February 17, 2023 Hello Friends,   You’ll want to have your calendar close by as you read this week’s Happenings because we have news about our annual Spring Gathering, some local alumni/ae gatherings, our golf outing, and Reunion 2023. We hope you’ll note those dates and plan to participate in many of the events.

Mid-Winter Gathering a big success Thank you to all of who you attended our Mid-Winter Gathering last night at the ETEC Building on the Harriman Campus of UAlbany. I hope you enjoyed hearing from our featured speaker, Armen Garo ’73, who shared why the Academy prepared him and so many others for tremendous success. Armen profiled several alumni who have made an impact in their careers, communities, and in life. He also mingled with the more than 50 attendees and shared some of his experiences as part of the casts of the acclaimed 2021 movie CODA and HBO’s megahit The Sopranos. Congratulations to the Alumni Association for a very successful event and special thanks to Kirk Harbinger ’85 from UAlbany for assisting with the coordination of the gathering and providing a wonderful tour of the ETEC building on the Harriman Campus! Pictured here are from l-r: Michael Keefrider '00, John Scicchitano '88, Mark Woodward '73, Frank Williams '73, Dave Rider '73, P'04, Dimitri Yavis '85, and Armen Garo '73.

Alumna Amari Duncan ’14 speaks at assembly for Black History Month February is designated as Black History Month, an annual celebration of the achievements of African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. We are thankful to Alumna Amari Duncan ’14 for coming back to the Academies to speak to our Upper School students at an assembly focusing on alumni and alumnae of color who have made a significant impact through the years. Amari is currently the Donor Experience Manager at the United Way of the Greater Capital Region. She shared her experiences as a student, athlete, and woman of color while a student at Albany Academy for Girls. Thank you, Amari!

AAG Varsity Basketball Team are Colonial Council Champions Congratulations to the AAG Varsity Basketball Team for being the undefeated Colonial Council Champions – a first since the team joined the league in 2008. What a tremendous season it has been for the team. Way to go, Bears!

Class of 1938 alumna passes away We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Arlene Drake Dickinson ’38, P'77, who passed away peacefully at her home in Kennebunk Beach, Maine on December 18, 2022 at the age of 101. Arlene was one of our longest-living alumna; this year would have marked the 85th anniversary of her graduation from Albany Academy for Girls. After AAG, Arlene attended Wheelock College, the State University of New York, Nottingham University in England, and the University of Michigan, obtaining multiple master's degrees and working on her Ph.D. She was an avid educator, school administrator, guidance counselor, and special education teacher, working at all levels from kindergarten through college. In fact, Doug North ’58 had Arlene as his Kindergarten teacher while a student at AA. She is survived by her sister Florence Drake Dumon '47, and her daughter Emily Dickerson Leele '77.

Spring Gathering honorees announced Please mark your calendars for this year’s Spring Gathering to be held on Saturday, April 29 at Albany Country Club. We are especially pleased to announce three very deserving honorees who represent the past, present, and future of the Academies.   Caroline Mason, former Head of Albany Academy for Girls and Head of School for The Albany Academies, was responsible for the merger of AA and AAG that became official in July of 2007. Caroline is a member of the Board of Visitors and remains involved with the Academies. She has an endowed scholarship in her name and the lobby at AAG -- soon to be renovated -- will be named in Caroline’s honor.    Dave Pascone P’02 is a beloved faculty member who has been teaching at the Academies for more than 30 years. He has chaired the last several reaccreditation processes and we just received notification that we have been reaccredited for another five years, thanks to Dave’s efforts. He has served as an English Chair and is very well respected by his colleagues, alumni, alumnae, students, and parents.   Nancy Carey Cassidy P’13, ’15, current President of the Board of Trustees, is the longest-serving president of the board in the school’s history. She has also served as president of the Parents Association and has been an avid supporter of the School, particularly the Fine Arts. Under Nancy’s leadership, a five-year strategic plan with six major goals was established, including the recent Campus by Division plan.   For more information, please visit our website at albanyacademies.org/page/spring-gathering

Gatherings set for Florida and NYC Local alumni/ae gatherings are always a fun way to connect with friends and former classmates, so if you are in Florida on Friday, March 4 or New York City on Friday, April 14 I hope you’ll join us for one of these events. For more details and to register, click here for the FL Gathering, and click here for the NYC Gathering.

Mark your calendars for our Golf Outing in June Mark your calendars now to join us for our annual golf outing on Monday, June 19 at Colonie Country Club. Whether you’re spending time on the green or just joining us for dinner, you’ll get to catch up with other alumni, alumnae and parents have an opportunity to watch others golf with the Academies’ championship golf teams. For more on how you can support our Athletics program, click here.

Meet the Head of School Giving Challenge for AAG Founders' Day Next Friday, February 24, is Albany Academy for Girls Founders' Day when we'll celebrate the School's 209 years! In honor of this milestone, Head of School Chris Lauricella will give $1,814 to The Academies Fund if 209 alumnae make a gift of any amount. As of today, we still need 91 AAG Alumna to make a gift. Please visit boostmyschool.com/academies-strong to lend your support. Thank you for supporting our school and our students!

Get ready for Reunion 2023! Do you want to take a trip down memory lane and step back on campus? Join us for Reunion 2023, scheduled for May 18-20! This year we will be celebrating class years that end in 3 and 8, as well as the 50th reunion of the class of 1973. Reunion wouldn’t be possible without those who have volunteered to be a class co-chair. If you are interested in becoming a class co-chair, contact Joanne DelCarpine at delcarpinej@albanyacademies.org or call 518.429.2391. Online registration coming soon!

Thanks for all you do for the Academies. Stay in touch!

Ann Wendth Chief Advancement Officer

albanyacademies.org

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