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Academy Alumni in the News |
SueSan Chen ’14 (pictured) Principal, Brand Environments at United Airlines was recently named one of the 2022 Top 100 Future Leaders by INvolve’s annual role model list Empower. The Empower Role Model Lists is supported by Yahoo Finance and showcases leaders who are breaking down barriers at work and smashing the ceiling for people of color within global business. As an awardee SueSan is described as an individual who has been instrumental in redefining United Airlines’ brand environment standards to prioritize accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability. This includes working on redesigning the airport environmental communications strategy to be more inclusive of passengers with diverse abilities, languages, nationalities, and travel experiences. Also included in this month’s press clippings are alumni Kevin Boyce ’17, Don Casto ’62, Annalise Grammel ’20, Jim Leeke ’68, Jim Merkel ’92, Ryan Mitchell ’18, Joel Pizzuti ’90, Jane (Park) Sando '98, Sophie Spolter ’22 and John Wuorinen ’80 as well as obituaries for Alisha Marie Zekrioui ’11 and William "Roly" Nolen ’44.
If you have clips (either in print or on the web) to pass along for future issues, please send them to Director of Alumni Relations Melissa Clarke Beckett at beckettm@columbusacademy.org.
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Alumni Weekend 2022: Registration Coming Later in June!
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All alumni, faculty, staff and friends are invited back to campus this fall for Alumni Weekend — the annual celebration of all things Academy — featuring reunion classes ending in 2 and 7, the 1995 state champion soccer team and the Class of 1971 celebrating its COVID-delayed 50th reunion! Look for an email with registration details later this month.
Our programming features a host of exciting events taking place September 23-24:
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Enjoy gourmet coffee provided by Cappuccino Crew while connecting with teachers, coaches, advisors and mentors at Coffee with the CA Legends
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Hear the State of Academy from Head of School Melissa Soderberg
- Enjoy a free picnic lunch courtesy of the Office of Alumni Relations (families and guests are welcome) guaranteed to be the perfect chance to relax and reconnect with classmates
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Join us in honoring and celebrating the recipients of our last two Young Alumni Awards — 2020 honoree Michael Corey ’01 and 2022 honoree Ryan Williams ’08.
Coming in from out of town? A block of rooms will be reserved at the Aloft Columbus Easton at a discounted rate of $169/night. Click here to book your room at our discounted rate. Reservations must be made by August 23.
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Our alumni community is invited to participate in the 14th Annual Columbus Academy Golf Outing being held on Monday, September 19, at Columbus Country Club. The golf outing is designed to benefit financial aid in memory of George N. Corey, former Board of Trustees president and father of Michael Corey ’01.
The outing will start at 1:00 p.m. followed by a gathering at the clubhouse. Golfers will have the option to play a casual four-person scramble or a four-person two-best ball for those who would like a little more competition. The outing is limited to 100 players (25 teams).
Click here for registration and sponsorship opportunities. We’ll see you on the greens!
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Funding the Academy Experience |
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The 2021-22 Annual Fund ends June 30 and — thanks to everyone’s help so far — we are at 98% of this year’s goal with just $36,490 left to raise. If you have not yet participated, your gift would be greatly appreciated and help with our greatest needs at this time: year-end tuition assistance for families and summer professional development for faculty.
You may donate online, mail your gift to the school (attention: Annual Fund) or contact the Development Office if you have any questions. Thank you for your important support that makes the Academy experience possible for students today!
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Anne Horton Retirement Celebration |
“The past 31 years have just been unbelievable,” Anne Horton told the large crowd filling our dining hall recently for her retirement celebration. “Mugz and I have been talking for some time that if I could walk when Kyle walks, that would be ideal. So here we are at this event combined with his graduation in a couple of weeks so it’s definitely bittersweet.”
Alumni, faculty and friends gathered on May 14 to celebrate the retirement of Anne Horton after 31 years as assistant athletic director and multi-sport head coach. The program included an introduction by former Athletic Director Dominic Facciolla followed by remarks from Head of School Melissa Soderberg, greetings via Zoom from former players and friends as well as comments from former assistant coach Dani Sparks before Anne shared her own thoughts on her career at Columbus Academy. The event also included a special tribute video of messages from field hockey and lacrosse alumnae, parents and friends.
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“Tim Robbins, Christopher Meloni, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay… ladies and gentlemen, I am one degree away from Kevin Bacon,” joked guest speaker Bob Turton ’01 about his acting career during our 109th Commencement. “If someone told me all of this when I was sitting in your shoes right there on graduation day, I think my head would have literally exploded. I actually make a living doing what I love. And all of that started right here.”
While sharing some of the lessons he learned as a student at Columbus Academy, Bob stated: “I had so much fun at this school, and I’m so deeply grateful for every single memory I have, friendships that have lasted my entire life, memories of football games that still feel like they happened yesterday, and incredibly unique teachers that changed my life forever.” He also praised the 112 new graduates for the stories he has heard about them. “Not only is this the largest and most diverse class in our school’s history, I’ve been told that you might be the most kind, empathetic, creative and intelligent group of students we have ever had.”
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At last month's Honors Assembly, longtime lower school art teacher Lloyd Cicetti delivered a stirring Cum Laude Address. “I’m not saying that you shouldn’t adhere to tradition, to rules, convention or protocol,” he told our upper-schoolers and guests. “I’m just saying that if you play it safe and take no risks in life, you are destined to lead a dull one.” Watch his full speech, which earned a standing ovation, by clicking here. To view photos and a list of this year's award recipients, click here.
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As a sophomore, Alli Klinefelter placed fourth in the high jump at the Division II state meet by clearing 5 feet, 5 inches. Two weeks earlier, she set a new school record by successfully jumping 5 feet, 6 inches to claim district runner-up honors. Alli was joined at the regional meet by junior Samantha Frickel and freshman Olivia Lewis (who placed 1st and 2nd in the 800), freshman Melanie Qin (3rd in 3200) and our district runner-up 4x400 relay squad consisting of Olivia, Samantha and sophomores Caitlynn Hinds and Zoya Arnold. At this year's league meet, Zoya broke a school record by running the 300 hurdles in 48.12 seconds.
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Seven student-athletes from Columbus Academy are finalists for Player-of-the-Year honors in their respective sports: Russell Ahmed and Stephen Ma in boys golf, Evie Gee in girls lacrosse, Gyvnn Mendenhall in football, Ryan Panley and Lucas Xue in boys tennis and Zach White in boys lacrosse. They will all be recognized during the 2022 Central Ohio High School Sports Awards Show on June 15 at the Ohio Theatre (learn more by clicking here). Zach was recently named a High School All-American by USA Lacrosse for the second-straight year and also repeated as Division II Player of the Year for the State of Ohio.
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Send In Your Class Notes
We love keeping in touch with our alumni, and we want to hear all of your latest news.
Have you recently moved? Been promoted? Changed your line of work? Please go to the Alumni Updates form at columbusacademy.org/alumniupdates to share these details. Providing the school with this information will help ensure you receive Reunion updates, regional event invitations and the latest news from your alma mater!
Have you recently earned a new title or degree? Have details about an exciting trip or recent accomplishment to share? Gotten engaged or married? Added a new little Viking to your family? Please use the Class Notes form at columbusacademy.org/alumniclassnotes to share these exciting life updates for inclusion in the Class Notes section of an upcoming edition of Academy’s Experience magazine.
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