June 29 - July 3, 2011—An Event to Remember!

Smiles and EmbracesWELCOME COCKTAILWednesday, June 29

Upcoming Events,2011-2012

(Tentative—please check schoolwebsite closer to date)

Family Day and HomecomingSeptember 25

Halloween CarnivalOctober 29

Fall Drama ProductionNovember 4-6

Alumni Holiday ReunionDecember 16

College Q&AJanuary 11

College Q&AApril 17

Spring Drama ProductionApril 20-22

IB Art Exhibit OpeningSpring, TBA

...and hopefully a 2ndannual International School

Reunion!

Wednesday’s Welcome Cocktailwas a great success! Alumni,faculty, staff, and ASM communitymembers flooded into the HotelMiguel Angel to check-in to thereunion and, more importantly,scope out the crowd. The eventwas full of smiles and embracesas old friends and familiar facesreconnected for the first time inyears. Those in attendance werehard pressed to leave, even afterthe “open bar” was no longeropen!

The moment everyone has been waitingfor - the American School of Madrid’s50th Anniversary! Founded in 1961, ASMturns fifty during the 2011-2012 schoolyear. To kick start a year of celebrations,ASM hosted its 50th Anniversary &Alumni Reunion from June 29 to July3, 2011. Five decades of alumni, faculty,staff, and community members, arrivingfrom all over the world, reunited inMadrid for a very memorable weekend.

Organized by the Alumni Office, thereunion was many years in the making.After the 40th Anniversary celebrationin 2001, the Alumni Office immediatelyset to work to improve the AlumniProgram, nurturing the growth andexpansion of the ASM alumni community.With ongoing help from ClassCorrespondents and former and currentfaculty members, hundreds of “lost”alumni were located and reconnectedwith. Events were expanded to includethe Holiday Reunion and the IB Art ExhibitOpenings, both held annually in Madrid.In 2010, the International Schools Reunionin New York City was also added to thecalendar of events. ASM and a handfulof other international schools pooledresources to offer this collaborativealumni event in the heart of the BigApple. The College Connection Programand the Professional Links Programswere also initiated to offer platforms fornetworking among alumni in differentstages of their careers. And last but not

least, preparations and planning werebegun for the 50th Anniversary Reunion,a true milestone event for the institution.

The 50th Anniversary & Alumni Reunionbegan with a Welcome Cocktail onWednesday at the Hotel Miguel Angel.The cocktail was packed to the brim witheager guests on the look out for whothey might run into next. On ASM Day,Thursday, reunion attendees were invitedback to school for an alumni soccermatch, campus tours, a paella cookoutand “class photos”. The day ended in theAuditorium of the new Ambassador andMrs. George L. Argyros Center for theArts with a presentation about ASM’sBuilding for the Future plan and capitalcampaign. Friday night’s Gala was anelegant affair at the emblematic Casinode Madrid. Attendees then enjoyed aday full of food and fun at Saturday’sFiesta Campera held at the escuelataurina, La Chopera. On Sunday, ASMsponsored two-way transportation toToledo and Segovia—a great lastopportunity to spend time with friendsand family before saying “hasta luego”.

The reunion was a great success. Oldfriendships were strengthened and newfriends were made, as reunion attendeesof all ages and backgrounds came togetherto celebrate 50 years of ASM educationalexcellence.

Fifty years and we’re just getting starting—a por los cien!

I was really looking forward to it.

Many years had passed since thatlong-forgotten 1992 and opening theTime Capsule at the 50th Anniversarywould reveal many lost dreams, oldcrushes, and teenage jokes. Whenthey finally opened the Time Capsuleand we saw that water had leaked in,destroying most things, I could notbelieve it. I could barely recognize ourclass’s Curro toy, bought at the EXPO

in Sevilla. Now what? What would Itell the class of ’97?

Well, I decided to take our soakedmaterials back home and cut throughthe saran wrap. We were 13 in 1992—just imagine what I found...! I was ableto dry out most of the paper, cleanwhatever had grown there, and savebits and pieces of poems, letters,strands of hair taped together, comicstrips, stickers, hand-written songsabout saving the world, papers withsignatures, Polaroid pictures, andmore.

Being Class Correspondent has hadits fun moments. This one topped themall. It was fun to save so manymemories, so many things written byfriends from long ago. I am safekeepingthese memories and hope myclassmates can enjoy this archaeologicalfind.

