Summer 2016
A SONG FOR THE SENIORS Each year, Upper School celebrates student achievement at Class Night, gathering one last time before Commencement. The junior class always serenades the seniors with lyrics they’ve written. See Page 22. Photo by Amanda Mahnke
Summer 2016
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Wanda Motley Odom Director of Marketing and Communications
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Amanda Mahnke Social Media & Media Relations Manager
CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Wendy L. Hill Head of School
Mariandl M.C. Hufford Assistant Head of School and Director, Center for the Advancement of Girls
Brooke Norrett Corr ’95 Director of Alumnae Relations
Julie Diana Director of Libraries and Humanities Innovation
PHOTOGRAPHY Academic Images, Amanda Mahnke, Donna Meyer, Karen Mosimann Lifestyle Photography, Linda Walters
THE AGNES IRWIN SCHOOL Ithan Avenue and Conestoga Road Rosemont, PA 19010-1042 Grades PreK–4 Tel: 610-525-7600 Grades 5–12 Tel: 610-525-8400 Fax: 610-525-8908 FRONT COVER Members of the Class of 2016 convey emotions galore in a camera view from above as they await their Commencement on June 9 in the Arts and Science Building’s Moran Gallery. Photo by Academic Images
BACK COVER The Class of 2016 Photo by Linda Walters
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Contents
| IN THIS ISSUE |
Year in Review
When reflecting on what constitutes a successful academic year, a clear barometer is how much a school community has accomplished together. BY DR. WENDY L. HILL
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Building a Better Pipeline
Educators, advocates and executives tackle design thinking at the Center for the Advancement of Girls’ second STEM think tank and conference. BY WANDA MOTLEY ODOM
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Innovation in the Works
Changes in facilities and faculty roles put tinkering mindset at the forefront of teaching and learning. BY MARIANDL M.C. HUFFORD
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Reunion Weekend
More than 200 alumnae return to campus to reconnect with classmates, celebrate awards and take a class with faculty. BY BROOKE NORRETT CORR ’95
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A Fond Farewell
Agnes Irwin bids adieu to six faculty members and a senior administrator as they conclude a collective 198 years of service to the school. BY WANDA MOTLEY ODOM
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Commencement
Alumna Courtney H. Leimkuhler ’97 calls on the 68 graduates of the Class of 2016 to challenge assumptions, be bold and curious, and leave a mark on the world. BY AMANDA MAHNKE
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Year in Review
KAREN MOSIMANN LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY AMANDA MAHNKE
One illustration of such commitment was the enthusiastic support for our strategic planning efforts in the fall. From the online survey participation to our focus groups and strategic-thinking workshop weekend, we engaged in thought-provoking debates and “big picture” discussions that will inform how the school moves forward in the coming years. Through these efforts, we have developed an exciting new strategic plan that will officially launch next fall. Another example was our school-wide embrace of the yearlong theme “Hope for Humankind” and the excitement of having Dr. Jane Goodall, a world-renowned primatologist and conservationist, on our campus. Her September visit sparked an energy that stimulated discussions in school classrooms and at family dinner tables, spawned a special topiary garden inspired by her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees and launched new environmental stewardship activities in our Lower School, which in May received a Certificate of Recognition from The Jane Goodall Institute for its efforts.
A wise person once said, “There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs” — meaning that it requires work, motivation and the proper steps to advance. When reflecting on what constitutes a successful year at The Agnes Irwin School, I imagine the answer depends a great deal on perspective. But one commonality in how we as a school community can gauge our efforts is by what we have accomplished together — and this year, collectively, we have many achievements to celebrate! For me, one of the highlights of this past school year was getting to know our students through time spent in the classroom — dissecting owl pellets with the fourth grade, exploring environmental pollution with eighth graders and teaching seniors about the neuroscience of Alzheimer’s disease. Having a ninth grade advisory group also grounded me in the day-to-day life of Agnes Irwin girls. In all of my interactions, I experienced the curiosity and eagerness to learn that Agnes Irwin fosters. I saw firsthand the uninhibited pursuit of knowledge and understanding that our faculty cultivates in our students, as well as the seamless ways in which girls connect with each other through camaraderie and collaboration. What I have learned even more deeply is that Agnes Irwin is an extraordinary community of dedicated students, teachers, staff, administrators and parents who work every day to share their best efforts with others. 2
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SUMMER 2016
IN ALL OF MY INTERACTIONS, I EXPERIENCED THE CURIOSITY AND EAGERNESS TO LEARN THAT AGNES IRWIN FOSTERS.
Lower School students and Suzanne McInnes, Lower School physical education teacher and service learning coordinator, display the Roots & Shoots Certificate of Recognition that the school was awarded in May by The Jane Goodall Institute.
AMANDA MAHNKE
Clockwise from top left: Saguna Malhotra ’19 explains Google Cardboard’s virtual reality activity to a visitor during a STEAM-themed Franklin Institute Community Night in April; Princeton Prize Certificate of Accomplishment award winners Jaakirah Reid ’16 and Dejah Bradshaw ’16; gods and goddesses during Fifth Grade Greek Day; Emma Levensten and fellow robotics team members present their project to a judge during the Fourth Grade Robotics Competition.
Goodall’s message at the public lecture and student assemblies challenged us all to consider our personal impact on people, wildlife and environment, and to live by her belief that “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Guest speakers are an intentional component of the educational experience at Agnes Irwin, and this past year students and the larger school community heard a wide range of presenters, from Dr. Ken Ginsburg on raising kids to thrive and Dr. Frances Jensen on the teenage brain to alumnae in the fields of criminal justice, art conservation and international journalism. A particular high point was an assembly for fourth, fifth and sixth graders with one of the world’s fastest female Formula E race car drivers, Simona De Silvestro. Our students’ insightful questions kept De Silvestro in high gear! Academically, our students continued to excel, with 20 percent of seniors inducted into the Cum Laude Society; three Upper School students with perfect scores on the National Latin Exam; the most winners in the National French
Exam of any school in the Philadelphia area (38); and dozens of awards for Middle School students for top performances on national achievement examinations in Latin, Spanish, French and mathematics. In extracurricular activities, our students earned honors as well, with two seniors being recognized by the Princeton Prize in Race Relations, a junior receiving funding from Young Entrepreneurs Academy to start her own business and another senior winning a National Center for Women & Information Technology Award for Aspirations in Computing. Robotics in our fourth grade was so popular this year that the club decided to host its own, intramural robotics competition, with judges from the K’Nex toy company, Boeing and TruePosition in Berwyn. And our Upper School STEM Club was invited to lead a Community Night at The Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia region’s premier science museum. Students won accolades in literary, visual and performing arts with six Cappie Award nominations, a Cappie Award (best solo dancer) and poetry prizes in the Mordechai Anielewicz Creative Arts Competition and the Young Poets of Delaware County contest. Six Upper School students were featured in the Wayne Art Center exhibit “TEEN-
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Year in Review | 2015–2016
OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY HAS GROWN THIS YEAR IN WAYS UNRELATED TO NUMERIC MEASURES.
