Isidore Newman School Annual Report | 2021-22

INTRODUCTION

Letter

Board

GIFTS & DONATIONS

Joy

Scholars Party

Alan

Financial Statement

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

Down to a Science

Class of 2022 Commencement & College Matriculation

Student Awards

Athletic Achievements

ALUMNI CONNECTION

Class Notes

Births, Memorials, & Marriages

Director of Advancement

Mary Hoffman

Director of Communications

Emily Bomersback

Communications Manager

Roger Hibbert

Director of Advancement Services and Constituent Relations

Lauren Haro

Director of Annual Giving

Zach Frosch

Stewardship & Events Manager

Jenny Williamson

Advancement Assistant

Pauline Hartwell

Letter from the Head of School

DEAR NEWMAN COMMUNITY,

We began this school year, our 119th, without COVID-19 restrictions. The mood on campus has been remarkably upbeat and positive compared to the past two school years. There is a noticeable feeling of relief and a renewed sense of joy. The return of so many events and traditions for the first time in three years has been refreshing and rejuvenating – in stark contrast to the isolation and limitations of the global pandemic. We are grateful for the opportunity to move beyond the challenges and restrictions of the past few years.

This past fall, several classes returned to campus for reunion gatherings. A few members of the Class of 2002 asked our Advancement team for a full campus tour. Having taught many of these alumni, I joined them, along with their spouses and children, for a memorable Saturday tour led by Mary Hoffman, our Director of Advancement. One of the great rewards of my 29 years at Newman is spending time with former students – many who have families of their own and some who are current Newman parents. I am struck by the strong connection to Newman for so many of our alumni and by the life-long relationships formed at our School.

Share alumni news and updates with alumni@newmanschool.org.

Send general questions or comments to communications@newmanschool.org.

Through the eyes of our 2002 graduates on that Saturday morning, I realized that our physical campus is quite different as a result of recent construction projects. Through the substantial support of our Board of Governors, the tremendous generosity of our donors, and the hard work and success of our faculty and staff, we have made wide-ranging improvements to our physical plant. Below is a summary of new construction completed over the past decade:

Facility

Green Trees Early Childhood Village

Manning Family Athletic Complex

Rupa and Tarun Jolly Science and Technology Building

Eugenie and Joseph Jones Family Foundation Visual Arts Studio

Joy and Boysie Bollinger Performing Arts Building

Manning Fieldhouse / Tuohy Gymnasium Renovation

Cotonio Palaestra PE and Locker Rooms

Cost

With the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, my hope is that many alumni will soon return to 1903 Jefferson Avenue to reconnect with their alma mater and to view our campus through a new lens. While some of the physical spaces have changed, your powerful stories remain.

In our spring Newman News publication, we will be highlighting the recently dedicated Manning Fieldhouse. In this issue of the Annual Report, our focus is the Joy and Boysie Bollinger Performing Arts Building – a facility facing Jefferson Avenue and adjacent to the historic Jefferson Building. The Bollinger building promises to inspire this generation and future generations of musicians, artists, and performers.

I want to highlight a meaningful expression of our core identity as a school at the intersection of our new, state-of-the-art performing arts building and the historic Jefferson Building. The Bollinger Performing Arts Building incorporates the exterior wall of the iconic Jefferson Building serving as a piece of structural integrity. Literally and figuratively, classic meets current – a sign of our commitment to provide a Newman education that embraces both classical liberal arts and forward-thinking, innovative educational practices. This powerful combination occurs daily in our classrooms and is architecturally on display as you drive down Jefferson Avenue.

I am grateful for the many people who support and believe in our mission as a school and the 250 faculty and staff that each day educate and care for our over 1,200 children with ages ranging from six weeks old to eighteen years old. One of the clear lessons of the global pandemic is the societal importance of early childhood, elementary, and secondary education. The fall of 2022 truly has been a transformative time at Newman, and we look forward to all that 2023 will bring. I hope the best for our extended community in the new year.

Sincerely,

Dale M. Smith Head of School

Letter from the Board Chair

DEAR NEWMAN COMMUNITY,

It has certainly been refreshing to be back on campus together this year, enjoying campus traditions and special events. Interestingly, I believe Newman and our community have become stronger over the past two years as we learned to pivot and adjust around new and unknown challenges. This past year we were fortunate to open the transformational Bollinger Performing Arts Building and the breathtaking Manning Fieldhouse to bolster our physical campus. Most importantly, we remained committed to rigorous academics, strong relationships, and broadening extracurricular experiences. We hope and expect our students to grow and flourish in our challenging Newman environment, while creating positive experiences and memories.

In June, we said farewell to Board members that have been so instrumental in guiding and supporting our School – Calvin Fayard, Catherine Freeman, Brad Gottsegen ’85, Sherry Leventhal ’70, and David Sylvester ’74. Each member brought a unique perspective and set of skills to the Board. I am grateful for their dedicated service.

On the Board, Calvin was known for his thoughtfulness and wisdom. He provided valuable insight and perspective as a board member; when Calvin spoke, people listened. Catherine brought to the Board a tremendous understanding of Newman through her many strong relationships in our school community. As the Chair of the NEWMANfund for many years, her hard work, dedication, and positive energy motivated volunteers to support the School and its mission. As an alumnus, current parent, and parent of an alumnus, Brad brought substantial institutional knowledge and historical perspective to the board room. Given his in-depth understanding of our School, Brad led the board/faculty committee that created our current Mission Statement, which was adopted by the Board of Governors in 2019. Sherry was an experienced and engaged board member with an in-depth understanding of school governance that was invaluable. She was a powerful thinker who continually challenged us to think strategically in improving our School. As an out-of-town alumnus, David was thoughtful, well respected, and brought an important and substantive point of view. His perspective often provided insight into complex and nuanced strategic issues for Newman. I look forward to continuing to lean on the expertise of these outgoing members. Their dedication to the School does not end with their service on the Board of Governors.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the passing of past Board Chair Sydney Besthoff ’45 and Board member Richard Stone ’60. Sydney was the Newman Board Chair from 1977-1980 and served the School for many years on the Board of Governors and Trustees. A member of the Class of 1945, Syndey had strong connections to the School as a direct descendant of Isidore Newman. Both he and his wife Walda were named Distinguished Alumni, the highest award bestowed upon a Newman graduate. He worked tirelessly to advance public interest in art in the city of New Orleans. Brother of former Board Chair David Stone ’57, current Board member Harvey ’62, and Carol Stone ’68, Richard was a force both during his time at Newman and beyond. Richard was named Distinguished Alumnus in 2014 and was a prominent leader and thinker in the Jewish community. Sydney and Richard will be sorely missed by the entire Newman community.

I would also like to welcome our newest Board members: Bryan Batt ’81, Michael LeBourgeois, and Susan Moody Prieto. They bring a great perspective to the Board of Governors, and we are excited for the contributions they will assuredly make moving forward.

As I serve my last year as Board Chair, I want to express my sincere gratitude to each member of the Newman community. I am both honored and humbled to have served as Chair and value Newman’s commitment to the next generation of Greenies in ensuring they are set up for success. Thank you for caring so deeply for our School.

Go Greenies – All N, Kenneth H. Beer ’75 Chair, Board of Governors

NEWMAN BOARD of GOVERNORS

Kenneth H. Beer ’75, Chair

Stephen L. Philipson ’97, Vice Chair

Vanessa Brown Claiborne, Treasurer

Michael A. Walker ’99, Secretary

Cherrie Barthelemy

Bryan M. Batt ’81

Helen Nalty Butcher

Aleicia J. Donald

G. Perry Eastman IV ’90

Stephen M. Farnsworth ’93

Ashley Francis

Michael Goldman

Jeffrey Goldring ’85

Susan Phillips Good

Tarun Jolly

Gordon H. Kolb, Sr.

