“What’s your WT story?” Alums from the Atlantic to the Pacific answered that question with Director of Alumnae/i Relations Amiena Mahsoob. She heard themes woven throughout about how WT transformed lives and how the credo, “Think also of the comfort and the rights of others” lives on. She also learned about many of the meaningful ways alums are contributing to their communities.
California as Our Campus
(Front Row, L-R) Gretchen Larson Maslanka ‘83, Consuelo ‘Connie’ Staisey Woodhead ’66, Sabrina Lemmon ’06, and Shirley Lin ’00. (Back Row, L-R) Dana Jackson, Advancement Assistant, Jane Schilling, Parents Association Coordinator, Matt Engelberg ’99, Amiena Mahsoob, Director of Alumnae/i Relations, Jackie Ryczek, Andrew Santelli ’00, and Ming Ting.
n November and January, faculty and staff from WT visited Southern California to attend two National Association for Independent Schools (NAIS) conferences: the People of Color Conference (PoCC) and CASE-NAIS. Both provided opportunities to connect with alums and friends in the Los Angeles area.
Faculty members and current students had the opportunity to meet or reconnect with alums through a student meet and greet and an alum-faculty happy hour. Samuel ‘Sammy’ Pollack ’12 reconnected with his Lower School and Upper School teachers, Bill Fitch and Stephen Miller.
Advancement team staff who attended the CASE-NAIS conference met with inspirational Southern California alums who shared their favorite WT memories and how they “Think also…” today.
Florida as Our Campus
Judith ‘Judi’ Ellenbogen ’58 (L) shared her love of travel, keen interest in Jewish history, and passion for supporting scholarships for WT students.
Joanne Johnston Bowser ’58 (L) and Susan ‘Susie’ Pekruhn Glotfelty ’58 (C) shared the many rules they followed (or broke) as students, crossed their legs at the ankles, and schemed ways to encourage their classmates to attend their 60th Reunion.
Taylor Croft Donahue ’08 discussed the joys of being a newlywed, her current role working for an upscale events company in Miami, and ideas for her 10th Reunion.
Sunny Florida has beckoned many WT alums. Amiena Mahsoob had the luxury of having conversations with several in South Florida this past winter. Alums shared memories including Miss Mitchell’s kindness, exacting standards expected of students, and the ongoing impact of their time at WT. Maureen Sullivan ’73 reflected, “It reminded me that an education is an enduring, irrevocable gift that unlocks doors of opportunity for a lifetime.”