HIGHLAND The Magazine of Highland School | Fall 2023
Connecting the Dots LEARNING THAT STUDENTS REMEMBER FOR A LIFETIME
LOOKING BACKWARD AND FORWARD ON PROGRAM EXPANSION UNDER HANK BERG WORDS MATTER: DR. NATE ZUCKERMAN CRAFTS NEW PROGRAM CENTERED ON CIVIL DISCOURSE WE ASK FIVE ALUMNI ABOUT THEIR CHOICES OF CAREERS SERVING THEIR COMMUNITIES
Earlier this year, the sophomore class visited Verdun Adventure Bound in Rixeyville for a fun-filled day of team-building, ropes challenges, and comfort-zone-busting. In this photo, students are belaying for two classmates under the direction of Verdun staffers John McCulla and Ashley Shilling.
Editorial Team
HEAD OF SCHOOL Henry D. Berg EDITOR David Henrickson WRITERS AND CONTRIBUTORS Maureen (Bishop) Ankrom ‘05 Andrew Kohler ‘07 Savarna Pahari ‘17 Austin Rodgers ‘09 Ian Winch ‘19 Dr. Nate Zuckerman Cecilia Zugel ‘17 ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY David Henrickson Victor O’Neill Studios ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Donna Tomlinson CLASS NOTES COORDINATOR Briar Leake
Interested in learning more about Highland Magazine? Please send inquiries to David Henrickson, Highland’s Director of Communications, at dhenrickson@highlandschool.org.
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Our Mission
Highland School prepares students to thrive, lead and serve in a diverse and dynamic world, developing essential skills and character by challenging them with a demanding academic and co-curricular program.
This spring, Highland’s 2022/2023 yearbook was dedicated to longtime art teacher Alice Laimbeer. Hank Berg celebrated with Alice after the all-school gathering.
2023/2024 Board of Trustees
Our Founders Dorothy Montgomery Rust Lavinia Hamilton
Our Board of Trustees Jody Warfield Chair Darragh Davis '69 Vice Chair
Founders Award Honorees William A. Hazel Sr. Jay Keyser Lewis Pollard Paul Rice
Patrick Heijmen Treasurer Dr. Crystal Taylor Secretary Timothy Carter Dr. Bill Condrell
Trustees Emeritus Marshall D. Doeller '67 William A. Hazel Sr. Paul Rice
Jamey Cook Bernadette Cooney Danielle Desalu Lisa Hillig Christopher Hoerner '10 Nahid Keck Douglas Larson Amudha Mahendiran Mary Stern Angel Tighe Ali Zarabi Henry D. Berg Head of School Shannon Moss Parents Association President
Highland School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational, employment, or admission policies, its scholarship, athletic, and other school-administered programs.
HIGHLAND AUCTION
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
THE HIGHLAND AUCTION SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024 GARY W. LEAKE GYMNASIUM
Go online to highlandauction.org to order your tickets and VIP tables
Letter from Hank Berg, Head of School
Reflecting on the Best of Highland Dear Highland Community, As I am increasingly the oldest person in the room in gatherings of school folks, I reflect on how education has changed and the ways it has remained the same. The ways things have changed center on the range of functions which schools must now perform. Technology was not in budgets until the 1990s, counselors and learning specialists were rare resources, facilities were often not air conditioned if they even existed the way they do today, sports were for fun and activity not NIL and college scholarships. Lest this be hand wringing for the old days, we now have these great resources in the forms of people and facilities that greatly improve the quality of experience for students. Nothing has changed about the fact that kids still need us–families and school–to work in partnership helping them discover their potential. Students still benefit from an active, hands-on education to avoid being information rich and experience poor. One of the great benefits of being a Head of School is the opportunity (read also responsibility) to broadly shape the learning environment and experience for students. Along with the many impressive people, it was the universal commitment to design programs that put students in the center that drew me to Highland nearly 20 years ago. There is far too much credit being attributed to me for the ways the school has grown. As Abby Wambach, the
womens’ soccer great, said, “I’ve never scored a goal in my life without getting a pass from someone else.” All of what we have done, we have done together, and no input has been more important than another. This issue contains examples of the best of Highland, but I draw your attention to the articles on Words Matter and alumni in service careers. Words Matter is a curriculum that addresses the need for students to understand the power of what they say or post and to be able to hear the messages of others. This unique program was a feature presentation at the annual Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) conference. When we designed our Leadership Studies Certificate program we chose the servant leader paradigm. This approach defines leadership broadly where meeting the needs of others is the power to lead. To serve is to lead and it is so gratifying to learn about our graduates putting that into practice. Nothing is more central to the Highland mission than to produce leaders who will thrive, lead, and serve. Enjoy this issue of the magazine and take pride in what this amazing school community continues to accomplish. Go Hawks,
Henry D. Berg Head of School
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Class plays in the Lower School are both culmination and celebration of all the amazing things our students gain from being on stage. They’re in front of an audience, stepping outside their comfort zones, and being celebrated–not only with applause and praise–but lots of cake and chocolate fountains at the after-party!
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In This Issue The Magazine of Highland School | Fall 2023
26 A FEW MINUTES WITH NICK NEWBERRY Nick Newberry is an Upper School science teacher who brings his passion for the environment and community-building into his work with students.
28 CONNECTING THE DOTS Through hallmark programs including experiential education, personalized
learning, and character and leadership development, Head of School Hank Berg helps Highland students build a lifelong love of learning.
38 TWO DECADES OF IMPACT: A TRIBUTE TO HANK BERG With the retirement of Head of School Hank Berg at the end of the 2023/2024 academic year, we look back on two decades of growth and transformation for an institution, a community, and an educator.
46 WORDS MATTER: BUILDING A CULTURE OF INCLUSIVITY How can a Highland education prepare students to engage with curiosity and
humility in a diverse and increasingly polarized world? Director of Inclusivity Nate
Zuckerman introduces a signature program that focuses on civil discourse to help.
56 ALUMNI IN SERVICE CAREERS We interviewed five alumni who have all chosen careers centered on service
to their communities. What role did Highland School have on their career decisions? How did their academic experience prepare them to follow their passions for service? Read their stories on page 56.
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Grandparents Day is a Highland Tradition Grandparents Day is a beloved tradition and it was great to see all aspects of the day, which included academic showcases, classroom visits, and musical performances, back in full swing this past April. Festivities began in the Gary W. Leake Gymnasium with a welcome from Head of School Hank Berg and remarks by students from each division. Then, grandparents and guests visited their students’ classrooms or attended a special assembly in The Rice Theater. Finally, everyone returned to the gym for fun musical performances. Thanks to all who attended!
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Wallace volunteered withfamily, Team was RoboHawk and Emily George Salazar ‘23, shown here with her one of the also recentlyatstepped down after sevenDay years on Highland’s student speakers this year’s Grandparents event. She is Board of Trustees. currently a freshman at George Washington University.
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4th Graders Visit Jamestown One of the hallmarks of the end of the school year is the fourth grade’s overnight trip to Jamestown. This May, Highland students returned to the shores of the James River to bring their year-long study of Virginia history to a conclusion. The students started their tour at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. After an evening of fun and games and a ferry ride across the James River, the students woke up to a morning at the Jamestown Settlement. There, they heard from living history interpreters and got to see firsthand what life was like in and around the Jamestown settlement. Special thanks to Highland’s 4th grade teachers Lisa Cooper and Amy de Geus for a great trip. The students had a fantastic time!
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Latest News
Happenings on and around the Highland School campus
Head of School Henry D. Berg to Retire at End of 2023/2024 Year Starting as a teacher and outdoor educator in 1978, Hank Berg held a variety of academic and administrative positions before becoming Highland’s Head of School in 2005 This spring, after nineteen years of service to Highland and fortyfive years of work in independent schools, Henry D. Berg will retire from his position as Highland’s Head of School. Mr. Berg credits his father, who became a teacher after serving in World War II and graduating from Yale University, as the biggest influence on his career path as an educator.
Mr. Berg began teaching in the fall of 1978, having graduated from Wake Forest University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics earlier that year. An experienced whitewater paddler and a strong believer in outdoor education, he was asked to begin leading trips with the Voyageur Outdoor and Leadership program at St. Albans and National Cathedral
Schools. He later worked at St. Stephen’s School and earned his master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Science from Texas Tech before moving on to a fifteen-year tenure at Flint Hill School in Oakton. During his time there, Mr. Berg served as the Acting Headmaster, Assistant Head/ Director of College Counseling, Upper School Director, and a member of the
Keep up with all the latest news and photos on Highland’s Facebook page!
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Science faculty. Before Highland, Mr. Berg was the Assistant Headmaster of Flint Hill School for six years. When he arrived as our new Head of School in 2005, Mr. Berg was drawn to Highland because of its strong school culture and the synergy of students, faculty, staff, parents, trustees, and the broader community. He saw Highland as a center of opportunity and made the most of every chance to enhance both the programmatic and physical infrastructure of our school. His family also found a home in our community. Mr. Berg’s daughters Virginia, Molly, and Emily all graduated from Highland during his tenure, and his wife Cathy served as both English Department Chair and Dean of Students for several years. Mr. Berg joined Highland shortly after the Upper School was established
and helped oversee the renovation of the Middle School as well as the construction of the LEED-certified William A. Hazel Lower School building. Beyond his integral part in expanding the size and scope of Highland, Mr. Berg has also fostered advancement at every division of the school through programs like experiential education, project-based learning, and character and leadership development. Remarking on Mr. Berg’s retirement, Board Chair Jody Warfield said, “Since July 1, 2005, Highland School has been blessed beyond measure to have Hank Berg at the helm. From generating the philanthropy that funded the tremendous growth of our physical plant, to guiding us through the 2008-09 recession without cutting our program, to leading us through COVID with the most successful academic program in the region,
Hank Berg has made Highland School the envy of our peers.” From the beginning, Mr. Berg’s vision for Highland has involved helping each individual student discover their interests and develop their gifts with the continued support of a tightknit school community. His efforts have been tremendously successful, and every one of us in the Highland community is grateful to him for the time, energy, and care he has given our school for the past nineteen years. In this issue, we’ve collected several stories about the programs that Mr. Berg has developed and the alumni who carry on his legacy of strong character and leadership. As you read, consider all the ways he has transformed the fabric of our school. Thanks to you, Mr. Berg!
Dr. Nate Zuckerman Presents at VAIS Conference Highland’s new Director of Inclusivity introduces Words Matter program implemented at Highland during annual Virginia Association of Independent Schools conference Congratulations to our Director of Inclusivity and Upper School Social Sciences teacher, Dr. Nate Zuckerman, on his recent presentation for the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS), where he discussed Highland’s innovative Words Matter program. Earlier this year, Nate received an offer to be a speaker and discussion leader at the annual VAIS conference in Richmond, and on November 3rd, he and Upper School Director Margie Kuzminski headed down to our state capital to present. Their discussion section featured topics like inclusivity
and civil discourse skills, as well as how our school facilitates difficult conversations among students through our Words Matter program, which was developed by Nate last year. Congratulations to Dr. Zuckerman and Mrs. Kuzminski on an exciting and rewarding trip. To learn more Words Matter and its implementation in our Upper and Middle School curricula, check out the feature article on page 46.
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Highland School Trustees Select Dr. Adam Seldis as Next Head of School since 2018. Prior to that he led the Upper School at the Out-of-Door Academy in Sarasota, Florida; served as Department of Social Sciences Chair and Global Citizen Diploma Coordinator (a program he founded) at the Yokohama International School in Japan; was a teacher, department chair, Head of Careers, and Assistant Housemaster at Wellington College in the U.K.; and taught at Christchurch Cathedral Grammar School in New Zealand.
