The Archmerean - Spring 2020

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The Archmerean SPRING 2020 | Volume 91

Preserving Our History.

LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE.


WHAT IS A PUTTO?

[ˈpoodō] NOUN putti (plural noun) 1. a representation of a cherub or a cupid in Renaissance art.

LEARNING FROM HISTORY

EXPLORING NEW MEDIA

A plaster cast created by Archmere visual art teacher Ms. Jody Hoffman, PP ’09, ’12, and her AP 3D Design students, in consultation with Hagley Museum. The cast was created from a set of two decorative hand-carved putti cherubs, original finials to a pair of chairs in the Patio’s music room. Using a careful and complicated serial casting process, Ms. Hoffman and her students were able to reconstruct a whole version of the putti design element by casting two fragmented halves and then recombining the casts from the original chairs. Silver negatives of the original music room space show the putto figurines atop the chairs, and later images show the pieces covered in custom fabric “sleeves” and then eventually removed. The putto castings are yet one example of our continued examination of the ways we can leverage the Patio and its remarkable history as a resource for teaching and learning. Learn more on page 50.

A three-dimensional print of Archmere alum George Frankel 16’s bust. Archmere’s nationally-recognized fine arts program has a history of seeking out and experimenting with new and emerging technologies to expand creative possibilities in the Manor studios. This 3D print was created by first using a Cubify Sense Scanner to take a topographical digital scan of the student’s face, which then creates an x/y file path of a three-dimensional object. The file path is then interpreted by a 3D printer to reproduce the object in three dimensions using plastic PLA filament.

Both pieces provide examples of traditional 3D casting methods as well as emerging technologies leveraged to create 3D designed objects. Learn more about both sculptures on page 51.


in this issue

The Archmerean

FEATURES

EDITOR & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

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A conversation with Mike Johnson

Archmere students serving our community

Stephanie Silverman ’00 Director of Marketing & Communications EDITORIAL TEAM

Ainsley Hertrich Palladino ’05 Alumni Relations & Events Coordinator Denise Starnes ’93, CP ’23 Admissions & Marketing Coordinator

Faculty Spotlight: Building Community

DEPARTMENTS

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Living Our Mission

Snapshot: Nature’s Glory

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Fall Events Recap Homecoming Weekend, Celebrating our Golden Alumni, and Norbert Awards Presentation

CONTRIBUTORS

Katherine Ball-Weir PP ’17 Claire Brechter William Church Jillian DeFina Timothy Dougherty William “Bill” E. Gehrman ’88 Kelly Hart Jonathan Jezyck Michael Johnson John Jordan ’80, PP ’12, ’15, ’18, CP ’21 Rev. Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem. Helen Laster ’18 Terry Newitt PP ’95, ’02 Francesca Pileggi ’06 Kristen Witte-Pombo Dr. Lauren “Lori” Healy Scarpaci ’88 Catherine Souza Katie Eissler-Thiel Meaghan Thomas John Washburn Kristen Witte Rev. John Zagarella, O.Praem.

| Contents

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Conversations Getting Social

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Anticipating the Jubilee Year of Norbertine Order

Comprehensive Health & Wellness programming supports students success in classrooms, fields, and studios

Celebrating 900 Years of Premontré

Supporting Students

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Faculty & Staff News

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Around Campus Academic Recognitions and Fall and Winter Sports

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DESIGN

Melodee Dill Stephens

Senior Career Day

PHOTOGRAPHY

The Class of 2020 explores potential career paths

Archmere Marketing & Communications Department, Aubrey Kingston Photography, Barksdale Photography, and Jim Graham Photography The Archmerean is published twice annually to showcase how Archmere’s alumni, faculty, staff, and students embody our motto: Pietate et Scientia, Reverence and Wisdom.

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An update on the Archmere Organ Restoration Project

Helen Laster ’18’s Global Learning Adventures

Performing and Visual Arts

Remaking a Masterpiece

Around Campus

Alumni Spotlight

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Exploring our Own Castle of Dreams The Patio as an instructional resource Dr. Michael Marinelli, Ed.D. ’76 Headmaster John Jordan ’80, PP ’12, ’15, ’18, CP ’21 Principal 3600 Philadelphia Pike Claymont, Delaware 19703

ArchmereAcademy.com Archmere Academy is a Catholic, Norbertine college preparatory school, valuing community, respect, zeal, reverence and wisdom. Nurturing body and soul, mind and heart, Archmere focuses on the whole person through academic excellence, faith reflection, social development, and service to others. Inspired by its heritage, Archmere cultivates empathetic leaders – young men and women prepared for every good work.

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Alumni News

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Principal John Jordan leaves Archmere “Better than he found it”

Legendary Art Teacher Terry Newitt bids farewell

Reflections

In Memoriam

Leaving a Legacy

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ON THE COVER Digital photograph by Anna Garcia ’21. In this issue, we reflect upon the preservation of our school’s remarkable history while looking into the future.

ARCHMERE ACADEMY

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From the Headmaster |

spring 2020

PERSPECTIVE LABOR DAY IN 1972 WAS CELEBRATED ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, SO IT MUST HAVE BEEN ON SEPTEMBER 5 THAT I MET FATHER JOSEPH MCLAUGHLIN, O.PRAEM. FOR THE FIRST TIME. I remember entering the

library (now the Oratory) in St. Norbert Hall and Father McLaughlin was standing at the door handing out our class schedules for the semester on 4.25" x 5.5" pieces of white paper. Father had been assigned to Archmere for the 1970-71 academic year, having been ordained on May 16, 1970, as a member of the Norbertine community at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, Pennsylvania. I don’t recall much about Father McLaughlin after that encounter, but I would come to know him as my teacher and coach very soon. Apparently, I was pretty good in Freshman English class, so that at the end of the first semester, I was placed into the Sophomore English curriculum. “Literary Genres: Short Story” was the class and Father McLaughlin, the teacher, for the Spring semester of my Freshman year. For a painfully shy kid, joining a class of sophomores was a bit intimidating. Within a couple of weeks, I felt comfortable enough to contribute to class conversations and engage in analysis of the literature, because of the way Father McLaughlin taught and conducted the class. He had a way of letting you know that class time was “precious;” it was a time to relate to the literature and unlock the messages of the writers, somehow relating these themes to ourselves and our lives. Father McLaughlin made the short stories and their authors come alive, often quoting lines from the stories when he saw you outside of class. The irony of Fortunato’s statement, “I shall not die of a cough,” in Edgar Allen Poe’s work, The Cask of Amontillado, was a favorite of mine, as was “I would prefer not to,” a quote from the lead character in Bartleby the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street, by Herman Melville. I will always remember his directive to look up the meaning of words that we did not know. He asked us to write the definitions in the margins of our paperback books. Then, from time to time, he would announce a “pop” quiz and, using our books, ask us to define five words from our assigned reading, and use each word in a sentence. One of my favorite words that I recall is “antimacassar.” As Father read to us some student responses to the quiz, it was quite humorous and obvious that some students did not complete the vocabulary assignment. I recall one student’s sentence in which someone bludgeoned another with

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an antimacassar, which the student defined as a “fireplace iron.” The actual definition of antimacassar is “a piece of cloth put over the back of a chair to protect it from grease and dirt or as an ornament.” Needless to say, unannounced quiz days were happy and sad days, depending on how many definitions you wrote in the margins to words you did not know! During my sophomore year, I expressed an interest in Speech and Debate, because Father McLaughlin was the moderator. Taking another step to overcome shyness, I participated in the club by writing and delivering “Persuasive Original Oratory.” I recall Saturday speech tournaments, when Father McLaughlin would pick up team members, and we would drive to speech tournaments hosted by a number of schools in the Philadelphia Catholic Forensics League and in the Delaware Forensics League. These all-day events were exciting and nerve-racking. Father McLaughlin was so wellrespected by his peers as a speech coach, and he provided tremendous support to us as we received our “grades” at the end of the tournament, which


resulted in personal awards, team points, and team In 1975 and 1976, my junior and senior years, there were the “Bicentennial awards. I don’t know that we always ended up at the Youth Debates” held annually in Williamsburg, Virginia. Winning teams from top of the list of awards, but we did well, and most all the states in the union were invited to debate the topics. The 1976 topic importantly, we were reaffirmed of our performance was: Resolved: That the development and allocation of scarce world resources should by Father. Morning donuts and coffee on the way to be controlled by an international organization. The Archmere team represented a tournament and the confident affirmational words Delaware in both years. Father McLaughlin was present through all of the on the way home were the perfect book-ends to a preparation and tournament days in Williamsburg. long day. Graduating Archmere and going off to college was emotionally challenging for As I began my junior year, I received a call from me, because, my Archmere years introduced me to a caring community of people Father McLaughlin at home, asking me to consider just a few months after my father died suddenly, about three weeks before my joining the debating team. There was an opening grade school graduation. It was hard to leave the Archmere community, as well as on the team of juniors and seniors, and there was my family. While at college, I corresponded with Father McLaughlin and indicated to be a meeting that Saturday at the Patio. I was that I was discerning a religious vocation. After two years of conversations and hesitant, because I knew that I could deliver a visits to the Abbey at Father’s invitation, I decided not to pursue that calling for a prepared speech, but to debate extemporaneously number of reasons. Nevertheless, we continued to stay in touch. was another scary experience of stepping out of I began a career in banking and finance after college graduation. Four years into one’s “comfort zone.” I said, “Yes,” and soon after, my work, I received a phone call from Father to get together for lunch. It was July, I was researching and writing “evidence cards” to 1984, and Father had been appointed Headmaster of Archmere the year before. prepare for our first debate. He offered me the position of Director of The national high school Development and Public Relations. After more Father McLaughlin’s conversations over the summer, I began working debating topic for 1975 was: at Archmere on September 1, 1984, with Father Resolved: That the United story is Archmere’s story McLaughlin as my boss and Father Justin E. Diny, States should significantly in large part, demonstrating O.Praem. as my mentor. It was a perfect environment change the method of for a 26-year-old novice fundraiser. I worked with selecting presidential and the phenomenon that Father McLaughlin until 1996, when I left Archmere vice-presidential candidates. is Archmere. for a position at the Delaware Art Museum and I was so nervous, but Father McLaughlin, along with Father concluded his headmastership at the end of his confrere, Father Vincent Freiberg, O.Praem., that calendar year with the transition of leadership at Archmere. who assisted with the debating team, were very In the following years, Father and I kept in touch, and in 1998, when I began supportive. I remember after one debate that did working at Saint Edmond’s Academy as Associate Headmaster and later, in 2004, not go so well, Father McLaughlin offered insights as Headmaster, Father was most supportive. In 2006, Father McLaughlin was asked and words of encouragement that made me want to become Headmaster again. For the following four years, Father McLaughlin to double-down on my preparation and reassess my and I would often carpool to meetings of the Delaware Association of Independent approach to the debate. Schools (DAIS), and meet regarding other issues pertinent to our schools.

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From the Headmaster |

spring 2020

(continued)

Since my appointment as Headmaster of Archmere in 2010, Father McLaughlin continues to serve as school chaplain and Director of Mission and Heritage. Even though our roles have changed over the years, our work together seems uninterrupted from the days of student and teacher, public speaker and coach. I know that I am not the only person who has been blessed by the presence of Father McLaughlin in his or her life, but I share with you my personal story, because I believe that it represents the impact that Father McLaughlin makes on the lives of the many people he has come to know over his long tenure at Archmere. It is in the ordinary things that he makes special – his presence at baptisms, weddings, and funerals, a personal hand-written note, birthday, or anniversary card, and regular efforts to extend himself, even when, of late, he challenges himself physically. On May 16, 2020, Father is celebrating his Golden Jubilee – 50 years of priesthood. Most of those years were in service to the Archmere community. Father was born on May 25, 1943, and grew up in South Philadelphia with his parents and brother, John. At the age of seven, his father died. His mother worked, while he attended Saint Aloysius Academy for Boys, a pre-K through eighth grade school founded by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. After graduation, he attended Bishop Neumann High School, and became acquainted with the Norbertine Fathers, who administered and taught at the school. Father would attend Saint Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and a year later, join the Norbertine Order. After his ordination in 1970, he completed his Master’s Degree in English from the University of Wisconsin in 1972, and a second Master’s Degree in Religious Studies from Villanova University in 1973. Father’s first assignment as a newly ordained priest was to teach English at Archmere Academy for the 1970-71 school year. Father McLaughlin was a popular teacher among the students. He taught “Literary Genres: Novel, Poetry, Short Story, and Drama.” He served as moderator of the Speech and Debate Club (Forensics), and coached many students to compete in a number of speech tournaments, annually hosting an Archmere Grade School Speech Tournament. He also taught a speech course elective, in which students prepared original informative and persuasive speeches about a variety of topics. I recall informative speeches about how to change a flat tire, shoot a bow and arrow, make Irish Coffee, and embalm a corpse. (Many of these speeches were accompanied by demonstrations!) For one year, he was asked to serve as Director of the boarding students who lived in the Patio at Archmere, when the Academy had a boarding program. From 1978 to 1982,

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he served as Master of Novices at Daylesford Abbey, working with the novices who were interested in joining the community, while commuting to Archmere to continue to teach Theology classes until 1983. He concluded the “Marriage and the Family” course with a two-hour final exam of twenty essay questions. It was in the Spring of 1983 that he was elected to succeed Father Justin E. Diny as the fifth headmaster of Archmere. Father McLaughlin recalls that the ceremonial “passing of the baton” occurred quite uneventfully at the Norbertine Community dinner table one evening in the Patio, when Father Diny, after the announcement was made, turned to Father McLaughlin and said, “Congratulations, Joe. Please pass the potatoes.” From 1983 to 1996, Father led the Academy with a team of administrators who were organized as deans responsible for finance, academic affairs, and student life. Father’s style was very collaborative, and decisions made were transparent and developed through consensus. Father led with deep faith and a respect for the history and tradition of the Academy and his predecessors. He worked long hours, and devoted himself to school and community life. He experienced physical setbacks with health issues in 1992, and personal losses with the deaths of Father Diny in 1989 and Father Vincent Freiberg in 1993. Through all of the trials, Father led the Academy through many triumphs, and Archmere grew in reputation and faith. When the Norbertine community at Daylesford Abbey, which owned and operated Archmere Academy, decided to form two separate communities, Father McLaughlin was replaced as Headmaster effective January 1, 1997. Father McLaughlin worked in various roles at Daylesford over the next few years.


During that time, the Academy governance reorganized and became independent of the Abbey. In 2001, Father was invited to return to Archmere and work as the Academy’s chaplain. A short time later in 2006, he was asked to assume the role of Headmaster for a second time. He agreed, and requested that he have the assistance of a Principal. Mr. Paul Pomeroy, long-time Physics teacher, coach, Admissions Director, and mentor from 1968 until 1998, agreed to return to Archmere and take on the role. For the next two years, Father McLaughlin and Mr. Pomeroy worked together to advance the Academy and see the school community through a major capital campaign that transformed the campus with a new McLaughlin-Mullen Student Life Center, renovations to the Justin E. Diny Science Center and The Moglia Field House, a center quad, and other campus improvements. In 2008, Father McLaughlin joined forces with Dr. William Doyle, longtime teacher, coach, and athletic director, who was appointed Principal to succeed Mr. Pomeroy. For the next two years, Father McLaughlin and Dr. Doyle created an effective team. When I returned as Headmaster in 2010, I was so grateful to have Father McLaughlin and Dr. Doyle as collaborators. Father McLaughlin has been a wonderful mentor to me over these last ten years. He continues to be attentive to the spiritual needs of the entire Archmere community, including our alumni and their families. He is also an advocate for those who make tremendous financial sacrifices to have their children attend Archmere. His prayers at the start of each Headmaster’s Council meeting include a bit of history about the Norbertines and Archmere, mixed with information about the significance of the date and the Gospel reading for the day, prescribed by the Church’s liturgical calendar. These prayers are richly condensed “lesson plans” that only Father McLaughlin could create. His “mission and heritage” emails punctuate the calendar, always reminding us of our Norbertine history, our Catholic heritage, our Archmere story, and our many blessings.

Father McLaughlin’s story is Archmere’s story in large part, demonstrating the phenomenon that is Archmere. It is a transformational place because there is such care taken in the “passing of the torch” and honoring the legacy, while at the same time embracing change, knowing that change is the only constant as we look to the future. As part of honoring the legacy and, at the same time, assuring a bright future for Archmere, it has been tradition that an endowed scholarship fund is established in the name of the headmasters of Archmere, including Father McLaughlin. Honorary and memorial gifts to these funds are always appreciated as they help us to provide the financial assistance each year to sustain our tradition of making an Archmere education affordable to deserving and talented students. Consider the many exciting stories presented in this issue of The Archmerean, and the fact that all of this positive energy has been built over the years from hard work and sacrifices, as well as talent and insights of previous generations of students, teachers, parents, administrators, and benefactors. Father McLaughlin has contributed to this growth for five decades. During that time, I have only seen him sign his letters with one closing salutation: “Faithfully.” So, I conclude this letter in gratitude for Father’s constancy and faithfulness over these last 50 years, and ask God to bless him and us with many more years together. Sincerely,

Michael A. Marinelli, Ed.D. ’76 Headmaster

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Snapshot |

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nature’s glory

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Natural beauty and resources abound on Archmere’s campus, providing opportunities for study, wonder, and interdisciplinary intersections. In 2019, a pair of Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) started a nest on campus, an excellent example of the success of the Endangered Species Act – a perfect teaching moment and living example of the importance of environmental regulations. During Winterim this January, students and teachers climbed atop the roof of the Patio mansion with their binoculars to catch a glimpse of these majestic birds. Our campus also features a large native plant garden, now recognized as a certified Natural Wildlife Habitat and also a Monarch Waystation. A native black cherry (Prunus serotina) and a Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) attract several species of butterflies and birds. In addition to being useful for wildlife year-round, the garden adds color and beauty to our campus in both the fall and spring. The native plants between the Justin E. Diny Science Building and the Manor also attract wildlife. Over the years, Archmere’s Horticulture Club has been instrumental in raising funds, choosing plants, digging, and weeding the native garden. AP Biology students use the campus for a variety of lab activities (mark and recapture studies). Our AP Environmental Science classes test water quality, both primary and secondary succession. All Biology classes use the campus for their study of dispersion patterns in populations. And of course, as evidenced in this spectacular image created by one of our art students, there are many places on campus that are perfect for the photographers and sketchers to capture a moment of nature’s glory. DR. JENNA CHRISTY

Photography by Drew Tamassia ’21 Silver Key Award, Photography Category, 2020 Delaware Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards “ I was inspired to take this image after I bought a macro lens extension. I had tried for a few weeks to take photos of small bugs and flowers and found that bees were particularly difficult to photograph. It became sort of my mission to try and get an interesting bee picture. I shoot on a Canon Rebel T6. In this photo I used a 75-300mm lens with macro extension tubes. I tried to apply the rule of thirds to this photo when shooting it. When editing the image, I enhanced the saturation of the purple flower to better complement the bee’s yellow. My original intention for the picture was to capture the bee because I thought it was an interesting subject, however this image can definitely be understood as an image intended to advocate for the declining bee population. I think many people are unaware of this dire environmental issue and are scared of bees. I hope that the photo can show how interesting and important they are in nature.”

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ARCHMERE ACADEMY

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Fall Events |

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first day, homecoming, and grandparents day

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To register online and to view a complete schedule for Homecoming 2020 events, visit: ArchmereAcademy.com/homecoming

Grandparents Day & Thanksgiving Liturgy On November 26, 2019, all Archmere grandparents were invited to attend the annual Thanksgiving Liturgy in the Theater. The Liturgy also included the Commissioning of our Winter Athletes and distribution of the Sports & Spirituality prayer cards to all attendees. Grandparents of current students were invited to join us on this special day to visit our campus and share in their grandchild(ren)’s high school experience. 220 grandparents and special friends attended the event. The Thanksgiving Liturgy was followed by a special Grandparents Reception in the Student Life Center and campus tours as requested.

New Beginnings Headmaster Dr. Michael A. Marinelli ’76 opens the John G. Ambrogi ’76 Gates on August 26, 2019. The gates only open twice per year, once for first-year students who walk in and are welcomed by a gathering of the Archmere community, and once again after Commencement, when graduating seniors process out past alumni, family, and friends.

Homecoming 2019 On Saturday, October 19, hundreds of students, alumni, parents, grandparents and friends joined us on campus for a day filled with athletic games, a bounce house, tailgates and an abundance of school pride. Alumni gathered on The Patio Terrace for a social before heading over to the Immaculate Conception Oratory in St. Norbert Hall for the Annual Homecoming Mass. The day concluded with the Alumni Reunion Reception, which was held in the Patio for alumni celebrating a milestone reunion. It was a well-attended reunion year, with 225 alumni in attendance from classes ending in 4 and 9. In 2020, we will be celebrating alumni reunions for classes ending in “0” and “5.” Alumni interested in helping to plan Homecoming Reunions may contact Ainsley Hertrich Palladino ’05, Archmere’s Alumni Relations & Events Coordinator, at 302.798.6632 ext. 757 or apalladino@archmereacademy.com.

ATTENTION ARCHMERE GRANDPARENTS

Contact Ainsley Hertrich Palladino ’05 at apalladino@archmereacademy.com or 302.798.6632 ext. 757 to have your complimentary Archmere Grandparent bumper sticker mailed to you.

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Golden Alumni & Norbert Awards Presentation ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20 DURING HOMECOMING WEEKEND, ARCHMERE CELEBRATED THE GOLDEN ALUMNI & NORBERT AWARD LUNCHEON. This combined event began with a Mass in the Theater concelebrated by Rev. Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem. and Rev. Michael Manz ’69. Following the Mass, Dr. Michael Marinelli ’76 formally inducted the Class of 1969 into the Golden Alumni Society, which includes all graduates from 50 or more years ago. Four individuals whose work and support have contributed to the robust legacy of Archmere Academy were honored with Norbert Awards: Anita Kennedy, Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, Elaine Fry Reilly ’83 and E. John Walsh (posthumously). Since 1973, Archmere has conferred the Alumnus/a of the Year Award to an outstanding alumnus or alumna who significantly enhanced the quality of life in their families and communities, and/or made a positive impact on others by their philanthropic spirit. The Norbert Awards have been given since 2016 and evolved from the Alumnus/a of the Year Award to honor those who best embody the Archmere Academy mission and have demonstrated exemplary achievements through professional distinction, service to others, or service to the Archmere community.

From left to right, Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, Elaine Fry Reilly ’83, Sheila Walsh (recipient of award for E. John Walsh), and Anita Kennedy

ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS

1990 Thomas G. Lewis III ’62

2007 Carl S. Campion ’76

2016 Dr. Katherine A Sahm ’90

1991 James V. Healy ’49

2017 Rev. John M. Hynes ’57

1973 Joseph R. Biden ’61

1992 William F. Githens ’64

2008 John G. (Jerry) Ambrogi ’76

1974 Msgr. Paul J. Taggart ’36

1993 Joseph P. Melloy ’52

1975 Robert F. Kelly Sr. ’36

1994 Thomas H. Anderson III ’60

1976 James P. Collins ’37

1995 Stuart H. L. Degginger ’39

1977 John J. Kelly ’46

1996 Leonard Quill ’49

1978 Vincent J. Filliben ’47

1997 Msgr. John H. Dewson ’39

1979 James M. Mulligan ’50

1998 John J. Haley ’47

1980 Henri F. Wendel ’43

1999 Joseph J. Longobardi ’48

1981 Richard T. Joyce ’49

2000 Arthur G. Connolly ’55

1982 Gerard Garey ’36

2001 Earl C. Francis ’56

1983 Daniel A. Durkin ’60

2002 Paul E. DiSabatino ’47

1984 Clayford T. Grimm ’43

2003 Michael J. Hare ’79

1985 Clifford L. Anzilotti ’59 1986 William A. DiNardo Jr. ’52 1987 Joseph J. Davalos ’59 1988 Michael E. Harkins ’59 1989 John V. Flynn ’60

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2004 Rev. Timothy F. Mullen, O.Praem. ’65 2005 Dr. Kert F. Anzilotti ’61 2006 The Honorable Joseph G. DiPinto ’50

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2009 Anthony A. Latini, Jr. ’82 2010 Anthony G. Flynn Sr. ’69 2011 Kathryn Cunningham Hall ’04 2012 Louis P. D’Angelo Jr. ’64 2013 Carol Reardon Thomson ’79 2014 Robert E. Shields ’60

2017 Dr. Phillip B. (Jay) Storm, Jr. ’86 2017 MaryAnn O’Brien Slowik ’79 2017 James P. Tosi 2018 Sydney Davolos Beers ’88 2018 Dr. George T. Cunningham ’55

2015 Donn Devine ’46

2018 Patricia K. Cunningham

NORBERT AWARD RECIPIENTS

2018 Rev. Stephen J. Rossey, O.Praem.

2018 John S. Gerard

2016 David J. Barnard

2019 Anita R. Kennedy

2016 The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, III ’87 (posthumously)

2019 Dr. Rosalie M. Mirenda

2016 Francis J. Filliben ’46

2019 Elaine Fry Reilly ’83 2019 E. John Walsh (posthumously)


ARCHMERE ACADEMY NORBERT AWARD HONOREES 2019

ANITA KENNEDY Anita Kennedy became acquainted with Archmere Academy when her brother, Joseph V. McLaughlin, attended and graduated in 1966. Anita would reconnect with the Archmere community with her husband, Robert, when her oldest son, Bob entered as a freshman in the fall of 1981. Subsequently, Bob graduated in 1985, son Michael graduated in 1988, and daughter Kristen Kennedy Hodlofski graduated in 1991. She has contributed so much of herself to the Archmere community over the years, serving a total of ten years on the Mothers’ Guild, and eventually named President in 1990. During her years as an Archmere parent, Anita contributed countless hours and resources each year to Mothers’ Guild committees and projects, including the Fashion Show, Garage Sale, and Parents Dinner Dance, that raised funds for the Academy. She also initiated the very first “Afterprom” for seniors in 1985, which continues to be one of the most memorable moments for our seniors to this day. In 1991, she joined the Board of Trustees. Five of Anita’s ten grandchildren are Auks: Madison Kennedy ’16, Ryan Hodlofski ’19, Kelly Hodlofski ’21, Peyton Kennedy ’22, and Duke Hodlofski ’23.

