Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

Home , Jonathan Talbot, Oakwood Friends School

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Address Service Requested ONEWSLETTER FROMa OAKWOODk FRIENDS SCHOOL • CELEBRATINLG OVER e210 YEARS OaF FRIENDS EveDUCATION IN THE HUDSOsN VALLEY 2020-2021 Fall/Winter School Calendar Congratulations to the Class of 2020! October 3 Middle School Parents Reception October 17 Upper School Parents Reception October 20 Workshare Day November 22 11th Grade College Planning 1:00 pm Nov 25-27 Thanksgiving Break November 30 Winter Term Remote Learning Interval December 15 Virtual Holiday Concert, 7:00pm Dec. 18 –Jan. 12 Winter Break January 12 Winter Term Classes resume January 30 Virtual Auction to support Annual Fund Delaine Aranha Daphne Ballesteros Willow Bennison Malcolm Condon Zachariah (Zac) Craft Elias Fredericks

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16 SuSummermmer 20172020 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY Back to School in September 2020

Anisa Gilmour Carissa Herrera Anh Vu Phoung Ho Christophe Mooney Quynh Thi Xuan Nguyen Matthew Stewart

Stefanie Quintanilla Huy Duc To Diamond Tulloch Cyril Uebbing Huairuo (Robert) Wang Yi (Zoe) Wang

Thank you! 2019-2020 Annual Fund Exceeds Goal! See Annual Gifts Report In center section. Zhiwei Wang Jianhao (Alex) Xu Zeyue (Lareina) Zhang Hou (Paul) Zhaoyu 2 SSummerummer 20202017 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 210 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY SummerSummer 20202017 15

project which will hopefully turn out great. Cur- Wendy (Meiwen) Zhou – Graduated from Univ. Looking Back and Moving Ahead Thank You of Rochester this year and will enter UPenn for by Chad Cianfrani, Head of School rently I am applying for the Virtual Student Fed- eral Service internship. Hopefully, I get selected. graduate school in the fall. Maintenance & My regards to everyone. While we adapt to our current environment, we look optimistically forward to the year Cleaning Crews ahead. A growing Middle School program, IN MEMORY the largest in almost two decades, now includes a 5th grade. Our Upper School program expanded enrollment across grade levels as we welcomed dozens of new fami- Frances Smith Feldman ’46 lies into the community. While the campus July 11, 2019 may have been closed for the last seven months, Oakwood’s Lighting the Way cam- Eric Springer ’46 paign and renovation of Lane Auditorium September 5, 2020 moved forward at pace. A few aspects of the 2016 project already completed include return- Yuchen Feng – I got my BA in economics at NYU. Richard Perkins ’50 ing the maple floors to their original con- I already started the MS program in marketing March 18, 2020 dition, exposing the expansive truss beams Danny Wilde, Jose Reyes, Ray Valentin and science at Columbia Business school and I plan For the first time in over seven months, Oak- overhead, installation of energy-efficient Pablo Ramos to graduate next summer. Edward van Kleeck Cunningham ’52 wood students, faculty, and staff gathered as HVAC systems, sprinklers, elevator, addi- March 24, 2018 a community this September. As we navigate tional classroom spaces, and a fully updated COVID, adapt to economic uncertainty, and lighting and sound system. This fall, stu- John Berlin ’54 actively engage in the process of shaping a dents are ready to begin another century of May 17, 2020 more inclusive and racially just society, we gathering, learning, and creating together. Alumnus and former clerk Parfait Bizimana visited are at our creative, adaptive, and resilient Julie Fogelson Braverman ’56 best. Oakwood has been here before. Over I look forward to welcoming you back to Oak- with Nancy and Bill Doolittle at their new home two centuries ago, Lucretia Mott, a student wood (virtually or in-person) and continuing in Maine! Parfait had an internship at the Maine April 19, 2020 at our predecessor school Nine Partners, this journey together. See you on campus! Farm Credit Bureau in Auburn where he worked provided foundational work in the aboli- on developing a hub for the southern eastern James Gregor Rechetnick ’64 tion and suffrage movements. 100 years ago, area for his MBA. May 21, 2019 we navigated the last global pandemic dur- Chris Galschjodt ing a campus move to the Hudson Valley. Jacky Jin – I graduated from Boston University 2017 Peter Messimer ’65 And over the last many decades, the mis- with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engi- Congratulations to Matthew Voorhees for receiving August 20, 2020 sion, and values upon which the school was neering with a minor in Computer Science. I’m the Housing and Residential Life Award for Desk founded, continue to provide a platform currently working at Bloomberg as a software Receptionist of the Year at Kutztown University Anne Kantaros Murphy ’69 for student voice and community engage- engineer. for the second year in a row. September 2, 2020 ment. In keeping with a strong tradition of Friends’ education, we do this while edu- Faculty & Friends Robert Lessig ’72 cating and preparing students academically Congratulations to Susan Masciale-Lynch on her June 6, 2019 for lives of consequence and meaning. new position at Marist College! She will be sorely missed but we are so happy for her as she em- As we prepared for the opening day of school, barks on this new adventure in higher education! Horst Berger we reflected deeply on lessons learned these Congratulations to Desiree & Jon Pesner ’07 on May 4, 2019 last seven months. Last spring, with New NYYM York State under quarantine, we taught from the birth of their daughter Rani Elaine Maxine Pesner March 16, 2020 our living rooms, recorded soccer training Reginald (Reg) Hannaford sessions from our driveways, and engaged Araceli Reyes, Inocencia Reyes and in our Zoom classroom conversations from Dominga Wolfenden Jeremy Robbins – I took the role as Head of June 13, 2020 five continents. We held each other ac- School at Brehm in September of 2019, with the Former Faculty countable and worked tirelessly to support idea that I would travel back and forth to NY all aspects of the program and mission. Lighting the Way until the family relocated in the summer. Brehm Warren Wyrick Matching Gift Challenge Met! serves students and young adults with complex February 14, 2020 Over the summer, we continued to make sig- Nora Sackett – Nora graduated from Mt. Holyoke learning differences. Located in Southern Illinois, Former Faculty nificant investments in the health and safety Last spring, we announced a Matching College with a degree in music and education we are in a region known for its beautiful lakes of our community, enhanced the physical Gift Challenge for Lighting the Way of- and is licensed to teach elementary. She will be and the Shawnee National Forest. spaces and classrooms, expanded outdoor fered by Rob Blackman ’61 and board doing trail work for the Appalachian Mountain learning spaces to include more of the 55 president, Don Spencer. With generous Club in the fall. acre campus, invested in the technological gifts from 40 donors, we reached the infrastructure, and supported the profession- challenge goal of $100,000! Gifts ranged Oak Leaves al development of our faculty and staff, the from $25 to $10,000, and every gift was Summer 2020 heart and foundation of our program. With important. Thank you! students engaging both remotely and in-per- ELAINE MILES son, classes look a bit different this fall. Social Fundraising continues for the final Director of Development & Alumni Affairs distancing, face masks, increased health and phase of our renovation work. It’s not hygiene measures, and a collective sense of too late to participate. Please contact Julie Okoniewski responsibility guide and shape our actions. Elaine Miles, [email protected] Associate Director of Development & or (845) 462-4200 x 224, to discuss You may even see students from three conti- (l-r) Sawyer, holding sister Maeve, with brothers Alumni Affairs nents joining their on-campus classmates via ways that you can support the revital- Zeke and Emmett. Zoom for an outdoor music class. Regard- ization of our beautiful campus. WENDY GIANGRASSO less of where our students are physically, we Assistant Director of Development & are connected as one Oakwood community. Thank You! Alumni Affairs 14 SSummerummer 20202017 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 210 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY SummerSummer 20202017 3

ous other alumni via social media and am always happy to receive any Oakwood updates! I've at- My First Year as a Member of the Oakwood Faculty tached a pic - it's 3 months old already! Whew By: Jesse Doherty-Vinicor ’06 time flies even in Covid times. Oakwood is my second home and always will be. Cheers This past year at Oakwood has been surreal, ishes their memories of high school. Oak- cially between stu- rewarding, at times harrowing, but always wood was the community I needed as a long dent and teacher. Alaka Lindsley – In February, I left my manage- reaffirming. I came to Oakwood as a stu- haired, freaky teen, and it continues to be the After my daughter ment job at MultiCare and the 1.5 hr round trip dent from 2002-2006 and have just returned community I need as a progressive educator. was born, my wife commute after 23 years, and started working as an English teacher in the Upper School. and I isolated, but closer to home (literally within 5 miles!). This This transition was one I was anticipating I vividly remember my job interview here. as soon as we be- change also gave me the chance to return to my with some amount of nervousness (would Stephen Miller, the humanities department gan venturing out two passions: doing clinical work and teaching. Sarah Robbins Weers – I just recently graduated I still feel like I was a student?) and excite- chair and one of my favorite teachers from my onto the campus I now work in the Mental Health and Wellness from my Family Medicine Residency at Spar- ment at being able to peer onto the other time as a student, assuaged my nerves about again, there was a Department at Kaiser Permanente in Olympia and row Hospital in Lansing Michigan and now I am side of the educational veil. At the end of the upcoming demo lesson I was to give by tangible feeling of communal excitement for am also teaching at Saint Martin's University as an board certified in Family Medicine and practicing the year, I am now friends and colleagues saying that the difference between Oakwood the newest addition to Oakwood. Just as im- adjunct professor in the Master's in Counseling at a small rural clinic in White Cloud in Northern with people who were my teachers 15 years students and many other students is that the portant to me has been the attempts at keep- Program, where I received my graduate degree. Michigan. My husband Jasen and I just bought ago, and I feel reaffirmed in my faith that, students here actively want their teachers to ing a sense community going throughout the I get to ride my bike to work, spend more time our first house and we are so happy! while no school is perfect, Oakwood is inter- succeed. After the demo lesson (and another isolation of quarantine. At no other school closer to home with my sweetie, and am enjoy- 1991 ested first and foremost in creating a commu- year’s worth of lessons) I can say that this is could I imagine students reaching out to their ing life a lot more. Of course, all of this change Nicola Freeman – May this next season bear the nity that loves and believes in one another. true. Nowhere else have I ever seen a group teachers during summer break just to check comes just as Covid-10 closed everything down, fruit of kindness and compassion. of students and teachers more willing to treat in and chat because they miss them, or regu- which has meant getting used to virtual mental I was not a model student. I remember getting each other like equals, and it’s this sense larly asking for song recommendations, or health counseling, and teaching on Zoom. Been 1995 my Wednesday flex time taken away during of community that continues to uplift me. creating weekly Dungeons and Dragons ses- a wonderful opportunity to stretch my brain, and Aaron Rester – In November 2019, I released my senior year for blowing up the speaker in sions with their teachers to stave off isolation. I am so grateful to have a job that I love. Cheers the second album on my fledgling record label, the music teacher’s bass amp (it was an acci- This year was also unique; in December, my to all of my classmates and friends, and hope you Beartrap Spring Records (http://beartrapspring. dent, I swear). I had contentious relationships wife Andrea and I had a child (a daughter Oakwood has very quickly become home for all are surviving, and finding your passion. com). “Only the Stars” by The Long Farewells with some of my teachers (who doesn’t?) and named Esther) and, of course, we were thrust me. I believe in the transformative power of is a new collaboration with my longtime musi- spent an absurd amount of mental energy try- into the middle of a global pandemic to rival the student/teacher relationship, and this past 1985 cal partner, Gabrielle Schafer, and is a concept ing to get away with doing the least amount the Black Plague. Yet again, both of these ex- year, with all its ups and downs, has shown David Hochfeld – Daphne and I are well and miss album about the 1910s. It includes songs about 2011 of work possible. And despite all of this, I am periences colored my first year to reinforce me that Oakwood believes in it as well. everyone terribly. This would have been our 35th World War I, the murder of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Congratulations to Justin Bogle on his engage- one of the only people I meet who still cher- the strength of community I feel here, espe- and suddenly we are in a whole new world. Our mistress, the construction of the Ashokan Dam, ment to Emmy Talian. connections to our fellow Oaks keep us smiling the Great Hammond Circus Train Wreck, the and we know we’ll see everyone when things 1919 Chicago race riots, and other events dur- settle. Living in south Florida just became harder. ing this often overlooked decade. It’s available th We pray for us all daily. May we all sing under the on virtually every digital platform for streaming or Oakwood’s 224 Graduation Class of 2020 Old Oak tree again. For the memoirs I would just download, and you can find out more at http:// like to say that Oakwood was the most unique longfarewells.com." Thanks to longtime maintenance crew beautiful ceremony with heartfelt messages of Colleges Attending school with people offering the best of them- member Chris Galschjodt, early morn- connection and friendship from each senior. selves in an effort to raise us all to be taller and 1998 ing music played under the Copper Each senior pre-recorded a speech, some at Brandeis University stronger together and when we were alone we Heather Kelley got married in 2018 and spent the Beech graduation tree even though the home in China with their parents by their side, Clark University could remember, Oaks grow together… past seven years as a theatre administrator and graduates could not be there in per- others right here on campus under the Copper Drexel University acting teacher at Kean University in Union, NJ. In son. For the last few decades, when Beech tree, and some from their backyards. Dutchess Community College July, she and her incredibly supportive husband 2013 we hear Bonnie Raitt '67 playing in Guilford College Todd left NYC after 10+ years and made the long Heather Stratica – My fiancé (Joe Tomellini) and the early hours of graduation day... we Farewell class of 2020! We applaud you for Howard University cross-country trek to Colorado, where Heather I got married last August and we are moving to know it is time to celebrate our seniors! your incredible resilience during this un- Marist College will begin her PhD Theatre studies at CU Boulder Jacksonville, Florida next week! I will continue usual spring term and can’t wait to see each Oregon State University this fall. Drop Heather a line at working remotely as a Quality Engineer at DEKA Instead of gathering in person, we cele- of you on campus in person as soon as we Pennsylvania State University [email protected]. and Joe will by flying P8’s for the Navy! We are brated the Class of 2020 with a pre-record- can! As you step towards new experiences Rutgers University-New Brunswick looking forward to the warm weather but will be ed virtual graduation ceremony. Despite remember, “Have patience with all that is un- Siena College 2002 missing the Northeast. the distance, with graduates and families resolved in your heart and learn to love the Stony Brook University Elizabeth Wilkie Roscoe – After moving from tuning in from Vietnam and NYC to across questions themselves.” - Rainer Maria Rilke. State University of New York Washington DC to London in 2018, I graduated the river and right here on campus, it was a Temple University 1986 with an MA in Tourism Management from the Uni- The Peabody Institute of Jesse Washington is working with John Thomp- versity of Westminster in 2019. In January 2020 I The Johns Hopkins University son, Jr. on his autobiography, I Came as a Shad- married Paul Roscoe in London, and we now live University at Albany, SUNY ow, due out in 2021. Thompson was coach of in Manchester. I’m currently working in aviation University of Melbourne Georgetown University's basketball team in the and travel and happily settling into married life! University of New Haven 80s, the first African-American head coach of a Wesleyan University major college sport to win a national title. Jesse is a senior writer for ESPN's race, sports, and culture website, The Undefeated.

