Keeping in Touch - Annual Report 2020-2021

IN ANNUAL REPORT

JULY 1, 2020 – JUNE 30, 2021 VOLUME 15: 2 – OL WINTER 2022

TOUCH

THE ROEPER SCHOOL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

KEEPING

KIT

TABLE OF CONTENTS David Feldman Head of School david.feldman@roeper.org Denita Banks-Sims Director of Development & Publications denita.banks-sims@roeper.org Keeping in Touch Editorial Staff Katie Buchmann Editor Bonnie Schemm Art Director Contributors Linda Ban Denita Banks-Sims Katie Buchmann Scott Carmona David Feldman Dave Fluent Juliette Olejnik Clay Thomas Shani Yapa-Kimpson Special Thanks Marcia Ruff

THE ROEPER SCHOOL 41190 Woodward Avenue Bloomfield Hills Michigan 48304 248/203.7300 www.roeper.org

FEATURES

STATE OF THE SCHOOL . . . . .

David H. Feldman, Head of School

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FROM THE CHAIR . . . . . . . . . .

Clay Thomas, Chair/Roeper Board of Trustees

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FINANCIAL OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . .

Linda Ban, Vice Chair – Finance/Roeper Board of Trustees

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UNRESTRICTED OPERATING BUDGET REPORT .

Dave Fluent, Director of Finance and Operations

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2020/2021 ANNUAL FUND & SPECIAL GIFT DONOR LISTINGS . . .

Shani Yapa-Kimpson, Data Manager

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DESIGNING FOR THE DIFFERENCE . . . . . . . .

Laura Pierce-Karmanos, Trustee & Campaign Co-chair

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MOSAIC AUCTION 2021 DONORS & SUPPORTERS .

Katie Buchmann, Development Officer

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ROEPER GOLF OUTING 2021 . . . . . . .

Scott Carmona, Athletic Department Asssistant

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HEARTFELT THANKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Juliette Olejnik, Director/Annual Fund & Alumni Relations

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TIME, TALENT & TREASURE ­— ALUMNI CONVERSATIONS .

Alana Glass ’97 & Olacoy Robinson Lawyer ’95 Jon Wilcox ’03 & Jeremy Schemm ’92 Marko Slusarczek ’70 & Brad Rourke ’83

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PARTING THOUGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Denita Banks-Sims, Director of Development & Publications The Roeper School is an independent coeducational day school for gifted and talented children preschool through grade 12 and an equal-opportunity institution

EDUCATING AND INSPIRING GIFTED STUDENTS TO THINK AS INDIVIDUALS AND TO ENGAGE AS A COMMUNITY WITH COMPASSION FOR EACH OTHER AND THIS WORLD

ON THE COVER Zach Stiebel, Grade 9 Color Theory Project, acrylic painting

NOTE Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the listings in this Annual Report. If an error has occurred, please accept our apologies and contact the Development Office at 248/203-7315 so the appropriate changes can be made to our records.

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KIT

David H. Feldman Head of School

STATE OF THE SCHOOL In our third school year of managing Covid-19, it would be easy to focus this report merely on the management of health and safety measures Indeed, I am immensely grateful to the teachers, staff members, and administrators who make adjustments to their daily focus on teaching and learning and shift in a moment’s time to matters of physical health and emotional support because of the pandemic The care for our community remains our central focus

With all the focus on Covid it is important for you to know that we continue to provide a rich, thoughtful, and child-centered program through the stress and tumult of pandemic life In-person learning on both of our campuses, even with the health and safety mitigation strategies we have initiated, provide our students with the care for their mental health and socialization so integral to their growth and maturity Within our academic program we recognize the need to continuously care for the wellbeing of the whole learner It is not enough to provide strong academic opportunities We are living through challenges to our health, to our economy, to our understanding of justice, and to the systems of American government With all the stress and anxiety these issues have provoked, having a place of community in which to find friendship, comfort, and support has been more important than ever Our Strategic Plan, a pre-pandemic initiative, made clear the health needs of our community and the support that is essential to guide us through our current challenges We have always understood that a holistic approach to teaching and learning is central to the engagement we have with our students at Roeper Programs like Advisory and Homeroom provide a central point of gathering and belonging for each of our students — an essential need in our current times And combined with professional guidance for our teachers, such programs as Responsive Classroom, CASEL (Collaborative for Advancing Social and Emotional Learning), and Yale University’s Center for Emotional Intelligence’s Project RULER bring research-based best practices in social and emotional learning to our classrooms

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Through masks, vaccinations, screenings, and adjustments to campus spaces we continue to bring our community together to do school In doing so, we see the pandemic highlighting needs within our program that are essential to supporting our teachers and families This year we have begun a search and will hire two new positions The School will add a Lower School Learning Support teacher to coordinate with our Birmingham Campus team, and a Nurse to serve the health needs of both campuses Both positions directly address our strategic focus on wellness providing our community with essential guidance around neurodiverse learners and support for the physical health and health teaching needs in our school After several years of discussion, this year we implemented a new schedule on the Birmingham campus consistent with our strategic goals around health and wellness The new schedule has longer teaching blocks (55 minutes), a quarter system offering a greater choice of classes, a community block every third day to increase engagement inside and outside the community, and fewer transitions in a day to reduce the frenetic pace of the schedule As the year progresses, students and faculty will have time to provide feedback on the new schedule and the opportunity to make adjustments once we have spent time experiencing this model I am so inspired by our community’s engagement in our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) Audit Beginning with a full community survey, and a select group of focus groups, the school is now completing a series of Discovery Group meetings These meetings of over 30 different groups are intended to look deeply at all aspects of the school’s operations and governance In doing so, we are using the DEIJ lens to highlight areas of strength and need and to ultimately provide the insight that will help us support a community that provides safety, dignity and belonging to each member My thanks to the faculty and staff who moderated and participated in this key first step of information gathering An audit is not a one-time experience, but rather a kind of health check on where we are in this moment in time The ongoing discussions and impact this work will have on program, policy, and strategic planning is essential to our school’s living its mission and philosophy

It is not enough to provide strong academic opportunities .

We are living through challenges to our health, to our economy, to our understanding of justice, and to the systems of American government .

With all the stress and anxiety these issues have provoked, having a place of community in which to find friendship, comfort, and support has been more important than ever .

We are pleased to share that construction of the final piece of the (Designing for the Difference) campaign will begin this summer as we bring this capital campaign to a close .

I want to thank Sarah Miller for her support and guidance in helping us bring the audit to fruition Her organizational skills and talents helped us stay on task and complete the different reports I want to extend my special thanks to < Carolyn Lett, our Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, for her leadership, vision, and wisdom Carolyn and I discussed this audit process 10 years ago, and we have worked as partners this past decade to continuously challenge our community to live its commitment to DEIJ work, never losing sight of the need to do this introspective assessment Carolyn’s leadership at Roeper has helped us shape operational and board policies, create programs like the MLK Celebration, SEED, and the Multicultural Leadership Team She reminds us of the responsibilities we have as individuals and as a community to look in the mirror and out our windows at the identity we carry with us each day This spring, our consultant for the DEIJ Audit, Alison Park, will provide our community with an Executive Summary of our work Alison will also share guidance for next steps and some of the strategic goals we might choose to prioritize based on the information we have gathered and the assessment she has completed from our collected data This is a very exciting next step, as we continue to seek ways to help our school thrive During the celebration of our 75th anniversary we began a capital campaign called Designing for the Difference The work of that project led to the building of the Naas Commons and the addition of 9,000 additional square feet of learning space on our Birmingham Campus The project yielded a second phase — a second floor learning center, quiet study area, and teacher room We are pleased to share that construction of this final piece of the campaign will begin this summer as we bring this capital campaign to a close I would like to thank our Board of Trustees for leading us during the campaign We raised over $8,000,000 for this

project, the largest capital campaign the school has ever experienced I would also like to thank Denita Banks-Sims, our Director of Development, for her partnership, guidance, and leadership in helping us reach this historic goal Denita’s insight, wisdom, and vision help our community dream big, and attain the goals we set I am immensely grateful for her partnership!

