Seven Hills Magazine Fall 2013

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P E R F O R M I N G A R TS SETS THE STAGE FOR 21 ST CENTURY SK I LLS

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Development Office 513.728.2400 email: alumni.news@7hills.org Fax: 513.728.2439

www.7hills.org

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Contents On Mission: Building 21st Century skills through Performing Arts By Head of School Christopher Garten On with the show!

School News Alumni News and Class Notes Upcoming Alumni Events

Front cover photo: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - Nov. 2013 Above photo: Zara Asghar, Lotspeich 3rd Grade

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A special thanks to Keith Neu for photography for On with the Show.

Seven Hills Magazine is a publication of The Seven Hills School.

Christopher Garten Head of School

Nancy McCormick Bassett ’83 Director of Alumni Relations

Karla Dejean Writer & photographer

Margo Kirstein Director of Development

Chris Hedges Editor, Writer, Director of Marketing & Communications

Carol Brueggemeyer Graphic Designer

The Seven Hills Fund Your new or increased Leadership gift will help secure a

$100,000 grant!

The Luther Foundation has created a challenge for those making a gift of $1,500 or more.

They have offered to match, dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000, all new Leadership gifts and all increases in Leadership gifts made this fiscal year.

Please make your new or increased Leadership gift today! Your membership in The Seven Hills Society helps make possible the rich environment for learning to which all of us in the School community are deeply committed.

Thank you!

To make a safe and secure gift online, please visit www.7hills.org/thesevenhillsfund.

Questions? Please contact the Development Office at 513.728.2430 or development@7hills.org.

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The Seven Hills Fund, we’re off to a great start!

Every gift counts!

Our goal for this fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2014, is to raise $1,215,000 and to reach 100% participation in annual giving by all members of the Seven Hills community. Your gift funds the complex array of academic courses and instructional resources, making possible the full richness of the Seven Hills experience.

Goal =$1,215,000 $1,215,000 $1,100,000 $1,000,000 $900,000 $800,000 $700,000 $600,000 $500,000 $400,000 $300,000

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“… I BELIEVE THAT THE TRULY DEFINING DIFFERENCE IN OUR ARTS PROGRAM IS NOT HOW MUCH TIME WE SPEND BUT HOW OUR TEACHERS APPROACH THE TASK. WHAT ONE SEES … IS HOW SKILLFULLY OUR TEACHERS ENGAGE STUDENTS IN A HIGHLY COLLABORATIVE PROCESS OF ARTISTIC DECISION-MAKING.”

ON MISSION: BUILDING 21 ST CENTURY SKILLS THROUGH PERFORMING ARTS

by Head of School Christopher P. Garten

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ver the last several weeks we have been treated, as we are each year at this time, to a host of performances by our theater and music students in all four divisions. Middle School Drama Teacher Rachel Damon directed a fabulously inventive production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Stephanie Park’s Upper School students camped it up in Little Shop of Horrors, the first full-scale musical theater production in Upper in more than a decade. Tina Kuhlman’s chorus and John Rising’s instrumentalists performed varied and staggeringly difficult programs in their fall concerts while Maria Eynon’s students presented Doherty’s elaborate annual holiday pageant, and Russell White and Robin Wilson planned several Lotspeich musical productions that will go up after the first of the year.

I always leave these productions singing (probably out of tune!) and always achingly proud of what our students are doing. At each performance I am struck anew by the confidence of our young performers: their poise, their energy, and their manifest joy in performing together. But as much as I enjoy the shows, I am even more moved by what I see when I dip into rehearsals. It’s an opportunity that few of us get—to see how the magic is made.

In the hands of our skilled arts teachers, it is in rehearsals that the real learning takes place. What we all enjoy on opening night brings to fruition hours of rehearsal and thousands of decisions.

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Whereas many schools have rolled back arts programs in the last decade, Seven Hills has deepened its commitment. Unlike many schools, we offer a robust schoolwide program that gives all our students, from Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12, frequent opportunities to hone their skills in theater, instrumental and choral music, and in the visual arts. While many schools rotate students through arts classes one trimester at a time, Seven Hills requires a full-year commitment to all three major disciplines through seventh grade. When our students reach eighth grade, we do allow them to begin to specialize, but all students are still required to take the equivalent of two year-long arts electives. Finally, unlike many schools which require little arts instruction in the upper school, we require students to enroll in at least three semesters of arts courses—and take great pride that so many of our students far exceed these requirements. As a result, enrollments in our arts electives have reached all-time highs and a record number of students are reaping the rewards that come from full-blooded participation in the arts.

Why has Seven Hills chosen to double down on the fine and performing arts? It is, I believe, a logical corollary of our mission-based commitment to fostering the skills our students will need to excel in a rapidly changing world. In a recent published monograph, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills has identified what they call the “Four C’s” most critical to preparing students for positions of leadership in the global economy. They are: Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity. The article puts special emphasis on the ability to work creatively with others,

“In the hands of our skilled arts teachers, it is in rehearsals that the real learning takes place.”

including the ability to: • Develop, implement and communicate new ideas to others effectively • Be open and responsive to new and diverse perspectives; incorporate group input and feedback into the work • Demonstrate originality and inventiveness in work and understand the real world limits to adopting new ideas • View failure as an opportunity to learn; understand that creativity and innovation is a long-term, cyclical process of small successes and frequent mistakes Watching our skilled teachers lead rehearsals gives one a deeper appreciation of how critical skills are built. Though we do, as a school community, devote far more time than most to arts instruction, I believe that the truly defining difference in our arts program is not how much time we spend but how our teachers approach the task. What one sees, especially in rehearsals, is how skillfully our teachers engage students in a highly collaborative process of artistic decision-making. Our actors and singers, instrumentalists and stage hands are all actively encouraged to contribute their own ideas. In impassioned conversations, these young artists offer their own interpretations, suggest and debate modifications. They participate actively in the thousands of individual decisions—nuanced, but critically important—that help create the desired impact on the audience.

It has been a long tradition in our theater program to give our senior theater students the opportunity to direct a play of their own. These students, who have spent years actively participating in crafting the shows of which they have been a

part, are now given the full responsibility to guide a show. They assume responsibility for every aspect of the production: they choose or adapt the script, define an interpretative approach and adapt it to the limitations of our stage. They cast the show; run rehearsals; impart a vision to lighting, stage and costume designers; and orchestrate the collaborative efforts of dozens of cast and crew members over months of rehearsal.

In the same way, Tina Kuhlman and John Rising, as their students grow into more sophisticated musicians, begin to turn over to their students more and more of the responsibility for crafting a performance. Improvising jazz licks, taking on vocal solos, helping to choose the repertoire and making complex interpretative decisions— all these reflect Seven Hills rich tradition of engaging students fully in creative collaboration.

So often, years after they graduate, our alumni still speak of the trust and respect they were given as young artists and performers. For many, this opportunity to work with their peers under skillful guidance of their talented teachers was their first real experience with creative collaboration. Even those who found their vocations in business or professional careers, credit much of their success to the confidence and leadership skills they gained through their participation in the arts here at Seven Hills.

In the new Strategic Plan adopted last May, the Board of Trustees identified building a new Performing Arts Center as one of our highest institutional priorities. This is, in part, a logical response to the explosive growth in the performing arts at Seven Hills over the last decade. But it also recognizes, in a truly visionary way, the critical importance of the performing arts in building the 21st century skills that are so deeply embedded in our mission as a school.

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Act I: The Global Stage Eight years ago, business magnate and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates stood before dozens of the nation’s leading educators during a prestigious conference and told them that the American teaching model was “obsolete.” His stance on what he called an archaic form of education sent ripples throughout the corporate world, colleges and universities, and grade schools. A year later in 2006, - Creative Dramatics Teacher Russell White world-renowned author Sir Ken Robinson’s TED talk entitled How Schools Kill Creativity illustrated the educator’s burden to rethink the blueprint for effective teaching models.

To date, Robinson’s TED talk has received more than 30 million views on YouTube and TED.com.

“Seven Hills has these beautiful spaces where students can create. I am blessed to be able to work in the Red Barn on the Hillsdale Campus. On the Doherty Campus, we have a rare wood floor stage with legs, a cyclorama, and wingspace. As an artist, I see these places as magical.”

was Harvard University Professor Tony Wagner’s Global Achievement Gap. The book, which made its way onto millions of shelves and e-readers worldwide, stated that without a 21st century learning environment, K-12 education—even at the best schools—would fail to prepare students to be successful even in the near future.

At the core of 21st century principles in education is the ability to create, take risks, and solve problems—skills that are rooted in the arts. Seven Hills performing arts educators provide a robust, unique arts education experience. The Seven Hills community values the arts because the framework for arts education and appreciation is consistent with the 21st century, future-focused educational

vision for students. Through the arts, students learn important skills to piece together difficult problems, gain consensus toward an effective result, and present complex information to a global audience. They inherently embrace innovation, take smart risks, and employ the spirit of creativity in all that they do. As professional musicians and performers, Seven Hills performing arts faculty depend upon the fruits of collaboration in order to achieve success, and they incorporate that same rhythm into their instruction, preparing students for success in the arts, and in all aspects of their lives.

Dedicated Faculty with a Vision

Seven Hills is known for taking unique strides to instill in students an appreciation for music and

By 2010, academicians and business moguls, alike, produced statements and lectured on the absolute need for the reconceptualization of education.

Within that year, one of the most popular books among teachers, administrators, and professors 6

Mrs. Eynon and her fifth graders jazz it up during dance class.

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S K I L L S Imagination takes flight in Mr. Russell’s theater class.

SEVEN HILLS PERFORMING ARTS FACULTY RACHEL DAMON Middle School Drama Teacher MARIA EYNON Music Teacher, Doherty TINA KUHLMAN Fine & Performing Arts Department Chair, and Music & Speech Teacher S T E P H A N I E PA R K Upper School Theater Teacher JOHN RISING Middle and Upper School Music Teacher RUSSELL WHITE Creative Dramatics Teacher, Doherty & Lotspeich ROBIN WILSON Music Teacher, Lotspeich

theater. For years, Lower School students in grades one through five have had opportunies to present annual performances. From the Pre-K for Two-Year-Olds program to the 12th grade, students receive performing arts instruction, including a dramatic play class every other week for students in Pre-Kindergarten and annual musical and theatrical performances for Lower School students.

The quaint stage on the Doherty campus and the Red Barn on the Hillsdale Campus signify the strength of theater and music education at Seven Hills. Music lessons are never typical.

Doherty Music Teacher Maria Eynon takes her students through multiple levels of dance appreciation, from country folk dances and “The Twist,” to the “Cha-Cha Slide.” The students, from two years old through fifth grade, come to class confident and prepared.

“Performing gives our students time to shine.

But performance is just a reflection of what school is all about, in general,” said Maria.

“They get to show their community what they’ve learned, perceived, and interpreted, and they make it their own. That is the recipe for true confidence.”

On the Hillsdale Campus, Music Teacher Robin Wilson may have rows of xylophones at the ready. She asks students to listen to the rhythm of a festive, percussive song and jump in one by one to play the xylophones until each one is playing one of the instruments, right on the beat.

The next day, Robin may invite the School House Symphony, a group of professional classical musicians, to teach Pre-Kindergarten

students about the mechanics of the trombone, or the pitch of the flute.

Lower School Creative Dramatics Teacher Russell White works with Maria and Robin to nurture the natural dramatic creativity within all students. It is not uncommon for Russell to weave together meaningful improvisational lessons for 5-year-olds.

They learn to respond on their feet and, in the process, they’re already learning stage directions and the technical lingo needed to perform with ease in the Middle School.

And while Russell is often the teacher behind the curtain, he also understands how the magic of theater translates into advantages in the classroom. continued. . .

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On with the show (continued) “It makes them more comfortable with taking risks—especially in the arts and sciences,” said Russell. “Children who learn how to improvise on

to support. Performing arts faculty have charted paths, cultivated interests, and not only formed musical ensembles, but also nurtured awardwinning ensembles. They have encouraged and empowered students to own their work, which in turn, propels students to the stage, music halls, and anywhere their dreams take them.

Act II: Humble Beginnings

Student musicians practice during Symphonic Ensemble rehearsal with Mr. Rising.

stage learn that they don’t have to always accept exactly what is in front of them. Imagination is like a muscle. It gets stronger with use.”

In less than 10 years, Seven Hills has built not only a substantial Middle and Upper School instrumental music program, but also one that has grown beyond what the current facilities are able 8

Instrumental Music Teacher John Rising held a position as a professional bassoonist with the Arizona Opera prior to coming to Seven Hills in 1999. When he arrived he set out to do one thing, get students “fired up” about music. He spent many of his early days drumming up interest among students who started out in his general music class. At the time, the only instrumental music course offering was a hand bell class.

“I was just going around asking students if they played an instrument, and if they did, I asked them to come sit down with me and a few others and play,” said John. “We started out with six or seven students. I told them I didn’t care what they played. If we had two clarinets, two pianos, and a drum, we did it and we made it work.”

For two years, a handful of students played under John’s direction in a club format and took individual lessons to enhance their skills. They worked tirelessly to produce quality pieces that he would arrange to fit the small group. In 2002, he began to notice an uptick in interest among students. With support from then Middle School Head Ted Rockwell, John was able to purchase instruments and materials necessary to take his next big step into the fledgling music program.

