MAGAZINE | WINTER 2019
“Momentum” Builds Toward Campaign Goal
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“Momentum” Builds Toward Campaign Goal See p. 10 FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 3
CONTENTS Board of Trustees 2018–2019 Mr. Richard J. Hendrix, Chair Ms. Lucia Anna Trigiani, Vice Chair Mr. Gary D. Rappaport, Treasurer Mr. John M. Thomas, Secretary Mr. Randall W. Byrnes Mr. Taylor O. Chess Mr. Michael P. Corkery Mr. Harry Edward Dean III Mrs. Claudia Z. Fouty Mrs. Shawn W. Fraser Mrs. Linnie M. Haynesworth Mr. Edward H. Kennedy Mrs. Doreen L. Kramer Mrs. Lisa R. Lisker Mr. Michael Mendler Mr. David W. Middleton Mr. Richard Moxley Mrs. Liza Wright Renner Mr. Hugh E. Taylor Mr. John M. Wasson Trustees Emeriti Mr. John T. Hazel Jr., Founding Chair Emeritus Sister Martha Carpenter, O.S.F. Mr. Edward R. Carr Mr. Otis D. Coston Jr. Mr. John M. Dowd The Honorable Johanna L. Fitzpatrick Mr. Paul C. Kincheloe Jr. Mr. Michael C. McCarey Mr. William N. Melton Mr. Norris E. Mitchell The Reverend Edwin M. Ward Editor Angela Brown, ambrown@flinthill.org Staff Contributor Jackie Viteri, jviteri@flinthill.org
2 | THE HILL 10 | “MOMENTUM” BUILDS TOWARD CAMPAIGN GOAL 14 | ARTS ON THE HILL 20 | ATHLETICS 38 | FACULTY/STAFF NEWS 42 | IN THE COMMUNITY 46 | PAVING THE WAY 50 | ALUMNI EVENTS 54 | ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
Magazine Designer Eve Shade, eshade@flinthill.org Director of Institutional Advancement Meredith Cook VanDuyne, mvanduyne@flinthill.org Director of Alumni Relations Maria Graceffa Taylor, mtaylor@flinthill.org Photo Contributors FREED Spirit Photography James Kegley Photography Jackie Viteri Flint Hill School 3320 Jermantown Road, Oakton, VA 22124 www.flinthill.org Flint Hill School is a Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12 independent school.
“Momentum” Builds Toward Campaign Goal See p. 10
LETTER FROM THE HEADMASTER Dear Flint Hill School Families, It’s hard to believe the end of the school year is just around the corner. It seems like only yesterday that we were meeting with new faculty and staff, and preparing them for another exciting year. But this year, in particular, has felt like we were coming “out of the blocks” in a sprint. We have been going at full speed since day one, and it has been exciting to see all that has been accomplished by students, faculty, staff and parents alike! We all know that every year there are always incredible moments of learning and reflection. Within this issue of the magazine, you are going to meet Robert Edmonds, who was Flint Hill’s first African-American student. Students in Rob Taylor’s Fourth Grade class discovered Mr. Edmonds while researching Flint Hill’s history, and worked to find him so they could learn more about his experience in the early 70s and 80s. With help from our Director of Alumni Relations Maria Taylor, the students were able to locate Mr. Edmonds through Facebook, and scheduled a time for him to return to Flint Hill to visit their class. Their investigation and Mr. Edmonds’ visit were covered by the Washington Post Kids Post, and we’re delighted to share more about it in this issue. To some degree that discussion gave us a stronger, more transparent understanding of our past. All our success last fall and into the winter have us now looking at both the present and the future. Momentum — Campaign for Flint Hill was rolled out in a stellar fashion at our Winterfest celebration, in January, and marked a significant turning point for our great school. The campaign is focused on building a new Middle School building for Grades 7 and 8 and providing some very exciting refurbishments to the Lower School building to ensure that our Grades JK-6 experience is one that is focused on the best interests of our students. Each and every step along the way is deliberate, intentional and strategic. I hope you enjoy this new edition of the magazine and all that it shares, in terms of our daily lives and focus on the individual. As much as we can talk about buildings, experiences and everything else, it will always come back to our people; they are the ones who carry the passion, who carry the purpose, and who make this place what it is, because of their commitment, dedication and engagement. Early on in our reorganization back in 1990, we labeled that passion and that unique culture at Flint Hill the “Driving Spirit,” and it reigns supreme to this today. So enjoy all that you learn through this magazine! I look forward to continuing to share the “Driving Spirit” with each and every one of you. Best wishes to you! Sincerely,
John M. Thomas Headmaster
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TH E HIL L 2 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
Students and Parents Had a Marvelous Time with an Author’s Lessons of Meter and Rhyme See p. 6 FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 3
THE HILL
Empowerment through Gender Diversity in Sports UNDER THE THEME “Lead Her Forward,” the importance
of strength and confidence among girls and young women was the overall message to students during Flint Hill’s celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) in February. This year marked the 33rd anniversary of the national event and the inaugural year of programming at Flint Hill. “The purpose of this celebration is to empower our girls to get moving, reap the benefits of physical activity and push past their limits both in sports and in life,” said Director of Athletics Diana Parente, who coordinated the school event. Over two days on both campuses, 12 speakers informed, encouraged and inspired students, from juniorkindergarteners to seniors. At the Upper School, six guest speakers from various sports-related professions discussed their background and work: Jeané Coakley, a reporter with SNY TV in New York; Kathy Wilson Duprey, principal of Coach Kathy Wilson; Kyra Carusa, a professional soccer player with New Jersey’s Sky Blue FC; Dave Nolan, head women’s soccer coach at Georgetown University; Natalie Randolph, Title IX coordinator for the DC
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State Athletic Association; and Jane Rodgers, executive director of the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation. The impressive panelists talked about the value of sports and the importance of accessibility to girls and women. Camaraderie, discipline and the meaning of sports in their lives were topics of discussion at the Lower and Middle School Campus, where the speakers’ panel was comprised of Flint Hill student-athletes and coaches — Lika Nkenchor ’19; Natalie Plaut ’19; Lauren Tanner ’19; Director of Athletics Diana Parente; Sports Information Director and Head Varsity Girls’ Volleyball Coach Carrol DeNure; and P.E. Teacher and Head Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach Jody Patrick. The group fielded a range of questions, from who inspires them to their favorite sport. Parente told the students about her passion for soccer, playing on the Division I team at Syracuse University, her enjoyment of teamwork, and how she continues to be involved with the sport today. Reflecting on NGWSD, Parente commented, “The confidence, strength and character gained through sports are the very tools girls need to become strong leaders, in their own lives and in the world.”
Gaining Global Perspective from History TWO DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS visited Upper School history classes at different times of the school year, bringing their unique perspectives to widen the students’ worlds: one discussed Mayan civilization, while the other took them on a journey, to Japan, during World War II.
Audelino Sac Coyoy, a professor of political science and Maya studies who teaches at the Universidad Rafael Landivar, in Guatemala, captured the attention of students, in both history and Spanish classes, with lessons about symbolism in Mayan culture. He taught them about the Mayan numeral system, which used dots and bars to represent numbers and had a base 20, which is thought to have originated from using all 10 fingers and 10 toes to count. Professor Sac Coyoy was familiar to some of the students who have participated in Flint Hill’s annual service trip to Guatemala, where the professor has performed a Mayan fire ceremony for the visitors to experience an important ritual of the culture.
In a vastly different presentation, Shayne Jarosz with the Iwo Jima Association of America discussed key battles and military strategies that took place on Iwo Jima and provided details about the iconic photo taken of U.S. Marines raising the flag on Mount Suribachi. Jarosz, who is also a former U.S. Marine and history teacher, has been to Iwo Jima on numerous occasions and has had the privilege of taking veterans and their families to the island, courtesy of the association. He encouraged the students to do community service in places where older veterans live, to spend time with them and listen to their stories. From an ancient civilization to the 20th century, students gained a greater understanding of history from experts who love what they do and enthusiastically teach others about it.
