After 34 years of dedicated service to The Shipley School, Kay Weinstock is retiring as College Counseling Assistant. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and genuine kindness toward students, Kay has shepherded thousands of Shipley students through the college admissions process.

Kay’s journey at Shipley began in 1990, and she quickly found her home within the School's supportive and welcoming environment. Reflecting on her tenure, Kay shared, “Simply put, I was happy. When I would walk down the corridor, there was a spring in my step. I have never felt anything like that anywhere else.” 

When Kay started at Shipley, the college application process involved sending documents through the mail, requiring her to keep track of numerous forms and letters for each student for every school they applied to. Over the years, Kay has adapted to the digital age, witnessing the evolution of the college admissions process, while still feeling a strong sense of responsibility and care in ensuring students have everything they need. What hasn’t changed is Kay’s willingness to go above and beyond her duties to support students, like the time she sent a nervous senior’s application to Georgetown via FedEx to meet a strict deadline.

Kay’s role in College Counseling has extended far beyond adeptly completing administrative tasks. Over the years, she has developed personal relationships with over 2,000 Shipley seniors, helping to submit more than 20,000 college applications. Her warm words of encouragement and calm demeanor have reassured stressed-out seniors navigating the college admissions process. As Head of School Michael Turner commented, “The college search process changes constantly – almost always becoming more complex and challenging. This is hard on students, families, and dedicated college counselors who have to keep up with all of this. Having someone like Kay at the center of this often emotional journey has been of great comfort to Shipley students, families, and colleagues for 34 years. We are all in her debt.”

The Class of 2005 Yearbook Appreciation beautifully captured Kay's impact: “Her upbeat attitude brightens the bleakest of days, and her calm comforting soothes the most stressed-out senior. She is always eager to answer questions about SATs and applications, and one never has to ask twice for copies of transcripts of college information.”

Kay is honored to have been recognized for her dedication and excellence. She received the Shipley Colleague Recognition Award in 2004 and The W. Gregory Coleman Award for Excellence in 2011. She was also honored as an Honorary Alumna, a testament to her impact on the Shipley community. Reflecting on this honor, Kay recalls, “I will never forget the phone message I received from Michele Sonsino Lewis ’, a Shipley alum, who, in 2012, informed me that I was selected to be an Honorary Alumna. I recall replaying the message a couple of times, my excitement palpable.”

As she steps into retirement, Kay looks forward to reading, going to the beach, and seeing where life takes her. At Shipley, she leaves a legacy of kindness, dedication, and unwavering support. “What I will miss most are the people,” she says. “It’s a very tight-knit community.”

Shipley bids farewell to Kay Weinstock with gratitude for her enduring care. Her presence will be deeply missed. As she embarks on this new chapter, the entire Shipley community wishes her all the best in her future endeavors.

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