T H E M A G A Z I N E O F E P I S C O PA L H I G H S C H O O L
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SPRING 2019
All the World’s a Stage SHAKESPEARE’S NEW ROLE ON CAMPUS
EHS VS. THE CLOCK
MEASURING MORAL COURAGE
INTO AFRICA’S WILD
EPISCOPAL’S TIMELESS WELCOME
Students posted notes of encouragement to each other in Stewart as part of a student club’s mental-health awareness effort.
Contents ON THE COVER
16 WHY THE PLAY’S THE THING
Shakespeare, an EHS curriculum staple for decades, assumes a new role that promises to deepen students’ understanding of his work.
FEATURES
22 HOW TO BEAT THE CLOCK
Episcopal wants to revamp its daily schedule to maximize learning and ease stress on students and faculty.
28 CAN YOU MEASURE MORAL COURAGE?
Two math teachers aim to quantify exactly how much EHS contributes to the character of students.
32 THE IVORY TOWER CAN WAIT
As students increasingly look to take a break between high school and college, the School works to make the gap year a valuable personal experience.
38 INTO AFRICA’S WILD
Safari veteran Kate Spencer ’03 knows all too well how the occasional encounter with dangerous animals can make you feel alive.
88 IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE
How teachers in the Ainslie Fellows program are discovering promising new ideas.
DEPARTMENTS
2 FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL 4 EHS SOCIAL 5 EPISCOPAL UP CLOSE 42 FROM THE ARCHIVES
A Timeless Welcome
46 CLASS NOTES
After Episcopal: David Opie ’86, William Adams ’93, Will Damron ’05, Ali Shephard ’08
85 IN MEMORIAM Head of School: Charley Stillwell Assistant Head for Advancement: Christina Holt Director of Communications: Billy Faires Editor: Drew Lindsay Class Notes Editor: Elizabeth Henderson ’11 Contributing Editors: Lindsay Bingham Photographers: Natalie Davis, Rebecca Drobis, Billy Faires, Elizabeth Henderson ’11, Junko Pinkowski, and Cory Royster Archivist: Laura Vetter Designer: Linda Loughran
Printer: Worth Higgins & Associates, Inc. Published by Episcopal High School for alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends of Episcopal High School. ©2019 Episcopal High School Please send address corrections to: Advancement Office Episcopal High School 1200 North Quaker Lane Alexandria, VA 22302 Or by email to dwr@episcopalhighschool.org
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Episcopal High School does not discriminate in its admissions, or in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, or in access to or treatment in any other School-administered program on the basis of religion, race, color, sex, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, or any other protected category in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws.
THE MAGAZINE OF EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL
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From the Head of School Spring is a particularly beautiful time on campus as our grounds come to life and the students and faculty enjoy the fresh energy that accompanies the arrival of warmer weather and longer days. It has been exciting as we enter this new season that we are continuing to make progress in bringing elements of our new Strategic Plan to life to enhance the power of the learning experiences for our students. As a key focus of our plan, we aim to take to new heights our use of the amazing resources of Washington. We have begun experimenting with new ways to immerse our students into the daily life of Washington more significantly. We are piloting this spring a new “pop-up” course concept in which we invite experts from various fields in D.C. to come to campus to offer mini-courses at flexible times for the students.
We want to create space in our schedule for deeper learning, stress management, the development of powerful relationships, and access to Washington’s resources.
Our faculty is also exploring innovative approaches to their teaching that could add greater depth and impact to the learning. In this magazine you will read more about a terrific project our English faculty developed this year that they called our Shakesperience (page 16). This combination of our traditional focus on important works by Shakespeare with new approaches to experience their meaning with the help of our teachers and with a leading expert on Shakespeare was very powerful. We also realize that a tremendous advantage of our 100 percent boarding model is that we can think very differently about time. With our faculty and students all living here together, learning can occur during the day, in the evenings, and on the weekends. We want to create space in our schedule for deeper learning, stress management, the development of powerful relationships, and access to Washington’s resources when those resources are most
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available. I hope you will read in the magazine (page 22) about the work of our Schedule Review Task Force and its efforts to understand the reality of our students’ experiences and to unlock an approach to learning that will help us accomplish far more than ever before. Ideally these innovations that we seek as part of our strategic efforts will allow us to be more effective than any other school in developing the intellectual and moral courage at the heart of our mission. They are designed not only to chart a path of academic excellence that will prepare our students for the country’s finest colleges and universities but also to position our students to be active and confident leaders ready to make a true difference with their lives. One aspect of our strategic efforts that will also be critical as we bring these innovations to life is for us to find effective ways to measure just how well our efforts are working. Members of our faculty have also been using our wonderful new Ainslie Fellows research grants (page 88) to explore these kinds of measurement tools as well. Approaches like the moral courage rubrics (page 28) developed by Patrick Thompson and Mimi Schwanda, leaders of key Episcopal character-education programs, are important ways for us to judge our effectiveness each day. There may be no more tangible way to see the success of these efforts than to watch with admiration the positive difference here and around the world that our graduates like Kate Spencer ’03 (page 38) are making with their lives. Just as our Grounds Superintendent Jess Evans and his amazing crew take pride in nurturing the aesthetic beauty of our campus in these spring months, I am so proud of the outstanding efforts by all on our faculty and staff in pursuing new and creative ways for us to give our students the very best education possible. While the seasons will continue to change here on The Holy Hill, I am confident that this commitment by all the adults here to excellence and to equipping our students for exceptional leadership in a quickly changing world will never cease. Sincerely,
Charles M. Stillwell
EHS Social
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1 Students hung flags in Stewart Student Center as part of Global Week. honored tradition.
4 One of several snowy days on campus this winter.
2 Good times at the 2019 Ice Ball!
with chocolates and notes of encouragement to celebrate the Lunar New Year. ceramics, painting, drawing, photography, and graphic design.
3 Senior Donuts are a time-
5 The Alliance of Asian Cultures and Experiences stuffed red envelopes 6 The Fall Student Art Exhibition showcased works from students in
7 The Science Olympiad team traveled to the regional competition in February.
8 One of several alumni gatherings this winter, the EHS alumni book club was hosted by Tim Rogers ’79.
9 “Big Fish,” the winter musical, wowed
audiences on the Pendleton stage.
CONNECT WITH EHS Instagram @episcopalhs
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Facebook Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va.
Twitter @EpiscopalHS @EHSMaroon
YouTube EpiscopalHSVa
Flickr Episcopal High School (Maroon and Black)
Episcopal Up Close n VISITING SPEAKERS
“Demand to Be Seen” Encore
Visit
Ex-NBA star Chris Herren. The Rev. Canon Broderick Greer.
At an evening vespers service this winter, the Rev. Canon Broderick Greer stood in the Callaway Chapel pulpit and spoke proudly of his “heroes of history” — leaders of marginalized people who had forced their way to seats at the table of American life. His exhortation for the students gathered before him: “When you’ve been excluded from a table, show up with your folding chair … show up and demand to be seen and heard, not as someone else, but as you are.” This was just one of the stirring interactions that Greer, a youth minister and the canon precentor at St. John’s Cathedral in Denver, had with students during his week’s stay as Theologian-in-Residence. A 2015 graduate of the Virginia Theological Seminary, Greer ministers to young adults within the cathedral’s congregation and through speaking engagements around the country. Greer’s ministry revolves around topics such as black and queer theology and racial justice. Greer met with student groups, taught classes, and spoke in chapel. He also hosted an informal dinner and discussion with students and faculty and talked about his views on theology, culture, and current events in one-on-one and group settings. “I found each student to be insightful, wise, thoughtful,” Greer said, “and I am leaving here very impressed. They want to talk about difficult things like what is happening in our government, the #MeToo movement, racism in America, and how Episcopal can be a better and more inclusive institution.” The Theologian-in-Residence Program was established in 1993 by Reginald E. Rutledge, Jr. ’51 in honor of his wife, the Rev. Fleming Rutledge, and his family members who have attended EHS.
Former NBA star Chris Herren visited EHS for the second time in as many years to talk with students about addiction recovery as part of Episcopal’s “healthy choices” programming. Herren struggled with addiction to alcohol and opioids for nearly a decade, starting in high school. He failed more than 60 drug tests while playing college basketball and racked up almost two dozen drug-related felonies by the time he was playing in the NBA. Fortunately, Herren has been sober since 2008. He travels around the country as a motivational speaker, using his story to promote substance addiction prevention. “Chris’s ability to connect with people regardless of their personal history of substance use is striking,” said Director of Counseling Kristin Hosmer. “His messages about focusing on the ‘first day and not the worst day’ and holding one another accountable for making healthy choices truly resonated with our community. EHS
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n VISUAL ARTS
Twenty-one Episcopal students earned a spot in a prestigious art show for Alexandria high schoolers. The artists, friends, parents, and teachers gathered for a February exhibition reception at the Convergence gallery, host of this year’s All City High School Art Exhibition. Dan Abh, Convergence’s community coordinator, praised the diversity and quality of the work, saying, “Being in this show identifies you as the best young artists in Alexandria.”
Jane Durden ’20
Kate Castle ’19
STUDENTS WHO WON TOP HONORS
Kate Castle ’19, drawing Helen Chen ’21, digital design Olivia Morton ’19, photography Tina Liu ’19, 3-D HONORABLE-MENTION HONORS
Karla Domingues ’20, ceramics Cindy Xin ’20, painting
Sylvia Yang ’20
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Helen Chen ’21
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n M L K D AY S Y M P O S I U M
BUILDING BRIDGES Acclaimed writer Elizabeth Acevedo kicked off the symposium with a talk that mixed personal narrative and poetry.
Now in its third year, Episcopal’s MLK Day Symposium has evolved into a deep, expansive exploration of race, identity, history, and culture. Students from all over Virginia and the Washington area joined the School community on January 21 for a day packed with nearly 40 thought-provoking sessions. Featured speakers included two celebrated literary figures: Elizabeth Acevedo, winner of the 2018 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, and poet Richard Blanco, a Cuban immigrant. Acevedo opened the day with a captivating mix of personal narrative and poetry that wowed a capacity audience in Pendleton and at remote viewing locations throughout campus. “We make assumptions about what lives people have lived, or who they are, without knowing them for more than two or three weeks,” she said. “And even then, only knowing the pieces of
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themselves they show us. Yet we imagine we have a great sense of their ignorances and of their knowledge base.” Blanco, best known for delivering the inaugural poem for Barack Obama’s second inauguration, closed the day by reading a selection of his poems and sharing his own experiences of growing up as an immigrant in Miami. “Both of the guest poets allowed me to see that all people possess certain kinds of prejudices that have shaped many communities and stereotypes across the country,” said Sunny Miller ’20. “It is these prejudices which we must overcome as an EHS community, as the United States, and as the world.” Students and faculty from nine other schools (Norfolk Collegiate, Virginia Beach Friends School, Collegiate, St. Christopher’s, St. Catherine’s, Georgetown Day, Madeira, Highland, and St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes) participated in the symposium. “Our school’s program has become a model for other schools to follow,” said Joel Sohn, director for community and equity. “We have, essentially, become a center of courageous conversation on this day and exemplify the stated mission of the school.”
Poet Richard Blanco tied his experiences as a Cuban immigrant to the “building bridges” theme of the day.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SYMPOSIUM • Poetry workshops led by Acevedo and Blanco • A discussion of the rise of anti-Semitism • A workshop about how African music, song, and dance have influenced Latin American culture • An examination of key women figures of the Civil Rights Movement • A discussion with three prominent voices representing major Abrahamic religions
Episcopal’s Rev. Betsy Gonzalez spoke about the roots of Martin Luther King’s “beloved community.”
Students learned how African music, song, and dance have influenced Latin American culture.
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n PERFORMING ARTS
MAIN STAGE
ON THE
Fanciful characters — including a witch, a giant, and a werewolf — took to the Pendleton Hall stage in February with the student production of “Big Fish.” Based on the Daniel Wallace book later turned into a Tim Burton film, the musical tells the story of Will Bloom (played by Mark Berry ’19) as he tries to find the reality in the fantastical tall tales told by his father (Christian Hudspeth ’19).
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Theater Director Bill Patti said, “The company of ‘Big Fish’ was a dream for a theater director. They were engaged, hard working, creative, and wildly talented. I am so proud of the magic they poured into the production.” In January, Episcopal musical groups shone at the MLK Day Symposium. The EHS orchestra and choir came together for the occasion to perform a commissioned arrangement of “We Shall Overcome.” The new EHS gospel choir, meanwhile, closed out the afternoon with its debut performance. Earlier in the month, the survey of dance class performed “Embody Love” in the Breeden Black Box Theater. The dancers presented pieces about social pressures they face as teens and how they often conform to conventional notions of beauty.
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“Big Fish” featured such tall-tale spectacles as a giant (Eli Wilcox ’21). The “Embody Love” performance aimed to illustrate the power of dance to help teens overcome social pressures. At MLK Day, the orchestra and chorus came together to perform a commissioned arrangement of “We Shall Overcome.”
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n P O R T R A I T I N FA I T H
“Love Is the Only Thing” The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church visited campus in late January, and his theme was deceptively simple: God is love. “Love is the way,” the Most Rev. Michael Curry told the audience in Callaway Chapel. “It’s not only the way, it’s the only way. There is no other way that will work for us all.” Those words had enormous power because of who spoke them — Curry is the top official in the Episcopal Church — and because of his delivery. He threaded the message through historical references, today’s political tensions, songs and music spanning several eras, and even a few reflections on his experience “at a wedding a couple of months ago at a little place across the pond” — a knowing wink to the sermon he delivered at last year’s wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle that earned him worldwide fame. Curry’s charisma and message resonated with students. Paul Pivirotto ’19, the senior warden of the student vestry, was moved by the way the bishop wove in the need for and power of love to transcend political opposition and disagreements, referencing the friendship between Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the late Antonin Scalia as one example. “I believe that piece of his homily was crucial for young people to hear,” Pivirotto said, “that differences between people politically can be overcome by friendship and love, and that those differences don’t always need to divide us.” Gilbert Amason ’20, a junior member of the vestry, was impressed by the energy Curry brought to the chapel, using the whole transept and even walking the aisles. “His eagerness to share his message resonated with me because it showed how spreading ideas and creating relationships through love is crucial to making progress,” Amason said. Curry spent the day at Episcopal as the 2019 honoree of the Portrait In Faith program. Established in 1994 by Reginald E. Rutledge, Jr. ’51, in honor of his wife, the Rev. Fleming Rutledge, and his family members who attended EHS, the program seeks to educate and inspire students by exposing them to models of Christian faith. Previous speakers have included Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Ruby Sales, the Rev. Dr. Jim Wallis, and former Ohio governor John Kasich.
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After spending a few minutes reminding the audience — which included guests from Virginia Theological Seminary, St. Albans, and St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes — of the historical significance of Marbury v. Madison, which secured the U.S. Constitution as the supreme law of the land, Curry said Jesus’s two great commandments (“Love God, and love your neighbor”) were “the religious Marbury v. Madison.” “The supreme law of God is to love. You want to know the heart of God? You want to know what God is about? You want to know the will of God? If it’s not about love, it’s not about God,” he said.
The Most Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.
n FA C U LT Y N E W S
GOODBYE, DR. MILLER
In 50 years at Episcopal, Mike Miller has taught social studies to generations of students.
In February, EHS Board Chair Lee Ainslie ’82 and other notable Episcopal alumni working in finance headlined an EHS Connect event in New York. Despite the roster of impressive speakers, Lee’s son, John Ainslie ’17, showed little interest in attending — until he heard that Dr. Mike Miller was moderating the discussion. Such is the clout that Mike Miller has enjoyed since he came to Episcopal in 1969 as a social studies teacher. Fifty years later, he’s retiring, leaving behind a legacy that few could match. He has served as dean of faculty, academic dean, social studies chair, and assistant head for academics, and generations of students have stepped into his classes on history, the modern Middle East, the cold war, and AP economics. “Mike has been an intellectual force on this campus,” said Head of School Charley Stillwell. “Throughout his remarkable career, he has served as a foundational part of our community and has inspired thousands of Episcopal students with his passion for history and economics, his demanding expectations, and his belief that young people are much more capable than they think possible.” As Mike prepared to leave, we asked his former students to contribute their remembrances. Here are a few: I well recall when Mike Miller ‘matriculated’ as a new master at EHS. Mike was young but secure with himself and at ease with students. The boys found him instantly accessible and relatable. Looking back on it, Mike had a gift: He was a born teacher.” • HOWELL MORRISON ’72
In the fall of 1969, I started 10th grade at EHS and lived on Third McGuire, where Mike Miller was resident faculty. I was 14, and Mike may have been all of 24; however, he looked every bit of a serious
adult — almost god-like. As we received the student handbook (which contained dozens of rules), Mike told us, ‘Ignorance of a rule is no excuse for breaking it. You had best learn this book.’ Believe me, I memorized it.”
I encounter that formula, I imagine him declaring, ‘MC equals MR! Always!’ with underlines and circles on the white board. This happened multiple times every class. It never got old to him (or me).”
• BANK HIPP ’72
• GINNY MOORE ’03
Mike Miller’s enthusiasm for both history and The High School showed every day of his career. I’ll never forget his Russian history class — especially the day he gave a lecture on Joseph Stalin’s use of prophylactic terror to control the Soviet Union!”
I believe Mike was my Russian history teacher my sophomore year, in the 1973-74 term. I was thrilled that he utilized multiple texts in addition to the basic chronological history. In particular, I remember reading Solzhenitsyn’s amazing first novel, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, about life in the gulag. It sparked a lifelong interest in intellectual history.”
• MARK CHILTON ’88
Dr. Miller taught me microeconomics and drilled into our heads that marginal cost (MC) equals marginal revenue (MR). Whenever
As an alumna who has returned to The Holy Hill to work, I’ve had a chance to know Dr. Miller outside of AP economics and outside of tutorial. Working alongside him in his annual effort to collect and distribute Christmas presents for children in low-income homes in Alexandria, I see a man who cares about his community and has served it well. Sending my thanks to Dr. Miller for all the years — and for all the ways — he served this Episcopal community. • EMILY URQUHART ’08, ASSOCIATE, SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
• SCOTT KING ’75 Mike in 1978.
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n ATHLETIC S
SPORTS ON THE HILL
William Smith ’19 Wrestling in the 195-pound class, William claimed the conference championship and Episcopal’s first individual state title since 2011. Max Meyer ’20 finished second at the state tourney in the 220pound division as the team placed ninth out of 29 teams, its best finish since 2015. Kidron Kollin ’19 Kidron and Thomas Adkins ’20 tied for 10th at the Washington Area Interscholastic Climbing League championship, helping the Maroon to a fifth-place team finish.
Ethan Yip ’21 Ethan was one of seven Episcopal boys to qualify for the prestigious Eastern States Indoor Championships in track and field. At the state championships, Jamall Mensah ’20, Dante Jackson ’21, Aaron Lindsey ’21, and Sam Kamara ’19 won the boys’ 4x200-meter title. 14
Max Foulk ’19 Max anchored a boys’ squash team victory over Woodberry Forest that ensured the Maroon retained the coveted Amos-Willett Trophy for the annual season series with the Tigers.
Dymin Gerow ’20 Girls’ varsity basketball entered the Independent School League-AA tournament seeded No. 6 yet knocked off Bullis in a dramatic, two-point quarterfinal upset and regular-season division co-champion Sidwell in the semifinals.
Nina Moore ’20 Records fell throughout the girls’ varsity track season. A sizzling 4x400-meter race at the Eastern States Indoor Championships closed the year, with Alli Boehm ’20, Janil Cohen ’21, Jahsaiah Moses ’19, and Regan Simmons ’21 shattering Episcopal’s indoor and outdoor marks. The previous week, the 4x800-meter team of Alli, Regan, Claire Boehm ’20, and Liza Gregory ’21 won the state title, Episcopal’s second consecutive championship in the event.
Mei Kuo ’19 and Jane Owen ’19 Led by six seniors who have climbed together throughout their Episcopal years, the girls’ climbing team captured the School’s first-ever Washington Area Interscholastic Climbing League championship. Gracie Guest ’19 finished second individually. Nicole Cariño ’19 Girls’ varsity squash finished 8-6 and earned runner-up honors in the Mid-Atlantic Squash Tournament.
Jack Fitzpatrick ’20 Boys’ varsity basketball advanced to the conference and state championship finals despite being heavy underdogs in both tournaments. Though the team eventually lost the title games to St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes, they upset powers like Bullis and Paul VI along the way. EHS
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Charles Zheng ’22 won the freshman soliloquy competition for his depiction of Casca, one of Caesar’s assassins.
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FEATURE
WHY THE PLAY’S THE THING A star of Episcopal’s curriculum for decades, Shakespeare is enjoying new life as the focus of a schoolwide study and celebration.
IMAGINE BANNERS SNAPPING IN THE WIND. VILL AGERS GATHERING FOR A THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE. MARKET VENDORS IN THE STREETS HAWKING FOOD AND DRINK.
Such was the festival scene in the late 16th and early 17th centuries when London’s Globe Theater hosted performances of a William Shakespeare play. Episcopal aimed to recreate that joyous feel this fall when it debuted Shakespearience, an immersive, communitywide celebration of learning, performing, and interpreting the works of Shakespeare. Head of School Charley Stillwell and Assistant Head for Academics Mary Fielder kicked off the events. They arrived in Pendleton costumed with historical accuracy, wearing crowns and robes and wielding prop daggers. All grades had a role to play. Freshman English classes memorized and performed monologues from “Julius Caesar.” The sophomore class put on a production of “Macbeth,” with small groups of students each directing and producing a scene. The junior class, meanwhile, played the role of critic, offering recommendations and insights. And seniors? In years past, their Shakespeare experience would have been the vaunted two-hour, final Shakespeare
exam, heads bowed over desks, scratching out essays and answers to more than a hundred questions, identifying quotations, and generally sweating. More recently, the English faculty has asked itself whether there are better ways to study the Bard and his work. After all, Shakespeare wrote his plays to be performed, not read. He was an artist of the spoken word, his goal to entertain loud, raucous, appreciative Londoners. And he intended to fill the Globe to its brim. But Episcopal students weren’t studying Shakespeare with this context. Faculty worried that, as a result, they were missing critical learning as they silently pored over the Bard’s texts, alone in library cubicles. So this year, the teachers tried something new as a first step toward a deeper student immersion in Shakespeare. Some senior English classes presented original scenes drawing from characters and themes across Shakespeare’s plays. Others performed monologues and dialogues and presented projects based on “Hamlet.”
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WHY THE PLAY’S THE THING
But about half of the senior class was tasked with a new, experiential learning project: design a modern reimagining of “Hamlet” and develop a professional-level pitch supporting their production. In other words, they had to reinterpret the play, “sell” their version of it, and produce it. Seniors were assigned to groups of five, with each student assuming a role as a director, an actor, a scenic designer, a director of marketing, or an academic consultant to analyze text for each scene. English teacher Mitch Pinkowski’s charge to students was extensive; they were to develop the overarching vision of the play and then defend it — explain why the play had been altered in time and place, account for other notable breaks from the traditional production, and illustrate how their production is relevant to contemporary society.
Hayoung Lee ’20 sketched the behind-the-scenes work that went into the sophomore production of “Macbeth.”
Molly Pugh, head of the English department, said the teachers wanted Shakespearience to spark a study of the Bard by the entire community, one that involved all grades and many student voices and talents. “We also wanted to demonstrate the rigorous, scholarly, and enjoyable nature of experiential education when it involves Shakespearean drama,” she added. “By encouraging engagement and performance, the process also offered students opportunities to think critically about themselves, their peers, and the relevance of Shakespeare to us all.”
“OUR STUDENTS DID IT ALL” Mitch built the scaffolding for a new Shakespeare approach last summer, traveling to Santa Fe, N.M., for a national conference on experiential education pedagogy and practice. He worked there with fellow English teachers from around the country to develop and workshop a curriculum plan that would involve students in real-world experiences that enhance their learning of Shakespeare. One goal: ask students to approach Shakespeare-inperformance holistically and study a play’s text, staging, costumes, marketing, and even the front-of-the-house theater management. “Our students did it all, just as a troupe of actors would have in Shakespeare’s day,” Molly said. Students took to heart the challenge of this deep study. Gabin Lee ’19, the scenic designer for her group, created her set, lighting, and costumes based on her close analysis of Shakespeare’s text. “I designed the set to look like a prison,” Gabin told the Art Pod, a new Episcopal student art group, noting that Hamlet in the play refers to Denmark as
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“We can do better than the Shakespeare exam,” said Perry Epes ’65, a former English teacher who wrote some of the tests. a prison. The interior would shift throughout the play, she said, but the “essential nature of the set wouldn’t change to indicate the idea of an ever-unchanging prison.” Margaret Cahill ’19 was the marketing director of a group that chose to set its “Hamlet” in Dayton, Ohio, during today’s opioid epidemic. She told Art Pod that she designed the play’s advertising poster as a collage, with elements overlapping one another. “I wanted to imply Hamlet’s jumbled mindset,” she said. In the poster’s intricate details, she continued, “you can see representations of our group’s interpretation of Hamlet and perceive Hamlet in the modern age, struggling with the modern issue of drugs.”
SHAKESPEARE OVER THE YEARS For decades at Episcopal, the Shakespeare exam was a rite of passage. Beloved former English teacher Perry Epes remembers taking it when he was a senior at the School in 1965. “It was formidable,” he said. “I remember which questions I got wrong. Among them was the question, ‘How many sonnets did Shakespeare write?’ I said 150. The correct answer is 154.” English teacher Whit Morgan, who teaches Shakespeare electives, said that students had “to completely absorb four Shakespeare plays, one per year, over their four years at Episcopal” — for example, “Macbeth,” “Othello,” “Hamlet,” and “Julius Caesar.” No small feat. If you’ve forgotten the exam or never had the pleasure to take it, here’s a chance to try your hand. Find a pen and answer the following: Question 1: Shakespeare’s Views on Order and Evil Shakespeare seems to be a typically conservative Renaissance thinker insofar as he regards as evil any breakdowns in the natural, social, or political order; indeed, he tends to characterize villains by their excessive free wills and refusal to accept their ordained places in the Great Chain of Being. Even freshmen Julius Caesar presenters approached the work with nuance and thoughtfulness. Seven finalists were chosen to perform their monologues in front of their peers, including Piers Luscombe ’22, who gave a dramatic rendering of Casca, one of Caesar’s assassins. Asked about his character choice by Art Pod, Piers explained that he had studied Casca in a scene in which an owl flies by in daytime, one of many strange happenings that foretold the coming murder. “I was interested in the hidden message behind the imagery that was hinting about Caesar’s death,” he said. Also, he selected Casca as an influential character that most of his classmates had overlooked in favor of Antony, Caesar, and Brutus. “I also like Casca as a character,” Piers said, “as while he’s humble, he still holds power, making him stand out.” Such investment of time, effort paid off in remarkable ways. “Seeing a reluctant freshman English student suddenly not only understand but inhabit a ‘Julius Caesar’ monologue?” Molly Pugh said. “Wow! It was incredible.”
Yet there is nothing that Shakespeare disdains so much as merely conventional thinking. He also shows an uncanny ability to portray the aspirations of the “outsiders” vividly and even sympathetically, as possibly justified resistance to the rigid moral constraints and social oppressions of a hierarchical world order. So, what is finally more important to the thematic resolution of Shakespeare’s plays, respect for order or sympathy for individual aspiration? Your answer to this question will constitute your thesis claim. For supporting evidence, discuss at least three of the following characters: Claudius, Ophelia, Polonius, Othello, Iago, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Caesar, Cassius, Brutus. Are you done yet? How do you feel? Heart pounding? That was just one question from the exam’s essay portion. Students were also asked to identify quotations by play,
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WHY THE PLAY’S THE THING
speaker, exact situation, and significance in terms of plot, character, theme, or imagery. The instructions warned: “Be sure to identify one quotation from each of the four plays covered on this exam; three points will be deducted if you fail to follow this direction.” The Shakespeare exam was designed to test seniors on works of literature that are foundational to the English language and — it is not a stretch to say — to our understanding of ourselves. This is why Episcopal seniors left blood, sweat, and tears on the paper of a two-hour test. Through Shakespeare fortiter, fideliter, feliciter. Despite such lofty goals, some questions on the exam — particularly the early versions — did not demand a deep understanding of Shakespeare. Rather, they were testing trivia — what you might call Shakespeariana. Students, for instance, would have to read the introduction to the legendary tome The Complete Pelican Shakespeare, combing through its tiny print for abstruse biographical details of Shakespeare’s private life. A question from the 1987 Shakespeare exam asked: “In his will, what did Shakespeare leave his wife?” The answer: His second-best bed. A lot could be unpacked about Shakespeare’s bequest to his dear Anne Hathaway. But would such analysis qualify as valuable scholarship for a high schooler? What’s more, the quotation identification on exams was incentive for students to lean on SparkNotes versions of plays for test preparation, not the actual texts. “It was clear, to me, that as a school we needed to reimagine how we studied and assessed Shakespeare, to reimagine what we could do with Shakespeare” Mitch Pinkowski said.
THE BARD IN THE 21ST CENTURY The Shakespearience is the School’s first iteration of its reimagining. The faculty expect that they can improve on it and do more, and they may opt to add an exam component. Still, Shakespeare scholars suggest they are smart to emphasize performance. “We cannot pretend we can treat Shakespeare like a book that you can pick up and read,” Jacqui O’Hanlon, head of education for the Royal Shakespeare Company, told the Guardian newspaper in 2016. “It should not be surprising that this language that was written for performance can only be fully understood through performance.”
