Forest Ridge Mes Amis Magazine - Winter 2014

Forest Ridge Mes Amis The Magazine for the Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart Community

winter 2013-14

A Look Inside the new campus project

4800 139th Avenue SE, Bellevue WA 98006-3015 | forestridge.org

› features

features 4

IT TAKES A VILLAGE … A LEARNING VILLAGE Campus Revitalization Plan takes shape

10

Women as Global Leaders: When life, leadership and passion meet The integration of Women as Global Leaders at Forest Ridge from grade 5 through 12

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EXCEPTIONAL TEACHING Fine Arts Department chair Tom Manion receives honor

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‘BEAUTY THROUGH SONG’ Chamber Choir reflects on Festival 500 experience

18

‘PINK HORIZON’ RINGS A BELL Senior publishes original handbell composition

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MEET THE NEW TRUSTEES Three new members of the Board of Trustees have experience, passion for school

› alumnae

ALUMNAE 26

SACRED HEART IN ACTION eth Phillips ’01 is named B Fulbright Scholar, works in Nigeria

30

ALUMNAE SPOTLIGHT: SONYA QUITSLUND ’53 A Renaissance woman with a heart of gold

32

WHITE GLOVES AND TRÈS BIENS look back, 50 years later, A at a Forest Ridge education

34

ALUMNAE EVENTS

40

All Alumnae Reunion Mark your calendar

43

PAYING IT FORWARD New Student Alumnae Association

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CLASS NOTES

› departments

DEPARTMENTS 3

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

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FACULTY PROFILE

IMPELLED TO ACT FOR DIGNITY Middle school teacher Ann Gilbert leads workshop

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ACROSS CAMPUS Forest Ridge named Microsoft Mentor School; Students practice ‘Hour of Code’

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GIVING Auction 2014: EXPLORE! Annual Fund update Meet the Parent Association

51

IN MEMORIAM

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PHOTO GALLERY Graduation, Ring Ceremony, Promotion 2013

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Mes Amis Mes Amis “My Friends” Magazine is published twice annually.

Communications & Marketing Director Peggy O’Connor

Alumnae Relations Director Julie Lundgren, Honorary Alumna

Contributors

Janet Burns Ann McKinstry Gerner ’83 Julie Lundgren Nicole Morris Peggy O’Connor, Editor Kisha X. Palmer Mark Pierotti Margo Paddock, Copyediting

Photographers

Sarah Dunn ’14 Julie Thenell Grasseschi Tom Koning Julie Lundgren Beth Phillips Bridget Rafferty

On the Cover: Architectural drawings of the Campus Revitalization Plan.

Board of trustees Krysta Svore ’97, Chair Karen Patterson ’93, Vice Chair Jay Coleman, Treasurer Stacy Caiarelli Brown, Secretary Shana Rolax Abner ’94 Jacqueline ‘Amy’ Anderson Ellen McDermott Charney Sarah Chesemore ’89, Broadway Leslie Decker Megan Gaudette Fairchild ’97 Mary Frances Feider Dawn Hoffer ’87 Molly McConkey Theresa Moser, RSCJ Gil Picciotto Mark L. Pierotti Scott Robertson Roopa Satagopan Cynthia Seely Mary Magnano Smith ’61 Kathleen Sullivan, RSCJ ’65, Duchesne Maritza Tavarez-Brown Shannon Underwood ’81 Diana Wall, RSCJ ’82, Broadway

Design & Production CHM Graphics

Printer Litho Craft

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart 4800 139th Avenue SE Bellevue WA 98006-3015

425-641-0700 | phone 425-643-3881 | fax

Photo identification for photos on page 1: Sixth-grader Allison Hoff works at the Food Bank.

Chamber Choir members enjoying a meal with conductor/arranger Stephen Hatfield.

Class of 2003: Remy Loges, Mike Schwed, Hilary Bryant Schwed, Jasmine Reyes and Jea Park.

Celebrating 60 years, the Class of 1953: Sonya Quitslund and Sharon Carey LeeMaster.

Printed on recycled paper

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› from the head of school

Greetings, It’s likely that you are reading this issue of Mes Amis magazine in the early days of 2014.

So, it is completely appropriate that this first issue of the New Year is one in which we share exciting news with our school community.

Our cover story in this issue details our Campus Revitalization Plan in which a new library and middle school will be constructed, along with new arts and sciences and community relations spaces. The project is taking shape in the form of very forwardthinking, sustainable design, such as net zero- energy building and maintenance.

In fact, the Forest Ridge building project is the only school project in Washington state to get approval from Puget Sound Energy to “turn back the meter.” With this project, the School’s energy-saving systems will generate onsite, renewable energy each year that is equal to or exceeds our annual energy consumption. The cost savings on energy consumption will be significant.

I know when you read the story and examine the architectural renderings, you will share our anticipation for the start of this project. I encourage you to contact me with your questions or comments and to find out more about our plans going forward. I’d love to hear from you!

It is only fitting that this campus building plan promises a rejuvenated and revitalized environment for our high quality educational programs. You can read about a cornerstone of our curriculum, Women as Global Leaders, on page 10. Beginning this year, Women as Global Leaders is fully integrated into our curriculum and leadership opportunities for grades 5 through 12. We’re thrilled about that and even more pleased that Women as Global Leaders offices will be housed in the heart of the new building, demonstrating our commitment to global leadership education for young women.

Finally, I am so proud of the work of the teachers and students highlighted in this issue of Mes Amis. It’s been a busy first half of the school year — with our participation in the national “Hour of Code” (a program to teach students computer coding) and our selection as a Microsoft Mentor School dominating our internal headlines at Forest Ridge. I am delighted to share these stories with you and truly gratified with the wonderful work going on in our classrooms, labs, gyms and work spaces.

Happy New Year, indeed!

Mark Pierotti Head of School

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It Takes a

Village Peggy O’Connor, Mes Amis Editor

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Campus Revitalization Plan: New Middle School, Arts and Sciences, Library and Community Relations Buildings to Form Learning Village

If everything goes according to plan, the

through a design for a new middle school

Forest Ridge campus will soon resonate

facility.

with the exciting sounds of progress, innovation and … construction.

“Becker Architects has skillfully guided us in not simply conceptualizing new

Months of study by a committee of the

middle school buildings but in consider-

Forest Ridge Board of Trustees and design

ing how we could make better use of the

consultation with a local architectural

current property and reduce the school’s

firm have culminated in the creation of a

impact on the environment with new

Campus Revitalization Plan that includes

net-zero buildings that would benefit the

the construction of net-zero energy mid-

middle school as well as the high school,”

dle school, arts and sciences, library and

Mr. Pierotti says. “We also know that

community relations spaces. The new fa-

our core activity — teaching — can be

cilities will replace obsolete 40-year-old

enhanced tremendously with a physical

buildings that will be demolished in order

plant that encompasses the best of today’s

to allow the new facilities to sit within the

teaching with tomorrow’s possibilities.”

existing core campus footprint.

“When you walk through our campus, you cannot escape the reality that we are

Becker Architects also helped create a

“I am very excited about this project,”

a community of new and old. Many of

plan to address similar maintenance is-

says Middle School Director Julie Thenell

our buildings (including those housing

sues with the aging 100 Building (where

Grasseschi. “The design is so well done,

middle school classrooms) are original

Institutional Advancement resides) as

and the enhanced community connec-

from our move here in the early ’70s and

well as the current library. Becker Archi-

tion at both grade level and the full mid-

showing their age in expensive ways,”

tects created a welcoming village feel to

dle school level will be such an excellent

he explains.

the proposed design that allows smoother

addition to the improved classroom layouts and configurations.

movement within the middle school and “We are routinely addressing facility

better integration of the high school.

concerns relative to the original campus

The new campus design allows the nec-

“I honestly cannot wait to see and hear

structures that range from $800,000 to

essary upgrades to the school’s physical

the girls in a building that both strength-

$1 million annually for upkeep and up-

plant along with the flexibility to adapt to

ens our overall community connection

grading. We knew this level of annual ex-

changing needs more easily in the future.

and greatly improves our classroom ex-

penditure was not a long-term solution to

Moreover, the project will create hospita-

periences,” she adds.

caring for our campus,” Mr. Pierotti adds.

ble gathering and meeting spaces that will enhance the community experience that

It is a project whose time is now, accord-

So in the spring of 2012, Becker Archi-

is a hallmark of Sacred Heart education

ing to Head of School Mark Pierotti.

tects was hired to help Forest Ridge think

at Forest Ridge. continued …

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5

It Takes a Village

continued …

The school’s ambitious proposal also in-

But the new middle school building re-

nearby — all centered around a set of

cludes plans for the renovation of the

mains a major focus of this exciting cam-

well-designed classrooms.

nearby Somerset Recreation Club, which

pus revitalization plan.

would provide Forest Ridge with access to swimming pool and tennis facilities right

Classrooms have been designed for “Our middle school program is excellent,

flexibility: Integrated technology use,

on Somerset hill. Construction plans,

and new, well-designed space will only al-

projection and white board surfaces in

which would be developed in a possible

low this excellence to expand, grow and

two locations, overflow space for proj-

partnership with the Somerset Rec Club,

continue to develop. A brand-new library

ect and group work and flexible con-

might include a new retractable, cov-

purposely configured to match the needs

figuration of student desks will allow for

ered, 25-meter swimming pool, a new

of integrated research and how we all ac-

multiple kinds of work within the same

club facility and four new tennis courts.

cess information will benefit the entire

class period.

The renovated Somerset Rec Club facil-

community,” Mrs. Grasseschi notes.

ity would provide exclusive Forest Ridge

6

“The middle school space has been care-

use for tennis and swimming during the

The middle school spaces have been de-

fully and thoughtfully designed with a

academic year, while the Club would

signed to create grade-level neighbor-

deep level of input from faculty, staff and

maintain swimming and tennis programs

hoods that allow each grade level of girls

administrators,” Mrs. Grasseschi adds.

during the summer, with a brief period of

their needed space for gathering as a full

overlap in May and early June.

grade, with lockers and student space

MES AMIS

“The space will enhance and expand our

Because the design and budget phas-

Prior to breaking ground our whole com-

focus on 21st-century skills, personal

es are still ongoing, no exact date for

munity will have an opportunity to view

reflection, collaboration, communication

groundbreaking has been chosen. A gen-

the plans and make suggestions.

and risk taking for our girls while

eral contractor has not yet been selected.

grounding each grade level in space

“When the time is right, the project team

“Over the next few months we will lay all

that meets their developmental and

will generate a list of qualified general

the necessary groundwork to assure the

curricular needs,” she adds.

contractors to receive a request for pro-

success of this project,” he adds. “I hope

posal that will be followed by interviews

our community will continue to work

“This is an extraordinarily exciting time

and a rigorous selection process to en-

together on a vision for Forest Ridge that

in the life of the Middle School and, in-

sure we get the right fit for Forest Ridge,”

is spectacular both in the classroom and

deed, the entire Forest Ridge community.”

Mr. Pierotti explains.

outside the classroom.”

“Our girls deserve this opportunity.”

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Learning Village Project

FAQs

Why do we call this project a “Learning Village”?

The design of the proposed buildings deliberately and thoughtfully incorporates enhanced community connections at both grade level and full middle school level, as well as in the library and the arts and science building. The library is purposely configured to match the needs of integrated research for the entire Forest Ridge community. The gathering spaces in the community relations area will also serve to showcase and enhance the lasting bonds traditionally built in a Sacred Heart learning community. The new spaces will create a more fluid and dynamic learning experience for our students and further enable innovative and exciting teaching.

What does “net zero-energy building,” mean?

Net-zero buildings consume zero net energy and produce zero carbon emissions. The proposed buildings would generate, utilize and recapture the energy and water they need to run safely, comfortably and efficiently. As part of the current design work, our architectural firm is researching the feasibility of placing a large photovoltaic array on the rooftops to offset 100 percent of the electrical needs of the new structures.

The buildings’ roofs, walls and glazing systems would also be designed to be very energy efficient, thereby allowing us to achieve a net-zero energy status.

When will Forest Ridge break ground on this project?

We are still working through the design and budget as well as fundraising feasibility.

Groundbreaking will most likely occur in the spring of 2015.

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MES AMIS

What is the anticipated completion date?

Will there be a fundraising campaign associated with this project?

Construction is likely to last approximately 15 months.

