Home > Newsletter > No. 26 > ARCHIVES: Class Notes

1986 (2) (March 2000 to Jan. 2009 newsletters)

Class Notes Archives


----- From January 2009 AALFNY Newsletter -----

BIRTHS/NAISSANCES:
● "Henry Palacci and Dr. Liana Palacci and their son Edward, 22 months are happy to share their joy of the arrival of Mark, born 15 January 2009 in Chicago."
● And from Astrid (Martheleur) Lyons: "September 3, 2008 had a gorgeous baby girl, Avery Fortune. Her two year old brother, Noah, is elated!"

Judith (Hoenig) Adelson wrote: "Judith and Seth are expecting their second child in early June. Their daughter Hannah is currently 17 months old. Judith continues to work part time as an booking manager, booking national tours of theatrical productions on behalf of producers."

Judith (Hoenig) Adelson wrote: "We are expecting our second child in the beginning of June. Our daughter, Hannah, is now 17 months old. I still work for the same company I've been with since retiring from dance in 2001, only now part time. I am an engagement manager, booking tours of broadway shows and other theatrical entertainment on behalf of producers."

● "Euan Rellie turned 40 and feels a little bit old and creaky. He continues to run Business Development Asia LLC (www.bdallc.com), the Asia-focused investment banking firm he co-founded in 1996. The banking environment in the 13th year of the company’s existence is not especially friendly, but BDA continues to grow – albeit with belts tightened – and is operating reasonably successfully through small offices in New York, London, Bahrain, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo. His wife Lucy Sykes is making some money designing chic children’s clothes at newly affordable price points (www.lucysykes.com) and consulting at Ralph Lauren, which helps. Son Heathcliff (5) is at school at St. Luke’s on Hudson St, and Titus (nearly 2) will soon begin at the West Village Nursery School. The family is happy, economizing in New York and Bridgehampton."

----- From July 2008 AALFNY Newsletter -----

BIRTHS/NAISSANCES: From Catherine Begin : "Mon mari Frédéric et moi avons l'immense joie d'annoncer la naissance de notre fils Guilhem le 7 mars 2007 à Paris. Nous nous émerveillons chaque jour devant les progrès de Guilhem, ses sourires et, ...son appétit gargantuesque. A trois mois, Guilhem a le format d’un bébé de 7 mois. J'ai déjà repris le chemin du travail mais compte limiter mes déplacements en province autant que possible, c’est déjà difficile de quitter mon petit garçon tous les matins. Nous sommes comblés."

Andre Christopher Heltai wrote: "I presently live in Los Angeles and have two children." (Andre Christopher is an actor, and you can see the films he played in, by clicking on the link below.)

----- From December 2007 AALFNY Newsletter -----

● Click on link below for news of Myriam Tekaia

● Click on link below for news of Nicholas Blechman

Euan Rellie wrote that he " is still managing Business Development Asia LLC, which he co-founded in 1996. The company now employs 55 professionals doing investment banking and M&A advisory work in New York, London, Bahrain, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, and Tokyo. He continues also as Chairman of Lucy Sykes New York, his wife’s children’s clothing company. Euan and Lucy live in the Meatpacking District, and spend weekends in Bridgehampton, with their sons Heathcliff (4) and Titus (8 months)."

Judith (Hoenig) Adelson wrote that she and her husband, Seth, welcomed a baby girl, Hannah Vered, on Sunday, August 19th. Hannah was named after Judy's mother in a formal name ceremony performed at Temple Israel in Great Neck, NY.

----- From June 2007 AALFNY Newsletter -----

Judith (Hoenig) Adelson and her husband Seth wrote: "We're excited to announce that we're expecting and Judy's due date is around August 16, 2007. We have decided that we don't want to know the sex! But we're enjoying everyone's predictions. We began by referring to it as 'Peanut' but have now moved onto 'Mango' which seems more appropriate given Judy's size but may need to upgrade to 'Cantaloupe' soon."

