A Message From the Head of School
So much is going on in the world today that we might choose to change if we had the power. Because we don’t, at Unquowa we often talk about the “bubble of Unquowa culture” that we fortunately can control and that we gratefully zip up around us each day when we arrive. We never forget that we are creating and practicing this culture in order to model as adults and develop in our students the habits of mind that will allow them to become young adults ready for life outside the bubble. We hope that they will lead lives where they cannot only make good decisions in the world as it exists but also where they will hopefully become the adults who feel collectively empowered to take part in shaping that better world we all hope for.
It goes without saying that at Unquowa we offer our students the strong academic foundation that will position them to go on to the wellrespected day and boarding high schools you see listed in this issue as high school acceptances for our 8th graders. More importantly, however, we are fiercely committed to providing lessons that reach beyond high school and college to ensure that our students become ethical adults who discover life paths that are meaningful and fulfilling to them. This commitment is the underpinning of providing that empowerment and it is the foundation of sustainable adult happiness.
A Publishing Tradition of the Unquowa School
Visual arts/Humanities projects such as Unsung Heroes and Voices of Change - whose presentations take place in Apriland the Upper School musical - which 6th through 8th graders present in early May each year. An 8th grade philosophy series is also taught each year by our humanities faculty in partnership with Dr. Mathew Croasmun, co-author of Life Worth Living, a book based on a similar ethics course Croasmun teaches to Yale freshmen. This series, as well as service learning at Sunrise Senior Living and Nourish Bridgeport, and the capstone speeches given by our 8th graders before they graduate from Unquowa round out these experiences.
I urge you, as an antidote to doomscrolling over the state of the world, to check this issue for the countless things that Unquowa faculty provide and students experience to combine challenging academic lessons with the arts and ethics that make the Unquowa’s PreK through 8th grade experience so unique.
Check out Family Math night, where Upper Schooler design and run an evening of math games for Lower Schoolers, our 4th graders cultural exchange with Latvian students through Creative Connections, and Pen and Paper, our Upper School’s literary-arts magazine that just received its third Gold Crown award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, among countless other news.
The conversations and actual practice of making ethical decisions and having classroom experiences in areas like the visual and performing arts and community service that help our students to discover their life paths begin the minute children step foot on our campus in PreK and run through all grades. These experiences are both with the other children in their classrooms and with older or younger students in planned collaborations. They culminate in 7th and 8th grades with spring
If you can’t be in town to attend the receptions for the Unsung Heroes/Voices of Change exhibits in April or attend the May performance of our musical, Matilda - please check out them out in our ”Around Campus” blogs on our websiteunquowa.org and watch Matilda when it’s posted in May, as well as other past musicals on our Vimeo channelvimeo.com/showcase/Unqmusicals.
Wishing you a glorious spring,
- Sharon Lauer, Head of School
Nerushka Lopez Aponte ’25 “The Reflection” 2025 Pen & Paper Volume 15
GOLD CROWN AWARD!
Before summer each year, I have the privilege of submitting the digital edition of Unquowa’s literary-art magazine, Pen & Paper, to the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) for a variety of national awards from the organization. The first of these is the Medalist Critique, which provides a detailed evaluation and graded response to our edition. The second of these is the Circle Award which highlights individual works from the overall issue that highlight our incredible poets, authors, photographers, and artists. The third of these is the Crown Award which is “the highest recognition given by the CSPA to a student print or digital medium for overall excellence.”
This year, we received our Medalist Critique back in September for our most recent edition, Vol. 15: “Morning Has Broken,” which was published in June 2025. We received both a prized Gold Medalist rating as well as a trifecta of All-Columbian Honors for the three sections that are evaluated (Essential, Verbal, and Visual) with a combined score of 957/1000 points.
Later this Spring we will receive any Circle Awards that individual students win for their works. More to come about those!