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THE HILL
AUTHOR SUE FLIESS visited Flint Hill’s Lower School,
on October 12, and shared her enjoyment of writing — particularly in rhyme — with students and their parents. She started the day addressing the entire Lower School at their Inspiration assembly, telling the students and faculty about how she became an author and what it was like to write some of her more popular books. Then, she hosted two workshops for the students — one for First Grade and the other for second-graders — and she customized her presentations to correspond with the material they were learning in class. She selected her book “Mary Had a Little Lab” to show the first-graders how she uses rhyme and meter in her writing, and she gave them tips to use in their own writing. She also chose passages from the book to read aloud and delighted the students when she involved them in a skit, in which they played the roles of characters from the book. For the Second Grade, she used her fractured fairy tale “Goblin Hood” to show the students how to use creative twists and turns to make a story more interesting. “Sue’s visit was such a great opportunity for us to highlight the joy of picture books and the pleasures of reading aloud,”
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Students and Parents Had a Marvelous Time with an Author’s Lessons of Meter and Rhyme
said Lower and Middle School Information Specialist Michelle Plaut. “We took the weeks before her visit to really acquaint the students with her books. Her lively rhyming stories were accessible to all the Lower School students, while the older students were able to really delve into the language, meter and rhyme as well as investigate how the illustrations work to extend the stories.” That evening, students and parents attended the Lower School Family Literacy Night, where Fliess was the guest of honor. She gave insight into her writing process and discussed how she shapes an idea into a story. “I had such a great day with Flint Hill!” said Fliess. “All of the students were engaged and enthusiastic, which makes my job even more fun. They had thoughtful questions and comments, and it was clear the School really stepped up to get the kids familiar with my books and excited about my visit before I arrived. I always love an opportunity to talk to families too, so they can see what their kids get to experience when an author visits. It was a bonus to be able to meet more of the Flint Hill community and the families at the literacy night. I hope to visit again in the future!”
Lego Leaguers Win Core Values Award IN ONLY THEIR second time participating at a First Lego League (FLL) robotics
tournament, our Middle School students won the Core Values Award. The event was a regional tournament that was held at Chantilly High School in November. Given the significance of Flint Hill’s own core values, the recognition is especially meaningful. Director of the Middle School Brian Lamont elaborated, “Our core values of respect, responsibility, compassion, and honesty are the foundation of our Flint Hill community, and I am proud of how our Middle School students strive to consistently adhere to these principles within our building every day. It is particularly gratifying to have the character of our students shine through when they represent Flint Hill in an off-campus and competitive setting. Earning the FLL Core Values Award is a great honor for the members of our Middle School Robotics Team and is a testament to their spirit and professionalism as well as the leadership of Elvina Tong and Gene Schwartzman — faculty members from our Innovation department — and the support of several parent volunteers.”
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THE HILL
Obtaining an Essential Need for the Community WATER, as one of life’s essential needs, is already on
the minds of Flint Hill’s Fourth Grade students. Their studies of the Chesapeake Bay and environmental sustainability turned into action when they applied their newfound knowledge to making rain barrels to help replenish landscaped areas, reduce water usage and decrease runoff that can pollute streams and rivers. “It is a tangible reminder that what we learn in the classroom can be applied in the real world to solve real-world problems,” said Fourth Grade Teacher Robert Taylor. The large barrels were adapted to include faucets and mosquito barriers and were painted with animals that are native to the Chesapeake Bay. Before making the final product, the students made small-scale prototypes in the Lower School’s Innovation Lab, using cups and straws. They accomplished their end goal to benefit the community, by donating the barrels to the Clean Fairfax Council, a local environmental organization, and Green Spring Gardens, a resource provided by the Reston Association, a neighborhood organization that the fourth-graders regularly partner with to clean up streams. “They were thrilled,” said Taylor about the recipients’ reactions, “especially when they saw how lovely the barrels looked.”
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“Momentum” Builds Toward Campaign Goal
O
n a brisk Saturday at the end of January, Huskies from across the Flint Hill community came out to the Upper School for the largest Winterfest ever. They were in for a treat — we swept Potomac in every basketball match that day, the Boys’ Swim and Dive team won its first MAC Championship, and, of course, we launched Momentum —
Campaign for Flint Hill, the largest capital campaign in Flint Hill history. With a generous $10 million gift from the Peterson family serving as the springboard to achieving our $20 million fundraising goal, Flint Hill kicked off this historic campaign in style thanks to event design firm Evoke Design & Creative, which is owned and operated by alumna Jeannette Tavares ’06. In between games, an anxious crowd began to gather in the Commons to await the big announcement, which had been teased for several weeks in a multimedia campaign. After performances from the drumline and dance teams, the crowd moved to the Learning Commons to hear the announcement from Board Chair Rick Hendrix. Afterward, attendees enjoyed gourmet, middle-school-themed snacks as they mingled excitedly before the final basketball game of the night.
Jeannette Tavares ’06 and Headmaster John Thomas 10 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
“Can’t you just see it? Because of the design of the building, it’s going to be a place that goes beyond just a Middle School. It’s going to be a place where the whole community gathers.” A N N E P E T E R S O N , A S S I STA N T H E A D O F S C H O O L FO R F I N A N C E A N D O P E R AT I O N S
Top right: Flint Hill Board Chair Rick Hendrix, P ’13, ’16, ’20, ’20 Bottom left: Anne and Jon Peterson, P ’09, ’10, ’14
The buzz and momentum have only continued. Members of the Flint Hill community have shown extraordinary support for Momentum since its launch, donating over $18 million as of publication time. Even Huskies in JK have their names proudly displayed on our virtual donor wall. We are so close and there is no time to lose. This project is about so much more than a new Middle School building and renovated Lower School. It is about changing the trajectory of this incredible school. It’s about creating space for flexible learning and collaboration; building community and aligning Flint Hill’s facilities with our dynamic program and faculty. Your family can help us get over the finish line. To make your gift, of any amount, visit www.Momentum.FlintHill.org. And to those who have already given, thank you. Your generosity will solidify Flint Hill’s reputation as a premier independent school in northern Virginia for generations to come.
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Til Hazel, Founding Chairman One of the visionaries who started it all reflects on the meaning behind the campaign. “I think this is a great moment in the history and life of Flint Hill School. This will guarantee its future for years to come. It must take the community to come together because, in addition to the new building, there are going to be improvements to what we already have. It’s a tremendous thing for me to see. I started here some 30 years ago and [the School has experienced] remarkable growth and it’s just doing extremely well. It’s one of the most satisfying things in my 88 years.”
Til and Anne Hazel, GP ’99, ’01, ’07, ’09
Connor Chess ’13 For one alumnus, Momentum is all about relationships. I am a proud alum who was recently reminded of how amazing our community is. I hope this gets your inner Husky going! Since graduation, I’ve done a lot of living, as we all have. I went on to study Spanish and International Relations at Washington and Lee University. I had the opportunity to continue playing football. I have had the incredible privilege to travel to different parts of the world. It’s been a whirlwind and an amazing six years since graduation. But all of the life experiences that I’ve had, all of the new relationships that I’ve made, all of the exotic places I’ve been able to visit, have all taken me away from Flint Hill. I am now currently living and working in Los Angeles, so the distance is still very present. But this past Presidents Day weekend, I was reminded just how special this school is and how thankful I am to be a part of this community. Some good friends from my graduating class reached out to invite me and a group of 10 friends to visit them in Colorado for a ski weekend. One by one the confirmations came in and the trip became a reality. The excitement grew as the date got closer. I was a little nervous to see a lot of this group, because it had been so long since we last saw each other. It had been a long time since we even talked. Nonetheless, the date arrived; we all boarded our flights across the country and headed for Denver. At the first sight of some estranged but familiar, friendly faces, we all fell right back to where we left off Senior year. It was such a great experience to get to see these people who meant and mean so much to me after such a long time. And there was so much to talk about! Hearing about what everyone had been up to since we last
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“Learning of the Momentum campaign gets me excited for the future of the School. It continues growing and thriving and building more amazing relationships. And I will continue to support it on its path forward. Let’s all be supporters of this campaign and give back to the amazing place that gave so much to us.” CO N N O R C H E S S ’ 1 3 Top: Connor Chess ’13, Will Cumberland ’13, John Curtis ’13, Ben Kase ’13, Steven Peterson ’13 Bottom: Jillian Goulding ’13, Hannah Donegan ’13, Ansley Gibson ’13, Alina Augustine ’13, Sara Morse ’13
saw one another was really incredible. Some amazing successes, wild adventures, and a lot of funny stories. Getting nostalgic and reminiscing over our time spent at Flint Hill was the cherry on top of the weekend. I was all smiles the whole weekend and left feeling so happy to have gotten to see such great friends. This little reunion reminded me how strong of a bond Flint Hill gave us. This school is built on a strong and nurturing community. And the bonds with the people I shared my experience with there are still as strong as ever because of it. Even with distance and time separating us, we still have our time at Flint Hill that brings us together. And seeing each other, catching up over old times, it was like nothing had changed. It is great to get to come back to people that you have such a strong base of friendship with. And Flint Hill is a huge part of what has facilitated that bond. It is a truly unique community, full of amazing, friendly, smart, loving, fun, spirited people who truly care about one another. It will always be a fundamental part of our foundation as people and as friends. It’s been a treat to get to come back to campus for sporting events and graduations, to catch up with old coaches and teachers, and feel right back at home. There’s a wonderful mix of new and old that keeps me connected to the School but also excited for its future. There are still a number of faculty members that I had the pleasure of learning from during my time at FH. The students, well, the students look a little smaller than I remember being. And the sports teams perform a little better than we ever did. But, overall it’s still the amazing Flint Hill that I know and love. Learning of the Momentum campaign gets me excited for the future of the School. It continues growing and thriving and building more amazing relationships. And I will continue to support it on its path forward. Let’s all be supporters of this campaign and give back to the amazing place that gave so much to us.