The Board of Trustees of Highland School in Warrenton has selected Dr. Adam P. Seldis as the next Head of School, beginning July 1, 2024. Dr. Seldis will succeed Henry D. Berg, who has led the School as Head since 2005. In announcing the selection, Board Chair Jody Warfield said, “Hank Berg has truly transformed Highland School, building the premier PK2-12 program in our region–a program that attracted the interest of potential heads of school from Massachusetts to Florida, and from Virginia to California. We had a superior pool of candidates in this search because of the exceptional work Hank has done to create a school that is a shining example of 21st Century best practices in education and innovation.” Adam Seldis and his wife Maggie will be joining the Highland family and the Warrenton community with their three sons–Sam, who will enter the 5th grade in August 2024; Gabe, who will join 3rd grade; and Nate, who will be in PK4/5 that year. Dr. Seldis comes to Highland from The Steward School in Richmond where he has been the Director of Upper School
Before launching his career in education, Dr. Seldis was a Senior Management Consultant with Smith & Williamson in London and a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA– the U.K. equivalent of a CPA). He earned a B.A. with Honors from the University of Northumbria (U.K.), his M.S. in Managing School Improvement from the University of Reading (U.K.), and received his Ed.D. in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Highland’s Board of Trustees was assisted in its search by RG175, an international executive search firm specializing in leaders for primary and secondary independent schools. From an original pool of nearly 40 applicants, three finalists chosen by the Search Committee visited the School in April and May to meet with faculty leadership, the senior Administrative team, the Board of Trustees, the Parent Association Board and volunteers, alumni, alumni parents, former Trustees, and student leaders. On May 15, 2023, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to extend the offer to Dr. Seldis. Over the next year, a committee of trustees and senior faculty and staff will facilitate the smooth transition of leadership from Mr. Berg to Dr. Seldis. Speaking for the Board, Warfield said, “One of the many attributes that led us to select Dr. Seldis to lead Highland is that he fully embraces our commitment to a family-oriented school and a student-centered co-curricular program. We are also energized by his innovative spirit and his enthusiasm for tackling every task and every challenge with creative thinking and a passionate focus on helping every student and every teacher ‘be the best they can be.’”
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New Pavilion Transforms Outdoor Space Alumni parents and grandparents Ellen and Andy Soyars envisioned a transformative outdoor structure between the Middle and Lower Schools for educational and recreational uses Recently, Highland finished construction on a new outdoor pavilion where students and teachers can enjoy time outside learning, playing, and hosting exciting events throughout the school year. The construction of the outdoor pavilion was made possible by a generous gift from Ellen and Andy Soyars, two longtime Highland supporters and parents of alumni Ben Soyars ’93 and Lindsay (Soyars) Ward ’97. Highland’s Middle School was an influential place of learning, growth, and development
for both Lindsay and Ben during their youth. Lindsay returned to Highland to teach Middle School math for several years.
decided to dedicate the pavilion in his memory and in honor of Lindsay as something tangible that would impact Highland students for years to come.
Initially, the idea for an outdoor pavilion came to Ellen and Andy as a way to honor Ben’s memory. When Ben passed away in 2016, Ellen and Andy wanted to contribute to places around the Fauquier community that were important to him and their family. Highland was a special place that prepared Ben for many pursuits in his future, and the Soyars ultimately
The structure’s final form covers just under 800 square feet and is located behind the Middle School. It features a flexible educational space perfect for outdoor lessons and presentations. Thank you to the Soyars for this amazing gift–we can’t wait to see how teachers and students will start utilizing the space as the weather warms up this spring!
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THE QUEEN OF HEARTS SAYS
Play Your Part Help support the teachers and programs that make a Highland education so meaningful and memorable. Give to The Highland Annual Fund today at highlandschool.org/support
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Jane Banse Named Lower School Director Long-time librarian and educator takes the reins of Highland’s youngest grades Earlier this year, long-time Highland librarian Jane Banse was named Lower School Director. An experienced educator and administrator, Ms. Banse took the helm on July 1, 2023. Before coming to Highland, Janie attended Duke University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree and later completed her Master of Library and Information Science degree at the University of Pittsburgh. Janie has been a Public Programs Assistant at the Folger Shakespeare Library, taught second grade at The Hill School in Middleburg, and has been the Media Specialist at both Hill and Middleburg Academy. She was Highland’s head librarian from 2014 to 2023 and has taught in both our Lower and Middle Schools. During her time at Highland, she has also been a leading force in the continued implementation of the Project Approach and environmental education. Most recently
she and Jessica Coffey, our Lower School science teacher, developed an outdoor science curriculum for elementary school students in a project with the Clifton Institute. In Janie’s words, “teaching practice that balances direct instruction with inquiry and experiential learning, brings life to our classrooms where wonder and discovery drive engagement and learning.” Janie brings great experience as both a classroom teacher and a program developer. Janie and her husband Rob, a retired Episcopal priest, live in Delaplane. Rob continues his church work, serving in interim roles, and is on the board at the Windy Hill Foundation. Janie and Rob have three grown children: Holland, a researcher living in Charlottesville; Lee, who practices law in Washington, DC; and Will, a graphic designer in New York City.
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Team RoboHawk Celebrates Their Most Successful Season to Date 2023 competition season kicked off in January and concluded in April with a trip to regional championships at George Mason University. Mentors Conlin, Wallace recognized Congratulations to Team Robohawk on their best year yet! During the 2023 season, the team, which was originally founded in 2010, qualified for district championships for the second time in their history and went on to win the District Event in Blacksburg. This marks the first time that team Robohawk has ever been on the winning alliance for the event. Additionally, the team earned
an Imagery Award for aesthetic design (including their signature hot pink gear) at an event in Alexandria. Team Robohawk truly reached new heights this year under the leadership of captains Tim Hubbard and Mallory Furgal, along with their other committed team members, many of whom were also from the class of 2023. In all, Team Robohawk had seven outstanding seniors who 20 Highland Magazine
worked as a cohesive group to lead the team to victory. The team owes much of its success this year to the talent, passion, and dedication of these student leaders. Team Robohawk’s districts win was thirteen years in the making from the team’s humble beginnings in 2010. A new era is certainly dawning for the Robohawks, and it wouldn’t have
been possible without many years of effort from supportive Robotics parents, like founding mentor Paul Conlin P’18, ’22 and longtime team supporter George Wallace P’16, ’19. Conlin has been a team mentor for thirteen seasons, leading students through over 300 hours of work each year between building, programming, and working on the electrical components of the robot. Likewise, Wallace was a standout team parent, helping our student engineers
behind the scenes by scouting at competitions, setting up fundraising meetings with local professionals, and advocating for the team to Highland leadership during the early years of Highland’s Robotics program. Both Conlin and Wallace are being celebrated in significant ways this year at Highland. Paul Conlin recently received Highland’s Distinguished Service Award for his work with the Robotics team, accepting the award at our convocation ceremony this fall. Fall 2023 Highland Magazine 21
George Wallace was honored as an outgoing trustee this summer after seven years of service on Highland’s Board, with an emphasis on his work behind the scenes not only for Team Robohawk, but for our school at large. Congratulations to our current members and the parent supporters who have made the team’s success possible. Team Robohawk’s future looks bright–bright pink, that is!
Highland Players Present Chess: The Musical This March, the Highland Players brought their production of Chess: The Musical to The Rice Theater in the Michael A. Hughes Center for the Arts. The rock musical, which features songs by ABBA pop songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, is set at an international chess tournament between top players from the United States and Soviet Union. While the show featured seniors Kyle Crowne '23 and Sammy Foosaner '23 in two of the lead roles, a highlight of the show was a talented young ensemble that includes two rising stars who just joined the Upper School this fall. Let’s go, Players!
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The cast of Chess: The Musical was rounded out by a young and talented chorus that served a range of roles throughout the show. “Without a doubt, this was one of our strongest choral ensembles yet,” said Artistic Director Mike Hughes.
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George Wallace volunteered with Team RoboHawk and also recently stepped down after seven years on Highland’s Board of Trustees.
Paul Conlin, founding robotics mentor ro Team RoboHawk, was recognized with a Distiguished Service award by Head of School Hank Berg at Convocation in September.
Longtime robotics mentors celebrate with Paul Conlin.
Robotics Mentor, Former Trustee Recognized Congratulations to founding robotics mentor Paul Conlin P’18, ’22 and longtime team supporter George Wallace P’16, ’19. Conlin has been a team mentor for thirteen seasons, leading students through over 300 hours of work each year between building, programming, and working on the electrical components of the robot. Paul recently received Highland’s Distinguished Service Award for his work with the Robotics team, accepting the award at our Convocation ceremony this fall.
In a tribute to him at his last Board meeting in May, Mr. Wallace was hailed as “the perfect Trustee” by Board of Trustees Chair Jody Warfield. “George’s knowledge of non-profit and Board governance is without peer. He has provided our Advancement team with expert guidance and led us all by his example in keeping our focus on the longterm strategic needs of the School. As he retires from seven very productive years of service to our Board, we will miss his leadership and his relentlessly positive attitude.”
George Wallace was a standout robotics team parent and former member of Highland’s volunteer Board of Trustees.
Thanks to both Paul Conlin and George Wallace for their outstanding service to Highland School!
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Shayne Herrera ‘18 presented on his artistic process and discussed his inspirations at an open house held in the Michael A. Hughes Center for the Arts.
Shayne Herrera ’18 Residency in the Michael A. Hughes Center for the Arts This past spring, we were honored to welcome Highland “Lifer” Shayne Herrera ’18 back to campus as our Artist-in-Residence. After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Printmaking, Shayne returned to Highland to mentor AP Art students and continue work on his own oil-based painting projects. During Shayne’s time back at Highland, several of his impressive paintings hung in our gallery space,
and he could often be found working there on new artwork. He even hosted a weekend event where local art enthusiasts were invited to walk through the gallery and attend a discussion about his work, his process, and where he gets his inspiration.
Emphasis on Storytelling In his own words, “My work is rooted in uplifting the image of Black and brown bodies, by emphasizing storytelling, and the individuality and confidence that is shared as a result Fall 2023 Highland Magazine 25
of being nurtured by generations of Black maternal figures. The communal reverence instilled within me from my mother, grandmother, cousins, and aunts has guided me through life. It is their consistency in providing nourishment, housing and unconditional love that has informed the majority of my practice.” Thanks to Shayne for his valuable mentorship to our students, his inspiring show, and for letting us be part of his artistic journey!
A Few Minutes wth Nick Newberry
A Few Minutes with
Nick Newberry Nick Newberry is an Upper School science teacher. He joined the Highland faculty in 2020 and is a 2017 graduate of the College of William & Mary. He teaches environmental science and marine biology and sponsors several student-led clubs related to environmental topics. He’s a fixture in the Upper School, but his volunteer work outside the confines of Highland is extensive. You may think you know all there is to know about Upper School Environmental Science teacher, Nick Newberry. He works with our youngest and oldest Upper School students, he loves birds, and he’s a snake guy. But did you also know that he’s heavily involved in ornithology and conservation efforts throughout Northern Virginia? We sat down with Nick to chat about his experiences outdoors and his goals for building community by engaging with nature. Read on to learn about his community involvement and how he brings this lifelong passion for the outdoors into the classroom. For many, the first thing that comes to mind about Nick Newberry is his passion for birding. For the past seven years, he has been volunteering his time reviewing bird records and data in Virginia. Other ornithological accomplishments range from helping out with Ph.D. research on bird biology to writing a regular column on rare birds–for the past fourteen years–that’s right–he started the column when he was 14 years old! Even with all these interests and activities, Nick makes time to work with outdoor-focused groups and clubs in Northern Virginia. He co-leads the Northern Virginia Teen Bird Club, where he used to be a member himself as a teenager, and he also serves on the board of the Virginia Society of Ornithology as a member of the community engagement committee. In his words, his dual passions are “people and nature.”
“We know from research and personal experience that there are so many things we can learn from being outside,” Nick says. “But it’s not just about going out into nature for our own benefit. It’s about connecting people with nature for the benefit of both people and nature.” Nick certainly brings these passions beyond the birding world–he logs dozens of hours each year volunteering in Fairfax County Parks, both on his own and leading groups of community members. With the help of his family and friends, Nick facilitates work days for the Fairfax Invasive Management Area (IMA) program, where he and several other volunteers remove invasive species and replant native vegetation in the parks. Earlier this year, Nick was nominated for a “Celebrate the Good” Volunteer Service Award honoring all the ways that he has given back to the Fairfax County Parks system. Nick also volunteers several times a year with the Clifton Institute just a few miles from Highland. Beyond Virginia, Nick spends several weeks each year at his childhood summer camp in New Hampshire helping with nature and ecology programming. He has also traveled to Atlanta, Georgia for the National Science Teachers Association conference. For Nick, being outside comes back to engagement and interdependence. The practice of going out into the world and helping heal nature, particularly through work like the Invasive Management Program, is an important way to form community.
