Winsor Bulletin Fall 2022

IN THIS ISSUE

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Thinking Outside the Rocks Ken Schopf brings field experience to Pilgrim Road

28 Winsor Stalwarts

Honoring a legacy 60-plus years in the making

30 Planet Protectors Prevail

How a group of students paved the way for solar power at Winsor

32 Through the Artist’s Eyes

eflections on the R transformative power of art

54 Celebrating the Class of 2022 IN EVERY ISSUE

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From the Head of School

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From Pilgrim Road

60 Alumnae News 80 First Person

Editorial Corrections: Spring 2022 Bulletin • Cover Illustration by Angela Hsieh • Page 48: Katie Ives, author of Imaginary Peaks, is Class of 1994

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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

The Winsor School HEAD OF SCHOOL Sarah Pelmas EDITOR IN CHIEF Jennifer Bub P’23, ’25, ’27

The Work of Art

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he halls of Winsor are adorned with oranges and pomegranates, tiny outfits on clay models, folded paper that spins into the background and disappears, siblings and parents artfully captured on film, self-portraits of restraint and abundance, glorious colors and simple pencil sketches. Our rehearsal studios and black box theater bustle with recitals, chamber music concerts, after-school musicians, and student-directed plays. Our main theater comes alive with sweeping concerts, dance performances, plays, and musicals performed with students from our brother schools. Winsor is fortunate to be surrounded by world-class museums, theaters, and concert halls, but within our own walls, we put every student on stage and in the art studio beginning in Class I. The result is intelligent, awe-inspiring art everywhere you look.

Strolling through the recently renovated attic art studio is like returning to the 19th century, with the leaded-glass windows and wide, paint-splattered floorboards. It smells of turpentine and radiates creative energy. Students draw, paint, shape, and fold, still very much in the 21st century as they wrestle with current questions about the environment, their own sense of identity, and the nature of community while learning about light and shadow, materials and technique.

Art, in all its manifestations, has always been a significant part of the Winsor experience, but for over two years, the pandemic disrupted our students’ consistent and rich access to that part of their education. Required distancing made instruction on technique challenging, limited access to art spaces, and restricted the performing arts to recording and editing together individual pieces. And yet, our students continued to receive awards and recognition, including a Scholastic Art Gold Medal Portfolio Award and an invitation to travel and perform at the National Association for Music Education annual conference. Our young artists may have faced challenges, but they persevered, and expressed themselves through spectacular works of art.

The sheer joy we’re experiencing being together again, with new student art on the walls, rehearsal spaces abuzz, and performances in our theater — this, maybe above all else, confirms we are back as a community, ready to celebrate one another. Our students bring the skills they hone, and the joy of creating as a community, into everything they do. And as you will see in this issue of the Bulletin, our graduates go on to grace the world with extraordinary creations. You will read about alumnae who delight and challenge audiences and viewers, and help us make sense of the world around us. You will learn what moves and inspires them. Turn the page and prepare to be inspired!

— SARAH PELMAS

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DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Colette Porter DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT Erika McMahon DIRECTOR OF ENGAGEMENT AND EVENTS Becky Withiam CREATIVE DIRECTION & DESIGN Nicole Barbuto PHOTOGRAPHY Kristie Dean, Tom Kates, Jamie Ramsey, Winsor Marketing and Communications, feature photography credited in story BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2022–2023 PRESIDENT Allison Kaneb Pellegrino ’89, P’21, ’22 VICE PRESIDENT Larry Cheng P’23, ’25, ’28 TREASURER Lori Whelan P’23, ’25 ASSISTANT TREASURER David E. Goel P’23 CLERK Elizabeth Bennett Carroll ’89 Chris Andrews P’26, ex officio Eman Ansari P’20, ’24, ’28 Wendy Cromwell P’21 Polly Crozier ’92 Jennifer Dolins P’23, ’26 Linda Dorcena Forry P’28 Mary Gallagher ’94 Claire Pasternack Goldsmith ’01 Jonathan Goldstein P’22, ’24 Mary Beth Gordon P’23, ’26 Lisa Jackson P’23 Sam Kennedy P’23 Jessica Lutzker P’25 Mallika Marshall P’27 Erica Mayer ’91, P’25, ex officio Elise McDonald P’26, ’28 Joseph J. O’Donnell P’05, ’07 Paresh Patel P’27, ’29, ’30 Sarah Pelmas Marion Russell ’91, P’22, ’25 Kerry Swords P’23, ’27 Perry M. Traquina P’09, ’13 Emily Lubin Woods ’91, P’26 The Winsor School does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, scholars programs, athletic programs, and other school-administered programs.

FROM PILGRIM ROAD

Bringing Home Gold This past spring, Franchesca Vilmenay ’22 was awarded the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards’ highest honor, a Gold Medal Portfolio Award, for her photography portfolio titled “Figure Form Fabric.”

Franchesca was one of just 22 students to receive the prestigious award (11 for art and 11 for writing), which is presented by the nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. Her portfolio was selected from among 260,000 works of art and writing submitted this year by students aged 13 to 18. All national-level winners were invited to a ceremony at Carnegie Hall in June, and the gold medalists were recognized on stage and presented with a scholarship.

Franchesca was also one of three winners chosen to be interviewed by a famous artist or writer; her interview with fashion designer and past Scholastic Award recipient Zac Posen was featured during the ceremony.

“I’m pretty sure, statistically, that this is a once-in-acareer happening for a teacher, and I’m so glad that I got to have this amazing experience with Franchesca,” said Sara Macaulay, visual arts department head and Eleanor Thomas Nelson ’49 Chair in Fine Arts at Winsor.

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FROM PILGRIM ROAD

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

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his year, 17 Winsor students received 2022 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. On the regional level, Gold Key recipients were Yuni Chun ’23 (2)*, Isabelle Fan ’23, Brigid O’Connor ’22 (2), Franchesca Vilmenay ’22 (2), and Sophia Wang ’24.

Regional Silver Key recipients were Katya Agrawal ’23, Yuni Chun ’23 (2), Valentina Lara ’24, Ciara Leonard ’24, Zoe Lewis ’22, Brigid O’Connor ’22, Ella Pascucci ’23, Bela Patel ’27, Lily-Rose Pepin ’27, Sophia Russell ’22 (2), and Franchesca Vilmenay ’22. Honorable mentions were also awarded to Annika Cunningham ’23, Ava Hosea ’22, Emily Hou ’22, Valentina Lara ’24, Zoe Lewis ’22 (3), Franchesca Vilmenay ’22, and Michelle Wang ’25.

Two students also received national recognition. Brigid O’Connor ’22 earned a silver medal for exceptional work in art portfolio — an award given to fewer than 2,000 works out of 260,000 submissions. Brigid’s work was selected for excellence in originality. Franchesca Vilmenay ’22 was one of only 22 students in the country to receive a Gold Medal Portfolio Award.

Founded in 1923, the Scholastic Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious awards for creative youth in grades seven through 12 in the U.S. and Canada. This year, over 40,000 teens received regional recognition, and nearly 2,000 works earned national awards.

* (#) indicates the number of awards won by the student.

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1) Katya Agrawal ’23; 2) Valentina Lara ’24; 3) Ciara Leonard ’24; 4) Sophia Wang ’24; 5) Yuni Chun ’23

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“ As much as my portfolio of work represents obscurantism and the artistic methods used to obscure a figure, it also represents the hidden voices of individuals in my community. Notice the slow emergence of the figure throughout the portfolio. Slowly our voices were beginning to be heard.” ­— FRANCHESCA VILMENAY ’22

From her Gold Medal Portfolio Award artist statement

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6) Brigid O’Connor ’22; 7) Sophia Russell ’22; 8) Zoe Lewis ’22

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FROM PILGRIM ROAD

Milestone tributes (l–r): Karen Geromini, Tiffany Young, and Jennifer Toon

Faculty Honored at Annual Dinner

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t the annual dinner for faculty, staff, and the board of trustees, Winsor honors and celebrates faculty and staff reaching milestone years. This year, attendees paid tribute to those who have been with Winsor for 20 or 21 years.

“Winsor is uniquely privileged in having such an extraordinary faculty and staff with such remarkable tenure,” said Head of School Sarah Pelmas in her opening remarks. “At most schools, a few brave souls make it to the 20-year mark. Here, it is fast becoming only the first milestone, and a relatively early one at that.”

Ms. Pelmas called the faculty and staff “simply the best” and thanked them “for the way you challenge our students and love them.”

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The following are excerpts from tributes Ms. Pelmas delivered in recognition of those honored.

Karen Geromini (20 years) Number five of our major commendations from the NEASC accreditation this year reads as follows: “Winsor’s ability to manage its campus within the city is exemplary. The school understands its reality within the broader community.” This is all Karen Geromini. Over the past 10 years since our last accreditation, no one has done more to think about the campus and how it can thrive than Karen. She is, as we all know, an expert on excellence in small packages.

Throughout COVID, Karen has been pragmatic, thoughtful, diligent, and tireless. She has done her

research, has pulled together an unbelievable team in Tiffany, Brooke, Adam, and Nurse Sue. And she has steered this school safely through two years of the most challenging times schools have ever seen.

What I can say is that it has been a true gift being able to go to her, time and again, for problem-solving, wisdom, and honesty. Her integrity, and her love of this community, has made all the difference to this school over the last 20 years, and I couldn’t be more grateful to work with her.

Jennifer Toon (21 years) Jen has been a stable, kind, and consistent presence in Admission. She is someone who deeply knows Winsor, radiates a kindness that makes students want to spend more time with her, and helps parents know that their children are in good hands.

You all know her trademark smile and her laughing way of asking you about something you didn’t realize she was paying attention to. She exudes both personal warmth and consummate professionalism while supporting students with great compassion and helping them figure out how to support themselves. She often has the answer, but does not step in to do what she can equip a student to do for themselves. Similarly, when working with families around the deeply sensitive issue of financial aid, she listens and offers support while honoring their individual values and approach to affording this expensive education.

The words of Pamela Parks McLaurin ’71, P’12, former director of admission, sum it up best: “Jennifer has always been a strong vocal advocate for her students, a meticulously organized admission professional prepared for each of our seasonal

demands, and a powerful representative of this school to the public.

It has been an honor to work with her, depend on her, [and] share my life with her.”

Tiffany Marshall (20 years) Tiffany is all about family. She arrived here as an energetic 19-year-old and did every job there was: She began part-time in security, reception, and general help lifting heavy things (including a few people who were not supposed to be in the building!). She then joined the Athletic Department in a role that requires juggling and a good sense of humor: She is in charge of equipment and all the details of the world of athletics, from socks to banquets. In other words, we really need to be more grateful to her — she chases kids down to return their uniforms, helps with every small equipment and facilities detail, gets every name right, and makes sure

everything is where it is supposed to be. She has taught Zumba classes and has made events special with her incredible fashion sense by always knowing exactly the right piece of apparel to order.

Tiffany is a friendly face in the Athletics Department, a team player like no other, and someone whose focus and discipline have transformed the lives of everyone she comes into contact with. Here at Winsor, we are lucky to be part of Tiffany Young’s chosen family — and you know family is forever. W OTHER MILESTONES

25 YEARS Bob Anderson Sally Hatcher 35 YEARS Laura Gregory 45 YEARS Jennie Skeele ’71, P ’98, ’02

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FROM PILGRIM ROAD

Winter Sports Highlights VARSITY BASKETBALL EIL 4–9, OVERALL 4–13

VARSITY SWIMMING EIL 0–2, OVERALL 4–4

VARSITY ICE HOCKEY EIL 3–7, OVERALL 4–13

VARSITY SQUASH EIL 4–0, OVERALL 12–0

With four new players, this small team of nine showed heart, grit, and determination throughout the season.

Led by Aleksaundra Handrinos ’22, MaryKate Hart ’22, and Kelly Meagher ’22, the team started off strong with wins over Portsmouth Abbey School, Dana Hall School, and Bancroft School. Enduring injuries as the season progressed, the team dropped some close games, but finished the season strong with a double-digit win against Lexington Christian Academy on Senior Day.

Captains Julia Ryan ’22 and Scarlet Perry ’22 led a team comprised of strong sophomores and juniors and several new players. Determined, the team worked hard, improved, and had a lot of fun over the course of the season, registering two league wins against Dana Hall School. The season closed with an exciting 10 to 4 victory over Beaver Country Day School, with five players scoring goals.

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Captains Delaney Holland ’22, Zoe Wang ’22, and Ava McLaughlin Leeman ’22 led the team through a fun yet challenging season. The swimmers worked extremely hard, balancing the needs for technique and speed. With a midseason goal of winning close races and meets, the team excelled in their final dual meet as well as the EIL and New England Championships. A commitment to each other and to doing their best led the team to improve both in and out of the water.

Varsity squash is now the No. 1 girls team in Massachusetts following its most successful season in Winsor squash history. Undefeated in regular season matches, the team faced 12 opponents and won an unbelievable 81 matches, dropping only three. Led by captains Ani Banerjee ’22 and Tia Sheth ’22, the hard-working and spirited team supported each other all season, securing Winsor’s 12th consecutive EIL squash title. At the New England Championships, they reached a record high third place, one point ahead of squash powerhouse Deerfield Academy.

On the national level, they competed at the U.S. High School Team Championships and finished sixth in the country in Division 1.

PHOTOS BY KRISTIE DEAN

COXED FOUR BOAT WINS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP In June, Winsor’s coxed four boat won the 2022 US Youth Rowing National Championship in Sarasota, Florida. This is the fourth US Youth Rowing National Championship in school history and the first since 2003.

According to Rowing News, this year’s 2022 National Championship was “the largest iteration in the event’s history,” attracting more than 3,500 high school and junior athletes from 210 programs.

The road to Sarasota began with a second place finish in the New England Interscholastic Rowing Association Regatta (NEIRA), followed by a series of races paving the way to the championship course, including the fastest qualifying time of the day in the seminfinals with a time of 7:21.074.

In the final race, Winsor came from behind to win in a time of 7:12.727, beating out second place finisher Blair Academy by less than a second. Stroke Imogen Cabot ’22 told Rowing News, “When we crossed the finish line, we didn’t know we were in first. We thought we hadn’t won, so when we found out, we were so, so excited.”

The youth coxed four was composed of rowers Imogen Cabot ’22, Olivia Hochberg ’23, Evelyn Wells ’22, Emeline Daley ’24 and coxswain Isabella Liu ’22. This championship was an incredible way to send off Winsor’s longtime coach, Lisa Stone, who announced her retirement at the beginning of the 2021–2022 season.

“This is our coach’s [Lisa Stone] last season; she’s been with us for 24 years. She’s like a family member to me, and I’m just so happy we were able to have this big last hurrah for her.

It was such a fun race. It was so fun to have that final sprint, so fun to be so close for the entire time. It just makes me love rowing,” added Cabot.

