Seven Hills Magazine - Winter 2010

Seven Hills The Seven Hills School Magazine Winter 2010

Visual Arts and Artists at Seven Hills Inspiring Imagination,1 Exploration, and Passion To Create

Seven Hills Vol. XXXIII No. 3

Winter 2010

Editor/Designer Kathy Deubell

Contents 3 A Message from Head of School Chris Garten Let’s Make Our Classrooms Laboratories

4 Visual Arts and Artists at Seven Hills

By Kathy Deubell

Director of Development Gary Monnier

Director of Admission Peter Egan

Director of Alumni Relations Nancy McCormick Bassett ’83 Head of School Christopher Garten

Seven Hills is a quarterly publication of The Seven Hills School. It is produced using the school’s digital publishing equipment.

11 School Notes

14 Resale Shop: Celebrating 50 Years of Serving Our School 16 Annual Giving: Participation is Key! 22 Varsity Sports 25 Titcomb Fund Grants for Faculty Adventures 27 Alumni News 38 A Reception in the Garden at the Taft Museum 42 The Wandering Alum An Egyptian Experience with Sam Marrero ’02

The Seven Hills School 5400 Red Bank Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45227-1198 513-271-9027 E-mail: alumni.news@7hills.org Fax: 513-271-2471 Website: www.7hills.org

Parents of Alumni: If this issue of Seven Hills is mailed to an alumnus/a who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please update your child’s records by notifying Cheryl Brown at 513-272-5365 or cheryl.brown@7hills.org.

New Seven Hills Scholar Awards The Seven Hills School is pleased to be able to offer a number of academic scholarships to incoming Middle and Upper School students. We seek new strong, dedicated students in sixth through twelfth grades whose academic commitment, strength of character, and leadership skills will further enrich our learning community.

If you have friends and neighbors applying to Seven Hills in the sixth through twelfth grades, we encourage you to share the new Seven Hills Scholar Award brochure with them. To download it, visit www.7hills.org> Admissions>Seven Hills Scholar Awards.

For more information, please contact Janet Hill, Interim Director of Admission, at 513-272-5386.

Pictured on the front cover are senior Kate Brandy and art teacher Diane Kruer.

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A Message from Head of School Chris Garten

Let’s Make Our Classrooms Laboratories At a gathering last week in California, one of our alumni asked me what was my favorite place on campus. It got me thinking.

My first thought, I confess, was Doherty and Lotspeich. It’s hard not to be drawn by the energy and enthusiasm of our youngest students. I love their eagerness to show off their newly-acquired skills, the obvious pride they take in their work, and their willingness to share their joy in learning. I love their kindness to each other and their frank affection for their teachers. As one student put it to me, Lower School is “the huggiest place on campus.”

But I think, too, of the electricity I feel on our playing fields or in a gym crammed with fans on a Friday night. It’s not just the intensity of our athletes that moves me or their commitment to fair play or even their obvious excitement in playing together.

More than all this, I love the joy that all of our students seem to take in supporting one another.

There’s nothing like the feeling when our fans come streaming out of the stands to celebrate, with one voice, a hard-earned victory or to console each other after a last-second loss.

I love our fine arts programs for the same reason.

Our art shows and concerts, recitals and Mock Trial contests—they all represent, for those involved, the culmination of months of work. Students have pulled together; they’ve practiced, they’ve rehearsed, they’ve committed themselves, body and soul, to the success of the enterprise, and their teachers have done all they can. Now, as the baton drops or the curtain goes up, the success or failure of the performance rests squarely on the shoulders of the students themselves.

They feel it, and, inevitably, they respond.

I love dipping into classrooms, eavesdropping in the libraries, meandering through the lunchrooms, but more and more, when I can carve out some precious time away from meetings, I’m drawn inexorably

to the school’s laboratories. Here’s why.

In some previous columns, I’ve alluded to a list of “survival skills” that educational theorists like Tony Wagner and Daniel Pink have identified, the skills they consider most critical for leadership in the global community. It’s an important list, and it’s worth repeating in this context. Wagner cites the importance of developing in our students such skills as critical thinking and problem solving, the ability to collaborate across networks, initiative and adaptability, effective oral and written communication, the ability to access and analyze information, as well as curiosity and imagination.

A great deal of the teaching I see on our campuses seems focused already on developing these critical goals. At Seven Hills, more than in virtually any other school I’ve ever seen, the faculty is committed to using those teaching methods most conducive to fostering higher order thinking skills. Our teachers expect a great deal more than individual mastery of information. Learning is inquiry-based and highly interactive. Students talk a great deal more than their teachers, and they are encouraged to be skeptical about ideas and to challenge their teachers (and each other) in respectful ways.

Throughout their schooling, students work a great deal in teams, collaborating on projects and investigations, and they use technology extensively for meaningful purposes: for research, data gathering and analysis, presentation, and communication. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, our students get an enormous amount of training in communicating their ideas in powerful, compelling ways.

What else, one might ask, can we do to arm students even more fully with these critical skills? My proposal is simple: let’s make all our classrooms laboratories. For it is in our laboratories, at their best, that we see the clearest examples of the kind of learning that Wagner describes.

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We want, more than anything, to give our students the gift of confidence. We want them to know that they have the skills they need to perform on the world stage.

By way of an example, consider this classroom activity from Linda Ford’s chemistry class. As the class begins, students are already clustered in groups of three or four, and the room is crackling with excitement. Just seconds before, they’ve been given the following challenge: using only the chemicals and equipment available in the lab, they must design and build a working airbag. Specifically, they must construct an apparatus that will fill a one-quart Ziplock bag in less than a second and then support the weight of their chemistry text for at least 30 seconds. The experiment requires the application of gas law calculations as well as an understanding of chemical reactions and the factors that influence their rates.

Let’s think about this task in the context of Wagner’s list.

Here is a classroom activity that is pure application. This is not an empty academic exercise where students field questions to which the teacher already knows the answers.

The experiment involves making practical use of what one has been taught for a real life purpose. Students can understand immediately the practical consequences of this experiment. They are working on something that is urgent, where lives are literally at stake.

Clearly, too, this activity involves problem solving at its purest, for there is no single correct answer. A number of possible chemical reactions will produce the desired result; the trick is to find the one solution that will produce the fastest and most effective results and the fewest unintended side effects!

Moreover, because students themselves design their own solution with a limited supply of materials and equipment, the exercise calls for creativity and imagination, for “out-of-the-box” thinking. Different teams will approach the problem from different angles. Because the task is student-directed, it fosters initiative and independence. Furthermore, because it is a complex process involving multiple steps and a great many false leads, it requires persistence and dedication over time. Like all complex problems, it involves taking risks and experiencing failure.

Obviously, the task also requires teamwork and collaboration. In the planning phase, this activity calls for a thorough knowledge of classroom content, as well as keen 4

analytical skills and an active imagination. In its execution phase, it also requires design skills and mechanical abilities. To work efficiently in the limited time allotted, students will have to develop a way of working effectively together so that all the best ideas are explored and the skills of each team member are fully utilized.

As Wagner has pointed out, collaboration is a skill that is highly valued in the workplace, yet, in far too many schools, students rarely get to practice it in an academic context.

Though the example I have chosen is drawn from just one academic discipline, I would maintain that in the hands of our skilled and creative teachers, all of the classrooms at Seven Hills are, in some sense, laboratories. There is, of course, content to be mastered and skills to be taught, and some of this work has to be done in isolation. But at its best, teaching at Seven Hills is distinctive because it engages students in working together to develop solutions to complex and meaningful problems, problems that engage students’ interest because they are real and important and because they require students to apply what they know in new and unfamiliar situations.

At Seven Hills, education is future focused. No mission is more critical than ensuring that our students leave our community armed as fully as possible to meet the challenges of the global community. We want, more than anything, to give our students the gift of confidence. We want them to know that they have the skills they need to perform on the world stage.

Fortunately, we are blessed with a creative and dedicated faculty that is fully committed to fostering in our students both the skills and the strength of character they need to excel in the world outside our doors. We are blessed, too, with a community of parents, alumni, and friends who are equally committed to supporting our teachers’ efforts with the resources necessary to continue to refine our program. That is what we will all be working on in the months and years ahead!

One Other Note

The article that starts on the following page is a special celebration of the visual arts program, which, in my estimation, is one of the great strengths of Seven Hills. In keeping with my remarks above, clearly our visual arts studios are some of the most active “laboratories” in our school community. Through a series of provocative assignments, students have a host of opportunities to develop their creativity and imagination, to hone their sense of craft, and, yes, to work with and alongside each other in a highly collaborative way. I hope the text and images that follow give you a glimmer of what our students are creating with the guidance a very skilled arts faculty!

Visual Arts and Artists at Seven Hills Inspiring Imagination, Exploration, and Passion To Create We are pleased to exhibit this sample of artwork and statements by a few of the artists who are our teachers, students, and alumni.

We invited our visual arts teachers to share their thoughts on the unique features of our program and the benefits to a child that go beyond the tangible artwork he creates. We also invited some of our young alumni artists to share their experiences with our visual arts program and teachers. Excerpts from their contributions appear throughout our “art exhibit.”

Second Grade Pointillism Butterflies “At Seven Hills the art teachers are working artists, always growing as artists as well as art teachers. We are people who think out of the box. Most of us don’t even know there is a box. We let our students see what we as artists create, and this is inspiring for them. I know that we as a group of art teachers radiate an excitement about exploring options in subject matter, themes, and materials. The more excited I get about a project, the more lit up are the kids. We can see that excitement in each other’s eyes and we can’t wait to get started on some fantastic piece of artwork.

“The art teachers at Seven Hills have freedom to experiment with, change, or add new curriculum. We feel supported in our ideas and trusted that we know what experiences will best shape our students into cultured, open-minded, educated thinkers. Our students gain

First Grade Abstract Portraits these traits by being encouraged to work with many different media and to think creatively and by being exposed to the arts of many different countries and cultures, as well as visiting museums and working with our visiting artists.

“It’s when I hear students sigh with happiness as they enter the art room. It’s when I hear them say, ‘I feel like a real artist’ and when I see them throw care to the wind and attack with confidence whatever art experience I have planned, even if it is something they have never done before. It’s when I see children gathered around discussing artworks that are hanging in the hallways. It’s these experiences that feed and sustain me, the art creator and teacher, and allow me to thrive as much as my students do here at Seven Hills.”

Jody Knoop, Lotspeich Art Teacher 5

Third Grade Oil Pastels

“The foundation of my arts education began at Doherty. We were able to experience various art forms: Mrs. Streff exposed us to everything from printmaking to creating optical illusions, world crafts, pottery making. The list is endless!

“Doherty brought art out of the classroom and made it a part of our daily academic lives. In Mrs. Daily’s class we created prototypes of inventions we had thought of ourselves, wrote what felt like hundereds of poems, created games—complete with game pieces, rules and an original board, acted out characters from our reading and wrote and illustrated our own books every year.

“Doherty’s approach to intergrating the arts seamlessly within all of my subjects, always underscoring its academic importance, helped me to confidently embrace art as a core part of my education and to see its importance in every facet of life.”

Carroll Wallace, Class of 2004

“Our art programs connect to other times, cultures, ways of thinking, and disciplines. We foster an awareness of human commonalities while reveling in and learning from differences.

This openness to others will be needed to function in a more global environment “Art allows multiple correct answers to problems and art rules are made to be broken. Students learn flexible and creative thinking skills.

“Art is not seen as ‘products’ but rather a process that involves making a plan, carrying out that plan, and evaluating

the results. All are skills needed for a future that will involve change.