During Spring Break, I was privileged to attend the CSPA Spring Conference, which culminates in the Crown Awards ceremony. For the first time in our history, Pen & Paper was awarded its third-in-a-row Gold Crown. While we have won Gold (and Silver) Crowns in the past, repeating this feat year after year is an incredible achievement.
Please join me in congratulating our talented student contributors and last year’s passionate editorial team for this accomplishment. The creativity and commitment from our student body is so impressive! Thanks especially to Oola Breen-Ryan (’25) for her dedicated leadership as this edition’s Editor-in-Chief.
- Eric Snow, Pen & Paper Advisor
Enjoy this year’s “Letter from the Editor”:
Dear Reader,
Creative expression has helped the world through even the darkest times, and this new issue of Pen & Paper, “Morning Has Broken”, is no exception. In “Dusk”, the first section of this issue, the work takes on a hazy quality, evoking the feeling of a cloudy sunset—the thin lines between happy and sad, laughter and tears, good and evil, real life and dreams, are blurred, just like that period between afternoon and evening, and the world becomes unsure. Then comes “Midnight”, where the pieces illustrate the darkest parts of our present world, yet still manage to find the light. Even in this section, a feeling of hope permeates the work. And, finally, “Dawn” comes. There is still heartbreak, pain, and darkness, but the morning has arrived, and the love, happiness, and joy that are always there (even if they aren’t always apparent) are illuminated by the sun.
Even in the most difficult times, hope prevails. Even in a metaphorical “midnight”, the stars are still visible. There is still beauty in the world. And, eventually, morning will break in and out.
This issue would not have been possible without everyone who contributed to, helped, and advised the Pen & Paper staff. I want to send huge shoutouts to: Mr. Snow, who advised us all year, helped us brainstorm ideas, was willing to play our really strange music requests on full blast during that one hyper-chaotic meeting, and never failed to make us laugh; Mrs. Ponden, who helped us with the Voices of Change and Unsung Heroes submissions; Upper School students who submitted work for consideration—your contributions are the reason this issue is as beautiful, poignant, and inspiring as it is; the rest of the Pen & Paper staff, who showed up first thing in the morning to edit, come up with contest ideas, judge submissions, and write for the magazine, all without complaint; and, finally, you, dear reader, for taking the time to sit with and consider the gorgeous art, photography, short stories, and poems that are contained in this issue. Thank you.
On behalf of everyone involved in Pen & Paper, I hope that you are moved, inspired, and empowered by this issue. And remember: morning will come.
With love,
Oola Breen-Ryan - Class of 2025
Pen & Paper Editor-in-Chief
https://issuu.com/theunquowaschoolct/docs/
Open QR to read Pen & Paper
2025 Pen & Paper Editorial Staff
Cover Art: Alegria Rojas “Doppled Things”
Life Worth Living
It was a day for tackling big questions! At the inaugural session with Dr. Matthew Croasmun of Yale Center for Faith and Culture, our 8th graders began their monthslong inquiry into… themselves. The Life Worth Living @ Unquowa program, developed in partnership by Dr. Croasmun, Mr. Snow, and Ms. Warshaw, introduces students to the practice of intentional self-reflection as they gear up for their next steps in high school and beyond. Over the course of the remainder of the school year, students will consider what they and others desire most in life, what is worth wanting, and how those “wants” might shape responsibility to self and community.
The first session tasked students with dreaming big; first about their own futures - what they believe they want for themselves and what seems to be important to them. The class then moved to interrogate those desires further: digging into the “why” behind those wants. After that, the session touched on responsibility - its definition and how it impacts our decisions.
Finally, we ended our study with glimpses of how different people throughout history have answered the questions of responsibility and what is worth wanting. These glimpses will come back up as we continue our journey together through the remainder of the year.
As their teachers and advisors, we were so proud of how thoughtfully and seriously engaged these young teenagers were, considering questions that have been asked by those much older than them for thousands and thousands of years. These are some of the biggest questions about being a human being, and, as Dr. Croasmun reminded us, we will never become experts at answering them because we are always living them out and re-evaluating. It was a wonderful start to the third year of our LWL @ UNQ program, and we are so excited for our next visit with Dr. Croasmun!
