As most of us try gracefully and quietly to enter our prime, several classmates have taken sports endeavors to new heights, challenging themselves with physical firsts and new milestones.

Kudos to Russ Mitchell for completing his first triathlon in Quassy Park, Middlebury, Connecticut, on June 2. Embracing the “go big or go home” motto, Russ decided to do a half Ironman for this first-time endeavor. For those of you unfamiliar with this event, it is a total of 70.3 miles involving a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run. I am exhausted just writing about it. Russ participated and finished in under seven hours—amazing! His son encouraged him to participate alongside him, so we are not sure if this is one of those bucket list activities or if Russ has caught the triathlon bug and is going all-in for more. Either way, he will have a hard time keeping pace with Alison Cooper Phillips, who has entered the tri-world with gusto. Alison continues to place, and often win, her age group, including placing first in the Big George Half Ironman in Lake George, New York, last September. Meanwhile, Valerie Hartman capped off her November 2018 debut in the New York City Marathon by running the Boston Marathon in her new hometown this past April. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Val trained through winter weather and some aches and strains on her successful journey to the finish line. These three are just the tip of the iceberg among classmates striving to pursue weekend warrior activities. Please share your triumphs and challenges with the rest of us.

Continuing in the vein of “firsts,”Dr. Matthew Daniels recently published his first book, Human Liberty 2.0, a “powerful look at the real-life heroes and heroines who have changed the world using social media to advance the cause of human rights and dignity.” While this is his first publication, Matthew is a dedicated sponsor for global human rights, having pursued an academic and public service career devoted to the promotion of civility and freedom of conscience. As founder of the nonprofit educational organization Good of All, he has launched academic centers in three countries (the United States, United Kingdom, and Republic of Korea), created and produced the Human Rights Network (an international public education movement promoting universal human rights in the digital age), and teaches human rights and the rule of law on three continents. Currently the chair of Law & Human Rights and founder of the Institute of World Politics Center for Human Rights and International Affairs in Washington, D.C., Matthew has achieved many firsts in his unwavering advocacy of our common human dignity.

In closing, it is with profound sadness that I share that Frank Cerveny lost his youngest child, Clay, in a tragic accident in London this past June. Clay had recently graduated from high school and was planning to matriculate at Dartmouth this fall. We send our heartfelt condolences to Frank, his wife, Gretchen, and the entire Cerveny family.

—Leslie A. Davis Dahl, 83 Pecksland Road, Greenwich, CT 06831; (203) 552-0070; dahlleslie@yahoo.com; John MacManus, 188 Ringwood Road, Rosemont, PA 19010; (610) 525-4541; slampong@aol.com