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Tuesday, February 23, 2010
FEBRUARY ALUMNI & ALUMNAE E-NEWSLETTER
Join us for 'Memorable' on February 26 & 27
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Plan to join us for our Upper School Winter Musical production of "Memorable" on Friday, February 26 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, February 27 at 2 p.m. in the AAG Auditorium. Following the first act of the performance, there will be an Upper School band and dance performance in the AAG Lower School Gym.
Our alumnae and alumni from the mid 1950s to early 1960s have been providing memories of Broadway shows to introduce our Upper School students to Broadway and the perspective of those that came before them. |
During this show, our Upper School Mixed Chorus will present a montage of the "Best of Broadway hits" from 1956 to 1960. This special musical production honors the 50th reunion classes.
For more information, contact Arts Chair Greg Cummings at (518) 429-2300 or cummingsg@albanyacademies.org.
Dr. North active in local business community
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Head of School Dr. Douglas North '58 has been active in the local community since assuming his new role at the helm of Albany Academy for Girls & The Albany Academy. He recently served as a guest panelist for two different local Chamber of Commerce events.
On February 12, he acted as a guest panelist as part of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute -- a professional development program offering interactive learning from the industry's most accomplished executives.
On February 5, he participated in a panel discussion about the future of education in math, science, technology and other key areas as part of the Leadership Tech Valley Education Program -- a shared initiative of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce & The Chamber of Schenectady County that offers upper level executives the opportunity to meet key leaders and discuss issues impacting the region. |
Both programs served as great opportunities for current and future leaders in attendance to meet Dr. North and learn more about The Albany Academies.
Pictured (left to right) are panelists from the Leadership Institute discussion Nina Tyzik, Regional Market Executive for HSBC Bank; Steven Boyle, President & CEO of St. Peter's Hospital; Kathy Pelham, CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region; and Head of School Dr. Douglas North. Not pictured are Brad Shear, Executive Director of the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society; and Angelo Mazzone, President of Mazzone Management Group.
Photo by joanheffler.com
Come see the AA Varsity Hockey locker room!
Please join us this Wednesday, February 24 as the AA Varsity Hockey Team takes on The Williston-Northampton School at 4 p.m.. The AA Varsity Hockey Locker Room named in memory of Frank O'Brien III '84 will be dedicated prior to the game and open for tours after the game.
Frank was a three-sport athlete at The Albany Academy and member of the 1983 New York State Section II championship hockey team. He tragically passed away in December 2006 after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
Members of the O'Brien family recently made a significant donation to the AA Varsity Hockey program to renovate the locker room.
Dr. North announces administrative changes
Head of School Dr. Douglas North '58 recently announced a change in administrative structure at The Albany Academies. Wendy Manning Muhlfelder '67 has been selected as the Associate Head of School of Albany Academy for Girls and Scott Milliken has been named Associate Head of School of The Albany Academy. In addition, Elizabeth Hemstead has been selected as the Athletic Director of Albany Academy for Girls and Paul Gallucci as the Athletic Director of The Albany Academy.
Ms. Muhlfelder has been a valued member of the Academies faculty since 1989 in the Lower, Middle & Upper Schools, and served as AAG Dean of Students for the past two years. Mr. Milliken has been a dedicated member of the Academies for more than 10 years and served as Upper School Director for the past three years.
Ms. Hemstead has been a valued member of the Academies faculty since 1987 and previously served as AAG Athletic Director for 21 years. Mr. Gallucci served as AAG & AA Athletic Director for the past two years and was the AA Athletic Director for the previous four years.
These individuals were selected for their long history, dedication and excellent records of service with the Academies.
Annual Fund increasing at steady pace
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The Annual Fund continues a steady climb towards its $1 million goal by June 30, 2010. Approximately $775,000 in cash and pledges have been received to date, but we need your help to reach our goal.
The Annual Fund accounts for 8% of the Academies operating budget, which means that your dollars go to work immediately. Each gift, no matter the size, makes a big difference for our students.