Those of you who live in the Poppleton Park area or in the City of Birmingham may know that the City Commissioners recently approved a plan to renovate Adams Park This property adjacent to our Birmingham campus was originally owned

by The Roeper School When we sold the land to the city, we retained the rights to use the land for recess and after-school activities As the city worked with architects on the renovation plan, Roeper partnered with the planners to include key track and field amenities in the new design With the School adding $40,000 to this $1,000,000+ project, we are excited to see this project move forward and to have our track and field program benefit from this partnership We continue to work to maintain positive relationships with our Poppleton Park friends and see this renovation project as a benefit to our whole neighborhood Meeting the cost of attending an independent school is an ongoing challenge for families across our country We know that as tuition rates continue to climb, more families will seek financial aid, or simply step away from schools like Roeper The examination of our financial model and how to increase the philanthropy side of our income statement is a key component of our strategic plan I am pleased to share that two particular areas of that plan have seen strong growth Our school’s endowment has recently surpassed the $10,000,000 level While a school our age should certainly have a larger endowment, I am pleased to note that this amount has doubled in my tenure over the last 10 years About 4% of the endowment total is brought in as revenue to the annual budget, meaning the more the endowment grows the less dependent the annual budget is on tuition dollars As we think about the long-term financial needs of the school, being less dependent on tuition is a goal worth setting

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Concept drawing of Adams Park, looking southwest .

The second area of growth the school is seeing is in community member participation in Planned Giving Making The Roeper School a part of your will or trust is a way to make a meaningful difference in the future of this special school, and where possible take advantage of making a gift to a not-for-profit institution It should be noted that the Dennis Naas Commons was made possible by a planned gift that yielded $1,000,000 to the school Planned Gifts of all sizes are welcome, and each makes a lasting difference in the life of Roeper

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Finally, in the coming months the school will begin the transition to a new Head of School A team of Board members, faculty, staff, alumni, and students is working with a search firm to find my successor This is a bittersweet moment for me After 10 wonderful years leading Roeper, it’s time for me to begin my next chapter I am grateful to each of you for your partnership through this remarkable experience I have enjoyed our work together and appreciate all you have taught me along the way There is still much for me to do this year, and in my career as an educator — I am a long way from retirement I just want to take this moment and say thank you! F

I am grateful to each of you for your partnership through this remarkable experience .

I have enjoyed our work together and appreciate all you have taught me along the way .

Clay Thomas

Chair/Board of Trustees Current Parent

KIT

FROM THE CHAIR

I am often asked what the Board of Trustees does

The Board of Trustees developed a Policy on

Can I call a snow day? Can I impact the class

Gender Inclusion Creating the framework and

schedule? While the answer to those questions

discussing the expectations the Board has for the

is no, there are a great many responsibilities of

administration around inclusion was important

the Board of Trustees Generally speaking, the

work Some of the Board’s most interesting and

Board’s role includes protecting the mission and

enlightening conversations were had when working

philosophy of the school, reviewing and approving

on this policy

the school’s finances, and supporting the Head of School

The Board also created an Anti-Racism Resolution with clear expectations for the administration

The Board’s role includes protecting the mission and philosophy of the school, reviewing and approving the school’s finances, and supporting the Head of School .

As we progress through my first year as Chair of

about how we promote diversity, equity, inclusion

the Board, I have had occasion to reflect on the

and justice in our community Witnessing the

accomplishments of the Board from the past 10

work of our volunteer Board of Trustees to make

years that I am particularly grateful to have been

this a meaningful statement was inspiring

part of To all current and past Board members, I offer my For example, with close attention to our philosophy,

sincere thank you for all the time and energy you

the Board developed a new mission statement for

brought to your time on the Board Nowhere have

the school:

I experienced more passion and commitment from

Educating and inspiring gifted students

so many in our community than my time on the

to think as individuals and to engage as

Board I am looking forward to my coming years

a community with compassion for each

as Chair of the Board of Trustees, all the great

other and this world.

people I will be working with, and what we will accomplish together

This was particularly rewarding work as we discussed in depth the philosophy and its application to our changing world The Board restored teacher benefits to pre-economic downturn levels This work took a long-term commitment from the Board through its financial planning and budgeting Achieving this goal, and improving upon it, was important because it had a direct impact on our teachers and staff

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KIT

Linda Ban

Treasurer, Board of Trustees Alumni Parent

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW The Covid-19 pandemic had a dramatic effect on Roeper during the 2020/2021 school year, but years of careful discussions and decisions allowed us to manage through the worst of the pandemic With the focus squarely on supporting our students, faculty and staff, David Feldman, Dave Fluent, and the Finance Committee worked together closely to ensure the school would provide the best program possible under the circumstances Using the framework of Roeper’s Strategic Plan, the team focused on sub-elements of the strategy that continue to be critical for Roeper’s long-term sustainability: Support and Attract Great Faculty and Staff — Roeper’s longevity is due to the strength of the faculty and administration Retention of our talented teachers and staff is vital to Roeper’s long-term success We are pleased to share that during the 2020/2021 school year, salaries were increased by 3 3% and are at the benchmark salaries of other Midwestern independent schools Invest in Best-in-Class Facilities — Given the challenges presented by the pandemic, changes to our learning environments were focused on ensuring the health and safety of our community The Development team continued to work on fundraising to finish the learning resource space on the third floor in Birmingham In order to complete the third floor learning space in Birmingham, the Board has voted to supplement the current funds with a release from the Special Reserves to complete the space Construction is scheduled for the Summer of 2022 Grow the Endowment — Roeper’s total endowment, a key source of funding for the school’s operation, increased 22% to $9 7 million as a result of donations and prudent investment management By continuing to grow the endowment, we will be able to provide increased funding for Roeper’s operations as we strive to keep tuition affordable Support the Mission through Increased Financial Aid — While financial strength is important to the long-term viability of the school, it is only one element that defines Roeper’s success George and Annemarie founded the school to provide education to children of all income levels Despite the difficulties presented by the pandemic, Roeper was able to continue to provide $2 9 million in financial aid dollars to attract and retain talented young people and their families in our community Financial aid is a critical element of Roeper’s financial model as more than 35% of Roeper’s net tuition revenue comes from families that receive financial aid The 2020/2021 school year had numerous challenges, with portions of the year in Remote Home Learning, deferral/cancellation of many in-person activities and a scaled-back summer camp program While these events have had a significant impact on finances and operations, our years of sound decision-making between the school leadership and finance committee allowed us to maintain our program, support the Roeper community and continue to build our longer-term financial strength in support of future students and families F

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Our years of sound decisionmaking between the school leadership and Finance Committee allowed us to maintain our program, support the Roeper community and continue to build our longer-term financial strength .

KIT

Dave Fluent

Director of Finance & Operations

UNRESTRICTED OPERATING FUND ACTUAL July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 SOURCES Actual

Percentage

Tuition and other programs $12,839,622 Gifts and grants 367,342 Other 225,299 Endowment income 367,459 Board designated/Payroll protection program funds 1,206,152

85.6% 2.4% 1.5% 2.4% 8.0%

Total Sources

$15,005,874

100.0%

USES Academics and other programs Auxiliary services Facility operation Project work Financial aid, scholarships and discounts Development Publications Public relations and admissions Management and general Debt service Working capital reserve Board designated funds Total Uses

Actual

Percentage

$7,665,467 143,024 1,156,754 296,682 2,913,065 452,320 114,214 580,277 1,349,071 335,000 — —

51.1% 1.0% 7.7% 2.0% 19.4% 3.0% 0.8% 3.9% 9.0% 2.2% 0.0% 0.0%

$15,005,874

100.0%

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KIT

Shani Yapa-Kimpson

Constituent Data Manager

ANNUAL FUND STATS 2020/2021 Campaign Total

$219,716.45 (including $35,506 designated to

Financial Aid & Scholarship)

102.2%

Average Gift Amount

$310.33

Mode Gift Amount

$100.00

Number of Donors

532

Number of Gifts

708

Parent Participation Alumni Participation

9.6%

Alumni Parent Participation

6.1%

Grandparent Participation

4.5%

Staff Participation

45%

Board of Trustees Participation

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38.5%

100%

Thank you very much!

