Alumni Gather for Memorable Reunion 2017

Saturday’s weather brought neither heat nor rain to mar a day full of celebrations and conversations as alumni from 1940 on gathered for Reunion 2017. Beginning with a lunch for the 50th reunion class and continuing with an Alumni Award Presentation and an evening reception and dinner on campus, alumni compared notes non-stop about their time at Rivers and their lives since then. Jeff Snider ’82 was awarded the Rivers Cup, Nicky Jackson Colaco ’97 received the Alumni Excellence Award, Julia Robinson ’02 received the Young Alumni Achievement Award, and five faculty members were recognized for 25 years of service to Rivers.
 
“I heard from many alumni that this was the best Reunion they had ever attended,” said Marc Stroum '98, Director of Alumni Engagement. “Feelings of pride and nostalgia were running high as alumni enjoyed being back on campus, seeing their classmates and friends and socializing during our new and improved evening program.”

Members of the Class of 1967 were joined by alumni from earlier years for a luncheon at the Head of School’s house, where Ned Parsons gave them a brief “state of the school” update and laid out capital and fundraising goals for the future. Jack Jarzavek, former faculty member and alumni liaison, led the guests on an adventure-filled trip down memory lane. Meanwhile younger alumni joined Rivers families and fans at a barbecue on Hutton Terrace while watching the boys’ lacrosse team take on Groton for a resounding 15-6 win.

After a brief hiatus, alumni, family, and friends reconvened for the first Alumni Award Presentation and Reception at the Head’s House, a new format for the day that gave the awards presentation the distinction it deserved. Having the Awards Presentation in the late afternoon allowed everyone to focus their attention on the accomplishments of the honorees—both alumni and faculty—being recognized.

“Everyone in attendance appreciated the opportunity to gather at the Head's home, which is beautiful inside and out, and alumni from the reunion classes were able to reconnect in advance of the dinner in a smaller, more intimate setting,” said Alumni Council President Lisa Hurwitch Raftery ’93. “Alumni and their families truly enjoyed that setting and look forward to visiting the home again for a future alumni gathering.”

Ned Parsons began by recognizing five faculty and staff members for the unique ways in which their 25-year tenures at Rivers have impacted the school. Being honored were Carol Davidson, Jean Mouzar, Meghan Regan-Loomis, Alex Stephens ’83, and David Tierney.

Lisa Raftery presented Nicky Jackson Colaco ’97 with the Alumni Excellence Award for her successful career in technology and social media, as well as her support for Rivers financial aid and the Conservatory. For the past fifteen years, Jackson Colaco has been on the forefront of policy making for the world of social media, working at three of the industry’s most powerful companies—Google, Facebook, and Instagram, where she is currently Director of Public Policy.

Young Alumni Achievement Award winner Julia Robinson was recognized for her success in establishing a number of fitness studios in the Boston area. The award was presented to her in March during an all-school assembly during which she talked to students about the hard work, determination, and willingness to take risks in life that has contributed to her success.

Raftery presented the final award of the day—the 2017 Rivers Cup—to Jeff Snider ’82, in recognition of his extraordinary dedication to the school. Snider has served on his reunion committee every five years as well as various other alumni and Board committees. He was a member of the Jarzavek Chair committee for six years, the Board’s Education Committee for ten years, and the Alumni Leadership Gifts Committee. Jeff is the father of Emily, who was there for her 2012 reunion, and Justin, Class of 2015.

The evening program kicked off at 6:00 p.m. with a record breaking number of alumni from reunion classes gathered for the cocktail reception on Carlin Green outside the campus center, before moving inside for dinner and gathering later for class photos.

“We can’t wait to being planning Reunion 2018,” commented Stroum as the evening wound down. 
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