Distinguished Alumni Honored for Achievements

Five distinguished alumni were honored for their outstanding achievements Saturday evening during the 2016 Alumni Achievement Awards, an event that celebrated the Hamden Hall experience.

Joyce Olson Resnikoff 1955, the developer and co-owner of Olde Mistick Village; Jordan Hadelman 1972, the founding chairman of executive search firm Witt/Kieffer; nonprofit executive Darchelle Garner 1979; Dr. Sanda Lujic Tomak 1989, a partner and surgeon with Connecticut Orthopaedic Specialists; and Lou Mangini 1995, the congressional aide to U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, were recognized during the school’s fourth such ceremony.

“It’s always great to have our alumni back home,” said Head of School Bob Izzo, who kicked off the evening by greeting alumni, current and past parents and faculty, grandparents, and friends. “Our alumni are part of Hamden Hall’s rich heritage.”

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro was the first presenter – presenting to her aide of nearly 15 years, Lou Mangini.

“This is a beautiful family, that’s what Hamden Hall is all about,” said the Congresswoman. “This is a place where students are prepared for more than academic excellence. They are challenged.”

Lou had some fun pointing out his various friends and colleagues (many of them Hamden Hall alums!) who were in attendance to support him and told an anecdote or two about his time under the pines.

“The best thing about Hamden Hall were the lessons that you learned by being here,” he said.

Former administrator Kathie Harris presented to Dr. Sanda Lujic Tomak, noting that she’s known the standout surgeon since her first day on campus as a prekindergartner. Mrs. Harris was Sanda’s PreKindergarten teacher.

“We used to sing every day in class,” she told the audience before breaking into the Big Blue Frog song, much to everyone’s delight.

In accepting her award, Sanda maintained that she remembered the song and treasured her 32-year friendship with Mrs. Harris.

“The common denominator tonight is our Hamden Hall community,” said Sanda. “Hamden Hall has taught me and you that you can’t climb in life if you don’t risk a fall. In my case, 11 current family members are part of the Hamden Hall community.”

Alumna Janet Parker of the Class of 1979 presented to her “childhood friend” Darchelle Garner. She described the campus in the ‘70s as “quaint.”

“There was a spirited commitment to academic achievement that I believe extends to this day,” she said.

Darchelle explained that she had spent 10 of her first 17 years at Hamden Hall and noted that the acceptance she received from her classmates and faculty became the springboard for her life.

“Hamden Hall is a progressive school. We were always doing and learning – so much more than my counterparts at other schools,” said Darchelle.

Former Alumni Achievement recipient Jill Medvedow 1972 turned the tables on her close friend Jordan Hadelman. Jordan had presented Jill’s award to her in 2011 – the inaugural year for the Alumni Achievement Awards.

“I’m thrilled to add a new chapter to our history at Hamden Hall,” she told Jordan, with whom she’s been friends for 44 years.

Jordan touted his 50-year relationship with Hamden Hall, at which he arrived in 1966 at the start of seventh grade.

“Great institutions don’t happen by accident,” he said. “The Hamden Hall family is a second family. I don’t think there’s a better investment.”

The final recipient of the evening was Joyce Olson Resnikoff, who was presented her award (which was actually a lamp bearing the Hamden Hall logo) by Ann Hettick. Ann filled in for her fiancé, Joyce’s son Chris Regan, who was called away due to a family illness.

“She is like a mother to me,” said Ann of Joyce, whose twin brother and fellow Hamden Hall classmate, Jerry Olson, was in attendance.

“I came here in the ‘40s and I started in the fourth grade with my brother Jerry,” she said. “Hamden Hall was a second home. It was a smaller school, but it had such a warm feeling. It was a family and it has always stayed with me. I have always talked about my experiences here.”

Mr. Izzo concluded the evening by reading the plaque inscribed with the honorees’ names, which will be hung in the Alumni Rotunda in the Beckerman Athletic Center.