From top: Seventh graders Sophia Harris, Ruby Peeler and Fiona Moser explain chemical changes to parents with “elephant toothpaste” at the Middle School Science Symposium; fourth grade students weave ribbons during the traditional maypole dance at May Fair; Dr. Hill examines a sheep brain with students in AP Biology.
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AMANDA MAHNKE
works,” which included drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry and photography. We were thrilled to learn that the AIS Repertory Company was chosen to perform at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest and most prestigious arts festival, as part of the American High School Theatre Festival. The Franklin Institute has become a key partner in our annual STEM think tank and conference, “Sharing Solutions: Advancing Girls in STEM,” organized by our Center for the Advancement of Girls (CAG). This year, our second annual event drew more than 100 educators, advocates and business executives to discuss how to achieve sustainable cultural change that supports the success of girls and women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These discussions will be outlined this summer in a white paper, which will help to further advance the Center’s efforts and shape the teaching and STEM programs at AIS. The Center’s programmatic and research work in leadership, global citizenship, wellness, and 21st century teaching and learning continued to influence our curricular focus and enrichment efforts on behalf of girls. CAG’s leadership toolkit for Lower School has instilled an awareness of leadership skills in our youngest students; this work was featured in Independent School Magazine. The Center developed an engaging new leadership workshop for fifth and sixth graders that helps girls identify themselves as leaders. In Upper School, our students successfully convened 150 of their peers for a “by girls, for girls” conference on advocacy and leadership. CAG research partnerships help us to better understand what teaching practices work best for girls, what helps them thrive, and what helps them sustain their interests. Our athletics, physical education and wellness programs continued to reinforce healthy lifestyles and a commitment to teamwork, leadership and reaching one’s personal best. Helping our girls advance from skill building in Lower School to mastery in Upper School, the programs lay the foundation for discipline, dedication and confidence in the pursuit of individual and shared goals. Our fall Varsity sports teams turned out impressive performances in our annual AIS-EA Day rivalry to tie with Episcopal Academy, earning the right to “hold the banner” for half of the school year. Our Middle School squash team took first place in the Mid-Atlantic Squash Association Championship, which brings together the best teams in the region, and our Middle School swimmers ended their season with seven medals at the Inter-Ac League championship.
SPEAKERS AT AIS | On the Horizon
Our Varsity lacrosse team won the Inter-Ac championship, and one of our crew boats, JV Quad, captured a gold medal in the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships in May, and a silver medal at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the nation’s largest rowing competition for high school students. No culminating reflection would be complete without an acknowledgment of the exceptional achievements of our graduates, who are destined for many of the nation’s most selective college and universities as well as internationally renowned institutions abroad. Members of the Class of 2016 will matriculate into prestigious scholar programs in the humanities, the sciences and the arts – with 35 percent identifying STEM fields as their intended focus of study. And it was a banner year for recruited athletes, with 10 of our 68 graduates committed to collegiate sports programs. Let me close with the following observation. Our school community has grown this year in ways unrelated to numeric measures. We have balanced open and vigorous conversations with the best interests of all of our students and
Dr. Wendy L. Hill
The 2016–2017 school year will bring an exciting slate of speakers to the Agnes Irwin campus to share their thoughts and expertise on a wide range of topics relevant to education and girls and women today.
Mon., Nov. 14 Rachel Simmons, Educator and best-selling author of Odd Girl Out and The Curse of the Good Girl. Lecture and book signing at 7 p.m. A Leadership and Wellness Initiative of the Center for the Advancement of Girls.
Wed., Jan. 11 Rosalind Wiseman, New York Times best-selling author of Queen Bees and Wannabes and Masterminds and Wingmen. Lecture and book signing at 7 p.m. Presented by Radnor Speaker Series. Supported by the Clower Family Speakers Fund.
CREDIT: ACADEMIC IMAGES
CREDIT: THE CANADIAN PRESS
CREDIT: SPEAKERS BUREAU
Wed., Sept. 28 Doris Kearns Goodwin, Presidential Historian, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of the critically acclaimed book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. Lecture and book signing at 7 p.m. Sponsored by the Lily Foundation and the Class of 1957 Speakers Fund.
Warm regards,
CREDIT: ILANA PANICH-LINSMAN
ON THE HORIZON
the school itself, we have challenged ourselves to model responsible stewardship and we have placed trust in each other to create the most advantageous learning environment for our girls. What lies ahead for The Agnes Irwin School can only be limited by how much we dare to dream and how hard we work together climbing the stairs to success.
Tue., April 4 Ainissa Ramirez, Science evangelist and author of Save Our Science: How to Inspire a New Generation of Scientists and Newton’s Football: The Science Behind America’s Game. Lecture and book signing at 7 p.m. Dates subject to change. Please refer to the online calendar for the most up-to-date information.
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APRIL 15, 2016
| THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE
A self-described science evangelist challenges conventional wisdom
PHOTOS BY ACADEMIC IMAGES
STEM
Think Tank and Conference
How to Build a Better Pipeline CAG Convenes Educators, Executives to Discuss Keeping Girls Engaged in STEM AS A MATERIAL SCIENTIST, Dr. Ainissa Ramirez understands that
most people have limited knowledge about her profession and what it entails. So at the Center for the Advancement of Girls’ second annual STEM think tank and conference on April 15, she offered an elementary demonstration to more than 100 educators and corporate executives gathered for the day at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Ramirez held up a wire-like material, a shape memory alloy made of nickel and titanium. She wrapped the alloy around her finger and proceeded to heat it with a small lighter, watching the material unfold. “Most metals don’t do that,” said Ramirez, going on to explain the atomic movement brought on by heat that causes the alloy to straighten and how such materials are commonly used today — in robots to unfurl arms, in the Mars rover to maneuver panels, in orthodontic braces to gently align teeth, in stents to unclog arteries, even in underwire bras. Ramirez’s anecdote provided a small window into the wide world of STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — for those gathered at The Agnes Irwin School’s second STEM conference, Sharing Solutions 2016: Advancing Girls in STEM, held Friday, April 15. The day-long conference, organized and presented by CAG in partnership with The Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia region’s premier science museum, focused on how to achieve sustainable cultural change that truly supports the success of girls and women in STEM. The conference drew educators from K-12 and higher education, as well as corporate leaders, for a pair of TED-style talks in the morning and design-thinking work groups in the afternoon to build on three key themes from the inaugural conference in 2015: teach-
er training and curriculum design, role models and mentors, and partnerships. A self-proclaimed science evangelist, Ramirez used her keynote address to counsel those gathered in ways to get and keep girls in particular excited about these fields of study and, ultimately, about careers as scientists, engineers, mathematicians and overall innovators. One way is to be sure girls and women know their history. “The outcome of STEM is to generate creative problem solvers,” said Ramirez, author of Save Our Science: How to Inspire a New Generation of Scientists, noting that society is grappling with lots of major
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TK CREDIT HERE
3 Opposite Dr. Ainissa Ramirez delivers the opening keynote address. 1. AIS Upper School mathematics teacher Elena Bertrand ponders other Post-It® notes during a workshop. 2. Frederic Bertley of The Franklin Institute and Assistant Head of School/CAG Director Mariandl Hufford share in discussion during a break. 3. Dr. Natalie Nixon of Philadelphia University sets the stage for design-thinking activities.