DR. ROSALIE MIRENDA Dr. Mirenda began her career at Neumann University (formerly Neumann College) in August of 1973 as an Instructor in the Division of Nursing. In her 44 years at Neumann University, she has been a model of effective leadership in Catholic education. Dr. Mirenda has held 10 positions in her time at Neumann, elevating her career from Instructor to President of the University. During her Presidency of Neumann University, the institution was transformed into a 21st century model of higher education. A most notable achievement during her Presidency was the establishment of the Neumann University Institute for Sports, Spirituality, and Character Development which believes that sports possess an inescapable spiritual and ethical dimension that merits academic exploration and practical application. At the start of this school year, Archmere launched its own Sports and Spirituality Program, based on the Neumann University model. Dr. Mirenda, and husband, Anthony, are the parents of three Archmere graduates, Anthony ’80, John ’83, and Rosalie Ann (Lee) ’86. And John and his wife, Laura, are the parents of Alyssa ’21. Dr. Mirenda joined the Board of Trustees in 2001, and served as Chair of Archmere’s Board of Trustees.

ELAINE FRY REILLY ’83 Elaine Reilly received her bachelor’s degree from College of William and Mary, and then later received her law degree from Harvard Law School. Elaine currently serves as the Vice President/Chief Compliance Officer for The Chemours Company in Wilmington. She is responsible for designing and maintaining a global Ethics & Compliance Program focusing mainly on risk areas of business ethics, antitrust, anti-corruption, international trade and privacy. Prior to her current position, she spent 13 years as Corporate Counsel to E.I. DuPont DE Nemours and Company, where she was the lead lawyer for DuPont’s construction-focused products, such as Tyvek and Corian. A faithful and generous alumna, Elaine has remained engaged with Archmere since her graduation and, with husband Michael, decided to send Patrick ’13, Keelin ’17, and Melina ’20 to Archmere. Elaine joined the Board of Trustees in 2012 and served for two three-year terms, and served as a co-chair of the Comprehensive Campaign for Archmere that supported the renovation of Saint Norbert Hall and the growth of the scholarship and financial assistance endowment funds. Currently, Elaine serves as a Trustee of The Archmere Trust.

E. JOHN WALSH (posthumously) John Walsh was a beloved teacher and coach at Archmere from 1960 to 1968 and then returned from 1976 to 2004. He is the father of our longtime Driver’s Education teacher Michael ’80, Susan ’81, Margaret ’82, Kathleen ’85, and Sheila ’88. He is also the paternal grandfather of Daniel ’17 and Katherine ’21. John was a highly successful coach in six sports over four decades at Archmere Academy and Concord High School. Throughout his career, he was named Delaware’s High School Coach of the Year in three sports. He was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 2012, and Archmere’s Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 1995; and the school’s sportsmanship award is named after him. In addition to his coaching accolades, John also received many teaching awards: a National Catholic Educators Association Service Award in 1987, the University of Delaware’s Commitment to Teaching Award in 1991, and the College Board Advanced Placement Recognition Award in 2003.

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Winter Events |

celebrating the season

Alumni Mastersingers December Green Concert

2020 ALUMNI MASTERSINGERS Andrew Crowley Boyask ’98 Jennifer Green Broomall ’88

On Sunday, December 22, 2019, the Friends of the Patio hosted the annual Coming Home for Christmas Concert which featured 30 alumni Mastersingers and 30 current Mastersingers. Conductors for the program included David Ifkovits and Mary Ellen Schauber, who combined both choirs in a way that showcased the groups’ collective talent. Pianists were David Ifkovits and Headmaster Dr. Michael Marinelli ’76. All funds raised from this festive, seasonal concert support The Patio Restoration Fund. In her letter of introduction, Mary Ellen Schauber, Artistic Director for The Alumni Mastersingers Green Concert, wrote, “In this age of social connection via Facebook and Twitter, singing promotes a ‘real’ social connection and a sense of belonging to a community. You can see, feel, and hear the closeness of others while working together to learn a song. The act of collectively moving sound waves while creating harmony builds powerful rewards for our quality of life.”

Caroline Buck ’16 Theresa Carroll ’85 Pia Chatterjee ’99 Megan Ede ’90 Thomas Esposito ’92 Matthew Etzrodt ’17 Kelli Quercetti Farrell ’02 Natasha Gengler ’18 Anne Marie Gerhart ’97 Brian Gilmore ’88 Caroline Hughes ’94 Jackie Kraft ’17 Christina Lawless ’12 Catherine Lawless ’17 Charles Liston ’17 Leah “Anne” Malangyaon ’16 Annie Martino ’18 Jeff Mauriello ’92 Rebecca McBride ’16 Katie O’Donnell ’01 Malcolm Odum ’16 Keelin Reilly ’17 Danielle Sheffler ’00 Matthew Specht ’19 Kayla Thompson ’19 Alex Weir ’17 Alisa Yakovenko ’18

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Mother’s Guild Fashion Show On December 8, 2019, The Archmere Academy Mother’s Guild presented their annual Fashion Show fundraiser, featuring 100 seniors, at the DuPont Country Club. More than 75 parent and student volunteers helped make the event another smash success. Over 290 guests attended, and the event raised over $50,000 for the Archmere Fund.

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c nversations @ArchmereAcademy

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Fashion Show success! The #class of 2020 brought their swagger walk to the runway yesterday and nailed it! More pics to come. #theirmomenttoshine #archmere

Archmere Academy December 4

Biology students learning the structure of DNA by building 3-D models. Details such as anti-parallel, complimentary base pairs and hydrogen bonding included! #auks #scienceisfun #biologyclass

It was a celebration fit for champions at the soccer banquet last night! With 63 goals, 12 shutout wins and only 8 goals conceded all season – this team could not be beat! Seniors were honored, cherished moments recognized, and a State Championship trophy displayed. Their page in history is written, and what a story it is. #GOAUKS

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All Things Rome Scavenger Hunt! Last week the freshman history classes hunted all over campus, searching for strategically located Roman artifacts and elements of Roman cultural legacy. They sped from learning more about the use of Aqueducts at the Koi Pond to searching he track for clues about Circus Maximus. #historyisfun #rome #theyrunfast #alwaysacompetition

We must have been good! Santa visited the Patio this weekend to help ring in the Christmas season with us. Special thanks to our students for helping to make the night spectacular for our littlest guests!

Our Engineering students built and tested bridges, and then did a failure analysis during their unit on statics. Looks like the lesson was a success! #buildingbridges #engineering #auks

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Yesterday our Horticulture Club planted organic seeds of tomatoes, peppers, basil, and dill – and some flower varieties! Later in the Spring, the plants are given to faculty and staff for their gardens. #greenthumb #springiscoming #greenhouselife

Athletes AND Scholars! Archmere is a double honoree for the 2018-10 National Soccer Coaches Association of America Team Academic Award. BOTH the Girls and Boys Soccer Teams boasted exemplary performance in the classroom during the 2018-19 academic year and are nationally ranked for their team GPA. Not only that, they are the only team in Delaware to do so! Way to lead on the field and in the classroom, Auks! Full story on our website.

Yesterday for Senior Career Experience Day, our seniors ventured to over 60 different companies – special thanks to all of our hosts for providing our students a great day! Students traveled as far as Reading, PA, Baltimore, MD, and Washington, D.C., and did everything from riding along with DE State Police Officers to observing multiple surgeries, to exploring the many labs at DuPont, to learning what goes on behind the radio at Sirius XM. Some even went back to elementary school for the day while others met PwC’s robot Code-E!

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Faculty Spotlight |

building community

A Conversation with Mike Johnson MIKE HAS BEEN AT ARCHMERE FOR 13 YEARS. He began his career here as Campus Minister and transitioned into teaching math full-time after six years. He received his undergraduate degree in Mathematical Sciences at Villanova University, a certificate in Pastoral Counseling from Neumann University, and a Masters degree in Education from Villanova University. Mike has been the moderator of several clubs including: class moderator for the classes of 2012 and 2017, community service trip moderator (2007-2012), Special Olympics club (2015-2017), Video Announcements (2017-present), and Student Council (2018-present). Mike has taught several classes at Archmere: World Religions, Christian Service, Honors Algebra I, Algebra II & Trigonometry, Statistics, Honors Math Analysis, Honors Calculus, and Honors Algebra II & Trigonometry.

One key line in Archmere’s mission statement is “Archmere cultivates empathetic leaders, prepared for every good work.” How do you build leadership capacity in student leaders and empower them to initiate changes and plans to improve the student life experience at Archmere? I think the biggest part of what we do here at Archmere for student leadership is allow the students and their goals to guide us. Each summer, I spend two days with our StuCo Executive Council and I begin by asking them simply, What do you like about Archmere? We outline the aspects of the school that excite the students and ask ourselves what we can do as a council to celebrate the things we love about the school. I also ask them to focus on what they would change about the school if they were given the chance and we talk about what we can do to influence those things. Each year, the programs and ideas we have differ and it is the job of the council to flesh out what those plans will look like. Everything we do really comes from the passions of our student leaders. I’m just there to serve as a sounding board and to guide them through the process of accomplishing their ideas. What inspires you most about working at Archmere? The thing I love most about working at Archmere is how supportive everyone is of each other in this community. One of our five pillars is community, stemming from the Norbertine teaching of communio. After college, I worked in the finance industry and found many people driven to rise up the corporate ladder, but not driven to help their co-workers. From the moment I stepped foot on the Yellow Brick Road, my colleagues have helped me get to where I am today. Colleagues have shared materials, visited classes to give fresh perspectives, and have been sounding boards in many situations. I was blessed to attend the Norbertine Heritage Tour in 2018 and I marveled at the hospitality shown to us pilgrims. It is that same hospitality that I witness every day here at Archmere and it pushes me to continue to work hard and do whatever I can to prepare students for every good work. Tell us about your involvement with Kairos, and how this signature student retreat program has expanded over the years since you have been involved. As Campus Minister from 2007-2013, I was solely responsible for directing the Kairos Retreat. Archmere has offered 51 Kairos retreats and I have been blessed to have attended 33 of them. I participated in the Kairos retreat when I was in 14

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high school and it was an incredibly transformative experience for me personally and served as the catalyst for my career in education. I enjoy getting to work with student leaders on each of these retreats and witness these students giving so much of themselves. The popularity of the retreat has grown over the years as students share with others about how great the experience was. On this last retreat, Kairos 51, we had a record-number of retreatants attend, and I think that is indicative of where the program is going from here. I have been blessed to work with amazing Campus Ministers since I moved out of the position and have been particularly fortunate to work with Fr. Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem. on each retreat I have attended. If you had to speak to what is most distinctive or special about Archmere to someone outside of our community, perhaps a prospective incoming student, what would you say? If you were to ask me what makes Archmere unique compared to other schools, I would say that any student can thrive here. Any student, no matter their interests or passions, can find a place to succeed here at Archmere. Our Student Council president is also a member of the football team and is the co-founder of our incredibly successful chess club. One of the leads in our musical is a StuCo rep, a member of the soccer team and a member of the track team. We have had a surge of new clubs in the last few years – from the scuba diving club to the Dungeon and Dragons club. Whatever it is that you’re passionate about, we either have it or we can make it happen. And not only will we make it happen, but we will celebrate it.


“Mr. Johnson inspires us and supports us.” ISABELLA HANLON ’21

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1. Mr. Johnson energizes the student body with his booming voice and school spirit at the October 19, 2019, Pep Rally. 2. Theology teacher Thomas Mengers ’10, school counselor Francesca Pileggi ’06, and Mike Johnson at St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, WI in the summer of 2019. 3. Mr. Johnson and Archmere students help replace windows and doors as part of their service project on the 2019 Student Leadership Trip in De Pere, WI. 4. Mr. Johnson has taught six different math courses at Archmere. 5. In July, Mr. Johnson led a kick-off planning meeting for his 2019 Student Council members to help chart their goals and vision for the new school year. 6. Father Joseph McLaughlin O.Praem. and Mr. Johnson at Daylesford Abbey at the conclusion of the Kairos Retreat on February 16, 2020.

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Student Council Spotlight |

student leadership

Archmere Inspires Empathetic Leaders, Prepared for Every Good Work Q&A Andrew Shi ’20 STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT, INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL GRADUATE (CLASS OF 2016)

Andrew Shi addresses the student body on September 3, 2019 concluding the installation of Student Council elected Representatives for the 2019-20 academic year.

Andrew has completed three Engineering internships at University of Delaware during his high school career, and intends to pursue Engineering for his undergraduate studies. He has volunteered to work with children requiring palliative care, is a member of the Archmere Chess and Robotics Clubs, Math League (he has served as Captain for two consecutive years), Science Olympiad, and is a member of the Lehigh Valley American Regional Mathematics Team. He is also a Varsity Football player and the recipient of the Edward T. Doyle Scholarship Award. Andrew has won two awards in the National Chess Congress and is also a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist for 2019. Andrew has his sights set on MIT, Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Georgia Tech, Tufts, and University of Delaware as possible college choices.

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How has Archmere inspired you to personal distinction? During my time at Archmere, I made sure to take advantage of the wide selection of clubs, including Math League, Robotics, Science Olympiad, TEAMS, Student Council, and founded both the Physics Club and Chess Club. I have also been very involved in our athletic programs, playing football, intramural basketball, and lacrosse. I think that Archmere has been vital in my development not only as a student, but also as a person as a whole. The students at this school are the most engaging part. As a Freshman, I had so many upperclassmen to whom I could look up to. As an example, Shreyas Parab ’18 was always an outgoing and supportive figure, and showed me how to take advantage of my resources here. The teachers and faculty, being not just that, but also my friends, have always been supportive to me. In the past few years the Chess Club was revived, and to do so we needed a teacher moderator and Mr. Matthew Krass ’06 readily accepted the idea. How has your role in Student Council shaped you into an empathetic leader? Being in a position like Student Council President requires a range of personal skills and qualities, such as an ability to understand and see things from the point of view of other people. You have to try to not be biased toward just your own ideas, and remain as fair and open as possible. In my time as Student Council President, I have striven to be empathetic and fair, but also to be a leader, and make decisions to hopefully benefit everyone. If you had to describe to someone outside of our community what is distinctive about Archmere, what might you tell them? Students from other local schools always ask me what’s so special about it. To me, the beauty of Archmere lies in the deep sense of community and personal connection between everyone here. And although learning and classes are important, with Archmere being a world-class Academy, I think what is most important is the formation of lasting relationships and the discovery of a true love of learning. You chose to attend Archmere after spending three years at The Independence School in Newark, DE. How are the cultures and values between the schools similar? I can draw a lot of parallels between the experiences I had in both schools. As two of the best schools in the area, both are extremely strong in academics. But the most striking similarity is that in both schools the teachers are engaged with their students. I talked about Mr. Krass being so open to our ideas and taking the time to learn with us. Similarly, at Independence, I had awesome teachers


like Mrs. Fino and Mrs. Kaz who recognized my love of math and supported me to continue to pursue it. Did Independence prepare you well for Archmere’s rigorous academic program? Independence definitely prepared me well for a rigorous academic program like that of Archmere. I went to elementary school in a small public school in Newark, and jumping into a program like Independence’s took some getting used to. However, talking to the supportive teachers really helped me take a step in furthering myself academically, especially in my writing. As I left Independence and came to Archmere, I felt very prepared.

StuCo member Isabelle Hanlon shows her school spirit and dons an Archmere “Auk” temporary tattoo at the annual Pep Rally on October 18, 2019.

Describe the mentorship and leadership of Mr. Johnson as StuCo’s Faculty Moderator. Mr. Johnson never fails to make the student body laugh with his jokes and outgoing personality. His personality is the reason students are so drawn to run for Student Council and to be a part of the student body community; he inspires and supports us.

Q&A Isabelle Hanlon ’21 STUDENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE

In addition to her leadership on StuCo, Isabelle runs cross country, indoor track, outdoor track, is a Mastersinger, writes for Archmere’s school newspaper, The Green Arch, is a member of the yearbook club, campus ministry, founder of the mental health club, and was nominated for Student of the Year through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. What are some fun new initiatives Student Council has implemented this year? This year in Student Council we have done a lot of fun extracurricular things. For example, every Wednesday we sell Chick-fil-la sandwiches at the Green and White Café (formerly known as “The Canteen”). Another initiative that I am very excited to have been a part of organizing is this year’s new sports tailgates. My favorite StuCo initiative this year is Green and White Night! Student Council has worked hard to make this night as fun as possible, and we hope it remains an annual event. How has your participation on StuCo helped develop your capacity for empathy and prepared you for every good work? My election as a member of Student Council has allowed me to apply day-today situations and people skills to my academic life. It has helped me develop as a person by utilizing my strengths and challenging myself to work on my weaknesses, while providing an opportunity for me to become more outgoing and confident.

How is your service as a StuCo rep worth the investment of your time? Why is this organized body of leaders is so important to the culture of Archmere? Every student involved puts their time and effort into Student Council because they want to make the student body, the school atmosphere, and our shared high school experience memorable and meaningful. To us, it is all about what improvements we can work together to accomplish to help the student body. When that pays off, we know that all of the hard work was worth it. What advice or encouragement might you have for a student who is interested in serving on Student Council? Student Council is one of the most exciting and creative parts of Archmere. I have loved every single second of it, and I wish I had more time to be a part of it. If you ever have a chance to run for Student Council, try it out, even if you are afraid! What makes a good leader? The best leaders are people who are committed, loyal, and passionate. A leader is someone who stands out in a crowd, someone who is not afraid to do something different, or try something new. Leaders are willing to take risks, even if they know something may not work. A leader has a deep passion for their cause and they will do whatever it takes for their mission to have an impact. SPRING 2020

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Around Campus |

student leadership highlights

Juniors Caroline Ho and Rohit Mathur Selected as DYLN Scholars

Christian Miller ’21 Selected to Attend the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) at Yale Christian Miller was invited to attend a National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) and take a nine-day course on Law and Advocacy, a career path he is seriously considering. Lectures were delivered primarily by top Yale professor Noah Messing, and Miller also participated in workshops designed to hone effective leadership skills, including skill development in conflict resolution techniques and application of empathy in leadership. Working with the theme of law and advocacy, college mentors collaborated with the participants to develop a full Mock Trial case, including both prosecution and defense, that was presented in the local courthouse on the penultimate day of the program.

The Delaware Youth Leadership Network (DYLN) prides itself on being a catalyst for growth, thought and reflection for high school students. Archmere juniors Caroline Ho ’21 and Rohit Mathur ’21 have been selected as DYLN Scholars this year after successfully performing in a competitive interview process. As scholars, Caroline and Rohit will be required to attend every DYLN meeting and event, in addition to completing assignments in between sessions. They will also have the opportunity to meet distinguished leaders and speakers, and to be matched up with a mentor who will share real world experiences with them, offer additional support for program activities, and may assist with networking opportunities. Students who become DYLN Scholars apply their experience in the program to every facet of their lives – in academics, on athletic fields, in clubs and extracurricular activities. The DYLN mission statement reads, “Founded in 2012, the Delaware Youth Leadership Network inspires, motivates and develops Delaware high school students to become leaders of tomorrow. A lofty goal, we agree. Through inspirational speakers, mentors and activities that push our students to think differently, we equip DYLN Scholars with the skills, tools and insight to lead impactful lives.”

Seniors Jessica Pei and Alexandra Williamson Named Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Semifinalists Archmere seniors Jessica Pei ’20 and Alexandra Williamson ’20 have been named Coca-Cola Scholars Program Semifinalists, chosen from among more than 93,000 applicants due to outstanding leadership, academics, and dedication to the Archmere community. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors across the country. With the 31st class in 2019, the Foundation has provided over 6,000 Coca-Cola Scholars with more than $66 million in educational support. Both Jessica and Alexandra have advanced to the next round of the selection process which will narrow down the pool to 250 Regional Finalists, followed by an extensive interview process that will determine the 150 Coca-Cola Scholars. These Coca-Cola Scholars will attend Scholars Weekend in Atlanta in April 2020 to receive their $20,000 Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship.

“ Participating in the Yale National Student Leadership Conference program inspired me not only to be more outgoing in the social sphere, but also to take a more active role in my extracurriculars in the academic sphere. As a result of this desire to engage more, I decided to try out for the mock trial club here at Archmere.” CHRISTIAN MILLER ’21

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RETIRING THIS YEAR

Dr. Jennifer “Jenna” Christy Passionate Educator, Class Counselor, Club Moderator, Environmental Advocate, & Scientist

In Appreciation By Dr. Glenn Hartmann, Science Department Chair

I HAVE HAD THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH JENNA AS A COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND FOR MANY YEARS. Jenna is an instrumental

“ Every day throughout my 18 years at Archmere, I have loved walking in the door to the Justin E. Diny Science building and my classroom. I am continually inspired by the professionalism of my colleagues. We enjoy the challenges of keeping up with our changing disciplines and instilling a love for learning in our students by learning from each other about new technologies and lab techniques. I am truly impressed by them. We also have fun together – there’s lots of laughter in the prep rooms. I’ve been quite privileged to explore biological wonders with students and colleagues during trips to Galapagos, Fiji, Kenya, Alaska, and Costa Rica. I am sincerely grateful for all my Archmere colleagues and administrators. Forty years of teaching at the high school and university levels has allowed me to continue learning, and I hope that my students have learned enough to be informed citizens. I look forward to having more unscheduled time – more quilting, more birding, more hiking … who knows what new interests I’ll explore. Thank you, Archmere, for my years within this great community!”

team player at Archmere and within our science department. Excited by new challenges, she is the first to volunteer for all activities in the science department. In fact, over the years, she has participated to some extent in almost every activity. There are numerous examples of Jenna’s input to the community. As a class counselor, Jenna helped to plan the retreat program at Sandy Hill for the sophomores. When a student approached Jenna about offering a program for Face Aids, she was quick to lead. Jenna founded and runs the Horticulture Club, Ecology Club, and Bee-keeper Club. Jenna helped to cultivate a native garden on Archmere’s campus and was instrumental in establishing a monarch butterfly way station. Jenna and her associated clubs help with road clean-ups, stream clean-ups and any outdoor activity involving the environment. She has been Archmere’s environmental crusader helping every bird, plant, and insect that she is able to reach. A world traveler, Jenna has been essential in the planning and conducting of numerous science trips traveling with Archmere students to the Galapagos, Costa Rica, Kenya, Figi, and Alaska. In reflecting on Jenna’s time at Archmere, what stands out is how the students feel about the influence she has had on their lives, in the classroom and out. She truly inspires the students in the numerous biology courses she teaches, and serves as a strong role model for leadership and especially women in science. Affectionately known as “Doc C,” she is calm, patient, and eager to help any student. She truly loves biology and has been a vital component to our to biology program through her contributions. Over the years, she has been instrumental in bringing the essential ecological and biological information to thousands of students. She has opened the door to a larger world that is much deeper and wider than Archmere.

DR. JENNA CHRISTY

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Faculty & Staff News Fall & Winter Teacher Professional Development Recap Our October 28, 2019 our faculty Professional Day convened both faculties and staffs from The Independence School and Archmere Academy. Held at Independence, the day featured an EdCamp “unconference:” a collaborative, group-led series of workshops. Informal sessions created and led by teachers and staff from both schools featured a variety of areas of educational interest. The workshops were largely discussion-based and included topics such as essential question formulation techniques, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and potential collaborative Winterim courses. The Independence School administration hosted and ran the day’s program for the two schools. Archmere’s February 14, 2020 Professional Day began with administrative reports from the Headmaster and College Counselors. Break-out sessions included a Middle States Review of three strategic goals. Faculty groups met to discuss the CWRA data, Health and Wellness Initiatives, and the status of the curricular mapping begun three years ago. The day also included, per tradition, our Opening Prayer Service and a Wellness Hour.

Science teacher J.R. Creekmore ‘11 races down Broad Street in the Philadelphia Half Marathon.

