Home >
News

News

GREETINGS!

The Alumni Office and Alumni Governing Council (AGC) have a wide variety of social, cultural and educational events planned for 2012-2013, ranging from Fall Frolics and Homecoming to Net@Night in New York. The AGC welcomes new members, as well as new committee chairs, this year. Click AGC to read more about the events and committee work for this year. If you have an idea you would like to share, or if you would like to volunteer, please stop by the Alumni Office and see Laura Miller, Director of Alumni Relations, email lmiller@potomacschool.org or call 703-749-6356. We are looking forward to a great year!

Click here for more information on the Net@Night Event in NYC October 17 and the Boston Alumni Reception October 18.
OUR NEW FRONT DOOR

The new Flag Circle Building opened right on schedule in August after nine months of construction. We welcome you to tour the building! Keep in mind that many administrative offices have relocated to the new space: Reception, Development, Admission, Finance, and Buildings and Grounds. The Flag Circle Building truly is our new front door. We look forward to greeting you soon!
REUNION 2013 APRIL 26 – 27….WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

All alumni are invited to Reunion 2013 to celebrate the classes ending in 3s and 8s. We need your help. Volunteer to be Class Reunion Chair by contacting Laura Miller, Director of Alumni Relations, at 703-749-6356. It is fun, easy and a great way to get connected. Thank you to the Chairs and volunteers!

Reunion 2012 Committee Chairs: Eric Rosenthal '03 & Andrew Warin '03

Class Reunion Chairs:
2008 5th Caitlin Rooney
2003 10th Eric Rosenthal & Andrew Warin
1998 15th Amanda Saul
1993 20th OPEN
1983 25th OPEN
1978 35th Julie Twiname Warder
1973 45th OPEN
1963 50th Leni Chapman Preston & Marisa Knowlton Domeyko

Continue Reading
FAREWELL, OLD WILLOW OAK

Our campus lost a faithful friend and guardian in August: the huge willow oak in the Holly Tree courtyard between the Lower and Middle School wings. Below is an ode to and history of this "venerable campus stalwart," by Perry Swope, Facilities Administrator, Master Plan Coordinator & Director of Transportation.

I write to inform you of the sudden and regrettable demise of a venerable campus stalwart, namely the huge willow oak in the Holly Tree Courtyard between the Lower and Middle School wings.

Continue Reading
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR RACHEL RENZY MEIMA ’82 ASSISTS LOCAL CHARITIES

Rachel Renzy Meima ’82, along with husband Steve (St. Andrew’s ’83), launched MetroAid LLC in July. MetroAid’s mission is to assist select DC-area charities with raising funds through the sourcing and sale of donated clothing deposited in conveniently placed bins in area communities.

“Think of MetroAid as a fundraising consultancy,” says Rachel. “We saw that the large name brand charities dominated the clothing sourcing and recycling industry. Realizing that most small charities lack the expertise and infrastructure to operate in this space, we conceived of MetroAid as a means to assist smaller, local causes, thereby leveling the playing field.”

Continue Reading
MUSICIAN, WRITER & TEACHER JAMIE POTTER '01

In March, a money marketing manager scheduled to speak at The Hill School’s Career Summit cancelled at the last minute. Jamie Potter ‘01 and wife, Amy, filled in. Defying expectations, they told an audience of business-minded students, “Hey! You are all probably going to go on and have really lucrative business lives. That’s great. But if we can derail you from that responsible path, may we propose the life of the Bohemian artist. It’s not flashy, but the rewards go soul-deep, not just pocket-deep.” Musician, writer and teacher Jamie Potter spoke with Llama Notes about his own Bohemian lifestyle, from organizing a house concert series to recording an anthem for President Obama’s campaign.

What influences helped shape you as a musician and songwriter? There are so many. I was classically trained with piano, and that opened a whole world to me. When guitars started showing up in our house, my Mom made me promise that I continue to take piano lessons until I was 18.

Continue Reading
ALUMNUS COVERS THE LONDON OLYMPICS

By Jon Haworth ‘00

It’s hard to believe that it has been just over seven years since I found myself waiting anxiously in Trafalgar Square - the proverbial heart of London - listening to the President of the International Olympic Committee announce from Singapore that the games of the 30th Olympiad were awarded to the city of London. The city was exultant. Nobody could have truly envisioned what the culmination of seven years of preparation would actually be like in 2012, but the Olympic Games were coming to London and the city cheered.

