September 23, 2021
Hello, Friends,
Fall is officially here, and our campus is bustling with both academic and athletic activity, all of which means there is a great deal for alumni/ae to be proud of and to become involved in.
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Legacy of Dreams a success
Thank you to the alumni and alumnae who supported our Legacy of Dreams event last Friday evening at Frog Alley Brewing Company in Schenectady, which was a big success. It was a lovely evening out on their patio in the company of parents, friends, and classmates, and we were treated to a special visit by Dion Lewis, former NFL running back and Albany Academy student (thanks to Jenny Riitano Levy ’93, P’28, both pictured here). We’re also happy to announce that we exceeded our fundraising goal! Our gratitude goes to event co-chair Andy Safranko ’91, P’23, '26 (pictured here) for leading such a fun event.
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Reunion is only days away
There is still time to register for Reunion weekend on Friday and Saturday, October 1 and 2. We have a full schedule of events planned that you won’t want to miss. Click here to register and connect with your classmates and friends. I hope you’ll join us!
Congratulations again to our Class of 2021 AA Hall of Fame honorees: David Martin ’61 (posthumously), John Rich ’61, Jay Peacock ’71, Robert Helm ’76, Gerard Kyo Jeong ’91, Agean Robinson ’01, Oliver Tassinari ’01, Jak Bestle (coach), and the 1961 Swimming Team, and to the AAG Hall of Fame honorees: Allison Stefanelli '16, Nicole Van Slyke ‘03, Mary Beth Davis '88, and Sarah Kandath '11. We also want to recognize our Distinguished Alumnae and Alumni being recognized at the Welcome Reception on Friday evening: Meghan Bodnar '99, Nicole Borisenok '08, Andy Safranko '91, and Alydaar Rangwala '11.
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Make your Annual Fund gift in Honor of Reunion
Please consider showing your support of your alma mater by making a gift to the School in honor of your class during Reunion week. On Friday, October 1 we’ll announce the classes with the highest percentage of participation and the highest level of giving during the Reunion Welcome Reception. Look for an email with a special link in the coming days!
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Celebrate Homecoming with us
Make plans to attend the annual Caird Classic Football game vs. Canterbury School on Saturday, October 9. Tailgating begins at Noon, followed by the football game. There will be a special Homecoming halftime ceremony. During halftime, we’ll also take a photo on center field of those alumni and alumnae who are present along with Jim '52 and Cindy Caird. Will we see you there?
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Alumni/ae Speaker Series kicks off
The first session in this year’s Alumni/ae Speaker Series will take place on Monday, October 25 with a focus on entrepreneurship. If you are interested in sharing your experience and expertise with our students, please contact Sarah Adamowski at adamowskis@albanyacademies.org. This series provides our current students with amazing opportunities to learn about the many careers they can pursue from alumni and alumnae.
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Asked & Answered sessions scheduled
Our Asked & Answered sessions provide an opportunity for prospective families to learn more about the unique programs and features offered at The Albany Academies. Each session focuses on a specific aspect of an Academies experience, such as athletics, single-gender education, and college counseling, and provides an excellent opportunity to engage with the faculty and staff who enrich students in and out of the classroom. Please encourage anyone you know who might be considering an Academies education for their child to participate in one of our upcoming sessions. They are scheduled for the following Wednesdays at 3 p.m. - October 6, October 20, November 17, and December 8.
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It’s a hole-in-one!
Congratulations to a freshman student-athlete at AAG for scoring a hole-in-one during the September 20 Albany Academy for Girls golf match vs. Saratoga High School! The student got her ace on hole 9, a 244-yard par 4, at McGregor Links Golf Club in Wilton, N.Y. and she assisted the team with a win against Saratoga with a total score of 113.
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Recent events on campus
On September 10, First Chapel and Opening Assembly were held to start off the new academic year. We were pleased to have some of our alumni present with us for First Chapel. Each alumnus in the balcony of Caird Chapel had the opportunity to introduce himself.
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Also, our New Family Gathering, hosted by our Admissions team, welcomed more than 140 new families to the Academies community on September 13. This group included several children of alumni/ae. We are very pleased to have them join our community. |
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Alumni notes
The Honorable Fred Rodgers '58 proudly shows off his new Albany Academy cap!
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Actor Armen Garo ’73 was interviewed about the upcoming HBO series The Many Saints of Newark (which is a prequel to The Sopranos). “From what I’ve seen in the trailer, it’s a prequel where you come to understand the ways The Sopranos characters became who they were, and it touches upon those characters at a younger age," said Garo. You will find the complete article here. Armen most recently appeared in the film CODA, which won multiple awards at the Sundance film festival and is soon to be released on Apple TV.
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A2 arriving soon
You can catch up on other news about the School and your classmates with the newest edition of our A2 magazine, which will be arriving in your mailbox soon. Please remember to send any news you’d like to share with your classmates to us in the Institutional Advancement Office.
I hope to see you at Reunion and our Homecoming game, both in early October. It will be great to catch up with you!
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Ann Wendth
Chief Advancement Officer
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