Buckingham Friends School Seedlings Spring 2019 by BuckinghamFriendsSchool

BUCKINGHAM FRIENDS SCHOOL

SPRING 2019

BUCKINGHAM FRIENDS SCHOOL

MISSION

Buckingham Friends School honors the Light within each person, inspires scholarship and spiritual community, and instills the value of caring for others and our world.

VALUES

Rooted in the beliefs and traditions of Quakers, our values as a Friends school guide us to engage members of the school community in the shared responsibility of honoring the Light within each person and fostering the growth, individual talents, and passions of every student. INSPIRATIONAL ACADEMICS We promote academic achievement within an environment of experiential learning to inspire curiosity, creativity, critical and analytical thinking, communication skills, and collaboration. We strive to meet high standards, to remain agile and innovate, and respect individual approaches to thinking and learning. INDIVIDUAL CHARACTER AND PERSONAL INTEGRITY We foster originality, honor and encourage each voice, and recognize that the development of an authentic, confident self provides the foundation for realizing personal fulfillment and success as a learner.

CARING FOR OTHERS Guided by the principles of friendship, we educate young citizens and awaken a strong local and global consciousness, a commitment to peace, and an ability to understand and contribute meaningfully and substantively to our diverse changing world.

STEWARDS OF OUR WORLD We engage community members in service work and teach the importance and responsibility of environmental sustainability. We believe it is essential to connect, collaborate, and make a positive impact on our world for present and future generations.

CONNECTED COMMUNITY We cultivate a joyful, involved, and inclusive community devoted to kindness, respect, and establishing trust and accountability. Together, we invest in the success and the well-being of each child, family, and one another.

SPIRITUALITY AND WELLNESS We embrace the quality of our spiritual community and strive to ensure the physical, social, and emotional health of each person. Our intention is to encourage self-awareness, mindfulness, confidence, empathy, and compassion. We understand that a sustained, balanced approach is vital to being a healthy and productive individual and member of society.

Approved by the Board of Trustees â&#x20AC;&#x201C; December 12, 2018

2018-2019 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ADMINISTRATION

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Michael Godshall, Clerk

Paul Lindenmaier

Steve Bernardini, Melissa Clayton, Katelynn

Laura Kinnel, Assistant Clerk

Head of School

Connolly, Chris Kerr, Paul Lindenmaier,

Nancy Culleton, Secretary Lisa Pretecrum, Treasurer Olivia Brangan Andrew Garrett

Melissa Clayton

Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

Anita Jensen

Chip Muir

Chris Kerr

Director of Finance and Operations

Peter Rapaport

Katelynn Connolly

Alexis Ridge-Simek

Director of Advancement

Robert Roop Chris Searle Grover Stults George Yarnall Jennifer Zelesko

Nancy Sandberg

Academic Coordinator, Secondary School Placement Coordinator

Nancy Sandberg, Isabella Schreiber, Grace Scott, Deirdre Snyder CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Melissa Clayton, Paul Lindenmaier, Lexi Logan, Deirdre Snyder, Todd Trice EDITOR Katelynn Connolly COPY EDITOR Penelope Rowlands DESIGN & PRODUCTION Brad Wilson

Every effort was made to present the information in this edition of Seedlings as accurately as possible, If you notice any errors, omissions, or misrepresentations, please contact Katelynn Connolly at advancement@bfs.org.

FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL PAUL LINDENMAIER

Building upon the legacies of those before us

UCKINGHAM FRIENDS SCHOOL’S vitality as an educational community is demonstrated in visible ways. Our dedicated faculty invest in each student, delivering an extraordinary program that is revealing and relevant. Students are active learners engaging in the pursuit of knowledge, shared experiences, individual accomplishments, and finding their voices. Parents enjoy an especially close partnership between home and school and readily offer their time, talents, and resources. Graduates, both young and old, credit the school and faculty for shaping who they are -- prepared, self-aware and confident, with a moral foundation, and articulate about the significance of their experiences. As we celebrate the past and present in this issue of Seedlings, we are committed to honoring our traditions while navigating a period of transition and change at BFS. We are focused on reestablishing our identity and purpose as a K-8 Friends school. Most of our challenges are not centered on program quality concerns, but rather limited to issues that are, for the most part, beyond our immediate control – such as a variety of social, economic, environmental, and political factors. Our opportunities are within our reach: to envision the school in the future; to advance our programs; to no longer be the “best kept secret in Bucks County”; to manage our finances responsibly while optimizing our resources; and to further develop the culture of community at and around the school. There is much to be proud of about the work of our community members this year. First and foremost, the faculty is giving our students their very best, providing an inspiring academic program with broad offerings in the arts, mindfulness, and experiential programs. Rooted in the beliefs and traditions of

Friends, we continue to engage members of the school community in the shared responsibility of honoring the Light within each person and fostering the growth, individual talents, and passions of every student. An inclusive and thorough process has created a new mission statement. Our stated core values – inspirational academics, individual character and personal integrity, caring for others, connected community stewards of our world, and spirituality and wellness – have been articulated clearly, providing a framework for future planning and evaluation. A new five-year strategic plan will chart the course for our work as we seek to realize the promise that BFS will become “the regional leader in preserving the spirit of youth while preparing diverse global citizens to engage with confidence and thrive in a changing world.” It has been a privilege to join the BFS school community as Head of School. I am thoroughly enjoying life here and my work with the students, faculty, parents, and Board. Together, we are building upon the legacies of those before us, committed to our mission and the future health and purpose of the school. If you have not returned to BFS in some time, I invite you to be in touch, to share your stories, to visit the campus, to go to our website, and to consider how you may want to join us in our future endeavors.

Paul Lindenmaier Head of School

SPRING

Contents Realizing the Promise 14

A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR BUCKINGHAM FRIENDS SCHOOL

My students, who are my inspiration, improved their conversational French and understanding of the French culture, developed general world awareness, and created long lasting memories.

Isabella Schreiber, 4th- 8th Grade French Teacher, Outreach Coordinator

The Sounds of Science RICHARD COX AND THE MAGIC OF MUSIC

REFLECTIONS

QUERY FROM GRACE

THE ART OF CELEBRATION

FRENCH EXCHANGE

CAMPUS LIFE

COMMUNITY MEMBER PROFILE

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

ALUMNI NEWS

ยกBUENA SUERTE, SEร ORA MACNAMEE! 23 IN MEMORIUM

23 Congratulations to the Class of 2015 who are now college bound! See where they have choosen to continue their education in the Alumni News section.

SEEDLINGS

S T R AT E G I C P L A N

eaching and learning have evolved significantly since BFS was founded in 1794. And yet key elements of the educational experience at our school remain the same. At todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BFS, as in the past, we still emphasize to our children the importance of being kind, of thinking creatively, of collaborating with one another, and taking risks. Whether these values are learned on the playground or in the classroom, they are central to the BFS experience. And they will remain so.

Realizing the Promise KATELYNN CONNOLLY

SPRING

S T R AT E G I C P L A N

“It was inspiring to be a part of this process.” – Jennifer Gibson, 4th Grade Teacher, current parent, member of the Strategic Planning Council

t our school, we honor the traditions of yesterday, even as we expand and adapt to an everchanging world. Building on our school’s strong foundation, we work towards a sustainable future. We strive to provide children with an education that allows them to be successful, in every sense of the word, as learners and as moral human beings. We nurture them, allowing them to remain children for as long as their childhoods last. We prepare them to effect positive change in their communities, ones that will carry into future generations. This past year was one of rekindling and reawakening connections, rebuilding and strengthening friendships, and reestablishing confidences. It was also a time of charting our future. In the fall of 2018, BFS’s Strategic Planning Council set out to create a plan that would provide direction for the school, determining measurable goals, and securing a vision for the future. The Council, comprised of trustees, faculty members, current and past parents, graduates, and friends of BFS, worked to engage our community, conduct research, revisit our mission and core values, and draft a plan to be presented to the full Board.

