A Message From the Head of School
When I was six years old, my family lived in a neighborhood with a corner grocery. One summer day my mother decided that I was responsible enough to walk from our house in the middle of the block to Mr. Gordon’s corner store to buy penny candy. My grandparents lived next door to us and my father’s youngest brother, Morgan, was a decade younger than my father and still living at home. Consequently, when I arrived at the corner store that day, I was not surprised that he happened to walk in just after me. As I tell this story now, I realize that maybe my teenage uncle was actually sent to follow me on my first foray to the corner alone
On that day, as I was deliberating over how many mint juleps and red hot dollars my five cents would buy, my Uncle Morgan handed me a dollar bill to pass over the counter to pay for his own purchase. In passing the money to Mr. Gordon I noticed that someone had drawn an image in ink on the dollar bill and I was horrified. I knewperhaps from my first grade teacher, Miss Troutman - that it was illegal to “deface U.S. tender.” But I soon became more focused on what the image inked on the bill meant. My uncle explained that it was the symbol for infinity and that perhaps someone drew it as a compliment to say that our government’s money would be reliable forever. “That’s what infinity means,” Uncle Morgan told me.
A Publishing Tradition of the Unquowa School
my first grade version of an Einstein thought problem that infinity was very boring, my mother peeked into my room to make sure I was asleep. When she saw that I was not and heard that I was deep in a disturbing thought about infinity, her exasperated self simply declared that I was “much too young to be thinking about such things” and that I should go to sleep! Door closed…
How I wish that I could have walked into a classroom the next morning like those we have here at Unquowa to continue my thoughts about infinity with my teacher. The asset of our Unquowa teachers as “inspired experts” lies beyond having a strong grasp of the curriculum they teach and a deep love and appreciation for the age range of kids they guide. More importantly, it includes their ability to understand that developing curiosity about big concepts, learning to question ethical decisions and building wisdom doesn’t start when we are adults. As British children’s author Philip Pullman illustrates in his new book, The Rose Field, which is the final volume in The Book of Dust series, “Infinity is not too large a concept for children.” His understanding of childhood development builds on the ancient advice of Epicurus: “Let no one be slow to seek wisdom, for no age is too early.”
I kept our conversation to myself as I returned home safely to the middle of the block with my precious penny candy, but that night I lay in bed trying to imagine the concept of forever. I still remember picturing myself sitting on a cloud - I guess I’d decided that I qualified for eternal life in heaven, not hell. I tried to imagine sitting there forever, for “infinity.” As I was deciding in
We begin that process here at Unquowa when children walk through the door. No matter their age, we honor students’ questions and make it feel safe for them to ask them, learning that questions will lead to conversations with both their teachers and their classmates. Sometimes those questions will bring answers, and sometimes they will only bring more questions that they and their classmates will learn to sit with until the answers reveal themselves.
- Sharon Lauer, Head of School
Sharing Their Stories!
Almost every week at Assembly, starting in late October, one or two eighth graders get up in front of the gathered Unquowa community to share stories and lessons that carry deep meaning. Each year, our soon-to-be graduates share from the heart about their family, travels, perspectives, secret talents, passions, hopes and dreams.
For many students, these speeches are years in the making. All Unquowa students hear something like two-dozen speeches each year, and some of the best ones have a tendency to stick with them. For others, especially those just joining Unquowa in eighth grade, this is a brand new experience, and one that definitely contributes to our mission to “educate and prepare our family of children with an unafraid spirit.” Public speaking can be nerve wracking! Even so, no matter when they came to Unquowa, eighth graders are prepared and excited to share their thoughts onstage.
These speeches illustrate something deeply important about this wonderful school: leadership. Eighth graders are always leaders at Unquowa, and younger students listen with rapt attention to what the oldest students want to share with them. And what better way to enjoy assembly for our youngest students than to get to hear special, personal words from their role models!
- Eric Snow, Eighth Grade Advisor
Young Authors Research and Write
Our first graders recently completed an exciting informational writing project all about fall! After reading four different mentor texts, students practiced pulling out key facts and organizing their ideas using graphic organizers. They carefully planned their writing, starting with a strong topic sentence, selecting three to four important facts about fall, and finishing with a clear conclusion. After gathering their facts and completing their graphic organizers, they wrote their final copies. They also spent time adding detailed drawings to support their research, making their writing even more engaging and informative.
