On June 10, 2014, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Buffalo Seminary graduated 43 young women who entered as girls but now commence their lives as SEM-powered young women, ready to leap any "confidence gap," ready for what comes next.

"All of us will miss this class tremendously but we wish them joy and many wonderful accomplishments," Head of School Jody Douglass said in her welcome.

During the ceremony, Ms. Douglass awarded Helen Ladds Marlette, Assistant Head of School, the Paul J. Koessler Award. Ms. Douglass said, "Helen manages to bring out the best in each individual she has taught or coached, even the adults she works with. There is no one more deserving of recognition."

SEM trustee and graduate Nicole C. Lee '94 gave the commencement address. "You are a bright and determined class that is not afraid to stand together," she said. "You remind me so much of my graduating class – outgoing, strong and diverse….You are going to have great, meaningful lives. You are destined for it if you follow your path, stay your course."

Closing remarks were given by teacher and alumna Molly O'Connor Greene '98 whose message was, "make everything that happens to you, good for you."

This stellar class that welcomed four Holy Angels Academy students last fall, will go to colleges and universities from coast to coast – from Washington State University and UCLA in the West, to Notre Dame and Queen's University (Ont., Canada) in between, to Amherst, Tufts, and Boston University in the East.

Director of College Counseling Erik Bertelsen said "We have no doubt that the will represent SEM with distinction. We wish them nothing but the best."

*SEM Snippets graduation and reunion issue is in the mail and here. Click to see downloadable pictures and albums from graduation (and reunion).

Margaret Brown, who graduated from Buffalo Seminary in 1972, became Chair of the Board of Trustees on June 9, 2014. She previously served on SEM's Board from (2005 - 2013) and will serve as Chair for three years.

"I have been proud to be part of the SEM community from the time I arrived as a freshman in 1968 and am honored to chair SEM's outstanding Board of Trustees, especially as there is so much momentum on many fronts at the school," Ms. Brown said.

Ms. Brown has worked in marketing and general management positions in small and emerging organizations, and with start-up teams within large corporations, in broadcast media, information, financial services, content syndication and interactive web technology.

Currently retired, she volunteers extensively with non-profits in fundraising, organizational development and strategic challenges, specializing in educational organizations and girls' education in both traditional and non-traditional settings.

She's an active volunteer in the New York City area working with the Harvard Business School Club of New York's Community Partners alumnae volunteer program and currently sits on its board, its nominating committee, and co-chairs its education committee.

Ms. Brown graduated from Harvard Business School in 1984 and from William Smith College in 1976.

Read about SEM, “an elegant mix of modernity and antiquity,”  in the September issue of Buffalo Spree magazine.

The story, "Buffalo Schools Have Storied History," describes the integral contribution that private schools in the region make to community development.

See why SEM girls love their school at the Open House on Sept. 28, from 9 am to 1 pm.

Join us to learn about the unique value of SEM - what sets us apart from other all-girls schools.

Open House is "More Opportunities" for families to...

• take student led tours of the historic school building, student residences, and field that comprise our campus.
• meet faculty, parents, and trustees.
• obtain information about scholarships and financial aid.
• explore the 5- and 7-day boarding program.
• learn about an education that goes beyond the mandates of the New York State Board of Regents. (SEM is exempt.)
• discover SEM successes: 87% of the Class of 2014 was accepted to a "highly competitive college" as defined by Barron's Guide.

SEM is located at 205 Bidwell Parkway in the historic Elmwood Village neighborhood of Buffalo, N.Y. Founded in 1851, SEM is Western New York’s only independent high school for girls, and the only all-girls school in the area with a residential program.

We offer an independent, nonsectarian, college-preparatory curriculum and are a member of The New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS) and The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), and we are a charter affiliate member of The Online School for Girls (OSG).

To learn more, visit BuffaloSeminary.org, follow us on Twitter, follow our Instagram, "like" us on Facebook.

Call Director of Admission Laura Munson '79 at (716) 885-6780 for more information or to set-up a shadow day.

Call Laura Munson '79 at (716) 885-6780 for more information or to set-up a shadow day.

Buffalo Seminary is accepting applications for a dynamic part-time math teacher. Algebra 2 is a continuation of Algebra 1 and Geometry. Students study complex numbers, logarithms, and rational, polynomial and radical functions.

Applicants should possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in the appropriate field. Candidates should send a cover letter and resume by email or post to Kim Trow, Assistant to the Head of School, at humanresources@buffaloseminary.org or 205 Bidwell Parkway, Buffalo, NY 14222.

