Wisconsin Madison friends.

In between, our local foodbank celebrates 30 years, and I have the fun of organizing the raffle — going to all the stores to get prizes and, unfortunately, explaining why the foodbank is necessary. And last but not least, after 46 years and a changed law, I’m finally able to keep my American passport and have dual citizenship, having passed the language and citizenship test.

So come the next elections, I can vote for who I want in government positions. When you read this, I hope my vote has also counted for the midterms — and that they were allowed to take place.

Here’s what’s happening with other classmates, who shared their news directly with KPS. Connie Murphy: I’m looking forward to a trip to Africa in August.

Barbara (Weiger) Lepke-Sims: In July, I’m presenting a workshop on the benefits of live therapeutic music for patients, families, and staff at the One Harp World Conference, in Toronto. This is a combined conference for the American Harp Society and the World Harp

Congress. Also, I recently became president of the USA International Harp Competition, which takes place in Bloomington, IN, every three years.

Janet (Yeaw) Carhart: We welcomed grandbaby number four on April 26. Washington Merritt Carhart cruised in at 9 pounds, 6 ounces, and was delivered at home.

Everyone’s doing well, and, needless to say, we’re thrilled!

Amy Shinn: I ventured down to New York City from Maine in mid-April and saw classmates Kathi Paton, Debbie (Baldwin) Fall, and Patty (Brundage) Copley.

Ellen (Hoffmann) Wallop ’69 will be

forwarding a photo from our lunch get-together. Patty’s sister, Susan (Brundage) Thorp ’67, rounded out our rendezvous. I enjoyed visiting the museums and my nephew. I was impressed that the tulips and cherry trees were blooming, and there were even leaves on the trees. Our spring in northern New England is a few weeks behind. It’s been seven years since I retired. Time flies when you’re having fun.

Deborah Besch: My husband and I finally made the move to Maryland after living in Texas for 51 years. I live five miles from Evie Edwards in Westminster and had dinner with Liz Parker and her husband in Frederick in March.

1975

Patti Neale-Schulz pattischulz1919@gmail.com Kent Place learned from Katherine (Lyons) Beyerlein’s husband, Steve

Beyerlein, that Katy passed away on December 28, 2025. Our condolences to Kathy’s family and friends.

Catherine (Walbridge) Allen: Betsy Krementz and I traveled with my sis-

ter-in-law to Great Exuma, Bahamas, for a nice getaway in February. Such a treat to explore together. Reconnecting with so many classmates at the reunion makes me want to do more adventures together. Amy (Troxell) Powell and I were thinking that a trip to the National Parks with classmates might be in our future.

Tricia (Paterson) Graham: In November 2025, my husband, Duane, and I went on a cruise on the Rhône and enjoyed going through the wine country. Plus, we stayed a few days in Paris. My son, Paterson, practices cardiology in New Orleans. He and

his wife, Hallet, have four boys, ages 19 months to 8 years. Grandsons are wonderful! New Orleans is a two-hour drive from Mobile, AL. I’ve learned to play mahjong, and in March of this year, I chaired a mahjong tournament to raise money for Mobile’s Child Advocacy Center.

This organization helps sexually abused children and I’m on its board.

The tournament raised $20,000!

1978

Patricia (Friedman) Marcus balibliss@yahoo.com Karin (Bain) Kukral: My husband,

John, and I are enjoying our first grandchild, Sylvie, who lives in Denver with her parents. We get to see her about every six weeks and she’s a mini-me!

1979

Peg (Houghton) Kennedy maggie9194@gmail.com Julia (Clancy) Sands: My daughter,

Madeline, was married in September 2025. Susan (Sisto) Cusick and Kim (Haiback) Clyne attended.

1980

Joy (Charles) Kay P ’08: I recently

celebrated 10 years as executive director of the Montclair Inn, an affordable senior living facility. Bryan and I have been married for 39 years and now have four grandchildren.

Thankful!

1981

Kathryn (McDaniel) Nenning kathryn@nenning.com

1982

Hildy (Rivera) Jackson: I retired recently, after 26 years of teaching, from the Warren Township Schools, in Warren, NJ. Now I have unlimited time to finish all those projects around the house, travel with my husband, Mike, go to the theater, and spend time with family.