Percent of Goal

KIT

ANNUAL FUND DONORS 2020/2021 The Roeper School is pleased to acknowledge the donors to the 2020/21 Annual Fund Campaign

PLATINUM CIRCLE

a gift of $10,000 or more Community Foundation for SE Michigan

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

a gift of $5,000 to $9,999 Joel & Carol Appel The Kelter/Blair Family Thomas Wilkinson & Marcia Ruff

GOLD CIRCLE

a gift of $3,000 to $4,999

Bold Italic indicates donors who have contributed to Roeper’s Annual Fund for five or more consecutive years

Mark & Amy-Beth Fleischer Evelyn Gerson & Jon Newhard Dikran Kashkashian 1972 & Julia Kashkashian Jared & Peggy Klein Darin & Perry McKeever Kenneth & Sarah Miller Bradley Rourke 1983 & Andrea Jarrell Donna Silk Robert Sims & Denita Banks-Sims

David Kramer & Anessa Owen Kramer 1989* Monica & Mike Lambert Susan Lane Barbara & Jon Lane Mary Lee Lori Lutz 1975 & Gregory Gamalski Debra Meier & Brian Dietz 1983 Jon & Lori Mojares Michele Munde 1980 Harwood & Barbara Nichols Curt & Holly Nielsen Michael & Cindy Pettibone Leonard Pitt 1975 Julia & Leroy Richie Derek Rocco 2012 Peter Roeper 1963* & Martha Harnly Dipak Shah & Sujana Gundlapalli Scott Simecek & Kathrina Spyridakis Nancy & Neil Sosin Ryan Sosin 2003 & Curran Sosin Ann Steglich Vickie & Derek Teetsel Charlaé Washington 2004 Eric & Marcy Weisberg Ann Williams & Frank Edwards

FOUNDERS CIRCLE

a gift of $1,000 to $2,999 Anonymous Donors Geoffrey Armstrong 1984 & Michelle Armstrong Carolyn Borman Joan Brawer Kathryn Deakins 1981 Mariana & Brian Durst Diana & James Elshoff Fannie Kraft Foundation David & Elane Feldman Frank L & Helen Gofrank Foundation Maxine Gardner Matthew Gardner 2003 & Lara Gardner Adam Gardner 2000 Geri & Robert Garlo Catherine Gofrank & Curtis Bagne Google Matching Gifts Program Grekin Family Foundation Hobart Harris 1975 Jeanne & Michael Haynes Patricia Hurd & Bruce Weeks David Jaffe 1974 & Erica Peresman Gayle Kirker Christopher & Elizabeth Klee Kathleen Kopitz

Alyssa Fracasso, Grade 10 — Soft Sculpture

* indicates the actual graduation year of those alumni who graduated from other secondary schools

SILVER CIRCLE

a gift of $500 to $999 Anonymous Donors Mary & Charles Albrecht AmazonSmile Foundation Edward & Shirley Arnieri BAE Systems Tom Baker

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James Balmer 1970* & Martha Balmer Annemarie & Ray Boyl Christopher Bradley 1986 & Carolyn Bradley Richard Dennis & Anne M . Gahagan Stephanie Diamond & Kevin Carlson Arthur Ensroth 1968* Andrea & David Fluent Stephanie Fried 1995 & Michael Bifolco Marc Friedman 1975 & Madalyn Friedman Mary Ellen Gardner Sharon Gross & Jeffrey Garvin Harold & Mary Ellen Gurewitz Paul & Ellen Hoppe Kristine Howard Richard & Elanah Hunger Naomi Johnson Miller 1974 Alexandra Kambouris Alberstadt 1983 Peter Karmanos III & Laura Karmanos Pat & Michael Lawrence Raymond & Carolyn Lett Rahanna LoDico Arthur Luby 1971 Elizabeth Anne Matoy Clarence McCollum & Tereh Sayles-McCollum Henry McKee, Jr Micah Brown Jeff Nahan & Annette Depetris Network for Good Tim O’Donnell & Leigh Newland O’Donnell 1988 Thomas & Juliette Olejnik Peter Henninger-Osgood & Gretchen Osgood Christie Peck & Edwin Baker Eric Peterson 1995 Michael & Cindy Pettibone

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Marlita Reddy-Hjelmfelt 1979 & Eric Hjelmfelt Ron Robinson & Leslie Hosey Jarie & Mike Ruddy Leonard & Bonnie Schemm William Schwanki & Marla Feldman Ashley Lowe & Robert Shaya Scott & Colleen Shelton Eric Silverman 1981 Rachel Stafeil Susan Szabo Mattano 1977 & Len Mattano Bessy Despotis & Clay Thomas Kristen Underhill Welch 1977 & Barclay Welch Carmen Wargel & Ryan Fringer Laurie & Kevin Welsh David & Sharon White Dennis Zamplas & Cynthia Alkema-Zamplas

BENEFACTORS

a gift of $250 to $499 Anonymous Donors Miranda Beebe 1984* Colleen & David Allen John & Linda Ban Elisabeth & Kenneth Brower Marinelli & Carlton Brown Erik Burbulla 2012 Scott & Heather Carmona Jennifer Chang & Brandon Petitpren Eric Davies 1977 & Karole Davies James & Deborah Delisle Sarah & Charles DeVries Docusign Adam Dorfman 1990 & Melissa Moskof George Ellenwood 1966* Angela & James Fleming Timothy, Nicole & Olivia 2021 Gandee Peter & Charlotte Gerrits Julie & Geoffrey Gibbs Alana Glass 1997 Jonathan Grossman 1988 & Michelle Grossman Kalee Hoff Georgescu Jeanne & David Hoffa Sally Hoover Shannon & Jason Johnson Barbara & Rodney Keteyian Yuliya & Roman Koval Kroger Rewards

3D Sidewalk chalk art by Middle School students Bryce Broughton, Michael Fuger, Jenna Kanfer, Julian Lelievre, Lila Must, Sydney Stibor .

Above: Spider Eye 2 Lower left: Spill

Right: Calla lilies drawing by Alli Margolis, Grade 10

Kristen & Barbara Lasecki-Webb Howard Lee 1981 & Vi Nguyen Fred & Roz Lessing Fletcher Liverance & Karen Doyle Kelly MacDonald Tamara Machmut-Jhashi & Vaja Jhashi Kurt Magnus 1988 & Emily Magnus Herman Marable Jr 1980 Michael & Amy Margolis Jay Marks Clarence & Shannon Martin Valerie & Joseph Meyecic Carin & Brett Meyer Danita & Steve Milbeck Jay Must Paul & Julie Nemchik Jon & Amy Norgard Robert & Regina Noto Matthew Oztalay 2007* Judith & Karl Porth Project Worldwide Gretchen & Jerry Reeves Sandra Richardson-Smith Vicki Robinson Patricia Ignatius & Werner C . Roennecke Fiona Ruddy 2006 & Spencer Olinek Zachary & Susan Savas Annette & Daniel See James Shaffer & Jason McIntosh Rudy & Roseanne Simons James & Catherine Sommerfeld Thomas & Julie Song Tessa Stein & Bob Simon Shelley Sullivan Ryan & Lori Talbott Beth Taylor & Mark Miliotto Michael Tilchin 1972 Elizabeth & John Turner Tunesia & Khary Turner William & Patricia Vance Andrew Wedepohl & Sarah Baltman Wedepohl 1988 Charles White 2005 & Tanith White Patrick White & Amy Clark Robert & Susan Williams Cathy & Brian Wilmers Laurence & Emily Wine Julian Wong & Noa Ofen Terry Wynn & Ione Walker Annie Yamamoto Pandora Young 1999 Anita Zaleski Weinraub 1969

PATRONS

a gift of $100 to $249 Anonymous Donors Cherie Abbey & Henry Lambertz Natalie Abbott Marlene Abramson Cheryl & Craig Adams Latish Adnani & Teena Chopra Brian & Andrea Akkashian Mana Al-Hussaini & Hasan Humadi Morgan Elliott Andahazy 1995 & Ladislaus Andahazy 2001 Soren & Wallis Andersen Kellie & Stephon Bagne David & Susan Barcus Michael & Carol Barnhart Amy Barron & Eric Raphael Sammer Bashir & Reem Abou-Samra Christina Beebe 1987 Alyse Belkin Jamey Bell 1975 & Gregg David Adler Charles & Ann Bieneman Karen & Edward Bird Leamarie Bistak Herron 1986 & Erik Herron The Blackbaud Giving Fund Your Cause Cheryl Blau 1980 Carolyn & Andrew Blechman Jordan Bolton 1995* & Rebecca Fried Bolton 1998 Barbara Boraks Samson 1970 Nadine & Lenny Borrisove Millie & Daniel Braunstein Erin Brooks 2000 Rychee & Morris Brown Diana & David Brown Bill Buckingham 1963* & Pam Buckingham Jan Bulman Kirsten Carlson & Dwayne Jarman

