Autumn Views Summer 2023

AUTUMN VIEWS Head of School Newsletter, Summer 2023

From the Desk Of

Dr. Autumn A. Graves The following is an excerpt from the Commencement address to the Class of 2023 on June 2, 2023 Seniors, take the time to explore ideas, meet people, and try new things yourself. You are a unique structure of molecules that experience a situation differently from anyone else.

Even someone from your own friend group or family. Give yourself a chance to be your own person.

For my comments today, I plugged in a few prompts to ChatGPT to see what it would produce. I hoped that the outcomes would be unique and inspirational.

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St. Anne’s-Belfield School

Honestly, I wasn’t inspired. The large language model spit out a generic and predictable response full of cliches — all far from unique: • Congratulate the students for making it to this moment.

• Encourage students to remember they are resilient.

• Make the most out of college.

• Pursue a passion or find your purpose in life.

• Embrace diversity and seek people with different perspectives to be in your friend group.

• Prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional health.

• Be a lifelong learner.

• And, celebrate your achievements - which really takes us back to the first point - congratulations As I said, all the chatbot did was regurgitate uninspired words. Quite literally, they are not new words or ideas.

After all, that’s how ChatGPT works.

It just curates words and ideas that have already been shared. Nothing worthy of this original class.

After last week’s Class Night, I saw my inspiration in front of me. I watched the reactions of the seniors when different class members won an award. And I would like to call out some of the

audience members who inspired me and serve as role models for all of us here.

Being resilient is not easy, especially when your dreams for senior year are not realized. You can continue to feel sorry for yourself and wallow in disappointment, or you can feel your feelings and then decide to use your newfound time as an asset and make your year one of making new friends and creating unexpected memories as Jackson Coppock did this year as a new senior.

If you need a role model for someone who has made the most out of high school by trying new things and challenging herself to push beyond her comfort zone, all you have to do is remember Sophie Waller’s rendition of “Don’t Stop Believing” at the Senior Variety Show.

Take James Carter’s strong recommendation to say “yes” to new experiences, people, and places to become the best version of yourself and create an emotionally and mentally healthy life.

Michael Procino’s study of Samba music exemplifies a person who embraces curiosity by learning about diverse cultures, history, geography, and art.

Even with a face covering, I could see Kate Rieger smiling with her eyes and then later with her full face. It’s that warmth that turns an eclectic group of

diverse individuals into her friend group.

senior class for examples of the kind of And, I could not find another person who young adults the world needs. Each and every college campus where all 94 of genuinely celebrates and congratulates her friends and classmates with sheer joy you will matriculate will be blessed and you will make those campuses more and exuberance like Maddie Rice. lovely and joyful communities.

I didn’t need ChatGPT to inspire my May God bless you and keep you, words of wisdom. Instead, I just needed to look into the eyes and hearts of this Amen.

In This Issue

Saints Sow Seeds of Success at the Maroon and White Party........ 4 Inspire Us to Our Best........................................................................ 6 Powerhouse Parents and Guardians.................................................. 7 Commencement in Photos................................................................. 8 Class of 2023 College Acceptance and Matriculation.................... 10 Leadership Changes: Fond Farewells and Warm Welcomes............ 12 Faculty and Staff Service Award Winners......................................... 14 Athletic Highlights.............................................................................. 15

Contributors Publisher St. Anne’s-Belfield School

Editor Lisa Ha

Art Direction Taylor Morris ’19

Photography Digital Minerva, KMS Photography, Kelsey Dowling, Erika Hadland Editorial Contributors Dr. Autumn A. Graves, Lisa Keeler, Beth Miller, Rachael LeMasters, Marie Reed Senior Administrative Leadership Team (SALT) Dr. Autumn A. Graves, Head of School; Beth Miller, Head of the Upper School; Marie Reed, Head of the Middle School; Lisa Keeler, Head of the Lower School; Seth Kushkin, Director of Athletics; Randie Benedict, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management; Lisa Ha, Chief Communications Officer; Pam Winthrop, Chief Advancement Officer; Sally Woods, Chief Operating and Financial Officer (COFO)

Autumn Views: Summer 2023 3

Saints Sow Seeds of Success at the

Maroon and White Party May 19 fundraiser nets $245,000+ to support students and faculty, with $1.26M+ in total raised 2022-23 for the Fund for St. Anne’s-Belfield.

THANK YOU! Maroon and White Party results: • 20 Maroon and White Party Committee members • 60 sponsors and 275 donors • 300+ attendees at the Friday evening party • 170+ auction items • 313 raffle tickets and 174 sign-up party tickets • 72 Community Tree leaves

• $245,000+ in proceeds supporting our 900+ students and 220+ faculty and staff

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St. Anne’s-Belfield School

Nearly 1050 alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends have made a gift in the 2022-23 fiscal year to support the Fund for St. Anne’s-Belfield. Donations of more than $1.26M in unrestricted gifts will directly support our students, teachers, and programming. Thank you! Please consider making a gift to the Fund today to kick off the 2023-24 school year. All gifts of all sizes matter. Let’s be ALL IN FOR ALL SAINTS!