Michael L. LeBourgeois

Susan Moody Prieto

John K. Saer, Jr. ’75

Peter E. Sperling

Harvey M. Stone ’62

Shontell N. Thomas ’97

Ann Thorpe Thompson ’74

Benjamin Bradley Tiller

Michelle B. Villere

David Weill ’82

SUSAN MOODY PRIETO

Susan Moody Prieto joins Newman's Board of Governors as a proud new resident of New Orleans and parent of a Newman alumna. She has spent the past twenty years working in Marketing and Communications for various corporations and educational nonprofits in the San Francisco Bay Area and Barcelona, Spain, where she used to reside. She holds a BA from Princeton University, where she was Captain of the Swimming & Diving Team and an MBA from IESE in Barcelona. Susan and her husband, Mauricio Prieto, are parents of two daughters, Sofía and Carolina ’22 Prieto, who are currently undergraduates at Vanderbilt University.

BRYAN BATT ’81

Bryan Batt is a Newman Distinguished Alumnus and a native New Orleanian. Working as an actor, designer, author, and civic activist, he has been a part of numerous films, television shows, and both on- and off-Broadway productions. His two Screen Actors Guild awards for his portrayal of Salvatore Romano on AMC’s Emmy, Golden Globe, and Peabody Award-winning dramatic series Mad Men are just a few of his many accolades. Recently Bryan wrote and appeared in his solo play, Dear Mr. Williams directed by Broadway’s Michael Wilson at Le Petit Theatre in New Orleans to rave reviews. Bryan and his spouse Tom Cianfichi are also the owners of Hazelnut, a fine gift and home accessories shop on Magazine Street.

MICHAEL LEBOURGEOIS

Michael is the Managing Partner of Black Bay, an energy private equity fund. Michael serves on the firm’s Investment Committee and oversees Black Bay’s efforts in sourcing investments, executing transactions, monitoring active portfolio companies, as well as firm management and strategy. Prior to co-founding Black Bay, Michael was a Managing Director at NGP Energy Technology Partners, where he led the firm’s oil & gas technology investment efforts. Michael has also served as the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Business Development for AutoChlor Services and worked at Bank of America Securities in the Natural Resources Investment Banking Group in New York and Houston. Michael holds an MBA from the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University and received a BA in Economics with honors from Southern Methodist University.

Michael and his wife Marley are the proud parents of Morgan ’23, Kingsland ’25, and James ’31. He joins the Board while continuing to serve on the Investment Committee of the Foundation.

This building serves as a sign of our commitment to offer a Newman education that embraces both classical liberal arts and forward-thinking, innovative educational practices.

DALE SMITH Newman Head of School

A Beautiful Arrangement

The Joy and Boysie Bollinger Performing Arts Building provides a new home for music at Newman

Standing on Jefferson Avenue, facing the newly dedicated Joy and Boysie Bollinger Performing Arts Building, one can’t help but be inspired. Named for its largest benefactors, Joy and Boysie Bollinger, the $6.5 million, 5,500 square-foot building features two spacious, acoustically optimized rehearsal rooms for Newman’s awardwinning Band and Choir programs; three practice rooms; The Brickman Family Practice Room, the Kitty Greenburg Practice Room, and the Lake Family Practice Room; as well as the beautiful Bart Gallery, which features student work alongside Newman’s permanent collection.

Since the School’s founding in 1903, Isidore Newman insisted that students receive a well-rounded education as well as manual training. He was a strong proponent of arts education, with classes in music and art being required of all students. 119 years later, the same is true today.

Blending traditional and contemporary architecture, the Joy and Boysie Bollinger Performing Arts Building highlights the connection between this new, state-of-the-art performing arts building and Newman’s historic Jefferson Building, which serves as a part of the new building’s structural integrity. Literally and figuratively, classic meets current.

“This building serves as a sign of our commitment to offer a Newman education that embraces both classical liberal arts and forward-thinking, innovative educational practices,” Head of School Dale Smith said. “Inspiration is a hallmark of the Newman experience, and it certainly exists in this space. The Joy and Boysie Bollinger Performing Arts Building serves as a physical representation of a Newman arts education.”

Joy and Boysie Bollinger’s $3 million donation is one of the largest single donations in the School’s history and serves as the lead gift of the arts campaign. Boysie Bollinger, Chairman and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards, understands high-performing organizations and is known for his commitment to excellence. Joy is a former classroom teacher who truly understands firsthand the value of education. Joy and Boysie are the proud grandparents of two Newman Greenies, Hunter ’31 and Arden ’28, and made the gift as celebrated philanthropic leaders in the New Orleans community.

At the dedication ceremony and reception on September 19, Joy Bollinger noted the importance of the arts within education. “The arts teach very valuable life skills, such as discipline and perseverance, and help kids develop confidence and become stronger. These are important competencies they will use throughout their lives.”

“This school does such a wonderful job in educating the next generations of leaders. It’s truly our pleasure to be a part of this capital campaign,” Boysie Bollinger added.

Newman Grandparents and long-time supporters Cathy and Morris Bart made the first commitment to the project. Their support of the Bart Gallery, a place where student art and Newman’s permanent art collection hang side by side, and the forthcoming Black Box theater, a flexible theater space for smaller student productions, brings visual and performing arts together in harmony.

Morris is recognized for his successful and innovative marketing strategies in the legal arena and has grown his firm into one of the larger personal injury law firms in the United States. Cathy serves on the Buildings and Grounds Committee at Newman, which includes work on this project. Cathy and Morris have five Newman Greenies among their grandchildren.

Morris Bart echoed the Bollingers’ sentiments. “Newman has a long tradition of excellence in education. It is our

hope that this amazing building will serve to exemplify the excellence that Newman has in so many fields and will inspire many future generations of students to excel not just in the performing arts, but all facets of the school for many years to come,” Bart said.

Even after just a few short weeks of being open, students shared that the musical integrity of the rehearsal halls inspires them to pursue excellence, to explore vocal and musical mastery, and to hone their craft.

“Students are inspired,” Band Director Joanna Izaguirre shared. “I have noticed a shift in the student’s pride in their craft. Because they understand the thought and intention behind the acoustics in the new space, they are working hard to reflect the professionalism and detail more than I’ve seen before.”

“I think a building like this will prepare you for what a professional setting will look like,” Sofia Gershanik ’23 said. “When you go to places like Carnegie Hall, which we’re going to perform at later in the spring, or when you perform with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, you're more prepared for that type of environment after practicing here.”

“This environment allows me to focus so much more, which is already making me a better musician,” Megan Zurik ’28 said. “The space is amazing.”

Performing arts teachers have affirmed that the sound quality is superior; the instruments are clearer; and that students hear true sound that allows them to improve their performances.

“This new space was engineered with outstanding acoustics. Wherever students are sitting, each student can clearly hear themselves, their neighbor, the director, and their classmates across the room. This is ideal for a musician’s ear development. They are proud of their work and strive to offer a performance worthy of the space they rehearse in,” Izaguirre added.

“My favorite thing about the band room is that that it’s specifically tailored for us,” Kai Oyemade ’27 said. “Our music sounds so much better now that the intonation of the space is personalized for the Band to practice in.”

Choir Director Anthony Sears echoed Izaguirre’s enthusiasm for the new space. “This space is nicer than any space that I had in college! I’ve told the students that this is now a collegiate space,” Sears said.

“Over the next five years I believe we will see a more intense focus on the curriculum just based on this space alone,” Sears added. “With fourth graders through seniors now being able to utilize the room, we’ve already had an increase in students wanting to join the Choir since this building opened up. Having a beautiful space like this will increase the musicianship of the entire institution.”

“This building will assuredly inspire both this generation and future generations of Newman students,” Head of School Dale Smith said.

This environment allows me to focus so much more, which is already making me a better musician.