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A RTS O N TH E HIL L 14 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
“Pride and Prejudice” See p. 19 FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 15
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ARTS ON THE HILL
The fall and winter arts season at Flint Hill was replete with musical achievements. Grace McKay ’20 returned for her second year to the Senior Regional Honor Orchestra, and Madeline Chang ’23 made her debut at the District XII Junior Honor Orchestra. Our school recognized seven students for placement in district honor choirs: Feli Badji ’23, Emma Conkle ’21, Brigit Cook ’23, Julianne Cuevo ’20, Natalie Naylor ’21, Dhruv Pillai ’19 and Simon Van Der Weide ’20. Members of the Flint Hill choirs and parent volunteers hosted approximately 800 auditioners at this year’s District XII event, held at James Madison High School. On campus, our musical season included the annual winter concerts, including the Grades 5-8 band, choirs, orchestras, and percussion ensembles — more than 340 students performed! The largest combined group was 113 choristers, and the smallest was a duet of two Fifth Grade cellos. We finished the season strong with all of our Grades JK-4 students who participated in well-received holiday concerts.
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ARTS ON THE HILL
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The Flint Hill fall play was “Pride and Prejudice,” which hosted more than 50 Cappies voters from area high school theater programs. “Genuine relationships and engaging stage personas at Flint Hill created a show as full of fun and enjoyment as it was pride and prejudice,” wrote a student from Thomas Jefferson. “All in all, Flint Hill’s production of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ was a great experience for performers and audience members alike and brought a youthful energy to the 200-year-old story that left the audience with a smile on their faces,” wrote an Annandale High student. Congratulations to two of our members of the Flint Hill School Cappies Theater Team for having reviews selected for publication in the local news: Julianne Cuevo ’20 (twice!) and Simon Van Der Weide ’20. For the ninth year, “The Nutcracker” was performed with the addition of many new twists and turns, a new guest artist in the role of the cavalier, and the highest degree of technical achievement in ballet that the School has yet produced. Nearly 900 grateful audience members attended the three sold-out performances and more than 100 Flint Hill students from Grades JK to 12 performed in what was truly a “one school” event for the whole community.
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ATH L E TIC S 20 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
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ATHLETICS
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he school year got off to a great start, and the fall sports season proved to be one of the most successful and celebratory seasons in school history with three teams winning state championships — a first for Flint Hill. The Varsity Volleyball and Football teams successfully defended their state championships, as they won back-to-back titles. And, the Girls’ Varsity Soccer team won its first Northern Virginia Independent School Tournament, by defeating rival Potomac in the championship game. In winter sports, the wave of success continued with the Boys’ Varsity Swim and Dive team capturing its first ever Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAC) Championship. The Boys’ Varsity Climbing team won the Washington Area Interscholastic Climbing League title, and the Boys’ Varsity Basketball team won the MAC regular season and MAC Tournament championship. To wrap up the winter season, four teams qualified for their state tournaments. From season to season, our student body consistently supported the teams by attending numerous games and displaying their unique Husky spirit!
David Kim / Washington Post
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BOYS’ BASKETBALL The Huskies finished their regular season with an outstanding record of 24-3 and claimed the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAC) regular season championship at Potomac, on the last game of the regular season, defeating them 67-60. They won the MAC Tournament as the number one seed and defended that ranking by defeating Sidwell, 63-47. The team also won the Tip-Off Tournament and the Wakefield Holiday Tournament earlier in the season. As they headed into postseason play, the team ranked sixth in the Washington Post and fourth in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I state poll. Jordan Hairston ’19 and Qudus Wahab ’19 led the team in scoring.
Husky Awards Freshman: Gardiner Tyler ’22 JV: Jack Thomas ’22 Varsity: Ethan Jones ’19 MVPs Qudus Wahab ’19 Jordan Hairston ’19 All-Conference Jordan Hairston ’19 Qudus Wahab ’19 FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 23
ATHLETICS
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL The Varsity Girls’ Basketball team finished the regular season with a 16-9 overall record and tied for third in the Independent School League AA Division. Flint Hill qualified again for the state tournament as the number-five overall seed. At the Winterfest game against Potomac, Claire Miller ’19 and Whitney Wiley ’19 each scored their 1,000th point. Flint Hill won that game by a score of 52-42. The Huskies, led by their seven seniors on Senior Night, ended their regular season by defeating Holy Child, 48-33. Wiley scored 15 points while Kathleen Boyce ’19 added 14 for the Huskies. The team had a three-game winning streak heading into the playoffs.
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Husky Awards JV: Emily Townsend ’21 Varsity: Kathleen Boyce ’19 and Madison Jordan ’19 MVPs Whitney Wiley ’19 Claire Miller ’19
All-Conference Claire Miller ’19 Whitney Wiley ’19
CLIMBING The Flint Hill Varsity Climbing team entered its third season excited and optimistic after moving up, from eighth place to third, in 2017–18. They lost some strong climbers on both the boys’ and girls’ teams when seniors graduated, but those big shoes were filled well by the team’s younger athletes. Leading the girls’ team, Lily Lindquist ’19 was strong at every competition and repeatedly made the leaderboard. Fellow teammates Isabel Fernandez ’19 and Megan Johnson ’19, both first-time climbers, ended the season with strong point totals. The boys’ team hit their stride and showed it in a big way. Kian Shah ’21 and Ben Ephraim ’20 consistently traded top leaderboard finishes at each competition. The boys’ varsity team won the league championship, competing against a field of eight schools, and that victory was a first for the Varsity Climbing team. Kian Shah scored 71 of the teams’ 271 points at the competition and earned the Top Male Climber award.