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STEM | THINK TANK AND CONFERENCE
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issues — such as clean air and water, renewable energy and more effective medicines — that will need solutions. “STEM is one way to do it. There are other ways to do it. But STEM is a good way, particularly now that we are in this technologically-rich society.” Ramirez added that it is particularly important to teach girls about the history of women in STEM fields, adding that in the 1890s, the majority of students studying mathematics and science — 57 percent — were girls. She mentioned hidden heroes, such as the women involved in the development of America’s space program, the advance of computer programming and life-saving inventions such as Kevlar, a synthetic fiber used in protective gear such as helmets and bulletproof vests. “It’s never ability. It’s always society,” said Ramirez, adding that the decline in women’s participation in STEM coincided with the push for more home economics training in American education. “We have a long history. It’s just that it’s hidden. This is one of the things we can do. We can share this history with girls so that they can see that they are not the first. They may feel like they’re the first, but they’re not. There is a long heritage of women doing great work in STEM.” Frederic Bertley, Senior Vice President of Science and Education at The Franklin Institute, led a TED-style talk on engaging girls in STEM exploration outside of the school setting. Joining him was Chanel Summers, Co-Founder of Syndicate 17, an audio production, technology and design consulting company. Claudia Anderson, Vice President of Customer Experience at TE Connectivity, a global technology leader, and Elizabeth McCormack, Associate Provost at Bryn Mawr College, discussed proven solutions used in higher education and the workforce to
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increase and retain the number of women in STEM fields. “This has been a fantastic, fantastic day for Agnes Irwin and The Franklin Institute,” said Bertley, calling on participants to take something they had learned during the course of the day and think about how they would apply it in their environment. As a prelude to the afternoon workshop, four Agnes Irwin Upper School students were interviewed by WHYY Radio Senior Health Writer Taunya English as part of a panel discussion about the influences that have affected their interest, or disinterest, in STEM fields. “We hope you feel energized and charged, and equipped with some new tools for your own learning, for your work with your students, for all the different types of work that you do,” Dr. Natalie Nixon, Director of the Strategic Design MBA Program at Philadelphia University, told the audience at the conclusion of the design-thinking workshops. — Wanda Odom
1. Sharing Solutions participant gives her point of view. 2. Chanel Summers, co-founder of an audio production, technology and design consulting company, leads a TED-style talk on STEM education. 3. Collaboration among teachers from K–12 and higher education settings is a central feature of the conference. 4. Brynne Pergolini ’18 (center) spoke, along with Alex Blomstrom ’18, Anisha Mittal ’16 and Sophie Fisher ’16, as part of a student panel moderated by WHYY’s Taunya English.
TK CREDIT HERE
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INNOVATION | STEM
I nnovation in the works
New facilities and faculty roles will put tinkering mindset at the forefront Dictionaries define “innovate” as a verb meaning “to introduce something new; make changes in anything established.” tions and devising a plan to execute them. Because some of our administrative offices are moving to our new property at 672 Conestoga Road, we are able to reimagine the use of those areas for academics. A spacious robotics lab as well as a makerspace will be added to what will be a true innovation corridor in the Upper and Middle School building. Fittingly, we have hired Director of Middle and Upper School STEAM Innovation, Margaret Powers, who will oversee
this new makerspace. Powers will be part of an innovation team (or iTeam) and will collaborate with fellow faculty members Kimberly Walker, Lower School Innovation Director and Technology Integration Specialist, and Julie Diana, Director of Libraries and Humanities Innovation, to make teachers’ creative ideas a reality in the classroom. All members of the iTeam are dynamic master educators. They will work with teachers as catalysts, coaches and collaborators. The team leadership approach allows each innovation director to specialize in technology, pedagogy and resources to support faculty in their specific areas — and ultimately benefit students. The iTeam will explore ways to embed robotics in the classroom as well as create a digital humanities center, one of the first in a PreK–12 setting. — Mariandl Hufford
BALINTSEBY / FREEPIK
Throughout human history, it seems to have always been in our nature to innovate, bringing a fresh approach to standard practices or new ideas to traditional ways of thinking. This summer, some exciting changes in physical plant and faculty assignments will enable The Agnes Irwin School to fully embrace many different meanings inherent in the concept of innovation — from repurposing older tools for new tasks to creating solutions that have never been tried. In the Lower School, classroom space, dubbed the iWonder Lab, is being outfitted to create a dedicated environment in which girls can tap into their curiosity and creativity. The lab will allow our youngest students to engage in engineering and design-thinking processes that involve asking questions, imagining possible solu-
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Reunion
April 29–30, 2016
TK CREDIT HERE
Alumnae celebrate memories at the Laurel Society Brunch
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ORE THAN 200 ALUMNAE returned to campus
to reconnect with classmates, friends and faculty at this year’s Reunion Weekend, April 29–30, celebrating the graduating classes ending in 1 and 6. The weekend events kicked off on Friday at the Head’s Luncheon at Merion Golf Club, honoring the Class of 1966 and including the classes of 1930–1965. In the afternoon, alumnae enjoyed self-guided tours of Chanticleer Gardens and our first-ever History Harvest. The History Harvest is a new way for Agnes Irwin to expand the school’s archives to include digital copies of alumnae’s personal memorabilia such as photographs, spirit gear and awards. An All-Alumnae Cocktail Party took place on campus Friday evening and tours were offered of 672 Conestoga Road, a 6.3-acre property purchased by the school last year. On Saturday, alumnae enjoyed campus tours, “Back-to-School” classes taught by science teacher Ethan Ake and History Department Chair Wigs Frank, a State of the School address by Dr. Wendy L. Hill, Reunion awards and the annual Alumnae Association Business Meeting and Luncheon. The luncheon concluded with the alma mater led by Music Department Coordinator Murray Savar on the piano — making everyone feel like students again! There is always a spirited competition between Reunion classes for the annual giving awards. This year, the Sophy Dallas Irwin Award for the largest dollar total raised by Reunion Weekend was presented to the Class of 1976 and the Loving Cup was awarded to the Class of 1966 for the highest giving participation percentage. A round of applause goes to all Reunion classes for their fundraising efforts this year. It makes a meaningful difference to our students and faculty!
ALUMNAE AWARD
The Alumnae Award is presented annually to an alumna who has made a significant contribution of service to the school in a volunteer capacity. “The strength of a leader, the warmth of a friend”: This is how the Class of 1961 described their friend and classmate Nancy Day Sharp ’61 55 years ago in the 1961 yearbook. “Nan could be counted upon to do more than her share of any job.” Since her graduation from AIS, Sharp’s volunteer positions have included Winterfest, May Fair, Christmas in the Country, class representative, Reunion representative, President of the Alumnae Association, member of the Board of Trustees and fundraising volunteer. The Alumnae Association is grateful for her service in honor of our alma mater.