“Conventional wisdom says that children today are unable to concentrate for long periods of time, but our students disprove that. Our children work hard over extended periods of time.

“It is exciting to teach in a school where there is broad support for serious and in-depth art education throughout the grades. Students genuinely enjoy what they do and look forward to attempting projects that older children have completed.”

Barb Streff, Doherty Art Teacher

Fifth Grade Perspective Drawing 6

“Art is such an incredible vehicle for understanding in a variety of ways that can reach just about every type of learner.

It can be visual, auditory and kinesthetic. It is logical or whimsical. It is reflective and perceptive, emotional or aloof.

It is collaborative and individual. But most importantly, for me, it’s risky. I think risk taking is the essence of creativity.

It’s when you select bits from all that you know and throw them together—sometimes purposefully and sometimes accidentally—to see what happens. Sometimes the results are glorious and sometimes they’re not. Risk taking in art can only truly happen when you feel that you are in a safe and supported place. And that is what I strive for in my class.

When you come into my room, I want you to know that whether or not you were born with some amazing natural talent, creativity will happen for you.”

Elissa Donovan

Middle School Art Teacher

Collaborative Seventh Grade Atmospheric Perspective Mural

Seventh Grade Gyotaku: Japanese Fish Printing

Sixth Grade Kaledoscope Skulls

“I think the visual arts program at Seven Hills—Mrs. Harbolt, Mrs. Hutchins, Jody Knoop, Diane Kruer—is what set the stage and laid the foundation for my life’s work. Without their support and tremendous understanding of children, I probably wouldn’t have graduated! The gift that the visual arts department gave me during high school was an outlet, an open door, freedom to work and explore, and investigate media and my self-expression. I learned collaboration, critical thinking, creativity all from the arts—the foundation of being a lifelong interdisplinary learner.

“I am one of a group of teachers who has started and continues to develop a Reggio-inspired early childhood program at Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu. Our school is working with Tony Wagner, on a schools-of-the-future initiative. As a studio teacher, my job requires me to use many of the skills I was taught by my Seven Hills teachers.”

Jordan Hasley Guillory, Class of 1995

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In many places on our campuses, one is surrounded by student artwork—wall-sized murals, sculpture on banisters, even ceilings.

This abundance and variety of artwork attest to the culture of exploration and self-discovery, nurtured ideas, stretching and risking, and pursued passions that is the hallmark of our school.

The Middle School art program is very sophisticated. The projects and materials that the students are exposed to are quite advanced. One of these projects is our self-portrait unit. Our students learn to build canvases from scratch. Many students around our country are never exposed to this until college—and our students learn this in eighth grade!

“Then we delve into learning about proportions, looking into a mirror and drawing and painting what we see, color theory, and symbolic and representational art. This is a challenge for anyone at any age.

“I am very proud of my students. They start out saying ‘Mrs. Stricker, I don’t know if I can do this,’ and then, through this process of learning and creating a self-portrait painting, they change, not only artistically but also mentally and emotionally. They are so proud of what they have accomplished, and that is a great thing.

“This type of confidence helps form who they are. And the smiles and sense of accomplishment that I see on their faces are priceless. All my students truly blossom during these weeks and discover the artist that lies within them!

Mimi Stricker, Middle School Art Teacher

Eighth Grade Self-Portrait “I owe much of what I do today to the visual art department at Seven Hills. The teaching and personal mentoring that they gave me is still something I think back on even after being out of Seven Hills three years. The teachers in this department helped not only with the work for their classes, but helped me also step back and view other assignments from a different POV. I am now at the Savannah College of Art and Design in my junior year pursuing a degree in Visual Effects. The training in artistic fundamentals that I gained at Seven Hills has been invaluable to me in my line of work. I learned not only how to draw or paint but also the philosophy behind the aesthetics of my work.”

Justin Monnier, Class of 2007

“I am a freelance illustrator and fashion designer. I just left my position as a designer for Macy’s to freelance full-time, so that I can pursue work that is more interesting to me. My portfolio is online at http://www.flickr.com/ photos/evamotch/ and I am currently seeking assignments.

“The outstanding visual arts program at Seven Hills helped to cultivate my interest in art. I remember fondly all of the projects from elementary school art classes with Jody Knoop, like painting fairies in the bathroom as part of a group project and a ladybug for the totem pole completed by the entire grade school.

“While I had a lot of fun and developed my creativity working on art projects, I was also well prepared for a career in arts through computer training. It started with playing on the Paint program in elementary school, to my senior year, when I took a Photoshop class that has been invaluable. Without that preparation in computer-aided design, I probably would not have had the foundation necessary to build up to the advanced Photoshop and Illustrator skills I now have. I can thank the training that I got at Seven Hills for my career.”

Eva Motch, Class of 2003

Eighth Grade Face Jugs “Students sculpted these pieces with their hands and clay tools. Face Jugs originated in the Caribbean. African slaves were not allowed to have tombstones, so face jugs served as their grave markers. Many who came to America continued this tradition.

This unique art form lets students recreate a type of art that is part of our history.”

Mimi Stricker “Diane Kruer and Jason Knarr made my experience in the visual arts program amazing. They taught me the skills necessary to create a portfolio and eventually attend Carnegie Mellon School of Design. They gave me individual attention and went above and beyond to help me succeed. In addition to being amazing teachers, they were great friends. I cannot thank them enough for their help and dedication throughout my years at Seven Hills.”

Mimi Weber, Class of 2009

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Diane Kruer is an award-winning professional artist who first came to Seven Hills as a visiting pottery artist in 1982. Her work is regularly featured in exhibits and invitationals, and it can be seen at dianekruer.com. The following are excerpts from an interview with Diane.

“I approach every class saying, ‘We are artists sharing this studio. This is a collaboration. We have a lot to learn from each other.’

“I ask that they not say that they aren’t good at something because I know they don’t want me to believe that.

You don’t walk into French class knowing how to speak French. It’s my job to help you learn these skills. Give me a chance. The process of learning art isn’t that different from the process of learning language and writing. I try to give them a vocabulary of materials and techniques and a grammar of skills of how to put it together.

“I feel that we can teach every student some basic skills of making and appreciating art. We’re not expecting them all to be artists, but we do expect them to be like an artist or think like an artist to see the world in an expanded view, to have an expanded definition of beauty, to have this new visual language to express themselves.

“In an expanded visual arts education, we say that there are essential questions and we learn there are many unique answers. But my point would be that in art and as an artist, you are even defining your own questions.

I’m asking them to find their own questions to answer.

Those kind of skills transcend being in the basement of the Donovan Arts Center. That has much more to do with life skills—having a critical, curious, creative, expanded

mind—than just making objects.

“I know these kids in the studio. I don’t know them in math or physics or any other class. I see a different side of them. But what’s important is that others in this community also see that side. Often, my brightest stars, I find out, might not be in all the AP classes. And I’m stunned. I say, ‘What do you mean? You’re brilliant!’ But those skills will serve them ultimately.

“To me, it is essential in teaching that you affirm the best in them. I have never, ever been disappointed in thousands of students.

When they feel affirmed, when they feel safe, when they feel like they’re cared for and cared about, they grow into the best of who they are meant to be.

“Sometimes you just feel that you have to incubate them a little while longer, before you send them off to college. Sometimes they come from Middle, and the world opens up for them in Upper. Sometimes the world doesn’t open up until college. You have to incubate some of their ideas, but you also have to incubate their hearts, their spirits, to keep them safe, happy and affirmed until they own it themselves.

“The reason I love Seven Hills is because Seven Hills loves the kids. There is room for an artist to be a cool kid. A good artist can be as cool as the good soccer player and the AP physics kid and the theater kid and the popular kid.”

“At Seven Hills I learned that art is not just about making pretty objects but also about exploring ideas. My teachers repeatedly reminded me that it’s important to say something with your art—that art can be beautiful, but it should always have meaning behind it as well. In Diane Kruer’s ceramics classes, I learned that with art, just as with math or history or any other subject we studied, if you want to improve, you need to put in time and effort. Like the other subjects, the more time you put into your art, the better you become.

“At Seven Hills I observed that teaching and making art can go hand-in-hand. I was inspired by my teachers: Ms. Knoop at Lotspeich, Mrs. Hutchins and Mrs. Lusenhop in Middle School, and Diane Kruer and Cynthia Hudzik in Upper School. They were all working artists as well as educators, and the fact that they had active artmaking practices outside of school was inspirational to me.

“I’m currently a freelance photographer and filmmaker in Providence, RI. I’m also an adjunct faculty member in the photography department at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where I received my M.F.A. in 2008.”

Jo Sittenfeld, Class of 1998

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Diane Kruer suggested that we talk to senior Kate Brandy, who had just finished putting together her portfolio to apply to schools in architecture. Diane said, “The process is above and beyond the regular classroom and college application work. Building a portfolio is exciting but also brutal—putting your work out there in public to strangers to judge.

It’s your future! It takes so much courage for kids to do that.”

Kate prepared portfolios for seven universities—four portfolios of tangible work and photos and three digital portfolios. At five of those schools, she interviewed in person, including faculty portfolio reviews of her original work. She said, “I didn’t have a lot of artwork, so I had to create new pieces. Each school had different requirements. Applying to college with a portfolio is double the work and not for the faint of heart.

I enjoyed the process, even though at times it was tedious, because it reassured me that I was passionate about going into the visual arts.

“The hardest part is the interview when they critique your work.

Diane has been my cheerleader. She’s been so supportive of me. She told me, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll be fine,’ when I was upset after my first portfolio review. I’d bring in my pieces and she’d say, ‘You need this a little darker or make it a little bit better—pop it. Make it the best that you can.’”

One of the original pieces that accompanied Kate on her college interviews was the 24” X 30” painting above. “I can get lost in painting for hours. I did the peacock painting in one day at the easel in my room.”

“You don’t have to be an artistic person to take an art class because, at least at Seven Hills, it’s so much more than a class. Art is whatever you make of it and not a lot of the other subjects give you the flexibility to exercise your creativity and bring your vision to life. In the art rooms with my friends and Diane, well, that was when I truly realized my calling.

“When you’re working on a piece, the stresses of the day just melt away. You can stop thinking about what you think you want to be for a moment and just relish the feel of wet clay beneath your fingertips. While you’re learning the different media for artistic expression, you start to learn things about yourself.

“Right now, I’m not taking any artistic classes (I’m on a strict four-year undergraduate plan), but I do yarn crafts to keep my creative spark alive. I was always happiest in school when I could make something with my hands. What can I say? Art kept me sane. Art keeps me sane.”

Laeia Jackson, Class of 2008

“My experience with visual arts at Seven Hills made me decide to pursue art as a career and a hobby. My first art class at Seven Hills was a studio art class taught by Diane Kruer. Diane’s enthusiasm, concern for students, and love of all media inspires all who take her classes to follow their passions, even if it is not art. Since that first studio art class, I took every visual art class that Seven Hills offered and spent all of my free time in the studio.

“Now, I am in my senior year at the Rhode Island School of Design studying knitting. I have had two pieces on the runway during New York Fashion Week, many exhibitions, and am currently in London for the semester knitting for a high fashion company.

“If it were not for Diane Kruer’s friendship and love of making, I genuinely do not think I would have continued my studio practice. Pessimism is rampant in the art world. Diane and the Seven Hills visual art department promote positive criticism, discussion of concepts, creative problem solving, observation, and love of creating.”

Lindsay Degen, Class of 2006

www.lindsaydegen.com

“I imagine that many alumni have wonderful recollections of their time in the arts program at Seven Hills, of the and warmth and encouragement and lessons that they received from their fantastic teachers. So, for variety, I’d like instead to relate my experiences with the art staff since I graduated over 15 years ago.

