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Defined by excellence. Supported by tradition. FALL 2019 Fitness Center ALUMNI TAKING SHAPE EXCELLENCE » Full story on page 6 5 HONORED WITH DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME STRAIGHT ’S LAUNCHES WITH 4 INDUCTEES Again On State Report Card A » Full story on pages 4, 5 » Full story on page 8 foundationnews A HALL OF FAME Start to another great year tudents are enjoying the start of another remarkable school year – thanks in large Spart to you, the supporters of Ottawa Hills Local Schools. The love for our district is never-ending, but can best be expressed by what transpired over a two-day period in September. BOARD OF TRUSTEES It began with the inaugural lecture in the Kadens Family Leadership Series, an PRESIDENT educational enrichment initiative funded by Pete (’96) and Amy (Robbins ’99) Kadens. George Lathrop Students in grades 7-12 heard a remarkable and moving talk from Rodney Walker, who shared his unbelievable journey from residing in a dozen foster care homes SECRETARY to graduating from two Ivy League universities. Dee Talmage That same day, the Foundation Board of Trustees recognized dozens of its supporters TREASURER at the annual Donor Appreciation Event. Attendees were regaled with students’ musical Scott Estes performances but also heard them share moving stories about how donor-driven programs are reshaping their personal and academic lives. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Erica (Gatchel) Silk ‘89 The signature event came as we hosted our third Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony. Thank you to the five alumni who accepted the honor and became the newest additions BOARD OF TRUSTEES to this prestigious group. Sharing the limelight that evening were the four inaugural Jackie (Hylant) Berenzweig ‘93 inductees into the newly launched High School Athletic Hall of Fame, an idea discussed R. L. Berry ‘76 almost since the Foundation’s founding (see more coverage on pages 4, 5). Adam Fineske As all of this was occurring, we continued to provide grants to support curriculum Maara Fink enhancement and expansion, experiences inside and outside the classroom, and Austin Irving ‘02 opportunities in the arts and athletics. Meanwhile, fundraising for and construction Brad Johnson on the Kadens Family Fitness Center progresses nicely. The facility is the cornerstone of the Kadens Family Health & Wellness Capital Campaign, the Foundation’s first-ever Mike McCullough ‘93 capital campaign. Phillip Mintun Jeremy Nixon Thank you for making this a wonderful place to teach, learn, and live. Judd Silverman ‘74 Mark Wagoner ‘90 Andrew Westmeyer ‘87 The mission of the Ottawa George Lathrop Erica (Gatchel) Silk ‘89 Hills Schools Foundation is President Director of Development to permanently enhance and Ottawa Hills Schools Foundation and Alumni Relations extend the unique experience of excellence that defines Ottawa Hills Local Schools. WELCOME! The Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Board members: SUPPORTING THE OHS FOUNDATION IS EASY! Visit the Foundation’s website at Austin Irving ’02 Michael McCullough ’93 ohschoolsfoundation.org Associate with Shumaker, Senior Vice President, to contribute online or use Loop & Kendrick UBS the attached giving envelope. 2 givingnews Gifts AT WORK Through your generosity, the Ottawa Hills Schools Foundation is able to enhance and extend the learning experiences of students. Here are two recent examples: Giving Thanks » A gift of $5,000 is making it Foundation event celebrates supporters possible for Elementary School students (grades K-6) to have richer art and music experiences. The The Ottawa Hills Schools Foundation had students are now using iPads and much to be thankful for last year, and it Logitech Crayon Digital Art Pencils shared that gratitude with supporters at a in their classrooms. Teachers are special reception Sept. 19. using the devices in educational units such as Dr. Seuss (K-1), uring its remarkable year, it embarked on its first-ever Science of Sound (5-6), Composing Dcapital campaign and received the largest gift in its history. with the Dot and Dash robots that play xylophones (K-6), Recorder About 100 friends attended the event at The Inverness Club. (4), Digital Drawing (K-6), digital art The program included performances and presentations by museum visits and scavenger hunts, students: a piano recital by Reyan Shariff (9); a duet from “Beauty and the Beast and architecture applications. The JR.” by Sam Smithberger (9) and Ella Douglas (8); an overview of her research $15,000 cost of the devices was by Priya Bhatt (12); and songs by The Choraliers. The evening included remarks shared equally among the district, from George Lathrop, Foundation president; Erica Silk, Foundation executive The Foundation, and the Ottawa director; and Dr. Adam Fineske, district superintendent. Hills Schools Parent Association. “It truly does take a Village to make our children successful and Ottawa Hills » A $10,000 donation is bringing is the perfect example of such a Village,” said Dr. Fineske. “We