At present, the school is conducting a feasibility

Where will middle school students attend classes during the construction?

study for a capital campaign. The support of donors will determine so much of what will be possible.

Fundraising will be crucial to our success.

We’re currently planning to place portable classrooms on the existing tennis courts to house the middle school students and faculty during construction.

Why is the school considering this project now?

The majority of the Somerset campus buildings are now 40 years old. The efforts of the Forest Ridge facilities department to maintain these buildings and their systems are outstanding, yet the annual budget for maintaining the current (older) campus buildings has now reached $1 million.

Our excellent educational programs deserve an outstanding environment that does not require this constant upkeep and, more important, that will allow our teaching innovation to flourish and our exceptional programs to expand, grow and continue to develop.

But if Forest Ridge is committed to this project now, what happens to the idea of building a boys’ school?

In May 2010, the Board of Trustees agreed to move forward with a boys’ school by fall 2012 providing that three conditions were met: acquisition of appropriate property, sufficient funding and identification of a student body. In 2012, we realized that we could not secure those three important components in time to begin work on a boys’ school by the deadline and therefore decided not to build a boys’ school in the near future.

We continue to investigate and pursue funding opportunities and properties that will move the boys’ school project forward. One important result of the research we conducted on the boys school over the past several years was that it stimulated a thoughtful and deliberate consideration of a bigger picture for the future of Forest Ridge. Namely, what opportunities do we have for enhancing our entire infrastructure and programming to allow our community to thrive now and 40 years into the future? The outcome of that process was the development of the wonderfully exciting Learning Village project.

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› women as global leaders

When life, leadership

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MES AMIS

Students in the Resources and Sustainability project participated in activities that helped them build skills to live in and understand the environment of Alaska and the Arctic Circle.

and passion meet Women as Global Leaders fosters 21st-century leadership skills and literacy on global issues through yearlong experiential classes like Peace and Reconciliation, Resources and Sustainability, and Global Health. Students build diplomacy skills through immersion in the cultures of Israel and the West Bank, engage in critical analysis of the impacts of climate change as experienced in the communities of the Arctic Circle, and seek new understanding of the social justice elements of global health issues through service in local health clinics and in the Dominican Republic.

Technically — very technically — the paragraph above describes the Women as Global Leaders Program at Forest Ridge.

But there’s more to Women as Global Leaders … so much more.

it’s not what you think,” Palmer told the man. “It’s not Hillary Clinton or Michelle Obama or Indira Gandhi or Angela Merkel or Mother Teresa or even Shakira.”

Kisha X. Palmer, director of Women as Global Leaders, tells a story about the time a prospective Forest Ridge parent asked her to explain the concept of a global woman leader. “I guess

The man laughed at the last name.

“No, really. Shakira does a lot of work advocating for early childhood education in Colombia,” Ms. Palmer responded. continued …

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Participants in the 2013 Peace and Reconciliation program journey to Jerusalem and the West Bank posed in front of the Dome of the Rock shrine.

“For me, global is the word I use to signify a diverse community. Global is your block, your workplace, your city, your state, your birthday party,” Ms. Palmer added. “Global is where two or more people from different backgrounds come together for a moment, a project or a lifetime. And a female leader in that context is a woman who knows her own values, passions and strengths and who can flex in any environment to build bridges of understanding for a purpose.”

That’s the “so much more” part of Women as Global Leaders that led school administration to realize that Women as Global Leaders needed to grow far beyond the programlevel project that was funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2010.

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MES AMIS

“At the beginning, Women as Global Leaders was viewed as a program, sort of an added value to the Forest Ridge curriculum. High school girls could participate in opportunities that allowed them to take a risk and exercise leadership opportunities, all for the sake of a greater cause,” explains Head of School Mark Pierotti.

“When we really thought about it, we had this ‘aha moment’ in which the entire school community realized that the mission and vision of Forest Ridge is completely centered on the principles of Women as Global Leaders,” Mr. Pierotti adds.

“We knew then that we would need to transform Women as Global Leaders from a program moving incrementally toward the goal of educating global leaders to one with

a more aspirational and holistic vision and mission that reflects the work happening every day at Forest Ridge,” he says.

To put it simply, members of the school community wondered out loud: If Women as Global Leaders is as important as we believe it is, shouldn’t it be a part of daily life for middle school and high school girls?

Work then began on finding ways to make sure that Women as Global Leaders was fully integrated at Forest Ridge. Middle school and high school leadership looked at curriculum, classroom experiences, service and leadership opportunities. Faculty and administrators began to take the values of Women as Global Leaders and weave them through the middle school curriculum and high school opportunities.

The result is a robust and more holistic Women as Global Leaders Program that is embedded in both the Middle School and High School, providing opportunities for every girl at age-appropriate levels.

Beginning in the 2013–2014 school year, Women as Global Leaders and experiential leadership will be fully integrated into the middle school curriculum at Forest Ridge.

The addition of leadership classes in grades 5 and 6 will deepen the leadership work already in place in grades 7 and 8.

“Experiential leadership looks like three to four years of skill-building courses and team building that will culminate in developmentally appropriate opportunities for middle school girls to use their skills in real-life situations,” explains Middle School Director Julie Grasseschi. “The foundation of this is that early on in the middle school years, girls will learn that every girl can lead, because every girl can serve,” she adds.

What does this mean for Forest Ridge students?

It means that as fifth- and sixth-graders, girls will learn skills like risktaking, communication, collaboration and the sharing of ideas.

As seventh- and eighth-graders, they will have opportunities in real-life, real-time situations to practice what they’ve learned. In high school, students will have opportunities to use their years of leadership education and experiences locally, regionally and internationally to serve in the areas of Peace and Reconciliation, Resources and Sustainability, and Global Health through Forest Ridge and in any number of other outside programs.

What does that look like in real-life, real-time situations?

• Fifth-graders plant potatoes in the school garden, a truly hands-on way to learn about feeding a family or a nation.

Middle school girls worked in the local food bank during this November’s Global Days, where students had the opportunity to grow in awareness of global issues, to build community, to express themselves artistically, to be leaders, to serve in the community and to explore solutions to real problems facing our world. From left to right are Hailey Gray ’19, Izzy Sharp ’19, and Sabrina Shaffer ’19.

• Sixth-graders work at St. Mary’s Food Bank, where they gain a deeper understanding of the needs of others.

• Seventh-graders visit a local elementary school with a diverse population to build math and literacy in schools by working one-on-one with a first-grade reading buddy.

• Eighth-graders demonstrate a commitment to service in their community by visiting their service sites (e.g., Seattle and Bellevue classrooms, the Food Bank at St. Mary’s and L’ Arche workshop) weekly, all while learning about human rights, the dignity of each person and advocacy for the marginalized.

• Students in grade 11 broaden their global perspective through the curricular options of the Global Seminar and the International Baccalaureate.

• Seniors integrate their academic learning with a commitment to service to their local and global communities.

Now that Women as Global Leaders is fully integrated into the curriculum at Forest Ridge, it is hoped that the concept of women global leaders will no longer be so difficult to grasp. It will be visible, right there, shining in the

• Ninth-graders might travel to the Arctic Circle to learn the impact of climate change.

eyes of each Forest Ridge girl.

• Tenth-graders can learn diplomacy and peace and reconciliation skills, and then practice what they’ve learned in Israel and the West Bank.

son who can make change happen,

“She’ll begin to see herself as a perand she will make it her passion to do just that,” says Mrs. Grasseschi.

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Exceptional Teaching Stanford University recognizes Tom Manion

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” — Carl Jung

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MES AMIS

Tom Manion is pictured on page 14 with high school art students.

This fall, Nathalia Scrimshaw ’13

Mr. Manion says. “We definitely

Everything is a learning experience.

looked back with appreciation to her

brought out the best in each other. Na-

Everything touched is an artistic tool.”

former art teacher, Tom Manion, in a

thalia’s excitement about photography

big way.

motivated me to give her everything

“But the most important thing is to

I could.”

base those risks on a solid founda-

When Stanford University gave in-

tion,” he adds.

coming students the opportunity to

In her nomination, Nathalia noted,

acknowledge a teacher or mentor who

“Mr. Manion always knows what to

Nathalia Scrimshaw believes that Mr.

played a significant role in their intel-

say to students. Whether it is about ar-

Manion helped provide that solid

lectual, academic, social and personal

tistic techniques, academic advice or

foundation for her at Forest Ridge.

development, Nathalia chose Mr.

‘pearls of wisdom,’ students can count

Manion. Stanford then honored him

on Mr. Manion for helpful guidance.”

with a certificate recognizing him for

“Mr. Manion inspires artistic and personal excellence in his students,” she

“Exceptional Teaching,” noting that

Nathalia also praised Mr. Manion

his “dedication as an educator and a

for the ways in which he encourages

mentor has contributed to the future

students to take artistic risks and take

Students like Nathalia, Mr. Manion

of your students, Stanford University,

pride in what they accomplish.

says, make that easy.

recognition program is part of Stan-

This, she noted, “instills confidence

“Nathalia is an amazing person. She is

ford’s Teacher Tribute Initiative.

throughout the creative process.”

gentle, calm, easygoing and depend-

wrote in her nomination.

and your community.” The teacher

able,” Mr. Manion says. “We worked For those who know Mr. Manion,

Taking artistic risks is important to

together in several classes and on sev-

chair of the Fine Arts Department at

the learning experience, Mr. Manion

eral high school plays. Her personal-

Forest Ridge, it should come as no

says.

ity never wavered. I never saw the

surprise that he was tickled, humbled

highs and lows that normally come

and had a lump in his throat — all at

“In order to be a real artist, a person

with high school life. That meant that

the same time — about the honor.

has to be fearless, willing to try any-

teaching her was more of a collabora-

thing artistically just to see what hap-

tion rather than a top down teacher/

“I am very pleased, but I don’t think

pens,” Mr. Manion says. “Then they

student relationship,” he adds.

it’s exceptional teaching as much as

need to take what they learned from

it is having an exceptional student,”

that and file it away for future use.

“I think I probably learned as much from her as she did from me … maybe more.”

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Beauty Chamber Choir reflects on Festival 500 experience

This past July, the Forest Ridge Chamber Choir participated in the prestigious Festival 500, a biennial

Here are some of those reflections:

international choral festival in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

This is one of two world festivals that limit by audition

“It was GREAT to sing with men … and not for the obvious reasons! We

the number of choirs that can attend to 30 choirs from

never get to do a repertoire that gives

around the world — and Forest Ridge has been selected

us that wonderful feeling of those

for both in recent years. (The Chamber Choir participated in International Choral Kathaumixw during the summer of 2012.) Following the Festival 500 experience, Music Director Alison Seaton, choir members and a few others reflected upon the experience.

great lower harmonies that a mixed choir has. We sang great songs and really enjoyed the addition of those lower voices!” — Chamber Choir member “We were in the unusual position of having a private workshop with Stephen Hatfield, and we were able to return to songs we had worked on with him back in April. From this, we learned about deepening our learning experiences ... that mastery and continual depth are an ongoing process. I felt that this was a great experience for all of us about living out the goal of be-

Forest Ridge girls singing with the Maryland State Boys Choir at an outdoor concert at Signal Hill in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

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MES AMIS

ing lifelong learners.”

— Chamber Choir member

Through Song festival approached me to ask if we would do their music. Bob Chilcott, a composer who was commissioned to write music for Queen Elizabeth’s 60th Jubilee, cried when we sang for him and wants to come work with us.

He told the girls that when a composer writes a piece of music, he [or she] has a vision of what it should sound like but rarely gets to hear it performed in line with that vision. He told the choir that when they sang his music he heard his vision realized. People told Choir members with composer/conductor Francisco J. Nuñez.

me over and over again how beauti-

“We performed a major concert every

were continually complimented for

other day (five in all!). The girls loved

their singing and for their great behav-

that experience and really became a

ior, warmth and friendliness.”

— Trip Chaperone

solid, exquisite performing ensemble.

I was in awe of all they did! Many girls said that they were proud of them-

“I don’t know of other high school

selves and felt as though they were part

choirs that have the commitment to

of something bigger than themselves.

global arts education that your school

We reflected that other choirs were

has. These girls are not only great sing-

strict about appearance and behav-

ers, but they are learning to be great

ior, while we are strict about how we

global citizens as a result of choir. ”

sound and proud of our work toward that great sound.” — Ms. Seaton “It was so apparent that the girls were

— Francisco J. Nuñez, internationally known conductor and composer And finally, this …

fully the girls sang and how inspiring they were. Your girls are not just another high school choir; they are the cream of the crop and are recognized as such internationally.”