John now directs bands in each Middle School grade, along with symphonic ensembles in Upper School, as well as the Contemporary Ensemble, which plays jazz standards and original compositions. Since 2002, Seven Hills has graduated a number of music students who have gone on to attend prestigious performing arts colleges and universities, such as Berklee College of Music, Chicago College of Performing Arts, and University of Cincinnati’s CollegeConservatory of Music (CCM), to name a few.

Rising says, “I have high expectations and the students rise to them. There’s no hiding in small performance ensembles, here every student musician is heard—every player pulls his or her weight.”

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RECENT AND UPCOMING

Values: excellence, respect, kindness, honesty, fairness, personal responsibility, and commitment to community.”

“As arts faculty, we all want our students to graduate from Seven Hills with a lifelong appreciation of the arts—whether they go on to study performing arts in college, or simply enjoy listening to music and appreciate what goes into it,” said Tina. “We will have a few students who will major in the arts, but every one of these kids will be in a position of

The Upper School chorus rehearses with Mrs. Kuhlman.

“The organic growth in student response can be attributed to faculty members who have shown long-term support and a unique understanding of the program,” said vocal music teacher and Fine & Performing Arts Department Chair Tina Kuhlman. “At its core are teachers and administrators who truly uphold the Seven Hills

“Mr. Rising is one of the most enthusiastic music teachers our son Christopher has ever had. He really encourages the kids to step out of their comfort zone and do things they normally wouldn’t try.The school as a whole has been very supportive of his extra-curricular music pursuits, including taking the Middle School students to see Christopher perform with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra/Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra at Music Hall last year. It really meant a lot to us as a family, and Christopher individually, to have that kind of support.”

- Parent Candice Janidlo (Sophie, 8th grade; Chris, 11th grade)

leadership in their lives and many will be instrumental in supporting the arts in their generation.”

The tenacity and commitment of the faculty would become the start of what would result in significant growth in student interest in music and performing arts. And within that growth, students who are not necessarily pursuing a career in the arts have come to benefit from their experiences at Seven Hills.

“Our students aren’t just performing or putting on a show. By the time the curtain is drawn and the performers are on the stage, the learning is already done. The process is complete,” said Tina. “They have become even better thinkers and collaborators. They have known responsibility.”

Said John Rising, “It’s about being culturally literate. The arts make our students smarter, more creative, deeper thinkers—and better people.”

One of John’s favorite examples of this deeply-rooted appreciation for performing arts continued. . .

P E R F O R M A N C E S AT A G L A N C E Lotspeich Second Grade Holiday Show – Dec. 12 Third-Fifth Grade Recorder Concert – Feb. 11 First and Second Grade Instrumental Recitals – March 10 Third-Fifth Grade Instrumental Recitals – March 14 First Grade Spring Show – April 16 Third and Fourth Grade Spring Concert – May 8 Fifth Grade Musical – May 23 Doherty Winter Holiday Program – Dec. 20 Fifth Grade Musical – March 13 Unit III Recital – April 23 Unit II Recital – April 24 Closing Program – June 3 Middle School The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – Nov. 8 and 9 Choral Concert – Nov. 12 Instrumental Concert – Dec. 8 42nd Street – May 2 and 3 Instrumental Concert – May 18 Choral Concert – May 21 Upper School Little Shop of Horrors – Nov. 22 and 23 Choral Tour – Dec. 2 Choral Concert – Dec. 3 Instrumental Concert – Dec. 8 Talent Show – Feb. 22 Play – April 24 – 26 Coffee House – May 16 Instrumental Concert – May 18 Choral Concert – May 20

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On with the show (continued) education at Seven Hills is subtle, yet striking: Physical Education Teacher Sue Bone and Calculus Teacher Lenore Horner are accomplished clarinetists; Upper School Dean

“In this way, students get to work with faculty members they have known for years as a physical education teacher or a math teacher, but also come to see them as musicians,” said Rising.

“That is something specific to Seven Hills. I don’t know of any other schools that support something like this.”

Along with the growth in interest have come tests and trials associated with cramped classroom space. The advantages of having facilities and equipment that match the quality of Seven Hills’ faculty would place Seven Hills students on the proper footing to enter a highly competitive field of music and theater.

Middle School students learn the art of applying stage makeup with Miss Damon.

of Students David Brott plays the trombone beautifully. When these three teachers expressed an interest in playing with students during concerts, they received immediate support from their colleagues and the administration to work rehearsals into their schedules. They continue to perform with students today.

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Referring to the cutting-edge demands of professional performing arts in the digital age, Stephen Skiles, who is Director of Theatre and

an assistant professor in the Department of Music and Theatre at Xavier University, reflected on the requirements for academic preparedness, saying, “Meanwhile, the need for top-notch learning facilities continues to increase as the collegiate world of theater and performing arts has shifted so significantly, with many university programs scrambling to fall in line with industry expectations.”

Sound of the Future

Seven Hills students enjoy the advantage of a wealth of influences from dedicated faculty who continuously expose them to all aspects of the arts. “As a team, we work to continually expand the foundation for our students, inviting them to listen, learn, and try new experiences,” said Tina.

Tina Kuhlman said she believes current Seven Hills student musicians are steadily paving the

“The performing arts at Seven Hills holds a treasured place in the school curriculum and provides a rich and rewarding extracurricular experience for participants in the middle and upper grades. Under the careful and supportive guidance of drama and music teachers in the lower grades, my children have enjoyed their performing experiences in each annual production, and I have been honored to attend every show.”

- Parent Sherri Remaklus (Katie, 6th grade; Kenneth, 10th grade)

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visual arts. But it is the developing shift in theater production that has influenced the way Rachel and other cutting-edge arts educators teach drama to young students. “Simply put, theater education is changing because full-feature, professional theater productions are changing,” said Rachel.

Middle School students shine in fantastic scene from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

way for what will become a full-size orchestra, band, and chorus and envisions a future replete with the facilities needed to rehearse and perform beautiful music on a full scale. The accommodations will continue to add to the richness of arts education defined daily at Seven Hills.

Stage Directions

Middle School Drama Teacher Rachel Damon waves her hand over a costume rack near the theater room where students have been rehearsing for the play, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. In a room nearby, she points to makeup design renderings posted on the wall.

“Everything from the costume selection to the makeup designs were driven by the Middle

School students,” said Rachel. Under Rachel’s direction, students worked in earnest to bring the November performance to life.

“The thing about being a theater student is it’s so much more than just theater,” said Rachel. “You have to know how to meet deadlines. You have to work well with others, you have to deal with things on the fly, you have to learn that not everyone is going to be the lead, you have to learn to be disappointed, and you have to make it work—all with confidence.”

Rachel, who until coming to Seven Hills to teach Middle School students had spent her teaching career at the high school level, said she is pushing the students out of their comfort zones and seeing that they’re responding. One quarter of the Middle School student body participated in the play, many with multiple roles and responsibilities.

Television and stage actor Michael Laurence ’87 said Seven Hills’ legacy of strong performing arts education underscores the excellence that takes place in every aspect of life, in and outside the School.

“The program at Seven Hills set the template for me

The exercise in responsibility and accountability is useful, naturally, for students who want to go into theater design and major in performing or Michael Laurence `87

continued. . .

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On with the show (continued) for artistic investigation,” said Laurence, who recently played a recurring role in the TV drama series Damages. “I learned that performing arts wasn’t about surface, it was about “Performance art is about allowing the community, students to show the community what and being they’ve learned, perceived, interpreted, and social and how they make it their own. The final politically result will be beautiful if the process is engaged in understood, accepted, and appreciated. The the world reward is real for them. And intangible.” and asking deep - Music Teacher Maria Eynon questions about human beings and human relationships.”

The New Performing Arts Student

Whether students are going to become professional performers, doctors, engineers, lawyers, or any other profession—knowing what it takes to put on a production is a plus.

“They’re performing, they’re improvising, following stage directions, blocking out scripts,”

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Children’s Theatre in Maine before her move to Seven Hills this fall, said she works with a strong core of students who could succeed in theater.

Upper School students plot out the structure of the spring play with Miss Park.

said Rachel. “There isn’t one student who would not be better off for learning these skills.” It is this glimpse into the near future that fuels Rachel’s and Upper School Theater Teacher Stephanie Park’s ambitions for their students. Rachel, who served as Artistic Director for Chebeague

Indeed, Seven Hills is one of few schools that does not house a performance auditorium. Stephanie, Rachel, and their predecessors have long worked around the lack of facilities by scaling down certain productions or avoiding them altogether.

For years, Seven Hills families and faculty have been inspired by what theater teachers have been able to do to accommodate well-attended plays in Founders Hall, a useful building that is adequate for assemblies, but lacks the fundamentals for a full-stage production.

And, while students are developing their skills under the innovative direction of superlative arts teachers, so too are they facing the very real constraints of our Seven Hills performance spaces.

Sophomore Kenneth Remaklus faces Audrey II in the Upper School production of the musical Little Shop of Horrors.

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“We haven’t had a musical for years,” said Stephanie. “It has just been too difficult to accommodate something of that scale with a venue the size of the black box theater. Until this year with Little Shop of Horrors, we have just brought in small-scale plays or double-casted the larger productions so that students can focus on their art without the concern about space and facilities.”

And when opening night approaches for Middle School, teachers and student actors cross their fingers for no rain days because Founders Hall does not have a backstage or wings for actors waiting to make costume changes—or even

enter the stage. Founders also lacks ample stage surface area, capabilities for complex lighting systems, or a proper green room for preparation and temporary prop storage.

Performing Arts at Seven Hills: The Curtain Rises on the Third Act

Just as Seven Hills has watched its performing arts and music education blossom and build over the years, the school community is hopeful they will see a culmination of the robust arts education experience, faculty expertise, enthusiastic students, and supportive administration we have always known at Seven Hills.

Sophomore Will Graber takes the stage in Little Shop of Horrors.

If a strategic plan does culminate in the construction of a new facility, new possibilities will abound; instrumental musicians will step into an orchestra pit, and actors will continued. . .

The chorus charms and captivates the audience in Little Shop of Horrors.

“I have been impressed with Seven Hills’ performing arts program since I was in high school. It is unparalleled in its quality & innovation. Not only are the students taught theater and vocal performance beginning in the Lower School, academic classes successfully incorporate aspects of performing arts into the curriculum. Whether it’s playwriting in the Lower School, writing a song for English, or making a video as a part of a history project, Seven Hills values and fosters the creativity within each child.”

Parent Brook Bobbitt (Maria, 10th grade)

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On with the show (continued) rehearse in the auditorium in which they will perform, which will boost confidence on opening night.

The Upper School musical will be selected carefully, but without being bogged down by the constraints of an inadequate theater.

Middle School performers will disappear quietly into the wings, as they prepare for their next entrance.

“We don’t know exactly what it will look like, but we know that our musical and performing arts future will be a point of pride,” said Fine and Performing Arts Chair Tina Kuhlman. “The same strength of purpose that has propelled our department from humble beginnings over the past 40 years, will help shape the next 40 years on and off the stage.”

“ I T’S A B O U T T H E PROCESS” An old poster that hangs on the wall of Elissa Donovan’s studio classroom breaks down the creative process in six words: DEFINE DISCOVER DREAM DESIGN DELIVER DEBRIEF

Whether a student is in visual or performing arts, they benefit from the skillful instruction from our arts teachers, and their artwork or performance is evidence of their great art education … Being an arts student at Seven Hills has taught me that talent and experience vary from student to student, but collaboration in the classroom places everyone on common ground.”

- Seven Hills Student Kate Coley (10th grade)

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“The process reflects the roadmap to achieving success in any number of areas, not just art. It could just as well have been written to describe the points necessary to achieve a 21st century education,” said Middle School art teacher Elissa Donovan.

“It’s about the process. Being able to define the creative process is a great thing because it’s not used just in art but in every problem we solve, in everything we do,” said Elissa. “Art exists in everything. It’s all around us.”

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“She Valued the Teen Spirit”

Remembering Seven Hills Theater Teacher Patty Flanigan

She wore cowboy boots and a cowboy hat. Her companions, border collies Ben and Dundee, had perfect attendance. She would pull the most shy student to the side, suggest they audition, and suddenly, that student would be in the spotlight, commanding the stage. She was eccentric, inclusive, magnetic. She was a force. And she would always, always champion those who felt they didn’t have a voice.

“Patty valued the teen spirit,” said Upper School art teacher Diane Kruer, who was a close friend of Patty’s. “She embraced them, gave them a sense of purpose and pride.

They would rise to the responsibility simply because of her faith in them.”

Patty, a professional actor and Seven Hills icon who envisioned, established, and molded Seven Hills’ interpretation of performing arts education, taught theater at Seven Hills for 39 years. She passed away in 2010. Patty left not only a rich legacy, but also a lasting impression of her teaching philosophy on the finearts faculty.

Faculty who knew Patty continue to insist that the arts be valued, that the students and their work be honored in the arts. Patty long ago drafted that blueprint. In fact, the unique appreciation and respect for young

Patty Flanigan

people in the arts has become a cornerstone of performing arts education at Seven Hills.

Patty’s influence is quite evident in the life of Michael Laurence ’87, a successful stage performer, budding playwright, and prolific actor on TV drama series, such as Damages starring Glenn Close; and The Good Wife.

