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Meet the Team

At The Wardlaw + Hartridge School we have two full-time college counselors available to work with our students and families on the ever-shifting college landscape. The College Counseling Office provides opportunities for students and families to learn more about all aspects of the college admission process. Our goal is to ensure that our graduates have the skills and knowledge to navigate the college process effectively so that they can make the best selection for their undergraduate experience. 


  • Sarah Honan joined W+H after over a decade of working in higher education and college admissions. After graduating summa cum laude from George Washington University, Sarah began her career in college admissions at DePaul University. She later joined the undergraduate admissions team at Fordham University where she oversaw recruitment data management and analytics. After completing her Master's in Education Policy from Teachers College at Columbia University, Sarah transitioned to the non-profit space serving as the Director of Operations for Cooperman College Scholars.

    Sarah currently serves as an Advisory Committee Member for the Education Pioneers Greater NY Alumni Board, a member and regular volunteer for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) as well as its state affiliate, the New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling (NJACAC), and a member of the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS). 


 

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Alayne Birnhak joined the W+H community in July 2022 as Associate Director of College Counseling. Ms. Birnhak earned her Bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University, a Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers University School of Law, a Master’s degree in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College of Columbia University, and a Master’s degree in Jewish Studies from Gratz College in Pennsylvania. She has also earned certificates in college admission advising from Teachers College of Columbia University and from Harvard Summer Institute. Ms. Birnhak served as Director of Recruitment and Admissions for The Jewish Theological Seminary and Associate Director of Graduate Admissions for Bank Street College of Education. She then provided career counseling through OneTRUEzone Foundation and college counseling through her position at the highly-regarded Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls in Teaneck, NJ.


 


Rande Brown joined the W+H Community part-time in 2013 as a substitute teacher, an early care supervisor and the Summer Programs Assistant and later became the full-time Front Desk Receptionist in 2017, before becoming the College Counseling Administrative Assistant & Registrar in 2021.  


Having recently gone through the college admission process with her own children, Zachary ‘20 and Olivia ’21,  Mrs. Brown looks forward to interacting with Upper School Students and assisting them in their exciting college process.


 

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Meet Our Graduates

Meet Natalie Chen ’26

“If there is anything W+H has taught me, it is to try anything and everything,” Natalie said. “I’ve truly found my passions and interests in these endeavors. I discover fragments of my identity with each new experience, and with each fragment, they piece together to become a new version of myself: an observer of the world, a forever listener and an innovator ready to create change.” 

Natalie added there are no words to express her gratitude to alumnus Fernando Ramirez '77 and Mrs. Nicole Nolan for providing her with the opportunity to learn more about the world through the Global Scholars Program and TEEEM.

Read More about Meet Natalie Chen ’26
Meet Yash Sachan ’26

“The many opportunities W+H has offered me have shaped me into a well-rounded person ready to make an impact on the world, said Yash, who cited the Global Scholars Program led by Mrs. Nicole Nolan for inspiring him to be more open-minded. He also mentioned math teacher Dr. Mimi Tsuruga and history teacher Dr. Jonathan Wilson as others who made an impact on his education, and saluted college counselor Ms. Alayne Birnhak for her guidance and support.

Read More about Meet Yash Sachan ’26
Meet CJ Strauss ’26

CJ credited the W+H College Counseling Program for its guidance throughout the application process, especially how they encouraged her to visit a variety of schools. This ultimately gave CJ the perspective and understanding about the type of school she’d be happy to call home for the next four years.

Read More about Meet CJ Strauss ’26
Meet Justin Lustgarten ’26,

Justin was looking for a strong liberal arts college since he’s undecided on his field of study. After pondering his options, Justin finally decided that Brown was the choice. Justin appreciated how the W+H college counselors worked closely with him and his family throughout this process, ensuring his applications reflected who he was while also showcasing his best work. He said, “Though the process was daunting at times, I’m excited about what my future at Brown holds!

Read More about Meet Justin Lustgarten ’26,
Meet Nitya Sahni ’26

Nitya chose Georgia Tech for its top computer science program and the many opportunities for internships and co-ops the school provides. She believes Georgia Tech will open many doors for her future career because of all the opportunities offered solely to its students. She feels prepared after four productive years in Upper School.

Read More about Meet Nitya Sahni ’26