Continue Reading
A New Book from Jennifer Anne Moses ‘74

When writer and artist Jennifer Anne Moses ’74 relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, her whole world changed. “I began to soak up the distinct rhythms, sounds, colors and passions of the place. Louisiana gave me new lenses with which to view both the world and my place in it.” Baton Rouge is the setting for her latest novel, Visiting Hours, which she recently discussed with Llama Notes.

What inspired you to write Visiting Hours?

When our twins, now 19, went to kindergarten, and I suddenly had something akin to free time, I decided it was time to give back, and ended up volunteering at St. Anthony’s Home, a residence for AIDS patients. We were then living in Baton Rouge, and I’d just never seen or encountered poverty - and worse, the spiritual and imaginative poverty - that grinding poverty brings, that Baton Rouge was home to.

Continue Reading
Vanessa Péan Foundation 5K Run

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” W.B. Yeats

In honor of Vanessa Péan '07, the Vanessa Péan Foundation (VPF) will host a 5K run/walk on October 13 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm to raise funds for clean drinking water and education in Haiti. Click More for race details.

Since 2005, the VPF has been helping to shape the future of Haiti by providing scholarships to underprivileged children as well as critically needed basic social services such as clean water, emergency relief and sanitation.

Vanessa Péan was a Potomac School student who tragically passed away at the age of 16 in October of 2005. In her memory, her sister, Monique Péan (Potomac Class of ’99), and her, mother Gail Péan, founded VPF to honor Vanessa’s spirit. The foundation keeps Vanessa’s memory alive through charitable contributions to worthy endeavors in academia and social services.

Continue Reading
What’s hAPPening?

DOWNLOAD THE APP BUILT FOR POTOMAC ALUMNI! Securely network and connect with Potomac alumni around the world. Map alumni in your area whether you’re at home or on the road. Access an alumni directory that integrates with LinkedIn. Read news and see upcoming events.

Available FREE for the iPhone, iPad and Android now!

Supported devices: iPhone | iPod Touch | iPad | Android Unsupported devices | Blackberry | Windows Phone 7 | WebOS

Please note: The Potomac School is committed to protecting the privacy of our alumni. The Potomac Alumni App uses email verification and is only available to confirmed alumni of The Potomac School. Should you have questions about the app please email lmiller@potomacschool.org. No phone? Stay connected via: potomacschool.org/alumni, email, The Potomac Panther Facebook page and LinkedIn.
SHOW YOUR THANKS ...

For the teacher who helped you discover your inner Picasso. For the coach who helped you master that blistering cross-court forehand. For the advisor who always listened without judgment. For everyone who helped you along the way. Use your estate plan to show your gratitude for the people and programs that had an impact on your life at Potomac and beyond. Protect and preserve them for generations to come through a bequest, life insurance policy, gift of real estate or charitable gift annuity. Please contact Jinene Christian, Associate Director of Development, at (703) 749-6326 or jchristian@potomacschool.org to learn more.
Reunion 2012 Hits the Right Note

Reunion 2012 brought more than 225 alumni and their families back to their alma mater on May Day weekend. Alumni from the classes of ’38 through ‘07 were on campus to reconnect with classmates, friends, faculty and staff. A photo gallery has been posted on the alumni website. May Day was a day of singing and dancing with Mrs. Bullock as the Queen of the May. The Friday night All Alumni Party was a night to remember. The alumni community was entertained all night in the Kettler

Continue Reading
We Need Your Reunion Stories

Send us your memories, your reflections, funny things seen and heard ... Did you reconnect with a friend? Make a career connection? Engage in late night shenanigans? What surprised you? What was the best part? Email your notes (even just a few words!) to Laura Miller, Director of Alumni Relations, or Johanna Droubay, Managing Editor of The Term.
Thank You to all the Volunteers

Thanks to all Class Reunion Chairs for your hard work this year. We could not have done it without you.

