The Kew-Forest School Alumni News
welcome home W
elcome to the 2014 issue of The Kew-Forest School’s Alumni Magazine. In this edition, you will find information about our upcoming Alumni events, updates from your fellow classmates, current news about Kew-Forest, and, as you will notice, a theme of traditions. Traditions are important to any organization, and perhaps no more so than our Alma Mater. Our formative years are shaped by our experiences, and Kew-Forest gave students like me and you the opportunity to learn both inside and outside the classroom. One of my favorite Kew-Forest memories is going to Forest Park for Field Day. I was on the Red Team for twelve years, and I remember that the intense rivalry surrounding the end of the day Tug-of-War event was put aside for a picnic lunch, during which Red and Blue called a détente to enjoy our day together. Field Day is still a special day for current Kew-Forest students. For one day in the spring, our students learn about friendly competition, sportsmanship, and team work outside of the classroom. As you read this issue, keep an eye out for essays written by fellow Alumni about their favorite memory at Kew-Forest, and meet some of our Alumni that currently have children enrolled in the school. These Alumni are keeping the tradition of Kew-Forest alive and well.
I hope that this magazine will be an opportunity for you to catch up with classmates and keep the Kew-Forest tradition alive yourselves. I hope you are inspired to share your favorite memories, make a donation to the Ad Summum Fund, get involved (see page 10!), and come back for Alumni Reunion Weekend 2014! All the best, Erica Lin ‘05
save the date
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lease make note of the following dates for Alumni during the 2014-2015 school year. We hope to see you at each event! You will receive both paper and e-invitations for each event, as well as information about how to R.S.V.P.
Forest Hills Meet Up TBD: Early Fall 2014 Alumni Reunion 2014 Saturday, October 18, 2014 Young Alumni Reunion 2015 Friday, January 9, 2015 15th Annual Benefit Gala Saturday, April 25, 2015
k-f: a family tradition Noelle Shearman ‘87 and Micaela Brown ‘23 Left: Fisher, ‘26, Micaela, ‘23, Noelle ‘87, and Ethan Brown
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first entered the doors of The Kew-Forest School in the fall of 1975. I was five years old and starting the first grade. Scared, nervous, and overwhelmed by all that was new, my teacher, Mrs. Reichert (then Ms. Cross), quickly allayed my fears. She held me close and told me all about the wonderful things we would be doing that year. She was right. It was a fabulous year full of wonderful adventures, cooking classes, friendships made and tested, relaxing rug time, and those marvelous M&M spelling bees! I was hooked, and twelve years later I graduated. When I walked out of the gymnasium on graduation day, I wondered if and when I would ever come back to the school that had been so pivotal in making me who I was and who I strived to become. 22 years later, in the fall of 2009, I again entered the doors of Kew-Forest. This time, I held the hand of my four-year-old daughter, Micaela. She was nervous just as I had been so many years before. I too carried some apprehension in my heart that day. So many things looked familiar but
inexplicably different at the same time. Kew Forest had been such a home for me. Would it carry the same feeling, the same sense of family for my daughter? Our fears began to dissipate several feet within the doors of the institution. Chris Spelman, my Latin teacher, friend, and mentor for so many years embraced me and welcomed me back. He smiled warmly at my daughter, and we shared a knowing laugh about how quickly time passes. Somewhat fortified by the encounter, Micaela and I continued our trip down the middle school hallway and up the lower school staircase. At the top of the stairs, I was immediately struck by another familiar face. There was Mrs. Reichert as she had been so many years before. I introduced her to my daughter, and we reminisced about my first days at K-F. I asked if she still held M&M spelling bees. To my dismay, she did not, but she appreciated the memory and explained Jolly Ranchers were her new reward of choice. Steps later, we were greeted by
Mrs. Manos, my second grade teacher. To me, she looked exactly the same, and her effusive warmth, care and genuine concern filled Micaela and me with reassurance, familiarity, and a sense of confidence. Ms. Connolly, the new Pre-K teacher, welcomed Micaela to her classroom. She assured my daughter that the year was going to be exciting, rewarding, and of course, fun. She would be there to help her every step of the way. The next day, I walked Micaela to class again. Mrs. Reichert came to find us. She presented me with a bag of M&Ms, a simple gesture that meant so much. There is one vital “tradition” at Kew-forest that carries on. It is the absolute excellence of its teachers. They are educators not simply of math and English but of life and the skills needed to navigate its winding roads. It is the whole child that is nurtured and cared for by the “old” and “new” teachers alike. It is a “tradition” that the school and its children depend on.
class notes 1947 J
im Greene ’47: Our best news is that while creaky both my wife, Rosalyn, and I are still here and enjoying my two sons and four grandchildren, plus her three sons, seven grandchildren and 4.5 great grandchildren. When not keeping up with their activities, we volunteer in various ways, spend time at her Delaware beach house and flyfish locally or for trout mainly in Montana or false albacore on he Outer Banks. Ros, a retired psychologist,continues volunteering to teach English as a second language. The Maryland Trout in the Classroom program which I started some years ago is now in over 70 schools statewide and still growing. Also I continue on the Board of the state chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association, several local conservation organizations and manage my little fly-tying company, Waterwisp Flies.
1984
1967 V
ikki Stark ’67: I’m currently living in Montreal where I'm a psychotherapist, author of two books, blogger, speaker and retreat leader. I'm the director of the Sedona Counselling Centre of Montreal.
