Spring 2019 100

1919 2019 Ridgewood Times

A NEWSLETTER FOR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND ALUMNI OF RIDGEWOOD SCHOOL, SPRINGFIELD, OHIO An Amazing Centennial Weekend Kicks Off Our 100-Year Anniversary

The Pavlatos Family Grand Hall of the Hollenbeck Bayley Conference Center Ridgewood School kicked off its 100-year anniversary cele- chronicling the construction and remodeling was shown, bration on October 19 & 20, 2018. The Centennial Alumni and Student Council members provided tours of the school Weekend opened with a welcoming of alumni at Mother for guests. Stewart’s Brewing Company in downtown Springfield, owned Immediately following the dedication, attendees moved to a by our 2016 Alumni of Distinction Award recipients, John ’86 luncheon at the Springfield Country Club, where a Ridgewood- and Kevin ’88 Loftis. style lunch was served. The intimate setting sparked nostalgic On Saturday morning, the new Jane P. B. and Peter memories that were shared and relived as if no time had passed. Hollenbeck Preschool dedication occurred in the Carpentieri Saturday evening, the Centennial Gala was held at the Clark Commons with 100 attending. Board President Mark Robertson State Hollenbeck Bayley Conference Center in downtown ’67 spoke about the recent expansion and renovation of the Springfield. The celebration began with cocktails and hors school made possible by the extreme generosity of the late d’oeuvres being served in the Kaffenberger Grand Hall Atrium. Jane P. B. Hollenbeck ’29 who bequeathed the largest gift in Following the reception, guests entered the Pavlatos Family Grand the school’s history. Head of School Aliya Ranginwala talked Hall, transformed with gold chandeliers, elevated floral arrange- about what Ridgewood offers its students and the community ments, and gold-framed centerpieces of vintage photos and today. Mrs. Hollenbeck’s portrait framed with her Ridgewood fondest memories. Around the perimeter, a timeline spanning the School diploma was unveiled. President Robertson announced decades since our beginning in 1919 was highlighted with photo this would be displayed in the Pavlatos Family Atrium. A video continued » 1 2 3

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1. 100-Year 3D banner, 2. Guests arriving, 3. Young Alums, 4. Country Club luncheon, 5. Nadia Syed ’10, Afshan Syed ’83, Shahana Ahmed, Lena Syed ’15, 6. Scott Thacker ’69, 7. Angelique Walker-Smith and Joyceann Dunlap, 8. Dan and Judy McGregor, 9. Gala attendees being welcomed by the MC, Ash Ahmed ’84 murals and kiosks displaying Ridgewood pictures and history. Campaign Leadership Gift Partners with personalized Centennial Guests were welcomed by former Board President Dr. Ashfaq crystal bowls. A video chronicling Ridgewood’s 100-year history Ahmed ’84. Eric Lindblade ’67 of Raleigh, North Carolina, son of excellence in education was premiered. The formal program of former Ridgewood Headmaster Eric Lindblade, offered an concluded with remarks by Eric Lindblade ’67. Fellowship con- invocation. Following the plated gourmet dinner, Scott Thacker tinued into the evening with photos, remembrances, and laughter. ’69 of San Francisco spoke about, “What Ridgewood Means to Attendees traveled great distances to participate in the cele- Me.” Mrs. Hollenbeck was posthumously honored with the 2018 bration weekend. California, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia Alumni of Distinction Award. A video highlighting her life and were just some of the states represented in the gathering. Most contributions to the community was shown. Tim Noonan ’66 notably, Elisabeth Cole Carpentieri ’51 traveled from Florence, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina presented Ridgewood history Italy and Andrea Gardner, Headmaster 1982-1995, came from and musings that will be included in the book he is authoring Utah. The crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to Mrs. Gardner, as about Ridgewood School. Past President Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed ‘84, it was her birthday. It was a weekend filled with Ridgewood Dan McGregor ’55, Centennial Campaign Co-Chair, and Bonita students, alumni, family and friends sharing fond memories and Heeg, Centennial Campaign Manager presented Centennial making new ones. Z