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FROM PILGRIM ROAD

Performers Take Center Stage Throughout the year, performers take center stage on The David E. and Stacey L. Goel Theater, bringing to life pieces that range from classics to originals.

PERFORMING ARTS BLOCK CONCERT SERIES

In late May, Lower School Performing Arts Block (PAB) ensembles performed two concerts for the Lower School community.

PAB is required for Classes I and II and optional for Classes III and IV. The first show featured the Wind Ensemble, String Ensemble, and the Lower School Orchestra. The second concert featured the dance ensemble and the Lower School Chorus.

SHAKESPEARE PLAY TAKES TWO FORMS

Shakespeare returned to the Winsor stage this spring as Class IV presented two distinct versions of The Tempest — one was a more traditional style with a hint of Tunisian influence; the other was a puppeted adaptation, loosely influenced by Bali. A Winsor tradition dating back to 1931, the Class IV Shakespeare play is a culmination of interdisciplinary learning among courses in English, theater, music, and costume.

STUDENTS SHINE AT SPRING CONCERT

In late April, Winsor’s annual spring concert featured Lower School and Upper School musicians and singers

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in an inspiring showcase of musical talent and collaboration. The Lower School Orchestra started with selections from Peer Gynt, followed by the Lower School Chorus.

Illumina then took the stage to perform four songs, and fan favorite Senior Small wrapped up the concert with two popular pieces, “Talking to the Moon” by Bruno Mars and “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman.

CLASS I PLAY

After months of practice, Class I took the stage to perform A Light in the Attic, an original play by Winsor performing arts faculty featuring Shel Silverstein poems set to music and movement. The faculty adapted the poems for the stage, choreographed the spectacular dances, created the music, and crafted the costumes for the annual Class I tradition. The students executed their creative vision well, impressing the audience in their first live performance in front of the school community.

SIXTH ANNUAL CLASS IV ROCK ON CONCERT

For Winsor’s first performance in 2022, Class IV put on the sixth annual Rock On concert. The energetic concert featured six pieces, including “Love on Top” by Beyoncé and “good 4 u” by Olivia Rodrigo.

Students introduced each number by sharing historical details with the audience and explaining the meaning behind their song choices.

STUDENT DIRECTED ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL

To celebrate the return to in-person stage productions, the Performing Arts Department presented its first Upper School Student Directed One Act Play Festival in February.

The festival featured: Murder Play, directed by Chloe Chao ’23 and Ellie Carney ’23; Spotlight, directed by Ava Bub ’23 and Katya Agrawal ’23; and Antic Spring, directed by Liza Kuntz ’23 and Olivia Sarkis ’23.

LOWER SCHOOL PERFORMS 67 CINDERELLAS

This February, Lower School students performed a lively rendition of 67 Cinderellas, produced by Stacey Lane and directed by Rainier PearlStyles. This modern, and comedic, take on the classic story debunks the traditional fairy-tale narrative of romance and what it means to be a princess.

UPPER SCHOOL PERFORMS: THE PENELOPIAD

The Upper School production of The Penelopiad, Margaret Atwood’s contemporary interpretation of The Odyssey, crafts the story of Odysseus from the perspective of his wife, Penelope. Hanging silks were used as both scenery and props to aid dance and movement. “It’s such a beautiful and complex show thematically and plot-wise, and I think that’s why using the hanging silk fabric for everything worked so well,” said Ava Bub ’23.

PHOTOS BY KRISTIE DEAN

Class IV Shakespeare

Upper School Spring Production of The Penelopiad

Spring Concert

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FROM PILGRIM ROAD

Spring Sports Highlights The crew team’s five coxed fours rowed to success this spring season under captains Evie Wells ’22 and Imogen Cabot ’22. Starting the season with challenging races against St. Mark’s and Nobles, the team rapidly progressed. After the first coxed four finished second at the New England Interscholastic Rowing Association (NEIRA) Regatta, they went on to qualify for the national championship in Sarasota, Fla., where they took the gold, beating the second-place boat by less than a second.

It was Winsor’s third national championship and the first one since 2003.

TENNIS EIL 8–0, OVERALL 15–0

Varsity tennis had its best season in Winsor history. Led by captains Angelina Li ’22 and Abby Groom ’22, the team fought hard to remain undefeated, sweeping every EIL match, winning the EIL championship, and qualifying for the class B NEPSTA tournament, which it went on to win for the first time. Sophie Diop ’22, playing No. 1 singles, finished the season undefeated and was named EIL player of the year. Suzanne Pogorelec ’24, Jolie Zink ’25, Julia Bae ’25, and Karina Artemiev ’25 also won league awards.

CLUB GOLF

The young club golf team had an exciting season. Playing in the Pippy O’Connor tournament for the first time since 2019, they placed third overall behind Greenwich Academy and Sacred Heart Academy, two strong Connecticut schools. Sofie Robinson ’24 and Kaitlyn Doe ’27 both shot an impressive 80, only one stroke behind the winner, and they both received NEPSAC All League awards.

SOFTBALL EIL 6–2, OVERALL 8–4

After a challenging start, the softball team went on to have a very successful season led by captains Josie Mastandrea ’22 and Louisa Gennari ’22. Undeterred by losses against Thayer, Portsmouth Abbey, and NCDS, the team won the next eight out of nine games and finished third overall in

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the EIL regular season standings. The team had a strong offense, scoring 135 runs while only giving up 77, and placed second overall in the EIL tournament.

TRACK AND FIELD EIL 6–2, OVERALL 10–5

Led by captains Sophia Lin-David ’22, Claire Ackerman ’22, and Annika Goldstein ’22, varsity track and field won its sixth straight EIL Conference Championship. The 47 runners, one of the largest track and field teams ever at Winsor, improved throughout the season. Three runners excelled at the EIL championship: Sophia won the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:01.11, Claire was the silver medalist for both the 1,500- and 800-meter races, and Lydia Morris-Kliment ’23 won three individual titles in the long jump, discus, and 100-meter dash. Lydia was also named the New England champion in the discus.

LACROSSE EIL 8–1, OVERALL 10–4

Winsor varsity lacrosse had an outstanding season, led by three extremely determined captains: Sarah Gavin ’22, Abbie Peterson ’22, and Julia Ryan ’22. On the field, the team found success with dominant draw controls in the midfield, physicality on defense, and high-scoring offense. Two highlights included an 11 to 5 win against Milton Academy and bringing the talented BBN team into double overtime. Additionally, Meg Madison ’24 set a new school record with 82 goals and 54 assists adding up to an impressive 136 points. Julia also set a new school record with 98 draw controls in the midfield.

SAILING

Led by captains Caroline Friendly ’23 and Grace Abbott ’22, the sailing team had a strong season in the Mass Bay League. Their dedication and determination paid off with a second-place finish in the Mass Bay League divisional championship, where skipper/crew pair Caroline and Grace were also honored. Also essential to the team’s success were skipper/crew pair Kimberly Nguyen ’25 and Deedee Ansari ’25, who had a very strong seasonal performance and placed second at the Mass Bay League Championship.

PHOTOS BY KRISTIE DEAN

CREW

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FROM PILGRIM ROAD

Class of 2022 Collegiate Athletes

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insor is thrilled to have seven accomplished athletes continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Pictured left to right:

number one singles and was undefeated in all of her EIL matches since freshman year. She was named to the EIL First Team All Conference Team and EIL Player of the Year twice.

Julia Ryan ’22: Field hockey, University of Pennsylvania (DI).

Julia helped lead Winsor to win two NEPSAC Class C Championships and was named the Most Valuable Player of the NEPSAC tournament in fall 2021.

Lexi Pellegrino ’22: Field hockey, Brown University (DI). Lexi helped Winsor win two NEPSAC Class C Championships, and set a school record with 82 career goals.

She was named EIL All Conference team twice and 1st team All NEPSAC twice.

Imogen Cabot ’22: Rowing, Yale University (DI). Imogen led the first boat to win the Youth Coxed Four National Championship this spring, and took home gold at the 2021 World Rowing Championships with the USRowing U19 team.

Abbie Peterson ’22: Squash, Middlebury College (DIII).

Abbie helped Winsor win five EIL Conference titles, and placed third at the New England tournament during the 2021–2022 season.

Sophie Diop ’22: Tennis, Amherst College (DIII). Sophie played

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Scarlet Perry ’22: Rowing, Duke University (DI). Scarlet rowed in the Winsor first boat as a freshman and sophomore. She finished 5th in the Four Sculled Boat at the USRowing National Championships this spring, and 2nd in the Youth Doubles at the 2021 Head of the Charles with the Cambridge Boat Club.

Evie Wells ’22: Rowing, University of North Carolina (DI). Evie helped Winsor win a National Championship in the Coxed Four at the 2021 USRowing Youth National Championships.

SENIORS PRESENT 2022 HEMENWAY SPEECHES Six Winsor seniors were selected to present their Hemenway speeches for the 109th annual Hemenway Prize for Speaking competition at an all-school assembly in late April.

Abigail Bohl ’22, Annika Goldstein ’22, Maita Mungah ’22, Nadia Piecyk ’22, Kayla Springer ’22, and Katherine Torres ’22 spoke about a wide array of topics: teen driving and the pursuit of perfection; bad hair days and the fear of failure; hyperfixation and the beauty in neurodivergence; self-discovery through the dual identities of being Catholic and queer; practicing patience while embracing the cultural forces around us; and questioning why we rely on external forces for validation and happiness.

It is a long-standing Winsor tradition that every member of the senior class write a speech, and then join together on a day in spring to share their speeches with each other.

The seniors sit shoulder to shoulder, laughing, and crying, and cheering each other on, ultimately growing closer as a class. “Individually the speeches are smart, heartfelt, inspiring, and thoughtful,” noted Head of School Sarah Pelmas after listening to every speech.

Winsor Board of Trustees Welcomes Two New Members

FAREWELL TO TRUSTEE MARK CONDON For over a decade, Mark Condon P’16, ’18, ’18, ’21 has been a steadfast advocate for being big and bold in Winsor’s vision for the future.

Elected to the board in 2011, Mark’s many Winsor volunteer leadership roles include serving as class parent from 2010 to 2012, as co-chair of the Parents’ Association from 2012 to 2014, and as co-chair of the Class VIII Gift Committee.

On April 12, 2022, Winsor welcomed two new trustees at the annual meeting of the Winsor Corporation, the school’s governing body.

Paresh Patel P’27, ’29, ’30 Paresh is CEO of Sandstone Capital. He graduated from Belmont Hill before earning his bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He then earned his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. At Winsor, Paresh is a member of the Corporation. He is a Trustee for Meadowbrook School of Weston where he is a co-chair of the Investment Committee. Paresh resides in Weston with his wife, Nirva, and their 4 children including Bela, in Winsor’s class of 2027, Nadia, in Winsor’s class of 2029, and Lila in Winsor’s Class of 2030. His son, Nayan, is in the Roxbury Latin class of 2028.

During the Winsor Promise Campaign, Mark and his wife, Jean Hynes, stepped forward as leaders of the new campus plans. Because of their commitment, the CondonHynes Innovation Lab serves as the space at the heart of the school, where STEM courses are hosted and where students learn coding, 2D and 3D fabrication, circuits, automation, prototyping, and more. Mark and Jean are the proud parents of four Winsor alumnae: Sarah ’16, Caroline ’18, Grace ’18, and Eve ’21.

Emily Lubin Woods ’91, P’26 After graduating from Winsor, Emily earned her bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College before earning her master’s degree in education from Boston University and, more recently, her Ph.D. in urban education, leadership, and policy from the University of Massachusetts. Emily has previously served as a Winsor Trustee from 2010–2016 and has continued to serve as a Corporator.

She has been an adjunct lecturer in education at UMass Boston and is currently the director of education at the Richard K. Lubin Family Foundation, where she employs her research and writing to advance the benefits of community schools in urban public education. She has also served on the Park School Board of Trustees. Emily currently resides in Brookline with her husband, Greg, and their 3 children including Millie, in Winsor’s class of 2026, Lizzie, and Gracie.

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FROM PILGRIM ROAD

Honoring Our Winsor Retirees (2021–2022)

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his spring, we gathered to honor and celebrate four wonderful faculty and staff members who retired at the close of the 2021–2022 academic year. Together these individuals offered nearly one hundred years of service to Winsor. We wish each of them the very best in their next chapters!

KATE GRANT (22 YEARS)

ALICE F. STERN (22 YEARS)

History teacher, Upper School advisor, Mock Trial Club advisor, and, at one time, head of the Upper School, Kate Grant has worn many hats. Known for her sense of humor, care for students, dedication, passion for teaching, and, of course, her love of Hello Kitty, Ms. Grant carefully crafted creative and engaging lessons that truly made history come to life. If you peeked through the window of her classroom you could find students singing a history song, drawing illustrated timelines, or engaging in lively debate. Every Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m., you could find her still at Winsor, advising the mock trial team. Her presence in the classroom, jokes, and thought-provoking questions will be greatly missed.

Alice Stern, director of the Virginia Wing Library, made a lasting impact on the library, and everyone who used it. Students say Ms. Stern created a welcoming sanctuary for them, and they knew she would always be there to offer advice, engage in conversation, play a game during a stressful week, or, of course, find the perfect book. Appreciated for her caring, friendly attitude and her advanced skills, Ms. Stern could be relied upon to find a particular book, track down obscure research material, teach the art of crafting citations, and nurture the impeccable library. Over the years, she was also an advisor to the Spectrum club, newspaper, book club, film club, and knitting club — a fan favorite. She will be greatly missed.

ELISABETH PETERSON ’80, P’11 (26 YEARS)

LISA STONE (24 YEARS)

As an alumna, parent, member of the advancement team, and director of alumnae engagement for the past 11 years, Beth Peterson possesses an institutional knowledge and a love of Winsor that run deep. One of eight members of her family to graduate from Winsor, she “quite literally grew up on Pilgrim Road.”

Her colleagues praise her work in organizing fantastic events, building philanthropic culture, and keeping Winsor traditions alive. The glue of the alumnae community, she did everything with heart, enthusiasm, and a contagious laughter. Winsor will not be the same without her, and we hope that she comes “home” to visit often.

Lisa Stone, head coach of the crew team, achieved incredible success and helped produce many skilled rowers over her 24-years at Winsor. She ended her final season on a high note, coaching the coxed four to a first-place finish at the US Youth Rowing National Championship. An Olympic rower herself, she knows the importance of hard work in the pursuit of excellence, and how to impart that to her team. Her rowers say she pushes them to be the best versions of themselves as athletes and teammates, and admire her kindness, leadership, support, and ability to give constructive feedback to help them improve. She will be missed, though she will always be a part of the crew family.

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SENIORS PRESENT AT THE BOSTON BROWNING SOCIETY Tristen Leone ’22 (l) and Ana Sophia Leissner ’22 (r) had the opportunity to present to more than 50 guests at the Boston Browning Society meeting and lecture series at the College Club in Boston. The seniors prepared their talks for the 2022 Elizabeth Chellis Lectures while studying 19th century British literature with Jennifer Skeele ’71, P ’98, ’02. Among the attendees were Head of School Sarah Pelmas and Keith Arbor, president of the Boston Browning Society.

