October 2023| Volume 4 Issue 1 |
Can you help us stay in touch with our alumni and their families?
If you know any alumni who aren't receiving The Phoenix, please share this issue and suggest that they subscribe!
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Head of School Mary Newman at Phoenix Phest 2023 |
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Dear Alumni,
Orientation Days! The Potluck! Soccer games! The Tunbridge Fair! It’s fall at TSA. We’ve had a great start to the year, and I can’t believe that a month from now we’ll already be gearing up Interim. Some highlights from the past few weeks include a visit from Ukrainian musical group Balaklava Blues on the same day as a visit from Luke Crocker TSA'10, the creation of a Labyrinth-making elective (thanks, Christa Wurm!), and welcoming two international students (our first in a long time) from Georgia and Turkey. The pizza oven is going strong at home soccer games and the cast list for “Freaky Friday” was posted last week!
We have a brand new social/emotional curriculum being implemented at the high school that is getting positive reports from students and adults, as well as “Phoenix Block,” which is time built into the schedule for students to meet with advisors and make decisions about how they need to spend that time.
At the middle school, students are working with artist-in-residence Scott Miller, a founder of World Story Exchange, to learn about photography as a story-telling tool. To cap it off, the students head out on a field trip to Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park on October 12, where they will use their new photography skills, plein-air painting, and other media. As I write this, all 47 middle schoolers (our biggest group EVER!) are launching rockets in science. (Remember your rocket?)
Things are good here. Please come visit us. It makes our day and students love to see that you still feel a connection to this place. In the meantime, take care and stay in touch.
Affectionately,
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Phoenix Phest
Sunday, June 4, 2023
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This event was created with the express purpose of bringing together as much of the TSA family as we can possibly get: current students and families, current and former staff, alumni, alumni families, and the community that surrounds us. It's the kind of thing you can stop by for—to grab a beer and play a round of cornhole with a teacher or a student; or a way to stay awhile and really connect—sit by a fire, listen to music, let little kids run around, and make new friends.
At our second Phoenix Phest this past June, it felt so good to watch this community grow and the connections among us deepen through play, food, and music.
PLEASE save the date and join us next year on Sunday, June 1, for the third annual Phoenix Phest.
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Molly Kinnarney TSA'21 stopped by one day this summer as teachers were meeting. Molly earned a spot on the University of Maine fall 2022 dean's list. |
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Luke Crocker TSA'10 dropped in on September 14. |
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Chemistry teacher Rob Stainton takes a selfie with Ian Robertson and Skylar Clemens, both TSA'21, on September 27. |
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Many of the teachers you know are still at TSA. They would love to see you and to hear about your life. Come visit! |
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Alumni Engagement Opportunities |
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HS Interim Musical
Friday/Saturday, November 17/18, 2023
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If you're in Vermont the weekend before Thanksgiving, mark your calendars for Freaky Friday, the musical! Two shows only at Chandler Music Hall in Randolph, Friday, November 17, and Saturday, November 18.
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Alumni Ski Day
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
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Join TSA Middle School Director Andrew Lane and others at Saskadena Six on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, for a day of skiing, riding, and reminiscing. |
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Career Day
Monday, April 15, 2024
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Please consider sharing your post-TSA experiences with our current students on Career Day, April 15, 2024.
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Alumni at Career Day 2023 |
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Wanted: Website Developer |
TSA needs a new look for its website. If you are a web developer, we'd love to talk to you about helping us revamp our website!
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Do you have news to share? We'd love to hear from you and let others know!
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Lowry Newswanger TSA'20 is now working in Denver at a school for kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder, finishing her degree, considering psych/social work, and LOVING what she’s doing!
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Erin Shands TSA'19 graduated in 2023 cum laude from Castleton with a nursing degree! |
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Saige Lloyd TSA'17 is a graduate student in both Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning. She is passionate about the relationships between plants and people in the context of placemaking and social justice. Saige has years of experience in fine gardening and loves spending time with her dog amongst the trees and flowers. While earning a BFA in Fine Arts, she focused on sculpture, especially glass blowing and woodworking. She has a labyrinth installation in Hartland that TSA students recently visited. |
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Tray Fisk TSA‘17 immigrated to Istanbul from New York City with his wife Su after graduating from Emerson College with his BFA in Film and Photography. During his time in Turkey, he taught English and then recently transitioned into graphic design and illustration. Tray is now the lead illustrator for the “Sex and Relationships” column at Men’s Health magazine, fulfilling his hopes of becoming a professional artist and destigmatizing the discourse of sexual health for LGBTQ+ audiences.
Tray remarks, “My time at The Sharon Academy bolstered my confidence to think critically about the world and to express my curiosity through a creative medium. Whether it be exhibitions, cafe nights, independent studies, or electives I was supported and encouraged to exercise unorthodox approaches. I felt safe when taking risks and making mistakes. In retrospect, I can’t think of anything more important for the development of a young mind.”
Tray firmly believes that TSA led him to consider leaving Vermont. “For generations, my family has lived in Sharon, I thought that was where I would spend my days as well. TSA taught me that community is something you can grow regardless of your location; it’s a privilege and a comfort to be carrying that philosophy with me now that I’m no longer in the US.”
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Alumnus Michael Landry TSA'11 and his wife Anna Rose have been living in Cambodia where he is teaching English in a Cambodian high school. This fall he invited current TSA students to become penpals with his students; five took him up on it. |
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Twins born to Morgan (Tracy) Hackett TSA'10 on September 18. |
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Uncle Brandon Tracy and Claire Crowley, both TSA '15, holding the newborns. |
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Commemorate a TSA Teacher |
TSA recognizes the importance of quality teachers for delivering an education that nurtures and awakens students to their potential. We would like to hear from you if there was a teacher at TSA who made a difference in your education, your life, or the way you view the world. Please help us collect your testimonials by submitting this form.
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Our alumni have made gifts to TSA ranging from $1 to $5,000. Every gift at every level is important, but even more important is how many of you make the gesture. Please help us by including us in your charitable gift plan to keep TSA's mission alive!
Please...
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