First, it is my hope that all ’96s near and far have enjoyed holiday seasons filled with merriment, cherished time with family and wonderful memories. In looking forward to the New Year, I also want to take a moment to pay homage to our 12 classmates no longer with us (and the loved ones missing them particularly at this time of year). They may be gone, but certainly not forgotten.


With 2013 mere days away, many folks have exciting news as the prior year comes to a close. Holly Parker relayed a major professional shift that has her simultaneously excited and overwhelmed. Holly, who resides in Portland, Maine, has started a new life chapter by taking over a nonprofit called the Compass Project, which uses boatbuilding to teach leadership and teamwork to kids in the Portland area. She’s tasked with redesigning the program, expanding its reach and volunteer programs and do some “serious fundraising.” After 14 years in the classroom and three summers sailing schooners on Casco Bay, she feels the “gig is right in [her] wheelhouse.”


Speaking of life changes, Kristen Calcagni Johnson conveyed some of her own. Kristen, her husband, Alex, and daughter Katie (age 2) welcomed new baby Will in August (while keeping busy with a new dog too!). As if the new family dynamics weren’t keeping her busy enough, Kristen is also practicing pediatrics in Exeter, New Hampshire, where she relocated four years ago.


Ilana (Davidi) Reeves has also had a busy fall. Ilana and her husband, Dan, welcomed Calvin Lawrence Reeves on September 16 here in Atlanta. She describes him as “a beautiful, chunky little man who looks ready to play linebacker for the Big Green!” Big brother Scott (who just turned a mighty 3 himself) is very excited to have a little brother and loves “reading” to Cal. 


Another ’96 with much afoot is Jenny Land Mackenzie. Jenny just completed her first book, released October 25. The Spare Room is a historical young adult novel set in 1843 Vermont; it is the story of a girl whose family takes in a fugitive slave to help work on their farm and the resulting changes in their community. In addition to being a newly published author, Jenny teaches creative writing and AP English at St. Johnsbury Academy in Vermont, works on organic farms in the summers and enjoys life with husband John and twin daughters Lila and Kate (age 4). As if all this didn’t put the rest of us to shame, Jenny and family are restoring their 1840s Peacham farmhouse, yard and gardens after surviving the great Vermont flood of 2011.


With a few transitions of his own, Matthew Carlson has had a busy go of things this year. He recently became an assistant professor in the psychology department at the University of Texas at El Paso. Although not Hanover, he described the area as having plenty of beautiful mountains and wilderness—the desert kind—that he and his family love given their fondness for hiking. It also represents an ideal place to pursue his research on bilingualism and (per Matt) an “oportunidad de hablar español cada día.” He wanted to reach out to any ’96s in his part of the Southwest.


As far as most drastic changes this year, I would probably bestow that honor upon Drew Natenshon. After setting up the Cambridge Vaccine Research Facility for Novartis, Drew relocated to China to do the same in Shanghai. Since his arrival Drew and his wife, Dorothy, welcomed twin boys Max and Alex in February. He said he has never been so happy to see his in-laws, who now live with them and “keep him sane.” If anyone stops by Shanghai he would love to say “hi.”


Keep those updates coming and happy 2013! 


—Garrett Gil de Rubio, 1062 Middlebrooke Drive, Canton, GA 30115; ggdr@alum.dartmouth.org