On November 24, 2019, the Auks rocked the Philadelphia Half Marathon. Science Teacher JR Creekmore ’11 placed tenth overall in the race with a time of 1:07:48. Physics teacher Kevin Seltzer ’10 earned a personal best running 1:27:08. Four students Maggie Dempsey ’21, Gabby Hogan ’20, Riley McAvinue ’20 and Emma Villaverde also completed the 13.1 miles! World Languages & Cultures Chair Katie Eissler-Thiel was there to cheer everyone on!

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Archmere World Languages & Cultures teacher Michelle Midgley presented at the Delaware Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages conference on Friday, October 11, 2019, in Newark, Delaware. The presentation was about the use of authentic resources in the classroom. Señora Midgley discussed how to explore areas in which to find authentic resources, various strategies for implementation in the classroom, and how to create a draft lesson that includes at least one authentic resource.

Math teacher Michael Johnson served on a Middle States visiting team at Delone Catholic High School in McSherrystown, PA from November 12-15, 2019. Throughout the week, Mr. Johnson met with various stakeholders in the community (students, teachers, alumni, parents, and board members).

Athletic Trainer Katy Sturdivant and her husband BJ welcomed their second child, Logan on October 1, 2019.

Math teacher Matthew Krass ’06 and his wife welcomed their first child, Sophia James on November 10, 2019. Theology Department chair and teacher Matthew Chominski and his wife, Jessica, welcomed their fifth child, Jack Chominski on October 28, 2019.

English teacher Joseph Quinn and his wife welcomed a daughter, Mary Sage, on November 3, 2019.


Baby Auk Bibs Now Available! Contact Ainsley Hertrich Palladino ’05 for your complimentary “Baby Auk” bib! Below, some of our newest “auklets” model our bibs.

Father John Zagarella, O.Praem. continues to build Archmere’s Norbertine Network around the Globe Within the last six months, Father Zagarella was invited to visit and teach at two Norbertine schools (Premonstratske Gymnazium in Jasov, Slovakia and Saint Norbert School in Mananthavady, India.) Father Zagarella taught the students attending these international Norbertine schools about the United States of America, and also about Saint Norbert. The trips are intended to bridge the miles that separate these students from their Archmere “cousins” via our common Norbertine heritage and are a concrete example of our Strategic Initiative to develop teacher and student exchange programs between Archmere Academy and Norbertine schools.

English Department Chair Karen Linton (left) and English teachers Valerie Wright (center) and Patricia Maher (right) showcase the many instructional resources they brought back to campus to share with their English Department colleagues.

Three members of the English Department attended the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland from November 22-24, 2019. Lectures and workshops centered on the theme of Inquiry. Teachers participated in a variety of reading, writing, and discussion activities to promote critical thinking and deep questioning in the English classroom. Art teacher Katie Huffman began her MA in Cultural Heritage Management at Johns Hopkins University, a Museum Studies program that connects to her interest in curatorial projects and historic preservation.

In November 2019, Director of Marketing & Communications Stephanie Silverman ’00 completed Leading Schools, the second course in the Certificate in School Management and Leadership (CSML) program, an innovative collaboration between the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and Harvard Business School (HBS). The course is designed to equip school leaders with the skills they need to identify existing challenges, incorporate and support innovation, and take a strategic problem-solving approach to planning and driving school improvement.

Theology Department Chair and Theology teacher Matthew Chominski’s article titled, “Husserl and Aquinas at the After Party” was published in Issue Two of Macrina Magazine. In addition, Mr. Chominski was also recently accepted into the International Association for the Study of the Philosophy of Edith Stein. Stein was also the subject of Mr. Chominski’s presentation at the September 2019 Faculty & Staff Retreat at Neumann University. Titled “Edith, Empathy, and Education,” Mr. Chominski’s talk connected Edith Stein’s thoughts on empathy and education to Archmere’s Mission Statement’s goal “empathetic leaders.”

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Elliott Michael Curry, grandson of Jim Malseed, Athletic Trainer, and son of his daughter Beth (Malseed) Curry ’06 and Michael Curry.

Indy DiMartino, daughter of Facilities team member Joel DiMartino.

Jimmy Duffy, son of Logan Duffy, Associate Director of Admissions

Jack Palladino, son of Alumni Relations & Events Coordinator, Ainsley Hertrich Palladino ’05

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Around Campus |

academic achievements and recognitions

Academic Challenge Team Takes First Place On January 9, 2020, the Archmere Academy Academic Challenge team won the Wilmington Diocesan Championship Tournament. Archmere defeated the first place seated team, Salesianum, 275 to 250 for the win. The trophy once again resides at Archmere! Team members include: Katie Kent ’20 (co-captain), Christopher Rowley ’20 (co-captain), Sean Vanson ’21, Alex Lu ’21, Owen Phillips ’21, James D’Elia ’21, Raphael Coronel ’23, Nolan Fogarty ’21, Natalie Gildea ’23, Jessica Grier ’23, and Benjamin Wei ’22.

Science Olympiad Team Finishes in First Place On December 13, 2019, our Science Olympiad Team participated in a new invitational at Girls High School in Philadelphia. The Archmere teams finished in first and fourth places, and the teams shared eleven first or second place finishes between them. Some of the categories included Anatomy and Physiology, Experimental Design, Chemistry Lab, and Forensics.

New York Times Bestselling Author Visits, Seniors Write and Publish Original eBooks This fall, Tim Dougherty’s College Composition and Literary Analysis class read several short stories and the nonfiction book The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace written by New York Times Best-Selling author Jeff Hobbs. Jeff Hobbs visited the class just before Thanksgiving to speak with the class and answer questions about his writing process and intentions for the book. Over the course of the semester, students practiced complex sentence construction and then applied their literary and writing skills and wrote a mini-memoir as a culmination of their first semester work. Focusing on the significant people, events, or phases in their lives, the memoirs included seven short and three long chapters. Students then organized their chapters and designed an ebook using Apple’s iBooks Author application software. The eBooks included requisite author biography, dedication, table of contents as well as photos and videos in every chapter. Funny, touching, and interesting, these ebooks capture quite warmly each student’s perception of their lives. A selection of student memoirs will be published online.

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Seniors Sophia Liston, Jessica Pei. and Rishi Subbaraya Named U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidates Archmere seniors Sophia Liston ’20, Jessica Pei ’20 and Rishi Subbaraya ’20 have been selected as candidates for the 2020 United States Presidential Scholars Program. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities. The program was established in 1964, by Executive Order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our Nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Students have the opportunity to become Presidential Scholars based on three paths of accomplishment: academic achievement, artistic ability, and accomplishments in career and technical educations fields. The selection of approximately 4,500 program candidates is made based on SAT and ACT scores. A review committee then evaluates those candidates on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and an analysis of their essay. Approximately 600 candidates are named semifinalists and forwarded to the Commission on Presidential Scholars for further review. The last step will be in April, when up to 161 students are named U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. The Scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people. All Scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Program, held in June in Washington, D.C.

Sophia Liston ’20, Jessica Pei ’20, and Rishi Subbaraya ’20

EMILY MACEDA ’20 AND JACK RIVEROS ’20 RECOGNIZED BY NATIONAL HISPANIC PROGRAM

Interdisciplinary Academic Collaborations AP Art and AP World History Classes Collaborate to Examine the use of Art and Architecture to Promote Power and Legitimacy Both AP Art and AP World History Courses collaborated to explore the following essential question: How do contemporary artists critique art and architecture for power and political gain? Groups of four students were asked to compare and explain the context of the art and architecture of their region, and specifically to find works commissioned by the regional empires that promote power and authority, within the time periods of 1000-1400 C.E., 1400-1800 C.E. AP French Class Participates in Interdisciplinary Painting Lesson Following their trip to the Barnes Foundation, AP French students were lucky enough to engage in an interdisciplinary lesson with Terry Newitt. In addition to learning more about the Impressionist movement, students did their own watercolor in a similar style, taking advice from Archmere’s resident painting expert. SPRING 2020

Each year the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) recognizes about 7,000 academically outstanding Hispanic/ Latino high school students who take the PSAT/NMSQT. In October, Archmere Academy seniors Emily Maceda ’20 and Jack Riveros ’20 were recognized for scoring in the top 2.5% among Hispanic and Latino PSAT/NMSQT test takers in their region.

TWO FIRST PLACE PRIZES IN SPEECH AND DEBATE TOURNAMENT Amanda Treston ’22 and Rohit Mathur ’21 both earned first-place prizes in Oral Interpretation and Declamation, respectively on November 16 at the season’s first Speech and Debate tournament held here at Archmere. Rohit also came in second in Oral Interpretation. Other winners included Chris Rowley ’20 and Alex Chen ’23 who placed second and third, respectively, in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

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academic achievements and recognitions

(continued)

Ninety-Eight Archmere Academy Students Earn AP Scholar Awards

THE COLLEGE BOARD’S ADVANCED

four or more of these exams. Twenty-six students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP PROVIDES WILLING AND Exams with scores of 3 or higher. ACADEMICALLY PREPARED Research consistently shows Anneliese Parenti ’19 qualified for STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY the AP International Diploma (APID). TO TAKE RIGOROUS COLLEGE-LEVEL that AP students who score The APID is a globally recognized COURSES while still in high school, a 3 or higher on AP Exams certificate awarded to students who and to earn college credit, advanced (based on a scale from display exceptional achievement across placement, or both for successful 1 to 5, with 5 being the a variety of disciplines. The APID is performance on the AP Exams. Only highest) typically experience earned by completing five or more about 22 percent of the more than 2.2 greater academic success AP Exams with scores of 3 or higher, million students worldwide who took in college and have higher across several specified content areas AP Exams performed at a sufficiently and must attend a university outside high level to also earn an AP Scholar college graduation rates of the U.S. or U.S. territories. For a Award. The College Board recognizes than students who do not detailed list of AP Scholars, please visit several levels of achievement based on participate in AP. ArchmereAcademy.com/news. students’ performance on AP Exams. Through 34 different college-level Fifteen students at Archmere courses and exams, AP provides willing and academically Academy qualified for the National AP Scholar Award by prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit earning an average score of 4 or higher on a five-point scale or advanced placement and stand out in the college admission on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or process. Each exam is developed by a committee of college and more of these exams. These students include several members university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that AP Exams from the Class of 2019 and Jessica Pei ’20 and Andrew Shi are aligned with the same high standards expected by college ’20. Fifty-four students qualified for the AP Scholar with faculty at some of the nation’s leading liberal arts and research Distinction Award by earning an average score of at least 3.5 institutions. More than 3,800 colleges and universities on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or annually receive AP scores. Most four-year colleges in the more of these exams. Eighteen students qualified for the AP United States provide credit and/or advanced placement for Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average score of at qualifying exam scores. least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on

PLACEMENT PROGRAM® (AP®)

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Archmere’s Inaugural Math Madness Team Wins Division IIA Tournament After a successful run through each stage of competition, Archmere’s first ever Math Madness team advanced to the last meet, held on Monday, December 16, 2019. The Auks defeated Fort Hays State University – Early College Program (Hays, KS), 33-29, in the final round of the Division IIA Math Madness tournament. Alex Chen ’23 and Nick Zhu ’22 both finished that round with a perfect score. Throughout the semester, they competed against teams from California, Maryland, Kansas, Texas, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. The team completed qualifying rounds in which they were ranked and then entered into a tournament within one of six divisions. The Archmere team of Andrew Shi ’20, Nick Zhu ’22, Jess Pei ’20, Joe Caruso ’22, Alex Chen ’23, Leo Chang ’23, and Helen Qi ’23 dominated through all six rounds of weekly head-to-head contests to become the Division IIA Math Madness Champions. Math Madness is a weekly online math competition, in which students compete in a bracketed style tournament (like March Madness) against other high school students across the United States.

Both Archmere Math League Teams Qualify for State Invitational Nick Zhu ’22 and the senior Math League Team steamrolled the competition enroute to first place finishes in Region I. Nick won the individual title. Teammates Andrew Shi ’20 and Jessica Pei ’20 took second and third place. State championships take place in spring 2020. Our 9th Grade Math League team ended the regular season in first place in our region. Alex Chen ’23 earned 1st place and Helen Qi ’23 earned second place individually in the region.

English Students Recognized with High Honors in 2020 WordWright Challenge Two teams of students representing Archmere Academy recently won high honors in this year’s WordWright Challenge, a national National Reading Competition For High Schools competition for high school students requiring close reading and analysis of many different kinds of prose and poetry. The premise behind the WordWright Challenge is that attentive reading and sensitivity to language are among the most important skills students acquire in school. Participating with 686 school teams from all across the country, Archmere juniors tied for eighth place in the nation in the year’s second meet, held in December 2019, among all teams competing at this grade level. At the same time, Archmere seniors tied for fifteenth place in the nation. Students who achieved outstanding individual results in the meet included juniors Sanjay Long ’21 and Christian Miller ’21 (both of whom earned perfect scores), Gabriella Gildea ’21, Camron Kaiser ’21, Lily Sabine ’21, and Aislin Smeader ’21; and seniors Caroline Antunes ’20, Madi Downey ’20, Kaylee Paranczak ’20, Rishi Subbaraya ’20, Ciara Trigg ’20, and Lisa Zeng ’20. The students were supervised by English teacher Stephen Klinge.

This. Is. Archmere. On Thursday, September 12, Brandon Eric Kamin, owner of Bear Bear Productions, filmed the 2019-2020 Archmere Admissions video titled This. Is. Archmere. Brandon arrived on campus with film equipment, including a drone, and spent the day capturing footage of classes, lunch, Kenosis, arts, sports, and a school wide assembly. The video is narrated by Trustee Marc Ross ’91 and was debuted just in time for the 2019 Homecoming festivities and Admissions Open House. Bear Bear Productions is a video production company specializing in creative campaigns, including the recent Philadelphia Film Festival’s “Best Feature Film,” The Nomads. SPRING 2020

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Around Campus |

fall and winter sports

Girls Basketball Wraps up Successful Season with Multiple Awards, Coach Dan Pisani named Coach of the Year

Girls Volleyball Advanced to Quarterfinals of State Tournament Padua and Archmere went toe-to-toe for more than two and a half hours on the evening of November 5, 2019, in a DIAA volleyball quarterfinal. The Pandas had swept the Auks at Archmere earlier in the season, but it was clear from the get-go that Tuesday night would be different. The match was marked by top-notch defense and long rallies. After a round one bye, and a win against Charter in round two of the State Volleyball Tournament, Archmere met up with Padua in a thrilling back and forth quarterfinal match that lasted over 2.5 hours. The set scores were 25-22, 23-25, 29-27, 26-28 and 15-6. All but the final set were nail-biters until the final point. Julia Kochie ’20 finished an outstanding high school career with 22 kills, five blocks and 26 digs. Abby Kates ’20 had 10 kills and five blocks, while Maddie Fisher ’22 and Hannah Wright ’21 each collected 33 digs. The Auks ended their season with a record of 12-5.

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This season, the Archmere Girls Basketball team boasted a 14-6 record and competed all the way to the Quarterfinals of the DIAA State Tournament. “A very special group,” as Head Coach Dan Pisani calls them, the team racked up multiple in season and post-season awards. Most impressively, three players were awarded the DIAA Academic Performance Award during the Playoffs: Maggie Dempsey ’21, Ava Scarpaci ’21, and Izzy Gioffre ’20. Before the start of the game at each Isabella playoff round of the State Tournament, Gioffre ’20 the DIAA recognizes one member of each team for their outstanding academic performance. Maggie received her plaque in Round 1, Ava in Round 2, and Izzy in Round 3. ADDITIONAL AWARDS

• F iona Teaney ’20, Madison Stewart ’20, and Izzy Gioffre ’20 were selected to the Blue Gold All Star Game, and Coach Dan Pisani was selected to coach the team • Fiona Teaney ’20, Madison Stewart ’20, and Izzy Gioffre ’20 were selected by the Coach’s Association to the Top 15 Players in Northern Delaware list, and Dan Pisani named Coach of the Year for Northern Delaware • Madison Stewart ’20 and Izzy Gioffre ’20 were named to the 1st Team All-Conference, Fiona Teaney ’20 received 2nd Team All-Conference, and Lauren Kim ’22 received Honorable Mention All-Conference for the season


Senior Signing Day November 14 ABBY KATES ’20 TRACK AND FIELD AT BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY Abigail Kates signed her National Letter of Intent to join Bucknell University’s Track and Field team. Bucknell University is a Division 1 athletic program located in Lewisburg, PA. A multi-sport athlete since freshman year, Abby has been a standout on both the volleyball court and the track at Archmere.

PHOEBE BRINKER ’20 GOLF AT DUKE UNIVERSITY Phoebe Brinker signed her National Letter of Intent to join Duke University’s golf team. Duke University is a Division 1 athletic program located in Durham, NC. Currently ranked No. 7 in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) overall national rankings and No. 3 in the class of 2020, Phoebe recently represented the United States in the 2019 PING Junior Solheim Cup in Gleneagles, Scotland last fall.

ANDREW ROSENBAUM ’20 SOCCER AT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA Andrew Rosenbaum signed his National Letter of Intent to join the University of South Carolina’s soccer team. University of South Carolina is a Division 1 athletic program located in Columbia, SC. A varsity soccer player since he was a freshman, last fall Andrew was recognized as a 2019 USA Today Preseason All-USA soccer player and a High School All-American.

JACK NIELSEN ’20 BASEBALL AT EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY Jack Nielsen signed his National Letter of Intent to join East Stroudsburg University’s baseball team. East Stroudsburg University (ESU) is a Division II athletic program located in East Stroudsburg, PA that competes in the Eastern Division of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Jack will be continuing his academic and sports career at ESU under Head Coach John Kochmansky. A varsity baseball player since freshman year, Jack helped the Auks reach the playoffs last year.

Front: Abby Kates and Phoebe Brinker. Back: Andrew Rosenbaum and Jack Nielsen

Archmere’s 2018/2019 Varsity Soccer Teams are Double Honorees for National Academics Award A total of 288 soccer teams (113 boys, 175 girls) from throughout the United States have earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award for exemplary performance in the classroom as a team during the 2018-19 academic year. Among these schools, there are only 30 receiving honors for both their boys and girls teams. As a double honoree, Archmere’s Boys and Girls 2018-19 Varsity Soccer Teams are repeat award winners, and the only school in Delaware to have both teams honored. The Lady Auks had a GPA of 3.98, compared to 3.95 the year prior. The Boys Soccer team had a GPA of 3.83, compared to 3.74 the previous year. The recognition is posted online by the NSCAA during the time of the Soccer National Convention that takes place every year in mid-January. To qualify for the award, the team must have a minimum grade point average of 3.25 for the entire academic year. The team GPA is determined by adding every player’s GPA, then dividing by the number of players. United Soccer Coaches annually celebrates the academic achievements of high school and college soccer teams whose studentathletes collectively demonstrate a commitment to excellence in their studies over the course of a full academic year.

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Archmere Soccer Family Wins State Championship By Jonathan Jezyk, Assistant Soccer Coach

IT HAS NOW BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS SINCE

This season started off strong, as the players spoke of their connection within THE NOVEMBER 16, 2019 DIAA SOCCER the group. This was quite evident in the performances on the field as we rattled STATE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, off a couple of wins to start the season. The first real test came in the fifth game and as coaches we have had ample opportunity of the season versus St. Andrew’s School, a perennial contender, with whom to reflect on the season. While winning a State there is a deep history of battles over the last several years. This game was no Championship is the desired prize of each team in different. St. Andrew’s is consistently an organized, fast, and aggressive team. the beginning of their season, only one team can After a less than stellar first half which ended 0-0, our team found its form with raise that trophy. The intangible goal that every three quick strikes to put away our rivals. A defining moment for the collective coach is looking for along the group, for sure, but true to our steadfast motto, “We way is the effort needed to haven’t done anything, yet!” “I’ve enjoyed every moment at achieve the ultimate prize. As challengers were met and dismissed, the group Archmere for the past fifteen For the 2019 Archmere Auks continued to gain confidence, though impressively, the years. The relationships I’ve Soccer Team, the focus was success did not get in the way. Shutouts against other established with coaches, on family. This brotherhood rival teams, specifically St. Mark’s and the Charter School players, and parents, over the and sense of family found in of Wilmington, further set the trajectory and were years, will last forever. I didn’t the Archmere soccer team statements of what the team believed to be true. This go into teaching and coaching is the foundation of our was special! After an impressive 14-0 run, including an success. It is cultivated in the to get rich, but I’ve lived a very 11-game shutout streak, and only allowing 3 goals, we were off season, as players talk of to face the last test of the regular season, nationally-ranked rich life. It is the relationships in the upcoming fall and as they Salesianum. While the result did not go our way in the this profession that enrich me, prepare individually and in end, one could say that it was the most perfect time and and I feel very fortunate.” pick-up games. It is engrained way to lose. It was a hard fought, competitive match with COACH BOB BUSSIERE in preseason and practices, both sides creating opportunities to score, but ultimately Retiring at the end of the 2019 Season as players push each other to it was a testament to the strength of our family. As was perform and lift each other evident from the previous 14 matches, the high moments up when they stumble. It is honed in the heated never got too high, and now the converse was true, the last game of the season matches with arch rivals as players need to rely presented the first loss and the mood was still confident heading into the Division more and more on each other. As a family, they II tournament as the #1 seed. A record-breaking season that included the most were able to accomplish this and so much more wins in a season (14 regular season, 17 including post season), most shutouts and this season. shutout wins (12), most goals scored (63), and least goals against (8).

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From left: Andrew Rosenbaum ’20, Coach Bob Bussiere, Assistant Coach Jon Jezyk, and Michael “Mikey” Albero ’20. Coach Bob Bussiere is the 2017 United Soccer Coaches Regional Coach of the Year, NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year, and Delaware Youth Soccer Association (DYSA) Hall of Fame Inductee (2020). Bob led the Archmere team to a 14-1 record and State Championship Title this season, the first soccer State Championship ever for the school.

We drew a tough path through the tournament, potentially meeting several difficult opponents and many who would like to knock us out due to past history. After receiving a bye for the first round of the DIAA State Tournament, Archmere was pitted against St. Mark’s again. Another difficult battle, though one where our confidence grew throughout the game. Going up 2-0 with a goal on either side of half time allowed us to establish our dominance and ride the momentum to a 3-1 victory. Our semifinal match against Newark challenged us more than we anticipated. The match was evenly contested in the first half, but something happened that had not happened all season outside of the match against Salesianum…we gave up the first goal. Halftime discussions confirmed something the Archmere coaches and players had felt all season, this group had something special, we were family. There was no bickering, no pointing fingers at each other, just a positive vibe, “keep doing what we have always done!” Driven by the cheers

Photo Credit: Dr. Robert Rosenbaum

of family, friends, classmates, and alum from the stands, we battled back into the game earning a game tying goal midway through the half and then the game-winner that fell in the closing moments. Up next was Wilmington Friends for the Finals, the team that ended our season in the semifinals just the year before, and the only team that remained without a loss (13-0-2). A chance at redemption. As we headed into the playoffs and got closer to the Finals, the support began to trickle in, then pour in, then flood in; from students and faculty, soccer alums, parents of soccer alums, alums in general, with well wishes and encouraging messages. It was clear that the foundation of this year’s success was still intact, our fans were still following our progress, and still incredibly engaged in this community. The night of the Championship win was nothing short of amazing. As multiple news headlines described, including “Archmere soccer ‘family’ thrilled to raise banner for Auk Nation,” bringing home the trophy was a monumental moment for our program and for the school. The evening was freezing cold, yet throngs of students, parents, alumni and friends drove an hour to support us as we fought for the State Championship Title. The energy during and after the game was contagious and spread like wildfire. It speaks to our strong community. But what stands out most, as it has from the beginning, is that we accomplished this as a family. SPRING 2020

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ARCHMERE’S COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM

The Spirit of God at Work By Meaghan Thomas, Theology Teacher & Community Service Club Faculty Moderator

“ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”

2 TIMOTHY 1:7

Gospel message. I see this played out in our service at This letter of 2 Timothy, attributed the Knollwood Community Center each week. I have to Paul and written to Timothy, watched Sofia Alvarez ’20, one of the co-presidents is one of three letters in the New of the club this year, approach Aubrey and her math Testament that was written to an homework with gentleness and patience each time, as individual pastor or leader of an they worked through challenging problems, Sofia never early Christian community, and wavering in her attentiveness to Aubrey. I have also seen it addresses some specific topics Stephen D’Antonio ’20, another co-president, match that could come up for a pastor the excitement of Orissa as she asks him to play house trying to form and guide the and dress up with Barbie dolls each time he is there. early Christians in the way of the Anna Garcia ’21, a student leader for Knollwood, also Gospel. In a few short chapters, works with great patience and care with Orissa each the author encourages Timothy time she is there after hearing Orissa needed some and charges him to remain extra reading practice. There is Hasheim, who before steadfast in leading his community “ I have been blessed with he moved away in the early Winter, was the first one and being a model because of what an extraordinary group of by the door nearly every week, coat on and football he has learned of the Good News. Senior leaders this year in the in hand, waiting for Sean Vanson ’21 and Danny This letter, in particular, contains Community Service Club and Rogers ’20 to come and play. And then there’s Gaige, a verse in Chapter 3 that is echoed students within my Christian a lively 1st grader, who has made friends with many in our own mission statement (and Service class. As a coordinator Archmere volunteers, including Gabby Hogan ’20, a cofocus for this year) – “All Scripture of this program and as a president as well, and Seamus Morgan ’21, a Christian is inspired by God and is useful for teacher of this course, I think Service student of mine this semester, like Sean and teaching…, so that the servant of I have a special opportunity Danny. Gaige makes it hard to be timid upon entering God may be thoroughly equipped to witness our students in Knollwood, whether bringing out Gabby’s silliness as for every good work.” I couldn’t action becoming leaders and they work on homework together or very confidently help but relate this back to what people who are sensitive to challenging Seamus to a game of chess. And there are my colleagues and I try to do, day the needs of our local and many more students and many more moments. in and day out – in the short year global communities.” And yet, in the moments I am reminded of the Spirit or years we have our students, we MEAGHAN THOMAS of God at work, the work is not done – as my student try to encourage, caution, rein in Mary said to me after watching a powerful documentary sometimes, but then in the end, let on homelessness in Philadelphia in Christian Service this semester, there is still go with trust that we have done has prepared them so much we can and need to do. I am reassured, however, that our students are to do good work. preparing themselves to pursue good work, to not be timid in addressing the In Paul’s words, “the Spirit of God does not make needs of our world, and to be loving, powerful, and empathetic witnesses to the us timid…,” and through service, our students are Gospel message. called to be powerful and loving witnesses to the

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Archmere Community Service Offers “Trunk or Treat” for our Knollwood Neighbors

Archmere Brother and Sister Duo Found “Kids Count” Charity, Raise Thousands for Local Children

On Friday, October 25, 2019, seventy-five Archmere students participated in an annual “Trunk or Treat” with the community members of Knollwood. Our students decorated their cars, even the Archmere service van, and handed out candy to the children in the Knollwood neighborhood right down the pike from Archmere. Nearly forty families showed up to the event, which provides a fun and safe place for the kids from the neighborhood to trick or treat with Archmere students. This event has been established for years, as long as Archmere has been involved with the Knollwood Community Center’s after school program, and we had an outstanding representation from the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 showing up to continue the tradition.