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Dr. James Loehlin, another Shakespeare expert, agrees. The director of the Shakespeare at Winedale program at the University of Texas at Austin, Loehlin was Episcopal’s Scholar-in-Residence this fall, when he helped students and faculty Shakespearience (yes, it even became a verb on campus). He believes Episcopal students benefited from a richer Shakespeare learning experience. “Not only are the works of Shakespeare canonical, endlessly interpretable as texts to be studied,” Loehlin said, “but these texts are plays, they are full of rhymes and lyrical language and things that are fun to say out loud.” Faculty say the Shakespearience is a change in what’s demanded from students. “The shift from the Shakespeare exam to the Shakespearience is not a step down in rigor,” Pinkowski said. “The Shakespearience is experiential, project-based learning in line with many 21st-century teaching principles, and it is quite demanding on students and faculty alike.” The senior pitches were workshopped by master teachers at the Independent Schools Experiential Education Institute and critiqued by several Episcopal faculty members,
‘WHY SHAKESPEARE?’
Above: Camila Zambrana ’21 plays Lady Macbeth. Left: The witches of the sophomore production of “Macbeth” brew trouble. Far left: Margaret Cahill ’19 pitches her group’s modern interpretation of “Hamlet,” which was set in opioidriddled Ohio.
including English teacher Nate Ebel and theater-arts teacher Bill Patti. “It is similar to the kind of experiential learning practiced by the Folger Shakespeare Library as well,” Mitch said. “We’re really asking our students to grapple with and contemplate the play on a professional level.” Perry Epes ’65, the longtime English teacher, believes the Shakespearience actually takes the School back to a time when public recitation of Shakespeare was the norm. “We can do better than the Shakespeare exam,” he said. Molly Pugh said students will continue to get a deep exposure to Shakespeare and read at least three of his plays during their Episcopal careers. “We will still read every single line of ‘Julius Caesar’ with the students, every single line of “Hamlet,” but through the Shakespearience they will experience Shakespeare joyfully,” she said. It is education as Shakespeare himself would have wanted it, a visceral and shared experience of magnetic stories magnificently well told. Play on, players!
play, and a story that has everything. Fairies. Rubes. Nobles. Noble fairies. A man with magic donkey head. It is, Loehlin said, an introduction to the richness of Shakespeare the comic and the box office smash-hit comedy writer of his day, 455 years before it was possible to binge-watch a season of Broad City.
Since Episcopal’s founding in 1839, Shakespeare has occupied a premier spot on the stage of learning at the School. “The intensive study and extensive appreciation of Shakespeare is one of the distinctive features of the English curriculum at Episcopal High School, offering the benefits and pleasures of true academic immersion,” said Perry Epes ’65, a former longtime English teacher. Epes’s successors in the English department count themselves as ardent students of the Bard. “One of the best things ever,” said Molly Pugh, head of the department, “is listening to my colleagues — Bill Patti, Mitch Pinkowski, and Whit Morgan — passionately argue their own interpretations of ‘Hamlet.’ ” William Shakespeare, perhaps more than any other writer, is alive today in the heads of high school English teachers and their students the world over, even though the Elizabethan Age may be as hard to imagine for students as the Cretaceous period.
Loehlin himself was bitten by the Shakespeare bug at the age of 10 when he read “Much Ado About Nothing,” he recalls. “Even an elementary schooler can find something meaningful in Shakespeare.” We know in our bones, as if by some evolutionary literary instinct, that Shakespeare is good for a body, beneficial for a brain, and a balm for the heart and soul. But why? That’s the question Jeffrey Wilson asks in his essay “Why Shakespeare?” Wilson, preceptor in expository writing at the Harvard College Writing Program, even uses this question as the fulcrum for teaching a freshmen course.
“Shakespeare continues to be relevant for high school students, and for kids even younger, for adults and also for seniors,” said Dr. James Loehlin, a Shakespeare expert at the University of Texas at Austin. “Shakespeare offers continued possibilities across the lifespan.” Consider “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” added Loehlin, who was Episcopal’s Scholar-in-Residence this year. It’s a play within a
“Why,” he asks in the essay, “did the world erupt with jubilation on Shakespeare’s 450th birthday in 2014? Why did the British government pay $2.4 million to have Shakespeare translated into Mandarin? Why is ‘Hamlet’ the most celebrated work of art in the world?” Says Wilson: The answer is because Shakespeare is universal. “Shakespeare invented the human.”
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Students move between classes in Townsend. Will a new EHS schedule change their routines?
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FEATURE
HOW TO BEAT THE CLOCK Episcopal explores how to better manage its 24/7 schedule for enhanced learning and healthy students.
“I WAS COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED.” THAT’S HOW DIRECTOR OF ACTIVITIES KATIE RYAN KANTZ FELT AFTER SPENDING A FULL DAY, FROM BEFORE BREAKFAST UNTIL LIGHTS OUT, SHADOWING LILY LIU, A SOPHOMORE FROM CHINA.
Katie Ryan knows exhaustion. She’s worked at boarding schools and independent schools most of her career. She’s chaperoned dozens of midnight skating parties and weekend overnight trips into the great outdoors. She and her husband have raised three girls only five total years apart in age. But the exhaustion of walking a mile in the shoes of a student felt different. It required a different kind of empathy, and it had a specific purpose. She was one of 14 faculty who shadowed students for a full day as part of a committee tasked, in support of the School’s recently launched
Strategic Plan, with investigating what a day, week, and year on The Holy Hill could and should look like. The final product of this careful and important work — a new schedule for EHS — is not expected to be fully implemented until the fall of 2020, some 18 months away from the night Katie Ryan slept soundly after shadowing Lily. Attention is not focused solely on the student experience. In addition to shadowing students and taking careful notes from their observations, the committee, known as the Schedule Review Task Force,
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also asked each member of the faculty to build a journey map chronicling a single day of their work. Using a timeline sheet, the teachers charted in detail how their day progressed, from morning until night. Both efforts were intended to identify trends and windows of time in the collected experiences of students and faculty that seemed especially jammed, rushed, or otherwise problematic. For several years now, faculty and administrators have known the schedule deserved a thorough reconsideration, said Nate Ebel, academic dean and co-chair of the task force. The goals of the Strategic Plan at last offered an opportunity to create the space and time needed to do this work.
A sundial by Hoxton Track.
WHY THE SCHOOL SCHEDULE MATTERS FOUR GOALS FROM THE 2018 STR ATEGIC PL AN CONNECT DIRECTLY TO THE SCHEDULING TASK FORCE’S WORK: >> Explore and implement innovative and creative ways to integrate the use of unique and powerful learning resources in Washington, D.C., across the curriculum and key programs such as the Washington Program, Leadership and Ethics, Service Learning, and Wellness Education to enhance academic excellence and learning at Episcopal. >> Profoundly develop within our students intellectual and moral courage by challenging assumptions and creating change in what education looks like, from daily schedule to student assessment, from professional development to networking. >> Ensure a safe and healthy environment where students are best prepared physically, mentally, and emotionally to learn and grow and to engage with the larger community at Episcopal and beyond. >> Seek a healthy approach and an enhanced quality of life for the faculty and staff where these adults can thrive and be their best selves in a demanding professional setting with non-traditional work hours.
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“The schedule determines the daily life of the faculty and the students. The values and focus of a school should be seen when you look at how a day goes, how a week goes,” he said. “And Episcopal is in this unique situation where we can build a schedule unlike any other school’s. We have an opportunity to take advantage of the resources of a thriving intellectual metropolis at any time day or night, because we’re all together here on campus.” The task force has begun the two-year process of creating a schedule built specifically for a boarding school where all students and faculty live together 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The goals: (1) maximize the advantages of living and learning in such close proximity to Washington, D.C.; and (2) ensure students and faculty alike have the opportunity to lead more balanced, healthier lives while pursuing ambitious goals. When it comes to making significant changes to the daily and weekly schedule at Episcopal, the motivation is perfectly reasonable and sound. With everyone living on campus, shouldn’t our approach to the schedule embrace opportunities to learn that fall outside a traditional school day? The question is the right one; coming to the right answer is more complicated. It always is.
WHAT WE DO NOW Episcopal has already built a learning culture where an impressive number of educational and communitystrengthening opportunities for students are available beyond the bounds of the traditional school day. Roughly a dozen times each year, the community gathers in chapel or Pendleton for an evening guest speaker
Com out thme idttee members students, ay they spe mapped of joy an compiling mnt with identifyi d frustratio oments trouble s ng trends a n and nd pots. — sometimes a religious leader, often an expert in an academic field or area of life important for teenagers. The social studies department for years has organized a monthly Lyceum event on Sunday evenings in which one of their own or an outside expert discusses a topic relevant both to history and current events.
focus on organized but informal student discussions around current events and important school issues — regularly hosts weekend breakfast and lunch meetings and evening events. A variety of cultural-awareness groups regularly sponsor activities ranging from musical guests to outside experts in the evenings and on weekends.
Math teacher Patrick Thompson holds his vaunted (and, for many students, essential) “study parties” most often in the evening hours, and a dozen or more students routinely gather to crunch through the issues most mathematically perplexing to them as they work their way through precalculus to BC Calculus and beyond.
WHAT WE COULD OFFER TOMORROW
Other teachers, such as Steve Castle and Frances DeSassaure Murray ’06, can be found regularly at 7:30 a.m. or earlier in the dining hall, meeting one on one or with small groups to tackle assignments or concepts. Dr. Colleen Krivacek is beloved by her students for being available even late into the evening. With precious exception, faculty doors are indeed always open. Many student groups utilize evenings and weekends to meet and hold special sessions and events for the school community. For example, TableTalk — a student group started in 2016 and inspired by the college organization, with a
A key component in the Strategic Plan for Episcopal, however, calls for a schoolwide effort to more effectively liberate academic learning opportunities from the cell block of the traditional 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. day. The McCain-Ravenel Task Force, another committee formed to help implement the Strategic Plan, is focused on developing innovative, powerful ways to integrate signature programs, such as Leadership and Ethics and the Washington Program, fully into our academic program and create deeper, meaningful experiential educational opportunities — unique opportunities that leverage our flexibility as a 100 percent boarding community and our remarkable access to the rich and diverse resources of the nation’s capital.
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Jen Fitzpatric girls’ athletic k, director of Cummings ’1 s, trailed Ellie day, gleaning 9 throughout one Episcopal’s sc insights about how doesn’t work –hedule works – or for students. A few examples of the plans already in the early stages, according to Goldstein, include: • Pop-up courses — Experts from in and around the D.C. area can be hired to teach late afternoon and early evening courses. These could be a few short periods over the span of several weeks, or they could extend enough hours to fully replace a traditional semester course. • Full-day, immersive, deep dives into learning — Teachers will take a class into the city for a full day of experience, learning, and reflection around a course content area. • Off-site mini-courses — A small cohort of students, paired with one or two faculty members, could pursue an independent special curriculum off campus in various locations throughout Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., for extended periods or even an entire semester. • Exploratory term — The School could create a block of multiple weeks, perhaps between semesters, in which a variety of educational experiences, including international opportunities, service-learning trips, etc., can be deepened or intensified in ways not currently possible in the schedule. As anyone who has ever worked in a primary or secondary school setting would attest, the daily schedule is a window into the priorities of the school. Occasionally, a school’s schedule illustrates a vigorous pursuit of its mission from opening bell to close, but just as often outside forces and influences dictate the day. For example, many public school
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districts must stagger start and end times to accommodate bus availability. Some buses pick students up before 6 a.m. despite growing research that kids need those early morning hours for sleep. Most independent and public schools, including Episcopal, must conform to athletic league game and practice schedules that force organized sports into a narrow afternoon block.
AVOID “BOARDING SCHOOL BURNOUT” Further, Episcopal recognizes that healthy and well-balanced teachers avoid the dreaded “boarding school burnout” far better than those who are stretched too thin. How might restructuring an academic schedule to accommodate more academic-focused afternoon and evening programming impact the lives of adults already juggling dorm, advisory, and coaching duties alongside their classroom work and preparations? The scheduling task force began meeting in the fall of 2018 and will continue working through next year in the hopes of launching a new schedule at the start of the 2020-21 school year. It is tasked with maneuvering a practical, manageable schedule around the American Ninja Warrior-like obstacle course of seemingly endless challenges. What motivates them to power through is the certainty that the school community is behind them.
tor of c e r i D t n a Assist ing Joey Halm 22 Counsel Susan Wang ’ ng a followed ass to class, taki nce. from cl e of daily experie measur
“Journey ma created by fac ps” members trac ulty activity over t ked their of the day. he course When students heard about the shadowing initiative, a startling number reached out to Nate Ebel asking if teachers could follow them as well. Their enthusiasm to be followed around by an adult for a full day initially took him by surprise but also made sense. “That interest, to me, was a clear sign that the students want to support this effort to change the schedule,” he said. “It’s also a reminder that many of our students seek out and appreciate any opportunity to connect more deeply with a faculty member.” Given the strong support the task force feels from students, faculty, and administrators, it is taking a hard look at every detail. “All the things that we think of as current staples of our schedule are up for discussion,” Nate said. “It’s all on the table for us to re-envision what these might look like and what shape they might take.”
The daily schedule is a window into the priorities of a school. None of the components of an Episcopal education considered essential to the School’s identity are going to be eliminated. But the task force will consider whether they can be incorporated in different but equally or more effective ways, so long as the changes help advance the overall mission of EHS.
“We know this is going to be a difficult challenge, which is why we’re taking our time and moving carefully, but there’s great hope,” Nate said. “There’s no magic bullet, and there’s no perfect schedule, but we all have great hope that we will come out of this work as a better and stronger school. And that hope is grounded in confidence. We’re confident in who we are and what we are trying to do.”
THE GOOD KIND OF EXHAUSTED When Katie Ryan shared her feeling of exhaustion with the task force members as they discussed their shadowing experiences, it began a discussion about the varying rollercoaster emotions and levels of engagement that could happen over the course of a student’s — or teacher’s — day. Erin Cohn of Leadership + Design, the consulting firm helping guide the task force, reminded members that exhaustion was not always a bad thing if that energy was expended in ways that felt especially useful and productive. “We can be aware of where the kids are not enthusiastic or lit up, but we should pay even closer attention to what about the day excites and energizes them and the reasons those moments happen,” Cohn said. A great school day ought to leave a student, as the time for lights out approaches, exhausted. The best kind of exhausted. The feeling of a day well spent.
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CAN YOU MEASURE MORAL COURAGE? That’s the question two teachers are tackling to evaluate the impact of Episcopal on students’ character.
Beginning
Courage Metrics One of 14 rubrics asks students to assess whether they “stand up for what’s right.”
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I have a good understanding of what is right and wrong.
I notice when something wrong is happening in our school community.
FEATURE
MATH TEACHERS MIMI SCHWANDA AND PATRICK THOMPSON ENTERED L AST YEAR WRESTLING WITH AN EXISTENTIAL QUESTION. BOTH OVERSEE PROGR AMS DESIGNED TO INCORPOR ATE ASPECTS OF CHAR ACTER EDUCATION INTO THE EPISCOPAL EXPERIENCE. OUTSIDE THE CL ASSROOM, PATRICK RUNS THE OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP PROGR AM, INCLUDING THE FRESHMAN BURCH TRIP; MIMI, MEANWHILE, IS THE DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS.
Their programs are popular and highly regarded, but that wasn’t enough. Mimi and Patrick wanted to know: Do they work? More broadly, the teachers began to consider how the School could measure the effectiveness of all that it does — through programs but also informally — to build student character. In short, the two wanted to measure how the School’s extensive character-education efforts resulted in seniors who crossed the graduation stage as better people than when they arrived on The Holy Hill. Thanks to a bequest from Jesse Couch ’40 that supports the Lee Sanford Ainslie, Jr. ’56 Fellows Mastership Program (page 88), Mimi and Patrick set out to build
a measurement system to answer these questions. Their research took them to university experts, Outward Bound, and peers at other schools known for character education. It quickly became clear they were in unchartered territory; no researchers or teachers had figured out how to measure the impact of character education. Patrick said: “Most of the schools we talked to about our project said, ‘Wow, that’s amazing. Will you tell us what you find out?’” Toward the end of last year, Mimi and Patrick began developing rubrics through which students, working individually with their advisors, could identify where they fall on a scale of moral courage. The rubrics draw directly from
Mastering
When I see something wrong happen, I engage in conversation about it with a friend or trusted adult.
When I see something wrong occur, I say something in the moment.
When I see something wrong occur, I follow up with conversations in the community in an attempt to make our community stronger.
When I see something wrong occur, to the best of my ability I take action to make it stop.
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A new teacher-led initiative aims to study whether programs like the freshmen Burch Trip help build character.
characteristics of moral courage outlined in the School’s recently completed Portrait of a Graduate, including integrity, humility, and empathy. For each of the characteristics, the teachers wrote specific actions to give students clear guideposts as to where to place themselves on a rubric. For instance, in the rubric focused on the Honor Code titled, “I act with honor and integrity,” students could place themselves at one of four points on the scale: • I value the Honor Code in all areas of my school life. • I can recognize when friends/peers are not following the Honor Code. • I feel I can confront a friend when they are not following the Honor Code. • I can and will report a friend when they are not following the Honor Code.
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Through such specificity, Mimi and Patrick hoped to give concreteness to abstract concepts like integrity, honor, and empathy. Said Mimi: “We wanted to take those kind of big fancy words and pare them down to something measurable, or at least observable. It gives the kids a chance to say, for instance: ‘Do I believe that my friend’s problem is also my problem, or do I just think that it’s up to them to figure out?’” Before school opened this year, student leaders read the draft rubrics, weighed in, and suggested tweaks. “They had all sorts of good ideas about the language, whether it sounded too much like an adult talking,” Patrick said. “At times, they said it didn’t seem honest or reflective of their experience.” Faculty, too, read the document and contributed thoughts and edits. The final version of the rubrics was rolled out this fall. In one-on-one meetings with their advisors, students assessed where they were on each scale, with the advisors
The initiative aims to make abstract concepts like empathy more concrete. contributing their observations of students’ behavior and helping them consider goals.
answers would change year to year and provide a snapshot of their growth.” Students will repeat their self-assessments in late spring with advisors, identify any growth, and revisit goals. They will also reflect on, say, their involvement in leadership programs or the value of campus speakers who’ve addressed moral questions and dilemmas.
Physics teacher Steve Castle said the concreteness of the rubrics provided the leverage to dig deep with advisees. “It led to some pretty authentic and honest conversations,” he said. Over time, with more frequent and substantive discussions, the rubrics could be the vehicle by which students deliberately consider what kind of person they want to be.
Examined collectively, the data may help the School identify weaknesses in its character education. For instance, if firstyear students as a class show significant growth, but then advance very little as sophomores, the School may examine that year closely and see what’s not working well or missing.
Steve said: “Personally my pie-in-the-sky for this program would be that students start every year by asking questions like: ‘What do I stand for? What do I believe in?’ Their
Said Patrick: “The original idea for our work was: Are the programs that we’re doing at Episcopal High School working? So we’ll use this to ask what we can do better.”
Chapel and frequent speakers aim to help students grow in empathy, respect, and kindness.
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THE IVORY TOWER Building on its personalized program, the College Counseling Office is helping students who choose to take a gap year before college.
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FEATURE
IN DECEMBER OF HER SENIOR YEAR AT EPISCOPAL, L AURYN KING ’17 FOUND OUT SHE HAD BEEN ACCEPTED TO DARTMOUTH, HER DREAM SCHOOL. YET NO SOONER HAD SHE VICTORIOUSLY CLOSED OUT ONE APPLICATION PROCESS THEN SHE BEGAN ANOTHER.
Earlier in the year, Dr. Rick Dixon, her German teacher at Episcopal, had talked about a prestigious scholarship to study in Germany. Sponsored by the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag, the program sends just 250 Americans to study at German high schools and immerse themselves in the country’s culture. To Lauryn, this seemed like a can’tmiss opportunity to study abroad and improve her German. “Also, I decided it would be a great way to catch my breath,” she said. “Four years at Episcopal is really rigorous, and I knew I was going into another rigorous environment at Dartmouth.” Working with Rick, Lauryn assembled and fired off an application. When the acceptance arrived, Lauryn soon found herself deferring her Dartmouth dream to pursue another. She spent the 2017-18 academic year attending a high school outside Bonn, living with a host family, and immersing herself in the German culture she had learned about in books at Episcopal. Lauryn’s gap-year adventure is unusual but not unique. Episcopal’s faculty and College Counseling Office — skilled guides in the college-admissions journey — are increasingly helping students identify ways to put college on hold for a year to explore unique experiences that can help them grow as individuals. The number of students hoping to take time off before college is small, said Tara Maglio, director of college
Before Dartmouth, Lauryn King ’17 studied in Germany and traveled in Europe, with stops including the John Lennon Wall in Prague.
counseling. But “the gap year is filtering into the EHS consciousness. It is a year for them to get a bigger picture of what they want to do in the world, to enhance their skills.”
147 COLLEGES AND COUNTING The College Counseling Office, which is located inside Hoxton House, is full of light, cheer, and energy, with students routinely dropping by for appointments or quick conversations. College banners hang on the wall, a reminder that this office’s primary function is to help navigate the college process. Episcopal students from the Classes of 2015 through 2018 have matriculated to 147 colleges, among them places as different as Colby and Georgia Tech, the University of California at Berkeley and New York University, Harvard and West Point. Episcopal students are going on to higher education to play college basketball, major in business, minor in British literature, study fashion merchandising, and sing in acapella groups like Yale’s Whiffenpoofs — sometimes all at once. Even before the first student proposed a gap year, counseling was already multifaceted and nuanced: No student is a facsimile, all are unique. The college counselors, thanks to their campus involvement, begin building rapport with students long before the college search begins. For instance, Ellen Albers, associate director of college counseling, is part of the 10th grade Leadership and Ethics team, does dorm duty on Evans, coaches cross training, and serves as an advisor to 10th and 11th grade students. “Because we live together, we are able to get to know our students beyond their transcripts and test scores,” Ellen said. “What’s more, we are in the unique position to communicate to colleges what
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impact a student will make on their campuses both inside and outside of the classroom because we see it, firsthand, each and every day.” Tara Maglio began her career as assistant director of undergraduate admissions at her alma mater, Georgetown University. She came to Episcopal after 14 years in high school counseling, the last few at Georgetown Visitation; she knows students, she knows colleges, and she understands the networks that connect them. Episcopal’s program is notable for the structure that undergirds students’ college exploration. It sets four broad goals annually for students from their freshman to senior years – goals that have as much to do with personal development as with preparing for college. For instance, the goals for a student’s first two years at Episcopal stress that students – get this! – should really enjoy Episcopal!
Taking a year off before Rice University, Hayes Cochrane ’16 hiked the 2,189-mile Appalachian Trail.
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Episcopal’s college counselors want freshmen to do well academically and set college goals, but they also want students to get involved in the EHS community and join clubs or sports teams or other activities. As the goals state, “engaging in activities outside of the classroom is another opportunity to meet new people and explore new passions.” When it comes to the college search itself, the counselors work hard to tailor their efforts to the concerns and interests of individual students, whether those relate to financial aid, class size, or potential major.
‘THE BEST FRESHMAN YEAR’? Because of their emphasis on counseling customized for each individual, Tara and her team were well prepared when students began considering taking a year off between high school and college. The gap-year concept, which has percolated in American education for many years, climbed into the broader public consciousness in 2016, when Malia Obama, the then-President’s daughter, opted for a gap year and deferred her admission to Harvard. The Gap Year Association, a group of organizations that offer gap-year travel and programs, reports that while a fraction of college freshman take time off after high school, the number is growing. The gap-year concept is also winning support from prominent college-admissions leaders. Several universities sponsor their own gap-year programs, and
Sophie Singletary ’18 is teaching English in a Senegal orphanage before starting at Princeton.
Harvard has made a point of publicly endorsing the idea. Decrying the “fast track” that many kids run on, William Fitzsimmons, the longtime Harvard dean of admissions, joined other Harvard officials to write a letter that hailed the gap year as “a time to step back and reflect, to gain perspective on personal values and goals, or to gain needed life experience in a setting separate from and independent of one’s accustomed pressures and expectations.” Even more boldly, Abigail Falik and Linda Frey of Global Citizen Year suggested in the Chronicle of Higher Education that the gap year is “the best freshman year.” “Educators know that the power skills of the 21st century – resilience, empathy, collaboration, initiative – are difficult to teach in the classroom,” they wrote. “To build these skills, students need to be out in the world grappling with complex issues of identity, equity, diversity, and power. A purposeful gap year is a powerful way to build those muscles.” Building muscle is exactly what Episcopal college counselors help students do as they consider a gap year. They counsel students to seek life skills for the exciting, challenging world beyond The Holy Hill. “The gap year is a compelling way for students to gain life experiences and grow personally,” Tara Maglio said. “For some students, applying to college can feel like a full-time job. Grades and transcripts, sports and extracurriculars, essays and standardized tests, rigorous academics and early admissions — the pressure can be intense.” Tara’s advice for Episcopal seniors planning a gap year? “Planning cannot be underestimated,” she said. “It takes a lot of work to plan for college, and even more to plan for a good gap year.”
PUTTING PRINCETON ON PAUSE Sophie Singletary ’18 decided on delaying her entrance to Princeton only after a lot of work and discussion with Episcopal college counselor Laurén Carter, whom she calls “my rock of support.” Laurén “was fully invested in both the college process and the gap-year application process and is still to this day one of the most encouraging and supportive adults in my life,” Sophie said. “She made the college process, an often daunting and stressful time, exciting for me.” Sophie’s mother, Sally, echoed her daughter. “We had a wonderful experience with the College Counseling Office and with Laurén Carter in particular,” she said. Princeton introduced Sophie’s gap-year program, the Novogratz Bridge Year Program, in 2009 for a small number of first-year students. They begin their Princeton experience with nine months of university-sponsored service at one of five international locations. Since September, Sophie has been in Dakar, Senegal, with six of her Princeton classmates. She lives with a family in an urban neighborhood. “I have gained a deeper understanding of the importance of family in Senegalese culture,” Sophie said via email. “Furthermore, learning the most widely spoken Senegalese language, Wolof, has been my gateway to better absorbing the inner workings of the culturally rich environment around me.” During the day, Sophie teaches English at SOS Children’s Village, a preschool and elementary that serves as an
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Tara Maglio, a veteran of college counseling, helps students structure the gap year to help them grow as individuals. orphanage for 120 children. “It has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding,” she said. “Spending my mornings surrounded by young, bubbly, and eager-to-learn children has been nothing short of soul-stirring.” Sophie called her Senegal sojourn “the most invigorating experience of my life; I am constantly being intellectually stimulated, challenged to reconsider my previously held notions about the complexities of this world, and shaken into living with a curious head and an open heart. I have learned that the acquisition of knowledge is not restricted to the classroom and that many of the most important lessons are seldom taught.” Hayes Cochrane ’16 speaks in similarly glowing terms of his gap-year experience. While still at Episcopal, he decided to take time off from the classroom before his college studies. Specifically, he decided he wanted to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, the famous path that follows the spine of the East Coast over 2,189 miles and across 14 states. Hayes’s mother was immediately supportive of her son’s gap year. His father took some convincing. “My father wanted me to keep my momentum rolling academically and jump straight into college,” Hayes said. But he came around, particularly when Hayes found research suggesting students who take gap years perform better academically in college than those who don’t. Jubilantly, both his parents hiked the first two miles of the trail with him. As he continued on solo, he said he developed a toughness with each passing day. Over time, he learned not to think about what he’d left behind but to focus on what lay ahead.
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The trip also introduced him to an extraordinary assortment of fellow hikers. “I met other students taking gap years, veterans, families, professors, engineers, musicians, movie directors, homeless people, doctors, activists, and Germans, Danes, and Argentinians. We were all in the same boat sharing our experiences. Sometimes I’d spend a few minutes with a person, sometimes I’d spend months. But each individual I met brought a piece of real-world perspective that I don’t think I would have gotten if I had just moved straight into college.” “Taking a gap year and doing a hike like this probably taught me more about myself than anything else in my life,” added Hayes, who’s now completing his second year at Rice University. “If I had to boil it down to a few words, I would say my gap year made me more sensible, empathetic, and confident.” Lauryn King, meanwhile, says her year in Bonn was an ideal immersion in German life and language. All her classes were taught in German, and she lived with a homestay family that took her to cultural hotspots, including various local Christmas markets, for which Germany is famous. Thanks to the city’s subway and extensive local transportation system, she also explored the city on her own. Arriving at Dartmouth last fall, she began classwork toward what she expects will be two majors: film s tudies a nd German. Her fluency is such that she’s teaching German to fellow students three days a week. And even though she’s not even completed her first year on the picturesque campus, she’s already making plans for another learning experience in Germany: Next fall, she’ll spend 10 weeks in Berlin on a Dartmouth study-abroad program.
Goals for the College Search The College Counseling Office sets goals for students each year of their Episcopal career. Here are excerpts from a few.
9TH GR ADE Build meaningful relationships with not only classmates but also teachers and other adults at EHS. Do well academically. We encourage 9th grade students to write out their goals for the year (along with their advisor) and keep this list as a guide to help them stay on track. Maybe a goal is to speak up and participate in math class more.
