trevordayschool

Celebrating Decades of Service Norma Ayala, East Campus Receptionist by Sophia Schrager '12 Mrs. Ayala is the heart and soul of Trevor Day School. From the moment I walked through the doors on that first Tuesday morning of September 2006, there was something about her that instantly let me know she was a force of nature not to be messed with. She was the first person to greet me; little did I know then that she would come to mean so much to me. As the years went on, our conversations drifted away from how often I lost my ID cards to more personal topics—such as her family, more specifically her spitfire of a mother and her gorgeous brand-new granddaughter, Sophia. I slowly got to know the woman behind the desk, and she transformed from just the eyes and ears of the school into an incredibly strong force in my life. Her passion for her job and for our community almost rivaled her passion for cleaning her desk—almost. I'm not going to say "good luck" because this isn't goodbye. However, I do say, "Congratulations, Mrs. Ayala. Your career and commitment to each and every one of us at Trevor is exemplary and inspirational. I know I speak for all of us when I say thank you, we love you, and will miss you dearly!" Susan Powers, Co-Director, College Counseling by Adam Exline, Co-Director, College Counseling Susan Powers is all about kids. In her more than 40 years with Trevor as a parent and administrator, students have been at the heart of everything Susan has done. At the inception of Trevor's first Upper School, Susan created our college counseling office, and ensured students were at the center of the process, a hallmark that has been crucial to the success of thousands of students who, with her support, have navigated the path to college. Susan has been instrumental in the development of the department's mission, vision, and curriculum. Her strong relationships with colleges and universities around the world have benefited Trevor incalculably. e depth of Susan's knowledge of college programs and her innate ability to help students find their match with an institution is virtually peerless in the New York independent school community. In addition to college counseling, Susan has advised the Student Council, supporting students in their efforts to shape their Trevor experience and affect change throughout the school. e chance to support students' growth as they navigate the changing challenges of leadership has been a favorite pastime, according to Susan. For many years, she helped to oversee the production of the Middle and Upper School yearbooks, highlighting the work and wonderful ideas of so many students. She has collaborated with an all-star team of Trevor faculty and staff to plan and execute each of Trevor's graduation ceremonies. With flexibility and vision, Susan has seamlessly balanced the importance of Trevor's history with her excitement for its future. She will be greatly missed. 0 7 T R E V O R D AY S C H O O L n S U M M E R 2 0 2 0 – 2 0 2 1

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