T H E
L A M P
A NEWSLETTER FROM OLDFIELDS SCHOOL
VOLUME 8, NUMBER 2 SPRING 2017
Happy 150th Birthday, Oldfields! They came, they saw, they kicked up their heels! By Anne Ragland Finney P'97, Director of Development
Julius Caesar wasn't here, but more than 800 (yes, 800!) happy Oldfields alumnae and parents converged on the campus for Alumnae Weekend 2017 and the 150th Anniversary Celebration! “Glencoe Island” was buzzing with activity, as hundreds of Oldfields girls of all ages greeted one another with a gleeful enthusiasm that was heartwarming to behold. So many of us make our lifelong friends in high school, and the weekend was certainly proof of that. From old classmates who hadn't seen one another in years, to recent graduates who see each other all the time, the joy of being together and their love for Oldfields was unmistakable.
The campus was looking its best, as Oldfields girls from the Class of 1942 to the Class of 2016 re-visited their favorite old haunts, recalling teenage antics and growing pains, while marveling at what is new and updated. The highlight of Friday evening was the dedication of The Hawley and Wendy Rogers Wing, “in gratitude for a lifetime of dedication to the education of the young women who called Oldfields their home,” in the beautiful words of Head of School Emeritus Taylor Smith. Hundreds crowded into every nook and cranny of Old House for the dedication ceremony. The luckiest of the throng made their way into the newly renovated Jungle and tightly clustered around the honorees to hear words of praise from Laura Rogers Towne '82, Wendy and Hawley's daughter, and continued on the next page >
...Happy 150th Birthday, Oldfields continued from Taylor Smith, whom Hawley called “the closest thing I have to a brother.” No honor could be so well-deserved as naming the East Wing for the Rogers, whose positive influence over 28 years of graduating classes is legendary. Yes, there were all the traditional activities – a breakfast at the Head's house for Legacy and Golden Alumnae, the moving candlelight service at Immanuel Church in memory of deceased alumnae, tours of the campus, and the picnic lunch on the Commons Lawn – but the event everyone was waiting for took place Saturday night at the 150th Gala Celebration! The gymnasium was transformed into a magical setting for the evening's festivities as hundreds braved the warmth of the evening to dance to the incredible Ben Cameron Band and to dine on Rouge Catering's finest. The multitude spilled out of the gymnasium, onto the lawns and driveway – it was like an Oldfields block party! Smiles on every face, enthusiastic conversations everywhere you looked, hugs and stories, and pure happiness. The energy was overwhelming! Always mindful that taking care of Oldfields is the solemn trust of all of us, alumnae enthusiastically raised their hands to donate to a lively scholarship auction and vied with one another for alumnae artwork at the silent art auction in the gym lobby. The pièce de résistance was the dazzling fireworks display from Riding Hill, which brought both revelers and students outside to watch the array of brilliant rockets light up the sky. It was the seminal moment of the celebration, although the dancing went on well into the night, as everyone was reluctant to leave. As the moon rose and the crowds began to dissipate, one young alumna was heard to say,
“Can we do this again next year?”
HEAD OF SCHOOL SEARCH UPDATE By Lulu Laubenstein Good '72, Chair, Oldfields Head Search Committee
T he search for Oldfields' new Head of School is moving along. We have compiled results from the online survey, and have held meetings with faculty, students, alumnae, trustees, and parents throughout the winter and spring. Based on what you had to say, our consultants, Dr. Jerry Larson and Dr. John Watson from Educational Directions, Inc., created a spot-on prospectus for the position. So far, we have had quite a few strong educational leaders express interest in the Oldfields Head of School opportunity.
As John and Jerry continue to develop our candidate pools, things will quiet down, but not for long! By late summer, the Search Committee will begin reviewing candidate files, and in early fall we will meet with semi-finalists, with the goal of identifying three finalists, by mid-September. Our hope is we will be able to announce our new Head of School sometime in October or November. Thank you to each and every one of you who helped make this process a success by sharing your ideas with our Head search consultants. Finding a new Head of School is truly a community effort, and as always we appreciate your feedback.
Old favorites get a new look!
