Nancy Sargent Howell ’58

Alumni Voices

Nancy Sargent Howell ’58

Beaver experience:
I graduated from Beaver in 1958 and had a fabulous experience. I transferred to Beaver my junior year because I had a need to be more creative. I was class secretary my first year and really liked how there were so many different kinds of people at Beaver. Looking back, I’ve realized that Beaver’s student body has always been very politically aware and involved in the community, which is great. The teachers were all very supportive and I really enjoyed all the opportunities Beaver offered. I loved making art and music and playing sports.

What is #happeningnow in your life:
I went to Skidmore College after Beaver and then got married. Throughout my life, I’ve never stopped creating things. I started painting and had a lot of success. I then started teaching because my watercolor teacher was retiring and wanted me to take over her class. When I graduated from Beaver, some women went to college, but after that we were just expected to be our husbands’ wives. It’s such a different world now and it’s been amazing to be able to adapt and pursue my passion of art. I am so fortunate to have art as my outlet during this pandemic. Although my classes are not in-person now, with the help of my students, I teach them on Zoom!

“I give Beaver all the credit for opening the doors for me to realize I wasn’t just my parents’ daughter or my siblings’ sister or my husband’s wife. There is a true creator inside me. Beaver gave me the encouragement for me to realize who I am.”

– Nancy Sargent Howell ’58

Advice to Beaver students:
Find yourself and learn who you are.

Check out Nancy’s amazing art here: http://www.nancyhowellstudio.com/

Beaver Country Day School admits qualified students of any race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, handicap status, national origin or ethnicity to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, handicap status, national origin or ethinicity in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid, athletic or other school-administered programs or policies.