The Council was co-chaired by Trustees Anita Jensen and Robert Roop, along with Paul Lindenmaier, Head of School, who described it as a “unique opportunity to embark upon a process that would yield a new and shared vision for its future.” BFS also commissioned a top consultant, Christina Drouin, to facilitate this effort. The resulting strategic plan, developed together as a community, promises to be a vital tool for guiding dayto-day decisions, and evaluating progress. It will also serve as a set of principles to guide BFS’s responses to changes in the local and national independent school environment. One council member, Gina Alvarez, a current / alum parent, summed up the planning process as “a rare experience,” one that united a diverse group of people with “a heartfelt connection to BFS and a sincere desire to see it continue evolving in a positive direction.” An important milestone in the process was Visioning

“After attending Visioning Day at BFS a few months ago, I realized how much of a role BFS played in my value system.“ –Chris Danilo ‘02

“The extraordinary part of my experience with the strategic planning process has been actually being involved, consulted, and listened to. This is a great community and part of the greatness comes from the acknowledgment than we’re all in this together and that all of our views and ideas are valuable.” –Lloyd Moyer ‘92, current parent

SEEDLINGS

Day, the public culmination of the Council’s research and planning efforts, held in January, 2019. The 160 community members in attendance included “past and present parents and grandparents, current students, alumni, faculty and staff, trustees, and members of Buckingham Meeting,” according to Michael Godshall, Clerk of the BFS Board of Trustees.

meeting. After the Board endorsed the vision and goals, a Community Initiatives Brainstorming Forum was held among BFS faculty, administration, and community to discuss various initiatives. This constructive input will be incorporated into an implementation plan to be shared with the Board this summer.

Fifteen working groups crafted vision statements, producing over 180 strategies for the school’s future. They then presented these ideas as a community, and attendees affirmed by consensus those ideas that resonated with them. Consultant Christina Drouin collected and synthesized these into her report for the Council. After continued work, reaching unity regarding the vision and goals, then drafting a set of proposed strategies for each goal, the Council’s work was complete. They then presented their Strategic Vision and Goals to the Board at the March

BFS will have expanded and enhanced the quality of our

COMMUNITY

BFS will have adapted & innovated to optimize

BFS will have achieved full

ENROLLMENT

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT “We really loved helping to shape the future of our children’s education at BFS.” – Carly Mendelssohn and Matt Eaton, current parents

BFS will have stewarded all its

RESOURCES

Our Vision

Financial | Campus | Talent for a sustainable future

In 2023, Buckingham Friends School is the regional leader in preserving the spirit of youth while preparing diverse global citizens to engage with confidence and thrive in a changing world.

SPRING

Richard Cox, Music Teacher, trained vocalist Temple University University of the Arts - Orff certification

SEEDLINGS

The Sounds of

Science

KATELYNN CONNOLLY

aaaooohhhmmm! was the sound – reminiscent of an alien ship landing – that echoed down the BFS halls as I headed toward the music room this fall. I half expected to see ET playing on his Speak and Spell with a lighted dome hovering over head! But, NO! Actually, it was just another exciting day of music class with Mr. Cox. When I arrived in his magical den, students were busily exploring the Theremin, named after its Russian inventor, Leon Theremin. The instrument has two antennas – one for pitch, one for volume. Students wave their hands near each antenna to create sounds, which are technically radio waves. Inset photo shows Kindergarten student, Pearl, exploring the Theremin. Introducing students to a universe of instruments, traditional and otherwise, is a key part of the music education experience at BFS. And it’s something Richard Cox does particularly well. He’s been inspiring students to explore instruments and sounds ever since he began his tenure at BFS in 2012. A trained vocalist, Richard studied music education at Temple University, then received his Orff certification through The University of The Arts. He came to BFS after learning of an opening for a music teacher at the school from one of his private voice students, who was then a BFS 3rd grader. After joining the BFS community, Rich added ukulele and drums to the school’s instrumental instruction, which has long included recorder and Orff instruments.

Richard’s philosophy is that music is made for – and can be made by – everyone. More than just a learned skill, it can be creative and fun. Music can teach students about different cultures, history, and literature. Teamwork, too. It helps students to develop confidence and fine motor skills. As always at BFS, students in Rich’s classes are encouraged to think creatively, to express themselves, and to participate in whatever ways they can. BFS’s music curriculum is a bit like Rich’s classroom on a larger scale. Many cultures and musical traditions are taught and celebrated at the School. At holiday musical performances, students sing, chant, dance, recite poems, and more – all in the spirit of inclusivity and diversity during this season of joy. Class plays inspire and foster collaborative learning, creativity, and appreciation for the theater arts. Similarly, the Lower School Sing – which has recently included guest appearances by Trustee Chris Kerr, alum parent ’96, ’00 – is another source of goodhumored fun. Generations of BFS children have, on Friday afternoon, delighted in joining each other in song. Like all the arts, music education – from instrumental lessons to sound exploration – is essential to the BFS experience. It helps students to develop their whole selves. “Music has the ability to touch us deeply, move our spirit, and express our emotions,” as Richard Cox puts it. Through his gift of teaching and music, he continues to inspire the entire BFS community. So, if you find yourself on campus and hear a joyful noise – or even a strange sound, such as one that might emanate from a space ship – just pop into Mr. Cox’s class. Chances are that something surprising and wonderful will be taking place. SPRING

REFLEC TIONS “Buckingham Friends School helped me in every way to be who I am and where I am. My appreciation for precise vocabulary and usage, which is at the heart of my life as a writer, was stoked by an extra-curricular program on vocabulary that was an adjunct to English, once or twice a week. The family aspect of the school - with brothers and sisters of classmates ahead and behind us - instilled a sense of community and larger family that I see as a gift from BFS.” –David Barry ‘55 “For the last 6 months, my son, Gus, has been fascinated with hearing stories that Matt and I share from our childhood. One that comes up frequently is my exchange trip to St. Petersburg, Russia in October, 1997. What an adventure! I also remember fondly projects crafted in shop class and photographs developed in the darkroom, amongst many, many others. I am forever grateful to BFS for the support, love and opportunities that the teachers and faculty provided.” –Erin (Smith) Wallach ‘98 “BFS is very special to me. I carry my experiences I had there with me wherever I go. I never thought I would end up living in the city, but I will always be a country boy at heart. And when I think back about my time at BFS I am overcome with a warm sense of gratitude and appreciation. I was very lucky to grow up and go to school in an environment based on nurturing love and support.” –Josh Matthews ‘85

“The foundation of athletics in my life started at BFS. Athletics provided me an outlet, focus, and a way for me to express myself. I am lucky that my coaches at BFS, Diane, Cathy and Mr. B, were exceptional coaches and role models. BFS was a home to me, a space that was safe and I could express and push myself. I felt cared for, special, and free during my 9 years at BFS.” –Jaime Ginsberg ‘91

“I came out of BFS with a confidence and brave curiosity that I don’t think I would have had if I were to have spent those formative years in another community. I remember being encouraged to try things with joy and leaps when, frankly, my inner impulse was to slink to the back of the class. I hope to allow my children the same luxury of figuring things out in an equally nurturing environment.” –Alex Poor ‘95

“BFS was the most formative institution in my life so far. I met some of my closest friends, learned some of the most valuable lessons, and started to understand the concept of morality. After continuing on at George School, I studied film, and continue to work in the motion picture business. Not a day goes by without remembering those nine years of my childhood, and how it shaped who I am today.” –Jody Lipes ‘96

“When I look back at the time that I spent at BFS, I think of a few teachers who played a large role in getting my younger self to be excited and motivated for academic pursuits. Ruth Igoe, who taught 7th and 8th grade language arts, stands out as a teacher who knew how to make the classroom environment both challenging, and rewarding, and she played a significant role in shaping my academic trajectory. I also remember my involvement in the JEM program. I have very clear memories of playing soccer with students from three different continents on the school field during one of the JEM summits. Like many of my experiences at BFS, I can’t say exactly what impact that experience had on my current self, but I’m sure that my desire to travel, explore, and meet people distinct from myself was influenced by it.” –Jeremy Roop ‘98 “Today, I can still remember Mr. B’s “carbon cakes,” the old shed, P.E. at the lower field, and the feeling of realizing how powerful self-reflection can be at our weekly Meeting for Worship. That’s a big deal when you’re a kid. After attending the Visioning Day at BFS a few months ago, I realized how much of a role BFS played in my value system. I consider myself an environmentalist and a minimalist with a desire to make a fierce social impact with my time on earth. Plus, I have an unquenchable passion for the arts. That can’t be a coincidence. I can’t make this stuff up.” –Chris Danilo ‘02

