NCS Magazine: Spring/Summer 2024

National Cathedral School

Social Sciences teacher David Sahr facilitates a discussion with his Middle School class.

Alumnae

Barbara

From the Head of School

In one of our most cherished yearly traditions, we recently had the pleasure of celebrating the MONUMENTAL Class of 2024 at Commencement. As these 71 talented and accomplished young people accepted their diplomas and officially transitioned from NCS students to alumnae, I was moved by the qualities and strengths they hold that are also core to who we are as a school.

Perhaps what has stuck with me the most as we transitioned from a successful year of learning, challenge, growth, and friendship to the slower pace of summer is how sustaining the web of relationships provided by an NCS education can ultimately be. We have known for some time that NCS is a relational place and that the friendships forged here are ones that withstand the test of time. What is perhaps less discussed, but as important to understanding the true and lasting value of what is offered here, are the ways in which our relationships enable learning, accelerate creativity, proffer challenge, and foster excellence.

I attended a conference this past year in which an educational psychologist I admire spoke on the importance of “bridges that bear weight” to a student’s educational journey. In the simplest sense, this concept names relationships as the bridges between developmental milestones and speaks to the importance of their strength in helping students build resilience and establish identity. This phrase comes back to me often because I believe that at its core, NCS is a place that excels in building bridges that bear weight.

In this NCS Magazine, we offer you a window into our programming that is intentionally built around this thinking and demonstrates one of the reasons our school is so special. In our coverage of Reunion Weekend, you will find alumnae connecting with each other and students, as well as their teachers, whose voices many still hear as they rely on the skills learned in their classrooms to excel in the courtroom, the boardroom, the studio, and beyond.

You will see a celebration of excellence through collaboration in our story on the making of the Middle School play, A Wrinkle in Time. From coming together as a cast and crew with a shared purpose to offering a polished and complex performance that entertains a community, our students learn to work together to balance complex tasks and to take a risk to perform in front of others. We know that in a true community, an individual’s ability to excel depends as much on their peers as it does on themselves alone, and so much of what is learned at NCS depends on that very concept. I speak often about the “water we swim in” at NCS being an integral part of what makes an NCS education what it is. In a school full of diversely talented, independent, and motivated students, there is no limit to what individuals can achieve precisely because they have the benefit of learning from and with one another in pursuit of a shared purpose.

As you read the Flag Day speech by Amelia Hanbury ’24 and explore her reimagining of the classic camping adage, “leave no trace,” you will no doubt recognize the intrepid spirit of an NCS student empowered by her classmates and teachers, ready to embrace the world’s challenges with an understanding of her own ability to adapt and make a positive impact. Similarly, you will see the power and

creativity borne of confidence, community, and a space in which to learn and experiment in our feature on the Lower School makerspace. A physical representation of the power of relational learning on student confidence and capability, the makerspace offers a place to exercise creativity, engineer solutions to real word problems, and collaborate with peers and teachers.

Finally, in the piece on the transition of our Alumnae Advisory Group (AAG) leadership, we see the importance of NCS connections that last as our alumnae enter their adult lives. We see the ways in which the skills that come with an NCS education manifest throughout one's career, and how community lasts even after Commencement through the powerful and committed women who lead the AAG.

As you make your way through the Magazine, I wish you a sense of joy and recognition in the staying power of a collaborative and relational NCS education. In addition, I send you my own wishes that you had a restorative and fun-filled summer!

Warm Regards,

Elinor Scully Head of School

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Elinor Scully

HEAD OF m A rk E ting & CO mmuni CA ti O n S

Lara Ponomareff

m A n A ging ED it O r

Natalie Moran

CO ntri B uting ED it O r

Lynn Horowitch

DES ign

Kate O’Neil

PHO t O gr APHY

NCS faculty, staff, alumnae, parents, and friends

Duaa Adam

Lisa Boggs

Adam Hirsh

Lynn Horowitch

Natalie Moran

Rachel Naft

2023–2024 n CS

g OVE rning BOA r D

Chair: Laura Puryear

Vice Chair: Mieka Wick ‘93

Secretary: Linda Keene Solomon ’82

Membership: David Ayres

Mariann Budde

Chris Calsyn

Matthew Cutts

Kim D’Abreu

Jason Goodwin

Franca Gutierrez

Elizabeth “Liz” Hayes

Suzanna Kang

Cidalia Luis-Akbar

William “Bill” Lynn

Lucy McBride ’91

Tushar Patel

Carmen Perkins

Kevin Perry

Michael Rankin

Roland Reynolds

Elinor Scully

Antonio Sierra

Gay Truscott ’80

Teresa “Teri” Walters ’80

News From the Close

NCS Celebrates MLK Day of Service

NCS, St. Albans, and Beauvoir families braved the snow to come to the Close for a meaningful and impactful Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. In its 10th year, this NCS and STA Upper School Service-Board-led event featured excellent presentations and varied service opportunities.

Attendees heard from former NCS science teacher Dr. Margarita Womack, now an entrepreneur and the founder of Latin Goodness Foods, whose signature brand is MasPanadas. Dr. Catherine Crosland ’88, medical director for Homeless Outreach Services at Unity Health Care, also addressed the audience. She attended with her mother, Page Crosland ’57, who worked for several years at the Capital Area Food Bank.

Attendees engaged in activities that supported housing- and food-insecure neighbors, and local refugee families. They worked together with students and families across the Close in interactive activities.

Lower School Spellers Excel in Local Bees

For the second straight year, NCS held a Spelling Bee for all Lower School students. The three winners, Naomi W. ’30, Lulu M. ’30, and Marigold R. ’31, participated in the D.C. Citywide Intermediate Spelling Bee, with other Washington, D.C. students in Grades 3–8. Marigold tied for sixth place. Naomi tied for first place and then competed in the D.C. City Bee in March. Congratulations to our accomplished spellers!

CBS’s Norah O’Donnell Delivers Janet Griffith Lecture

On March 6, CBS Evening News anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell delivered this year’s Janet Griffith Lecture on International Affairs. O’Donnell, who was introduced by her daughters, Grace T. ’25 and Riley T. ’26, is also a contributing correspondent for 60 Minutes and the host of Person to Person. During her time at CBS News, O’Donnell was a co-anchor of CBS This Morning and the network’s chief White House correspondent.

In her remarks to Upper School students, O’Donnell highlighted lessons in leadership shared by global figures throughout her travels. Citing women including Malala Yousafzai, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Madeleine Albright, Oprah Winfrey, and female leaders in the U.S. military, O’Donnell discussed the many incredible achievements of women around the world in the political, media, and entertainment worlds. O’Donnell also described some of the challenges women face and offered some pieces of advice. She

encouraged students to trust their instincts, to speak up when something is wrong, and, when facing obstacles, to be “stubbornly strong.”

O’Donnell recounted how she was inspired by a book, Why Women Should Rule the World, by former White House Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers. She explained that she has encouraged Myers to follow it with a book called How Do We Teach Our Girls to Rule the World?

The Janet Griffith Lecture was established in 1998 to honor Janet Griffith, a dedicated former faculty member who founded the school’s International Program. That Program has evolved into NCS’s current Global Education Program, one of the key components of the Center for Ethical Leadership and Service. The Lecture brings to campus each year a distinguished guest. Past lecturers include Madeleine Albright, Ngozi Iweala, Julia Alvarez, Bishop John Bryson Chane, Betty Bao Lord, and Habiba Sarabi.

She encouraged students to trust their instincts, to speak up when something is wrong, and, when facing obstacles, to be “stubbornly strong.”

New Position for Blumer as Associate Head of School

Starting in July, Paige Blumer will move from her role as Middle School head to a new position as associate head of school.

During her 17 years at NCS, Paige has served in multiple roles, including advisor in Middle and Upper School, English department chair, and most recently as head of Middle School and assistant head of school for academics. In her new role, Paige will continue to supervise the department chairs on curricular innovation, partner with the three division heads to execute on the recommendations of our most recent Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools (AIMS) reaccreditation, and be an integral part of the team that builds and executes NCS’s next strategic plan.

Williams Berry Returns to Serve as Middle School Head

Educator Ryann Williams Berry, who served most recently as Middle School director at Holton-Arms School, returned to NCS this summer as Middle School head. Ryann worked at NCS for nearly 12 years earlier in her career, as an English teacher and Assistant Director of Admissions. An accomplished teacher and much-admired colleague, Ryann received the NCS Class of 2004 Fellowship Award in 2015. About her return to NCS and the Close community, Ryann says, “I could not be more ecstatic to be devoting myself to NCS’s powerful mission, rich Episcopal traditions, and focus on the power of young women.”

Diversity Forum Explores Equity Challenges in STEM

On April 17, NCS held its annual Diversity Forum to delve into the theme, picked by the Upper School Equity Board, of “Science FAIR?” The entire community convened for an engaging keynote address by Fig O’Reilly, who talked about her experiences in the STEM field, including the educators who helped her “unlock the key to what was possible.”

Faculty/staff and guest facilitators ran a series of workshops for Lower, Middle, and Upper School students, and Lower School also students enjoyed a Hackathon run by Upper School members of Girls Who Code.

Topics included Binary Code Jewelry, Cyber Security, and Cryptography. Upper and Middle School students ended the day with a talent show, showcasing the wide-ranging and wonderful abilities in the community!

Three-peat for Swimming and Diving Team!

The Upper School Swim & Dive Team won its third consecutive District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) Championship! During the season, swimmers shattered six school records and achieved individual and team recognition.

At the DCSAA meet, Natalie G. ’24 and Ellie D. ’25 shared the Most Outstanding Performer award with another student. Both were also named All-League in the Independent School League (ISL).

The ISL Champion 200 Freestyle Relay Team of Natalie, Sofia V. ’26, Adele M. ’26, and Ellie were named ISL All-League. They were also named All-League for their win at the Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swim Dive League (WMPSSDL). They broke the school record in that event by more than three seconds.

At the ISL meet, Willa F. ’25, Sofia, Ellie, and Natalie broke the 400 Freestyle Relay record. A week later, at the WMPSSDL meet, the NCS team, with Adele competing

with Sofia, Ellie, and Natalie, broke the 400 Free Relay record again.

Natalie broke the school record in the 200 Individual Medley, set in 1989 and, later in the season, broke another school record in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 57.71, breaking the previous record of 58.03 set in 2013.

Ellie broke NCS’s records in the 50 and 100 Freestyle. The 50 Freestyle was the school’s longest-standing swimming record, held for decades by Sarah Clemitt ’83. Upon learning the news, Sarah sent Ellie a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a gracious note, that included, “I was happy to hold the record for so very long and am honored to pass the torch to you.”

WINTER SPORTS

SPRING SPORTS

Q&A

with Alumnae Leaders

Teri Allen Walters ’80 and Barbara “Lou” Rollinson ’77, the former and incoming presidents of the Alumnae Advisory Group (AAG), respectively, both have multi-generational connections to NCS. Their daughters, sisters, nieces, and daughters' godmothers also went to NCS.

Teri and Lou have devoted themselves to NCS as alumnae leaders. They sat down with Director of Alumnae Engagement Chloe Cogo to discuss alumnae bonds, opportunities to engage, and NCS’s upcoming 125th anniversary.

by:

Director of Alumnae Engagement

Chloe: Tell me a bit about the alumnae community.

Teri: There are amazing women from every generation who've done so much. The earliest friend I have is from the Class of 1958, all the way to people even younger than my daughter Tasha, who graduated in 2018. I love the Reunion Weekend Alumnae Awards Luncheon because I get to hear about the award winners and all the important things they're doing in the world.

Lou: Over time, I've gotten closer to some people I barely knew while at NCS. That shared experience makes it easy to connect even decades later.

Chloe: What has been NCS's impact on you specifically in terms of your life, your path, and your family?

Lou: For me, it’s an incredible community. I remember weeping on my graduation day because I was leaving this place that really had become my family and had become a part of me. At the same time, I left here feeling prepared for the world.

Teri: My NCS friends have showed up for me for every important event of my life. There was a pretty big contingent who showed up for my retirement from the Air Force, my daughter’s NCS graduation, and many that came to my mom's funeral just a few weeks ago.

Chloe Cogo

Teri Allen Walters ’80 & Barbara “Lou” Rollinson ’77

Interview

Chloe: That’s true sisterhood.

Teri: It really is a lifetime of friendships and love.

Chloe: Each spring, I tell the seniors that they are entering a new chapter of their relationship with NCS that will last a lifetime.

Teri: That's exactly right. You meet people on different terms as adults and have conversations you would never have had as a student.

Chloe: What was your first alumnae volunteer role and what inspired you to take it on?

Lou: My first alumnae volunteer opportunity, I was not yet an alumna! The alumnae executive board wanted a student representative, and I was that rep. I still remember them talking about financial aid. And as a student who was on financial aid, it was very interesting to me that the alums were thinking about that and whether there would be ample funds. So that stuck with me forever.

Teri: My first alumnae volunteer role was either attending a Reunion or attending a Board of Visitors event.

Chloe: Teri, do you have any advice for Lou as she embarks on her presidency?

Teri: She is just so fantastic. I don't know what advice I could give her. Right now, she takes our ideas and makes them happen—she's the make-it-happen girl!

Lou: What I need from you is not advice, rather a promise that you'll keep collaborating with me to generate those ideas.

Chloe: And Lou, what made you want to serve as AAG president?

Lou: When I was asked to be on the AAG three years ago, and I knew that Teri was the president, I joined without hesitation; because of her enthusiasm and her ideas, and, frankly, knowing her because she was my classmate Vanessa's little sister.

Teri: It’s family.

Lou: One of the last conversations I had with my mom, I was telling her how much I appreciated her foresight and thought to send us here. I was like, "It has been such a big part of my life."

Chloe: What would each of you say to an alumna who's looking to get more involved with NCS?

Teri: Just do it. If you're local to D.C., maybe come to an event first, come back to school, come to a Cathedral service, and then ease in and figure out what you like to do. Do you like to write? Then be a class representative. Do you live far away? Get in touch with your regional ambassador and go to something or host something. It’s a great way to meet people of different ages and generations from all over.

Lou: I feel like opportunities can be as simple as, come to the happy hour that the Alumnae Advisory Group is hosting as a Reunion kickoff event. It's not your Reunion year, who cares? Maybe you were friends with people in the years below you or above you, and it's their Reunion year. It's a great chance to get to talk to them. I can't wait for next year's event because it will be Teri's Reunion year and there are so many sisters between my class and hers. It's going to be amazing!

Teri: Five or six sets of sisters.

Lou: At least! But honestly, getting involved is even easier than that. If you want, call Chloe and tell her what you're interested in, and she will plug you in.

Teri: Think about creating touch points. For example, during Reunion, anybody who was in Chorale who wants to sing, get together and perform a song at the Memorial Service, or whatever it is that you were part of, get people to be involved in that.

Chloe: What is most exciting for both of you about the 125th anniversary milestone next year?

Teri: I guess still being here, celebrating all the women who have come through these halls. It's a big deal for a school to have that kind of history. I also think about the vision that started this place and how it's all our responsibility to be involved and nurture it into the future.

Lou: My hope is that there will be so many alumnae who are excited to come and celebrate, and when they walk through the doors, they will make connections that will encourage them to stay involved.

Chloe: Any final thoughts?

Lou: NCS has prepared women to be...

Teri: Everything!

“I like the way the show comes together: at the beginning it’s just people reading lines but at the end everyone is acting and wearing costumes and the lights and sound and set come together to make a whole world on the stage… ”

Alma R. ’29 Ensemble I

by Lynn Horowitch

The Making of A Wrinkle in Time

After their final performance in early March, the Upper School cast and crew in the NCS–St. Albans production of The Addams Family musical "struck" their set in Trapier Theater. Meanwhile, the cast and crew of the Middle School production of A Wrinkle in Time, a story about three children who set off on a time-traveling, intergalactic adventure, were quite literally waiting in the wings.

With only six weeks, minus two for spring break, to rehearse and build the set before performances in mid-April, rehearsal time in Trapier Theater is tight. Plus, Director Chris Snipe, Lighting Designer Mark Bishop, Costume Designer Anne Liberman, and Scenic Designer Greg Lampasona have plans to

tell the story in a creative and ambitious way. For example, the 50-page script has 200 sound cues, compared to 120 in a typical school play. The first page alone has 30!

Spoiler alert: all the elements came together for two nights of a heartwarming, compelling, and technically sophisticated production. Along the way NCS students had fun, learned new skills, gained confidence, and built connections with the four faculty members and with their peers from both NCS and STA. For many, the experience amplified and solidified their love of the theater.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at how the production evolved in six short weeks from the printed script and sketches on a page to colorful and dynamic performances on the stage.

February Learning Lines in the Lower School Assembly Room

With auditions and callbacks completed in early February, the cast meets after school to read through the script in the Lower School Assembly Room. Chris, the director, sets an early deadline for the students to learn their lines. He is well aware of the tight timeframe for adding numerous props and dynamic scenery, as well as complex technical elements once rehearsals move to Trapier Theater. The script includes 15 location changes. The main characters “tesser” or travel through time and space six separate times, requiring elaborate and coordinated lighting, sound, movement, and props to make the effect credible.

Laying the groundwork in Trapier Theater

Early March

Now in Trapier, under Greg’s watchful and supportive eye, the lighting and tech crews get to work. Before students can begin manipulating the lights, they build a metal scaffold that allows them to reach the fixtures hanging from the ceiling so that they can apply colored films. As the students wrestle with the decking and guardrails, Greg hops onto the structure to help. Later in the week, in the theater shop room underneath the stage, Greg oversees the set crew as they create the base of the platform that will span the rear of the stage. First, students measure equal lengths of 2x4s. Then Greg helps each of them take a turn with the table saw.

“I developed patience extremely important for plays and musicals, especially during pre-tech or any time when you have to redo a scene.”

Amara O. ’28—Happy Medium

From Concept to Curtain: Lighting

In the lower level of Woodley North, makeup and costume crews initiate their creative processes. Anne asks students to sketch asymmetrical designs on paper, mocking up how makeup will look on the actors playing the other-worldly residents of Camazots. In the costume room, Anne also helps students cast stitches on crochet hooks and knitting needles, beginning a patchwork shawl to be worn by the Happy Medium, played by Amara O. ‘28.

Actors begin to learn blocking—their positions on the stage—and work on remembering their lines. Chris delivers feedback to the cast and run crew gently and with a smile. Alma R. ’29, an actor in Ensemble I, says, “I really appreciated the sensitive way notes were given and the overall positivity of the atmosphere.”

Mid-March

Adding Props, Lighting, Backdrops, Sound Cues, and Movement

Now off script with the plywood platform assembled, the actors and crew members who move elements of the set during scenes begin to hit their marks. Chris has the Ensemble create

“Everyone had fun with each other on stage and off and was really a community.”

Charlize H. ‘29—Teacher, Dark Force

the tessering effect while waving fans and running in a circle. The fans are rehearsal props, stand-ins for the broad streamers the Ensemble will wield in the final rehearsals and performances. Choreographer Katie Harris Banks attends a few rehearsals to help the students learn to move gracefully and smoothly.

Members of the cast are gaining new skills. Tyler R. ’28, who played the role of Mother, says, “I learned more about my personal acting ability and how to become my character.”

For Natalie E. ’28, part of the Ensemble and also part of Aunt Beast (below), the knowledge gained was specific and practical. She says, “I learned to always project [my voice].”

Working with supervision from Mark, the light crew gains proficiency in working the light boards. He helps the stage managers “call the show,” identifying the appropriate times to say “Go” to advance light and sounds to the next cue.

From Script to Show Time: Costumes

A design for Aunt Beast (by Theater teacher Anne Liberman)

Taking shape with help from Caroline R. ’28

Aunt Beast, played by Jaedyn S. ’28, Natalie E. ’28, and Titi M. ’28, scares Meg, played by Arisa Y. ’28

Early April Finishing Touches

Back from two weeks of spring break, the costume crew puts the finishing touches on the masks, headgear, and appendages that will conjure the mystical nature of the more whimsical characters from far-off planets. The makeup crew practices their sparkly and intricate designs. Eighth grader Nikki I says, “I learned how to use makeup to create a galaxy-like illusion on peoples’ faces.”

The central platform at the rear of the stage is painted, and fabric drapes from the ceiling to frame the platform. Rehearsals incorporate lighting changes and sound effects.

Actors are entirely off-script, adding nuance to their lines and precision to their movements. The production is at the point where the added elements help the actors conjure the other worlds in the play. “I learned how to fold curtains, some new tongue twisters, and how it feels to wear a crown braid,” says Alma R. ’29.

Supporting Roles

The days leading up to the performances require everyone’s time and full attention. Early in the week, when nerves begin to surface, Chris reminds the cast and crew that they support one another and assures the group that he supports them. It’s evident that they’ve formed bonds and built trust in one another —something they’ll benefit from in this final stretch.

Monday, the actors are in costume. Tuesday, full hair and makeup. Wednesday, a photographer comes to record the show. Thursday, an audience of invited guests provides the first experience in front of a live audience. Friday and Saturday: show time!

