Believing: Multi-generational family’s generosity strengthens the arts
The Böhm family encourages other Wellington families to strengthen the school through the Believing Campaign.
As a third grader, Friedl and Jean-Clare Böhm’s eldest child Annaliese ’91 struggled in her neighborhood school’s overcrowded classroom. She was a “quiet little thing,” her parents recall, and when they learned that the Wellington School would soon open, they enrolled her. Immediately she thrived at Wellington, and her brothers, Tyler ’95 and Tucker ’98, soon followed suit.
Now, with their three children grown and grandchildren Lilliana ’23, Holden ’26, and Akira (“Kiki”) ’28 enrolled at Wellington, Friedl and Jean-Clare are giving back to the school in a big way. Their leadership gift to the Believing Campaign is already having a profound impact—having enabled the much-needed renovation of the Blanchard Performing Arts Center and programmatic funding to bolster the arts at Wellington like never before.
“We are both very interested in the arts,” says Friedl, noting that Jean-Clare has an art degree from The Ohio State University and paints for her own pleasure, while he has enjoyed a long career as a leader of an architectural firm. “We have always felt there needs to be a balance between the key pieces of education: academics, sports, and the arts. We felt that Wellington needed help on the arts side, which is why we gave to renovate the theatre and provide arts programming.”
You have to ask how much you believe in what Wellington does for your kids and your grandkids, and then do what you can.
Their son Tyler is exactly the type of student who benefitted from the arts at Wellington—and is now a multi-media artist whose work shows across the country. “With Tyler we knew early on that we had to provide artistic experiences for him. Even as an infant, he would color with Annaliese,” says Jean-Clare. “Some people are more linear and structured in their academic learning, and others learn better if they can take things apart and figure them out for themselves. People learn differently, and I think it’s important that Wellington keep their art program strong.”
The Böhms encourage other Wellington families to strengthen the school through the Believing Campaign, as well. “Support something that makes sense for your family within the limits of what you can afford,” urges Fredl. “You have to ask how much you believe in what Wellington does for your kids and your grandkids, and then do what you can.”
Do you believe in Wellington? Join the Böhm family in making a gift to the Believing campaign today. Learn more at wellington.org/believing.
