Class Notes - January 2020

Susan Hankla ‘69 recently published a book of poetry, "Clinch River”, from Groundhog Poetry Press, LLC, an all-poetry imprint that originated in Roanoke, VA. It’s available to purchase through Amazon and Small Press distribution!

Mark Sandy ‘83 was on the front page of The Roanoke Times on November 21! It’s a great article with quotes from some favorite former faculty members like Margaret Grayson and Doc Maycock. (If you didn't grab a paper copy, you can also read the article on Roanoke.com.)

Exciting news from the "left coast." Will Dichtel ’96 used technology developed in his labs to purify water in a revolutionary way and then partnered to start a company to distribute it: "Cyclopure has developed a line of DEXSORB adsorbents that have demonstrated excellent performance in the removal of microtoxins now present in tap water… A growing number of these contaminants are linked to cancer, brain and nervous system damage, developmental defects, fertility problems and endocrine disorders." Congrats on being listed as C&EN magazine's 2019 Top 10 Start-Ups to Watch and improving the future of water purification.

James McCallum Grove ‘00 visited campus in December to talk to Global Studies students about “Blue Zones,” which are regions of the world where people supposedly live longer than average. (If you’re wondering, the five they discussed were Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Lima, California.)

We'd like to congratulate Alison Stover Vagts ’03 and her family on their newest addition Catherine Magee Vagts who came into the Raider family on January 3. Sisters Olivia '31 and Margaret '34 were excited to meet their newest charge. Everyone's doing well and still on that new-baby high. Mrs. Vagt's second-grade class and the entire Raider clan is also excited to meet her soon (hint, hint).

Congratulations to Ainsley Revercomb '05 and James Revercomb '06 on their new addition! They welcomed son, Grove Legare Revercomb, into the world at the end of November!

Congratulations to John Hornick ‘07 and his wife, Alexa! They were married on November 1, 2019, at The Mill At Fine Creek in Powhatan, VA. Carter Magee ‘07 was John's best man and Stuart Draper ‘07 was a groomsman. John's sister, Rebecca Hornick ‘05, was a bridesmaid.

Congratulations to Reagan Robey ‘11 and Whit Brown ‘06 on their recent engagement!

Congratulations to Lauren Oddo ‘11 for recently winning a Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse to study alcohol and drug misuse among college students with ADHD!

In Memoriam

The entire North Cross community was saddened to hear of the passing of one of our beloved benefactors, past parent, and previous Board chair. Bittle Wilson Porterfield III will be greatly missed, though the generous impact he, along with his wife Charlotte, had on his family, friends, and North Cross School is everlasting. His sons are both graduates, Forrest '94 and Wilson '91, and Wilson's wife, Holly graduated in 1992.

We are sad to share that Ashley Sadler Huray ’99 passed away suddenly on Wednesday, January 1, 2020. She is survived by her husband, Andrew M. Huray, and her parents, Darlene and Larry Sadler.