“Patty taught nonconformity, she believed in independence of spirit, she loved the way students’ minds worked,” said Laurence, who said he came to Seven Hills in seventh grade.

“In a student-led process, a very unusual and

unorthodox approach to performing arts, we [the students] would take books and adapt them into plays. The fact that Seven Hills is still doing this is testament to the work Patty did, and testament to the continued vision of the school’s performing arts program.”

Though Patty is no longer with us, her vivid personality, her unique approach to teaching and her genuine respect for the potential and skills of her student actors, reverberates still within the Seven Hills performance spaces and classrooms.

“[Patty Flanigan] embraced and encouraged that spirit of positive rebellion. With her, students could stretch their wings, express themselves, and push up against boundaries.”

- Seven Hills Alumnus Michael Laurence ‘87

Patty with a directing class in 1987. Clockwise from top: Patty Flanigan, Gretchen Peters ’87, Krista Vitz ’88, Heather Pyle ’87, Andy Sokatch ’88, Elysha Konikov ’87, and Michael Laurence ’87.

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School News N E W

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We are pleased to welcome new Seven Hills faculty and staff!

Christy Berning is the Assistant Director of

Berning Betustak Bloom Bradley Brown Caldemeyer Ceruzzi Coldiron 16

Lisa Bradley teaches Admission. Christy received her B.S. in Education psychology at the Upper from Bowling Green State University School. Lisa earned her B.A. in and spent the spring of 1993 in Psychology from the University the Walt Disney World College of Cincinnati, and both her M.A. Program. Most recently, Christy in Experimental Psychology was the Director of Admissions & and Ph.D. in Social Psychology Enrollment at McNicholas High from New Mexico State University. She has taught School and a Client Relations psychology at the College of Santa Fe, McMurry Manager for Nationwide Studios.

University(TX), University of Texas at El Paso, and New Mexico State University.

Joshua Betustak is in the Extended Day Program. Joshua received a B.S. in Elementary Ron Brown is a member Education from Indiana of our maintenance staff.

University. He has coached Ron joined the maintenance baseball and, most recently, department in the spring student taught at several of the 2012-2013 school schools, including Central year. He has worked for Elementary School in construction companies and Indiana. his areas of expertise include plumbing, electrical, carpentry, preventative maintenance, and roofing.

Gail Bloom is the Middle/Upper Library Assistant. Gail received her B.S. in Social Studies Chris Caldemeyer teaches writing at Middle Secondary Education and her M.S. in Student School. Chris received his B.A. in English with Affairs Administration an emphasis in Creative Writing from Kenyon from Indiana University.

College and his M.F.A. from Most recently, Gail was the New York University. Chris has Assistant Manager at Blue taught English Composition Manatee Children’s Bookstore at the Community College and worked in the Office of Denver (CO) and taught of Residence Life at Miami Creative Writing as a graduate University.

instructor at New York University. Chris’s work has been published in The Columbia Poetry Review; Harpur Palate; The Comstock Review; No, Dear; and LEVELER, an online poetry magazine.

Pete Ceruzzi is a member

of our maintenance staff.

Pete joined the maintenance department in October, 2013.

Susan Coldiron is the Doherty

Administrative Assistant. Susan has been an office manager in medical and dental offices. Most recently, she owned and operated Coldiron Childcare while volunteering with the Beechmont Soccer Club.

Rachel Damon teaches drama, as well as

directs productions, at Middle School. Rachel earned her B.A. in Theater and Dance at Colby College (ME), and studied at Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin in London.

Rachel most recently was the Drama Program Director at Maine Central Institute and the Artistic Director for Chebeague Children’s Theatre in Maine.

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Karla Dejean is the Writer

& Project Manager in the Communications Department.

Karla has a B.S. in Journalism from Ohio University, as well as a certificate in education reporting from the Hechinger Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University (NY).

Karla has 15 years of experience as a news reporter covering criminal justice, government, and education at several daily newspapers, including the Grand Rapids Press (MI) and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Most recently, Karla was the Director of Public Relations at Pine Crest School in South Florida.

Amy Dyer teaches

physical education at Lotspeich. Amy received her B.S. in Health and Physical Education from Asbury University (KY). She has taught at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Kentucky. Amy was the Head JV Soccer Coach at Madeira High School and Assistant Soccer Coach for the Bluegrass Soccer Club.

Kate Fischer teaches fifth grade

at Lotspeich. Kate received her B.A. in Education from Smith College (MA), a Master of Community Planning Degree from the University of

Cincinnati-DAAP, and her Master of Curriculum and Instruction Degree from the University of Vermont. After teaching math at Lotspeich for two years, Kate taught seventh and eighth grade math at Clark Montessori and sixth grade language arts and social studies at Windsor School.

Doug Ford teaches engineering

at Upper School. Doug received his B.S. in Chemistry from Mount Union College (OH), his M.S. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Chicago, and his Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Cincinnati. After 12 years of medical research and research education, Doug most recently taught at Aiken College & Career High School and Oyler School.

Michelle Goliber teaches Spanish at Middle

and Upper School. Michelle received her B.A. in Spanish at Xavier University and her M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from Middlebury College (VT).

During her time at Middlebury, Michelle spent two semesters abroad in Madrid, Spain. Most recently, she taught Spanish at Columbus Catholic High School in Iowa and at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Nebraska.

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Marney Hupper is the Major Gifts Officer

in the Development Office. Marney has a B.A. in Art History from Trinity College (CT).

She has worked in the development offices of several independent schools in Massachusetts, including Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, as well as the Groton School. Marney has coordinated special events for the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Massachusetts, as well as for the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. She was most recently the Associate Director of Advancement at The Rivers School in Massachusetts.

Marielle Johnson teaches English at Upper

School. Marielle received a B.A. in English from the University of Indianapolis and her M.A. in Teaching, Curriculum, and Instruction from the University of Vermont.

Marielle has taught English at Berwick Academy (ME) and also taught at Montpelier High School (VT).

Damon Dejean Dyer Fischer Ford Goliber Hupper Johnson 17

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Marc Lohse is the

Lohse Magdzinski McCrystal Miles-Aaron Preyss Ravenscraft Starkey Swain 18

Technical Director for Middle and Upper School. Although Marc has 16 years’ experience in the food, beverage, and vending industry, his passion is working backstage for theaters. He has constructed sets for Hope Church in Mason, coordinated all technical aspects for Grafton High School in Wisconsin, and spent many summers working backstage at the Port Summer Community Theatre (WI).

Lara Magdzinski is the new College

Counselor at Upper School. Lara earned her B.A. in Psychology and Modern Languages and Literatures from Kenyon College (OH), and her M.S. in Higher Education Administration and Policy from Northwestern University (IL). Lara was the Assistant Director of Admission at Kalamazoo College in Michigan, and, while studying at Northwestern University, worked in the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Ryan McCrystal is the

new physical education intern at Middle School.

Ryan received a B.A. in Economics and Communication from

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Denison University (OH) and a M.Ed. in Physical Education from John Carroll University (OH).

He worked as a student teacher in the Kenston School District (OH), and he was a substitute teacher and assistant coach for Seven Hills’ Middle School baseball team. Ryan has also coached swimming, as well as written articles for ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine.

Shayla Miles-Aaron is in

the Extended Day Program.

Shayla was a Physical and Health Education teacher at Tichenor Middle School in Erlanger, Kentucky. She also has served in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Rachel Preyss is the

After School Supervisor at Middle. Rachel received her B.A. in History from Emory University in Georgia, and her M.A. in Education from Drew University in Madisonville, New Jersey. Most recently, Rachel student taught at Morristown High School in Morristown, New Jersey.

Nikki Ravenscraft teaches

in the Pre-Kindergarten for Two-Year-Olds Program, as well as the Beginnings Program. Nikki received her B.A. in Physical Education

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and Health Education from Northern Kentucky University. She has taught at St. Cecilia Catholic School and has also coached cheerleading at Holy Cross Catholic High School and Simon Kenton High School.

Robert Starkey teaches physical education

at Lotspeich. Rob received his B.S. in Physical Education from the College of Mount St. Joseph and is currently pursuing his M.Ed. in Administration & Educational Leadership at Xavier University. He has taught at Villa Madonna Academy, where he was an athletic director and Head Boys Basketball Coach. Rob also taught in the Finneytown Local School District.

Rebecca Swain teaches second grade at

Lotspeich. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Xavier University and her M.Ed. in Education Leadership from Bank Street College of Education in New York. Rebecca has taught at Oakdale Elementary (OH), PS 150 Tribeca Learning Center (NY), and at Manhattan Charter School.

She also has been a substitute teacher at Doherty and Lotspeich.

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Scholar Awards

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National Merit Semifinalists

92% of AP Exam scores qualify for advanced standing in college

Fifty-five members of the Classes of 2013 and 2014 have been named AP Scholars by the College Board for their exceptional achievement on the college-level AP Exams.

Of the 218 Advanced Placement exams in 16 subjects taken by 104 students, as of June 2013, 92 percent of the scores were 3’s or better on the 1–5 national scale, qualifying our students for advanced college standing.

Receiving National AP Scholar Awards for average scores of at least 4 or higher on all AP Exams taken and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more are 2013 graduates Grace He and Leah Yuan, and seniors Brian Hu and Gregory Sun. Their average score was 4.62.

Receiving National AP Scholar Awards for average scores of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more are seniors Allie Feuerlein, Andrew Ligeralde, Haoyu Shi, and Benjamin Sorscher.

2013 graduates who received AP Scholar with Distinction Awards are Nicholas Au-Yeung, Alessandra Baretta, Anne Stuart Bell, Bethany Buck, Ellen Coombe, Cullen Deimer, Grace He, Ian Hillenbrand, Kerry Hoar, Sebastian Hoar, Sara Hodgkins, Sara Johnson, Katherine King, Shoshana Klafter, John Larkin, Priyanka Parameswaran, Kyle Patel, Zoe Pochobradsky, Claire Romaine, Katherine Shen, Peter Todorov, Sarah Williamson, and Elizabeth Young. Their average score was 4.47.

Receiving AP Scholar with Honor Awards for average scores of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more are seniors Ashok Dheenan, Kayla Kavanaugh, Angie Li, Sarah Shim, and Phoebe Um; 2013 graduates are Michael Bain, Hannah Batsche, Federica Fernandez, Anna Gagliardo, Ganlin Liu, John Rowe, Mia Samaha, and Rachel White. Their average score was 4.11.

Receiving AP Scholar Awards for scoring 3 or higher on three or more exams are seniors Roshni Bagli, Kevin Cole, Mary T. Griggs, Reena SenGupta and Panos Skoufalos, and 2013 graduates Shray Ambe, Gloria Garcia, Carly Harten, Hugh Mackay, Marisa Steele and Qijing Xie. Their average score was 3.83.

(Seated) Ashok Dheenan, Hadiya Harrigan, Kayla Kavanaugh, Angie Li, Allie Feuerlein, Hayden Schiff (Standing) Brian Hu, Gregory Sun, Andrew Ligeralde, Ben Sorscher, Panos Skoufalos, Phoebe Um

Seven Hills continues its tradition of excellence with 12 students who received recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Six students were named Semifinalists, and five were named Commended students. In addition, one senior received distinguished recognition from the National Achievement Scholarship Program.

Seven Hills National Merit Semifinalists are Brian Hu, Angie Li, Andrew Ligeralde, Panos Skoufalos, Ben Sorscher, and Gregory Sun. National Merit Commended students are Ashok Dheenan, Allie Feuerlein, Kayla Kavanaugh, Hayden Schiff, and Phoebe Um. The National Achievement Scholarship Program recognized Hadiya Harrigan.

For more Seven Hil ls news, downloa d a QR C ode app your sma to rtphone a nd scan the code below to view Sev Hills’ e-ne en wsletter, The Buzz (or visit w ww.7hills BUZZ.org ).

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Creating Conversations speaker series Our speaker series continues this year and features experts in their fields relating to raising bright, healthy, happy kids.

Stephen Smith

In September, speaker Stephen Smith spoke to more than 100 parents and faculty about the important topic of digital responsibility— including discussions about the social and even legal consequences of reckless digital communications.

Our November 19 speaker James Lingo joined us during “Freedom from Chemical Dependency Week.” Presenting to a gathering of parents, he offered the latest data relating to teen substance abuse and high-risk warning signs.

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James Lingo

Don’t miss Seven Hills favorite Ann Anzalone, who will be back on campus (by popular demand) on February 27, 2014, at 7 p.m.

Ms. Anzalone, who drew a large audience for her presentation last year, will return in February with all new information. She will share her presentation, The Stress Connection: Understanding How Stress Affects Learning.

The Seven Hills School speaker series, Creating Conversations, welcomes you, your family and friends to attend these free-of-charge events. To learn more visit www.7hills.org/CreatingConversations.

The Seven Hills School Speaker Series

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Seven Hills 28th Annual Books for Lunch proudly presents author Robert M. Edsel Living in Florence, Italy, in the mid-1990s, Robert Edsel developed a passion for art and architecture—as well as a great curiosity about how monuments and great works of art survived the art thefts and devastation of World War II. He found his answer in the secrets and heroics of the Monuments Men, an unlikely force of American and British soldier-scholars, who risked their lives to save the world’s greatest art and cultural treasures from destruction

by Adolf Hitler’s armies.