1993 ¡Claro que sí!Thanks to the enthusiasm of ClassCorrespondents Ana Baeza and John deGuzman (and their spirited slogan “1993¡claro que sí!”), the class of 1993 had thegreatest number of class members attendthe reunion. The 1993ers were called ontostage in recognition during the ASM Daypresentation and each given a token ofappreciation—ASM baseball caps.

Back to School—ASM DAY, Thursday, June 30

Plans for the 3rd phase of ASM’s Buildingfor the Future Capital Campaign werepresented for the first time to the publicduring Thursday afternoon’s presentation.Headmaster Bill O’Hale and BoardChairman Steven Schaver shared a new10 year plan to expand and renovateeducational facilities on campus. First onthe list—a new Science building!

The Much Awaited Time CapsuleBy Roberto Massana Galina, Class of 1997 Class Correspondent

Building for the Future

Reunion attendees were welcomed backto campus on ASM Day. An eager groupof former ASM athletes played a friendlysoccer match on the newly refurbishedfield. Former Varsity Soccer Coach,Carlos Herrera, with the help of currentteacher Mike Tribe, refereed. Campustours were offered by current students,faculty, and staff. Included in the tourswas a premier viewing of the HistoricalPanels, specially made for the 50th

anniversary and designed by alumnaElisa Gomez (ASM ‘99). Lunch was servedoutside, picnic style, at the delicious(and filling!) Paella Cookout. Everyonein attendance enjoyed plenty of time tomingle, as well as numerous photoshoots (both professional and amateur!).

The day ended with a presentation inthe Ambassador and Mrs. George L.Argyros Center for the Arts. The school’spast was commemorated by the openingof the 1992 Time Capsule while theschool’s future was the focus ofHeadmaster Bill O’Hale and BoardChairman Steve Schaver’s speech. Avideo prepared by Class CorrespondentGus Gonzalez (ASM ‘83) and honoringgenerations of positive ASM memories,was presented much to the delight ofthe audience. Alumni also enjoyed threemusical performances by current UpperSchool student Claudia Moericke andclass of 2011 graduates Danny Tejera andGabriela Balbin. Thanks to the generoussupport and participation of everyone,the event was a total success!

A beautiful soirée in one of Madrid’s moststunning downtown locations, Fridaynight’s Gala in the Casino de Madrid wasan event to remember. The evening beganin the patio of the Casino, famous for itsglass dome. After drinks and horsd’oeuvres served to the sound of livejazz music, dinner was served in theelegant Sala Real. Board Chairman StevenSchaver and Alumni Coordinator VeronicaRossi shared a few words to recognizefaculty, staff and the student body—pastand present—for their continuingcontributions to the ASM community.Board Chairman Steven Schaver gave aspecial thank you to Bill O’Hale, presentinghim with a personalized photo album in

honor of the Headmaster’s 20th year atASM. Also receiving special recognitionwere former Board member Dan Lowell,who served during the school’s first years,and Lower School Spanish teacher RosarioGayarre, who has been with ASM sinceits opening day in 1961. The excitementcontinued with an exclusive raffle,including artwork by Cristina Iglesias anda Real Madrid banner signed by the entireteam. Inspired by the evening’s festiveenergy, former teacher and coach CarlosHerrera united the dinner guests in animpromptu “brindis”, toasting to “ASM,maybe not the best school in theworld…but the best in the universe!”Congratulations ASM!

Celebrating ASM’s 50th In Style—GALA DINNER, Friday, July 1

Old Fashion Fun—FIESTA CAMPERA, Saturday, July 20After three days of festivities it was time to kickback, relax, and have some good old fashionedfun at the Fiesta Campera. Held at the escuelataurina La Chopera, the day’s events includeda traditional Spanish lunch (lots of food!) followedby games and fun for all ages. Alumni and guestswere also treated to a surprise visit from atraditional Tuna that happened to be stoppingby. A few songs and a glass of wine later, smileswere seen around all the tables. After luncheveryone was invited to move to the outdoorbullring where the activities started with a specialviewing of a horse show. Then it was time forthe opening ceremony when three audiencemembers were invited to enter the ring ridingdonkeys while wearing toreador innuendo andwaving to the cheering crowd. Once theintroductions had been made, the first youngbull was released in to the ring waiting for abrave soul to chase it and pin it down. A fewvaliant individuals stepped in to the ring, butnot long enough to challenge the young bulltoo much... Donkey races and rides were organizedboth for adults and children as well as a veryentertaining pig chase for the children! Endingwith a bouncy castle for the kids, a mechanicalbull, and an outdoor disco, alumni wrapped upthe warm summer day with a drink to the healthof their friends and former school.

