15 minute read
Class Notes
HOMECOMING 2021
Last fall, we were unable to have the reunion classes of ’0s and ’5s back to campus for Homecoming. That doesn’t mean that the celebration won’t still happen!
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We will have double the fun this fall and celebrate the Classes of ’0s and ’5s AND ’1s and ’6s. A date for the Oyster Roast and Alumni Reunions has not yet been determined, but we are ready and excited to celebrate this fall.
If you’d like to serve as a Class Chair for your reunion to help gather your classmates together, contact alumni relations associate Julia Bowling at juliabowling@trintiyes.org.
Class of 1981
Kent Pankey ’81 is the senior planner for the Virginia court system. Since 2012, he has also been a volunteer assistant track coach at Trinity. In 2020, he was elected to the board of directors of the National Association for Court Management (NACM), the largest organization of court management professionals in the world with members from all levels and types of courts. In 2019, Kent was the recipient of the association’s Perkins Award, presented annually to an individual who consistently goes above and beyond to make behind-the-scenes contributions to the field of court administration or his court. Kent’s older son, Joe Pankey ’13, is working among Trinity’s IT staff during the 2020-21 school year. Class of 1996
Shing Yue Tang ’96 is the regional supply chain planner for Gate Gourmet, Inc. in Maryland. Class of 1998
Drew Garrison ’98 and his wife, Ashley, came to town from Dallas, TX over the summer and joined Christian Nolde ’98 and his wife, Lindsay, at Kindred Spirit Brewery. They were able to catch up on the last 20 years! Class of 2001
Caroline Cobb Amey ’01 writes: “I celebrated a promotion from assistant to associate professor with tenure in the department of psychology at VCU this summer and welcomed a baby girl to our family in the fall. Louise Elizabeth Amey joined big sister Samantha on October 11, 2020. We’ve got full hearts over here in Church Hill RVA!”
PANKEY GARRISON CHRISTIAN WILLIAMS
Chris Markunas ’01 and his band Cheap Comfort live streamed a virtual concert as a fundraiser for a cancer research organization called C-TREC on September 23, 2020. Amy Henderson, mother of Graham Henderson-Best ’22, is a band member and Kyle van de Kamp ’12 helped with the live streaming process.
In Vogue’s September version of 73 Questions, Joe Sabia interviewed singer and entertainer Lizzo. During the video recorded interview on September 24, the artist began making tea and pouring it into ceramic mugs made by Molly Sanyour ’01! The video has reached over 1 million views on YouTube. In October, a Lizzo decal mug created by Sanyour was featured on David Letterman’s segment “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.” Class of 2005
Rebecca Olander Christian ’05 and husband Will welcomed their second son, Thomas, on October 5, 2020. Big brother James was very excited to show off his baby brother for Jada Zajur Parrish ’08 of J & D Photo for family portraits! Class of 2006
Jake Williams ’06 and wife Brittney welcomed their first child Asher Wesley on October 6, 2020. He weighed 7 lbs, 9 oz. Class of 2007
Chris Snowden ’07 writes: “My residential design firm Chris Snowden Design focuses on modern residential design. On February 10, 2021, I was part of a group of young modern architects. It discussed the future of modern design and general information regarding our own design firms.” Check out some of his projects around the city of Richmond at www.christiansnowdendesign.com or @christiansnowdendesign on Instagram.
BUILDING A BETTER LANDSCAPE
Nick Wittkofski ’12 received the Virginia American Society of Landscape Architects Chapter ‘Scholarship for Excellence in the Study of Landscape Architecture’ Award in summer of 2020. This award recognizes the student’s academic achievement and service to the school community. Nick graduated from the UVA School of Architecture Landscape Architecture master’s program in May 2020.
[photo: Quenching the Settlement; Yamuna River Project, Rajasthan Cities: Jaipur © Nicholas Wittkofski]
MASSEY MESSINGER WITT MOUNTCASTLE
Class of 2008
Will Massey ’08 has been working at Johnston-Willis Hospital as an Emergency Medicine Doctor during the pandemic. He writes, “It has been a wild ride, but I am enjoying working here in Richmond and doing what I can to help!” Class of 2009
Katie Markunas Messinger ’09 writes, “On August 8, 2020, I married my love Thomas Messinger. Due to COVID it was a small private ceremony, with our parents, and my older brother Chris Markunas ’01. My younger brother Nick Markunas ’11 was able to attend via Zoom thanks to Wells Bridgforth ’12!”
Alise Witt ’09 engaged Doug Fraser on June 19, 2020! The couple is planning a September 2021 wedding. Class of 2011
Nick Markunas ’11 writes, “My wife Emily and I welcomed our first child, Maisie, in June!” Class of 2012
Rachel Cisek Filippelli ’12 married Daniel Filippelli on September 19, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia at Hope Church. Trinity photography teachers Allison Minehart and Jenny McQueen were the photographers of the special day. Taylor McClain ’12 and Sage Parker ’12 were bridesmaids and MckenZie Walker ’12, Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Sam Parker ’16 and Gabe Parker ’19 were in attendance for the special day.
