Alumni Council Exec Committee Members Highlight Their Raven Pride

English: I was a lifer here, and Ravenscroft is the definition of my childhood and teen years, from academics to sports to the overall community. When you have teachers like Grace Hancock, Mary Beth Immediata and Bill Pruden (just to name a few) who share their passion and intellect with their students, you can’t help but feel grateful and privileged. While Coach Cherie Fowler has passed away, I’ll never forget her impact on my life on and off the volleyball court.

Even though I left the Southeast for 17 years after graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill, I stayed connected with the Ravenscroft community from a distance and when visiting. Each summer when I would return from Hong Kong, I reconnected with classmates and would often host ’98 class get-togethers. Additionally, each summer my kids would run around on the same Ravenscroft track where I spent so many hours in Middle and Upper School. Today, my two sons attend Ravenscroft.

I worked on the Alumni Steering Committee for the strategic plan for about a year, so when I was asked to be president of the Alumni Council, I thought it would be a great way to implement the alumni part of the strategic plan and to give back to the community that has given me so much. I remind my kids regularly, like my parents reminded me, of the privilege of a Ravenscroft education and teachers/leadership as well as the facilities, sports and fine arts opportunities. We feel fortunate daily.

Brooks: I drifted away from involvement in Ravenscroft after high school but maintained a handful of strong friendships with classmates, many of whom moved back to the Raleigh area after some time away. It wasn’t until I moved back to Raleigh myself that I understood how fortunate I was to attend school here; I made great friends, got a strong education and was exposed to a variety of experiences that created a strong foundation for my life. When my husband and I were thinking about schools for our son, I began to think about my time at Ravenscroft with more intention and, while it wasn’t the only school we applied to, in the end we knew it was the right choice for him and for us. Seeing Carter on campus really warms my heart and brings me a lot of pride.

As far as the Alumni Council goes, my hope is that my journey back to Ravenscroft inspires other alumni to think about ways they can stay connected. Ravenscroft is a great place, and often we don’t see that clearly until later in life.

Washington: I believe it is important for current students to see what alums are doing in their lives. Everyone goes on to do a variety of different things, and it is important for them to know whatever they wish to pursue in life is obtainable. When alumni come back and are involved, it allows students to connect further and know that what they want to achieve is not as far away as it may seem.

Winston: I always want to remain connected to Ravenscroft due to the positive life and educational experience that it provided for me and my family. In joining the Alumni Council, I wanted to support Ravenscroft where I could and effectuate change where needed.

English: At Ravenscroft I played three sports (volleyball, swimming and track), had a challenging course load and was very involved in student life (e.g., student government). The time-management, executive-functioning and teamwork skills I learned at Ravenscroft not only made college extremely straightforward but set me up for success in my career, particularly in my experiences in start-ups, management consulting and earning my MBA at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

Brooks: I was always encouraged to ask questions and try new things. For me, teachers and coaches fostered an environment of curiosity and “give it a try” even if I didn’t feel ready or qualified. Said differently, I could take risks here — and that’s served me well, whether it was captaining a 50-foot sailboat in my 20s or launching my own business in my 40s.

Washington: The skills I learned of how to think critically and effectively communicate with people have allowed me to have an impactful career. I never thought I would pursue finance — I always thought law is what I wanted to do — but the soft skills I learned at Ravenscroft are transferable across all careers.

Winston: I wouldn’t necessarily say that my career path was shaped by my time at Ravenscroft; rather, I was provided with the skill sets to succeed in the career of my choosing. It’s easy to cite some of the tangible skills that Ravenscroft provided me, such as the ability to effectively communicate and learn, but I think the most impactful benefits are more subtle.

What you learn is important, but how you learn and the environment in which you learn is equally impactful. I am of the belief that the blend of Ravenscroft’s various advantages (faculty, facilities and community) created an environment whereby I achieved my best educational outcome. And that education has afforded me the ability to pursue my chosen career path.

English: Today’s Ravenscroft focuses on creating global leaders, which definitely resonates with me, given my decade spent in Hong Kong. I see this global focus in many aspects of the Ravenscroft of today. And Lead From Here is a framework that is ever-present for the students. This framework sets Ravenscroft apart from other schools and emphasizes the importance of competencies such as being culturally inclusive, growth-minded and adaptive.

Brooks: The commitment to students and nurturing the “whole self” hasn’t changed — it’s just packaged differently than you might remember. I encourage all alums to come to reunions and other alumni events, see campus, hear what’s happening in real life and reconnect.

Washington: The Ravenscroft community is steadily growing and adapting to the evolving world we live in.

Winston: That it’s familiar, yet different — that it’s changed to adapt to the world around it, while maintaining the core elements of what makes it special.

That there is an incredible cast of individuals who pour their efforts into maintaining and improving it, both forward-facing and behind the scenes.

That it’s a place where I hope my future kids and grandkids will have the same opportunity that I did to have a transformative education and life experience.