The Saints Life S T. S T E P H E N ' S A N D S T. A G N E S S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
SPRING 2022
ALUM N I R EU N I O N
On Friday, April 22, the Classic Saints celebrating more than 50 years gathered at the Lower School for a special luncheon, which included a song and commemorative pins from the kindergartners. The School Store was open in Macan Hall, and Archivist Erica Williams shared an amazing array of historical items, photos, yearbooks, newspapers, and more, in Lloyd House. In the evening all reunion classes were invited to a reception at the home of Head of School Kirsten Adams.
WEEKEND 2022!
Saturday, April 23, began with the annual Alumni of Color Brunch and a screening of Ted Adams' '82 St. Stephen's documentary. Later, alumni enjoyed watching the boys varsity baseball team win 5-1 over Episcopal High School. After the game, the players signed Saints baseballs for all attending children. The 25th Reunion classes had a special lunch with Mrs. Adams. Saturday night the reunion classes celebrated together at their class parties. Sunday included an alumni homily and service in the Chapel/ Performing Arts Center with The Rev. Edie Beardall Weller '72. The weekend festivities concluded on Monday, with the 30th Sleepy Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament!
WHAT'S INSIDE
REUNION ALUMNI FEATURES 28 Life in the Fast Lane: Ted Geschickter '81 deals in fractions of a second 32 Miatrai Brown '07: Making Immigration More Accessible ON CAMPUS 8
Lower School Saints Explore Empathy Delving into Understanding to Make Connections
12 Jahkil Jackson Working for a Better Tomorrow and Making the Mythical a Reality
14 You Don't Know Until You Know How Judy Heumann Opened My Eyes
DEPARTMENTS 6 17 26 62 66 92 94
Headliner Saints in Action Saints Athletics An Episcopal School Class Notes In Memoriam Milestones
34 The Lure of Nature: How Nathaniel Gillespie '92 turned a passion into a career 40 The Flâneuse: In Conversation with Artist Constance Mallinson '66 46 Tommy May '12: Balancing Creativity with the Business of Art 50 Thearapy for the Invisible Wounds of War: Malika Rasheed '87 is leading a unique dog-training program for soldiers with PTSD
ALUMNI IN THE SPOTLIGHT 54 Go Ahead, Hit Me! Don Theerathada '93 talks about his career as a professional stunt coordinator and fight choreographer for 87 Action Design
CATCHING UP WITH YOUNG ALUMNI
ON THE COVER Saints love to visit
58 Revolutionizing Urban Student Housing Harry Dubke '15 and Perry Griffith '15 talk about building their startup, Cortado
the SSSAS Rolling RhomBus, an educational vehicle fully equipped with engaging math activities for students to explore. Learning games include a giant-sized Connect 4 that’s also fun to peek through!
THE MAGAZINE IS ONLINE! Now you can easily share or read The Saints Life at any time on our new magazine site, sssasmagazine.org.
THE SAINTS LIFE Magazine of St. Stephen's and St. Agnes
EARLY SAINTS VALENTINE BALL Our youngest Saints, age 3, celebrated Valentine's Day by talking about love and kindness, dancing with their friends, and just having fun!.
SPRING 2022 sssasmagazine.org Head of School Kirsten Prettyman Adams Director of Communications Jen Desautels Editor Director of Design & Production Melissa Ulsaker Maas '76 Design Melissa Ulsaker Maas '76 Director of Digital Media and Marketing Mandi Sapp Director of Brand Management and Marketing Marcia Mallett Alumni News Advancement Office Photographers Jameson Bloom '13 Jennifer Lust Melissa Ulsaker Maas '76 Marcia Mallett Kat Moore Cory Royster Mandi Sapp Contributing Writers Andrea Dawson Elise Gibson Jessica Yarmosky Susie Zimmermann Questions/Comments Melissa Ulsaker Maas '76 mmaas@sssas.org
Face-to-Face with Our Faculty
16 Beth Barrow
19 Ricky Drummond
20 Celeste McDaniels
To Update Your Contact Information or Mailing Preferences Please email atoman@sssas.org or call 703-212-2720. Published by SSSAS for alumni, current parents, friends, and other regularly supportive members of the school community. © 2022 St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. As a related organization of the Episcopal Church, St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School respects the applicable policies and governing principles of the Episcopal Church pertaining to nondiscrimination.
HEADLINER
Dear Saints, “Is that a circus tent?!” I heard one young student excitedly exclaim to another as they stared in awe at the large white tent that had been erected on the field at the Upper School. White flags waved in the gentle spring breeze on the top of the tent, the bustle of activity below fueling anticipation for the weekend events ahead. Though it wasn't an actual circus tent, but rather a (quite large and impressive!) party tent to house the celebrations of alumni celebrating their reunions, the excitement it generated was, undeniably, almost circus-like. Reunion Weekend is always a special time on our campuses, and this weekend, the first time since the fall of 2019 that our alumni were able to gather together in-person for Reunion, was extraordinary. We hosted more classes than ever before, honoring classes ending in 1, 2, 6, and 7. Set against the backdrop of a glorious spring weekend, our campuses were alive with activity, our alumni thrilled to be together to celebrate their shared histories and reconnect with teachers and one another. Reunion has historically taken place during the fall, but this year was scheduled for the spring, one of the unexpected opportunities presented to us after two years of managing the restrictions and limitations of Covid. Though there were certainly some uncertainties around moving the weekend to a different time of year, looking back now at the energy and joy of the last few days, I cannot imagine a better way for our community to kick-off the final weeks of the school year. As our students and faculty immerse themselves in final projects and performances, culminating events and traditions, they do so with the generous support and loyalty of all those Saints who have come before them. Go Saints! Warmly,
Kirsten Adams Head of School
6 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 7
ON CAMPUS
Lower School Saints Explore Empathy Delving into Understanding to Make Connections BY JULIE ESANU
Head Lower School Librarian and Interdisciplinary Curriculum Coordinator
E
STUDENT PHOTOS BY KAT MOORE Early Saints Teacher
Empathy—the ability to attempt to
Lower School's multicultural committee.
each of our Lower School Saints so
understand what someone else is
As we were discussing how to form our
they see others' perspectives and
feeling or experiencing—is now a core
conversations and explorations around
understand that they have the power
competency in the socio-emotional
the important work of Dr. King, Donna
to make a difference and change
content of many independent schools'
felt that the most important concept was
society. Empathy provides the
curriculum, including St. Stephen's and
empathy.
foundation for this work because we
St. Agnes School. At SSSAS, we also
This idea was inspired by Dr. Martin
need to understand the perspectives
continue to prioritize diversity, equity,
Luther King, Jr.'s profound statement
and experiences of other people in
inclusion, and belonging initiatives. One
that “Life's most persistent and urgent
order to “be better,” as James Baldwin
aspect of our Action Steps for Racial
question is, “What are you doing for
suggests.
Justice focuses on the curriculum, with
others?,” as well as African-American
the goal of equipping “students with the
writer and activist James Baldwin's
School Multicultural Committee
lens and skills to understand experiences
notion that the “The world is before you
decided that in order to “Be Better,”
outside of their own and to use this
and you need not take it or leave it as it
it is essential that we SEE and
understanding to make the world a
was when you came in.” Congressman
understand each other. As we explore
more inclusive place.” Enter the Lower
John Lewis, who marched with Dr. King
empathy, we first must define our own
School's Saints Explore Empathy (SEE)
at Selma, noted that “When you see
experiences and emotions to identify
initiative. SEE was born in December
something not right, not just, not fair,
the similarities and differences to
2016 during an after-hours conversation
you have a moral obligation to speak up,
connect with others. At the Lower
with Donna Ryan about how to honor
speak out—to find a way to get in the
the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
way.” In supporting our school's mission,
in January. At the time, Donna was a
it is our goal to act on these statements
kindergarten teacher and head of the
and “instill a social consciousness”* in
8 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
In January 2017, the Lower
* National Book Award and Coretta Scott King Award Winner Andrew Aydin addressing the School Library Journal Leadership Summit, October 15, 2016; Mr. Aydin is the co-author of the “March” trilogy and was digital director for Congressman Lewis.
School, empathy stems from the following enduring understandings: 1. Each student is an individual
idea of what it means to be American. Fast forward to 2022, and the Saints Explore Empathy initiative
with unique attributes and
continues to evolve to explore
perspectives, some of which are
the concept of community and
visible and others are invisible.
empathy in order to understand
2. The Saints community can
that they have the power to make
grow if each person shares his
a difference and change society,
or her unique attributes and
especially within our community.
perspectives, and is willing to
This year we've focused our work on
listen and learn from others.
the concept of social responsibility,
3. Each student can use his or
specifically on community and
her unique attributes to make a
service learning. At SSSAS, social
difference at the individual and
responsibility includes the intersection
community level by developing
of our service learning; diversity,
understanding, expanding
equity, inclusion and belonging
perspectives, and creating
(DEIB) work, and environmental
connections.
sustainability and is informed by the Enduring Understandings of Social
During our first Saints Explore
Responsibility.
Empathy engagement, we held classroom discussions around three
“Goodness as well as Knowledge” Social Responsibility at St. Stephen's and St. Agnes
essential questions that continue to “Episcopal schools integrate ideals and
define the initiative today: •
Who am I? What are my unique
concepts of equity, justice, and a just
attributes? How do others see
society throughout the institution.”
me? What can I teach or offer to
~National Association of Episcopal Schools
someone else? •
•
Who are you? What are the
We believe that social responsibility
unique attributes of your
begins with the understanding that
classmates? What can I learn
our individual and institutional
from you?
actions impact our community now
How can we answer Dr. King's
and in the future. We believe that
most persistent and urgent
social injustices are best resolved
question: What can I/we do
when we challenge the systems and structures that cause the perpetuation
for others (each other, our classroom, our community)?
We challenged the Lower School
of injustice.
students, faculty,and families to participate in the “Saints 30 D ays
Firmly rooted in our Episcopal
School Saints have continued to
of Kindness Challenge,” in January
identity, our work is through and with
have powerful discussions around
to share small acts of kindness
others across all academic disciplines,
these questions beginning with our
with others and our community.
grade levels, and departments.
youngest Saints. Starting with our
This set the stage for the February
3- and 4-year-old students in Early
X-Day (special Lower School days
Our mission is to foster a culture
Saints and junior kindergarten,
that provide opportunities for
of learning, action and reflection
children explore aspects of identity
deeper learning and capitalizing
around our world's most complex
and perspectives in developmentally
on “moments yet undiscovered”),
issues and challenges. We support
appropriate ways. This work
and expanding interdisciplinary
the development of thoughtful and
continues throughout a child's
learning. In February Lower School
engaged citizens who will strive to
experience at the Lower School
students visited with young change
transform injustice and heal the
through Responsive Classroom and
maker and author, Jahkil Jackson.
brokenness we find within ourselves,
the social studies curriculum. Fifth
When he was eight years old, Jahkil
in our community, and in our society.
graders return to the concepts of
noticed that there were people in his
identity and experiences, as well as
Chicago neighborhood experiencing
perspectives, as they explore the big
homelessness and wanted to help
In the interim years, Lower
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 9
the next generation of New Orleans jazz musicians and honor the New Orleans tradition of “playing it forward.” After exploring Trombone Shorty's music and learning about his journey and his youth music foundation, one SSSAS student noted, “He is a role model because he never forgot how important his community was even when he made it big.” Another young Saint reflected, “If Trombone Shorty helps a kid in his community become a great person
Lower School Reading on Refugees in Preparation for Saints Mission Day Jahkil Jackson reading his book, “I Am,” during his February visit to the Lower School. He wrote “I Am” to help young people implement values that can help to navigate being bullied and build a strong sense of self-worth. His book is a creative display of how to have belief in oneself and to not be concerned with negative influences.
them. He created Project I Am and
third through fifth grade students
initiative to distribute“Blessing
spent time learning about jazz great
Bags,” which include toiletries such
Troy Andrews (Trombone Shorty)
as toothpaste, hand sanitizer, and
and his experience growing up in
shampoo–items that people need
Tremé, a neighborhood in New
everyday to stay healthy and for self-
Orleans. We danced to his music,
care. Lower School Saints worked
“Hurricane Season,” practiced
with Jahkil to learn about Project I Am
improvising on xylophones, and read
and made 435 Blessing Bags for our
his autobiography, Trombone Shorty.
community partner, ALIVE! [For more
The students were fascinated by the
information about Jahkil's visit, see
fact that although Trombone Shorty
David Yee's article on p. 12.]
became a world renowned musician
In addition, Saints families were
traveling the globe and playing with
stewards of Alexandria's fresh water
some of the biggest names in jazz,
streams in the Chesapeake Bay
he continues to spend much of his
watershed as they participated in a
time back in New Orleans working
clean up of Timber Branch Run in
with young musicians beginning
February. These efforts support our
their own musical journeys. Troy
school's mission of pursuing goodness
Andrews created his organization,
as well as knowledge; it only takes one
The Trombone Shorty Foundation, to
person or idea to make a change in the
provide outstanding musical training
community, and there are many ways to
to the youth of New Orleans.
serve and support our Saints community.
Growing up, Troy Andrews would
Our Lower School Saints realize that
play alongside brass band musicians
they have potential to be change makers,
on the streets of New Orleans. They
and can be inspired by role models such
were always willing to give him a tip
as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jahkil
or help him learn a new technique,
Jackson.
and his musicality blossomed thanks
These conversations look different
First and Second Grades: “Lubna and Pebble” by Wendy Meddour and Daniel Egneus
Third Grade: “What is a Refugee?” by Elise Gravel
to the community's guidance and
depending on age and classroom. For
support. Trombone Shorty felt it
example, during music classes, our
was his responsibility to work with
10 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
Early Saints-Kindergarten: “That's Not How You Do It!” by Ariane Hofmann-Maniyar
Fourth and Fifth Grades: “Stepping Stones” by Margriet Ruurs
and musician, and then that kid
taking and empathy skills around
strengthen our relationship with the
remembers to help the next kid, and
various challenges, and learn about
local refugee community. Fifth graders
then that kid remembers to help the
great local solutions to solve community
in Mr. Finan's reading classes learned
next kid, there will be generations of
problems. The program culminates in
about refugees in their historical
people in New Orleans helping each
the children collectively deciding how to
fiction book clubs this year, and to
other and keeping jazz music going
allocate $1,000 to a local organization
activate and build schema for the
for generations.”
and writing personal giving pledges.
day, Lower School Saints learned
In fourth grade, children
SEE is also a connector across the
about who refugees are and read and
discussed ways they could be
SSSAS campuses. On April 14, the entire
discussed age-appropriate picture
changemakers using their hearts,
Saints community came together as one
books. Working in cross-divisional
minds, voices, and hands to effect
to celebrate Saints Mission Day. Our
groups, they wrote postcards to the
change. The students enjoyed
theme for this year's event was “Small
children in Christ Church's Refugee
learning about Jahkil and his love
Change Can Make a Big Difference,”
Ministry and created origami Story
of basketball as well as his drive to
and borrows from the “caring
Boats with notes of hope to refugee
make change. In addition to making
community” phrase in our mission
children.
Blessing Bags, Students wrote letters
statement; this event also supports
to the people they are serving. In
the Lower School's Saints Explore
to be a powerful way to connect Lower
addition, fourth graders are learning
Empathy initiative. We focused on small
School children with each other and
about philanthropy through The
efforts that our all Saints can make to
our community. It also provides a way
Giving Square's Kids for Kids
deepen and strengthen our relationship
for each Lower School Saint to live
Fund. This program provides a
with the local refugee community in
the SSSAS mission. It is our hope that
curriculum that nurtures the spirit
partnership with the Refugee Ministry
the initiative will continue to evolve
of philanthropy and service in our
at Christ Church Alexandria. To prepare
and provide the vehicle for our Saints
students. Through the Kids for Kids
for Saints Mission Day, Lower School
to attempt to understand the human
Fund, students explore the rights
students explored how all Saints can
condition and make connections to
of all children, develop perspective-
make small efforts to deepen and
strengthen our community.
Saints Explores Empathy continues
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 11
ON CAMPUS
Jahkil Jackson Working for a Better Tomorrow and Making the Mythical a Reality BY DAVID YEE
Director of External Engagement and Service Learning
Jahkil Jackson speaking at the Upper School.
U
Usually, when we try to find models of
individuals in magazines, they often
entire school through assemblies on
inspiration for our students, we look to
seem far away. This distance becomes
each campus during which he gave
the news from the world outside of our
dispiriting, and those role models become
a presentation and then engaged in
walls. One such source of inspiration is
mythical. Given that, it was surprising
a question and answer session. He
TIME Magazine's “Kid of the Year,” and
when our own associate athletic director,
began by saying that he started his
who TIME has chosen for the past two
Vashon Winton, reached out to us in
work at the age of eight after puzzling
years. In 2020, TIME chose 15-year-
the fall to say that he has a cousin who
through ways that he, at a young
old Gitanji Rao who used science and
is one of these inspirational young
age, could act to make the unhoused
technology to speak to the crises of the
people, a model of Black Excellence,
feel seen. His parents had explained
day: opioid addiction, dirty drinking
Jahkil Jackson. We were fortunate to
to him the experiences of homeless
water, and more. This past year, the
host Jahkil, who came to our school to
people when he was five, and he
magazine chose 11-year-old Orion Jean
help us wrap up our celebration of Black
initially wanted to figure out how to
who works to combat lack of education
Excellence and Black Joy during Black
provide housing to all of those who
access in his local community through
History Month. He had become well-
did not have access to it. However,
spreading awareness and the habits of
known in Chicago and nationwide for his
he quickly realized that he was not
kindness. These students are chosen
commitment to finding a way to make
in a position at such a young age
because they are exceptional, and TIME
his community a better place through
to buy or build houses for those in
highlights them to indicate to people
his “Blessing Bags,” small ziploc bags
need. Through a process of problem
young and old that there is hope for the
that contain the necessities like soap or
solving and research with his parents
future. We point to these students to say
first-aid supplies that the unhoused may
and his local community, he found
that there are young people in the world
not have at their disposal. These bags are
a small way through which he could
that are working towards a better world,
ways in which he spread kindness to a
contribute. Ever since then, he has
and that our students can do the same.
community he believed was unseen.
been building a new community
However, when we read about these 12 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
Jahkil shared his story with the
by giving people who have similar
passions the opportunity to help him
one goes about this daunting work alone.
students told him that they see his
construct these blessing bags. His
At each of his speeches and throughout
success as an inspiration, saying
community stretched far enough to
the creation of the Blessing Bags, Jahkil
that his story was proof that the idea
garner the attention of one particularly
did his work alongside his mother and
of making a positive difference as a
influential Chicagoan: President Barack
his grandmother. When students asked
teenager wasn't just an abstract idea,
Obama.
him who his role models are, he named
but something that they could see
them. He credits his success to them for
in front of them. The Middle School
meeting the former president was
empowering him and being constant
students asked him questions about
one of the best moments of his life,
guides and mentors.
how to do the work that he does
Though Jahkil would share that
in watching him and in following his
Additionally, Jahkil connects his
when faced with social pressure to
story, I would argue that one of the
work to the broader field of social
be a “normal” student. He didn't
more defining moments of his young
entrepreneurship. Jahkil, who identifies
sugar coat his life to either group: he
career has been his response to the
as a social entrepreneur and who teaches
stated that it has been hard having
COVID-19 pandemic. Though many
classes in this topic to his peers, helped
separate ambitions from his peers,
activities stopped or suffered from
students to see that they should never stop
and that it hasn't been the easiest
the effect of quarantine and social
striving towards a world that treats all
social road. However, it's by telling
isolation, the pandemic actually gave
people more justly and equitably, no matter
his story and helping others through
him an opportunity to build on his idea
their race or status. He encouraged them
it that he hopes that it will become
and grow his community even larger.
to start small and to keep innovating. A
more normal.
Since he could not host the creation
Blessing Bag is a small expression of his
of Blessing Bags in-person, he hosted
overall vision. The end goal for him is not a
Agnes School, it's about using our
virtual “Blessing Bag Parties” where
Blessing Bag; rather, it is to make all people
platform as a school to demonstrate
people across the nation and world could
feel included in our collective success.
to students how normal his model
join his mission to provide visibility
It's why he saw the pandemic not as an
of excellence can be and how
and extend kindness to the unhoused.
obstacle, but as an opportunity to expand
approachable it is. We don't need
His platform grew exponentially, and to
his work beyond his local area. It's why
to look for successful role models
date, he has helped people create and
he's since identified youth empowerment
solely within the glossy pages of
distribute more than 70,000 Blessing
as a priority, and why he's lent his voice to
magazines, and we don't need to
Bags around the world.
combat the pains of childhood bullying.
think of people who reach this
In the end, the more people who feel the
success as exceptional. Exceptions
helped our Lower School students to
acceptance of the world around them, the
seem mythical, and Jahkil was real
join in this mission as they created more
more people there are who can be vehicles
and breathing in front of us as he
than four hundred blessing bags for our
for this change. This vision, of collective
posed for countless pictures with
community partner, ALIVE! However,
success based on careful and thoughtful
the Middle School students as he
more importantly, his visit and his story
iteration, is his vision of what it means to
tried to make his way towards the
provided our students with a model of
be a successful social entrepreneur.
door. Not a myth, he is a real fixture
Of course, given his mission, he
what it means to strive for excellence.
Before the end of his time at SSSAS, he
For us at St. Stephen's and St.
we can see that exists within our
Though our students want to effect
had the opportunity to speak to both our
own extended community, and by
positive change in the world around
Upper School Social Entrepreneurship
witnessing his example, maybe we
them, oftentimes, they see this task as
Club and our Middle School Social
can begin pushing ourselves to reach
daunting. First, he demonstrated that no
Entrepreneurship class. The Upper School
for that success as well. SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 13
ON CAMPUS
You Don't Know Until You Know How Judy Heumann Opened My Eyes
BY JOE WENGER
Director of Institutional Equity & Diversity KiKi Davis (left) on stage with Judy Heumann during her keynote presentation at the Colloquium.
Associate Director Institutional Equity & Diversity
O
StrongerMEMORY:
goodness as well as knowledge.” For
the Upper School hosted its third
Understanding and Combating
me, however, the most impactful
Colloquium for the Common Good.
Cognitive Dementia
part of the Colloquium was learning
Magic: A Window into
from the keynote speaker, Ms.
Unconscious Bias
Judith Heumann. Preparing for Ms.
Your Voice, Your Story:
Heumann's visit was an eye-opening
social issues of our day, this
Advocating to Help Save the
experience that proved the cliche,
year's event featured 28 different
Chesapeake Bay
“You don't know what you don't
Climate Change and the
know.”
On Monday, January 24, 2022,
Designed as a day of learning and
•
•
deep thinking around some of the most challenging and important
workshops hosted by a variety of
•
•
outside speakers, alumni, and
Impact on Native American
current teachers from all three
Communities
to share a brief biography. Since
divisions. To give you a sense of the offerings, the following are some of the workshop titles: •
If you are unfamiliar with Judy and her story, please allow me
All Upper School students attended
contracting polio at the age of
three different workshops and a
two in 1949, Ms. Heumann has
No Place Like Home:
keynote address over the course of the
required a wheelchair for mobility.
Experiencing the Refugee
day which allowed them to explore a
After being denied access to school
Journey
variety of ways in which to “pursue
at the age of five because she was
14 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
considered a “fire hazard,” Judy
You can't help but feel moved by her
common good, for a better world for
learned from an early age that she
courage when you see her choking back
everyone.
would have to advocate for herself
tears as she tells government officials
and fight against the discrimination
to their faces that disabled people
through different eyes is one of the
of disabled people. Over the course
will no longer accept separate but
great joys of working in a school.
of her life, she has founded several
equal treatment or when you see her
Whether reading a high school
disability rights organizations,
and her fellow activists travel around
student's writing or having a short
held positions in both the Clinton
Washington, D.C., in the back of a
conversation with a kindergartner,
and Obama administrations,
rented box truck because accessible
I regularly have the opportunity to
worked for the World Bank, and
transportation was so difficult to find.
hear a fresh perspective. Seeing the
played an integral role in the
As Judy writes in her memoir, “We
world around me with a lens for
development and implementation
were beginning to see our lack of access
accessibility felt no different.
of many key pieces of legislation,
as a problem with society, rather than
including the Americans with
our individual problem. From our
Disabilities Act (ADA) and the
perspective, disability was something
UN Convention on the Rights of
that could happen to anyone at any
Persons with Disabilities. In 2020,
time, and frequently did, so it was right
she published “Being Heumann: An
for society to design its infrastructure
Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability
and systems around this fact of life.
Rights Activist,” and she featured
We had grown up with the civil rights
prominently in the Oscar-nominated,
movement. I was eight when Rosa
Netflix documentary, “Crip Camp: A
Parks refused to give up her seat in the
Disability Rights Revolution.”
whites-only section of the bus and just
This is all to say that it felt like a
starting college when the Civil Rights
big deal to have a living civil rights
Act was passed in 1964. Wasn't it the
legend like Ms. Heumann visit our
government's responsibility to ensure
school and share her story.
that everyone could participate equally in our society?”
You can't help but feel inspired by Judy's bravery when you watch “Crip Camp” and see her—along with a couple dozen other disabled people— occupy the San Francisco offices of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) for nearly 30 days in April 1977, in an effort to push the government to enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (a law that had passed in 1973).
Learning about Judy Heumann's story and the history of the disability rights movement introduced me to the curb cut effect, according to which investment in one group can have a greater impact on the broader community. So while disabled individuals who rely on mobility equipment such as a wheelchair may need a curb cut to get onto a sidewalk, many other people also benefit from that curb cut whether it is a parent with a stroller, a delivery driver with a dolly, or a teenager on crutches who sprained their ankle in last night's lacrosse game. Likewise, while the hearing impaired rely on closed captioning, many of us might also benefit from it when trying to keep the volume low or attempting to understand a character with an accent. This concept of the curb cut effect reminds me of Fannie Lou Hamer's statement, “Nobody's free until everybody's free.” While Judy and
Learning to see the world
I didn't know what I didn't know… but now I do. When Judy Heumann visited “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” in 2020 and stated that the likelihood of a non-disabled person acquiring a disability even temporarily is high, Trevor Noah responded, jokingly, with “Did you just threaten me?” While that line produced a good laugh, Ms. Heumann's point should give us all pause at that reality and perhaps even enrich our sense of empathy. To be clear, disability rights was not the main focus of the Colloquium for the Common Good—as the workshop titles above intimate—but it was the topic that opened my eyes the most. And since Ms. Heumann's visit, we have started having more conversations about accessibility on our campuses and discussing improvements from which we all will benefit. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention the tireless efforts put in by Director of Institutional Equity and Diversity KiKi Davis and Director of External Engagement and Service Learning David Yee in organizing the Colloquium. It was no small feat to organize the event, and we've already started thinking about the next one in January 2024.
her fellow activists were fighting for equity, they were also fighting for the
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 15
FACE-TO-FACE
Beth Barrow What is your most treasured object and why? I love walking along the beach looking for shells. Since I can remember, I've been looking for the elusive junonia. When I find one, it will be my most treasured possession! If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one ability, what would it be? I have always wanted to be able to sing. If not on Broadway, then as a backup singer for Billy Joel or Elton John. When I was little, my dream was to be a backup singer for Barry Manilow. What are you obsessed with? Animals! Chuck is terrified that when Ali goes to college, I'll bring home a new pet every month. Dogs, cats, hamsters—anything soft, furry, and cuddly. My dream is to breed goldendoodles and have puppies around all the time! What is the biggest adventure you've had in your life? A college friend and I drove out to Colorado and Utah in my two-door Honda Civic the summer we were 24 years old. When I think about what we didn't have—cell phones, 16 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
Native Jersey girl Beth Barrow always wanted to be a teacher. Inspired by her mom, who taught instrumental music for 25 years, Beth would set up her stuffed animals for a lesson or a story. In high school, she was a teacher's assistant in a local elementary school for her senior project. In addition to teaching fourth grade at SSSAS for 29 years, Beth has served as the fourth grade team leader and the grade brigade committee co-chair, directed the Eco Adventures summer camp, and coached JV lacrosse. Beth is seriously passionate about the Philadelphia Eagles and gives her class an extra ten minutes of recess when they win. She claims Super Bowl LII was the third best day of her life. Also at the top of her list is marrying husband Chuck and having daughter Ali '23, who just committed to play D1 soccer at the Naval Academy. Beth loves spending time with Ali—watching her play soccer, shopping together, and laughing at the jokes she doesn't get. To relax she reads, walks their goldendoodle, Moose, and snuggles up with their cat, Squirrel. Her hobbies include photography, doing jigsaw puzzles, and traveling—and when she travels, she's not averse a walk on the wild side. On a trip to Switzerland in 2019, Chuck signed them up for a Via Ferrata. Issued a harness, a couple of carabiners, and a tiny little helmet, they spent the day traversing the rock cliffs on a climbing route consisting of very small metal steps hammered into the rock face 2000 feet above the Swiss valley. Although she wasn't sure she'd make it, they survived and went paragliding the next day! She finds great satisfaction in having a clean car and hitting the submit button when report cards are finished. She has watched every season of “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race” and also loves “Ted Lasso,” “Abbott Elementary,” “This Is Us,” and, although embarrassed to admit it, “The Bachelor” (and all of its iterations)! She loves all kinds of music, but especially '80s, classic rock, and Broadway tunes. In fact, she confided that she can name pretty much any song from the '80s in five notes or less, but wonders how come she can't remember why she walked into the next room.
Google maps, any clue how to put up the tent we borrowed—it's a miracle we made it there and back alive! For what in your life do you feel most grateful? Ever since 9/11, I've tried to never take the gift of a regular day for granted. From that day on, I have thought of my life as “before” and “after.” Not long afterwards, snipers in our area forced us to have indoor recess and speed-walk in zig-zag patterns when changing buildings. I often tell my students that every normal, “boring” day is a blessing. What work of art inspires you and why? When I was in high school, I was inspired by Ansel Adams' black and white landscape photography. I took a class and learned how to develop photos in a dark room. To this day, I love taking photographs of nature, especially when we travel. It's a whole lot easier with digital photography, but I do miss my old camera sometimes.
SAINTS IN ACTION
DIGESTING SCIENCE Seventh graders conducted a lab to investigate how the surface area of our food plays a role in efficient digestion as part of their study of the digestive system. The goal was to test the dissolving rate of Alka-seltzer in
COMMUNITY HELPERS
three different conditions, whole,
Early Saints (age 3) were excited to
represented the food we eat, breaking
have a visit from the Alexandria City
down the tablets was mechanical
Fire Department in conjunction with
digestion, and the dissolving of
their exploration of transportation
the tablets was the act of chemical
through the lens of community
digestion.
broken, and crushed. The Alka-seltzer
helpers. They learned that each
HEXAGONAL THINKING To study for their upcoming test, ninth grade Saints used hexagonal thinking to find connections between terms before writing their responses! Hexagonal thinking is a way to review material and make connections between people, events, and key concepts. History Teacher Kate Hardwick uses hexagonal thinking in a variety of ways, including as warm up and review activities before a test. She either gives her students terms in the hexagons or the students create their own terms and then connect
helper has a different type of
them together in a logical way and
transportation—from police vehicles
with explanations for each of the
to sanitation trucks—with different
connections. This engaging activity
responsibilities, and then shared all
is a great way to have the students
the different ways that they can be
demonstrate their understanding of
community helpers in the classroom,
the key terms and concepts.
on the playground, or at home.
TWOS DAY A COMMUNITY CREATION
Everything was coming up twos! It
TAKING THE LEAD
was Tuesday, on the 22nd day of
Alex Deas '24 hosted an invasive plant/
February, in 2022. Did you notice? Of
Fifth grade students presented
storm debris cleanup at Fort Hunt
course, our second graders did, and
Park to support the National Park
Head of School Kirsten Adams joined
Service. It was a thoughtful way for
the fun and helped them celebrate
Upper School students to spend time
their special day of twos, 2/22/22!
outdoors while earning service hours.
the play, “I Am a Thief ” for their kindergarten buddies! The plays were student-run and required creativity, dedication, and teamwork to make blocking decisions, painted the flats, and designed the costumes!