Alumni and alumnae participation has increased slightly since year end to 11.5% and 10%, respectively.
MAKE YOUR GIFT NOW!
Click the links below to see how your class is doing. |
AA ANNUAL FUND PARTICIPATION RATES AS OF FEBRUARY 22, 2010
AAG ANNUAL FUND PARTICIPATION RATES AS OF FEBRUARY 22, 2010
Alumnus inspires students to take on new challenges
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C. Anthony Owens '85 encouraged young people to always have pride in themselves, never quit and always accept new challenges as part of the Alumni/ae Speaker Series on January 22 in Caird Chapel. Mr. Owens challenged our students to look at their Academy education as the foundation for their lives.
"Just like building a house, if your foundation is not strong, you will fall apart," said Mr. Owens. During his visit, he shared many of his experiences at the Academy -- from the football field to the classroom -- and recognized his math teacher, Mr. Wells, for the impact that he has made on his life.
Pictured (left to right) are Head of School Dr. Douglas North '58, Mr. Owens, Marcus Pryor '87 & Jim Poole '68 in Caird Chapel. |
Alumna educates parents about important issues
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Patricia Zuber-Wilson '76 (pictured at left), Director of Legislative and Community Relations for the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, joined us on February 2 as part of the monthly Albany Academies Parents Association meeting for an informative discussion about many of the issues that are important to parents such as peer pressure, substance abuse and effective communication with their children.
Ms. Zuber-Wilson's main message was the need for parents to talk to their children about all topics, including underage drinking and peer pressure.
Special thanks to Ms. Zuber-Wilson for taking the time to meet with our Academies families. It was great to have her back on campus! |
Alumni come together for Mid-Winter Dinner!
Pictured (left to right) are Archivist John McClintock '57 & Skip Meislahn '56; members of the Class of 1978; and The Albany Academy Alumni Association President Mike Criscione '80, Ryan Deitz '11, and his parents, Karen & Jeff Deitz '81.
More than 60 alumni gathered for The Albany Academy Alumni Association's Annual Mid-Winter Dinner on January 20 at Jack's Oyster House in support of the Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship.
M. Christian Bender '78, Executive Director of the Brighter Choice Foundation -- a nonprofit foundation that operates 11 charter schools in the City of Albany -- served as the guest speaker for the dinner. He shared a variety of memories from his time at the Academy, mentioning favorite teachers and thanking his classmates from the "Worst Class Ever" for attending the dinner. He also shared the philosophy of charter schools, specifically Brighter Choice, of providing a new model for urban education while providing a choice within the public school setting.
Special thanks to Brad Rosenstein '79 for graciously hosting the event!
Academy honors standout student-athlete
Pictured (left to right) are Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings, Frank O'Brien III '84's parents, MaryBeth & Frank O'Brien, Jr. '53, and Head of School Dr. Douglas North '58; Frank O'Brien III '84's retired hockey jersey; and Jeff Berman '89, Ray Demarco '88 & Mark Farber '98 at the Alumni Hockey Game.
Frank O'Brien III '84 became the first member of the Academy hockey program to have a jersey retired and hung in the rafters at a special ceremony on January 23 in Robison Family Hockey Arena in the AA Field House.
Earlier in the day, more than 20 alumni gathered for a competitive game of hockey and to honor the memory of Frank at the Frank O'Brien III '84 Alumni Hockey Game in Robison Family Hockey Arena.
The game followed a luncheon in The Buttery with the AA Varsity Hockey Team. AA Alumni Association President Mike Criscione '80 presented Frank's parents -- Frank O'Brien, Jr. '53 & MaryBeth O'Brien -- with a trophy and renamed the event in memory of their son. The game was a spirited contest with some alumni who are on skates regularly and others whose yearly skating comes at this event.
Please save the date now for next year's alumni hockey game scheduled for January 22, 2011!
Young alumnus collaborates with Academy student on science project
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Congratulations go out to Alydaar Rangwala (Form V, pictured at left) for earning a second place medal at the Upstate New York Junior Science and Humanities Symposium on February 6 at Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake High School for his presentation on his independent research project in Biomedical Sciences.