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In this photo, Nick is preparing to plant about 100 native plants in a restoration plot with the Fairfax County Parks IMA program. He has dedicated close to 200 hours to this community-powered suburban conservation program in the past four years.
“Clean air, clean water, a healthy environment–that’s ultimately what sustains us. The volunteer work I do is all about the creation of a healthy community, which not only benefits our mental health but also creates a sustainable environment for the future where we can lean on each other and the earth for what we need,” he says. While it’s tough to recreate every aspect of these kinds of experiences in the classroom, Nick’s goal is to continuously evolve his lessons using information that he learns through his pursuits outside the classroom. He hopes to bring the essence of his volunteer work back into class by telling stories of his extracurricular activities and imparting new knowledge to spark the interest of his students. Recently, while Nick was telling his class about his invasive management work, students asked if they could have a lab
focused on pulling invasive plants. “Of course, you could learn about that from a video or a lecture,” he remarks, “but when you actually go out and pull a plant yourself, you have to know about all kinds of environmental factors. You have to identify the plant correctly and you need to understand a lot of facets of its ecosystem. Just pulling that one plant, when framed correctly, can become a great learning experience.” Plus, Nick knows that it’s an experience where he learns from being out in nature, as well as from his students, so that he never quite teaches the same course twice. “No matter what we do,” he says, “it’s all about engagement. Making that connection to the environment, to life outside of ourselves, and engaging with nature in a way that isn’t passive, but supports nature as much as it supports you, is something so much more powerful than simply being outside.”
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Connecting the Dots: Groundbreaking Programs at Highland
Connecting the Dots: Learning that Students Remember for a Lifetime Through hallmark programs including experiential education, personalized learning, and character and leadership development, Hank Berg helps our students build a lifelong love of learning. Article by Cece Zugel ’17
This year at Highland marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. In June of 2024, Hank Berg will retire after nearly twenty years in his role as Head of School. Under his direction, Highland’s faculty introduced exciting new avenues for students while building on and expanding the unique academic and character-based programs that have long been the hallmark of a Highland education. Through experiential education, personalized learning, and character and leadership development, ‘Hank’s Highland’ focuses on cultivating the individual student and identifying and developing their unique skillset. Today, this concept may seem simple. Study after study shows that students who have meaningful choices in navigating their school experience
learn better and enjoy school more. While this may seem like common knowledge now, when Mr. Berg introduced it to the Highland community back in 2005 it was, in many ways, ground breaking. “When Hank arrived in 2005, he encouraged us to build programs that made learning exciting, active, and important to students,” recalls Lise Hicklin, Highland’s former Lower School Director. “Investing in each student, allowing them to pursue their interests, and helping them achieve their unique goals creates a real and measurable difference in their learning.” Dr. Nate Zuckerman, Highland’s new Director of Inclusivity, agrees. Fall 2023 Highland Magazine 29
He credits Mr. Berg with cultivating a school culture that broadens the horizons of every student. “Since arriving at Highland in 2016, it has been clear to me that this is where students want to learn and grow.” Dr. Z points to Mr. Berg’s commitment to three key tenets as Mr. Berg’s most important contribution to Highland’s culture. “Hank’s focus on experiential learning through field studies and certificate programs, his emphasis on personalized learning, and his character-driven model for students to grow as leaders make Highland a model for other schools,” says Dr. Zuckerman. His long-standing interest in expanding Highland’s reach to welcome all types of students and families will always be at the core of ‘Hank’s Highland.’”
Experiential Education
From the beginning, it was clear that experiential education would be one of Berg’s signature programs. In 2005, outdoor programs were immediately implemented for faculty and students. Lise Hicklin remembers Mr. Berg taking administrators out canoeing for one of their first meetings together.
“Back in 2005 on our first admin retreat, we went canoeing on the Shenandoah River. Hank spent the morning teaching us how to canoe and demonstrated how we needed to work as a team to navigate the river,” Lise Hicklin said. “While we were on the water that day, he used the opportunity to talk to each of us about our roles and goals as administrators. We could have talked about all that on campus but seeing the teamwork we needed to be on the water made it, quite frankly, unforgettable. Hank was giving us our first lesson on what makes experiential learning such a valuable teaching and learning tool.”
Field Studies That river trip with administrators was just the beginning. Thanks to our focus on experiential education, learning and teaching at Highland is active and engaging. In all divisions, students enjoy field studies and service trips in locations as near as The Clifton Institute and as far as other countries. As they progress through divisions, students stay overnight in Jamestown, dive into hands-on learning at Camp Friendship in Palmyra, and get outside their comfort zones in the Shenandoah backcountry.
Project-Based Learning But you don’t need to leave campus to learn by doing. In our Lower School, teachers have embraced projectbased learning. Each year, every Lower School class starting with our Pre-K 3/4 learn about topics they’re interested in through the lens of a major research project. “Every student is encouraged to investigate, explore, research, and present information on specific topics,” says new Lower School Director Jane Banse, one of the pioneers of projectbased learning at Highland. “Students learn from each other, from research, and from interviewing visiting experts. Each project ends with presentations to families, teachers, and friends.” While our youngest students are deciding on specific questions to research, older students are discovering what interests them and makes them unique. In Middle School, students focus on increased personal responsibility and Growth Mindset. Each year, they try their hand at new clubs, sports, and artistic endeavors. “An expansive range of opportunities through Highland’s academic and co-curricular programs give students opportunities to hone a range of skillsets,” says Middle School Director Sam Stover. “For faculty, hands-on learning creates unique opportunities to challenge and support our students in a way that teaches skills, not just content.” “For our students, Middle School is a dynamic period of change in physical and cognitive development. Experiential learning allows them 30 Highland Magazine
to apply what they’re learning in the classroom and bring it into the field. Our students learn best by doing.” By the time they reach Upper School, students are prepared to make choices about which opportunities to pursue. During Mr. Berg’s tenure, projects including a week-long internship in their junior year and a month-long senior project were introduced. Students select an area of interest and gain real-world skills by working directly with local businesses and experts.
Certificate Programs Highland’s Upper School certificate programs are another important pathway to self-discovery. Our oldest students have the opportunity to earn certificates in the Arts, Pre-Engineering, and Social Entrepreneurship and Environmental Studies (SEES) concentrations as well as through Highland’s long-standing Global Studies and Leadership programs. For each of these certificate programs, students are asked to take relevant courses, perform hands-on work with experts in their chosen area of interest, and complete a practicum class with a capstone project. The introduction of the Project Approach, the expansion of our certificate programs, and the continued growth of our experiential education program all point toward Mr. Berg’s vision for Highland—one where each individual learner can pursue their own unique goals while getting real-world experience and acquiring skills to serve their community. Our emphasis on going out into
Fall 2023 Highland Magazine 31
nature and the local community for vastly different and individualized projects means that every student can curate a learning experience they find meaningful and engaging. When students have the freedom to choose their own educational paths, they can truly be themselves at Highland.
Personalized Learning
Mr. Berg’s goal of individualized education for each student didn’t end with experiential learning. Over the past several years, students in all divisions are experiencing firsthand the personal growth made possible by Highland’s new Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) program.
The vision for PLP grew out of Highland’s reputation for catering to the individual student established through the Learning Center and our Independent Study options. Together, Mr. Berg and Cassin Bertke, Highland’s Assistant Head of School and Director of Teaching and Learning, recognized students were already adept at charting their own way through Highland School. In the Lower School, students chose research topics during Project Approach lessons. Middle School students displayed enthusiasm for finding their unique strengths through clubs and activities. Upper School students tailored their four years to their own specific interests through electives and internships. The next step, it seemed, was for Highland to formally support each group in their endeavors.
PLP Committee Formed to Offer Direction This led to the formation of the PLP Committee in 2018. The goal was to create a system that allows students to be themselves academically while being supported by a faculty mentor and academic advisors. Leaders from each division of the school were invited to join the committee that would define and refine this ground breaking program. By 2020, this group of all-stars from every area of the School settled on a strategy that would meet the needs of each individual student. As part of their work, several committee members attended All Kinds of Minds training. This nationally-recognized program helps teachers identify a student’s individual strengths and interests. The goal is to help students use their current skillsets to set goals and build competency in areas chosen for growth.
Process Evolves as Students Progress This process looks different in each division. For younger students, their PLP journey is led largely by their homeroom teacher. PLP programming is integrated closely with their existing Project Approach curriculum, skill acquisition, and classroom discussions about how they learn best. When students move to Middle School, they take on a more active role in PLP meetings. They also begin to incorporate the Middle School’s Habits of Learning and learn how to use a Growth Mindset approach 32 Highland Magazine
to better understand their strengths and weaknesses. The goal is to help students try new things and work on improving in areas they find difficult. By the time students reach the Upper School, they take the lead. Their PLP advisor assists them in seeking real-world leadership challenges, completing certificate programs, and their junior internship and senior project. In each division, students meet with their PLP advisor several times a year to discuss academic performance, assess their strengths, and reflect on their progress with new challenges. The goal? Personalized learning is intended to help students identify and meet goals both academically and in character development. As a program that becomes more and more studentled, PLP encourages students and their advisors to learn about themselves first. Then, they use these assessments and discussions to set actionable goals to work on through the school year. Not only will it help students pursue their interests here at Highland, but it will also give them the tools they need to form good habits for college and when they eventually venture out on their own. The aim of the program is to set students up for success in whatever avenue they choose, thanks to their knowledge of themselves and their practice of setting specific goals for the future. Since its initial creation during the 2019-2020 school year, the PLP program has expanded after several years of piloting. The 2020-2021 school year saw the first iteration of
the pilot as PLP committee members worked with a small pool of students to get a sense of how PLP could be most effective in action. Then, during the summer of 2021, every faculty member participated in All Kinds of Minds workshops, leading to the next phase of the pilot.
Piloting the Program During the 2021-2022 school year, each faculty member selected one student to work with, broadening the pool of PLP participants and further refining the process. Last year, faculty members began working with multiple students and leading their entire homeroom or advisory group through the basics of the process. Starting this semester, after nearly five years in the works, a full year of PLP programming will be available to every student across the entire school.
leaders, in classrooms, and on athletic fields. They challenge themselves to embody our annual character theme, and strengthen tenacity and selfunderstanding through programs like PLP and experiential education.
With a rapidly growing and changing population, our school recognizes the need for programs that help each and every student to feel welcomed, enjoy a real sense of belonging, and know that they can truly be themselves at Highland.
Leading Through Service
Becoming More Inclusive
Then, students take these skills into the community to complete service projects and internships. Of course, opportunities to develop themselves and become leaders at Highland abound.
Seven years ago, Mr. Berg convened a committee of teachers to aid in this work. The committee, then led by former Middle School Head Matt Ormiston, met several times a year to visit other schools and see how they approached these challenges. In addition, the committee helped teachers work on professional development skills in this area, both at Highland and beyond. Over two years, their efforts led to the drafting of our school’s first Inclusivity Statement, which was released along with our new Mission Statement in 2018.
However, as our school has grown, we have continued to look for more ways to help make character and leadership development available to all students, every day. One way Highland School has accomplished this goal is by integrating community-building leadership curriculum into daily life for every student at school.
With this ground breaking initiative, students will be working with teachers at the cutting edge of individualized education. Through personalized learning, they will benefit from knowing themselves as learners in order to thrive, lead, and serve in a diverse and dynamic world. In short, they’ll be proof of the success of Highland’s mission.
A Growing Community
Character and Leadership Development
“Our community was changing and we were becoming more ideologically In the past ten years or so, Mr. Berg diverse as a body of students and noticed that more and more students families. Having different viewpoints were coming from areas farther than and cultural concepts is, of course, just Warrenton or Fauquier County. an asset to the learning environment, Currently, we have students that but can also be a challenge and we commute from as far as West Virginia. needed to make room for that while International students often come to stay maintaining a healthy school culture. for a year or more from other countries Once we had the Inclusivity Statement, like Spain, Germany, and China. it allowed us to ground our work and
The development of each student’s character and leadership skills is integral to Highland’s mission. Throughout the school year, students have the opportunity to step up as club
During Mr. Berg’s tenure, Highland hasn’t just expanded in terms of education or programming, but in the very fiber of what we are as a school and what we can do for students as people. This ripple effect is, in large part, due to the fact that Highland’s groundbreaking programs continually attract top scholars from the Piedmont region and beyond.
