Woodstock School Quadrangle 2023

Woodstock School Alumni Magazine Volume CXVI 2023

Principal

Dr. Craig Cook

Editorial team

Katie Jo Walter

Sanchali Chakraborty

Nazneen Nagarwalla

Aditya Manral

Kenton Beachy ’78

Special thanks to Disha Aggarwal

Woodstock School Faculty and Staff

Staff Anne Lind

Advancement and Alumni Relations Office Interns

Layout and design

Randhir A. Malhan ’88

Front Cover

Dharmendra Singh (S)

Back Cover

Nalayini Natha (S)

Photos

Woodstock community

The Quadrangle is published annually in digital format by the Advancement and Alumni Relations Office of Woodstock School. It is digitally published and distributed free of charge to alumni. We welcome input from the community associated with Woodstock School.

WOODSTOCK SCHOOL Mussoorie, UK 248179

and Alumni Relations

Principal’s Message

Woodstock School: International by Nature

Dr. Craig Cook, Principal

For 169 years Woodstock School has touched the lives of young people from all corners of the globe who come to live and learn together. Our students become successful learners, confident individuals, effective leaders, responsible global citizens, and critical thinkers who re-examine taken-forgranted assumptions and question current structures and privilege. Upon graduation they enroll in esteemed universities around the world and enter Woodstock’s lifelong, worldwide alumni network.

All of this does not happen by accident. We accomplish these outstanding results not with knowledge and understanding alone but also through our committed faculty and staff who prioritize building relationships with each student and who enrich their lives both inside and outside the classroom through pastoral care.

Our nearly 500 students speak more than 50 languages and represent more than 35 nationalities from all parts of the world including Syria, Ukraine, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, France,

India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Tibet, UK, U.S.A., Kenya, Yemen, Tanzania, Switzerland, Norway, and others. No wonder we refer to Woodstock School as International by Nature. Like our students, our faculty come from across the globe with the knowledge, skill sets, values, and worldview that support and enrich Woodstock’s diverse community.

At Woodstock we are also in many ways a collection of Third Culture Kids, both students and staff, who have formed a third culture at Woodstock itself. Third culture individuals are raised in cultures other than those originally of their parents and spend significant time shaping their values and their identities in a blended cultural setting. In other words, the first culture refers to the parents’ culture of origin, the second culture refers to the current country’s culture, and the third culture refers to the unique blend of cultures that have come together at a particular place at a particular point in time.

If you know Woodstock, does that sound familiar?

“ At Woodstock we are also in many ways a collection of Third Culture Kids, both students and staff, who have formed a third culture at Woodstock itself. Third culture individuals are raised in cultures other than those originally of their parents and spend significant time shaping their values and their identities in a blended cultural setting.

Third culture individuals are attuned to building relationships with other cultures while they also at times struggle to possess a culture of their own. Where do they feel they belong? I spoke recently with a current staff member who attended Woodstock while growing up in India, but their childhood home decades ago is now only a cement foundation slab in an eastern state that has even changed its name. Yet they talk of their return to Woodstock decades after leaving and feeling immediately at home again and even identifying more with their childhood culture here than their parents’ culture they moved away to and in which they spent decades of adult life. The third culture formed and learned at Woodstock beckoned and invited as truly home.

Third culture individuals appreciate an expansive worldview along with crosscultural sensitivity and intelligence. They also find themselves searching earnestly for home and questioning their loyalties to nationhood, values, politics, and other things. From academics to residential life and activities including enrichment, music,

outdoor learning, service, athletics, and global exposure, at Woodstock we help young people discover a common humanity that transcends the divisions of wealth, culture, religion, and ethnic identity which so often characterize the conflicts and problems in the world today.

I invite you into this year’s Quadrangle through the lens of International by Nature, to read as you recall and re-examine your own third culture identity influenced powerfully by your time at Woodstock. I hope you enjoy reading in ways that will bring you back to Woodstock and what it means to be a part of this community of lifelong learners.

I’d also like to add that, personally, it was my joy to see many of you at the Friends of Woodstock Annual Reunion in Tempe, Arizona in October, reminding me of the rich heritage we share as a community because of our exposure to an education set in a cross-cultural context. Many thanks to the Planning Committee of Friends of Woodstock for hosting the gathering. We look forward to our next meeting of North

American Woodstock alumni in Estes Park, Colorado in June 2024.

Thanks also to our Advancement and Alumni Relations Office including outgoing Director Katie Jo Walter, Alumni Relations Manager Ady Manral, and Advancement Coordinator Sanchali Chakraborty for their tireless efforts in connecting alumni from all over the world and reconnecting them to Woodstock.

Thank you to so many of you who continue to give to Woodstock, which enables us to fulfill our mission to equip students for leadership and for life, in the spirit of educating students for a world of difference!

From the Editor’s Desk

International by Nature: Our Hillside Home

Katie Jo Walter, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations

Dear Woodstock Alumni Community,

I trust this letter finds you well and thriving in your respective corners of the world. For another year, I’ve had the privilege of sharing with you and learning from you. I traveled all over Asia and to the U.S. and Canada, meeting many of you Woodstockers – each of you bold, unique, and fiercely kind. You’ve made me feel so honored and humbled as you’ve welcomed me to your homes and showered me with warmth and generosity, all due to my connection with and commitment to Woodstock, this other place that is very much your home.

I approached this issue of The Quadrangle with the intention of giving you the feeling of being home at Woodstock again which, of course, is something different for each of you. Those of you who’ve visited Woodstock after leaving can relate to the strange feeling one gets being reminded of one’s place in time, as fresh experiences of the present, recollections of the past, and imaginings of the future simultaneously invoke a flood of thought and emotion. It can be cognitively uncomfortable and emotionally complex, but it never changes the fact that this is your home, a place worth being a part of, now and always.

Change, they say, is the only constant. Yet, as we delve into this edition’s articles such as those exploring the experiences of Third culture and cross-cultural kids at Woodstock yesterday and today, we find threads of continuity confirming that we Woodstockers of all eras are cut from the same cloth. The essence of Woodstock as a melting pot of cultures and a haven for diverse perspectives remains unchanged. The stories of our multicultural kids then and now mirror the enduring spirit of acceptance, understanding, and unity that define our community. This is part of what we mean when we say that Woodstock is International by Nature.

Peering into the changing faces of Woodstock School and its peer institutions in the area, we witness the ebb and flow of time. Our entire hillside neighborhood may undergo aesthetic transformations, and academic approaches may evolve, but the essence of

Woodstock’s unique identity endures. The trail blazing and nature-honoring aspects of that identity are on display inspiringly in the 2023 Activity Week photos and reflections shared in this issue by Woodstock faculty and staff.

At the outset of this letter, I shared my joy at being welcomed to your homes. However, nothing compares to the deep and meaningful joy I derive from welcoming you back to yours. My team and our student interns have taken immense pleasure in welcoming the hundred-plus of you who returned to campus in 2023, including many new Board and General Body Members I am excited to introduce in this issue.

The sense of home, of being part of a place and vice versa, is not always easy to define, especially for those who live in a variety of cultures. However, it is recognized the moment it is felt. I’ve been warmed more deeply than you know to be with you when you came to Woodstock and felt home, and I take extraordinary pride in being part of a team that made it a positive experience full of welcome and care. While we can’t fully replicate that experience for you in the pages of The Quadrangle, we can certainly try, and I hope you will enjoy the fruits of our efforts.

Wishing you joy, success, and an everdeepening connection to our International by Nature hillside home, Woodstock School, whether in-person or in spirit. I remain ever grateful for all of you who remain engaged with us here on the hillside and for all of you who provide the financial support crucial to our continued work to be a place of learning relevant to an ever-evolving world – and a forever home for a diverse community of impactful global citizens.

As many of you know, March 31, 2024 was my last day at Woodstock. It has been my pleasure to have worked with so many alumni over these last two plus years. Thank you for all your support – Palma non sine pulvere!

Warmly,

Katie Jo Walter Editor, Quadrangle

Graduation 2023

Free from COVID!

This year’s commencement ceremony was the first in four years to take place without COVID restrictions, and this freedom was certainly one of the themes of the event. Valorem, the class of 2023, was comprised of just 63 students, half of whom joined in the 11th grade.

The ceremony was opened by Dr. Cook, who highlighted the simultaneous farewell to Valorem and Ms. Sanjaya Mark who served in a myriad of teaching and leadership roles over her 40 years at Woodstock.

The orchestra then performed along with seniors Mark Monteiro and Gursimar Kumar. Vice Principal Dr. Bradford Barnhardt then presented Shivom Sood as the Valedictorian of this year. Shivom’s speech was about his journey through Woodstock, beginning in the Middle Years Program and moving into the IBDP during the pandemic. He spoke about how Valorem and Woodstock adapted and braved the pandemic together and formed a family that continues to inspire him.

The distinguished alumni were presented by Dr. Hugh Bradby. Dr. David Rugh recounted stories of his field work in biology and the importance of isolating experiences and moments as they can always lead to unexpected positive moments. He also highlighted the importance of problem solving through the analogy of one particularly eventful journey.

Ms. Mousumi Basu then presented Arjun Menezes as the Best All Round Graduating Student. He read excerpts from the 1908 Quadrangle, comparing Woodstock after the Cholera Outbreak in 1910 to his time at Woodstock after COVID to give thanks to the community for coming together and forming experiences and community.

The ceremony concluded with thanks for all members of the Woodstock family who moved on from the hillside.

Above Casper Stevenson and Anna Kassis

Right top Sylvia Haokip ’98 with son Eliya Batapa ’23, daughter Anna Dendol ’25, and husband Sonam Parvez Right Current Staff Amrita John, Ayaan John ’17 husband and former staff Monish John, Meher John ’23, and Aman John ’15

Awards 2023

Valedictorian

Shivom Sood

Salutatorian

Prisha Agrawal

Best All Round Student Award

Arjun Menezes

Student Government Award

Dyumna Madan

Pratap Chatterjee Memorial Science Award

— Prisha Agrawal

E.E. Miller International Award

Aadi Anish Mehta

Athlete of the Year Award

Ronit Bawa

Jimmy Cassinath Drama Award

Gursimar Kumar

Jimmy Cassinath Art Award

Da Hye Lee

Woodstock Initiative Award

Arjun Menezes

Ishika Bansal

Shivom Sood

Citizenship Awards

Grade 12 Girls

Da Hye Lee

Grade 12 Boys

Arjun Menezes

Advanced Mathematics Award

Shivom Sood

Outstanding Achievement in a Discipline

Visual Arts - Grade 12

Da Hye Lee

Mathematics - Grade 12

Ahaan Kothari

Prisha Agrawal

Chemistry - Grade 12

Ria Keshkamat

Class of 2023 Class Photo

Top row: Mr. Ravi Arthur, Zenith Patel, Ahaan Kothari, Mark Monteiro, Mr. Amitavo Roy, Eliya Batapa, Swayam Pramit, Chaitanya Ahuja, Caspar Stevenson, Arjun Menezes, Aryan Kanthamaneni, Shivratan Singh, Saim Hajini, Kushagra Agarwal, Kesochie Mero, Jayaditya Purswani, Gursimar Kumar, Mr. Stefan Eicher

Second row: Mr. Prateek Santram, Mr. Robert Farnham, Nidang (Dite) Apang, Junho Jeon, Jihoon Kim, Daksh Budhia, Aadi Mehta, Shivaan Gandhi, Aditya Bajoria, Shivom Sood, Aarav Katula, Ashmit Goel, Eeshan Chugh, Jayant Basnyat, Aryan Amatya, Arin Mittal, Ahaan Aggarwal, Ark Kapoor, Nakshatra Bajaj, Ronit Bawa, Ms. Kalpana Singh, Mr. Manoj Singh

Third Row: Mr. Aloke Maiti, Ms. Aanchal Negi, Songa Woo, Kyra Malhotra, Ria Keshkamat, Yuvika Vohra, Sanaya Mehta, Arpita Kohli, Tanvi Garg, Anna Maria Kassis, Rhythm Thind, Oneeka Jesuraja Constan, Prisha Aggarwal, Naavya Jain, Rhea Pradhan, DaHye (Daniella) Lee, Rhiny Lorin, Kasin Rumba, Meher John, Ms. Binu Thomas

Last Row: Ms. Nicole DePew, Prekshaa Surana, Rushita Paladugu, Shreya Tripathi, Sumaira Chopra, Isha Deorah, Sehar Windlass, Nysa Sureka, Dyumna Madan, Aani Dugar, Tsering Chorol, Ishika Bansal, Archee Mehta, Deeya Dulhani, Ms. Jamie Williams, Principal Dr. Craig Cook

Biology – Grade 12

Oneeka Jesuraja

Physics - Grade 12

Arjun Menezes

Environmental Science - Grade 12

Ishika Bansal

Computer Science - Grade 12

Ark Kapoor

Global Politics Award - Grade 12

Ishika Bansal

Psychology Award - Grade 12

Oneeka Jesuraja

Economics Award - Grade 12

Mark De Bossuet Monteiro

Business Management Award - Grade 12

Ahaan Kothari

Hindi - Grade 12

Tanvi Garg

Spanish - Grade 12

Da Hye Lee

French - Grade 12

Isha Deorah

Korean - Grade 12

Junho Jeon

Music - Grade 12

Anna Maria Kassis

Band - Grade 11

Yoonjae Shin

English - Grade 12

Arjun Menezes & Isha Deorah

Film & Media - Grade 12

Arjun Menezes

Principal’s Book of Excellence

Aadi Anish Mehta

Shivom Sood

Where They Went 2021, 2022, 2023

AUSTRALIA

Deakin University

UNSW

RMIT

Monash University

University of Sydney

CANADA

Brock University

Carleton University

Concordia University

Huron University

McGill University

McMaster University

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Mount Allison University

Ryerson University

University of British Columbia

University of Calgary

University of Guelph University of Toronto

University of Victoria University of Waterloo

Western University

York University

CARIBBEAN

St. George’s University School of Medicine

FRANCE

ESSEC Business School

Sciences Po

Paris College of Art

Parsons Paris

GERMANY

Bard College Berlin

Jacobs University

HONG KONG

City University of HK

Hong Kong U of Science and Technology

The University of Hong Kong

HUNGARY

Pecs University

University of Veterinary Medicine

INDIA

Ashoka University

Christ University

Flame University

National Institute of Fashion Technology

St. Joseph’s College

ITALY

John Cabot University

SINGAPORE

Lasalle College of Art

SP Jain School of Global Management

SOUTH KOREA

Ghent University Global Campus

Handong Global University

Sungkyunkwan University

SPAIN

IE University

Esade Business School

THE NETHERLANDS

ArtEZ University of Arts University College

Maastricht

University of Amsterdam

UNITED KINGDOM

Aberystwyth University

Birkbeck University of London

Bournemouth University

Brunel University

Central Saint Martins

City University, London

Coventry University

Goldsmiths, University of London

Institutio Marangoni London

King’s College, London

Lancaster University

LSE

University College

London

University of Aberdeen

University of Brighton

University of Bristol

University of Cambridge

University of East Anglia

University of Edinburgh

University of Exeter

University of Glasgow

University of Kent

University of Manchester

University of Newcastle

University of St Andrews

University of Stirling

University of Surrey

University of Warwick

University of Westminster

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

American University

Babson College

Bard College

Baylor University

Beloit College

Bentley University

Boston University

Brandeis University

Brown University

Bryant University

Calvin College

Carnegie Mellon University

Case Western Reserve University

Centre College

Chapman University

Claremont Mckenna College

Clark University

College of Wooster

Columbia University

Connecticut College

Dartmouth College

Duke University

Emerson College

Emory University

Franklin & Marshall College

George Washington

University

Goshen College

Grinnell College

Harvard University

Hendrix College

Hult International

Business School

Indiana University at Bloomington

Johns Hopkins University

Knox College

Loyola Marymount University

Luther College

Miami University, Oxford

Michigan State University

New York University

North Carolina State University

Northeastern University

Ohio State University

Otterbein University

Pace University

Pennsylvania State University

Pitzer College

Purdue University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rutgers University, Camden

Rutgers University, New Brunswick

Santa Clara University

Sarah Lawrence College

Savannah College of Art and Design

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

School of Visual Arts

Smith College

Stanford University

Syracuse University

The Cooper Union

The New School – Parsons

School of Design

Trinity College

Tufts University

Tulane University

University of Arizona

University of California, Davis

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, San Diego

University of Chicago

University of Delaware

University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign

University of Maryland - College

Park

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

University of Massachusetts, Boston

University of Massachusetts, Lowell

University of Michigan

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

University of Richmond

University of Rochester

University of San Francisco

University of Southern California

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Washington and Lee University

Wellesley College

Wheaton College, MA

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Around the Sundial

December 2022 to December 2023

↑ Santa’s Breakfast ↓Christmas Chapel

2023

February 2023

Below right and far right: Back to Campus

Time Capsule

March 2023

Right: Clean Green Drive Helps Beautify Campus

Above and right: Junior Senior Banquet

Holi at Hanson Field

West Side Story

Franspania Day

April 2023

Spring Music Concerts

Jazz Jam

Festival of Ideas

Advanced Choir at Spring Concerts

May 2023

WOSA Tea

Easter Chapel

Spring Concerts

10k Kaplani Run

Scavenger Hunt

International Friendship Day July

Korean Student Dinner

Spirit Week

International Friendship Day

Onam Celebrations in the Quad

College Fair

September 2023

Alter Ridge Open House

Hindi Diwas

Dot Day

Goal-a-Thon

Upper Years Talent Show

October 2023

Cycling Trip During Activity Week

Win Mumby Tournament

Early Years Decorate Cookies During Activity Week

November 2023

Harry Potter’s Day and Halloween

Centre for Imagination Alumni Writer’s Residency

Fall Concerts

December 2023

Book Fair at Quad

Christmas Celebrations at Parker Hall

Santa’s Breakfast with Early Years

Christmas Chapel

Sadie Hawkins

Activity Week Scrapbook

Educators Share Photos and Memories

Woodstock School Faculty and Staff

Congratulations to the Hanifl Centre for Outdoor Education and Environmental Study, the Travel Office, and Woodstock faculty and staff for the successful planning and facilitation of Activity Week 2023. Activity Week saw students getting out for learning experiences of all kinds. Here we are sharing a scrapbook of Activity Week memories, provided by faculty and staff educators.

Organiszing the school’s annual Activity Week is both an intricate challenge and a rewarding experience. From August onward, behind–the–scenes planning laid the foundation for an extraordinary week featuring 25 exceptional trips. Coordinating the participation of 570 individuals, we navigated the intricacies of Landour Day Trips, camping escapades, national park explorations, three department-led trips, Wilderness First Aid training, a cycling expedition, six high altitude treks and three self–supported treks.

Our heartfelt thanks extend to Dr. Bradford Barnhardt, IB Middle Years Coordinator and Integrated Science Teacher Ms. Imtiaz Rai, the Business Office, the Travel Office, Food Services, Health Centre Staff, the Security Team, and Woodstock faculty and staff for their indispensable contributions. Their collaborative efforts play a pivotal role in navigating the nuanced challenges that arise, ensuring the seamless execution of this annual ambitious undertaking.

Activity Week transcends logistical triumph; it serves as a conduit for stories and memories. Witnessing students return with tales of adventure underscores the significance of this annual event. Beyond the thrill, we recognize its integral role in the Woodstock experience – nurturing a deep connection between students and the environment they call home. We celebrate the collective effort that made Activity Week a transformative and cherished part of Woodstock's educational fabric and hope you will enjoy the following content the Advancement and Alumni Office has put together!

ECP, Landour Day Trips with Educators Tanya Gurung, Early Childhood Program Lead Teacher; Preeti Bhandari, Early and Middle Years Consultant; Alpana Pathak, Languages and Literature Teacher; and Meenu and Vandana Lal, accompanied by a school guard.

“The children love being outdoors, and the observation skills and collection of nature trinkets is a remarkable sight. Each house is adorned with gifts from nature from pine cones to leaves to twigs and stones. Most of the children say that the best part about school is the playground and hikes. These 3–4–year–olds can walk all the way from school to the chakkar to Mt. Hermon and back to school. They are always ready with their hats and find sticks on the way to enjoy outdoors as much as possible.”

– Ms. Gurung

KG, 1,2&3, Landour Day Trips with Educators Mayuri Barnhardt, Classroom Teacher, KG, Grade 1 and 2; Sangeeta Bhandari, Teaching Aide; Senolu Dawhuo, Assistant to the Registrar; Kushmita KC, Strings Teacher; and Twyla Sam Spiller, Band Teacher, accompanied by a school guard.

“I would like to share our experience at Soham Himalayan Centre Museum. It was only a 10–minute drive from school, but this was our first visit. The students loved the variety of displays, which included not only art, but also coins, masks, household items, manuscripts, and more.

There were several statues around, and the kids enjoyed posing in imitation of them. Our favorite was the happy Buddha. We were told by our museum guide that if you touch this Buddha’s belly, it will bring you happiness.

The children enjoyed learning about Himalayan culture and tradition through art. After we visited the museum, we became artists in the afternoon. We painted with white paint on red paper to

ECP, Landour Day Trips

ECP, Landour Day Trips

Landour Day Trips

create art like the Kumaoni aipan folk art we saw at the museum.

I am also sharing some pictures from our hike to Jabarkhet, because the children look cute, and to show you that we also did outdoor stuff.” – Ms. Barnhardt

Grades 3-5, Local Outings with Educators Alisa Evans, Early Years Teacher; Lisa Miller, Early Years Teacher; Sunita Panwar, Teaching Assistant; Neha Singh, Visual Arts Teacher; and Dr. Bradford Barnhardt

This Activity Week was filled with variety. Outings from Landour included a trip to Happy Valley and to the Company Garden (formerly Botanical Garden). There were belay and slack line lessons at Kaaya in Dehradun, which offered the opportunity to enjoy plenty of outdoor time in a new space while working on new skills and coordination. Meanwhile, around campus, the group trekked the Eyebrow Trail and had the school dining hall to themselves for a fun cookie decorating session.

Grade 6, Rajaji National Park with Educators Amrita John, MYP Hindi Teacher and Grade 6 Homeroom Head; Chrisanta Ely, Special Education Needs Teacherl and Ravi Arthur, Head of Music Department

“Our group of 22 Grade 6 students and three chaperones had an unforgettable adventure week! We experienced the unique opportunity to connect with nature at Rajaji National Park. The highlights of our time were the Jeep safaris, nature trails, and bird watching, Yoga sessions, campfire nights, and a talent show, and a visit to the Gujjar community made our trip complete. Students concluded, “It was our first and the most splendid time visiting Rajaji, which we will remember for years.” – Ms. John

“We also got to participate along with several local schools in a ceremony commemorating the oldest elephant memorial and watched the documentary, The Elephant Whisperer – Mr. Arthur

“For a moment, the students were rendered speechless, completely captivated by the mesmerizing sunset along the Ganges River. – Ms. Ely

Grade 7 | Group 1, Camping with Educators Raji Siva, Tripti Rathore, Rahima Thomas, and Matthew Thomas, staff spouse

“Our activity week was full of enjoyment and adventure. We did lots of trekking, and we also went kayaking, which was one of the best. Visited a local school and had a fun time with the kids. The camp we were staying in was located at a beautiful site. It was surrounded by trees, and from one corner you could see the river Ganga, and the food was amazing and so delicious.

– Ms. Thomas

Grade 7 | Group 2, Camping with Educators Theresa Joseph, Mathematics Teacher and Homeroom Head Class of 2029; Nidhi Shekhawat Head of Department for Middle Years Program Design & Personal Project Coordinator; and Gurdeep Grover, Purchase Manager

“During a kayaking trip, we visited Rishikesh and stayed in the Aquaterra camping resort. Our camp consisted of 50 Grade 7 students who lived in permanent tents. It was an outstanding activity week, thanks to the amazing activities planned for us, such as kayaking, playing in the river, hiking to a breathtaking waterfall and to local villages, a pool party, and fun events

This page: Grade 6 on Activity Week

organized by the students, such as the dance party and talent show on the last day of the week.

This trip allowed us to understand each other as a class, form strong bonds, and most importantly forget about our screens for a while. – Ms. Joseph

Grade 8 | Group 1, Jim Corbett National Park with Educators Mukesh Srivastava, Mathematics Teacher; Drishti Bhasin, Personal Counsellor; Vepalu Dawhuo, Clinical Psychologist and Personal Counsellor; and Akash Tuli, staff spouse

“Within nature's embrace, our students, each with their unique journey, bravely navigated challenges, offering chaperones a glimpse beyond the classroom, and nurturing young minds with priceless life insights through a variety of diverse firsthand experiences.

– Ms. Dawhuo

Grade 8 | Group 2, Jim Corbett National Park with Educators Rinnie Charles, Languages and Literature Teacher; Antonio Melgar, Spanish Teacher; Manoj Agarwal, Mathematics Teacher; and Prerna Gadve, Science Teacher and Extended Essay Coordinator

Before kayaking, this group made sure to get their feet wet and get familiar with the water.

Grade 9 | Group 1, Rafting in Rishikesh with Educators Shaheena Jelaji, Dorm

Parent; Dharmendra Singh, Technology & EdTech Support Manager; Tsering Malik, Dorm Parent; Nalayini Nantha, Drama and Theatre Teacher; and Will Ferguson, Director of Virtual Spaces

“Experiencing a bit of everything! Group 1 of Grade 9 had a lovely balance of trekking, kayaking, zipping, and more zipping. The weather challenged the students, especially during the treks and the spiders in the tents! Nevertheless, they all survived and had an enjoyable time – Ms. Nala

“Our Grade 9 activity week was a thrilling escape filled with joy and camaraderie. It was a wonderful experience that brought us closer as a group. During this exciting week, I stepped away from the office and embraced the role of a mentor. It was a blessing to connect with students.

The highlight of the week was undoubtedly our time on the Ganga River. Navigating the rapids together created unforgettable memories, and the rush of adrenaline made the experience truly exceptional. The Zipline

Clockwise from left: Grade 7 on Activity Week

added an extra dose of excitement as we soared through the air, taking in the breathtaking views of Rishikesh.

Overall, the experience was incredibly positive. The activities on the Ganga River, Zipline, Hike, and camping made the week unforgettable. The adventure not only brought us closer but also provided an opportunity for personal growth. – Mr. Singh

Grade 9 | Group 2, Rafting in Rishikesh with Educators St Olaf Student Teachers Maddie Penkala and Elsa Harbison; Shubhankar Roy Head of Mathematics Department; Aniruddh Upadhyay, Physical ad Health Education Teacher; and Tilak KC, Business Management and Individuals and Societies Teacher

“My experience with Grade 9 on activity week was an adventure! We were always on the move, doing or learning something new. I got to know my students outside the classroom and learned more about their hobbies, families, and cultures. – Ms. Maddie

Grade 10 & 11 | WOW with Educators Dr. Yunji Kwak, Piano Teacher and Amitavo Roy, Strings Teacher

“During their time at campsite Kafulta, our Week of Wilderness (WOW) group covered 15 km (about 9.32 mi). The students focused on learning mountain etiquette and navigation techniques. They also successfully learned how to pitch their own tents and collect water from natural sources. They quickly implemented their new outdoor skills and concluded their hikes with joy and a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature. – Dr. Yunji

Grade 10 & 11 | WOW with Educators Priya Rollins, Centre for Imagination Coordinator and Creativity, Action, and Service Coordinator and Vandana Ferguson, English

and a Second Language and English as an Additional Language Teacher

“Two groups of students in grades 10 and 11 participated in a rigorous 2.5-day Wilderness First Aid Course and were offered Aerie Backcountry Medicine at the Hanifl Centre. Students were

taught about the human body, what can go wrong, and how to handle a variety of accidents. They even got hands-on experience on how to handle multiple

Grade 9 river rafting

Grade 10: Harkidun trek

Grade10 and 11: WOW

Self Supported Trek to Dodital

Sparsh ’24

Trekking has been integral to my Woodstock experience since 8th Grade. Ever since I joined, I took every opportunity to explore the outdoors, organizing hikes for both UY and MY beyond the school arranged ones. The Activity Week is a brilliant concept at Woodstock, which allows students to engage in outdoor activities and connect with the Himalayan environment surrounding Woodstock, which fosters a sense of community.

For this year's Activity Week, I took part in a self–supported trip to Dodital, a beautiful lake that is known to be the birthplace of Lord Ganesha. My group was the only one in all of Woodstock which opted for a self–supported hike, involving carrying our gear, cooking our food, and handling all aspects independently. Unlike supported hikes, there are no porters to carry the food, tents, and utensils, so one challenge faced by our group members was carrying a backpack averaging 25 kg while taking care of our equipment. This adds a lot more work to what students would usually do. We had to cook our food, set up the camp ourselves, and wash our utensils. We also had to collect our water from rivers and streams and then purify it, unlike supported hikes during which purified water is provided to students. So, a self–supported hike teaches a lot more than supported hikes since the only challenge students face during supported hikes is to complete long treks in challenging climatic conditions. However, in self–supported hikes students learn a lot more about overall outdoor living skills. We only had one guide during our journey who helped decide the itinerary and the route.

Many Woodstockers, even those who love going out in nature and trekking, find the idea of a self–supported hike too intimidating. However, I decided to go on a self–supported trip primarily because I wanted to push myself for my last Woodstock Activity Week. In hindsight, I don’t regret this decision at all.

While our goal was to reach Darwa Pass, a challenging 5 km vertical climb from Dodital, we also crossed over to Dayara Bugyal via Lambi Dahar, Surya Top, and Devikund. Our seven–day journey started from Agora from where we got to Bebra camp for our first night. On the second day, we hiked 15 km (about 9.32 mi) to Dodital Lake, where we camped for two nights. Our group got to Darwa Pass the very next day at an elevation of 13,615 ft. (about 4.15 km) and faced the decision to summit Darwa Top at around 13,900 ft. (about 4.24 km). While most of the group decided to hang out and relax at the pass, my friend and I decided to summit the peak. From the top, I got a scenic view of numerous peaks such as Bandarpunch. The following day was especially challenging for us. Crossing to Lambi Dahar involved crossing a river and a dense bamboo forest with no trail in sight. Despite setbacks, the experience became part of the Activity Week challenge. The last few days were comparatively easier as we descended to Devikund and eventually Raital, where we camped on our final night.

Major challenges we faced included supporting each other as a team and motivating each other during tough stretches. Maintaining a positive attitude and support for each other became important to our success. I personally required a lot of help and support from peers and chaperones during the crossover, and they all kindly helped, which I am incredibly grateful for. The trip also encouraged a deeper appreciation for nature's beauty and the simplicity of outdoor life, which is quite different from the complexities of our high school life.

In my view, hiking has been one of the most significant factors shaping my Woodstock experience and learning, which taught me lessons about myself and life that my academic curriculum might not cover. My final Activity Week made me realize how much I would miss hiking at Woodstock post graduation.

kinds of medical emergencies, how to work in a team, and how to lead in the midst of a crisis. – Ms. Rollins

Grade 11, Rupin Supin Trek with Educators Milan Sudzuk, Piano Teacher; Aloke Maiti, Indian Classical Music Teacher; Aishwarya Dasappa, Individuals and Societies Teacher and Homeroom Head Class of 2027; and Vinith Kumar, Staff Spouse

“Rupin Supin was utterly unique! Although the trail posed challenges, our team successfully reached the summit. I frequently heard the Grade 11 students express their willingness to prolong their stay. As a collective, we relished the six–day trek and formed a strong bond. I would gladly revisit Rupin Supin with the same group of students and chaperones. – Ms. Dassapa

Grade 10, Har Ki Dun Trek with Educators Tesal Sangma, Language and Literature and English as an Additional Language Teacher; Cameron Bradley, Band Teacher; and Christine Onyango, Languages and Literature Consultant

“Every morning (when the weather is decent) we can see Bandarpunch, a 20,700 ft. peak, snowcapped and sunlit from our bedroom window. Since arriving last July, it has been an imposing and beautiful boundary between here and ‘there.’ In my head I had always pictured more mountains, more snow, and eventually China somewhere beyond its formidable summit. However, when I had the chance to hike in the Har Ki Dun valley

Grade10 and 11: WOW

the first week of October during Activity Week, I found it to be so much better.

– Mr. Bradley

Grade 10, Baiyan Top Trek with Educators Katerina Vackova, IB Diploma Program Co–Coordinator, Head of Department, Individuals and Societies, and Global Politics Teacher; Shrey Nagalia, Head of Department, Language and Literature and English as an Additional Language; and Andrew Stuart–Watson, Language and Literature Teacher

“The Baiyan Top trek was successful in putting students through a challenging experience and then having the satisfaction of seeing collective accomplishment. That is what Baiyan Top was. Not everything was comfortable (but then that is the purpose, right?) – there was sludge, sunburn, and sore toes, but there were also beautiful sights, local wisdom, and an experience to remember.

– Mr. Nagalia

Grade 11 & 12 | Group 1, Art Department with Educators Nishchith Moses, Head of Department, Art; Stephi Elsener, Visual Arts Teacher; and Neha Singh, Visual Arts Teacher

“2023 saw the first Activity Week collaboration between the Art for Change organization out of Delhi (founded and run by Woodstock School Alumni) and the Woodstock School. Eighteen students from Grades 11 and 12 made the journey to Delhi along with the three Visual Art teachers for a week of exploration in the medium

of ceramics. Working closely with The Potter's Life Studio, students were exposed to the multiple workings of clay. They made slabs, carved on hard leather, scratched on dry bones, awaited bisque fires, and were surprised by the glaze firing results. The week was not

just about making but also viewing and discussing art. Three separate trips to three distinct kinds of spaces (National Gallery of Modern Art, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, and Studio Art Gallery, a smaller gallery in Okhla) made for an incredible enhancement to the week.

Grade11 and 12: Art for Change

Grade 11 and 12: Community Engagement

Grade 11: Rupin Supin

“ Observing the staff at Samvedna tirelessly working with unwavering love and passion for the children renewed the students’ faith in humanity and the potential for kindness within humankind.

If asked about their fondest takeaway, most students might respond with, "I mastered the wheel!" This would be in reference to the daunting task of spinning a vessel on the potter's wheel, a task not for the faint hearted.

– Ms. Elsener

Grade 11 & 12 | Group 2, Community Engagement with Educators Prabin Rai IB Diploma Program & Theory of Knowledge Co–Coordinator, Community Engagement Coordinator, and Economics Teacher; Maria Prieto, Spanish Teacher; and Sarita Kumar, Community Engagement Office Staff

“Eighteen students from Grades 11 and 12 embarked on a journey to the Samvedna Disability Resource Center in Thatyur Village for their activity week. Samvedna is an organization dedicated to working with children with special needs, serving a diverse community of over 35 villages. Their services include special education, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medical assistance, and livelihood projects for parents of children with special needs.

During their visit, the students actively engaged in the enter's day–to–day activities, extending their help to the children and gaining a deeper understanding of their lives. They ventured into nearby villages, connecting with families, and listening to their stories. They also participated in cultural activities and observed Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations. A short hike to Devalsari further enriched their experience, leaving them with hearts filled with gratitude.

One of the most profound and meaningful outcomes of this trip was the shift in perspective. The students learned to see the children at Samvedna beyond their disabilities, treating them with the utmost dignity and respect. This experience reinforced the idea that, at the core, it's the child who should come first, not their disability. While being aware and sensitive to their specific needs is crucial, it's equally important to recognize each child as an individual with their own unique stories, aspirations, and hopes for a better future.

Observing the staff at Samvedna tirelessly working with unwavering love and passion for the children renewed students' faith in humanity and the potential for kindness within humankind. This experience has left an indelible mark on them, a transformation for the better that will last a lifetime. The students expressed their deep gratitude for organizations such as Samvedna and its dedicated staff, who inspire and enable them to carry out the benevolent work that is inherent to human nature.

– Mr. Rai

Grade 11 & 12 | Group 3, History

Department with Educators Prateek Santram, Individuals and Societies Teacher; and Afroz Anjum, Economics and Individuals and Societies Teacher

“We embarked on an exhilarating journey with Grades 11 and 12 students to Agra and Delhi, two cities that have India's most iconic historical chapters. At the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort students were guided through the intricacies

of Mughal architecture. The marble masterpiece became the centerpiece for discussions, the love story behind the Taj, and the cultural amalgamation that characterized the era. The highlight of the trip was the exploration of Delhi's Old City. The group wandered through narrow lanes, exploring the

Jama Masjid, local cuisines, and the bustling markets. It gave an opportunity to understand the syncretic nature of Delhi's history, where various communities coexisted and left indelible imprints on the city's cultural landscape. At the Qutub Minar, they embarked on a treasure hunt to uncover the historical

secrets hidden within the monument's complex.

Some of the moments that stood out were when one student from Nepal strolled along with a small notebook in hand, jotting down her observations as she moved, exclaiming, “I cannot

Grade 11 and 12

Grade 11 and 12: Trek to Dodital

Grades 11 and 12: Taj Mahal

“

In the quiet moments of reflection at the end of the trip every day, I observed the history that once seemed confined to photographs had unfolded before their eyes, leaving an everlasting impact. The trip not only enriched their understanding of Indian history but also ignited a curiosity that extended beyond the classroom.

imagine that love could lead to the creation of such a magnificent masterpiece.”

A few other student comments and observations I recall include:

“What was the logic of a tomb in front of Diwan–e–Aam area by the Britishers?” (Agra Fort)

“It’s amazing to see the coins with

inscriptions of the rulers.” (National Museum)

In the quiet moments of reflection at the end of the trip every day, I observed the history that once seemed confined to photographs had unfolded before their eyes, leaving an everlasting impact. The trip not only enriched their understanding of Indian history but also ignited a curiosity that extended beyond the classroom. – Ms. Anjum

Grades 11 & 12 | Group 4, French Department with Educators Brigitte Concessio, Head of Middle Years and Modeste Date, French Teacher

“From day one, right there in Ridgewood prior to boarding the bus, I could see the excitement on the faces of the students taking part in this trip. Although the weather left back on the hillside was quite different from the humid atmosphere we had to deal with, the children did not get demotivated. The entire week spent in Puducherry (Pondicherry) and the outskirts was tiring but will always be remembered by everyone, including the two chaperones. I will say, this group was the easiest group I have chaperoned so far. They were all responsible and mature, so that we built a friendly environment and allowed them to get to know each other

Grade 11 and 12: Devikund to Dayara Bugyal trek

Grades 11 and 12

at a level the classroom wouldn't have achieved otherwise.

The food! Wow, the food! Just thinking about this aspect of the trip makes my mouth water.

All the planned activities were worthy, but visiting the Lycée Français and the Alliance Française and attending the French cuisine session were something I really appreciated, as the students can relate to these experiences anytime in their French learning journey.

I am looking forward to taking the French students to France, Canada, or any other French speaking country in the future to further broaden their understanding of the Francophonie culture. – Mr. Date

Grades 11 & 12 | Group 5, Kaza Cycling with Educators Mohammad Yousuf, Hindi Teacher; Scott Britton, Head of Department, Science; and Asma Parveen

“This cycling trip from Kaza to Manali was one of the most memorable times of my entire life. I love cycling, but I have never been on any multi day cycling journeys. It was the experience of a lifetime being able to cycle through the snow–capped Himalayan mountains with my best friends. – Nikolas ’24

Grades 11 & 12 | Group 6, Dodital Self Supported Trek with Educators Klein

VerHill and Martha Britton

“This year's trek to Dodital and Dayara Bugyal was the first Woodstock self–supported trek since 2019, and in many regards it exceeded my expectations. Self–supported means that our group of eight Grade 12 students chose the route, planned the menu, and carried all gear necessary for seven days and 60+ kilometers in the wilderness. This was a challenging trek which pushed many of us to new limits – physical and otherwise! Highlights include the pristine Dodital Lake, ascent to Darwa Top (approx. 4,000 meters) where we sat face to face with Banderpunch, a treacherous river crossing and trail blazed through bamboo forest. With perfect weather to witness the spectacular vistas and an exceptional group of kids, this activity week will remain one of my fondest memories of Woodstock. Truly the essence of why we chose to be here to begin with.

– Ms. Britton

Grades 11 & 12 | Group 7, Devikund to Dayara Bugyal Trek with Educators Chris Martin, Language and Literature Teacher; Bodapatti Prasanna, Computer Science and Design Teacher; and Harsh Bajaj, Math Teacher

“Dayara Bugyal captivates with its stunning setting, situated at an altitude exceeding 10,000 ft. (about 3.05 km). It offers a mesmerizing view of the expansive Greater Himalayan range. Our

trek was marked by extended moments of awe as we indulged in the beauty of the sunset casting its glow upon these majestic mountains. Meadows held a special place in our hearts during this trek, and Dayara's charm is truly exceptional. – Mr. Bajaj

Grades 11 & 12 | Group 8, Khushkalyan Trek with Educators Dwayne Blidgen, Economics and Individuals and Societies Teacher; Samuel Dzongor, Biology Teacher; Simon Peter, Science Teacher; Anusuya Panchagatti, IB Diploma Program Business Management and Economics Teacher and Theory of Knowledge Facilitator; and Chloe Slee, GAIL Centre for Imagination Intern

“As an Australian girl with no mountaineering experience, the Year 11–12 Kushkalyan hiking expedition will always be an opportunity I am immensely grateful for. Waking up each morning at 5:30 to a panoramic view of the snowcapped Himalayas and spending seven days learning all about the Indian high school experience from the next generation of college firstyear students was eye opening to the differences of school systems across the globe.  – Ms. Slee

Each student had their own individual experiences, a couple skipped and had bouts of laughter and fun throughout the trek, while a few pushed their limits and never gave up. But what stood out was that all this diverse bunch of Woodstockers was always there to help and support each other. We could see the team spirit, mutual support, and enriching learning environment. – Ms. Panchagatti

“I had a wonderful experience during the activity week. The Kushkalyan trip was a moment I will never forget. It was my first stay in the wilderness for seven days, and I spent the night in tents. The joy of being in touch with nature took away the tiredness after several kilometers of walking.

Angad, one of my students on the trip, said getting to the highest point of the mountain in Kyarkoti is an achievement he will cherish for the rest of his life. – Mr. Dzongor

Grades 11 & 12 | Group 9, Devalsari Hiking and Camping with Educators Joona Sheel, Science Teacher; Noah Bagwell, Science and

“The forests of Devalsari proved the perfect place for students to unplug, unwind, and spend quality time together.

Our trek led us to the heights of Devalsari, where surrounded by the crisp mountain air,we found ourselves gathered around a warm bonfire. As conversations flowed and laughter echoed in the night, a spontaneous decision emerged among the students to embrace the enchanting allure of the starlit sky and spend the night outside the comfort of our tents.

