Our Wildwood, Volume 52

DONOR PROFILE Thanks to our generous supporters

WHEN BETSY BERENSON JOINED WILDWOOD SCHOOL IN 2017 as an administrative assistant, she had no idea she was about to embark on one of the most fulfilling chapters of her career. After years in development at another Los Angeles independent school, she found in Wildwood not just a workplace, but a community that made her feel valued, heard, and inspired every day. “I felt seen, I felt encouraged to grow,” Betsy says. “If a 60-something year-old woman at the end of her professional career could be given a place at Wildwood, and also given the tools, the permission, and the encouragement and the expectation to grow and learn to express oneself, just think what the school does for the children, who are their main focus.“ Betsy quickly became a beloved presence on campus, known for her warmth, humor, and unwavering support of both colleagues and students. Stationed at her “concierge desk” outside the theater, she was often the first friendly face people saw when visiting the middle and upper campus. “It became a gathering place,” she recalls. “Parents, teachers, and students would stop by to chat, ask questions, or just say hello. The seniors, whose hallway was right there, became my daily visitors. I always had candy on my desk, and that didn’t hurt!” Beyond her desk, Betsy found joy in the small but meaningful ways she could contribute to the school’s culture. Whether helping to plan events, ensuring board meetings felt welcoming, or working closely with the custodial staff to add thoughtful touches to school gatherings, she took pride in making people feel appreciated. “If my little dessert at a meeting made someone feel valued, then I had done my part,” she says. Meet Former Wildwood Staff Member and Friend Betsy Berenson

WILDWOOD HAS THIS WAY OF MAKING EVERY PERSON—STUDENTS AND ADULTS ALIKE—FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG. —BETSY BERENSON “”

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