To celebrate, we held an author’s share. The first graders packed up their writing pieces, a cozy blanket, and our sharing stool, and headed to the Unquowa woods to present their fall writing. Surrounded by the beauty of autumn, it was the perfect setting to share what they had learned about informative writing and to celebrate each other’s accomplishments as writers. It was a wonderful way to see our first graders grow as thoughtful, capable researchers and writers!
- Maureen Diallo, First Grade Teacher
Spanish Reading Buddies
This year, our eighth grade Spanish class is back to sharing their learning with some of the youngest members of our community! Every other Wednesday, the eighth graders visit Early Childhood classrooms to read aloud to the kindergarten in Spanish.
This tradition is more than just practice with a foreign language. It allows our older students to reinforce their Spanish learning through real-world application, gain confidence speaking and reading aloud in front of an audience, and most importantly serve as role models for the kindergarten students.
For the younger students, it’s a chance to hear Spanish in an authentic, engaging way, while also building a bond with the older students. Moments like these are so special. They build our school community, foster mentorship, and bring joy to both the reader and the listener.
- Thomas Iezin, Upper School Spanish Teacher
Learning Never Tasted So Good!
To celebrate the studies in seventh grade humanities classes around Latin America, with a focus on Cuba and Chile, our learners researched, curated, and then cooked a muy delicioso lunch inspired by the flavors of these countries.
While Buena Vista Social Club music played in the kitchen, seventh graders stuffed and crimped picadillo empanadas, diced and chopped veggies for a Cuban lentil soup, whipped up a fresh salsa, sliced tomatoes and onions for a light salad, and rolled and cut pumpkin dough for our Chilean sopapillas. Those were dusted with orange zest and powdered sugar, and then drizzled with honey. Sopapillas were a must-have, as they are featured in the seventh grade book study, I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosín. White rice and black beans were also served alongside our empanadas to complete the lunch.
It was a great morning for seventh graders connecting curriculum, culture, and cuisine – and the whole school community loved getting a delicious taste of these beautiful countries! - Ariel Warshaw, Seventh Grade Humanities
Growing Connections
At Unquowa, food is more than a meal — it’s part of our mission. Every day, our students enjoy balanced, delicious dishes made with local, sustainable ingredients. That’s why we chose to sponsor the Westport Farmers’ Market this year. This partnership reflects our shared values and our commitment to supporting the farmers and producers who help nourish our community.
Our admissions team attended three markets over the summer and two this fall. We loved getting to know the vendors, connecting with new families, and running into current and past Unquowa families. We hosted Gator Hunts and other children’s activities, often with help from our faculty!
At our most recent market, Chef Adam joined us to shop for his Thanksgiving Lunch Celebration, held right before the break. He sourced beautiful cauliflower from Ox Hollow Farm in Roxbury and mushrooms from Seacoast Mushrooms in Mystic to feature in the meal. Leading up to the lunch, students wrote down something they were grateful for, and Chef Adam read a few aloud each day.
Here’s the delicious menu our students enjoyed: Turkey & Stuffing with Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Orange Cauliflower, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Homemade Cranberry Sauce, and for dessert, Pumpkin Pie Cups. It was a delicious feast, made even more meaningful knowing the ingredients were sourced from local farms. We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect with our broader community and look forward to returning to the market next season. - Kelly Sullivan, Advancement Associate
Stromboli Session
What a blast we had after school with our eighth grade boys! They rolled into the kitchen ready to uncover the secrets of crafting stromboli so good it could make your favorite pizzeria jealous.
We got things baking right away by popping a few stromboli into the oven while listening to some classic pizza-making tunes to set the vibe. Then it was time to roll up sleeves and get messy! The boys mixed, kneaded, and stretched their very own dough from scratch, showing off some impressive (and sometimes hilarious) techniques.