Husky Awards Varsity Boys: Jacob Trent ’19 Varsity Girls: Ellie Butler ’20 MVPs Boys: Kian Shah ’21 Girls: Lily Lindquist ’19 All-Conference Boys First Team: Kian Shah ’21 First Team: Ben Ephraim ’20 First Team: Conrad Nakamura ’21 Second Team: Jacob Trent ’19 All-Conference Girls First Team: Lily Lindquist ’19 Washington Area Interscholastic Climbing League Best Male Climber: Kian Shah ’21
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ATHLETICS CROSS-COUNTRY The Varsity Cross-Country team, consisting of 28 dedicated runners, enjoyed a very successful fall season. At the Independent School League Championships, the girls’ top finisher was Barrett Harrington ’20 (12th place), and at the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships, the boys were led by Calvin Lucido ’20, who finished 7th overall. Competing at the state meet, which was held at Fork Union Military Academy, the girls’ team was led for the first time in the season by Kayla Moxley ’21, who finished in 49th place. The boys placed a respectable 9th overall, Lucido earned all-state honors with his 20th place, and Sebastian Aguilar ’19 (27th place) and Charles Stuart ’19 (37th place) closed out their Husky cross-country careers with their best races of the season. Husky Awards Varsity Boys: Charles Stuart ’19, Tyler Yun ’19 Varsity Girls: Kate Nelson ’19 MVPs Boys: Calvin Lucido ’20 Girls: Barrett Harrington ’20
All-State First Team: Calvin Lucido ’20 All-Conference Barrett Harrington ’20 Calvin Lucido ’20
DANCE The Flint Hill Dance team had a tremendous season, beginning with choreography over the summer and ending with a strong competition finish. The team was excited to perform at many school events, old and new, including the launch of the Momentum campaign. A highlight was having all of the dance teams, Grades 5-12, perform together at Winterfest. The fall season included a busy football performance schedule and the team’s return to competition, where they placed sixth in both Varsity Jazz and Pom. The Huskies began the winter season re-inspired and placed second in Varsity Jazz and Pom at their last competition. Head Coach Olivia Landrum stated, “I am proud of this team for all their great performances and successful competitions, but what I am most proud of is the teamwork and perseverance I witnessed this season.” Husky Award Victoria Stanciu ’19
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MVP Gillian Wasson ’20
FIELD HOCKEY The Varsity Field Hockey team went undefeated in non-conference play this season with a 6-0 record. The Huskies finished the year with a respectable 7-8-3 overall record. One of their more exciting wins was against George Mason High School, in which they enjoyed playing under lights; they won the game by a score of 3-0. They also had satisfying wins over Paul VI and Sidwell. Kate Walker ’19 led the offensive attack for the Huskies while Nadine Ahmed ’19 played well defensively. Husky Awards Varsity: Natalie Plaut ’19 and Molly Paulsen ’20 JV: Emily Hay ’22 MVPs Offensive MVP: Kate Walker ’19 Defensive MVP: Nadine Ahmed ’19 All-Conference Molly Paulsen ’20
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ATHLETICS
athletics
FOOTBALL The Varsity Football team enjoyed another undefeated season, finishing 11-0 and winning the Division I State Championship for the second straight year. The Huskies hosted the state championship game against Benedictine and won 36-14. Flint Hill also claimed the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference title for the third time in the last four years. During the season, Flint Hill outscored opponents 495 to 90. Jordan Houston ’19 totaled 1,583 yards rushing this season and scored 20 touchdowns for the Huskies. The team finished sixth in the final Washington Post rankings. Head Varsity Football Coach Tom Verbanic was selected as the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association’s (VISAA) Division I Coach of the Year, and the DC Touchdown Club named him the Washington Metro High School Coach of the Year.
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All-State VISAA Division I Coach of the Year: Tom Verbanic VISAA Division I Player of the Year: Jordan Houston ’19 First Team: Justin Duenkel ’19 First Team: Justice Ellison ’20 First Team: Trey Rucker ’19 First Team: Miles Thompson ’19 First Team: Elijah Wasson ’20 First Team: Joe Worman ’19 Second Team: Jaylin Hertz ’20 Second Team: Christian Turner ’19 Honorable Mention: Jared Behrens ’21 Honorable Mention: Jyden Simms ’19
Miles Thompson ’19 Christian Turner ’19 Elijah Wasson ’20 Joe Worman ’19 All-Met Washington Post First Team: Justin Duenkel ’19 First Team: Jordan Houston ’19 Honorable Mention: Trey Rucker ’19 Honorable Mention: Miles Thompson ’19
All-Conference Jared Behrens ’21 Justin Duenkel ’19 Justice Ellison ’20 Jaylin Hertz ’20 Jordan Houston ’19 Tre Rucker ’19
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ATHLETICS
GOLF Even though the rainy weather impacted their season, the Varsity Golf team enjoyed a very competitive and successful season. The Huskies celebrated wins over Saint James and Maret during the regular season. In the match against Saint James, co-captain Zain Zahir ’19 had the low round of the day, by posting a score of 42. The Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships were held at Bretton Woods Golf Course, and Flint Hill finished in fourth place, with a team score of 360. Austin Ayers ’20 led the Huskies with a score of 83 and earned all conference honors. Husky Awards Varsity: Austin Ayers ’20 JV: Andrew Erickson ’19 MVP Zain Zahir ’10 All-Conference Austin Ayers ’20
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ICE HOCKEY Despite having a young team and playing a tough schedule, the Huskies were competitive in every game. Tyler Dunn ’19, the team’s lone senior, provided great leadership. Gabe Dombrowski ’20 led the team offensively. The Huskies defeated Loudoun County/ Tuscarora by a score of 10-0 and tied Potomac in the Dominion Cup contest, 6-6. Husky Awards Daniel Stone ’20 Stuart Morrison ’21
MVP Gabe Dombrowski ’20
INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD The Huskies enjoyed an excellent second official season of Indoor Track and Field with a number of new school records and personal records. Setting new school records were: Holly Fan ’21, long and triple jumps; Jack Magner ’19, 500m; Xzavier Jackson ’21, 300m; Dennis Giuliani ’19, shot put; and Catie Stack ’20, 300m. The season culminated with a good day at the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association State Championships. The girls’ 4x200 relay team of Deena Hamandi ’20, Bela Aguilar ’21, Sarah Dickerson ’21, and Holly Fan ’21 broke the school record with an eighth-place finish. Calvin Lucido ’20 placed fourth in the 1600-meter run, and Catie Stack had the best performance with a fourth-place finish and new school record in the 1000-meter run. Husky Awards Varsity Boys: Jack Magner ’19 Varsity Girls: Bela Aguilar ’21 MVPs Boys: Calvin Lucido ’20 Girls: Catie Stack ’20
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ATHLETICS
BOYS’ SOCCER Even though this was somewhat of a rebuilding year for the Varsity Boys’ Soccer team, they competed well in every game that they played. They showed steady improvement as the season progressed, which was evident in an exciting win over Potomac, in their last regular season game. They won that contest by a score of 4-3 and were led offensively by Alan Rizkalla ’19, Alex Mejia ’22, and Simon Bhatia ’21. Head Coach Chris Brown was pleased with the outstanding leadership displayed by the seniors. With several young players on the roster, the future looks bright for the Huskies! Husky Awards Varsity: Jack Magner ’19 JV: Seth Nelson ’21 MVP Alan Rizkalla ’19 All-Conference Alan Rizkalla ’19
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GIRLS’ SOCCER The Varsity Girls’ Soccer team enjoyed an outstanding season, going 5-0-1 in their first six contests. They were ranked during the season in the Washington Post and finished the season with a 10-5-2 record. Whitney Wiley ’19, who committed to the University of New Hampshire, led the team in scoring. In the playoffs, they qualified for the Northern Virginia Independent School Tournament as the number-two seed. The Huskies defeated Bishop Ireton in the semifinal by a score of 5-3. Then, they went on to capture the championship, at home, against rival Potomac, 2-0. Husky Awards Varsity: Maddie Chiarolanzio ’19 JV: Cassie Campbell ’21
All-Conference Ashley Jaeger ’20 Whitney Wiley ’19
MVPs Whitney Wiley ’19, Ashley Jaeger ’20
All-Met Washington Post Second Team: Whitney Wiley ’19
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ATHLETICS SWIM AND DIVE After losing several key members, the girls’ team entered a rebuilding season. They still finished a respectable 8th place in the tough Independent School League conference and 16th at the state meet. At the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) states, Natalie Champagne ’20 competed in the finals. She placed 8th in the 100-yard butterfly and 11th in 100-yard backstroke. At the Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swim Dive League (WMPSSDL) Championships, Champagne finished eighth in the 100-yard butterfly and ninth in 500yard freestyle. The boys’ team enjoyed an amazing season, with their highestever finish at VISAA States — seventh place — and brought home the first-ever Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAC) Championship banner. Oliver Mills ’20 placed first at the WMPSSDL Championships, second at the MAC Championship, and first at VISAA States, breaking his own 11-dive meet record. Spencer Bloom ’22 placed first at the MAC Championship — setting the meet record — second at WMPSSDL, and third at VISAA states. Husky Awards Varsity Boys’ Swim: Anton Tyapkin ’19 Varsity Boys’ Dive: Spencer Bloom ’22 Varsity Girls’ Swim: Dana Bishop ’19 Varsity Girls’ Dive: Lily Min ’21 MVPs Boys’ Swim: Marcus Brown ’21 Boys’ Dive: Oliver Mills ’20 Girls’ Swim: Natalie Champagne ’20 Girls’ Dive: Shelby Berger ’22 All-State Spencer Bloom ’22 Oliver Mills ’20