Ana Sophia presented her paper and analysis on “My Last Duchess”

by Robert Browning, and Tristen presented her paper, “Overshadowed in the Title: Elizabeth Barret Browning’s ‘A Musical Instrument.’”

The audience enjoyed hearing modern-day perspectives and interpretations of these classics, and a lively Q&A session followed.

The students’ works will be stored in the archives of the Boston Browning Society.

CELEBRATING BLACK JOY DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH During Black History Month, in February, members of SISTERS, Winsor’s Black student affinity group, hosted an assembly called “Black Joy & the African Diaspora” to explore the concept and significance of Black joy. After explaining how the media fuels messages of Black history that focus on struggles and trauma, they described the importance of showcasing Black joy and culture through art, connection, music, and laughter.

In the presentation, students highlighted the African-American diaspora, traced their own lineages, and reminded the community to look beyond wellknown Black figures to “diversify your narrative and widen your scope.”

Guest speaker Jeneé Osterheldt spoke about her movement, “A Beautiful Resistance,” which works to reclaim the truth of joy in Black lives, and shared insight on the importance of groups like the Divine Nine in bolstering the Black community. The Divine Nine refers to the 9 African-American (Black) Greeklettered organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which was founded in 1930 at Howard University by five charting organizations. Initially created as outlets and havens for Black college students, the organizations foster brotherhood and sisterhood; and are dedicated to bringing about social change through community awareness, and educational, economic, and cultural service activities. As a fitting tribute, a Divine Nine-inspired dance performance closed the assembly.

ADVANCED ROCK ON ROCKS THE STAGE Students in Advanced Rock On, an Upper School elective, gave a rousing performance of six songs in front of a live audience, including “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5. The student tech crew created special effects using colorful lighting and a smoke machine, and faculty members and Illumina contributed musically. The upbeat show had everyone on their feet!

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FROM PILGRIM ROAD

Class IV Lower School Closing Ceremony

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n June 6, the Winsor community held the 32nd annual Lower School Closing Ceremony. After Lower School Head Sharon Jones Phinney opened the ceremony, Head of School Sarah Pelmas imparted two pieces of advice: to “celebrate each other every day the way you do in your yearbook photos” and to “love unreservedly and in full view of everyone.”

The program continued with Talia Dwyer ’26 and Lauren Folker ’26, Lower School Council heads, passing their duties onto new council heads Anaisha Mallik ’27 and Bonnie Shao ’27. A moving student performance of Taylor

(l–r): Lauren Folker ’26, Talia Dwyer ’26

PHOTOS BY KRISTIE DEAN

2022–2023 Class VIII President Olivia Sarkis ’23

Swift’s “Never Grow Up” was followed by an address by class-selected speaker Eden Kelly ’26, who noted how proud she was of her classmates and all the challenges they have overcome.

Rising Class VIII President Oliva Sarkis ’23 welcomed the Class IVs to the Upper School, and then they received their certificates. After closing remarks from Ms. Jones Phinney, Anaisha and Bonnie rang Ms. Winsor’s bell to close the ceremony, and the Class IVs walked out to Jaret Reddick’s “Today Is Gonna Be a Great Day.”

Class IV at the Lower School Closing Ceremony

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Annual MLK Jr. Celebration: Power of Community In February, the Winsor community gathered to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event was even more special as it was Winsor’s first all-school assembly with the entire community present since March 2020.

“As we celebrate, let’s all vow to fight for what matters… and to always speak with love in your hearts” said Head of School Sarah Pelmas in her opening remarks. Event hosts Katherine Torres ’22 and Sophie Selassie ’28 introduced the impressive roster of participants, which included Zora Chirunga ’26, who gave a powerful speech on race; Angeliki Volandes ’28, who read an excerpt from Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise”; guest speaker Dr. Makeeba McCreary, president of the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund; and finally a dance ensemble composed of students from all classes as well as Head of Upper School Kim Ramos.

Dr. Makeeba McCreary

THE POWER OF FUN Over 60 members of the community, including parents, students, faculty, and staff, joined author Catherine Price in February for an evening of conversation inspired by her book The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again. Organized by the Parents’ Association, the event featured remarks by Ms. Price, who spoke about the importance of fun, particularly in a setting like Winsor; a panel discussion led by Maita Mungah ’22 and Libby Parsley, history faculty; and smallgroup discussions where attendees had the opportunity to ask Ms. Price questions. A timely complement to Winsor’s expanding wellness initiatives, the event prompted lively dialogue among students, faculty, and parents about ways to integrate Ms. Price’s concepts into everyday life at Winsor.

“I was thrilled to be included in the discussion of fun at Winsor! As both a head of Peer Support and a head of SASS, I am really interested in both wellness and fun initiatives,” said Abby Groom ’22. “Ms. Price’s insight on the power of fun was the perfect intersection of those two

concepts and student organizations. We even used her insight to help guide different projects, events, and initiatives throughout the rest of the year!”

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FROM PILGRIM ROAD

Winsor at the Global Forum on Girls’ Education®

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n June 2022, Winsor faculty, staff, and students presented at the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools conference in Boston, demonstrating some of the many ways that Winsor leads in education.

“I was reminded that we work in a remarkably optimistic and forward-thinking career; teaching is all about the future, and teaching at Winsor is all about raising and educating smart, compassionate, brave, thoughtful, and committed students,” shared Head of School Sarah Pelmas about the conference.

Following are the sessions Winsor led or participated in: GIRLS AS ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPIONS

Shining the Light on Student Activism: How One Lower School Club Harnessed their Collective Voices to Harness the Sun Presenters: Laura Beebe, English faculty and faculty advisor to the Lower School Planet Protectors club; Karen Geromini, chief operating officer; Aoife Beswick ’24, Emeline Daley ’24, Lauren Folker ’26, Skylar Goldstein ’24 | The Winsor School, and Madeleine Barr, co-founder and vice president of outreach & sales | Resonant Energy The group shared their experience taking the student club’s idea for solar panels at Winsor all the way through to installation. The successful outcome offers real-world lessons on the value of perseverance, planning, and partnership. See full story on page 30.

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GIRLS’ SCHOOLS AS EDUCATIONAL LEADERS

Embracing our Mission: Charting the Future with School Heads and Board Chairs Presenters: Sarah Pelmas, head of school, and Allison Pellegrino ’89, P’21, ’22 chair of the Board of Trustees | The Winsor School; Fran Biselle, head of school, and Helen Rankin Butler, chair of the Board of Trustees | Hathaway Brown School; and Kimberly Field-Marvin, head of school, and Laura Shaw Shields, chair of the Board of Trustees | Louise S. McGehee School.

Heads of school discussed the challenges and ongoing work involved in leading all-girls’ institutions in a non-binary world.

GIRLS AS INCLUSIVE ALLIES

White Colleagues Challenging Racism (WCCR): Our Approach to Better Understanding Racism, Identifying Our Role in It, and Challenging It Presenters: Nicole Uhre-Balk, STEM faculty, and Ned Henningsen, English faculty | The Winsor School (United States) In this INSPIRE! session, Ms. Uhre-Balk and Mr. Henningsen were available at a table to talk with attendees. It was clear the topic resonated: the table was crowded from the outset, with attendees pulling up extra chairs, all eager to be part of the conversation.

WELLNESS AT WINSOR

GIRLS AS HAPPY, HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

Nourishing Girls: Creating a Positive Food Culture at School Presenters: Amanda Santos Valenzuela, Wellness Department head, and Heather Pierce, culinary director | The Winsor School Ms. Santos Valenzuela and Chef Heather addressed the language and changing conversation around food, and the value in shifting the focus from labels — healthy versus unhealthy — to the story behind foods. They also shared key changes Winsor has made in the dining hall, from the expanding garden, to engaging students by: encouraging menu requests, crediting students when their menu items are offered, creating a food comment board, and enabling self-service at all food stations so students can self-select portions and more easily sample new foods. Sharing insight into Winsor’s evolving wellness curriculum, Ms. Santos Valenzuela closed the session with a mindful eating exercise.

GIRLS AS SOCIAL ACTIVISTS

Students Taking a Stand: Developing a Student Equity Board Presenters: Julian Braxton, director of community and inclusion; Claire Ackerman ’22, Ava Kee ’23, Sophia Lin-David ’22, Leila Glotzer Martin ’22, Anissa Patel ’23, Kayla Springer ’22, Katherine Torres ’22, and Franchesca Vilmenay ’22, | The Winsor School (United States) In this INSPIRE! session, the group offered advice on setting up a student equity board, establishing clear goals, and identifying and leveraging resources. Eloquently, the students talked about finding the power in their voices, and the ripple effect of starting a conversation. They also talked about school support as essential to success, sharing that Winsor sends students for training in how to facilitate DEI converations, provides mentors, offers partnership with the school administration, and ensures a hand-off from the previous year’s board.

The Wellness Department is charting a new course for health and wellness at Winsor, weaving together curriculum, events, speakers, and resources to best support students’ mental, physical, and intellectual health. Helping lead the evolving programming are counselors Emily Monteiro and Maia Monteagudo ’06, who joined the department in February 2022.

Today, entry points in wellness classes purposefully intersect wellness and food, with Class I students participating in the Harvard Plate collage project to examine food guidelines. Class II students learn the five steps of mindful eating through a guided exercise, and interview the person at home who primarily does the grocery shopping to learn more about food choices. In Class VI, students revisit mindful eating, examine health movements, and learn to mindfully evaluate and curate their social media feeds. Cross-community learning includes: working with world languages to highlight global cuisine; parent workshops; trainings with student leaders; breakfasts with peer supporters and other mentors; and access to a nutritionist for student athletes.

In February, the Wellness Club organized a one-week wellness takeover. Events and activities centered around themes of health, self-care, mind-body wellness, and related topics, and included: yoga; a discussion analyzing beauty constructs; coloring and journaling; “Love Your Selfie” Day; and a menstrual-product drive. In an Upper School meeting led by the club, students responded to the prompts “How have the beauty standards in your culture contributed to your sense of self?” and “What have you grappled with while trying to find self-love?” And at assembly, motivational speaker Darryl Bellamy returned to Winsor to remind students that “fearless moments are when you have fear, nervousness, butterflies, worry, anxiety, and you act. Today is a celebration of your fearless moments and a celebration of Winsor’s Wellness Week.”

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FROM PILGRIM ROAD

CAROLYN JONES SPEAKS AT ASSEMBLY

Verónica Plata Awarded Pennypacker Prize

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erónica Plata is the 2021 recipient of the Pennypacker Prize.

Established in 1952 in honor of Henriette Pennypacker Binswanger ’52, the annual award recognizes a teacher who shows great promise at Winsor. Ms. Plata has done an outstanding job both within the math department and the greater community, where her many roles include teacher, student advisor, Banner advisor, and SOMOS member.

Ms. Plata was honored at the faculty and staff appreciation dinner in March and at an all-school assembly. “The three words that keep coming up about [her] are: commitment, kindness, and advocacy,” said Head of School Sarah Pelmas in her speech at the dinner. Ms. Plata’s students also light up when talking about her. “I receive such a great level of support and care from her, whether it’s during an individual advisory meeting, or as we bump into each other in the hallway.

Everywhere she goes, [she] brings her contagious, positive energy and her admirable organization skills,” said Angelina Li ’22.

SUMMER DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL Mandarin Chinese classes celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival in June, one of the four main traditional Chinese festivals and a national holiday in China. The festival is a commemoration of the death of Qu Yuan (343–278 B.C.).

At Winsor, students marked the occasion by making zongzi ( zòngzi /dzong-dzuh/) — a traditional rice dish — and learning about dragon boat racing.

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Photographer and filmmaker Carolyn Jones joined an assembly in late May. Ms. Jones, who photographs and interviews people from all walks of life, believes stories can change the human condition when presented in an authentic way. She has captured pressing issues in the country from the perspective of nurses, and she shared her personal journey and the moving stories of the nurses she has worked with.

“The assembly was one of the most memorable and impactful ones I have seen since I’ve been at Winsor,” said Denise Labieniec, physics teacher and institutional researcher. “What I feel is most important in this type of work is to be able to capture a real diversity of experience tied together with a common theme. In her talk, Ms. Jones did just that. Different nurses, different areas of the country, different patients, and different circumstances, all all bound together by the urgency of love and care. It was really powerful, not only because it reminded us all of the selfless acts of these very dedicated professionals but because it created pause in a very fast-paced world, highlighting moments of tenderness and beauty.”

DR. MARCELLA ALSAN P’29 ON HEALTH DISPARITIES AND THE ROOTS OF MEDICAL MISTRUST Physician-economist Dr. Marcella Alsan P’29, recipient of a 2021 MacArthur Fellowship (known as the “Genius Grant”) and professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, joined an all-school assembly to share her expertise on health disparities historically rooted in racial discrimination and mistrust of the medical community.

Julian Braxton, Winsor’s director of community and inclusion, opened the assembly, providing context through reference to the Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male — a study that violated bioethical principles and left many Black people in Alabama, as well as minority populations around the country, with a concrete reason to lack trust in the medical community. Connecting the study to the present day, Dr. Alsan highlighted differential disparities and higher death rates among marginalized groups, discussed the cycle of poverty and disease, and reaffirmed the importance of minority representation in the medical field.

Sophomores Share “This I Believe” Speeches Five students from Class VI were selected by their classmates to read their “This I Believe” speeches at an Upper School meeting.

Originally inspired by the 1950s radio program “This I Believe,” every year all Class VI students write persuasive and personal essays distilling the guiding principles by which they live. They share these speeches with their English classes, and then finalists are chosen to present to the entire Upper School community.

English Faculty David Griffin introduced this year’s assembly, and then the students took the podium. Ainsley Wang ’24, Sofie Robinson ’24, Laura Massimo ’24, Eva LaFond ’24, and Aimy Huynh ’24 spoke about topics ranging from self-discovery to a love for books to learning to grapple with difficult aspects of life, inspiring deep thought in all who listened.

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FROM PILGRIM ROAD

Senior Independent Learning Experience (ILE) Celebration

By Abby Groom ’22

S

ince 2009, the ILE has been Winsor seniors’ final graduation requirement. Under the guidance of a mentor, we design a project during spring semester that we complete throughout May. The experience culminates with a night of celebration a few days before graduation where we present what we have been working on for the whole community, including our mentors, parents, and advisors.

We were thrilled to be able to share our work on ILE celebration night, and to see all our classmates work. Beautiful paintings, scientific studies, pieces of writing, and impactful videos were among the displays populating the tables. I was impressed with the variety of presentations, reflecting the diversity of interests of our class. While I pursued an intern experience in funds law for private equity, I had classmates shadowing surgeons, creating podcasts, building microscopes, painting murals, conducting research at Boston College’s Morality Lab, and creating injury prevention plans, just to name a few.

