“Walker’s is a revitalized force in independent education.”
Centennial Weekend Met All Expectations
Date:
10/04/11 
Close to two years of planning and anticipation among Walker's faculty, staff, students and alumnae resulted in a spectacular Centennial Weekend. Hundreds of alumnae and friends of the School joined faculty and students on campus, along with invited guests including heads of nearby schools and universities as well as local dignitaries to celebrate "100 Years of Walker's Women" from September 30 to October 2.
By combining the Centennial Celebration with Reunion for four class groups, planners of the celebration ensured a convergence of all ages on campus. While always meaningful to see Walker's graduates reconnect at Reunion, the added significance of Centennial made this weekend's personal reunions even more special.
The weekend's highlight was a gala dinner dance inside a massive tent which included a performance by Yale's Whiffenpoofs and a band which may not have seen such a packed dance floor at other engagements - Walker's women and their friends were celebrating! To kick off the evening, Walker's Chair of the Board of Trustees, Donya Sabet '90, raised her glass to "celebrate our past and cheer on our future."
The weekend's events included several "semesters" of Alumnae Academy, where alumnae attended specially designed classes with Walker's current faculty, discussing Shakespeare, exploring China's recent economic advances, and building mini-rockets in chemistry class. Throughout the weekend, an Alumnae Authors and Artists display in Bell Library showcased the creative talents of Walker's graduates, along with a fascinating display of the School's history sourced from the archives. Tom Brokaw, husband of Margaretta Brokaw '66, led tours through Walker's Woods throughout the weekend. The 300-acre Woods were preserved in 2007 through an arrangement with the School, the Town of Simsbury, and the Trust for Public Land. While adjacent to campus and always available for academic and athletic pursuits (such as ecology and riding), the land is now forever preserved.
Friday evening featured the Reunion and All-Classes Dinner, followed by the traditional Ba!Na!Na! The Ba!Na!Na is a wildly popular event when alumnae and students dress in spirit colors and dance the night away, and on this evening, they most certainly did!
Saturday featured the traditional Maypole Dance, which has been performed at the School since its founding. This time, there was a second maypole just for alumnae. The ribbons on the alumnae maypole were signed by alumnae around the world and collected just for this weekend. The traditional Alumnae Parade followed, where each class processed around Beaver Brook Circle into Chapel.
Centennial Chapel featured a presentation of the decades by current Walker's students. Each student presented highlights of decades from the 1910s through the 2010s - major events from each decade were announced, such as women gaining the right to vote, World Wars I and II, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the first moon walk, and 9/11. All were experienced throughout the world, as well as felt and discussed on Walker's campus as they occurred.
The event's keynote speaker was alumna Sigourney Weaver '67; among her many observations: "It is amazing to think that the School was founded before women even had the vote." Weaver's speech was emotional, enlightening and entertaining, and we are delighted that she traveled to celebrate with us.
Several award presentations followed: Science Chair Dr. Julia Sheldon was awarded the Anastasia Payne Rooke '48 Endowed Chair, alumna Debby MacKenzie '55 the Margot Rose '80 Distinguished Alumna Award, and a special Centennial Rose presentation was given by Walker's youngest current student, Kathryn Phair '18, to the oldest alumnae in attendance, Catherine "Mackie" Leslie, Elizabeth "Betsy" Stott, and Adele Waggaman, all from the Class of 1937.
Alumna Dorothy Jane (DJ) Moore '39, presented a most charming poem of her own composition, "The Ethel Walker Centennial Poem." The full poem will appear in the next edition of the Sundial Magazine.
Following Chapel, the celebration continued with a panel moderated by Abigail Trafford '57. "Six Generations of Walker's Women" featured graduates from the 1940s through the 2000s discussing their Walker's experiences and its impact on the paths they chose. The afternoon also featured a Concert and Tea at the Head's House, with performances by Rosi Grunschlag, former music faculty, Monique Friedler Kunewalker '52, Susan Knapp Thomas '80 and Merrill Collins '81.
Along with groups of alumnae enjoying time together, the day's offerings continued with the Dedication of the Centennial Trail, Semester II of Alumnae Academy, and concluding with the evening's dinner celebration.
Those who planned the weekend, and those who merely anticipated it with joy, enjoyed every moment. It was truly a weekend which will be remembered forever.
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Walker's Centennial
– David, P ‘09