For Chris, Tech Week is when the “magic happens.” He says, “It starts out disjointed and discombobulated. Then suddenly, the show gets tighter and something clicks. You have real characters telling a story with confidence.”

“Honestly, I never knew I'd practically fall in love with theater.”

Titi M. ’28—Aunt Beast (head)

From Page to Performance: Hair and Makeup

Making Magic

The performances are lively and fun, earning enthusiastic rounds of applause. The students are left with new friends at NCS and St. Albans and enhanced appreciation for the theater. Charlize H., a seventh grader who played the Teacher/Dark Force, says, “Everyone had fun on stage and off and was really a community.

For Titi M. ’28, one of the actors who played Aunt Beast, the experience of acting on stage was memorable. She says, “Honestly, I never knew I’d practically fall in love with theater. It’s so amazing to be surrounded by awesome friends and make even greater memories on stage.”

Some of the cast and crew even felt wistful at the end of the production. Gwen G.’28 who played Mrs. Which, reflected on the experience and what was most unexpected. She concludes, “The thing that always surprises me the most is how much I miss it afterwards.”

At the end of the second show, the cast and crew gather to

is even more spectacular when you can see it come together, and I wanted to be a part of the

Aidan E. ’28—Backstage Stage Manager

Show Time!

THE ARTS AT NCS

2023–2024

This school year, NCS actors, dancers, artists, and musicians expressed themselves in a variety of beautiful, captivating, and memorable ways.

Welcome

to the

Makerspace

by Lynn Horowitch

Here, we… create, innovate, dream, design, iterate

On the lower level of Whitby Hall is the makerspace, a center where every Lower School student engages in hands-on, creative projects. Established in the 2022–2023 school year and developed with input from experts at the KID Museum in Bethesda, the makerspace provides opportunities for students to explore open-ended questions, learn design principles, and flex their imaginations.

I. Ideation

“Did she say we could write on our desks?”

Academic Technologist Frances O’Connor teaches universal design principles to introduce students to “what it is to solve for others and to solve thorny issues with empathy.”

Step inside for a sneak peek at a 6th-Grade project challenging students to build a “seating solution” for people of different sizes, ages, and varying degrees of mobility.

The first phase in creating a seating solution is ideation. In the makerspace, students are indeed encouraged to write on the desks, all topped with dry-erase boards. They sketch their ideas for who will use the seat, how it will be supported, what materials it will be made of, and what it will look like. The next step is refining the design and sketching it on paper.

II. Prototyping

“Embrace the messy”

Students build prototypes with small consumables—coffee filters, cardboard upcycled from shipping boxes, and popsicle sticks— to begin to translate their ideas into three dimensions. When an element fails, they learn to “embrace the messy”—to accept and learn from mistakes, try different approaches, build another iteration, and ultimately discover what works. Students build in groups, and also individually, as they apply skills developed in sixth grade technology class to depict their group design in Tinkercad, a 3-D rendering software.

III. Final Product

“The big work”

In fabricating their final seating solutions, students use harder and heavier materials and a variety of tools. They are trained in proper safety gear and methods, and under adult supervision, use a scroll saw, drill press, and glue gun with confidence. “It’s a powerful lesson about the strength that we possess, and the ingenuity, creativity, and empathy that we have when we truly focus,” says Frances.

Why a Makerspace?

In the NCS makerspace, there are no right or wrong answers. Students tackle design challenges and devise distinctive solutions. For this recent 6th-Grade project, one student designed a seating solution that includes space for both an adult and a child. Another designed a dynamic piece of furniture for use by a person in a wheelchair.

Students become acquainted with the rudiments of Stanford Design Thinking, a methodology for creative problem solving. Part of that process involves iteration. Tommie Hata, director of academic technology, explains, “When you do this type of project, you don’t do it once and have a final product. There’s an opportunity to design something, evaluate it, and then redesign it based on feedback.”

“That’s lateral thinking in action, helping them develop their analytical skills.”

In the makerspace, students approach academic topics in new ways. In a recent cross-disciplinary project in Karin Anderson’s Grade 5 English class, students headed to the makerspace to produce visual essays on strips of fabric to chart the development of a character in a novel. With markers and thread, they sketched and sewed images depicting an identity unfolding throughout the story. Lower School Head Becca Jones says, “Students are not only learning new creative approaches. They’re thinking about novels and characters in a way that isn’t writing a paragraph. That’s lateral thinking in action, helping them develop their analytical skills.”

For the coming school year, the makerspace will move to a bigger room in Woodley North, providing more opportunities to incorporate design activities into the curriculum. Tommie says, “It’s important for students to tinker, to build things with their hands.” He continues, “It’s an evolving project. We will continue to evaluate, learn, and redesign—using the same design principles we teach our students.”

MAY 2–5, 2024

More than 230 NCS alumnae and guests gathered on the Close in early May to reconnect and reminisce at Reunion Weekend. Alumnae had the opportunity to attend Middle and Upper School classes and take campus tours led by Student Ambassadors. And the community gathered to honor and bid farewell to three longstanding educators: Mark Bishop, Sylvie Bouvier, and Elna Clevenger.

Weekend highlights included the 30th annual Kente Cloth Ceremony, the 50th Reunion Luncheon, the 27th annual NCS/STA BBQ, and the Alumnae Awards Luncheon.

Congratulations to all the award winners and a big thank you to the Reunion Committee members and the many volunteers for a memorable weekend!

Plans are underway for a special Reunion Weekend on May 1– 4, 2025. We will mark the milestone anniversaries for class years ending in 0s and 5s and celebrate NCS’s 125th anniversary! All alumnae will be invited to participate and join in the festivities. This will be one of many moments when we celebrate this exciting milestone. Please stay tuned for more information over the coming months!

2024 Alumnae Awards

At the Alumnae Awards Luncheon, Head of School Elinor Scully honored the recipients of new awards centered on NCS’s core values of excellence, service, courage, and conscience as well as the recipient of the Bettie Warner Thompson ’46 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Anja Brau ’94: Excellence Award

Anja is a global healthcare technology executive with 25 years of research and development experience in the MRI field. A General Manager at GE Healthcare, she leads a global R&D team developing the next generation of MR Clinical applications. She is an internationally respected MR technology expert with over 10 patents and dozens of scientific publications and book chapters.

Dr. Ashley Speights ’04: Excellence Award

Ashley has made her mark as a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Black woman business owner in the Washington, D.C. area. She opened The PHYT Collective, a physical therapy practice, and has grown the business exponentially. She serves a strong and loyal patient base and has hired a team of employees, expanded to additional locations, and offered education and awareness opportunities to Black small business owners across the city.

Liz Hirschhorn ’04: Service Award

Liz was honored for her work as a PhD clinical psychologist. She has devoted her career to public service by treating veterans’ mental health at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For many years, she has worked tirelessly at the VA in Puget Sound, Wash., to help improve the lives of military veterans with PTSD and other mental health challenges.

Susan “Gigi” Galbraith ’69: Service Award

In 1994, Susan helped found the Alliance for New Music-Theatre, a D.C.-based company that develops and produces original works of music-theatre. There, she fosters artists in their development and engages with the community in partnership. Since 2012, Susan has served as the Alliance's Artistic Director, spearheading a number of projects promoting cross-cultural understanding and preserving and

uplifting the stories and voices of communities around the world. More recently, Susan and the Alliance have worked with the Black Georgetown Foundation to help uncover stories about the neighborhood’s rich Black history.

Cynthia Olds ’74: Courage Award

Cynthia was recognized for her bravery in facing a diagnosis of colorectal cancer that had metastasized to her liver in the spring of 2021. Cynthia quickly began radiation and chemotherapy at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. In the years since her initial diagnosis, Cynthia has diligently and bravely shared her health journey on CaringBridge, journaling her experiences in hopes of supporting others facing similar challenges.

Dr. Noelle N. Trent ’99: Conscience Award

Noelle was honored for her profound commitment to preserving and uplifting the histories and contributions of Black communities. Since 2023, she has served as President and CEO of the Museum of African American History (MAAH) in Boston and Nantucket. Prior to her appointment at MAAH, Noelle was Director of Interpretation, Collections, and Education at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, and worked in various roles at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

Penny Glass ’59: The Bettie Warner Thompson ’46 Lifetime Achievement Award

Penny has taken on a variety of roles, including Class Representative, Class Agent, Annual Fund phonathon caller, and Reunion volunteer. She serves not only as “glue” for her class, but for the entire alumnae community. Outside of her volunteer work, Penny has consistently placed National Cathedral School among her top philanthropic priorities, exemplified by her membership in both the Satterlee and Cornerstone Societies.

By Lynn Horowitch

Retirements from the Close

In June, NCS bade farewell to three long-time NCS professionals who retired at the end of the school year. NCS is indebted to Sylvie Bouvier, Mark Bishop, and Elna Clevenger, each of whom left an indelible mark on the community.

For 20 years, French teacher Sylvie Bouvier devoted herself to her students, delighting in her time in the classroom and the fact that she had the opportunity to teach many students more than once. In his 25 years at NCS, Theater Department Chair Mark Bishop helped a generation of NCS and St. Albans students work together to explore their creative interests and a wide range of theatrical genres.

Rounding out the trio with 45 years at NCS is Elna Clevenger, current School Archivist, former Science teacher, and former Science Department chair, who was instrumental in shaping the science classrooms and curriculum. In recent years, she developed and organized the NCS Archive that will help keep the community informed and connected.

Sylvie Bouvier  French Teacher

When Sylvie Bouvier describes her 20 years as an NCS French teacher, the word she repeats most is “fun.” She delighted in teaching nearly every level—from beginning French with 4th graders to post-AP French with seniors— missing only the Middle School grades. She found that younger students brought boundless enthusiasm to their studies, while students at the highest levels engaged in conversations about movies, history, culture, and geography.

Because of the way the World Languages Department was structured, Sylvie taught many of her students more than once. She says, “What was really special is that you see the students grow so much.” Once when looking for a file on her computer, she found old videos of young NCS students practicing French dialogue by acting out a scene in a cafe. Many of the performers were again her current students, who, she says, “loved seeing themselves from four years ago!”

Sylvie’s colleagues appreciate her skill in reaching students. French teacher Darcey O’Malley says, “Sylvie’s infectious energy and enthusiasm for teaching create an environment where learning flourishes and students are inspired to reach their full potential. Her passion for teaching and genuine love for her students shine through in everything she does.”

Sylvie served as a class sponsor for five years and also on the curriculum committee. She wanted her students to explore the world beyond the Close and chaperoned a spring break trip to Paris. Closer to home, she took her students on yearly field trips to Washington, D.C. museums, always insisting that the groups use public transportation.

Her colleagues appreciate her dedication to her students and her approach to life. Nilda Villalta, World Languages department chair, says, “For 20 years, Sylvie brought her love for the French language and culture to her classroom and the whole community. Her kindness, passion for teaching, and care for others are trademarks of her time at NCS. She is an amazing example to students (and adults) of a full life in how she cares for her children (now adults!), teaches and travels, and fights life battles with strength and courage.”

Sylvie’s primary aim throughout her years at NCS was to focus on her teaching. She wholeheartedly devoted her energy and knowledge of French language and culture to her students in the classroom. For this long-time NCS teacher, that was always the most fun.

Mark Bishop  Theater Program Director

When Mark Bishop started in 1990 as technical director in the NCS-STA theater program, he planned to move to a position in higher education. Instead, he quickly realized that “lighting the fire and fanning the flame” for Middle and Upper School students’ interest in theater was where his true interests and passions lay.

He says, “The students are high caliber and engaged.” While Mark has a particular interest in Greek drama, he enjoys exposing students to a broad range of theater genres. He also appreciates watching students grow, observing, “It’s really wonderful to know every student who is here in Middle School and see them develop their interests and talents as they come through Upper School.”

Mark has worked on the Close for 25 of the last 34 years, leaving for a stint at a school in Connecticut in 1999. When he returned in 2008, Mark took on the role of theater program technical director and became department chair in 2011. He has led the team of four that each year presents four musicals and plays, and student-directed One Acts. As part of NCS’s academic curriculum, the team teaches Drama to all Middle School students and offers Upper School electives in Public Speaking, Directing, Acting, and Technical Production and Design.

Mark has directed each fall Middle School and spring Upper School musical. He says, “It’s a lot of fun doing many different shows: a classic American musical, a rock show, something a little more off the beaten path.”

The current seniors were new to Upper School when Covid-19 forced the theater program online, with a virtual production of The Theory of Relativity. Mark says, “It’s a badge of honor at this point. They were in their basements with a green screen.” He remembers that students came together despite being apart, collaborating virtually and productively.

Mark observes that students from NCS and STA in the theater program team up to deliver on shared goals. He says that in his opinion, “The coordinate program is a linchpin of the theater program, or the theater program is a linchpin of it.”

Drama teacher and Theater Director Chris Snipe recognizes Mark’s meaningful contributions. Chris says, “He has been

completely committed, spending countless hours working on productions on the Close. Mark’s absence will be felt next year.”

Through a Facebook page with approximately 300 NCS and STA members, Mark has kept alumnae and alumni connected to each other and to the program. He updates the community on the theater program and shares photos from recent productions, including this fall’s Middle School production of Disney’s Frozen, Jr. and late winter’s Upper School musical, The Addams Family. Asked to name his favorite show, Mark laughs. “It’s always been the one that I’m working on!”

Elna Clevenger  Science Teacher and Archivist

Since its founding in 1900, NCS has had 12 Heads of School. Elna Clevenger has worked for six of them.

Elna came to NCS in the fall of 1978 to teach Upper School science. In fact, she taught all the chemistry and physics classes for the Science Department! In her early years, many NCS students took only a semester-long lab science course and biology, with chemistry and physics taught to only a fraction of the student body. During her 45-year tenure, Elna has seen the science program expand to include a wide variety of courses. Upper School students routinely take physics, chemistry, and biology, with many taking advanced levels in these areas or other science electives.

In addition to teaching, Elna chaired the Science Department two different times for a total of 13 years. Current Science Department Chair Deb Virtue says, “Not only was Elna’s focus on creating the best experience for the students, but she also mentored countless science faculty in developing their pedagogical expertise.”

Elna took on additional roles when needed and quips, “If there’s been a committee in the last 40-plus years, I’ve probably been on it!” She has served as a faculty representative on the Governing Board and has sat on curriculum, faculty evaluation, admissions, and scheduling committees.

In the early 2010s, after 30+ years in the classroom, as Elna considered retiring from teaching, then Head of School

Kathy Jamieson asked her to become the archivist. While some materials had been catalogued around the time of NCS’s centennial in 2000, most materials still needed to be organized and more had accumulated in the years since.  Elna found school documents stored in boxes, many of which hadn’t been opened in years. She enrolled in a weeklong, intensive course, Archives in the School, that provided a foundation on how to approach such a challenge. She says, “Knowing NCS’s history and this crash course have served me well.”

Starting with yearbooks and working her way through photos, programs, documents, and other ephemera, Elna established systems to store and access the school’s records that will continue long after her retirement. Hutchey Doley ’82, Elna’s former student and NCS’s director of development for constituent engagement and annual giving, says, “Elna has brought her curiosity and ordered thinking to the exploration and cataloguing of our school’s records and history. You can ask her any question—about the date a tradition started or ended, an alumna’s school color, a former faculty member’s tenure, and so much more—and she can remember or find the answer.”

For Reunion Weekend each year, Elna has combed through the archives to create displays showcasing photos and memorabilia of Reunion-year classes. Chloe Post, director of alumnae engagement, says “The class displays Elna spends months lovingly creating remind generations of graduates of their days at NCS. Simply put, she is the memory of the institution.”

Elna estimates that she has resolved about 99 percent of the questions posed to her. Still, one important piece of information has eluded her so far. She hasn’t been able to identify the exact time when purple and gold became the school colors or why those colors were chosen. That said, she is closing in on answers. For years, the first mention of school colors she could find was a reference to purple and gold teams in a 1930 NCS Alumnae Magazine, but she recently found a reference to the school colors in a 1906 issue!

The NCS community thanks these dedicated educators and wishes them well in their next chapters.

We believe in the power of young women.

On April 8, the community gathered to view the eclipse, which reached 90% totality in Washington, D.C.

Commencement Address Excerpts

Ambassador Melanne Verveer

Former U.S. Ambassador for Global Women's Issues

Introduced by her mentee Alexa Chopivsky ’97, Ambassador Verveer addressed the Class of 2024.

Dear graduates, NCS has prepared you not only academically but has also inculcated values for a meaningful life. I’m sure each of you is going to go on to do great things, but what matters most is what you choose to do with what you’ve learned.

I would like to talk to you as empowered women using your power for purpose. When I was a high school student, I never dreamed of becoming a diplomat because I didn’t see women representing their countries.

Little did I dream that years later the President of the United States would nominate me to be the first-ever U.S. ambassador for global women’s issues. And little could I have imagined that I would find myself time and again representing the interests of my country at the UN.

One of you told me that it never crossed your mind that you couldn’t be what you wanted to be. That is certainly a whole lot truer for your class than it was for mine. So, progress is possible, even though it may take a generation.

If each of you accepts the call to service, you will help to make a difference, and as Albert Schweitzer noted: “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but the happiest among you will be those who serve.”

Around the world the story of women is not solely what they have to endure—and that is often a great deal—but even more how they are transcending their situations and changing the world for better in the process.

Think of the women in Afghanistan today who with the takeover by the Taliban are undergoing the complete erasure of their human rights. And yet they are risking punishment

by setting up and attending clandestine schools in homes and young women especially are risking imprisonment by protesting publicly against their oppression. I still remember an Afghan woman in Kabul several years ago, saying: “Stop looking at us as victims and look at us as the leaders we are.”

Think of the women in Iran. A little over a year ago, a young woman Mahsa Amini died after being held by the brutal morality police for allegedly wearing her mandatory hijab improperly. Her death sparked a protest across Iran that continues to this day. And the women of Iran continue to be the catalysts for change under their banner for change: “Women, life, freedom.”

Think of the women in Ukraine. They are caring for their children under the most adverse circumstances, serving in the armed forces in record numbers, working in parliament, documenting war crimes, and engaging as advocates.

And think of the women in Sudan. Genocide is happening again in Darfur. Despite the horrors, Sudanese women remain committed to making their voices heard and are once again calling for peace and a better future.

In the Middle East, women peacebuilders are tirelessly working for the safety, dignity, and rights of Israelis and Palestinians, especially women and children.

As you go forward, dear graduates, whatever your cause, whatever your ultimate career, I hope you’ll promise yourselves one thing: that you’ll do your part to create a better world. May you all be ambassadors for good and carry the spirit of NCS with you always.

“ If each of you accepts the call to service, you will help to make a difference.”