Empowering Student Voices Globally
Unquowa’s 4th graders participated in a virtual international exchange that combined creativity, culture, and connection through the Creative Connections Global Voices ArtLink program.
Over several months in their visual arts class, students worked thoughtfully to create original works that told the story of their own cultural backgrounds, family traditions, and personal identities. These projects were then swapped with similar projects from partner students in Latvia.
- Eric Snow, Humanities Teacher
Through a virtual classroom exchange, students on both sides of the world were able to converse with each other. They all asked great questions about each others’ artwork and really embraced this unique experience. This exchange program gave our learners a meaningful opportunity to see how art can communicate across languages and borders and inspire global awareness.
- Alice DesGranges, L.S Visual Arts Teacher
Global Gators In Galapogos!
Our 11-day spring break expedition to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands was a true masterclass in adventure, resilience, and wonder for our 25 students and 4 chaperones. From the historic streets of Quito to the breathtaking volcanic landscapes of the archipelago, our Global Gators embraced every moment, even the “early bird” 4:25 a.m. wake-up calls, with enthusiasm, curiosity, and unmistakable Gator energy.
In the Galápagos, we witnessed nature in its purest form. We hiked through the Santa Cruz Highlands to count giant tortoises in the wild, explored subterranean lava tunnels, stood on the edge of the massive Twin Craters, and experienced the wonder of zero latitude. Whether it was snorkeling alongside sea turtles at Las Tintoreras or sharing a bench with a sunbathing sea lion on San Cristóbal, every moment was a reminder of our responsibility to the planet.
Transitioning to the mainland, we immersed ourselves in the vibrant culture of Otavalo. We stood in the shadow of the Cotopaxi volcano, learned the ancient art of Andean weaving, and listened to the melodies of handmade pan flutes. Even an unexpected “bonus day” in Miami couldn’t dampen our spirits; instead, it became a final chance to bond over Cuban sandwiches and Wynwood’s street art.
Beyond the sights, this trip was about the “Unquowa spirit”—the laughter, the curiosity, and the growth. We returned home with full hearts, a few extra souvenirs, and memories that will truly last a lifetime. - Lloyd Mitchell, EF Tour Leader
Jungle Book Comes Alive!
Wow! What an awesome mini musical performance of The Jungle Book Kids by the 4th and 5th grades! This cast really stepped up when they needed to and gave us their all. I am so proud of their work and what they were able to achieve as a cast, together. I can’t wait to see what they do in the years to come. Bringing all of the characters to life from the jungle, they gave the audience the excitement and joy that is remembed from the original movie. This was so much fun to work on with the kids and I can’t wait to see what show we choose for next year. Their energy, big smiles, and fearless performances made it clear just how much fun they were having on stage. Bravo! -
Emily Hall, L.S Performimg Arts Teacher
Jazzing with the Duke!
Within our language arts curriculum at Unquowa we weave and celebrate Black History all throughout the year. Recently first graders focused on people from our past. We fell in love with the story Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Through this beautifully written, award-winning book, students explored the life and legacy of Duke Ellington, a revolutionary jazz pianist and composer whose contributions are considered some of the most influential of the 20th century.
As we immersed ourselves in the incredible sounds of Duke Ellington’s music, students were encouraged to imagine what his music might look like—thinking about color, art, and design. Inspired by the dynamic illustrations of Brian Pinkney while listening to the jazzy sounds of Duke Ellington himself, our first graders created their own Duke Ellington inspired artwork to accompany their fact-filled writing pieces. The result was a joyful blend of history, music, art, and literacy.
- Maureen Diallo, First Grade Teacher
Year of The Fire Horse!
