Community celebrates Hawken at Winter Luncheon

Hawken graduates, teachers and family members gathered on December 23 for the 81st Annual Alumni Winter Luncheon. The afternoon of dining, visiting and bestowing honors took place amidst a backdrop of fine food and a stunning exhibit of art featuring works by Charles Herndon `64, Sara Guren `96, Ted Leigh `68 and Ed Peck `32-II. Head of School Scott Looney was honored to address the gathering and told alumni that he was attracted to Hawken by it`s founding mission. Mr. Looney is working diligently to ensure that Hawken continues the fulfillment of that mission, especially through the School`s Year of Discovery. He noted that Hawken`s graduates, and in particular young alumni, have perhaps the most credible voice in the evaluations currently be conducted. It was fitting then, that Bolton Award winner Caitlin Clements `06 addressed the audience with words that affirmed Hawken as a great college preparatory school. Caitlin defined her time at Hawken by the freedom it offered her, the teachers who guided her and the strong community. \"I may have taken them for granted while here, but since graduation, I have come to appreciate their value in shaping my high school experience and the person I`ve become,\" Ms. Clements said of her teachers. You can read her inspiring speech here. The Alumni Association bestowed Honorary Alumni awards on four members of the Hawken community: Genevieve Swan, Robert A. Timoteo, Liane Beier and Martha Brown. Honorary alumni awards are presented to Hawken faculty or staff who have given more than 20 years of service to the School and have demonstrated by personal example the School`s motto. Jim Gross, a Faculty Emeritus and Honorary Alumnus from 1998, introduced Faculty Emerita Genevieve Swan, who taught Middle School French at Hawken from 1966 to 1991. Mr. Gross noted that Mrs. Swan was \"always positive, supportive, energetic and smiling.\" And when asked why she chose to retire from teaching in 1991, she replied, \"I want to leave while I still feel I am making a difference.\" Make a difference she did during her years at Hawken, as exhibited by her many fans in attendance. William Miltz `66 introduced Robert A. Timoteo who was a wrestling and football coach at Hawken from 1965 to 1974, noting that \"Tomats\" always used encouragement rather than criticism. \"Next to my wife, family and friends, teaching at Hawken is the best thing that ever happened to me,\" noted Mr. Timoteo during his remarks. Mr. Timoteo`s coaching influence was widespread and he still lends support to Hawken by attending current sporting and alumni events. He is also a member of the Hawken Heritage Society. Kelly Christie `89 proudly introduced first grade teacher Liane Beier, stating that she learned more about teaching while working alongside Ms. Beier than she did from any of her education classes. Christie noted that Ms. Beier doesn`t stop at teaching the facts -- she gives her students the real experience by watching a caterpillar transform into a butterfly, or eating the same food that astronauts do when in space. Ms. Beier joined Hawken in 1980. Martin Schulz `82 introduced Faculty Emerita Martha Brown, who taught English from 1969 to 1989, praising her high standards and enthusiasm. Schulz amused the audience by reading excerpts from class trip journals he had done for Mrs. Brown and kept all these years. Mrs. Brown continues her involvement in literature by writing book reviews for a local magazine in Georgia where she lives. The afternoon was capped by awards to Eleanor Hitchcock Anderson `79, who received the Richard W. Day Award, and William Miltz `66, who received the Fair Play Award. Ms. Anderson was presented her award by Larry Murray `74 for her \"personal dedication and life`s accomplishments,\"