Horace Mann - Spring 2017 - 31

photo by Barry Mason

wore gray T-shirts emblazoned with the letters
HM in white superhero graphics. Designed by
HM Director of Alumni Relations Kristin Lax the
T-shirts were handed out to students by members of the HM Alumni and Development Office
at pep rallies the day before Homecoming.
To Dr. Sheppard, an alumnus who graduated
from Horace Mann School 57 years ago, the
sight of HM's lively student body made a strong
impression.
Dr. Bruce Kagan '71, who traveled to
Homecoming from a bit further than his fellow
alumnus, was equally taken with the energy on
campus. Dr. Kagan, Professor of Psychiatry at
UCLA School of Medicine, said he reconnected
with the HM community through recent
West Coast alumni reunions organized by the
Alumni and Development Office, and attended
A country fair-style picnic and barbecue is a highlight of Homecoming festivities.
by Horace Mann Head of School Dr. Tom Kelly
ing Homecoming Day, as well. In football, after shaking hands with their
and other HM administrators. "I've enjoyed goNewark Academy opponents, Lions team members ran to the side of
ing to these events and meeting HM alumni from different classes who
Prettyman Gymnasium to clang the bell that has hung there for decades,
are living in my area. When I received the invitation for my own Class of
1971 reunion I decided I'd make the tip to N.Y.," said Dr. Kagan, who spent to celebrate their 13-12 nail-biter win. For alumni athletes, there was the
annual Dan Alexander '49 Alumni Soccer Game. Organized by veteran
time on campus before heading downtown for his class' dinner at the
HM soccer coach and physical education teacher Neil Berniker, together
Harmonie Club that night.
with the Alumni and Development Office, the game draws alums who
"There is nothing greater for Horace Mann School than a day like
played soccer during their HM years, as well as several faculty members.
this, when HM students, families, alumni and our faculty and staff get
Dr. George Lowe '66 had come to campus from his home in
to come to campus, support our teams, and connect with one another.
Maryland for his Class of 1966 50th anniversary observances. He joined
Homecoming is our chance to express what our school means to all of
his brother Dr. Frank Lowe '70 at Four Acres for the game. While the
us," said Dr. Kelly. "Going to the reunions at night was especially meanolder Lowe brother, a former goalie and All-Ivy League player cheered
ingful to me. The alumni from the Class of 1951 celebrating their 65th
anniversary at their reunion dinner were as happy to see each other as
from the sidelines, his younger brother, a perennial participant in this
the hundred or so alums from the Class of 2011 who came to their reHomecoming tradition, donned a white shirt that Berniker tossed him,
ception. Even though alumni from all the classes are in touch these days, and joined the action. "I plan to play until I'm the oldest alum here.
especially through social media, there's something special about seeing
Each year I think it's my last game, but then he keeps showing up," said
old friends in person. This was truly a wonderful day and night."
former fullback "Dr. Frank" waving good-naturedly toward a maroonshirted Ting Yi Oei '66. Oei had traveled to HM from Virginia for his class'
Sports and sentiments
golden reunion luncheon at Dr. Kelly's home, and stayed to play in the
While emotions ran strong at the evening's alumni reunions (for the HM
alumni soccer game. A former Lions soccer team co-captain and standclasses of 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001,
out player, Oei waved back with a smile as he bounded out to the field,
2006 and 2011) there were powerful moments on the playing fields dur- just as he had 50 years before. $

photo by Barry Mason

Alumni Council Corner

Students celebrated their HM spirit at Homecoming 2016.

Alumni gathered for the annual Dan Alexander '49 Alumni Soccer game.

Horace Mann Magazine Spring 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Horace Mann - Spring 2017