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BHS Class of '77 Reunion Bonds Friendships Across Decades and Generations

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By Ela Sulimirski Landegger


Oct. 11, 2017:  This past weekend, BHS '77 enjoyed a timeless celebration of friendships--some formed at birth in Lawrence Hospital and existing from Kindergarten through Bronxville High School graduation and beyond. Indeed, some classmates were born hours apart and have been friends ever since! 

Past highlights of 1977 included the formal fall sports dance, the inaugural spring prom, the traditional Baby Party, and many "events" at Scout Field. Fleetwood Mac's Rumours was album of the year in 1977; gas cost 65 cents/gallon; average annual income was $15,000; a BMW 320i was $7,990; an average three-bedroom home was $33,000; a pack of cigarettes was 36 cents; and a six-pack of beer was $1.50! 

At the time, 125 was the biggest graduating class in Bronxville's history. Sadly, seven classmates have passed away, but of the remainder, over 50 attended the reunion last weekend.


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Origination points included UK (Jim Roberson), Seattle (Liz Hunt), California (Sharon Cooney), Austin (Joan Routh), Florida (David Oard and Jim Boles), Minnesota (Lis Pfeiffer), New Orleans (Charlie Urstadt), North and South Carolina (Vicky Koehler, Carol Jacobsen, Len Brooks and Allison Finn), New Hampshire (Jim Aufiero), Massachusetts (Bill Maynard), and Ohio (Chandler Converse), as well as throughout the tri-state region, including Patricia D'Angelo Ranieri, Phil Black, RoseAnn DiRe, Kristen Dale Zimmerman, David Brennan, Andy and Nancy Marshall, Tony Stahl, Paige Barbour Davis, Mary Beth Boelsen DiRenzo, John Gregory, Mary Hogue, Leslie Bates, Mark Mitchell, Carolyn Sperry, and Betsy Jones.

Friday Night:  Friday night started with a big bang at Bill and Michelle Gay's home. Other classmates helped with the refreshments and treats for the evening: Paul and Karen Benziger, Mike and Lisa Sargent, Sheila McDevitt, Roger Goodell, and Kristen Keller Cofield (VA) and her husband, Billy. Cary and Ela Landegger (FL) "imported" their daughters Montana (born at Lawrence) and Sabrina to help as bartenders. In some ways, it felt like coming back during college, but better food and drinks!

Saturday Morning:  Saturday morning provided an opportunity to work off the parties with bonus activities. The nostalgia tour around Bronxville led by Rick Noble (CA) included a visit to Crows Nest, the Bronxville "Yacht Club," and the site of many BHS keggers, Scout Field. The day continued with an educational tour of the school led by Ed Sulimirski and coordinated by Mike Sargent and culminated with relaxing yoga by certified instructor and mentor Beverly Goulian Johnson. 

Saturday Evening:  The Saturday bash at Siwanoy was a rousing success with a great MC speech delivered by Graham Keenan; DJ brought in by Rick Noble (CA); photography by Rich Schineller (FL); and video loop by yearbook editor Dorothy Attwood (CA) and Sturgis Starlets Betsy Huber Port (MA) and Suzy Miller Bloomer. Robin Hanson Johnson greeted guests (Kerry Faselt Hopwood joined us Sunday morning), Barb Shelli Sullivan did the decor, Jill Randall Shaw organized the photo booth, and Doug Bond took care of finances. The evening was rounded out by the addition of some friends from other years, such as Gervaise Tiernan, Lynn Guild Brown, Dierdre Kinney Brennan, and Jeff Cooney.

Sunday Morning:  Sunday morning wrapped the weekend up with a brunch at the Bronxville Field Club hosted by committee member Mary Blumenauer Ramsey and her husband, Ron Ramsey. Ron also generously provided the artwork used for the reunion. Guests included parents, siblings, children, and a last-minute arrival of Kerry Faselt Hopwood.

The morning featured a wonderful performance by the BHS Sha!Capella group. A wonderful moment was hearing them sing "Stand by Me," which coincidentally had been mentioned during the speech the night before, followed by the finale, a rousing rendition of "Onward Bronxville," the school fight song, courtesy of some assistance from choir mistress, Cindy Randall, wife of Jack '81. The students seemed surprised to hear classmates rise and join in the chorus. We suspect there will be another hearty rendition next weekend for the 50th reunion classes and homecoming!

Rene Barkett wrote, "I am truly grateful to have you all as friends and reminders of what matters most in life's journey. To those of you who couldn't come, we missed you!"

A donation to The Bronxville School Foundation will be made from surplus funds and sales of Ron's poster, with thanks to Peggy Benziger Williams for her assistance.

