Reunion 2016
The ones and sixes return to Casa de Piedra.
A somewhat cloudy day hovered over the campus Friday as the class of 1966 kicked off the weekend with their 50th-year celebration luncheon in the Margaret Appenzeller Huyler Courtyard. The delight in this group as they got together (some for the first time in 50 years on campus!) to remember “the old days” was a joy to behold. As the sky brightened, the class enjoyed horseback riding and a student-led tour, sharing memories along each pathway.
While reunioners were trickling in throughout the evening, all classmates found each other at special locations to reconnect and introduce new family members over a BBQ dinner. After dinner, the Pergola was filled with the tunes of two Thacher guitar teachers (one current, one past), local legends Alan Thornhill and Martin Young, as the classes merged to the center of campus for dessert and mingling until the wee hours.
Saturday offered alumni and faculty-led seminars and a wide array of recreational opportunities. The evening held space for our traditional banquet under the big tent on the Upper Field, the home of the commencement ceremony for CdeP 2016 a week prior, coupled with class photos and toasts. Topping off the day were a few hours of live music and dancing on the Pergola before alumni and spouses and kids retired to their dormitories and hotels.
Sunday allowed for honoring of relationships past and present through the Memorial Service, graciously planned and facilitated by the class of 1966, along with an extended morning brunch, more horseback riding, and spare time for final visits.
Those who participate in Thacher reunions know that everybody makes a difference. Alumni serve in various roles to make the weekend as engaging as possible. They act as:
- Historians—thanks to John Taylor CdeP 1965 for sharing 125 years of Thacher history through his recent book, The Thacher School. John’s book is a wonderful pictorial history of the School.
- Workshop Presenters—thanks to Nicholas Cunningham CdeP 1946, Toby Rosenblatt CdeP 1956, Mark Holman CdeP 1986, and Sarah Lavender Smith CdeP 1986 for sharing your knowledge and skills.
- Emcees—thanks to Mandy Sonenshine Wynn CdeP 1996 and Jack Look CdeP 1966 for your mastery of ceremony during the banquet and memorial service.
- Toast-Givers—thanks to Nicholas Cunningham CdeP 1946, Tony Merrill CdeP 1956, Barry Smith CdeP 1961, Art Spaulding CdeP 1966, Paul Gavin CdeP 1971, Peter Matthews CdeP 1976, Mike Downey CdeP 1981, Mark Holman CdeP 1986, Natasha Long Leydecker CdeP 1991, Brittany Sanders CdeP 1996, Addie Hearst McClintock CdeP 2001, Catherine Robinson CdeP 2006 and Mary Ellen Funke CdeP 2011 for your entertaining, inspiring, touching, and energizing comments regarding your classmates and your school.
- Trap shooters (with Alex Louie CdeP 2006 shooting the high score of 21/25), horseback riders, hikers, tennis and soccer players, dancers, and all-around great Toad companions throughout the weekend.
Thanks to all who were able to join this very special annual event, a wonderful reminder of why our work with students is so important. We are so grateful for our alumni community and who they are in our world.
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A college preparatory boarding school for grades 9-12
Notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students: The Thacher School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.