On Friday, May 19, University students and faculty came together for a special assembly to celebrate the retirement of founding Director of Admission Nancy Webster and to honor departing faculty and staff members Jake Hon, Jack Paganelli, Jake Sipes-Salter, Kellie Stewart, and Maddy MacAllister.
The heartfelt event included recognition of each of the departing staff members from their colleagues for the contributions they’ve provided throughout each of their time working at University.
Head of School Alicia LaMagdeleine spoke about the variety and significance of the work that UHS alumna and Director of College Counseling Maddy MacAllister has done over her 11 years working at University. Assistant Director of College Counseling Whitney Matter read the ‘letter of recommendation’ she wrote for MacAllister. Matter will step into the role of Director of College Counseling in July following Maddy’s departure at the end of the 2022-23 school year when she plans to prioritize family, especially her young children (and future Trailblazers) Norah and Faris.
As a final celebration of Nancy Webster’s retirement and contributions to the University community since the school’s inception, several speakers, including Alicia LaMagdeleine, Director of Admission Taylor Newell, and alumna and one of Nancy’s former mentees Jess Rosebrough (’19) gave remarks. A video was also shown featuring many UHS faculty and staff thanking Nancy, followed by a slideshow of photos with the song “Now and Forever” by Carole King. Nancy was accompanied by her husband and retired founding Head of School Chuck Webster, daughter Rachael Trieu, son Cullen Webster, daughter-in-law Kristen Jenkins Webster, and newborn grandson Benjamin Webster.
In Nancy’s speech to the school community, she emphasized the importance of taking care of each other and applauding others’ efforts, “because we are a clapping school” — to which she received a standing ovation. The presentation concluded with a reprise performance of “This Year (Happy New Year)” by seniors Celeste Hastings and Christian Baltz and Music Director Daniel Knox.
A recording of the assembly can be watched here. Thank you to all who helped make this special assembly so meaningful!
