Spring 2018 Mes Amis

SPRING 2018

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE FOREST RIDGE COMMUNITY

Seattle’s New Mayor is a ‘Woman Who Can’

Letter from the Acting Head of School: Julie Thenell Grasseschi

Dear Friends, More than once this year, I have thought of the words of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat when she wrote, “Strengthen in us, O God, the work You have begun in us.” The 2017-2018 school year is one in which thoughtful change delivered in (what seems like) light speed has become a hallmark. And then there’s the rest of a normal, everyday school year that keeps students, faculty and parents busy each day! St. Madeleine Sophie’s prayer has indeed been an important part of our work to bring about change.

We opened the year establishing an Acting Head of School and an Acting Head of Middle School. We moved quickly into fully implementing the solid work being done in The Center for Girls. We planted seeds for a bold new curriculum that will launch in the high school this fall. And we made the important decision to utilize an “all-school Director/Principal” model that features the newly created position of Director of 5-12 supported by the newly created position of Director of Teaching and Learning and the existing Director for The Center for Girls. The guidepost for each of these activities is our new strategic vision, True North(west): Forest Ridge Strategic Direction for 2018 and Beyond, approved by the Board of Trustees in late winter.

These are some fairly significant changes in the life of our 110-year-old school. It is no accident, then, that we are using this issue of Mes Amis magazine to communicate about these changes – in particular, the strategic direction. Director of Strategic Initiatives Trudy Hall wrote a piece that summarizes

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this direction; you will find that on page 9. We’ve also dedicated a place on the school’s website where the strategic direction is fully outlined. Visit forestridge.org to learn more.

You will also find a feature in this issue about John Fenoli, a true Sacred Heart educator who is retiring in June after 37 years of teaching science to the young women of Forest Ridge.

We are grateful to John for his service to our school and wish him well in his much-deserved retirement.

Finally, our entire community watched with pride last November when one of our own – Jenny Durkan ’76 – was elected Mayor of Seattle. In our cover story, Mayor Durkan talks about her new challenge in leading our city and looks back on the Forest Ridge education that helped form her development into a diligent public servant.

While we have much to do, we are also blessed to have a great deal for which to be both proud and grateful. So, whether you are an alumna, parent or other friend of Forest Ridge, I hope you will enjoy reading this edition of Mes Amis and keeping up with what is happening at Forest Ridge.

Gratefully,

Julie Thenell Grasseschi Acting Head of School

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PAGE 9

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C O N T E N T S

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Seattle’s New Mayor is a Woman Who Can

By Peggy O’Connor

23

Honoring Alycia Long Allen ’69

By Julie Lundgren

One School, One Heart – A Strategic Vision

By Trudy Hall

25

Joan Blanchett Broderick ’83 2018 Distinguished Alumna

By Julie Lundgren

9

15

Down to a Science John Fenoli Looks Back on His 37-Year Career

By Peggy O’Connor

27

Spring Luncheon and Induction Ceremony

By Julie Lundgren

21

Women Who Can…Also Mentor

By Peggy O’Connor

28

Mona Humphries Bailey, 1932-2018

By Peggy O’Connor

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Durkan joined Seattle high school students at the National School Walkout in March.

Photos courtesy of Anthony Derrick

Seattle’s New Mayor is a ‘Woman Who Can’

By Peggy O’Connor Around City Hall in Seattle, they call Jenny Durkan ’76 “the impatient mayor.” Elected in November 2017, she quickly earned that nickname, Durkan herself says, because of what she calls her “mighty to-do list.”

“I’m pushing us to take on the challenges we face in Seattle and the region. My top priorities are tackling the crisis of affordability, the growing economic disparities, and homelessness.”

To address those challenges, Durkan says, she is focusing on creating more low-income and middle-class housing as well

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as providing more short term options for people experiencing homelessness that are safe, humane and that actually move people to long term housing.

“I truly believe that we must create true economic opportunity for everyone, which means investing in preschool so students come to kindergarten ready to learn and making college a reality for every Seattle public school graduate with two free years of college tuition and support. I would not be where I am without the educational opportunity I had. That is just a fact. I want to do all I can to ensure every student in Seattle has that and a shot at doing anything they set their dreams on,” Durkan says.

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If Durkan’s words sound familiar, it’s because the core beliefs behind them reflect her Sacred Heart education. She began her journey at Forest Ridge during her middle school years, where she forged friendships that last to this day. One of her closest friends – then and now – is Karen Swanson Dugan ’76. Dugan says she wasn’t surprised that her friend wound up leading the largest city in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, she had even bigger plans for the woman she thought of as children’s book heroines Pippi Longstocking and Madeleine rolled into one.

“Back then, Jenny would sign the yearbook ‘President Jenny’,” Dugan recalls. “We knew then that was something that she could possibly do. It wasn’t something to pooh-pooh or laugh at … we really believed she could be president some day and SHE believed it, too.”

Fifty years later, Dugan remembers her friend as someone she admired from the first moment they met. “She was the kind of girl I wanted to be. She was a bit of a tomboy and so was I,” Dugan says. “She was super independent, and rough and tumble – such a fun girl to be around. She had a pony, a

playhouse, and even a BB gun. Jenny was and is strong willed, independent and adventurous, and you couldn’t help but want to be like her, to be her friend.”

Durkan’s family took Dugan under their wing; she was even called “the unofficial Eighth Durkan,” Dugan says. And Dugan was there in November, when her best friend was inaugurated as Mayor of Seattle. “It was a pretty neat scene at her inauguration. It wasn’t just a crowd of milk toast or white bread people; every background and ethnicity and culture was represented. Most telling was that it was obvious that Jenny’s election wasn’t just about the ‘haves.’ There were lots of ‘havenots’ in the room who had hopes that Jenny will turn things around,” Dugan says.

“We got to see her after the inauguration ceremony. She grabbed us out of the hundreds of people there. We shared a very special moment. It’s that sisterhood that is forged at Forest Ridge. I remember thinking: there’s my old friend, Jenny.

Sitting at the mayor’s desk. It was amazing.”

Durkan’s First 100 Days In March, the Seattle Times published an article outlining Durkan’s successes and challenges in the first 100 days of her term. The Times noted that she “has taken swift action on emerging issues, begun to make good on some campaign vows and started to slip behind on others.” In her State of the City address that month, Durkan noted that she had moved quickly to advance her top priorities: addressing affordability and homelessness, and creating economic opportunity for all; delivering essential City services; building safer, more just communities; standing up for Seattle’s progressive values; and seizing opportunities to create a more vibrant City for the future.

According to the Times’ story, Durkan has also faced a number of challenges – some criticism that her administration hasn’t achieved as much as anticipated and that she hadn’t yet ended “sweeps” of homeless encampments ­­­— a campaign promise.

She also has had to fill the top slots at five key city services, including the police department and the departments of parks and transportation.

Durkan and her friend, Karen Swanson Dugan, pictured in their school days.

Yet she has received almost a universal sense of praise for what many call her deeply “thoughtful” approach to the city’s

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Durkan signing an order for the Bridge to Housing for All program. problems. That approach is again reflective of her Sacred Heart education and one which she plans to maintain as she works through the city’s issues and problems. Durkan is no stranger to wanting to help solve problems and help people.