AWARDS for SEM Women - Now and Alum

Anna Magavern ’15 is a 2015 National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. She is one of only 84 in the Western NY and Rochester area. In October 2013, an estimated 3.5 million high school students took the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and 1.5 million qualified to enter the competition. There are 16,000 semifinalists.

Marivi Howell-Arza ’15 won the Charles E. Webber Award for Outstanding Community Service for her essay, What Community Service Means to Me, at the 2014 Miss Thousand Islands pageant, where she was second runner-up overall. Marivi competed in three pageants this past summer, and is currently USA National Miss New York Teen.

“Pageantry allows women to become more confident, learn and practice interview and public speaking skills at a much younger age than usual, and make so many friends and connections in places never before imaginable," Marivi said. "I attribute my life's success and my success at Buffalo Seminary to the values instilled in me by pageantry. While many call pageants sexist, I call them empowering.”

Eliza Hopkins ’13 won the 2013 Cum Laude Society, District III award for her paper, The Name is the Thing: Comparing Naming and Linguistic Construction in the Fantasy Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkein and Ursula K. Le Guin." Her passion for the topic and the depth of her research was far beyond most students,” said Carey Miller, who urged Eliza to submit the essay which had been written in Ms. Miller's class, The Hero in Fantasy Literature. District III of the Cum Laude Society comprises New York and Connecticut.

“I found naming fascinating, noticed that Tolkien and Le Guin employed naming ceremonies and interestingly created names in their novels to enhance notions of the self and of magic,” Eliza said.

Virginia Horvath ’75 is a Buffalo Business First “Woman of Influence” 2014 honoree for Nonprofit Leadership. Ms. Horvath is president of the State University of New York at Fredonia. Nonprofit Leadership honors women who display high energy and skill in a leadership role at a nonprofit institution or organization.

SEM?Quest, our only fundraising party of the year is November 1, 2014.

This year the game night will feature quiz master Dennis George, a silent auction, and an after party.

Other games include Texas Hold'em, ping pong, and the ever popular shoot baskets vs. Coach Eva Cunningham. 

Winning games earns Hornet or Jacket points for your daughter's team in its quest for the Spirit Cup!

7 - 10 PM

at SEM

$35 per person includes food and drinks

$50 per person Patron ticket includes 10 game tickets

Casual dress

RSVP here

Director of Advancement
Buffalo Seminary

The Director of Advancement is responsible for leading Buffalo Seminary’s advancement program and for developing and maintaining active and productive relationships with board members, donors and all members of the SEM community. The Director of Advancement is a member of Buffalo Seminary’s senior administrative team, manages a current staff of three to five people, and reports to the Head of School.  

Buffalo Seminary is planning to launch a comprehensive campaign early in 2015 and has retained experienced campaign counsel to support the internal development team.

Specific areas of responsibility include:

Fundraising

• Designs, implements and manages all fundraising activities including annual giving, endowment and capital campaigns, special projects, and other school-related solicitations.
• Develops strategies and manages activities to support engagement and cultivation of donors and key donor prospects.
• Directly solicits key donors and oversees effort to support solicitation throughout the organization.
• Maintains contact with and develops grant proposals for foundations and corporations.
• Develops and implements parent and alumnae-based fundraising programs within the Annual Fund.
• Develops a comprehensive planned-giving program as the need becomes appropriate.

Board of Trustees Relations

• Works with the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees and the Head of School to develop strategies to initiate and meet aggressive fundraising goals.
• Develops fundraising training for Trustees and other leadership volunteers.
• Assumes responsibility for all Development reports to the Board and other agencies.
• Assists the Board with recommending and researching potential new members.

Development Office Infrastructure

• Creates office systems and supervises staff to support all Development projects and operations.
• Supervises donor and gift record-keeping.
• Coordinates development research activities.
• Oversees the management of databases and all records, files, and gift processing.
• Manages the pledge reminder and acknowledgement programs.

Alumni Relations

• Manages and maintains the alumni database.
• Organizes and supports the school’s alumnae association.
• Organizes alumni events, collects news and information about the members of the alumni for publication, and keeps accurate records of the school’s alumni.

Parent Relations

• Works with the Parent Association to identify and train a core group of volunteers to assist in the Annual Giving, special events and other fundraising programs as needed.

Communications and External Relations

• Works closely with the Assistant Head of School, the Director of Communications, and the Director of Admissions to ensure consistent branding and messaging across all communications
• Oversees production of major publications supporting development initiatives including the Annual Report, certain content on the School’s website, and works with the Director of Comunications to promote the school’s fund and friend raising goals and activities.
• Works with the Head of School, campaign counsel, and others to plan and execute targeted communications to support campaign across multiple phases.
• Develops and implements strategies to promote Buffalo Seminary’s mission to both the internal constituencies of the School and the community at large.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years professional fundraising experience.
• Proven experience in designing and managing development and alumni relations programs.
• Experience with developing and maintaining productive working relationships with board members, donors, parents, administrators and faculty in an educational environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work as a leader and as part of a team.