The Class of 2024

Hope Isabelle Cornelia Barringer

Claire Elizabeth Book

Grace MacInnis Brady

Kaylee Esinam Burkett

Nalini Abigail Butterworth

Arabella Aviele Reyes Carlos*

Jacqueline Marie Cavallin

Lynetta Chao

Elizabeth Whittier Colby

Eleanor Hadley Dowhower

Stephanie Maria Dragoi*

Emma Catherine Campbell Drewry

Isabel Flynn*

Kacey Frances Fredrick

Natalie Cannon Garre*

Corinne Noe Graham

Anna Katherine Hollister

Groninger

Isabella Jaline Guagenti

Keira Milena Gutierrez

Taylor Grace Guzman

Amelia Lee Ka-Eun Hanbury*

Mackenzie (Juno) Victoria James

Bendu Arrington Joemah

Katherine Emilia Jordan

Leila Kachru

Cassidy Campbell Kaler*

Ingrid Victoria Knutson

Aanya Reddy Kolli*

Julie Adele Kramarenko

Caroline Theresa Kushan

Jia Le Caedy Lee*

Olivia Shuhan Liu*

Leila N. Mack

Charlotte Amelia Manning*

Anna Anita Therese Marchand

Caroline Ruth Marshall

Ava Aroha Matheson

Aidan Rose Maurer

Stella Brown McBride

Kendall Elizabeth McCree

Olivia Mae McKessy

Hadley Elizabeth Middleton

Katherine Raye Millien

Ava Chloe Milloy*

Yulia Miyajima

Maryam Fatema Mohseni

Piper Gail O'Connor

Selin Ozdemirli

Danielle Marie Perrone

Anya Anand Prokop

Vabees Qudus

Aleeza Zaynab Rasheed

Anna Elisabeth Reif

Sarah Amalia Harring Reif

Morgan Elizabeth Rice

Clara Elizabeth Roberti*

Annalise Evans Ross

Madeline Delaney Ryan*

Josephine Ava Samuelson

Nicole Johanna Schwartz

Sarah Showkat Shah

Hayley Apple Shay

Tara Lakshmi Shivakumar

Abbey Lauren Shumsky*

Anne Miller Spivey

Sage Elizabeth Graham Stretch*

Ellie Cheyun Suh

Lilly Nicole Vickerman

Beatrix Anne Weber

Vivian Wenan Wei

Alana Madison Woods

*Cum Laude Society inductee

College Acceptances

Albright College

American University

Amherst College

Barnard College

Bates College

Belmont University

Bentley University

Binghamton University

Boston College

Bowdoin College

Brandeis University

Bridgewater College

Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University (Idaho)

Brown University

Bryn Mawr College

Bucknell University

Cardiff University

Carleton College

Carnegie Mellon University

Case Western Reserve University

Chapman University

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Clark University

Clemson University

Colby College

Colgate University

College of Charleston

Colorado College

Columbia University

Connecticut College

Cornell University

Dartmouth College

Davidson College

Denison University

DePauw University

Dickinson College

Drexel University

Duke University

Elon University

Florida State University

Fordham University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Goucher College

Grinnell College

Hamilton College

Hampton University

Harvard University

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Hollins University

Imperial College London

Indiana University (Bloomington)

James Madison University

Johns Hopkins University

Kenyon College

King's College London

Lafayette College

Lehigh University

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola University New Orleans

Macalester College

Marist College

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

McGill University

Miami University (Oxford)

Michigan State University

Middlebury College

Montana State University

New York University

North Carolina State University

Northeastern University

Northeastern University London

Norwich University

Nova Southeastern University

Oberlin College

Ohio Wesleyan University

Penn State University (University Park)

Princeton University

Providence College

Purdue University (Main Campus)

Queen's University

Quinnipiac University

Reed College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rice University

Rollins College

Rutgers University (New Brunswick)

Savannah College of Art and Design

Skidmore College

Smith College

Southern Methodist University

Spelman College

St. Lawrence University

Stanford University

Syracuse University

Temple University

The College of Wooster

The Ohio State University

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Tampa

Towson University

Trinity College

Trinity College Dublin

Tufts University

Tulane University of Louisiana

United States Coast Guard Academy

United States Merchant Marine Academy

United States Military Academy at West Point

University College Dublin

University College London

University of Aberdeen

University of Arkansas

University of Bath

University of British Columbia

University of California (Berkeley)

University of California (Davis)

University of California (Merced)

University of California (Riverside)

University of California (San Diego)

University of California (Santa Barbara)

University of California (Santa Cruz)

University of Chicago

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Connecticut

University of Denver

University of Florida

University of Georgia

University of Glasgow

University of Leeds

University of Maryland (Baltimore County)

University of Maryland (College Park)

University of Michigan

University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)

University of Mississippi

University of North Carolina at Asheville

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of Notre Dame

University of Oregon

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)

University of Richmond

University of Rochester

University of San Francisco

University of South Carolina

University of St Andrews

University of Stirling

University of Toronto

University of Toronto

Scarborough

University of Vermont

University of Virginia (Main Campus)

University of Wisconsin (Madison)

Vassar College

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Military Institute

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Wake Forest University

Washington and Lee University

Washington University in St. Louis

Wellesley College

Wesleyan University

Western University

William & Mary

Williams College

Xavier University

Yale University Matriculated

“

The

MONUMENTAL Class of 2024 has left its mark. As we depart, remember this: we must all leave traces to make our world better than we found it.”

—Amelia Hanbury

Flag Day Address Excerpts

Amelia Hanbury ’24

I have been at NCS since the fourth grade. I have lived through nine Spirit Days, nine Lessons and Carols, and, well, eight Flag Day speeches not including this one.

In fourth grade, I was a proud know-it-all and a stone-cold skeptic of anything that I did not know. In fact, my mom jokingly nicknamed me “well actually” because of how much glee I found in correcting people.

This little know-it-all would constantly question the abundance of tradition that NCS has. Why did I have to buy a white chapel dress just to wear it three times every year? Who was the unknown child that I brought gifts for every holiday season?

By the end of Lower School, I took comfort in these traditions. My year would begin with the raising of the flag and end with the lowering of the flag. I could count on that.

This stability helped me navigate the inevitable tumult of Middle School. While friendships were changing, our adult identities were developing, and hormones were running rampant, it felt reassuring to play a role, albeit a small role, in something so much bigger than me. In other words, it just felt nice to belong at NCS.

These feelings reminded me of an old slogan: “leave no trace.” It’s a saying rooted in preserving what is beautiful about our world. And in Middle School, I wanted to do just that: keep traditions as they were because they made me feel safe during times of great uncertainty.

To all my English teachers listening, forgive my use of the passive voice when I say that “traces were left” on the NCS community by the pandemic. We still see them in the “face masks optional” signs in the garage, Zoom links in teachers’ email signatures, and the hand sanitizer dispensers around every corner. We also feel this “trace” in the lives lost and permanently affected.

But, of the nine Spirit Days, nine Lessons and Carols, and eight, almost nine, Flag Day speeches, there was one Zoom Spirit Day, one virtual Lessons and Carols, and two livestreamed Flag Days. The NCS traditions lived on, even during the pandemic.

Recently, at a Girl Scout reunion, I was reminded of the idea of leaving places better than you found them. My troop leaders, one of whom is an NCS alum, would tell us to disregard signs that said “leave no trace.” They believed that not all “traces” had to be bad. In fact, we could leave a trace in a positive way.

While I still bear traces of the little “well actually” girl, this school has changed me for the better. Whether it is my friends and family who have loved me through my corny jokes and obscure pop culture references, my teachers who challenged me to engage with new concepts and perspectives with an analytical eye, the music department that has nurtured my passion for viola, or my monumental peers who have brought me the best laughs of my life and whom I will miss dearly next year; I will always carry these traces of NCS with me.

As my eighth Flag Day becomes my ninth, I hope everyone in the NCS community can see traces of us: our spirited First Fridays that we began this year, the swimming records we set, the Asian American Pacific Islander stoles that we designed (which I will proudly wear at Commencement), the audacious homilies we delivered, the ring sisterhood that we fostered, the “I Survived 4th Period Geography” t-shirt hanging in the geography room, or even the scratch marks from our cars in the Cathedral garage.

The MONUMENTAL Class of 2024 has left its mark. As we depart, remember this: we must all leave traces to make our world better than we found it.

Thank you, and congratulations to the Class of 2024.

Flag Day Prize Winners

English Prize

Charlotte Manning ’24

Joye Pregnall Creative

Writing Award

Annalise Ross ‘24

Science Award

Aanya Kolli ‘24

Virginia K. Robertson Award for Distinction in Mathematics

Stephanie Dragoi ‘24

Computer Science Award

Caedy Lee ‘24

Martha Sharma Geography Achievement Award

Vabees Qudus ‘24

Elizabeth Fry Award

Kacey Fredrick ‘24

Social Sciences Award

Chloe Milloy ‘24

French Award

Clara Roberti ‘24

Spanish Award

Keira Gutierrez ‘24

Chinese Award

Caedy Lee ‘24

Laub-Novak Award

Nalini Butterworth ‘24

Religious Studies Award

Nalini Butterworth ‘24

Art Prize

Anna Groninger ‘24

Gwendolyn B. Coney Award for Excellence in Theater

Katie Jordan ‘24

Jane emily Clymer ’83 Award in Drama

Ginny Schweiter ‘26

Dance Award

Stephanie Dragoi ‘24

Instrumental Music Award

Amelia Hanbury ‘24

Choral Music Award

Sarah Reif ‘24

Mount St. Alban Award

Annalise Ross ‘24

Cathedral Medal

Sarah Shah ‘24

Bruce Neswick Medal

Annie McBrady ‘26

Flag Winners

Arabella Carlos ‘24, Stephanie Dragoi ‘24, Aanya Koli ‘24,

Sage Stretch ‘24

Runner-Up Cup

Piper O’Connor ‘24

High Point Cup

Caroline Walsh ‘25

Chester Community Service Award

Chloe Milloy ‘24

John Templeton Kraus Memorial Prize

Anya Prokop ‘24

Saint Peter and Saint Paul Medal

Anya Prokop ‘24

U.S. Military Academy Certificates of Appointment

Anya Prokop ‘24, Nicole Schwartz ‘24

Joshua Evans, Jr. Memorial Award

Arabella Carlos ‘24

Sylvia Thompson Memorial Award

Camryn D’Abreu-Carr ‘25

Nancy Needham Goodrich Award

Gabby Guagenti ‘26

Geraldine Wharry Faculty

Leadership Award

Sage Stretch ‘24

Helen Harker Albi 1925 Award

Madeline Ryan ‘24

Bishop’s Scholar

Stephanie Dragoi ‘24

Head of School’s Award

Alana Woods ‘24

John S. Wood “Great Cities” Teaching Fellowship

Nathan Price

The Winning Team

Purple

Class Notes

CLASS NOTE GUIDELINES

The NCS Alumnae Office welcomes submissions to Class Notes year-round; all submissions are subject to editing for clarity and brevity. Those who submit notes are responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. The views expressed are those of alumnae alone.

Due to space restrictions, we are unable to publish all the photos we receive. We do not publish news of engagements or pregnancies, opting instead to share the joyful news of weddings and births. Thank you for your understanding.

ALUMNAE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in volunteering? Please contact Chloe Cogo, director of alumnae engagement, at ccogo@ncs.org or (202) 537-6359.

Class Representatives

In the past, the primary responsibility of Class Representatives has been to collect Class Notes for NCS Magazine. Over time, the role has evolved into a more comprehensive class liaison position. Our Representatives keep their fellow classmates connected to one another and with all that is going on at the school.

Class Agents

Class Agents serve as volunteers for the Annual Fund. At 8 percent of the school’s operating budget, the Annual Fund remains NCS’s top fundraising priority each year. Agents are asked both to support the Fund themselves, as well as encourage classmate participation throughout the year.

Reunion Committee Members

Reunion Committee members work with the Alumnae Office on creating the Reunion Weekend schedule, promoting Reunion giving, helping to secure nominations for Alumnae Awards, and planning class events. Next spring, we are excited to celebrate class years ending in 0s and 5s!

Regional Ambassadors

Nearly 50 percent of NCS alumnae live outside of the Greater Washington, D.C. region, making the work of our Regional Ambassadors vital to ensuring our NCS alumnae community remains engaged with the school and with one another. These volunteers serve as school ambassadors for their respective cities or regions, hosting events, connecting alumnae, and more.

1945

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE & AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1945 for your collective gift of $200 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

1946

CLASS REPRESENATIVE

Jean Frantz Blackall JFBinVA@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

1947

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE & AGENT NEEDED

1948

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE & AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1948 for your collective gift of $1,211 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

1949

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Parkie Adams Blaylock parkieb@aol.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1949 for your collective gift of $10,259 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Elizabeth Alexander: I’ve been very busy as Treasurer of both my parish and HOA but found a replacement at church. Thank goodness, as I’d really like to slow down, though I’m still on the Vestry. We’re in the middle of a 3-year program called Vital and Thriving as we try to decide whether we can build back as a whole parish or might have to merge with another one nearby. Meanwhile Spring is here. The weather is lovely, and Easter was gorgeous!

1950

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Lee Thomas (On behalf of her deceased mother Patricia “Patou” DuBois McIsaac) Clthomas@atlanticbb.net

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

SEEKING 75TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS!

1951

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Molly Leban Harris Mollyban@aol.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1951 for your collective gift of $100 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

1952

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE & AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1952 for your collective gift of $200 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Nancy Pforzheimer Aronson passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on January 6, 2024. Edgar D. Aronson, her devoted husband of 67 years, was by her side. As a part of her family’s tradition of philanthropy, Nancy lived a life of service for which her family and so many others are grateful. At home in Maine, Nancy indulged herself in her love of reading and the natural world. Whether consuming books old and new by the hundreds, picnicking along

Maine’s Bold Coast with her children, or rescuing farm animals, Nancy delightedly fed both her mind and soul.

1953

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Shirley Shreve McCombe Shirleymccombe@hotmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1953 for your collective gift of $150 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Pat Buck shares that she has been working hard since 2016 to organize and keep track of the Widows of the West Point Class of 1957. There is a group of regional ladies who assist and give companionship when needed. She is also spending time at her cottage in Pennsylvania. Sounds like she is keeping very busy. Mary Nyman reports that she is still teaching poetry classes at a local college and making jewelry and painting. She still enjoys going to craft shows. Another busy lady! Freddie Noland shares that she spends spring and summer in Rehoboth and exhibits at the Rehoboth Art League.

1954

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Jeanne Greening Greeninghealing@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1954 for your collective gift of $104 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

1955

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE & AGENT NEEDED

SEEKING 70TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS! Thank you to the Class of 1955 for your collective gift of $1,125 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Jane Sarnoff writes, “Happy in Paris. Doing way too much of everything. Eating, walking, laughing, visiting friends. The rain doesn’t stop me. The

Rothko at the Louis Vuitton foundation was exceptional. Happy to be back. Glad I could make it.”

1956

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE S Stephanie Arterton Bartlett Stephbart@comcast.net

Beth Schuyler Dilworth Home: (941) 388-2865

Margaret Lucas Holmes

Margaret.l.holmes@gmail.com

Melissa MacKenzie Melmack@vermontel.com

CLASS AGENT

Jan Holderness Home: (202) 248-6398

Thank you to the Class of 1956 for your collective gift of $1,747 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Mary Jo Ageton Aagerstoun writes from West Palm Beach, Fla., “All is well here in the house of octogenarians! Not including our doggies! Although in dog years they are octogenarians, now that I think of it! Lots of love to my treasured classmates.”

Stephanie Arterton Bartlett shares that she and her husband Chuck have moved into Fox Hill Village, a retirement community near Boston. Their new address is 10 Longwood Drive, Unit 211, Westwood, MA 02090. Phone: 781-7477035. Cell remains the same: 508-2412264. They are keeping their home in Chatham, Mass., for summer and winter weekends.

Margie Bassila writes from Guatemala that she traveled to Italy and Spain with friends, before Easter, only to be told at the last minute that the cruise was cancelled. The alternative offered by the cruise line proved unsatisfactory. So, she and her family and friends happily spent the Easter holidays at their beach. At the end of April, she will be off to a wedding in Fort Worth, Texas, and then will go on to Tulsa, Okla., to visit with family there. Go, Margie!

 1. Nancy Pforzheimer Aronson ’52 in 1956.

Courtney Bowes shares that she is in the hospital in Warrenton, Va. She is doing okay and expects to be home soon.

Helen Wood Brigham our beloved “Woody,” died at her home in Newton, N.C., on February 13, 2024. Mogy Lucas Holmes and Katty Davis Lefler attended Woody’s funeral.

Sis Bridgers Cranz and Mary Alice Smith Anderson share that they keep in touch and are both doing fine. Sis recently had her cataracts removed and reports she “can’t believe” how well she is seeing now.

Inger Bjorkstrom Dahlin writes from Stockholm, Sweden, “Happy Easter wishes to you all dear friends around the world! We had a wonderful birthday party with my daughter Ylva in October



and a lovely time back in our village, Puissalicon. Back in Stockholm, waiting for Spring to arrive!”

Elaine Wilcox Darby writes that her husband, Paul, died March 23, 2023. They were married for 63 years.

Beth Schuyler Dilworth reports that she enjoyed a visit in April with her daughter-in-law, Melissa Georges, from New York City. Her grandson, Saxon, visits her regularly.

Jan Holderness shares that her new address is Grand Oaks Assisted Living, Apt. 110, 5901 MacArthur Blvd., NW, Washington, D.C. 20016. Her phone number is 202-248-6398.

Margaret Lucas Holmes reports that she sold her Lakeland, Fla., home in

February. She and her husband had lived there since 1959. Mogy is now back in Winston Salem, N.C., after enjoying two months of rest in St. Croix.

Sara Dalmas Jonsberg writes that she is enjoying her writing class with Learning in Retirement.

Ellen Rooth Lind’s daughter, Anna Holmen, writes from Sweden: “Ellen lives in a nursing home together with her husband, Johan. While she is very frail and suffers from poor eyesight, she is well taken care of and often receives visits from family and friends. A recent highlight was when Johan turned 90, and children, grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren came to celebrate. Nothing puts a smile on Ellen’s lips like the youngest ones, Liam, Linus and Felicia.”

1. An image of Parc Monceau in Paris, submitted by Jane Sarnoff ’55.  2. The class of 1958 during Reunoin Weekend 2023. First Row: Virginia Gunter, Cathi Whitaker Smith, Mary Barr Johnson. Back Row: Christine Negus Plant, Sewell Freeman McLeod, Penny Oberne Kamis, Khacki Pritchard Berry, Polly Putney Conte, and Kit Herrlich Wahlert.  3. The Class of 1958 at the Alumnae Awards Luncheon over Reunion Weekend 2023. Judy Carr Evans ’58 received the Volunteer Achievement Award, and her son Steve Evans (center) accepted on her behalf. From left: Elinor Scully, Mary Barr Johnson, Steve Evans, Christine Negus Plant, Cathi Whitaker Smith, Sewell Freeman McLeod, Kit Herrlich Wahlert, and Penny Oberne Kamis.

Connie Hopkins McClulskey: Just one new piece of news from me. My husband Steve and I were lucky enough to be able to drive into the middle of the path of the total solar eclipse yesterday from where we live in West Virginia to Ohio (the Cuyahoga National Park) and witness that most awesome event. The length and breadth of this particular eclipse was truly breathtaking. This was our third eclipse trip and worth every penny spent and traffic snarl we encountered. When totality came, out popped the most brilliant diamond ring and then total darkness for a good two or three minutes. When the clapping and cheering of the crowd near us stopped, the silence was profound, as if the world was muffled, and I didn’t dare take a step for fear of falling into an abyss. It was as if I were in C.S. Lewis’s wardrobe, going to Narnia. What an incredible experience. I hope many others got to enjoy it as well.

Mary Meader Mokler died in Durango, Colo., where she had been living near her son, Gibson.

Marina Pappas Zazanis shares that she recently published a children’s book, available on Amazon. It is about a grandmother and her grandson, titled A Happy Day at the Beach

1957

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Page Dahl Crosland Page.crosland@verizon.net

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1957 for your collective gift of $4,246 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Alice Huang: I was able to join Diane Scharfeld Isaacs last fall in Wilmington, Del., for her 84th birthday dinner celebration with her walking club buddies. Great to see her in good shape. David and I are in the process of joining a continuing care facility in Pasadena, Calif. Being part of one here and one on the East Coast would be ideal.

Diane Scharfeld Isaacs shares, “I had a wonderful visit with Alice Huang. And I have been in touch with Fran McCall Lewis. My husband Jay has been home since December after six months in and out of rehab and hospitals. He is pain free and happy with our adjusted situation. I have a second great granddaughter, Sofia Rose, born 2/22/24 who joins big sister Isabela who is enjoying first grade. My granddaughter Maya in California is looking at colleges and we had a lovely visit to NYC in March. I am grateful for my good health and rescued dog Reilly.”

1958

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Penny Oberne Kamis KPKamis@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1958 for your collective gift of $3,430 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Sherrill Stalker Cannon: I’ve decided to retire from “authordom” at the end of the year, after my latest release, The Magic Word Coloring Book, has completed the 2024 contest submissions. So far, my books have received 114 awards, which has helped immeasurably with marketing them! Our granddaughter, Mikaila, will graduate this May with a degree in education from Penn State—which will be the fourth generation of teachers. My mom, me, my daughter, and now granddaughter! Fun!!!

Polly Putney Coote writes, “Has a whole year (almost) already flown by since we reuned for our 65th? Does anyone have a copy of our group photo—or any others— to share? I’m still savoring the pleasure of that event, while the intervening year has sped by in an uneventful blur. We’re still living in our east bay (adjacent to Berkeley) book-impacted house, busy with a series of home maintenance projects, medical appointments, book group meetings, and daily walks in the neighborhood. A chuckle for the class of ’58: I’m retiring from office after 16 years as president of the College of Marin Community Chorus.”

Alicia Conklin-Wood: Our granddaughter, Cara, and her wonderful Michael were married last fall on October 13. Now we’ve been told that they are expecting their first child this coming September. Imagine—our first great grandchild! Finally, my daughter, Beth, and I flew to Wilmington, N.C., last week to visit my sister and sing Happy Birthday on her ninety-second birthday. Betsy has not been well recently and watching her delight with visitors, lots of flowers and the lovely celebration with other residents in the large Common room was sheer joy.

Judith Young Flynn shares, “2023 was a busy year. We decided to sell our home to our daughter, Cappy Daume, and move into a CCRC—Vicar’s Landing. I absolutely love it. Easy living. We also went west to Walla Walla, Wash., for our grandson’s graduation from Whitman College. It’s wine country and absolutely beautiful. In August we spent the month at the Vineyard then back to Ponta Vedra Beach. I’ve kept in touch with Daphne Dunn Goodyear and Karley Tollefson Meltzer. Still enjoying life.”

Daphne Dunn Goodyear: My big news is that my husband and I have moved from Texas back to Florida. It was tough leaving Texas. Such a great state but my son and daughter made it known in no uncertain terms they wanted us to live closer to them. So here we are. Our new mailing address is: 11718 SE Federal Highway, #444, Hobe Sound, FL 33455. My very special NCS friends, Ginny Wells Adams and Judy Young Flynn, are here in the Sunshine State. We stay in regular touch with one another. Hope to see them both in person very soon.