10TH GR ADE Continue to develop and grow as a learner. Make sure that you are able to do your personal best in your classes. Seek out help from your teachers if you need any clarification about class assignments or to ensure that you fully understand the class material. READ! READ! READ! One way to develop as a student and to help prepare you for college is to read. ‌ Try to read for longer periods of time and to read in a setting that is free of distractions (no Snapchat or texting allowed!) so you are able to focus on the material.
11TH GR ADE
12TH GR ADE
Take practice SAT/ACT exams and understand your results. Make sure you review the testing results and understand what you need to prepare for the SAT or ACT.
Continue to do your best in your classes and extracurricular activities. This year goes by fast and furiously so plan ahead. Be a role model for others. ‌ This is your responsibility as a senior. Our younger students are looking up to you for how to conduct themselves on dorm, on campus, and in co-curricular activities. Set the bar high.
Meet regularly with your college counselor (beginning second semester). Your counselor will guide you through the college process, help you plan a standardized testing calendar, and advise you for senior-year course selection.
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INTO AFRICA’S
After nearly a decade in Kenya, Kate Spencer ’03 has an expanding safari company, a notable conservation program, and a keen sense of how danger makes you feel alive.
PHOTOS BY KATE SPENCER
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FEATURE
SEVER AL TIMES THIS YEAR, KATE SPENCER ’03 WILL PITCH TENTS WITH HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS ON THE AFRICAN SAVANNA NEAR THE 17,000-FOOT MOUNT KENYA, STEPS AWAY FROM A SWAMP THAT’S A MAGNET FOR WILDLIFE. IN THE MORNINGS, THE STUDENTS WILL BRUSH THEIR TEETH AS GIR AFFES STROLL BY. AT NIGHT THEY WILL FALL ASLEEP TO THE WHOOPING OF HYENAS AND THE ROARING OF LIONS.
Her charges are perfectly safe, as a fence encircles their campsite. But after nearly a decade of work in Africa, Kate places a high value on the occasional dangerous encounter and the opportunity to step outside one’s comfort zone. “We can get so wrapped up in stupid little stuff in our everyday lives,” she says. “Sometimes, it takes the possibility of death to remind us that we’re alive.”
its thriving herd of the critically endangered black rhino. More important, she shows participants the building blocks of Lewa’s community-based conservation strategy, which is hailed globally. The students see how Lewa works to improve the lives of Kenyans near the wildlife sanctuary so that they will, in turn, help conservation efforts by, say, monitoring their farms for poachers.
Perhaps best known during her days at Episcopal as a semi-permanent fixture of the art room, Kate has since discovered a deep passion for the wilderness and the wild things in it. Today, she owns a safari company and spends as much as three-quarters of each year in Africa leading custom-designed trips to explore the wildlife and culture on the continent. Gorillas in Rwanda. The rare sitatunga antelope in Botswana. The native Himba people of Namibia. Each trip is also an immersion into how she believes conservation should be done: indigenous peoples and environmentalists as partners, with the work enhancing local communities.
Kate’s goal: turn her young sojourners into committed and knowledgeable advocates for community-based conservation.
Among her favorite trips are those that take her to that Mount Kenya campsite as part of Young Conservationists, a program she launched four years ago with the famed Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Gathering teens and young adults from the United States, Canada, and Europe, she delivers an intimate study of Lewa’s bountiful wildlife, including
Kate, who grew up on a farm in Warrenton, Va., came to Episcopal in part so she could continue to compete in Northern Virginia horseback-riding competitions that she had done since she was a child. At EHS, she threw herself into a range of activities — she was a head tour guide, a cheerleader, and a member of Discipline Committee, among other things — and went on to the honors program at Boston College. She majored in art history but found herself drawn to the environmental-science classes on the same hall. “I used to walk down and look at what they were doing and say, ‘I should do this.’” Her bright future grew cloudy when her father died unexpectedly. She finished her degree, then returned home to be with her mother and regroup. Through a job with the
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INTO AFRICA’S WILD
Warrenton-based Piedmont Environmental Council, she scratched her itch to learn more about conservation issues. And within a couple years, with her family back on solid footing, she began exploring other jobs in conservation, particularly those that could feed a growing wanderlust. By chance, her focus narrowed to Africa when she and her mother saw a documentary that featured Lewa’s 62,000-acre sanctuary. This vast land was for decades a commercial farm and cattleand-sheep ranch started by Scottish immigrants. But in the 1980s, owners Delia Craig and her husband, David, agreed to conservationist Anna Merz’s plan to carve out 5,000 acres as a safe home and breeding ground for Kenya’s black rhino, of which there were only 300.
Later, Kate landed a job at a Lewa lodge owned by the Craig family, where she managed operations and taught guests about conservation. Quickly, she fell in love with Kenya’s wild landscape, a “beautiful combination of drama and finesse,” as she describes it, with imposing mountain ranges mixing with gently rolling savanna.
The Craigs eventually dedicated their entire ranch as a wildlife preserve, bringing under protection dozens of species, including several that are endangered. Opening the land to tourist safaris brought in money for anti-poaching measures, animal research, and social-service improvements for the surrounding villages. Funds paid for community development, microlending to spur businesses, health clinics, cleanwater projects, schools, and more.
She also came to appreciate the daily hardships and challenges. She recalls camping alone one night under a mosquito net hung from a tree. She woke to the sound of a bull elephant dropping seed pods as he ate from the tree. “We hung out for about an hour,” she says, and then the elephant moved along peacefully.
Watching this story spill out in the documentary, Kate knew she had found where she wanted to work. “I remember turning to my mother and saying, ‘That’s where I want to go.’” Kate says. “And she looked at me like, ‘Oh, dear God.’”
“You gain a degree of confidence when you’re challenged on a daily basis,” she says. In Western culture, people are too often hemmed in by laws and their own aversion to risk. “It’s liberating to set yourself free and see how you react to adversity and danger. You figure out how to survive, and you become stronger.”
Kate landed at Nairobi airport in June of 2009. She had an internship with a lodge that was part of a conservation ranch in southern Kenya — what became the stepping stone to working at Lewa.
Kate Spencer’s safari trips focus on Africa’s wildlife – and the community-based conservation efforts to maintain the diversity of the continent’s animal kingdom.
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Kate was well traveled — she had done Episcopal’s French exchange program, studied in Italy, and even worked sailboat cruises one summer in Santorini, Greece. But Kenya’s poverty shocked her, and it took time to adjust to the daily challenges of living remotely and with few modern conveniences. When a small plane ferried her from Nairobi to the ranch where she would work, the pilot had to fly low and buzz the runway to clear it of giraffes and zebras. The closest “civilization” was a small Maasai village that was miles away.
Wildlife is at the core of the two-week Young Conservationists program, with activities each morning and evening to study animal behavior. The curriculum
“Sometimes, it takes the possibility of death to remind us that we’re alive,” says Kate.
Students on Kate’s trips visit Maasai villages.
focuses on Lewa’s operations that promote and protect wildlife, including its anti-poaching and security measures and its research and monitoring methods. Students also are immersed in the conservancy’s community-based conservation work. They visit projects bringing fresh water to villagers, buy meat from a butcher whose business was launched through Lewa’s micro-lending program, and tour some of the health clinics that serve more than 50,000 in the region. They also work a couple days in one of the schools the conservancy has helped build. Guides for the trip are Maasai tribesmen who know the wildlife intimately and talk about the evolution of their communities. Students also visit Maasai villages, where tribespeople still live in mud huts and drink cow’s blood, per custom. Ultimately, Kate sees the trip as an academic study and cultural immersion. But most important, she believes it’s critical training for future conservation leaders. She teaches students photography, marketing, and fundraising, hoping they will return home as champions for both Lewa and the concept of community-based conservation. One Young
Conservationists alumna gave a presentation at the Dallas Zoo. Another wrote her college thesis on the topic, tapping contacts she had made at Lewa. That former college student is now a wildlife photographer who’s tracked mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo and leopards in Namibia. This year, she’s volunteering to work on some of Kate’s trips. When she’s not in Africa, Kate lives in Andover, N.H., where her significant other coaches alpine ski racing at a boarding school, the Procter Academy. But increasingly, Africa calls. Next year, she’s starting an artists’ retreat camp in 2020 led by Alex Beard, an abstract naturalist artist based out of New Orleans. Painting, music, yoga, and dance are all potential activities for this luxury private camp in the wilderness. She’s also expanding the Young Conservationists operation, with plans to run additional trips in Namibia and other countries. “Youth are the future of wildlife conservation and sustainability,” she said. “It’s important to start preparing them now to combat the challenges facing our world’s natural assets, so that they can have the skills and tools to keep it wild.”
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
A TIMELESS WELCOME A TREE-LINED CAMPUS APPROACH HOLDS DEEP YET VARIED MEANING FOR GENERATIONS OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY.
A photo of the Quaker Lane entrance from the 1948 yearbook.
Apart from Hoxton House, Episcopal’s front drive is the School’s most enduring landmark. For 180 years, the long, tree-lined approach to campus from Quaker Lane has stirred powerful emotions, no matter the generation of applicants, students, faculty, and alumni. Though the School has updated its facilities repeatedly to meet the demands of modernity and education, the front drive remains immutable. For some passersby, this entrance literally beckons. As a ninth grader at nearby St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes, Lucy Whittle Goldstein ’97 applied to Episcopal to join the sophomore class. “I was enamored of EHS,” she remembered. Every day, when she passed the Quaker Lane gates as her mother drove her to St. Stephen’s, Lucy turned to look. “I would stare
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The drive is a hub of activity for students, whether they are sledding or running on glorious fall afternoons.
longingly up that long front drive, imagining myself as a student there some day.” Marty Martin ’69 came to campus during his admissions visit in 1966. He vividly remembers that after his tour and interview, he looked down the drive from the porch of Hoxton House and realized “that I was starting my life’s journey on my own with no idea of where it would take me, but the promise of coming from a place like Episcopal.” After years of lobbying his parents, Marty had persuaded them to let him to go away to school. Now, the drive represented his future and all the opportunities presented by Episcopal. For Regi Burns ’72, one of Episcopal’s first African-American students, the significance of his decision to attend Episcopal was impressed upon him during his ride up the front drive in the back seat of the family car, arriving as a new student. Regi’s classmates were excitedly yelling, “He’s here. He’s here!” Bewildered, Regi asked his mother, “Who’s here?” Regi’s mother held his hand, hugged him, and said, “You are, dear. You are.”
“EVERY YEAR AT SCHOOL IS A FRESH BEGINNING, YET MARKED BY THE SIGNS OF THE MATURING YEAR AND THE SLOW BEAUTY OF FALLING LEAVES.” PERRY EPES ’65
Rex Wilson ’68 remembers the drive as the scene of his aborted exit from school when he struggled academically during his transition to Episcopal. Rex made it through, thanks to the determined support of Patrick Callaway and other beloved masters of the 1960s, but early on, he decided to run away with his friend Gerald Train ’69. After steeling themselves for the escape by listening to the Dave Clark Five’s “Catch Us If You Can,” the two set out, walking down the drive and out the front gate – a departure Rex believed would preserve their self-respect. Rex and Gerald made it as far as Winchester, Va., before tiring of hitchhiking and the cold. They called then-Headmaster Richard Porter Thomsen ’30, explained their predicament, and made their way back to Episcopal and the 100 demerits waiting for them. After students enroll, the significance of the front drive changes somewhat as it becomes a hub of everyday activity. They run up the drive to train for sports, play Maroon & Black soccer on its fields, and practice the discus and other throwing events. On snowy days, they sled down the hill.
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
The front drive, photographed in 1929. It’s one of the few places on campus largely untouched by time or modernization.
Perry Epes ’65 remembers the drive from his days as a student, but during his decades as a teacher, he began to see it as a metaphor for teaching. “The beauty of the front drive made a continuing impression, especially the stunning colors of the maple trees in autumn, about the time of Family Weekend. Every year at school is a fresh beginning, yet marked by the signs of the maturing year and the slow beauty of falling leaves. That’s an icon of what students do, maturing steadily while refreshing continually. Somehow added wisdom never abolishes the vigor of innocence and hope.” Like Perry, Warner Blunt ’07, assistant director of admissions, has come to know the front drive as a student and as an adult member of the community. These days, the road is the homestretch of his daily walks on campus with his dog. “My favorite time of year to walk up the front drive is in the evening during the winter months,” he said. “It allows me to reflect on why I do what I do. First and foremost, I can see my office in Penick Hall pretty easily without the spring and summer growth on the row of trees. That is a daily connection to what our many applicants see on their way up the front drive. Next, I really enjoy seeing Hoxton House lit up and almost inviting you to come in that front door, especially when it is cold outside. Last, I love the fact that I know students and faculty are indoors getting ready for study hall, eating dinner, and building those important relationships that I remember so fondly as a student.” Katharine Farrar ’07 has experienced the front drive in almost every possible role: daughter of an alumnus who also taught at the School, sister of a student, a student herself, an alumna, and, now, as assistant director of annual giving. “From my days riding in the backseat of the car up through my promotion into the driver’s seat, driving up the front drive has always provoked feelings of excitement, safety, and comfort,” she said. “But, most important, it has always represented a place full of opportunity and hope for the future.” The gate left some in awe, yet also intimidated.
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The emotions sparked by the front drive aren’t always good ones. Larry VanMeter ’76 remembers dropping off his son John Thomas (J.T.) ’10
Commencement, which takes place at the head of the drive, closes students’ Episcopal years not far from where many first arrived.
as a freshman in 2006. J.T. was determined to attend EHS, but his mother, Lucy, had deep reservations. Though she finally acquiesced, her misgivings did not abate after dropping off their son. Larry VanMeter recalled, “We left J.T. at the top of the front drive. I asked Lucy if she wanted a picture with J.T. The answer was a terse ‘No.’” As they pulled away, Lucy climbed into the back seat of the car and refused to speak for the next four hours. “The good news,” Larry added, “is that after a couple of years, Lucy stopped suggesting to J.T. that he could come home, conceding that EHS had been a great choice for him.” Jonathan Lee ’01, an assistant director of admissions, is often the first person prospective families meet when they come to campus for their interview and tour. Jonathan had mixed emotions when he made that same trip up the drive years ago to visit campus. An Alexandrian, he had ridden past the Quaker Lane entrance many times and thought of this moment as his introduction to white, Southern culture. He was both awed and intimidated, but his fears melted away as an admissions officer, Bill Ellis, warmly welcomed the Lee family in front of Penick, albeit wearing a seersucker suit.
“I WOULD STARE LONGINGLY UP THAT LONG FRONT DRIVE, IMAGINING MYSELF AS A STUDENT THERE SOME DAY” LUCY WHITTLE GOLDSTEIN ’97
For Jonathan, the significance of the front drive evolved with commencement. “I was a little sweaty after cleaning up the last few things in my room. My dad gave me the option to sit or drive, and I chose to drive down the front drive myself. It was bittersweet: driving off campus in my parents’ car versus driving off campus for the last time as a student. The view of the front drive was just as amazing on the last day as it was on the first day!” Ultimately, the front drive is both the beginning and end to many students’ EHS experience. Students arriving to the School for the first time are welcomed at the top of the drive at Hoxton Circle. Years later, they will be wrapped in ceremony at that circle, surrounded by their community of family, friends, and faculty for commencement. Then, with their careers here concluded, they will leave, heading down the drive as graduates of Episcopal High School.
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Class Notes
’47
Harvey Lindsay One Colley Avenue, Apt. 900 Norfolk, VA 23510 (H) 757-423-1877 (O) 757-640-8202 harveylindsay@harveylindsay.com
’48
Hugh Richardson 1819 Peachtree Road, NE, #200 Atlanta, GA 30309 (H) 404-351-0941
When Senior Monitor Norris Broyles was an EHS student, he lived in an attractive house with his family on Peachtree Road in Atlanta. Most of the houses on Peachtree have been replaced by apartments, condos, and townhouses. Norris and his wife, Shirley, have lived in one but are now planning to move into a residential community with more amenities at year’s end. Pictured (next page) are Shirley and Norris at their new unfinished digs. They lament that they are going “crazy” downsizing in preparation of moving. Remember the song “Deep in the Heart of Texas”? William “Bill” K. Bruce still lives in the beloved state (Texas) and city (Houston) where he grew up. After graduating from the University of the South, he served two years in the Marines, returning to join his father in the insurance business. In 1958, he married Anne Morgan from LaGrange, Texas. They live in a retirement community in Houston. Bill was a fine athlete on the football and basketball teams on The Holy Hill, and a popular and loyal member of Egypt. Head Monitor and Class President “Cap’n” Jack Clarkson called from Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., where he and his wife, Kirk, live in a senior citizens’ community. He says Charlie Gamble ’50 lives nearby. Jack had just returned from working out at an exercise class where he was the only male and which included a 100-year-old woman and one 95. Jack was living outside of Chicago when World War II started, and he and his mother moved to Washington. She applied 46
There are several ways to submit Class Notes: 1. S ubmit news online through the alumni portal at www.episcopalhighschool.org; 1 2. Contact your Class Correspondent by phone, mail, or email; or 2 3. W rite your news in the space provided on the Roll Call reply card and mail it with your 3 annual gift.
to Episcopal and Woodberry for Jack; EHS was the first heard from, so off to The High School went Jack. He had had leg problems and each leg was put in a cast separately to rectify the problem. When the casts were removed, his physicians told him to run as much as possible. Jack said he would run to classes, meals, and 130-lb. football practice. He caught the eye of C.V. Tompkins, track coach and owner of Camp Yonahnoka. Jack spent the summer at Yonahnoka, where Tompkins persuaded him to come out for track. As we all know, Jack was captain of the 1948 track team, excelling in the dashes and mile relay. He also starred in football and was Coach Bus Male’s fastest member of the 1947 undefeated football team. Bob Richardson, no relation, alas, didn’t make it to the 70th Reunion, but he wonders whatever happened to Cooper Dawson’s ’28 attempt our senior year to make us familiar with the manual of arms and riflery. Cooper, whose family owned the Penn-Daw Hotel in Alexandria, recruited Bob, Jack Gill, Bill Plummer, Ed Gant, and others to assist him. There was little interest. Yet Cooper was prophetic, for two years later, the Korean conflict began and some of us volunteered for the military, were drafted, joined the reserves, or took ROTC courses in college. From other classes: The Honorable John S. McCain ’54 was correctly honored and praised in the Fall 2018 EHS magazine. Classmate Oscar Davis ’54 recollects that John entertained the class royally in Washington at a major reunion. It has been said that John was somewhat of a rebel in his first year on The Holy Hill and did not always conform to what was expected of “Rats.” Once, Bill Dixon ’52 thought it best to remind John of his responsibilities. He gently turned John upside down and held him
securely by his ankles outside of a second floor Blackford Hall window for about 10 seconds.
’49
Herbert Donovan 3085 Mill Vista Road, Unit 2322 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 (H) 303-645-6561 hdonovan152@gmail.com
’50
Class Correspondents Needed
’51
Class Correspondents Needed
If you’d like to volunteer to be the class correspondent or just to share an update, please contact Elizabeth Henderson ’11 at eah@episcopalhighschool.org or 703-933-4125.
If you’d like to volunteer to be the class correspondent or just to share an update, please contact Elizabeth Henderson ’11 at eah@episcopalhighschool.org or 703-933-4125.
William Calvert writes, “Still singing in a church choir and a barbershop chorus. We do some traveling to three grandchildren’s college graduations.”
’52
Harte Crow (H) 603-643-5007 hcahcrow@gmail.com
Mary and Charlie Cook, Carole and Bob Morgan, and Ann and Harte Crow took a trip together during the summer. Harte writes, “To begin, we spent four days in Paris in a handsome suite Charlie had lined up, touring the city’s sites, etc.; and then
SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTES ONLINE! Just go to the homepage and click on “Alumni” and then “Submit A Class Note.” For help with passwords or login, please contact the Advancement Office.
John Burress writes, “Good to hear from you, as always. I have been making some calls to classmates and am all set for our reunion. Mary Louise and I have just returned from two weeks in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. This was a trip of a lifetime, and we are quite impressed with their future. Thrilled to report that John Woodfin Burress Walker (Finn) is at EHS, Class of 2021. This young man has two grandfathers from our 1954 Class, the late Jay Walker and myself. G. J. “Jim” Chapman responded, “Nothing good to say right now; reunion plans unknown.” Shirley and Norris Broyles ’48 in front of their yet-to-be-finished new abode.
Ludlow Clark wrote that he plans to attend the reunion. His favorite pastime is a “little bit of local hunting.” Larry Creson writes, “Hey Charles – no, I will not make it to the reunion. Sorry to report I’m still dealing with problems getting around, after a fall with spinal injuries that are slowly healing.”
Jane Owen ’19 and Pegram Harrison ’51 at a Christmas party.
embarked on a weeklong cruise on the Loire canal in central France – the only guests on a barge, the Meanderer, attended to by a crew of five. Talk about good fortune! To complement elegant food, we were served a selection of fine French cheeses and wines, carefully chosen by the hostess on the barge. The Loire is set in lovely scenery – rolling fertile farmland dotted here and there by picturesque villages. Each day we left the barge for an excursion to visit a winery, go to a market, or take in an historic site. Good company, great food and wine, lovely places to see and enjoy – what more could three Old Boys and their wives ask for?”
’53
Ed Mullins (H) 803-782-3027 (O) 803-733-9401 ewmullinsjr@gmail.com 65th Reunion: June 7-9, 2019
Mary and Charlie Cook ’52, Carole and Bob Morgan ’52, and Ann and Harte Crow ’52 on a trip to France this summer.
This from Oscar Davis: “I am planning to be at the JUNE REUNION! I have not been able to play golf for over a decade, but have learned to fly fish and still do a lot of hunting to take the place of golf. I am looking forward to seeing the members of the Class of ’53 and our class. Just turned 83 last week and consider myself very fortunate to still be vertical and getting around pretty well.”
Ed Mullins writes, “Several ’54 classmates and I are rounding up members of the class to attend the 66th Reunion with the 1954 Class’s 65th Reunion. The ’53 Class and the ’54 Class decided to have theirs together in order to have better attendance. I’m sure I will be reporting all of what went on at the reunion in the next issue.”
This reply came from Leigh Hunt: “Charlie – thanks for the nice note and unfortunately I have no news from this end. I may not be able to attend our class’s 65th as my class’s 60th at the Air Force Academy is now probably going to overlap. As I was a member of the first class to graduate from AFA, the Alumni Assoc. is making a bigger deal out of us than usual!”
’54
A note from Jack Jones: “Mimi and I are moving from our home at Turners Rock to a place that does not have 20 acres of grass to cut. Doing fine. BEST TO ALL. JUNIOR”
Charlie Covell (H) 352-336-0127 (O) 352-273-2023 covell@louisville.edu 65th Reunion: June 7-9, 2019
Mort Boyd filled me in on improvements at the University of Louisville and added: “Anne and I are enjoying our winter at Sea Island. Plan to be at the June reunion. Hope all is well with you.”
John Mason writes, “Good to hear from you. No news right now, but there’s a chance of another visit to Colombia in August.” This from Bill Pender: “Good to hear from you, Charles. Nothing to report other than I am continuing to enjoy good health after a few health issues. I was blessed to receive my EHS
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CLASS NOTES
four children on January 11 to celebrate my 83rd journey around the sun and help me meet the usual slings and arrows of advancing age. God willing I do plan to meet my classmates at our 65th.”
’57
Paul Sackett wrote: “Thank goodness not much to report here. We are both in good health. I am playing a lot of golf from the forward tees. This May will be the 19th anniversary of Alison receiving my kidney, so her kidney is 12 years older than she is. Will make an effort to attend the 65th if we are in the East.”
Shep Ansley writes, “I am retired from Carter, Terry, and Company.”
Charlie Tompkins wrote: “Sorry to have been such a sorry reporter. I finally retired from law practice. I was a trial lawyer for 42 years and then worked as a mediator and arbitrator for another 15. I am looking forward to attending the reunion in June and catching up.” Nelson Weston wrote that he plans to attend our 65th class reunion. A note from Robert Wilson: “Am really looking forward to our 65th this June. Good health. Read a lot. Still play lots of golf and take naps. Always look for and see Bebop Bob Baker under the Duke basket at basketball games at Cameron Arena. (second half ).” That’s all for now; thanks to all of you who responded. See you in June. Cheers, Charlie
’55
Sandy Wise (H) 614-766-1511 (O) 614-447-0281 hawppmd@aol.com 65th Reunion: June 2020
’56
Class Correspondents Needed
If you’d like to volunteer to be the class correspondent or just to share an update, please contact Elizabeth Henderson ’11 at eah@episcopalhighschool.org or 703-933-4125. 65th Reunion: June 2021
The Rev. Fielder Israel writes, “Just returned from our 9th missionary trip to France. Sharing the love of Jesus Christ.” 48
Louie Gump (W) 423-282-3933 lhg703@yahoo.com 65th Reunion: June 2022
’58
Surry Roberts surryroberts@adventure777.com (H) 919-828-2245 65th Reunion: June 2023
Pope Shuford, our leader at EHS, and Peggy moved from Hickory to a retirement community in Charlotte with traffic a challenge. A grandson, a good athlete, weighs 155 lbs. in the 8th grade and is considering EHS. Pope arrived at EHS in the 9th grade at 100 lbs! Bunny Benham is in Vero Beach, Fla., with his wife, who has gone to Cuba for a week to see rainforests and Castro’s abode. He hopes to reread my namesake book, Surry of Eagle’s Nest, by John Esten Cooke. Tim Burnett writes that he would like to be respectful of Tim McCoy’s passing but there are many tales that could be told; most of them, however, came out of Chapel Hill rather than EHS days. As a summary of the Class Reunion in the Spring of 2018, Bill Moffett related that Rev. Betsy Gonzalez gave a masterful talk at the chapel, remembering our late classmates. Hayne Hipp was outstanding scheduling the reunion. All looked very good – has it been 60 years??? Many partook in the superb tour that Hayne arranged to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Rick Pietsch reminds me once again of a trip to St. Anne’s. A sign was vandalized, a bit offcolor, and the culprits testified at EHS. Rick missed, but several others paid the price – how many demerits??? Saunders Midyette is excited to relate that his oldest grandson, Zachary Hunter, who will graduate from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, has been accepted to attend Oxford University in England this fall for the study of mathematics.
Will Halloran ’22 and John Roberts ’57 met at a Turkey Trot in Irvington, Va., this fall.
Hayne Hipp states that he is to have endolymphatic sac decompression for Meniere’s disease; perhaps slow and deaf for a while. Anna Kate testifies that he’s already both of those! Ted Hopkins and Katherine are heading off to Thailand!!! Son, Theodore Jervey Hopkins III (B.A., UVa; IMBA, USC): director, e-commerce, Walmart China (Shenzhen); March marriage to Coco Luo, in Thailand. Son, Dr. John North Hopkins (B.A., Northwestern; M.A. & Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin): In NYC, member, art history faculty at New York University and at Institute of Fine Arts. I am 98.6 percent retired from legal practice, although still creating and counseling nonprofit corporations during the remaining 1.4 percent; otherwise, 120 percent active and above ground. Katherine 100 percent retired from teaching, although 140 percent active and way above ground. Billy Wood writes that he returned, with brother Hunter ’56, for a Virginia Seminary reunion. “We had a memorable return to both sides of The Hill, meeting Charley Stillwell, touring the newer buildings, and enjoying a guided tour of the Ainslie Arts Center. Bryan Library still houses the memories of Virginia Bell helping us to find ‘short books.’ We enjoyed Angela and Rob DeGavre as members of Trinity Church for four years. Rob’s charitable comment following one sermon was: ‘He shows a good education!’ Billy also recalls that stemming from a dinner party for our Venable Elementary School third-grade teacher Tommy Boyd along with Judy has been central to a recurring reunion in her honor. Junius Fishburne has also been a delightful attender. Tommy Boyd writes that Beth and Skip Fox hosted a very fine Callaway Loyalty
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Society cocktail party in October attended by local members. Many friends have been in Charlottesville throughout the year: Rick Pietsch, Terry Cooper ’56, Rives Richey ’55, Jack Rinehart ’52, Saunders Midyette, Mark Gibson ’57, and Page Dame ’59. Terry Cooper organized once-amonth luncheons for old friends, including many EHS buddies, and was very active in the community and with the Senior Statesmen of Virginia. Sadly, he passed recently (In Memoriam, page 86). Jack Syer ’57 passed in January (In Memoriam, page 86); he and Virginia had returned from the Tidewater to Charlottesville, where he headed the UVa Alumni Association for 10 years. His obituary is remarkable, to say the least! Many, including EHS friends, attended a large tribute to Jack at Farmington Country Club. Peter Sevareid is glad that he made the 60th reunion of the class: “It was a great time.” Moncure Crowder has begun early his annual spring diet to get ready for his 40th Peachtree Road Race 10k on July 4 in Atlanta. He continues as chairman of the history committee of the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta and is nearing the end of a three-year project to have this 171-year-old church listed on the National Register of Historic Places. He and Sandy are not traveling as much, but they do plan to use their one-week timeshare in Aruba in early August. They also recently celebrated the first birthday of their great, great grandnephew, the great-grandson of Sandy’s sister in Hickory, N.C. Moncure notes that this young man will reach Moncure’s current age in 2096, assuming that the human race makes it that long. Sandy Sierck writes that he has been an adjunct professor at Georgetown Law School for 20 years, co-teaching a course on international white-collar crime. Sandy likes Charley Stillwell’s message regarding “courage,” a good response to the common teenage belief that to get along you have to go along. Tom Roberts writes, “22 lb. sea-run brown trout, caught on fly rod on the southern tip of Argentina in January 2018.”