MEGAN ZURIK Class of 2028

Named Practice Rooms

Joy and Boysie Bollinger Performing Arts Building

Brickman Family Practice Room

The Brickman Family Practice Room symbolizes a multigenerational connection to Isidore Newman School, the importance of the connection between teacher and student, and a shared appreciation for the arts. Isidore Newman School has been part of the Brickman family for several generations, with members being part of the graduating classes in the 1950s, 1980s, 1990s, and now the 2020s. For the Brickmans, love for the arts runs deep. “Our family has choir singers, piano players, brass players, painters, and other performance artists,” Bob Brickman ’85 said. “My dad, Isadore “David” Brickman ’55, was in the School’s performances of Patience, The Pirates of Penzance, and Trial by Jury, during his time at Newman and went on to be a talented surgeon.” Frank Brickman ’23 has been a choir student of Anthony Sears since the sixth grade, while also participating extensively in theater and studio art. Jacob Brickman ’21 participated in Newman’s band as a tuba player.

“We commend Newman for its outstanding continued investment in the arts, and we are thankful and honored to be able to support the Bollinger Performing Arts Building,” Bob said. “Newman Arts exemplifies the School’s motto, “We learn to do by doing.”

Kitty Greenberg Practice Room

The Kitty Greenberg Practice Room is the late George Greenberg’s way of honoring his late wife, Kitty Greenberg. A longtime educator and school leader at Newman, Kitty reinvigorated the drama program at the School with great energy, devoting hours daily to the Newman Players and to summer benefits. Kitty was also beloved by students, so much so that the Class of 1981 dedicated the Absinthe in her honor, noting her easy-going, generous, and genuinely concerned personality which added happiness and excitement to the School each day. At one time, Mrs. Greenberg said about her lengthy career at Newman, “There has never been a single day that I have not been thrilled to be here.” It was George’s hope that the practice room serves as a reminder of Kitty’s love and commitment to Newman.

Lake Family Practice Room

Sisters Erin Lake Friend ’95; Meredith Lake Petrone ’98; and Julia Lake Jacobson ’01 named the Lake Family Practice Room in honor of their father, Jonathan “Jonny” Morris Lake, Class of 1969. “Dad reminisces often about how much he loved Band at Newman and the many friendships that he still has today,” Meredith said. “We had been looking for a meaningful way to celebrate our dad and Poppa, and this felt right.”

In Jonny’s senior portrait, he has his trumpet in hand and is proudly wearing his Band sweater, which he still owns today. “The experiences that Newman provided him throughout the years as a student on campus, and the community that extends far beyond those years and into adulthood, makes the School so special.” Julia said. “It is our hope that the Lake Family Practice Room will serve as a thoughtful acknowledgment of our dad’s involvement at Newman as a student, as a parent, and now as a proud Newman grandparent.”

“Newman was a gift from our father, from him to us, and now from us to our children. This is our home away from home and we want to see it continue to flourish for generations to come,” Erin said.

Scholars Party

In appreciation of donors who gave $1,903 or more to the School. We thank Walton and Jeffrey ’85 Goldring for hosting this event at their home.

Alan H. Philipson ’56 Faculty Scholarship Fund

When Laura and Stephen ’97 Philipson reflect on the life of their beloved uncle and Newman alumnus, Alan Philipson ’56, the resounding themes of his legacy of service, both to Isidore Newman School and the greater New Orleans community, and his passion for providing all children with access to a strong K-12 education are omnipresent.

While deciding how to best honor the memory of their uncle, it was important to Laura and Stephen that their gift served Alan’s passions for educational access, strong educators, Isidore Newman School, and the city of New Orleans. It was also important that the gift facilitated a way to make a Newman education attainable for the children of faculty members. So, by way of a thoughtful confluence of these factors, the Alan H. Philipson ’56 Faculty Scholarship Fund was created.

“He impacted so many lives through his service, his leadership, and his friendships,” Laura said. “Honoring his memory with a scholarship allows him to continue to support members of these communities that were so dear to him into the future.”

Anyone who knew Alan knows of his deep devotion for the community of New Orleans. Newman’s Board of Governors, of which he was Chair from 1989-1992, was just one of more than twenty boards he served on throughout the City. “Alan was keenly focused in nearly every Board meeting on hearing how we were doing as a school in retaining and attracting the best teachers in the country,” Stephen said. “Our hope in providing this gift is that it will help ensure that we can attract and retain the best teachers, critical members of our community.”

This fund will be reserved for a deserving Middle or Upper School student of a faculty member that will add to the spirit of Isidore Newman School and the New Orleans community, just as Alan did. Much like Alan, recipients of the award should have a passion for service. Additionally, the Alan H. Philipson ’56 Faculty Scholarship Fund should be used if helpful in the recruitment and retention of a faculty member.

“Newman provided me with meaningful relationships and an incredible foundation that has allowed me to find success throughout my life and career,” Stephen said. “It is important to Laura and me to continue to give back to Newman so that others continue to benefit from a Newman education as I did.”

Financial Statement

There are three major components of Isidore Newman School’s finances: the annual operating budget, the capital and facilities budget, and the endowment. Similarly, there are three main ways to support the School.

ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET

The annual operating budget is $32.7 million. Because a good school starts with a strong faculty, salaries for our teachers and supporting staff represent the largest expense in the annual budget. These operating funds also help the School offer strong academic and student support resources, provide financial aid, and maintain our campus and facilities.

The operating budget is funded by tuition and fees and auxiliary revenue ($29.5 million) and charitable giving ($3.2 million). Charitable giving represents current-use funds raised through unrestricted NEWMANfund dollars ($1.4 million), as well as interest income from our endowment ($1.8 million) and other revenue.

NEWMAN fund GIFTS

Newman is fortunate to have a strong tradition of philanthropy, and each year every member of our community is asked to make a gift to support the School. Annual gifts are reinvested in all divisions across campus and enhance the Newman experience for all students, faculty, and staff. Thanks to your generous support, we closed the 2021-22 year with $1,880,712 million in gifts to maintain and improve the School’s academic, athletic, and extra-curricular programs, which are at the core of the Newman experience.

NEWMAN fund PARTICIPATION

We are deeply grateful for the generous support we received from 1,185 members of the Newman community. Each year, our fundraising goals are not met by a single gift, but by many gifts combined. Gifts of $100 and under, on average, generate over $30,000 for Newman. High participation is a vote of confidence, a sign that parents invest in their children’s success, alumni are continually grateful for the relationships they formed at School, grandparents proudly support their grandchildren’s educational journey, faculty and staff believe in the mission of the School, and parents of alumni appreciate the educational foundation that their children formed at Newman.

We extend special thanks to the alumni in the following classes who had the greatest participation this year: Class of 1959 (55% participation); Class of 1952 (52% participation); and the Class of 1958 (42% participation).

ENDOWMENT

In 2009, The Isidore Newman School Foundation was created as a separate 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to support Isidore Newman School by administering, developing, and investing an endowment fund for the sole benefit of the School. The Foundation is managed by an independent Foundation board. Throughout Newman’s history, endowment funds have been established for unrestricted and specific purposes to directly benefit the School. Currently, the endowment spending policy is 5% of a 12-Quarter rolling average. The minimum amount required to establish a named endowment fund is $100,000.

Gifts to The Isidore Newman School Foundation allow Newman to save and anticipate for the future. Gifts to the endowment may be unrestricted or may support a specific initiative or program like scholarships, faculty support, or specific academic or extra-curricular programs. Newman’s endowment is nearly $41.2 million. Endowment gifts provide essential budgetary support in perpetuity.

Capital Improvements & Reserves | $3,600,000

Financial Aid $3,000,000

Newman parents continue to remain active in the life of the School by donating time and resources to support Newman. Parents of the following classes had the highest participation: Class of 2032 with 51% participation; Class of 2034 with 50%, and Class of 2030 with 50% participation

CAPITAL GIFTS

TOTAL 2021-2022 7.3%

ENDOWMENT $41,185,401

General 18.9%

| $8,274,269 18.5%

Unrestricted | $9,030,508 Faculty Support Funds $7,848,189 36.3% 19.1%

Financial Aid | $14,955,460 Enrichment Funds | $3,412,984

Down to a Science

Newman students shine with bright, creative, and unconventional science fair entries.