“It is funny, when I was at Forest Ridge my goal was to be a ‘storefront lawyer,’ fighting for justice,” Durkan says. “Back then, I often thought that I might run for office (but I also dreamed of playing basketball at Notre Dame, which did not happen).”

After college, she spent two years as a volunteer teacher and basketball coach in a remote Alaskan village then decided to pursue her dream of attending law school at the University of Washington.

“After law school, I had a varied career that I loved and learned I could do a lot of good as a lawyer. I represented victims in the worst of circumstances — like the families of four firefighters who died in a warehouse fire and a woman denied the right to see her partner in the hospital after a flash

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flood took her life,” Durkan explains. “Learning and listening from these and other tough cases, I fought for changes to try to ensure that others would not have to go through the same suffering. I fought for voters' rights and criminal justice reforms. In 2009, President Obama appointed me to be U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington – it was an incredible job and I was able to contribute to our community and our nation.

Among other things, I chaired the Department of Justice’s key committee on cybercrime. After that, I became a partner in a global law firm — as the Global Chair of the cybersecurity and data practice group. I Durkan at the State of the City address. thought I would do that until I retired.

“But then the Mayor opportunity opened up. I had worked in and out of government in Seattle for decades, knew the community, and had seen how we can make Seattle’s civic life for the better. I worried deeply about our national politics

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and saw that our great city was at a real crossroads. With the support of my family and a great network of friends, I decided to run for Mayor of Seattle, though I had never run for office before” she adds. “I'm grateful that in November, voters put their trust in me. Being in office is deeply rewarding especially for the best city in the country. You get the chance to make a difference in the lives of many people every day you wake up.”

Friends for life

says. “In short, there was nothing that girls could not do.

Obviously, the world does not always see it that way — and women are not on an even playing field in so many ways. But Forest Ridge (and my parents) helped enforce my belief that I could shoot for my dreams. Finally, the community, the rigorous academics and ethical framework at Forest Ridge prepared me well for life. The teachers and community were great, and taught me to ask questions, challenge myself and work to improve the world.

Karen Dugan says that her friend Jenny had a sense of social “I made lifelong friends and have found how rare that is. It justice before it was even a term. “I know that Jenny had a is an advantage because it gives you a continuity in life that strong sense of ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’. many people do not have. While we do not see each other That was reinforced by our nearly enough — they can still make education at Forest Ridge. me laugh out loud, and give me comfort Finding your truth – that big when things are hard (like when I lost catchphrase of today – Forest my parents). So much can go unspoken, Ridge did that for us without there is a true easiness to seeing them, that catchphrase. We were Durkan says. “Also, my admiration allowed to find our truth,” for all the women in my class has only Dugan explains. She points increased over the years. They are truly to the successes Durkan has remarkable people. The way they rallied had so far. “She has gotten behind me when I ran for mayor was many things done right off truly humbling. Though we graduated the bat – especially in tackling over 40 years ago, many of them (and the homeless problem. She is other alums) stepped up to help raise working with a city council money, knock on doors and help me. It Mayor Jenny Durkan at an event announcing expansions to Seattle’s pre-kindergarten programming. that is diverse as any around. was so great! (The spirit of) Mes Amis Photo by Kamaria Hightower More women than men. Their could not be truer,” Durkan adds. own agenda with their own social issues that they are interested in addressing. Jenny is a At Forest Ridge – and now, in the office of the Mayor of great listener and she has those skills that bring diverse groups Seattle – it is about being women who can. “We all stand on together. the shoulders of the women who have been brave. There were so many women before me that stepped up to run for office, “Forest Ridge was responsible for building that skill in us,” and it's so exhilarating to see so many women running now Dugan says. “We learned to discuss with respect and kindness. who are continuing to break barriers. Seattle is now run by To look at the other person’s life and point of view. To be women at every level of government. Our City Council is a compassionate.” super majority of both women and people of color and our two U.S. Senators are women,” Durkan points out. “Women in Mayor Durkan agrees. leadership positions leads to a different style of governance but also has a society-changing effect. It teaches every little girl to “Forest Ridge prepared me on several levels to succeed. I grew think she can be whatever she wants – and every little boy, too. up watching girls do everything at school. They were the best I have two sons and they have seen their mom do this. That is and worst students. They starred in the school plays, on the pretty great.” sports teams and in the classrooms. They were head of the honor society, the student body and all of the clubs,” Durkan It’s pretty Forest Ridge, too.

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AROUND CAMPUS

Notes from the Ridge Committee leads Head of School search The search for a new Head of School is currently under way.

“We anticipate that a new Head of School will join us in July 2019. The Search Committee is excited to identify a candidate for appointment by our Board of Trustees,” says trustee and parent of alumna Amy Anderson, who is currently chairing the Head of School Search Committee.

development, communications and marketing teams at Forest Ridge. Casey is also a current parent at Forest Ridge.

A graduate of St. Mary’s College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and business administration, O’Rourke has 22 years of experience in sales, customer service, events and promotions, and process reengineering. “I look forward to continuing my work on a much larger scale and am very excited to be a part of the team that guides Forest Ridge into its next phase,” O’Rourke says.

“As an active alumna and current parent, I believe in Sacred

In addition to Anderson, the search committee includes former Head of School at Forest Ridge and Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ; retired faculty member Tom Manion, who served Forest Ridge for 28 years; current parent Tina Sarin; alumna and independent school consultant Anne Romano Sarewitz ’71; and search consultant Jean Orvis, who is a former Head of School at Seattle Academy, former member and chair, NAIS Commission on Accreditation, and member of the Conference on Sacred Heart Education.

“We are honored to have the privilege of ensuring that the next Head of School understands the philosophy of the Goals and Criteria and embodies those characteristics that are important to our community,” Anderson says.

Heart education and traditions and have chosen to raise my daughter (6th grader) with them. Over the years, I have invested my time and support because I love the institution and what it has done for me throughout my life.”

Forest Ridge will follow 5-12 model for academic leadership team As Acting Head of School Julie Thenell Grasseschi noted in a message to parents in April, “Solidifying areas of our administration has been an important initiative as we move forward to consider the future of our 5-12 academic administrative structure.” To that end, Grasseschi asked the committee directing a search for a new Director of High

Meet the new Director of Institutional Advancement

School to “rethink options and contemplate bold alternatives

In April, Casey Hall O’Rourke ’90 joined Forest Ridge as the Director of Institutional Advancement.

Casey is passionate about Forest Ridge and Sacred Heart education. She has served on the Alumnae Board twice, once in the late 1990s and again for the past five years, both Casey Hall O’Rourke ’90. times serving as Alumnae Board President. Casey’s excellence in sales and marketing and her deep connections to the wider Forest Ridge community will serve this community well as she takes the reins of the

school administrative and faculty communities to consider

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for our academic leadership positions, particularly in light of our board-approved strategic vision.” This allowed the more deeply the benefits of a 5-12 academic leadership structure. After studying the options, and soliciting and interviewing candidates, Grasseschi informed the Forest Ridge community that beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, Forest Ridge will adopt an “all-school Director/Principal” model that features the newly created position of Director of 5-12 supported by the newly created position of Director of Teaching and Learning and the existing Director for the Center for Girls. The new team of Director of 5-12 (Principal), Kathi Hand, Director of Teaching and Learning, Courtney Caldwell, and Director of The Center for Girls, Betsy Briardy, met with parents and students on May 15 to share their excitement about the work ahead and to describe their priorities for next year.

