Beyond Humbling

Chances are that it was the shortest meeting on record because the recipients of the 2023 honors were obvious to pretty much everyone except, well, the recipients themselves.

 

It was up to Jasmine Turner ’11, the Alumni Association president, to notify them that they were, now and forever, among their alma mater’s crème de la crème and would be honored Sept. 29 at a ceremony in the Craigie Board Room of the Sharp Academic Commons.

 

She was met in both cases with incredulity.

 

“Truly, I laughed out loud,” said Kate Fleming Parthemos ’71 when told that she would receive the Alex Smith Alumni Service Award. “I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ Jasmine laughed and said, ‘No, I’m not kidding.’”

 

Toby Desch ’06, who was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award, reacted with surprise as well.

 

“I never thought I’d even be nominated for an award like this,” he said. “It’s beyond humbling to actually be honored with it. Collegiate had such a profound impact on my life, and to think that I’m a distinguished alum makes me chuckle. While academics were never my strong suit, Collegiate gave me the tools that have propelled me to be successful in life. This is quite the full circle moment for me.”

 

For Kate Parthemos, humble service with a smile and a positive, can-do attitude has always been about paying forward the gifts she received on her life’s journey.

 

The eldest of six siblings, all of whom are Collegiate lifers, she returned to her alma mater in 1992 and never left, although she technically retired following the 2022 school year.

 

During her 30 years on North Mooreland Road, she worked first as the receptionist in the Lower School, then as the manager of the Cougar Shop, and for her last 13 years as fine arts assistant based in the Hershey Center. There, she supported the performing arts and, over time, all arts-related endeavors, and all who encountered her immediately noticed her beaming countenance and helpful hand.

 

That said, she performed much of her work well behind the scenes, both literally and figuratively, which is exactly the way she preferred it.

 

With her legendary organizational skills and willingness to undertake even the most mundane task, she coordinated facility use with Collegiate faculty and staff as well as outside organizations, scheduled events, served as box office manager, marked seats in Oates Theater, schlepped equipment to the Grover Jones Field for school-wide events, sewed costumes for plays, and on and on and on.

 

In retirement, she’s been no less busy and, like many retirees, wonders when she actually had time to work. In addition to assisting with Pageant and Commencement, she’s dedicated much of her energy to serving the underserved through the food pantry at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

 

Anyone who has even a passing acquaintance with Toby Desch knows that he’s possessed of a strong social conscience and a heart of gold.

 

In June 2014, he left his position as Collegiate's Upper School Student Life Coordinator and undefeated JV football coach to found UP RVA, a non-profit organization supporting students in Richmond's East End in their quest to attend local independent schools.

 

To say that his move was an enormous leap of faith is an understatement.

 

The first year, UP RVA, operating with a budget of $100,000, placed seven 9th grade students in four schools.

 

Through his care, compassion, empathy, and unwavering enthusiasm, his creation gained support and momentum and began to grow in ways that he could hardly have imagined.

 

In addition to providing transportation, meals, an after-school program, and essentials not covered by scholarships and financial aid, UP RVA provided social and emotional advocacy for the young men and women and their families who became part of its tight-knit extended family. 

 

When he stepped down in June to become the organization's director of development, UP RVA, his masterpiece whose “UP” stands for “Unlimited Potential” and whose budget is $1.1 million, had 30 students currently enrolled in five schools including Collegiate and 19 of its graduates attending 14 different colleges.

 

Toby has left an indelible mark on UP RVA families. Now, he’ll carry his life experience, expertise, and dedication to serving the underserved to his new role as Director of Community Relations and Redevelopment for Church Hill North Holdings, an organization whose altruistic, humanitarian mission is to bring greatly needed resources to Richmond’s East End.

~Weldon Bradshaw