Euan Rellie wrote: "Still living in the Far West Village with my wife Lucy Sykes Rellie. Just celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary, on May 4th, 2007. Our second child, Titus Jasper Jack Icarus Rellie was born at St Vincent's Hospital, March 21st, 2007.
Lucy continues to design and sell beautiful high-end children's clothes at Bergdorf Goodman, Best & Co, Scoop etc, and online at www.lucysykes.com. I am the Chairman of her company.
I have spent the last eleven years co-founding and building Business Development Asia LLC. BDA advises Western multinationals and PE firms on mergers and acquisitions in Asia, and vice versa. We now employ 50 professionals in eight offices. All the hard work is beginning to pay off, and we have a booming client list. I attach a photograph of Heathcliff, aged 3 1/2, and Titus, aged 1 month, sleeping in April 2007."

Selcan Kirca shared this with us: "I currently live in Istanbul, Turkey with my 4 year old daughter Jasmine Papadopoulos. We recently got divorced with her father who lives in Athens. I am now teaching at the Université de Galatasaray (The only french and very prestigious University in Turkey). I teach Français Juridique and Judicial English to Senior students at the Faculty of Law. I lost my father two years ago and it as been quite an ordeal for me and my whole family but life goes on and I hope that everyone is fine. I miss you all and if you ever pass by Istanbul don't forget to call me! My computer crashed yesterday so I will try to send you a picture of myself as soon as I get my notebook back!"

Astrid (Martheleur) Lyons wrote: "Got married on 11th December 2005. Had a son, Noah Hubble Lyons, on 3rd December 2007. Started my own consulting business so that I could be at home as much as possible to raise Noah.
Loving life!"

● "Dr. Lance Brown is currently the director of Dermatologic Surgery at The Skin Institute of New York and is a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at New York University School of Medicine. After graduating from college at New York University College of Arts & Sciences, Dr. Brown remained at New York University to persue his medical degree, where he was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He subsequently completed an internship in Internal Medicine at Yale University and continued his medical training in Dermatology at the University of Miami Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, where he excelled in skin cancer surgery, and was given the University's Departmental award for "Excellence in Skin Surgery". Dr. Brown also specializes in a variety of cosmetic dermatologic procedures, including the enhancement of fine lines and wrinkles with the use of collagen, permanent implants and Botox injections." (http://www.theskininstituteofny.com/lance.html)

----- From December 2006 AALFNY Newsletter -----

WEDDINGS/MARIAGES: Judith (Hoenig) Adelson (Click on link below for further details.)

Paul Grigaux told us that "he recently accepted a position to head up one of Southern California Edison's divisions (www.edisonesi.com). Paul, Gail and their three children (Olivia, 9, Sophie, 7 and Julien, 3) now live in Mission Viejo, half way between Los Angeles and San Diego."

Constance (Choel) Cazenave wrote: "Après plus de 10 ans passés au sein du groupe Sara Lee à Paris, j'ai suivi mon mari muté a Hong Kong. Je ne travaille plus et m'occupe de notre fille!"

Mboahangisoa (Rabetafika) Andrianoasy shared this with us: "The past six months have been filled with renewed connections, beginning with a trip over Labor Day weekend to Camp Normandie (owned by Mr. and Mrs. Kasriels) by Lake Champlain in the Adirondacks. I had not been there since I was 8, and decided to head on out there with my husband Chris and son Sebastian (born in February of 2003) to show them where the summer camp was where so many lycee students passed the lazy days of their youth. I also recently bumped into Jean-Luc Pedanou ('87) on the way to work in my neighborhood and came to find out that we have been neighbors (literally 2 blocks from one another) for the past two years! He let me know that Angele Yonke ('86) called him out of the blue just a few days prior. Kadiatou Cisse ('86) (married 2 years ago), now working at Winrock in Mali, came to NY for a visit and we managed to see each other. After 20 years, there were tears of joy and tons of hugs (which my son couldn't quite understand). We dusted off the old LFNY 50th anniversary yearbook, recalled all the stories and drama moments which either involved philo or boys and couldn't believe how those times were so much less complicated than the real life of being married career women trying to juggle it all. Lastly, I got in touch with Judith Hoenig ('86) who you all know lost her mother a few weeks ago, to present my condolences. She let me know that she recently married over the summer and was happy that her mother was able to be present. Hope to be able to reconnect with many more of you!
P.S. Camp Normandie is now Normandie Beach Club for adults only as of this past summer- Mr.K would love to see more anciens du lycee, so please make a trip out there if you can."