This choice held special significance, as for most of the students it marked their first ever experience sleeping under the celestial embrace of an open sky. This spontaneous decision to sleep under the starlit sky not only deepened their connection to the wilderness but also marked a collective milestone for the group. It was a night of shared wonder and awe, a chapter in our trekking adventure that unfolded beneath the celestial canopy, leaving an everlasting imprint on the hearts of those who had embarked on this journey for the very first time. – Ms. Dogra

Group at School, with Educators Marcelino Ngalioma, Head of Department Physical Education; Louis Bernard, Head of Department, Drama and Film Studies; and Maria Rodriguez, Head of Department, Languages

“This group was made up of students who needed to remain at Woodstock for health or other reasons. Among other

things the students did an excellent job collecting trash from around the school. At the end of the day, I took them to a cafe. We walked around and went to the pool, but only one student was brave enough to go in the very chilly water! He only lasted a few minutes before jumping out. We also made a short trip to Happy Valley.

– Ms. Rodriguez

Global Alliance for Innovative Learning (GAIL) Conference in Kristin School, Auckland, New Zealand, with Administrators Dr. Craig Cook; Jamie Williams, Director, Centre for Imagination; Aditya Manral, Alumni Relations Manager; Augustin Silvadiaz, Head of Libraries; inspiring and Imtiaz Rai, IB Middle Years Coordinator and Integrated Science Teacher

“Global Alliance for Innovative Learning is a network of eight international schools around the world to which Woodstock School belongs. Ten student delegates,along with three chaperones from Woodstock School attended the conference hosted by the partner GAIL School in Auckland, Kristin School. Alongside the conference for students, the heads of the eight schools also met up at a retreat to discuss ways of making the GAIL network more beneficial for all school communities. In addition to the conference activities – where students from eight different schools worked on presentations, shared cultural offerings each evening, and engaged in fun activities – the Woodstock team had the opportunity to explore New Zealand. This included a day long Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a trek across a volcanic alpine landscape!

– Mr. Manral

“This trip was a wonderful experience, especially watching our students interact with students from other schools. Watching them make friends and tackle deep questions about culture, their differences, and similarities was incredibly unique. The fact that we could get children from such varied backgrounds into a room together for a week and have them all leave as friends was just special. And as a teacher, being a part of that and being able to keep the discussion going are quite lovely.

We also made some great friends and met people from other schools who we are already collaborating with and looking for ways to keep developing and utilizing this relationship. – Ms. Rai

Environmental Systems Teacher; Manisha Dogra, Science Teacher; and Alex Cleeburg, Individuals and Societies Teacher

Tree Walks on the Fleming Nature Trail

Darab Jal Nagarwalla ’80

On my visit to Woodstock for the annual alumni Homecoming and Mela on October 28, I took inspiration from tree walks that I had attended at the Empress Botanical Garden in Pune, organized by the Rupa Rahul Bajaj Centre for Environment and Art. Hoping to put the Fleming Nature Trail (fondly known as “The Eyebrow” during my school days) on the current Woodstock map and generate some interest in exploring this wonderful resource, I decided to volunteer to lead tree walks on the Fleming Nature Trail for any staff, students, or alumni who were interested.

Thanks to the interest shown by the Advancement and Alumni Relations Office, Dr. Bradford Barnhardt, and a dorm parent, I was able to lead four tree walks and a tree interaction: first with 16 members of the Class of 1983, then with the Grades 3-5 class, the ECP class, an evening tree interaction with the Grade 10 boys at Hostel, and finally with the KG and Grades 1&2 classes.

The walks all began with sharing three themes for the walk – adaptation, new discoveries, and rediscovery of trees and forests. We followed a familiar route up from the kitchen gate to Dana (former staff) and Judy ’69 Crider’s backyard at Pennington, and then up the path that connects with the Fleming Trail. The tree interaction was down at the tennis court below Hostel.

All the groups were engaged and asked a lot of questions. We identified some important trees and shrubs that I felt everyone should know. These included Baanj – White-backed Oak, Buraans –Rhododendron, Chir – Long-leaved Pine, Deodaar – Cedar, Gadh Ningaal – Hill Bamboo, Hissar – Wild raspberry, Kingoar –Barberry, and Chalmora – Oxalis, a favorite edible hillside herb.

We stopped to look at a Baanj Oak tree with four trunks! What an amazing example of adaptation! I explained that Baanj was always the dominant tree species on our Landour hillside, but because of extensive logging by the British colonial

The grades 3-5 classes had all kinds of questions!

administrators in the 1800s, our hillside became almost a monoculture of Baanj The other associated species like Buraans considered to be kukaat or inferior quality wood, disappeared from our hillside. They did not possess the capacity to send up new “coppice” shoots when cut – an important adaptation, so they could not reproduce. Deodaar plantations for timber replaced

patches of Baanj forests during this time, and a lot of Baanj trees were cut to be used for producing charcoal to process limestone.

We stopped to look at some tall, old “mother” trees with spreading branches. I spoke of the ground-breaking experiments of forest ecologist Suzanne Simard,

ECP class learning about Buraans (Rhododendron)

Showing the Baanj tree with four trunks to class of 1983 Milestone Reunion visitors

“ Suzanne Simard’s research not only proved that trees actively communicate and share food with each other through an incredibly vast underground network of fungal threads dubbed the “Wood Wide Web,” but also something even more amazing. When the oldest and largest “mother” trees in the forest know that they are dying, they select the fittest young tree most likely to survive in the future and send their stock of food reserves to that tree!

conducted in the forests of British Columbia, Canada. Her research not only proved that trees actively communicate and share food with each other through an incredibly vast underground network of fungal threads dubbed the “Wood Wide Web,” but also something even more amazing. When the oldest and largest “mother” trees in the forest know that they are dying, they select the fittest young tree most likely to survive in the future and send their stock of food reserves to that tree, even if it’s a completely different species!

This suggests intelligence and the perspective of seeing the entire forest as one entity – like a family, not split into us and them cliques, restricted to its own species or offspring. This is a scientific rediscovery of what so called primitive cultures all over the world have always believed intuitively and incorporated into their values and interactions with nature. The takeaway from this was if trees can see “the other” as family and sacrifice for them, then human society clearly has something to learn from them, in an age epitomized by divisive politics.

As we stood under the shade of another tall Baanj and gazed up at a squirrel scurrying, I shared another amazing

discovery. Trees don’t only provide us with wood, shade, and fruit. They also produce and emit several VOCs (volatile organic compounds) called phytoncides to protect themselves from insects, etc. These compounds amazingly have been shown to reduce blood pressure, control blood sugar, increase concentration, diminish pain, and even reduce depression in us humans!

We took a break at a sunny spot with a steep, sloping, grassy hillside with very few trees and no shrubby undergrowth. I passed around a few leaves of herbs including wild thyme, oregano, wormwood, and citronella grass. They were smelled with a variety of reactions! I pointed out how these little plants out in the open protect themselves from grazing animals like barking deer and ghooral by producing essential oils that have a strong smell. We humans seem to like these smells and use them to flavor our foods, but animals don’t seem to like them,and avoid grazing on them!

On the way back down to the Quad, we stopped to sample Chalmora, a nostalgically familiar edible herb that we used to mistakenly call three leaf clover in school. This was clearly the highlight for the budding young elementary school naturalists. They started picking random plants from the hillside and wanted to

Learning about how trees emit phytoncides

know if each one of them was edible. They were told to ask an adult first before tasting anything!

I hope that the walks have stimulated some curiosity to know more about the wonderful variety of plants and animals to be found and the peace and tranquility to be experienced on the Fleming Nature Trail- right there on our campus.

Example of a Mother Tree

Community Engagement

Staying Connected with Hillside Communities

Mr. Prabin Rai, Community Engagement Coordinator

The Community Engagement Office has been highly active, spearheading numerous impactful events to raise funds, support personal projects, promote CAS, and drive service initiatives. Following is a summary of some significant activities carried out during the fall semester of 2024:.

Community Walk: A walk around the community to familiarize new staff with local vendors and shopkeepers, fostering stronger ties between Woodstock and the community.

Flavors of Woodstock: A multicultural food festival aimed at fundraising for the Kaplani Scholarship, supporting Grade 10 students' winter coaching classes for board exams.

Passages under Community Engagement: Managed various passages including Samvedna, Education Projects, Women Empowerment, and Environmental Passage.

Bald for a Cause: Fundraising initiative to support cancer treatment for patients in need.

Activity Week: A community engagement trip to Samvedna in Thattyur involving 21 students, focusing on working with families of children with special needs.

Clothes and Food Donation Drive: Conducted by Grades 6, 7, 9, 10, and 11 students for Christmas.

Fundraising for WS Employee Staff Manoj's Wife: Collaborated with StuCo, raising funds for the cancer treatment of Mr. Manoj’s wife through a Goal-a-Thon sponsorship, collecting approximately 1.3 Lakhs.

Environmental Clean-Up Drives: Conducted three clean-up drives within and outside the school premises and collaborated with other schools including Oak Grove, Mussoorie International, and St. George for additional clean-up projects in the chakkar area.

Women Empowerment Passage Initiatives: Initiated a microfinance project to empower women by facilitating savings and loans for skill-building projects.

Support for CAS and Personal Projects: Assisted Grades 10 and 11 students with various CAS and Personal Projects, including skillbuilding projects with women in the community and food donation drives in BaraKaichi Slum.

Mathematics Coaching Classes: Organized by Ms. Kalpana, faculty in the Department of Mathematics, for the children of employees.

Sweater Donations: Donated sweaters to children at Woodstock Primary School, sourced from donations received from students and staff.

These activities have made a significant impact on the Woodstock community, showcasing a deep commitment to service, engagement, and support for various causes.

Clean-up drive with other Schools of Mussoorie

Cultural night in Samvedna

Samvedna

Village visits

Engaging with Faith Student and Staff Opportunities in 2023

Principal Dr. Cook and the Chaplaincy Council at Woodstock have been busy! The Council assists in planning and undertaking various religious life activities, such as the Religious Education (RE) retreats for early years, middle years, and upper years students. The Council also administers devotions for all years, provides student and staff Bible studies, arranges for and provides chaperoning for students to attend local churches, assists with the development of the RE curriculum and program, celebrates Woodstock community newlyweds and new babies, holds prayer meetings, puts forward community prayer concerns, and undertakes Easter and Christmas programming.

In fall/winter 2023 alone the Council organized and helped facilitate:

– Weekly community prayer time for faculty and staff

– Weekly Friendship Club meetings for Early Years

– Devotions at weekly assemblies for Upper Years, Middle Years, and Early Years

– Inside Out weekly Bible Study for Upper Years (voluntary attendance)

– Weekly Korean Christian Fellowship (voluntary attendance)

– Weekly Sunday Morning Worship Services on campus (voluntary attendance)

– Retreat for Grades 4, 5, and 6 on November 11 and 12 (voluntary attendance)

– Monthly All School Chapels (required attendance) –with alumni speakers on occasion

– Christmas Chapel for the entire Woodstock Community with guests from the extended community

– Christmas Lunch for Woodstock Community

– Christmas program and High Tea for employees and their families

– Coordination with the Festivals Committee on special events and meals on Onam, Diwali, Eid, Dasherra, Independence Day, Navrose, Losar, and Guru Jayanti

Literature and Creative Writing

At the Centre for Imagination!

The Centre for Imagination (CFI) team continues to bring inspiring events and ideas to life as they work with students to invent new ways of connecting diverse people and ideas across disciplines. Events in 2023 showcased CFI’s three pillars of interdisciplinarity, collaboration, and exposure, bringing new perspectives on literature and writing to learners of all ages. This fall in collaboration with the Woodstock Libraries, Advancement and Alumni Department, Language and Literature Department, and others CFI hosted an Alumni Writers’ Residency, the Sally Stoddard Creative Writing Competition, and the Woodstock Literary Festival, which saw enthusiastic participation from students, staff, alumni, local schools, and others from around the hillside!

The Alumni Writers’ Residency

The 14-day Alumni Writers’ Residency at CFI was held from October 22 – November 4, 2023. Alumni authors Omair Ahmad ’03 and Karan Madhok ’93 came to campus to offer workshops and other creative writing activities while using their time on the hillside to reflect on their own literary influences at Woodstock and identify new avenues for approaching, contextualizing, and completing work on their latest projects.

Dr. Clara Astarloa, Language Acquisition Teacher and CFI Staff Fellow, facilitated the residency program, drawing upon her experience as a celebrated creative and non-fiction writer and translator. Her strong interest in the hillside and its literary history as well as her deep connections throughout the Woodstock community enabled Dr. Astarloa to craft the Alumni Writers’ Residency schedule to provide meaningful engagements with students and staff during the two weeks that the writers were on campus.

Alumni Writers’ Residency Events

The Residency entailed a variety of CFI events aimed at bringing the school community together around the topics of creative writing and literature. In addition to providing guest lectures in classes, hosting creative writing workshops, and

interacting with students who had created art installation pieces interpreting excerpts of the residents’ works, Omair and Karan held thought provoking sessions with local alumni accomplished in relevant areas. These included a seminar with Distinguished Alumnus Stephen Alter ’74

and a panel discussion with Woodstock School General Body Member Priya Kapoor ’97. Events also included a special opportunity to join Surbhi Agarwal, founder of the Mussoorie Heritage Centre, for a guided walk to Mussoorie's most famous literary spots. Going from the Library to

CFI Serves as:

An interdisciplinary hub for exploring connections between academic (and nonacademic) subjects

Watch this video to learn more about CFI and its three pillars.

A collaborative space for the entire Woodstock Community (including alumni!)

A window to the world, bringing in speakers and events from beyond campus

Picture Palace, at the end of Mall Road, the walk included the hotels, book shops, coffee shops, bungalows, benches, nooks, and corners of the hill town that find multiple mentions in famous books.

Sally Stoddard Creative Writing Competition

Encouraging students to participate and unleash their own creativity, a creative writing competition named after former Woodstock staff member Sally Stoddard was launched as part of the focus on literature. Under the theme Tales from the Hills, Tales from the Valley, schools across Mussoorie and Dehradun were invited to submit entries alongside Woodstock students, and competition winners had their work published in a printed anthology.

Woodstock Literary Festival

The Woodstock Literary Festival, conducted in collaboration with the Woodstock Libraries, was held on November 4, 2023. At the Opening Ceremony winners of the Sally Stoddard Creative Writing Competition were honored, including students from Woodstock as well as other guest schools from across the Mussoorie hillside and Dehradun. The keynote address was delivered by Distinguished Alumnus Stephen Alter ’74.

After the Opening Ceremony the community was treated to an afternoon of literary fun packed with games, competitions, author talks and workshops, a book fair, art walk, and performances featuring original compositions. One of the liveliest studenthosted events featured Roundtables at which students debated the meaning of originality

Sally Stoddard: A Life of Literature and Creativity

By: Chloe Slee, Intern for the Centre for Imagination (with inputs

from the Stoddard family and the Woodstock School Archives)

The Centre for Imagination, Woodstock Libraries, and the English Department are grateful for the funding for this competition provided by the Sally Stoddard Creative Writing Fund at Woodstock School. Here we pay tribute to Sally Salisbury Stoddard, for whom this competition is named.

Stoddard was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, but predominantly grew up in Iowa. Throughout her vastly dynamic career, Stoddard worked as a teacher, writer, college professor, and linguist and even made contributions in art photography.

She married her partner Robert H. Stoddard on the December 10, 1955 in Kanpur, and the pair both taught at Woodstock School throughout the 1950s. Together they taught a diverse range of subjects, with Sally teaching Art and Home Economics from 1956 to 1958. The couple’s son, Hugh Stoddard, graduated from Woodstock in 1979.

in the era of artificial intelligence, authorial intent versus reader interpretation, the merits of modern reinventions of classic literature, literature as freedom of speech, and more.

The entire community including staff, students, alumni, and parents hailing from across the hillside to the Doon valley came together to enjoy this event. CFI’s signature collaborative style was evident in the many partners who contributed toward making the Festival possible, including:

– The Library Council and CFI interns who invested tireless effort and positive energy into the planning and facilitation of the Festival

After leaving India, Stoddard was active with Woodstock alumni and led several writing workshops for them. She edited a collection of those writings into Living on the Edge: Tales of Woodstock School (2004), a homage to the eclectic experiences of the broader Woodstock School community. The proceeds of this book were dedicated to the creation of the Sally Stoddard Creative Writing Fund, which encourages and aids young writers at Woodstock to explore innovation through language. Stoddard also wrote several other works during her career, including Red Geraniums and Tree of a Thousand Skins

Together, Stoddard and her husband were the inspiration for numerous acts of alumni recognition throughout Woodstock School’s 150th anniversary celebrations. In 2023 the Centre for Imagination together with Woodstock Libraries, the Language and Literature Department, and the Advancement and Alumni Office collaborated to create the Sally Stoddard Creative Writing Competition for schools throughout the wider Mussoorie and Dehradun regions in respect and commemoration of the impact Stoddard made on the expression of English Literature at Woodstock.

– Students from The Woodstocker, Model United Nations, Writers’ Passage, and more who led stalls, volunteered, ran Roundtables, and performed in the Coffee House

– The Art Department who demonstrated how beautifully literature can be interpreted into art!

– The Principal’s Office, Finance Office, and Communications Department who offered invaluable support to making this Festival a reality

– The staff who volunteered their time on a Friday afternoon to help with various elements of the Festival

– The Food Services team who embraced the creativity and experimentation of snack suggestions

– The Hospitality Department who helped in setting up and taking down equipment for the event

– AV interns led by Mr. Brijesh who provided AV support and help for each of the events

Looking Ahead

As we look toward the future, CFI maintains its mission of empowering young people to successfully navigate the global, systemic challenges that we face. One of CFI’s major goals this year is to actively partner with and support the IB Core Programs, starting with Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS).

CFI is well known at Woodstock for hosting experts from various professions, and holding workshops and sessions where thought leaders can share their experiences and knowledge with students in hopes of inspiring new ways of thinking about the world around them. We will continue building these relationships while also linking experiences with key concepts in TOK, asking questions that dive deeper into the how’s and why’s and giving students an opportunity to bring TOK concepts to life. We will also be partnering with students to enhance their CAS experiences and projects that allow them to explore meaningful ideas outside the classroom.

At its roots CFI is a program that supports students in their journey of creation and exploration of new ideas, and Design Thinking has always been at the philosophical heart of this mission. This year CFI aims to focus on building a culture of Design Thinking at Woodstock through launching our first DT workshop for Grade 11 students. CFI will be setting up resources for small groups of students to explore their ideas by applying Design Thinking practices and transdisciplinary methodologies. As a part of this initiative, plans are underway to create a Maker Space where students can work with recycled materials and use a variety of tools to bring their ideas to life.

Whatever your profession or passion, CFI invites YOU to join us in our pursuit of holistic education for the wider Woodstock community! We would love to talk to you about ways to get involved, whether as a mentor, expert, guest speaker, consultant, or otherwise. Please contact us at Imagination@Woodstock.ac.in, and let’s chat!

Alumni Make Summer School at Woodstock 2023 Shine!

Aditya Manral

Summer School at Woodstock 2023 was the most successful, hustling, and bustling summer program on campus to date! The program provided a wonderful opportunity for community members to return to campus while also learning and/or earning. The Art for Change artists’ residency at Woodstock took place simultaneously with Summer at Woodstock, making for even more interesting interactions.

It was a summer filled with the presence of alum children, recent grads, alumni, and visiting alumni, all actively involved at the school. Thanks to them, Summer at Woodstock is achieving its goal of offering young people not enrolled in Woodstock to enjoy a true taste of life and learning here. For this and more, we appreciate our alumni family so very much.

Summer School courses for young people between the ages of 10 and 18 included Outdoor Living Skills; Indian Classical Music; Songwriting and Production; Art in the Himalayas; Artificial Intelligence; Himalayan Nature and Ecology; Leadership; and Documentary Film Making.

We always hope more alumni and families will take part, so mark your calendars for mid-June 2024 and plan a trip!

Some of our recent graduates, Arjun Menezes, Casper Stevenson, and Mark Monteiro, all from the class of 2023, played key roles in supporting the Summer at Woodstock program as interns and assistant faculty. Arjun served as one of the head interns, overseeing a team of current Woodstock students who participated as interns, while Mark assisted as faculty in the Music Production program.

Mark, Arjun, and Casper at Alter Ridge

“ I hope to return to the mountains for the program every year and continue learning and teaching in the same fashion.

Arjun says “Coming back to Woodstock as alumni for the first time was surreal. It was a great experience to interact with students and represent the other side of the institution. Summer at Woodstock is rapidly evolving and enhancing itself, and being a part of such an energetic, dedicated team kept me engaged the entire time. I hope to return to the mountain for the program every year and continue learning and teaching in the same fashion.”

We caught up with Zorawar, a summer school student and the son of Kachina Chawla ’95, and asked him to share about his experience at Summer School. He said, “I often come to live on the hillside and wanted to learn more about camping, hiking, and the outdoors. So, I decided to join the Outdoor Living Skills Program at Summer at Woodstock. I found out about Summer at Woodstock through a friend who also attends the same school and whose parents are alumni. My summer experience was fantastic, and I particularly enjoyed the different events and having lots of fun in general.”

Raag Sethi ’09, a renowned and accomplished producer based in Ahmedabad, actively participated in the Music Production program as a guest faculty member, imparting valuable knowledge on recording and production techniques to the students. He says, “Coming back to Woodstock after 13 years has been such a journey by itself!

Raag at the recording studio with the students

Susan and Beth working on art together

But having to come and conduct the music production workshop is even better. It was great to see some of the new facilities that have been created since I was last here and to see how they are being put to good use. It was such a great time working with the summer school students, Ady, and other alumni to showcase what Woodstock has to offer, and it is a truly unique experience that is difficult to replicate anywhere else in the world.”

On the artist residency front, Isaac Gergan ’06, Executive Director at Art for Change and program director for the residency, played a crucial role in managing the art residency and its residents. Tanya Garg ’12, program coordinator, and Samuel Hanisch ’04, artist resident, also contributed significantly to overseeing the residency experience.

During the residency, artist resident Beth Guipe Hall had the pleasure of being joined by her mother, Susan Hostetler Guipe ’62, who made a brief visit to the campus and had the opportunity to collaborate on making some art with her daughter.

Former art teacher and alumnus Stefan Eicher ’90 who made a quick stop at the residency says, “I’m on the hillside this summer break for a few days checking out the Centre for Imagination-Hanifl Centre-Art for Change ‘International Artist Residency’!So good to be back on campus and see the amazing collaborations taking place. Sixteen artists from India and around the world examining the diversity of Himalayan ecosystems to explore what to do with *difference* in an ever-fragmenting world.”

Overall, the summer proved to be a bustling and enjoyable time for everyone and particularly for the numerous students at Woodstock who had the chance to engage with a multitude of our alumni.

Isaac Gergan ’06

Tanya Garg ’12

Sam Hanisch ’04

Stefan Eicher ’90

LouisBernardandtheDepartmentofTheatreandFilmStudiesinviteyouto thiscaptivatingshortstoryseriesdelvingintothemicrocosmofaclassroom whereseeminglyinsignificantmomentsweavetogetherintoatapestryof profoundlearningexperiences.AvailableontheWoodstockSchoolYouTube Channel:www.youtube.com/@WoodstockSchool

Andrew i-Hsin Yang ’15 Life, Learning, and Service Across Cultures in Ukraine

Interviewed by Jaiveer ’24

Andrew i-Hsin Yang ’15 recently completed medical school in Ukraine. When the Russo-Ukrainian War escalated last year, Andrew assisted refugees and displaced persons who flooded his area near the Slovakian border. Advancement and Alumni office intern Jaiveer ’24 recently connected with Andrew virtually to find out more about him and his journey, including his relief work in Ukraine, what he values about Woodstock, and what comes next.

“You have had a very international life! Could you talk about your childhood, places you’ve grown up, and how all of that has helped shape you?

I’ve grown up all over the place. I was born in Taiwan, and for the first nine years I grew up as a fairly typical Taiwanese. At age nine my whole family moved to Pakistan, where I attended an international school. I didn’t speak any English when I first moved to Pakistan. My mom travels a lot for her work, and my family would move with her. I studied in Pakistan for six years while often visiting my mom’s work in Nepal as well. I spent two summers in Nepal learning to be a chef/baker.

I moved to India, joined Woodstock in 10th Grade, and graduated three years later. Unfortunately, I was not able to go directly into university for financial reasons. The year after graduation, I traveled to Finland to pass a nursing entrance exam, after which I was successfully accepted into their university.

I thought I would be pursuing nursing in Finland. During my stay there, I received my acceptance letter into medical school in Ukraine! So, I chose to pursue medicine in Ukraine. I traveled a lot with my family. I had been to around 38 countries before I even turned 20 (now a few more places have been added to the list).

I’ve always felt myself to be a third culture kid (TCK). When I was growing up, the Internet wasn’t as spread, and the media culture was hardly global at that time. Google Translate wasn’t a thing yet, and having grown up in so many cultures I’ve always felt I don’t belong anywhere. Not in Taiwan, not India, not in Pakistan. Yet there’s always a part of me that feels very familiar to the local cultures no matter where I go.

I think the one biggest impact living between cultures has had on me is that I am able to see different points of view, seeing how life is different everywhere, yet at the same time, oddly at its core, fundamentally the same. I knew what actions would be acceptable or rude in certain cultures, and what part of me was really me, rather than just a collective cultural identity. It’s often much easier for me to see the points of view of strangers. Now as a doctor, I see the points of view of my patients.

Life is hard everywhere. No matter where I have traveled or which cultures I’ve lived in, ordinary people have always had the same goal: to live their best life, in whatever framework that seems to fit in. I find it easier to love people when their struggles and decisions make sense, irrespective of the cultural lenses. It may seem insane or absurd in one culture but endearing in another. Ultimately, people want to improve. For myself personally, not having a strict cultural framework has often helped me see and think in new ways and to understand and to love even in seemingly contradictory cultures.

“What

have you been doing recently?

Well, I just finished med school at Uzhhorod National University in Ukraine, so I am a doctor now! However, I haven’t done my internship yet. Right now, I’m waiting for documents, which is of course difficult because of the quarantine and the war. However, right now what I’m stuck on is I am waiting for Indian government documentation acknowledging Woodstock as a legitimate educational institution so the Ukrainian government can verify my high school diploma and, in turn, grant me my university diploma. Meanwhile, I’ve been an assistant teacher at the medical faculty. I was an unofficial intern, but because I have document problems I am not allowed to join officially yet. So I’ve been there unofficially.

I am building a cafe as kind of a pet project. But it has several purposes. It’s very hard to get a visa during wartime. But this cafe is essentially part of what allows me to stay as a businessman. I still do quite a few things here. I’m still designing houses for refugees. My construction company is still building houses and helping with refugee housing.

At the beginning of the war, it was a bit different from now. Then there was a huge surplus of people moving. Now most people are settled. So at the beginning of the war, we were looking at fixing hostels, fixing someone’s living room, right? If someone said, I want to host, but I don’t have a bed, what we did was basically buy a bed, and that solved some of the more immediate housing issues. But for now, what we’re mostly focusing on is the long-term issue.

People’s houses are gone, bombed away, and they literally don’t have help. There’s a limit on how long people can live in the tight conditions they have been forced to live in as housing is scarce. Three families in one apartment has been a long-term situation for many, many families.

As a Taiwanese, I have to go back and serve my mandatory military drafts, similar to how it’s done in South Korea. So, I am forced to take a gap year to serve in the military before I can continue with my medical residency. My main passion in life has always been healthy living, the transition from healthy living into a healthy life. And that for me includes housing, agriculture, ecology, as well as the actual design of the spaces that we live in. So I would like to see myself continue that passion. One thing I actually also did this year was that I designed a clinic, an 800 square meter clinic. As a physical rehab center, it’s going to have a psychology ward. And I might hopefully work there myself. I don’t know yet, but I would like to continue medicine, and I would like to continue with housing – particularly those two ideas come back. I hope to see there’s no war. I plan to go into family medicine or internal medicine.

“What made you decide to stay back in Ukraine during the war and help refugees?

Aside from med school, something I’ve been doing for a long time is designing houses, particularly equal-living tiny houses. I don’t do tiny houses exclusively, but affordable housing has always been one of my main passions and drives in life. That goes along

with medicine, of course. One needs to be able to live before one can live well, and that was a need that the local community had, particularly the Romani community, from which you might know gypsies who live throughout Eastern Europe. So, before the war started, I co-started a tiny house company with one of my business partners and a builder. Although I mostly worked on design, I actually built a few houses, too. We were already doing housing for the needy before the war started. When the war started, we realized the refugees were now coming because of the war zones, but they didn’t have a place to stay. They needed affordable housing, didn’t have cash up front, and didn’t have any liquidity they could bring with them. This is a problem that the gypsies had throughout this time, and we thought we were already in a position that could help refugees facing the same kinds of housing issues. So it was a natural transition that happened because of the previous work. I worked with the Ukraine Collective, which provides food, medicine, counseling, and building supplies to those who’ve lost everything. Together we provided housing and food for 544 internationally displaced persons and refugees at the height of the crisis in Ukraine.

“How did you manage to balance med school and running a small business while helping everybody out? That’s more on your plate than most of us can even imagine.

Yeah. I’m still doing the same things

Andrew doing construction work on affordable housing in Ukraine

Andrew with fellow volunteers of the Ukraine Collective

right now, including renovating the cafe I’m working on. I built all the walls and furniture. I’m actually building a box of tables right now. While working with my tiny house business, I was doing carpentry work at the same time. I can tell you doing semi-architecture design, running a business, and studying medicine together all at once was exhausting. I mean, medicine on its own is exhausting, but with carpentry, and the extensive volunteer work on top of it all, that’s crazy! It really was a miracle to balance!

“ With your experience living in Ukraine, and being a part of the culture there, what would you recommend Woodstock do to make our new students from Ukraine feel more comfortable and welcome in Woodstock’s environment?

For the most part, I find Ukrainians to be culturally similar to other Europeans. Except for this whole Russian invasion part, which right now is simply the most sensitive topic. It’s hard for them sometimes to feel what it means to be Ukrainian if it is suppressed by ex-Soviet countries, by the Russian culture on top of the Ukrainian culture. That for them I feel is probably the biggest conflict of identity, but also just social pressure. I think one of the biggest things, at least for my friends here, is giving them the space to grieve. It is wartime, and they might need the space to just say, well, life is absolutely garbage right now. And it’s okay if they need to be hurt, or they need to have the space to sometimes say, “I just can’t deal with the problems I have for today.”

“Did anything from your time at Woodstock help you with managing life in Ukraine during the war?

One thing that Woodstock has that many schools don’t is the flexibility of choosing your own passions and projects as part of the curriculum. I think that gives a sense of personal drive. It’s not just a tick box. I mean, of course, there’s still some requirement for that. Before the war in Ukraine, it was the global coronavirus pandemic and lockdown. So while in medical school I went from the pandemic to the lockdown, and then the war started not long after coming out of lockdown. Yeah, that’s a pretty tragic chain of events. I had a very difficult time during my school here in Ukraine, but I think that Woodstock did somewhat prepare me as a student to have some sort of an internal drive to accomplish things, even if the external world is collapsing on its own.

“What

is one thing about Woodstock that was really memorable – something that you can look back on with pride?

I think for me, particularly, is the skills Woodstock provides. A lot of people think music is not important to the world. Athleticism is not so important aside from personal training and such. But for me, that flexibility of extracurricular activities, not just, you know, the science, it’s the medicine, whatever, is what gives you an idea of how it feels to be in the working world. It might not be playing an instrument all the time, but there’s a lot more to the world than studying a book.

And much of that, for me, comes from extracurricular activities. In extracurriculars there is nothing clear. You must learn this information by the test time, by the deadline. There is no clearly cut information that needs to be there. It’s only growth. If you just score one goal in football and that’s it, no, you keep trying to go forward. Same with music, right? You don’t just play a piece of sheet music, and you’re done. No, you always keep going further. And there’s always that next step. And this next step in life, it’s really hard to see. Especially in medicine it’s very hard to see where’s the next step. Like, becoming a doctor is six years away, so you have to kind of be in it for the ride and just look at what’s next. There’s never a clear tick box of, “I want to accomplish this now, and this information I must remember.”

“What is one message that you have for people like us who are shielded from the realities of war? One thing that you would say we should value more than we do right now? What do we perhaps take for granted that becomes vital in a conflict situation?

I will tell you what I’m missing the most during wartime, and that for me has been the stability of a schedule. I mean, in school, you’re going from 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade in a linear progression, but in wartime, that’s not the case. I have friends who have to skip a year in university. I have friends who can’t enter university because the one they got accepted into is now blown up. They literally don’t have a place to go. My foreign med school friends who are studying here can’t come back because there’s no flight to Ukraine. Getting a Schengen visa for traveling is a complicated

Andrew conducting advanced band at Woodstock i-Hsin’s Woodstock graduation, 2015

issue in itself. And that stability, that schedule really, you miss a lot when there’s no schedule. It might sound so mundane to go from 9th to 10th Grade, and that I went from Monday to Friday to get to the weekends. But those are the times when you can do things, right? These are the times when you are able to study, which is your most important thing right now, but also to develop who you are, your skills, your talents, your passions. These are times you can discover what you like. Whereas during wartime, you have no opportunities like that. The only thing people can think about right now is how to make it to tomorrow. Some people are even thinking about where they can sleep for tonight. Which jobs they can get. It’s not a dream anymore. It’s just simply, will somebody give me any job to do at the moment?

“Your passions have a synergy between architecture and medicine which I feel are quite disconnected from each other. One is more math-based and one is more bio-based. It’s really cool to see that you found a connection between things so different. Were you into drawing when you were in Woodstock or something along the lines of that?

Not so much drawing. In terms of designing a house, there’s the mathematical side of it that you must know, but that’s more mechanical to solve the problems that you do have. But most of design is actually seeing what are the criteria we need to solve, and how do we solve them. What materials do we have, what options do we have, and finally, what does it cost? Not just in money, but also in effort as well as a bit of ability. You might see that this broad

Student-designed poster for Andrew’s virtual session at CFI last year, where he shared some of the on-the-ground realities of working to serve those whose lives have been uprooted by conflict

idea of what I just said about design doesn’t exclusively fit into just housing, right? For example, we have a disease we need to treat. Here we have the options. What are their costs? What are their opportunities and better abilities? These ideas aren’t actually inherently separate. So while I didn’t do any particular drawing by hand in Woodstock, the skill you learn going through this problem is called problem solving. But this idea of how do we find out the exact issues that we need, the criteria to solve as well as how to manage to actually solve them. It’s a universal ability that fits into many fields.

“Are you still in contact with your classmates from Woodstock? Throughout your time in Ukraine, have any of them come out to help you and support you?

Yeah, I have a few who I still chat with somewhat regularly. I have one Woodstock friend in particular I reach out to when I have issues with the stability of my own mental health. Just having a friend to talk to makes all the difference in the world. That person can’t necessarily do anything for me while I’m in Ukraine, but just being able to say it out loud and know that I don’t have to bear my burden on my own. I don’t have to bear all that emotion bottled up inside me. And as a doctor and as a social worker for refugees, these are things you can never unload downward, right? Onto your patients, onto the people you’re helping. But you can’t really upload upward either because there’s nobody there to listen to you. Friends are there not to remove your problem but just to acknowledge that you do have one. And sometimes just to say, “Keep going. You’re doing a great job. Even if there are some problems, ultimately, you’ll get there.”

That seems like the most important thing that Woodstock can ever give somebody is a friend who always has your back.

“What advice would you give to your younger self in Woodstock, or what advice would you have for current Woodstockers?

If I was able to influence my younger self and current Woodstockers, I would try to create an understanding that life’s path isn’t as singular or straightforward as we are taught to expect – and that can be a wonderful thing. Many blessings in life are found in the detours or only discovered when backtracking a little. A path that made sense for others (perhaps in a different culture) might not necessarily be the only path for me. There are many paths and many destinations. My younger self was so focused on the destination to become a doctor. When I wasn’t able to immediately enter a med school, it felt like the end of my career before it had even begun. Yet now I see that that’s hardly the case! I became a doctor through an unconventional path, and my detours allowed me to explore my other passions in life: loving people, building/designing houses, and carpentry. Had I gone the most conventional route, I would probably have a few hundred thousand dollars of crushing student debt and certainly would not have been able to start my own construction company. Ultimately, the advice I would give myself is life isn’t just a destination where we want to be at. Often, life happens on the detours and backtracking. It’s quite okay to take different paths towards a destination. Who knows, maybe you will discover new skills and new friendships. Perhaps you will discover an even better path to an even better destination.

Anirudh Vohra ’10

Pursuing a Passion for Film Back on the Hillside

Interviewed by Ady Manral, Alumni Relations Manager

We recently spoke with Anirudh Vohra ’10 during a visit he made to Woodstock and Mussoorie for his mot recent film project. Anirudh completed his law degree after graduation. However, a passion for acting which started here at Woodstock led him to pursue work in films. Read on to learn more about Anirudh’s journey and his most recent project that brought him back to the hillside.

“Tell us a bit about yourself, and share what you have been up to after school.

I received a few acceptance letters senior year, but my mind was split between McGill and St John’s, Santa Fe. I decided to take admission in St John’s, given that it teaches the “Great Books Program” using the Socratic Method. It was a place that – at least theoretically – aligned very much with my eclectic tastes and study methods. So, in the fall of 2010, I wound up in sunny Santa Fe.

The very first thing I did when I got there was to join the theatre group: Chrysostomos. The process of entry was to audition, and if you got a role, you’d be given the right to refuse roles in all their productions thereafter. My first show and I were both received quite well!

However, halfway into the semester, I realized I was finding myself at odds with the socio-political backdrop of the US. Gun laws, gay rights, and destroying gender/sexual labels (everyone was on the spectrum, or on the rainbow) – as pertinent as they may be – kept yanking my mind back to India; where poverty and hunger are still the biggest issues. After much thought, I realized where my heart wanted me to be and left after the first semester itself, much to the Dean’s and my professors’ displeasure.

When I got back to India, my plan was to take admission in St. Stephen’s or Hindu College, University of Delhi. I had the marks for it and only needed to clear the interviews. At my father’s request, I also enrolled for a few law school entrance exams, the main one being the Central Law Admission Test (CLAT). I ranked 127 All-India in the CLAT results, and so I ended up at the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, regarded as one of the best law schools in the country.

An Indian government college was a massive culture shock for me. I got

kicked out of my first class, on my first day. Some of the new friends I’d made told me to apologize to the professor, and when I entered her office the first thing she had to say was, “You’re not from an Indian education background, are you?”

Over the next five years, I was heavily invested in the college’s theatre scene. During that time, there were three shows: I played the lead in the second and directed/produced the third. I also took a group of my juniors to an all-India theatre competition, Admit One, hosted in Bangalore. We received a special mention there for direction! Today – in part due to the success of the show I’d directed/ produced – our college puts on three to four shows every year.

After finishing law school and obtaining my license to practice law, I worked as a corporate lawyer (specializing in Intellectual Property Rights) for a few years until I met Mr. NK Sharma, a renowned theatre director in Delhi. I began training with him. About four or five of us (he believes in an open-door policy, so a couple of people were always joining and leaving) worked with him for two years, training primarily in film acting. I left his tutelage in February 2020, feeling I was now ready to move to Mumbai and begin my journey in the Indian film industry. However, we all know what happened at the end of March 2020.

The lockdown delayed my shift, but I was adamant. I moved to Mumbai in October 2020. Since then I’ve played the lead in a short film that was showcased under “Trendsetting Films” in the London Lift Off Film Festival, 2022 (December). I’ve been writing projects on my own as well as in collaboration and have been branching out in Mumbai meeting directors, and

producers.

“You pursued Law and are an advocate. Where did your passion to pursue acting first get ignited?

I always wanted to be on stage and on camera. As a child I remember a friend having a birthday party which got hijacked by her aunt to audition all of us for a Cello Pen ad. I didn’t get the ad, but the process really had me buzzing.

At Woodstock I auditioned every year in high school for the school play. It was only in senior year that I got on to the stage, with Dr. Laurenson directing us. Mr. Ben McKenzie – who used to direct along with Shubhashish Bhutiani – had come back for our (Rokodimus, Class of 2010) graduation. I’d never ended up in Mr. McKenzie’s English class, and our only interactions were theatre auditions and callbacks. Now he walked up to me and let me know that every year I auditioned and every year they loved me but simply couldn’t fit me into the show. He insisted I never give up on acting and theatre.

Given I was only able to do one show throughout high school, the dream had already started fading. Mr. McKenzie’s words still drive me today!

“Can you share about your Woodstock experience and how it shaped you as an individual?

Woodstock has to be the most unique experience I’ve had, and it’s because it was the only place that allowed me the freedom to explore myself and be myself. At the time I was at Woodstock, we were given a lot of space to speak our minds, make demands (which were mostly rejected), and even fight with our administration. The space for this friction helped me understand who I am, how I communicate, and how – with patience, kindness, gratitude, and sensibility – anything can be achieved or negotiated into happening.

With this room to grow, was also a long list of great faculty. Mr. Montgomery would often visit the wood workshop with me. We made goalposts for an orphanage (where I’d visit to play my instrument for them as well) as well as a go-kart used for the first Ridgewood Go-Kart Cup. The Huggs taught me music in a way that taught me more about life than the music itself. Mr. Prakash opened up the world of literature and journalism, helping me curate a portfolio of my poetry that got me the Jimmy Cassinath Writing Award when I was in 11th Grade … I

could go on and on. Woodstock for me was a place where students and teachers from all over the world came together, creating a space where all were welcome (if you could take the teasing, that is), and we all grew from each other’s experiences. Rokodimus graduated with students from 13 different nations.

This diversity really helped me deal with college life; I was one of the most independent students, not needing the college president’s help, but instead going directly to the admin for any issues I had. And now that I’m in Mumbai – where soft skills like communication and cultural liberty can take you a long way – I’m able to meet people and enter spaces that many find hard to do.

“If you were to go back in time, what would you do differently as a student at Woodstock?

The only thing I’d do differently is to have

dated someone. I know, it seems like a very farcical thing. But I say this because I did everything else that I wanted. This didn’t really leave me time for much else, and in the long run it took me much longer to learn how to be vulnerable. Even in school the lack of vulnerability maybe is what stopped me from dating someone in the first place … either that or me not really believing in having a relationship that wasn’t ride or die (it’s the Bollywood in me).

Other than that I think I was able to take much more out of Woodstock than most of my friends around me. I had a great GPA. I was a part of the middle school basketball team; in 9th we made our own breakaway team – with Paul Swanson coaching us –and went undefeated in our short season across Mussoorie. I was a good musician; my instrument was the euphonium. I did every MUN. It started in Woodstock when I was in 8th Grade. I was heavily involved in school politics through Student Council

School days: Anirudh with Nisa Shetty ’10 and Richa Ekka ’09 in the Quad

School days: Yoonjung Yi ’10, Raveena Manorattanawong ’10, Nisa Shetty ’10, and Anirudh at Sundial

and as Managing Editor/Hard News Editor (pp. 1, 2, & 3 at that time). I learned how to manage Parker Hall from Atirav Gupta and David Shastry, who were a year senior to me, and I would help Mr. Crider with CARE activities. I was given the gold pin for trekking in 8th Grade and continued to go on a trek every now and then, learning a lot from Mr. Nagarwalla. Again, I can keep going on and on. I had desperately wanted to take Art and French, but my schedule was too full!

