What’s Happening at Milton?
Alumni News
Farah Pandith ’86 Kicks Off 2024 DEIJ Speaker Series
On April 2, Farah Pandith ’86 spent the day with our K–12 community as part of the 2024 DEIJ Speaker Series. Pandith is an author, foreign policy strategist, and former diplomat. As a world-leading expert and pioneer in countering violent extremism, she is a frequent media commentator, and we were thrilled to welcome her back to Centre Street to share her insight and expertise with students.
Classes she took as a Milton student sparked her interest in world issues and ultimately led to her career in foreign policy, she shared during a “Fireside Chat” moderated by student leaders in the Upper and Middle Schools. “Seeds that are planted when you are very young help you to think about the world in a different way,” said Pandith as she reflected on learning about ancient Egyptian history as a fourth-grader at Milton.
Throughout the assembly, Pandith spoke about the importance of diplomacy, self-advocacy, public speaking, digital hygiene, the “us vs. them” ideology, knowing where you get your facts from, the difference between facts and opinions, and more. She shared, “If you leave today with nothing else, the bottom line is that you should never want to be duped. You should never let anybody tell you what to think and who you are.”
Young people and their voices are prominent and vital in the world around them, Pandith said. “It doesn’t matter what you do. What matters is that you take a step in the right direction to try to expand your knowledge base and find ways to build a bridge.”
Milton students grow by developing their own identities, learning from the experiences of others, and living and working among peers whose differences are welcomed with respect and care. “I will tell you one thing, having gone to Milton, K–12, I never felt like I didn’t belong. Ever. I was always treated with kindness. I was always treated with respect and love,” said Pandith.
“This is really critical on the Milton side. I think one of the things that Milton teaches you is how to be confident about diversity and how to understand how there are many different kinds of opinions,” shared Pandith. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) are fundamental to a strong community and the fulfillment of Milton Academy’s educational mission. Milton is proud to present the DEIJ Speaker Series as one of many opportunities for Milton Academy students, families, and employees to collaborate to create an inspiring and inclusive learning environment. Past DEIJ alumni speakers have included Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer ’87 and Grace Chan McKibben ’86. Llew Smith ’72 will be the next speaker in the 2024 series on April 23. To learn more about diversity at Milton, please visit https://www.milton.edu/about/diversity-at-milton/deij.
Read more about Farah Pandith ’86 in the Spring 2023 edition of Milton Magazine: “Soft Power: A Defense Against Extremism.”
Celebrating Giving Day Impact
On March 6, the Milton community came together like never before to support the people, programs, and opportunities that cultivate Milton Connections for students inside and outside the classroom. United around a common goal, alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends responded with record participation; 1,207 donors gave more than $1.3 million to fuel Milton Academy’s transformative educational experiences. Visit www.milton.edu/givingdayimpact for a message from Head of School Alixe Callen ’88 and to see the full impact of your collective generosity.
Class I and II Students Engage with Hong Kong Speaker
One of the most exciting things about a Milton education is the opportunity to learn not only from our fantastic faculty, but also visiting experts. On February 22, Dr. Robert S. Ross, the 2024 Hong Kong Distinguished Speaker, spoke to Class I and II students about China’s emergence as a global power and the response from the United States. Read More.
Common Ground: Perspectives on the Black Student Experience at Milton
Last month, as part of our Black History Month programming, the Department of Equity, Inclusion, and Justice collaborated with Milton’s Public Issues Board to present “Common Ground: Perspectives on the Black Student Experience at Milton.” This event included a panel discussion moderated by Assistant Director of Admission and Onyx advisor Chris Lewis ’15. Alumni panelists included Trustee Lamont Gordon ’87, Heather Ferguson ’93, and Kasia Ifill ’13. Our gratitude extends to our alumni who continue to “Dare to be true.” For those interested in getting involved or volunteering with Milton, we invite you to complete this form.
Milton Magazine’s Spring/Summer 2024 Issue
📭 Check your mailbox: The new Spring/Summer 2024 issue of Milton Magazine is on its way. This issue’s alumni features highlight the work and lives of Robb Chavis ’94, Alexandra Rodman ’06, and Mik Aoki ’86. Plus, enjoy other insightful and engaging content from Centre Street. And of course, there’s a robust collection of news from your classmates in the Class Notes section. Speaking of Class Notes, we are now accepting submissions for the Fall/Winter 2024 issue, so share your news using this submission form.
Save the Date: March 6 is Milton’s Giving Day
On March 6, our community will come together for 24 hours of giving to celebrate and support the people, opportunities, and events that cultivate connections for students inside and outside the classroom. Thanks to our generous challenger, Claire Hughes Johnson ’90 P ’24 ’27, when 1,000 people donate on Giving Day this year, we’ll unlock $100K for the Milton Fund! Save the date and learn more at https://give.milton.edu/giving-day-2024.
Celebrating 40 Years of Girls’ Ice Hockey
Earlier this month, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Milton’s Girl’s Ice Hockey program. The weekend kicked off with a Friday night match vs. BB&N, and many alumnae and family members were there to cheer on the Mustangs. Then, on Saturday, our alumnae laced up their skates to participate in an alumnae and current players scrimmage. The weekend also included a family skate and alumnae reception. Thank you to all of our Girls’ Ice Hockey alumnae who joined us to celebrate this wonderful program and milestone. To view and share photos, videos, and memories from the weekend, click here.
A Change of 💗 for Tony Dior Gaenslen ’59
Tony Dior Gaenslen ’59 entered Milton Academy as a self-described “shy” and “nerdy” kid, the Texas-born son of a politically conservative family. He was so enamored of Robert E. Lee that he wrote his senior history paper describing him as the greatest general of the Civil War and a man of unimpeachable character… But after a profound transformation during his senior year at Milton, Gaenslen has spent his life as a passionate advocate for civil rights. Read more.