Newman is known for its high expectations in the classroom, but it is still surprising to see just how talented some of our students are. Earlier this year, our latest crop of young minds really impressed at the 2022 Louisiana Science and Engineering Fair. Submissions such as “Modeling Hydroelectric Power on the Mississippi River,” “Analysis of Chlorophyll & Hemoglobin in Plants,” and “Where the Wild Things Are: A Look at Bat Activity in the New Orleans Area” were just a few of the award-winning project titles that were presented at the 2022 Louisiana Science and Engineering Fair.

Eight Newman students placed among six senior division categories at LSEF in March, including Mathematical and System Software, Animal Sciences, Microbiology, and Biomedical, Health, and Translational Medical Sciences, just to name a few. This was an impressive showing by the Greenies and a foreshadowing of continued future successes to come.

In asking Science Department Chair Matt Jones what components of the Newman experience help to propel students towards such success at both the local and national levels, his response was emphatic.

“We continually utilize the resources in the Rupa and Tarun Jolly Science and Technology Building to allow students to do projects that typically must be done at research institutions,” Jones said. “For example, last year Lizzie Robert ’22 did a project in genetics class that analyzed genes associated with the sleep cycle and entered the project into the Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair (GNOSEF). The judges were very surprised when she told them that she did all the work (DNA extraction, replication, restriction, and analysis) at her high school.”

First place GNOSEF and International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) participant Caitlin Estrada ’23 also credits individualized attention as an attribute to such successes. Under the guidance of Makerspace and Robotics teacher Victoria Mercouris, Estrada was taught how to use Newman’s CAD and 3D printers to build a model of the Mississippi River and a hydrokinetic generator. Her grand-prize-winning submission proposed using the flow of the mighty Mississippi to generate renewable energy. But this is no run-of-the-mill hydroelectric project. Her secret ingredient that landed her the prize was that the turbines are deep underwater and do not affect the shipping lanes that are so important to commerce on the nation’s busiest waterway.

won't have

similar type of research experience until they are working on an honors thesis in their junior or senior year of college.

Most students

a

DAVID KERN ’ 01

Upper School Science Teacher

“Ms. Mercouris was such a big help to me. She could have told me, ‘No, this is ridiculous; you shouldn’t do this project because you’ve never done modeling before.’ But instead, she supported me throughout the entire project and dedicated one-on-one time to teach me the basics and help me brainstorm,” Estrada said. “I could not have done this without her.”

“Having passionate teachers that continually checked in and offered support to complete this project, especially one that was so daunting at the early stages, made all the difference,” Estrada added.

Much like Estrada, fellow Greenies can perform high-level research by taking classes devoted to the topic, such as Upper School science teacher David Kern’s projectbased Science Research & Design course, which provides hands-on training and exposure to the scientific method, problem-solving, experimental design, data analysis, and public speaking.

In Science Research & Design, students are free to explore the questions that interest them most in an indepth and scientifically rigorous fashion. Over the course of the semester, students develop a research question, design an experiment or engineering project to answer that question, collect data, and evaluate their results. They then share those results by writing a research

paper in the style of a scientific journal article and by creating a poster presentation. The course culminates when students present their research at the Greater New Orleans Science & Engineering Fair (GNOSEF) in early spring.

“The opportunity to take a class like this at the high school level provides a truly unique and impactful experience,” Kern said. “Most students won't have a similar type of research experience until they are working on an honors thesis in their junior or senior year of college.”

Caitlin Estrada echoed Dr. Kern’s sentiments about the importance of the course offerings at Newman. “Being able to take AP Computer Science in high school, for example, allowed me to realize that I’m really interested in the subject,” Estrada said. “I’m thankful that Newman afforded me the opportunity to take the course, as I know many schools don’t offer it. Without taking it, I never would have known that I have a passion for it.”

Behind every great acknowledgment is a hefty dose of passion from both students and teachers. “Working with students on projects is something I really enjoy. When a project does well and receives accolades, it’s a special moment for all of us to be able to root for and support these awesome students,” Jones said.

Class of 2022 College Matriculation Summary

• Application Summary: 558 applications were submitted by 99 students (5.6 per student).

• College decisions were 348 (62%) acceptances.

• 99 students are matriculating to 52 different colleges.

• 44 (44%) are going to private colleges, 55 (56%) are going to public universities.

• 10 (10%) are going to college in Louisiana, 89 (90%) are going out-of-state.

• 32 (32%) will be the only student from Newman’s Class of 2022 attending their college.

• South 69 (70%) Northeast 9 (9%) Midwest 9 (9%) West 12 (12%)

COLLEGE ENROLLMENT

Mississippi 10

Alabama 6

Louisiana State 6

Texas Christian 5

Colorado – Boulder 4

Wake Forest 4

Southern Methodist 3

Georgia 3

Virginia 3

Vanderbilt 3

Arizona 2

Boston College 2

Charleston 2

Columbia 2

Furman 2

Kentucky 2

Notre Dame 2

Rhodes 2

Texas-Austin 2

Tulane 2

The following have one student attending:

Arizona State

Auburn

Bowdoin

Case Western Reserve

Colorado State

Denver

Duke

Florida Atlantic

George Washington

Hawaii

Hendrix

Illinois Wesleyan

Indiana

The Juilliard School

Louisiana - Lafayette

Louisiana College

Memphis

Michigan New York

North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Northwestern Oberlin

Oregon

Princeton Rice South Carolina

Syracuse

Tampa

Tennessee

Utah

Wisconsin Washington and Lee

Students were also admitted to the following colleges but have chosen not to matriculate:

Alcorn State, Arkansas, Augusta, Boston University, California – Berkeley, California – Los Angeles, California – Santa Barbara, Chapman, Clark Atlanta, Clemson, Colorado School of Mines, Davidson, Dillard, Drexel, East Carolina, Elon, Emory, Fisk, Flagler, Florida International, Florida Polytechnic, Fordham, Georgetown, Grambling State, Grinnell, Hawaii Pacific, High Point, Howard, Jackson State, Kenyon, Lebanon Valley, Loyola – Chicago, Loyola – New Orleans, Macalester, Marquette, Maryland – College Park, Marymount Manhattan, Miami (Oxford), Mississippi State, Morehouse, New Orleans, North Carolina A & T State, North Carolina State, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Richmond, Rutgers, Saint Edward’s, Saint Louis, San Diego State, Santa Clara, Sarah Lawrence, Sewanee: The University of the South, Southern, Spelman, Sweet Briar, Texas Tech, Tuskegee, University of the Arts, Vermont, Villanova, West Virginia, William and Mary, Wyoming, and Xavier.

Charles Harrison Brammell III

Joseph Preston Carey

Ryker Jeffrey Dolese

• Margaret Miriam Browne

• Lynton Guy Cook IV

• Hazel Kathryn Drury

Kathryn Winifred Flanagan

Ari Marion Friend

• Mai Ami Burrell

• John McDonald Currence II

• Luke Stuart Estrada

• Olivia Grace Francis

• Shalin Rajiv Gala

William Blair Hewitt

• Benjamin Donald Bordelon

• Thomas Benjamin Cahn

• Stella Stanislava Dobrev

• Eleanor Elizabeth Carey

• Hayden Sage Dolese

• Zomorria Miracle Eugene • Mary Roberts Favor

• William Van de Carr French

• Daniel Bryce Friedman

• Eliza Brandon Favrot

• Lindsey Raye Friedman

• Anita Gillum Gorman • John Michael Guillot • Caroline LeBon Henry • Sarah Crusel Henry

• Charles Reed Hoffmeister • Lillian Lair Hooper • Edon Richards Hotchkiss • Christopher Anthony Hunter

Chloe Cameron Incaprera

Caroline Grace LeBourgeois

Hudson Bruno Mazzanti

• Kartik Joshi

• Thomas McClintock Kerrigan • Ariana Celeste Khoobehi • Elizabeth Corinne Lapeyre

• Cullen Harrison Lee

• Grace Ann Lynch

• Mallory Kaitlyn Magee

• James Hale Martin

• Richard Ray Martin

• Meredith Anne Mendler • Ellie Eugenie Menszer • Hayes McConnell Mentz • Miles Claiborne Merlin