2 The Ridgewood Times | Spring 2019 Jane P.B. Hollenbeck ’29 Ridgewood in the News Ridgewood’s 2018 Distinguished We hope you read the articles published in the local press about Ridgewood Alumni Award Recipient this year. One covers our Centennial celebration and building expansion, the importance that education has in a another focuses on Head of School community, she contributed significantly Ms. Ranginwala, and the third reports to Wittenberg University and Clark on Mr. Metzger, teacher and Student State Community College. Clark State’s Council Advisor, and our students’ Hollenbeck Bayley Conference Center recycling efforts. If you missed these is named in honor of her Hollenbeck and Bayley families. Wittenberg facilities great articles, you can find them on our built through the Hollenbecks’ generosity website under News and Events. Please include Bayley Auditorium and read and share these stories with your Hollenbeck Hall, home to Wittenberg’s families and friends. They reveal how humanities departments. Not forgetting special Ridgewood and the Ridgewood the significant role that Ridgewood Family are! Z played in her and Peter’s educations, she bequeathed a significant gift to Ridgewood in her estate. Thanks to her belief in the future of Ridgewood, in Jane P.B. Hollenbeck October 2018, Ridgewood dedicated its On Saturday evening October 20, 2018, new preschool, naming it the Jane P. B. and during Ridgewood’s Centennial Gala, Peter Hollenbeck Preschool and unveiled Jane P. B. Hollenbeck ’29 was posthu- her portrait and Ridgewood diploma that mously honored as Ridgewood’s 2018 now hang in the preschool’s atrium. Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. As an artist and philanthropist Mrs. In 1929, Jane Pratt Bayley Hollenbeck Hollenbeck firmly believed that a graduated from Ridgewood School. community must have strong cultural Raised on Woodlawn Avenue near the institutions that feed the hearts and souls gates of Wittenberg University, she was of its members, as well as have outstanding a member of the Bayley family, a family schools. To this end, Mrs. Hollenbeck was a of Springfield’s industrial pioneers and supporter and member of Christ Episcopal community leaders. Her parents, stepfather Church. She endowed the Springfield Lee Bayley and mother, Beatrice “Bee Symphony Orchestra’s conductor position Bee” Bayley, were both early trustees of and contributed annually to the orchestra’s Ridgewood School. Four generations of support. She supported the Springfield the Bayley family, including Jane and her Museum of Art and the Boy Scouts of son Peter ’54, would attend Ridgewood America. As one friend said when she in its first one hundred years. In 1938, Jane died in 2015, “Springfield would be an graduated from Wittenberg University enormously different place without her and went on to study fine arts in Boston. generosity.” An accomplished sculptress, in 1939 she Gala attendees included members married local businessman Dwight W. of the Ridgewood School community, Hollenbeck who would become CEO of the symphony, the art museum, Christ Credit Life Insurance Company. Jane and Episcopal Church, the Springfield Dwight had two sons, Peter and Dwight, Foundation, and other local charities and Jr. As a family they loved to spend summer organizations. Watching a Ridgewood- vacations on the coast of Maine. produced video featuring Mrs. At her death in 2015, Mrs. Hollenbeck Hollenbeck’s legacy, they gratefully was ninety-nine years old and left a remembered Mrs. Hollenbeck’s loving remarkable imprint on this community. support. Ridgewood is honored to have Always excited about the future of her such an exemplary alumna as Jane P.B. hometown, she was one of Springfield’s Hollenbeck ‘29. Z major philanthropists. Understanding