“I eventually became a professional illustrator, but it is a tricky industry to navigate and I have always been a bit clueless about the business end of things. There have been many times when I had tough questions, such as how and/or how much to charge for certain types of jobs, professional printing issues, wrangling invoices, etc. But I have always known that I could visit the art department at Seven Hills anytime and be offered a a huge hug, a friendly ear, and excellent advice from professional artists with years of experience.

“The teachers at Seven Hills care so much for the success of all of their students, past and present, that they will always take time to help and offer their wisdom (plus usually a cookie or donut!).

That kind of dedication is absolutely extraordinary, and it is certainly appreciated by all of us clueless artists out there!”

Elizabeth Deubell, Class of 1993

www.deubellzebub.com

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School Notes National Merit Finalists, Presidential Scholar Candidates, and More!

Inside Look at Daily Life of Our School For a glimpse of our students’ activities inside and outside the classroom and for timely news about their honors, see the Seven Hills Buzz, our new bi-weekly bulletin. The Seven Hills Buzz is emailed to current school families and posted on the Seven Hills website (www.7hills.org>News). The Buzz is part of our effort to provide our school community with timely news and glimpses of the exciting things that are taking place in all of our divisions.

Senior Adam Jatho has received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy.

Fifth graders Brianna Ko and Charlie Goldsmith were accepted into the People to People World Leadership Forum.

They joined a select group of students in Washington, DC, February 13-17 to study leadership and explore DC.

Sarah Kloepper, Bryan Romaine, Ainsley McWilliams

Sarah Kloepper, Ainsley McWilliams, and Bryan Romaine have been been named candidates in the 2010 Presidential Scholars Program, one of the nation’s highest honors for graduating high school seniors. This is the second consecutive year that three Seven Hills seniors were candidates.

Seniors who qualified as finalists in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship competition are Britt Cyr, Josh Dunaway, Sarah Kloepper, Danny Korn, Ainsley McWilliams, Aaron Ransohoff-Englert, Bryan Romaine, Walker Schiff, Sara Schonfeld, Quinn Schweier, Josh Tiao, Josh Wang, Henry Warrington, Robby Woodworth, and Shirley Yan. These seniors represent 19% of the Class of 2010.

A winner in a Creative Communication writing contest, senior Sheva Serota will have her poem published in the national A Celebration of Poets.

Junior Justine Cefalu is a finalist in the Creative Writing section of the 2010 Overture Awards.

Senior Britt Cyr is competing in four rounds of the USA Math Talent Search, a very competitive national math contest open to all high school students, and his national rankings to date have included 18th.

Continued next page

2010 Frederick Hauck Scholars in Mathematics and Science Seven Hills has awarded 2010 Frederick Hauck Scholarships in Math and Science to juniors Peppar Cyr and Sydney Larkin; sophomore Daniel Lang; eighth grader Emma Uible; seventh graders Lindsay Finn and Pearce Kieser; and sixth graders Tigar Cyr and Jacob Lautman.

Guest speakers at the awards program on February 18 were Dr. Dave Russell and Dr. Jill Russell, the ornithologists who are working with the sixth graders on their bird studies program.

At right are (front) Jacob Lautman, Lindsay Finn, Tigar Cyr, Emma Uible, Dr. Jill Russsell; (back) Dr. Dave Russell, Sydney Larkin, Peppar Cyr, Daniel Lang, Pearce Kieser.

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Rowe, Ian Hillenbrand, Jay Panandiker, Conrad Jacober, Aaron Markiewitz, Anushree Vora, and Priyanka Parameswaran. Legal advisors were parents Ken Patel, Pat Lane, and James Englert. The students argued a case in a Common Pleas courtroom, and one in a Municipal courtroom, and Alyssa Patel won Best Witness for the first trial.

The sixth grade life science program on birds has been voted as the 2010 recipient of the Bruce Dawson Memorial Conservation Award by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio.

At the Junior Statesmen of America (JSA) convention in November, senior and chapter president Baker Leyman won one award for Best Speaker, and junior Virgil Urbina Lazardi won three awards for Best Speaker.

More honors are reported in the Seven Hills Buzz at www.7hills.org>News.

Upper students Kyle Patel, Brandon Malofsky, Broti Gupta, Isabel Arjmand, Sharon Liao, Jacob Johnson, Erin Kelly, Elizabeth Verschoor, and Lena Geissler participated in the Earlham College Model UN Conference January 29-30. Erin Kelly and Lena Geissler were named Most Charming Delegates on the Security Council and Elizabeth Verschoor and Kyle Patel were named Best Speakers on the Environmental Committee.

Correction In the fall magazine’s article on the students who were named AP Scholars for their achievements on the AP exams taken last May, the highest honor was inadvertently omitted. The following 2009 graduates earned the highest ranking of National AP Scholars (average grade of 4 or higher on a 5-point scale on all AP Exams taken and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams): Louise Head, Peter Mannion, Zach Nacev, and Andrea Ray. Our apologies and congratulations to these students.

These Upper students participated in the local mock trial competition on February 2: Leah Yuan, Kevin Pan, Kyle Patel, Isabel Arjmand, Alyssa Patel, Katie Shen, John

Author Shelley Pearsall Spends Day at Middle School Author Shelley Pearsall spent February 3 at the Middle School where she addressed all students about being a writer, and she met with seventh grade English classes to discuss Trouble Don’t Last, the book about the Underground Railroad which they read in class. Trouble Don’t Last, her first historical novel, was the recipient of the prestigious Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction in 2003 and her first contemporary novel, All of the Above, was a 2007 ALA Notable book.

She engaged the students in her process of creating characters, and the enjoyment of the imaginative journey was clearly mutual.

E-Sale Shop: Another WIN–WIN Opportunity To Contribute With 2010 comes a new way to enhance your contributions to The Seven Hills School. With minimal effort on your part, the Annual Giving Fund, the Capital Campaign and other Unrestricted Funds can receive additional money from your contribution to the E-Sale Shop.

The E-Sale Shop is a receiving location for higher valued donations to be sold on eBay. Through the combined efforts of the Development Office and the Resale Shop, the E-Sale Shop is now open in the Kemper Building on the Doherty Campus.

Lynne Cowles, parent of fourth grader Ethan, is on hand to receive merchandise from 12:00 to 4:00 Monday through Friday.

The donating procedure is designed to be as easy for you as possible. Donations can be received at either the E-Sale Shop or the Resale Shop. A receipt is provided to you specifically identifying your contribution to Seven Hills. When your merchandise sells on eBay, the net proceeds are credited in your name as a gift to the school in addition to all other pledges.

Each donated item is thoroughly researched to provide an online detailed description, professionally photographed and listed for auction on eBay. Lynne handles all Internet customer service questions and ships the item within one week of the sale. At that point, you receive a letter from the Development Office specifying the exact amount of your gift to the school.

It is likely that your home contain treasures that may have long since lost value to you and may have more value being sold on eBay. Please give some thought to this new opportunity to supplement your financial contributions to The Seven Hills School.

12

Books for Lunch Presents Anchee Min

Our Seven Hills community was especially pleased to present Anchee Min as guest author at our 24th Annual Books for Lunch event on February 2-3. Seven Hills’ efforts in global education have included an emphasis on China in recent years, including the addition this year of a course in Mandarin Chinese to the foreign language curriculum.

Praised for its raw, sharp language and historical accuracy, Anchee Min’s work includes her bestselling memoir, Red Azalea, the story of her childhood in Communist China. Her acclaimed books of historical fiction include Becoming Madame Mao, Wild Ginger, Empress Orchid, and Pearl of China. Min’s vivid, no-holds-barred accounts of growing up during Mao’s Cultural Revolution and her rise from working in labor camps to freedom in America made her presentations powerful and unforgettable for students and adults alike.

Books for Lunch 2010 included Dinner with Anchee Min at the home of Jim and Anne Shanahan, the author luncheon at the Cintas Center at Xavier University, and an assembly and meetings with Seven Hills students.

Our congratulations and thanks to Leslie Baggish and Sarah Johnson, who chaired the Books for Lunch 2010 Committee; to all of the parent volunteers whose efforts over nearly a year made Books for Lunch 2010 a success; and to the

following generous sponsors who made this event possible for the Seven Hills and Cincinnati communities: Presenting Sponsors—Kevin Junior McNamara, Leah R ansoho ff-Eng Robert and Adele lert Schiff Family Foundation; Best Seller Sponsors—Leslie and Michael Baggish, Christine and Charles Schiff; Manuscript Sponsors—Kim and Martin Chavez, Jane and Andrew Crowley, Kari and David Ellis, Sarah and Mark Johnson; First Draft Sponsors—Jennie and Allan Berliant, Nancy and Bruce Brown, Sheila and Philip Cohen, Tucker and Michael Coombe, Lalitha Param and Param Hariharan, Nirvani and Jeb Head, In Memory of Marty Horwitz by Janna and Frank McWilliams, Elizabeth Mitts, Kathy and Jim Prevost, Joni and Dick Quimby, Edie and Allen Rau, Jennifer and Len Sauers, Nancy and Tom Shepherd, Granite Rocks/Sarah and Steve Steinman, Mary Beth and Craig Young; Special Thanks to Shiva and Freidoon Ghazi.

Below at left, Co-chair Leslie Baggish, author Anchee Min, Co-chair Sarah Johnson, Dinner with Anchee Min hosts Anne and Jim Shanahan.

Below at right, the author with committee members Andrea Scheiber, Nancy Brown, Sarah Steinman, and Nirvani Head.

13

Celebrating 50 Years of Serving Our School

By Louise Cottrell, Resale Shop Manager Fifty years for a small business is a remarkable accomplishment. 2010 marks the celebration of the Resale Shop’s 50th year in operation.

The Resale Shop was originally called the Clothing Exchange with the concept that Lotspeich and Hillsdale parents and alumnae could exchange school uniforms and sportswear. Over the years, clothing for the entire family, accessories, housewares, furniture and books became donation staples. Profits from these sales directly benefited the schools with abundant purchases of nonbudgetary items for Hillsdale-Lotspeich School.

The Exchange was originally housed on the second floor of the small house next door to the Lotspeich Nursery. It was open every Tuesday from 8:45 am to 1:00 pm, as well as after PTA meetings and other special school events.

A distinguished graduate and trustee of Hillsdale, Florence (Fi) Mithoefer is recognized as the founding volunteer of the Clothing Exchange. Under the auspices of the Hillsdale Alumni Association, Fi set up volunteer schedules and enlarged the scope of items for sale beyond school uniforms. After a number of years of volunteering, Carole Wuerfel became the first paid manager of the Clothing Exchange in 1968. Volunteer alumnae from Hillsdale-Lotspeich School “worked” at the Exchange, along with parents from both schools.

As donations grew, “pick-up girls” were organized to collect donations from friends and neighbors in their communities to increase the shop’s stock. With success and increased business, Cheryl (Wright) Miller, who had volunteered since 1978, became the second employee in 1982, taking over the increasing bookkeeping duties. An additional room was built onto the house called The Etcetera Shop in order to sell furniture and housewares.

Under the guidance of Gayle Krummen, longtime volunteer and Advisory Board Chairman, the Clothing Exchange funded its own new building when the volume of donations

The Resale Shop’s current location opened across the street from the school in the fall of 1978.

forced the move across the street in 1987. Linda McGrath, a 15-year veteran volunteer, recalls paying off the mortgage of the new building with shop proceeds after only nine years and celebrating at the annual volunteer luncheon with Headmaster Peter Briggs presiding at the “Mortgage Burning Party.”