2007 A
nthony “Tony” Iliakostas Tony Iliakostas (Class of 2007) will be graduating from New York Law School in May 2014 and will be sitting for the New York and New Jersey bar exams. Tony has built a brand in law school through his sports law video blog "Law and Batting Order." Tony hopes to work in sports and entertainment law upon graduation.
K
aren Nelson ’84: I am now the Head of the School of Architecture at the Boston Architectural College. We have revised our curriculum so that undergraduate and graduate students are working on integrated projects across disciplines [architecture, landscape, interior] and course areas [building technology, design media, studio].
1971 S
tu Shapiro ’71 has been named Director of Public Relations for the Palm Beach County, FL chapter of American Mensa.
a legacy of alumni Gabriel Koatz ‘14 and Fernando Koatz ‘75
Left: Gabriel and Fernando at Gabe’s K-F graduation in June 2014.
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here are many aspects of Kew-Forest that have not changed over the course of 40 years. The recognizable and unique gym walls and the signature senior wall are two wonderful examples of KF school tradition. Another thing that has not changed is my and my dad’s appreciation for Kew-Forest and all that it has offered us. Whether it is from the class of 1975 or the class of 2014, we both share many similar memories that will remain with us for the rest of our lives. Both my dad and I had very small graduating classes (I had 33 kids, my dad, 32). From this small group, we both have formed life-long friends. We both believe that Kew-Forest also helped shape our futures in giving us the opportunities to get into great colleges. My dad is a graduate of both The Columbia University and The Georgetown University Law Center. I just recently got accepted into The Tisch Center for Sports Management in NYU. For this, we are forever grateful.
For me personally, I have enjoyed specific aspects of Kew-Forest life that were not available to my dad back in his days at the school. The newly installed rockwall in the gym and the modernized library tech both have been a joy to use. Certain classes I will never forget include International Relations with Mr. Gordon, and English with Dr. Sipley. Both teachers have shaped my interests in their respective subjects and have been constant models of work ethic and knowledge. These are just some of the great facets of Kew-Forest life that I will miss and will never forget. My dad can also attest to my deep-rooted appreciation for Kew-Forest. Although there was no library tech and track playground, there were many unforgettable moments. When my dad was living in the 70’s, he fully embraced the culture of the time. A long-haired hippie, my dad was always involved in political disputes, even with his own teachers.
His history teacher and longtime Kew-Forest teacher Mr. Heredy, once kicked my dad out of class over a clash they had over a political discussion. The next day, Mr. Heredy allowed my father to address the entire history class so he could explain his position without argument. My dad always appreciated the fact Mr. Heredy allowed him the opportunity to express his point of view and he enjoys telling this story and will remember it for the rest of his life. The Kew-Forest School has offered many great experiences to the both of us. We both share similar thanks to the teachers and faculty throughout the years that helped form our high school experience. Even though we graduated in different eras, Kew-Forest has been consistent in its positive effect on our lives.
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it’s a k-f thing...
his spring, we asked the senior class to reflect on what Kew-Forest has helped them achieve. Seen here through photos and words, the Kew-Forest traditions that have been valued for almost one hundred years are still alive and well on Union Turnpike.
Kew-Forest helped me achieve great relationships that will last forever. – Grace ‘14 Entering Kew-Forest, I began the journey of finding my voice. –Amy ‘14 Kew-Forest has helped me achieve a sense of responsibility. –Raphael ‘14
K-F has helped me learn that the best person I can be is me. –Diandra ‘14 K-F has inspired me to achieve success, greatness, and respect of others. –Rashaad ‘14 Be aware of the importance of humanitarianism. – Natalia ‘14
To see the world and the dreams beyond.- Bryan ‘14 K-F helped me to learn about American culture and to become a better writer. – Anonymous Kew-Forest has helped me achieve everlasting friendships. –Celeste ‘14
15 ways to stay involved 1. Attend Kew-Forest Alumni events (Erica Lin) 2. Update your email address in the Kew-Forest database so you receive your Alumni magazine straight to your inbox (Erica Lin) 3. Donate to the Ad Summum Fund and strengthen The Kew-Forest School for future generations (James David) 4. Refer a prospective family to The Kew-Forest School (Henry Horne) 5. Serve as an Alumni Representative and help boost Alumni attendance at Kew-Forest events (Erica Lin) 6. Stay in touch with our Faculty and Staff. They love to hear of your successes! (Erica Lin) 7. Send in news of Kew-Forest Alumni to our Alumni Relations Coordinator for the Alumni magazine (Erica Lin) 8. Let the Head of the Upper School know of any intern positions at your place of employmentwe can always send high school students and recent graduates your way! (Louise Grotenhuis) 9. Hire a Kew-Forest graduate- you know that they received a great education here! 10. Call or email a former classmate- no time like the present to get in touch! 11. Come back to campus to speak to current students- help us create the portrait of a graduate (Erica Lin) 12. Include The Kew-Forest School in your estate plans (James David) 13. Update your contact information (especially your email address) in the Kew-Forest Alumni directory 14. Follow life at The Kew-Forest School on Facebook 15. Host an Alumni event in your home (Erica Lin)
The Kew-Forest School • 119-17 Union Turnpike Forest Hills, NY 11375 • www.kewforest.org • elin@kewforest.org