Mount Holyoke Class of 2008

Hello! We’re thrilled to announce the new MHC Class of 2008 class board:

President - Claire Botnick
Vice President - Theodora Peterson
Head Class Agent - Morgan Trujillo
Reunion Chairs - Grace Ferris, Laura Fernandez
Treasurer - Kate Telman
Communications/Web Coordinator - Jillian LaRosa
Co-Scribes - Emily Wagner and Natasha Sokol
Co-Secretary - Sarah Cadieux, Betsy Vance
Nominating Committee - Cristina Mendonca, Katie Adler, Chari Lighty

And a big thank you to everyone who has served on the board these past 5 years.

2008 is still going strong after 15 years!

Quick note - class photo at 12:45 on Skinner steps, class meeting (and class gifts!!) at 4 pm in Wilder living room. See you there!

Reminder - voting closes at 10pm EST! If you haven’t voted yet, please do!

MHC Class of 2008 Class Board VOTING For information about each candidate, please see class email or Facebook post. If you didn't get the email (and want it) please email [email protected] and Mattie will forward to you. Write in candidates are allowed. Voting will close 10PM EST on FRIDAY MAY 26th. Winners will be announced the next...

Welcome MoHome, classmates! See you in our home dorm of Wilder this weekend!!

Hello Class of 2008! I'm thrilled to announce that it's time to vote for your next class board! Below you'll find a candidacy statement for each role.

- Voting will only be offered electronically via this google link (no pen and paper, even if you are on campus during reunion) https://forms.gle/6KEk39fymR65y9E87
- Voting will close Friday, May 26th at 10PM EST. Winners will be announced at the class meeting during reunion, and then shared shortly after via Facebook and email.
- Currently all candidates/roles are running unopposed. Write-in candidates are allowed for each position.
- You are allowed to vote ONCE. Please do not vote more than once. Any additional votes will be disqualified.

Reach out to [email protected] for any questions. Looking forward to seeing you on campus soon! Happy voting!

VOTE HERE: https://forms.gle/6KEk39fymR65y9E87

Candidacy Statements

President - Claire Botnick
Hi All! I am excited to run for class board to support the planning process for our next reunion (20 years??!!) and to work to strengthen and enrich our ties as a class between now and then. I am a lawyer and social worker raising two kids (Sonia 2.5 and Naomi 5 months) in New York City, and would be honored to do whatever I can so that, one day, should they choose Mount Holyoke (no pressure!), they will find the college as strong and vibrant as ever, with deep connections to and between alumni.

Vice President - Theodora Peterson
I have decided to run for this significant undertaking because as I grow older, my memories of the best times of my life are fading, and I wish to make our 20th reunion one for the books. As your Vice President, I promise to work closely with the class President in order to make this happen, and also promise to be available to hear feedback and requests from all of my wonderful sisters. Teamwork is one of the greatest lessons that I learned during my time at Mount Holyoke, and I truly believe that we as a team can work towards creating something truly special. I also promise to be able to devote the time to this position that it deserves. I am single, do not have children and own my own private practice, so I create my own hours giving me the flexibility to truly invest my time and energy in this endeavor. As a final note, I would like to acknowledge that Many of you remember me as a In quotations "party animal" from my days as a member of the rugby team, and though that is no longer true in the literal sense, as I have done much growing and maturing since my days in the dorms, ( Age happens!), I believe that I still know how to put on a good show! Vote for Teddy for Vice President!

Head Class Agent - Morgan Trujillo
For the past five years I have supported our previous Head Class Agent in her work to engage our classmates in supporting the college through annual giving and other campaigns. I am well versed in the work the the position entails and look forward to continuing outreach to engage previous contributors and new contributors within our class. I currently live in Northern California and am the mother of two sweet girls.

Co-Reunion Chair - Grace Ferris
I am interested in running for reunion chair so that I can continue to foster connections between alums and our amazing alma mater. I am organized, community-oriented, and eager to contribute! I can't wait to help make our 20th reunion fun, accessible, and inclusive. Mount Holyoke gave so much to me and I am excited to have the opportunity to give back to the institution through this role.

Co-Reunion Chair - Laura Fernandez
I would love to serve as your Reunion Co-Chair and give back to the Mount Holyoke community that has given me so much. My undergraduate experience was special and made more complete by life-long friends and exceptionally helpful faculty. That experience combined with a PhD in computational chemistry has enabled a career in managing some of the world’s top scientific journals. Putting my day-to-day organizational and planning skills to the task of pulling together our 20th reunion would be such an honor and a great joy.

Treasurer - Kate Telman
I look forward to helping our efforts to connect as friends, to support our alma mater and to help us commemorate our next five years of alumnus status. I’ve enjoyed living within shouting distance of MHC as I’ve stepped into a teaching career, grown my family and continued to take walks around upper lake.