The real fun came with the toppings: homemade tomato sauce, roasted garlic oil, mozzarella galore, organic pepperoni, and basil oil made with fresh basil from the Unquowa Garden. With so many flavorful options, every stromboli became a one-of-akind masterpiece. With time to spare, we even experimented with making a few pizzas together – because why not?
We wrapped up the afternoon by sharing our warm, finished creations in the dining room, chatting and laughing. There were giant smiles all around! Each student left with fresh hot stromboli or pizza to share with their families, a piece of dough to recreate the magic at home, and fun memories from a great afternoon in the kitchen.
- Chef Adam Stuart
Nature’s Classroom
Our seventh graders spent three incredible days at Nature’s Classroom in Charlton, MA – a core Unquowa tradition that so many alumni remember fondly.
Though a bit nervous at first, those feelings quickly melted away as students embraced the adventure of a technology-free experience filled with discovery, teamwork, and connection with one another.
Students explored hands-on classes of their own choice, ranging from rat dissection and rocket building to animal tracking, plant identification, biome creation, and an electrifying physics lab. Whether launching rockets above the treetops, identifying wildlife signs in the woods, building living ecosystems, or experimenting with plasma and static electricity, each class blended curiosity with real-world learning. Outdoors, they strengthened teamwork through problem-solving challenges like coordinating ropeswing crossings that required communication, trust, and leadership.
Freed from screens and surrounded by nature, our eager Gators learned to step outside their comfort zones, explore independently, and grow towards being confident young adults.
Those three days were about more than just learning. They were about creating core memories, building deeper bonds, and finding joy in exploration. Our seventh graders returned with a renewed respect for nature, for each other, and for themselves.
- Joshua Bartosiewicz, Nature’s Classroom Trip Co-Leader
Another Wonderful Founders’
Day!
Unquowa families, faculty and alumni gathered to celebrate one of our favorite traditions – Founders’ Day! It was wonderful to see so many alumni back on campus, catching up with classmates and teachers and showing their Unquowa pride throughout the day.
Chef Adam and his amazing team treated everyone to a farm-to-fork feast featuring butternut squash soup, hamburgers and hot dogs, an autumn crunch salad, freshly baked pumpkin bread, and more! The local band Tangled Vine kept the crowd entertained with their lively tunes, and our own Mr. Coe wowed everyone by joining them on guitar for a few songs.
Our eighth graders and their families did a fantastic job running the bake sale, children’s activities, and the 50/50 raffle — all to raise funds for their class trip. Kids had a blast bouncing in the inflatables, painting pumpkins, and playing lawn games, while parent volunteers kept the Community Closet and Gator Goods tent running smoothly.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this special day possible. Days like this remind us just how lucky we are to be part of the Unquowa community!
- Kelly Sullivan, Advancement Associate & Events
Fall Enchantment & Fairies
Our second and third graders spent a truly enchanting day at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme in early fall. Students explored the Wee Faerie Village, where local artists have crafted tiny fairy dwellings using recycled and natural materials. Each house told its own imaginative story; some perched on mossy roots, others nestled among branches, and many of our young visitors were convinced they glimpsed a fairy or two flitting nearby!
After touring the miniature masterpieces, the children took part in a plein air painting session inspired by the museum’s landscape tradition. Working on canvas boards under the autumn sky, students learned how to capture light, shadow, and the serene beauty of the riverfront setting.
It was a beautiful day filled with art, nature, and just the right touch of magic, a reminder that creativity often begins with curiosity and a bit of imagination.
- Alice DesGranges, Lower School Visual Arts Teacher
Mallard Mystery - Solved!
One afternoon, a small group of kindergarteners were digging in the dirt with sticks when one student suddenly exclaimed, “I found duck bones!” Upon closer inspection, it was clearly the skull of a duck or another billed bird. Excited by the discovery, the others joined in, unearthing worms, rolypolys, and other small insects. Soon after, the same student announced, “I found another duck bone!” this time the lower jaw.
Building on this excitement and hoping to answer our many questions, the next day our kindergarten scientists examined the cleaned skull and did some research. We knew it belonged to a billed bird but weren’t sure if it was a goose or a duck. We quickly ruled out swan as a possibility, because our bird’s bill lacked a sharp point. After measuring the skull, we discovered it was indeed from a mallard duck! We took this opportunity to learn all about mallard features, habitats, and diets, and hypothesized that this one may have been searching for the same insects or acorns we uncovered. We may never know what happened to the duck, but we’re grateful to have found it, and it now rests safely in our newly designated “Kindergarten Museum.”
