|
News from AEHS Alumni
#14 & 15 -June & July, 2012
Flora M. Singer Elementary School: Mr. Joseph Monte reports that Montgomery County Public Schools has recently named a new elementary school after the late Flora M. Singer, who taught at AEHS from 1978 to 1984. The school is located at the site of the old McKenney Hills Elementary School on Hayden Drive in Silver Spring.
Ms. Singer was a survivor of the Holocaust who came to the United States at the age of 16, supporting herself originally as a seamstress. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees in French at the University of Maryland and taught foreign languages in Montgomery County for many years. An account of Ms. Singer's life can be accessed by CLICKING HERE
Arthur Gitajn '70 has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer of SAP EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), with whom he will be based in Paris. SAP is one of the world's leading independent producers of business software. Jonathan Libber '71 is President of Maryland Smart Meter Awareness, which opposes the installation of wireless digital "smart" electric meters that have been installed by utility companies in Maryland and throughout the United States. An article about Jonathan's activities and the smart-meter issue in general from the Baltimore Sun can be accessed by CLICKING HERE AEHS 4x400 Relay Team Shatters 31-Year-Old Record: The AEHS 4x400 relay team set a school record at the recent Maryland State Outdoor Track and Field Meet. The team consisting of Nobel Mussie, Ryan Henderson, Ryan Merrell, and Elijah Merrell won its heat with a time of 3:26:31. Their time broke a 31-year-old record set by Bern Altman, Brad Hanson, David Mills, and Mike Scott set in 1981. More news about the meet and about the AEHS athletic program can be found in the AEHS Athletic Hall of Fame Newsletter, which can be accessed HERE The Garden of Memories: AEHS counselor Mr. Joseph Monte shares the following essay, "The Garden of Memories." Mr. Monte wrote this essay in 1995, and the Einstein Memorial Garden that he described was dedicated in 1987. We share it with Mr. Monte's permission. GARDEN OF MEMORIES "This glorious and transcendent place To be a window through thy grace." - George Herbert "The Albert Einstein Courtyard is a community place made sacred by the silent voices and altered images of students and teachers who have gone before us: Sid Waghelstein, Jennifer Sims, Gregory Esker, Michael Burch, Kirk McNaney, and Phyllis Ramsey. Enter the courtyard from the front hall and walk left to right in a circle. You will encounter twelve white pine trees. Biology teacher and Assistant Principal Sid Waghelstein gave twelve years (1965 - 1977) and twelve pine trees to our community. Senior Jennifer Sims (Class of 1987) is remembered by a dogwood tree planted by her class. She died of injuries sustained from an automobile accident. Freshman Gregory Esker is remembered by a plaque and a dogwood tree donated by his classmates, the Class of 1990. Standing tall, piercing the sky in the southeast corner, is the Michael Burch tree, a majestic Ieland cypress. Mike (class of 1976) "responded to any need and found no task too small for his time and effort." At Virginia Military Institute he perished while trying to fulfill a swimming requirement. The Michael Burch Service Award for seniors carries his legacy. Kirk McNaney, heroic in life and death as Einstein student and teacher, "laughed from his heart and spoke with his hands and touched all with his integrity, humanity and ambition." Kirk died from cancer at the age of twenty-six. The class of 1987 donated the bench in front of the pond in his memory. The Auxiliary Gym and Kirk McNaney School Spirit Award carry on the memory of a pure soul. Phyllis Ramsey, so full of energy, led the always effective Business Department until a heart attack took her from us on May 1, 1988. She had been teacher and friend to her students for nineteen years. Three concrete benches, a lovely rose bush and a simple two tiered picket fence stand in her memory. The pond and its surrounding bushes and stones reflect the indomitable spirit of the Einstein Community - diverse, tenacious and always growing. The bushes protect, the stones perpetuate, the pond regenerates and cleanses itself. Built by a hardy band of horticulture students under the direction of Frank Yelen, a Science Resource teacher, twenty-six years ago, this tiny enclave is a self-sustaining world within the courtyard. The Einstein Community salutes groundskeeper Marvin Sams for his meticulous attention to landscaping: counselor Dr. Greg Adams for his vigilance in preserving the pond; Einstein Art Center student Marinella DiMarino for her poetic vision; and Einstein Art student Scott Greenberg for his artistry in capturing the stark beauty of the Garden of Memories on his first day of spring - March 21, 1995. They are all heroes. In the belief that certain people by their presence in life and death give their spirit to a place, Dr. Dianne Mero, principal of Einstein, dedicated the courtyard as THE EINSTEIN MEMORIAL COURTYARD in June of 1987. Stand quietly in the courtyard and listen to the voices of those who have served us."
