Columbus Academy alumnus Andy Kuss ’99 is featured with his wife, Dr. Meghna Mahambrey, on the cover of this month’s issue of Northwest Columbus City Lifestyle Magazine! Their company, SPARK, is located in Worthington and “helps couples build that happy, healthy love life they long for, uncovering the inner-workings of their clients’ relationships and exploring the roots of couple’s attitudes and behaviors,” according to the accompanying article.

Andy is the youngest of four children of former lower school faculty member Annette Kuss, who retired in 2011 after teaching first grade and mostly fourth grade during her 25-year tenure at Academy. Annette also helped coach upper school tennis and golf and was the 2017 recipient of Columbus Academy’s Alumni Service Award.

For more alumni press clips, click on the following links:

• Jay Baker '69
• Edward Stern '88
• Jim Merkel '92
• Michael Ehrenfried '00
• Mandy Mallott '03
• Avishar Barua '05
• Alex Marchetti '08
• Luke Nester '21
• Zach White '22
• Charlie Heywood '23
• Stan Katz '50 (obituary)
• Tyler Hockman '93 (obituary)

If you have clips (either in print or on the web) to pass along for future issues, please send them to info@columbusacademy.org.

In celebration of Black History Month, we are highlighting Black alumni from Columbus Academy who have recently been recognized for either personal or professional efforts!

So far we have introduced the following alumni:



Brian Brooks '87 - President and co-owner of E.E. Ward Moving & Storage Co. E.E. Ward, the longest continuously operating Black-owned business in the United States, was featured earlier this month in a news segment on CBS17 in North Carolina as the company celebrated its 144th year.

Comfort Owusu-Ansah '98 - Owner and head photographer at Comfort Photography. Comfort will be taking the cover shots for the upcoming spring issue of Academy's magazine, THRIVE, which is already in production and slated to hit mailboxes in May.

David Hamlar MD, DDS '73 - Assistant professor at University of Minnesota School of Medicine and team physician for professional sports teams the Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Timberwolves and recipient of our 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Courtney Deena '13 - Coordinator for industry growth fund and community development for the National Hockey League, lead project manager for NHL STREET and co-chair for the Hockey in Color employee resource group.

We look forward to sharing our final two featured alumni in next month's newsletter! You can also click here to replay the "Threads of Culture" fashion show put on by BOS, our Black Organization of Students in the Upper School, earlier this month.

Don't miss your chance to join our inaugural pickleball outing this Saturday, February 22, from noon to 3:00pm, at Pickle & Chill! Join fellow alumni from all generations for a fun, active day, with three hours of open play on six indoor courts. A professional instructor will also be available for anyone who wants to learn the basics and join in on the fun. 

Registration is $60 per person and includes:

• Three hours of open play
• Loaner pickleball paddles and balls 
• Optional pickleball instruction by a Pickle & Chill professional 
• Light meal (sandwich, chips and bottled sports drink/water)
• Cash bar for guests aged 21 and older

This private event will give alumni the opportunity to reconnect with each other, as well as with faculty and staff, in a relaxed, social and athletic setting. Click the button below to register yourself and any additional guests.

This month's Viking Vantage highlights Blythe Coons ’97. After graduating from Columbus Academy, Blythe earned a B.A. in English while playing field hockey at Haverford College. She later pursued a M.F.A. in acting at Rutgers University, concurrently earning a M.A. in English literature from Middlebury College. Following her work with various regional theater companies along the East Coast, Blythe returned to Columbus in 2016 to join Spillman Company. Most recently, she became the executive speech and communication coach at Articulation, Inc., where she recently co-authored the book, “The Motivated Speaker: Six Principles to Unlock Your Communication Potential.” She is also a member of our Alumni Board and serves as board chair for The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio.

Blythe’s family has a longstanding legacy at Academy, beginning with her father Ted ’68, followed by her uncles Richard ’72 and Rex ’74, brother Ted ’94 and sister Margaret ’10.

Click here to learn more about Blythe's story.