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All-Conference Spencer Bloom ’22 Marcus Brown ’21 Conrad Luttschwager ‘21 John Knieriem ’19 Owen Krause ’20 Rowan Kelly ’21 WMPSSDL All-League Oliver Mills ’20
GIRLS’ TENNIS The Varsity Girls’ Tennis team finished the season with 12 wins and 7 losses. In the tough and competitive Independent School League AA Division, the Huskies finished with a 4-2 record and advanced to the tournament semifinals before losing a close match to Holton-Arms, by a score of 4-3. The team again qualified for the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association’s (VISAA) Division I State Tournament before losing in a very tight match with Potomac, 5-4. Caroline Dycio ’19 and Marisa Geib ’21 led the team in wins with 13 each. Husky Awards Varsity: Isabelle Ditthavong ’19 JV: Haley Brandt ’20 MVP Marisa Geib ’21 and Caroline Dycio ’19 All-State First Team: Lara Geib ’21 Second Team: Marisa Geib ’21 All-Conference Isabelle Ditthavong ’19 Lara Geib ’21 Marisa Geib ’21
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ATHLETICS
VOLLEYBALL The Varsity Volleyball team ended its season with a 30-1 overall record. Returning only five players from last year’s 35-0 undefeated team, the Huskies stepped up to the challenge and defended their Triple Crown (Conference, Metro City and State championships). Led by four seniors, three of whom participated in Flint Hill’s Middle School volleyball program, the team won the School’s ninth state title. The team also won the Flint Hill Invitational Tournament during the regular season. Sydney Reed ’20, who verbally committed to the University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill, led the team in kills and aces. Krissy O’Malley ’19, a Liberty University signee, surpassed the 3,000 career assist mark during the season and was named the Virginia State Gatorade Player of the Year in volleyball. The Huskies finished second in the Washington Post All-Met final rankings. Head Varsity Volleyball Coach Carrol DeNure was named the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association’s (VISAA) Division I Coach of the Year for the eighth time, and she was selected as the Regional High School Coach of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
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Husky Awards Varsity: Lika Nkenchor ’19, Tristen Isaac ’19 JV: Sydney Collo ’21 Freshman: Rhea Zahir ’22 MVP Krissy O’Malley ’19 All-State VISAA Division I Coach of the Year: Carrol DeNure VISAA Division I Player of the Year: Krissy O’Malley ’19 First Team: Denver Pugh ’20 First Team: Sydney Reed ’20 Second Team: Elayna Duprey ’21
All-Conference Elayna Duprey ’21 Lika Nkenchor ’19 Krissy O’Malley ’19 Denver Pugh ’20 Sydney Reed ’20 All-Met Washington Post First Team: Krissy O’Malley ’19 First Team: Sydney Reed ’20 Second Team: Denver Pugh ’20 Gatorade’s Virginia State Volleyball Player of the Year Krissy O’Malley ’19
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FAC U LT Y/ STAFF N E WS
Grades 7-12 English Department Chair and Middle/Upper School English Teacher John Copenhaver received a nomination for a Barry Award, a national award recognizing excellence in crime fiction, for his novel “Dodging and Burning.” In October, he was selected as one of three writers, from the District of Columbia, to receive a $10,000 grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities; this is now his fifth artist fellowship in a row with the Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program. In January, Upper School Classics Teacher Sherry Doerfler attended National Classics Advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill with congressional staff, from the offices of Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner as well as Rep. Rob Wittman. “I shared the experiences of many Flint Hill students who have benefited from their experiences in our Latin and Greek program,” said Doerfler. “Additionally, along with the National Council for Languages and International Studies, I also advocated for increased support of biliteracy initiatives, new teacher training, and the advancement of Classical languages, with particular focus on resolutions to support National Classics Week in April, as well as the forthcoming resolutions: World Language Advancement and Readiness Act and the Biliteracy Education Seal and Teaching Act.” Upper School Technology Integration Specialist and Upper School Information Specialist Nate Green presented “Transition from Tech Transaction to Tech Transformation” at the AIMS Technology and Innovation conference in Baltimore, in December, and “How Every Class Should Embrace Social Media” at the National Association of Independent Schools’ conference — Reimagining Independent Schools: Tearing Down Walls, Building Capacity, and Designing Our Future — in February. He hosted two webinars for the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools: “The Evolving Role of EdTech Departments,” in the spring of 2018, and “Passion-Based Learning through Social Media” in the fall. He also gave several talks, including “Digital Citizenship in Private Schools” to the Episcopal High School faculty in Alexandria,
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Va., in August; “Social Media and College Success” to TEAK Fellowship college students, in New York, in January; and “Shifting Social Media Culture at BHA” to Berman Hebrew Academy Middle School students, faculty and parents, in Rockville, Md., in January. Assistant Director of College Counseling Chris Lomax received a Master of Science degree in collegiate athletic administration from Coker College, in October, and participated in the graduation ceremony in December. Grades JK-12 Technology and Instruction Department Chair and Upper School English Teacher Jennifer McKain presented “Beyond the Traditional Essay” at the National Council of Teachers of English, in Baltimore, in November. In December, Director of Fine Arts Tim Mitchell facilitated a workshop about legislative theater, at the Central Detention Facility (CDF/DC Jail), in a program sponsored by the Thurgood Marshall Center for Human and Civil Rights, Howard University Law School, and the Inside/Out program. The workshop brought together law students and professors with incarcerated men and women to explore criminal justice policy and law, using arts and education tools. There are plans to develop it into a longer-term project or program. Middle/Upper School Science Teacher Gary Smilowitz gave a presentation, “The Journey is Always Worth the Time!,” to approximately 40 student members of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, George Mason University chapter, in November.
Online Education Strategies for Independent Schools (OESIS) Meta-Skills, Mastery & Wellness
Virginia Association of Independent Schools’ (VAIS) Leading Learning Conference: Better Together
Boston — October 2018
Richmond, Va. — October 2018
• Assistant Director of the Upper School Debbie Ayers co-presented with Dean of Academic Program Lindley Shutz, of Derryfield School in New Hampshire, on the topic of “Mastery-Based Blending and Project Based Learning in the APs and the Humanities.” She also participated in the Faculty Cohort of OESIS Network Leaders, in a presentation panel with Sanje Ratnavale, president of OESIS Group; Matt Bavone of St. Luke’s School in Connecticut; and Yasmin Saban of St. Andrew’s School in Hawaii. Their discussion title was “Mastery Blending.”
• Upper School English Teacher Monét Cooper presented “Take Off the Blindfold: Addressing Implicit Bias in our Classrooms and Schools.”
• Upper School Science Teacher Desmond Frost presented “Standards Based Grading and Traditional Grade Books: My Quest for More Meaningful Feedback.” • Upper School Technology Integration Specialist and Upper School Information Specialist Nate Green gave two presentations: “Inequality and the Internet” and “Gaming on Campus: To Block or Not to Block?” • Middle/Upper School Science Teacher Gary Smilowitz presented “Discovery of Engineering: A New Modular High School Elective Course and Vision.”
• Lower School Enrichment Coordinator and Science Specialist Megan Dhar and Information Specialist and Lower School Service Coordinator Michelle Plaut presented “The Kindness Project: An InquiryBased Approach to Service Learning Across the Grades.” • Upper School Learning Center Specialists Shannon McCarty and Alexandra Wolitzer presented “Squad Goals: Building Community Through Goal Setting and Group Coaching.” Through her role on VAIS’ Professional Development Advisory Committee, McCarty also served as a facilitator at the conference as well. • Grades JK-12 Technology and Instruction Department Chair and Upper School English Teacher Jennifer McKain presented “Alternatives to the Traditional Assessment.” • Director of Studies Emily Sanderson presented “Charting your Course in Leadership Development.”