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Keith Carpenter 1968 & Mary Henry Severo & Marcelina Castro Pratibha Chauhan & Ajit Sharma Cynthia Churches Kevin & Stephanie Clark Gail Clarkson & Frank Wronski Dan & Sarah Connell Michael & Debbie Cook Robert Cox 1981 & Dara Kovel John Crandell 1968* & Pia Crandell Amelia Currier 1971 Dr Betty Davis Joy Lawson Davis James Davis & Katie Keller Davis Kathryn Deakins 1981 Alexandra Dickinson 2004 Michael Dinwiddie 1973* Arnaud & Ahlem Diomande Nancy & Brian Dougher Doreen & Arthur Dudley Marie & De Witt Dykes Vickie Ellis Robert & Alison Emerick Timothy Evans Laura Evans Judy Failer 1982 & David Orentlicher Ms . Ruth Favro David & Beth Fienman Amy Good & David Finkel Carmen Flora Sidney & Cynthia Fox Saylor Frase Stacy-Renee Frase Rita Garcia & Judeen Bartos Dr . Julius M . Gardin 1966* Harold & Bonita Gardner Jasmin Ghuznavi Andrew & Laura Goldberg David Golden 2006 Ted Golden Roger Goldstein 1968* Michael J . Granzeier & Michelle Blankenship Walter Greene & Colleen Dolan-Greene Heath & Inga Grewell Nan Griffith Brittney Yuille & Ercument Guven Philip Hague 1987 & Susan Hague Janice Haines Marie Halpin John & Katherine Hammond Saul Hansell 1980 & Lynne Eisenbrand Evan Hansen & Susannah Nichols Robert Harner & Pamela Majchrzak

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James & Karen Heasley Sharon & Mike Heger Jennifer Hirschman 1998 & Charles Stewart Joanne Huls Barb Huneke Natalia Sonoja Jhaveri & Nathan Jhaveri 2002 David & Shannon Johnson Kathleen & Steve Johnson John Marshall Jones 1979 Marianne Jones 1982 & Joe Nelson Jeannie Kaiser Amy & Neil Kane Elizabeth Kellogg Prince 1991 & Brett Prince Carrie & Joshua Keough Kevin Kildea Jeffrey Kimpson 2008 & Shani Yapa-Kimpson 2008 Eric & Allison Klein Jessica & Daniel Klein Francina & Walter Knall Todd Knibbe 1987 & Chhaya Agrawal Susan Knight Bob & Pat Koenigsknecht Rosalie Lake Brian Lakkides 1988 & Karen Lakkides Kathleen & Roman Lesnau Joan Lessen-Firestone H . George & Stacie Levy Brian Littleton Joel Lutz Sue & Mark Mathes Christopher & Leanne McInally Charles McIntosh & Yvette Fails McIntosh Rick McKenzie Mary Louise & Thomas McMillan Carol McPhail Glowacki Bethany & Ben Melitz Jamie & Beth Michelson John Mickley 2007 Anthony Morrow & Kelly McDowell Laurrie Murphy Knight & Jeffrey Knight Eric Nelsen 1992 & Nancy Nelsen Mark Norton & Nachelle Jones-Norton Patrick O’Connor 1978* & Dianne O’Connor Christopher Olson & Jennifer Clarkson David Osgood Julia Pais & Nadav Pais-Greenapple 2017 Sara Ann Paul Malstrom 1971 & Craig Malstrom Emery & Linda Pence Anne Peterson 1970* Lorene Porter Darren & Mite Post James & Colleen Potocki

Traditional Japanese Temari ball by Grace Simon, Grade 12

Latch hook Rubik’s cube by Bo Smith, Grade 12

Maurice Prottengeier Christopher Ramirez 1980 & Shannon Ramirez Paul Rauch 1983 Mark & Barbara Rogers Zac & Emily Roland Timothy & Nancy Roop Joshua & Mikki Rubin Jeremy Schemm 1992 & Barbara Dornan Margaret Schmid Wendy Shanker Leslie & Alan Sheidler Steve & Lori Shoha Adanna Smith Amanda Sommerfeld Case 1997 & Andrew Case Laura Southworth Bloch 1994 Catherine Spevak 2011 Jesse Flores & Shannon Stackhouse Jami & Joel Statham Marc Steinhobel & Tracy Roche Charlotte Whitney Stevens Shanon & Fred Stibor Bettina Stitt Paul & Susan Tacke Nik Trendowski 1994 Joshua Turner 1991 & Rachael Turner Diane Vanderbeke Mager Steve & Deborah Veillette Joanne Vens Jim & Beth Vens Pamela Victor 1984 & Jeff Hausthor Malinda & James Waltz David & Amber Webb Ted & Carol Wedepohl Carolyn Wember 1975 Katharine Whitman 1992 & Dan Trommater Lisa & Eric Widner Jonathan Wilcox 2003 & Erin Milbeck Wilcox 2004 Derrick Williams & Angie Mann-Williams Bonita Yapa Patte J . Bishop & Steve Yedlin 1968* Robert L Zako 1977 Lori Zinser

FRIENDS

a gift up to $99 Anonymous Donors Huda Ahmed & Damon Yuhas Evan Akkashian 2020 Justin Akkashian 2020

Yasmin Sabi & Yasser Al-Khafaji Joseph Allen 2017 Francis Allen 2021 Donna Ancypa Holmes 1987 Katherine & Lyle Axelarris Dorica & Nelu Bakaluca Edwin Baker 2008 Marylaura Barkley-Mau & Jesse Norton Gerry & Phil Barrons Kevin Bastyr & Shannon Chavez-Korell Andree Bell Marcie & Daryl Bensman David Best 1990 & Lindsay Best Katja Biesanz 1971* & Coby Ella Bolton 2029 David & Lisa Bottesi Katie & Jeff Buchmann Ian Buttermore 2000 Christina & Bert Calderwood Shirley & Leonard Cetner Gloria Chandler Tanya Christ Chazara Clark-Smith 1994 & Cameron Smith Steven Cohen 1962* & Margaret Cohen Steven & Abha Dearing Danielle DeGain 2004 Gloria Despard Grant Dumas 1988 & Sally Dumas Steve & Veronica Dunbar James & Kimberly Dunne Andrea Eis & Steven Rost Shara Evans 2004 Maribeth & Matthew Galligan Eleanor Gamalski 2011 Michael & Coriann Gastol Kristopher Gauthier 2000 & Lucinda Gauthier Michael Gendelman General Mills Box Tops for Education Caroline Gersch 2002 Lola Gibson-Berg 2010 Robert Goor & Linda Tebelman Maddy Harner 2018 Mignon Hayes 1967* Sosha Haynes 1996 Barbara Herman Michael Hicks Merritta Hunt-Proctor Karen Johnson Jason & Andrea Jones Tegan Jones 2001 Renee Jordan Karen & Glenn Josefosky P’Ninah Kanai

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Neil & Amy Kane Peter Karmanos 2017 Sophia Karmanos 2019 Marsha Kelter Molly & Seth Kimball Carter Kimpson 2029 Jason & Christen Koenigsknecht Michael & Michelle Lane Hannah Lawrence 2006 Veronica Lewis Deborah Lipson Feldman 1974 & Steven Feldman Courtney Lower John Luttermoser 1975 & Ann Randall Christine Lyon Eric & Erica McEvoy William & Tari McGrane Ciaran McQuiston Luis Mendez & Sara Puzey Mendez 1996 Jake Mickley 2008 Taylor Mitchell 2012 Nicholas Mojares 2019 Victoria Moore 2008 Richard & Lori Morrow Barbara Moten Leisl Must Nanette & Stephen Newman Jeremy & Kimberly Nicol Megan & Matthew Nishibori Roger & Linda Olsen Elizabeth Osberger Churches Denning 1988 & Chad Denning Kari Papadopoulos Bridghette Parker Chad & Jessica Perry Mary & Michael Peterson Harry Pianko Lawrence Polk Jerome Poole & Leslie Bailey Ronald & Diana Pryor Michael & Billie Ragland Kristina Ramos 1981 Brigitte Richardson

Robin Roberts & Richard Wisz Katherine Roff & Joseph Powers Mark & Barbara Rogers Terry & Ron Rudman Michael Russell Jared Safran 1999 Shant Saroukhanian & Erica Bokatzian Alexis Scaife Teresa Schafer Sullivan 1969* & John Sullivan Steven Scott 1974 David Shapero 1971 & Helene Flax Sandra L . Shoshani Susie & David Small Diallo & Jameel Smith Aaron & Sarah Smith Lonie Smith Beck 1996 & Bryan Smith Beck Clint Spevak James Stano & Donna Green Stano Elisabeth Stayer 2000 & Douglas Stayer Daniel & Susan Stepek Stephanie & TJ Stevens Lauren Stevenson & John Ogger John Teetsel Ayana Thomas Aurora Thomas-Hagerman 2018 Rosanne Thompson Ruth & Milo Tilton Marilyn & Lawrence Trinkaus Michael & Carole Van Hoef Michael Vance 1987 Tina Varlesi Katherine & Scott Vartanian Deirdre Wade 1987 Nicholas & Nicole Weibel Shannon Weidemann & James Haslett James & Maria Williams Hale Williams 2009 Leonard Williams Jeffrey & Kari Wilson Sue Womack Jennifer & Chris Ziemann F

Stage IV Parker Abrams sketches during the drawing art elective .

