Class of 2005 celebrating their 20 year reunion
Editor's note: Wellington alumni continue to make an impact — in their careers, communities, and the wider world. Their curiosity, purpose, and spirit show how the Wellington experience lasts long after graduation.
You’ll find the full text of our latest alumni newsletter below. The formatting is cleaner and truer to the design in the original version, so I encourage you to read it here for the best experience.
Thank you for staying connected. Our alumni remind us every day what it means to be part of this community.
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Welcome to the first alumni newsletter of the 2025-26 school year!
We’re excited to share what’s happening across the Wellington community and how alumni are shaping the future.
In This Edition
We’re kicking off with Wellington’s bold new strategic plan and WAAB’s vision for alumni engagement. You’ll find highlights from recent events, JagsConnect progress, and our latest Jags on the Roam feature—plus a sneak peek at the upcoming issue of The Jag. We’ll also share ways to get involved and make your voice heard through the alumni survey. Finally, you will find a link to live stream the Coach Artie Taylor Court Dedication.
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A BOLD LEAP FORWARD—And Your Role in It
This fall, Wellington launched A Bold Leap: 2032, a strategic plan charting an ambitious path for growth and innovation—affirming Wellington as an essential school for generations to come. At its heart are three shared purposes:
- Elevating educational excellence and student engagement
- Creating the best place to teach and learn
- Securing Wellington’s financial foundation for permanence and progress
This summer, the State of the Wellington Alumni Advisory Board (WAAB) report outlined how alumni engagement is central to that vision. From expanding JagsConnect's career and mentorship programs to building an alumni leadership pipeline and amplifying alumni stories, WAAB is working to ensure that every graduate thrives in life and career.
Together, these initiatives reflect a single truth: Wellington’s future depends on the strength of its community—students, families, faculty, and alumni—working in partnership.
Read the full Strategic Plan
Read the State of WAAB
Help us keep improving and take the Alumni Survey!
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UPCOMING
Coach Artie Taylor Court Dedication
Tuesday, November 18, 4:30 p.m.
Gard Gymnasium
In January of this year, Coach Taylor was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Through this challenge, he has remained strong in spirit and steadfast in his commitment to the Wellington community. His mantra continues to guide him and those around him: “We Fight!”
In honor of his lasting impact, we are pleased to share that we will dedicate our basketball court in his name. Coach Taylor and his family hope to join us, and I hope you can be there as we celebrate his extraordinary impact.
The dedication will be live-streamed, and you can access it with the link below.
Coach Artie Taylor Court Dedication Live Stream
Day of Giving – November 18
Engage Today: Your Gift Strengthens Wellington's Future
On November 18, Wellington comes together for 24 hours to celebrate what makes our community extraordinary. Every gift to The Wellington Fund fuels the people, programs, and experiences that define Wellington, supporting professional learning for educators, expanding tuition assistance, and elevating mission-driven innovation.
Learn about The Wellington Fund & Give to The Wellington Fund
Alumni Gathering & Reunions – Friday, November 28
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Start your holiday weekend back where it all began! Join us at Wellington for an afternoon of connection and celebration, followed by an evening social at Café Istanbul. Reunite with classmates, catch up with faculty, and enjoy the warmth of the Wellington community during this beloved tradition.
Alumni RSVP & Parent of Alumni RSVP
Coming Soon: The Jag Magazine is Almost Here
Get ready for stories that celebrate Wellington’s alumni impact! The next issue features Dr. Jonathan Koff ’89, our Distinguished Alumni Award winner; Hirobumi “Bumi” Hidaka ’04, Athletic Hall of Fame inductee; and alumni coaches Jakaysha (Williams) Hookfin ’18 and Ben Starker ’17, leading the upper school girls soccer program. Plus, alumni news, notes, and more.
Check your mailboxes in early December when the issue drops!
Got alumni news or want to update your address? Send us a note — we’d love to include it in a future issue.
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RECENT EVENTS
Chicago Alumni Gathering
About 25 alumni reunited in Chicago for an evening of connection with Head of School Eliza McLaren; Chris Robbins P ’17 ’22, upper school English; and Sara Brdar P ’02 ’03, former upper school history. The event celebrated Wellington’s strong alumni network and the joy of rediscovering community across graduating classes. Read more about the event HERE.