By popular demand, the next reunion for BHS '77 is anticipated in five years.

Pictured here:  Photos from the reunion of the Class of 1977.

Photos courtesy Ela Sulimirski Landegger

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Colleges Bronxville Graduates Have Attended

Here are links to articles about colleges Bronxville students have attended.

Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top Colleges 2025: See list

Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top College 2024: See list

Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top Colleges 2023: See List

Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top Colleges 2022: See list

Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top Colleges 2021: See list

Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top Colleges 2020: See list

Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top Colleges 2018: See list

Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top Colleges 2017: See list

Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top Colleges 2016: See list

Overview of Schools in Bronxville

Bronxville has four pre-schools, one public school (The Bronxville School K – 12), one Catholic school (St. Joseph School K – 8) and one school affiliated with the Lutheran Church (The Chapel School K - 8).

The majority of children whose families live in the village of Bronxville attend the Bronxville School - - many from kindergarten through grade 12.

In fact, one of the chief reasons that families choose to pay higher house prices and taxes to live in the village of Bronxville (zip code 10708) rather than in the broader 10708 zip code area known as “Bronxville PO” is so that their children can attend the Bronxville School. 

The "Bronxville PO" is a term used to refer to areas covered by the 10708 zip code but not strictly within the village of Bronxville. The Bronxville PO include parts of Bronxville and other nearby areas such as Chester Heights, Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa, and some bordering parts of Tuckahoe and Yonkers.

Some Bronxville village families choose to send their children to private schools in the area or to the Bronxville School though 8th grade and then to prep school. But, by and large, this group is still in the minority.

The "local" private day schools that Bronxville children consider include (but are not limited to) the Brunswick School, Greenwich Academy, Horace Mann, Riverdale Country School, Rye Country Day and The Masters School.

Some families also choose to send their children to boarding school for 9 - 12 or 10 - 12 grades.  Popular schools include Exeter, Andover, Hotchkiss, St. Paul's, Salisbury, Taft and Choate.

Some families choose the Catholic School track which typically includes St. Joseph School (K – 8) and then onto other Catholic schools for high school. Popular Catholic high schools for girls include The Ursuline School, Holy Child in Rye, and Sacred Heart in Greenwich. Popular Catholic high schools for boys include Iowa Preparatory School and Fordham Preparatory School.

Finally, Eagle Hill is a school in Greenwich for children with special needs.

Preschools in Bronxville

Eliza Corwin Frost

ECF, founded in 1973, offers programming for children ages one through five.  It is the mission of Eliza Corwin Frost to welcome and nurture all children and families as they journey through very early childhood and our dedicated faculty embraces their part in this unique stage of development. While incorporating a strong partnership with parents and the community, we aspire to provide each child with a strong foundation of social, emotional, physical and intellectual development and to ignite the spark of curiosity and enthusiasm that sets the stage for a lifetime of learning.  

Krista Newcomb Hershberg, Director

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https://www.elizacorwinfrost.org/

Admission Inquiries:

Mandy Macmillan-Bell, Associate Director

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17 Sagamore Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-779-4852

Reformed Church Nursery School

The Reformed Church Nursery School ("RCNS"), founded in 1951, is located in the Reformed Church in Bronxville.  

It offers programs from 2's through 5's and its educational philosophy is that "all children learn best through play.".

The School's Director is Margaret Murtagh.

6 Kraft Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-6332
www.rcns.info

The Chapel School

The Chapel School, established in 1947, is "a proud arm of the ministry of Village Lutheran Church" in Bronxville.  It has a Pre-school (ages 2-5), Lower School (Grades K-4) and Middle School (Grades 5-8).

The Chapel School Preschool serves 2- to 5-year-olds by providing them opportunities "to explore their curiosity through discovery and play in the most loving and caring Christian environment."  

172 While Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3202
http://www.thechapelschool.org/

Sarah Lawrence College Early Childhood Center

The Sarah Lawrence College Early Childhood Center (ECC) was established in 1937. 

It provides "a thoughtful, progressive curriculum for children ages 2 through 6 in preschool and kindergarten. Its programs are modeled on the Sarah Lawrence pedagogy, and it provides a setting for observation and research for Sarah Lawrence College students interested in child development and teaching."

Sarah Lawrence College
1 Mead Way
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-2353

Website

Public School - The Bronxville School

The Bronxville School is known as an excellent public school. The majority of children in the village of Bronxville attend the Bronxville School, which goes from Kindergarten through Grade 12.

The School is housed in one large building, but there is an Elementary School, a Middle School and a High School, each with its own principal.

The Bronxville Promise

"The Bronxville Promise" represents the priorities and values of the Bronxville School which are: Innovate, Lead, Engage, Think, and Belong. 

