November 2009

1838 Gets a Makeover!

Coming Soon: Alumni Portal

After hearing consistent feedback from alumni about the need for a more dynamic, user-friendly, and fun online community that would serve as a resource for staying in touch with one another and the School, Sewickley Academy’s Alumni Relations Office is in the initial stages of developing an Alumni Portal. This secure, password-protected networking venue will encourage and enhance our efforts to create and sustain an exciting, diverse, and worldwide alumni community. Upon the launch in January 2010, you will be able to log into a password-protected site to view class lists, email addresses, and many more exciting features.

If we currently maintain an active email address on file for you, this email address will be directly uploaded into the Alumni Portal for display to other alumni. If you do not wish to have an email address displayed on this password-protected site, please email Julie Bevevino at jbevevino@sewickley.org by January 1 to be removed from the initial posting .

Beyond the Numbers: Catching Up with Former Members of the Math Department

Name: Marion K. Briggs

Position at Sewickley Academy: Senior School Mathematics Teacher

Years of Service: 1978-2000

Life Status: Retired, three adult children, five grandchildren

Current Activities and Hobbies: For exercise, I walk at San Diego’s beaches and parks. I volunteer at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, which is a high-end resale shop. I run the cash register on Saturdays. I sing in a church choir (about 50 members) and a concert choir (about 150 members). I like to help care for and play with my granddaughters, and I read and do needlepoint.

Alumni Council Updates

“How can the Alumni Council best serve the needs of the alumni and the School?”

This question sparked a lively discussion at the meeting on Tuesday, October 20. The Council highlighted three areas of focus for the group: events, fundraising, and building an online community. In addition, the Council plans to continue its relationship with admissions and engage alumni throughout the country to act as ambassadors for Sewickley Academy. The next meeting will be held in the Jones Conference Room located in the Lower School (Frank E. Richardson Building) on Tuesday, November 10, at 6:30 PM.

We invite alumni from all class years to participate on the Council. If you are interested in attending a meeting, please contact Suzanne Genter Friday ’76 or Julie Bevevino ’99.

Click here for a list of the current alumni council.

We Recently Asked Current Alumni Parents, “Why Do You Send Your Child to Sewickley Academy?”

"I send my child to Sewickley Academy because the experience is exactly what he needs...an engaging educational experience that will help prepare him for his collegiate and professional life that lies ahead of him."
-Robert Kopf II '84

"I send my child to Sewickley Academy because of the school’s long history of academic excellence — not to mention my own family’s long history with the school. I know my daughter will have the benefit of working with some amazing faculty. I am also thrilled to see that the arts program is still thriving at school. "
-Katie Heagy-Glass '88

48 alumni send their children to the Academy. Click here to see the list.

Admission Open Houses

Please join us for an open house and spread the word to your friends and neighbors!

Saturday, November 7 (9-11 AM)
Wednesday, November 18 (9-11 AM) - Lower School Only
Wednesday, December 9 (5-7 PM)
Saturday, January 9 (9-11 AM)
Wednesday, January 13 (9-11 AM) - Lower School Only
Wednesday, February 17 (9-11 AM) - Lower School Only
Wednesday, April 14 (9-11 AM) - Lower School Only
Wednesday, May 12 (9-11 AM) - Lower School Only

Check www.sewickley.org frequently as more events will be added throughout the year. Please contact Wendy Berns if you would like additional information.

Upcoming Events

Alumni Hockey Game

The weather is getting colder! It’s time to remember the fun you had playing for the Academy’s hockey team and hit the ice once again! Dust off the rust and strap on your equipment to play with your fellow alumni against the current Sewickley Academy team on Wednesday, November 25, at 9:50 PM at the RMU Center! The alumni, fresh off last year's victory, will face a varsity team roster consisting of three full lines. We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP by November 20 to Louis Pessolano ’97.

Special Event for Alumni Parents and Children

Please join fellow alumni parents and their children for a winter reception on Wednesday, December 9, in the Boyd Room (Hansen Library) from 6:00-7:00 PM. The Mata String Quartet performance will occur directly following this event in Rea Auditorium at 7:00 PM. We will take a photo of all alumni and current students who are present.

RSVP to Julie Bevevino at jbevevino@sewickley.org by December 1.

Annual Alumni Holiday Party

Join us on Saturday, December 19, for the Annual Alumni Holiday Party in Hansen Library from 6:00-8:00 PM. RSVP (acceptances only) to rsvp@sewickley.org.

See who is already signed up to attend!

Directly following the party, the boys’ varsity basketball team will play Geibel Catholic High School at 8:00 PM in the Snyder Gym. This game will be played in honor of Kyle Wilson, a member of the Class of 2010 who unexpectedly passed away in October 2008. All proceeds from the game will benefit the Kyle Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Upcoming Travel: Sewickley Academy on the Road

New York – Mid-to-late January - A formal invitation with additional details will follow in December.

DC Metro Area - April - Cocktail Party at Torie Clarke’s '77 house in Chevy Chase and breakfast/lunch in Arlington/Alexandria the following day

Boston – Thursday, April 22

Final locations, dates, and times will be provided in upcoming correspondence.

Social Networking

Twitter: Do you tweet? Sewickley Academy does! Follow us at “Sewickley” for the most up-to-date announcements related to athletics, arts, academics, and events!

Facebook: The Sewickley Academy Alumni group currently has 730 members and grows on a daily basis. Are you a member? All you need to do is type “Sewickley Academy Alumni” into Search and request to join. Once you’re approved, you will receive information on campus and alumni events as well as special messages pertaining to your class year.

LinkedIn: Join the Sewickley Academy Alumni Group today! After logging into your LinkedIn profile, type “Sewickley Academy Alumni” under the Group Search function. It’s a perfect tool for both career and social networking!

Hall of Fame Inductees' Media Clips

If you missed the Arts Hall of Fame Induction ceremony or performance, check out these clips from YouTube on Jim Caruso ’76 and Greg Nicotero ’81.

Make-Up FX Guru Greg Nicotero

Jim Caruso's Cast Party & Broadway at Birdland Highlights

Have you seen the new www.sewickley.org? Check it out today!

Questions? Comments? Email Julie Bevevino at jbevevino@sewickley.org.