Greetings from campus!
It's week two of spring break and we are enjoying a quiet campus, knowing it won't stay quiet for long. The spring is packed with travel to visit with alumni in Arizona, California, and Washington, DC. We will welcome grandparents and special elders to campus for the ever-popular Grandparents' Day and before we can blink it will be Commencement and then, REUNION 2022!
This Commencement marks the 50th class to graduate from the Williston Northampton School. As we reflect on five decades of co-education, we want to celebrate the Women of Williston who exemplify our motto of #PurposePassionIntegrity in their lives beyond WNS. Please take a moment to nominate an alumna who's making a difference in the world as one of our 50 For the Next 50.
Jill Stern, Director of Alumni Engagement
Notes from Campus
Thanks to you, Williston Builds: The Campaign for Our Community continues to gain momentum, reaching $56M toward our goal of $70M. With a focus on supporting our people and our community, watch this video where students share what living and learning at Williston Northampton means to them.
Congratulations to all of our championship teams and athletes! Girls Varsity Hockey earned a NEPSAC championship win at the Chuck Vernon Elite Girls Hockey Tournament. Chuck Vernon '62 was on hand to present the trophy to the team. Boys Swimming and Diving also captured a NEPSAC title, and pool records were shattered by swimmers on the girls team (See photos from the contests in our Flickr Galleries and follow @WillistonAthletics on Twitter for all of the latest news)
Read all about it! The new issue of the The Willistonian hit the newsstands this week. The latest edition is packed with intriguing stories, including interviews with Williston's new Dance and French teachers, reports on how seniors are feeling as graduation approaches, and hot takes on the Olympic sports students would most like to compete in. Peruse these stories and more online.
Spotlight on: Kinda Hibrawi ’96
When Kinda Hibrawi ’96 catches the scent of laurel bay leaf soap, she’s transported to her hometown, Aleppo, Syria. “The fresh, clean scent reminds me of my grandmother,” she says. To support the continuation of that ancient soap-making tradition, Hibrawi co-founded Mint + Laurel, which imports artisan-crafted, vegan, organic soaps made with traditional Syrian ingredients and essential oils. Read about the other programs that this artist and changemaker has started with the intent to "shift how people think about areas undergoing political conflict."
Spotlight on: 50 years of co-education
“As a female leader on campus, I feel empowered and supported. I think we all do,” Senior Class President, Sarah Markey ’22.
Fifty years ago this fall, 143 girls joined 337 boys on the Williston Northampton campus—and the school was forever changed. In celebration of a half-century of coeducation, we reflect on that historic moment.
Spotlight on: Ashley Gearing '09
The musician’s life is not new to Gearing, who signed her first record deal with Disney at 12 and her second while a student at Williston. Now she's on the road with her new band, The Wildcards. Read how the duo came together, check out their latest releases, and catch them at a venue near you as life on the road resumes.
Alumni Events
We are counting down the weeks! Reunion 2022 will be here before you know it. Join us in celebrating the classes of the 2s and 7s, and the first co-ed class to graduate from the Williston Northampton School. Here's looking at you '72! See the schedule, check out which classmates have already registered (love the enthusiasm!), and register online—all at the Reunion website.
We had the best time visiting with alumni, parents, and friends at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach. See photos of all the fun in the Flickr galleries. We are headed west for March with stops in Arizona and an all-alumni brunch at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. April sees us at the Cosmos Club in DC for an alumni reception, and then it's all reunion, all the time as we get ready for June 10 - 12 and our first on-campus gathering since 2019. Don't miss out on any of the fun. Register online at the Alumni Events page.
Wondering how the Williston Northampton professional network works? Read this story of a Wildcat connection with career-enhancing results. Next, search our alumni LinkedIn or join WillistonConnects to find alumni who share your professional and personal interests. On WillistonConnects, members of the community are ready and willing to offer advice and perspective no matter where you are in your career journey. And with over 1000 members and growing, the Williston Alumni and Alumni of Color LinkedIn Groups are your go-to resources for professional contacts. Tap into the power of your Wildcat Networks!
THANKS TO YOU...
FOUNDERS DAY WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!
Founders Day was an AMAZING day for the Williston Northampton School community—we have so much to celebrate! It was wonderful to see Wildcats near and far come together to support our students and faculty on this special day. More than 1,440 supporters raised more than $459,000 for the Williston Northampton Fund. Bragging rights were on the line for the alumni class with the most donors on Founders Day…and the winner is Class of 1982 with 50 classmates making a gift, followed closely by the Class of 1983 with 42 classmates contributing. As promised, Class of 1982 has been painted on the lion—congrats, and thank you!