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FACULTY/STAFF NEWS
Professional Development by Faculty for Faculty (PDBFFF) Flint Hill Upper School Campus — January 2019 PDBFFF was created a year ago as an opportunity for Flint Hill faculty to learn from one another. The program’s initial success has led to its continuation; it is now held twice in the academic year. “Learning from our colleagues is an essential part of professional development. PDBFFF helps us better understand our colleagues and their work, and it pushes us to improve our own work, with the guidance of colleagues who’ve inspired us,” said Nate Green, a technology integration and information specialist at the Upper School, who has been the primary coordinator of the event. In January, 17 topics were presented.
• “Should I Include Social Media in My Curriculum? Yes, Yes You Should. Here’s How.” by Upper School Technology Integration Specialist and Upper School Information Specialist Nate Green. • “My iPad Journey: Exploring and Implementing iPads in the Classroom” by Upper School Math Teacher Jessica Henry. • “Creating and Hosting Simulations for Student Engagement” by Upper School History and Social Sciences Teacher Kristoff Kohlhagen.
• “Rethinking Flint Hill Exams: The WWWWWH” by Upper School Learning Center Specialist Sonya Atkinson.
• “iStopMotion: Using Stop Motion in Project Based Learning” by Upper School Science Teacher Jennifer Lear.
• “New Assessment Same Mistake: Empowering Skill Development through Self-Reflection” by Upper School Learning Center Specialists Stephanie Batbouta and Shannon McCarty.
• “Beyond the Traditional Essay: Alternative Assessment Strategies” by Grades JK-12 Technology and Instruction Department Chair and Upper School English Teacher Jennifer McKain.
• “Digital Reflection for Character Growth” by Grades 7-12 History and Social Sciences Department Chair and Upper/Middle School History and Social Sciences Teacher Amy Clement.
• “Brain Dance! Gain Energy and Engagement with these Fundamental Techniques” by Upper School Dance Teacher and Director of Dance Productions Jenelle Mrykalo.
• “Take Action: Disrupting Implicit Bias in Your Classroom, Our School, and, Quite Possibly, Your Life! Part II” by Upper School English Teacher Monét Cooper and Upper School Math Teacher Riki Weeks.
• “Everything You Wanted to Know about Senior Projects and More!” by Upper School English Teacher Valerie Morehouse.
• “Digital Notebooks, Digital Portfolios and Websites, Oh MY!” by Upper School Science Teacher Desmond Frost.
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• “Using Desmos in Math and Science” by Upper School Math Teacher Harrell Rentz. • “Mentimeter for Student Voice and Instant Feedback” by Upper School English Teacher Jeff Sealy.
• “Training Leaders through Failure” by Upper School Computer Science and Robotics Teacher Mike Snyder. • “Exploring Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality for Learning and Teaching: A Hands-on Workshop” by Lower School
Technology Integration Specialist and Lower/Middle School Computer Science Teacher Lisa Waters. • “Yoga Flow for Mindfulness and Inner Peace” by Upper School Learning Center Specialist Alexandra Wolitzer.
Flint Hill Founder’s Day Recognitions February 2019 At Founder’s Day, on February 6, the Flint Hill community celebrated the 20-year anniversaries of four faculty/staff members: Grades JK-12 P.E. Department Chair, P.E. Teacher and Head Varsity Boys’ Soccer Coach Chris Brown; Director of College Counseling and Senior Class Dean Suzy Chiarolanzio; Upper School Campus Receptionist and Admission Assistant Cathy French; and Assistant to the Middle School Administration Anne Young. Upper School Science/Math Teacher Andy Krug was also recognized for his 25th anniversary at Flint Hill.
The 2018–19 Driving Spirit Award recipients were revealed at Founder’s Day as well: Third Grade Teacher Bridget Linzmeyer Kleintank; Associate Director of Advancement and Board Liaison Bridget Montagne; Grades JK-12 Innovation Department Chair, Lower School Innovation Specialist and Upper School Innovation Teacher Joey Starnes; and Director of Athletic Operations and Head Varsity Football and Baseball Coach Tom Verbanic. “The Driving Spirit Award recognizes current Flint Hill faculty and staff who have demonstrated ethical leadership, diligent intellectual scholarship and a commitment to teaching, coaching and mentoring students.”
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I N T H E COM MUNITY 42 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
Greetings Flint Hill Family, I can’t believe we are heading into the end of the school year. It has been quite a ride and I look forward to the coming weeks. As you may know, the Parents’ Association is a bridge between you and the School. Please feel free to reach out to your class representative or simply “Come Join Us” at one of the many available volunteer or social events. The largest fundraiser in the School’s history kicked off in January, Momentum — Campaign for Flint Hill. The goal is to raise $20 million and we are nearly there. With these funds, we look to build a new Middle School and remodel the Lower School. If you have not seen the plans, please go to the campaign website (www.Momentum.FlintHill.org) to take a look and review the Frequently Asked Questions. It will be very exciting to see these ideas come to fruition. The new building will incorporate the latest in architectural design with the most modern learning facilities. In addition to the new building, we will be updating the classrooms in the Lower School to enhance the learning experience for students in that division. Please consider giving whatever amount you can. Exciting volunteer activities will be available throughout the remainder of the year — please volunteer your time if you are able! There is so much to do and the children really appreciate it. These opportunities are a great way to catch up with friends or see the students and faculty in a non-academic environment. So please, “Come Join Us!” See you on campus! Doreen Kramer P ’19, P ’19 Parents’ Association President, 2018–19
Enriching the Flint Hill Community Experience Whether the need is to deliver pizza on Thursdays, assemble large mailings, or to set up for a special event, our community of volunteers is generous with their time and talents! We extend our gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers that have answered the call to serve throughout the year. Your helping hands have extended the reach of our great school throughout the community. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, please visit the events listing on the Parents’ Association website or contact Advancement Events Coordinator Alice Yates at 703.584.2315 ayates@flinthill.org.
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IN THE COMMUNITY
Flint Hill Holiday Shoppes — 16 Years of Success! Shoppers filled the Upper School once again for the 16th Annual Holiday Shoppes. New vendors — including Lilly Pulitzer, Details, and Scout & Molly’s of Reston — joined returning favorites like Cocoa Vienna, barbie b and Kendra Scott. More than 35 vendors and 700 shoppers participated in this successful day of shopping. Many were anxious for the 2nd Annual Louis Vuitton Handbag Raffle, featuring a handbag generously donated by Flint Hill parent and local realtor, Karen Sparks. After a delicious lunch from the Mulan Dumpling food truck, and some sweet treats from the Colonial Kettle Corn truck, the shopping momentum continued throughout the day. The net proceeds, in excess of $20,000, will benefit the Parents’ Association Endowment for Financial Aid in Honor of Sally Hazel. To all those who volunteered throughout the event, from selling Parents’ Association Cookies in a Jar and decorating to welcoming our guests, we are truly grateful! Special thanks to the event Co-chairs Karen Sparks P ’11, P ’21; Alex Shumway PH ’10, P ’12, P ’15, P ’20, P ’20, P ’21; and Diane and George Stamatelatos P ’24, P ’25. Mark your calendars for the 2019 Holiday Shoppes on Saturday, November 9! 44 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
Volunteering at the Igloo and Husky Hut — A Must-do at Flint Hill School! Hopefully, you are among the many members of our community who have enjoyed a perfectly-grilled burger from the volunteers at the Husky Hut. Maybe it was at Homecoming or the State Championship game? Perhaps you were holding one of your little Huskies, and they just had to have that bag of Skittles? Or, maybe it was one of those chilly fall days that called for hot chocolate? Rain or shine, all school year, the team of volunteers who open, stock and manage the Hut and Igloo are truly a gift to Flint Hill. If you haven’t experienced the Igloo just yet, rest assured when your student enters the Upper School they will come to know and love it! Every day, after the final bell rings, Upper School students are offered a variety of drinks and snacks to provide additional fuel for the rest of their day. The students might enjoy pizza, Chick-fil-A sandwiches or a Cup O’ Noodles. Faculty are most appreciative of “Faculty Free Friday,” when they can select an item from the Igloo at no cost! You will often see Tina Rafalovich P ’21 and Michelle Stanciu P ’19, P ’22 loading and unloading new treats at the Husky Hut and the Igloo. And, you will always see smiles on the volunteers’ faces as they fulfill orders for hungry Huskies! Make sure you stop by the Husky Hut or the Igloo the next time you are at an event and the window is open. We guarantee you will find something to enjoy!