1983

Phyllis (Wood) Breese phwb@yahoo.com

1984

Jennifer Thomas meezertee@gmail.com

1986

Susan Gibson nibbles.inc@gmail.com

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

65

KEEPING PACE CLASS NOTES

1987

Ginny (Boyer) Losito glosito@me.com Lisa Marie Cramp: Sadly, in October

2024, while celebrating Mom’s birthday, she unexpectedly passed away. I spent the summer of 2025 (seven months) cleaning out a 58-year-old home in New Jersey, every nook crammed with items of value to my grandparents and my parents — the most difficult time in my life. I’m still working on my mom’s estate and taxes, which is a never-ending task. I’m a social worker, and I work with kids with trauma, but I’m taking a break to do some grant writing and figure out what’s next in life. An upcoming cruise to Alaska is something I’m looking forward to!

local vet hospital for the summer.

I’ll be presenting once again at the Shenandoah University Children’s Conference on story and STEM sparks in the library.

Katie (Johnson) Lewandowski:

Melissa (McCarthy) Madden melissamccarthy@me.com

Unfortunately, I have some bad news. My mother, Elaine Johnson, who worked in the KPS library for years (~1983–1991), died on January 2. She had Parkinson’s disease. The house certainly seems too large without my mom there, but my dad is managing fine. He was her primary caretaker in the years after her Parkinson’s diagnosis. We miss her very much.

Sarah Bunting: My first turn around the Class Agent track went swimmingly, thanks to my ’90s sisters really turning out — well done, ladies! I got to see Kerry Lee for dinner recently, after too many years. She seriously looks the same, it’s amazing!

1989

1991

1990

amazing. It was so special to be together and to see the incredible things happening at Kent Place. My former morning moderator pal Liz Hines and I found ourselves drawn to every microphone we saw, and Aimee (Cullen) Reali P ’23 ’29 and I were able to breathe new life into our once-famous Hans and Franz skit (see pics of both). Many thanks to all the folks at KPS for a wonderful weekend, and for our participation trophy. Well earned and well deserved, I must say!

Meredith (Skochin) Holland: My daughter, Grace, finished her first year playing lacrosse at Boston College, where, funny enough, she has a teammate, Emma Claire Quinn, who is KPS Class of 2024! It’s been fun talking Kent Place with her and her family.

1988

Vanessa E. King squamlake@gmail.com

Maren (Eisenstat) Vitali mevitali@comcast.net

Happy spring to everyone, although it will be fall by the time this edition of Kent Place comes out. I hope all of you temporary empty-nesters enjoyed the summer with your children at home and everyone made great memories to keep them warm through the winter. My boys are home for the summer after successful first years. I’m enjoying every minute of it! Kelan loved being a freshman at Gettysburg College, the same school his older brother graduated from. Aidan is back from St. George University of Veterinary School, in Grenada. Both boys will be working full time at a

Births Katty Hargrave-Kerns ’09

a daughter, Margaret (Maisie) Hargrave-Kerns November 18, 2025 Courtney (Alpaugh) Simmons ’09

a daughter, Ruby Claire Simmons April 1, 2026

66

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

Andrea (Carson) Tanner acarsontanner@gmail.com Amy Allen: Our 35th Reunion was

1993

Courtney (Mead) Nagle courtney.a.mead@gmail.com Cherie Alcoff: I’m still living in

New York City and working in the hedge fund business. I can’t believe it’s been almost 33 years since we graduated. Whitney (Sayia) Reid lives around the corner from me, and our boys go to St. David’s school together. My son, Gregory, shares

Justine (Kay) Pearson ’08, Joy (Charles) Kay ’80 P ’08, and baby Jasmine Pearson at the 2026 Black Cultural Association panel on April 28, when Justine spoke about her experiences as a business owner in media

my love of tennis and squash. We get down to the Gaspariella Inn in Boca Grande every March and play tons of tennis together. Gregory turned 12 this year and is already better than I am! He was confirmed in May. 1994

