Tandem Alumni Newsletter

In
Tandem

Alumni Newsletter
Spring 1998

Please select the photos above for captions and enlargements.

[ June 1998 Reunion ]

[ Pg. 1 | Dear Alumni | Newsbriefs | Spotlight On ]

[ Pg. 2 | Alumni Notes | Special Note for 75's ]

[ Home | Online Form | Contact ]

Dear Alumni,

I never liked the phrase "college experience" but "Tandem experience," now that's different. I think about it a lot in the course of doing my job, getting to walk through the lounge, attending open meetings, reading student work. It is still the unique place we all remember, though it has changed around the edges. Anyone who doubts it should plan to attend an open meeting one day soon. And anyone who has forgotten what was so unique about this school in the first place would do well to come on up here for a bit.

For the first time, a Tandem student had a hand in helping me create this edition of In Tandem. I would like to thank Julia Stone for putting together Class of 1997 Alumni Notes and for writing Up On the Hill. That a current student selected the news and information about Tandem today to include in this piece, adds greatly to its quality.

Though it's hard for me to believe, this will be the last time I write this column. I will be leaving Tandem Friends to accept a full-time teaching position after the completion of my Master's this May. Head of School Rosalyn Berne and Director of Development Laura Jackson would very much like to fill the position of Alumni Affairs Coordinator with another alumnus/a. There is undeniably something extra that we bring to this job, by knowing the school, the history, and something about the people who walk these halls each day. Please check inside for contact information if you are interested. The position is part-time but ever-growing as the alumni body grows and changes. I hope to acquaint one of you with the job very soon.

I sincerely thank those alumni with whom I have had the chance to speak over the last couple years and those of you who have reached out and contributed to the school with your time, energy, and, yes, money.

Take a look inside. I hope to see you at reunion.

So long and thanks,

NEWSBRIEFS:

Pippin returns to Tandem

On May 7, Tandem will begin its run of Pippin, a theatre mainstay last staged here in 1984. Where were you the last time this classic was performed with the Tandem touch? Heather Burns and Daphne Latham had starring roles. James Blevins played Pippin. Jennifer Arave worked as stage manager. Chain mail was made by covering loosely crocheted 60's style sweater vests with silver spray paint. The set was put together with large canvas covered painted frames. Local theater veteran Fran Sackett directed; the performance troupe was named Pandemonium for the occasion. Rumor has is that a beta video copy of one of the performances is floating around somewhere out there.

Pippin 84 This year's production of Pippin is directed by another local theater veteran, Missel Leddington. Sarah Kleiner, a junior, and senior Kate Leddington star; eighth grader Peter Jackson has the role of Pippin.

The March 5 edition of the Daily Progress announced the opening of Steve Ingham's latest showing of pastels at Charlottesville's Gallery Neo. The show ran through March 31 at the gallery on Second St. The exhibit featured "more of his signature images - large, luminous objects floating through fields of landscapes and cityscapes."

David Morris devoted part of February to designing and constructing the set for the Tandem Players' March production of "The Foreigner," reviewed below by eleventh grader Suzanne Slezak:

After hours of work, some frustrating, some humorous, the Tandem Players performed "The Foreigner" by Larry Shue. The play takes place in rural Georgia in a small lodge owned by Betty Meeks, played by Piiya Curtis. Froggy LeSeure (James Ford) brings his socially inept "mate" Charlie (J.D. Pape and Alex Chase-Levenson) to the lodge for a relaxing weekend. Due to his fear of conversation Charlie pretends to be a foreigner to avoid talking. His new identity leads him to many uproariously hilarious scenes during which he "learns" English. He also meets an ex-debutante Catherine Sinuns (Sarah McKee), her devious fiance the Reverend David Marshall Lee (Jett Jones), and her simple-minded brother EHard, played by Evan Dyme. The audience follows the plot through its bizarre twists, including a narrow escape from the KKK or the "invisible empire" led by the deeply troubled Owen Musser (Peter Sistrom). "The Foreigner" was called by many "the funniest play ever presented at Tandem." We congratulate the actors, the support crew, and director Larry Goldstein for a tremendous performance.

[ June 1998 Reunion ]

[ Pg. 1 | Dear Alumni | Newsbriefs | Spotlight On ]

[ Pg. 2 | Alumni Notes | Special Note for 75's ]

[ Home | Online Form | Contact ]

Spotlight on... Alumni Volunteers
Through conversations with alumni, I often find that former students would like to be more involved with Tandem, but aren't sure how to go about it. Below are several examples, members of the alumni community who have all given back to the school in diverse ways.

Coleman Kitchin '81
We can't seem to thank Coleman enough. As designer, developer, and maintainer of the Tandem Alumni web site, Coleman is often called on to add new pages, make changes, and provide information about the technical capabilities of our site. He does it all quickly and with a cybersmile on his face. About a year and a half ago, he volunteered to put the newsletter on the web. What has followed just gets better and better. Opening the Tandem Alumni site at http://www.lapage.com/alumni provides access to newsletters from the past two years, on-line alumni news submission and reunion registration, a link to the Tandem Friends School homepage, and a growing list of links to alumni home pages!
Mira Velimirovic '77
Only last fall, Mira Velimirovic became her class representative, but she worked diligently to gather her class together for their 20 year reunion at Tandem last June. Through calling and writing, Mira was able to put together a solid group of about half of her class to attend reunion events and a class of 77 dinner at Metropolitan. And she did it all from the comfort of her own home in Los Angeles. When she arrived at reunion in June, Mira was full of energy and volunteered to join the Alumni Council.
Darshan Sergi '91
Darshan submitted several proposals to Tandem, each focusing on how the school could develop and maintain relationships with students, alumni, and the community. The development office adopted one of his proposals, just in time for first semester college exams. Laura Jackson, with the help of several students, prepared care packages for all 1997 members who were taking finals at college. The goodies were greatly appreciated by the students. Colin McElwain e-mailed: "I was extremely hungry when I opened it."
Aretha Williams '92
After receiving her degree in political science from Haverford, Aretha returned to Charlottesville to take a position with Monticello Area Community Action Agency's Project Discovery. Shortly thereafter, Aretha joined Tandem's newly formed diversity committee. Her personal mission as a committee member is to approach the issue of diversity, "with a wide angle." This includes examining issues of "curriculum, faculty, the student body, and the culture of the school" in order to create an environment "to support and encourage diversity." This February, Aretha (and librarian Mary Master) coordinated Tandem's day long celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an event Aretha first spearheaded when she was in 10th grade. She called the day "fantastic" and speaker Deborah Saunders "perfect," highlighting her ability to "connect with students on a level they could appreciate and understand." For many students, the afternoon vigil on the downtown mall was their first taste of social action. Aretha hopes the event encourages them "to do things like that in the future." Several Walker Upper Elementary students were guests at the Tandem celebration. According to Aretha, the students had a wonderful time and fit into the community celebration with ease.

[ June 1998 Reunion ]

[ Pg. 1 | Dear Alumni | Newsbriefs | Spotlight On ]

[ Pg. 2 | Alumni Notes | Special Note for 75's ]

[ Home | Online Form | Contact ] Contact ]

Please Continue to Page 2

Alumni Affairs
Tandem Friends School
279 Tandem Lane
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 296-1303

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You may contact me with comments & suggestions about the web version.
My web page is LaPage.com - Kitchin '81

To contact Tandem Alumni Affairs, visit http://www.tandemfs.org.