So not being in a relationship is really the only thing I would change. I feel it would have helped me grow as a person in certain arenas sooner than I did eventually.

“You were recently in Mussoorie and at Woodstock. Can you share a bit about your current project and how it brought you to Mussoorie?

Yes, I was! Unlike most, I make end-of-year resolutions. And last year my resolution was to shoot something of my own. I have hundreds of ideas that I keep jotting down, so I picked up the one that was engaging me most at that time: a rich, jobless, tobacco addict who one day decides tobacco isn’t doing it for him anymore and undertakes a journey to indulge in marijuana or hash (charas here in India). The project isn’t about the drug, where to find it, or anything like that, but about this comical character’s journey: the places he visits, the people he meets, and the experiences he has. It’s actually a simple coming-of-age meets road-trip film. We had planned to shoot in Delhi, Goa, Rishikesh, and Mussoorie. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to shoot in Goa, but we were able to shoot in all our other locations!

I wrote out my story and script in November and floated a pitch deck to my college alumni on the 1st of December. Within two weeks, we received enough love (and money!) to begin shooting around the 18th of December. My childhood friend Madhav Mathur – who’s been a genius with the camera since high school and has completed his MA in Cinematography from Goldsmiths, UK – is my partner in crime in all of my own projects. This project is now in postk; we have to record our narration

and background music and create a first cut for feedback.

What stumped me the most was that a friend of mine here in Mumbai – a young man named Sidharth Saxena who comes from a family of documentary filmmakers who have won multiple National Awards –was eagerly waiting for me to return, to pick up on a conversation I’d started with him before leaving. He wanted to discuss my next project, and though I’m just starting out and am operating on a very small scale, it was incredibly exhilarating to feel like the ball is finally rolling, and there are people who are keen on working with me!

I’d had an idea for a mockumentary –InstaFame: Instant Game. Essentially, I would play a fictional character who wants to get famous (and verified) within 30 days; he goes to all the influencer hotspots, tries to meet said influencers, find events to infiltrate, etc. Around this fictional character, we would document very real people, some of whom I’ve already identified, such as someone who has already found some fame on Instagram, and a woman who is dating someone whose life has now become making reels and posts. The idea is to give insight into the frustrations, struggles, and motivations of the Instagram Influencer world; something that only seems to be growing.

We’ve already begun the pre-production for this and will soon be looking for funding! So, if anyone reading this is interested, call me!

“Can you share one piece of advice for current students at Woodstock and young alumni who are pursuing acting?

If you like money, don’t do it. If you like attention and fame, please do not do it.

Acting doesn’t require good looks or a ripped body. I know that’s all you see in mainstream cinema today, but people often ignore the journey all the stars have had to endure to get to this point; and it wasn’t their looks or physique, but down-to-earth, honest-to-God, truthful hard work towards improving their craft and understanding of acting.

When I started training in Delhi, I struggled initially as I was constantly told I was acting, and that is NOT what I should be doing. Film acting is all about being truthful, which sounds very easy, and it is; but getting to a point where being truthful and comfortable (you are metaphorically naked, as the camera will pick up the minutest of details) requires dedication and hard work. For me, being vulnerable towards myself and those around me, taking stock of my own toxic habits, and thereafter working on myself, was something I had never done before.

My advice is that only get into it if your ambition goes beyond the material. A lot of acting exercises are also used in therapy for patients; it’s almost a spiritual journey, where your body and your voice are all you have. It can be the most frustrating thing to do, but when you do it well (by your own standards and not anyone else’s) it is also the most liberating experience one can have.

Money and recognition won’t come easily –as I’m learning here in Mumbai – but that applies to most professions. What is unique about being in the film industry as an actor is that you have a lot of time on your hands while you wait for something to happen. So if your motivations don’t go beyond money or fame, and if you’re not ready to put the world aside and dig deep within yourself, I’d suggest avoiding it as a profession and exploring it as a hobby instead of a career.

Anirudh Vohra with Sondeep Peter (Current Residence Staff) on his recent visit to Mussoorie.

Arsh Bansal ’11

Helping Travelers get Back to Basics

Interviewed by Anthony ’25

After developing the concept during his master’s degree work in the UK, Arsh Bansal ’11 returned to India and launched Tenpy, a startup providing nature getaway living in “tiny homes” designed for people of all types to escape their routine and find rejuvenation through reconnection with nature. Advancement and Alumni Office student intern Anthony ’25 sat down with Arsh to learn more about Arsh’s journey with Tenpy, his time at Woodstock, and the connections between the two.

“Tell us a little about yourself. What have you been up to since leaving Woodstock?

Thank you so much, Anthony. I’ve been really looking forward to this. I actually studied architecture. After graduating from Woodstock, I came back to Bangalore and did my bachelor’s there. And then I went to the UK for my master’s in environmental design. So, you know, my focus included a very creative background. The idea was to always move towards the creative fields. I think I had an inclination towards that in school itself, in AP art. Just the idea of creating something, building something out of my own hands, was something I really wanted to do. That creative aspect was very important when I ideated Tenpy, starting during my master’s and continuing when I came back as well. I was just figuring out how to do it and researching a bit – and then Covid struck at home. But I think as soon as the first lockdown ended, we actually launched our first Tenpy tiny home and slowly have been focusing on expanding in India ever since.

“Tell us more about Tenpy.

Tenpy is a combination of two words, “ten” from tent and “py” from canopy. So the idea of permanent yet semi-permanent structures is what we focus on. We’re building these tiny homes which are 160 square feet, 200 square feet, and we’re building them out of upcycled containers or prefabricated structures which are essentially movable. You don’t have to do so much work on site for them to be functional.

We’re promoting Tenpy structures out in nature or on organic farms as short-term rental stays for people who are overworked. People who basically need to get out of their daily routine and just feel “yoked.” The idea is to do nothing and just focus on reconnecting and disconnecting. No wi-fi, no TV. Your big, picturesque windows act as your TV in the wild. We essentially help people find work-life balance through the experience of staying in tiny homes in nature. That’s all that Tenpy does.

“What inspired you to take this route?

I think Woodstock had a really important role to play in it. Not just Woodstock but Mussoorie itself, you know, living in the hills. I was extremely lucky to have that. I joined Woodstock when I was seven years old. And I was in Woodstock for 11 years. Just learning about the hillside, learning about trees and plants and the flora and fauna did definitely play an important role in my setting up something like this. Plus, I think at 26, I was pretty burnt out. I was just tired of living in the concrete jungle of Bangalore, or even my hometown, which is Lucknow. So, one day, to get back to basics, I wanted to figure out how I could incorporate something related to nature into a business. Tenpy was a passion project for the first year, and then slowly it became a proper business.

“Tell us about the inspiration behind Tenpy.

The tiny home concept is a really trending one in the US, in the West, and in Australia and Europe. I was always fascinated by the idea of living small, because it’s such a decluttered lifestyle, and I want to be focusing on that in my lifestyle as well. Architectural and design inspiration came from following the Scandinavian design perspective where everything is very straight and clean in terms of the aesthetic, and from Japanese architecture as well. So these are a few things that really helped me focus and drill down and gather my ideas to aim at building these tiny homes.

Plus living in Mussoorie played an important role in me really setting this up. I wanted to collaborate and figure out how we could use the tiny homes as a means to actually help people explore nature. You

know, there are multiple ways we could do this. It wasn’t just the tiny home, but it was a passion for it. And we were also trying to bridge the gap between what camping is and what a resort offers. In camping, you’re stuck in a canvas tent. You have toilets separately. You might have to use the loo in nature itself. So not many people are comfortable with that. As middle schoolers or high schoolers, I think we’re adventurous enough to try it out. But as you age, I think the adventure side of you reduces, and you just want something comfortable. Since we started doing this during Covid as well, people weren’t really willing to go to places which were extremely crowded. That’s why we started the single tiny homes on properties of two to three acres and said, you know, we want you to practice social distancing but in a comfortable way. So our tiny homes come with built-in toilets. They’re ensuite. They have a small pantry, a bed, and a nice sit-out area. So you can just do your thing. You don’t have to worry about where to go to the toilet or get water or whether the setup will work. These are things that I thought would actually make sense. And, you know, the idea really did pick up. People love the idea of getting back to basics in a small home. We’re growing slowly, and we’re getting a lot of repeat customers as well.

“What are your favorite memories on or off campus at Woodstock?

There are a lot of memories that come to mind. But obviously, you know, I did forget a lot. I think the walk up to school from Hostel or from Ridgewood when I was a kid really had an impact, walking up the hill with friends and sweating it out. But just the idea of walking in mountains, you don’t get to do that in the city, and that lack of access to nature really, really sucks. Going to Hanson Field to play football or play cricket on Saturdays and Sundays clearly was a highlight of our year and of our life.

We didn’t get to play so many sports. On a Thursday or a Friday we used to get Fruit Loops for breakfast. And I think that was the one time in the week where you used to get it, and everyone used to wake up really early just for that. That’s something I remember really vividly because the food, you know, when you’re there didn’t feel like it was so good. But now when I look back and think about it, I’m like, wow, I mean, you know, that’s something that I really regretted, talking bad about it.

“What are your favorite design aspects of Woodstock?

During Sixth Grade is when I actually lived in Alter Ridge when Ridgewood was being renovated. So Alter Ridge is the girls’ dorm, but the sixth grade guys had to stay on the third or fourth floor at that time. It’s a circular building, which I was really fascinated with, grounded in one loop. I haven’t visited in a while, but I think it looks gorgeous now. The second thing is I think the Quad has so much value to it for community-driven events. And just the idea of people coming in, playing foursquare or having lunch there, because that was not a common thing. And then the Mela used to happen there, which is the annual event. I think as students the Quad plays a really important role in our upbringing. And because you get to interact with so many people, you see so many different perspectives and cultures. I actually used the Quad as a reference for one of my designs during college as well. It’s something that I really liked about the school.

“What has been the role of the alumni network in your life since graduating from Woodstock?

Thankfully I’ve had a good couple of friends throughout my years at Woodstock, and we kept in touch even though we didn’t live in the same city. We’re still active on

social media just to keep connected. When I was ideating Tenpy they really helped me see how this could work. As people I could bounce ideas off of, that’s where the friends did help. Reaching out to the right people and figuring out something has definitely become easier. There’s a possibility of Tenpy working with Woodstock and setting up a tiny home at the Turner Organic Garden or elsewhere on campus. This has definitely driven a lot of motivation and encouragement throughout the network. And I’m really glad that Woodstock has got that.

“Why do you think nature is such an important part of your life?

Just 20-30 minutes in nature reduces cortisol levels, which are basically your stress hormones – 20 per cent of it’s reduced, which is amazing. And with people like us who are overworked and are always using our laptops or our mobile phones, sometimes it’s really important for us to disconnect from everything and just spend time outside. I’m not saying that you have to be in nature all the time to actually have a balanced life. I’m saying that maybe once a week you do need to spend some time outdoors and just forget technology. I’m not saying that Tenpy is anti-technology or anything. You have to find a balance in order to have proper and strong wellbeing. There’s something called Shinrin Yoku, which is a Japanese practice for forest buildings. You’re spending time in nature and letting the trees do their thing, you know, provide you oxygen, provide you with calmness. Even the rustling of leaves is supposed to calm you down. In Mussoorie, since you’re there, I think you would definitely feel that compared to living in a city, where you’re always surrounded by concrete buildings. Mussoorie will definitely have another impact on your life.

“What do you hope that people take away from the Tenpy experience?

We get a lot of inquiries coming in. And the first question that people ask is what do we do there? And our response has always been, “Do nothing.” The idea is that we’re not manicuring up the experience. We want it to be extremely DIY where you come in. You check in yourself. If you want farmto-table food, we provide that. You can go to the lake. You can go for a hike. You can just leave your computer, read a book, lie on the hammock – the idea is to just spend time with yourself and your loved ones and just do your thing. We have a lot of creative people come in as well. We do a

lot of giveaways with them, where we are getting artists to come in and do their thing. We’re not doing it purely from a marketing standpoint. We’re doing it for people actually to find true balance. That’s the entire aim of Tenpy and what we stand for – creating aesthetic spaces where you come in, you spend time with nature, and you just disconnect from everything for a while. And then go back rejuvenated.

“What is one thing that you would change about your time at Woodstock, with all the fun and all the mischief?

I wouldn’t really change anything. I think Woodstock is very different from what it was and what it is right now. But maybe one thing that we could look at is that you have more exposure to the creative fields. I think that was something lacking at that time – and sports as well. Woodstock had a lot of value for a person who’s playing basketball but not for somebody who’s playing badminton or cricket or table tennis. But I think it’s improving now. But even for the creative fields, I think other than drama, the people who love to make art, I think that they didn’t really have enough opportunities to explore. There were things related to literature and whatnot, but I think a lot has changed since we left Woodstock, and I’m glad that there’s a lot of exposure because I just saw recently that people went to New York for Model UN. And there’s a lot more activities happening for sports. It’s really good to see. And I wish I was part of this again.

“Do you have any advice for students today looking to start their own business ventures?

I think the aim should be to just get out there into it. Don’t limit yourself. Don’t think about what other people are saying. I think you have to prove a point and just get it done. You will always have a support system in place, with Woodstockers as alumni. Wherever you are in the world, you always have somebody to lean on. I think that helps. But at the end of the day, you just have to go out and do it, especially in India. The opportunity is really high, especially with India continuing to develop so strongly. We couldn’t ask for a better time to be able to create something.

Watch for a digital version of the Joy Rugh Memorial Bookshelf with links to alumni publications in 2023!

Benjamin Godbersen ’05 Road Biking Germany to Woodstock 20 Years Later

Interviewed by Anthony ’25

Benjamin Godbersen, Class of 2005, embarked on an epic motorcycle journey from Germany, traversing numerous countries before arriving in India this year. His final stop and heartwarming homecoming took place at Woodstock School 20 years to the day from the first time Benjamin set foot on campus. Current Woodstock student and Advancement and Alumni Office intern Anthony ’25 sat down with Benjamin to delve into his incredible adventures. We hope you enjoy this interview and allow yourself to be transported by the mesmerizing pictures from Benjamin’s remarkable motorcycle expedition all the way from Germany to Woodstock School!

“I have to ask: What inspired you to bike throughout India?

Well, it was really no big plan or progression. One thing after another came together, and that’s really how it ended up happening. I had planned to visit India and Woodstock in 2020. But then of course the pandemic happened, which meant I couldn’t fly as I had planned to. Instead, I started riding around Europe when the lockdown ended. I really liked it and decided, “Okay, I need a bigger bike to ride roads that are a bit of more difficult.” And then eventually I was like, “Why not take the motorcycle all the way to India, to the original destination?” Then that idea came together with my longstanding wish to visit Ladakh by motorcycle. So, in the end, it turned out to be my own motorcycle that I got to Ladakh. And that’s how it all came to be. That’s how things sometimes evolve.

“That’s super interesting. Is it true that you biked all the way here from Germany?

Yes. And it was not on the fast route either. As I just mentioned I rode around Europe in 2020 and 2021. I had my new bike, and I started driving around Europe towards Central Asia, but Central Asia was still under lockdown. Actually, it’s still not very accessible. I was riding for a few months that year, then my bike broke. It was so broken that I needed to get a new bike, and not need to deal with insurance. So, in 2022 I started again, and with some breaks I made it to India now in 2023. It’s been a lot of kilometers and a lot of places in between Germany and Woodstock!

“That’s lovely. You must have gone through so many countries. Which do you feel had the biggest impact on you?

Oh, that’s difficult to say. Usually when I travel through an area or a country there’s always something that sticks. For example, in 2021 I was riding through Turkey a lot. That was really challenging road wise because I was

getting used to being on the road so much. Then this year, I traveled through the Arabian Peninsula for several months, and that was a very new experience both culture wise and also landscape wise because I’d never been there before. There’s no one country or one area that had the most impact, but in summary, traveling tends to be a big learning experience, and I’m very thankful for all the little things that I experienced here or there.

“As well as what you learned, I’m sure there’s some really crazy, interesting stories on your way here. Do you have any that you’d like to share?

Yeah. When people ask the question –because I do get that question asked a lot – I always ask, “what kind of story do you want?” I shared that I traveled to countries like Iraq and Pakistan, so I have my share of stories with security forces and quite a few stories from border crossings that didn’t go so smoothly. There are definitely plenty of stories where I was pushed to the limits of my riding abilities. I also have stories where the bike had issues. Luckily, my bike has been very reliable, but sometimes there are little accidents that happen or small mechanical things that need some kind of attention – and that has happened in the middle of nowhere. And I definitely have plenty of stories of meeting great people and having good interactions. So, it’s always a story. What kind of story do you want to hear?

“Maybe a personal favorite of yours?

Well, then, let me talk about the riding itself, because like I said, I got an all-new bike and just to be able to ride across more difficult terrain. I first attempted that in Bosnia. It was great. We had some beautiful days riding unpaved roads which were

almost never used, and the terrain was very similar to off road terrain. On the second day, the road turned quite bad, and I was really pushed to my limits. In the end, I was on a very steep downslope with my abilities that did not allow me to turn around or get out of there. So, I was literally falling down the mountain, more or less. It was a road but made of really big rocks. So, I was falling, my bike was dropping left and right quite literally, and at the end I was so exhausted that I walked down the mountain to the next village. I was very lucky that the village was near a town, unlike many other places I’ve been. I had to ask people to walk up with me and guide my bike and my motorcycle down. The locals helped me get everything in order and invited me for food, and that was quite nice. Bosnian people were really nice. If I compare that to now, like, especially now that I’m in India, and the terrain that I rode in Ladakh, it’s obviously way more remote than it would’ve been in Bosnia. That kind of also showed me the way I’ve come and my abilities as a rider. So that was good. A trip is always a mix of happy moments and challenging moments that can sometimes bring me to the absolute edge of my sanity. Realizing that demonstrates on just how many levels I’ve been able to learn on this trip. It’s quite nice. It’s definitely the big overarching story that traveling for me always is a way of learning, and it’s really rewarding for me to see that all the things that happened, all the challenges that I faced, have upsides to them. That’s generally what I enjoy about traveling.

“Yeah, it’s really lovely to hear. While we’re on the topic of memories, do you have any favorite memories from Woodstock?

Woodstock that was definitely one of my first big challenges. I was at Woodstock as an exchange student, so I was there for only one year, my junior year, and that was a challenge in itself. When I arrived at Woodstock, I came straight from Germany, on an airplane by myself. It was my first time outside of Europe and my first time on such a big trip. Woodstock took good care of me and made sure that I got picked up at the airport and all that, but at Woodstock itself, I still remember how in the first semester I barely spoke English well enough to understand what was going on in class. And by the end of the year – or even I have

to say by the second semester – young brains are a bit more flexible in the second semester – I didn’t have any trouble at all with speaking English! So, I always remember that. And of course, during the winter break I also got to see some parts of India. Boarding schools have this element of making students self-sufficient in a very special environment and for me to experience that in an environment like Woodstock had a pretty big impact on me. The one reason I keep coming back is that nature has been so impressive. The foothills of the Himalayas really are special and have a special place in my heart.

“After you had come to Woodstock for a year, what was next for you? You were here in Woodstock for a year and as an exchange student, but then post that, what was next for you? What did you do after?

Since I was just there as an exchange student, I did come back to Germany to finish my high school. Germany is a bit fidgety with accepting attendant degrees, and they certainly don’t like or appreciate SATs and APs. For me to be able to study in Germany seamlessly I needed to have a German high school degree. I did that.

“How do you sustain this kind of lifestyle with your work?

Most people at Woodstock of course are in a fortunate enough position to be able to do that one way or another. It all started with simple savings, but I do run my own company, and part of it is of course finding

something that you can do while you’re on the road. What qualifies is that it’s usually any kind of service that you provide, that you can provide without being co-located with whoever is your client or customer. I personally run a consulting company and while I’m riding, I reduce my hours. But that’s also why I’ve taken so long to ride to India, because I do take breaks and invest more time in working to keep the business running.

“Do you have any tips for young enthusiasts who may want to bike across the country?

I think the number one tip I can give is not to have illusions about it. Just because I am able to travel a lot or work while I’m on the road, work still remains work and needs some focus and dedication. This means that a long-distance ride doesn’t amount to one big holiday trip. It rather needs some very precise planning and thinking to balance everything. What I would recommend as a tip is to make a list of things that are important, prioritize what you really want to do. I’m in the lucky situation of what I do for work. It’s also something that I really enjoy. I enjoy working with people and helping them solve their problems. And one tip that I would give is to make a list with priorities that has things that are really important because that enables you or at least helps you to make decisions or know what has to take priority. For example, you can make a list with a lot of things you want to do, but as long as you don’t have somebody who pays your bills somewhere along the list, there needs to be some sort of time invested in earning money, right? And

for that I would give the tip to really think, “Okay what do I want to do? What do I want to experience in life?” And then balance that with the things that need to happen for that. A few of us are gifted with a big inheritance that enables us to never work again, or I don’t know, they say, “If you have a trust fund, that might run out, and if you marry rich, it might not last.” So think about what’s really important to yourself, and then take that clarity to prioritize the

actions, and then you can probably make most things work. I mean, people who study at Woodstock, like I said earlier, are usually fortunate enough to start with a good high school education and almost always continue usually at a good school that enables good things down the road. So that’s a good starting point for whatever you want to do. In the end, you just need to prioritize the actions and get going. I can tell you even the riding part, it’s not always fun and games like I described earlier. So don’t expect, if you want a lifestyle like that, don’t expect only because you’re now not earning money that that’s all going to be fun and games. So, yeah, don’t be too delusional, to come back to my first point.

“Sounds like you’ve spent a lot of time in introspection. Why did you want to return to Woodstock?

Um, I think that’s a personal thing. I know I have classmates who really wouldn’t be as keen to come back but for me, yeah, I think the experience I had, you know, what I described earlier, being away from home and being able to experience so many new and unknown things in one place and at the same time learning and enjoying the environment, for me Woodstock is a place that holds a dear place in my heart. So every now and again it draws me to visit to see what’s going on and also to visit the mountains.

“You mentioned other classmates. Who are you still in touch with from Woodstock?

Well, it was quite interesting arriving in India. I haven’t met any of my classmates in India. Along the way, actually, in Dubai, I met some of my classmates. That was fun. But as it goes with Woodstock alumni, many of them don’t stay in India when they’re from India, and of course mostly everyone else goes back to their country or to the US or Canada. The class of 2005, in three years we have our 25-year anniversary coming up.

“Yeah, that’ll be fun. We’ll see you guys here again. What would you say to your younger self as an exchange student at Woodstock?

I’d say I probably would tell him to relax. Then I would tell him to get his priorities straight. Knowing what you want in life can or really will shape whatever you do in life. And in a positive way mostly. I know it’s not always easy. I remember at that age it’s surely not easy. You might not have a plan about life, and I’m not telling you to

do that, but at any particular moment you probably have things that you do want to experience and don’t want to experience. The more clearly you deal with it, or you introspect, or you think about that, the more likely things will happen, and the more likely things are going to evolve. I think that’s something I would say for sure. Chill, and think about what’s really important for you in your life, because you see in others or what you think is important because others do it or have it might not actually be what you need or want. And the earlier you start thinking about it, the more likely you are to achieve it at the end of it.

“Is there anything else you’d like to share or add?

There is one thing I’ve learned not only on this trip, but on my trips before that as well: most people in this world are nice people. And the countries I’ve traveled to – the last country before India was Pakistan and the Arabian Peninsula. Most people I meet are generally nice people, and I think that’s one thing that I like about our world, like with all the bad things happening in this world, with all the animosities and hatred between groups, even the wars that are happening when you meet people, most of them will be nice. They will try to help you, or I can talk about myself, and they’ll try to help me if I have an issue. They will be kind to me. When I came to that place, it was as remote as it was. I tried to do the same thing, and it’s not always easy. We are all human beings; we all have our emotions. But one thing I’d like to share is, try to be nice to people. You know, there’s no reason for people not to be nice. Life is already difficult enough as it is, and the world already has enough hatred as it is. So really try to spread that kindness to others. That’s really what I’ve learned in life.

Peak of Nanga Parbat Pakistan

Read Sea, Saudi Arabia

Umling La Pass, Ladakh, India

Banks of the Indus River, Pakistan

Wadi Shuwaymiyyah, Oman

At the border of India and Pakistan

Benjamin in Darkut, Pakistan

At a beach in Oman

Indian Ocean, Oman

Issues with Police in Pakistan

Chain trouble in Wadi Disa Saudi Basho Meadows, Pakistan

Maraya, Saudi Arabia

Wadi Disa, Saudi Arabia

Radhika Karle ’96

Hard Work, Good Health, and Becoming Pilates Trainer to the Stars

Interviewed by Katie Jo Walter, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations

Radhika Karle ’96, owner of Radhika’s Balanced Body, is a well-known face of fitness across India. As a nutritionist and Pilates trainer, she has received awards from Elle, Aspire She, and Zest Fitness. Her clients have included high-profile business and corporate leaders as well as several Bollywood celebrities. She is Pilates Brand Ambassador for Decathlon India and has made numerous appearances on television and in print media, including frequent features in Indian Express, Vogue (India), and Cosmopolitan (India). We recently connected with Radhika in Mumbai to find out more about her, including her work and her Woodstock memories and continued relationships.

“Can you share with us what you’re currently involved in?

Right now I am guiding and building four Radhika’s Balanced Body training locations in Mumbai (Lower Parel, BKC, Andheri West, and Vile-Parle East) through final transitions out of “pandemic mode” and as new set-ups.

Early in the pandemic, to support our instructors and communities we quickly shifted to online classes and offered free classes on Instagram Live. I also worked to achieve something I am quite proud of – becoming the exclusive distributor in India for Balanced Body Pilates equipment. Balanced Body equipment, which is made in the USA, offers quality, durability, and versatility that I have found to be unmatched by any other Pilates equipment manufacturer. Bringing Balanced Body equipment to India allowed me to help those with the means create home studios during the pandemic.

Now, as the pandemic recedes and people are again able to reap the benefits of in-person Pilates instruction, we are shifting away from online classes –although a few offerings remain, including those on the Shilpa Shetty app Simple Soulful. We are also able to get Balanced Body equipment into more fitness studios across India.

“Pilates seems pretty intimidating for many. Can you share more

about the practice of Pilates in general? Can anyone do it, or do you have to already be super-fit?

Yes, anyone can do Pilates! I like to often point out that Pilates was created by a man, for men, since there is a conception that Pilates is primarily for women. Pilates originated as rehabilitation exercises for wounded World War I veterans. Pilates was initially recommended to me when I was recovering from an injury myself. I fell while running and broke my tailbone, and my

doctor recommended Pilates. I lived in Texas at the time, and when I showed up for my first class, I was surrounded by beautiful blonde Texas housewives who were able to move through the exercises so easily while I slowly trudged along – talk about intimidating! But I stuck with it and am so grateful to be a trainer and motivator for others to start Pilates and stick with it, too. Our training centers offer classes for clients of all abilities including specialized training for physiotherapy rehab, active agers who are 60-plus years old, and elite performance athletes.

Actress Shilpa Shetty’s Simple Soulful app features Radhika’s Pilates expertise and workouts

Unfortunately, there are economic barriers when it comes to buying Pilates equipment, but there are many Pilates exercises that can be done only with a mat. I often focused on these types of exercises when offering online classes during the pandemic.

“What inspired you to focus your career on nutrition and fitness?

Thank you for mentioning nutrition again because I always say that 80 per cent of your results come from nutrition! Immediately after graduating from Woodstock and well before the running injury that introduced me to Pilates, I got a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from Texas A&M University. I later earned a Master’s in Nutrition Sciences from Texas Woman’s University.

I really feel that much of the inspiration for my interest in my work stems from my time at Woodstock. As a student I was so active and would always be engaged in one activity or another! But Ajay Mark will tell you I wasn’t a great athlete – I would often be among the last to finish in racing events. The food part may seem counterintuitive as well, since as students we would eat so much Maggi and Wai-Wai and bun omelete ... but something about being outdoors, walking from place to place, I was just very aware and engaged with my body all of the time!

I am able to cope with some of the most trying circumstances – the pandemic being one of them!

“As a Pilates Trainer and professional, what are some of the self-discipline practices and routines that you follow in your daily life? How have they contributed to your success?

It comes across as cliched, but “early to bed, early to rise” was one thing that I learned at Woodstock. And “make the best of every situation you’re in.”

This has helped contribute to my success, as it has instilled discipline in my life. And by finding a silver lining in every situation,

“How did you end up coming to Woodstock?

Growing up we moved every 3 years due to my father’s job. When my parents decided to move back to India in 1985, there were not too many international schools that went up to the high school level. So in 1986 my elder sister, Sangeeta ’92, went to Woodstock first under the recommendation of Carol and Tom Alter ’68. Then in 1991 when my parents started their own business which called for a lot of travel, they thought it best to put Madhura ’97 and me into

Radhika and friends enjoying dorm life

Radhika attending JSB in 1996

L-R: Sangeeta ’92, Radhika ’96, and Madhura ’97 Karle

At the book launch event for Pure & Healthy in December 2019 L-R: Kapil Kapoor ’99, Radhika’s mother Shaila SawantKarle, Radhika’s father Arun Karle, Radhika, and Priya Kapoor ’97

Woodstock School, too. We were with Sangeeta for just a semester before she graduated – enough time to have her watch over us and get settled.

It was full of the more difficult aspects of those days: limited water, not-so-great food, and winter cold – but we were all in it together. Whenever one of us faced problems, whether an emotional issue, lack of good tuck food or money, or anything, really, others would rally in support. It really created an amazing feeling of belonging and a lifelong impetus to look out for others.

“Can you tell us about your relationships and any ongoing connections with your Woodstock friends and classmates?

First of all, my two sisters attended Woodstock along with me, so I have them as fellow alumni with whom I am regularly in touch! I’m lucky in that I’m not only connected with my own classmates but with theirs, too. My class has a group chat on WhatsApp, so I get to keep up with everything. I love seeing how involved Manav Mehra ’96 has been with the Advancement and Alumni Office, and it was nice to see that Rajesh Agarwalla has enrolled his sons at Woodstock. We are all supportive of each other, which has always been the case. Just recently we even had an unplanned reunion when one of our classmates ended up in the hospital here in Mumbai; about half a dozen classmates came from all over India and around the world to be there for him.

I also often visit with the Kapoor family [including Former Woodstock Board Member and former Head of WOSA India Kiran ’75, Woodstock Board General Body Member Priya ’97, and Kapil ’99], which brings me to Landour occasionally. Over the past few years I’ve been doing some trekking around Landour and so have also

become good friends with Akshay Shah, the Director of the Hanifl Centre for Outdoor Education and Environmental Study, and his wife Renu Oberoi, who is a Coordinator at the Centre for Imagination. On my last visit, Renu encouraged me to visit the Advancement and Alumni Relations Office, and I’m so glad I did. I got a tour of campus and saw all of the beautiful new renovations. It was undoubtedly different from my time, but I still connected with many places that took me back in time and overwhelmed me with emotion!

Additionally, it was terrific to have contributed to a book published by the Kapoor family-owned and operated Roli Books. I collaborated with culinary expert Vidhu Mittal for Pure & Healthy, a cookbook offering delicious and healthy vegetarian recipes, often incorporating traditional Indian ingredients. The book was launched in late 2019, just prior to the onset of the pandemic.

NOTE: Pure & Healthy is one of the hundreds of Roli Books publications (shipping worldwide!) on which you can receive a 25% discount when you make a gift to Woodstock School or one of its supporting organizations. Other alumni-owned businesses are also offering discounts when you give INR 1690 (approx. USD 20) or more!

“With such an impressive list of clients – including Sonam Kapoor-Ahuja, Rani Mukherji, Sonali Bendre, Anand Ahuja, Naina Bachchan, Nisaba Godrej, Nargis Fakhri, and Vidhu Vinod Chopra – you must have experienced many incredible milestones and achievements along the way. Which accomplishments are you most proud of?

Two things that make me feel especially proud are 1) I have a handful of clients

who have been training with me for nearly 15 years, even before I started Radhika’s Balanced Body and 2) in the 12-plus years Radhika’s Balanced Body has been in business we have never once had to pay for advertising. Positive word of mouth and quality introductory and online trial classes have done all of the advertising work for us!

“If a young Woodstock student is interested in pursuing a career in wellness and fitness, what advice would you give them based on your own experiences?

You need three things to do well in the field of wellness and fitness:

1. Commitment

2. A healthy mix (no pun intended) of passion & business acumen

3. Desire to constantly learn, as this field is always changing

“Looking back at your time at Woodstock, what advice would you give to your younger self?

BE A LITTLE MORE HEALTHY IN YOUR EATING CHOICES!! Hahaha! All jokes aside, I would tell my younger self to embrace how well-rounded the Woodstock School education is – academics, music, drama, sports, outdoor activities ... we had it all! Not many kids have that privilege these days!

“Are you visiting campus again anytime soon?

For sure! I have been asked to serve as a judge and workshop facilitator for Woodstock’s Entrepreneurship Fest allIndia invitational business pitch competition at the end of November, so I will definitely be around for that – and I’m sure I will be making other visits for trekking as well!

Images from Radhika’s Balanced Body

Shalini Bath ’89

From Apple to Alumni: Leveraging Corporate Experience to Serve Woodstock and Help Nonprofits

Interviewed by Arav ’25

Former Head of Product Marketing for Apple India, Shalini Bath ’89 worked at Apple for over 16 years and during her time there helped found Women@Apple diversity network associations in India and Latin America. She is now using her experience working with global companies and brands to help NGOs and the Woodstock community. Currently residing in London with her husband Tom and daughter Aishwarya, Shalini recently connected with Advancement and Alumni student intern Arav to share reflections on her corporate career, insights form her latest endeavors, her Woodstock connections of yesterday and today, and more.

“ To start, can you tell us a little about your professional journey and what you're currently involved in?

For the last 16 years I’ve held multiple complex sales and marketing roles around the world with Apple. I started in London leading the product marketing team for Mac computers. This was in 2006, and at that time there were only Macs and iPods; the iPhone hadn't come out yet. After about three years in London, I went to Bangalore, India. We were in the Bangalore office for a year, and we made it a much bigger, larger team. In addition to product marketing, I took on sales operations, which entailed managing all products. I managed training and oversaw contracting and initiation of new partnerships, paving the way for the success of new ventures in India.

From Bangalore we went to Dubai and opened the Apple office there. That was in 2010. I did that for four years till 2014 when I went to Miami. There I ran the product marketing team for all products in Latin America for four years. In 2018 I again came back to India because Apple was looking at how they could increase business in India as compared to China, its most significant overseas market. I led the product marketing team and the education marketing team in India before deciding to

change my trajectory a bit. I wrapped up my exciting 16-year career with Apple just over a year ago.

Now I'm in London with my family, and I have my own company, Ines Ventures. I invest in small startups working in spaces that matter to me. Most of my time, however, is spent working with the founders and executive teams of NGOs focusing on women and children. My product marketing experience with Apple and other global brands helps me look at the NGO space with a different lens. I use my corporate sales and marketing perspectives to help NGO leadership with their strategy, branding, and overall marketing and funding. There are four NGOs that I work with, and all of them are focused on improving the lives of women and children on the Indian subcontinent.

[One of the NGOs that Shalini works with is The Sarvodya Collective: Inclusive Duniya (Awareness campaign on Neurodiversity).]

Along with following my passions, I have chosen to give back to places that mean a great deal to me. Woodstock is one of them. Given this, the Woodstock Alumni Ambassador Program launched by Katie Jo Walter and Advancement Committee Chair Jonake Bose ’81 is something I want to see become a success. I feel we Woodstockers are unique in so many ways, in ways that others are not. We are resilient, curious, determined, agile, passionate, and crazy at times. Woodstock has made us who we are, so together we should be able to help and make Woodstock even more successful.

“ You’ve obviously enjoyed a very successful career. How have you defined success for yourself, and what have been some key factors that have helped you in achieving success?

I'm a curious person by nature, and I always want to learn something new. I also like to create new teams. I like to start from the bottom where no one has ever done it. When I’ve started new jobs, I've always said to myself, “Okay, this is what I would like to do for three to four years. What's the next job I want to do?” As soon as I start, I'm always looking for the next job to do so that I can see my trajectory.

My bar of success has been that I'm looking for growth, seeing how my current job will allow me to help others grow, how that experience will help me take my skills to the next level of leadership and global involvement, and have that be reflected in my CV.

Learning new skills all the time is also an indicator of success for me. I feel the empowerment and achievement associated with success when I’m learning about new regions and how to apply the same skill set in new cultural environments and regions. That's really been my barometer – always learning something new, continuing to be curious, delivering more than I did before, and giving more back than I did.

I'm always looking for what I can do better next and what I can learn. I get bored easily, so that can be an issue sometimes with higher-level management because they want you to stay in the same role. I'm like, “Okay, first year, I'm learning. Second year, delivery. Third year, okay, been there, done that, I can do this! So then what do I do next?” It's really to be agile, to be curious, and to stay grounded but also to look ahead, evaluate your skill sets, and talk to other people. How could I be doing this? What else could I be doing?

“ That´s very insightful. I'm wondering about your recent increased involvement with NGOs and giving back to society ... how's that been going? Anything new you’ve learned, perhaps?

It has been going amazingly well. I don't have a skill set in this area, but the way

I approach it is, “Well, I worked at Apple for 16 years, before that at HP and Compaq, and before that at Levi's and a Unilever subsidiary. I've learned marketing and applied it across different industries and cultures. In light of that experience, I can bring a different approach to NGOs. Let me bring all that experience and ask the founders of these NGOs or the executive teams what they're doing and how they're doing it and help them look at things differently. This includes introducing new ways for them to go about solving problems and marketing themselves.

All of it's new, to be honest. Sometimes, I’m working with a family or working with individual founders. It's very different, of course, from working in the corporate environment. There are personal initiatives here versus, you know, in the corporate environment, you're looking at the global good and how you want to achieve it across your different layers of engagement. And here you're looking at the global good but using a very different lens. Is it smaller? I don’t’ know, but it's more catered to how the founder thinks and what they want to deliver.

is a different day now.

The NGOs I work with focus on women and children, and I choose to work with them because my passion lies in this area. After pursuing a career in technology I've come back to where my passions lie. At Apple, too, I was involved in this space as one of the co-founders of Women@Apple in both India and Latin America.

There are numerous big questions to answer. How do you bring women up? How can we help them get ahead? What are some of the messages we relate to in the corporate world, and how can they be transferred to mobilize support for women's and children’s social initiatives? And how can we create a holistic environment in which women can work and progress? It's been super interesting.

I've been working with one NGO that is producing a podcast on challenging desi gender norms. I am working as an advisor with the founder of the Podcast. At the moment it's in the Top 10 Podcasts on the Apple Store in the Culture in India category, and we're super excited about that. The Podcast is featured on Apple’s US, UK, Canada, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka sites. This was just launched in September, and it’s doing super well across all of these international sites. It’s interesting stuff and is super fun. Every day

For me everything is new because a year ago I didn't have a lot of experience, if any, in this space. So how does the NGO space work? What’s effective? What’s not effective? I try to answer these questions and then apply some of my learnings from the technology industry to this very new space and do some experimentation. Honestly, every day I'm engaging with these NGO founders and teams I'm learning. Often they're teaching me, and then I come back and challenge them: “And why do you want to do it? How about thinking about it this way?” It's so super fun. I love it. I don't think I would ever go back to a full-time role in technology ever again.

“ Looking back at your time at Woodstock, what advice would you give to your younger self?

First, don't be so hard on yourself about trying to succeed. Enjoy the moment and the experience. Take what you can from the present moment instead of being caught in the next thing, thinking, "God, I got to get a better job. God, I got to go up. God, I got to .... Enjoy the experience you're having.

I would say it's okay to work hard and be hard on yourself, but you also have to enjoy the ride. You also have to understand where you're at and experience what you are in. As you move ahead and, yeah, keep working hard, keep looking forward, and continue to be agile and humble and determined, which I think Woodstock builds all of us to be.

I would also tell myself to stay curious, yet stay grounded, and always bring

Shalini with her family

the Woodstock experience into any conversation you're having because Woodstock is a unique place, and it’s part of who we are. I only started to do that much later in my life. In interviews when people would ask me, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?" I would bring Woodstock in.

“ That's some really good advice. What are some of your favorite memories of Woodstock while you were here?

Oh, my gosh. I’ve got a few. I think one of them is one time when there was no water in Woodstock, which happened when we were in Alter Ridge, which had just been built. Since we couldn’t bathe in the dorm, we had to go and take a bucket bath in Midlands Stream. The water was sooo cold, and this went on for almost two and a half weeks, with us going every three days to take a bath in Midlands Stream. We had to hike down there and bathe in cold, freezing water. Did anyone complain? Everyone did! Everyone was like, “Oh my, it's so cold.” And then we’d all throw water on each other. “What are we doing having a shower here?” But you know what? That is something I laugh a lot about, because it builds resilience. You know, if somebody left me on the side of the street and said, “Go figure it out. Find a job," I'd find one because there's the “you gotta make it work” mentality. So, you know, Woodstock with all of its amazing things taught us that mentality, because we had to accept and work with whatever situation we were in.

Other favorite memories involve going to the bazaar. We went every Saturday. Other memories – I hated hiking, but you know what? As I look back and get older, I think, “Those hikes were beautiful, and we took it all for granted – all of it!” But all of that makes each of us who we are. The nature around us that we took so much for granted was so beautiful, and it still is beautiful when we go back to Woodstock to appreciate it.

I have so many amazing memories, from when I started at eight years old until graduation at 18. Our senior class had so many midnight feasts and got into trouble. When we were eight, nine, our punishment was to learn dictionary words. The dorm matron opened the dictionary. At that time you had dictionaries. She opened it and said, “You have to learn these three pages. You have two hours to memorize everything. Here's the dictionary – memorize it!” And two hours later she would say, “Okay, do you know your words? You have to recite

them, and then you’re allowed to go down and eat dinner.”

“Wow. Punishments now usually involve waking up early in the morning and scraping the school walls.

Yeah, none of that for us. It was memorizing words, and maybe for the boys it was scrubbing walls, but I know for all of us girls it was mostly memorizing words or sewing things because we had to sew somebody's clothes, and it took like two hours. You had to stay in the same place, and you were not allowed to talk.

I would say that Woodstock was such a unique experience, and when you talk about it now, people still can't understand how it is. You hike to school, and that also creates discipline. You have to hike to school. You have to make it to school every day. No question about it. Everyone's doing it. That also teaches you something, you know, something different because you don't have your parents around. It's not the same for every boarding school.

“How has your experience with the Woodstock alumni network been so far since you've graduated?

