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Why I Give

Simi Kaplin Baer '91

The decision to send my children to Germantown Academy was a no-brainier. I consider my GA education one of the greatest gifts that my parents ever gave me. GA not only prepared me for the rigors of college academics, but also shaped who I am as a person. The interpersonal and communication skills, particularly in writing, have served me throughout my academic and professional career. GA also taught me the importance and rewards of being an involved member of your community.

At the heart of it, my husband Marc and I made the commitment to GA to give our children not only the greatest chance to succeed in life, but also, in my opinion, the greatest, most interesting, most well rounded, journey to graduation.

The question of why we make a financial commitment beyond tuition is a little different.

For us, support of the Annual Fund boils down to two things:

It is an acknowledgment of our support of and gratitude to the teachers. Teachers who could probably make more at a public school and would undoubtedly be working towards the security of tenure; teachers who do not forget their students; and students who do not forget their teachers even long after they have graduated. The impact that Germantown Academy faculty has on its students is long-lasting.

Nearly 26% of GA students receive some financial assistance. It is our hope, that our gift, no matter what size, will enable another family to give their children the gift of education that we are all giving to ours.

Karen and Alec McCurdy: “Sending the kids to Germantown Academy was one of our best decisions..."

“Sending the kids to Germantown Academy was one of our best decisions. At GA, Brett '05 and Nikki '07 developed into independent, self motivated, and thoughtful individuals who gracefully face life’s challenges. Brett and Nikki are a part of the living history of GA, members of a community existing from 1759 through today. By giving back, it is our wish that GA prospers for centuries to come.”  

~Karen and Alec McCurdy
Parent of Alumni

June Peggs: "There are so many reasons why my family and I support the Germantown Academy Annual Fund..."

There are so many reasons why my family and I support the Germantown Academy Annual Fund, but I will offer only two now.

For us, the Annual Fund is the way we remain connected to the GA community. Sitting on Rev. Keith William’s Diversity Council was an enriching experience for my husband and I, but GA provided my children with the instruction to grow intellectually, creatively, socially, and academically.

Giving to the Annual Fund is a way for us to say Thank You for the sown seeds planted by GA. An investment from that staff and faculty that has yielded high moral character, a love of reading, global awareness and critical thinking and reasoning skills from our children: Michael '04 and Camille Peggs '07.

~June Peggs

Amy Gowing '11: "I give to the Annual Fund in an attempt to express my thanks"

As a recent graduate of the Academy, I can’t give much in the way of a donation to the Annual Fund. So many people might wonder why I bother to give at all.

I give to the Annual Fund in an attempt to express my thanks for all that GA has given to me. The caring, compassionate faculty and devoted staff members work hard to give the students the best possible experience. The wide variety of extracurricular activities gives every student a chance to broaden their horizons and take on leadership opportunities, no matter what his or her interest might be. All of these opportunities helped make me well prepared for college, and I expect life beyond.

I also give to the Annual Fund because...READ MORE.

~Amy Gowing '11

Gail and Bill Beardsley GP '11 and '13 : "Good education should be a top priority..."

Good education should be a top priority for our world. In appreciation for the outstanding opportunity the GA experience has provided for our grandchildren, we are proud to participate in the Annual Fund. We are so thankful for the support of the GA community toward our son and his family.

~Gail and Bill Beardsley GP ’11 and ’13

Leslie Burrell: "This is why I give..."

On my way to pick my son up from SPARK, I contemplated a response to “Why do I give to the GA Annual Fund?”

I came up with the usual realm of responses: It’s based on personal beliefs, it’s important, it’s my responsibility because of what GA gives to my child educationally and socially, etc.

Then I got it. As I picked my son up from school, his eyes were full of excitement and his words poured out about the day’s events. I thought, “This is why I give." READ MORE.

~Leslie Burrell P ’24

The Scordis Family: "We give as a way to say thank you..."

"We give to the annual fund because it feels good. We give as a way to say thank you and show our appreciation to all the teachers and administrators for the good they are doing for our child. Our giving benefits all the children in this GA neighborhood, including ours; it is our part in creating the larger community."

~Frances, Nicos and Camille Scordis

The Rueters: "I know how critical the success of the Annual Fund is to the school..."

"Our family joined the GA family almost two years ago when our older sons, Tom and Tim, entered the Class of 2013. We are very pleased with the education, and overall experience Tim and Tom have had at GA. They love the school, especially the outstanding and caring teachers and staff, and the friends they have made while in school. Tim and Tom have shared their love for the school with their younger brothers, and soon James and Matthew will become fellow Patriots when they enter 9th grade at GA this Fall. We recognized that the tuition does not fully cover the costs of running an outstanding institution like GA, with its many academic and extracurricular programs. We therefore know that we must contribute to the Annual Fund, which is used to offset the tuition deficiencies. I am a volunteer for the Annual Fund, because I know how critical the success of the Annual Fund is to the school."

~Kitty, Tom, Tim, Tom, James and Matthew Rueter

The MacGregors: "We feel it is our responsibility to participate in the Annual Fund..."

“It has been our privilege to be a part of the GA community for many years. The exceptional education, faculty support and lasting friendships the school provided benefited our children and now our grandchildren. To ensure GA’s ability to offer students a unique learning environment, we feel it is our responsibility to participate in the Annual Fund. We have truly enjoyed watching GA evolve throughout the years and look forward to the next chapter.”

~Jack MacGregor 1760 and Linda MacGregor
P ’88, ’92 & ’93 and GP ’19, ’21 & ’23

Art Sweeney '69: "Three generations tells you we believe in the things that Germantown Academy offers..."

Last November, my wife and I attended a celebration for Germantown Academy’s 250th anniversary, which coincided with my class’s reunion. This also happened in tandem with reunion year celebrations for my daughter’s and son’s GA classes. I am sure that they were just thrilled by the idea of being able to celebrate with Mom and Dad at GA. It must have just been a coincidence that I didn’t see them at all that night! Clearly, GA has been a long-time family tradition, and it continues to grow with my first two grandchildren, Lily 2019 and Graham 2022, who now attend the Lower School.

Three generations tells you we believe...READ MORE.

~ Art Sweeney '69

Jennifer Rotzell Bucci '97: "Giving to the Annual Fund is just one small way that I can give back..."

“I consider myself to be one of a lucky few who have had the opportunity to experience Germantown Academy from all angles. I spent twelve years on campus as a student, ten summers working at GA Day Camp, five years as a Lower School faculty member, and am currently two years into my new role as a GA parent as my son Jack attends the GA daycare. GA has pretty much been a daily part of my life since 1985. It is my home away from home, my extended family. I am who I am because of everything I learned at GA—both inside and outside of the classroom. I know that for GA to continue to provide our children with opportunities on the forefront of educational and technological advancements, the school relies upon gifts like mine to the Annual Fund. Giving to the Annual Fund is just one small way that I can give back.”

~Jennifer Rotzell Bucci ‘97