Stage I Isla Ahn works on her creation .

Chinese New Year dragon created

by Stage II using cutouts of their handprints as the scales .

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KIT

SPECIAL GIFTS 2020/2021 A “Special Gift” is any monetary donation given to The Roeper School under an appeal for a specific purpose — not part of the Annual Fund or any capital campaign — or it may be simply an outright, unsolicited gift .

Judith Adelman

Daniel & Jessica Klein

Lyle & Katherine Axelarris

Carter Koenigsknecht 2026

William Bieneman 2022

David Kramer & Anessa Owen Kramer 1989*

Charles & Ann Bieneman

Mary Lee

Jeff Bird & Eulalia Ferrer

Carin & Brett Meyer

Rosemary Blase

Eli Miller 2024

Carolyn Borman

Jay Must

Derek & Twania Chester

Leisl Must

Sheldon Cohn 1973 & Barbara Cohn

Jeff Nahan & Annette Depetris

Community Foundation for SE Michigan

Jesse Norton & Marylaura Barkley-Mau

Steven & Abha Dearing

Gretchen Osgood & Peter Henninger-Osgood

Frank & Ann Edwards

Paul Rabe 1972* & Cheryl Gunter

Mark & Amy-Beth Fleischer

Eric Raphael & Amy Barron

Alice Frank

Timothy & Nancy Roop

Tyler & Julie Gibbs

Daniel Schechter & Laura Castleman

Michael Gloster

Robert Sims & Denita Banks-Sims

Hilda E Bretzlaff Foundation Inc

Ayana Thomas

Roland & Stacy Holloman

Buzz Turner

Michelle Husband

Fran Victor

Grace Jarman 2024

Gary & Katherine Wade

Peter Karmanos III & Laura Karmanos

Annie Yamamoto F

Jeffrey Kimpson 2008 & Shani Yapa-Kimpson 2008

Photos from the Instrumental (above) and Vocal/ Dance (right) winter concerts by Dan Dinneweth

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KIT

Laura Pierce-Karmanos

Trustee & DFD Phase II Co-chair

DESIGNING FOR THE DIFFERENCE Dear Friends,

It’s time to “Celebrate the Difference!” I am excited to announce that the final pieces of the Designing for the Difference Phase II project are scheduled for construction this spring and will include the following: >

Quiet Study Court

>

Faculty and Staff Lounge

>

Sara’s Room — The Learning Center

The creation of the Dennis Naas Learning Commons in 2017 transformed the Birmingham Campus; the intersection of academic and social spaces has fostered engagement in a new way Following that achievement, “Jimmy and Vi’s Kitchen” was soon completed, and the Café has emerged as a highly desirable destination for fabulous food offerings and camaraderie The future Quiet Study Court, Faculty and Staff lounge as well as Sara’s Room will strengthen our already exceptional program and allow us to develop essential educational initiatives I am deeply grateful for your generosity and confidence Our Roeper community members eagerly responded when asked for support, and I cannot thank you enough Although the pandemic has influenced our timeline, it did not dampen our enthusiasm! We will finish what we started!

Most sincerely,

Laura Pierce-Karmanos Co-Chair Designing for the Difference/Phase II F

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I am excited to announce that the final pieces of the Designing for the Difference Phase II project are scheduled for construction this spring .

I cannot thank you enough .

Katie Buchmann

Development Officer

KIT

2021 MOSAIC AUCTION DONORS Anonymous Donors

Many thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket, made a monetary and/or item donation and/or was a winning bidder at MOSAIC 2021 .

Stage I Families

The Balloon Boutique & Kenya Stuart

Stage I – Amber & Karen

John & Linda Ban

Stage I – Colleen & Nicole

Melissa Baril

Stage I – Jennifer & Jennifer

Claude Bouly

Stage I – Kendra

Development Office

Stage II Families

David & Elane Feldman

Stage II – Andi & Sarah

Dr Sushi & Beth Vens

Stage II – Brenda & Elisabeth

Drought Juice

Stage II – Sarah & Jesie

Enchanted by Marla Michele

Stage III Families

Michael & Jeanne Haynes & Family

Stage III – Cynthia & Amy

The Kelter/Blair Family & Matt Tulpa

Stage III – Michelle & Ciaran

Roman & Yuliya Koval

Stage III – Pauline & Lori

Lamoreaux Farms

Stage IV Families

Adrienne Lenhoff / Buzzphoria Public Relations & Marketing

Stage IV – Ellen & Blake

Veronica Lyon ’20

Stage IV ~ Laura & Scott

Sara Mendez & 2nd Trimester Experimental Sculpture Class Sarah & Kenny Miller Blake Pynnonen & Mary Pynnonen-Rocco Roeper Board of Trustees Roeper Parent Community Roeper Summer Programs Ruby & Associates

Stage IV – Elise & Paula Chef Geno Stuart Janet Szeto Janet Szeto & 2nd Trimester Middle School Drawing Students Eric & Lisa Widner Lisa Widner Home Styling & Design Reanne Young F

Joe & Michelle Santos

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KIT

2021 MOSAIC AUCTION SUPPORTERS Jared & Sara Amaral Theresa Ambrose Carol & Joel Appel Jami Statham & Joel Applebaum Lyle & Katie Axelarris Catherine Gofrank & Curtis Bagne Glenn Sims & Denita Banks-Sims Miranda Beebe ’84* Amber Baum & Adam Beslove Charles & Ann Bieneman Cheryl Blau ’80 Jordan Bolton ’95* & Rebecca Fried Bolton ’98 Paul & DeLana Borja Carolyn Borman Patricia & David Bostwick Brendan & Rebecca Brinn Wendy Lamond-Broughton & Richard Broughton Morris & Rychee Brown Jeff & Katie Buchmann Stephanie Diamond & Kevin Carlson Scott & Heather Carmona Diana Castleman Cynthia Churches Sander Cohen ’86 & Christy Dunn Cohen ’94 Michael & Debbie Cook Christine Curry ’05 Betty Davis Charles & Sarah DeVries Debra Meier & Brian Dietz ’83 Jason & Ashley Eckerly Ann Williams & Frank Edwards Arthur Ensroth ’68* Ben & Liz Fallert Carlin & Suleiman Farah Elena Fears David & Elane Feldman Erin & Jayson Field Mark & Amy-Beth Fleischer David & Andrea Fluent Saylor & Stacy-Renee Frase Stephanie Fried ’95 Carmen Wargel & Ryan Fringer Lance & Kineret Gable Lori Lutz ’75 & Greg Gamalski Tyler & Julie Gibbs Dawn Gill Jeff Giroux Alana Glass ’97 Jim & Georgia Gleason David Golden ’06 Marc ’83 & Carol Gorelick Heath & Inga Grewell Michael & Heather Grindem

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Ercument Guven & Brittney Yuille Jeremy Handel & Lauren Stein ’95 Pam Majchrzak & Robb Harner Shannon Weidemann & James Haslett Michael & Jeanne Haynes Sosha Haynes ’96 Erin Hill-Brody Ted & Debra Howard Kimberli Boyd & Byron Johnson Karen Johnson Jason & Shannon Johnson Neil & Amy Kane Laura Pierce-Karmanos & Peter Karmanos III Joshua & Carrie Keough Majed Nounou & Benaan Khorchid Shani Yapa-Kimpson ’08 & Joel Kimpson ’08 Christopher & Elizabeth Klee Dan & Jessica Klein Allison Klein David Kramer & Anessa Owen Kramer ’89* Anika Kumar ’02 Hannah Lawrence ’06 Michael & Patricia Lawrence Olacoy Robinson Lawyer ’95 Lisa Widner Home Styling Sergio & Kara Lividini Joshua & Patricia Luber Herman Marable II ’80 Clarence & Shannon Martin Drew & Kendra Mattison Darin & Perry McKeever John & Kathy McKinnon Ben & Bethany Melitz Beth Taylor & Mark Miliotto Kenny & Sarah Miller Jon & Lori Mojares Victoria Moore ’08 Jay Must Thomas & Pauline Nagle Evelyn Gerson & Jon Newhard Susannah Nichols Jim Kahler & Joni O'Connor Patrick O’Leary ’05 Jennifer Clarkson & Chris Olson Kari Papadopoulos Emery & Linda Pence Shani Penn Eric Peterson ’95 Jennifer Chang & Brandon Petitpren Harry Pianko Hans & Molly Pusch Blake Pynnonen Leslie Hosey & Ron Robinson