Records show an large number of purchases with funds raised from donation sales. At a luncheon honoring Clothing Exchange volunteers in 1989, Peter Briggs commented, “The Clothing Exchange brought us into the world of computers.”

Additionally, profits from sales purchased the first Lotspeich Big Toy and abundant gym equipment including the bleachers, weight training machines and soccer nets. Vans, copiers, desks, chairs, VCRs as well as funding for the Outdoor Program and the visiting artist residencies were supplied by profits from the Exchange. The guiding principle in purchases

Above, Clothing Exchange Manager Carole Wuerfel and her customer, Velma Morelli, then Secretary to the Director of Development, circa 1974.

At right, Exchange volunteers and Lotspeich Principal Eileen Driscolll modeled outfits from the Exchange.

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Seven Hills honored current parent and trustee Dulany Anning, current parent and alumnus Rob Anning ’86, current parent Paul Korn, and alumna Elizabeth Stoehr ’82 at the National Philanthropy Day Luncheon held November 19 in the Hyatt Regency Ballroom.

National Philanthropy Day was established in 1986 to strengthen volunteerism and philanthropy by emphasizing their importance and heritage. The event is presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Cincinnati Chapter and the Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council.

The annual luncheon recognizes honorees of charities and non-profit organizations in Greater Cincinnati.

It is a celebration of the profound effect that volunteering and giving have on the fabric of our community.

Our school community wishes to express gratitude for the dedication and support of these honorees who give so generously of their time, talents and resources to our school.

Gary Monnier

Seven Hills Honors Four on National Philanthrophy Day

From left, Paul Korn, Head of School Chris Garten, Elizabeth Stoehr ’82, Dulany Anning, and Rob Anning ’86.

Professional Development Grants

and the ultimate beneficiaries were the school children.

Renamed in 1995, The Resale Shop more accurately described the business that creates a winning combination for the donors, the shoppers and the school. Keeping with tradition, donations are still only received from people affiliated with our school community, including alumni, parents, grandparents and students. One particularly applicable quote from another longtime volunteer and Advisory Board President, Dee Gettler: “For every treasure that you give us, someone else also treasures it.”

This year, the Resale Shop is celebrating our past as we

Middle science teacher Karen Glum was awarded a grant toward her participation in “Connecting the Sciences, Connecting Students Through the Study of Birds” in Alaska this summer.

Middle School physical education teacher Sue Bone participated in the AAHPERD (Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) National Conference in Indianapolis in March.

Doherty Unit III teacher Patty Dawson is attending the Ohio Licensure Endorsement classes at Xavier University during the 2010 winter/spring semester.

plan for our future. Shoppers celebrating their birthdays with us will receive a discount on their purchases. The shop will stay open with late hours on the third Thursday of every month to promote evening donations and shopping. And each month will feature a special sale focusing on our 50-year celebration.

With expectations of staying in business another 50 years,

Upper Spanish teacher Teresa Bardon attended the Advanced Placement Summer Institute in Charlotte, NC, last summer.

The Madcap Puppets were a big hit with Lotspeichers on February 4. Their performance was sponsored by the Madame Binkley Assembly Fund, which was established by Lotspeich faculty to honor the late beloved French teacher Bonnie Binkley.

the Resale Shop continues to encourage volunteers to get involved with this valuable fundraiser. Generous donations are the lifeblood of this operation.

The mission of the Resale Shop is, as it has been for 50 years, to continue to provide funds in support of the students and teachers of our school.

Faculty News Lotspeich fourth grade teacher Sara Snyder was invited by Mimio® to present at The National Council of Teachers of Math Conference in San Diego in April. She will be demonstrating how Mimio can be applied to teaching math.

Upper Mandarin Chinese teacher Peggy Liu Lovro was awarded the Teaching Excellence Award 2009-2010 from the Ohio State University K-12 Chinese Flagship Program.

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Annual Giving: Participation Is Key! Over the last decade, Annual Giving has grown in total dollars and the amount of our average gift has increased. As a vital part of the day-to-day budget, your generous contributions have fueled the outstanding programs that benefit ALL Seven Hills students.

I hope you will give to Annual Giving to maximize our chances of leveraging this important additional support. Any gift, no matter the size, is greatly appreciated. Last year, 100% of our faculty and staff contributed to Annual Giving at a level that was comfortable for them and their families. I hope you will follow their example.

Unfortunately, while Annual Giving dollars have grown, participation rates of alumni and parents have slipped. When the school applies for grants, foundation gifts, and funds to benefit our students and faculty, corporations and foundations receiving these applications often look at these participation rates.

This is the 17th year that my husband and I have participated in Annual Giving. As we graduate our last child, we have seen firsthand the benefits of a Seven Hills education for our children. Please join us in showing your support.

Sally Leyman Chair of Annual Giving 2009-2010

Ways To Give Contributions to The Seven Hills School can be made using any of the following methods: • Online: Your gift can be made safely and securely by credit card at www.7hills.org. Click on “Giving.” Seven Hills accepts Visa and MasterCard.

• Check: All checks should be made payable to The Seven Hills School and should be mailed to us at the following address: The Seven Hills School, Development Office, 5400 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227.

• Phone: If you would like to make a gift by credit card over the phone or would like information on making a gift of stock or appreciated securities, please call the Development Office at 513-527-1309 or 513-527-1306.

Questions? Please contact Meridith Oberklein Spille, Director of Annual Giving, by phone at 513-527-1306 or by email at meridith.spille@7hills.org.

Thank you to all of our Annual Giving 2009-2010 volunteers!

Pictured are some of the volunteers at our Leadership Phonathon.

Jeff Pasquale

Margaret Pasquale

Jim Shanahan

Edie Rau

Ron Weitzenkorn

Nancy Keyser From left, Sally Leyman, Steve Baggott, Katie SenGupta, Merry Ewing ’76, and Barry Elkus.

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Seven Hills Personal Challenge:

Students Share Process of Expanding Knowledge, Experience Learning by doing is especially exemplified at Seven Hills

by Upper’s Personal Challenge, a graduation requirement through which students are challenged to expand their knowledge and experience in new ways.

Projects which were shared with the school community on Challenge Sharing Day November 10 included designing an environmentally-friendly home complete with roof garden and renewable interior finishes, planting a butterfly garden, learning the chemistry of cooking, apprenticing as

a stone carver, glass blowing, building a stained glass window or a guitar, writing programming code for an original video game, learning to string tennis rackets, rebuilding an engine, restoring a ’68 Corvette, learning Italian, organizing fundraising efforts to benefit international causes, writing a novel, starting an entrepreneurial newsletter business, learning healing touch, Latin dancing, African dancing, and playing the erhu, an ancient Chinese stringed instrument with the original archaic notation.

Barbara Hepp

Clockwise from top left, Victoria Huang and the erhu, Rebecca McDonough and stone carving, Jacob Johnson and glass blowing, Mohammad Zaman and archery.

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Ser vice Learning as Personal Commitment

Above, part of Doherty’s efforts for the clients of the Open Door; at right, visiting at Beechwood Home.

In addition to extensive service efforts in the Greater Cincinnati community—from schoolwide clothing and food drives to making warm clothing and preparing food for the needy—our students are reaching out to help people worldwide.

A wide range of fundraising efforts for Haiti throughout the grades (more about these efforts in our next issue), sale of Beads for Life jewelry to help impoverished Ugandan women, raising funds for the Heifer International Project, collecting for UNICEF, working to improve the educational conditions of a school in the Ecuadorian Andes are just a few examples.

Students are learning about international finance when they raise funds to make microloans through Kiva.org to

individuals with small businesses in underdeveloped countries. As the loans are repaid, the students choose another small business to assist with a microloan, and they can follow online the success of the individual which they helped to make possible.

Service learning becomes personal for Seven Hills students as they visit residents of the Beechwood Home and senior centers, make friends at the Open Door Ministry, play with the young children at local child care centers, volunteer weekly at The Caring Place, and listen to speakers who make real for them the plight of the homeless, disabled, and impoverished in their own community.

In all of their outreach efforts, Seven Hills students have an abundance of role models in their teachers and peers, who have made service a significant part of their personal lives.

Above, Lotspeich students made ceramic Hearts for Haiti pins to sell for UNICEF. At right, eighth graders baked 156 individual loaves of apple plum bread for the residents of Tender Mercies in Over-the-Rhine.

This is the fourth year for this service learning project.

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From left, Lotspeich’s UNICEF collection; the making of more than a gross of warm hats for the needy by Doherty students and parent volunteers; Lotspeich’s traditional Mitten Tree.

Above at left, Upper students and teachers in the Craft It Forward club crocheted over 40 pairs of booties to donate to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. The project was organized by junior Peppar Cyr, herself a former NICU baby. Above at right, Upper’s Service Club collected blankets for every student at St. Francis Seraph School.

Middle’s Spanish Club, assisted by the French Club, is working with pediatrician Dr. Arash Babaoff to help improve the health and educational conditions in Achupallas, a remote town in the Ecuadoran Andes. Pictured inset are children from the school in Achupallas.

Below, 48 faculty and staff volunteers raked leaves and cleaned gutters at 14 homes in the community, as part of People Working Cooperatively’s annual Prepare Affair. In addition, on one Saturday a month, several faculty and their families prepare breakfast for the families living at Bethany House.

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Performing Arts Sampler

Upper’s production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. For more photos of both casts, visit www.7hills. org>Academics & Programs>Arts>Upper.

Upper’s Chamber Ensemble.

The Seven Hills Chorus performed on Fountain Square as part of the TV program, “Star 64 Holiday Carols,”which was broadcast on WSTRTV four times during the holiday season.

Below at left, Lotspeich second graders’ performance of “Paint the Town December”; below at right, the Eighth Grade Ensemble.

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Above, Upper’s Classical Ensemble. Below at left, Middle’s production of Circus Olympus. Below at right, some of the performers in Doherty’s allschool winter program.

Above, the seventh grade chorus; at right top, Lotspeich third graders’ recorder concert; at right, Lotspeich’s production of Under Wraps.

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Varsity Sports Two Players Reach 1000 Career Points Mark

Photos by Keith Neu

At left, senior Jake Davis with parents Tracy and Dave Davis and Coach Willie Hill. Above, senior Sarah Evans with (from left) Coach Bob Werden, Laura Lee Evans, Assistant Coach Dick Faul (Sarah’s grandfather), and Tom Evans.

Senior forward Jake Davis and senior guard Sarah Evans were honored for reaching their 1000 career points mark.

Jake scored his 1000th point at an away game, so he was honored at the next home game on January 29. Coach Willie Hill presented the game ball to Jake and his parents, Dave and Tracy Davis.

Jake is only the fifth boy in Seven Hills history to enter the 1000 point club. Other 1000 career point male athletes are Elliott Anderson ’85, Jonathan Hawgood ’87 (reached 1000 in three years), Peter Matthews ’91, and Drew Kohn ’07.

Drew holds the record, scoring 1360 career points.

At the February 8 game, Sarah Evans reached her 1000 career point mark. The game was stopped to honor her, as Coach Bob Werden presented the game ball to Sarah and her parents, Laura Lee and Tom Evans.

Sarah is only the fifth girl in Seven Hills history to enter the 1000 point club. Other 1000 career point female athletes are Tyler McIlwraith ’03, Emily Weber ’07, Alyssa Dunn ’09 (reached 1000 as a junior), and Olivia Carey ’09. Tyler holds the record, scoring 1574 career points.