- Jennifer Do, Kindergarten Teacher
Our Spirited Parade
Witches, fairies, skeletons, superheroes, and even a few aliens filled the gym for this year’s highly anticipated Halloween Parade. Whether spooky or sweet, our creative students showcased their costumes with pride, delighting a packed room of families and friends who cheered them on.
Then came the moment no one expected: the music suddenly stopped, the room fell silent, and students dropped to the floor as if under a spell – only to rise again as zombies! The eerie transformation soon gave way to laughter and joy as each grade took turns in a spirited dance-off at the heart of the “zombie (Gator) circle.”
After the parade, the excitement eased and students swapped their costumes into black-and-orange casual wear for the remainder of the day. Classrooms were busy with Halloween-themed academic activities, creative projects, and festive treats.
At lunchtime, Chef Adam added to the fun with a crazy menu of “Witches’ Fingers & Bat Wings” (hot dogs and chicken wings), much to everyone’s delight.
We love celebrating this fun tradition, and we’re already looking forward to next year with true unafraid spirits!
- Jacqui Mudre, Director of Communications
Our Fall Season in Sports
SOCCER - This year’s squad was a vibrant mix of new and returning players with many new enthusiastic sixth and seventh graders joining our seasoned eighth graders, who led the charge with energy and heart. Highlights of the season included exciting victories over King and FCDS on our home turf, and a long distance away game against a spirited Brunswick ending in a very memorable 1 - 1 tie.
That match perfectly captured the spirit of our season – full of determination, teamwork, and near-misses that kept us on our toes! Though the scoreboard didn’t always reflect our effort, every game showed tremendous growth, grit, and camaraderie. The players’ perseverance made this season a true success, and we couldn’t be prouder of our fall soccer players dedication and team spirit.
- Lloyd Mitchell, 6/7/8 Soccer Coach
CROSS COUNTRY - Unquowa’s Cross Country Team had a fantastic season and secured many Fairchester Athletics League awards! The season was spent focusing on endurance and pacing, with runners completing greater distances with each practice. Runners challenged themselves during practice and were driven to push themselves this fall. As each of our runners gained endurance, practices became a time to focus on more advanced skills such as race finishing and speed work. This season we were at familiar venues, with new courses and well-prepared hosts. This allowed Unquowa runners to push through and finish with confidence. Many runners placed in the top five for the overall season. Kudos to eighth grader Blair who brought home a first place in her division for the overall season and to sixth grader Callan who secured a first place award for his division at the championship meet.
We ended the season just as we began, running the mile for time. The team did a great job pushing themselves to improve their own mile times. Way to go Gator runners!
- Joey Casey, Cross Country Coach
INDIVIDUAL AGE GROUPS
Overall Season Standings:
Blair D. (Gr. 8) - First place
Caityln L. (Gr. 7) - Fourth place
Alysa Y. (Gr. 7) - Third place
Callan R. (Gr. 6) - First place
Maddie C. (Gr. 5) - Third place
Micah C. (Gr. 5) - Fourth place
Championship Results:
Callan R. (Gr. 6) - First place
Young Gator Athletes
This fall, our Lower School students brought the soccer field to life with energy and enthusiasm! Third and fourth graders practiced dribbling, passing, and controlling the ball while exploring new ways to move, create space, and work as a team on both offense and defense.
At the same time, the youngest Gators – from kindergarten to second grade – had a blast developing their skills, learning the important value of teamwork, and finding their footing on the field. From first kicks to skilled plays, our Lower Schoolers are growing in leaps and bounds into the next generation of Unquowa soccer stars!
- Sarah Pollex
and Ryan Taylor, Physical Education Teachers
Starting Strong!
The beginning of a school year is the perfect time to strengthen connections and build the bonds that shape our community and this year, our upper schoolers did exactly that – coming together through two unforgettable team-building experiences that set the tone.