Harvesting History On April 29 and 30, The Agnes Irwin School hosted its first History Harvest. The goal of a History Harvest is to unearth the Agnes Irwin artifacts hidden in attics and closets in order to spark conversations and make discoveries about the rich history of The Agnes Irwin School as we prepare to celebrate our 150th anniversary. In capturing these pieces of ephemera, we hope to learn about the student experience at AIS and the traditions that have been passed down through many generations. I worked with music teacher Murray Savar to scan documents and photographs, and to take pictures of charms, rings and pins. We took an oral history of each object and captured digital images of them, along with a story of whom the item belonged to and what it means to that person. This year, we collected images of jewelry and charms, including the unique ring of The Class of 1976. Courtney Preston Crosby ’76 described how her independent-thinking class chose a non-traditional ring with a blue stone and dark blue engraving, instead of the traditional signet ring. The choice was controversial, according to Crosby. We also recorded images of a play program from 1911, and class cards listing the graduates from The Classes of 1906, 1907, 1910 and 1911. For many of the items that were brought to the harvest, we were able to check The Archives Room to see if the item would fill a gap in our collection. If you have items that you would like to contribute to the next History Harvest, please jot down a few notes about the item before you bring it. Who did it belong to? If it is a photograph, who is in the picture? What does the item mean to you, to your family, and to your friends? These details will help us to tell a fuller story of the lives and experiences of Agnes Irwin students and alumnae. — Julie Diana
DONNA MEYER
YOUNG ALUMNAE AWARD
The Heather B. Thiermann ’81 Young Alumnae Award is presented to an alumna who has made an outstanding contribution through her community interests or her professional or academic pursuits. Christine M. Ramsey ’01 graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in psychology and attended Drexel University for two years with an emphasis in chemical engineering. She went on to receive her Ph.D. from the Department of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and is currently a special informatics fellow at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven, CT, conducting research in mental health and aging. In addition to her academic and career pursuits, over the past 15 years, the former Syracuse cross-country champion has pursued her
Director of Libraries Julie Diana, Music Department Coordinator Murray Savar, Mathilde Fielding Cruice ’49 and Sydney Cruice Dixon ’77 at the History Harvest
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Reunion | APRIL 29–30, 2016
passion for running. Ramsey twice qualified for the Olympic Trials in the marathon, competing in Los Angeles this past February. In 2014, she placed seventh at the 2014 USA Women’s Marathon Championship, and she has set her sights on this fall’s Philadelphia Marathon after battling injury during her training for the Olympic Trials.
THE WILLING AWARD
The Margaretta Anspach Willing Award is presented to an alumna who has been outstanding in leadership and civic responsibility or who has made a substantial contribution to the arts and sciences. If you have enjoyed the open space and beautiful vistas in Chester County, you have fellow alumna Bonnie Bartholomew Van Alen ’61 to thank. For more than 40 years, she has worked to preserve land in Willistown. After graduation, Bonnie attended Penn State University, and moved to Willistown Township to raise her family. In the late 1970s, Van Alen had the foresight to grow concerned about encroaching development. She worked to preserve land in Willistown under the umbrella of the Brandywine Conservancy until 1996 when, with the support of Brandywine and the Willistown community, she and a colleague, Alice Housmann, founded the Willistown Conservation Trust. The trust has since overseen the protection of several thousand more acres and has developed the highly acclaimed Community Farm, Bird Conservation and Habitat Restoration Programs. Today, these programs are host to hundreds of visitors and scholars each year, from urban school children to university graduate students — using Willistown’s preserved land for field studies, research projects and to connect people of all ages and backgrounds with the natural world. Van Alen personifies the mission of The Agnes Irwin School to learn, to lead, and to live a legacy.
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M. PENNEY MOSS AWARD
The M. Penney Moss Award is presented to an individual or to those individuals whose commitment to and efforts in the area of education embody and reflect the passion and spirit which Miss Moss devotedly exhibited during her years at Agnes Irwin. Dr. Elizabeth “Biz” K. Sands is a member of the Class of 1971 and, lucky for the AIS Lower School, she has worked at Agnes Irwin for 26 years. Sands has worked in the field of education for almost 40 years. In over two decades at AIS, she has served in many roles: second grade teacher, reading specialist, Assistant Director of Lower School, focused on student support, and proud mother to Tyler Kane Kennedy ’01. With a bachelor’s degree from Rosemont College, she earned her master’s degree from Villanova University and her doctorate in educational leadership from Immaculata University. As a member of the board of the Pennsylvania branch of the International Dyslexia Association, Sands is actively engaged in educating the public about the learning disorder and training teachers on dyslexia. While her qualifications and expertise are outstanding, it is Sands’ warmth and compassion that have endeared her to hundreds of AIS students. — Brooke Norrett Corr ’95 12
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APRIL 29–30, 2016 | Reunion
1. Members of the Class of 2011 at the All-Alumnae Cocktail Party 2. Members of the Class of 1976 3. Members of the Class of 2006 4. Members of the Class of 1996
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5. Members of the Class of 1971
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6. Members of the Class of 2001 7. Bonnie Bartholomew Van Alen ’61 receives the Margaretta Anspach Willing Award 8. Polly Warren Coxe ’77 presents the Young Alumnae Award to Christine M. Ramsey ’01
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9. Joan Church Roberts ’48, Nelly Keffer Lincoln ’44 and Mary Blabon Tilghman ’44 10. Members of the Class of 1961 11. Ann Laupheimer Sonnenfeld ’77 embraces Nancy Day Sharp ’61 as she presents her with the Alumnae Award
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12. Members of the Class of 1966 13. Ann Laupheimer Sonnenfeld ’77 presents the M. Penney Moss Award to Dr. Elizabeth K. Sands ’71 14. Laura Thomas Buck ’49 and Leslie Rea Pye ’76 at the Laurel Society Brunch
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To view more photos, visit agnesirwin.org/reunion
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A Fond Farewell
TK CREDIT IMAGES HERE ACADEMIC
JUNE 3, 2016
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AGNES IRWIN MAGAZINE
SPRING 2015
Seven Educators Conclude 198 Years, Collectively
DONNA MEYER
