Legacy Families

It is many of these traditions that draw alumni back to Calvert for their children’s education. This could not be more clear than with the Class of 2018, of which twenty percent are second, third, and even fourth generation Calvert students. Not only can these boys and girls claim parent connections, but also, for many, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and siblings. These students both represent and continue the Calvert traditions within their own fam­ilies that began generations before. To celebrate this, we asked some of their parents (and grandparents) to reflect on their own memories of Calvert, how these memories in­formed their decision to choose Calvert for their children, and, finally, what it means to be a Calvert parent.

Most admit that it was the education they received that made the school an obvious choice for their children, class­mates Nancy Martin Roberts, ’83 and Teddy Wight ’83, both point to the solid foundation their Calvert education provided to explain why they chose Calvert for their chil­dren. Nancy was also a Calvert legacy, having attended Calvert with her brother in the footsteps of their father, Duck Martin ’52, and his three siblings. Her daughter Laura Roberts ’18, started Calvert in Sixth Age. Nancy recalls how well prepared she was for middle and high school after graduating from the Twelfth Age.

Similarly, Teddy was the last of four Wight children to attend Calvert before sending his daughter, Charlotte, in Pilot Class (now Fifth Age). When they chose Calvert, Teddy and his wife Holly knew they wanted Charlotte to “learn how to learn versus what to learn.” This ability to think independently was most apparent when Teddy watched Charlotte deliver her Castalia Project. The passion and energy she dedicated to the project were the markers of her independence as a student and learner at Calvert.

John Webster ’82, was also a second generation Calvert student before his three girls, Isabelle ’13, Susannah ’16 and Ridgley ’18 began. John followed on the heels of his father, Mickey Webster ’49, as well as his older brother, Jim ’80, and later younger brother, Ned ’88, and sister, Peggy ’83. For John, seeing his former teachers Mr. Paul and Mr. Coady when he visited Calvert for his oldest daughter made a real impact. “To see them still on the faculty and to be able to give our daughters an opportunity to learn within the same environment with such strong and established traditions was a real blessing and an aspect of their learning which I am sure they will appreciate as they get older,” he recalls.

Ridgley ’18, the third Webster daughter to attend Calvert, has tallied the most years of any Calvert student in its history. When Kiddie Calvert first opened its doors, Ridgely came from preschool to Kiddie Calvert’s afternoon program. Upon her graduation this June, she had attended Calvert for eleven years.

Ellen Salovaara ’18, is now a fourth generation Calvert graduate, joining her great-grandmother, grandfather, uncles, and mother, Julie Buchanan Salovarra ’77. Julie says she and her husband Jay were willing to commute to D.C. for work to send their children to Calvert. In fact, Jay, who is originally from Chicago, adored A Child’s History of the World and wanted his children to experience firsthand the teachings that had made such an impression on him as a child.

Kate Tubman Cameron ’78, and her brother, Barry Tubman ’77, attended Calvert. Kate remembers, “Education was a huge priority in our house, and Barry and I would hear my father say that there wasn’t a better start in Baltimore than Calvert School.” For Kate Tubman Cameron ’78, A Child’s History of the World ignited a life-long love of history. She admitted to keeping the book in Twelfth Age and says is still sits in her bookshelf today.

Kate went on to send her two daughters, Kerry ’16 and Coco ’18, to Calvert adding, “Everyone would always spot a Calvert student—he or she was the polite one with the good handshake.”

Every Calvert alum recalls that morning handshake, espe­cially from former Head Master Mr. Kirk. In fact, Duck Martin ’52, grandfather of Laura Roberts ’18, was at Calvert the first year Mr. Kirk arrived on campus. Mr. Kirk was Duck’s Twelfth Age teacher. His daughter, Nancy, was a member of Mr. Kirk’s last graduating class.

Julie Buchanan Salovaara ’77 also remembers shaking Mr. Kirk’s hand and also recollects his monthly folder paper rounds. She recalls having to explain a 1+ on her report card for spelling. At the time, report cards did not reflect “plus” grades as a reminder that no one is perfect and there is always room for practice and improvement. For Julie, it is a memory she has shared and a life lesson that has stuck. When her own children fall just short of something, her husband often quips, “Remember, no one gets a 1+.”

Being a student at Calvert during such formative years makes a lasting impression on any student. Beyond snip­pets of memories like Double Dutch on the blacktop, red neatness seals, ribbons won at field day, class plays, and dance assemblies, some events placed school in an histori­cal context. For Nancy Roberts ’83, that was gathering in the gym when President Reagan was shot. The students clustered around a TV while the events beyond the class­room played out.

John Webster ’82 relished his whistling of "Funiculi Funicula" on the way into school plays. However, this moment of theatrics was nothing compared to watching his daughter, Ridgley, take on the role of Rafiki in the Middle School musical, The Lion King, last spring. For him, her bravery and commitment were awe-inspiring.

Julie Buchanan Salovaara ’77 echoes this sentiment when she says, “The memories I have of the various ways in which we absorbed the school’s valuable lessons – do your best, take pride in your work, correct your mistakes—have become even more gratifying as I see my children embody those values.”