MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2018
The Rewards of Taking Meaningful Risks CO M M E N C E M E N T 2 018 2018 Commencement Speaker Lorena Castillio de Varela ’88, First Lady of the Republic of Panama
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 Gen. John R. Allen, USMC (Ret.) ’71 Mr. Matthew J. Bullock 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 Mr. John M. Kudless 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 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 James Kegley Photography Susan Spencer, Perfect Shot Photos, LLC Victor O’Neill Studios 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.
CONTENTS 2 18 24 32
REUNION WEEKEND SENIOR ALUMNI MOVE-UP DAY COMMENCEMENT LEADING FROM THE HEART: Q&A WITH 2018 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER LORENA CASTILLO DE VARELA ’88, FIRST LADY OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA
LETTER FROM THE HEADMASTER Dear Flint Hill School Family, From start to finish, the pace this year was rapid-fire with tons of activities, events, games, concerts, forums and even book club meetings. Add to that the constant flow of great thoughts, ideas, hard work, and collaboration in the classrooms. It has been a year of enormous achievements, and at the same time, a beautiful balance and positive feel throughout the entire School. In the business world, people often make references to the “outcomes” and “ROI” when they assess the success of a venture. Our accomplishments as an institution this year were very visible during our final weeks. Our Reunion Weekend was an exceptional one. From class dinners and the opening of the time capsule for the Class of 2008, to a gathering of the Class of 1968 and the dedication of the Falcon Room in the Miller House, Reunion 2018 provided an opportunity for Huskies and Falcons alike to return home to Flint Hill and share the impact they are having out in the world today. In June, Commencement gave us the opportunity to celebrate the 133 members of the Class of 2018. Their accomplishments almost seemed endless. The poise, intellect, athleticism, artistry, and leadership of that class were profoundly evident in the exceptional speeches given by Valedictorian John Moxley and Salutatorian Karolena Salmon. The Commencement address by The First Lady of the Republic of Panama, Lorena Castillo de Varela ’88, was genuine, heartfelt and sincere. Her message to our graduates to follow their dreams, to speak up, to be passionate, and to believe in themselves first and foremost, was a powerful one for the class to hear. It is also exciting to note that she was giving her address on the 30th anniversary of her own graduation. Enjoy this special summer supplement of the Flint Hill Magazine as it celebrates our Huskies who are about to go off into the world and the alumni who are already making a difference. The outcomes and ROI of a Flint Hill education are loud and clear. Flint Hill graduates are humble, confident and have a true sense of competence in all that they do. Best wishes to you! Have a tremendous rest of the summer, and we look forward to seeing you soon. Sincerely,
John M. Thomas Headmaster
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 1
2 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
R E U N I ON W E E K E ND
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 3
FALCONS AND HUSKIES RETURN TO REMINISCE FOR REUNION 2018
E
very year, Reunion Weekend marks a return to School for our alumni and the chance to reconnect with classmates, while reflecting on their time at an institution that has made a tremendous impact on their lives. This year we celebrated Classes ending in 3s and 8s with two days of reunions, events and activities both on-and off-campus.
The weekend began with the Class of 1968 Champagne and Conversation with Headmaster John Thomas on Friday, May 4, in the Miller House. A record number of 50th reunion alumni —15—came back for the event to hear School updates, see archive photos from their days at Flint Hill Prep and to get a sneak preview of the Falcon Room. Most recently known as “the Parlor,” the former classroom and headmaster’s office in the Miller House was formally dedicated as the Falcon Room the following evening. The Champagne and Conversation event was immediately followed by a welcome reception hosted by a faculty host committee comprised of Fred Atwood, Barbara Benoit, Mia Burton, Howard Chang, Fred Chanania, Andy Krug, Brian Lamont, Jody Patrick, Tracy Peterson, Rico Reed and Rob Taylor.
The class of 1968 returns to the Miller House to celebrate their 50th reunion milestone.
4 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
50th Reunion Champagne and Conversation
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 5
A TRIP BACK IN TIME... Class of 2008 Time Capsule Opening Saturday’s celebrations were filled with highlights, beginning with the Class of 2008’s time capsule opening in the morning.
