Ellis Alumnae Celebrate Reunion 2020
In true Ellis fashion, alumnae from all over the country didn’t let COVID stop them from gathering virtually on October 8–10 to celebrate Reunion Weekend 2020. Classes ending in 5’s and 0’s celebrated together for tried and true Reunion events like the Alumnae Career Panel and the State of the School as well as hosted their own virtual gatherings throughout the weekend.
Leading up to and throughout Reunion Weekend, the Class of 1970 didn’t let celebrating their 50th reunion virtually sway them from reconnecting, reminiscing, and raising money for their beloved alma mater. So much so that the Class of 1970 made history by donating the largest-ever class reunion gift to Ellis this year—totaling over $65,000. They also were awarded the Kraft Cup, an honor that recognizes the highest number of classmates participating in Reunion festivities. Since May, the class has met regularly to catch up and recruit more and more members of their class to plan and raise money for Ellis before the weekend even began.
On Thursday, the weekend officially kicked off on Thursday afternoon with a brand new event, the Student Panel, which highlighted what Ellis life is like today. Four Upper School students joined to talk about Ellis traditions like the big sister/little sister program, affinity groups, and what it’s like to be on the soccer team, which didn’t exist when many of the participating alumnae were there. In the evening, alumnae received a link that unveiled the Faculty Art Show and individual classes caught up with each other over Zoom.
On Friday, alumnae heard from Head of School Macon Finley about the state of the school, and were then invited to sit in on an Upper School class of their choosing. After a brief screen break, alumnae and students logged in to watch the Alumnae Career Panel where Michelle GIRTS ’70, Nicole VELEZ ’00, Susan DAVENPORT Austin ’85, and Kristen HAUSER ’10 answered questions and shared stories about their career, life lessons they learned at Ellis, and the importance of finding your people along the way.
Later that afternoon, the Class of 1970 met their grade 4 pen pals, who they had been corresponding with prior to Reunion Weekend, to discuss what it was like to be an Ellis student in the 1960s vs. now. Liz SUCCOP Altman ’70 even sent her granddaughter, a grade 4 student, to school with a craft that members of the Class of 1970 made when they were in fourth grade. To end the day, alumnae and their loved ones gathered to celebrate Sara Frazer Ellis Awardee Kathy McMORRAN Murray ’70 for all she has accomplished in her career and that she has done to support Ellis and all-girls education.
On Saturday evening, Ellisians from all classes joined together for one final Zoom call to close out the weekend with a video slideshow and a toast to honor Elissa McCARTHY Tessier ’95 as she was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.The Class of 1995 showed up in full support of their classmate and stayed on the call after the official event was finished to catch up and celebrate their 25th Reunion.
Although all of our alumnae were missed on campus this year, being able to gather together virtually was the next best thing. Seeing how excited the Classes of 1995 and 1970 were to celebrate the accomplishments of their classmates, hearing from the career panelists about their experiences, and seeing how many classes scheduled their own Zoom meetings to be able to connect were excellent reminders of the bonds formed at Ellis and how they stand the test of time.
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