A Day to Remember: Grandparents Step into Westminster Life

More than 250 grandparents arrived on campus bright and early on Sept. 27 for Grandparents Day, eager to start the morning by attending classes with their grandchildren. After a warm welcome by Head of School Elaine White in Armour Academic Center, they headed off to classes with their grandchildren leading the way. Some of them learned about the origin of black holes in an astronomy class held in the Class of 1957 Planetarium, others rolled up their sleeves and got creative in art class, and some just enjoyed listening to their grandchild speak French in class. 

Throughout the day, grandparents toured the campus, often locking arms with their grandchildren as they strolled the pathways. They had their portraits taken with their grandchildren, enjoyed lunch in Armstrong Dining Hall, participated in the Chapel program, and attended athletic contests in the afternoon. By the end of the day, they had a full snapshot of what student life at Westminster was like.

For some, the Westminster experience is a familiar one. Bill and Elizabeth Ghriskey GP ’22 ’26 from Greenwich, Conn., were savoring their eighth Grandparents Day with grandson Reed Ghriskey ’26. “The best part about returning to Westminster is seeing Reed in the classroom and watching him interact with his teachers,” said Elizabeth.

Owen Burke ’26 welcomed his grandmother Darlene Longo GP ’25, ’26 from Stratford, Conn., for her third Grandparents Day. Owen enjoys “being able to take her around to classes, have lunch with her, and spend quality time together.” 

Kerry and Kathleen Fraser GP ’29 of Marlton, N.J. came to Williams Hill via Barcelona, Spain, to spend time with granddaughter Kiera Dumas ’29. It was their first time on campus and Kerry shared that “Campus looks spectacular! We’re so excited about being here to see that it’s the right place academically and athletically for Kiera to develop all the skills she possesses.” Kathleen added, “We are looking forward to seeing her classes, what she’s doing, and catching up with her.” 

Maya Goddard ’26 felt gratitude for the opportunity “to hang out with my Mimi all day.” Her “Mimi”, Carol Denis GP ’26 from Manchester, Conn., looked forward to “being with my granddaughter and spending time with her friends.”

Grandmother Jill Christensen GP ’28 from Palo Alto, Calif., had not visited Westminster’s campus since she was a student at Ethel Walker School and had come to Williams Hill for a dance. She encouraged grandson Henry Brooks ’28 to “Take advantage of every opportunity you have here. It’s an amazing school and you have so many more opportunities here than I ever did in school.”

Whether they were visiting Westminster for the first time or returning to Williams Hill, there was no question grandparents were thrilled to be at the center of their grandchildren’s world for the day.