“We are able to accomplish this great beauty because of the love your girls have for music and because of the determination they have to sing at the highest level possible. I am so grateful that I am their teacher, and I am so grateful that you all support the girls and me in the pursuit of excellence and beauty through song.”

— Alison Seaton

working at an incredibly high level. …

“Without exception, after hearing

We were so proud of them. Our girls

the girls sing, every composer at the

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Ambeisa Boswell ’14

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‘Pink Horizon’ rings a bell Senior publishes original handbell composition Ambeisa Boswell ’14 has already

ten,” Mr. Mallory says. “We picked sev-

title “Faith Horizon” so that it would

discovered how learning leadership

eral that we thought might adapt well to

appeal to those choosing music for

skills will serve her well in life. She was

handbells, and I coached her on how to

church services.)

7 when she wrote her first piano compo-

arrange them accordingly.”

sition. The very first time she submitted

The Advanced Handbell Choir also

an original work of handbell music to a

The Intermediate Handbell Choir played

played “Pink Horizon” for a Saturday

publisher, her piece, “Pink Horizon,” was

Ambeisa’s piece, “Hope,” in the May 2012

evening Mass in May 2013 at St. James

accepted within a week.

spring concert at Forest Ridge. Later that

Cathedral in Seattle. Present that evening

fall, Ambeisa told Mr. Mallory that she

was Brian Tervo, chair of the Northwest

“I told Ambeisa that when I first started

had a new piece, “Pink Horizon,” which

Branch of Handbell Musicians of Amer-

sending my music around to publishers,

she had written in the gallery early one

ica, who is also in charge of planning a

it took me four years to get my first ac-

morning while the sun was rising. She

regionwide handbell festival in Yakima

ceptance. To have success this quickly is

and Mr. Mallory put together a hand-

in June 2014.

very unusual,” explains Handbells Direc-

bell version of the piece, which was per-

tor Ron Mallory.

formed at the 2013 spring concert and at

“Brian said he’d like to feature ‘Pink

last June’s Baccalaureate.

Horizon’ as one of the mass choir pieces

Ambeisa’s path to this particular success

for the youth division at the festival,” Mr.

began in early 2012, when Mr. Mallory

“Since both this piece and ‘Hope’ had

Mallory says. Ambeisa’s piece has been

encouraged the students in his handbell

come together so well,” Mr. Mallory says,

rushed to print in time for groups to play

choirs to stretch their leadership skills

“I encouraged her to try sending them

it at the festival. It will likely be on sale in

by first trying their hands at conduct-

around to some publishers.”

stores and online early in 2014.

ing music for the group to play. “Several

Top Publishing, which specializes in

“I feel blessed to have a talent others

students expressed interest. Ambeisa

handbell music, responded in less than

appreciate,” Ambeisa says. “I hope to

was one of them; she came to me with

a week with an offer to publish “Pink

continue creating music.”

a handful of piano pieces she had writ-

Horizon.” (Top added the alternate

ing and, later, at composing or arrang-

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Meet the New Trustees

Megan Gaudette Fairchild ’97

Mary Frances Feider

Mary Magnano Smith ’61

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is governed by a Board of Trustees, which usually meets four times per year and consists of alumnae, current and past parents and grandparents, Religious of the Sacred Heart, and other friends of the School. The Board helps set policy and make financial decisions, employs the Head of School, elects new Trustees and keeps informed about all aspects of school life.

This fall, three new trustees were appointed to the 24-member board. Here are brief bios of each: Megan Gaudette Fairchild ’97 Ms. Fairchild is an attorney for Oracle Corporation, an industry leader in enterprise software, hardware and the Cloud. A Seattle native, Ms. Fairchild holds an undergraduate degree from Duke University; she earned her J.D. from the Duke University School of Law in 2005. She has served on the Forest Ridge Alumnae Board as well as on several boards and committees for Duke University, Washington Women Lawyers, and the YMCA. She resides in Clyde Hill with her husband, Michael.

“I am thrilled to support Forest Ridge as a member of the Board of Trustees,” Ms. Fairchild says.

Mary Frances Feider Mary Frances Feider’s 20 years of technology and entrepreneur experience, coupled with her years in the entertainment industry, allow her to “reside comfortably in a world where business and creativity come together.”

As the founder of Feider-Blazer Consulting she’s driven creative and business strategy for allrecipes.com, Clearwire/Sprint, and Classmates.com, along with many others.

Ms. Feider also co-founded FiatLux Imaging, Inc., a 3D medical imaging software company, and led the company for two years as CEO. During her tenure she 20

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brought FiatLux from concept to an FDAcleared device in market. Her earlier careers at AT&T Wireless and Microsoft included planning and launching new products, driving cost effective sales and customer acquisition, and managing diverse teams of designers, writers, developers and marketers.

Ms. Feider worked in feature film and animation in Los Angeles prior to jumping into interactive media in the early 90s.

She is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana and is passionate about educating young women.

She has served as a volunteer for Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, including two years as co-chair of the annual Auction.

Ms. Feider and her husband, Brandon Blazer, are the parents of Estelle FeiderBlazer ’15, Chiara Feider-Blazer ’17 and Francesca Feider-Blazer ’20.

Mary Magnano Smith ’61, Ed.D. Dr. Smith has worked in education for more than 40 years. She began her career as a teacher in the Oakland Public Schools in 1965 and later taught in San Francisco, Luxembourg and London. Dr. Smith returned to the United States in 1980 and served as director of development at the Schools of the Sacred Heart in San

Francisco, followed by an appointment as associate dean in the School of Business at the University of San Francisco.

In 1994, Dr. Smith returned to Schools of the Sacred Heart, where she served as the first lay head of school. In 2000, she became head of her alma mater, Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. When asked about her choice of pursuing the field of education Dr. Smith said,“It has been an ever changing and challenging career and one I would not trade because the rewards are always above and beyond expectation!”

Having retired in 2009, Dr. Smith is now an active volunteer for nonprofits: • Network of Sacred Heart Schools, St. Charles, MO, member of the Board of Trustees.

• Christ Our Hope Catholic Church, Seattle, member of the Development Committee.

• Oakland Catholic Schools at Risk, Oakland, Calif., consultant.

• University of San Francisco, Pacific Northwest Regional Council, member of the Alumni Board.

• Women’s Community Clinic, San Francisco, consultant.

She and her husband, Glen Smith, divide their time between Seattle and San Francisco.

› faculty profile

Impelled To Act for Dignity:

Middle School Teacher Ann Gilbert Leads Workshop Peggy O’Connor Mes Amis Editor

“Participating in the Under My Skin workshop was a great experience for me,” Mrs. Gilbert says. “I think I did our school proud.”

Impelled to Act for Dignity is the result of a collaboration a few years ago between Mrs. Gilbert and her eighth-grade teaching colleague David Fierce.

“We decided to do a joint project about human dignity,” Mrs. Gilbert explains. “Dave was teaching a unit on the Japanese internment, and I was teaching about the Holocaust. The entire religion curriculum is based on the dignity of the human being. After a lot of brainstorming and revision, we came up with this project.”

Mrs. Gilbert’s focus when teaching the Holocaust is the power of words and images used in propaganda and the outcomes for the oppressed. Yet when teaching the project, she encourages students to look at rescuers who have applied one or more of the social justice principles students have studied that bring hope to the world and to incorporate that into the project.

The rubric for Impelled to Act for Dignity notes that “dwelling on injustice alone limits our ability to hope.” The need to seek hope in the face of terrible injustice is familiar to Mrs. Gilbert.

The question posed to teachers who participated in October’s “Under My Skin: Bringing Race and Social Justice Issues into Your Classroom” workshop at Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum was, “Have you always wanted to introduce anti-bias teaching into your classroom but are not sure where to start?” Middle school teacher Ann Gilbert was one of six presenters who addressed that query.

Mrs. Gilbert is well qualified to instruct other teachers about antibias teaching. For several years she has made Impelled to Act for Dignity a centerpiece of the eighth-grade curriculum at Forest Ridge. “Impelled to Act for Dignity” is a project in which student groups make documentary videos that explore the injustices of the Holocaust and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, examined through the lens of specific social justice principles students learn in their classes.

During her session at the museum workshop, Mrs. Gilbert presented the Impelled to Act for Dignity project and participated in an additional panel discussion of issues dealing with race and stereotypes.

“I have studied the Holocaust for many years, trying to make sense of the fact that the country that gave us Mozart, Bach and Goethe also gave us Hitler, Goebbels and Eichmann,” she says.

It is a search that has taken Mrs. Gilbert to Columbia University to study for an intensive week en route to becoming an Alfred Lerner Fellow. All participants selected to attend the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous (JFR) Summer Institute for Teachers at Columbia are known as Alfred Lerner Fellows; each fellow must be nominated by one of the centers in the Holocaust Centers of Excellence Program.

She also attended an intensive, weeklong workshop at the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Gilbert serves on the board of the Washington State Holocaust Education Center.

While never forgetting the horror of the Holocaust, it is important to remember, as Mrs. Gilbert instructs her students as they begin their video projects, that “there were people who selflessly brought awareness to issues of injustice and indignity around the world.

These people worked tirelessly to make the world better and bring dignity and justice to those who did not have them.”

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› across campus

Forest Ridge Students Participate in Hour of Code Forest Ridge celebrated Computer Science Education Week (December 9–15, 2013) by teaching an Hour of Code to students as part of an international campaign to provide computer science instruction to kids. With more than 2.3 million students registered across 145 countries, the Hour of Code was expected to be the largest online education event in history.

“We’ve partnered with Code Fellows (a Seattle-based digital trade school) to provide each of our students with an Hour of Code instruction that not only teaches basic coding principles but also fosters critical thinking in the areas of science and math,” said Christine Witcher, math and science teacher at Forest Ridge. “This type of experience can give students a richer context for the core concepts they’ve learned in the classroom — by showing them where they can apply the concepts outside the classroom.”

TEDx Forest Ridge School 2014 TEDx Forest Ridge School 2014 will take place on Friday, March 7, 2014, in celebration of International Women’s Day. Inspiring Change is the official United Nations 2014 theme, which is intended to encourage “advocacy for women’s advancement everywhere in every way.” It calls for challenging the status quo for women’s equality and vigilance inspiring positive change. Like our inaugural TEDx event last year, Forest Ridge’s 2014 TEDx event will feature a dynamic lineup of speakers and streaming videos for our students, families and alumnae. Do you know of someone doing/thinking/creating/experimenting with a concept or project that will make the world a better place for girls everywhere? If you have a speaker in mind or a suggestion for a theme, we want to hear from you! Please send all your suggestions to Kisha Palmer at kpalmer@ forestridge.org

Sixth-graders Amy Skochdopole and Alyssa Kiehn write computer code.

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Forest Ridge teachers and Code Fellows instructors worked with nearly 200 students, ranging from fifth grade to eighth grade, over the course of two days. Students worked through a variety of tutorials designed to introduce programming vocabulary, highlight basic programming techniques and illustrate the advantages of breaking program code into functional units. In the High School, selected students from the TEALS (zero period) computer science class acted as ambassadors to help run coding sessions with other classes, and other students offered presentations on coding. The high school faculty and staff devoted an hour of their weekly meeting to coding, and during the Computer Science Education Week, teachers in each math class dedicated one hour of class time to coding using the Hour of Code tutorials.

The Hour of Code initiative was started by Code.org, a nonprofit committed to promoting computer science education. Code.org, is supported by multiple organizations and individuals, including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and Jack Dorsey, creator of Twitter and founder of Square. The Hour of Code initiative asks schools, teachers and parents to help introduce students of all ages to computer programming during Computer Science Education Week.

“We are excited about our participation in ‘Hour of Code,’” said Middle School Director Julie Thenell Grasseschi. “This is the kind of activity that will benefit Forest Ridge students in college and beyond.”

Forest Ridge Selected as Microsoft Mentor School — One of Only 6 in U.S. Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart has been selected as a Microsoft Mentor School, joining 80 other mentor schools from around the world in the class of 2014. Only six U.S. schools earned this distinction for 2014. “This exclusive, yearlong program was created to recognize educators and schools that are on the leading edge of education innovation, paving the way for their peers in the use of technology to improve learning and student outcomes. Mentor Schools came from nearly 250 schools in 75 countries,” explained Anthony Salcito, vice president of worldwide education at Microsoft.

