Coed Coeducation at Thacher
The Women of Thacher A Silver Celebration
by Sara Sackner
O
n Saturday, March 1, over seventy-five alumnae gathered at the lovely home of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Calhoun, Jr. (parents of Alex Calhoun CdeP 1981 and Katie Ballou Calhoun CdeP 1983) for a celebration of the women of Thacher. Instantly, no matter whether these women attended during the Emma Willard Exchange or graduated in the class of 2002, all were happy to chat and share their remembrances of the Thacher experience.
Outgoing President of the Alumni Association, Christine Carter CdeP 1990 was the MC for the toasts prior to dinner. Joy Sawyer-Mulligan, the evening’s speaker, offered a fact-filled yet personal look at the transition from the early years to the current classes of 50 percent girls. Joy also took full advantage of the allwomen gathering and tailored her sometimes bawdy remarks to a most appreciative crowd. Many attendees then made toasts to coeducation—to their prefects, teachers, parents, and especially their fellow Toads, both male and female. In fact, the toasts went on for quite some time until the caterers begged all to hit the buffet line before the delicious meal turned to compost. The decibel level crept steadily upward throughout the evening. Farewell at 10 in the evening came and went. By midnight, the party drew to a close. Hoarse from talking, all whispered thank-yous to the hosts for an incredible celebration of coeducation at Thacher. The School sends special thanks to the Calhouns for opening their home for the gathering and to the Host Committee for their thoughtful work. The Hosts: Susan Lascher CdeP 1978 Carol McConnell CdeP 1981 Belinda Hanson CdeP 1982 Jane Su CdeP 1982 Katie Ballou Calhoun CdeP 1983 Yasmin Tong CdeP 1984 Sarah Lavender Smith CdeP 1986 Sydney Fisher Bernier CdeP 1987 Deena Williams CdeP 1987 Erin Rosen CdeP 1988 Christine Carter CdeP 1990 Elena Fischbacher CdeP 1990 Guadalupe Nickell CdeP 1992 Elizabeth Greenway CdeP 1997 Stephanie Hubbard CdeP 2002
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Spring / Summer 2003 31