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wo hundred years is a long time by most human meathose cases. So forty it is in modern English! sures. So it was with great appreciation that the Agnes I like to think this is so because if the “u” were included it would not Irwin community on June 3 celebrated seven retiring allow the spelling of the number 40 to be the only number in English faculty and staff members who collectively gave 198 whose letters are in alphabetical order. I prefer the spelling “fourty” years of service to the school, in the classroom and in as it puts “u” right in the middle of the number of years I have served the administration. at AIS. I consider it to have been an honor. Thanks for 40 great years. “I know I speak for so many when I say that the school will not be the same without these amazing individuals,” Ann Laupheimer MARGE STALLARD — 35 Years Sonnenfeld ’77, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said in her welcomMarge Stallard spent 20 plus years teaching mathematics in the ing remarks. “You have been and are greatly loved and esteemed, Upper School, after having taught in both the Middle and Upper and you will be sorely missed.” School divisions for a dozen years. Hired in the fall of 1981, she Through tears, smiles and laughter, colleagues gave touching shared: tributes to Liz Alleva, Cindy Brown, Kathy Halton, Pedie Hill ’71, My most memorable moments at Agnes Irwin followed Penny Kevin McCullough, Marge Stallard and Karen West — with Upper Moss’s announcement for all Upper School faculty and students to School math teacher Emily Brennan delivering proceed to the cafeteria to enable us to be together a rap song in honor of Brown to the theme song to hear breaking radio news of the events of 9/11. of Will Smith’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The students clustered in groups at the tables Head of School Wendy Hill praised the rewhile the faculty and staff stood along the sides of “YOU HAVE BEEN tirees for their impact on “hundreds and hunthe walls. We were crowded in, but our closeness dreds” of Agnes Irwin students during their lent comfort to both our bodies and spirits. No one AND ARE GREATLY tenures, adding that because of their dedication, spoke. Some adults and students stared vacantly scores of AIS graduates have gone on to have as they listened to the horrors of the events while LOVED AND their own impacts on the world. Below are some others shed silent tears. How wise Penny was to parting thoughts from each honoree. know we needed to be a muted support for one ESTEEMED, AND another. There were no words that day to comfort KEVIN McCULLOUGH — 40 Years one another — only hugs and togetherness. YOU WILL BE Kevin McCullough, Director of Finance and My life in retirement is “goin’ to the dogs.” I Facilities (opposite), gave four decades of serhope to volunteer in education and fundraising SORELY MISSED.” vice as a dedicated educator, administrator and efforts at a local animal shelter. I also hope to trusted steward of the school’s finances and fabecome a regular dog walker. Of course, my husAnn Laupheimer cilities. For 30 years, he helped shape and guide band and I plan on the requisite travel (goal: will Sonnenfeld ’77, the school through sizable growth in enrollment we make it back to Bosnia-Herzegovina?) and lots Chair, Board of Trustees and three campus expansions, including 85,000 of quality time with our grandchildren. square feet of new space for academics, athletics and student life that opened in fall 2013. KATHY HALTON — 34 Years McCullough began his career at Agnes Irwin in September 1976 Kathy Halton joined Agnes Irwin in the fall of 1982 as a Middle as an Upper School English teacher. He held his first administraSchool art teacher, introducing students to a wide variety of meditive position in 1984, as Director of Facilities and Assistant Busiums in studio art. For the last five years, she taught Upper School ness Manager. Within the next five years, he was named Director of art as well, and had this to share: Business Affairs and eventually Director of Finance and Facilities. There have been countless rich, challenging, fun, inspiring and reIn addition to his roles at AIS, he served for 18 years as a trustee for warding times spent with students that will be in my heart forever. ADVIS, the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools. There was the day that a group of sixth graders, while readying their He shared this when announcing his retirement in April: puppets for an eventual wedding, stood all around, surprised and I recently Googled the number 40 and found that logically, one openmouthed (along with their puppets and me) by the designated would think spelling it “fourty” makes sense: four, fourteen, fourty – singer’s puppet, as it was held up on a pedestal, singing “Amazing right? But English and logic do not always agree, and this is one of Grace.” And there was the day with the Studio Art students, after
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A Fond Farewell | JUNE 3, 2016
making their way through a social cause project, identifying their feelings, portraying them visually, and bearing their souls during a critique, when it was humbling and gratifying to be sharing in their experience. These days are a glimpse of the many, many cherished times spent with AIS students. In my next adventure, I look forward to continuing my studio practice, having more time to make art, to experiment, and to imagine. I foresee doing some teaching, perhaps in a different population and/ or another country. I also will exercise a whole lot, do some bike touring with my husband, see as much of the world, near and far, as possible, and simply keep my eyes and ears open to new connections and possibilities.
KAREN WEST — 34 Years
fourth grade. She shared: I will miss my students and my colleagues at Irwin’s most of all. I have made some very good friends over the years. I have kept in touch with many students, and hope to keep hearing from them through the years. I plan to “take my show on the road” and continue to teach math. I will tutor, but I will also teach homeschool groups as needed. I especially hope to bring “Hands On Equations” to as many students as I can in homeschool and other interested students from third grade and up. I have always volunteered at the Devon Horse Show to support my beloved Bryn Mawr Hospital, and I hope to become much more involved with that. I will also become more involved with my church. I teach Sunday School already, but would love to do more. I expect to stay busy! Walk more, travel a bit, and spend time with “THERE HAVE BEEN family.
Upper School English teacher Karen West joined the faculty in fall of 1982, and at times also taught English in the Middle School. She COUNTLESS RICH, held the positions of English Department Chair LIZ ALLEVA — 16 Years and Director of Standardized Testing. She said Liz Alleva taught third grade for her entire 16CHALLENGING, FUN, of her time at AIS: year tenure at Agnes Irwin, having joined the How many schools give teachers the opportuschool in 2000. She shared: INSPIRING AND nity to share wonderful works of literature with I have truly enjoyed the past 16 years at AIS. skillful, sensitive students? Two related memoMy colleagues have been very supportive, and I REWARDING TIMES ries show how AIS has given me that invaluable have learned so much from them. I will miss the experience. daily interactions, the laughter and the close-knit SPENT WITH The first: a few years ago, having completed our family that is the Lower School. I will also miss study of The Sound and the Fury, I asked my AP the smiling faces of the students, the hugs, and the STUDENTS THAT seniors to choose a focus for their papers on the “aha” moments when a student realizes she unnovel. One girl said she planned to analyze Quenderstands a concept being presented. During my WILL BE IN MY tin Compson, and added, “That will be so hard for retirement, I am looking forward to working oneme.” When I suggested she might choose a more on-one with students in tutoring sessions, reading HEART FOREVER .” manageable topic, she objected, saying, “You more books, cooking and traveling. don’t understand. I have to write about Quentin. Kathy Halton I must understand him!” CYNTHIA BROWN — 9 Years A second, more recent memory, complements Cindy Brown started at Agnes Irwin in the fall of the first. At the end of the year, my seniors were 2007 as an Upper School mathematics teacher evaluating the books we had read, giving their strongest approval, as and became the department chair the following year. She served as usual, to that most difficult of Faulkner’s novels. With her classmates interim director of Upper School for the 2012–2013 school year, nodding in approval, one girl stated, “That book has changed my then returned to the classroom and her role leading the Mathematlife!” And moments like this have changed my life, as well. ics Department. She shared: My retirement plans are deliberately vague, right now, but I am I will miss being with the girls every day, going to games and sure they will involve teaching or mentoring students, writing, singshows, and learning what the newest thing is! Without them, I’m sure ing, working with animals, and traveling with my husband. And lots I wouldn’t know about the “Running Man Challenge” or how much of reading! fun can be had during a sword fight. My husband and I have a long bucket list that will include spending time with the grandkids, travel, PATRICIA HILL ’71 — 30 Years walking the Honolulu Marathon this December and on and on! I do Alumna and veteran teacher Pedie Hill, AIS Class of 1971, capped not intend to sit around. I also promised to be here for AIS/EA day — off four decades as an elementary school educator with the concluto help cheer for our teams to bring back the banner! sion of a 30-year tenure at Agnes Irwin, where she always taught — Wanda Odom