Alydaar's interest and work on the project came out of his independent research project on Langerhans Cell Histocytosis, a disease that is rare but has a high mortality rate when it occurs in very young children. |
He connected with Dr. Christopher Macomber '01 of Albany Medical College -- who was working with UVA1 phototherapy -- and Dr. Macomber's mentor, Dr. Rice, to develop his research project looking into the treatment of Langerhans cells with UVA1 phototherapy.
The title of his research is UVA1 Skin Irradiation Modulates the Migration of Dendritic Cells: A Novel Mechanism for the Potential Beneficial Effects of Phototherapy on Systemic Disease.
Alydaar will next present at the New York State Science Fair, which will be held at the University at Albany in March.
Academy students engage in Chinese cultural exchange
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The AAG & AA 6th grade classes have been taking part in an exciting cultural exchange with students from Yali Boarding School in Changsha, China this school year thanks to the help of one of our outstanding alumna. Rebecca Troeger '04, who is currently teaching in China, helped to begin the Pen Pal exchange for our students.
Our students recently received a package from their Chinese peers containing photos, letters and stamps!
Students from both countries are writing in English to one another for now but hope to begin communicating in Chinese for future letters with help from faculty member Kellie Gorton. |
Young alumnus educates Academy students
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Michael Keefrider '00 (pictured at left) spoke to faculty member Ken Ebert's World History classes and faculty member Mark Wimmer's AP U.S. History classes on January 25. During his visit, Michael discussed his decision to study Chinese at Brown University and his own experience in visiting China.
He also talked about the impact that a fellow student and teachers had on him, and how this led to him starting his own business in China. Michael is a branding consultant for Khaki Creative and Design and works with companies to help them develop brands in China.
His sister, Kristin Keefrider '03, also lives and works in China. Many thanks to Michael for taking the time to speak to our students. |
Summer Camp 2010 to feature exciting new programs!
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Do you have a grandchild or family member that would benefit from an exciting and educational summer experience?
We are currently accepting registrations for Summer Camp 2010 at the Academies and have a variety of new offerings scheduled for this summer.
A new addition to this year's program includes our Drivers Education course offered through Bell's Auto Driving School. We will also be offering camp favorites such as Classic Day Camp, Junior Camp for the young ones and Youth Sports Camp. Our LEAP Camp offerings this summer are better than ever with Zumba, Yoga, music, theater, science, sports and more! |
Many of the camps begin on June 14! If you or someone you know would like a printed brochure, please contact Director of External Affairs Ann Wendth at (518) 429-2385 or wendtha@albanyacademies.org.
SUMMER CAMP 2010 BROCHURE
SUMMER CAMP 2010 REGISTRATION FORM
REGISTER ONLINE FOR SUMMER CAMP 2010.
ARCHIVES
Excerpt from the upcoming AA 200-year history
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As part of the process of assessing the relative importance of the Archives holdings, Archivist John McClintock '57 set out to update his earlier writings on the founding of Albany schools and the history of The Albany Academy from the period of 1938 to 1963.
From July 2008 to January 2010, the new research and writing produced a variety of papers, various short talks to students, and the "short" histories of Albany Academy for Girls & The Albany Academy from 1813 & 1814 to 2007. |
Below is an excerpt from the AA history.
"Before the Battalion, before football or hockey teams, before the Alumni Association, or any other Academy group known today, there was the Beck Literacy Society. Formed in 1857, and named to honor the Academy's first great principal, T. Romeyn Beck, the Beck was primarily a debating society, but also held mock trials, readings, presentation and printing of original works, and, of course, indulged in annual banquets. The Beck was joined in 1883 by the Gates Literary Society, named to honor the savior of the school from 1870, Principal Merrill Edwards Gates. The two societies ran independently and were friendly rivals. They met every week."