Christina (Dughi) Tonzola ctonzola@gmail.com Meghan Alexander: Life has defi-

nitely stayed full and busy these days as I get ready for daughter Kaylyn’s graduation from Fordham University while serving as a fulltime cheerleader and taxi driver for my 10-year-old son, Charlie, and all of his sports activities. I’m still working as a literacy specialist, but I recently transitioned from the elementary level to the middle school level, which has reminded me why I was so excited to get to high school back in the day. I’ve also been lucky enough to reconnect with Missy

(Conlin) Archuleta, AJ (Poor) Murphy, Christina (Dughi) Tonzola, and Heather (Carey) von Zuben during

trips back East.

1996

Rachel Platt racheldplatt@gmail.com Amy (Zucker) Kohen amykohen@gmail.com

1997

Kate (Mattern) McGee katematternmcgee@gmail.com

In April, I got together for a girls weekend in Scottsdale with some of my nearest and dearest: Clementine (Martin) Illanes, Cassandra (Bujarski) Bergsman, Amanda (Radsch) Wipperman ’96, Cory (Lehrhoff) Beirne, Molly (Moore) Johnson, and Tracy (Malm) Matthews. We hiked and wine-tasted in Sedona, dined out, and spent the weekend reminiscing/pretending we were young again. We’re so lucky to still

have each other after meeting 33 years ago at KPS! Amanda Golden coedited The Poems of Sylvia Plath, a new, annotated edition of Plath’s Collected Poems, with Karen V. Kukil. The volume contains almost twice as many poems as her Collected Poems (1981), including all of her early ones. It was published in May by Faber and Faber.

1999

Iris Blasi iris.blasi@gmail.com Cynthia Keenan cindy.keenan@gmail.com

2000

Christine Ryan ceryan@gmail.com Ashley (Pinakiewicz) Smallwood: Our

moved to Jackson, WY, this May, so if you’re visiting Grand Teton, please reach out. I’d love to reconnect with KPS friends (old and new) for a hike or coffee.

2005

Cara Manket cara.manket@gmail.com

2007

Nida Abdulla nida.11.abdulla@gmail.com Caitlin Black cblack@fandm.edu Sara Santos sarajosantos@gmail.com

2001

2010

Erin Sauchelli e.sauchelli@gmail.com

2003

Gina Ferraioli ginaferraioli@gmail.com

2004

Laura Kleinbaum lkkleinbaum@gmail.com Courtney Bird: I started working

at the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, which means I get to help protect one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. We

and global health equity resident at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston. My training is split between Massachusetts and Lesotho, where I clinically care for patients with HIV and multi-drug-resistant tubercu-

losis. I’ve also remained involved in policy research with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime through the Regional Academy of the UN, and am pursuing an MPH in clinical effectiveness. Can’t wait to finish residency next year and start an infectious disease fellowship.

Lydia Deutsch lydia.deutsch@gmail.com

My husband, Andrew, and I (Courtney) welcomed our second daughter, Ruby Claire Simmons, on April 1. Everyone is doing well, and big sister Jane (3½) is being the best helper.

Katty Hargrave-Kerns: We were excited to welcome our daughter, Margaret (Maisie) Hargrave-Kerns, into the world on November 18, 2025.

2002

Ivana Kohut: I’m an internal medicine

2006

family made a big transition this year, relocating from Westchester to the United Kingdom in search of Yorkshire puddings and green fields. I’ve also moved my U.S. organizational development practice there, where I’m officially known as The Smallwood Group. We’re so lucky to be in such a lovely place and would love to connect with any KPS alums across the pond. I saw Lauren (Bouffard) Young, Jennifer (La Rosa) Peterson, Michelle (Mohr) Nash, Erinn (Johnson) Constantino, Danielle (Mulligan) Kinney, and Maya Lobban ’12 before moving, though I wish I’d been able to see everyone else. Guess that means you’ll all have to visit!