Fall 2023 Highland Magazine 33
Dr. Zuckerman, who has served on the committee from the beginning and eventually took up its leadership in Matt Ormiston’s stead, says that the Inclusivity Statement came about organically at the time, as it was becoming more and more necessary to make sure that everyone felt welcome at Highland.
34 Highland Magazine
new initiatives in the Mission and identity of our school, so that we could be more intentional about the work we were already doing and how it fit into Highland life and culture.”
Advancing Inclusive Programming At first, this meant integrating cultural competency and introducing different viewpoints through visiting scholars, workshops, and more. Highland hosted acclaimed author Jason Reynolds, began working on more robust programming in conjunction with the Positive Coaching Alliance, built and changed aspects of our curriculum, kept the community updated in newsletters, and much more! In fact, the committee worked on so many well-regarded initiatives that it seemed time to step up its importance in our school community. At the start of the 2022/2023 academic year, Dr. Zuckerman was appointed as Highland’s first Director of Inclusivity. His goal is to create a common language and shared curriculum for
community and belonging across the Upper School, the Middle School, and the Lower School.
Building Character In each division, lessons and programming are age-appropriate, but inclusive and welcoming in order to create a through line of common values, character, and conduct. Dr. Z’s first major initiative is called Words Matter, a school wide curriculum in civil discourse that was piloted in the Upper School last year. The program is being rolled out across both the Upper School and Middle School divisions this year, with future plans to expand into the Lower School in the coming few years. To learn more about Words Matter, see the full article on page 46.
Impactful Changes Make a Long-Term Difference Experiential education, personalized learning, character development, and inclusivity are only a few of the many impactful changes that the Highland school community has experienced Fall 2023 Highland Magazine 35
under the leadership of Head of School Hank Berg over the past nineteen years. As we close, we’d like to acknowledge that it didn’t just take Mr. Berg, the few people quoted in this article, or even Highland’s full administrative leadership team. These initiatives took the hard work of every employee at Highland School. We’d like to thank all of the fantastic teachers and administrators—and, of course, our Head of School—who have made these programs possible for thousands of students over the last two decades. In addition, thank you to all of the unofficial Highland historians who volunteered as interviewees and made it possible to chronicle some of our most well-loved programs. We would not be here without any of you, and we all anticipate the exciting advancements that will come with next year’s entrance into a new chapter. For now, let’s reflect on all that we have to be thankful for from the past nineteen years. Here’s to the fantastic advancements we’ve made!
Support the Henry D. Berg Endowment for Character and Leadership
Honoring Hank Berg’s legacy to the leaders of tomorrow In the course of his 43 years of service to students,
The Henry D. Berg Endowment for Character and
parents and teachers, Hank Berg has enriched the
Leadership Education will secure Hank’s legacy
lives of thousands of young people who are or will
by ensuring these elements of Highland School’s
be leaders of communities, governments, industries
curriculum endure in perpetuity–woven throughout
and education. During two decades as Head of
every aspect of Highland’s program. The Berg
Highland School, he has led a transformation of the
Endowment will fund two critical initiatives:
campus and curriculum that made Highland the leading educational experience in our region.
Endow the position of Director of Character and Leadership Education. To maximize outcomes for
Hank’s priority throughout his career has been
students in all grades, the curricula and teaching
nurturing strong character and the leadership potential
methods that focus on Character and Leadership
in every student. Behind his quiet demeanor lies
should be woven together into a PK2-12 continuum of
a fierce advocate for each and every child in his
education. The Henry D. Berg Director of Character and
care. From teaching Kindergarten reading classes to
Leadership will be an endowed senior administrative
leading inexperienced teenagers down whitewater
position for which Highland School will recruit
courses, Hank seizes every opportunity to help children
educators with proven expertise in this realm.
break out of their comfort zones and find the joy and empowerment of overcoming any type of challenge.
Fund targeted fellowships, scholarships and service learning endeavors that enrich the Character
Whether a child is an academic superstar or one whose
and Leadership Curriculum. Innovation among
intelligence and creativity must battle to emerge…
Highland’s faculty and students is the driving force
whether a multi-talented student, athlete and artist,
behind our ground-breaking teaching methods and
or one who searches for years before finding the one
unique field studies programs. Too often, opportunities
discipline that showcases his or her gifts … every child is
to pursue professional education or creative pilot
equally respected, challenged and loved by Hank Berg.
programs are limited by lack of funding, and the pressure of independent school tuition is a roadblock
Hank’s legacy to education–and to our country–
to students who would enrich the program with
is harnessing the power of character and leadership
unique talents and diverse experiences. The Henry
curricula to motivate every young person to
D. Berg Endowment will help alleviate the financial
discover his or her strengths and use them
impediments with faculty fellowships, scholarships
effectively to lead with courage and empathy.
and service learning opportunities that further the
Character and Leadership curriculum for all students. With deep appreciation for his service to Highland School, and a shared commitment to advance the Character and Leadership curriculum he has championed, the Board of Trustees established the Henry D. Berg Endowment and provided the initial funding. We are asking every member of our Highland School family to join us in honoring Hank Berg by making a financial commitment to sustain his legacy for generations of Highland students to come. With gratitude,
“To serve is to lead and it is so gratifying to learn about our graduates putting that into practice.”
Jody Warfield, P’20 Chair, Highland School Board of Trustees To discuss options for your commitment to the Henry D. Berg Endowment for Character and Leadership Education please contact: Donna Tomlinson, Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement dtomlinson@highlandschool.org 540-878-2740
Hank Berg, Head of School 2005 - 2024
Looking back on two decades of leadership
Hank Berg In 2005, Hank Berg became Highland’s eighth Head of School.
Berg describes his educational philosophy as a blend of traditional, time-tested practices and experimental process-oriented methods. At its core is the belief that schools should nurture people–both students and adults.
1978 Berg graduates Wake Forest Univ. with a B.S. degree in Economics
1978
Mr. Berg earned his master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Science from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas
Began teaching at St. Alban’s and National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C. He also began leading outdoor trips as part of their Voyageur program.
1970s
1985
Hank Berg developed a passion for outdoor sports including canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and camping as a high school and college student.
Returns to alma mater St. Stephens as science teacher and Middle School Director.
1990 In 1990, Mr. Berg started At Flint Hill School in Vienna. While there, Mr. Berg served as the Acting Headmaster, Assistant Head/ Director of College Counseling, Upper School Director, and member of the Science faculty. Before Highland, Mr. Berg was the Assistant Headmaster of Flint Hill School for six years.
“Every student has gifts that must be discovered and developed.”
Mr. Hank Berg Head of School
“I believe that strong institutions reflect an alignment of mission and philosophy with resources and environment. Great schools have an unmistakable synergy that comes from a community of families, students, educators and leadership working in unison.”
2005
Mr. Hank Berg Head of School LEED Certification Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, better known as LEED, is a rating system for “green” buildings. The program, launched in 1994, encourages building, construction, and design professionals to pursue sustainable practices in their industry.
Hank Berg becomes the new Head of School at Highland School.
2006 Highland Yearbook. Check out the theme!
2008 Improvements to the campus included the new Upper School Humanities Wing, artificial turf fields and new dedicated bermuda athletic fields adjacent the Middle School.
2010 2005
Cathy Campbell joins Upper School faculty in English Department
The William A. Hazel Family Lower School opened. It received LEED ’Silver’ Certification in 2011 for its environmentally sensitive construction and operational methods.
By 2009, field studies were underway. Here’s Hank with his daughter, Molly, on a school backpacking trip.
2010
2012
2014 2013
Mr. Berg introduces ‘Distinguished Service Awards’ for the first time. At Convocation in 2014, the School honored former trustee Jodi Johnson for her service and generosity. Pre-Engineering Certificate added
Global Studies Certificate added
Team RoboHawk founded to serve as hands-on engineering program in Upper School. They adopt pink as their team color!
Hank visited schools in China to strengthen ties and help bring exchange students to Highland.
Extensive renovation of Highland’s Middle School building completed. This renovation modernized the facility with the addition of the Johnson Academic Media Center, a new library space and dedicated technology lab, and increased classroom space and capacity for students.
Ice Bucket Challenge!
2017 Mr. Berg spent the summer of 2017 pedaling across the United States with a high school classmate.
Social Entrepreneurship and Environmental Sustainability Certificate added
Hank Berg earned The Sally K. Boese Distinguished Service Award at the 2018 Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) conference
“thrive, lead and serve”
Berg Receives Award from VAIS
2018 Highland introduces new mission statement that encourages students to “thrive, lead and serve in a diverse and dynamic world.”
Mr. Berg visits with Lower School students studying dogs to talk about dog sledding.
Inclusivity at Highland “Our Inclusivity Statement is the articulation of what has been true of Highland for more than 90 years. The single most cited reason families enroll their children at Highland is that it feels warm, welcoming, and inclusive of different kinds of learners.”
Mr. Hank Berg Head of School
Arts Certificate added
2020
2019 The Highland community gathered to celebrate the 15th anniversary, and the official renaming, of the Michael A. Hughes Center for the Arts
2018 Highland, originally founded in 1928 by Dorothy Rust and Lavinia Hamilton, celebrated its 90th anniversary.
COVID-19 Begins The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic began in March 2020. The Highland campus closed to in-person learning on March 13, 2020.
Highland Reopens w/Virtual Learning Under the leadership of
Students and Teachers Return In-Person
Mr. Berg, Highland reopened
In September 2020, students
just a few days later with
and faculty returned to campus.
virtual classes in all divisions.
Masks, social distancing, and
Instruction took place via
quarantining were tools used
online platforms including
to minimize exposure to the
Zoom and Google Classroom.
virus while maximizing learning.
Members of the Class of 2020 graduated with their families in The Rice Theater
2023
2021
Five years in development, Personalized Learning Plans (PLP) officially roll out across all divisions, representing the culmination of “Hank’s Highland”
Mask Mandate Lifted In March of 2021, students and faculty return to classes without masks
PERSONALIZED LEARNING PLAN (PLP)
EMPOWERING LEARNERS FOR LIFE
WHAT IS PERSONALIZED LEARNING?
At Highland School, we know that every student learns in their own way. To empower students across all ages, we’ve created a highly-personalized educational program –– a program that combines self-reflection, advocacy, and mentorship with our developmental understanding of learning to help students build six core competencies.
HELPING STUDENTS BECOME LIFELONG LEARNERS
Our goal is to help students become confident, capable, lifelong learners. Highland students will have a deeper understanding of themselves and be empowered to continually grow and progress.
DISCOVERING PROMISE AND POTENTIAL
n
Our belief in the importance of teaching skills
n
A strong developmental understanding of students
INNOVATIVE PROCESS
n
The awareness that self advocacy and reflection, with guided support, can reap ongoing academic and personal benefits.
2022 Mr. Berg announces his retirement effective the end of the 2023/2024 academic year–19 years after taking the position at the start of the 2005/2006 year,
Highland has always integrated personalized learning by providing opportunities and student choice in the educational experience. Now, we have designed an innovative process to ensure a more intentional focus.
2024 Almost to the finish line!
2023
Last hike with trustees!
Adventure Awaits!
What better way to navigate social distancing than with your daughter, a canoe, and a puppy named Woodrow!
‘ALL KINDS OF MINDS’ AT ITS CORE
Our work is informed by the All Kinds of Minds (AKOM) approach. This nationally recognized program incorporates the science of how students learn and identifies strategies teachers can use to tap into students’ individual strengths and affinities. Strong relationships between students and their mentors allow students to feel safe, respected, known, trusted and valued.
Highland School’s Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) is grounded in our commitment to discovering the promise and potential of each student, celebrating neurodiversity, and strengthening learning and teaching. The PLP process is guided by three essential elements:
Boys’ Varsity Basketball Wins First VISAA DII State Tournament Championship On Saturday, March 4, 2023, Highland’s boys’ varsity basketball team battled back from an early deficit to earn their first VISAA DII State Boys Basketball Tournament title over Miller School of Albemarle. The final score was 42-40. With a large contingent of Highland students, parents, and alumni in the stands, the team had a ton of vocal support that carried them to the final whistle. And they needed every bit of it against a talented and motivated opponent. First-year head coach Logan Miller '14 and first-year assistant coach R.J. Johnson '14, managed to do something that had never been accomplished in Highland history. The victory also marked the 25th state title since the Upper School’s opening in 1996.