“The Winsor community members who made ILE possible this year did the most to make our presentation night a very special celebration of the individual accomplishments of our class,” said Josie Mastandrea ’22, who worked with a Title IX officer at Harvard Law to educate herself and

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consequently her peers on the resources available to protect oneself from gender-based harassment on college campuses. “I felt both appreciated and appreciative of all the hard work and talent I saw around me that night and will remember the experience as a time I was able to see my life beyond Winsor with the comfort of the Winsor community still supporting me in my endeavors.”

ILE night was especially meaningful this year. After two years of the pandemic — more than half of our high school experience — we were excited to celebrate our ILEs in a “normal” way, with all of our friends, family, teachers, and mentors by our sides. It was also inspiring to see the community rally to help us pursue anything we dreamed of this year. 21 Winsor faculty and teachers and eight alumnae jumped in to serve as mentors, and our whole class appreciated seeing how connected the Winsor community is even beyond graduation.

Class of 2022 Dean Jennifer Graham said, “As a seminar leader, I knew details about only a handful of projects, so I enjoyed the chance to see the complete scope of students’ experiences. Also, after several years of COVID restrictions, it was wonderful to attend an in-person event, hear the live presentations, and chat with families and mentors.”

Wildbots and Wirecats Win Big The Winsor Robotics Club had an extremely successful year. For the first time in Winsor Robotics history, the club garnered so much interest that two robotics teams had to be formed — the Wildbots and the Wirecats. The two teams worked closely together throughout the season.

To optimize efficiency and encourage students to explore their interests in the multifaceted nature of STEM, each team was divided into three subgroups: building, coding, and business.

Both teams had outstanding performances at FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC) State Robotics Competition on March 5 and the Wildbots won the Industrial Design Award, which celebrates the team that demonstrates industrial design principles, striking a balance between form, function, and aesthetics. Additionally Audrey Cheng ’23 made it to the finalist round for the Dean’s List, an individual award for a student’s significant contributions.

The teams made it to the state championship based on their exceptional performance at the FTC qualifier in February. After receiving high praise for their portfolios and program outreach presentations in the morning, the Wirecats placed 10th and the Wildbots placed 18th based on scores accumulated during afternoon matches.

In addition, the Wildbots won the Connect Award and the Wirecats won the Motivate Award.

The Winsor Robotics Club is also looking forward to another milestone in fall 2022: the opening of a new dedicated workspace for the teams. After years of scheduling meetings and work time around classes and class projects in the iLab, the students are excited to have a space of their own.

PIN COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNERS

(l–r): Julie Oh ’26 and Anna Oh ’28

At the Parents’ Independent School Network (PIN) awards meeting, Winsor Parents’ Association volunteer coordinators and students received recognition for their coordination of multiple community service projects, including Kids Snack Bags, Hygiene Packs, Helping the Homeless, and Giving Our Kids the Basics. Winsor also received a grant on behalf of students Julia Oh ’26 and Anna Oh ’28 for Sweets for L Street, an initiative they spearheaded where students bake desserts and package them with an inspirational message for the residents of the L Street Mission, a homeless shelter in Brockton. Anna and Julia were also the only Lower/Middle School students selected to present their project at the PIN meeting.

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FROM PILGRIM ROAD

Thinking Outside the Rocks

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n Winsor’s Upper School Paleobiology elective, taught by science faculty and Essential Winsor Science Chair Ken Schopf, students learn how fossils can be used to understand climate change and how life on earth has changed through time. This spring, when faced with the question of what to do when unable to offer the course’s culminating field trip to New York State due to COVID, Mr. Schopf formulated a hypothesis: If the experience of collecting and identifying fossils could be recreated at Winsor, then the 8 students in the class could still reap the benefits of the experiential, hands-on learning.

And so, in early April, an experiment began.

Transporting an outcrop of rock from Syracuse to Winsor, Mr. Schopf brought the field experience to Pilgrim Road, enlisting the help of longtime friend Dr. Linda Ivany,

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Professor and Associate Chair of Evolutionary Paleoecology and Paleoclimatology at Syracuse University. Dr. Ivany spent the day with the Paleobiology students mining fossils from the rock samples, identifying the organisms, and using the data to perform a paleoecological analysis of the 350 million year old communities. Students had the opportunity to ask the renowned scientist questions about her research and real-world experiences over an informal lunch, and learned about her work in Antarctica.

As is often the case in science, collaboration is essential.

A special thanks to Bob Anderson in facilities for unloading the samples, and to Director of Facilities and Construction John Crompton for repurposing an alcove to permanently house the rock — an especially exciting prospect for Lower School students, who study fossils in Class III.

THE ROCKING CHAIR Meet Ken Schopf, the sixth Essential Winsor Science Chair, named in June 2022: Classes taught during his tenure — I, II, III, IV, VII, VIII. Academic influence­— While in graduate school at Harvard with Dr. Ivany, studied under the legendary Stephen J. Gould — paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and historian of science.

Influences on the science curriculum — Inquirybased pedagogy, hands-on projects, standardsbased grading, and introducing diversity and equity priorities including: varied voices, perspectives, and issues of environmental justice and urban ecology to the Class I naturalist curriculum; the genetics of skin color, the non-scientific basis of race, and climate change and environmental equity to the Class III curriculum.

Influences on campus — The posters of female role models in science, technology, and math, and the floor-to-ceiling replica of Marie Tharp’s 1977 map of the ocean floor on display. Founded The Wednesday Night Music Club, Winsor’s first student rock band, which wrote and recorded original songs from 2004–2010.

How to spot him on campus — He’ll be the one playing Dungeons and Dragons with the LS Club, playing drums on stage, and drinking from the “Science is not a liberal conspiracy” mug.

PHOTOS BY KRISTIE DEAN

“ He doesn’t teach science; he teaches kids, and he teaches them to be scientists. There simply is no higher goal or accomplishment than that.”

— SARAH PELMAS

The Essential Winsor Science Chair is one of eight endowed chairs and is given to a member of the Science Department to acknowledge their exceptional teaching and dedication to students. The Chair was established in 2003 by Lee T. Sprague ’58, Eleanor Lewis Campbell ’46, and the Honorable Levin H. Campbell GP’15, as well as Nancy and Michael Tooke P’98, all of whom wanted to recognize and support the exceptional work of the Winsor science program.

The Chair has been held by five teachers.

Most recently, Kim Ramos held the position prior to becoming the Upper School Division Head.

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PROFILES IN GIVING

E

avesdropping on a conversation between Pamela Smith Henrikson ’58, Lee Thorndike Sprague ’58, and Carolyn Kimball Tolles ’58 is a delight. The three check in on each other’s well-being, laugh about Zoom malfunctions, and compare summer plans. They share an ease and affection that bespeak long-term friendship, and no wonder: Theirs began over 60 years ago at Winsor.

“What did I enjoy [at Winsor] the most? Friends!” says Carolyn. When she arrived in Class VI, Pam, a former summer camp-mate, welcomed her. “Pam was so open and so willing to include me,” Carolyn says.

In addition to their friendship, the three are grateful for the benefits of the superlative education they received. “Life skills!” says Lee. “I didn’t realize until I went to college how well-prepared I was.” The self-described “end-to-ender” (she attended Winsor from Class I to Class VIII) especially appreciated Winsor’s public-speaking training: “open your mouth, breathe from your diaphragm, and enunciate.”

Pam, agrees: “That [speaking] training we had with Rose Dresser — drama club, plays, poetry reading — has held us in very good stead.” It certainly informed their professional lives: Carolyn enjoyed a successful career in institutional fundraising; Lee served as a member and president of numerous corporate and civic boards; and Pam rose to become regional president at BayBank.

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Even as they forged separate paths, Winsor remained the constant.

“Our friendship has ebbed and flowed over the years, depending on geography and our husbands’ careers… our own careers, our children’s lives,” says Pam, “but what we’ve had in common all these years is Winsor.”

Collectively, they have contributed to the school in practically every way possible. As class agents, they have been integral in reunion planning, and continue welcoming alumnae into their homes for reunion festivities, and organizing seasonal “mini-reunion” luncheons (replaced by Zoom calls during COVID).

Thanks to their efforts, class connections have deepened over time.

“I think the lunches were very effective in keeping our class more united,” says Carolyn. Pam agrees, adding, “We’d have as many as 20 for lunch sometimes — that’s pretty good for a graduating class of 45.”

While their commitment to the Class of 1958 is absolute, so, too, is their dedication to the larger institution. Lee has left the most literal mark on the physical campus, having donated a classroom in honor of her mother, Lucy Saltonstall Thorndike ’32, who died a week before Lee’s Winsor graduation.

Pam’s contributions on campus span decades and include serving as Winsor’s director of admission; teaching Class III geography, Class V English and ancient and medieval history, and Class VII current events; and coaching the debate team. Pam

was also the treasurer for the board of trustees, was on the board for nearly 20 years, and served on the search committee for Winsor’s eighth head of school. “It was a fabulous experience,” she says. “Sarah Pelmas was my candidate from the very beginning. She’s done a great job.

That, I feel, is my biggest contribution to the school, really.”

As members of The Winsor School Corporation, Carolyn, Pam, and Lee have worked on numerous capital campaigns, helping foster excellence in the school’s leadership and faculty, and ensuring that Winsor maintains both its rigor and its accessibility.

In recognition of their commitment, each has received the Julia Lyman Simonds 1917 Alumnae Prize, “given each year to a loyal alumna who has combined an energetic pursuit of excellence with devoted service to humanity” — Lee in 2003, Pam in 2004, and Carolyn in 2013 (along with co-recipient Judy Bishop Friend ’58).

Musing on their years of devotion to the school, Carolyn asks, “How did it all start? Did we just offer to help with reunions?”

“Yes,” says Lee. “And we have another big reunion to plan next spring!”

With classmates to contact and a school to nurture, the three show no signs of slowing down. And so the conversation continues, 60-plus years strong. W Juliet Eastland ’86, P’23, is a writer in Brookline, Mass.

PHOTO BY KRISTIE DEAN

Winsor Stalwarts, Still Going Strong

(l-r): Pamela Smith Henrikson ’58, Lee Thorndike Sprague ’58, and Carolyn Kimball Tolles ’58

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COVER STORY

BY: VICTORIA TILNEY McDONOUGH ’83

PHOTO BY TOM KATES

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The arts can tell us so much about the world — and about ourselves. Whether visual or performing, they help our heads and hearts as we strive to communicate, innovate, grow, rejoice, mourn — to feel, connect, and hope in ways we sometimes did not dream possible. The arts can push us to break barriers, invite unity, and create space. They make us want to be our best selves and,

in so doing, help others do the same.

We spoke to several Winsor alumnae about their lives in, with, or around the visual and performing arts. Many of them credited Winsor with helping them find their way as artists, by teaching them resilience, perseverance, leadership, or the discipline and joy of a creative practice.

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COVER STORY

Annie Keating ’ 88 Singer/Songwriter

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“When I think about my best and worst times, each memory comes with a soundtrack. I can close my eyes, hear that music, and I am back in time, back in that story. As a songwriter, I definitely write from an emotional place, whether about helping my daughter during a hard time, missing my mother during the COVID lockdown, or overhearing a little snippet of human conversation on the subway.”

“I learned my first chords from a friend at Winsor when I was 12 but didn’t start making records in earnest until about 20 years ago.

As a songwriter, I get to struggle through the more solitary process of messing around with stories, words, and melodies until I can rise from that cobalt pool bottom with something I have created out of nothing. On the flip side, as a performer on stage, on tour, I can make music with one, two, three others — creating energy, community, and connection while raising the roof, getting people on their feet, and sometimes after a show having people come up to me and say, ‘That song got me through my chemo…You don’t know me, but I feel like your songs were written precisely for me…’ I am invariably awed by how transformative music can be.”

Music definitely moors me. It keeps me honest and open and willing to be raw enough to actually grow, and in sharing that raw honesty, I hope to do what music does best: help people feel less alone and instead connected as human beings.”

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COVER STORY

Suzanne Joskow ’ 01 Research and Archive-based Artist

In many ways, each [old cookbook] stands as an intimate time capsule of culture, tradition, and human connection.”

Suzanne’s Community Cookbook Archive: LA, a digital archive that to date includes more than 300 cookbooks from 1890 to the present day, reflects and documents specific places and moments in time. The cookbooks serve not just as recipe references but as primary-source documents of a diverse array of local organizations and groups — from radiologists and rock collectors to Air Force wives and zoo docents. An exhibit of 99 of the books was on display at the central library branch of Los Angeles and is expanding online, becoming a living and growing history of connection.

PHOTO BY SUZANNE JASKOW

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PHOTO BY SUZANNE JASKOW

“I have found that each cookbook is its own interactive piece of history and art. Together, they are like the rings of a tree, revealing the manifold and ever-changing layers of the city of Los Angeles. Food — and stories — are, after all, the ultimate connectors of families, neighborhoods, and communities.”

“Sometimes it’s the mundane objects in our lives, the ones that have sat on the shelf or in a forgotten drawer for years, the ones we may take for granted, that can have the most meaning to us as individuals and members of a community. I love old cookbooks; they speak to me as someone who is drawn to make art through the lens of social history. In many ways, each stands as an intimate time capsule of culture, tradition, and human connection.

I started collecting them for fun — immersing myself in the cover art, drawings, stories, secrets, handwriting, jokes, traditions…and recipes.”

PHOTO BY HENDERSON BLUMER

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COVER STORY

Rebecca Tilney ’ 78, Actress

When I look at our world today, I believe there would be far less strife and partisan fighting if people were less afraid to imagine and empathize with another’s person’s struggles and beliefs.”

“What I love about acting is that it allows you to ask ‘Why?’ I found acting after college as a way to grieve the death of my mother, and I fell in love with it. My world exploded! I read everything I could get my hands on. Here was this thing I could do that I absolutely loved. I felt open and creative in new ways and could put my innate curiosity about others’ experiences to creative use. What is so magnetic about acting is that it invites you to examine who you are as you step into the shoes of another person (fictional or not) and try to genuinely understand the background, point of view, and motivations of that person who may be in so many ways different from you.”

“Acting aside, when I look at our world today, I believe there would be far less strife and partisan fighting if people

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were less afraid to imagine and empathize with another’s person’s struggles and beliefs. In acting, teachers often say, ‘Never judge your character,’ which is good advice. I find that you have to bring empathy, nonjudgment, and humanity to whomever you are portraying. Characters, like ‘real’ people, are complicated.”

“The business has definitely changed a lot since I started, not always for the best, but I am gratified to see on stage, TV, film, and in commercials many more people of different colors, ethnicities, genders, sizes, shapes, ages, and neurodiversity. That gives me hope.

We all want to recognize at least small nuggets of ourselves in what we read or watch…that is how we know we are not alone, that we matter, that we are human.”