Xīn Nián Kuài Lè, Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái – Happy New Year and Wishing You Good Fortune! Our 4th, 5th and 6th Mandarin students kicked off the Chinese New Year celebrations by preparing over 600 vegetable dumplings, which, along with other delicious Chinese dishes created by our Chefs, were enjoyed by the entire school during a special festive lunch. Meanwhile, our younger students had fun practicing their Mandarin skills by crafting Play-Doh dumplings, listening to stories about why red and firecrackers are essential for Chinese New Year Celebration, and making colorful Chinese New Year crafts. As part of the celebration, all Mandarin students received traditional Red Envelopes to mark the New Year of the Fire Horse.
A special thank you to Unquowa parent Mrs. Toolan, who visited the 5th and 6th grade Mandarin class to share insights into Chinese New Year traditions. The students had a great time taking turns wearing the festive dragon costume and dancing around the classroom!
Throughout our two-week celebration, Mandarin students across all grade levels proudly showcased their language skills through engaging performances at the school assembly. Their songs were filled with wishes of good luck and health for the New Year. Adding to the joyous spirit of the occasion, everyone came to school dressed in red!
This cultural experience enriches our foreign language program and remains a festive and delicious highlight of the year for the Unquowa community.
- Carina Blackwell, World Language Department Chair
Crowning Moments and Traditions
In the Kingdom of Unquowa, many cherished traditions herald the arrival of our magical Winterfest! As the castle walls rise, stained glass panels are placed and the stage is set, the first order of events is the coronation of the new royal court, led by the Kings and Queens from the previous year. This noble ceremony marks the official beginning of Winterfest and ushers in the new Royal Court to commence their reign. This year, seventh graders King Miles and Queen Salma were crowned and both honored for being the longest-standing students at Unquowa in 2026!
Shortly after the Royal Coronation, the Knighting Ceremony takes place, where the new King and Queen fulfill their first royal duty. The valiant first grade knights, who have studied their duties, are bestowed their knighthood and granted a key to the Unquowa Kingdom. With this honor, they vow to defend the Kingdom of Unquowa!
During this busy time, even our parents play a role in the Winterfest preparations! The makerspace transforms into a creative hub, where our talented parent costume designer, Missy Howe, leads a team in crafting costumes for the performance, and additionally parents come together to prepare the special, traditional snowman gifts, which are presented to each student and alumni after the show.
Another cherished Winterfest preparation is the creation and unveiling of the royal banner! Each year, our Visual Arts Director, Mrs. Ponden collaborates with the graduating class to craft a theme for the banner, bringing it to life with her exceptional artistry. The banner is first revealed privately to the 8th graders, before being presented to the entire community during the candle dance that opens the evening’s Winterfest performance. This year’s banner perfectly embodied the essence of Winterfest while also capturing the spirit of our graduating class.
Together, these timeless traditions, shaped by the hands of our community, create the magic and warmth that make Winterfest a truly unforgettable celebration year after year.
- Jacqui Mudre, Director of Communications
45th Annual Winterfest: “ Free to Fly”
http://unquowa.org/wf25/
We began at a block party just outside the Paperback Café, the Kingdom’s favorite gathering place. Everyone in the Kingdom was there, including the Prince and Princesses. King Miles and Queen Salma were not pleased that their children were attending (gasp!) a block party! They could not believe that their children were hobnobbing with the masses. Upon discovering the Prince and Princesses at the block party, King Miles and Queen Salma learned that Princess Maria released butterflies into the Kingdom, causing turmoil among the citizens… The King and Queen did not like the butterflies! So Princess Maria gathered up all the butterflies and tried to find a safe and peaceful place for them.
Back at the castle, the King and Queen reminded their children that their behavior was beneath their royal stature. To add insult to injury, the Prince and Princesses revealed each of their heartfelt passions and dreams – to become a poet, farmer, cook, cabaret singer, and entomologist. They were promptly grounded!
In the meantime, Vladimir Stonefly, the Kingdom’s Pest Management Technician, had taken it upon himself to rid the Kingdom of the butterflies, and the chase was on. The Prince and Princesses sneaked out of the castle, seeking help from their friends at the Paperback Café, Lydia Veneer and Anna Spring. When Stonefly found them at the café, Lydia and Anna helped the royals escape in a unique way… by book!