44 Highland Magazine
Fall 2023 Highland Magazine 45
Spotlight: Groundbreaking Programs at Highland
Words Matter Teaching Highland students how to engage in civil discourse is a great introduction to promoting understanding through empathy and curiosity. The Words Matter program, created by Upper School teacher Dr. Nate Zuckerman, encourages students to find common ground.
As Highland’s first major curriculum initiative under our new Director of Inclusivity, Dr. Nate Zuckerman, the idea for Words Matter came into focus. Dr. Zuckerman, who also teaches Social Studies in the Upper School, pondered how to better meet the needs of young people growing up in a diverse, and often polarized world. His students had expressed to him a particular need to learn how to handle online speech and tough conversations about things like partisan politics or hurtful comments about members of marginalized communities.
“civil, but bold.” Even so, he felt that the benefits of civil conversation would be evident to most anyone.
“We wanted to give every student in school the leadership training they need to help them take action in difficult conversational situations. This can include helping them speak from a place of empathy to appreciate others’ opinions and skillfully converse across differences,” said Dr. Zuckerman. “These are skills that even adults can struggle with, so we knew that giving students early practice could make a huge difference for them down the road.”
Beyond that, we know from research that students enjoy school more and experience better academic outcomes when they feel safe, respected, known, trusted, and valued in classroom conversation and within their wider communities. It was only natural that Highland create a character-development curriculum to help students understand appropriate norms for civil conversation and how to deal with breaches to those norms within our learning community.
As a Government teacher with a background in Philosophy, Dr. Z had always been interested in helping students answer contentious questions in a way that he describes as
“People’s political consciousness has grown so much since I first came to Highland in 2016. Many of us have lived firsthand the dangers of not conversing civilly, and it’s important for us to help students see both sides of an issue while still maintaining good relationships, especially online.”
Students feel safe when they are respected, known, trusted, and valued
“We want to create a culture where students feel empowered to be upstanders and not let harmful comments slide,”
46 Highland Magazine
Earlier this year, Dr. Nate Zuckerman received the prestigious Smart-Maher Citizenship Education Teacher Award from local VFW Troop 9835. According to Jeff Dombroff, former post commander, “Dr. Zuckerman is a tremendous asset to not only Highland School but also to the teaching profession in general.”
Dr. Z stated. “The more we talk about these difficult topics, the more we refine our culture and remind students of our commitment to formally engage them in reflection and growth on communication and conversation.”
engaging with ideas and reasons and finding the most charitable possible interpretation of the views on either side of social and political issues we hear about in the news and on social media.”
Opportunities to relate in a diverse, dynamic world
With these aims in mind, the hard work began. Dr. Z started researching about how to best promote civil dialogue surrounding tough topics. By the middle of last school year, he had a pilot program set up for every Upper School student. Groups were split up by grade level and introduced to basic concepts and skills necessary for healthy communication. From there, students began thinking about how to respond to difficult conversations or breaches in the norms of school culture. Soon after, the Middle School had its own age-appropriate pilot of the Words Matter program.
This commitment to helping students relate effectively to people of other cultures, customs, or ideological backgrounds is pivotal to supporting our mission of preparing students to thrive, lead, and serve in the diverse and dynamic world beyond Highland. “Not only is this work valuable and necessary in our school community,” says Dr. Z, “but it’s also uniquely suited to our school environment. I believe that Highland is in a powerful position to engage in this kind of civil discourse work because of the range of ideological backgrounds we have in our community, which comprises students from the D.C. exurbs all the way out to horse and farm country.” “Perhaps even more importantly, our classroom environment can serve as a rare, insulated space where we can put personal issues to the side. We can focus on
Formalizing social-emotional learning that has happened at Highland for years Overall, the first iteration of Words Matter seemed to be shaping up into an effective vehicle for the kinds of social-emotional learning Highland has been committed to building into co-curricular programs for years. The program got positive feedback from students, with many
48 Highland Magazine
expressing a desire to learn more about civil discourse and how they can speak effectively to stand up for what they believe in while maintaining respect in contentious conversations. “Pretty quickly, we realized there was a lot more we could do with the program, and we’re currently working on building it out into more robust, quarterly meetings,” says Dr. Z. “We’re listening to students’ feedback about where they would welcome support, teachers’ thoughts about experiences in the classroom, division directors’ senses of their own divisions’ unique cultural climates, and responses from families about what they feel is most important for their students to learn through the program.”
Some Key Terms in our Words Matter Program Intent vs. Impact The difference between what you mean to say, and how your words are received by others. Emphasizing impact can improve accountability for our actions, build empathy, and repair any hurt that words may cause, whether intended or unintended.
Upstander vs. Bystander A bystander joins in, stays silent, or just goes along when they witness unacceptable words or behavior. Proactive inclusivity education empowers people to be upstanders,
Expansion of Words Matter is Underway
using tools, words, and confidence to speak up and
To that end, the Inclusivity Committee has also spent time learning about other schools’ programs and researching other respected online organizations and publications that help teachers address civil discourse and difficult topics in the classroom.
disrupt unacceptable behavior in the moment.
Code-switching Changing the way you talk, act, dress, etc., in order to either fit in with a majority or ‘in’ group, or fit the norms and expectations of different social situations.
As the Words Matter program expands this year, students can expect more in-depth discussions on a variety of topics, including online speech, digital literacy, conversational skills, and symbols and slogans. Students will also learn about the history behind contentious terminology and derogatory language, with curriculum varied by grade level to make lessons age-appropriate.
Digital Citizenship Using technology responsibly, with a view to privacy, safety, mental and physical health, and civility in online communication. Your ‘digital footprint’ is the trail of data you leave available to the public, from what you view, post and share on the internet. ‘Digital literacy’ encompasses skills for finding and using information
Other skills and topics covered will include tailoring language to specific situations, how to help set community norms and respectfully handle breaches of community guidelines, practicing with more fraught civil discourse discussions, and advocating and acting for positive change and inclusivity.
from online sources, and evaluating them for quality,
Plus, Words Matter isn’t just for Highland–Dr. Z presented his research and the pilot program at the annual Virginia Association of Independent School (VAIS) conference this November. The goal was to help other schools enhance their own cultures of inclusivity through communication. He is currently applying for grants and bringing in guest speakers to make our own program stronger. It’s safe to say that all of us at Highland appreciate his work and look forward to the next iterations of the innovative Words Matter program. Thank you, Dr. Z!
Prejudice
credibility, and trustworthiness.
Bias Favoring one thing, person, idea, or group over another, but not for sound reasons.
Hurtful (but not necessarily hateful) thoughts, words and actions that assign value or power to certain people or groups based on observable traits like skin color, language, or social actions and attitudes.
Discrimination Prejudice that specifically targets members of a certain group for exclusion, marginalization, or oppression based on identifiers (race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, etc.).
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who
Alumni Choose to Serve Community service has always been an integral part of a Highland education. For some of our alumni, that drive to serve others shapes their academic direction and choice of professional careers.
During the 2022/2023 academic year, Highland’s character theme was Generosity. Generosity is defined as a willingness to give to others in whatever capacity one can. Over the course of the year, Highland students and faculty heard from several speakers about the importance of generosity as a foundational character trait. We were reminded that generosity is not only about giving
money, it’s also about being unselfish with our time, energy, and talents.
related professions including medicine, law enforcement, and military service.
During our year of generosity, we highlighted stories of students, teachers, family members, and mentors who went above and beyond to help others with their own unique gifts. In keeping with this theme, we interviewed several Highland alumni who display generosity through their ongoing work in service-
From keeping our country safe to uplifting the health outcomes of our communities, these alumni certainly show their generous character in a wide variety of ways. Read their stories to learn where they’ve applied their talents and how they’ve become key players in the communities they serve!
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care. Since completing Univeristy of Virginia’s Darden’s executive-format MBA, we have built and launched Atlantic Telehealth, a medical clinic serving the Commonwealth of Virginia, focused locally on Warrenton, Middleburg, Haymarket, and Rappahannock. Along with my wife, Krista Kohler, I still work in the UVA Health system and have held a variety of professorship roles with the privilege of teaching the next generation of medical students and resident physicians.
Andrew Kohler ’07 Doctor and Business Owner
Andrew Kohler graduated from Highland in 2007. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Mary Washington and went to medical school at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. Then, Andrew completed his residency at Virginia Tech’s Carilion School of Medicine. Later, he went back to school to get his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. Andrew and his wife Krista are the founders of Rappahannock Health, a Virginia network partnering with local organizations on health access, education, and delivering top-quality care. Thanks for participating in in this article about Highland alumni who work in serice to others and their community. Tell us a little about what you’re doing right now. In 2020, I began Rappahannock Health, a new local health system with locations around Virginia. Rappahannock Health is a network partnering with local organizations to provide health access, education, and top-quality
During the pandemic, I served as Vice Chair of Medicine for the UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center. The medical center serves over 15,000 people in the Culpeper community. While we were there, the hospital moved from a C to an A safety rating and from a three- to four-star hospital. We maintained that rating throughout our three-year tenure. At UVA Health, we’re focused on in-patient care, so I’m working with people who require hospitalization. At the Rappahannock Health Foundation, it’s out-patient work. I feel really passionate about the work that we do in our community to reach the medically underserved, advocate for community health, organize nonprofits and organizations, and maximize a healthy community using survey metrics from our community and the Virginia Department of Health. Our newest project, Atlantic Telehealth, makes this kind of out-patient care more accessible to patients from the comfort of their homes. How long have you been following this career path in the medical field? I’ve been in the medical field for 12 years. It all starts while building your curriculum vitae in high school. Stay broad, active and learn to see projets through to completion. What inspired you to create Rappahannock Health and Atlantic Telehealth? I wanted to find ways to help and advocate for my community. During the pandemic, the lens of medicine
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Maureen (Bishop) Ankrom ’05 Registered Pediatric Nurse
Maureen (Bishop) Ankrom graduated from Highland in 2005. She attended Rappahannock Community College, Appalachian State University, and Virginia Commonwealth University and ultimately earned her degree as a registered nurse. She tried a few different jobs before becoming a nurse where she found her passion for pediatrics. Where do you work? What do you do? I currently have two jobs. I work in the Children’s Hospital at VCU in their pediatric ER, and I also work at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Hampton Roads as an urgent care charge nurse. In both positions, I provide acute care for very ill children. How long have you been working as a pediatric nurse? changed. Telehealth became a new way to care for 95% of our patients. I saw this as an opportunity to help.
This area is my home. I am in a position to offer a highquality service for the people and community we love. Keep your nose to the grindstone but bring your head up occasionally to keep an eye on a purpose larger than yourself.
I went back to school after I had children. I was a stay at home mom and we had moved from Richmond to the Northern Neck where there were not a lot of job opportunities. I needed to go back to school to have a better opportunity for employment once my kids started school. The local college had a wonderful nursing program, so I started working toward a degree in nursing in 2014. Once I earned my degree, I worked in adult emergency medicine, in both rural and urban locations. During the COVID pandemic, in January 2021, I moved to pediatric nursing.
What skills and experiences did you gain at Highland that prepared you for your career?
Why did you decide to go into nursing when you went back to school?
There are three things in particular from Highland that have really stuck with me. First, Highland teaches you to visualize well-rounded success. Second, they offer structured motivation and discipline, instilling good habits and perseverance. Third, they surround you with strong mentorship and connection to those who call forth your best. These are the tools you need to create your own luck and achievement.
Initially, I went into nursing simply because I knew I would always have a job. I stayed because I discovered I really had a passion for it. It’s my kind of work. Unlike an administrative or office job, it’s very hands-on and I can see the difference I make immediately. With technology, we can do really wonderful things but people have forgotten how to communicate. We are so disconnected from each other that sometimes we forget there is a real person
What is your favorite part of serving your community? Any advice you can share?
