The Steward School Alumni Association

We wish all Steward alumni happy holidays and a happy new year! The alumni office will be closed during Steward's winter break. Mark your calendars for the upcoming alumni events in 2023!

Fun fact: Did you know that there are 21 named stone benches on Steward’s campus? Seventeen of them honor former long-term faculty and staff members and were erected upon each’s retirement or passing. The words on these benches symbolize the individuals’ contributions to our community: examples include “Fore!” for golf coach Catesby Jones; “Read” for former Director of Lower School Debbie Hanger, who is also a reading specialist; and “XOXO,” which was the ‘signature’ for former Lower School Division Assistant Linda Dunville anytime she wrote a note. The remaining four benches were gifts to the school by donors or groups. The first benches were placed on campus in 2009.

Major League News

Way to go, Nic!

Major League News Alumnus will play for the Miami Marlins

Attention all Steward alums in the classes of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022! Mark your calendars on January 5 for the Young Alumni Winter Social! We can't wait to see you! 💙💛

We loved seeing alumni, faculty and staff, retired Steward teachers, and friends yesterday morning for a coffee celebrating our 50th year and our community!

In 1985, music teacher Bonnie Anderson created the character of “Timothy Turkey,” selecting one kindergartner to dress as a colorful turkey while the rest of the class serenaded him/her at the annual Thanksgiving Program. The first student to assume the role was Welly Sanders ‘98; according to Mrs. Anderson, Welly “loved acting like a turkey doing a strut, so he was a natural. He played his part quite well with a smile from ear to ear.” Mrs. Anderson’s original song’s lyrics focus on Thanksgiving dinner, making it clear that Timothy is safe: “I’ll eat sweet potatoes and cranberries too, pumpkin pie gravy, but OH NO not you.” As a true Steward tradition, Timothy Turkey still makes an appearance at the Thanksgiving Program each year with the kindergarten class.

Our DC Alums braved the rain and cold last night ☔️ to have a wonderful time catching up with one another! 💙💛

This week's Fun Fact is all about athletics! In the School's first year, there were six organized sports for students to play, and "Spartans" was chosen as the nickname for athletic teams. "Steward was characterized by its austerity, frugality, simplicity, and courage," according to former Headmaster Paul Cramer's book, "A Story of Success." He added, "Perhaps that is why the name 'Spartans' was chosen." A Spartan head was painted in the center of the original gymnasium floor in 1991 by a senior, Tom Galvin '91.

Did you play sports during your time at Steward? Let us know in the comments below!

We loved seeing our alumni at the annual Founders Society event last week. They enjoyed drinks and hors d'oeuvres and mingled with other members of the Founders Society at the home of Jane duFrane and Doug Pera (Lucie ’25, Gray ’25). As Annual Fund donors who contribute $1,000 or more each year, they are all part of this leadership giving society. Are you an alum interested in joining the Founders Society? Reach out to [email protected] to let us know!

In honor of Steward’s 50th year, we will be posting some fun facts about Steward and its history to share with our alumni!

When The Steward School opened its doors for the first day of school on September 11, 1972, there were 90 students in grades K-10. For the first three months, Steward “lived” at Derbyshire Baptist Church until the School moved to its brand-new campus at Gayton and Ryandale Roads in January 1973. The new building (now Dixon Hall, the Lower School) was dedicated on May 20, 1973. Check out this original picture of Dixon Hall!

The Alumni Engagement Team is hitting the road and we can't wait to see our Spartan alumni in the DC Metro Area! RSVP using the Paperless Post invitation and share with your friends: https://www.paperlesspost.com/go/1BVLV2Nh8ae4WVHpj3lKq

Check out this picture from one of the first Steward alumni functions ever! The gathering was held at the North Pole in Goochland in 1985. Do you recognize anyone in the photo?

This week’s Standout Spartan is Steward alumna Sonali Sanjay `20. She created an app called Mil, which launched recently after more than a year of research, testing, and development. Sonali, a junior at Duke University who is studying statistics and finance, was inspired to create the app during her first semester at college. She hopes that Mil - the Hindi word for “meet” - will encourage “hyper-casual and spontaneous” meetups with other members of the Duke community. Read an article about Sonali in The Chronicle, Duke’s student-run news organization: https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2022/10/duke-chronicle-sonali-sanjay-mil-new-app-seeks-to-spark-spontaneous-connections-to-make-campus-feel-less-lonely

We are excited to share a limited run of this year's Trucks & Shucks shirts, available now until October 26! These commemorative 50th-anniversary shirts have the Trucks & Shucks logo (designed by Dani Blake ’09) on the front and the artwork of Zach Barnard ’12 on the back. Check out more details and order today on our Custom Ink Fundraiser page: https://www.customink.com/fundraising/steward-alumni-limited-edition-trucks-shucks-shirts

Shoutout to Susan Mire ‘14 and Chloe Staples ‘14 who kicked off our sales during Spartafest!

Art Exhibit Features Steward Alumni

We are so excited to share "A Year of Alumni Art,” a rotating exhibit in the Carolyn R. Brandt Gallery. Check out the current works by Jack Sims ’15 and Lindsey C. (Leach) Jennings ’04 next time you're on campus!

Art Exhibit Features Steward Alumni Spartan talent on display 

What a fun weekend! Special shoutout to those who attended Trucks & Shucks and Alumni Brunch - we can't wait to share more pictures with you soon!