Andrea Jarrell & Bradley Rourke ’83 Tricia Ruby Ruby & Associates Michael & Jarie Ruddy Joseph & Michelle Santos Alexis Scaife Laura Castleman & Dan Schechter Leonard & Bonnie Schemm Bryan & Beth Schlussel Bill & Marla Schwanki Steven & Dresden Scott Sujana Gundlapalli & Dipak Shah Wendy Shanker Ashley Lowe & Rob Shaya Scott & Colleen Shelton Donna Silk Kathrina Spyridakis & Scot Simecek Natasha & Dan Sinagoga Thomas & Julie Song Rachel Stafeil Douglas Stayer & Elisabeth Lawrence Stayer ’00 Paul & Sue Tacke Ryan & Lori Talbott Derek & Vickie Teetsel Bessy Despotis & Clay Thomas Ayana Thomas Patti Roscoe & James Tiffany Milo & Ruth Tilton James & Natosha Tolbert John & Betsy Turner Bonnie & Mark Van Etten Michael & Carole Van Hoef Scott & Katy Vartanian Jim & Beth Vens Nicholas & Nicole Weibel Eric & Marcy Weisberg David & Sharon White Eric & Lisa Widner Marcia Ruff & Tom Wilkinson Angie Mann-Williams & Derrick Williams Robert & Sue Williams Laurence & Emily Wine Douglas & Mary Beth Winkworth Bradley Wise Noa Ofen & Julian Wong Steven Yedlin ’64* Steve Upchurch & Reanne Young Chris & Jen Ziemann F

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KIT

Scott Carmona

Assistant to the Athletic Director

2021 GOLF OUTING On Friday August 13, 2021, the Roeper Athletic department held the 24th annual Roeper Golf Outing Sponsors, volunteers, and participants were treated to a beautiful afternoon filled with golf and community This year’s Outing was a huge financial success, and the proceeds went directly to improving the Roughrider Athlete experience Funds raised from the Roper Golf Outing provide additional funding for the Athletic Department Improvements to the gym, the live-streaming Pixellot system and various Spirit Nights and team trips have benefited from previous Outings Roeper Athletics wishes to thank the many contributors who assisted in the experience Please join us this summer on Thursday, August 18, 2022, as the Roeper Golf Outing celebrates its 25th year! For more information, visit roeperathletics.org or contact Athletic Director Ed Sack at 248/203-7406 F

PRESENTING SPONSOR Dan Salinas — Relay Network

HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSOR Karen Beasley M .D .

Chris Klee Tricia Ruby

EAGLE SPONSOR

Dr. Stephanie E. Diamond Junior & LaShonn Johnson Jim Shaffer Realtors Jeff Stafeil

BIRDIE SPONSOR

Mutual Electric Co. Orion Solutions Mark Rodgers The Saroukhanian Family The Shaya Family Glenn Sims & Denita Banks-Sims Laurence Wine Construction Co. Inc.

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AUCTION ITEMS DONORS

DONORS

VOLUNTEERS

Stephon & Kellie Bagne Julie Gibbs Adam Beslove Michigan Athletic Trainers Kevin Carlson Roeper Athletics Lee & Michele Carmona Natasha Sinagoga Lynn Carmona Gomer Smith Scott & Heather Carmona Rachel Stafeil The Dunne Family Roeper Volleyball Mark & Amy-Beth Fleischer

Anonymous Brian Deitz ’83 James Fleming Ms. Mary Lee

Kellie Bagne Lydia Carlson Heather & Hope Carmona Natalie Gibbs Natalia & Sofia Salinas Lily & Rachel Stafeil Maeve Stott

KIT

Juliette Olejnik

Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Fund

HEARTFELT THANKS When I first joined the Roeper community as Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Fund in 2016, it

didn’t take long to realize the depth of alumni affection for the School Introductory conversations were often filled with stories of favorite teachers, memorable class trips, and profound life lessons Alumni viewed their Roeper experience as a gift, and it was apparent they were eager to give back in a meaningful way It became my mission to promote meaningful connections between alumni and the school and cultivate this special bond As a result, the Roeper Alumni Leadership Council (RALC) emerged in 2018 to enhance our Alumni Relations Programming Alumni who serve on the Council represent our extensive alumni community and encompass a broad spectrum of viewpoints and experiences To date, 27 alumni have served in this role, and their efforts have greatly strengthened Roeper’s Alumni Relations

Alumni enrich our community by inspiring students and enhancing the Roeper experience .

One of many new opportunities borne from RALC is an affinity group for Black Alumni called The Bridge The Bridge serves as a catalyst for promotion, affirmation, engagement, celebration, and empowerment of and for Roeper Black alumni, families, faculty, and staff Most recently, The Bridge created a website to highlight pioneers in Roeper’s Black history who paved the way for our Black Roeper community The site was launched during Black History Month and will continue to grow and evolve as a source for The Roeper school’s Black History (https://roeperblackhistorycelebration.splashthat.com/) Just as alumni continue to be an endless source of wisdom and talent for the school, they are also an invaluable resource for Roeper students They lend support for senior projects, provide behind-the-scenes experiences during the 9th grade trips to Washington, DC (pre-Covid), and candidly answer questions about their careers and the impact of the Roeper Philosophy during Philumni Day events on the Birmingham Campus Furthermore, Roeper alumni understand the impact of their financial support and continue to give generously through the Roeper Annual Fund, Giving Tuesday, Mosaic Auction, Mariann Hoag Scholarship Dinner, and more Both individually and collectively, Roeper alumni are critically important members of The Roeper School Alumni enrich our community by inspiring students and enhancing the Roeper experience My heartfelt thanks to our alumni community for your role in making 2020/21 an excellent year for Roeper Your continued support of The Roeper School speaks volumes about your passion and dedication to this vibrant community F

https://roeperblackhistorycelebration .splashthat .com/

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Alumni KIT

Edited by

Denita Banks-Sims

Director of Development & Publications

TIME, TALENT & TREASURE The spectacular emergence of alumni philanthropy at Roeper takes many forms and the impact is an essential component to ensuring our legacy.

In this Annual Report issue of Keeping In Touch, it is a privilege to highlight alumni who model generous gifts of TIME, TALENT and TREASURE. Their example is explored by classmates that have made a similar impact and collaborated with the school in a variety of ways.

Olacoy Robinson Lawyer, Roeper Class of 1995, interviews Alana Glass, Roeper Class of 1997, regarding her remarkable contribution of TIME. Ola is particularly poised for this conversation. As an alumna, she coached Roeper Girls’ basketball, supported the Forensics program, led book club discussions and made a significant impact on the Roeper Alumni Leadership Council and the establishment of The Bridge.

Jeremy Schemm, Roeper Class of 1992, interviews Jon Wilcox, Roeper Class of 2003, regarding his remarkable contribution of TALENT.

It is a privilege to highlight alumni who model generous gifts of TIME, TALENT and TREASURE .

Jeremy offers an extraordinary perspective as his own contributions have included refurbishing primary source archival items, audiotapes and videos. In addition, he has generously lent his talents to photographing school leaders and spaces for a myriad of publications and programs.

Bradley Rourke, Roeper Class of 1983, interviews Marko Slusarczuk, Roeper Class of 1970, regarding his remarkable contribution of TREASURE. Brad’s artful combination of resources with resourceful innovation and support, define his method of philanthropy. In addition to serving on the Roeper Alumni Leadership Council, Brad continues to propel the terrific ’80s’ Annual Fund pace-setting challenge donations and is himself a longstanding Annual Fund Gift Club Member. He will soon moderate a panel discussion on “Adulting as a Gifted Person.”

Please note that the alumni interviews have been edited for length, but we are delighted to share full podcast and video versions for your continued enjoyment.

A CONVERSATION BETWEEN ALANA GLASS 1997 & OLACOY ROBINSON LAWYER 1995 ABOUT THE “GIFT OF TIME” Ola poses questions to Alana: Q: What motivates you to give back to the school?

I loved my experience as a student. I attended Roeper from 8th grade to 12th grade. If I could have a do-over, I would. Not because something was wrong and I want to change it but because it was a joy.

I grew up in Saginaw at a Pilot Gifted School and my parents wanted me to have a similar experience when we moved to the area. I was encouraged by Nancy Webster to speak out

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and use my voice. I grew leaps and bounds, I want other children to have the same opportunity. The same as Eddie (Roeper Class of 1995), my brother, did.

I remember an all-school assembly and a student offered a different point of view to then-Head of School Chuck Webster. The student was not disrespectful but advocated for himself and others in the same way. I had never seen that before. I never experienced a school environment where students stood up for themselves, spoke their minds. I am sure I would have excelled in a public school, but I am not sure I would have been valued the same.