SPIRIT CAMPAIGN The
By Anne Ragland Finney P'97, Director of Development
It had been around so long that it had become an old friend, but the outdoor scoreboard at the hockey, lacrosse, and soccer fields, installed in 1980, had stopped working reliably, while wear and tear from the elements had transformed it into an eyesore. Thanks to a generous gift from The Ensign C. Markland Kelly, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc., to our Spirit Campaign, Oldfields now boasts a handsome new scoreboard! An LED multi-sport outdoor scoreboard with audio system manufactured by Daktronics, the world's industry leader in designing and manufacturing electronic scoreboards, has been installed down at the fields. Not only is it impressive in appearance, but it also includes an audio sound system which enables pre- and post-game player announcements and the playing of the national anthem. Scoring for our field sports has entered the modern age! Not to be outdone, The Jungle, a favorite of generations of Oldfields girls, has been completely
renovated. The cloudy plexi-glass panels of the roof have been replaced with clear glass panes, perfect for gazing at snowfalls and raindrops. The old linoleum flooring has been exchanged for a beautiful gray slate floor. The entire Jungle has been repainted, and the doors to the outside replaced, giving access to a newly constructed slate terrace with tables and chairs, which the girls have immediately begun to use for studying or socializing. Best of all, there is now heating and air conditioning in The Jungle! Be sure to look for The Hawley and Wendy Rogers Wing sign, as the funding to renovate The Jungle and much of Old House was given in their honor through the Spirit Campaign. You won't want to miss seeing two of Wendy's original watercolors of Oldfields landmarks nor the framed 150th Oldfields scarf outside Ansley's office decorating the walls. Come see for yourself what your gifts and those of others like you who love Oldfields have accomplished!
SHOUT OUTS!
Alumnae Gatherings Galore! Chestnut Hill, MA
Dee Allen '64, Deedie Clark Bouscaren '71, Bev Wilson Robinson '64, and Susan West Ross '64Â joined Head of School Ansley Smithwick, Director of Development Anne Finney P'97, and Associate Director of Development Ryan Kirk at Susie Hadden Lawrence '65's beautiful house for a delicious potluck supper (ask Deedie for her dessert recipe!) and lots of laughter and stories. Many thanks to Susie for such a great idea for a get-together and for hosting us all!
Washington, DC A delightful time was had by all at the Washington, DC Gathering hosted by Anne, incoming Board Chair Gus Edwards P'95, '98 and their daughter Christine '95 at the charming George Town Club on May 18, 2017. All enjoyed the spring evening in DC socializing, catching up with old friends, and hearing from Head of School Ansley Smithwick about the great happenings at School. Many thanks to the Edwards for hosting such a lovely party for Oldfields!
Tara Bliss '06, Christine Edwards '95, Jeanie Johnson '07, Anne McIntyre Colclough '86, and Meg Bender P'20
Deedie Clark Bouscaren '71, Ryan Kirk, Susie Hadden Lawrence '65, Anne Finney P'97, Dee Allen '64, Susan West Ross '64, Ansley Smithwick, Bev Wilson Robinson '64
Denver, CO Fresh on the heels of her return to Oldfields for the 150th Celebration, Biddie Labrot '76 hosted a lively gathering at The Washington Park Grill Denver, CO, on May 11 for Head of School Ansley Smithwick and six other Oldfields girls. Many thanks to Biddie for organizing such a fun evening!
Lauren Simmons '07, Giselle Cohen '05, Jess Childs '06 , Heather Woods Keller '82, Ansley Smithwick, Sloan Spaulding '98, Biddie Labrot '76, Kristen Welsh '89
If you are ever interested in planning an Oldfields event in your hometown please contact Joan Carter Jermakian '81 P'15 at Alumnae@oldfieldsschool.org
Passionate Parents! Bingo Night Good old-fashioned fun was had as girls gathered in the dining hall on a chilly January evening. Candy, popcorn and prizes were provided by the Oldfields Parent Association. Mike Singer P'18 pulled it all together as emcee complete with jokes, much to the chagrin of daughter Olivia '18.
Super Semi-formal
Senior Parent Gift
Wow! The parents really upped their game this year to make the semi-formal even more special for our girls, starting with a pre-party. It was great to meet their dates! Thanks, Anne Randolph Harrell P'19, for the beautiful flowers! The post party included s'mores around the fire pits and an incredible “candy bar� thanks to D'Naisha '19's grandmother, Lestina Bellamy.
Being the graduating class in the School's 150th year is a quite a distinction, and the Class of 2017 and their parents celebrated by making a wonderfully generous Senior Class Gift to Oldfields of $60,429.98! In front of the Board of Trustees and the entire School community, the check was presented to Head of School Ansley Smithwick. A huge thank you goes out to Fantasy and Don Reynolds, parents of Audrey '17, who served as Senior Class Chairs this year for their efforts in rallying the support of the senior class and their parents for this traditional thank you to Oldfields.