All-State, All-City Honors from Fall 2009 Season These All-State and All-City recognitions for fall teams came in after the fall magazine’s publication. Belated congratulations!

Golf All-State: Carlton Zesch—Second Team Div. III Enquirer All-City: Carlton Zesch—First Team; Doug Huff— Divs. II-III Coach of the Year

Girls Soccer Enquirer All-City: Zoë Pochobradsky, Emily Bedell—Div. II Honorable Mention Volleyball Enquirer All-City: Sarah Evans—Divs. III-IV First Team, Erin Kelly—Divs. III-IV Honorable Mention

Boys Soccer All-State: Brandon Williams—First Team Div. III, Ian McNamara—Second Team Div. III Enquirer All-City Honors: Terry Nicholl—Div. III Coach of the Year; Brandon Williams, Ian McNamara, Miles Hill— Div. III First Team; Alex Hill—Div. III Honorable Mention

Girls Tennis Enquirer All-City: Grace He, Allie Horwitz, Priyanka Param, Jennifer Springer—Div. II Honorable Mention 22

Honoring Our Outstanding Varsity Teams The Seven Hills School Athletic Department and Athletic Boosters have begin a new tradition this year, honoring past teams that advanced in tournament play to the regional finals and beyond. In the first two of these events on December 15 and 16, honored teams were the Boys Basketball 2007-2008 Regional Finalist Team and the Girls Basketball 2006-2007 and 2008-2009 Regional Finalist Teams.

The Fall 2009 Golf Team, Volleyball Team, and Boys Soccer Team were recognized at the Lower School Spirit Night January 22 for winning their Miami Valley Conference titles. Those soccer and golf teams will be honored in Fall, 2010, for advancing to the regional finals or beyond.

Photos by Keith Neu

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Embrace the Spirit of Summer

The Seven Hills School Enrichment Program Please join us for our 29th season!

What’s new in 2010?

57 New Programs Daily Trips for Adventure Club Expanded Academic Enrichment for Middle School

Flexible Scheduling Dates: June 14–August 13 Weekly Program Options Half Day / Full Day Extended Hours Ages 3–18 Online Registration Available Website: www.7hills.org Multiple Week Discount (4 weeks or more)

Credit Card Payment Option Brochures Available

Director: Jill Romerill Phone: 513.272.5345 Email: jill.romerill@7hills.org 24

Since 1978, the Miriam Titcomb Fund, an endowed faculty enrichment fund established by alumnae, has made it possible for over 100 Seven Hills faculty to have meaningful travel and study experiences which, for some, fulfilled lifelong dreams. These adventures are personally and professionally enriching for our teachers, and their increased scholarship and enthusiasm enriches the entire school community.

The recipients of 2009 grants—Ted Rockwell, Barbara Scarr, and Bridgett Sullivan—shared their experiences with the entire faculty on November 17.

Titcomb Fund Grants for Faculty Adventures

Middle School Head Ted Rockwell explored some of the wilderness of the Lewis and Clark expedition, including a four-day trip by canoe on a remote section of the Upper Missouri River.

“This past summer, my wife and I took a trip we had been planning over ten years. It is our habit to go on an adventure each summer, usually to a wilderness setting. Ten years ago, we visited Glacier National Park. I was reading Undaunted Courage, a book about the Lewis and Clark expedition. We decided to make a side trip to Great Falls, Montana, and visited the Lewis and Clark exhibit there. History came alive for us. The expedition journals mention the White Cliffs of the Upper Missouri River. It remains one of the most remote, least developed stretches of the original journey. Our imagination piqued, we drove to see this area but found it inaccessible by car. These cliffs can only be seen by floating the river, using local outfitters.

“Ten summers later we were living our dream, reading portions of the Meriwether Lewis’ journal as we drifted past magnificent rock outcroppings first described by the Corps of Discovery. All of the lessons my past experiences taught me, all of the joys provided by adventure washed over me again. I decided then it was time for my next challenge, to take what I had learned and apply it to a new setting. I remain on my own journey of discovery.”

Excerpts from July 24-25 entries in Ted Rockwell’s Journal “The Lolo Motorway traces as much as possible the trail used by the Nez Pearce—and by Lewis and Clark—to travel through the Bitterroot Mountains. It is an improved dirt road along the crest of the ridges. I am intrigued by this stretch of the Lewis and Clark expedition because it was one of the hardest stretches, when the men were the most desperate—out of food, trying to get across the Rockies before winter.

“I wanted to see the terrain. Imagine their struggles. Go figure. My impression is based on one painting I have seen in my various Lewis and Clark books of a man leading a pack horse on steep terrain through snow and over and around fallen trees. I wanted to see it for myself....

“At the site, besides the usual signs and markers, Marge found a sign-in book...for the most part, the comments were thoughtful and quite moving. The site is off the beaten path, so those who found it were probably not casual Lewis and Clark fans. Their comments reflected that. Most noted how beautiful, even spiritual this simple prairie meadow was. ... Many noted and thanked the Nez Pearce for the kindness they offered the Corps of Discovery and regretted what that kindness lead to—the demise of the Nez Pearce people.

“So many expressed thoughts that I had not yet been able to articulate about this amazing journey—what it meant to our young country and its future and what it meant to the indigenous people along its way. ...

“Nez Pearce oral history relates that there was much discussion about whether to help or kill this weakened group of white strangers (who came staggering out of the mountains half starved). One story relates why they chose to help—an elderly woman had a dream about them which told her to help them.

“Who knows how different things would have been had the Nez Pearce ended the Corps’ journey in that prairie? Or any other tribe with superior numbers they met on their journey?

“Instead they chose to help, to be kind. The long-term results saddened me in the hot sun of the prairie that day.”

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Continued next page

Upper School science teacher Barbara Scarr participated in the Science of Ecosystems workshop in Kauai, Hawaii, for one week last summer. Designed for teachers, the program looked at topics including destruction of habitat, biogeography, speciation, conservation, and pollution related to different ecosystems.

“I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to experience some of the diversity of the Hawaiian Island of Kauai in July 2009. Growing up in England, Hawaii was always viewed as the ultimate romantic destination. This trip could never be seen in that light. Although the scenery was spectacular, this workshop was not only intellectually stimulating but also physically challenging. It involved daylong hikes in the heat, walking on different terrains some of which were extremely strenuous. I have not been on an ecological field trip since I left college so this allowed me to experience working in the field again rather than in a laboratory.

“Perhaps the most significant aspect of the Hawaiian Islands is their geographic isolation leading to an abundance of organisms that are endemic to the islands. It is interesting to note that some plants considered Hawaiian such as the pineapple, the coconut and the macadamia nut have actually been introduced. Both sugar and coffee were also introduced.

Middle School guidance counselor Bridgett Sullivan traveled to the Navajo Nation in the American Southwest for her project, “Adolescence in the Navajo Nation: Healing from the Past While Preparing for the Future.” She saw in action some of the prevention and intervention programs that have been developed as an effort to end the cycle of generational substance abuse and domestic violence.

“My trip taught me so much about Navajo culture—driving through the Painted Desert, sitting in a 12-Step meeting, crawling inside a sweat lodge, meeting a medicine man, touring an alcohol and drug treatment facility, getting lost in a canyon and asking for directions, being stared at because I was the only ‘Anglo’ for miles, being granted access to a website whose primary membership is that of tribal members, discovering Navajo rap music, driving around in towns where few homes had indoor plumbing—I learned that I have so much to learn.

“The most remarkable parts of my trip originated in three separate questions, each asked by two different people, one living in Tuba City, Arizona, the other in Newton, Mississippi.

“The first questions came up in Tuba City: ‘Why should I trust you? How do I know you are for real?’ After traveling through reservation towns seeing the aftermath of years of alcoholism, poverty and discrimination, I took no offense to these questions and the feelings of tremendous sadness, anger and shame. (I understood their origin.)

“The other occurred via text message from Newton, Mississippi: ‘May I call you my friend?’ It came three days after I returned home. The straightforwardness and gravity of the words brought tears to my eyes.

“Significant questions, asked by two people that I never would have met had it not been for the generosity of a Titcomb grant.”

“Most of the sugar plantations and processing plants have been abandoned, as it is too costly to transport the sugar to the mainland. There are, however, Plantation Day celebrations, one of which I attended. One of the featured dishes at this celebration was SPAM®. It is so popular in Hawaii that it is found in most kitchens and is called ‘The Hawaiian Steak.’

“Kauai is the oldest of the inhabited volcanic islands of Hawaii. It has a wide range of ecosystems for such a small island, including wet forests, dry coastal plains, sand dunes, coral/algal reefs. These ecosystems are being challenged by disruptions caused by man. We spent part of one day pulling out ginger plants that have escaped landscaped areas and are now taking over in the same way that honeysuckle is growing uninvited in many parts of Cincinnati.

“Sadly, the biology of these beautiful isolated islands is changing and I hope I can pass on an awareness of this to our students, so that they will be good stewards of our planet.

“I would like to thank everyone responsible for allowing me to have the opportunity to go on this adventure.”

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▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ We extend our condolences to the family and friends who have lost loved ones as reported in this issue.

1930

Monte Richardson (C) (Asheville, NC) writes, “I may be the last remaining graduate of CPS class of 1930—no Reunion.”

1935

Ruth Brodie Hackney (C) (Cincinnati) died on February 2. Board member, committee chairman, worker bee or homemaker and skilled chef, Mrs. Hackney was well known in the community for her work with the Cincinnati Art Museum, particularly the retail shop; the Junior League where, at one point, she shared the joys of music with young deaf children by teaching them how to sing; the School Board, and her involvement with both The Church of the Advent and Christ Church Cathedral. Through memberships in The Garden Club and Music Lovers, Mrs. Hackney pursued her passion for gardening and her talent as a concert pianist. No matter how busy, Mrs. Hackney always found time to mentor and champion countless young men and women throughout the city.

1936

Josephine “Jo” Iglauer Joseph (H) (Cincinnati) died on December 24, 2009. Her family called her a “professional citizen.” She believed in local causes as varied as the Charter Committee of Greater Cincinnati, the Babies’ Milk Fund and the Contemporary Arts Center. Her son David I. Joseph of Chevy Chase, MD, said, “Her career was to be a citizen. She just really believed in the responsibilities of someone to the city and she was devoted to Cincinnati… She was wild about the [Charter Committee]. She had a passion for keeping her mind open and thinking about what was best for the situation. She was never a party loyalist.”

1941

Janet G. Tate (H) (Memphis, TN) writes, “Enclosed is an annual gift to

Alumni News

The Seven Hills School this year, in honor of Miss Dinsmore and Dottie Eggers Hinkle. I think about them on our early morning walks in a nearby mall or around a nearby golf course, so thankful to them for all they taught us through patterns for daily living that would stay with us for what now seems forever. And, they made it all fun.

“It’s fun, for instance, to remember our love of field hockey on cold days in the fall, breathing icy air into our lungs as we ran, and such good memories stay with us still. So, by just such thoughts as that, we can also summon up the pictures of days in the gym, mid-winter, when nothing was a better break from class or study hall than ‘stunts’ like human pyramids, angel balances, bars and rings, cartwheels, or somersaults over a wary few or more on the floor pads…put there to protect them.

“And, of course, Miss Dinsmore and Dottie Eggers Hinkle (H ’31) (just Dottie Eggers, unmarried when we first knew her then) were in charge of all such plans for us. They wouldn’t expect from us now those fast runs on the lower field on icy cold days, or somersaults or back bends in the gym at this stage of the game. But I’m sure they’d still like us to stand up straight with an imaginary ruler similarly straight, from ear to shoulder to hip to ankle. Dare we ever forget?”

