Fall/WinterJ!J!o!o! ’07-’08 t!tBo!jotjef!mppl!bu!Xijugjfme!Tdippm!j!j h!h i!i u!u t!t WHITFIELD 2010 TakEs Flight n July 2006, school leaders began Whitfield’s history and meteoric rise to a position of strength and efforts on a $10 million campaign: renown in St. Louis is nothing short of a miraculous success story. I WHITFIELD 2010. For the first time in Whitfield’s history, building the Endowment Fund is Twenty years ago, Whitfield was still a very small private school the primary focus of a campaign. In addition to $7 M as it had been since its founding. Most of the buildings for the Endowment, a $3M capital component will and facilities we know and enjoy today did not provide for renovations to the existing baseball exist. Nevertheless, the School became an early field, facility upkeep and campus enhancements. leader in educational reform and redesign. In a ‘quiet phase’ over the last 18 months, the As in the early days, Whitfield’s students School has received over $2.5 million in gifts remained at the center of these innovations. and pledges for WHITFIELD 2010. This Throughout the 1980’s and 90’s, initial amount reflects the generosity of fewer Whitfield carried out nearly continual than 30 families, corporations and foundations. building campaigns. Between the Walk across Whitfield School’s campus, stroll expansions and meeting the annual budget, through the hallways, look into our classrooms or the Endowment – the permanent ‘savings listen to Whitfield students and you will know that account’ that underlies any strong and Whitfield is an exceptional school in so many ways. successful school – only received attention from a handful of visionary benefactors. By the end of the From the engaging manner in which we teach and learn, millennium, after nearly 50 years of operation, Whitfield to the trust and respect that is fostered throughout the had less than $1 million in its Endowment. community, to the outstanding character students develop as they make the choices to “be nice and do the right thing,” This rapid expansion culminated with the OUR FO UNDERS | Whitfield students receive more than an education; they are OUR FAMILIES | OUR FUTURE campaign of 2000 to 2003, focused preparing for college success and, more importantly, life success. on enhancing the School’s campus with significant improvements including the addition of Woods Hall, Schmitter Gallery, Whitfield 2010 cont. on p. 16 WHITFIELD SCHOOL J o uif!xpset!pg MISSION STATEMENT J o sfdphojujpo Whitfield School is a small, college-pre- paratory learning community that fosters excellent habits of mind, productive social skills, and personal integrity in an We’ve Come a Long Way innovative, student-centered environment. Our core values are: is! I recently met a 1986 Whitfield graduate and her husband While our fundraising efforts Success of every student in h academics, arts, activities and athletics. t in the front hall of the School. They were taking their are vital to our continued Cat ch admission tour with their sixth grade daughter who is a success (see cover story), Ethical behavior of the members prospective student for next year. My brief conversation supporting the School takes of our community. n July 15, 2007, Whitfield with the couple got me thinking about Whitfield alumni. on many different looks Intellectual, ethnic, religious sophomore Jonathan Rothman We are at an exciting and important time in the life of the and forms that often do and social diversity. participated in the 2007 District 10 “AA” School in terms of developing future leaders from our not include money. Most O All Star Game in the Heine Meine Athletic Individual and collaborative alumni ranks. important to me is that we Association. Coaches from 13 American Legion teams voted and engagement and achievement. have loyal and supportive graduates who stay involved selected Jonathan as starting catcher. Jonathan earned this honor Most independent schools draw heavily from their and look back on their years at Whitfield with great Learning as a lifelong process. after completing his first season with the Brentwood American Legion team. graduating classes as they look for future trustees and pride. The number of our graduates who keep in touch school leaders. At these schools, the next generation During this season, Jonathan had 58 at bats, continues to grow, as you can tell from the Alumni Notes BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 2007-2008 of students is often comprised of many legacy children. section of each issue of Insights. scored 11 runs, had 20 hits, 15 RBI’s, one This is not yet the case at Whitfield School, however. Scott B. McCuaig (Chairman), homerun, five walks and one stolen base. His The 2007-2008 school year marks the fourth year for Suzie