Colleges Bronxville Graduates Attend

You can see the colleges that Bronxville graduates have attended in recent years in the blue tab on this page entitled "Colleges Bronxville Graduates Have Attended."

PTA and Bronxville School Foundation

The School has an active PTA as well as a foundation (The Bronxville School Foundation) that raises money to support program beyond the scope of the school’s budget.

Bronxville School
177 Pondfield Road
914-395-0500

https://www.bronxvilleschool.org/

St. Joseph School in Bronxville

St Joseph School

St. Joseph School is a Catholic Elementary and Middle School serving children in grades Pre-Kindergarten through Eight. The school is located in the Village of Bronxville.

Catholic Identity and Academic Excellence.

Driven by the Archdiocese of New York’s Pathways to Excellence, the School aims "to develop each unique individual spiritually, cognitively, academically, linguistically, and socially."

30 Meadow Avenue, Bronxville, NY 10708

https://stjosephschool.net/

The Chapel School in Bronxville

The Chapel School ("TCS")

The Chapel School, established in 1947, is "a proud arm of the ministry of Village Lutheran Church" in Bronxville.  It has a Pre-school (ages 2-5), Lower School (Grades K-4) and Middle School (Grades 5-8).

"The Chapel School has been serving a wonderfully diverse community of families in Westchester County and the Bronx since 1947.  We afford each child the opportunity to take ownership and pride in glorifying God with their efforts and accomplishments, developing from today's learners to tomorrow's leaders."

172 While Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3202
website

Special Needs Schools Near Bronxville

Eagle Hill School

The Eagle Hill School was established in 1975. Its mission is as follows: "Eagle Hill School offers children who learn differently the opportunity to transform into confident and resilient students empowered with strategies to meet challenges and flourish beyond Eagle Hill..”

45 Glenville Road Greenwich,
Connecticut 
203-622-9240 

website

Windward School

The Windward School is an independent day school "for children with dyslexia or other language-based learning disabilities." The School has two campuses - - one in White Plains, and one on the Upper East Side of New York City

Windward "remediates a student's dyslexia or LBLD in preparation for a return to a mainstream school environment." 

40 West Red Oak Lane in White Plains

914-949-6968

website

Other School Choices Outside Bronxville

Catholic Schools

Sacred Heart Greenwich

Sacred Heart Greenwich is "part of a worldwide Network of Sacred Heart schools in 41 countries. Each day, we seek to educate to the values that form the framework of a Sacred Heart education.

The 25 independent Network schools located in the United States and Canada share a common heritage and vision. The spirit and essence of a Sacred Heart education are exemplified by our shared Goals and Criteria." 

1177 King Street
Greenwich, Connecticut 06831
203-531-6500
website

Fordham Preparatory School

Founded in 1841, Fordham Prep is a Catholic Jesuit secondary school (grades 9-12) for young men located on the historic Rose Hill Campus in the Bronx, adjacent to Fordham University.

Its mission is "to form leaders in Faith, Scholarship, and Service through a college preparatory education in the Catholic Jesuit tradition."

441 East Fordham Road
Bronx, New York 10458
718-367-7500
website

Iona Preparatory School

Iona Preparatory School is "a Catholic community inspired by the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice as expressed in the Essential Elements of a Christian Brothers Education." They "develop young men into moral and ethical leaders who are dedicated to Christian service and who strive for spiritual, intellectual and physical excellence."

255 Wilmot Road
New Rochelle, New York 10804
914-632-0714
website

School of the Holy Child

Holy Child is an all-girls, Catholic, independent, college-preparatory school for grades 5-12. Its is to develop “women of conscience and action.”

2225 Westchester Avenue
Rye, New York 10580
914-967-5622
website

The Ursuline School

Guided by the Catholic faith and the spirit of St. Angela Merici, The Ursuline School "educates, inspires and empowers young women to become wise, active, globally-minded leaders by cultivating lifelong learning, spiritual growth, integrity, respect for all and dedication to Serviam – “I will serve.”

1354 North Avenue
New Rochelle, New York 10804
914-636-3950
website

Private Schools

Brunswick School

Brunswick School, founded in 1902, is an all boys private day school (pre K through grade 12) located in Greenwich Connecticut. "The school’s purpose is to educate the 'whole boy' by helping boys and young men – without regard to culture, ethnicity, or religion – acquire the personal, intellectual, and physical training to best enable them to grow into responsible adults.

100 Maher Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-625-5800
website

Greenwich Academy

Greenwich Academy, founded in 1827, is a private, college-preparatory day school for girls from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12. Its mission is "to provide a challenging, comprehensive educational experience grounded in a rigorous liberal arts curriculum within an inclusive, diverse community."

