Torch - Fall 2015

Old Girls

Celebration Weekend 2015

By Helena Follows

H undreds of Old Girls returned to Havergal to reconnect with former classmates and the Havergal community at Celebration Weekend October 2 to 4. This year, we welcomed back our graduating classes ending with 0 and 5. Celebration Weekend 2015 began on Friday morning with a special Old Girls Legacy Prayers in the Junior School. Linda Hiraki 1995, Junior School parent and recipient of the Susan Ditchburn Young Alumna Award 2014, spoke about the importance of kindness she has experienced within the Havergal community. Old Girls braved the wind and cold, and came back to the school the next morning for Celebration Saturday, an annual event that reaches out to help the broader community in the spirit of the “Bazaar.” Proceeds from the event support Havergal’s community partnerships. Each year, Havergal students decide how the funds raised will be allocated. In support of Celebration Saturday, the Havergal Old Girls Association (HOGA) and the Class Rep/Reunion Committee organized the first annual HOGA tent. The tent marked a fun meeting space for Old Girls to reconnect over a coffee, beer or cider. Many Old Girls volunteered their time to help make the tent a great success.

Later that evening, the Reunion Years Cocktail Party brought together more than 350 Old Girls to mix and mingle with friends, classmates and former and current staff. Laughter could be heard as they reminisced and looked at old pictures of their time at Havergal located in the archives display (with thanks to Debra Latcham, Library Technician). Old Girls toasted their Havergal memories before moving on to their individual class celebrations, which were hosted in a variety of homes and restaurants around the city. The Celebration Weekend festivities continued on Sunday with the Old Girls Chapel Service jointly led by the School Chaplain, The Reverend Canon Susan Bell and The Reverend Canon Susan Sheen 1965. The service included remembrances from Kirby Chown 1965, Patricia Carter Cooper 1965, Linda Galley Stokes 1965 and Fiona McHaffie McGaw 1955. Many thanks to Sarah Siu 2008, who provided the lovely musical accompaniment for the service, and to Boarder Captain Ayana Sunami, who spoke about Boarding life at the school today and what it has meant to her. After the service, the Class of 1965 gathered in the Ellen Knox Library to celebrate their 50th reunion with a luncheon. Congratulations to our newest Cinquantenaires! Classes ending with 1 and 6 will celebrate reunions next year. Watch for more details in the spring and summer of 2016.

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