Alumni
The graduates who live out Old Trail's core values of respect, goodness, responsibility and service are the mark of our success.
Together, our alumni comprise thousands of pioneering individuals across the world making a difference. They are artists, entrepreneurs, doctors, entertainers, scientists, educators, community leaders and more. And for as diverse a group as Old Trail graduates are, they are all bonded by the fact that it all began here. Take pride in knowing that we continue to instill in our graduates the values and qualities that are most impactful in today's world; a creative, entrepreneurial mindset, a broad global perspective, an empathetic and positive outlook, and persuasive and effective communication skills.
Stay Connected
We are eager to hear from you, and so are your Old Trail classmates! Update your contact information and share news about the events in your lives, like graduations, jobs, promotions, engagements, marriages, births, relocations and more. For you convenience, you may also call the Development Office at 330.666.1118 ext. 306 and share your news over the phone. We are looking forward to reconnecting with you.
2024 Alumni Award Winners
The Old Trail School Alumni Award program recognizes the following individuals who have made outstanding contributions to OTS, their communities and others.
Peter G. Wilson Rising Star
Kyla Korvne '08
Kyla is the Head of Evaluation, Learning and Data Analytics at Tostan, an Africa-based organization that works directly with rural communities in Senegal, Mali, Guinea Bussau and Gambia, leading their own development. From 2016-17, she served as the organization’s Fulbright Research Fellow, where she designed a project exploring the pathways to political empowerment for women in villages in rural Senegal.
Lincoln Gries Distinguished Alumni
Meg Harris Stanton '71
Meg Harris Stanton’s study of art history began during her high school years at Old Trail School and continued during her years of living abroad in London from 1982-1988. Soon after her return to Akron, she was named Director of the Evelyne Shaffer Gallery, which she later bought and changed its name to Harris Stanton Gallery in 1998. Meg’s more than 31 years of experience at the gallery has afforded her the opportunity to curate and install numerous exhibitions, both on and off-site.
Alumni Association Honorary Alumni
Brad and Amy Bowers
Brad and Amy Bowers have been integral members of the Old Trail School community since 2001. Their unwavering dedication to OTS as parents, thought leaders, supporters and volunteers has enriched the school and community in countless ways. All three of their children, Kal ’10, Ben ’11 and Natalie ’15, received their education at Old Trail.
Do you know someone who is deserving of one of these awards?
Submit a nomination on their behalf! Links to our online nomination forms can also be found below. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Schaeffer in the Development Office.
About the Peter G. Wilson Rising Star Award
The Peter G. Wilson Rising Star Award is presented to Old Trail alumnus who are under 30. The recipient has shown professional and community leadership and exhibited an appreciation for Old Trail School. The Award is named in honor of Peter G. Wilson, former Old Trail Headmaster.
Nominees must have attended Old Trail School, contributed to their community and/or to the betterment of others, earned the respect of Old Trail alumni and exhibit a continued loyalty to Old Trail School.
Past Recipients
2005 - Elizabeth Sheeler '87
2006 - Tony Troppe '81
2007 - Peter LeVan '84
2008 - Jessica Rohlik '93
2009 - Katie Keith Dettling ‘95
2011 - Major Robert C. Bender ‘90
2012 - Alison Spitzer ‘94
2013 - Andrew Freeman ‘93
2014 - Jackie Rohrer ‘94
2015 - Rachel Rubin ‘95
2017 - Evan B. Delahanty '99
2018 - Spencer Case ‘99
2019 - Andrew T. Novak ‘04
2022 - Alexandria Couch ‘12
2023 - Ceara O’Sullivan ‘06
About the Lincoln Gries Distinguished Alumni Award
The Lincoln Gries Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to an Old Trail alumnus who has made an important contribution or given extraordinary service to others in some field, as a professional or as a volunteer. It is named after Lincoln Gries, a former parent, board member and board chair who provided exemplary service to Old Trail School.
Nominees must have attended OTS, contributed to their community and/or to the betterment of others, earned the respect of both Old Trail alumni and future Old Trail students and shown a continued loyalty to Old Trail School.