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Paving the Way Fourth-Graders uncover the story of Flint Hill’s first African-American student “Why did your family choose Flint Hill?” “What did it feel like to enter the building on your first day of school?” “Did you play sports?” These were just a few of the questions that awaited Robert Edmonds ’84 when he returned to Flint Hill, in January, to meet with students in Rob Taylor’s Fourth Grade class. A few weeks earlier, as part of a history lesson, the students were thumbing through old yearbooks when they made an interesting observation — while Flint Hill was founded in 1956, nearly two decades passed before students of color were visible in the School’s yearbook pages. This was no surprise given the broader climate in the U.S. during the 46 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
’50s and ’60s, but the students had many questions about the period in Flint Hill’s history before it became the diverse, multicultural community they experience today. More specifically, they wondered when African-American students started attending Flint Hill and what their experiences were like. Working with Flint Hill’s Director of Alumni Relations Maria Taylor, the students found Edmonds, who joined the School as a kindergartener in 1972. When further investigation revealed that he still lived near campus in Herndon, Va., Mrs. Taylor contacted him through social media to arrange a visit so the students could learn about his experience firsthand. When asked about his communications with Mrs. Taylor prior to his visit, Edmonds said, “As an alumnus, you feel like you should do what you can for your old school.” The Edmonds family’s decision to send Robert to Flint Hill was simple — as a four-year-old, they believed he was ready for Kindergarten, but he was too young to attend public school in Fairfax County. Race was not a factor.
Edmonds recalled, “My parents thought, ‘Why is he going to waste a year if he doesn’t go to school?’ So they brought me here along with my neighbor. My neighbor and I both came at the same time, but he decided he was just going to stay [at Flint Hill] until he was old enough to go to public school, and he did. But my parents, they liked the School. They liked Don Niklason, who was the owner at the time, and they just decided this was a good place. It was a good fit. So I stayed for all 12 years.” As a kindergartener, Edmonds wasn’t aware of any issues related to race, noting, “I came to Flint Hill to be a student and really didn’t think much about what type of a student I was. So it’s interesting to find out all these years later that people apply some significance to that.” The Flint Hill Edmonds remembers largely resembles the Flint Hill of today — a warm, close-knit community, where lifelong friendships were formed among the 300 students who attended at the time. It wasn’t until the middle school years that his experience changed. A bright student with a passion for science and computer programming, Edmonds advanced to Fifth Grade in the middle of his Fourth Grade year.
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As a self-proclaimed “nerd” who was much younger than his peers, it was as a fifth-grader that he first experienced conflict with fellow students that was motivated by his interests, not his skin color. As he recalled this time in his life, he shared the importance of empathy and resilience when dealing with bullying and similar issues.
out there. After a while, you realize that most people are nice and a few people are not. If you’re a more outgoing type of person, you see that more introverted people have a harder time. If you’re a more cerebral person, you might notice that some people have a harder time with their studies. Everybody experiences challenges.”
Edmonds said, “I think some people are aggressive and try to keep other people down no matter what. In those days, you learned to deal with the fact that there are a whole bunch of different kinds of people
The fourth-graders were pleasantly surprised that Edmonds’ experience wasn’t more challenging, and despite one difficult year, Edmonds’ memories from his time at Flint Hill are largely positive. He hit his
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stride as he progressed into the Upper School, recalling faculty whose impact he continues to experience all these years later. “My physics and math teacher George Arrington; he basically developed my sense of humor more than anything else,” said Edmonds. “As much as he did for me in physics, the best thing he did was help me to develop my personality.”
Edmonds’ visit was covered in the Washington Post’s KidsPost, and the fourth-graders in Taylor’s class plan to create an oral history of the visit, which will become part of Flint Hill’s archives.
It was also in the Upper School that Edmonds took the computer programming course with Arrington that he credits with preparing him for a career as an aerospace engineer. The class provided Edmonds with critical programming skills that later gave him an edge as a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Edmonds said, “I was so thankful that Flint Hill was forward-thinking; even in those days, they were really thinking ahead. If the School hadn’t bought those computers when they did, my career would have gone a very different way.” Today, Edmonds works for the U.S. Department of Defense, performing work to prolong the life of existing systems and airplanes.
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ALUMNI EVENTS
Alumni College Dinners The Alumni Office continued its college dinners in the fall and winter with dinners at Christopher Newport University, The College of William & Mary, Clemson University and Elon University. Make sure the Alumni Office has your current email address by emailing Director of Alumni Relations Maria Taylor at mtaylor@flinthill.org. College of William & Mary (Above) (Front Row): Ameer Rezazad ’17, Jack Jenet ’15, Alden Wagner ’17, Lauren Freeman ’16 (Back Row): Dani Wallace ’15, Neha Sharma ’18, Sean Xiaoyu ’18, Joey Lindsay ’17, Jennifer Chen ’17, Zac Coe ’18 Christopher Newport University (L-R): Julia Everstine ’15, Adam Shiveley ’16, Will Snyder ’15
Clemson University: Darron Coley ’15, Kylie Miller ’16
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Elon University (L-R): Liz Piper ’15, Stacey Keister ’15, Sabra McBride ’18
Thanksgiving Young Alumni Happy Hour A new Flint Hill alumni tradition has begun! The Alumni Office hosted a young alumni happy hour the night after Thanksgiving at Don Titos in Arlington. More than 75 alumni from the Classes of 2005-2014 came out while they were in town for Thanksgiving.
College-age Alumni Dinner with Faculty! When college-age alumni were home for Winter Break, they had a chance to come back to campus to visit with current faculty over dinner. After dinner, they cheered on the Varsity Boys’ Basketball team in a game against St. Andrew’s Episcopal School.
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PARENTS OF ALUMNI EVENTS
Parents of Alumni Luncheon at Holiday Shoppes The second annual Parents of Alumni Luncheon at Holiday Shoppes was a huge success! A big thank you to the Host Committee: Marjie Alloy P ’12, P ’14, P ’18; Jeanne Specchio P ’13, P ’15; Alison Corkery P ’16, P ’18; Sally Hazel P ’07, P ’09; Larry and Mary Ann Luebbers P ’12; Rosette Wills P ’09; and Jen Zecca P ’14, P ’16. Nearly 65 parents of alumni attended the luncheon.
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ALUMNI C LASS NOTES
1974 Forrest Stanley writes, “I will start the research for my Education Doctorate dissertation this summer. I am a graduate student at the University of Idaho. Since leaving Flint Hill, I have graduated from Tulane University, with a degree in Biomedical Engineering, and attained two master’s degrees — Management Information Systems-Computer Science and Natural Resource Management — and completed an Education Specialist degree in Special Education Leadership. My wife and I have raised three children, the youngest of whom is now a sophomore at Sheridan College in Sheridan, Wyoming, finishing her AFA in Music. The middle child (age 21) graduated from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, last spring. She is an intern at the U.S. Senate for Sen. Ben
Sasse. The oldest is our son who works as the eCommerce tech for a company in Mountain Home, Idaho. We live in McCall, Idaho, where we teach and coach in the local school district. My wife is the music teacher at the local elementary school. I am a teacher for the Idaho Digital Learning Academy. I came to teaching after retiring from the U.S. Army and [was a stay-at-home] dad for a few years, while my wife finished her 20 years as an Army officer. I taught in a face-to-face setting, from 2006 to 2017. I enjoy coaching soccer and basketball for the local high school.”
1994 Justin O’Connell writes that he has been married for 16 years with three daughters, Clare, age 13, Annabelle, age 11, and Lyla, age 9. He lives in Ashburn, Va., and works for Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management in Washington as a senior registered associate.