1944

Mary “Mollie” Kreimer (H) (Washington, DC) writes, “I enjoyed our 65th class reunion in the spring and the chance to greet those who could make it from our dwindling numbers.

I sent a gift ‘in memory of all my 1944 classmates and of my happy growing up days in ’44 Hillsdale.’”

1949

Cathryn Hosea Hilker (H) (Cincinnati) was selected as one of four members of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chambers 2010 Class of Great Living Cincinnatians. The Cincinnati Enquirer article on December 19, 2009, states, “She began her career as a teacher, but after a 1955 monthlong road trip across Africa, where she saw her first

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wild cheetah, she turned her attention to the preservation of that species. In part because of her work, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden has been dubbed ‘the Cheetah Capital of the World’ for its conservation efforts and educational and cheetah breeding programs. Hilker is founder and director of the Zoo’s Cat Ambassador Program, which for 30 years has taken endangered cats into classrooms and other public forums to teach the importance of preserving wildlife…‘I have been allowed to do something that I love, work with animals I admire and actually be able to make a difference for wildlife,’ she said.”

Beverly Hinsch Owen (H) (Burr Ridge, IL) shared, “I now have four great-grandchildren! My daughter Wendy’s two children each have two— the last two are twin girls born last March. I’m very blessed to have everyone nearby.

1952

Mary McGuire Tyler (L ’46, H) (Concord, MA) writes, “This Thanksgiving I am so thankful to my parents, now together again for eternity, for their long care of their four daughters—Treon, Mary, Sally and Anne McGuire. They sent all four of us to the most wonderful schools—Lotspeich followed by Hillsdale School (for several years before boarding school). My aging brain bulges with happy memories from kindergarten and dear Miss White to the Miracle Play every Christmas at Hillsdale.”

Mary Taft Mahler (H) (Cincinnati) died on December 22, 2009. She was “well-known for her remarkable creativity, intellectual curiosity and gracious personality. She was the co-founder of the Musical Arts Center in O’Bryonville and the Ensemble Theater of Cincinnati (ETC). At ETC she served on the board and executive committee for more than 20 years.

She performed in several productions at ETC, most notably the one-woman show, ‘The Belle of Amherst’ about the life of Emily Dickinson, her favorite poet. An accomplished soprano, she sang in the May Festival Chorus for Continued on page 30

The Seven Hills School Reunion 2010 October 8–9 CPS & Hillsdale Classes of ’30, ’35, ’40, ’45, ’50, ’55, ’60, ’65, ‘70 Lotspeich Classes of ’29, ’34, ’39, ’44, ’49, ’54, ’59, ’64, ‘69 Seven Hills Classes ’80, ’85, ’90, ’95 (Classes of ‘00 & ‘05 See note on page 36) Friday, October 8

Noon

Luncheon for 50+ year reunion classes Cincinnati Country Club

5:15-5:30pm

Welcome by Christopher Garten, Head of School Andress Art Gallery, Hillsdale Campus

5:30-6:00pm

Tours of the Upper School Hillsdale Campus

5:30pm-8:30pm

Cocktail Reception Hillsdale Campus

Individual Class Events

Saturday, October 9 Evening

Reunion reps are needed to contact classmates and plan your class event. Let us know if you are available.

CPS 1970 Anni Macht Gibson, gibby767@aol.com

1980 Grace Allen Hill, gracehill@fuse.net

1985 Melissa Morelli Barone, melbarone5@yahoo.com

Lisa Collins Winik, lwinick@peddie.org

2005 Benjamin van der Horst, bvanderhorst@gmail.com

Frederick Hall, fghall@fas.harvard.edu

Nancy McCormick Bassett ’83, Director of Alumni Relations 513-272-5354 or nancy.bassett@7hills.org

We look forward to seeing you this fall!

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The CPS Class of 1960 Silver Tea.

1960 Congratulations, Class of 1960, On Celebrating Your 50th Reunion!

The Hillsdale Class of 1960 as juniors

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▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ many years as well as in the choirs of Indian Hill Church and, more recently, in the Calvary Episcopal Church choir.

In addition to singing, painting and acting, Mary was an acclaimed gardener.”

1959

Peter Breidenbach (L) (St. Augustine, FL ) emailed, “Looking forward to our Reunion. Hope to see you there, you Lotspeich ’59 diploma holders. Seems like yesterday, not fifty years ago, that we sat under the Pavilion and were handed our diplomas by Ted Wuerfel.

Looking forward to the Reunion and look forward to catching up. My three

Painting by senior Lloyd Ulicny

wonderful Bright Kids are pictured— I’ve been know professionally as Peter Bright since my days on air at WEBN. Their mother, my ex, took the name Bright, so they too became Bright. No matter the name, they’re one hundred

The Seven Hills School Alumni Art Show Cocktails and Light Buffet Friday, May 7, 2010 Hillsdale Commons and Deck Hillsdale Campus 5400 Red Bank Road Work Featured by the Alumni of CPS, Hillsdale, Lotspeich and Seven Hills

percent mine and I love them dearly.”

Nancy Gay Tully Galey (H) (Newport Beach, CA) died on August 23, 2009.

1960

Henry S. Levinson (L) (Greensboro, NC) died on January 4, 2010. He was a philosopher and beloved professor. Levinson was a Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for over twenty-five years. During his tenure at UNCG, he served as Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Head of the Department of Religious Studies, and Director of the Center for Critical Inquiry in the Liberal Arts. In 1998, UNCG established the Henry Samuel Levinson Program Fund in Jewish Studies, including the Levinson Lecture in Jewish Studies series, in his honor.

UNCG also honored Levinson at HENRYFEST in 2009, which featured a conference celebrating Levinson’s contributions as a scholar and teacher.

Colleagues and former students from around the country spoke about Levinson’s impact on the study of religion in a democratic society and his contributions to Jewish philosophy.

They roasted Levinson with brief and humorous anecdotes.

Levinson is the author of three books and numerous articles. His professional honors include serving

as the Malcolm L. Diamond Memorial Lecturer at Princeton University in 2002, the William James Lecturer at Harvard University in 2001, and the Henry Samuel Levinson Lecturer in Jewish Studies in 2004.

Before joining the UNCG faculty in 1982, Levinson taught at Stanford and Harvard Universities.

In 1996, Seven Hills presented Henry Levinson with the Goodall Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Nancy Banker Reader Hall (C) (Naples, FL) wrote, “I am living in Naples with my springer spaniel Maggie. I am an avid artist painting in bold, bright colors which just comes to me naturally. My artwork also lends itself to fabrics.” www.nancyrhall.com

1961

Melody Sawyer Richardson (C) (Cincinnati) writes, “[I am] Chairwoman of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority and Vice Chair of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.”

1962

Pamela Lee Lowry (H) (Santa Cruz, CA) emailed, “Allen and my time at home has been filled with teaching (ESL for Hispanic immigrants), learning (watercolor classes, sculpture courses and Esalen seminars), golf games, book club meetings, painting, gardening, walking through the

Exhibiting Artists Sally Elder Kamholtz H ’71 Robin Attee Adams H ’73 Deb Muntz Krehbiel C ’70 Louise Knauft Allen H ’54 Tuck Krehbiel L ’63 Janet Fast Andress H ’46 Barbara Guthridge Landen H ’62 Lisa Lillard Caldwell H ’72 Emily Krehbiel Lewis H ’70 Lynn Carlisle H ’62 Saunie McNeil ’85 Muff Lamson Carothers H ’69 Joan Krehbiel Montezemolo Susan Siddle Castleberry H ’51 L ’53, H ’59 Lindsay Degen ’06 Murray Monroe Jr. ’84 Carolyn Stegner Fabe H ’70 Larry Pauly ’79 Ellie Fabe ’78 Dede Lewis Rowe ’78 Sarah Margaret Gibson ’07 Margaret Randolph Foote Haffner Elizabeth Stoehr ’82 Connie Castleberry Sullivan H ’52 C ’60 Martha Valentine ’05 Adam Hayward ’89 Marsha Williams ’77 Louise Atkins Head H ’56 Margot Wood ’04 Susan Krehbiel Holzapfel H ’65

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▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ Redwood groves and along the ocean, enjoying the local bounty (incredibly fresh organic fruits and vegetables, cheese from a nearby goat farm, crabs from Monterey Bay, wine from nearby vineyards) and marveling at the gorgeous weather which is a fixture of our amazing microclimate in Santa Cruz.

We also managed lots of travel, with a cross-country visit this past spring to family in Texas, Alabama, Chicago and Boston. Summer was spent in Europe with extended sojourns in France and Switzerland, staying with friends, and a trip to Scotland where we explored new territory, tasted haggis, sipped scotch, logged miles upon miles of golf fairways, saw Puffins, and dined on fabulous seafood. The travel bug stayed with us into the fall, when we toured the ever-awesome features of the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Bryce Canyon.”

1967 Judy Robinson Williams (H ’67) (Cincinnati) sent a photo from a gathering of fellow Hillsdale ’67 classmates in Colorado: (front) Jamie Burnam Abrams, Deborah Koons Garcia; (back) Leezie Walker Bordon, Nancy Pechstein Aubke, Shannon Kelly Carter, Judy Robinson Williams, Sissy Lambert Stearns, Jenny Lamson Magro.

Ann Schumuelling (H) (New Orleans, LA) writes, a “postcard from New Orleans. We have been part of the architectural team for the expansion to the National World War II Museum that will have a huge impact on the city of New Orleans, the veterans, their children and grandchildren. Sadly, my father, a veteran Seabee who served in Guadalcanal, passed away at the age of 103 three weeks before the opening.”

1969

Hillsdale ’69 had a great 40th Reunion in October 2009! Photos on page 32.

1970

Mary Beth Kuhn (C) (New York, NY) writes, “[I] worked on the TV show Fringe as an Assistant Art Director and on the new Will Ferrell movie, The Other Guys.”

Carla Newbern Thomas ’75 (Anniston, AL), her husband Cleo, and children Tres, Phillips and Caleb are working on the Noble Park Historic Preservation Project, including the Crowan Cottage, Hamilton House and Johnston House in Anniston.

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Laurie Durbrow Hyndman (H) (Cumberland Foreside, ME) emailed, “After eight years publishing a regional lifestyle magazine, Port City Life, I have completely changed careers. I am now Director of Admission (notice no ‘s’ on the end, something I’ve just learned) at North Yarmouth Academy in Yarmouth, Maine. Two of my children, Gracie and Peter, graduated from

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ Hillsdale 1969 Celebrates 40th Reunion Pam Nielsen Schilt, Louisa Smth Mygatt, Therese Steiner, Susan Gurganus Drackett, Muff Lamson Carothers.

(Back) Laura Smith Barrett, Pam Nielsen Schilt, Patsy Robinson, Dana Fabe, Holly Smith Williams, teacher Barbara Beaver, Caroline Holmes Randall, Polly Gamble Cherner, Muff Lamson Carothers, Nancy Fuller, Therese Steiner; (middle row) Mary Asbury, Louisa Smith Mygatt, Kathy Robertson McCord (in uniform!), Barbara Simon Woodard, Eileen Ward Barrett; (kneeling) Beth Davis Bartlett, Lanie Pauly Grever, Linda Hattersley Hanley.

Eileen Ward Barrett, Polly Gamble Cherner, Linda Hattersley Hanley, Dana Fabe, Barbara Simon Woodard, Therese Steiner, Laura Smith Barrett, Louisa Smith Mygatt.