Alana Glass ’97

Ola Robinson Lawyer ’95

Q: What aspect of the school is the most

important to be nurtured and sustained?

I talked a lot about this as a member of the Roeper Board of Trustees. As a board member, we do not have direct oversight of the school, but I am always thinking about how does this impact the kids? That is important to me to allow considering how what we do impacts the students. For example, making sure every kid had a voice in the Head of School search. It is important that they are part of the process. It is a treasure to have a voice and I want to preserve that as much as possible. The world does not always want to hear what you have to say but Roeper taught me how to have an opinion and accept other people’s opinions at the same time.

Q: If you could have a conversation with your 17-year-old self, what would you say about your life journey and relationship with the school?

I would treasure Mariann Hoag more, actually all of our teachers. Lotte Geller, Chuck and Nancy Webster. They sowed seeds in my life.

I appreciated Mariann, but I would have done it even more.

I know Mariann cared so much about the kids at Roeper. I remember when I returned for a visit one Spring after I graduated from school.

I walked into the office and I remember the way Mariann greeted me. She smiled and looked me right in the eyes and I felt so loved and welcomed. I felt she was so happy to see me and proud of me. I can’t tell you how encouraging that was.

Q: Would you please speak specifically about recent projects you have been involved in?

You know one lesson Roeper taught me about working on projects is that you just have to figure it out. ”Here’s your project … now figure it out” and you do figure it out. I

have been involved on the Board. I actually have interviews for the Head of School search this weekend. I also work on Project Play of Southeast Michigan, a project dedicated to providing equitable access to Youth Sports & Recreation. I have a passion for community outreach, it is an extension of who I am in the world. You see, I watched my mom work for the United Way as a child, which paved the way for philanthropic work that I have committed myself to.

Q: Why was it important for you to create mentoring relationships with girls after graduation?

Mentoring is important to me. As a mentor, you have lived experiences you can offer perspectives that students may not have.

I have learned so much from those who mentored me. I feel compelled to return and give back, especially to girls and young women who often have many barriers that prevent them from achieving great things. If I can make the path a little less bumpy, I will try.

Q: How has your willingness to take on leadership roles on the Roeper Board and this very significant process for helping to place the next Head of School.

One reason I put my name in the hat is because when I attended the 75th anniversary, I remember the speaker saying how much they love Roeper, and I said to myself, so do I. I was inspired by the event. I feel incredibly honored and a huge responsibility to the Roeper Community. This is home for me. Do you know when you walk into your home exactly what it smells like? I feel like walking into the Birmingham campus, I recognize the smell. I know it’s home. Roeper and my parents believe in me and have championed me to help the school move into the next 80 years. I want to give it my all and help Roeper’s legacy move forward.

You can hear the complete interview at: https://bit.ly/OlaandAlana F

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A CONVERSATION BETWEEN JON WILCOX 2003 & JEREMY SCHEMM 1992 ON THE “GIFT OF TALENT” Jeremy poses questions to Jon: Q: So I want to go back to your time as a student at Roeper. And obviously, you are involved in art back then probably. Was that your main focus?

Yeah. Art was definitely the main focus for me. I mean, ever since I can remember I’ve been doodling. Ever since I was little, it was always something I thought, “Oh, I want to do this someday.” And that was about as far as I ever thought about it, for the most part. I started at Roeper in high school — ninth grade — and then I just went there for high school, although I did also go to Roeper camp.

I think my mom really wanted me to get in there because she was impressed by the school overall, and she figured it would probably be a good place to foster artistic creativity.

Q: Were you into sports or were there any subjects that you were really into, or was like, art was, you know, your main thing?

I was not into sports at all. That remains pretty much true.

Q: And music, were you into music back then too? Or is that something that you got into later?

I’ve always been into music. I grew up in a church choir, and I played clarinet in band before I went to Roeper. My friends and family are all pretty musical, so I was always around that, but it wasn’t something I was very serious about back then.

Q: So I want to talk about the Roughrider mural in the gym. Did you do that when you were a student, or did you come back and do that later? Tell me, what’s the story of that?

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Jon Wilcox ’03

Jeremy Schemm ’92

I did that as a student. Somehow, people knew that I made art, and I don’t think I’d ever really painted a mural before or done anything that big.

Yeah, a little more background about that piece. Some behind-the-scenes info is that during my class’s senior prank, one of my classmates “defaced” that mural and painted a flower on the end of the sword, which I actually kind of liked, but you know, they wanted to change it back. So that happened.

Q: Did you go to college or how did you continue on your journey?

I went to Columbia College in Chicago and specifically studied illustration. I wasn’t a terrible student, but I just didn’t really apply myself too much. The only AP class I took [at Roeper] was Art History, and that was mostly because Pat Lawrence was my favorite teacher. I liked all of her classes, but I wasn’t like super into the college search. My friend Bruno Tysh, Class of ‘03, was already set on going to Columbia for film, and so he was telling me all about it. He was like, “Oh, you got to apply. You should come here with me.”

So, that’s what I did. And I got in and went there four years, living in Chicago.

Drawing by Jon Wilcox

Q: Out of college. Did you come back here?

Q: What parts of the school, do you bring from your time at Roeper into your work?

Yeah. After college, I had been dating my girlfriend, now wife, who also went to Roeper, Erin Milbeck … Erin Milbeck-Wilcox, Class of ‘04.

Q: So, we talked about the Roughrider mural.

Tell me about some of the other art that you’ve created for Roeper.

When I was going to school at Roeper, it was when they were building out the stuff of the Lower School campus. (The Steward building and the CCB). The school wanted some kind of little drawing mockups of what the space could look like before it was built, so they asked me to do a couple of illustrations of that.

I find one of the many messages of the school that has stuck with me is the idea of being a lifelong learner. So, I’m always getting into learning new techniques, new software, new tools. I love to learn.

Q: There’s a certain way that you are giving back to Roeper through your art. What motivates you to do that?

Even though I only went to Roeper for four years, it was a good four years. I met my wife at Roeper!

There are definitely things about the school and the history of the school and the education that George and Annemarie brought when they created the school that I know have influenced me for the better.

For me, it was more about the people that I met there, teachers and students. I thought that was a great place to be. I generally understood this idea of lifelong learning and taking ownership over your education and your life all have influenced me.

Then a couple years ago, I was asked to do the logo for the Legacy Society. Denita Banks-Sims asked me to do that. It’s always fun working with her. We ended up making a logo that is very hand-drawn, like my style kind of thing … maybe even looks a little bit childish in some ways. People at Roeper felt that was a cool representation of the breadth of the education.

All that to say, I feel like I gained a lot from the school. So now, it’s nice to be asked to come back and create things that hopefully will be long-lasting.

Like, when you’re a kid and getting to this point where, even way after you go to Roeper, maybe you want to give back and be in the Legacy Society. So they felt like it had a good connection to the past and the future and the present.

Last year the school approached me again to do a different project. We basically created an online public-facing digital archive of all the archival materials that they’ve been collecting and putting together for a long time, which is very cool to have all that stuff available now — a website that is pretty accessible and hopefully easy to use. Really putting the content forward and kind of letting all those documents speak for themselves and tell the story of the school.

You can hear the entire interview here: https://bit.ly/JeremyandJon

F

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Marko Slusarczuk ’70

Brad Rourke ’83

A CONVERSATION BETWEEN MARKO SLUSARCZUK 1970 & BRAD ROURKE 1983 ON THE “GIFT OF TREASURE” In January 2022, Brad Rourke ’83 sat down with Marko Slusarczuk ’70 in his home in the Washington, DC area to talk about his experience with Roeper, what it has meant to him — and how he came to give back so generously Marko has been a member of the Board of Trustees, and with his wife Norma Lynn Fox is a long-time donor to the Annual Fund, established the Zoreslawa Slusarczuk Endowment to fund student travel for those who can’t afford it, and most recently established a testamentary trust to endow a scholarship This as an edited version of that conversation

BR: Let’s introduce ourselves. I’m Brad Rourke, Class of 1983, and you are?

MS: I’m Marko (with a K; I’m not Italian) Slusarczuk, Class of 1970, the second graduating class of Roeper. The difficulty with graduating in this class is that there were only nine of us. So when a college asked if we were in the top 10%, nobody was. The best you can do is be in the top 11%.

When I started Roeper, they only went through to the eighth grade, then they kept on adding a year every year as the rising class progressed, and the first class in ’69 graduated from Roeper. I was in the second.

BR: You’ve had a fascinating career. You’ve been a scientist, an attorney, an entrepreneur. How did you get from there to here in the D.C. area?