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AROUND CAMPUS STEM Fair, Central Sound Regional Science and Engineering Fair Science was in the spotlight recently as 87 students participated in the annual Forest Ridge STEM Fair and seven students entered projects in the Central Sound Regional Science and Engineering Fair at Bellevue College. “The girls did an outstanding job representing Forest Ridge,” says HS Science Faculty Corina Jung Rahmig ’98. Participants included Verona Yue ’19, Madison Heisler ’19, Alyssa Kiehn ’20 and Ariana Tucker ’20, who were awarded a second place in the category of Physics, Astronomy, and Mathematics, and Sachi Figliolini ’20 and Michelle Kim ’20, who won Supernova Best Newcomer awards.

The new 5-12 academic leadership team includes Betsy Briardy, Kathi Hand and Courtney Caldwell.

Student Franny Anunobi ’20 and her STEM fair project.

“Our work ahead will focus on ensuring a cohesive, schoolwide community that supports, challenges and empowers young women at each stage in their educational and developmental journey. We will benefit from the work done by The Center for Girls, which highlights our deep knowledge and understanding of how to educate young women intellectually, spiritually, physically and emotionally,” Grasseschi explains.

“This strategic work is unfolding intentionally, through carefully articulated phases, as an integrated 5-12 program which will ultimately connect girls across the world in order to

HS artists present work Eight Forest Ridge students participated in the first Independent High Schools Art Exhibition at Bellarmine Prep in April. Participants included, Megan Allen ’19, Brooke Baker ’21, Wendy Chen ’19, Emma Liu ’19, Veronica Mendoza ’19, Izzy Ryan ’19, Charlotte Wang ’19 and Cindy Zhang ’20.

Congratulations to Emma Liu, who was awarded the prize for Best in Show in the Collage/Multi-Media category. Other participating schools included O'Dea, Kings, Annie Wright, Charles Wright, Kennedy, and Bellarmine Preparatory.

create impactful change in the lives of young women.”

The work of high school artists on display at Bellarmine Prep.

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One School, One Heart And New Ways of Imagining How to Get There

By Trudy Hall The ink on True North(west): Forest Ridge Strategic Direction

One School, One Heart has the school administration thinking

for 2018 and Beyond was barely dry, but the vision popped

in fresh, dynamic ways about teaching and supporting girls.

off the page: One School, One Heart. This promising new

The High School and Middle School have created a new weekly

vision allows Forest Ridge to serve young women from grade

schedule, launched a new administrative structure, and begun

5 straight through grade 12, offering programs designed

intentional planning in academic departments across all grade

specifically for each phase of the adolescent journey.

levels. The results are exciting and mean great things for girls

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AROUND CAMPUS in the year ahead. From surveys about student engagement to conversations about community bonding, new ideas are emerging from students and faculty alike.

Early in the fall, Forest Ridge launched The Center for Girls, directed by Betsy Briardy. Over the course of this year, The Center has become a learning zone for both parents and girls as it creates programs in the social-emotional realm perfectly suited to girls and their parents. How to manage the impact of social media, public speaking and advocacy skills, addressing perfectionism, and preparing for the college search process are among the many workshops hosted by The Center for Girls in its inaugural year.

To give shape to an administration designed to think about girls’ experiences — both social and academic — from the time they enter fifth grade in black watch plaid skirts until they graduate in white robes and head to college, the school has adopted a new structure. This ‘all-school Director/Principal’ model will feature the newly created position of Director of 5-12, or Principal, supported by the newly created position of Director of Teaching and Learning and the existing position of Director for The Center for Girls.

“With the launch of the integrated global curriculum in the high school and the introduction of a revised schedule to permit internships and experiential learning, it is an ideal time to have our Middle School and High School partner in even more effective ways to design opportunities for growth across and between grade levels,” said Kathi Hand, formerly the Academic Dean in the Middle School who was appointed in April to the position of Director of 5-12 by Acting Head of School Julie Thenell Grasseschi. With her previous experience first as the vice-principal and then the principal at Assumption-St. Bridget School in Seattle for more than 20 years, Hand brings critical volumes of superb administrative expertise to this new role.

The school is excited to announce that Ms. Courtney Caldwell, formerly Vice-Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at

social justice courses at Seoul International School, Kennedy Catholic High School and St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School (Alabama). Known for her vision and articulation for excellence in curriculum development, Caldwell brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise on current trends and a reputation for caring deeply for the people with whom she works. When she learned about the role, Caldwell was thrilled: “It is my dream job, combining all the things I love about school administration with a mission about which I am passionate.”

The energy that propels this work is palpable. With this new administrative structure, new opening festivities planned for the fall, interdisciplinary courses being introduced, and greater focus in planning activities that encompass all grade levels, One School, One Heart embraces the Sacred Heart education tradition of an exceptional girl-focused learning community.

Eastside Catholic, will join Forest Ridge in the newly created role as Director of Teaching and Learning. Caldwell previously taught middle and high school social studies, English and

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The Goals as art

Artistic representation of the Sacred Heart Goals by Rozella Kim ’20

As part of a religion class assignment in her freshman year, Rozella Kim painted the five Sacred Heart goals. Her inspiring artwork hangs in the high school building and one piece, Goal III, was used as the cover of the Forest Ridge Christmas card this past year. Fr. Paul Magnano, pastor of Christ Our Hope Church in downtown Seattle, received this card, and was so moved by its depiction of Goal III, “social awareness which impels to action” that he asked permission to reprint it as the cover of the Sunday bulletin at his church for the month of January. Fr. Magnano felt that Rozella’s depiction of the

Goal 1 “I tried to share my image of a Christian receiving the blessings from Him.” Beatitudes captured his parish’s work and ministry with the wider community living and working in downtown Seattle.

Rozella –thrilled by the positive responses to her work – says she “wanted to create my art in a way that viewers could receive the purpose of our goals even without knowing what the goals are. This inspired me to rethink how the Goals personally impact my life, so I tried to show through my art what each goal meant to me.”

Rozella says she was excited that her work was used as the school’s Christmas card. “I can surely say that it made my day, and it is such an honor to be able to represent our FR community through my passion in art.”

Rozella Kim ’20

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“Art has been my life’s passion since I was very young. I’ve always wanted to have a deeper understanding of art and grow as an artist,” Rozella says.

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AROUND CAMPUS Goal 2

“I wanted to share my image of growing together as intellectuals.”

Goal 3

“This shows different ways that I personally and how we all could educate ourselves to social awareness that impels to action.”

Goal 4

Goal 5

“I hoped to share the image of Forest Ridge building as a community, regardless of race, age, or disabilities, as Christians under His eyes.”

“Here, I focused on the idea of personal growth and individual connection to Him as a Christian.”

