Vol. 12, No. 6 Tappahannock, Virginia, January 2010

Dear St. Margaret's friends and families,

Warmest good wishes for a Happy New Year! What I love about these winter months is the luxury of time over Christmas break for renewal and reconnection with family and friends quickly followed by the energetic pace of the middle of the school year. This is the month when the outside comes into the school in the form of prospective students, returning alumnae, Michelle Kreible’s highly valued program, and early college acceptances, while we are also looking forward and outward to set courses and calendars for next year and prepare for minimester and independent studies.

This year, I enjoyed the privilege of combining school and pleasure reading, sunny beach walks, and plenty of good meals and conversations reconnecting with our 2004 alumna Cariad Shepherd in Vieques while my husband helped her parents put the finishing touches on the bed and breakfast they will be opening there next month. Like so many St. Margaret’s graduates, Cariad wants to make a difference in the world. She started here in the role of honor council chair, then, after graduation from Skidmore, began the prestigious combination Peace Corps/graduate degree program which provided her with a year of study in Monterey followed by on-site training at her placement in Niger. Unfortunately, for her the outside came into her life in unexpected ways, first in learning to live alone as the only westerner in a remote village, then with the sudden threat of abductions of aid workers in this devastatingly poor country. With the lives of her group in danger, a quick evacuation followed, and now she’s home, disappointed but determined to resume her studies next month and connect with other organizations focused on the needs of women and girls.

Cariad’s is a story of determination and resilience, like those of so many of our alumnae. These are the girls and women who serve as role models and examples for today’s students on how to use the skills and values they gained during their St. Margaret’s years to craft meaningful lives for themselves which bring meaning to the lives of others. In this issue of River Views, you see both our alumnae/faculty members and our young alums. There are many more!

When we say that a St. Margaret’s education is an education for life, this is what we mean. This week I’ve connected Cariad with CAMFED in San Francisco because her areas of interest match theirs. During minimester, current students will meet with graduates both on college campuses and in their work. This spring new college graduates will look for opportunities to contact alumnae in their chosen professions or destinations. And right now, every day, older students reach out to younger girls to offer insights on academic and leadership opportunities. It is a privilege to be part of this continuing cycle of women and girls helping each other and the communities in which they live. Thank you for supporting all we do in so many ways! .

To each of you, I send my love and warmest wishes that you, too, will find and share the light, joy, and hope that are the promise of this season. Joyeux Noel!

Sincerely,
Margaret R. Broad,
Head of School



 

Q&A with St. Margaret’s Faculty:
Meet some of an incredibly talented and dedicated faculty and staff......

In the Classroom:
Anatomy of the Heart with Mrs. LaLiberty......

Welcoming Young Alumnae:
Back to Campus......

My River Views:
Features Frankie Berscak ’10 on Looking Back......

Did you know! January, for many seniors, contains the final application deadlines for colleges and universities. As of January 15th, our 33 seniors had applied to an impressive 221 schools! Time to take a deep breath. www.sms.org/calendar

Alumnae Association Upcoming Events Your event calendar is at www.sms.org/alumcalendar