I went to Woodstock from 1979 to 1989. In between I left for two years, so I was at Woodstock for eight years, the pivotal years of one's life. Since I graduated in 1989 I've stayed in touch with so many Woodstockers.

Through this time my husband and our daughter, we've all been to Woodstock. I put our daughter Aishwarya into Woodstock Summer School before Covid, and we went to the school a number of times. Everywhere I've been, I've always had one or two Woodstock friends and quickly built a strong circle of trust with them. I found that with Woodstockers, you can just be yourself, and you can talk, and they give you honest-toGod advice. There are also no barriers, and all your guards are down because you've all started in the same place. People understand that commonality, and they want everyone to succeed – even people you haven't seen for 20 years. Suddenly I met somebody in London I hadn't seen for 35 years, and we immediately picked up as if no time had passed.

I love meeting Woodstockers. I know it's going to be an afternoon or evening of lots of laughter and memories. For example, all you have to do is mention Hostel, and I connect. My mind goes right back there. “Oh, the swimming pool used to be there!

years)

Everyone used to jump off the railings and jump in!”

Just think of common things that you know about the environment. It's so unique, and there aren’t many schools in the Himalayas like Woodstock, not with the global environment it delivers. As you grow up, you know the fact that it challenges everyone to be very humble and appreciate so much of what we have. It makes for a very universal and easily accessible foundation for our relationships with each other as alumni.

The Woodstock alumni base is strong, you know. I think we can create much more of a community, and that depends on all of us alumni to work to do that.

“ Yeah. Woodstock has a wonderful alumni network. There's a Woodstock student everywhere in this world. And it's really comforting to think about this immediate connection we have with any Woodstocker anywhere. And speaking of alumni community building, you've been working with WOSA Europe Council Member Dalia Majumder Russell ’01 to generate more activity in London and the region. What is your vision for WOSA in the UK?

Our vision for WOSA in the UK would be to create a community that starts with new graduates and goes all the way back

Reunion: 2019 (30

to people who graduated in the 1950s. This community comes together a few times a year, and in that coming together they give back to Woodstock both by helping one another and by donating to the school.

There's mentoring and internships for the new alumni. It's a vibrant environment of thought, leadership, and encouragement, and it’s a community of people who can help all the young people who come out of Woodstock because most of us who have been there and done that are more established and have both the capacity and enthusiasm to help out.

So, how do we bring that together? Ideally, I'd love to see between 100 and 150 people

come together, at least once a year, and talk about Woodstock. I would love to interview some of the great alumni in the UK on their careers and their insights so others can learn from them. It's essentially doing the small work needed to create an amazing environment that merges the younger and older alumni crowds into a community that everyone can give and take from – but it's all benefiting Woodstock in the end.

“That's great. Creating that WOSA network and helping Woodstockers stay connected long after graduation is really important.

We have so many great resources already at our fingertips, too. For example, I had no idea about Woodstock Alumni Connect. When talking to Woodstock Alumni Manager Aditya Manral, he explained to me what it is and how it works. It's our very own Woodstockcentric social media and professional networking site. All of the young alumni are being trained on it before they leave Woodstock, and they understand how to use it. However, many of us seniors who have been around a long time didn't even know this existed.

who's just out of Woodstock?” I bet at least 95 per cent of the Woodstockers would mentor if they knew about it. It's fun. I think Woodstock's doing a lot, and there's so much more we can always do. We just have to ask ourselves how to best come together to help young alumni as they come to our countries. And how do we drive our overall community towards continued growth and mutual benefit for all?

“Aside from your alumni work in the UK, with whom from Woodstock have you been staying in touch the most, and how have you been connecting?

There's actually a lot of activity and communication. First, my class has a WhatsApp group. We all wish each other happy birthday, and it seems like there's always a birthday. In fact today marks a very special birthday – that of my Woodstock roommate. We were roommates from the time I arrived at Woodstock when I was eight years old, and she was nine, and we've remained friends and roommates the entire time. I called and wished her a happy birthday. She also just visited me two months ago. I have another Woodstock friend who lives just 10 minutes from here. There's another Woodstocker two streets away in London. As a class we're very much connected, and I think it's great because wherever you go, one of us is likely there.

One of the ideas Katie Jo and I have spoken about is Woodstock Wednesdays. The first Wednesday of every month we can establish a location for meetings that happen without fail. All it takes is one Woodstocker to commit to being there so others can join.

So, we need to build awareness around all of these great resources serving our community building efforts. We need to push things like this out to say, “Did you know you can connect? Do you want to mentor somebody

This way wherever you are in the world there's a Woodstock community. For example, if you happen to come to London for work, you can look on Alumni Connect and say, “Okay, where is Woodstock Wednesday? It's the first Wednesday of the month. I know that wherever I am, they get together.” Somebody from our alumni community will be there. Katie Jo had been keen to do something similar in Delhi when I brought it up for London. Really, we could do this anywhere where there are at least a few Woodstockers.

It's something we're trying to create by first and foremost identifying Woodstock alums who want to lead the Woodstock Wednesdays. Let's see how it goes, but it would be fun to do that. It's a great way to build a community, and so that way you can keep in touch because I think that that's

At Cozy Corner Senior Year 1989

Reunion: 2019 (30 years)

also important. The more you do that the more the people connect, and then they take those connections outside of the gettogether.

“The idea of having someone you can connect with on a Wednesday wherever you are is great.

Yeah, it would be cool when it comes into play, and I think young alumni want to meet the older alumni. For older alumni, it's more just to get together. It's like, “Hey, we're getting together.”

People share some laughs – some stories –and have some drinks, so it's fun like that And maybe it should be something around more Indian culture, so you can have some samosas. Have a drink if you want. But, you know, it's more a connection point as well. It's just an idea that hopefully is starting to come to fruition.

I’m also focused on having those larger events I mentioned with 100, 150 people. I’m looking at having at least a few events in London each year. One for Worldwide Woodstock Day, one for Christmas time, and one summer park gathering. I hope anyone in London will keep these gatherings in mind and plan to attend.

“Finally, on the topic of mentoring younger alumni – and even students like me, what advice would you give to people who want to give back to the community and want to get into social service and work with NGOs?

My first piece of advice: If you're thinking about it, and you're interested, do it. Go do it now and enjoy the experience. Learn from it, and then go do more as you can. If you can't do so much, do whatever you can, but do it.

There's such a big need in the world for people to help. It can start from anything like neurodiversity, to people affected by conflict in places like Israel, Palestine, Ukraine … to climate change. Whatever you’re passionate about, start giving back in that area, and do it now. Don't wait to do it. Don't wait until your career is started and going into full swing. Do a little bit even now. If you love mentoring people, go work at an organization that mentors kids or at Woodstock. Become a part of the Early Years Explorers program at the Centre for Imagination. If you want to work with older people, go do that. I think each of us needs to give back in our life. Whether we're seasoned in our careers or just starting out, there is a balance, and giving back makes you realize how much you have which others do not. As you progress, it's important to stay balanced, stay grounded, and always know that, yes, there's somebody who may not have as much as you do yet is still thankful.

“That's a really good piece of advice. I'm sure that'll help a lot of people who are interested in social

service.

I’m sure everyone has some interest areas.

Local Alumni Committee

We’re excited to share that a Local Alumni Committee has been formed. The committee helps with local events on campus, on the hillside, in Dehradun, and anywhere in the local region.

So, it's just a matter of harnessing those areas and then asking, “Well, what could I do in this?” And giving it a try. And you learn from that experience because every experience treats you differently. There are at least three takeaways from every experience. Whether it's positive or negative, you will learn. Challenge yourself to do that and go from there.

*The Woodstock Alumni Ambassador Program is a School Board of Directors recognized volunteer leadership program with Ambassadors serving countries and geographic regions in support of alumni engagement, fundraising, and staff and student recruitment. More on the Alumni Ambassadors program is coming soon to Woodstock School Alumni Connect: https:// woodstockalumniconnect. com/

We’re grateful to have the committee members volunteer their efforts and share valuable advice and memories to ensure local events are not only enjoyable and enriching but also maintain continuity with the great programming that has happened in the past.

The committee played a crucial role in planning and driving local attendance and involvement for some key events, notably Homecoming and Mela 2023, which was an enormous success. They also contributed to planning the Dehradun WWD (Worldwide Woodstock Day) event.

Committee Members: Subhashini Timothy (Former Staff), Sanjaya and Ajay Mark ’71 (Former Staff), Tsering Malik (Former Staff), Kiran Kapoor ’75, Shanti Tsering (Friend and Hillside Resident), Judy Crider ’69, and Joshua Hishey ’99

Investing in Innovation, Securing Impact

A Community Effort

Katie Jo Walter

Woodstock is currently in what Dr. Cook calls “a season of innovation” brought about by two key impetuses. First, to stay relevant and achieve our strategic goals we must connect the world to Woodstock and vice versa. The days are gone when a dearth of highquality educational options in the region brings the world to us; we now need to take the time, effort, and, yes, money to build awareness around Woodstock and bring best-fit students and staff from around the world to Woodstock. Second, the Council of International Schools is offering Woodstock a unique accreditation opportunity: innovate in global citizenship and intercultural learning, areas vital to our legacy and future.

To safeguard Woodstock's exciting innovations, we’re calling upon you to join forces with us. Together, we're making initial investments of various kinds in both innovative projects themselves and secure, long-term funding. This ensures future success and protects our progress from unforeseen difficulties.

A Year of Accomplishments

2023 has been a year full of great accomplishments for Woodstock School, and the Advancement and Alumni Office is no exception. We’ve seen a rebound from the post-Covid decrease in giving that affected almost all charitable institutions and organizations around the world in 2022.

We’ve been welcoming alumni back to campus in ever greater numbers, with the milestone reunion class of 1973 making a major gift towards Parker Hall renovations and our Diversity Scholarships Endowment

Fund. We’ve seen alumni and friends from more recent years showing financial support for the school. With the help of key alumni here in India, we’ve also been making progress in securing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding from Indian corporations.

Friends of Woodstock School (FWS) has continued to be an invaluable strategic partner, pledging USD 1.5 million in unrestricted and yet-to-be-raised funds toward the renovation of Parker Hall.

Meanwhile, Canadian Friends of Woodstock School has seen an increase in participation, and the Woodstock School UK Charitable Trust is established and will be able to accept its first donations in late 2023/early 2024.

Our Gratitude for You and Your Impact

W’re grateful to all of our supporters who have helped us in achieving these accomplishments. Your gifts of time, expertise, and charitable donations all have real impact at Woodstock, and we’ve been working harder than ever before to make sure you, our supporters, can know the impact your gift is making.

Students have been expressing just how much they love being able to enjoy new beautiful outdoor spaces in the Peace Garden and outdoor Amphitheatre as well as the added knowledge and enthusiasm for learning they experience in the newly renovated music classrooms and at the Centre for Imagination; you’ll see testimony to this in several of our recent videos on the Woodstock School YouTube channel. We often mention how much our alumni come to appreciate these spaces when they visit and experience them alongside current students on a guided tour of campus – this is something we hope all of you will do if you can!

Scholarship recipients, too, have been sharing all they love about having the opportunity to be at Woodstock. For example, a current Grade 9 scholarship recipient recently shared, “Studying here is so much more diverse, advanced, and supportive than my previous school, and I

Woodstock Advancement and Alumni Office L-R: Archives Consultant Bob Shoemaker, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations Katie Jo Walter, Advancement and Alumni Office Coordinator Sanchali Chakraborty, and Alumni Relations Manager Ady Manral

“ We are doing everything we can to support Woodstock’s innovation while maintaining a continuity of our culture.

am really grateful for being able to come here. I'm also enjoying my campus life very much - pursuing my passion of music and art while studying!”

As we all know, gratitude builds once we have time to reflect upon all we’ve received. This is why we have also been sharing voices from our supporters who give to the school both financially and in volunteer leadership and guidance roles on the Woodstock School Board and General Body. We worked with nearly all of these committed alumni, former staff, and friends to create some wonderful videos sharing why giving to Woodstock School is important for them and for the school. Some of these are available on our YouTube Channel, and some are yet to come.

The Call for Broad Participation from New Donors

The positive movement we’ve seen in 2023 is what we hope to be the beginning of the groundswell of support that will be necessary to attain the Woodstock our community values and wants to see perpetuated for future generations. For this to happen, we need broad participation in giving from as many supporters as possible, and this is why this year we launched International by Nature, a fundraising campaign that 1) focuses on crowdfunding at different levels, 2) makes online giving easier for those in India, and 3) introduces key foundational funds requiring external support for Woodstock School’s continued long-term success, including endowments for diversity scholarships and for Scholars for Peace who come to Woodstock School from conflict-affected areas.

While we’ve made progress with new donors, they do not balance the scales as more FWS and Woodstock dedicated supporters from over the years pass on.

Most of our support is coming from invaluable sustaining donors who contribute to FWS monthly or annually.

In order to achieve the levels of external funding needed, we require much broader participation. The gifts that have come in thus far since the International by Nature campaign launch on April 1, 2023 have landed us nearly halfway to our goal—of USD $452,458—in donations to Woodstock School and strategic partners/supporting organizations like Friends of Woodstock School, Canadian Friends of Woodstock School, and (the soon-to-be-launched) Woodstock School UK Charitable Trust by March 31, 2024. If everyone can give even a small gift, we can easily meet our goal! Please visit https://www.woodstockschool. in/give169/ws169/ and consider making a gift today.

Our Plans Going Forward

Encouraged by initial progress in 2023, we plan to dive deeper and work with you to build the foundation for our school's long-term success around the 2023-2028 strategic plan. The three components of this collaboratively laid foundation are providing continuity of culture, knowing and supporting the school’s vision and need, and committing to investing in Woodstock’s future.

Providing Continuity of Culture: We’re doing everything we can to support Woodstock’s innovation while maintaining a continuity of our culture. Strengthening of and connection with our alumni communities, both where you are and on the Woodstock campus, is vital to informing our decisions around and approaches to innovation while also providing inspiration to a new generation of young people who want to know about and build upon the school’s legacy.

Knowing and Supporting the Vision and Need: Keeping pace with India and the world's education scene is demanding. If you're new to Woodstock, grasping our challenges, innovations, and resource allocation might be challenging. When our stakeholders know what we’re doing and why, they can more easily see where they can play an important role.

Committing to Investment in Woodstock’s Future: In a world of many worthy causes, we invite you to choose Woodstock to amplify your impact. Every contribution strengthens our mission, alongside your existing commitments. Your contributions to our current fundraising campaign International by Nature are supported and enhanced by our collaborations with strategic partners in the corporate and nonprofit domains.

Read on to Learn More, Be Inspired, and Join Us by Giving Back!

We invite you to read the following selection of articles, which we have written intending to engage you with all of the components above – providing continuity of culture, knowing and supporting the school’s vision and need, and committing to investing in Woodstock’s future – and welcome you as partners in building a strong foundation for Woodstock’s continued success.

Thank you for partnering with us, and happy reading!

PARKER HALL

New life for our heritage space

Our beloved Parker hall is being renovated for better performance and audience experiences, while retaining iconic design themes and rustic heritage aesthetics. Improvements include better stage visibility, proper acoustics, increased seating capacity, safety upgrades, modern sound and light equipment, and more!

Image: Debate in Parker Hall, 1932

Give in honor of someone else. A teacher, a parent, a classmate, a mentor, a departed one, or even your class.

Write to us at advancement@woodsock.ac.in to honor someone with a gift today.

Woodstock School Board 2023

The Woodstock School Board and General Body, including incoming and outgoing members, September 2023

Back Row L-R: Vivek Harinarain, Hugh Bradby (former Principal and outgoing Board President), Mark Windsor ’78, Machutmi Shishak ’93, Junias Venugopal, Principal Dr. Craig Cook, Board President Rev. Thsespal Kundan, Kathleen Hawthorne ’90, Chris Green ’90, Advancement and Alumni Relations Director Katie Jo Walter, Manav Mehra ’96

Middle Row L-R: Dr. Gorge Clarence, Agustín Silvadiaz, Deirdré Straughan ’81, Danny Lacy (former staff), Bruce Davis ’73, Student Council Co-President Sangjun Park, Student Council Co-President Aditi Gaur, Stephanie Williams ’83, Susan (Copp) Anderberg ’90

Front Row L-R: Dr. Leishiwon Kumrah, Jonake Bose ’81, Zafar Sobhan ’88, Rachna Peter, Rev. Anita Templeton, Vinita Sundaram ’81, Priya Kapoor ’97, Rajesh Kohli ’84

Thsespal Kundan

President

Thsespal Kundan grew up in Ladakh, where his family were members of the Moravian Church. He studied at Cambridge University (BA, MA, and Post Graduate Certificate of Education). After graduation and further study in the USA, he returned to India to teach at the Moravian Institute in Rajpur, of which he has been Principal now for many years. Thsespal served as Vice President on the Woodstock School Board 2005-2012. His wife Sarah and he have two children, a boy and a girl, who both graduated from Woodstock (2003 and 2009).

Ashok

Fenn

Vice President

Ashok has over 30 years' experience in the corporate world through leadership positions across various airline services and technology. He is Executive Director Strategic Growth at Netherlands-based Xebia IT Architect. Ashok has a track record of helping organizations grow by blending business fundamentals with technology and has a passion for leadership and people development.

Jonake Bose

Chair of Advancement Committee,

Member

of Finance Committee

Jonake grew up in India and studied at Woodstock. She holds a B.A. from Mt. Holyoke College and a Master’s in International Economics from the University of South Carolina. For more than 25 years she served as a Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank, holding a range of commercial roles. Prior to becoming Executive Director of Dream Catchers in 2019, Jonake volunteered there and joined the Dream Catchers Board in 2018.

Vivek Harinarain Chair of Estates Committee

Vivek joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1980 and led assignments for various state government departments: Ministry of Commerce, Excise, Revenue and Survey, and Information Technology. In 2015 he set up the niche firm Tennex Consulting, which focuses on employability enhancement in keeping with the national initiatives of Skill India, Make in India, Start Up India, and Stand Up India.

Kathy Hoffmann Chair of Education Committee

Kathy taught English for more than 30 years at high schools in India, US, UK, and Australia, 22 years of which were at Woodstock – including five as Academic Dean. Upon her return to the US in 2009, Kathy taught in the Education Department of St. Olaf College. She currently volunteers with AmeriCorps in literacy tutoring in elementary schools in St. Paul, Minnesota where she resides.

Dr. George Clarence

Member of Estates Committee and Education Committee

George is Senior Administrative Officer and Medical Superintendent at Landour Community Hospital. After completing his MBBS and MD (Orthopedics) from St. John’s Medical College and Hospital in Bangalore, he has worked as an orthopedic surgeon for 15 years in India and Canada.

Dr. Leishiwon Kumrah

Member of Finance Committee

Dr. Leishiwon Kumrah is Senior Consultant in Dermatology, Venereology, Leprology,

and Cosmetology at the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) in Dimapur, Nagaland. Dr Leishiwon is parent to two recent Woodstock graduates and is appreciative of the innovative ways that Woodstock makes education relevant and interesting for students.

Junias Venugopal

Junias serves as the Director of the M.A. in Global Leadership, Associate Professor of Evangelism & Leadership, and Associate Dean at the Litfin School of Mission, Ministry, and Leadership at Wheaton College, Illinois, US. He served on the Woodstock School Board during the early 2000s and is an experienced educator.

Augustin Silvadíaz Staff Representative.

Agustín became a member of the Woodstock community in 2018 along with his wife and two daughters, bringing with him a passion for teaching Spanish and promoting reading. He also assumed the position of Head Librarian. Prior to joining Woodstock, Agustín worked as the Director of Educational Programs for the Andean Region at the NGO Ashoka. During his tenure, he pioneered the establishment of the Changemakers Schools network in the region to promote educational innovation and positive change. Agustín's journey in education spans various levels, from 6th-Grade students to guiding Master's level scholars. He served as a professor at the Central University of Venezuela in the Western Literatures department for 13 years. Additionally, he held the position of Academic Coordinator for the Diploma in Publishing (UCV-Cavelibro) and served as a professor of Children's Book Publishing at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB-GRETEL).

INCOMING NEW MEMBERS

Kathleen Hawthorne

Member of Education Committee and Nominations Committee

Kathleen graduated in the Woodstock class of ’90. Her son Ashton is in Grade 11 at Woodstock, so she is also a current parent as well as a second-generation Board Member (her parents served on the Board in the 80s). After her first degree at UCL in Southeast European studies, Medieval Slavonic, and Paleography, she earned a PhD in Classical archaeology from the University of Cambridge. She then worked with the European Commission and Bulgarian Ministry of Culture and Education on funding and preserving cultural heritage sites. After several years digging up ritual sites including prehistoric human sacrifice in the Balkans, Kathleen moved to Istanbul, Turkey where she currently runs her own busy educational consultancy.

Deirdré Straughan

Chair of Nominations Committee, Member of Advancement Committee

Deirdré graduated from Woodstock in 1981, has been her class secretary most of the years since, was a founding member of the WOSA Council in the US and then WOSA Europe. Her daughter Rossella Laeng attended Woodstock for her senior year ('08). Deirdré has lived in Thailand, Bangladesh, India, and Italy as well as her "native" US, and is now permanently settled in Australia. She is currently retired after 40 years in the technology industry across companies of all nations and sizes including Sun Microsystems, Ericsson, Amazon, Intel, and several startups.

Woodstock School General Body 2003

Rev. Anita Templeton

Rev. Templeton is a retired Minister of the Church of North India. For many years she served along with her husband as Priest in Charge of the CNI churches in Mussoorie, including St. Paul's, Christ Church, and the Hindustani Church.

Rev. Subodh Mondal

Representative of the Methodist Church of India Rev. Mondal has been Bishop of the Methodist Church in India, Delhi Episcopal Area since 2012. Born in West Bengal, he was educated at Bishop's College, Kolkota, and Serampore Seminary.

Zafar Sobhan

Zafar Sobhan is Editor of the Dhaka Tribune He previously held Editor roles with The Daily Star, Forum Magazine, and The Daily Independent. He has been Head of English Language Programs at Independent TV and is host of the English language talk show Straight Talk. Zafar has written for The Guardian, The New York Times, Seminar, EPW, and TIME magazine, among many others, and was the first ever Bangladeshi to have a syndicated weekly column outside Bangladesh. Prior to becoming a journalist, he worked as a corporate attorney and as a licensed New York City public school

teacher. He has a BA and MA in English Literature and a JD in Law. Among other honors, he was named by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader and was a Yale World Fellow.

Danny Lacy

Danny studied at Ball State University, Indiana. He worked as a Pianist and Elementary School Teacher before joining One Mission Society in 1977. He taught in the Elementary School at Woodstock 197784, then at Morison Academy, Taiwan for four years and Faith Academy, Manila for eight years. He was Director of Development for One Mission Society for eight years.

Since 2008 he has been Director of Planned Giving at Spring Arbor University, Michigan.

Priya Kapoor

Priya ’97 is second generation Woodstock alumna – her mother, brother, and sisterin-law went to Woodstock. She studied at Royal Holloway and has a master’s from the London School of Economics. She began her career as a journalist, then worked at the academic publisher Routledge in London before joining her family’s publishing house, Roli Books, which she runs with her brother Kapil (’99) today. At Roli Books, she oversees the publishing list and dayto-day functioning of the company and has commissioned and edited bestselling books. She is also the co-founder of CMYK, India’s only chain of bookshops dedicated to art and illustrated books. She is a regular speaker at literature festivals and publishing events in India. She divides her time between Delhi and Landour with her husband and nearly one-year-old daughter.

Mark Windsor

Mark is from the Woodstock School classes of ‘79 and ‘78. He was on the staff with his wife Annie on three different occasions –2000-2002, 2010, and 2012-2016. Although he trained as a mechanical engineer with design and energy management experience, he has also taught engineering subjects, as well as physics and general science at Woodstock. Mark was involved with the school's membership of Round Square and GAIL from the start and was then the GAIL Administrator for a few years. He completed 6 years on the GB last year with involvement on the Nominations and Estates Committee.

Susan (Copp) Anderberg

Susan Anderberg spent KG to grade 8 and also her senior year at Woodstock, graduating with the class of ’90. After spending time in the Netherlands, Hungary,

Serbia, and Cyprus, she completed a year studying Political Science in Sweden but switched to studying History in the UK and attended the University in London. Her Bachelor’s included studies at the School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies, the School of Oriental and African Studies, and UCL. After moving back to Sweden, she pursued studies in English and Education. This has led to positions teachinga variety of curricula in bi-lingual settings, including the IB. Susan and her husband Karl are raising four girls and are presently based in Sweden. She is looking forward to reconnecting with Woodstock!

Manav Mehra

After graduatingfrom Woodstock School in 1996, Manav pursued his Bachelor’s in Commerce from Delhi University, then moved to Canada to pursue another degree in finance and subsequently finished his MBA. He has close to 18 years’ experience in various segments of multinational companies such as General Electric, ABN AMRO, and Standard Chartered Bank. Manav has handled teams and driven revenues in areas such as international trade, foreign exchange, private equity, and treasury sales. Currently Manav lives in Delhi, where he runs two other businesses with another Woodstock alumnus and is also a part of many chambers of commerce and startup forums. Manav has also been actively involved with the school through WOSA Asia and has been providing internships to Woodstock students as well.

Chris Green

Chris ‘90 is a Tennessee-born, New York City-based designer, performer, and director. His mother is Carol Rugh (’60) m and his grandfather Donald E. Rugh was headmaster at WS 1953-63. Chris received a BA in religious studies from the College of Wooster, and in 2005 he started Chris Green

Kinetics, an interdisciplinary collaborative design studio creating unique theatrical, cinematic, and immersive projects (chrisgreenkinetics.com). He returned to Woodstock in 1999 to teach a mini-course on devised theater and again in 2022 as part of the first cohort of alumni artists to be in residence at CFI.

Machutmi Shishak

Machut ’93 was born and raised in Nagaland. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Calvin University (Grand Rapids, MI) and a Master’s from the Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University (Washington, DC). He is a diplomat in the US Foreign Service, which he joined in 2003, with a focus on economic and commercial issues. He most recently served as Managing Director for Interagency Coordination at the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in Washington, DC. Machut was previously posted as the Political-Economic Counselor at the US Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal, as PoliticalEconomic Counselor at the US Embassy in Vientiane, Laos, and as the Economic/ Commercial Unit Chief in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma). Earlier assignments included Jakarta, Manila, and Kabul. He has been recognized with the Department of State’s Herbert Salzman Award for Excellence in International Economic Performance and the joint State and Commerce Departments’ Benjamin Joy Award for Commercial Diplomacy Excellence. He also spearheaded the establishment of the first American Chambers of Commerce in Nepal and Myanmar. Machut’s wife Pauliina (Liina) hails from Finland. They live together with their Rhodesian Ridgeback dog in Washington, DC.

Nikhil Chouguley

Nikhil ’98 currently works as Global Chief Operating Officer at Citibank, leading the organization’s (and clients’ investment portfolios) sustainable investing function, i.e., transitioning to net zero, investing in nature, risk modeling climate; in general helping rich people get richer, with the exception of diverting some of their money towards creating a fairer capital order and an equitable society. He is the father of two little girls (future students at Woodstock), husband to a lovely German woman whom he met in France during his gap year 20 years ago. He is a chartered accountant and owns a tax residence-focused Fintech company.

Stephanie Williams

Stephanie ’83 spent 24 years in the US Foreign Service, concentrated mostly on the Middle East/North Africa, serving in Pakistan, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan,

Iraq, Libya (from Tunisia), London, and Washington. She retired from the US government in 2018 and was appointed as a United Nations senior official in Libya 2018-2022. Stephanie is now semi-retired with her husband Tom (also a former US diplomat) in southwest France where she is writing a book on Libya, serving as an unpaid non-resident senior fellow for

Brookings and Johns Hopkins SAIS, doing conflict mediation training and as a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy and Diplomats Without Borders. She has two young adult children, both studying at universities in the UK.

Friends of Woodstock School

Former and Current Board Presidents Bruce Davis ’73 and David Shastry ’09 Share About its Progress and Promise

Katie Jo Walter

Friends of Woodstock School (FWS) saw a change in leadership in 2023 as Board President Bruce Davis ’73 completed a second term of six years – the maximum length of time one can serve on the FWS Board. Incoming Board President David Shastry ’09 steps into the role with considerable experience and inspiring confidence about the road ahead.

Katie Jo Walter got together with Bruce and David to learn more about their relationships with Woodstock School and US-based independent 501(c)(3) FWS which has been the school’s primary strategic development partner. Working with USbased Woodstock supporters, FWS raises, manages, and stewards gifts made to benefit Woodstock School and those connected with it while keeping the community connected via annual reunions in the US and more.

Throughout its nearly 20 years of existence as FWS (and 31 years before that when the organization served both Kodaikanal International School and Woodstock School as Kodai Woodstock International – KWI), FWS has made numerous grants to co-fund projects of strategic priority at Woodstock, including its most recent grant to match the initial USD 500,000 the school will be raising toward the renovation of Parker Hall. FWS has also pledged another USD one million to cover the remaining Parker Hall renovation costs. Funded by donations to FWS and if needed supplemented by the FWS Fund for Excellence, this additional funding will cover all renovation costs and make a newly renovated Parker Hall ready for “lights, camera, action!” in 2025.

Katie Jo Bruce and David, how did all of this get started for you both? How and when did you start getting involved with FWS?

bruce davis I was at a regional gathering in Chicago in 2008. It was honoring Indus Valley researcher Mark Kenoyer ’70 who had recently received the Woodstock School Distinguished Alumni Award. I started chatting with former FWS Board President Glenn Conrad ’68 (who has since become a

Distinguished Alum himself), and he asked me, “What are you up to now?” I said, “Well, I’m working at JP Morgan Chase here in Chicago as a Vice President and commercial banker providing debt financing and treasury management to municipalities, school districts, and not-for-profit institutions. I am the account manager for several not-for-profits and government municipal entities, including museums and botanical gardens.”

Through the conversation, Glenn realized that my not-for-profit accounting knowledge and familiarity with the functioning of foundations and boards would be very helpful for FWS, and he said, “Bruce, you have to join the FWS board!” It just so happened that the timing was perfect. I finally was at a spot where I said, “All right, why not?” So, I became FWS Treasurer and then learned about FWS while volunteering for my first six-year

David Shastry ’09

Bruce Davis ’73

Bruce Davis ’73 (right) at hist first FWS Board meeting in 2009 with Distinguished Alumnus T.Z. Chu ’52

stint. After that, I took three years off and then returned to FWS and became Board President. But that’s how I started my involvement with FWS – Glenn Conrad kind of pulled me in!

So now David Shastry gets to talk about how he got pulled in.

david shastry ’09: I got involved because of Bruce! I didn’t know it at the time, but it was because of Bruce, and it was right around 2010 or 2011. I was still in college, and I got an email invitation to a Chicago gathering. I thought, “Sure, I’ll go check it out. If nothing else, it will be a free meal, and I’ll get to meet some Woodstock people, and that’s always good, right?” I thought I was going to see some familiar faces and reconnect and things like that. I attended, and it was one of the dinners that have become regular affairs organized by Bruce that follow FWS Chicago Board meetings at the Union League Club. So, Bruce and I met each other there. We continued to stay in touch over the years off and on, and then in 2018 I got roped in to help with certain parts of a local reunion happening at De Paul University here in Chicago, since I’m also an alumnus of De Paul.

Through the planning of the event and at the event itself, I met a ton of alumni. Being in a more hands-on role, I was able to chat and engage with many FWS board members along with many others in the community. I became much more knowledgeable about FWS as an organization and became a part of the area network.

Shortly afterward in 2018 I was asked to

join the FWS board, not only because of my strong understanding of FWS and my love for Woodstock but also because my professional experience and skills were seen as an asset to the board. I have a corporate background, and at that time I was a business owner. So, I had hard skills developed through my work with boards and at the enterprise level. I accepted the Board’s offer, and we’ve been on the journey ever since.

Katie Jo You both have been involved for a while! Bruce, you have served with FWS for over twelve years, and, David, you’ve served for over five. Can you share how your understanding of FWS has evolved between when you first became involved and now?

david shastry ’09: At first, even before that first reunion I attended in 2010 or 2011, I had few inklings of what FWS did. Over those years, I thought FWS was an alumni organization just like any other alumni organization and that their work didn’t go much beyond getting people together to reminisce about the old days and reconnect.

I didn’t understand a lot of what FWS fundamentally did in terms of its strategic partnership with the school and its critical role in responsibly providing financial support to the school. As I continued my journey to come onto the Board in 2018 and ever since, I have developed a crucial and critical understanding of how FWS operates and all the things that we do to raise funds and support the school. An important aspect of this is what you mentioned in the beginning about us (Woodstock School and FWS) being independent organizations and

Before and after photos from 2021-22 Science Laboratory Renovations

our relationship with each other. The FWS side of the relationship requires us to fulfill specific legal and fiduciary responsibilities. I’ve learned about all this in-depth over the years.

That learning has been key in me being where I am now, taking charge of the organization. And I am looking forward to building upon the very strong base that Bruce and others have established in previous years.

Katie Jo What about you, Bruce? How has your understanding evolved?

bruce davis You know, what I’d like to highlight here is that I joined FWS in 2008 but officially in January 2009 at the Winter Board meeting. 2008 to 2023 is 15 years. I was on the FWS board for six years, then off for three, and then back on again for another six. And over the past 15 years what I’ve found is that FWS has been a steady and reliable supporter of the school. It has provided steady alumni engagement and support to the 3,000-strong community of Woodstock alumni, former staff, and friends in North America. David and Connie Wheeler, who run the FWS office, have been very involved in engagement work, especially with our older alumni.

I think FWS has been helpful in that sense and will continue to be going forward. My view is that FWS exists precisely because there’s such a large alumni community in North America and because of the tax structure here in the United States. I’m saying that FWS has been a 501 (c)(3) allowing Woodstock’s financial supporters

David Shastry ’09, Suzanne Turner Hanifl ’67, and Ben Henderson ’09 at a 2011 event in Chicago

to obtain tax benefits while also being able to count on us to be good stewards of the funds we receive. We’ve also been critical in keeping North American alumni engaged. We’re excited to see all that you and your team at the school have been doing in this area and look forward to more.

Katie Jo You’ve brought up some very important ways FWS fulfills its role as a strategic partner of the school. As you close out your twelve-year service on the FWS board, what are you most proud of?

bruce davis First, as I just mentioned, I think our FWS Board, especially over the last five years, has been good stewards of our alumni gifts. Between 2010 and 2022, we received about 5.8 million dollars in donations. Of this, about 1.8 million was endowment contributions that are there to grow and to provide scholarship funds, but they are in the corpus. The corpus is restricted, but about four million were contributions available for grants through our unrestricted or designated funds during that time. When you add up our grants from that time, over five million dollars was awarded.

In support of my first point, we’ve managed to grow our balance sheet and keep the organization financially sound. We used much of our unrestricted funds to match (Distinguished Alumnus) Rick Downs ’79’s gift for the recent science lab innovations. But we still had some funds, and we made the big decision to grant a million dollars of those funds to Parker Hall. Then we’ll raise the other half a million dollars through designated funds. But we’re still financially

healthy. And I think that’s a good thing. During the pandemic, we partnered with the school and its donors to co-fund the Centre for Imagination, several classrooms, and the T.Z. Chu Science Laboratories. Now we’ve decided to fundraise for and substantially co-fund Parker Hall. I think these are all very big deals.

At the helm of all this work to make the most of the funds we raise is an intentionally assembled Board of Directors who are diverse, competent, and collegial. FWS has also developed a solid working relationship with Woodstock in which we let each other know where our limitations are, and we don’t fight about it. We just work as best we can together.

Finally, our recent grant to help Kaplani School have Eleventh and Twelfth-Grade teachers has been a nice little addition to what we do, thanks in no small part to Glenn Conrad. Otherwise, almost everything goes to partner with Woodstock on projects or to provide scholarships. I feel good leaving, and it will just get better with the great Board that’s in place, and David Shastry’s going to come up with all kinds of brilliant ideas.

David Shastry: Those are big shoes to fill.

Katie Jo That’s my next question for you, Bruce. You have done all this great work, and now you’re passing it off into the very capable hands of David Shastry. What makes you most excited about the fact that it’s him you’re handing these things over to?

bruce davis He’s young. He’s smart, he’s

good-natured, he has ideas, and he’s easy to work with. He was at Woodstock for 10 years, and he knows Woodstock, he knows India, and he knows the US. He just needs now to get to know more folks at Woodstock when he goes out there for meetings next year, but he represents the next generation of the alumni community. He’s brought in his buddy Ben Henderson ’09 who has just joined the Board, and he’s also full of ideas. And that’s what any organization needs – the right folks from each successive generation to help it evolve. Everybody on the FWS Board agreed that David was the right person to do this, so that adds to my optimism.

Katie Jo David, what are you most excited about as you take the helm here? Where do you see the greatest potential?

david shastry I just listened to Bruce’s responses to your earlier question about his points of pride, and these are the exact things that excite me as I step into my new role. That makes me happy because it shows that we’re aligned in our thinking, and it speaks volumes to sort of the steadiness of the structure that has been built today. In leadership whether here or anywhere else, I think steadiness and continuity are very important, especially in handoffs of key positions like the FWS Board Presidency. It’s important to sustain the mission and culture of the organization.

What I’m most excited about is something Bruce mentioned – the steady governance structure that we have in place with our board and the lines of communication that we have between our board and the

Parker Hall today

school leadership, between your office and David and Connie at the FWS office. I think there’s a ton of collaboration, transparency, and mutual respect. And I think that’s fantastic. It wasn’t always like this. I’m excited to work in close coordination with your office, and with additional Woodstock Board committees like the Advancement Committee.

This way our efforts can be coordinated, and we can support each other to the greatest extent possible. Building on the good framework we already have is exciting, because that enables us to do great things in strategic partnership, whether that is for big projects like Parker Hall or other items in the coming years. Also, we’ll continue to issue endowed scholarships established by our donors.

Katie Jo And I know Bruce has been a great example and mentor for you throughout your engagement with FWS and the school. What do you value most about that relationship?

david shastry My relationship with Bruce at this point goes back over a decade. He’s been a close friend as well as a mentor. I think the biggest thing that I’ve learned from him is what it takes to build a great board and trust it to run your organization and the challenges that one faces when going down that path. It’s not easy to build stability and steadiness, and that’s very challenging. I’ve learned a lot from watching him do that over the years. I also love that he has a great can-do attitude, even when we’re dealing with complex issues and complex problems. He has the willingness to dig in and have the necessary, sometimes difficult conversations to figure it out. Bruce’s can-do attitude is ultimately what has gotten us through many such situations, and I look forward to materializing a very similar attitude with our Board because positivity and focus on the outcome are ultimately what drive results.

Katie Jo From my side, I have a great appreciation for Bruce’s can-do attitude as well. Because when he’s come to the school to attend the Woodstock Board’s Finance Committee meetings, we’ll sit down for a good hour or two and talk through things. He’ll be like, “Okay, here’s how we keep our eye on the ball.” And that’s what it’s about. It’s about the bigger picture and persevering in the areas where you can persevere. To know that you also want to do that is comforting and inspiring.

david shastry Bruce is also a veteran

January 2023 FWS Board Meeting in Chicago, IL. L-R: Former FWS Board President Bruce Davis ’73, Woodstock School Advancement and Alumni Director Katie Jo Walter, FWS Board Vice President Kim Gingerich Brenneman ’79, FWS Board Member and Alumni Committee Chair Sharon Seto ’79, Current FWS Board President David Shastry ’09, FWS Administrative Manager David Wheeler, FWS Emeritus Board Member Glenn Conrad ’68, FWS Board Treasurer Steve Van Rooy ’68, FWS Board Member and Woodstock School Principal Dr. Craig Cook, and Woodstock School Director of the Center for Imagination Jamie Williams. Not pictured: FWS Board Secretary Suzanne Turner-Hanifl ’63, FWS Board Member Stephen Alter ’74, and FWS Communications Manager and Donor Relations Coordinator Connie Wheeler.

of the Woodstock community. He knows everybody, and everybody knows him, which allows him to share a great deal of context coming from different segments of the community. We can’t be driven solely by data. Context is always key in decisionmaking. Bruce’s veteran status also comes with deep institutional knowledge. As Bruce was touching on earlier, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, and I believe it’s important to understand the challenges we’ve faced before, because that may shape the solutions for future problems. It also helps us avoid rehashing the same decisions repeatedly. The depth of institutional knowledge offered by Bruce and Glenn Conrad and others and their sharing of past crises we’ve faced and how we’ve navigated them have been crucial in making and acting upon decisions.

Katie Jo Both of you have been very generous with your time on the FWS Board and sharing your expertise, but you’ve also both made substantial contributions to FWS that have gone to support projects at Woodstock School. Bruce, you’ve joined your classmates to give toward Parker Hall and diversity scholarships. David, you’ve recently given towards a classroom that’s going to be named in honor of your parents. What makes you feel the best about what you’re giving? Because I think one important thing you can do when giving is motivate others. Your gift is making a statement about what you care about and encourages others to care about it, too.

David Shastry: Let me give some context

because the context drives the decision. My parents are doctors, and they’re missionaries as well. That’s what brought our family to Mussoorie. My parents worked at Landour Community Hospital, and then for almost a decade and a half they provided critical medical care to Mussoorie and had satellite clinics in the far-flung villages. They opened multiple clinics and provided care to thousands of people in the community over those years. They were a pillar on which other people leaned in that time. Their focus was on providing medical and spiritual care for the community. That’s how they describe it. They did that tirelessly and selflessly. It was never about the money. It was always about service to others and taking care of the community. And the ethos of our family and the school have always been jointly united.

I made my contribution because I believe in those shared values of service to others before oneself. Hard work in the face of adversity and resilience to establish and grow institutions larger than oneself are ideas that should be cherished, preserved, and recognized for future generations. Also, personally, as someone who spent most of my childhood on the hillside, Woodstock and Mussoorie hold a very special place in my heart. Being able to leave a small mark behind, celebrating not only my family’s legacy but also preserving it for my children so that one day, when they attend, they can remember their heritage. They will see that they have big shoes to fill and hopefully will be further motivated to build a better world than they came into. That was the main

“

As time marches on, the world is changing around us. Woodstock can’t become a relic of the past. It must stay current. It must stay competitive so it can serve as that institution for future generations. And that requires us as a community – and I mean all of us in North America and worldwide – to support the school and give back.

reason that I was giving.

And I hope others understand that, first and foremost, the school that we loved and grew up in needs our collective support, financially and otherwise, to continue to be the international institution that it is and has been for 169 years. As time marches on, the world is changing around us. Woodstock can’t become a relic of the past. It must stay current. It must stay competitive so it can serve as that institution for future generations. And that requires us as a community – and I mean all of us in North America and worldwide – to support the school and give back.