1988 2015 Skip Davenport – I have been married since No- Karen Swatson – I graduated from American Uni- vember 8th of 2003 to Amy Robinson Daven- versity with a Bachelor's degree in International port. We have 2 kids. The oldest is 14, George Studies and a minor in Education. A couple of III, and the youngest is Emmie, who is 11. Also, months later, I got an internship at the World “I owe my career path directly to our youngest daughter Zoey, who is a Golden Bank from September 2019-December 2019. I the influence of the wonderful had to put my internship on pause in December Doodle. I purchased a Ford dealership, our family community at Oakwood.” business, in 2016. Everyone is happy and healthy! 2007 because I started my Master's in International De- Congratulations to Lillian Shad (daughter Layla) velopment at American University. Throughout the summer, I worked on a personal education -Kelly Gonzalez ’92 and Mauro Parra on purchasing their first home. Class of 2020 in the fall of 2019 4 SSummerummer 20202017 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 210 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY SummerSummer 20202017 13

and Karen Hardeman Royston ‘66 were here to I was accepted as a member of the International hope such reminiscing can take place in actual, Sports Center enjoy the beauty of the Adirondacks. Academy of Ceramics (https://www.aic-iac.org/ real life, some way, somehow. All the best. By: Athletic Director: Simon Culley en/) and travelled to Barcelona for the semi-an- David Sitomer – Tobi ’61 in Hawaii, David ’65 in nual conference and new member inauguration DC, Quarantined in the light. ceremonies. I returned to Spain shortly thereaf- The Girls Junior Varsity Basketball Team ter to continue my studies of Flamenco guitar in started the season with a thrilling OT win 1967 Granada. I continue to curate Plinth Gallery in against mighty Forman 20-17. Unfortunately, Don Badgley – My how time flies! Greetings to Denver (plinthgallery.com) an ever expanding this would be the only victory of the sea- my class of 1967 and all those who made Oak- venue focusing on promoting both national and son despite valiant effort throughout. In wood their home for a time in their lives. In this international ceramic artists and their work. Over addition, many of the results were close af- year of turmoil, disease, suffering, injustice and the last 3 years I have been writing a ceramics fairs with just a couple of one sided games. unprecedented corruption in the seats of power technical book, Plaster Mold and Model Making- When all was said and done, Adele Fred- there is also cause for celebration. I am going Methodology and Practice, which will be pub- ericks ’21 was named the season's Most to brag about my full grown children! On June lished by The American Ceramic Society in the 1980 Valuable Player with Sadia Rashid ’22 and 13, our youngest daughter Alanna Rose Badgley fall of 2021. I have had a wonderful and reward- Susanrachel B. Condon – Well it's been a peculiar Rachel Wapner-Mol ’21 collecting Coaches married her partner Rudy Green in a backyard ing 50 year career as a ceramic artist, educator, year to be sure! Our youngest kid, Malcolm, grad- Awards for their standout contributions. ceremony Zoomed to nearly 200 friends and author, that began at Oakwood School when I uated from Oakwood during the height of the family. This was only 3 months after she graced needed an art class to graduate. I had planned to pandemic, the year I was planning to celebrate With 7 wins, the Boys Varsity Basketball the cover of April 20 Time Magazine because of study medicine after I graduated from Oakwood. my 40th reunion. Virtual graduation was surreal Fall Term Sports Awards Team, led by coach Sean Thompson, had her work as a paramedic in Westchester County. Thank you Oakwood School. Go figure! Who and bittersweet. Malcolm will be leaving at the the most successful season amongst our 5 My eldest daughter, Marissa Faith Badgley also woulda thought? All the best.. end of August for a gap year doing academic and competing teams. Despite two regular sea- The Boys Junior Varsity Basketball Team final game in the season, was also sym- shown brightly as Young Adult Field Secretary for service work in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. I hope son losses versus Faith Christian Academy, faced a lot of adversity and to their immense bolic of the improvement the group made New York Yearly Meeting and as the founder of 1969 next Spring we'll be able to celebrate our reunion the boys stepped up and really challenged credit never gave up. They looked like a throughout the winter. Team captains Luca True Reloveution(Google it) that is teaching skills Charles Schwartz – I am now enjoying retirement. in person, with hugs, and without masks. Stay our neighbors in a nail biting quarterfinal very different team in the last game of the Bax ’24 (who won the MVP award) and Ca- that enable schools and businesses to better serve Staying safe at home My daughter is going to safe and well everyone! matchup. The lead changed hands several season compared to the opener a couple leb Diggs ’24 (winner of the Coaches Award) their constituents, employees and clients through get married in June 2020. I enjoyed my visit to times and despite losing 56-58 the boys of months earlier. With a challenging seven led the team in scoring, but also worked the power of Love and Compassion. Tracy and Oakwood in May 2019 (50th reunion). My son can hold their heads up high knowing they game slide to start the season and multiple hard to help the other players keep motivat- I will celebrate our 35 th anniversary in October and wife are also doing fine. left it all on the court that day. Christophe results being one sided, they fought hard for ed and confident. Joseph Robinson ’24 and and we are blessed in more ways than can be Mooney ’20 was named the season's Most their first win and a much needed boost of Jonah Schumacher ’25 both showed extreme named. May Love find all of you receptive to 1970 Valuable Player. Alper Sayin ’21 and Huairuo confidence. This was immediately fol- improvement as defenders, and many other its Power! Gary Slutzky – I’m staying home with my wife Wang ’20 received the Coaches Award lowed up with a second win. In the last players who were new to the game (notably during the pandemic, as I hope we all are. It’s and Most Improved Award, respectively. game of the season, they lost by 16 points Charlie Grenadier ’24, Ella Hughes ’26, and trying on the mind, but I believe we will mostly to Harvey, which was a vast improvement Jack Daubman ’26) came to the court with survive. I have 7 grandchildren I can only see on The ’19/20 winter season provided plenty of on the 40+ point deficit earlier in the sea- the dedication and enthusiasm of veterans. face time or zoom. Boring, huh? challenges for both coach Sara Sandstrom son. Tristan Jean-Baptiste ’23 was named and the Girls Varsity Basketball Team. How- the season's Most Valuable Player. Michael Spring term brought with COVID abundant 1973 1983 ever, through it all, the effort and tenacity to Angley ’21 collected a Coaches Award for challenges in all aspects of campus life. Ful- Mary Lowrey Rose – Our 5th grandchild (3rd Paul Berger – I’m doing well. A crazy end to improve was always evident, so much that his standout play. Finally, Daniel Cullen filling physical education requirements in a grandson), Benjamin Clay Rose was born on April my 23rd year of teaching! Covid -19 – Yikes! despite only one win going into the Hudson ’23 received the Most Improved Award. distance learning model was no exception. In 22nd in the middle of a pandemic. This meant My daughter finished her freshman year in high Valley Athletic League playoffs and facing a our efforts to provide asynchronous oppor- no chance to visit in person to begin with, but school and just turned 15. My mother turned 91 Marvelwood team that had comfortably won Oakwood's Middle School Basketball team tunities for exercise for the student body, one Rudy Green and Alanna Badgley we made do with Zoom as seems to be the new years old! I see and talk to Justin Brown almost both regular season games, the girls nar- had an exciting season. The season was one of our veteran coaches, Jodi Culley, took on norm. He is a bonny, happy boy and joins big every day. It’s great to have true lifetime friends rowly lost a close, hard fought encounter of intense personal growth for all of the the task of creating virtual fitness programs Nancy Leopitzi-Wawrla – 2019 was a year of trav- brother Jamie. that started at Oakwood School. (26-31). In concluding the season, Stefanie players. A majority of the team came from both pre-recorded and live, using the Zoom el! I was away 8 months out of the 12 between Quintanilla ’20 received the Triple Threat 6th and 7th grade, and many were new to platform. Some students joined Jodi a few March ’19 – March ’20, then as soon as I returned Allyson Wingate – My best to the class of 1983, Sports Award. Ruby Schloss ’21 earned the the game, but by the end of the season they times a week for various cardio, high intensity home, BAM! A shut-down! It gave me time to as well as to all former and present staff and stu- Swiss Army Knife Award for her versatility had an innate understanding of defense, of- interval training, strength training, and Barre reflect on our beautiful Nat’l Parks in our U.S. dents. Most certainly a challenging 2020 for our and Willow Bennison ’20 collected the Paint fense, and working together as a unit. We classes. Others logged on to Google class- southwest; then Austria; then Thailand and back world! Coved-19, protests, racial issues and major Protector award for her outstanding defense. only won a single game, but that victory, our room to watch recordings of lessons involving to Austria. I returned stateside for family doings, economic difficulties… However, may we all fo- soccer skills, juggling, and even Jazzercise. which included Florida and Texas. As the saying cus on and remember there is much good and goes “there’s no place like home.” Love to all y’all positive as well. Hang in there everyone. Peace and be well. to you all!