’59
J.D. Simpson (H) 501-663-8631 (O) 501-377-2110 jdsimpson@stephens.com 60th Reunion: June 7-9, 2019
After nine years of silence, I have been shamed into writing news about the Class of ’59. My idea was to correspond after each of our Class Reunions, but Page Dame, who actually passed the job to me, has declared that I was a horrible class correspondent, and he is right. My only excuse is to mention that there ain’t a whole lot of EHS news, much less Class of ’59 news, floating around Arkansas. However, I did receive notes which I lost or to which I didn’t respond; maybe from John Chatfield and Richard Merrill. A recent paragraph from Jack Cann stated that “the ’59 class notes look a bit thin; hope this helps fill in the ’59 space.” I thought Jack was in the CIA or something secretive. At any rate, he has written several books, including Flight Plan Africa, which was translated and published in Portugal last year. Each year, the Portuguese Ministry of Defense selects a prize-winner from an array of books on Portuguese military history; Jack’s book was awarded the National Defense Prize and received 6,000 euro. He is presently writing his ninth book. I did talk to Charley Matheson, Gaston Caperton, and Peter Maffitt; all seem to be doing well. I keep in touch with my old roommate, Warner Bass, and he reports on the Nashville crowd: Lucius Burch, Shade Murray, D.B. Murray, and Hayes Noel. The only other news to report is that the 20182019 Arkansas duck hunting season was the worst in 30 years. Lastly, please try to attend our 60th Class Reunion on June 7-9, 2019. I would hope those attending could get current on the Class of ’59 news, as evidently you ain’t gonna get it from me.
’60
Bill Drennen (H) 304-876-1236 (O) 304-876-6400 wmdrennen1@me.com 60th Reunion: 2020
Blake Newton writes, “You can report that I’m still above ground and in reasonable health. “Belle and I moved out of NYC altogether in the late ’90s and settled full time into Garrison, N.Y. (theretofore, our summer and weekend digs), in the beautiful Hudson Valley. Retired from law practice in 2009. Chiefly responsible these days for feeding the dogs, finishing the Times crossword, and fetching the dry cleaning. Hope you and yours are well.” Fontaine Lawson writes, “Things are fine here in Richmond. Sally and I have five grandchildren (four boys and one girl) between our two daughters, who both live in town. Our son Joseph was married to a fine girl in Baltimore in early November 2018. They live here also, so we are very fortunate. Maybe more ‘grands’ to come! We travel as much as we can. Sarasota for the first two weeks of January, Dominican Republic January 21-26, and Jamaica February 9-16. Saw a lot of EHS alums from here at a gathering last December.” Joe Owens writes, “Thanks for asking. I ‘be’ still here.” Bill Stites writes, “Mimi and I are getting set to celebrate our 56th anniversary next month, splitting time between Louisville and daughter’s near Annapolis, visiting grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Life is good.” Jamie Polk writes, “Things are good with the Polks. We have been traveling lately … wonderful trip to Japan for two weeks in October, and just back from incredible safari to Tanzania with our daughter Molly and her partner, Agnes. Molly is a professor of environmental science and sustainability studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Our daughter Annie and husband Chris live in Denver with their two children, Jules (age 6) and Sybil (11 months). Continue to play a little squash but knees are feeling it. All best. P.S. How are you and Donna B. doin’?” (Donnie B. is my fiancée who lives in Marin County, across from San Francisco, and we are doing fine, a lot of traveling and enjoying the retired life.) George Spaulding writes, “Inger and I are now in Sarasota, Fla., enjoying a little EHS
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CLASS NOTES
sunshine. We still live in Copenhagen but use two months in the winter in Sarasota. I keep track with Charlie Parker when I can. He still lives back home in Virginia. All is well with us, our children, and grandson.” Jack Giles has more than 30 years of experience in education and public relations worldwide. After retiring, Jack has settled in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He is married to Yu Han. More from Jack in next issue. Great letter from Barna Szabo, who writes, “Unfortunately, I live far, far away from EHS while most of you are still on the East Coast. After working on my doctorate in Soviet studies at Notre Dame in 1968, I moved to Los Angeles to teach, then became chief of staff for a Los Angeles County supervisor from 1972-78. 1.3 million people in our district, which stretched from Long Beach to Malibu. During that time, I had many reasons to travel to D.C. and actually visited (and once stayed) at EHS. After landing a regional director’s job at Hughes AirWest in 1968, then a VP of operations job at a big hotel, marina and retail operation in Marina del Rey in 1969, I had less and less opportunity to travel back East. Then in the ’80s, I was the VP of development at the Queen Mary and the Disneyland Hotel (had my office on the ship). Finally, in 1986, I formed my own consulting firm and I still work as a governmental affairs consultant (but this time from my home in the foothills of the Sierras, an hour north of Sacramento, in the so-called Gold County.) My wife, Colleen, and I have been married for 47 years (highly unusual in California) and we have two sons, two daughters in law, and two grandchildren (one from each boy’s family.) Life is good, my health is holding up, my golf is improving, but taxes are very high in California and we are thinking it is time to bail out of this crazy state with political correctness running amok. Wish all of you the best. And, if by some chance you are visiting California (near San Francisco — 2.5 hours from our home on a lake in Penn Valley), you are welcome any time to visit us!!”
50
’61
Elliott Randolph (H) 410-377-6912 Elliott.randolph@comcast.net Lanier Woodrum (H) 540-774-2798 Lbwoodrum@cox.net 60th Reunion: 2021
Tenney Mason writes, “I’ve been retired as director of photography at Patuxent Publishing Company for about 10 years now, but still taking pictures. Patuxent had 16 weekly papers with about 500k circulation around the Baltimore/Washington corridor until the newspaper business collapsed. Had a one-man show at the Glenelg Country School gallery in the fall of 2017 titled “Instavision” and featuring 76 prints from my active Instagram account (@tenneymason). Have been doing some traveling with new girl friend Debra Devoe including recent road trips through the Southwest (New Mexico and Arizona) and Eastern Canada, which included a stop at the (highly recommended) Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Some of you might remember my long-term companion Becky Hartman, who passed away in 2016. Enjoying occasional visits from my daughters – Heather, who drops by from Johannesburg, South Africa, every now and then, and Susanna who comes down from Vermont with grandson Jack Mason Allen.” Elliott Randolph writes, “Just celebrated on December 31st my eighth anniversary from my last day at work at Brown Advisory. Messrs. Ordeman and Ravenel would have been impressed, but I had grown tired of writing fiction in the form of economic reports and, having to listen to kids who had never seen a bear market, it was time. My dear wife, Nancy, of now 50 years, wanted to buy airline tickets and get out of town. So off we went: Russia, Turkey, Egypt, Vietnam, Cambodia, Kenya, China, Tibet, India, and recently South Africa and Namibia. I should mention that for those from our class who are concerned about their growing waistlines, India is a great place to lose five pounds … in a day. The food is fantastic if you don’t mind spending a night on a cold bathroom floor with the chills. Off to the Silk Road this September. Life is good. My best to all and thanks for supporting the Roll Call.”
’62
Al Berkeley (H) 410-243-7859 alfredberkeley@gmail.com 60th Reunion: June 2022
’63
Class Correspondents Needed
If you’d like to volunteer to be the class correspondent or just to share an update, please contact Elizabeth Henderson ’11 at eah@episcopalhighschool.org or 703-933-4125.
60th Reunion: June 2023
’64
Alex Jones (H) 617-497-2387 (O) 617-469-2582 alexsjones2@gmail.com 55th Reunion: June 7-9, 2019
As I write, it is the end of January and four months and change until the 55th Reunion for the Class of ’64. I hope you plan to come. I can tell you now that the reunion committee – David Dougherty, Chairman for Life, and John Keith, Hugh Wachter, Tom Pope, Hubert Haywood, Tigger Alexander, Jimmy Black, and moi – have already met via phone several times to plan something worth attending. I think we are doing that. Among other things, we are once again seeking to make sure that everyone who was ever a part of our class, whether they graduated with us or not, is contacted and urged to come. We are very inclusive. We look at this as a reunion of that group of people – a gathering of US after 55 years. Not a celebration of EHS, but much more a chance to, one more time, hang together and have fun and even share some serious talking about life and our inevitable future. This morning I found myself searching the words “shuffle off this mortal coil,” because I didn’t know what it meant literally. “Coil” is a 16th-century word for “the bustle and turmoil of this mortal life,” according to Wikipedia. Shakespeare’s point in using that phrase in “Hamlet” is apparent to us all. Essentially, “To be or not to be.” It means the end of pain,
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pilot … also, not far from where, upon one occasion, he was shot down. John sent us a photo of his bivouac in ’72 – a corrugated, steel-roofed shack with plastic lawn chair atop. A ladder of rudimentary design offers access for contemplative moments. Likely, the structure has been supplanted by an upscale hotel. Things, indeed, change.
Mason Sexton ’65 and Phil Terrie ’66 at Phil’s Adirondack digs.
Hunter Robinson, Jr. and Hunter Robinson, Sr. ’65.
’65
Jim Sullivan (H) 615-292-3536 (O) 615-327-5759 jsullivan@mmc.edu Richard Lee (H) 401-423-2706 dlee60@verizon.net 55th Reunion: June 2020
Dave Patterson ’65 and family at UNC as part of the Patterson Award ceremony.
but it also means the end of fun and life and living. I suspect none of us is eager for that shuffle, and this will be a chance to have some of that fun and life that we still yearn to have. Your committee has ensured that there will be another opportunity to talk together as a class about life and shuffling and such – late in the afternoon on Saturday of Reunion Weekend (June 7-9). We made a point to schedule it then so that we can extend the allotted time if the conversation warrants it. It did at our 50th, and I think it may well again. So, take the trouble and expense to join us. You will, one and all, be welcome. It is one of the benefits of age that we know that putting old issues behind us is a good thing to do. Some of you may have issues with EHS. I did. But I can assure you, this is a good time, and there will never be another 55th Reunion of the Class of ’64. So shuffle along to Alexandria!
For those among us fortunate enough to be blessed with a fifth-year high school experience, it is worth noting that the Class of 1964 is planning for its 55th Reunion this spring. This got us to thinking. When we departed company in June 1965, it was the EHS Class of 1910 celebrating its 55th. Perhaps, with that thought, we should all go back to bed.… Email addresses change as folks move about or retire. Clint Laird put us in touch with Ian Williams, who continues to move up the judicial hierarchy. Around the time of our 50th Reunion, he became General District Court Judge in the Winchester, Va., area. He is now Chief Judge of the 26th Circuit of Virginia. Ian demurred on a request for a photo of him perched high on the bench. Witness for the Prosecution, and all that… Probably, a wise choice. And with the help of Sandy von Stackelberg, we were able to track down John Hunter Robinson, who recently retired from 28 years in the defense industry – this, after 20 years in the Army. Golf, travel, and fishing now occupy his time. John and Karen are off to Vietnam – his first return since 1972. They will be staying at a beach resort in Danang, close to where he was stationed as a helicopter
Now resettled in NYC, Mason “Speed” Sexton is back in money management. He notes his son, Buck – a former CIA man – continues his meteoric rise as a talk-show host on iHeart Radio. Buck still sits in for Rush Limbaugh upon occasion, but now stands as a well-known conservative commentator in his own right. And, through Mason, we received from Phil Terrie ’66 a fascinating account of Episcopal’s short-lived ownership of the “Adirondack Wilderness Camp” in upstate New York. Sandy Ainslie ’56 and B.I. Johns served as co-directors in the ’60s. Jim Sullivan and Dave Patterson spent summers there along with several members of classes behind us. For Phil, the camp experience was seminal. He is now a well-established historian of the region while maintaining his role as professor emeritus, American culture and environmental studies at Bowling Green State University. Apparently, the logistics of maintaining the site, which EHS came to own in 1971, proved daunting – even as a summer school. It was sold to the state of New York in 1977. And Humphrey Tyler sends a photo (above) of “The Phant,” Dave Patterson, at UNC as part of the Patterson Award ceremony. Dave’s family set up the award in 1924. It is now given to one male and one female athlete annually and is considered the top athletic award for ability, character, and leadership. Phant notes that the event brings the extended Patterson clan together once a year. And having just celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary, it is clear he has attained “silverback” status within their midst…. The significance of our 55th in 12 months competes with other preoccupations. And these vary with each among us. But the need for alumni news? Now, there is a constant. Next deadline: September 1. EHS
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CLASS NOTES
’66
Phil Terrie (H) 607-319-4271 pterrie@bgsu.edu 55th Reunion: June 2021
Rogers Cockrill: “Still going to the office. My wife tells me that I shouldn’t say ‘going to work.’ Forgetting as much as I remember! Been to Cleveland Clinic for a heart checkup and was told that I was not a candidate for any surgery and to just keep doing what I am doing. Hope to make it to our 60th.” Allen Lee ’69 and family at Thanksgiving 2018.
Dave Higgins: “Patti and I are planning our third Viking River cruise in June. Paris to Prague. In 2018 Patti served as director of West Virginia fundraising for Senator Joe Manchin. I am still practicing law, at least for a little while longer.” Hewitt Chapman (who does not have an email account and relays his news via an antique device called a telephone) is spending most of the winter in Sarasota, Fla., with occasional trips to New York. Whitt Clement: “Meg and I had a great Christmas vacationing in Portugal with our three sons, two of whom are EHS graduates with one having gone to Woodberry. I am still working full time at Hunton Andrews Kurth (successor to Hunton & Williams) but hope to follow soon the retirement path of Sandy Rowe, a longtime partner at the same firm.” Susu and Henry Smythe “have a new grandson, Buist Smythe, born October 28, 2018.” Congratulations to Charlie Holt, who “was recently awarded the University of Virginia Thomas Jefferson Award for Scholarship. I continue to teach, and Whitt Clement, who is on the UVA Board of Visitors, visited my class last fall and discussed law-career opportunities and his role in the campus turmoil in the week following the Kent State shooting and Cambodia invasion in the spring of 1970.” Tom Dashiell: “I’m still living in Berkeley, Calif. I guess I’m ‘semi-retired.’ No longer practicing law, but doing a few real-estate deals. Building new homes in a 55+ gated community. Finding equity for QOZ deals (don’t ask). Health is good except for knee and hip replacements. Still playing tennis 52
doubles and an occasional round of golf. Single but a nice girlfriend. Traveling a bit: Scotland for three wonderful weeks; the Blues Cruise, which was fantastic except for eardrum and liver damage. Plan to try Australia for the tennis Open and maybe New Zealand. Loving the Golden State Warriors. Spending a lot of time with my 6-year-old granddaughter. Life is pretty good, and every day is a small victory. My best to all. Call or write if you’re in the Bay Area.” Bunky Henderson: “One of the best things about moving to Charleston is the people who come to town to visit or just live here. Over the past year I have been fortunate to see and/or play golf with Henry Smythe, Frank Barnwell, Johnny Hooff ’67, Nat Gregory, Syd Gervin, and Jack Sibley. It has been like a reunion coming to you. Great fun and wonderful to see everybody.”
’67
Charles Coppage (H) 252-473-3893 (O) 252-480-2568 charles@nccoppagelaw.com 55th Reunion: June 2022
’68
Walker Moore (H) 864-543-1514 (O) 864-941-0666 moorew327@aol.com 55th Reunion: June 2023
’69
Kinloch Nelson (H) 585-385-3103 (O) 585-264-0848 kinloch@rochester.rr.com Marty Martin (C) 919-272-2106 marty_martin@martinlegalhelp.com 50th Reunion: June 7-9, 2019
Page Smith writes, “First, I will be at the reunion in June. Still living in Alexandria and go over to the School every month or so to see a game or a friend who lives there. Still working as a real-estate appraiser and plan on doing so at least one more year. After 2019, it’s one year at a time. As of May 2018, Patsy and I are empty nesters in Old Town. Both daughters have graduated from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, and now live in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago and work downtown. So, I guess I will be going to Chicago once in a while. Other than that, I feel good and hope everyone is well.” Allen Lee writes, “I just celebrated my 40th year working for Siemens Healthcare, and starting to consider retirement. Life is good!” T.Lad Webb writes, “Busy year, with huge $28BN merger (SAFRAN, S.A. absorbing Zodiac Aerospace, S.A.) lasting all throughout 2018 and continuing the first six-plus months of 2019. All going well, but very busy. Compliance means countless details! “Kristin and I were joined by our sons Ladson ’97 and Mike ’04 and their wives for a week in late December at quaint La Quinta, Calif., for some relaxation and a full day track-driving BMW M Cars at the
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’54
’09 ’04
’64
’69
’74
’59
’99
’79
’84
’89 ’53 ’94
’78 ’14
DON’T MISS REUNION END! WEEK _____ __
19 JUNE 7-9, 20
, 1974, 9 6 9 1 , 4 6 9 1 1954, 1959, & 3 5 9 1 F O and 2014. , S 9 E 0 S 0 S 2 A , L 4 C 0 0 E 2 TH 994, 1999, 1 , CELEBRATING 9 8 9 1 , 4 8 , 19 1978 & 1979
Learn more and register at www.EpiscopalHighSchool.org/Reunion
CLASS NOTES
Thermal, Calif., Performance Driving School. Tiring but mucho fun! Kristin and I were welcomed as ambassadors for the BMW Car Club Foundation, and are getting to know many folks much more closely. Ask us about in-car Street Survival training for 16- to 21-year-olds. These life-saving courses are offered around the U.S. all year long. “Returning to the East Coast, we proceeded to Columbia, S.C., for Christmas with Katherine Webb Easterling ’95 and husband Bruce Easterling and their five daughters (ages 5 to 13). Except for all of us catching a bad bug, we did enjoy the days together. Katherine continues to overachieve at each task she tackles. “New Year’s Eve brought cataract surgery #1, and January brought surgery #2, so I am enjoying freshly clear vision for the first time in years. “We enjoyed sharing a third birthday late December with the youngest T. Ladson Webb (#9). Ladson is now fully engaged at Liebherr in Newport News, Va., performing autonomous vehicle design and engineering. Wife Xandria keeps at her data-analytics company and also loves her nutrition counseling work. “Michael and Elya are busy preparing for Mike’s next long deployment and round-theworld cruise, as department head at Strike Fighter Squadron 143. Ask Mike what life is like as a ‘Pukin Dog.’ “We remain in our Glen Mills, Pa., home, and enjoy great health. Looking forward to our June 50th!”
’70
Jim Newman (H) 253-677-4697 Newman_jim@comcast.net 50th Reunion: June 2020
It was nice to hear from Stan Denegre! Stan says that he is still practicing construction law in Dallas and that they are expecting their first grandchild. Bob Coffin writes, “I recently retired from the National Endowment for the Humanities as a political appointee. In two years, I have been on the road doing advance for President Trump for over 200 days.” 54
Bo Abbott ’72 is pictured on the left.
Bob Coffin ’70 and family at the White House at Christmas.
Wayne Smith’s ’72 new Thermo King facility in Springfield, Mo.
A new retiree is Clay Jacob, who retired last February after 44 years with SunTrust. Clay writes, “I was fortunate to work with great folks and to do something I really enjoyed. Between some trips, time with our grandsons, volunteer work, golf, and regular exercise, I’ve kept busy in retirement. We spent two spectacular weeks in South Africa, a short week in Austin, Texas, planning for youngest son’s (Chris) April destination wedding, and a couple of days in New Bern enjoying Elaine and Gordon Graham’s hospitality at their new home on the Neuse River. Grandsons, Jack and Shep Moss, live in Alexandria. They’re 5 and 2 respectively, great ages and a lot of fun. I continue to be involved with the New Community School, presently serving on the finance committee. New Community is a private 5-12 school that focuses on assisting children with dyslexia.”
’71
Best of all he is now at the same weight as when he graduated from EHS ! Barbara and Jim Newman are doing well in the Pacific Northwest! Oldest son Jay, who spent much of his youth in Oklahoma, is enjoying living and working in the wide open and rural spaces of eastern Washington. Youngest son Eric is heavily involved in real-estate management in the Seattle area. Barbara is enjoying the cool climate and sylvan environment of western Washington, so this will always be home!
Geoff Snodgrass (H) 504-895-4200 geoff@snodgrassplc.com 50th Reunion: June 2021
’72
Beau Wilson (H) 212-588-9363 (O) 212-603-6185 beauatciti@aol.com 50th Reunion: June 2022
Bo Abbot, a native of southern West Virginia, has been a practicing architect and musician in the Charlottesville area since the late ’70s. He has produced two CDs, “Falling in Place” and “Chasing Storms.” Several of the songs that he wrote addressed the challenges currently faced by the people of the Appalachian region. “Going, Going, Gone” paints a picture of people coping with mountain-top removal mining, while “Drink of Water” looks at the personal side of coping in the stalled economy of the mountain region. Wayne Smith writes, “Just completed (and moved into) my new building in Springfield, Mo., and I am 75 percent done on my new building in Tulsa, Okla. (moving in in March). I keep asking myself why I’m working so hard at age 64 when my peers are retiring!! Well, the answer is that I’m building an empire for my children and future grandchildren! I promise that I’m slowing down in mid-2019 – we are heading to Budapest and Prague in May (taking a riverboat cruise) and after that I will continue to work on my bucket list.”
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I ran into Lisa and Heath Alexander in Blowing Rock at the Winterfest. They were busy enjoying the Chili Challenge! We all remember our classmate Bobby Preston, who passed away from Alzheimer’s last Thanksgiving Day (In Memoriam, page 87). But certainly, his lifelong friend Vince Dobbs has the most poignant memories to share. “In 1996 The Tulane Old Boys started to trickle into the lounge at the Columns Hotel in New Orleans. Across the entry hall is the Columns Hotel Bar, which is one of the finest classic pure bars in the city. As The Old Boys arrived, there was tremendous excitement and the beer began to flow. The Tulane Old Boys had never lost to The Tulane Rugby Club (All Tulane Old Boys had to have played for Tulane Rugby Club in college). The Tulane newspaper, the Hullabaloo, had published an article that week about how The Tulane Rugby Club had never beaten The Tulane Old Boys. Everybody knew Tulane Rugby Club was furious. After the excitement of arriving from all over the U.S. and gathering, the team meeting began. Captain Bobby Preston took the floor. He laid out the entire strategy. He told everybody who was playing where, what we were going to do, and how we were going to win again against all odds. There were no other suggestions. Bobby was in complete control of the team at that point and probably had been for reunions previous for some time. They were big. They beat the crap out of us physically but we stuck with The Plan. They relied a lot on the scrum pushing power of Big Laird Canby ’71. He was going to get a workout that day. After it was over we edged them for the win. It was horrible. Laird and I were staying at the same place and discussing being unable to go to the party. It was that bad. They came at me all day from the first time they got the ball. We went to the party after lying there moaning and praying for about an hour. It was all Bobby Preston. He played great as always, and he was our leader.”
’73
Porter Farrell (C) 817-846-2810 pfarrell@farrellcompany.com 50th Reunion: June 2023
David Carr writes, “Great commemoration of integration at EHS over Woodberry Weekend, including a 45th Reunion for
the Class of 1973. Awesome comeback win by The High School in Orange, followed by a great dinner at Hank’s Oyster Bar in Old Town.”
’78
Attendees at the 45th Reunion included Edward Bennett, David Carr, Tony Chase, Woody Coley, Chip Compton, Marshall Ellison, Alston Gardner, Easley Johnson, Paul Mengel, John Moses, Billy Peebles, Jim Pinder, Henry Riely, John Townsend, and George VanMeter.
’79
’74
Bill Stokes (H) 919-490-7141 bill.stokes56@gmail.com Gilliam Kittrell (H) 919-788-8171 (O) 919-876-7411 gillkitt@bellsouth.net 45th Reunion: June 7-9, 2019
’75
Willie Moncure (C) 703-836-2596 william.moncure@raymondjames.com Hunt Burke (H) 703-768-1705 (O) 703-684-1645 huntandmolly@verizon.net 45th Reunion: June 2020
’76
Boota deButts (H) 703-998-1487 (O) 703-933-4092 whd@episcopalhighschool.org 45th Reunion: June 2021
’77
Class Correspondents Needed
If you’d like to volunteer to be the class correspondent or just to share an update, please contact Elizabeth Henderson ’11 at eah@episcopalhighschool.org or 703-933-4125. 45th Reunion: June 2022
Jim Clardy (H) 704-332-4195 (O) 704-339-2015 jim.clardy@wellsfargo.com 40th Reunion: June 7-9, 2019
Bill Hughes (H) 203-861-1641 William.hughes@pb.com 40th Reunion June 7-9, 2019
I am approaching our forthcoming 40th Reunion (June 7-9) as if it were one of the most significant milestones of my life – rivaling my marriage to Becky Chase and the birth of my daughters, Chase ’12 and Ryland ’16. It certainly beats the very bad decision to move to Hilton Head in the early ’80s to begin what I thought would be a celebrated career as a timeshare salesman. In advance of this major milestone, I am having my teeth whitened, my forehead and crow’s feet botoxed, and my neck and cheeks liposuctioned. Dyeing my hair is not off the table. I suggest you also may want to look into some enhancement, smoothing, or augmentation. I look forward to not recognizing you in June. On to the notes. Thanks to the positive response from a mass email and the magic of “reply all,” I was able to fill and exceed my quota of pages. For those of you that did not respond, look forward to catching up live. Let’s begin. Bailey Patrick lives in Charlotte and works in commercial real estate. Married for 28 years to Mimi, one of the greatest women on the planet, Bailey and Mimi have three grown kids – Bailey Jr. ’11, who works with Bailey, and Wells ’12 and daughter Carter ’14, who are in New York working. For those of you who were not aware, Bailey was head of the Episcopal Board of Trustees for a number of years. Among his many contributions, Bailey spearheaded the search effort to find the new Head of School, Charley Stillwell, for the retiring Rob Hershey. Bailey’s passion, dedication, and commitment to The High School are inspiring, noteworthy, and unassailable. Thanks, Bailey.
EHS
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Speaking of real estate, thanks to a long line of ancestors in construction and real estate in London going back some 300-plus years, William Hill has spent a tenth of that (36 years) working in real-estate fund management. In addition, William is chair of a REIT listed in London and a director of Swiss Life’s UK fund management business. He also works for the mayor of London on a big regeneration project, advises a Middle East investor, and, if that is not enough, finds time to advise a couple of charities on real-estate investment. William and his wife have six children: four work in real estate, one is a math teacher, and the youngest is “hoping to go to college to study real estate.” Not to be outdone, William’s wife has a small, luxury handmade chocolate business that contributes to his bottom line. According to William, he frequents his holiday home (vacation home in American, Steuart Thomas) in Cornwall, enjoys playing golf, cycling, and “pursues his love for horse racing as part of several racing syndicates (plays the ponies in American, Edwin Rasberry). Unfortunately, he is unable to make it to the reunion. Apparently, “too many clashes with commitments here.” Too many clashes? You think? Five children would have been too many clashes. Full stop. The nicest and most authentic couple I know, Ruth E. and Frank Holding became grandparents to a baby boy on Nov 17. Sadly, Frank is unable to attend our 40th, owing to a prior commitment, but wishes everyone in the Class of ’78 and ’79 his best. The best-looking couple I know, Marianna and Dr. Bo Mason, live in Charlotte. Bo is an orthopedic surgeon and has been happily married to Marianna for 34 years. To this day, Bo gives me credit for introducing him to Marianna at an EHS mixer our junior year. Yes, I did open the door and pave the way for Bo to meet the love of his life, but only after Marianna threw me on the slag heap of teenage miscues and set her sights on Bo within minutes of me saying hello. I remember her whispering to me: “He is beautiful. Please introduce me and never speak to me again.” Bo and Marianna have two boys, both living in San Francisco. Between doctoring, lecturing, and designing hips and knees, Bo still finds time to go fishing with brother Robert ’77.
56
Dr. William W. King writes that he is a gastroenterologist living in Wilmington, N.C. He has a son in medical school at UNC, a daughter about to graduate from Elon, a daughter in 11th grade, and a stepson at South Carolina. Apparently, he and his wife have lost all sense of common sense and judgment and are inviting anyone heading to Wrightsville Beach to stop in. He plans to be at the 40th. After a long and storied 30-year career treating cancer patients and leading research and development of drugs for colon cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Dr. John Marshall is planning to take a one-year sabbatical from patient care and focus on building a globally linked precision-medicine cancer research alliance. He will live half the year in Oxford (not Mississippi, Marsh Pierce) and the remainder in Hamburg (not New York, Jamie Sawhill) and other great places around the world. Dr. Marshall writes that he and his wife, Liza, see Jim Chesson some (not enough) and speak to Hart Hodges frequently. Finally, while John is too modest to talk about himself, a quick search reveals that his life work in oncology is known worldwide. Check this out: http://tinyurl.com/ yybm22n4 Hart Hodges admits that he does, in fact, speak with John Marshall regularly and manages to see him every couple of years. Hart is a college professor and lives with his wife in Bellingham, Wash. They have a daughter finishing at Davidson with med school on the horizon, and another daughter finishing high school. Hart still plays tennis, skis as much as possible, and dreams of aging gracefully without hair. As a forestry professor at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston since 1997, Brown Patterson teaches soil science, water quality management, and wetlands. Brown married Jennifer in 2004, very soon after meeting her at a football tailgate tent. Ah. Forestry. Football. Tents. Tailgates. Nicely done, Brown. Brown writes that he occasionally sees Chip Craighill in Sewanee, Tenn., where his father lives, and adds that he “looks forward to seeing everyone at the 40th Reunion in June.”
