Emma String Ensemble plays at Retirement Home

Last Friday, the Emma Willard String Ensemble set out to play for the people living at the Hawthorne Ridge Retirement Home in East Greenbush. They played the Christmas Concerto by Arcangelo Corelli with soloists Jae Won Huyn ’13 and Ayano Kitano ’15 on violin and Jeongmin Kim ’12 on the cello. They are joined by Taylor Garrison ’12, Lydia Youngman ’12, Meg Smith ’12,  Brianne Oricchio ’13, Betty Ma ’13, Jennifer Ding ’13, Candice Chiu ’13, Cathleen Alacrón ’13, Jamie Park ’14, Annette Ho ’14, Katie Yan ’14, and Sonya Wang ’15. They are also accompanied by alumnae Helen Buckley ’09 on the viola. After the performance, the students took questions from the audience who wanted to know various things such as where they were from, general life at Emma, and at what age did they start playing their instruments. All around, it was a pleasureable exprience for everyone and they definitely hope to do it again.

Don’t miss the String Ensemble playing at Eventide this Friday at 7:30. Eventide will also include performances from the full chamber orchestra, choir, inner choir, and semiquavers.

Last Week’s Phonathon was a success!

There was a student Phonathon last Wednesday in the Laundry. Twenty students of all grade levels came out to call alumnae and ask for donations to the Emma Fund, a fund that provides for all aspects of an Emma Willard education. The Phonathon had a fun 70s theme and was promoted by the Emmasaries, the on-campus ambassador group. It was a huge success and raised $9,610! Congratulations to the top callers Josie, Kristin, Sam and Alice!

Leaping ahead

Track & field alumna Melissa Skevington '06 and Molly Shapiro '12

Emma Willard junior Molly Shapiro won the triple jump and placed second in the long jump on Sunday in the New York State Qualifying Indoor track meet. She is headed to the State Championship meet Saturday, March 5, at Cornell University and will represent Emma Willard in New York City at Nationals, March 11–13. Congratulations, Molly!

224th Birthday Challenge

Today is Emma Hart Willard’s 224th birthday. In recognition of this milestone, we are excited to announce the 224th Birthday Challenge. With a goal of 224 gifts and pledges, we are asking the Emma community—alumnae, students, parents, faculty and staff—to participate by making a gift in Emma’s honor. What better way to celebrate the life of a woman dedicated to girls’ education than to support her school? Click here to send your birthday gift now!

 

If You Choose

Joe Hefta, a member of the Emma Willard development team who interacts with many alumnae, shares with students his experiences with two alumnae in particular who chose to continue their special relationship with the school. Hear him here.

Artist explores the various ways we see

Ladies of Leisure, oil on canvas

Kendra Stearns O’Donnell, a 1960 graduate of Emma Willard School and former principal of Philips Exeter Academy, explores the artistic process, specifically the way we see, in her solo exhibition at Dietel Gallery on the Emma Willard School campus, October 27–December 19.

Dietel Art Gallery at Emma Willard School is located in the Maguire Art Wing, part of the school’s music, art, and library complex. Throughout the school year, Dietel Gallery hosts numerous exhibits by professional artists working in a variety of media, as well as displays of work by students and faculty. The gallery is free and open to the public Monday–Friday, 9 am–7 pm and weekends 10 am–5 pm. The gallery is closed for school holidays and summer vacation.

In Her Footsteps

Check out this article on vogue.com about Emma Willard alumna U.S. Senator Kirsten Rutnik Gillibrand ’84.

How does your garden grow?

Check out this article from the University of Rochester about Emma grad Annelise Kjolhede ’06, who created a garden to provide produce for a university restaurant.

Who Inspired You?

Check out this post by Jim Gates, a member of President Barack Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. The video shows council members talking about inspirational teachers. Which Emma teacher inspires/inspired you?

Back to school, again

After graduating from Howard University in the spring, Jamila Best ’06 participated in Teach for America’s five-week boot camp to prepare her for her new job as a special education teacher in a Washington, DC, charter school. More about it here.