------From February 2006 AALFNY Newsletter------

WEDDINGS/MARIAGES: Astrid (Martheleur) Lyons

Alessandra Gagliardi writes: "I was happy to host a small holiday cocktail this past December to thank those who have worked so hard on the Alumni Council with me. It was a great opportunity to spend quality time with delightful friends who share a similar interests & goals. I have had many wonderful chance encounters with alumni over the years and have been enriched by those I have met through this community. I just returned from a trip to Paris, where I met with many anciens I had previously only known via emails. I was very happy to catch up with Catherine Bégin. In my 'other lives' I am a Public Relations consultant, a sailboat racing enthusiast, a member of an inspiring wellness group called 'Instantaneous Transformation,' and a passionate Swing dancer. My first Lindy Hop performance will be at the end of May here in New York. I'm happy to announce that Angèle Yonke & J.E. Flory have volunteered to plan our 20th reunion this Spring!"

Astrid Martheleur shared this with us: "Living in London for the past two years. Working as the head of development and distribution for the launch of Liberty of London's luxury brands business. Very happy."

Jean-Gabriel Neukomm sent us this update: "I am a principal at an architectural firm in Tribeca (SPaN) that specializes in high-end residential and retail design.....We are in the process of completing the Core Club which has been an incredibly exciting project to develop and see to fruition. I am also currently working on Calvin Klein's apartment as well as a rehab of his Madison Ave store. My wife Sara Ogger is a senior officer at the New York Council for the Humanities, the state arm of the NEH.....I enjoyed the LFNY website, and would love to see if I could get in touch with various classmates."

------From June 2005 AALFNY Newsletter------

Euan Rellie wrote: "Still living in the Meatpacking district - even though it feels like a commercial for MTV Spring Break - with wife Lucy Sykes Rellie and son Heathcliff Rellie, now nearly 2......Running Business Development Asia LLC, doing cross border M&A advisory work, with 30 staff in New York, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo www.bdallc.com. I'm also Chairman of my wife's high-end children's clothes business; the clothe are stocked in Barneys, Saks, Neimans, Scoop, Selfridges, Harrods etc but you can buy online www.lucysykesbaby.com."

------From November 2004 AALFNY Newsletter------

Astrid Martheleur writes: "Hello everyone! I can't tell you how great it was to read all of your updates. While much has happened over the years, I feel that all can be summed up in a very abridged paragraph:
Since leaving the Lycee, my professional vocation has always been in fashion- specifically launching new designers to the domestic/international market. Currently, I am the VP of global sales and merchandising for Diane Von Furstenberg for the past 5 years. I recently moved to London for the company, where I met a wonderful (younger!) man. Perhaps this time a runaway-bride I will not be! I have no children-yet- but have 2 great dogs- one of which belonged to my brother Didier, who very tragically passed away in the summer of '97 at the age of 28. That having been said, times have certainly been tough. For the most part though, I feel very blessed with my life and look forward to more alumni updates!"

Lance Brown is a Dermatologist practicing in NYC.

Anne Bax writes: "After 7 years of thoroughly enjoying consulting, I decided to join the University lifestyle again (in the Continuous Education Division). The idea, of course was to recover the work-life balance that would give me more time to be with our 3-year old twins, Natalia and Julian. Living in Mexico makes it difficult to attend reunions, but I would love to hear from old Lycée Friends."

Euan Rellie wrote: " I have moved back to live in New York and married Lucy Sykes. I run an Asia-focused M&A boutique. Our first child, the likeable but absurdly named Heathcliff, was born on July 31, 2003."

------From Winter 2003/2004 AALFNY Newsletter------

Births/Naissances:
Heathcliff Felix Alastair Rellie was born to Euan Rellie '86 and wife, Lucy Sykes, on August 2nd of this year. The Rellies live in New York, where Euan is a financier and Lucy Sykes is the glamorous fashion editor of Marie Claire magazine. Their May 4th, 2002 London wedding was featured in the Valentine’s 2003 issue of Town & Country.

