Our Wildwood, Volume 53

upper school herself. “We weren’t the wealthiest family in the room,” she says, “but we believed in the vision and felt it was important to support what Wildwood was building in any way that we could.” Their support hasn’t wavered for nearly 30 years. More than a decade after Spencer graduated, Anne and Wayne continue to give each year—now in honor of Stephanie, whose mentorship had a lasting impact on Spencer’s life. “For us, giving is a reflection of our values,” Anne says. “Wildwood gave our child a place to grow, to be seen, to become who he is. That’s not something every family gets—and we feel an immense sense of gratitude.” Wayne adds, “It’s simple,” if you have the means, you share. You give in alignment with what matters most to you.” Looking back, Anne and Wayne are proud of the decision they made to trust Wildwood—through its evolution, experiments, and growing pains. “We believed in the process,” Anne says, “and we saw the results. Spencer walked away with deep friendships, meaningful experiences, and a sense of self that has stayed with him. That’s a gift.”

OWW SUMMER 2025

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