Hugh McGehee Miller • Samuel Jeremiah Milvid • Mason Alexander Mimeles • Austin Cedric Montgomery • Walker McCall Montgomery

William Henry Moore • Madeleine Paige Morrison • Allison Cecile Nowak • Cecile Marie Oliver • Gabriel Abraham Parnes • Emmett Lane Paton

Benjamin Diego Patron • Eloisa Brooke Patron • Georgina Kendall Peters • Parker Michelle Philibert • Caroline Staples Picou

Giovanna Angelina Piedimonte • Micah Elizabeth Mary Pierce • Makayla Olivia-Jamié Powell • Lillian Amity Powers • Carolina Audrey Prieto

Monika Sadda Reddy • Brooke Coleman Reiss • Elizabeth Kathleen Robert • Jonathan Tujague Robert • Krish Sadhwani

Walter Watson Scriber • Leo Saul Singer • Sara Alexandra Singer • Leah Brooke Sterbcow • Madeleine Rome Stouse • Shawn Tyrin Sutherland

Robert Carroll Trelo • Megan Ellen Vogt • Luke Fransen Wanek • Aubrey Elizabeth Whitaker • Robert Clayton Williams

Terrance Injel Williams, Jr. • Charlotte Sydney Wirth • Alton Whitten Wise • Eugenie Knight Worley • John Blake Zatezalo

Scholastic Awards

DR. TED BLOCH MEMORIAL MEDALS

The Dr. Ted Bloch Memorial Medals are awarded annually at commencement to the first and second honor students, designations first established by the faculty in 1954. In 1976 the medals were endowed by the family of Dr. Bloch, who was an outstanding student and alumnus of Newman’s Class of 1940. The awards are based on a cumulative scholastic average and are the highest academic prizes presented at commencement. The first honor student is eligible for no other academic awards, and the second honor student is eligible for only one other academic award.

First Honor Student

Anita Gillum Gorman

Second Honor Student

Ryker Jeffrey Dolese

RALPH J. SCHWARZ MEMORIAL KEYS

In 1943, a group of friends of Ralph J. Schwarz, who served as Chairman of the Educational Committee for many years, endowed scholarship keys to honor his memory. These keys are awarded annually at commencement to those students of the graduating class who have maintained an excellent scholastic average during their last two years of high school.

Margaret Miriam Browne

Ryker Jeffrey Dolese

Hazel Kathryn Drury

Luke Stuart Estrada

Anita Gillum Gorman

Caroline Grace LeBourgeois

SAM BLUM PRIZE

Allison Cecile Nowak

Cecile Marie Oliver

Emmett Lane Paton

Benjamin Diego Patron

Carolina Audrey Prieto

Elizabeth Kathleen Robert

In 1933, Sam Blum, Business Manager of Isidore Newman School and the Jewish Children’s Home, endowed a prize for scholarship. This prize for scholastic excellence is awarded annually to the student who attains the highest scholastic average during his or her first two years of high school.

Ava Elizabeth Hartman

University Awards

FACULTY AWARD FOR SCHOLARSHIP

The Faculty Award for Scholarship is given to one girl and one boy in the ninth and tenth grades who have excelled in their studies and who have demonstrated a true love of learning.

Ninth Grade

Lucyna Jae Wojcik

Martin Dominick Rezza III

CUM LAUDE SOCIETY

Tenth Grade

Jerron Antoine Adams

Caroline Chios Carmody

The Cum Laude Society, which recognizes superior academic achievement, is a national high school organization modeled after Phi Beta Kappa. The top twenty percent of the senior class is elected into Cum Laude in their senior year.

Pierce Eduardo Bewley

Margaret Miriam Browne

Eleanor Elizabeth Carey

Joseph Preston Carey

Ryker Jeffrey Dolese

Hazel Kathryn Drury

Luke Stuart Estrada

Anita Gillum Gorman

Chloe Cameron Incaprera

Caroline Grace LeBourgeois

Mallory Kaitlyn Magee

Allison Cecile Nowak

Cecile Marie Oliver

Emmett Lane Paton

Benjamin Diego Patron

Giovanna Angelina Piedimonte

Lillian Amity Powers

Carolina Audrey Prieto

Elizabeth Kathleen Robert

Alton Whitten Wise

Isidore Newman School is privileged to be among a select group of schools chosen by various universities to present awards for excellence. Each spring, the faculty selects members of the junior class whose characteristics adhere to and exemplify the citation criteria of each award. The awards are listed below in the order in which they were bestowed upon Newman.

HARVARD UNIVERSITY BOOK PRIZE

Established in 1981

Presented annually, the Harvard University Book Prize is awarded to an outstanding student in the junior class who demonstrates not only excellence in scholarship but achievement in nonacademic areas as well.

Caitlin Parker Estrada

THE JEFFERSON BOOK AWARD (University of Virginia)

Established in 1981

The Jefferson Book Award is presented annually to the well-rounded junior who best represents the Jeffersonian ideals of scholarship, leadership, and citizenship.

Miriam Margaret Landry

TULANE UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD

Established in 1981

This award recognizes a high school junior who has demonstrated excellence in the academic realm, as well as shown himself or herself to be a leader in public service. To be considered, the student must have shown leadership on campus and in the larger community, as well as given at least three years of public service.

Christian Gregory Johnson

YALE UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD

Established in 1983

Yale’s criteria focus on social awareness and responsibility and their evolution in light of technological progress. The Yale Award is presented to a junior who manifests commitment to social improvement, integrity, and ethical standards combined with intellectual curiosity and academic ability.

Carolina Andrea Fontanez

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE BOOK AWARD

Established in 1984

The Dartmouth College Book Award is presented to a student who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement combined with strong moral character. The recipient has made a positive impact on the school community and has excelled in at least one nonacademic area. Dartmouth also stipulates that the winner also be considered a candidate for entrance to a college or university of the highest academic caliber.

Isabelle Marie Plaisance

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD

Established in 1984

The criteria for the selection of the recipient of Princeton University Book Award include intellectual promise and academic excellence, exemplary service or extracurricular activities, and outstanding personal character.

Amelia Joan Aluise

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD

Established in 1988

This award is given to a student who has shown a demonstrable inclination toward research. Additional criteria considered include a record of exceptional academic achievement and dedication to learning.

Adelaide Louise Jackson

Citizenship Awards

Upper School

REBECCA KIEFER NEWMAN PRIZE

Since 1912, the Rebecca Kiefer Newman Prize, the oldest and most distinguished award of the School, has been given annually by the Newman family to the girl and the boy of the graduating class who have demonstrated the best school spirit and endeavor. The recipients are recognized by the faculty as the outstanding members of the graduating class..

Ari Marion Friend

Cecile Marie Oliver

SOLIS SEIFERTH, JR. MEMORIAL AWARD

Since 1939, the Solis Seiferth, Jr. Memorial Medal, given by Mr. and Mrs. Solis Seiferth, has been presented annually to the member of the graduating class who has achieved and maintained excellence in character, scholarship, and leadership, as measured by ideals of conduct and faithfulness in the performance of daily duties, and who has provided through enthusiasm, cooperation, and attainment a wholesome influence and an inspiration for fellow students.

Olivia Grace Francis

ANVILLA PRESCOTT SHULTZ CITIZENSHIP AWARDS

The Anvilla Prescott Shultz Citizenship Awards were established by the faculty in 1978 to honor the remarkable contributions to Newman of Anvilla Shultz as Principal of the Upper School and as Director of Guidance. These awards are presented annually to those students who have been the most outstanding school citizens in spirit, loyalty, and endeavor.

Ryker Jeffrey Dolese

Anita Gillum Gorman

Giovanna Angelina Piedimonte

Lillian Amity Powers

Krish Sadhwani

Leah Brooke Sterbcow

DANIEL FREDERICK ANEPOHL AWARD

This award was established by the Class of 1968 in memory of their classmate. It is presented by the seniors to the individual they select as the most esteemed member of their class.

