September 2020
Academy Alumni in the News

Jay Gokhale '20 (pictured) was featured in White Fence Living where he discussed his podcast The Jay Way, the importance of his co-curricular involvement at Columbus Academy, his passion for education and his love for politics as well as public speakingAlso included in this month's press clips are Gordon Anderson '79, Anna Askari '09, Bob Bradway '81, Brian Brooks '87, Carolyn Kobus Davis '02, Courtney Deena '13, Davis Friedman '18, Adam Hill '89, Joe Mayer '04, Tolu Obikunle '12, Joel Pizzuti '90, Michael Stinziano '98, Craig Tann '92, Aerik Williams '98 and Patti Zettler '98 as well as obituaries for Greg Block '84, Steve Orndorf '64 and James Michael Whalen '60.

If you have news clips to pass along for future issues, please send them to Director of Alumni Relations Melissa Clarke Beckett at beckettm@columbusacademy.org.
Virtual Alumni Weekend 2020: October 9 - 10

 
As we continue to cope with the challenges facing us all, we hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well. Now, more than ever, community and connection are essential. With this in mind, we wholeheartedly invite you to join us for a virtual trip home to Columbus Academy on October 9-10, 2020.

Click here to view a special message from Head of School Melissa Soderberg inviting you to learn what is happening at the school today and take part in your Virtual Alumni Weekend 2020 celebration. Do you have questions about what is currently happening on campus? Email Director of Alumni Relations Melissa Clarke Beckett at beckettm@coumbuscaddmy.org no later than Friday, October 2. Alumni inquiries will be incorporated into the Head of School's State of Academy presentation. 

The Office of Alumni Relations is hard at work planning several virtual activities to take place next month. These virtual events will allow our alumni to engage with people on campus and with each other from the comfort and safety of your homes. In addition to an update from Head of School Melissa Soderberg on the State of Academy, there will be video greetings from beloved faculty members, the chance to watch junior speeches from the 2019-20 school year, Academy bingo, a virtual toast and more!
 
Further details will be coming soon. We look forward to celebrating classes ending in 0 and 5 and all of our alumni October 9-10, 2020.
12th Annual Golf Outing: Monday, September 21
 
We are thrilled to announce that the 12th Annual Golf Outing is at capacity. Thank you to all who have registered and for your support of financial aid at Columbus Academy. We are looking forward to a great day of golf -- all for the benefit of Academy families.

Still interested in showing support for the Golf Outing? Worry not! 
  • In the event that we have a cancellation, we would love for you to join! Please contact us if you would like to be considered for a "fill-in" position.
  • If we are unable to include you in this year's outing, you will be given *priority registration* for next year!
  • Can't play but want to support the event and its mission? There are many ways to support the event through sponsorship!
 
Presenting Sponsors 
 


SEVEN12 Management 
 
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.,
Member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC 
2021 Student Alumni Board Representatives
 
We are pleased to announce that Patrick Daly, Sejal Jindal, Jared Kass, Nia Law and Suelin Qu have been selected to represent the senior class as Student Alumni Board Representatives.

Student Alumni Board Representatives serve as liaisons between the Alumni Board, Alumni Office and the student body. They foster relationships between alumni and students and help develop and manage events that bring alumni together. During their senior year, the student reps attend all Alumni Board meetings and serve on committees as needed.

The student reps support Columbus Academy financially through participation in the Annual Fund and, following graduation, act as class agents until their five-year reunion. As class agents, they work with the Alumni Office to collect class notes, help with class fundraising solicitations, and assist in organizing reunions.
School News

For the first time since mid-March, we opened our classrooms last month with very limited numbers of students on campus each day. While getting to know their new teachers and classmates, students also began their adjustments to new surroundings, safety measures and health protocols. View more photos from the first days of the 2020-21 school year by clicking here.
 
Please help us welcome 15 new faculty and staff members who joined us either during the end of last school year or over this past summer. We encourage you to learn more about them by clicking on their names: Susan Brookhart (US Chemistry), Janny Cann (Explorers Program), Diane Chattman (Kindergarten), Betsy Claman (US Math), Elly Davis (Afternoon Receptionist), Susan Goode (Bursar), Nicole LaMar (Advancement Services Manager), Tamara Markey (US Physics), Nyima Porter (Student Equity Specialist), Andy Rhiel (US History long-term substitute), Keith Scowden (Fourth Grade), Nancy Velasquez (Admissions Office Assistant), Nan Wagshul (Administrative Assistant, Facilities and Grounds), Shannon Walder (Benefits Specialist) and Ree Wickerham (MS Spanish).
Sports News
 
 
Academy senior Sydni Ratliff (pictured), the defending Division II singles state champion, was recently profiled on a tennis recruiting site as well as in a ThisWeek article previewing our girls tennis and girls golf seasons. Our girls tennis program is the top-ranked Division II team in the state this fall. Our boys golf squad, meanwhile, is looking for its fourth-straight state title after claiming both the MSL-Ohio preseason and midseason tournaments. Our two-time defending state champion field hockey team has outscored opponents 42-1 so far on its way to an early 5-0 record. In football, our Vikes are off to a 2-0 start after stopping Harvest Prep's 38-game winning streak in the MSL with a 20-10 home victory Friday night. Cross country seniors Luke Nester and Regan Cornelius won the individual titles at the recent Newark Catholic Invitational with our boys also claiming the team title on the Bryn Du Mansion course. The seasons are just getting started for boys soccer, girls soccer and volleyball, so we'll provide updates on those programs next month. 
Send In Your Class Notes 
 
We love keeping in touch with our alumni, and we want to hear all of your latest news. Do you have a life event that you'd like to share with fellow alumni and the Academy community? Fill out our class notes form at columbusacademy.org/alumniclassnotes or send via email to alumni@columbusacademy.org to be sure your message is included in an upcoming issue of Experience, the school's newly redesigned magazine!
Stay Connected!