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JUNE 3, 2016 | A Fond Farewell
1. The retirees gather before the festivities begin: (from left to right) Patricia (Pedie) Hill ’71, Karen West, Cynthia Brown, Marge Stallard, Kathy Halton and Liz Alleva. Not pictured: Kevin McCullough 2
2. Lower School Administrative Assistant Carol Hillman converses with current AIS students 3. Karen West with Middle/ Upper School art teacher Keri Farrow and Service Learning Director Sarah Kinder 4. In celebration, faculty and staff and their families gathered for dinner and dancing afterward
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5. Pedie Hill ’71 and her husband, Bennett 6. Marge Stallard enjoys applause as fellow Upper School mathematics teacher Tom Mattson speaks about her contributions to AIS 7. Lower School teacher Kim Walker gives Liz Alleva a heartfelt hug after giving a speech about their work together
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8. Wendy Hill and a guest
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9. Cynthia Brown smiles at a compliment from Upper School mathematics teacher Emily Brennan, who delivered a rap tribute to Brown based on the theme song from the sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air 10. Kathy Halton with Board of Trustees Chair Ann Laupheimer Sonnenfeld ’77, who gave opening remarks that included a vignette about each retiree
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11. Director of Data Operations Carol Theis celebrated her retirement in December after 30 years of service to Agnes Irwin
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Commencement JUNE 9, 2016
| CLASS OF 2016
challenge assumptions,
remain bold and curious,
OPPOSITE AND TOP RIGHT: ACADEMIC IMAGES BOTTOM RIGHT: KAREN MOSIMANN LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY
and leave a mark on the world:
those words were among the advice a fellow alumna imparted to the 68 members of Agnes Irwin’s Class of 2016 during Commencement exercises on June 9. A sea of white dresses and orange rose bouquets behind her, Courtney H. Leimkuhler ’97, Co-President of Agnes Irwin’s National Alumnae Advisory Council and a newly elected member of the AIS Board of Trustees, delivered a Commencement address that reflected on the ways an Agnes Irwin education impacts its students and shared some thoughts for success as the school’s newest alumnae head off to college. Leimkuhler is the Chief Financial Officer of Marsh, the leading global insurance broker and risk advisor and one of four operating companies of Marsh & McLennan Companies. Prior to her current position, Leimkuhler was the Chief Financial Officer of Marsh’s U.S. and Canada Division. Before joining Marsh, Leimkuhler served as executive vice president and head of corporate strategy at NYSE Euronext, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange. A “lifer” at AIS, Leimkuhler graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College with a degree in government. Leimkuhler began her speech by sharing an anecdote that author David Foster Wallace famously imparted in his 2005 Commencement speech at Kenyon College. “How’s the water?” an older fish asks two younger fish, before swimming on. The two fish turn to each other. “What the hell is water?” one fish asks the other. “While its lesson is open to many interpretations, the one I take from it is to think critically about the assumptions you make,” Leimkuhler said. “I think that’s good advice at any age — but it’s particularly apt for those of you who are about to swim out of this wonderful little coral cove and into the big ocean.” Water, in this case, represents unspoken assumptions — thoughts and ideas we take for granted about the world that motivate our behaviors and attitudes, “things that are so fundamental to how you were raised that you have rarely, if ever, questioned them.” She offered advice about three crossroads at which it is especially important to be mindful of one’s particular “water”: when heading off to college; when planning a career, especially as a woman; and when considering life’s twists and turns and the ultimate contribution each student hoped to make. Leimkuhler encouraged students to replace judgment with curiosity, making their worlds bigger, not smaller, and to have career plans but to remain flexible and open to change. She also pointed out that “water” isn’t always bad. “The assumptions you will make about yourself and what you are capable of … this aspect [of water] is the most powerful of all.” She noted that at Agnes Irwin, a place that she said develops character traits like grit, determination and resilience in its students, “this aspect of the water is what gives you the independent thinking and intellectual curiosity to replace judgment and the perseverance to bounce back when your plan fails, when your
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Opposite Commencement speaker Courtney H. Leimkuhler ’97 addresses the class of 2016. 1. (From left) Abigail Rubin, Déjà LewisNwalipenja and Amaris Golden 2. Marian “Alex” Pinsk and Caroline Mosimann pose for a photo while enjoying post-ceremony activities.
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Commencement | CLASS OF 2016
“LEAVING AGNES IRWIN OF COURSE MEANS DEPARTING THOSE LEGENDARY YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL, BUT OF FAR GREATER IMPORT IS THE DEPARTURE WE ARE TAKING FROM THE PLACE WHICH HAS BEEN OUR HOME.”
assumptions were wrong or your faith misplaced.” The afternoon ceremony began with opening remarks by Head of School Dr. Wendy Hill and an invocation by Rabbi David Ackerman of Beth Am Israel in Penn Valley, whose prayer for graduates included the hope that they might “remain true to (their) highest ideals.” Prior to Leimkuhler’s speech, Anna Kramer ’16, chosen by her peers to give the student address, spoke to her 67 classmates for the last time as an Upper School student. “Leaving Agnes Irwin of course means departing those legendary years of high school, but of far greater import is the departure we are taking from the place which has been our home,” Kramer told her fellow graduates. “Essentially, this graduation marks the day we are no longer surrounded by the relationships, laughs, and occasional disagreements which have shaped us, whether we like it or not, into the people we
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are today.” Kramer thanked family for their support, and faculty for imbuing students with the capacity for “critical, analytical and compassionate thought” — but noted that more than the knowledge and accolades students attained, the legacy of the Agnes Irwin education would be “the experiences and habits we’ve unwittingly absorbed into our subconscious.” Before the presentation of diplomas by Board of Trustees Chair Ann Laupheimer Sonnenfeld ’77, Agnes Irwin’s Bel Cantos sang two selections — “For Good” from Wicked by Stephen Schwartz and “Landslide” by Stevie Nicks — marking their last performance as a group. Eight Commencement prizes were awarded — in history, English, modern language, science, classics, mathematics and arts for outstanding accomplishment, as well as overall academic achievement. The previous evening, scores of students in the Upper School received a wide variety of awards and accolades in academic and extracurricular activities at the annual Class Night. After Head of School Dr. Wendy Hill handed the last student her diploma, a chorus of cheers broke out, and Agnes Irwin’s newest alumnae threw their bouquets into the air. In her closing remarks, Hill recalled this year’s school-wide theme “Hope for Humankind,” which was based on renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall’s visit to Agnes Irwin last September, and the reasons for hope, in the face of world challenges, that Goodall enumerated. “The human intellect, the indomitable human spirit and the determination and commitment of young people are all in evidence in you, the Class of 2016,” Hill said. “Each of you has used your intellect, tackled challenging tasks, with determination, passion and commitment. This afternoon we celebrate your achievement, and as we do, we recognize you as our reason for hope.” — Amanda Mahnke
ACADEMIC IMAGES
Anna Kramer ’16
CLASS OF 2016 | Commencement
Opposite left (From left) Commencement Speaker Courtney Leimkuhler ‘97, Head of School Dr. Wendy Hill, Rabbi David Ackerman, Board of Trustees Chair Ann Laupheimer Sonnenfeld ‘77. Opposite right Seniors, including Anisha Mittal, line the hall as they await their cue to enter the gymnasium for the processional.
