The Potomac School Llama Notes

We Are in Full Swing!

2016-17 is gearing up to be another stellar year. The Alumni Governing Council (AGC) and the Alumni Office are working hard to ensure that Potomac remains relevant and meaningful for you throughout your life by providing career, social, mentoring, and networking opportunities. The AGC is made up of alumni just like you, from every stage of life and profession, around the country and around the world. We are as passionate about Potomac as you are, and we share a commitment to keeping it a strong and vibrant community. If you are interested in learning more about what we do and how you can get involved, click here or email us.

All the best,

Sandy Gentles '94

sandygentles@gmail.com

Laura Miller
Director of Alumni Relations
lmiller@potomacschool.org

PS: We encourage you to join us for Reunion 2017 on April 28 and 29! We will be celebrating milestone years for classes ending in 2 and 7, and alums from all classes are invited to share in the fun and friendship. Please take advantage of this opportunity to catch up with your classmates and connect with Potomac. We especially look forward to seeing the classes of 1942, 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012 back on campus!

SOUNDBREAKING SCREENING

Potomac cordially invites you to an exclusive screening of "The Human Instrument," episode three of the eight-part PBS documentary series Soundbreaking: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Music, which will air in November. The event will take place on Friday, October 21, in EPAC and is hosted by David Langstaff, who is one of the series' executive producers, and his wife, Cyndie, parents of Chris '06, Todd '08, and
Will '15. Light fare will be served from 6:00 to 6:45 pm, the screening will run from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, followed by a talk-back with David. Click here to RSVP by October 12. Visit this YouTube link to learn more about the Soundbreaking series.

FOOD, FUN, & FOOTBALL

Come join the fun on Saturday, October 15! First up is Potomac's 40th Annual Fall Frolics Carnival, featuring games, rides, the Nearly New sale, delicious food, and much, much more. Then, stop by the Homecoming football game against Flint Hill -- it starts at 1:30 pm, but if you'd like to line up to be part of the Panther tunnel, meet us at 1:15 down by the track. Don't forget to visit the Alumni Hospitality table, located on the Tundra, for your free Homecoming t-shirt (first come, first served).

Inspired Teaching
Strolling by classrooms where they were once students and saying hello to past teachers has become a daily routine for 13 of our faculty and staff members who also happen to be Potomac alumni!

We recently spoke with three -- Middle School Language Arts Specialist Nora "Nonie" Cameron '91, Lower School Science Teacher Cathie Davis Kaplan '73, and Intermediate and Upper School Spanish Teacher Christine Varoutsos '01 -- to hear about their experience being at Potomac as teachers. The verdict? Being on the other side of the desk is super rewarding!

Q: What Potomac teacher inspired you to follow in his or her footsteps?
Kaplan: My third grade teacher, Jessie O'Neill.
Varoutsos: Alex Thomas definitely inspired me to pursue the study of Spanish linguistics in college and then in graduate school. Now, we are colleagues in the World Languages Department and chaperone the 8th grade trip to Spain together over Spring Break. How cool is that?

Q: Some things never change! What aspect of Potomac today most reminds you of your time as a student here?

Cameron: Our beautiful campus and having the space to breathe fresh air and run around.

Kaplan: The beautiful nature trails and the classrooms that open to the outdoors.
Varoutsos: I believe that the main constant at Potomac is the dedication of the faculty and staff. The teachers care so much about each of their students and regularly go above and beyond to help their students be understood as individuals and reach their full potential.

Q: What's something you enjoy about your role as a teacher?

Cameron: I love seeing the big picture of readers developing across time. This year, I have the opportunity to work with 6th grade students who I first worked with when they were in 1st grade. Seeing their academic and personal growth is exciting.

Kaplan: Something as simple as a stick or rock can generate such curiosity and excitement among the students at this age!
Varoutsos: The students' positive energy, hard work, and playfulness is a combination that makes me smile every day.

Q: What were you involved in as a student at Potomac? What are some of your hobbies today?

Kaplan: I played field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse at Potomac. Now I enjoy gardening, taking walks, and photography.
Varoutsos: When I was a Potomac student, I was involved in chorus and theater, helped with creative writing clubs, and played soccer and lacrosse. I especially enjoyed being editor-in-chief of the Upper School literary magazine, Phoebus. I have amazing Upper School memories of acting under the awesome direction of Michael Bergman. I was in the four winter musicals and then the spring play my senior year. Today, I still maintain all of these interests, and I also love to travel and spend time with my family and friends.

Q: Will you share your favorite quote?
Cameron: 1) "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." -Gandhi and 2) "It is man's sympathy with all creatures that first makes him truly a man." - Dr. Albert Schweitzer

Kaplan: "Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference. And we have a choice: what sort of difference do we want to make." - Jane Goodall
Varoutsos: "Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." - Aristotle

Though these teachers didn't overlap as Potomac students, their reflections demonstrate just how much the school's vibrant atmosphere stayed -- and remains -- the same, decade after decade.

In addition to Cameron, Kaplan, and Varoutsos, our complete list of faculty and staff who are alumni also includes: Merrell Redway Cherouny '82, Annabelle Redway Dunn '85, Caroline Kettler
Crosby '05, Nick Langman '94, Rob Lee '78, Michelle O'Hara Levin '94, Albert Pingree '00, Christine Rosenhauer Sharkey '83, Don Shipp '72, and Kristin Smith '94.

YOUNG ALUMNA SHARES INSIGHTS

Olivia Pavco-Giaccia '12, a recent Yale graduate, returned to campus in October to spend time with students across the divisions. Olivia is the founder and CEO of LabCandy, an organization she created to encourage young girls to consider careers as scientists. Offering colorful lab coats, glittery goggles, and science-adventure storybooks, LabCandy has garnered attention nationwide -- as has Olivia, who has been recognized in publications such as Inc. and Glamour.

At an assembly for US students and faculty, Olivia spoke about entrepreneurship and exploring one's passions and shared tips for success in school and beyond. She then participated in a meeting of the Middle School's "The Real Me" program and had lunch with students in the Upper School's Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC) program, sharing advice and answering questions.

Olivia attended Potomac for grades 4 through 12 and was involved in a number of activities, not just those involving lab coats! She was -- and remains -- a talented cellist, having continued to play the instrument at Yale.

Ways to Get Involved
Alumni volunteers help the Potomac community thrive! Whether raising funds for their alma mater, planning Reunions, or organizing social and educational events, our alumni are creative, connected, and committed. While all graduates automatically become members of the Alumni Association, those who wish to be more involved can choose from a variety of volunteer opportunities. We'd love to have you involved! Why not consider joining one of the following groups?

Alumni Governing Council
Class Reunion Chairs
Class Agents
Class Correspondents
Relational Representatives

To find out more about these opportunities, click here.

Get excited -- we're now on Snapchat! Be sure to download the app and follow @potomacalumni for snaps and stories from campus, features on favorite teachers, info about upcoming events, and more.

For more ways to stay connected, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @potomacalumni and Snapchat: @potomacschool.