Finally, the OPA purchased these adorable pillows for all the girls as a reminder of good times at Oldfields no matter where they go! A huge thank you to OPA President Jennifer Singer P'18, Vice President Trish Redding P'17, Treasurer Julie Selby P'17, and all the other parents who attended meetings and put their energy into making this a wonderful year for our girls!
CREATE YOUR OWN LEGACY
AS OF APRIL 30, 2017
TOTAL
$614,038
GREEN $249,931
REMEMBER OLDFIELDS IN YOUR WILL OR TRUST
16% HIGHER
than last year.
WHITE $251,676
You can make the difference for your team!
Send your gift today!
HIGHLIGHTS
Student Writers Published Elyse Bruzdzinski '17 and Megan Redding '17 both were honored to have stories published in the critically acclaimed online journal, One for One Thousand. The students wrote and revised these original stories in the senior elective course, Contemporary Literature and Creative Writing. Their works can also be found in the even more prestigious Oldfields publication, Tidbit.
National Honor Society Congratulations to this year's new inductees to the National Honor Society! We are so proud of your excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Kellia Karambizi '18 Jincan “Iris” Xing '18 Charlotte “Charlie” Beaulé '19 Malena Dornemann '19 Fatima Fahnbulleh '19 Erika Hostrop '19 Rachel Hurn '19 Olivia Mahaffey '19 Xiner “Sylvie” Pan '19 Hannah Strube '19 Junyi “Sophie” Xie '19 Nuoya “Laura” Yang '19 Tianyun “Delia” Zhao '19 Special thanks to Mrs. Priscilla DiGalbo who does a wonderful job as faculty sponsor of the Oldfields chapter!
Did you know there is a National Honor Society for Dance as well? There is! After submitting a substantial application for review, we are proud to announce the Oldfields Dance Program is now a member! Way to go, Performing Arts Director Carrie Hammond!
Everyone loves Grandparents' Day!
Track Rises to the Occasion In a very competitive IAAM B Conference Championship, our runners did not disappoint, with nine athletes finishing their events in 3rd place or higher! Our 4 x 200 team, Jincan “Iris” Xing '18, D'Naisha BellamyGreene '19, Morgan Gause '19, and Kate Caroll '18 had the highest finish - 2nd out of 14 teams. Keep kickin' up your heels, girls!
Spring Riding
Badminton Soars
Both Emma Lach '18 and Xuan "Amy" Wu '19 brought home 1st place ribbons from the Maryland Combined Training Association (MCTA) Jenny Camp Starter Trial. Each of them led the way after dressage and added no penalties in the jumping phases. All day long we saw teamwork, focus, and the fruits of hard work. We are so proud of these ladies!
Under the calm, confident coaching of Dian “Jude” Zhu, Oldfields Varsity Badminton secured the Runner Up Championship position in the IAAM Conference. Led by student captains Min “Kate” Song '17, Megan Rivera '17, and Zixuan “Alice” Yang '17 this group of athletes used excellent technique and more importantly, superior strategy, to end with a 6-4 record in the regular season and then close with a fantastic performance in the championships. The dynamic duo of Nuoya “Laura” Yang '19 and Zixuan “Alice” Yang '17 won B Conference Doubles champion. Junior Varsity also had an excellent season, finishing 7-2.
This spring several girls were treated to rides through surrounding farms in the Elkridge-Harford Hunt and Greenspring Valley Hounds territories. We are so lucky to be located in the heart of some of the most beautiful horse country in the US! Thanks, neighbors!
Community Service Oldfields was honored to once again host and sponsor the Oldfields Back on My Feet Baltimore Half Marathon in April. It was the biggest turnout ever, with over 300 registered runners. Many OS students formed relay teams or volunteered at water stops and helped run the event. We are proud to support this cause that helps combat homelessness. Over $35,000 dollars was raised at Oldfields' Half Marathon for this amazing cause!
NONPROFIT
Oldfields School
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
1500 Glencoe Road Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152
PERMIT# 1608 BALTIMORE, MD
www.OldfieldsSchool.org
While your memories are still fresh, please send us a class note for the summer magazine to tell everyone what a great weekend it was, who you saw, and how it felt to be back on campus!
OTE! N S S A L C A S U D N E S s! 50TH? 1 E H T your new T e A r a h N s U o HAD F reason t e r o m n Just email your note to e e? Ev Not ther
Alumnae@OldfieldsSchool.org or mail it to Joan Carter Jermakian '81 P'15 at Oldfields School, 1500 Glencoe Road, Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152