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From the Archives: 2010s

The 2010s were a decade of rapid technological growth, social movements and political shifts. Smartphones, social media apps and streaming services reshaped communication and entertainment; AI and cryptocurrencies gained traction; and space travel and electric vehicles advanced. Politically, the Arab Spring, Brexit and the 2016 U.S. presidential elections defined global tensions. The U.S. saw milestones like Osama bin Laden’s death and the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Socially, Black Lives Matter and Me Too reshaped conversations on racial justice and gender equality, while climate activism gained momentum. In sports, stars like Usain Bolt, Simone Biles and Michael Phelps dominated, and Germany and France won the World Cup in 2014 and 2018 respectively. Scientific breakthroughs advanced genetics, while global health faced Ebola and the emergence of COVID-19, setting the stage for a defining crisis in the next decade.

At SYA, we opened summer programs at our campuses in Spain, France and Italy. SYA Spain dedicated its permananent home in Zaragoza, Casa Foster 64 and SYA Japan opened. Former First Lady Michelle Obama made an historic visit to SYA China. Woody Halsey retired after 31 years with SYA and a scholarship in his honor was established.

SYA Kaleidoscope: Reflecting on 60 Years
First Lady Michelle Obama visits SYA China

Key Moments

2010

  • SYA Summer programs open in Rennes and Zaragoza.
  • SYA opens an exploratory program in 2010 in Ichinomiya, Japan, with Resident Director Mika Fukutomi
  • The alumni body welcomes 67 students from SYA Spain, 67 from SYA France, 56 from SYA China, 57 from SYA Italy and 16 from SYA Vietnam.

2011

  • Woody Halsey retires after 31 years with SYA. After an international search the Board of Trustees appoints John E. Creeden as SYA’s second president.
  • SYA’s first named scholarship endowment fund, The Halsey Fund, is established with a lead $1 million gift and generous support from SYA alumni and parents.
  • SYA Summer Italy opens in Viterbo.
  • The alumni body welcomes 64 students from SYA Spain, 68 from SYA France, 48 from SYA China, 47 from SYA Italy, 14 from SYA Vietnam and 25 from SYA Japan.

2012

  • SYA dedicates Casa Foster 64, a permanent home for SYA Spain in Zaragoza after raising over $2.5 million from alumni and parents.
  • The alumni body welcomes 68 students from SYA Spain, 66 from SYA France, 55 from SYA China, 60 from SYA Italy and 15 from SYA Vietnam.

2013

  • The alumni body welcomes 71 students from SYA Spain, 61 from SYA France, 63 from SYA China and 68 from SYA Italy.
  • The Board of Trustees suspends operations in Hanoi.

2014

  • In March 2014, SYA China celebrates its 20th anniversary in Beijing. First Lady Michelle Obama visits SYA during her inaugural visit to China.
  • Eileen Kelly-Aguirre appointed as SYA’s first female Executive Director.
  • The alumni body welcomes 65 students from SYA Spain, 66 from SYA France, 37 from SYA China and 55 from SYA Italy.

2015

  • SYA celebrates 50 years of inspiring 7,500 global thinkers with a multi-day event in Boston.
  • Thomas E. Hassan, former principal of Phillips Exeter Academy, is named the third president of SYA.
  • The alumni body welcomes 70 students from SYA Spain, 67 from SYA France, 43 from SYA China and 54 from SYA Italy.

2016

  • The alumni body welcomes 70 students from SYA Spain, 70 from SYA France, 45 from SYA China and 54 from SYA Italy.

2017

  • SYA France celebrates its 50th anniversary with a three-day celebration in Rennes welcoming more than 450 guests.
  • The alumni body welcomes 70 students from SYA Spain, 57 from SYA France, 33 from SYA China and 37 from SYA Italy.

2018

  • The alumni body welcomes 68 students from SYA Spain, 57 from SYA France, 32 from SYA China and 45 from SYA Italy.

2019

  • The alumni body welcomes 62 students from SYA Spain, 51 from SYA France, 35 from SYA China and 44 from SYA Italy.

Leadership in the 2010s

President:
2007–2011   Woody Halsey
2011–2016     John E. Creeden
2016–                Thomas E. Hassan

Executive Directors: 
2007–2014     Nelson Chase
2014–2017      Eileen Kelly-Aguirre

Head of Schools and Programs
2017–2021      Aric Visser

SYA Spain Resident Directors:
2002–2011     Griffin Morse 
2011–2012     John Rosen
2012–2014     Griffin Morse
2014–2017      Virginia Invernizzi
2017–2018      Eileen Kelly-Aguirre
2018–2022      Meghan Lewis Roof

SYA France Resident Directors:
2007–2017      Denis Brochu
2017–2018      Elizabeth Evans
2018–                  Mina Mostamandy Qadir

SYA China Resident Directors:
2008–2010     Jeffrey Bissell
2010–2011      Frances Fremont-Smith
2011–2017      Hilde Becker
2017–2020      John McLoughlin

SYA Italy Resident Directors:
2001–2004    Jeffrey Bradley 
2004–2005    Peter Esty 
2005–2015    Patrick Scanlon
2015–2016     Bradley C. Park
2016–                 Patrick Scanlon

SYA Vietnam Resident Directors:
2009–2010     Peter Esty
2010–2012     Vu-Duc Vuong

SYA Japan Resident Director:
2010–2011    Mika Fukutomi

Welcome New Member Schools

2011
The Packer Collegiate School
San Francisco University High School
The Spence School
St. Albans School
St. Mark's School
Westminster School (CT)

2012     
Trinity School

2016
The Lawrencevile School

2017
The Potomac School

2018
Georgetown Day School

Flashback to the 2010s

Can you spot yourself or your classmates? Do you have photos to share? Email the alumni office if you have photos to share and please include a caption.