SEEDLINGS

“Despite only spending two years at BFS, I still consider my time there to be a significant part of my life. Those two years were the very beginning of my attempt to create an identity for myself. During my time in middle school, I started to discover what I wanted to do and what my place in society might be. Mrs. Troup’s congressional debate exercises, my experiences with the theater, the actual lab-based science, and other parts of my education sparked my interest for the activities that I still pursue now. That was very valuable, and I also just enjoyed being at the school. I loved my friends, the faculty, the community; I still remember the Halloween walks, the afternoon softball practices, the dodgeball games, the play, the Wallops Island trip with the awful weather, the sledding, the Williamsburg trip, and a bunch of other happy memories. Looking back at my parents’ decision to send me to BFS, I’m thankful.” –Mason El-Habr ‘14

“One really fond memory I have is of Anna’s parents rehearsing for the All School Play when they were raisins. For years, we’d quote them shouting “Honey, garbage cans! We’re the great magic beans, the best that you’ve seen, there never were ever such beans!” BFS put a lot of focus on developing social and emotional skills -how to listen, how to respond to other people with compassion, how to clearly communicate your own goals and values, how to collaborate. “ –Emily Falk ‘95 “One of the wonderful things I find in the artwork that moves me is a quality of removing assumptions about reality. In these instances, the artist brings you into their personal discovery of some truth, and in so doing, makes it your discovery. This is a quality that I realize was consistently made a part of our time and education at BFS. In countless memories, we sidestepped rote indoctrination and instead were given the opportunity to see the world’s potential firsthand. My lifelong love of birdwatching began in the woods behind school where Olwen Jarvis pointed out a Scarlet Tanager high in the branches and encouraged our aim with binoculars. Nancy Bentlley had us on our backs making paintings on the bottoms of tables to feel the absurd brilliance of the Sistine Chapel. Out of “junk” we explored the effects of physics as Judy Heggestadt prodded our imagination with the task of protecting an egg dropped from the height of the treehouse. We were entrusted by Peter Pearson to operate a table saw, and still the smell of sawdust brings me back to the BFS “Shop.” We were likewise entrusted with serious conversation about metaphysics with guest artist and parent, Jan Lipes, as we were exposed to Kafka, Kurosawa, and Chekov. We observed an eclipse with Linc Merwin through the pinhole projection of a makeshift camera obscura. With Betts Slim we actually acted out scenes from Shakespeare and heard that language for the first time from the lips of our peers. It is my impression that the occasion for 4th graders to build stage maquettes for Don Giovanni, as we did with Janet Gendazek, is a rare experience—as is investigating the ecology of a pond firsthand; Mr. Bernardini’s signature science experiment. It is also my impression that these moments were not the product of a great pedagogical conspiracy (not to say that the faculty did not reflect and coordinate), but there was a nameless quality present at BFS that drew these things out on a daily basis like gravity. It is nice to recount some of these memorable instances from our childhood awakenings, but recognizing the powerful experiences provided by BFS continues unprompted through our life-long friendships. To reflect on these things alone is one thing, but the fact that we can, in our adult years, frequently be able to reflect on them together as a lasting community is astonishing.” –Alex Cohen ‘95 “BFS played an important role in nurturing my career interests, particularly through its teaching of Russian starting in 6th grade and through the JEM program trip to St. Petersburg, Russia in 8th grade. These experiences helped launch a lifelong interest in international affairs and other cultures. I am also grateful to BFS for instilling— over the course of nine formative years—several important values, including the importance of being kind and the value and worth of each person.” –Alex Ryan ‘96

“I recall my BFS experience as one of safety and empowerment, and the seeds for life long friendships. BFS was my literal home away from home. The love and support I got each day there was everything for me. And the education was top notch, creating the foundation I needed to go onto George School and later NYU. The everyday lessons of mindfulness, kindness, and a respect for all differences have shaped my life in a profound and long lasting way. Recognizing the God within us all has helped me navigate this world as a better listener, a better friend (big and little F), and a better diplomat in all situations. Whether I am at the settlement table for a real estate transaction or dealing with my children as they navigate the world, a respect for those around me and for our commonalities have driven me to try and help create equality for all.” –Cori Ginsberg Seraydarian ‘87

“When I think back to BFS, I recall the time when we broke in to the auditorium at lunch to practice the self produced Les Miserable, by John Baker (I recall). My Alex (not Cohen) has been watching a series of YouTube videos that sing about the states and capitals. It made me think about the protest we did in 5th grade when we didn’t feel like the full class was being represented in the class performance meant for a Mexico trip that sang about the 50 Nifty United States. We weren’t always the most well behaved class, but the school must have given us the confidence and freedom to follow our passions and stand up for what we believed in at a young age. The base I got at BFS reminds me to be kind, collaborate well with others, to appreciate the outdoors and physical activity, and every now and then to take a moment of silence.” –Anna Resek Chung ‘95

“I am (or I aspire to be) kind, understanding, patient, and accepting of those who are different than me. These are traits I credit wholly to BFS. But also, I am confident, self-assured, and not easily intimated by others position, social standings, or occupation. I also can trace this back to BFS— if there is that of God in everyone, then I’m not better than anyone, but they’re no better than me either! Finally, I aspire to be a good parent raising kind and confident children. It was BFS that taught me to value those traits as much or more than academic excellence, winning, or monetary success. Clearly BFS’ affect on me and my life has been profound to say the least!” –Lloyd Moyer ‘92 “I still have great memories of Mr. B teaching my class (especially PE), and having talks with our class about respect and what high school would be like. I’d like to thank him for preparing me so well and giving me a great figure to look up to for the rest of my life.” –Grant Kind ‘15

“At BFS, I learned some of the core values that guide my work today: consensus is possible in all situations, though sometimes that requires people to stand down from their beliefs; there is a Light in all people, there is fear too and recognizing the difference between the two is critical, focusing on finding the Light that connects us all together is critical to finding agreement; simplicity is always the best route - speak straightforward, be honest and open, and others will follow your lead; silence is the most powerful tool - it encourages others to talk and lets me listen; violence is never the only option - asking alternative options is hard work, but there is never one solution to a problem. These are lessons we learned in elementary school and have helped me through peace negotiations with Darfurian rebels and recalcitrant government officials, through meetings with countless Presidents and Ministers, through trade talks in Beijing, the release of political prisoners, and today as we struggle to bring our own country to confront climate change. My time at BFS taught me to look at every person, no matter rank, background or position in the world, in the eye and see him or her as a person, full of fears, insecurities, but with that light inside that allows us to connect.” – Taiya Smith ‘87

“The first thing that I can give credit to BFS for is that I am still in fairly frequent contact with all the people on this list, and many others from my class. I thought this was normal until I met other adults who are not still extremely close with people they haven’t seen since they were 14 years old. BFS gave us such a sense of community and family, and I will be forever grateful for these relationships. Second, BFS clearly made its way into my career and my belief system. I consider myself a pacifist and conscientious objector, and now I get to teach these concepts as the Global Peace & Justice teacher at Wilmington Friends School. I have also dedicated my life and career to the pursuit of social justice, and I’m sure this came from my time at both BFS and George School.” –Betsy (Cepparulo) Renzo ‘96

“I always felt listened to at BFS. From Kindergarten to 8th Grade, teachers and administrators would always listen to me with interest and respect. One can’t understate how important that is for a child. It contributed to a self-assurance that’s lasted a lifetime. What a magnificent gift!” –Shaun Wortis ‘79

SPRING

Query from Grace GRACE SCOTT

Alumni parent, former trustee and Buckingham Meeting member Grace Scott recently asked her three daughters and a classmate – all BFS alumni – about their experience at our school. We are as delighted as she was by what they had to say.