Linda Warren Hessel writes, “These last six months have been a verification that ‘old age is not for sissies!’ I have had falls, ER visits, culminating in a complete heart block and required a pacemaker. But the fun continued and now I am excited to work with 2 neurologists to help me with stability issues and vision issues. I anticipate a better future for me.”

Mary Barr Johnson: Peter and I spent a delayed by COVID trip with friends

last fall to Paris and on a 6-person canal barge, the Saroche, on the Burgundy Canal in France. This is the way to travel, gals. Excellent food, wine, and history trips into the beautiful countryside. Thank you, Mme. Pellet, our history teacher from Boston, and art history teacher, Mr. Chaco. I do remember the courses even though time has erased the names. NCS prepared us well!

Penny Oberne Kamis: Our ages are taking a toll! I will miss Betsy Blanchard Shawl’s sense of humor and fun-loving spirit, I will miss talking on the phone to Ann Houghton Thouron since she didn’t use email, and I will miss Judy Carr Evans’s class reunion parties that helped our class bond throughout the years. Thank you for keeping us updated with your news, health, and families. We can all identify with each other. Thank you to John Berry (Khacki Pritchard Berry’s husband) for the class pictures.

Mary Owens Naftzger writes, “We have been living in Montgomery Place Retirement Home in Chicago for 1 ½ years. Although neither daughter lives here, we chose to stay in our neighborhood of more than 50 years, and I especially am quite happy here. Parting with many treasures, as well as our beloved Victorian house was very hard, but then in the summer the same challenge and pain happened again as we sold our extended family house

in Bar Harbor, Maine.  Such hard, major changes and new adaptations have taken place in this stage of our lives; but with loving friends and family to accompany the changes, we’ve begun to thrive again.”

Christine Negus Plant: I hope everyone has the best of health, mine has been a challenge lately, but I still volunteer with Altrusa, Council on Aging and distributing books to Early Learning and Head Start kids. It keeps me off the streets, haha! In about a week, one of my granddaughters is having her fourth baby girl, Ivy, to join two brothers and a sister. Another granddaughter is having a baby in August. Too early to tell her name, but she will be my eighth great grandchild.  They give me much happiness and wear me out. I never thought I would see or know great grandchildren. It was great seeing you at Reunion last year.

Cathi Whitaker Smith: Since the Reunion in May 2023, our 65th, I have visited with Ellie Hugo Christie, Sewell Freeman McLeod, and Anne Wagner Silberfarb, My daughter, Jackie, and her partner, Duncan, drove up the East Coast and back for 7 weeks. We also had a long weekend in Nashville with my family and visited Oak Ridge, Tenn. where my father was administrator during WWII.

Elizabeth Hendry Vercoe writes, “Like many our age, I spend way too much

time and energy on health issues of mine or my partner. But lifelong pursuits still bring much pleasure. Last November I attended a performance of my cello piece, “Sonaria”, at Carnegie Recital Hall. The event was a good one, but the real thrill was that two college roommates, an artist friend, and a couple from Maine showed up. Maybe that is an indication of changing priorities as we age, that friendships are more important than ever?”

Elizabeth Hendry Vercoe: This is a photo of Susanna Opper and me when she visited us in Chamberlain, Maine, for our very own mini reunion. Are we still recognizable after all these years?

We have been friends since my first day at NCS in 1953 when she offered me a student ticket for the tram which I rode each day to Rosslyn where my parents had to meet me, as there was no public transport to take me close to our Arlington home.

Eve Cabaniss Webster: We keep on enjoying retirement in Amherst, Mass. Lots of things to do. I currently belong to a group of retired Latin teachers. We’re just finishing translating Vergil’s Georgics together. I think often of Miss Burke’s class at NCS. I loved her classes and remember them clearly. I only taught Latin as a fill-in and at the most elementary levels, but it’s amazing how many friendships I’ve gained.

 1. Elizabeth Hendry Vercoe ’58.  2. Elizabeth Vercoe ’58 (L) and Susanna Opper ’58 in Chamberlain, Maine, September 2023.

Since our Reunion, we have had to say goodbye to three classmates; Judy Carr Evans, Betsy Blanchard Shawl, and Ann Houghton Thouron.

1959

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE & AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1959 for your collective gift of $12,101 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Sabina Hartley Duke writes, “Sixty-five years flew by, didn’t they? I had hoped to attend our 65th Reunion. It just didn’t happen. My Christmas present— a new knee! Great care from Allen and daughter Laura, I survived my first week. PT twice a week for balance and use of a walker are a given! I am still active: Mahjong, canasta and book group. An August coastal Norwegian then over to Svalbard—a trip to see polar bears is planned! Son Andrew’s dream trip. We are so excited! Our annual Utah Shakespeare week and three weeks in Hawaii still happen. Love to my 1959 sisters!”

Frances Newton Harwood says, “Things are going well. I have enjoyed good

talks with Martha Earnshaw Mayne in Manchester, Mass… My granddaughter soon graduates from college.”

1960

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Marcia Yingling Schwuchow Mdyingling@aol.com

CLASS AGENT

Betsy Holleman Burke Betsyholleman@aol.com

SEEKING 65TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to the Class of 1960 for your collective gift of $9,577 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Kathy Barron: For me, my two-week river boat trip in May from Amsterdam to Budapest is a once in a lifetime adventure. I will be a solo traveler, on a trip planned by my alma mater, the University of Tennessee. Trips in 2024 will be to Yosemite in April with my two birder girlfriends, and again in the fall with another good friend; my annual June family reunion in Wisconsin, with a trip to visit my grandson in Minneapolis, where he is on Congressman Dean Phillip’s staff; and a trip in July to Seattle for a cousin’s wedding.

Ann Beard: Myron and I are very grateful to be healthy and happy as we continue to work with our clients of Beard Executive Consulting. We enjoy traveling to see our grown children and grandchildren and look forward soon to our first trip to Tokyo, plus cruising from there to Singapore. I appreciate reading about all of you and wish you well!

Betsy Holleman: I have successfully joined the army of new body part owners that exists in our class with a new knee. It was a fine procedure, filled with little pain and lots of love from family and friends. I am resuming work on my fourth book of poetry. Granddaughter Schuyler Holleman ’20 graduated Phi Beta Kappa from U Michigan in May. Bravo, Schuyler! Well prepared by NCS.

1961

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Karen Swenson Loiseaux

Karenloiseaux@Yahoo.com

Gaye Roddis McGovern tygre@erols.com

Sarah Stuart McIlvain ssmcilvain@gmail.com

 1. Maria Thacker ‘61 on top of Spruce Knob, WV on her 80th birthday.  2. Marianna Arms ’62 celebrating her 80th birthday with daughter Abbie Hyde (L), and her husband Stephan, and sons Alex (17) and Ben (15), and her son Jamie Wakelin (R), and his wife Martha, and their daughter Eva Marie. Marianna’s grandson Chase attends Northwestern Unviersity and was unable to attend the birthday festivities.

Susie Lewis Wilbanks wilbanksdorothy@yahoo.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1961 for your collective gift of $11,912 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Jane Daly shares that she is still working in real estate and wants everyone to recommend her as an agent if they are looking to move to the Richmond, Virginia area! She hopes everyone is happy and having fun. And her fun is closing on a house! She’s always so glad to hear from her classmates at NCS. It was a very special time in her life!

Elvira Mannelly: Last fall, I took my 11-year-old granddaughter to DC to tour the Capitol, Washington National Cathedral, Ferry Farm, Mt. Vernon, and of course ’meet’ NCS. She now has cups, banners, and an enamel box from that special school. Then a few days ago I took my 10-year-old granddaughter to NYC to see The Lion King, ’meet’ the Statue of Liberty, and celebrate Easter at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. Am I having fun!?!

Dorothy (Susie) Wilbanks: Hi friends! I have had issues with my back (back surgery, decompression surgery) and my doctor recommended that I sign up for physical therapy 3 times a week. I feel that I am standing up straighter and being surer footed as a result. I enjoy working in our garden and am preparing to plant tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.

Robert and I are taking a Viking trip to see Niagara Falls and the Great Lakes in April. Our horses are doing well, and we even have a few babies this year, which is always fun!

I caught Alice Lively and her husband, Roy, out on the road enjoying the bluebonnets and other wildflowers in an area near Roundrock, Texas. She said they are spending a few days at an AirBnB where they are staying in a stone cottage with fields of bluebonnets right outside their window. And it’s pet friendly so Tiffy, their dog is with them. Alice is taking a lot of pictures, and she said the weather has been perfect!

I had a nice chat with Miss D. Penick who said her older sister who is 85 now is suffering from dementia and can’t communicate anymore. She talks to her sister’s daughter often. Miss D. took a trip to DC with her son, Neil, and they of course visited the Cathedral where she noticed an NCS banner for the first time. They also tried to visit the house that Miss D. grew up in, but it was July 4, and the man that opened the door at 5082 Lowell Street did not invite them in!

Maria Thacker sent a photo of her on her 80th birthday on top of Spruce Knob, (the highest point in W.Va.). She drove up but then hiked the trail around the top. She shared, “Bob and I gave up our downtown Sarasota condo and moved to a retirement community with a large natural campus. We are splitting our

time between the mountains of W.Va. and Sarasota. We look forward to seeing Elvira next month. Let’s start planning for our big reunion in 2026!”

Sarah Van Keuren sent me one of her photography books entitled Sequestration at Hereford Place, FALL 2020 and I learned that she is now working on a final book of her photos which will be called WINTER 2020 –2021. This will complete her series of photo books covering the 4 seasons of the year when COVID hit, and Sarah and her partner were sequestered at her home. She is also doing physical therapy working on balance and core strength as a follow up to her heart surgery that took place last year. She is enjoying the classes very much.

Our classmates will be saddened to learn that Gail Peterson passed away on October 31, 2023. Also, Holly Davison Wolf died on December 22, 2023. Her husband, George Wolf sent an obituary which I will share with anyone who would like a copy.

1962

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Patty Noble Mason PttyMason@aol.com

CLASS AGENT

Diane Burr-Dickey coleridge.dickey@frontier.com

 1. Delight Johnstone Edgell ’62 at her 80th birthday surprise party.  2. Meri Ball Lane ’62 and her children on her 80th birthday. From left: Sally, Jonathon, Meri, Pip and David.

Thank you to the Class of 1962 for your collective gift of $22,950 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Cheryl Tipton is on the move: her nephew’s wedding in Georgia and the wedding of her best friend’s granddaughter in Peterborough, Canada. Now that is a trip. Cheryl continues to serve on the Board of the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center on Maui. They open studios, classes and exhibitions for people of all ages. In the last couple years, they have expanded their efforts to provide underprivileged children with more exposure to the arts. Since the Lahaina fire last August, they have provided children impacted by the fire with time and ways to express themselves through art. The feedback has been heartwarming. Cheryl and her travel buddies took another Viking River Cruise before Thanksgiving. They started in Zürich and ended in Paris, stopping in both French and German cities along

the Rhine and briefly crossing through Luxembourg. Nancy Stead Atwood and her husband Alan are continuing their PT for knee replacements. Nancy thinks it takes six months to regain normal function. Nancy was looking forward to planting her garden in April as well as a visit from her nephew and his wife from San Francisco. They planned to drive to Ashville and see Alan’s many achievements at the farm. Nancy and Alan are exploring the Boot Barn Concerts: the Oak Ridge Boys were great. Fan Staunton Ogilvie says she is finally near a date for publishing her 4th book of poetry and paintings and science titled Dust is the Only Secret—Assent to Life. Congratulations! Fan hopes Mrs. Lee, Miss Fry, and Mrs. Davis are smiling. Fan also urges everyone to take a look at Ellen Galinsky’s ’60 new book on teenagers, The Breakthrough Years. Ellen and Fan were neighbors from Charleston, West Virginia. Marianna Howard Arms celebrated her 80th with

her daughter Abbie Hyde and her family, son Jamie Wakelin and his family and Walt’s granddaughter Rachel.  Jennifer Johnston Theobold has had some memorable visits with classmates this year: Jane Taylor Ryan in Maine and Kris Winebrenner Ratliff in Arizona. They had much fun catching up on the paths life has taken them.  Jennifer was in DC in November and had lunch with Jill McKelvie and Kathie Bradley McGrath. Jennifer plans to spend her 80th with her four children and spouses in South Carolina. She says it was way too complicated to corral seven grandchildren, so they won’t join the celebration. Jennifer says life is good, she’s upright, still playing tennis and still volunteering. She summers on Long Island, travels into NYC to see a show or two and attended the US Open last September. Elizabeth Wilson Pearson and Barry are still living in their NYC apartment. The children and families all live nearby. Barry is still working

 1. Patty Noble Mason ’62 on Easter at St. David’s on MacArthur Blvd, Washington, DC.  2. Susie Lewis Wilbanks ’62 with her Easter outfit on!  3. Suzanne Snell Tesh ’62 with husband Lee Combs and friends Gala, Andrei, and Robert at Pars Persian restaurant in Albuquerque for New Year’s Eve 2023— the belly dancers came later!  4. Betsy Schneider Backe ’63 and Muriel Seeger Johnson ’63, visiting last year at Muriel’s home in Medford, Oregon.   5. Louise Alpert Pelan’s ’63 grandchildren in August 2023.

part time as a pathologist. Liz is taking a drawing course and a course on the Supreme Court in continuing ed for people over 60. Kassandra “Sandra” Bennett Edwards and Scott are back from two months in Australia. They spent a month in Sydney and attended St Andrew’s Cathedral near their condo. When Sandra’s sister, brotherin-law, and a friend arrived, they took a road trip where they saw lots of kangaroos; Sandra even fed one. She continues her psychotherapy practice and her participation at St Matthews Episcopal church where she is a greeter, usher, vestry member, and has joined the bell choir. She’s also a docent at the San Francisco opera and attends the San Francisco symphony often. Their four “adopted” Ugandan kids are doing well. Joy is married to a Hungarian, pregnant with her first child and loves living in Ireland. (Talk about international!) Daughter Dinnah and husband live in Canada with their threemonth old daughter, Jada Winter. The two boys are still in Uganda; one wishes to emigrate, possibly to Canada, and one is still in school. In February, Jane Taylor Ryan escaped to Florida to avoid the rest of the New Hampshire winter. She saw her brother Robbie (we remember him!) and his wife in Naples, then connected with Jill McKelvie to spend 5 days visiting Patti Reid Rudy. Patti likes her new living quarters but does miss getting out as she no longer drives. After seeing Patti, Jane went on to The Villages with 3 NH friends. From

there they moved to Palm Coast where a 5th friend spends the winter. Jane ended her email with “needless to say we are having a terrific time.” We send our condolences to Delight Johnstone Edgell, whose husband Peter (Pete) died from Alzheimer’s in April 2021. Delight added “so it’s just me taking care of our ownerbuilt home and ten acres of tumbleweed in Cascabel, Ariz. In March, Delight’s daughter Evelyn Roper and son Geoffrey Wallace put together an 80th birthday surprise party for Delight, attended by many of Delight and Pete’s long-time friends, colleagues and former students from Benson (AZ) United School District. Evelyn’s description of her mom, “One of the most intelligent, interesting, loving people I know. Ask her about astronomy, geology, plants, designing and building a house, fixing a washing machine, sewing a wedding dress, birds, teaching subjects and life skills to kids, designing and creating one-of-a-kind jewelry, Japanese, dinosaurs, traveling the world as a kid, diving at the Burmese Olympics at 17, and a million more stories, some I’m still finding out about. She’s humble and quiet about a lot, but passionate about the people she loves!” Nutchanand “Pao” Osathanond had an active winter at home and in travels to Singapore and Paris. For those of us on Facebook, Pao’s photographs, whether of Paris mornings, Tino at the beach or various travel and gastronomic adventures are always excellent. In February, Lis Lane Virnstein joined the joint replacement

gang and now has a new knee. She is doing well. Lis and Bob had a lovely two weeks in Scotland in September; Lis also shared great photos on FB. Diane Burr-Dickey wrote that she especially appreciates photos like those mentioned; how better to “visit” places you will probably not see in person than by looking at pictures shared by friends!

Meri Ball Lane arranged a very special trip for her 80th birthday in February 2024. She took nearly her entire family for a several day vacation on Lord Howe Island, a World Heritage site in the Tasman Sea, only a couple hours flight from Sydney. The group included Meri’s daughters, sons, their partners, and grandchildren. There were 16 of them, missing only two grandsons, one at UC Berkeley and one in Vietnam. Needless to say, they had a wonderful time on the tiny (6 miles long, less than 2 miles wide), pristine island paradise.

Suzanne Tesh: 2023 was one of the worst years I can remember due to multiple health afflictions for both of us (husband Lee Combs). Something to celebrate, this April 11 is the tenth anniversary of Lee and me meeting at Dugout sports bar in Kinston, N.C. This August, we begin our fourth year in Santa Fe and our tenth summer opera season together in Santa Fe. A new doctor in 2024 should bring a much-needed course correction.

Pray for a successful hip replacement for me this year please!

 1. Lyle York ‘63, Lyle’s friend Leo, and Dodie Little ‘63.  2. Vicky Thompson Tillotson’s ’63 grandaughter, Artemis, on their trip to France last summer.

1963

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE & AGENT

Susie April Marshall susan.april.marshall@gmail.com

Thank you to the Class of 1963 for your collective gift of $35,913 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Lucy-Treadwell Atkins: It was a moving year. Henry and I moved back to Houston TX in Oct for his back surgery, but it became too dangerous with all his complications… so here in May we will move back to Las Cruces, NM. My sister Be Davison ’61+-died in July after 3 years during which her daughter (Betu) and son-in-law (Matt) cared for her at home, a wonderful caring time. This year we had 3 teams to cheer in the NCAA tournament, each recently graduated grandchildren. It’s been a hard two weeks and more to come. Best to all.

We have heard from Carol Armstrong Dillon, husband Tom, their children and grandchildren are doing well.  They have a baseball player in the family - 13-yearold grandson, Lucas, who is taller than Carol, and a 17-year-old granddaughter, Stella, who plays volleyball and is also taller than Carol! Tom and Carol spent a month in France last fall, last Christmas in Seattle with daughter Kate and Lucas, a week in Hawaii in January and then

a week in Palm Springs with Kate and Lucas celebrating Kate’s 50th (!) birthday. Time flies too fast… Carol and Tom have lived at The Glen at Scripps Ranch in San Diego for more than four years, enjoying the many activities and making new friends. Louise Pelan and Carol meet for lunch about every six weeks to catch up with each other and their families. Carol and Tom (major NCS donors) are very proud of our class for earning the Hollerith-Ouverson Award for highest participation in the Annual Fund last year.  (Thanks to all of you!). Carol sends her greetings— “Cheers to all”.

Debbie Buchanan Fickenscher had a wonderful trip to France last fall. She had been to Paris, but never anywhere else in France. This trip was a wonderful adventure in small towns and rural areas.  Debbie loved it!  At home in Gaithersburg, Maryland, she continues to exercise regularly to keep her Parkinson’s at bay. Debbie now climbs a rock wall twice a week and participates in Rock Steady Boxing. She continues to be active in her church and is enjoying life.

Marilyn Grayson: My young cousins tell me I’m old. I disagree!  How many of you feel ok? So, I’ve just replaced my limb joints so I can be active! And I’m getting a boxer puppy in a week! Hope



you’re all feeling happy and healthy.  And get a puppy!” (GREAT advice!)

We heard from Muriel Seeger Johnson that she is doing well. For Muriel, our 60th Reunion was way too short, but she had a wonderful time visiting Vicky Thompson Tillotson and seeing everyone. Betsey Schneider Backe could not make it to the Reunion, so, instead, she visited Muriel in Oregon last September. Muriel and Betsey had fun eating out, laughing and remembering their NCS days. Other than that, the past year has been quiet.

Margaret Midlen Manda is happy that a Villa finally came on the market for her in Naples, Florida. She moved this past February. All her children and grandchildren are good. Daughter Meg and two of her boys visited Margaret last Spring, as did son Jamie and his family.  Margaret’s grandson Ethan (from Chicago) is now enjoying his freshman year at the University of Wisconsin (Madison).

We are very sad to report that last year, after battling a long illness, Joan McClaine May’s husband of 55 years, Henry Lyon May, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Our condolences and love go to Joan, her two children and five grandchildren.