Fall Sports Teams Excel – Volleyball Goes to State The high school varsity volleyball team led the way in an exciting fall sports season at Forest Ridge. The volleyball team made it all the way to the state championship in Yakima before losing a close match to Naches Valley, 2-3 (25-21, 14-25, 25-23, 20-25, 5-15). Congratulations to Rayme Quiban ’15 (pictured above) and Nikki Gmerek ’14, who were awarded Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) State Sportsmanship game medals at the state championships.

“I am thrilled that Forest Ridge is being recognized for its leadership and innovation in educational technology,” said Head of School Mark Pierotti. “We at Forest Ridge are looking forward to collaborating with schools from around the globe in our role as a Mentor School.” In March, Mark and Forest Ridge Educational Technology Director Michael Smith will travel to Barcelona, Spain, to gather with educators from other Mentor Schools to participate in the Microsoft in Education Global Forum.

“This is a very special honor for Forest Ridge,” Michael Smith noted. “It is very gratifying that Microsoft is reaching out to schools like ours that are already doing great things in educational technology integration in the classroom.”

Joining Forest Ridge as a U.S. Mentor School are Birmingham Covington Middle School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; Dunbar High School in Fort Myers, Fla.; Great Falls Elementary School in Great Falls, S.C.; McGlone Elementary School in Denver, Colo.; and Sammamish High School in Bellevue. Forest Ridge is the only private, independent school in this group.

Also earning honors this fall are the following athletes: Riley Brown ’16 (soccer), Taylor Odom ’15 (volleyball), Rayme Quiban (volleyball), First Team, All League; Logan Simons ’17 (volleyball), McKaela Simons ’17 (volleyball), Second Team, All League; McKaela was also named All League Rookie of the Year in volleyball. Volleyball coach Stephanie Weishaar earned Coach of the Year honors, and the volleyball team won the All League Sportsmanship Award.

High School Swimmers Compete at State Championship

Eighth-graders, from left, Airi Kogishi, Grace Kellogg and Tiona Francisco.

In November, three Forest Ridge students, all juniors, competed at the WIAA Swimming and Diving State Championships. Erin McAllister ’15 was as an alternate in the 400 Relay for Mercer Island High School; Christina McDermott Charney ’15 swam the 200 Breast and 400 Relay for Bellevue High School; and Anna Moody ’15 competed in the 400 Relay for Interlake High School.

Erin McAllister’s Mercer Island High School team eventually won the Girls 3A division, Mercer Island’s fifth consecutive state swimming and diving championship.

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› giving

The Parent Association Executive Board includes, from left to right, Middle School Coordinator Elaine Sakamoto, Volunteer Coordinator Melissa Mathewson, Secretary Laura Noble, Communication Coordinator Beth Hom, Tech Coordinator Tracy Ficca, Vice President Ann Rillera, Co-President Molly McConkey, High School Coordinator Salima Jiwa and Co-President Roopa Satagopan.

Parent Association Goal: A sense of humor and boundless energy describe the style of Parent Association (PA) Co-Presidents Molly McConkey and Roopa Satagopan, enhancing their straightforward approach to getting things done. Building upon the accomplishments of their PA predecessors, Molly and Roopa have set ambitious goals this year, which include extending outreach to and developing connections with all parents in an endeavor to make Forest Ridge School a more actively welcoming community.

Joining the PA co-presidents in their mission is the 2013-2014 PA Board. They are Vice President Ann Rillera (who served as PA copresident in 2012-2013), Secretary Laura Noble, Middle School Coordinator Elaine Sakamoto, HS Coordinator Salima Jiwa, Volunteer Coordinator Melissa Mathewson, Communication Coordinator Beth Hom, Tech Coordinator Tracy Ficca, and Social Clubs Coordinator Julie Davis. Together they make sure there is a gateway for each parent to get involved in strengthening the school.

Forming the PA Board’s support network are the class reps and dedicated volunteers, a small army of parents who plan, facilitate, implement and maintain a plethora of activities for students, parents, faculty and community alike. The events they have produced this year include the Family Picnic, Mother/ Daughter/ Special Guest and

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A Welcoming Community Father/ Daughter /Special Guest events, monthly Apple Brunches for faculty and staff, Love Your Library Week, Grandparents’ and Special Guests’ Afternoon and faculty and staff luncheons. Social clubs, which include Wine Club, Walking Club, Reflections Club, Book Clubs and others, provide another framework of our community development. Grade-level parent representatives juggle these activities and orchestrate student parties and parent evenings and coffees; and this year they will help support the Annual Fund and the Auction, Forest Ridge’s major annual fundraising event. The 2014 Auction, with the theme Explore!, will feature auction items and food from around the world. The Auction will be held Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, at the Bellevue Westin.

If you feel breathless just reading this, it may be because you can see how much work our PA does for the Forest Ridge community.

Could we say it takes a village? Obviously! Fortunately this village is populated with many willing volunteers.

Please note that, in that same spirit of welcome and connection, the monthly PA Advisory Meetings are now open to all parents. Meeting dates are on the master calendar on the Forest Ridge website. We hope you will join us.

Nicole Morris, Stewardship Director

Shape Her World …

St. Madeleine Sophie believed in cultivating the intellect by planting seeds in young minds to inspire and renew society. More than 200 years later, this tradition lives on.

So She Can Shape Ours

Continue the legacy of educating girls to become confident, intellectually curious and spiritual women by making a gift to the Annual Fund. Your gift, no matter the amount, enhances her learning experience.

Lead the way to grow the margin of excellence at Forest Ridge!

Tres Bien Circle – a personal gift of $1,000+ or a

combined personal and corporate matching of $1,500 Millennium Club – a personal gift of $3,000+, or a

combined personal and corporate matching gift of $4,500 or more Head’s Circle – a personal gift of $5,000+, or a

combined personal and corporate matching gift of $7,500 or more

re Expl Auction

Make your gift by mail, by phone by contacting the Office of Advancement at 425-201-2410, or online at forestridge.org Does your employer offer a matching benefit? If your company has a matching gift program, your gift may be doubled or tripled.

The Forest Ridge fiscal year ends June 30, 2014.

Explore! i s the theme of the 2014 Forest Ridge Auction.

The Auction’s Fund-A-Need will benefit Forest

Ridge Humanities and Social Sciences.

Please join us for this fun community event on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014 at the Bellevue Westin. Questions: jburns@forestridge.org or auction@forestridge.org Don’t miss the online auction to be held Jan. 22–26, 2014. Auction items can be viewed at the Auction web site: http://forestridge.maestroweb.com/

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› sacred heart in action

Beth Phillips ’01:

Forest Ridge Feminist

Earns

Fulbright Julie Lundgren Alumnae Relations Director

Named by The Seattle Times in 2001 as one of that year’s 12 outstanding graduates, Beth Phillips ’01 has lived up to the Beth Phillips with a village volunteer in South Sudan.

accolade: She was recently awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarship to study maternal health in Nigeria.

Beth will spend nine months with doctors, nurses, medical students and patients studying treatments for obstetric fistulae — holes that can develop between women’s birth passages and their internal organs*. Nigeria has the highest number of cases of obstetric fistulae per capita worldwide; the United Nations estimates 300,000 to 1 million cases. The Nigerian government responded to this situation in 2007 by creating the world’s first task force on obstetric fistulae.

Beth’s work will contribute to a greater understanding of the socioeconomic and health impacts of obstetric fistulae treatment programs in Nigeria.

“My keen interest in Nigeria began more than 10 years ago during a University of Cape Town class lecture on Nollywood—Nigeria’s Hollywood,” Beth remarked. Her interest deepened when she met a Nigerian woman, Amarachi, while working in Grootfontein, Namibia, as a Peace Corps volunteer with the Johns Hopkins University.

“As our friendship grew, our own stereotypes about one another’s countries quickly eroded; we made dinners together, watched Nollywood, gossiped about Sudanese women building a house.

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the cute guys in town and shared about the difficulties of being a foreigner in a town still reeling from decades under apartheid,” Beth recalled.

in lifelong community service work, in my strong friendship with an amazing Nigerian woman and in my professional dedication to reproductive health justice.”

After college, Beth served with the Peace Corps in both Namibia and Uganda working

on

women’s

reproductive

health issues, specifically HIV, gender empowerment and sports education. Most recently, Beth worked for the Carter Center and the South Sudan Ministry of Health’s Guinea Worm Eradication program.

Village volunteers in South Sudan.

“Having healthy women who can move around unencumbered by hanging worms makes the entire community healthier, as

“Professionally,

we

learned

together

women are generally ones who care for

to adapt our particular approaches to

much of the everyday household needs

the local public health and cultural

here (not unlike most places).”

contexts.

Together,

we

formed

Grootfontein’s

successfully support

Living in developing countries can be very

group for people living with HIV/AIDS

unsettling for a Westerner. Beth shares two

and

life-changing experiences that influenced

established

first

adolescent-friendly

reproductive health services at the

her decision to work in Nigeria.

Grootfontein District Hospital.”

“During my U.S. Peace Corps service in Namibia, I saw my dear friend and colleague Rosa and her baby die while her husband searched in vain for a qualified practitioner to perform a C-section.

Beth is committed to her work. “Through my

experiences

working

alongside

Amarachi and other strong-minded African women since, I have learned that public health has the amazing power to change lives but that in the health advocacy process we sometimes forget to ask the people we serve what they actually need and want. I would sum it up that Village boy using water filter.

my keen interest in Nigeria is grounded

Three years later, while serving for the second time with the Peace Corps in rural Uganda, I recall visiting my neighbors after the death of their oldest son from malaria and feeling helplessly angry that their son died from an entirely preventable disease. Avoidable deaths and disease such as these are ubiquitous in our world today,” Beth says. continued

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Beth Phillips ’01,

continued

Beth became aware of discrimination at an early age. She gives credit to her parents for teaching her and her sisters, Kate ’04 and Maddy ’08, about women’s rights and health. She remembers becoming aware of inequities between men and women in her fourth-grade art class. The boys were chatting about Simba, featured in The Lion King movie, dominating Mufasa. Beth said, “I cut into their conversation and told them I thought The Lion King was stupid and sexist because the female lions were just there to worship the boys and make them feel powerful,” she recalls.

Beth Phillips with villagers in South Sudan.

“Yet, so, too, are locally made and funded responses to these everyday problems, responses often buried under the glamour of international health campaigns. I want to live and work in Nigeria with Nigerians to further diversify my understanding of community health dynamics and cultures in sub-Saharan Africa.”

The Phillips Sisters: Beth ’01, Maddy ’08 and Kate ’04.

Beth Phillips ’01 with her father, former faculty member John Phillips, and sisters Kate ’04 and Maddy ’08.

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“All I remember after that is the room going quiet and my classmates staring at me, dumbfounded, I think, because everyone but my teacher thought I had just said ‘sex.’ I’d say that’s when I began to openly question situations and attitudes that made me feel funny, and usually the feeling funny was related to people not being treated the same because of something out of their control, like their gender, race or class.”

Beth double majored in gender studies and anthropology at Willamette University.

“Anthropology exposed me to how so much of what we grow up in influences our

Beth Phillips with two girls in South Sudan.

attitudes, beliefs and values, which inform our actions. Then the feminist perspective brought in how, across cultures, the gender, class and ethnicity we get born

*The Fistula Foundation (www.

between her vagina and her bladder

into structures how we behave and what

fistulafoundation.org) An obstetric

(called a vesicovaginal fistula or

fistula of the kind that occurs in

VVF) and sometimes between her

many developing countries is a hole

vagina and rectum (rectovaginal

between a woman’s birth passage

fistula, RVF). This hole results in

and one or more of her internal

permanent incontinence of urine or

organs. This hole can develop during

feces or both. A majority of women

whether in her own town or abroad,

many days of obstructed labor,

who develop fistulae are abandoned

Beth helps those who can’t speak for

when the pressure of the baby’s head

by their husbands and ostracized by

themselves. Armed with the confidence

against the mother’s pelvis cuts off

their communities because of their

and the courage to think openly and

blood supply to delicate tissues in the

inability to have more children and

region. The dead tissue falls away,

their foul smell.

we can access,” Beth says.

