Rick Banks and Sarah W. O’Brien were presented with the 2023 Cronshaw Family Distinguished Alumni Award at a recent past parent event at Crane Country Day School.

Sarah W. O’Brien and Rick Banks step up to the podium to receive their awards. (Courtesy photo)
Sarah W. O’Brien and Rick Banks recognized for their long service to Crane School. (Courtesy photo)

The award, presented in memory of former Crane teachers Peter and Margery Cronshaw, is given to a Crane alumnus or alumna who has made a significant accomplishment in the field of their endeavor to include career, special interest, community leadership, or volunteer service.

This year’s recipients were honored for giving countless hours of service to Crane School.

Banks (’62), was recognized for serving more than 20 years on the finance and investment committees, as well as on the Board of Trustees as treasurer for a number of years and president for two years.

O’Brien (’82), served as a volunteer for over a decade while her two sons attended Crane. O’Brien served on assorted school committees including as development committee advisor and an annual fund representative. Her most impactful role was as president of Crane’s family association Families for Crane, previously Parents for Crane, for three consecutive years.

Presenting the award were two of the three Cronshaw brothers, Paul (’68) and Ian (’69).

To the award winners’ surprise, they were also honored with a Crane School diploma, given that both left Crane after eighth grade when, at the time, Crane ended in ninth grade. Jim Copus (’92), current president of the Board of Trustees presented the diplomas.

Also honored at the event was Anne Perkins as the founder of Parents for Crane in 1982.

The event, attended by 85 former Crane parents (including nine other past presidents of the family association), also celebrated a core school value — Put We Before Me, which states:

“Our individual experiences wouldn’t be possible without the collective, and an inclusive culture is a shared responsibility. Together, we ensure that every voice is heard, and that students and adults not only feel included, but that they express a strong sense of belonging as part of their experience in this community.”

Joel Weiss, head of school, highlighted the contributions made by each family in attendance during their time at Crane, whether serving hot lunch to students, supporting their grade as the class liaison, or serving on committees: “… all of you are part of this school. You have [had] a tangible part in big and small ways.”

“At a past parent event you realize that you are with a bunch of people who you know and love and that you have a really powerful connection with them,” said Weiss. “We realize that we made many of our best friends while our children were here. Coming back keys into some of that energy. It is powerful.”

Past recipients of the Cronshaw Family Distinguished Alumni Award include film director Morgan Neville (’81); former UNICEF executive director Henrietta Holsman (’63) Fore; and artist Kate Pincus-Whitney (‘08).

For more about Crane Country Day School, visit www.craneschool.org.