Phil Richmond – Gadzooks! “Travel Adventures” 1984 & “weddings” are pretty much off the table for us 1976 Blair Collins – My wife, Jen, our son Jules, and now here in the ‘Year of the Plague’. However, Sean Smith – I'm about to start my 32nd year I are all doing well, all things considered. Jules for stay at home adventures that would avoid the working at Boston College as an editor/writer, is our main focus outside of work and he's just CoV I am trying to read just right now “Decam- and -- unlike 2019-20 -- I hope to spend all of it on over 2 ½ now. We're spending lots of time play- eron” by G. Boccaccio. Similar in form to Chau- campus (as safety protocols allow, anyway). Not ing with him, watching him grow and getting him cer’s work about pilgrims telling stories to each that I haven't minded working from home these ready for pre-school with safety the top priority. other on the way to Canterbury. However, the last five months, but I do miss my colleagues and Thankfully both Jen and I still have our jobs and Decameron is focused on a group of well-heeled my workplace. My wife and I still live just outside are busy with those, trying to find the balance of young folk escaping the plague in Florence in Boston, and have been mainly hunkering down work and play. I'm keeping in touch with vari- 1348. Their journey to safety is accompanied since March. I continue to freelance as a music with the requirement for all to tell entertaining and arts writer for Boston Irish [bostonirish.com], tales every night. Seems timely and relevant. and during the past year I decided to take the plunge and start peddling my first novel to pub- 1968 lishing houses. The pandemic has robbed me of Jonathan Kaplan – Hello from one of the class several gigs, but I've tried to stay active musically of 1968! I hope you and your loved ones are – you can listen to some of the results at http:// safe and healthy, and that Oakwood is thriving, seantsmith.bandcamp.com. I've enjoyed the occa- despite the dystopian times within which we now sional "memories of the '70s" threads on the Oak- Boys JV Basketball Team Coach Jodi Culley live……Here is an update…….A few years back wood Alumni Facebook group, and as always, 12 SSummerummer 20202017 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 210 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY SummerSummer 20202017 5 Class Notes Music During Theater at Oakwood Allison Loggins-Hull ’01 Lockdown By: Willow Bennison ’20 New Music Initiative By: Ted Messerschmidt, Music Director Alumna Allison Loggins-Hull ’01 and Nathalie Despite the strictures of the lockdown Joachim are two of the artists featured in and the limitations of remote teaching the Library of Congress’ Boccaccio Project, technology, Oakwood students and faculty a collection of songs inspired by the found ways to continue making music and coronavirus pandemic. The shutdown due sharing it with the community during the to the pandemic hit musicians hard, with 1945 getting worse, sorry. I embrace you all. 2017. Colombia is beautiful, including our house. spring of 2020. In April, students and faculty concert halls and rehearsal spaces shuttered Susan Davis Doderer – Still hanging in there! We see a lot of Elena's four sons here. But I miss submitted videos for a “virtual open mic” and silent. But a new music initiative from the Congratulations to Daniel and Molly Lynn Watt on seeing mine, Adam and Simon, and my grand- performance with selections ranging from Library of Congress embraces the constraints 1948 the birth of their great-granddaughter, Iris Mary kids, Lucy; Alice, and Liam, through this no-travel indie rock songs to a classical trombone of Covid-19. The series is a collection of 10 Paul Doughty – Oakwood is now ‘long ago and Ruth Power on June 22nd in Dublin, Ireland. period.. They have homes near Washington DC. I solo. Oakwood community members met videos of 10 different original compositions mostly keep busy writing books about Indian ep- far away.’ Nevertheless, my years as a student over Zoom to enjoy the virtual concert. The Oakwood Drama Department has that premiered on-line on June 15th . The – Dateline Portland, Oregon ics and mythology, now on number 11. there still bring strong and wonderful thoughts Martha Ullman West The following month, the Oakwood Music simply changed my life. It’s a space in which project is named after the Italian writer and my city is under siege from my government. and memories of our teachers, “Put-Put”, my Department hosted a virtual “Masked students can fully express themselves and Giovanni Boccaccio, who saw the Black Many, many are engaged in peaceful protest on fellow students, classes, our dances, plays and 1960 Singer” competition. Based on audience become better people. I started theatre the Death devastate Europe during the 14th behalf of Black Lives Matter; they are not the ones – After 31 years in education, sports. It changed my life, matured my thoughts Sue Gehrke Elliott voting, Alex Turk ’21 won the award for best winter term of my freshman year, and I was century. Boccaccio’s The Decameron follows making the news. On the brighter side, my book, my retirement to a "quiet life in the country" has and launched me into adulthood. On the way I vocal performance, while Jodi Culley and terrified. I had just started at this new school ten people who flee the plague in Florence Todd Bolender, Janet Reed and the Making of evolved to being a Vineyard owner. We have op- became a ‘CO’ during the Korean war, worked family won the award for best costumes. and was only beginning to make friends and and tell each other stories in a remote refuge. American Ballet is now in the production pipe- erated as a farm vineyard for 15 years now, and with the AFSC in Mexico and El Salvador and find my place in the Oakwood community. line and will be published by University Press of sponsor and teach an active winemaking group. eventually became an applied anthropologist and For the virtual commencement ceremony in I entered the dance studio, where we held Florida mid-April. In these times of the virus, it is great to be out "in university professor. My ‘grown-up’ life began at June, members of the Oakwood Orchestra rehearsals, and Melissa Matthews and the the middle of nowhere" safe and sound. For en- Oakwood for which I am very appreciative. made a multitrack recording of Pomp and drama students immediately made me feel tertainment, my husband and I are avid genealo- 1957 Circumstance; each member recorded completely at home. Throughout my years – (Isadora Alman) retired from my gists tracing all our roots as generations of Quak- 1951 Ginger Botvin separate tracks in their homes and emailed at Oakwood, I have done a variety of plays, private practice as a licensed relationship and sex ers. My granddaughter now attends the Quaker Charles Doskow – This spring I suddenly went the recordings to me. I then worked to sync and I have been pushed to play very different therapist after 40 years due to health issues. Latest school in Portland Maine. Maybe a candidate for from the classroom to teaching on Zoom with the tracks using two different digital audio characters - from Jesus in Godspell to Nora in book a collection of columns from Psychology Oakwood some day? four weeks to go in the semester. I continued workstations. Main Office Manager, Frank A Doll’s House. I can truly say I have pushed - Today Online entitled What People Keep Asking that in a summer school course, and will appar McGinnis ’04 also helped by mixing and myself to my limits. We are all encouraged ently teach all my courses online this fall. I con- Me About Sex & Relationships. Find me at 1963 mastering the final audio file. In addition to fully dive into our characters and realize tinue to be a full time professor of law at the [email protected] or www.askisadora.com – Forever grateful for my first in- Merry Anderson to recording violin parts on Pomp and our potential as actors and, in some cases, University of La Verne College of Law in Ontario, terracial experiences during these troubled times. Circumstance, Elias Fredericks ’20 made directors and crew. This is a space in which California. Currently in stay-at-home status with – Still writing songs with Sarah Robin Newcomb multitrack recordings of Brenda Stubbort’s we are all nurtured as young adults. I have no end in immediate sight. Susie Dean ’56. – Hello to my friends and classmates Jesse Rieber Reel and MacArthur’s Road for the ceremony. learned the importance of responsibility and from Oakwood. I hope you all are well and tak- In addition, Maggie Teisler ’20 composed teamwork more from the Oakwood Drama – We are sequestered in our ing all the precautions necessary to stay that way 1952 Henry Greenberg and recorded an original piano work for Department than probably any other space I Allison Loggins-Hull and Nathalie Joachim Congratulations to who earned his weekend place in the Hudson Valley enjoying during the COVID pandemic. My practice as a Roger Bullard the ceremony, and Willow Bennison ’20 have been. If our final product, whether it be Masters of Divinity degree from Harvard in May. watching spring unfold day by day but saddened psychotherapist specializing in trauma, depres- and Stefanie Quintanilla ’20 wrote and a play, a monologue, or a scene, is sloppy or One piece, “Have and Hold,” was composed by the coming global castasphophe. I enjoyed sion and anxiety continues. In March I closed recorded a touching musical tribute to the under rehearsed we take responsibility for by flautist Allison Loggins-Hull ’01 and writing a family narrative several years ago and my physical practice and have worked out of an class of 2020, which played underneath a that. Melissa gives us constructive criticism performed with Nathalie Joachim, a duet now finishing a less personal and more historical office in my home ever since. It is all rather sur- photo slideshow during the ceremony. and direction that makes you consider called Flutronix. Allison wrote, “I was description of a very faceted medical career. real as I now have clients all over the state due aspects of yourself that you might not have really craving just the feeling of having to telehealth as a connection. I pay rent for my Also in June, seniors Delaine Aranha, known were there. I think the most special companionship and just physical contact.” – My granddaughter Maura office monthly but go there for only 20 minutes Diane DeMask Lyons Willow Bennison, Elias Fredericks, and part of the Oakwood Drama Department She said her craving only intensified as Lyons graduated magna cum laude from The Uni- a week to water my plants and get my mail. My Stefanie Quintanilla were recognized for is that care and love that Melissa puts into news of police killings arrived. “Whenever versity of Alabama in 3½years! I still travel. Left plants are very happy, they have the place all their outstanding service to the Oakwood cultivating each student. We all feel like these shootings happen, I still have that Egypt right before the virus started. to themselves and are growing along merrily. I Music Department at the Senior Arts Awards. we are heard and appreciated when in the desire to hold people that I love, even spend many hours in my backyard looking into In the fall, Elias Fredericks will begin theatre. No matter how small your part is to hold people that I don’t know, who – My Studio has been selected for the woods and at my bird feeder. I am now on Jonathan Talbot studying violin performance at Peabody you are made to feel as if you are the main share this common experience we all – Currently living in Car- the 2020 Best of Warwick Award in the Painter cat- a first name basis with the grey squirrels, three Dorothy Finkelstein Finell Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, character. The Oakwood Drama Department share as black people in this country.” mel, CA. I’m the author of 3 books (1 memoir “Fi- egory by the Warwick Award Program. Each year, N.E. flying squirrels; dozens of chipmunks, and and Stefanie Quintanilla will be starting a is truly a family, and I am so grateful that nally Home” and 2 business books). I have 7 chil- the Warwick Award Program identifies companies one adult racoon and a recent infant visiting ra- degree program in music therapy at Temple I got to be a part of it for four years. dren, 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. that we believe have achieved exceptional market- coon. One's physical world can shrink drastically University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ing success in their local community and business but if you spend time in the reduced world you 1953 category. These are local companies that enhance discover or rediscover how elaborate and inhab- Juliet Haines Mofford – My two years spent at the positive image of small business through ser- ited it is. Please take care of yourselves, your New Etching Press Oakwood were among the most memorable vice to their customers and our community. These friends, loved ones and neighbors. and meaningful of my entire life! I live in coast- exceptional companies help make the Warwick Thank you to Marsha and Jonathan Talbot al Maine where I continue working full-time at area a great place to live, work and play. 1965 ’57 for the gift of an 18 x 36 inch etching writing and historical research. I have 18 books Wilson Sheldon – Spending my 65th summer on press for the art room. Art teacher, Lizzie in print, most recently "I Shall Use My Freedom 1958 Birch Island, Upper Saranac Lake NY. When my Meyer, is thrilled with this new addition Well," the biography of fugitive slave Josiah Hen- Michael Beecher – Retiring at the end of the month parents bought it in 1955 there were many Oak- to the art program: “I look forward to ex- son: (Touch Point Press) after 49 years of teaching, the last 42 years at the wood connections. Bill Butterfield who was a panding my printmaking offerings as a re- University of Washington! Enjoying my 20-month coach and teacher at Oakwood also bought one sult of this donation to include drypoint, 1956 old grandson who's staying with us, the other two of the houses as did Bill Clark who was Headmas- monotype, chine-colle and relief printing.” Hilton Mello – I still live in Rio, Brazil and I am are in college! ter at Oakwood. In addition Tom Smith who lived The press was on loan to Marlboro College now almost 84. I had my best years in Oakwood right across from Oakwood in Kingwood Park prior to its arrival at Oakwood. Ray Val- in 1950 and 1951. I hope you all, I mean every- 1959 bought one of the houses. The Smith, Butterfield entin helped Jonathan set up the Press. one, professors and students are well. I also hope Alf Hiltebeitel – I live in Cali, Colombia with my and Sheldon families still own their houses. The I can go there next year. I see that my English is wife Elena. We were married officially in October weekend of July 24th my cousin Don Badgley ’67 6 SSummerummer 20202017 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 210 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY SummerSummer 20202017 11

