Greetings, ’88s. As I conclude my term as your class secretary and continue to reflect on our beautiful reunion weekend, I share highlights of my interactions with old and new friends and wish all the very best to Bill Bundy and Sarah Jackson as they become the writers of this column.

I started reunion weekend at the Bema, arriving just in time to hear Perla Delson and Diane Gsell announce the winners of the hugely successful scavenger hunt. I enjoyed seeing Emily Britton, Laura Weylman Turner, Julia Mairs, Kajy (Rejaie) Vicinelli, Heidi Schwartz, Alec Frisch, Bob Yee, and Victor Limongelli, among many others.

Saturday morning started early with a Kundalini yoga class led by Mary (Flounders) Green, with her friend Vicky playing soothing music throughout the session. Experienced yogi Shannon Sweeney was among the attendees, and it was a perfect start to the day.

Next was the first of two sessions of storytelling, organized by Jacques Steinberg and Stephanie Welsch Lewin. I am still in awe of the poise, courage, sense of humor, and thoughtfulness displayed by each classmate who told their story: Tim Ambrose, Matthew Biberman on behalf of Judith Greenberg, Monique Burns, Ana Coyne, Pam Crandall, Brian Corcoran, Kirsten Gillibrand, Jeff Green, Melinda Harrington, Tim O’Hair, Luzi Robinson, Bill Storo, Rob Walsh, and Chuck Young. Their stories included lessons learned decades ago and just recently from interactions with Dartmouth roommates, classmates, professors, and deans. The themes of self-discovery, self-confidence, vulnerability, alienation, connection, triumph, and joy will resonate for a long time to come. Between the two storytelling sessions was a fantastic program featuring Tim Ambrose along with Larissa Roesch. With a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, Tim has been exploring the issue of disconnection and presented an engagingly interactive talk to an overflow crowd.

Saturday evening featured a gorgeous outdoor dinner and presentations by outgoing class president Traci (Byrne) Gentry and incoming class president Steve Cook. Geoff Hyatt, assisted by Rachel Dratch and others, then took the microphone to offer gifts and gratitude to Traci for her six years of tremendous leadership. I enjoyed catching up with Kathy Beams, Sandy Broadus, Kathy Brooks, Margie (Wallace) Gibson, H.J. Kim, Jere Mancini, Julie Williams, and many more. I especially appreciated the opportunity to connect with classmates who were on the Arles language study abroad with me in the spring of 1986: Emily Britton, Doug Brockway, Jeanne Cochran, Melinda Harrington, Lyn (Salsgiver) Kobsa, Heidi Schwartz, and Bob Victor. Back at the class tent after dinner, the silent disco was, once again, a highlight, with terrific playlists thanks to Derek LeLash and Bill Storo. At the final gathering on Sunday I loved talking with Jennifer Taylor, Michelle Stowe, and others as we said our final goodbyes for now.

Kudos again to reunion cochairs Cindy Smith Wilson and Stephanie Welsch Lewin. And for those of you who did not attend this year’s reunion, be assured that we thought of you during reunion weekend and hope to see you another time soon.

—Tory Woodin Chavey, 128 Steele Road, West Hartford, CT 06119; dartmouth88classnotes@gmail.com