Mr. Edsel has dedicated the last decade to researching the Monuments Men—resulting in three award-winning nonfiction works, including best-selling The TE F DA E O G Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, N CHA Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest THE SE Treasure Hunt in History and VEN H ILLS SC HOOL PRESEN Saving Italy: The Race to Rescue TS a Nation’s Treasures from the Nazis.

Friday,

Le c t u r e L u n c eon and B o o k S ig nhin g

A major motion film adaptation of The Monuments Men hits theaters in December. Already an Oscar favorite, the movie is directed by and stars George Clooney.

April 11, 2 014 12:00 p.m .

Luncheon a nd book si gning at th Cintas Cen e ter, Xavier University

Dinner w ith Thursday,

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April 10, 2 014 6:30 p.m.

At the hom e of Mr. & Mrs. Willia In vi ta ti o ns m M. Gale w ill b e m a ile d m o re

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d ur in g W in fo rm a ti o in te r B re a n vi si t w w k. w.7 hi lls .o o r co nt a ct rg /B oo ks Fo Fo r B o o ks fo r rL un ch Lu nc h 2 0 1 B ra nd i Vo 4 co -c ha ir ss a s 7 H ill sB oo ks nd Vic ky C a rr o ll a t Fo rL un ch @ g m a il. co m .

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Fall Sports Honors

In acknowledgement of the strength and dedication necessary to be successful in their respective sports, the Seven Hills Athletic

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For the first time in recent Seven Hills athletic history, the varsity girls tennis team won the MVC

The varsity golf team advanced to district championships.

Congratulations to the team, including Alyssa Akiyama, Brian Goertemoeller, Ben King, Jack Lane, Matt Postell, Connor Rouan, and Bennett Smith.

Brian Goertemoeller Sarah Shim

Congratulations to the varsity boys soccer players who received the Southwest Ohio High School Soccer Coaches Association’s Academic All Southwest Recognition award. These students have maintained a 3.7 cumulative GPA throughout their Upper School careers: Stefan Antonsson, Tigar Cyr, Ike Lanier, Matthew Marquardt, and Quinn Shim.

Caroline Linne

Department recently held a Fall Sports Award ceremony for students and coaches. During a special ceremony for faculty, former Athletic Director and current Assistant Athletic Director Dick “Duke” Snyder was acknowledged for his 40 years of dedication, Cross Country/Track and Field Coach Tana Luckie for 30 years, Boys and Girls Tennis Coach Tim Drew for 25 years, and Boys Soccer Coach Terry Nicholl for 20 years.

In cross country, Nia Page, Seven Hills sophomore, achieved a personal record of 22:11 at the regional cross country meet in Troy, Ohio. Nia placed 66th out of 124 runners. Nia, Chase Gardner, and Kevin Cole received Most Valuable Runner awards.

In varsity girls soccer, Emily Addy and Sarah Shim received the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Academic Excellence Recognition award.

The varsity volleyball team put forth great effort this season. Lauren Weems, who received several awards, including MVP, is the first volleyball player to be invited to play in the State All Star game in Wooster, Ohio.

Lauren Weems

In that same spirit, Seven Hills student athletes and coaches earned a number of rewarding competitions in golf, tennis, cross country, volleyball, and girls soccer. Tennis Coach Tim Drew received the Miami Valley Conference (MVC) Coach of the Year Award, while student Bennett Smith received the Dick Snyder Sportsmanship Award.

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Chase Gardner + Kevin Cole

Photos by Keith Neu and Brian Arnold

In an Oct. 31 letter to families, Head of School Chris Garten said the boys soccer team “never, never gave up … they supported one another and carried themselves with dignity, character, and exemplary good sportsmanship.”

(from l to r) Brian Phelps, Terry Nicholl, Dick Snyder, Tana Luckie, and Tim Drew

Devin Garrett

“The regional semifinal captured who we are as a school community,” said Seven Hills Athletic Director Brian Phelps. “We rally behind each other. We’re supportive, and we’re competitive.”

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Championship. Jessica Seibold and Nicole Tiao advanced to compete in the doubles district championship.

“Dignity, Character, and Exemplary Sportsmanship.” A crowd of more than 700

Seven Hills family and friends showed up in force to cheer on the boys varsity soccer team vs. defending state champs Summit Country Day, at the long-awaited regional semifinal game on Oct. 30. Summit won 3-2, in “sudden death” overtime. The hard-earned moment, however, will be remembered as a shining example in which the team exercised a show of deft skill, constant fortitude, and striking determination.

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Homecoming 2013: A night to remember!

It was a perfect October weekend as Seven Hills families came together for Homecoming 2013! The fun included sports clinics for grades 1-8, an all-school Family Picnic, spirited music from Pepsplosion, divisional pep rallies, and the traditional bonfire.

Our fall athletic teams were fired up all weekend long!

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Gamble Faculty Chair Awarded to Tricia Hoar The Seven Hills School has awarded one of its highest faculty honors, the David G. Gamble Faculty Chair, to Tricia Hoar in recognition of the excellence of her teaching.

Tricia is in her 14th year of teaching Upper School English at Seven Hills, where she also serves as English department chair.

Head of School Chris Garten said, “Tricia’s students pick up her excitement, eagerly joining in passionate literary inquiry and feeding off both Tricia’s obvious excitement and their own joy in discovery.”

Reflecting back on a “lifetime of excellent teachers,” Tricia described a particular

favorite, Sr. Benedicta, relating an example of her brilliant style, and how, on a momentous warm Friday afternoon in Sister’s classroom, the spark of an idea to become a teacher was kindled in Tricia’s imagination.

“I remember thinking that if I could do that someday —bring literature to life for students, make it so that the issues were tangible and characters real, sitting right there among them —I would consider myself fortunate.

“This endeavor has been the guiding principle in my own classroom. How can I help awaken or keep alive in my own students not just an appreciation for great works of literature but a desire to inhabit the settings, climb into the skins of the characters, walk around in them … and thereby develop new levels of awareness and understanding? I hope that I have been successful; I hope Sr. Benedicta would be proud of me.”

We imagine that Sister would be proud. We know we are.

sets and cupboards new year! Clear out clo Get a fresh start for the p. Happy New Year!

Sho sale r items to the Re today and donate you

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Brodie Awards Honor Melissa Khoo, Danielle Necessary for excellence in teaching Two teachers are recipients of Brodie Grants for Excellence in Teaching from the Brodie Family Faculty Betterment Fund—Upper School Mathematics Teacher Melissa Khoo and Lotspeich 2nd Grade Teacher Danielle Necessary. The Brodie Fund is an endowed fund that provides professional development opportunities for faculty and which recognizes outstanding teachers at both early and later stages of their careers.

Melissa Khoo Head of School Chris Garten said, “Melissa Khoo is a master teacher who challenges students to think for themselves and to understand and advocate for their learning needs. Observers see quickly how she sets up students’ experiences to generate this independence.

She resists the impulse to merely demonstrate to students how to approach a problem. Instead, she creates carefully planned situations in which students develop their own understanding—and thus the learning is deeper.” Chris continued, “Above all else, Melissa wants her students to appreciate the elegance of mathematics and to foster their problem-solving skills.”

Danielle Necessary Of Danielle Necessary, Head of School Chris Garten shared, “You do a magnificent job of raising the bar, helping students, in a calm and patient way, rise to the academic and social challenges of the second grade. The transition students go through between August and May is nothing short of miraculous; and so much of this progress can be traced to the gentle but firm way that you reinforce all the skills and values that will equip your students for success later on.”

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In memory of Ryan MacKenzie ’11 The Seven Hills community suffered the tremendous loss of a son, a brother, and a dear friend on August 19, 2013, when Ryan MacKenzie passed away at the age of 20. Ryan will be remembered and forever missed by his parents David and Elisa MacKenzie; sister Eryn MacKenzie (Class of 2014); grandparents Dawn and Colin MacKenzie, and Shirley Norris; and countless friends and family.

In a celebration of his life held on August 23, friends and family of Ryan, many from among the Seven Hills community, joined together to honor his memory. Many who spoke about him reflected on Ryan’s passion for music, his gifts of deep and loyal friendship, and his ability to make others know he cared about them, among many other things.

A few of the thoughts shared at the gathering follow.

Ryan’s friend, Maddie Caldemeyer ’11, shared her feelings about the impact he had on her life.

She also shared a quote from Tennyson’s Ulysses that Ryan had once shared with her, which says, “I am a part of all that I have met.” To the gathered crowd Maddie said, “We will always be a part of Ryan, and Ryan will always be a part of all of us.”

The MacKenzie family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Seven Hills for the sympathy, kindness and support they have received from the entire community.

We are truly grateful for our Seven Hills family. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Ryan MacKenzie

Ryan’s friend and classmate, Ari Shifman ’11, explained that he is committed to remembering three defining qualities of Ryan’s: that Ryan, alone, could make Ari giggle; that Ryan gave him the confidence to try new experiences; and Ryan’s gift for empathetic companionship, saying, “He could make you feel like you weren’t alone in your sadness or in your frustration, to a fantastic level of sincerity.”

Memorial Fund. Thank you, as well, to

Reflecting on the closeness of their friendship, Luke Beckwith ’11 said, “Let’s just say I lost a true, true friend on Monday, and someone I find to be irreplaceable …”

thoughtful gift. Thank you from the

Save the Date: Coffee House May 16 Alumnus, Alex Shifman ’08, professional improv and sketch actor in New York City will be coming back to Cincinnati to teach the performance students. The students will dedicate their regular 15-minute performance to Ryan MacKenzie.

those very special friends (many from the Class of 2011) who made contributions in his memory to the park bench dedicated to Ryan and presented to us on what would have been his 21st birthday.

We are so touched. This is the most loving, bottom of our hearts.

Sincerely, David, Elisa and Eryn MacKenzie

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Catching up with David Barrett ’02

Seven Hills instilled in me great appreciation for learning, community, and integrity .... I intend to grow carefully by building an operation full of integrity, that gives back to its community—ultimately I’d like programs of learning and education to be an important part of what I do.

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Alumni News David Barrett sells his produce at a farmers market

Tell us briefly about your work.

David: I’m farming just outside of Durham, NC. I grow more than 40 varieties of fresh, seasonal produce, year-round. I’ve worked for several other diversified farms, and this is my first year on my own. I sell at several local farmers’ markets and to a handful of restaurants.

Days can be long, and, when it rains eight hours straight while I’m bent over cutting broccoli heads or pulling carrots out of the ground, they can be trying. Dealing with inclement weather, or groundhogs who live under my sweet potato vines and eat thousands of dollars of vegetables, or watching an irrigation line shoot water into the air like a geyser and sprinting down to the pump to reduce the pressure—all are part of my job.

Solving these problems is pretty satisfying, and there’s nothing like the feeling of bringing a huge harvest to market and listening to customers talk excitedly amongst themselves as they inspect my veggies and try samples.

How did you discover this passion in yourself?

David: Conceptually, I’ve always had an interest in farming. I first started reading about agriculture and food systems in college but wasn’t personally interested in farm work. Then I

moved to San Francisco and began volunteering on two different farms in the wine country on weekends. I couldn’t get enough, and the rest has evolved naturally.

What significant people and events made a difference along your path?

David: All of my friends and family have been very supportive, which is invaluable when you’re trying something new. I also should thank all of the farmers I’ve met along the way. I’ve met some brilliant individuals who really have it together, as well as a not insignificant number of total crazies. The former gave me good reason to believe I can succeed. The latter gave me good reason to do a lot of thinking before committing to this lifestyle, and made me much more deliberate in my planning.

What are your goals?

David: At the very least I hope to build a small, successful farm that is closely tied to a bigger community. I think that’s a key to not becoming one of those crazy farmers I mentioned, which incidentally is also a goal of mine. Seven Hills instilled in me great appreciation for learning, community, and integrity. I see plenty of opportunity to expand this work, but I intend to grow carefully by building an operation full

of integrity, that gives back to its community— ultimately I’d like programs of learning and education to be an important part of what I do.

I don’t have a degree in agriculture, but I’m very interested in research, and in my wildest farm dreams I’d love to conduct experiments with partners such as the local extension office, agronomists, the USDA, or whomever I can convince that what I’m doing is worthwhile. At face value, farming appears to be pretty simple.

But the last 30 years of research have shown how little we know about soil biology, and all of the microorganisms that interact with plants. We now understand that these provide nutrients, defense against pathogens, and facilitate many other complex and vital processes. I’d love to get to a point where I can at least provide a useful laboratory for research in these areas.

What gives you the most satisfaction?

David: At the most basic level farming is about building systems of production, and it’s a constant puzzle to prioritize tasks and refine processes. There’s the added challenge that, unlike industrial processes, agriculture (especially organic agriculture) involves many variables that are unpredictable and

continuously in flux. The production aspect enthralls my cerebral side. On the other hand, I find it indescribably satisfying to put a tiny seed in the ground, and watch it grow to become one of the most important things in our lives. And it’s not just energy, it’s nourishing and tasty and has the power to bring people together and anchor our communities. And the fact that I get to work outside in a beautiful place is a convenient perk, at least when the weather’s nice. I’ll stop there, but I could go on… (To see more pictures of what I’m doing visit www.DigItFarmNC.com).