For the 14th year, our seventh and eighth graders travelled to the Deerfield River in Massachusetts for whitewater rafting. More than an exciting adventure, this rafting trip has become a signature Unquowa experience. One that brings teams together, promotes trust, and encourages students to face challenges side by side. In every raft, our students relied on one another, learned to communicate, and discovered the strength of a team.
Meanwhile, back on campus, our fifth and sixth graders launched into their new school year with a day of empowerment and leadership building. They tackled hands-on challenges designed to spark collaboration, confidence, and connection. From problem-solving activities to teamwork drills, students spent the day building the kind of supportive relationships that will help them thrive together both in and out of the classroom.
This early focus on teamwork and togetherness is a great start to the year for our upper school students. They walked away from their experiences feeling confident in what they had achieved, closer to their peers, and buzzing with excitement from all the fun they had. We could not be more proud of them!
- Jacqui Mudre, Director of Communications
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Big hearts make a big difference! Thank you to our awesome fifth and eighth grade students for leading such a successful cereal drive early this fall! Together, with our Unquowa community they donated over 130 boxes of healthy cereal to nOURish Bridgeport, helping families in need during a critical time across our country.
Rev. Sara from nOURrish Bridgeport joined us for assembly to thank our families and to share inspiring words about the impact of giving. She explained how healthy cereal, paired with shelf-stable milk, can help families who may be struggling to put food on their table.
And, the community giving doesn’t stop there! Kudos to our first and fourth grade students who recently teamed up to support the Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport. They hosted a successful drive to gather food and other essential items to help women and their families in our local area. Unquowa students in action — caring hearts, helping hands, and the spirit of community.
Stay Golden Unquowa
In November our eighth graders swapped their classroom seats for Broadway ones, and what a day it was! The adventure began as students boarded the train and rode into iconic Grand Central Station. From there, we headed to lunch at John’s of Times Square, where we refueled with pizza, Caesar salad, and brownies. Once done, we made our way to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre for the main event: The Outsiders on Broadway.
Our seats were outstanding and close enough for students to catch every expression, gesture, and moment of emotion onstage. Adding to the excitement, the Playbill insert gave a special shoutout to Unquowa School!
The performance itself was incredible. The Outsiders brought S. E. Hinton’s classic novel to life through powerful music, movement, and storytelling. Students were deeply engaged as the show explored themes of identity, socioeconomic division, and redemption — all topics we discuss in Humanities class.
After the show, we headed back to Grand Central to catch our train home. Eighth graders spent the ride connecting and rehashing the show. It was certainly a day they won’t soon forget.
- Ariel Warshaw, Eighth Grade Advisor
To give to this year’s 2025-2026 Fund For Unquowa please visit unquowa.org/giving, or scan the QR code!
THE FUND FOR UNQUOWA
We want to thank every parent, grandparent, alumni and friend that contributed to the 2024-2025 Fund for Unquowa last year. Your support made possible the exceptional programs and curriculums, unparalleled community and unique experiential learning you see reflected on these pages.
Your Fund for Unquowa Co-Chairs, Melody Waterhouse and Robin Pompa
Parents
John and Anna Acunto
Lindsay and Nick Alexander
Natasha Auguste-Williams
Ashesh Bakshi and Yamini Menon
Amy and Vivek Bedi
Celiane Oliveria and Marcos Borges
Shantay Bullock and Roderick Taylor
Brandon and Brooke Clark
Kristin and Brian Clark
Morgan and Jake Cleveland
Brittany Craiglow and Brett King
Whitney and Tobias Crawford
Alexis and Mark Czeterko
Briggs and Moira Davidson
Sara and Jon Deren
Peter and Bridgett diBonaventura
Maureen and Djibril Diallo
Jennifer and Akira Do
Carlos Esteves and Corti Cooper
Jennifer and Michael Evanko
Jenna and Eric Guja
Dianna Haskell
Adrian and James Hendershot
Daniel and Barbara Holzer
Christopher and Melissa Howe
Daria Islam
Tré Kayumba and Hannah Onchak
Ryan Keating and Ellen Lewis
Brendan and Samantha Kelley
Lisa and Michael Kirsic
Dana and Brian Lawlor
Andrew Lerner and Angela DeRose
Adriana and Kevin Liberatore
James and Amy Lightbourn
Sara Parks and Frank Lin
Violet and Emirson Lumani
Gabriella Manina and Luca Savi
Ryan Mathis-Tien and J. Bing Tien
Jennifer McLevy-Bazzanella and John Bazzanella
Jackie and Ronell McRae
Saral and Heidi Mehra
Anya and Charlie Mezak
Deanne Mraz, M.D.
