When families arrived for Back-to-School Night, they were welcomed not just into a new school year, but into a refreshed Phil & Lynne Himelstein Commons. The updated space, named after founding board member Phil Himelstein and his wife, long a hub of student activity, has been reimagined with input from students, parents, and school leadership. The result is a vibrant, collaborative area designed for today’s Trailblazers.
A Vision Years in the Making
Head of School Alicia LaMagdeleine explained that when the building was first designed more than 20 years ago, the upstairs commons was always meant to be a student-focused, collaborative space. But it hadn’t yet been furnished in a way that fully matched its purpose. Two years ago, with the support of Stewardship Council and faculty, University began exploring what a purposeful redesign could look like.
The Stewardship Council surveyed students to better understand how the commons was being used and what was most needed. Their feedback shaped a plan that included small study nooks for one or two people, mid-sized tables for group work, and a large gathering table for community use. Senior Elizabeth Merisotis, who helped lead the project, said the priority was creating spaces where bigger groups could work together or socialize without constantly moving furniture. “I’m especially proud of how the furniture turned out,” she reflected. “It’s comfortable, a huge visual upgrade, and most importantly, students are already making good use of it every day.”
Powered by Parent & Community Support
That vision came to life with a $25,000 gift from the Parent Association, given in honor of the school’s 25th anniversary and funded by a record-breaking Trivia Night.
“Our Parent Association board really strives to support the school in the best way possible and fill funding gaps that help create and preserve UHS’s wonderful magical culture,” said Past PA President Karen Ferguson Fuson. “When we heard students had developed a plan for the Himelstein refresh, it made perfect sense for the PA to support this transformation. We are delighted with what the students chose and how the project was completed.”
Inspired by the PA’s lead gift, additional donors quickly stepped forward to cover the entire project.
Looking Ahead
The Himelstein Commons is already buzzing with activity before school, after school, and during study halls. Alicia hopes it will continue to grow into a true “lived communal space” and sees it as a model for future upgrades across campus.
The refresh reflects more than new furniture. It represents the heart of University High School’s approach: collaboration, stewardship, and community support coming together to create spaces where students flourish. The Commons is a wonderful embodiment of the school’s core values of stewardship, creativity, and mutual respect.
