CLASS OF 1996 | 2026 | SPRING ISSUE

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Dacque writes for this issue.

1996er fam: happy and healthy to all in the new year! Lots of good news comes in from our classmates. I hope all are getting geared up for our 30th Reunion—start spreading the news!

In February, Josh Pollock became new executive director of the Boulder Climbing Community, a regional stewardship organization that maintains Colorado’s Front Range climbing spaces. Josh, who has worked for two decades building relationships between the people who use and manage these spaces, says that he is “honored to join the BCC, an organization that exemplifies community engagement to protect the places we recreate.” Open invitation to all to come visit sunny Colorado to experience world-class climbing opportunities.

Chung Ma (my personal RVA/River City consultant when traveling to that region) writes that he caught up with fellow Wes alum Bruce MacDonald ’92 in Richmond, Virginia.

Sam Effron (good to share memories of seeing P-Funk perform in 1994 at Spring Fling as we all watched on Foss Hill) sends in news that he is trying to stay informed and sane in this chaotic world. He recently “read” (listened to) The Art Thief and highly recommends it to everyone, particularly because the audiobook is read by Edoardo Ballerini ’92 and that he does a phenomenal job. Edoardo also happens to live in the same town as Sam, and they run into each other from time to time. Sam was very excited to be heading off to Mexico City with Josh and Maggie McClean Suniewick ’97 and a group of friends to celebrate a friend’s 50th birthday.

He ran into Alejandro Luciano at the airport on the way home and who had spent the same weekend with Anuj Desai and Jennifer Lau. Sam is starting to get excited and plan for our 30th Reunion in May (which he is calling our 25th Reunion Redo since stupid COVID robbed us of an in-person event, and also because calling it the 30th Reunion makes him feel ancient). He hopes to see as many ’96ers there as possible.

Hardy Griffin writes that he is doing well and that he recently won The Masters Review’s Short Story Award for “Ahmet Usta.”

Stacy Carlson says, “In 2021 my family moved from Oakland, California, to Minneapolis, which has been (surprisingly?) wonderful. Turns out I love a winter wonderland, though at the time of this writing, the intense, violent presence of ICE has prompted me take to the streets as a legal observer in below-freezing weather. In other news, I’m pleased to announce the publication of my next novel, titled The Gyre, due out in May 2026. If you like literary/historical fiction set in the wilderness, please check it out!” 

As for me, I am doing well in Maryland and am very excited to see some amazing landscapes and experience the Mighty 5 National Parks in Utah this spring.