Since 2001, Chip and his wife, Virginia, have lived in Sewanee. Virginia, a professor of English literature at Sewanee, is close to retiring from the classroom, determined to write her book of essays, while Chip is celebrating 30 years in commercial real estate for Cushman and Wakefield in Atlanta and not close to either retiring or writing a book of essays. I have heard it said that over the years Chip has either leased or developed every single building in Atlanta – at least the good ones. Chip and Virginia have two children: Katie, who works in Atlanta, and Hunter ’15, a senior at Sewanee. I spent time with Tim Rogers and Rev. Rodney V. Rice at the 50th anniversary of integration weekend at Episcopal back in November. What an important and memorable weekend. Both Tim and Rodney are amazing human beings who continue to give so much to Episcopal. I understand Tim is taking a much deserved, one-year sabbatical after this year. He deserves it and will be back. Mike Ammons showed up on Saturday – all the way from Chicago, where he now lives. Mike is one of the greatest. You can’t help but be in a good mood around Mike. Jim Chesson retired from Episcopal last year but continues to teach at a nearby school. I believe Jim was the longest serving teacher behind Dr. Mike Miller, who after 50 years is retiring, and the great Rick Stubbs. Jim usually shows up for the reunions and the 40th should not be the exception. Matt Hogans has been married to Kathryn for 26 years; together they have three children. Emma works for YELP in D.C. and Hannah is a sophomore at the University of Alabama. Like father, like son, Matthew, Jr., is in the Marine Corps. Another regular at the EHS reunions, Matt is one of the great success stories of our time and a great person to be around. Matt Hogans’s roommate, Rick “Hutch” Hutchins, writes that he lives in Charlotte, N.C., and was married recently to a “beautiful” TV meteorologist (aren’t all meteorologists beautiful?). For the past 20 years, Rick has been teaching and coaching baseball and football at the prestigious Charlotte Latin, following 10 years as a successful stockbroker/money manager. Rick has two sons who attend Appalachian State. Rick adds that he
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__________________ www.EHSRollCall.org Fiscal year ends on June 30, 2019
KYNDALL DONALSON ’19
“When I was not chosen to be a Monitor or a member of the discipline committee, at first I saw that as a huge failure. I later realized that there were still ways that I could lead in the community, with or without a title. This year, I co-founded a gospel choir, even though I had no idea who would be interested in joining or if anyone would even want to join at all. I felt that a gospel choir could introduce the community to a new style of singing that has great cultural significance. I also felt that it would bring a new sense of energy and enthusiasm to spiritual life at EHS.”
THOMAS WILLIAMSON ’19
“Last year I struggled in math, which is usually one of my stronger subjects, and I didn’t have the grade I wanted. Even though I was struggling, I decided to take an advanced class this year because I wanted to push myself. I am focusing on really understanding my homework, not just finishing it, and I spend extra time working with Mr. Stubbs. He puts a lot of emphasis on learning from failure, and I’m learning to embrace that. The challenge of my math class drives me to try to succeed and do my best.”
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CLASS NOTES
has never attended an EHS class reunion, but “I am coming to this one.”
claims that at this moment, “all are self-sufficient.” That is very impressive.
intelligence matters. Scott will be at the Reunion.
Jack Sayler and his wife moved back to Savannah, Ga., five years ago after spending 25 years in Birmingham, Ala. Jack and his wife have three very well-behaved children. A regular at EHS reunions over the years, Jack can sure weave a good yarn that keeps everyone laughing. I look forward to seeing him in June.
Some quick hits: Edward Brown is in Baltimore still teaching high school. Robert Griffith remains in Atlanta, still doing great. Landon Hilliard and Bill Cooper are in Colorado and North Carolina, respectively. Achille Guest has to be in Virginia, doing what, I have no clue. Jason Bohrer is living in Greensboro, I think, or is it Winston Salem? I still track and see Edwin Rasberry frequently, who is now in Charlotte working for a big money institution. Peter Getzen is married and living in Florida, and Marsh Pierce has relocated to the beaches of North Carolina. I have not heard from Meebs Myers in years; Ray Legge even longer. No clue what Ricky Bowen is doing these days, but I suspect it is important. And what about Mike Lewis and Brent Lister?
I look forward to seeing all of you and the Class of 1978 in June at our 40th Reunion.
I heard from Ric Rowland, and he is doing great living and working in Richmond. An avid hunter in his spare time, Ric also trains dogs. I am hoping to shame him to come back for the reunion, along with Rick Perry. John Higgins III sold his printing company and now sells generic prescription drugs. With the proceeds from the sale of the printing company, John bought 10 percent of a minor league hockey team. Hockey. John. Yep. Makes total sense to me. John and his wife, Kelly, have a 17-year old son who is ranked fifth in Alabama in wrestling. Like father, like son is way better. Deborah and Watt Alston live on Amelia Island in Florida. After 24 years, Watt is still allowed in the right-hand seat flying those big cargo birds for UPS. Like father and like son, Watt has a son flying in the USAFR. His other son lives in Atlanta and works in marketing. Andy Woolman is an architect in San Francisco, and his wife, Angie, is an artist and master quilt maker. Andy and Angie have two daughters; both are also artists, although one also works in communications, I think. Here’s the problem: Andy mentioned something about being an ultra-marathoner with his daughter “for fun” and I lost my concentration. Honestly, there is no fun in ultra-marathoning. What is fun, however, is me calling social services and reporting Andy for child abuse. Just stop it. I remembered you were in great shape 10 years ago, but now you are just showing off. Andy will be at the reunion even if he has to run to get there. Steuart “C.J.” Thomas is living and practicing law in Staunton, Va. He’s been married to his current bride for 33 years; together they have five children, all of whom have graduated from college or graduate school. C.J. 58
Finally, Scott Williams writes, “You know, of my 57+ years on this earth, some of my strongest memories occurred on The Hill. Happy or sad, good or bad, they still stand strong to this day. “I have been so fortunate in so many ways. I survived law school and 31+ years in the FBI. I have been run off the road by white supremacists, flipped a car chasing a bank robber, was at Waco with the Miami FBI SWAT Team, arrested cop killers and kidnappers, knew and did business with Bob Hanssen, prosecuted white-collar criminals, chased spies and terrorists, and traveled around the world (750,000 miles in seven years) for the FBI helping to design telecommunications standards for law enforcement purposes. Don’t think the law degree was intended for these things. “I have raised three kids, one an inner-city African-American foster child who wasn’t on the growth scale and could not read at age 7. He graduated high school, and yet I feel I was the one who learned the most. My daughter lives with me in Fredericksburg and teaches third graders. My son is about a mile away and manages a small business. My foster son is back in Kansas City, and I have the three dogs and the house.” Scott retired from the FBI, but decided to contract back to the government working
’80
Staige Hoffman (H) 813-597-5059 staigehoffman1@aol.com 40th Reunion: June 2020
This is by far the biggest and probably best response we have had in years. Thank you all for responding. It is great to hear from everyone. I only hope that I haven’t missed anyone … here we go: Tacker LeCarpentier: “After about 14 years of insurance defense litigation, in 2005 I happily left my law firm – and billable hours – behind. I started working with claimants on settlement planning for a large N.C. agency. In July 2017, I left to start my own shop, Settlement Planning Services LLC. I specialize in structured settlements, Special Needs Trusts, and other irrevocable settlement preservation trusts. Thankfully, all my clients came with me, and 2018 was the best year since 2005. I handle major civil litigations claims from Maryland to Florida and out to Nashville ... always Nashville! Great gig for me. “Katherine and Grace, my beautiful twin daughters, are 19 and freshmen at the North Carolina State School of Textiles – great to have them across town. “Picture of Duncan MacLeod and me (next page) at the Tedeschi Trucks show here in Raleighwood last summer; also spent time with John Trask ’81 at my first Red Rocks show in Colorado last July, and ran into Bill Watt at Steely Dan in Richmond last fall. T-Bird and I are now confirmed for the February 11 UNC-UVA basketball throwdown at the Dean Dome! GO HEELS!!” Carter Cornick: “Here in Alexandria, ironically about three miles from EHS, I am still ‘tilting at windmills,’ unable to kick the government and policy effort. Did have a run teaching and still have a hand in it, but working now with a law firm based in Atlanta (Arnall Golden Gregory, government relations and communications). 30th wedding
SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTES ONLINE! Just go to the homepage and click on “Alumni” and then “Submit A Class Note.” For help with passwords or login, please contact the Advancement Office.
we’re coming up on the big 40. It would be fun to have a large turnout next year!”
Mary Ives Giblin ’19, Belle Dixon ’18, Colin Dixon ’17, Lucy Dixon ’21, John Dixon ’80, Gardiner McGuire ’19, Hunter McGuire ’80, Christopher Giblin ’16, and Chris Giblin ’86 traveled to Richmond to watch the EHS girls varsity basketball team take on the St. Catherine’s Saints.
Carter Burgess: “Sounds like our fellow 1980 graduates who have checked in so far are all doing well. As for me, I head up the board recruiting practice at my firm, RSR Partners (for the past eight years). I continue to do what I have been doing for about the last 16+ years and that is finding and recruiting directors to Fortune 500-1000 company boards. Met a lot of interesting people along the way and have had a bit of fun in the process. Maureen and I still live outside NYC in a small town just north of the city, Pelham Manor. Our daughter, Evelyn, lives in Manhattan and works for Danny Meyer and his Union Square Hospitality Group (one of the top high-end restaurant groups in the country) and our son, Carter, lives in Boulder and is in the real-estate appraisal business (the real-estate business is still alive and kicking in that part of the country). “If any of the Class of 1980 has plans to visit NYC, please let me know. It would great to catch up with some familiar faces over a drink or two.”
Duncan MacLeod ’80 and Tacker LeCarpintier ’80 at a concert in Raleigh, N.C.
George Ibrahim ’80 and daughter Taylor ’10 at her wedding in the Bahamas.
anniversary with Puma is this year, and still, while our daughter has graduated college and works in Richmond, our son is halfway through his sophomore year in high school. Great seeing all the emails, All the best.”
My wife works as a child counselor, and I continue to enjoy my job as a neurosurgeon. I recommend it highly to anyone that may be considering a change.
Barthell Joseph: “Last night my wife Margaret and I caught the Blue Yonder performance in Asheville. Will Carter rocked the harmony and crushed the upright bass! Terrific show and great seeing Will again.” Hunter Dyer: “Great to hear the updates. I continue to live in Charlotte with my graduation date ’80/wife, Trisha. We have a daughter in New York working in insurance and a son working in Houston in commercial real estate. After Wake and Vanderbilt, we are happy to be on the other end of education! We have loved living in Charlotte and do see multiple EHS guys on occasion in the ’hood.
“We keep up with Steve Berry and Barthell Joseph and recently had dinner with Chris Knapp in Houston. We had a great time catching up. I see George and Dunc and Tacker and a few others on Facebook. (I think Dunc probably saw my Devils take down the UVA boys last week?) I see Pierre in his cool magazine. … It is always great to catch a glimpse of one of you. It brings back a lot of memories. I look forward to the reunion next year.” Jeff Flynn: “The banter brings back very old but fond memories. Glad to see all’s well with the Class of ’80! It’s a little disturbing to think
T-Bird: “For my entry, I am still in the telecomm world, FTTH (fiber to the home), and commuting from Charlottesville to Lexington, Va., on a weekly basis. www.barcconnects.net is a sister company of a small local electrical cooperative, www.barcelectric.com, that is bridging the digital divide. I live with my wife, Diana, west of Charlottesville, amongst too many agri-tourism venues, while keeping the orchard, garden, and honey bee colonies alive. “In Lexington, I’ve had lunch with Jim ‘Sport’ Farrar ’70, who is the #1 guy to W&L’s president, and hope to visit with Leebo McLaughlin ’70 out at Camp Maxwelton & Camp Lachlan later this winter. Plenty of Old Boy sightings; Carter Leake has recently moved back to Charlottesville, and loves watching ACC sports. Had hoped to visit Whack LeCarp for the Hoo/Heel game next week but I suspect there’s blood in the water? Spring lax, baseball, and golf are all up for viewing, so c’mon up for some Orange and Blue.” “Birdeous Laxmus” — Tommy Garland. EHS
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David White: “Fellas, I’m a sportswriter and have written four books. I have an all-sports blog and a Vanderbilt blog for my Vandy people. The blog covers a lot of college football, NFL, college and pro basketball, MLB, some college baseball, pro golf, pro tennis, horse racing, Triple Crown races, and anything major, like the World Cup. No Nascar or Formula 1. “Anyway, if anyone is interested, please email me your email or just say you’re good to go with it and I’ll put your email on my MailChimp email list to send out columns when I write them. I have several of you on there, but if you’re not, would love to get you on board. “Here is my website if you want to check it out, www.davidwhite.com.” Greg Green: “I’ve been selling real estate on the Outer Banks of North Carolina since 2004. After spending many prior years in the restaurant business and working for FEMA as a disaster inspector, I was able to enjoy life as a traveling surfer in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Barbados, and most of the American coastline. Real estate has been fairly good to me, and I’m grateful to be in the business and still able to travel occasionally. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the big game this year and next of course.” Don Williams: “I’m still enjoying the commercial mortgage business at Medalist Capital with Rob Wilson as one of my partners, now for over 20 years together. Just went to the Ibrahim wedding in the Bahamas. It was the best wedding ever. It was in Hope Town on Elbow Cay. Congrats, George! It is fun to see our children come to become great friends too. Currently, I am fly fishing in Patagonia and trying to cleanse from the Ibrahim wedding. Hello to all! George Ibrahim: “I’m still in Asheville so let all know to drop me a line when visiting! I got to see Don Williams this past weekend at my daughter Taylor’s ’10 wedding! Other EHS folks that were there included Katherine Khoury Ibrahim ’10, Connor Williams ’10 (Don’s daughter), Emma Wiltshire ’10, Frances Brandley ’10, Jordan Nulsen ’10, and Reddin Woltz ’10.”
Jeff Horn is living near Wilmington, N.C., on Oak Island with his wife, Nancy, two dogs, and his youngest son Bear, who’s 15. He currently works as a managing director for a retained search firm. “I fly several small planes around the South and eastern states for business and fun and enjoy the beach. I was up to The High School a few months ago; a lot of change since the ’70s but still very familiar.” Chip Lyerly: “No news for now. We are expecting/hoping for another EHS graduate, and a UVA graduate by June – so will hopefully have something worth reporting then. Best, Chip & RJ.” Will Carter: After building his wealth-management business (mckinleycarter.com) since founding it in 2001, Will has re-focused his energies back to the policy and politics of his early career when he was a policy advocate, legal aid lawyer, and governor’s advisor. Making time for family, outdoor recreation, and music remains a constant. His Americana band Blue Yonder (blueyonderhonkytonk. com) is making an eight-show run between Asheville, Nashville, and Atlanta later this winter. John Dixon: A group of alumni went to Richmond to support the Lady Maroon against St. Catherine’s (page 59). I cannot finish without noting the great photo in the recent alumni magazine of Cedric Bright ’81 on bass and Mike Ammons ’79 on vocals. Classic!! Thank you all for your input – keep it up until next June for the 40th.
’81
Seward Totty (H) 859-268-8673 (O) 859-514-6434 seward.totty@gmail.com 40th Reunion: June 2021
’82
Arthur Smith (H) 205-802-7180 wilchester@msn.com 40th Reunion: June 2022
I hope this finds everyone from the Class of 1982 in excellent health and enjoying life. 60
Susalee and Leigh Spruill ’82 with Caulley Deringer ’82 and family in Nashville, Tenn.
If you are reading this but not receiving my emails and would like to do so, please ping me so I can add or update your email address. Drop me a line at wilchester@msn.com. As many of you may know, Moultrie Dotterer and his brother Gilly ’81 were in a big fender-bender in January. Both are doing fine, and very grateful it was not worse. Ever the comedian, Moultrie had me in tears retelling how Gilly got to be airlifted from the scene while he had to ride in a 40-yearold ambulance that hit every bump along the road. I know I speak for everyone to say that we’re glad the Dotterer brothers are doing well! I had coffee with Eddie Gamble this past fall when he was in town visiting his daughter, who is attending the University of Alabama. Eddie had a major career change in 2009 from real-estate mortgage brokerage to crime scene investigator. Eddie looks great and commented that I needed to work out more. Thanks, Scramble. Notes from hither and yon: Frank Liddell reports: “Family is doing well. Oldest daughter, Aubrie, finished her second record. It will be out this year. She’s living in LA. Youngest daughter, Anna, is writing songs, singing, and in audio engineering school. She has sung, played the guitar, and engineered on several records over the last year. Lee Ann played more shows last year than any year of her career and is nominated for two Grammys. Her competition is steep: For one nomination, she is up against John Prine, who has been one of my favorite artists since my junior year on Hummel when Mills Fleming brought a copy of “Bruised Orange” into our room that he had found in the trunk room. It was a tough choice, but I voted for Lee Ann. I recently swapped texts with James Ragsdale, who reached out when he was driving through Nashville on his way home from
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David Opie’s new book is “There Was an Old Gator Who Swallowed a Moth,” about a reptile that ate perhaps one too many of his fellow creatures.
After Episcopal
BY ELIZABETH HENDERSON ’11
Misbehaving Animals David Opie ’86 talks about his children’s book illustrations — and his love for mischievous creatures. The career of freelance illustrator has led David Opie from designing T-shirts for the Grateful Dead to illustrating children’s books. David’s passion for storytelling and his characters’ life and emotion are the perfect combination when it comes to children’s illustration. An artist at heart from a young age, David took his first art class at Episcopal with art teacher John Lisanick. After completing his bachelor’s in fine arts in illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design, David landed a job designing concert T-shirts for the Grateful Dead. During this time, David was also illustrating for a variety of magazines. He later earned his MFA from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, where he focused on illustration and writing and graduated with a portfolio geared toward book illustration. David then began doing book illustrations for educational publishers. Over the course of his career, David has illustrated 35 books, most of them sold through schools as part of reading programs. He has just finished a series of 11 books about Morty the Mouse, the protagonist in a long-running series of reading primers. In addition, David has illustrated two consumer children’s books that are available for purchase online, from bookstores, and from the publishers. David’s newest work, “There Was an Old Gator Who Swallowed a Moth,” an adaptation of the old folk song about an old lady who swallowed a fly, was released February 1. The book tells the story of a hungry alligator who swallows a series of progressively larger
animals until they all come back up. The ending is hilarious, and — spoiler alert — everyone survives the ordeal! “I love drawing alligators,” David said. “I don’t know why, but they are just a lot of fun. My focus is trying to give a lot of expression and life to the animals. That’s my niche — misbehaving animals and animals showing strong emotions.” From the initial reading of a manuscript to the final artwork, it can take a year to publish a book. David works with traditional media — pencil and paper — in the early stages of the illustrations. As the drawings develop, he incorporates Photoshop to shift elements and their sizes and adjust colors. He says that the technology used in illustration has grown very sophisticated and often allows him to incorporate publishers’ edits without having to redraw entire illustrations. After several exchanges with publishers, David uses watercolors to add details and shading and puts the drawings together with the text of the book. After proofs are approved, the printer creates the book. David works chiefly from his studio in South Norwalk, Conn., where he lives with his wife, Miller, and two dogs. “I always wanted to be an illustrator, and I love telling stories through pictures,” he says. “My approach has always been more toward narrative, even when I was doing magazine illustrations. If I make myself laugh and amuse other people, that’s the best part for me. … Plus I get to paint and draw all day in my studio, hanging out with my dogs.” EHS
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hunting in Arkansas, and I traded emails with Buzzy Male ’64, who is threatening to make a trip to town. Jack Bocock and I traded texts on our birthdays, which are a day apart (Nov. 13 and 14) and often fall around Woodberry Weekend. I applaud when we work to stay in touch as a group.” Leigh Spruill writes, “All is well. Susalee and I did enjoy going out on the town with Caulley Deringer and his beautiful family in December when they all came down to Nashville for the Redskins-Titans game. It was terrific to catch-up; they are all great. Bad selfie included.” (Leigh, please Google “How to take a selfie.”) Mills Fleming sends in: “Our son will graduate this spring from Georgia Tech with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. He will then pursue a master’s in M.E. at Tech. My wife continues with her practice as an internal medicine physician, and I am a health care attorney at HunterMaclean. I enjoyed campaigning this past year to help Ken Hodges ’84 win a seat on the Georgia Court of Appeals.” Carl Failmezger writes, “I wrote a book on astronomy (Origin of Galaxies: White Hole Theory) putting forward my galaxy-formation theory in competition with the Big Bang theory without relying upon imaginary dark matter and dark energy. Robert Cunningham ’76 and I opened a law office, www.lawmart.biz, in Newport News, Va., providing discount estate planning to Virginia residents. We give a 50 percent discount to EHS graduates.” Our de facto historian, Mark Slack, shares another EHS Chronicle, this one from November 5, 1979. Per Historian Slack, you will find “that Berkeley dorm was only 25 years old. As a two-year resident of that hall, I would have pegged it for MUCH older. David Schnorrenberg also captured headlines in this edition.” Of additional note: Pope John Paul II visited D.C., break-in at McGuire dorm (apparently it’s not as impenetrable as Berkeley), stereo buying tips, Heir Six’s German bike trip, pros and cons of the Rat System, Erich Kimbrough’s ’80 commentary on declining school spirit, expose on yours truly, entertainment articles, sports section (with Schnorrenberg again making 62
headlines), Bummer of the Month – “Cokes Up to 35 Cents”! Tony Landi congratulating Macon Baird, past Pharaoh of Egypt, on being smoke-free since July 24, 2017, furthers that he is “regretting the decision not to smoke and join you boys in Egypt. I was holding out hope that I’d still get a growth spurt and didn’t want to stunt it.”
Beth and Wright Wall ’86 in the British Virgin Islands.
It is great staying in touch with everyone; please keep it up. Thanks for everyone’s contributions! Give me a call if your travels bring you to Birmingham. – Arthur Smith
and stay in touch with MacLeod’s brother Duncan ’80 from time to time. I was glad to be at and see everyone at the reunion. Best wishes.”
’83
Alex Bruton writes, “I still live in Houston, and it will be 20 years this summer. We like the city a lot; it is big, has lots of diversity, and is close to México (where my parents still live!) My wife is a professor at the University of Houston, and I am a Spanish teacher at Episcopal High School, Houston. We have two children, Ana Cecilia (18) and John (15). We are in the midst of making college decisions for Ana Cecilia between the big school in Austin and a private one in New Orleans. John is a freshman at EHS (Houston) and doing very well. My oldest daughter, Brinley, has lived in Buenos Aires for several years and loves it! She is a University of Michigan graduate, and my understanding is that she frequented Hugh Morgan’s restaurant a couple of times.
Frank Vasquez (C) 804-873-2212 frank@copyfaxva.com 40th Reunion: June 2023
Tyler Carr writes, “Married, and have been living in Connecticut for the past 20 years. I’m sure you’ll agree, I’m very lucky – she could have done much better. Three awesome daughters that have caused premature balding: Caroline, 24, a Holy Cross grad and currently serving in the Peace Corps in Cambodia; Elizabeth, 21, a senior at Fordham; and Emily, 18, a freshman at Saint Michael’s College. I’ve really enjoyed reading all the updates. I’ll buy the beer for anyone visiting St. Michaels, Md., this summer – Rob Hoxton ’84 lives nearby, too. All the best to everyone!” Gill Holland announced he has agreed to be Adam Edelen’s running mate in the election for the governor of Kentucky. We wish Gill and Adam the best of luck this November. Tell all your Kentucky friends to vote Edelen/ Holland 2019! Greg Peete writes, “I don’t have much new to tell you, other than I suffer from mal-tuition. My son, Boyd, is a third year at W&L studying chemistry and plays on the golf team. He loves it and is doing well. My daughter Charlotte is a junior in high school at St. Catherine’s and starting the college search process. They say opposites attract: My wife has thick hair and plenty of brains. I am blessed, as the kids appear to have inherited her dominant traits. I keep in touch with Macon Baird, we have reached out to Sam Moore ’82, I see Mark Slack ’82 occasionally
“I have gone to some of the receptions that EHS has had in Houston over the years, but, unfortunately, have lost touch with many of you. During the ’83 class reunion last summer I was doing what all good Spanish teachers do … taking a group to Spain for a month. Sorry I missed it! I was in touch with some of the class after the terrible hurricane that hit North Carolina last year. (Fortunately, we made it through Harvey with minimal damage, but lots of neighbors, even on our street, flooded.) “If, and when, any of you come through Houston, for any reason, and would like to get together, let me know and it would be great to see you.”
SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTES ONLINE! Just go to the homepage and click on “Alumni” and then “Submit A Class Note.” For help with passwords or login, please contact the Advancement Office.
Jay Noell ’87 in front of a ship propeller.
Rob Sale ’87 and family in Abbeville, Ala., for Thanksgiving.
’84
Sam Froelich (H) 336-288-5711 froelich@me.com 35th Reunion: June 7-9, 2019
’85
Thorne Gregory (H) 203-655-7139 (O) 212-500-3049 thornegregoryjr@me.com 35th Reunion: June 2020
Rod McGee runs a family office in Greenville, S.C. He is known as the most aggressive poachers in all of doubles tennis in the state. Ed “Eddie Bob of Hollywood” Kerr is starring as Captain Edwards in “SEAL Team” on CBS. Eddie Bob is the right man for the job because “SEAL Team” is a drama following an elite unit of Navy SEALs as they train, plan, and execute the most dangerous, highstakes missions our country can ask of them. Congratulations, Ed, for being promoted from naval lieutenant in 2032 in “SeaQuest” to naval captain in the present.
Scott Collie writes, “Recently rejoined SunTrust Mortgage after spending 15 years of my career here. My daughter recently graduated from college and now lives in D.C., which gives me a chance to incorporate visits back to EHS. In fact, I got to spend some time with Chris Giblin ’86 and wife Nancy (man did he outkick his coverage!), in addition to Rob “da Burr” Jones ’86 on my most recent trip back to The Hill. We survived! My son, Alex ’16, is a junior at Wofford College, so I’m inching closer to being tuition FREE very soon. My wife and I are truly enjoying the empty nester life! Lastly, I get to see fellow Durhamites Glenn Dickson and Walker Harris ’86 quite often, so we get to keep some of the stories going.” Bo Weatherly writes, “Just started and launched an ABS lending business at US Bank; enjoying golf trips with the EHS family; constantly entertained by Rob Jones’s text messages. Wife Karen is an environmental attorney with the city of Charlotte. Kids: Sam, associate at Ridgemont PE firm; Wynne, freshman at TCU and riding on the equestrian team; Will, sophomore at Myers Park High and rabid Tarheel fan.”
’86
Art Taylor (C) 703-774-5079 art@arttaylorwriter.com 35th Reunion: June 2021
Usually, I save any of my own news for the end of a column, but I’m gonna break that small personal tradition here and lead off with a quick announcement: In late January, my story “English 398: Fiction Workshop,” originally published in “Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine,” was named a finalist for both the Edgar Award and the Agatha Award for Best Short Story – the first time I’ve been a finalist for the Edgar, which is considered the highest award in the mystery genre. A nice start to the year! The awards ceremonies for each are at the end of April and start of May, respectively, so keep your fingers crossed. (I’ve been keeping mine crossed, which had made typing a real chore. In fact, I’m surprised I’m getting this column written at all.) In other publishing news, David Opie sent an update on an announcement from the last issue: His book There Was an Old Gator Who Swallowed a Moth has now been published by
Pelican Press – and we’re loving the new cover! Dave continues to do freelance illustration for the children’s lit market from his home in southern Connecticut. Check out his website at www.spacemandave.com. Wright Wall relocated to Raleigh last summer and now serves at Holy Trinity Anglican. In even more news, his email arrived from the British Virgin Islands, where he and his wife, Beth, were celebrating 25 years of marriage – and Wright was learning to sail! Finally, Rob Jones writes that … well, let him put it in his own words: “I almost had a head-on car collision with Steven Lilly ’88 on Christmas Eve at a busy grocery store intersection. After a few nasty glances our encounter was followed up with a phone call and some holiday tidings and a little chatter, too.” Always good to make the most of these kinds of run-ins. Please do pass along your own encounters with fellow Old Boys when you can – or any news you’d like to share!
’87
David Haddock (C) 301-575-6750 davidhaddock@yahoo.com 35th Reunion: June 2022
Andy Reynolds reports, “Major milestones await in 2019: 10 years at my job rating doctors and health-care groups on how well they follow medical evidence; 20 years married; and David Haddock and I turn 50 the same day in July. “I’m surrounded by subtle but frequent reminders of EHS. My home in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., is minutes from the campuses of two EHS rivals, Landon and Georgetown Prep. I often see Episcopal minibuses in my neighborhood ferrying teams to and from games at those schools. My 11-year old son, Drew, and I walked to Landon to watch the home team drub EHS in football recently.” Rob Sale reports, “We survived Hurricane Michael then escaped to Abbeville, Ala., for our family reunion to take this Thanksgiving picture (above). We are still trying to recover. Panama City will never be the same.” EHS
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William DeButts replied to my email soliciting class notes as follows: “Great to hear from you. I am in-flight to Anchorage, Alaska, and then out to St. Paul Island in Bering Sea for some duck hunting. Kind of crazy to go in January, but you go when they’re flying.” Jay Noell reports, “Currently living in Jersey just across the river from Philly. Came up from St. Pete, Fla., (where I’d lived for 20 years) nine years ago. My wife, Kristine, is a Jersey girl and wanted to move home after I went to the oil fields. She is a case manager for Medicaid and is the love of my life. Oldest daughter just graduated ASU in education. Second daughter finishing up at USF Tampa in pre-med (thinking dentistry). Son is in 6th grade. He’s a cool kid – plays the sax, golf, tennis, lacrosse ... sails, surfs, skateboards, and swims.