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 17
SAINTS IN ACTION
SPACE MISSION
SENIOR COUNTDOWN
Honors Chemistry students learned what it's like to be a NASA scientists
March 3 marked 100 days until
when they analyzed CheMin energy
graduation for our seniors! The
emission data to solve for the
faculty cheered them as they arrived
empirical formulas of Martian rocks!
at school, where they were greeted
The Chemistry and Mineralogy instrument, or CheMin for short, performs chemical analysis of powdered rock samples to identify the types and amounts of different minerals that are present. The CheMin was installed in Mars Rover.
with a huge balloon arch, banner, and
ARTSTRAVAGANZA!
bubble machine. At lunchtime, there
Lower School students enjoyed the
and the seniors were presented with
19th Annual ARTStravaganza, a
was a pizza party and a photo booth, commemorative baseball hats.
day devoted to the arts. Professional artists joined our teachers in sharing their energy, passion, and knowledge with our students. Saints attended an array of lively workshops which gave them hands-on opportunities to learn about percussion instruments, shadow puppetry, magic, fiber art, theater improv, Hawaiian Music & ukulele, and much more. The students also had a chance to talk with the artists about their lives, how they discovered their passions, and the dedication required to
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
master their crafts. The day culminated
In the sixth grade Academic Skills
one of the Washington D.C. area's
class, students learned about
hottest country bands.
with a concert presented by Delta Spur,
COMPOSTING MATTERS! To relaunch our composting program after the pandemic, the Sustainability Committee invited all students to
growth vs. fixed mindset. A growth
submit creative and educational
mindset means that you believe
posters or videos about composting.
your intelligence and talents can be
More than 60 students from all
developed over time. A fixed mindset
three campuses participated. Each
means that you believe intelligence
participant chose from a variety
is fixed—so if you're not good at
of Green Saints Award, including
something, you might believe you'll
sustainable stainless-steel water
never be good at it. With this lesson
bottles and straws, reusable tote bags,
in mind, students created bumper
nature books and games, winter hats,
stickers to encourage their classmates
stuffed animals, and pens all made
to be positive and do their best!
from recycled plastic.
18 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
FACE-TO-FACE
Ricky Drummond started at SSSAS as a long-term substitute teacher in the Middle School…and by the time that role was over, a mutual love had formed. He has applied his easy going, enthusiastic character to a number of jobs, as the librarian's assistant, a musical co-director, a member of the Fun Committee (yes, spreading joy is of paramount importance!), and finally this year, as the Middle School drama teacher he was born to be! Ricky has a bachelor's in musical theater from James Madison University, and his main career has been in theater as an actor, playwright, and director. He has graced numerous stages, including the Keegan Theatre, Signature Theater, and The Kennedy Center. The art of teaching was not unfamiliar to him. His mom is a music teacher in Manassas, Va., where Ricky was born and lived in the same house until he left for college. Ricky slipped into education after working with the drama teacher from Robinson Secondary School on a production at the Keegan Theatre, who let him know Robinson was looking to hire an additional drama teacher. He applied and landed the job. He fell in love with teaching kids, inspired by the excitement he witnessed as they learned the craft of acting and prepared to perform. At Robinson he directed 55 students in “The Little Mermaid, Jr.” and thoroughly enjoyed it, learning to celebrate the little victories and to always have a sense of play. Working in the Middle School, many members of the Saints community were amazed to hear Ricky sing for the first time at an all-school event. He has a diverse musical taste, but most often listens to pop, rock, and Broadway. Music is everything to Ricky. For him it is an incredibly versatile language that can explain feelings and situations that words never can, but his greatest passion is theater—making theater, watching theater, and talking theater. Naturally, Ricky met his fiancée, Emily, who was working in wardrobe on a Signature Theater production. She has an equally bright personality and, Ricky says, the absolute best laugh. No doubt he makes her laugh a lot. He is a huge fan of puns and dad jokes and enjoys watching comedies “Ted Lasso”
Ricky Drummond
and “Parks and Recreation,” because they are warmhearted, optimistic, and celebrate friendship. The craziest thing he has ever done was agreeing to assistant direct two shows back-to-back, while performing in a third and also directing and playing bass for a new musical he wrote. His greatest accomplishment to date was directing “Legally Blonde” at the Keegan Theatre with a cast of 20 performers and two dogs. The production sold out and was nominated for seven Helen Hayes Awards (D.C. theater's version of the Tony Awards).
What one piece of advice would you offer anyone who asks? “Every pizza is a personal pizza if you try hard enough and believe in yourself.” What is something you could happily fail at? Not eating cookies when they are placed in front of me. What is the best piece of advice you've ever gotten? Fight to be kind, don't fight to be right. For what in your life do you feel most grateful? I feel most grateful to have an incredible support system surrounding me. My fiancée pushes me to be the best version of myself, while constantly showing me love. My family has always been there for me whenever I needed them, and they are there at every show. I am also very fortunate to have a number of friends who are basically family as well.
What in life makes you smile? Seeing family and friends succeed always makes me smile. I love my people, and there is no better feeling than watching them achieve what they deserve and what they have worked so hard to get! What is something one of your parents said that you will never forget? My dad shared the poem “Desiderata” with me when I was a senior in high school and I will never forget it. One of my favorite lines is: “Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.”
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 19
FACE-TO-FACE
We were very excited to welcome Dr. Celeste Jamison McDaniels, Ph.D. as the associate director of Upper School and chemistry teacher this year. Her colleagues describe her as thoughtful, honest, diligent, super-smart, perceptive, funny. She jumped into her new job without hesitation, and joined both the steering committee for Antiracist Programming and the Faculty of Color Affinity group. Celeste has dedicated her working life to education, teaching on the collegiate, middle, and upper school levels. She loves when her students ask probing questions, and confides that they have taught her patience, to love them for who they are, and to always give them all of her support and encouragement. Being in a school community that loves each other's company, as well as serving locally, is very important to Celeste. She volunteers at church, with a food donation program, as an evaluator and scholarship applicant reader, and also helps raise funds for underprivileged students and women's health. She is happiest seeing the cumulation of her hard work benefit others. Celeste started life on the Ft. Bragg military base and grew up to marry an active duty Army officer, Myron, who is a pediatric doctor. She and Myron were married in her childhood church, St. Joseph's on the Brandywine, the same church President Joe Biden attends in Wilmington, Del. She moved 10 times in 26 years, including two stints in Seoul, South Korea, but she still loves to travel! Celeste puts her all into every endeavor and has received four military awards for her dedication to helping improve the lives of military families. Celeste's favorite thing in the world is hanging out with her family—daughter Amanda, a treasury management analyst, and son Ian, a freshman at Cornell University, and spending time with her 95-year-old grandfather, because they keep her grounded. Celeste enjoys Pilates and has recently taken up needlepoint. To unwind, she likes listening to R&B love songs, taking her goldendoodle, Moose, on walks with Myron, and watching suspense and sci-fi movies. Her favorites include the “Predator,” “Star Trek,” and “Blade.” Whew, scary! On the quirky side, she admits to wearing animated earrings to class every day when she taught middle school (favoring farm animals and food), and she and her kids have matching moles on their feet, arms, and neck! Her greatest accomplishment? Raising her beautiful children and being married to her best friend for nearly 27 years.
Celeste McDaniels
What is your most treasured object and why? A green jade bracelet and ring given to me by my paternal grandmother, Phyllis. She passed the year of my wedding, and it felt like fate that she stayed on this Earth long enough to see me get married. What is the biggest adventure you've had in your life? Traveling to the Great Barrier Reef and swimming with barracudas and sharks in Australia; riding an elephant in Thailand; walking on the Great Wall in China; and watching wild animals in their natural habitat in South Africa. What makes you feel like a kid again? Getting a Slurpee at 7-Eleven.
20 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
What helps you persevere when you feel like giving up? My parents, based on the sacrifices they have endured and what they expect from me. When did you first really feel like an adult? When I bought my first home and earned my master's degree at age 25, I looked in the mirror and told myself how proud I was. What is something interesting about you that almost no one knows? I ministered to prisoners in a federal penitentiary as part of a Catholic ministry.
SAINTS IN ACTION
DO THE TECH TANGO The Middle School MERIT team, a group of tech-savvy teachers,
WORKING TOGETHER
offered a series of lunchtime
During a Middle School Saints
activities called “Tech Tango”
Advisory bonding activity, students
to Middle School faculty and
had to build the tallest tower with
SAINTS READ!
students. The focus of the MERIT
tape, marshmallows, and spaghetti.
team (Making Education Relevant
A fun, collaborative exercise!
Lower School students came to
& Interactive through Technology)
school in comfy pj's and snuggled up
is to support the technology
with books to celebrate Read Across
curriculum integration program
Saints Day! There were drop-in
and enhance the use of educational
story times, mystery readers, and
technology on their campuses.
members of the Upper School Book
The first activity, “Loving Logo,”
Buddies Club, who stopped by for
gave participants an opportunity
a reading visit. Local author Kristi
to blend their creative and “techy-
Guillory Reid (“Harper Counts Her
side” together. The Merit Team was
Blessings”) visited with first graders
on hand to support them while they
and author Amina Luqman-Dawson
designed a key chain or pet ID tag
(“Freewater”) visited with the fourth
using the online design program,
and fifth grades. What a day!
Canva, to later be engraved on wood using a laser cutting machine. During the process, students and faculty had to figure out how to get their information onto the small surface in both a functional and aesthetically pleasing manner. To produce their masterpieces, they had to consider contrast, layout, and other design elements, as well as learning how to use the design software and
OPEN DISCUSSION
format their final projects to the
An open forum on the Ukraine was
Tango sessions included “Spring
hosted by the Upper School History Department. Students and faculty asked excellent questions about the historical context, causes, and future implications of the current crisis.
correct specifications. Other Tech into Action” and learning how to make a gif and “Top Spin” in which participants used LEGO robotics kits to design a top that would spin the longest.
ALL ABOUT ANIMATION Kindergarten students used the Stop Motion Studio app to create an animation to illustrate their chosen word or phrase—in Spanish! In an innovative project using skills learned in their art, technology, and language classes, the students drafted a storyboard that included a character who solved a problem by using the four Lower School character traits, honesty, respect, responsibility, and compassion. Next, they created a clay character during art class to animate using green screens in the technology lab. Everything was put together using the app, including an audio recording of the title in Spanish.
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 21
SAINTS IN ACTION
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS WEEK Students, faculty, and parents took the lead in “green” efforts across the school from April 18-23, celebrating both onand off-campus. The Saints community made an effort to reduce their carbon footprints by biking, walking, skateboarding, or carpooling to school. The school also ran a “no idling” campaign, encouraging SSSAS drivers to turn off their engines while waiting in carpool lines. The school recommends idling for no more than ten seconds, to help protect the health of our community and environment. Other activities included a community mural painted by Lower School Saints with some help from the Upper School Branching Out Club who stopped by for a visit; junior kindergarten classes had a live presentation from a local group about “Who Polluted the Chesapeake” including a Live Oyster Demo; kindergarten Saints learned about the benefits of worms and planted beans, cucumbers, and spinach in their garden; the fifth graders visited Huntley Meadows Park to take a guided hike with a wildlife expert through the wetlands habitat; Lower School Girl Scouts had a clean-up at Lucky Run Stream; and the Middle School held an Earth Day chapel in the Fort Ward amphitheater. Additionally, students and faculty on all campuses wore green/blue for Earth Day on April 22. Whether in the classroom, at a chapel service, or on a bike ride to school, our students, faculty, staff, and parents aspire to fulfill the mission of living a more sustainable life. Through education and a belief that every positive action makes a difference, our Saints aim to contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.
22 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
CINDERELLA — DREAMS DO COME TRUE The Upper School Stage One Players presented four magical performances of the musical, “Cinderella,” by Richard Rodgers (music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (book and lyrics) based upon the fairy tale “Cinderella” by Charles Perrault.
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 23
SAINTS IN ACTION
WINNING ARTISTS AND WRITERS! Fourteen Saints received top honors for their artistic and literary skills in local and regional contests and exhibitions.
Ella Joshi '25: “Solemnity” Silver Key, Printmaking Regional Scholastic Award
Charlotte Barnes '27: “Bliss” Gold Award, 2D Art Alexandria Library Teen Winter Creativity Contest
Ellie Minor '23: “Windy Day” Gold Key, Sculpture Regional Scholastic Award
Ellie Minor '23: “Get with the Times” Honorable Mention, Comic Regional Scholastic Award
Emma Lacy '23: “Ace” Honorable Mention, Printmaking Regional Scholastic Award
Micah Gura '25: “ Various” Gold Award, 2D Art Alexandria Library Teen Winter Creativity Contest Reesey Lai '26: “Over the Bridge” Silver Award, Photography Alexandria Library Teen Winter Creativity Contest
Allison Kleeblatt '26: “Under the Tree” Bronze Award, Photography, Alexandria Library Teen Winter Creativity Contest
WRITING AWARDS Regional Scholastic Awards Zoe Coval '23: Honorable Mention, Poetry Zoe Coval '23: Honorable Mention, Poetry Elona Michael '24: Honorable Mention, Personal Essay Oliver Nichols '23: Honorable Mention, Critical Essay Oliver Nichols '23: Honorable Mention, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
IN THE NCECA EXHIBITION Makayla Jones '25: “Cookies' Jar” Makayla's piece was selected by the the National Council on Education of the Ceramic Arts to be exhibited at the 25th Annual National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition at the NCECA 2022 Conference.
24 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
IN THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION Jack Gans '25: “A Fall Day” Jack's sculpture was submitted and accepted into The Phillips Collection current exhibition, “What a Relief” in Washington, D.C. Visit phillipscollection.org/event/2022-01-24-whatrelief
Alexandria Library Teen Winter Creativity Contest Ariya Harrington '26: Silver, Poetry Ella Schneider '27: Honorable Mention, Poetry William Mount '25: Gold, Prose (Short Story) Grace Hendy '25: Honorable Mention, Poetry Read more award-winning writing.
SAINTS IN ACTION
u-u-u-unfinished.
the egg
By William Mount '25
By Ariya Harrington '26
S-s-s-stuttering is something that most people d-d-
the egg.
don't understand.
always sitting,
“Just speak,” “Slow down,” “No rush.”
always still. waiting for
T-t-t-these are some of the worst things to say to
its time to come, for the
somebody with a speech impediment. I've had to fight
moment that is the beginning
many battles in my life, but s-s-s-stuttering is probably
and the end. content to be locked
the one that I h-h-h-hate the most. Imagine being too
away from the world it so desperately
s-s-s-scared to even ask to go to the b-b-b-bathroom;
wishes to join. overlooked and forgotten,
your bladder feeling like an o-o-o-overfilled water-
those who notice it consider its existence
balloon about to p-p-p-pop, yet still not going to the
insignificant. yet it remains eternally faithful
b-b-b-bathroom. That was me last year. I barely spoke
in the hope that one day, what confines it will
a w-w-w-word to people outside of my immediate
cease. it will burst forth from the remnants of its
group of f-f-f-friends. Every word that c-c-c-came out
former cage and join its kin in the vast world
of my mouth was like a p-p-p-piece of steel trying to be
of the living. it will experience the movement
blended.
and vigor it can only dream of. and still it
“C-c-c-can I use the b-b-bathroom?”. Wow, you did
remains trapped in a dark, lightless
it. C-c-c-congratulations. Now everybody is staring at
realm, a mere shell of what it
you and you look like a kid with special needs. Maybe
is meant to be.
I am? As the teacher waves you off, you see a t-t-tthousand pairs of eyes glaring at you, like those m-mm-monsters that you see in your darkest nightmares. T-t-t-this was my subconsciousness last year. I was just starting t-t-t-therapy for my impediment and I
Sunset By Grace Hendy '25
despised myself. I thought of my s-s-s-stutter as similar to somebody that nobody likes, including yourself.
Happiness, anger, sorrow, confusion.
But that somebody will never leave you alone, no
Days filled with them.
matter what you do. I-i-i-it lurks in the corner of every
Some good, some bad.
conversation, like a m-m-m-monster in your closet
For better or for worse, the sun sets.
waiting until you turn your lights off, eager to destroy
For women, for men the sun sets.
you.
For children, for elderly the sun sets.
As my therapy went on, however, I began to think
For the rich, the poor the sun sets.
of this annoying friend as part of m-m-m-me. It would
For the conservatives, for the liberals the sun sets.
always be with me. The best thing that I can do is
For people Black, White, Latino, Asian, and Native American
accept it into my life. Slowly, the stuttering began to
the sun sets.
become less and l-l-l-less frequent. In fact, just last
The sun rises, the sun falls.
week, I memorized a script and read it out loud to my
The day ends, the night begins.
French class. I didn't stutter once.
A time to start over.
I asked a friend of mine if he even knew that I had a s-s-s-stutter in the beginning of this school year. “What? I didn't even notice it. Sure you kinda spoke fast but I didn't know you stuttered.” All of that bottled up fear had felt like the scourge of
A time to reflect. The sky fills with pastels, neons, and darks of orange, red, pink, blue, and yellow. Colors fill the sky, colors fill your life. Colors vary, days vary.
my existence. Yet, m-most people didn't even know that
Some are electric, some blue, some contrasting.
I had it. I was, quite literally, flabbergasted.
We have our differences, we have our arguments, but when the
So, just live your life without fear of judgment.
sun sets, nature takes control and we stand as one house, one
People are always more worried about themselves than
city, one nation, one globe, putting our differences aside as we
you. Don't worry, it only took me 14 years to figure this
stare and observe the sunset.
out.
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 25
SAINTS ATHLETICS: WINTER
BOYS BASKETBALL Final Record: 20-4 Final IAC Standing: Tied for 1st Final VISAA Standing: 2nd Finished tied for 1st in the IAC regular season and beat EHS in the IAC Tournament Championship game. Impressive postseason run advancing to the VISAA Division I State Championship game. ALL-IAC: Devin Ceaser '22, Garrett Brennan '22, Elliott Black '22 VISAA First Team All-State: Devin Ceaser '22 VISAA Second Team All-State: Garrett Brennan '22 All-Met First Team: Devin Ceaser '22 All-Met Honorable Mention: Garrett Brennan '22
GIRLS BASKETBALL Final Record: 11-11 Final ISL Standing: 4th (A Division) Final VISAA Standing: 10th Defeated EHS in a VISAA Division I first round match-up to advance to the VISAA quarterfinal for the first time in school history. ALL-ISL: Nya Mason '23, Belle Akeredolu '24
SWIMMING & DIVING Boys Dual Meet Record: 5-2 Girls Dual Meet Record: 4-5 IAC Championship Meet Finish: 4th ISL Championship Meet Finish: 7th Boys WMPSSDL Championship Meet Finish: 13th Girls WMPSSDL Championship Meet Finish: 10th Boys VISAA Championship Meet Finish: 17th Girls VISAA Championship Meet Finish: 24th Kylie Payne '23 set a new school record in 1M Girls Diving with a score of 430.10. ALL-IAC: Evan Ingraham '25 VISAA Diving State Champion: Kylie Payne '23
ELLIOTT BLACK '22
WINTER TRACK Boys Final VISAA State Ranking: Tied for 8th Girls Final VISAA State Ranking: 19th VISAA Boys 1600M All-State Honorable Mention: Noah Cummings '22 VISAA Boys 4x200 Relay All-State Honorable Mention: Bradley Cruthirds '24, Magnus Ellehuus '22, Myles Sandy '23 and Matthew Bezuneh '23
WRESTLING ICE HOCKEY Final Record: 12-8 Final IAC Standing: 4th Final MAPHL Standing: 3rd (A Division) Defeated Good Counsel in the MAPL quarterfinal to advance to the MAPHL A Division semifinal against Gonzaga. Alexandria Sportsman's Club Athlete of the Month: Calum Wayer '22 ALL-IAC: Calum Wayer '22 MAPHL A Division First Team Forward: Calum Wayer '22 MAPHL A Division First Team Goalie: Jack Sibbald '25 MAPHL A Division Second Team Forward: Trey Knott '24 MAPHL A Division Second Team Defense: Will Woodruff '23
Final Dual Meet Record: 7-5 Final IAC Standing: 4th Final VISAA Standing: 7th National Preps Finish: 36 Overall (4th among VISAA Teams) Andrew Lavayen '22 earned the 100 Win Club and was voted Outstanding Wrestler at the VISAA Tournament. ALL-IAC: Andrew Lavayen '22 VISAA State Champion: Andrew Lavayen '22 Alexandria Sportsman's Club Athlete of the Month: Andrew Lavayen '22 National Prep All-Americans: Andrew Lavayen '22 and James Blackman '24 All-Met First Team: Andrew Lavayen '22 All-Met Honorable Mention: James Blackman '24
KYLIE PAYNE '232
ANDREW LAVAYEN '222
26 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
SENIORS ELIZABETH SHERMAN, RACQUELL GREY, BRONWYN CHESNER,2 MORGAN LEWIS, ALEXANDRA BOTTONARI, AND ALEXANDRA JONES2
GARRETT BRENNAN '22
DEVIN CEASER '22
NYA MASON '23
EVAN INGRAHAM '25
NOAH CUMMINGS '222
CALUM WAYER '222
BASKETBALL: SENIORS CATHERINE ONORATO, AMELIA DUNCAN, EMILY PASCAL, AND AMANDA EDGE2
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 27
REUNION ALUMNI
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE Tad Geschickter '81 deals in fractions of a second BY JESSICA YARMOSKY
Tad Geschickter is so disarmingly polite and soft-spoken that it's almost hard to believe he once held one of the most stressful jobs in the world: in the pit crew for NASCAR. For a few hours—the time it takes the cars to race 500 miles around and around a track—Tad had to be on alert, ready to move with less than a second's notice. While one crew member hauled a 20-pound jack to lift the car up for a tire change, another had to position a gas hose at just the right location—down to the centimeter— to be able to quickly fill the car's tank. Others replaced tires and quickly repaired any damage the car had sustained while flying around the track at up to 200 miles per hour. “I tell people the difference between first and second in a race is often less than two tenths of a second,” Tad says. “So we're running 500 miles, and at the end, it comes down to two tenths of a second.” One faulty move in the pit, one stray elbow out of place, or one tool a centimeter off track could mean the difference between a win and a loss. “We're competing on fractions of a second,” he says. Read Tad's page in the 1981 St. Stephen's yearbook and you might not guess at the underlying
28 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
intensity and drive he has for
The six-week interview process
competition. A three-sport athlete,
was arduous. “I had never considered
he's described on his page as a “nice
a career at a company like that,” Tad
guy,” a “hard worker,” and “innocent.”
says, “But [I thought the interview
Three terms you might not expect for
process] would be a fun thing to do.”
someone who's spent the majority of
Two weeks before Tad's graduation
his career working in the cutthroat,
from William and Mary with his degree
high-drama world of NASCAR.
in physical education and kinesiology,
“It's literally the most competitive sport on the planet,” Tad says. And if it wasn't for the foundation
Procter & Gamble offered him a sales job in Knoxville, Tennessee. For someone who'd long had his
he built as a Saint, his athletic prowess
career planned out, Tad says the job
off the racetrack, and, in his own
offer turned his world upside down.
words, “one miracle after another,” he
Still, there were definite perks—like the
might never have experienced it.
starting salary.
“I THOUGHT I'D GIVE IT A TRY”
“I was pretty broke finishing college,” Tad says. “So I thought, well, I can always go back to teaching and coaching, because I've got my degree
Tad, who joined the Saints community in seventh grade, thought he had his life pretty much planned
and my certificate. But I thought I'd give it a try.” That “try” turned into ten years at
out. While he considered entering
Procter & Gamble, rising through the
the priesthood at one point during
ranks of sales management across the
his time at St. Stephen's, his plans
Southeast U.S. and winning multiple
shifted as graduation loomed. Instead
awards for being one of the company's
of the seminary, Tad decided he'd go
top sales managers.
to college and study to be a teacher
If not for what happened next, Tad
and a coach; this dream was heavily
might have stayed with the company
influenced by the relationships he
until he retired. But once again, an
made at the school while playing
opportunity came knocking that
football, basketball and baseball.
pushed Tad off his pre-planned track:
“Everything I loved about St.
Procter & Gamble started looking into
Stephen's, a lot of it centered around the teachers who I became close with,
sponsoring NASCAR cars. At the time, all of NASCAR
and the coaches I played for,” he says.
sponsorships were for roughly three
“I always thought it would be fun to
things: cigarettes, motor oil, or
go back and coach there one day, and
automotive products. For a consumer
teach there.”
products company like Procter &
After graduating in 1981, Tad went on to the College of William and Mary and joined the school's Division 1
Gamble to sponsor a car was almost unheard of. According to Tad, NASCAR's fan
baseball team. While Tad flourished on
base is second in number only to the
the baseball diamond, his coach was
NFL, and approximately 40 percent
eyeing him for another opportunity.
of NASCAR fans are female, Tad
Tad's coach, who was also a professor
explained. If Procter & Gamble could
on campus, had a good relationship
reach them, they could build brand
with Procter & Gamble recruiters. Two
recognition and loyalty with almost
months before graduation, Tad got a
half of what was already a gigantic fan
call out of the blue. He was asked to
base.
come in for an interview.
SAINTLY FACTS Favorite St. Stephen's event: Any Saturday football game.
Favorite tradition: Spring dress. We didn't have to wear ties. We still had to come with that button-down shirt and slacks, but the ties and the coats came off. It's the little things, at that age.
Favorite subject: Theology and English. Mr. Willis Wills and Ms. Frances Owens taught me to write, think critically, and convey my thoughts, and I'm forever grateful for them teaching me how to do that. It's what kept our company alive, even today. Mr. and Mrs. Wills made the trip to Knoxville for my wedding!
Outstanding memory: We had a senior lounge, and that was a big deal. I think the times just hanging out in the senior lounge, talking about life with my friends, that was probably my favorite.
Teacher or coach who had a profound impact on you: Coach Gardiner used to always yell at me on the football field, “Go to your area of responsibility first and work from there.” And we still talk about that on the race team.
How St. Stephen's prepared you for life in general: SSS taught me how to socialize and to think critically in a highly competitive environment, and provided the discipline of wanting to compete and not being intimidated by challenges. And boy, when you rise to a challenge, it certainly builds your self-confidence, which serves you well for life.
What kind of car did you drive in high school and what do you drive now? Went from driving a family station wagon to a Cadillac XT4.
Sponsoring NASCAR is different from sponsoring other professional
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 29
sports. Tad explained it this way: “If
would require the couple to relocate
With wisdom from the Reverends
you put your [company] name on the
every few years. Jodi, says Tad, “was
and a sharp skill set from a decade as
stadium in D.C., people may or may
not intrigued” by that. “She didn't sign
a sales manager, Tad set out to build a
not associate you with the team [that
on to be a military wife. So I had to
team with Jodi.
plays there]. If you put your name on
make a tough decision.”
a jersey in the NBA, you're not going
Tad was thirty years old. He could
Their beginnings were humble, to say the least.
to change the name of the team to the
stay with Procter & Gamble, call on the
Cincinnati Tides. But literally, when
same customer base he'd been calling
and a toolbox,” Tad says. “We started
you put your name on NASCAR, that's
on for a decade, and, in his words, “quit
dialing for dollars, and taking what we
how people identify the team. It's the
challenging myself.” Or, he could do
learned at P&G and trying to entice
Tide car. Or the Dawn car. So, I was
something different. He could take a
sponsors to come on board and be
really intrigued.”
risk.
involved with our team. And the rest is
Intrigued…but not experienced.
The risk?
“We started at a barn with dirt floors
history.” If “history” sounds easy - think again. “There were lots of starts and stops along the way,” Tad says. “And lots of ramen noodles during the lean months,” he adds, laughing. But Tad says their continued success —despite the challenges—is “proof that it's the Lord's will that we do it. There's no way we should have survived this far, and thrived this long. It's been one miracle after the other, through the years, that has kept us going.” Tad and Jodi slowly signed sponsors and brought on former NBA player Brad Daugherty as a partner. Tad's earlier career only helped. “The uniqueness of what I learned at Procter & Gamble with marketing and sales allowed us to put together a brand that resonated with consumer packaged
Jody and Tad with driver Marcos Ambrose (center) celebrating the 2008 win at Watkins Glen, New York, their first year in the NASCAR Cup Series.
goods companies and retailers,” Tad says. “So that was really how we grew.” In 1995 JTG Daugherty Racing
He says higher-ups “dumped” the NASCAR sponsorship program in his
Building his own NASCAR team.
debuted at NASCAR's Nationwide
Turns out, the idea had roots at
Series at Daytona. The Nationwide
lap, but there was one issue. “I'd never
St. Stephens and a saying Tad heard
Series, now called Xfinity, is considered
been to a race,” Tad says. Procter &
from one of the Reverends there—
the “minor league” of NASCAR. For
Gamble didn't see that as a problem.
either Reverend Marlin or Reverend
several years, JTG Daugherty raced in
“They said, we're gonna spend the
Gibson: “Where your God-given talents
that circuit.
money, and we're gonna figure it out.”
and your passions collide, that's your
Turns out, that money was wellspent. Tad thrived at the helm, and
mission field.” “I loved team sports, and I missed
In 2004 the company was at a crossroads. They had to decide whether and how to grow and what
the company's NASCAR sponsorship
them,” Tad says. “I love sales and
the future looked like. Tad and
program grew.
marketing. And NASCAR's the perfect
Jodi began working with a business
confluence of those two things. So I
consultant, who took them on a retreat
growing, too. He married his now-wife,
decidedly naively, well, I understand
to the mountains of Asheville, North
Jodi, and suddenly was at a crossroads.
how sponsorship works. Certainly I can
Carolina, and had them do what Tad
Tad's position with Procter & Gamble
start a race team.”
thought was a meaningless exercise.
At the same time, Tad's family was
30 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
“He gave us a big piece of paper and
years of the team's existence, Tad said
crayons and said, 'I want you to draw
he figured he was a good enough athlete
gratifying, too. Tad says it reminds
what your business looks like in 10
and could save the team some money.
him to be grateful for the people he
years.' I thought, this is stupid. I can't
Back then pit stops took 14 seconds, he
works with.
draw,” Tad says. But he followed
says. But they were brutally physically
“I tend to like to step back at
directions and drew a white building
demanding. “That's why I limp around
Victory Lane and just watch all the
with lots of windows and big trees in
a lot,” Tad says, laughing.
people who we've lived through
front among which employees could sit and eat lunch or take a break.
Today, pit crews can get Cup cars
And of course, winning races is
births, deaths, baptisms, and Little
through pit stops in about ten seconds,
League home runs together,” he
thanks to a deeper understanding of
says. “We work seven days a week. So
nonsensical at first, but something
kinesiology. Tad is no longer among
watching them enjoy the fruits, that's
about it stuck. “If you took a picture of
them—he's busy finding and retaining
what I really enjoy. That's the special
our shop today,” Tad says, “that's what
sponsors.
part.”
The exercise may have seemed
it looks like.”
“THAT'S THE SPECIAL PART” Today, a barn with dirt floors has become a 130,000-square foot facility in Harrisburg, North Carolina. “Almost every piece of equipment in there,” Tad says, “I can think about the decision we made—do we buy it, or can we live without it?” In addition to owning a NASCAR team, Tad and Jodi also run Brand Activation Maximizer, which helps brands that want to sponsor NASCAR teams optimize their return on investment. Since 2008 JTG Daugherty has been racing in NASCAR's Cup Series— the “major league” of the sport. The series includes 36 races a year at dozens of tracks all over the U.S. As the facility has grown, so has
While the team gets some money
the company. Besides Tad and Jodi
from winnings and ticket sales, most
1981 featured this quote by former
and a few co-owners, JTG Daugherty
of JTG Daugherty's operating costs are
professional baseball player Steve
also employs structural engineers,
paid for by sponsors, in exchange for
Garvey: “If, during your life, you
aerodynamic specialists, mechanics,
helping the brands grow their business
can make this world a better place,
PR experts, accountants, and
through the size, scale, and passion of
not only for yourself, but for your
fabricators. Oh, and several former
NASCAR fans.
friends and family, then you've been
college and professional athletes—not
“It's really fun,” Tad says. “And
Tad's senior yearbook page in
a winner.”
to drive, but as part of the pit crew.
the critical thinking I learned at St.
Those are the folks who have seconds to
Stephens is critical now, because I
Daugherty's car doesn't cross the
refill gas tanks, change tires, and repair
can connect the dots between what a
finish line first, Tad still feels like a
anything that's broken multiple times
sponsor's trying to solve for and put
winner.
during the 500-mile, three-and-a-half
together a program that makes sense
hour races.
for them.
Tad says he's experienced every job
Safe to say that even when JTG
You can watch JTG Daugherty's car
“Anytime you get those sponsors,
race in the NASCAR Cup Series on most
possible within JTG Daugherty racing
or a renewal from those sponsors,” Tad
Sundays through November. Their car,
—yes, even the pit crew. For the first few
says, “it's gratifying and a special day.”