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COVER STORY

Alix White ’ 72

Landscape Painter, Naturalist, and Nurse’s Aide

The arts link us to the sacred — to looking inside ourselves and outside ourselves at the same time. They link us to something greater than ourselves, and there is immense power in that.”

PHOTO BY TOM KATES

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“As a colorist living in Cohasset, I first see the three-dimensionality of the wetlands, woods, fields, and ocean around me. I see the push and pull of color and their relationship to each other. I start my compositions with big brushes, then build in the details later.”

“I believe that revelation comes from observation, from empathy, and from seeing the details in the big picture — skills I use in my painting but also as a nurse’s aide caring for the elderly.

Many of my clients are nonverbal or have Alzheimer’s, so you have to be especially observant in order to see the colors of their needs and wants.

Invariably, I have found that the elderly are full of wisdom, full of acceptance.

As they die, they see a bigger world, one beyond themselves. For me, painting and caring for the elderly overlap on so many planes.”

“The pandemic also provided me with new insight into how my paintings are seen and interpreted. In the 2018, when my sister with special needs moved in with us and I struggled as her caregiver, I painted a blizzard on a mountain top with muted whites and grays; there was barely anything to see.

For years the painting didn’t get many glances, but after the pandemic, people would stop and tell me that it captured what they had been feeling; it reflected their inner life during the most challenging times of the lockdown.”

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COVER STORY

As a dancer and a teacher, your body is your instrument and the studio home, a place where you can expand and explore. It’s work and joy and pain and freedom all at once.”

Marjorie Folkman ’ 87

Dancer, Associate Professor of Professional Practice, Barnard College

“Dancing is all about being centered in the moment, being in the sometimes risky but also fruitful place that is process. Each moment builds on the next — whether practicing battements in the studio, working with a partner to make a variation more liquid, or performing on stage. There is nothing like that feeling of oneness when everyone on and behind the stage, in the music pit, and in the audience are coming together in and around dance.”

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“The Argument,” choreographed by Mark Morris (1999). Performers (l–r): Yo-Yo Ma, Tina Fehlandt, Mark Morris, Marjorie Folkman, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Ruth Davidson, and Shawn Gannon.

PHOTO BY DANIEL REST

PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

“As a dancer and a teacher, your body is your instrument and the studio home, a place where you can expand and explore. It’s work and joy and pain and freedom all at once. Then there are the dance performances themselves…where

“Gloria,” (1984) choreographed by Mark Morris (2001 performance). Full company, Marjorie Folkman (on right).

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE BERGER

all that you have practiced is revealed in the connection between mind and body. And yes, it is you dancing that role in space and time but around you are also all the other dancers, past and future, who have and will dance those same steps.”

“Dance can happen, it can be glorious, without musical accompaniment — I just think that dance is inherently musical. Mark Morris’ dances are informed by the structural forms of a musical score as Mr. Morris interprets it; Merce Cunningham’s choreography is created independently from a music score, however the music or sound and the dance co-exist when performed. Both Merce Cunningham’s and Mark Morris’ dances are (as I like to think of them) intricate structures of timing and rhythm.”

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COVER STORY

I am reveling in using my hands (and heart), letting go of my perfectionism, and creating for the process, not the product.”

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Sidra Smith ’ 88

Director of Studies and Strategic Initiatives, The Severn School; Founder, The Baobab Group; Off-time Artist

PHOTO BY TOM KATES

During the COVID lockdown and between school administration jobs, Sidra Smith ’88, who holds a Ph.D. in English from Tufts University, not only founded The Baobab Group, a consulting and coaching company, she also reignited a creative light that had been dormant for the last 30 years.

“I loved making art at Winsor — remember that safe haven up on the top floor filled with every kind of material with which to create? — especially when using pastels and charcoal, because they are so tactile and I could get closer to the paper itself. Now, my home office has transformed into this ever-expanding art studio filled with paper and fabric of all colors and textures where I have been focused on making mixed-media collages and monoprints from gelli plates. Next, I want to learn how to make books with handmade paper and bindings. I just can’t get enough; it’s almost like I have been reborn!

“Teaching and working in schools for the last several decades has been all about the head, head, head, and now I am reveling in using my hands (and heart), letting go of my perfectionism, and creating for the process, not the product.

The irony is that my reconnection to making art has overlapped not only in how I collaborate with colleagues and students at my current school but also with my Baobab clients, with whom I work to liberate their own freedom to try new ways to lead, work, and live.”

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COVER STORY

Kate Mulley ’ 01

Playwright, Librettist/Lyricist, Producer, and Dramaturg

I find that the more deeply I dig into my own emotional depths, the more I can take my audiences and the people I work with on thought-provoking and unexpected journeys.”

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“The first play I ever wrote was at Winsor, about a girl stuck in a well and hearing all the people above ground going about their business not knowing that she is down there.

It was an obvious metaphor for the themes I continue to explore — women stuck where they don’t want to be and how they can liberate themselves, whether in a place, situation, job, or relationship.”

“As a dramaturg and playwright, I often find the seed for my next play or musical while researching something else (the depths of and ever-changing lessons from history are endless!). From that seed of an idea, I focus on figuring out what

conversation I want to have with my audience. After all, live theater is a shared experience of laughter, tears, discomfort, and revelation, something that can’t be turned off, something that offers a unique energy each night — not only for the audience, but also for the performers, backstage crew, and original creators.”

“And for me, collaborating with directors and composers brings with it a whole other level of creation, of building on each other’s ideas and asking ‘what ifs.’ I find that the more deeply I dig into my own emotional depths, the more I can take my audiences and the people I work with on thought-provoking and unexpected journeys.”

PHOTO BY MARNYA ROTHE

PHOTO BY ROB STONE

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COVER STORY

Ariadne Daskalakis ’ 87 Concert Violinist, Violin Professor,

Vice President at the University of Music and Dance Cologne, Germany

When you play in front of others, there is a special channeling of energy: you come as close to another human as you can without words.”

PHOTO BY STEFAN GLOEDE

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“For me, when I perform in front of a live audience, I experience the full rapture of life. When you play in front of others, there is a channeling of energy that is hard to put into words; you come as close to another human as you can without words. I work on classical pieces from the 1600s to the present, and each time I rehearse, perform, or teach a piece, I discover new layers, deeper nuances. Classical music transcends language and offers to those who play or listen a chance for deep introspection, a sense of hope and energy, and a connection to their innermost emotions.”

“Teaching and performing music definitely flow into each other; each makes the other better most of the time. Teaching my students, who are already at a high level of skill, is almost like passing on an oral tradition — you

are sharing the insights and emotions that you take from a composer’s intention while also sharing the subtleties of playing an instrument like the violin…what to do with your arms and hands, how to angle the violin just so, how to bring your own interpretation and emotion to the rise and fall of the notes.”

“As the first woman and nonGerman to hold the role of vice president of international affairs and artistic development at the Cologne Conservatory of Music and Dance, I am finding new ways to collaborate and share the rapture of music.

Whether playing with other musicians in small ensembles or in front of a full orchestra, there is beauty, emotion, discipline, and a dance of skills, styles, and emotions.”

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COVER STORY

Meghan Weeks’ 04

Painter, Cultural Heritage Professional

“I always remember learning from one of my college professors about phenomenology — an approach to viewing the world through a child’s eyes, as if seeing every element in it for the first time. As a constant student of the landscape, I learn something new each time I go outside to paint.

Even if I am painting the same vista, whether near my home in Boston’s South End or in New Hampshire or on Nantucket, there is always an opportunity to adapt and grow as a representational painter…I mean, the light may slant differently, the wind may twirl the leaves upside down or sideways, or a shingle may have shifted on that roof…what is the story I can paint on my canvas today, right now?

Meg received her Master’s degree in Curating at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London and has worked in a curatorial capacity at several museums and institutions since 2009. After ten years working as an exhibitions professional and curator at Boston Public Library, she recently committed to working as a full-time painter, but her cultural heritage background actively informs her approach to the arts.

“When I paint, especially outside, I feel as if I am fully present — physically, mentally, and sensorially.

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It is almost like a meditation. And as a curator at the Boston Public Library, and as a student of architectural history, I wanted people from all walks of life to access this immersive, meditative feeling when they viewed the library’s public collections, and the library itself: ‘This palace is the people’s own,’ as Oliver Wendell Holmes said in the late 1880s when it opened. Art definitely has an innate power to move and connect us — whether we are creating, viewing, or interacting with it.”

PHOTOS BY GINA BROCKER PHOTOGRAPHY

Art definitely has an innate power to move and connect us — whether we are creating, viewing, or interacting with it.”

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COVER STORY

The pursuit of the arts by today’s Winsor students represents what’s possible when students’ are supported in finding and following their passions, particularly when given access to an expanded array of electives, longer schedule blocks, state of the art facilities and resources, and dedicated faculty.

“The new building and the new schedule really changed the program,” says Performing Arts Department Head Felicia Brady-Lopez. “We can offer students such a wide array of options so they can choose what they’re interested in, and give them the time they need to dig deeper and practice more. Ultimately, the students develop more skill and confidence because they have really spent a lot of time developing their abilities.”

“I hear from alums often, sharing stories about how art is so much a part of their lives, regardless of what they decide to pursue academically or professionally,” says Sara Macaulay, visual arts department head and Eleanor Thomas Nelson ’49 Chair in Fine Arts. “As a teacher, you aren’t always sure, but these experiences continue to prove to me that what we do leaves an impact.”

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Here’s what a few recent graduates and students had to say about their experience at Winsor, and the role the arts play as a catalyst for changing perspectives — and lives.

Katya Agrawal ’ 23 and Ella Pascucci ’ 23

PHOTO BY KRISTIE DEAN

Michelle Pu ’ 20 Thankful for the access to supplies and the space to create, Michelle says she was particularly grateful for the support system. “Ms. Macaulay was always encouraging and seemed to have confidence in my work even when I often did not,” she says. “She was always willing to provide advice, guidance, and resources so that I could improve. She was an amazing mentor and I am truly grateful. Ms. Harrison is also such a gem, although now retired. Without her encouragement, I would never have kept going and found a passion for drawing and painting.”

Michelle also says she appreciates the way the Winsor community embraces the arts. “There is always student artwork — from the youngest students to the oldest — on display around the school. It made me feel proud to see my work hanging in the front hallway.

The community is small enough that individuals feel valued and seen for their talents.”

Boston Fine Arts Club

Grace Wang ’ 19 “One of the main reasons I chose to go to Winsor was because of the dance program. I knew that I had a place in the community after seeing the brand new, shiny dance studio during the open house,” says Grace. “The evolution of dance at Winsor during my fours years as a student, thanks to the hard work and vision of Carey McKinley and the Arts Department, was incredible to be a part of…I was so lucky to learn and practice dance in an amazing physical space, and I cherish the time I spent in the studio and on the stage.”

“I learned how to freely flow through my movements, how to express emotions, and how to feel comfortable with my body as I organically moved through space. I learned how to integrate objects and reach the audience through a combination of colors and body language. Beyond that, the new mindset I learned through dance positively impacted other areas of my life. I continue to seek passion and flow through my school, career, and personal life.”

“We have received an incredible art education at Winsor,” says Katya, co-founder, with Ella, of the Boston Fine Arts Club. Recognizing that not all students have the same access to resources and instruction, the two founded the club in order to “share our deep love and passion for art with students who do not have the same opportunities.” Beginning in December 2021, club members began going into Boston to teach students in grades K–5 about the fundamentals of drawing and painting.

“Our goal is to ignite their interest in visual art and to give them a new way of expressing themselves,” says Katya.

“Furthermore, we wanted to give them a tool with which to articulate their COVID experience and feelings of isolation.” In one lesson, club members led students in creating art as they pondered the question, What does being at home all of the time feel like? “In the end, we hope that our project has given the kids a new voice and has inspired them to love drawing and painting,” says Ella.

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COMMENCEMENT

PHOTOS BY KRISTIE DEAN

CLASS NOTES

54 WINSOR FALL 2022

Celebrating the Class of 2022 The members of the Class of 2022 gathered under the tent in the Winsor courtyard, surrounded by family and friends, to celebrate a year of milestones and the start of a new chapter beyond Pilgrim Road.

Live musical performances and speaker remarks carried messages of joy, and hope, and — in the words of Commencement speaker Tiffany R. Warren ’92 — the power of “finding your nerve.”

WINSOR FALL 2022 55

COMMENCEMENT

It’s the Journey, Not the Destination

O

n Tuesday, June 7, Winsor’s 128th Commencement ceremony honored the accomplishments of the 62 graduates of the Class of 2022.

Head of School Sarah Pelmas opened the ceremony by thanking the faculty and staff whose efforts ensured the community remained safe, healthy, and inspired throughout the year, and helped make the end-of-year celebrations a success.

In particular, she acknowledged Nurse Sue, whom she described as “absolutely heroic,” and the COVID testing team of: Brooke Elmore, operations manager, Tiffany Young, athletics administrative assistant, Katrina Hable, assistant director of athletics, Adam Newell, head athletic trainer, Karen Geromini, chief operating officer, and support from Kevin Lynch, facilities staff, and Merdock Cadogan, janatorial staff.

She also extended gratitude to John Crompton, director of facilities and construction, and his versatile and generous facilities team, who “made this campus beautiful, welcoming, and a wonderful second home.”

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Also praising some key schedule shifts — including late-start Wednesdays, and longer classroom blocks to allow more time at a slightly slower pace — Ms. Pelmas thanked scheduling masters Denise Labieniec, institutional researcher, and Head of Upper School Kimberly Ramos. And finally, she thanked Culinary Director Heather Pierce and her dining room staff, remarking, “I think we all realized how much better life is when we are well fed and when there are snacks available.”

Leila Glotzer Martin ’22 delivered the class reading. Selections from Oriah Mountain Dreamer’s poem “The Invitation” had the gathered audience pondering, “I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it” and “I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day.”

Allison Kaneb Pellegrino ’89, P’21, ’22, president of the Winsor Corporation, offered an emotional and heartfelt congratulations to the graduates, sharing her own wisdom and reflections. Conveying a deep sense of belonging, she called the

alum community “a warm blanket spread far and wide to catch you wherever you land.”

In her speech for the graduates, Ms. Pelmas used a historical backdrop as a lens to view current events, noting parallels like diversity in politics, equity in education and athletics, the challenges of political scandals, and the hostilities between Russia and the west, which are so different today, and yet also familiar over the course of the last 50 years.

She added, “Together, seniors, you have shared so many ups and downs that perhaps you are a bit seasick from it all. And together, you have made friendships that will last forever. You have shared the silliest and the most serious of moments.

And you have shown the rest of the school what love and caring looks like, not only in how you treat each other, but in how you treat everyone else…Whatever comes your way from here, you are already, without question, a spectacular success. And we are proud of you.”