Marcy (Stitt) McLeod '86 writes: "On July 15,2003, my husband and I had a baby girl, 9lbs 3 ounces. Her name is Kaeli Rose and she is a terrific baby. She brings us joy every day. We are totally blissed out!"

Darius Solomon is the President of Gryphon Building and Management Corporation, a real estate and contracting company. He lives in New York with his new bride, Enez (see Marriage section.)

Thirza McAuliffe writes: “I am thrilled [that I am] successfully managing two homes and making use of that French in Chamonix where I have been wintering for five years as a ski bum.” In her non-ski-bum time, Thirza runs a garden design/installation business in New York State.

Nathalie Poux-Guillaume writes: “I'm currently working for a French consulting firm in Paris (Eurogroup - 450 consultants) in the Bank and Financial markets sector. I've been working there for almost 8 years and I'm a director there.”

Judith Hoenig shared this with us : « I've been quietly reading all the news and decided it's time to stop lurking and share my own update. Since graduating the Lycée, I danced professionally with such companies as the Joffrey Ballet, Bat-Dor Dance Co (Israel), national tour of "The Phantom of the Opera", etc. I recently retired from performing and now work for a company that general-manages Broadway shows and tours. Currently I manage the national tours of "Oklahoma!" and - if you have 2-6 year olds and you live in the US you'll probably know the shows -"Blue's Clues Live!" and "Dora the Explorer Live!" which will be coming to Radio City in April '04. I recently saw Thirza McAuliffe at her brother's wedding, George ('84). Thirza is a landscape gardener living in Woodstock, NY who spends all free time either skiing of thinking about it. This past summer I bumped into Francis Konda and we've managed to hang out a few times. He's still in the music biz --does anyone remember the band he and his brother Alain were in --"Indaba Eyes"! I'm living in Manahattan and am eager to hear from classmates.”

Catherine Bégin s’est mariée avec Frédéric Diaz, en France, le 9 août, 2003.

● We are pleased to announce the marriage of Darius Solomon '86 to Enez Paganuzzi on June 22nd, 2003. This is a New York love story: the couple met at Fordham University, both lived in New York during their courtship, and then they celebrated their wedding at the Central Park Zoo.

------From Winter 2002/2003 AALFNY Newsletter-------

Davide Traxler writes: « Wasn't it great to read words from Bubu (Mboahangisoa Rabetafika) who still remembers what great friends Lance Brown and I used to be in those happy days of childhood. Great to hear Lance is doing well too! Would love to see them both, so they could meet my wife Coco and my kids (Marta 12, Bianca 4 and Vieri 2) . I'm living in Swizerland and working for an Italian jewlery company called Bvlgari. Haven't seen anyone from the Lycée in years then I bumped into a classmate of my brother Manoli (‘80), called Coralie Turettini ‘80: she’s doing fine, lovely and smiling married and expecting!!»

------From March/April 2002 AALFNY Newsletter------

Hesham Elsafty writes: “I am working for a Canadian bank (been with them for about ten years). They posted me to Egypt about 3 1/2 years ago. I got married in Sept. ‘99 to my wife, Mona. We had our first son, Hussein, in August 2000 and our second, Abdallah, in November 2001. We have our hands full. I really have not been in touch with a lot of people from the Lycée. I saw Marc Maschino several times in New York, Cairo and Canada. Our last meeting, however, was several years ago – same goes for Leslie Acackpo and Jean-Luc Pedanou. I used to visit the U.S. very frequently. My last trip, however, was in summer 2000 (it was the first time I visited the U.S. West Coast after living in North America for over 13 years!). On my next trip to the U.S., I shall make it a point to visit New York. I'll let you know and we should have a reunion!”

Marcy (Stitt) McLeod writes : “Hey there! Marcy McLeod - formerly Marcy Brown, formerly formerly Marceline Stitt - here. Went to UCLA straight from the Lycée in 1986 and stayed in the City of Angels. Fell in love with my dreamboat in 1991, and made it legal in 1999. I teach 1st and 2nd grade in a Multi Age program at a charming school nestled in the Hollywood Hills called Wonderland Avenue Elementary School. I can't believe I can sum up so many years so succinctly. Anyway, I get pangs of nostalgia when I visit the Lycée page as a fly on the wall, so I decided to speak up finally. Does anyone know how to get in touch with Mr. Phillip Tedeschi, English teacher from years ago? Hope everyone is healthy and happy.”

