Alumni Enews
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Alumni Enews for July/August 2006
Welcome to the latest issue of Alumni Enews, an electronic newsletter for members of the Athenian School's alumni family. Enews is sent bi-monthly with six issues each year, and includes news about alumni, upcoming events, school updates on student work, and reports on how alumni donations to the Annual Fund impact Athenian students today.
Message from Eleanor Dase, Head of School
Greetings, Athenian Alumni! I hope your summers are going well. I have just returned from two weeks in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming, and after the wonderful isolation and solitude, I was eager to return to Athenian. Both the natural beauty of the campus and anticipation of a new academic year inspire me each summer.
It has been great to see so many of you this summer—either at the Reunion, the Alumni Gathering in Los Angeles, or as you have stopped by campus for a brief visit with family or friends. The Reunion was such fun. I enjoyed the opportunity to get to meet many of you from the class of 1971, and I loved catching up with those of you I taught or knew in subsequent years. As you can imagine, it is very heartwarming to see you in your adult lives with rewarding work, interesting activities, and expanded families. Most of all, I enjoy hearing your reflections on your time at Athenian.
The Alumni Relations Office is interested in your insight and opinions, as well. You are such a vital part of Athenian, and if we know what is most important to you, we can then shape programs and events around your interests. Please take a few moments to complete the survey included in this edition of the Enews (click here to complete the survey).
Please continue to stop by campus if you are local or just in the area for a visit, and send emails to Mandi Semple, Alumni and Public Relations Coordinator, to keep us updated on your busy lives. Enjoy the remainder of your summer!
Best Turnout Ever for REUNION 2006!
Reunion 2006 honored the classes of 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, and 2001, with more than 130 alumni, family members, current and former faculty, and guests coming together to celebrate. Alums enjoyed a fun pool party and barbeque, a cocktail party at Head of School Eleanor Dase's home, and dinner on the East Lawn, at the base of Mt. Diablo.
The Class of 1986 (pictured to the left) had the best turnout for this year's Reunion, but there were alumni that spanned the school's first four decades. This was the best attended Reunion ever at Athenian, and the Alumni Relations Office had a wonderful time hosting all returning alumni. To view more photos from Reunion 2006, please click here.
SAVE THE DATE! Reunion 2007 will be held on Athenian's campus on Saturday, June 9. Next year's Reunion will honor the Classes of 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, and 2002. If you are interested in helping to plan the 2007 Reunion or need help contacting members of your reunion class, please contact Mandi Semple, Alumni and Public Relations Coordinator, at 925-362-7212 or alumni@athenian.org.
Introducing the 2006-07 Alumni Council Membership
The Alumni Relations Office is very pleased to announce and recognize the membership for the Alumni Council for the 2006-07 school year. The Alumni Council connects alumni to one another and to the school to further grow and develop the Athenian community that spans the world. These 29 members of the council will serve one-year terms and support the school in the following ways:
• Voice their views as opinion leaders for the Alumni community (includes helping to shape alumni initiatives and realize goals set by the Council and Alumni Relations Office and providing feedback on communications, events and fundraising).
• Support alumni events and activities through participation, planning and promotion.
• Create opportunities to engage in education, communication, and service with current students in the spirit of the school’s mission and tradition.
• Encourage alumni to support the important work accomplished by the Annual Fund.
• Promote communication between alumni and the school by sharing address updates and other contact information with the Alumni Relations Office (includes helping to locate alumni with whom the school has lost contact).
Alumni Council 2006-07
Wendell Arnold ’92 Michelle Dixon ‘00
Melissa Barry ’85 Lindsay Firth ‘95
Rebecca Baugh ’90 Allison Fletcher ‘96
David Baugh ’90 Jeff Ford ‘96
Ian Bevan ’83 Kimberley Foster ‘86
Jennifer Branchini ’89 Jim Haber ‘70
Benji Brandzel ’98 Joan Haratani ‘75
Serena Brewer ’94 Kimmerie Jones ‘87
Kate Bryant ’00 Sarah Kostick ‘01
David Buchanan ’72 Laura Kukulan ‘01
Michael Connolly ’71 Colleen Logan Cassettari ‘79
Mary Costantino ’90 Justin Masonek ‘99
Wes Daniels ’86 Nick Rhind ‘84
Rupa Datta ’96 Amber Richert ‘98
Liz Ditz ’69
Thank you so much to these alumni who are volunteering their time to The Athenian School and the Alumni Association in these important ways. If you are interested in helping out in the ways mentioned above, please contact Mandi Semple at 925-362-7212 or alumni@athenian.org.