Through

her

commitment

and

dedication to issues of social justice,

act critically, Beth looks forward to continuing her work in Nigeria.

and the woman is left with a hole

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› Alumnae Spotlight

Semper Paratus - Always Ready Sonya Quitslund ’53

Academic, activist, feminist, committed Catholic—Sonya Quitslund ’53 is a Renaissance woman with a heart of gold and a tireless advocate for the underrepresented Julie Lundgren, Alumnae Relations Director

“M

y life was rooted in a firm, faith-filled and rigorous education from my Forest Ridge Convent training,” says Sonya Quitslund. “My French from Forest Ridge Convent came in handy when I did research for my Ph.D. in France and Belgium. It also gave me the opportunity to meet some of the great figures of

Vatican II and the future apostolic delegate to the United States, Archbishop Jean Jadot,” she recalls. In 1967 Sonya joined the faculty at George Washington University, where she taught for the next 28 years. Her 1973 dissertation, Beauduin: A Prophet Vindicated, won the College Theology Society’s book of the year award and was reviewed on the front page of the New York Times Book Review section.

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Sonya with Yanet, her Eritrean daughter.

D

Doctrine (CCD or catechism), started Rite of Christian

D

Initiation of Adults in her parish, led a choir and served as

regular weekend activity for my foster children. In fact, “Boat!”

co-chair on the board of directors of the National Catholic

was the first word a traumatized 22-month-old foster child said

Conference for Interracial Justice.

when her mother came for a visit,” Sonya recalls. Thirty-one

uring graduate school in the ’60s Sonya lived in an African-American neighborhood in Washington, D.C., where she taught Confraternity of Christian

uring one of the many expeditions with her “kids,” tired of lugging loaded coolers across the beach to their favorite fishing spot, Sonya decided to join

the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. “Boating and fishing became a

years later, Sonya is still very active on air and surface patrols While Sonya was teaching CCD and training altar servers at

and is a vessel examiner, program visitor and instructor.

one of the inner-city parishes, the girls asked to be servers, too.

“I called the apostolic delegate, Jean Jadot, and asked him if he

Sonya keeps in touch with some of her foster and refugee

could do anything about it. He couldn’t but agreed to come to my

families. She visits them and attends their weddings; she has

home and meet with some women of various backgrounds. He

helped several Eritrean refugees bring family members into the

said next to nothing but took notes as the various women spoke

United States.

of their experience of church. The next morning the phone rang

F

at 8:00. He had just sent off a report on the meeting to Rome. I often wondered if his urging for greater roles for and recognition of the contributions of women in the church contributed to his fall from favor when John Paul II became pope.”

T

or almost 20 years Sonya has served as treasurer for the international organization Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church, and she has been on their

board for even longer. “The Board meetings for which I must make all the arrangements are a shot in the arm and keep me

his experience led Sonya to establish the Christian

going in the Church instead of going out of it. We live in hope

Feminists in 1973. She was active in the 1975 Call to

for renewal and reform,” Sonya remarks.

Action sponsored by the United States Conference of

Catholic Bishops (out of which formed the leading national

Last March Sonya was interviewed as part of a PBS series

progressive reform group, Call to Action). Sonya was also on the

titled Meet Me At Equality: The People’s March on Washington,

first core commission of the Women’s Ordination Conference,

a documentary commemorating the 50th anniversary of The

the world’s oldest and largest organization working solely for

March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The documentary

the ordination of women as priests, deacons and bishops into

features interviews with 28 people who participated in The

an inclusive and accountable Catholic Church.

March in 1963, which led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Fighting for women’s rights in the church was only one of the many activities that occupied Sonya. Recognizing the need atrisk children have for stable homes, Sonya decided to purchase

Sonya is always ready, it seems, to fight for

her first home in 1973, and over the years she shared it with

the rights of minorities at every turn of

44 foster children, 19 refugees, 15 foreign students and 10 American students. Fishing with the children was one of her favorite pastimes.

her life. It was an honor to have her and her classmate Sharon Carey LeeMaster back on campus to celebrate their 60th reunion from Forest Ridge with the rest of the alumnae last June.

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› alumnae

White Gloves & Très Biens A look back 50 years at a Forest Ridge education Ann McKinstry Gerner ‘63

Even at the beach my grandson was nervous about starting kindergarten in the fall, so I was trying to cheer him up by comparing school uniforms. Johnny’s was a white shirt with a pointed collar, navy sweater and blue shorts; mine, a white shirt with a round collar, green pleated skirt and green blazer with lots of pockets.

“And white gloves,” I added.

“White gloves?” His eyes grew big.

“But only on Mondays,” I said. “And sometimes I’d forget them!”

Johnny’s eyes were really big now, and his little sister, Caitlin, came over, worriedly, to lay a hand on my knee. “What happened to you?” Johnny asked quietly.

“Well,” I said, laughing, “I’d get points off.”

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My daughter, whose Sacred Heart education consisted of four magical months in nursery school at Broadway in San Francisco, before we moved away, listened, bemused. Her uniform had been a darling white pinafore worn over a powder blue dress trimmed around the collar with lace and white tights and shoes.

“Points off from being very good,” I explained. “Every Monday the whole school got together, wearing their white gloves, to hear how we’d behaved the week before. If you talked in the halls or forgot your gloves, you could lose your “Very Good” card. But they don’t do that at your school,” I said quickly.

The practice I described, called “Primes,” had been part of my life at the old Convent of the Sacred Heart, Forest Ridge, on Interlaken Boulevard in Seattle. Looking back, I wondered why we had been subjected to this silly ritual and what role it had played in forming my classmates and me into the women we became.

Just three weeks before the beach chat, our class had gathered for lunch at the Seattle Tennis Club and celebrated 50 years since our graduation. Unlike many reunions, this one had been a truly joy-filled experience, and I hadn’t stopped smiling since. Buy why? In high school I didn’t much know or maybe even like some of these people, and they didn’t much like me, I suspect. Why were we so close now?

By coincidence, an article appeared in the Wall Street Journal soon after my conversation with my grandson.

Titled “How Irrational Rituals Bring Us Closer Together,” by Alison Gopnik, it provided some clues. According to the article, rituals are intentionally useless and purposely irrational but important because they declare that you are a member of a particular social group.

Without suggesting that they were all useless and irrational, I suspect that, indeed, the rituals we learned at the old Forest Ridge may be what drew us together.

Some of the rituals were more irrational than others: learning to curtsey without tripping when we met Reverend Mother as we walked silently, single-file, down the heavily waxed wood corridors; standing silently, hands resting on the edge of our desktops, awaiting the nod from the nun at the head of the study hall for permission to open our desks to retrieve a book we’d forgotten to take out at the start of study hall; writing our final exams—called competitions—in cartridge fountain pens, with tiny bottles of bleach on our desks to wipe out (usually unsuccessfully) any odd splotches; changing classes at the sound of a small brass bell rung vigorously by a member of the senior class— a fourth academic—at the intersection of the corridors.

And ribbons: green for first and second year academics, blue for juniors and seniors.

Theoretically, ribbons were awarded as the result of open elections by the student body; in practice these ribbons were part of the mystery we lived in at the school.

They seemed to be awarded arbitrarily, according to a mystical number system whereby the top two blue ribbons were set aside for possible boarding students, who might or might not qualify or even exist.

Ribbons, something that divided rather than pulled us together, are still a sore point after 50 years, even among those of us who seemed to always get them.

Other rituals, especially celebrations that were particular to convents of the Sacred Heart, remain jewels in our collective memory. Every first Friday of the month, behavior and academic distinctions were set aside for celebrations honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The day would begin with Mass in the chapel (afterwards

we’d smell the priest’s bacon and toast breakfast as we passed the parlor on the way to gym class).

Later, after a usually electrifying talk from Mother Bruhn in the study hall, the entire high school would celebrate Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. And yes, it was a white-glove occasion. An honor guard of students wearing red ribbons (signifying school leadership) across their chests carried an embroidered banner up the aisle, and we’d all sing our hearts out, our voices echoing off the stucco walls of the chapel. At the end we’d stumble through the verses of “Coeur de Jésus,” the French hymn we knew was sung in Sacred Heart schools throughout the world, belting out the more familiar refrain with enthusiasm—“Seigneur, seigneur, vous nous l’avez promis!” Yes, we knew that Jesus had promised us that we were loved in a special way, both by Him and by the nuns who taught us and cared for us, as children of the Sacred Heart.

Fifty years later, we went around the room at the tennis club telling what we’d been up to in the last 50 years. As each woman spoke, it became clear that our experiences at Forest Ridge, no matter how brief, had drawn us together, whether or not we agreed with the various rituals we endured. Today we are a cohesive, mutually supportive, very entertaining group of vital women, devoted to a myriad of causes and each enjoying a vigorous spiritual life of one sort or another. We also meet for lunch regularly and keep in touch with others who are out of town.

At our reunion lunch, each place setting offered a packet of goodies, including a facsimile of a Très Bien card. This small blue card with the familiar marking brought shudders to some and smiles to others. We all recognized that we had moved on from those days, just as we were meant to do.

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ALUMNAE REUNION WEEKEND

Celebrating Yesterday and Today Julie Lundgren, Alumnae Relations Director

Back in 1963 Reverend Mother Sabine de Valone said “the world needs a great deal of joy and you are going to bring it” and was she ever right! Last June alumnae from the Class of 1953 all the way to a newly graduated 2013 alumna gathered at Forest Ridge to spend an afternoon renewing their acquaintances and having a rollicking good time.

The afternoon started with newly added Master Classes taught by faculty members Sr. Marcia O’Dea and John Fenoli as well as one taught by alumna, Mary Lyn Hikel, Ph.D., ’67. These classes on Taking the Slack out of Sentences, The Genetic History of Mankind and the Clash of Cultures or Cultural Allies?

Science and the Catholic Church reminded alumnae and informed spouses and significant others of the superior education Forest Ridge alumnae received. The classes provided a boost of intellectual energy and made for a lively wine and cheese reception.

Campus tours were also a favorite as alumnae relived their classroom experiences, drama productions and choir concerts. Seeing the new Residential Life Building and how 28 international students live in the old convent was very popular as well.

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The dinner showcased our 2013 Distinguished Alumna, Cristina Mendoza ’82, who gave a heartfelt and beautiful speech about how her Forest Ridge education shaped her into the woman she is and how the Goals and Criteria informs her life. Here is an excerpt from her speech: “My most treasured graduation card had a quote from the Book of Micah (6: 6-8). It said: We are called to act with justice. We are called to love tenderly.

We are called to serve one another. And to walk humbly with God. It came from Sr. Marilyn McMorrow who assured me that “you are taking a whole person who is resourceful, skilled, and has not been afraid to love or be loved. You are a child of the Sacred Heart. And it is that Spirit of the Sacred Heart that binds and sustains us.”

Celebrating 60 years, the Class of 1953: Sonya Quitslund and Sharon Carey LeeMaster.

The evening continued with honoring the 25, 50 and 60 year reunion classes by presenting them with ribbons and inviting them to share a memory of their school days. Listening to the 50 year graduates recall their high school days – and their high school antics – always bring a good laugh.

We are already planning for Reunion 2014 on Saturday, June 7, 2014. Plan on coming and sharing in the Forest Ridge sisterhood – and as Mother Sabine de Valon says,

“bring the joy that the world so badly needs!”

Sonya Quitslund ’53, Mary B. Flaherty, RSCJ ’49 and Mark Pierotti, Head of School

Mr. Fenoli teaching his Master Class to alumnae.

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Forest Ridge Convent (FRC) Class of 1963

Reunion Prayer Written by Nancy Palmer Lobberegt ’63

“Heavenly Father, we are thankful for our FRC Class of ’63 and to You for granting us this opportunity to reunite again. We are grateful for this moment in time, even in our amazement that 50 years have filled all our yesterdays since graduation. We give thanks for friendships new and old and for all the good memories shared. We pray that You will bless each of us and our families, and may You continue to guide us on the rest of our life’s journey. Please bless our classmates who were unable to attend this event. We, especially, come honoring and remembering those who are no longer with us in this world and have returned to Your eternal care. We seek Your blessings on their loved ones.

Class of 1963

We extend our appreciation to those who faithfully spent time planning to make this reunion possible. Thank You, Lord, that You are with us as we celebrate this momentous milestone in time. We ask Your special blessing over our meal and conversation and a safe return home for all today. Amen.”

Nancy Palmer Lobberegt in her senior portrait.

From Class of 1973 were Monica Griffin Howard and Marci Tufarolo.