James and Maria Mulvehill
Sheetal Mundra and Amit Lakhotia
Allie and Steve Murphy
Ashley Nechaev
Jacqueline and Andre Nelson
Michael O'Brien and Margaret Codan
Elisha and Oliver Page
Jeremy and Sandra Peck
Ryane Penders and Ethan Sullivan
Robin and William Pompa
Tim and Krissy Ponden
Lauren Rocheleau and Mark Lotty
Melanie and Jerry Ruggieri
Joe Saint and Elizabeth Hayes
Mrs. Gianina Serrano
Jacqueline and Jonathan Shahrabani
Alison and Mark Smith
Jasmine and Shawnta Smith-Cruz
Nate and Vivi Storch
Trevor and Lisa Sylvestro
Andrea and Brian Theodore
Alexander Thomson and Katie Shields Thomson
Peter and Jo Toolan
Anthony and Jenna Venditto
Shabiroon Vereen and Woodrow Vereen Jr.
Lesley Vincent and Lauren Coakley Vincent
Bojana and Michael Weatherly
Karen and Dan Williamson
David and Heather Winkelmann
Jenah and Jack Yeung
Alumni
Claire Abate ’14
Steve Aikenhead ’54
Christopher Anderheggen ‘70
T. Brooks Barrett ’47
Christopher Boudreau ’89
Jonathan C. Brew ’72
Elizabeth W. Brew Boyd ‘’70
Eric Dawson ‘76
Helene Rousseau Epifano ’67
Richard T. Harriss, III ’52
William Heise ’55
Lucy Kavanaugh ’21
Evan Lawrence ’68
David MacAllaster ’73
Sasha Mack ’05
Susan Maklari ’90
Max Martone ’09
Dylan McCormick ’16
Madison Mitchell ‘22
Lily Panagos ’19
Lola Panagos ’17
Lucy Panagos ’16
Krissy Ponden ’95
Grandparents In Honor Of
Norma Castro............................................................................................................Ethan Perez ‘25
Beverly Frank.................................................................................................Max Deren (Grade 7)
John and Sarah Freeman........................Addie Mulvehill ‘24, Eleanor Mulvehill (Grade 8), Charlotte Mulvehill (Grade 6), Maeve Mulvehill (Grade 3)
William and Joan Grabe.......................................................Derek Grabe ‘14, Nicole Grabe ‘11
Grace Halloran.......................................................................................Caitlyn Lawlor (Grade 7)
Constance Lane and James McClellan....................................Jojo Williamson (Grade 2)
Sharon Lauer and Jerry Joseph........................................................................Vivian Kelley ‘25
Shelley Levi and Kevin Sorhaindo......................................Anthony Venditto III (Grade 8), Archer Venditto (Grade 4)
Catherine Mathis.........................................................................................Blythe Tien (Grade 4)
Carolyn Gaines Ruckle ’53
Olivia Seymour ’14
Madeline Shantz ’19
William Shelton ’55
Rev. Cecily Stoddard Stranahan ’47
Lee Streett ’51
John Richard Turner ’48
Parents of Alumni
Kristen Ambrosi
Eliza Aponte
Ernesto and Faith Barbuto
Eric and Lisa Broder
Alisyn Camerota
Robert and Deborah Colantuoni
Gavin and Michal Coman
Trisha and Mark Doyle
Paul and Ellen Greenberg
Sandy and Kate Haviland
William and Jean Ann Heise
Shane Herlet and Patricia Caira
Scott and Colleen Jacques
Matthew and Rachel Kelley
Barry Kresch and Leslie Miller
Deirdre and Eric Kurzenberger
Philipp Kusche and Melody Waterhouse
Peter Lanni and Cornelia Gallo, M.D.
