Cheryl Aveni, Assistant to the Head of School, 1998–2024
What a pleasure it is to present this tribute to Cheryl Aveni!
For the past 26 years, Cheryl has been Milton’s assistant to the head of school, loyally serving five different heads. For those who’ve been around for a while, you understand the wide range of personalities she’s supported and the many peaks and valleys she has traveled on this journey! She has been steadfast, loyal, committed and resilient. As good friend and colleague Bryan Price reflected recently, “There is no one at Milton who has been more responsible for maintaining stability at our school in the past three decades.”
In October 1998, just as he was leaving Milton, Ed Fredie hired Cheryl as a temp then quickly made her a permanent employee. Then, she was scooped up and quickly promoted by Robin Robertson, who realized what an incredible resource Cheryl is (and not just because Cheryl supplied the McDonald’s Happy Meals that often brightened their days). At one time, three people supported the Head of School and then it was just Cheryl. I’m not sure how she felt about that, but it speaks volumes about her and her commitment to her work.
She was with Rick Hardy for 2 years and me for 14. Now that Cheryl has successfully onboarded Alixe, she has decided that the time is right for her to head into the sunset. She may be ready, but I’m not sure that Milton is. Recently Alixe commented, “I don’t know what I would have done without Cheryl this year” and I know exactly what she means.
We would be here all night if my task were to capture all that Cheryl has done for Milton. Luckily for all of you, I’m on a strict word limit which, ironically, is one of the things Cheryl has had to enforce on a regular basis for just about everyone in our rather verbose community.
Cheryl’s main role was to support the head of school, but she also was the primary administrative support for the Ad Council and the Board of Trustees, too. Former Board Chair Lisa Donohue proclaimed, “Chery is simply the best!” and I concur!
Cheryl has brought such joy to Milton! Almost everyone has been touched by her extraordinary work. She was the party planner, creative genius, and gift-shopper extraordinaire behind every holiday party and staff appreciation luncheon, making these events special for all.
Caring is at the heart of everything Cheryl does. She is deeply and genuinely devoted to the people of Milton—students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators and parents alike. As Peter Parisi recently exclaimed “more than being a Head of School Whisperer, Cheryl simply KNOWS people.” For almost three decades, she has served as wise counsel to countless faculty, staff, administrators and trustees. She is a critical voice, representing staff and, despite her famous aversion to the spotlight, she never shied away from ensuring staff needs were incorporated into the Head of School, Leadership Team, and Board’s work.
And oh how we will miss her incredible sense of humor. I will never know which Cheryl loves more–laughing or making others laugh. Both are gifts but for me, hands down, it’s Cheryl’s beautiful “Wicked Laugh.”
Cheryl is strong and resilient, the product of her South Shore roots (Just like her buddy Steven Tyler of Aerosmith) and her amazing family. What a delight when her son Michael joined the Facilities team 12 years ago and Milton could claim two Avenis as its own. Cheryl is quick to talk about the joy and support she receives from Michael and his wife, Rachel, her daughter Krista, her parents, her amazing (and hilarious) sisters and her partner Steven.
Most of you will never know the extent of all that Cheryl has done for Milton. Working beside her, I had the unique privilege of witnessing her unparalleled dedication every single day. She made all the highs even higher and the lows much easier to bear. She is a fierce protector of the school and its people, and the perfect mix of toughness, compassion, humor and dedication. As former Director of Communications Cathy Everett recently described, “Cheryl tapped a bottomless source of utter fearlessness. Yes, the woman who was petrified of driving into Boston could manage, cajole, coax, assuage, alert, inspire, stand her ground or redirect a threatening parent or wayward alum, a wounded trustee, an imploding faculty member, a relentless salesperson, a recalcitrant staff member, a rude reporter, or an entitled figurehead, among many other characters who, sometimes on the same day, made their way to the head’s office.”
It is this role in particular for which I am perhaps most grateful. No matter what, I always knew Cheryl had my back, Nancy’s and our whole family’s. She loved and looked out for us with the ferocity of a Momma Bear. When things were their most challenging, there was no one who did more or would do more for me than Cheryl. Simply put, whenever the going got tough, Cheryl got going! And I and so many others will forever be in her debt.
Thank you, Cheryl, for your amazing 26 years. The Milton community is so very grateful for you. We all hope you have a wonderful and most well deserved retirement ahead!
Todd B. Bland
Former Head of School