have parents the 2019-2020 Symphonic Band who make education the No. 1 priority at home; students who are active (freshmen through seniors) one and engaged in their learning; outstanding educators; and a community step closer to their goal of traveling that centers itself around the school district.” together to Toronto, Ontario. The three-day trip is over the Martin (While the Foundation has a July-June fiscal year, it hosts its Donor Appreciation Luther King Jr. holiday in January Event in the fall to coincide with its Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony.) 2020. Many stops are planned, including attending a clinic with music faculty at the University of Toronto; hearing a performance of The Toronto Symphony; and attending a performance of “Dear Evan Hansen,” which won “Best Musical” at the 2017 Tony Awards. The band will perform at several historic spots, including Casa Loma and the Ontario Science Center. 3 3 alumninews ive notable alumni, from artists and business owners to Fphilanthropists, received the Distinguished Alumni Award OHS Foundation Honors Sept. 20. This year’s inductees were: Betsy (Carson) Brady ‘64, DISTINGUISHED Pete Kadens ‘96, Rustin “Polly” (Steele) Levenson ‘65, Robert “Bob” Shopneck ‘68, and Dr. Catherine Webb ‘66. The induction ceremony took place at the John Lindsay Court 5ALUMNI at the Junior/Senior High School; inductees also were introduced on the field at halftime of the boys’ varsity football game that evening. BETSY (CARSON) PETE RUSTIN “POLLY” ROBERT “BOB” DR. CATHERINE BRADY ’64 KADENS ’96 (STEELE) LEVENSON ’65 SHOPNECK ’68 WEBB ’66 Mrs. Brady is a well- Mr. Kadens is a dedicated Mrs. Levenson is an Mr. Shopneck is general Dr. Webb graduated from known business leader, philanthropist and internationally known partner of Denver-based the Medical College of community advocate, organizational leader painting conservator and Pinetree Financial Ohio in 1980. After philanthropist, and who seeks to transform author. After positions at Partners. After moving hearing a lecture in fundraiser in northwest lives and strengthen the Canadian to Denver, he earned medical school by a Ohio. In 1985, she and communities. He is Conservation Institute master’s and law degrees pediatric cardiologist, husband Tom founded chairman of The Kadens and the National Gallery and realized that real she became fascinated Plastic Technologies, Inc. Family Foundation, which of Canada, she moved estate and not law was by congenital heart PTI has become globally is dedicated to closing the to New York to join the his chosen path. He disease. She spent nine recognized within its pervasive U.S. wealth and Painting Conservation began by investing years in clinical training industry for sustainable education gaps. He Department of the in houses near the at the University of packaging innovation retired in August 2018 as Metropolitan Museum University of Denver. Michigan. In 1989, with more than 1,000 chief executive officer of of Art. With referrals from He parlayed those she joined Children’s clients across the globe. Green Thumb Industries, Met colleagues, she investments into building Memorial Hospital at She is currently chairman one of the nation’s largest founded ArtCare new homes; converting Northwestern University, of the PTI board. Mrs. publicly traded, legal Conservation renovated apartment retiring as professor Brady is actively engaged cannabis operators. (artcareconservation.com) buildings into emeritus in 2010. She in the community, Over his 16-year career and began working with condominiums; and returned to the University including serving as as a chief executive, museum, corporate, and making other real estate of Michigan Congenital chairman of the Toledo Mr. Kadens employed private clients throughout investments. As business Heart Center and Area Chamber of more than 4,000 people New York, New Jersey, grew, he moved into currently works as an Commerce in 1990 and created over and Connecticut. She commercial lending. outreach pediatric (the first woman to lead $5 billion in shareholder later opened studios in Today, his private bank cardiologist in Northern the group); past (and first value. He is a 2019 Henry Miami and Los Angeles. is the largest of its kind Michigan. She is woman) board chair of Crown Fellow of The In addition to conserving in Colorado. He joined internationally known the Toledo Museum of Aspen Institute, a paintings and supervising the board of the Boys with more than 50 Art; and a board member prestigious fellowship conservation studios, she & Girls Clubs of Metro published peer-reviewed of ProMedica, the for individuals who have and art historian Andrea Denver and later made papers and 30 years of University of Toledo, the capacity to create Kirsh co-authored “Seeing the lead gift and service on many American Toledo Community ventures that solve Through Paintings: spearheaded fundraising Heart Association Foundation, and Junior one of society’s Physical Examination to build the region’s first councils and committees. League of Toledo. intractable problems. in Art Historical Studies,” new club since 1964.