Communications/Web Coordinator - Jillian LaRosa
I'm running for the Communications/Web Coordinator role on the class board because I want to get more involved in maintaining connections within our class. It also feels like a good fit for my particular skill set (and manageable time-wise!). I like to think that I'm fairly decent at communicating, I'm familiar with most social media platforms, and I can handle most basic web design. A bit about me: I am a research and instruction librarian at North Shore Community College and I live just north of Boston with my two wild kids and my husband. When not working or volunteering in my kids' library, I xc-ski, golf, run, knit and sew.

Co-Scribes - Emily Wagner and Natasha Sokol
Emily Wagner and Natasha Sokol are running jointly for the co-scribe position. Emily has served in this position since our 2008 graduation, and Natasha joined her in 2013. The main job of the co-scribes is to solicit, compile and edit our class column in the Alumnae Quarterly. Together, our vision for this role is to continue and strengthen the tradition of connectedness in the class of 2008. Our primary missions are to solicit life updates from classmates who have never written into the Quarterly before, and to facilitate communication about all parts of life- the significant, the not-so-significant, and the things that bring us joy (four-leaf clovers, anyone?) In the past, this has involved working with the Alumnae Association and the editors of the Quarterly to update the contact information we use, create and send personalized emails to our class, and seek to contact more of our classmates. As our lives have twisted and turned, serving as your co-scribes and delivering your news has been a comforting anchor to our beloved community, and an absolute honor. We hope to continue for as long as you'll have us!

Co-Secretary - Sarah Cadieux
​​Hi Everyone! I’m excited to run for co-scrbe/secretary with Betsy! I recently moved back to the Northeast and it has brought back a lot of nostalgia, prompting me to want to get more involved with our class. As the Associate Director of the Environmental Science program at RPI, I maintain a database of our alums and have a lot of experience in organizing and maintining files (I love well organized electronic files!). Can’t wait to hear what you all have been up to!

Co-Secretary - Betsy Vance
While I did once serve as the former secretary of my high school Scrabble club (which felt like a very big deal at the time!), I'm hoping to put that update that experience by serving on our class board. Currently living on the west coast, I'm running for secretary alongside Sarah. I very much see this as an opportunity to stay connected to the college and our class (and to rock a few geology puns along the way). I'd be honored to serve in this role and look forward to the opportunity!

Nominating Committee - Cristina Mendonca
I am excited to be running for a nominating committee spot because I hope to give back to the Mount Holyoke community that gave me so much. As a parent, wife, educator, and dog mom I was prepared for each role because of skills I learned at Mount Holyoke. I hope to continuing learning by connecting with you all through the class board.

Nominating Committee - Katie Adler
I am running for nominating committee because I have been on the board and know what each role requires. I’m hoping to bring more diversity and inclusion to the Class of 2008 board. Not only do I want to see more new faces on the board, but also want to help plan our next reunion for more of our classmates. After fifteen years, I still want to volunteer for the College and am nostalgic for my time at Mount Holyoke.

Nominating Committee - Chari Lighty
I want to serve my class, but don’t know how best my gifts can be used to serve. I know that others must also have a desire to serve, but not know how. If elected to the nominating committee I will put my gifts to the aid of our class and help others to help and serve as well.

MHC Class of 2008 Class Board VOTING For information about each candidate, please see class email or Facebook post. If you didn't get the email (and want it) please email [email protected] and Mattie will forward to you. Write in candidates are allowed. Voting will close 10PM EST on FRIDAY MAY 26th. Winners will be announced the next...

We are about to order class gifts for the weekend - make sure you register by Friday, 4/28, so we can be sure we have enough for everyone!

Big news: we got our dorm assignment for the weekend and it is…
…
…
WILDER!

Get excited, and don’t forget to register by Monday before prices go up by $25!

Hi classmates-

Just a note that the college has moved back the reunion registration so now you can register until April 24 and not get a late fee.

We wanted to give a more specific update on scholarships, based on information we just got from the college.

The class board has opened up five $100 scholarships to classmates who may need some financial help covering reunion fees. These scholarships will be totally private and administered by the Alumni Association, and we really encourage anyone who needs it to apply, since we want to see you there!

To apply, email Luisa Tavares at [email protected] or give her a call at 413-538-2201.

Registration for reunion is open! For our own planning (and to avoid a late registration fee of $25), please register by April 17!

Reunion Each May, alums return to campus to celebrate each other and all things Mount Holyoke. From the Laurel Parade to back-to-class, there's no shortage of the uniquely Mount Holyoke blend of tradition and fun at Reunion. Start planning your trip now!

The March4MHC Challenge kicks off today (March 9-10)! You can help empower future generations to think critically, work collaboratively and engage purposefully with the world!

Make your gift at:

March4MHC 2023 Join me and make a gift to March4MHC!

Are you planning to join for our 15 year reunion? We hope so! Tell us your plans here - no commitment required but having more responses will help us put together some awesome activities as we reunite.