Past Recipients
1980 - Betty Looker Jaycox '30
1981 - Dorothy Seiberling Steinberg '39
1982 - Dorothy Hoyt Mollin '32
1983 - Christine Dietrich Freitag '52
1984 - Bonnie Stewart Mikkelsen '50
1985 - Suzanne McCormick Rickards '50
1987 - Judy Bear Isroff '54
1988 - Betsy Frost '34
1989 - Mary Laub Babcox '45
1990 - Barbara Brooks Smoyer '33
1991 - Peggy Jett Pittenger '40
1992 - Susan Akers George '52
1993 - Sarah Mabry Born '58
1994 - Frances Seiberling Buchholzer '52
1995 - Susan Bruggemeier Kruder '49 & Jeanne Schulman Leventhal '38
1996 - Rachel Ober Burrell '46
1997 - Cheryl Gates McFadden '66
1998 – Ethel Seiberling Fox ‘53
1999 - Mary Catherine "Kitty" Guinther Brown '42 & Rebecca Knight '79
2000 - Virginia Brown Sperry '43 & Anne Alexander Sperry '45
2001 - Lucretia Leonard Romey '51
2002 - Jane Johnston '52
2003 - Karin Lewald Clumpner '53 & James Figetakis '79
2004 - Marilyn Buckey '64 & Marjory Wheeler '3
2005 - Deborah Wince Smith '68 & Sonya Haddad '54*
2006 - Esther Sans Takeuchi ’71
2007 - Suzanne Rogers '49
2008 - Leland P. Smith ‘77
2009 - Kim Paradis Coryat ‘75
2011 - John Frank ‘54
2012 - Coralie Munroe ‘68
2013 - Katherine Merseth ‘63
2014 - Amy Freitag ‘81
2015 - Elisa Drumm Van Aucken ‘80
2016 - Sandy Auburn ‘63
2017 - Lucinda Weiss '67
2018 - Melissa Merryweather ‘79
2019 - Nancy Schoonover Rhinehart ‘53
2022 - Alexandra Wilson ‘90
2023 - Molly Vollman Makris ‘95
* - posthumously
About the Alumni Association Honorary Alumni Award
The Alumni Association Honorary Alumni award is presented to a person who has made an important contribution or given extraordinary service to Old Trail School.
Nominees must have contributed significantly to the welfare of Old Trail (parent, trustee, volunteer or benefactor), deserved the respect of both Old Trail alumni and future Old Trail students and shown a continued loyalty to Old Trail School.
Past Recipients
1981 - J. Penfield Seiberling
1982 - Nora Hamlen Robinson
1983 - Lincoln Hays Gries
1984 - Beatrice York Allen
1985 - Ruth Courtney & Edwin L. Mollin*
1986 - Thomas R. Merryweather
1989 - Magaret Cameron & Donna Lord
1990 - Marion Schell Garnish & Alice Mae Pierce
1991 - Getrude Foutz & Jan B. Parry
1992 - Jeanette Williams Homeier
1993 - Hope Chandler Gates
1994 - Alice Wilson
1997 - Anne Saalfield Macdonald
1998 - Bernard Tolan
1999 - John F. Seiberling
2000 - Peter G. Wilson
2001 - Kathleen "Boo" Whitmer & Jerry Whitmer
2002 - Ann Hubiak
2003 - Julia Shepard Gregory
2004 - Joe Henninger & Olive "Ollie" Townsend*
2005 - George Parry
2006 - Karl Hay
2007 - Karen Patterson
2008 - Sandra Haslinger
2009 - George & Sue Klein
2011 - Ron Allan
2012 - Robert Briggs
2013 Judy Brookhart
2014 - Sam Yannerilla
2015 - Mike Hochschwender
2016 - Terry Squire
2017 - Drew and Nancy Forhan
2018 - Mike Duff
2019 - Bonnie Childs
2022 - Laura Billow Preston
2023 - Katie Kagler
* - posthumously
Stay Connected
We are eager to hear from you, and so are your Old Trail classmates! Update your contact information and share news about the events in your lives, like graduations, jobs, promotions, engagements, marriages, births, relocations and more. For you convenience, you may also call the Development Office at 330.666.1118 ext. 306 and share your news over the phone. We are looking forward to reconnecting with you.