Hans R. Brechbühl Service Award 

Felicia Busto-Fraim & Ed Fraim, P ’13, P ’19, P ‘22

Felicia Busto Fraim and Edward John Fraim, Jr. found The Waldorf School of Garden City while looking for a prekindergarten program for their oldest daughter. They had no idea that this would lead them down a road spanning 23 years at the WSGC.

Felicia and Ed met and started dating while undergraduates at Columbia University, from which they received B.A. degrees. After graduation, Felicia worked before attending Fordham University, where she received her M.A. in history as well as a J.D. She subsequently joined the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office as an A.D.A., while Ed started a lifelong career in futures and commodities. It was during this time that they conducted a school search throughout their home region of Queens/Nassau and their work neighborhoods of Westchester and Greenwich, to find a wonderful prekindergarten, with a plan to move north thereafter to be closer to their jobs. It took just one year in the magical kindergarten of Stevie Ross and Ann Churchill before the intention to relocate was abandoned.

The black SUV with a Thule on top became instantly visible to other Waldorf families coming from Queens and parts west of Garden City, as the now three Fraim daughters became lifers. Felicia became a stay-at-home mother and volunteered at the school in many different capacities, including as a Parent Representative multiple times. She completed the Foundation Studies Program early in their Waldorf journey and much later became a three-year Co-Chair of the Parent Association. Along the way, she picked up an addictive wheel-throwing pottery habit and participated in various volunteer endeavors, including recently serving a three-year term on the vestry at The Church of the Holy Trinity (Episcopal) in Greenport.

Despite working long hours, Ed was constantly at his daughters’ soccer, basketball, and softball games, and greatly enjoyed the weekly Waldorf Dads basketball pickup games that took place for several years around the turn of the millennium. He was a force to be reckoned with in many of the Alumni Basketball games, having been a Virginia All-State player in high school and on the team at Columbia. Ed is currently a Senior Vice President at IncubEx, a leader in rapidly expanding global environmental and renewable energy markets.

Although Isabella graduated in ’13, Alessandra in ’19, and Francesca in ’22, the Fraims eagerly anticipate returning for many more Fall Fairs, Carol Sings, and Alumni Basketball Games. The friendships with other students, parents, teachers, and staff at The Waldorf School of Garden City have left an indelible imprint.