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“Helping children and their families get in touch with the right resources so they can better themselves or have a fresh start is really rewarding” ~ Mo (Bishop) Ankrom ’05 behind the screen. I like being physically present with people, singing babies to sleep, helping anxious moms, and helping asthmatics in distress breathe normally. The payoff is immediate. Where I live, there are a lot of military families, transient families, families learning English as a second or third language, families on Medicaid, and families who are uninsured. I work with a lot of underprivileged kids– people who can fall through the cracks of primary care. These are really sick children and we are able to provide basic and emergent healthcare. Growing up, I went to Highland, so I never had experiences like some of these kids. I never wondered, “Am I going to eat today?” Or, “will mom be able to find a ride and get my albuterol so I can breathe today?” During COVID as a nurse in the emergency room, I saw that a lot of kids were not safer at home. Our hospitals and schools provide resources and refuge for those people that may not have food or proper housing. There is such a need for healthcare services that are unavailable to certain people. Our patients are so thankful and appreciative of anything that we can do for them. We give the kids snacks and refill their daily medicines when they have no primary care or insurance. Pediatrics is a specialty most nurses don’t like, but I love tiny humans. What is your favorite part about serving your community? Kid hugs! And singing Disney songs with them. I love seeing their smiles and listening to their stories. So many people don’t understand that kids are our future and it’s empowering knowing you can make a difference in the life of a child. I like being a safe place for them. Helping children and their families get in touch with the right resources so they can better themselves or have a fresh start is really rewarding.
What skills and experiences did you gain at Highland that helped prepare you? Highland taught me how to network! Everything when it comes to employment can be so much better or so much worse depending on your networking. A lot of jobs can be incredibly difficult to get into, and sometimes you can’t even get in until you know somebody. Of course, it helps to be good at your job, but it really helps to know people. It’s been almost twenty years since I lived in Fauquier, and my connections from my time there still give me job references. People you meet at Highland will vouch for you, and there’s a lot to be said for that. For example, Megan Catalfamo, Gary Leake, and Cassin Bertke still work there, and they were there when I was there! Dedicated people like that make a difference in your life as a high school kid. The people at Highland are so committed to their students, and it’s evident in those of us who are still friends and have them as part of our network. Do you have any advice for others who might want to pursue a career in pediatric nursing? Be really sure it’s something you want to do. Do your research and get into it to help people. You see a lot of difficult things, so make sure it’s something you’re passionate about. If you’re just in it for a job, the burnout rate is incredibly high and they’ll never pay you enough. Especially being a pediatric nurse, you’re not getting paid at a doctor’s level. The main thing I would recommend is to be secure with yourself because the world will test you. Nursing is a profession that becomes part of who you are. The payoffs and the struggles are great. There’s a huge mental health crisis for adults and children right now, and it is so important to have a strong sense of self so you can help others. Being a nurse has made me a better wife, mother and friend and I recommend it to anyone who wants to work, love and learn in all phases of the human experience.
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How long have you been pursuing this career path? I have been pursuing my law enforcement career since I’ve been in high school. I had the opportunity to further my education in the law enforcement field when I got to college and chose to major in Criminal Justice. Why did you decide to go into law enforcement? Choosing to pursue this line of work was easy for me as I knew I wanted a career where I could work hands on with tasks. I enjoy being challenged and the thought of experiencing something different every day interests me. What is your favorite part about serving your community? The best part of serving my community is providing protection for the citizens of Fauquier County. As a lifelong resident of Fauquier, I have several family members and people that are close to me that live here. I get satisfaction from knowing that I am in a position to protect and better the community where my loved ones live.
Austin Rodgers ’09 Law Enforcement
Austin Rodgers graduated from Highland’s eighth grade class in 2009. He continued his education at a local public high school and went on to attend East Carolina University, where he graduated with a Bachelor in Criminal Justice. After college, he completed a sixmonth law enforcement academy and a three-month inhouse field training program with the Fauquier County Sheriff ’s Office. Since training, he has held the position of patrol deputy for nearly six years. Where do you work? What do you do? I am currently employed with the Fauquier County Sheriff ’s Office. I’m assigned to the Patrol division and hold the supervisory rank of Corporal. Along with being a night shift supervisor, I am also a K-9 Handler which allows me to train and deploy my Bloodhound, K-9 Morgan, for search and rescue missions as well as locating fleeing criminals.
What skills or experiences did you gain at Highland that helped prepare you ? The top skills and experiences I gained from Highland were learning how to interact with people from different backgrounds. Highland also helped establish a solid foundation for my ability to communicate and properly document important information that would be useful in court. The ability to articulate and describe a situation at work is important to obtain a conviction in court. Having a strong ability to write plays an important role in law enforcement and without strengthening my ability to write at Highland, I would struggle. Do you have any advice for others in the Highland community who might be considering a career in law enforcement? The advice I can offer to individuals interested in law enforcement is to not lose focus on why you chose a career in law enforcement. There are more people in the world that appreciate the job you chose than those that
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resent you. Law enforcement takes a toll on you mentally, physically, and emotionally and finding a hobby to take your mind off of work will benefit your mental health and will provide a more fulfilling career.
How long have you been pursuing this path? I have been pursuing this career path since high school. After I graduated from Highland, I went to one year of preparatory school before entering West Point. Why did you decide to go to West Point? I decided to pursue this from a very early age, probably as early as middle school when I finally understood what West Point was from my father’s description. While my Dad and other members of my family and close friends were certainly the initial inspiration to attend West Point and ultimately serve, the drive to continue to pursue this service was mine. Ultimately, I decided to pursue this work because I knew that West Point and then the Army would be the places I could do my best work, where I am surrounded by people who want to help each other serve. What is your favorite part about serving your community?
Ian Winch ’19 Military Service
Ian Winch graduated from Highland in 2019 and took a gap year to attend a preparatory school before starting school at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He is currently on track to graduate in 2024 and will become a commissioned officer in the United States Army on graduation. Where do you study and what is your concentration? I study at the United States Military Academy at West Point. My study focus is System Decisions Sciences, but more broadly, I attend West Point to become a commissioned officer in the United States Army.
My favorite part so far about serving has been being surrounded by people who share the same conviction and are motivated to serve as well. The atmosphere at West Point is special in the sense that your classmates, and the Corps of Cadets at large, all share the same goal as you and all work together to achieve this goal, to become a commissioned officer in the United States Army. Some of the most inspiring and best mentors I have had have been my age in the class above me, and getting to work with these phenomenal leaders has been the greatest privilege I have ever had. What skills and experiences did you gain at Highland that helped prepare you? At Highland, I learned how to balance the pursuit of physical fitness and academic excellence. Physical fitness is critical to being successful at West Point and in the Army, but it is also necessary to pursue Academic rigor which is always present at West Point. As such, Highland created an environment where both of these were top priorities. For a more specific experience at Highland, Outward Bound was the closest activity that I did that mimics what I have done at West Point.
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What is your main career or study focus? What are some interesting positions you’ve held that contribute to this career path, and what did you do in those positions? The main focus of my career and studies is in public health and medicine. Currently, I am in the process of applying to medical school. I am especially interested in primary care and women’s health and hope to work with underserved communities in particular. With this goal in mind, I wanted to spend more time working with underserved communities on a long-term basis. After I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2021, I found a great opportunity to do so with the National Health Corps Florida, which is a branch of AmeriCorps. As a maternal health care coordinator for UF Health Jacksonville, I conducted pre- and post-natal screenings with patients to identify potential risk factors to their health. For instance, I screened for factors such as a history of poor pregnancy outcomes, depression and anxiety, or substance use, all of which could potentially harm an expectant mother or infant. I addressed these risk factors with referrals to homevisiting programs, community resource referrals, and health education on topics such as safe sleep and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). To encourage exercise, I also held a weekly walking group for pregnant and parenting families called “Moving Moms.”
Savarna Pahari ’17 Health Care
Savarna Pahari graduated from Highland in 2017 and attended Virginia Commonwealth University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology. After completing her studies at VCU in 2021, she worked as a maternal health care coordinator for UF Health Jacksonville. Most recently, she completed a seven-month maternal health research study in the Sindhupalchok district of Nepal under supervisor Dr. Suman Thapa. Savarna is currently in the process of applying to medical school.
Most recently, I spent seven months in Nepal conducting a maternal health research study in the Sindhupalchok district. In partnership with Ek Ek Paila, a medical non-profit, we conducted household surveys with women to understand the current maternal health service use and education level in a rural village. We investigated the rate of maternal health indicators such as institutional deliveries, pre- and post-natal visits, family planning, and tetanus toxoid vaccination. Our research has helped provide Ek Ek Paila, who recently opened a hospital in this community, a baseline understanding of what women are currently doing for maternity care and what education is still needed. I really enjoyed this opportunity to explore maternal health on a global scale, especially in the country my family is from.
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What is your favorite part of serving the communities that you have worked with? In Nepal, my favorite part about serving the community I worked in was the relationships I formed with many of the women we interviewed and their families. My coresearcher and I were welcomed in like family. Suddenly, we were graciously invited to community events, from weddings and funerals to village picnics where we sang and danced for hours. My friend and I even started a soccer tournament at a village picnic that I still reminisce about now. I also attended a couple of “pasnis”, which is a baby’s first rice feeding after they reach six months. A pasni is held at the family of the baby’s home. The entire community is invited to attend and feed the baby a tiny amount of rice and put a small offering of money in their hand. A goat from the family’s farm is usually slaughtered in honor of the event, and all guests eat goat curry and dishes prepared by the family. It is a special event honoring the baby’s milestone of eating the biggest staple in Nepali food–rice. I especially loved seeing the community come together to support the family hosting the event.
Since moving back to Virginia, I have been working as a telehealth scribe. I am excited to hopefully begin medical school next summer and to take all I’ve learned with me, with lots more to learn ahead. How long have you been pursuing this path? I was first interested in pursuing a career in healthcare during high school. At VCU, I began the pre-medical curriculum and started volunteering, shadowing, and assisting in cancer research to broaden my perspective on the medical field. Given how difficult the path of becoming a physician is, I wanted to make the most informed decision possible. After I graduated, I felt like I wanted more exposure to the healthcare field and to work with patients myself before applying to medical school. I credit my gap year experiences in Florida and Nepal for guiding me to really feel confident about my decision.
I watched folks cook food and set up for their neighbor’s pasni before they went to work that day. The union of these village communities is something like I’ve never seen before. It really does “take a village.” What made you decide to pursue a career in health care? I decided to pursue a career in healthcare because I found that it encapsulates both my passions for science and service very well. I attribute my community service experiences at Highland, especially through the Dignity Project, to illuminating the fact that I want service to be an integral part of my career. I realized that I didn’t want service to my community to remain merely a side activity; I resonated most with the idea of incorporating it into the broader context of improving the health of individuals and the community as a whole. I have certainly taken influence from my mother as well. She has been serving the Northern Virginia community as a family physician for over thirty years and has seen many of her patients through various seasons of life.
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“In Nepal, my favorite part about serving the community I worked in was the relationships I formed with many of the women we interviewed and their families.”
I am in awe of these sustained relationships she has formed with her patients and hope to do the same one day. I am also keen on incorporating public health work into my future, such as contributing to a medical non-profit or influencing public policy. Any skills or experiences did you gain at Highland that helped prepare or inspire you? As I reflect on my Highland years, I credit numerous experiences with inspiring my career. I cannot go without mentioning how integral the junior and senior internship programs at Highland have been for me. The maternal health project I completed in Nepal was conducted under the same supervisor I had for my junior internship, Dr. Suman Thapa. Thanks to that connection and my previous experience with his organization, I was able to build upon that foundation and establish a partnership to conduct our maternal health research study. Highland faculty have been integral to my personal growth and career decisions. I’ll never forget biology classes with Mrs. Ziegler. Her passionate teaching instilled the same passion in me. I am grateful for her encouragement throughout high school. Under Mrs. Catalfamo’s guidance and conducting the Dignity Project together, I discovered my love for serving others. She first introduced me to the AmeriCorps program as well, and it makes me happy to know we are now both AmeriCorps alumni.
~ Savarna Pahari ’17
Lastly, I never realized how impactful growing up in the close-knit community at Highland would be on me. Many of the most important decades-long friendships in my life are because of Highland. The enduring nature of these relationships, both with friends and faculty, has significantly shaped my hope to cultivate similarly long-term relationships with future patients. Do you have any advice for a young person looking to go into a healthcare related field? Do not be afraid of gap years between college and pursuing a graduate degree! They have contributed greatly to my growth as a person and as a medical school applicant. I feel so much more informed on the healthcare field and what role I want to play in it now. I completely agree with people who refer to them as “growth years.” And, in general, maintain the formative relationships you make along the way. Spending time in service to others means you need to serve yourself too. Lean into your support system, and be kind to yourself in the face of inevitable success and failure.