Please send resume to humanresources@buffaloseminary.org 
Attn: Kim Trow, Assistant to the Head of School.

Read about SEM, “an elegant mix of modernity and antiquity,”  in the September issue of Buffalo Spree magazine.

The story, "Buffalo Schools Have Storied History," describes the integral contribution that private schools in the region make to community development.

Yuha Tomita '16, a Japanese residential student at SEM, danced the Halloween classic, Baba Yaga, at Shea's Performing Arts Center this October. (Picture, right.) Yuha is a member of the Neglia Ballet Artists dance company and next she performs with them at Shea's in The Nutcracker, over Thanksgiving Weekend. 

It's Yuha's third year dancing with Neglia, and her third year at SEM, which she entered as a freshman. Yuha regularly practices 18 hours a week, but when preparing for a show there are extra hours of rehearsal. Catherine Knauss, house director of her residence (Wendt House), or friend and SEM student Anna Magavern '15 (who also attends Neglia) take care of her transportation.

The Giving Tree went up during the ritual Hanging of the Greens (#HOTG) last Friday.

Spots to give at the blood drive that officially kicks off SEM's annual giving week (#SEMGivingWeek) December 8 to 15, were almost completely booked by the end of last week.

The empty collection boxes are on our stage and...We're off!

Throughout the year SEM students volunteer at a variety of nonprofits from Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper to the ENERGY after school program, to St. Luke's Mission of Mercy - but each December the SEM community organizes to donate specifically for the holidays. From time, energy and spirit, to lifting our voices to sing, to finding and donating winter clothes, food, and gifts - our students, faculty, parents and alumnae rally. Much is organized by SEM's tireless Community Service Board, chaired by Mariah Reinard '15 and advised by Mrs. Kyle Hopkins.

 What exactly are we collecting?

• Coats, boots, hats, gloves, scarves for Lafayette High School. Help prepare for the already epic 2014 Buffalo winter! #snowvember
• Non-perishable food for St. Luke's Food Pantry.
• Gently used clothing for St. Luke's Mission Mall.
• Giving Tree gifts for Family Help Center -- take a tag from the Giving Tree in the Gallery, buy the requested present, place gift and some wrapping paper in a bag, attach the label to the bag, and bring to SEM!

What exactly are we doing?

• Donating blood -- American Red Cross Blood Drive!  Monday, December 8, from 9:00 - 3:00.
• Bell ringers and carol singers for the Salvation Army at Tops supermarket on Elmwood from 3:45 - 6:00 pm, Monday - Thursday. (Transportation will be provided to Tops, but students must make arrangements to get picked up at 6:00 pm.)
• The Glee Club sings at Roswell Park Cancer Institute on Thursday, December 11, at 11 am.

Complete list of organizations SEM partners with: St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, Vive La Casa, ENERGY, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, Girls Education Collaborative, 21st Century Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo, Family Help Center, Cradle Beach, Compass House, MOCA, and Sole Hope.

Young Generation No Slouches at Volunteering

Morgan Gress '08 is featured in this December 29, 2014, Associated Press story about Millennials and volunteering.

"I want to make my city where I live a better place," Morgan Gress, 24, of Washington said after sorting and hanging donated clothes with co-workers who chose to volunteer in lieu of an office holiday party. After you volunteer, she said, "You never walk away feeling you didn't have a great time, or help someone out, or learn something new."

Gress doesn't find it unusual that her employer, a hub for tech startups called 1776, encouraged workers to sort clothes at Bread for the City during office hours. Most of her friends work at companies with some sort of volunteer program, she says. Community service was required at her private high school in Buffalo, New York, like many other schools across the country. Volunteer opportunities were plentiful as a student at American University.

January 4, 2015

SEM's "Picture Yourself Here" video debuted before and after the Downton Abbey season 5 premiere last night on WNED-TV Buffalo/Toronto.

The 30 second video was produced and directed by John Paget of Paget Films in Buffalo, NY. SEM and Mr. Paget have been worked on the video since May, 2014, beginning with a shoot at the Class of 2014 graduation at the historic Westminster Presbyterian Church.

This fall, Mr. Paget shot at Hornet/Jacket Day, Fall Weekend's soccer and field hockey games at Larkin Field and spent a day filming SEM students in the historic school building - in the library, chapel, and study hall, and in class at a Harkness table, into Oishei House (one of five student residences), and on Bidwell Parkway and strolling Elmwood Avenue.