Is there anything you would like to share with your Seven Hills teachers or about your Seven Hills experience?

David: I could say a ton here, but two words that sum up everything I’d like to say to all of the faculty from Mrs. Wolfe and Mrs. Daily at Doherty to Mr. Abineri, Mrs. Smythe, and Turansky—my senior year teachers: THANK YOU. While I knew at the time that it was a privilege to attend such an outstanding school, I think you only become more grateful and aware of that as you experience more of the world, and that’s certainly been true for me.

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Catching up with Sara Eisen ’02

My four years of acting classes, along with performances in school plays under Patty Flanigan, and especially our work on improv, pronunciation, and speech, provided early training in the skills of ad-libbing, which I do on a daily basis.

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1 D r e P b U cem BC on De n to io it d joined CN d a nment, in of shows Her assig a variety g n ri o serve as anch to e d, will b n e d e e n s a cusing o ondent fo a corresp nsumer. l co the globa

Sara Eisen

Tell us briefly about your work.

Sara: I co-anchor the morning show on Bloomberg TV, called “Bloomberg Surveillance,” and I cover international economic and business stories for the network. After Seven Hills, I attended NYU and then received my master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism.

What was the interest/passion that brought you to this work?

Sara: One defining experience was actually my Seven Hills Personal Challenge project; I produced and hosted a talk show in a local TV studio, in which I interviewed some of my friends about how to address teen violence. This took place soon after the Columbine tragedy, so the issue was hot and engendered a lively and controversial conversation and program.

The final result was an edited, professional feeling, half-hour talk show that I had conducted and produced myself, and the entire experience helped me realize that I wanted to pursue journalism, and specifically, television storytelling.

How did you discover this passion?

Sara: During my college internship at forextv. com, a startup site dedicated exclusively to covering the foreign exchange market, was where I first started delving into the world of economics and financial markets. My responsibilities included on-air updates and interviews with strategists and traders about currencies.

Nothing is more exciting than the $5 trillion-

dollar-per-day, 24-hour currency market! That experience inspired me to pursue the business program concentration offered by Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern, in conjunction with my broadcast degree, which led to an internship with Bloomberg.

What were your goals at the start of this work?

Sara: When I started at Bloomberg Television, I was an intern in the afternoons, doing everything from printing scripts to writing show teases and headlines. I was determined to learn how live TV works and how to operate in a fastpaced, hectic control room. My goal, though, was to eventually be on the other side of that room—on camera. Now that I’m hosting a show, I realize the value of my earlier control room experience, because I understand how the whole team works together and how I can work with the producers to make the show look and sound sharper.

What were significant people and events that made a difference along your path?

Sara: Al Mayers, the head of Bloomberg Radio, was and continues to be an important mentor for me. He put me on the radio doing “forex updates” for two minutes every morning at 6:50 a.m. while I was still working as a production assistant in TV. He helped me improve my presentation so that, eventually, I ended up co-hosting “On the Economy,” a daily two-hour

radio program dedicated to conversation about economic topics.

type of policy the Fed may implement, these are exhilarating moments.

Another major event along the way was the launch of our show, “Bloomberg Surveillance,” on television and simulcast on radio, during the summer of 2012. The show continues to evolve and has become a fun, smart and dynamic morning program under the leadership of Ted Fine, my executive producer, who works around the clock to make the show, its producers, and anchors better, and the show more entertaining.

One of the most gratifying and enjoyable aspects of my job is the opportunity I receive to moderate panels for outside organizations.

Hosting panels is similar to hosting a TV show, but without the strict time constraints. Panels also allow more time for thoughtful discussion when diving into a single topic or issue with an expert in the field.

What are your goals now?

Sara: My goal is to interview the most important people in my world, including prime ministers, presidents, and central bankers. The ultimate would be the opportunity to speak with two of the most important people effecting change in the world today, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi.

What gives you the most satisfaction?

Sara: No question, I feel most accomplished and proud when I break news and make headlines through my interviews and while talking to my sources—when I can move the needle or the markets on a story. Whether breaking news headlines, such as an emergency crisis-fighting measure during the height of the European debt crisis, or moving the bond market after an interview with a Federal Reserve Bank president about hints of what

Is there anything you would like to share with your Seven Hills teachers or about your Seven Hills experience?

Sara: Seven Hills helped prepare me for what I do, and I notice this on a regular basis.

The emphasis on creative writing, which began in force starting freshman year, helped me throughout journalism school, as did my four years of writing for the newspaper, and journalism classes with Mrs. Smythe.

My four years of acting classes, along with performances in the school plays under Patty Flanigan, and especially our work on improv, pronunciation, and speech, provided early training in the skills of ad-libbing, which I do on a daily basis.

My work with Mrs. VanderLaan and the service club, especially in my senior year, fostered critical leadership skills and also helped to hone my public speaking capability, as I regularly made announcements about service club projects in morning assembly.

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Alumni News goodall award

Goodall Distinguished Alumna Award presented to Elizabeth “Lib” Asbury Stone L’42, H’48 That description is an understatement when it comes to Lib Stone. Her long list of services to her beloved community is impressive, indeed.

To name but a few, Lib was a founding member of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, Camp Stepping Stones, and AVOC (now known as STOP Aids). She also has proudly sponsored the Cincinnati Shakespeare Theater since 1999.

Head of School Chris Garten, Lib Asbury Stone L’42, H’48 Paul Sittenfeld

Family and friends gathered during the Classics Luncheon to honor Elizabeth “Lib” Asbury Stone L’42, H’48, who was honored with the Goodall Distinguished Alumna/us Award. Seven Hills highest alumni honor, the Goodall Award acknowledges an individual “who has achieved distinction in a public or private career or activity bettering the lives of others.”

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Award presenter and Lib’s long-time friend Paul Sittenfeld said of Lib, “She is blessed with spirit that is unquenchable and with energy that is unbelievable. ” He continued, “Her life is a tapestry of one step at a time, one deed following another, and making simple progress in quiet ways.”

Lib’s quiet, wholehearted commitment can be found all around Cincinnati. Three area mini-parks stand as examples of Lib’s vision and leadership: Toll Gate in Madisonville where her mother grew up,

Wulsin Triangle in Hyde Park, and Clark Point in O’Bryonville.

In his summation, Paul said, “In awarding her the Goodall Award, we recognize one who has been and continues to be a student and a teacher for more than eight decades. Lotspeich, Miss Doherty’s, Hillsdale, and now Seven Hills, which fostered her loves of learning and of giving back, is so very fortunate to claim her as one of its own.”

Bottom row: Mary Asbury H’69, Lib Asbury Stone L’42, H’48, Tuck Asbury L’36, Anzie Asbury L’72 Top row: Andrew Stone, Janet Asbury-Pogue H’72, Liza Newman ’04, Helen Asbury H’72

Alumni News The Seven Hills School Career Mentoring Program

2014 Alumni Directory

Are you a recent college graduate eager to access job interview tips and advice? Are you a seasoned professional seeking a mentor to help you chart the course of your career path? Are you a business owner or corporate leader with an interest in helping Seven Hills alumni by sharing your experience and guidance?

We are preparing to update the alumni directory, which was last published in 2009. Seven Hills is collaborating again with Publishing Concepts, Inc. (PCI), a Dallas-based publisher of alumni directories.

If yes, then the Seven Hills Career Mentoring Program may be of interest to you.

CAREER MENTORING IS AVA I L A B L E F O R A L L S E V E N HILLS GRADS The Career Mentoring program provides opportunities for Seven Hills alumni to connect with business executives around the country to make professional contacts and access career advice. Participation in the program is available for renewable one-year terms. Mentors provide valuable help and guidance but do not offer employment opportunities.

HELP US GROW THE MENTOR NET WORK! Please join the program today by completing the brief online form at www.7hills.org/jobnetworking.

Q U E S T I O N S ? Contact Nancy McCormick Bassett ’83 at nancy.bassett@7hills.org or 513.728.2432.

Starting in mid-December, PCI sent a postcard and email asking you to call a toll free number at PCI to update your information. We want to assure you that your information will be kept secure and will be used for Seven Hills purposes only.

Alumni Survey

THANK YOU

S TAY C O N N E C T E D T O Y O U R SEVEN HILLS COMMUNIT Y

Thank you to everyone (nearly 700 alums!) who completed our alumni survey.

When you receive your postcard and/or email, please take a few minutes to call the toll free number as soon as possible.

Your feedback enables us to develop new and evolve existing alumni programs.

Please contact Nancy McCormick Bassett ’83 with any questions at nancy.bassett@7hills.org or 513.723.2430.

Congratulations to our iPad winner, Alex Maggio ’03!

thank you!

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Alumni News Carreer Cafe Len Sauers Ph.D. , father of Katie ’11 and Daniel ’15, was the speaker for the Oct. 28 Career Café. Len, who is the Vice President of Global Product Safety, Regulatory Compliance and Sustainability for Procter & Gamble, visited Seven Hills and spoke with juniors and seniors about his work.

Len shared, “Approximately 4.8 billion people in more than 180 countries around the globe use Procter & Gamble products every day.” He heads up a team that is responsible for ensuring that the products under his management are safe, environmentally sustainable, and comply with regulations in all the markets in which they are sold.

Len has an undergraduate degree in biology, master’s degree in biochemistry, and doctoral degree in toxicology.

Download the Seven Hills Alumni mobile app Attention Seven Hills Alumni! Download the free Seven Hills School Alumni App for iPhone and Android. When you sign in using the email address on file with the Seven Hills Alumni Office, you can access contact information and the LinkedIn profiles of fellow alumni.

No matter where you live or how busy your schedule, you can connect with alumni and keep up with the latest Seven Hills and alumni news.

F E AT U R E S I N C LU D E : • Alumni directory searchable by “Name” or “Class Year” • Update your contact information • “Nearby” function lets you search for fellow alumni by location and view the result on a map • Integration with LinkedIn • Access to the Seven Hills’ Career Mentoring Network • Access to alumni and school events calendars • Facebook, Twitter and Flickr feeds • Easily upload photos and class notes to the app • Make your gift to The Seven Hills Fund

SUPPORTED DE VICE S:

Daniel Sauers’15 and Len Sauers

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career cafe

• • • •

Android iPhone iPod Touch iPad

Please contact Andi Fischer Simon at andi.simon@7hills.org or Nancy McCormick Bassett ’83 nancy.bassett@7hills.org if you’d like to check the email address we have on file for you. *This free app is available through Apple iTunes App Store and Android Google Play.

Alumni News Nominations for the 2014 Goodall Distinguished Alumna/us Award

Join our Seven Hills School Alumni Page on Facebook

The Goodall Distinguished Alumna/us Award honors annually an alumna/us of CPS, Hillsdale, Lotspeich, or The Seven Hills School who has achieved distinction in a public or private career or activity that has bettered the lives of others. This is the highest award the School bestows on its graduates.

Thank you to the 691 alumni who have already joined the Seven Hills Alumni Group.

We request your help in the nomination process for the 2014 Goodall Award.

Traditionally, the Alumni Association and previous recipients make the nominations for this award. However, we have many graduates who are making a difference through professional, personal and volunteer activities of which we are not aware. The nomination process is now open to all alumni to allow for a more comprehensive pool of nominees.

We thank you for your time and consideration in nominating a deserving alumna/us who is making a significant contribution to changing the world for the better.

F

“f

Now we’d like to ask you to join the Seven Hills School Alumni Page, as well as the Alumni Group.

Our new Seven Hills alumni mobile app requires us to use a Facebook page, not a group, to share information. We will continue to post news in both places with the goal of eventually using only the Alumni Page.

It’s easy and takes only a minute!

Added incentive: For every 100 people who sign up on the Seven Hills School Alumni Page, we will raffle off swag from the Spirit Shop.

Thank you for your help!

The nomination process is underway and will be open until Friday, January 17, 2014.

The form is available online at www.7hills.org/quicklinks.

If you would like a copy of the form mailed to you, contact Nancy McCormick Bassett ’83 at nancy.bassett@7hills.org or 513-728-2430.

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Alumni News R E U N I O N

R E C E P T I O N S

Alumni came together October 4 and 5 for Reunion 2013. They enjoyed the Classics luncheon at the Cincinnati Country Club, a concert by Upper School students, tours of the Upper School, a reception in the Hillsdale Commons, and individual class events.