an epidemic that affected the school two Costa Rica Adventures! 8th Grade Moving From Pandemic to Pandemic: 100 Years years earlier. In September 1916, a polio epi- By: Clara Crosby, Spanish teacher By: Matthew Voorhees ’17, Oakwood archivist demic spread throughout the Finger Lakes Region of New York. William Reagan was Up Car Parade So far the year 2020 Looking at newspaper articles from that about to start his first year as principal and guage classes in the morning, and spent has been a year of sig- time period, there was not much refer- to ensure the health and safety of students their afternoons on excursions and taking nificant difficulties and ence to Oakwood Seminary in particular. he needed to make decisions quickly. He part in cultural offerings. There were also new challenges. There The nearby city of Auburn, located just ten notes in his book that, “...we were required two overnight excursions, including Man- are few people today miles from the school, reported on October to bring a number of students to the school uel Antonio National Park, a lush reserve who can personally 9, 1918, that there were over 1,000 citizens two weeks before opening date and keep on the Pacific coast with incredible wildlife remember experienc- sick out of a population of 35,000. The city them in quarantine,” and continued that (including monkeys, sloths and macaws), ing a similar event in also reported that one of the few physi- “the epidemic fortunately left us with no po- and a rainforest trip to the Arenal Volcano our nation’s history. cians in the area received over 200 calls in lio victims. Our careful, conscientious nurse region, with hot springs and whitewater raft- a single day, but was only able to see 80. kept close watch over the students. We weath- ing. It was an exciting, unforgettable and Over a century ago, the 1918 Influenza Pan- ered that first year without serious illness.” educational adventure for all involved! demic, also referred to as the Spanish Flu One short mention of Oakwood was Pandemic, spread around the world and in the personals section of the Buf- In its long history, Oakwood has success- caused a great deal of suffering. Now during falo Evening News on October 7, 1918, fully weathered wars, financial strife, and the Covid-19 pandemic, some have looked which noted, “Mr. and Mrs. John C. Hull serious illness, and through it all remained towards history for answers, mainly as a were hurriedly summoned to Union Springs committed to Quaker values and provid- source of guidance and hope. If we take a on Saturday on account of the serious illness ing an inclusive, safe, place of learning. Each year we celebrate the 8th graders with look back in the historic records of places of their son, J. Warren Hull, who is attending a Moving Up Ceremony, welcoming students such as Oakwood, we can learn from their school at Oakwood Seminary.” This would A group of nine intrepid Oakwood students, to the Upper School and saying farewell experiences to help us move forward today. seem to suggest that cases began to impact four Upper Schoolers and five eighth-grad- to those moving on to other schools. This students directly in early October of that ers, traveled to Atenas, Costa Rica, for ten year, thanks to the hard work and creativ- Over a century ago, Oakwood looked year. In that same publication on Novem- days during spring break. This is the third ity of the Middle School staff and parents, very different. The school was called Oak- ber 12, 1918, the same student is reported year that Oakwood has partnered with Sol we were able to hold a car parade down the wood Seminary and it was located near the as having recovered from the influenza and Abroad, an award-winning study abroad main drive of Oakwood, with teachers, ad- sparkling waters of Cayuga Lake in Union returned to school. In the October 16, 1918 program, having traveled to Oaxaca, Mex- ministrators, and families lining the driveway Springs, New York, a little over two hun- issue of the Ithaca Journal an article en- ico and Granada, Spain the previous two with decorated cars, balloons and signs. The dred miles from Poughkeepsie. In a report titled, "Uncle Sam's Advice on Flu," stated, years. Chaperoned by Oakwood’s two Croft Corners Fire Department even made a to the New York Yearly Meeting in May “...if the people of this country do not take Spanish teachers, Clara Crosby and Molly special appearance and joined the proces- 1919, principal William Reagan reported care the epidemic will become so widespread O’Donnell, students stayed with host fami- sion! To generate excitement for the parade, that, “Serious illness has twice interfered throughout the United States that soon we lies while in Atenas, and took Spanish lan- each 8th grader was sent a graduation box with our school work. Early in the year about shall hear the disease called”’American" in- that included pictures of their class, mark- two-thirds of our whole school were stricken fluenza.’” It goes on to make reference to ers to decorate their cars for the parade and with the influenza.” He goes on to report the World War stating that, “Coughs and festive graduation beach balls. As they pro- that all of these cases made full recover- Sneezes Spread Diseases, As Dangerous as Summer Buzz cessed, our graduates received a beautiful ies. The pandemic did require quarantines Poison Gas Shells.” The city of Ithaca was By: Sue Cianfrani, campus beekeeper We got a little bit of a late start introduc- pamphlet made by the parents that show- and disrupted school schedules, but the located just over thirty miles from Oakwood ing this group of bees to campus this sum- cased messages of well wishes from the 8th disease was controlled quickly and there Seminary in Union Springs and articles simi- In a time when social distancing is the norm, mer, so for this year, 100% of their produc- grade families and their “I Am” poems. They were only 100 deaths reported in Cayuga lar to this one were published in all local Oakwood welcomed about 8000 guests to tion, and a little additional help from us, were handed beautiful bouquets of flowers County. Thankfully, the school fared rela- papers, both big and small, throughout the campus this summer. With over 55 acres will safely get them through the winter. and their hard-earned certificates of comple- tively well during this time, but with two- country. Besides the account written by Wil- to explore the guests quickly spread out Next year we hope to have our first batch tion. As students exited campus, they picked thirds of students falling ill, the school nurse liam Reagan to the New York Yearly Meeting and got busy gathering pollen and mak- of campus-spun honey for the community! up personalized yard signs for their homes was overwhelmed trying to care for them in May 1919, there is no further mention of ing honey for their hive. Fascinating and Throughout the fall term, we will continue congratulating them on their accomplish- all. Parents were encouraged to pick up the pandemic in school records. In William complex, typical honey bees will travel up to visit the hives 1-2 times per week, check- ments. Families congregated across the street their children and return home, but those Reagan’s book, “A Venture in Quaker Educa- This photo was part of an album of photos to two miles foraging and pollinating. If ing for eggs, brood, parasites, and general afterwards so students could celebrate in unable to return home remained at school tion at Oakwood School,” published in 1968, kept by Ernestine Young Wilder ’21. Thank you sit quietly near the Oakwood hives, hive health. With students spending addi- person since they were unable to do so on and teachers took shifts caring for students. he makes no mention of the Spanish Influ- you to the Wilder family for this important tional time outside this year, the bees will on the west side of campus, you will ob- campus. Best of luck to the class of 2024! enza Pandemic in 1918, buthe does note contribution to Oakwood's archives. serve well-organized flight patterns, with also serve as a wonderful learning tool and most following an identical path until they delicious addition to the campus commu- are about 10 yards from the hive, and then nity. Next time you can safely visit campus, splitting into several distinct directions. put on a bee suit, and check them out! Remembering My Roommate Jeanne Overman Trankle By: Gloria Strauss Marmor ’64