“

Please send me a list, right off the top of your head, of 0-4 (or more if you want) outstanding things (skills, beliefs, experiences,?) that you associate with your time at BFS which you find yourself using in your ‘life toolbox’ going forward in your lives.

”

RACHAEL SCOTT ‘91

ERIKA SCOTT ‘93

1) ARTS - art class, doing weaving with Mrs. Leydon, woodshop with Mr. Pearson (I loved woodshop), “sing” on Fridays (I loved to sing too), plays in every grade, the all school play. Also storytelling by teachers. 2) NATURE - both playing with it a lot, and learning about it from Mrs. Parker. 3) LEARNING ABOUT COMMUNITY firsthand because of the level of parent involvement and the way we knew everyone’s parents. Things like “sing” too, “big friends,” and “little friends” with the classes matched together... and Meeting. I also loved watching how they did graduation... I think the community piece, in the way that I explained it, did have a lasting effect on me... And since the parents were nice to me... that had a lasting effect. 4) MEETING FOR WORSHIP - where everyone was equal.

1) THE EMPHASIS ON AVOIDING WAR games, toys, or clothes that featured violent images. Once I saw how pervasive violent play is among American kids, I realized how foreign it felt to me because it hadn’t been normalized in my school. 2) THE TREATMENT OF THE ARTS AS BEING EQUAL TO ALL OTHER DISCIPLINES. We had art class three days a week I think, every week for nine years, and shop class almost as frequently. We were given the time to gain confidence and skill in all kinds of artistic disciplines. Also, every student was in a play every year. It wasn’t treated like a special thing you got to do every now and then, or something that only kids interested in art did. 3) TEACHERS KNEW ALL OF THEIR STUDENTS WELL. Classes of 19 or 20 kids and a school of maybe 180 kids allowed for some rarities. It was possible to know the names of every single student in the school. It was hard to get lost in the crowd. 4) THE WAY THAT REGULAR MEETING FOR WORSHIP taught us to be able to sit quietly for long periods of time when other kids that age never would’ve been able to. We were taught to nurture an inner stillness and to learn self-reflection. It amazes me how many adults can’t even sit silently for 5 minutes. 5) THE IMPORTANCE OF SPORTSMANSHIP and competing hard for our sports teams, without the bells and whistles of having fancy uniforms or equipment. We got by with the bare minimum and some of our teams were really successful nonetheless. I especially think of our field hockey teams and how we just had to wear a plain white t-shirt with our blue kilts, without our school name on any of it. When I was in 7th grade, the A and B teams were both undefeated. 6) THE FEELING THAT MY TEACHERS ABSOLUTELY CARED ABOUT ME, my well-being, my health, my happiness, and my learning, and would know if something was wrong and would try to fix it.

“I’ll also add to my list... I still think that even though it was super ‘old school,’ I like that they made us “dress-up” for assembly… In modern terms, I don’t think dresses and ties are necessary but dressing in a way that is more proper for one day a week to show respect to a performance or speaker is a great message…. I have totally taken that into my parenting…. I don’t make them wear dresses but they need to dress in a way that is thought out, and their hair needs to be done nicely.”

SEEDLINGS

What lasting impact has BFS made on your life? How is your choice to gift your child this experience today shaping them now?

Keep the conversation going! Share your LIFE TOOLBOX thoughts at #BFSlifetoolbox

ARIEL (SCOTT) SIEBE ‘96 1) THE ABILITY AND DESIRE TO ENGAGE with anyone of any age or background. 2) PROFOUND EMPATHY. 3) A YEARNING TO BE OUTSIDE and an appreciation for nature. Dirt, acorns and sticks are more important than toys and fancy equipment. 4) FEELING EMBRACED AND CELEBRATED for being a sensitive child. 5) LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS that can withstand anything. 6) BEING INCLUDED in team sports and feeling valued even if I wasn’t the best. 7) IMAGES THAT FLASH INTO MY MIND WHEN I THINK OF BFS: Madrigal singing with Mr. Kerr and our group; The Sound of Music in 6th grade; affective education with Mr. B; The Voyage of the Mimi with Mrs. Wiley. Ecuador... the best!

BETSY (CEPPARULO) RENZO ‘96 1) ORAL PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS with adults – my voice in general. 2) ACCOUNTABILITY and not aggrandizement – owning up and growing, but not getting a “participation award” for everything 3) RELATIONSHIPS - with peers, with teachers, with parents. 4) PEOPLE MATTER.

Stay up to date on all campus happenings: Like us on Facebook; Follow Paul on Instagram at: buckinghamfriendsschool or check out his blog at: http://paullindenmaierheadofschoolblog.bfssb.org/

SPRING

AU C T I O N KATELYNN CONNOLLY AND DEIRDRE SNYDER

eturning to BFS for its 35th year, the annual auction did not disappoint – in either participation or funds raised. And since all proceeds from “The Art of Celebration,” as this year’s auction was named, benefitted BFS’s financial aid fund, the event nicely aligned with the strategic priorities identified by the community.

“This year’s auction, highlighting the arts at BFS, was particularly fun and meaningful.” – Colby Smith, Auction Chair and current parent

SEEDLINGS

Over 170 community members attended the event, which took place at HollyHedge Estate in New Hope, PA. As always, the BFS auction brought together “a wonderful blend of current parents, alumni and the community”, according to Auction Chair Colby Smith, who’s a current parent. The talents of BFS’s creative community were showcased throughout the celebration. Music teacher Richard Cox gave a stellar performance; Mesa, a local artist, did a live painting presentation; parent volunteers made beautiful, hand-crafted paper flowers, centerpieces, and even personalized pins of each student for their parents to wear. Members of the school and surrounding communities contributed over 140 auction items, including vacation home stays, gift baskets, local experiences, and more. The silent auction featured artworks by many alumni, alumni parents, current parents, and friends of BFS. Linc Merwin even returned to campus as a photographer — capturing the spirit of each class in wonderful photos that were then auctioned off, as well. The result was a triumph, with more than $70,000 raised. The fact that it benefitted financial aid was a special joy. As Paul Lindenmaier, Head of School, pointed out that evening: “A strong financial aid fund benefits every child, family, and faculty member. Financial aid enables so many children – in fact all of our children at our school – to have a life-altering fork-in-theroad experience benefitting from the transformative power of a BFS education.” As we continue to honor the past and build

toward the future, we are grateful for the support and show of confidence in the good work that continues to be done on this campus.

We thank you for supporting Buckingham Friends School and for celebrating with us!

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DEIRDRE SNYDER

ienvenue!” (welcome) was the warm greeting extended by the BFS community to the group of eighteen visiting students and two teachers from the Collège Saint Martial in Montmorillon, France, when they arrived at the school as part of a two-week long JEM Student Exchange Program. The goal of the program is for BFS students to improve their French language skills, explore a different culture through social exchanges, and develop new connections. “It’s a valuable experience and opportunity to create international friendships and enrich our language curriculum in a safe setting where friendship among children can thrive,” says Isabella Schreiber, BFS 4th- 8th Grade French Teacher and Outreach Coordinator.

And thrive they did. The French and BFS groups intermingled at a variety of stimulating events, beginning with the Welcome Assembly and including the Upper School Day games, where great track-and-field teamwork was on display. They took field trips focusing on American history and culture to New York City, Washington DC, and Philadelphia, and more locally, to Grounds for Sculpture. Madame Schreiber described the exchange as a resounding success. “My students, who are my inspiration, improved their conversational French and understanding of French culture, developed general world awareness, and created long lasting memories,” she says. Her student, Will Sadowski ’19, provides a great example. “Words honestly cannot express how grateful I am to be given this oppor-

“For many students, hosting a peer from another country is their first exposure to a situation where being able to speak in that person’s own language is a game changer regarding how they experience the whole exchange. For our students who host or spend time with a visitor from one of our JEM schools, once the awkwardness of the first few days wanes, and conversation begins to flow back and forth from English to French and vice versa, it takes the shared time to a different, deeper level.”

