Alum Roman Moskalenko’s Parents Visit from Ukraine

Earlier this week, Oakwood Alums Roman Moskalenko and Zoe Chamberlain (Class of 2022) visited the Oakwood School campus. The Oakwood community always enjoys visits from alums, but what makes this visit so unique is that Roman, a former international student, brought his parents to tour the school for their first in-person visit from Ukraine. "It was a dream of mine to show my parents Oakwood School, and today my dream happened," Roman commented during their tour. 

During their time on campus, they visited the Athletic Center and spoke with Roman's former basketball coach, Athletic Director Kort Jensen. Roman translated as they talked about Roman's athletic career at Oakwood. Roman's father shared that he watched every Oakwood Hawks basketball game during Roman's time at Oakwood, and is so thankful for the program. They also toured the Oakwood Theatre and the music room, where both Roman and Zoe participated in classes.

They met with Roberta Vinkhuyzen-Rasmussen, International Student Support, and they had tea and admired her dedicated space for International Students. Zoe also connected with several current high school students while on campus. They also visited with Ben Brown, Director of College Counseling, Chris Shales, Lower and Middle School Head & Principal, Isaac Berniker, High School Head & Principal, Michelle Helvey, Head of School, and several of the alums' former teachers. It was an emotional day as they talked about many Oakwood traditions, like the senior walk, and Roman's mom said being on campus, "she can feel the warmth in her heart."

Roman currently attends Lehigh University, and we wish him well as he continues his education!