The school has broad and varied needs, and there’s always a way you can give back. You can give back specifically in the US through organizations like us because, as Bruce mentioned earlier, the tax structure in the US may make it advantageous to do so. You can give to the funds that we have in support of specific scholarships and projects at the school or give to our Fund for Excellence. You can also give direct donations to support the school and allow it to continue to maintain its status as a global institution, creating leaders of future generations. At FWS there’s a personal incentive on the tax front, but you’re also creating a better tomorrow. And that’s what’s important.

Katie Jo That covers a lot, but Bruce, do you have anything to add from your side about your giving?

bruce davis I completely agree with David Shastry, but I will share a further thought or two. I had not been giving to FWS or Woodstock before joining the Board, but I believe that anybody who’s a Board Member of FWS or Woodstock, besides giving their time and expertise, should also give something financially according to their

means. I started regular giving from the time I joined the Board, and then it became a practice, and it just continued. That’s one thing.

Secondly, I was aware that many classes in the past have given class gifts when they have milestone reunions, and I think it’s a wonderful thing that should be encouraged as much as possible. Our class had its fiftieth reunion this September at Woodstock, and I wanted to make sure our class would make a reasonably substantial class gift, not just passing around the hat while we’re there, and everybody throws in a few rupees or something like that. That wasn’t going to work. Our class representative Mary Ina Hooley and I did some work with FWS and those of you at Woodstock to motivate our class to make a larger gift, and I was very encouraged.

We had a very good turnout. All our Indian classmates contributed, giving directly to the school. We have several classmates from Canada, and they contributed to Canadian

Friends of Woodstock School. Then here in the United States, we gave to FWS. We raised over $25,000, and that was our class’s way of saying to the school, “Thank you for being our common home, and thank you for the experience of being able to come back and be together as a class for our milestone reunion.” I pledged a sizable amount and put it out as a challenge just to make sure others would jump in and be motivated. So that was what I wanted to do there, and thankfully it was successful. But I will continue to donate to either designated funds or to the unrestricted fund going forward because it’s just a part of my giving plan now.

And that comes to the next thing. Planned giving. I’m a Lyre Tree Society member. My wife and I have just updated our wills, and Woodstock is included. That’s something I think we need to keep trying to encourage. And I know Woodstock former staff and General Body Member Danny Lacy is going to be doing some outreach to our community about that.

Outgoing FWS Board President Bruce Davis ’73 and incoming President David Shastry ’09 at the 2024 FWS Annual Meeting and Reunion in Tempe, Arizona

Katie Jo Your class gift has been remarkable, and we’re so thankful for it! A wonderful aspect which you mentioned was that giving was made through a variety of channels available around the world. This marks an exciting departure from FWS being the source of over 90 per cent of Woodstock’s external funding. Gifts directly to the school from WOSA Asia members and gifts from Canadian Friends of Woodstock School have been steadily increasing, and the Woodstock School UK Charitable Trust will be set to receive its first donations any moment now. Like FWS, the Canadian and UK organizations have great boards with a lot of goodwill, and my office is keen to support them as much as possible.

I think it’s exciting that we’re moving away from an era in which all the money and support were coming from the US and were expected to come from the US, to a time in which other areas of the world are beginning to make substantial donations to the school. There’s now an opportunity for our community in these areas to come together to make some big positive differences at Woodstock. Do you think there are things these other organizations can learn from the successful case of FWS?

david shastry Yes, we’re all strategic partners, right? At FWS we’ve partnered with the school for decades and will continue to support it to the greatest extent that we can. However, I think outside of both Woodstock and FWS something to keep in mind is that the general perception that all the money flows from West to East needs to change because that’s just not the case.

There’s a lot of wealth across the world. And you know, I think, these organizations being established in places like the UK and Canada need to recognize that there’s a local donor base and that there are successful alumni all over the world, and they need to target them within whatever markets may be right. And we all need to recognize that the funds come from across the world through a network of strategic partner organizations much like us. Because, quite frankly, FWS isn’t in the position to raise all the funding Woodstock School requires. If we did, that would be fantastic. But we don’t.

FWS will do everything we can to pursue fundraising activities and engage with our donors and things like that. But the perception that there’s an endless money pit here for us to draw from and send funds over is completely incorrect. Even with the Parker Hall initiative, it took us years to get to that point.

Similarly, it will take us time to raise funds for the next strategic projects at Woodstock that we will want to support, including scholarship endowments and other longterm sustainability initiatives. There’s a need for other friends-type organizations across the world to keep coming up and to recognize we all need to support the school, and this is sort of a group effort.

Katie Jo For those who are in North America reading this and wanting to help FWS, how can they best do that?

david shastry Firstly, they can donate to our funds as Bruce mentioned. It’s always

going to be our primary purpose to raise those funds and then through grant making extend that to the school and similar organizations. However, I think the other way is just showing up. There is the FWS annual reunion that we encourage everyone to attend and help with that as they can.

You know, just showing up and engaging with our community, our staff, and our Board Members at reunions is how you begin getting into the community, and then from there, there may be several opportunities. Like I said, in my case, I ended up on the Board because of my time helping with the 2018 reunion and engaging face-to-face. That’s not to say that we can’t help in other ways, but I think everybody knows it’s the most effective way to do it.

I also think supporters can assist FWS in collaborating on many of the engagement activities that your office is organizing, and continuing to collaboratively drive engagement is an area of great opportunity. FWS can support Woodstock’s Advancement and Alumni Office, and at the same time your office can support us in being more effective with our base here in the United States.

Katie Jo Bruce, do you have anything to add to that?

bruce davis I think encouraging people to volunteer to host FWS annual reunions is important because we like to rotate around different areas of the country. Wherever the reunion takes place, the community in that locality plays a large role. This year’s

The class of 1973 twenty-year reunion at the Estes Park YMCA in 1993

reunion in Arizona, the 2020 reunion in Tampa, and the 2016 reunion in Los Angeles are a few recent examples. Volunteering to put together reunions is a great way to get engaged, and it often leads to getting involved in other ways, attending regional gatherings, meeting more interesting people, and wanting to keep learning and keep engaging.

Katie Jo Yes, they get re-inspired by the community and re-inspired by the school and see everything that’s happening. It’s not easy to have that unless you do show up and take part.

david shastry Our community is about that shared connection to the school and a shared heritage and history, but it’s also about meeting very interesting people. Talking to all the various people within our alumni body, I’ve never met somebody who doesn’t have a fascinating story that I want to learn more about. So just from a personal standpoint, I won’t even use the term networking, because that’s not what it is. These are genuine human connections that allow you to experience the world through a different lens. I think building that human connection and celebrating our differences are invaluable. For me, engaging across the many decades of alumni in this way has been very cool.

Katie Jo Agreed! And that’s what’s cool about my job every day. I’m grateful for that. These FWS annual reunions are a huge opportunity for our previously unengaged community members to get to experience this, meeting so many people from across

the years and from across the community while enjoying a great time in a great place, usually with programming that’s meaningful, substantial, and also a lot of fun. We want to encourage everybody who can to attend the next FWS Annual Meeting and Reunion in Estes Park, Colorado next June. I think my entire office team plans to attend, and we’ll be playing a role also. We’re looking forward to partnering in any way we can. What are you most excited about for the 2024 Estes Park reunion?

bruce davis I’m excited about the opportunity to engage in the ways David spoke about, meeting incredible people of all ages and all kinds. That’s why I’ve been a regular attendee at nearly every annual reunion for several years. There was a 2004 reunion in Estes Park that I missed. The YMCA campus at Estes Park is right on the border of Rocky Mountain National Park, and it has a feel like being in Mussoorie. A lot of individual classes have had reunions there. The class of ’72 had a reunion there last year.

Our class had our twentieth reunion there in 1993, and I helped plan. We had 33 classmates come with family and kids. My daughter was three years old at the time, and I took her along with me. It’s a familyfriendly and relatively budget-friendly place with lots of things to do. Since several classes have held reunions there, I’m hoping class secretaries/representatives will go out and encourage their classmates to attend this reunion.

david shastry For me, I was part of that planning committee in 2018, and I’ve been on every planning committee since then, including in 2021 when I helped build the virtual reunion online platform and helped figure out how to facilitate that. And then in 2022 it was just updating that and making sure everything was functional. I’m excited about Estes Park because, honestly, everybody else is very excited about Estes Park. I’ve never been there before, but when I hear Bruce and others just talk about how fantastic it is, that’s exciting for me, and I’m looking forward to it. You know the only experience I have with Colorado is that I proposed to my wife in 2021 in Colorado right outside Vail. When we went out there, it reminded me of Mussoorie, so if Estes Park is anything like that, then I think we’re all going to have a fantastic time.

Katie Jo I went to Colorado last summer, stayed with Jane Cummings, and met some of our alumni around there. Those alumni were across the ages again, and they were all saying the whole reason they lived in that area was because of that mirroring of the hillside over here.

david shastry And as for programming, Dr. Cook talks a lot about experiential learning, and I think this is similar in the sense that we’re trying to use the environment to drive the programming and immerse people in the surroundings. I think that’s a little bit different from what we’ve been able to do in other venues like Tempe this year or Tampa before that in 2020. I think the location is excellent, the programming is excellent – and the attendance will be excellent.

Katie Jo I’m excited for sure! Thank you both for taking the time to speak with me and for all you both do to support Woodstock School and its communities. I look forward to all our future collaborations and to seeing you in Estes Park in June!

Learn more about Friends of Woodstock School and how you can be involved in giving, events, and more! Visit www.fwsfoundation.org.

David Shastry ’09 proposing to his now wife Paige in Vail Colorado, 2021

Support Woodstock as we celebrate 169 years of a special Himalayan living and learning community that is international by nature and get membership discounts, benefits, and commemorative items with every gift of INR 1,690 or more. Visit www.woodstockschool.in/give169/ws169 for details.

Our goals in this campaign are:

1. To supplement Woodstock’s scholarship expenditures by

– Establishing two endowments to sustain a diverse student body at Woodstock well into the future: an institutional endowment to provide both need-based and meritbased scholarships as well as a Scholars for Peace (SFP) endowment to provide scholarships for high-need, high-achieving students from conflict-affected areas – Raising funds for current SFP and diversity scholarships

2. To garner financial support for a portion of Parker Hall Renovations to allow the school to focus more of its operating budget on innovating education and recruiting and retaining excellent, diverse, and long-serving faculty.

THIS YEAR’S PROJECTS

toDaY’S NeeDS: SCHoLaRSHiPS SUPPoRtiNG CURReNt StUDeNtS FRoM DiVeRSe

BaCKGRoUNDS aND CoNFLiCtaReaS

Help a conflict-affected student in need or support scholarships to attract students from diverse backgrounds – and play a role in Woodstock’s continued legacy of intercultural learning and global citizenship as we reinvigorate campus diversity post-pandemic.

FUtURe SUStaiNaBiLitY: SCHoLaRSHiP eNDoWMeNtS SUPPoRtiNG StUDeNtS FRoM DiVeRSe BaCKGRoUNDS aND CoNFLiCtaReaS

Because Woodstock’s legacy is shared by us all! Help continue Woodstock’s legacies of diversity and assisting those who need it most, providing refuge from conflict and educating for a world of difference.

BetteR SPaCeS: PaRKeR HaLL KiCKStaRteR ReNoVatioNS

Keep the Parker Hall legacy alive – because this is the place where great memories are created and dreams of the future are born!

otHeR FUNDS aND PRoJeCtS iNCLUDiNG FUND FoR eXCeLLeNCeaND eMPLoYee SUPPoRt FUNDS

Donate to our undesignated fund to support areas of greatest need or choose a designated fund.

Visit www.woodstockschool.in/give169/ws169 to see these and projects you can support, and make a donation.

“

This legacy of sharing experiences with those from diverse backgrounds has created a unique culture of teaching, living and learning at Woodstock that is simply not available anywhere else in India – or in the world!

Woodstock’s unique position in the world as a 169-year-old institution that is international by (and in!) nature is more important than ever. We’re asking our community members, past and present, to partner with Woodstock to achieve our potential and maximize the impact we make when our students go out into this world of difference, fully equipped to navigate and thoughtfully play a positive role in it.

Woodstock’s focus for this year’s crowdfunding drive is “International by Nature.” This refers not only to our Himalayan setting but also to our history, character, and ethos. Woodstock School has been international in its community, outlook, and educational approaches since long before international curricula were adopted in schools across India. This legacy of sharing experiences with those from diverse backgrounds has created a unique culture of teaching, living, and learning at Woodstock that is simply not available anywhere else in India – or in the world! We want to celebrate this vital element of who we are while ensuring its continuation well into the future. We consider this vital as religious, national, and cultural polarization are on the rise globally, and rapid change is placing increasing stressors on our people, communities, and natural environment.

We need support from community members like you because tuition does not cover all we – as a mission-driven school – need to achieve our full potential. To provide some context, the average percentage of annual income received from external funding for boarding schools around the world is 22% compared to the 5.5% of annual income received from external funding at Woodstock School.* This funding includes grants and corporate donations as well as personal philanthropy. Woodstock aims to grow across all of these areas and looks forward to you being a part of our efforts (see later on this page for our combined community fundraising goals for the year).

*Source: Ask Wonder

HeLP US ReaCH oUR GoaL

tOGether We caN PLaNt FOrests OF POssibiLity FOr WOOdstOcK’s Future!

Thanks to supporters like you, we’ve raised INR 1,60,67,184 / USD 192,582 towards our March 31, 2024 goal for this year’s projects!* Our goal of raising INR 3,71,05,000 / USD 452,458 / CAD 612,900 / GBD 364,946 by March 31, 2024* can be achieved if our community comes together in giving, receiving, and celebrating Woodstock School @169!

We are giving special appreciation items to our supporters at each giving level, including discount cards good at alumni businesses online and in India, alumni art, and more! Visit www.woodstockschool.in/give169/ws169 for details.

*The total campaign goal is based on priority projects and includes funds donated directly to Woodstock School as well as funds in support of projects listed here donated to nonprofit organizations supporting Woodstock School in the US (Friends of Woodstock School), Canada (Canadian Friends of Woodstock School), and soon the United Kingdom (Friends of Woodstock School UK Charitable Trust). The currency conversions displayed in the goal image are based on mid-April rates and may differ slightly from today’s exchange rates. Total funds raised as listed above are towards identified priority projects and do not include donations made to the Fund for Excellence and other funds.

Please consider giving to one of this year’s projects, and partner with us in Education for a World of Difference! If you’d like to know more about Corporate Social Responsibility or Planned Giving to Woodstock, email us at advancement@woodstock.ac.in.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR WOODSTOCK SUPPORTERS!

Meet the Student Interns at the Advancement and Alumni Office!

One of the exciting programs at our office is providing office internships to current Woodstock School students. Those of you who have returned to campus recently have shared that connecting with them has been a highlight of your visit to Woodstock! Our student interns contribute to various aspects of our office work, including conducting alumni interviews, giving campus tours to visiting alumni, and participating in the organization of events like Homecoming and Mela, WOSA Tea, and more. The interns particularly enjoy spending time connecting and chatting with alumni over a cup of chai at our office! If you’re planning a visit, let us know if you’d like a campus tour from one of our student interns, and we’ll make it happen.

Here we are sharing more about our intern team members so you can get to know them and learn what they love best about Woodstock and working with the alumni community!

Name Sahiba, 2025

FavOrite PLace ON camPus I love the Amphitheatre. Especially after school around 4:30.

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar Cross Country

FavOrite teacher Miss Stephanie Elsener, my Visual Arts Teacher

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK Kept going!! I was on the Devikund to Dayara Bugyal Trek, and perseverance was key.

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it I helped with various stalls, including the alumni merchandise stall. I loved the performances and how they added another vibe to the Mela.

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP I love giving campus tours and just interacting with the alumni.

Name Krrish, 2024

FavOrite PLace ON camPus CFI (Centre for Imagination)

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar Volleyball

FavOrite teacher I think all of them are great!

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK I trekked, and it was amazing.

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it The auction I organized to benefit continuing education for our didis and bhaiyas.

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP The alumni, giving campus tours, and learning. I appreciate the calmness of Mr. Ady and the dedication of Ms. Sanchali and love spending time in the office, learning about Woodstock history, and learning how to network with alumni. I consider it a privilege.

Name Rehaan, 2024

FavOrite PLace ON camPus Parker Hall

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar

Audio Visual Crew

FavOrite teacher Sondeep Peter, my Dorm Parent

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it During the Mela, I coordinated and managed execution of the audio-visual setup, which included arranging all the necessary audio equipment for the event’s performances. I also partnered with fellow interns to facilitate the auctioning of paintings. My favorite aspect was working with other interns from our department to promote the sale of the paintings.

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP One of the highlights of my internship experience has been the opportunity to collaborate with our alumni. This has not only allowed me to connect with the extensive Woodstock community but also to engage actively with the broader local communities of Woodstock and Mussoorie. Participating in events like the Alumni Mela has been particularly enriching, further deepening my understanding and involvement with our vibrant communities.

Name Aalyah, 2026

FavOrite PLace ON camPus The Alumni Office

FavOrite teacher Life

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK First Aid Course

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it I handled the scheduling and real-time updating of the announcement board of performances. My favorite part was most likely the performances themselves.

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP I honestly just really love chatting with everyone, whether it be about Mela, school, their pets, etc.

Name Arav, 2025

FavOrite PLace ON camPus Quad Dining Hall

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar Hubble (Woodstock’s STEM Magazine) and NASA Passage

Name Jasleen, 2025

FavOrite PLace ON camPus The Win Mumby Gym

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar The semester play

FavOrite teacher Mr. B (Science Teacher Scott Britton), Mr. Prateek (Individuals and Societies Teacher), Mr. Ady (Alumni Relations Manager), Dr. Tripti (Psychology Teacher), and Ms. Kalpana (Math Teacher)

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK I went on a cycling Trip to Manali!

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it I helped set up and took soooo many photos!

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP

Class of 1973’s 50th reunion was the best thing this year according to me because just watching all those alumni come and seeing them remember their time here was just such a sweet experience. Thinking that this would be me and my batchmates one day.

Name Rijul, 2025

FavOrite PLace ON camPus Parker Hall

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar Production rehearsals

FavOrite teacher Ms. Theresa Joseph (Math Teacher)

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK Hike to Khushkalyan

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it I managed the alumni souvenir shop/merchandise stall, and my favorite part of it was the amazing interactions with alumni.

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP I love to connect with different alumni and talk about their experience at school. It helps me know more about the greatness of our school! Also, I love the snacks in theAdvanceemnt and Alumni Office -)

FavOrite teacher Ms. Vandana Ferguson (English Teacher)

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK Art Department trip to Delhi

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it I organized performances and was Mela emcee along with Anthony; emceeing was definitely my favorite part of it as I LOVE being on stage. Also, working as a team with the alumni department is something I enjoyed very much. Getting to know alumni and having them perform truly helped me connect with Woodstock even more!

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP Being an alumni intern helps me become more resourceful as I learn so much from the Alumni that visit! Additionally, I love chatting with Mr. Ady and Ms. Sanchali whenever I’m at the office

Name Ipsita, 2027

FavOrite PLace ON camPus I enjoy sitting in the Peace Garden with my friends. It’s a very peaceful place.

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar I enjoy crochet passage, since it’s the first time I’m learning how to do something like this.

FavOrite teacher My Art teacher Mr. Nischith, as he is a fun person.

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK I went rafting in Rishikesh!

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it For the Mela, I helped Ms. Sanchali with whatever she needed while planning and at the Mela itself. My favorite part was probably seeing it all come together at the very end.

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP I like working with alumni and learning how to network with them. I also enjoy working with Mr. Ady, Ms. Sanchali, and the other interns. I have also learned a lot more about Woodstock and its history through this internship.

Name Krishna, 2025

FaVoRite PLaCe oNCaMPUS The bench near the English Classroom

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar Football

FavOrite teacher Tilak KC (Business Management and Individuals and Societies Teacher)

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK The Rupin Supin trek

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it I helped register attendees as they arrived at the main gate. That was my favorite thing because I got to greet just about every single one of the hundreds of event attendees!

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP The ability to communicate with alumni. They’re people who are surprisingly easy to connect with because they have similar beginnings and experiences to us current students.

Name Shriya, 2025

FavOrite PLace ON camPus The Quad Dinning Hall

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar Basketball

FavOrite teacher Vandana Fergusson (English Teacher) and Dwayne Blidgen (Economics and Individuals and Societies Teacher)

Name Kanishka, 2025

FavOrite PLace ON camPus The deck outside the Centre for Imagination (CFI)

FavOrite teacher

Dr. Tripti (Psychology Teacher) and Ms. Kalpana (Math Teacher)

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK I went to Delhi for the art trip

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it I helped with alumni relations and the registration desk and helped selling Woodstock merchandise at the stall.

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP I love connecting with alumni. It gives me so much exposure to new opportunities. I love how everyone gets to lead different tasks and ideas. We can take up different roles in the office and work which allows us to gain new experiences. The alumni internship has allowed me to widen my network and talk to/engage with people from all over the world inspiring me in different aspects of my life.

FavOrite PLace ON camPus The gym basketball court and the Tangerine Boxx snack bar

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar My internship in the finance department

FavOrite teacher Mr Prabin Rai (Economics Teacher, Community Engagement Coordinator and IB Diploma Programme Co-Coordinator)

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK Dodital self-supported trek

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it I helped with the registration desk, setting up stalls, and calling people for their performances. My favorite part was helping with the registration desk, as it was fun greeting alumni and just sitting and chilling.

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP I enjoy giving campus tours, learning about old times at Woodstock and networking with alumni.

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK Community Engagement in Thatyur

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it We played with little kids and helped them with activities. We also interacted with their families. My favorite part was getting to know the kids.

Name Jaiveer Singh Guram, 2024

FavOrite PLace ON camPus Library

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar Community Engagement

FavOrite teacher Subhankar Roy (Head of Department, Math)

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK Hike to Dodital

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it I was part of the organizing team, and that was my favorite part – especially planning and enjoying the food stalls!

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP It’s the best place to learn more about what you want to do in the future.

Name Pritish Berry, 2024

FavOrite PLace ON camPus Alumni and Advancement office

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar Photography Club

FavOrite teacher Ms. Katerina (International Politics Teacher and IB Diploma Program Co-Coordinator)

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK I went on a 7-day self-sufficient hike to Dodital

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it I helped organize the Mela and created social media promotions for it. I really enjoyed interacting with new alums and hearing their stories about life at Woodstock.

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP The best part about the Advancement and Alumni Office internship is that I get to meet successful alums from different generations and hear their stories. The alumni also give and inspire ideas to incorporate new and exciting activities in my daily life. Their relationship and connection among one another after meeting each other after many years is inspiring.

Name Surveen, 2026

FavOrite PLace ON camPus My favorite place on campus is the Peace Garden

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar Korean passage

FavOrite teacher Theresa Joseph (Math Teacher)

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK Hike to Baiyan Top

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it For the mela, I organized a dance performance by going and teaching dance to some students from another school. I also helped with the event planning. My favorite part was seeing all the performances from the Woodstock community.

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP Talking to all the alumni who come and visit the campus because it feels very good to be able to connect with someone who was once a student here just like me. It feels nice to hear about how the school was in the past and other things about the alumni themselves.

Name Yati, 2025

FavOrite PLace ON camPus Center for Imagination (CFI)

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar

Table tennis passage

FavOrite teacher Ms Rahima Thomas (Librarian)

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK Dayara Bugyal trek

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it I helped with pre-event arrangements like getting stall managers in and setting them up. I also took a shift managing the alumni merchandise stall!

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP The best part about the internship for me is the connections that we get to have and experience. They are so surreal because these are completely unknown people to us who live in completely different parts of the world, yet they have a deeper history with the place that we live in. It is so amazingly fascinating just hearing their stories about their lives in Woodstock. I love Mr. Ady and Ms. Sanchali. They are such warm people, and they motivate us to do better every single day. Every time I give a tour or even have lunch with an alum, I get such a fresh perspective of the school, and I love that.

Name Anthony, 2025

FavOrite PLace ON camPus Quad Dining Hall

FavOrite PassaGe Or extracurricuLar Leadership or music

FavOrite teacher Tilak KC (Business Management and Individuals and Societies Teacher)

What yOu did FOr activity WeeK I went to Kristin School in New Zealand as a Wodstock student delegate for the Global Alliance for Innovative Learning (GAIL) conference!

What yOu did FOr 2023 meLa aNd yOur FavOrite Part OF it I ran the performances and emceed. My favorite part was seeing everyone show up and do a great job!

What yOu LiKe best abOut the advaNcemeNt aNd aLumNi OFFice iNterNshiP The coffee in the office – just kidding! I love designing stuff and working with social media. Any kind of digital media is super interesting, and it’s always a treat to hear old stories from alumni.

Hillside Schools Then and Now

Susan Copp ’90 and Kathleen Hawthorne ’90

Visits to Wynberg Allen School and Doon School

Evince Changing Times and the Need for Woodstockers to Support Their Alma Mater

Monsoon fog hangs heavy over the hillside, obscuring the view down to just a few meters, muffling sounds and darkening the sky. Were’ standing in the middle of a paved courtyard, when somewhere nearby a bell rings out. As if carefully choreographed, children in smart green uniforms pour out of classrooms and converge on the benches for a 10-minute break.

A few minutes later, the fog lifts to reveal what we came to see: the athletics field where the famous Mussoorie Olympics took place every year until the early 90s. Have you been lucky enough to witness first-hand the best athletes in the world competing at the Olympic Games? Well, we have – not just once but multiple times!

To understand our own lives we often reflect on the experiences of others in order to broaden our perspectives. In September such a quest was undertaken by us, two members of the Class of 90, Susan Copp and Kathleen Hawthorne, graciously hosted by two schools in Woodstock’s vicinity: Wynberg Allen School in Mussoorie and Doon School in Dehradun.

Wynberg Allen School nestles on the verdant ridges below Landour and boasts an unusually large sports field where the annual Mussoorie Olympics were historically held. In bright October when the dreary monsoon was firmly over, this exciting day on the calendar meant a change from the mundane sights of Woodstock’s campus. The Olympics provided new carnival-like vistas of jostling crowds in colorful school uniforms finding their specific, traditional vantage points. Hopeful vendors would ply their wares while optimistic cheers were

“ Wynberg Allen School nestles on the verdant ridges below Landour and boasts an unusually large sports field where the annual Mussoorie Olympics were historically held.

shouted to bolster the athletes on the track or field. Woodstock provided the expected band music, andthe riotous lack of school uniforms and always sat on the stone bleachers at the far end.

The day-long sporting events of pole vaulting, long jump and javelin amongst others would be rounded off with the nerve wracking 4 x 100 meter senior boys relay. This inevitably ended the day on a high note, often with the first prize awarded to Woodstock. Contented after a day of festivities, excitement, and sun, Woodstockers would then wind their way back through the bazaar, buzzing with stories of the day. Ms. Biswas would make sure that the brass and wind instruments as well as the percussion would be packed securely onto the trailer of the trusty school jeep for their return to the dark and musty instrument room.

With these vivid memories tucked away in our minds, we were eager to find what Wynberg Allen School looks like today. To our joy, we found that the school is thriving, has distinct aspirations, and continues to have tangible and meaningful links to Woodstock. We were warmly welcomed by the Principal Mr. Tyndale and the sports teacher and well-known figureMr. Champa, whose roots lie in Tibet. They were pupils of Mr. Hugh Bradby and Mr. Gavin McIntosh respectively and were well acquainted with several hillside Mussoorie-ites from bygone times. Mr. Bradby was a “legend” in their eyes, and they praised his contagious passion for literature. Over steaming cups of tea in the Principal’s office, we traded notes on memories and acquaintances, encouraged by the myriad common denominators we identified.

Mr. Champa graciously guided us on an extensive tour of the school and its various facilities. One can understand the competitive application process to the school as the provisions for its students are vast and comprehensive. The school takes pride in its expansive library, large indoor pool, squash courts, table tennis area, computer and art rooms, science labs, and many other educational spaces. The school’s newly-appointed large auditorium can seat 800 and is fitted with a huge LED screen.

Not surprising then that Wynberg never has to advertise to get more students, as they are good stewards of their stellar reputation. On the contrary, they have to turn hundreds of students away. Their 910 students (of which 170 are day scholars) are from many parts of India.

Wynberg pursues excellence in the academic and athletic spheres, too. We were glad to hear of the many activities the school arranges, including business, choir, and literary festivals. Their various sporting activities see their share of competitions with other schools in Mussoorie. Wynberg has excelled particularly in swimming, where students have won national events. Approximately 50% of Wynberg graduates leave for universities abroad, choosing the UK, US, New Zealand, Canada, and other countries as their next destinations. They have been well prepared by the school’s dedicated staff. Many of Wynberg’s teachers have been employed for many years, most for upwards of 15 years. This, too, is an enviable position and is a testament to Wynberg's appeal not only to students but also to staff.

As a Christian minority school, Wynberg

faces some of the same challenges that Woodstock does. They too must navigate the temptations among students to be addicted to phones and iPads. In addition, the school is responsible for the well-being and safety of a large group of boarding students. Thus, with drastically increased amounts of traffic and numbers of tourists in Mussoorie, bazaar visits are now limited to once a month.

Like Woodstock, the school has been grappling with the various curricula that can be offered. Wynberg currently offers the ISC and the Cambridge system. Upon careful consideration, however, the International Baccalaureate has been rejected. Concerning staff, the finite amount of housing available on campus is a problem, as there are various restrictions on building in Mussoorie. Unlike Woodstock, however,Wynberg’s alumni are a loosely defined group who visit the school from time to time but are not organized to the extent that Woodstock’s former students are.

Principal Tindale, who was a classmate of Mr. Ajay Mark, expressed that he is eager to maintain a good relationship with Woodstock and reinvigorate our historic cooperation in the post-Covid era. While we may envy some of Wynberg’s successes, they look to Woodstock as a model for diversity and as a place where music and a vibrant alumni community have been afforded ample focus. Wynberg now strives to emulate aspects of Woodstock’s distinctive heritage, and we wish them well in this endeavor. Finally, we were thankful for such a generous reception by our hosts. At every turn we were greeted by extremely polite students. We hope that this visit was a step to promote even closer, valuable ties with Wynberg Allen School.

From Mussoorie Olympics to the Wynberg Allen Interschool Invitational Athletic

Meet

Is the Mussoorie Olympics by any other name just as great? Ajay Mark ’71, Former Head of Department, Physical Education, recently shared that the Mussoorie Olympics live on in the form of the Wynberg Allen InterSchool Invitational Athletic Meet. How did the change happen? Mr. Mark explains:

“The much-loved Mussoorie Olympics were brought to a screeching halt in the early 1990s when disagreements between St. George’s College and Mussoorie Modern School resulted in the cancellation of all interschool competitions. There was an effort by Woodstock School leadership and others to resolve this conflict, but the principals of the feuding schools did not budge.”

The cancellation is mentioned in the 1991 Whispering Pine: “Woodstock Sport has definitely seen better years in Sport since 1990. This is not due to any shortfall in the caliber or motivation of the participants. Firstly, The Mussoorie Schools Sport Association (MSSA) went through a period of near disintegration over disputes, withdrawals, and organizational deficiencies. The apogee of this came with the cancellation of the much-awaited Mussoorie Olympics on very short notice. Compounding the problems of the MSSA were local political crises (the Mandal Commission protests against caste reservations that included college and university student self-immolations) which brought many other Mussoorie schools (and very nearly Woodstock) to a standstill: despite all of these setbacks, the schools’ love for sports was maintained, as was evident from the highly enjoyable inter-house competition, ‘friendlies’ with other schools, and the inevitable after school basketball, hockey, and soccer bashes.”

Mr. Mark continues: “After a few years of just friendly games, it was during Principal Dr. Jonathan Long’s tenure that we invited all the local principals to come to Woodstock for a meeting to restart Inter-School sporting events, which of course included the Mussoorie Olympics.

In the end, it was decided that only five schools would participate in the local inter-school sporting events. These five schools were Wynberg Allen, St. George’s, Oak Grove, Waverley Convent, and Woodstock School. Following this, Inter-School sporting events resumed. Each School took on the responsibility to organize one or more events, calling the event ‘Invitational.’

Wynberg Allen took on the responsibility of organizing the Inter-School Invitational Athletic Meet, and this event has become the modern version of the Mussoorie Olympics. It is most unfortunate that the concerned schools in Mussoorie did away with the Olympics as it was a wonderful way to get more students and schools together for a richer experience and competition. However, the present day Inter-School Invitational Athletic Meet continues to grow.”

This year, it saw eight schools participating including: – Oak Grove School – Rashtriya Indian Military College – St. Jude’s School – The Doon School – Tibetan Homes School – Welham Boys’ School – Woodstock School – Wynberg Allen School

“ To understand our own lives, we often reflect on the experiences of others in order to broaden our perspectives.

The second school where we were warmly welcomed was Doon School in Dehradun. As a Woodstock student, Susan had visited this prestigious place only once. Back in the 80’s she was a part of Woodstock School’s Middle School Choir that performed at Doon School’s old auditorium. There was a tangible sense of being in a place where walls could speak. And no wonder, as Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, renowned author Vikram Seth, and many others spent their formative years here. With an ethos based in service and social responsibility, this English medium school for boys was established in 1935 to allow students from all over India to receive an education on a par with the best English schools. Doon School is often referred to as India’s Eton, and its alumni call themselves the Old Boys.

We were greeted by Mr. Arjun Bhartwal, Head of Development and Alumni Relations, at the main entrances to the expansive and luscious 70-acre grounds of the school. As the campus is so vast, we were ushered to an awaiting golf cart that whisked us off to various points of interest. Most impressive is the main building, awarded UNESCOs Cultural Heritage Conservation Prize in 2016. Covered in ivy, it is distinctly colonial in style, consisting of arches, covered verandas, and a massive central staircase leading to the Principal’s impressive office. Its high ceilings, tall windows, and ceiling fans all evoke a sense of grandeur and pay homage to its historic roots. Similar stunning architectural styles characterize the dormitories, staff buildings, and auditoriums. We learned that the gravel paths that crisscross the campus are there to prevent snakes from sharing the space with students. Snakes apparently prefer luscious grass to the sharp pebbles.

We also visited the Rose Bowl amphitheatre, built by the students themselves and newly refurbished. It was here that Jana

Gana Mana, composed by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, was sung publicly for the first time, before it was adopted as India's national anthem in 1950, and remains the Doon School song to this day. Our generous guide informed us that the Skinner home (of Skinner Regiment fame) lies on the grounds. So too did the Skinner’s ‘Hathi Ghar’ or elephant house, though the elephant was buried at Latchiwalla (imagine digging that hole!). Many may remember Lilian Skinner Singh, who was from the Skinner family. Their summer home was at Sikander Hall in Barlowganj.

Like Wynberg Allen, Doon School has an array of outstanding facilities that promote learning. Over and above the expected school spaces, one can find a mechanics shed, an organic garden where students learn how to grow plants, a 25-meter pool, squash courts, the Rose Bowl, a kitchen where students learn how to cook and bake, and so on. One new addition is a gorgeous auditorium that seats a thousand and boasts state-of the-art audio visual equipment. More akin to a showpiece opera house in a European city than a school hall, the auditorium comes equipped with moving stages, retracting seats and topnotch sound and light tech. Donations can be made online to have a custom made message placed on a plaque for a seat of your choosing. Here, Dehradun’s Welham Girls’ School visits for special social functions. One can only imagine the whispered conversations that take place as the boys and girls stand on either side of the hall before daring to venture to ask for a dance.

Those who wish to be a part of this esteemed learning community must pass an exam and also be interviewed. Approximately 550 pupils from all over India make up this distinguished student body, and 20 per cent of those who are accepted qualify for a scholarship. The school aims to provide up to 50 per cent of its future students with scholarships,

mainly funded by endowments. With its distinctly secular approach to education, Doon School prides itself in providing its students with a space in which all are equal and where ethnic and religious differences are put aside. Much emphasis is placed on co-curricular activities such as mountaineering, being part of a club, embarking on social responsibility projects, and so on. The school has even arranged very impressive trips to places such as the NASA Space Center and CERN in Geneva!

Our visit taught us that there are both similarities and differences between Woodstock and Doon School. Of course Doon School is a boys’ school and caters primarily to Indian students in Grades 7-12. They are clearly a secular school seeking to find and endorse commonality amongst their students. However, similarities far outweigh the differences. As a boarding school, they are committed to creating strong relationships and providing pastoral care within the framework of India’s laws concerning the protection of children’s rights. Seventyfive per cent of their students will also study abroad, mainly in the UK but also

in the US and other countries. The school established an Alumni Office in 2005 and recently also introduced an app that promotes the continuity of relationships forged at the school. It is intended to be a means by which alumni can stay in touch and also provides an outstretched hand to help those in need whilst navigating life beyond the Doon. (If you are’t already on Woodstock’s version, join now at https:// woodstockalumniconnect.com.)

Our visit to Deputy Headmaster Mr. Kamal Ahuja’s office provided time for a very engaging conversation on the challenges that Doon School faces and how the schools has determined to forge its own unique path in the face of mounting competition in the arena of education. There are some thought provoking take aways we derived from this discussion. First, Mr. Ahuja defined the Doon School ethos as being decidedly value based all round and focused on service. They view learning as a broad based process and that there are no :extra-curriculars” but only “curriculars.” That is to say that there must be room for school trips, for subjects such as Sanskrit, for trekking,

for engaging in social projects outside the campus, and so on. They have their own curriculum which has evolved and developed over time to suit the specific needs of this ethos. This is precisely the kind of education parents want Doon School to provide. Hence, the International Baccalaureate was adopted. Doon recently made the decision to return to its original curriculum, which will be rolled out over the next four years. Mr. Ahuja shared that the reasons for this move were motivated by a desire to avoid an over emphasis on academic slog while also saving on resources demanded by the IB.

The Doon School deeply values its connection to Woodstock. Historically, there have been collaborations on visits by universities, on providing SAT exams and on teachers’ training. In addition, the schools have met for sporting events and music concerts. Our well known alum the late Tom Alter ’68 was fondly remembered for his beautiful speech to Doon students on the importance of India and their role in its future.

To conclude, these two fascinating visits gave us much food for thought. There was a sense that Woodstock cannot merely rest on its laurels but must constantly engage in the business of modern education, navigating its numerous challenges. There are countless schools both nearby and around the world catering to discerning and well informed clients. The question is – How does Woodstock distinguish itself from the extensive sum of global institutions ready to offer dazzling facilities and outstanding curricula?

The challenges Woodstock faces are numerous. They consist of providing adequate housing for staff, of maintaining competitive salaries to attract the best teachers, of wisely transitioning away from having a missions funded faculty to a stable, outstanding teaching body

that is fairly compensated, and, critically, of building an effective endowment fund. In addition, Woodstock needs to continuously update and improve existing facilities. Yes, the school is far more advanced in this respect compared to our day. However, the world moves on apace as we witnessed at both sister schools.

Looking to schools such as Wynberg Allen and Doon School, serious questions also need to be asked about what curricula support the school’s ethos. As Woodstock continues to pursue the International Baccalaureate, along with 5,000 other schools worldwide, how can efforts to preserve the school’s distinctives be best pursued? How can the unique Woodstock Diploma continue to be offered in tandem with the IB as a viable alternative? How can we leverage our unique position in the Himalayas? What types of learning will future students need, and how are we to adapt?

For all of these substantial efforts, the school needs our active help as alumni. As Woodstock seeks to forge the path ahead, we must remain firmly engaged in its future survival and success. The Woodstock website offers multiple ways for alumni to get involved, and the Advancement and Alumni Office knows of many more ways that can be molded to match your personal and financial resources with the areas you care about most. Ask yourself how you can be a part of our beloved school’s progress in the years ahead.

For us Woodstock has always been there, and so we think it always will be - it appears almost as timeless as the Himalayas themselves. But change comes even to this quiet corner of the world, and we as a community need to ensure that the changes are positive ones that both keep alive the Woodstock spirit and place our beloved school at the forefront of innovation and best practice for decades to come.

“ With its distinctly secular approach to education, Doon School prides itself in providing its students with a space in which all are equal and where ethnic and religious differences are put aside.

Scholars for peace

We’re sharing here a reading Jonathan Larson ’65 gave at the Sunday Service during the FWS Annual Meeting and Reunion in Tempe, AZ on October 29. It s an excerpt from his book about his late classmate Dan Terry ’65, Making Friends Among the Taliban. Jonathan recently donated USD 1,200 of the book’s proceeds to FWS as a matching gift towards the Woodstock School Scholars for Peace Endowment Fund.

Dan Terry: Hostage in Silk Road Country Travels in Silk Road country come with hazards even in the best of times. When Dan Terry (’65) along with his wife Seija and family moved to northern Afghanistan, they owned both its rugged beauty and its perils. Wild country, wild times. Crossing Balkh province solo one day, his jeep trailing a plume of dust, Dan found himself at a roadblock manned by gunmen of a local warlord. By this time Dan was a veteran of such encounters, but none of his savvy could stave off the grim upshot: he was taken hostage to the warlord’s base where the commander set about to turn his captive into a windfall.

Dan assured the commander that neither he nor his threadbare service organization the International Assistance Mission possessed anything of great value. They traded in no Silk Road riches, had no Swiss bank accounts. This the commander seriously doubted. But in the course of time, he came to realize that Dan was, indeed, that bane of desert lands – a dry well. But by then a strange dynamic had taken hold of those within the barbed wire perimeter. Dan had become part of this armedto-the-teeth community. He cheerfully inquired after their families, talked about their hometowns, mused with them around the evening fires, shared their gritty fare at mealtime. In time, the commander reckoned with the truth that this odd hostage had become – well, a poor friend - but a friend none-the-less.

The day came when the warlord realized there was no further point in holding Dan. He called for a goat to be slaughtered, and their friendship was sealed in a kebab meal and by embraces. With that he set Dan free wondering no doubt at his misfortune that no windfall had resulted from this caper but glad of having made an unlikely, “infidel” friend.

Months later Dan was traveling with colleagues in remote country, his jeep trailed by that plume of dust. From the opposite direction came an open truck bristling with turbaned gunmen swathed in bandoliers. As the vehicles met, the drivers had a flash of mutual recognition. They slid to a halt as dust engulfed the scene. And before any explanations were made, Dan and his erstwhile friend, the warlord, danced with shouts into each other’s arms on a gritty Silk Road track as Dan’s colleagues looked on aghast at this encounter with a dreaded warrior.

Dan’s reflection on this experience left his peers in speechless disbelief. He said to them, “Hostage taking is just another form of hospitality.”