#47, is driven by Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 31
Miatrai Brown
'07
Making Immigration More Accessible BY SUSIE ZIMMERMANN
Miatrai's travels were not only
In tenth grade at St. Stephen's and
on Miatrai. She recounts her thoughts at
St. Agnes, Miatrai Brown traveled to
the time of “how different cultures are,
service oriented, but also sports oriented
Nicaragua for a service trip. The mission
and yet at our core how kind, similar,
through a lacrosse tournament in
of this trip was to participate in an
and interconnected we all are.” She
London. This further shaped her belief
authentic cultural exchange by living
says this “opened me up to think of the
in the importance of cross cultural and
with local families and participating in
world beyond my own awareness, and
cross intellectual exchange.
the community through clean up efforts.
made me begin to realize that the more
Miatrai experienced daily impactful
interconnected our world is, the better off
this exchange catalyzed Miatrai into
moments; however, one instance became
we will be.”
opening her own law firm, Direct U.S.
particularly memorable. One day, during a meeting with a
The service trip to Nicaragua
Fast forward 17 years later, and
Immigration. Her purpose is to help
opened her eyes to just how different
people realize their dreams of coming
town official, Miatrai noticed that he had
children's lives around the world could
to the U.S. and help companies improve
a large jar of honey, complete with bees,
be. “We had great teachers [at SSSAS],
their performance capabilities by
sitting on his desk. Upon learning that
and a comfortable environment, strong
bringing in talent from overseas.
Miatrai had a sore throat, the official
education and so many resources, but it
suggested she try some honey to soothe
was so different in Nicaragua,” she recalls.
trip, opening her firm has required a
it. This honey was not just any honey,
“There, the kids sold items on the street
combination of talent, determination,
his wife's grandfather had harvested
and did not have much food, but were still
focus, and hard work, all attributes
the honey shortly before his passing. A
smiling and happy. That really changed
Miatrai believes were first developed at
bit concerned about all the bees in the
my perspective, and encouraged me to get
SSSAS. One of three siblings who are
jar, Miatrai was reluctant; however, she
out of our bubble of privilege and into the
alumni, Miatrai remembers the strong
was so moved by the origin of the honey,
broader community through volunteer
and steady work ethic that the school
she tried it. “Of course it helped,” she
work and helping others.” From that
instilled in those early years, “something
remembers with a laugh.
point, Miatrai knew then that she would
I've since applied throughout my life.”
That simple exchange, a passing moment in the day, made a large impact 32 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
always want to be “a positive influence in [her] community and beyond.”
Beyond the impact of the service
Miatrai also enjoyed playing a wide variety of sports in her early school
“
By incorporating my core principles of equity and access, which was fostered during my time at St. Stephen's and St. Agnes' School, my firm helps individuals attain their immigration dreams and allows U.S. companies to increase their performance capabilities.
”
years, and settling into a year-round
Within six years of earning her
in Law. Her pro bono work has been
schedule of basketball, lacrosse, and
law degree, she opened that firm,
honored by the American Immigration
track in upper school. “SSSAS fostered
grounded in the core tenets of strong
Lawyers Association, and she regularly
your ability to both do what you liked to
communication, empathy, focus, and
publishes in major legal outlets including
do and also to take chances trying new
determination. With a small team of
Bloomberg Law and Law 360.
things,” she says. “Just being encouraged
attorneys, consultants, and specialists,
to try, fail, and pick yourself up, made
the firm is staffed to cover every time
even new things fun to learn about and
zone so someone can be working at any
enjoy,” she says.
time of the day to address client needs.
living nearby her sister and mother—
Upon graduation, she attended
“It also helps that my name is unique and noticed,” she quips. Outside of work, Miatrai cherishes
Miatrai believes in surrounding herself
whose entrepreneurial spirit in running
Virginia Tech where her prior experiences
with “motivated, inspired, and open-
her own businesses helped to ignite
had given her a strong idea of what
minded individuals,” and providing
Miatrai's drive. She is also grateful to only
she wanted to do—something with an
them with the training and support
being a phone call away from her brother
international orientation that would
they need along with a comfortable and
whose continued success and ambition is
allow her to help people and positively
happy work environment.
motivating. SSSAS continues to be a part
impact the world. She majored in
Together the Direct U.S.
of her life as she remains close to friends
international studies with a business
Immigration team is committed to
she developed at SSSAS, and she remains
concentration, studied Spanish as well as
handling cases quicker than other
appreciative of the school for setting
Arabic, and after graduating worked as an
firms to deliver client success. Careful
her on her path. “You don't realize how
executive legal assistant and paralegal for
attention to quality control ensures that
wonderful it was until leaving,” she says.
a Mclean law firm. Within one year she
her standards are equal to that of larger
“SSSAS prepared me for the future. The
embarked on law school and graduated
firms so that her clients, no matter
teachers were thoughtful and cared about
from American University.
what size, are always receiving the best
us, our education, and the trajectory of
service and support.
our lives. We felt it then, but I appreciate
The law degree combined with her interest in business guided her
Along with a focus on the internal
it even more now.”
subsequent steps. She worked in Virginia
workings of the business and needs
and D.C.-based law firms, working
of her clients, Miatrai also must keep
instilling in her a curiosity about learning
Most of all, Miatrai thanks SSSAS for
on cases for tech firms, financial
an eye on building the business and
and about the world, and an ability to
institutions, and small companies
nurturing a strong and visible public
accept feedback and failure and learn
including filmmakers and security-
profile. She is active in the local legal
from every experience. She encourages
oriented entrepreneurs. The combination
and business community, and has
today's students to absorb this as well.
of experiences on the client-side, coupled
been recognized as one of Northern
“Be curious in every area of your life
with a wish to deliver quality work more
Virginia's Top 40 Under 40, the
and use your education and curiosity as
efficiently led Miatrai to soon begin
National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under
a foundation to springboard into new
designing how her own firm might
40 and one of Northern Virginia's 40
opportunities.”
operate.
Under 40 Emerging Women Leaders
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 33
The Lure of Nature How Nathaniel Gillespie '92 turned his passion into a career.
On his senior page in the 1992 SSSAS
provides leadership in coordination
including 155 spectacular national
“Traditions” yearbook, Nathaniel
with the National Fisheries Program
forest and grasslands in 42 states,
Gillespie mentions treehugging, fly
leader in developing and implementing
Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
fishing in Montana, Cocoa Beach,
fisheries related strategies, providing
Nat loves his job and wants to inspire
and a shark. Nat picked two photos
guidance, coordination, and direction
people to respect, celebrate, and
to accompany his senior portrait, one
among a large, geographically
conserve our aquatic environments
of his family standing by water on
dispersed staff of nine regional
to benefit the natural world and the
an outdoor adventure complete with
office fisheries programs. He has
communities that depend on them.
binoculars and one of him fishing. The
experience leading team-based,
things that were most important to him
collaborative approaches to developing
then, are still close to his heart now—
policy, communicating ecological
family, fish, and the environment.
and socioeconomic values, and
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN Nat's description of his youth is pretty idyllic. “As a kid I was really interested in fish and the outdoors, and that interest was cultivated over a whole lifetime by my parents and grandparents. My grandfather was a fly fishing expert, so I fished with him in the summer in the New York Catskills.” Sometimes his family took him farther afield, to some of our county's most beautiful locations. Nat's reference to Montana on his senior page is about an outstanding fishing trip he took with his dad and grandfather when he was 14. “We went fishing for a week outside of Yellowstone National Park, which was mind-blowing,” he recalls. “Not only was the scenery amazing,
From Nat's senior page in the 1992 yearbook.
but fishing together is always a great bonding experience.” When he was 16 and 17, he returned to
solving complex aquatic and social
work at the same fly fishing shop
visionary conservation professional
challenges in aquatic, recreation, and
for two summers where he sold
working for the U.S. Forest Service as
infrastructure arenas. He currently
fishing gear, explored Yellowstone
their assistant fish program leader.
works with eight regional offices that
National Park on his bicycle and
With a focus on freshwater fish, he
manage almost 200 million acres,
soaked in everything about the
Today Nat is a passionate and
34 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? The U.S. Forest Service vs. National Park Service The U.S. Forest Service, which manages our country's National Forests and Grasslands, is under the Department of Agriculture, while the National Park Service is within the Department of the Interior. The greatest difference between the two is the multiple-use mandate for National Forests. While National Parks are managed with preservation as a top priority, barely altering the existing state, the goal of the National Forests is to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple-use management concept to meet the diverse needs of people. The U.S. Forest Service tagline is the Land of Many Uses. The U.S. Forest Service provides protection for water, timber, and fish and wildlife, but also allows, with fairly high regulation, mining and cattle and livestock grazing. Visitors can go camping, fishing, hunting, and horseback riding. Find a forest or grassland and explore the U.S. Forest website at fs.usda.gov.
Nat in Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., in front of the Pierce Mill Dam where a fish ladder exists.
recreational fishing industry from the
He was like a leprechaun figure with
the woods or in a field to catch the birds,
professional guides.
his giant red beard, and he was so
measure them, put little metal bands on
dynamic with such a curious, detailed
their legs, and track their movements
was enriched and encouraged at
mind.” Fred Atwood also supervised
across the east or even the country. I
St. Stephen's. As he talks about his
the unusual Upper School Bird
ended up learning all about local species,
teachers, he grows more and more
Banding Club. Nat founded and co-
like the pileated woodpecker and dark-
animated. “When I think about St.
led the Recycling Club with classmate
eyed junco.”
Stephen's, I immediately think about
Greg Gallagin, which kept him
some of the teachers that were so
busy, but he participated in the Bird
wildlife biology experiences Nat enjoyed
influential and supportive,” he says.
Banding Club whenever he could. “It
at school. In Upper School Nat was
“My friends and I still talk about our
really influenced me,” Nat says. “It
captivated by science teachers Anna
Middle School teacher Mr. Atwood
was incredible to me that you could
Vascott and Douglas Bryant. “I had
today, because he was so passionate.
set up these very fine mesh nets in
several incredible outdoor experiential
Nat's interest in the environment
That was just one of many real
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 35
Left: Nat fishing in Rock Creek Park near his home in Washington, D.C. Above: Nat makes his own fishing lures and carries this collection with him on his fishing adventures.
“I've witnessed so many changes in the places I fished as a boy, places I take
Meadows and the stream systems at
been very important to his career.
Prince William Forest, which were
“They forced us to learn how to write
pretty intact compared to the local
short stories, which was very hard,
streams that were so degraded by the
but it's helped me in my professional
urbanization and stormwater.”
career,” Nat says. “I've written a
In Roger Barbee's English class, Nat
lot of popular level conservation
my children to fish
was surprised to discover a number of
articles for a broad audience and
books on fly fishing on his classroom
I take a lot of pride in that.” Nat
now. This has greatly
shelves. “There are more books on
has also written a number of more
contributed to my
fly fishing per capita than any other
scientific manuscripts that were
subject in the world,” Nat explains.
peer-reviewed. He credits two years
understanding of the
“People who fly fish love to talk about
with Dr. Judy Brent as his foundation
environment, how
it and what they've learned, and how it
for learning how to think critically
relates to life and God and everything.
and analytically, and to question
Since Mr. Barbee exposed me to this
the author's voice and context of
fly fishing conservation literature I've
historical time.
nature works, and how we influence it.”
read hundreds of these books.” Roger
“That kind of thinking has
Barbee remembers Nat well, “I have
also played into my career as a
such a fond memory of Nat's interest
conservationist, because having an
classes,” Nat says. “In Field Natural
in fly fishing. He read every book I gave
analytical mind and exercising the
History, for example, we would
him, always shared his experiences
powers of observation are qualities
go outside for two to three hours
with me, and even presented me with
of a naturalist, and qualities of such
visiting local public lands and parks
some fly lures because he had learned
legendary conservationists like E.O.
to chronicle the wildlife and learn
to tie them himself.”
Wilson and Jane Goodall,” Nat
about the different environments. We frequented the wetlands at Huntley
36 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
Nat says he is grateful to all his
continues. He feels that one of the
English teachers because writing has
most important things he's learned
over time is the value of intense observation, paying attention to his surroundings, and chronicling the changes—which he has spent years doing while fishing locally. “I've
GO FISH! These fish can all be found in local waters.
“The opportunity to do a senior project was such an amazing part of the education,” Nat says. “Luke and I compared a relatively small stream in an urban environment—
witnessed so many changes in the
Four Mile Run—with a relatively
places I fished as a boy, places I take
small stream in a much more
my children to fish in now,” Nat says.
agricultural and forested watershed
“This has greatly contributed to my
environment—the Thornton
understanding of the environment, how nature works, and how we
SMALLMOUTH BASS
influence it. So, a lot of those
River in Sperryville at the base of Shenandoah National Park.” They took water quality samples
childhood adventures fishing and
and looked at the aquatic insects,
observing, and wondering why things
employed fish traps and went
are the way they are, have really stuck with me.”
LARGEMOUTH BASS
For instance, Nat vividly
fishing to catch and catalog fish, and used what they had learned from their classes to determine
remembers the invasion of the
what kind of environmental
hydrilla on the Potomac River when
conditions they could likely point
he was a boy. “This giant mass of
to based on their data. Nat says the
dark green vegetation covered the entire river in the 1980s,” Nat says.
STRIPED BASS
difference was staggering. “Four Mile Run was clearly impaired and
“It's an invasive species that helped
polluted evidenced by the types of
process all the phosphorus and
fish that were in there and the lack
nitrogen in the water. That improved
of different types of insects and fish
the water quality to the point that
species,” Nat explains. “The stream
native plants which weren't thriving could come back. Between the
WALLEYE
near Sperryville was in much better shape, although not perfect. There
hydrilla, the upgrades at Blue Plains
was some impairment from the
treatment plant, the enforcement of
town, and probably some from
the Clean Water Act, and other best
agriculture as well, but that's the
management practices happening
kind of science experiment that's
across the Bay, the Potomac really
real.” Nat has returned to the same
improved.”
streams 20 and 30 years later to
EXPLORING LOCAL WATERS
REDBREAST SUNFISH
the local area had much to offer. He
fact, when he worked with Trout Unlimited, he led the removal of
BLACKNOSE DACE
daughter Eva, and 12-year-old son
meet at dawn, grab the amazing
Darren live in Washington, D.C.,
Iranian lunch Hossein's mom made
HERRING
“Although it's a polluted urban
fishing at Dyke Marsh. He and Luke
project.
They love to be outside as often as course, fishing.
Andrew McCain, and Luke Taylor
to do a water study for their senior
not far from Rock Creek Park. possible, hiking, exploring, and of
with classmates Jimmy Blackburn,
became so intrigued they decided
River on a farmer's property to help Nat, his wife Elaine, 9-year-old
who lived on Lake Barcroft, would
There were other happy times spent
an old mill dam on the Thornton migrating fish.
and classmate Hossein Nosirvani,
for them, and fish all morning.
have improved based on the data from his observations over time. In
Nat and a group of friends enjoyed fishing together and found
find that the condition of both
stream, it is still full of life!” Nat
AMERICAN SHAD
said. “I have fished it for almost 20 years and caught many
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 37
“The Forest Service manages some of
There are also many non-native fish, mussel, and plant species making their home in the Potomac
the most amazing
River and Bay area, of which Nat
fish habitats across
the snakehead. “I have seen them at
says one of the most infamous is
the country. I'm
Little Falls above Chain Bridge and
involved with stream
are big and scary looking and can
and floodplain
suggests they have not really upset
in Rock Creek above the zoo. They reach 15 pounds or so, but research
restoration, as well
the food web in the river.”
as fixing up old mines
the much larger character in the
from the gold rush
Between 1974 and 1985, blue
from 100 years ago.”
However, according to Nat, Potomac is the invasive blue catfish. catfish were stocked in the James, Rappahannock and York Rivers in Virginia. Since then, their population
species of sunfish, smallmouth
in the Potomac River has exploded.
and largemouth bass, fallfish and
Apparently, they can grow to more
catfish, and even striped bass and
than 100 pounds, eat anything they
walleye. I also see many herons and
can fit in their mouths, and are
eagles visiting the creek alongside
blamed for the decline of several
the roar of commuting traffic. The
species of fish like redbreast sunfish
creek is a gem in this urban area.”
and shad.
One surprise to discover in Rock Creek is a fish ladder. As part of the mitigation for the impacts to the Potomac River when the Wilson Bridge was expanded a decade ago, The National Park Service built the ladder at Pierce Mill dam and replaced a number of other
Fishing family fun, Nat and his wife, Elaine, daughter Eva, and son Darren.
38 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
barriers to fish migration, like old
Two years ago, Nat and Darren
concrete fords and sewer lines. “As
had an unforgettable encounter. “We
a result, Atlantic Ocean fish like
were fishing for catfish from a boat at
river herring and sea lamprey, and
Fletcher's Cove and Darren hooked
fish from the Chesapeake Bay, like
a long green hand fishing line on his
gizzard shad, can swim up the little
hook,” Nat says. “I was barely able to
water staircase past the dam and
haul in the line as we were drifting
beyond into many more miles of
downstream in the current and
Rock Creek,” Nat explains. “There
quickly realized there was a large fish
they can spawn and make lots
attached. Suddenly a mouth as big as
more baby fish, who then travel
a five-gallon bucket greeted me at the
downstream into the Potomac River
surface—a blue catfish about three
and back to the Bay and ocean.”
feet long and around 40-50 pounds
Over the years Nat has watched
that looked like it had swallowed a
the stream recover. Each spring
watermelon!” The fish was too heavy
you can find him at the ladder or
for Nat to lift into the boat and way
walking the creek watching schools
too big for their net, so he reached
of hundreds of herring fight their
into the giant mouth with his pliers
way upstream.
and cut the hook to let the beast go.
Looking back at his childhood, Nat hopes to encourage the same love and respect for nature that his parents gave to him. “I really give my mom and dad a ton of credit because they gave me the independence and the opportunity to explore,” Nat said with
RECREATIONAL FISHING IS FUN AND BENEFICIAL
a grin. The first time Nat ever saw a
Fishing is a very healthy pastime that can be enjoyed at any age!
blacknose dace was at Taylor Run.
From lowering cortisol levels to increasing physical strength,
He had never seen any in the stream
fishing comes with a host of benefits. There's a reason that fishing
behind his house, which was too polluted and too shallow, but he would
is one of the most popular recreational activities in the world.
catch the little fish at Taylor Run, take them home, and observe them in his fish tank for years. Discovering that incredible world underneath the surface of the water inspired one of the most amazing partnerships Nat has helped develop and manage with the forest service, an underwater film NGO, Freshwaters Illustrated. “We've done many films with them about the life on waters in the national forests, which are oftentimes very, very well protected, and all the wondrous things that happen with the unseen biology underwater,” Nat says. Because most people are not exploring under the freshwater surface, they developed a youth snorkeling program using a wonderful program from the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. Nat helped expand the program and U.S. Forest Service biologists now work with schools, including elementary grade students, to outfit them with wet suits, snorkels, and other necessary gear for underwater exploration. Nat's advice to students is to focus on something they feel passionate about. “When you love what you do, it's not work, it's a joy and a gift,” Nat said. “That's the bottom line with my whole career. I feel so fortunate to be working in a field that I really care about with other like-minded passionate, dedicated people. I get to be outside once in a while too, which is something that I really value, and I feel like I'm contributing in a small way to making things better for our public lands.”
Gets You Outside Being in the sun boosts your vitamin D, improves healing times, concentration, and mood.
Fishing is Relaxing Time spent in nature can reduce blood pressure, improve your focus, and help you develop more patience, and you only need to spend about 30 minutes each week to start seeing the effects.
Improves Cardiovascular Health Fishing is a great low-impact exercise that can help keep you fit or shed a few pounds. People who are actively fishing can burn an additional 200 calories per-hour walking to find the best spots, recasting the line, and (fingers crossed) reeling in a fish.
A Breath of Fresh Air Nature helps expose your lungs to more fresh air and clears your head. Being around water is shown to positively impact oxygen levels, as moving water can improve air quality.
Improves Your Self-Esteem Fishing requires you to master a variety of different skills and set goals. Attaining those goals is a sure-fire way to improve self-esteem.
Teaches Self-Reliance The more involved you get in the sport the more you'll learn: from driving a boat to hunting down tackle to cleaning, cooking and eating a fish.
Improves Balance and Dexterity As anyone who has ever reeled a catfish into a canoe can tell you, fishing requires some acrobatic maneuvers. Balance requires core strength and benefits flexibility, both of which help offset back pain.
It's a Day Well Spent! No matter what age you are, fishing is a great way to spend a day bonding and connecting with friends and family, enjoying Nature and being outside.
And, of course, he says everyone should spend a little time fishing.
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 39
The Flâneuse
In Conversation with Artist Constance Mallinson '66 BY ANDREA DAWSON 40 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
For a painter, sculptor, and critic at the helm of the Los Angeles artmaking scene for more than 40 years, Constance Mallinson '66 is disarmingly tender. She laughs easily. She
explains the sociopolitical nuances of
Postmodernism to a naive reporter with nary a hint of annoyance. It should come as no surprise that she has been a skilled teacher of her craft for nearly as long as she has been a successful practitioner. By her own admission, however, her gentle manner belies a contrarian streak. Fake ID in hand, she began sneaking into the beatnik coffee houses of Washington, D.C. in the early 1960s, one of the few venues at the time daring to showcase contemporary art, a stone's throw from the National Gallery of Art. Ever since, she has channeled a certain edge, an intense desire to remain engaged, relevant and curious; to make her viewers think. As one Los Angeles Times critic wrote, her interest is “in exploring art that [lies] outside the dominant canon.” She often counsels her students: It's ok to be a little angry. Los Angeles in the 1970s and '80s was fertile ground for artists, and Constance—who relocated to California with her filmmaker husband in 1979— flourished. Before long, she became an integral contributor to the largely female-driven Pattern & Decoration Movement, which sought to question the rigid norms of Minimalism by injecting feminist flair. At a 2020 Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art exhibition, the first of its kind—“With Pleasure: Pattern and Decoration in American Art, 1972–1985”—she was among the artists featured. Acknowledging the nature of the exhibition as a historical survey, she laughed, “I never anticipated being historical!”
Constance's involvement in the
administrator, I think—it was a pastoral
movement is but one chapter in a
scene with some big trees and sheep.
fearless and ever-evolving artistic
I'll never forget how excited I was.
career. Over the last four decades, her
So, you combine my passion with the
repertoire of work and accolades in
encouragement and serious instruction
Los Angeles—not to mention prolific
I received, and it all adds up to a drive.
teaching at numerous colleges and
I was pretty confirmed by the middle
universities in southern California—
of high school that this is what I really
are testament to her enduring
wanted to do. Washington, D.C. is also
mark on the West Coach art world.
a great museum town. I would often
From the Los Angeles Museum of
take the bus for an hour to get to the
Contemporary Art to the San José
Mall and spend the whole afternoon
Museum of Art, her paintings can be
at the National Gallery, looking at
seen in major private and public art
the Rembrandts and Monets. And I'd
collections across California.
sneak into the beatnik coffee houses,
Here, Constance, 73, a mixed-
where they hung edgy art and played
media representational artist and
bongos and jazz. For a 14-year-old that
a committed flâneuse (her word),
was an amazing eye-opener. I realized
shares early career memories at St.
then that there was this very cool
Agnes and in D.C.; the challenges
contemporary art scene going on. That
she has faced as a female artist and
was a big part of my early education as
mother; her deep concern for the
well.
environment; and what keeps her pursuing her craft, nearly 50 years
You received a BFA from the
after her first gallery exhibit.
University of Georgia in 1970. What led you to Los Angeles?
Your St. Agnes senior yearbook entry
CM: I had planned to pursue a master's
indicates how admired you were
degree after college, but I got married
among classmates and faculty alike
and my husband, Eric, and I started a
for your artwork. As art editor of the
business. He was a filmmaker and we
1966 “Lamb's Tail,” you designed
made documentary and informational
and drew the cover and dividers.
films for the government. It was
Clearly, art was important to you at
really fun. I have a picture of Eric
an early age. What led you to pursue
with Jimmy Carter for a film we did
art as a career?
for the Department of Energy. I also
CM: It was a combination of factors.
had my first serious studio right
My parents were very encouraging and,
after college, which I continued to
later, my schoolmates. I had art lessons
maintain while we worked. And I was
from a very early age with a local art
exhibiting. Then I got a lucky break.
star in Alexandria. There was an older
I entered a competition and the head
woman, Ms. Downs, at St. Agnes who
curator of the National Gallery was the
taught art, but it was extracurricular.
judge. The award, which I received,
Art was pretty marginalized in those
was an exhibition at the Alexandria
days at school; it took a back seat to
Athenaeum. He also recommended
music. I remember staying up late
me to a renowned gallerist who
working on my oil paintings on the
owned a contemporary gallery in
kitchen counter just because I wanted
D.C., Henri Gallery. I started showing
to. It was really important to me. I sold
with her pretty regularly. We had our
my first painting at St. Agnes, to an
film business for 12 years, but my
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 41
“What's most important to me as an artist is to stay engaged and excited about what I'm doing— to feel that there's still room to explore, that painting is not mired in tradition. There's still a lot to say.”
husband got antsy to be in Hollywood.
CM: They factored into my career quite
of high art were radically introduced.
In 1979 we moved out to California. I
a bit. Contemporary art is really about
In the early 1970s it was very difficult
was out of the film thing at that point,
channeling the zeitgeist through your
for female artists and artists of color to
but I continued to do my art. It proved
personal lens into the artwork. I was
get museum shows. It was necessary to
to be a very good move for me— Los
very involved with Feminism, which
kill that system of “this is the movement
Angeles had a much more lively, exciting
had a big presence in Los Angeles. The
and if you don't fit into it, we're not
contemporary art climate. I met a lot of
Pattern & Decoration Movement was
interested.” The idea that any one
artists, a lot of galleries were opening up.
based in a lot of feminist theory, arguing
movement could prevail at any given
It was booming. I didn't look back.
that Minimalism was entrenched at
time came to an end then. Pattern &
the time and pretty male-dominated;
Decoration was one of the last major art
It was a provocative time in Los
it was against any personal narrative.
movements of the 20th century.
Angeles, not to mention across
Art had to be cold and clinical. Then
the United States—the Women's
the feminists came along and said
Critics have praised your work for
Movement, the Civil Rights Movement,
hey, we want to get personal here and
its willingness to push against and
the Feminist Art Movement,
tell our stories. Pattern & Decoration
question artistic conventions. Do
Minimalism, the Pattern &
artists introduced color and pattern,
you agree? And what are you most
Decoration Movement. In what ways
and influences from women's crafts, like
interested in exploring through your
did these movements factor into your
weaving and textiles. Things that were
work?
early career?
considered lowly pursuits in the world
CM: You have to consider that
42 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
contemporary art, or the tradition of Modernism, relied on positioning itself outside of the prevailing taste. That notion of progress—of moving culture forward—has always attracted me. I've always wanted to have my finger on the pulse of the moment. I'm a bit of a contrarian. It fit. Hopefully I still have a bit of that in me. There are consistent threads you can point to in my work. It has constantly played on the line between abstraction and figuration. Most if not all of my work has figurative elements to it, but it also includes that “all-overness” of abstraction. The environmental crisis weighs so heavily on me, so I want to address those themes in my work. Sure, you can just make something nice for a wall, but that's not enough for me. I like challenging content. What am I saying with this painting? How do I harness my formal strengths—the color, my technical skill and rendering, my composition—and say something at the same time? That's the dance. The tension between the natural environment and global consumerist forces are an obvious through line in your work. You are well known for transforming cast-off plastic and other detritus found on your daily walks around Los Angeles into arresting, largescale landscapes. How much of artmaking is for you, personally— a way to process your feelings and worries—and how much is intended as a statement for others to respond to?
“There have been times when I've wiped off an entire day's work of painting. But you have to be able to do that. You can't be too precious about your work.”
CM: As an artist, it's your job to make people look at a painting. And once they're looking at it, your job is to make them think. Ultimately, gauging the efficacy of what I'm doing is very hard, unless you have an opportunity to talk to viewers. Art viewers are pretty smart; they wouldn't be [in a gallery or museum] if they didn't want that kind of experience or
enrichment. Artists aren't going to stop
contributing to the dialogue. It's easier
Exxon from drilling for oil. We're not
for me to process [environmental
going to stop corporations from cutting
concerns] when I think of myself as
down the Amazon. But we are a link
part of something rather than as a sole
in the chain, the cultural chain that
actor. Artists are in a fairly unique
consists of artists, musicians, writers,
position to bear witness to what's
journalists, politicians, volunteers. We're
going on.
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 43
“The support that you get and also give to your fellow artists is really important. That's something that took me a long time to find out.”
In an interview a few years ago you
not finding a lot of opportunities to
I'm sure you had a notion when you
addressed the challenge of being
exhibit. I had my studio at home, so I
graduated from college—or perhaps
a female artist—and a mother—
was fortunate. While they were at school
earlier—of what life as an artist
and navigating the perceptions
I would work for six hours. What fell
might look like. What part of that
surrounding those two identities. What
off for me was the socializing and the
vision has come true, and what has
was that like?
connection-making. You can't keep
ultimately been different from what
CM: Very challenging. I was raising
going to art parties when you're raising
you anticipated?
two daughters and balancing my
kids. Once they're through college and
CM: When you're 21 it's like, bring on
professional life, and I was teaching,
they leave the house, your time is your
the world! I never really questioned
too. I just powered through it. I don't
own. It's important to communicate
myself significantly in terms of my drive
know how I did it, frankly. Then there
to young women and students that
and my desire to be in the studio. That
is the undeniable dissing of mothers.
[motherhood and a professional life]
was always number one. I knew I had
And a desire to be taken just as seriously
are not mutually exclusive but mutually
to focus and create the work in order
when you're driving your kids to soccer
supportive. But you've got to be really
to have a career. I also knew I wanted
practice as before you had children.
organized and determined.
to have a good time. Artists are a lot of
There was a long stretch when I was
44 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
fun—there's lots of partying and a lot
of camaraderie. I made it a point to
had to quit at times! These little
meet other artists and still do to this
animals would be looking at me...
day. I love the social life that goes
It was very emotional. Hopefully
along with knowing these incredible
the viewers who engage with the
people. As far as expectations of fame
piece will be moved, too. That's
and glory, we lived through the Warhol
all I can do, really, is to move
fascination and The Factory. That was
people to bear witness to our
the popular sense at the time of what
consumptive greed and habits.
an artist's life was about. That wasn't
Also, as I get older, and now
why I felt I was in it; I've never been
that I have had two children of
a celebrity person. It doesn't interest
my own, I want my artwork to
me. But at the same time, if that's the
engage younger people. This
prevailing age, you have to struggle
styrofoam piece will be mounted
with how you see yourself versus what
at kid-height on a pedestal. I'm
the culture expects. Do you want to be
still doing two-dimensional
a TikTok star or do something else?
paintings as well. There's a lot of
That is today's analogy. It takes a little
freedom to experiment in the air,
courage to follow your own instincts
which appeals to me rather than
and do what you think is important,
sticking to tradition so strictly.
what is more you. The community
One of the nice things about
part I was also not prepared for as
being at this stage in my career
a younger artist, where it's all about
is that I just want to do what I
“me.” Then you find, of course, that
want to do. I don't need to please
community is really important. Today,
anyone but myself right now.
the art world is much bigger than I ever thought it would be, and there
When you look back on your
is so much more competition. More
career today, and remember
MFAs are graduating. Not only are
yourself on the cusp of
you trying to maintain the momentum
graduating from St. Agnes, what
of your own practice, you have these
are some bits of wisdom you wish
upstarts who are trying to knock you
you had known then?
off the mountain! The main things I
CM: Well, there are all the
have always been so gratified by are
clichés... cultivate your passion,
how much I personally love making
water that garden, make sure
art, the fabulous community of artists
it grows and is fertilized. There
I belong to, and the never-ending
is no career without that. Have
excitement for the work that comes
patience, gratitude, a good
out.
sense of humor, a willingness to erase and start over. Be curious.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Selection of Solo Exhibitions
• Museum of Contemporary Art (Los Angeles) • Museum of Art & History (Lancaster, Calif.) • Jason Vass Gallery (Los Angeles) • Armory Center for the Arts (Pasadena) • Pomona College Museum of Art • Culver Art Center (University of California, Riverside) • The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery • Angles Gallery (Los Angeles) • National Academy of Sciences (Washington, D.C.)
Public Collections/Art
• Museum of Contemporary Art (Los Angeles) • San José Museum of Art • Los Angeles County Museum of Art • EXPO Line MTA Bergamot Station permanent artwork installation (Los Angeles, in conjunction with her eldest daughter, a digital artist and animator) • MTA Red Line poster series (Los Angeles) • Newport Harbor Art Museum • “Coolglobe” artist • Wilshire Grand Hotel mural (Los Angeles)
What are you working on now that
Be furious. Be mad when it
excites you?
serves you well. And remember,
CM: I just finished a piece that's going
artmaking is meant to be
to a big show next week [“Mapping the
enjoyed. If you're not enjoying
Sublime: Reframing Landscape in the
it, you shouldn't be doing it. You
21st Century,” at the Brand Library
will get discouraged. You will
& Art Center, through June 11].
think you're the worst artist in the
It's a hybridization of painting and
world. That's natural. Sometimes
sculpture, which is really intriguing to
the plants that you're watering
me at the moment. I've never worked
every day will just die. But if you
in three dimensions before. I gathered
keep planting and nurturing,
blocks of styrofoam that I found on my
they will flourish. If you stick
walks and I painted on them all these
with it, it is a tremendously
Andrea Dawson is a freelance writer, editor,
endangered landscapes and animals.
gratifying life to be an artist.
and storyteller.