– Nancy Sandberg, Academic Coordinator, Secondary School Placement Coordinator

SEEDLINGS

tunity. At a certain point, I got so comfortable speaking French that I was able to joke around with the visitors all in French!” he reports. Will credits Madame Schreiber’s teaching for this ability, along with the warm friendship he developed with a boy named Baptiste, who stayed with Will’s family during the exchange. He spoke to Baptiste in French, who, in turn, addressed Will in English. As a result, “his English and my French improved greatly throughout the course of the trip.”

“…my true feeling is, if I hadn’t taken the leap of faith I never would’ve discovered how amazing the program is.” –Eileen Coryell, 2019 host parent

For host families, too, the experience was an enriching one. “It has opened up a whole new world for us,” says Eileen Coryell, a 2019 host parent. “We now share an extraordinarily special and unique connection with a family overseas.” The French students also had a fabulous experience. “Two weeks of pure happiness in the company of people always there to help us and to make sure we had the best possible stay. It has been an unforgettable experience; every day was filled with lots of surprises and emotions. This memory will be forever engraved in me. The United States is a splendid and vast country populated by people who are supportive and optimistic, therefore I have nothing but positive impressions,” one student said.

“J’ai passé des moments inoubliables tels que New York ou Washington et découvert une nouvelle culture, une nouvelle façon de vivre. Deux semaines de pur bonheur en compagnie de personnes toujours là pour nous aider et nous faire passer le meilleur séjour possible. C’était une expérience inoubliable avec chaque jour son lot de surprises et d’émotions, un souvenir gravé à jamais en moi. Les États-Unis sont un pays splendide et vaste peuplé de gens solidaires et remplis d’optimisme, donc je n’en retiens que du positif.” *

–2019 JEM French Student

In keeping with BFS tradition, they were sent off at the end of their trip with a rousing cheer as they walked through the gauntlet, receiving countless high-fives from community members. Farewell tears were shed, and it was obvious that the experience of those two weeks would have a lasting, beneficial impact -- not just on both groups of students, but on the entire BFS community.

*Translation: I experienced unforgettable moments like the ones in New York and Washington and discovered a new culture, a new way of life. Two weeks of pure happiness in the company of people always there to help us and to make sure we had the best possible stay. It has been an unforgettable experience; every day was filled with lots of surprises and emotions. This memory will be forever engraved in me. The United States is a splendid and vast country populated by people who are supportive and optimistic, therefore I have nothing but positive impressions. SPRING

Le Grand Concours Congratulation to all thirty-five BFS students from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade who participated in Le Grand Concours, a National French Contest sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French. Twenty-seven students were recognized for their achievements. Congratulations on your outstanding performance!

Pictured left to right: (Top Row) Simon Zelesko, Sam Gerth, Will Sadowski, Derek Denoon, Emmett Schmucker, Dylan Garber (Middle Row) Teacher Laura Downs, Grace Kantra, Olivia Garrett, Vanessa Dobbins, Marin Shankin, Balin Moreno (Bottom Row) Kian Nagengast, Savannah Barile, Ella DeBari, Julian Lentchner, Naomi Brangan, Frederica Keep.

Youth Leadership Members of the 8th Grade Class participated in the Youth Leadership Initiative’s Model Congress Program. Ten of our students’ bills were “passed on the House Floor,” which is an outstanding achievement! Congratulations on everyone’s hard work and dedication!

Gold Medal Winners: Leeloo Boublil ’20 and Emma Steinberger ’20. Silver Medal Winners: Laila DeHaven ’21; Ben Gibson ’21; Fionna Lee ’21; Annalise Houghton ’20; and Declan Roycroft ’20. Bronze Medal Winner: Ian Dobbins ’21; Zoe Goykhman ’20; Emma Williams ’20; Ella DeBari ’19; Grace Kantra ‘19; Julian Lentchner ’19. Honorable Mentions: Elsa Carter ’21; Will Coryell ’21; Will Galardi ’21; Liam Kelly ’21; Freya Mottershead ’21; Sam Tchoumandrine ’21; Landan DeHaven ’20; Andrew Garrett ’20; Naomi Brangan ’19; Derek Denoon ’19; Olivia Garrett ’19; Frederica Keep ’19; Balin Moreno ’19; Will Sadowski ’19.

Student Highlights Marin Shankin ’19, recently submitted an essay about friendly competition to the 6th Annual Student Voices Project, which was chosen to be featured in the May 2019 issue of the Friends Journal. www.friendsjournal.org

POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY KATELYNN CONNOLLY

Poem in your Pocket Day was initiated in April 2002 by the Office of the Mayor in New York City, in partnership with the city’s Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education. In 2008, the Academy of American Poets took the initiative to all fifty United States, encouraging individuals around the country to participate. https://www.poets.org

SEEDLINGS

Declan Roycroft ’20, completed a two month long service apprenticeship as a Watershed Keeper with the Primrose Creek Watershed Association in Solebury, PA.

Kian Nagengast ’19, completed the National Spanish Exam this spring, achieving an Honorable Mention.

BFS was alive with poetry on April 18th! That was the day on which our 6th graders took part in Poem in Your Pocket Day 2019. The idea was simple, and infectious — it’s OK, everyone, choose a poem (you can even use the poets.org link!), carry it with you, and share it with others wherever you go. And don’t forget to post it on social media, using the hashtag #pocketpoem. BFS 6th graders joined this celebration — which was part of National Poetry Month — with enthusiasm. “Poem in Your Pocket Day was an inspiring way to begin our poetry study and an opportunity for sixth graders to share a little piece of themselves with everyone at BFS,” reports Kara Shaw, Upper School English Teacher. Community members were encouraged to engage with students to share their poems. It seems safe to say that everyone benefited from these pocketsize discussions, which took place throughout the school. Some students wrote their own poems, while others selected published ones that spoke to them in some way.

COMMUNITY MEMBER PROFILE

Steve Bernardini

SUPPORTS BFS BECAUSE I have “grown up” here. I think of BFS as my home. My own children graduated from BFS. Relationships are very important to me, and BFS is the source of so many meaningful relationships in my life. I have had a lifelong appreciation and admiration for everyone in the BFS community. LESSONS LEARNED Ah, there are too many to count! Relationships matter… Schools are communities first, … How we treat each other matters… Every person should be respected, regardless of whether or not they agree with you… There is a reason for everything…We are not all equal, though we all should be treated equitably…We all make mistakes, but it’s how we handle the mistakes we make, that matters. MOST EXCITING BFS ADVANCEMENTS? The growth and development of a highly dedicated and professional core of teachers/ colleagues... The vision and creation of the JEM program, which has touched the lives of thousands of people across the world…The renovation of the Upper/Middle School building and the grounds, which changed what we could accomplish pedagogically. HIGHLIGHT OF CAREER Getting to work and interact with all factions of the BFS community. Helping to launch the JEM program, co-creating the Developmental Workshop program, having true friends in Russia.

Teacher of Upper School Math, Science, Mindfulness Co-founded a small summer camp business called Camp Concepts 41 years teaching, 38 of which have been at BFS Double major at Middlebury College in biology and French. Distinguished Faculty, Alumni Parent Resides in Langhorne, PA

PERSONAL GOALS TO ACHIEVE? I’ve had three life goals for decades… 1) to write a children’s book, 2) to learn to play the guitar, 3) to go back to school, possibly to learn another language… Though these have been in my mind, they aren’t bucket list items for me. I’ve just been intrigued by the ideas. At this point in life, I am very much aware of the stages we go through in our lives. For me, the next real challenge will be to understand, appreciate, and navigate my way through the next stage of my life, wherever that will take me.