 1. Deena Delany ’64 releassing a rehabilitated sea turtle to the ocean.

2. Willoughby “Willo” Newton’s ’64 daughter and grandsons during Easter this year.

Louise Alpert Pelan is still enjoying life at White Sands of La Jolla, a lovely retirement community right on the beach, where she has found both the residents and staff to be warm and friendly and where the in-house activities and excursions keep her busy doing things she would never be doing if she had stayed alone in her condo after husband Fred passed away. Last year, Louise visited the D.C. area a number of times—for our 60th Reunion and to stay with daughter Elizabeth’s children—Felix (17) and Cecilia (15), while Elizabeth and Nana went to Paris for the launch of Nana’s newly published novel (available in French and English!), and another time to help care for Elizabeth while she recuperated from successful surgery. Last August, Cecilia and Felix (with Elizabeth) traveled from Northern Virginia to La Jolla to visit their cousins—daughter Martha and son Chris’ children - Avis (16), Sophia (15), Tommy (21), Lucas (10), Ashley (19) and Dustin (12).  Louise is looking forward to attending Tommy’s graduation from Yale this year and Felix’s graduation from Thomas Jefferson High School in Fairfax, Virginia. Fred’s daughter Tara’s baby boy, Kian Wiley Kreutzer, was born last year—healthy and adorable. After so many years, it is fun for Louise to see a new baby in the family.  Louise enjoyed last Thanksgiving with Martha and Ashley in Santa Barbara and then Los Olivos (what some call “the back of beyond”) to attend holiday festivities at Avis’ school, including the chance to attend min-classes and to learn with Avis, as their instructor, how to groom a horse!

Congratulations to Leslie Poole who became a great-grandmother on April 9, 2024! Jackson Boone Gullickson is scheduled to meet grandparents as visitors at his home in Charlotte, North Carlina, this summer. Leslie’s son, David Rock, is Jackson’s proud grandpa, who lives in SW Virginia. Leslie’s granddaughter, Emily (David’s second daughter), is Jackson’s mother. Leslie’s daughter Jane is taking Leslie from Charlottesville to Charlotte to meet “the man of the hour”!

Diana Willis Rothman traveled from Santa Cruz, California, to Austin, Texas, to watch the April 8 solar eclipse knowing that the forecast was for an overcast sky. But Diana wrote that the sun peeked out from the clouds as the moon covered it, then the air turned cold and she was in eerie darkness until suddenly the sun, totally eclipsed by the moon, appeared from behind the clouds. It was truly awesome! Five days later, Diana flew to Ireland for three weeks— quite a spring!

Vicky Thompson Tillotson: Last summer we took our 15-year-old granddaughter, Artemis, to the house we have been renting every summer in Provence since 1999. We thought about taking her for her high school graduation but decided not to wait that long. And it’s a good thing we didn’t wait because the owner who lives in England has decided to stop renting. My husband and I wanted to show her some of our favorite places. Glanum was the site of an ancient Roman town which had been totally covered up by dirt and farming and forests and wasn’t discovered until the early 1900s when a local shepherd found a pot shard which was believed to be made before the time of Julius Caesar. Artemis had fun dancing between the twin temples of Castor and Pollux. We picnicked under the Pont du Gard aqueduct (built by the Romans of course) and found the ruins of a Greek temple behind a château which produces local wine. Then we were off to Paris—the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre (Mona Lisa, Nike, Venus de Milo) and maybe most importantly a room full of statues of Artemis (also known as the goddess Diana). What a lovely trip with our lovely granddaughter, who was interested and appreciative of it all. So glad we didn’t wait!

For the past three years, Midge Kloman Wallace has spent a month or two  during the winter with her son Chris in Raleigh, North Carolina, a tiny bit warmer than Midge’s home in Fort Wayne, Indiana… where she enjoys visiting with Chris (taking care of his dogs when he is working),and spending her days painting and visiting old friends,

including Pat O’Hara Beck and her husband… very restful for Midge.

Marta Williams: “Hello to our class!  I am still working full time and enjoying it greatly.  Thinking about finally writing that book about what I do… Executive coaching… after a long career at ABC News, but probably not yet.  I watch with yearning as you guys meet up for reunions, etc. in Washington, but it is a long way from here!  My grandchildren will be going to Michigan with me this summer and I am looking forward to that.  Hope everyone is well.  This getting-old-bit is for the birds but better than other options. Love to all!”

Lyle York, husband Matt Wilson, and their poodle Leo met Dodie Little in Santa Barbara, CA, for a brief but happy visit in March!

1964

CLASS REPRESENATIVE

Deena Delany deena@ddelany.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1964 for your collective gift of $3,589 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Deena Delany: Fortunately, I am still physically able to continue my work with our endangered sea turtles. My turtle protection and conservation efforts began after I retired and have been a huge part of my life ever since. The 2023 season (May 1–October 31) saw almost double our normal number of nesting sea turtles. It will be interesting to see how the 2024 season shapes up. Other than turtles, I’m healthy, active, and live an idyllic and quiet life a block from the beach in Florida.

Willoughby Newton: I’m enjoying retirement at St. Mary’s Woods in Henrico, VA. The art classes bring back NCS days… painting and Clay work. There’s no Cathedral here, however! How blessed we were!

Elizabeth Stengel: We sold our house in Aug ’23 & downsized to a local

apartment, but 2 days before moving our buyer backed out, leaving us with a mortgage and 12 months lease and without lots of furniture and household items that we had donated to Habitat for Humanity, etc. Long story short, we’re back in our house until later this year when some external repairs will make it even more saleable. Our next move will probably be to CO where our oldest daughter, granddaughter and youngest son live. But who knows?

1965

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Denny Stein dstein3@mac.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

SEEKING 60TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to the Class of 1965 for your collective gift of $1,102 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

1966

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Helen Graham Stubbs S22153@earthlink.net

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1966 for your collective gift of $1,845 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

1967

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE & AGENT

Vicki Van Rensselaer northbayroad16@aol.com

Thank you to the Class of 1967 for your collective gift of $2,807 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Congratulations to Julie Steele Case and Mary Lou Steptoe who became grandparents for the first time in 2023!

Vicki Van Rensselaer: The Book Club that has been formed for our class read Necessary Trouble Growing Up At Midcentury by Drew Gilpin Faust during the fall of 2023, The Covenant Of Water by Abraham Verghese during the winter of 2023 and Last Best Hope by George Packer during the spring of 2024.

1968

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Susan Gutchess sgutchess@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1968 for your collective gift of $2,245 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

1969

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Leslie Provence lprovence@sbcglobal.net

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1969 for your collective gift of $9,900 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Julia “Judy” Andrews retired from OSU last spring and is spending time in San Diego where her husband teaches at UCSD. “I’m still giving some lectures here and there. A Korean translation of our Art of Modern China just appeared. Our kids are settled in Columbus and Oakland, with little grandsons in both cities.”

Erika Brady reports, “I’m blessed: maybe boring, but never bored” sums up life at present. I keep on keepin’ on with clay work, fiber activism, garden, mandolin, and choir—I see improvements, but no dramatic breakthroughs. Cooking, reading, and admiring the vidoes of turtles and cats are my entertainment.”

Laura Dirksen Shub, also known as The Juggling Queen, reports that life is smooth, beautiful, creative, and productive. She is writing a history of The International Juggler’s Association, which is now 76 years old. She adds,

 1. In October 2023, Cathy Stirling ’72 (center) met up with Daphne DePuy ’72 (left) at the vacation home of Daphne’s sister, Joslin, in Chincoteague Island for a “wonderfully fun reunion.”  2. Carrington Wise ’72 and her husband Alex traveled from Memphis to Little Rock to watch the eclipse with Gladys Shackelford Whitney ’72 and her sister, Bébé ’Shackelford ’69.

“The cool thing is, all the methodology we learned at NCS for writing research papers has held me in good stead through my bachelors, two masters and now, writing a history book, through what is essentially a doctorate. File cards, kids!”

Ellen Ficklen and husband Paul Zador plan to downsize and move to a retirement community sometime in the next couple of years. A major task for them: Figuring out what to do with The Watermelon Collection, which now tops 3,000+ items. As a first step, using her strong curatorial and cataloging background, Townley McElhiney created a colorful, detailed collection statement that Ellen can use to interest museums. So, if any classmates know of, or have connections at, a museum that would benefit from a folk-art-oriented watermelon collection, let Ellen know and she’ll get a collection statement to it.

Susan “Gigi” Galbraith is developing libretti for three productions in the 2024–2025 season to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the company Alliance for New Music-Theatre which she helped found. She continues serving at the Cathedral and participating in programs promoting dialogue and meaningful

social action. It being Spring, she can also be found planting in her plot at Rock Creek Community Garden.

From Susan Hogg Cohan, “the class might be interested to know that my mother, Barbara Hogg, still lives with me and my husband. And in May she turns 100 years young! We are planning a high tea birthday celebration for family including 2 daughters, 4 granddaughters and 7 great grandchildren!”

Townley McElhiney writes, “What a blast it was to spend my March birthday weekend in NYC with lots of family and good friends! I saw my daughter Alexandra’s apartment in Brooklyn for the first time. Also, both daughters, their guys, and I had a delightful lunch with Carey Cameron and her husband Giovanni Ferrero. We caught up over delicious food and lively conversations.”

Lindsay McKelvie Eakin says, “My latest grandchild, Esme, at 14 months now lives in DC. Lucky me!”

From Germany, Angelika Ramin reports “beautiful summer vacations in the Swiss mountains (with some of my kids and 4 of my grandchildren) and on the Greek island Corfu with my two sisters.”

An accident had her knitting with a cast on the right hand, but she managed to organize a Christmas play with eleven children between ages 4 and 11 and help neighbors and family members in times of need. “Presently we experience the Sahara dust being blown across Europe— providing nice temperatures but no clear sunshine.”

Gertrude Sherman writes, “2024 is a year of travel and healing for me. I am successfully delaying ankle surgery by wearing hiking boots EVERYWHERE—just like my days as an undergraduate at UC Santa Cruz. We look forward to visiting granddaughter Rebecca (and, of course, her parents) in Seattle in April and September, traveling in Sardinia with friends for two weeks in May, and Tetons in October.” She is also enjoying a watercolor class.

Reporting on Eclipse experiences, ranging from totality under cloud cover to partial under sunny skies, were Leslie Provence, Jan Loveland, Lisa Wemett, Judy Andrews, Nora Harvey, Gertrude Sherman, Erika Brady, Laura Dirksen Shub Polly Martin Warner wins the prize, with totality under clear skies in northern Maine.

 1. Lydia Stone Kimball ’73 and her husband Matt Kimball (STA ’73) celebrated the marraige of their daughter Margaret Kimball to CJ Santullo in Chatham, MA last September.  2. Annie Koch ’74. 1970s

1970

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Pat Row King kinginfo2@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

SEEKING 60TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to the Class of 1970 for your collective gift of $5,733 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

1971

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Judy Karasik karasikjudy@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1971 for your collective gift of $2,345 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

1972

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Laura Roper l.roper@rcn.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1972 for your collective gift of $2,301 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

It’s daunting to take over the role of class correspondent from Penny Moriarty Work, whose absence is still keenly felt.

The benefit for me is being in closer touch with many of you. As most of you know, I’ve been working on the Memory Book with Kiki Lundberg and Janet Berl Burman, and I dearly hope that you all have it in hand by the time this comes out.

In October 2023, Cathy Stirling met up with Daphne DePuy at the vacation home of Daphne’s sister, Joslin, in Chincoteague Island for a “wonderfully fun reunion.”

Deborah Banning Martin reported in March that she was going to Hood River, OR for a month to spend time with her new grandson.

Nancy Dudley Heaslip reports, “Still living in Chevy Chase, working for an international organization on the drug treatment front. I travel ALOT! Keeps me young since I have to keep up with my 30-year-old colleagues! But I always make time for fun—Husband Mark (has it been 34 years we’ve been married?—yup!) and I will go to Bangkok in April. Our son Sean Heaslip moved to Brooklyn last year and loves it. Who knew so many St. Albans alums are living in the city. I stay in touch with Corey Nikoloric and Christy Claggett who are both well!”

Carole Hackes Duckett, after briefly fooling me with an April 1 bucket list

update (e.g. skydiving in Dubai, climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, playing Black Jack in Monte Carlo) shared that, in fact, “We don’t have much to report—we are still in coastal Virginia, enjoying living near the water as well as near our three children and their families.  My sister, Pam (Pamela Hackes Thurston ’70) moved to our area last year, and it’s been wonderful living near each other for the first time in about 40 years!  We enjoy occasional travel and otherwise, family and volunteer activities here keep us busy.”

Kiki Lundberg was delighted to welcome Anne Griffiths for a week’s visit this spring. Kiki reports, “Anne, though still firmly rooted in Scotland, has been living in Berlin for nearly two decades. We had a wonderful week together, including lunch with Laura Roper, an overnight visit to Kiki’s sister, Anne Lundberg ’76, in West Hartford, and two nights in NYC. The highlight was an evening at the Met, complete with dinner in the glorious Grand Tier restaurant (they serve courses during the intermissions) to see Romeo and Juliet. Anne has warm memories of her senior year at NCS and would love to be in touch with any of our classmates. If you’re in Berlin, let her know!”

Louise Jones McPhillips writes, “Just a year ago, Frank and I took a spectacular trip to Israel and Jordan, underscoring

 1. Class of ‘74’s Janet Miller, Mary Jeffers and Anne Ficklen at the Brooklyn Museum last September.  2. Tina Chen Starke ’76 and husband Larry in Patagonia, Chile.

our yearning for lasting peace in the Middle East. However, the highlight of our year was the birth of our first grandson in Madrid, Spain. We spent several weeks in Madrid with Alex, Mariana, and baby Gael, followed by a week-long celebration of my birthday in Paris!”

Corinne Masur’s fourth book is coming out in August—How Children Grieve: What Adults Miss, and What They Can Do to Help. When she heard that it was going to be translated into Ukrainian, she asked to add a chapter on children’s grief in wartime and has been working on that for the translated edition.

My (Laura Roper) big adventure in 2023 was going on a whiskey tour in Scotland with my daughter and her husband. We couldn’t have had a nicer time. I was quite impressed with the food scene (the whiskey scene was as impressive as expected), and I just loved Scotland.

1973

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Karen Kalavritinos Rarog kararog@aol.com

Sandra “Sandy” Boek Werness sbwerness1@verizon.net

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1973 for your collective gift of $7,495 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Marilyn Brigham: Hard meeting with NCS’ers when you live in Massachusetts! Lydia Stone Kimball and I had dinner with our husbands at the “infamous” Chatham Squire in Chatham this December. Lydia and I had fun reminiscing about days at Rosedale/ NCS; husbands, both lawyers, enjoyed comparing notes. This May, Karen Kalavritinos Rarog and her husband came to our house in Northborough, MA for dinner, which was wonderful. Both Lydia and Karen were visiting family in Massachusetts. I’m hoping to get visiting Cape Cod classmates together this summer in Falmouth. If you find yourself in Central MA or Cape Cod, please contact me.

Lydia Stone Kimball: Matt STA’73 and I celebrated the marriage of our daughter Margaret to CJ Santullo in Chatham MA in September ’23. The wedding was the same weekend as Hurricane Lee… which only added to the magic!

Karen Rarog: I so enjoyed seeing everyone again at Reunion last year. It has been very eventful for my husband

Bob and me since then. We just returned from a cruise to South America, which checked our bucket list item to “round the Horn.” But most important, I am happy to report that we will be joining the ranks of grandparents! Our son and daughter-in-law, Alexander and Shelby, are expecting a baby boy in September. They live in Andover, Massachusetts, so we will see a lot of Marilyn Pond Brigham and would love to hopefully connect with classmates in the area.

1974

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Diane Shelton dishelton@outlook.com

CLASS AGENT

Betsey Kane betseykane@verizon.net

Thank you to the Class of 1974 for your collective gift of $26,498 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Mary Jeffers: I am truly enjoying retirement, a mix of volunteer work, travel, and lively time with grandsons ages 6, 5, and 3. A big 2024 highlight was our son Matthew’s wedding in April. And of course, NCS Reunion (50th!) in May.

 1. Tina Chen Starke ’76 celebrating the marraige of her son this past September.  2. The Creel/Smith Crew, left to right: Creel Smith, Elsa Smith, Roger Smith, and Margaret Creel ’76.

M’Young Kim: I am grateful for the austere? and excellent! education I received in my short three and half years of private school education at NCS that prepared me so well for my college education. Now, a mother of 4 children and grandma of 5, I am a happy volunteer at YEOL Foundation, which preserves Korean cultural heritage, particularly supporting traditional artisans to have a meaningful application in the future. Yeol Project supports a traditional artisan and a young craftsman every year to collaborate with a designer to produce craft relevant and beautiful to contemporary life.

Anne Koch: I just retired from a juvenile corrections facility near Seattle, where I was a staffer working with young offenders. Some are serious criminals, and most have had very tough upbringings and rotten luck. This ends an ever-evolving career as a journalist (Washington Post, Seattle Times) and social worker (National Alliance on Mental Illness and State of Washington). I live in Seattle with my husband, Chuck Taylor, who retired recently after more than 40 years in the news business. Now we plan to travel and see friends, and I look forward to catching up with classmates.

1975

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Jan Pettie Williams jwilliams@sfismd.org

CLASS AGENT

Anne Brooks Gwaltney anne.gwaltney@verizon.net

SEEKING 50TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to the Class of 1975 for your collective gift of $15,188 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Lynne Loewer Paul: My husband, Chad, and I are loving living in North Palm Beach, Florida and spending our summers in Fenwick Island, Delaware. We just returned from a month-long cruise to New Zealand, Australia, and Bali. A lifetime dream has come true! Life is good! I hope to see many of our classmates at our 50th NCS reunion in May 2025!

Pamela White: It’s not really our year yet but for what it’s worth, I am still working full-time for the DC Government, and happily so. We get a lot of public criticism for the previous child welfare system (which we are transforming into the child and family well-being system), but in reality, our detractors would serve us a little better by

considering DC’s practice to data across the nation. DC is a role model despite all of the challenges that coincide with bureaucracy and government machineries. I am still guiding meditations (“other duties as assigned”) twice a week for any interested DC Government employee. I love this opportunity to help us “worker bees” quiet some of the static of the brain. I definitely do not refer to these Pamelesque meditations as “mindful.” To the contrary, I encourage staff to “drop from the head into the heart.” These are heart-field meditations (with all due respect to Sarah, Betsy, and Chip! wink). Children and grandchildren, gratefully, all healthy and happy.

1976

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Christina “Tina” Chen Starke cclcs@msn.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1976 for your collective gift of $35,917 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Margaret Creel: I’m working for United Airlines part-time as a customer service agent—my retirement job. I see the good, the bad, and the ugly. The benefits include free travel anywhere worldwide

 1. Libby Mathiasen Tillson ’77 (R) and Lou Rollinson ’77 at NCS’s Evening with an Expert event series for donors, where they learned about the history of bellringing and received a special tour from Whitechapel Guild Coordinator, Quilla Roth ’66.  2. Lou Rollinson ‘77 with her sister Alice Makl ‘78 and Alice’s granddaughters. 1970s

 1. Liz Clarke ’78 (R) and Donna Smirniotopoulos ’78 (L) at Donna’s mother’s 100th birthday celebration in February.  2. Nethery Wylie ’78 and Carla Schwarz Buckley ’78 in North Carolina this past winter.  3. Maria Heon ’77 in Jamestown, NY.  4. Monika Krizek Griffis ’79 and Mary Anne Duncan Dingus ’79 in Aspen, Colorado in January.  5. Jean Demaree Roth ’77 (R) and Kumi Makihara ’77 in New York City last September.  6. Kathleen Paul ’77 (L) with her daughter-in-law Jennifer Beck-Laude, and grandchildren Barron and Lily Beck-Laude in Paris in March.

1970s

for me and my family. Daughter Elsa, 26, will study at the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science in San Diego this fall. Son Creel, 28, is a private tennis coach in Bozeman, MT. Husband Roger Smith is the Chief Mission Officer at Teton Raptor Center in Jackson, Wyoming. We started this non-profit decades ago out of our house. Life is pretty darned grand.

Harriet Goodman: I was delighted to reconnect this month with Anne Stevenson Yang, who looked me up in London when she was touring her two new books based on 25 years’ experience in China. Wild Ride: A short history of the opening and closing of the Chinese economy is a great wild read, full of the wry humor I remember from way back when, and thoroughly enlightening. She wrote Hello, Kitty and other short stories to give voice to ordinary people caught up in the freefall. I am so impressed.

Tina Starke: 2023 was a busy year! I “unretired” after 3 months to join a local travel agency here in NJ. In between training and booking trips, Larry and I took advantage of my new profession to do some traveling ourselves. We checked off a few items on our bucket list: Patagonia, Chichen Itza, and swimming in a cenote! However, the highlight of the year was the marriage of our son to

his longtime girlfriend. They married on a beautiful September afternoon with many friends and family in attendance.

1977

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Mary “Hall” Gregg Hallgregg6@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT

Jean Roth jeanroth@me.com

Thank you to the Class of 1977 for your collective gift of $13,466 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Hall Gregg: The year got off to a busy start with a trip to Honolulu and the birth of our third granddaughter, Margaret Bradly Tensen, on February 19. Of course, it was instant love! We had a great time at the Sony Open while in Hawaii and cheered on the four golfers from our hometown of Chattanooga, TN. So excited to be get back out on the golf course this spring!

