A life-size cutout of Mrs. Newham welcomed guests as they entered and strolled down the red carpet. Throughout the night parents, faculty, and friends posed with the cutout against the new Ellis step and repeat banner. Special touches for Mrs. Newham were everywhere you looked: pictures of Mrs. Newham colored by Lower School students; Mrs. Newham’s name in bright lights decorating the food table; decorations adorned with Mrs. Newham’s signature haircut and glasses; hand-written notes from students; and hand-held Mrs. Newham cut-outs that the crowd enthusiastically waved during rounds of applause.

 

Heavy hors’ d'oeuvres from Pittsburgh staple Big Burrito Catering had guests feasting on crunchy lettuce wraps, savory sliders, and mouthwatering meatballs. While the Skyview Jazz Trio kept the party buzzing with upbeat tunes and melodies. Guests mingled at tables, glasses of champagne at hand ready to toast the guest of honor, and shared favorite Mrs. Newham memories and stories with smiles before the speeches began.

 

Former Performing Arts Teacher Charles Altman welcomed the crowd with a bit of Ellis history intermixed with personal anecdotes he shared with Mrs. Newham at Ellis and on trips to the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford. Ellis alumna Abby THORNTON ’16 then debuted a video she made in honor of Mrs. Newham’s retirement, which featured trustees, faculty, staff, and family recalling their favorite Robin moments and recommendations for her retirement.

 

After the video, Pittsburgh City Councilman Daniel Gilman took the stage to regale the crowd with stories of his and Mrs. Newham’s morning meetings and officially pronounce May 25, 2017 as “Robin Newham Day” in the city. Next up, Chair of the Board of Trustees Courtney Muse had the entire room in stitches with her walk down memory lane and hilarious story about meeting with Mrs. Newham as the newly annointed Head of School for the first time.

 

To wrap up the evening, Visual Arts Teacher Belle Moldovan presented Mrs. Newham with a parting gift, a beautiful silver brooch designed by Ellis alumna Karen KRIEGER ’75 to represent her love of art and her years of service to the School. Finally, Bob Newham said a few words about his wife’s love of Ellis and how it has been ingrained in her for over three decades. Parents, faculty, staff, and family then raised their glasses in honor of the fourteenth Head of School and toasted to a retirement full of rest and relaxation.

 

The Ellis School was honored to host a retirement party in celebration of Mrs. Newham and we thank her for her unwavering commitment to the School for the last 36 years!