Donate online at stab.org/give

Autumn Views: Summer 2023 5

Inspire Us to Our Best Remarks to Grade 4 from Lisa Remarks to Grade 12 from Taking a line from the Keeler, P. ’15 & ’16, Head of Beth Miller, P. ’22 & ’25, Head school song, “Raise We the Lower School of the Upper School Our Voices,” division heads and student “I want to challenge each of you to do “As this year’s seniors emerged from imposed restrictions, they acted like a speakers gave poignant these things: to cherish what has been and to hold space for what will be. To fire had been lit beneath them. They advice during Moving honor all that you’ve accomplished and summoned energy they didn’t know they Up Chapels to “inspire to remain curious about your next steps. had, they said ‘yes’ to almost anything, To feel sadness for friends who may be and they showed up in August ready us to our best.”

View photos from the year on SmugMug

moving away and to make plans for how you will nurture those connections in new ways. Today each of you will receive a gift from the Lower School: a small journal and a pen. I hope you will use it to write about your endings and your beginnings. And off you go to your next beginning!”

Remarks to Grade 8 from Marie Reed, P. ’27 & ’30, Head of the Middle School “A common criticism of school life is that it isn’t like the real world. And while I agree with this criticism in some aspects, when it comes to living life in a community with one another, there is nothing more real than the time we have spent together this year. This year, we have leaned on each other, celebrated one another, made mistakes, and forgiven one another. Indeed our lives have become intertwined. And so for me, the ending of a school year is always bittersweet, for Moving Up Chapel marks the close of this school community and the beginning of a new one. As Ms. Foster described in last week’s Chapel, ‘Every new beginning requires an ending of some sort.’ Each year, at this moment, I am filled with deep gratitude for the time we have had together.”

to sing, dance, and shine…In moments of sadness and in joy, these kids came together, connected through their shared experience of St. Anne’s-Belfield School. Class of 2023, you made an impact — on your peers, your teachers, your school, and your community. From beginning to end, you’ve embraced your surroundings and your friends. May images of the sunrise over Room 400, the Learning Village, or your favorite spot in Charlottesville decorate your walls and sit in frames on your bookcases to forever remind you of the beauty of your time together.”

Powerhouse Parents and Guardians A Recap of the Dynamic School Year with the Parents’ Association With heartfelt appreciation, the Parents’ Association (PA) recognizes the remarkable efforts of all the volunteers and donors who helped make the 2022-23 school year at St. Anne’s-Belfield an outstanding success. Their commitment truly made our school an even more enriching environment for every student and teacher. Take a look at the incredible impact achieved through family involvement within the PA this year:

Arts Boosters • Provided refreshments for the Lower School Music & Movement Folk Dance, Middle School concert, the Lower School Moon Party, All-School Art Show, and International Thespian Society inductions • Organized and sold concessions at the Middle and Upper School theater productions • Organized an art activities station at Fall Family Festival • Underwrote the purchase of frames to professionally hang and display student artwork around the School • Sponsored visiting artists, Yevgeny Kutik and Anna Polonsky, at performances and workshops with Grades 6 – 12 students • Supported costume design for the US Winter Musical, “High School Musical” • Held the annual April Plant Sale

Saints Athletics Club • Hosted and provided activities for the Fall Family Festival including a raffle • Executed the lettermen jacket sale

• Organized and staffed the concessions stand for home football games, plus other occasions • Hosted a vintage sports uniform sale • Presented athletics educational programming for parents and guardians • Created social media content for the Saints Athletics Club Instagram page • Partnered with the Upper School Student Life Committee • Hosted a coaches and athletics staff appreciation event • Underwrote the CCC lobby pictures, equipment in the weight room for Coach P’s programming, speed machine, hi-res camera for Athletics Department, the athletics team uniform storage buildout, and a part of the forthcoming speaker system on the Frank G. Addonizio Field football and boys’ lacrosse turf.

Parents’ Association • Personally welcomed 134 new families to the St. Anne’s community last summer • Shared 340 cups of coffee at parent and caregiver coffees throughout the year • Provided $4,000 in funding for Wednesday Wellness programs • Chaperoned field trips so our kids could connect their classroom learning to the wider world • Contributed 172 volunteer hours reshelving books in the library • Showed our appreciation for our 220+ faculty and staff all year long with pies, potluck lunches, breakroom snacks, flowers, and messages of thanks • Welcomed more than 400 grandparents and special friends to visit Pre-School and Lower School classrooms • Delivered love to families with over 30 baby onesies, meals, flowers, and stuffed Saintys through the Saints Cares committee • Sold 1,755 uniform pieces at the Saints’ Closet, raising funds to further the PA’s mission of bringing families together and supporting our faculty and staff. Thank you!