K. Andrews (Vice Chairman), overall batting average was .356, his slugging Whitfield’s growth over the past 20 years has created Insights. You will notice the size of this publication Wayne L. Smith II (Treasure) , percentage was .500 and his on-base percentage Philip B. Cady Jr. ’70 (Secretary), an alumni base that is generally quite young. In fact, is different and we’ve begun printing in color. Much was .394 of the School’s 1,200 graduates, 70% have graduated Anne Chao, Gerri Clifton, John W. Eaves, like Whitfield School, Insights continues to improve Janice Grant, Randy Green, Mary B. Howe, since 1990 and 43% of our alumni graduated since and grow with time, while maintaining the spirit Mike Hughes , Donald A. Jubel, “Jonathan is a really great kid,” said Coach Charlie Pilz of the Brentwood American Legion 2000. As a result, we are literally learning what 1950’s of our community. 1950's Sally B. Key ’73, Mark H. Krieger, it means to meet the needs of our alumni as we 1% Edward L. Monser, Thomas W. Neary, Team. “He had an excellent season, and I think continue to make our current students our In this issue, I had the opportunity to Beth Bradbury Pollnow ’90, he is the best catcher in the league.” number one priority. And we are doing craft the cover story1960's discussing the Steven C. Roberts, Susie von Gontard, 1960’s Jeffrey O. Woodard this in a number of ways. 8% WHITFIELD 2010 campaign. I wanted to write this piece because Bruno B. Schmitter • The addition of Casey Jolley ’03 1970’s 1970's (Honorary Lifetime Member) 12% I am passionate about the future of to our advancement department the School. I believe in the talent of Mark J. Anderson (Ex-officio) as alumni relations and special 2000’s 1980’s our faculty1980's and staff, the pride and events coordinator has brought 43% 9% potential of our alumni and, especially, CONTRIBUTORS to INSIGHTS: excitement and energy to the the future of our students. This new Mark J. Anderson, President office. As a Whitfield graduate, 1990’s campaign 1990'swill help us ensure the Laura J. Boeker, Communications Casey shares an alumna’s passion 26% future success and sustainability Coordinator Musical for the experience and very much of our community. Kelly Edwards, Annual Fund (&=MuGsiÕcalÊ=o=Lx[T=C=_=G=. wants to lay the foundation for success 2000's and Auction Coordinator c h a i r s Nils Hinshaw, Photographer of future generations. While I’m excited to share the news of our hitfield junior Andy Leach Melissa Irvin, Publications Coordinator endowment plans and fundraising success, recently auditioned for and was • The addition of several younger Alumni By Decade Gene Krebs, Photographer the real stars of this issue of Insights and Becky Marsh, Director of Advancement placed as a 3rd chair violist with alumni to the President’s Advisory W of Whitfield School continue to be our Ed White, Advancement Associate the Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra Council. This group meets twice a year students and teachers. Everything we do comes back to (YPSO), the most advanced of the ensembles with me to discuss the School’s strategic goals. our mission of preparing young people in our supportive, Questions or comments offered by the Community Music School of Having input from a select group of alumni will should be addressed to: innovative and engaging community. Webster University. This ensemble prepares widen the leadership net. Laura Boeker, Editor, [email protected] students for the next level - the St. Louis With our alumni, we look back at our School’s history Whitfield School Symphony Youth Orchestra at Powell Hall. • An increased focus of an active alumni council. with pride. We celebrate the growth and success of our 175 South Mason Road Many of the students involved at this level of With more and more graduates willing and ready current students. And we look forward, with all members St. Louis, Missouri 63141 playing attend college as music majors and to participate, the School is working hard to give of the school community, with great hope for an even 314-434-5141 ultimately become professional musicians. our alumni what they want and need. From service brighter future for Whitfield School. opportunities, to career advice, to social outlets, Visit Whitfield School’s Web site: This program is one of the most advanced in Whitfield wants its graduates to know that the I hope you enjoy this issue of Insights. www.whitfieldschool.org the country and is extremely competitive. experience doesn’t conclude with graduation. Whitfield School is an independent, Andy, who has been playing both the viola Notice I have not made mention of development, All the best, coeducational, college-preparatory and the violin since the 3rd grade, gets up most mornings at 6 a.m.