Bleed Green Alumni Newsletter – Fall 2025
October 08, 2025
October 2025
Bleed Green Alumni Newsletter
Greetings Tarrier Alumni!
I am thrilled to be kicking off another year at Charles Wright Academy as your Director of Development & Alumni Relations. For those who are new to receiving these communications – Welcome! The Bleed Green Alumni Newsletter is a bi-monthly newsletter that recaps all the happenings around campus and promotes upcoming events and opportunities for engagement.
The summer season brought forth transformations across our campus as a result of our 2025 Fund-A-Need: Fostering Community Spaces in each of our academic divisions. Additionally, we welcomed our new Upper School Director, Kevin Campbell, whose proven leadership, positive energy, and passion for outdoor and experiential education are exactly what we needed in the Upper School. We have shifted the location of some of our administrative offices and are just a few weeks away from welcoming the Admissions team back into the Upper School administrative wing. This decision was made to create an official administrative office for our Lower School and to have our newest Tarrier families begin their enrollment journey in the building in which they will end it and become alumni.
At the end of August, we welcomed our students back to campus, and it has been buzzing with activity. We are gearing up to launch our 2025-2026 Fund for CWA Campaign! Lastly, I look forward to welcoming those of you who will be making your way back to campus for our Homecoming festivities and to celebrate the return of Alumni Weekend! More details can be found in the upcoming events section of this month’s newsletter.
It really is a great time to be a Tarrier, and I look forward to the memories we will create together over the next year!
In partnership,
De’Andre Jones, M.Ed.
Director of Development and Alumni Relations
Message from the Head of School
Dear Tarrier Alumni,
I am excited to step into a new chapter together as I begin my first full year as Head of School. It’s a season full of possibilities. When the faculty returned to campus for Opening Meetings, we launched into our year-long theme: leading with purpose, intention, and impact. When I think of purpose, it’s about being rooted in a common foundation such as our school’s mission, vision, and values. One of the phrases from our mission that resonates with me is we seek to “nurture and challenge our students.” I want every child to feel seen and known in our community. I want our students to continue to be stretched to grow as critical thinkers, both in their care for others and their understanding of their unique ability to impact our world. Our intention is the way we show up every day, focusing on bringing our best selves to our roles, and the impact is what’s possible when it all comes together to serve our students and families.
Another exciting update is that we have secured a grant from the Ben B. Cheney Foundation to begin a capital project for the stabilization and renovation of the Bradshaw Chapel. This facility has been offline for the last few years but this step will allow us to begin using the space later this fall.
Lastly, I hope you will join us for this year’s Homecoming & Alumni Weekend festivities on Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25. We will have a wide of array of athletic events and activities for you to engage with and more information can be found in the upcoming events section below.
I’m hopeful for the year ahead and how we can create a transformational experience every day together.
Rachel Rippl
Head of School
CWA Alumni News
Connor Wesley ’98
“I graduated this June from University of Washington with a Doctor of Nursing Practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I will be starting my new adventure here in Tacoma working at Community Health Care as a primary care provider. My twin sister Karen (‘98) and my brother David (‘84) were there to support and celebrate me.“
Mary Wakefield ’08
In March 2025, Mary competed in the nation’s largest strongwoman competition and tied for first in the SHW category. As part of the meet, she completed 10 axle deadlifts at 325 pounds in under one minute. She also competes in powerlifting at the local and national level.
Class of ’85 – 40th Reunion
On Saturday, August 2, 2025, the Class of 1985 gathered to celebrate their 40th reunion! We’d like to thank Debbie Hall (Steiner) ‘85 for submitting this photo.
Back row starts on the left: Karen Hansen (Meyer), Shana McNally, Kristen Schriver, Mike Richardson, Jeff Traister, Kristin Anderson (CiCi Polson), Kraig Anderson, and David Lankford
Front row starting on the left: Julie Seidel (Cory) and Debbie Hall (Steiner)
Additionally, CWA would like to send our condolences to the family and classmates of Bill Mack ’85. Bill passed away on July 18, 2025, after succumbing to occupational cancer. He served as Deputy Chief of IAFF 7th District Local 1352 –Auburn, Washington.
In his honor, the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters has established a centralized donation fund. This fund allows friends, family, and community members to contribute in one place while continuing to support the many charities Bill championed. Please visit the Bill Mack Memorial Fund.
Class of ’75 – 50th Reunion
On Saturday, August 23rd, 2025, twenty-seven classmates from the Class of 1975 gathered to celebrate their 50th reunion out in Browns Point. They have held a reunion every 5 years for the past five decades. CWA would like to extend a special thanks to the reunion committee members who helped to organize this event: Jenni Klein ‘75, Kate Hokanson ‘75, Bill Fisher ‘75, and Chuck Zittel ‘75. Additionally, we’d like to thank David Kovanen ‘75 for hosting this year’s event and Henry Brown ‘75 for submitting this photo!