Mrs. Kuzminski has played an integral role in my personal development as well. In addition to the courses I took with her, we explored the status of HIV/AIDs in minority communities throughout the United States under the independent study program. Collectively, the defining experiences I had at Highland with these incredible teachers have shaped me as a person and helped me find my passion for public health and medicine. Fall 2023 Highland Magazine 65
Congratulations to the
Class of 2023!
On Friday, June 9, Highland’s graduating Class of 2023 became the school’s newest class of alumni. In a morning of festivities in the Gary W. Leake Gymnasium and
outside on Winfree Commons, students and their families celebrated the completion of one academic milestone and the beginning of another. Congratulations to the Class of 2023 and best of luck in your future endeavors!
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Congratulations to “lifers” Hunter Hearsey and Emma Turner!
Manoa Weber, center, is off to study at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Kellsey Stern, the valedictorian of the Class of 2023, spoke to classmates during the ceremony.
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John Noah Lukonis enjoys the graduation ceremony. He is attending Randolph-Macon College in Ashland this fall.
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Tim Hubbard and Bailey Hill process out to Winfree Commons to celebrate graduation with a traditional cap toss and photos with classmates, friends, and families.
After taking a gap year, Olivia Devening will attend the University of Vermont located in Burlington.
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Kellsey Stern, the valedictorian of the Class of 2023, spoke to Cam Cole is attending the U.S. Naval classmates during the ceremony. Academy in Annapolis this fall.
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Alexa Graham is off to The University of Virginia. Grace Graham is attending Old Dominion University.
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Matriculation List for the Class of 2023 Caballero, David Delaware Valley University
Graham, Grace Old Dominion University
Muncy, Matthew Clemson University
Cate, Dakota Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Hannum, John Temple University
Pado, Blagen Longwood University
Chitko, James Dalton Texas A&M University
Harris, Malachi Gap Year - Architecture Internship
Peters, Cynthia Syracuse University
Christman, McCall The College William and Mary
Hearsey, Hunter Eckerd College
Cole, Cameron United States Naval Academy
Henrickson, Andrew The College of William and Mary
Crowne, Kyle George Mason University
Hill, Bailey University of Pittsburgh
Salaman, William Northern Virginia Community College
Devening, Olivia University of Vermont Equestrian Gap Year
Hubbard, Timothy Longwood University
Salazar, Emily George Washington University
Johnson, Darrel University of Mount Olive
Stern, Kellsey University of Virginia
Johnson, Isaiah Eastern Mennonite University
Turner, Emma University of Virginia
Killinger, Chloe Davidson College
Vogan, Payton New York University
Lukonis, John Noah Randolph-Macon College
Weber, Manoa University of Hawaii at Manoa
Lunglhofer, John George Mason University
Weisberg, Anna Elon University
Marks, Logan Rochester Institute of Technology
Wolf, Isabella Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Earnhardt, Ellie Germanna Community College Foosaner, Samuel Christopher Newport University Furgal, Mallory Allegheny College Garst, Alexander West Virginia University Gayle, Joshua Marymount University Genove, Nicolas Stetson University Gimbel, Ryan Eastern Mennonite University
Marshall, Brock Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Graham, Alexa University of Virginia
McGleish, Gregor Louisiana State University
Rizzo, Lanyon Louisiana State University Roberts, Aris Cornell University
Tucker Minter '19 Advances to Finals of eNascar Championships in Charlotte, Finishes 2nd Overall Congratulations to Tucker Minter from the Highland class of 2019, who took home second place in his final race of this year’s eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series at Homestead earlier this fall. 2023 has been an exciting year for Minter, who always dreamed of becoming a racecar driver.
iRacing headlines. In college, Tucker became involved in simulated racing with an eye toward competing in one of the most reputable series of all, the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series.
During his time at Highland, Tucker spent his junior internship shadowing at Richmond Raceway and worked in NASCAR’s Charlotte office as part of his senior project. Plus, when he was just a middle schooler, he led Highland’s soap box racing team to an exciting championship comeback win as their driver in the All-American Soap Box Derby.
In 2023, he achieved that goal, ending his rookie season as an undeniable standout, with three major wins including one at Daytona. His successes during the season led him to the playoffs, where he was one of just four racers invited to bring their racing setups and participate in the event in person at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He finished the championship race at Homestead in second place–not too shabby for a rookie!
Racing has always been a passion for Tucker, but the past few years led him from his humble beginnings all the way to the
Congrats again to Tucker on an incredible rookie season. Here’s to a bright future ahead in the world of iRacing!
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Kenny Clark-Suggs '18 and Shayne Herrera '18 were in the Gary W. Leake Gymnasium earlier this year to see several of the boys basketball games.
Alumni News & Notes HELP US KEEP YOU CONNECTED TO FRIENDS AND CLASSMATES
We need your help keeping you connected to the Highland School community. Have a story to share with your classmates, friends, and faculty? Contact your class representative or alumni@highlandschool.org. Please note, all graduation years are listed as follows: pre-1998 are for 8th or 9th grade. From 1998 on, they are for the 12th grade. Anyone who attended Highland School qualifies for alumni status, and is listed by the year they would have graduated 8th or 12th grade, respectively.
1930s Hope (Wallace Burrage) Porter '37 was named the Garden Club of America’s first “Glorious Gardner.” Hope has been active in local land preservation efforts since the 1940s and had a profound impact on conservation in Fauquier County and beyond. Her environmentalist legacy continues to inspire Highland students to this day. In June, she also hosted a garden party for Highland alumni. The event drew former Calvert and Highland students that spanned generations of families from Fauquier and surrounding counties.
Charlottesville news outlet known as The Hook. The Washington Post article traced the fascinating lineage of The Hook from its founding in 2002, its closing in 2013, and all the way to the mysterious disappearance of the weekly paper’s online archives last fall. The article featured interviews from Spencer and other founding members of the paper. Hawes is also the author of Summer of Hate, a book about the Unite the Right rally that took place in Charlottesville in August of 2017.
1980s
1970s
Michele “Chele” (Matrick) Hipp 8th '82 chelehipp@gmail.com
Hawes Spencer ‘78 was featured in The Washington Post this past January for his role in founding a renowned
Kathryn (Sedam) Lamonia 8th '88 klamonia@piccadillyltd.com
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grateful for the opportunity to serve his clients and indebted to his incredible branch team. The award he received was based on surveys, personal interviews and quantitative data by SHOOK Research as of March 2022, and announced by Forbes and SHOOK Research in August of 2022.
1990s Clarissa (Fischer) Fleming '98 clarissamaefleming@gmail.com Strickland “Strick” Payne '99 jstrickland.payne@gmail.com
Tristan Shields and wife Stephanie welcomed baby girl Saoirse Patrick Shields, weighing 6lbs 3 oz.
Along with her husband Casey Ward, Lindsay (Soyars) Ward '97 is serving as honorary chair of the Highland Fund for the 2023/2024 academic year. The Soyars family is also funding the construction of a pavilion outside the Middle School. See the full story on this project on page 17.
2000 John O’Bannon gburgff01@yahoo.com
Caitin Foster and Robert Olannini welcomed Charlotte Eloise on May 13. Michelle (Perry) Pais is now serving as the Social Entrepreneurship and Environmental Sustainability Coordinator for Highland School. In addition to her role coaching the cross country team, Michelle is working with students in the classroom.
2002
Reynolds Oare roare@highlandschool.org
Tyler Ross tylerjamesross@gmail.com
Tiffany (Beker) Broadbent tiffany.l.beker@gmail.com Amy Taylor is making her second feature film, a postapocalyptic (dark) romantic-comedy called Everything’s Fine! Like her first feature, Hunter’s Weekend, she plans to film in Virginia–hopefully next fall to take advantage of the gorgeous Virginia foliage. To learn more about the project: https://www.thefilmcollaborative.org/fiscalsponsorship/ projects/everythingsfine
2001
Dr. Al Griffin III Dr. Al Griffin III is the CEO and Co-Founder of LightForce Orthodontics, which specializes in personalized 3-D printed braces. The company, which operates in multiple countries with more than 600 employees, recently secured $80 million in Series D funding. Congratulations to Dr. Griffin and his team! Johnny Wen recently started a new job as the Director of Technology for Cloud Productivity and Engineering at Capitol One. He also returned to Highland this past spring to give the commencement speech for the class of 2023. Thank you, Johnny, and congrats on the new job!
Mark Miller markman130@gmail.com Dudley Payne dudleypayne@gmail.com Kate (Roehr) Merrihew kateavril@gmail.com Mark Miller is among the 2022 Next-Gen Best-in-State Wealth Advisors by Forbes and SHOOK Research. He is 76 Highland Magazine
2003
2006
Caleigh (Megless) Schmidt cmegless@gmail.com Caleigh (Megless) Schmidt, Simone Garreau and Katie Guerin (wife of alum Hunter Guerin) catch up in Cotignac, Provence France!
2004 Brooke Howard tbh@hhlawva.com Jamie Gravett jamie.gravett@yahoo.com Brittany (Carlton) O’Bannon brittcrltn@gmail.com
2005 Ainsley Dickens ainsley.dickens@gmail.com
Paige (Statler) Wines paigeswines@gmail.com McClain (Bell) Herman mcclain.bell3@gmail.com Congratulations to Mary Featherstone, who was married to Brendan Quinn on August 5, 2023. Megan Jaskiewicz and her husband Ben welcomed their second child, Lewis Michael.
2007 Courtney Brewer brewer_c@lynchburg.edu Brandon Perry is an educator, coach, and children’s book author residing in Charlottesville, Virginia. As a passionate educator for over twelve years, Brandon strives to help students develop confidence in themselves as learners and people, showing them that stepping toward new experiences Fall 2023 Highland Magazine 77
Earlier this year, alumni spoke to students about their career paths. Panelists were (from left to right) Austin Rodgers '09, Mo (Bishop) Ankrum '05, Sarah (Long) Puckett '08, Conor White '16, and Shayne Herrera '18. The discussion was moderated by Megan Catalfamo, Highland’s Director of College Counseling.
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provides the chance to grow and foster deeper connections with others. His newest children’s book, titled Otis and Clara, follows a timid bulldog who finds his inner courage and pushes past his limits. A story highlighting the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, Otis and Clara will inspire children to find happiness in new experiences. Melanie Soley and her son Owen celebrated his first birthday in October of 2023.
2008 Callie Broaddus callie.broaddus@gmail.com Lauren Keyser keyserlmk@gmail.com
Callie Broaddus recently hosted a photography exhibit on the Highland campus in the Michael A. Hughes Center for the Arts. The exhibit featured a stunning collection of images from her 2019 trip to a remote South American nature reserve. She was also on campus to present a new documentary on the trip and her foundation Reserva: The Youth Land Trust. Reserva: The Youth Land Trust were recently acknowledged for their conservation work and collaborations with field researchers in northwestern Ecuador, where a new species of plant was discovered in 2021. The new species, Platystele finleyae, was found near Dracula Reserve, and it is named in honor of Callie’s late younger sister, Elizabeth Finley Broaddus, whose memory inspires many young people to make a positive impact in the field of environmental conservation.
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The state-championship winning basketball team brought a steady stream of alumni back to the Gary W. Leake Gymnasium. Here’s a great picture of Lauren Frye ‘13 and Grayson Thornhill ‘19 watching the team celebrate a win on Valentine’s Day.
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Anna Hauter (Boeckerman) married Jake Boeckerman on September 29, 2022.
2009 Molly Statler mstatler2@gmail.com Ella (Miller) Mantiply and her husband, Joe welcomed their second child into the world. In other exciting news this year, Joe was selected to the 2022 MLB All Star Team representing the National League and pitched in the 6th inning. Joe is currently a relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Congratulations to Ian Patrick and his wife who had a baby at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Check out all the alums who participated in Ryan Poe’s recent wedding. From left to right is Gavin Terpilowski ‘11, Sam Cook ‘09, Ryan Poe ‘10, and Seth Rose ‘09.
2010 Phoebe Krumich pkrumich124@gmail.com Brendon McCann brendonmccannjr@gmail.com Congratulations to Ryan Poe on his recent wedding. Chris Hoerner was elected this year to serve as a member of the Highland School Board of Trustees, and Chair of the Investment Sub-Committee. Chris is the Chief Investment Officer at the Hoerner Planning Group, LLC, and previously worked for Third Avenue Management and Avenir Corporation as an investment analyst.
