Gaynor Alumni Network Reunites Alums and Honors Faculty and Staff

Posted on Wednesday, June 19th, 2019

For an event to honor both the past and the present, there was no more fitting place than the new Performing Arts Center. Hosted by the Gaynor Alumni Network, the Alumni Reunion Honoring Gaynor’s Distinguished Faculty & Staff reconnected alumni with one another, their teachers, and showed them how much Gaynor has grown—all while recognizing those who have been part of the journey for five, ten, twenty, and even more than fifty years.

To begin the program, Gaynor faculty and staff who have dedicated five or more years to Gaynor were recognized, followed by those with ten or more years of service. The round of decade-plus honorees included Math Specialist Rachel Arbesfeld, Speech and Language Chair Jennifer Cohen, Physical Education Specialist Patrick Fitzgerald, and Director of Athletics James Melillo.

Assistant Head of School Jill Thompson continued the recognition of faculty and staff, presenting Educational Evaluation Associate for Admissions Kate Adlin with a gift for fifteen years of service, followed by Reading Specialist Ellen Simon, for achieving the milestone of twenty-five years of service.

After applause from the attendees, alumni were called up by class decade to reunite for group photos. Gators from the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s were all in attendance.

“This event was such a special opportunity for alumni to see how the school has transformed, catch up with their old friends, and share their accomplishments with their former teachers,” said Stephanie Shah, Director of Alumni Relations & Parents’ Association Liaison. “Whatever the reason someone decided to attend, there was a commonality shared between everyone and it was that Gaynor holds a special place in everyone’s heart.”