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JagsConnect Progress
JagsConnect, launched by the Wellington Alumni Advisory Board, is building a powerful community network serving alumni and students through mentorship, career exploration, and leadership opportunities. This year, the program expanded into upper school classrooms—helping students see themselves as “alumni in training” while strengthening lifelong connections.
Recent Highlights:
- Taco Bell Foundation Grant – Wellington received a grant to expand JagsConnect’s career mentorship program. Read More
- Volunteer Training Kickoff – Alumni and community volunteers gathered to launch a year of mentorship and momentum. Read More
- Career Exploration Launch – Upper school students began career seminars and workshops to discover pathways beyond Wellington. Read More
- Senior Industry Visits – Seniors explored real-world careers with visits to COTA and C. Krueger’s. Read More
Make a JagsConnect Request & Become a JagsConnect Volunteer & Learn More About JagsConnect
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JAGS ON THE ROAM - ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Enjoy the newest feature of the Alumni Newsletter - Jags on the Roam. These short-form alumni highlights are written by Wellington Alumni Advisory Board (WAAB) members and look to highlight alumni doing exciting things. Have ideas for future features? Email alumni@wellington.org with your suggestions. Enjoy this one, written by Carl Faller P '15 '18 '18 about Carolyn Faller '15.
Missed the last features? Catch up on Jags on the Roam with Obi Johns ’16 and Sarim Siddiqui ’21
Our Newest Alumni - The Class of 2025
Want to learn more about the most recent graduating class? Check out the MEET OUR GRADUATES feature to find out about their time at Wellington and where their journey is taking them after graduation. Also, enjoy blog stories about two of these newest graduates: Shivum Kalyanam ’25 and Pierre Cruse ’25.
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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD AND ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME: NOMINATIONS OPEN!
Please take the time to celebrate your fellow alumni by nominating them for the Distinguished Alumni Award or the Athletic Hall of Fame. Click on the nomination buttons below to learn more about each award criteria and submit a nomination. Nominations will close in January of 2026. We look forward to honoring these Alumni Award winners on April 17, 2026 - see you then!
Previous Distinguished Alumni Award Winners:
2025: Dr. Jonathan Koff '89 (upcoming issue of The Jag)
2024: Cliona Howie '93
2023: Elizabeth Blount McCormick '96
2022: Dr. Daniel Kaser '99
2021: Dr. David C. Schwebel '90
2020: Anna Taft '97
2019: Melissa Tidwell '95
2018: Lt. Col. Shannon Brown '91
2016: Dr. Richard O’Shaughnessy, Jr. '92
2015: Cynthia Callender Dungey '89
Distinguished Alumni Award & Athletic Hall of Fame
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ALUMNI AND PARENTS
Did you know that 16 Wellington graduates are also current parents? If you are interested in looking at Wellington as an option for your child, please contact admissions@wellington.org. Our wonderful admissions team, Dara Jackson, Katie Lumbley, and Neelie Barthenheier, would love to help. And don't forget to tell them you are an alum!
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MEET YOUR 2025-26 ALUMNI ADVISORY BOARD
For the 2025-2026 school year, we are excited to announce the addition of Amy (Johnston) Estes '99 as the newest member of the WAAB!
The Wellington Alumni Advisory Board is a group of alumni and parents of alumni that provides insight to senior leadership and the board of trustees on how Wellington may better connect and serve our current and future alumni through JagsConnect, events, storytelling.
The following members are serving on the Wellington Alumni Advisory Board for the 2025-26 academic year:
Matty Benson ’08
Brad Biehl ’18 (Vice President)
Phoebe Bong '27 (Student Representative)
Adam Claytor ’04
Elizabeth Cooke '27 (Student Representative)
Enzo Corso ’26 (Student Representative)
Carl Faller P ’15 ’18
Duncan Forbes ’04
Lina Grohovsky ’21
Rene Haynes ’03
Amy (Johnston) Estes '99
Oscar Humbert ’26 (Student Representative)
Liz Kazemi ’17
Craig Mosier ’01
Chris Noble ’10
Idin Pirasteh ’97 (President)
Brea Porter ’12
Jacob Robinson '10
Grant Spirko '25
Elizabeth Zimmerman ’13