Franchesca Vilmenay ’22 was chosen by her classmates to be the senior class speaker. To current

students she offered some advice, “Winsor has taught me that we are never alone on this ferris wheel ride, even at the top of the highest roller coasters there will always be someone sitting next to you, whose hand you can hold.” She went on to ask her “lovely” classmates, “Before you walk up these steps, receive that red diploma, and stand on the precipice of your future…reflect on this question: How will you measure the years?”

Senior Class President MaryKate Hart ’22 introduced Commencement speaker Tiffany R. Warren ’92. “She has received numerous honors and awards, which I must say, would be too many to list,” Hart said of the Emmy® nominee and first Executive Vice President and Chief of Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Sony Music Group.

Ms. Warren talked about finding her nerve at Winsor, starting with an in-class assignment to draw what she wanted to be when she grew up. After a field trip to the Boston Ballet left her “livid” and “upset,” she told the gathered audience, “I wasn’t quite ready for what I saw or what I didn’t see. I did not see someone who looked like me” on stage. Channeling that disappointment into her Winsor art class, she painted a black ballerina on stage and wrote “Boston Ballet, Join Today!” as the headline. “I drew my first diversity recruitment ad and unknowingly created a blueprint, a map to continue to find my nerve for the rest of my life,” she explained.

Sharing stories and wisdom from her teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s, Ms. Warren illustrated how “nerve” changes over time and can inform decision making both personally

and professionally. At the end of her speech, Ms. Warren quizzed the seniors in a call and response: “In your teens you are finding your…” asked Ms. Warren, “nerve!” replied the seniors. And so it continued.

“In your 20s you have all the… nerve.

In your 30s you have some…nerve.

In your 40s you have one…nerve.

In your 50s you are fresh out of… nerves to give.”

The students passed with flying colors! “When the time comes when you are fresh out of nerves, please remember that it’s the journey not the destination. Don’t rush. Savour.

Believe. Pray. Repeat,” said Ms. Warren, who received a standing ovation.

“Thank you Winsor for helping me find my nerve and thank you to the Class of 2022 for helping me spend some of my nerve with you today. I look forward to following each of you, cheering you on as you have the nerve to change the world.”

Live music featured prominently

throughout the ceremony under the direction of Performing Arts Department Head Felicia BradyLopez and Choral Director Andrew Marshall. Performances by Advanced Rock On included a 70s medley to accompany the opening procession, and a moving rendition of “In My Life” by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Senior Small performed “Home” by Phillip Phillips, and the Graduation Choir sang “Blessing”

by Katie Moran Bart. In keeping with tradition, Mr. Marshall led the whole tent in singing “Jerusalem” by C. Hubert Parry, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson — both accompanied by Ms. Brady-Lopez on piano — and “Lamp of Learning” by Gretchen Howes Waldo, Class of 1902.

The ceremony closed with the conferring of the senior diplomas by Class VIII Dean Jennifer Graham and Head of Upper School Kim Ramos. Refreshments on the LubinO’Donnell Center patio followed. W

WINSOR FALL 2022 57

COMMENCEMENT

First Row (l–r): Sophie Diop, Franchesca Vilmenay, Sophia Davidson, Claire Ackerman, Clara Hagedorn, Jennifer Vega Mancia , Karina Peak, Sophia Lin-David, Jessica Wei, Abigail Bohl, MaryKate Hart, Victoria Ma, Emily Hou, Brigid O’Connor, Ava Hawkins, Isabella Liu, Emma Sun

Third Row (l–r): Abigail Peterson, Miracle Hodge, Aleksaundra Handrinos, Abigail Groom, Annika Goldstein, Katherine Torres, Delaney Holland, Louisa Gennari, Erica Sahin, Kayla Springer, Evie Wells, Sarah Jane Gavin, Kelly Meagher, Uche Ogbue, Isabel Slater

Second Row (l–r): Maita Mungah, Nadia Piecyk, Grace Abbott, Leila Glotzer Martin, Nina Zimmermann, Imogen Cabot, Zoe Wang, Ms. Kimberly Ramos, Ms. Sarah Pelmas, Ms. Jennifer Graham, Melissa Caro, Sarah Loose, Ana Sophia Leissner, Marley Connors, Josie Mastandrea, Emily Krueckeberg

Back Row (l–r): Zoe Lewis, Haley Weninger, Golde Umlas, Ava McLaughlin Leeman, Allison Chang, Amanda Kosta, Calla Walsh, Angelina Li, Alexandra Pellegrino, Scarlet Perry, AnneSophie Woo, Tristen Leone, Anika Banerjee, Tia Sheth, Julia Ryan, Sophia Russell, Isabelle Shu

“ When the time comes when you are fresh out of nerves, please remember that it’s the journey not the destination. Don’t rush. Savour.

Believe. Pray. Repeat.”

–TIFFANY R. WARREN ’92

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2021–2022 PRIZE WINNERS

The Nancy Shelmerdine ’72 Memorial Prize Ciara Leonard ’24

The Cross Country Cup Mary (Meg) Madison ’24

The Linda Alles ’71 Memorial Award Audrey Cheng ’23

The Field Hockey Cup Julia Ryan ’22 The Soccer Cup Josie Mastandrea ’22

The Ann Nowell Kramer ’48 Drama Prize Tristen Leone ’22

The Volleyball Cup Aleksaundra Handrinos ’22

The Brooks Parkman Woodard ’48 Memorial Prize Anika Banerjee ’22

The Ice Hockey Cup Scarlet Perry ’22

The Dance Prize Melissa Gutierrez ’23

The Squash Cup Tia Sheth ’22

The Peggy Stuart-Coolidge ’32 Memorial Music Prize Karina Peak ’22

The Swimming Cup Alaina Cai ’23 The Basketball Cup Aleksaundra Handrinos ’22 The Crew Cup Imogen Cabot ’22 The Lacrosse Cup Julia Ryan ’22 The Sailing Cup Grace Abbott ’22 The Softball Cup Louisa Gennari ’22

The Class IV Prize Zora Chirunga ’26 The Clare Cutler ’62 Memorial Prize for Excellence in the Dramatic Arts­— Acting Theodora Zarrow ’26 The Clare Cutler ’62 Memorial Prize for Excellence in the Dramatic Arts­— Tech Mia Gonzalez Garcia ’26 The Class V Prize Celeste Mittelman ’25

The Tennis Cup Suzanne Pogorelec ’24

The Annie Lawrie Fabens Crozier ’47 Memorial Prize Tristen Leone ’22

The Track and Field Cup Sophia Lin-David ’22

The Ruth Sabine 1924 Prize Ashley Xu ’23

The Bremer Athletic Prize Julia Ryan ’22

The Adele Bockstedt Spanish Prize Nadia Piecyk ’22

The Class of 1972 Prize Evelyn Wells ’22

The Frances Cabot Putnam 1915 French Prize Raina Sohur ’23 The Nora Saltonstall 1911 Memorial Scholarship Calla Walsh ’22 The Ruth S. Thayer Prize for Excellence in Latin Evangeline (Eva) LaFond ’24 The World Languages Department Prize for Excellence in Mandarin Victoria Ma ’22 The Madras Science Prize Zoe Lewis ’22 The Richard P. Binzel Prize Abigail Bohl ’22

The Mathematics Prize Victoria Ma ’22 The Frances Dorwin Dugan Prize Katherine Torres ’22 The Class of 2002 Award SASS (Students Advocating for School Spirit) The Hemenway Prize Nadia Piecyk ’22 The Class of 1994 Leadership Prize Aleksaundra Handrinos ’22 The Nina Cies ’68 Memorial Award Franchesca Vilmenay ’22 The Virginia Wing Outstanding Teacher Award

Susanna Ryan

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ALUMNAE NEWS CLASS NOTES

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Kiss Me Kate, Spring 1980 Each year, performing arts collaborations with Winsor’s brother schools provide opportunities for students to work together and get to know one another. In April 1980, Winsor and Belmont Hill performed Kiss Me Kate in the Winsor Auditorium. Long-time Director of Alumnae Engagement Elisabeth “Beth” Peterson ’80, P’11 was a specialty dancer in this production.

After 26 years of service, we bid Beth a fond farewell on page 74 of this issue — see if you can find her in the Kiss Me Kate cast.

WINSOR FALL 2022 61

CLASS NOTES

Alumnae Board 2022–2023 PRESIDENT

Erica Mayer ’91, P’25

Marilyn J. Dawson ’71

VICE-PRESIDENT

Ashley Marlenga Herbst ’01 SECRETARY

Miwa Watkins ’83 MEMBERS AT LARGE

Armine Afeyan ’08 Desiree Allen ’98 Holly Breuer ’14, Co-Chair, Young Alumnae Committee Hillary S. Brown ’80, P’17 Susan Holzman ’67 Elizabeth Flint Hooker ’95 Jennifer Inker ’83, P’26 Lindsay Mullen Jeanloz ’00 Danielle Johns ’05 Katherine McCord ’02, Co-Chair Alumnae Giving Jillian Campbell McGrath ’02 Johanna Mendillo ’96 Julia Broderick O’Brien ’56, P’87 Jennifer O’Neil ’93 Julie Rockett Paulick ’92 Elizabeth-Anne Finn Payne ’94 Mary Noonan Quirk ’05 Lacey Janet Rose ’06 Nancy Adams Roth ’66 Elizabeth Tillman ’83 Alexis Hasiotis Wintersteen ’91 EX-OFFICIO PAST PRESIDENT

Audrey McAdams Fenton ’93, P’26 CO-CHAIR, ALUMNAE GIVING

Caitlin Crowe ’89 CO-CHAIR, ALUMNAE GIVING

Julia Livingston ’66, P’85, ’07 CO-CHAIR, ALUMNAE GIVING

Katherine McCord ’02 CO-CHAIR, YOUNG ALUMNAE COMMITTEE

Holly Breuer ’14 CO-CHAIR, YOUNG ALUMNAE COMMITTEE

Anushree Gupta ’13 DIRECTOR OF ENGAGEMENT AND EVENTS

Becky Withiam

Class of 1971 Gift in Honor of Marilyn J. Dawson ’71 Following their reunion gathering in 2021, the Class of 1971 considered ways that they could support the BIPOC community at Winsor. The class decided to make a collective donation to honor our classmate Marilyn Dawson, who died of cancer in 2019 after an interesting, full and productive life, working for the United Nations and other organizations, overseas and in the U.S. She had been the last of four Black girls to arrive in our class at Winsor, joining Patricia Elam ’71, Ellen Pinderhughes ’71 and Pam Parks McLaurin ’71.

This gift honors Marilyn’s life of generosity, accomplishment and empathic service. Also implicit in their gift is a recognition of the challenges navigated by our Black+ classmates in integrating Winsor, and as they continued there as students. Taking this on had required considerable courage on their part, something many of us only came to understand years later, in discussions sparked by the 1996 Black Alumnae/Student Panel and by the video documenting it.

As Marilyn’s family requested, the contributions went to the Ana M. Fidalgo P ’07, ’14 Fund, which assists Winsor’s Black students in need with schoolrelated expenses. The class was able to reach 55% class participation by the closing date of the drive, with a total raised of $7200. Classmates are happy that they could honor Marilyn by contributing to this worthy cause.

— Sarah Wilson ’71

OVERHEARD

“ Almost daily I find myself navigating situations while relying on skills I developed at Winsor ­— specifically critical thinking, considerate and positive communication, and awareness of oneself as part of a community.” ­ — ARIADNE DASKALAKIS ’87

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CLASS NOTES

1946

Alumnae Gather at NYC Reception In April, Head of School Sarah Pelmas joined Winsor alumnae at The William hotel in Midtown Manhattan for a reception, marking the first in-person regional event since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alumnae from 1969 to 2010 turned out for the gathering to reconnect, share memories, and hear an update from Ms. Pelmas.

“Student enthusiasm for year-end events is palpable,” said Ms. Pelmas, “and seeing that reflected in the alum community at regional gatherings like this one is energizing.” Director of Advancement Erika McMahon added, “we look forward to hosting many more in-person events — and especially to welcoming our alums back to Winsor during Alumnae Weekend in May.”

Patricia Perrin Lawrence I was sad to learn that our classmate Jennifer Bevan Lowther ’46 had passed away. Jennifer is someone I have kept in touch with since she entered our class in 1942. Jennifer enriched all our lives with her interest in others and her delightful sense of humor. She returned to England to be with her family in 1945. Fortunately, Bobby and I, along with many members of our family, were able to see Jennifer and her husband, John Lowther, 14 years ago in London. Jennifer was a lady in waiting to Princess Margaret Rose for quite a while, and was extremely tactful about the role she played.

I will miss her very much.

Jennifer Bevan Lowther ’46

1949

(l-r): Susan Conant Holden ’49, Jane Hoeffel Otte ’57, Augusta Sparks ’89 and Nell Sparks ’25

Susan Conant Holden Recently my niece, Jane Hoeffel Otte Class of 1957, visited with her daughter, Augusta Sparks class 1989 and her daughter Nell Class 2025. It was special to have so many generations together. My mother, Gwendolyn Moulton Holden Conant, Class of 1908, also attended Winsor. She passed away in 1963.

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CLASS NOTES

Alums Lead Tufts Lacrosse to Second Straight NESCAC Championship Congratulations to Caroline Cromwell ’21, Madison Lehan ’18, and Alexa Amorosino ’20 (pictured left to right), who helped lead the Tufts University women’s lacrosse team to win the 2022 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Championship. The Jumbos defeated top-seeded Middlebury to secure their second straight NESCAC title, after claiming the program’s first title in 2021. The team went on to reach the finals in the 2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Women’s Lacrosse Championship, matching up against Middlebury, and finishing as the NCAA runner-up for the second straight season.

1952

Elizabeth Bragg In March with Dr. Jody Stanislaw, we presented a workshop, “Accelerate Your Soccer Success with Healthy Food” at the national Urban Soccer Symposium, which focuses on children in underserved communities. As a result, my 10-week Eat to Thrive program received a grant from the Illinois Youth Soccer Association to offer the virtual program to its staff, board of directors, and anyone else interested, which can be you. If interested in learning new recipes and hearing excellent national speakers, register at https://eattothrive.info/product/eat-to-thrive-classes/, “a la carte” Thursdays 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET. We also welcome children ages 3 to 6 or 7 to 12 to our free, virtual summer camp programs on Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m. ET; register at https:// realkidsrealfood.org/registration/. Kids love to make recipes, exercise, and

64 WINSOR FALL 2022

have fun. Free recipe ingredients are delivered to food-insecure children.

Donations are welcome.

Mina Ellis Otis It was 1948, World War II had been won, my father had returned from the Navy, and I was ready for high school. My wise aunt suggested I apply to Winsor, her own beloved school. It was Winsor that opened the world of learning to my eager mind. In those days, in much of the country, females were usually expected to be wives and mothers, not students or scholars. That was certainly true in the public schools I had attended in Mississippi, Iowa, and California (we had to live with relatives while the war was being fought and finally won). At Winsor I was taught how to read analytically, how to express my own thoughts clearly, and how to enjoy finding and exploring new fields of learning.