relationship with me as a student, and then they exemplified strong collaboration and A Letter to Alumni truly guided me as a young alum. Libby is communication skills. Whenever they led an Perpetual Punishment and the Criminal Justice System By: Najah Muhammad ’10, president of one of the main reasons why I am so involved activity, I was pleased knowing that they were Justice on April 24th. This lecture series high- degree from Northeastern University School Oakwood’s Alumni Association now, and currently serving as the Alumni demonstrating these qualities to our campers. Council President. Why is this relevant, you lights social justice issues and was initiated of Law. After law school, Kelly worked for the ask? Because it is my goal to connect more Hearing Jayden consistently mention his by the class of 1951 and friends in memory of Legal Aid Society and later was the Practitio- students and alumni with each other, so work in the Libby Moroff Leadership Program their classmate, Caroline “Dash” Davis Glei- ner-in-Residence for the Office of Clinical Le- that the Oakwood community can continue brought tears of appreciation and joy to my ter, an attorney whose life work and passion gal Education of Syracuse University’s College to thrive as a united and connected front. eyes, because he is the epitome of a leader. were devoted to civil rights and social action. of Law where she taught student attorneys Libby would be so proud. His passion and and provided direct legal service to clients. As Libby supported and celebrated me fervor to better the Oakwood community, and Kelly has served as Deputy Director of the Kelly is also the supervising attorney for the while I was in college, I remember thinking, the community at large, is exactly what would Center for Community Alternatives (CCA) in Reentry Clinic - which works with individuals I hope I can connect with students like have had Libby reeling with excitement. their Syracuse and Rochester offices since May who face barriers to employment, housing, that one day. When she brought me onto 2017. CCA promotes reintegrative justice and education, and licensing as a result of their the Alumni Council I thought, I hope that I Similarly speaking, Willow Bennison, who a reduced reliance on incarceration through involvement with the criminal justice system. am someone with whom future Oakwood just finished off her term as Oakwood clerk advocacy, services, and public policy devel- students can depend. I hope that the alumni demonstrates such a natural ease and flow opment in pursuit of civil and human rights. Kelly’s powerful talk reminded us of the on- network is strong enough that young people as a leader. Just a handful of months out, going barriers faced by anyone who has been know there will always be someone in their and she already has ideas for Oakwood Kelly Gonzalez ’92 presented our first virtual Kelly earned her B.A. in Human Service Stud- incarcerated. Najah with Libby Moroff '54 and Peter corner rooting for them. As I reflect on and ways to follow through on them. Caroline Dash Davis Gleiter Lecture on Social ies from Cornell University and a Juris Doctor Baily on Alumni Weekend 2015. my experiences this summer, I find myself forming a connection that feels eternal, You never know what kind of effect you will Fourteen years ago, I remember starting my much like the one Libby formed with me. have on someone by simply making it clear his voice filled the room. The day Dad re- journey at Oakwood and constantly being that you believe in them. Libby Moroff saw Lotus turned from his mother’s funeral was the given opportunities to shine as a leader. It This past summer, I had the pleasure of something in me. She believed in me, which By: Ila Kumar ’21 day I understood precisely what he was was beautiful to have the space to foster and working with two young members of our in turn, helped me to believe in myself. I see talking about. He wore death on his face. shine my natural light, with the guidance of Oakwood community. Jayden Brockington, a something so strong, creative, and special in For the first time, I noticed his age and the Oakwood community members. Ten years rising senior, and Willow Bennison, a recent Willow Bennison and Jayden Brockington, This is an excerpt from an article that was toll the world had taken on his body. The after graduating, it’s so wonderful to see that graduate from the class of 2020, who joined and I know we will be working together first printed in Friends Journal, June 2020. person who once waited in line for three light in current students and recent alumni. me as apprentices to help run a virtual on projects until our grandchildren are hours at Disney World with a four‐year‐old performing arts camp. When Leaders By running around at Oakwood, and beyond. I can identify each person in my family on his shoulders to have tea with prin- When I was a sophomore, I performed in Choice (LBC) was looking for apprentices by the sound of their footsteps. My little cesses looked like the wind could knock Seussical the Musical in the Lane Auditorium. for its camp, I knew that I needed to call Other news: Imani Schectman ’08, brother stomps irregularly; my mom has a him over. He was a carnival of dejection. After the performance, Libby Moroff ’54 came on young leaders from Oakwood. Within Alyssa Spencer ’13, and Parfait Bizimana quick and springy step, unless it’s after nine up to me to let me know how wonderfully our first couple of interviews, it was clear ’16 have joined the Alumni Council. p.m. and the dishes have tired her out. My He came back smelling of unfamiliar fra- I embodied my character. We instantly had that Willow and Jayden were the ones for Would you like to get involved? Please dad walks the slowest—as if he is planting grances. His head was shaved. He wore a connection, and from that moment she the job, demonstrating so many wonderful don’t hesitate to reach out to me at a lotus with each step. But that night, he bracelets made of red and orange threads. was the alumna whom was consistently in values I see in Oakwood students. You could [email protected]. came down the stairs slower than usual. He seemed thinner, but obviously weight my corner supporting me. She fostered a tell they had a Quaker education because That is how I knew something was wrong. wasn’t his primary loss. He was pierced by something more severe. My dad had His mom was sick. She had been for a left and an old man returned in his place. while, but this was different. For the first My Summer Performing Arts Apprenticeship time in a long time, he felt he needed to The death was difficult to talk about. and me. That night, I prayed to her. Due to By: Jayden Brokington ’21 be there. My dad was to take the first After suitcases were unpacked and her recent “transition,” I’d figured she’d have gifts were given, the thought occurred means to mend Dad’s heart. As for me, I This summer I had the opportunity to work camp provides. So I set up a meeting to be in- flight out of New York to Delhi. She wasn’t to my brother. “Did she ever get bet- learned that a broken heart gives cracks for with Oakwood alumna Najah Muhammad as terviewed about becoming an apprentice for dead yet, but it was only a matter of jet ter?” “No, actually, she died.” “Oh.” the Light to shine through. That is my belief. an apprentice to the Performing Arts camp, LBC’s STAR Performing Arts Camp. I was defi- fuel if he could see her before she was. Leaders by Choice (LBC) that her mother nitely a little nervous and antsy at the time of That night I climbed into Dad’s bed. We started 25 years ago. My good friends the interview! I hated Zoom meetings with a The plane ride must have felt like purgatory, Wil- were silent for what felt like a decade and and passion and had been having tech problems only with turbulence, as he wrestled his fears “In the brief time I was at Oakwood, the low Bennison ’20 Malcom Condon ’20 ten seconds. I tried to sync my breath to first introduced me to this camp early in the all day, but I was excited. The first few minutes and suppressed his anxiety into the space his. I wondered how I might ask him about school managed to change the trajectory summer, Malcolm reached out first, send- into the interview I remember feeling really at between the two armrests—his heart heavy, what happened. Finally, he asked if I had of my life. In short, the unconditional love, ing me a screen shot that read “Apprentic- home. Coach Najah and Coach Muhammad, like an anchor to the earth. Death is like the any questions. I shrugged and shook my spiritual supportiveness, and its structured es Wanted! Online Theatre Workshop”. He as I would come to call my future bosses, tide—it comes slowly, but nothing can stop head—arbitrary gestures that meant noth- implored me to participate in this program, gave off positive vibes left and right, and I’m it. By the time he landed, it was too late. freedom enabled me to both discover and ing. There was an urge to say something as he thought I would be a good fit for it. assuming I must have too as I was accepted! develop the strength, talent and comforting or at least something that dem- Though intrigued, and really missing theatre My parents decided they would wait for my goodness within me.” onstrated a little acknowledgment of this because of the theatrical drought that is the I logged onto the first day of camp with high dad to return before they told my brother and significant moment, but I never did. I want- pandemic, I was loaded with other work and hopes and a little fear. I believed in the spirit and Willow by a few years, but I found my- me about the death. Unbeknownst to them, I -Kwaku Adeigbola ’90 ed to wade in with him, but I had not yet summer projects and didn't jump on the op- of the camp and staff leading it, but I had self joking around with them and having fun had already seen a text on my mom’s iPhone learned the strokes needed to swim through portunity right away. It was later in the sum- heard horror stories of online camps all sum- as if I was the same age and were in person. from a distant cousin offering her condo- this vulnerable and uncharted territory of mer when Willow reached out to me with the mer long. I paid my negative thoughts no I can definitely say that I've never felt such lences. I kept the discovery to myself. I don’t life. It was the first death of a family member same image and a request to join that I de- mind and jumped into the first week full force a real bond with people who I had never know why. It’s weird to be 11 years old, con- I’d ever experienced. We cannot anticipate cided to give Leaders by Choice a closer look. with all of my energy! I was so relieved when met before in real life as I did with the kids signed to the bin of childhood, crashing into for whom we will feel grief. I wanted to see I discovered that camp felt like…well, camp! at that camp -- they were truly spectacular! adolescence, dependent on the whims of 100th Anniversary the color in my father’s face return, for the What I found was a performing arts commu- The energy from both coaches and students adults who always know more than you do. curls on top of his head to grow back, for nity with soul and dedication to cultivating was through the roof and very natural, and by By the second week of camp I was 19th Amendment his spirit to thaw. I closed my eyes, holding skills for youth in leadership and performing the third day in, I already found myself prac- amped! I felt like I was genuinely help- My mom and dad talk about their par- him in the Light, praying for his recovery. arts. Having loved performing arts since I was ticing the dances we learned in the mirror, ing both students and coaches, and I had ents in their old age—how it feels to wit- August 18, 2020 marked the 100th an- little but not having had the opportunity to and spontaneously thinking of the kids after come to feel really connected with them ness the decay and watch them shrink niversary of the ratification of the 19th Heartbreak is an elixir for imagination. I am truly learn about my passion in a formal way, camp. One of the biggest surprises for me was as well; so much so that I remember think- back into their bodies and lean into fragil- Amendment which guarantees and pro- not religious, but I am often in need of com- I thought how much a younger me would just how connected I felt with the students ing to myself once in an after camp meet- ity. More than once, Dad has spoken about tects women’s suffrage, the right of wom- fort. Now, I picture my grandmother—the have loved an opportunity like the one this of the camp. They were all younger than me ing, Najah really reminds me of my sister. the man his father used to be: how tall he en to vote in elections. used to stand, how dark his hair was, how width of the sky—watching over the world 8 SSummerummer 20202017 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 210 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY SummerSummer 20202017 9 Kitchen Team Steps Up NYS Covid-19 Response Mission Katie Settel ’84 presents Politics of Imagination By: Chuck Wilde, Manager, Brock & Co. By: Specialist Marla J. Ogden ’14, Military Police “(un)Forgotten” Arts Lecture By: Sadia Rashid ’22 Within a span of a week, my unit’s mobilization to Europe was canceled and we were called Growing up, photographer Katie Settel knew for State Active Duty in New York. With so all about her older brother Andy. She knew much uncertainty around what to expect, we he was at one point a twin, but was the lone quickly switched gears and responded to the survivor. She knew he was intellectually dis- NYS COVID-19 mission, along with roughly abled; blind and unable to communicate. And 3,500 other New York National Guard troops. she knew that she’d never had the chance to My unit, the HHD 104th Military Police Battal- meet him, as he was living away from her ion, had been preparing to mobilize overseas and her four siblings at the Mansfield Train- to partake in Defender-Europe 2020, a large- ing School and Hospital in Connecticut due to scale NATO and U.S. National Defense Strate- his disabilities. “Back in the ‘50s, the doctors gy exercise, originally intended for late April. urged the parents to give their kids away,” Settel tells PEOPLE. “They said, you know, We loaded the last of our personal gear you won’t have any kind of life, you have to and equipment onto shipping containers (l-r) Charles Wilde, Christina Peirantozzi, On May 15, 2020, Oakwood welcomed pho- give them away, don’t look back … It wasn’t set for Europe, and within a day we were Paula Zammikiel and Deborah Wilde tographer Katie Settel ’84 who presented a at all a dark, bad secret, [but] I was always This summer, I participated in the 2020 informed that the exercise was canceled virtual talk: “(un)Forgotten, the Journey to haunted by having a brother I never met.” Telluride Association on-line seminar, Tes- When Covid 19 hit, no one knew what or due to growing concerns about COVID-19. Remembering.” tify: The Politics of Imagination, Fantasy how long this virus would be around or how Within the following days, my Chain of Now, years after Mansfield was shut down, and Magic, centered around defining tes- long it would shut down our normal every- Command informed us that there was a Katie has studied with Jay Maisel, The In- and Andy reunited with his family, Settel, 53, timony through analyzing different texts, day lives here in the kitchen at Oakwood. 