Leslie Gruis reports that she is busier in retirement than she ever was when she worked full time. After writing two books on privacy, she’s getting ready to create a new website based on her evolving privacy brand. She’s writing and

pitching privacy articles, giving guest lectures, and thinking about her next book. Leslie also tutors math, English, physics, and history part-time (ages 4–20), mentors STEM students, and volunteers with several non-profits.

Maria Heon: I no sooner returned from a wonderful cruise to Iceland last summer, when I went on a weeklong road trip to Canada, NY, and PA with my sister. You may recall my love of old movies. We visited the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, as well as Lucille Ball’s and Jimmy Stewart’s hometowns. Not to mention we stopped in Syracuse to visit our niece, spent the day at the Finger Lakes, and then spent a couple of days each in Niagara Falls and Toronto. All because my sister wanted to see Shania Twain in Buffalo!

Kumi Makihara: Jean Demaree Roth visited me in NYC in September, and we had a great visit.

Kathleen Paul: We went to London and Paris in March to visit my husband’s eldest son and his family, who moved to Paris, France, for his job 16 months ago. I love London and hadn’t been there in 13 years, so we all spent a long weekend there before heading to Paris. The kids, 11 and 14, joined me for swimming in

 1. Heather Thomas ’79 and Roxana Grant-Suttie Reid ’79 in Las Vegas.  2. Members of the class of 1979 celebrating their 45th Reunion this May! Front row, from left: Esther Brimmer, Spencer Pardoe Ballou, Monika Krizek Griffis, Laura Hills, Anne Albright, Anne Ginsburgh Rosenau, Beth Jewett, and Emily Brower Auchard. Back row, from left: Pooh Ryland Beightol, Ann Bracken, Debbie Principato Jessiman, Taya Glotzer, Alix Beatty, Julie Greenspoon, and Virginia Keeny.

our hotel pool; we love the water. We appreciated the beautiful art, sculpture and antiquities in the museums, cruised the Thames on a boat trip, walked the Champs-Elysees again, and had a wonderful time… all before the Olympic crowds!

Lou Rollinson: A work trip took me to Seattle in early April. I stayed an extra day so that I could visit with my sister Alice Makl ’78 and her family. Alice moved to the Seattle area in 2022 to be closer to her grandchildren. She was the first Rollinson sister to leave the DC area. Here I am pictured with Alice and her two adorable granddaughters.

Patty Talbert Smith: Recoveries have gone well, so Chris and I are starting to make plans again! We are enjoying our 18-month-old grandson, and are making plans for him, too!! My parents were buried at Arlington on November 29, 2023. My Tuskegee Airman dad received full military honors, so it was a special morning, followed by a celebration breakfast. I was SO grateful to be surrounded not only by classmates Maria Heon, Lou Rollinson, Libby Schrock Tillson, and Popsy Kanagaratnam ’75, but ALSO by beloved teachers Susan Easton and Hayden Mathews. Even at the ripe old age of almost-65, my NCS Family continues to sustain me!

Libby Schrock Tillson: Lou and I enjoyed learning about the bells in the Cathedral this spring during an alumnae event. It was a lot of fun. Such a beautiful evening as well.

1978

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Ann Journey journ001@umn.edu

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1978 for your collective gift of $7,230 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Amie Bishop: I am en route to Ukraine, where my organization, Outright International, supports Ukrainian LGBTIQ organizations to ensure that their communities have equitable access to humanitarian support and safe passage, both for the internally displaced and for those seeking refuge elsewhere. This is my second visit since Russia’s brutal invasion, though I have worked here sporadically since 1997. Despite the war’s terrible impact, friends and colleagues in the capital remain determined, and Kyiv is as vibrant as ever. In lighter news, my wife, Renee, and I just celebrated 35 years together, and our sons, 23 and 26, make us so proud.

Carla Buckley: I’m so glad Nethery found me when she headed to NC this December! She brought green chile from Colorado and cooked us lunch. We later did a little holiday shopping in downtown Carrboro and joined my sister, Liese Schwarz ’81, Philip Beal STA ’78, and Jim Beach STA ’78 for dinner.

Donna Smirniotopoulos: Ran for office as an Independent. Lost, badly, to an incumbent (who also works for the mayor) and a newcomer—a convicted felon who primaried his way onto the ballot. Nice guy who benefitted from a political landscape that favors singleparty rule and ex-cons (see Bridgeport). My mother turned 100 in February. She wore a suit to her own wedding in 1950. No photographer. No cake. No flowers. She got all of them for her 100th. My former next door neighbor Liz Clarke was there to give me some. R.G. Lorenzo turned one in November. I love being a Yiayia.

Helen Hynson Vettori’s sci-fi political thriller, Black Swan Impact, debuted March 28, 2024. Kit Hynson Moss ’75, Rick Hynson STA ’71, and Ann Journey contributed to the work. “Receiving their valuable input, not only enhanced my work but gave us a way to connect during 2020 lockdowns and overall difficult times,” Vettori stated. The novel

 1. Margaret Bracken Thompson ‘80 and Ann Lindgren ‘80 in Park City Utah.  2. Jennifer Howard ’81 and her daughter, Lela Trainer.

takes place in 2113, when a deadly microorganism emerges, threatening not only political and societal constructs but the very existence of humanity. Visit the Black Swan Impact website for more information https://helenhvettori.wixsite. com/black-swan-impact.

Nethery Wylie: In December, I drove from Colorado to the Research Triangle (NC) area to check in on some extended family. Since I went to Duke, I thought I might see some of those classmates… instead I found Carla Schwarz Buckley, Philip Beal STA ’78, and Jim Beach STA ’78, and we all had dinner together. Carla has the photographic evidence.

1979

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Rebecca Ravenel rravenal@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1979 for your collective gift of $7,015 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Mary Anne Duncan Dingus and Monika Krizek Griffis reconnected in January 2024 for some skiing with their families at Mary Anne’s vacation home in Aspen, Colorado.

Heather Thomas shares, “Roxana Reid and I met up in Las Vegas in February, along with our daughters Ashley and Blair, to see U2 at The Sphere. It was an incredible experience!”

1980

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Teri Allen Walters teri2tasha@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

SEEKING 45TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to the Class of 1980 for your collective gift of $13,722 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Margaret Bracken Thompson had fun visiting with Ann Lindgren in Park City Utah for spring skiing.

1981

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Shan Swain Kilbridge shankilbridge@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1981 for your collective gift of $31,404 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

W. Reid Thompson, father of Susan Billington and Mary Rice ’72 died peacefully at home in Chevy Chase, Maryland on March 23, 2024, at the age of 99.

Jennifer Howard: It’s hard to believe that my oldest, Lela Trainer, will be graduating from college in May! Lela is a double major in French and drama at UVA; she’ll spend the summer at home in DC before heading to the West Coast to pursue acting. My youngest, Finn Trainer, is finishing up his second year at UVA, majoring in history and English and working as news editor for the student paper. My husband, Mark, and I are still living on Capitol Hill— no plans to retire anytime soon.

1982

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Sarah Clemmitt swclemmitt@hotmail.com

Melissa Pranger McConnell melissa.pranger@yahoo.com

CLASS AGENT

Eleanor Lackey Tessier ertessier@yahoo.com

Thank you to the Class of 1982 for your collective gift of $26,574 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

 1. Sylvia Ellison ’82 and Amy Rollinson Ruberl ’82 anticipating totality during the solar eclipse in Yellow Springs,OH.  2. Andréa Worden ’82 and Sarah Whitehouse ’82 in Aspen, CO in February.

 1. Tatiana Blackington James, Kirsten Bose, and Megan Hills, all class of 1984, at Tatiana’s film screening.  2. Jean LeMense Grimsley ’85 addressing the audience at TEDxJacksonville’s Human/Nature conference, 2023.  3. Class of ’85 friends gather to celebrate the life of Jerry Libin, Nancy’s father, in February, 2024. From left: Francesca Schuler, Lauren Anthony, Sarah Deckey, Logan MacKethan, Cecilia Calvo, Nancy Libin, Skye Raiser, Katie Gewirz, Virginia Miller.  4. Christina Christopher ’86 (left) and Aimee Dixon ’86 (right) at lunch.  5. Jojo Rein ’86 and Ellen Hufbauer ’86 with their families in New Orleans.

Chrysti Hogan has just wrapped up her 28th year of teaching math at St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis. Her mother is moving to a senior community near her home so Chrysti will make fewer trips to the DC area after this summer.

Amy Ruberl traveled to Yellow Springs, OH, to experience the solar eclipse with Sylvia Ellison and Laura Ellison ’85, at Laura’s beautiful home.

Andréa Worden: To celebrate our 60th birthdays (both in February), Sarah Whitehouse and I went to Aspen/ Snowmass to ski, explore, catch-up and otherwise hurkle-durkle at a fantastic Airbnb in Carbondale, CO, where we were treated to stunning views of Mount Sopris. We had a great time reminiscing about our first ski trip when we were 8, and many adventures since. It was cool to see Sarah’s now very much grown-up son Charlie who lived nearby, and to virtually meet her adorable toddler grandson, Sammy, who “belongs” to her eldest, Ginny, zooming in from LA.

1983

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED

CLASS AGENT

Tatia Williams Carson tlwoxy@aol.com

Thank you to the Class of 1983 for your collective gift of $5,582 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

1984

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Charlotte Daniel Wray charlotte.wray2@gmail.com

Michelle Washington mlynnwashington@yahoo.com

Thank you to the Class of 1984 for your collective gift of $15,146 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Tatiana Blackington James has big news! Her film “Homologies” won Best Science Fiction Short at the Philip K Dick Film Festival in addition to the Audience Award and the Programmers Prize at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in LA. Tat writes, “It’s been an official selection in about ten festivals so far, including DC Shorts, where I had a great NCS ’84 turnout (see pix !) An empty nest allows me to attend a lot of them, which I love doing. I’m in pre-production for my next one, also sci fi.”

Grace Moore sends news: “Our daughter, Kiera, is graduating from Bryn Mawr College with a degree in anthropology. She is headed to the University of Waterloo to continue her anthropology studies. Philip left his IT Project

Management career to pursue his lifelong passion—sustainability. He has found so much fulfillment in following his passion. I am continuing my work with Reiki and using Art as an integration tool. I will attend an integration coaching certification program in the fall. For the past eight years, I have a held a monthly self-reflective, creative gathering called New Moon Art.”

1985

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Alice Doolittle licenmoth@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

SEEKING 40TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to the Class of 1985 for your collective gift of $2,994 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Classmates were sorry to learn of the passing of some long-time class parents. Maria Daniels’ father Michael Daniels died on December 17, 2023. Jerome Libin, father of Nancy Libin, passed away on February 2nd. Kaaren Robertson, mother of Chrisanna Waldrop, passed away on February 24th. Chrisanna’s father Andrew Waldrop passed away on March 6th. Our hearts go out to Maria, Nancy, and Chrisanna, and to all classmates who have recently lost loved ones.

 1. Melissa Boasberg ’86 (Center) with daughters Talia and Tenley in the NCS gym.  2. Jenny Gilbert ’86, Inez Adams ’87, and Patti Turner ’86 having lunch in DC in March.

Class of ’85 friends, Lauren Anthony, Cecilia Calvo, Sarah Deckey, Katie Gewirz, Logan MacKethan, Virginia Miller, Skye Raiser, and Francesca Schuler, gathered to celebrate the life of Jerry Libin, Nancy Libin’s father, in February 2024.

Julie Crispin: As I write this, our eldest son, Jackson, is on his two-year’s delayed honeymoon in Japan. Our middle son, Max, is working as a classical numismatist in Zurich, specializing in ancient Greek and Roman coins (I did not see that one coming!) Our youngest, Ben, will graduate in May from the University of South Carolina, which he has loved. Darren and I spend a lot of time in Annapolis these days and enjoy seeing Chrisanna Waldrop whenever we can. Please send her your thoughts and prayers. She lost both of her parents over the course of 10 days in March.

Jean LeMense Grimsley shares, “I’m entering my third year as the Executive Director & Co-Organizer of TEDxJacksonville, an all-volunteer team licensed by TED to discover and amplify unique voices with powerful ideas worth sharing. I’m incredibly proud that TED has selected TEDxJacksonville as one of just seven TEDx organizations worldwide to anchor TED’s new Democracy Initiative in our own

community. Throughout the year, we will be showcasing voices working to build a more robust civic culture, more effective representative systems, and a more optimistic and collaborative vision of our democratic future. Know someone we should be talking to? Please reach out!”

Sarah Pyle Moore notes, “Just opened a new office for my women’s therapy practice on Wilson Boulevard in Arlington: www.sarahmoorelpc.com. Playing lots of tennis and have added pickleball to the mix. Hoping to see “Tarnished Corners” from near and far over the coming months.”

Kristin Wells: Thanks to all of you who sent me a note or gave support during my mom’s illness and passing. The two years since have flown by. My son Jordan is now a junior at Savannah College of Art & Design and my daughter Asha graduated with a BFA in Dance from Temple and recently moved to Brooklyn, where she teaches and does various dance gigs in hip hop and contemporary dance. I was previously the General Counsel of the Peace Corps and am now looking for a new opportunity. Let me know if you see anything!

1986

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Kristen Durkin kristendurkin23@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1986 for your collective gift of $41,403 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

It’s great to hear from some classmates we haven’t heard from in a while!

Aimee Dixon: I was so excited this past month to see Christina Christopher and Caroline Christopher ’87! We connected quite serendipitously! For Halloween last year I was taking my daughter Elizabeth to trick or treat with classmates who live on Kerry Lane in Chevy Chase. As we walked into a cul-de-sac something felt familiar. Then it occurred to me we were on the same street as Christina’s family home. Lo and behold, as my daughter and her friends rounded the circle to get their candies, Dr. Christopher opens the door! Long story short, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with both Christina and Caroline (who is now consulting for the nonprofit I run with my mom, IPPH) for lunch recently and now have the pleasure of seeing them more often!

 1. From left: Inez Adams ‘87, Elizabeth Berry ‘85, Logan Harrell MacKethan ‘85, Stefanie Berry Stark ‘88, Catherine Crosland ‘88, and Spencer Abruzzese ’88 at Stephanie’s solo exhbition opening at Addison/Rippley Fine Art in March.

Jenny Gilbert shares, “I am attaching a picture from March 24— I was in DC and had brunch with Patti and Inez Adams ’87 and we had drinks, laughs and tears and then more drinks. It was so great to see them both. I even got to catch up with Rene Bryce-Laporte STA ’84! I was in town with my husband Lars as my stepdaughter lives in Bethesda and works in DC. We brought my mom, Arlene Gilbert, with us so she could visit DC and see her close friends from her time working at GDS. She lives in Boston now, very near us.

Also in March, I left my job as the Head of Marketing for Private Banking at Brown Brothers Harriman to take a new role as the Head of Private Client Marketing at Cambridge Associates, a Boston-based global investment advisory firm. I’m excited for the new challenge and am hoping this is the last job before I retire! How is it possible that we are old enough to consider retirement? Mind-boggling to me! I’m still a travel junkie, and we went to Amsterdam after Christmas for a few days with our adult kids and their partners which was really fun. Last September, Lars and I completed the Tour De Mont Blanc— a 10-day circumnavigation of the peak that takes hikers from Chamonix, France to Italy to Switzerland and back to France. It was grueling and exhausting and my right knee will never be the same. It was also breathtakingly beautiful!”

A lot of news from Alyse Graham, “Our daughter Sage will graduate from NCS this summer after a terrific four years. I met Anne (Handwerger) Large for our semi-regular pedicure date and catch-up session. Our meet-up only got better when we went to dinner with Sarah (Preston) Schrott and Tory (Petty) Stine who were visiting from Oregon. Sarah was giddy with excitement as she described her recent retirement from her career as a psychotherapist. She is learning to weave, taking guitar lessons, and enjoying having her two adult sons in the same time zone, one in Portland and one in Berkeley. Like Anne, Sarah and her husband own a number of cool spots, including an old bowling alley that now hosts pickleball and other sports.

Nicole Gilpin Hood also has exciting professional news! On July 1 she will start as the Head of School at Abington Friends School outside of Philadelphia. Nicole’s appointment makes her the first Black Head of School in AFS’s history. Additionally, she will be the first woman to serve as Head of School in a noninterim capacity. Congratulations Nicole!

Anne Handwerger Large and Kristen Durkin hit the NCS gym with Melissa Boasberg to cheer on Melissa’s daughters Talia and Tenley, a sophomore/freshman double threat, on the Eagles varsity basketball team.

JoJo Rein: I’m sharing a photo taken last weekend, when the NCS grapevine (Lys Graham mouthpiece) connected Ellen Hufbauer and me while we both happened to be visiting New Orleans! I was on a “girls” trip with my newly graduated twin daughters, Jamie and Lindsey, and Ellen was there on spring break with her full squad (husband Jack, kids Amelia and Zac). I’m still living in Larchmont, NY and still running my Soggy Doggy business. We’re tip toe-ing into empty nest-dom as our girls have launched, older son in college and the youngest went to Hotchkiss this year. I thought the quiet house would be a shock, but honestly, I’m loving the empty fridge and rediscovered freedom.

I caught up with Liz Hillman Stein and she shared the exciting news that her consultancy was acquired by One Strategy Group (onestrat.com) and she has joined their leadership team. One Strategy Group is a corporate advisory firm for next-generation leaders. Reach out to her if you want to learn more. She’d love to support her fellow Cathedral Eagles! Please join me in congratulating Liz!

Tory (Petty) Stine also had exciting news to report—after a long career as a nurse and trauma medicine educator, she is part of a non-profit startup that will provide emergency response after natural disasters starting this summer.

 1. Ann Large, Ellen Reap, Tory Stine, and Hywon Cha (all 1986) having lunch in DC.  2. Antonia Townsend ’89 with her husband John Marshall and their son Jack (6) in Copenhagen. in March.

Tory has twin boys in their mid-20s but another year yet before her daughter graduates high school and the empty nest adventure begins.

Sounds like hers will involve a lot of pickleball (the word “fanatic” was used) and some guitar also.

From Manju Thapa, “I received an honorary PhD in literature from the University of Western Ontario last summer, and am working on my eleventh book, a novel centered on the gendered, and unequal, citizenship rights that discriminate against women in Nepal. I’m living in Toronto with my partner and enjoying time with my two granddaughters, age 9 and 4.”

Patricia Turner writes, “News from my end is mostly focused on the girls. Jessica ’17 moved to Brooklyn last year and now works for Ropes and Gray, after two years at Oracle. She’s happy and loves it. Morgan ’24 opted for early decision to Wake Forest, so I will spend time traveling north and south along the East coast to see them both. I continue to enjoy my role as Executive Director & CEO of the American College of Surgeons, so I continue to spend quite a bit of time in Chicago as well.”

As for me, I’m finding this stage of life a wonderfully fruitful time to explore passions old and new. I seem to be right

in step with others with my racquetsports obsessions and guitar aspirations, but also the deep joy of theater I discovered in Trapier so long ago (now with some improv and standup comedy thrown in), as well as civic and political involvement that, at least for now, feels like meeting pessimism with optimism and action.

1987

CLASS REPRENSENTATIVE

Hilary Liftin hilaryliftin@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1987 for your collective gift of $7,423 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

1988

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE & AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1988 for your collective gift of $4,875 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

1989

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Catrin Morris catrinmorrisdc@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1989 for your collective gift of $15,068 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Patricia Byrne: I can’t remember when I last updated, but I am now living in the section of Great Falls VA that my neighbor refers to as “Good Falls” and working for BAE Systems Inc as Chief Counsel for International Trade Compliance. My husband makes hand-made furniture and is currently completing a nine-month intensive at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Maine. I have been traveling up to see him as schedules permit and also traveling quite a bit for work. I am hoping to make the reunion though and trying to protect that weekend on the calendar.

Antonia Townsend shares, “We—hubby John, Jack (6 years old) and I—are still in St. John’s Wood in NW London. I’m enjoying being a parent, doing lots of art and running with my running club, including a recent half marathon in Amsterdam. Pic is from a recent trip to Copenhagen, making us look far more jet-setty than reality. (But accurately cold and damp.)”

Cynthia Winston-Proctor: I worked on a psychobiography of Michelle Obama that was recently published in the Journal of Personality. I loved the

 1. Lani Wendt Young ’91 and her family.  2. Lucy McBride’s ’91 daughter, Stella ’24 visitng her college campus, Princeton University.  3. Gabrielle Myers’ ’93 third book, Break Self: Freed.

project and hope to do more exploring her life (and the lives of the amazing women in our class too… maybe one day)! Winston-Proctor C. E. (2023). “It’s something to own”: A psychobiographical exploration of the life story of Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama. Journal of personality, 91(1), 150–164. https://doi.org/10.1111/ jopy.12779

1990

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE & AGENT NEEDED

SEEKING 30TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to the Class of 1990 for your collective gift of $1,822 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Maddie Grant: I am excited to share that my fourth book on workplace culture, Culture Change Made Easy: Find Your Hidden Culture Patterns and Get Unstuck, co-authored with my partner in business and life Jamie Notter, is finally out on Amazon. And with our last kid off to college, we will be moving to a tiny jewel of an apartment near Dupont Circle in July.