I loved every minute of classroom learning, of library exploration, and of mind-stretching assignments.

With many classmates, I went on to Smith College and Harvard School of Education.

1953

Natascha Simpkins Halpert My adorable great-grandchild, daughter of Olivia and granddaughter of her mom, Laura, is a year-plus — born in March 2021. My new poetry book, Poems and Prayers, dedicated to my late son, Robin Lorenz, came out this year. Stephen and I are doing all right, though Parkinson’s has slowed me down. Wishing you all every joy.

1955

Sally Withington After 60-plus years in the workforce, 50 of which were in downtown Boston real estate, I am now an “inactive broker,” and I am still

living in my 200-year-old rowhouse in Boston’s historic Bay Village.

1956

Mary Hill Gilbert Harris It is June 2022 and England, where I live, is in the throes of jubilee celebrations for the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. The coronation ceremony was a year later. I came to Winsor in the fall of 1953 and one of my first memories from the school is of Sally Murray ’55’s talk on “What I did last summer.” Their family had been to the coronation. I myself had just seen the movie of it, and it must have been even more dramatic in person.

Martha Elwell Thomas Hello to everyone from Savannah!

We are well and happy here and try to get to most of New England once a year. Stay well and in touch! Martie

1958

Pamela Smith Henrikson I am just back from my 60th reunion at Smith. It was such a pleasure that I am definitely looking forward to my 65th at Winsor next May. Both Suzy White ’58 and Amy Sylvester Katoh ’58 were there too, so our Winsor group was well represented.

Mary Eliot Jackson What a year! A pandemic, war, antiabortion, severe political upheaval — but Zooms, pleasure that the Boston Athenaeum has a spectacular new librarian and preservation architect, and produced a serendipitous new friend. Because of the Ukraine war, Russian has taught me about that blank swath of Eastern Europe.

Seismic shifts in knowledge shake up my Eurocentrism. In The Horde:

How the Mongols Changed the World, Marie Favereau shows, by knitting in history hidden in peripheral cultures, that the Mongol empire was the largest ever, expertly administrated, and influential despite being nomadic. In The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire, William Dalrymple teaches that the East India Company was savage and similar to current rapacious international corporations. In Roma in the Medieval Islamic World: Literacy, Culture, and Migration, Kristina Richardson presents through the Roma another story about the origin of printing different from ours, which sprouts from Gutenberg.

Julie Roy Jeffrey I have enjoyed tremendously sharing art-focused Zoom presentations with classmates. I will be working on some new topics (portraits, jewelry, and perhaps some others) that draw on objects from the Walters Art Museum. Hope to see many of you when I start up again in the fall.

Lucy Stone McNeece Slowly emerging from the endless lockdowns in Paris has made it possible at last to have real contact with people, as well as to return to teaching some classes and attending others, albeit for pleasure. This spring I managed to direct a play in Arabic with French university students, quite a challenge but a wonderful experience. My oldest son, Christopher, came to visit, and after the play we took the train to Toulouse to see friends, then flew to Florence for a week to visit other friends, to revisit museums, and

to walk in the Tuscan hills and eat (too) many Italian delights…! The pleasure of having the chance to do things that Covid made impossible is marred nonetheless by the catastrophic state of affairs in so many parts of the world. I remain hopeful only because of individuals I know who see clearly and are courageous enough to speak out against injustices everywhere.

1959

Olivia Hood Parker In May I had the good fortune to be awarded an honorary doctorate by Lesley University.

1962

Nancy Greep I am retired and continue to live in Santa Barbara, where my son and his family are. I stay busy with health reform policy and gardening.

I attended the 60th reunion and also visited with Betsy Chapin ’62. I survived open heart surgery, where my mitral valve was replaced, in August and am doing pretty well, although I don’t have the stamina I used to.

Sarah Cannon Holden Our 60th Reunion year! For two years we have “met” once a month via Zoom. Fifteen of us met in May for a picnic and an afternoon of catch-up.

Times together have been invigorating and supportive. We are active, retired, caring for others and ourselves, delighting in grandchildren, gardening, reading, and relaxing. We are making new connections with each other and learning each other’s perspectives on Winsor and each other when we were students. I work as a labor arbitrator — lots of writing

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CLASS NOTES

NEWSMAKER: MADISON LEHAN ’18

Madison Lehan ’18 Named Division III All-American

In May, Madison Lehan ’18 was selected as a Division III Lacrosse All-American Third Team by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA).

All-American recognition is an honor awarded annually

to the best collegiate lacrosse players in the country. A high-achieving defensive player since joining the Tufts team in fall 2018, Maddie had an outstanding senior season this spring, causing 33 turnovers and 43 ground balls, and helping lead her team to victory in the 2022 NESCAC Championship and to the finals in the NCAA tournament.

While at Winsor, Maddie played on the varsity lacrosse team for four years, and she led the team in goals scored each year. She was the captain of the team in 2017 and 2018 and was awarded the Lacrosse Cup in 2016, 2017, and 2018. A three-season athlete, she also played varsity soccer and varsity hockey, and was the captain of both teams her senior year.

“We are so proud of Madison and are thrilled to see all of her accomplishments,” said Sherren Granese, director of athletics at Winsor. “Madison was always both an outstanding athlete and great teammate at Winsor, and we can’t wait to see what the future may hold for her.”

and sorting facts — and serve as Lincoln’s town moderator. Walking, bike riding, and skiing keep me in pretty good shape. Seven grandchildren and their parents bring great joy.

We travel and have taken some wonderful trips with Dartmouth Alumni.

I try to remain positive despite the political scene and the Supreme Court. I pray that “We the People” can preserve our Republic.

ensconced in a senior community in the Sun Valley area of San Rafael, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. I have a nice apartment with a sweet view and a little garden. I teach a karaoke class here and have taken up watercolor, which is peaceful and absorbing. I still direct www.youngperformersintl.org, which brings me joy. Children and grands thrive!

1964

Dorian Hastings My short story “The Music Doctor” is being published in the June 2022 edition of the Silk Road Review. I even got paid! Thanks to classmates who encouraged me at our 50th reunion — an added benefit to our get-together.

Cornelia Pratt I’m thoroughly enjoying my golden years. Nobody expects anything of me so I can watch all the baseball I want. Remember when Francie Tripp Hawkey, also ’64, could recite all the Red Sox stats? Now I cheer on Yastrzemski’s grandson for the San Francisco Giants. I’m happily

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1969

1973

Margaret Weaver Formerly Judy Rappaport and Judy Maloney, after 27 years of marriage and now seven years into a new era I have changed my name to Margaret Joy Weaver. Margaret-greatgrandmother and great-aunt-Margaret Vahey, and my mother’s middle name — has me now fourth-generation Margaret. Life has changed dramatically since claiming my maternal lineage that had been silenced for so many years. Proud mama (co-parent) of Noorul Murshidha Jawaheer from Chennai, India, since 2015. She just graduated from Northern Arizona University in creative media (film) and art, heading to NAU graduate school in sociology to make socially impactful films. Twenty-six years

living in Sedona, Arizona. Chair of Sedona International City of Peace — one of almost 400 around the world — and on an extensive spiritual path for Enlightenment with Ekam (liberating us from all forms of suffering). Producing a four-part ensemble with Adrienne Torf, “The Awesome Difficult Work of Love,” for our 2022 Sedona Arts for Peace Week. Lastly, my dad passed away December 6, 2021 — forever grateful for the life he provided all of us, especially our journey through Winsor.

1974

Daphne Burt Lisa and I have completed our move to Mashpee Mass (on the Cape). She has a new job while I try to figure out what it means to be retired. We are enjoying being close to the ferry so that we can visit with Nancy Cutler Ignacio ’74 and her family more often. Come and visit — anytime!

1976

Beverly Salhanick I retired after 35 years of practicing law in Las Vegas (25 years as a solo practitioner). I’m spending lots of time restarting my 9-year-old off the track thoroughbred and doing all the projects that were put off during the years I practiced.

1980

Elisabeth Peterson After 26 years of service to Winsor my husband and I will spend a majority of our time in Florida. Be assured that our family and New England summers will draw us back frequently. It has been a privilege to assist my fellow alums and Winsor

families over the years. I wish each of you health and happiness.

1983

Celia Francis Hello, classmates. I am in a taxi driving home from teenager clothes shopping with my now 15-year-old daughter here in London. Hanging out with her makes me think about us at that age. Tomorrow I fly to Copenhagen for a board meeting with NREP, the largest urban developer in the Nordics and growing globally. NREP have made a 2028 carbon-zero commitment and inspire me with the way they design buildings and whole city areas for healthy, happy people of all ages and sustainably for the planet. I have come to believe that we must all find a way to be more Danish. After 15 years as a regular tech company CEO I have found myself shifting into climate tech and also naturebased solutions to climate change.

I founded an organization in 2020 called The Art of Forests, which is an alliance of the world’s largest, most experienced ecosystem restoration practitioners. As such I spend a lot of time thinking about biodiversity, soil, seeds, water, social impact, and the voluntary carbon market and ways to flow more money into restoring the beautiful biomes that we have destroyed — before it is too late.

My son is now off in his first year of university at Cambridge and my daughter is off to an English boarding school in the fall. The empty nest is near! So please look me up to keep me company if any of you are in London. I’m celiafrancis@yahoo.com and would love to hear from you.

Standing (l-r): Vickey Wiseman ’83, Kim Harol ’83, Susan Bryant ’83, Sarah Donahue ’83, Miwa Watkins ’83 Sitting (l-r): Dorrie Paynter ’83, Beth Abate ’83 (l-r): Liddy Manson ’83, Grace White ’83

Miwa Watkins In June, a small group gathered at our president Beth Abate’s ’83 mother’s house in Winchester, MA. A few of us also enjoyed a small Venice reunion.

1990

Alisa Barrett Zalosh I’m still living happily in Manchester, Mass., with my husband, Matt, and two daughters, Sophie, 17, and Nina, 15. I started a marketing communications business a few years ago and write long-form marketing content for businesses and academic institutions. In some way, I suppose, my work is like a never-ending Expos

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CLASS NOTES

class! I treasure the Winsor friendships I have with my 1990 classmates, with Persis Laverack ’45, and with my newfound Manchester neighbors Sarah Minifie Wolfgang ’88 and Elizabeth Skates ’88.

1996 (l–r): Kristen Shea Donahue ’90, Alisa Barrett Zalosh ’90, Janet Feldstein McKillop ’90, and Cara Abdulrazak ’90

Andrea Cherkerzian Dennigan I have recently joined the Armenian Museum of America as public programs curator. We love living in Brookline.

1999

Jane Glazer We have had a very busy year! Our daughter, Lilah, finished her Class I year at Winsor yesterday and had a blast. It’s strange but also great to be back at Winsor. Our son switched to Fessenden this year and had a wonderful seventh grade year, and recently a bar mitzvah. I have recently joined the MGS Group Real Estate Agency in a slight career shift, and I am focusing on Brookline/ Newton and more. And we’ve welcomed a puppy (Netty) into

NEWSMAKER: LISA CARLING ’67

Making Theater More Accessible

Lisa Carling ’67, longtime director of accessibility at the nonprofit TDF (formerly known as the Theatre Development Fund), was among the recipients of the Kennedy Center Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Award for excellence in accessibility leadership. The annual LEAD Awards honor arts administrators and organizations whose dedication has resulted in advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities in the cultural arts. The awards were presented at the 2022 LEAD conference on August 5 in Raleigh, NC.

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“I am so thrilled to receive this award and have loved the almost four decades I’ve spent at TDF advocating for people with disabilities,” Lisa said in a press release.

“I never intended to stay in the field this long but there has always been more to do to make things better and more equitable. In looking back, the most memorable, impactful programs I’ve initiated are TDF Autism Friendly Performances, launched in 2011; open captioning for theater, begun in 1997; and the Interpreting for the Theatre Program (1998–2009), a one-week intensive for sign language interpreters in partnership with the Juilliard School. It has given me such joy to see these programs grow, take root in broader areas, and help create an appetite for more accessible theater. Whatever you do in life, be a catalyst for change!”

Lisa joined TDF Accessibility Programs in 1983 and has been the director since the mid-1990s. She served on the Shubert Organization’s Audience Services Advisory Committee for the implementation of GalaPro, an app that provides on-demand closed captioning and audio description; and she currently serves on Bridge Multimedia’s advisory group. In her previous career, Lisa performed with Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, CT, and Classic Stage Company in New York, and also worked in TV and film.

2008

(l–r): Khoren (6), Levon (8), Andrea Cherkerzian Dennigan ’96 & François

our family.

2005

Amalia Aruda Almada A big hello to W’05 from the West Coast! We (husband Albert, 4-yearold daughter Adelina, and I) relocated to the Los Angeles area for new job prospects in summer 2020. It was strange to uproot in the middle of a pandemic, but we are enjoying finally emerging to “regular” life and discovering our people and places out here.

I’m so happy to be back working in the ocean sciences (extension specialist for NOAA’s Sea Grant Program) and I can’t complain about the weather here either. I think of you all often and hope you are all pursuing what brings you joy!

Rebecca Alper Rebecca Alper ’05 is the vice chair of the board of trustees of the Icla da Silva Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to save the lives of people with diseases whose only cure is a bone marrow or cord blood transplant by providing emotional, logistical, and financial support to remove barriers to treatment.

Lillian Kivel After a couple of years of working remotely for Minerva University and living in Oklahoma City, I relocated to Philadelphia in fall 2021 to earn my master’s in education policy from the University of Pennsylvania. It was wonderful to be back at school and deepen my understanding of the educational landscape in the United States. Upon completing the program in July, I began working in the Office of the Superintendent at the School District of Philadelphia. It is an exciting time at the district as we welcome a new superintendent. I am happy to be back on the East Coast and closer to family and friends. I hope you see many of you back at Winsor for our 10th reunion in the spring!

2010

Blair Ballard Markell Zach and I had our first baby, Camden Markell, on September 25, 2021. We also moved to San Diego this year to be closer to family.

Camden is already very stubborn like his mom, and very curious and active like his dad — a very dangerous yet entertaining combination.

Margie Hamlin Margie Hamlin lives in the South End with her now husband and remotely works for a technology trucking start-up (Leaf Logistics) overseeing customers and operations. She got married to David DeFelice in April at St. Andrews in Wellesley, MA with the reception at Brae Burn Country Club afterward. In her bridal party were two close friends and Winsor

classmates, Danielle Waldman ’10 and Maura Kelly ’10.

2016

Talia Ruxin Hi! After working in Seattle for two years at the VA Center for Limb Loss and Mobility, I’m excited to start medical school at UCSF! I’m also excited to be closer to Brigitte Schmittlein ’16 and Grace Eysenbach ’16, who are also in the Bay Area!