ASM Today © 2011. Designed and edited by the American School of Madrid Development Office. For information email development@asmadrid.org or alumni@asmadrid.org. All rights reserved.

THANK YOUS

To Our Sponsors

To Gala Raffle Donors

Spotted on Campus: Decade and Faculty & Staff Photos from ASM Day

The following corporations gave outstandingsupport to the 50th Anniversary Reunion.

ScolarestEmpresa Ruíz

ASM also wishes to thank thefollowing individuals:Business Office under the leadership ofJesus Hortal, Director of AdministrativeServices;

Technology Department under the leadershipof Fernando Montalban;

Maintenance Crew under the leadership ofTony Perez;

Chef Miguel Bonilla

Musicians who performed at the Gala Dinner:

Juan Ramon Arias Echevarría (Saxophone);Cy Williams (Guitar); and Christian Laremont(Guitar).

We thank all the families and organizationswho contributed to the successful raffle heldat the Gala Dinner.

Botin D’Ornano Family; Carvalho Family;Cassinello Fábregas Family; Chen Family;Chumaceiro Family; Herrera Baeza Family;Cristina Iglesias; Lusardi Family; MourinhoFamily; Muñana Beeck Family; Yvonne StahlieLópez; Schwanekamp Aparna Family;Weinstock Family; and Repsol.

Professional photographer Ana Mira took “decade” photos, as well as faculty and staff photos, during ASM Day.Check out who showed up for the photo shoot!

Interested in getting more involved with the ASM Alumni

Program?

Email us at alumni@asmadrid.orgfor more information on:

Becoming a Class Correspondent

Updating your contact information

Joining the Professional Links orCollege Connection programs

Alumni Events: Holiday Reunion,IB Art Exhibit, International

Reunion

Contact Information:

Alumni OfficeApartado 80

28080 Madrid

+34 91 740 0519

alumni@asmadrid.org

Facebook:

Friend the ASM Lancers, if youhaven’t already, and follow us on

facebook!

70’s 90’sFaculty & StaffPast and Present

60’s 80’sFaculty & StaffPast and Present

ASM wishes to thank the following alumni,for their collaboration with the 50th AnniversaryReunion:Akseli Ahopelto, alumnus '07 and organizer ofMadrid by Night; Damian Alepuz, alumnus '05 andproducer of the 50th anniversary merchandisingwear; Nader Arab, alumnus '09 and assistant tothe Alumni Office; Ana Baeza, alumna '93 andorganizer of the Bernabeu Stadium tour; RocíoBaeza, alumna ‘99 and Casino de Madrid contactfor the Gala Dinner; Mark Besas, alumnus '87 andhost of the Hidden Madrid tour; Elena Gil-Chang,alumna '05 and graphic designer; Elisa Gómez,alumna '99 and graphic designer; Agustín (Gus)González, alumnus ’83 and creator of the alumnivideo shown at ASM Day;

And all the Class Correspondents who haveworked so hard over the years to liaise betweenASM and their former classmates.

We also wish to thank all the volunteers thathelped make ASM Day a great success:Gabriela Balbin (alumna ’11); Diana Basanta (FormerFaculty); Emily Belin (Class of ’12); Chris Bello(Class of ’12); Leticia Cáceres (Faculty); Kim Cullen(alumna ’91 and Staff); Alejandro De Pablo (Classof ’12); Tica Echols (alumna ’70 and Faculty); SholehFarpour (Staff); Andrés Fernández (alumnus ’11);Anna Maria Fernández (Former Faculty); AshleyGarcia (Class of ’12); Onnie García (Former Faculty);Carlos Herrera (Former Faculty); Natalia Kearney(Class of ’16); Raúl Martín (Class of ’12); MaríaMartínez (Parent Volunteer); Karina Merino (Classof ’12); Claudia Moericke (Class of ’15); ShannonO’Hale (alumna ’96); Sofia Orive (Class of ’12);Juan Ortíz (alumnus ’78 and Faculty); Alba Pérez(Class of ’12); Trudy Rutherford (Faculty); ZachSchantz (Class of ’12); Liam Slack (Class of ’12);Elizabeth Smith (alumna ’74 and Staff); DannyTejera (alumna ’11); Mike Tribe (Faculty); BoramYoon (Class of ’12)