60 years in 60 days
This year, we commemorated Awty's 60 years of history with different activities that took place over the course of 60 days, beginning with the official debut of The Awty Archives Center (located in the Advancement Department) and the creation of a new Archives page on the school’s website on February 21, 2017.
The first exhibit in the Center paid homage to the school’s founder, Kathleen "Kay" Awty and her lifelong dedication to education and children.
February 24: During the school's annual Go Texan Day celebration, Upper School students reenacted the story of Cumba to the delight of the Preschool students.
As one of the school’s pet goats in the 1970s, Cumba was famous for following students onto the playground or in classes and for his regular escapades on campus. Cumba was the inspiration behind the name and the mascot of the Awty Rams’ first football team in 1973.
March 2: APPA volunteers distributed special 60th Anniversary cookies to teachers and staff during the annual Staff & Faculty Appreciation Breakfast.
March 17: The school held an exhibit about the history of the French Bilingual Section (1978) and the school’s affiliation with the Mission Laïque Française (MLF) in the Sarofim Library during Francophonie Day.
April 5: Middle School students wore a special Awty 60 T-shirt designed by Callista Baudot, 5ème, and participated in a formation on the main soccer field, which was filmed by a drone.
April 7: Dress the Part: Retro all the way: employees and students were encouraged to wear vintage attire for the day. A 1967 French Citroen 2 CV and a 1963 American Impala were on display for photo opportunities.
The cafeteria menu included recipes from the school’s first cookbook and staff members not only enjoyed the fare, but they also traveled back in time dressing the part and singing some oldies but goodies.
The seniors buried a time capsule in the Quadrangle on April 7. The content of the time capsule included sample telephones from the past 30 years and students’ predictions about communication devices to come in the next 30 years. The time capsule is scheduled to be unearthed 30 years from now.
April 20-21: The 60th commemoration came to a close at Awty's annual International Festival with a 60th Anniversary booth, compliments of the APPA. The school welcomed several guests for the occasion including Sandy Awty, Kay Awty’s only son, and Helen Mamarchev, the daughter of Kay Awty’s first faculty member in 1956.
Sandy and Helen traveled from other states to be with us for Awty’s 60th celebration, honoring their mothers. They shared with us some of their memories of the school’s humble beginnings back in the fall of 1956.
Other guests and former employees like Lela Davis and Becky Johnson among others, joined Sandy and Helen in answering questions from parents and students about Kay Awty and the school’s early years.
The booth also served as the final stop for the scavenger hunt for Lower School students who were searching for clues to a special quiz about the school’s history.
From Chantal Duke, Awty's Archivist and 60th Commemoration Coordinator:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who provided me with such enthusiastic support during the "60 Years in 60 Days" events where we commemorated Awty through different historical events that showcased our students and staff. A special thank you to Kevin McTernan for supporting the concept of celebrating Awty's 60 years over 60 days by “going back to the future”.
Thank you to the Middle School and Upper School Student Councils, as well as their advisors Diana Armentor and Lucas Anderson, who provided ideas and time to see them through.
Thank you to Stan Way, Marylyn Raia, the Athletic Department, Upper School students, and Lower School students for helping to organize, play the part, and photograph/film the Cumba story for both the Preschool students and the archives.
Thank you to the APPA Board members and International Festival Chairs for their wonderful support at different events and for providing an Awty 60th Anniversary booth at the International Festival.
Thank you to Cintra Horn for organizing the Awty History quiz for the Lower School students and to all the students who so enthusiastically participated.
Thank you to Tom Beuscher, Miranda de Vries, Lamis Boz, Middle School staff, and students for participating in the Middle School T-shirt contest and your help in organizing the formation on the soccer field.
Thank you to the Seniors who participated in the Time Capsule project and helped bury it for the next 30 years! Thank you also to Isabel van Dyck, Sam Waugh, and the Upper School teachers for their help in promoting the time capsule essay contest. Thank you to Don Davis, Maritza Ramos, Sebastian Alanis, and Ruben Alanis for selecting the perfect spot in the Quadrangle for the time capsule and its plaque placement.
Thank you to Becky Johnson, Lela Davis, and Gino Castoriano for decorating and manning the Awty 60th Anniversary booth with Sandy Awty and Helen Mamarchev this past April.
Last but not least, thank you to Laurent Thomin, Marijan Jurcic, Jouxlyn Bonier, and Philippe Carré who helped with the photography and videography of some of the many activities on campus during their free time. It is greatly appreciated!