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AMY DIETTERICH ‘91

Alumni SP

TLIGHT

A Sense of Duty

rounded by her sense of responsibility and her mother’s mantra “be kind”, alumnus Amy Dietterich ‘91 has been traveling the globe and letting her life speak in a big way. With an undergrad degree from Bucknell University and a Master’s in Public Health in Developing Countries, with a focus in Epidemiology, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Amy describes her career as a hybrid of public health, diplomacy, and global governance that has taken her to over 40 countries. Now settled in Geneva, Switzerland, Amy works for a Specialized Agency of the United Nations. Prior to joining the UN system, she spent seven years with the International Red Cross, and ten years with International NGOs in Boston, Washington, London, and Paris before that. Last year, Amy was appointed as the youngest ever Director in the United Nations system. Her Division at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO for short) is responsible for addressing innovation and Intellectual Property (IP) at the nexus of interconnected global issues, in particular global health, climate change and food security – domains in which developing countries face particularly acute challenges, and solutions from innovation-driven initiatives are feasible. Amy’s team runs some exciting Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), including one around sharing innovation to develop new treatments for Neglected

SEEDLINGS

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THIS BFS ALUM? “I would like to someday be entrusted with a prominent position at the international level in which I have the opportunity to be part of a movement that normalizes inclusive, constructive leadership built on a foundation of humility, cooperation, and lifting up others.” It will be exciting to see Amy’s story unfold and learn how she continues to be an inspiration to others.

Tropical Diseases (NTDs), malaria and tuberculosis, and another on increasing market access for environmentally-friendly technologies that tackle the areas of clean energy, water treatment, clean air, and environmental contaminants. Her Division also manages the trilateral cooperation between the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and WIPO on issues at the intersection of public health, international trade, and IP. Motivated by “a sense of duty to women in previous generations to achieve what they were not given the opportunity to do”, Amy is trying to help blaze a gender-equity trail in the higher echelons of the UN. She reports that there is a significant under-representation of women in leadership roles in the UN and among its associated specialized agencies: of the 28 organizations belonging to the UN common system, including the main UN Secretariat, 75% are led by men. Only one-third of Directors in the UN system are women, and women comprise about one quarter of senior-level leaders (the level just below Directors General) across the UN system. Most visibly, there has never been a female Secretary General of the UN. Amy shares that she is deeply inspired by the ex-

ample set by Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, “of how female leaders can demonstrate a different model of power to the one we’ve grown accustomed to and that remains the global norm”. She admits that it can be hard “staying positive in a time of challenging political contexts, and making a measurable difference in the midst of overwhelming bureaucracy”. With her husband, whom she met in Damascus, Syria, in 2006, and two children by her side, Amy is influenced by “the warmth, graciousness, and unending hospitality of the Arab culture; the perfect honesty and expectations of my children; and a deep feeling of connection to, and respect for, nature” as she continues to walk in the path of her Light, working to create positive change one step at a time.

Read more about Amy and her family in Alumni News. SPRING

Alumni News

Notes submitted for publication might be edited due to space limitations.

1 9 70 s

Bethann Morgan ‘77 - Susan Keim Wiggins ’77 writes, “At the recent Planned Parenthood Keystone Fundraising Event held on Oct 28, 2018, I was pleased to witness Bethann Morgan ’77 be honored by Planned Parenthood for her role as a clinician who has received patient experience survey scores in the very top percentile – the 99th – in a recent report! This is an amazing achievement (especially since it was based on a statistically significant number of responses). Well done Bethann! I am proud of your excellent care of women in our area!”

1980s

Briar Faure Mewbourne ’81 lives in Boca Raton, FL with her husband Curtis and their two children Libby (18) who attends University of Miami and Pearson (17) who is a junior at Choate Rosemary Hall.

Cori Ginsberg Seraydarian ‘87 - “As of August of 2018 my family (including myself, my husband Scott, our two daughters, Bella (13) and Gigi (10), and our dog Asher) now live at George School. My husband Scott is the Film Teacher at GS and he and I share responsibilities as dorm parents in a Freshman and Sophomore Girls’ dormitory. I am a Real Estate Agent with The Jay Ginsberg Group (Jay is my Dad, which is fun!) at Addison Wolfe Real Estate in New Hope and teach Zumba in my spare time.” Taiya Smith ‘87 - Reports that she is currently working in politics and diplomacy.

1990s

Wilford Saunders ’83 - “My wife Emily and I settled in Olympia, WA in 2005 after living and working in Russia off and on throughout the 1990’s. I work for the State of Washington as the Chief Privacy Officer and my wife teaches English to bilingual students in the neighboring school district. We have a son, Henry (12) and a daughter Julia (10). We attend Olympia Friends Meeting. Brooks Faure ‘85 and her fiancé, Ryan Hard, currently reside in Bridgewater, NJ. Brooks has two sons, Rhodes ‘12 and Liam. Josh Matthews ‘85 - “I’ve been married to my wife Stephanie for over 16 years and we have two boys, Satchel, (13) and Shiloh, (11).” Next year Satchel will be attending LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, in NYC. “Very exciting! Shiloh will begin middle school (6th grade) in the fall. We live in Park Slope Brooklyn. Life is good here!!” In 2000, Josh became the full-time drummer for the Blue Man Group Band and shortly after, became the Music Director for the show. He describes his work as a ‘Rock and Roll day job’. “Although I work at night, I get up everyday and give my kids breakfast, make their lunches, and then take them to school!” Peter Saunders ’86 - “My wife, Christine, and I live in Memphis, TN, where we both work for Hutchison School.” Christine is the Head of the Middle School, and Peter teaches 10th grade English. They have two daughters: Aurie (5) and Evelyn (9).

SEEDLINGS

Brittany Faure Booz ‘90 - “My sister Blake ’96 and I took over the family business, The Golden Pheasant Inn, eight years ago. My husband, Hans Booz, and I live in Pipersville, PA with our two children Evan, ‘2025 and Olivia ‘2027. We are happy to be back at BFS surrounded by community and Friends!” Kri Burkander ‘90 - “I work for a small non-profit research organization in Philly, Research for Action, doing mixed-methods research aimed at understanding the impact of educational policies on underserved students.” In her free time, Kri serves as Recording Clerk for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, and Associate Clerk for her Monthly Meeting. “I also love running, although I’m very slow, and will be doing my second Ragnar in May. My husband Paul also does educational research, so we have lots of fun conversations. Our kids Maggie (11) and Ollie (9) are amazing, funny and teach me something everyday. We frequently bump into Carter Quinby ’90 and his family at worship on Sunday, since we are members of the same Meeting - which is super fun. “

Krispin Leydon ‘91 - “Right now, I’m crisscrossing the West by car, reflecting on where to call home. The most likely candidates are Bellingham, WA; Bend, OR; and Truckee, CA. (If any alums have stories from these places or have lived there - I’m curious to hear them!) Before rediscovering that life-work balance matters, I designed software tools for animators at Pixar and Walt Disney Animation, helped Angaza enable solar electric lighting to become price competitive with kerosene in East Africa, and designed the touch-screen computer system for the first Tesla Roadster. Along the way I met a remarkably kind and patient woman, with whom I am currently having an epic tug-of-war re: the virtues of urban and rural existence. (Hopefully we both win!)”

Here is a picture from our championship game. Pictured is from left to right: niece Gigi, sister Cori (also a BFS alumni), myself, husband Doug, Casey in my arms, Olive in my niece Bella’s arms. My father Jay in a Smith hat. Back row is my brother-in-law Scott.

Jaime Ginsberg ‘91 - “I have been coaching at Smith College as the Head Field Hockey Coach for the past 11 years. In addition to coaching I also teach classes within the Exercise and Sports Studies minor. The last three years of my life have been full of milestones. I have two tiny humans, Olive (3), and her younger brother, Casey (2). I got married in July of 2017 - Casey was 2 mo, ahhhhh. I also have two stepsons Dutcher (12) and Huck (26). My partner Doug is an Auctioneer and an amazing supporter of my career. Amy Dietterich ‘91 - “I’m a mom now (yes, Marne is a grandmother and Kerry is an aunt!), my daughter, Mae, (5) and my son, Sam, (3 and a half). How I wish they could attend BFS! They’re sweet kids, already tri-lingual thanks to their Dad (who speaks French with them) and their paternal grandparents (who speak Arabic with them). They both attend the local school here in Geneva, which is taught entirely in French, and will learn German as of the age of seven. My husband, Souhel, is Syrian, we met in Damascus in 2006 and were married in Paris three years later; he has since acquired French nationality. He’s a physicist and computer engineer, but more importantly, he’s a wonderful husband and father. His parents and sister live just a few minutes from us, which is a blessing.” Throughout her work travels, Amy reports that she has managed to catch up with fellow BFS alums: “I visited Colin Sandberg ’91 and his family in China this past October and had dinner with Krispin Leydon ’91 just a few weeks ago during a business trip to San Francisco. Last summer on the sidelines of a global malaria meeting in Melbourne, I visited with my Australian host family from our 1989 BFS trip to NZ/Aus!” (Read more about Amy in the Alumni Spotlight section.)

