Returning Alumni Prove That Bishop’s Heart Remains the Same By Diane Y. Welch
Returning Alumni 14
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lumni Weekend proved, once again, to be a heartfelt coming together of former students, faculty and staff, where laughter and joy were abundant and the memories of shared experiences plentiful. The events, held Oct. 14-16, included the now traditional Flashback Campus Tours and Class without Homework when recent graduates to those marking their 50th reunion, joined a variety of classes from middle school math to Advanced Placement U.S. History. “Many students had the opportunity to interact with alumni and learn for themselves what the future will be like when they are returning to participate in the same tradition,” says Sarah Garro, director of alumni relations. On Friday evening, Head of School Aimeclaire Roche welcomed alumni who gathered on the Larmour Lawn & Plaza to kick off the weekend’s festivities. With live music in the background, attendees had a chance to reconnect with all classes before heading off to their individual class parties throughout La Jolla. In total over 450 alumni and friends were present over the weekend, with graduates from the 1960s through to 2011 being represented. For Saturday’s daytime events alumni enjoyed a much-loved milk break in
front of the head of school’s office, followed by a chapel service, picnic on the Quad and campus tours for alumni, friends and family. On Saturday evening the weekend’s high point was the Ellen Browning Scripps (EBS) Celebration, an awards program founded in 1993 by the Alumni Association to honor alumni, faculty and staff for their achievements and service to Bishop’s. The sunset reception, followed by a sit-down dinner, video tributes and speeches by the awardees, was rounded off with a star-lit dessert reception. This year, five honorees from one family, a first in EBS Celebration history, were recognized. “We were very excited about the award recipients,” says Julie Zures Turner ’95, Bishop’s Trustee and Alumni Association Board president, about the nomination committee’s selection. The Gengler sisters: Marjory Gengler Smith ’69, Louise Gengler Thomas ’71, Nancy Gengler-Saint ’74, Jeanne Gengler
Swiacki ’76, and Marion Gengler Melton ’80 each received the Ellen Browning Scripps Distinguished Alumni Award, being recognized for their inspirational accomplishments in the sport of tennis. “These women are so deserving of the award yet so humble and so well-liked among their peers,” says Julie. Between the four who attended the event—Jeanne in Great Falls, Virginia, was unable to travel following a medical procedure—they had journeyed afar from their respective homes in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; Annapolis, Maryland; London, England and New York City. In looking back, Louise says that Headmistress Ruth Jenkins had played an important role in her future. “She represented the high academic standards at Bishop’s and the importance of working hard and being a strong student. Her messages also supported the belief that excelling in your passion had value.” The teachers impacted her life at Bishop’s, says Margie, “They encouraged hard work, discipline and excellence. The tennis coach, Alex Gordon, became a ‘father figure’ to so many of the boarders who were on his team. While the