Maggie Lehnerd-Reilly and Kerry Reilly
Karl and Lynn Martone
Michael McCormick
Bruce and Sally McDermott
David and Elizabeth McKinnis
Brian and Sharon Miles
Lloyd Mitchell
John and Lynne Morgan
Steven and Joan Panagos
Vivian Perez
Byrne Pozzi and Dan Spinner
Will and Alison Roberts
Natalia Rojas-Restrepo and Alexander Rojas
David Ryan and Susan Breen
Mike Scotto and Vicki Hornbostel
Scott and Julianne Seymour
Andrew and Andrea Shantz
Harald and Stephanie Stavnes
Alan and Debbie Steckler
Sankar and Subhashree Sunder
Diane and Peter Swift
Joanna and William Wesson
Elizabeth Williams and Peter Tulupman
Jessica Wolf
Daniel and Leona Yin
Faculty & Friends
American Online Giving Foundation
Athena and Daniel Adamson
Mike and Carol Anderson
Andrew and Gina Arnold
Ashesh Bakshi and Yamini Menon
Brebbia Family Fund
Cheryl Bennett-Davidowitz and Robert Davidowitz
Philip Bevan
Richard and Janice Cerone
Michael and Lauren Ehrlich
John and Sarah Freeman Foundation
Jerry Folz and Stacie Boney
Philip and Victorio Gallo
Goldman Sachs
Carlene and Paul Gordon
John Hall
Clayton and Mary Hall
Haskell Family Foundation
Robert Hobbie
James Johnson
Richard and Kathryn Krotseng
Kennedy Lane
Lou Leszczynski
Siyao Liu and Vikas Gupta
Jackie and Ronell McRae
Lotty Family Foundation
Estate of Richard McKinley III
Jacqui and John Mudre
Jumana and David Murphy Nor’ Easter Foundation (Henry duPont ‘81)
David and Amber O’Connell
Polen Capital
Ruth L Powell Revocable Trust
Sarah and Ross Raggio
David and Jennifer Reganato
Hans and Jennifer Richter
David and Laura Ross
Beth Schneider
Janice Schneider
Stephen Schwartz
Jeff Shrader and Marsha Shradar
Eric and Tristan Snow
Dave Thomas
Chandler Wiegand II
Rick and Lynn Wilson
Patricia O’Hara....................................................................................Olivia Weatherly (Grade 8)
Anna Panagos-Chandler.................Lily Panagos ‘19, Lola Panagos ‘17, Lucy Panagos ‘16
Elizabeth Soler.....................................................................................Nerushka Lopez Aponte ’25
Mary Jo Scott...............................................................Alex Renzulli ‘21, Samantha Renzulli ‘18
Alice Stokes...............................................................................................................Steele Malkin ‘23
Yei Lung and Ying Lan Tien......................................................................Blythe Tien (Grade 4)
Karen Tripoli....................................................................................................Henry Clark (Grade 6)
Elizabeth Wasiutynski...............................................................................Aleksandra Wesson ‘25
Lucinda White and Thomas Kelley ...................................................Graham Kelley (Grade 6)
Chester Williamson..............................................................................Jojo Williamson (Grade 2)
Judy Williamson...................................................................................Jojo Williamson (Grade 2)
Notes From The UPA
From our joyful first-day-of-school Welcome Coffee to the many gatherings throughout the fall and winter, the Unquowa Parents’ Association has been energized and inspired by the strength of our community. This year has already brought exciting new traditions, renewed connections, and meaningful ways for families to engage with one another and with the school.
New this year, Monthly UPA meetings now include guest speakers from the school’s faculty and staff. These conversations help clarify school policies, highlight upcoming initiatives, and offer families a direct connection to the programs shaping daily life at Unquowa. These sessions have already sparked wonderful questions and deeper understanding, and we look forward to continuing them throughout the year.
We kicked off the school year with a warm and welcoming first day of school coffee, where new and returning families met, reconnected, and shared in the excitement of a new year. Soon after, our lively UPA Parents’ Night in September brought families together once again, setting a joyful tone for the season ahead.