1991

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Mirah Sederlof Briley mirahs@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1991 for your collective gift of $25,605 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Jessica Gretch: I’m still in Chicago and still working in development at Steppenwolf Theatre. I spent all of 2023 using my 50th birthday as a convenient excuse to do fun things including eating a LOT of cheese in Paris. Calcium is very important for middle-aged women. Anyone from the class of ’91 who passes through Chicago, please hit me up and we’ll eat cheese together somewhere.

Lucy Martin McBride: My big news is that Stella is graduating from NCS in June with the “MONUMENTAL” class of 2024! She has had a wonderful, enriching experience at NCS, and we feel fortunate to have seen her grow up on the Close!

Anna Wong shares that in addition to her work in racial justice advocacy and criminal legal system change, she pursued her love of dogs and dog training by becoming a certified dog trainer several years ago. She was recently nominated as

“trainer of the month” for the Karen Pryor Academy!

Lani Wendt Young: We are still based here in Samoa where we have our construction company. Only one child left at home though, the youngest who is a fabulous teenager. Our big “children” are all living/ working /schooling in New Zealand and Australia. I miss them heaps and look forward to our family holidays together. I’m still writing. And managing our business office. But also have followed my husband into triathlon and am a Team Manager and coach for the National Squad. This year I decided to go back to school, a little bit—studying law. Will see if I like it enough to keep going!

1992

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Leslie Rosberg Sarma leslie.sarma@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1992 for your collective gift of $3,792 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Catherine Gaines: I am enjoying the incredible opportunity to experience many different parts of Africa having accepted a work assignment to lead the Partnerships business for NBA Africa

 1. Mikhael Tara Garver ’96 ran into Jamie Thomas Sabat ’96 at the Austin airport as they both arrived for SXSW!  2. Zoe Scharff Sharp’s ’96 daughter, Emme, who is currently in the 4th Grade at NCS.  3. Margaret Bensfield Sullivan ’97 holds a copy of her new travel memoir, Following the Sun.





1990s

1. Bola Bamiduro Osakwe’s ’97 family visiting Nigeria.  2. Photo of Adele Lack Navarrete ’99 and her family.  3. Caroline Smart Hulick ’00, Nancy Matthews ’99, Claudia Hamilton ’99, Laura Roady Capito ’99, Caroline Norton Vance ’99, Annie Smart ’99, Sophie Rich Weidner ’99, Lien Tran ’99, Brooke Miller Axiotis ’99, and Kate Smart ’14 at Annie’s wedding to Brock Eckles in Washington, DC on October 14, 2023.  4. Brock Eckles and Annie Smart ’99 on their wedding day in Washington, DC.

5. From left: Dr. Earl D. Trent Jr. (former NCS governing board member), Dr. Noelle Trent ’99, and Dr. Janice Trent.

and Basketball Africa League (BAL) for a year. Spending significant time on the continent over that year, I am based primarily in Johannesburg with time in Cairo, Dakar and Kigali for the different stages of the BAL season and many other places in between. I’m definitely missing home but I’m thrilled at the chance to contribute to growing the game of basketball in Africa.

Elliott Holt: My father died in October 2023, and I’ve been deeply sad now that both of my parents are gone. But I celebrated my 50th birthday in January with a big dance party in one of my favorite New York bars and lots of NCS classmates were in attendance: Saralisa Brau Van Horne, Cristina Ritchie Cooper, K.C. Danzansky, Amanda Dickson, Catherine Gaines, Lauren Goldberg, Whitney Lawson, Courtney Miller, Alex Moe, Emily Pollock, Samantha Rein, Amanda Rounsaville, and Wendy Witten. I was grateful to be surrounded by so many old friends.

Molly (Kelleher) Myers: Our family traveled from San Francisco to Washington over our spring break this year. Highlights included finally giving my daughter and her cousin (daughter of Norah Kelleher Coelho ’96) a tour of the Cathedral and introducing them to Cactus Cantina.

Emily Pollock continues her work as a matrimonial and family law attorney in Manhattan and was named as one of the top 10 divorce attorneys in NYC by Forbes Advisor.

1993

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Charlie Phynes Garcia charlottephynesgarcia@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1993 for your collective gift of $9,366 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Gabrielle Myers has been busy writing and teaching college English courses in California. Her third book has just been released for pre-sale.

Break Self: Feed, is now available through Finishing Line Press. Pre-sales determine the print run, so your support is greatly appreciated. Please order her book and share this news: www.finishinglinepress.com/product/ break-self-feed-by-gabrielle-myers/

1994

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED

CLAS S AGENT

Anja Brau anjabrau@gmail.com

Thank you to the Class of 1994 for your collective gift of $20,475 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Elena Kohl is splitting her time between Paris and the DC area and is enjoying taking a break from startups to spend more time with family and travel internationally with her two boys.

1995

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE & AGENT NEEDED

SEEKING 30TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to the Class of 1995 for your collective gift of $33,172 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Katie Matthews: Just this past fall I joined the National Aquarium’s board of directors, which I’m doing in addition to my day job as the Chief Scientist at Oceana, an international NGO. It’s been an enjoyable full-circle moment, as my first marine science memories come from those aquarium visits as a kid.

Molly Price: I’m still in DC, but spending more and more time in Massachusetts, where my dad lives. I work at Clarity, a tech startup that is reimagining how financial aid at independent schools is done. In 2 years, we have grown to work with almost 800 schools across the country. While I miss the energy of the girls at NCS, I love the creativity and pace of a startup. My daughter Mina is now 10 and loves swimming, reading, and music.

1996

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Jeni Hansen j202wdc@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT

Talhia Tuck talhiatuck@hotmail.com

Thank you to the Class of 1996 for your collective gift of $11,084 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Marianna Ferris: Tim, Liam, and I are excited to be back in San Francisco having returned from our adventures living in Prague for 18 months. We are also overjoyed because Margaret Ferris ‘00, her husband Martin, and daughter Morgan have settled in San Jose, CA a quick drive away.

Mikhael Tara Garver ’96 ran into Jamie Thomas Sabat at the Austin airport as they both arrived for SXSW! Mikhael is the founder and head of Culture House Immersive, a black, brown, and female owned live entertainment studio. She lives in Los Angeles with her pup Maddy. She joined Culture House immersive after a stint in a galaxy far, far away where she was the Director of Immersive Experience for the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser. This year she is traveling throughout the country launching new immersive projects and would love to re-connect with NCS alumnae.

Sarah Horne Grose shares, “My family and I are still based in Los Angeles, and just marked 7 years here in April. I am currently working part time at my kids’ school (as an endowment coordinator for Manzanita School and Institute, an outdoor education-based independent school in Topanga, California). We still live in Pacific Palisades but have re-located temporarily to Topanga to be closer to school as a mudslide has closed route 27 and made getting here almost impossible. We have been happy for the rain but are hoping they clear the road soon! In summers we are back east near Damariscotta, Maine and always happy to connect with classmates.”

Jamie Sabat: Hello class of 96, I’m so happy to share the growth of my wellness

practice for my women’s community. High Vibe Women is a networking community focused on female entrepreneurs. I curate at host wellness activations for women to create personal development along with abundance in their business. We stand beside you in support of the growth of your dreams. I’m now scouting for a home for the members in the DMV area. After 2 years of hosting in yoga studios and wellness spaces throughout the city, we need a permanent location to call home. I would love your support. www.jamiesabat.com/high-vibe-house

Rebecca Puck Stair: In September, an amazing opportunity arose, and I’m now working for the state of New Mexico as the director of the state energy office, working to flip the state to a renewable sustainable future. EVs, geothermal, solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps— yes, all of that. So much fun!

1997

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Monica Barnes monica.barnes@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT

Jennifer Berk jcberk@gmail.com

Thank you to the Class of 1997 for your collective gift of $11,193 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Alexa Danner: Greetings from Brooklyn, where I’m still living with my husband. I had an exciting career pivot last year and am now Head of Audio at NBC News, where I oversee a portfolio of about 100 podcasts, including the award-winning “Letters from Sing Sing” and “Grapevine” —both excellent if you’re seeking out your next listen! Also, if you’re on the Eastern Shore of VA this summer, my parents are now the proud owners of a U-Pick blueberry farm on a tributary of the Chesapeake, open seasonally to the public. Check out MasonBeachFarm. com or find us on Facebook!

Bola Bamiduro Osakwe: Here is an update on the Osakwe Family, lots of changes. I cannot believe my oldest is preparing to head off to college, so we are in the throes of starting the college process, college visits, SAT testing etc. We recently traveled to Nigeria, and it was the kids first time visiting. They had a blast, see picture of the family. My mom even joined us. Lastly, I recently left finance to start my own executive coaching and diversity consulting business and I am really excited for this next chapter.

Margaret (Bensfield) Sullivan: I recently published “Following the Sun: Tales (and Fails) From a Year Around the World With Our Kids,” a travel book about the year my husband (Teddy Sullivan, STA ’95) and I quit our jobs, gave up our NYC apartment, pulled our two kids out of

school, and left the U.S. with carry-on bags to travel for a year to 29 countries across six continents.

1998

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Cavan Doyle cavankdoyle@gmail.com

Kimya Gharib Kurilla kimyagharib@yahoo.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 1998 for your collective gift of $6,137 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

1999

CLASS REPRESENATIVES

Nancy Matthews nancydeematthews@hotmail.com

Meghan Edwards-Ford Rissmiller medwardsford@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT

Sophie Weidner sophierweidner@gmail.com

Thank you to the Class of 1999 for your collective gift of $36,676 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

On December 21, 2023, Adele Lack Navarrete and her husband Juan Carlos welcomed a son, Alvaro Shane Navarrete. His big sisters Nora and Josephine are

 1. Elizabeth Magee Uslander ’00 with her daughter, Natalia, who started at Scripps in the fall.  2. Claire Bixler’s ’01 family in Rehoboth Beach in summer 2023.

thrilled! Adele ran into Laura Roady Capito recently with their six kids in tow! Caroline Norton Vance started a new job at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the U.S. government’s development bank, focusing on financing for small businesses and financial service providers in emerging markets. Even though she left her role at a nonprofit dedicated to reducing food waste—ReFED—she continues to be passionate about keeping food out of the trash, and spends a lot of volunteer hours supporting food scrap recycling at her children’s schools!

And lastly, Annie Smart married Brock Eckles on October 14, 2023, at Christ Church in Georgetown. Brooke Miller

Axiotis, Laura Roady Capito, Claudia Hamilton, Lien Tran, Caroline Norton Vance, and Sophie Rich Weidner, and I (all 1999) were delighted to attend and see Annie’s little sister, Callie Smart Hulick ’00 and cousin, Kate Smart ’14 as well! Annie and Brock live in Nashville.

Alaina Harper is headed back to NYC with her family where she is the new Executive Director of OneGoal in New York working on postsecondary advising and planning.

Noelle Trent: In June 2023, after 7.5 years, I left Memphis, Tennessee for Boston. I’ve become the President & CEO of the Museum of African American History | Boston & Nantucket. It’s been a whirlwind year. I delivered remarks to the Massachusetts State Senate for the unveiling of its bust of Frederick Douglass; Governor Maura Healey swore me onto the Special Commission for the 250th anniversary of the revolution. I’ve enjoyed traveling to Nantucket for work. Reach out if you’re in Nantucket this summer! I’ll most likely be the one person working on my laptop on the Hyline Ferry.

2000

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Anna Bierlein Handy annaclasenhandy@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

SEEKING 25TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS! Thank you to the Class of 2000 for your collective gift of $168,447 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Elizabeth Magee Uslander is at the helm of the movement to humanize healthcare by empowering patients and

families in palliative, end of life and grief care. As the Co-founder of Empowered Endings—Medical Group, Institute, and Foundation—she works to fill gaps in traditional healthcare and facilitate paradigm shifts in her fields of expertise. Highlights of 2023 include the launch of her daughter, Natalia, to Scripps College; the birth of her first (step) grandson, Ari; and recognition for her work as a Finalist for San Diego Business Journal’s Woman of the Year.

2001

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Elizabeth Krabill McIntyre elizabeth.krabill@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 2001 for your collective gift of $3,078 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Claire Bixler: Life is good! In my 17th year at Greenwich Country Day, still Middle School Dean of Students and math teacher.  Zoe is 5 and starting Kindergarten and Faye is 2.5 years old and about to start her last year of daycare.  We spent time in Rehoboth Beach this summer with my parents and brother’s family—the place basically hasn’t

 1. Robyn Chaur Eckersley ’01 and her husband Tony, after completing the RunDisney “Dopey Challenge” in January 2024.  2. Margaret Mitchell ’03 with daughter, Mia Margaret Cottrill, born March of this year.

changed since high school!  Lots of love to everyone.

Robyn Eckersley, her husband Tony, and their two cats are loving the mountain life in the Denver, CO area. She is proud to have successfully completed the RunDisney “Dopey Challenge” this past January, consisting of 48.6 miles over 4 back-to-back days of running at Walt Disney World, followed by another half-marathon the following week at Disneyland.

Professionally, she is expanding her services supporting high-achieving women through career and personal transitions to serve elite female athletes retiring from competitive sport and thrive in their next chapter. Personally, Robyn and Tony are enjoying travel, friends, and family.

Nicole Egge and family moved back to their house in McLean, Virginia, and are looking forward to being in the US for a few years. Nicole sends thanks and appreciation to all those who reached out after the sudden passing of her brother Brendan in July.

In the middle of a snowy Wyoming winter, Sarah Romorini and her husband

Matt Adkins welcomed Gabriel Cree Adkins into their family on January 4, 2024. They are completely smitten. Gabriel is enjoying life in the mountains and was wondering when he can start signing up for Bohemian Society events.

Renan Snowden was recently promoted to Branch Manager of the DC Circulator bus team at the DC Department of Transportation. She continues to perform comedy shows with Washington Improv Theater in her spare time.

2002

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Kimi Aghevli Darrell kimiya.darrell@gmail.com

Michelle Dunkley Keys dunkley@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT orr.casey@gmail.com

Thank you to the Class of 2002 for your collective gift of $6,129 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Julia Scarborough: After a residency at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts in September 2023, I moved to London for a master’s degree in creative writing

at Goldsmiths, which I expect to finish in fall 2024. I’ve very much enjoyed being back in the UK (and have discovered a love for winter pond swimming!).

2003

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Julia Chen Rinaldi jchen0307@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 2003 for your collective gift of $6,330 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Annie Galvin and her husband welcomed their first baby, daughter Maeve Mary, in August 2023. Annie is adjusting to life as a working mom, still a producer at the Ezra Klein Show based at the New York Times.

Margaret Mitchell: Welcoming Mia Margaret Cottrill, born 13th March 2024 in London UK to Margaret & Alastair, and big sister Coco!

 1. Annie Galvin’s ’03 daughter Maeve.  2. Carlen Palau ’04 with her daughter Veronica, and Sarah Lawson ’04 with her daughter, Kaylee.

2004

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Bridget Splain Meehan bridgetrosemeehan@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT

Betsy Remes Purves betsyrpurves@gmail.com

Thank you to the Class of 2004 for your collective gift of $2,891 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Carlen Palau shares, “BREAKING from Los Angeles: a star is born! Kaylee Ruth Palau-Stayman burst onto the scene in late November, all cheeks and smiles, just two weeks after her future co-star Veronica (their mamas have been best friends since fourth grade at NCS!).

Carlen and Dylan are already helping Kaylee with her special skills: roller derby, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and being awesome. The adorable ingénue has her first screen credit lined up as a production baby in an upcoming Disney animated feature. Sources close to the situation confirm her mother is not at all jealous.”

After nearly five years with the DC Youth Orchestra Program, Betsy Remes Purves started a new job as Director

of Institutional Advancement at the Meridian International Center in February 2024. She lives near Carter Barron with her husband, Jon, and two children (Robbie, 6, and Claire, 3), and loves running into Jenny Holmes in the carpool line at their kids’ school.

2005

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Charlotte Woolley Stewart StewartSoprano@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

SEEKING 20TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to the Class of 2005 for your collective gift of $3,150 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Natasha Hakkal and her husband, Vinay, welcomed their second child, Riya, in December. Big brother Ravi has been excited to choose his little sister’s bows each day!

Michelle Jackson lives in Towson, MD with her life partner Isaac. Michelle is a professional coach and internal consultant. When she is not working

her 9–5, she coaches women leaders and change-makers while nurturing a lifestyle centered around fun and play. You may find her riding her horse, performing at a local improv theater or experimenting in the kitchen where she and Isaac play with new recipes and flavors. She enjoys meeting new people who also believe that life should be delicious.

Stephanie Yesnik welcomed a son, Samuel Christopher Edwin Rische, on January 8, 2024. Sam joins big brother Nick (2).

2006

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Holly Simpson holly.hsimpson@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT

Heartiedaddino@gmail.com

Thank you to the Class of 2006 for your collective gift of $2,074 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Medora Brown has started her own advisory business supporting small, founder-led businesses, called Simple Profits. She’s loved the challenge of

 1. Michelle Jackson ’05 with her horse, Chulita.  2. Isabelle Winer ’06, Lizzie Brophy ’06, Elizabeth Ludwig ’06, Adriana Harrington ’06, Austen Kassinger ’06 at Elizabeth Ludwig’s ’06 wedding.

building up a diverse portfolio of clients and helping entrepreneurs tackle a wide range of issues. Based in DC, she loves getting the chance to see so many DC-based Eagles on a regular basis and traveling to see others!

Christine Buras shares, “I’m living in London, working as a freelance opera singer. I also maintain a healthy side hustle as a professional girl chorister! For anyone living in London or travelling through, you can see me sing every Sunday morning and evensong at Hampstead Parish Church. I also run a monthly concert series out of the church, called the Hampstead Collective. When I’m not singing, I’m usually at home with my cat, cooking or knitting.”

Anne Burley graduated this spring from Emory Law. She will begin her new career as an appellate attorney this fall at the DOJ, in the same office as fellow NCS alum, Goodreads friend, and climbing buddy Alexa Perlmutter ’17 She is thrilled to be back in DC and to have the opportunity to reconnect with NCS Eagles!

Adriana Harrington and Patrick Harrington welcomed their third girl, Hanna Harrington, on Sept. 23. Hanna arrived just in time to celebrate in person at Elizabeth Ludwig’s wedding on Nov. 11 to the wonderful Evan Green-Lowe and meet her NCS aunts Austen Kassinger, Lizzie Brophy, and Isabelle Winer.

Katharine Sobotka continues supporting the federal government in enacting cyber security regulations and spent the last year as Deloitte’s Homeland Security Account Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion lead. Her proudest moment this year was being asked to officiate at dear friend Alexandra Meadows ’07’s wedding in April.

Hannah Williams notes, “We moved to Colorado in July for my husband’s job. We now have 2 daughters (one 3 years and the other 6 months). We are trying to explore and the very different scenery!”

2007

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Kate Adamson kwhadamson@gmail.com

Vanessa Lukas vannylukas@gmail.com

CLASS AGENTS

Alexis Ellis aellis07@gmail.com

Kelley Hodge kelley.s.hodge@gmail.com

Thank you to the Class of 2007 for your collective gift of $3,798 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Eliza Gordon defended her dissertation and completed her doctoral studies in Educational Leadership and Policy this spring. Dr. Gordon works at The Holdsworth Center, an organization in Texas dedicated to building leadership capacity in public school across the state. She is currently building a new program for them to support and develop aspiring principals in West Texas.

 1. Kylie Gemmell ’09 and her son, Louie.  2. eXplorers reunite at the wedding of Winnie Warner Stanley ‘10! Emily Laserwitz ‘10, Christina Boulineaux ‘10, Madeline Baum ‘10, Winnie Warner Stanley ‘10, Campbell Frank ‘10, Amy Alemu ‘10, and Lanya Butler ‘10.

2000–2010s

2008

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Brittany Bordeaux Knight Britt.Bordeaux@gmail.com

Margaret Rawson marawson@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT

Alex Abington alexandra.c.abington@gmail.com

Thank you to the Class of 2008 for your collective gift of $2,540 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Claire Dugan is working as an internist at Bellevue Hospital in NYC. Her boss/ mentor is also an NCS grad, Annie Garment ’00! They are keeping busy taking care of patients and tackling some of the many public health issues in the city.

Adrienne Lerner is enjoying living in Lausanne, Switzerland where she has been based for the last four years. She works at UEFA in Broadcast Operations and helps organize some of the biggest competitions in football (soccer)! She recently completed an online course in Sustainable Business Management from Cambridge and is excited to apply the learnings into the world of megasporting events, starting with her role at this summer’s EURO as a Sustainability Venue Manager in Frankfurt. As Switzerland is a small country, please reach out if you’re visiting!