2011 Class Representative Needed Contact Briar Leake at bleake@highlandschool.org Eric Hobeck earned his #AWSCloudPractitioner certification in the past year and recently started a new job as Marketing Manager at Ross Real Estate in Warrenton! Congrats, Eric!
After their ten year reunion was postponed due to COVID, the Class of 2011 decided to hold an eleven year reunion last fall. Georgia Pearson hosted the festive night full of food and fun for all. Others in attendance included Dan Cassidy, and his girlfriend Jaycie Blankenship, longtime Highland student Nick Betonti, Zac Mraz, Eric Hobeck, Mike Ferster, Patrick Silva, Sydney Dodson, Caroline Scambos, Garret Hundley, Richard Vann, Matt Morency, Donny Rogers. Check out photos on page 82. Congratulations to Anna (Spitzer) Dodson on her second baby! After six years with Grant Thornton, Gavin Terpilowski started a new position as a Managing Consultant at Guidehouse last fall.
2012 Sarah Henry smh7tp@virginia.edu Henry Miller ‘12 and Libby Brown ‘13 welcomed their first baby this year.
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The Class of 2011 celebrated an eleven year reunion last fall. organized by Georgia Pearson ‘11, the party featured food, fun, and a host of classmates. Check out the full list on page 81.
2013 Lauren Frye lauren.frye@enmu.edu
Congratulations to Matt Kelly and Jess Crew, both from the Highland Class of 2014, who were recently married at Matt’s family home in Purcellville. The wedding was so gorgeous that its design elements were featured in an article for the Martha Stewart Wedding website last summer!
Simon Schwartz simon@locasaur.com Jess Shaw jcs8bs@virginia.edu
Donnie Mayer welcomed a new baby into the world this year.
Parker Van de Water married Patrick Maillet in November. Her wedding party included Highland alums Logan Van de Water ‘18, Ward Van de Water ‘15 and Marina Macklin ‘13.
2014 Gus Moshos gusmoshos10@gmail.com Mimi Robinson mimiscene@yahoo.com
2015 Olivia “Liv” Bell oliviabell19@gmail.com Johnny Bounds johnbounds0121@gmail.com Rosemary Groux was featured in Warrenton Lifestyle. In her interview, she talked about her writing process and her newest book, To Wake a Kingdom (2022). Earlier this year, Miranda Shaw ’15 was a featured athlete
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Eli Gay '21, Eva Parios '19, Liam White '20, Hallie Norden '20, Mary Flynn '20, Alexis Conlin '22, Bibb Shrewsberry '20, and Christian Lyman '19 participated in this year’s panel in The Rice Theater.
Mary Flynn '20, attends Sewanee: The College of the South
Eva Parios '20, University of Virginia
Liam White '20, Virginia Tech
Eli Gay '21, Holy Cross
Young Alumni Panel in The Rice Theater This past January, Upper School students and teachers gathered in The Rice Theater for our first in-person Young Alumni Panel since COVID. The energy was palpable as Upper School students were excited to hear about the college lives of their past classmates and friends. Eight Highland alumni sat onstage in The Rice Theater. Moderated by Mrs. Catalfamo, the young alums gave advice, reminisced on their Highland days, and answered audience questions. The alumni, who graduated from Highland between 2019 and 2022, talked about their experiences at college and how their own Highland experience prepared and shaped them for the next steps in their academic journeys. This year’s oldest panel participants were Christian Lyman '19, who attends the University of Mary Washington, and Eva Parios '19, from the University
of Virginia. Members present from the Highland class of 2020 included Bibb Shrewsbury '20, a junior at Virginia Commonwealth University; Mary Flynn '20, who attends Sewanee: the University of the South; Hallie Norden '20, from the College of William & Mary; and Liam White '20, who goes to Virginia Tech. The youngest of the bunch were Eli Gay '21, a student at Holy Cross College, and Alexis Conlin '22, who is a member of the engineering program at Virginia Tech. After the event, many alumni stayed for a post-panel luncheon with current teachers and students. As always, everyone enjoyed the time together and had lots of fun seeing old friends back on campus. It’s safe to say that the first panel back in person was a success. Want to hear their reflections for yourself? Check out the live stream recording of the event on Highland’s Facebook.
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Addie Norden ‘18 recently graduated from the University of Mary Washington. She also was married in October of 2022.
in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference’s newsletter! In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX, CACC highlighted exceptional female athletes. Miranda was honored for her role as a 3-time CACC academic award winner, as well as her contributions to Wilmington University’s volleyball team as the school’s NCAA era all-time leader in assists.
an exciting time of growth for the company! 321 Coffee is a Raleigh-based coffee shop and roaster that is built on inclusion, employing 40+ adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
2016
Jack Silvernale graduated from Randolph Macon College in 2021 as an academic athlete. He is now a City of Alexandria Police Officer.
Rich Gerhardt herhrj16@wfu.edu
2018
2017
Blake Bogin bogin2eb@dukes.jmu.edu
Annie Pendleton apendletonhs@gmail.com
Lucas Johnson lucas.johnson.18@cnu.edu
Manti Batistas batistas.manti@yahoo.com Kyle Blackburn had the privilege to attend and present at the Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons in San Diego, CA. He is thankful to the University of Maryland and the ACS for the opportunity to present his work. Mallory Bryan joined an amazing team of people at 321 Coffee, working in digital marketing and events during
After graduating from VCU with a degree in Advertising, Grace Barratt began work at Dentsu Creation as a Copywriter. She returns to the company after interning with their copy writing team in 2021. Addie Norden married Alex Santana in October. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Mary Washington with University Honors. She was recently accepted into West Virginia University’s School of Medicine.
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Dillon Rose started a new position as Process Engineer at Diodes Incorporated in June 2022. After graduating from Marymount University with a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising, Carolyn Treuting began her fashion career with UNIQLO in their UMC program! Following her completion of the program, she started a new job as a Sales Marketing Manager with Out of Hand LLC. Melody White, a member of the softball team, won the Golden Wing award, given to one athlete from each team at Bridgewater College who exemplifies the ideals of team culture and work ethic. White is a(n) Business Administration major from Culpeper, VA. The Golden Eagle Awards is Bridgewater athletics’ year-end awards show, organized by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), to highlight athletic and academic accomplishments during the 2021-22 season.
2019 Ben Babcox bbabcox@vols.utk.edu Lucas Christman interned with the PATH Foundation during the summer of 2022, where he supported the Fauquier Free Clinic. Sarah Kerns was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma at Bridgewater College. Chi Alpha Sigma is the first, and only, national scholar-athlete society to honor those four-year collegiate student-athletes who have excelled in both the classroom and in athletic competition. Chi Alpha Sigma recognizes college student-athletes who participate in a sport at the varsity intercollegiate level, achieve junior academic standing or higher after their fifth full time semester, and earn a 3.4 or higher cumulative grade point average. Tucker Minter has been making a splash in the eNascar world with multiple wins during the Coca-Cola iRacing Series this past spring, including his debut race on the Daytona International Speedway track. Tucker is currently signed with Team Dillon Esports and Altus Esports. He also coaches at the Virtual Racing School. Outside of his time spent on the racetrack, he graduated from UNC Charlotte in May. Check out more about Tucker on page 74.
Gabby Brisbin ‘21 and Abby Soltys ‘21 attend Mercer University in Macon, Georgia and play on the women’s lacrosse team. They are both longtime ambassadors for Morgan’s Message.
Emily Pappalardo interned with the PATH Foundation in support of the Fauquier Community Theatre last summer.
2020 Class Representative Needed Interested? Contact Briar Leake, Director of Alumni Relations at bleake@highlandschool.org Hallie Norden interned with the PATH Foundation last year, and went on to become the foundation’s intern coordinator this past summer! Anna Grace Tomlinson was also a PATH Foundation intern last year, working with Friends of the Rappahannock.
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Anika Pruntel interned with the PATH Foundation during the summer of 2023. She was is placed at the Headwaters Foundation. She is a rising sophomore at the University of Virginia hoping to pursue a bachelor’s degree in economics with a concentration in industrial organization. During the school year, Anika is involved with Phi Alpha Delta, a professional law fraternity, and volunteers at the Virginia Undergraduate Admissions Office. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and outdoor activities.
Caite Leake ‘21 is a junior at Virginia Tech. Last summer, she interned with the PATH Foundation in Warrenton.
Jed Page was also a PATH Foundation intern last year. He was placed at Verdun Adventure Bound. He is a rising senior at Saint Leo University, and studying sociology. At Saint Leo, Jed is a Member of the Men’s Lacrosse team.
2021
2023
Libby Henrickson emhenrickson@gmail.com
Class Representative Needed Interested? Contact Briar Leake, Director of Alumni Relations at bleake@highlandschool.org
Caite Leake interned with the PATH Foundation during the summer of 2023. Her position supported the MidAtlantic Food Resilience and Access Coalition (MAFRAC). Best buds Abby Soltys and Gabby Brisbin pose for a photo as they show off their Morgan’s Message pride. Check out the image on page 85.
2022
Congratulations to Kyle Crowne on his successful start as a freshman in George Mason University’s School of Theater. He recently had the opportunity to play Mr. Banks in George Mason’s production of “See You at the Gate.” The play was performed as part of The Originals!, a series of shows entirely written, directed, performed, designed, stage-managed, and produced by students.
Alexis Conlin conlin.alexis@gmail.com
Getting married? Hosting a reunion?
Juliana Silvernale is a member of the York College of Pennsylvania women’s lacrosse team that won the Mid-Atlantic Conference and reached the Elite 8 of the D3 NCAA conference. 86 Highland Magazine
Include a Highland School flag in your photo and we’ll share it in a future issue of Highland Magazine! Contact Briar Leake at bleake@highlandschool.org.
In Memoriam Elizabeth Gookin 1922-2022
Betty was one of the first students at the Warrenton Calvert School which later became Highland School. She attended St. Catherine’s School in Richmond and later graduated from Oldfields School at Glencoe, Maryland. Betty received a B.A. degree from Sweet Briar College in 1944. She was an educator in Richmond for many years and a founder of Stony Point School in nearby Bon Air. In 1971, she moved to Middleburg, Virginia, where she taught at Hill School for three years, after which, as a spouse, she took a special interest in her husband’s career at the Department of State in Washington. Betty was much admired in promoting goodwill with members of the diplomatic corps and their families, and with visiting foreign chiefs of state and heads of government, who were guests of the President.
Elizabeth Williams Gookin ‘35 died at the age of 100 at home on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, after a brief illness. She was born in Washington, D.C. on April 7, 1922. Betty was the wife of Richard Gookin and mother of Elizabeth Stewart Meyer Anderson (Richard) and Anne Kimbrough Meyer Ford (James), and step-mother of Liza Lowndes Gookin Hodskins (Steven). Betty’s parents were Mr. and Mrs. John Chauncy Williams of “Rockhill,” Casanova, Virginia; her grandparents were General and Mrs. Baldwin Day Spilman of “Elway Hall,” Warrenton. She was the great granddaughter of U.S. Senator and Mrs. Johnson Newlon Camden of West Virginia.
In 1994, on the death of her aunt, Margaret Spilman Bowden, Betty and Richard moved to “The Oaks,” near Warrenton. Betty was a gracious hostess, opening “The Oaks,” to community charitable events, family weddings and celebrations, and holiday gatherings. Betty was twice President of the Warrenton Antiquarian Society, an active member of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Warrenton, a board member of the Fauquier County SPCA, and of the John S. Mosby Foundation. Lovingly known as “Gigi” to her five grandchildren, Michael Anderson (Kathryn), Caroline Elizabeth Anderson (deceased), Anne Berkeley, David Ford and Christopher Ford (Megan), and to her great-grandchildren Margaret Caroline Anderson and Walter Stewart Anderson, she will be remembered for her warmth, humor, and charm, devotion to family, and lifelong support of animal welfare causes.
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Congratulations, Mr. Berg!
Head of School Hank Berg is retiring after 19 years at Highland and a career in education that has spanned five decades. This issue is packed with tributes to his leadership and legacy. Check out his letter on page 7 and the full table of contents for the issue on page 9.