Don Haddock ’89 crossing the Pyrenees on his trek of the Camino de Santiago.
“As for me I’ve been at sea for the last 28 years in one form or another either commercial fishing, chasing marlin in the Caribbean, running tourist boats, casino boats, dive boats, etc. ... The last 11 years have been here in the Gulf of Mexico running supply vessels out to the oil rigs. The month on/month off schedule suits me just fine. I’ve spent more of my life at sea than on land. “On my off time I do pretty much whatever. ... But mostly hang with the family. During the school year I try to help out with the busy family schedules. Summers are spent at the beach in OCNJ. Winter weekends up in the Poconos when we can ski a little.
Walton Smith ’90, Bella Smith (Walton’s daughter), Joe Dulaney ’90, and Kara Dulaney in Orange at The Game.
“Happy, healthy, and content with great family and friends.”
’88
Will Burdell (H) 505-259-9068 (O) 912-638-3611 willburdell@gmail.com 35th Reunion: June 2023
’89
Croom Lawrence (C) 540-878-6754 croomlawrence@gmail.com 30th Reunion: June 7-9, 2019
Don Haddock writes, “I’ve walked the first 410 miles of the Camino de Santiago from the French border through Northern Spain. 64
Ameliea ’17 and Joe Dulaney ’90 at the 2018 Southern Debutante Assembly in Greenwood, Miss.
John Smith ’90 and Joe Dulaney ’90 back on The Holy Hill.
SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTES ONLINE! Just go to the homepage and click on “Alumni” and then “Submit A Class Note.” For help with passwords or login, please contact the Advancement Office.
stay tuned and contact me if you come this way. Best wishes to everyone for an outstanding 2019!
’92
Fred Alexander (C) 704-641-4858 fcaiii@yahoo.com 30th Reunion: June 2022
Hello Class, As far as I can tell, all are well in our class. I apologize for missing the last couple of updates; I have no excuse. Filmmaker extraordinaire Luke David ’93 and former Headmaster Sandy Ainslie ’56.
I plan to finish in August, and I’m already thinking about my next adventure. I see Rob Morton at local kids rock concerts – our daughters are both rock stars!”
’90
Joe Dulaney (C) 662-519-1480 (O) 662-363-2922 joe@dulaneylawfirm.com 30th Reunion: June 2020
I hope everyone is doing well. This past year was an exciting time at The High School. The football team traveled to Orange in the fall, and as each of you may be aware, brought home the hardware. It was a wonderful day to be in Orange for “The Game.” I was fortunate enough to spend the day with my daughter, Isabelle ’21, Walton Smith, and his daughter, Bella, cheering on the Maroon Machine to victory. Also, new on The Hill this fall is the return of John Smith. As you may remember, he was the drummer for Raw Velvet back in the day. Years ago I was lucky to get one of his CDs with a drum solo. John has settled back in South Florida. His son, Johnny ’22, is a freshman this year. Over the next couple of months, I am going to be reaching out to some of you. I enjoy seeing a number of you on a regular basis and look forward to speaking with others I have not talked to in years.
’91
Will Coxe (C) 864-313-9803 williecoxe@gmail.com 30th Reunion: June 2021
Tres Altman reports that all is well in Wilmington. He and his wife are busy raising their two girls and when he has time plays music in his band called the Paper Stars. Please check out the latest app that Tres has developed called VOXICARD. You can download it on the Apple app store and stay in touch with your EHS classmates. Great job, Tres! Keep up the good work. Will Mebane is still busy in New York taking over the photography world. One of his recent photos was featured on the December 3 issue of Bloomberg magazine. Nice work, Will! I got a nice note from Jimmy Smith, who reports that he and his wife, Heather, and their two girls have moved to Savannah, Ga. Jimmy and Heather own a construction company called JTVS Builders. Alex Shuford writes in that all is well in the furniture business in Hickory, N.C., and he gets together with Ben Godsey several times a year for family vacations. Dunston Powell reports that all is well in Charleston, S.C., as he is a principal in a real-estate firm. Life continues to treat me and Laura well in Greenville, S.C. I plan to put together something for our class later this year, so please
Over the summer while touring the Grand Strand of South Carolina, I was fortunate enough to spend a little time with Beverly Logan McCaskill ’94 and her esteemed cousin Fielding Logan. It was a wonderful afternoon catching up on Pawleys Island. Fielding is involved in the Nashville music scene and has a lovely wife and some offspring. I did reach out to my old pals Mike McCabe and Cal Evans. Both seem to be doing well based off of occasional banter. In going back and forth with Mike, neither one of us could remember a concert that we attended at George Washington University back in the fall of 1991. I believe Bill McKinnon and perhaps Doug Nelson were also in attendance. It was during the week and we took a senior leave with Mr. Castle, aka Coach Rock, and Mr. Westin. If I missed anyone or if anyone remembers who was playing, I’d love to know. Moving on to the acting scene, it is my understanding that Jim Sibley is looking at making another mark in the greater Cashiers, N.C., mountain community’s thespian scene. I think the name of it is “Blue Ridge Boo.” It’s sure to be more fun than the Marriott folks had in the trunk room in old Hummel. In addition, assuming his health is tip top, expect a cameo appearance from John Mullins. Perhaps if Fielding can break away for a bit, he can use his experience and promote the show. In other news, Matt Chellgren has left Goldman Sachs and is on the ground floor of starting a new adventure with Evercore. Before leaving Goldman, he did write the EHS
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forward to Dark Pool Secrets, by Stefanie Kammerman. Mason Lampton writes, “I had such a cool experience taking my 15-year-old son to EHS for a tour and application. I guess we are that old!” All the best to everyone and please let me know what you are doing. – Fred Alexander
’93
Walker Lamond (C) 301-580-0761 walkerlamond@mac.com 30th Reunion: June 2023
If this season’s dispatch is particularly perspicuous, it is because much of it was provided by erudite Georgetown alum and NCAA croquet champion Chris Jacobs, whose recent exploits have brought him news of many a Maroon. He writes that he “ran into a bunch of Old Boys and Girls” (names withheld) down in Charleston, S.C., this fall while visiting John Hoof ’95 and Ham Morrison. He also recently bumped into Ande Jenkins ’92 in D.C. walking his labrador, and he keeps bumping into EHS Hall of Famer Grey McNair King ’96 because their sons are teammates on an undefeated hockey team (natch). With all this running and bumping into, it sounds to me like Chris needs to watch where he’s going, but then again he always did enjoy contact sports. Chris is the director of business development at DFS Construction, which incidentally just hired Willy Clark’s ’92 new company BoltFin Media to handle its marketing. Let’s just hope Willy’s company fares better than the ill-fated campus news show we hatched up in 1992, which lasted approximately one week but served its purpose of getting Willy into Denison. Chris also adds (emphatically) that he and Victor Maddux are still the reigning Washington Platform Tennis League champions. Never mind that the league is only open to members of Chevy Chase Country Club between the ages of 42 and 90. In other news, Keith Jones reports that he has moved to Daphne, Ala., across the bay from Mobile, where he is the lead bankruptcy counsel for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama. He says he’s happy to be among the drawlers and trawlers 66
Lee Vaughan ’93, Candy Vaughan Hollis ’96, Randall Fontes ’93, and Howell Hollis ’66 at the wedding of Candy and Preston Hollis.
Gretchen Byrd ’95, Becky McDaniel ’95, Robert Birdsey ’95, and Winborne Boyles ’95 in Richmond in August 2018.
of the Gulf Coast and invites any classmates in the area to look him up and say hello.
As for me, I am returning this summer from my eight-year diplomatic sojourn in the Middle East. I plan to hang around Washington long enough to see the kids enrolled at EHS or until I’m subpoenaed by Congress, whichever comes first. I’m really looking forward to catching some football games in the Bowl and rounding up more of you to attend our 30th Reunion in just four years time. As the late, great Joe Shelor would say, “Sacré Bleu!” 30th?...Old Boys and Girls, indeed.
When Ryan Craig told me he is working at Duke Health in “clinical research,” I figured he meant as a test subject. It turns out that Ryan is getting his master’s in clinical informatics from Duke School of Medicine, and I’m sure he’s having a blast since there are definitely no nerds in that program. Don Pocock is also in the Tar Heel state, where he keeps busy practicing law and shuttling three kids to gymnastics meets and lacrosse games. Last summer Don completed his first triathlon, which I think is like three perimeters. Great to hear his kids are playing lacrosse. You know, when Gary Graham and Griff Gideon arrived at EHS from North Carolina in 1989, neither of them had ever seen a lacrosse stick. Gary thought it was for catching dove. But Victor and I got them all straightened out, and the two of them went on to anchor the Redneck Line of Greg Courter’s legendary JV lacrosse squad. Lee Vaughan writes that back in September Randall Fontes was in attendance when Lee’s sister Candy Vaughan Hollis ’96 married the son of Howell Hollis ’66, who is the former roommate and lifelong friend of “old man” John Hooff Sr. ’67. In my mind’s eye, I see Hooff Sr. challenging Randall to a midnight arm-wrestling competition after failing to convince him that he, in fact, is the greatest Hooff. He tried making the same argument to me in Moscow at Stephen Bierman’s ’92 wedding before his son John ’95 poured a pint of Nevskoe Imperial over his head.
’94
Emily Fletcher Breinig (c) 480-330-8017 fletchee@hotmail.com 25th Reunion: June 7-9, 2019
Aladdin Freeman writes, “Killing it on boxing on TV. A lot of fun and hard work!”
’95
Sarah Baltimore McElwain sarahbmcelwain@yahoo.com
Pence Craddock Scurry (c) 803-361-7354 pencescurry@gmail.com 25th Reunion: June 2020
Hello from Columbia, S.C.! Time is flying by in our stage of life! My husband, J.P. Scurry, and I have two children, Thomas (11) and Mary Henley (9), and a two-year-old cocker spaniel, Jolly. I am an antique and fine-art appraiser and consultant.
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come spend some time in our awesome city – which he erroneously described as being the “lamest capital of the South” – to set the record straight!) For me, life is the opposite of lame with great family, friends, work, etc. Only problem is that it’s literally flying by.
Lucy Goldstein ’97, Portia Scott ’97, Danielle O’Banion ’97, Susan Castle, and Joey Halm got together to watch Danielle coach the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team against the University of Maryland.
I share a company, Oldfields Advisors, with my sister, Agnes Craddock Ragsdale, who lives in Charlotte. At Christmas, I bumped into McLean and John Hooff, who have moved from Savannah, Ga., to Charleston, S.C., and are enjoying life in the Holy City with their daughter, Elizabeth, and son, Brodie. I also recently saw Katherine Webb Easterling when our girls played against each other in basketball. She and her husband, Bruce, have five beautiful girls and also live in Columbia.
working for Marshall Turnbull Johnson’s husband! Harrison Finney has moved to Greer, S.C., not far from Greenville. He and his family are doing well. Harrison continues to work in advertising. It is always great to hear from everyone! Please keep in touch and send pictures! All the best, Pence Craddock Scurry
The Bashams had a great Christmas this year. The highlight (for me, at least) was a custom necklace crafted by the one and only Jane Pope Cooper (founder of Jane Pope Jewelry, perhaps you’ve heard of it), which hasn’t left my neck since the morning of December 25. I emailed with Jane and Dan Batten ’94 about possibly visiting Charleston, S.C., this summer. She reports loving being back and seeing some Old Girls and Boys around town. She waved to Kent Lowry in a parking lot once (he was on a very important business call) and said his wave was “warm and friendly.” I think she may have run into Garland Lynn and Justin Belch as well but can’t be certain. Recently, Tyler and Jane went out to a tame dinner with Carter and Courtney Gunter Rowson. I say “tame” because they were all participating in a dry January (dry excluding margaritas), which is something I have never – and will never – attempt. Carter Hancock Johnston and I just had dinner together and can both attest to a #dryJanuaryprabs. Carter’s business, CCH, is very successful and a “must-see” for Bill and Luke when they come here to shop for women’s clothing. Randy Shelley also moved back to Chucktown, adding yet another reason why I want to visit soon!
Becky McDaniel recently moved to Richmond after getting remarried in April. She says it has been good to reconnect with a lot of EHS friends there, some of whom are members of St. Stephen’s, the church where she works as an associate rector. Her husband, Matt Lambert, has two children, so with her two girls, they are a blended family of six, and life is full!
’96
Temple Forsyth Basham (C) 804-332-1517 templefbasham@gmail.com 25th Reunion: June 2021
Court and Laura Morton Michau live with their girls in a field of cows in Orange among a bunch of WFS fans. It can get pretty hairy out there with the rivalry, but Laura was pretty stoked when the Maroon crushed the Tigers in the BIG GAME. You could hear her chanting “Dennis the Mennis, EHS Tennis” from two cow fields away.
Kelly Boldrick Barbour also lives in Richmond with her husband, Ben, and their two boys.
Wazzup, my 96ers?! We’re BAAAAACK. Sorry we whiffed last issue. Luke and I each assumed the other was doing it and, well, you saw what happened. I blame Luke but that’s just because he’s an easy target: living in Marin County with the lovely Lacy, three kids, a new freelance business of his own. … (Congrats, Z!) Luke tells me he’ll be visiting Richmond later this year so I’ll make some couch room for his dainty behind. (Speaking of Richmond, I challenge Bill Allen ’97 to
The family Michau recently came to celebrate my birthday at the Jefferson Hotel, founded in 1895 (NBD, Bill Allen), and we got a noise complaint in our hotel room later that evening so you can rest assured that nothing has changed since we attended THE High School! (In case you were worried.) Ben and Hampton Moore Eubanks also joined in on the fun and are to blame for the excessive volume. Hampton hosted the regional alumni holiday party, where I caught up with
Catharine Mebane Sturtevant says that life is busy, but good. She is a wife and mom of a sixth grader, a third grader, and a new lab puppy. Her paying job is running the Greenville agency for Worth New York clothing. She loves having Janie Mebane Mobley back in Greenville with her girls. Janie is
Luke Zehner (H) 571-338-1389 zehnerlj@gmail.com
EHS
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Gretchen Byrd ’95, Tyler Meurlin ’96, and Becky McDaniel ’95, who is happily married to Matt and absolutely crushing the child and youth ministries at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Andrew and I are taking the boys to spend the night with Brian and Sarah Akridge Knutson later this spring, which is long overdue and much anticipated. She and I spent a weekend on the Eastern Shore last fall along with Sarah Pugh Kadish, who is totally awesome and settling in to New Jersey with Mike and their three children. When I requested updates for these notes, Sarah Knutson said our lives are too boring and Brian simply sent a video of Keanu Reeves saying, “Caught my first tube this morning, sir.” I take this to mean he’s surfing YouTube.
Judellia Cole ’99 and Becky Kellam Everhart ’99 in Hampton, Va., for a Phish concert. Sutherland Ward Everhart, daughter of Becky Kellam Everhart ’99.
Peace out and happy 2019!
’97
Bill Allen (C) 919-673-2269 williamwallen@gmail.com 25th Reunion: June 2022 Prather Smith Claghorn’s ’99 sons, Jack and Oliver, and Lauren Campbell Ayers’s ’99 oldest daughter, Carson.
Things were pretty quiet from you guys until the week approaching my publication deadline, and then all of a sudden I had a flurry of two emails from you, and I managed to shake down a few people over dinner for more updates. So, thanks! On a visit to New York for work, I managed to get together with J.W. Perry one night for dinner to catch up. That’s becoming a bit of a routine for us. I’m happy to report that he looks pretty much the same as he did late last year when I saw him last. We’re working on possibly reliving the glory days of the 199697 school year, complete with a bunk bed, hot plate, etc., although many details remain to be ironed out. Top of that list: Are we sure we won’t regress to more primitive versions of ourselves if we split some real estate in Manhattan together? Sub question: Are we already primitive versions of ourselves? If this were a text message, this is the part where I’d insert a .gif of someone like the Fresh Prince shrugging his shoulders in a “maybe, maybe not” fashion. Another night during my visit, I had dinner with Finny Akers and Alex Dickerson. I hadn’t seen either of them since the reunion, 68
Sarah and Philip Cox ’99 at a Halloween costume contest dressed as “Ice Ice Baby.”
and we had an amazing time catching up. We did the usual thing where we relive all the great/funny moments from our high school days, but it was also refreshing to spend some time understanding elements of our shared experience that maybe weren’t so great. By the end of the night, we were a bit overserved, Finny broke two glasses because he doesn’t know his own strength (he’s been working out), and we all committed to seeing each other more going forward. I’m thrilled that work will take me to Manhattan a bit more in the future, and I hope that each trip affords me the ability to see more of you who live in the area. In one of the more predictable updates from one of our classmates, Finny was happy to let us all know that David Bickford now has
Class of 1999 classmates Will Chapman, Davis White, Morgan Guthridge, and Carter Cochran at a mini-reunion in Lexington, Ky.
a hot tub. Honestly, we all saw that coming; I’m just surprised it took so long. Claire Kirkpatrick Cobb wrote in to let us know that Daniel finished up his fellowship late in 2017 and that they’ve moved to Savannah, Ga., for work, and that they love it there. They’re renovating a house in order to make room for the latest addition to their family, a baby girl! Congrats to you, Claire!
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Captain William Adams on the Florida coast. Until enrolling at Episcopal, he lived exclusively on a boat.
After Episcopal
Healing on the Water Captain William Adams ’93 sends military vets on ocean excursions to ease combat’s psychological scars. William Adams arrived on campus in late summer of 1990, unpacked his bags in Dalrymple, and slid into a routine little different from that of other students. Except for this: His years at Episcopal would be his first living on dry land. The son of a British Royal Navy veteran of World War II, 16-year-old William had spent his entire life on a boat. His parents had fancied sea life and the cost-savings of raising their four children at sea, so he was accustomed to drifting to sleep on the water near Miami, gentle waves lapping the hull of their 85-foot, 130-ton trawler. Nearly 30 years later, William, 44, is introducing others to the sea that’s been his lifetime love. A few years ago, he started a charity, Deep Blue Sea Project, to take military veterans on ocean excursions for fishing and scuba diving. It’s a nascent effort, backed so far with donations largely from veterans and active-duty military. But William dreams of building an enterprise that also teaches veterans how to build and repair boats – high-demand skills that could lead to jobs outside a traditional 9-to-5 office, which many former soldiers and sailors crave, he says. For William, the charity is a chance to refocus part of his life on the ocean after a landlocked career. Born in England, he yearned as a teenager to become a Royal Navy pilot, but poor eyesight nixed those plans. Instead, not long after graduating from Episcopal, he joined the U.S. Army, serving first as a mortarman and later as a finance officer after a fractured vertebra ended his days as a frontline soldier. Along the way, he got his U.S. citizenship. Now a captain, he has been posted for the past four years at Shaw Air Force Base near Sumter, S.C., where he watches over the billions spent by the U.S. Army Central Command
in operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries in the Middle East. He and a friend, Bud Martin, a retired master Air Force sergeant, came up with the idea for the Deep Blue Sea Project. Charities to help veterans, they concluded, tend to serve men and women who suffered combat injuries. Yet few organizations, they say, aim to help troops whose injuries aren’t visible. “A number of my friends had pretty severe experiences that they don’t like to acknowledge,” he says. “With some guys, they say, ‘When I walk past the bathroom in the middle of the night, I see an explosion.’ But because they weren’t wounded, they might not even qualify for services.” Fishing or scuba diving trips can help veterans like these, William believes. He once did an 11-day solo trip from Lake Charles in Louisiana to Patrick Air Force Base on the eastern coast of Florida. “To be on the water first thing in the morning is very calming, very satisfying,” he notes. William also points to research suggesting that scuba diving is a palliative for post-traumatic stress disorder. “Being underwater is like being in in the womb,” he says. “The sound is different; the light is different. And I think it triggers something in the base of the brain. It’s just very peaceful.” The Deep Blue Sea Project, which is scaling up, aims to place 40 or so veterans on trips this year. William works the phones from his South Carolina home, identifying charter captains in Florida who will take out veterans as groups or individuals. One day, perhaps when he retires, William says he may buy a boat and devote himself full time to the work. “This is a very, very young charity,” he says. “But I’d like to see even more happen before I retire.” EHS
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Ladson Webb finished up his master’s in mechanical engineering in December 2018. His thesis involved NASA, wind tunnels, and, presumably, engineering thereof. It’s all super complicated to us regular people, but it’s really exciting for Ladson. In Ladson Career 2.0, he’s working for a company called Liebherr Mining Equipment, and his job is to make sure the gigantic, autonomous trucks used in big mining jobs work properly. Pretty critical that those things don’t run amok! He and Xandria are also expecting their second child sometime in the fall. All great news for Ladson and family!
Malsert Chapman’s ’99 daughter Damienne.
Morgan Guthridge ’99 and his son James in Orange, Va., at The Game.
Ravenel Richardson’s ’99 twins, Tess and Ollie (3).
Knox Vizzi Akridge, son of Will Akridge ’99.
While I heard from neither of them, I happen to know that Peyton Grubbs Lister and Jim Goodwin went on a trip to the British Virgin Islands with their families and some other random, non-EHS people. I know this because they posted pictures on Instagram. Pictures, I should point out, that didn’t include any of the rest of us. Short and sweet this time. Keep doing what you’re doing, friends!
’98
Katherine Moncure Stuart (H) 540-672-4258 katstu@gmail.com Andrew Nielson (c) 706-254-2277 anielson@servicesource.com 25th Reunion: June 2023
’99
Becky Kellam Everhart (c) 917-628-5945 beckykellam@gmail.com 20th Reunion: June 7-9, 2019
Morgan Guthridge attended The Game with his son James and watched the Maroon Machine “roar” back from a 21-6 deficit to win 25-21 in Orange this year. It was a great day!
Will Chapman, Davis White, Morgan Guthridge, and Carter Cochran had a mini-reunion in Lexington, Ky., this fall. They went to Keeneland for some horse races and caught a University of Kentucky game, where they saw Griff VanMeter. Lexington is still recovering.
Philip Cox reports that he took the kids to Disney for fall break and survived. He and his wife, Sarah, dominated a Halloween costume contest: best couple as Ice Ice Baby (photo, page 68; they lost their ice by the end of the night). He just started Party Guys bowling league where his team, Snakes on a Lane, is competing for another championship this year. Amazing! I can’t even begin to keep up. It’s official. … I am an old lady.
Lauren Campbell Ayers and Prather Smith Claghorn had their own mini-reunion in NYC this fall.
Now onto the babes. Malsert Chapman Liebler and her husband, Brian, welcomed their first child, a daughter, Damienne, in
Hi everyone! Thanks to those that touched base. Here goes:
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Ravenel Richardson reports that she has been in Hilton Head most of January hiding from the cold Cleveland winter.
October. “Auntie” Jackie Yeh Lee was the first family friend to visit after they came home from the hospital. Malsert works in corporate social responsibility and recently had the pleasure of reconnecting with Katie Kaufman while working on women’s initiatives in finance. Will Akridge also added to his family. Knox Vizzi Akridge was born on September 6. He is adorable! We had our second daughter on December 12. Sutherland Ward Everhart is a unicorn (just like her older sister) and an easy baby. I’m buckling up for teenage years and plan on sending them far, far away. Alexandria, Va., has a nice ring to it. I frequently see Judellia Cole, who lives near me in Virginia Beach. We went to the Mothership for Phish (her first show this fall). I was quite pregnant, and we had a ball.
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I missed seeing Hattie Gruber for the first time ever during my last trip to NYC in January but I can safely say that her jewelry business and travels still dominate her life – in the best ways possible! You all follow her on Instagram right? If not, you should. …
Lucas Frederick Gabriel, son of Jenny Kroncke Gabriel ’00.
David Harris ’00 with daughter Abigail and son Devin.
William Stallworth ’00 with sons Bill and Dean, and Joe Stallworth ’03 with son Banks.
Maisie Cunningham Short ’00 with son Emmett.
I’m hoping to see everyone at the Reunion this summer. Twenty years already! – Becky
’00
Schuyler Williams (c) 703-304-9243 schuyler13@gmail.com Maisie Cunningham Short (c) 310-498-5241 maisieshort12@gmail.com 20th Reunion: June 2020
Thanks once again to everyone for contributing to our class notes for the spring 2019 edition! Writing in from the nation’s capital: Both political and weather climate here are pretty volatile, as I think everyone is aware, which on the positive side means there is never a dull moment or lull in conversation. I personally have been traveling like a maniac since the holidays and therefore managed to avoid some of it! While in town though, I
have ventured out of hibernation to see Brenton Hardee ’02, Carlie Hooff Casella, and Will Nisbet ’01 (when he and his fiancée, Eloise, are in town from Middleburg). Carlie, husband Dan, and their two cute kids (Charlie and Alice) are doing great and still living in Alexandria, right next door to EHS. I visited Elizabeth Hossfeld last fall and had a great time getting some much-needed sunshine down in Delray Beach and spending time with her adorable and well-behaved three-year-old, Decker. P.X. Head and I chat occasionally when I need a serious laugh, and he has completed his MBA at SMU and is back in Atlanta doing his thing. I’m quite certain he sees William Stallworth, Morgan Akers ’01, and William Corbitt ’02. Maisie Cunningham Short and her husband, Andy, are seasoned parents of six months of little Emmett! If the enclosed picture (above) is any indication, Maisie is a champ of a firsttime mom, and (still) very much living her life! I am taking notes!!
Kate Leggett Mabry welcomed Peter MacLeod “Mac” Mabry to the world on April 11, 2018. Congrats!! She writes that he and big sister Ingrid have become fast friends and seem to enjoy teaming up to keep mom and dad thoroughly exhausted (but wonderfully fulfilled!). Kate is in her second year of running her own architectural practice and has had the great fortune of some wonderful custom residential projects to get started. She looks forward to spreading her name through the grapevine and would especially love to work with any of her fellow EHS alums, either locally in Atlanta or elsewhere in the country. Being in Atlanta, Kate also enjoys spending time with Betsy Watts Metcalf. Betsy and her colleagues with Education Connection Advisors were a big help to Kate’s family over the past few months as they embarked on the elementary school search for Ingrid, who will be starting kindergarten this fall. In considering several of Atlanta’s private schools (but ultimately opting for the neighborhood public school), she was reminded again of the highly formative and unique educational experience she had at EHS. Kate has had the most diverse EHS catchups! She even had a wonderful visit with Harriet Holliday (Hattie’s mom), who was in town for a lecture series on architecture and interior design and invited Kate to join her as her guest. So fun and I loved getting all of these fantastically detailed updates, Kate! Jenny Kroncke Gabriel and her husband welcomed Lucas Frederick Gabriel on January 25 – congratulations on being a mother and enjoy this special time in your life!! In addition to being a mother, Jenny continues to work with Steve Lisk at Lancaster Country Day School in Pennsylvania. David Harris writes that he’s been working in IT with U.S. Customs and Border Protection for 15 years now. Wow! His wife and he have been together for 16 years and will celebrate their 13-year wedding anniversary in March. EHS
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Double WOW! David’s son Devin (10) and daughter Abigail (7) have a passion for swimming, and now swim on a team year round. They expanded their family this summer and adopted a rescued dog, Titus, who is a bundle of energy. Sounds like all is well with you, David! Zsolt Parkanyi doesn’t sound like he’s roughing it over in sunny Dubai. He started business school at INSEAD and will finish in December 2019. The program is truly global with classes held in France, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. Very jealous! Zsolt also manages to stay in touch with fellow EHS alums despite that schedule. He met up with Paul Blake ’10 when Paul visited last year. Lastly, Vince van Dillen writes that he has been living in the San Francisco Bay Area for almost 16 months now. After working for Johnny Foley’s for almost a year, he took a job in tech security and works for Raketuen in San Mateo, Calif. Thanks again to everyone for writing in – I hope everyone survives the winter and has great updates for the next issue of The High School!
’01
Beezie McLaughlin Sayers (C) 713-560-6210 beezie.sayers@gmail.com 20th Reunion: June 2021
Libby Seaton Ayoob is still teaching at Marist in Atlanta as a learning specialist in the resource center. She also runs student council and loves it. She and her husband, Nic, just welcomed their second son, Theodore Barron Ayoob, into the family on January 10. Big brother James is over the moon about his baby brother Theo! Libby says she remains in touch with Jonathan Lee and his wife, Lauren, and also Sarah Eissler Rhodes, who now has two children, Evelyn (4) and Corbin (1).
Suzanne Pinckney Pflaum writes, “I’m still happily living with my husband, Jake, in Portland, Ore., where I recently co-founded a five-month, small-business business school called Mycelium (myceliumpdx.com) that combines my facilitation, coaching, and business strategy skills. I also just got back from a couple weeks in Norfolk, Va., where my brother, Bryan Pinckney ’98, and his wife, Susan, just welcomed their second child, Eliza, on January 16. We have a lovely guest room in North Portland, extra bikes in the garage, and a fluffy fox-dog named Mango to welcome you if you are ever in the area.”
’03
Alden Koste Corrigan (C) 443-783-4659 alden.k.corrigan@gmail.com 15th Reunion: June 2023
Andrew Farrar (C) 919-616-6636 asfarrar@gmail.com
Congratulations to Helen Grassi Vest, who was married on October 6 to Chad R. Vest. Connie Kargbo and her fiancé, Nana Edusah; Courtney Kershaw Taylor and her husband, Robbins, and KiYonna Carr and Kym Conner all made the trip up to Northeast Harbor, Maine, to celebrate with the couple. Helen also reports that she is looking forward to Connie’s wedding at the end of 2019!
