It began with her first roommate, Nancy Avery Dafoe K’74, P’04, teaching Napp how to be a better writer. It continued throughout her years on the Hill. And that experience of her classmates helping one another consider new perspectives and tap into their intellectual curiosity remains as powerful as ever all these years later.
From Ashton Applewhite’s presentation on ageism to Suzy Elmiger’s description of her work as a film editor to Kathleen Smith’s story of leaving the life she knew behind to become an artist, the programs at the Kirkland Class of 1974’s reunion led Napp to marvel at the rich well of knowledge and pioneering spirits that her classmates possess.
Reconnecting with her classmates reminded Napp of the Kirkland ideals that they all exemplify and hold in high regard, such as independence, pursuit of one’s passions, and especially curiosity.
“I think curiosity is such an important value and skill and practice,” Napp said. “I know these things sound pretty familiar, but the fact is that being a curious person is — I don't care what field you're in, it's important — because that means you're always going to want to be innovative, and find new things, and do things in new ways. And I think that spirit is something that is carried on by people from my community of the Class of 1974.”
Napp served as her reunion committee’s co-chair and promotions lead, a natural fit after her decades-long career in marketing. These roles not only allowed her to use her talents, but to forge and deepen relationships with her classmates.
“In doing this, I have reconnected with people and also become close to people that I didn't really know when I was in school, but we carry the same life trajectory,” Napp said. “We share values that brought us to Kirkland to begin with. And then, certainly, everybody went on a different path, but we've lived through the same periods of history, and that brings you together.”
Napp keeps returning to the wisdom that Applewhite imparted, reflecting on three factors that Applewhite deems necessary for living a full life: the right attitude, the arts, and a community. A community like Kirkland.
“I don't care what age you are, everyone needs community,” Napp said. “And if you think about it, it’s this whole notion of: somehow this school resonated with you, and that's how you got here, at the time that we all got here, and the journeys people have had since then, by reconnecting with people, you more fully experience who you are. And I think that's one of the things about going back for a reunion, is rediscovering who you are.”
