A Message from the Alumnae Association
President Trudi Allcott '77
(From the Fall/Winter 2002 edition of
The Thistle, St. Margaret's alumnae magazine.)
It's hard to believe that a new year is already underway. So much has changed in the world. I think we can all take comfort in knowing that St. Margaret's remains in its place along the Rappahannock River. The campus is as beautiful as always, and the girls provide the spark of energy that they always have. However, it wouldn't be fair to say that SMS is still the same, because the school has changed dramatically in recent years.
There are many exciting things happening on campus. New buildings, new ways of teaching, and new ways of preparing girls for their lives outside of school are now the hallmarks of St. Margaret's. The whole style of the school has taken on a new relevance as Head of School Margaret Broad and her expert staff prepare each new class of girls for life beyond high school.
The St. Margaret's of the 21st century is a wonderful place, and it just keeps getting better. As you read earlier in this issue, a comprehensive campus master plan has been adopted. This is a momentous project for the school, as it will help us prepare the campus for the future. This plan will give us a blueprint to follow. I know we are all anxious to see the plan put into action and to support its results.
As I take on my new role as head of the alumnae association, my deepest wish is that each of you returns to visit the campus and renew your ties to the school. It is so exciting when alumnae who have moved on return to campus to share their talents and time with the students, faculty, and staff. I hope that as you look at your calendar for the year ahead, you will schedule time for a visit.
It was a pleasure to see so many of you at the association's Rappahannock River Run and Crafts Festival during Fall Family Weekend. Please remember that you are all invited to join in this annual fundraiser. For the third year in a row, we held a successful 5K run that attracted more than 100 people, including many students and parents. The crafts festival also was a great success, despite what I might conservatively term a monsoon. With a downpour that just wouldn't let up, we moved the crafters indoors to SMS Hall, where they were able to sell to students and parents between classes. I have a nagging thought that some of those parents might have been skipping class? So, please mark your calendar for Fall Family Weekend 2002, October 4-6. It's a great time to visit campus and support your alumnae association.
Of course, one of the best times to visit is on Reunion Weekend, scheduled for June 7-9, 2002. Last year marked our first summer reunion in many years, and the event was a rousing success by all accounts. Back when I was a student, we were barely allowed to get our toes wet, but today, the girls make full use of the beautiful and inspiring Rappahannock. Having our reunion weekend in the summer makes it possible for us to make full use of the "rivah" as we had a fun afternoon of swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. Similar events are in the works for 2002. Alumnae were also able to stay in the dorms. Some even brought their husbands along for an overnight in Latané. I bet you never thought you would be able to do that!
Looking to the future, one big and ongoing project for the almunae association is the furnishing of Thistle House. As I'm sure you know already, Thistle House was generously donated to the school for the alumnae association by Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Muirhead, parents of Susan Muirhead Widman '93. It is located just across Water Lane from the Community/Technology Center. This wonderful house needs decorating talent. We would be glad to work with you to make your donation part of our new alumnae home. See the article in the class notes section for details.
I hope your year is full of "grace" and I certainly hope to see you in 2002, especially on the grounds of St. Margaret's.
Sincerely,
Trudi Allcott '77
Alumnae President
E-mail: Truitt.Allcott@owens-minor.com
