Reflections from Young Alumni Class Agents
The Alumni & Development Office extends a warm welcome to our youngest Alumni Class Agents. These young alums join a group of dedicated volunteers who serve as liaisons between Horace Mann School and our alumni. Class Agents maintain relationships with their classmates and encourage them to stay involved with HM by participating in alumni activities, attending Homecoming and reunions, and supporting the Annual Fund.
“Horace Mann has helped me grow into the student, friend, and citizen I am today. My time at the school has given me ample opportunity to dive into my greatest academic and extracurricular interests, as well as to explore and try new things. I am eternally grateful for having been welcomed into the HM family, and want to stay an active member of the community and encourage my peers to do the same through the Class Agent program.”
- Emily Marks ’21, Alumni Class Agent
“Horace Mann is where I discovered my passions in film, leadership, and sports. Between the diverse clubs, class offerings, and people at HM, I am constantly learning something new while at school. I want to serve as a Class Agent to show my gratitude to the school that has set me up for a successful path in the future.” - Jaden Kirshner ’21, Alumni Class Agent
“Horace Mann has given me the opportunity to form relationships, skills, and memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it was enjoying a lunch with my friends on Alumni Field, debating moral dilemmas with Dr. Kelly and Dr. Leeds in Ethics in School and Society class, or traveling to Florida with the baseball team, the HM experience has truly been one of a kind. As a Class Agent, I aim to give back to the school that has given me so much.”
- Avi Kapadia ’21, Alumni Class Agent
“Horace Mann has taught me a great deal academically, but it has taught me perhaps even more about who I am as a person. HM is a supportive and close-knit community, but it also challenged me to become thoughtful, informed, and a driven global citizen. As a class agent, I hope to give back to the school by taking part in its continued evolution and remaining connected to my fellow classmates.” -Lynne Sipprelle ’19, Alumni Class Agent
“Starting at HM when I was three, I can confidently say the school has profoundly shaped who I am as a student and as a person. I'm eager to give other students the opportunity to experience this great school. The immense resources we have available for students to pursue their interests inside and out of the classroom are an important part of that opportunity.” - Nader Granmayeh ’19, Alumni Class Agent
“Horace Mann has shaped me to be both fearless and confident in all that I do. The supportive community has prepared me for the world beyond the school. I look forward to maintaining my HM connections and giving back a piece of what Horace Mann has given to me through becoming a class agent.”- Deveraux Mackey ’19, Alumni Class Agent
“The endless list of opportunities and overwhelming support from the community creates an amazing vibe at HM, where students are encouraged to pursue their passions both inside and outside of the classroom. I am excited to be a part of the class agent program, because it will give me the opportunity to keep in touch with so many of my classmates.” - Janvi Kukreja ’19, Alumni Class Agent
“Horace Mann has given me all of the resources to explore my passions, whether that’s been performing with the orchestra in Honolulu, acquiring any building material I need for robotics, or giving me the chance to meet amazing historians and writers, and more. I want to be a class agent so I can give back to the community that has given me everything I’ve needed to thrive in school.” - Emily Yu ’19, Alumni Class Agent
“From quick chats in the hallways to debates in class, I have learned from peers and faculty alike. Growing intellectually is one development I will benefit from forever, but maturing as a person and working with people through programs like Service Learning, Track and Field, and Summer on the Hill, have been experiences I will cherish forever. As a Class Agent I hope to ensure future HM students similarly rich experiences.” – Alejandra Leon ’18, Alumni Class Agent
“Many of us from the Class of 2018 will jump at the chance to give back to HM. One of my favorite experiences as a student has been the Independent Study course I completed on reading and writing poetry during senior year. The teachers and friends I’ve gotten to know here have given me passion for learning, helped me discover myself, and have always inspired me.” – Beatrix Bondor ’18, Alumni Class Agent
“My six years at the School have been the perfect start to what I hope will be a beautiful life-long relationship. Being at HM has made me a stronger person and a more confident student. I will remember the helpful meetings with my AP Biology teacher and I will miss the great teacher-student bonds. I value serving as a Class Agent because I think it’s important to give back to those who have given to you.” – Ricardo Pinnock ’18, Alumni Class Agent
“From kindergarten through 12th grade, I’ve seen how hard each one of my coaches, advisors, and teachers has worked to make the student-teacher relationship so thoughtful and genuine. Taking the course on the Cold War and representing HM as a varsity athlete are other experiences I’ll always remember. So much of what I have enjoyed was made possible by the hard work of those before me. I'd like to do the same for future HMers by serving as a Class Agent.” – Emma Kelly ’18, Alumni Class Agent