This fall, we proudly sponsored the 5th/6th Grade Social – a fun and fizzy physics party – and the 7th/8th Grade Social, where students took to the ropes courses at the Discovery Museum’s Adventure Park. These socials remain a favorite tradition, offering students a chance to celebrate, bond, and make memories outside the classroom.
The Hiking Club stepped into the spotlight this year. Organized walks on school holidays and weekends offered families a chance to explore local trails and even local art, and connect with one another in the beauty of the outdoors. We look forward to expanding these outings in the months ahead.
Our Community Closet has been open for several events this year and continues to be an invaluable resource both for families who donate and those who shop. The steady flow of highquality uniforms and Unquowa gear reflects the generosity and care that define our Unquowa community.
The Gator Goods Committee offered merchandise at Founders’ Day, featuring new golf and mini umbrellas. Everyone is welcome to order Gator Goods apparel at unquowa.org/gator-goods/
And of course, we are already gearing up for one of the most exciting events of the spring: The Annual Spring Auction, a cherished tradition that brings together celebration, generosity, and community spirit. Planning is well underway, and we look forward to sharing more details soon.
This year’s auction is on Saturday, April 25th at 6:30pm - save the date!
To all of our UPA members, committee chairs, and volunteers: thank you. The community we share at Unquowa is unparalleled, and it is your energy, generosity, and “unafraid spirit” that bring these events and this school to life.
- The Unquowa Parents Association
ALUMNI NEWS
Elizabeth “Betsy” Cushman Gumbart ’45 passed away peacefully on August 21, 2025, at age 93. A resident of Elim Park Place in Cheshire, Connecticut, Betsy dedicated her life to education and community service. After earning her teaching certifications, she taught in New Canaan and North Haven before raising her family and taking on numerous volunteer leadership roles, including President of both the North Haven PTA and Literacy Volunteers.
A passionate reader and writer, Betsy contributed to children’s publications, edited community newsletters, and was a primary volunteer for the Elim Park libraries. She will be remembered for her kindness, commitment to learning, and lifelong devotion to helping others.
Everett Carrillo-Foote ’21, big brother to Piper Carrillo-Foote ’24, recently graduated from the Fairfield Fire Academy and is now serving as a firefighter for the Town of Fairfield at Station #1. He was the youngest recruit in this year’s class. Everett graduated from Fairfield Prep last May, and he is thrilled to be pursuing his passion right out of high school. Way to go Everett – we are so proud of you!
During our Fall Open House, alum Jonathan Stock ’55 stopped by for a visit. Jonathan enjoyed connecting with Sharon Lauer and reminiscing about his time at Unquowa. As he toured the campus, he explored the many changes and shared fond memories from his years here. We were so delighted to welcome him back!
Morgan Hansen ’11 recently married Travis Geraci in Myrtle Beach and they now live happily in Stratford, Connecticut with their dog and cat. She is thriving as a Senior Data Analyst at Blue Buffalo. After reconnecting with fellow alumni, Morgan reflected on “all the amazing times” she remembers from her years at Unquowa and informed us that she is “very grateful for this school and all the memories that have carried over.” We’re grateful for you too, Morgan — and thrilled to share this exciting new chapter in your life! Congratulations!
Recent Unquowa graduate Weston Doyle ’25 won the Terry Clancy Cup for his age division at the H. Smith Richardson Golf Course in Fairfield this August! He’s also especially excited to have made the St. Luke’s golf team as a freshman. Congratulations, Weston, we can’t wait to follow your progress and success on and off the course!
Stay in touch!
Send your news/reconnect at unquowa.org/alumni
Congratulations Ben Stokes ’19 who is currently a junior at Colorado School of Mines studying Mechanical Engineering. In October, riding for the university, he won the National Collegiate Championship for Mountain Biking. The school also won the Team Relay as well as the overall Team National Championship.
Ben has spent the last couple of summers road racing in Europe for the Kelly Benefits Team but it was especially nice to win a high profile mountain biking race here at home. So happy to see you are following your dreams Ben. Keep us posted!
Join us for Winterfest 2025 December 18 | 7:00pm
981 Stratfield Road
Fairfield, Connecticut 06825-1697
