a note from the head of school
A new year brings fresh possibilities and new memories to make. But it’s also a great time to pause and look back on the journey that brought you here. That’s what makes The Alumni Mag so special: it’s a chance to celebrate our community and the many paths our alumni are taking.
Every year, Wellan chooses a theme for the school year, and this year’s is “Imagine That!,” inspired by the children’s book Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson.
Even better, we would love for you to be part of it! Each issue, we hope to feature more stories, updates, and snapshots from alumni like you. Maybe you’ve tackled a cool project, joined a new club or team, started a unique hobby, or simply have a small win you’re proud of, we want to hear about it.
Sharing is easy: just email us at alumni@wellan.org. No story is too small, and every contribution helps us stay connected and informed about the amazing things our alumni are doing. No matter where this year takes you, we’ll be here cheering you on.
Warmly, Beth Black Head of School
ALUMNI SNAPSHOTS
Class of 2021 alum Maya Dimmick visited campus to visit with her former teachers Caitlin Bowring and Merav Rosen. Beach vibes with Nathan Greenberg, Benjamin Ward, and Charles Huang. Wellan friends make the best summer crew! Class of 2022 alum Ben Jolly coached the Owls soccer team during the fall ‘25 season. He’s also Wellan’s basketball coach! 4. Class of 2025 alum Autumn Chaino visited campus in November to catch up with faculty and staff alike.
ALUMNI IN THE ARTS
Yahli Rosen attended Wellan Montessori from 2004–2008, a memorable era that included the school’s transition into Newton Montessori School in 2006. After graduating, she went on to Newton North High School and, more recently, earned her B.S. in Community-Centered Design from the University of Vermont.
Her studies in graphic design, visual communication, and marketing made her a great fit for her role as Wellan’s Marketing and Communications Intern this past summer. She helped bring this year’s theme, Imagine That!, to life, designing props and visual elements that welcomed faculty and staff back to campus for the 2025–2026 school year. “Being able to help with various projects this summer made me feel grateful that I was able to give back to a school that has been a special place for my family and me since 2004,” she said.
During her time as a Wellan student, Yahli loved the freedom and focus of the three-hour work cycle, which allowed her to follow her curiosity of more abstract concepts. She also cherished Wellan’s longstanding traditions, from the Thanksgiving Feast and Festival of Lights to classroom celebrations that honored multiple
Yahli Rosen Posters, 2024
Created for a
from student to staff
When asked what advice she would offer today’s Voyager students, Yahli said “There is so much ahead of you and so many things to look forward to. Explore your hobbies and interests, and most importantly, be kind to all the people around you—peers, teachers, and loved ones. The way you spend your days is the way you spend your life.”
Yahli is currently working as a freelance graphic designer. Check out her portfolio at yahlirosen.myportfolio.com, or
WELLAN, ELEVAT ED.
CUTTING THE RIBBON ON WELLAN’S NEW SPACES
We kicked the ‘25-’26 school year off with the opening of brand-new spaces made possible by the Elevate Wellan capital campaign. Announced in Spring 2025, the school’s first-ever capital campaign set a bold vision for accessibility, growth, and what’s next for Wellan.
One of the biggest priorities of Elevate Wellan, the Accessibility and Expansion Project, wrapped up in summer 2025 just in time for the new school year! The 5,000-square-foot expansion added some seriously exciting new spaces, including areas to hang out and gather, meeting and office space, a dedicated movement and gross motor room, and a shiny new library. It also gave the school room to grow some favorite programs: the drama program got an upgraded space, there’s now a second art room, and a dedicated home for world languages. From the first days of the school year, the buzz around campus was impossible to miss. Students and parents alike were loving it!
We officially marked this milestone with a ribbon-cutting celebration on October 22, bringing together board
members (past and present), faculty and staff, donors, parents, alumni, and yes, even the Wellan Owl. It was a moment to celebrate how far the school has come and thank the supporters and cheerleaders who helped us get here. The spaces you remember are bigger, brighter, and
And the fun isn’t over! Next up? A major upgrade to the playground! We’ll be sharing more at this year’s Annual Spring Gala, PLAY!, on March 21 at Woodland Golf Club in Auburndale, and we hope you’ll join us. Alumni and alumni families are warmly encouraged to attend this 21+ event.
Scan here or visit wellan.org/2526play to get your tickets!
TURTLE ON THE LOOSE
middle schoolers & local police team up for an unusual rescue mission
Are you an alum who took part in the Ocean Surface Drifter project? Then get ready for a serious flashback!
Through a research partnership with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), middle schoolers get hands-on experience with real climate science by building and launching ocean drifters. Constructed by students, each drifter is equipped with a GPS unit powered by a solar cell, which sends its location every six hours.
That data becomes the heart of the project, as students track the drifter in real time, make predictions, and watch ocean currents carry their creation across the map.
This year’s drifter, affectionately named Pablo Picasso, was launched October 2025 and is the third drifter deployed by Wellan students in the program’s six-year history, and the adventures never disappoint. After riding the Gulf Stream for hundreds of miles, strong winds pushed him into Wills Island in Scituate’s North River.
HEY!
Cue the rescue mission! Middle School STEM teacher Amy Perrault contacted the Scituate Police Department, and soon Pablo was being retrieved by Marine Unit 2. After what police jokingly called “minor rehabilitation,” Pablo was ready to head back out to sea and was successfully re-launched on November 7, 2025. What’s even more exciting is this story was featured on a Channel 9 (WHDH) newscast. Wellan science projects really do make waves.
Were you part of a drifter launch? We’d love to hear how yours went! Email us alumni@wellan.org.
At Wellan, tuition covers only a portion of the true cost of education. Like many independent schools, we rely on the generosity of families, alumni, and friends to help bridge the gap. Your support sustains what makes Wellan exceptional—competitive teacher salaries, tuition assistance for families, enriched curriculum resources, innovative program development, and the ongoing care of our learning spaces.
Families contributing $250+ are recognized on our Alumni Donor Wall. If you’d like to make your gift this fiscal year, scan the QR code to give easily and securely online.
ALUMNI EVENTS
PONG SOCIAL
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Thank you to the Wellan Alum who wrote in with some information on last issue's "From the Archives" photo! They identified the students in the photo as Koby Antwi, Julia Slayne, Alexander Skipitaris, Tess Huckabee, Max Osorio, and Juan Segura.
Thanks for writing in!
SUMMER STARTS HERE: WELLAN’S CIT PROGRAM
Summer at Wellan offers alumni a chance to come back, build new skills, and take on real responsibility in our Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program.
working with them and my co-workers. Seeing the kids’ faces light up when they were having fun is something I’ll
REACH FOR THE SKY!
But why? And who? Do you recognize th ese you ng ath letes?
Email us at alumni@wellan.o rg if you can tell us anythi ng about this photo!
STAY IN TOUCH!
WELLAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL
80 CRESCENT AVENUE
NEWTON CENTRE, MA 02459
@WellanMontessori