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AROUND CAMPUS

#NeverAgain ‘Demonstrating leadership’ is Forest Ridge student response to national anti-gun violence movement Students led a March for Our Lives walkout on March 14 at Forest Ridge.

By Peggy O’Connor Faith Chamberlain ’18 was among those who watched in horror as TV news showed the images from the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, on Valentine’s Day. To Faith and her peers, school shootings have – unfortunately – become commonplace in their lives.

“We have been called the ‘Columbine generation’,” Faith says.

“That is, a group of young people who have grown up with the reality of mass shootings as a common occurrence. I remember the confusion I felt as a seventh grader hearing about the Sandy Hook shooting for the first time…and then the fear and shock that came with the processing of that event. I long for a day when children do not have to hear about their peers being slaughtered in the place that should be safe for them, and a world that is not desensitized to the tragic loss of so many.”

Yet, as commonplace as mass shootings have become, the reaction to the Parkland tragedy was different. It was swift and widespread. And it was powerful.

Students at schools across the country came to class the next day stunned, but motivated. At Forest Ridge, a group of eighth graders came to Middle School Teacher and Student Activities Leader Molly Muller after class. “They wanted to raise awareness and they wanted to join with high school students who were advocating for change,” Muller says.

Working with their teachers, both middle and high school students planned and carried out a community “Walk Out” event in response to the national tragedy. Students walked out of class on March 14, gathered at the heart on campus and met to read statements and lead discussions on the idea of “Never Again.”

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“As students in America, we know better than almost anyone that gun control is not a partisan issue. Getting an education may be a privilege, but not getting shot while at school should be a fundamental right,” says senior Milli Wijenaike-Bogle.

Muller says she thought the students did an excellent job demonstrating leadership and Goal III by organizing the Walk Out, mobilizing their peers, and participating in the March for Our Lives, a nation-wide protest that took place March 24. Many Forest Ridge high school students and families, including most of the eighth grade group that had organized the events on March 14 – Joy Moreau, Evelyn Dai, Zoe Farnsworth, Samantha Clark, Vesta Weed, Naomi Nahmias, Emma Young and Tanvi Kamath – also joined Seattle’s March for Our Lives. They were deeply affected by what they saw.

“One moment for me that was really powerful was when I was on the bus heading to Seattle. At every stop, groups of people would get on the bus with posters for the march. When I looked around, I noticed more people who had posters or were talking about gun control or the NRA. It was such an amazing feeling to know I am part of this community who are as passionate as I am for student's safety,” Vesta says.

Ninth grader Nora Thompson says the March for Our Lives experience created conflicting feelings for her. “The sheer mass of people – very young children, elderly couples and everyone in between – was extremely encouraging because gun violence is such a relevant issue for everyone not just teenagers and seeing people recognizing that is incredible. It was also extremely powerful to see the signs that people had made to show their sorrow. A poster that left the deepest impression on me was one that said, ‘The Smallest Caskets are the Heaviest’. I found this to be a bone-chilling message and one that is hard to stomach because it is so true and so horrific.”

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Most of the students who participated in the events held at Forest Ridge and in Seattle say they felt empowered and even brave by being able to share on a public stage their thoughts, fears and willingness to help bring about change to the world.

Middle School Dean of Students and Director of The Center for Girls Betsy Briardy says that the students showed “bravery and passion by demonstrating.” Many students agreed.

“To me, these movements mean that change can happen. In the past, bad things haven't been changed because no one had the bravery or power to stand up and advocate for themselves.

Now, with this movement, it is proving to me and other people around the world that change is possible if you fight hard enough for what you believe,” Zoe Farnsworth adds.

Senior Robyn Young sees the student-led movements that advocate for the safety and interests of young people as a powerful indicator of growing youth involvement. “As teenagers, we often have to negate a connotation that we are self-centered, apathetic, or just simply haven't developed our critical thinking enough. However, with all of the attention that student-led movements are now receiving, I believe that it's becoming clear how involved youth really are. I think it's important to note that these aren't issues that have just emerged over the last few months. Many of the issues students are concerned with can be traced back hundreds of years and have become tangled in the fabric of our society. To me, these movements are about young people finally getting the attention they deserve in their advocacy regarding their own lives and issues that affect them as residents of the United States,” Robyn says.

Student demonstrations.

The students involved in the March For Our Lives and #NeverAgain related events say they plan to keep on advocating for change – not just for gun control but for the movements like #metoo that shine a light on the mistreatment of women around the world. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan ’76 says she is grateful that young women have become involved and empowered.

“I hope that every young woman – at Forest Ridge and elsewhere – sees those movements and realizes the power of her voice and her vote. We’ve got to have sustained action. It’s not enough to resist; we need women to act, vote, and run for office,” Durkan says. “We can all act where we live. It’s our cities and states that will lead and be the frontlines of combating climate change, fighting economic and racial injustice, taking action on guns, advancing criminal justice reform, or fighting for women's voices to be heard.”

Forest Ridge students give credit to their school for giving them the space and the encouragement to act.

“Forest Ridge really helps its students to be aware of issues in our country and encourages us to make a difference. It is in this environment that students feel safe to branch out and to try things that they may not usually see themselves doing. I, for example, am a freshman and new to the school and when I started the year, I never anticipated standing in front of the entire student body and rallying for stricter gun laws, yet, on March 14, there I was doing just that. I think that Forest Ridge has helped me discern what I think is worth advocating for and how I can do that in big and small ways,” Nora Thompson says.

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AROUND CAMPUS “She wanted me to become a doctor and one of my college counselors thought I should apply to medical school. I thought about it and applied…but the University of Missouri only took two out-of-state students a year and I was number three,” Fenoli recalls. “I came home for a visit and my mother told me she had made an appointment with a doctor who was a former Head of the American Medical Association. I talked to him and within 10 minutes, he’s on the phone to the University of Illinois Medical School – Chicago Circle campus. He gets off the phone and says, ‘okay, John, you’ve got a four-year scholarship.’

“But then I talked to some friends who told me that the only way to get through the program – even with a scholarship – was to be rich. I wasn’t rich. I turned it down and my mother didn’t speak to me for three months. Basically, her argument was that I’d make a great doctor. I told her, if I stayed in education, I’ll graduate 20 doctors. I was right,” he says with a laugh.

Fenoli started his first 10 years of teaching at a rural school in Illinois before moving to Seattle in 1979.

Fenoli in his classroom.

Down to a Science John Fenoli Looks Back on His Forest Ridge Years

By Peggy O’Connor Forest Ridge high school science teacher, former science department chair, and beloved Sacred Heart educator John Fenoli long ago stopped counting how many of his students have gone on to become physicians. Back in 2003 the number was 21. It’s at least 25, he says, in 47 years of teaching. He only started counting in the first place to prove a point to his mother.

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“Looking back,” Fenoli says, “I’m still not sure my getting to Forest Ridge was an accident or act of God. I had been working as a subcontractor for the Environmental Protection Agency through an environment consulting business with a partner, but Reagan got elected and that nixed any environmental consulting. I wanted to get back into teaching, so I applied to Eastside Catholic and on a spring day in 1981 they had me come in to school to teach a class. Shortly after I arrived to teach the biology class, the principal came on the PA and announced that Pope John Paul had been shot.