Alex Poor ‘95 - “My wife, Katie, and I have 3 kids: Evie (6), Sully (4), and Finn (1). Katie is an ophthalmologist and takes care of complicated cornea stuff in a practice at Wills Eye. I am a sports med. surgeon and am lucky to get to take care of professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes across the country with core muscle injuries.” Stephen Cunning ‘96 - “I’m a securities trader and I live in Palm Beach Gardens, FL with my wife and 2 kids.”

This year the Smith Field Hockey Team won our conference (NEWMAC) for the first time in school history, as well as advanced to the 2nd round of the NCAA - also a program first! I feel very fortunate to have a career within my passion - athletics/coaching/teaching!” Blaise Faure ‘92 - Blaise writes, “I am currently living in Philadelphia with my husband of three years, Jerrold. I plan events at a Center City hotel and specialize in the sports market hosting teams that play against Philadelphia. I enjoy weekends in Bucks County, spending quality time with my nephew and nieces who currently attend BFS.“ Sarah Robinson ‘94 is now an assistant curator at the JPMorgan Library in NYC. Blake Faure ’95 - After studying at Le Cordon Bleu in California, Blake moved back to Bucks County with her partner, Jon, and their daughter, Lylah ’25, to work alongside her sister Brittany at their family business, The Golden Pheasant Inn. Larry Russell ’95 is currently living in Philadelphia and sends his best wishes to the BFS community.

Betsy (Cepparulo) Renzo ‘96 “I live in Wilmington, DE with my husband John, and beautiful step-daughters Evelyn (9) and Amelia (7).” Betsy is currently the Global Peace & Justice teacher at Wilmington Friends School. Alex Ryan ‘96 - “As of March 2019, I’m studying Italian in Arlington, VA in preparation for an assignment starting this summer at the U.S. Embassy in Rome. I’ve now been with the Department of State for 11 years, with prior assignments in Nigeria, Ukraine, Iraq, Washington, DC, and Kazakhstan; mostly working on economic issues.” Alex met his wife, Valentyna, during his assignment in Ukraine. They now have two daughters, Anna (2), and Milana (2 weeks).

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Caite Panzer ‘96 - “I’m currently living with my husband, Nicolas, and our 11-month-old daughter, Chloé Elizabeth Panzer-Menant, in NYC where I work as Director of Partnerships & Development for the Cultural Services of the French Embassy.” Adrienne (Scibilia) Himmelberg ‘97 - “I have 2 kids, Nina (4) and Lola (3 in June). I am an accountant and work at Deloitte in the Power & Utilities industry. I also teach Hebrew school and am the president of the board at my daughters’ school. Before moving to Jersey 4 years ago (I thought I would never move back), I was in Chicago, then London (where I met my husband Ben - he is actually from Phoenix, AZ though) and then to New York. Fun fact, last year, I ran in my town’s half marathon (I have gotten into running recently as something fun and relaxing to do) and as I was walking back home, I saw Mille Bond ’97 running the race!! “ Jeremy Roop ‘98 - “I’m currently living in Berkeley, CA, working at a small biotech company doing genetic engineering of brewers yeast to allow the process of brewing beer to be more sustainable (i.e. use less water and plant materials). I recently finished a postdoc in Seattle where I was working on HIV vaccine development, and prior to that I spent six years in grad school at UC Berkeley getting a PhD in molecular biology. Outside of work, I spend a lot of time in the mountains rock climbing. I’ve been climbing for nearly 20 years now, and have traveled around the world pursuing distant summits and new challenges.” Erin (Smith) Wallach ‘98 - “My husband Matt and I moved to Dallas in January 2012 so that I could pursue a M.S. Degree in Speech Language Pathology. Seven years later, we are still here! We have a 4.5 year old son, Gus; a 2 year old son, Eli; and a 7 month old daughter, Lizzie. I own a speech therapy practice and work with children from birth through high school (articulation, language, social-communicative and fluency disorders). Prior to this, I worked in a hospital setting with adults newly diagnosed with a range of neurocognitive disorders resulting primarily from strokes and degenerative diseases.”

Christopher Camp ‘99 - “I’ve recently started a job as a wind turbine technician at a start up near Danforth, Maine.” Ashley Houghton ‘99 - “I work at KIPP New Jersey in Newark, NJ. We are a network of 22

SEEDLINGS

charter schools and I work in the central office doing all things operations and event planning. I live in Jersey City with my husband Jason. We enjoy traveling - we’ve recently been to France, Greece, Portugal and Spain. We also enjoy cooking and eating and exploring our city.”

2000s Wiley Robinson ‘01 married Heather Gagnon on June 23, 2018. Eric Falk ‘01 was best man and Owen Coursin ‘01 was a groomsman. Wiley is teaching 7th, 8th, and 9th grade history at the Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, MA. He also coaches soccer, ice hockey and lacrosse.

real estate investment company. It’s a lean and fast paced operation, where everyone needs to wear a lot of hats, so I’m learning a lot every day. Aside from work, I’m loving Austin and have found a great group of friends. It’s a very young city, and you can tell from the energy here. Everyone is always outdoors, the food is amazing, and there’s always something to do. I can’t complain.” Aaron Boerner ’10 graduated in May 2018 from Temple University with a BS in Kinesiology and is applying to graduate PT programs. Noah Barnett ’11 will be graduating from Boston College and has recently received a Fulbright Scholarship to medical school. Summer Holland ‘12 - “I’m in my 3rd year at Northeastern studying Marketing and Psychology but I am currently in New Zealand studying abroad at the University of Auckland. I love all of the hiking there is to do here and try to get out every weekend. After here I’ll be going on co-op (6 months of work) in Seville, Spain for a super cool company called Glamping Hub. I am so excited and currently trying to learn Spanish.”

Juli (Cunning) Smith ‘01 is currently Dean of Upper School at the Cambridge School in Pennington, NJ. In addition, she also recently launched her own tutoring company called, The Dyslexic Tutor. Chris Danilo ‘02 is currently working in Warminster, PA for Open World Events. Chris graduated from Penn State with a B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience. “I’ve been working full time with OWE for the past two years and I’m one of 4 members of the leadership team (along with the two founders) making strategic decisions for the company.” Evan Boerner ’05 is running the Colorado office of his family’s company, Nursing Care Services. Hannah Perry ’07 had an illustration recently published in the New York Times Op-Ed section, Monday February 4, 2019. Her work also made the homepage of U.S. News and World Report on January 28, 2019 illustrating an article on the Opioid Epidemic. Hannah, a graduate of Pratt Institute, is a free-lance editorial and book illustrator living in Brooklyn, NY. Hannah is also passionate about organic urban gardening and Bee Keeping! Travis Boerner ’08 graduated in May 2018 from Temple University’s Fox School of Business with a B.S. in Marketing. Will Yarnall ‘09 - “I graduated from Boston College in 2017 with a degree in Finance (and minor in History). Soon after I graduated I moved down to Austin, TX to join my brother’s

Sam Oswald ’12 is currently attending Georgetown University, shares that he will be traveling to France and San Francisco with former Westtown classmates this summer. In the fall he will begin an internship in Washington DC with Eni S.p.A. in the Representative Office. Hannah Roman ’12 is a professional artist and her work can be found at www.chromacowboy.com Katie Sigety ’12 recently studied abroad in London for her Spring Semester of George Washington University. Francesca Crimi ’12 is finishing her sophomore year of college at Bloomsburg University majoring in Chinese and art history. She will be in Barcelona in June receiving her certificate in ESL language teaching through Trinity College of London. After, she will return to the States to continue her spring semester independent study as an URSCA grant. She is interviewing, transcribing and co-publishing a Chinese artist’s memoir and hopes to continue her passion for writing and publishing in the years to come. Jonah Helmer ’13 is loving Cornell and will be declaring a plant science major. Currently, he has a job working with two Cornell professors, doing a research project, comparing strawberry yields growing hydroponically vs. aqua culture. Jonah will be doing a summer internship with Berkshire Mountain Distillers, in Sheffield Massachusetts, where he will be working in the botanicals greenhouse which is used to infuse flavors into spirits.