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2002 Anjali Singh Code welcomed her second baby boy, Reece Code, and serves as deputy director of the United Nations Foundation “Nothing But Nets” campaign.
2003 Chexbres Huguley Hanley writes, “I currently reside with my husband and six-year-old stepdaughter in Irmo, South Carolina. 2018 was a big year for me! I made a huge job change and transferred from a large property management [company] to a smaller one, closer to home, and now am the Assistant Community Manager of a brand new property in Cayce, SC. I got married to my college sweetheart, and we bought our first house together! My sixyear-old stepdaughter walked me down the aisle at a small private ceremony on the Congaree River. Our house is a cute redone Cape Cod home in a great neighborhood. And we are starting to expand our family! Hope everyone is doing great!”
On December 15, 2018, Kyle Elliott graduated from the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership. Throughout 2018, Kyle traveled the Commonwealth and learned about the myriad of issues affecting every region of Virginia and the potential public policy solutions to those problems. Kyle will take his experience back to Richmond, where he continues to serve as a strong advocate for the city and state.
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2006 Ashley White Callahan got married to David Callahan on November 4, 2018, at the Ritz Carlton Beach Club in Sarasota, Fla. Three Flint Hill alumni were in her wedding party — Jeannette Tavares, Caitlin Knobelauch and Kavon Akhtar. The wedding was planned by Jeannette Tavares and her company, Evoke DC (evokedc.com). A number of additional Flint Hill alumni were in attendance, including Ben Nadeau, Charles Manosalvas, Brittany Adam Manosalvas and Tyler O’Connor ’09.
Jeanette Tavares and her amazing team at Evoke helped us make Husky history at Winterfest, as she planned and executed the amazing launch of the Momentum — Campaign for Flint Hill. The future is bright for Evoke. Jeanette is the company’s chief creative director and acquired the business from Jodi Moraru in the summer of 2018. Jeannette focuses on high-end, large-scale events for the Evoke team. Jeanette and her team did an amazing job transforming the Upper School for this historic event!
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in the city is 3-5 days. This delay in service means more junk ends up cluttering your home or on the street. Long wait times also force us to think twice before purchasing additional items for our homes.”
2008 Tommy McCoy founded HaulShare™, an on-demand junk removal service headquartered in Northern Virginia. HaulShare develops, markets and operates the HaulShare web app and employs a large network of independently licensed and insured junk hauling specialists, known as HaulPros™, to provide junk removal services throughout the Washington area. HaulShare’s core values — safe, sophisticated and reliable — reinforce the company’s commitment to offering customers the best option for all their junk removal and disposal needs. With Washington’s renewed focus on environmental awareness and city mobility, HaulShare aims to declutter streets and homes in the Washington area by giving residents the ability to remove unwanted items from their homes on-demand. McCoy says, “Maneuvering large or bulky items in a compact city is difficult and becoming increasingly more time-consuming. The average wait time for a large item removal
With the arrival of Amazon’s HQ2, the Washington area could see an increase of as many as one million new residents over the span of 10 to 15 years. In an already cluttered city, HaulShare provides a solution for managing unwanted items with shorter wait times, an itemized pricing model and “reuse and repurpose” networks. To learn more about HaulShare, visit haulshare.co. Congratulations to Michael Kenneth Velchik, now the youngest White House staff attorney at the age of 28 (pending completion of background check)! Michael Kenneth graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 2015 and went on to work at the law firm of Gibson Dunn and as the assistant attorney general in Oklahoma City before joining the White House. Michael Kenneth also had a Supreme Court case appearance in November 2018.
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2012 Nick Bazzarone and his wife, Lauren, had a baby boy, Leo James Bazzarone on February 22.
2013 Adam Cleland writes, “On August 11, 2018, I married Kelly MacKenzie in Chicago, Illinois. FHS alumni in attendance included my sister, Grace Cleland ’14, and (in order from left to right in the FHS picture) Doug Stevens, Joey Griffiths, Hooman Azad, Lauren Kliska, Nikki Keister, Jenny Hendrix, Jonah Chang and Nawal Chaudry. Kelly and I met as undergrads at Rice University in Houston, Texas. We currently live in downtown Chicago, where Kelly is a medical student, and I work for an executive search firm.”
2014 Catie Chess writes, “Currently I am an admission fellow for Christopher Newport University and an assistant coach on the Women’s Lacrosse team. I will be transferring into a new position here at CNU in a few months and would love to connect with any students interested in this school!”
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To be included in Alumni Class Notes, email the Alumni Office at alumni@flinthill.org with news of a union, birth of a child, professional developments, travels, or anything you’d like to share with your classmates. If you would like to include a photo with your submission, please note that digital photographs must be high-resolution JPEG images (1MB+) to appear in print. Flint Hill Magazine editorial staff reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity and length.
L I F E C YC L E S
Marriages
Deaths
Ashley White Callahan ’06 and David Callahan on November 4, 2018
Christine McLain Parent of Cliff Buck ’97
Adam Cleland ’13 and Kelly MacKenzie on August 11, 2018
John B. Buchanan H ’67 October 29, 2018
Births/Adoptions
John R. Jasper ’65 January 15, 2019
Anjali Singh Code ’02 Reece Code
Mike A. Stahl H ’64
Nick Bazzarone ’12 and Lauren Bazzarone Leo James Bazzarone, February 22, 2019
Merlyn M. Smith Past Trustee January 15, 2019
Merlyn Smith was one of Flint Hill’s founding Trustees after the transition in 1990. She was the grandmother of Heather Smith Presgrave ’01, Douglas Smith ’05 and Steven Thompson ’10. Merlyn served on the Board of Trustees from 1994 to 2001. Merlyn and her husband, George, donated the Olson Theater in memory of Merlyn’s mother, Bertha Olson.
From the Archives: Do you know who these alumni are? This picture from the Flint Hill Archives is from the Falcon era. If you can identify any of the people in this picture, please contact Director of Alumni Relations Maria Taylor at mtaylor@flinthill.org or 703.584.2350. We are always looking for alumni and parents of alumni to visit the archives to identify pictures. If you are interested, please contact Maria Taylor using the information above.
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Don’t miss a thing. Follow Flint Hill Alumni on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and the Flint Hill Alumni App to connect with other alumni and get real-time updates from the Alumni Office. Search Flint Hill Alumni to connect now! ALUMNI APP
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Grandparents and Special Friends Day (Redesigned!)
Friday, May 10 Join us for lunch and a glimpse into the student experience at Flint Hill. This event is for students in Grades JK-8. For more information, please contact Advancement Events Coordinator Alice Yates at 703.584.2315 or ayates@flinthill.org.
The best way to leverage your alumni network is through the Flint Hill Alumni App. Have you downloaded it yet? The Flint Hill Alumni App is exclusively for alumni and can be accessed using your LinkedIn login information or with your email address. Now available on desktops! Have questions? Contact Director of Alumni Relations Maria Taylor at mtaylor@flinthill.org or 703.584.2350.
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Flint Hill Golf Invitational AN D SK I L L S CLI NI C
Thursday, May 23 | Westfields Golf Club | Clifton, VA www.flinthill.org/golf Join your Flint Hill friends for lunch and a round of golf, followed by dinner, raffles and awards. Form your own team or be placed in a foursome — all levels of ability are welcome! All-alumni foursomes will compete for the alumni cup, a free round in the 2020 tournament and bragging rights. Not ready for 18 holes? Participate in the clinic, have some fun and learn a little golf! Proceeds benefit the Parents’ Association Endowment for Financial Aid in Honor of Sally Hazel.
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Participation matters. Your gift to the Annual Fund will ensure that our students are encouraged and empowered to participate in the classroom, on the stage and athletic fields or wherever their passion may lead them. Raise your hand in support of Flint Hill with a gift to the Annual Fund today.
Your gift matters.
www.flinthill.org/give FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 63
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
PAID
3320 Jermantown Road Oakton, VA 22124
Summer on the Hill June 17 – August 16 Day Camps; Multi- and Single-Sport Camps; STEM Camp; Academics and Enrichment; Creative and Fine Arts for rising Pre-K to Grade 12. Learn more and register at www.flinthill.org/summer. 64 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
Permit No. 643 Oakton, VA