(l–r): Mitzi Peterson ’90, P ’17, ’20, Beth Peterson ’80, P ’11, Haley Nolan ’17, and Caroline Nolan ’20

(l–r): Pamela Mearsheimer ’86, Sally Mabrey Taylor ’65, Francesca Morgan ’86, Elizabeth Kieff ’91, Susan Mabrey Gaud ’64 and Melanie Kahn ’95.

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CLASS NOTES

(l–r): Lacey Rose ’06, Anuja Khettry ’04, Mary-Caitlin Ray ’05, Stephanie Brenman ’05, Kate O’Donnell ’05, Dana Miller ’05

(l–r): Maura Kelly ’10, Margie Hamlin ’10, David DeFelice, Danielle Waldman ’10, Annie Fox ’10.

(l–r): Top row: Leigh Feldmann ’09, Charlotte Gardiner ’09, Callie Moriarty Cheek ’09, Stephanie Brenman ’05, Kate O’Donnell ’05, Laura Gaylord Resch ’06, Leslie Bernstein ’81 (former head of Lower School), Lacey Rose ’06, Carly Bernstein Rose ’09, Windsor Ferrara ’90, Hillary Lincoln ’02, Katherine McCord ’02, Aneiage Van Bean (former faculty), Kim Ramos (faculty and head of Upper School). Second row: Emily Hyman ’09, Libbey Davis Hunt ’06, Lauren Bornstein ’07, Jodi Kerble (faculty), Kate Grant (faculty), Charlotte Tracy ’12, Rachel Bernstein ’11, Jennifer Cohn ’93. Last row: Sydney Howland ’06, Ainsley Hayes ’95, Vanessa Rose ’00, Lily Bryant, Jennifer Ciccarelli (former head of Lower School), Julian Braxton (faculty, director of community and inclusion), Denise Labieniec (faculty, institutional researcher).

Alumnae Weekend MAY 12–13, 2023

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ARRIVALS

2007 Ava Marie Foster

Kathleen Nahill Blanchard and Ridge Blanchard a daughter, Leila Rose Blanchard April 2022

2010

Emily Duffy and Daniel Foster a daughter, Ava Marie Foster May 2022 Blair Ballard Markell and Zach Markell a son, Camden Markell September 2021 (l–r): Liza Weingarten ’08, Sojourner Rivers ’08, Maddy Fleming ’08, and Jasmine Wilder ’08 celebrate Sarah Duncan ’08. Bridal hair & makeup, and photo by Talia Weingarten ’12.

MARRIAGES

2004

Meghan Weeks and Callum Dickson June 11, 2022

2006 and 2009

Lacey Rose ’06 and Carly Bernstein ’09 August 6, 2022

2008

Armine Afeyan and John Ringer September 4, 2021

2010

Margie Hamlin and David DeFelice April 23, 2022

IN MEMORIAM

1948

Amelia Rogers Guise Elizabeth Howe Howard Hope Griswold McCrum

1949

Rosamond Whitney Carr Mary Caner Mehlman

1950

Carol Robb Blount Rita Platt Coney Sarah Sedgwick Ginocchio Joanne Koch Potee

1952

Mary Weld Alexander

1953

1937

Patricia Calkins Lightbody

Cynthia Carr Rodman Sarah Stevens Heckscher Judith Harmon Puleston

1940

1954

Rosamond Kent Sprague

1943

Ann Dewey Kent

1944

Sarah Place Carter Mary Wheatland Schley

Patty Ely Foster Edith Gross Smith

1957

Emily Preston

1959

Lisa Church King

1945

1960

Isabella Leighton Smyth

Pamela Forbes

1946

1961

Cordelia MacPherson Carroll Dorothy-Lee Jones Ward

1947

Margaret Blodgett Alkema Erica Payson Parra

Susan Contratto Abigail Mason Browne GP’21, ’24 Katharine Wylie

1963

Lillian Balboni Nolan

1979

Sarah Boling Wagner

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ALUMNAE WEEKEND CLASS NOTES

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Alumnae Return to Winsor On the weekend of May 13, alumnae returned to campus for the first in-person alumnae weekend since 2019.

Alumnae gathered to remember and reminisce, and had the opportunity to experience Winsor today on campus tours and in faculty-led classes. From the hallways to the courtyard, the excitement was palpable.

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ALUMNAE WEEKEND

A Fond Farewell to Director of Alumnae Engagement Beth Peterson ’80, P’11

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“ This alumnae reunion has been a fitting culmination of all the incredibly hard work you have done for so many years. The appreciation that fell from every corner of the tent onto your well-deserving shoulders was hardly enough for the time, love, and effort you have given again and again over these many years.

— JENNIE SKEELE ’71, P’98, ’02, CAROLYN MCCLINTOCK PETER CHAIR IN ENGLISH

lives, what she is doing, any alumnae sisters, cousins, aunts, and each woman’s connection to the school. She is the behind-the-scenes wizard who magically conjures beautiful events to celebrate the school and, importantly, celebrate the accomplishments and relationships of Winsor women.”

Erica led the presentation of celebratory gifts — including the generous donation by artist Meghan Weeks ’04 of an original plein air oil painting of her favorite view of the campus, to be delivered later this year. She also revealed a tribute that the board had carefully kept under wraps: “As an enduring legacy of Beth’s imprint on the school and the alumnae, I am delighted to be the first to announce the creation of the Elisabeth Peterson, 1980, P’11 Alumnae Mentorship Fund.”

The fund will support alumnae mentorship at Winsor by fostering and sustaining activities and infrastructure that nurture the intergenerational connections and relationships that are so dear to alumnae, and to Beth. The impact of this fund will

be reported to Beth to formalize her connection to an element of the Winsor experience in which she believes deeply.

In her farewell remarks honoring Beth, Head of School Sarah Pelmas praised not only her prowess in event planning, but her significant contributions to “the transformation of both the campus and the curriculum.” She also noted Beth’s invaluable ability to communicate “Winsor’s changes and their rationales, “with grace, often under pressure, to graduates as well as retired faculty and staff who at times may not have always understood what turns the school was taking. She is an extraordinary ambassador for the school.”

The weekend was a fitting way to honor and celebrate Beth’s lasting impact on the community. “Winsor is remarkably lucky that Beth came back to work here, and truly blessed that she stayed so long,” said Ms. Pelmas. “I don’t think anyone can imagine this place without her, and I hope she will return often enough that we won’t have to try.”

PHOTOS BY KRISTIE DEAN

E

ach spring, Alumnae Weekend provides a welcome opportunity for generations of Winsor graduates to reconnect. This year, alums relished being back on campus in person, and they marked a significant milestone as they bid farewell to longtime Director of Alumnae Engagement Elisabeth “Beth” Peterson ’80, P’11, the creator and driving force behind the hallmark event.

“After 26 years of service to Winsor, our dear friend, colleague, Winsor parent, and fellow alumna Beth Peterson has made the difficult decision to retire at the end of this year,” began President of the Winsor Alumnae Board Erica Mayer ’91, P’25 in a tribute to Beth. “It’s hard to imagine the Winsor Alumnae Association without Beth’s guiding hand. She has an exquisite knowledge of every alumna — where she

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Preserving the Art of Art History

S

ince Winsor’s founding, the study of the arts has enriched students’ worldviews. Decades after graduating many alumnae still recall the impact exposure to forms of artistic expression from around the world and throughout history had on them, personally and professionally.

In a letter to the Winsor Archives in summer 2021, Anne Luther von Rosenberg ’58 recounts, “Come junior year, one of the five weekly history periods was devoted to art history taught by Miss Jenckes. It was the shining light of those three years. I fell in hook, line, and sinker. I minored in art history and have been into art, architecture, and historic preservation more or less since.”

The family of Frances Darling, class of 1913, was so impressed with her 1912–1913 art history notebook that they had it preserved in a hardcover binding embossed with her name and the course title.

Winsor is grateful to Anne, the Darling family, and these alumnae, who have donated their cherished art history notebooks to the Winsor Archives: Rosamond Harris Class IX 1931, Dorothy Wightman Hood ’40, Julia Lawrence ’49, Selena “Sally” Little ’51, Penelope “Penny” Demos Lawrence ’56, Pamela Smith Henrikson ’58, and Carolyn Kimball Tolles ’58.

Each of these artifacts adds to the story of the school’s continuous commitment to broadening students’ understanding of the many and varied ways to see the world.

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ALUMNAE WEEKEND

A Weekend of Engagement

A

PHOTOS BY KRISTIE DEAN

lumnae Weekend got underway Friday, May 13, with tours of the campus, followed by a memorial service to honor Winsor alumnae who have recently passed. Head of School Sarah Pelmas and Katharine Baker-Carr ’80 both shared remarks.

A reception and dinner followed featuring addresses by 25th reunion speaker Janel Forde ’97 and 50th reunion speaker Susan Shelmerdine ’72.

On Saturday, alumnae went back to school, attending one of the following classes: Science Saturday with Reem Hussein-Fricke, science faculty; Reconstruction: A Contested History with Anne-Marie Holland, history faculty; or Ladies’ Night in Wakanda with Samantha Simpson, English faculty.

The archives were open for touring, and a lively panel discussion — Pathways to Resiliency: Where do we go from here? — featured Monica Leitner-Laserna ’03, Maia Monteagudo ’06, and Alix White ’72, moderated by Ashley Marlenga Herbst ’01.

Lunch offered opportunities for connection, including a courtyard barbecue; Reminisce Lunches for the classes of 2010, 2011, 1995, 1996, 1970, and 1971; and Affinity Group luncheons hosted by SISTERS, AsIAm, SOMOS, SASA, MOSAIC, UMMAH, and First Gen. After lunch, Head Squash Coach Szilvi Szombati offered a squash drop-in session, and the celebration continued on Saturday evening with class parties organized by the reunion committees.

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Reunion Class Photos

60th Reunion — Class of 1962: Back row (l–r): Hope Green Arns, Toby Williams Woll, Katharine Cohen Black, Margaret Howland, Anne Hutchinson, Nancy Greep, Frazer Gimber O’Neill, Leslie Foster Rigney, Barbara Abrams Schneider, Dinah Starr | Front row (l–r): Sarah Cannon Holden, Katharine Pickering, Mary Fainsod Katzenstein

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ALUMNAE WEEKEND

25th Reunion — Class of 1997: Back row (l–r): Rebecca Nixon Laberenne, Marianna Munson Erenhouse, Elizabeth Stanton Rosen | Front row (l–r): Dana Marshall Fisher, Evangeline Choe Lehr, Amanda Stumm Mooradian, Stephanie Shemin Feingold, Lindsey Tucker, Julianna Connolly, Janel Forde, Sally Madsen

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40th Reunion — Class of 1982: (l–r) Alexandra Coburn, Sara Hamlen, Kirsten Thoft, Christine Swenson Lawrence, Gabriella Browne, Ruth Butler Rogers, Anne Winkler, Jennifer Dalsimer Archer, Lauren Fraser, Catherine Frankl Sarkis, Louisa Burnham, Lisa Simmons­

30th Reunion — Class of 1992: (l–r): Sabre Kaszynski, Julie Rockett Paulick

PHOTOS BY KRISTIE DEAN

50th Reunion — Class of 1972­: Back row (l–r): Margery Adams, Berit Pratt, Phoebe Hoyt, Liz Berman Hazen, Katherine Russell McCurdy, Becky Palmer Kirk, Cici Chick Spaulding, Frances Lawrence Keene, Sarah Mead | Front row (l–r): Caroline Berthet Davila, Phyllis Sawyer White, Yuriko Isomura Kawagishi, Susan Shelmerdine, Squeakie Thompson, Barbara Butler Foster, Nancy Motley Walton, Alix White

15th Reunion — Class of 2007: (l–r): Denee Reaves, Nora Kennedy, Casey Buckley, Lauren Bornstein, Kimmy Ellcock

20th Reunion — Class of 2002: Back row (l–r): Kristen Russell, Grace Faturoti, Katherine McCord | Front row (l–r): Rebecca Shingleton, Jacqueline Fishbein, Heather Stevenson, Elizabeth Pendergast, Jillian Campbell McGrath, Clare Hawthorne, Sarah G. Toce, Danielle Hardoon

35th Reunion — Class of 1987: Back row (l–r): Abigail Crozier Nestlehutt, Susannah Baruch, Martha Young DoByns | Front row (l–r): Caroline Williams, Christina Whelton De Castro, Lindsley Lowell, Kimberly Krawshuk, Elizabeth Brown, Elizabeth Friedman, Cynthia Korb Wellington, S. Penny Windle Klein, Elena Wethers Thompson

5th Reunion — Class of 2017: (l–r): Sophia Stone, Sandra Lee, Sabine Tessono, Melissa Yamada, Haley Nolan, Amanda Lu, Joanna Grill, Emily Chen, Martina Bernstein, Catalina Alvarez-Ruiz, Sofia Vicinelli, Hannah Green, Helen Sayegh, Priya Shukla, Lena Fulkerson, Meghan Hart

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FIRST PERSON

Setting the Pace Raising the bar on the course, the field, and in the classroom.

The prestigious award tops a long list of athletic achievements by the accomplished runner and lacrosse player that includes: Canterbury Invitational Champion, NMH Invitational Champion, EIL Championships Champion, EIL Cross Country Player of the Year, NEPSTA Division I Runner Up, All NEPSTA, and EIL Lacrosse Player of the Year.

She also set the record on Winsor’s cross country course with a time of 17:52. We talked to Meg about how she manages to do it all.

How do you balance competing at such a high level with Winsor’s rigorous academics?

Because so much of my day is scheduled between school, sports, and training, I only have small windows of time to get my work done. So I actually found it has helped me learn to manage my time. When I have a free window, I just have to get the work done — there isn’t the option to procrastinate!

What part of your athletic career has been the most rewarding for you?

When you’re putting in so many hours running and training, with little to no off-season, seeing faster times and improvement is as rewarding as winning. Waking up super

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early, doing late workouts, and staying late after school become worth it when you see results. This year I was able to reach a whole other level in running and that was very rewarding.

What do you love about running?

Two to three days a week you work really hard, and you have that feeling you have in races, like you have given everything and you have nothing left. It’s super gratifying.

Then the other four to five days, you go for easy runs.

Once you are really in shape, you don’t have to put a lot of effort into the easy runs and it becomes a good escape from everything else.

How has Winsor supported you?

Balancing running and lacrosse year-round — which are so different on your body — and also my academics has been challenging. I’m grateful to the Winsor athletics department for being so flexible, patient, and understanding of what I need and what I’m doing. From communicating and practicing with Coach Hable, to working out frequently with Mr. Newell, I really rely on their help and support. Coach Moriah has also been very flexible throughout my years running at Winsor, looking for competitive races to bring the team to and making sure I am able to get solid workouts in. Without this patience and flexibility, I don’t think I would be able to compete at the level I do.

PHOTO BY KRISTIE DEAN

Meg Madison ’24 was named the 2021–22 Gatorade Massachusetts Girls Cross Country Player of the Year.