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Reviews |
December 14,
2005 | vol. XXXIX | No. 3 |
Staff
Editorial
Bond between students, alumni expands
realm of community
As with most schools, our alumni
give generous donations to their alma
mater. Here, however, they make an
impact on the school in additional ways.
Thirteen graduates have returned to
teach here. These faculty members make
an impact on every division, in addition
to administration offices and playing
fields.
For example, Tom Perryman ’81, assistant
head of school, also teaches Upper
School English classes and coaches
seventh grade football. Lynn Switzer
Bozalis ’82 is the director of
admissions and a member of the Alumni
board.
Although not all alumni return to teach,
hundreds have returned to help during
special events.
Career Day offers an opportunity for
students to learn about possible career
paths. Last year, however, the event
went beyond customary standards. In
several sessions, alumni gave out cards
and contact information, creating a
network for internships and job
opportunities.
The day, headed by Sheri Hall ’87, gave
students a chance to see the fruits of
their education in concrete terms. Upon
graduation, former students have the
opportunity to pursue these contacts.
Rachel Cook ’05 and Brittany Salmon ’04
became interns for Mrs. Hall’s design
company during their respective senior
years after talking at Career Day.
During Homecoming week, graduates
attended the annual Senior Breakfast.
There, they talked with seniors about
their last year on the Hill and helped
hand out class sweatshirts.
Elaine Velvin, director of alumni and
public relations, offers several
opportunities for former students to
stay linked.
On the official website, alumni can
reconnect with classmates using the
alumni directory and see pictures of
recent events. A few days after the
Senior Breakfast, they renewed
acquaintances at the Homecoming Cookout
before the football game.
During these gatherings, alumni make
friends and help each other due to our
tight-knit nature.
When Holland Gary ’93 returned to Dallas
after getting his MBA at The Wharton
School of Business, he could not find a
job. At an alumni meeting, he met Saul
Meyer ’89 and mentioned his situation.
By the next meeting, Mr. Meyer found him
a job at Aldus Equity Partners, LD.
The effects of such generosity extend to
current students as well.
As Upper School students start the
college process and visit schools,
former students are seemingly willing to
open up their collegiate homes for
students they may not have even known
during high school.
In this way, students impact and benefit
from the school long after their tuition
dollars have stopped coming—this alone
is a testament to the school’s unselfish
dedication to the lives of former,
current, and future students.
The school could easily concentrate
solely on current students and families.
By not doing so, we are living up to our
emphasis on the community in more ways
than expected. |
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