Alysa ’21 and Cameron ’20 Noval started “Kids Count” as a way to raise funds for different children’s charities that they are passionate about. One of our main recipients is the Child Life Program at A.I. duPont Hospital. Alysa explains, “We started working with them because they focus on supporting the children and families during their hospital stay. They focus on education, play, and self-expression activities. Last year, we were able to donate $3,000 to this great cause, and we hope to grow this number each year. Through our last fundraiser, selling Christmas ornaments, we were able to raise $1,122. We will continue fundraising throughout the rest of the school year to try to reach our goal!”

Seniors Stephen D’Antonio, Jessica Pei, Gabby Penna, Madison Stewart, and Lisa Zeng stand with their Dunkin-themed car for the 2019 Halloween Trunk or Treat at the Knollwood Community Center.

Juniors Zoe Menezes and Katie Walsh prepare a salad for families at the Ronald McDonald House during our MLK Day of Service 2020.

Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors volunteer on the morning of our MLK Day of Service 2020 to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to be distributed to the guests at the Emmanuel Dining Room in Wilmington.

Cameron ’20 and Alysa Noval ’21

Juniors Eric Collins and Jack Flanagan and Senior Chris Rowley work together preparing a fruit salad for the families at the Ronald McDonald House during our MLK Day of Service 2020.

Seniors Ali Curren and Sofia Alvarez, directed by Ms. Catherine Souza and classmate Emma Villaverde, complete a map of the United States of America in the Knollwood Community Center on the MLK Day of Service 2020.

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spirituality and service

Thanksgiving Liturgy and Athlete Commissioning

Our Community of Faith Father Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem. led the Archmere Mother’s Guild in the Rosary on October 7, 2019. An annual tradition, the Mother’s Guild Rosary & Tea offers an opportunity for our Mother’s Guild members to pray together and enjoy one another’s company. The Archmere Mother’s Guild also holds a Bible Study program in the Patio.

Our community celebrated a Thanksgiving Liturgy on November 26, 2019, held in conjunction with Grandparent’s Day. At the Mass, Headmaster Dr. Michael Marinelli, Ed.D. ’76 commissioned our winter athletes. The stage featured a bountiful collection of items donated by students, faculty, and staff to help stock local food banks in preparation for the holiday season.

PRAYER OF COMMISSIONING OF ARCHMERE ACADEMY ATHLETES Loving God, may I learn how to wisely use the gifts and talents that You have given me.

Create in me: Advent at Archmere Keeping the 2019 Advent Season in preparation for Christmas, the Archmere Academy faith community of students, faculty, and staff celebrated with the following events: Advent Wreath Service: Blessing and Lighting of the Advent Wreath in the Quad, Advent Penance Service, and daily Celebration of the Eucharist in the Oratory. In addition, our Morning Prayer included a special Advent prayer and reflection for each day.

• A right attitude to achieve my goals and our team goals; • A firm trust in You so that I can be a good student athlete and team player; • An ability to trust my coaches, my teammates, and my instincts; • A strong desire to never quit, no matter what the odds; • And a willingness to give 100% of myself both on and off the court or field.

Help me:

• To be grateful for my God-given abilities and for all those who have developed and supported my growth as an athlete, especially my family, coaches and teammates. • To learn from my mistakes and be open to criticism that will bring out the best in me. • To be the person and student athlete that you would have me be. • And to honor and promote the mission and values of Archmere Academy.

Kenosis and Adoration Students have the opportunity to attend Kenosis in the Oratory daily. Kenosis provides a reflective pause in the day, and an opportunity to reconnect with our spirituality and daily intentions. Adoration of the Eucharist on Thursdays provides an opportunity for members of our faith community to adore the Blessed Sacrament. 32

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Amen The Archmere Academy Sports and Spirituality Program shapes student athletes to be inspired and empathetic leaders who are wellrounded citizens, serving their school, families, and communities with humility, empathy, and kindness.


Archmere Celebrates 2020 National Catholic Schools Week

By Jillian DeFina, Archmere Campus Minister

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK IS A SPECIAL TIME FOR ARCHMERE BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE WE PLACE ON OUR CATHOLIC NORBERTINE IDENTITY AS AN INSTITUTION. The week offered an opportunity for our

community to reflect upon what it means to be rooted in our Catholic tradition and identity. With the themes of the week being, Catholic Schools: Learn, Serve, Lead, and Succeed, it was important to highlight the multiple ways Archmere students, faculty and staff embody the qualities of learning, leadership, service, and success each and every day. From celebrating Liturgy with Bishop Francis Malooly to offering the opportunity for the community to partake in Adoration of the Eucharist, we experienced multiple additional opportunities to experience the many ways Christ is leading us to become Empathetic Leaders – young men and women prepared for every good work. It made my heart so full to see students and teachers taking time out of their day to stop and spend some time with the Eucharistic Presence of Christ in Adoration, it truly brought to life our school’s foundational core values of reverence, zeal, respect, wisdom, and community. Since educational success requires time, dedication, and support from both parents and teachers, we also included parent Celebrating Liturgy with Bishop Malooly and faculty/staff appreciation days throughout the week to express gratitude for their presence and unwavering support of our mission. On January 30, faculty members reflected upon the pillars of this year’s National Catholic Schools Week theme. They encouraged the community to see that we are all called to be leaders in different ways, and reinforced that success and knowledge result from our service to others. I am a firm believer that Christ calls us to be servant leaders and to always keep the best interest of others at the forefront of our leadership. A perfect example of a servant leader who has created an enduring legacy of kindness and beauty to the Archmere community is Terry Newitt, who was honored with the Carl Campion ’76 Service Award for devoted and exceptional service to Archmere. Student Appreciation Day took place on January 29, and faculty and staff collaborated to create a video capturing what they love and enjoy most about their work with our students. For me personally, serving as their Campus Minister and having the opportunity to accompany students on their faith journey while learning from their individual perspectives – whether through retreats, random talks in my office, or in the classroom – has been my greatest gift. Catholic Schools Week was filled with pride for all who make up our vibrant school community and functioned as an important celebration of gratitude for the myriad ways in which Christ is ever present through one another.

What is Catholic Schools Week? Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week, which in 2020 was January 26 – February 1. The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2020 is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation. From NCEA.org

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Celebrating 900 Years of Prémontré in 2020-21

By Father Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem.

bears a key word that describes Norbert: scientia, IN HIS 2019 BOOK, MAN ON FIRE, Thomas Kunkel, president of Saint Norbert peacemaker, wisdom, pietas, apostolic community, College in De Pere, Wisconsin from 2008 to 2018, wrote, “As I came to study reverence, zeal, respect, faith-hope-charity. On the Norbert’s personal story and more deeply appreciate the Norbertine tradition, I prayer card for the ninth window is the following began to feel that it would be useful to have a short, modern, English language prayer: “Lord Jesus, Beloved Son, on the Cross You version of our patron’s life. What I had in mind was a work that could be a firstcommended Yourself into the Father’s hands. May year book for incoming St. Norbert students, for instance, or for laymen and we, like Norbert, have faith and patience, as we wait women who happen to be interested in the man or his considerable legacy.” in hope for the Crown of Your love.” As Norbert According to Kunkel, “the exact year of Norbert’s birth is uncertain” (p.18). was dying he urged his confreres to be Traditionally the presumed year was 1080 but recent scholarship people of faith and patience, depicted dates it closer to 1075. Either way, the Year 2020 is a key year for God, you call on the Norbert window in the Oratory Norbert’s birth - 940 or 945 years ago. The year 1115 mark’s the year us to walk in Reconciliation Room. of Norbert’s conversion (May 28) and his ordination to the priesthood unity of mind The card for the window bearing a week before Christmas. According to Kunkel, on Easter Sunday the word Wisdom reads as follows: in 1120 (March 28), Norbert and thirteen companions received the and heart “In an apparition Saint Augustine white Norbertine habit from Bishop Bartholomew of Laon who came intent on you. presented Norbert with his Rule of to Prémontré to preside at the liturgy (p.77). Hence, the year 1120 Life and requested that Norbert and marks the beginning of Norbertine common life. On December 25, his followers observe it.” Saint Augustine wrote the 1121 Norbert and 39 companions made profession of vows at Mass, each one Rule in 392 and died in 430, 1590 years ago this reading his profession document, signing it, and placing it on the altar. year. In the Oratory is an icon of Our Lady, with On January 31, 2017 Abbot Richard Antonucci, O.Praem., abbot of Daylesford Saint Augustine and Saint Norbert standing on Abbey from 2009 to 2018, blessed the newly renovated Saint Norbert Hall either side of her. As the Archmere prayer begins, at Archmere, during a regular school day. Among the renovations was the “God, you call us to walk in unity of mind and Immaculate Conception Oratory, on the Manor Avenue side of Saint Norbert heart intent on you,” words from Acts 4:32 which Hall. Facing Manor Avenue in the Oratory are nine windows, designed by Dr. Saint Augustine quoted in I.2 of his Rule. The Year Michael Marinelli ’76, marking moments in the life of Saint Norbert: conversion 2020 is a year of “perfect vision” – a jubilee year of (1115), reception of the white habit (1120), appointment as archbishop of birth and death and second birth. Magdeburg (1126) death (1134) and canonization (1582). Each of the windows 34

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From Slovakia to India, the Dream of Saint Norbert and the Order of Prémontré Connect Right Here at Archmere! By Father John C. Zagarella, O.Praem.

COUNTING YOUR BLESSINGS IS

establishments around the southern tip of India. I had no idea the work EARLY ON IN LIFE. However, I the Norbertines were doing in learned just this year that when India…and I didn’t even see all of your blessings are especially what they are doing. Saint Norbert abundant, it’s possible to lose count! School, where I spent the most time, In the second half of 2019, I was is a school of 570 boys and girls, able to see to fruition invitations nursery school to 9th grade. Saint from two confreres to visit their Norbert School was established in Norbertine schools to teach there 2014, and will eventually go up to with the possibility of establishing a 12th grade as the current students cooperative relationship between that progress up through the grades. In school and Archmere Academy. my travels, which covered about First, from July 1-14, 2019 I went 1,000 miles, I saw three other to the Premonstrátske Gymnázium Norbertine schools of between 1,200 in Košice, Slovakia at the invitation to 1,800 students, met young men… of their Headmaster, Abbot Ambroz and I mean young…ages 15-early Martin Štrbák, O.Praem. The 20’s in various stages of Norbertine gymnazium is a secondary grammar formation (aspirants, postulants and (high) school of approximately 150 Simply Professed). There is even a boys and girls that opened its doors Norbertine special education school From left to right: Daniela Kravecová, Abbot Ambróz (Martin) on September 2, 2013. My primary with 65 students enrolled. It is the Štrbák, O.Praem., Fr. John Zagarella, O.Praem., job there was to teach English, as only special education school in that Katarína Semanová, and Dr. Michael Marinelli ’76 these students must pass what is part of India. I had the privilege of called a “school leaving exam” before graduating teaching in almost every school and even our aspirants, postulants and Simply in order to attend university in Slovakia. The Professed fraters in their House of Studies. students that participated in this voluntary twoIt is an understatement to say that these two experiences were life changing week program are to be commended because for me. The Norbertines, or more formally, Premonstratensians, are a worldwide, it began the same day their summer vacation ancient religious order founded in 1121 by Norbert of Xanten. We are on the began! I taught them many topics about the verge of celebrating our 900th Anniversary. And at this moment, all of this United States including geography, state capitals, amazing history and all of these beautiful cultures and rich histories are coming housing, education, must-see places in the USA, together right here on our campus. In fact, on Tuesday January 7, 2020 Abbot government, and American holidays. I was also Štrbák came to visit Archmere with two of his colleagues, Deputy (Principal) able to include a bit of Norbertine Spirituality. For Daniela Kravecova and Teacher of English, Katarina Semanova. We had an some geographical context, Košice is the second Assembly where I presented to our students and faculty my fabulous experience largest city in Slovakia (the first is the capital, at Premonštrátske Gymnázium. That Friday, January 10 we held a Tag Day to Bratislava), in the eastern corner of the country support our Slovak classmates. Now that these connections are made, our Director with the borders to Ukraine one hour to the east, of Academics and Global Studies Coordinator, Mr. Timothy Dougherty is in the Poland one hour to the north and Hungary one process of formalizing cooperative relationships with Premonstrátske Gymnázium hour to the south. Prague in the Czech Republic is in Slovakia and with Saint Norbert School in India. What an extravagant blessing eight hours west of Košice by train. and opportunity this is to experience the beauty and depth of culture and history In November of 2019, during Thanksgiving week, in Eastern Europe and India and to share the beauty of our own American culture I traveled to Bangalore, India to make good on the and history with these amazing students in Norbertine schools abroad! second invitation I received. This one was from I am excited beyond words to be a part of the relationships we are forging Fr. Alois Anthanatt, O.Praem. of Mananthavady with our sister schools. May God be praised. Through the intercession of Saint Priory located in southern India. I spent two weeks Norbert, Minister of Peace and Concord, may this great global connection be traveling with Fr. Alois to Norbertine schools and greatly blessed! A LIFE LESSON WE ARE TAUGHT

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Senior Career Day By Ms. Catherine Souza, M.S.Ed., Associate Director of College Counseling & Coordinator of Career Programs

ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2019, THE COLLEGE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT COORDINATED OUR ANNUAL SENIOR CAREER EXPERIENCE DAY. On that day, 116

members of the Class of 2020 spent the day shadowing professionals in a variety of fields. We were fortunate to have over 60 different volunteer hosts including 16 Archmere Academy alumni and 20 current or past Archmere parents. We greatly appreciate the time and energy that all of our hosts spent preparing for the day in hopes to provide our seniors a look into a day in their work life and help these students as they continue their exploration of potential career paths. This year, students traveled as far as Reading, PA, Baltimore, MD, and Washington, D.C. The Class of 2020 experienced everything from riding along with Delaware State Police Officers to exploring the many labs at DuPont. Several students learned what goes on behind the scenes at Sirius XM Radio, while others spent the day shadowing teachers at elementary school, and some even had the opportunity to “meet” PwC’s robot, Code-E! In fact, two of our students were lucky enough to hold a gallbladder in their hands and cut it open together – certainly not their everyday experience here at Archmere. Senior Career Experience Day closely aligns with our strategic initiative, empowering scholars, “to develop learning experiences…that take place beyond the traditional classroom.” Senior Career Experience Day is the culminating program in our four-year career exploration series. This begins with visits to freshman health classes to conduct the Six Lives Exercise to help them understand what values are most important to them as they consider their potential career paths. In the sophomore year, students complete a Holland code survey to identify their interests and how this might align with different career fields. Then, in the junior year, we hold our Junior Career Day in which we invite 20+ professionals to campus to conduct 45-minute sessions with students throughout the day. This provides our juniors with the opportunity to see five different careers and 36

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continue to consider what fields might align with their interests and values. Additionally, each year we offer an evening program as a part of our Why? Panel Series spotlighting a specific career field with admissions representatives, college students, professors, and alumni to help students better understand the complexities of that specific field. Archmere’s career programming has a long legacy. Headmaster Michael A. Marinelli, Ed.D. ’76 played an instrumental role in developing the very first career programming nearly thirty years ago, before most schools had any college and career preparation programming. “Junior Career Day and Senior Career Experience Day have been refined over the years since I worked with Mrs. Carolyn Doyle to develop the first “Career Day” program in the mid-1980s. It was originally only a one-day event on campus. Now, the program has evolved into two separate events to accomplish more specific college counseling goals. Both of these programs empower students to make good career decisions by giving them professional contacts and first-hand career information and experiences.” The other programs have been developed more recently and have been strong additions to our existing career series. Junior Career Day and Senior Career Experience Day would not be possible without the incredible Archmere network including our alumni, current parents, past parents, and community partners. We rely on these groups each year to share their expertise with our students and help them continue on their career exploration process. Dr. Marinelli explains, “The programs give alumni and parents an opportunity to share their wisdom and practical knowledge about their career paths and choices with our students.” We are always looking for more hosts and speakers to continue to provide the most robust programs for our students. Should you be interested in hosting or speaking to Archmere students for Senior Career Experience Day, please contact Catherine Souza, Associate Director of College Counseling & Coordinator of Career Programs, at csouza@archmereacademy.com.


Q&A with

Q&A with Dr. Lauren “Lori”

SENIOR CAREER DAY HOST

SENIOR CAREER DAY HOST

Bill is the Founder & CEO of En Route Marketing in Philadelphia, PA

Lori is a board-certified pediatrician and partial owner of First State Pediatrics. She has three daughters who are current Archmere students; Ava ’21, Sophia ’23, and Lydia ’23.

William “Bill” E. Gehrman ’88

Healy Scarpaci ’88, CP ’21, ’23

How did your experience as an Archmere student prepare you for a successful professional career in marketing and communications? I have learned how critical superior writing and communication skills are for any career, but especially working in marketing. Archmere’s rigorous English and Writing programs provided me with solid fundamental skills and creative writing that laid a strong foundation to build my career upon. Did you leverage the “Archmere network” to help build professional connections and advance your career? My professional career was uniquely influenced by Archmere because my first professional job brought me back to Claymont to work in Archmere’s Office of Institutional Advancement. My ties to the school strengthened far beyond my student experience, and the opportunity to work with alumni provided networking and professional connections that extended beyond my classmates to include graduates across decades. Who were some of your faculty and colleague mentors while both a student and staff member at Archmere? John Jordan ’80 was my sophomore English teacher and his passion for teaching and energy made an impact on me. He was an incredible role model and is a close friend today. Theresa Mehringer taught me Spanish as a student, and continued teaching when I joined the staff. She spoke with me in Spanish daily, giving me an opportunity to improve my language skills, which continue to serve me well when traveling. But I don’t think I would be the person I am today without the personal, professional, and spiritual development provided by Father Joseph McLaughlin and Michael Marinelli ’76. They gave me unique opportunities to enjoy success and experience challenges, always guided by strong compass and supportive community.

How did you first become interested in medicine? After an injury while running track in my junior year at Archmere, I decided to volunteer at AI duPont Hospital for Children for two nights a week in their Child Life Department. I realized then that taking care of children was what I wanted to do, but was unsure if I wanted to be a teacher or a doctor. While a student at Boston College, I volunteered at Boston Children’s Hospital and decided that medicine was the route that I wanted to take.

Were there any foundational experiences or specific teachers you had while a student at Archmere that influenced your pursuit of a career in science/medicine? I always tended to enjoy math and science more than language arts. I remember loving Mr. Filiben ’47’s algebra class and Mr. Mascioli ’78’s math classes. Mr. Campion ’76 was my chemistry teacher and Mr. Pomeroy was my physics teacher. As a college student I realized “It is impossible that I was so well-prepared that much of the to express how very college material was a review from all that special Archmere is to I had learned in my classes at Archmere.

me. The Class of 1988 was like a family, and in fact even now, almost 32 years later, almost all of us still keep in touch and really enjoy being together.”

You have been graciously hosting Archmere students for three years now as part of our Senior Career Day programming. Why do you feel first hand experiences are so important for high school students? I love hosting Archmere students! The students that I have had are so wellmannered and present themselves like young DR. LORI HEALY professionals. I feel honored to have them! I SCARPACI ’88 think some kids think being a doctor is like Grey’s Anatomy. It is eye opening to see what the daily life in a busy medical office is like. I became interested in what I saw when I was in high school. I think it is important to give What professional advice do you have for young adults them a taste of this. as they embark on their college and career experiences? First, none of us knows where our career will take us or what What do Archmere students get to see and experience when they shadow you on Career Day? opportunities may arise in a fast-changing world. Strong The students get to see both pediatric well visits and sick visits. They fundamentals are critical to success. Writing, analytical thinking, and see how fast a doctor’s day goes and how you never know what is problem solving are essential skills that never go out of style. Second, behind each door. No two days are the same which is pretty cool. building and maintaining relationships are important in almost every I like them to see the relationships that I form with the families and career. You never know how your Archmere classmate or internship the patients. To me this is what makes pediatrics truly special. supervisor may have the ability to open a door or opportunity for you.

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Health & Wellness

SUPPORTING STUDENTS

By Francesca Pileggi ’06, School Counselor

ARCHMERE’S MULTI-TIERED AND LAYERED GUIDANCE, HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMMING OPTIMIZES SUCCESS FOR EACH STUDENT The Guidance Department at Archmere Academy is committed to helping students balance the demands of their academic, athletic, and extracurricular responsibilities. The department is comprised of four school counselors (one dedicated to each grade), a learning specialist, and the school nurse. Together, this team delivers a variety of health and wellness programming to safeguard students’ emotional and physical health. YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY

AEVIDUM MENTAL HEALTH CLUB

Health Club hosted programming for Mental Health Awareness Week. Each day during Mental Health Awareness Week, a different student attended all of his or her classes dressed in a banana costume. When asked about the reason for the costume, the student would respond, “I’ve got your back.” That Friday during video announcements, the club revealed the banana costume’s true meaning: mental health issues don’t stick out the way the banana costume did all week – we don’t truly know what someone is going through and it’s important that we look out for one another and treat each other with kindness. The week was capped off with a visit from English teacher Mr. Steve Klinge’s dog, Jasper, a certified PAWS for People therapy dog. Students could stop by and visit with Jasper on the Quad after classes. The Aevidum Mental Health Club planned a large campaign for Eating Disorder Awareness Week for late February that centers around raising awareness of eating disorders, encouraging help seeking, and promoting positive self-image. We will conclude the year with our fourth annual Stress Less event where we have ice cream trucks, PAWS for People therapy dogs, “Stress-Less Kits” with tip sheets, and other activities to help students de-stress the week before final exams.

During the 2018-2019 school year, I assisted students in founding a student-driven mental health and suicide prevention club called Aevidum. The word aevidum, which means “I’ve got your back,” was created by students in Lancaster County, PA, after they lost a classmate to suicide. I am thrilled that Archmere has joined the movement of over 250 schools who have adopted Aevidum’s healthy school culture initiative. In spring of 2019, the club’s leaders and I developed a student-driven mental health assembly for the entire Archmere student body to launch our new initiative. In October, the Aevidum Mental

Ms. Pileggi created 150 “Stress-Less Kits” for students to take during the Stress Less Day, held right before exams. The kits contained silly putty, a stress ball, gum, and a handout with stress reduction tips and techniques.

In 2015, former Archmere Spanish teacher Rosalba Bellen and I chaired a Health and Wellness Committee as part of our Middle States Assessment. To gather baseline data for the assessment, we implemented the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control, the YRBS is completed by thousands of teens in schools each year. The survey assesses adolescent health risk and health protective behaviors such as smoking, substance use, safety, diet, and physical activity. The Guidance Department issued the YRBS again in 2019 and was able to compare the results to both national data and the 2015 Archmere data. To continue to identify the areas in which health and wellness programming is most needed and monitor improvement, we plan to repeat the YRBS every other academic year.