Rodney Williams '72 Wrote: "I have been very fortunate to have had a rewarding career in aviation with American Airlines. My first and only job went well until I elected to retire early. What a turbulent time in aviation! I have seen several famous planes such as the Boeing 707 and 737, the Douglas DC-10, and the MD-11 come and go.
Upon retirement from American Airlines, I was truly blessed to go with a very small charter company, Omni Air International, flying troops literally all over the world. What a truly amazing opportunity! As I was never in the service, this has been a labor of love, especially bringing soldiers back stateside.
My wife of 35 years has been my joy and support throughout my career. Our two boys are raised and doing well. Unfortunately, they were not able to have the Einstein education that I had. I tried to give them the best of what Einstein gave me.
What a gift to say "I am a graduate of Albert Einstein High School, Class of 1972!""
Mr. Joseph Monte shared a story about Terry McMichael '67. While serving in Vietnam as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps in 1970, Terry had his Einstein varsity letter with him when it was blown up in a rocket attack. Terry was injured seriously in the attack but fortunately survived and recovered. He is currently a truck driver for Wal-Mart. Can his varsity letter be restored formally?
Siraj Ali '92 is a medical director at a startup biotechnology firm in Boston. He holds a medical degree along with a Ph.D. in Biophysics from Harvard/MIT and completed a medical residency at a Harvard-affiliated hospital in Boston. He has graciously volunteered to mentor graduating Einstein students who wish to pursue careers in medicine and the health professions. A big thank you to Siraj!
Retirements:
Joyce (Williams) Abel '69 has retired after more than 33 years as a kindergarten teacher with the Montgomery County Public School . . . Joan (Greer) Patton Ridgeway '72 has retired from her position with the National Institutes of Health. Congratulations and best wishes for many years of happy and productive retirement!
John Druhan has kindly shared this video tribute to his brother, the late Bill Druhan '65. Check it out :
 | | Bill Druhan Memorial John F Druhan |
In Memoriam We regret to announce the passing of Patsy Greer Parks, Steve Martin and Frank Ward and on behalf of the AEHS community extend our condolences to her family and friends. Patricia Greer Parks (Class of 1973) Patricia Greer Parks passed away on May 16, 2012 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She was 56. Patsy was a resident of Olney, Maryland and was an active volunteer with Toys for Tots and Thanksgiving food drives for many years. She is survived by her daughters Nikki Parks Burch, Ashley Parks, and Jacquelynn Rock, her grandson Bryce, and her long-time partner Mike Rock. She is also survived by her sisters Sharon Distler and Joan Ridgeway and her brother Jack Greer, all of whom are Einstein graduates, and by three nieces and two nephews. Steve Martin (Class of 1971) Steve Martin passed away on June 16, 2012. Steve was retired from Giant Food and worked as a superintendent for a major homebuilder. His beloved wife Peggy (Beach) Martin of the class of 1971 passed away four years ago. Steve is survived by two sons, his sister-in-law Janice (Beach) Cooney '70, and many other relatives and friends. Frank Ward (Class of 1969) Frank Ward passed away on June 13, 2012. After graduating from Einstein, Frank earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland. He was a certified public accountant and passed the CPA exam his first time, at a time when only 5% of those who took the exam passed it the first time. He had his own accounting firm for most of his career. He was an avid runner and a resident of Silver Spring. Frank is survived by his father Francis J. Ward, his sisters Margaret Gamache and Patty Ethridge, his brothers Daniel Ward and Robert Ward, several nieces and nephews, and many friends.
| 