The Ridgewood Times | Spring 2019 3 Save the Date Please! Centennial Campaign Continues Strong Hearts&Hands Auction Goes ‘Around the World’ The Centennial Campaign is going Dr. Moin and Zeeba Ranginwala & strong! We continue to receive Phase I Dr. Mujeeb and Aliya Ranginwala Leadership Gift contributions of $10,000 The Thacker Family RIDGEWOOD SCHOOL AUCTION and more that include exclusive three- Headmaster’s Circle ($15,000+) year payment option, distinctive naming Ms. Shahana Ahmed opportunities on campus and prominent In Memory of Robert G. Bayley name listing on the Centennial Cam- by Ruth Bayley paign Wall of Honor in the Pavlatos Bill & Deanna Brougher Family Atrium. These vital offerings are Security National Bank providing outstanding student and fiscal The Turner Foundation outcomes for Ridgewood School! Scholar’s Circle ($10,000+) Though we continue Phase I, we will Phillip, Teresa & Kristin ’10 Campbell soon be mailing Phase II brochures to Carleton F. & Ruth T. Davidson Trust everyone to encourage participation in Mr. Sunny & Dr. Seema Dhingra this historic event. Any amount will be In Memory of Sue Bayley Drais ’44 welcomed and very much appreciated! & All Bayley Ridgewood Graduates Those contributing the following The Lupfer Family amounts can utilize a two-year payment Ruth B. & Thomas F. Mackey Charitable Saturday, May 4, 2019 option, as well as having their name Trust Foundation & Dr. Barb Mackey appear on the Centennial Campaign The Neravetla Family The Hearts & Hands Auction committee Wall of Honor: Dr. Abdur and Farhana Rauf & is excited to announce that the theme of Creativity Advocates ($5,000) Nauman Rauf ’08 & Mahum Rauf ’18 this year’s auction is “Around the World!” Collaboration Advocates ($2,500) The Rizvi Family and promises a “world-class” evening for all attending. Enrichment Advocates ($1,500) Dr. Ajaz & Humera Umerani The auction’s dinner will be catered Discovery Advocates ($1,000) Amal ’15, Maleehah ’15 & Aadil ’17 George and Anila Varghese by Seasons Bistro and Grille founded and Those contributing to the Centennial operated by Ridgewood alumni, brother Creativity Advocates ($5,000+) Campaign as of February 15, 2019 are: and sister, Margaret Mattox and Doug Dr. Dennis & Margaret Roark Diamond Circle ($1 Million+) McGregor. There will be a 50/50 raffle, Collaboration Advocates ($2,500+) Jane P. B. Hollenbeck ‘29 the popular heads-or-tails game, a silent Dr. Amrit & Shashi Chadha Family Heritage Circle ($500,000+) auction featuring theme-based gift baskets Mel Marsh and Rick Rutan Elisabeth Robbins Cole ’26 some created by Ridgewood classrooms, The Noonan Family & Elisabeth Cole Carpentieri ’51 and a live auction featuring outstanding Enrichment Advocates ($1,500+) Centennial Circle ($100,000+) items. The Hearts & Hands Raffle winners Anonymous The Pavlatos Family will also be drawn that evening. Raffle Discovery Advocates ($1,000+) Founders’ Circle ($50,000+) prizes this year include: a $500 Amazon Jim & Bonita Heeg In Honor of Tajuddin Ahmed, MD gift card, Apple AirPods 2, and a hover by Drs. Ash ’84 & Afshan Ahmed Additional Donors board. We thank this year’s raffle sponsors Michael H. & Pauline D. Chakeres Mr. & Mrs. David Martin Dr. Tanisha Moore, Lacy’s Sports Spot, Judy & Dan ’55 McGregor In Memory of Alumnus Robby Moore and Beacon Audio/Video Systems for Dr. Mubin & Afshan Ahmed ’83 Syed We are especially honored that some their generosity. The Robertson Family have generously chosen to make Legacy We invite you and your friends to join other members of the Ridgewood 1919 Circle ($25,000+) gifts by placing Ridgewood School in family at this fun event on May 4! Its Dr. Faiq & Mahjabben Akhter their wills. If you want more information proceeds help ensure that we continue Muhammad Salman Ali Ashraf on making a Legacy Gift, please con- to provide a “world-class” education for Patrick E. Field tact Aliya Ranginwala at aranginwala@ your children. Z Art & Alex Gianakopoulos ridgewoodschool.org or Bonita Heeg at Shams & Farha Khan [email protected]. Z The Walter S. Quinlan Foundation

4 The Ridgewood Times | Spring 2019 FACULTY SNAPSHOTS Introductions Jenna Carter, First Grade Colleen Huey, Math and Science Megan Landry, Preschool Ms. Carter She’s back! Assistant knew that In the fall of When Ms. she wanted to 2014, Ms. Huey Landry saw be a teacher joined the how happy since she was Ridgewood her son was as old enough to faculty. She a Ridgewood rearrange her was a recent student, she de- childhood room graduate of cided it was the into a classroom. Wittenberg school where She reports that she “had fake students, University with a Bachelor of Arts in she wanted gave fake grades, and taught fake les- middle childhood education. Colleen to teach and applied immediately. Ms. sons.” She even used her mother’s coffee left Ridgewood in 2017 to accept a Landry holds a Bachelor of Science cup filled with sweet tea because she teaching position in Trotwood. Quick- degree in biology from Wilmington knew all teachers drank coffee. She rec- ly realizing how much she missed our College and a Master of Psychology ognizes and Arts from the University of the A hearty Ridgewood small class size and being surrounded by that ev- Rockies. Her employment history in- School welcome to all parents and students who are passionate eryone about education, Colleen decided to cludes working as a community health our new teachers! learns return to Ridgewood when a position worker, a patient-access associate at differently and works to instill in her opened. Last spring we had a vacancy; Springfield Regional Medical Center, students a love of learning to last their she applied and now she’s back! and a prevention educator at Project lifetimes. Jenna is a graduate of Urbana Woman. When we spoke, Megan talked Anna Kiehn, Kindergarten University where she earned a Bachelor about how important Ridgewood’s When she of Science degree in early childhood sense of family and its values are to her learned that education. as both a parent and teacher. (See our being a unicorn list of Ridgewood’s Values on our Claudia Fett, Librarian when she grew website under About Us.) Ms. Fett comes up was not an to us from option, Ms. Courtney Peterson, Fifth Grade Tremont Ele- Kiehn decided Ms. Peterson was mentary School she would be raised in Urbana in the Upper a teacher. Not and is a graduate Arlington City looking back since she made that deci- of Wittenberg School District. sion, Anna has gone on to complete a University with She is a grad- Bachelor of Science degree in educa- dual majors uate of Miami tion. She has taught autistic children, in early child- University. Her first task here was to preschool, middle school and high hood education digitize the library. With that completed, school. Her favorite group though is and Spanish. she looks forward to adding new books Kindergarten. She waited and watched She comes to Ridgewood directly from and resources to the library, partnering for several years, hoping a vacancy Simon Kenton Elementary where she with our teachers, and working with would open at Ridgewood, finally it student taught. Courtney was drawn our students. Ms. Fett is active locally did. Anna brings to her students her to Ridgewood because of its class size as a member of the South Fountain expertise in project-based learning and and the strength of its curriculum that Preservation, Inc., the Springfield cross-curricular instruction. includes music, art, and Spanish. She says Symphony Chorale, the Women’s she loves Ridgewood because of its “tight Association of the Springfield Symphony community of students, parents, and staff.” Orchestra, and other groups. continued »