Cecile Marie Oliver

ROSA FREEMAN KELLER AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

In 1978, Charles Keller III established this award to honor his mother Rosa Freeman Keller, an alumna and patron of the School, whose service to Newman and to the community has been outstanding. The award is given annually to a member of the graduating class who, as determined by the faculty, has demonstrated exceptional concern for and who has contributed significantly to the well-being of New Orleans.

Zomorria Miracle Eugene

ERIC BATIZA AWARD

In 1979, the family and friends of Eric Batiza ’73 established an award to be given to the boy in the senior class who, through his scholarship, athletic participation, school citizenship, leadership, and particularly his character, has demonstrated the highest level of student achievement at Isidore Newman School.

Joseph Preston Carey

HEATHER M. PEREIRA MEMORIAL AWARD

Established in 1991, the Heather M. Pereira Memorial Award is given annually to the Upper School student(s) who, as selected by the student members of the School’s Executive Committee, brings a special quality of enthusiasm and optimism to life at Newman by his or her unwavering concern for others.

Krish Sadhwani

LOUIS BARRY PICK AWARD

The Louis Barry Pick Award was established in 1996 by the family and friends of Louis Barry Pick ’64. It is awarded annually to the member of the graduating class whose creativity or originality has most enriched the lives of fellow students.

Aubrey Elizabeth Whitaker

STUDENT AWARDS

HEAD OF SCHOOL’S AWARD

The Head of School’s Award recognizes personal growth and accomplishment, contribution to the life of the School, embodiment of the School’s Core Values, and concern for and support of others. By their personalities and achievements, these seniors have enriched our community and made a difference in the lives of others.

Christopher Stephen Bachmann

Kate Faulkner Bensel

Daniel Bryce Friedman

Chloe Cameron Incaprera

Caroline Grace LeBourgeois

James Hale Martin

Miles Claiborne Merlin

Makayla Olivia-Jamié Powell

Carolina Audrey Prieto

Leo Saul Singer

Shawn Tyrin Sutherland

Aubrey Elizabeth Whitaker

Middle School

LOUISE GRANGER COHEN AWARD

In 1921, Clarence and Harold Cohen, alumni of Isidore Newman School, endowed an award to the best citizen in the eighth grade in honor of their mother, one of the first faculty members of the School. This award is presented annually to the girl and the boy who have demonstrated the highest qualities of a good school citizen.

Archie Alexander Casbarian

Antonina Ewa Sobera

BEVERLY NELL GREEN AWARD

In 1960, Beverly Nell Green’s classmates and their parents established an award in memory of Beverly. The award is given annually to the eighth grade girl who displays good sportsmanship and who is liked and respected by her peers and her teachers. This is a student who interacts positively in all aspects of school life and one who is openly supportive of her classmates.

Vivian Zhou

FRANK CERNICEK AWARD

In 1979, the Middle School faculty established this award to recognize the eighth grade boy who displays good citizenship and who interacts positively in all aspects of school life. The student is openly supportive of his classmates and is respected by teachers and peers. In 1995, the award was renamed to honor Frank Cernicek, an inspirational history teacher and beloved member of the Newman faculty for thirty years.

Steven Charles Wilson

FACULTY AWARD FOR CHARACTER

The Faculty Award for Character is given to one girl and one boy in the tenth and ninth grades who have led by example with good citizenship and exemplary character and who have demonstrated a love of and commitment to Newman.

Ninth Grade

Eliza Eugenie Pilant

Andrew Marx Brandt

Brandon Cash Wilkins

Trecia Lynn Stanford

PHILLIP ARTHUR WALLACE AWARD

This award is given to the eighth grade students who, in the opinion of the Middle School Head, uphold the highest values of the Middle School. In 2015, the award was renamed to honor Phillip Wallace, a devoted educator who served the Newman community for 33 years, with 25 of those years as Middle School Head.

Caroline Doyle Beahm

Logan James DeGruy

CATHY DOYLE LEADERSHIP AWARD

In 2003, in order to recognize Cathy Doyle’s twenty years of service as a teacher and administrator, the Middle School faculty established the Cathy Doyle Leadership Award. This award is given to a Middle School student whose leadership, involvement, capacity to care, and commitment to the School have helped foster a more positive and supportive climate. Like Ms. Doyle, this student’s cumulative behaviors have helped build a stronger sense of pride and spirit within the Middle School community.

Morgan Kaye Breaux

Tenth Grade

Athletic Achievements

The 2021-22 athletic season provided a plethora of exciting moments for our student-athletes and supporters. While the School continued to navigate through the challenges posed by COVID-19, we successfully ensured that practices and games could progress, while simultaneously keeping our community safe.

Thanks to the leadership of Newman alumnus Randy Livingston ’93, the Varsity Boys Basketball team won its first state title in nearly thirty years (the last time was when he was a Newman senior!). This was the program’s 10th overall State Championship. The Boys Soccer team made a magical run through the LHSAA state playoffs to capture the program’s 10th state title and the Girls Tennis Team repeated as state champs, its third in a row and fourth overall.

Other top finishes include another state semifinal appearance for the Football team, the Girls Basketball and Lacrosse teams' first appearance in the state semifinals, and impressive State Championship finishes in Girls and Boys Cross Country. Newman also proudly graduated eight student-athletes, who committed to play collegiate sports at their school of choice.

We are proud of all our student-athletes for their perseverance and outstanding performance in their athletic endeavors during the 2021-22 season. We appreciate all our students, coaches, parents, teachers, administrators, and the larger Newman community for being ALL N.

Photos by Derick Hingle

Class Notes ALUMNI CONNECTION ALUMNI

ever: writing, painting, and playing tennis. Here’s a recent watercolor.

program. Here's a fun photo from a production of Wozzeck in Amsterdam in the ’90s. Go Greenies!!

CONNECTION

Harold Victor ’38 celebrated his 101st birthday this year, sporting a custom Newman Basketball jersey, akin to the one he proudly wore during his time as a Greenie, at his birthday party.

Ted Pailet ’47 and his wife Louise have been enjoying life in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida since the Pandemic. Their family has grown, as they now have three great-great-grandsons: Eli, Finn, and Atticus. Their two granddaughters are diligently advancing their career. Perri is employed by a high-tech company and loves it and Sydney just graduated from the University of Miami Law School and is studying for the Bar Exam. Ted and Louise’s daughter Toby and their sonin-law Gregg hosted a beautiful luncheon to celebrate Ted’s 93rd birthday this year. Their son Al and his son Marshall are creators, writers, and directors of musical comedy and live on NYC's Upper West Side.

Jane Goldstein ’56 was recognized with a special award at the inaugural edition of the Horse Racing Women’s Summit on September 29 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California for her “role as a groundbreaking leader and inspirational example to women in racing.”

Louis Fishman ’59 is the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren, five who attend Newman and three who live in Greenwich, Connecticut, two of whom are at a school that his son, Matthew ’02, describes as “the Newman of Greenwich.” Louis’ classmate Tommy Ogg ’59 is great at keeping members of the Class of 1959 in touch and organizes periodic lunches for classmates to catch up. Louis has become “Of Counsel” to his law firm, Fishman Haygood, LLP, which is a step before retirement. His daughter Arden Barnett is the Director of Admissions Pre-K and Kindergarten at Newman.

Gene Shapiro ’69 is being inducted into the Tulane Sports Hall of Fame for her years as coach of the first Womens’ Tennis Team as a result of Title IX (1974-76). The entire team is being inducted and are all returning for the induction after 46 years!

Bill Bergman ’70 is a Robins Teaching Fellow and Instructor of Marketing at the University of Richmond Robins School of Business. He was voted “Faculty of the Year” last spring by the graduating Class of 2022.

Sherry Marcus Leventhal ’70 and her husband Alan moved to Copenhagen at the end of June after Alan was confirmed as the new US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark. Denmark is an extraordinary country doing remarkable work in developing wind and other carbon-free energy sources, making advances in biotechnology and healthcare research, and ranking at the top of the list for the happiest people in the world.