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English teacher Steve Klinge, his wife Lisa Ferraro-Klinge, and their therapy dog Jasper


and their own experiences with anxiety and stress. The Guidance Department created a survey for students to complete after their small group discussions. Jon Jezyk, school counselor to the Class of 2020, collected the data and analyzed trends. We also gave students an opportunity to self-refer and request a session with one of our counselors. As a result, counselors followed up with 14 students who self-identified as needing assistance with their anxiety. In the evening, we welcomed the community for a second screening of the film. The 60 individuals who attended the event were Archmere parents, families from other area schools, and members of the community. Headmaster Dr. Michael Marinelli ’76, Principal John Jordan ’80, and Director of Academics Tim Dougherty accompanied the Guidance Department in a question-andanswer session after the film’s completion. We hope the evening screening allowed families to see the many supports available to students at Archmere. QPR

Archmere’s school nurse Becky Hendrixson R.N. works closely with our Guidance Department to support a comprehensive approach to student wellness.

ANGST

On Tuesday, October 22, 2019, the Guidance Department proudly sponsored screenings of the documentary Angst for both students and parents. The 56-minute film utilizes the power of film to tell the stories of many kids and teens who discuss their anxiety and its impacts on their lives and relationships, as well as how they’ve found solutions and hope. The film also includes a special interview with Michael Phelps, a mental health advocate and one of the greatest athletes of all-time. In addition, the documentary provides discussions with mental health experts about the causes of anxiety and its sociological effects, along with the help, resources and tools available to address the condition. Spearheaded by school nurse, Becky Hendrixson, Angst provided a platform to initiate authentic conversations about anxiety in the Archmere community. To accomplish this, we first screened the film for students in the Theater at the beginning of the school day. After the film, students went to classrooms in small groups of 1215 freshmen/sophomores or juniors/seniors. With a faculty moderator, students discussed the film

In the spring of 2017, I trained Archmere’s faculty as Certified QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers. QPR, which stands for Question, Persuade, Refer, is an empirically-supported suicide prevention gatekeeper training, recognized on SAMHSA’s best practices registry. QPR employs three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. In the same way that CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. As a QPR Master Trainer, I have trained thousands of individuals across the East Coast, so it was extremely important to me that our educators be equipped with these crucial skills to intervene and help our students. It is my hope to repeat the training during the 2020-2021 school year so our new faculty and staff can gain this critical knowledge. ACTIVITY FAIR

Because connectedness is a large protective factor for students’ emotional wellbeing, each year the Guidance Department runs an Activity Fair in September. Joanna Doroh ’00, Counselor to the Class of 2023, leads this initiative, which provides Archmere’s many student clubs and activities with an opportunity to showcase their programs and recruit new members. This allows students to engage more fully in the Archmere community and pursue their passions.

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Out of Bounds |

learning through experiential and off-campus experiences

INTERDISCIPLINARY ACADEMIC COLLABORATIONS

WINTERIM 2020

History & English Students Conduct Original Research

An Experiential Learning Opportunity to Collaborate and Explore Beyond Traditional Curricular Offerings

By Kristen Witte, History Department Chair FOR MANY YEARS, THE HISTORY AND ENGLISH DEPARTMENTS HAVE WORKED COLLABORATIVELY to help our students learn the process of ethical

research and how to express their arguments concisely and effectively. Both departments are invested in the process of creating critical thinkers. In order to prepare students for the research process, several of the steps of effective research are introduced to the students in both History and English courses freshman year. For History, research is conducted through the National History Day competition. In English classes, students write a researched literary analysis for a specific genre. Both of these exercises, prepare students for success in the subsequent years. Over recent years, on the sophomore level, the teachers have worked to combine their in-class instruction to better advise students as they construct thesis statements and refine their research questions. History and English teachers on this level have also worked to develop lessons that help students select evidence, identify claims, and evaluate source credibility by using JSTOR (an acronym for “Journal Storage,” a digital database used for research) daily articles as well as continue to develop a greater level of reading comprehension. On the junior level, students work with their teachers to establish a viable, independent topic and then work to expand on the skills learned earlier. Due to the variety and specificity of the topic selections, students often need access to a library with greater academic reach. For the past six years, History teachers have met with students during the Christmas break at the Morris Library on University of Delaware’s campus. This December, fifty-nine juniors met the European History teachers at the University of Delaware’s Library to access collection for their cross-curricular research papers, completed in collaboration with the English Department. Sophomore research paper topics included the Effects of Manifest Destiny on the West and Effects of the Industrial Tycoons of the Gilded Age on the American Economy 1870-1900. Junior papers included a wide variety of student-selected research topics, including: The Turkish victory at the Battle of Gallipoli and its effects on Turkish independence, The effects of the Ballet Russes on French Society and the Popularization of Ballet, George Melies and the Growth of French Cinema, The Effects of the Titanic Disaster on Maritime Policy, and Causes for the Greek War of Independence. Archmere faculty help students locate sources and discern evidence selection. Throughout the process, it is common to see a History teacher and an English teacher sitting with a student, a so-called “student sandwich,” in order to help guide the student’s cause and effect argument. These joint projects have become a bastion of the History and English curriculum. Teachers in both departments work to develop and build the researchbased curriculum that has supported our burgeoning AP Capstone programs. Although research has always been central to the curriculum, students can gain AP recognition for the skills they have been developing since Freshman year. 40

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By Claire Brechter, Director of Marketing & Communications, The Independence School and Stephanie Silverman ’00, Director of Marketing & Communications, Archmere Academy FOR THREE DAYS IN JANUARY 2020, TYPICAL SCHOOL ROUTINES were suspended for the

students of Archmere Academy and the seventh and eighth graders at The Independence School. Students at both schools experienced the first-ever Winterim Collaboration, a unique three-day “miniterm” created through a collaboration between Archmere, a high school, and Independence, a preschool-through 8th grade program. Both schools offered a selection of courses – more than 40 in all – including four that were open to students from both schools to take together: Faith & Film, A 9/11 Seminar, Principles of Coaching, and Trail Biking. The course options covered a remarkable range of interests spanning sports, cooking, arts, mindfulness, and well-being. The experiential Winterim capsule curriculum was a direct outcome of work Independence and Archmere have begun since receiving an E.E. Ford Foundation Grant in early 2019. The grant sought support for the Independence and Archmere to discover how synergies in program, facilities, and practices could benefit students across the full K-12 spectrum. During the mornings of January 21, 22, and 23, Archmere and Independence students participated in the mini-electives on and off each campus, many of which were planned and led in partnership with faculty from both schools. Winterim was a welcome break from routine and an enriching experiential educational experience. Faculty from both schools benefited from the opportunity to co-plan, teach and collaborate on the development of their courses. No matter what age or grade level, these three days were filled with opportunities for students from both Independence and Archmere Academy to foster critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and leadership skills.


WINTERIM 2020 WINTERIM COURSES OFFERED • Eating a Healthy, Balanced Meal: Indian Style • Nailed It! DIY Woodworking Workshop • Cake Wars • Grateful Bread* • Business Management & Entrepreneurship • Little Free Library • The Art of Sentence Diagramming • Functional Fitness • Hiking Delaware • Board Games, Not “Bored” Games • Protecting Backyard Habitats • History of Modernism & Post-Modernism • Mindfulness • Travel Writing • What Scares Us? • Disney • Floral Design • Chinese Calligraphy & Cuisine • Crafting • Sign Language: Pretty Handy! • Sound Affects • SCUBA Diving • Auks on Air: Podcasts • Sports Analytics • Faith & Film • A 9/11 Seminar* • Principles of Coaching* • Trail Biking* * Collaborative Independence-Archmere Class Offering

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Around Campus |

performing, music, and visual art programs

Aristopia! Inspired by the Archmere school trip to Greece last summer, the Drama Club presented a mash-up of two zany comedies by the Greek writer Aristophanes, lovingly titled Aristopia! The two-comedies-in-one production was performed October 4-5, 2019 and took a playfully satirical look at wild suggestions on how to improve the democratic government of Greece. With an eye on two thousand years ago, the SNL-like commentary and satire was, not surprisingly, incredibly relevant to today’s struggles we face in our own democracy. Aristopia! starred senior Ali Curren as Socrates and junior Alyssa Pierangeli as Xeno, the narrators and guides on the trip back to ancient Greece. Senior Melina Reilly (Plutus), sophomore Rob Smith (Chremylus) and junior Gianna Abbrescia (Cario) spearheaded the Plutus plot about taking money from evil people and giving it to the good people in society. Seniors Elise Brady (Praxagora) and Stephen D’Antonio (Blepyrus) led the Assembly women plot about surrendering control of government to the women believing women could improve the overall functioning of the society if given the power to lead.

Stage Band Performances In addition to their hard work preparing for the Instrumental Christmas Concert on December 13, 2019, Archmere’s Stage Band also performed in San Francisco, CA over President’s Day weekend, showcasing their talents at multiple locations throughout the city. They held mini-concerts at Pier 39 on Fisherman’s Wharf and The California Academy of Natural Sciences.

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Full STEAM Ahead in Archmere’s Art Department

Ms. Hoffman and her students exploring the capability of the new Muse Lasercutter

Archmere’s Art program acquired a Muse Laser Cutter in November 2019 to support student design and innovation in our award-winning, nationally recognized visual art program. Dedicated makerspace and Mac lab facilities in our art department create opportunities for students to seamlessly integrate and apply their skills from tangible art and design processes in drawing, digital art, and 3D design to new experiential learning contexts using emerging technologies in art and design, such as 3D printing and laser cutting. The new laser cutter makes rapid prototyping and 3D modeling possible, as well as explorations in concept development, design for production, and interdisciplinary design. Students are already exploring the expanding potential of 3D printing, and recently have been using a Cubify Sense Scanner to take topographical scans to create 3D printed portraits in Ms. Jody Hoffman’s AP 3D Design course, similar to the one pictured on the inside front cover of this issue of The Archmerean.

Chicago: High School Edition In February 2020, Archmere Academy Dramatics performed the hit musical Chicago: High School Edition. Chicago, adapted for the high school stage, maintains all the razzle and dazzle that made the musical one of the longest running shows in Broadway history. The show follows the rise and fall of two women in the middle of the 1930’s vaudeville scene. The musical, a satire on a culture that values fame over morals, includes such showstopping hits as All that Jazz, Razzle-Dazzle, and The Cell Block Tango. Forty-five students participated both on and behind stage for an extravagant winter musical production. Serena Martin ’21 and Alyssa Noval ’21 starred as Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly. Riley McAvinue ’20 shines as the famous lawyer Billy Flynn who tried to dazzle his way to getting his clients an acquittal. Rob Smith ’22 played Roxie’s lovable loser husband, Amos. Julia Parisi ’20 played the Matron Mama Morton of the Cook County Jail that houses, temporarily, these famous jailbirds. Stephen D’Antonio ’20 played the emcee that guides the audience along the path of this jazzy classic. The show was choreographed by Alexis Rendel ’21 and Mrs. Meaghan Thomas who beautifully capture the Fosse-style dance genre. The show was directed by Mr. Brian Manelski, and alumnus Patrick D’Amato ’09 provided Music Direction.

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FINE ART STUDENTS RECOGNIZED AT 2020 DELAWARE REGIONAL SCHOLASTIC ART COMPETITION ART PORTFOLIO

Gold Key Lauren Wilson ’20 Perspectives in Travel

Margaret Atkins ‘22, Terry Newitt, Jody Hoffman and Maia Palmer at the 2020 Scholastic Art Awards on February 8, 2020. Margaret was recognized as one of five American Visions Nominees for her drawing titled iChildhood: Growing Up Pixelated (shown on page 45).

THE SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS HAVE RECOGNIZED THE VISION, INGENUITY, AND TALENT OF OUR NATION’S YOUTH SINCE 1923. The awards have grown to be the nation’s

longest-running, most prestigious recognition initiative for creative teens, and the largest source of scholarships for young artists and writers. Work is evaluated based on originality, technical skill and emergence of a personal voice or vision. Archmere Academy received twenty-two Gold Key awards. Gold Keys represent the top 5 percent of entries in any given category and Silver Keys represent the top 10 percent of entries. Gold Key award-winning work will advance to the national level of competition, with over $10 million in scholarships available, as well as additional exhibition and publication opportunities. In addition, seniors Lauren Wilson, Stephen D’Antonio and Meghan Presta won Portfolio Awards. These awards were presented to talented seniors who submitted eight pieces in a portfolio to be evaluated as a body of work. Archmere’s art students have always won strong recognition in this competition. The Gold Key award-winning pieces were displayed in the gallery on the Delaware State University Dover campus from January 22 through February 8, 2020. A gallery reception and formal awards ceremony took place on Saturday, February 8, 2020, for students and their families.

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Rory Clarke ’20 Soaking Up the Sun

DRAWING AND ILLUSTRATION

Camron Kaiser ’21 Stoneware Covered Jar

Gold Key

Silver Key

Mackenzie Popp ’20 Dancing Coral

Meghan Presta ’20 Utopian Dream

Gabrielle Witherell ’21 Squid

Honorable Mention

Katie Yakovenko ’21 Mask of Pan

Stephen D’Antonio ’20 Lights

Nick Zhu ’22 Avalanche

CERAMICS AND GLASS

DESIGN

Gold Key

Honorable Mention

American Visions Nominee

Margaret Atkins ’22 iChildhood: Growing Up Pixelated Alexandra Chua ’20 Autumn Alexandra Williamson ’20 Shining Bows Jocelyn Zavala-Garcia ’22 Mood of the Day

Silver Key Margaret Atkins ’21 The Edge of Eternity

Stephen D’Antonio ’20 Crater Bowl

Alexandra Harrington ’22 Oculus

Camron Kaiser ’21 Wheel-Thrown Stoneware Bowl

DIGITAL ART

Camron Kaiser ’21 Wheel-Thrown Stoneware Mug

Madison Downey ’20 Control

Rachel Sisson ’21 Running on Caffeine

Meghan Presta ’20 Great, Great Grand Elf

Honorable Mention

Sophie Moosberg ’20 Daphne’s Oak Gabrielle Witherell ’21 Infinity Gabrielle Witherell ’21 Fisherman

Silver Key Brian Carbajal ’21 The Queen Nick Friedman ’20 Dragon Gladiator Alexandra Harrington ’22 Daphne’s Daughter Camron Kaiser ’21 Stoneware Vase Ava Passehl ’22 Lady of the Lake Jymir Taylor ’22 What’s Hidden in the Night

Honorable Mention Emily Ambler ’20 Bust Ryan Antunes ’21 Whistling Tea Time

Gold Key

Meghan Presta ’20 Splishy

Gabby Hogan ’20 Blank Valentina Saggese ’23 Strawberry Lemonade

Audrey Mahoney ’23 Views of Reflection

Meghan Presta ’20 Rising

PAINTING

Silver Key

Jihan Bailey ’22 Three Olives

Catherine Brown ’20 Puppet Madison Downey ’20 Disguise Meghan Presta ’20 Wildest Dreams

Honorable Mention

Gold Key Meghan Presta ’20 Graffiti Colors Lauren Wilson ’20 Aghast Jocelyn Zavala-Garcia ’22 El Jardin de Berta

Gabby Hogan ’20 Sedated

Jocelyn Zavala-Garcia ’22 El Aguacate

Colleen McCann ’22 Radio Waves

Silver Key

Drew Tamassia ’21 Haiduk Analysis Project Fiona Teaney ’20 Communications Through the Age

Catherine Brown ’20 Frozen Alexandra Chua ’20 Gilded Mask Janae Hartman ’21 Watercolor Portrait Julia Kochie ’20 Jackson Pollock Studio Aislinn Smeader ’21 Petunia


Katie Walsh ’21 Nature’s Breath

Sophie Moosberg ’20 Daphne’s Oak

Honorable Mention Ryan Antunes ’21 Erika Mae Elise Brady ’20 Sarah Alexandra Chua ’20 Overthinking Isabella Dayrit ’22 Glow Juliana Fedale ’21 Henri Matisse

Meghan Presta ’20 Grafitti Colors

Camron Kaiser ’21 Wheel-Thrown Stoneware Bowl

Julia Kochie ’20 Underwater Savannah Lee ’21 Andy Warhol’s Studio Kusha Malik ’22 Sanjana Joseph Marino ’21 Monarch Garden Aislinn Smeader ’21 Self Portrait Fiona Teaney ’20 A Stroll

PHOTOGRAPHY

Madison Downey ’20 Control

Meghan Presta ’20 Splishy

Margaret Atkins ’21 iChildhood: Growing Up Pixelated

Gold Key Stephen D’Antonio ’20 Flamingo Isabella Gioffre ’20 Pier 1

Silver Key Anna Garcia ’21 Chameleon Anna Garcia ’21 Felsen Drew Tamassia ’21 Costa Rican Macro

Alexandra Chua ’20 Autumn

Jihan Bailey ’22 Three Olives

Lauren Wilson ’20 Aghast

Honorable Mention Stephen D’Antonio ’20 Electreec Anna Garcia ’21 Collapse Anna Garcia ’21 El Camino Isabella Gioffre ’20 200 Feet Isabella Gioffre ’20 Pier to Pier Ava Scarpaci ’21 Monumental

SCULPTURE

Honorable Mention Haoxue Jiang ’22 Forbidden City

Stephen D’Antonio ’20 Flamingo

Isabella Gioffre ’20 Pier 1

Jocelyn Zavala-Garcia ’22 El Jardin de Berta

ARCHMERE STUDENT COMMISSIONED TO ILLUSTRATE CHILDREN’S BOOK Meghan Presta ’20 was recently commissioned to produce original digital illustrations for a children’s book. In addition to her many awards in the 2020 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards regional competition, Meghan was also awarded a full scholarship to Kutztown University based on the quality of her art portfolio. Megan’s illustration contract serves as a concrete example of the successful transition of marketable skills developed in Archmere’s studios to real world entrepreneurship.

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William Church, President of Archmere’s Organ Society, philanthropist, and organ enthusiast

Remaking a Masterpiece: The Archmere Patio Organ PART ENGINEERING, PART FINE ART, AND THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLE OF DELAYED GRATIFICATION, THE ARCHMERE ORGAN RESTORATION PROJECT HAS SPANNED NEARLY FIVE YEARS AND COUNTLESS HOURS OF PAINSTAKING SPECIALIZED LABOR. By Stephanie Silverman ’00, Director of Marketing & Communications

THE ORGAN RESTORATION PROJECT OFFICIALLY BEGAN IN THE SPRING OF 2015, when Mr. William Church, a patron of

Archmere’s Green Concert and Lecture Series, asked Headmaster Michael Marinelli if he would like the organ to be playable again. The conversation took place at the conclusion of the May, 2015 Green Concert held in the Patio. Since that time, a team of dedicated volunteers and organ enthusiasts and experts have toiled out of sight in the dedicated workshop and labyrinthine rooms of the Patio Mansion. The driving force behind the project is organ enthusiast and philanthropist, Mr. William Church. Dr. Marinelli writes, “When Mr. Church asked me if I would ever like the Patio organ to be playable again, I told him that it would be a dream come true, but unfortunately, not a high priority project given the many other educational needs that our school budget must support. That conversation occurred during tea served after the season’s final concert of the year on May 3, 2015. By Tuesday, June 16, Bill Church and I were driving to Media, Pennsylvania to meet Mark and Carol Dresden, friends of a mutual acquaintance of Bill and owners of an historic organ that they had carefully and lovingly installed in their home. They were interested in donating the instrument to Archmere Academy so that it would be preserved, maintained, and appreciated. Walking into the room they had specially built to house the instrument, I was impressed by the gleaming console and the accompanying grand sound.” The Dresden Rosetree Garden Organ The Dresdens visited Archmere, attending one of the Green Concerts, and were delighted that the organ they donated would 46

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be maintained, well-used, and appreciated. The Dresden’s Rosetree Garden Organ is a 1913, 17-rank, three manual, Kimball Theater Organ, including some choice additional Wurlitzer pipes and percussions. The three-manual (keyboard) console was originally installed in the State Theater in Philadelphia. After removal from the State it served time in the Brookline Theater and then in the Colonial Theater. From the Colonial it then went to the John Wanamaker Department Store, where it was used to play the great Wanamaker Grand Court Organ for two years or so while the Wanamaker console was being restored. From Wanamaker’s, it went on to the Dresden home, where much of the console was restored and modernized. A Gift that Multiplied Mr. Church facilitated the details of the gift of the organ, including arranging for an independent appraisal of the instrument, as well as the de-installation and relocation of the organ parts from the Dresden home to the Patio at Archmere. He secured the support and help of Dickinson Theater Organ Society volunteers, who have been working on rebuilding the organ at Archmere for the last five years. He has personally financed expert technicians to work on various aspects of the installation, as well as hand-crafted woodworking projects to restore the organ console and organ screen in the Music Room of the Patio. Mr. Church’s passion for music and music education, combined with his interest in historic preservation, are key motivators that led him to take on the Archmere organ project. He truly believes in an integrated liberal arts education, and wants young people to have the opportunity


to experience and learn to value the arts, as well as the sciences. Educated as an engineer, Mr. Church has had many entrepreneurial interests over his long career, and he believes in the value of a diverse, well-rounded educational experience. In meeting our students and listening to and watching them perform in concerts in the Patio, he has been continually impressed with their level of performance and their character. He hopes that the restored organ will serve as a tool for learning and engagement for our students through concert performances, and perhaps, organ lessons for interested students. The organ will also be an attraction for the community. Already, organ enthusiasts and members of organ societies in the region are aware of and excited about the project. With the initial gift of the Dresdens, combined with the generous philanthropy of Mr. Church, the project has been supported further by the Dickinson Theater Organ Society and individual donors who have provided cash gifts and gifts-in-kind in the way of organ pipes and parts. A vast amount of volunteer hours has gone into the project, as well. “Pipe organs are very complex,” says Fred Astman, a member of the American Guild of Organists and crew member of the Patio Organ Restoration team. Astman explained that pipe organs are slowly disappearing, in part due to the decline of churches and the enormous expenses associated with maintenance and upkeep of pipe organs. Many organs are being dismantled and removed, and even discarded. The introduction of digital music has replaced traditional organs and organists in many churches and public spaces. There are also so few organ technicians and experts, as well as a shortage of organists. One team member is 90-year-old Mr. Brant Duddy, known nationally and internationally as perhaps the most skilled pipe organ technician alive today, often referred to as the ultimate “guru of pipe organs.” Mr. Duddy has appeared on NBC in nationally-televised interviews and has been contracted by numerous cultural destinations in need of his rare expertise. He began studying pipe organs at age seventeen in 1946, and describes the foundation of his vast knowledge base as something he initially acquired through “on the job training.” He explained that the acquisition of the knowledge base required for restoring

and maintaining the pipe organs is something you can only learn from apprenticing, a learning model that has also been lost over time, particularly as automation and manufacturing have been impacted by globalization and the digital era. Mr. Duddy has worked on most of the great pipe organs around the country, most notably in this area in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall (over 33,000 pipes), the Dickinson Theater Organ at Dickinson High School in Wilmington, DE (nearly 5,000 pipes), the Irisbrook Organ in the headquarters of the Raskob Foundation in Wilmington, DE, and the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ, in Macy’s in Philadelphia (28,750 pipes). For the Archmere organ project, Brant has carefully sourced out thousands of pieces and parts locally and from around the nation. He is not only knowledgeable, but resourceful, too. For example, Mr. Duddy has constructed the entire platform of the chamber of the organ at Archmere using pieces of donated wood his landscaper gave to him. The planks had previously served as wooden bleachers in a local Pennsylvania school. Mr. Duddy spent the time required to plane off all of the bits of bubble gum stuck to the underside of the planks to give them a second life in the Patio instrument. Finding the Experts and The Parts Finding people like Mr. Duddy with such expertise is fortuitous, in addition to meeting the challenges of finding hundreds of pieces and parts from all over the country to complete the required set of functioning ranks (or pipes). Each pipe organ is a custom design, so it can be difficult and complicated to restore organs, because pipes and parts that are assembled from many different organs often require custom fitting and additional labor-intensive hand work in order to make them compatible with the existing mechanical structures. In order to rebuild the Archmere organ, Duddy has procured 42 ranks (or sets of pipes) from various states around the country, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. When asked how he can possibly make sense of all of the parts and comprehend how they will work together harmoniously, he says, “Believe it or not, I’ve carried this whole thing in my mind since I SPRING 2020

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Remaking a Masterpiece: The Archmere Patio Organ (continued)

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1. A set of ranks (pipes) in the Patio basement workshop. 2. John Washburn, organ and historical preservation enthusiast, in the workshop. 3. Bill Church sanding custom parts for the restored organ 4. A look inside the lower level workshop

made a rough paper sketch of it over four years ago.” Mr. Duddy showed me several custom pieces that he had to design in order to restore the existing parts, including a small wooden block custom made for each of the “toes” of the organ, which having been made of lead, have slowly “melted” and changed shape over the century since they were first made. Mr. Duddy said that in the early part of the 19th century the organ functioned like the “jukebox of the day.” Two organ consoles are being restored. One will play classical organ music as you might expect in a church setting; the other console is “theatrically” voiced, and has the capability to simulate a vast range of sounds and instruments-everything from a French horn to a set of snare drums to a full set of 25 tuned sleigh bells. Duddy explained that originally, the organ functioned as the Symphony Orchestra of Silent Movies, and as such it needed to simulate a wide range of sounds and musical instruments in order to bring the films to life.