Artie Armstrong (C) 805-341-5233 artiearmstrong@yahoo.com 20th Reunion: June 2022
Graye Pelletier Todd and her husband, Cameron, welcomed their second child in October, Charlotte Hall Todd. Their eldest, Emmie, is a proud big sister!
’02 72
Cousins Kathryn Carson, Townsend Tennille, Bode Tennille, Hunter Carson, and Quincy Cooper, children of Lee Tennille Carson ’01, Leah Kannensohn Tennille ’01, and Massie Payne Cooper ’03, on a winter trip to Jamaica.
James and Theo Ayoob, sons of Libby Seaton Ayoob ’01.
Ian Beed “is doing well as a consultant to Fortune 500 corporations and has started a small business of his own on a website called Marketsnerd. Hartford just gave him some seed money for him to help them to get into a younger market for their individual personal lines business. He has spent the last five years refereeing lacrosse in the SF area of California. The last two years, he has refereed in both Division 1 and 2 and loved it because they have sent him all over the West for games including the Division 2 championships.”
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Brittany Bell Moye writes, “In 2018, I beat breast cancer with loving support from so many. I see Peggy Albertson Campbell often as our four kids attend White Memorial Preschool in Raleigh. Larry and I look forward to bringing our sons Lawson (5) and Miller (3) to visit D.C. the weekend of our reunion!” Dorothy Hutchison Driscoll writes, “We welcomed twin boys at the end of July, Henry and Will. Janie loves being an older sister. We are looking forward to the reunion this June!” Bo Stover ’04 with daughter Fin.
Will, son of Catherine Blanchard Gillespie ’04.
Lyle Farrar writes, “I still live in Raleigh, and live just down street from Joe Stallworth ’03 and just a few minutes away from Holt Hobgood ’01 and Wylie Hutchison ’07. I see Charlton Miles around a decent amount as well. Looking forward to our reunion this summer.”
Clarissa Chenoweth ’04 married Michael Shook in October. Classmates Calvert Coley Lange, Maizie Clarke, and Peggy Albertson Campbell were among the bridesmaids.
Dorothy Hutchison Driscoll’s ’04 children.
Ben O’Neill writes, “My wife Alison Clemens (from NYC originally, UNC-Chapel Hill graduate 2010, swimmer-breaststroke on the UNC swim team) and I got married on March 17, 2018, at the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, S.C. Blake Murphey and Chris Riddell were in attendance along with their wives. Alison and I both work in New York City and also recently closed on a brand-new condo in Jersey City across the Hudson River from Manhattan. Madison Penninger McLemore writes, “I had a second baby on July 16, 2018, and her name is Rowan Victoria McLemore. My first is Elsa Marie McLemore and she is three years old now (born October 6, 2015, during the huge S.C. flood!) I also got certified in orthotics so I am a certified prosthetist and orthotist now!”
Rowan, daughter of Madison Peninger Mclemore ’04, in an EHS onesie.
Odie von Werssowetz ’04, wife Rad, and children Heyward, Frances, and Mullins.
’04
It was great hearing from so many of our classmates. Look forward to seeing people in June at our Reunion!
Odie von Werssowetz writes, “Rad, Mullins, Heyward, and I are thrilled to welcome Frances von Werssowetz to the family. Frances Radford DuPuy von Werssowetz arrived November 8.”
Clarissa Chenoweth Shook writes, “In October I married my amazing husband, Michael Shook. Calvert Coley Lange, Maizie Clarke, and Peggy Albertson Campbell were among my beautiful bridesmaids. Mike and I just got home from our honeymoon in Vietnam. The people, food, and scenery were incredible!”
Bo Stover writes, “I’d love to let the class know that my wife, Monica, and I had our first child, ‘Fin,’ Finley Joy Upton Stover, on July 21, 2018! All are happy and healthy! We live in East Grand Rapids, Mich., and do a nanny share with Lucy Glaize Frey ’08 and husband Tripp and their son, Renner Glaize Frey.”
Caitlin Smith (C) 337-302-2444 caitlin.ann.smith@gmail.com Harrison Gilchrist (H) 804-443-5247 chgilchr@gmail.com 15th Reunion: June 7-9, 2019
EHS
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Catherine Blanchard Gillespie writes, “Patrick and I had a baby, William Woodson Gillespie, on June 5, 2018. We live in Houston, Texas, and Will loves Caroline Mathison, who we see here often.” Jesse Davidson “is currently a fourth-year surgical resident at Washington University hospital in St. Louis. He plans to marry Maanasi Samant in Chicago on June 9, 2018.”
’05
Ellie Frazier kefrazier8@gmail.com (C) 540-256-7215 15th Reunion: June 2020
Brennan Killeen Lynch and her husband, Francis, welcomed a healthy and very happy baby girl, Maeve Frances Lynch, on October 25, 2018. She loves her cute little EHS onesie and will be class of 2036! They can’t wait to bring her to EHS for The Game in the fall! Tabb Wyllie moved out to San Diego last fall (from NYC). He’s getting married this coming June in Jackson, Wyo., and Phil Hudgens and Ted Casey are in the wedding party and will be there to celebrate! Will Damron continues to record an obscene number of audiobooks. One of his bestselling titles in 2018, Bad Blood, was named by Audible as its Best Nonfiction Audiobook of the Year, and he has just been nominated for another Audie Award, the industry’s top honor. Also, the audio version of his debut novel, The Tercentennial Baron, was nominated for two Society of Voice Arts Awards last year, including Best Audio Production. He married his longtime fiancée, Rachel Myers, this past October. They live in Los Angeles. Richard Lee and his wife, Julia, are still in D.C. and welcomed Charlotte Philippa Lightfoot Lee to the family on December 1. Charlotte (and Pips, as dad is trying to force his way, but assuredly losing) looks forward to joining the EHS class of ’36! She already has a number of best friends with ’05 parents and more on the way! Madison Murray Carlos and her family are now living in Wilmington, N.C., after five wonderful years in Telluride, Colo. Their son, Campbell, also enjoys wearing his 74
Maeve, daughter of Francis and Brennan Killeen Lynch ’05, repping EHS.
Richard Lee ’05, wife Julia, and daughter Charlotte, braving the snow.
EHS onesie! Madison works for an interior designer doing marketing and project management and her husband, Adam, is a portrait artist. They moved into a wonderful neighborhood full of fun EHS alumni, including Lizzie Wellons Hartman ’98, Lillian Smith Teer ’00, and Helen Lambeth Wells ’95.
’06
Molly Wheaton mewheaton@gmail.com (H) 504-288-1990 Margaret von Werssowetz Waters margaretvonw@gmail.com (C) 843-607-5788 15th Reunion: June 2021
Class of 2006, can you guys believe it has been 13 years since we graduated? Pretty crazy to think about! Anyways, this is Molly Wheaton and I’ll be providing some updates for our class. I’m still living in Austin and have no complaints. I see Mason Tillett, Philip Duggins, and Thomas Duggins a bit since they live fairly close by in Texas. Mason actually just got engaged over the holidays to Margaret Brock, which is very exciting. What else ...? I was home recently in New Orleans with Sarah Montz Harcus, who just had her second child, a baby boy named Ward! And I recently got back from Cabo, where my brother lives with his family. Got to see my new nephew, Parker, which was great! But enough about me – let’s hear from the rest of our classmates!
Campbell, son of Adam and Madison Murray Carlos ’05, loves his EHS onesie.
Honour Alston Thornton reports that she and her husband are expecting a baby girl in mid-March. She is currently working as a nurse practitioner in cardiac surgery at Northwestern. Cate Smythe let us know that she has had a big year! She got married to her husband, Troy, on July 5, 2018. They just had a baby, and her name is Adaline June Sobieszczyk – “She’s perfect. No good family photos yet so people will just have to believe me when I say she’s the cutest baby to ever be born. We are all thrilled over here and she can’t wait to meet her EHS family! Hopefully she’ll be class of 2037! (Whaaaaaat).” Clay Schutte notes that he is engaged to Hannah Ehlman and they are getting married on the East Coast in Spring 2020. They work in Vail and live in a yurt with electricity in State Bridge, Colo. Clay is working for the Vail Ski School, and Hannah is working
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After Episcopal
Will Damron (left) won an Audie Award with his fellow cast members and producer in 2017 for the young-adult book “Salt to the Sea.”
Read Me a Story
Will Damron ’05, an award-winning audiobook narrator, first became “addicted” to acting in the EHS drama program. Will Damron is a frequent companion to the knowledge-hungry, entertainment-thirsty, multitasking consumer. He’s an audiobook narrator. “You’re talking to one person,” he says. “It’s an intimate format. So many people become followers of a particular performer as much as they do the book or author. They love that person’s voice, and they will listen to that person read any story. It’s a relationship.” The audiobook industry brings in more than $2.5 billion each year. Will has won an Audie Award — what he likens to the Oscars of his industry — and several Voice Arts Awards. He estimates that he has narrated more than 300 books, ranging from partial chapters to full books. Several have made it to the New York Times top-10 bestsellers list, including “American Kingpin,” by Nick Bilton (2018); “Bad Blood,” by John Carreyrou (2018); the young-adult novel “Batman: Nightwalker,” by Marie Lu (2018); and “Digital Minimalism,” by Cal Newport (2019). Though it comes as no surprise that Will enjoyed reading and had an adventurous imagination while growing up in coastal Virginia, this career was not on his radar. His first love was acting, and EHS is where the meet cute happened. It started in Stewart Gymnasium, while the Ainslie Arts Center was under construction. His first-ever role: Oberon in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” “I became addicted to acting. It was a world that just made sense to me,” he says. When Ainslie’s construction was complete, Will was cast in the Breeden Black Box’s inaugural play, “Oedipus Rex.” Will was also attending classes and doing homework and living what is arguably a normal life as an Episcopal student. That is to say: he was busy. “As a student at EHS, your day is so full. It blows my mind now to think back to it. I don’t know how I got everything done — and I know I didn’t back then,” he laughs.
Now, as an independent contractor based in Los Angeles, Will books his own work and manages his own time. The narration of about 250-300 pages runs about eight finished hours, but to produce that, Will may spend up to three days reading for about eight hours each day. Like most independent audiobook narrators, Will has a recording isolation booth at home. “The very nature of this business is doing it yourself.” Two years ago, Will wrote and independently published his own book, “The Tercentennial Baron.” He says, “I have to promote the book, and I’m the publisher. I have to wear many hats. I first got a sense of how I could really do that by doing everything I did at Episcopal. I continued into that in college.” Will laid the foundation for his main character while at Episcopal. The character, what he calls a “bellirolt,” is a demon who lives inside of a person’s body and endows him or her with supernatural powers. “I had always loved fantasy and stories about other worlds, and I had always wanted to write. I wrote the first character outlines of that when I was at EHS, and then put it away for several years until after I graduated from college. I had to be away from the rigamarole of the academic world before I was able to make the space for myself to write it,” he says. Will plans for this to be a trilogy, publishing the second installment later this year. And he hasn’t forgotten about his first love. With his audiobook career solidly under his feet, he has aspirations of acting in film and television. “Narrating audiobooks is sort of the foundation of my life right now, but I want to write content for myself so I can do film and TV. The film business, even though there’s so much material right now, is all very accessible. Anyone can make a movie. And anyone can make an audiobook, as long as you have the right equipment. If you have the gumption and can manage your time well, and if you have something to say, you can break through and get your product and your story out there.” EHS
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for Vail Sports. He adds, “We’re having a lot of fun out here, and we plan to stay in the ski industry for many winters. We’ll be in Maryland most of the summer. Moreover, we are thinking about working at a resort called Perisher in Australia during its winter in Spring 2020.” Caitlin Dirkes Simmonds comments, “Marshall and I have almost been in London for a year now. … time is flying. I am much more settled now that I have started working for a small home furnishing company, Wicklewood. It is a very fast-growing start-up, so I have really been able to get an incredible experience learning so many different aspects of the trade.”
Kelsey Montz Duffey ’07, Nick and Ansley Stewart Condon ’07, Katharine Farrar ’07, and Kaitlin Keena during Katharine and Kelsey’s visit to Minneapolis this summer. Herng Lee ’07 and EHS roommate Derek Ho ’07 in Singapore.
Kingsley Trotter claims she is hunkering down studying for the bar. She told me January would be a very boring month; however I spotted her in Hope Town, Bahamas, on Instagram so I think she is still perpetuating her favorite nickname of The Globetrotter! Chris Williams became a dog dad! Boo is the cutest Bernese and Chris is hopeful the pup can help propel his social media presence. He is really trying to break 700 followers, so if you don’t mind, please visit his handle – @crwilli87. Spencer Brown shares: “We finished the 2018 football season at NC State with a 9-3 record and one of the top defenses in the country. With that success, I took the linebackers job at Southern Illinois University to help turn the program around. I’ve made the move to Carbondale, Ill., and look forward to where this adventure takes me!” Rutledge Long says he, Tracie, and Eliza (1) are currently on a family road trip out West skiing in Colo., N.M., and Utah. He is “completing pre-launch work for Parachute, a gap year program that my partner, Vanderbilt professor Dr. Patrick Schuermann, and I will be launching in the near future. A core offering of Parachute will be its promise of connecting college-bound students with professionals from the full spectrum of industry experiences. So, if you enjoy your work, and would be willing to share your story with some youngbloods (what you do, how you got there, skills you’re developing) then please hit me up at rutledge@parachutegapyear.com.” 76
EHS classmates gathered to celebrate Clark Barber’s ’07 30th birthday!
Riley Marie Condon, daughter of Ansley Stewart Condon ’07, is full of personality!
Peyton Killeen Walling still resides in D.C. with her husband, Chris. Her sister, Brennan Killeen Lynch ’05, has a new sweet daughter, Maeve. Another girl to add to the Killeen clan!
D.C., but that’s all I got on the EHS sightings as of late. Anyone in SF hit me up!”
Margaret von Werssowetz Waters just bought a home in D.C. with her husband, Ned. They are also expecting their first child in July! Jess Hoffman says, “I haven’t written into this thing in awhile, so thought I’d send some updates your way. I just moved to San Fran after spending the last year and a half in Austin. I really loved my time in Austin – such a great town. I was there working as the Austin GM for a culinary start-up, Sifted. Luckily, there is Topo Chico in SF. I moved to SF for a new gig – operations manager with Bungalow, a real-estate start-up. Loving it so far and living in Russian Hill, but I’ll probably make my way back to Brooklyn, my true love, eventually. I saw Scout Douglas Osborne and her baby girl in October in
Ryan Jackson reports that he took a little EuroTrip at the end of 2018. He also sold his company Paid; after a short break, he is going to look for something new. Finally, he got Brittany Blankenship ’07 to move out to San Francisco – seems like they’re having a blast out there! That is all for now. Until the next issue... hasta luego!
’07
Katharine Farrar kdf@episcopalhighschool.org (c) 540-460-2974 Clark Barber clark.barber@gartner.com (c) 864-325-0940 15th Reunion: June 2022
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JT Jobe and fiancée Keeley moved to Arvada, Colo., and are skiing all day every day now. Season ski passes, fresh pow pow, chairlift IPAs, and Dakine. JT also just started a new job developing software for a nonprofit called Innovations for Learning. The company builds tools to help improve literacy outcomes in under-resourced elementary schools all over the United States.
Marina Myers ’08 married Colin Britton in Annapolis, Md., in November.
Class of 2008 classmates John Richey and Jay Christopher in Bahrain while on their deployments.
Ansley Stewart Condon reports, “We welcomed our first daughter, Riley Marie Condon, into our lives on March 24, 2018. She is happy, healthy, and full of personality. She’s already met her Aunt Kath and Aunt Kelsey, who came to visit Nick and me in Minneapolis this past summer. It was a blast having them both out in the heartland.” Herng Lee relocated to Singapore in 2018 to take on a new role within Google and had the chance to meet up with EHS roommate Derek Ho when he stopped by to visit earlier this year.
Finley Stover, daughter of Bo Stover ’04, and Renner Frey, son of Lucy Glaize Frey ’08, playing during nanny share while their parents work.
Cupid strikes again – a couple more fellas are off the market! Taylor Robison ties the knot this spring and Griffin Johnson is engaged! Danny Coale has been chosen by the Episcopal Athletics Hall of Fame Selection Committee to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Mark your calendars for the Hall of Fame celebration and Spirit Weekend – November 8 and 9, 2019. David Glaize reports, “I am living in Winchester, Va., with my wife Mimi (Worrell) Glaize and our four-month-old daughter, Charlotte Mayfield Glaize, born October 5, 2018. I see my brother Philip ’04 every day at work, and if I’m lucky, I get to see classmate Fritz Reuter, who is living just over the mountain in Upperville, Va.” Checking an item off of her bucket list, Catherine Coley crushed a halftime performance midcourt at a Golden State Warriors game. Looks like Beyonce might have some new competition when it comes to shakin’ it!
Whit Slagsvol’s ’08 dog “Bacchus the Wonder Dog.”
Mary Kennon Woodson Ruiz shared that she and her husband just bought a house in Great Falls, Va., and she is starting a monogram shop with her mother called WW Monograms in Middleburg, Va. Keep your eyes out for a hopeful early March launch! Franny Kupersmith van Os and her husband, Piet, are finally living back in the States! They have settled down in the Coconut Grove area of Miami with their pup, Wiley. Welcome back! Clark Barber made it to 30!!!!!! Celebrating in playboy fashion as always, he hosted a group of folks on a weekend getaway at a big ol’ cabin in Virginia. We were not evicted from the property, so I’d say it was a successful weekend! Episcopal celebrities present included: Jeb Leva, Teddy Peterson, Griffin Johnson, Jay Fazio, Katharine Farrar, Kelsey Montz Duffey, Julie Zambie, Sally Channel, Sallie Madden, Fritz Reuter, Frank Stern, and Spencer Graves ’08.
Keep everyone in ’07 updated on what you are up to these days by sending us scoop so we can put it in the next edition of Class Notes! Until next time … GO HIGH SCHOOL!
’08
Lucy Glaize Frey lglaize@gmail.com (C) 540-327-2267 15th Reunion: June 2023
Remember the Polar Vortex, or winter storm Jayden, in January? It gives me hope that by the time you’re reading this in print, it’ll be warm and springlike, or maybe even summerlike. Because today in Michigan there is nearly two feet of snow on the ground and it is -25 degrees. Tripp, Renner, and I are staying warm, and Tripp is managing to stay on top of snow-blowing our driveway and sidewalk. Regardless of this winter’s frigid temperatures, life as a family of three is suiting us well. Since I went back to work, Renner gets to spend his days with Finley Stover, daughter of Monica and Bo Stover ’04, in our nanny share. Finley is just two weeks older than Renner. They love their nanny! Elly Montague Correia and her husband, Pat, moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., this winter for Pat’s job. Elly is joining the partnerships team with a start-up called CUPS. She’ll be EHS
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working with and supporting independent coffee shops in NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, and D.C. Elly hopes to visit Trina Brady Hooker in Texas soon. Trina and her husband, Cahill, are busy in Fort Worth, Texas, with the two businesses they recently started together. First, they started a freight carrier over the road trucking company in October 2017 with another Fort Worth couple, the Koepps. The company is called Hooker-Koepp Transportation. They have a small fleet of trucks and haul “dry van” freight to almost all states. After enjoying the business partnership with the Koepps, they decided to continue their work together and start a commercial and residential roofing business, Veritas Roofing, in early spring 2018. Veritas Roofing was created to re-brand and refocus John Koepp’s old general contractor company, Koepp Construction, to a fast-growing roofing company. Scott Caslow passed both the Virginia and Maryland bar exams and is now a licensed attorney in both states. He moved down to Richmond, Va., full time and is working at the law firm of FloranceGordonBrown, PC. Wortie Ferrell, past Episcopal faculty, works just one floor below Scott, which I’m sure brings a sense of comforting nostalgia to Scott. Clark Wright had a great experience playing and coaching baseball professionally in Debrecen, Hungary, for the Debrecen Tigers. Clark wants to thank and acknowledge Coach Rick Stubbs from Episcopal for his help in his baseball career and for “taking the extra time to put the work in.” In Clark’s own words, “respect.” Whit Slagsvol reports that he is still in Charleston, S.C., still being a lawyer, still practicing under his own firm (www.slagsvollaw.com), still the proud dad of Bacchus the Wonder Dog, still thinks Southern Charm is “silly.” And he went to the Clemson national championship game. Whit also shares that he is a board member for the Warrior Surf Foundation. He also teaches financial literacy to grade school students with the Junior Achievement organization, is a mentor with Be a Mentor, and is in his seventh year as a volunteer youth-15 lacrosse coach. And finally, he is assisting the foundation of and 78
Gilliam Kittrell ’74, Trent Ragland ’74, David Luther ’70, Brendan Luther ’10, Barry Hughes ’10, Whitt Clement ’10, James Dorsett ’10, Bennett Kittrell ’09, Gene McCarthy ’10. Leah Dodson ’10, Alix Wright ’10, Paige Weber ’10, Rachel Hurley Kittrell ’10, Robert Kittrell ’10, Sarah Grace Hurley ’13, Grace Weisiger ’13, Jordan Nulsen ’10, Anthony Juker ’10, and Sydnor Kerns ’13 at the wedding of Rachel and Robert Kittrell.
participating as general corporate for the South Carolina Cannabis Association. Jamie Biondi popped “the question” to Ann deSaussure around the New Year in Vail, Colo. … and she said, “yes!” Lee Carter got engaged to Carolyn Barnwell, a classmate from Colorado College, this past fall. They are getting married at Royal Orchard, in Afton, Va., in September 2019. Todd Becker, Zach Glubiak, Tom Weaver, and Eliza Carter ’10 came out to Seattle to celebrate the engagement. Todd, Zach, and Lee also traveled to Charlotte to see the Belk Bowl together over New Year’s 2019! Marina Myers is enjoying married life. She got married to Colin Britton on November 10 in Annapolis, Md. Emily Urquhart is underway in her fourth year at Episcopal, currently serving as the interim assistant dean of students. She advises a group of freshman girls, which she says brings her back to 2004 when we were in Mr. Castle’s freshman advisory together. Emily sees Matt Hurley running through campus all the time. She gets to see Grace Chesson and Leigh Ainsworth Coutoumanos around the D.C. area, as well.
Bahrain while on their deployments! It was Jay’s last week of deployment and John’s second week. They had a great time catching up over some Indian food, and even made a trip to the Souq! That’s a wrap for the Class of ’08 this time. Can’t wait to learn what the next set of updates holds!
’09
Billy Hackenson (C) 703-850-7023 whackenson@gmail.com Kathleen Hullinger khullin@g.clemson.edu (C) 703-946-5381 Stockett Marr j.stockett.marr@gmail.com (C) 540-905-2916 10th Reunion: June 7-9, 2019
We hope to see all of our fellow ’09ers on campus this summer for our 10th Reunion! Alec Smith is engaged to Claire Chewning, who is a St. Mary’s School in Raleigh, N.C. grad. He is a realtor in Beaufort, S.C. and she teaches there at a charter school.
John Richey says he is bummed that he couldn’t make it to our 10th Reunion last June. He and Jay Christopher met up in SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTES ONLINE! Just go to the homepage and click on “Alumni” and then “Submit A Class Note.” For help with passwords or login, please contact the Advancement Office.
George will be getting married on April 27, 2019, in New Bern. Maria Hewko is working in Kyiv, Ukraine, at a showroom that represents emerging Eastern European designers. Amanda Acquaire and Elizabeth Henderson plan to visit her as soon as she thaws out. Amanda and Elizabeth escaped the winter weather in Boston and D.C. and hopped a plane to the Pacific to spend a week bopping around the Hawaiian Islands. Pen Agnew ’11, Charles Patton ’11, George Thorne ’11, and Ryan Bennert ’12 ran the 2018 Savannah Half Marathon together.
Chip Grossman is living in San Francisco working at Red Bull and also running a career and leadership coaching business. He would love to connect with anyone who is living in the Bay Area or interested in these fields and encourages you to reach out! On another note, Conor Foley and Chip recently met up in Lake Tahoe for an epic weekend of snowboarding fresh powder. Solly Thomas recently completed a marathon with the incredible time of 3:03. Way to go, Solly!! (Shout out courtesy of Chip Grossman).
Quent Fox ’11 and Charles Patton ’11 in Big Bend National Park.
’10
Whitt Clement (C) 804-477-5732 wwc3uk@virginia.edu 10th Reunion: June 2020
Zack Czajkowski is living in Los Angeles after managing Katie Hill’s campaign for Congress and is working as the Southern California director for “Draft Beto” as well as consulting for Katie Hill and other political races. Sarah Cauthen is still teaching in Hawaii and, this year, is helping her school start a boarding program and develop a writing center. She finished her master’s program last spring and also got engaged this past summer on a trip to China. Congrats, Sarah! Finally, despite Hurricane Florence’s best efforts, a cohort of Episcopal grads still
Quent Fox ’11, Quent’s fiancée Emily Roznowski, and Wilson Pichardo ’11 after Quent ran the New York City Marathon.
’12
Celeste Jones jonescelesteh@gmail.com (C) 434-414-4696 10th Reunion: June 2022
managed to celebrate Robert Kittrell and Rachel Hurley’s long-anticipated wedding in Urbanna, Va., where the newlyweds now live. Congrats, guys!
’13
’11
Last June, Quent Fox got engaged to his girlfriend of seven years, Emily Roznowski. They will be married this June. Additionally, in March Quent went backpacking in Big Bend National Park with Charles Patton, and in November he ran the New York City Marathon.
At our big fifth Reunion recently, everyone was happy to catch up with one another. It was great to see everyone back together on The Holy Hill. The Class of 2013 is busy changing things up and making their mark out there in the world of work, as well as in grad school. We are spread out across the country from coast to coast. But it seems our class is pretty good about visiting and keeping up with one another. As for me, I’ve started my first year of teaching as a special-education inclusion teacher at an elementary school in D.C. with Teach for America.
Pen Agnew, Charles Patton, George Thorne, and Ryan Bennert ’12 ran the 2018 Savannah Half Marathon together. Ryan and
I’m not the only Class of 2013 D.C. area resident, as there are a number of us who call this home. Also in D.C., Joslyn Chesson is
Ambler Goddin lag9qy@viriginia.edu (C) 703-863-4804 10th Reunion: June 2021
Somer Glubiak sglubiak@gwu.edu 10th Reunion: June 2023
EHS
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doing very well for herself at WTOP. Jihyun Lee is loving her short commute to work at the Advisory Board. And Abby Fralin and Maria Faidas are living together in the same area of the city; Abby is loving her work at Oracle, while Maria is crushing it as she works toward med school at the George Washington University Hospital. Meanwhile, Ashton Yarnall has been working very hard and is currently in her last semester at Georgetown Law School. Crawford Horan has just returned stateside, too. She spent the last year and a half teaching in Spain. She loved her experience abroad, but is excited to be back in her hometown of Alexandria, Va. It really is nice to have so many EHS alumni from our class, as well as other classes, around Northern Virginia and D.C. We have quite a few Class of 2013 residents in the Northeast and New England, as well. Kate Bickley is still killing it in real estate in the Big Apple. Katie Harlow left Atlanta to work in New York City at the Creative Artists Agency. For her part, Lee Stewart made the most of 2018, including graduating, and then taking herself up to Boston. There she works in the sales department at Toast. She has run into many EHS people, both from the Class of 2013 and from other classes. Abby Halm is a fellow Boston resident, as she is working hard in medical school. Outside of New England, Sarah Merrill took a chance and moved to Austin with her career. She has already been most recently visited by Jihyun Lee. Haley Lyerly is in the South as well, as she continues making the most out of her second year teaching elementary school with Teach for America. And, Lucy Parks Shackleford is working very hard, as she continues to knock off her time in law school. Meanwhile, in the Big Easy, Marie Thomas is working her way up the ladder with her strong work ethic at the New Orleans Bar Association. Finally, Read McNichols is crushing it in nursing school in Charlotte. She is set to graduate in December. Yes, the Class of 2013 is spread out through the country, yet we are still as connected as ever. Palmer Smith writes, “I’ve been working as a real estate/corporate paralegal in NYC and I am applying to graduate school for English literature and creative writing programs. I often get to see Grace Corton ’14, and we always have a great time catching up!” 80
Class of 2013 classmates Jordan Tribue, Sam Streed, Lee Stewart, Eric McDonald, Worth Smith ’14, and Abby Halm reunited!
’14
Cici Sobin cici.sobin@gmail.com (C) 703-999-1277 5th Reunion: June 7-9, 2019
The Class of 2014 is finishing up its first year post-grad and many of us are looking forward to seeing our classmates again at the five-year reunion this summer. I am currently working as a business technology analyst at Deloitte Consulting in Arlington, Va. Monica Jeon recently moved to New York City and is working as a UX Designer at a local start-up. Next year she plans to pursue a master’s degree in human-computer interaction. Jackson Neagli was selected as a 2018 Marshall Scholar, allowing him funding for two master’s degrees in the UK. He moved to London in October and will be studying at the University of London through 2020. This year, Jackson is working on a master’s in Chinese studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies. Jackson is also part of the deferred matriculation process for Harvard Law School, and will begin studies there in 2020. He also recently met up with John Shouse and Max Kress in Germany for Carnival. Isaac Kilis has been working at West Monroe Partners as a technical consultant in the
customer experience practice, specializing in salesforce development. Liz Martinelli is working as an executive assistant at Mayflower Entertainment in New York City. Sam Armm is graduating from Case Western Reserve University this semester with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and a minor in Spanish. He recently starred in a stage production of “Deathtrap” with the CWRU Player’s Theatre Group. Can’t wait to see everyone back together in June for our Reunion!