“As you can imagine, I didn’t really get a chance to show I could teach. I spent most of my time consoling the students in the class. Later, the principal interviewed me….with Vatican radio playing in the background. She was pretty distracted to the point that as I was leaving I thought to myself that she probably couldn’t identify me in a lineup, let alone hire me,” Fenoli says with a chuckle. Only a week or two later, he was sitting in his consulting office in Seattle, when he got a phone call from Sr. Marilyn McMorrow at Forest Ridge. “She asks me to come in for a job interview between 11 a.m. and noon. It’s 10:30. She was leaving town and had no other time to do the job interview. So I went,” he explains.

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AROUND CAMPUS “I asked Sr. McMorrow how she found me since I hadn’t applied here for a position. It turned out I was recommended

by Eastside Catholic! Forest Ridge offered a position for a teacher of physics, chemistry and math. I didn’t like teaching math and I wasn’t going to take the job if it was just math.

During my interview, as luck would have it, Sr. McMorrow received a phone call with news that the biology teacher was retiring. She asked me if I would be interested teaching all science. I was,” Fenoli remembers. “All these years later, I look back at all this stuff – the pope getting shot, the biology teacher quitting in the middle of my job interview, getting a recommendation from Eastside Catholic and yeah, it had to be an act of God.” At first, Fenoli says, life teaching in an all girls’ school wasn’t what he expected. “I had taught a grand total of two all girls’ classes and thought myself an expert. I quickly found out that wasn’t the case. I had expected there to be cliques and there were none at Forest Ridge.

One thing I was right about is that it was important to educate young women to do important work. My mother worked during my teen years and that was my model. Women were educated and women worked. So, unknowingly, I had always been an advocate of girls’ education,” Fenoli says.

And he remains so, 37 years later. Fenoli says that he might not be retiring – even at age 71 – if he didn’t have such a long commute to Forest Ridge. When he started at Forest Ridge, the commute was about 12 minutes. Now it’s nearly an hour. Then, there’s the notion of wanting to do different things with his days, like traveling and volunteering at senior citizen homes.

And, he says, there’s a sense that the timing is right.

“The program is evolving and it’s time for me to step away and let younger people take over. It’s a healthy thing. When I got my master’s in 1973 in biological sciences, we took hours to multiply DNA, using hot and cold baths. Now we do it at the high school level and you can stick the sample in a PCR machine and it does it all for you,” Fenoli says. “That was considered graduate-level work in 1973, but science has advanced incredibly. Well, biology has changed. Every week, one of the parts of my biology book is rewritten. And hey, they just discovered a new organ in the human body!”

Still, Fenoli has navigated through the changes, through the inevitable workplace challenges and changes in leadership and curriculum that take place over 37 years. He’s proud of that. And he should be, says his former student and colleague, Corina Jung Rahmig ’98.

“For as long as I can remember, John has been a legend. He was not only a fabulous teacher, but also seemed to know a lot about Fenoli with students. everything! In fact, I had Mr. Fenoli as a teacher for five different classes: Biology, Physics, Astronomy, Anatomy & Physiology, and a Medicine and Ethics Seminar. When I get together with my alumnae friends, we always end up talking about memories from his classes,” Rahmig says.

“Now, because I share an office with John, I see him interacting with students, past and present, all the time. He spends hours advising current students on research projects, learning about the interests of students he’s writing recommendations for, and holding extra review sessions with struggling students.

Alumnae come by often to report what they’ve been up to, and I’m always impressed by John’s memory of where they went to school, what they’re majoring in, and other activities they’re

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AROUND CAMPUS

Save the Date!

Fenoli with members of the Class of 1983. involved in; this reflects his dedication to knowing and caring for his students. I have no doubt that he has inspired hundreds of young women to pursue science careers, myself included.”

Fenoli has never regretted the decision to teach at Forest Ridge for nearly four decades. “We are still producing confident, intellectually prepared and poised young women, and it has been a great honor participating in that. I love doing what I do.

We had some tough years but if I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t be here at 71. There have been times when morale was low, but it was worth riding it out.”

Fenoli did that and so much more for the school over the years, including managing the HS Ski Bus, planting and harvesting the school gardens for decades, volunteering for the advancement and alumnae offices, conducting science workshops throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle, playing guitar, coaching seventh grade basketball and seventh grade PE, serving on various Board committees, mentoring students who participated in science internship opportunities, and chaperoning more dances than he can remember.

So, Fenoli says, he won’t be a stranger to Forest Ridge.

“I will stay connected with the school. Retirement still scares me a bit. I’ve done a lot of different things during my career and I’ve always been busy. I spent last Sunday afternoon helping with the school gardens. Forest Ridge has been a big part of my life…no doubt about it. There will always be something to do. I don’t plan on being a sub, but I would like to come back to do things -- just for fun.”

Mr. Fenoli has retired!

Join us as we acknowledge John Fenoli as well as Tom Manion and Dean Shoemaker in celebration of over 100 years of excellence in teaching.

Lisa Sferra ’88, Linda Sferra ’86 and Gloria Seijas Sferra ’55 have offered their historic horse farm for an evening of fun, food and friends!

Saturday, September 29, 2018 Look for more information to come.

Questions - contact Alumnae Relations Director, Julie Lundgren jlundgren@forestridge.org

And that’s happy news for Forest Ridge.

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GIVING

2018 #WeAreFR Campaign is a success

By Julie Lundgren, Alumnae Relations Director In March, Forest Ridge embarked on its second annual alumnae social media campaign, #WeAreFR. Building on last year’s success, the campaign was expanded to three days and included a $10,000 matching funds offer from two young alumnae. The #WeAreFR campaign allowed alums to connect with the school in a fun and meaningful way through nostalgic photos and entertaining videos. Highlights included High School Science Teacher John Fenoli leading a Carpool Karaoke with retired educators Dean Shoemaker and Tom Manion, as well as Dr. “T”, and another video in which Sr. O’Dea and Mary Moeschler shared a special message of gratitude to alumnae for “extending in a very real manner the charism of St. Madeleine Sophie, especially the charism to love, to serve and to build community.” Moeschler, while gone from Forest Ridge for over 25 years, let the alums know she prays for them every day in her nightly prayers.

At the end of the three days, 84 alums surpassed the match by raising an additional $13,276 for a total of $23,276. There were many great expressions of thanks for a Sacred Heart education on Facebook and active alumnae engagement. Thank you to all who supported this campaign through your donations and by “liking” and posting during the three days. We are most grateful to Elizabeth Ayer ’06 and the anonymous donor who offered the match. They added some competition Elizabeth Ayer ’06 to ensure we met the campaign goal.

Look for #WeAreFR next year around the same time! And, remember to like the Alum of Forest Ridge page and the newly formed Forest Ridge Alumnae Networking Group on Facebook to keep up on current news and happenings at Forest Ridge.

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GIVING The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea was the inspiration for this year’s Evening of Celebration event on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the beautiful hill top Golf Club at Newcastle, framed by stunning, panoramic views of the Seattle skyline.

