Alumni News | Summer 2017
11
Alumni Parent
EMILY KAKEL - CLASS OF ‘92 What is your favorite memory from your time as a student at St. Anne’s? One of my favorite memories as a student at St. Anne’s was putting on the play Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates in Mrs. Zinn’s fourth grade class. Her classroom was in the building where the new amphitheater stands, and it was the only classroom in that building. We transformed the entire space into our theatre. The old offices and closets became our changing and prop rooms, the bathrooms became glamorous hair and makeup rooms, and the classroom became our stage. We crammed all of our parents into our makeshift theatre and acted our hearts out. Mrs. Zinn even let us wear real ice skates during the performance! I doubt the play was more than 30 minutes long, but the weeks preparing and the way the building felt like a real working theatre during that time has made it a memory I will never forget.
Why did you decide to send your child(ren) to St. Anne’s? We decided to send Dylan and Chase to St. Anne’s because once we came to visit it was clear that the integrity of the school felt the same as it did when I was a student. We were excited for Dylan and Chase to learn
and humility, whether they are on the St. Anne’s campus or elsewhere. If our parents- like our teachersactively model the St. Anne’s values at home and when they are out in the world, our children will know, intrinsically, how to live those values when they grow up.
What has changed the most since being a student? Lunch has changed the most! and grow in that positive, supportive and loving community.
How has being an alum impacted your experience as a St. Anne’s parent? As a St. Anne’s student, I did not recognize the deep and positive impact that the school’s focus on values and good manners would have on me and my fellow graduates. I also did not fully appreciate the tremendous reciprocal effort between school and home that is required to successfully raise young people who reflect and embrace those values. As a parent, I now see that it was the strength of the shared commitment my parents and teachers made together to passing those values on to me that made me who I am today. I must bring the lessons learned at school home, continuously guiding my children to practice empathy, kindness, respect
What is your favorite part of being a St. Anne’s alum? And a St. Anne’s parent? My favorite part of being a St. Anne’s alum is knowing I had a wonderful, happy, and very academicallychallenging time here. I know it prepared me well for academics in high school and beyond. Socially, I graduated with self-confidence and a strong moral character. As a parent, my favorite thing is watching Dylan and Chase have a similar journey and knowing they will be ready to take on the world when eighth grade comes. They are surrounded by amazing teachers and staff, they are learning to be conscious and caring citizens of St. Anne’s and the world around, and they are happy to go to school...most days!