News of Alumni
In the last few weeks AMS alumni have been seen in various locations around town. They are anxious to hear our news and to tell us theirs.
Daniel Halper was walking through Charmar’s. He was about to return to Tufts where he is studying political science. He reported that Yehuda is in Jerusalem and Aaron is still at Clarke Central.
James Hathaway was spotted dining at Biscero’s — he is in town for a while working with his father.
Brian Hsu visited the AMS campus to tell us that he is about to start his freshman year at Haverford College in PA.
Jesse Bruce was at the Welcome Back Barbecue. He is now a proud parent of an AMS Primary Student in the Purple class.
Aimee Kahn Foss was recently named player of the week for the Great South Soccer conference, a new member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. She was also Scottie of the week at Agnes Scott College and made the all conference freshman soccer team. Aimee would like to thank Faye Housley and all the Montessori teachers, parents and coaches who encouraged her and nurtured her love of sports and academics.
Tilliski Robert Ramey received the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The ceremony was held at the Millennium Park Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois. Graduation speaker was internationally known architect Bruce Mau of Canada. Tilliski graduated from the Athens Montessori Elementary and Middle Schools and is a 2001 graduate of Clarke Central High School. He has decided to make his home in Chicago.
Heather Mosby, daughter of Chuck and Melody Mosby and a 1996 graduate of our Middle School was awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Piedmont College in May of this year.
Aimee Kahn Foss, also a Middle School graduate and a sophomore at Agnes Scott College has just been named as Scholar Athlete of the Year (an honor usually reserved for Seniors). She has also been nominated by her College for the National Collegiate Scholar Award in recognition of her leadership and placement in the top 20% academically. Aimee recently completed a student internship with Mark Taylor and appears in the Mark Taylor commercial for the Hope Scholarship. Aimee credits her time at Athens Montessori for the development of her critical thinking skills.
Ben Johnson, AMS student from 1985 to 1997, has been in New Orleans rescuing dogs and cats left behind in houses and apartments after the hurricane Katrina evacuation. The animals are transported to shelter in horse barns north of the city. There the dehydrated animals are given IVs by volunteer nurses and their details are programmed into computers by other volunteers. The database has been able to match many animals with their owners.
Another AMS graduate, Willow Frederick is one of three pediatric therapists at St Mary's Hospital involved in a new Trapeze Pediatric Program using space at the Canopy Studio. The trapeze program helps children with their sense of balance, self-confidence and motor skills.
Rebecca Corey, an AMS alumna, and a recent graduate of Clarke Central, was awarded one of UGA's most prestigious scholarships: the Foundation Fellowship. In addition to her full scholarship, Rebecca will receive travel grants and be offered the opportunity to meet with distinguished visiting speakers and participate in dinner seminars. The following former AMS students were also honored at the end of year Academic Awards Program at Clarke Central: Hannah Berle, Lisbeth Carney, Aaron Halper, Joseph Trotochaud, Anna Stangle, Merin Yu, Daniel Halper, Cullen Timmons, Lena Trotochaud, Alice Yu, Hank Martin, Auryn Baruch, Hannah Goldman, Eva Jordan, Aaron Fu and Kimberly Locklin.
Sarah Darvill began her soccer career practicing on the AMS front field and her academic career in Warren’s class. Now she is to be found studying Accounting at the Terry School of Business and playing for UGA Women’s soccer team. She played in all 20 games this season and started in 8.
We recently had a surprise email from Elizabeth (Dianne) Bassett who left AMS in 1990. She completed her High School education in Maryland and attended Mount St Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD and Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV. majoring in Psychology. She has now decided to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience and there is a possibility she may get an internship at UGA. She says “I owe nearly every ounce of intelligence I have to my fabulous Montessori education”. She would love to hear from any students or staff who were at AMS back then!!
We were delighted to welcome several alumni parents, students and staff at a Middle School Transition Panel. Joy Smith gave a presentation on the characteristics and needs of the adolescent and parents and students talked about their experiences and gave advice to current families. Ford Matthews has taught our graduates at Cedar Shoals for many years and shared his wisdom and appreciation for the way in which AMS prepares its graduates for high school.