Awards
• National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship recipient • City of Los Angeles Artist's Grant recipient • Santa Fe Art Institute Residency Award • Djerassi Foundation Residency Award • California Supreme Court mural finalist (San Francisco)
I got so sad making this thing I just
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 45
Tommy May '12 When we hear about driving in Los Angeles, we typically think of freeways, traffic, and smog. To Tommy May, who
is
how the landscape and horizon blur together as the car moves along. From this, Tommy begins his pieces on small canvases to work on colors. From there he scales up to
has lived in LA since 2016,
much larger canvases on which he
driving in LA is beautiful
physically blends colors and builds
inspiration for his current artwork, which he calls “velocity paintings.” Tommy lives in the Hollywood Hills with his partner and fellow artist Gwen O'Neil. The road behind their home runs along a ridge and heads west leading down to the ocean. Tommy takes this beautiful drive nearly every day, observing
46 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
layers, often painting over the canvas entirely. This careful and patient process has evolved, along with the
Balancing “Some days I wear my dealer pants and other days I put on my painter pants.”
style of the finished works, from his compositions of a few years ago. Yet all of his work evokes his love of nature and the environment and his vision as he moves through it. Balancing his artistic work is an active interest Tommy has in the business of art. He takes time to study and engage with a
wide network of advisors, galleries, collectors, art writers, and others in the field to learn and build his career as an artist. “Some days I wear my dealer pants,” he laughs, “and other days I put on my painter pants.” The result is a career he
Tommy and partner Gwen O'Neil were included in a group exhibition, “Mixed Feelings,” at the F2T Gallery in Milan, Italy from December 17, 2021 to January 29, 2022. Tommy's work is on the far left and Gwen's is on the far right. “Mixed Feelings” was a journey along five different aesthetics, strongly recognizable as the essence of the main message, which is often in opposition to the first impression that a colorful and almost lighthearted painting can arouse.
Creativity and the Business of Art B Y
never imagined as a young teenager at
S U S I E
He also took every art class offered
Z I M M E R M A N N
on light, shadow, and shapes. In
at the time, and remains particularly
the dark room, he also explored
fond of and grateful for his 3D art
applying painting techniques and
ninth grade and played baseball
teacher, Terry deBardelaben. She
other alternative approaches in the
and cross-country. He particularly
encouraged Tommy to consider the
development process to create new
valued the mentorship of Cross-
Savannah College of Art & Design
and interesting images.
Country Coach Scott McLeod, and
(SCAD) to continue his studies,
forged strong friendships with his
develop his photography, and
to study painting on his own,
teammates. Outside of the challenge
consider a career in the field.
researching other painters and their
St. Stephen's and St. Agnes. Tommy started at SSSAS in
of running, those teammates shared
At SCAD, Tommy focused on
Outside of school, he began
processes and drawing inspiration
creative interests in art, music, and
analog photography and spent
from them while practicing.
photography, and as soon as they could
most of his time in the dark room
Admittedly obsessive when he
drive, they would head into D.C. to go
making prints. Gwen was a fellow
becomes interested in something,
to the Hirshhorn and other museums,
student at SCAD who also spent time
Tommy says, “Once I have an idea, I
photographing everything along the
experimenting in the dark room,
have to figure every single thing out
way.
and the two first met and fell in love
about it.”
“Finding this group of people was my favorite part of high school,” says Tommy.
under the red light. Tommy's photos became increasingly abstract, focusing
He created a great number of pieces and approached the SCAD store, which bought and sold student SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 47
work, with his paintings. The store
Selected Exhibitions
bought 20 pieces—his first sale!—
• Merrick Adams, Tommy May, Dani Tull At Blue Door Gallery, Los Angeles, April 30, 2022 • Mixed Feelings, F2T Gallery, Milan, Italy, December 17, 2021 • Office Group show, BOZOMAG, Los Angeles, September 2021 • 2020 The Blue Door Show, Blue Door Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020 • Tommy May, Field Gallery, West Tisbury, Mass., 2020 • Tommy May, Field Gallery, West Tisbury, Mass., 2019 • Tommy May, Solo Show, Quote Gallery, Quogue, N.Y., 2018 • Act 1. One Art Space, Tribeca, N.Y., 2018 • Tommy May, Field Gallery, West Tisbury, Mass., 2018 • Emerging Spaces, 530 Burns Gallery, Sarasota, Fla., 2018 • New Works, Tommy May Sylvester and Co, East Hampton, N.Y., 2015 • Grand Opening, Lee O'Neil Gallery, Savannah, Ga., 2015
aside from photography and focus
and that encouraged him to step exclusively on painting. While the SCAD teachers were supportive, they also challenged him with what he now appreciates as “some of the best and most important advice that shaped me as an artist.” At the time, however, he decided to step away from the structure of school and focus exclusively on his art. Tommy and Gwen open the Lee O'Neil Gallery in Savannah to exhibit their work and that of their peers. The couple loved Savannah, and the small size of the community and cost of living enabled them, for the first time, to begin to imagine they could be working artists. Soon though the couple decided to move to Los Angeles in 2016 to join a much larger and thriving arts community. They worked hard on their work as well as forging business connections, and returned
48 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
“Once I have an idea, I have to figure every single thing out about it.” periodically to the East Coast for visits to Martha's Vineyard where Tommy's parents live and which inspired much of his early work. Driving around the island—much like today's drives in LA—led him to create paintings featuring fields of color, lines, and symbols depicting his favorite landscapes. The couple would also visit Gwen's family in East Hampton, and ultimately landed a show there which would connect Tommy with designers who began buying his work as well as Gwen's, for commercial and residential projects.
“Practice what you love and don't stop exploring and learning.”
his disappointment with a drive
it all, he's discovered some important
to find new opportunities through
lessons.
even more research and networking.
“First, practice what you love and
“Being obsessive about stuff to paint,
don't stop exploring and learning more
while also hunting down business
and more,” he says. “Be patient and
opportunities like a hawk,” continues
allow things to evolve.”
to be a driving force for Tommy today. Tommy and Gwen decided to
Most of all, a strong work ethic is perhaps at the core of Tommy's success in building a career in a field that many
apply some of their recent success
others struggle to thrive in. Following
into opening an exhibit space for
the observation of film producer Robert
themselves and other artists. They
Evans who said in his autobiography
converted their garage and opened
“Luck is where preparation meets
showing his work and a full-time
Blue Door Gallery in February, and
opportunity,” Tommy says “I work very
sustainable career was emerging.
the space flexes between shows into
hard, so I'm ready when opportunities
However, Tommy learned that
studio space for both of them.
arise.”
Other galleries also then began
business success could also be
While Tommy's art and business
He's also appreciative—and amazed—
fleeting. When a large show was
has been very busy, he also took time
that he can have a career doing what he
canceled due to the COVID-19
to return to SCAD for online courses
loves and says, “Isn't it so bizarre that we
pandemic, he quickly had to replace
to complete his degree. And through
can make a living making art?!”
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 49
Therapy for the Invisible Wounds of War
MALIKA RASHEED '87 Leading a unique dog-training program for soldiers with PTSD BY ELISE GIBSON
50 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
When Malika Rasheed '87 began bringing rescue dogs to the memory-care facility where her mother was living, she expected a positive response. But what she
After her mother died in 2020,
veteran's attempt to return to civilian
Malika had already sold her longtime
life and can tear families apart. The
integrative-medicine practice and
program was looking for a doctorate-
began to consider her next steps. The
level healthcare professional to fully
dramatic bond she had witnessed
develop a nascent animal assisted
between dog and dementia patient
therapy program that follows a unique
lingered in her memory. “There's
model known as “Mission Based
something more to this,” she recalls
Trauma Recovery.”
saw astounded her. “I knew
thinking. Then she made a promise
Malika had found her mission.
there was something more
to herself. “I want to devote the next
“These soldiers are risking their lives
20 years of my life to helping a fragile,
every day, 24/7, for us and our safety,
vulnerable population,” she says.
and they are continuing to suffer
happening on a neurological level. It wasn't just that petting a dog makes you happy,” she said of watching the instant connection between the dogs and the dementia population.” There was this neurologic shift in the brain, a neurochemical cascade that happens when oxytocin is released. It's an amazing phenomenon.”
Malika, who holds a doctorate
from severe invisible wounds of war,”
in physical therapy, found that
she says. “They have run through the
population in an innovative program
gamut of treatment options without a
at Walter Reed National Military
successful outcome and now they have
Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland,
an opportunity to try an option which
that provides intensive outpatient
is proving to be successful.”
neurological treatment in the form of
The therapy program that Malika
multidisciplinary therapy for active-
directs is in the neurology department
duty military personnel with traumatic
at the NICoE (National Intrepid
brain injury. These conditions are
Center of Excellence) building. It's
notoriously difficult to treat and can
one part of a four-week intensive and
leave veterans isolated, depressed,
individualized treatment plan that
angry and suicidal. They hinder a
includes the creative arts (music, visual
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 51
basic commands. The program from infancy to completion usually takes 24 months, at which time a graduate canine will be paired with a Veteran with limited functional mobility. In Malika's program, the therapy for these active-duty military personnel, who are suffering from debilitating cases of PTSD and TBI, is to train the dogs. That's their therapeutic intervention. And in some cases, they don't even realize it. All they know is that they've been asked to train future service dogs to help a fellow veteran. For the soldiers, Malika says, it comes down to the “warrior ethos.” “Once they find out that they will be helping a fellow battle buddy, It's just ingrained in their brain to always, always look out for their fellow soldier,” she says. “When I say, 'Hey, how would you like to help a fellow veteran by helping us train these service dogs?' They're like, 'Hell, yes.' It's a no-brainer for them.” It may seem like a job rather than therapy, but Malika says the benefits are apparent and measurable. “You see this amazing arts, dance and movement, writing),
PTSD even after all the interventions
connection between human and
occupational and behavioral psych
they've received,” she says.
animal, and the minute they bond,
therapy, and any medical tests or scans
Malika's work involves service
when they have eye contact with
that are needed. It's called outpatient
dogs—specifically labradors and
the dog, there's an immediate
care, but the participants live on the
golden retrievers—that are trained
oxytocin release,” she says. “This
Bethesda campus in housing that can
to provide mobility and behavioral
has been demonstrated on MRIs
include their families in weeks three
assistance to veterans with a wide
in the left auditory cortex, a region
and four.
range of disabilities. For instance,
of the brain that scientists recently
a dog may be trained in the “brace
discovered has neurons that
assisted therapy program, Malika
command” so that an amputee
produce oxytocin.”
assesses incoming patients and creates
patient can lean on the animal while
Documenting and reporting
a neurological plan of care to treat
transferring from bed to wheelchair.
successful outcomes can lead to
what she calls “the invisible wounds of
A dog trained for behavioral
clinical trials and further acceptance
war.” Every Monday a cohort of four
assistance might help with a
as a treatment, and so measuring
new wounded warriors from all over
patient's nightmares by jumping off
the efficacy of the program is central
the world arrive to begin the program.
the bed, turning lights on to wake the
to Malika's work. Documentation of
Many have waited a long time for
patient, and then using its weight
success, she says, can “show clinical
this unique therapeutic approach. “At
to comfort and calm the patient.
appropriateness and effectiveness
least 50 percent of PTSD patients still
But all of those amazing skills come
for treating traumatic brain injury
show signs or still have a diagnosis of
later; first, they must be trained in
and PTSD.”
As lead practitioner for the animal
52 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
The key to successful treatment, she notes, is to alter the body's
parents,” who also serve as the canine
“Patients come back to us
instructors.
Traumatic Brain Injury live in a state
and say, 'I can't believe it,
they learn to become benevolent
of sympathetic overdrive. “They're
I'm not screaming at my
leaders, to harness the power of
response to stress. Soldiers with
constantly on the ready: ready to fight, ready to battle. They can't sleep because their minds are just wired, wired, wired,” she says. “When
kids anymore. I'm able to be more affectionate and
oxytocin gets released, it switches
supportive and respectful
the nervous system from sympathetic
to my wife.'”
to parasympathetic; that's what
As the patients work with the dogs,
positive reinforcement and patience, even in the face of frustration. Malika describes how a patient might respond: “No matter how many times I have to train this dog to sit, if I start getting upset or raising my voice, the dog is not going to sit. I have to be calm and
allows us to relax, to be able to be
cool. And I have to do the same thing
grounded and focused. It allows us to
with my kids at home. That is how it
better regulate our emotions.”
transitions into their personal life.”
Malika promotes a sense of calm
She recalls one recent patient with
from the moment she meets each
multiple tics. Every 15 seconds he
new patient. The NICoE building
blinks his eyes, smacks his lips, clears
on the Walter Reed campus is new
his throat. It happens no matter what
and modern; by contrast her office
he's doing—except when he's with the
is cozy and serene. The lights are
dogs. “Five minutes into the session,
low, soothing music and the scent of
the tics have disappeared,” she says.
eucalyptus fill the air, and Persian
“This is the one program that we're
rugs are underfoot. “I want them to
finding is make or break. This is the
feel that they can walk into a calm,
one that's making the difference for
healing and most importantly safe
them.”
space,” she says.
Upon completing the program,
She includes postural corrections
the patients write a letter to the dog
and breathing exercises, but a dog
28 years, Emad Nekoo, a software
they've trained. At a final ceremony,
is never far away. “Sometimes when
engineer, with keeping the house
the staff gives the dog the letter.
I find patients to be depressed, or
running and the children fed during
“The dog salutes them as they walk,”
they just can't make eye contact, I
that time. Their 20-year-old daughter
Malika says. “It's very emotional and
have them lie on a foam roller on
is an environmental science major
gratifying.”
the floor, with a dog lying next to
at the University of Maryland and
them,” Malika explains. “I teach
will be studying abroad in Singapore
passionate about her work. She's so
them diaphragmatic breathing and
this summer. Their 22-year-old son
passionate, in fact, that she hopes
the dog begins to sync with the
is completing a master's in aerospace
the program model will be adopted at
patient. The genetic code of a dog is
engineering at Virginia Tech, Malika's
military treatment centers around the
synchronization. Once the patient
alma mater. During her years at St.
world.
has engaged their parasympathetic
Agnes, Malika was on the tennis team,
nervous system, they can find calm
and tennis remains a big part of her
program, here at NICoE, global. I
connection and even improve sleep.
life.
would like to educate practitioners at
If they're not sleeping, they are not
After fostering rescue dogs and
Results like that have made Malika
“My mission is to make this
military bases in Germany, Norway,
finding homes for ten of them, Malika
and other bases around the world.
found a dog for her family, a Jack
There are a lot of veterans suffering
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, with
Russell terrier that had been dumped
everywhere,” she says. “It's what I
back-to-back therapies throughout
in a dumpster by a breeder. Connecting
want to do until I can't do it anymore.”
the day. For Malika, the regular hours
with dogs, it seems, is in her blood. The
are a break from the 12-hour days
dogs in the therapy program—three
she kept for 17 years as a business
black Labs and a Golden Retriever—
owner. She credits her husband of
live off-base with their “puppy
healing.” The intensive program runs from
Elise Gibson, former editor of the Smith [College] Alumnae Quarterly, is a freelance writer.
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 53
ALUMNI IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Go Ahead,
HIT Me!
DON THEERATHADA '93 talks about his career as a professional stunt coordinator and fight choreographer for 87eleven Action Design
Don doubling as the character Po, played by Doua Moua in the 2019 Disney film, “Mulan.”
INTRO BY MELISSA ULSAKER MAAS '76 AND INTERVIEW BY ADRIENNE LAI '21
54 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
Don Theerathada loves jumping off buildings and getting hit by cars. A good day includes hitting the ground hard and taking a punch in the face.
without looking back, he decided to stay in Thailand and take up acting. Although he was successful as an actor, Don quickly discovered he was not a “fan of fame and what came with it.” Meeting Jackie Chan inspired him to change his career path and pursue what he really loved doing. Stunt work combined his athletic prowess with acting, but outside the heat of the spotlight. In 1999 Don made another monumental decision to relocate to California, where he had to start over and rebuild his career. Today his credits include stunt and fight work on “The Fast and the Furious,” “The Expendables,” “The Matrix
During his 28-year career, Don has
Resurrections,” “Aquaman,” “Mulan,”
worked as an actor, stuntman, stunt
and most recently as the fight trainer
coordinator, fight choreographer and
for Ana De Armas and the stunt
second unit/action director on more than
coordinator on the Russo Brothers
100 feature films and television shows
film, “The Gray Man” (July 2022
in the U.S. and Thailand, as well as
release date). He is currently stunt
commercials, music videos, and high-
coordinating additional photography
end video games.
on a Russo Brothers series for Amazon
It all started in 1984 after Don saw
streaming and is already scheduled
“Karate Kid” and immediately wanted
to stunt coordinate the next Russo
to start Tae Kwon Do classes. By the
Brothers film.
time he reached Upper School, he was
In 2014 Don married his
competing in the 1992 WKA World
wife, Mimi, who graduated from
Championships on the U.S. team that
Tufts University School of Dental
won the championship and personally
Medicine. They own and operate a
placing fourth in sparring. In 1993 his
dental practice in Westlake Village,
team took the championship again and
California. When he has time off
he won the bronze medal in sparring.
the set, Don loves motor racing. He
At that point he retired from competing
used to prefer taking his motorcycles,
professionally in the martial arts to
but is now racing his cars. He enjoys
focus on running track and field for
barbecuing at home, watching movies,
George Mason University and to train
and, of course, working out, boxing,
and prepare for the 1996 Olympics
and sparring.
in Atlanta. At GMU Don competed in the 110m High Hurdles for the
Adrienne Lai '21 interviewed Don about his career in the following Q&A.
Thai National Track and Field Team. Unfortunately, he blew his knee out for
What do you have to keep in mind
the second time while training for the
when designing a stunt/fight
1995 Southeast Asian Games and found
sequence/action sequence?
himself at a fork in the road. Already
Those are three different things,
a national hero in Thailand, he was
stunt wise, first priority is safety.
representing Nike, Tag Heuer, Ray-Ban,
Figuring out how to execute a stunt
and Oakley in commercials. His notoriety
gag and designing it to be the safest
as an athlete had brought in multiple
way possible. If the scene calls for
offers to work in film and television, so
someone to jump off a building, the questions are–how far do you want
Don and his wife, Mimi, at their wedding in 2014.
the fall, is he falling out of frame, is he going all the way to the ground? If we have time we try and possibly reinvent a method to give the director something that hasn't been done. It all depends, some people want to do something different and some people don't or we just don't have time and we follow the tried-and-true techniques. For fight sequences we have to see who the artist is and who we have available to double that artist. We design according to their strengths. No point in designing something we know won't look good doing both artist and double. Then we have to develop a style for that person and try to come up with something new that is not played out. For action sequences we have to help design something that would help compliment the story and characters of that story. I feel everything has to make sense in that world. If we are making a sci-fi film in space and these two aliens get into a fight, it doesn't make sense, to me at least, for them to be doing kung fu on each other. What was the most exciting project you have worked on? Wow, it's hard to say, I've worked on a lot of projects from big to small, I would say, working on a project or with
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 55
other ethnicities. The people I hire have to be able to do multiple duties to justify the money spent to carry them onto a project. Then you have the crew, which is a different team. In an ideal world we would keep working with the same team, crew, and actors, because after spending a lot of time with them, we all start to get into a good groove, and then the movie is over and we all move on to our next project and start all over again. The only way to overcome this is to understand this happens, problem solve, and learn how to incorporate everyone into a team mentality. Division never works and will hurt the final product, especially since we are all cogs in this intricate machine. Don working on the set.
What is it like working with famous actors/actresses?
people that inspired me when I was
everyone has a vision. We'll design and
younger that offers the nostalgic feel.
create something and the directors or
in a world full of alphas while managing
For example, in Expendables 1 & 2, the
producers don't want it. It's not that
and having to be alpha myself at times.
script wasn't the greatest, but all the old
they're wrong cause it's their project,
I've been fortunate to work with a lot of
action stars I grew up with were in it. I
but the answer to that is just making
really nice and cool people who listen
was giving direction to these superstars
your own project. We at 87Eleven
and work with me to accomplish our
and they were listening to me. It was
designed action for “John Wick” and
goals. It's always nice when working
really trippy. Matrix 4 was a project
pitched it for many other action films
with stars that I idolized growing up,
based on a series I grew up with. If I can
but in a way, it was turned down due
like Jackie Chan, Sly Stallone, Arnold
work on a project that can inspire a new
to the risk of making your money back
Schwartzenegger, Jean-Claude Van
generation—which is what I'm striving
on an R rating. So, we eventually made
Damme, cause there's a nostalgia to
for—that means more to me than the
our own “John Wick” film series and
it. The newer actors are cool and seem
money they pay you. I love working on
were part of the revolution showing
to always want to hang out with us,
film more than a TV series because I like
that R movies can make money as well
whereas with the long-established stars
working on new stories and solving new
and that there is an audience for that.
I mentioned, we kind of have a different
problems.
People are always scared to be the first
type of respect when with them.
to take a risk because it's their career
Working with the ultra-famous is a bit
What is it like working for a big-name
on the line, but you also don't grow
more annoying due to paparazzi issues.
movie series—is there a lot of pressure/
without taking risks. I'm a risk-taking
For example, working with people like
attention?
guy, after all, I'm a stuntman.
Taylor Swift, you're going to be dealing
Yes, the biggest pressure is failing.
It's not always what it seems. I work
with a big posse and paparazzi hiding a
I always want the project I'm on to be
What are the biggest challenges you
mile away in a tree with ultra-long lenses
amazing, but it's not always up to me.
face in your job, and how do you
trying to get shots. We have to constantly
Time, money, unforeseen issues are
overcome them?
try and hide them and keep them from
always coming into play, and everyone
The biggest challenge is that
harm, which adds extra bodyguard type
has their own vision. Some people on the
every new film is like opening a new
of work for us to deal with as opposed to
project want to make it for the cheapest
company. It's a new story, new actors,
just the creative aspect.
and fastest amount of time possible,
a new production team, and a lot of
but I want it to be the best movie we
times a new action team. I always
How does your job change with each
can possibly make. It's stressful when
say I'm only as good as my team.
project and medium you work with
you're redoing a project or working on
Unfortunately, in each job, we can't
(movies, music videos, video games)?
a famous series. There's an expectation
always carry the same team due to
the audience is looking for and you're
budget constraints. For instance, the
In big films we have a lot of time to
already at a disadvantage as they expect
project might take place in Asia and
prep and train artists and more time to
a lot and want to be blown away. Again,
need an Asian majority team or need
enhance and polish concepts, whereas
56 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
The biggest difference is prep time.
in music videos, TV, and commercials, we are very limited in time and money. For some films, we would have up to six months or more in prep. It's funny, since we created the “John Wicks,” there was a point in time everyone said to make it like “John Wick,” but we have only one week to prep. They don't realize we trained Keanu for nine months before we did the first “John Wick,” so working with someone who's never done action before and getting them to look like “John Wick” is not a reasonable ask. It's also funny because they ask for bigbudget concepts that cost us hundreds of thousands to make, but want us to do the same thing for $5,000. Video games are cool and fun because we get to work in a nice air-conditioned controlled environment, and you can be very creative with execution since we can hide a lot of things with motion-capture cameras that you wouldn't be able to hide with regular cameras. The hardest part is the amount of time to complete a video game. It's sporadic. We could work a month on a video game, then they have to do the coding, rendering, and programming, and five months later see if we are available to come back and work more. The work timeline is not consistent and they can't afford to keep us on hold for a three-year project. What advice would you give to anyone interested in the movie industry (actor/ tech)? Really know and love what you want
Working as part of the fight team on the set of “Aquaman” in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
to do, and want and love it for the right reasons. A lot of people come into the
the final project. Everyone's vision
and in my head I say “go for it,” and I
business wanting fame and money, but
is different and a lot of times we are
jump.
if that's your driving force you won't last
hoping the audience understands the
very long in this business. My team and
outcome of the final product. We are
What is something that most people
I make good money, but when a paid
constantly guessing if the audience
do not know about the movie
project is done, we don't just go play golf
truly understands and enjoys the
industry, especially in relation to
and party all day. We wake up at 4:00
execution of the product.
action films?
Do you have any on-set traditions?
understands the workforce and prep
I don't think anyone ever truly
a.m. to drive hours to train together for eight hours a day on our days off and we are constantly studying and expanding our skill set.
I have a few, but I will share one.
time that goes into an action project,
Before personally performing a very
at least our projects since we do ours
dangerous stunt, like jumping off a
differently. People are starting to see
What does it feel like to watch the final
building or something, I am super
more and more of the behind-the-
project for the first time?
focused on the task at hand, do a big
scenes thanks to social media, but
yell to psych myself up, and right
I don't think it's at the point where
before I jump, I shrug my shoulders
people understand what we do yet.
It can be scary, whether or not we are the ones who edited the footage or
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 57
CATCHING UP WITH YOUNG ALUMNI
Revolutionizing Urban Student Housing Harry Dubke '15 and Perry Griffith '15 talk about building their startup, Cortado ARTICLE BY Melissa Ulsaker Maas ‘76 PHOTOGRAPHY BY Jameson Bloom ‘13
It all began in Dr. Klein's tenth grade
and hispanic studies, while Perry
nearly five months at the University
English class, where SSSAS classmates
graduated from the University of
of Buenos Aires, attending classes
Harry Dubke '15 and Perry Griffith '15
Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce
entirely in Spanish on everything from
were first paired together on a group
with a bachelor's in finance and real
social protest to genocide studies. After
project. The two became fast friends,
estate. During their undergraduate
graduation, Perry worked for several
buoyed by a shared interest in languages
studies, they also attended a summer
years in real estate private equity in New
and the fact that their childhood homes
session at the London School of
York City, while Harry joined a non-
sat less than a mile apart.
Economics alongside several other
profit focused on Latin America.
In 2015 the two parted ways for
SSSAS alumni; an experience that
It was their experiences abroad,
college, but remained steadfast friends
would spark the travel bug in both of
however, that ultimately planted the
throughout their undergraduate years.
them. Perry soon returned to Europe
seed for their leap into startup life. In
Harry headed to Hamilton College,
to live and study in Barcelona, Spain,
2021 the pair co-founded Cortado, a
receiving a bachelor's in world politics
for a semester, while Harry spent
DC-based startup providing flexible,
58 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
“The concept came from my own experience searching for housing in Barcelona— despite the popularity of the city among Americans and Europeans studying abroad, there was no way for international students to consistently find safe, affordable housing in the city center.” ~ Perry
fully-furnished stays for the city's
working our first post-grad jobs. The
value from a finance and real estate
visiting interns and students. They
concept really emerged from our
perspective, which has facilitated our
envision Cortado as a disruptor in the
own experiences studying abroad
conversations with property managers
$2.4 trillion global student housing
together in London and then later
and early-stage investors.
market by tapping into growing
separately; myself in Buenos Aires
demand for short-term stays in popular
and Perry in Barcelona.
urban centers like Washington, D.C.
HD: Perry certainly has the bulk of the experience when it comes to real
Short-term experiential learning
PG: The concept came from my own
has exploded both in the U.S. and
experience searching for housing in
experience and prior work with Latin
overseas—with study abroad growing
Barcelona—despite the popularity
American youth groups to appeal to the
7% annually for the last five years—yet
of the city among Americans
academic programs that we work with in
traditional student housing companies
and Europeans studying abroad,
D.C. and beyond. It can be really difficult
focus on university towns and rural
there was no way for international
to sell a new product to big universities,
campuses, leaving urban markets
students to consistently find safe,
so my familiarity with the bid process
vastly undersupplied.
affordable housing in the city center.
and student-faculty relations has really
My classmates and I ended up
been a boon for us early on.
With Cortado, they aim to address
estate, so I really lean into my non-profit
this massive undersupply by providing
staying in a youth hostel for nearly
professionally managed, apartment-
three weeks before finding a local
MM: How much time did you put into
style living at a competitive price, with
landlord who would only accept rent
researching the need, opposition, and
elegant software to make the housing
payments in cash-stuffed envelopes!
viability of starting Cortado?
coordination and management
Needless to say, I began to suspect
experience frictionless from anywhere
there was a better way to handle
HD: Once we had a rough idea of the
in the world.
housing abroad.
business model, the first thing we did
I talked to Harry and Perry about
was to cold call as many study abroad
their startup journey, hopes, and
MM: What background and skills
dreams for the future of Cortado.
do you each bring to the table?
MM: How and when did you decide to
PG: Harry's background in
form a partnership and how/why did
international development and
volunteer about their jobs if you just
you focus on intern/student housing?
exceptional communication skills—
ask politely! My advice to any wannabe
What inspired this?
in English and Spanish!—have been
founder is to first, write down your idea,
instrumental in building customer
and second, start calling as many people
for a study abroad housing platform
relationships and generating brand
as possible who know more than you
back in 2020, while we were still
awareness. I'm thankful I can add
about the space. We've since spoken with
HD: Perry came to me with the idea
programs as possible to see if this was a product that they needed. I am constantly surprised by how much information people are willing to
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 59
“My advice to any wannabe founder is to first, write down your idea, and second, start calling as many people as possible who know more than you about the space.” ~ Harry
D.C. also run their schools' programs abroad. We had one program director tell us that if we could successfully house her program's students in D.C., she would students and program administrators
intern housing. We have the highest
from Bilbao, Spain, to Lausanne,
concentration of off-campus programs
Switzerland, and we keep getting the
in the country here (Perry and I have
same response: “Let us know when you
counted nearly 50), and the housing
have units in my city, and we'll rent from
market is horrendously difficult to
you.”
navigate. After D.C., we see a huge
MM: Why did you name the company
potential in western and southern Europe, where the bulk of U.S. study
after the coffee beverage? What's the
abroad ends up alongside hundreds
story behind that?
of thousands of European students
PG: So the story behind Cortado...
traveling through the EU's ERASMUS+ exchange program. Cities like Granada,
well Harry and I both enjoy coffee—
Milan, and Grenoble have huge student
we sussed out most of the business
populations with almost no student-
model while heavily caffeinated—but
dedicated housing options, which make
the real appeal comes from the word's
them perfect sites for Cortado's first
connotations in Spanish. For Spanish-
units abroad.
speakers, “cortado” describes something that is clipped or shortened; much like
MM: Your plan is to work directly with
how Cortado the company provides a
university programs to supply housing,
simplified way to find short-term stays
is your marketing strategy working?
in a new city or country! Harry and I also like how the name can be easily
PG: So far we've seen a ton of interest
pronounced in romance languages,
from D.C.-based programs (in the
which are spoken in many of the
form of several RFPs), but our early
countries where Cortado will soon be
experiences with programs will be huge
operating!
for proving out Cortado's business
MM: Where is the greatest growth
model! I think the key here is snagging B2B contracts in D.C. as soon as we can;
in need for intern/student housing?
we really see that as the golden ticket to
What's your target market?
expansion.
HD: Washington, D.C., is a perfect
HD: Exactly, many of the university
case study for this type of student and
administrators running programs in
60 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
like to use Cortado for her university's programs in Boston and Berlin, too!
MM: There are a number of options for intern/student housing in D.C., Boston, and New York, what makes Cortado different?
PG: In a few words: design, service, and community. We are really the only provider to relentlessly focus on this slice of the student and intern housing market. The incumbents we face are mostly crowded, old-school dorms and stuffy, overpriced corporate housing companies —two options that students and administrators alike have repeatedly lambasted in our customer interviews.
HD: Cortado focuses on creating spaces designed from the bottom up for young people like ourselves. Centrally located, tastefully furnished with plenty of space to work from home, all at an affordable price. In an industry like real estate that naturally distrusts the under-30 demographic, Cortado is creating a space for our generation to get on their feet in urban centers like D.C. and beyond.
MM: Is your plan to launch first in Washington, D.C., and then expand to New York and Boston? What is your goal for each location?
“This business truly works best at scale, where we can expand alongside study abroad programs and create a network of housing for young people everywhere.” ~ Perry
PG: Each new city brings its own unique set of challenges and opportunities for expansion; differing short-term rental laws, supply constraints, and even local customs have to be taken into account. Yet our initial approach is always the same: 1) Identify the customers, 2) Listen to their needs, 3) Source and design spaces that consistently exceed expectations. From day one of operation, our goal is always to create spaces that we wish we could have lived during our own time abroad.
MM: What are the projected unit economics and when do you expect to be profitable?