(Above) Sara Schlegel ’08 and Casey McGrath ’08 cut the ribbon on the Class of 2008 time capsule that was sealed just before they graduated 10 years ago.
6 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
The attendees were transported back in time with the memories they uncovered—many had either forgotten the contents of their time capsule or forgot about putting in anything at all! The anticipation was palpable as they uncovered old copies of the Washington Post, news articles, photos and other artifacts from their Senior year.
(Left to right) Akhil Akula ’08, Matt McNerney ’08, Leah Weiss Dalton ’08, JJ Kfoury ’08, Audrey Allen ’08, Ashley Sprano Lounsbury ’08, Alix Ginsberg ’08
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 7
(Left to right) Matt McNerney ’08, Sarah Sweet ’08, Alicia Evans ’08 Federico Cohen-Freue ’08, Danielle Dutta ’08
Class of 2008 Time Capsule Opening (Continued)
8 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
Alumni who were unable to attend received their time capsule envelopes in the mail, a surprise that Becca Sigal ’08 noted was the “best present ever!” Long-time faculty member, Fred Atwood, joined the reunion lunch on Saturday. (Left to right) Taylor Swart ’08, Fred Atwood, Leah Weiss Dalton ’08, Cady Carman ’08 FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 9
BACK TO THE CLASSROOM with Fred Chanania and Michael Snyder The time capsule opening was followed by lunch on the Upper School Campus before alumni headed back to the classroom to hear lectures from former science teacher Fred Chanania and Upper School Computer Science and Robotics teacher Michael Snyder. Fred discussed “The Future of Our Oceans,� while Michael and members of the robotics team showed alumni around the Upper School Robotics Lab before taking them outside for a demo.
Alumni enjoyed being back in the classroom with Fred Chanania, who taught a class on the future of our oceans.
10 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
Michael Snyder and the members of the Flint Hill robotics team showed alums around the Robotics Lab and demonstrated a drone flight.
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 11
A Place of Honor for the Falcons “You are a critical part of Flint Hill’s history and legacy. It is only fitting that we have a space on campus that honors our roots and the experiences of the students and faculty who were here when it all began.” - HEAD M A ST E R JO H N TH O M A S
12 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
After alumni toured campus, Headmaster John Thomas kicked off the Falcon Room Reception and Dedication at the Miller House by honoring Flint Hill’s history and the students that are a part of it. Rev. David Moshier ’72 remarked on all that Flint Hill has accomplished since its early days and the importance of coming together as a single, unified institution despite having two mascots representing different eras of the School’s history. John Thomas and David Moshier’s ’72 remarks were followed by the official ribboncutting by alumni from each Falcon decade: Cathy Colquhoun Todd ’68, Dorothy Lear Mooney ’74 and Chuck Papas ’81.
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 13
“We Falcons are very fortunate,” said Rev. Moshier. “Now we can take pride of accomplishment. The school of our memories has become a school that produces academic successes and is recognized among the hallowed ranks of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools, whose members include institutions of long and distinguished standing. And that classroom success extends to the playing field. History teaches us that our experiences can be grouped into eras. Tonight, thanks to efforts undertaken in the Husky era, the Falcon era has a permanent, vital and instructive resource and a permanent, vital and instructive presence. But do we really need to identify ourselves by era? Falcon or Husky? Because after all, it’s one Flint Hill.” -RE V. DAVID MOSH IER ‘72
Nancy Garretson Johnson ’68 and Mike Pepper ’77
14 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
Tim Mooney, Dorothy Lear Mooney ’74, Rob Bates ’74 and Charlie Dixon ’72
Jonathan Slater ’88 catches up with Roy Whitehurst ’81 and Sonia Jimenez. Cathy Colquhoun Todd ’68 leaves the class of 68’s mark in the Miller House 50 years later.