The Ridgewood Times | Spring 2019 5 Retirements Upcoming Events March 9 Regional Power of the Pen Paul Sauter, Language Arts, Patty Barnes, Librarian March 17 Grades 6-8 The Spring District Science Fair Mr. Sauter holds 2012 Ridgewood March 19 two degrees Times reported Prospective Families Open House, from Miami that Ridgewood 4:30-7 p.m. University, a celebrated the March 22 End of Third Grading Period Bachelor of 27-year Ridge- March 25-29 Arts in English wood career of Spring Break and a Master of Ms. Patty Barnes, April 5 Environmental an outstanding Early Release, 2 p.m. Ridgewood teacher, with a “surprise Science in land April 16 and water resource management. In retirement celebration.”Although she re- Spring Showcase and Talent Show, 7 p.m. addition to his studies while at Miami, tired then as our French and Fifth-Grade April 26 Paul performed as a member of the teacher Ms. Barnes agreed to continue Interims Miami University Male Glee Club and as our school Librarian. Last spring, after April 29-May 3 led the men’s a cappella choir Remnants. another six years at Ridgewood, Ms. Eighth-Grade Trip Paul comes from a family of educators Barnes decided she would retire as our May 3 and reports that he has “always had a Librarian. Again, we wish her happiness Early Release, 2 p.m. in her retirement and thank her for the primal desire to teach.” He believes May 4 significant roles she played in the lives Hearts & Hands Auction, 6 p.m. that “the learning process can be both of our students for 33 years. May 27 enjoyable and enlightening, but it takes Memorial Day, No School a lot of creativity and energy to make it Melanie Clark, Literature and Language Arts, Grades 6-8 May 29 work.” As a newcomer to Ridgewood, End of Fourth Grading Period the cordial behavior of the students, the The end of the Fall semester May 29 helpfulness of the administration, and Graduation and Passing of Classes brought the re- the dedication of his new colleagues tirement of Ms. May 30 overwhelmingly impress him. 2-hour Delay, Field Day, Last Day Melanie Clark. of School Tricia Yeager, Title One Tutor Ms. Clark May 31 From 1990 first came to Teacher Work Day to 2000, Ms. Ridgewood in June 3 Yeager taught in 1974 during her Teacher Work Day the Springfield final semester at Wittenberg. Later, she City Schools. left Ridgewood to raise her six children. You’re Invited to Our Having completed a Master of Arts in She holds a RAP Sessions Bachelor of education at Wittenberg in 2012, she Science in returned to Ridgewood in 2013, as our President Kristy Wiles invites all parents education from Literature and Language Arts Teacher to participate in the monthly meetings for Grades 6-8. Current and former Bowling Green State University and a and activities of the Ridgewood Advis- Ridgewood students describe Ms. Master of Science in Education from ing Parents’ Group (RAP). Throughout Clark as an “amazing “ teacher, one that the University of Dayton. For the past the year, RAP is responsible for our Fall will be missed! Ms. Clark’s continued twelve years, she has home-schooled Festival, coordination of volunteers for dedication to our students has been her three children and taught other Ridgewood events, assisting with open apparent in her visits to school during children in a home school co-op. The houses for prospective students, a holiday January in order to support and encour- party and the annual Staff Appreciation skills she developed as a home-school age those now teaching her classes. Luncheon. teacher are skills she uses each day as Thank you, Ms. Clark, for your years The next RAP meeting is scheduled a Math and Reading Tutor, here at of dedicated service and continuing for March 12 at 6:30 p.m. at school. We Ridgewood. commitment to our students. Z look forward to seeing you there! Z

6 The Ridgewood Times | Spring 2019 Student Council Leads Student Academic Accolades

Involvement in the Community Congratulations to our 2018-2019 academic award winners!