PG: Today, it's common to see earlystage companies incur persistent losses in pursuit of high growth rates and dominance in a particular market. Thankfully, Cortado's unit economics in Washington, D.C.—one of the tightest housing markets in which the startup will operate—support profitability by month four of operations. Of course, this assumes we successfully lease out our units!
MM: How much funding do you need to raise to make Cortado a reality this summer?
HD: We've already hit our pre-seed funding goal to get our first units up and running by May 2022. That said, we are always interested in speaking to
anyone in the SSSAS network who is
world” in terms of communication and
looking for an opportunity to invest in
the exchange of goods and services, but
a couple of young alumni!
what about cultural exchange? Cultural
MM: If Cortado is successful in D.C.,
exchange—sitting down face-to-face with somebody from a wildly different
Boston, and New York, will you
upbringing and background than
consider expanding to other cities?
yours—is a deeply personal experience,
PG: Absolutely! We have our sights set mainly on continental Europe
and not one that is reproduced easily through a computer screen.
for the 2023-2024 academic year,
PG: I see Cortado as fostering this
but hope to open up less traditional
type of cultural exchange by allowing
study abroad markets in places like
more and more young people to travel
South America and Southeast Asia.
to foreign places and to interact with
This business truly works best at
the diverse cultures that inhabit them.
scale, where we can expand alongside
I want us to look back in ten years and
study abroad programs and create a
count the thousands—millions—of
network of housing for young people
young people that Cortado helped
everywhere, opening up travel and
bring overseas through an ever-growing
exchange opportunities for the next
network of stays around the world.
generation of students and young professionals, while expanding access for those who might not otherwise have the chance to see the world.
MM: What is your ultimate dream for Cortado? If it's successful, where do you see yourselves in ten years?
HD: This is our most important question as founders… It is an oft-repeated truism to claim that “globalization has flattened the
Visit Cortado at livecortado.com and reach the founders at perry@livecortado.com harry@livecortado.com
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 61
AN EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
“Papa, Papa.” These two simple words came from the voice of a 10-year-old Ukrainian boy that I had the gift and privilege of getting to know during my brief time in Romania during spring break in March. The young boy was calling out to me and using the only words that he knew were recognized in Ukrainian, Romanian, Russian, and English. He was beckoning to me, asking me to spend a few precious minutes of time playing with the soccer ball that he had somehow managed to wrestle away from the other children. “Papa, Papa“ became his crucial connection to me in the midst of so much upheaval and uncertainty in his young life. This scene was echoed and repeated many times with many different young Ukrainian children during my short stay. The time I spent with these incredible children touched me deeply, evoking so many
In Aid of God's Children BY THE REV. SEAN CAVANAUGH Head Chaplain
emotions and thoughts. Thoughts and emotions best described as heartbreaking, sacred, hopeful, and angry—angry that these Ukrainian children were not in the Odessa region of Ukraine where they belonged, but instead were in Romania fleeing for their young lives. This trip to Romania was to help resettle more than 100 Ukrainians
Over spring break, head chaplain, The Rev. Sean Cavanaugh, flew to Romania to help resettle more than 100 Ukrainian refugees who found their way to the Pro Vita community.
refugees taken in by the Pro-Vita community. I have been traveling to Romania and taking St. Stephen's and St. Agnes students on service trips to work with the extraordinary Pro Vita Orphanage for the last 17 years. I currently chair the American Friends of the Pro Vita Orphanage foundation, which was established with the help of Saints alumnae Ruth Geiger '09, Paula Trahos '09, and Shelby Stowers '08 and Saints parent Merle DeLancey,
62 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
an attorney who graciously helped
shocking to realize that just six short
can go home. Although I left Romania
with the legal aspects of setting up
weeks before I arrived there, the
with a heavy heart, I am proud of the
the foundation as a 501(c) 3 charity
Ukrainians had been going about
work that St. Stephens and St. Agnes
(afpvo.org). Most of the trips to Pro
their everyday lives, attending school,
has done to strengthen the Pro Vita
Vita have been co-lead by incredible
sharing meals together, drinking
over the last 17 years. As I worked to
faculty and staff (including current
coffee at their local cafe, and just
help resettle these young Ukrainians,
faculty Tim Doyle, Shannon Fusina,
living life. When I was there, nearly
my thoughts were also with the Saints
Nicole Harding, Rev. Chris Miller,
four million Ukrainians had fled the
community and our mission, our deep
Ashley Stone, and Carl Johnson
war in search of safety. Tragically, half
belief in goodness, and that it was a
among others) and attended by
of the Ukrainians I met at Pro Vita
privilege to have this opportunity to
hundreds of caring and empathetic
were children who were living in an
care for each member of this small
students. Pro Vita was created by a
orphanage near the city of Odessa.
Ukrainian community and honor their
Romanian Orthodox priest, Father
In addition to the extra needs these
unique value as children of God.
Tanase, and the community works
children had before being displaced,
with marginalized Romanians,
none of them spoke any English or
both young and old. Perhaps what
Romanian. During my time with
makes Pro Vita so unique, and why
these children, there was a fascinating
students and faculty keep going
cacophony of Russian, Ukrainian,
back year after year, is that the
Romanian, and English being spoken.
central mission of this community
Google translate was often the only
is rooted in a profound belief that
language tool we had to communicate.
love and grace can overcome much
It was unlike any other experience I
of the world's brokenness. It's also
have had before.
a community where Romanians
Although these are very difficult
eat, work, share, sleep, and support
days for Pro Vita, their amazing staff,
each other in ways that are counter
and the Ukrainians, there is also hope
cultural to Western values.
that flows within the walls of this
The Ukrainians at Pro Vita have
community. Hope that these young
been forced to flee their country
Ukrainians will find a way to settle into
because of the war launched by
their new Romanian home and hope
the Russian government under
that with God's grace the war will end
its leader Vladimir Putin. It was
and they and the rest of the Ukrainians
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 63
AN EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
What is My Call in the World? The Rev. Chris Miller '05, our Middle School chaplain, gave this homily in chapel on February 1.
Our text this morning comes from the Prophet Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
What day is it, Piglet? It's today Pooh.
Those of you in my eighth
1, as an opportunity. Winnie the
love children's stories. I think the
Pooh's favorite day is “today”
way we tend to engage children's
because today is where Pooh is
stories—with joy, splendor, wonder,
in the moment. So, let's enter our
and curiosity—is the best way to
text from Jeremiah with a “today”
approach stories from the Bible.
mindset.
I'll begin with a brief story from Winnie the Pooh. One day Pooh and Piglet are talking. Pooh turns to Piglet and says, “What day is it, Piglet?” Piglet says, “It's today, Pooh.” Pooh's response: “My favorite day.” The beauty of having a “today” mindset is that we can approach
64 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
today, this day, Tuesday, February
grade religion class know that I
How does this text from Jeremiah apply to us in the Middle School today? In order to understand what Jeremiah is telling us, we have to understand a bit of the context.
priest as well. We met in seminary
Jeremiah is a prophet who preached
Eighth graders, just think how
approximately 2,500 years ago. His
much you have grown intellectually
just down the road. She is an
primary means of communication
since you arrived at the Middle
extremely gifted preacher who I hope
is not the written word. Jeremiah
School two and a half years ago.
we can one day convince to preach
would have preached to crowds
While the flood waters of change
among us.
gathered before him. And Jeremiah
wash over you, think about who you
is speaking specifically to the
are. Think about the core of your
By leading worship services,
people of Judah. These people in
identity.
administering sacraments, and accompanying people through the
Judah had reason to lose hope. The people of Judah were soon to be scattered about—they were losing control of their community, their worship, and their territory. They
What is it that you want others to know about you?
were losing their identity as they had known it up until then. Despair was a common feeling among Jeremiah's people. So, Jeremiah,
What is it that matters to
and hope to bring his people along. What we hear this morning is the call of Jeremiah to be his most authentic self.
Have you ever asked the question, “What is my call in this world?” It might be in the modern form of, “When I grow up, who do I want to be?”
highs and lows of life, I constantly see the beautiful presence of God. I am most alive when I am with other people journeying through life.
I am a graduate of St.
you, above all else?
Stephen's and St. Agnes
What is your identity?
need to come back and
affirming the realities of despair, set out to offer words of comfort
I am an Episcopal priest.
When Jeremiah hears God's call for him to be a prophet, he is told that he was known even before he was in the womb of his mother. When Jeremiah hears God's call for him to be a prophet, he is told that he was made holy and loved before he was born. And when Jeremiah hears God's call for him to be a prophet, he is told that the core of his identity is that of a truth telling, hope spreading prophet.
School. All of you do not work at St. Stephen's and
St. Agnes to have as much appreciation as I have for this community. But my
presence here among you this day is a testament to
my love for this place and its people. St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School is
where I found my identity.
The other day, one of my students rightfully asked to learn a
St. Stephen's and St. Agnes
about much more than one's
bit more about me. Not the resume
School is not perfect. At its best,
profession. Biblical call is about
stuff but what I might describe as
though, we are a school community
our core identity. At St. Stephen's
real call stuff. Identity stuff. In a
that values individuality within
and St. Agnes School, we believe
respectful and appropriate way, this
community. We value compassion
that everyone who enters this
peer among you was asking me,
alongside excellence. And we support
community is welcome here. We
“Who are you, Rev. Miller?”
each other, most especially, in the
Deep down Biblical call is
believe that everyone who is a part
I am a devoted father of two
of this community is a beloved
boys—Peter is almost 5 and Andrew
child of God, worthy of our time
just turned 3. These boys bring
unexpected trials and tribulations of life. My identity would not be what it
and commitment, with a unique
me tremendous joy. I love them.
is today if it weren't for the teachers
identity. You are in a stage in life
Right now, I especially love running
and coaches and staff at St. Stephen's
when you are experiencing rapid
around with them at the Lower
and St. Agnes School who, each in
change. The world around us is
School playground on Sunday
their own way, took time to get to
changing quickly. You are changing
afternoons.
know me and my peers.
quickly.
I am a devoted husband to my wife, Sarah. Sarah is an Episcopal
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 65
CLASS NOTES
1953 ST. AGNES Harriet Doub: Harrietdoub85@gmail.com Harriet Doub reports that she has lived in Virginia Beach for many years
Submitting News Your class ambassador would love to receive your news and photos! If you submit a photo, please be sure you are in it. Photos emailed or uploaded to our website must meet the requirements below. Please note that we do not publish engagements, impending births, obituaries, or eulogies.
Submitting Photos If you would like to submit a digital photo for the magazine, publication specifications for print require that it be the original, uncropped, full-size, jpeg file. Please do not resize, reduce, or compress photos for emailing. We cannot accept screenshots of a photo on a website.
Get Connected! Visit sssas.org/alumni to get the latest Reunion updates, check out our upcoming events, share your news, or update your contact information. Join our Facebook and LinkedIn groups Check out our Saints Link networking platform at saintslink.org Visit Flickr.com/sssasalumni to see photos from our alumni events.
To Update Your Alumni Record Please contact Senior Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement Meredith Robinson at 703-2122769 or mrobinson@sssas.org.
66 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
and loves the community. All of her adult kids and her grandchildren live in Virginia Beach except for her daughter who lives in the Atlanta area. She is very active in the Methodist Church. Harriet sold real estate for 32 years and loved helping folks find the best and most detailed locations in the community! She just retired and loves keeping in touch with her fellow St. Agnes alumnae. Sally Ringle Hotchkiss writes that she is still living in Lynchburg, Va. after 62+ years! She has two married daughters in Mississippi and one daughter in Courtland, Va. Sally shares that she has seven grandchildren, six boys and one adorable granddaughter. Sally says, “We are in good health mentally and physically, except slower!” If anyone makes it down to “real Virginia” do look Sally up! Ann Parish Jackson just took a trip to Colorado in December 2021 with the Pentagon Ski Club. Her son, Peyton, who lives in Denver, extended his trip a few days so that they could ski together over the weekend. He even surprised her by showing up with all of his siblings! Joanna Dodson Camarata says that she is happy and busy in Florida. All is good! Nancy Price Dunton writes: “I am living in Crystal City/Arlington, Va., that has been recently renamed by Amazon as National Landing and is developing a huge presence here. I have
Mary Lou King writes: “Here we are, seniors, having lived these last few years in our own little 'bubbles' caused by Covid-19 and its attendant variants. What a world from our teenage years. Two years ago I moved into a retirement home, still in San Rafael. I'm in my own small apartment, a little 'casita' really, with a neighbor on either side, a patio, and view of Mt. Tamalpais. The campus is gorgeous, has lovely plantings, my bird feeder attracts a multitude of birds, and our chef is fantastic! I am so lucky, even if I do sound like an ad! I'm 30 miles from my daughter, Teresa, who after a successful business producing shows and events for corporations, retired to enjoy her true passion: a love of animals. Christopher and Caroline are still in Litchfield, Conn., (where Robin and I lived for 20 years before moving West to be near Teresa when Robin was ill with Parkinsons). Chris and Caroline still work, she in the library and he at his desk! Ian Ramsey King is the newest family member and will turn two years old on January 23. He is in Boston with Stuart and Alyssa King. He is my great grandson, of whom I am very proud! Though, because of Covid and travel, I know him only on Zoom.”
1958 ST. AGNES Julia Shields: habija@aol.com Julia Shields says, “My first year of teaching was also the first year of total integration in the Charlottesville schools, and it was a wild year, with dozens of bomb threats giving us unexpected days off. The teachers and
two granddaughters at SSSAS, one in tenth grade and one in eleventh grade. The eldest is big into theater/drama at SSSAS. The theater is lovely and very up to date, a great addition to the school. I regret to tell you that I have nothing of interest to report with current Covid restrictions. I do have a group of friends here in my condo building, and we get together to play card games and go out to dinner occasionally. Hopefully, this will be a better year for all of us!”
St. Agnes 1957 classmates, Eleanore Saunders Sunderland, Marianna Erisman Martin, Anne Kincheloe Mandros, Sandy Johnson Taylor, and Heather Strachen Foley, met up in June 2021.
To make a gift, visit sssas.org/give! For more information on making your gift, please contact Nicole Morrell, Director of Annual Giving, at nmorrell@sssas.org or 703-212-2715.
the conscientious students tended to
in the tropical forest of Hawaii Island,
Lamond Courier whose son Francis
love these days off, but others hated
where Lina grows and sells Hoyas and
Patrick Dillon Jr. (Rick) died in
them, complaining how boring life
some Aroids. Carol had a total hip
September. At a job interview once,
was when they unexpectedly had to
replacement in July and reports that she
Rick was asked what his proudest
entertain themselves. I have thought
feels wonderful.
achievements were, and he replied, “My
of that experience a lot during the
Sally Engh Reger has moved into a
three children.” Heartfelt sympathies to Cary and to her family.
pandemic, feeling very grateful once
wonderful addition to her daughter's
again for the education that St. Agnes
house in Ohio. She is enjoying the cozy
offered that has enabled us to survive,
place and the freedom it gives her to
we had a cousin who on returning
and sometimes to enjoy, this long-
travel.
from World War II became a recluse.
lasting pandemic.” Marcia Kendzie Evans describes
Sue Peery Moore and Bill have been
My brother likes to remind me that
“We were made for this!” my brother
grateful to be in Lost Tree during the
declares. Though I have enjoyed the fact
herself, having lived in Atlanta for
pandemic, where they can still have a
that houses don't need to be clean if you
fifteen years, as “almost a Georgia
social life in relative safety. They did
don't have guests and the same three
peach” and as the “Poet Laureate for the
rent a house in Bethany Beach this
outfits serve me well in rotation for
Dunwoody High School football and
summer where all the family—Julia
months at a time, solitary confinement
baseball teams, a loyal Georgia Bulldog
and Tom and their children and Sue's
does get old.
fan—with a lot to cheer about this year,
sisters Brooke and Linda—could all
a Butter Brat and a Grammar Snob, and
visit. Her grandchildren: Rick is due to
1961 ST. AGNES
even at eighty, one in whom SAS Spirit
graduate from Georgetown this spring
Anne Williams: awilliam@bates.edu
is alive and well.
and has lined up an internship on Wall
Lina Fippin White has put together a
Street, Ellie is at Dartmouth, and Will
Our deepest condolences to the family
third poetry collection this year. I have
is at Hotchkiss. Walker and Ellie are in
of Frances Bowersock, who died in
very much enjoyed her first two volumes
Bronxville schools. And the two dogs
December 2021. Also to Vicki Carberry
and look forward to reading this one.
long to meet my Gracie!
Hurd, Mary Lynne Chalfant Huggins,
Carol Noel and her husband Bob live
Our deepest sympathies to Cary
Fair MacRae Gouldin, Niki Neese Lallande, and Page Proctor Hagan, all SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 67
CLASS NOTES of whom lost their husbands since they
survived with no serious complications.
volunteer for local organizations and
last wrote.
Her Academy Realty business is going
sings in the church choir. She and Allen
like crazy in the current housing boom.
both take Osher Lifelong Learning
planning a spring move to a senior
Joni and her good friend Charlie love to
Institute courses via Dartmouth
living community in Pittsburgh to be
travel, but the pandemic has made that
College.
closer to their daughter.
difficult.
Joshan Backus Wise and Sandy are
Dorothy Bellinger Grimm sends
Leslie Smith Ariail has moved to a
Anne C. Foster Hindman writes she
smaller house in Alexandria and loves
best wishes from downtown Honolulu,
is in good health and has been staying
it. She is active in the Garden Club, is
where she and Jack have lived since
close to home. She has two grands, ages
chair of her family foundation, is on
2018. Despite the pandemic they have
4 and 12.
the Board of the Historic Alexandria
been able learn more about Hawaiian
Lynn Goodman’s son Heath reports
Foundation, and continues as a partner
culture and history pre-1898 (when
that she has moved to assisted living
in the B.M. Smith real estate and
the US annexed the kingdom). They
near Berkeley, Calif., where he lives. She
development company in Arlington.
have toured the royal Iolani Palace,
would enjoy hearing from classmates.
Son Jay and family visited over
met Hawaiian author Norm Winter,
Chris Hayes Moe and Tom enjoyed
Christmas from Indonesia; they will
attended performances by the Royal
getting away from home in 2021. In
be moving to Rabat, Morocco soon to
Hawaiian Band, and joined the
June they drove to Colorado Springs to
teach at another international school.
Hawaiian Lawn Bowls Club. They
see Ryan and family, and for a reunion
Her three children have produced six
welcomed a new grandson, Logan, in
with Tom’s Hanoi mates. In October in
grands, ages 3 to 17. Leslie spends a lot
June and enjoyed a recent visit from son
West Virginia they rode trains to savor
of time at her farm and is pleased that
Dwight and his wife Leigh.
the beautiful autumn foliage. She has
the siding is finally replaced, after 1.5
recovered from COVID-19 and sends
years of work.
Vicki Carberry Hurd lost her husband Peter to Alzheimer’s in 2016. Vicki rises at dawn to work in the local Rose
love to all. From Fair MacRae Gouldin: “I
Margaret Somerville and Bill have been staying close to home during the
Garden. She sings with classical groups
write with sadness of Fred’s death last
pandemic. She says “I have done a lot of
and in Gregorian Chants at Mass. She
May from dementia, which he fought
reading, and Bill still enjoys his 25,000
awaits the end of COVID so she can
with dignity and courage for 10 years.
album record collection. We have
proceed with the piano recital she has
We had a small family memorial at
ventured out with caution with a few
ready.
our daughter’s house in Washington,
close friends for tea or wine or a meal,
with burial in Alexandria. I continue
but that’s about it. We are optimistic
gone through some big and difficult
Mary Lynne Chalfant Huggins has
to live in Ithaca but am now at our
that the situation will improve.”
changes in recent years. After husband
Sea Oaks home in Vero Beach, Fla.,
Jan Sutherland Guldbeck is well
Bob died in 2017, she sold the house
where sunshine, warmth, and many
in Rochester, N.Y., but doing a lot of
and moved to a beautiful retirement
friendships continue to sustain me. Our
caring for family members. Husband
community in nearby Matthews,
two wonderful daughters have been
Dick is recovering from December
N.C. She lost her beloved younger
unceasingly caring through this change
bypass surgery and daughter Eleanor is
daughter, Ellen, in November 2021
and those of COVID. All that and daily
awaiting a stem cell transplant.
after five years of arterial pulmonary
tennis games keep me active, cheered
hypertension. She sends love to all.
and moving forward. I’m a lucky gal all
California realty to Sun City, Ariz.,
in all.”
two years ago and is delighting in all
Jean Cotter Spaans and David defied the pandemic with a four-week Viking
Julie McMillan Daniels and Joe
Sarah Sydnor Talbot retired from
the activities there. Her favorites are
cruise from Barcelona to Buenos Aires
have booked a Viking Cruise for spring
dancing and card games. Her grands are
in the fall; daily PCR tests aboard kept
2022, and are keeping their fingers
marrying off, three during the pandemic
them safe. Son Jonny finished his
crossed that it won’t be cancelled. They
and one more coming up in June. She
doctorate at Hood College last May.
are also looking forward to the oldest
continues to mentor a 10-year old boy
The middle four grands are thriving in
granddaughter’s graduation from Duke
in foster care in California via FaceTime
college. Katie, the eldest, is working as
Law School in just a few
and monthly visits.
an R.N. locally, and 12-year-old Audrey is a talented ice skater. Joni Edwards Jones is finding life
Sara Rankin Stadler and Allan have
Ingrid Utech continues to enjoy
retired to Woodstock, Vermont and
writing for the Sebring, Fla., newspaper
revel in all the outdoor winter activities.
and preparing writing assignments
good in Annapolis. Many of her four
Son Justin is a tennis coach in New
for individuals and non-profit
children, 10 grands and five great-
York. He, along with daughter Amy and
organizations. She also serves as an
grands have had COVID, but all have
granddaughter Layla, joined them for
officer in the local Democratic Women’s
the 2021 holidays. Sara is an active
Club.
68 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
I, Anne Williams, am pinch hitting
awaiting news that two of our three
as class notes compiler this year. Chris
trips, which have been rescheduled
Hayes Moe has taken a well deserved
three times, will occur. We are up to
retirement. Heartfelt thanks to Chris for
date on Covid inoculations. The iffy
serving as class secretary for about half
trip is 14 days to Ireland in late June.
a century!
Recreational activities have taken a
As for my own news, I had my five
nosedive in 2021 with diagnoses of
minutes of fame at the start of the
arthritis in both hips. I do not rotate
pandemic as a puzzle historian on the
well, have no back swing and now have
CBS Sunday Morning Show. I caught
an index over 30! Our two Labradors
up with Leslie and Margaret last spring
have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and
during a quick trip to Virginia. July
have been replaced with a 21-pound
brought the big move to a senior living
Havanese bark machine named Dogan.
community just two miles from my
Our sense of humor keeps us going. Our
old house. I like the new place and am
two single adult children are employed
thrilled to be out from under home maintenance! I am so grateful to be reasonably healthy, retired with a steady
in the Seattle area but no grandchildren, Mary and Coach Bill Berry celebrating their 48th wedding anniversary.
but we now have a grand dog.” Dave Davidson writes: “After
income, and (at least so far) spared from
attending the celebration of Bill
all the devastation that COVID-19 has
Hunter's life in mid-October in
wreaked on our world.
Berlin, Md., along with Warren “Leo” Andrews, I ask that we all take a
1962 ST. STEPHEN'S
moment to remember our classmates
Doug Hotchkiss: dmhbythec@comcast.net
no longer with us: Randy Peyton,
John Williams: john.fulcrumpt@gmail.com
Jeff Mills, and Vic Woerheide, past teammates Chuck Shepherdson '61,
Both Joan and I, Doug Hotchkiss, got vaccinated early. Afterwards I went snowshoeing and cross-country skiing
Bob Lynch '64, John Tiedeman '61, Jim Howard '62 and his wife, Kathy, with their grandchildren on Christmas 2021.
to the White Mountains. We stayed at an oceanside resort on Cape Cod for my birthday in May. I played golf while Joanie visited with an old Skidmore classmate. This summer we attended a 55th mini reunion of my Bowdoin classmates in Maine where we enjoyed a traditional lobster bake. I also worked part-time interviewing households for the Census Bureau to generate statistics on housing in America. My golfing buddies now have formed The Polar Bear Golf Club which plays in any kind of weather. You can get an extra 40 yards on frozen fairways. That is great for us old guys. In addition, I volunteer as crew on the Schooner Adventure. It is a fully restored 120-foot dory fishingboat built in 1926. Like any wooden boat she requires lots of maintenance and TLC. Joanie still sits on the town board of health. They have spent many hours dealing with Covid issues and protocols. Fortunately, Manchester
and Coach Al “Sleepy” Thompson. May they all rest in peace.” David S. Bill writes: “All good with,
has experienced very few cases. And vaccination is almost 100%. I heard from Mary Berry, wife of former faculty member and football coach Bill Berry, who reported that Bill turned 90 on January 18. He is still mobile and active around their house of 20+ acres in the foothills of the Organ Mountains outside Las Cruces, N.M. Mary says they are thankful he still has the energy to putter and enjoy the fresh air. Coach Berry was the defensive coach of the 1960 I.A.C. championship football team which was undefeated and ranked 6th in the Va., Md., and D.C. area. In nine games they only had 20 points scored against them. The class of 1962 and the members of the 1960 team wish the Berrys all the best. If anyone would like to make contact with Coach, please email Mike O'Donnell or Doug Hotchkiss. Ben Bryce says: “As I write this, I am
2021 has been a good year. Navy beat Army that is all that counts. I am healthy, staying fit and playing golf. I traveled to the East Coast and spent a month in Rhode Island and in D.C. for a family reunion. Spent several months in San Diego and the Palm Springs area playing golf and visiting friends. Back in Pebble Beach for the holidays with my daughter's family. My grandsons, four and one, are my pride and joy!” John McRae says: “I suggest naming the next Covid mutation Xi, thereby bringing us full circle with the origin. We continue to do our part by hoarding toilet paper, paper towels, bottled water, Pop-Tarts, and Gummy Bears. The family has stayed healthy and happy. Vermont lockdowns prevented our usual winter cross-country trips. New Hampshire remained open and thrived. Two weeks hiking in Telluride, Colo., was superb. Still trading stocks/options,
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 69
CLASS NOTES and added bitcoin derivatives (but not NFTs).” Jim Howard says: “We had a
great—get out there and enjoy it.” Mike O'Donnell says not a whole lot
(Eastham). We plan now to increase this. I am still recovering from back
to report. “Pat and I go to lunch at one
surgery in early June 2021. Rehab is
wonderful Christmas celebration with
of five places and get carryout. We drive
taking some time now as I am trying to
the grandkids and their parents. It's
to the water and have lunch and feed
get back to my ability to walk several
nice to have these moments at the end
the waterfowl. I still do a lot of cartoons
miles at any time. I am up to a little over
of such a difficult year. Things are
and give or send them to people. I enjoy
a mile now.”
starting to get dicey again in Southern
giving them a laugh in these sad times.
California, but I hope that all is well at
Looking forward to getting together
a neuroscientist in Denver for the past
SSSAS!”
with my classmates for our reunion.
45 years. Deciding what I wanted to
Looks like we will have to wait till things
do when I grew up was not a straight
get a little better.”
path. I graduated from Princeton with
Landon Davis writes: “We are moving to a condo with no yard work. I am packing up the house since it is
Nick Hoskot reports: “We have
John Caldwell reports: “I have been
a degree in physics and then worked for
impossible to have anyone inside. I am
been living on a 37-acre ranchette we
the Naval Research Laboratory near the
immunocompromised so life as a hermit
purchased in 2009 near Moulton, Texas
Woodrow Wilson Bridge in D.C. for five
continues. Working on the yard, now
(population 800). Until 2017, except
years, mostly doing classified research
to get it in shape. Almost have given up
for the house/barn/horse pasture, it was
to detect submarines. Two important
inside but it will get done.”
a hay field. In 2017 we planted phase
decisions happened in those five years.
one of a three-phased olive tree project
I decided that I was more interested
with his family, which enjoyed a normal
and by 2020 we had approximately
in neuroscience than physics and I
Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.
8-10 acres planted with three varieties
met my wife (a nurse) on a blind date.
Their grandson, Gray, now seven,
of olives. Olives are normally ready to
We moved to St. Louis where I did my
is heavily into lacrosse and attends
harvest in three to five years. So, for
Ph.D. work at Washington University.
Alexandria Country Day School, while
the spring of 2020, we were ready to
We moved to Denver for postdoctoral
granddaughter Kira is busy learning
begin our first picking…until Valentine's
research and have been here ever since.
how to walk and is otherwise thriving.
Day (2/14/20) when the temperature
I am a professor at the University of
Both sets of parents have moved or plan
dropped to 10 degrees and basically
Colorado Medical School. We have
to move this year—daughter Alison and
froze everything above ground!
two sons, one who works at Goddard
husband Franz moved into a new house
Fortunately, almost all of the olive tree
Space Flight Center just outside the
in the Fort Hunt area while son Kenton
root balls survived and we now have
D.C. beltway and one who has a non-
and wife Hilary have newly relocated to
good growth sprouting throughout the
profit theater company in Los Angeles
N.W. Washington. John and Phylis are
grove. We're looking forward to getting
(socially good work with the blind,
distinctly enjoying having both families
olives by 2025. Plus, the horses, cats,
veterans, and underprivileged) and was
so close. John and classmate Doug
dogs, chickens, and ducks just shook
also the manager of bartenders at the
Hotchkiss enjoyed getting together at
off the cold as a minor inconvenience.
Playboy Mansion.”
Mystic Seaport this past summer for the
Oh, and I just bought a 'new' '83 Ford
boat show there.
tractor to complement the much smaller
“I have spent the last year as vice
John Williams reports that all is well
Warren Andrews says: “End of last
Robert K. (Kim) Fisher reports:
Kubota that we got in '05…the Ford is
president of my collegiate fraternity's
year I ran into David Bill, who was
72 hp vs 19 for the Kubota, a significant
housing corporation. That means
hosting an NFL alumnus gathering at
difference when using the blade or
I oversee answering the phone and
the Pebble Beach Country Club, great
pulling a shredder.”
figuring out how to solve a problem
fun. Last January I had 10 days in the
Dick Fisher reports: “After entering
related to one of the plethora of
beautiful Casa de Campo, Dominican
UVA, I started working for various
building operating systems or sudden
Republic, and in June a deluxe cruise
architects with a creditable start date for
utility fixture failures. I put my hand
to Western/Northern Iceland. I'll be
my licensure of 1965. I fully retired as
up and was volunteered for the job.
back in August for a land tour around
of Memorial Day weekend (2021) after
Fortunately, the sentence, er, uh,
the whole perimeter—fascinating
25 years of private practice, 22 years
term of office, is only eight years. It
country. In October I attended the
full time and 11 years part time with
has been an interesting trip down
memorial service for our classmate Bill
two State of Virginia agencies. For the
memory lane, considering I graduated
Hunter in Ocean City, Md. Went on a
last five year, Cathy and I have spent
in 1967, and completed graduate
2-week cruise in December through the
about 16 weeks between mid-March
school between 1981 and 1987.