Charlie Dixon ’72, reminisces with Rob Bates ’74 about Flint Hill buses from the 70s. Headmaster John Thomas talks with Cathy Colquhoun Todd ’68 and Ann Cole Paciulli ’69. FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 15
CLASS PICTURES AND DINNERS
1968 Front Row: Christa Vanderhoef Arensberg ’68, Susan Hiser Latimer ’68, Pam Crowson Dodds ’68, Fair Kirk Pickel ’68, Bonny Pye Austin ’68 Back row: Debby Alget Knudson ’68, John Westbrook ’68, Mark Katz ’68, Ed Johnson ’68, Cathy Colquhoun Todd ’68, Nancy Garretson Johnson ’68, Ann Cole Paciulli ’69, Chip Paciulli ’68
1998 Mark Driggs ’98 and Irina Rudman Greenman ’98
2008 Front row (left to right): Alicia Evans ’08, Sarah Sweet ’08, Aaron Bell ’08, Taylor Swart ’08, Stephanie Phillips ’08, Dani Dutta ’08, Cady Carman ’08, JJ Kfoury ’08, Leah Dalton ’08, Ashley Sprano ’08, Neha Taneja ’08 Back row (left to right): Jason Gannon ’08, Casey McGrath ’08, Sara Schlegel ’08, Florencia Rivas ’08, Miles Hurkamp ’08, Arjun Gupta ’08, Fred Atwood, Matt McNerney ’08, Ankit Sethi ’08, Akhil Akula ’08, Matthew Boryczka ’08, Federico Cohen-Freue ’08, Zaki Ahmed ’08
16 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
Reunion Weekend came to an end with class dinners at various locations throughout the Washington area, providing an opportunity for one last formal gathering before their next Reunion.
1998 1972 and 1973 Left to right: Sandy Sjosten Pless ’73, Pappy Pless, David Moshier ’72, Rob Bates ’74, Charlie Dixon ’72, Tom Critchfield ’73
Front: Irina Greenman Middle (left to right): Rachael Gunaratnam ’98, Greer Peden ’98, Elizabeth Cossa Gallagher ’98 Back: Natasha Tellez-Mansy ’98, Mark Driggs ’98, Sarah Nicholls Slusher ’98
2003 Back row (left to right): Kendall Turner ’03, Kelly Merillat Armbruster ’03, Victoria Evans ’03, Nick Gonzalez ’03, Taylor Johnson, Andrew Doll ’03, Alex Fletcher ’03, Suzie Grand Pre ’03 Front row (left to right): Adrienne Zelnick ’03, Corey Malmgren Pretzel ’03, Kirby Meade, Kay Maddox. (Present, but not pictured: Ray Decerega ’03)
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 17
18 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
S EN I O R A LUM N I M OV E-UP DAY
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 19
S E N I O R A L U M N I M O V E - U P DAY ON THE MONDAY BEFORE COMMENCEMENT, the Class of 2018 participated in the second annual Senior Alumni Move-Up Day. To prepare to become alumni on June 8, the seniors had a professional headshot taken and then rotated through three workshops: LinkedIn 101, How to Write a Check and College Budgeting, and an Alumni College Panel, which featured alumni speakers from the Classes of 2015, 2016 and 2017. They also had the opportunity to download and get familiar with Flint Hill’s Alumni App. Seniors had a professional headshot taken for their LinkedIn profiles.
20 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
LINKEDIN 101 Director of Alumni Relations Maria Taylor taught LinkedIn 101 to seniors and helped them set up their professional LinkedIn profiles.
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 21
ALUMNI COLLEGE PANEL Alumni Lindsey Wiley ’16, Madison Crowe ’15, Mitch Arnold ’17, Will Biggs ’17 and Sydney Britton ’16 returned to campus to provide seniors with insight into college life.
22 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
HOW TO WRITE A CHECK AND COLLEGE BUDGETING Upper School teachers Doug Schoemer and Desi Frost presented seniors with some essential college budgeting skills.
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 23
CO M M E N C E M E NT 24 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 25
The Rewards of Taking Meaningful Risks
F
lint Hill’s vision for every student is to “Take meaningful risks. Be yourself. Make a difference.” Each of those three phrases are intended to inspire and guide students both while they are at Flint Hill and after they graduate.
The 2018 Flint Hill Commencement Speaker Lorena Castillo de Varela, The First Lady of the Republic of Panama—and a 1988 Flint Hill alumna—has put the School’s vision into practice in her own life, and at the June 8 commencement ceremony, she advised the 133 graduates to “always fight for the good in this world; don’t be a bystander. If you can be a voice, be one. Never stay in a comfort zone. If you see something that is not right, say it—you will be amazed by the power of one person.”