FILIPPELLI
PERSEVERANCE THROUGH PAIN
In an article written by Harry Minium, Jason Wade ’18 was highlighted for his work ethic and determination despite his second season ending injury while being a part of the men’s basketball team at Old Dominion University. Wade shared that he fell into a deep depression after his second injury. “I think when you get as low as where I got, once you hit that point, there’s no other option than to pray and try to find peace within yourself and with God,” said Wade.
Despite being unable to play, Wade was named as a team captain because of his strong leadership and positive attitude. ODU headcoach Jeff Jones said, “Jason is a poster child for what every athlete should be. He gives everything to the team, he competes so hard, is a very good student and a great teammate.”
Find the full story on the “Alumni In The News” page at: trinityes.org/AlumniNews
[photo by Bruce Butler]
DODSON HATFIELD
Sydney Baril Mountcastle ’12 married Bailey Mountcastle on October 24, 2020 at the Country Club of Virginia, Westhampton in Richmond, Virginia. Claire Watkins ’12 served as a bridesmaid and Peyton Wood ’12 was able to join in on the celebration, also! Class of 2013
Margaret Dodson ’13 and Kelsey Cordrey were engaged in December 2020 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia. Class of 2014
Elizabeth Bell Hatfield ’14 writes: “On August 29, I married Ford Hatfield in a small ceremony with just immediate family, after our summer wedding was cancelled due to COVID. I also started a new job teaching middle school math at the Collegiate School, but I am still a Titan at heart!”
Emily Dodson Sadler ’14 married Miles Sadler on October 10, 2020 at the Virginia Cliffe Inn in Glen Allen, Virginia. Sisters Margaret Dodson ’13 and Catherine Dodson ’24 served as bridesmaids.
Class of 2015
Weston Hannon Bogosh ’15 writes: “I am a graduate of Union College in upstate, NY with a BA in economics. Currently, I work at C&F Mortgage Corp in Richmond as a mortgage loan originator, and happy to be back in Richmond!” Class of 2016
Blake Bowen ’16 proposed to Aliyah Adams in December 2020 in Las Vegas surrounded by family and friends.
SADLER BOWEN
ALUMNI BOOK CLUB WITH FRANCIS DECKER
English teacher Francis Decker led the second virtual Alumni Book Club on January 14. Attendees joined the discussion of Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin from across the United States. Alumni also gathered together virtually on March 18 to discuss Amsterdam by Ian McEwan.
Be sure to join the next Book Club meeting on May
6 at 6 p.m. Information regarding the chosen book can be found on the Alumni webpage.
HUPP TARKINGTON SVOBODA MENDIETA-WATERS
Thomas Hupp ’16 writes: “On December 20, 2020 I asked Kiley Cropped to marry me in her hometown, Greeley, Colorado. It was a very exciting day that I had been secretly planning for over a month with her parents and sister. We hope to get married towards the end of 2021 and start our lives together in Richmond, Virginia.”
Amanda Tarkington ’16 writes: “My boyfriend, Joseph, and I got engaged at my family’s river house at sunrise on November 8, 2020. We are planning a wedding for June 2022.” Class of 2018
Sophie Svoboda ’18 received her Virginia Military Institute class ring in the fall of 2020. She is currently a junior at VMI and a member of the women’s swim team.
AT HOME CELEBRATIONS
The Trinity community loves coming together each year for the annual Oyster Roast. This year, the celebration continued from home. The Boathouse offered a special discount for what would have been Homecoming weekend.
The at-home celebrations continued for Trinity alumni during the annual Holiday Happy Hour. Last year, Trinity alumni gathered at Virago Spirits and we were fortunate to continue the Virago holiday cheer this year with a special discount code.
While the at-home celebrations were special, we can’t wait to be able to gather in person again soon. We miss you, Titans!
Jaika Mendieta-Waters ’18 and Jason Wade ’18 got engaged in February 2021. Class of 2020
Henry Coleman III ’20 was named in the 2020 Virginia Business 100 People to Meet list within the “Angels” category. The criteria for this category states, “Whether saving lives, speaking truth to power or using their wealth for the greater good, these Virginians make the commonwealth a better place through their passion, dedication and sacrifice.”
If there is one thing that’s for sure, the Titan community loves to stay connected with one another. The Titan Connections online career directory is one way to do so! No matter the industry you’re in, we’d love to feature you. Fill out your career networking information on the Alumni page of the website
trinityes.org/alumni or send it to alumni relations associate Julia Bowling at juliabowling@trinityes.org. Let the connecting begin!
HUG IN A CUP
College-age alumni were welcomed back to campus on December 10 drive-through style! Visitors were met in the Estes Center loop by faculty and staff with warm hot chocolate and sweet treats in hand.