Dr. Les Berenson '71 retired from a 40-year career in Internal Medicine with a focus on Wellness, Prevention and Natural Medicine and has spent the past year researching and publishing on the science of COVID-19.

Mark Plotkin ’73 is now hosting a popular podcast: Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing Culture and Conservation Several of the episodes, including ones on rum and on absinthe, are set primarily in New Orleans. The podcast will have achieved over 500,000 downloads by the end of the year.

Bruce Spizer ’73 continues with his law practice in New Orleans, where he is Board Certified in Taxation and in Estate Planning and Administration. He recently wrote and published his fourteenth book on the Beatles, titled The Beatles: Rubber Soul to Revolver, and serves as a consultant on Beatles reissue projects for Universal Music Group and Apple Corps, Ltd.

children reading a book with the caption, “Quite Satisfied,” perfectly captures my current mood. I look forward to the day – about one year from now – when the published book will be available for you and many other friends and supporters who have generously helped me in this endeavor over the past seven years. In the meantime, am reprising a New Year’s newsletter I first shared with you a few years back. L’Shonah Tova!!”

Guy Lyman ’78 is working with NOLA Education on marketing their Star Academy program for disengaged students who have fallen behind in school.

time between offices in Dallas, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia. Her son Charlie (25) lives in Las Vegas, while sons Scott (23) and Thomas (22) live near Cleveland, Ohio.

Stuart Delery ’86 was appointed to serve as White House Counsel by President Biden. Throughout his career, Stuart has been an advocate for LGBTQ rights and previously served as White House Deputy Counsel and acting Associate Attorney General at the Justice Department.

Joseph Stahl ’54 is still doing three things worse than

Mike Devlin ’60 is enjoying an easy retirement in Seattle after a 50-year career on the world's opera and concert stages, all of which began at Newman with an excellent and inspirational musical

Michael Doody ’71 is still working as a Reproductive Endocrinologist (Infertility Specialist) in Knoxville, Tennessee. Best job in the world! He spends a lot of time at his vacation house near Yellowstone fly fishing and piloting a bush plane to back country airstrips in Montana and Idaho. He enjoys spending time with his six grandkids and is excited to welcome another on the way!

Marlene Trestman ’74 says “Sweet News for the New Year. I am thrilled to share sweet news I just received in time for Rosh Hashanah: LSU Press has officially accepted my manuscript, Most Fortunate Unfortunates: New Orleans Jewish Orphans’ Home, 18551946 for publication! If all goes as scheduled – including meeting my deadline for a few further revisions followed by copyediting, page proofs, cover design, and indexing – LSU Press expects to publish the book in fall 2023. The cover photo of the Home’s Golden City Messenger for September 1924, which shows two

Drew Shagrin ’83 says, “I’ve been living in Paris since late 2000, first in the city itself, now just outside the city. After careers as a transactions lawyer in San Francisco and an entrepreneur in Paris, I’m now a professor of business law at ESCP Business School. My wife is now CMO of a French scale-up called Malt, basically a European Upwork. Our oldest daughter is recently out of college in the Netherlands and is now doing an internship in Paris. Our middle daughter is now in college in Paris. Our youngest daughter is now in 9th grade and wants to play college soccer in the US. Please get in touch if you’re on this side of the pond!”

Kerrie Holton Tainter ’83 moved from Las Vegas, Nevada to Atlanta, Georgia in 2000. She was a private tutor and high school math and sciences teacher for many years but has recently returned to software development as a Corporate/Consultant Trainer. She specializes in Salesforce Development, splitting her

Mo Willems ’86 just created a, HBOMax cartoon series Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience Based on Willems’s New York Times best-selling book and the sold-out theatrical rock experience, the show is a onehour CGI animated rock music special that wears its heart on its sleeve. An animated hour of “underground” music and comedy about being comfortable in your own skin, this adaptation of the popular theater experience will knock your socks on! Premiering in 2023, Unlimited Squirrels! Is a hilarious animated series centered around Zoomy and an unlimited ensemble of Squirrel Friends who help Zoomy navigate new encounters and learn cool things along the way. Each episode will feature big stories, big facts, squirrely songs, and acorn-y jokes to keep young kids amused and stocked with an unlimited supply of fun, facts, and giggles.

Margaret Favrot Cross ’87 says, “I have moved back to New Orleans and have a son who is a senior at Newman.”

Chayan Chakraborti ’92 has accepted the role of Associate Dean for Education and Academic Affairs at the Tulane School of Medicine. Dr. Chakraborti is a native New Orleanian who graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in 2002. After completing his Internal Medicine residency also at Tulane, Dr. Chakraborti completed a medical education fellowship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He joined the Tulane faculty in 2008 and subsequently was appointed to several leadership roles including course director of Foundations in Medicine and the Internal Medicine clerkship.

Brendan Minihan ’93 is starting his sixth year as Head of the Middle School at The Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware. Margaret Ann, his wife, is the Tech Director at The Independence School. Their children, Aidan (Senior), Ewan (Junior), and Clare (Eighth), all attend Tatnall. The boys run cross country and track, Clare plays volleyball, and all three excel in the visual arts. Brendan was recently inducted into the New Orleans Track Club Hall of Fame.

Katie Russell Newland ’94 is an Austin, Texas-based writer with a PhD in Language and Literacy from the University of

Texas at Austin (UT). Katie’s debut book, A Season With Mom: Love, Loss, and the Ultimate Baseball Adventure, tells the story of her journey to visit all 30 Major League Baseball parks in a single season to fulfill her late mother’s dream. In 2012, Katie survived a double diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Melanoma. Since then, she has turned her insatiable appetite for learning toward cancer and related health topics. In 2018, she completed a year-long program to become a certified Integrative Nutrition Coach. Katie is a sports and games fanatic who loves to travel and is now on a mission to see every major sporting event’s finals. When she’s not watching sports or her favorite teams play (Chicago Cubs, New Orleans Saints, and Texas Longhorns), she can be found at a music festival, hosting a board game night, cooking a healthy meal, or playing pickleball.

Shay Villere ’94 had a recent business book published on Amazon.

Ron Wilson ’94 is now an assistant professor at St. John’s College in Santa Fe.

Neal Bodenheimer ’95 Neal Bodenheimer released a craft cocktail and New Orleans bar

Class Notes

book, Cure: New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix ‘em, available at your local bookstore or on Amazon.

Mark Bloom ’96 represented the USA at the 2022 Maccabiah Games in Israel, taking home a Gold medal in the Padel Team competition. The third largest international sporting event in the world, the Maccabiah Games showcased over 10,000 athletes from 85 countries. Bloom also participated in the Pickleball exhibition at the Jerusalem Tennis Center, where he competed amongst sports professionals and senior pros.

Stephen Philipson ’97 says, “Hi – submitting this pic of Jeff Yellin ’00, me, and our kids in Connecticut this summer.

Jeff (NYC), our families, and I (Charlotte) enjoyed spending time together and reconnecting this summer at the beach in Madison, Connecticut, where Jeff and both now spend our summers via our respective wives’ connections to the town.

Pictured left to right is JJ and Jeff Yellin, and Lila, Stephen, and Isabel Philipson.

COVID-19 response, I currently serve in Belle Chasse as the lead Civil-Military Operations director for DoD operations in North America. I spent most of the last year establishing Afghan refugee camps across the country and then working with the Dept of State and Office of Refugee Resettlement in D.C. to resettle those refugees into communities across America, actions for which I was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal and the 2022 Hubert H. Humphrey Award for Service to America.

Jonathan Leslie ’04 has restarted his blog, The Persian Blog of Kings which offers inclusive analysis of Iran, the Middle East, and global and American politics. He is currently an adjunct professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, where he teaches a course in Iranian politics and foreign policy. His first book, Fear and Insecurity: Israel and the Iran Threat Narrative, is scheduled to be published in late 2022.

purchased, one is donated to a pediatric cancer patient receiving yoga therapy at one of their many Children’s Hospital partners across the US and Canada. Since launching over a year ago, Jollie has donated over $24,000 to pediatric cancer. On September 21, 2022, Hilary, her business partner and their company, Jollie were featured on the Today Show segment, “She Made It.”