Kimberly (Frye) Alula kfrye05@gmail.com Sara Pickett-Tucker saralizpickett@gmail.com

2014

2008

Allison Oberlander oberlander.allison@gmail.com

2009

Courtney (Alpaugh) Simmons courtney.simmons513@gmail.com Allison Goldberg afg813@gmail.com

Carly Uhlman carly.uhlman@gmail.com

2011

Lizzy Miggins lizzymiggins@gmail.com Malina Welman malinawelman@gmail.com Kendall Beeman: I’m dean of stu-

dents at Marlborough School, a girls school in Los Angeles very similar to Kent Place. Shout-out to Ms. Murphy and Ms. Gordon, because I now know just how much you did for us. On June 20, I’m getting married to Adam Torson by a lake in Minnesota.

2012

Victoria Criscione victoriaacriscione@gmail.com

Megan Llewellyn-Jones ’25, a member of the Kent Place Singers and Chamber Singers for her four years on campus, sang at Carnegie Hall with her Colgate University Choir in March 2026.

CLASS NOTES DETAILS

• Notes will be collected via Google Form. You’ll receive a link to this form from your Class Secretary or, if your class doesn’t have a secretary, directly from the school.

• Digital photos should be a high-resolution JPEG image (1M or larger) with a caption. We request that photos include alumnae (with the exception of newborn photos).

• Editorial staff will edit, format, and select all content based on space constraints and will work to incorporate as many notes and photos as possible.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

67

KEEPING PACE CLASS NOTES

MOMENTS

1.

1. Louise (Hall) Grauer ’63 and family on Mother’s Day 2026 2. Eileen, daughter of Mary (Brennan) Gerster ’63, and her three girls, Bella, Grace, and Kate 3. Mary (Brennan) Gerster ’63 and family celebrating her 80th birthday 4. Dana (Brough) Boyce ’63 P ’88 and family: son Alex and his three kids;

2.

daughter Sara ’88; Dana and husband David; and daughter-in-law Erin 5. 1963 classmates Sonia (Doty)

3.

4.

Lewis and Wendy (Jaeger) Thielbar in Toledo, Spain, on their trip to Spain and Portugal 6. Elizabeth (Allen) Post ’70 with son Henry and husband Bill on a Cozumel vacation 7. Elizabeth (Allen) Post ’70 and family celebrating her mother’s 100th birthday 8. Emmy (Perina) Katz ’70 on a warm day skiing at Bretton Woods, NH 9. Emmy (Perina) Katz ’70 and Bruce with their family 10. Deborah Besch ’71 and Tyler

3.

Anderson at their new home in Maryland 11a. and 11b. Tricia (Paterson) Graham

5.

’75 and husband Duane in SaintesMaries-de-la-Mer, France, and in front of the Arc de Triomphe 12. Karin (Bain) Kukral ’78 at her daughter Julie’s wedding on the Oregon coast: son Jimmy, Julie, John, son-in-law Austin, Karin, and son Johnny 13. Family photo from the wedding of Madeline (Sands) Wallach, daughter of Julia (Clancy) Sands ’79 14. “Retired twins”: Hildy (Rivera) Jackson ’82 with her friend Laura

7.

15. Lisa Marie Cramp ’87 on a trip from New Mexico to New Jersey 16. 1991 classmates Amy Allen and Liz Hines testing the mic during Alumnae Weekend

6.

68

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

9.

8.

10.

11b.

11a.

11a.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

69

KEEPING PACE CLASS NOTES

18.

2.

17. 1991 classmates Aimee (Cullen) Reali P ’23 ’29 and Amy Allen flexing with the Founders Day trophy, awarded to their class for highest Kent Place Fund participation 18. Cherie Alcoff ’93 and son Gregory in Boca Grande, FL 19. Confirmation of Gregory, son of Cherie Alcoff ’93, at the Church of St. Thomas More in New York City 20. Meghan Alexander ’94 and family 21. Missy (Conlin) Archuleta ’94 visiting Meghan Alexander ’94 in Colorado 22. 1994 classmates AJ (Poor) Murphy and Meghan Alexander at Fordham University 23. 1994 classmates Meghan Alexander, AJ (Poor) Murphy, and Heather (Carey)

17.

von Zuben, along with Amy (Heather’s mom) and Kaylyn (Meghan’s daughter) 24. The Poems of Sylvia Plath, coedited

by Amanda Golden ’97 and Karen V. Kukil 25. 1997 classmates in the Arizona mountains: Cassandra (Bujarski) Bergsman, Kate (Mattern) McGee, Tracy (Malm) Matthews, Amanda (Radsch) Wipperman ’96, Clementine (Martin) Illanes, Cory (Lehrhoff) Beirne, and Molly (Moore) Johnson 26. 1997 classmates at dinner: Clementine (Martin) Illanes, Cassandra (Bujarski) Bergsman, Amanda (Radsch) Wipperman

19.