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Class of 1983, from left, (front) Bernadette Mendoza Hanay, Haruko Enomoto, Luisa Nava Orejana; (back) Stephanie Bush West, Karoline Diven Bekeris, Karen MacMillan Anderson and Betsy Williams Johnson.

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The Class of 1988, represented by Arden Tellini Hofler, Cathy Walsh Fisher, Angela Hall Humphreys, Christa Hewitt Fleming and Stacey Furness.

Representing the Class of 1998, from left, Corina Jung Rahmig, Jocie Slepyan, Alexia Vernon, Mr. Santero, Melissa Garcia Santero, Deanna Lynch Finch and Natalie Buccola Keilholz.

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Cindi Nebril Gosling ’90 and Laura Nelson Flanders ’89.

Mary Lyn Hikel, Ph.D. ’67 (center) with her husband, Jon Kalnin, and Dawn Hoffer ’87, Alumnae Board President.

Class of 2003: Remy Loges, Mike Schwed, Hilary Bryant Schwed, Jasmine Reyes and Jea Park.

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All-Alumnae Reunion!

June 7, 2014

You won’t want to miss it!

Mark your calendars, and join us on Saturday, June 7, 2014, at Forest Ridge for a fun-filled day of conviviality, nostalgia and laughter! We are planning a very special afternoon and evening that will include master classes taught

by Forest Ridge faculty, alumnae and maybe even a former faculty member along with campus tours, wine and cheese and much more. We invite all alumnae but give special mention to those celebrating their milestone years. Many classes plan their own individual class reunions the Friday before the all-alumnae reunion at Forest Ridge and create a memorable weekend of reconnecting and reliving their high school days.

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The following classes have class agents, but we are still missing a few; if you would like to volunteer, please contact me at jlundgren@forestridge. org or 425-201-2414.Please feel free to contact your class agent, especially if you need to update your contact information.

1964 – 50th Reunion:

1989 – 25th Reunion:

Anne Codling Peterson

Nancy Urner

tekdca6@hotmail.com

nancyurner@comcast.net

1969 – 45th Reunion: need a volunteer.

and

1974 – 40th Reunion: need a volunteer.

Amy Sadler Van Hollebeke amyvanhollebeke@hotmail.com

1979 – 35th Reunion: Anne Bradley Hecht anne.hecht@cushwake.com

1994 – 20th Reunion: Need a volunteer.

and

1999 – 15th Reunion: Zahra Taha Marks

Lori Richardson Davies

ztaha@ford.com

loridavies@outlook.com and

and

Andrea Edwards Hamilton

Heather Coles

hamilton.andrea1@gmail.com

heatherscoles@yahoo.com

1984 – 30th Reunion:

2004 – 10th Reunion: Natasha Tomich

Renee Duprel

natasha.tomich@gmail.com

reneeduprel@hotmail.com

Upcoming Alumnae Events:

We would love to see you at our upcoming alumnae events. Look for more information via invitations in the mail, email or on our school website, www.forestridge.org. Or, contact Alumnae Relations Director Julie Lundgren at 425-201-2414 or jlundgren@forestridge.org Auction “Explore” Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, at the Westin Hotel in Bellevue

FRAA Induction Ceremony and Spring Luncheon Friday, May 16, 2014, 11:30 a.m., Newcastle Golf Club

Science Fair Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, 7:00 p.m. in the Schafer Gymnasium

St. Madeleine Sophie Liturgy Friday, May 23, 2014, at 9:45 a.m. in the Schafer Gymnasium

Alumnae Career Panel Wednesday, March 7, 2014, time TBA, Sacred Heart Center

Alumnae Reunion Saturday, June 7 2014, Forest Ridge School

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2013 FRAA Induction Ceremony and Spring Luncheon In May, the Alumnae Board welcomed the senior class into the Forest Ridge Alumnae Association and honored the 2013 Distinguished Alumna, Cristina Mendoza ’82, at the Washington Athletic Club. A highlight of the luncheon every year is the pinning ceremony, when alumnae bestow alumnae pins on the newly inducted members of the Forest Ridge Alumnae Association. Mothers, grandmothers, aunts and special alumnae friends take part in this meaningful ceremony as they welcome the seniors into the fold.

Another highlight is the Distinguished Alumna’s address to the group. Cristina gave a very moving speech, ending with the wonderful words of humorist and writer Sam Levenson, here in poem* form, which Audrey Hepburn, among many others, loved.

Time-Tested Beauty Tips by Sam Levenson For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.

2013 Distinguished Alumna, Cristina Mendoza ‘82

We are already planning next year’s Spring Luncheon. Save the Date: Friday, May 16, 2014.

Please let us know if you would like to nomination someone for Distinguished Alumnae.

We leave you a tradition with a future. The tender loving care of human being will never become obsolete. Your “good old days” are still ahead of you, may you have many of them.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed, and redeemed, and redeemed. ... Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands.

One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows! *The poem that appears here is an amalgam of passages from Levenson’s book In One Era and Out the Other that have often been combined into the form of a poem. It was a favorite of Audrey Hepburn’s and has sometimes been erroneously attributed to her.

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“Paying It Forward” Announcing a new student leadership program on campus — Forest Ridge Student Alumnae Association — Julie Lundgren Alumnae Relations Director “We stand on the shoulders of those who come before us” is a saying oft-repeated by Sr. Mary B. Flaherty ’49. And it is true. Understanding the role of an alumna to pay it forward begins with the students. That’s why development of the newly formed Forest Ridge Student Alumnae Association (FRSAA) is so important.

Recognizing that a strong alumnae community at Forest Ridge includes current students, this pilot program involves them in alumnae events such as the annual Career Panel, Phon-a-Thon and Reunion as well as teaches them about the history of Forest Ridge.

We meet monthly as a group, include students in the Alumnae Board meetings throughout the year and offer them leadership roles at alumnae events. We anticipate that both students and alumnae will gain valuable insight into the benefits of a Forest Ridge education and discover how each group can support the other, building an even stronger alumnae network.

Students are included in Alumnae Board meetings where they share information about their experience at school, their current classes and teachers, the sports they play and the activities in which they are involved. Fun facts are revealed to students, including the tidbit that the Raven was not always the Forest Ridge mascot, but athletes used to be called the Raiders and, before that, the Shooting Stars, a nickname that dates back to the late 1940s.

The high school girls were eager to get involved and to meet women who shared similar school experiences.

it’s really important that current students not only are aware of these alumnae but can seek them out for advice and insight as we enter the workforce,” explains Devyn Parry ’14.

In addition to building connections with alumnae, the students learn about the role and importance of fundraising in the nonprofit world.

In early November, they participated in the Alumnae Phon-a-thon, when alumnae and students spent three days making calls to alumnae in support of the Annual Fund. Their efforts are paying off: Alumnae giving is already up this year. Students also held a Penny War in the high school to raise awareness and funds for the Annual Fund among their peers.

This spring, FRSAA members will continue fundraising during the March Alumnae Phon-a-thon and will also have the opportunity to moderate the Alumnae Career Panel and to act as tour guides and hosts for the Alumnae Reunion in June. Through it all, the students will gain an in-depth understanding of the Office of Advancement, develop skills and get work experience for their resumes, which will, in turn, help them in jobs searches once they leave Forest Ridge.

They also learn the importance of supporting their school. By giving back they help ensure the school can continue to provide excellent programs to its students, and they help future students gain access to a Forest Ridge education, which, for many, is a life-changing experience.

“FRSAA allows me to be more of a part of Forest Ridge,” says Ziru “Quella” Ding ’14, a student in the Residential Life Program.

“Forest Ridge is a sisterhood. There are so many amazing alumnae who have come from this school. I think

Members of the FRSAA are, from left to right, Estelle Feider-Blazer ’15, Ryan Riley ’15, Taylor Odom ’15, Katie Williams ’14, Miranda Drakes ’15, Louisa Haslam ’15 and Quella Ding ’14; missing from this photo are members Sesana Allen ’15, Ambeisa Boswell ’15 and Devyn Parry ’15.

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› cl ass notes

46

Clair Rogers Jenkins ’46 and her classmates enjoyed a reunion together last summer.

53

Sharon Carey LeeMaster ’53 and Sonya Quitslund ’53 worked together on bringing their class together to celebrate their 60th reunion. Their class slogan was “The Class of ‘53, the best there’ll ever be.” Here are notes they collected from many of their classmates: Mary Anne Manca Abel ’53 reflects on her 60-year reunion, “After only two years at Forest Ridge, my Sacred Heart experience continued as I attended San Francisco College for Women from 1953 to 1957. I am thankful for those years—developing my faith and finding the ‘real’ me. The last 60 years have been good to me—health, faith, family (13 grandchildren), summers on Vashon Island.

It is now time to simplify and think of moving from our home of 46 years in Magnolia.”

Susan Coles Bucey ’53 enjoys her family of four sons, 15 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Sue has been in education, both teaching and working in administration, since 1970. She says, “It’s a career that is never boring.”

Mariann Fitzgerald ’53 was unable to attend her 60th reunion because she has spent the last year caring for her husband, Jon, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. She is happy to report that everything is very positive now.

Julia Hodson ’53 - RIP

Class of 1946 members in attendance were, from left to right, (seated) Dodie Shiel Capeloto, Jean Bolger Walsh, Mollie Venables Pepper and Joan O’Sullivan Strand; and (standing) Rosemary Quigley Mardesich, Mary Helen Dohoney Hopkins, Patsy Kelly Shumway, Clair Rogers Jenkins and Elizabeth Park Luis.

mountain lions and an occasional bear,” shares Phyllis. After raising her family, Phyllis returned to college and earned her degree in music. She enjoyed a career as an organist for a large church for many years, but she now plays a digital piano and leads a small choir at her mission church. “It keeps me in the music field, even if on a small scale,” Phyllis says

chairman, librarian and recording secretary on the House Board. At the Women’s Century Club she served as recording and corresponding secretary for many years but says she is now “working to catch up on all the things I need to do.” Eugenia has lived at the Lowell Emerson Apartments near downtown Seattle for nearly 30 years.

Jean Low Ogsbury ’53 was a boarder at Forest Ridge Convent her sophomore year of high school. She writes, “It was an outstanding year in so many ways. The academics were terrific. I made some lifelong friendships, and my world was changed forever.”

Margot McIllvaine Washburn ’53 was unable to attend the reunion due to prior plans to travel to Eastern Europe. She works and is currently in the process of selling her commercial rental properties in Reno, where she and her late husband, Brad, lived for 11 years. They built the buildings for their furniture stores there and invested in other commercial and industrial enterprises.

Isabel Foster Hopf ’53 - RIP

Sonya Quitslund ’53 - See Alumnae Spotlight article.

Phyllis Leibly Mediati has been married for 57 years to her husband, Sam. They have five children and seven grandchildren. She lives in North Fork, Calif., a little town south of Yosemite, where she moved after living in the San Francisco Bay Area for 42 years. “I love the fact that we experience all four seasons of the year as well as lots of wildlife, including

Eugenia Sheldon ’53 attended Forest Ridge from 1948 to 1950 but graduated from Annie Wright Seminary in Tacoma. After college, in the summer of 1956, she embarked on a tour to Europe. Eugenia worked at General Insurance and, later, Safeco. She was active in the Rainier Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she was flag

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She “work commutes” from her La Jolla home, where she has lived in La Jolla for the past 35 years. Margot has two sons, Bill and Brad, and four grandchildren. She gets together with them “a lot, and life is good to all of us,” she says.

Fritzie Steiner Viteilli ’53 was unable to attend the reunion because her grandsons were graduating, one from Friday Harbor High School and one from the Foster School of Business School at the University of Washington. With 13 grandchildren, Fritzie is quite busy with all their events, “But I love every minute of it,” she says. She lives in Friday Harbor in a home she and her husband built over the last three years. Fritzie sends her regards to everyone who attended the reunion, noting that it’s shocking the number of classmates who have passed away since graduation.

“Time goes by quickly,” says Fritzie.

Teddy Braunschweiger Howe ’53 attended Forest Ridge Convent for 8th grade only, but she has fond memories of her classmates.

After graduating from St. Nicholas School in ’53 and the University of Washington School of Business in ’57, Teddy worked in a law firm before marrying and having two sons.

Having survived a rare and deadly disease in 2010, Teddy says she is known as a tough old bird and pays back by volunteering at the Puget Sound Blood Center. “My life has been a great ride, and I plan to face Old Age as just one more adventure — with many wonderful friends to share the ups and downs of this final chapter,” she says.