Jonathan Larson (jonathanlarsonblog.com)

— excerpted from Making Friends Among the Taliban, Herald Press, 2012

Following Jonathan’s matching gift donation from his book proceeds, two other supporters have made matching USD 1,200 donations. If you’d like to learn more about our Scholars for Peace Program or make a matching gift please visit:

https://www.woodstockschool.in/donations/sfp-5-2/

Personal Counselling and Wellbeing at Woodstock

Binu Thomas, Head of Department, Personal Counselling

Personal wellbeing has been a matter of high priority at Woodstock, and our post-Covid survey revealed the extent of the emotional and behavioral challenges being experienced by students. We’ve developed and deployed our Wellbeing Ambassadors Program based on feedback indicating students’ greater ease in sharing concerns with a peer rather than an adult. Developed on a peer support model, this program trains selected volunteer students in Grades 11 and 12 and equips them with skills in listening actively, resolving conflict, being a buddy, understanding/reporting bullying, and handling challenging situations. The training has a multifaceted approach that makes mental health and wellbeing a priority for all on campus.

The Personal Counselling Department initiated many wellbeing oriented programs including the “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully” schoolwide, anti-bullying day; “Cyber Detox Week” – activities to help students understand the importance of time away from gadgets; “Say No to Vape” and “Drug Awareness” high school assemblies during which experts in the field spoke to upper level students about these sensitive and pertinent issues.

Aware of their own privileged circumstances at Woodstock School, the Wellbeing Ambassadors began reaching out externally. To venture beyond the boundaries of the school, the Counselling Department supported the Ambassadors in conducting interactive awareness sessions on mental health to help strengthen student communities at other schools. This initiative led to our “Building Bridges - Building Mental Health” in which the Ambassadors organized an event in a remote village two hours distant from the school. Students from five educational institutions along with members of the local public took part. The presentations covered various aspects of mental health including substance abuse and related issues, practical tips to build resilience, positive coping skills, and stigma surrounding mental illness.

The event achieved wide visibility through local media coverage highlighting the work of Woodstock in the community to make mental health for all a global priority.

The Counselling Department organized India’s first-ever, international, schoollevel mental health conference addressing “Wellbeing in Schools: Making it a Priority.” This event brought together three hundred students and educators from 12 national schools and two international schools to listen and learn from experts and discuss the pertinent mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by all stakeholders.

By keeping the whole school’s wellbeing a priority, we conducted employee wellness sessions and trained residence staff members on Mental Health First Aid to equip them in handling mental health concerns at the dorm level as first responders.

As responsible citizens, our department along with our Ambassadors conducted a successful bake sale and “Extend Empathy” in school to raise funds in support of individuals and families affected by ethnic violence in Manipur. Students set up various bakery and food stalls to collect this

money. Elementary school students created bookmarks for sale to mark their presence for extending empathy.

The Personal Counselling department also collaborated with the Physical Education Department to organize a Mental health “Break the Stigma” run/walk to create awareness about the importance of mental health and wellbeing. More than 200 students and staff turned up for the inaugural run/walk on Landour’s chakkar with a beautiful view of the snowcapped Himalayas. The idea behind this walk/run was to initiate a conversation and raise awareness about positive mental health.

It was a genuine attempt of the whole community along with the leadership team to stand up for a cause and share the spirit of oneness.

In summary, the Counselling Department at Woodstock School has not only implemented effective new initiatives but has also begun developing a supportive environment for students to produce a safe and healthy community both inside and outside the school to help lead the way in becoming global citizens.

Third Culture Kids and the Spirit of Woodstock

In Conversation with Peter Downs ’62

Binu Thomas, Head of Department, Personal Counselling and Personal, Social, Health and Economics (PSHE) Coordinator

It's been seven years since I started my work at Woodstock, but someone saying "Thank you for working for Woodstock" in this new context came both as a surprise and as a moment of fulfillment.

I was in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and the person thanking me was Mr. Peter Downs, WS alumnus batch of 1962. I had come to Chiang Mai along with my colleague Dean of Student Life Vidur Kapur ’00 to attend the 2023 International TCK (Third Culture Kid) conference. We were coming to further develop our skillsets for supporting students from diverse backgrounds, and when Dr. Cook saw the conference venue, he immediately suggested that Advancement and Alumni Director Katie Jo Walter connect us with Mr. Downs to see if we could arrange a meeting.

Mr. Downs was quick to arrange a meeting and traveled an hour from his home to meet us. It was a privilege to meet Mr. Downs who grew up in Thailand as the son of a missionary family in Bangkok. He returned to Thailand after University to serve in the Peace Corps (1966-1969) and then worked for nearly 40 years with US Agency for International Development (USAID) with worldwide assignments including Egypt, Bangladesh, Zambia, Afghanistan, and India.

During our brief meeting, we enjoyed several pleasant, heartwarming moments

of sharing, and I learned a lot about his connection with Woodstock. For Mr. Downs, like many of his Woodstock mates, Woodstock was not just a school where he studied for a few years. It was also a huge part of his existence and his identity.

Many times Mr. Downs repeated, “I can never forget what Woodstock has done to me.”

While recollecting saying goodbye to his mother after she dropped him off at the dorms for the first time, he said that this moment marked the beginning of developing strong bonds with his classmates.

"In a sense, Woodstock became my family, and my classmates became my brothers and sisters.”

Mr. Downs had fond memories of his class of 1962, which he was a part of from 1956–1960. He moved to the US for his final two years of high school. The many cherished memories and reflections he shared with us could not be captured with full justice in an article.

His close association with his fellow mates, including the late David Schoonmaker, Doug Wilkens, and particularly Norma (Poong) St. John who was the impetus behind organizing monthly Zoom calls with the class on 1962 friends until now, was obvious in every sentence he spoke.

While he called himself a "troublemaker," he had volumes to say about the influence of Mr. Bob Foursquare, his PE teacher who made him a good sportsman excelling in swimming and track & field. He recalled train journeys with his teammates to attend sports competitions across North India, which were times of great fun and Take the survey!

Binu Thomas, Head of Personal Counselling at Woodstock School, holds master's degrees in psychology and clinical Mental Health and a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Family Therapy and is currently pursuing a PhD in Counselling Psychology.

She has nearly 20 years of experience in the field of mental health. Prior to Woodstock, Binu worked with CAMH, Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital.

Binu is trying to identify the issues faced by third culture kids (TCK's) to introduce the importance of supporting TCK's at Woodstock School. She wants to bring awareness to our community about the issues, challenges, and needs of TCK's to better equip and prepare to help the TCK's under our care at school.

*A TCK is an individual who, having spent a significant part of their developmental years in a culture other than that of their parents, develops a sense of relationship to both."

(TCKWorld: The Official Home of Third Culture Kids (TCKs)

If you identify as a TCK, please take a moment to provide your input by clicking on the Third Culture Kid Survey Button. Binu is interested in your experience no matter your age or place in the world.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSq

L-R: Head of Personal Counselling Binu Thomas, Peter Downs ’62, and Dean of Student Life Vidur Kapur ’00 on the sidelines of the 2023 International Third Culture Kid Conference in Chiang Mai

strengthened the already tight knit bonds between Mr. Downs and his friends.

The passion and excitement with which he shared the story of installing the current sound system in Parker Hall with his friends Mr. David Schoonmaker and Mr. Doug Wilkens was another opportunity to see his deep love and connection with Woodstock. The classmates came from Delhi to Mussoorie and tried to install the sound system with the help of a Woodstock staff member. After understanding the difficulty of installing the system by themselves, they approached Sanjay Narang's workers at St. Paul's Church, who agreed to help with the installation.

While reminiscing about his times with David Schoonmaker and Doug Wilkens, Mr. Downs mentioned that both of his late friends had hearts of gold.

Our meeting with Mr. Downs gave Vidur and me a big picture of the heart of Woodstock alumni for the institution and also the challenges faced by Third Culture Kids. Mr. Downs’ difficulty fitting into the school system in his passport country after returning from Woodstock and the pain of recollecting those two years was an impactful example for us to think about as we work to support Woodstock's many Third Culture and Cross-Cultural Kids.

Our conversation concluded with two strong statements from Mr. Downs, which I referenced earlier. The first is echoed by so many of the Woodstock alumni: "I can never forget what Woodstock has done to me. It was a family." The second was his words of gratitude for Vidur and me: "Thank you for working for Woodstock." This made us both feel privileged to be a part of this great institution. Woodstock became so much a home for Mr. Downs that now, over 60 years after his days as a student, he is thanking those of us who are tending to the Woodstock legacy and students of all kinds. For this reason, along with Mr, Downs’ kindness and care as an individual, this expression of thanks will never leave our hearts.

A Conversation with Some of Today’s Third Culture Kids at Woodstock

Advancement and Alumni Relations Director Katie Jo gathered a few of our culturally eclectic students for a chat about their backgrounds, their cultural perceptions, and life at Woodstock.

Katie Jo Can each of you tell me how you came to Woodstock?

KaNishKa My parents moved to Angola when they were 20 years old, and I was born not long after that. So, the majority of their life since they grew up in IndiG they had this deep love for their country and their culture. They wanted to give that same appreciation to me my entire life, but they were unable to for a very long time because they were concerned about sending me so far away. But when I was in 8th Grade we started thinking about it because my school only went up to 9th Grade, and the only good school for higher grades was another IB school, but it was almost USD $50,000 for the first year. So then my mom thought, “This is the perfect time to get her to experience Indian culture and live in India because even after that she is probably going to go to college somewhere else and live somewhere else. So, this is the best time, and she will get to learn about herself and our culture.”

My parents did an online search for the number one boarding school in India, and Woodstock came up as number one. Then my dad remembered and said, “Wait, Rizwan went there.” He was my cousin, and there was some family relationship. So, my father said, “He graduated from there, and he’s so successful, so you can also go there.”

And then I learned about the school and became excited about being a part of the diverse community for which Woodstock is famous. When I came in for my admissions interview, that was the reason I gave for wanting to come, that I wanted to be a part of a diverse community because I come from a diverse community and have lived with expats in Angola my entire life. I started at Woodstock in the second semester of 8th Grade, and the pandemic came only a few months later. I continued at Woodstock but online.

I am really glad that diversity is increasing at Woodstock as we get further away from

Remy ’26, Katie Jo, Eliza ’24, Kanishka ’25, and Anthony ’25

the pandemic, but I am also really grateful for the Indian culture that has become a common foundation of our diversity-based culture. I have really learned to appreciate Indian culture, which I hadn’t before I came here. Because my Indian classmates are all embracing and sharing that culture with us very naturally every day.

eLiza I came here because my mom attended Woodstock. I think it was in 1987, and my grandmother was the American ambassador to Bangladesh. They didn't have a school that went up to 11th Grade. So, they handed my mom five brochures, and she chose Woodstock because it had the best program. And she loved it here so much that she always had to talk about it. She always wanted one of her daughters to go to Woodstock like she did.

My dad is also in the Foreign Service, so when we were in Jordan, my mom thought it was the perfect time to send me to Woodstock because I was her last kid left who was still in high school. She did some research and recommended Woodstock to other families who were in the Foreign Service as well.

aNthONy Well, my Dad is from Germany, my mom is from Northeast India, and I grew up in Mumbai. My dad had worked in a lot of places: Iraq, Afghanistan, Dubai, Germany, and then England and Ireland, and then India for 22 years. My mom first moved to Mumbai when she was 15 to work. Her whole side of the family is based in Shillong (Meghalaya). But they are Naga, from Kohima.

My parents wanted to retire abroad in Thailand, and they wanted to send me somewhere closer to Mumbai, which as I said is home for me. So, we looked at schools, and it was between Woodstock and Kodaikanal. I was able to make the final decision, and I kind of just picked one! So now, my parents are settled in Bangkok, and I am here.

remy I came here through my family but a little bit different way. It wasn’t decided by other people. I sort of made the decision myself, but it was because of my family. I have two older brothers – Oscar and Caspar – and both went to Woodstock and graduated. My eldest brother Oscar came to Woodstock Summer School I think around 2018 and loved it. And then Caspar, the middle brother, he went to Woodstock Summer School with me in 2019, and we both loved it. And so Caspar said, “Let's go to Woodstock. And so I had the choice of either staying and being the only child at

home or going to boarding school. That may sound like a tough choice, but for me it was easy, I said, “I’m going to go to boarding school. It’s going to be fun, and my brothers are going to be there, so it’s going to be great.”

I joined, and then after a semester and a half the pandemic happened, and I missed out on two years of the experience. When I came back, it did feel like something was missing, but now there are more students coming in from places like Korea, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Katie Jo Eliza, did you join pre-pandemic, too?

eLiza I joined post-pandemic when I was in 10th Grade.

KaNishKa And it’s strange because Eliza is considered the diversity.

eLiza That’s true. People do tend to treat me and my two other American classmates are the only spokespeople for … or representation of … diversity.

Katie Jo Frustrating that people often look at photos or videos from school and say, “Hey, we don't have diversity,” but they don’t know that we have a lot of people like Kanishka who have Indian heritage and have grown up in other countries.

KaNishKa And they are really different because of the cultures they grew up in. They look completely Indian on the outside, but inside they’re not!

eLiza And on the other hand, you have people who are not from India, but they come here and they have totally adopted Indian culture. One of my friends is Korean, and she has completely picked up so much Indian culture.

KaNishKa Actually, it is pretty nice because when I was in Angola, I hated Indian culture. I hated being Indian. I hated being brown. I hated almost everything about myself. But then I came to Woodstock, and it feels good that there is so much difference within a group of people who look like me and that I am accepted for who I am. And since then, I have really started appreciating a lot of things about India, even the cities and other areas, which I would always hate when I would have to come with family. They would have to drag me here, and I would be so upset every time, but now I call my friends in India and visit them and really enjoy going around.

Katie Jo Eliza and Remy, have you been able to travel around India and experience other parts of the country?

eLiza It’s much different for me. Because my dad is in the Foreign Service, we've moved around a lot. So, I’ve seen a lot of cultures, but it's always been kind of through the American Embassy bubble. I've never been completely immersed in a culture because I went to American Schools. I was at the embassy a lot and still ate American food, so it's kind of nice being at Woodstock completely immersed in the culture here. It was really hard at first because I felt like I don't understand these songs. I don't know what these references are. It was really hard in the beginning. I would always feel like I didn't know what anybody was talking about, so it was a little difficult. But I think there's something to be gained by being in a different culture.

aNthONy Since I grew up in Mumbai, I don’t really feel as much difference coming here. Like Kanishka, I came because I wanted to experience more diversity. And I did experience a kind of culture shock when I came here. And that is because Woodstock has its very own unique kind of culture that I think you won’t really find anywhere else if you're not here – like if you know, you know. And there is the Woodstock accent!

Katie Jo And these are things that I know of from working with alumni because I just joined a year and a half ago. There are these things like the Woodstock accent and the culture and other things I hope will persist – that I work to try to ensure will persist – that work with the boarding experience and help you with recognizing who you are as a person and what you can give to the world. And they make you able to strongly appreciate the uniqueness in other people, too. So, there is a lot of individualism, but also a lot of collectivism. The collectivism comes because you can count on the Woodstock collective to help you if you fail, so there’s more willingness to take risks, I guess. You get away from a fear of failure because you know it will be okay, and you know you can try different things, and you’ll have people who will mentor and support you.

I hope that ends up serving true for you because the alumni that I've met are really awesome for that reason. They're very strong individuals. They're all very different, but they're all very settled in who they are and also very supportive of each other. And I think that's one of the best things that could come from this experience. So, I really hope that's one of

KaNishKa It’s true. Woodstock has its own community and culture. And once you’re a part of the Woodstock community, you’re always a member of the Woodstock community. Our sense of humor is different.

eLiza The way we talk ...

KaNishKa The way we talk, the things we laugh about, the ways we interact, the things we relate to are so different from other schools. Woodstock is so unique, and it’s really hard to find anywhere else that offers the same experiences. I think once you become a Woodstocker, there is no going back.

eLiza When I go home, I’m still in my Woodstock mode. My family is like, “Why are you talking like that?” After my first year at Woodstock, I was going home for the break, and I went to my sister's graduation in Scotland. I got there, and I said maybe two words to these girls and they asked me, “Why do you have an Indian accent?” And I didn’t!

KaNishKa My family did that to me; I was at the dinner table, and I said something, and my father said, “Is that what I sent you for? Is that how they talk there?” Because my entire family all speak French fluently, and they have a British English vibe. And I said something like, “I cannot with you,” and my dad said, “What did you say?” It made me a little embarrassed because I knew this could not be the only thing that I’ve carried ...

aNthONy And just small phrases.

eLiza Like asking someone to shift instead of move.

remy Or asking someone to shut the light instead of turn off the light.

eLiza Or confirming something by saying na at the end: It’s this way, na?

remy Or hanh Hanh, hanh

KaNishKa Yes, I say “hanh ji, hanh ji,” and my parents ask me, “When did you become so respectful?”

Katie Jo In terms of friends that you have here at school, do you feel like that covers a pretty wide range of different backgrounds? Do you find like you gravitate more towards people that have more difference in their background or less difference in their background? Or do you find that it doesn't

really matter because everybody's just living on top of each other, anyway?

aNthONy I feel like every country and every part of India in some way has its own personality to it. You find people who share a lot of the same ways of thinking and perspectives that are very much dependent on where they came from. So if you come from SoBo [South Bombay], then we can be friends. If you come from past SoBo, we can’t be friends [jokingly].

Katie Jo You all have obviously experienced difference to some extent. Does that excite you? Do you continue to seek out learning different things from different, different people you can connect with? Or do you just try to find something that's comfortable, or how does it work?

aNthONy Yeah, for sure. I think it's like we live with everybody here, right? So you kind of have to learn to both learn about them, to respect their culture as well. I wouldn't say there's anybody I particularly dislike.

ANd I think dorm parents recognize differences between us, including socioeconomic ones, but they treat us all the same and give certain people grounding back into the reality that, “Hey, you live in a world with other people.”

remy It's fun to see.

KaNishKa Part of what makes Woodstock so comforting is that people may come from different financial backgrounds, different backgrounds, but then everyone has to live the same way here. They have the same rooms, and the same beds. Everyone deals with disgusting bathrooms and deals with the same things, and that connects.

aNthONy I think what's great is that you really realize the majority of the best stories from alumni are the ones when they had to struggle. The class of 2003 was telling us about having to go out in the snow to get to the showers once.

eLiza And what about Activity Week for us? We suffered the most in 2023. I was on the phone with my mom, and here is the difference between a Woodstock person and people from other schools (my dad went to a boarding school in Connecticut). I was saying, “We almost died, because there was lightning, and we were out on this cliff,” and my dad was saying, “Give me the names of the people who put you in this situation, and I will make sure they answer for it.” But then my mom was like, “But did you have fun? You’ll think about this in

years to come, and you’ll be like, ‘Wow’!”

KaNishKa I said something similar to my parents, and my dad and my mom were like, “But did you die? No. Don’t be dramatic.”

eLiza I respect the way the school does Activity Week. They just send you. They're not messing around. They give you training and instructions and then tell you, “You go. You don't come back. I don’t want to hear any whining.”

You know, I've always gone to school in international schools. So one thing I've taken from that is that people are just the same. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Jordan, if you're in Azerbaijan, if you’re in Dubai, if you’re in London, if you’re in America. People are just the same. And I find that has never been a factor. There are people who are closer to my culture, but they're not necessarily the ones that I’m most close to.

We're all just living together, and in such close proximity. Just people who you connect with. Some of my best friends are Indian, and while there are cultural differences, and there are some things I don't understand or some things they don't understand, I feel like that's kind of background noise. The big, important thing is just having people at the school who can support you and who you can support, because it's a really hard place to be isolated.

remy And it’s just as simple as being a good person. For example, my roommate is from Korea, and his English isn’t great, and he is Christian and I’m not. But still, we talk into all hours of the night, just comparing our philosophies and learning from each other. And we have become really close from that. It really is all just about being a good person.

A Multiplicity of Cultures Third Culture Kids, Missionary Kids, and Cross-Culture Kids at Woodstock

Katie Jo Walter

As a nearly 170-year-old institution and Asia’s oldest K-1 2 international boarding school, Woodstock School has a long history of serving students from a variety of cultures. As most of our alumni know, Woodstock has been home to Third Culture Kids (TCKs) since before the term was coined.

The TCK definition guiding Woodstock School’s current work comes from David C. Pollock and Ruth Van Reken, who co-wrote Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds, the authoritative book on TCKs.

A Third Culture Kid is

“… an individual who, having spent a significant part of the development years in a culture other than the parents’ culture, develops a sense of relationship to all of the cultures while not having a full ownership in any. Elements from each culture are incorporated into the life experience, but the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar experience.”

Woodstock School Principal Dr. Craig Cook shared the following in his letter introducing this edition of The Quadrangle:

“At Woodstock we are also in many ways a collection of Third Culture Kids, both students and staff, who have formed a third culture at Woodstock itself. Third culture individuals are raised in cultures other than those originally of their parents and spend significant time shaping their values and their identities in a blended cultural setting. In other words, the first culture refers to the parents’ culture of origin, the second culture refers to the current country’s culture, and the third culture refers to the unique blend of cultures that have come together at a particular place at a particular point in time. If you know Woodstock, does that sound familiar?

Third culture individuals appreciate an expansive worldview along with crosscultural sensitivity and intelligence. They

“

Third culture individuals ... find themselves searching earnestly for home and questioning their loyalties to nationhood, values, politics, and other things.

also find themselves searching earnestly for home and questioning their loyalties to nationhood, values, politics, and other things. From academics to residential life and activities including enrichment, music, outdoor learning, service, athletics, and global exposure, at Woodstock we help young people discover a common humanity that transcends the divisions of wealth, culture, religion, and ethnic identity which so often characterize the conflicts and problems in the world today.”

An Analysis of the Factors in the Personality Development of Children of Missionaries, the first study ever undertaken on the unique needs of children growing up in a culture different from that of their parents, was about Woodstock students and was presented in 1936 by then Woodstock Principal Rev. Allen Ellsworth Parker.

Ruth Van Reken, co-author of Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds and past FWS reunion speaker, recently shared, “I am glad Allen Parker is getting the recognition he deserves for seeing there was something to study even before others were aware!

“I know [my co-author] Dave Pollock often mentioned Allen Parker as the first person to do any research on this community and the characteristics he noted .... The week I was at Woodstock itself in or around 2000 (invited and hosted by Kaye Annette Vogel Jacob – then Aoki, former Woodstock School Principal), I met wonderful people

and became aware through Mrs. Monica Roberts what an integral part of the staff local hires are as well as expat folks. She had incredible wisdom, and we connected relatively recently when she let me know she had retired.

Scan the QR code to watch The Road Home on the official website.

“Woodstock at that point was the beginning of my awareness of how much schools established for the Missionary Kid (MK) population had changed culturally ... now with a lovely mix of many students from India as well as surrounding countries, some of which I had never heard of before! This was the beginning of my awareness of how a changing world was being reflected in the international school context. Once again, Woodstock was leading the way.”

Here from the Woodstock School archives is what Rev. Parker himself shared about his master’s thesis:

“During our furlough in 1932, I made quite a study of the adjustment problems of children of missionaries. I collected data through questionnaires to former Woodstock students and finally wrote a thesis on the subject for my M.A. at the University of Chicago. I continued my studies on through my furlough in 1940. I did the work at the University of Chicago in 1932-33 but did not write the thesis until two years after we returned to India. As far as actual writing of the thesis is concerned, Irene did more on that than I did. I collected the data and worked it over and then seemed to be so busy I did not put the finishing touches to it. Irene, with her usual determination, worked and worked at it until it was finished. I often told her she deserved the M.A. degree more than I did. On the whole, this was a very interesting and fruitful study. It threw the proper light, I think, on places where emphasis should be placed in our work with children

of missionaries.” – Parker, Rev. A. E. (2004). In Eighteen Years in Woodstock (p. 19). Woodstock Publications.

Ruth Van Reken reiterates: “Rev. Parker of Woodstock was the first person that I know of to note that there was something ‘different’ about the personal characteristics of the students there. At that time in the mid-1930s, they were basically all missionary kids, but the crack was made in awareness that there was something new to think about.”

Another Woodstock staff known to have studied Woodstock TCKs is Jim Lehman who served as Actiing Principal in 1992 and conducted PhD research with Woodstock alumni when he was the school’s Director of Counselling. His dissertation is entitled Woodstock - Its Effectiveness in Fulfilling Stated Goals and Objectives as a Christian International Residential School: A Survey of the Graduates 1976-1995. During a visit to Woodstock for her class’s 40th milestone reunion, Jim’s daughter Carol Lehman ’83 shared a copy of her father’s dissertation with the Woodstock School archives, which includes a chapter on Woodstock Third Culture Kids.

Woodstock parent Sandra Blank just recently published her PhD research on Third Culture Kids entitled Third Culture Kids’ Repatriation and Planned Transition to College from a South Asian Country, which seeks to answer the questions: How do TCKs perceive the major events or benchmarks in their transition to college? How did expected and unexpected outcomes impact TCKs’ experience during

their transition to college? What resources do TCKs typically access during their repatriation to college transition in the U.S.? What are the strategies TCKs used in their first year of college that contributed to their persistence to graduation?

The Road Home (2015) by Rahul Gandotra ’94 is a short film about a TCK who goes to to Woodstock School after spending his childhood living abroad. The film explores the challenges and rewards of being a TCK and the importance of community and connection. Synopsis (from the film’s website): “Growing up in England, ten-year old Pico never wanted to go to boarding school in the Himalayas, and despite the beauty there, he struggles to fit in. When he’s bullied for insisting he’s British in spite of his Indian heritage, he runs away, determined to return to his home in London. As he journeys through a country foreign to him, Pico encounters others who mistake him for an Indian boy, forcing him to face the painful truth that the world does not see him the way he sees himself.”

Again, Ruth Van Reken shares, “... the movie ‘The Roadd Home’ is also a stellar contribution to the field made by one of your alumni, Rahul Gandotra (‘94) ... when he went to Woodstock to film ‘The Road Home’ for his Master’s thesis project for his film school (London Film School) ... he told folks what he wanted to do and was working on, [and] it was the first time someone also told him about TCK issues. He said he read the TCK book (Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds) almost the whole

time he was there, but what intrigues me is he had also identified some of these issues of identity, etc., from his own story and those of others around him before anyone told him these were common. It is a brilliant movie I have used many times and a great discussion builder. So, add that to the Woodstock laurels.”

From the film’s website: “Rahul Gandotra was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and grew up in eight countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and America. His international childhood has been a major inspiration and influence on his filmmaking.

“After finishing his undergrad degree at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Rahul headed to the London Film School for his MA in film directing. For his master’s thesis, he traveled to the Himalayas to direct The Road Home. It turned out to be the film school’s very first nomination for the Student Foreign Academy Award.

“The Road Home went on to win many awards in film festivals around the world and was finally nominated for the British Independent Film Awards and shortlisted for the 2012 Oscars. But for Rahul, it has been more satisfying to watch his film gain a strong following in the Third Culture Kid community.”

The film has become a key tool for learning about and discussing the TCK experience. The Road Home website has a section dedicated to resources for and about TCKs as well as a Professional Edition of the film with an accompanying website that includes, among other things, an expert commentary from Ruth Van Reken. The film was required viewing for staff and faculty at Hebron School when former Woodstock School Board member Dr. John Barclay was principal from 2012-2015.

Gatherings

FWS Annual Board Meeting, Chicago, USA

Friends of Woodstock School (FWS) held its winter board meeting in Chicago on January 14. This was FWS's first in-person board meeting since the pandemic began three years ago. FWS Board Members attending included Bruce Davis ’73 (President), David Shastry ’09 (Vice President), Steve Van Rooy ’67 (Treasurer), Sharon Seto ’79 (Alumni Committee Chair and Former staff), Kim Gingerich Brenneman ’79, and Dr. Cook. Friends of Woodstock School Emeritus Board Member Glenn Conrad ’68 (Former staff and Distinguished Alumnus) and Friends of Woodstock School Administrative Manager David Wheeler also attended. FWS Secretary Suzanne Hanifl attended remotely. The Woodstock School delegation consisted of Katie Jo Walter and Director of the Centre for Imagination Jamie Williams. Woodstock School Board Member Dr Junias Venugopal also joined.

Dr. Eleanor Nicholson: Dr. Eleanor Nicholson hosted a dinner event in Chicago at her residence during the meetings. (Dr Nicolson was the Interim Principal for six months in 2011 and was also the President of the Board of Directors for three years, after the Interim Principalship.)

Visit https://www.woodstockschool. in/tcks/ to learn more about these resources. We hope to add more in the future, too!

Union League Club, Chicago, USA

Friends of Woodstock School hosted an alumni gathering at the Union League Club of Chicago following it annual Board meeting on January 14.

Those in attendance from Friends of Woodstock School included Board Members Bruce Davis ’73 (President), David Shastry ’09 (Vice President), Steve Van Rooy ’67 (Treasurer), Sharon Seto ’79 (Alumni Committee Chair and Former staff), Kim Gingerich Brenneman ’79, and Dr. Cook. Friends of Woodstock School Emeritus Board Member Glenn Conrad ’68 (Former staff and Distinguished Alumnus) and Friends of Woodstock School Administrative Manager David Wheeler also attended. The Woodstock School delegation consisted of Katie Jo Walter and Jamie Williams. Dr Junias Venugopal also joined.

In attendance Saif Ansari ’21, Lalzirliani Chinzah ’11, Joyce Daliya, Sue Enright Davis, Lucy Wilson Dorenfeld ’67, Roland Hinz (Former Staff), Shih An Karis Hsu ’21, Ayaan John ’17, Cici Lance ’84, Dan Liechty ’83, Jill Liechty, Emma Liechty ’13, Marjorie Liechty, Anvi Lohia ’19, Megan Moore ’14, Shirly Susan Samuel ’11, Karsten Shaw ’19, Ankita Suna ’12, Cate Whitcomb ’66, Jack Whitcomb

CFWS Annual Board Meeting, Toronto, Canada

Directly after their time in Chicago for FWS Board meetings, Woodstock School leadership was off to Toronto to attend an alumni gathering and Board meeting of Canadian Friends of Woodstock School (CFWS), a Canadian registered charity established to support Woodstock School. At the meeting Katie Jo Walter was welcomed as a new CFWS Board Member.

Toronto event attendees included Canadian Friends of Woodstock School Board Members Chris Morris ’87, Alan Howard ’81, Chris Mackey ’88, Rohan Kumar ’14, and Katie Jo Walter. Board Members Tom Carter ’67 and Judi Weaver ’81 joined the Board meeting remotely. From Woodstock School, Dr. Cook and Jamie Williams also joined.

Other attendees included Nancy Howard (Parent and event host), Rosalie Howard (Former Staff), Barbara Herman (Former Staff), Adam & Darcey Wunker (Former Staff), Lynda Rees ’68 & Denis Bell, Kim Rugh Bergier ’69, Joy Finney ’69, Ellen McIntosh ’69, Mary Self Skarsten ’69, Anne Marriott ’71 & Dave Wunker, Ajit Sherring ’89, Anil McMullen ’93, Shahbaz Khan

Alan Howard ’81 sharing with the gathering about his research on residential life at Wodstock School

Mary Self Skarsten ’69 with Centre for Imagination Director Jamie Williams (Dr. Cook, Kim Joy Bergier ’69, and Joy Finney ’69 in the background)

Left: Rohan Kumar ’14, Alan Howard ’81, Katie Jo Walter, Chris Morris ’87

’97, Sohila Samuel ’14, Mayuri Kakkar ’16, Hyunyoung Kim ’19, Amul Kakkar ’20 (plus 1), Warris Godard ’21, Gauri Pasbola ’21 (plus 1), Aryan Vahi ’21, and Keerat Uppal ’22.

New York City, USA

Alumni gathered in New York City at ilili NYC to reconnect and hear the latest from Katie Jo Walter. Those in attendance included Hannah Baynham ’00, Jaya Sil ’83, Sindhur Bansal ’22, Zafrullah (Jewel) Hasan ’79, Harin Gupta ’06, Uddhav Mehra ’13, Gonpo Lama ’08, Arti Chandok ’07, Sameer Zaman ’99, David Lowe ’74, Jonlyn Freeman ’91, Naresh Teckwani ’84, Jigme Shingsar ’84, Siddharth Lahiri ’99, Vaibhava Muchhal ’90, Mehar Bhatia ’18, Tara Bajpai ’18, Arjun Vatsa ’05, Avinash Lahiri ’93, Abhishek Singh ’90, Shabab Rahman ’08, and Alok Tewari ’85.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok alumni assisted with a Woodstock admissions event and attended an alumni dinner in mid-February.

In attendance Nutcha Panaspraipong ’14, Kate Raktapa ’98, Bom Kasetsin ’03, Hassakol Panaspraipong ’19, Fuse Chiraphisit ’14, Kron Aungvitulsatit ’09, Rattapong Owasitth ’15, Ajit Wongkhatri ’77, Mae Sachdev ’11, Lukas Ogan ’19, Rak Leo Ogan ’20, Nghia Doan ’09, Arjun Sikand ’00, Warayuth Kthapunya ’14, Moji Panisa ’19, and James Manorattanawong ’17, with Head of Operations Admissions Andrew Das and Admissions Associate Kiran Singh

Katie Jo chatting with 1993 Class Representative Anil McMullen over samosas and chai

Alumni gathered in Boston at the home of Jeet Singh ’81 to reconnect and learn the latest from Woodstock School. The school visiting delegation included Dr. Cook, Katie Jo Walter, and Jamie Williams.

Alumni attending included event host Jeet

Singapore

Kieve Verghese, Sayeeda Mamoon, and Racahana (Sukhnandan) Koura ’81 in Singapore

Singh ’81 as well as Sindhur Varad Bansal ’22, Advait Agarwal ’22, Dhrubhagat Singh ’20, Zorawar Sethi ’20, Saira Mehra ’20, Yasmin Padamsee ’87, Tanashya Batra ’17, Daeyoung Kim ’19, Alison Mitchell Ayekoloye (Former Staff), Advait Agarwal ’22, Namdol Chophel ’03, Marshal Karki ’22, Dhruv Khanpara ’22, Raghavee Neupane ’17, Simoni Garg ’17, Lauri Coulter ’81, Rachel Wyon ’69, Priam Vyas ’15, Kilang Yanger ’02, Prathana Shrestha ’16, Baldev Sidhu ’80, Natalie Menon ’20, Nathan Scott ’84, and Rigpea Wangchuck ’20.

Jaisalmer, India

The class of 2012 got together this wedding season in Jaisalmer for the wedding of their classmate Ishaan Bhandari. Class of 2012 members included in the photo are Tanya Garg, Uzir Thapa, Juldis Trakanthaloengsak, Priyankar Chand, Thaya Phaichokchai, Tejaskar Rana, Aryaman Khanna, Luke Williams, and Bhumin Chotiwatanadilok.

Singapore

Dr. Cook and Katie Jo held a gathering with alumni in Singapore on April 23 at Singapore Cricket Club.

Attendees: Dr. Cook, Katie Jo Walter, Thomas (Kieve) Verghese ’81, Abhra Bhattacharjee ’92, Shefali Saldanha ’03, Jayant Singh ’18, Aman Sethi ’11, Hakyung Yi ’20, Jaya Kapur ’01, Remay Pemba ’20, Chimie Pemba ’88, Chiho Makino ’91, Mohit

Mumbai, India

Sagar ’87, Imtiyala Jamir ’18, and Jennifer Wu ’10

Alumni and parents gathered at Pizza by the Bay on March 3 to meet Dr. Cook, Katie Jo Walter, Admissions Director Vidur Kapur ’00, and Korean language teacher and admissions consultant Taeyeong Jun. Special

thanks to Timmy Narang ’87, Ambassador Group, and Mars Hospitality Group for their help arranging this wonderful gathering.

In attendance Dr. Cook, Katie Jo Walter, Urmila Jain ’67, Farah Barua ’82, Porus Thapar ’93, Kezia Paljor ’16, Sandhya Srinivasan ’76, Sharanam Soni ’17, Akshay Agarwal ’09, Krisha Rajkarnikar ’08, Nayantara Patel ’11, Avanti Honawar (Parent), Rohini Datta ’88, Rajshekhar Ray ’91, and Kiara Kanwar ’18

Goshen, Indiana, USA

Goshen area alumni and former staff met the last weekend of April.

Delhi, India

Delhi alumni gathered for a fun brunch event on March 19 at Kikoba Vasant Vihar organized by WOSA Asia. It was one of the first WOSA Asia in-person events where alumni got to hear from Manav Mehra ’96, WOSA Asia Committee member about the future plans of the network.

Attendees: Katie Jo Walter, Manav Mehra ’96, Armaan Batra ’20, Shreya Gautam ’15, Richa Garg ’05, Tanvi Gupta ’05, Sonali Garg (Former Staff), Aryaman Khanna ’12, Tanya Garg ’12, Adityajeet Dagar ’16, Varun Pant ’16, Suryansh Garg, Jahnvi Garg ’16, Devang Pandey ’16, Manisha Handa ’99, Lalrintluanga Jahau ’01, Natasha Sarin ’99

Back row All former staff: John & Dorothy Nyce, Dan & Anne Lind, Marjorie Liechty, Dan and Jill Liechty, Fabiola and Marcus Shaw ’87. Front row Saif Ansari ’21, Ayaan John ’17, Karsten Shaw ’19, Shoaib Ansari ’21, and Aman John ’15

Saif Ansari ’21, Karsten Shaw ’19, Ayaan John ’17, Shoaib Ansari ’21

Paris, France

Stephanie Turco Williams ’83, Kapil Gupta ’92, Rishi Shourie ’92

Barcelona, Spain

Nikhil Chouguley ’98, Sara Ahmed ’81, Ulrike Chouguley

New York City, USA

Over a student trip to New York for a Model United Nations event, our Woodstock staff and faculty chaperones caught up with a few alumni.

Veer Arya ’20, Riya Kohli ’20 with current staff members Vandana Sharma, Prateek Santram, Ady Manral

Idika Kothari ’18, Dhruv Agarwal ’18, Ady Manral

extraordinaire! In attendance were:

Singapore

At Mr. Stork at the Andaz Hotel on the occasion of a visit from Deirdré Straughan ’81, Woodstock School General Body Member and alumni connector

Deirdré Straughan ’81; Aman Sethi'11; Kieve Thomas Verghese ’81; Akshaya Pradhan ’19; Rachana Koura ’81; Chimie Pemba ’88; Sadrish Pradhan; ’15; Yoonjung Yi ’10;

Imtiyala Jamir ’18; Abhrajit Bhattacharjee ’92; Aman John ’15; Shefali Saldanha ’03; Mayanka Nongpiur ’08; Alex Manton ’84; Sapna Tayal ’21; Lokesh Tayal (father of Sapna Tayal ’21); Jennifer Wu ’10

Vadodara, India

Katie Jo Walter, Bob Shoemaker, and their dog Kali traveled to Vadodara, where a handful of esteemed alumni were able to gather for a wonderful brunch served at the home of Rahul ’71 and Tejal Amin.

Pictured: Roopa Patel (wife of Bharat Patel ’71), Nandita Amin ’73, Bharat Patel ’71, Rahul Amin ’71, Ashoke Chatterjee ’51, Katie Jo, Bob (and Kali), Tejal Amin

Austin, USA

Dr. Cook and Jamie Williams were in Austin and took the opportunity to connect with Jude Samson ’87, Neha Bali ’11, and Sangay Bhutia ’12.

Boston, USA

John Whitcomb ’69, Patricia Green-Sotos ’72, Robert Whitcomb ’77, Cate Whitcomb ’66

Delhi, India

Dr. Cook and Katie Jo Walter met with Delhi Alumni to celebrate and promote growing engagement between the Woodstock campus and Delhi NCR alumni with a lunch event at Moti Mahal Delux SouthEx.

Remembrance: Bhavenesh Kumari Patiala

A remembrance event was held on July 15 at CMYK Bookstore, GKII to honor Bhavenesh Kumari Patiala ’50, a Woodstock School Distinguished Alumna, former Board Member, and guiding force for WOSA India. Bhavenesh-ji passed peacefully on the late night June23 / early morning of June 24. The event offered a glimpse into Bhavenesh-ji’s days as a student (when she was known as Lena), her subsequent career, and her service to Woodstock. The small gathering, which was also attended by Dr. Cook, included plenty of intimate sharing about Bhavenesh-ji as an outstanding individual and invaluable Woodstock supporter. Special thanks go to Priya Kapoor ’97 for offering CMYK Books GKII as a venue, Nisa Shetty ’10 for her beautiful performance of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, and Bhavenesh-ji’s niece Ms. Madhulekha Sawhney for loaning paintings and photos of Bhavenesh-ji for the event as well as sharing photos from

Katie Jo Walter sharing on the life and legacy of Bhavenesh Kumari Patiala ’50

her trip to Kiratpur, where she submerged Bhavenesh-ji’s ashes in the Sutlej River. Other attendees included former staff Sonali Garg and Monica Chandy, wife of former Woodstock School Board President Thomas Chandy.

Front row: Smita Jha ’91, Stefan Eicher ’90 (Former Staff), Rajesh Kohli ’84, Seema Kohli, Nirakh Tyagi ’18, Rebekah (Blank) Sood ’08, Vatsala Chaudhry ’18, Ariella Blank ’12, Woodstock Archives Consultant Bob Shoemaker, Shalvi Sinha ’08, Pia Taneja ’14, Roli Shrivastava ’08, Tanya Aggarwal ’18, Harsh Garg ’19 Second row: Khyati Singh ’15, Ravi Joseph ’84, Katie Jo Walter, Arman Sood, Nihaar Tyagi ’18 Back row: Adityajit Dhagar ’16, Neil Magazine ’13, Joshua John ’98, Dr. Craig Cook, Armaan Bindra ’11, Manav Mehra ’96 Not pictured: Carlos Rodrigues ’20

Scan to view the Bhavenesh Kumari Patiala In Remembrance video slideshow

Bangalore, India

In Bangalore, an event was represented by our current staff members including Prateek Santram, Vimmi Dang, and Afroz Anjum. They were in Bangalore accompanying a group of Woodstock students participating in the Model United Nations.

From the front left: Nisha Simmons ’97 (with her husband behind her on the left side), Aman Roul ’02, Santosh Devadas ’90, Ray Kallimel ’01 (at the back), Varun John ’02, Moa Longkumer ’03 (in front), Sara Krishnan ’16, Puja Sen ’09, Upasini Purushothaman (Former Staff), Nigel Ajay Kumar ’92 and Teacher, Kailash Mani (Former Staff), Jerry Arthur ’11 (with wife on right), Mark Thyle ’03 (at the back), Sruti Arthur ’07 (with husband on right), Current staff Prateek Santram and Vimmi Dang in the front, Dyumna Madan ’23

Dehradun, India

Kiran Kapoor ’75 with her husband Pramod, recently caught up with Distinguished Alumna Nayantara Sahgal, Class of 1943, in Dehradun.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Wimala Grace Chelliah (current parent), Katie Jo Walter, Dr. Cook, Pieter Ter Haar (Former Staff), C. Subraminium (current parent), and Marie Saleem ’93

Bhutan

Class of 1995 and 1996 catching up in Bhutan: Krishan Jhalani ’95, Manav Mehra ’96, and Richie Chauhan ’95 with friends in Bhutan (far right)

Bangkok, Thailand

Marcus Shaw ’87 (Former Staff), Fabi Shaw (Former Staff), and daughter Isabella ’17 met up with a few alumni in Bangkok.