2009

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Alison Courtney alisoncourtney09@gmail.com

Kylie Gemmell Heatherkyliegemmell@gmail.com

Grace Zimmerman

grace.ayers.zimmerman@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 2009 for your collective gift of $3,410 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

After spending a decade in California working for tech companies, Helen Conaghan has returned to DC with her husband, Chris, and two sons, Jack and Henry. She now owns and operates a business consulting firm, @TheRennGroup. She’s grateful to be joined by fellow NCS Eagles on the joyful journey of motherhood. She recently got to meet Kylie Gemmell’s new baby and her sons played ’peeka-boo’ with Raina Davis’s son just last week! She welcomes any park playdates with fellow NCS eagles in the DC area!

Kylie Gemmell graduated last year from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. She lives in San Francisco and is working in people operations at a startup. She and her husband, Josh, recently welcomed their first child into the world—his name is Louie!

2010

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Brett Andersen b.andersen14@gmail.com

Madeline Duff madelineduff29@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT

Brett Andersen

SEEKING 15TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to the Class of 2010 for your collective gift of $1,942 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

After graduating from Harvard Medical School in May 2024, Christina Boulineaux will be excited to both begin her residency training in OB/ GYN and start a career working in reproductive justice and abortion rights at the University of Alabama. This spring, she loved reuniting with several NCS friends when she served as maidof-honor at fellow eXplorer Winifred Warner Stanley’s wedding at the National Cathedral. This year, she also looks forward to being a bridesmaid for eXplorer Sarah Timreck, whom she has been friends with for over twenty years!

2011

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Zayna Bakizada zbakizada@gmail.com

Adrienne Larson aslarson21@gmail.com

Bridget Morrison bridget.r.morrison@gmail.com

Aloise Phelps aloisedphelps@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 2011 for your collective gift of $1,197 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Natalie Chaney lives in New York and is a litigator at the law firm Goodwin Procter, LLP.

On January 12, Caroline Santilli and her partner Christian welcomed twins, Nina Aurelia and Logan Michael Santilli! Though exhausted, they are thrilled to be adjusting to life as new parents.

2012

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED

CLASS AGENT

Emma Grauberger Emma.h.grauberger@gmail.com

Thank you to the Class of 2012 for your collective gift of $1,271 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Lydia Horne is a journalist in Los Angeles. She’s an editor (Alta Journal), reporter (Marie Claire, Racquet Magazine, Hyperallergic), and podcast producer (“THREE” which was #1 pod for several weeks). Since getting her MFA in photography at CalArts in 2020, Lydia has continued to make art from her studio in Lincoln Heights. Currently, she’s sewing photo quilts and working as the creative director at a new magazine (Cusper) with friends.

2013

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Polly Terzian pollyterz@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT katecox95@gmail.com

Thank you to the Class of 2013 for your collective gift of $647 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Meredith Heartfield recently traveled to Charlottesville to celebrate Meagan Klebanoff ’s wedding and enjoyed seeing fellow classmates Kayla Mason Baker, Emelia Paul, and Charlotte Russell.

Nicole Johnson and her husband Kyle Shoebotham welcomed their daughter, Abigail Ruth Shoebotham, to their family on January 8, 2024! Nicole is an Associate in the Antitrust and Consumer Protection practice group at Hunton Andrews Kurth in Washington, DC.

2014

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Ilina Mitra imitra14@gmail.com

Calista Tavallali calista.tav@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 2014 for your collective gift of $939 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

After living in Boston for five years after college, Maddie Freed recently moved back to DC with her husband Matt. They just bought their first home not far from the Cathedral and have enjoyed walking around the Close. Shoutout to Jack Shorb STA ’14 for the real estate help!

Calista Tavallali is excited to be graduating from London Business School this summer with her MBA! After spending her last term on exchange in Singapore, she is looking forward to moving back to London and getting back into work life.

Johanna Wassermann graduated in May 2023 with a dual MBA and Master of Environmental Management degree from UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment. Since graduation, she has moved back to the DMV and is working as the climate tech Innovation Manager at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES). She has loved rediscovering her hometown and lives in Arlington with her sweet and cute boyfriend.

2015

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Christine Evans cmevans2015@gmail.com

Gabrielle Tran gtran242@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

SEEKING 10TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS!

Thank you to the Class of 2015 for your collective gift of $1,354 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Abigail Bartram married Léa Fernandes in a small ceremony in Paris on February 16, 2024. Abigail is grateful to NCS, especially Mmes. O’Malley, Bouvier, and Popovich, for an excellent French education. She’s using it more than she ever imagined with her new family!

Maddie Cross is enjoying all that life has to offer in Burlington. She recently joined the strategic communications team at the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources and continues to work part-time at Bridgeside Books in Waterbury. Maddie loves the Vermont standup comedy scene and performs regularly at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington and all over Northern New England. She was thrilled to have

 1. Members of the class of 2013 celebrating Meagan Klebanoff’s wedding. From left: Meredith Heartfield, Charlotte Russell, Meagan Klebanoff, Kayla Mason Baker, and Emelia Paul.  2. Nicole Johnson ’13 and husband Kyle Shoebotham with their daughter Abigail Ruth Shoebotham.

her classmate and dear friend Talley Snow in the audience for a show last summer. Drop her a line if you’re visiting Vermont!

Christine Evans is still based in New York City and just celebrated her two-year mark at vineyard vines, designing women’s knitwear, active and lounge apparel. She launched her own tee shirt line under her name last August and continues to design custom, hand-painted pieces for clients as well. She hopes to continue to grow her own brand in the coming months (and years!!). Christine thoroughly enjoyed returning to the Close last fall to speak with the NCS Arts Club about her artistic experience on the Close, her personal journey attending Parsons School of Design, pursuing a creative career path and all things art and design with the students! She loves and continues to stay in touch with eagles all over NYC and beyond!

Hayden Hamed recently moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana with her fiancé and two dogs. She is currently working as a teacher at a clinic for children with

autism! After three years of working as a full-time nanny in DC, she’s eager to continue her journey working with kids and is excited to see what Louisiana has to offer!

This spring Izzy Hupez hosted the first NCS Alumnae brunch in London at Daylesford Organic, one of her favorite spots in the city which serves organic ingredients from their farm in the Cotswold. Alumnae from five different years attended and reminisced about their time on the Close. She is already looking forward to the next event: a cocktail happy hour in Mayfair to celebrate the Fourth of July!

Post-strike in Hollywood, Marcha Kiatrungrit has been busy on set! Her episode of FBI (Season 6 Episode 6) recently aired on CBS. She filmed a movie called “Prom Dates,” reminiscent of her times at NCS, which comes out on Hulu on May 3rd. She recently enjoyed working with Scarlett Johannson on her directorial debut “Eleanor The Great.”

Amina Rahill-Marrier is still enjoying living in Brooklyn and now works for

Con Edison on energy efficiency and battery storage projects. She spends her free time running along the waterfront and taking her bike out for rides in the park.

Tess Schaberg is in her fourth year pursuing her Ph.D. in neuropsychology at Columbia University. In May of 2023, she received her Master of Arts in education and will be receiving her Master’s in education this spring. Tess is looking forward to her upcoming neuropsychology externship at NYU Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital within the pediatric cancer and blood disorders unit. In her free time, she loves to explore New York city with other NCS alumnae and enjoy any green space that she can find!

Gabrielle Tran is excited to share that she is graduating from medical school this spring and starting residency at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine in Pediatrics! She is excited to move to NY, where she will be able to see many of her classmates again, including her co-class representative Christine Evans!

 1. Maddie Freed ’14 and her husband Matt at the Lincoln Memorial.  2. Regional Ambassador for London Izzy Hupez ’15 organized a brunch for London-area alumnae in March. Attendees from left: Raphy Hupez ’17, Izzy Hupez ’15, Jo Jimenez ’05, Somers Gerson ’05, Christina Graubert ’13, and Jennah Dirksen ’02.

2016

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Alison Cenname alisoncenname@gmail.com

Hadley Irwin hadleyirwin@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 2016 for your collective gift of $543 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Elizabeth Brogan shares, “I recently finished my Voyager training program at a five-star Marriott hotel in London and am now about to embark on a monthlong trip through South America.”

Alexandra Karppi lives in Brooklyn, NY (neighbors with fellow classmates Elizabeth Crowdus and Mary Clare McMahon!). She is a researcher for the Western Balkans at Freedom House and co-host of the Talk Eastern Europe podcast.

Charlotte Scott is moving to Philadelphia to start her PhD in Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania. She’s looking forward to living so close to Audrey Scott ’23 again. Please reach out if you’re in Philadelphia!

Dominique Turner shares that she celebrated Natalie Hankey’s birthday in Manhattan with Rosie Delk and Zoe Lindahl

2017

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Julia “Gigi” Grigorian gigi.grigorian@gmail.com

Caroline Morin carolinem17@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT

Karis Felton karisfelton@gmail.com

Thank you to the Class of 2017 for your collective gift of $519 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Karis Felton is still living in NYC but now works for the New York Jets as the

Coordinator of Marketing! Karis had a great time this past March at the NCS in NYC event and enjoyed connecting with alumnae, especially her fellow TRA1LBLA7ERS. If you ever find yourself at MetLife Stadium (or in New York!) make sure to let her know so she can say hi!

Alexa Perlmutter graduated this spring with her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. She will begin her career as an appellate attorney at the Department of Justice in the fall.

2018

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Lilyanna “Lily” D’Amato lilyannadamato@gmail.com

Allyson “Ally” Edge edgeallyson@gmail.com

Lilly Freemyer lillyfreemyer@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 2018 for your collective gift of $312 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Katie Skoff shares, “I recently moved out to San Francisco and would love to connect with alumnae in the area! I moved to start as a Program Associate at GiveWell, a nonprofit focused on directing donations to where they’ll most improve others’ lives, primarily to health interventions. As an example, one of the programs we support is Helen Keller International’s work providing vitamin A supplements to prevent death and infection in vitamin-A-deficient children. I’ve really enjoyed getting started at my first job and working with such intelligent and passionate people! If anyone would like to get in contact, my email is katherineskoff@gmail.com.”

2019

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

McKenna Dunbar Dunbarmckenna@gmail.com

Anne “Annie” King aking52119@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 2019 for your collective gift of $520 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Ellie Bailey shares, “I graduated from Davidson College in May with a Bachelor’s in political science and Spanish and will start my first year of law school at William & Mary this fall. I also enjoyed visiting Eliza Poggi in Houston this spring.”

2020

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Emilia Boggs Emilia.boggs19@gmail.com

Lucy Freemyer lucyfreemyer@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

SEEKING 5TH REUNION VOLUNTEERS! Thank you to the Class of 2020 for your collective gift of $42 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Lucy Freemyer shares, “The Class of 2020 is excited to celebrate all that is to come this fall! Some of us are excited to start new jobs, move to new cities, start graduate programs, or start the last year of college! We are all enjoying soaking up the last summer, either before senior year or before we enter the real world!”

Jada Fife graduated from Grinnell College, majoring in Economics and minoring in Latin American Studies. She will be working for Sustainable Iowa Land Trust and on her own venture on her family’s farm, which you can follow @fifefarmsia.

Schuyler Holleman shares, “I am graduating from the University of Michigan this May before moving to Chicago to work as a medical assistant in an orthopedics practice before applying to medical school.”

2021

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE & AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 2021 for your collective gift of $49 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

2022

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE & AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 2022 for your collective gift of $187 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

2023

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

Sophia Rees sophiaerees@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT NEEDED

Thank you to the Class of 2023 for your collective gift of $769 to the 2024 Annual Fund.

Yochi Hobson was selected as a winner of the Wharton Summer Program for Undergraduate Research Award. She will be commissioned this summer to pursue a project to assess innovative rainwater harvesting systems in Mexico City, and the potential for these systems’ applicability in the U.S. to address water scarcity. Advised by Professor Sarah Light in the Wharton Legal Studies & Business Ethics Department, over 3 months, Yochi will travel to Mexico City with the NGO, Isla Urbana, to install rainwater harvesting systems in rural communities, perform literature research, and write a report on her analyses and propositions for relevant stakeholders.

2024

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Bendu Joemah bajoemah@gmail.com

Clara Roberti roberticlara05@gmail.com

Maddie Ryan ryanmaddie2006@gmail.com

CLASS AGENT Beatrix Weber beatrixaweber@gmail.com

Congratulations on your graduation, and welcome to the Alumnae Association! We look forward to reading your notes in future issues of NCS Magazine. —NCS Alumnae Office

 1. Abigail Bartram ‘15 and her wife Léa on their wedding day with her siblings Clara ‘18 and Edward (STA ‘20).  2. Members of the class of 2016 out in Manhattan celebrating Natalie Hankey’s birthday. From left: Rosie Delk, Zoe Lindahl, Dominique Turner, and Natalie Hankey.

With Sympathy

We acknowledge the loss of members and friends of the National Cathedral School family and extend our deepest sympathy.

I N M EMORIAM

ALUMNAE

GWIN BARNWELL DALTON ’41

Feb. 25, 2024

CAROL YATES FRANKLIN HOLLIDAY ’41 Feb. 8, 2024

HELEN STERLING MONTGOMERY ’46

Dec. 6, 2023

ELIZABETH “BETTY” ELEY FLEMING ’49

Feb. 5, 2021

ELLEN GORDON ’50

March 29, 2024

NANCY KNERR LIGHT ’50 Aug. 23, 2022

ELLEN JOHNSON LAWTHER KOWALYK ’51

April 9, 2024

NANCY PFORZHEIMER ARONSON ’52

Jan. 6, 2024

CAROLYN “CAROL” NORRIS BRYAN GOODRICH ’52 May 10, 2024

JEAN SMITH SCHROEDER ’53

March 16, 2024

ELIZABETH “BETTY” MARVIN BURT PHILBROOK ’55 May 15, 2024

HELEN “WOODY” WOOD BRIGHAM ’56

Feb. 13, 2024

MARY MEADER MOKLER ’56

JUDITH “JUDY” CARR EVANS ’58

March 29, 2024

ANN HOUGHTON THOURON ’58

Nov. 23, 2023

MARIANA COGSWELL WEINHOLD ’58

Jan. 11, 2024

GAIL PETERSON ’61

Oct. 31, 2023

HOLLY DAVISON WOLF ’61

Dec. 22, 2023

KATHI ANN ARBOGAST ’70

Feb. 25, 2024

MICHELE TANAKA ’73

Oct. 13, 2021

MELISSA CLAIRE PRANGER ’82

April 12, 2024

FORMER GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS

MATTHEW BERNARD COFFEY

Board Member

1989–1993

April 19, 2024

JOHN VALCOULON

LEMOYNE ELLICOTT

Board Member

1979–1980, 1985–1990

Board Chair

1978–1979

Jan. 15, 2024

FORMER FACULTY AND STAFF

PHYLLIS SIDORSKY

Lower School Librarian

1972–1992

Dec. 30, 2023

ELIZABETH “BETH” JAMES WALTON WILLIAMS

Lower School Art Teacher

Upper School Art History Teacher

1975–1979

Nov. 28, 2023

RUTH ANN WILLIAMSON

Middle School Medieval History Teacher

1957–2007

Chair of the Social Sciences Department

1987–1992

Jan. 26, 2024

ONDOLENCES

ALUMNAE AND STUDENTS

MARY ANN RORISON CAWS ’50

On the loss of her husband

Boyce Bennett, 12/31/2023

ELAINE WILCOX DARBY ’56

On the loss of her husband

Paul Darby, 3/23/2023

PENNY GLASS ’59

On the loss of her husband

Gordon Bennett Avery, 7/11/2023

JOAN MCCLAINE MAY ’63

On the loss of her husband

Henry Lyon May, 9/20/2023

MARY THOMPSON RICE ’72 AND SUSAN THOMPSON BILLINGTON ’81

On the loss of their father

William Reid Thompson, 3/23/2024

ANNIE ELLICOTT ’75

On the loss of her father

John Valcoulon LeMoyne Ellicott, 1/15/2024

VANESSA ALLEN MURRAY ’77 AND TERESA “TERI” ALLEN WALTERS ’80

On the loss of their mother

Wilma Michael Allen, 3/29/2024

ANNE WILLIAMSON ’78

On the loss of her mother

Ruth Ann Williamson, 1/26/2024

ELIZABETH “SPENCER” PARDOE BALLOU ’79

On the loss of her mother

Elizabeth “Beth” James Walton Williams, 11/28/2023

MARY SCURLOCK ADAMSON ’81, NANCY SCURLOCK COLLINS ’83, AND MARGARET ANN SCURLOCK ’87

On the loss of their mother

Nancy Morrison Scurlock, 11/4/2023

MARINA EISENBERG ’82

On the loss of her mother and father

Helen Eisenberg, 5/6/2022 and Pablo Eisenberg, 10/18/2022

ALEXANDRA “ALI” VANDERSTAR ’82

On the loss of her father

John Vanderstar, 12/6/2023

CAROLYN KRAHNKE SCHUGAR ’83, CATHERINE “CATHY” KRAHNKE ANDERSON ’86, AND MARGARET “PEGGY” KRAHNKE ENRIGHT ’90

On the loss of their father

Wilson Krahnke, 2/28/2024

NANCY LIBIN ’85

On the loss of her father

Jerome Libin, 2/2/2024

ANNA “CHRISANNA” WALDROP ’85

On the loss of her mother and father

Kaaren Welo Robertson, 2/24/2024 and Andrew Campbell Waldrop STA ’57, 3/6/2024

SUSANNA MONRONEY QUINN ’87

On the loss of her husband

John “Jack” Michael Quinn, 5/8/2024

KIMBERLEY EDELIN FREEMAN ’88

On the loss of her mother

Ramona Edelin, 2/19/2024

HOLLY TABOR ’90, ANNA-MARIE TABOR ’94, AND KRISTINE TABOR SACCONE ’98

On the loss of their mother

Brenda Andersson Kean Tabor, 4/20/2024

ANNE GAROFALO PATERNO ’91

On the loss of her mother

Jeanne Garofalo, 4/21/2024

JULIA COFFEY ’93

On the loss of her father

Matthew Bernard Coffey, 4/19/2024

KATHERINE “KATE” KELLY ’93

On the loss of her father

Joseph Aloysius Kelly, 1/23/2024

LAURA BLACKWELDER ’97

On the loss of her father

Brent Blackwelder, 11/23/2023

RENA KIMURA ’04

On the loss of her father

Hisao Kimura, 1/13/2024

KRYSTEN THOMAS ’09

On the loss of her mother

Terry Thomas, 5/27/2024

HAILEY MURRAY ’14

On the loss of her grandmother

Wilma Michael Allen, 3/29/2024

JOCELYN QUINN ’18

On the loss of her father

John “Jack” Michael Quinn, 5/8/2024

TASHA WALTERS ’18

On the loss of her grandmother

Wilma Michael Allen, 3/29/2024

HONOR ROSE MCCONNELL ’19

On the loss of her mother

Melissa Claire Pranger ’82, 4/12/2024

BEATRICE “BEA” FRUM ’20

On the loss of her sister

Miranda Ann Frum, 2/16/2024

LUCY NETCHVOLODOFF ’21

On the loss of her grandmother

Carol Netchvolodoff, 11/18/2023

MADELINE “MADDY” WALDMAN ’25 AND PHOEBE WALDMAN ’28

On the loss of their grandmother

Sandra Cortez O’Connor, 2/27/2024

AVERY MASCOTT ’26

On the loss of her grandmother

Carole Lee Miller, 4/26/2024

CAROLINE PUTALA ’29

On the loss of her grandmother

Claire White Putala, 4/3/2024

JULIA LANCASTER ’29 AND HALLIE LANCASTER ’31

On the loss of their grandmother

Mary Jane Early Fitch, 5/15/2024

aFACULTY AND STAFF

FRANK S. NJUKI-KATENDE

Receptionist

On the loss of his brother

Victor Njuki, 3/13/2024

FRANCES O’CONNOR

Academic Technologist

On the loss of her mother

Sandra Cortez O’Connor, 2/27/2024

ALEXANDER TAFT III

Program Manager, Web & Data Systems

On the loss of his father

Alexander Torrance “Sandy” Taft Jr., 2/1/2024

What an awe-inspiring moment! NCS students, faculty, and staff came together to witness the Solar Eclipse in all its glory.

Reflecting on our Cathedral service where we celebrated our remarkable faculty and staff for their dedication to NCS.

As we wrap up the school year, we want to share activities from the past few weeks in Lower School and Middle School.

3612 Woodley Road NW Washington, DC 20016-5000

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Join us for NCS’s 125th anniversary and celebrate the spark within each of us, strengthened by our collective NCS connections.

Mark your calendar today for our marquee anniversary events.

2025 Reunion Weekend

Thursday, May 1–Sunday, May 4, 2025

Reunion for Classes ending in 0s or 5s and 125th anniversary celebrations for all alumnae

National Cathedral School

Commencement for the 125th Graduating Class

Saturday, June 7, 2025

Graduation exercises for the Class of 2025

Washington National Cathedral

125th Anniversary Celebration Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

Evening of community and cheer

Washington National Cathedral

Stay tuned for more information about all our celebrations and activities as we commemorate 125 years of unleashing the power of young women and look towards a bright and exciting future.