D.A.R. Essay Contest Winners (left to right): Ella Berkhofer (grade 6), Margaret Daniel (grade 7), Eleni Linardos (grade 8)

Students presenting donation for Breast Cancer Endowment Fund

Winners of Young Authors contest (left to right) Teacher Ms. Hembree, Elise Hess (grade 5) Jessie Leiderhe- iser-Stoddard (grade 4), Abby Groth (grade 4), Maggie Yang (grade 8) Joseph Boyle (grade 5), Dominique Rogers ( grade 6) Students presenting thank you cards and donation to Honor Flight

Ridgewood’s Student Council, led by Flight. In the next month, it donated toys president Arin Simmons, continues its and money to the Parent Infant Center. tradition of service to our school and the In addition to these efforts, the Student Springfield community. Council also collected more than 1,400 Students kicked off the school year by pounds of food for the Second Harvest collecting school supplies for the Rocking Food Bank. It also hosted parties for Horse Community Health Center and children at both the Interfaith Hospital- volunteering at the Alzheimer’s Walk at ity Network Homeless Shelter and the Wittenberg University. In October, Stu- Parent Infant Center. Ridgewood Writers advancing to the Power of the Pen regional tourna- dent Council continued its decade-long Student Council looks forward to ment: Sarah Hallmark (grade 8) and tradition of donating to the Breast Cancer developing new ways to make a positive Christian Reynolds (grade 8) Endowment Fund. This year it surpassed impact in the community and at Ridge- Brendan Russell, $10,000 in donations to the Fund and wood. All of these projects would not first place win- was recognized by the Ohio Senate. be possible without the support and ner in both the In November, Student Council contributions of students, parents, staff, Spelling Bee and Bee collected more than 200 thank-you cards alumni and the enthusiastic leadership for Veterans and contributed to Honor of Mr. Dan Metzger. Z

The Ridgewood Times | Spring 2019 7 NonProfit Organization U.S. Postage 100 P A I D Springfield OH 1919 2019 Permit No. 199

2420 Saint Paris Pike Springfield, Ohio 45504

Ridgewood Times is published for families, alumni and A New Place for Creativity friends of Ridgewood School. Editor: Aliya Ranginwala Copywriters: Deanna Brougher, Terri Campbell, Corwin Georges, Ph.D., Mustafa Haleem ’14, Bonita Heeg, Dan Metzger, Margaret Roark, Afshan Ahmed ’83 Syed Design: Bob Bingenheimer Photos: Bob Bingenheimer, Mustafa Haleem, and others

Ridgewood Board of Trustees The Ridgewood School Association Board of Trustees meets the third Thursday of As our school expands to meet videography, and much more. each month. the needs of the 21st century, kids in space So far this year students have Members we continue to find new and completed multimedia and Mark Robertson ’67, President exciting ways to hone in on LED light installations for the Mendy Simmons, Vice-President STEM educational values. Halloween Bash, a variety Corwin Georges. Ph.D., One initiative, new to our of short films, and projects Secretary building this year, is a room centered around design and Mike Fissel, Treasurer and afterschool program called the process. Ash Ahmed M.D. ’84 the Makerspace. Our Makerspace was Melanie Bisdorf Makerspaces have been started with the help of former Deanna Brougher popping up all over the alumnus Mustafa Haleem ‘14 country as a part of the Top: The 3D printer donated – a testament to Ridgewood’s Douglas S. Deer by Scott Thacker ’69; above: broader “Maker” movement, individualized education Maureen Osseck Makerspace instructor which challenges both children Mustafa Haleem guiding helping students to be prepared Melinda Reardon and adults to produce do-it- students. for success in emerging fields. Margaret Roark yourself creations by giving Thursday, students in grades To keep up with updates Adam Russell them the tools and expertise 6-8 meet to explore new from the Makerspace and to do so. Ridgewood’s applications of much more, follow Ridgewood Makerspace is all about such as DIY electronics, 3D School on Facebook, and learning while doing. Every printing, photography and happy making! Z 8 The Ridgewood Times | Spring 2019