Forty years later: a legacy of love and learning
Forty years later: A legacy of love and learning
Forty years have passed since Hope Kingma (LGB 1986) walked across the stage as a graduate. Decades later, her connection to the school remains woven into her story, not only as a former student, but as the daughter of a dedicated teacher who once shaped young minds within these same walls. Today, she shares with us reflections on her time at the school and the memories she holds most dear.
It is hard to believe that I graduated from Ecolint 40 years ago! I remember feeling so proud that my school had so many different nationalities represented in that incredible graduation class, all sitting on the steps of the old Greek Theatre where graduation was held back in 1986. And then I was pleasantly surprised to be awarded “Honor Roll Student” for 12th grade - what an honor!
Attending Ecolint from 2nd grade through 12th grade shaped the person I have become and 40 years later I continue to be grateful for the experiences I had at Ecolint.
Exposure to so many different cultures made me a more open-minded, tolerant and accepting adult. Some of my fondest memories of that senior year include acting as stage manager for the play “The Diary of Anne Frank,” directed by David Manley, my stepfather. That was a profoundly moving play with an incredible cast. I also participated in the production entitled “Tam Tam Pour Africa,” dedicated to Africa. We sang “Do They Know It's Christmas?” a song by Band Aid, in recognition of the famine in Africa at that time.
That experience inspired me to minor in African Studies, in addition to Biology and Environmental Studies, at Tufts University after I graduated from Ecolint. But the best part of my senior year at Ecolint was having Joan Manley, my mother, as my teacher for English Higher. She was such a cool and excellent teacher, with a gift of reaching every student in her class. She was a well-liked and respected teacher by faculty and students alike! She loved books and sharing her insights with her students. She later became a published author of a novel entitled “She Flew No Flags,” published by Houghton-Mifflin Company in 1995.
Sadly, Joan Manley passed away in October of 2025, just before her 91st birthday, after an extended period of in-home care provided by David Manley. “I am forever grateful to him for his loving care of my mother.” Hope says.
To honor their teaching careers at Ecolint, Joan and David’s family will be providing a donation to Ecolint; 50% of the donation will go towards the Ecolint Scholarship Programme, and the remaining 50% will support a programme at the Centre des Arts.
To acknowledge that donation, Ecolint will be placing two plaquettes on seats in the theatre in honor of Joan Manley and David Manley. “I hope past students who had them as teachers will check it out!”
About the upcoming class reunion: “Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the 40th Anniversary celebration of the Class of 1986, but I wanted to say thank you to the many teachers and classmates who touched my life in such a positive way!”
Thank you to Hope for sharing her memories. Her reflections remind us that education creates ties that time does not erase. In honoring her mother, the family ensures her legacy remains alive in the school’s life.