Fran Lowman Mather ’53 lives in Kirkland.

Colleen Sullivan ’53 lives on Mercer Island and swims daily—and not in heated pools!

Brenda Johnson Zanze ’53 celebrated her 55th wedding anniversary in Tahoe at the condo where she and her husband have lived for 30 years, as of last January. Brenda taught for 38 years, mostly sixth-grade English and ancient history before retiring in 1999. “I’ve been playing around ever since,” she writes.

She likes to cook, garden, read, play bridge, participate in her local women’s league and go to grandchildren’s sporting events. Brenda has two children and six grandchildren.

“My Sacred Heart connection is probably the greatest gift I have received in my life. I tried to share it with my students and to uphold high standards in my family.”

58

Kitty Meredith ’58 shares, “Just got back from Seattle on Monday after a FABULOUS 1958 class reunion at Marie Manchester’s home. We always have such a great time.”

63

The class of 1963 celebrated its 50th reunion this past summer. Claudia MacDonald Wicks, Sheila McHugh Magnano, Barb Schindler Casseaux and Lee Vonne Willis organized the reunion. Twenty members of the class showed up for a warm and spirited gathering. Coco Smith gathered notes for almost everyone in the class.

“After lunch, we had a group photo, and, as if hearing a clapper signal, we spontaneously sang “Coeur de Jésus.” We gave a million thanks to Sheila, Barb, Claudia and Lee and all who helped with the Fun and Faith that brought us together. Claudia presented Sheila with a gift for her kitchen in appreciation for her loyalty and efforts for our wonderful reunion.” —Coco Smith Anne Hanify Baisch ’63 has celebrated 47 years of marriage to her husband, Jon. They have five children and seven grandchildren. Anne started working with marine chemists in the 1980s while raising her kids.

Sharon Carey LeeMaster ’53 divides her time between her role as director of institutional advancement for Classics4Kids and Leemaster & Associates. She and her husband, a retired school teacher, have three children — a daughter who works in Catholic Church outreach in Atlanta, a son who is an entrepreneur and a son who is a financial journalist headquartered in Hong Kong.

Sharon and her husband have two grandchildren, ages 16 and 13.

Celeste Frolich Rose ’53 lives in West Linn, Oregon, where she helps with her twin granddaughters, one of whom is named Celeste! Six generations of Celestes have attended the Sacred Heart, and Celeste says she expects little Celeste and her sister to attend as well.

Members of the Class of 1963, from left to right, (front row) Martha Hanscom, Michele Adams Burns, Sheila McHugh Magnano, Claudia MacDonald Wicks, Tricia Hagen and Kris Crowder Gardner; (second row) Ann McKinstry Gerner, Karen Gai McDonald, Michele Handley Drath and Monica Smith; (third row) Barb Schindler Causseaux, Ann Settle Wesche, Sally Evans Torre, Nancy Palmer Lobberegt and Anne Hanify Baisch; (back row) Patty Wood Killien, Lee Willis, Kathleen Geraghty, Alanna Frick Burdell and Mary Engstrom Wright.

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› class notes

Then, she worked for a law firm in administration for 15 years followed by QFC-Kroger in procurement for 15 years. She hosts Sunday dinner each week for children, grandchildren and friends and finds that she has a full house. Anne’s volunteer work with St. Martin de Porres on the Seattle waterfront has given her a cause to which she is deeply devoted.

Michele Adams Bruns ’63 reflected that after graduation, she had intended to become a member of the same religious order that classmate Barb Casseaux had entered. However, her life took a different course. Michele raised a family in Port Townsend and has enjoyed living there for 40 years. She recalls leaving FRC in her sophomore year and completing high school on Mercer Island. Michele ran the Winter Wanderlust Travel adventure slide show program for seven years and conducted guided nature walks for Elderhostel, church groups and private groups. Her interests have included the environment, trees and the woods, nature walks, and hugging trees.

Michele continues to do a bit of storytelling here and there.

Barb Schindler Causseaux ’63 celebrated 40 years of marriage. She spent six years in a convent and worked later as an airline stewardess. Barb is happy to share that her four children, who she spent 11 years homeschooling, are employed. She also has nine grandchildren. She read a beautiful prayer for us, and we appreciate her loving spirit.

Michele Handley Drath ’63 has celebrated 42 years of marriage to John and has a wonderful son, also named John, who will soon celebrate his 40th birthday. When Michele received an email from classmates asking her to share something she felt proud of, she told this story. When her son was diagnosed with severe dyslexia at the end of first grade, Michele sat back and thought, “In my future musings, what would make me happier: things that I could achieve in the corporate world or helping my son in school?” Michele stopped all of her projects to help her son. That manifested in her reading each one of her son’s textbooks during all his school years and recording them on tape. She continued to help during his college years.

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Julie Denton Foster ’63 wrote that she retired in 2011 after 13 years as executive director of the Bellingham YWCA. She was instrumental not only in empowering homeless women to develop the resources they needed to get back on their feet, but she also helped the YWCA local chapter restore their historic building. Julie says she misses all of her classmates more than they know and sends her love to all. Her multiple sclerosis has started to affect her life a bit after 15 years of causing mild symptoms.

Kris Crowder Gardner ’63 lives in Clinton, on Whidbey Island, overlooking the ferry crossing from Mukilteo. She married her husband, Jim, at age 60, and, since both are retired, they enjoy taking road trips across the United States, as well as longer trips out of the country. Their children live in Kirkland, Seattle and Cave Junction, Oregon. They have three grandchildren ages 8, 8 and 5. Kris shares, “Both boys are excellent piano players, and our little girl keeps us shopping. I enjoy family gatherings, gardening, reading, and I am proud to be a graduate of Forest Ridge and a member of the class of ’63.”

Kathleen Geraghty ’63 works for the Boeing Company, where she has been an engineer for many years. She is interested in her work and doesn’t have any interest in not working! With no plans to retire, she will update us on Boeing for years to come.

Kathleen has 20 nieces and nephews. She would probably be part of the FRC lunch bunch if she weren’t always working!

Ann McKinstry Gerner ’63 ran a law clinic for the Diocese of Austin while working for the Texas Department of Housing before she and her husband moved back to Washington from Texas 10 years ago. Ann graduated from law school at Pittsburgh while her three kids were in grade school. She has seven grandchildren who live all across the western United States, in Houston, Denver and Portland. Classmate Marilee Markle sold Ann her house two years ago.

Mary Rose “Weezie” Grubb ’63 attended the Forest Ridge reunion in June, but she missed the reunion in August due to her grandson’s wedding.

Martha Hanscom ’63 meets with friends each day for a visit and a meal. She spent 13 years working as a teacher, 13 years working for the county and has now retired from her position as a school aide for a disabled student. Martha, who enjoys travel, mentions that Australia, New Zealand and Nova Scotia are a few of her favorite places. She lives in her original home in Redmond and enjoys two companions—her golden retrievers.

Danee Sullivan Hubbs ’63 was unable to attend the reunion because she was traveling with her sister in Ireland. She sends her best to her classmates.

Glenna Franklin Hutchens ’63 is living in Tennessee with her husband and her husband’s brother. She makes daily efforts in energy,care and TLC on behalf of her husband, who has renal disease. Glenna has had several neurosurgeries. Her classmates, who send Glenna our thoughts, hope she has time for reading or knitting or a fun craft during her busy days.

Barb Barnhart Killian ’63, who lives in Wyoming, would love to see her classmates.

Patty Wood Killien ’63 celebrated 18 years of marriage. She has two daughters and four grandchildren. Patty, a registered nurse with a BSN, has retired from Group Health after 35 years. Group Health Nursing Operation nominated Patty for the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year. She and her husband, who is also retired, enjoy spending time with their grandsons and travelling.

Nancy Palmer Lobberegt ’63 shares, “Finally, it’s time to slow down and enjoy retirement years with my husband and, when time permits, my two married daughters.

My husband and I enjoy our simple and quiet life in Snohomish. I’m learning to live life each day with an attitude of gratitude, which blesses me with enrichment and purpose. My treasures remain focused on relationships with God, family and friends (in that order) as I strive to stay at peace with the Lord, myself and others. I am actively involved helping to meet the needs of several homebound elderly, primarily keeping them company. Reflecting on my 12 years as a student at FRC, I truly give all thanks to God for that blessed season in my life.

My faith’s foundation at FRC over the years helped me understand my worth through His eyes and by His standards. Our permanent FRC values and special friendship bonds are some of the only possessions we have that no one can take away. When the hearts are close, the miles and years in between don’t matter.”

Sharon Hynes Lynch ’63, who sent us all her best thoughts, wanted to let us know that because her husband is ill she was unable to come to the reunion. We all remembered her in our opening prayer, and we love her for her continuing faith and sense of humor.

Marilee Markle ’63 was unable to come to the reunion because she was attending her granddaughter’s wedding.

Sheila McHugh Magnano ’63 and her husband, Marco, celebrated 44 years of marriage. Sheila said her marriage has been the best decision of her life. She and Marco have three sons and four grandchildren.

Sheila has worked as a PE teacher. In addition, she founded a Nordstrom Guild and has raised funds and written and taken photographs for a book about clowns, which she has given to family, friends and libraries.

Karen Gai McDonald ’63 shares that she has celebrated 47 years of marriage; she has two grown children and five grandchildren.

Gai’s Bakery, as well as a coffee venture that Karen had an interest in, has been sold.

Karen’s husband, Larry, after completing a four-year program of study, has served as a deacon for five years for a Catholic church.

Karen lives on Mercer Island. She reflects that it is unusual for her to have a quiet, small dinner; she knows she can expect lots of company for dinner every night.

Mary Ellen McKinstry-Zogg ’63 lives in Switzerland near Zurich. Her husband died when their three children were quite little, and Mary Ellen decided she and the children would stay in Switzerland. She has five grandchildren now and a wonderful partner, Arthur, and believes that life has been good. She and Turi (Arthur) sail during summers and still ski occasionally. Her two sons, each of whom has two little ones, also live in Zurich. Her daughter lives Barcelona with her partner and their daughter, Gwen,

2. Mary Ellen enjoys painting, babysitting and sailing.

Susie Katica Murphy ’63 retired from an extensive career in education. She was a classroom teacher in inner-city Oakland, Calif., for nearly 14 years and a classroom teacher in rural Appalachia for a brief time.

Susie also taught graduate and undergraduate courses in education at Virginia Tech and Radford University, both in Virginia, and Antioch University in Seattle and performed administration work at all three universities. She regards her last position, as principal at Beacon Hill International School in Seattle, as the best job she ever had. Susie wanted to end her career back where it started—in public school, working with families, teachers, staff and students.

Working at Beacon Hill was the most challenging, exciting and rewarding work of Susie’s 43-year career!

Susie has been married to the love of her life and her best friend, Rich Murphy, for 45 years this June. They have three children and seven grandchildren, who live in New Zealand, Virginia and the Pacific Northwest. Rich and Susie have both survived cancer. Now they are fully retired, and reevaluation is what is next: gratitude for each new dawn, for each other and for their family and friends.

Gracie Batista Nearing ’63 and her husband, Michael, just celebrated 44 years of marriage. They have four children and eight grandchildren. Gracie went from a career as an elementary school teacher to one as a psychologist with a thriving practice in Miami. She works with moms and their premature newborns, among other clients.

You can see a little of her work on her website: gracielanearing.com Gracie shares what her sense of belonging at FRC meant to her when she was separated from her family and country, saying, “That year was crucial for my mental health. I found women who took me in, and we became good friends.”

Lorilee Burcar Phillips ’63 lives in North Carolina with her husband, who is now retired. Lorilee has one grandson.

Monica Smith ’63 says she was glad to have had the chance to see and spend time with classmates. She has retired from 33 years of

teaching kindergarten and first grade and retains a great appreciation for children that age. Monica enjoys family and friends and her good health and stays busy walking, reading and making plans.

Sally Evans Torre ’63 has been married for 47 years. She enjoys her two children and four grandsons, ages 19 to 10. Sally, who, volunteers for groups in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, has spent time working with girls in planning for college. Sally reflects that, after a first difficult year at Forest Ridge she recalls feeling a sense of belonging. She is glad to have attended Forest Ridge.