Captivating Canary Islands off Western
and early November each year at our
Suffice it to say the undergraduates
Africa. Still painting and biking. Life is
house on the outer part of Cape Cod
of today are quite different. We knew
70 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
way more about many things dealing
summer and 298 in total. It is great fun
with hand and garden tools, but only
to build and continue building it.”
a sliver of what they know about
Good to hear from Davey Davidson,
electronically motivated entertainment
albeit in the sad circumstances of our
and communication devices. They are
loss of Bill Hunter.
better founded educationally for the
Jim Harris writes: “We were in
demands of a major university than I
Alexandria for 34 years and four years
was. Music, TV, and movie preference
ago decided it was time to move closer
are different, but we do prefer the same
to one of our children. Our son, who
food entrees three times daily. Now
lives in North Carolina, 'won the lottery,'
the issues faced by a major university
as our daughter lives in too-cold Ohio.
fraternal organization are much broader
We actually sold our house to two SSSAS
than those back in the mid-sixties. Guys
teachers! The North Carolina move has
today are generally well brought up and
been a good one for us, although there
have a pretty good ability to distinguish
are a few things we really miss about
right from and wrong, which is very
the D.C. area. Until Covid shut things
refreshing.”
down in 2020, we were active in our
Cabot Caskie reports: “I retired
local YMCA, joined a bridge club and
at the ripe old age of 56 after three
played regularly, supported the Durham
heart attacks and four abdominal
Bulls, ate at excellent restaurants, and
surgeries. Moved to Northern Virginia
attended local live theater. Sadly, we
to fish, crab, golf, and raise oysters.
both had serious Covid toward the end
Six years ago, my wife of 56 years
of 2020, but now we're vaccinated and
(Sara) and I moved to Hillsborough,
boosted and trying to be cautious. In the
N.C., to be under the observation of
virtual world I joined a men's book club
three of five children and four of eight
and continue to enjoy reading as much
grandchildren. I am a rabid Democrat
as I can. Carolyn continues her sewing
(yes, Davy!), a Nats and Caps fan, and
and quilting and singing (virtually).
will be a Washington Commanders fan
We see our son and his family weekly
again when ownership changes.”
and our daughter comes to visit every
John Oberdorfer reports: “We are doing well. Hunkered down in Washington and fortunate to be
month. We feel very fortunate with our lives.” Pete Hanes reports: “By God's grace
healthy. Leslie and I have a daughter
only, I am still teaching at Regent
and her family is in Stockholm for this
University, almost entirely online, and
academic year, but yhey usually live
I still greatly enjoy the opportunity to
here. Our son teaches at Churchill High
work and learn with my students and
in Montgomery County, where he, his
faculty colleagues. This is a challenging
wife, and 3-month-old daughter live. So,
time for the school of education, and
in total we have three hockey playing
I hope that the good Lord will help us
grandsons and one granddaughter,
respond well to the needs of both K-12
ranging in age from 3 months to 15
and higher education. I pray that Christ
years old. Leslie keeps our nuclear and
will keep all of us safe and well in the
larger family together. I jump in on that,
days ahead.”
watch movies at home, take walks, and
Bill Hannan reports that he is still
read. I spend most of my 'retired' time
living in San Francisco and enjoying
leading a thriving foundation affiliated
life.
with my old law firm. It is called the
Thomas Jensen reports: “I retired in
Squire Patton Boggs Foundation and
2003 after 30 years selling managed
provides fellowships to law students at
data network for Sprint. During those
19 law schools so they can do public
30 years my wife of nearly 50 years
interest work during their law school
raised two wonderful daughters, now
summers. We had 28 fellows last
both in their 40's, who in turn have
1963 classmates Thomas Margrave and Arnie Phillips catch up over lunch in Honolulu, Hawaii. given us three granddaughters 10 and 6 and the newest member of the clan, Jackson, age 6 months. All are quite healthy and live within five miles of us in Northern Virginia. Having retired, what do you do with all your time? Well, you buy a second home at 9000 feet altitude in western Colorado and spend nearly half your year fly fishing, mountain biking, downhill and Nordic skiing. Well, you get the picture. To keep up with all that activity I have just had a full right knee replacement.”
1963 ST. STEPHEN'S Thomas E. C. Margrave: tecmargrave@gmail.com Andrew Kreutzer writes: “Barbara and I have both retired to our lake house (now a rink house) in St. Albans, Maine, and are just three hours from our kids and grandkids in the Boston area. During the pandemic we have watched the rest of the country adapt to our normal lifestyle and enjoyed hosting our family and friends. We do stay in contact with our SSSAS classmates and lifelong friends...a tribute to the critical roles that SAS and SSS played and continue to play in our lives.” Thomas Edmund Clare Margrave reports: “I spent almost three weeks in Honolulu, Hawaii, and managed to have lunch with Arnie Phillips. It was great to catch up. I was visiting a friend SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 71
CLASS NOTES from high school years and will be going
She says it was “refreshing to tag along
my brother's wife. “We ate in outdoor
back to help with her recover from hip
to outdoor soccer matches and football
restaurants and brought in delicious
replacement.”
games where life seemed normal.”
meals. We girls went on bike rides-they
Granddaughter Brianna, Walda says, “is
on regular bikes, myself on a tricycle,
now 15 and plays saxophone in her high
that was a sight. Between the Guillain
school band. Her sister, Sarah Grace,
Barre and Covid, life has just become
is 12 and plays on a travel soccer team.
simpler.” We can see what a fighter this
She certainly didn't get her athletic
lady is! Carol, I know you will keep-on-
connect with so many of our classmates!
gene from me!” Walda, an accountant,
keepin' on!
Here's the “scoop!”
says she continues to retire a few of her
1963 ST. AGNES Margie Davenport: margieinva@gmail.com Hello Everyone! It was great to
Katherine Toepfer reports from
Althea Ball Morrissey says: “Busy
clients each year, but knows she will still
Charleston that she retired some years
and crazy says it all! Everyone in my
work two or three days a week during the
ago after 39 years of teaching middle
family is well. We enjoy San Diego
tax season. She finds her work on the
school and now spends a lot of time at
with the sun and watching the bay
South Carolina Board of Accountancy
home. She says she watches a lot of TV,
and ships. We have a second grandson
to be rewarding. This busy lady is also
goes walking in the neighborhood to get
born in July to our eldest son, a navy
treasurer of her neighborhood HOA,
out of the house, is doing well, and is
commander stationed just outside of
and even did a 4-hour continuing ed
very happy!
Memphis. He now has two daughters
webinar on Homeowners Associations.
as well as Zachary. We get to see our
She is also the Bible moderator for her
Stanford University four years ago,
three local grandkids more often (ages
monthly church circle. She says, “We
where she worked as a family therapist.
2, 3, and 5).” In Oct 2021, Althea says
are studying Elijah and Elisha and
“A few months later, my husband and
she became “pretty housebound” after
what they have to say about how to live
I moved from the Bay Area to Bend,
misjudging a step and breaking her left
in a world of apostasy. I am grateful
Ore., where our daughter and her
humerus. As of mid-January, Althea
that God has led me to serve in this
family live. I love the slower pace and
was still in a cast but had started PT.
capacity.”
the nearby access to trails where we
She says husband Richard is a “saint
Marilyn “Mimi” Hoppe says she has
Margy Britt Lim says she retired from
hike and snowshoe. Our son and his
and hero.” He “cooks and cleans and
retired from real estate, but still finds
family (two grandchildren, 3 and 5) are
we have even managed my contact
a lot to fill her days! She has been in
in the Bay Area and before Covid we
lens with three hands.” (Lucky girl!)
Scottsdale now for 34 where there were
visited frequently; less so since Covid,
To occupy her time Althea has “lots of
no freezes and it's beautiful every day.
sadly.” Margy's daughter lives “just
books to read and TV.” Barbara Wiles
Mimi can see the city from her home
around the corner” in Bend. Margy
Kreutzer tells us that she and Andy “are
and says, “I can look down and see the
stays out of trouble through community
in central Maine on a Lake with fish for
city and see the lights. I love it every
involvement, studying piano—by
the fly fisherman, boats, and water toys
day!”
zoom—and spending time with her
for visitors.” They are “enjoying life and
Carol Simon Leach seemed hesitant
3-year-old grandchild who lives just five
lobsters.” She says they are “doing well
to write saying, “it's just that life goes
during Covid, as the rest of the nation is
on without anything very monumental.”
adopting our life style.”
You may remember that a couple of
she was dealing with a mild case of
years ago she ended up with Guillain-
Covid. Due to that, she said she didn't
husband Mack had his first grandchild!
Barre. She says she will probably never
have much news to report. Although she
Daughter Kelly and her husband Gabe
walk the same and that “I have limited
usually has six or eight for Christmas
welcomed Abigail Elizabeth Takacs
use of my hands and arms.” But then
dinner, this year she only had one, her
in August. We drove up to New York
she continues to tell me all she is doing!
“platonic” friend and roommate, John.
to help out her first week and they
“I do about three hours of exercise a day
She says they “help each other in many
visited us before Thanksgiving. Mack
to keep mobile. The nice thing to come
different ways.”
FaceTimes frequently. Sadly, the new
out of it is that I started Equine Therapy
family has moved permanently to
and in better weather go once a week,
doing really well in all ways. I am too
Gabe's home outside of Toronto. Kelly
learning to ride FiFi.” Unfortunately,
busy doing the Granny Nanny thing
insists that it is no farther than New
early in November, she had a fall as
for my daughter Abby's family to be
York, but crossing an international
she started trotting for the first time is
a lonely, bored, useless widow! I deal
border these days is not a walk in the
better now and can't wait to give it a go
with bus pick up and drop off, provide
park. Walda has visited son Michael
again. Carol and Dennis went to Hilton
transportation, feed, and comfort when
and his family a few times in Alabama.
Head last May with her sister and
the parents are working. Abby is a
Walda Cornnell Wildman writes, “My
72 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
houses away! When I heard from Marion Macrae
Sara Godshall Peterson writes: “I am
terrific teacher and has been working
Sarah. Libby and Rebekah have had
vibrant and happy. She still is involved
all through the pandemic. Her school
the virus but did very well getting
with the National Day of Prayer and had
district was in person all through the
through it and the grandkids have
to run because she was off to participate
pandemic, but the kids' school was all
had it twice. Granddaughter Rachel
in her church's efforts to feed the poor!
virtual! Fortunately, dad was often able
is in the Army and lives in Hawaii.
to help with the technology. When she
During the pandemic, Libbie has been
are still enjoying our winter and spring
is at home doing FaceTime with the
attending virtual church services and
here in Florida, but spend summer and
teachers she coaches and I bring her
having Zoom Bunco games with church
fall between Woodbridge and our cabin
coffee. We kid that every working mom
friends! She has been getting out more
in Pennsylvania. We feel so fortunate.
should have a mom to take care of the
and is now taking a Dial-a-Ride to the
Autumn and Tom are still safe thank
home front.”
Senior Center for exercise classes and a
goodness. Our 15-year-old black and
Mary Tolbert Matheny writes:
social life! Libbie's son, Jamie, lives in
tan cocker, Katie, has issues but is doing
“The past year of my life has been
Palatka and has two kids, Autumn and
so well. You can imagine how much
mostly uneventful. For me personally
Bobby. Mary Anne Smith Gertson and
Lowell and I love her and she is so
(vaccinated & boosted), the pandemic
I have both gone for months without
spoiled (as she should be).”
has been little more than a long-term
a refrigerator due to supply issues!
inconvenience. One eventful thing
She says “I hope by the end of January
She had Covid but survived it well. She
did happen to me in October 2021
my refrigerator comes and I can start
still lives in Winston Salem and loves
while visiting my years of friends in
cooking and freezing food again.” She
it. Dagmar has two grandchildren—one
Louisville, Ky. Almost one year after
had Covid for Christmas through New
is in Hawaii at a surfing hotel and the
fracturing my pelvis in a fall, I fell
Year's Eve. She fared well, saying “I did
other one rides a hunter, a division
again, fracturing my right wrist, hand,
nothing but rest and sleep. It was like a
of horse showing in A-rated shows.
and two fingers. I am grateful to live
really bad head cold.” She had her right
Dagmar continues to do her artwork,
near many good friends who have
knee replaced in May and cataracts
which you can check out on Instagram
helped me with everything! Both my son
from both eyes removed and now has
(Designs by Dagmar). When we talked,
and his wife, Bhavya Lal, hold positions
perfect vision! (She brings to mind that
she had just sold 60 floor cloths to
in the Biden Administration in D.C.
this may be the perfect time, during
a Briard Club for their nationals. In
After teaching at the same school for 23
this “hiatus,” to go take the body in for
conversation she mentioned that she
years, my daughter in Pennsylvania has
repairs!) Mary Anne, who worked for the
made a Christmas skirt with lambs on it
begun working toward a master's degree
airlines for so many years, says she has
and thought of us. I went online to see
in clinical counseling of children and
not gone anywhere. “I really miss work
it and actually, it looks perfect for SAS
adolescents.”
and meeting so many different people.
alumnae!
Madeleine Long Tellekamp writes:
Louise Knox Livinghouse writes, “We
Dagmar Giffen Cosby is doing fine!
That was the best part of the job.” In her
Anne Bodman writes: “We've stayed
“My granddaughter brings me great
spare time, she “also opened up a small
mostly at home, finding pleasure in our
joy. She is 13 and is managing middle
HVAC company, just to have something
own company and with the dogs, and
school well. This is a different world
to do!” She surprised me by saying she
dutifully getting our shots. It's been a
from the one in which I matured.
is very glad for the really cold weather.
quiet year. We hope you have weathered
I wouldn't choose to be 13 today.
“I might head out to Sweden and visit
it well and will be ready to welcome
I actually cannot believe what is
some friends” and “in May I plan to
a happier 2022.” Anne tells of “the
happening in our country and in the
head to Alaska and take a cruise.”
excitement of felling the big dead tree
world. As I reflect on things that made
Stephanie Connor Pullen writes, “I
by our house” and says there was a “fire
me the person I am today, it occurs to
am living in Raleigh with my husband
me that I owe a huge debt of gratitude
of seven years and enjoying retirement.
to St. Agnes School. I was lucky and was
I am close to my daughter and only
finds the pandemic “very boring at
totally oblivious to the gifts the school
granddaughter who live in Cary, N.C.”
the moment.” She says, “I did tackle
showered on us. I wish God's blessings
Her whole family had Omicron. She
wine making in a small way, and my
on each of you. May 2022 inspire each
was very concerned that she hadn't
son presented me with '12 days of
of us to anticipate new challenges and
been able to reach her SAS bestie,
Cabernet,' some of which are quite
remember the past with thankfulness, a
Susan Walp, for over a year. Since both
good, and others, not so much.” Polly's
simple message.”
of us were concerned, we did some
son, James, is working for Luminar in
sleuthing...with success!
Orlando, helping them develop self-
Libbie Shackleford Mull lives in Tallahassee with daughter Rebekah and grandkids, Sam, Emmy and
I was happy to find and chat with Susan Walp French, who sounded
at our eastern edge that was scary!” Polly Hagan Sandridge says she
driving cars. She says, “my husband, Gerald, has been retired a couple of
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 73
CLASS NOTES years and is enjoying it by assisting in
I have with SAS ladies, though only by
friends in Tenn., Ohio, Del., and Va.
new developments by FlightSim, the
email and alumni news, mean so much.”
“Got to see Donnie Wintermute, Ann
computer flying people. He came down
(She adds that she is happy to host any
Spitler, Candy and Anne Kreutzer!
with Covid on Christmas Eve, so our
lamb who makes it to the Columbia
What a joy to be OUT! By this last fall
Christmas celebration had to be put
vicinity”)
we were itching to get back to a more
off considerably. We had Christmas
From our first reunion years ago, I
normal life so we returned to Italy in
beef and New Year's black-eyed peas
remember, to my surprise, that in seeing
the fall and stayed until mid-December.
in the same meal.” Polly says Gerald
our classmates again, I had a feeling of
Seeing Samantha after two years was
is fine now but has some “lingering
family. Let's plan to be together again
a priority. We have the resulting Covid
problems with taste and smell.” About
in 2023! There are more stories to tell,
charity cookbooks to prove it! Had a
herself, Polly says, “I am trying to stay
more laughs to have, and more hugs to
really terrific time over Thanksgiving
busy any way I can, book clubs, yoga,
give! Be safe, be happy, stay in touch
entertaining friends from all over the
volunteering at the library, reading,
and God bless!
world who had planned to be there for a
exploring local parks, and puttering around in the yard. Norvell Jones reports: “Bob and I are
1965 ST. AGNES Lee Vosper Dorman: lvn4smr@comcast.net
well, Covid free and vaccinated, and still hunkered down at our apartment
wedding that changed into a celebration of support and friendship. We thought we would be spending Christmas there until our visa ran out, so we came home
Hello from the St. Agnes Class of
to spend a quiet holiday with a few
across from Lake Barcroft with
1965! This past year has been one
dear friends and son Drew. Now we are
occasional forays back to West Virginia
for the book for me! In May I fell and
looking forward to returning in March.
to check on things at the house. I read,
broke my right tibia, was unable to
I will go to London to play with Sam
sew a bit, cook, and have started writing
walk or do much of anything until
for a couple weeks, take a very delayed
poetry again after a 55-year break. It is
October. I learned how to order almost
river cruise down the Rhône with a dear
fun. There is something contemplative
anything online and the Amazon
friend, six weeks in Firenze, and then
about all this. I have recently been
crew and I are on a first name basis!
in May off to another delayed tour of
thinking of you all, and what a strong
I became close with my various
castles, food, and whiskey in Southern
and interesting group of women we have
therapists and continued to exceed their
Ireland with USNA classmates arranged
turned out to be.”
expectations as to my individual goals!
by a dear foodie friend from Calif.”
I, Margie Fifer Davenport, am still
In October after two vaccinations, I was
Elizabeth Shortley Rogers reports:
living in the Charlottesville area. I
hospitalized for six days with internal
“I am still taking care of my husband
continue to represent USA Pickleball
infections and back in the hospital for
at home with his Alzheimer's. It can be
as an “ambassador,” but obviously
two different bouts with pneumonia
rough at times but as long as I can keep
things have slowed down due to the
from Delta Covid. My doctor told me
him home, the better. We have been
virus and because I had a knee injury
that the only reason I am still alive,
almost hibernating due to Covid only
followed by a back injury! I am working
in her opinion, is because I did have
going out to run a few errands, and have
at getting back on the court as outdoor
two vaccines! I learned how to order
not gotten sick. I do miss traveling and
play continues! I maintain my associate
groceries and drive to the store, pull
have hopes for future trips. I am still
brokers license for real estate but I just
in to a designated spot, and have my
busy working for Wells Fargo (yes, I am
do referrals now. I'm finally going to sell
groceries placed in my car! I am getting
74 and have not retired!) and doing my
my sailboat. At this point, I want to get
pretty handy with cooking and have
decorating projects. My latest project is
back to some artistic endeavors. I have a
this really cute, smart seven-year-old
new carpet for the house and hardwood
picture hanging on my wall from when
granddaughter as my able sous chef.
flooring on all the stairs (with a runner)
I was 12. Pretty good, I'd say, except I
Dodging Covid quarantine has become
and in the first level hall. The carpet
think Mrs. Downs, the SAS art teacher,
the new game here! I am still teaching
definitely needed replacing because
probably helped me with it! Still, I have
and going strong.
of our Great Pyrenees dog and three
often wanted to paint and write, but
Missy Huggins and her husband,
kitties. I also love feeding two feral
pickleball has taken up all my hours. As
Roberto/Hugs, continued to spend
kitties one block away each night at
they say, “Times-a-wastin.”
as much time as possible in daughter
our neighbors. Their house is on the
Samatha's apartment in Firenze. She
water so the sunsets are magnificent,
Walda Cornell, that I think we all feel.
did a LOT of therapeutic cooking and
an added pleasure! Luckily last year we
She says, “I treasure my time at SAS and
enjoyed lovely car trips in July seeing
had no hurricanes in the Outer Banks,
the ladies in our class of '63. As we get
many family members and longtime
N.C. Tourists came here last season
I want to close with a note from
to senior citizen “elderly” status, the ties
74 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
setting records, most probably as a
result of Covid. Our town had too much
Zoom, but hopes we won't have to look
traffic and restaurants were full, but no
at that little picture of ourselves at the
complaints as they keep our economy
top of the screen much longer!
going.”
Margie Dumas Worden was also able
Sally Jones Brodie says, “Lawrence
to have lunch with Chris and said they
and I moved into our new small home
shared many laughs about our SAS
on the Indian River Lagoon in Jensen
days. Margie said she always loved the
Beach, Fla., three years ago. We have
Christmas program and “singing all
2.5 acres, which I have turned into
Carter Flemming '66 with her family.
a native plant park, so we have had wonderful air and nature to get us through these difficult times. We are happy and healthy.” Jane (Tinka) Adams reports: “This year has been quiet for both Dan and I. My oldest granddaughter is graduating from college with a major in theater arts. I am still working but will stop in a few months. Still dance when I can move my knees. I would love to see everyone but travel is still a nightmare these days. I'll have to buy an SUV and drive everywhere.” Susan K. Haggerty and Jane Matthais wish everyone contentment, joy, and good health in 2022. Anne Kreutzer reports: “All members of our family, save the ineligible 3-yearold twins, have been vaccinated, and are very careful. My son and his wife, who own a plumbing business in Carrboro, N.C., were concerned that the virus could wipe out their business. Fortunately, they were able to get all 12 plumbers vaccinated and until December no one had gotten it. As I write this on January 1, two more have been infected, so they are worried. All three had thrown caution to the wind and attended holiday events. No travel to speak of during all this, but a Viking cruise originally scheduled for June 2020 is rescheduled for second time, now for 2022. Clueless if it will take place.” Sad news from Annie Davis Spitler, as she lost her husband, Glenn, in early September and her brother, John, in late October. Her happy news was the birth of her first grandchild, Tucker, to son Glenn and his wife, Mollye.
those songs like “Dona Nobis Pacem” in Latin, and others in French. Margie reports that granddaughter Taylor is
1966 St. Agnes
now an assistant lacrosse coach at Elon
Carter Flemming: carterflemming@gmail.com
inherited the coaching gene from her
I hope by the time you are reading this we will have had a successful 55th Reunion in April. Covid has delayed or canceled so many events for all of us, but if we can come through with our health, we can consider ourselves very lucky. Leslie Ferrell Kauffmann was finally able to travel to the U.S. in July to meet their first two grandchildren. Son Alex welcomed Santiago and daughter Ana welcomed Elena. They were able to return to the U.S. for the arrival of their third grandchild, Gabriel (GG). As Leslie reports, “being able to stay well this year and meet their grandchildren makes any other news insignificant in comparison.” Star Bales Alterman was able to go to Miami to see Leslie during her visit and got to meet Elena and GG, whom Star says are “adorable.” Star and her husband, Hal, have been able to travel to Conn., to see their own adorable 3 grandchildren. I enjoyed lunch with Chris Motley when she came to D.C. to visit their son, Daniel. Chris continues her fantastic fiber art work and loves being able to spend time with her three grandchildren, who now live two blocks from her house. Chris' daughter, Catherine, who has worked for JP Morgan in Manhattan for many years, was asked to work in their San Francisco office for a period of time, much to the delight of Chris and her husband, Neil. Like many of us, Chris is thankful for
University. It appears that Taylor has grandfather, Jimmy, who was a longtime basketball coach at TC Williams, now renamed Alexandria City High School. Susan Whittington writes that she and her husband were able to travel to Paris and London in November and had a great time. April is their 40th wedding anniversary and they have planned a trip to Italy. Erica Kessler Lodish retired from Georgetown Prep in June 2021 and moved to Lafayette, Calif., (near Berkeley) to be closer to her family. Her daughter, Maya, lives in Berkeley with her husband and their two daughters. Erica's brother, Michael, lives in Sacramento. The decision to leave the D.C. area was hard, but after her mother died, Erica decided it was time to relocate. Gina McKinnon reports all is well with her and “her SAS connections from a long time ago are special and she looks forward to our reunion.” Diane Haldane says she and husband Dick are spending the winter in Fla., as they usually do. Last summer they took a road trip to Montana, stopping at the Badlands, Black Hills, and Teddy Roosevelt National Park. She said all of that was amazing, but the most interesting drive they took was through Ted Turner's ranch south of Bozeman, where he has amazing herds of bison along with elk, deer, and wolves. Petey Cosby continues to enjoy retirement in Annapolis. Her daughter and family live nearby in Davidsonville,
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 75
CLASS NOTES Md., and son Will and his family live
wedding anniversary last year. Their
to hear from anyone visiting the Denver
in Winchester, so it is fun to have
daughters are thriving in their careers–
area!”
grandchildren nearby. She “values
Ariel is an animator with a show in
continued relationships with her SAS
production and Mallin is teaching first
own Jill Strachen has published a
alums” and is looking forward to our
grade. Read more about Connie on p. 40.
memoir, “Waterfalls, The Moon and
next reunion. Lee Vosbeck continues to work in
Liz Anglin Simmonds writes that
Another author in our midst! Our
Sensible Shoes: One Lesbian Life.”
her travel schedule with husband Terry
Beth Grosvenor Boland and Elizabeth
property management for McEnearney.
was put on hold last year when Terry
Herbert Cottrell were honored to be beta
She sadly lost her father at age 97 in
flunked a routine EKG which led to
readers and can recommend it highly.
December.
open heart surgery with five bypasses
Robin Coffin Sadler welcomed
Jeanette Tracy reports that she and
last September. She writes that Terry is
another grandchild, Elinor Wilson
husband John are enjoying retirement
finally starting to feel better after three
Cople, born on January 12, 2022.
while “doing all we can to stay safe and
months of recovery. They have stayed
“She joins her two-year-old brother,
healthy.” Tracy's mother just celebrated
busy with their volunteer activities and
Benton, and moms Trelsie and Sydney.
her 100th birthday and is able to live
have high hopes for 2022, starting with
I just bought a house in Boulder
at home with caregivers. She is quite a
a trip in their trusty Tin Lizzie RV to
where they live, so that Bob and I can
remarkable lady.
the Creole Nature Trail in Louisiana
commute from Florida and watch our
and up the Natchez Trace. They also
grandchildren grow up.”
Sara “Pinky” Caples writes that her architectural firm has been “insanely
hope to see their grandchildren at a May
busy” this past year on projects from
wedding after two years of not seeing
was also a momentous year—50 years
new high school and college buildings
them.
of married bliss to Tom. We escaped to
in Brooklyn to finally completing the
Ann Martyn has found that music has
Jane Grenfell Duffy reports: “2021
central Italy in November managing all
Louis Armstrong Museum this spring.
been a great help to “scatter the feelings
the Covid protocols—great time and no
Pinky and her husband, Everado, were
of isolation” during the pandemic.
crowds. We were also able to travel to
the Davenport Professors at the Yale
She still sings and works on pieces on
see son Matt graduate from law school
School of Architecture last spring. Pinky
the piano and guitar with neighbors
and watch our oldest granddaughter,
is busy finishing the first draft of a book
and friends, albeit with one friend at a
Grace, 'virtually' graduate from a local
entitled, “Many Voices: Social Equity in
time. She and Frank continue to enjoy
high school this year. We still love
Architecture” to be published by RIBA
music together and Ann will have a hip
being in Charlottesville with our two
this October. Pinky and her husband
“renovation” in February.
daughters and five grandkids nearby.
are redoing their apartment of over
And I, Carter Dudley Flemming,
I was able to keep up my work with
40 years for the fourth time, since like
continue with my civic and volunteer
students with learning challenges in
many people, working at home made
activities, while Mike continues to
and out of schools throughout the year,
them rethink how they live. Their son,
work, though retirement is now on the
very thankful for vaccines.”
Esteban, is 32 and a successful artist.
horizon for him. We feel very lucky to
Another artistic and talented
Beth Grosvenor Boland reports:
have been able to see our grandchildren
“Like many of us, I'm sure, my favorite
classmate, Connie Mallinson, continues
a few times over the last two years of
thing about 2021—at least while Covid
her highly successful career as an artist
the pandemic, and hope to share many
abated—was the ability to gather in
with a heavy exhibition schedule as
more family times together once Covid
person with family and friends again,
well as writing and curating. In a recent
loosens its grip on all of us. Stay safe
which for me included many Saint
interview in the art magazine, Artillery,
and healthy!
Agnes sisters. Elizabeth Herbert
Connie discusses her current artistic style as successfully using both abstract
1967 ST. AGNES
and representational figuration, which
Alice Reno Malone: tammyarm@aol.com
have been thought to be in opposition
Cottrell and I met for lunch several times, each driving halfway between our respective suburban D.C. and Shenandoah Valley homes. In June
to one another, to create paintings that
KC Church reports: “2021 turned
reflect our world of climate change and
into a worse year than 2020 when my
spend several fun days visiting Vicki
excessive trash. And the Lamb's Tale
then 31-year-old son was found to have
Smith Wadlow and her husband.
staff can take credit for recognizing
colon cancer. The good news is that six
Connie's talents at SAS and using her
months of chemo and three surgeries
“Life is good here in the Shenandoah
Winnie the Pooh drawings as the theme
later, he is now well! It's been a draining
Valley. Even in the midst of a pandemic,
for our 1966 yearbook! Connie and her
year, but I kept my sanity by playing lots
I find so much for which to be thankful,
husband, Eric, celebrated their 50th
of pickleball when possible and online
not the least being my SAS classmates!
bridge, otherwise all is good. Would love
Beth Grosvenor Boland and I have
76 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
Frank and I drove to North Carolina to
Elizabeth Herbert Cottrell reports,
1967 classmates Elizabeth Herbert Cottrell and Beth Grosvenor Boland
Vicki Smith Wadlow '67, Clark Wadlow, Frank Boland, Beth Grosvenor Boland '67 in North Carolina.
Betsy Peters '67and Alice Meyer '67
Alice Reno Malone '67, Kathleen Malone Gallen, Virginia Malone in Nantucket.
1967 classmates Beth Grosvenor Boland, Deborah Androus, Genie Mallinson Applegate, Betty Mills, Alice Meyer, and Jane Grenfell Duffy at Celebration of Life for Melisssa McDowell Stevens.
managed a couple of in-person lunches and Pamela MacRae-Dux is wonderful about staying in touch by phone.” Laura Hannan Price says, “Hope all is well with y'all. Fine here. Have a new pup, Jigger, a red Wheaten Scottish Terrier.” Robin Hirst reports: “Eric Ericson and I got married in a tiny wedding in the front yard garden on June 26, 2021. He is a master woodworker and his work is displayed in museums and the Library of Congress. All the hand carving, hand forging, and hand hewn work is his—very high-end interior designer pieces. We are in the process of building a workshop on the farm for his private commissions. I am learning a lot from him.” Christine Holter Reynolds has pursued varied careers, including nursing, carpentry, interior design, and book binding, but most especially Granny-nanny for Erik while his parents worked. The past six years she has been volunteering at River Bend Park along the Potomac, specifically picking up trash. “It's horrifying what people do with their discarded debris. To date, I've found two refrigerators and a bag of human cremains. Yikes! In the meantime, I've built two buildings in my yard and 200 sq. ft.+ of decking rebuilt with my three grandsons during the summer of 2020.” Betsy Knox Peters reports: “St. Agnes instilled in me the love of learning and perhaps adventure. I've tried to learn something new each year. Here's my list: how to ski (still do and love it), play bridge and tennis, travel, historical preservation, epidemiological studies
through a job, not a formal degree, and right now how to make my dogs behave.” Genie Mallinson Applegate says: “We are still enjoying the move to our 'new' 300-year-old colonial house on the North River in Gloucester, Va. We enjoy being there with Rocky and Molly, two Great Pyrenees mixes who literally wandered into our lives last February. I spend most of my time in the garden, growing primarily weeds, daffodils, and daylilies. I also still knit. I do get up to Northern Virginia to work a few days about twice a month and to see our son, Austen, so reunions/get-togethers are often possible.” Pamela McRae-Dux says: “I am happy to report good news for our household
Crystal Wampler Span '67 with husband Robert on their 50th wedding anniversary
this year. While 2021 has been another Covid year, Jon and I continue to enjoy Missouri. I started 2021 in a new art room in the house and published a number of books available on Amazon.” Alice Meyer says: “Last year marked a year of transition and reconnection for me. I retired as a mentor at Suncoast Hospice after 18 years and now work part time in the IT department, still focusing on helping clinical staff with our EMR rollout. I still live in St. Petersburg, Fla., near my daughter and
her husband and cousins in Tampa. Last summer I visited Betsy Knox Peters and her husband outside of McCall, Idaho, overlooking a river and surrounded by mountains. It was such fun to be together again reminiscing, taking pictures, cooking delicious meals, and laughing—lots of laughter. While Lissa Stevens's death was a sad event, her celebration of life brought many of us together again in Virginia. SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 77
CLASS NOTES clinic, then I had appendicitis surgery... stress and anxiety driven. In August I had eye lens replacement surgery and four months of dry eye ensued. My family is well and we live in a beautiful part of Caledon, Ontario, with plenty of country to hike. Having Christmas with my family was precious.” Marcia Williams says: “I'm moving 20th Reunion of the St. Agnes Class of 1968 in May 1988
Susan Snodgrass Wynne '68 with her family in Woodstock, Vermont.
from Mississippi to a Birmingham, Ala., suburb called Alabaster to be close to my brother's family. As you all know, at our age we start having health concerns and though I am fine, I do not want to be a burden on my friends. However, I have no problem being a burden on my brother...that's what siblings are there for. I think about all of you and realize daily how much you mean to me.” Mary Anne Warner says: “The only
25th Reunion of the St. Agnes Class of 1968 in October 1993.
Susan Snodgrass Wynne '68 and her husband, Dubby, with their six grandchildren at Christmas.
news I have fit to print is that David and I have had a studio at the Torpedo Factory since January. It has been a
She was always keeping us in touch with each other and it felt like she was
to be fully vaccinated!” Crystal Wampler Span reports:
there through our shared stories and
“We celebrated our 50th wedding
memories. I loved being with my SAS
anniversary in May—in love and loving
classmates again!”
New Hampshire!”
lot of fun talking with people from all over the U.S. and the world. We're all wearing masks so you don't really get to see their reactions to the art work. Sales have been slow, but steady. Son Warner has passed the Virginia Bar
Becky Orme Russell reports: “I
A Celebration of Life for Melissa
continue to live in Roanoke with my
McDowell Stevens who died on April
husband of 50 years, Bill, whom I met
19, 2020 was held in Arlington in
at a senior dance at St. Agnes. I got a
November 2021. Deborah Androus,
bachelor's in English from Hollins and
Jane Grenfell Duffy, Beth Grosvenor
a masters of education in reading from
Boland, Genie Mallinson Applegate,
the University of South Carolina. After
Alice Meyer, and Betty Mills
almost 10 years of secretarial work
represented our class.