Reunion receptions

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Alumni News 2 0 1 3

R E U N I O N

C O N C E R T

Thanks to Music Teacher John Rising and members of the Upper School Contemporary Ensemble for their performance in the Donovan Arts Center during Reunion weekend.

reunion concert

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Reunion 2013

Individual Class Events

Reunions (photo at right) Marcia Johnson Halligan Tory Woodhull Parlin Gayle Heckel White Tuck Hooker Fraser Susan Newkirk Wright Susan Jones Hickenlooper Alison Badgett Deniston Jill Acomb Hoff Lynn Baxter Woodward Lindy VanDoren Freeman Randy Upson LaFerriere Anne Berkeley

HILLSDALE

1958

HILLSDALE

1963 (photo at right) Bottom row: Carolyn Brown Krause Kathy Garrett Devon Drysdale Clausing Janie Siebler Carmichael Lucy March Marian Barrett Leibold Susan Fuller Kasson Margaret Landsman Nancy MacLeod Prewitt Top row: Shailah Stewart Ann Mathis Schoeny

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(photo at right) Frances Stilwell Elinor Adick Kline

HILLSDALE

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(photo at left) Bobbie Hill Ford Lee Adair Adams Francie Garber Pepper Margo Frey Evans

HILLSDALE

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Middle row: Rebecca Lindy Coll Sybil Behrens Mullin Nancy McCormick Bassett Dotty Shaffer Paula White Wharton

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Top row: David Humphreys Fritz Wilger Not pictured: Jeff Robinson

(photo at left) Ellie Fabe Pamela Bryan Kramer Amy Mitchell Cherry

SEVEN HILLS

1983 (photo at right) David Evans Rich Hutchins Kate Kiefhaber Elliott Kate Blocher

(photo at right) Elizabeth Parlin Hillary Zapletal Cardinal Polly Sackett Westmont Catie Borden Cohen Kerry Borcherding Gretchen Terrill Cox Melissa Shick Schilling Emmy Berning Weisner

SEVEN HILLS

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SEVEN HILLS

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Reunion Classics Luncheon

Congratulations on your 50th Reunion, Class of 1963!

Alison Chase, Janet Keys Simpkinson, Margo Frey Evans, Frances Stilwell, Francie Garber Pepper, Susan Leonard, Lee Adair Adams, Elinor Adick Kline

Bottom row: Quina Schmidlapp C’53, Sandy Hauck Elliott C’49, Joan Petzhold Baily H’52 Top row: Barri Schmidlapp Mapes H’53, Sally Sampson Wilson C’53, Janet Shore Kindel H’50, Mary Ann Hinsch Meanwell H’52

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Bottom row: Barbara Simpson Garner H’61, Sue Elliott Wilkening C’60, Barbara Huenenfeld LeBlond C’62, Louise Kahn Jenks C’60 Top row: Louise Bettman H’62, Ellen Kahn Stillpass C’59

Bottom row: Ginny Wilkinson Brooks H’43, Stephen Marvin L’37, Mary Lou Ahrens Mueller H’47, Carolyn Eberle Caldwell H’37 Top row: Janet Hengstenberg Hauck H’46, Corny Hauck L’37, Helen Chatfield Black H’41, Kay Mitchell Pettengill H’41 37

Reunion 2013 Classics Luncheon

Congratulations on your 50th Reunion, Class of 1963!

Judy Allen Thompson C’56, Joan Fankhauser Ireton C’51, Ann Hayes Dye C’50, Carolyn Hayes Gosiger C’55, Moo Zimmer Biederman C’56, Susan Carter Purcell C’56 Former Head of School Peter Briggs, Head of School Chris Garten

Sudie Ernst Geier H’41 Randy Upson LaFerriere H’63 Kay Mitchell Pettengill H’41

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Alumni News T H A N K

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Hillsdale and CPS 1963-50th Reunion Bottom row: Joan Mathes Ryder C Tory Woodhull Parlin H Tuck Hooker Fraser H Jill Acomb Hoff H Marcia Johnson Halligan H Randy Upson LaFerriere H Top row: Jean Donaldson Zerges C Nan Herrmann Pinyard C Gayle Heckel White H Alison Badgett Deniston H Lynn Baxter Woodward H Lindy VanDoren Freeman H Susan Newkirk Wright H Anne Berkeley H Susan Jones Hickenlooper H Jane Pierson Espy C T H A N K

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Anne Sheffield Vanoy Claire Hummel Kupferle

Hillsdale 1958

Alison Chase Bobbie Hill Ford Janet Keys Simpkinson

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Ellen Haude

1973

Ellie Fabe

1993

Janie Siebler Carmichael Margaret Landsman Marian Barrett Leibold Ann Mathis Schoeny

1978 1983

Sybil Behrens Mullin Dotty Shaffer Lauren Meyers Warm Paula White Wharton Fritz Wilger

1988

Karen Barrett Kerry Borcherding Liz Corgan Chandler Rachel Gustin Elizabeth Parlin Emmy Berning Weisner

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Heidi Black Kenya Brock Kate Blocher Betsy Findlay

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Emily Black Sarah Jane Smith Abbey Wood 39

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reunion 2014 april 11 & 12

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CPS & Hillsdale classes of 1939, 1944, 1949, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974 Lotspeich classes of 1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968 Seven Hills classes of 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999 The classes of 2004 and 2009 will celebrate their reunions on Saturday, November 29, 2014.

All events are free of charge courtesy of your Alumni Association & the Development Office

W E L O O K F O R WA R D T O S E E I N G Y O U T H I S S P R I N G !

Reunion reps are needed to help make this a special weekend for your class.

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Reunion Reps Check out your class year in the alumni news section to see if there are reunion reps listed.

If not, please volunteer to help organize a reunion event for your class. (Or volunteer even if there’s already a rep from your class!)

Although there are always schoolsponsored events during reunion weekend for everyone to enjoy, all class-specific events are organized by people from the class itself.

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INTERE STED I N BEIN A REUN G ION RE P FOR YOUR CLASS ?

Contact Nancy

McCorm ick Bassett ‘8 3 Director o f Alumni Relations nancy.ba ssett@7h ills.org 513.728 .2432

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Alumni News B O S T O N

A L U M N I

Boston

G A T H E R I N G

The Seven Hills road show visited Boston on Sept. 12. It’s always great to see our Beantown alums and to learn about the amazing things they are doing. The Boston group enjoys the opportunity to catch up with each other as well.

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(photo at left) Neal Grabowsky ’05 Carissa Everett

( R I G H T )

On April 25 the Seven Hills road show visited our New York alumni. A luncheon was held at Orsay, where the group had a great time catching up with each other. The evening reception was held at Ethan Smith’s ’97 wonderful restaurant, Hecho en Dumbo (354 Bowery, 10012). Thank you to Ethan and his staff for a great evening!

(photo at left) Justin Rau ’10 Lidney Motch Luczkow ’89 Sarah Eustis ’07 Laura Hoguet ’06

(photo at right) Sara Trowbridge David Mou ’04

(photo at left) Nancy McCormick Bassett ’83 Sylvia Lotspeich Greene L’55

(photo at right) Emily Hastie Schultz ‘05 Dan Schultz ‘05

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boston

Bottom row: Dee Anne Schroeder Hunstein H’53 Katherine Crone Cline H’53 Sherry Walker Chapin C’62

New York

(photo at right) Ian Hayes ’03 Jill Donenfeld ’02

Top row: Ridgely Trufant H’71 Deborah Hinckley C’65 Holland Behrens ’82 Toni Sciarra Poynter ’77 Melanie Fleishman H’69 Liza Martindale Weiner ’99

(photo at left) Alex Hue ’05 Mary Wulsin ’05 (photo at center) Laura Houston ’06 Elizabeth Brand ’08 (photo at right) Jake Shifman ’06 Elizabeth Brand ’08 Alex Shifman ’08

(photo at left) Ethan Smith ’97 Bobby Marcus ’97 Joe Krautler ’96 Michael Newman ’97 Tim Wyant ’96 (photo at right) Alistair Motch ’07 Anita SenGupta ’08 Collin Arnold ’07

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Alumni News Connections to Last a Lifetime

By Scott Carroll ’85, Seven Hills Alumni Association Board Chair Like a family of far-flung members, many among our community of Seven Hills alumni have grown distant and disconnected from each other and the school that helped shape us.

Sure, we attend reunions, occasionally dine with school friends, and check on Seven Hills classmates on Facebook, but our connections tend to extend no further than that.

The Seven Hills alumni community is made up of more than 4,200 individuals who graduated from four schools over a 107-year period; and we’re spread across the country and the globe.

Seven Hills, CPS, Hillsdale and Lotspeich are our sources of commonality. For many of us, our school and former classmates live still in our hearts as simple reminders of who we are and of the formative experiences we share.

sets and cupboards new year! Clear out clo Get a fresh start for the p. Happy New Year!

Sho sale r items to the Re today and donate you

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THE ALUMNI BOARD IS NOW ONE GROUP—YOUNG, OLD, AND EMERGING LE ADER S—SERVIN G THE ALUMNI COMMUNIT Y A S O N E , W H E T H E R G R A D U AT E S / FORMER STUDENTS OF L O T S P E I C H , D O H E RT Y, C P S , HILLSDALE, OR SEVEN HILLS.

As a lifer, I attended Lotspeich starting in PreKindergarten and attended Seven Hills through my senior year, graduating with the Class of 1985. My daughter, Grace, is a lifer as well, and is set to graduate with the Class of 2015. I’m honored to serve as your Alumni Board chair.

I’m grateful for the chance to help each of us reconnect.

We encourage you to look to your Seven Hills Alumni Association and Alumni Office to help you make connections with Seven Hills alumni in your area, in your profession, or who share common interests. We will also keep you posted about school news and events. We hope to communicate in a way that sparks memories and connections. And, of course, we are eager to learn what sorts of information interest you.

I hope you will join our efforts and volunteer to help create connections and strengthen our bonds as a community.

Seven Hills Alumni Association Board Chair Scott Carroll is a Seven Hills lifer who entered PreKindergarten at Lotspeich in 1973, and was a Seven Hills graduate—Class of 1985. Scott, his wife, Erin O’Grady, and their daughter, Grace (a junior at Seven Hills), live in Cincinnati. Scott is the Managing Partner and Litigation Manager of the Cincinnati and Dayton offices of Jackson Lewis LLP.

S O, S P E A K U P !

Visit our new Facebook page (read more on page 31), send an update through the Seven Hills Alumni mobile app, email us—or just give us a call!

Our aim as your Alumni Board is to communicate. Our request is for you to connect.

S TAY C O N N E C T E D !

Like • • • NEW Seven Hills School Alumni Page Join • • • Seven Hills School Alumni group Download • • • Seven Hills Alumni mobile app, available FREE through the Apple iTunes App Store and Android Google Play.

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In memory of Seth Taft L’34 Seth Chase Taft—former Cuyahoga County Commissioner, grandson of U.S. President William Howard Taft, nephew of U.S. Senator Robert Taft, and son of Cincinnati Mayor Charles Phelps Taft II—died on April 14, 2013, at his home in Pepper Pike, Ohio.

He was 90 years old. Mr. Taft is survived by his wife of 69 years, Frances P. Taft, four children, and 10 grandchildren.

Many remember Seth Taft for his narrow

Mr. Taft attended Yale University as a member

40-year law career, also serving as Cuyahoga

loss to Carl Stokes in the 1967 Cleveland

of the Naval ROTC. After graduating Cum

County Commissioner from 1970-1978.

mayoral election. In that race, Taft refused

Laude, Phi Beta Kappa with an Ensign’s

to resort to race-based politics, fearing it

commission in 1943, he then served on the

would tear the city apart. “Seth was one of

destroyer U.S.S. Doran from June 1943 until

the real decent people in politics,” said Bob

January 1946. After his service in World War

Bennett, who managed that campaign. “He

II, Mr. Taft attended Yale Law School (with

had a God-given talent to help people. He

the G.I. Bill) and graduated in 1948. Upon his

thought the world could be a better place

law school graduation, he joined the Cleveland

and that government could be better.”

law firm Jones Day where he had a successful

Mr. Taft’s son, Rick, a Pepper Pike, Ohio, councilman who lives two doors from his parents’ home, said his father managed to strike a “pretty extraordinary balance” between being a natural politician and family man.

In his later years, Seth Taft learned to appreciate art and travel, visiting Mexico more than a dozen times.

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Alumni News Jennie Rosenthal Berliant (L’76):

Planning Ahead, Preparing her Legacy for Generations To Come

legacy

For Jennie Rosenthal Berliant (L’76), The Seven Hills School’s unwavering commitment to excellence was important to her when she was a student, and has meant even more to her as a parent of Seven Hills alumni, daughter Liz (‘05) and son Andrew (‘13). “My children attended Seven Hills because I knew from my own experience that it’s a wonderful place for kids to learn and grow,” said Jennie.

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Jennie has provided for Seven Hills in her estate plan so that future students will have the opportunity to experience the Seven Hills values that she holds dear. “I have confidence that the school produces outstanding citizens, interested in lifelong learning,” said Jennie.

Her fond memories of Lotspeich include reading with Mr. Wuerful in assembly and studying special units, like “colonial days” that

immersed her in the customs of our nation’s early settlers. Jennie reminisced, “I still have the weaving that I made in fifth grade, which I treasure.”

Jennie is an active and well-respected volunteer throughout Cincinnati. She supports a number of organizations financially, and with her hands and heart. Likewise, when her kids, Liz and Andrew, were students, Jennie was an active and supportive Seven Hills parent, including serving for a time as a school trustee. “I carefully select the organizations I support—I have to feel passionate about their missions. For me, it’s an easy decision to support Seven Hills because it provides a superior educational experience,” she says.

“Including Seven Hills in my estate will provide funds to help the school maintain its high educational standards for students in the future.” She explains, “For two generations in my family, the school has provided an invaluable educational experience. It’s important to me to make sure that the school’s unique learning environment continues for generations to come.”

If you would like information about becoming a member of The Seven Hills School Legacy Society, please contact Director of Development Margo Kirstein at 513.728.2437, margo.kirstein@7hills. org , or Major Gifts Officer Marney Hupper at 513.728.2431, marney.hupper@7hills.org.