Athenian Alumni Survey
Please Take a Moment To Tell Us Your Thoughts!
The Alumni Relations Office wants to learn more about your experiences as a student, your involvement and interest in the Alumni Association, and your thoughts about Athenian today. Your participation in this survey is an effective tool for better understanding your past experiences and your current interests. During an Alumni Council focus group session during Reunion 2006, similar questions were posed to members of the 2006-07 council. Now, we want to hear from all of you!
Please take a moment now to share your thoughts by completing this brief survey, hosted by SurveyMonkey.com, by clicking this link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=346752328022
We will be compiling all data received by the deadline of Tuesday, August 15. If you experience any problems with the link (or survey) or if you have any questions, please contact Mandi Semple at 925-362-7212 or alumni@athenian.org. Thanks in advance for your time and input!
Athenian on the Road: Southern California Alumni Brunch
On Sunday, June 25, Mary Bianco, former trustee and alumna parent (to Claire Solot '84), and her husband, Tony Bianco, welcomed Former Dean of Students, Ed Ellis (pictured center with Alondra Oubre '68 and Terrel French '72), Head of School Eleanor Dase, and Athenian alumni and guests to her home for Sunday Brunch.
The gathering was a very well-attended regional event, allowing alumni in southern California to catch up and visit with one another. Special remarks about Athenian’s founding and early days were made by Ed, and Eleanor talked about Athenian today, sharing highlights of the school's 40th Anniversary year. Those included community service trips, Robotics honors, the inaugural flight of the student-built airplane Spirit of Athenian, and outstanding accomplishments by the schoo'ls athletic teams. Ed and Eleanor's remarks spurred an interesting conversation about the ways in which Athenian has changed over the years, but all the while has remained true to the ideals and vision of founder Dyke Brown.
Alumni in attendance included Ian Bevan '83, Terrel French '72 (pictured above, right ), Scott Galloway '83, Jeff Gill '83, Lynn Jeffries '80, Marnye Langer '81, Renne "Nikki" Osborne '98, Alondra Oubre '68 (pictured above, left), Sarah Rand '78, Julirose Schafgans '96, Greg Tedesco '81, and Renata Wolf '74. Thank you to all those who attended, with special thanks to hosts, Mary and Tony Bianco!
Save the Date!
Upcoming Alumni Events and Volunteer Opportunities
End-of-Summer Party for Young Alumni
Sunday, August 27 (Home of Tom Swope—House 10), noon-2 pm
Don’t miss this End-of-Summer Celebration with friends from the Classes of 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and—our newest alumni—the Class of 2006! Come back to Athenian to help welcome the returning Athenians at AWE Run-In, followed by a fun barbeque at Tom Swope’s home on campus. This is a great way for young alums to get together before the summer ends. To attend the barbeque, please RSVP to alumni@athenian.org or 925-362-7212 by Sunday, August 13.
Bay Area Alumni Sunday Brunch
Sunday, September 17 (Danville), 10:30 am-1:30 pm
Allison Fletcher '96 will welcome Bay Area alumni, faculty, staff, and guests to enjoy a delicious Sunday Brunch at the Danville home of her parents, Ann (former trustee) and Robert Fletcher. The September 17 indoor/outdoor gathering is the perfect opportunity to get together with alumni you may not see very often but who probably live right around the corner from you! Plan to attend this fun Athenian brunch to catch up with former classmates and teachers. To help with the event, contact Allison Fletcher '96 at allisonsfletcher@gmail.com. RSVP by Friday, September 8, to Mandi Semple, Alumni and Public Relations Coordinator, at 925-362-7212 or mandi.semple@athenian.org (address and directions will be sent upon receipt of your RSVP).