Music Worth the Wait The team hesitates to set a firm date for the project’s completion, given the scope of work that remains and the inevitable surprises and setbacks that accompany projects of this scale and complexity. A fully-functioning organ in the Patio will most certainly augment Archmere’s already robust musical and performing arts programming, that includes not only the school’s award winning choral, instrumental and theater programs, but also the annual Green Concert and Lecture Series, while highlighting the historical significance of the Patio Mansion by “bringing the era to life.” We know from the writing of Helena Springer Green Raskob (wife of John Raskob) and a concert pianist herself, that music played a significant role in the life of the Raskob family, the original residents of the Patio Mansion. Mrs. Raskob believed every home should have four rooms – one of which was a music room – whose purpose was to “strengthen the soul” of the family.

The Archmere Organ Society The Archmere Organ Society was formed for the purpose of supporting the restoration of the Patio pipe organ and to provide for its ongoing maintenance, tuning and possible future upgrades, while promoting the instrument as a valuable cultural asset to Archmere Academy, its students and faculty, and to the Claymont/Greater Wilmington area. The hope is that the instrument will find use in the development of musical instruction classes focused on keyboard instruments. The Society operates within the 501(c)3 organization of Archmere Academy. How You Can Help Although the lovely Dresden Organ has been donated, and we have dedicated volunteers who are conducting the installation work, there are expenses associated with completing and maintaining the instrument. You may make a gift online to support this effort at ArchmereAcademy.com/organ, or write a check made out to Archmere Academy with a notation of “Organ Project” in the memo line. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the organ installation/maintenance (no experience is needed; training will be provided, and students are very welcome), please contact Katherine Ball-Weir at 302.798.6632, ext. 857 or kballweir@archmereacademy.com.

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Archmere Organ Society Board of Directors Chairman Dr. David Ruth President Mr. William Church Vice President Dr. Michael Marinelli ’76 Secretary Mr. John Washburn Treasurer Mrs. Katherine Ball-Weir At Large Mr. Paul Harris Mr. Chuck Gibson


Q&A with William Church

VISIONARY AND DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE ORGAN PROJECT, ARCHMERE ORGAN SOCIETY PRESIDENT Could you tell us about your passion and inspiration for the organ project? Why is it so important to you?

I have always had a passionate love for music. When I heard a real pipe organ for the first time at age 17, I was mesmerized by the sound and what a single musician could produce at the console. In 1985, I purchased a small E.M. Skinner organ, took it home, and began the arduous task of figuring out how to put it back together. After months of part-time work and a good amount of help from the Barnes Book (a definitive work on the construction of pipe organs), it finally played! Since that time, I have worked on many organ projects and have not tired of the magnificent sound! When Mary Ellen Schauber, the artistic director of Archmere’s Green Concert Series, invited me to one of the perhaps the whole country. He knows virtually everyone in the concerts at the Patio, I was amazed at the spectacular architecture field and therefore can call on help from a wide variety of people. and the fact that the mansion had once had a pipe organ. I asked Would you share why historic preservation is important? if the thing could be played, and learned that the organ, except for Historic preservation is crucially important for everyone. It has the console, had been removed and sold many years prior. I asked been quite wisely stated that “We must study the past to avoid Dr. Marinelli if he would like for it to play, and the reply was repeating the same mistakes.” All the efforts to restore the Patio “Yes, that would be a dream of ours, but there is no way we could and our quest to return the organ to its former afford it.” I replied, “Let me see what I can do.” function as an important part of the history of The rest is history. The Patio are vitally important for generations “All the efforts to What is the most challenging aspect to come. They represent a moment “frozen in restore the Patio and of the project? time” from which we can all learn a great deal. The most challenging aspect of the project our quest to return has been the labor required to complete What do you hope our students and the organ to its community learn or better appreciate at the extensive restoration necessary for all former function as an the conclusion of the project? components of the instrument. The components important part of the It is my fervent hope that the instrument will of the organ all date from about 1880 to 1925. history of the Patio are become a valuable asset for Archmere Academy. Many of the chests and pipes have sat unused vitally important for The organ can be used for musical instruction in storage for many years. They all had to be generations to come.” for the students and hopefully may attract a disassembled, cleaned, re-leathered, and are WILLIAM CHURCH few to enter the field of organ music. As well, being reassembled. This work requires personnel I envision the organ as an important cultural who are committed to learning the craft and asset for the Claymont area, and the greater who are available to do the work. We wouldn’t Wilmington area. The presentation of concerts to the public gives be able to do what we are doing without the assistance of so many Archmere Academy an avenue to greater understanding and who have given, and continue to give, their time to this project. cooperation with the community. How did you identify the team and recruit all of the specialized expertise to assist with this project?

What else would you like the community to know?

Having been around the organ world since the 1980s, I have made many friends and acquaintances over the years. The world of organ building and technology is relatively small and many of the most knowledgeable are still busy with their own companies. We are very fortunate to have the assistance of Mr. Brantley Duddy, who contributes several days each week to the project. Brant is the most knowledgeable in the field on the east coast,

Through the course of our restoration, we have developed a workshop that is fully equipped with a wide array of machines and equipment. We are able to reproduce almost any missing component in our shop. After the project is completed, I hope the shop will not only serve to maintain the organ, but serve other organizations in the area who need access to a well-equipped organ shop, as well.

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Exploring Our Very Own Castle of Dreams THE PATIO AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCE VERY FEW HIGH SCHOOLS CAN CLAIM THEY HAVE A CAMPUS BUILDING CLASSIFIED AS A CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL TREASURE LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. We are very fortunate to enjoy the use of the Patio Mansion

not only as a stunning backdrop for many of our signature school events and for daily use as administrative offices, but most importantly as a resource for teaching and learning, research, and interdisciplinary connections. History, Art, Science, and Theology courses have integrated the inspiring spaces and objects in the Patio for a variety of class projects and units of study.

Alumni Team Up to Present Original Research on the Patio Trustee Jim Stockman III ’61 and Tom Manerchia ’61 presented a preview of their latest original historic research and findings, to be published in a forthcoming book Archmere: The Estate: The First 20 Years. The research team presented their findings at a Green Lecture on January 30, 2020, part of Archmere’s Green Series annual season of musical performances and historic lecture events offered throughout the year. Tom and Jim have been working diligently studying the Raskob Papers at the Hagley Museum in addition to Archmere’s collection of archival material and photographs for inclusion in the publication.

Norbertine Spirituality Students Study the Patio Significance to Archmere’s History Guidance Counselor and Theology teacher Father John C. Zagarella, O.Praem. brings Norbertine Spirituality students over to the Patio for a unit on “The Norbertines at Archmere,” to conclude the semester. At the conclusion of second semester each May, freshmen Religion classes visit the Patio for a talk and tour led by Headmaster Dr. Michael M. Marinelli ‘76.

“ The Patio is awash with history as a building and as more importantly for all of us in the Norbertine tradition, it is our roots. And once you enter this beautiful space, that depth of lineage and legacy is palpable. One immediately connects with the spirit and influence of the many young men and women, faculty and staff, lay and religious who have imparted and attained knowledge here. The Patio is the icon of an Archmere Academy education. We have much to learn from, and indeed in, this place, the very epicenter of Pietate et Scientia.” FATHER JOHN C. ZAGARELLA, O.PRAEM.

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AP Art History & World History Patio Treasure Hunts Ms. Kate Huffman’s AP Art History students completed a scavenger hunt in search of historically-inspired works of design and decorative art throughout the Patio on Archmere’s Campus. Students used their knowledge of Greek, Roman, and some early Christian architectural and sculptural design to locate design elements in the space. After the search, students were able to consult the resident Patio expert, Dr. Michael Marinelli Ed. D ’76, to learn additional interesting and littleknown details of each object featured in the scavenger hunt. Students in our newly offered AP Art History course required to analyze 250 + artworks throughout the year. They learn to examine works from multiple perspectives. One of the most important skills developed is the ability to identify connections between styles, periods, and specific artworks. Hundreds of examples of stylistic approaches and history exist right here on our campus as a learning resource.

In January 2020, freshmen in Mrs. Tara Rodack and Mrs. Kristen Witte’s World History classes scoured the campus searching for strategically located Roman artifacts and elements of Roman cultural legacy. As a stunning example of Renaissance Revival architecture, the Patio was a key station on the scavenger hunt. Preservation of the Patio Organ (see p. 44-47) provided a unique opportunity for physics students to study the mechanics of sound.

Original Patio Furnishings Provide a Creative Opportunity to Study Traditional and Contemporary Sculptural Approaches The inside front cover of this issue of the Archmerean features a plaster cast created by Art Department Chair and Advanced Placement 2D & 3D Design teacher Jody Hoffman and her students. Created in consultation with conservation experts at Hagley Museum, the cast is was created from a set of two decorative hand-carved putti cherubs, original finials to a pair of chairs in the Patio’s Music Room. Silver negatives of the original music room space show the putto figurines atop the chairs, and later images show the pieces covered in custom fabric “sleeves” and then eventually removed. Using a careful and complicated serial casting process, Ms. Hoffman and her students were able to reconstruct a whole version of the putti design element by casting two fragmented halves and then recombining the casts from the original chairs. Later, art students used a Cubify scanner to create a 3D printer toolpath of the completed plaster casts, converting the plaster into a durable 3D print, made of PLA plastic filament. The putto castings are one example of our continued examination of the ways we can leverage the Patio and its remarkable history as a resource for teaching and learning. “The project provided a really interesting example of traditional casting and sculptural techniques (plaster casts) translated into a new technology for 3D sculptural objects,” says Ms. Hoffman.

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1. 1917 silver negative of the Patio music room, exposed putti finials visible. 2. Scan of glass negative from the Patio music room from 1918, putti now covered in protective fabric sleeves. 3. Original hand-carved and gilded putti ornamental chair finial discovered by Dr. Marinelli. 4. After generating a topographical scan (file path) of the plaster cast using the Cubify Sense Scanner, the toolpath file is interpreted by the Ultimaker 3D printer. 5. Traditional plaster cast of the putti created by Art Department Chair Ms. Jody Hoffman and her AP 3D Design students.

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CHARTING A DIFFERENT COURSE

Helen Laster’s Alternate Route to Post-Secondary Studies

Early morning sea-lion counting surveys in Galapagos

HELEN LASTER ’18 IS A FRESHMAN BIOCHEMISTRY-MOLECULAR BIOLOGY MAJOR AT REED COLLEGE IN PORTLAND, OREGON. During her free time, Helen enjoys folk dancing and putting together puzzles with

her friends. Helen also works in the biology department’s stockroom creating solutions, aliquoting liquids, and cleaning glassware. While at Archmere, Helen spent many hours designing for yearbook and working tech for the theatre. She also participated in the Science Department trips to Alaska and Costa Rica. At graduation, she was awarded the Spanish and Technology Medals. After graduating from Archmere in 2018, Helen took a “gap year” to explore her passions and travel the globe prior to her undergraduate studies. How has Archmere’s mission to cultivate empathetic leaders, prepared for every good work inspired your work? One of the things Archmere is really good at is establishing tightknit communities between students, teachers, and staff. Archmere’s focus on building community had a big impact on my work since leaving. During my gap year, I spent time working in Kenya, Galapagos (Ecuador), and Nepal. In these very different environments, I sought to build communities with the other volunteers and employees. The strength of the communities we developed correlated with our work; the stronger our sense of community, the more we enjoyed our work and the more successful we were. At Archmere I was a part of so many communities. The sense of community in the theatre and the tech community were especially strong. We were close because we worked for hours trying to get everything right for both theatre performances and general weekly presentations. The Art Department, specifically the yearbook team, was also important to me. Kairos was hugely formative and was a defining weekend for me and has definitely impacted my work. 52

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Tell us more about your work abroad. I worked in three different places during my time abroad: Kenya, Galapagos, and Nepal. I spent three months living and working in Kenya with a Delaware based group called Water is Life Kenya. I rented my own apartment in a town called Kitengela, about 30 minutes outside of Nairobi. I was part of a small leadership team directed by Joyce Tannian and Joseph Larasha, the founders of the organization. While there, I helped with all three initiatives: well-building, beading, and livestock training. Our work was centered in and around Loitoktok, a town outside of Amboseli National Park. After my time in Kenya, I spent two months volunteering in Galapagos through a program called Projects Abroad. I lived on San Cristobal Island in shared housing with 17 other volunteers who were also on the project. During the first month, I joined a team of volunteers working with the national park. We spent most of our time maintaining the tortoise habitat at Galapaguera and working in the national park’s greenhouse for indigenous species. We also performed sea lion counting surveys three times a week, monitored petrel (seabird) populations, and

Pictured above, top: Handmade beaded objects created by Massai women in Kenya. The organization Water Is Life Kenya sells fair trade bead work created by Massai women to help support their villages. Below: Archmere students and staff raised $960 during a dedicated dress-down “tag day” and donated the funds to Water is Life Kenya. The organization sent Archmere a postcard along with these presents as a thank you gift. Helen is directly connected to Water is Life, and spent time living in Kenya while working for the organization.


Helen attends a goodbye ceremony held for the volunteers before they depart Nepal.

Helen participates in a paper bead-making workshop led by a local named Musyoki in Kitengela, Kenya.

Helen monitoring her well project. She examines the progress being made on the water tank as part of the well complex in Kuku.

completed bird, iguana, and flora surveys around the island. During my second month in Galapagos, I transferred to the education team. I joined three other volunteers teaching English and running an art camp for local children between the ages of 6 and 16. Finally, I spent two months volunteering in Nepal, also through Projects Abroad. The conservation project was based in Ghandruk, a town in the Annapurna National Park. I lived in a hostel with other volunteers from the USA, New Zealand, and France. Our daily activities included bird and butterfly identification and counting surveys as well as rhododendron forest surveys. Twice a week, as part of our mammal identification and counting surveys, we would set up and maintain motion capture camera traps in remote areas within a twohour hiking distance from the hostel. Would you share how your gap year was valuable in laying a foundation for your undergraduate studies and development? At Archmere, there is a perceived expectation that the next step after high school is college. I don’t think that’s the right choice for everyone and it certainly wasn’t for me. Archmere has a rigorous academic program, which can be exhausting. I knew that if I was going to find success in college, I needed to take a break from the academic world. Looking back on my gap year, I can say with certainty that it helped me grow as a person, making me more prepared for college than I previously had been. Traveling the world alone

Breaking rat poison stars into the appropriate size before taking to a protected petrel breeding area. One of the petrel’s biggest competitors is rats who steal the petrel’s burrows.

is hard, so I gained a lot of self-confidence as the year went on. As part of the real world, I had to do things I’d never done before; I gained new skills that have helped me in college. I have a greater awareness and respect for “the little things” like water and power. It wasn’t until I had to worry about not having clean water (or water at all) and not having power for weeks on end that I saw how important those things were to my daily life. One of the things I was worried about while away from school was that I would forget everything I learned, but I found I quickly remembered things once back in the academic environment and colleges do their best to provide the resources and knowledge you need to succeed. There is also a big difference between thinking and knowing. You can know all of the facts in the world, but that is not helpful in the long run. It’s more important to know how to think so you are equipped to solve problems in the future. A gap year is the perfect time to learn how to think. When abroad in a country where you don’t speak the language, things will go wrong; you’ll have to be able to think and problem-solve without warning. And that skill will stay with you. What teachers were transformative in your experience at Archmere? Two teachers that really made my Archmere experience special were Mr. Manelski and Ms. Palmer. I worked closely with both of them due to my extracurricular activities, and they were both always happy to listen and offer advice. SPRING 2020

Helen Laster’s recommendations for students who might be interested in taking a gap year before college While I went around the world for my year off, you certainly don’t have to. I know people that had wonderful, transformative gap year experiences without leaving home. What matters is that you are doing something you want to be doing. Do something unexpected. Go bungee jumping. Join a quadrathlon team. If there’s something crazy you think you might want to do, now is the time to do it. The motto I used for my gap year was “It’s better to look back on life and say, ‘I can’t believe I did that’ than to look back and say, ‘I wish I did that.’” For a little bit, you might feel like you’ve been left behind. Your friends are away at college, and you haven’t taken that “next big step.” Do what’s right for you. Your friends will be supportive of you; they’ll want to hear what’s going on in your life. During your gap year you will meet a lot of people who made the same decision you did. You’re not alone – going to college right away doesn’t work for everyone, and it’s better to figure out what you need than try to fit in with everyone else.

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ARCHMERE ACADEMY ALUMNI SPORTS HALL OF FAME BANQUET ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020, ARCHMERE INDUCTED FIVE NEW MEMBERS INTO THE ALUMNI SPORTS HALL OF FAME AT OUR ANNUAL INDUCTION CEREMONY AND DINNER. Since 1992, the Alumni Association has been honoring athletes, coaches, managers and trainers who have made a significant impact in the field of athletics at Archmere and beyond. A full list of all members is available online at ArchmereAcademy.com/alumni/alumni-events/sports-hall-of-fame. The Archmere Alumni Association and the Hall of Fame Committee dedicated this year’s banquet to Mr. E. John Walsh. John was a teacher and coach at Archmere from 1960 to 1968 and from 1976 to 2004. He is the father of Archmere’s Driver Education teacher Michael ’80 CP ’21, Susan ’81, Margaret 82, Kathleen ’85, and Sheila ’88 and the paternal grandfather of Daniel ’17 and Katherine ’21. The 1969 Men’s Basketball Team and the 1979 Mens Football Team were also honored at the event.

2020 ALUMNI SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES MaryAnn O’Brien Slowik ’79 MaryAnn entered Archmere at the start of the second semester her Freshman year, playing softball that spring for the legendary Marcy Aitken. During the next three years, MaryAnn played volleyball, basketball, and softball. She was All-Catholic selection for volleyball her junior and senior years and was awarded Most Valuable Senior for Basketball. At graduation, MaryAnn received the first Women’s Athletic Medal awarded at Archmere. From 2000 to 2006 MaryAnn returned to Archmere and coached women’s basketball. MaryAnn is very proud of the women’s athletic programs at Archmere and how far they have come in the past 40 years. She feels blessed to have been a part of it. MaryAnn is the mother of Courtney ’04, Kyle ’09, and Riley ’23.

Lt. Com. Frank J. Behm ’74 Frank played 10 seasons at Archmere earning nine varsity letters. Frank was the leading receiver in football his senior year. In track and field, he broke five school records and was second in the Athletic Medal balloting behind Archmere Hall of Famer Robert Carney ’74. Frank was the captain of both the winter and spring track teams. 54

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He was a state qualifier in both the high and low hurdles and finished second in both events at the state regional meet his senior year. Frank was All-Catholic in both football and track and field. He was chosen to participate and represent Archmere in the Blue-Gold All Star football game. Frank went on to the US Naval Academy where he lettered in track and field. Frank currently resides with his wife, Andrea, in Wilmington, and the couple has two daughters, Sarah and Laura ’13. He currently serves as a member of Archmere’s Board of Trustees.

Thomas F. Mallon ’85 Tom made the most of his Archmere experience where he served in the Student Council all four years which accumulated in being elected Executive Student Council President in his Senior Year. Tom was a two-sport athlete in soccer and baseball. In baseball, he received All-Catholic honors in senior year. The sport of soccer is where Tom excelled as an athlete. He was a three year varsity soccer player. Tom, as a junior, led the Auks in scoring and received All Catholic honors. In his senior year, Tom scored 15 goals in 13 games and was captain of the team. He was First Team All-Catholic, First Team All-State, ranked the #1 player in the Catholic League and ranked #5 in the state. He was voted as a starter in the annual Blue/White All-Star game. After graduating from Archmere, Tom attended

MaryAnn O’Brien Slowik and family

Lt. Com. Frank J. Behm and family


Thomas F. Mallon and family

Omar Richardson and family

Christopher J. Sanna and family

Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. He played varsity all four years and was named captain in senior year. After SJU, he played two seasons in the Philadelphia Semi-Pro league for the UGH (German Hungarians) Club. Tom continues to play in various Soccer Men’s leagues in PA and DE. He has played the game of soccer continually for 48 years. Tom coached Archmere Boys’ Soccer for eight years, seven as an Assistant Coach and one year as Head Coach. In the year that he was the Auks Head Coach, the team went to the State Semi-Finals and Tom was named Diamond Conference Coach of the Year.

began coaching football, including serving on Jerry Ambrogi’s first coaching staff. At that time, he forged friendships with Coach John Bellace, Chris Sanna ’05, and John Yasik ’05. Omar has coached at Archmere Academy since 2001. During that time, the team has made the state championship twice, been a part of many playoff teams, and was a member of the 2005 Blue-Gold Coaching Staff. He thanks Coach Ambrogi, Bill Doyle and Paul Pomeroy for showing him that “Mamba Mentality,” he displays while coaching. He is looking forward to coaching next football season at Archmere.

Omar Richardson ’93

Christopher J. Sanna ’05

Omar earned five varsity letters in football, basketball and track and field. He was All-Catholic in football and basketball during his junior and senior years, and Second Team All-State in football his senior year. He also was a member of the 1993 Blue-Gold Football Game. During his varsity football career, he was coached by Dr. William Doyle PP ’97, ’99, ’01 and the late Jerry Ambrogi ’76 PP ’04, ’11. Both of these men taught Omar about accountability and sacrifice. After graduating from Archmere in 1993, Omar accepted a football scholarship to University of Delaware, where he was part of three NCAA tournament playoff teams. His senior class is the all-time winningest class in Blue Hen history. After graduating from University of Delaware, Omar

Chris was the last of four siblings to attend Archmere, following in the footsteps of his brother Nick ’98 and sisters Erin ’00 and Tracy ’02. Chris was a three sport athlete at Archmere, participating in football, basketball and baseball. His greatest athletic honor was serving as a captain on all three teams as a senior. His accolades included All-Conference in football for three years and being named All-State at tight end during his junior season. Chris was a two-time selection to All-Conference in basketball. After graduating from Archmere, Chris attended Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA. He played football all four years as an H-back. Chris graduated from Ursinus in 2009 with a History degree and a minor in Education.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS The Lagassé Group (Kevin Lagassé ’80), Clark & Goshow (Jack J. Clark ’82), Michael Hare ’79, and Tri-State Roofers (Francis “Nick” Sanna). THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT PATRONS Lauren Beste Jones ’97, Dr. Bill Doyle, Mike Pembroke ’71, and Bob Quercetti ’89. For more information about sponsoring the 2021 Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Banquet, please contact Ainsley Hertrich Palladino ’05 at 302.798.6632, ext.757 or apalladino@archmereacademy.com.

FALL / WINTER 2019

ALUMNI SPORTS HALL OF FAME SELECTION COMMITTEE Larry Cylc ’73* Bill Doyle David Kubacki ’92 Lauren Beste Jones ’96 John J. Jordan III ’80 Lou LoBosco ’64 Jim Malseed John Nowaczyk ’87 Dave Oswinkle Mike Pembroke ’71 Mary Ann O’Brien Slowik ’79 Anthony “Mike” Tosi ’63 Anthony “TJ” Voell ’89 *recently deceased

2019/20 ALUMNI COUNCIL President Jamie Wohlhagen ’04 Vice President Erin McNichol ’92 Treasurer Tom Mengers ’10 Secretary Diane Latini-McIntyre ’84 ALUMNI COUNCIL MEMBERS

Kathleen Shields Anderson ’97 Michael Blahusch ’04 Martin Devine ’74 Alexis Furlong ’06 David Kubacki ’92 Dennis Lynch ’82 David Manning ’88 Laura Pettinelli ’08 Keriann Sabatini ’08 Katie Sahm ’90 Christopher Sanna ’05 David Zakielarz ’89

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Alumni News Alison Paige (Newitt) Hilley ’95

Arthur Kerns ’56

Stephanie Welch Silverman ’00

1956

1986

Arthur Kerns ’56 has released his fourth international suspense novel, Days of the Hunters. CIA officer, Sandra Harrington, takes the lead against militants intent on destroying Florence, Italy’s cathedral, El Duomo.

Lee (Rosalie) Mirenda ’86 is the current Director for the Institute of Sports, Spirituality and Character Development at Neumann University. She is Neumann University’s representative in Cohort 2 of the Padua Program, a program sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities and co-sponsored by St. Bonaventure University’s Franciscan Institute. The Padua Program helps Franciscan institutions and ministries transmit the values of Saints Francis and Clare to new generations of leaders. She also presented “Bringing Catholic Values to Life in the College Athletic Experience Through a Unique Sports Lay Ministry” at the Second Global

1964 Harry Chaykun ’64 was a contributing writer to the book Tales from the Museum: A Collaborative Anthology about the sports legends of Delaware County Museum which launched in December of 2019.

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Jamie Newitt ’02

Congress on Sports and Christianity held at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI in October, 2019..

1995 Alison Paige (Newitt) Hilley ’95 and her husband Ryan welcomed their second child, Landon Hilley on November 26, 2018. He is the grandson of art teacher Terry Newitt and Robin Newitt, and the nephew of Jamie Newitt ’04.