’96, Cory (Lehrhoff) Beirne, Molly (Moore)

20.

Johnson, Tracy (Malm) Matthews, and Kate (Mattern) McGee 27. Dabney ’31, daughter of KC (Anthony) Artemenko ’98 P ’31, and Molly ’30, daughter of Maria (Fekete) Brugg ’98 P ’28 ’30, after their lacrosse win against Pingry 28. Lee Smallwood, Ashley (Pinakiewicz) Smallwood ’00, and Amelia “Millie” Smallwood in their new UK neighborhood 29. Jane (3½) and baby Ruby Simmons, daughters of Courtney (Alpaugh) Simmons ’09 30. Maisie, daughter of Katty HargraveKerns ’09, on her first vacation 31. Ivana Kohut ’14, a third-year resident in internal medicine and global health equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

70

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

21.

22.

25.

23.

24.

26.

27.

29.

28.

30.

31.

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

71

WITH WISDOM

15 MINUTES WITH . . .

GABRIELLE SHER ’11 Gabrielle Sher ’11 graduated from Hamilton College, where she received the Rosenfeld Chapbook Prize for her novella, Bowerbird.

She then earned her MFA and PhD in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. Odessa is her first novel.

When and why did you decide you wanted to be a writer? I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been a big reader, and even to this day, reading a book has not lost its feeling of being something close to miraculous. It’s real-world magic, and I wanted to be a person who could wield it.

Are there any KPS classes that influenced your path as a writer? In my junior year, I took AP English with Ms. Gentile. We read The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison, and The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien. They helped me learn to think in a new way. Suddenly, there were endless possibilities that I’d never considered for the craft of storytelling. Those books still inspire me.

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give about getting started in today’s publishing world? I teach writing classes for The Writers Circle, and I tell my students that writing is not something you do all at once; it’s something you chip away at a little every day over months and years. It’s a practice, and it becomes a part of who you are. I approached finding an agent and a publisher in much the same way. I didn’t try it once and give up when I didn’t get the outcome I wanted. I just kept trying.

What trait do you most admire? I think the coolest people are the ones who really care about something, who work hard and relentlessly at it, and who share their passions without embarrassment. I believe embarrassment is the biggest obstacle to creativity. I like to be inspired by the world around me, but I’m the judge of what’s fun, interesting, and rewarding.

72

KENT PLACE FALL 2026

“I am thankful for all of the wonderful educators who have challenged and inspired me; be that in the fields of arts, theater, music, sciences, literature, history, language, ethics and beyond. As a lifer, I feel so blessed for my entire time at KPS.” -Charlotte Grushkin ’25

Every gift, no matter the size, shows your support of our mission.

Scan the QR code below or contact Anna Fisher, Director of Annual Giving at (908) 273-0900, ext. 227, or fishera@kentplace.org.

www.kentplace.org/give-today

Kent Place School 42 NORWOOD AVENUE SUMMIT, NJ 07901 42 NORWOOD AVENUE WWW.KENTPLACE.ORG SUMMIT, NJ 07901 KENTPLACE.ORG Please forward any address changes to the Kent Place School Advancement Office updateinfo@kentplace.org

WE ARE

LACROSSE STATE CHAMPS!

“This historic achievement is a testament to the grit, dedication, and culture of excellence these student-athletes and coaches have built all season. Seeing the community out in full force to support them was unforgettable, and I congratulate everyone on cementing the team’s legacy,” says Vicky Browne, Director of Athletics.

Read more about our exciting win on page 4.

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S.POSTAGE

PAID

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ PERMIT NO. 1