Kim Tsai Henderson ’06 says, “My husband, Michael, and I are so happy to share the birth of our first child, a baby boy named Trevor Michael Henderson! He was born on July 23, 2022 here in Atlanta, weighing in at 7 lbs., 5 oz., and 19.25 in.”

Nolan Marshall ’97 has been named the president and CEO of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association in Vancouver, British Columbia. Most recently, Marshall worked at the New Orleans Business Alliance – the official economic development agency for the City of New Orleans – where he started as the Vice-President of External Affairs and Policy and was promoted to Chief Engagement and Solutions Officer.

Jordan Levine ’99 says, “My wife, Alexis, and our daughters Skylar (3 y/o) and Asher (1 y/o) have grown roots in Providence, Rhode Island. After years of apartment living, we are very excited to be settling into our first house... complete with a deck big enough for a Cajun cooker.”

Bobbie Ragsdale ’03 Last summer, Meghan and I had our 4th baby, Arabelle Elise. Meghan continues to expand her CPA practice while continue to serve in the Army.

Recalled to Active Duty in early 2021 as part of the DoD’s

Hilary Goldberg Amburgey ’05 launched Jollie, the mindful movement brand with heart in April 2021. Jollie offers a line of movement mats and accessories for children and adults and for every mat

Manus McCaffery ’06 has been appointed Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs Political Affairs Officer, United Nations, West Africa Division. Manus graduated from Stanford University with a focus on energy and environmental policy. Afterward, he spent three years in Mongolia working with the Mongolian Deputy Foreign Minister on energy and environmental policies. In this position, Manus was a visiting researcher at the University of Tokyo’s Department of Nuclear Engineering and was in Japan when the Fukushima Daiichi disaster struck. He then relocated to Ecuador and worked in environmental risk and disaster management for USAID. Manus often traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where he coordinated the risk management component of a Food for Peace project. Manus has also traveled to Honduras, Malawi, Haiti, El Salvador, and

Paraguay to lead environmental compliance training and produce field research. He was then named a UNESCO Sustainable Development Ambassador and completed an MPP at the University of Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. At Yale, he interned in the Ukrainian Parliament to focus on energy policy reforms, performed fieldwork for six weeks in Honduran rainforests with the Wildlife Conservation Society to research deforestation prevention, and consulted the Puerto Rican government on innovation in hurricane response. He also bartered a paperclip into a car in three days in the School of Management’s “paperclip challenge.” While a student, he also consulted part-time for the World Bank on social protection measures for refugees in the DRC.

Meagan Hingle Casey ’07 says, “My family and I relocated to Nashville, Tennessee this summer. I am now the Manager of Neonatology Advanced

Practice Providers at Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. We welcomed our son, Henry, in August. He was delivered by my Newman classmate, Camille Robinson ’07 at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville!”

Kingsley Beer Clements ’07 recently welcomed their second daughter, Caroline Emily Clements, on February 8, 2022. Her older sister, Audrey, is thrilled to be a Big Sister!

the history of the Myers Park Baptist Church to serve on its senior staff. Previously, she attended Union Theological Seminary and served as a Chaplain Intern at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Most recently, she was an Associate Minister and the Director of Children's Ministries at Fort Washington Collegiate Church.

Hoback, Wyoming with their rescue dog Walter, 2 cats and 12 chickens. They enjoy fly fishing in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Join

Mia McClain ’07 was named the Associate Minister at the Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is the first African-American in

Layne Ezzell Hutcheson’08 married John Randolph Hutcheson, Jr. of Richmond, Virginia on August 6, 2022 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Fellow Newman alumni attendees included Jordan Moses, Celeste Allen, Anya Glassman, Rhegan Yeager, McKell Mclaughlin, Sophie Oreck, Casey Craighead, Carlin Conner, Clare Lanaux, Abby Sartor and Rebecca Waxman Layne met her husband while attending Sewanee, The University of the South where she graduated in 2012. Layne and Jack both moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming shortly after graduating and began dating in 2015. The couple lives in

Taylor Rees Ross ’09 says, “On December 15, 2021, our family welcomed our second child, a daughter, Rees Scarlett Ross. On December 18, 2021, graduated from Tulane’s School of Social Work with my master’s in social work.”

Jasmine Kudji Kudji ’11 was recently a part of the new Hillary Clinton show, Gutsy which is streaming now on Apple TV.

Sarah Cohen ’15 recently finished working on the COVID ICU as a clinical research coordinator. Her time spent helping patients and finding answers towards improving COVID outcomes led her to the decision to pursue nursing. She began the accelerated BSN program at LSUHSC in New Orleans in the fall of 2022.

Newman is always seeking good news to share in the Class Notes section of our biannual publications. Please scan the QR code above or visit www.NewmanSchool.org/ClassNotes to let us know what's new in your life! Some examples of news we typically share include: new jobs, graduations, new titles or degrees, big moves, marriages, new family additions, exciting trips, or general life updates. You may also send us a photo to include alongside your class note. We look forward to hearing from you!

Births

Richard Marshall, Jr. ’99 and Claire, a daughter, Adele Foley

Clay Bland ’00 and Jessie ’06, a daughter, Lily

Scott Kushner ’03 and Megan, a daughter, Naomi Kennedy

Kim Tsai Henderson ’06 and Michael, a son, Trevor Michael

Charles Lapeyre ’06 and Sibyl, a son, George Robert “Bobby”

Meagan Hingle Casey ’07 and Peter, a son, Henry

Millard Morrison ’07 and Alli, a son, Millard Bland, III "Woods"

Brice Sanderford ’07 and Adele, a daughter, Lucie

Manu Murali Mysore ’08 and Sukrita, a son, Adhvik

Taylor Rees Ross ’09 and Jack, a daughter, Rees Scarlett

Sara Brennan Treschels ’09 and Andrew, a son, Myer

Dreda Romig Lutkewitte ’12 and Conor, a son, Conor Thomas, Jr.

Kate Musemeche ’15 and Jonathan, a daughter, Olivia Lynn

Memorials

Benjamin Shanker ’41

Joel Wise Weinstock ’44

Sydney Besthoff '45

Charlotte Steinberg Gottesman '46

Eve Christman James ’51

Louis Weil ’52

Emilie Russell Griffin ’53

Louie Elizabeth Galloway ’55

Mary Keller Zervigon ’56

Richard Stone '60

Richard C. Buckman ’61

Sharon Anne Perlis ’62

Irene Alaynick Killen ’63

Phillip Charles Stephens ’12

Michael Anthony Hagan-Daniel ’12

NEWMAN PARENTS

Ashley B. Scriber P ’22, ’29

Suzanne Pfefferle Tafur P ’35, GT

Marriages

Shaunna Jones ’95 and Denver Edwards

Emily Clements ’06 and Ross McCall

Layne Ezzell ’08 and Jack Hutcheson

Lily Miller ’10 and Blair Marsteller

Chelsi Watson ’11 and Caleb Rowe

Hillary Haspel ’11 and Ryan Hustana

Kristen Parker ’13 and Cole LeBlanc

Kate Williams ’15 and Jonathan Musemeche

Adele Marchall Naomi Kushner

Bobby Lapeyre

Woods Morrison

Adhvik Mysore

Myer Treschels

Olivia Musemeche

Henry Casey

Lucie Sanderford

Rees Ross

Conor Lutkewitte, Jr.

Trevor Henderson

Arielle Jordan Cassidy '02 and Bryan Cassidy

Chelsi Watson '11 and Caleb Rowe

Emily Clements '06 and Ross McCall

Shaunna Jones '95 and Denver Edwards

Hillary Haspel '11 and Ryan Hustana

Layne Ezzell '08 and Jack Hutcheson

Cover photos: Michael Palumbo