Allison Urban-Spillane '16 practicing her fencing

Allison Urban-Spillane '16 with Trish King Porter, mother of Connor Porter, at the USA Fencing Summer Nationals Competition This summer, Allison Urban-Spillane '16 was awarded the Connor Porter Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was created in 2013 and is awarded to two fencers annually. To be eligible for the award, candidates must be members of USA Fencing, write an essay, and include a letter of recommendation from a coach. This year's essay topic was about competition, friendship, the importance of working together, and helping others. Allison is a member of the Rochester Fencing Club and competes at both local and national events. She is a certified referee in all three weapons (foil, epee, and sabre) and simply loves the sport of fencing. She said her favorite part is teaching others. At the Rochester Fencing Club, she helped create "visually-based" drills and lessons for a young fencer with ADHD. Allison continues her love of fencing on the varsity fencing team at Stevens Institute of Technology. Congratulations Allison on this wonderful achievement!

  

Congratulations to Jennifer Helmer '04 for her second place finish in the Rochester Marathon! Read the coverage of the race in the Democrat and Chronicle.

  

Oak Tree from the Class of 1966 The Class of 1966 pulled together for their 50th Reunion in June to support The Harley School. The class Reunion committee indicated that they wanted to contribute a gift to the School that would make a difference for the students. I spoke to teachers and administrators and it was determined that we needed more shade trees for the Lower School playground. The class was delighted to make such a gift and an oak tree was purchased and planted in memory of late classmates, Peter Beckerman, John Briggs, Michael Jedd, David Smith, Doug Smith, and Lucretia Taylor. In addition to this momentous gift, the class also raised nearly $8,000 toward the Harley Scholarship Fund.  Thank you, Class of 1966, for your wonderful remembrance to the School!

Old Flagpole

New flagpole

Bench in memory of Jill P. Cruikshank '73

"A meeting place for friends."

Bench in memory of Janet L. Cruikshank '76

In celebration of their 40th Reunion, the Class of 1976, with a push by classmate, Tim Wiest, made a remarkable gift to the School. Tim contacted me a year before their Reunion and said, "Hey Karen, I have an idea. Can you send me some pictures of the current flagpole and find some old pictures of it from when I went to school?" I didn't know what he was up to, but I did as I was asked and sent along some photos. Thus began the passionate plea from Tim to his classmates to donate to the "Flagpole Project." Not only did we receive enough funding to update the existing flagpole and base, but Andrew Cruikshank '80, brother to Jan '76 and Jill '73, made an additional gift to memorialize his sisters with the beautiful benches. 

Thank you to the Class of 1976 and the Cruikshank family for making these campus beautifying gifts to The Harley School!

This project was constructed by Chuck Eblacker, the stone mason who created our stone wall. Chuck worked through Labor Day to make sure the flagpole and benches were completed by the first day of School.

The J. Hertz '89 Computer Lab Over the summer, we officially dedicated the Lower School Computer Lab as The J. Hertz '89 Computer Lab in memory of Harley graduate Jimmy Hertz '89. Thank you to Duke Steamer '91 for this gift honoring a great friend to so many.

Carol Baumeister '83

Carol Baumeister '82 started volunteering in the alumni office this summer. Carol met with Director of Development, Deb Weiss Walker '83, last year and offered to help out with Harley's archives during her spare time. She has been coming in weekly for the past few months to help us organize and properly store the cherished artifacts we have collected over the years. This includes newspaper clippings from Harley's beginnings, artwork, photos, slides, documents, posters from plays, sports, and HAC related items. 

Specific items found in the archives include the following: an Ansel Adams print courtesy of  Dexter Lewis, Headmaster (1977-1982) and Department Chair of History at the University of Rochester; a newspaper article from the 1970's picturing young Chris Varner '80 and Craig Wadsworth '80 working on a "new" computer data system; 19th century family photographs of Harley founder, Harriet Bentley; and images and information on the succession of buildings on Clover Street.

We are so appreciative of all the work that Carol is doing, but she needs your help! There are many photos, images, and slides that need to be identfied. If you are interested in helping or have any photographs, slides, or memorabilia to donate, please contact Karen Saludo at [email protected].

  

Peter Obourn, Linda Obourn, and Jim Townsend '61 Jim Townsend '61 ran into Linda Obourn (Lower School teacher from 1985-1996) and her husband Peter in Old Forge, NY this summer. Linda and Peter have a camp in the area and Jim was there to compete in the "90 Miler," a three day canoe race from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. This is Jim's 3rd 90 miler--the first two were with his daughter, Sarah '01, and this year he went solo supported by Sarah and his wife, Anne, as his pit crew. He finished the first 66 miles in under 14 hours. Unfortunately, the third day was cancelled due to 25 mph winds. We have been told that Jim is already training for next year!

  

Several members of the Class of 1998 gathered at Caroline Marshall's wedding: Marc Mayer, Karen Yeoman, Caroline Marshall (the beautiful bride!), Sarah Mitchell, and Chris Wright