“Horace Mann has been an incredible place because it has opened up so many opportunities for me. My most memorable moment was Dorrientation. I was so nervous to start at a new school, but within five minutes of my being at Dorr, I met one of my best friends. That weekend was a great start to my HM journey. While I’m going to miss my friends and teachers, I cannot wait to be a Class Agent and give back to the community that helped me grow so much." – Tali Benchimol ’17, Alumni Class Agent
“I’ve been deeply grateful for the valuable opportunities that the school community has given me. Some of my favorite experiences have been spending press nights with my friends on The Review and competing in the annual ISFL League Championship Tournament alongside the rest of the Fencing Team. I’m especially thankful for HM since these diverse experiences have allowed me to meet some of the best people I’ve come to know, both classmates and teachers. I really look forward to serving as a Class Agent, as I hope to ensure that future HM students come away with the same kind of positive and irreplaceable memories as I have.” – Daniel Lee ’17, Alumni Class Agent
“In my HM experience, I have learned to value and embrace challenge and dedication, have created meaningful relationships with my teachers, and have made many lasting friendships. I have matured not only within the classroom but also as a person through my work with the Saturday Morning Tutoring Program, Maroon Monsoon, and as a captain of the Girls Varsity Basketball team. Serving as a Class Agent is important to me as I look forward to remaining an active member of the community and continuing to give future HM students the same incredible opportunities I have received.” – Skylar Rosen ’17, Alumni Class Agent
“As I get ready to accept my diploma, I remember my time at HM with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. HM is a place where I can think critically, make mistakes and nurture relationships with friends and faculty. I was challenged in and out of the classroom to understand different perspectives and form opinions. Whether it was leading a discussion for the Women's Issues Club, earning a spot in the state championship with the varsity volleyball team, or climbing the Odyssey at Dorr, I have felt supported by my peers. I know it's time for me to move on, but I am forever thankful for all that I have learned and experienced on this beautiful campus. I'm also excited to channel this gratitude by giving back to HM as a Class Agent. I have been given so much, and it's time for me to do my part to continue the legacy of the school.” – Sara Santiago ’16, Alumni Class Agent
“Over the past 6 years, I have been part of the HM Model UN team. That experience taught me so much about the world we live in and also introduced me to my closest friends. My favorite experience was when we won the national championship conference in DC this school year...I think it is important to serve as a Class Agent because Horace Mann has shaped so much of my experience growing up, and I'd love to help it improve the lives of many others. I also really would like to stay connected to the HM community after my graduation.” – Daniel Rosenblatt ’16, Alumni Class Agent
“I wanted to become a Class Agent because this is my way of giving back to the school. I have received financial aid all seven years that I have been at Horace Mann. I am beyond grateful for all of the help the Horace Mann has given to me. “ – Nicole Velez ’15, Alumni Class Agent
“A couple of my favorite HM experiences have been the sports, specifically the revitalization of the football program, the trips to Dorr, and HM Orientation programs. I think it is important to serve as a Class Agent because it enables me to have a longer lasting connection to Horace Mann and my classmates alike for many years to come. – Steve Boland ’15, Alumni Class Agent
“I’ve been at Horace Mann since I was three. As I come to the end of an exciting 15 years, I realize how special Horace Mann is from its enthusiastic student body to the diverse passions it nourishes. Horace Mann has been a huge part of my life, and I am thrilled to remain active in the Horace Mann community by serving as a Class Agent. – Isabella Brodie ’15, Alumni Class Agent
“As I’ve become more aware of the world that surrounds Horace Mann’s community, I have realized that the school has offered me more than just a safe, fun, and purposeful high school experience. From social skills to work ethic, I haven’t simply evolved as an academic, but I’ve also acquired a fundamental background that I can continuously rely on to help me succeed in today’s society. By giving back to the community, we’re ensuring that future generations will be exposed to the same, if not better, opportunities and growth.” – Tom Eng ’13, Alumni Class Agent
“Giving back and being involved in my community is important to me because I feel that HM has given me so much already, and I would love to help continue the tradition of a supportive HM community. HM has brought me out of my shell. Who would have thought that the girl who skipped every elementary school play because of stage fright would then be leading a pep rally wearing ridiculous clothes in front of the entire school? The community here is conducive to expanding one’s comfort zone, and that has made a huge difference in my life.” – Sara Land ’13, Alumni Class Agent
(Quotes appeared in Donor Newsletters 2013, 2015-19, 2021 editions)
For more information about the Class Agent program and other volunteer opportunities, please click the links below.
Volunteer Opportunities: http://www.horacemann.org/page.cfm?p=356
Volunteer Form: https://www.horacemann.org/page.cfm?p=2004&LockSSL=true