The Forest Ridge Sacred Heart community began the festive celebration in the gold-inspired Prestwick Terrace before moving into the St. Andrews Ballroom where the torch was passed and the Live Auction went for Olympic gold: raising important funds benefiting The Center for Girls.

Team Forest Ridge Goes for the Gold!

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Student performers opened the ceremonies with a soulful rendition of “Seasons of Love” followed by a student-created Fund-A-Need video and inspirational message from junior Chloe Fontenot ’19.

Forest Ridge achieved its very own Olympic success thanks to the spirit and generosity of Forest Ridge parents, alumnae, faculty, staff and student volunteers.

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GIVING

Save the Date Evening of Celebration 2019 Saturday, March 2, 2019 W Bellevue Hotel

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ALUMNAE

Alumnae make great mentors

By Peggy O’Connor Imagine as a student having the opportunity to spend an entire semester researching one science topic of interest. Now imagine working on the research with professional women who are scientists and other STEM professionals. Finally, imagine that these women are Forest Ridge alumnae who are eager to serve as mentors to help conduct real-world research culminating in a project for the school’s STEM Fair. Alumna and Science Teacher Corina Jung Rahmig’s ’98 students enjoyed just this experience this past fall in a semester course called Science Research. It was Corina’s idea, but the students and their alumnae mentors made it happen.

In October, the students were charged with developing a research question in any area of science in which they were

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Verona Yue ’19 at work on her research project. interested. Once they had settled on a general topic idea, Corina met with Alumnae Relations Director Julie Lundgren to identify alumnae with expertise in those areas. “I was able to pair most of the girls in my class with a Forest Ridge alumna, although I did have a few mentors come from outside our community,” Corina explains. “The role of the mentor was to give guidance throughout the research processes, from writing a research question to analyzing the data collected and writing up the results.”

The students sent a welcome email to introduce themselves and described their research ideas. The mentors helped the students refine their research questions and often directed them towards additional resources, such as websites and scholarly articles. The students and mentors continued the conversations on their own throughout the semester. All of the students wrote a proposal, outlining an experiment they planned to perform, and received feedback from their mentors.

They also sent their mentors rough drafts of their research papers at the end of the semester for feedback.

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ALUMNAE Corina praised the input the mentors provided. “Many students received excellent feedback about things they consider about their research plan. This feedback was invaluable, since I am not an expert in most of the areas of science that the girls were researching. For example, senior Faith Chamberlain’s mentor, Ann Stafford ’79, helped Faith figure out how she could measure the regeneration of Planaria (a flatworm) using the tools available in our science labs, and senior Leyla Gheisar’s mentor, Rhea Mac ’02, helped her formulate a questionnaire about racial biases,” Corina explains.

Dr. Jan Chalupny ’80 says she enjoyed being a mentor. “It’s fun to talk science with the next generation of scientists,” she says. Chalupny, who conducts biotechnology outreach at Shoreline College, worked with Verona Yue ’19. She says she was impressed by the knowledge and ability of all the students and “found the project ideas the student proposed extremely ambitious. Clearly the student I worked with had read some literature and had some very good project ideas,” Chalupny adds. Unfortunately, her project ideas would have taken more time and resources than were available.

“It's great to think big, but you have to be realistic sometimes about how much time you have and how many resources you have,” she says. She was able to connect Verona with University of Washington faculty who invited Verona to their lab to learn specific research techniques and provided her with materials to research the effects of particular genetic mutations in C. elegans, a popular model organism. “I hoped that the colleague would be able to help Verona design a reasonable project plan,” Chalupny says. Overall, she adds, the mentoring activity was enjoyable and she would certainly do it again.

Corina says she encouraged the students to investigate topics about which they were truly passionate. This meant the students were looking at a huge variety of topics, from cognitive advantages of bilingualism to individualized medicine. “I ended up learning a lot about each topic during class activities such as journal clubs, when students lead discussions about scholarly journal articles related to their

topics; however, the students had a lot of questions about their topics that I could not answer,” Corina adds.

“It was great being able to direct students toward someone who had expertise in their area of interest to answer questions, evaluate the feasibility of the students’ research plans, and provide feedback on the students’ research papers.

The mentors provided some great resources.”

Other alumnae mentors included Caroline Beyer ’09, Dr. Gloria Kardong ’74 and Alani Kalfayan ’99.

Dr. Lida Turner was also a mentor.

Mentor Alani Kalfayan says she enjoyed the experience and would definitely participate again. “As a nurse practitioner, the science mentorship was a great opportunity to give back in an area that’s meaningful to me. I found that one of the most difficult aspects of choosing a career path after school was not understanding the actual day-to-day work involved in different occupations. By working directly with a student on her research project I was able to help her glimpse into the real world of research science.”

Corina Jung Rahmig ’98

Corina agrees that the mentorship activity was beneficial for students and mentors alike. “Because I teach at Forest Ridge, I am lucky to have stayed very involved in the school and what students are currently up to. Most alumnae aren’t quite so connected! I think it’s important for our students to recognize the amazing things that our alumnae have achieved. Doing so confirms that Forest Ridge students are ‘Women Who Can’. When Kenzie Day ’08 visited my class, my students were very impressed to learn about experiences at the Mars Science Laboratory and her recent research on extraterrestrial landscapes. They commented on the fact that she has accomplished so much in just 10 years since graduating from Forest Ridge,” Corina says.

“When alumnae connect with current students and faculty, they become excited about Forest Ridge’s academic program and the vision for its students.”

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ALUMNAE

Alycia Long Allen ’69

Alycia Long Allen ’69 Fund Honors Her Enduring Work as a Sacred Heart Educator

“Ms. Allen arrived at Forest Ridge when I needed her most. I told her EVERYTHING, and she never judged me, nor did I have to explain much to her and yet I knew she understood,” Sheena Reed ’04 recalls. “She was ‘real’ in a way that no other educator and frankly, no other adult had been with me as a teenager. I appreciated her for it, and I really needed it. There are many lessons that she shared that are just now making sense as I grow in my career, experience the first year of marriage, and even prepare for motherhood.

By Julie Lundgren “Ten years later, her passing feels no less difficult. I still her December 2017 marked the 10-year anniversary of the

miss her and love her, and unfortunately, the closest she could

untimely death of alumna, Alycia Long Allen ’69, the former

be to my wedding was a photo on our dedication table, instead

Director of High School at Forest Ridge. It was a loss that is

of walking down the aisle with my parents and grandparents,

still keenly felt by those who knew her.

but she was there as she is always with me,” Reed adds.

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ALUMNAE Alycia Allen embodied the Sacred Heart values and was a true

Allen frequently used her personal funds to cover expenses

Sacred Heart Educator. Her legacy lives on today. When she

for students who couldn’t afford them. The Alycia Long Allen

accepted the Director of High School position in September

’69 Fund was established in 2007 to honor her memory as an

2001, she noticed that the students needed more than the

alumna and an extraordinary woman. The Fund underwrites

academic program provided. She wrote, “I have begun a

regular school necessities for high school students who

Cultural Enrichment Program that will give our students more

demonstrate financial need.

opportunities and enhance their existing rigorous curriculum.

