Over 130 guests gathered at the Alumni Christmas party held on Saturday, December 26, at Maggiano’s Little Italy Restaurant in Buckhead. The alumni, their spouses, and dates enjoyed a delicious buffet of spinach and artichoke al forno bruschetta, baked ciabatta rolls, meat lasagna, four-cheese ravioli, Caesar salad, Italian salad, and lemon cookies. Delicious Whitefield-themed cupcakes decorated with graduation years and prepared by alumna Lynley Howell (’06), were also on the menu.
Alumnus Matt Wright (’08), a singer-songwriter who now lives in Nashville, Tn. played original music while alumni chatted and caught up with one another. Whitefield graduates from as early as the Class of 1998 and as recent as the Class of 2015 were in attendance, and ventured to the party from the far reaches of the United States and even La Paz, Bolivia. Faculty and staff members Debbie Breault, Rebecca Brown, Steve Hellier, Lou Nardi, Kyle Justice, David McBride, Christopher McDonald, Elizabeth Qualls, and Timothy Unsicker were also present, along with Chuck Johnston, Whitefield’s original headmaster.
Josh Jones, Alumni Board president, welcomed the crowd and introduced the Alumni Board, encouraging everyone to stay involved with Whitefield by attending the annual event. Valeria Uhler (’99), an Alumni Board member, encouraged everyone to follow the school on the Alumni Facebook page, Alumni Instagram account, and Alumni LinkedIn page.
“Remaining active on the LinkedIn page is a great way to network, find jobs, and even find employees
who you know have the strong work ethic taught by Whitefield,” she said. Uhler started her own digital marketing company which helps companies gain an active presence on social media.
Door prizes were given away and alumni even jotted down “advice” for this year’s graduating class. Tips included “Study smarter. Not harder,” “Go on adventures,” and “Listen to Mr. Hellier’s advice. He’s a wise man.”
Alumni enjoyed one another so much that Maggiano’s had to close down the banquet room and encourage alumni to move to other locations to continue talking. Many did, and had after parties in small groups after the main event. The 2016 Christmas party is scheduled for Monday, December 26, at Maggiano's.