VISIT THE ARCHIVES WEBSITE.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS
Washington, D.C. reception -- March 25
All alumnae and alumni in the Washington, D.C. area are invited to our Regional Gathering to welcome Head of School Dr. Douglas North '58 on Thursday, March 25 from 6-8 p.m.
The event will be graciously hosted by Steven Ranney '63 & Steven Sumberg '63. This will be a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and find out what is going on at the Academies!
Please RSVP by March 15 to the Office of Alumni/ae Relations at (518) 429-2432 or
collins-schroedera@albanyacademies.org.
International Taste of the World Festival -- March 27
We will be hosting the 2010 International Taste of the World Festival on Saturday, March 27 from 3-6 p.m. in the Silipigno Athletic Facility on the AAG campus.
This special event is free and will feature an afternoon of food tasting from dozens of countries represented by Academy families, international song and dance demonstrations and other fun activities. All alumnae and alumni are welcome to attend this event.
For more information, please contact World Languages Chair Madame Keegan at (518) 429-2300 or keegand@albanyacademies.org.
Place your Spring Gathering ad now!
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Would your company like to be prominently featured in the Spring Gathering 2010 program? Advertising opportunities are currently available in a variety of options, including full page ads for $300 each, half page ads for $150 each and quarter page ads for $75 each.
PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT
Spring Gathering 2010 will be held on Saturday, April 17 at The Franklin Plaza in downtown Troy. This year's theme is "Creating Opportunities, Changing Lives," and event proceeds support our scholarship and financial aid programs. |
For more information, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at (518) 429-2432 or
collins-schroedera@albanyacademies.org.
Reunion 2010 -- May 21 & 22
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Activities and functions for Reunion 2010 continued to be added on a daily basis; we are getting set to offer you an exciting weekend that you won't forget filled with laughter, food and fun!
"Serving as a Reunion Chair was such a rewarding experience! I thoroughly enjoyed planning our 30th reunion party with Bill Comtois '79 last May, and it has been wonderful to reconnect with my classmates throughout the year. I have heard from many friends who were not able to attend the reunion, and each time I send out a call for an additional update, another classmate resurfaces! |
I remember my days as an AAG student with such fondness -- from Bacon Bat, Bagel Baron, hockey and football games to the senior lounge, Freihofer's chocolate chip cookies at lunch and our extraordinary teachers – that it has been a wonderful experience reconnecting and reminiscing with great friends." -- Jeanne Dignum Birch '79, 30th Reunion Chair & Class Secretary
CLASS SCHEDULE & HOTEL INFORMATION
Call for Class Notes
We hope that you enjoyed the most recent edition of the A2 Academies magazine. We are already putting together the Spring/Summer 2010 issue of the magazine.
Please share your exciting news and accomplishments with either your Class Secretary or the Office of Alumni/ae Relations at collins-schroedera@albanyacademies.org.
All Class Notes submissions are due by March 1. As always, we appreciate the hard work and dedication of all Class Secretaries. If you are interested in volunteering in this capacity, please let us know!
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
AAG Athletic Hall of Fame
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You have until June 1 to send in nominations for the inaugural class of the Albany Academy for Girls Alumnae Association Athletic Hall of Fame to be inducted during Homecoming 2010. Do you know of a deserving AAG athlete who should be recognized for her outstanding athletic accomplishments?
AAG ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME NOMINATION FORM
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Alumni/ae Relations at (518) 429-2432 or
collins-schroedera@albanyacademies.org. |
Join the Academies community
If you have not yet registered for our Online Community & Facebook, now is the time to do so! Stay connected with the community and learn about upcoming programs, events and more!
REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE COMMUNITY.
JOIN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
If you have any questions or comments about this electronic newsletter, please contact Ann Wendth, Director of External Relations, at (518) 429-2385 or wendtha@albanyacademies.org, or Adam Doling, Communications Associate, at (518) 429-2344 or dolinga@albanyacademies.org.
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2010-2011 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
SPRING/SUMMER 2010 ISSUE OF A2 ACADEMIES MAGAZINE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Stay up to date with our Online Calendar
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