100% recall of troops and to prepare a bag My primary responsibility was to handle per- ternational Center of Photography, and The has returned to her brother’s former home, images and concepts, some of which be- for an “undetermined amount of time.” sonnel reports and paperwork for roughly Our role to nourish and feed the community Fashion Institute of Technology. She opened this time with a camera in hand. With the 500 Soldiers of the 104th MP BN, who were ing Afrofuturism and Black Feminism. at large still had to happen, so with the as- a studio in 2008, which quickly became click of a button, she’s managed to transform sistance and support of Head of School Chad When reporting for duty, it was specified not only on ground at Javits, but stationed known and awarded for her unscripted the dilapidated facility into a photo exhibition The experience overall was really fun and Cianfrani and Business Manager Allison Berg- that we had been activated to mobilize and in other locations throughout the state of and authentic images. Katie freelances for called (un)Forgotten at the Armstrong Gallery interesting, the class was very efficient at er, we put forth a plan that would meet the respond to the COVID-19 outbreak in New New York. I did this while also completing numerous newspapers including The Con- in Bridgeport, Connecticut, a display Settel going over the topics such as unconven- CDC’s and NY State health guidelines for serv- York City. New York City was rapidly grow- online classes for school. At first, I spent necticut Post and is a concert house pho- hopes can help end the stigma surrounding tional research and magical thinking/world ing meals. The lobby in front of the entrance ing as the epicenter of the COVID-19 out- many nights with little to no sleep as the tographer at The Fairfield Theater Company. families that were once fractured like hers. building in depth while giving the space to the kitchen became our meet and greets break in the United States. At the time, I was Command Center was running 24 hour op- Katie's exhibit "Shot in the Dark", 2016, to have open discussions during class. We area as well as the Pick-Up spot for bagged fearful due to the amount of uncertainty sur- erations. I quickly adapted as I saw the im- focused on low-light concert pho- analyzed texts from a variety of authors lunches and boxed dinners. Due to the diffi- rounding the virus. The only thing that was portance and need of even the simplest jobs. tographs, whose title reflected her including Toni Morrison, Audre Lorde, Oc- culties of travel, we had the honor of feeding certain, however, was the need for help. own strong belief in taking chances. tavia Butler and Jasmine Reid. The profes- several international students through June Many of the 104th MPs were either drivers sors broke down each concept and built off 12th. They really appreciated all the good The objective of our mission was to estab- who helped coordinate troop movements In 2017, Katie embarked on a personal proj- of the ideas we had previously discussed, food and support that my kitchen staff was lish a Tactical Action Center in the vicin- around the city, to and from hotels to the Ja- ect, '(un)Forgotten', which debuted in Oc- asking open ended questions that led to able to give them. The wonderful comments ity of the Jacob Javits Center in New York vits Center; conducted security and medical tober 2019, drawing national attention from constructive conversations with my peers. and even a few awesome thank you cards City, to command and control inter-agency screenings at the entrances of the building; the Associated Press, PEOPLE Magazine, and from the Oakwood faculty and staff, and coordination between branches of the mili- and delivered meals to Soldiers quarantined a score of others. She is currently working I got to know many of the other TAOS- even the children, really kept our spirits high tary, government, and emergency service at hotels. Once there was a handle on the with Save the Children on a photographic ers through the Zoom breakout rooms as we worked through these strange times. agencies. Various agencies, such as FEMA, initial paperwork that was needed in order fundraiser entitled “Superpowersunited”. we frequently had where we would If you’re a numbers person, we average 350 American Red Cross, NYS Department of to place our Soldiers on the mission, I be- Health, Department of Homeland Security, gan working for the Javits Security and In- discuss and create questions pertain- meals per week. That isn’t too bad consider- During the lecture, Katie shared the story Andy left Mansfield when the facil- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with telligence, J2, and was responsible for media ing to what we were learning that day. ing we serve over 2,100 meals a week during of creating Unforgotten. Below are ex- ity closed down in 1993 due to over- countless military units spanning across requests and visitor badges for the center. normal operations. We were able to create cerpts from an article that was written by crowding, abuse, neglect and sanitation is- all branches, joined together at the center. The extracurricular activities ranged from different types of bagged lunches and even Rachel DeSantis in October for People. sues, and was moved to a smaller home While many of us didn’t directly treat CO- career panels to art sharing and gave me did a couple of hot sandwiches each week. in Connecticut, where he still lives today. As soldiers, we always train to prepare to mo- VID patients, each of us played a crucial room to speak more openly with oth- Photographer Debuts Photo Exhibition Taken bilize with little to no notice. However, this role in caring for the citizens of New York. er students about what we were inter- I couldn’t have pulled this off without the at Institution Where Her Brother Was Held as Many thanks to Marsha and Jonathan Talbot was the first time I experienced the real deal. I’ll never forget serving alongside all of the ested in. Overall the TAOSers, advisors, awesome job my crew did. Chef Justin and a Child '57 for their on-going support of this lecture Arriving in New York City felt like a scene from men and women, who were doctors, nurses, and professors were very kind and made Debbie Wilde were with me right from the series. start. When the government stepped in and “I am Legend,” starring Will Smith; with vacant Soldiers, combat veterans, federal agents, en- the program engaging and inclusive. gave Brock PPP funds, I was able to bring streets that had always been bustling before. gineers, and volunteers to fight an unpredict- some of my other team members in and they The city that “never sleeps”, was sleeping. ably vicious disease. From this experience I The Telluride Association offers a 6 week edu- did a great job in assisting. I want to give a was able to work with so many brave peo- cational experience for High School juniors huge shout out to Chef Christina, Paula, Pam To help NYC hospitals, the Jacob Javits Cen- ple, and was standing right there when the designed to bring together young people from and Alexis for being the reinforcements that ter was originally intended to be a makeshift 1,095th patient was discharged. While fight- around the world who share a passion of we needed as we finished out the school year. medical facility for non-COVID patients only. ing COVID is far from over, our mission at learning. They came in and really elevated our spirits. At the direction of Governor Cuomo and the the Jacob Javits Center is complete for now. And thanks also to faculty member Dan Ball President, the center switched from a non- who assisted on weekends with meals for our COVID medical shelter to a large 2,500 bed Marla Ogden served as student clerk for international students! We know you guys re- COVID facility, equipped to treat ICU patients. 2013-2014. “The real job Oakwood asked of me was to ally care about us, and about this awesome be a better, kinder, more thoughtful person Oakwood Community, my second family. As a personnel specialist working in the Unified Command Center at Javits, J1, I had access to who would always try to make the world a Oakwood has partnered with Brock, a Quak- the daily numbers of intakes, discharges, and more suitable place. With gratitude for er food service company founded in 1927 in deaths. While some have criticized the effec- what Oakwood gave me.” Pennsylvania, for many years. We are grateful tiveness of the Javits Center, we treated 1,095 for the partnership and quality food and ser- patients while each member of the facility Edith Passenger Root ’62 vice from Chef Chuck Wilde and his team. also put their own health and life on the line. Katie Settel and her family 8 SSummerummer 20202017 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 210 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY SummerSummer 20202017 9 Kitchen Team Steps Up NYS Covid-19 Response Mission Katie Settel ’84 presents Politics of Imagination By: Chuck Wilde, Manager, Brock & Co. By: Specialist Marla J. Ogden ’14, Military Police “(un)Forgotten” Arts Lecture By: Sadia Rashid ’22 Within a span of a week, my unit’s mobilization to Europe was canceled and we were called Growing up, photographer Katie Settel knew for State Active Duty in New York. With so all about her older brother Andy. She knew much uncertainty around what to expect, we he was at one point a twin, but was the lone quickly switched gears and responded to the survivor. She knew he was intellectually dis- NYS COVID-19 mission, along with roughly abled; blind and unable to communicate. And 3,500 other New York National Guard troops. she knew that she’d never had the chance to My unit, the HHD 104th Military Police Battal- meet him, as he was living away from her ion, had been preparing to mobilize overseas and her four siblings at the Mansfield Train- to partake in Defender-Europe 2020, a large- ing School and Hospital in Connecticut due to scale NATO and U.S. National Defense Strate- his disabilities. “Back in the ‘50s, the doctors gy exercise, originally intended for late April. urged the parents to give their kids away,” Settel tells PEOPLE. “They said, you know, We loaded the last of our personal gear you won’t have any kind of life, you have to and equipment onto shipping containers (l-r) Charles Wilde, Christina Peirantozzi, On May 15, 2020, Oakwood welcomed pho- give them away, don’t look back … It wasn’t set for Europe, and within a day we were Paula Zammikiel and Deborah Wilde tographer Katie Settel ’84 who presented a at all a dark, bad secret, [but] I was always This summer, I participated in the 2020 informed that the exercise was canceled virtual talk: “(un)Forgotten, the Journey to haunted by having a brother I never met.” Telluride Association on-line seminar, Tes- When Covid 19 hit, no one knew what or due to growing concerns about COVID-19. Remembering.” tify: The Politics of Imagination, Fantasy how long this virus would be around or how Within the following days, my Chain of Now, years after Mansfield was shut down, and Magic, centered around defining tes- long it would shut down our normal every- Command informed us that there was a Katie has studied with Jay Maisel, The In- and Andy reunited with his family, Settel, 53, timony through analyzing different texts, day lives here in the kitchen at Oakwood. 100% recall of troops and to prepare a bag My primary responsibility was to handle per- ternational Center of Photography, and The has returned to her brother’s former home, images and concepts, some of which be- for an “undetermined amount of time.” sonnel reports and paperwork for roughly Our role to nourish and feed the community Fashion Institute of Technology. She opened this time with a camera in hand. With the 500 Soldiers of the 104th MP BN, who were ing Afrofuturism and Black Feminism. at large still had to happen, so with the as- a studio in 2008, which quickly became click of a button, she’s managed to transform sistance and support of Head of School Chad When reporting for duty, it was specified not only on ground at Javits, but stationed known and awarded for her unscripted the dilapidated facility into a photo exhibition The experience overall was really fun and Cianfrani and Business Manager Allison Berg- that we had been activated to mobilize and in other locations throughout the state of and authentic images. Katie freelances for called (un)Forgotten at the Armstrong Gallery interesting, the class was very efficient at er, we put forth a plan that would meet the respond to the COVID-19 outbreak in New New York. I did this while also completing numerous newspapers including The Con- in Bridgeport, Connecticut, a display Settel going over the topics such as unconven- CDC’s and NY State health guidelines for serv- York City. New York City was rapidly grow- online classes for school. At first, I spent necticut Post and is a concert house pho- hopes can help end the stigma surrounding tional research and magical thinking/world ing meals. The lobby in front of the entrance ing as the epicenter of the COVID-19 out- many nights with little to no sleep as the tographer at The Fairfield Theater Company. families that were once fractured like hers. building in depth while giving the space to the kitchen became our meet and greets break in the United States. At the time, I was Command Center was running 24 hour op- Katie's exhibit "Shot in the Dark", 2016, to have open discussions during class. We area as well as the Pick-Up spot for bagged fearful due to the amount of uncertainty sur- erations. I quickly adapted as I saw the im- focused on low-light concert pho- analyzed texts from a variety of authors lunches and boxed dinners. Due to the diffi- rounding the virus. The only thing that was portance and need of even the simplest jobs. tographs, whose title reflected her including Toni Morrison, Audre Lorde, Oc- culties of travel, we had the honor of feeding certain, however, was the need for help. own strong belief in taking chances. tavia Butler and Jasmine Reid. The profes- several international students through June Many of the 104th MPs were either drivers sors broke down each concept and built off 12th. They really appreciated all the good The objective of our mission was to estab- who helped coordinate troop movements In 2017, Katie embarked on a personal proj- of the ideas we had previously discussed, food and support that my kitchen staff was lish a Tactical Action Center in the vicin- around the city, to and from hotels to the Ja- ect, '(un)Forgotten', which debuted in Oc- asking open ended questions that led to able to give them. The wonderful comments ity of the Jacob Javits Center in New York vits Center; conducted security and medical tober 2019, drawing national attention from constructive conversations with my peers. and even a few awesome thank you cards City, to command and control inter-agency screenings at the entrances of the building; the Associated Press, PEOPLE Magazine, and from the Oakwood faculty and staff, and coordination between branches of the mili- and delivered meals to Soldiers quarantined a score of others. She is currently working I got to know many of the other TAOS- even the children, really kept our spirits high tary, government, and emergency service at hotels. Once there was a handle on the with Save the Children on a photographic ers through the Zoom breakout rooms as we worked through these strange times. agencies. Various agencies, such as FEMA, initial paperwork that was needed in order fundraiser entitled “Superpowersunited”. we frequently had where we would If you’re a numbers person, we average 350 American Red Cross, NYS Department of to place our Soldiers on the mission, I be- Health, Department of Homeland Security, gan working for the Javits Security and In- discuss and create questions pertain- meals per week. That isn’t too bad consider- During the lecture, Katie shared the story Andy left Mansfield when the facil- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with telligence, J2, and was responsible for media ing to what we were learning that day. ing we serve over 2,100 meals a week during of creating Unforgotten. Below are ex- ity closed down in 1993 due to over- countless military units spanning across requests and visitor badges for the center. normal operations. We were able to create cerpts from an article that was written by crowding, abuse, neglect and sanitation is- all branches, joined together at the center. The extracurricular activities ranged from different types of bagged lunches and even Rachel DeSantis in October for People. sues, and was moved to a smaller home While many of us didn’t directly treat CO- career panels to art sharing and gave me did a couple of hot sandwiches each week. in Connecticut, where he still lives today. As soldiers, we always train to prepare to mo- VID patients, each of us played a crucial room to speak more openly with oth- Photographer Debuts Photo Exhibition Taken bilize with little to no notice. However, this role in caring for the citizens of New York. er students about what we were inter- I couldn’t have pulled this off without the at Institution Where Her Brother Was Held as Many thanks to Marsha and Jonathan Talbot was the first time I experienced the real deal. I’ll never forget serving alongside all of the ested in. Overall the TAOSers, advisors, awesome job my crew did. Chef Justin and a Child '57 for their on-going support of this lecture Arriving in New York City felt like a scene from men and women, who were doctors, nurses, and professors were very kind and made Debbie Wilde were with me right from the series. start. When the government stepped in and “I am Legend,” starring Will Smith; with vacant Soldiers, combat veterans, federal agents, en- the program engaging and inclusive. gave Brock PPP funds, I was able to bring streets that had always been bustling before. gineers, and volunteers to fight an unpredict- some of my other team members in and they The city that “never sleeps”, was sleeping. ably vicious disease. From this experience I The Telluride Association offers a 6 week edu- did a great job in assisting. I want to give a was able to work with so many brave peo- cational experience for High School juniors huge shout out to Chef Christina, Paula, Pam To help NYC hospitals, the Jacob Javits Cen- ple, and was standing right there when the designed to bring together young people from and Alexis for being the reinforcements that ter was originally intended to be a makeshift 1,095th patient was discharged. While fight- around the world who share a passion of we needed as we finished out the school year. medical facility for non-COVID patients only. ing COVID is far from over, our mission at learning. They came in and really elevated our spirits. At the direction of Governor Cuomo and the the Jacob Javits Center is complete for now. And thanks also to faculty member Dan Ball President, the center switched from a non- who assisted on weekends with meals for our COVID medical shelter to a large 2,500 bed Marla Ogden served as student clerk for international students! We know you guys re- COVID facility, equipped to treat ICU patients. 2013-2014. “The real job Oakwood asked of me was to ally care about us, and about this awesome be a better, kinder, more thoughtful person Oakwood Community, my second family. As a personnel specialist working in the Unified Command Center at Javits, J1, I had access to who would always try to make the world a Oakwood has partnered with Brock, a Quak- the daily numbers of intakes, discharges, and more suitable place. With gratitude for er food service company founded in 1927 in deaths. While some have criticized the effec- what Oakwood gave me.” Pennsylvania, for many years. We are grateful tiveness of the Javits Center, we treated 1,095 for the partnership and quality food and ser- patients while each member of the facility Edith Passenger Root ’62 vice from Chef Chuck Wilde and his team. also put their own health and life on the line. Katie Settel and her family 10 SSummerummer 20202017 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 210 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY SummerSummer 20202017 7