Alumni Governing Council Reunion 2012 Committee Chair
Azali Kassum ’91

Committee Members
Sandy Gentles ’94, Ann Renzy Maclean ’86, Jamie Sullivan ’96 and Andrew Warin ’03

Class Reunion Chairs
1962 50th Deborah Johansen Harris
1967 45th Tom Macy
1972 40th Page Blankingship
1977 35th Lange Johnson & Audrey Baxter Young
1992 20th Ally Bloom & Nicole Kleman Neufeld
1997 15th Rich Ellis, Abby Sullivan and Scott Trabandt
2002 10th Meredith Murphy
2007 5th Liz Frailey, Aaron Kur and Matt Linden
BRING YOUR GAME!

The Annual Potomac School Alumni Spring Games is Saturday, June 9, 2012. Bring your game for a morning of camaraderie and fun. Spread the word and invite your fellow alumni to come play or cheer. As always, alums will play against current students! ALL ARE WELCOME!

Boys and Girls TENNIS at the courts at 10:30 am
Boys LACROSSE game on the Gum Tree at 11:00 am
Girls LACROSSE game on the Turf 11:00 am
BASEBALL game on the Gum Tree at 11:00 am

Host Committee

Annie MacMurray '09, Connor Tetrault '09, Brian Kimm '08, Riker Vermilye '06, Lolly Cunningham ’05, Caroline Kettler ’05, Taylor Manning ’05, Eric Rosenthal ’03, Andrew Warin ’03, Taylor Kettler '02, Meredith Murphy '02, Win Huffman '01, Stephanie Amann Kapsis ’01, Forrest Kettler '00, Reed Landry ’99, Jamie Sullivan '96, Libby Huffman Wilkinson '96, Heather Wilson ’96, Sandy Gentles ’94, Azali Kassum ’91, James Stump ’91, Ann Renzy Maclean ’86, Carl Lettow ’85, Adam Randolph ’76 and Worth MacMurray '69

Continue Reading
Leah Cooper ’02 on Fashion Journalism

Freelance writer Leah Cooper ’02 wrote the article “Well Suited” in the spring issue of The Term magazine, which highlighted the accomplishments of Jody Goehring ‘99. We turned the tables on her and found out what made her tick.

Why fashion writing?
I've always loved fashion. I remember being thrilled about the outfit I wore the first day of school as kindergartner at Potomac! I love the avenue of self-expression that fashion affords people, and I'm amazed at how designers take clothes and reiterate them in so many different, creative ways.

Continue Reading
We Like Likeonomics

Rohit Bhargava’s ‘93 latest book hit stores on May 22. Likeonomics explores why some people and companies are more believable than others and why likeability is the real secret to being more trusted, getting more customers, making more money - and perhaps even changing your life. Rohit is a founding member of the 360 Digital Influence group at Ogilvy, where he has led marketing strategy for clients including Intel, Pepsi, Lenovo, Seiko, Unilever and dozens of others. He is also the author of the bestselling book Personality Not Included, a guide to using personality to reinvent marketing, available in more than 50 countries and eight languages.
Steven John’s '01 Debut Novel: Three A.M.

After earning a film degree from Emerson College and pursuing a career in Los Angeles, Steven John '01 transitioned to the literary world. Three A.M., released March 27, follows Thomas Vale, who lives in a city so thick with fog that no one is certain whether any life exists beyond its borders. Life is gray and hazy, as are the morals of the city's inhabitants. When Thomas meets Rebecca Ayers, he finds himself on the path to unveiling the city's history and secrets.

Continue Reading
Father’s Day Gift: A Good Man

Mark Shriver ’79 has penned a tribute to his father, Robert Sargent Shriver, Jr., founder of the Peace Corps and architect of President Johnson’s War on Poverty. In this intimate portrait of an extraordinary father-son relationship, Shriver discovers the moral principles that guided his legendary father and applies them to his own life.

Continue Reading
A Los Angeles Entrepreneur To Be Proud Of

Ideamensch.com published its list of "63 Los Angeles Entrepreneurs To Be Proud Of," and our own Clark Landry '95 made the cut. Landry is an entrepreneur and investor with several successful exits and 10+ years of experience at online advertising and consumer internet ventures. He is currently the founder and executive chairman at GraphEffect, a social media marketing company that helps clients advertise more effectively on Facebook.