Autumn Views: Summer 2023 7

Commencement in Photos View more at bit.ly/us-23-photos

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St. Anne’s-Belfield School

Congratulations, Class of 2023!

Autumn Views: Summer 2023 9

2023 College Acceptance and Matriculation

It is with pride and admiration for our seniors that we share the list of colleges and universities that accepted members of the Class of 2023. Colleges in bold are where students plan to enroll (matriculate) in the fall.

Allegheny College American University Appalachian State University Arizona State University (Main Campus) Auburn University Augusta University Bard College Belmont University Boston College Boston University Brandeis University Bryn Mawr College Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Catawba Valley Community College Chapman University Christopher Newport University Clemson University Coastal Carolina University Colby College Colgate University College of Charleston Colorado College Davidson College Denison University Dickinson College Drexel University East Carolina University Eckerd College Elon University Emerson College Emory University Fairmont State University Fashion Institute of Technology Fordham University George Mason University George Washington University Georgetown University

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St. Anne’s-Belfield School

Georgia State University Gettysburg College Harvard University Howard University Indiana University (Bloomington) James Madison University Johns Hopkins University Kenyon College Liberty University Mary Baldwin University Maryland Institute College of Art Marymount Manhattan College McGill University Miami University (Oxford) Michigan State University Montclair State University Morgan State University Mount Holyoke College New York University Norfolk State University North Carolina A & T State University North Carolina Central University North Carolina State University Northeastern University Northwestern University Oberlin College Old Dominion University Pace University (New York City) Penn State University (University Park) Point Park University Princeton University Purdue University (Main Campus) Radford University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhodes College Roanoke College Roger Williams University

Rollins College Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Saint Michael’s College San Diego State University Sarah Lawrence College Scripps College Sewanee: The University of the South Siena College Smith College Southern Methodist University St. John’s College (Annapolis) SUNY at Purchase College Syracuse University The Boston Conservatory at Berklee The College of William and Mary The College of Wooster The Ohio State University The University of Alabama The University of Tennessee (Knoxville) Tufts University Union College University of Arizona University of California (Davis) University of California (Irvine) University of California (Los Angeles) University of California (Riverside) University of California (San Diego) University of California (Santa Barbara) University of California (Santa Cruz) University of Chicago University of Colorado Boulder University of Connecticut University of Denver University of Florida

University of Georgia University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign University of Iowa University of Kentucky University of Louisville University of Mary Washington University of Maryland (College Park) University of Massachusetts (Amherst) University of Massachusetts (Lowell) University of Miami University of Michigan University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) University of Mississippi University of Missouri (Columbia) University of New Brunswick University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Charlotte University of North Carolina Wilmington University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh) University of Rhode Island University of Richmond University of Rochester University of San Diego University of South Carolina University of Southern California University of St Andrews University of Toronto University of Vermont University of Virginia (Main Campus) University of Washington (Seattle Campus)

Vanderbilt University Vassar College Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Wake Forest University Washington and Lee University Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College Wesleyan University Williams College Worcester Polytechnic Institute Yale University

Class of 2023 by the Numbers 30

Average ACT

52% 639 will enroll in a very selective (<25%) colleges

1304

Average GPA

student

Overall Admission Rate

54%

Early Decision UVA in-state 72% Our admission rate

Average SAT

4.06

Applications submitted Avg. 6.9 applications per

52%

71%

UVA Admission Rate

vs. 27% UVA in-state

admission rate

58%

Our UVA out-ofstate admission rate

vs. 12% UVA out-of-state admission rate

62%

Early Action

50%

Restricted Early Action

44%

Regular Decision Autumn Views: Summer 2023 11

Leadership Changes

Fond Farewells Warren B. Buford, P. ’23 & ’25

Changdong “East” He ’12

Lauren Hagans

Fundraiser. Fun raiser. Friend raiser.

Warren has been the ultimate utility player for the entire St. Anne’s-Belfield community for the last decade — for alumni, families, Charlottesville leaders, teachers, staff, and, most importantly, our students. After 10 years as a leader at the School, Warren Buford was tapped to become the executive director of development for the UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science and head of the UVA Engineering Foundation, effective early July. While we will miss him dearly, we are thrilled for Warren to be selected for this significant position. Thankfully, Warren will remain a steadfast member of our community as an alum parent to Max ’23 and parent of Grade 11 student, James ’23. His wife, Ashley Buford, will continue to serve our Kindergarten students and families as a homeroom teacher.

East He has been a tremendous board member since 2015 and has been an extremely active alum of our school.