The video was made with the talent and patience of all the students, faculty, and staff - particularly Jane Gold '15, School Government President (SGA), who agreed to be the linchpin of our story and Abigail Hopkins '16, SGA vice president, who appears in it and did the voice over. 

SEM plans next to make a 60 second instrumental video and a longer, three minute video with interviews. More faces and more places will make an even richer video experience of life at SEM. Ms. Laura Munson '79, director of admission, has plans to use "Picture Yourself Here" for future admissions, but current students, parents, faculty and alumnae all enjoy it too. The video has reached thousands since its posting on the website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

SEM has another gorgeous John Paget video, "Buffalo, America's Best Designed City," posted on the residential life page. 

#Staytuned! #GOSEM!

January 22, 2015

Sophomore Aerin Wagner wrote Learning Legacy, in the Buffalo News today. SEM's Harkness tables and the way they foster discussion among everyone in the class, including the teacher, is the subject.

The News took pictures in Kanika Durland's American literature class for sophomores and juniors, which is held in Carey Miller's room. 

January 29, 2015

"Angela is queen of the oboe!" SEM ensemble conductor and music teacher Roland Martin proclaimed today. Why? It was just announced that she is first oboe chair of the Erie all-county orchestra.

Last weekend SEM students (pictured left to right) Dabin Han ’17, Tara Porter ’17 and Angela (Jiaan) Shi  ’17 all auditioned for the Erie County Musical Educators Association's all-county senior high school ensemble. An audition is a solo performance for a judge, graded out of 100 points. The SEM students' scores were near perfect. 

On violin, Dabin, who has been playing since 4^th grade, scored a 98 and Tara, who has been playing since 6^thgrade, scored a 97.  Angela, who came to SEM as a residential student from Shanghai this fall, scored a 99 on her oboe audition.

Each student played three scales, one solo, and a sight reading. "You spend months preparing and then in 10 minutes it's over," said Dabin.

Dabin was awarded a seat in the first violin section, and Tara is an alternate.

“I am immensely proud of our musicians at SEM and of these girls who represent us so well,” said Mr. Martin. “I’m told the scoring was unusually hard this year.”

The five all-county music festivals are held in March. Seven choruses, four orchestras, five bands, and four jazz ensembles are assembled from the auditions for these performances. Dabin, Tara and Angela play in the SEM ensemble so we're lucky to hear them regularly as the music of their lessons and ensemble rehearsals fills the halls at lunchtime and after school. Next SEM ensemble performance is the Joan Andrews Spring Concert on April 30, 2015. 

Buffalo Seminary is seeking a Lacrosse Head Coach for the spring season March – May 2015.

The lacrosse coach will report to the athletic director and work on developing and maintaining a competitive team of 20 girls.

Duties include: Strong lacrosse ability, past coaching experience, and excellent communication skills. A valid New York State driver’s license and background screening are required.

Hours are M-F, 4-6:00 pm and occasional Saturdays.

Interested individuals should send their resumes to Buffalo Seminary, 205 Bidwell Parkway, Buffalo, New York 14222 Attention: Eva Cunningham, Athletic director, Ecunningham@buffaloseminary.org

Buffalo Seminary is looking for an assistant rowing coach for the spring season, March through May 2015.

Duties include: Strong rowing experience; preferably coaching. Strong leadership skills, demonstrated ability to effectively relate to high school students, knowledge of U.S. Rowing/Scholastic Rowing Association rules. Valid New York State driver’s license and a background screening are required.

Hours are: M-F, 4- 6:30 p.m. with occasional weekends for regattas.

Interested individuals should send their resumes to Buffalo Seminary, 205 Bidwell Parkway, Buffalo, New York 14222 Attention: Eva Cunningham, Athletic Director, or Ecunningham@buffaloseminary.org.

Young Generation No Slouches at Volunteering

Morgan Gress '08 is featured in this December 29, 2014, Associated Press story about Millennials and volunteering.

"I want to make my city where I live a better place," Morgan Gress, 24, of Washington said after sorting and hanging donated clothes with co-workers who chose to volunteer in lieu of an office holiday party. After you volunteer, she said, "You never walk away feeling you didn't have a great time, or help someone out, or learn something new."

Gress doesn't find it unusual that her employer, a hub for tech startups called 1776, encouraged workers to sort clothes at Bread for the City during office hours. Most of her friends work at companies with some sort of volunteer program, she says. Community service was required at her private high school in Buffalo, New York, like many other schools across the country. Volunteer opportunities were plentiful as a student at American University.