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Department of Alumni Relations Connects Alumni, Pinewood Students by Annabelle Eaton

Photo by Saavri Biswal

At the end of each school year, seniors step onto campus for the last time as students and walk away from the years they spent learning at Pinewood. To many alumni, graduation feels like the end of an era. At Pinewood, graduation is a new opportunity to forge bonds with students, faculty, and other alumni through Pinewood alumni events and traditions.

One such event is Panthers to Panthers: A Conversation with Our Alumni. On Thursday, Jan. 20, alumni joined a webinar with Pinewood families to answer questions about life as graduates and college students.

Director of Alumni Relations Anne Wong finds that events like the Panther to Panther conversation help alumni better connect with the community and their experiences at Pinewood.

“At these events alumni can see former teachers and friends,” Wong said. “Many alumni have great memories of their time at Pinewood, so being able to have those connections is really important to them.”

While the Panthers to Panthers event focuses on alumni relationships with students, it also allows students to learn more about their opportunities following graduation from Pinewood.

“Alumni can show Pinewood students what their futures can look like,” Wong said.

Former students have even discovered their passions through Pinewood and form connections to those who they spent time with.

Class of 2018 graduate Sara Bares discovered her passion for music and songwriting through Pinewood.

“During my earlier Pinewood years, I had a teacher who started teaching me guitar lessons during lunch,” Bares said. “I believe that Pinewood really helped me discover my love of music which is what I am doing in college now.”

Class of 2020 graduate Katherine Han discovered her love of writing through Pinewood’s writing programs, as well as through clubs like journalism.

“There were so many opportunities for me to explore all my interests at Pinewood and that let me figure out what I am passionate about,” Han said. “I really loved journalism and that translated into my major in college now.”

Although graduated, Han finds that she still connects with Pinewood’s community. Alumni events help her remember the time she spent at Pinewood learning and growing into the person she is today.

“In our reunion, it was the first time we were together since COVID-19,” Han said. “It was great to talk to my friends and teachers and remember all the good times we’ve spent together.”