’15
Presley Goode pgoode2@gmail.com
Tyler Hartmeyer tyler.hartmeyer@gmail.com (C) 516-474-9843 Morgan Lineberry morganlineberry12@gmail.com (C) 205-789-0447 5th Reunion: June 2020
Patrick Simpson is a junior on the soccer team at Trinity. He is double-majoring in English and film studies with a minor in history. He is a writing associate. Patrick’s goal for after college is to go to the Tisch School
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After Episcopal
Ali Shephard’s school farm-studies program features a host of animals, including turkeys.
BY ELIZABETH HENDERSON ’11
All Things Farm and Barn From pigs to horses to turkeys, Ali Shepard ’08 gives kids an education about animals and what it takes to care for them. Henrietta, a turkey, is one of the newest additions to Burgundy Farm Country Day School and an ideal part of Ali Shepard’s work with children there. Ali graduated from Burgundy Farm in 2004 and now lives on campus at the independent school in Alexandria, Va., where she manages the farm comprised of one pig, one sheep, two miniature horses, three goats, four ducks, 20-something chickens, and three turkeys, including Henrietta, who’s a hit with the kids. “Henrietta is a lap turkey,” Ali says. “She loves affection.” Five years ago, when Ali began working at Burgundy Farm, a school for prekindergarten through eighth grade, there was not much of a farm program. However, Ali has expanded the program from an after-school club to a once-weekly class for first graders to learn about all things farm and barn. She created a curriculum to help her students learn about and understand their food sources. “Especially being in the city, kids lack so much knowledge about something like a chicken,” she says. “They may eat their eggs every day but know nothing about them. So, I just thought there was a real opportunity here, with having those animals, to be able to teach the kids hands on. And of course, they are going out and educating everyone else about the animals.” Ali teaches her students all about life on a working farm, from how to care for the animals to the biological systems of each species. She says, “It’s a great opportunity to teach the kids about care and empathy, as well as the natural and biological aspects of managing a farm. They learn about the differences between wild and domestic
animals, how to read the body language of the animals, and how to understand their boundaries and respect them.” Ali’s interest in animal husbandry began while she was a student at Burgundy Farm, when she started taking riding lessons at her local barn. Her love of animals and horses grew, and she decided she wanted to make a career out of caring for them. She founded her own equine business and, through a program of her own creation, began boarding and training horses, providing riding lessons, and practicing equine acupressure at a farm in southern Maryland. According to Ali, many vets who treat injuries or provide equine massage do not ride or train horses, and many trainers do not understand horse biomechanics. Ali formulated an integrated training approach in which she gave people lessons on their horses, working with the horses, and then also working with the horses’ bodies. “If they have a stiff part or a weakness,” she says, “they can’t perform the way the rider wants them to, and that is when they act out and any other trainer would say that’s a behavior issue.” At Burgundy Farm, many of the kids think of turkeys as more of a Thanksgiving meal than as loving pets. But that is exactly the mindset that Ali is attempting to break with her farm studies program. Ali says, “When we got the turkeys, almost every single person asked if we were going to eat them. It’s interesting that with turkeys, people don’t see any other value than food. They’re smarter than chickens, they’re more social than chickens, they lay eggs that you can eat. But we are so far removed from them that people have often never seen one in real life.” EHS
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of the Arts at New York University for grad school. He hopes to be a screenwriter in film and television but is also considering working for a magazine as an editor. Peyton Schwartz completed a study abroad January term, Making Paris Modern, through the University of Virginia, where she studied how the celebrated and, at times, traumatic layers of history continue to shape and renew the city. She plans on moving to Los Angeles after graduation to pursue a career in the film industry. Elizabeth Collett is the director for the UVA promotions program, which has worked all year to build a marketing campaign for the sponsor of this year’s National Student Advertising Competition. This January, she went on a trip to NYC with the team to visit a dozen different advertising agencies, including Ogilvy, BBDO, and R/GA. The promotions program will compete in the competition throughout the spring and hopes to make it to nationals in Miami this June. Sarah Jane Freeman, Presley Goode, Morgan Lineberry, and Peyton Schwartz went to an exhibition featuring the work of Peyton’s grandmother, Mary Page Evans, (“Drawing From Nature”), and David Douglas (“Looking for a Trace”) at the Page Bond Gallery in Richmond. While at the exhibition, they saw Mr. and Mrs. Douglas, Mr. and Mrs. Epes, Mr. and Mrs. Goodnow, and Mrs. Hershey.
’16
Kelsey Anderson kelseymanderson4@gmail.com (C) 703-624-6968 Andrew Karo andrewkaro@utexas.edu (C) 804-592-9640 Priscilla Barton-Metcalfe pbarton3@jhu.edu (C) 727-410-8746 5th Reunion: June 2021
Katie Bauer is now the photo editor for the Daily Texan, the school paper of the University of Texas. Gaetan Roux transferred to Loyola Marymount University this winter to continue his soccer career for the Lions. 82
Morgan Lineberry ’15, Presley Goode ’15, Peyton Schwartz ’15, and Sarah Jane Freeman ’15 at the Page Bond Gallery in Richmond.
Michael Blume is working at McKinsey this summer in Atlanta, and Porter Geer and Kelsey Anderson got the same summer internship in D.C. without knowing it. Ryland Hughes is planning on working for Morning Consult, a data-analytics firm, this summer. She spent her fall studying in Barcelona, Spain.
where I went to Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban in South Africa to delve deeper into the topic of public health.”
Such a globally educated class … Ashby Wickham is spending his semester studying in Madrid, Spain, at IE Business School. Michele Lu is spending her semester in Paris, and only a few hours away, Porter Geer is studying in Toulouse, France. Porter met up with Maddie Eldridge on a weekend trip to Florence, Italy, where Maddie is studying this semester. Tate Mikkelsen is also abroad in Barcelona. Isabelle Zabriskie is studying at St. Andrews in Scotland, letting her catch up with some other alums, including Page Light ’17. Caroline Shumate spent her fall abroad in New Zealand. Georgia Hough is now studying abroad in Sydney, Australia.
’17
Lenin Cruz reports that he, Sean McCarthy, David Jang, Leo Weng, and Jerry Kuo ’17 got together in Kyoto, Japan, to celebrate the New Year. Lenin is also enjoying his work as an independent contractor for lighting design for shows, weddings, corporate events, etc., in the Northeast. Akua Asante reports, “I recently declared my major as biology with a minor in public health and women and gender studies. I also got to do a study abroad with my school
Tajah Gooden earned defensive first team All-NESCAC honors on the Wesleyan football team this fall, playing alongside Eli Blair-May.
Halle Hughes hughes.halle@me.com (C) 904-322-2828 Liza-Banks Campagna lizabankscampagna@gmail.com (C) 202-650-7687 Stuart Greenspon greenspons21@mail.wlu.edu (C) 703-622-3086 Whit Goode whitstackgoode@gmail.com (C) 804-971-2747 5th Reunion: June 2022
Brooks Buyck took a service trip to Haiti over winter break through the Filter of Hope, an organization that helps set up and distribute water filters throughout Third World countries. Hope Gray took a quick trip to the West Coast to watch her Clemson Tigers win the NCAA championship in football.
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Stanford University. Further south at the the University of Southern California, Jinsoo Kim and Melanie Hoffmann are about to be joined by Eloise York, who just wrapped up a semester abroad in London. Over in Senegal, Sophie Singletary is still having a fantastic time on her Bridge Year, and is excited to start at Princeton University as a first year this upcoming fall. Guen Dunstan had the opportunity to work with fashion designer Oscar de la Renta this fall in New York City, and is now attending Boston University.
Peyton Schwartz ’15 and Perry Epes ’65 at an exhibition featuring the work of Peyton’s grandmother, Mary Page Evans, and EHS art teacher David Douglas.
Jared Young secured an incredible internship with Morgan Stanley working in wealth management as a part of the company’s sophomore summer analyst program. Philip Brossy is showcasing his entrepreneurial skills through a start-up named “Oh Shoot Repairs” that offers iPhone repair. He started it on his campus at Tulane University last spring and is now looking to expand the company online and to other college campuses. Philip is looking for young EHS alumni to partner with at other college campuses; if you are interested, reach out to him! Among student-athletes, Hampton Brannon (UMass), Liza-Banks Campagna (University of California at Berkeley), Stuart Greenspoon (Washington and Lee), and Greta Holt (Dickinson) look forward to getting their lacrosse seasons started, and Sen Kenneally (Virginia) is eager as baseball season approaches. George Mawanda-Kalema is in the middle of his sophomore season playing basketball at Brown University. Stay updated with their success!
’18
Lexi Weger lilweges33@gmail.com (C) 571-721-8585 Erin Phillips erinphillips18@gmail.com 5th Reunion: June 2023
Dispersed all throughout the country (and the world), it is hard to believe the Class of 2018 has completed its first semester of college! After graduation, Texas welcomed the most graduates from the Class of 2018; members of the class attending Southern Methodist University include: William Maybank, Robert Espy, Corbin Holland, Ben Archie, Whit Shelburne, Kate Jones, Margot Yardley, Kay Finlay, Ansley Haulbrook, and most recently Colt Waller and Elizabeth Silliman after their semester abroad. Additionally, Ben Lett is attending Texas Christian University. North Carolina was also a popular state for the Class of 2018. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gray Goodwyn wrapped up his first season of football for the Tar Heels. Also at UNC are Aly Cowin and Paige Hathaway, and not too far away, Wake Forest University has a few graduates, including: Hunt Wasden, Hunter Brode, Gibbes Tighe, Jacob Beckner, Bradley Kelly, Eleanor Winants, and Vincent Notzon. Eleanor Winants is coming off of a very successful field hockey season at Wake, where she and her team made it to the NCAA Final Four, and Vincent Notzon finished with a 7-6 record and a bowl win as a member of the football team.
Janie Reynolds, Janie Stillwell, Mary Peeples, Eloise McNair, Sarah Smith, Margot Yardley, Elizabeth Silliman, and Kay Finlay recently became “sisters” as they joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at their respective schools. Isabelle Holt joined Delta Gamma at Cornell and Maddy Warrell joined at Barnard. Rett Dotterer, Isabelle Davidson, Belle Dixon, and Aly Cowin joined Tri Delta. As the fall sports season came to a close three basketball players geared up for their winter seasons: Zach Pfaffenberger at Sacred Heart University, Maya Goree at Hood College, and Lexi Weger at Princeton University. Additionally three members of the Class of 2018 are playing squash at their colleges. Shearer Xi and Sabrina Teope are playing at Colby College, and Keil Reedich is playing at Haverford College. Six 2018 alums will be playing lacrosse this spring: Hailey Simmons (Drew University), Janie Stillwell (Washington and Lee), Erin Phillips (Franklin and Marshall), Miles Thompson (UPenn), Thomas Kreger (Washington College), and Matt Berendsen (Catholic University).
Across the country in California, you can find Eleanor Sobottka, Anna Smith, and Rohan Candadai at the University of California at Berkeley. Additionally, Ricky Miezan finished his first football season at EHS
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Marriages
Births
Candace MacAulay Vaughan ’96 to Preston Hollis on September 8, 2018.
James Malcolm Sibley, IV to Hannah and Jim Sibley ’92 on September 13, 2018.
Lisa Reid Manning ’00 to David Cassidy on June 9, 2018.
Vivien Alice DuBor Seale to Viktoria and John Seale ’96 on November 7, 2018.
Helen Bradford Grassi ’03 to Chad Vest on October 6, 2018.
Eliza Rosalind Tomanelli Pinckney to Susan and Bryan Pinckney ’98 on January 16, 2019.
Clarissa Rae Chenoweth ’04 to Michael Shook on October 20, 2018. Benjamin Philip O’Neill ’04 to Alison Clemens on March 17, 2018. John Williams Damron ’05 to Rachel Myers on October 13, 2018. Catherine Elizabeth Smythe ’06 to Troy Sobieszczyk on July 5, 2018. Marina Amanda Myers ’08 to Colin Britton on November 10, 2018. Rachel Virginia Hurley ’10 to Robert Gilliam Kittrell IV ’10 on November 3, 2018. Taylor Maria Ibrahim ’10 to Alden Love on January 19, 2019.
Damienne Alexandra Liebler to Brian and Malsert Chapman Liebler ’99 on October 2, 2018. Knox Vizzi Akridge to Ashley and Will Akridge ’99 on September 6, 2018. Sutherland Ward Everhart to Patrick and Becky Kellam Everhart ’99 on December 12, 2018. Peter MacLeod “Mac” Mabry to Jason and Kate Leggett Mabry ’00 on April 11, 2018. Lucas Frederick Gabriel to Scott and Jenny Kronke Gabriel ’00 on January 25, 2019.
Frances Radford von Werssowetz to Rad and Odie von Werssowetz ’04 on November 8, 2018. Finley “Fin” Joy Upton Stover to Monica and Bo Stover ’04 on July 21, 2018. William Woodson Gillespie to Patrick and Catherine Blanchard Gillespie ’04 on June 5, 2018. Charlotte Philippa Lightfoot Lee to Julia and Richard Lee ’05 on December 1, 2018. William Calvert “Cal” DeForest Kegan to Kate Hollo Kegan ’05 and Henry Kegan ’05 on February 18, 2019. Adaline June Sobieszczyk to Troy and Cate Smythe Sobieszczyk ’06 on January 10, 2019. Charlotte Mayfield Glaize to Mimi and David Glaize ’07 on October 5, 2018. Mitchell Hamilton Dean and Foster Staples Dean to Rascoe and Caroline Dashiell Dean ’07 on October 29, 2018.
Theodore Barron Ayoob to Nic and Libby Seaton Ayoob ’01 on January 10, 2019. Edwin LeRoy Cooper Sayers to Hanley and Beezie McLaughlin Sayers ’01 on October 23, 2018. Charlotte Hall Todd to Cameron and Graye Pelletier Todd ’03 on October 27, 2018. Henry Kinnier Driscoll and William “Will” Richards Driscoll to Irving and Dorothy Hutchison Driscoll ’04 on July 28, 2018. Rowan Victoria McLemore to Thomas and Madison Peninger McLemore ’04 on July 16, 2018.
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In Memoriam The Rev. Charles Lester “Les” Kinsolving ’45 of Vienna, Va., died December 4, 2018.
Rev. Kinsolving was a member of the Blackford and Wilmer Literary Societies, the Chronicle board, Missionary Society, E Club, and the 8:30 Club. He was a cheerleader and played varsity football and Centennial basketball. He also won the Declaimers Prize. After Episcopal, Rev. Kinsolving served in the Army during World War II and then worked in advertising and public relations. He became an ordained minister in the Episcopal Church in 1955 and served in many churches on the West Coast. Rev. Kinsolving became the religion editor for the San Francisco Chronicle and worked for several other news organizations, including WBCM radio in Baltimore, which aired his talk show. He was also a White House correspondent. Rev. Kinsolving was predeceased by his father, The Rt. Rev. Arthur Barksdale Kinsolving II, D.D. Class of 1914; grandfather Arthur Barksdale Kinsolving, Class of 1881; and several other EHS extended family members. He is survived by his wife, Sylvia, as well as three children, brother William Lee Kinsolving ’55, and three grandchildren.
William Morgan Wright ’45
of Richmond, Va., died October 12, 2018. Mr. Wright was a senior monitor and member of the Fairfax Literary Society, Whispers Board, Stewart Athletic Club, and Check-Up Squad. He was president of E Club, treasurer of the hop committee, and captain of the inner office force. Mr. Wright was also an alternate captain for the varsity football team and member of the varsity track team. After Episcopal Mr. Wright served in the Army during World War II and graduated from the University of Virginia. He founded Wood Preservers, Inc., and grew it into a large business. He later became the director of the Northern Neck State Bank and served as chief of the Richmond County Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Wright was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys. He is survived by four children, including William Morgan Wright, Jr. ’78, as well as six grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Dr. Charles Johnston “Charlie” Churchman, Jr. ’47
of Staunton, Va., on December 30, 2018. At EHS, Dr. Churchman was a member of the Blackford Literary Society and Chronicle board. He played Centennial basketball, Greenway baseball, and fall tennis. After Episcopal, Dr. Churchman received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Virginia and his Ph.D. in English from the University of Tennessee. He served in the Marine Corps from 1951-53 and was discharged as a captain the Marine Reserves in 1954. Dr. Churchman was a lifelong teacher, becoming a professor at Bridgewater College and retiring as professor emeritus. Dr. Churchman was predeceased by a son. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; three children, including John Craig Churchman ’75; and numerous children and great-grandchildren.
Dalton Dillard “Dalt” Ruffin ’48
of Winston-Salem, N.C., on December 21, 2018. At EHS, Mr. Ruffin was a monitor, waiter, and member of the choir and E Club. He ran track and played on the varsity football team. After Episcopal, Mr. Ruffin graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and served in the Navy for two years. He had a lifelong career at Wachovia Bank and Trust, rising to the role of vice president. In 1964, he was named Winston-Salem’s Outstanding Young Man by the junior chamber of commerce. Mr. Ruffin was predeceased by his wife, Sarah. He is survived by four children, including Dalton Dillard Ruffin, Jr. ’76 and John Lea Ruffin ’77, 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Dr. Tom Slade Rand ’55
of Wilson, N.C., on February 8, 2019. At Episcopal, Dr. Rand was a head monitor and member of the Honor Committee, advisory board, hop committee, glee club, and varsity football and track teams. He was the assistant secretary-treasurer of the senior class, vice president of the Fairfax Literary Society, president of the Missionary Society, and co-captain EHS
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of the varsity soccer team. Dr. Rand received the Whittle Prize in 1952 and 1953, the J.C. Herbert Bryant Scholarship Medal in 1955; the C.C. Baldwin Medal in 1955; the Randolph Fairfax Medal in 1955; and the W.A.R Goodwin, Jr., Memorial Bowl in 1955. After EHS, Dr. Rand received his bachelor’s and medical degrees from the University of North Carolina. He completed his residency in orthopedics as chief resident in Chapel Hill, and then served in the Air Force for two years at the hospital on Wright-Patterson A.F.B. in Ohio. Dr. Rand then entered private practice in Wilson, N.C. He served on the Old Boys’ Council from 1975-81. Dr. Rand was predeceased by his wife, Mary Margaret. He is survived by four children, including Tom Slade Rand, Jr. ’79, Walter Brown Rand ’81, and William Kenan Rand ’84; brothers including Kenan Slade Rand ’60; nieces and nephews including Marshall Holmes Rand ’83, Patrick Malone Rand ’84, Kenan Slade Rand, Jr. ’84, and William Baxter Waddill Rand ’87; and 10 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Lester Leroy “Terry” Cooper, Jr. ’56
of Charlottesville, Va., on December 16, 2018. At EHS, Mr. Cooper was a member of the JV football, wrestling, and tennis teams. He was also a cheerleader and member of the Whispers and Chronicle boards and the Blackford Literary Society. Mr. Cooper won the Whittle Prize in 1954. After Episcopal, he received his bachelor’s from Princeton University and his juris doctor from the University of Virginia Law School. Mr. Cooper then worked for the Sullivan and Cromwell firm in New York and later for Motorola, first in the Chicago area and then in Washington, D.C. In 1982, Mr. Cooper became a political consultant. He is survived by his three sons, including John Abbott Root Cooper ’85, and eight grandchildren.
John Ballard “Jack” Syer ’57
of Charlottesville, Va., on January 1, 2019 At EHS, Mr. Syer was chair of the Honor Committee, a senior monitor, president of the E Club, art editor for Whispers, a schoolroom keeper, and an usher. He was also a member of the hop committee and the Missionary Society and played varsity football, varsity baseball, and soccer. After Episcopal, Mr. Syer attended the University of Virginia and then served for two years in the 86
Army. He was the owner and CEO of S&N Transportation Companies in Norfolk, Va., president and COO of venture subsidiary for Essex Financial Group, and a partner of Tidewater Home Health. In 1993, Mr. Syer moved to Charlottesville to become the president of the Alumni Association of the University of Virginia, where his proudest accomplishment was the creation of the Jefferson Trust. He retired in 2006. Mr. Syer is survived by his wife, Virginia, as well as his son and daughter, and four granddaughters.
Dr. William Reid Pitts, Jr. ’59
of New York City, on October 19, 2018. At EHS, Dr. Pitts was a monitor and member of the Fairfax Literary Society, glee club, choir, the Whispers and Chronicle boards, and the JV football and JV basketball teams. He received the Chemistry Award and the Launcelot Minor Blackford Medal. After Episcopal, Dr. Pitts received his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and went on to graduate from Harvard Medical School in 1967. He worked at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., and completed a urology residency at New York Hospital in 1974. Dr. Pitts then joined a private urology practice where he worked through his retirement in 2010. In 1998, he established the Class of 1959 Counseling Fund for EHS, which is dedicated in memory of the classmates who were victims of suicide. The funds support counseling services for current Episcopal students. Dr. Pitts is survived by his wife, Marguerite, as well as brother Rodney Creamer Pitts ’64, two sons, four grandchildren, and many more extended family members.
Robert Train, Jr. ’63
of Savannah, Ga., on December 11, 2018. At EHS, Mr. Train was a monitor, waiter, treasurer of E-Club, treasurer of the Missionary Society, and member of the Wilmer and Blackford Literary Societies. He played varsity football, varsity track, basketball, and baseball. After Episcopal, Mr. Train graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in engineering. He then worked for Savannah Foods and Industries, where he eventually became the vice president of the molasses division. Together with Menard Doswell IV ’62, he established the Train-Doswell Memorial Prize in 1992, which goes to graduating seniors who have shown contribution to the track team.
Mr. Train was predeceased by his father, Robert Train ’32; uncles Dr. John Kirk Train, Jr. ’30 and Hugh Moss Comer Train ’43; and cousin John Kirk Train III ’56. He is survived by his wife, Julia; brothers John Comer Train ’66 and Gerald Jones Train ’69, and two sisters, five children, and nine grandchildren.
Warren Roberts III ’65
of Flat Rock, N.C., on January 26, 2019. At EHS, Mr. Roberts was a member of the choir, glee club, Missionary Society, A.A. Shop, and the Wilmer and Blackford Literary Societies. He played junior and JV football and junior soccer and was a manager for the lacrosse team. After Episcopal, Mr. Roberts received his bachelor’s degree from Mars Hill College in 1969. He founded BRB Appraisal Services. He worked as an adjunct professor at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Mr. Roberts is survived by his wife, Linda; siblings including Douglas Lamar Roberts ’74; and two sons, a grandchild, and several nephews.
Robert Sheffey “Bobby” Preston III ’72
of Carpinteria, Calif., on November 22, 2018. At EHS, Mr. Preston was a monitor, sports editor for Whispers, waiter, and president of E Club. He was a member of the choir, dramatics, and chess club, and he played varsity football and baseball and wrestled. After Episcopal, Mr. Preston graduated from Tulane University and moved to San Francisco to become a stock broker. He completed his M.B.A. at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, then moved to New York with his family. Mr. Preston was predeceased by his father, Robert Sheffey Preston, Jr. ’36; uncle William Reed Preston ’38; and great-grandfather Samuel Henry Pulliam Class of 1911. He is survived by his wife Sarah; cousins William Reed Preston, Jr. ’66 and Thomas Burwell Preston ’72; three children; and three grandchildren.
John Bayard Snowden IV ’75
of Memphis, Tenn., on November 6, 2018. At EHS, Mr. Snowden ran varsity track and JV cross country and played varsity tennis. He was a member of the recycling committee and the Pythonian society. After Episcopal, Mr. Snowden graduated from the University of Virginia, worked in the finance industry for 37 years at Morgan Keegan, and became a managing director after the company later merged with Raymond James Financial. Mr. Snowden is survived by his son, father, and three siblings.
Brent Mason Myers, former faculty of Salt Lake City, on August 15, 2018.
Mr. Myers taught music at EHS from 1985-93. Prior to working at Episcopal, he graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio, where he studied concert piano. He taught English and music at Rowland Hall St. Marks School in Salt Lake City and was choirmaster at the Asheville School in North Carolina. Mr. Myers is survived by his wife, MiKyung, brother Bruce, and four nephews.
Robert Crews Vaughan III, former faculty of Charlottesville, Va., on March 6, 2019.
Mr. Vaughan was a faculty member at Episcopal from 1968-70. He was an English teacher, track coach, choir director, and advisor of the Daemon. After Episcopal, Mr. Vaughan received his Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia. He was the founder of Virginia Humanities and led the organization for 43 years. He also taught courses at the Darden School of Business. In 2017, he received a commendation from the General Assembly for his contributions to strengthen the humanities in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States. Mr. Vaughan is survived by his wife, Ellen, and three children, two siblings, and three grandsons.
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THE MAGAZINE OF EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL
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In Search of Excellence Now in its second year, the Lee Sanford Ainslie, Jr. ’56 Fellows Mastership Program encourages a culture of professional growth and innovative educational practice. Established from a bequest by Jesse W. Couch ’40 in honor of former Headmaster Sandy Ainslie ’56, the program awards generous stipends to support yearlong, faculty-led research. “The program attracts faculty who are curious enough to go out and explore an initiative that looks like it’s gaining traction
Ainslie Fellows Mastership Program inspires teachers to seek out new ideas. in education, and who want to bring what they learn back to the School,” says Director of the Ainslie Mastership Fellows Jeremy Goldstein. The mastership funds travel to support fellows’ research as well as campus visits from experts. “I don’t know of another school that takes this approach,” says Jeremy. “Schools will generally pay for workshops and conferences, but this program offers more than a one-off professional-development experience. It’s about taking the deepest of professional dives.”
2017-18 Measuring Outcomes in Character and Leadership Education Math teachers Mimi Schwanda, director of the Leadership and Ethics Program, and Patrick Thompson, director of the Outdoor Leadership Program
Mimi and Patrick studied how best to measure the effectiveness of character education at Episcopal. They researched best practices in peer schools and read about methodologies utilized by progressive institutions like KIPP and the Character Lab. They also spoke with numerous heads of schools and school-life administrators and attended the Independent School Experiential Education Network Winter Institute to discuss ideas with educators from across North 88
America. Finally, they hosted a conference on campus to gather feedback from peers at local independent and public schools. This fall, they made use of Episcopal’s advisor program to help students understand and begin to self-measure where they fall along a rubric of moral and intellectual courage (page 28). Through conversations with advisors, goal setting, and repeated tie-ins to programming, students will track their growth throughout their time at EHS. Next, Episcopal will explore opportunities to partner with a graduate school to conduct a longitudinal study on the impact of our programs beyond graduation.
Integrating Digital Scholarship in the Classroom Social studies teachers Caroline English and Mike Reynolds
Caroline and Mike studied digital humanities – an academic field at the intersection of digital technologies and humanities disciplines – to increase student understanding of history and digital citizenship. They engaged with leading scholars to learn about how to best introduce digital technologies to their classrooms. One such tool is Omeka, a digital publishing platform that Caroline and Mike rolled out to more than 70 students last
spring. The students used Omeka to aid in their study of Episcopal’s own history and to create a digital archive of the School’s past; several students shared their projects with alumni during Episcopal’s commemoration of 50 years of integration. Caroline and Mike observed increased student engagement, as well as more creative and sophisticated work, as their students relished in the opportunity to connect technology and history in a meaningful way. Teachers from across departments – including English, science, and theology – have started to utilize some of the digital tools that Caroline and Mike introduced.
Universities Studying Slavery Symposium Independent Schools Experiential Education Network Winter Institute
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
St. Michaels University School, Victoria, BC, Canada
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media Organization of American Historians Annual Meeting
George Mason University, Fairfax, Va.
Sacramento, Calif.
Stanford Graduate School of Education Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif.
Mount Vernon Presbyterian School
Sage Hill School
Atlanta, Ga.
Newport Beach, Calif.
Ainslie Fellows traveled across the country for their research into innovative practice.
2018-19
Implementing Instructional Rounds to Improve Teaching and Learning
Gamifying Learning Outside of the Classroom Katie Ryan Kantz, director of student activities; Kate Newton, technology and systems librarian; and Kim Olsen, science department chair
Katie Ryan, Kate, and Kim are researching how to apply gamification principles to life at EHS. They intend to trial a micro-credentialing system to recognize levels of participation and achievement in various areas of school life. Students could receive digital credentials for attending cultural or service events; for mastering challenges unique
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to the senior externship program, such as commuting; and for pursuing learning opportunities outside of the traditional classroom, such as a self-paced coding study. A student’s micro-credentials, which would serve as a visual portfolio of students’ experience and mastery, could be used to aid in processes such as leadership selection.
Math teacher Dave Collins and Ben Courchesne, associate dean of students and English teacher
Dave and Ben are exploring how a descriptive, analytic, peer-to-peer approach to teacher observation might bolster the culture of teaching and learning at the School. They are learning about instructional rounds, a method of observation that originated in the hospital world and has been adapted by researchers at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and other schools. Specifically, they are interested in thinking about
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how a new approach to teacher feedback could support the development of the attributes put forth in Episcopal’s Portrait of a Graduate statement.
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Jane Owen ’19, one of six seniors who led the girls’ climbing team to its first area championship.