Covid and back surgery Harriet had this
our three children. All three live in the
1968 ST. AGNES
now expecting a first grandson in April
Roanoke area so we're thrilled to be able
Barbara Leonard: bbleonard7@gmail.com
and teaching, I stayed home to raise
to see them frequently, as well as our daughter-in-law and grandson.” Alice Reno Malone says: “All is well in
Sherrie Rook says: “My activities during the pandemic have been
Charlottesville. Jim is back to teaching
limited to say the least. I walk, read,
in person at UVA Law and I am trying to
visit museums when they are open,
catch up on things that didn't get done
and keep in touch with friends and
in the past two years because of work
neighbors.” Sherrie also mentioned that
on my Dartmouth class's 50th reunion
she stumbled upon two of the St. Agnes
book—all 1,032 pages of it in color and
1968 reunion photos in her albums.
hardback! All-nighters don't get any
Denya Clarke says: “2021 was not
easier as you age! Excited to report that
kind to me. I lost my precious Jack
daughter Katie married James Gallen
Russell Terrier, Gamble. My daughter
on October 9, 2021. We dodged Covid
and son-in-law both had Covid in
completely, requiring all who attended
January. I volunteered at our vaccine
78 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
and is looking for a job on The Hill.” Visit maryannewarner.com to see her artwork. It seems Harriet Sewell and Bob have been canceling trips, including a fishing expedition to the Bahamas, due to winter. Son Andrew married and she's and is “over the moon.” She has taken up piano again and loves it. I remember how really good she was way back 60 years ago. Holley Del Giudice says: “My third grandchild, Ena, was born in June at only 25 weeks. After weeks in neonatal ICU followed by the preemie ward she came home in September. Ena is healthy on target for a baby of her adjusted age. Our two other grandchildren, Naoki (10) and Émilie (14 mos), are a joy for Gilbert and me, so we babysit whenever possible! Last year we mostly ate, read, and bingewatched like the old folks we are, when
JULIA MURRAY '69
the Czech Republic, Portugal (Azores
hurrah as she plans to retire in June.
and Madeira Islands), New York, and
Beyond that, she is looking forward
Missouri, all to do with grapevines.
to playing golf regularly and offering
Filming a possible prequel to the film
math tutoring. Last year's major project
Vitis Prohibita about repatriating the
of renovating her parents' home is
Cunningham grape, one of two native
complete, and Cindy says she's grateful
Virginia wine varieties back home. It is
for a great tenant who helped clear the
a Morton family grape and can come
way after the big snowfall there! Best
back to our family vineyard at Morland
pet-buddies Jojo and two kitties have
(morlandfarm.com) after being liberated
provided lots of good company this past
in a few years from USDA quarantine at
year as well.
Cornell. My girls, Katie in D.C. and Julie in San Francisco.”
After many years of research and writing, Julia Murray's latest book, “The Aura of Confucius,” on the use of relics and images in the veneration of Confucius, has been published by Cambridge University Press. Julie says, “I reconstruct the suppressed history and features of a shrine that was built near Shanghai, at a place where his robe and cap were allegedly buried over 1,000 years after his death. The topic is a bit controversial, since standard accounts nowadays downplay the religious aspects of Confucianism, but my unconventional approach would not surprise my St. Agnes classmates!” Julia is an emeritus professor in Chinese art at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
not babysitting. I've taken up piano again after 40 years, taking German in view of a future trip, doing Pilates, and walking to avoid the worst consequences of all that eating. My sons live in Nice, have lovely wives, steady jobs, and sweet kids. I slipped and fell off a 10-foot ledge and tumbled down a hill while out power walking with friends. I got off with only a fractured vertebra, but I am mending and by the time this is published should be fit again.” Lucie Morton Garrett says: “My hope is to travel this year to California,
Linda Bauknight Franklin happily reports that she and her husband, Fred,
Helen St. John says: “I am singing
are enjoying their new “downsized” life
again. The (National) Cathedral Choral
in Venice, Fla. She adds, “We have great
Society, which is celebrating its 80th
peace of mind and don't plan to ever
anniversary, resumed masked rehearsals
move again. We hope to get out more
in October and gave its annual
in 2022. Most importantly, we are so
Christmas concerts in December, just
excited about our class's 50th reunion!”
before the new surge. The so-called
Linda and Margaret Goldstein Janney
Zoom concerts were just a screen full of
continue to be in close touch. Margaret
singers singing solos—unsatisfying.”
drove up to Venice from Naples, Fla., to
Mary Leslie reports that she and
spend several days with Linda and Fred
Dick had an interesting trip to Virginia
over Thanksgiving. Betsy Brownfield
last fall, a history tour that included
Fay enjoyed the chance to connect with
Winchester, Richmond, Middleburg,
Stephanie Yeonas Ellis last summer
and more, and also went to see their
while Betsy was visiting family on the
kids in Boston and Atlanta.
East Coast.
Susan Snodgrass Wynne is fortunate
Betsy and I, Edie Beardall Weller,
to live near sons and their families,
live about an hour's drive from each
including six grandchildren. She has
other and have also been blessed with
been fundraising for a pediatric mental
chances to get together over the past
health facility near Norfolk, and for
year. It's been pretty amazing for us
hospice in Virginia Beach. She is also
to have seen each other's family “grow
co-chairing her 50th Sweet Briar
up” and to welcome two beautiful
College reunion.
grandchildren into the mix. At the
Barbara Leonard writes: “We bought
turn of this new year, I'm grateful to
and sold a house during Covid, moved,
say that all in my clan are relatively
settled into a new community, and
healthy and adapting as needed in this
we're starting to meet new friends. Love
unusual time. I continue to be fairly
the peace of living outside of the D.C.
involved in volunteer ministry and give
area! I have four grandchildren, one on
thanks for all the ways people have
the way, all living far away in Denver,
created community and helped one
Austin, and Seattle.”
another out. I'm delighted to share that
1972 ST. AGNES Edie Beardall Weller: ebweller53@Q.com
several members of our class worked energetically on plans for our 50th Reunion celebration in late April. We were very excited and, honestly, a bit
Greetings to all from SAS '72! It's been good to hear from several of you after
incredulous that it's been 50 years since we graduated!
another unique year for everybody. Cindy Peake is teaching Algebra 1 and 2 at Elizabeth Seton High School in Maryland, but said this will be her last SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 79
CLASS NOTES
Marion Dawson Robinette '73 with her husband, Dan. Dr. Terri Shelton '73 with granddaughter Riley.
Jane Kincheloe Wiles '73 with her grandson, Anderson.
Madeline Flagler '73 with granddaughter, Olivia. Meg Babyak Tucker '73 and her grandchildren.
1973 ST. AGNES Marion Robinette: marion.robinette79@gmail.com Greetings from Maryland's Eastern Shore where Dan and I, Marion Robinette, continue to reside and enjoy life that has returned to somewhat normal, well, kind of, sort of, despite the occasional Covid variant popping up. I'm still busy with our two long haired dachshunds. 7-year-old Stanley and I ring the Salvation Army bell at Christmas at the local Ace Hardware store with a friend who has a beautiful Sheltie. We raise a lot of money because of the dogs. Stanley is now competing in agility trials in the novice division with his novice handler (me). We have a lot of fun and continue to take classes at the Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club. Jeter is doing scent work and starting agility. I am now regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Samuel Chase Chapter here in Salisbury. Suzanne Ives Dunkley says that she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer last summer, but is very happy to report 80 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
1973 classmates Liz Bostock, Emily Cole, Jane Kincheloe Wiles, Annie Groves Odell, Marion Dawson Robinette, and Leslie Treece Fairbairn. that a relatively new medication has been extremely effective, resulting in a normal level of a particular cancer marker in the blood. We have been praying for Suzanne and excited for her progress. Suzanne wants to emphasize our class text group has been a tremendous boon of support to her and it is an easy way to stay in touch. Jane Kincheloe Wiles is a new grandmother, Gigi, and reports that besides babysitting her precious grandson, Anderson, at the drop of a hat, Paradise Springs Winery is growing again! This year they bought a large vineyard/farm outside of Charlottesville, Va., where they plan to plant more grapes under the supervision of alumna Lucy Morton Garrett '68. Their third tasting room will open sometime in 2022! Meanwhile their Solace Brewing Co. is opening its third location any day now—another brew pub near the Nationals Stadium in Washington, D.C. Go see them! I can have made several visits to Paradise Springs Winery and can report that the wine is excellent and
the winery is lots of fun to visit. Leslie Treece Fairbairn, our official class travel agent, is always ready to organize a class get together. She arranged several gatherings at Paradise Springs Winery this past year, including a fun time with her, Jane Kincheloe Wiles, Cary Reardon Nunnally, Karen Claussen Shields and her husband Mark. On another occasion we welcomed Pam Brislin and husband Mark. On the Fourth of July weekend we got together in Alexandria with Annie Groves Odell, Emily Cole, Liz Bostick, Jane Kincheloe Wiles, Leslie Treece Fairbairn, and me! Annie's husband made a very brief appearance and then headed off with a childhood friend. Madeline Cooley Flagler is a new grandmother, welcoming Olivia in March. Terri Shelton welcomed granddaughter Riley in November. Of course, I am thrilled for two future Camp Alleghany campers! Pembroke Moreau Roeder retired from the U.S.A.F. civil service after 10 years, which was preceded by two years as a contractor and 28 years in uniform for the same employer. She is living in
Bossier City/Shreveport, La., for the
big wedding celebration in August in
foreseeable future. She plans to spend
Atlantic Beach, N.C. Sharon's first
more time volunteering at the Renesting
grandbaby, Grove, arrived in July.
Project, becoming a master baker, and traveling if Covid ever goes away. Sarah G. Utke-Ramsing Herron
I also have wedding and baby news. My son, Wrightson, was married in September and my daughter, Laura,
retired from the Salt Lake school district
and her husband welcomed my first
after 21 years as a secondary teacher
grandchild, Madison, in December.
librarian and moved with husband Lee to Bozeman, Mont., to enjoy skiing,
1976 ST. AGNES
hiking, and fishing. Unfortunately, Lee
Melissa Ulsaker Maas: mmass@sssas.org
passed away from FTD-ALS a year after they moved. Sarah is excited to explore
Mary Connally and husband Bob
Montana though without her best
are looking forward to the wedding
friend.
of their daughter, Miranda Martini,
Liz Bostck is still in private practice
to Will Tenney in November 2022 in
as a licensed clinical social worker in
Newport, R.I. Mary writes: “Miranda
Alexandria. She was finally able to
handles marketing for the Private
visit her two granddaughters, Rowyn
Wealth Management group at Goldman
and Remington, in California this past
Sachs in NYC. Will was just named to
summer.
Forbes's 30 Under 30 List in music for
1975 ST. AGNES Effie Dawson: effiedawson00@gmail.com
Christina Larson '76 and husband Mike Unwin
2022. Among his many ventures, Will is founder of SunPop Music, a NYCbased record label and management consulting company that has
Our class had a wonderful virtual reunion in the spring of 2021. It would have been nice to meet in person, but
independently sold more than 200,000 records.” Nancy Combs Cook married Jim
the Zoom evening allowed for some
Cook on November 11, 2021 at Trinity
who would not have made it. As Betty
Bible Church in Severna, Md. It was
Boatwright Crowley said afterward, we
a small wedding followed by a lively
all “could have talked all night.” Many
dinner at Café Mezzanotte. An SAS/
thanks to Mary Gotschall and Jan de
SSS table included Saints friends and
Regt for organizing this. Betty's big
spouses Susan Archer DeVine and
news is that she is retiring after this
husband Mike, Stacy Holleder Jones
school year. She's been teaching for 15
and husband Carter '75, Ruth Hazel
years and said it's been a wonderful
Little, Herb Hughes '76 and wife
second career and that she is looking
Tammy, and Nancy's brother Pete
toward her next chapter.
Combs '79 and fiancée Kim Marie.
Marie Toler Raney checked in from
Cate Dean reports that little has
Mexico. She and her husband enjoy
changed for her. Her veterinarian
a “double life,” half the year in the
practice continues to be very busy,
hot watery parts of Mexico on their
with everyone getting pets during the
sailboat “Eurybia,” and the other half
pandemic. She and husband Hillary are
in the dry warmth of central Mexico
empty nesters, leaving her wondering
at their house Casa Caprichosa in
how to stop cooking “for five people, the
San Miguel de Allende. They also get
struggle is real!”
back to Washington state each year to
Christina Larson wrote that she
see grandkids Killian (3) and Amelie
and husband Mike Unwin traveled
(2). You can follow their travels at
quite a bit in the southwest in 2021,
SailingEurybia.com.
including Utah, Colorado, and New
Sharon Snow Nicholson had a busy year, with her son Henry having a
The Bloom/Maas Family: Brent Maas, Melissa Ulsaker Maas '76, Alex Bloom '11, and Jameson Bloom '13
Mexico. “Some of the most beautiful and interesting landscapes I've ever
SAS and SSS alumni guests at Nancy Combs Cook's '76 wedding, (seated) Carter '76 and Stacey Holleder Jones '76, Mike and Susan Archer Devine '76, (standing) Ruth Hazel Little '76, Herb Hughes '76 and wife Tammy, Jim and Nancy Cook seen. We managed to travel the entire month of September. We have never been away from home that long! We just love hiking and being outdoors. I love retirement!” Amy Goers Rhodes says her life is all about “grandchildren, grandchildren, grandchildren!” She writes: “On SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 81
CLASS NOTES September 15, 2021 Cooper Blake
As for me, Melissa Ulsaker Maas, all
Rhodes joined William (9), Emma
is well with my family. Husband Brent
(6), Atticus (4), and Elliott (2)! My
and I have evaded Covid so far. Son Alex
daughter Tala welcomed a baby boy
Bloom '11 quit his job with a financial
she has no updates except they're doing
in early January. I traveled out to
consultancy to work full time with a best
well.
Missouri where she and her husband
friend from college acquiring real estate
are stationed for a couple of weeks. In
to flip and rent. So far so good! Son
to teach remotely on the Outer Banks,
addition, my stepdaughter Jessica, and
Jameson Bloom '13 just finished a UX
and she has a permanent case of
daughter Aya are due this summer. Four
certification and is actively looking for a
“headphone hair” from hours upon
new grandchildren in 10 months! My
new job. He's definitely found his niche
hours of Zoom classes and meetings.
blessings are overflowing!” The second
and passion within the design world.
She has successfully survived the first
biggest news for her and husband Dave
Summit and Ripley, our “house ponies,”
year of Myrtle, the English Bulldog,
is that their new RV delivered in mid-
as we affectionately call our giant dogs,
who has moved from the piranha puppy
January, but they are waiting on a truck
are happy, healthy, and impervious
stage to the “stubborn as a bulldog”
to pull it due to the current delivery
to the very cold temperatures we
stage of her young life. They are
issues. She is sad to miss our 45th
experienced this winter. Amazing that
training to compete in an upcoming
Reunion, but excited to finally be taking
we are celebrating our 45th Reunion
AKC Rally event. “In the spring, we will
a river cruise in Portugal that they
this year!
begin agility training ...Westminster
booked in 2020, rebooked in 2021, and have now rebooked again for 2022. Sharon Huhn Dennis retired from
1977 ST. AGNES CB Bell Guess: edenhouse3@gmail.com
her bookkeeping responsibilities in July 2021. She still plays music with friend
She writes, “I can't believe it has been 45 years, seems like yesterday!” Melanie McCrady Page writes that
Linda Scheer Williams continues
here we come!” Linda continues to write and publish openly licensed content (textbooks) and hopes to have a statistics textbook openly and freely
The class of 1977 is looking forward
available to students by fall 2022. The
Doris (as The Braided Chord), doing
to our 45th Reunion and celebrating
open license “Introduction to Business”
mostly outdoor venues because of Covid
in person! It's hard to believe it has
textbook that she wrote has now
with occasional opportunities to lead
been 45 years since we graduated. We
been used by over 500,000 students
worship. They are excited about the
can't be “that old” can we?!? We are
nationwide. She writes, “It's hard to
release of their seventh CD, “The Sky's
all grateful to St. Agnes School for the
wrap my head around that sometimes.
Still Above!” Her husband, Craig, has
education we received and for the long-
So, I have no complaints about how
been on an incredibly frustrating health
lasting friendships. Jenifer Shockley
life is treating me. I am fortunate to
journey recovering from mold toxicity.
encourages all members of the Class of
have a job I love and be surrounded by
Their middle son, Joe, is engaged and
1977 to give to SSSAS in 2022 in honor
wonderful friends and family all while
has moved his wedding a few times
of our 45th reunion. Here's some news
living at the beach.”
because of Covid, but they are hoping
from our class:
the ceremony will be in May 2022.
Harriet Yancey writes that the third
Glenis Riegert Pittman sends news that her older son married in 2019
highlight of her life this year was
and moved to Sacramento, Calif. Both
for the first time. Daughter Christina
when daughter Elizabeth gave birth to
her husband and younger son started
and her husband, George, welcomed son
Madeleine Rose McGuirk on February
new jobs. Glenis continues to co-teach
Tripp on November 9.
2. Harriett says, “Miss Maddie is
or team teach classes with Healing
Ruth Hazel Little is a grandmother
spunky and adorable. She has such a
Center International that includes
Shakespeare at Western Michigan
fun personality and I love her so much!”
brain science, the Bible, and personal
University in Kalamazoo and just
Harriet still works for Fairfax County
relationship with Jesus. Ken and Glenis
became a step-grandma! Her new
Public Schools and has about three
enjoyed visiting the Grand Canyon and
grandson is named Milo after the boy in
more years to go before retirement.
the Hoover Dam. They live in Northern
Grace Tiffany is still teaching
“The Phantom Tollbooth” (and also for a character in “Catch-22”).
Brenda Bertholf loved spending more time in Virginia after being locked
Virginia and care for her 95-year-old mom-in-law in Texas.
down in Paris. She took a great road trip
Kim Keleher writes that she doesn't
lovely notes from my SAS friends after
from New Jersey to South Carolina last
have “anything exciting to report which
my mother died in July. Love you guys.
summer and then took a first-time trip
is probably good.” Her mother, Murney,
Life seems super busy with my little
to Mexico over Thanksgiving. Brenda
lives at Goodwin House in Alexandria
half day Montessori preschool in its
is enjoying an interesting consulting
and is doing well. Kim says, “They
20th year and helping with the two
project with the French American
have done an amazing job in these
granddaughters. Trying to imagine what
Cultural Foundation. Both of her
challenging times.” Kim continues to
the next 30 years should look like.”
daughters live and work in New York.
train puppies and dogs. Her husband
Mary Burton Willis writes: “Got
82 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
Tom is completely retired.
became engaged to Jackie Venson and
or denied their civil rights. Deeme's
they bought a house “not too far away,
next musical performance is on a Linda
had a year of ups and downs. The big
but far enough that we're not on top
Ronstadt tribute show at Wolf Trap
“down” was losing her mom, Mary Jane
of each other.” Martha put in gardens
Barns in April with dozens of other area
Warwick Yoder, in July. She was much
in the back of her house that have the
musicians, postponed three times due
loved by her family, so the loss has been
neighbors peeking over the fence and
to the pandemic. She sees her three
acute. As for the “ups,” her son Dylan
some are even referring to it as 'the
siblings and three nephews in Virginia
Warwick Blankenship is thriving at
Forest.'”
whenever she can but is long overdue
Anne Yoder writes that she has
Appalachian State University on an
Kiki Marnane writes, “The support
for a trip to California and Texas to
athletic scholarship for track and field.
of my dear, brilliant, and funny SAS
visit the other two siblings and niece.
He will graduate in May 2022 with a
friends—Fran Robertson Butler, Deeme
She stays in close contact with Jenifer,
degree in math and finance. Anne's
Katson, Jenifer Shockley, and Harriet
Kiki, Fran, and Harriet on a years-long
husband Dave Hart is also well, having
Yancey— has gotten me through what
What's App thread that is “wonderfully
recently been promoted to director of
might have been a terrible year after my
sustaining.” Deeme hopes “that in 2022
editorial services for Duke's School of
husband, Philip, had a stroke. They and
we'll see less upheaval in our day-to-day
Medicine. Anne's work life has been a
the school that brought us together are
lives and a commitment to democracy,
great distraction and pleasure. She was
amazing. Our collective five children,
small d. To quote the wise Elvis
elected to the American Academy of
two are mine and three are Philip's,
Costello, 'What's So Funny 'Bout Peace,
Arts and Sciences last spring and will
have also been wonderfully supportive
Love, and Understanding?'”
be inducted this spring in Cambridge,
both practically and spiritually. I love
Mass. Most recently, she was notified
my work as an executive coach and am
Our plans changed again due to the
by the National Science Foundation
'lucky' that Covid proves the concept
pandemic. We finally sold our house in
that her proposal for speciation
of virtual working. We are happily
South Carolina in May 2021 but instead
genomics and conservation outreach
ensconced in West Cork, Ireland, with
of moving to Raleigh, we moved to my
in Madagascar was recommended for
a warm community and beautiful wild
family's home in Windsor, N.C. It was
funding. She is thrilled to know that she
coastline.”
my grandparents' house, and my father
Credit: Matt Mendelsohn
I, CB Bell Guess, have moved!
will soon return to Madagascar after a
Jamie Beverly Waldrop writes that
long absence, her last trip there was in
they still live in Roanoke, where they
after they retired, and Keith and I had
2013!
have been for more than 30 years now,
our wedding reception here. My siblings
with two dogs and a bird. Their children
and I kept the house as a place for all
the Atlanta Braves won the World
are spread out, Preston, Jr. is in Raleigh,
of us to gather but are now at a point
Series, and the Georgia Bulldogs won
Chris is in Austin, and Tess and her
where we are able to empty the house
the college football championship!” She
husband are in Morocco. Covid has
and sell it. I am the only “retired” sibling
can't make it to the reunion this spring
made it a bit difficult to see Tess, but
so Keith, our daughter Julia, and I are
but will be at our 50th with bells on!
they see the boys frequently. Preston
living here and emptying the house.
Jenifer Shockley is “over the moon
Mimi B. Larsen writes that she still
was born here. My parents lived here
is still busy with orthopaedic practice
We have thrown things away, donated
loves living in beautiful, rural South
and Jamie is still busy with the Rescue
items, sold things at a yard sale, and
Dakota. She still loves the flexibility
Mission in Roanoke. “Life is good. Love
are working on organizing items to
of a retired husband, and loves being
and good health to all!”
sell at an auction. There are multiple
a grandmother. She still loves being
Fran Robertson Butler enjoyed seeing
generations worth of furniture, china,
a staff writer for two local weeklies,
Deeme, Harriet, Kiki, and Jenifer on
artwork, and other items in this house,
which “takes up just the right amount
Zoom calls during the pandemic. She
so it is probably going to take time to get
of time to keep me from getting bored,
has a new grandchild—”finally a little
rid of everything. We enjoy the small-
to keep my brain working, and includes
girl after having two wild boys, haha.”
town aspects of rural life and definitely
my delight in visiting with people,
She gets to see Jack, Sonny, and Clara
do not miss the traffic we dealt with
researching, teaching, and cheerleading
almost every day. They have named her
daily in South Carolina! I have many
for the communities to be the best they
Zazu, which she much prefers to Fran!
cousins and friends here. Windsor and
can be which is something I learned at
Deeme Katson hopes all classmates
this house were “home” when my family
SAS.” She still loves all SAS classmates
are coping well during these strange
was living in South America so living
and can't wait to see everyone again at
times! She continues to live happily
here is like coming home. We have
the 45th reunion.”
in Arlington, Va. She still works as the
traveled to South Carolina a few times
Martha Carr is still writing urban
admin/office manager at Williams Legal
to visit our older daughter, Meg, and to
fantasy books and “having a great
Group trial law firm in D.C., where they
see our granddaughter, Salem. She is an
time.” This past year her son, Louie,
seek justice for those harmed or injured
absolute delight! Until next year… SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 83
CLASS NOTES
1981 ST. STEPHEN'S John Leiner: jgl3a@virginia.edu
join full time soon. Chris caught up with Tom Repke and his wife, Karla, in Rehoboth Beach this summer and
AMY ARGETSINGER '86
Chris Lindsay's family was able to join Bill Bavin lives close to school and is
them. He runs into Brian Ashby as
involved with private equity in the area
well around the boardwalk from time to
of educational innovation. His son is
time. Chris also gets to spend time with
headed to Clemson.
brother Tad '81, helping out with Tad's
Taylor Chess reports a great career
NASCAR teams when they're in the
with the Peterson Companies and four
area. Tad '81, Bear Geschickter '85,
kids, living in a beautiful new home
and Chris met up this December in
on the same lot that they grew up on.
Charlotte to celebrate their dad's 90th
Taylor remains even busier by serving
Birthday! We are excited to catch up with
on the board of Flint Hill.
everyone at this year's reunion.
Tad Geschickter is starting his 28th season of NASCAR racing in February.
1985 ST. AGNES
Tad and family have hosted Biff Barber
Taylor Kiland: taylorkiland@gmail.com
a few times at the races and would be glad to do the same for any of his SSS classmates! Read more about Tad on p. 28.
Jessica Bernanke and her husband, Neil Ewachiw, have relocated to Ottawa,
John Repetti also lives close by
Canada, while Neil is posted at the U.S.
and reports that both boys attended
Embassy. They are learning to embrace
SSSAS. He and Marnie have enjoyed
the winter and enjoy maple butter!
some time as empty nesters at Isle of Palms recently. Thank you to John for
1987 ST. AGNES
continuing to serve SSSAS on several
Mary Elizabeth Paul Duke: maryelizduke@hotmail.com
committees.
Shelly Webb: shelly.webb.108@gmail.com
Tony Womack is the executive vice president of Transwestern Real Estate in Houston. Brian Freedman and Doug McGee
This is Mary Elizabeth Paul Duke covering for our beloved class ambassador, Shelly Webb, who is on
are both in the private practice of law,
vacation. I think I can speak for all of
Brian in Greensboro and Doug in
us in thanking Shelly for serving as our
Richmond.
class ambassador. She has done the job,
Josh Cooper hosted Peter Katson
and done it well, for a very long time so
and myself in December for a “working
we're delighted that she is escaping the
lunch” in D.C. Josh is the executive vice
January chill for some sun and fun!
president for the American College of
Malika Rasheed wrote with some
Amy Argetsinger's first book, “There She Was: The Secret History of Miss America,” was published in September 2021 by Simon & Schuster. Featured on NPR, C-SPAN and Time, among other media, the book is a poignant, funny and deeply reported account of the rise and fall of the iconic pageant through decades of social change, exploring both the conflicted lives of the young women it launched to fame and the quirky subculture of devotees who kept it alive. Amy is a longtime staff writer and editor for The Washington Post. To learn more visit amyargetsinger.com.
Radiology. His daughter is in Nashville
exciting career news: “I took some
after a great college career at Alabama.
advanced courses for my doctorate and
Peter and his wife Angela both work at
was offered a position at the National
the Pentagon. They have three boys who
Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE)
to our family whom we love and adore.”
are accomplishing great things.
located in Bethesda on the campus of
Read more about Malika on p. 50.
Thank you to Pat, Yasar Ozberknen,
Walter Reed National Military Medical
I also heard from Mindy DePalma
Phil, John, Allen, Josh, and Peter who
Center. I am program manager for the
Helms who asked me to pass along a big
are helping me with reunion planning.
Traumatic Brain Injury department and
“hello” and her “well wishes” to all of you.
1983 ST. STEPHEN'S
assist Veterans in their rehab recovery.
Della Pace Patteson's update, I think,
Some of these patients assist me in
reflects how many of us might be feeling
helping train service bred dogs for other
after the past two corona-crazy years,
service members who require help with
“Nothing to report on my end—same old,
more time in the Alexandria area now
mobility or stress reduction. It is a very
same old around here but without a doubt
that his oldest son, Ryan, is working
fulfilling position and I am humbled to be
grateful for it all.”
part time for the Washington Capitals
working with such a fragile population. We
Marketing Team! Ryan is hoping to
also welcomed a new furry friend, Finley,
Chris Geschickter is excited to spend
84 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
pandemic. We have a soon to be 18-yearold daughter in the full college decision stage of her life and a surly sophomore son who thinks he would like to make a career out of e-sports. I continue to love working for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as a consultant in the Office of Charter Schools. Husband Stephen continues in his 10th year as a full professor at North Carolina State University. We celebrated 20 years with a trip to Greece and spent Christmas in Spain. Can't wait to see all the lambs again soon!” Sabrina Gilmore Scanlon writes, “Although I was really sad to see everyone for the reason, I was so glad to catch up with people I hadn't seen in forever at Cristin's dad's wake. So sorry for our classmates losing parents; so happy to see Alexandria Scott Thompson '88 sends greetings from Seattle with the dog she is fostering.
1988 ST. AGNES Cristin De Silva: ccdesilva1@gmail.com Alexandra Scott Thompson sends greetings from Seattle. “My kids are finishing grade school and middle school this year, which is very exciting for all of us. We had a wonderful summer, the highlight of which was fostering a dog and her three puppies. Wonderful things come in small packages!” Sharon Dewey Cassidy shares: “I continue to work in network marketing with Monat, a beauty company that specializes in clean vegan products. I love the flexibility that it affords me, as I am able to coach my daughter's basketball and lacrosse teams, and be mom chauffeur to all. I will also start training to be a lacrosse and field hockey referee again after a 15-year hiatus. We were thrilled to see Carlin Porter Mihm and family in Rehoboth again this summer, as well as a number of SAS '88 gals at Cristin de Silva's dad's beautiful memorial service.” Kathleen Hobson Davis is still living in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, outside of Cleveland and would love visits from anyone heading that way. “As a clinical social
Tanya Dobrzynski '89 and Angela Miller '89 on one of their many skiing and hiking trips together. worker, I work for Courage to Caregivers (couragetocaregivers.org), a nonprofit supporting and empowering caregivers of those living with mental illness and other brain differences. Since the pandemic began, this work has gone online reaching caregivers nationwide. I'm also loving my work as a mental health advocate with the American Academy of Pediatrics, involving collaborative teaching, writing, and legislative advocacy on topics related to pediatric mental health. I've spent more time over the past couple of years visiting family in Alexandria and have loved the opportunity to reconnect with local SAS classmates. I especially appreciate the support so many near and far provided while my father was ill and also following his passing on May 23, 2021. SAS bonds run deep. So grateful for you ladies!” Claire Jenkins Porter shares, “It was good to catch up with SAS friends, Karen Snyder, Sabrina Gilmore Scanlon, Allison Herr Christmas, Alicia Herr Jensen, Sharon Dewey Cassidy, and Kathleen Hobson Davis, although a sad occasion as we were together to mourn the passing of Cristin's father. Life continues despite more than two years of
how many rally and come out in support.”
1989 ST. AGNES Amanda Edwards: acefoto@aol.com It's probably safe to say that most of the members of the SAS Class of 1989 are well and truly in the thick of Covid fatigue. While a few of us have actually had it, all of us seem to be completely exhausted by this not-so-new normal. As a result, I don't have much news to share with you this time around but I'll do my best to stretch out what I have managed to gather. After a year of really playing it safe, I, Amanda Edwards, let my vaccinated guard down in early July and was soon hit with a vicious case of Delta. Thankfully, I was able to recover at home although it did put quite a damper on my 50th birthday plans. In a year when most of us reached the proverbial 5-0, we found ourselves having to re-evaluate what really matters in life. In my case, an outdoor dinner with friends at a local pizza joint replaced dreams of white water rafting on the Zambezi River. After almost 18 months of little to no socializing by that point, it ended up being really lovely. Based on what I've seen unfold on social media, it would seem that most of us had similar, low-key experiences—proving that the best things SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 85
CLASS NOTES in life are sometimes the simplest things. Plus, we all now have a built-in excuse for a do-over! A few of us attempted to gather in-person for a joint 50th birthday toast over the Christmas holiday. With Tanya Dobrzynski at the helm, we found an outdoor cafe with heater lamps and were ready to rock. Or at least roll. Unfortunately, one by one, most everyone either tested positive or had been in recent close contact with someone who had. In the end, we decided it best to postpone our plans until life is less hazardous. My plan had been to collect as much gossip as possible that evening but it just wasn't meant to be. I did, however, manage to see Mridu Chandra in Los Angeles the week before. Mridu is a producer on a fascinating documentary profiling the life and legacy of famed ocean explorer, Jacques Cousteau. “Becoming Cousteau” is streaming globally on Disney+ and recently won the Critics' Choice Awards for best Science/Nature documentary. Mridu was in town for a screening of the film at the esteemed Directors Guild of America and then participated in a Q&A session with the film's director, Liz Garbus, and moderator Rory Kennedy. Though Mridu was swarmed by wellwishers, we were able to quickly catch up over a drink at the post-screening reception. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend that you do. Well done, Mridu! Finally, Angela Miller traded in her computer for a healthy dose of Mother Nature this past year. Taking a break from work, Angela hiked a number of parks in Southern Utah, including Capital Reef and Bryce Canyon. Her oldest daughter, Camila, is a freshman at Cornell and the two of them enjoy hiking the gorges of beautiful Ithaca, N.Y., when Angela visits. She also regularly meets up with Tanya to hike and ski together. If only those trails could talk…! That's it from sunny LA. Here's hoping I'll have more news for you next time around. In the meantime, be well and stay safe!