MHC Class of 2008 - 15 Year Reunion Planning Survey The Mount Holyoke Class of 2008 is reconvening on campus on May 26–28, 2023 and hope to see you there! Please fill out the form below to tell us how you hope to be involved for reunion, and we will follow up and share more exciting news over the course of the school year.

SAVE THE DATE! Our 15-year reunion will be May 26–28, 2023 (Memorial Day weekend) and we hope to see you all there!

Today is ! This global movement of generosity is the perfect inspiration for us to come together and support the MHC community. Your gift — to scholarship aid, the Student Safety Net Fund or any other destination — is crucial to the College’s success.

I've created a matching challenge for our class! Please join me in supporting MHC today: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/MountHolyokeCollege/givingtuesday-challenge-2021?a=4984036

#GivingTuesday Challenge 2021 Join me and make a gift to Mount Holyoke for .

The Challenge starts today! Make a gift and increase your impact in support of our incredible students. Whether you choose one of our scholarship aid destinations or the Student Safety Net Fund, your gift has a very powerful impact. Don’t miss your opportunity to have an even bigger impact through this special challenge. https://www.givecampus.com/734jzo

#MyMoHome 2021 Join me in supporting by midnight June 30!

Did you benefit from a scholarship while you were at MHC? If so, head over to this link and share your thoughts! Here is the link to the form: https://forms.gle/zNzCBaEJMCgWaLYQ8

We may include your responses in our written appeals or via email messages.

Google Forms - create and analyze surveys, for free. Create a new survey on your own or with others at the same time. Choose from a variety of survey types and analyze results in Google Forms. Free from Google.

One day down, one to go! There is still time to donate to the March4MHC Challenge. An added bonus: Michelle L'Archeveque Jones is matching $5 per donor up to $100 -- only the next 8 donors will be matched!

https://www.givecampus.com/schools/MountHolyokeCollege/march4mhc-2021/?a=4274920

March4MHC 2021 Join me and make a gift to March4MHC!

The March4MHC Challenge starts tomorrow! 2 days. 4,000 donors. $400,000. Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

https://blog.mtholyoke.edu/mhcforever/march4mhc?utm_campaign=Advancement_M4M&utm_source=email&utm_medium=030321&utm_content=body

March4MHC Challenge | March 4–5, 2021 On March 4–5, 2021 invest in the future of MHC by participating in the March4MHC Community Challenge with a gift of any size to The Mount Holyoke Fund.

Today is , a global generosity movement created by a team led by Asha Curran '95 to encourage people to do good and celebrate generosity. This global movement of generosity is the perfect inspiration for us to come together and support the MHC community during this difficult year. Your gift — to scholarship aid, the Student Safety Net Fund or any other destination — is crucial to the College’s success.

https://www.givecampus.com/schools/MountHolyokeCollege/givingtuesday-challenge/?a=4092483

Mount Holyoke Class of 2008 updated their information in their About section.

Happy Mountain Day!

In honor of the Class of 2020, MHC is launching a special Commencement Challenge!

Through May 17 (the scheduled date of Commencement), we invite you to make a gift to The Mount Holyoke Fund and share a special message of congratulations or support with the class of 2020. The messages we receive will be compiled and shared with seniors.

https://blog.mtholyoke.edu/mhcforever/commencement-challenge?utm_campaign=Advancement&utm_source=email&utm_medium=commchallenge&utm_term=REM1&utm_content=20200511

Way to go, '08 -- we raised over $1,000 for !

Keep it up, Class of 2008 -- we've raised over $800 so far!

We are more than halfway to our ambitious goal! $250,000 raised so far to support scholarships, sustainability, DEI initiatives, faculty support, and more!

https://www.givecampus.com/3w6dq9

March4MHC Join me and make a gift to March4MHC

Are you one of the 2,196 members of the MHC community who already stepped up for the March4MHC challenge? If so -- thank you! You have helped unlock $200,000 in challenge funds for the MHC Community.

If not, there is still time to have an impact and help us reach our ambitious goal!

https://www.givecampus.com/3w6dq9

March4MHC Join me and make a gift to March4MHC

Show the awesome power of the MHC community by making your gift for the March4MHC Community Challenge!

https://www.givecampus.com/3w6dq9

Thanks to everyone who participated in Friday's Founder's Day Challenge!
With your help, we raised almost $700!

Happy Founder's Day! To celebrate the importance of women supporting women, I am matching $5 for every person in our class who donates today (up to $100). I hope that you will all join me in showing our support for MHC!

Founder's Day Challenge 2019

The Founder’s Day Challenge starts TOMORROW!

The Founder’s Day Challenge starts at 12:01 a.m. on November 8, 2019. As a reminder, this is a 24-hour challenge, where our class will get $100 for every 8 donors who give on Friday, and any class that reaches 80 donors by midnight on Friday will receive an extra $1,837.

https://www.givecampus.com/schools/MountHolyokeCollege/founder-s-day-challenge-2019/?a=3165046

givecampus.com Join me and make a gift to Founder's Day Challenge 2019