Mason El-Habr ’14 shares that he is studying to become an electrical engineer at Princeton University. Mason also writes that he is very engaged with the theater programs and going to be doing machine learning research at Princeton this summer. Grant Kind ‘15 - “I graduate from GS this year and I am attending NYU Shanghai for college.“

Ava Helmer ’15 performed in George Schools’ Spring Dance Eclectic along with Haley Zelesko ’15 and Faith Friendshuh ‘16. Ava danced in seven different pieces, one of which she choreographed. Sara Oswald ’15 will be competing in the nationals out in California, June 2019, with her soccer club team, Penn Fusion U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Chloe Lentchner ’15 and Jordan Valdepenas-Mellor ’15 will be performing at their George School graduation ceremony, May 2019. Lucy Clayton ‘17 This past school year, Lucy participated in two Model U.N. Conferences and was a member of the Godspell cast in the Blair Academy Winter Musical. Zoel Boublil ’17 performed as one of the leads, “Sir” the ringleader, in George Schools’ most recent musical, “Side Show”. Fellow BFS alums Lexi Alloway ’17 and Sarah Mayer ’17 were also part of the cast. Zoel also attended University of Pennsylvania’s International Model U.N. this past winter and is also serving on Student Council. Ryan Eagan ‘18 is currently a boarding student at George School. Charlotte Houghton ’18 was the recipient of the MVP Red Raider Award, for soccer at The Pennington School.

The students of the College Bound Class of 2015 have made their decisions: Berklee College of Music Bucknell University College of Charleston Drexel University Eckerd College Lehigh University Lafayette College New York University New York University, Shanghai Providence College Rhode Island School of Design

Syracuse University, New House School of Communications Trinity College University of California, Los Angeles University of Washington West Chester University, Accelerated Masters Program for Sports Medicine

Congratulations!

¡Buena suerte, Señora MacNamee! NANCY SANDBERG On Labor Day, 1998, I called my friend Betty MacNamee. “I have a rather surprising question for you. Would you be interested in teaching Spanish at Buckingham Friends School? It’s a very part-time position, I’m afraid, as we’re just phasing in this program.” And, I didn’t need to add, school started almost immediately. (A teacher we had already hired to start the new Spanish program—which was replacing the Russian language program we’d had for more than ten years--had bailed at the last moment.) Luckily for Buckingham Friends, Betty MacNamee enthusiastically agreed to be part of the faculty. The youngest of her four children was just entering Kindergarten, so the reduced hours meant she could still be home when needed for her young son. Calm and unruffled, she set about ordering materials and decorating her classroom with lively and colorful realia. I spoke to her on the occasion of her retirement. Betty told me she has truly enjoyed her 21 years teaching Spanish to 6th, 7th and 8th graders. The small classes allowed her to create an engaging curriculum, including the exploration of Spanish-language literature, tv and cinema, and cooking the cuisine of various Spanishspeaking countries. She has been a strong supporter of the JEM Program, acting as chaperone on trips to Ecuador, Spain and Costa Rica, and hosting teachers from Hawaii, India and China. Betty is looking forward to having more time at home (projects await!) and continuing to attend monthly conversational Spanish group gatherings, among other pursuits.

¡Gracias! SPRING

in memoriam We honor the memory of the following Buckingham Friends School community members Judge Albert J. Cepparulo Alumni parent, former trustee Eleanor K. Hart Former faculty, alumni parent Barbara Darlington Garrett Alumni parent, grandparent, former trustee, Buckingham Meeting member Linda Hagler Redenbaugh Alumni parent Wilford J.H Saunders Alumni parent

Judge Albert J. Cepparulo Father of Nick ‘94 and Betsy ‘96, passed away at home on October 31, 2018. He was surrounded by the love of family and friends, as he was when he was alive. He was a Judge, fisherman, advocate, rugby player, and wine enthusiast. He lit up every room he ever entered and his laugh will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Deborah, children Nick and Betsy, and grandchildren Harrison, Evelyn and Amelia. Eleanor K. Hart Former faculty member and alumni parent, made her transition on January 4, 2019, at the age of 89. Eleanor loved children’s art and was a published author/illustrator with her books, “Bigger Picture” and “Big Bang Art”. She was also an avid fan of spending time at the ocean and sailing and also spent one year serving with the American Friends Service Committee. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Ali Dajani and is survived by her children, Jihan O’Donnell ’72 and son Luke Davis ’72; five grandchildren and five great-granddaughters.

SEEDLINGS

Buckingham Friends School and Buckingham Friends Clothing Sale. Always involved in her children’s lives, her cheering voice, steeped in that strong Texan accent, was often heard at sports and school events.

Barbara Darlington Garrett BFS alumni parent, grandparent, former trustee and Buckingham Meeting member, a passionate advocate for and lover of animals, and a dedicated, selfless mother of four, died peacefully on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. She was 91. A soft-spoken, reserved exemplar of her lifelong Quaker faith, Barbara lived a life of unostentatious service, having served for several terms as a trustee of the Buckingham Friends School in Lahaska, PA, which all of her children attended. She served for a number of those years as clerk and also served for several years as head of the school’s Parents Association. Barbara was also Linc Merwin’s first “Class Mother” in 1975. Barbara graduated from Friends Central School in 1944, and from Elmira College with a degree in Art History in 1949. She married Philip C. Garrett II in 1952 and dedicated the next span of her life to the formative years of her four children. Barbara returned to full-time employment at the age of 50 and spent more than 30 years as a veterinary technician and office manager at the Hopewell Veterinary Group in Hopewell, NJ. She is survived by two of her beloved cats, Ming and Phoebe. Barbara leaves four children, Philip W. GarrettEngele ’68; Ashley A. Garrett ’72; Alison G. Muse ’75; Andrew J.D. Garrett ’80; nine grandchildren including Olivia J.D. Garrett ’19 and Andrew C. Garrett ‘20; and Chrissy Brown, who was her caretaker and near constant companion for the last 10 years of her life. Nine White Oak trees where recently donated by her children and planted in Barbara’s memory to the School and Meeting - one for every class as a memorial. Linda Hagler Redenbaugh BFS alumni parent, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Sunday morning, Jan 20, 2019. Linda volunteered countless hours and made many new friends serving on boards and committees such as the Phillips’ Mill Art Show,

Her greatest joy was being a grandmother, and she was deeply touched by the way David and Allie loved and cared for their children. Linda is survived by her children: David Hagler Redenbaugh ‘94 and Allie Elizabeth Redenbaugh; her three grandchildren: Isabel Jean Redenbaugh, Garnet Rose Redenbaugh and Payton Seidner.

Wilford J.H Saunders BFS alumni parent, passed away on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at the age of 80. Will spent most of his career running continuing education classes for the City University of New York, where he served as the Director of the LaGuardia Urban Center for Economic Development (LUCED). In 2005, Will retired to his farm in Pipersville, where he grew hay for local farmers. He is survived by his brothers, Bradley and Joe Saunders, his sisters, Sally Johnston and Mary “Sissy” Schultz, his partner of 30 years, Susan O’Malley, and his two sons, Wilford Saunders Jr. ‘83 and Peter Saunders ‘86. He was predeceased by his brother, James Saunders.

we A R E

THE

heart OF

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SPRING

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