Including The Seven Hills School in your estate plans makes possible the full richness of the Seven Hills experience. Learn more about the Legacy Society at http://7hills.giftlegacy.com.

Alumni News Why is this important?

Thank you, class agents!

• Alumni giving helps maintain the excellent education, exceptional faculty, small classes, fine arts, athletics, and close-knit community that are part of the Seven Hills, and its predecessor schools, experience.

Thank you to our junior and senior class agent volunteers who meet during their lunch periodically to help the Development and Alumni Offices with alumni mailings and projects. At the October meeting, our class agents wrote thank you notes to alumni for gifts to The Seven Hills Fund.

• Your gift, no matter the size, has an impact.

Participation is the goal—your support makes a difference.

• Alumni participation is important in helping Seven Hills receive foundation and corporate grants.

Please make your gift to The Seven Hills School Fund today by going to https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/7Hills

Thank you for your support!

For more Seven Hills news, download a QR Code app to your smartphone and scan the code below to view Seven Hills’ e-newsletter, The Buzz (or visit www.7hillsBUZZ.org).

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L e c t u re LSu nS C H O O L P R E S E N T S c eon and B o o k S ig nhin g Fr iday, April 11, 2014 12:00 p.m .

Luncheon a nd book si gning at the Cintas Center, Xa vier Univers ity

Dinner w ith Thursday,

R o b e r t Ed s e

April 10, 2 014 6:30 p.m.

At the hom e of Mr. & Mrs. Willia m M. Gale In vi ta tio ns w ill b e m a

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ile d d ur in m o re in fo g Win te r rm a tio n vi B re a k. Fo si t w w w.7 o r co nt a ct r hi lls .o rg /B B o o ks fo r oo ks Fo rL un Lu nc h 2 0 1 ch 4 co -c ha ir Vo ss a nd s B V ra ic ky C a rr nd i 7 H ill sB oo ks o ll a t Fo rL un ch @ g m a il. co m .

See page 20 fo

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Alumni Class Notes 1932 New job? Recently married?

Written a book? If you have stories to share, please don’t hesitate! Go to www.7hills.org/alumniupdates.

Drop us a line and send photos (.jpeg format, please) to nancy.bassett@7hills.org.

Ann Henshaw Wagstaff (C ) (Pittsburgh, PA) writes, “I turned 100 years old in August. I still play an excellent duplicate bridge game, get around with a walker, and sing in a group.”

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Seth Taft (L) (Cleveland, OH) died on April 14, 2013.

1938

Marilyn Bishop Vollmer (C ) (Cincinnati) died on June 8, 2013.

1939

Peter “Pedro” Stites (L) (Cincinnati) died on October 16, 2013.

1941

Sudie Ernst Geier (H) (Cincinnati) writes, “ In April I celebrated my 90th birthday with 23 of my closest family members. I’ve had a great summer in and out of town.”

1943

Robert “Dick” Harrison (L) (Cincinnati) died on May 26, 2012.

(1958) Justice Steven H. Levinson (L) pictured at left

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1944

70th Reunion Reunion Rep Hillsdale Alice Whaling Fossett, 513.233.3129 Contact Alice to help plan your reunion.

W. John Friedlander (L) (Lake Placid, NY) died on September 17, 2013.

1948

Helen Sullivan Dennis (H) (Cincinnati) died on October 8, 2013.

1949

65th Reunion Reunion Reps Hillsdale Sue Armstrong Beutler sbeutler@umich.edu 734.663.4870 Mary Ann McIlwain Dodson mamdodson@me.com, 915.584.9886 Contact anyone on the committee to help plan your reunion.

1951

Gay Seybolt Bain (H) (Cincinnati) writes, “It is our delight to have our youngest son, Jordan, and his wife, Anne, in Cincinnati and to be able to be part of their four children’s lives at Seven Hills.

Julianne ’11 is now a junior at UNC Chapel Hill, Michael ’13 is a freshman at Johns Hopkins, and the younger two are at Seven Hills as a sophomore (Catherine ’16) and a sixth grader (Spencer ’20). All are having super experiences at this great school!”

1952

Maryel Vogel Smith (H) (Elyria, OH) died on January 3, 2013.

Bromwell Espy (L) (Cincinnati) died on November 28, 2012.

1953

Jane White Lewis (H) (Guilford, CT) died on April 7, 2013.

Elizabeth Woodward Lundberg (C ) (Claremore, OK) died on February 25, 2013.

1954

60th Reunion Reunion reps are needed for Hillsdale and CPS.

1955

Malcolm McElroy (L) (Cincinnati) died on August 29, 2013.

1956

Mary Genevieve Hauser Bingham (H) (Granville, OH) died on March 21, 2013.

1958

Congratulations to Justice Steven H. Levinson (L) (Honolulu, HI) on receiving the Hawaii United for Marriage Advocacy Award at the United for Marriage event on April 30, 2013. It was presented with appreciation and in honor of his tireless efforts for more than 20 years in support of marriage equality in Hawaii.

Francie Garber Pepper(H) (Cincinnati) was honored by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber as a member of the class of Great Living Cincinnatians. To read more about Pepper’s work

with the YMCA of Cincinnati and Smith College, go to http://tinyurl.com/159yog8.

Joanie Barrett (H) (Carmel, CA) died on March 7, 2013.

Betsy Benedict Peabody (H) (Thetford Center, VT) writes “My husband and I just had a family reunion with our sons and their families in the Adirondacks—wonderful!”

1959

55th Reunion Reunion reps are needed for Hillsdale and CPS.

1964

1968

Cynthia Perry Colebrook (H) (San Francisco, CA) is the vice president for Institutional Advancement at the San Francisco Art Institute. As a volunteer, she serves on the Board of Governors at Westover School, Middlebury, CT, and on the Advisory Board of SUTENI, a not-for-profit working to eliminate AIDS in Kenya. She and her husband, Teddy, have two daughters, Augustine and Priscilla (Buse ’99), and four grandchildren.

One of Teddy Colebrook’s (former Seven Hills Business Manager), paintings was on the cover of the October 2013 Christie’s catalog. The painting was one of a pair of interiors commissioned by Diana Dollar Knowles in San Francisco in 1999.

50th Reunion Reunion Reps Hillsdale Ann Shepard Bulger lab2833@fuse.net Jane Porteous Ellsworth jmpells9749@msn.com Contact anyone on the committee to help plan your reunion.

1969

CPS Ann Weichert Kranbuhl annkran@fuse.net Tuckie Bartlett Westfall tuckie@comcast.net Lea Ferguson Brooks leabrooks1@yahoo.com Contact anyone on the committee to help plan your reunion.

1972

Worthy Tuttle (H) (Whitefish, MT) died on September 19, 2013.

1973

1967

Laura Eanes Thom (C ) (Cincinnati) died on May 6, 2013.

Nancy Pechstein Aubke (H) (Terrace Park, OH) shares, “Deborah Koons Garcia H’67 premiered her film Symphony of the Soil at the Mariemont Theater on October 10, 2013.” http://tinyurl.com/o8opqkp

45th Reunion Reunion reps are needed for Hillsdale and CPS. Pamela Fisher Carnes (C ) (Cincinnati) died on March 28, 2013.

Jackie Jerris Peretzky (H) (Cincinnati) died on May 11, 2013.

See the 2013 class note for news about Helen Asbury’s (H) son.

Martha Klayf Everett (C ) (Bowling Green, OH) died on September 11, 2012.

1974

40th Reunion Reunion reps are needed for Hillsdale.

CPS The CPS 40th reunion will be held in Cincinnati on June 6 & 7, 2014.

Jane Garvey garveyjane@gmail.com Holly Keller Wilson wilson75@comcast.net Contact anyone on the committee to help plan your reunion.

1975

INTERESTED IN BEING A REUNION REP FOR YOUR CLASS?

Cami Elliott (Brattleboro, VT) writes, “I am living and teaching in Brattleboro, VT. I visit Cincinnati a couple times a year and connect with my Seven Hills friends.”

Contact Nancy McCormick

1976

nancy.bassett@7hills.org

Robin Goldhagen Plowden-Love (C) (Cincinnati) died on September 27, 2013.

Bassett ‘83 Director of Alumni Relations 513.728.2432

1977

See the 2011 class note for news about Mike Cromer’s daughters.

1979

35th Reunion Reunion reps are needed for Hillsdale and CPS.

1982

Ed Carson (Cincinnati) died on July 27, 2013.

1983

Dr. Dotty Shaffer (Cincinnati) was featured in a cover story in the August 2, 2013, issue of the Cincinnati Business Courier that focused on doctors that “go it alone.” Per the article, “As Dr. Dorothy Shaffer sees it, to make it as a solo physician, you have to offer something health systems can’t. In her case, it’s attention to holistic medicine: nutrition, clinical biochemistry, acupuncture, and finding the causes of inflammation. She calls her practice Full Spectrum Health Center. ‘I attract people who have failed (with) Western medicine,’ said Shaffer, an internist, ‘and people who hate doctors.’” http://tinyurl.com/m69mr5t

Our condolences to family and friends who lost loved ones as reported in this issue.

49

1984 INTERESTED IN BEING A REUNION REP FOR YOUR CLASS?

Contact Nancy McCormick Bassett ‘83 Director of Alumni Relations nancy.bassett@7hills.org 513.728.2432

30th Reunion Reunion Reps Sally Bidlingmeyer slbidlingmeyer@fuse.net Dorothy Kim Corbett dcorbett@its.jnj.com Helen Mattheis Mattheish@gcfdn.org Liz Rosenberg rosenberg_ostroff@yahoo.com Tanya Lindy Staggs Tanya.staggs@gmail.com Contact anyone on the committee to help plan your reunion.

Murray Monroe (Cincinnati), his wife, Katie, and new big sister Miriam welcomed Livia Shipley on July 15, 2013. Congratulations!

Beth Redmond-Jones (San Diego, CA) writes, “In August, my family and I relocated to San Diego, CA, from Swarthmore, PA, where I have accepted the position of Senior Director of Public Programs at the San Diego Natural History Museum. In this position I oversee all exhibitions and educational programs, and am working to make the museum a more visitor-centric institution. We are all thrilled to be back in sunny California!”

1985 Our condolences to family and friends who lost loved ones as reported in this issue.

Elliott Anderson (Elgin, IL) was appointed superintendent of Westminster Christian School.

Elliott was hired in July 2012 as the dean of spiritual life and became the interim superintendent in January 2013. After a nationwide search, the board selected Elliott as the fourth superintendent in Westminister Christian School history.

1987

50

Roger Magnus (Amherst, MA) writes “I have worked for over a year as Records Director for three business newspapers in the Northeast compiling ranked lists related to the business community and other data research. I enjoy living in Amherst with my wife, Ariella; son, Noah; and daughter, Sophie.”

1988

Laura Kaufman (University Place, WA) was a 2013 inductee as fellow of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in Orlando, FL, on May 1, 2013.

Laura’s proud dad, Ben Kaufman, said, “This award is given by a selection committee based on career accomplishments. Laura completed her occupational medicine residency at the University of Utah in 2004. She also did her family practice residency there. She is an occupational medicine physician with Group Health Cooperative, based in Seattle but practicing in Tacoma. Her medical degree and Ph.D. (clinical epidemiology) are from UC.” Ellen Haude, Chris Rice, and Julianne Richardson Wagner together yesterday and today!

Thanks to Ellen for sharing this newspaper clipping about the program for three-yearolds at CPS from an archived issue of the Cornerstone, the CPS school newspaper.

Ellen Haude 4th row, 4th from left Chris Rice 2nd row, 2nd from left Julianne Richardson Wagner 4th row, 3rd from left Also in the class were: Jennifer Joseph Combs 1st row, 2nd from left Dave Dawson 2nd row, 4th from left

1989

25th Reunion Amy Bulger Kattman kattman@taftlaw.com Lidney Motch Luczkow ldmotch@comcast.net Contact anyone on the committee to help plan your reunion.

Samuel Wickliffe “Wick” Luczkow, son of Lidney Motch Luczkow (Boston, MA), sporting Stinger-wear for the toddler set.

May (Eynon) and Troy Selby (Aspen, CO) welcomed Charles Remington “Remy” on June 5, 2013. “Remy was born at Aspen Valley Hospital just in time to embark on an active summer in the Rocky Mountains. He loves hiking amidst the wildflowers, strolling alongside the rivers and socializing with friends.”

1993

Anika Francis (Lakewood, OH) wrote Love’s All That Makes Sense: A Mother Daughter Memoir.

The Plain Press May 2013 book review said, “…

Sakeenah Francis and her daughter Anika Francis reveal intimate details of their lives as Sakeenah shared her memories of her struggles with her mental illness, schizophrenia, in letters to her now grown daughter, Anika. In turn, Anika reflects back on those same periods in her life recalling how she felt and how she coped as the daughter of a woman struggling with a severe mental illness.” The book is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers.

1994

20th Reunion Anne Josephson josephsonar@gmail.com Contact Anne to help plan your reunion.

Alumni Class Notes and George Forman wrote a description about one of our projects in the Hundred Languages edition.

We also created three printed books to showcase and document the learning of our children.

Sarah Pancoast Broad (Princeton Junction, NJ) and her family, including her husband Dan, Eliza (age one), and Henry (age four and a half ) enjoying the summer in Margate, NJ.