The chase took on an unlikely journey to Kansas, where we met a few characters from The Wizard of Oz, and to The Heath, where the witches of The Scottish Play threatened the very existence of the Kingdom of Unquowa. Did the royals save the butterflies? Did they escape from Vladimir Stonefly? Did the Kingdom of Unquowa survive? All was revealed in a magical performance as the story
Open QR to watch “Free To Fly”
Basketball Season Success!
Another unbelievable basketball season has officially come to a close here at Unquowa and it was one to remember! Each of our teams played and showed true Unquowa Gator spirit, sportsmanship and effort throughout each and every game and practice. Both 7/8 grade boys and girls varsity basketball teams finished their seasons with records of 6-2, with our boys team winning our last four games in a row! Our 5/6 girls basketball team had their best season in years doubling their win total from the last few seasons. Our 5/6 boys teams showed so much heart and passion out on the court competing and making significant improvement throughout the season; we can’t wait to have our 6th graders come up to our varsity teams next season. To finish off the year, our 7/8 boys basketball team played Bi Cultural Hebrew Academy in a thrilling back-and-forth game that came down to the last few minutes. With great determination, maximum effort, and great shooting, our Gators edged out the victory, winning 39-35 in a close game!
Without a doubt, Unquowa boasts the ultimate home court advantage. When our Gators play at home, the energy is unmatched. Our enthusiastic fans come out to each and every home game excited and eager to root on our athletes. Thank you to our incredible community for showing up, getting loud, and making our home court a place no opponent forgets. Go Gators!
-
Ryan Taylor, Director of Athletics
Young Gators On the Court
Unquowa’s Grade 3/4 basketball team wrapped up a fantastic season filled with energy, teamwork, and skill building. Each Friday, our Gators hit the court ready to work on dribbling with control, making sharp chest and bounce passes, taking balanced shots, and playing strong, ready-position defense. They learned about spacing, teamwork, and how to move the ball to find an open teammate. At the final practice, the players put it all together in a half-court scrimmage. With quick passes, key rebounds, and end-to-end hustle, the game stayed close from start to finish — ending in an exciting tie. We are so proud of their growth and teamwork this season. The future is bright for these young Gators! - Sarah
Spirit Showdown!
March at Unquowa means one thing in the gym — our Annual Student/ Faculty Green and White Spirit Basketball Game! More than just a game, this beloved tradition brings excitement, energy, and plenty of school spirit to the court.
Fun Fact: Ryan Taylor, Unquowa alum and now Athletic Director and PE teacher, suits up for this game every year and once again fueled the faculty with his trademark skill and competitive fire. In a perfect full-circle moment, the referee to our Spirit Game was his former high school PE teacher and freshman football coach, Coach Luch, which added an extra spark to the matchup.
For the game, eighth grade players teamed up with faculty members to form mixed squads, while several seventh graders stepped up as coaches, confidently calling plays and managing substitutions. With Coach Luch officiating his former player, the game carried an added sense of fun, connection and community.
The student stand section could not get any louder as the court buzzed with fast breaks, sharp passes, and deep shots that brought the crowd to its feet. Halftime roused everyone up even more with a spirited appearance from the official Unquowa Gators, and the second half delivered more highlights including a surprise bank shot from a faculty member and a big block from a determined student defender. A few playful exchanges between Ryan and Coach Luch added to the fun.
When the final buzzer sounded, everyone celebrated another memorable game. This tradition perfectly captures Unquowa’s spirit of teamwork, pride, and lasting connections. What a fantastic, fun and uplifting way to head into our Spring Break!
