Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/615432
Over a span of four decades, Marilyn has made a tremendous impact on so many students, families and teachers in the Chicago area. People are drawn to her visionary and forward thinking, her calmness in difficult moments and her creativity. She has left an important legacy at Latin in making sure that the school reaches out to all kinds of learners in its community." – Lara Frohlich, lower school learning specialist 39 YEARS OF SERVICE + In 1976, Freund was hired as Latin School's first study skills teacher to provide support for middle school students who were struggling academically. Freund pushed to start a learning resources program in the lower school because she found that many of her middle school students appeared to have undiagnosed learning differences and she understood the importance of early intervention. + Freund has an artistic side, spending free moments working on various projects, from knitting to silver/gold leafing dishes to painting glass objects as well as doing some design work. + Her not-so secret indulgence? Chocolate. She enjoys baking and sampling desserts, but they must include chocolate. Her favorites to make include German chocolate cheesecake, brownies and chocolate chip cookies. + Freund is full of plans for retirement. Top of her list are travel, volunteering and fundraising for the causes that are important to her, and continuing to work with children. "It's a passion and I can't imagine giving it up totally." MARILYN FREUND LOWER SCHOOL LEARNING SPECIALIST FAREWELLS: Latin's 2015 Retirees 17 + Vlazney has an uncanny ability to remember names. Throughout her years at the lower school's reception desk, she could be depended upon to greet any child, parent or faculty member by name. + Always ready for an adventure, Vlazney loves to travel. Recently, she enjoyed her first zip-lining experience while on a cruise in Puerto Rico. She says her favorite trip was to Morocco. + Although at one time she dreamed of becoming a flight attendant, Vlazney's love for children brought her to Latin and kept her here: "Watching the children as they grow has been one of the best parts of my job. When they start in JK, they are too small to see over the ledge of the reception area. I think they are always surprised when they can see over the ledge and into the office." + Vlazney is a devoted grandmother and looks forward to spending more time with her family in retirement. She also loves to read and says she may go back to stained-glass making, a craft she took up when her children were young. CHERYL VLAZNEY LOWER SCHOOL RECEPTIONIST Cheryl is probably the nicest person to ever work at Latin. She would stop whatever she was doing to help a student, parent or faculty member with just about anything. No matter what the request was, she handled it with grace and a smile." – Pauline Brakebill, lower school assistant 25 YEARS OF SERVICE News & Notes Latin Magazine » Fall 2015