As one of our younger trustees as well as a graduate of the boarding program, he has provided invaluable perspective and guidance in so many areas — often without garnering the attention given his quiet leadership style. He has been much more than an important link to our residential life program but a real leader in engaging international alumni through the Asia Pacific Innovation Program (APIC), which he started with another alum. He is always known to be a thoughtful sounding board and has been an amazing supporter of the school.

East will be missed as a trustee, but we know he will continue to be active with the school as an alum.

While a student at UVA, Lauren Hagans was a homework helper and mentor for students, computer lab supervisor, and assistant girls’ basketball coach. In 2017, Lauren rejoined this community with her husband, Marques, and their two sons, Christopher and Jack, who entered Kindergarten and the Pre-School Program. In her time as a volunteer, Lauren co-chaired the athletics taskforce, co-chaired the inclusive excellence strategic planning committee, and served on the civic engagement working group before joining the board of trustees in 2021.

An incredible advocate for our School, Lauren has talked to countless families and encouraged them to “just go see the school” and meet the folks who work there. Often those families find themselves applying and enrolling. We will deeply miss her as the Hagans family moves on to their next adventure in Pennsylvania.

Associate Head of School for Advancement

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St. Anne’s-Belfield School

Board of Trustees Member, 2015 – 2023

Board of Trustees Member, 2022 – 2023

Warm Welcomes Anniken “Anni” Quinn ’12, M.A.

Pamela “Pam” Winthrop Chief Advancement Officer

Director of Alumni Engagement

Pam Winthrop joins us as the School’s inaugural Chief Advancement Officer We are excited to announce that Anni Quinn ’12 will become the new Director (CAO) starting July 17, 2023. A seasoned fundraiser with 27 years of of Alumni and Family Engagement beginning in July. As a fourth-generation experience working in independent schools in the United States and alumna, member of the School’s Development Committee, former intern Denmark, Pam’s expertise ranges in the Advancement office, Alumni Class from capital campaign strategy and management, major gifts, annual Ambassador, and a highly committed giving, alumni relations, and fundraising and enthusiastic alumna, Anni brings a events. Pam most recently served as the deep connection to and love for the St. director of institutional advancement Anne’s-Belfield. Anni also brings her at Chinese American International substantive professional experience to this important community-building role School (CAIS) in San Francisco, where at the school, having led alumni relations she increased parent giving by 135% in two years and oversaw the first and stewardship for numerous years at Columbian College, George Washington capital campaign in the school’s 33University in Washington, D.C. Please join us in welcoming Anni back home and into this new role!

year history, surpassing the goal by 25%. Previously, Pam held significant leadership positions in advancement at the University of Chicago Laboratory schools, Copenhagen International School, St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH, and National Cathedral School in Washington, DC. Additionally, Pam has been an associate with Graham-Pelton Consulting, is a regular volunteer for CASE-NAIS, and serves on the board of ALDEA Guatemala. Pam graduated from Mount Holyoke College. An enthusiastic welcome to Pam!

Team “Slack Attack” blew away the competition at the 2023 National KidWind Challenge held in Boulder, Colorado in May. Congratulations to Andy K. ’30, Bo G. ’30, Dean R. ’30, and their coaches, Jeff Schwalm and Robbie Munsey!

Read the full story at bit.ly/slack-attack

Photo credit: Robbie Munsey Autumn Views: Summer 2023 13

Celebrating Our

Fabulous Faculty & Staff 2022-23 Service Award Winners

Chad Sopata, P. ’25, ’28, ’33, & ’35 April Waylett Teaching Award

Lexie Krebs

Michael Remchuk

Lower School Teaching Award

Lossie N. Wilkinson Award

Matilda Ferguson

Michael E. Waylett Service Award

Brooke Canova, P. ’31

Andrea Beardsley, P. ’23 & ’25

Diana Edwards Smith Teaching Mastership

Elizabeth Copeland Norfleet Award

Meg Van Liew, P. ’17 14

St. Anne’s-Belfield School

Malone Prize

2022–23

Athletic Highlights Conference players of the year: Mo Johnson ’23

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Conference champions and state runners up Girls’ lacrosse Boys’ basketball Girls’ basketball

Chance Mallory ’25

Addi Foster ’23

Carter Lang ’23

Conference or regional coaches of the year:

Carrington King

Phil Stinnie

Damin Altizer

State-ranked teams Field hockey Girls’ tennis Boys’ basketball Girls’ basketball

Girls’ lacrosse Boys’ lacrosse Baseball Girls’ soccer

Mo Johnson ’23:

McDonald’s All American

All American

22

School records broken: swim (11), track & field (11)

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Signed Class of 2023

36

First team all conference studentathletes

18

First team all state student-athletes

State swimming champion:

State coach of the year:

100 and 200 Free

2x Gatorade State Player of the Year

Will Browne ’25

Phil Stinnie

Autumn Views: Summer 2023 15

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