July 22, 2022
 
Hello, Friends,
 
Even during the heat of July and August, when classes are in recess for the summer, the campus is buzzing with summer camps, planning for the next school year, and several events to help keep you connected to The Albany Academies and the many relationships that began during your time at the school. Make sure you have your calendar nearby as you scan this.
Jim Caird ’52 Memorial Service Set for Tomorrow
I hope you will join us tomorrow, Saturday, July 23 at 1:30 p.m. for a memorial service to celebrate the life of beloved alumnus James Caird ’52 in Caird Chapel. Everyone is welcome to attend. For those who can’t make it in person, the event will also be live streamed on the Academies’ YouTube channel. Click here to watch.
Lunch on Us is Back
“Lunch on Us,” the most popular information session our Admissions Office holds for prospective families, is back! Please share with those who might be interested in enrolling their children in the Academies that the event will take place on Wednesday, July 27 at 12:00 p.m. We invite families to come to campus to enjoy a delicious meal and learn more about The Albany Academies. Reservations for the lunch can be made by contacting the Admissions Office at 518.429.2348.
Legacy of Dreams Planned for Friday, September 23
Our annual Legacy of Dreams event will be held this year on Friday, September 23 at Crowne Plaza Albany – The Desmond Hotel, 660 Albany Shaker Road in Albany. The event raises funds to support our student-athletes and athletic programs. We would love for you to join us. For more information, contact Marketing and Communications Manager Nancy Palluti at pallutin@albanyacademies.org.
Celebrate Homecoming with Us
Make plans now to attend the Caird Classic Football Game, tailgating, and a special Homecoming halftime ceremony on Saturday, October 8 at 1:30 p.m. During halftime, a photo of all alumni and alumnae who are present will be taken on the field. Will we see you there? Don’t miss all the fun that Homecoming brings!
Reunion Weekend to be held in May
Mark your calendar now for our next Reunion weekend, to be held on May 18-20, 2023. Attendees of our most recent Reunion can attest to the great experience this annual event is for alumni and alumnae. More details, including a schedule of events, will be out soon.
Golf Outing In memory of Pepper Whitbeck '96
An endowed scholarship was established this past year in memory of Pepper Whitbeck '96 who tragically passed away on July 29, 2021. The “Get off the Sidelines Scholarship” will be awarded to its first Academy recipient this fall. Back in May many of Pepper’s friends and family gathered together for a golf outing in CT to raise funds for the scholarship. The support was incredible and the event raised $135,000! Thank you to the many generous donors who participated and especially to Pepper’s widow, Gabbie Whitbeck, for helping to organize the event.
Annual Fund a Big Success
We are very happy to share that we exceeded our Annual Fund goal for the 2021-22 fiscal year. We are humbled beyond words by the overwhelming support from our community, and especially from our alumnae and alumni. Your centuries-long tradition of paying it forward enhances the experience of every current student at The Albany Academies, and we simply could not do what we do without you! We'd especially like to thank Neerav Patel '96, P'31, Trustee; Alydaar Rangwala '11; Ali Rutnik '15; Sandra O'Connor '69; and all the class chairs for Reunion 2020, 2021, and 2022 for their extra efforts in reaching out to their classmates. Finally, congratulations to Rob Leonard '86, who won the Night-in-NYC giveaway!
Alumni and Alumnae Golf Outing was a Great Day
Thank you to all the alumni, alumnae, parents, students, and friends who joined us for The Academies’ Golf Outing on June 20 at the Colonie Country Club, hosted by our Athletic Council. It was a spectacular day filled with golfing and fun and concluded with a great dinner and awards presentation. NewsChannel 13 Sports Director Rodger Wyland served as our emcee for the awards ceremony and also conducted live interviews during the tournament with our athletic director, students, and Andy Safranko ‘91, P'23, '26 chair of the Athletic Council. You can see the WNYT news coverage here.
New Golf Simulator
We are very excited about the arrival of the new golf simulator at the Academies this past week. What a great addition for our student-athletes and the golf program at AA and AAG! Thank you to the many donors who helped make this happen!
AAG Golfer Wins New York State Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament
Speaking of golf, congratulations to Kennedy Swedick ’24 on winning the New York State Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament. The rising junior battled against a fifth-year senior from Ohio State and won on the 18th hole! To view the tournament’s final scores click here.
Summer Campers Having a Blast
Camp is in full swing here at The Albany Academies. It’s been wonderful to see the campus full of activity and the students really enjoying the variety of programs. Recently, our rocketry campers had a blast building and launching their rockets, watching their hard work fly into the sky. Students in our Musical Theater Camp have also been busy rehearsing for their performance of Disney’s "Frozen Jr.", as well as creating audition binders to prepare them for future auditions.
Student Dances with the New York City Ballet
Congratulations to Addison Dinkles ’28 who was selected to dance with the New York City Ballet at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Addison performed in the company’s full-length production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on July 15 and 16. What an accomplishment!
Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour
Board of Trustees member Nikki Borisenok ’08 and her family’s thoroughbred breeding farm, Old Tavern Farm in Saratoga Springs, have gotten involved in track season with an already sold-out all-inclusive experience. Every Friday participants head to Saratoga Race Course for a buffet breakfast and a chance to watch world-class thoroughbreds during morning training. Breakfast is then followed by a trolly ride to Old Tavern Farm for a guided walking tour of the farm, before a return to the Saratoga Race Course for a day at the races. Check out Old Tavern Farm’s website at https://oldtavernfarms.com/pages/breeding-breakfast-farm-tours. View News 10 WTEN’s coverage of the experience here.
Alumnae and Alumni snapshots
Cindy Urbach '65 has been seen out and about recently with many Academies alumnae and alumni. Here she is with Deedie Moran Hudnut '65 lunching at Josie’s Kitchen.
Carol Swyer '71 and Frank Slingerland '70, are seen here with Sarah Slingerland and Pattie Beeler at Families In Need of Assistance, Inc.'s Spring Event. Photo courtesy of Cindy Urbach '65.
The class of ’62 has been keeping their reunion going. Bill Parks reports, "It has been a surprising pleasure to be the Reunion Chair!" He shared this class photo and note:

Dear AA '62ers, We are sorry about the delay with the class picture but we are having difficulty identifying the guy in the upper left next to Neil and Dusty. He looks familiar but even with The Cue we can't make an ID. Can anyone help? Confused, as usual...Parks
Spirit Wear Store Sale Going on Now
We've got spirit, yes we do, we've got spirit, how about you? Show your Academies pride by visiting our online spirit wear store and taking advantage of the sale going on now. Today through Sunday, July 31, use the code JULY22 to receive 20% off your order of $70 or more! Visit the store here.
A2 Magazine
We’re working on the fall edition of A2 so please send us any class notes you would like to share. Also, to ensure you receive the magazine make sure our Alumni Office has your most current contact information. You can submit any changes here.
Hoping you are enjoying these long summer days. Stay cool!
Sincerely,
Ann Wendth
Chief Advancement Officer