Mboahangisoa (Rabetafika) Andrianoasy writes: “I have been visiting your website over the past few months and I have to say that you have done a great job at getting so many of us together again virtually. A bit of news about me. I currently run my own business importing crafts from Madagascar (MADAME) while working as Managing Director for DMOC - a freelance firm in NYC's Village. I married about five years ago to Christian Andrianoasy, a fellow malagasy whom I actually met in NYC. I hyphenate my name sometimes to throw people off into an endless spelling bee... As to former classmates...the last time I saw Davide Traxler ’86 I think I must have been 8 years old so you can imagine how overjoyed I was to read that he is doing well. Ironically I recently bumped into his old friend Lance Brown '86. Lance owns his own dermatology practice in NYC. I speak to the Vanderzyppes once in a while (Laurent '86 and wife Gwen), but we have been too busy to actually find a mutually convenient time to get together. A final footnote: our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones this holiday season; my husband used to see clients pratically everyday in those towers and ironically on 9/11 he was running five minutes late. We both view life quite differently since those attacks and hope that other people realize how precious it is."

Judith (Mlockier) Audrain kindly writes us: “I want to congratulate you on all the hard work that you are doing. I am extremely impressed by it and I realize that it must take a great amount of time to do the excellent job that you are doing. Whenever I read letters that you send or different info on the website it reminds me of the good old times” Judith lives in Forest Hills with her husband, Pierre. She is kept very busy between her family life (daughter, Mélanie, is now 16 months old!) and school. She is doing her Ph.D in Toxicology at St. John's University (from where she also got her M.S. in 1997 in Pharmacology) and keeps in touch with Catherine Bégin. Judith and Pierre plan on taking a trip to France in the summer so that friends and family can meet baby Mélanie.

------From November/December 2001 AALFNY Newsletter------

Paul Grigaux writes: "I got married in '92 to Gail, a wonderful women that I had actually met at the Underground nightclub back in my Terminale days! Gail and I now have 2 girls: Olivia, 4 yrs, and Sophie, 2 yrs. We live in Westfield, NJ and return to France regularly. I work for GPU, a multi-billion dollar energy company, as Director of Business Development, responsible for GPU's corporate venturing. I keep in touch with Gabriele Piperno '86 and Nathalie Poux-Guillaume '86. Gabriele has 3 children, 2 girls and a boy. He is married to an Italian woman, Antonella, and lives in Grenoble, France working for HP. Nathalie lives in Paris and works very hard for a consulting company, and travels quite regularly."

Davide Traxler wrote to us from Switzerland on Sept. 13, 2001: " I am married with three kids. Look forward to getting news about the alumni group when it circulates. This is certainly a moment in which New York is in the thoughts of all of us as far away as we might be."

Aurélie Jacquand is currently living in Boston. She writes: "After I left the LFNY in 85, we moved back to Paris; I studied engineering there and came back to the States in '91 to get a PhD in chemical engineering at MIT. Met my husband David there, we got married in '93, and we now have two little boys, Jerome 2 yrs and Raphael 6 months. I am on paper a "Research Assistant Professor" in the Chemical and Biological Engineering dept. at Tufts University, but I also teach classes in addition to doing research. I am not in touch with many alumni any more; the only one I really still correspond with is Tania Revault d'Allonnes '86."

Robby Amar writes: "I am happy to see this website. I am still in contact with a few friends from '86, I don't have their email since we are still communicating via Morse code (just kidding). I've lived in Los Angeles for the last 10 years and have a little boy, Cole, who just turned 6 and is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I hope you are all well and I look forward to hearing from any of my old friends (or enemies!)."

------From July/August 2001 AALFNY Newsletter------

Sebastian Fernandez is currently a dealer of antiquities (mostly Pre-Columbian) and ethnographic art; he lives in Murray Hill, here in New York City. He is still in contact with his best friend, Alain Frank '87 and would love to hear from other classmates.