We are excited to introduce our sponsors for Trucks and Shucks, which kicks off our 50th Anniversary Homecoming Weekend tomorrow! The Alumni Association is so grateful for this amazing show of support from alumni, parents and families, and community members!

🥳 Attention reunion year alumni 🥳

Check our your class reunion plans during Homecoming Weekend! Email [email protected] for more information!

All alumni (21+) are invited to the 2nd annual Alumni Brunch during the 50th Anniversary Homecoming Weekend! Join us this Sunday on campus in the Brandt Gallery for a wonderful gathering where reunion classes will be recognized! Register today: https://www.stewardschool.org/community/special-events/anniversary-celebrations

Enjoy these photos from last year's event - which was the first of its kind!

We are ONE week away from Trucks & Shucks! Can you find yourself in this picture from last year's group?

Don't miss out on all you-can-eat FiftyOne Pizza and La Bête food trucks 🍕 🦪 and all-you-can-drink STRANGEWAYS BREWING 🍻 beer!

Tickets are still available so register today 💙💛: https://www.stewardschool.org/trucks-and-shucks-registration

The Steward Alumni Association is now on Instagram!

Follow us and continue to engage with your fellow alumni as we celebrate The Steward School's 50th anniversary.

instagram.com/stewardalums

With more than 1,400 alumni in our 50-year history, we are excited to welcome the Steward Alumni Association to Instagram!

Our Alumni Association is run by and for Steward alumni. Whether you currently live down the road from campus or across the globe, it’s our goal for everyone to stay connected. We are ! 💙💛

𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 @𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝘁: instagram.com/stewardalums

The Alumni Association hosted the first-ever Alumni Networking Event last week! Attendees enjoyed the "speed networking" format of the event and connected with fellow Spartans across multiple industries including real estate, financial services, and more!

A Message from Harry Baron '01

Check out this message from Harry Baron '01, Alumni Board Treasurer and Fundraising Committee Chair about this year's Trucks & Shucks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn6RHHRgoag

Only 16 days until the event! We can't wait to see you!

A Message from Harry Baron '01

Looking for a new activity? Steward has lots going on for our alumni community—drop-ins welcome!

~ Community Yoga—Adults and students (6th grade and older) can drop by the Bryan Innovation Lab for a free yoga class led by Bryan Lab Program Specialist Megan Young; every Tuesday from 3:30-4:15 p.m.

~ Garden Stewards—Learn about gardening and help in the Ipsen Gardens at the Bryan Lab on Thursday afternoons from 3:10-4:30 p.m.—and take home fresh organic produce!

~ Nature Play School—Bring your preschool child (ages 1-4) for some nature time behind the Bryan Lab from 8:00-8:45 a.m. on Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2, and Jan. 6.

~ Little Library—Drop by campus and drop off or pick up a book.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or Bryan Lab Program Specialist Megan Young at [email protected].

Trucks & Shucks kicks off the 50th Anniversary Homecoming Weekend festivities on Friday, October 14! All alumni (21+) are invited to attend this annual fundraiser benefiting The Steward School Alumni Association! Buy your tickets today: https://www.stewardschool.org/trucks-and-shucks-registration

RSVP for Steward's Alumni Networking Event: https://lnkd.in/e7ctgBWB

Join us for a cup of coffee and the opportunity to network with fellow Spartans!

The countdown is on...37 days until the 50th Anniversary Homecoming Weekend! Registrations for Trucks & Shucks and Alumni Brunch are live! Interested in hosting and sponsoring the event? Visit Steward's website to learn more: https://www.stewardschool.org/community/special-events/anniversary-celebrations

Summer of Suds (Hardywood) - stewardsnaps

We had a lovely time seeing so many familiar faces at Hardywood West Creek last Thursday! See more pictures from the event on Steward Snaps: https://www.stewardsnaps.org/2022-23-School-Year/Community/Alumni-Engagement/Alumni-Gatherings-Summer-of-Suds

Summer of Suds (Hardywood) - stewardsnaps Steward Snaps hosts all the beautiful imagery captured throughout the school year, from classroom happenings and athletic games to stage performances and community events.

We look forward to seeing Steward alumni on Thursday at the last Summer of Suds happy hour of summer 2022 at Hardywood - West Creek!

It was great to see alums at the Tang & Biscuit happy hour last week!

Hello Steward alumni! I’m Emma Krusz and I would like to introduce myself as a new member of the Development Office at The Steward School; I’ll be dedicated full time to alumni engagement and volunteers. I work closely with our Director of Development Jenni Booker Baker and Special Projects Coordinator Sydney Smith to make up the Alumni Engagement Team. I started at Steward in July, so I am looking forward to meeting alums and working with those who volunteer as members of our Alumni Association Board and class agents!

A little bit about me: I was born and raised in Tappahannock, VA and graduated from St. Margaret’s School. I played volleyball and basketball against Steward, back when both schools were in the League of Independent Schools (LIS), so the Athletic Center is familiar to me! I attended Mount St. Mary’s University and majored in communications with a concentration in public relations. Some of my hobbies include cooking, yoga, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

Lots of happy faces at from the Classes of 2020 & 2021 at last week's Young Alumni Summer Social!

Hope to see lots of Steward alumni at tomorrow's Summer of Suds happy hour at The Grill!