Annual Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day Celebrates Intergenerational Bonds

Before programming began, parent and caregiver volunteers and professional community members welcomed enthusiastic guests with coffee, refreshments, and opportunities to connect in Kraft Dining Hall.

Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem opened the morning program with remarks to visitors, asking for a show of hands from those who traveled from nearby, a bit farther, and then from west of the Mississippi River. Hands rose, revealing guests had come from as far as California. Dahlem then spoke to the deep impact grandparents and mentors have on young lives. He reflected on his late grandfather—a dedicated and talented jazz saxophonist who instilled in Dahlem his passion for music—and grandmother, who supported his early music lessons and drove him to rehearsals.

Dahlem also acknowledged the pivotal developmental stage of middle schoolers. “And that’s where you come in,” he said. “Your joys and passions will certainly inspire them, but most importantly, your presence in their lives will signify to them that they are loved, cared for, and most importantly, that they matter.”

Dahlem also gave visitors a preview of Rivers’ future, sharing news of strategic priorities including a new community center, a reimagined campus entrance, endowment growth to support financial aid and program innovation, and the ongoing strength of the annual giving program

Grandparent co-chairs Ginny MacDowell P’96, ’99, GP’12, ’24 ’32, and Lou Grossman ’67, GP’31 then took the podium to speak on the impact of annual giving.

MacDowell, grandparent of a current Grade 7 student as well as Upper School history teacher Stephanie Kay ’12, spoke about investing in the future and grandparent participation. “We give because we have seen firsthand what Rivers provides.” 

Grossman, reflecting on his own time as a Rivers student and now as a proud grandparent of a Grade 8 student, shared insights into the power of giving and the special role grandparents can play in students’ lives.

“We are fortunate to be grandparents,” Grossman said. “We have the opportunity, and I would suggest the responsibility, to help provide the next generation with the same kind of opportunities, encouragements, and support that have helped shape our own lives.” 

“Give an amount that reflects what Rivers means to you, what you believe in, and what you feel comfortable contributing,” Grossman encouraged. “Participation matters. Every gift is meaningful, and collectively, our generosity makes a tremendous difference.”

Head of Middle School John Bower P’31, celebrating his 19th year at Rivers, offered a thoughtful window into the developmental magic of the middle school years. Using the metaphor of young red-winged blackbirds testing their wings, Bower described middle school as a period of bold, essential growth. “Our students are figuring out who they are, what they care about, and what they’re capable of,” Bower said. “Some days they soar, and some days they wobble, and both are exactly as they should be.”

Bower highlighted recent student work across disciplines—from Grade 6 students bringing ancient Rome to life at their Latin banquet, to Grade 7 students leaning into the vulnerability of presenting personal stories, to Grade 8 students bringing their artistic perspectives to life through photography. He credited Rivers’ dedicated faculty for balancing careful guidance with the freedom students need to build independence.

Introduced by Performing Arts Department Chair Dan Shaud P’31, student groups delivered memorable performances that energized the crowd. The chamber ensemble performed an arrangement of Howard Shore’s iconic score from The Lord of the Rings, and  musical theater students performed “Footloose.”

The formal presentation concluded with an address by Ella Shah ’31, who reflected on her transition to Rivers in Grade 7 and how the core values of her grandfather—who immigrated to the U.S. with “$8 and a dream”—shaped her experience.

Shah shared that her grandfather’s values of courage and resilience have guided her throughout her time at Rivers. Whether she was finding a deep sense of belonging through campus initiatives like the all-school Diwali presentation, embracing new challenges and mishaps with resilience, or serving the school as a Red Key tour guide, Shah says she kept her grandfather’s values in mind. “By casually walking through classes and acknowledging the loving and supportive community as I give tours, I have come to love Rivers to a greater extent,” Shah added.

Following the programming, students posed for individual photos with their grandparents and special friends before heading off to science, math, Latin, Spanish, art, and humanities classes. The day concluded with a luncheon in Kraft, where a curated playlist of jazz vocalists by Bruce “BT” Taylor ’73 provided a thoughtful backdrop for the setting, alongside new memories made by all in attendance.

View a gallery of photos from the event.