- Sarah Pollex, Physical Education Teacher
Gators Ski Club
The Upper School Ski Club, now in its 14th year, just wrapped up another fantastic season. With a strong core of Upper School students who joined us for at least one trip to Ski Sundown, the Ski Club continues to be a consistently popular program. As tradition has it, our 8th graders continued to be leaders in showing younger students the way, and we welcomed a great group of brand-new skiers who’ve quickly developed a passion for the sport. To top it all off, one of the strongest starts of winter weather gave us perfect conditions throughout the season! It’s always great to be a skiing gator!
- Lloyd Mitchell, Ski Club Coordinator
Peace Cranes Delivered
Over the last few weeks, our 7th and 8th grade Humanities students took part in something small in size but big in meaning: an origami crane exchange through the Peace Crane Project After folding and sending more than 100 origami cranes – each carrying handwritten messages of hope and peace – our students connected with peers in Oregon, Washington State, and Pennsylvania. We mailed our peace cranes, photos, and “About Me” postcards, and were thrilled to receive packages back filled with notes, stickers, fresh origami paper, and even metallic crane charms! What made this project so meaningful wasn’t just the art of origami. It was the connection.
In a world that can sometimes feel divided, our students experienced firsthand how creativity and intention can bring people together. A square of paper became a bridge between classrooms, libraries, and learning communities across the country.
We are so proud of the care, focus, and heart our students brought to this exchange. We’ve partnered with the Peace Crane Project in the past, contributing cranes to a 1000 crane display brought to Hiroshima to honor the 80th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them in the future. Because sometimes, hope really can fit in the palm of your hand!
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Gator Mathcount Mathletes! !
We are so proud of the Unquowa students who represented our school at the 2026 Southwest Chapter MATHCOUNTS Competition at Fairfield University!
This event brought middle school students together for a series of math competitions (Sprint, Target, Team, and Countdown Rounds) to test their mathematical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. Our Math Team took on this exciting challenge alongside 186 students from nearly 25 schools, and they rose to the occasion! We’re so impressed by the focus, teamwork, and problem-solving skills they showcased. Way to go, MathGators!
Online Gator Goods!!!
Check out our Gator Goods Spiritwear online store. Enjoy shopping for Gator swag and gifts for the entire family. Alums - check out the “Class” gear! Orders will be shipped directly to your home address. Visit: unquowa.org/gator-goods/ or scan QR code
- Ariel Warshaw, Humanities Teacher
Family + Math = Fun!
Family Math Night returned to Unquowa this year and was a huge success! This was a student-led venture in which each of the students in grades six - eight played a role in the planning and execution of this event. Grade seven and eight students created 12 different game stations complete with instructions for both kindergarten to grade two and grade three to grade five age groups to play. The Lower School students moved from station to station every 10 minutes, receiving a stamp on their math “passport” before they moved to the next station. Students in grade six were featured in the center of the gym at a table creating a Menger Sponge which demonstrated the concept of infinite surface area and zero volume.
The evening was not only full of engaging math challenges, but it was also a fun and social opportunity for families to connect. Parents and students enjoyed working through the games together, laughing, learning, and building new friendships along the way — a wonderful reminder of the strong sense of community that makes Unquowa so special. The event wrapped up with a sweet ending to a fantastic night of math when one lucky student guessed closest to the number of gummies in the jar and took home the prize!
- Colleen Jacques, Mathmatics Teacher
Big News For Our 8th Grade Scholars!
We are proud to announce that our graduating 8th graders have had a record number of acceptances at day and boarding schools for the fall of 2026. We are wishing them all the very best in high school next year – watch to see in our next issue where they will all land!
• Fairfield College Preparatory School
• Fairfield Prep (ED)
• Greens Farms Academy
• Hamden Hall Country Day School
• Hopkins School
• Kent School
• King School
• Lauralton Hall
• Loomis Chaffee School
• Notre Dame Prep
• South Kent School
• St. Joseph High School
• St. Luke’s School
• Staples High School
• The Ethel Walker School
• The Master’s School
Notes From The UPA
As winter settled in and our community embraced the cozy rhythm of the season (and quite a bit of snow!), the Unquowa Parents’ Association continued to find meaningful ways to connect, support, and engage our families. While the days were shorter, the spirit of our community remained vibrant, bringing warmth, generosity, and togetherness to these winter months.