26 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
Valedictorian John Moxley, who will attend Georgia Institute of Technology, explained in his speech how Flint Hill’s vision became real to him. “At Flint Hill, we’re always told to take meaningful risks and to be ourselves. For a long time, I took these instructions as nothing more than encouraging words that were designed to make us feel better. It’s easy to shrug off encouragement. But there’s an important message behind these words. It’s all about self-discovery and finding out what you love doing. If you take those risks by trying out new things, while embracing your true self, you will discover your passion.” Moxley, whose accomplishments include winning Flint Hill’s first ever individual cross-country Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference championship, said, “During my journey at Flint Hill, I can happily say that I’ve discovered many passions. I had no idea, during Freshman-year cross-country, that I’d be running for the rest of high school. It took the mentorship of a great Junior captain to discover my focus and commitment for running. And ever since, my coaches helped me reach amazing heights, and my teammates were right there too, cheering me on.” Academically, he described being encouraged by the faculty to leap into unknown and exciting areas of study, “In the classroom, I’ve had so many passionate role models. Every one of my teachers has made me realize some sort of new appreciation I have for their class, because of their own passion for the subject. It’s helped me discover and refine my own passions as I move on to college.”
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 27
Sarah Parks ’18 and Stephanie Walcott ’18
Sean Herlihy ’18
Alicia Waller ’05, soprano vocalist, returned for Commencement to sing the Intonation of the National Anthem of the Republic of Panama.
Carly Middleton’18 and Karolena Salmon ’18
Salutatorian Karolena Salmon, who will study at Boston University, shared the importance of the phrase “take meaningful risks.” “I believe most of us would agree that we grow and learn the most, as both students and people, when we are pushed to our limits. And thanks to Flint Hill, we are constantly encouraged to push ourselves to those limits. We are urged to be our best selves—to take meaningful risks—and most of us have learned to do just that. These foundational ideals, in addition to Flint Hill’s core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, and compassion are ingrained in us from the time we arrive on campus, forming the backbone of our personal approaches to education.” Salmon summed up her thoughts with gratitude, “I am extraordinarily thankful to Flint Hill for facilitating the individual journeys we have each had the privilege to wander. I have so valued the individual attention with which Flint Hill has always provided me—their enthusiasm to accommodate my needs. They have encouraged me to be the guide of my own journey—to advocate for myself, thus enabling me to find my own balance between academics, athletics and the arts—and I know I am not alone in this experience.”
28 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
Flint Hill's Class of 2018 by the Numbers
15 33 schools accepted five or more Huskies
6 foreign countries granted admission to Flint Hill Seniors
students will play college sports
1,174 college
applications submitted
1 National Merit Scholarship Winner 6 National Merit Commended Students FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 29
COLLEGE ATHLETIC COMMITMENTS Fifteen Class of 2018 student-athletes signed national letters of intent (NLIs) to participate in competitive collegiate sports, while continuing their academic studies.