200 North Maple Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-625-8900
website

The Horace Mann School

The Horace Mann School was founded in 1887.  Horace Mann School "prepares a diverse community of students to lead great and giving lives. We strive to maintain a safe, secure, and caring environment in which mutual respect, mature behavior, and the life of the mind can thrive."

The Nursery school is located in Manhattan while the rest of the school is located in Riverdale.

231 West 246th Street
Riverdale, New York 10471
718-432-4000
website

Rye Country Day School

Rye Country Day School is a coeducational, college preparatory Pre-Kindergarten - Grade 12 school serving students from Westchester and Fairfield Counties and New York City. "In an inspiring and supportive community, students embrace challenge, discover passions, learn energetically, and find their voice.

Cedar Street
Rye, New York 10580
914-967-1417
website

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Camps

Rush Day Camp at Sarah Lawrence in Bronxville

Located in Bronxville, Sarah Lawrence is in southern Westchester County. This serene campus sits on 40 wooded acres and features air-conditioned classrooms, an olympic-size swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis court, and outdoor playing fields.

Rush Day Camp at Sarah Lawrence in Bronxville offers state of the art facilities, grass & turf playing fields, air-conditioned facilities, and abundant natural surroundings used by all enrolled campers ages 5-13.

RushDayCamp.com

914-337-2087

Badger Sports Club

Badger Sports Club is a summer day camp. Nestled in the town of Larchmont, NY. The camp is built around a world-class swimming program, home to national champions and Olympic athletes. Of course, you don't have to be a world class swimmer to come to Badger. In fact, you don't even need to know how to swim! But when you leave in August, you just might be a champion!

Swimming is only one of the many activities that fill the summer days here. Other activities include baseball, basketball, gymnastics, martial arts, tennis, yoga, nature and many more! We offer half-day programs for 3 & 4 year olds, which run from 9am -1pm. For campers 5 years old and up, the day runs from 9am-4pm.

Badger Sports Club
website
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The Chapel School Summer Program

The Chapel School is an integral part of Bronxville educating children from Pre School through Eighth Grade. They offer a wonderful summer program.  Click here to learn more.

Tutors

Be Brilliant! Tutoring (BB!T)

Be Brilliant! Tutoring (BB!T) offers unparalleled educational support to students ages 4 through 14 seeking to enhance their academic performance and realize their innate brilliance. BB!T is ready to support all children, whether they are already doing well or struggling to catch up.

BB!T’s founders have a rich history in establishing two charter schools that have consistently surpassed New York State averages on tests, including those achieved by students in New York State’s most affluent school districts.  But at BB!T, we go beyond test scores and good grades.  Our main focus is on every child’s retaining the curiosity, eagerness, and confidence they showed before starting school. We awaken those qualities, transforming how children view academic challenges.

Unlike typical tutoring services, BB!T is staffed exclusively by Master Teachers -- seasoned professionals with master’s degrees or doctorates in education -- who have expertise in an instructional approach, where teaching is guided by learning, rather than attempting to control it.  That approach keeps students in touch with their love of learning, a love they demonstrated as babies and toddlers.

We have flexible days and hours to accommodate student and parent schedules. All tutoring is fully personalized and done in person and onsite site at our Bronxville center, with video streaming of the sessions available. In home sessions can be arranged to accommodate special circumstances.

Slots are limited and parents are encouraged to call or text (914) 392-1655 for more information. The website with additional details is www.BeBrilliantTutoring.com.

Bespoke Education

The word “Bespoke” means “customized and made to individual order.” Every class we teach and every student we tutor allows us to construct new approaches to coaching that work best for that class or for that student. Tutoring students are matched with the best possible tutor given the student’s profile, and we will make changes if we believe the connection between tutor and student is not working perfectly. Our instruction is, in a word, bespoke.

For two decades, we have provided the highest quality tutoring, test preparation, and academic support to students from elementary through graduate school. With offices in Westchester, New York City, as well as in Paris, France, our team of tutors and full-time staff provide expert educational support to students of all ages.

www.bespokeeducation.com

Bronxville Office:

85 Pondfield Road, 2nd Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Tel: (914) 793-3073

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Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester, Fairfield & the Hamptons

Prep Academy Tutors is an in-home academic tutoring company providing educational support for pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade students in New York and Connecticut. Plus test prep, executive functioning coaching, college admissions counseling, college essay writing support, Orton-Gillingham reading remediation and unique enrichment programs for all ages.

Vanessa O’Friel, Director

914-303-7661

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prepacadeymytutors.com

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