February 18, 2022
 
Hello, Friends,

Greetings from Albany, New York where this week we have experienced all kinds of weather, from a very cold 7-degree Monday to a balmy 57-degree Thursday! Every day feels like a different season, but the variable weather doesn’t slow us down. There’s always something happening here at the Academies.
Head of School issues Founders’ Day and Charter Day challenges
We have a lot to be proud of as we mark 208 years of Albany Academy for Girls and 209 years of The Albany Academy providing excellence in education to students. To recognize our 200-plus-year history, Head of School Chris Lauricella P’20, ’22 has issued two challenges to our alumnae and alumni: If 208 alumnae make a gift of any amount by Founders’ Day, Thursday, February 24, he will make a $1,814 donation to the Annual Fund. If 209 alumni make a gift of any amount by Charter Day, Friday, March 4, he will make a $1,813 donation to the Annual Fund. Founders’ Day, Charter Day, and Reunion are all wonderful times for you and your classmates to make The Albany Academies memories possible for future generations with a gift to the school. These unrestricted gifts not only support our daily operations but also the remarkable people and unique programs that make the Academies the best educational institution in the region. Visit https://give.albanyacademies.org/campaigns/reunion-2021 if you would like to donate as part of these challenges. We appreciate your support!
Three alumni and alumnae gatherings scheduled
We have planned three alumni/ae gatherings in the next several weeks and we hope you’ll join us if you are in the area. First, young leaders will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Granary Tavern in Boston on Thursday, February 24. Other alumni/ae will gather at 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 26 at the home of Mila and Tom Tuttle ’84 in Palm Beach, Florida, and at the home of Bryonie Byers and Kevin Avery ’80 in Chevy Chase, Maryland at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 7. Don’t miss these great opportunities to visit with other alums and make new Academy connections! To register for any of these events, visit https://www.albanyacademies.org/events.
Robert Higgins to speak at Mid-Winter Dinner
Dr. Robert Higgins ’77, president of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and executive vice president of Mass General Brigham, will be the featured speaker at our Mid-Winter Dinner. The event, which is sponsored by the Alumni Association, will be held on Thursday, March 10 at 6 p.m. in Caird Chapel. We hope to see you there. To register, visit https://www.albanyacademies.org/mid-winter-dinner-2022.
Admissions events on the calendar
Please share with any families you know who might be considering an Academies education for their children that we have some events planned to provide them with a good overview of our school. On Wednesday, March 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 14 at 1 p.m. we will hold open house events. Also, our Asked & Answered information sessions provide an opportunity for prospective families to learn about our school and include a general presentation about academics, athletics, and extracurricular opportunities. A tour of the campus is provided at 4:30 p.m. before the information sessions, which start at 5 p.m. Several sessions are planned for Wednesday evenings during the months ahead, including February 23, March 9, April 20, May 4 and 18, and June 15.
Register now for Common Threads
Common Threads, our newly named annual Alumnae Association event, will be held on Sunday, March 13 at noon in the Stevens Center. Join us to hear from our featured speaker, Wendy Cohen Summer ’69.  

Wendy has given much of her time to philanthropy and has had a large impact on youth education in Afghanistan. Since 2006, she visited Afghanistan 16 times and has helped many families put their children through school. Wendy was also instrumental in building new schools and youth programs. Since the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in August 2021, Ms. Summer turned her efforts to evacuating vulnerable Afghans and to providing humanitarian aid to those still in Afghanistan. 
Science Symposium
Grade Seven students at Albany Academy for Girls participated this week in a Science Symposium, an academically rigorous project-based learning experience where students are required to present their findings to a panel of judges. The project with the highest point tallies will move on to the Joseph Henry Science Fair in May at The College of St. Rose, one of the largest science fairs in the area!
Spring Gathering coming in April
Spring Gathering Co-chairs Elissa Smith P’23, ’25, ’26, and Kaari Stannard P’20, ’23 are leading a terrific team of volunteers in planning our annual Spring Gathering, to be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 at The Kenmore in Albany. This event raises funds to support our financial aid and merit scholarship programs. To purchase tickets, Click here.
Save the date for Reunion
Have you made plans yet for Reunion weekend on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 19, 20 and 21? Join your friends and classmates for this annual celebration and don’t miss out on all the fun. This year, the annual Hall of Fame celebration (typically held on the Saturday of Reunion weekend) will be held on Thursday evening, May 19 at the Crowne Plaza Albany – The Desmond Hotel. You can find the full Reunion schedule here. If you are interested in being a chair for your class, please contact Joanne DelCarpine at delcarpinej@albanyacademies.org
Alumni/ae golf outing planned for June
We’re planning an alumni/ae golf outing for Monday, June 20 at the Colonie Country Club in Voorheesville. Join us for a day of fun on the links with your fellow alums. Watch for more details in the coming weeks.
Be well and stay in touch,
Ann Wendth
Chief Advancement Officer