8th Grade Class: Our classmate Park, MD. An avid fan of the performing arts, rather work on her tan, on a blanket behind the Adelina (Addie) Ascione Jeanne Overman she was not only a self-proclaimed judge on girl’s dorm, she became a born-again Chris- Luca Bax Trankle, age 73, a America’s Got Talent, but she also performed tian later in life. She loved her congregation at Ethan Borress resident of Wash- on American Bandstand in her younger years. The River City Christian Center,Washington, Hayden Diaferia ington, NC passed North Carolina. A talented cook she used to Caleb Diggs away from cancer An only child, Jeanne took pleasure in provide meals for the entire congregation Charlie Grenadier on January 7, 2020 her big family. Surviving her are her three at weekly prayer meetings for many years. Maya Kuenster at home surround- children and sixteen grandchildren. For She would carry vats and tubs of whole- Vanessa Murphy ed by her family. many summers Jeanne rented a big house some and delicious food to her congregation. Gavin Prendergast on the shore and spent two weeks there Oliver Ramaty Jeanne was born hosting her entire family. She was helped Jeanne faced cancer with hope, cour- Joseph Robinson in Stillwater, OK, and graduated from Oak- a great deal by her husband, Bill Tran- age and a resilient spirit. She was a lov- Loretta (Lulu) Schloss wood in 1964. She continued her education kle, who pre-deceased her and whom ing roommate at Oakwood and a lifelong Siena Solis by attending Albright College in Reading, PA. she fondly referred to as “Mr. Wonderful.” friend. In the dorm we would often fall Sue Cianfrani (right) examines Oakwood's Qingxi Yang Before graduation, she spent time in Paris, asleep singing Pete Seeger’s rendition of bees 8th grade class in fall 2019 France, coming back to the USA to gradu- Engaging fully with Quaker Meeting at Oak- “Go to sleep you Weary Hobo.” Rest in ate from the University of Maryland, College wood, except in the Spring when she would peace,blessed by God, my dear roomie. 12 SSummerummer 20202017 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 210 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY SummerSummer 20202017 5 Class Notes Music During Theater at Oakwood Allison Loggins-Hull ’01 Lockdown By: Willow Bennison ’20 New Music Initiative By: Ted Messerschmidt, Music Director Alumna Allison Loggins-Hull ’01 and Nathalie Despite the strictures of the lockdown Joachim are two of the artists featured in and the limitations of remote teaching the Library of Congress’ Boccaccio Project, technology, Oakwood students and faculty a collection of songs inspired by the found ways to continue making music and coronavirus pandemic. The shutdown due sharing it with the community during the to the pandemic hit musicians hard, with 1945 getting worse, sorry. I embrace you all. 2017. Colombia is beautiful, including our house. spring of 2020. In April, students and faculty concert halls and rehearsal spaces shuttered Susan Davis Doderer – Still hanging in there! We see a lot of Elena's four sons here. But I miss submitted videos for a “virtual open mic” and silent. But a new music initiative from the Congratulations to Daniel and Molly Lynn Watt on seeing mine, Adam and Simon, and my grand- performance with selections ranging from Library of Congress embraces the constraints 1948 the birth of their great-granddaughter, Iris Mary kids, Lucy; Alice, and Liam, through this no-travel indie rock songs to a classical trombone of Covid-19. The series is a collection of 10 Paul Doughty – Oakwood is now ‘long ago and Ruth Power on June 22nd in Dublin, Ireland. period.. They have homes near Washington DC. I solo. Oakwood community members met videos of 10 different original compositions mostly keep busy writing books about Indian ep- far away.’ Nevertheless, my years as a student over Zoom to enjoy the virtual concert. The Oakwood Drama Department has that premiered on-line on June 15th . The – Dateline Portland, Oregon ics and mythology, now on number 11. there still bring strong and wonderful thoughts Martha Ullman West The following month, the Oakwood Music simply changed my life. It’s a space in which project is named after the Italian writer and my city is under siege from my government. and memories of our teachers, “Put-Put”, my Department hosted a virtual “Masked students can fully express themselves and Giovanni Boccaccio, who saw the Black Many, many are engaged in peaceful protest on fellow students, classes, our dances, plays and 1960 Singer” competition. Based on audience become better people. I started theatre the Death devastate Europe during the 14th behalf of Black Lives Matter; they are not the ones – After 31 years in education, sports. It changed my life, matured my thoughts Sue Gehrke Elliott voting, Alex Turk ’21 won the award for best winter term of my freshman year, and I was century. Boccaccio’s The Decameron follows making the news. On the brighter side, my book, my retirement to a "quiet life in the country" has and launched me into adulthood. On the way I vocal performance, while Jodi Culley and terrified. I had just started at this new school ten people who flee the plague in Florence Todd Bolender, Janet Reed and the Making of evolved to being a Vineyard owner. We have op- became a ‘CO’ during the Korean war, worked family won the award for best costumes. and was only beginning to make friends and and tell each other stories in a remote refuge. American Ballet is now in the production pipe- erated as a farm vineyard for 15 years now, and with the AFSC in Mexico and El Salvador and find my place in the Oakwood community. line and will be published by University Press of sponsor and teach an active winemaking group. eventually became an applied anthropologist and For the virtual commencement ceremony in I entered the dance studio, where we held Florida mid-April. In these times of the virus, it is great to be out "in university professor. My ‘grown-up’ life began at June, members of the Oakwood Orchestra rehearsals, and Melissa Matthews and the the middle of nowhere" safe and sound. For en- Oakwood for which I am very appreciative. made a multitrack recording of Pomp and drama students immediately made me feel tertainment, my husband and I are avid genealo- 1957 Circumstance; each member recorded completely at home. Throughout my years – (Isadora Alman) retired from my gists tracing all our roots as generations of Quak- 1951 Ginger Botvin separate tracks in their homes and emailed at Oakwood, I have done a variety of plays, private practice as a licensed relationship and sex ers. My granddaughter now attends the Quaker Charles Doskow – This spring I suddenly went the recordings to me. I then worked to sync and I have been pushed to play very different therapist after 40 years due to health issues. Latest school in Portland Maine. Maybe a candidate for from the classroom to teaching on Zoom with the tracks using two different digital audio characters - from Jesus in Godspell to Nora in book a collection of columns from Psychology Oakwood some day? four weeks to go in the semester. I continued workstations. Main Office Manager, Frank A Doll’s House. I can truly say I have pushed - Today Online entitled What People Keep Asking that in a summer school course, and will appar McGinnis ’04 also helped by mixing and myself to my limits. We are all encouraged ently teach all my courses online this fall. I con- Me About Sex & Relationships. Find me at 1963 mastering the final audio file. In addition to fully dive into our characters and realize tinue to be a full time professor of law at the [email protected] or www.askisadora.com – Forever grateful for my first in- Merry Anderson to recording violin parts on Pomp and our potential as actors and, in some cases, University of La Verne College of Law in Ontario, terracial experiences during these troubled times. Circumstance, Elias Fredericks ’20 made directors and crew. This is a space in which California. Currently in stay-at-home status with – Still writing songs with Sarah Robin Newcomb multitrack recordings of Brenda Stubbort’s we are all nurtured as young adults. I have no end in immediate sight. Susie Dean ’56. – Hello to my friends and classmates Jesse Rieber Reel and MacArthur’s Road for the ceremony. learned the importance of responsibility and from Oakwood. I hope you all are well and tak- In addition, Maggie Teisler ’20 composed teamwork more from the Oakwood Drama – We are sequestered in our ing all the precautions necessary to stay that way 1952 Henry Greenberg and recorded an original piano work for Department than probably any other space I Allison Loggins-Hull and Nathalie Joachim Congratulations to who earned his weekend place in the Hudson Valley enjoying during the COVID pandemic. My practice as a Roger Bullard the ceremony, and Willow Bennison ’20 have been. If our final product, whether it be Masters of Divinity degree from Harvard in May. watching spring unfold day by day but saddened psychotherapist specializing in trauma, depres- and Stefanie Quintanilla ’20 wrote and a play, a monologue, or a scene, is sloppy or One piece, “Have and Hold,” was composed by the coming global castasphophe. I enjoyed sion and anxiety continues. In March I closed recorded a touching musical tribute to the under rehearsed we take responsibility for by flautist Allison Loggins-Hull ’01 and writing a family narrative several years ago and my physical practice and have worked out of an class of 2020, which played underneath a that. Melissa gives us constructive criticism performed with Nathalie Joachim, a duet now finishing a less personal and more historical office in my home ever since. It is all rather sur- photo slideshow during the ceremony. and direction that makes you consider called Flutronix. Allison wrote, “I was description of a very faceted medical career. real as I now have clients all over the state due aspects of yourself that you might not have really craving just the feeling of having to telehealth as a connection. I pay rent for my Also in June, seniors Delaine Aranha, known were there. I think the most special companionship and just physical contact.” – My granddaughter Maura office monthly but go there for only 20 minutes Diane DeMask Lyons Willow Bennison, Elias Fredericks, and part of the Oakwood Drama Department She said her craving only intensified as Lyons graduated magna cum laude from The Uni- a week to water my plants and get my mail. My Stefanie Quintanilla were recognized for is that care and love that Melissa puts into news of police killings arrived. “Whenever versity of Alabama in 3½years! I still travel. Left plants are very happy, they have the place all their outstanding service to the Oakwood cultivating each student. We all feel like these shootings happen, I still have that Egypt right before the virus started. to themselves and are growing along merrily. I Music Department at the Senior Arts Awards. we are heard and appreciated when in the desire to hold people that I love, even spend many hours in my backyard looking into In the fall, Elias Fredericks will begin theatre. No matter how small your part is to hold people that I don’t know, who – My Studio has been selected for the woods and at my bird feeder. I am now on Jonathan Talbot studying violin performance at Peabody you are made to feel as if you are the main share this common experience we all – Currently living in Car- the 2020 Best of Warwick Award in the Painter cat- a first name basis with the grey squirrels, three Dorothy Finkelstein Finell Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, character. The Oakwood Drama Department share as black people in this country.” mel, CA. I’m the author of 3 books (1 memoir “Fi- egory by the Warwick Award Program. Each year, N.E. flying squirrels; dozens of chipmunks, and and Stefanie Quintanilla will be starting a is truly a family, and I am so grateful that nally Home” and 2 business books). I have 7 chil- the Warwick Award Program identifies companies one adult racoon and a recent infant visiting ra- degree program in music therapy at Temple I got to be a part of it for four years. dren, 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. that we believe have achieved exceptional market- coon. One's physical world can shrink drastically University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ing success in their local community and business but if you spend time in the reduced world you 1953 category. These are local companies that enhance discover or rediscover how elaborate and inhab- Juliet Haines Mofford – My two years spent at the positive image of small business through ser- ited it is. Please take care of yourselves, your New Etching Press Oakwood were among the most memorable vice to their customers and our community. These friends, loved ones and neighbors. and meaningful of my entire life! I live in coast- exceptional companies help make the Warwick Thank you to Marsha and Jonathan Talbot al Maine where I continue working full-time at area a great place to live, work and play. 1965 ’57 for the gift of an 18 x 36 inch etching writing and historical research. I have 18 books Wilson Sheldon – Spending my 65th summer on press for the art room. Art teacher, Lizzie in print, most recently "I Shall Use My Freedom 1958 Birch Island, Upper Saranac Lake NY. When my Meyer, is thrilled with this new addition Well," the biography of fugitive slave Josiah Hen- Michael Beecher – Retiring at the end of the month parents bought it in 1955 there were many Oak- to the art program: “I look forward to ex- son: (Touch Point Press) after 49 years of teaching, the last 42 years at the wood connections. Bill Butterfield who was a panding my printmaking offerings as a re- University of Washington! Enjoying my 20-month coach and teacher at Oakwood also bought one sult of this donation to include drypoint, 1956 old grandson who's staying with us, the other two of the houses as did Bill Clark who was Headmas- monotype, chine-colle and relief printing.” Hilton Mello – I still live in Rio, Brazil and I am are in college! ter at Oakwood. In addition Tom Smith who lived The press was on loan to Marlboro College now almost 84. I had my best years in Oakwood right across from Oakwood in Kingwood Park prior to its arrival at Oakwood. Ray Val- in 1950 and 1951. I hope you all, I mean every- 1959 bought one of the houses. The Smith, Butterfield entin helped Jonathan set up the Press. one, professors and students are well. I also hope Alf Hiltebeitel – I live in Cali, Colombia with my and Sheldon families still own their houses. The I can go there next year. I see that my English is wife Elena. We were married officially in October weekend of July 24th my cousin Don Badgley ’67 4 SSummerummer 20202017 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 210 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY SummerSummer 20202017 13