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1. Sarah Platt poses with Dr. Wendy Hill as she receives her diploma. 2. Nadia Slocum and Sydney Gray enjoy a laugh. 3. Anna Kramer delivers the student address.
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4. Junior Bel Cantos, family and friends cheer on the graduating class.
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5. Sarah Nicolson waves as the senior class makes its way to Commencement. 6. (From left) Grace Fan, Morgan Smith and Camille Smukler all received awards in Modern Language at Commencement: Fan for Chinese, and Smith and Smukler for French.
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7. Emma Griffiths, Nicolette Hevizi and Emma Cullen. 8. Bel Canto seniors sing their last song together: “Landslide” by Stevie Nicks. 9. Classics Department Chair David Marshall congratulates Marian Pinsk on the Bertha Laws Classics Prize for Greek.
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10. Kathryn Palandech and classmates applaud for classmate Anna Kramer as she ends her speech.
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11. Seniors gather before Commencement, with rose bouquets in their class color.
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Commencement | CLASS NIGHT AWARDS
2016 Class Night Award Winners On Class Night, the Upper School recognizes students in each grade for a variety of achievements and honors. 1932 Prize Sabina Smith 1936 Prize Marian Pinsk AATF Outstanding High School Senior in French Award Taylor Siegal Agnes Dixon Rowland Art Prize Caroline Richardson Agnes Irwin School Choral Music Award Sophia Lindner Agnes Irwin School Theatre Prize Charlotte Alexander American Chemical Society – Philadelphia Section Award Anna Flieder Barbara P. Barnett Holocaust Remembrance Prize Dillon Fisher Bradford Fogarty Award Sajdah Bey Brandeis Book Award Sajdah Bey Bryn Mawr President’s Book Award Fenian Kenney Carolyn Stockton Brown Prize Anna Kramer Catherine Rieser Drama Award Constance Thompson Dana Goldsborough Award Virginia Ulichney Daphne Apostolidis Award Abigail Rubin Dorothy Haviland Nelson Latin Prize Madisen Bowen, Anna Flieder Dorothy Sisson Smythe Award Fenian Kenney Edward Stephen Sacks Prize for Outstanding Senior in Classics Molly Thompson
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Eleanor Ross Cederstrom Latin & Greek Awards Latin: Sajdah Bey Greek: Caden Hanrahan George R. Barnett, III History Prize Anna Kramer Harvard Prize of Philadelphia Book Award Catherine de Lacoste-Azizi Head of School Award Katherine Pew Heather Thiermann Writing Prize Jenny Liang, Brynne Pergolini Honor Kilt Award 11th Grade: Gabrielle D’Arcangelo 12th Grade: Kendall Henderson Impulse Prizes Best Prose: Elizabeth Wren Francis Best Poetry: Katherine McGovern Best Art Work: Kathrina Payton Jeanne Clery Award Déjà Lewis-Nwalipenja Jean Farley Award French: Arden Berlinger Nicolette Hevizi Spanish: Virginia Ulichney Leadership by Example Award 9th Grade: Gavriella Kamens 10th Grade: Kayla Neary, Lauryn McCray Lucy M. Knauer Modern Language Prize French: Laura Tobar Spanish: Sajdah Bey Margot LeBoutillier Aldrich Award Kristin Burnetta Martha Goppelt Award Caden Hanrahan, Laura Tobar
Photography Award Sydney Gray Priscilla MacNeal Fine Arts Award Paige Stewart R. Patricia Trickey Prize Sophie Fisher (Senior Assembly topic: In Defense of Comic Sans), Kathryn Palandech (Senior Assembly topic: The Effects of Childhood Trauma) Rensselaer Mathematics and Science Award Gabrielle D’Arcangelo
Senior Athlete Award Katherine White Blue Belt Award Alexis Capers Carter Mannion Award 10th Grade: Kaitlyn Lees 11th Grade: Riley Flick White Blazer Award Hannah Keating
Robotics Recognition Award Hunter Sessa Smith College Book Award Sara Perkins Society of Women Engineers, Philadelphia Section — Certificate of Merit Program Honors: Lisa Huang Highest Honors: Gabrielle D’Arcangelo, Catherine de Lacoste-Azizi Sophy Dallas Irwin Prize Anna Kramer Stephanie Christie Athletic Award Emily Fryer University of Chicago Book Award Gabrielle D’Arcangelo University of Pennsylvania Book Award Sabina Smith University of Rochester and Xerox Corporation Award for Innovation and Information Technology Julia McDowell
Media Arts Award Emma Cullen
University of Virginia’s Jefferson Book Award Jordyn Hurly
Mount Holyoke Book Award Joanna Wickersham
Wellesley College Book Award Gillian Diebold
National Merit Recognition National Merit Corporate Scholar: Sophie Gaddes National Merit Scholarship: Anisha Mittal
Williams College Book Award Olivia Freiwald
SUMMER 2016
ATHLETIC AWARDS
AMANDA MAHNKE
1915 Prize Meghan Dillon
Yale Book Award Laura Tobar
Mathematics Chair Cindy Brown with award winner Gabrielle D’Arcangelo ’17
CUM LAUDE SOCIETY | Commencement
14 Agnes Irwin Seniors Inducted Into Cum Laude Society
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tinued on and became the great intellectuals, athletes, artists and visionaries you know them as. … And if I know anything about the women that Agnes Irwin produces, it is that you are all destined for great things.” The Agnes Irwin School’s chapter of the Cum Laude Society, an association with 382 chapters in the United States, Canada, England, France, Spain, Puerto Rico and the Philippines, honors students who have achieved excellence in the most rigorous course of study. The society permits school chapters to select up to 20 percent of the graduating class on the basis of superior scholarship. The selection is done by computing the level of performance and rigor of program and is determined by those computations without awareness of the students’ identities. The names of those selected are kept anonymous until the induction ceremony. Agnes Irwin’s 2016 inductees are (shown below, l-r): Morgan Smith, Anisha Mittal, Nicolette Hevizi, Arden Berlinger, Annalise Bowen, Grace Fan, Anna Kramer and Camille Smukler on top row; Hunter Sessa, Virginia Ulichney, Sophie Fisher, Anika Jagasia and Yanling Liu. Not pictured: Sophie Gaddes. — Amanda Mahnke
AMANDA MAHNKE