Delhi, India

Dr. Cook’s unexpected meeting with Armaan Mehra ’15 at Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, GK II, Delhi

Washington DC, USA

From left: Nutcha Panaspraipong ’14, Isabella Shaw ’17, Fabiola Shaw, Phuriwat Chiraphisit ’14, Marcus Shaw, Subin Kim ’14

(Left to right) Wungram Shishak ’90, Fayaz Yourish ’17, Machut Shishak ’93, Ella Duncan ’07, Theyie Keditsu ’99

London, UK

Miami, Florida, USA

Uma Maddison, Ved Maddison ’19, Janak Singh ’19, Daniel Swarup ’19, Theo Maddison

Radhika Karle ’96, Maneesha Sarin ’95, Priya Kapoor ’97

(Left to right) Navya Sethi’20, Dinesh Ayyapan (Former Staff), Aarti Malhotra ’20, Aarti’s younger Sister, Leaf Elhai (Former Staff), Daniel Swarup ’19

Right Preeti Rajendran (Former WS Counsellor), Aanchal Negi (Current Head of College & Career Counselling), Rene Bowling (Former Counsellor)

Far right Aanchal Negi (Current Head of College & Career Counselling), Tanya Malik Mudde ’06, Swati Shrestha (Former Counsellor)

Dehradun, India

In a rare public talk, Distinguished Alumna Nayantara Sahgal ’43 shared her thoughts on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti at the Dehradun Worldwide Woodstock Day gathering. The talk, which focused on Smt. Sahgal’s personal recollections of the Mahatma and the fate of Gandhian principles in today’s society, was captured in the video below - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY1FwC5ahxo

WWD Gathering on Gandhi Jayanti next to the tree planted by Mahatma Gandhi at the Christian Retreat Study Centre in Rajpur Standing (left to right): Katie Jo Walter, Bob Shoemaker, Thsespal and Susan Kundan (Board member and Former Parent), Judy Crider ’69, Kiran Kapoor ’75, Gita Sahgal (Nayantara’s daughter), Magali Rastogi ’89, Mary Feierabend Girard ’76, Shanti Tsering (Friend), Kenton Beachy ’78 and Woodstock Director of Commumications

Seated (left to right): Sanchali Chakraborty, Advancement Coordinator & Data Specialist, Joshua Hishey ’99, Isaac Hishey ’95, Nayantara Sahgal ’43, Manjari Mehta ’74, Enosh and Sonam Thomas (Current Staff), Meghna Das ’17

Woodstock

We hosted Board and General Body members for in-person Board meetings on campus in September. It was wonderful to see many of these members, including Woodstock Alumni, who took time for an informal catch-up during their visit.

(Current

’88,

Machut Shishak ’93, Jonake Bose ’81, John Robertson

Staff), Zafar Sobhan

Chris Green ’90, Susan Copp Anderberg ’90, Kathleen Hawthorne ’90

Dehradun

Fern Oaks Estate, Landour

Priya Kapoor ’97 and Board Member with her husband Karam Puri (Guest Instructor with Hanifl Centre) hosted the Board Members for dinner at their residence in Landour.

Kolkata, India

Front row left to right: Jonake Bose ’81, Sangeeta Agarwala ’97, Renu Agarwala (Parent), Tulika Pabrai ’76, Beth Decker ’65, Dipika Kejriwal (Parent), Richa Garg (Parent), Aditya Kejriwal (Parent), Sara Ahmed ’81, Yuti Bhatt ’81

Back row left to right: Guest of Shefali Rangi ’16, Nishant Pabrai ’08, Rajesh Agarwala ’97 & Parent, Shefali Rangi ’16, Maya Dutt ’92, Parent, & Ex Dorm Staff, Prerna Jain (Parent), Anshul Jain (Parent), Chayan Chatterjee ’80

Suwon, South Korea

Meenu Khan (Junior School Librarian from 2005-2018) traveled from Hanzghou, China, to Suwon, South Korea, to see Rajneesh, Nishtha, Enoch, Sheila, and Kaizad during October to celebrate Worldwide Woodstock Day in advance. The few days spent laughing and talking about the past while eating well were excellent.

Midwest, US

Danny Lacy, Woodstock School General Body Board Member and Elementary Teacher 1977-1984, along with his wife and former Woodstock dorm parent Gerrilee, met with other Woodstock School former staff on a fall trip across the Midwest USA. Those they met included Anne and Dan Lind, Greg and Chris Mutton, Gail and Gaylord Goehring, and Cathy Holmes.

Pic 3: Front: Gerrilee Lacy, Chris Mutton, and Gail Goehring Back: Danny Lacy, Greg Mutton, and Gaylord Goehring

The

and the

Pic 5:

Lacys

Muttons at Mackinac Island, Michigan

Chris Mutton, Danny Lacy, Gerrilee Lacy, Anne Lind, Dan Lind, Greg Mutton at Shipshewana, Indiana

Bard College, New York, US

Raad Rahman ’02 and Kapil Gupta ’92 at Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, New York, US. Raad and Kapil both earned degrees form Bard, and Kapil points out that we have many more “Bardstockers” out there as well including Tushanee Kuruppu ’88, Yasmin Padamsee ’87, Dhruv Tripathi ’97, Grace Kim ’06

Greg and Chris Mutton with Danny and Gerrilee Lacy

Danny and Gerrilee with the Muttons and Cathy Holmes

Worldwide Woodstock Day

MeLBoURNe, aUStRaLia

A big thank you to Pankaj Singh ’79 for organizing a wonderful WWD gathering in Melbourne, Australia at 3 Brothers on Chapel Indian Restaurant. Here's a brief overview of the event from Pankaj:

"Delighted to organise a small lunch for 22 Woodstock Alumni and family living in Melbourne and be part of WWD on 28 October.

Always heartwarming to hear stories of the deep roots and bonds we share with Mussoorie hillside and the Woodstock community over so many decades. I’m constantly amazed that no matter which corner of the world you go, there’s a high chance you’ll find another global Woodstock citizen nearby."

atLaNta, US

Akshay Birla ’05, Seema Sharan Sawhney ’01, and Michael Sawhney (husband of Seema) got together at Chai Pani restaurant in Decatur.

In attendance: Tim and Rameeza Ahsan ’01, Yusuf Khan ’80, Jillian Stewart (Former Staff), John Lewis (Former Staff), Sarah Glover ’18, Mark Glover ’84, Claire Beery (Blickenstaff) ’66 visiting from US, Sujatha Simon Harding ’85, Pankaj Singh ’79, Eva and Suneith Sukumar (Former Staff), Tamara D’Mello ’97, Shweta ’18 and Santhosh Sukumar, Vera McIlroy (Former Staff), Sangeeta Khan (Yusuf’s wife), Reis Flora (Former Staff), Nima (Eusebius) Flora (Former Staff), Justin White ’17, Dierdre Straughn ’81, Sujata Singh (Pankaj’s wife)

BaNGKoK, tHaiLaND

The recent WWD gathering in Bangkok coincided with a job fair where Woodstock School was represented by our staff from the Human Resource Department. This was a great opportunity for the Thailand alumni to interact with our HR staff and gain insights into staff hiring and diversity at Woodstock.

In Attendance: Dr. Cook, Anusha Tuli (Director of Human Resources), Ujjal Chakraborty (Human Resources Executive), Katie Jo Walter, Phuriwat Chirapisit ’14, Ajit Wongkhatri ’77, Nutcha Panaspraipong ’14, Maynika Sachdev ’11, Arjun Sikand ’00, Nick Armaan Malhotra ’99

BaY aRea, US

Jonake Bose ’81 and Sharon Seto ’79 organized a WWD gathering in the Bay Area, California. Jonake graciously hosted the event at her residence in Palto Alto. The time was well spent with everyone talking and reminiscing about the good times they had at Woodstock.

In Attendance: Radha Rai ’98, Shibani Chotani ’75 with her husband Gopal, Maureen Fromme (Former Music Teacher), Jonake Bose, Sharon Seto, Delbert Friesen ’65 and his wife

In Attendance: Palden Tshering 1991, Pamela Tshering 1989, Ritsen Gyaltshen ’13, Sonam Maekay Penjor ’01, Gama Namgyel ’96, Kesang Phuntsho Dorji ’99, Pem Chhoden Tshering ’10, Kesang C. Dorjee ’95, Pema D. Dorjee ’97, Tsering Choden Kesang ’00, Yoesar Gyaltshen ’11,Tenzi Dorji ’11, Chuki Norbu ’10, Chholay Dorji ’09, Sonam Y Jattu ’11, ChukieOm Dorji ’98, Yangchey Wangchuk ’01, Kesang D Wangchuk ’07, Sonam Chuki ’01, Dolma C Roder 1996, Kunzang T Dukpa ’99, Kinley Z Tshering ’07, Dr. Cook, Jamie Williams, Katie Jo Walter, Andrew Das

BoStoN, USa

Jeet Singh ’80 graciously hosted the Boston WWD gathering at his residence once again this year. At the event Jeet gave a talk about startups and innovation after which attendees got into small groups, and everyone held a mini business pitch competition.

In Attendance: Tanashya Batra ’17, Navaz Bustani ’85, Lucy Chung (SGP), Tara Dhaliwal ’12, Fileona Dkhar ’12, Alice Dodds ’41, Mandy Farrer (Former Staff), Yasmin Forbes ’87, Prabarna Ganguly ’09, Miles Grimshaw ’09, Nathaniel Hausman ’99, Kristophe Hofford ’96, Diana Holtshouser '49, Kathleen Horton ’59, Mary Eliot Jackson (Former Staff), Radhika Jain ’99, Rupal Jain ’13, Sahil Jain ’10, Raya Kaplan ’15, Dana Larson (Parent), Manvi Lohia ’13, Nancy Macmillan ’56, Neil Magazine ’13, Rhea Malani ’15, Rajan Nanda ’64, Hai Dang Nguyen ’02, Diksha Rajkarnikar ’00, Roxanna Saadatnejad ’85, Ahmed Shadmann ’05, Swastika Sharma ’20, Uma Sherpa ’21, Jeet Singh ’81, Thomas Swanson ’10, Olaf Taylor, John Townsend ’10, Aung Thet Tu ’83, Philip Wellons ’60, Rachel Wyon ’69, Alison Mitchell Ayekoloye (former staff), David Bankalypse (Spouse)

DeLHi, iNDia

The annual Delhi WWD gathering took place at Yuvraj Kohli's ’02 venue, Moti Mahal Delux in Delhi, and was attended by nearly 50 alumni from the New Delhi region. The evening was brimming with music, laughter, and nostalgic conversations about Woodstock days. As we continue to strengthen our Delhi community, we look forward to more such enjoyable alumni gatherings in the future.

In Attendance: Neha Abraham ’09, Shubhankar Aggarwal ’13, Aastha Bhakhri (Former Staff), Rajeev Bhalla ’90, Rahul Bhandari ’92, Kachina Chawla ’95, Adityajeet Dagar ’16, Sohail Das ’14, Atul Datta ’90, Stefan Eicher ’90, YuSung Eo ’11, Ashok David Fenn (Woodstock School Board Vice President), Achi Gerutshang ’13, Arti Goswami ’75, Vikas Goyal ’90, Patricia Green-Sotos ’72, Nandita Gupta ’91, Nitin Gupta ’90, Smita Jha ’91, Varun Kapoor ’98, Namrata Mohapatra ’14, Nitisha Mohapatra ’11, Sainyam Khanna ’13, Dhruv Lakhanpal ’16, Manav Mehra ’96, Ashok Mittal ’90, Bhairav Pandey ’00, Devang Pandey ’16, Varun Pant ’16, Faisal Qadir ’19, Vir Raina ’06, Rotluangpuii Ralte ’14, Natasha Sarin ’99, Nisa Shetty ’10, Sonali Garg (Former Staff), Isaac Gergan ’06, Kenyon ’72 and Betsy Erickson (Spouse), Mark James ’72, Evan James ’75, Apoorva Shrivastava ’91, Sonam Deki ’14, Joy Shepherd ’93, Rajiv Singh ’85

Woodstock Staff Representatives: Dr. Cook, Katie Jo Walter, Anusha Tuli and Akash Tuli (Spouse), Andrew Das, Sanchali Chakraborty, Nazneen Nagarwalla (Alumni Consultant), Ady Manral, Bob Shoemaker, Brijesh Tyagi (Media Specialist), Suresh Chand (Administrative Assistant)

HaNoi, VietNaM

Gatherings happened two nights in a row in Hanoi. While enjoying a great Indian meal together the first night, Tran Tung ’03 shared about an Italian restaurant he was running. A few were going to meet for dinner the next night, so they turned it into a second Woodstock gathering. Thanks to Tran as well as his classmate Le Duc Pham ’03 who helped promote WWD Hanoi. Extra special thanks to Marcus ’87 and Fabiola Shaw who helped with planning and so much more.

In Attendance: Lexuan Trung ’04, Tran Tung ’03, Tran Duc Hai ’06, Nguyen Phan Dzung ’99, Nguyen Hoang Long ’06, Junghyun Jasmine Ryu ’02, Sonja Ter Haar ’20, Duc Ngo ’14, Marcus Shaw ’87, Former Staff, Fabiola Shaw, Former Staff, Pieter Ter Haar former staff, Katie Jo Walter

LoNDoN, UK

The local alumni planning committee in the UK organized a fantastic event featuring speakers from three decades, Woodstock School giveaways, and lively conversations! Attendees were actively networking and engrossed in discussions, extending the event by an additional 30 minutes. Post the event, a majority of the group gathered at the nearest pub. The UK local committee is gearing up for more such events, with the next one scheduled for December 1.

In Attendance: Knema Gardner ’20, Janak Singh ’19, Saanya Handa, Madhuban Kumar ’89, Jack Carter, Vir Kanwar ’22, Shreyansh Fofandi ’18, Ed Beavan (Former Staff), Maynica Sachdev ’11, Lidoweii Mero ’22, Ronit Bawa ’23, Tara Bajpai ’18, Abhishek Srivastav ’99, Emily Lane ’59, Neil Magazine ’23, Aarti Malhotra ’20, Shyla Robinson ’20, Aadya Aryal ’21, Ritvik Pothapragada ’21, Jayant Basnyat ’23, Namgyal Norbu ’22, Chhani Bungsut ’18, Maari Watanabe ’11, Rhea Sasha Kassam ’22, Abhishek Srivastav ’99, Vicky Alderton ’99, Loubna Tanji (Former Staff), Keya Ali ’22, Vaidhai Chaudhary ’22, Madhuban Kumar ’89, Shalini Bath ’89, Nikhil Chouguley ’98, Dalia Majumder Russell ’01, Daniel Swarup ’19, Navya Sethi ’20

MUMBai, iNDia

KatHMaNDU, NePaL

In celebration of Worldwide Woodstock Day, about 25 alumni gathered for a reunion in Nepal at Mezze Restaurant (owned by a parent of a Woodstock student). The school was well-represented by Dr. Cook, Katie Jo Walter, and Andrew Das.

Lokesh Todi, Class of 2005 shares, "This reunion was not only a personal opportunity for me to reconnect with fellow Woodstock

In Attendance: Radhika Karle ’96, Ved Maddison ’19, Mansi Kedia ’14, Riya Kohli ’20, Sandhya Srinivasan ’76, Johann Arthur ’15, Sahil Raisuddin ’19, Tara Kapur ’05, Ananya Kejriwal ’08, Mudita Todi ’05, Mickey Jarrahian ’90, Priyanka Chokhani ’05, Devika Parashar ’05, Suvrat Garg ’12, Mubaraq Mehta ’19, Chandeen and Jeffrey Santos (Former Staff), Monish Dayal ’89, Shahid Judge ’09, Pernia Qureshi ’02, Kiara Kanwar ’18, Vijay Thomas ’05, Sidhant Seth ’15, Meghan Pandit ’18, Katie Jo Walter

Monish Dayal ’89, Ved Maddison ’19, Ruchi Narain ’91, and Palden Tshering ’91had their own WWD meet prior to the October 22 gathering at Foo Bandra. They are pictured with a copy of the October 1st Times of India featuring Ved on the cover!

alumni with whom I had lost touch, but also underscored the importance of maintaining a close-knit alumni community. Events like these play a crucial role in bringing together the Nepal Woodstock community, rekindling cherished memories of our second home –Woodstock.

Having Woodstock staff actively involved in such gatherings adds another layer

of significance. Their presence not only fosters a deeper connection between alumni and the school but also provides valuable insights and updates on Woodstock's current happenings. It becomes a unique opportunity to learn more about the school's progress and developments, creating a bridge between the past and present for the alumni community."

Lokesh Todi ’05, Haider Tangoo ’04, Eric, Tenzing Gaphel ’03, Jigtak, Katie Jo Walter, Nipun Raghubanshi ’05, Andrew Das, Dr. Cook, Varun Kedia ’13, Rahul Agrawal ’05, Tsering Gonsar, Himalaya Rizal ’13, Ishaan Rijal ’14, Pranit Budhathoki ’10, Tenphel Lama ’17, Paresh Khetan ’13, Tenzin Loten Nepali ’17

During the Global Alliance for Innovative Learning (GAIL) Conference trip attended by Woodstock representative staff and students in New Zealand, the Woodstock group had the wonderful opportunity to catch up in Tauranga with Mark Windsor ’78 and his wife Annie McGregor, who was a former staff member at Woodstock.

Pictured left: Mark Windsor and his wife Annie with Dr. Cook, Jamie Williams, Imtiaz Rai (MYP Coordinator & Teacher), Agustin Silvadiaz (Head of Libraries), Ady Manral, and students on the recent GAIL Conference trip to New Zealand

The Pune WWD gathering was well represented by our recent graduates, spanning from the most recent classes of 2023 all the way back to the Class of 1973, who recently celebrated their 50th Milestone reunion on campus.

Darab

Patricia Claassen

PUNe, iNDia

Pictured above:

Nagarwalla ’80, Eeshan Chungh ’23, Prateek Santram (Current Staff), Ira Ahuja ’22, Samichi Rungta ’22, Loren Claassen ’73, Gursimar Kumar ’23, Adit Joshi ’21, Katie Jo Walter, Diksha Singh ’19, Vanalika Nagarwalla ’17, Sandhya Kejriwal Rathi ’96, Sara Ahmed ’81, and

(Spouse)

Right: Max Marble ’67 had a WWD gathering with fellow Woodstockers in Mangawhai during his travel to New Zealand.

Pictured right (from left to right): Max Marble ’67, Yvonne Robinson, Alan Robinson ’60, Derek Bean ’65, David Mather, Glenys Robinson Mather ’67

In Attendance: Hyeonjin Cho ’19, Haeun Cho ’21, Hannah Yi ’16, Siah Woo ’19, Yehyang Jang ’19, Ye Rang Lim ’14, Daeshin Hwang ’02, Daeshin Hwang ’02, Dok in Kim ’00, Dok In Kim ’00, SeHyun Lim ’13, Jae Won Oh ’91, Yerang Lim ’14, Yerang Lim ’14, Jun Young Chung ’05, Gyungchae Han ’21, Sang Yee Nam ’98, Dr. Cook, Jamie Williams, Katie Jo Walter, Deun Kim (Dorm Parent & Admissions Consultant)

SiNGaPoRe

1st row: Aman John ’15, Remay Pemba ’20, Imtiyala Jamir ’18, Jennifer Wu ’10 Middle row: Kalpana Singh ’97, Jayant Singh ’18, Chiho Makino ’91, Sentirenla Jamir ’22, Last row: Abhrajit Bhattacharjee ’92, Dr. Cook, Aman Sethi ’11

WaLLaND

On November 18, 2023 Robert Bonham ’59 and his spouse Suzanne Jonas hosted the East Tennessee Curry Club at their fascinating cabin in Walland, Tennessee.

L-R: James Hackney ’79, Doug Rugh ’69, Louise Rugh (Jim’s spouse), Robert Fasnacht ’59, Suzanne (his spouse), Gail Pilley Harris ’59, Judie Schiller Landry ’51, Carol Rugh Green ’60, Jim Rugh ’60

toKYo, JaPaN

Uzir Thapa ’12, catching up with Akira Kakkar ’12 and Maya Kimura ’13.

FWS Annual Reunion

Tempe, AZ, US

The annual in-person FWS reunion unfolded this year in Tempe, Arizona from October 27th to the 30th. The event witnessed a remarkable turnout and featured enjoyable activities and insightful talks. A heartfelt appreciation goes to the Friends of Woodstock School Planning Committee for the 2023 Annual Reunion, which handled the planning, promotion, and facilitation of this first FWS in-person reunion since the pandemic. Under the theme “Reconnect and Renew,” the reunion saw 150 attendees including several class reunions featured in the reunions section of this edition of The Quadrangle

Dr. Cook, who was among the attendees said, “Being with our Woodstock alumni from all over the world is one of the favorite parts of my role as Principal of Woodstock School. I had a great time hearing and sharing stories from the Woodstock hillside, both past and present. Hearing from our alumni, all the ways in which they were impacted in life-changing ways by teachers and staff during their years at Woodstock is what we are all about.”

Some of the highlights included the Glenn Conrad Volunteer Service Award being presented to Helen Arnott ’60 for 2022 and Max Marble ’67 for 2023. Both Max and Helen were awarded for their outstanding

Agarwal ’72, Jackie Horton Benjamin ’58, Dale Brown ’65,

Cheryl Beachy Paulovich ’69

volunteer service of time, expertise, and commitment to the improvement, development, and enhancement of the mission, vision, and goals of Friends of Woodstock School.

An impressive lineup of speakers, presenters, and others contributed to reunion programming, including:

– Sami DiPasquale, Staff (Session: Pain & Beauty in the Shadow of the Border Wall)

– Pavel Kapinos ’95 (Session: The War in Ukraine: Why Did It Start, & How Will It End?)

– Pastor Joel Bjerkestrand ’65 (Message at the Interfaith Service)

– Robert Bonham ’59 (Music at the Interfaith Service)

– Anne Lind, Former Staff (Choir at the Interfaith Service)

– Max Marble ’67 (Presented the In Memoriam)

– Jon Martin ’79 (Session: From the Hillside to the Peaks: A Journey into Forest Management)

– Dr. Gladys Taylor McGarey ’37 (Session: A Well-Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor’s Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age)

– Michael Singh ’71 (Session: Moving Beyond Hatred: The Life of Rana Sodhi)

– Rana Singh Sodhi (Session: Moving Beyond Hatred)

– Beth Anne and Greg Wray ’78 (Session: Travel Connections A Well-Travelled Alumni Series)

ViDeoS aNDPReSeNtatioNS: https://www.friendsofwoodstockschool.org/view/ download.php/misc/page-with-all-2023-program-links

MaX MaRBLe’SViDeo ReCaP: https://youtu.be/hmH02WO2y7k

FLiCKRaLBUMS oF PHotoS SHaReD BY atteNDeeS: https://www.flickr.com/photos/135690595@N08/ albums/

The FWS Annual reunion Planning Committee: David Wheeler (FWS staff), Michael Singh ’71, Mary Nave Davis ’72, Tim Davis (Mary’s husband), Lorrie Doman Sheydayi ’87 and committee chair, Jessie Lacy ’65, Margaret Patton Boster ’69, Greg Boster (Margaret’s husband), Edi Francesconi (parent), Joel Bjerkestrand ’65. Not pictured: Shalini Prakash

Carmina Jenks (former WS staff), Max Marble ’67,

Dr. Cook addressing the attendees at the FWS Reunion 2023

Mela 2023

October 29 at Woodstock School

Right Le Duc Pham ’03, Yu Sung Eo ’11, Monti Mehdi ’09 Maong Aier ’09, Vinay Gupta ’09, and Jagrato Roy ’09 all geared to play football with the current students during the mela

Left top row: Ayaan John ’17, Jahnvi Garg ’16, Isaac Gergan ’06, Nazneen Nagarwalla (Former Staff), Katie Jo Walter, Bob Shoemaker, Darab Nagarwalla ’80; middle: Tanya Garg ’12, Samira Kuhn ’05, Tara Kapur ’05, Amrita John (Current Staff); seated: Vanalika Nagarwalla ’17, Meghna Das ’17, Joshua Hishey ’99

Rahul and Salil Ali

Omair Ahmad ’93 and Joshua Hishey

Sabrina Sookias ’18

Prarthana Singh ’06 and Isaac Gergan

Bob Shoemaker, Sanchali Chakraborty, Ady Manral, Nazneen Nagarwalla, Katie Jo, with the hospitality team that worked in setting up the mela 2023

Above Ady Manral, Samira, Jhanvi, Tanya, Aarti Vaid (Sonjoy's Spouse), Sonjoy Singhi ’03, Tara

Right Meghna, Caleb (Current Staff), Ayaan

We congratulate the following classes that will be crossing milestone years in 2024. We encourage those who can, to allow us to welcome you for a time of reconnection with each other, campus and the hillside, including events tailored to your group. We can assist with travel and accomoration information, too!

2019 – 5 years

2014 – 10 years

2009 – 15 years

2004 – 20 years

1999 – 25 years (on campus in August / September)

1994 – 30 years (on campus in April)

1989 – 35 years

1984 – 40 years

1979 – 45 years

1974 – 50 years (on campus in October)

1969 – 55 years

1964 – 60 years

1959 – 65 years

1954 – 70 years

1949 – 75 years

Write to

alumni@woodstock.ac.in

to start planning your reunion today!

Milestone Reunions

Class of 1968

55 years

At the FWS Reunion in Tempe, Arizona, US

Class of 1973

50 years

India Reunion Summaries

Delhi/Haridwar/Mussoorie

Twenty-eight members of the class of ’73 gathered in Delhi on September 18, 2023 to begin a three-week, 50-year reunion celebration. They were joined by 22 spouses & adult children. Following the first week in Delhi/Haridwar/Mussoorie, smaller groups traveled to Vadodara, Nainital, and

Thailand. Below are memories shared from several class members.

Rakesh Kohli, wife Meenakshi, & their son Manov & family gave us a warm threegeneration Woodstock welcome dinner our first evening at the Park Inn by Radisson in Delhi.

We couldn’t party too much as the Kohli express buses picked us up at 6:00 AM the next morning for the Amatra Resort, outside

Haridwar, on the banks of River Ganga, such a peaceful and reflective space. Chacha Kohli admonished us not to get into political or religious debates, so of course we did, as we are the class of 73, and although we are a wee bit wiser, we fell back on our childish boarding school ways, pranking, laughing, and crying.

The Kohli Express took us to the Fern Brentwood hotel in Mussoorie, and we were let loose in the surprisingly upgraded

Class of ’68 at Tempe FWS. Left to right – Glenn Conrad, MarBeth Johns,  Steve Van Rooy, Doug Virgin

Class of 1973 Standing (L - R) Tanya Zimmer, Vernon VanRooy, Tim King, Eric Sackman, Tim Buhler, Ted Garrison, Stephen Self, Rakesh Kohli, Loren Claassen, Mark Hackney, Dale Scott, Ed Dubland, Sunil Dalal, Bruce Davis, Mary Ina Hooley, Bonnie Lutz, Prem Punjabi

Sitting (L - R) Susan Unger, Carla Petievich, Kadam Divakaran, Lois Williams, Deborah Kenoyer, Nandita Amin, Nan Allison, Susan Lockett, Ameeta Alter, Karen Seller, Xina Kingshill

bazaar only to tire quickly in the thin air. Woodstock outdid itself the next day beginning with a poignant chapel welcome by all the students. Then the incredible student interns took over to guide us around the school, mining us for anecdotes of mischief and life at Woodstock in the 60s and early 70s. Our student guides showed us how joyful and socially conscious they are –beacons of hope for the future of Woodstock in the wider world.

The next day we haunted the graveyards, homes, and chukkar of the Landour Cantonment on our meandering way to an Oakville Barra Tamasha hosted by Ameeta and Steve Alter in their home. A feast with music and dance highlighted by Ted “the Whirling Dervish” Garrison and Ed “one leg” Dubland (Ed had broken his foot just before the reunion and had to wear a boot and use a leg scooter to get around) who shamed us all into getting on the dance floor. Then in the warm glow of a fire, fresh jalebis were fried in front of us!

The next evening we crept up Mullingar Hill past the troops of ever menacing monkeys and all the way to the Hanifl Centre for an insightful environmental overview of our incredibly unique and diverse ecosystem in the Tehri by Akshay Shah. The number of species of moths, ferns, etc. – I mean we knew about the beetles, but who knew we were living in one of, if not the most, diverse ecosystems in the world. The dinner and musical entertainment hosted by Katie Jo and her alumni team were fabulous, another night fading into the Doon gloaming and cicada song. Submitted by Dale Scott

How do I put into words the emotions, joy, and love that filled our 50th reunion? Impossible, but here are some thoughts.

– The joy and anticipation finally started with a great dinner in Delhi.

– I spent an hour talking to a classmate at the resort pool in Haridwar, before I realized that he was that hippie kid I had a crush on in 11th Grade.

– An unforgettable evening, toasting with gold leaf champagne, placard awards, and a beautiful leopard print of that leopard I didn't see at the reserve.

– Walking up to the gates of Woodstock and realizing the school looks a lot better than I do after 50 years!

– Meeting the students at Woodstock and realizing they are a lot more mature than I was at Woodstock.

– Wishing I had grabbed one of the checklists from Midlands Dorm for keeping a dorm clean, for some of this trip’s roommates.

– Talking to Tim Buhler about wrestling a leopard and then telling my husband he was boring.

– Bonnie reminding me of the hiking trip we did, where it poured and we ended up sleeping in a barn with buffalo.

– Being wined and dined at Ameeta and Steve Alter’s house as well as Hanifl Centre.

– Once again feeling the warmth of our family of Woodstock 1973 friends from all walks of life. Submitted by Tanya Zimmer

More Reunion Memories

The warm welcome and professional chaperoning by student Alum Office interns

With classmates, spouses and children Standing (L - R) Shibani Alter, Vernon VanRooy, Steve Alter, Bruce Davis, Bonnie Lutz, Carla Petievich, Tanya Zimmer, Rohini Sackman, Eric Sackman, Tim Buhler, Doreen Buhler, Ted Garrison, Dale Self, Stephen Self, Tim King, Mark Hackney, Rakesh Kohli, Loren Claassen, Sunil Dalal, Dale Scott, Ed Dubland, Susan Davis, Pennie Dubland, Mary Ina Hooley, Don Hooley, Xina Kingshill, Nanda Punjabi, Gary Noreen, Karen Seller, Andrew Lockett

Seated (L - R) Theodore VanRooy, Suzannah VanRooy, Anjuli Unger, Susan Unger, Kadam Divakaran, Rebecca Williams, Lois Williams, Deborah Kenoyer, Nandita Amin, Margie Austman, Nan Allison, Meenakshi Kohli, Anjali Lockett, Susan Lockett, Sunita Hooley, Ameeta Alter, Prem Punjabi

along with their enthusiasm and sense of "ownership" and pride in Woodstock.

The handsome buildings, classrooms, music rooms, the Centre for Imagination - and the overall campus. The landscaping and overall design kept me in awe.

Morning tea back behind the staff offices, near where the Lyre tree was … how different the vibe was there from the Quad where all the students were milling around. Walking up and down the hill from Midlands to Alter Ridge to the main campus and hearing stories from Bonnie and others about sneaking out of dorms at night and being discovered by staff. And tales of spit ball fights, dances, and pranks at Hostel from the guys.

The updated tuck shop with sophisticated coffee and tea options.

Lunch in the cafeteria – watching all the students come and go and have conversations with each other. In the

cafeteria line a 7th Grader in front of me cheerfully began to converse with me, and when I asked her about how the meals were, she was quiet - then said that the cranberry fizz was great, and I should try it.

My roommate at the resort on the Ganges and at the Brentwood Fern, Kadam Divakaran, was the best. I am so glad that we had to share rooms. Room sharing is not my first choice – but I will rethink this going forward.

Shopping and bargaining for shawls, shoes, brass trinkets ... everything only to learn later that we really didn't get great bargains. We sure enjoyed helping each other shop.

Nandita and I spent the good part of one morning taking the Library Bazaar road around the back. I left after the 5th Grade and had only heard about Library and Sisters' Bazaar from my mother. Of course with Nandita there were plenty of stops for photos of birds, butterflies, and the mountains.

Just before the classy setting and dinner at Ameeta and Steve's, Nandita and I, craving another chance to explore, walked the back chakkar from Sister's Bazaar to Char Dukan, Nandita shared the history of her family home there, Lal Tiba, and pointed out from the road several former missionary homes whose names were familiar to me from my parents’ conversations about people and hillside events. Just by luck the cemetery caretaker was there as we passed and let us in to see.

Dinner on the porch and yard overlooking the Doon Valley at the Alters’ and fresh jelebis being made right there. The dancing to 60s and 70s soundtracks and Ted Garrison's effortless and amazing spontaneous 10 minutes of whirling dance.

The final evening's tour of Hanifl left me with one of the biggest impressions of today's Woodstock. Remarkable to me was not only the director, Akshay Shah, in his rich background and ability to ignite my love of the Himalaya, but the depth of the programs offered through Hanifl, the reach it has to people and institutions around the world, and the unique focus on how we care for ourselves and stay safe, so that we are safe in and respectful of the wild environment. The stunning array of over two hundred butterfly and moth species collected in two nights around two light bulbs was the highlight of that night.

It made me truly want to return to Woodstock, or even sign up my great nieces and nephew and their parents for a stint at Woodstock and especially Hanifl.

Submitted by Nan Allison

Nainital/Almora/Munsiyari

A group of 10 divided up into three taxis and wound their way through the hills of Uttarakhand to Nainital, Almora, and Munsiyari for six days, circling back to Mussoorie through Tehri Dam, Dhanaulti, Suwakholi.

The new highways in India are amazing. The long drives through the pine forests were magical along with the songs from Mera Nam Joker, Pakheza, Amar Prem, and others. Raja, our faithful guide, did a great job of keeping things flowing. Ed and Penny, it’s admirable taking on the trip with a lame foot and staying chipper. Mary Ina, Don, and Sunita, you were troopers patiently waiting and herding all us cats. Tim B., thanks for the reminder to “Be still and know.” I enjoyed the long Ted talks, sharing the car ride together. And, Margie, we had a special couple of hours sauntering in the forest, soaking it all in, just being, plus the foot wash in the stream. Not to mention the breathtaking views of the higher Himalayas. Submitted by Tim King

Vadodara

After the main Woodstock reunion in Haridwar and Mussoorie a small group of seven followed Nandita Amin to her and her brother Rahul’s (’71) homes in Vadodara, Gujurat. While two flew, six of us wanted to re-experience “going down day,” so Nandita booked us an AC2 sixperson sleeping compartment. The platform wait, service, and social engagement were reminiscent of our 60s experience, but the lack of coal smoke was a decided improvement. The rocking of the train helped put us to sleep, but we did miss our bisters.

We arrived at Rahul’s beautiful company guest house set between two of Rahul’s wife’s schools.

First off was the Maharajah of Baroda’s palace, a blend of Gujarati, British, and Italian architecture with thousands of statues, paintings, miniatures, and a whole room of swords. Nandita hosted us at her exquisite home for a lunch of scrumptious Guju food. The design of her house, landscaping, art inside and out, and her beloved labradors made us feel so comfortable amid a feast for all the senses. After lunch a very different type of beauty was experienced as we visited Nandita’s Vcare animal rescue shelter and full veterinary hospital.

The next day Nandita took us to an old step well just outside Vadodara, followed by a series of old castles in Panchmahals inhabited only by troops of long tailed langurs. The castles reminded one of Jaisalmer or Tolkien’s abandoned ruins of Gondor. That night Rahul and his wife hosted us for a feast of food on solid silver thalis, and we enjoyed his remarkable art collection.

The next morning a very efficient shopping spree of Gujarati bangles, jewelry, clothes, and cloth was capped off with another feast at Nandita’s.

The following morning we drove to Nandita’s farm on our way to Ahmedabad. Beautiful fields of ripening rice and orchards of grapefruit and other fruit are subsidized by godowns full of tobacco. Three generations of Gujarati men performed Dakhli devotional songs for us in the shade followed by a country Guju meal.

In Ahmedabad the group enjoyed the Calico factory, Gandhi-ji’s homemade paper factory, and the Mahatma’s retreat.

Submitted by Dale Scott

Thailand

Thirteen intrepid classmates swooped down on the runway of Chiang Mai in Thailand as a continuation of the class of 73’s reunion held in India. Xina secured two vans with drivers, so we were able to take day trips out from our locations. The excursions were based on various themes and were well interspersed with great food and a chance for shopping.

Sites visited in Chiang Mai included the Golden Temple, overlooking much of the city, a bareback elephant ride, an orchid

and butterfly farm, a special evening dinner with accompanying dramatic dances, and the Elephantparade.com warehouse. On our final night in Chiang Mai Randy Cronk treated all of us to a delicious dinner at the beautiful Shangri La hotel.

The following day we traveled to the Northern Thai City of Chiang Rai, stopping on the way at some hot springs with more local food and shopping opportunities.

Highlights in Chiang Rai included:

– an umbrella making factory where many of us had designs painted on our clothing

– a teak furniture and woodworking showplace with incredible carvings

– the memorial/site where the youth soccer team was stranded deep inside a mountain cave

– the ornate white temple and The Black House created by one of Thailand's national artists, Thawan Duchanee

– the Golden Triangle, a spot along the Mekong River where Burma, Laos, and Thailand meet, with views of Laos, the mighty Mekong river, and old Burma all in one shot

– the Blue Temple with more beautiful and ornate carvings and artwork

Submitted by Deborah Kenoyer, Vern VanRooy, and Dale Scott

Class of 1983 40 years

Mussoorie Reunion Summary

The big event for the Class of 1983 in 2023 was their 40th class reunion held in Mussoorie October 24-28 during Homecoming Week at Woodstock. A total of 27 classmates (see class picture) gathered in their old stomping grounds: ATULA AIER, CAMILLA BATES, ASTRID CHAPMAN, SATWANT DEGUN, THERESA DOUGLAS, JESSICA FORBES, CHRIS FROST, KIRAN GARG, ELAINE HOSTETLER, SALIL KUMAR ALI, ANSHUMAN MAGAZINE, DEVINDER MAHAL, MADHU MALHAN, DUSHYANT MANCHANDA, SAMUEL MANICKAM, CHETAN MARWAH, CHAND MEHRA, SEEMA MERCHANT, KAIRAS MISTRY, CAROLE NASRALLA, VIGYAN RANA, BINITA SANTRA, ROBERT STONE, AUNG THET TU, MEENAKSHI VARANDANI, BILL ZIDE and GREGORY ZIDE.

The reunion commenced on October 24th when twelve classmates, along with spouses and friends, met up in the early morning at the Delhi Railway Station to take the Shatabdi train to Dehradun. During the six-hour journey classmates chatted, joked, shared home-cooked brownies, and started to catch up on each other’s lives. In Mussoorie that evening at the

reunion hotel, DEVINDER MAHAL cooked up his scrumptious oversized hamburgers for everyone. What a treat! The next day classmates attended a special reception in the Tea Garden put on by the Woodstock alumni office, followed by a tour of the school in the morning and the dorms in the afternoon. Classmates were impressed with the updated classrooms, science labs, gym, students’ living quarters, and other resources like the pool and the HVAC system (!). They also had a chance to see the renovated classroom in the Quad for which they had raised funds.

Lunch in the cafeteria was nothing like their experiences from forty years ago. Now there are many delicious options along with a salad bar in a cozy, welcoming venue. On October 26th morning many classmates took a walk to Happy Valley, dodging cars and motorcycles along the now very busy road. In the afternoon they gathered in the Quad for official class pictures followed by dinner and live music hosted by the Woodstock leadership team. Next morning DARAB NAGARWALLA (Class of 1980) kindly led classmates on a hike along the hillside, instructing them on local plants, trees, and fauna. It was a very educational experience with lovely views of the valley below. That evening ANDY ALTER (Class of 1978) and his spouse Frances (sister of CAMILLA

BATES) graciously hosted a special dinner for everyone at their Oakville residence. Afterwards classmates danced away to their familiar tunes from the 1980s! On the last day of the reunion, October 28th, some classmates went to the mela at Woodstock while others wandered the bazaar and did other activities. Goodbyes and many heartful hugs began in the hotel lobby as classmates started departing. During these five days old classmates became new friends while other friendships were renewed and deepened. There were many memories from

First row (left to right) Gregory Zide, Seema Merchant, Elaine Hostetler, Madhu Malhan, AungThet Tu, Theresa (McCarthy) Douglas, Atula Aier, Binita Santra, Kiran (Agarwal) Garg, MeenakshiVarandani, Astrid Chapman, Camilla Bates Second row (left to right): Samuel Manickam, Jessica Forbes, Chand Mehra, Anshuman Magazine,Satwant (Bhangra) Degun,Carole (Lehman) Nasralla, Kairas Mistry, Devinder Mahal, Chris Frost, RobertStone, Salil Kumar, Bill Zide, Sean Dushyant Manchanda Missing: Chetan Marwah, Vigyan Rana

their Woodstock days to reminisce about as well as recent news to catch up on and so much more. There was much laughter, joking, and gentle ribbing over meals, bonfires, walks, and chatter late into the night. No doubt bonds were strengthened as was the spirit of class unity. Now everyone is looking forward to the next class reunion – hopefully soon! Submitted by Sam Manickam (Class Rep)

Class of 1993

30 years

The class of ’93 celebrated their 30th milestone reunion in Lisbon September 26October 1, 2023. It was a memorable reunion reminiscing about our young and carefree Woodstock days and feeling quite nostalgic overall! There were 10 classmates who attended!" Submitted by Anil McMullen (Class Rep)

Class of 1993 mini reunions around the world from January to September 2023

Vamsee Kanchi (back left), Johannes Eggert (front left), Gaurav Arora (back left),  Joash Raj (from left), Monisha Sehgal, Anil McMullen, Varsha Sadana, Naveen Bhalla, Anisha Chawla, Karen Hawes

L to R Gaurav Arora, Monisha Sehgal, Varsha Sadana, Vamsee Kanchi, Anisha Chawla, Anil McMullen, Karen Hawes, Naveen Bhalla.