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▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ NYA, so I feel right at home. I’m having a blast. Jay Moore Reighley’s (H ’72) daughter is a senior. So, now it’s time to start planning to get together for our reunion in October. Hope to see everyone then.”

1972

Melissa Morris Mishoe (H) (Winter Park, FL) emailed, “I am learning to quilt. There is an ice skating rink here in downtown Winter Park for the holidays. I love swimming in an outdoor pool in December. Oh, to live in Florida!”

1976

Christie Evans (DelRay Beach, FL) writes, “[I] am teaching English but nowhere near as well as Sandra Smythe!”

1981

Susan Kaufmann Campbell (Davidson, NC) shared, “In June, I so enjoyed a brief surprise visit from Jean McCalmont Boorn ’81 when she was in Charlotte for a family wedding. Then in August, I was thrilled to get a longer planned visit with Diana ‘Gerri’ Avril Tully ’81 in New York City and to meet her delightful daughter Avril Rose.”

Brooks Tomb (Burbank, CA) writes, “Things are going swimmingly in sunny California! Enjoying life with 3 kids—Alexandra 10, Emma 7, and James 6—and my gorgeous wife Linda.

Working hard for The Sunshine Kids Foundation and am excited to announce we’re an official charity of the 2010 Los Angeles Marathon. I have had fun reconnecting with so many 7Hillers on Facebook!” www.sunshinekids.org

1986

Jamie Gleich Bryant was featured in a January 4, 2010, article by Scott Wartman in the Cincinnati Enquirer, which stated, in part, “At the start of the decade, Jamie Bryant’s textbook editing business began out of her Anderson Township home. Now that her company, B-Books, employs nine people, edits and designs 19 textbooks a year and publishes an award-

winning magazine for young girls, her company looks to grow in the next decade in Covington, where she purchased a building from the city. “... Kiki...the 2½-year-old magazine for girls 8 and up now has 10,000 subscriptions around the globe and is available at major bookstores like Barnes and Noble. Subscriptions come from remote locales like Sudan, Singapore, Israel and Japan. The magazine this year won the Mom’s Choice Awards “Magazine of the Year.” Last year’s winner—Oprah Winfrey’s O, The Oprah Magazine. It focuses on fashion and includes stories on the business, history and art sides of the fashion industry, Bryant said. Contributors come from all over the U.S. ...

“Bryant raises two daughters, Abby, 11, and Marlo, 9, and wasn’t satisfied with the periodicals available to young girls, she said. Others seem to feel the same, she said. Bryant’s media company has flourished in an age of free blogs and electronic book readers.

“The company moved out of her home three years ago into a downtown Cincinnati office. It went from editing two textbooks a year to 19. Now bursting at the seams, the Covington office will give her company room to grow, Bryant said.”

Congratulations to Jamie and other Seven Hills alums on the Kiki staff— Steven Bryant ’81, Amy Raymond Mauch ’82, and Betsy Urban ’81.

Brendan Halpin (Boston, MA) emailed, “Notes from the Blender, a Young Adult book I co-wrote with Trish Cook (of the Chicago Cooks), has found a nice home at Egmont USA. They’ll be publishing it in the fall of 2010. I’m very excited about this because a) this book rocks and b) this is a small publisher with a small list. They’ll be paying a lot of attention to the book, and they seem to be very into social networking and other innovative ways to sell books.

“Disney/Hyperion is launching a campaign for their summer releases called Un-Required Reading. They’ll be doing a big promotion for all their summer releases, including The Half Life of Planets, the love story I cowrote with Emily Franklin. I think

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they’re even going to send us on a mini-tour in June.

“Three—count ’em—3 releases from me in 2010: The Half Life of Planets, ShutOut, and Notes from the Blender!”

Elizabeth Sue Paris (Nashville, TN) died on November 28, 2009. She studied astrophysics, cosmology and drama at Stanford University, later earning her Ph.D. in history and philosophy of science and technology at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Paris was a Dibner Fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an Argonne National Lab Historian. She advised Ph.D. students at the University of Chicago and also taught at Harvard University.

Dr. Paris moved to Nashville after marrying her husband in 2002. While there, she spent about five years helping edit the eight-volume set of the New Dictionary of Scientific Biography, a reference on the history of physics.

When Dr. Paris became a mother, she poured her heart into that, too, her family said. She was an active leader in the neighborhood association in Nashville and was a member of the La Leche League, Attachment Parenting International and Ronald McDonald House.

Elizabeth’s friend and former teacher Patty Flanigan said, “A warm friend to many in this community, Elizabeth kept us together by organizing frequent phone calls, e-mails and outings in New York, Boston, Nashville and Cincinnati.”

1987

Congratulations to Steve and Shannon Collins (Winnetka, IL) on the October 29, 2009, birth of son Dylan Alder Collins. He joins sister Sierra, age 2. Steve is in his third year as a middle school science teacher at North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka.

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

According to an article in the November 27, 2009, edition of the Times Herald, Dr. Peter Fischer (’96) (Memphis, TN) received a special gift from a former patient. Peter assisted in St. Francis County Sheriff Bobby Mays’ cancer surgery. Fischer and May struck up a friendship and May learned that Peter is a fan of Elvis Presley.

“May met Elvis in the 1970’s while serving as the Lee County Sheriff.

He told Elvis he would have a Lee County badge ordered for him but Elvis died two months later. May held onto the badge as a memento but after meeting Fischer he felt compelled to give it to him.

“I’m amazed. This is just great. My mother (Lynn Schweitzer Rush H ’68) and I set up a shrine every year during Elvis week and this will be a great addition…,” said Fischer.

Congratulations are also in order for Peter on his marriage to Breland Rawlings on December 12, 2009, in Memphis. The wedding party included Andi Fischer ’98 and Alex Johnson ’96.

Elena Stein (Cincinnati) emailed, “[I] delivered the Invocation for Cincinnati City Council’s inauguration of Mayor and Council Members on December 1, 2009.” Her daughter Dahlia was featured in the Fall 2009 Issue of Mei Magazine. Mei is a quarterly publication for tweens and teens adopted from China. In her interview, Dahlia (L ’19) said, ”My goal in life is to learn how to play every musical instrument. This year, I will practice violin and make up some new songs to sing.”

http://greenlifepenn.org/?p=296.

Lotspeich first graders regularly Skype with Dr. Vitz about his bird studies.

1992

Betsy Bingham Zajac (Cincinnati) writes, “I married Jody Zajac in April 2008 and gave birth to our son Harry James Zajac in January 2009.” Congratulations!

Andrew Vitz was featured in a video clip on avian studies and bird banding on “Living the Wild Life,” a PBS show produced in Pennsylvania.

1993

Congratulations to Elizabeth Deubell (Columbus, OH) on her website BellzieBeasts which showcases and sells her eclectic handcrafted items including cephalopod-themed holiday cards and heavy metal-themed potholders. Something for everyone! www.etsy.com/shop/deubellzebub

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Ben Glassman (Cincinnati) is an Assistant U.S. Attorney. He and his wife Jennifer Morales, a partner at Keating, Muething, & Klekamp PLL., live in Kenwood, Ohio.

1994

Billie Rubenstein Diamond (Chicago) emailed, “My husband Joe and I welcomed our third daughter into the world on November 25, 2009. Her name is Shea Elizabeth Diamond. She has two older sisters, Ava and Maribelle.” Congratulations!

1996

Michelle Glassman Bock (Chevy Chase, MD) and her husband Patrick Bock have transferred back to their

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ Washington DC law firms after three years practicing in Brussels and London.

Tim Wyant (New York, NY), Executive Director of City Squash, emailed this end-of-year update to Director of Middle and Upper School Studies and Assistant Head of School Susan Marrs: “This has been a banner year for CitySquash. Three team members won New England Interscholastic titles.

At the Urban Individual Nationals, an event that drew hundreds of urban squash players from around the country, our students prevailed in seven of the eight draws. In all, CitySquashers have won 22 tournaments in 2009.

Five are ranked in the top 40 nationally.

“More importantly, CitySquashers have distinguished themselves in the classroom. Five students earned boarding school acceptances, increasing CitySquash’s total number of prep school scholarships to 29. Our middle and high school teams maintain a B average. And after seven years in the program, our oldest team members graduated from high school and are now in college… All the while, CitySquash has continued to grow and improve as an organization. We now serve 120 Bronx youth, having welcomed third graders to the team this fall…” www.citysquash.org

Best wishes to Molly Marrero ’99 (Chicago, IL) and Michael Aquilino, who were married on October 24, 2009. Liza Martindale Weiner ’99 was a bridesmaid. Pictured are Mike Marrero, Deborah DeLong, Molly Marrero Aquilino, Michael Aquilino, and Sam Marrero ’02.

It was great to see members of the Binkley Family at the Madame Binkley Assembly (see page 15): Nick Binkley ’01, Jack Binkley, Lisa Binkley Briquet ’91 with Thibaut Briquet and (front) Lotspeich prekindergartner Ariane Briquet, Anna Binkley Kennedy ’94, and Lair Kennedy with Gracie Kennedy.

1997

Congratulations to Stephen Zoepf (Cambridge MA) and his wife Irma (at left) on the birth of their daughter Mia on September 1, 2009.

1998

Lisa Barrett (San Francisco, CA) emailed, “I have recently connected with some other Seven Hills folks (including Sharon Thompson, who was my ninth and twelfth grade English teacher and who works in Phoenix where I now travel regularly for work, so Seven Hills has been increasingly present in my life lately! I reflect, and not at all infrequently, about the com-

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▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ 2005

Thanks to Todd Bland, former Interim Head of School and now Head of School at Milton Academy, for sending us this photo of a Seven Hills/ Milton Academy merger—Dalia Naamani-Goldman ’02 (Silver Springs, MD) and Andrew DuKatz.

Malcolm Drane (West Lafayette, IN) graduated from Purdue University on December 20, 2009, with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He has accepted a position with Purdue University in the Office of the Architect as a Project Engineer Specialist.

Congratulations to Will Selnick on his critically-acclaimed performance in Ensemble Theater of Cincinnati’s December production of Sleeping Beauty, one of a collection of fractured fairy tales by area playwright Joseph McDonough and composer David Kisor.

2006

Alex Bibler (Cincinnati) passed away suddenly, of natural causes, on December 18, 2009. Alex attended Seven

Classes of 2000 & 2005 We want to make sure it is easy for you to attend your reunion. Based on feedback from previous 5th and 10th year classes, more people are in town over Thanksgiving weekend than the traditional Reunion weekend.

We are moving your class gatherings to Saturday, November 27, 5-7pm with the location TBD. Suggestions are welcome.

2000 Reunion Rep Lucy Schmidt, Lucy.Schmidt@empowermm.com 2005 Reunion Reps Frederick Hall, fghall@fas.harvard.edu Benjamin van der Horst, bvanderhorst@gmail.com

Nancy McCormick Bassett Director of Alumni Relations nancy.bassett@7hills.org, 513-272-5354

giving, being thankful for all that Seven Hills gave me is very much in my thoughts.”

2000

Matthew Drane (Washington, DC) graduated in December with his Master’s in Global Business. He is an Associate Partner with Gallup Consulting and just celebrated his first anniversary with his wife LaDavia Drane Esq.