MS: Well, it’s been a long pinball route. I spent nine years at MIT as an undergraduate and graduate and three years in the Boston

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College in law school, so I lived all that time in the Boston area. Then I moved back to Michigan for a short stint, where I worked for a company that was looking for technology in Eastern Europe. I got married, and we moved to California. I was playing the Silicon Valley lottery. And then [my wife] Norma Lynn got a job offer that she couldn’t turn down, and we moved back here.

BR: You’ve been an active person with Roeper, giving of time and treasure and talent. How is it that you came to begin giving back to Roeper?

MS: It’s very simple. I would not be here if not for Roeper. I would not have had the courage of conviction to apply to MIT. I mean, it would have been such a stretch from where I came from to do that. Roeper opened my eyes and introduced me to a different world.

I came to Roeper from the parochial school where there were 52 kids in my class. It was a very different environment. You came to a school where there’s a handful of students,

you just kind of said, “Oh, my God, this is a whole different world.” And so, Roeper was what got me out of Hamtramck. And put me on the road.

I entered at eighth grade, and it was absolutely a culture shock. I didn’t learn English till I was five. I came from a very ethnic community where everybody’s parents were immigrants, mine included. Ukrainian was my first language. I had to learn English. It’s been a long road.

BR: What would you say are the most important aspects of Roeper that need to be nurtured and conserved as we move forward?

MS: The way it instills confidence in people is very important. I also sort of wish it had retained as much focus on gifted education and retained its uniqueness in that part of the educational system. I’ve run into people halfway around the world that have heard of Roeper and have heard of it in the sense where it stands in the educational mindset.

For me, that focus on giftedness was so important for me too, not fitting in where I was before. But that humanitarian core that it has was really important to me as well.

It developed you as a person, is what I would say. It made you grow. I’ll be honest, Roeper was the first time I ever met a Black person.

I had never spoken to one other than in the store or such. It was an intersection of people in my life that I had not dealt with previously.

So it was an eye-opener.

BR: How did you start to give to Roeper?

MS: I actually don’t remember my first contribution. Both my wife and I are very strong supporters of education. My wife served as the president of the board of trustees of Goucher College, which was what gave her a break in life. She was a farm girl from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, went to a threeroom schoolhouse, I think with eight or nine children in the whole school. And so we both had similar backgrounds in that we got a break through education. We picked education as our focus point for our charitable focus.

But I think I always, as far back as I can remember, gave to Roeper. More modestly in the beginning, more generously as it became possible.

BR: You established the Zoreslawa Slusarczuk Endowment. What is that?

MS: It funds student travel. The roots of that idea went back to when I was in eighth or ninth grade. My father had been an attorney in Ukraine and now had to work as a printer at the Detroit Free Press because law just doesn’t transfer. It is a different legal system and a different language. And my father had to feed the family.

One year when the paper was on strike, there was no way my parents could afford for me to go on the class trip. I believe we were going to Washington. I was resigned not to go, and Dick Halsey came to me privately and said, “You’re going on the trip and it’s already paid for.”

That meant so much to me — ­ that I was not going to be different than anybody else. No fanfare. Very subtle. Just between him and me. And nobody knew about it. It allowed me to retain dignity. I don’t think anybody should have to not participate because they can’t afford it.

BR: In an earlier conversation, you said you didn’t want your giving to be like “peanut butter.” What do you mean by that?

MS: You know, spreading stuff around is nice, and that’s what I mean by “peanut butter.” You just spread a thin layer, but it doesn’t make an impact.

That’s what I had in mind when I established the testamentary trust. Its purpose is to set up a scholarship, and it’s going to be an absolute full scholarship. Not money for the scholarship fund to be distributed among multiple recipients, but one recipient will get a full ride, 100% tuition.

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mortality, and with that in mind, you have to admit to yourself that you may not die in your scheduled year.

BR: What kind of student is it aimed at?

MS: I did a look in the mirror on that one, and the first choice for this award is a son or daughter of immigrants, preferably from Ukraine, and I’m trying to remember some of the other criteria. And the concept being that it’s not need-based. In other words, if there is a person who qualifies under the description, they get it regardless of whether the parents can afford it or not.

So take care of the loose ends. How many people don’t have a will or a trust or any kind of testamentary document? Guess what?

Things go very differently. When I was in law school, on the first day of my trust and estates, I had a professor, he must have been about 90. He would lecture sitting at the table and just his mouth moved. Nothing else. And he opened the day and said, “If you think people fight when they’re alive, wait until someone dies.”

So some of the principles here are: give with impact; replicate or do things resonant with the experience that you had; and do it all in line with the Roeper philosophy.

That’s exactly what you need to understand.

Things may not happen with your estate that you expect to. I’m just showing you the mess around here — I went through all the photographs that I’ve accumulated over 50 – 60 years, sorting them and giving them to people. We don’t have children so they either would get trashed or would wind up in an estate sale, with somebody rummaging through your personal stuff. Think about it that way. Go to an estate sale. Look at that.

These are people’s lives — their diplomas, their little bar mitzvah certificates and all that.

And that’s being looked at as a commodity.

Think about that. Do you really want that to happen to your things you’ve cherished all your life?

I don’t think that I’m that far at all from the Roeper philosophy.

BR: If you were talking to your 17-year-old self, a senior about to graduate, and you were going to give that person advice — not life advice but advice about their relationship with Roeper, what would you say to them?

MS: You do not know where you’ll be. If you think you know where you’ll be, you’re wrong.

Life is both full of opportunities and full of potential disasters. And careers that existed, they didn’t exist when I was at Roeper. Think internet, think all the other stuff. You don’t want to have your mind made up early, because that way you close opportunities. If you decide on a particular path and you try to stick to it, you’re not going to take that opportunity that pops up in front of you because, after all, you’re focused on your goal.

So, keep your eyes open. Keep looking to the left and right, and take the road that all of a sudden appears and appeals.

BR: I want to ask you your advice for younger alumni, in their thirties, in their forties, in their fifties, as they’re beginning to think about their philanthropy to Roeper and supporting Roeper. What kind of advice would you give people like that?

MS: I think COVID woke people up. You’re not going to die when you’re 80. You may die when you’re 20. It made us aware of our

BR: Give for impact, resonant with Roeper philosophy, and pay attention to planned giving because you don’t know how long you have. I cannot imagine better advice.

Marko, it’s been a delight to talk to you.

MS: I’m so excited to be with you. Take care and stay healthy. That is the greeting that’s the most important.

BR: Same to you, and thank you from Roeper to you.

The interview is also captured on video, available at https://bit.ly/BradandMarko F

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KIT

Denita Banks-Sims

Director of Development & Publications

PARTING THOUGHTS With a few short words — “I want to honor my mom” — Eli Simons ’14 became the youngest alumni donor to make a significant five-figure gift in the history of The Roeper School More meaningfully, he reminded us of the impact that an individual teacher — a substitute teacher — can make on a student and a community Eli’s profound gesture of love and praise coincidentally mirrored the invaluable impact substitute teachers have made to the school in these particular years of the pandemic No one embodies the unbridled enthusiasm of engagement and commitment to providing uninterrupted instruction quite like Roseanne Simons She is a true gift to students, colleagues, the community and one more illustration of the varied and remarkable examples of alumni philanthropy In Eli’s own words:

“I hope this donation helps allow more young people to have the opportunity I did, sharing in the loving, nurturing, efficacious, and kind community that is The Roeper School, and have a chance to learn from my mom, too .”

My mom has been an integral part of the Roeper community since my first day as a student in 2005. Since my graduation in 2014, she has gone on to shape the lives of dozens of Roeper students through her work as a beloved substitute teacher and of various faculty members via the close friendships she has formed with them. The Roeper Philosophy is a very close cousin of the philosophy my parents parented and lived their lives in adherence to ever since I can remember, and I attribute any success I’m lucky enough to experience — personal, professional, or otherwise — to those philosophies and to the key people I met and will meet along the way who live in accordance to them. I hope this donation helps allow more young people to have the opportunity I did, sharing in the loving, nurturing, efficacious, and kind community that is The Roeper School, and have a chance to learn from my mom, too. I love you, Mom! In recognition, the Roeper School is creating a permanent collection in the Birmingham Campus Library in Roseanne’s honor and the continuing display of her invaluable utility and passion for service In this 80th year, we celebrate the generational gesture of generosity of a son to a mother while applauding the enduring impact of alumni engagement We are grateful!

Please keep in touch,

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Eli Simons ’14 The Simons Family,— parents Rudy and Roseanne with son Eli ’14

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Saturday, April 30, 2022 We hope you’ll join us for

Food Trucks & Tailgates!