ourteen Agnes Irwin seniors were inducted into the school’s Cum Laude Society at a ceremony on April 18, representing students who have pursued the most rigorous coursework during their high school years. Alumna Clare Putnam Pozos ’00, a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, addressed students at the assembly, congratulating the new inductees and the entire senior class on their achievements. “Yours is a true accomplishment,” Pozos said. “You wouldn’t be honored here today without years of determination and excellence in your academic pursuits.” Pozos herself was inducted into the Cum Laude Society at Agnes Irwin, and currently serves as Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In her speech, she encouraged students not to let their disappointments define them, nor to avoid new experiences for fear of failing, recollecting some “famous failures,” such as J.K. Rowling and Abraham Lincoln. “They did not let other people’s views of who they were or what they should be define them,” she said. “They con-
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Commencement | COLLEGE CHOICES
College Choices for the Class of 2016 Teagan Aguirre University of Pennsylvania
Meghan Dillon University of Richmond
Anika Jagasia*s University of Pennsylvania
Kathryn Palandech University of Wisconsin
Charlotte Alexander New York University, Steinhardt
Gabriella Duncan Emerson College
Natalie James University of Richmond
Laura Pansini Princeton University
Christina Erixxon Babson College
Julia Kalis Miami University, Ohio
Vidhi Patel University of Richmond
Sarah Ballarini George Washington University Audrey Bell Carnegie Mellon University Berlinger*s
Arden Columbia University (one of nine awarded Science Research Fellows)
Kaos
Grace Fan* Brown University
Lydia Drexel University
Anna Peters Wesleyan University
Sophie Fisher*s Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Hannah Keating Harvard University
Katherine Pew University of Southern California
Anna Kramer*s Brown University
Emily Fryer Brown University
DĂŠjĂ Lewis-Nwalipenja Drew University
Annalise Bowen*s Vanderbilt University
Sophie Gaddes*v Williams College
Dejah Bradshaw New York University, Tisch
Alexia Gibb University of South Carolina
Kristin Burnetta Harvard University
Hanley Glisk University of Miami
Emma Buthusiem George Washington University
Amaris Golden Fairleigh-Dickinson University
Emma Cook Barnard College
Sydney Gray George Washington University
Jessica Crowley University of Alabama Emma Cullen Colorado College Laura Cutler Colgate University Ella Damstra Johns Hopkins University
Emma Griffiths Southern Methodist University Kendall Henderson Elon University Nicolette Hevizi* Duke University
Sophia Lindners University of Pennsylvania Yanling Liu* University of California, Berkeley
Morgan Smith*s Georgetown University Camille Smukler*s Amherst College
Sarah Platt University of Virginia
Molly Thompson Drew University
Indiah Porter University of Hartford
Virginia Ulichney* Tufts University
Jaakirah Reid Colby College
Sanyukta Wagle University of Maryland, College Park (Science Scholar)
Claire Micheletti Colgate University
Chase Robinson University of Delaware
Anisha Mittal*v Harvard University
Alexis Roccia University of California, Davis
Zahra Ortiz Centre College
Nadia Slocum American University
Constance Thompson Clemson University
Kathryn Robbins Elon University
Sarah Nicolson Roger Williams University
Taylor Siegal University of Pennsylvania
Marian Pinsk Franklin & Marshall College
Kiley Mahoney University of Pennsylvania
Caroline Mosimanns Durham University, United Kingdom
Carolyn Shipe George Washington University
Abigail Rubin Washington University, St. Louis
Sophia Weintraub University of North Carolina (Honors) Katherine White Dartmouth College
* Cum Laude Society v
s
Hunter Sessa*s Wellesley College
National Merit Scholar National Merit Recognized
COMMENCEMENT PRIZES
The Bertha Laws Classics Prize Greek: Marian Pinsk Latin: Sanyukta Wagle
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Alumnae Association English Prize Nicolette Hevizi Anna Kramer Anisha Mittal The Agnes Irwin School History Prize Caroline Mosimann Morgan Smith
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The Phillis Belisle Mathematics Prize Sophie Fisher The Agnes Irwin School Modern Language Prize French: Morgan Smith Camille Smukler Spanish: Sophia Lindner Chinese: Grace Fan
Phi Beta Kappa Sophie Fisher The Edith C. Gall Science Prize Sophie Fisher
ACADEMIC IMAGES
The Agnes Irwin School Arts Prize Visual: Carolyn Shipe Performing: Sophia Lindner
Save the Date FOR A NIGHT WITH
DORIS KEARNS
GOODWIN HOW DID WE GET HERE? A Historical Perspective on Our Wild 2016 Election Join us in welcoming Doris Kearns Goodwin, worldrenowned presidential historian, public speaker and Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose critically acclaimed book Team of Rivals was the basis for the blockbuster movie Lincoln. Among Goodwin’s six critically acclaimed, New York Times-bestselling books is The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism. She won the Pulitzer Prize in history for No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II. Ms. Goodwin frequently appears as a news commentator on NBC, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, CNN, The Charlie Rose Show and Meet the Press. Wednesday, September 28 7 p.m. The Agnes Irwin School’s Main Gymnasium
Book signing will follow the lecture and Q&A session. To RSVP, visit agnesirwin.org/FallSpeaker. Sponsored by The Lily Foundation Supported by the Class of 1957 Speakers Fund
Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 1043 Conshohocken, PA
agnesirwin.org
Ithan Avenue and Conestoga Road Rosemont, PA 19010-1042 Tel 610.525.8400 Fax 610.525.8908
The Class of 2016
Front Row: Carolyn Shipe, Hunter Sessa, Nadia Slocum, Sydney Gray, Audrey Bell, Sophie Gaddes, Sophie Fisher, Virginia Ulichney, Emily Fryer, Dejah Bradshaw Row 2: Hanley Glisk, Alexia Gibb, Lydia Kao, Sarah Ballarini, Anika Jagasia, Kendall Henderson, Sarah Platt, Teagan Aguirre, Ella Damstra Row 3: Camille Smukler, Emma Cullen, Marian Pinsk, Vidhi Patel, Yanling Liu, Emma Cook, Julia Kalis, Sarah Nicolson, Alexis Roccia, Indiah Porter Row 4: Gabriella Duncan, Natalie James, Kiley Mahoney, Meghan Dillon, Nicolette Hevizi, Laura Pansini, Annalise Bowen, Jessica Crowley, Constance Thompson Row 5: Claire Micheletti, Jaakirah Reid, Kathryn Robbins, Zahra Ortiz, Anisha Mittal, Katherine Pew, Sophia Weintraub, Sophia Lindner, Grace Fan, Kathryn Palandech Row 6: Caroline Mosimann, Anna Kramer, Taylor Siegal, Sanyukta Wagle, Molly Thompson, Chase Robinson, Amaris Golden, Katherine White, Kristin Burnetta Back Row: Morgan Smith, Emma Griffiths, Arden Berlinger, Charlotte Alexander, Christina Erixxon, Laura Cutler, Anna Peters, Emma Buthusiem, Abigail Rubin, DĂŠjĂ Lewis-Nwalipenja Not Pictured: Hannah Keating