Reunion 2017 Recalls Old Memories—and Makes New Ones
From Kyoto, Japan, to Kansas City, Missouri, more than 350 Upper School alumni and guests returned “home” for Reunion last month.
For some, reconnecting on campus was a relatively familiar event, as they had attended previous reunions; but for at least one Upper School and College alum, it was his first time back in 45 years! He was delighted to receive personalized tours of both campuses. And at least two alums were celebrating 75 and 80 years since Upper School graduation.
Guests enjoyed touring the School’s new learning spaces—including the Performing Arts Center, House Hall, and the Founder’s Room—as well as the “A-Wing” classrooms they all remembered so well. At the request of members of the Classes of 1967 and 1968, a Field Day reprise of their Lower School years was added to the program. Competing in sack races, an egg toss, and other relays on the new turf field made for lots of laughter and many fond memories.
“The great thing about reunion was the sense of energy that alums felt across campus,” says Kelly Peticolas (C’90), Associate Director of Alumni and Field Relations. “Interacting with students and faculty, our guests came away feeling very positive about what’s going on at the School—and with an expectancy of continued good.” In fact, the 50th Reunioners were so enthused by their experience that they spontaneously organized a fundraising drive and plan to donate whatever is collected toward new carpeting for Ridgway Auditorium.
Other popular activities included talks by Head of School Travis Brantingham (US’94, C’98) and Chief Executive Marshall Ingwerson (C’79), as well as a Friday morning chapel featuring former dean, housepop, and coach Bill Simon (US’54) and current Dean of Boys Clark Shutt (US’72). Simon and the members of the 1967 and 1968 soccer teams—which he coached to victory in the ABC League championships both years—were introduced and acknowledged during Saturday’s varsity soccer game on the Mesa field.
In keeping with recent reunions, the grand finale was a dinner and dance (hippie-era, tie-dye dress optional!) held at the Chase Park Plaza ballroom. In fact, Peticolas notes, Principia’s first-ever alumni reunion, a 25th-anniversary celebration in 1927 for Principia’s first graduating class, was also held at the then-new Chase Park Plaza. But a new twist this year was the Hubbell Cup—named for Winifred Hubbell, first president of the Principia Alumni Association and organizer of that first reunion—which recognizes the class that brings back the highest percentage of members to a reunion. This year, it was the Class of 1967, for which class reps Joyce “Dennie” Lattin and Jo Ellen (Good) Watford received the cup in recognition of their unflagging enthusiasm and hard work. In addition, during ceremonies at the Chase, Abbott Jones (US’52, C’56), a founding partner and former managing director of AdMedia Partners in New York City, received the David K. Andrews Distinguished Alumni award.
In reflecting on the Reunion, Aileen (Sprague, US’68) Smith noted that, as a student, one may tend to take Principia’s benefits as a given, “but you realize the real gift when you’re back here!” Internationally known for leading the movement for a nuclear-power-free Japan, Smith said, “Principia was a core part of my life—and the essence of Principia is very much my foundation and the spirit that I work with.”
Enjoy this collection of images from Reunion 2017!