90th Birthday Celebration Honoring Ed Ellis
Former Dean of Students from 1966-1992
Sunday, October 8 (Athenian Campus), 2-4 pm
On Sunday, October 8, Ed Ellis will celebrate his 90th birthday, with Athenian alumni, current and former faculty and staff, and Ed's friends and family all coming together to celebrate this special day. You're invited to celebrate with Ed, as we host his Birthday Party on the Athenian campus from 2 to 4 pm. Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and desserts, special remarks by Ed's friends and family, and lots of great memories of Ed's remarkable life before, during and after Athenian. Athenian is honored to host this special birthday celebration for Ed, who has provided remarkable leadership and enduring dedication to Athenian since the founding of the school 40 years ago. Ed requests that any birthday gifts be directed to the Ed Ellis Scholarship Fund at Athenian (Click here to donate online). To attend Ed's Birthday Celebration, RSVP to 925-362-7212 or alumni@athenian.org by Friday, September 29.
If you would like to share your good wishes, quotes, and memories with Ed, we will compile them for presentation. Please take a moment now to forward your good wishes, anecdotes or comments for Ed to laura.eriksson@athenian.org (deadline for receipt is Wednesday, September 27).
Alumni Symposium and Luncheon
Friday, January 5, 2007 (during Morning Meeting)
Each year, alumni host an event for graduating seniors to help ease the growing pains of the transition from Athenian to the next stage in their lives. On Friday, January 5, Morning Meeting convenes to offer the Class of 2007 the chance to hear from alumni about their years after Athenian. What are some tips and advice—as Athenian alums—that you can pass onto those about to become alumni themselves? This is your opportunity to provide the "inside scoop" on life after Athenian. Members of the Classes of 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002 are especially encouraged to attend. If you would like to be involved in the Symposium, or if you have any questions, please contact Mandi Semple at 925-362-7212 or alumni@athenian.org.
Reunion 2007
Saturday, June 9 (Athenian Campus)
Reunion 2007 will be held on Athenian's campus on Saturday, June 9. The 2007 Reunion honors the classes of 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, and 2002.
If interested in helping to plan the 2007 Reunion or for help contacting members of your reunion class, please contact Mandi Semple, Alumni and Public Relations Coordinator, at 925-362-7212 or alumni@athenian.org.
Alumni Directory and Message Board
The Athenian School website and the Alumni Enews provide links (in the Learn More menu at the top right of the page) to the Alumni Directory and Message Board. The Alumni Relations Office invites all alumni to participate in this online community. These secure sections of the website allow you to stay in touch with classmates, update your own contact information, and share your experiences—making keeping in touch with one another easy and fun!
As you know, the Directory and Message Board services are only as complete as alumni choose to make them. To make these pages more robust for our alumni, the Alumni Relations Office would like your permission to add your current contact information into the Directory from our records. Of course, we will not add your information without your permission, as we understand choosing to be listed in a directory viewed by other Athenian alumni is a personal choice.
Please email alumni@athenian.org with your name and the words "LIST ME" if you wish the Alumni Relations Office to add your name, address and email address to the online Alumni Directory (phone numbers will not be listed).
Remember, the Directory is password protected and for alumni use only. Contact Mandi Semple, Alumni and Public Relations Coordinator, at 925-362-7212 or alumni@athenian.org to secure a password to use the Alumni Directory and Message Board.
Athenian Logowear for Alumni
Athenian Logowear is a fantastic way to show your Athenian pride and look great at the same time! If you would like to order Athenian Logowear, please click here to be linked to the Logowear page of the Athenian website. Photos of clothing and accessory items are available for viewing and correspond directly to the printable Apparel Order Form, which is also available on the Logowear page.
Any questions can be directed to Athenian parent Karen Lynch at gvalley5@earthlink.net.
About the Alumni Web Site and Enews
Our secure Alumni page on the website can be found online at the alumni tab on www.athenian.org. You'll find an Alumni Directory and a Message Board. Contact Mandi Semple, Alumni and Public Relations Coordinator, at 925-362-7212 or alumni@athenian.org for further information and to secure a password to use those two features.
Make sure to forward the Athenian Enews to your Athenian friends. Rest assured, we do not share our lists with others.
Do we have your current contact information, including your email address? Just send it to alumni@athenian.org. Likewise, if you'd like to be removed from this list, let us know at alumni@athenian.org.