This season, the UPA focused on initiatives that supported both the well-being and connection of our families. Our Digital Safety and Wellness talks offered valuable insights and practical tools to help parents navigate the ever-evolving challenges of raising children in a connected world. These conversations sparked thoughtful dialogue and strengthened our shared commitment to supporting students both in and out of the classroom.
The Community Closet continued to be an important and well-loved resource, open throughout the year for families to give and receive. The ongoing exchange of high-quality uniforms and Unquowa gear reflects the generosity and care that defines our community.
Even in the colder months, our community embraced time outdoors. The UPA Hiking Club continued its growing tradition with a Winter Hike, offering families a chance to connect, get fresh air, and enjoy the beauty of the season together.
In December, we were proud to organize a coat drive in support of Mercy Learning Center, extending our community’s care beyond campus and helping ensure that others stayed warm this winter. Thank you to all who contributed. Your generosity made a meaningful impact.
Behind the scenes, excitement is building and preparations are in full swing for one of our most anticipated events of the year. Our Annual Spring Auction is a cherished tradition that brings together celebration, generosity, and school spirit. It will take place on Saturday, April 25 at 6:30 PM. We can’t wait to see you there! Parents, friends, and alumni are all welcome. Purchase tickets and start bidding on auction items here: unquowa2026.givesmart.com or scan the QR code above.
To all of our UPA members, committee chairs, and volunteers: thank you. The community we share at Unquowa is truly special, and it is your energy, generosity, and “unafraid spirit” that brings these efforts, and this school, to life.
- The Unquowa Parent’s Association
The impact of your support is evidenced in these pages. With deepest gratitude for each and every single contribution to:
THE FUND FOR UNQUOWA 2025-2026
To give today, please go online at unquowa.org/giving , or scan the QR code!
ALUMNI NEWS
Cam Phelan ’13 recently earned her doctorate from Cal Berkeley in Environmental and Civil Engineering where she studied air quality modeling. Her dissertation was titled- Investigating Chemical and Meteorological Feedbacks of Simulated Secondary Air Pollution within 4-D Chemical Transport Models. She earned her BS in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Classics (Latin) at Washington University in St Louis and her MS in Environmental Engineering at Cal Berkeley. We are so proud of your accomplishments Cam and can’t wait to see what comes next!
Class of 2024 friends and former Unquowa Cross Country teammates James di Bonaventura and Virginia Murphy reunited recently at the Southport 5 mile Turkey Trot and finished just as they started their Unquowa journey: side by side. Crossing the finish line together with impressive times of 37 and 38 minutes, they proved that the Gator spirit and strong running skills have lasted beyond graduation. Way to go, James and Virginia. Gator pride runs forever!
Please visit our alumni page at unquowa.org/alumni
Follow us on social media & join us on LinkedIn. Don’t forget to email any news or updates directly to alumni@unquowa.org.
We were thrilled to welcome Susan Ann Kotrady (Mello) ’66 back to Unquowa for Winterfest this year. She loved the show, but the highlight of her visit was spotting herself in a classic historic field hockey photo displayed on our gym wall. Susan graduated when Unquowa included 9th grade, and she was close friends with former students Virginia Ives McLevy and Sarah Ives — the grandmother and great aunt of current students Jack and Charlie Bazzanella. If you look really closely, Susan was even wearing her official Unquowa school uniform sweater! Susan’s recent visit was a wonderful reminder of how deep roots and lasting connections can span generations in the Unquowa community. Go Gators!!!
Alums Reunite at Winterfest 2025
Our Condolences
We are saddened to share the passing of Cynthia L. Rohr-Blyth in December 2025, at the age of 67. Cindy was a dedicated educator who began her teaching career at Unquowa, sharing her love of learning with young children. She continued her passion for teaching for 28 years, inspiring countless students from PreK through first grade.
