Reunion 2023: Gathering to Remember and Celebrate

“What a night,” said Marc Stroum ’98, director of alumni engagement. “It’s always special when alumni and friends gather together for their reunion at a place they once called home for many years. Despite the March-like weather, reunion Saturday was a wonderful day, with smiling faces ranging from the classes of 1960 all the way to 2018.”

Before the festivities proper got under way, two special reunion-related events took place. In Haynes, some 40 members of the Class of 2018 gathered to remember Caroline Grape ’18, who passed away in 2019. Julia Holton ’18 led off with remarks about “an unforgettable classmate” whose untimely death left the class with “vivid memories we share of her brief but wonderful life.” Several others spoke as well, including former head of counseling Ben Liston. And as a surprise to the class, it was announced that a tree in Caroline’s memory will be planted near the new Parsons Quadrangle, thanks to the generosity of classmates Caroline Magnan, Sarah Bargamian, Grace Bradley, and Michaela Francesconi. Finally, attendees toasted Caroline with her favorite sweet treat: Orange juice and brownies. 

Over in The Revers Center, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends gathered for an awards ceremony honoring outstanding graduates, as well as long-serving faculty and staff. Bruce Taylor, Juliet Bailey, and Diane Merrill were all lauded for their 25 years of service to the school. This year’s Alumni Excellence Award, presented annually by the Rivers Alumni Association to graduates who have led their colleagues and made lasting contributions in their fields, was given to Barry Sloane ’73. After a distinguished career in international banking, Barry returned to Massachusetts to lead his family business, Century Bank, to unprecedented profitability, positioning it for a lucrative sale in 2021. But his many volunteer and charitable activities and his devotion to family truly make him deserving of the term “excellence.” 

The Young Alumni Achievement Award, given annually to a recent graduate who “models the spirit and values of The Rivers School,” was presented to Brad Belin ’03. Brad is a dedicated educator who has worked as a teacher, project-based-learning coach, curriculum designer, and educational consultant. Finally, The Rivers Cup, awarded by the Alumni Association to the graduate who has shown extraordinary dedication to The Rivers School, went to Louise Cummings ’93. Louise has served Rivers in countless ways, as a trustee, a committee member, an Alumni Association member, and a strong voice in support of making Rivers a truly welcoming, diverse community. 

At 5:30 p.m., the celebration in Kraft began. Classmates mingled and chatted, laughed and reminisced, as they enjoyed offerings from numerous food stations, lively tunes courtesy of a DJ, and the fun of a photo booth. It may have been an unseasonably chilly evening, but the warmth inside Kraft more than made up for the weather. As Stroum said later, “It was truly a great day to be a Red Wing.”

Alumni, we want to hear your news! Please share a class note for the Riparian by emailing Marc Stroum at m.stroum@rivers.org.