L to R standing Joash Raj, Anil McMullen, Gaurav Arora, Vamsee Kanchi, Varsha Sadana Monisha Sehgal L to R sitting Johannes Eggert, Naveen Bhalla, Karen Hawes, Anisha Chawla

New Delhi in January Monisha Sehgal, Sumeet Kumar, Amit Mehra, Anisha Chawla, Sujoy Singhi, Joy Shepherd, Richa Bansal

NYC in January L - R: Avinash Lahiri, Artee Sehgal, Anisha Chawla, Marie Saleem, Srikar Vadlamani

Columbia in February Robin Chauhan, Marie Saleem, Varsha Sadana

DC in February Vamsee Kanchi, Monisha Sehgal, Ayesha Shamini Navagamuwa, Machut Shishak

Indianapolis in March Gaurav Arora, Rebecca Raj

New Jersey in March Monisha Sehgal, Anisha Chawla, Srikar Vadlamani, Artee Sehgal, Miriam Friedman, Ayesha Shamini Navagamuwa

Indianapolis in April Gaurav Arora and Dia Ahearn

NYC in May Avinash Lahiri, Srikar Vadlamani, Monisha Sehgal, Artee Sehgal, Anjali Walter

NYC in June Artee Sehgal, Monisha Sehgal, Anisha Chawla

Toronto in July Anil McMullen, Artee Sehgal, Anjalee Chevli, Amol Dev

NYC September Monisha Sehgal and Anna Mgeni

NYC in June Monisha Sehgal, Anisha Chawla, Richa Bansal, Anjali Walter, Avinash Lahiri (back), Artee Sehgal

Delhi in August Monisha Sehgal, Anisha Chawla, Richa Bansal, Sujoy Singhi, Omair Ahmad

Sri Lanka in September Marie Saleem and Inni Abdul-Sattar

Class of 2003

20 years

Eighteen classmates returned to campus to celebrate their 20th milestone reunion during Homecoming and Mela week. In a wonderful turn of events, the class homeroom head Mrs. Mangalwadi and her husband came and joined the group for part of the time. As they did for other groups, the Advancement and Alumni interns posted Whispering Pine yearbook photos of class members around the Quad that served as a fun conversation piece and selfie point for visiting alumni and also sparked curiosity among current students. The reunion formally began with the customary welcome tea event at the Tea Garden followed by a campus tour, dorm tour, delicious teatime samosas and jalebis in the newly renovated Alter Ridge Dining Hall, a Woodstock School merchandise shopping spree, and finally a meal in the Quad dining hall. The interactions and camaraderie among classmates were evident in the bonding, fun, and laughter throughout the reunion. Many of the classmates were present at the Mela day, enjoying the local stalls, food, and events, with Le Duc Pham even jumping on stage at the last minute with Katie Jo for a rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine that had students swaying together arm in arm as shadows fell across the valley ….

In attendance: Sonjoy Singhi, Karan Madhok, Thangjemgun Kipgen, Le Duc Pham, Reuben Gergan, Ishita Kaul, Vivek Vig, Sentienla Ezung, Noeline Mangalwadi, Donna Pinto, Sheena Uppal, Sakshi Mehra, Helen Provotorova Litvinenko, Shivika Sinha, Kavita Khimji, Kuenzang Doma, Choni Tenzin, Lara Kanga, Shefali Saldhana

Class of 2013 10 years

On August 13, 2023 around 20 alumni from Kairos, Woodstock Class of 2013, gathered online to celebrate their 10-year reunion. They caught up on each other's lives and exciting new adventures over cups of chai and mimosas!.

Other Reunions

Class of 1965

At the FWS Reunion in Tempe, Arizona, US Eleven members of the class of 1965 met in Tempe, Arizona, for two to three days before the larger annual FWS gathering: Joel Bjerkestrand, Dale Brown, Brian Capener, Tim Downs, Cathy Forman, Allan Keislar, Jessie Lacy, Mary Kay Burkhalter Larson, Jonathan Larson, Patty Riddle, and Joanna Gough Roy.

Those of us who have attended reunions in recent years were especially happy to see some class members who had either never attended or had not done so for many years.

Thanks to Jonathan, who gathered us and framed our conversations. More than a recitation of who we were and memories from long ago, this was a sharing of who we are, where we have been, and the people and places that are dear to us.

We enjoyed a visit to the Desert Botanical

Joel Bjerkestrand, Dale Brown, Brian Capener, Tim Downs, Cathy Forman, Allan Keislar, Jessie Lacy, Mary Kay Burkhalter Larson, Jonathan Larson, Patty Riddle, Joanna Gough Roy

Class of 2013 virtual reunion Top Row: Liang-Yun Cheng, Dave Rebello, Martin Softing, Emma Koop Liechty, Teva Kaplan Second Row: Fayza Iqbal, Deborah Nazareth, Megan Crocker, Isabella Vogel, Priyanka Das Third Row: Rachel Shira, Yesua Jeon, Joanne Philip, Juliana Pesavento Chen, Maya Kimura Fourth Row: Gultaj Sangha, Sang Who Park, Pachara Ratanabanthoon, Shivangi Pant, Advitya Khanna Last Row: Martha Asad-Dehghan, Sang Hyeon Cho, Pauline Lawmzuali

Garden and while there stumbled into a fine exhibit of F. Botero’s paintings and sculptures. Some of us were able to attend a delectable South Indian lunch at Allan K’s host’s home. During the “Poetry Bazaar,” or “Bizarre” as Brian quipped, some well-worn

Class of 1967

At the FWS Reunion in Tempe, Arizona, USA

oldies came to light - The Cremation of Sam McGee and Casey at the Bat - but also newer selections more apt for our elder years. (Though “Sam McGee” did touch on “end of life” options!) Despite our modest numbers, Joel, Jessie, and Dale figured prominently

Class of 1969

At the FWS Reunion in Tempe, Arizona, US

Our biggest news of 2023 is our 54th Class Reunion, prior to the FWS Reunion in Tempe, AZ, which 14 classmates attended with five family members (see picture. Although much smaller than our 50th Reunion with 39 classmates, we had a rich and meaningful time of sharing and spending time together!

Our Class of ’69 54th Reunion, in Tempe AZ was truly a relaxed and enjoyable time! 14 classmates: Ann, Bette, Cheryl (David), Dan, Dawn (Jim), Dee, Doug N, Gordon W, Joann, Joy, Keith, Kim, Mary (Rachel, Jon), Margaret (Greg), with five additional spouses/children and of course, our beloved teacher, Lela Folkers. What an inspiration!! Although nearly completely vision impaired, she flew from CA to be with us and brought such a spirit of joy and enthusiasm. (Former Staff Anne Lind and her sister Kate sat in on our Wednesday evening.)

We were small enough in number to sit around a table, and topics of discussion

were fluid. If we wanted to pursue something in depth, we did. Lots of time for anecdotes and stories - some poignant, some hilarious. On Wednesday night after dinner at a Mexican restaurant we gathered in our Tempe Room and each shared why we’d come. Then Lela recounted how she came to be at Woodstock (in her early 20s!!) and her perspectives on us as her students.

The Doubletree had a magnanimous breakfast each morning, and many wonderful conversations took place over meals. Thursday lunch was a pizza place, and dinner was at an Indian buffet where we were so delighted that Janet & Irby were able to join us.

We caught up on

– Moves Cheryl and Dave to a retirement neighborhood the day before our reunion started! Doug N moving to Mpls to share part of Dan’s home

– Family news Our kids, grandkids, siblings, and parents –

in the planning of the FWS program, which included quality sessions on immigration/ border issues, alumni travel, etc.

Submitted by Joanna Gough (Class Rep)

– Our health, wellness, and activities Semi-retirement for Cheryl and Keith who have part-time pastoral positions and Bette who accompanies a choir – Travels and being global citizens

– Boarding school pros & cons

– How Woodstock equipped us for life that followed

– Adversities that turned out for the good.

Spouses – as always – added so much! What fascinating lives they have led, and it was really a pleasure to hear their stories and become better acquainted.

It wouldn’t be a Woodstock Reunion without a HIKE of some sort ... and on Friday morning the intrepid members of our group went to Phoenix’s famous Hole in the Rock.

Credits are as follows – really couldn’t have done this without them!! Joann and I stayed with Margaret and Greg on Tuesday night which enabled us to prepare all the photo boards. Ann made a beautiful sign to put outside our meeting room as there were

Left to right: Gordon Van Rooy, Tim Larson and wife Cindy, Marlin Schoonmaker and wife Jeannie, Max Marble

reunions close by for Classes of ’58 and ’65. Cheryl and Dave procured their church van (for transportation to restaurants), a microphone, and a wide variety of teas!! As well Cheryl (having just downsized) had a table full of India items free for the taking, and Doug filled every corner of the room with his splendid artwork, also free for the taking!! Room setup and takedown were so easy with everyone pitching in!! Everything about being together was just easy and deeply familiar and “family.” Jon and I crashed at Margaret and Greg’s comfy home, on the Monday after the FWS weekend before returning to Toronto.

An interesting feature of the FWS Reunion was a zoom presentation (moderated by Mary Nave Davis ’72) by a very elegant and engaging Dr. Gladys Taylor McGarey, WS Class of ’37: “A Well-lived Life: a 102-year-old Doctor’s Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age.” I only put two-and-two together afterwards that this is your Aunt, Fred Taylor!!! Our very own Cheryl led the Sunday morning service SO ably!! Submitted by Mary Self Skarsten (Class Rep)

Mary Self Skarsten, Ann Portz Rogers

Left to right: Gordon Waldock, Dee Nichols, Keith Joyce, Bette Larson Dean, Ann Portz Rogers, Kim Rugh Bergier, Joy Finney

Left to right, front row: Joy Finney, Bette Larson Dean, Cheryl Jo Beachy Paulovich, Mary Self Skarsten, Ann Portz Rogers, Melinda Dee Nichols Lang Middle row: David Paulovich, Lela Folkers, Kim Joy Rugh Bergier, Gordon Waldock, Margaret Patton Boster, Dawn Stewart, Joann Phillips Gibson, Dan Nave Back row: Greg Boster, Doug Nave, Keith Joyce, Jim Stewart

Class of 1991

Woodstock Class of ’91 gathered for their 32nd high school reunion in Dubai to process our collective midlife crises. Around 30 alumni and family members joined for a weekend of reminiscing and laughing at the specific brand of Woodstock humor

forged in the foothills of the Himalayas. The years seemed to fall away, and we were teens again. Many thanks to Amit Gandhi and Fares Ali who were our logistical boots on the ground and to Ruchi Narain who stepped in to arrange amazing dinners and an unforgettable boat trip into the

Gulf. A wonderful backyard dinner hosted by Amit Gandhi was a perfect end to the reunion. Reconnecting with old friends and forming new connections made the weekend incredibly special. One, two, three ... OPUS!

Submitted by Jonlyn Freeman (Class Rep)

Front row seated L-R: Ethel Kawesa, Alka Walter, Prarthana Shahi, Nandita Gupta Moric Limsettoe, Sami Meyer, Claudia Gautum Meyer Second row standing L-R: Moni Banerji, Nesa Abraham, Suparna (Sumi) Mishra, Ruchi Narain and daughter Vira Narain, Shamir Shahi, Anuja Rajkunar Nepali, Amit Gandhi, Fares Ali, Anupama George Jacob, Julia (Moric’s wife) Nadia and Larrisa Meyer (Sami and Claudia’s daughters) Last row standing L-R: Neeta Patel, Caroline Mboijana, Rajshekhar Ray, Alf Hickey, Ravi Bhasin, Julia Saini, Jonlyn Freeman, Biju Jacob (Anupama’s husband) Not pictured Leaf Baimbridge, Rajee Aryal, Smita Jha

Siblings: Jim Rugh, Kim Rugh Bergier, Carol Rugh Green

Lela Folkers, Keith Joyce, Better Larson Dean, Joy Finney & Marg, Patton Boste

A fun time was had by all!

L-R: Kanishk Gupta, Rishi Garg and wife (Pajoya), Kabir Uppal, Mary (Tim Simith's wife), Timothy Smith with children, Limayinla Jamir, Awral Beri, Aakanksha (wife of Kanishk), Sunny Gupta, Ayushi (wife of Sunny), Sirawon Khathing, Edith (wife of Suheil), Kanika Bhatia, Suheil Tandon, Rishab (husband of Kanika), Isaac Gergan

Class of 2006

Join Our Next Hanifl Centre Alumni Trek – or Create Your Own!

The next trek is set for just after our Milestone Reunions and Worldwide Woodstock Day!

Late October, early November, 2024

You can also make your own trekking plans led by Hanifl Centre’s expert-trained, local guides. Possibilities that the Hanifl Centre team is excited to share with you include:

• A trip to Ladakh exploring the monasteries and looking at their culture and Buddhism while staying at Homestays (best season is September)

• A trek in the Valley of Flowers National Park

• A white-water rafting trip with Jungle Safari at Corbett National Park

• Exploring for the elusive Snow Leopard (in winter)

Just gather at least six people to join and send your ideas to

DAYARA BUGYAL – DARWA PASS – DODITAL

2024 Friends Of Woodstock School

In-Person Reunion Himalayas to the Rockies

When: Friday, June 14, 2024 - Sunday, June 16, 2024

Where: YMCA, Estes Park, Colorado

Himalayas to the Rockies is a reunion focused on reconnecting in nature, similar to an Activity Week when we were students back at Woodstock School. The emphasis will be on keeping costs low, having a diverse array of outdoor activities to join in on, and ensuring it’s a fun, inclusive event for all ages.

Where can I get more details? Look for an email dated February 1, 2024 in your inbox from Friends of Woodstock School or visit the event webpage at https://www.friendsofwoodstockschool.org/index.php/events/2015-annual-meeting--reunion

Woodstock School Distinguished Alumna 2023

Yuka Makino ‘88

Dr. Yuka Makino, a luminary in international development, has been honored as a Distinguished Alumna of Woodstock School. Her journey showcases a commitment to facilitating positive change around the world in a variety of areas including natural resources management, rural development, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk management.

Yuka holds a PhD and Master’s Degree in Terrestrial Ecosystem Management focusing on Himalayan Mountain Ecology from the University of Michigan, USA, and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Law and Policy from the International Christian University in Tokyo. During her graduate research, she spent eight months living in a village in Tehri Garhwal Himalaya. Spending 14 years of her childhood in India, including 13 years at Woodstock School, added cultural richness to her global outlook.

Yuka's scholarly contributions include over a dozen academic papers on mountain ecology, mountain development and climate change. Her technical expertise is evident in her work, which has included programs developed in 29 countries across East Asia, South Asia, Eastern Europe, South America and Africa. Her current role as the FAO Representative to Myanmar, follows a long succession of impactful leadership positions.

Before assuming the FAO Representative position, Yuka served as a Senior Forestry O cer and Team Leader at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. Prior to FAO, Yuka was a Senior Natural Resources and Disaster Risk Management O cer at the World Bank in Washington DC, USA from 2001 to 2018. Earlier experiences include roles at the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the United Nations Development Programme. She has held eld postings in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Kathmandu, Nepal, Dhaka, Bangladesh, NayPyiTaw, Myanmar and Tokyo, Japan, showcasing her global perspective.

Maintaining a connection to Woodstock School and the surrounding hillside, Yuka has actively sought ways to serve. As a guest lecturer for the 2022 Woodstock Summer School Leadership course, she gave back in a way that brought insight and awareness to children from all over India as well as to Woodstock School Summer School faculty.

Yuka’s two siblings Chiho Makino '91 and Yoshia Makino '93 are also Woodstock School alumni. During her time at Woodstock, Yuka was not only academically accomplished but also an active participant in various extracurricular activities. Serving as Class Treasurer, Class President, and Class Representative on the School Council showcased her exemplary leadership. Yuka's engagement in music, including participation in the Orchestra, piano, and choir, re ected her multifaceted talents. Her involvement in the Delhi Symphony Orchestra, String Quartet, AV Crew, National Honor Society, Amnesty International, intramural sports, and Socially Useful and Productive Work Projects reveal the breadth of her involvement as a student.

In summary, Dr. Yuka Makino's journey from Woodstock School to the FAO Representative to Myanmar is a testament to her dedication, leadership, and global impact. Woodstock School is privileged to recognize Yuka as a Distinguished Alumna, celebrating her lifelong achievements and the positive in uence she continues to exert on the world stage.

Woodstock School Outstanding Young Alumni Citation

Radhika Jain ‘99

Radhika Jain, an alumna of the Woodstock School class of '99, receives Woodstock School's rst-ever Outstanding Young Alumni Award for her exceptional contributions to health economics. Currently an Assistant Professor of Health Economics at the Global Business School for Health, University College London, and an invited researcher at JPAL South Asia,  Radhika's impact extends globally.

Radhika's research, primarily focused on healthcare markets, socioeconomic and gender inequality, and health policy design, demonstrates her commitment to addressing crucial issues in lower-income countries, particularly India. She holds a Master’s in Public Policy and an ScD in Global Health and Economics from Harvard University, supplemented by an Asia Health Policy Postdoctoral Fellowship at Stanford University. Her research on government health insurance in India, especially the strategic behavior of private hospitals, highlights the complexities of public health programs and earned her the IHEA 2021 Adam Wagsta Award.

Supported by grants from Harvard University, the Weiss Family Fund, and JPAL, Radhika's work has reached beyond academia. Media and policy outlets in India, including IGC-Ideas for India, ADB-Development Asia, Mint, and The Telegraph, have covered her research.  Radhika's insights have also been shared on the Ideas of India podcast.

Maintaining strong ties with Woodstock School, Radhika attended from grades 6-12. Her mother, Mira Jain, was a dedicated sta member working in the High School O ce, Health Centre, and IT department, eventually becoming the Quad Computer Lab Supervisor. Her brother, Nitin Jain '01, is also a Woodstock alumnus. Radhika has actively participated in Woodstock gatherings in London and virtual events.

At Woodstock, Radhika was a distinguished member of the National Honor Society, serving as President in grade 12. She played vital roles as Class Representative on the Student Council and Class President, engaging in community service, tutoring, and contributing to Stage Crew and Computer Crew. Her versatility and leadership were evident in her participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award in grades 9 and 10.

Beyond accolades, Radhika's research has in uenced national policy. Cited in the Consultation Paper on Provider Payment Rates and Pricing Under PMJAY by the Indian National Health Authority in 2022, her work contributes to shaping health systems in India.

Woodstock School proudly honors Radhika Jain with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. May her journey inspire students to pursue excellence and contribute meaningfully to societal well-being.

Marie Bissell Prentice Award for Excellence in International Education

The Marie Bissell Prentice Award for Excellence in International Education is bestowed annually upon the Woodstock dorm parent, teacher, or staff member who exemplifies:

– improved learning and life at Woodstock; – consistent leadership in academics, residential, or enrichment life;

– the school’s Guiding Principles, Desired Learning Outcomes, and International Mindedness; and – efforts to improve opportunities for students to grow.

The Award was established in 2019 and named for Marie Bissell Prentice, a close relative of former Woodstock parent and longtime supporter Mr. William Bissell. Before she passed in 2018, Marie had a love for India and through her professional and personal life truly reflected the values of this award named in her honor. To help understand the importance of this award, it’s important to know that the representative selection committee of six staff members and six students reviewed 85 nominations recognizing 31 individuals, reflecting how extensive the consideration process was. Nominees included those serving in various roles at Woodstock School including faculty, residence staff, administrative staff, and food services.

The 2023 recipient of the Marie Bissell Prentice Award for Excellence in International Education is Mrs. Sanjaya Mark.

With her retirement at the close of next month, Mrs. Mark and her 42-years-long body of work and legacy at Woodstock exemplify all that the Marie Bissell Prentice Award stands for. A few things included in her nomination submissions included:

She has left such a long-lasting, positive impact on our former students, and they remember her ever after and look forward to meeting her.

She is always there to help us.

I admire her leadership for her eye to detail and the way she acknowledges even the smallest of efforts.

Mrs. Mark’s work with Community Engagement to help our students learn the value of service working with nearby communities has helped these students understand the privilege they have.

Mrs. Mark has been a great academic administrator as Head of Early Years and Middle Years, and her team members are fond of her ever after.

She’s always been an important part of Woodstock School during her long tenure.

She has known the heart of serving the community, committed to her roles influencing the lives of students and everyone who works at Woodstock.

She has always gone beyond her limits to serve God and Woodstock selflessly and tirelessly.

Mr. William Bissell himself said after hearing of Mrs. Mark’s selection: “I was so pleased to see that Mrs. Sanjaya Mark has received the award. She has been an icon at Woodstock and so key to the community life on campus.”

Congratulations to Mrs. Mark for being awarded the 2023 Marie Bissell Prentice Award for Excellence in International Education.

Staff Arrivals and Departures, 2023

Staff arrivals

– Ketan Satish Swami, 1-Jan-23, Food Service Manager

– Klein Davison VerHill, 1-Jan-23, Outdoor Education Coordinator

– Martha Ellen Britton, 1-Jan-23, Teacher - English as Additional Language

– Abdul Rehman, 1-Jan-23, Head Chef

– Yun Ji Kwak, 1-Feb-23, TeacherMusic (Piano)

– Aashima Sharma, 7-Mar-23, Junior Instructor

– Tanya Kapoor Marathe, 13-Mar-23, Head of Finance

– Raakhee Gumireddy, 01-Jul-2023, College & Career Counselor

– Alisa Lynn Evans, 01-Jul-2023, Teacher - Early Years (Grade 4&5)

– Dr. Tripti Rathore, 01-Jul-2023, Teacher - Psychology & Individuals & Societies

– Dwayne Anthony Blidgen, 01-Jul2023, Teacher - Economics and Individuals & Societies

– Alexander Anthony Cleberg, 01-Jul2023, Teacher - Individual & Societies

– Rinnie Rebecca Charles, 01-Jul-2023, Teacher - Language & Literature

– Christopher Edward Martin, 01-Jul2023, Teacher - Language & Literature

– Jorge Antonio Melgar Garcia, 01-Jul2023, Teacher - Languages (Spanish)

– Twyla Sam Spiller, 01-Jul-2023, Teacher - Music (Band)

– Vepalu Dawhuo, 01-Jul-2023, Clinical Psychologist/Personal Counselor

– Aniruddh Upadhyay, 01-Jul-2023, Teacher - Physical Education

– Boddapati Prasanna, 01-Jul-2023,

Teacher - Computer Science & Design

– Neha Singh, 01-Jul-2023, TeacherVisual Arts

– Sonam Tshering, 01-Jul-2023, Dzongkha Teacher and Dorm Parent

– Marcelino Guntram Ngalioma, 01-Jul2023, Teacher - Physical Education & Head of Department

– Anjana Sharma, 24-Jul-2023, Nurse

– Noah Thomas Bagwell, 24-Jul-2023, Teacher - Science and ESS

– Stephanie Jay Elsener, 26-Jul-2023, Teacher - Visual Arts

– Samuel Richmond Dzongor, 27-Jul2023, Teacher - Science (Biology)

– Andrew Stuart Watson, 07-Aug-2023, Teacher - Language & Literature

– Anusha Tuli, 01-Sep-2023, Director of Human Resources

– Youngsin Kim, 01-Sep-2023, Teacher

- Korean Language & Literature

– Deun Kim, 01-Sep-2023, Korean Residential Dorm Parent & Admissions Consultant

– Disha Aggarwal, 18-Sep-2023, Communications Manager

– Shivani Sepehia, 25-Sep-2023, Nurse

– Shoaib Ali, 1-Oct-23, Residencial Dorm Parent

– Saloni Dang, 1-Oct-23, Re

Staff departures

– Pinky Choudhary, Nurse, 30-Apr-23

– Aastha Bhakhri, Deputy HeadMarketing, 31-May-23

– Mi Jung Park, Residence Staff, 30Jun-23

– Taeyeong Jun, Korean Language Teacher/ Admissions Korean Consultant, 30-Jun-23

– Aradhana Chhikara, TeacherPsychology & EE Coordinator, 30-Jun23

– Ganesh Kempaiah, College & Career Counselor, 30-Jun-23

– Monish John, Teacher - Physical Education, 30-Jun-23

– Nandini Ramesh, Teacher - Science, 30-Jun-23

– Nicole DePew, Teacher - Language & Literature, 30-Jun-23

– Preeti Nahata, Teacher - Early Years (Grade 2&3), 30-Jun-23

– Robert Curt Farnham, HOD - Language & Literature, 30-Jun-23

– Sabrina Anne Hartmann, TeacherLanguage & Literature, 30-Jun-23

– Sandra Benedict, Teacher - Science, 30-Jun-23

– Sanjaya Sarah Mark, Chaplain, 30Jun-23

– Shaji Philip, Teacher - Computer Science & Design, 30-Jun-23

– Sonia Nair, Teacher - Early Years ( Grade 4 & 5), 30-Jun-23

– Stephan Prakash Eicher, TeacherVisual Arts, 30-Jun-23

– Katherine Dyche, HOD - Visual Arts, 30-Jun-23

– Shivraj Negi, Nurse, 30-Jun-23

– Mousumi Basu, Head of Academics/ IB Coordinator, 6-Jul-23

– Nidhi Rawat, Senior Accountant, 4-Aug-23

– Madar Udaykumar Hanamappa, Teacher - Physical Education, 31-Aug23

– Raswan Sockol, HOD EAL, 30-Sep-23

– Amitavo Roy, Teacher - General Music, 15-Oct-23

Come back. Give back. Work at Woodstock School.

Look who’s working now.

There are many ways for alumni to make an impact. Are you next?

Prarthana Singh ’06 - Dorm Parent

Coming back and serving a community that gave so much to me as a child was always my dream. Residence Life has made a huge impact on my life when I was at Woodstock – and me coming back as a Dorm Parent in 2014 has helped students see that balance and relationship which goes beyond graduation. Directing these young souls and making an impact on their life is a big responsibility, and it comes with a lot of pride and happiness. Every day is a continuous effort in making the dorm a second home, exactly how it was for me – full of love and care. I’m thrilled to be a part of this community and to give all I can to it.

Vidur Kapur ’00 - Dean of Student Life

I guess for me there wasn’t any reason not to want to come back.

Right through college in South Africa and then my professional career in England, there was always a deep longing to be back on this hillside. For me it was the peace I found in exploring the outdoors, connecting with the locals, riding my motorcycle through this amazing landscape, and losing myself in its beauty, breathing in the fresh air, and being a part of an amazing multicultural community, where we have the opportunity to engage in real meaningful ways. I couldn’t wait to introduce this lifestyle to my family, and after a stint of two decades in the corporate world this has been a welcomed change. We’re privileged to be back on this hillside together, exploring all it has to offer.

Kenton Beachy ’78 - Director of Communications

When I left the hillside after Fifth Grade in 1971, I daydreamed about walking past the monchi, the durzi, Thukrall’s film shop, and more down Mullingar hill through the bazaar. The Five Star candy bar I bought for 50 paise, the gulab jamuns for another 50 paise, and checking out what movies were playing at Picture Palace or the Rialto Cinema. All of that on Saturday visits to the bazaar on my two rupees per week allowance. I missed my home in India intensely.

I returned to visit in 1982, 1985, and again in 1987. But until coming back to work at Woodstock last year – an unbelievable dream in itself – I hadn’t been back for 35 years. I knew India and more specifically Landour have always been home. Returning as Director of Communications has been exactly that – coming home. I knew it would be coming home as I looked for opportunities to return to the land of my birth and childhood toward the end of my working career. And I knew it the instant Mussoorie came into view on the winding road up the hill. I’m back home. I love it here. And I love my job and everyone I get to work with every day. What took me so long to come back home?

Would you like to experience Woodstock again, this time from a different perspective? Each year we recruit teachers, dorm parents and support staff into various roles at the school. Check the website at Woodstock | Working at Woodstock (woodstockschool.in) to see what jobs are available now. It’s a great way of reconnecting with your roots and passing on your experience to a new generation.

Guide to Giving

Here is your guide to giving to Woodstock. Due to legal regulations, giving instructions are according to your country of citizenship, so please read carefully.

Direct Donations to Woodstock School

Donations From Indian Citizens Online Choose a fund you’d like to support at www.woodstockschool.in, and make a donation through the online portal

Check or Bank Transfer You may write a check to the order of Woodstock School or make an electronic funds transfer to the following account:

Bank Name: AXIS Bank Ltd

Account Name: Woodstock School

Account No: 435010100009799

IFSC Code: UTIB0000435

Bank Address: Garhwal Terrace, The Mall, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand 248179, India

Type: Savings Account

Donations from Non-Indian Citizens

As a non-profit educational institution established in India, Woodstock School cannot accept online donations from international citizens/passport holders (including PIO/OCI card holders) or Entities Registered outside India.

These donors must instead either provide a donation via check or bank transfer to Woodstock School's Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) compliant bank account or make their donation to a nonprofit organization benefiting Woodstock School (organizations currently exist in the USandCanadaand can provide tax benefits for donations).

International Donations Can Be Made to – Woodstock School's FCRA Bank Account – SupportingOrganizations offering Tax Benefit

All Non-Indian Citizens: Donations to Woodstock School's FCRA Bank Account

Donations from Non-Indian Passport Holders (including PIO/OCI card holders) or Entities Registered outside India must be remitted to Woodstock School's State Bank

of India FCRA account via check or bank-tobank electronic funds transfer (EFT) ONLY. The FCRA account will not accept funds sent via third party apps such as Xoom, Remitly, Transferwise, Revolut, etc. Although the apps themselves may allow the transaction, the transaction will be rejected by the State Bank of India. You’ll be asked to provide your passport/ID details which Woodstock is required to keep on file with your donation.

Use the account details below for check or bank-to-bank electronic funds transfer (EFT) ONLY, assuring the payee name you write/enter is EXACTLY as it appears below under "Account Name":

Bank Name: State Bank of India

Account Name: The Board of Directors of the Woodstock School & Teachers Training College

Account Number: 40078561071

IFS Code: SBIN0000691

SWIFT Code: SBININBB104

Bank Address: FCRA Cell, 4th Floor, State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch, 11 Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110001

Checks should include the purpose of donation written on the note line and be mailed to the following address:

Advancement Office

Woodstock School

Landour, Tehri Road

Mussoorie – 248179

Uttarakhand – India

Donations to Supporting Organizations Offering Online Donations and Tax Benefit

United States Those seeking tax benefit may give to the Friends of Woodstock School Foundation (FWS), an independent 501(c) (3) non-profit Organization supporting the educational mission and purposes of Woodstock School. Donations to FWS are tax-exempt in accordance with U.S. law. Note that Friends of Woodstock School donations must be made to the appropriate fund:

– For classroom and other estates and building projects: Living and Learning Spaces Fund

– For 2023-24 Scholars for Peace: FWS

Merit, SAGE-Woodstock, and Scholars for Peace Scholarships Fund

– For Scholars for Peace Endowment: Woodstock School Scholars for Peace Endowment Fund

– For Woodstock School Diversity Institutional Endowment for Scholarships: Woodstock School Scholarship Endowment Fund

Canada Those seeking tax benefit may give to Canadian Friends of Woodstock School (CFWS), a registered charity (separate from the USA's Friends of Woodstock School). Donations to CFWS are tax exempt in accordance with Canadian law.

Rest of the World Donations can be made to Woodstock School via check or bank transfer as detailed above. Donors not eligible for tax relief in the US, Canada, or India should check the regulations in the country where they are residents to establish whether tax relief is available for their donations. Note that a charitable trust is currently being set up in the United Kingdom and will soon provide an option for tax exempt donations from the UK.

Questions?

advancement@woodstock.ac.in

tHaNK YoUFoRYoURSUPPoRt!

In Memoriam 2023

–

BETTY ALLEN (‘42) passed away on August 1, 2023. Her husband, her two brothers, two sisters, and one grandchild preceded her in death. She is survived by her four children JANET WHITE (‘69), MARTHA DICKINSON (‘71), KENNETH ALLEN (‘73), EUGENE ALLEN (‘79), eleven grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren.

– DINSMORE JOSEPH ‘DEAN’ ALTER ('67) passed away in December 12, 2022.

– DONALD ALTER (S) passed away on May 12, 2023. He is survived by his wife PEGGY ALTER (S), his children Kim and David, and three grandchildren including ZACHARY ALTER (‘15).

– Vern Austman (P) passed away on July 16, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances. He is survived by sons Daniel, GORDON AUSTMAN ('73), SAMUEL AUSTMAN ('74), and daughter Kristin.

– ALBERT ‘AL’ BAUMAN (‘48) passed away on October 3, 2023. He is survived by his wife Katherine, siblings HARVELLA ‘BAUMAN’ STUTZMAN (‘49) and ELIZABETH ‘BAUMAN’ SHELLY (‘49).

– ESTHER ‘BECKDAHL’ ELEY ('67) passed away on April 8, 2023. She is survived by her husband John F. Eley, siblings DANIEL BECKDAHL (‘67), and ELIZABETH ‘BECKDAHL’ GRAMMITH (‘71).

– DAVID ALBERT BRYANT (‘65) passed away on April 29, 2023. He is survived by his wife Beth Pace Bryant and her family members Ben Pace, grandson Oliver, and Matt Pace. Dave’s siblings include AUDREY ‘BRYANT’ TREADWAY (‘52), LESLIE BRYANT (‘57), ESTHER ‘BRYANT’ PARTIN (‘66), EVELYN BRYANT PITTS (‘66), and many nieces and nephews. His brother Sydney Bryant preceded him in death.

– Paul Ellsworth Bushnell, husband of DOROTHY ‘LYON’ BUSHNELL (‘48) passed away on October 15, 2023.

– Charley Watley "CW" Callaway, Jr., father of JOYCE CALLAWAY NICHOLSON ('67) passed away on October 1, 2023.

– MIREILLE ‘THIMAYYA’ CHENGAPPA (‘54) passed away on January 14, 2023.

– Jackie Chitambar, wife of SHERIDAN ‘TED’ CHITAMBAR (‘63), passed away on September 21, 2023. She is survived by her husband, children Teddy and Tiffany, and sister-in-law CHARLENE CHITAMBAR (‘51).

– Albert Colterjohn (P) passed away on July 25, 2023. He was preceded in death

by his wife Marjorie. He is survived by daughters KAREN ‘COLTERJOHN’ SELLER ('73), INDIRA COLTERJOHN (‘76), and son DAVID COLTERJOHN ('76).

– John Michael Demcisak (P) passed away on February 5, 2023. He is survived by his wife MARIAN DEMCISAK (‘57), children Michael Demcisak, Suzanne Steinberg, and Andrew Demcisak, and five grandchildren.

– BETTY ANN ‘SUMMERS’ DYKSTRA (‘45) passed away. Her husband Peter C. Dykstra and brother GERALD SUMMERS (‘46) preceded her in death.

– DAVID EVANS (‘54) passed away on October 31, 2022. His wife Molly Evans preceded him in death.

– Bette Farneth (P) passed away in February 2023. She is survived by her children ARBIE FARNETH MATHIAS (‘69) and DAWN FARNETH RICKETTS (‘75). She is predeceased by her husband Charles Ray Farneth and DENNIS FARNETH (‘67).

– Jacob Henry ‘Jake’ Flisher, Jr. (P) passed away on September 22, 2023. His wife Arvilla Miller preceded him in death in 1998. He is survived by four daughters, MARY INA HOOLEY (‘73), JUDITH GINGER (‘74), SYLVIA BLASER (‘77), and JANETTE HUNT (‘81) and by seven grandchildren, four step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and 14 step great-grandchildren.

– Betty Anne Friedericks (P) passed away on August 16, 2023. She is survived by her children RICHARD FRIEDERICKS (’66), ANNE ‘FRIEDERICKS’ TABOR (‘67), CHARLES FRIEDERICKS (‘70), and JIM FRIEDERICKS (‘73).

– Elinor Gilmore (P) passed away in October 2023. She is survived by her children MAUREEN ‘GILMORE’ DONALD (‘70), BARRY GILMORE (‘73), and JAMES GILMORE (‘74).

– JENNIFER HANKINS (‘86) passed away in May 2023.

– Rebecca Judy passed away on March 17, 2023. She is survived by her husband REED JUDY (‘62).

– DIANNE ‘LAZENBY’ KARNATZ (‘62) passed away on September 24, 2022. She is survived by her husband Walter Karnatz.

– Kazuyoshi Kawata (P) passed away on January 13, 2023. He is survived by his children DAVID KAWATA (‘70) and Lisa Kawata, RAY KAWATA (‘72) and Jennifer Kawata, JEAN KAWATA (‘77) and Dan Larson and by his grandchildren Stephen

and Christina. He his wife Marion Kawata and granddaughter India Jean Kawata preceded him in death.

– MARILEE ‘KEISLAR’ RHODY ('63) passed away on July 8, 2023. Her parents Evan and Mary Keislar preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband David Rhody, siblings JEANIE BARNS (‘72), ALLAN KEISLAR (‘65), and DOUGLAS KEISLAR (‘69).

– JOHN MASON KINZIE (‘57) passed away Thursday, March 23, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents, first wife Sharon Grant Kinzie, and brother Alexander Kinzie. He is survived by siblings WILLIAM KINZIE (‘55), Mike Kinzie, Mary Kinzie, his wife Joan Robertson Tilley Kinzie, son Brian Kinzie, Stepsons Jay Tilley and Joey Tilley, and 13 grandchildren.

– Parankirinathan Kiritharan (P), father of KATRINA KIRITHARAN (‘10) passed away on August 22, 2023.

– JOHN MARK LANDREY (‘56) passed away on October 4, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents Beulah and John L. and brother Richard Landrey. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Elaine Landrey and three children Brian, Barbara, and Brad.

– JAMES PAUL LANDREY ('58) passed away on November 23, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents Reverend John and Reverend Beulah Landrey, his eldest brother Richard Landrey, his second eldest brother John Mark Landrey, and his son Richard Landrey. He is survived by his wife Carol Landrey, daughter Dr. Angela J. Guta, son-in-law Dr. Mihretu P. Guta, and grandson Petros Guta.

– JERALD ‘JERRY’ B. LANDREY (‘59) passed away on August 1, 2023. He is preceded in death by his brothers JOHN MARK LANDREY (‘56) and JAMES PAUL LANDREY (‘58).

– Ruth Naomi Rask Larson (P) passed away on February 19, 2023. She is survived by her children JONATHAN LARSON (‘65), TIMOTHY LARSON (‘67), BETTE ‘LARSON’ DEAN (‘69), and SARA LARSON WEIGNAR (‘75). She is predeceased by her husband Dana Larson and daughter MARTHA ‘LARSON’ THOMSEN (‘72).

– Bob Mackay (P), father of BOBBIE ‘MACKAY’ POLANIK (‘69), passed away in November, 2022.

– Philip MacQuarrie, husband of RAELYNN STEADWELL (‘89), passed away in October, 2023.

– MARY MAE MAXWELL (‘62) passed away

on August 20, 2023. She is preceded in death by her parents WESLEY (S) and MARGARET GINN (‘29). She is survived by brother JAMES SAMUEL GINN (‘66), daughters Janet Lyn Grau, Nancy Beth DeSantis, and Dorothy Ann Eisenmann and their families.

– GITA ‘PATNAIK’ MEHTA (’59) passed away on September 16, 2023. Her father Biju Patnaik and husband Sonny Mehta preceded her in death. She is survived by her son Aditya Singh Mehta.

– ELAINE MILLER HAINES (‘59) passed away on August 14, 2023. She is survived by her husband, three children, eleven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and siblings ELEANOR MILLER (‘68) and JAMES MILLER (‘63).

– JULIAN FRANKLIN MILLER (‘45) passed away on January 16, 2023. He is survived by his wife Hazel Mae Wendt Miller, children Jeff Miller, Tim Miller, Brian Miller, and Jill Carlson, and by grandchildren Steven Miller, Jaclyn Miller, Karen Swierczynski, Mike Miller, Scott Miller, Samantha Rosales, Amber Eaton, and Cassandra Ryan, and by five great grandchildren.

– GERTRUDE NELSON (S) passed away on August 9, 2023. She is survived by her sister Marjorie Anderson, numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews. Gertrude was predeceased by her parents Gunnard and Edna Nelson, siblings Lois Phillips, Alvin Nelson, and Kenneth Nelson, niece Audrey PhillipsDubinsky, and nephew Blaine Anderson.

– DRESSEL EDSEL NISSER ('35) passed away in 2023. He is survived by his son Ian.

– MARIAN CHESIRE NOLAN (‘55) passed away on December 2022.

– BHAVENESH KUMARI PATIALA (‘50) passed away on June 23, 2023.

– DARLENE JOY TENNISON READ (‘52) passed away on December 26, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents Dr. Lilburn and Beulah Burrows, husband Bill Tennison, and brothers Dr. Gene Burrows and Royce Burrows. She is survived by her children John Tennison, Becky Sparks, Jerry Tennison, Michelle Klenck, and Jim Tennison, grandchildren John David, Mark Andrew, Paul Joseph Tennison, Kristen, Brandon, and Casey Sparks (and fiancée Alex Holland), Mitchell, Cassie, Abby, Will, and Micah Tennison, Lila Klenck, and Sevyn and Izzy Tennison.

– DOROTHY ‘Dottie’ LLEWELLYN RODGERS (‘39) passed away on April 16, 2023. Dottie was preceded in death by her parents Eleanore and Frank Llewellyn, husband Elrie Parker Rodgers, daughter

Ann Elizabeth Rodgers, life partners Oliver Harwood and Richard Wilson, and sons-in-law Dennis McGreer and Sean Strickland. She is survived by her children Susan, Kathy, David, and Mary, her grandchildren Sarah, Deborah, Daniel, Iris, Titus, Hannah, and Lydia, and her six great grandchildren.

– Margaret Ann Shishak (P) passed away on May 27, 2022. She is survived by her children MACHUTMI SHISHAK ('93), ZINGRIN SHISHAK ('97), and WUNGRAM SHISHAK ('90).

– GORDON L. SHULL (‘41) passed away on April 8, 2023. He is predeceased by his wife Betty Shull and sister LORITA ‘SHULL’ FISHER (‘39). He is survived by sister ESTHER SHULL RILEY (‘57). He is survived by his sons Philip, David, and Andrew and by his five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

– HARJINDER ‘TIGER’ SINGH (‘80) passed away on April 6, 2023.

– JANET STARR (S, P) passed away. She is survived by her son KIRBY STARR (‘79).

– Wilma Steward (P) passed away on January 3, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth. She is survived by her children KATHLEEN ‘STEWARD’ CALLISON ('71), LILY ‘STEWARD’ YODER ('68), GLORIA ‘STEWARD’ ANSLOW ’73, and PHYLLIS ‘STEWARD’ PATTEE ('75).

– GERALD ‘JERRY’ SUMMERS ('46) passed away on December 1, 2022. His wife Georgie Summers preceded him in death.

– JEAN ALLISON VAN HORNE (‘46) passed away on February 26, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband John, sister ANNA SKALAK (‘41), and brother, LESLIE ALLISON (‘42). She is survived by her children Peter, Keith, and Alison and by grandchildren Katie, Jamie, Sara, Peter, Emily, and Keith. She is further survived by the newest additions to the family, her great grandchildren James, Charlotte Lily, and Ryan Jeffrey.

– Gwen Windsor (P) passed away in October 2023. She is survived by her children DIANE ‘WINDSOR’ RUSSELL (‘72), JOHN WINDSOR (‘74), HEATHER WINDSOR (‘76), PAUL WINDSOR (‘77), and MARK WINDSOR (‘78).

– Dixie Zimmer (P) passed away on June 24, 2023. She is survived by daughters Heidi, TANYA ('73), Michelle and Val.

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