Friends Recognitions
Friends School is excited to announce Jess Torbin and Annie Youngman as our new Co-Chairs of the Parent Council. Jess and Annie bring so much energy and enthusiasm to this important role and we’re confident that the Parent Council will thrive under their stewardship. You can learn more about Jess and Amy in their bios below. We’d also like to thank Erin Picone and Amy Scheff for their leadership and service over the last year and a half.
A little bit about Friends School’s Parent Council
We work to build school community by understanding parent community issues/needs and provide opportunities for connection and participation. We host events during the year, both social (happy hours, connections over coffee, small gatherings) and Parent Ed. We also support faculty and staff appreciations, by sharing gratitude with our incredible faculty and staff. If you’re interested in volunteering for Parent Council, please let Annie (Annie.youngman@gmail.com) and Jess (jtorbin@gmail.com) know. It’s a great way to get involved and meet people in our community.
Most of our upcoming events will be featured in Parent Square and on the school calendar. You can also find recent Parent Ed sessions on the BigSIS portal.
Please join Friends School in thanking Erin and Amy and welcoming Jess and Annie! Below, Jess and Annie give us some insight into their busy lives and why they volunteer at Friends.
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Personal: (kids, spouse/partner, any pets)
Jessica and her husband Drew have a daughter, Winter in Second Grade, two cats and a one-year-old German Shepherd mix.
Education/current or previous employment:
Jessica earned a B.A. from University of Colorado – Boulder, and a J.D. from University of Denver College of Law. She practiced products liability and corporate litigation.
Hobbies/Passions/special talents:
Jessica loves painting, yoga, climbing, and hiking with her dog.
Q: How did you find Friends School and why did you choose it for your child/children?
Winter and I attended Friends School Parent Tot program and loved the teachers and school philosophy. We returned to Friends for its nurturing and inspiring environment that fosters creativity and curiosity. We love that Winter is honored for being her full self at school.
Q In what ways do you volunteer at Friends?
I am a room parent and participate in Parent Council.
Q What motivates you to volunteer?
I feel tremendous gratitude for the teachers and everyone who makes Friends School a magical place. Friends School has changed our lives in remarkable ways and I love letting teachers and staff know that I am beyond grateful!
Q What book are you reading right now?
My Twenty-Five Years in Provence by Peter Mayle
Q How do you recharge?
I recharge with meditation, journaling, and reading.
Personal: (kids, spouse/partner, any pets) Annie and her husband Kirk have two kids, both at Friends. Ryan is in 4th grade and Lange is in 2nd grade. We live in Erie, and have a dog named Captain
Education/current or previous employment: Annie has a BS in Biochemistry from Trinity College, and a MS in Organic Chemistry from CSU. Annie previously worked as a medicinal and purification chemist for Merck in Pennsylvania, and locally at Corden Pharma. Currently Annie works as a Postpartum doula with Sanctuary Doulas.
Hobbies/Passions/special talents: As a family we love to ski, and do puzzles. Annie loves to bake and hike/exercise with friends in my spare time.
Q: How did you find Friends School and why did you choose it for your child/children? We found friends school because of a strong desire to keep our kids in in-person schooling through the pandemic, and through a friend who sent her children to Friends and had given it glowing reviews. We decided to stay with friends after seeing the dedication of the staff, the creativity of the curriculum, and the joy that returned to our kids from loving school!
Q In what ways do you volunteer at Friends? I am currently a room parent and a member or the parent council
Q What motivates you to volunteer? I wanted to get to know the wonderful teachers and staff and give back to a program that has given so much to us.
Q What book are you reading right now? I am currently looking for a new book! I just finished “Untamed”, and” The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I would love any suggestions 🙂
Q How do you recharge? Walks or hanging out and connecting with friends, baking (and sharing my creations) and yoga.