Clay Broga ’03 is a co-founder of Freethink and the chief marketing officer at Stand Together, a foundation that “empowers people dedicated to helping others improve their lives.” Broga shared, “a deep belief in people motivates all of our work.”
Stand Together released a project produced by Broga in December that showcased just how inspiring and transformative an individual can be by helping others find and develop their gifts. Former Trinity teacher and current parent Dr. Katie Best was surprised by Broga and many of her former students sharing just how much she means to them because she believed in them. The video project has reached over 1.6 million views and was featured on the daytime health TV show “Dr. Oz” in January.
“While this video spotlighted Katie, it really was in honor of all of the great teachers I had at Trinity who believed in me” said Broga. He shared that there were many foundational experiences for him while being a Trinity student because of the flexibility that students have when it comes to taking classes in different disciplines. “I love how that’s in Trinity’s DNA all the way down to its motto. We each need our own individualized path,” said Broga. “When that happens, we all thrive.”
“There’s nothing special about me. Trinity just helped me discover my path,” said Broga. “I can’t tell you how fortunate I feel to have had the opportunity to receive an education like that. In fact, it’s almost unbelievable.”
In Sympathy
The Trinity community offers its condolences to the families of the following people who have recently passed away. We apologize for any unintentional omissions. As of February 16, 2021
Maria Sheehan, grandmother of Alexander Soulas ’10, Matt Crider ’12, Chris Crider ’14, Gabe Erickson ’14, and Nate Erickson ’17, died on September 11, 2020.
Lee Bassett, father of Todd Bassett ’82, Jeff Bassett ’85, Julie Bassett Thompson ’89 and grandfather of Maddie Bassett ’14, died on October 5, 2020.
Marie Selfe, mother of Danny Baker ’79 and Steve Baker ’83, died on October 13, 2020.
The Reverend Raymond Nelson, Trinity’s second head of school, died on November 4, 2020.
Chase Shugart ’14, brother of Cole Shugart ’16, died on December 11, 2020.
John Board, father of Susan Board ’80, died on December 25, 2020.
Sally Dawson, mother of Amy Dawson Zoller ’82 and Beth Dawson McAlhany ’85, died on January 8, 2021.
Former Trinity faculty member Vikki Curtis, mother of Matt Curtis ’03 and Jeffrey Curtis ’06, died on January 15, 2021.
Jean Hanson, mother of Karen Love Pinkerton ’75, died on January 19, 2021.
Rhonda Bartholomew, mother of Mitch Bartholomew ’05, died on January 23, 2021.
Stephen Boehling ’88, father of Millie Boehling ’17, died on February 2, 2021.
The Rev. Raymond A. Nelson 1932 — 2020
The Rev. Raymond A. Nelson, Trinity Episcopal School’s second Head of School, died peacefully at home on November 4, 2020 at the age of 88 in the presence of his wife, Mimi Van Swall Nelson. Rev. Nelson served Trinity for four years, from 1986 to 1990, bringing with him substantial experience as a head of school for 10 other independent schools across the country.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Nelson attended Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, NY and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Williams College and Harvard Divinity School. For 38 years, Nelson served as a head of school for 11 different independent schools in the US (including Salisbury School in Connecticut and Hebron Academy in Maine) and four years as principal of the International School of Geneva, Switzerland, followed by one year at the TASIS Cyprus School in Nicosia, Cyprus. An Episcopal priest for 52 years, he served diocese in a number of congregations across the U.S. and Europe, serving most recently as rector of St. Barnabas Church in Richmond from 2014 to 2020.
His obituary in the Richmond Times-Dispatch stated: “Ray accomplished all of this with lightheartedness, kindness and a distinctive caring for staff, faculty, parents, students, clergy, parishioners and family. He gave speeches and sermons extemporaneously and had a remarkable singing voice as well as a penchant for languages and imitating foreign speakers or even ones from Brooklyn or New Jersey. These gifts were who he was. The companionship of others meant the most to him.”
In a letter to the Trinity community last year, Head of School Rob Short wrote: “In an extensive professional career as an educational leader all over America and overseas, he said Trinity was a favorite school and he always felt at home in Virginia. On a personal level, I am particularly grateful that he gave me my very first teaching job, right here at Trinity, in 1989. I remember Ray as a person who would share amazing quotes, who spoke multiple languages, loved thinking internationally, was thrilled when we became an IB World School, and believed in viewing all people as equals. As a leader, Ray was always willing to roll up his sleeves, whether it was coaching tennis or working on weekend campus projects with colleagues and students.”
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to Trinity’s Emily Huffman McLeod Scholarship Fund in his memory.
I GIVE because…
Margaret Dodson ’13
Pictured with sisters Emily Dodson Sadler ’14 and Catherine Dodson ’24 and mother Diane Dodson.
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