2003

Alex Maggio (Long Beach, CA) emailed English Department Chair and teacher Sandra Smythe, “This is a bit of shameless bragging, but I wanted to let you know that my tenminute play, Hero’s Luck, was selected for the prestigious National MFA Playwright’s Conference this year in Aspen, CO. It should also get an off-Broadway showcase in the spring. It’s a shameless silly and not all too weighty play, but I’m definitely excited by the opportunity. You can see the details on my website: http://www.alexandermaggio.com/Alexander_Maggio/ News_Blog/Entries/2009/12/14_Heros_Luck_Headed_to_Aspen.html

2004

Congratulations to Carroll Wallace (Cincinnati) on her art show at the Clifton Arts Center January 9-29.

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© Richard Stirling

munity and thought that goes on within the walls of Seven Hills. Having been a teacher and now surrounded by many friends working in schools and districts, I am regularly reminded of what a special place Seven Hills truly is. The type of questioning and thinking and creative expression we experienced was in fact incredibly rare. And the likes of Mr. Abineri to Mrs. Wolfe to Mrs. Meader comprise a faculty that I find it difficult to describe to friends, or for them to grasp, whom I have met later in life. Given that we just had Thanks-

Hills from preK to grade 12, graduating in 2006. Since then, he has been attending Ohio University and would have graduated in June 2010. He was a math major and worked as a math student instructor during the school year. Alex was active in the Ohio University chapter of the American Red Cross during his four years. This year he was president of the chapter and ran the blood drives. After graduation, Alex was looking forward to attending medical school. Alex had numerous interests outside of school, including cooking, bowling, and ani-

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ mal welfare. He was a wonderful young man of charm and grace with a winning smile. He had great warmth and made those around him feel at ease. He had his whole life ahead of him and will be greatly missed.

Check out Lindsay Degen’s (Providence, RI) stunning collection of knit apparel and art at www.lindsaydegen. com. She currently attends Rhode Island School of Design, “studying knitting—apparel and fine art—and philosophy.”

Congratulations to Claire Stengel, who has accepted membership in Golden Key International Honour Society, the world’s premier collegiate honor society. She was honored in a recent induction ceremony at UCLA. “It is only fitting that a top academic achiever like Claire be recognized by Golden Key,” said John W. Mitchell, Golden Key’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our members are inspired and motivated not only to achieve exceptional academic accomplishments, but also to make a positive impact on our world through the Society’s commitment to service.”

Marisa returned to Skidmore in January.

2008

Seth Rau (Medford, MA) emailed History Department Chair and teacher Bob Turansky, “… I will be starting my trip to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates as part of the New Initiative for Middle East Peace (NIMEP) annual research fact-finding mission. For the next two weeks (January 3-16), along with seven other trip members, I will be meeting with key figures in both nations to do research on the future of non-fossil-fuel energy in these states. My main focus will be on solar and nuclear energy, which seem to be the most promising ways to meet their domestic energy goals without using fossil fuels. However, it remains unclear if these states are truly serious about their commitment to alternative energies. After the trip, I will publish my findings in the journal, NIMEP Insights… Our trip starts off in Kuwait then goes to Abu Dhabi and finally to Dubai….”

2009

Marisa Steinmanis (Saratoga Springs, NY) was “down under” studying at the University of Melbourne Australia.

After this once-in-a-lifetime experience,

At the University of Southern California, Steven Young was presented the Most Ideal Freshman Award at the USC band banquet. The USC band played at the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco.

Marriages Betsy Bingham ’93 and Jody Zajac (April 2008) Peter Fischer ’96 and Breland Rawlings Molly Marrero ’99 and Michael Aquilino

2007

Sarah-Margaret Gibson has a wonderful new website of her artwork—www. sarah-margaretgibson.com. Proud Mom Anni Macht Gibson (C ’70) emailed, “Sarah-Margaret, 21, has been studying classical methods of drawing and painting in Florence, Italy, for the past two years. The first two years of the program are spent fine-tuning drawing skills, working on line/form/perspective/shading etc. At the beginning of her third year at Angel Art Academy, she is just now starting to paint in oils again.

“Sarah-Margaret is planning to have a show in Cincinnati at the end of the summer (earlier in the summer, she’s going to be a teaching assistant again for six weeks at Interlochen Arts Camp near our cottage in Traverse City, Michigan).”

Abbey Gauger ’09 (Akron, OH), a dance major at the University of Akron, was initiated into Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She is the Public Relations Chair.

Births Betsy (Bingham ’93) and Jody Zajac— Harry James Zajac Billie (Rubenstein ’94) and Joe Diamond—Shea Elizabeth Diamond Stephen ’97 and Irma Zoepf—Mia Zoepf Jamee Bender (St. Andrews, Scotland) emailed Assistant Head of School Susan Marrs, “I absolutely love St. Andrews. My Art History lectures are so interesting and I have the head of the department as my ‘tutor’ (each week we have small group meetings with a tutor who leads the discussions).

I’ve also found a really nice group of friends from all over Europe—I’m the only American and native speaker in the group. Last week five of us rented a car and drove all around the Highlands for our ‘reading week’ break.”

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Deaths Ruth Brodie Hackney C ’35 Josephine “Jo” Iglauer Joseph H ’36 Mary Taft Mahler H ’52 Nancy Gay Tully Galey H ’59 Henry S. Levinson L ’60 Elizabeth Sue Paris ’86 Alex Bibler ’06 Jean Judd, French teacher 1965-80

Please notify us of address changes alumni.news@7hills.org 513-272-5340

A Reception in the Garden at the Taft Museum Head of School Chris Garten, socialized with classmates and friends, and enjoyed the exhibit, “The Chemistry of Color: The Sorgenti Collection of Contemporary African American Art.”

Rain didn’t stop alumni and friends from coming together for a lovely reception, under a large tent, in the garden of the Taft Museum on the evening of September 24. Guests met new

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Alumni Holiday Gathering

Another good time was had by all at the Young Alumni Holiday party hosted by the Young Alumni Board. This year’s event was at The Redmoor in Mt. Lookout on December 26 for the Classes 1989-2009. A record crowd turned out to enjoy the holiday festivities and see friends.

Congratulations to our raffle winners: Eric Greenberg ’02, Kelly Myers ’91, John Findlay ’03, Steve Newman ’02, Molly Marrero Aquilino ’99, and Ian Hayes ’97.

A huge thank you to our generous raffle prize donors. The money raised is donated to the Annual Giving Fund.

Raffle prizes donated by Amy Wilson and Seven Hills Spirit Shop de Lanerolle Restaurant Group The Okin Family Steve Newman ’02 Nada

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Classes 1989-2009: We Need You! Help 7Hills rise to the challenge! We are competing with Country Day to be the school with the highest percentage of participation in annual giving by young alums. Participation is the key! The dollar amount you give is not as important as your participation.

Make your donation safely, securely and instantly on our Online Giving page: www.7hills.org/Giving/ DonateOnline. Go Stingers!

Artwork by Dave Sanders ’91

Upcoming Alumni Events Thursday, April 22 7Hills visits Boston

At the home of Lidney Motch Luczkow ‘89

Friday, May 7 Alumni Art Show 6-8pm Commons and Deck, Hillsdale Campus Thursday, June 17 6-8pm

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7Hills and CCDS Young Alum Annual Giving Challenge Celebration Classes 1989-2009 The American Sign Museum 2515 Essex Place

The Wandering Alum “So, I’ve lived along the Nile before, but actually, I’ve never been to Egypt.” This was how I introduced myself on Day 1 at the American Research Center in Egypt.

This past summer, I was fortunate to be offered a scholarship to study Arabic in Cairo. It’s called the Critical Language Scholarship and it’s given by the U.S. State Department. The American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) was my hosting institution.

The counterintuitive introduction above refers to the summer of 2008, when I spent three months teaching English in Khartoum with Sudan Volunteer Programme, an organization based out of London. I quickly realized that, in comparison to Khartoum, Cairo felt like a European city to me. Another thing occurred to me: though the two countries’ levels of development are very different, Egyptian and Sudanese cultures are still very similar—from the food to the dialects of Arabic they speak. I decided I would use this unanticipated cultural-competence to my advantage.

When in Sudan, my students really bent over backwards to show deference: bringing me tea, carrying my books or erasing the board for me after class. Flash-forward a year.

Instead of being at the head of a Sudanese classroom with Sudanese students, I’m now seated in Egyptian classrooms with Egyptian teachers. I decided to replicate the behavior of my Sudanese students for my older and more traditional Egyptian teachers. I brought them tea, carried their books, and erased the board after class. My American peers called me a “suck-up,” but my Egyptian teachers couldn’t believe their eyes. “Sami, enta zai ahuya” (Sammy, you’re like my brother).

Here’s another example: Let me preface this by saying that I’ll do anything to prolong a conversation. Actually, that’s not true at all. I’ll do anything to prolong a conversation in a dialect of Arabic I’m trying to learn. Much better.

I pretend I don’t speak English or I repeat the word I don’t know back to the person and nod my head. That usually

An Egyptian Experience with Sam Marrero ’02

keeps the conversation going. If not, I have another trick: I noticed that Egyptians and Sudanese tend to keep a lot of family pictures on hand. Both my Egyptian teachers presented pictures of spouses, children, siblings, and cousins on our first day. The same held true for the very friendly hotel staff.

I decided to participate in this cultural practice, but with a bit of an American twist. While in Cairo, I carried a small iPod that can display photos. So, I uploaded some family photos onto it. If my conversations in Egyptian dialect ever ran their course, I’d simply whip out my iPod and introduce my family. Problem solved.

Considering my Arabic proficiency and my immediate tan, my Egyptian teachers and friends swore I was at least half-Arab. I received great marks, extra practice outside of class, and…the arranged marriage proposals came rolling in. Hopefully, some day, those will be replaced by job offers.

Above, the Ibn Tulun Mosque, the oldest mosque in Egypt and one of the largest in the world. At right, Sam volunteered teaching once a week at a summer youth program in Cairo. For more on Sam, visit www.miis.edu/community/world/stories/node/14511.

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Alumni Basketball Games

It was a fun night for Stinger basketball as players, families and fans came together for the Fifth Annual Alumni Basketball Games December 27!

Barb Frey

Dick Snyder

At far left, Sarah McHugh ’03, Olivia Carey ’09, Sondra Polonsky ’09, Gillian Abineri ’01, Coach Todd Hervas; at left, announcer Benjamin van der Horst ’05.

(Front) Gabe Kalubi ’06, Damon Johnson ’08, Matt Bittner ’09, Richard Fink ’07, Justin Harris ’03; Justin Monnier ’07, L.T. Burke ’09; Zaki Anwar ’07, David Temin ’06, David Stirsman ’82, Jordan Harris ’05, Jonathan Coleman ’07; Daniel Kalubi ’02, Thomas Schultz ’07, David Bittner ’07, Pat McGrath ’05; Sean McKibben ’09, Kit Brunner ’07, Lumen Sivitz ’02, Gavin Tabor ’05, Malcolm Drane ’05.

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 9695 Cincinnati, Ohio

5400 Red Bank Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45227-1198

When you enter the Andress Art Gallery in our Upper School, you are greeted by this amazing 64” X 80” mosaic portrait of Dean of Students Jack White. It was created with two-inch squares by 64 students in five classes of General Art, taught by Diane Kruer and Jason Knarr.

Diane Kruer said, “I love the synergy of projects where everybody does one little part to create something big. We wanted to do this for Jack because of his retirement. It felt like a loving act to have that many kids come together to create a portrait of him. We surprised him with it, and he was blown away! He said it was a metaphor for the things that can only be seen clearly from a distance.”

Notice to Members of The Seven Hills School Corporation The announcement of Corporation Meetings, proxies, and the Nominating List for new Board members will be posted on our website www.7hills.org. Look for these announcements for the Corporation Meeting on Wednesday, April 21, at 6:00 pm.

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