1988 2015 Skip Davenport – I have been married since No- Karen Swatson – I graduated from American Uni- vember 8th of 2003 to Amy Robinson Daven- versity with a Bachelor's degree in International port. We have 2 kids. The oldest is 14, George Studies and a minor in Education. A couple of III, and the youngest is Emmie, who is 11. Also, months later, I got an internship at the World “I owe my career path directly to our youngest daughter Zoey, who is a Golden Bank from September 2019-December 2019. I the influence of the wonderful had to put my internship on pause in December Doodle. I purchased a Ford dealership, our family community at Oakwood.” business, in 2016. Everyone is happy and healthy! 2007 because I started my Master's in International De- Congratulations to Lillian Shad (daughter Layla) velopment at American University. Throughout the summer, I worked on a personal education -Kelly Gonzalez ’92 and Mauro Parra on purchasing their first home. Class of 2020 in the fall of 2019 2 SSummerummer 20202017 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 210 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY SummerSummer 20202017 15

project which will hopefully turn out great. Cur- Wendy (Meiwen) Zhou – Graduated from Univ. Looking Back and Moving Ahead Thank You of Rochester this year and will enter UPenn for by Chad Cianfrani, Head of School rently I am applying for the Virtual Student Fed- eral Service internship. Hopefully, I get selected. graduate school in the fall. Maintenance & My regards to everyone. While we adapt to our current environment, we look optimistically forward to the year Cleaning Crews ahead. A growing Middle School program, IN MEMORY the largest in almost two decades, now includes a 5th grade. Our Upper School program expanded enrollment across grade levels as we welcomed dozens of new fami- Frances Smith Feldman ’46 lies into the community. While the campus July 11, 2019 may have been closed for the last seven months, Oakwood’s Lighting the Way cam- Eric Springer ’46 paign and renovation of Lane Auditorium September 5, 2020 moved forward at pace. A few aspects of the 2016 project already completed include return- Yuchen Feng – I got my BA in economics at NYU. Richard Perkins ’50 ing the maple floors to their original con- I already started the MS program in marketing March 18, 2020 dition, exposing the expansive truss beams Danny Wilde, Jose Reyes, Ray Valentin and science at Columbia Business school and I plan For the first time in over seven months, Oak- overhead, installation of energy-efficient Pablo Ramos to graduate next summer. Edward van Kleeck Cunningham ’52 wood students, faculty, and staff gathered as HVAC systems, sprinklers, elevator, addi- March 24, 2018 a community this September. As we navigate tional classroom spaces, and a fully updated COVID, adapt to economic uncertainty, and lighting and sound system. This fall, stu- John Berlin ’54 actively engage in the process of shaping a dents are ready to begin another century of May 17, 2020 more inclusive and racially just society, we gathering, learning, and creating together. Alumnus and former clerk Parfait Bizimana visited are at our creative, adaptive, and resilient Julie Fogelson Braverman ’56 best. Oakwood has been here before. Over I look forward to welcoming you back to Oak- with Nancy and Bill Doolittle at their new home two centuries ago, Lucretia Mott, a student wood (virtually or in-person) and continuing in Maine! Parfait had an internship at the Maine April 19, 2020 at our predecessor school Nine Partners, this journey together. See you on campus! Farm Credit Bureau in Auburn where he worked provided foundational work in the aboli- on developing a hub for the southern eastern James Gregor Rechetnick ’64 tion and suffrage movements. 100 years ago, area for his MBA. May 21, 2019 we navigated the last global pandemic dur- Chris Galschjodt ing a campus move to the Hudson Valley. Jacky Jin – I graduated from Boston University 2017 Peter Messimer ’65 And over the last many decades, the mis- with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engi- Congratulations to Matthew Voorhees for receiving August 20, 2020 sion, and values upon which the school was neering with a minor in Computer Science. I’m the Housing and Residential Life Award for Desk founded, continue to provide a platform currently working at Bloomberg as a software Receptionist of the Year at Kutztown University Anne Kantaros Murphy ’69 for student voice and community engage- engineer. for the second year in a row. September 2, 2020 ment. In keeping with a strong tradition of Friends’ education, we do this while edu- Faculty & Friends Robert Lessig ’72 cating and preparing students academically Congratulations to Susan Masciale-Lynch on her June 6, 2019 for lives of consequence and meaning. new position at Marist College! She will be sorely missed but we are so happy for her as she em- As we prepared for the opening day of school, barks on this new adventure in higher education! Horst Berger we reflected deeply on lessons learned these Congratulations to Desiree & Jon Pesner ’07 on May 4, 2019 last seven months. Last spring, with New NYYM York State under quarantine, we taught from the birth of their daughter Rani Elaine Maxine Pesner March 16, 2020 our living rooms, recorded soccer training Reginald (Reg) Hannaford sessions from our driveways, and engaged Araceli Reyes, Inocencia Reyes and in our Zoom classroom conversations from Dominga Wolfenden Jeremy Robbins – I took the role as Head of June 13, 2020 five continents. We held each other ac- School at Brehm in September of 2019, with the Former Faculty countable and worked tirelessly to support idea that I would travel back and forth to NY all aspects of the program and mission. Lighting the Way until the family relocated in the summer. Brehm Warren Wyrick Matching Gift Challenge Met! serves students and young adults with complex February 14, 2020 Over the summer, we continued to make sig- Nora Sackett – Nora graduated from Mt. Holyoke learning differences. Located in Southern Illinois, Former Faculty nificant investments in the health and safety Last spring, we announced a Matching College with a degree in music and education we are in a region known for its beautiful lakes of our community, enhanced the physical Gift Challenge for Lighting the Way of- and is licensed to teach elementary. She will be and the Shawnee National Forest. spaces and classrooms, expanded outdoor fered by Rob Blackman ’61 and board doing trail work for the Appalachian Mountain learning spaces to include more of the 55 president, Don Spencer. With generous Club in the fall. acre campus, invested in the technological gifts from 40 donors, we reached the infrastructure, and supported the profession- challenge goal of $100,000! Gifts ranged Oak Leaves al development of our faculty and staff, the from $25 to $10,000, and every gift was Summer 2020 heart and foundation of our program. With important. Thank you! students engaging both remotely and in-per- ELAINE MILES son, classes look a bit different this fall. Social Fundraising continues for the final Director of Development & Alumni Affairs distancing, face masks, increased health and phase of our renovation work. It’s not hygiene measures, and a collective sense of too late to participate. Please contact Julie Okoniewski responsibility guide and shape our actions. Elaine Miles, [email protected] Associate Director of Development & or (845) 462-4200 x 224, to discuss You may even see students from three conti- (l-r) Sawyer, holding sister Maeve, with brothers Alumni Affairs nents joining their on-campus classmates via ways that you can support the revital- Zeke and Emmett. Zoom for an outdoor music class. Regard- ization of our beautiful campus. WENDY GIANGRASSO less of where our students are physically, we Assistant Director of Development & are connected as one Oakwood community. Thank You! Alumni Affairs Nonprofit Org. US POSTAGE PAID SummerSummer 20202017 Permit No. 259 Newburgh, NY

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16 SuSummermmer 20172020 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY Back to School in September 2020

Anisa Gilmour Carissa Herrera Anh Vu Phoung Ho Christophe Mooney Quynh Thi Xuan Nguyen Matthew Stewart

Stefanie Quintanilla Huy Duc To Diamond Tulloch Cyril Uebbing Huairuo (Robert) Wang Yi (Zoe) Wang

Thank you! 2019-2020 Annual Fund Exceeds Goal! See Annual Gifts Report In center section. Zhiwei Wang Jianhao (Alex) Xu Zeyue (Lareina) Zhang Hou (Paul) Zhaoyu