1995

Congratulations to Troy Rheinfrank (Cincinnati) and his wife, Amy, who welcomed Felix Harry on May 2, 2013.

Jordan Hasley Guillory (Honolulu, HI) emailed, “As of August 2013, I am in my ninth year as a teacher at Mid-Pacific Institute (MPI), an independent school which is part of the ‘schools of the future’ initiative. Our school, like Seven Hills, has worked closely with Harvard’s Dr. Tony Wagner.”

She continued, “At the end of the school year 20122013, I was honored at MPI with a nominal award for teaching and going beyond my role as a teacher as Atelierista in our early childhood Reggio Emiliainspired program. Some of our work was published,

“During the school year, I spoke at several conferences. I presented at the Hawaii Association for the Education of Young Children (HAEYC) conference at the Honolulu Convention Center in October 2012. I spoke about the atelier at a DKG (Delta Kappa Gamma) meeting in November 2012 and also at another HAEYC conference in Maui.

And I also co-presented with Dr. Will Parnell from Portland State University on Reggio-inspired work in Honolulu.” To read about the MPI work with children, here’s a link to Jordan’s blog: www.midpac.edu/elementary/art_pk/.

1996

Best wishes to Rachel Turansky Finn (Cincinnati) and her husband, Eric, on the birth of Jacob Eli on February 10, 2012.

Tom Garber (Cincinnati) and his wife, Molly, welcomed Aubrey Elizabeth on September 28, 2013. Congratulations!

The April 2013 issue of Lake Norman Currents magazine featured an article on Peter Fischer (Davidson, NC). Peter and his wife, Breland, moved to the area for his job as a trauma surgeon. However,

the article focuses on Peter’s involvement with the Davidson Volunteer Fire Program. Quoting from the article, “‘We are all here to help somebody,’ says Fischer. His passion for firefighting and emergency medicine goes back more than 15 years when he first became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with a fire department in Cincinnati. ‘I was interested in the healthcare field, and I thought I would really enjoy it,’ recalls Fischer…Fischer’s love for being a firefighter runs much deeper than the random adrenaline rush of heading into a fire or emergency situation when everyone else is trying to get out. For him, it’s about the people. ‘I enjoy it significantly; the teamwork, the comradery, and the ability to serve the community,’ says Fischer. ‘It’s just a lot of fun.’”

New job? Recently married?

Written a book? If you have stories to share, please don’t hesitate! Go to www.7hills.org/alumniupdates.

Drop us a line and send photos (.jpeg format, please) to nancy.bassett@7hills.org.

Peter Fischer and wife, Breland, welcomed Rawlings Caldwell on April 17, 2013.

1997

Jon Clemons (Cincinnati) and his wife, Katie, welcomed Caroline “Callie” on May 1, 2013. Jon shared, “Troy Rheinfrank ‘95 was four doors down in the Christ Hospital delivery room, where his wife, Amy, gave birth to Felix on May 2.” Jon also told us, “Katrina Traiforos Nay ’97 sent Callie her first pair of designer shoes, which she’s wearing in this pic.”

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Alumni News

Alumni Class Notes

Our condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones reported in this issue.

1999 New job? Recently married?

Written a book? If you have stories to share, please don’t hesitate! Go to www.7hills.org/alumniupdates.

Drop us a line and send photos (.jpeg format, please) to nancy.bassett@7hills.org.

15th Reunion Reunion reps are needed.

2001

Ferrial Lanton (Washington, D.C.), partner and Associate General Counsel of de Beaufort Group LLP (dBG), a Washington DC-based consulting and strategy firm, was recently featured in Washington Business Journal as one of the publication’s “People on the Move.” Per the press release, “Mr. Lanton negotiates merger agreements and terms and drafts merger and acquisitions filings.

He is responsible for crafting a policy of ethics compliance (with assistance from Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the General Counsel), advising on issues of Federal Acquisition Regulation compliance, as well as federal and local corporate filing and taxation issues. Other duties include working with dBG’s partners on strategic business development.”

2002

Sam Marrero (Washington, D.C.) emailed, “I have been elected to the District 1 Representative seat for the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly board of directors. Southwest is the quadrant in Washington that has been my home for the past year, and it’s divided into four districts.”

52

Sam continued, “My platform was that I wanted to establish a compost pile network between the area’s residential buildings in District 1, improve the Southwest duck pond—which is beautiful but its

water turns putrid in the summer—and perhaps turn part of it into a community garden (which could be linked to the compost) that the students at AmidonBowen Elementary school (where I also volunteer as a field trip chaperone) can participate in and learn from. Also, I want to increase relations between National Defense University/Fort McNair (where I work) and the Southwest community as a whole.”

attendance were Vitaly Goldfeder ’04, Tommy Collins ’04, Addison Maupin ’04, Pat Weisman ’04, Zach Hurwitz ’04, Ben Simpson ’04, Samantha Buyniski ’04, Asher Lanier ’04, Damon Jason ’04 and Chris Westendorf ’04.

2003

Gabriel Pagani (Rochester, MN) began his first year of neurology residency at the Mayo Clinic.

Eva Motch Spitzer (Seattle, WA) writes, “I moved to Seattle in 2012. I just got a new job as a Print Technician (a technical textile design and color position) for children’s wear at Nordstrom.” Eva continued, “I’m also doing freelance design for Smartwool socks.”

2004

10th Reunion-Saturday, November 29, 2014 Ashleigh Lyons Ashleigh.lyons1285@gmail.com Ashlee Jackson adkjackson@gmail.com Sarah McDonough sarahmcdonough1@gmail.com Contact anyone on the committee to help plan your reunion.

Bryan Bibler (New York, NY) married Sarah Emily McCready on October 13, 2012.

Other alums in

Susie Keller (Middletown, RI) married Jake Westermann on August 2, 2013, in Cincinnati.

Seven Hills alumni at the wedding included Ashley Ackerman ’05, Ramsey Reid ’03, Jo Sittenfeld ’98, Asia Reid ’05, Holly Keller Wilson C’74, Margaret Kent ’04, Alex Derkson ’03, Addie Burton ’04, P.G. Sittenfeld ’03, Susie Keller ’04, Jake Westermann, Asher Lanier ’04, Craig Burton ’04, Chip Kalnow ’04, Jessalyn Reid ’08, and Andy Barr ’05. Susan Marrs was present but not pictured.

2005

Sam James (Boston, MA) was selected as one of British Journal of Photography’s “20 Photographers to Watch in 2013.” His latest work is in the November 2013 issue of

Harper’s magazine as part of “Dirty South,” an article that explores the impact and legacy of the oil industry in Louisiana. http://tinyurl.com/ samjamesphotographer Emily Hastie and Dan Schultz (Boston, MA) were married on August 3, 2013, in Cincinnati.

Other Seven Hills alums at the wedding were Brian Hepp ’05, Sam James ’05, Elizabeth Hastie ’08, Libby Ferguson ’05, Hannah Wheatley ’05, and Alexandra Hue ’05.

2007

Sarah Margaret Gibson (Florence, Italy) earned a prestigious Hudson River Fellowship to study landscape painting this summer in Jackson, NH. The Hudson River Fellowship is a selective program offered by The Grand Central Academy of Art, designed to “reawaken enthusiasm for classic American landscape painters, with a focus on the vigorous scene of contemporary landscape painting.”

Gibson has been studying classical methods of drawing and painting in Florence, Italy. In June, she graduated from The Florence Academy of Art, the premier atelier in the world teaching classical artistic techniques employed since the Renaissance.

2008

Seth Rau (Las Vegas, NV) wrote to say he is now “… working as the Policy Director at Nevada Succeeds, a new organization dedicated

to improving Nevada’s schools by increasing the involvement of the business community in improving area schools. Before moving to Las Vegas to teach (which indirectly led me to my current position), I have worked on scholarly research in the Persian Gulf and Tunisia. I also spent significant time working on local political campaigns in Massachusetts.”

Elizabeth Brand (New York, NY) is the program coordinator of the Neighborhood Hunger Network at Public Health Solutions. She is managing the Neighborhood Hunger Network initiative in Jamaica and Hollis, Queens, in partnership with United Way of New York City. The program engages with community stakeholders and citywide organizations to establish partnerships and promote integration of resources for food to secure individuals and families. Elizabeth helps to organize regular community meetings, events, and health fairs to address food insecurity and poverty in a high-need area.

2009

5th Reunion-Saturday, November 29, 2014 Doug Wulsin douglas.wulsin@gmail.com Contact Doug to help plan your reunion.

Steven Young (Los Angeles, CA) graduated from the University of Southern California as a Renaissance Scholar with a major in History, minors in Entrepreneurship; Digital Studies; and Philanthropy, Non-Profits and Volunteerism.

Chelsea Zesch (New Orleans, LA) graduated this June from Tulane University and was featured in the June 2013 School of Liberal Arts newsletter. “At Tulane, Zesch volunteered her talent for marketing to raise thousands of dollars for the fight against cancer and promote an adult education program for Latino immigrants. More than just good for the community, the volunteer work—combined with her use of Tulane’s Career Services Center— helped her land a coveted internship in advertising at Grey New York after graduation.” Read the Tulane newsletter piece about Chelsea at http://tinyurl.com/zeschtulane.

2010

Thanks to our Boston Alumni Ambassadors, Laura Hoguet ’06 and Susie Keller ‘04, for getting area alums together in June!

Neal Grabowski ’05 Dan Schultz ’05 Emily Hastie Schultz ’05 Laura Hoguet ’06 Katie Donovan ’06 Julie Habbert ’08 Addie Maupin ’04

Gilbert Pasquale (Baltimore, MD) is now the president of Beta Theta Pi’s Alpha Chi Chapter at Johns Hopkins University.

2011

Mike Cromer ’77 sent in news of his daughters Katie and Leah Cromer. “Katie (Medford, MA) is in China for a summer internship followed by a semester abroad in China. Leah (Northfield, MN) has a geology 53

research project at Carleton this summer and is heading for a semester abroad in Nepal this fall.”

INTERESTED IN BEING A REUNION REP FOR YOUR CLASS?

Contact Nancy McCormick Bassett ‘83

Sharon Liao (New York, NY) shared, “Recently, for my freshman writing class, we wrote op-eds and submitted them to newspapers and magazines.

One of my research papers earlier this year was about No Child Left Behind. I also wrote my op-ed about education, specifically the elitist prejudices that still exist against the K-12 teaching profession.

Throughout my life, largely thanks to my parents, I’ve held the highest level of respect for the profession, but after coming to Columbia, I’ve been upset that others don’t think the same way.” Read Sharon’s op-ed, which was published in the May 17, 2013, edition of the Washington Post at http://tinyurl.com/avoidteaching.

Ian Hillenbrand (Lewiston, ME) is enjoying hosting GREEN LIGHT, a Thursday morning radio show, as D. Jay Gatsby on Bates College radio. Tune in to listen online from 6-8 a.m.

Director of Alumni Relations nancy.bassett@7hills.org 513.728.2432

He will sorely miss Seven Hills, but will be rooming this fall with his close friend and classmate, Chris Baggott ’13, at OSU.”

Parent Amy Harrigan emailed “Elisse Hill (Princeton, NJ) hosted Hadiya Harrigan ’14 at Princeton University over Labor Day weekend.

Elisse, who is majoring in Computer Science Engineering, is also a campus tour guide, university cheerleader, and Dorm Assistant.”

Ryan MacKenzie (Cincinnati) died on August 19, 2013.

2012

Tech Crunch posted an article on April 7, 2013, covering HackPrinceton 2013. Ned Williamson (Pittsburgh, PA) was mentioned for his work on a “project called InstantKarma sought to remove all the guesswork from racking up worthless Internet points on Reddit. InstantKarma is a program that monitors Reddit’s new submissions and analyzes them to determine which are most likely to become popular (and by extension, which ones you should comment on). To read more about Ned’s InstantKarma project, visit http://tinyurl.com/ hackprinceton.

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2013

Photo above: John Rowe and teammates at the U.S. Pony Club National Championships, Lexington, VA, July 2013.

Thanks to Helen Asbury H’72 for sharing, “John Rowe is a member of the Greenacres U.S. Pony Club. The team won first place in their division at the National Championship Quiz Team competition in Lexington, VA. Teams who have won their regional championships come from all over the U.S. and Canada to compete at Nationals.

Our condolences to family and friends who lost loved ones as reported in this issue.

Alumni Events \

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T H E JOIN

Alumni Calendar 2013 - 2014

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on i t p e c e r g n i n A n eve the at ub l C y t i s r e v i n U cinnati

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Street, Cin 401 E. 4th , 2014 ebruary 13 Thursday, F 8:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. to

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AR IN JANU

Friday, April 11 & Saturday, April 12 Reunion 2014 for classes ending in 4 & 9.

Friday, May 2 Seven Hills visits New York

es n d L it e B it C o c k ta il s a

ED BE MAIL S WILL I TAT I O N

Thursday, February 13 Alumni Reception The University Club 401 E. Fourth Street, 45202 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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Hillsdale Campus 5400 Red Bank Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 Doherty Campus 2726 Johnstone Place Cincinnati, Ohio 45206 Intellectually vibrant, individually attuned, future-ready learning for students two years through grade 12.

T H E

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The Seven Hills School 2013-14 Board of Trustees

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B O A R D

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