2000 Artwork by Stephanie Welch Silverman ’00 has been selected as “Best of the Best” for 2019 by the National Arts Program. Silverman’s piece, a pastel (chalk) drawing on black paper features

her daughter Sophia. Silverman was awarded “Best of Show” in the 2019 State of Delaware Exhibition sponsored by the National Arts Program. The Sixth Annual online exhibit featuring Best of Show winners from across the nation is available on their Facebook page. In December 2019, Silverman was invited to present a solo exhibition of original paintings at the Delaware Historical Society on Market Street in Wilmington, DE as part of the Wilmington Art Loop. A percentage of sales was donated to Archmere’s Manor Restoration Fund.

2002 Jamie Newitt ’02 and his fiancé Lauraly celebrated their engagement in Greece.


Eric Hertrich ’04

Kristin Nannas Tsamoutalis ’05

Jamie Wohlhagen ’04 and Ryan Emptage ’04

Christina Sweeny ’07

Meredith Freeborn ’06

DIANE LATINI-MCINTYRE’S CHRISTMAS PARTY Tony Latini ’82, Elena Latini ’14, Nick McIntyre ’15, Diane Latini-McIntyre ’84, Susan Padien ’84, Rick Sheets ’84, Ross Kweder ’84, Cliff Anzilotti ’85, Michael Puppio ’84, Lori Falkenstein ’84, and Ken Falkenstein ’84.

2003

2004

2005

Christian Burdziak ’03 and wife Kai welcomed their second son, Yuki, born on February 15, 2019 in Japan. Father Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem. baptized Yuki on December 28, 2019 at Saint Madeline Church, Ridley Park, PA. Christian’s sister, Jillian ’06, served as baptism sponsor. Yuki’s older brother, Haru, is three, and was baptized on the same date and in the same church in 2016. Christian and his family live in Japan.

Eric Hertrich ’04 and wife Katie welcomed their second child, Waverly Elizabeth, on November 13, 2019. Waverly joins two-year-old brother Grady; the family resides in Doylestown, PA.

Kristin Nannas Tsamoutalis ’05 and husband Al welcomed their first child on September 23, 2019 at 2:59am. Poppy Alexis weighed 8 pounds and 1 ounce, measuring 20.25 inches long.

Jessica Meany Paski ’03 and husband Brad welcomed baby boy, Ted Charles, on January 17, 2020. He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces, and measured 20.5 inches long. Big sister Reese is two years old.

Bill Larson ’04 and wife Stephanie welcomed their first born, Kinsley Hedwig Larson, on January 24, 2020. She weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces. The family resides in Wilmington, DE. Jamie Wohlhagen ’04 and Ryan Emptage ’04 welcomed Julie Paige on January 17, 2020, weighing 5 pounds and 3 ounces. Jamie, Ryan and Julie reside in Wilmington, DE.

2006 Beth Malseed Curry ’06 and husband Michael welcomed Elliott Michael Curry on January 13, 2020, weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces. Lauren Schneider Schuster ’06 and husband Timothy welcomed baby girl Charlotte Ann on January 6, 2020. Charlie weighed 6 pounds and 14 ounces. Meredith Freeborn ’06 married Travis Anderson on September 27, 2019 in Stone Harbor, NJ.

Meredith’s tight knit group of friends from Archmere served as bridesmaids: Caroline Roszkowski Filippone ’06, Allison Schieffer Plum ’06, Emily Freeborn ’04, Jessica Ambrogi ’04, Lauren Schneider Schuster ’06, Lauren Kennedy ’06, and Sydney Sullivan ’06. Meredith works for Capital One and she currently resides in Philadelphia, PA. Alexis Furlong ’06 was promoted to Director of Marketing & Communications at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, PA.

2007 Christina Sweeny ’07 and husband Chris Robbins welcomed their daughter, Emma Elizabeth, on February 5, 2020.

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his sister, Jennifer Grimm ’02 was a bridesmaid and Joshua Sizer ’08 was a groomsman. Father Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem. officiated at the wedding ceremony. Christian is a physician in Camden, New Jersey. Christian and Linda live in Philadelphia, PA.

2009 COLLEEN DEEMER ’07 WEDDING Patrick McNamara ’81, Joan Lucey McNamara ’81, Martin Mortimer ’01, Amanda McCollom ’07, Lena Russomagno ’07, Kate Houck ’07, Brigid McGivney ’09, John Deemer ’81, Colleen Deemer ’07, Brendan McGivney ’07, Mark Hernick ’81, Pat Costello ’81, Joseph Pileggi ’81, and Jim Pace ’81

Sarah Meany Tunnell ’09 and husband Craig welcomed their first child on New Year’s Eve. Nora Kathleen weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 21 inches long.

2010

Colleen Deemer ’07

Laura DiPrinzio ’07

Alexandra Duszak Keegan ’07 welcomed her first child, Madeline Keegan in March, 2019.

bridesmaids while Laura’s sister Christine DiPrinzio ’05 was the maid of honor.

Colleen Deemer ’07 married Connor McGivney at Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia on August 10, 2019. Many Auks were in attendance to celebrate the day, including Father of the Bride, John Deemer ’81. Brendan McGivney ’07 and Amanda McCollom ’07 were also in the wedding party. Colleen and Connor live in the Fishtown area of Philadelphia, PA.

Paige Sullivan Kuderka ’07 was promoted to Managing Director of Daversa Partners in November of 2019.

Laura DiPrinzio ’07 married Josh Flanagan on November 2, 2019 in Philadelphia, PA. Paige Sullivan Kuderka ’07 and Elise Hartman DeLatour ’07 served as

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Brittany Krygowski ’07 married Mark Adomanis in April of 2019. The couple resides in New York.

2008 Mathias Fallis ’08 was transferred in January from Fort Irwin, CA to Qatar where he is serving as an army dentist. After a two-month stay in Qatar Matt will be deployed to Iraq.

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Christina J. Ferma ’08

Christina J. Ferma ’08 married Andrew E. Foley on August 24, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Church in Washington, DC. The pastor, Father Charles Gallagher, officiated at the Nuptial Mass. Tina and Andy live in Washington. Christina is currently a government investigations and white collar criminal defense attorney at Paul Hastings LLP in Washington, DC. Christian B. Fagel ’08 married Linda M. Wei on June 29, 2019 in Dahlgrin Chapel at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, Christian’s alma mater. Christian’s brother Jonathan ’99 was best man and lector;

Spencer Slattery ’10 graduated from Boston University School of Dental Medicine in May of 2019 and then commissioned into the Army as Captain. He has traveled to Oklahoma and Texas for direct commission and basic officer leadership courses. He and his wife, Maddie Dunleavy Slattery ’10, and their daughter have plans to move to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Anchorage in Alaska this spring. Sam McCollom ’10 recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a PhD in Organic Chemistry and is currently working as a chemist for Adesis. Sam’s wife Nora Crawford ’10 is currently working as an associate for Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.

2017 Catherine Lawless ’17 is studying Nursing at the University of Delaware and has been named to the University of Delaware’s Dean’s List each semester since Fall of 2017.


Principal John Jordan ’80 Leaves Archmere “Better Than He Found It” By Father Joseph McLaughlin, O.Praem.

I continued to go to the Jordans for New Year’s Eve until 1997 when I moved to the abbey. In April of John’s senior year, I drove him to Chicago for an admissions a religion elective open to juniors and seniors. interview at the University of Chicago. John was accepted and spent the first John was a junior, and I was teaching the two years of college at Chicago. On the way home from the college interview I course for the first time. Twice each week suggested we visit Notre Dame. After about an hour John said to me, “Let’s get students turned in reflection papers on a chapter out of here,” a surprising reaction from an Irish Catholic. in one of the three books At John’s graduation from Archmere on June 8, 1980, John assigned for the course. John “Wherever you go, be received the Archmere Medal, Archmere’s highest honor. was an insightful reader and of service, be honest, be He was the perfect choice – one who exemplified the five skilled writer, I looked forward yourself. Keep the faith, qualities represented by the medal. to his reflections and wrote my In August of 1980 John’s parents asked me to stay at their always – it will take you reactions on his papers. By the home with their other four children, and three big dogs end of the semester we were where you need to go.” (Newfoundlands) while they drove John to college. I recall still student and teacher but also PRINCIPAL JOHN JORDAN being nervous about getting the children off to school. I even friend and friend. stepped on one of the dogs who was sleeping at the bottom of In December of John’s senior the steps down from the second floor. year he made a discernment retreat at Daylesford I visited John’s home countless times. His Mom was always giving piano Abbey. John took the retreat to heart and wrote lessons in the living room, after teaching each day in the Garnet Valley two beautiful letters to me. He also invited me School District. I remember how quickly the family said “Bless us, O Lord” to his home for a fondue dinner on New Year’s at each meal, and then how each child said what he/she was thankful for. Eve. Shortly after I arrived, however, John left They often said, “Because Father is here,” I think because I always brought for the evening with Archmere classmate Gino dessert. For years that dessert was pound cake until one day John said, “Joe, Lerario, leaving me at the dinner with his family. IN JANUARY OF 1979 JOHN J. JORDAN III

ENROLLED IN “MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY,”

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Principal John Jordan ’80 Leaves Archmere “Better Than He Found It” (continued)

don’t bring any more pound cake. We hate pound cake.” After two years at the University of Chicago, John transferred to University of Pennsylvania where he roomed with Archmere classmate Frank Nowaczyk. During John’s senior year at Penn, my first year as Headmaster, I attended an NAIS convention in Washington, DC. I noticed at the convention many college students meeting with heads of school to discuss possible teacher openings. I called John as soon as I got home and urged him to go into teaching. In 1985 Archmere had a part time position open in English and John filled that position for one year. He returned full time in 1987, and was soon elected the faculty representative to the Headmaster’s Council, a group that met weekly. John was a wise and trusted advisor. In 1989 Noreen Oakes joined the Archmere faculty as a math teacher. Noreen and John teamed up as basketball coaches, and on July 12, 1991 they teamed up as husband and wife. I officiated at the wedding, on a hot and humid Friday night in a church that had no air conditioning. John and Noreen then took up residence in the little bungalow on Archmere’s lower field, on Manor Avenue, but definitely not a manor house.

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John ran cross country and played basketball at Archmere. He then coached both sports at Archmere, cross country until last year. John was inducted into Archmere’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. As the Director of Admissions John used to tell prospective students that “it is good that you are here” and always challenged them to “leave the place better than you found it.” He established the annual Scholars Dinner, at which John gave each scholarship winner a personally signed book and a tee shirt that read, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much” (Luke 12:48). As Principal, John initiated the annual common summer reading book for all students and teachers. Frosh always comment that John greets them by name every day, holds the door for them as they enter St. Norbert Hall, and continues to create a welcoming atmosphere for students. He initiated the camping trip to Virginia in late July for rising senior boys, which always begins with Mass either in the Oratory of Formal Garden. He daily attends Kenosis and often weekly football masses. His weekly letters to parents are literary and inspiring. He has lead Archmere as both a teacher and a parent (of Liam ’11, Luke ’15, Colleen ’18, and John ’21), with mind and heart, body and soul, fulfilling Mrs. Helena Raskob’s description of the dream home of every parent. Much was entrusted to John, but he has given back so much more. He has truly made Archmere a better place than it was before he arrived. John exemplifies Archmere’s motto of Pietate et Scientia (reverence and wisdom) and the motto of the Norbertine Order, prepared for every good work, words that appear on the Archmere school ring under the image of Saint Norbert. In the words of Mrs. Raskob, John has helped make Archmere “a dream come true.”


Q&A with John Jordan

TEACHER, COACH, ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR, PRINCIPAL, AND FRIEND What has kept you passionate and dedicated to the school for so many years? I have always enjoyed being in front of a classroom. It’s good to be around teenagers. I really love kids. I would say it is my passion for teaching. But coaching has always been a big part of my role here. What has changed and what has remained the same about Archmere, from your student days to throughout your career? There are obvious differences – the facilities, for example, and tremendous campus growth. But the espris de corps, the spirit of the place, remains unchanged. If you had to describe to someone outside of our community what is most distinctive and special about Archmere, what might you tell them? We have kids here who want to learn, and expert faculty who want to teach them. We set high expectations and we do that in a welcoming space. David Epstein, author of Range asserts that the longer you can stay unspecialized, the better. Kids can try anything here, academics, arts, athletics. At Archmere, you learn how to push yourself in different areas. Do you have a favorite memory, moment or highlight from your time at Archmere? My collective memories center around my classes and the kids I have taught. Too many to really focus on, but my overwhelming sense of pleasure and joy in teaching stories and writing has been the basis of those memories. It’s the Wordsworth quote: “What we have loved, others will love, and we will teach them how.” How has your foundation as a graduate of Archmere informed your leadership and values as Archmere’s Principal? I do think that my leadership style evolved organically out of my experience with coaches and teachers as a 15- and 16-year-old. My leadership style is about engaging others, not in a top-down way, but a collaborative way, in showing vulnerability. Those qualities really came out of my experience as a student here. My teachers listened, they knew me, and helped me succeed. What will you miss most about Archmere as you embark on your new journey? The faculty. Hiring faculty, mentoring them, and of course the older faculty. They are so invested in their disciplines and their belief in a holistic education. And then on the flipside: If I’m standing at my desk, working, all I need to do is step out of my office and start chirping with kids, and I’m instantly re-energized. I will miss both the faculty and the students. Could you please share one of your personal inspirational quotes with us? Greg Boyle’s Tattoos on the Heart is a special book for me. He uses the word kinship all of the time. Boyle states, “No ‘us and them,’ only us.” To me this speaks to the collaborative leadership model and sense of community I’ve hoped to build.

Mike Hare ’79 (left) and John Jordan ’80

Photo credit: Mike Lang, The Dialog

Honoring John Jordan’s Legacy of Leadership & Service to Others By Mike Hare ’79 AS MANY IN THE ARCHMERE COMMUNITY ARE AWARE, John Jordan ’80 donated a kidney

to me in the June of 2018. In what is an incredible Archmere story, John was inspired to this selfless act by the tragic loss of Anthony Penna ’19 and the donation of his organs upon his death in the Fall of 2017. How does one even say thank you for such an extraordinary gift? In my mind it is not enough to simply live well. To that end, I am pleased to announce the creation of the John J. Jordan ’80 Scholarship Fund at Archmere Academy. It is at Archmere in 1976 where I met John, and befriended him. It is where we coached together as graduates. It is also appropriate, because there shall be a permanent recognition of John’s legacy at Archmere. This scholarship fund is also in recognition of his thirty-year career as a teacher, coach, admissions counselor, principal, and friend. He has touched the lives of so many in the Archmere Community. While I am saddened that he is leaving the Archmere community, I know that his example of hard work, humility, and decency has impacted multiple generations of Archmere students. It is my hope that those who receive this scholarship in the future will be inspired by his example. With a generous challenge grant of $20,000, Mike Hare ’79 has endowed the John Jordan ’80 Scholarship Fund. If anyone wishes to make a gift to the Fund in honor of and in appreciation for John’s work and legacy at Archmere, the first $20,000 in gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar. Gifts may be made online at ArchmereAcademy.com/advancement/make-a-gift or by contacting Katherine Ball-Weir, Director of Institutional Advancement at 302.798.6632 ext. 857 or kballweir@archmereacademy.com. SPRING 2020

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Katie Eissler Thiel Named Principal of Archmere Academy

DR. MICHAEL A. MARINELLI ’76, HEADMASTER, IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT KATIE EISSLER THIEL HAS BEEN SELECTED to

succeed Mr. John Jordan ’80 as the seventh Principal of Archmere Academy, effective July 1, 2020. Mrs. Thiel has taught French at Archmere since 2014, and in 2017, she was named Chair of the World Languages and Cultures Department. Prior to her teaching career at Archmere, she taught in the Pennsbury School District, University of Delaware, and Université de Caen, France. She received a B.A. in French and Education, magna cum laude, from Gettysburg College and a M.A. with honors in French Language and Literature from the University of Delaware. The Archmere Academy community is happy and excited to welcome Mrs. Thiel to the position of Principal.

“ Treating people warmly and equitably, regardless of age, gender, social status or beliefs, is a value that was instilled in me at a young age... The importance of mission, philanthropy, communication, and propagating thoughtful, reflective teaching is not lost on me, and I hope to strengthen these facets of the Archmere experience through my leadership.” KATIE EISSLER THIEL, AS EXPRESSED IN HER LETTER OF INTEREST REGARDING THE PRINCIPAL POSITION

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spring 2020

| Greetings from Archmere’s Principal-Elect

LOOKING FORWARD

at Archmere was not built in a day, and I will need to remind myself to see the big picture, and to WHAT A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY IT IS TO WRITE TO YOU DIRECTLY, remember that quality over quantity is usually the AS I BEGIN THE TRANSITION INTO MY NEW ROLE ON CAMPUS. best mantra. My colleagues have always been my I have often told my students that my dream job is to be an eternal student, and greatest source of inspiration and motivation, and from where I stand, the dream has been realized. While it may not seem that the pressure is on to do right by them. They deserve teacher and student are equals, in the realm of learning, I have always seen them every ounce of energy that I have to dedicate to this as one and the same. Effective educators never stop learning, never stop growing position, and I look forward to collaborating with and never stop evolving. In that same vein, good educators cultivate and come each of them. to expect that same growth mindset from their students, that same adoption of Working for our current Principal John Jordan philosophy. As legendary art teacher, Terry Newitt, has often said to me, “Your ’80 has been one of the highlights of my time thus biggest hope as a teacher is that your students will one day far at Archmere, and I would be supersede you.” When former students reach out to me from remiss if I did not speak to the “My biggest hope their respective campuses or Francophone countries to share impact he has had on me as a for our students at their academic and linguistic successes, I feel that pride that professional and as a person. Archmere is that their Terry speaks to; it is their progress that keeps us coming back I get excited to come to work each quest for knowledge to do good work, day in and day out. When I was a teenager, day, and that is thanks to a culture long before I decided to become a teacher, my mom gave me may know no limits, that John has built. I know that a necklace with a passage from Proverbs inscribed on it. The I have big shoes to fill. And while and that they may see passage is a beautiful one, and perhaps rather serendipitously, I may fill them differently, please learning not only as a aligns quite clearly with the work of educators: “The fruit know that I will continue to work conduit to achieving of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is tirelessly and selflessly on behalf their own goals, but wise.” (Proverbs 11:30) It is in the second line where I see the of the Archmere community, to bettering the world greatest parallels between the work that educators are doing in and always do what serves the around them.” imparting wisdom and meaningful lessons to our students. If best interest of our students and KATIE EISSLER THIEL we educators are living and leading by example, as God taught faculty. I hope that you – alumni, us, our work produces good fruit and we subsequently have the parents, past parents and friends ability to positively impact or “win over” those around us. King Solomon asked of Archmere – will join me on this journey. God for wisdom to lead the people, and those in the teaching profession have Engaging you in unique ways and bringing your done the same – our ultimate goal being to give wisdom in the service of others. passion and expertise to campus is a central My biggest hope for our students at Archmere is that their quest for knowledge goal of mine. What you have to contribute to may know no limits, and that they may see learning not only as a conduit to the educational fabric of this school cannot be achieving their own goals, but to bettering the world around them. Learning underestimated, and I look forward to bringing should be about taking you somewhere, and I hope that the collective efforts of those contributions to the forefront. Archmere’s talented faculty and staff serve as a compass for our students well This place has inspired and invigorated me, beyond their years here. In its purest form, learning is a way to expand our fulfilled and welcomed me. My hope is, for those of horizons and better ourselves. My educational opportunities have made me more you whose paths I’ve crossed, that I have made you worldly, more appreciative of differences, more empathetic and more informed, feel valued, heard and appreciated. For those I have but you cannot make these strides without an “open mind and heart,” as our yet to meet, I look forward to making a meaningful Archmere Prayer says. In our very automated and mechanized society, can we get connection before too long. Archmere has enriched back to learning for learning’s sake? Can we put our knowledge to work for the my life in so many ways, and I only hope to do the betterment of others? These questions are central to many of my goals. same for this community. I am a goal-setter and a list-maker, and there are few things in the world that bring me more joy than checking a task off of my to-do list. The undying optimist in me says that all of my goals can be achieved quickly; the realist disagrees. I Katie Eissler-Thiel know that the work of Principal will sometimes be slow and deliberate; however, Appointed Principal of Archmere Academy, that does not mean it is unworthy of my time and dedication. The positive culture effective July 1, 2020

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Reflections on

HALF-A-CENTURY OF TEACHING By Terry Newitt

I STARTED TEACHING THE YEAR AFTER I WENT TO WOODSTOCK IN 1969.

BELOVED ART EDUCATOR TERRY NEWITT BIDS FAREWELL “ Although the term Renaissance Man is somewhat overused, it is the only way to adequately describe Terry Newitt. He is a painter of remarkable ability, a poet, a teacher, a dramatist, and a wrestling coach.” Delaware Journalist George Mallet Prevost, from his 1980s interview with Terry Newitt

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I thought I’d try education for three years, and, if I didn’t like it, I’d move on and try something else. Fast forward 50 years, and I am still here. As a youthful teacher, I always loathed this disheartening quote: Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. Those who can’t teach, teach art. Well, read that quote to the likes of Galileo, Marie Curie, Mozart, Sir Isaac Newton, Steven Hawking, Albert Einstein, all of whom felt eager to pass along their knowledge. Since the 60’s, I haven gotten up, put on my socks, then felt humbly charged with steering the next generation (now two), to do good work. I don’t know of any other profession that could have afforded me so much satisfaction. Making a difference in young people’s lives, dedicating myself to trying to coach and inspire them to go beyond where I have gone, has been a blessing. And to be able to do that at Archmere, alongside an amazing community of committed faculty and students, has also been magical. And all this could not have been accomplished without the incredible patience, understanding, and love of my wife Robin and my two dear children Alison ’95 and Jamie ’02. So many times, I could not be at home. I came to Archmere as a direct result of a Middle States evaluation in 1976 that indicated the art and music programs needed strengthening. I signed a part time contract with Father Albert Bozelli, O.Praem., on November 18, 1981 for four art classes for the 81-82 school year. Founder of Archmere’s Fine Art Program, Father Stephen Rossey, O.Praem., took a great chance and hired me, for which I am forever grateful. Shortly after beginning here, I envisioned and molded a sequential art program that took students from foundation courses to advanced courses to, eventually, AP Studios. Annually, we have about 40 students enrolled in our AP Studio Art program. Because of that, we have been able to garner more awards in the regionals and nationals of the National Scholastics Scholarship Art Awards Program than any other single school in Delaware over the past 35 years. And that has led to countless scholarships to the most prestigious art schools in the world. One of my students earned the Pinnacle Award from Scholastics representing the #1 architecturalenvironmental design project in the United States (Keith Cutrufello ’03). Never in a million years did I envision 3-D printing, laser cutters, the Internet, YouTube, Ted Talks, Photoshop, Sketch-Up, Adobe Illustrator, etc., all of which have made the teaching of Art and Art History more demanding, but way more exciting. Dr. Michael Marinelli ’76 encourages all Archmere students to “Go and make a difference in the world.” And I look at where some of my students have landed in a variety of art professions. The head graphic designer of the National Hockey League is an Archmere grad (Bryan Kenney ’04). Walk into most Taco Bells in America, and on the walls are displayed the duplicated works of one of my students (Mark Smith ’86). I have attended many exhibitions of internationally-acclaimed painter Monique Rollins ’98, whose studio is in Florence, Italy.


The founder of ThisIsPop, a game designing firm that has created more cartoons for video games than most companies in the world (Vincent LaCava ’87), is also an Auk. I have taught the #1 secondary art educator in the international Eastern Region (Stephanie Welch Silverman ’00), and another is a Pixar animator who contributed his creative talents to family favorites such as UP and Toy Story (Alan Browning ’05). I have gone into the Museum of Modern Art and seen one of my student’s fashion designs on exhibition (Amanda Phelan ’05). The Twin Towers of Light in New York was designed by an Archmere grad (Paul Myoda ’85). These are just a few of the many incredible successes and alumni outcomes from Archmere’s Fine Arts Program. I have always felt the connection between our students’ spiritual development and what they accomplish in any art studio. It’s important for them to “be in the present,” creating from a place of inner silence. The goal of life is rapture and art allows students to experience and appreciate that. The spirit works with the hand, and students who listen to their own original ideas are allowing their souls to grow, and from that, their wisdom. It’s been very rewarding to have been able to teach at Archmere, where we recognize spiritual development as one of our goals. I am also most proud of the three substantial and educational murals decorating our campus. The murals provided a paid internship opportunity over the summers for a selection of advanced painting students. The History of Science in the Science stairwell involved a lot of ladders. The History of the Fine & Performing Arts in the Theater corridor taught us much about music, as well as art. The History of Archmere mural in the SLC was constructed entirely from researching decades of The Patio yearbooks. It’s a real credit that these murals look so polished, yet were created by high schoolers.