1990 ST. AGNES Sarah Goldsmith: slgoldsmith@yahoo.com This year when I asked for class notes, there was not much response. I am guessing because, like most of us, we've been at home just taking one day at a time. Although, this year we did get to travel! In spring 2021, we had our 30th (!) Reunion–albeit virtually. It was so fun seeing everyone and, perhaps because of its nature, the turnout was amazing! We definitely missed those of you who couldn't join. Consider joining next time so we don't talk behind your back! (Just kidding, there was none of that). It was a really lovely event and, again, really fun to see everyone who could join. Last summer I was able to make it quickly to the U.S., where I went on a whirlwind tour of the Southeast, beginning in Weaverville, N.C., and ending in Washington, D.C., with stops in Shrine Mont, Isle of Palms, and Davidson, N.C. Among SSS/SAS alums I got to see and catch up with were our classmates Kimi O'Halloran-Perez, Olivia Titus Dalu, Jennifer Steinberg Levine, and Kristen Gaulrapp Krieger. I am looking forward to seeing more next summer! Noor Kirdar has written that during this time she was able to start an Etsy online shop. It was “a pleasure combining my passion for design as an entrepreneur.” You can visit her shop, UniqueDesigNoor.etsy.com. Additionally, she is busy with her girls who are now in fifth and second grades. In milestones, Jody Carlberg Astrom and husband Mika have added a beautiful baby boy, Niko, to their family. He was born on February 9, 2021.
1993 ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES Caroline Worsley: caroline.worsley@gmail.com Stephen Lastelic: lastelic@gmail.com Hello from the class of 1993! We had some exciting “bright moments” in this past year. While we all continue to push forward during these crazy times, love continues to win! Montez Anderson and his wife, Kelly,
86 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
welcomed a daughter, Kinsley Madison Epps Anderson, on June 21, 2021. Eddie Chu has left HBO after almost five years and winning two Emmy Awards to join Apple in California as the creative innovation lead, currently working in Apple TV developing future things. Denny Cordell and his wife, Sarai Johnson, welcomed a daughter, Margaux Mae Johnson Cordell on August 26 at 6lbs 7oz. Tiffany O'Hara is engaged to her longtime partner, Alisa, and finished her Ph.D. They live in sunny California. In addition to being a reluctant horse mom and semi-professional teen wrangler, Erin Wallace, as a vice president at thredUP, is still surprised that her lifelong thrifting habit turned into an actual career, complete with a pandemic IPO! Dara Brunelli O'Hara stays in touch with Coach Betsey Rice and Coach Kathy Jenkins. Gautam Gulati has a health and wellness focused media company, Well Played (wellplayed.health/ superhumans), which won a 2021 GOLD W3 award for original podcast series called SUPERHUMANS, where they share stories as a form of medicine. Ryan Foster is living in Seattle. He writes that he has been masked up for two years, Covid-free, and dying to get out to a Latin night club so he can dance with hundreds of strangers until dawn. Don Theerathada just finished “The Gray Man” directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, staring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, and Ana De Armas. It will stream on Netflix in July. Read more about Don on p. 54. Trent Nichols is enjoying life in Richmond, Va., and recently spent time in person with Bettina Wiedmann on her visit to Washington, D.C. I, Caroline Worsley, had a busy year exploring new destinations for research on brand development, especially interesting during a pandemic. It is fascinating to see a celebration of individuality during this cultural shift,
KATE GREGG '99
and I celebrated our 20th anniversary, our daughter Preston turned 10, and I sold my analytics business. Free time is now spent planning for retirement in a couple years.”
1997 ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES Thomas Croker: tcroker@arlingtonheating.com Kelly Radford writes: “I have continued my volunteer work with the master's candidates at George Washington University, where I help the students complete their required tasks in route to
Tyler Gray '00 and wife Sarah's third child, Townes Ryder Gray
completing their requirements. It provides a positive interaction and offers valuable help to those who have helped me.”
making class, watching a slideshow of high school photos, playing 2000s trivia,
Kate Gregg published
1999 ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES
and catching up on the past two decades.
her first book,“Paradise
Hannah Prentice Traul: hannah@jacksonprentice.com
City,” in September
Pender Ellet Koontz: penkoontz@gmail.com
husband, Matt, and I welcomed our first
2021, a literary work of philosophical fiction. Kate artfully weaves the
In February 25 the Saints Legal Affinity Group joined Upper School History
This year was a big one for me as my child, Reagan Correna Clark, into the world. Tyler Gray started a new job as corporate secretary of Placid Oil and
story of Grace as she embarks on
Teacher Bud Garikes' AP Government
an existentialist journey in search
class to share their professional career
of meaning, happiness, and peace.
paths. Thank you to Zach Terwilliger '99,
Despite building a successful
Erin McConnell '99, Jessica Bigby '00,
professional and social life, Grace
and current parent Clay Alspach.
wakes up on her birthday feeling empty and alone. Travel with
2000 ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES
in the U.S. on The CW Network.
her as she gathers wisdom from
Elizabeth Donatelli: elizabeth.donatelli@gmail.com
friends, lovers, and strangers, that
Andrew Keen: adk79@cornell.edu
National Audubon Society as director of
shifts her perspective and leads her round the world and back to
The class of 2000 held its first virtual
California. To learn more, visit
reunion attended by nearly half of our
kegregg.com.
class! Co-organizers Madia Willis, Andrew Keen, and I, Lizi Donatelli, hosted our (belated) 20th reunion via
as people continue to exit the traditional
Zoom which included a short cocktail
he and wife Sarah welcomed their third child, Townes. Andrew Keen is still baking. By the time you read this, his appearance on Great Chocolate Showdown will be airing Allison Swindell Guzman joined the institutional giving. She's thrilled to raise funds to address climate change, promote conservation and restoration of natural areas, and advance environmental science and education. Niko Papademetriou spent some magical time with his wife, Sara, and their son, Luca, in Montana, Vermont,
workplace and head out to follow their
and Maine, as well as hopping across the
dreams. Looking forward with optimism
pond to Paris for Thanksgiving. Niko is
to 2022, and hoping this will be one that
the chief revenue officer at his company,
families can spend more time together
which he joined when there were only
and long-lost friends can be reunited.
three members. Over the past eight years,
Peace!
it has grown to 140!
1994 ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES
to Nairobi, Kenya, to continue her work
Melissa New: melissafootenew@gmail.com
in global health with the U.S. Centers for
Fatima Ravat moved from Atlanta, Ga.,
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Adam Roy reports: “While 2021 definitely had its challenges, our family had some positive milestones. Gretchen
The Saints Legal Affinity Group, parent Clay Alspach, Erin McConnell '99, Zach Terwilliger '99, and Jessica Bigby '00. talking to students about their professional careers.
under the U.S. Embassy Kenya. It's been a busy year to be an epidemiologist! Glenn Spitler and his wife, Mollye, SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 87
CLASS NOTES welcomed a baby boy, Tucker Thomas Spitler. Glenn's father, Glenn Spitler, Jr., passed away in September. He was loved by many SSSAS alumni.
2003 ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES Adam Justus: arjustus@gmail.com Kathleen Miller O'Gara: khmogara@gmail.com In July 2021, Mary Stewart Malone gave birth to twins Charles and Georgina Schneider. Their older sisters, twins Beatrice and Eleanor, are thrilled with the new additions. Mary Stewart, husband Brian, and their children reside in New York City. Cameron Hellmuth writes, “We just
Wedding of Chip Phillips to Molly Phillips with fellow Saints in attendance: John Quarles '10, David Murray '11, Will Humphrey '10, Ben Levy '10, Kathleen Williams '12, Molly Phillips, Chip Phillips '10, Jack Powers '12, Michele Phillips '12, Timmy Phillips '15, Will Holden '11, Upper School Science Teacher Tim Dodds, Erin Phillips '18, Larry Jenney, Upper School History Teacher Trae Humphreys, and Stephen Upton '10.
had our second baby, a girl. Her name is Kessler Cameron Hellmuth. She was born on January 7!”
2004 ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES Scarlett Bermingham and Andrew Rhymer were married in Biddeford Pool, Maine, in June of 2021. After fifteen years of partnership (and one pandemic postponement) they were happy to celebrate love in an outdoor ceremony with 100 of their friends and family in their favorite place in the world. The rest of the year they live in Los Angeles where they work together as filmmakers.
2005 ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES Emily Hewitt: ebhewitt@gmail.com Justin Hughes and his wife Laura welcomed their third child, James, in April. James made a speedy arrival in the family's minivan in their driveway. Quite the neighborhood excitement, the Hughes family even graced the front page on the Mount Vernon Gazette! Jen Holden checked in from Colorado where she married Thomas Hollingsworth in June. Jen, Thomas, and their dog Bridger regularly enjoy outdoor adventures in the Rockies. Abby Humphrey and husband Charlie live in Portland, Maine, and are so excited to be parents to their daughter, Tolley Louise Coit, born on February 22, 2020.
88 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
2011 Fall Gathering: Jonathan Hererra, Sam Teague, Danielle Mayall, Connor Jackson, Hannah Mullen, Tohfe Beidas, Matty Heller, Rebecca Dickerson, Reyna Pilapil, Laura Good, Hayley Teague (Sam's wife), Kendall Swenson '15, Kyle Swenson, and Erik Romanin
2007 ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES Anne Culvahouse Teague: anne.teague@rockwellautomation.com
now—communication, empathy, focus, and a determination to obtain favorable results. Read more about Miatrai on p. 32. Katherine Denkler and Michael White moved to Mount Vernon and have a little
Although Covid is still around, the 2007 team has made lots of moves!
son who is running the show! They live down the street from brother Mark White
Micaela O'Toole and her husband,
and his wife, Katie, who also have a little
Jared, recently moved from Kansas City
boy. Michael and Mark are still crushing
back to St. Louis. Micaela is happy to
the real estate market as they carry on the
be back in St. Louis, near her extended
family tradition at Long and Foster. They
family and medical school friends.
also recently started painting portraits of
Miatrai Brown says: “I am excited to announce that I opened an immigration law firm, Direct U.S. Immigration, which is tailored to the unique needs of immigrants and U.S. companies who
cats which have been a hit. Guess those SSSAS art classes really paid off! Bryant Smith is deploying to Japan for two years. Kevin Teague, who now lives in San
employ foreign workers. Over the years as
Francisco with his new wife, Allie, will
an immigration attorney, I have seen the
go visit Bryant before he climbs Mt.
challenges that many have to overcome.
Kilimanjaro this summer. Good luck
What worked then, continues to work
Kevin!
Greg Roland '12 helped Andy Sidle '78 sell his condo.
Wedding of Katy Jones-Powe '12 with guests Chris Beatley '10, Caroline Christner '12, and Taylor Galloway '12
2021. She is excited to be back in school
of the Heavenly Rest on the Upper East
Denver, got married in March of 2021 in
and hopes to get into impact investing. In
Side in New York City. She previously
Memphis, Tenn.
a crazy coincidence, she saw fellow Saint
served as the associate organist at
Caroline Blair on the Berkeley campus!
Trinity Church Wall Street working with
Dudley Locke, who still lives in
Stephen Dewey got married in November 2021 in Richmond, Va.
During these difficult years of the
choirs of all ages for seven years. She
pandemic, David Budway continues
has recently co-founded a new platform
Vermont with her husband, Colin, and
to fight the good fight in Australia as a
called “Amplify Female Composers.” This
their cute pups.
nurse.
summer she will perform at the American
Caroline Nuckolls now lives in
Mike Teague '05 and I, Annie
Adele Norton has been back in the D.C.
Guild of Organists' National Convention
Culvahouse Teague, are now living in
area since 2016, when she joined Urban
in Seattle, the Association of Anglican
Belle Haven down the street from Kendall
Teachers, a four-year teacher preparation
Musicians Conference in Richmond, and
Davis, Lizzie Culvahouse '03, Caroline
program. After graduating from Johns
The Episcopal Church's 80th General
Rabbit '05, Megan Donahoe '04, Karla
Hopkins with a master's in secondary
Convention in Baltimore.
Herrera '04, Taylor Mitchell '05, and
literacy and special education and
Meredith Mitchell '08. It's a party!
working five years at a charter school, she
2012 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
is now teaching eighth grade English at
Michele Phillips: phillips.michele16@gmail.com
2009 ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES William Whitehurst: williamgwhitehurst@gmail.com
Alice Deal Middle School in Tenleytown. She is also mother to a calico cat, S'more.
Paige Patterson Armstrong and Brent
Chris Shields writes: “Last year I
Armstrong welcomed their first child, a
Kristin Brinckerhoff owns and
moved back to Washington, D.C., with
daughter, Ainsley Brent Armstrong, on
operates Compassion Counts LLC
Raven Bolding '13, where I work for a
November 12, 2021. She was 8lbs 7oz
(compassion-counts.com), a tutoring
Democratic fundraising organization. I
and 21 inches.
company in Colorado that serves middle
am also finishing up my last semester in
school and high school students. Kristin
the political communications master's
welcomed their daughter, Annabeth
reaches students nationwide (including
program at American University.”
Lindsay, on May 10, 2021.
Alexandria and Fairfax County)
Josh Smith writes: “My wife, Stacia,
Joseph Lindsay and his wife Elizabeth
through virtual and in-person tutoring
and I welcomed Charlotte James Smith
2013 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
sessions. Kristin is passionate about
to our family in July 2021. My drive for
Brett Williams: brettwlms11@gmail.com
preparing students for a successful life
baseball has been repurposed toward
Claire Malkie: clairemalkie@gmail.com
by combining math and subject tutoring
my latest pursuit, jiu jitsu. Our family is
Hope Gallagher Ogden: hope.gallagher13@gmail.com
with executive function coaching.
living in Ann Arbor, Mich., while Stacia
2011 ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES Mathias Heller: mfitzheller@gmail.com Meredith Bentsen: meredithbentsen@gmail.com
completes her surgical residency and I
Brett Williams has just embarked
work for a Nashville-based consulting
on a new career journey, becoming the
company.”
new scholar programs coordinator for
Jack Tokarz has moved to Brooklyn. He says it is good.
Mallory Bell started her MBA at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business in fall
This January, Janet Yieh was appointed director of music at Church
the Honors College at his alma mater, the University of South Carolina. This follows his 3.5-year run as the radio and television play-by-play voice of SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 89
CLASS NOTES
JAMES KUNDER '15
women’s sports at Western Kentucky
enjoyed getting to know D.C. better
University. Brett’s tenure in the sports
and visiting her parents who still reside
broadcasting industry was everything
in Alexandria.
he had always dreamed it would be,
second year of medical school at
on the side for various outlets, he is
Eastern Virginia Medical School
looking forward to making an impact
(EVMS) in Norfolk, Va. He hopes to
in a new way, providing advisory and
become a cardiac anesthesiologist
logistical support for USC’s top scholar
or a cardiologist in the future. In his
population to which he belonged and
spare time, Yousef helps coordinate
which gave him his start. He will also
uninsured patients to have their teeth
continue to pursue his online master’s
cleaned for free at various clinics down
degree in organizational leadership
in Norfolk. He still enjoys playing
from WKU. 2022 feels like a year of
basketball, soccer, video games,
new horizons, and Brett can’t wait to
and hanging out with his family
see what it has in store!
when possible. Yousef looks forward
2014 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES Natalie Revers: nrrevers@email.wm.edu Sarah Shaw: sarah.shaw13@gmail.com
U.S. Navy and assigned to a destroyer patrolling the Pacific.
to traveling around the world this summer after his board exam in May! CJ Tyerar has been going back and forth from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, helping a family friend
James Kunder '15 was recently commissioned an officer in the
Yousef Beidas is currently in his
and while he will still call some games
Hello Saints! I am excited to share updates for the Class of 2014. Aaron Brackett has firmly planted
with commercial real estate, and doing community work for the underprivileged. He brings his
James graduated from the College
his roots in Pittsburgh with a new
grandparents along from time to
of William and Mary in 2019,
house and a job at the Pittsburgh
time, giving him great Tik Tok
where he majored in public policy
Google office. Despite the change
content. CJ made a deal with MTV’s
and served as a member of the
of location, he still keeps up with
“Ridiculousness” and they will air a
university's Honor Council. He is
making music, writing, and his other
few of his clips this coming summer.
now based at Navy Station Everett
hobbies. There is one new addition
Keep an eye out for that @cjtyeryar!
in Washington state.
however—his brother, Taurus Brackett
JACOB FOSTER '18
year of a joint MBA and master of
claimed the title of “cool uncle” before
science in applied finance from George
his brother, Ryan Brackett ‘11, could.
Washington University. He also
Though publishing “Leah Grace
works full time at the Wilson Center,
Bedtime Adventure” in 2020 could still
which is a congressionally chartered,
make Ryan the favorite uncle.
foreign policy think tank located in
Darby Philbrick is a senior client
in command at the United States Naval Academy.
90 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
Washington, D.C. In his spare time
manager at Bulletproof Inc., a
Mirza enjoys playing soccer, seeing his
global branding and design agency
friends and spending time with family.
located in New York City. As a fully
Jacob Foster '18 serves as second
Mirza Suleymanov is in his final
‘09, has become a father, and Aaron
Hannah Singerling and Nate
remote employee, at the onset of
Jones got married January 8, 2022 at
the pandemic, Darby moved back to
Potomac Presbyterian and celebrated
Washington, D.C. She now lives with
their reception at Congressional
one of her best friends from her SSSAS
Country Club with fellow Saints: Katie
days, Kendall Swenson ‘15. In her free
Armstrong, Julia Keefe, Graham Lian,
time, Darby is an avid runner, enjoys
Thomas Coward, Andrew Arnold,
trying new restaurants around D.C.
Darby Philbrick, Nick Cargas, Sarah
(Chiko takeout, a personal favorite!),
Shaw, Ashley Jones ‘15, Kendall
and spends time cuddling with her
Swenson ‘15, and the best man
two new kittens, Mookie and Kya.
and grooms brother Sam Jones ‘16.
While the pandemic has prevented
They have started their lives together
much travel from occurring, Darby has
in Orange County where Nate is a
she works for Del Ray Artisans and Barnes
Share Your News To tell us more about the milestones in your life, please email Meredith Robinson, Senior Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement, at mrobinson@sssas.org.
& Noble. After graduating from Carnie Mellon
and Hannah is working for Travelers
Colgate University in May 2020 with a double major in geography and
University, Serena Gillian decided to stay
Spanish. She has since been living in
in Pittsburgh. She’s currently working
northwest D.C. and working with the
in the healthcare industry as a product
government solutions leasing team at
strategy consultant. She recently adopted
Colliers International, a commercial
two kittens, Chestnut and Gamora.
real estate brokerage firm. Her
They just turned six months old in early
pandemic hobbies include cooking,
January. She’s also started doing some
collaging, and dog walking.
Covid-friendly volunteering in her local Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton
Cecilia Kane graduated from
Sarah Lowe is currently in her
community. Right now, that means baking
second year at the Duke University
and delivering lasagna to families in need!
School of Law. She has really enjoyed
After graduating from The University
exploring Durham more, especially
Insurance. They spend their free time
of Virginia in 2020, Reed (Bit) Brown
in the fall. She spends her time in
enjoying the sunny California weather
started working as a scribe in the
between classes hunting for the
along with their yellow lab, Hobie.
Emergency Department at Herndon and
perfect oat milk vanilla latte and
Congrats to Hannah and Nate!
Reston Hospitals. She loved the team
hopes she will find it soon. She will
and environment so much she took up
be spending this upcoming summer
to reconnect with many Saints through
a position a few months ago as an ER
as an associate at Ropes & Gray in
work, social events, and travel. I started
technician, placing IVs and splints, taking
Boston, Mass., and plans to move to
the year determined to revamp my
EKGs, and getting patient vitals along
Boston full-time after graduation.
weekend fun after the 2020 shutdown.
with being able to assist in the trauma bay.
Sophie Reardon, Sibet Partee, and
Becoming a frontline worker has been an
Sarah Goode helped me celebrate the
eye-opening experience for her and also
re-opening of New York restaurants
extremely rewarding! She has otherwise
last spring. I now spend my free time
been enjoying seeing friends from SSSAS
Joshua Walton on July 10, 2021 in
enjoying new restaurants and bars in
and college while she starts the process of
Memphis, Tenn., and several Saints
D.C. and coordinating various parties
applying to medical schools this upcoming
alumni were in attendance!
and social outings. I continue to pursue
summer.
I, Natalie Revers, have been grateful
2017 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES Jessica Edwards Walton married
my career in the commercial real estate industry but hope to perfect a social blog that features my favorite food, drinks, and experiences over the next few months. I wish everyone the best in 2022. Let the countdown to our next reunion begin!
2016 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES Sarah Lowe: sarahelowe20@gmail.com Katie Connor graduated from James Madison University in May 2020 with a degree in English and minors in French and art history. From January to August 2021 she had the opportunity to intern with Creative Media Agency, a literary agency focused on representing authors of commercial/genre novels. She loved getting the chance to learn the ins and outs of the publishing industry and helping the agents select exciting, pageturning projects to represent. Currently,
Jessica Edwards Walton '17 wedding with Saints classmates James Pugh, Nathan Pugh, Jessica, Emma Somer, Margaret Fergusson, Mila Lubeck, Olivia Pugh, and Jason Carroll.
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 91
IN MEMORIAM
Clifton Titus, Jr. 36 Years of Service
Clifton Titus, Jr., a beloved former Saints faculty member and administrator, died on February 15. Clif, husband of Mary Lou, and father of Olivia '90, Katherine, and Clarke '96, joined St. Stephen's School in 1961, retiring in 1997. At St. Stephen's, Clif served twice as acting headmaster, and once as headmaster of St. Stephen's School. He also served as the assistant head of school for St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School from 19911992, as well as acting head of school in 1994-1995. Also during his tenure, Clif taught math and science, was a golf, basketball, and JV football coach, and served as an academic dean and the assistant director of admissions. When Clif received the Faculty Excellence Award from the SSS Alumni Association in 1987, the following was shared: “The embodiment of an educator in the truest sense of the word is summed up in a name – Mr. Clifton Titus. This gentleman sets himself very high standards as he does his students, who in turn, strive to meet them.”
Grace, Strength, and Love of Learning BY ROGER BARBEE English Teacher from 1976-1995 “It was the best of times, it was the
For many years as a teacher I taught
desiring to do better. I wasn't aware of it
under Clif the able administrator, and for
at the time, but I was simply another one
a brief time I was fortunate enough to be
of his students, just one with an office
his assistant when he was Headmaster of
next to his.
Saint Stephen's School. Since our offices
Because Clif identified as a teacher
were separated by just a few feet during
before any other role, he taught a class
that time, we were always near each other
even with all his duties as Headmaster.
worst of times...,” wrote Dickens in what
either literally or figuratively. That brief
One day he walked into our offices after
could be the most famous beginning
time was a privilege for me because of Clif, a
his class and said to me, “I gave my class
sentence of any novel. However, when
gentle man whose waters ran deep, who was
a test and the boys didn't do well. So, I
I think of Clifton Titus, Jr. , what I
gracious to all, and who believed that he
told them that I was tossing their tests,
remember of Dickens' words is, It was
could teach any student his great academic
and we were starting over. They can do
the best of times,… Those six words
love-mathematics.
better, so we'll cover that material again
describe the time, that of Saint Stephen's
and then they will take a new test.” With
Episcopal School for Boys during the late
that he tossed the bundled tests into the
1980's and early 1990's; but what words
trash can and walked into his office. Clif
describe an educator like Clif Titus who
Titus refused to believe that he couldn't
led the school by preparing it for another
teach any student any subject he chose.
chapter of growth that began in 1944
It wasn't arrogance of Clif's but faith
with its founding?
in his training, wisdom, and ability to
Does the ever-present pipe describe
explain the most complex aspects of
him? Or his appreciation for golf?
mathematics to even the most reluctant
What of his skill at Dick Babyak's poker
student. He was the teacher who went
nights? Does his service for Emmanuel
to where his students were and then
Episcopal Church define him? What of his love of family-does that
brought them forward. Clif was a great supervisor because he
During his thirty-six years serving
describe him? Does his coaching of
did what all good ones do—explain what
our school, Clif filled many roles. Every
several sports? Or his willingness to be
needs to be done and then step back, out of
one, from junior varsity football coach
dunked in a water-tank during a school
the way, as the work gets done. Now, I made
to headmaster, was done with a grace
play day? What of his admiration and
some boneheaded mistakes, but Clif just
and strength and love for learning that
knowledge for science-is that what Clif
continued to encourage me during those
defines Clif. We, his colleagues and
Titus was? Or does his intellect satisfy
tumultuous times, and his gentle, guiding
students, are better for having shared
the need for an accurate description?
manner made me feel capable of and
those years with him.
92 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
In Memoriam (Listings received prior to March 4, 2022)
Alumni Lenore Dorsey-Henry '41 February 7, 2021 Elspeth Jean Bannerman '50 January 5, 2022 Frances Bowersock '61 sister of Carol Bowersock '61 (deceased) December 2021 Deborah “Debby” Day Lind '69 November 11, 2021 Mark Fox, Jr. '71 October 30, 2021 The Rev. Winston Baldwin '76 brother of Alan Baldwin '79 January 30, 2022
James Herron
Jennie Trapasso
husband of Sarah Utke-Ramsing
mother of Michael Trapasso '87
Herron '73
December 21, 2021
November 25, 2021 Dr. Edward Werner The Rev. William “Pegram” Johnson III
father of Leslie Werner Krauland '83,
father of The Rev. Matt Johnson '96
Mary Ellen Werner Rotondo '84, Tony
November 25, 2021
Werner '88, and Adrienne Werner
Family and Friends
Roughgarden '93 Stanley Ebner
January 6, 2022
Samia Bentley
father of Steve Ebner (Upper School
grandmother of Michael Dziuban '04,
History Teacher)
Deborah Screen
Daniel Dziuban '07, and Matthew
November 26, 2021
mother of Andre Screen '20
Dziuban '09 April 22, 2021
January 12, 2022 Robert “Bob” Devine father of Maddy Devine '05, Becca
Demetrios Papademetriou
Glenn Spitler, Jr.
Devine '07, and Rory Devine '11
father of Niko Papademetriou '00
husband of Ann Davis Spitler '65
November 29, 2021
January 26, 2022
Elizabeth Spitler '06
William “Bill” Vosbeck
Stephen “Steve” Rupp
September 6, 2021
father of Lynn Vosbeck Kunkel '70, Lee
father of Lizzie Rupp '06
Vosbeck Hagan '66, and Jim Vosbeck '68
February 4, 2022
father of Glenn Spitler III '00 and
Raymond Curry
(deceased)
father of Allison Curry McVay '87, Cristin
December 15, 2021
Curry De Silva '88, and Meaghan Curry '90 September 15, 2021
John Blalock father of Kirk Blalock (Campaign
Anne Hazel and Til Hazel
Committee Co-Chair)
parents of Til Hazel, mother of Jack
grandfather of Makin Blalock '23 and
John Litchfield
Hazel '75, James Hazel '76, and Richard
Maddie Blalock '19
husband of Anne Havard Litchfield '55
Hazel '80
February 24, 2022
September 16, 2021
December 18, 2021 (Anne Hazel) March 14, 2022 (Til Hazel)
Isaiah “Ike” Dow
Lora Riggs Wadsworth
father of Susan Dow Orndoff '05
wife of Steve Wadsworth '80
March 2, 2022
October 9, 2021 SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 93
MILESTONES
Weddings (Listings received prior to March 4, 2022)
Alumni Robin Hirst '67 and Eric Ericson, June 26, 2021 Nancy Combs Therrien '76 and Jim Cook, November 20, 2021 Tom “Kit” Marnane '80 and Michelle June Phillips, December 8, 2021 Jessica Maitland '03 and John Price, October 26. 2021
Faculty and Staff Brionna Ricks (Athletic Trainer) and Kent Auslander, November 6, 2021 Trae Humphreys (Upper School History Teacher) and Lauren Candelora November 6, 2021 Ashby Anderson (Middle School LongTerm Substitute) and Lisa Brennan November 26, 2021 Jade Xia (Lower School Visual Arts Teacher) and Manfred Gnoss December 13, 2021
John Price and Jessica Maitland '03
Scarlett Bermingham '04 and Andrew Rhymer, June 25, 2021 Jen Holden '05 and Thomas Hollingsworth, June 5, 2021 Alex Couture '06 and Franziska Hauck, December 12, 2021 Stephen Dewey '07 and Elizabeth Layfield, November 20, 2021 Dudley Locke '07 and Jane Sayle, March 6, 2021 Zachary Warder '08 and Alexis Lorenze, October 30, 2021
Jim and Nancy Combs Therrien '76 Andrew Rhymer and Scarlett Bermingham '04
Gabrielle Richichi '11 and Joseph Gower, October 22, 2021 Carter Micklem '12 and Lauren Slater, September 5, 2021 Alex D'Elia '14 and Michael Blumenthal '14, November 19, 2021 Hannah Singerling '14 and Nate Jones '14, January 8, 2022 Jessica Edwards '17 and Joshua Walton July 10, 2021 Michelle June Phillips and Tom “Kit” Marnane '80
Jen Holden '05 and Thomas Hollingsworth
94 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
Alexis Lorenze and Zachary Warder '08 Jane Sayle and Dudley Locke '07
Elizabeth Layfield and Stephen Dewey '07
Gabrielle Richichi '11 and Joseph Gower Jessica Edwards '17 and Joshua Walton
Alex D'Elia '14 and Michael Blumenthal '14
Trae Humphreys and Lauren Candelora
Ashby Anderson and Lisa Brennan
SPRING 2022 THE SAINTS LIFE 95
MILESTONES
New Additions
Denny Cordell '93 and Sarai, a daughter, Margaux Mae Johnson, August 26, 2021
(Listings received prior to March 4, 2022)
Alumni
Justin Hughes '05 and Laura, a son, James, April 13, 2021 Lindsay Washington Veliz '01 and Angel Veliz '01, twin boys, Angel and Nasir, January 12, 2022
Caitlin Griffin Penny '01 and Carlos, a daughter, Chloe James, January 14, 2022
Montez Anderson '93 and Kelly, a daughter, Kinsley Madison Epps, June 21, 2021 Audra Swanberg Giordano '01 and Joey, a son, Alistair Patrick, January 25, 2022
Megan Roberson Jennings '04 and Matt, a son, William Roberson, July 10, 2021
Todd Knisley '02 and Kelsey, twins, Chase Cameron and Caroline Parker, January 13, 2022
Faculty and Staff
Paige Patterson Armstrong '12 and Brent Armstrong '12, a daughter, Ainsley Brent, November 12, 2021
Peter Hilton Labovich '10 and Aisha Keiko, a son, Luke Taka, November 29, 2020 Hayley Deavel Gregory '07 and John, a daughter, Taylor, November 5, 2021 Cameron Hellmuth '03 and Alexandra, a daughter Kessler Cameron, January 7, 2022
Elizabeth Donatelli '00 and Matt, a daughter, Reagan Correna Clark, 2021 Josh Smith '11 and Stacie, a daughter, Charlotte James, July 2021
Vashon Winton (Associate Athletic Director and Assistant to the Upper School Dean) and Lauryn, a daughter, Zara, December 17, 2021 Maura Freund (Third Grade Teacher) and Ahren, a son, Forest Nelson, February 8, 2022
Joseph Lindsay '12 and Elizabeth, a daughter, Annabeth, May 10, 2021
Kinsley Madison Epps Anderson
Alistair Patrick Giordano
Luke Taka Labovich
Taylor Gregory
Kessler Cameron Hellmuth
Margaux Mae Johnson Cordell
Chloe James Penny
Ainsley Brent Armstrong
Reagan Correna Clark
James Hughes
Angel and Nasir Veliz 96 ST. STEPHEN’S AND ST. AGNES
Forest Nelson Freund
INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST SAINT! If you missed the news on social media, Head of School Kirsten Adams has a new fluffy, gentle, and cuddly family member she's willing to share, Aggie the St. Bernard. Aggie is already a big hit on campus.