Back Row:Bob Gerth, Tom Vozenilek, Scott McLean, John Stigglebout, Henry Brown, Don Martin, Bill Fisher, Dave Phillips, Drummond Reed, Don Dobler, Ivan VanDooren, Kip Kalbrenner, and Randy Grant
Front Row: Nick Malden, Kevin Hergert, Byron Brenner, Tina Goldman MacFarlane, Chuck Zittel, Barb Headley, Yolanka Wulff, Jenni Klein, Kate Hokanson, Ann Staples McCulloch, Lore Friend, David Kovanen, Suki Piper, and Peter Fisher
Classes of 1964, 1965, and 1966 Reunion
On Thursday, September 18, 2025, we welcomed home our Tarrier alumni from the Classes of 1964, 1965, and 1966 of Charles Wright Academy! They had the opportunity to receive a tour from Head of School, Rachel Rippl and CWA alumnus & Board of Trustee, Trevor Will ’93. At the end of their campus visit, they took a photo inside the Upper School on the steps just as they did during their time as students. We’d like to thank Jamie Will ’65 for his partnership in organizing this reunion!
These are just a few examples of how our Tarriers are staying connected! We’d love to have our Tarrier alumni come back to campus and hear about what you have been up to over the years.
If you have a story that you want featured in the next edition of Bleed Green, please feel free to submit it to alumni@charleswright.org or to submit a class note later in the email and a member of our team will be sure to follow up with you.
Show your support as a Tarrier Alum!
We invite you to make your best gift today in support of CWA. The Fund for CWA is our annual giving campaign that supports everything from experiential education and professional development to athletics and financial aid. In short: it ensures that CWA continues to offer an exceptional education, every single day.
This year, we’re inviting 100 alumni to make a gift of any size. Whether you give $5 or $500, your participation shows that our Tarrier alumni believe in the power of a CWA education.
If CWA shaped your journey, this is your chance to shape someone else’s. Make your best gift today at the link below!
Alumni of the Year Nominations are now OPEN!
As a part of the Founders’ Day programming next spring, we will be honoring our 2026 Alumni of the Year award recipient. The Nomination form is now LIVE! You can submit a nomination for a peer or yourself today using the button below!
Nominate a fellow Tarrier Alum HERE!
Tarrier Athletics Spotlight
This edition of the Tarrier Athletics Spotlight focuses on the accomplishments of our Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees! As part of this year’s Homecoming festivities, we will be honoring the following individuals for their performance, contributions, and impact on Tarrier athletics.
Vanessa Davis ’14
Philip Grenley ’15
Zachary Sokolik ’03
Teddy Grenley ’15
They will be recognized on Friday, October 24, 2025 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Chuck Wight Gymnasium.
Upcoming Events
Friday, October 24 & Saturday, October 25
2025 CWA Homecoming & Alumni Weekend
Throw on your green and white and join us for an unforgettable Homecoming celebration! Whether you graduated five years ago or 45 years ago, Homecoming is a great opportunity to return to your alma mater and reconnect with classmates and some of your favorite faculty. Let’s celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni while enjoying some festive music and delicious food, and finish off the night around the warm bonfire while cheering our Tarrier athletes on to victory.
Friday, October 24, 2025
Tarrier Beer Garden & Alumni Tent
Calling ALL alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of CWA! Join us from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Tarrier Beer Garden between the Wight Gymnasium and the Middle School. We’ll have festive music, delicious food, a photo booth to capture memories, and have a few drinks on us! Afterwards, keep the good vibes going with a front row seat to the Varsity football game in the upgraded Alumni Tent from 7-the end of the game and let’s cheer our Tarriers on to victory.
Note: The Tarrier Beer Garden and Alumni Tent are 21+ spaces. ID checks will be conducted at entry. 2 drink tickets/space provided.
While RSVPs are not required, they are highly encouraged for planning purposes.
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Alumni Pub Night
It’s time to come together for our annual Alumni Pub Night! Let’s reconnect, share stories, and create new memories. Join us at Narrows Brewing owned by CWA Alum, Parker Rush ’12! We’ll have the Pacific Taproom reserved just for us, and your first drink is on the house! Don’t miss this chance to catch up with your fellow alumni and we look forward to seeing you there!
Location: Narrows Brewing Co. | 9007 South 19th Street Tacoma, WA 98466
RSVP encouraged but not required!
Must be 21+ to attend
Calling all Tarriers! The Development & Alumni Relations team will be hitting the road this year and embarking on our 2025-2026 Regional Tarrier Tour! We hope you will consider joining us!
RSVP for Seattle
RSVP for Bellevue
Email alumni@charleswright.org if you would like to assist with organizing a Tarrier Tour visit in a city near you. We’d love to partner with you!
That’s all for this edition of the Bleed Green Alumni Newsletter. Below you can find some of the ways to remain engaged with CWA:
Update Your Contact Information
The CWA Alumni community welcomes you! Please complete this brief questionnaire to help us ensure we have up-to-date contact information for you in our system. Once a Tarrier, Always a Tarrier!
Keep up to date with your fellow alumni by submitting a Class Note! Class Notes are shared annually in CWA’s TIES Magazine.
Follow CWA on Social Media
We love to stay connected with you in many forms, the best way to stay up-to-date on campus happenings is to follow CWA on Instagram and Facebook.
Sincerely,
The Development & Alumni Relations Team