These ‘clubs’ offer dance,

To honor her memory,

web design, film production,

Forest Ridge is focused

journalism, architectural design,

on “growing” the Alycia

legal internships, yoga and

Long Allen ’69 Fund

meditation, Southwest travel

to ensure that every

exploration, cuisines of the

student can take part in

world, improvisation, American

these many and varied

Sign Language (ASL), women’s

opportunities. Support

health issues and many more.”

for the Fund will perpetuate what Alycia

Allen’s holistic vision for Forest

Allen started and will

Ridge lives on today as Forest

provide equal access to

Ridge students have myriad

all students so they may

ways to be involved in the types

enjoy all that a Forest

of programs and activities she

Ridge education offers.

initiated. They can join in the

Allen’s classmates and

vibrant dance company that she

former students believe

began the fall before she passed

that it is a perfect way

away, take part in local outdoor

to recognize her lasting

and global education trips,

impact on Forest Ridge.

travel abroad with the choir, take film production classes through the Digital Media Lab, and even learn American Sign

“To this day, I miss her.

Alycia Long pictured during her student years.

Language. Alycia Allen cared

Alycia, whom I first met in Biology Class, extended herself to

deeply about inclusivity and championed the needs of her

make me feel welcome, to help me when I was lost, to offer me

students.

some of her pond water when I could find no paramecium in my own (a required lab finding) and to generally crack me up

As Acting Head of School, Julie Thenell Grasseschi recalls,

as I made my way through and to boost my confidence in the

“Alycia set out to make a difference in the world for others.

class. It seemed so fitting that, years later, she was leading the

She listened to the needs of the girls; the girls of color, the girls

high school, welcoming all the students and encouraging them

who learned differently from their peers, the girls who traveled

to believe in their potential,” says Marie Bone ’70.

a distance to get to school, the girls who needed something extra. She knew that each person’s voice mattered and must be

To make a donation to the Alycia Long Allen ’69 Fund,

heard.”

contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at Forest Ridge at 425.201.2410 or visit forestridge.org.

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ALUMNAE

2018 Distinguished Alumna: Joan Blanchette Broderick ’83

By Julie Lundgren When Joan Blanchette Broderick ’83 graduated from Forest Ridge and headed to Washington State University, it never occurred to her that it might be unusual for a woman to major in chemistry. If society had any ideas about what she could or could not do because she was a woman, Broderick was fairly oblivious to them, thanks to Forest Ridge.

“Forest Ridge changed my life by giving me an ‘inoculation.’

I was inoculated against this idea that you shouldn’t do something because it’s a man’s field or you’re not able to do something because women don’t do that. I just did what I wanted to do,” Broderick recalls.

Broderick says that inoculation lasted about four years because when she was accepted into graduate school, she started to become even more aware of the obstacles which society placed in front of women.

“I got to graduate school at Northwestern and I looked around, and although 50% of the entering class was women, there was

Joan Blanchette Broderick ’83, 2018 Distinguished Alumna, with Casey Hall O’Rourke ’90.

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Broderick at Forest Ridge in her high school days.

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ALUMNAE not a single woman

In 2005, she moved to Montana State University, where she is

on the faculty for

professor of chemistry and biochemistry.

my entire five years there,” she explains.

In addition to teaching general, inorganic, and biological

“It really opened my

chemistry courses, Broderick runs a research group of

eyes that there are

undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers

still barriers. It’s a

that is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the

very male dominated

Department of Energy. She has published more than 90 papers,

field. I was concerned

and has received a number of awards, including the Saltman

about the barriers, I

Memorial Award, the Wiley Award for Meritorious Research,

was concerned about

the Ross Award for Excellence, and the Women in Science

the ability to do what I

Distinguished Professor Award.

wanted to do and still have a life. I wanted to

Broderick in her high school days.

And, Broderick also has a life outside her work.

have kids. But I knew what I wanted to do so I kept on doing it despite what I could see right in front of me.”

She enjoys spending time with her family – husband Will and twin sons Jerry and James – skiing and hiking in the

It was her recipe for success. And successful she is. As

mountains around Bozeman.

an undergrad at WSU, Broderick was a National Merit Scholar, a Washington State Scholar, and was part of the WSU Honors Program. At WSU she did research in both inorganic chemistry and biochemistry, and published three research papers resulting from this work. She earned a B.S. in Chemistry, summa cum laude, in 1987 and was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award of the WSU College of Sciences and Arts. As a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow at Northwestern University, Broderick earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1992.

After Northwestern, Broderick received an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship to support her research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where

Broderick with her family near their home in Bozeman, Montana.

she worked from 1992-1993. At MIT, she carried out

She is grateful for the role Forest Ridge played in shaping her

biochemical and mechanistic studies on the vitamin B12-

life after graduation. “Forest Ridge gives you the tools you need

dependent ribonucleotide reductase, and developed a keen

to pursue your passions. To know who you are. It was true

interest in bioinorganic radical reactions. She became an

when I was a student and it’s true now,” Broderick says. “They

Assistant Professor at Amherst College in 1993, and began her

give you tools to be confident – something I always struggled

independent research on the radical SAM enzyme pyruvate

with in my life. They give you tools to be open minded, to

formate-lyase activating enzyme. Desiring a more research-

work hard, to persevere, and to communicate. For me, going to

intensive environment, Broderick went on to Michigan State

Forest Ridge changed my life.”

University in 1998 to serve as an assistant professor, moving up through the ranks and becoming a full professor in 2004.

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ALUMNAE

A senior receives her pin from an alumna.

Members of the class of 2018.

FRAA Induction Ceremony and Spring Luncheon

By Julie Lundgren, Alumnae Relations Director On May 1, 2018 the Forest Ridge Alumnae Board welcomed the Class of 2018 into the Forest Ridge Alumnae Association at the annual Spring Luncheon at Newcastle Golf Club. This event underscores the idea that as students graduate to alumnae, they are part of a Forest Ridge sisterhood of women united by their Sacred Heart education. The seniors and their families learn that the Alumnae Association offers a network of accomplished women who support and care for one another.

In addition to pinning the seniors with their alumnae pins, the Alumnae Association recognizes a Distinguished Alumna.

This year, Joan Blanchette Broderick ’83 was honored for her outstanding work in inorganic chemistry. Broderick’s classmates cheered her on as she spoke to the seniors about the importance of their Forest Ridge friendships, the importance of writing and on following one’s passion.

“Forest Ridge gives you the tools you need to pursue your passions. To know who you are. They give you tools to be confident. Something I always struggled with in my life. They give you tools to be open minded, to work hard, to persevere, and to communicate. For me, going to Forest Ridge changed my life. I learned how to write and that is one of the keys to my success. Writing was essential. It was essential to my success

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in college, it’s essential to my success now,” Broderick told the students.

“At this moment of celebration, it marks the end of your high school years, but the end is where we start from. This end marks the beginning of life that Forest Ridge and your families have prepared you to lead. So, go out and lead that life. Don’t be afraid of change, don’t be afraid to experiment with different lines of study or different places to live or different kinds of friends or with different goals. Find your passion and pursue it with all your might,” she added.