I have tried to be a “hybrid” professional, making contacts and collaborations both in our region and abroad. Through People to People, Archmere AP Art students completed two murals along with the largest art school in China, the Xi’an School, in 1999. The finished murals were hung in the U.S. and Chinese Embassies. (When I was in high school, politically, the United Stated and China never even communicated.) The mural now hangs above the entrance to Archmere’s Performing Arts Center Theater. The Wilmington Train Station (now named the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Railroad Station after Archmere Alumnus Former Vice President Joseph “Joe” R. Biden Jr. ’61) commissioned my students to create a coloring book for young riders on the history of the station and its designer Frank Furness. My architectural-environmental design students were commissioned to create 2-D designs and models for the new Claymont train station by the architectural firm in charge of that project. I’ve shared many interdisciplinary lessons, thanks to many receptive Archmere colleagues: art lessons and field trips with Science, Religion, History, World Languages & Cultures, and more. Television crews from Channel 29 and WHYY have brought their cameras into my classrooms to interview the students and capture them at work. Yes, I am retiring after this year. I knew by the age of four that God programmed me to try and produce the perfect painting, but I have not even come close to that yet. Not restrained now by a fulltime job, I feel I can keep trying. StilI, I will always miss Archmere, especially the exuberance and curiosity of all of the students I have taught and lived my life through. I hope I can come back often and visit the department still thriving, hopefully in a state-of-the-art, newly restored Manor building. SPRING 2020

TERRY NEWITT AWARDS On Tuesday, January 30, 2020, Terry Newitt was honored with the Carl S. Campion ’76 Service Award at an all school assembly as part of Catholic Schools Week. The award acknowledges an individual whose work ethic, humility, integrity, and spirit have made the Archmere community a better place over time. On May 19 2010, Terry Newitt was honored with the David and Mary Ann Barnard Master Teacher Award, recognizing his continued excellence in the classroom and for his contribution to the school’s academic community. Terry was also named Delaware Art Educator of the Year in 2004 by the Delaware Art Education Association.

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Stephanie Welch Silverman ’00 Appointed Chair of Archmere’s Fine Art Program STEPHANIE WELCH SILVERMAN ’00 HAS BEEN APPOINTED FINE ART DEPARTMENT CHAIR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2020. After

studying with Terry Newitt and Jody Hoffman for four years (1996-2000) in Archmere’s Fine Art Program, Stephanie was awarded the Archmere Art Medal and matriculated to the highly selective Rhode Island School of Design for her undergraduate studies in fine art and design. While a student at Archmere, Silverman was recognized with numerous awards, including a Gold Portfolio and an American Visions Award through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program. “It is an honor and a privilege as Terry Newitt’s former student to continue his legacy of exceptional visual arts instruction. My experience as a high school student in Archmere’s art program truly shaped me and the trajectory of my life. As a product of the program, I personally know and understand its rich and storied history of excellence and remarkable alumni outcomes. I couldn’t be more honored to carry forth the legacy of my beloved teacher and mentor Terry Newitt, and devote myself to ensuring the continued success of our remarkable and nationallyrecognized fine art program.” Stephanie’s undergraduate studies concentrated on furniture and industrial design, and she earned a minor in History, Philosophy & Social Sciences which she completed with 66

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“My entire teaching philosophy is mirrored in Archmere’s signature tagline, Inspiring Students to Distinction. Perhaps more than any other discipline, the arts provide an opportunity for students to distinguish themselves through the discovery and articulation of their own unique creative voices.” STEPHANIE WELCH SILVERMAN ’00

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cross-registration opportunities at Brown University. After several years working professionally as a graphic designer and marketing director, she was eager to synthesize her interest in art, design, and developing others. Stephanie completed a master’s degree in Visual Art Education at the University of the Arts in 2008. She holds several teaching licenses, including a Pennsylvania Teaching License in Art K-12 and a State of Delaware Advanced Licensure and Certification in Art K-12. In 2014, Stephanie earned National Board Certification in Early Adolescence-Young Adulthood Art Education (K-12) and is currently the only independent school teacher in Delaware to hold the credential. A lifelong learner deeply committed to professional development, Stephanie is presently completing a Certificate in School Management and Leadership (CSML) offered by Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Business School. Stephanie has chaired two nationally-recognized secondary fine art and design programs, expanding the curricular offerings of each program and has taught a vast array of art and design courses including Architectural Design, AP Studio Art-Drawing, AP Studio Art-2D Design, AP Studio Art-3D Design, Fashion Design, Emerging Media (including 3D printing and laser-cutting), Digital Art & Design, and Graphic Design. She regularly leads hands-on workshops and teacher training on a variety of art education and best practice topics both locally and nationally, and is often invited to present her signature curricula and best-practices throughout the country to an international audience of art and design educators at the annual National Art Education Association (NAEA) national convention. Stephanie is also an AP Studio Art Reader, invited annually to score AP Studio Art exams for the College Board. She has also taught at the graduate level as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Her graduate courses emphasize standards-based art education practices, assessments tools, and advocacy for the arts as essential in developing necessary 21st century skills in creative problem solving and critical thinking. She has also served as a consultant for the University of the Arts Graduate Program of Art & Design Education, while making time to serve on the Boards of the Delaware Foundation for the Visual Arts (DFVA) and on the Delaware Art Education Association (DAEA). Stephanie’s high school art students have won over 800 Scholastic Art Awards and 20 National Medals, in addition to over $2 million in college scholarships and contest prizes.


In 2014, Newitt nominated Silverman for the Delaware Secondary Art Educator of the Year Award, presented annually by the Delaware Art Education Association (DAEA). Upon receiving the award, Silverman then became a candidate for the 2015 National Eastern Region Art Educator of the Year Award through the National Art Education Association (NAEA), and was selected for the distinction from an international pool of nominees in a region stretching from Washington, DC north to Newfoundland and Ontario. While Chair of Archmere’s Fine Art Department in 2007, Stephanie Silverman was tasked by then Principal Paul Pomeroy to plan and implement an annual Fine Arts Festival for Archmere Academy. Now celebrating its 13th year, the event includes a Green Series performance and is attended by hundreds in the school community. Her personal artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the country, and is held in private collections throughout the world (including that of Archmere alum Vice President Joseph “Joe” R. Biden Jr. ’61). In 2017, Stephanie was commissioned by the Delaware Art Museum as the first female Artist in Residence to conceive of and create a year-long interactive installation. Titled Creative Power, the interactive exhibit invited children and families to contribute their creativity to an endlessly transforming gallery space. Infinity mirrors, colorful stripes, kinetic sculptures, and a portrait gallery featuring influential artists and community members empowered visitors to experiment with ideas and create meaningful works of art. Most recently, Stephanie was commissioned to create the 99th Anniversary Wilmington Flower Market poster.

PORTRAIT OF AN ARCHMERE LEGACY FAMILY

Stephanie as a sophomore in the 1998 Patio yearbook, studying acrylic painting with Terry Newitt

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Pictured: Barbara Welch, Matthew Keen ’22, Stephanie Welch Silverman ’00, and Charles “Chuck” E. Welch. Barbara is the maternal grandmother of current Archmere sophomore Matt Keen ’22, and the wife of Charles E. Welch, paternal grandfather of Stephanie Welch Silverman ’00. Chuck’s children include the late Jeffrey S. Welch ’71 (Stephanie’s father), Edward P. Welch ’68, the Honorable John K. Welch ’71 (attended 19691970), and Mary Beth Welch ’83. Stephanie’s uncle is Gary W. Dunn ’69 (brother of the late Robert “Bob” J. Dunn ’55 and F. Richard Dunn ’59), whose children include Nathan ’97, Justin ’99, and Taylor Dunn ’04. Both Taylor Dunn ’04 and Justin Dunn ’99 (Stephanie’s cousins) married Archmere classmates, Justin to Nichole “Nikki” (Williams) Dunn ’99 and Taylor to Margaret “Maggie” (Wood) Dunn ’04.

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MAKE AN

IMPACT

Every Gift Matters

AT ARCHMERE, WE ARE ALWAYS IMPROVING, INNOVATING, STRIVING TO MAKE THE ACADEMY THE BEST VERSION OF ITSELF. Our students go into the world knowing they have an excellent academic foundation on which to build, as well as long-lasting memories of their Archmere experiences. None of this is possible without an engaged, passionate community. Your generosity, through not only philanthropic support but also your time, helps build a powerful community and is the key to keeping Archmere on the leading edge of academic distinction. Gifts of any size support the current school year’s activities and help to set our plans and dreams into action! The Archmere Fund raises unrestricted dollars to enhance the four “A’s” of Archmere: academics, athletics, arts, and activities for our students. The fund helps support our faculty’s professional development, who, as leaders and experts in their fields, create an inviting and engaging learning environment for our students. The fund also supports financial assistance grants to current students. These supplemental funds to tuition creates a balanced operating budget.

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As we continue to raise our fundraising sights and increase our aspirational annual goal for the Archmere Fund. Imagine the impact: more resources for financial assistance to respond to growing demonstrated need, enriching extracurricular programs and field trips, enhanced faculty and staff professional development, replaced athletic team equipment, and upgrades to the theater for productions – the list goes on and on! As support for the Archmere Fund grows, so too does Archmere’s ability to maintain and enhance the experience for students and faculty. Gifts to the Archmere Fund are spent in the year they are made and help balance the budget. Our 2019-2020 Archmere Fund goal is $600,000 and Archmere’s fiscal year ends June 30th. Please consider making an unrestricted gift by June 30, 2020. Your participation will serve as a meaningful statement about your Archmere experience. Give to the Archmere Fund because you believe in our mission, the dedication of our faculty and staff, and the limitless potential of our students.


78.6%

OF $700,000 SECURED

Help Us Get to Goal! The most recent inspection of our turf fields has confirmed that we only have one more year of use before the fields are no longer safe for our student athletes. Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, a matching challenge has been created to fund the $700,000 cost of replacing Coaches’ Field and the lower turf field. For every donation made to this cause, our anonymous donor will match each gift dollar for dollar. For more information, contact: Katherine Ball-Weir, MPA, CFRE, PP ’17 Director of Institutional Advancement 302.798.6632, ext. 857 kballweir@archmereacademy.com

Scholarships and Endowments There are several ways to support the scholarship and financial aid program at Archmere: General Scholarship Fund—contribute to an existing named or general fund that distributes scholarship money to students. Individual Scholarship—give a one-time scholarship that will be awarded to a student in the year it is given. Individual or Family Scholarship Endowment— invest a minimum of $20,000 (all at once, or over a period of up to five years), and the interest will fund the scholarship award each year, in perpetuity. Endowed scholarships may be named for the donor, or may be named to honor Archmere parents, children, spouses, or faculty. For more information, contact: Katherine Ball-Weir, MPA, CFRE, PP ’17 Director of Institutional Advancement 302.798.6632, ext. 857 kballweir@archmereacademy.com

ENDOWMENT SPOTLIGHT

The Richard ’59 and Ann Seidel Scholarship Fund Founder of Girard Private, Richard (Rich) Seidel ’59 has more than 40 years of investment, trust and legal experience. A published author and frequent lecturer, he has written numerous articles for legal and trade journals including the Boston University and Villanova University Law Reviews, Trust & Estates Magazine and the Bank Administration Institute. His writings have been used as expert testimony before the U.S. Congress. His complete list of experience and accomplishments is a long one. He is committed to giving back to others, and has served on Boards of numerous charitable organizations; he is currently a member of the Foundation Board of Overseers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and serves as Chair of the Hospital’s Cardiac Center Board of Visitors, where his granddaughter Erin (now 24) has been a patient. The two of them have traveled to speak at national cardiology conferences together. He just doesn’t stop moving. Because of his love for Archmere, and the belief that he has a responsibility to pay his good fortune forward, Rich and his wife Ann started an endowed scholarship at Archmere to help make a difference in the lives of current and future students.

ARCHMERE FUND GIVING LEVELS HEADMASTER’S SOCIETY St. Evermode Society: $25,000-$49,999 St. Hermann Joseph Society: $15,000-$24,999 St. Godfrey Society: $10,000-$14,999 Premontre Abbey Society: $5,000-$9,999 Benefactor: $2,500-$4,999 Patron: $1,500-$2,499 Fellow: $1,000-$1,499

AUK’S CIRCLE Sponsor: $500-$999 Sustainer: $250-499. Contributor: $100-$249 Associate: $1-99

YOUNG ALUMNI GREEN & WHITE SOCIETY Graduated within 5 years: $100 Graduated within 10 years: $250 Graduated within 15 years: $500

CHOOSE THE WAY TO SUPPORT ARCHMERE THAT IS THE BEST MATCH FOR YOU Online: Visit ArchmereAcademy.com/give to make a one-time gift or to set up a recurring gift. Mail: Archmere Academy Office of Institutional Advancement, 3600 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703 Matching Gifts: Maximize your gift with a corporate match! To learn if your company has a matching gift initiative, visit ArchmereAcademy.com/advancement/matching-gifts Memorial or Honorary Gift: Honor a special teacher, advisor or coach, commemorate a loved one, or celebrate a personal milestone with a gift to the Archmere Fund.

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In Memoriam “ God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him, might have eternal life.” JOHN 3:16

Mr. Martin Kavanagh October 9, 2019 Father of Kathleen K. Wright, Archmere math teacher, and maternal grandfather of Courtney ’14 and Kylie ’16 Wright Mr. James Tarabicos October 12, 2019 Maternal grandfather of Kristin ’05 and Sophia ’10 Nannas, and the paternal grandfather of Sophia ’07 and Maria ’09 Tarabicos Mr. Arie Ben-Bassat October 15, 2019 Father of Daniella Ben-Bassat ’03 Mrs. Helen T. DiFeliciantonio October 18, 2019 Mother of Richard DiFeliciantonio ’75 Mrs. Alice S. Monagle October 19, 2019 Mother-in-law of Francis J. Lucey, Jr. and maternal grandmother of Meghan ’08, Kelly ’11, and Andrew ’12 Sibiski, and Katie ’11, Conor ’12, and Kelley ’15 Lucey Mrs. Anna C. Albert October 23, 2019 Mother of Anne Marie Borneman ’77, Steven J. Albert ’82, and the late Harry F. Albert ’78

Mr. Joseph A. Singley October 23, 2019 Father of Katelyn ’14 and Joseph ’16 Singley

Mr. Joseph Rogers December 19, 2019 Paternal grandfather of Brian ’14, Timothy ’19, and Daniel ’20 Rogers

Mr. John Hanley, Sr. ’52 October 24, 2019

Mrs. Pauline C. McPheeters December 25, 2019 Mother of Rev. Douglas McPheeters ’83

Mrs. Cecilia R. Haywood November 8, 2019 Wife of the late Albert Haywood ’49 Mr. Michael D. Reilly December 1, 2019 Son of Thomas P. Reilly ’72 Mrs. Therese M. Lagasse December 2, 2019 Mother of Michael ’78, Kevin ’80, and Michele ’82 Lagasse Mr. Robert Kwapinski December 9, 2019 English teacher at Archmere from 1966 to 1984 and Chair of the English Department Mr. Richard A. Kavanaugh ’75 December 10, 2019 Father of Ryan ’00 and brother of Timothy ’67 and the late Michael (1961-1962) and Stephen ’71 Kavanaugh Mr. Anthony L. Lerario December 13, 2019 Father of Gino Lerario ’80 Dr. Richard A. Rowe ’46 December 18, 2019

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Mrs. Margaret T. Tobin January 2, 2020 Paternal grandmother of Sophia Tobin ’23 Mr. Richard C. Johnson, Sr. January 9, 2020 Paternal grandfather of Archmere Math teacher Michael Johnson Mr. Michael A. Zingo, Jr. January 10, 2020 Father of Nicholas A. Zingo ’91 Mr. Paul S. Sullivan, Jr. ’46 January 12, 2020 Brother James G. Love, O.Praem. January 12, 2020 Staff member at Archmere from 1975 to 1979 Mrs. Ann Abke January 14, 2020 Maternal grandmother of Gabrielle ’20 and the late Anthony ’19 Penna Mr. Charles R. Bigelow January 15, 2020 Father of Richard M. Bigelow ’79


Mrs. Florence E. Newitt January 15, 2020 Mother of art teacher Terry Newitt and paternal grandmother of Alison ’95 and James ’02 Newitt Mrs. Margaret P. Madonna January 19, 2020 Mother-in-law of Frank J. McKee ’68 and maternal grandmother of Jennifer ’94, Kathryn ’97 and Francis ’02 McKee Mr. James M. Algeo ’54 January 20, 2020 Brother of the late Daniel J. Algeo ’63 Mrs. Catherine (“Kitty”) Wilson January 20, 2020 Mother of Darren Wilson ’88 and aunt of Mark Smith ’86 Dr. Geoffrey Seidel January 21, 2020 Son of Richard B. Seidel ’59. Mrs. Marilyn M. Trainer January 25, 2020 Mother of Nicholas ’83, Carron ’85, Maureen ’88, and Brian ’93 Trainer Mr. Samuel G. Di Ferdinando January 27, 2020 Father of Jason P. Di Ferdinando ’93, former faculty member 2007-2018 Mr. James V. Scurria January 31, 2020 Father of Andrew J. Scurria ’05

Mr. R. Paul Ryan '66 February 2, 2020 Mr. John F. Mariani ’69 February 3, 2020 Brother of Frank ’65 and Peter ’79 Mariani Mr. Robert J. Dunn ’55 February 8, 2020 Brother of F. Richard ’59 and Gary W. ’69 Dunn, uncle of Nathan Dunn ’97, Justin Dunn ’99, and Taylor Dunn ’04 Mr. Carmen T. Giacchino February 8, 2020 Paternal grandfather of Daniel J. Giacchino ’04

Mrs. Mary B. Ciarrocchi February 23, 2020 Paternal grandmother of Carly ’04, Justine ’06, Charles ’07, Mary Bryan ’09, Miranda ’09, and Samantha ’12 Ciarrocchi Mr. Paul F. Wick February 25, 2020 Father of Catherine Wick-Weible ’85 and Elaine Wick-Sivel ’86 Mrs. Ann B. Kline February 26, 2020 Maternal grandmother of Alex ’16, Kyra ’18, and Kristina ’18 Giakas Dr. Stanley T. Praiss ’57 March 1, 2020

Mr. Lawrence J. Cylc ’73 February 9, 2020 History teacher and football coach at Archmere from 1980 to 1988

Mr. Alfred Myatt ’50 March 12, 2020

Mr. Richard L. McDougal February 12, 2020 Paternal grandfather of Mackenzie ’15, Madyson ’18, and Matthew ’20 McDougal

Paul A Friedrich ’56 February 28, 2019

Mr. Cyrus J. Ohnmacht Jr. February 12, 2020 Father of David ’83 and John ’88 Ohnmacht Mr. Robert W. Vanderloo February 20, 2020 Son of Robert L. Vanderloo ’58 and nephew of the late Richard L. Vanderloo ’54

Also, deaths for whom notice was received recently:

Mr. Gerald A. Wichmann ’66 April 1, 2019 Mr. William S. Emmons, Jr. ’69 April 13, 2019 Mrs. Martha Gribbins May 20, 2019 Wife of Ronald E. Gribbins ’61 Mr. Joseph J. McGlone ’62 June 30, 2019 Mr. Alan T. Howley ’55 July 31, 2019

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Alumni Engagement |

staying connected

Michael J. Hare ’79 Honored with Two Major Awards “ I’ve been blessed in my life as evidenced by my education and my career. And throughout our community, you see people in need and in some small way try to recognize that and to be a positive force in making their lives better.” MICHAEL J. HARE ’79

Michael J. Hare ’79, one of the most influential figures in Delaware business, politics, and the not-for-profit community was honored with the Rev. Joseph S. Hogan, S.J. Award at St. Joseph’s University’s annual Leadership Awards Dinner on Thursday, October 24, 2019, at the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia, PA. The annual award recognizes a St. Joseph’s University alumnus/alumna who exemplifies the Christian principles of faith, hope and love and outstanding loyal service to the University. Hare received the Ignatius Award from Saint Joseph’s in 1995, and was inducted into the SJU Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001, along with the 1980-81 team that advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. This spring Hare received the Msgr. Thomas J. Reese Award presented by Catholic Charities. Created in 1989 in memory of Msgr. Thomas J. Reese, community activist and longtime director of Catholic Social Services, the forerunner of Catholic Charities, the award recognizes exemplary individuals who

have demonstrated a deep commitment to promoting and restoring the well-being of people – Catholic Charities’ mission. “Michael J. Hare has demonstrated his dedication to community service throughout the years and continues to selflessly serve the most vulnerable in our communities. He is the epitome of a humanitarian and reflects the qualities of Monsignor Reese and his commitment to easing human suffering,” said Richelle A. Vible, Executive Director. Mike serves on Bishop Malooly’s Pastoral Council and on the Vocations Admissions Board for the Diocese of Wilmington. Mike also served as President of Saint Elizabeth Parish Council and is a Founder and Chair of the Annual Feast of Saint Elizabeth Celebration. He is Co-Chair of the Saint Patrick’s Day Society, which has raised more than $2 million for the Saint Patrick’s Center, an organization that provides vital services for the underserved on Wilmington’s east side. Additionally, Mike sits on the Boards of St. Edmond’s Academy, the Latin American Community Center, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, Salvation Army Delaware, and Delaware Technical Community College. Mike is also a former member of the Archmere Academy Board of Trustees. A native of Wilmington, Mike is a graduate of Saint Edmond’s Academy and Archmere Academy. He received a B.S. in Public Administration from St. Joseph’s University. He also attended Fels Center of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.

ARCHMERE’S 2020/21 EAST COAST ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT SERIES dates will be posted this fall. Hosted by Archmere Academy Alumni Association, alumni in each geographic region are invited for complimentary cocktails, conversation, and an opportunity to reconnect with their Archmere classmates.

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Fall 2020 Alumni Events 3RD ANNUAL LETTERMEN’S CLUB KICKOFF TAILGATE

Saturday, September 19, 2020

11:00 AM vs. Conrad High School All football alumni and their families are invited to join as we cheer on the Varsity Football Team at their first home game of the 2020 season!

ARCHMERE ACADEMY GOLF & TENNIS OUTING

Monday, September 28, 2020

11:30 AM Shotgun Start 2:00 PM Tennis Matches Begin DuPont Country Club Hosted by the Alumni Association, proceeds from this event will support the Archmere Alumni Legacy Scholarship Fund, which provides much needed financial aid to sons and daughters of alums attending Archmere. All alumni, current and past parents, faculty and staff, and friends of the Archmere community are invited to attend.

GOLDEN ALUMNI LUNCHEON

Friday, October 16, 2020 11:00 AM | The Patio

Each year, all alumni who are celebrating 50 years or more since graduating from Archmere Academy are invited to gather for a luncheon to reconnect with classmates and friends. This year is a special year for the Class of 1970, as they will be inducted into the Golden Alumni Society.

HOMECOMING DAY

Saturday, October 17, 2020 All-Alumni Social 4:00 PM | The Patio All alumni are invited to a casual reception on The Patio Terrace following the Homecoming games. Join us in reconnecting with classmates and friends, as we continue this long-time school tradition. Homecoming Mass 6:00 PM | Oratory, St. Norbert Hall Alumni Reunion Reception 7:00 PM | The Patio Class years ending in 5 and 0 are invited to join their classmates in The Patio for a reception to celebrate their milestone reunion.


FACILITIES RENTAL

Interested in holding your next special event or a wedding at the Patio? MODELED AFTER ITALIAN RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE, THE PATIO IS A GORGEOUS WEDDING VENUE AS WELL AS AN INCREDIBLE CORPORATE EVENT LOCATION. This sweeping interior courtyard is surrounded by Botticino

marble and features a stunning fountain as its centerpiece. Its unique space is one of the few Gatsby-era estates still intact and the only estate of Italian Neo-Renaissance style in the area. Built by John J. Raskob between 1916 and 1918, The Patio’s beauty so inspired his wife, Helena, that she often described it as a “Castle of Dreams.” We love to see the beauty of this space magnified with enchanting weddings, social events and corporate functions. Enjoy J. Scott Catering’s delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails on the outdoor terrace, make your grand entrance down the magnificent double staircase, and dance the night away under a striking stained-glass ceiling. We are pleased to partner exclusively with J. Scott Catering for all culinary needs at The Patio. Let us help you plan your dream wedding reception at this dazzling 20th century mansion! We believe it’s important to preserve The Patio’s unique, historic beauty, so we ask that it is used with museum-like care and conservation. Events that take place at The Patio must be appropriate to the venue, and participants must understand the significant historical and personal value of this “home of Archmere.” Contact Ainsley Hertrich Palladino ’05, Alumni Relations & Events Coordinator at 302.798.6632 ext. 757 or events@archmereacademy.com. More detailed information is also available on our website at ArchmereAcademy.com/welcome/rental-facilities/the-patio Archmere alumni receive a $1,000 discount on the rental of the Patio!


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PARENTS OF ALUMNI If this magazine is addressed to a son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please e-mail us at datachange@archmereacademy.com with his or her new mailing address. GOING GREEN If you wish to only view The Archmerean electronically and would like to be removed from our physical mailing list, please email datachange@archmereacademy.com The Archmerean is always available digitally on our website in the “News & Happenings” section, and on ISSUU.com Photo Credit: Andrew J. Campion ‘07


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