Ann Settle Wesche ’63 spoke about being extremely fortunate to have been married to a wonderful man for 46 years. Ann met Ken in the registration line at the University of Washington, where they stood next to one another for almost an entire day. They were married right after college and have enjoyed a great life together. They were blessed with a son and a daughter and four beautiful grandchildren (two girls and two boys) who all live within a mile of Ann and Ken in the Magnolia area of Seattle. She sees them frequently and babysits often. They always try to get together for Sunday dinners. Ann and Ken, who enjoy travelling, plan to take several trips after Ken’s retirement in the fall

Claudia MacDonald Wicks ’63 has two children and one granddaughter, who will be 18 years old this summer. Following a 35year career in real estate, Claudia retired last year. She shares that she has followed the philosophy “live each day with love and courage.” Her classmates say, “We love her for her care and dedicated interest in our class of 1963.”

Lee Vonne Willis ’63. After giving up on her dream of being a social worker, but feeling that her job as a flight attendant lacked depth, Lee began volunteering at a women’s clinic in Seattle. Then she had an experience on an airplane that made her realize that every contact was valuable and rich with possibility for meaningful connection. This led her to find a niche at the clinic, empowering people to recognize their own fertility cycles and teaching natural family planning for 20 years while continuing to work for the airline.

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› class notes

Lee finally married the right man when she was nearly 40 and had a son, Eli, a year later.

Now, she volunteers at the Arthritis Foundation and the YWCA and teaches Tai Chi for Arthritis. Her husband, Rick, who has Parkinson’s disease, retired early. Lee sees clearly that her caregiving is a blessing for both of them. Rick’s interests are music and writing, and Lee enjoys tai chi and qigong. She is proud that Eli works at his dream job as a ranger in a national park.

Bea Munroe Wilson ’63 missed her reunion because she was booked up for most of the summer, her busiest season. Bea has a blended family of six sons, two granddaughters, four great-granddaughters and two greatgrandsons. With more than 40 years of community service with the Parenting Project and The Family Support Network, Bea has been honored with a prestigious Washington State Jefferson Award for public service. Her work with the Puget Sound Blood Center and the National Bone Marrow Registry has also been very rewarding. Currently, Bea works with WSU Beach Watchers, where she does education, restoration and research in Snohomish County.

Members of the Class of 1977, from left, (back row) Laurie Pinard, Muff Tarte Heffernan; (front row) Karen Davis, Karin Thorsen Grimm, Karen Warfield Carlton, Teresa Hutchins Urquhart, Mary Black Ronhovde, Margo Elbert, Mary Wellnitz, Mary Wood Roberts, Cristi Clampitt Aigner, Mary Whitney Burns and Kathy Ouilette Madden; and from right, (back row) Mary Nelson Morrow, Moira Delaney and Erin Frandsen.

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Mary Engstrom Wright ’63, who has been married for 45 years, has three wonderful daughters. She enjoys three terrific sons- in-law and seven unbelievable grandchildren, including healthy triplets. God has blessed her loving family. She shares that she had an outstanding time at our reunion and smiled for days!

Laura Bell Hammarlund ’84 writes that she was recently hired as development director at Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle. Check out Pratt’s class offerings at www.pratt.org. Laura is very much looking forward to celebrating at her 30th high school reunion next year!

Colleen Kearney Roberts ’84 sent in a photo of her daughter Katie Roberts ’18 – third from left, on her first day of 8th grade with her best friends. Upon seeing this photo, Colleen’s classmates commented that uniforms are so much better [now] than they were in the ’80’s!

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Class of 1973 celebrated its 40th reunion at Joanne McKay Fleming’s home last June.

The class has a Facebook page called Forest Ridge Class of 1973, which is open to everyone who attended school with their class, even if they didn’t graduate with them.

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Class of 1977 shared a fun time aboard Muff Tarte Heffernan’s boat, Colors, last June.

“Happy to report, no one fell overboard! It was a great time, and we’re already looking forward to our next gathering in June 2014,” writes Muff.

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85 Gigi Rusbult Perez ’78 with husband Gabino and son, Leonardo.

Susan Harvey ’85 writes, “In June 2013, Jorge and Jer Carrasco (Forest Ridge high school theology teacher) and [she and her husband, Tom Harvey,] met aboard the General Jackson Showboat in Nashville, Tenn.

We were all attending an event hosted by Tom’s company, The Energy Authority, a Jacksonville, Florida-based company with an office in Bellevue, at the annual American Public Power Association conference.

Revitalization Board and the Public Works Board. She will manage an office budget of approximately $15 million and a greater budget of nearly $1 billion through working with more than 600 local governments across the state. A wide range of programs fall under the division, including the EPA Brownfields Program, administration of the Washington State Growth Management Act, and the Community Block Grant Program.

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Zahra Taha Marks ’99 still works for Ford Motor Company as IT Operations team lead for Global Monitoring Tools. Zahra shares, “I am married to the awesome Detroit native Tarian Marks. We have two beautiful girls, Kylii, 8, and Ayoka, 16 months. We live in downtown Detroit. Last year my husband and I became entrepreneurs, starting our own web development and mobile application development company called Wonkum, LLC (www.wonkum.com). Things are busy and exciting, but I would not have it any other way!”

Third from left is Katie Roberts ’18, daughter of Colleen Kearney Roberts ’84

00 Sue Flohr Harvey with her husband, Tom Harvey, and Forest Ridge Faculty Jer Carrasco and her husband.

Cara Kroenke-Voelker ’93 and Siobhan Malone ’93

Jorge is the general manager and CEO of Seattle City Light, and Tom is the CIO and vice president of information technology at The Energy Authority. What a wonderful surprise to discover a Forest Ridge connection at the APPA conference!”

Day of Caring volunteer event in which the foundation participated. “Our group cleaned out a super old and dirty basement. Siobhan and I had great fun (really!),” writes Cara.

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Cara Kroenke-Voelker ’93 works at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as a recruiter. She and her partner of nine years married last August. They have one son, Christopher (CJ) who is in 8th grade at Saint Joseph in Seattle; they live in Madison Park. She and Siobhan Malone ’93, who also works at the Gates Foundation, took part in the United Way’s

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Kendee Yamaguchi ’95 accepted a position in the Inslee administration on the executive management team for the Department of Commerce this past September. As assistant director, Kendee will manage a division and serve as the executive director to both the Community Economic

Merrill Behnke Broms ’00 was featured in September in a front-page article of the Seattle Times titled “Near fatal food poisoning spurs local woman to act,” which detailed Merrill’s experience of eating ricotta cheese containing the listeria bacteria. After staying at Overlake Hospital for more than two weeks and incurring $60,000 in medical bills, Merrill testified at an FDA hearing in Washington, D.C., on ways to ensure that foods from abroad are safe.

01 Kaliswa Brewster ’01 was written up in the New York Times for her work as Eglé in La Dispute at the Hartford Stage.

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› class notes

02

Marisa-Claire Mumford Yadon ’02 and her husband, Adam, relocated in February to Durban, South Africa, where they plan to reside for the next 3 to 5 years. They are both involved in tuberculosis research at the KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV (www.k-rith.org).

Marisa-Claire and Adam welcomed their first child, Madeleine Colette, on May 23, 2013. “Any Sacred Heart ladies who are in or passing through Durban: Please get in touch!” (marisa.claire@gmail.com)

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Meg Peavey ’08 is an AmeriCorp volunteer working for a college nonprofit called College Access Now. She helps seniors at Franklin High School in Seattle through the college process, including preparation, to become the first in their families to attend and graduate from college.

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Annie Lundgren ’11, Berlin, Germany.

Taylor Durham ’11 is spending a semester studying public health in India, Vietnam and South Africa through SIT Study Abroad’s International Honors Program. Taylor studied traditional medicine in India, met a village healer near the Indo-Nepal border and visited some schools established to try to fill the education gap between boys and girls. Taylor says, “The practice was definitely not to send women to school in the district we were in, which was very hard to see as a FR graduate.”

Annie Lundgren ’11 spent her fall semester studying in Bonn, Germany.

Chanel Farago ’12 and Kylie Aberle ‘13 at St. Mary’s College, California.

We would love to see you at our upcoming alumnae events.

Look for more information via invitations in the mail, email or on our school website, www.forestridge.org. Or, contact Alumnae Relations Director Julie Lundgren at 425-201-2414 or jlundgren@forestridge.org

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Marriages: Kaila Davis ’04 married Ken Nsimbi on August 4, 2012.

Lauren Heffron ’04 married Fitzgerald DuMont Smerz on December 29, 2012.

Jasmine Reyes ’03 married Jea Park on November 29, 2013.

Erika Reinitz ’04 and Joe White.

Erika Reinitz ’04 married Joe White on November 16, 2013.

Satie Wallace ’07 married Logan Dopp on April 27, 2013.

Births: Jamie Patterson DeCollibus ’94 welcomed Eleanor Ocasco DeCollibus on August 15, 2013.

Marisa-Claire Mumford Yadon ’02 welcomed Madeleine Collette on May 23, 2013.

Ron Mallory, faculty member, welcomed Vivian Marie Mallory on June 2, 2013.

Ginny Schreiber, faculty member, welcomed Wesley Michael Kingman Schreiber on June 28, 2013.

Wesley Michael Kingman Schreiber.

Satie Wallace ‘07 and Logan Dopp.

In Memoriam: Barbara Bonnell-Simonson ’52 on November 17, 2013.

Bridget Cory McAlerney ’51 on Aug. 12, 2013.

Amy Paddock Boster, aunt of Abby Osborne ’11 and Caroline Osborne ’12, on Oct. 21, 2013.

Marguerite DeDonato Meade ’31, sister of the late Cecilia DeDonato Lockwood ’29 and Lorraine DeDonato Tuesley ’39 and great aunt of Marilyn Lockwood Jones ’57 and Gloria Lockwood ’69, on June 2, 2013.

Miles Coiner, husband of Mary Pinard ’74 and brother-in-law of Laurie Pinard ‘77, on Sept. 7, 2013.

John Davis, father of Jeanann Davis ’74 and Michele Davis ’76, on Aug. 9, 2013.

Robert Fields, grandfather of Kate Shaner ’12, on Oct. 26, 2013.

Sue Caroll Potter ’49, sister of Mary Caroll Miller ’56, on July 21, 2013.

Francis “Frank” E. Quinn, brother of Louise Quinn Sifferman ’49 and Catherine Quinn Turner ’62, on Aug. 11, 2013.

Julia Hodson ’53 on July 21, 2013.

Joanne Reynolds, RSCJ, former faculty member, on Sept. 14, 2013.

Frank Hopkins, brother-in-law of Maryhelen Dohoney Hopkins ’46, on July 17, 2013.

José Angel Rojo, Sr., father of Gina Rojo ’85, on June 22, 2013.

Duane Johnson, father of Sue Johnson ’81 on November 7, 2013.

Lawrence Ward Rowland, son of Marita Ward Pezman ’43, May 2013.

Fr. Thomas Showalter, SOLT, son of Britta Roberts Showalter ’49, on July 13, 2013.

Dorothy Borst Lewis, mother of Catherine Gerhard Carter ’60, Gretchen Gerhard McCarthy ’62, Paula Gerhard Gatzemeier ’77, Lisa Gerhard Miller ’70 and Marci Gerhard Servizi ’80, on Aug. 31, 2013.

Mary Spellman Tully ’42, great aunt of Margo Spellman ’73, on Aug. 14, 2013.

Kathryn Vanessa Lundberg ’02, sister of Nicole Lundberg

’96, on Sept. 1, 2013.

Joseph Louis Waltner, father of faculty member Patricia Waltner, on Aug. 22, 2013

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Eighth-graders process into the Sacred Heart Chapel for promotion exercises.

Preparing for Middle School promotion are, from left, Genevieve Goodman ’17, Angela Hay ’17 and Logan Simons ’17.

Congratulations

to the Classes of 2013 and 2017!

Lidya Besrat ’14 and Menbere Kebede ’13.

Celebrating Ring Ceremony are, from left, Devyn Parry ’14, Anna Zimmerman ’13, Fanny Anderson ’13, and Olivia Cero ’14.

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Seniors Kelda Byrne, Rio Mathews and Ana Sneed.

Graduation! Kylen Gartland ’13 with her mother, Shannon Underwood ’81.

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I n t h is I ssue o f M e s A m i s :

New Campus Project Commencement, Promotion, Prize Day Global Leadership in the Middle School Photos from June’s Alumnae Reunion Weekend