The luncheon brought together alumnae, parents and the senior class as a community who share in the love of the Sacred Heart. We welcome all alumnae to attend and hope to see you next year.

Joan Blanchette Broderick ’83 and some of her classmates.

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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She did amazing work to not only uphold the values of Forest Ridge, but also instilled those values into women whose lives have since been changed for the better,” Ford added.

Acting Head of School Julie Thenell Grasseschi noted that, “It was my honor and privilege to work closely with Mona during her tenure at Forest Ridge. She was truly a woman of courage, confidence, grace and intelligence. She will be missed by many.”

Mona Humphries Bailey

Mona Humphries Bailey, 1932-2018 ‘An incredible woman who led with grace and vision’

By Peggy O’Connor Mona Humphries Bailey, the first African American lay leader of Forest Ridge, passed away January 12, 2018, after a long battle with cancer. She was a visionary leader and shared her passion for excellence in education at Forest Ridge, first as a member of the Board of Trustees in 1995, then as the Interim Head of School and from 1998-2000. She continued to serve after that as a trustee and committee chairperson for the Board of the Network of the Sacred Heart Schools until 2007.

Bailey’s family remembers her as “a woman defined by her three passions: family, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and K-12 education.” Bailey held a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Florida A&M University and a master’s in science education from Oregon State University. She was a candidate for the doctoral program in educational leadership and administration at the University of Washington. In her 32-year career in public education, Bailey worked to promote equity and excellence for all students, and especially for underachieving students. She served as a junior and high school science teacher, high school counselor, middle school principal, personnel administrator and assistant and deputy superintendent in Seattle Public Schools, and as assistant state superintendent in the Washington State Office of Public Instruction.

Immediately after retiring, she served as a senior associate with the Institute of Educational Inquiry, a nonprofit Seattlebased organization in partnership with the National Network for Educational Renewal. She continued to play a role in education as a consultant and as a volunteer with advocacy groups to reform education for K-12 students. Bailey served on numerous boards and committees; she was also a founding member of School Board Leaders for the Future and a member of the Seattle Rotary Club.

Bailey walked in the footsteps of St. Philippine Duchesne as one who pioneered and persevered with faith. She served as an inspiration to many young women at Forest Ridge.

Beyond her tireless work in education, for many students, Bailey’s grace, character and devotion to excellence left an indelible impression in the minds and hearts of Forest Ridge students. Josalyn Alston Ford says she was always impressed with Bailey’s forward-thinking actions as Head of School.

“She was so close to so many of us young women of color while we matriculated at Forest Ridge. She was also a wonderful leader and guide for all during her tenure with the school,” said Josalyn Alston Ford ’99. “Karinda Harris ’03 and I are also Mona's sorors as she was the 17th National President of

“What stands out most for me is the day I first met Mona when she was introduced to the community. I remember being at that assembly and thinking, ‘Here is a woman in charge who looks like me.’ Imagine how that made a teenaged girl sitting in that audience feel,” Ford said.

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In Memoriam Ginger Ackerley, mother of Kim Ackerley Cleworth ’82, January 5, 2018.

Jeanne Moriarty Jacobsen ’47, mother of Shaun Watchie Perry ’73 and Susan Watchie Olden ’74, January 21, 2018.

Susan Baker ’53, December 25, 2017.

Theodorus G. Jenneskens, father of Mary Jenneskens ’76 and Josi Jenneskens ’79, December 28, 2017.

Lance Betz, father of Kristina Betz ’17, January 2018.

Robert A. Cooney, father of Susan Cooney Edwards ’71, April 3, 2018.

Leigh Davidson, husband of Gretchen Boeing Davidson ’66 and brother-in-law of Mary Boeing Rademaker ’68 (dec.) and Susan Boeing ’69, January 7, 2018.

Wayne Melonson, former Board of Trustee member, December 9, 2017.

Helen Marie Naughton, former faculty, mother of Mary Naughton Gurry ’66 and Elizabeth Naughton Baldwin ’67, November 30, 2017.

Claire Quigley Neal ’45, October 12, 2017.

Eleanor Sheehan Deming ’35, mother of Diana Deming Hale ’62 (dec.) and aunt of Marie Bone ’70, December 15, 2017.

Anton Gadola, husband of Linda Zeman Gadola ’66 and father of Christa Gadola ’98, January 25, 2018.

Stephanie Herkelrath, mother of Megan Herkelrath Luce ’76, April 15, 2018.

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Mimi Burchard Prokop ’59, January 24, 2018.

Donna Messmer Swenumson ’49, February 8, 2018.

Erin Whittington ’97, sister of Hilary Whittington ’00, April 28, 2018.

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THE MAGAZINE FOR THE FOREST RIDGE COMMUNITY

Director of Institutional Advancement

Board of Trustees

Casey Hall O’Rourke ’90

Campbell Mathewson, Chair Julie Thenell Grasseschi, Acting Head of School Trudy Hall, Director of Strategic Initiatives Amy Anderson Nikki Danos, Faculty/Staff Representative Megan Gaudette Fairchild ’97 Mary Frances Feider Marie-Louise “Bunny” Flick, RSCJ Marina Hernandez, RSCJ Tom Lee Melissa Mathewson, Parent Association Co-Representative Bob McLaughlin Arul Menezes Mary Moeschler Darci Moreau, Parent Association Co-Representative Casey Hall O’Rourke ’90, Alumnae Representative Mary Magnano Smith ’61 Krysta Svore ’97 Bill Uyeda Diana Wall, RSCJ

Editor, Strategic Communications Coordinator Peggy O’Connor

Alumnae Relations Director Julie Lundgren, Honorary Alumna

Contributors Stephen Brashear Stacy Caiarelli Brown Anthony Derrick Trudy Hall Brin Hamilton Kamaria Hightower Julie Lundgren Peggy O’Connor Erika Reinitz White ’04

Design Brin Hamilton

Printing Litho Craft, Inc.

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Rachel Simmons is coming to Forest Ridge! She will speak on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, from 7:00- 8:00 p.m. in the Lee Theatre and Wednesday, May 1, 2019 from 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. in the Schafer Gymnasium. Simmons will be available for a book signing after both events.

Author and Girls’ Leadership Co-Founder Rachel Simmons to Speak at Forest Ridge April 30, 2019 | 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Rachel Simmons is the author of Enough As She Is: How to Help Girls Move Beyond Impossible Standards of Success to Live Healthy, Happy and Fulfilling Lives, and the New York Times bestsellers Odd Girl Out and The Curse of the Good Girl. As an educator, Rachel teaches girls and women skills to build their resilience, amplify their voices, and own their courage so that they — and their relationships — live with integrity and health.

The cofounder of national nonprofit Girls Leadership, she is an experienced curriculum writer and educator. She is currently the leadership development specialist at the Wurtele Center for Leadership at Smith College, and is the Girls Research Scholar in Residence at The Hewitt School in New York. Rachel has served as a national spokesperson for the Always #LikeAGirl and Keds Brave Life Project campaigns, and consults nationally on women’s professional development.