Richard Folliguet travaille et habite Miami; il a deux enfants et possède sa propre boite de journaliste.
Selcan (Kirca) Papadopoulos is currently living in Athens, Greece.

Judith (Mlockier) Audrain wrote in: «Unfortunately I won't be able to attend [the Alumni Cocktail] because I don't have anyone to look over my baby daughter. Her name is Melanie and she is going to be 9 months old a week from today. She was born on September 8th, 2000. I hope you have a great time and that lots of people do show up. Say Hi to everyone from the 1986 Promo for me! Judith»

------From February/March 2001 AALFNY Newsletter------

Jean-Emmanuel Flory nous envoie de ses nouvelles de Paris: «Grâce à vos initiatives, j'ai pu reprendre contact par email avec des "lost friends" de la promo '86. Vivant en France et près de Paris, j'ai retrouvé après 17 ans, le 14 septembre dernier, [name removed upon request] et Nathalie Poux-Guillaume. Dès que l'on s'est vu, l'on s'est reconnu tout de suite; c'était un réel moment de joie, de connivence et de 17 ans d'histoires à raconter. Profitant du passage à Paris de Paul Grigaux, de son épouse et de leurs deux petites filles, quelques jours après, j' ai eu tout autant de plaisir à les voir. J'espère renouer ces bons moments de retrouvailles, et je lance un appel à ceux et celles de la promo qui vivent en France où en Europe, pour reprendre contact et fêter ça.»

Marie-Noelle (Colas) Pierce, recently married to John Pierce, is currently living in New York and working in the Marketing Department of Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, where she specializes in historic preservation and restoration.

------From November/December 2000 AALFNY Newsletter------

Thirza McAuliffe has been living in Woodstock, N.Y. for the last 9 years. She owns her own garden design, installation, and landscaping business. Her specialty is large flower gardens. Thirza spends the winter months in Chamonix, France snowboarding.

Laurence (Quéré) Michelet spent a whirlwind week in New York this summer, where she stayed with old chum Alessandra Gagliardi. Laurence marveled at the many changes in New York and compared it to her native Bretagne where she lives with her two adorable girls and works as an administrator for the superstore, Michel Caugant.

Ariane Waldvogel travaille à la Mission permanente Suisse d'observation auprès des Nations Unies à New York. Elle travaille essentiellement dans le domaine du développement et de la coopération.

------From March 2000 AALFNY Newsletter------

MARIAGES et FIANÇAILLES: Congratulations to Marc Maschino ’86 on his marriage to Susan Savage. Classmate Alessandra Gagliardi ’86 attended the wedding, which took place April 22nd, in Canada.







Euan Rellie family: Fall in Sagaponack, and Euan and Titus Rellie: Winter in Bridgehampton
Euan Rellie family: Fall in Sagaponack, and Euan and Titus Rellie: Winter in Bridgehampton

TOP: Angèle-Marie Yonke ('86); MIDDLE: Kadiatou Cisse ('86) (left) & Mboahangisoa (Rabetafika) Andrianoasy ('86); BOTTOM: Vaness
TOP: Angèle-Marie Yonke ('86); MIDDLE: Kadiatou Cisse ('86) (left) & Mboahangisoa (Rabetafika) Andrianoasy ('86); BOTTOM: Vaness
TOP: Alessandra Gagliardi ('86); MIDDLE:  Dr. Lance Brown ('86); BOTTOM: Stephane Naudin ('86)
TOP: Alessandra Gagliardi ('86); MIDDLE: Dr. Lance Brown ('86); BOTTOM: Stephane Naudin ('86)
TOP, Left to right: Gloria Tulliu ('73), Letitia Orti ('86), Alessandra Gagliardi ('86); MIDDLE: Myriam Tekaia ('86); BOTTOM: Judith (Hoenig) Adelson
TOP, Left to right: Gloria Tulliu ('73), Letitia Orti ('86), Alessandra Gagliardi ('86); MIDDLE: Myriam Tekaia ('86); BOTTOM: Judith (Hoenig) Adelson
TOP: André Christopher Heltai ('86); BOTTOM: Catherine Bégin ('86) et son fils Guilhem
TOP: André Christopher Heltai ('86); BOTTOM: Catherine Bégin ('86) et son fils Guilhem