Sisi Baker Rice University, swimming, Division I
Mark Lewis Clarion University, football, Division II
Sean Connolly Arcadia University, lacrosse, Division III
Carly Middleton Palm Beach Atlantic University, volleyball, Division II
Kevin Cruz Wagner College, lacrosse, Division I
Isaiah Moore Franklin Pierce University, basketball, Division II
Xavier Formey Clarion University, football, Division II
Nya Reed University of Florida, gymnastics, Division I
Siron Hardy George Mason University, volleyball, Division I
Tate Rusby-Wood Goucher College, soccer, Division III
Jamarian Hawkins Clarion University, football, Division II
Alex Shahmirzadi Amherst College, soccer, Division III
Jasmine Hellmer Northwestern University, swimming, Division I
Justin Taylor Cornell University, baseball, Division I
Kyle Jung Washington College, lacrosse, Division III
Tye Williams Case Western Reserve University, soccer, Division III
30 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 31
Leading from the Heart: Q&A with 2018 Commencement Speaker Lorena Castillo de Varela ’88, First Lady of the Republic of Panama From her early days as a journalist to her current role as First Lady of the Republic of Panama, Lorena Castillo de Varela ’88 has held a deep commitment to making her home country—and the world—a better place, a message she shared with Flint Hill’s 133 graduates in June. She has supported the National Cancer Institute, Children and Santo Thomas Hospitals and Nutre Hogar Foundation, a private organization created in 1988 to recover and prevent severe malnutrition among children from the most impoverished communities in the country. She has served as UNAIDS’ special ambassador for Latin America, global spokesperson for the Zero Discrimination Movement, honorary president of the Panamanian Red Cross and presides over the National Council for Comprehensive Care for Early Childhood and the National Commission for the Prevention and Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (CONAVIH). Mrs. Castillo de Varela is particularly passionate about the fight against HIV/AIDS, providing resources to underserved communities and eradicating inequality in areas ranging from food insecurity and public health to education and gender discrimination. In her role with UNAIDS alone, Mrs. Castillo de Varela has led a global zero discrimination movement that aims to create a climate of respect, solidarity and inclusiveness, so all people can live without fear of being attacked, criminalized or stigmatized. She has encouraged individuals, communities and local, national and regional leaders to defend and support zero discrimination throughout Latin America and has advocated in different high-level spaces for more funding from the HIV response. After Commencement, Flint Hill Magazine spoke with Mrs. Castillo de Varela about her time at Flint Hill, her return to Panama afterward and the legacy she wants to leave as first lady.
32 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
Valedictorian John Moxley, Headmaster John Thomas, First Lady of the Republic of Panama Lorena Castillo de Varela ’88, Salutatorian Karolena Salmon
F LI N T H I LL: W H AT B RO U G H T YO U FRO M PA N A MA TO F L INT H IL L?
LCV: I wanted to explore something different. Panama has a very good school system but you always want more. I was always kind of a high achiever and I thought learning more languages would make a difference, and it did. When I was younger, I was in a French school. Then I was in a Panamanian school, so being in an American school was a completely different experience. My aunts live here in the area so when I wanted to come to study up here they researched the local schools, and I stayed with them while I came to school [at Flint Hill]. We were a small class then, and we were very united, and I had the opportunity to do things I would never probably do [in Panama] like playing soccer. I was a cheerleader when I was in Panama, and when I came to Flint Hill, I said, “No I’m not doing to do the same thing, I’m going to do something completely different.” So I played soccer, I played lacrosse. My English just moved to another level, especially in writing and reading. I got to read Shakespeare and another level of literature. It was just a beautiful experience, academically and emotionally.
F LI NT HI LL: DI D YOU HAVE ANY FAVOR I TE T EAC H ER S AT F LI NT H I LL?
LCV: My favorite teacher was my government and U.S. history teacher Mr. O’Donnell. I loved that class and it’s no wonder I became a journalist afterward. [Mr. O’Donnell] was so into his class. He would get up onto his desk and reenact moments in U.S. history. He was amazing and very inspiring. My English teacher also, she was an amazing lady. And I think everyone was so kind to me because I was coming from so far away.
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 33
F LINT H I LL: W H AT M A DE YO U DECIDE TO R ET UR N TO PA N A MA?
LCV: My mom didn’t want me to go back because of the political situation there. She was so upset when I went back. But I felt like I had to fight for my country. I was kind of a rebel—aren’t we all at that age? I loved photography then, so I remember the day of the invasion, I went out to take pictures. And in my career as a journalist, I thought that it was better to get a perspective on the state of my country from the inside, and I think that was a good decision. F LINT H I LL: H OW DO E S YO U R BACKG RO U ND I N JO U RN A LI S M I N F LU E NCE YO U TO DAY?
LCV: It’s something that is with you forever. Once you’re a journalist and your mind is set and trained for that; I feel that it trained me for what I’m doing today. I would never be able to do what I’m doing today if it wasn’t for my background in journalism and communication. That experience of being in so many places and getting to talk to so many people. To respect everyone and understand that we’re all the same. It doesn’t matter who you are talking to; you will learn something from someone else. In my work with the UN and UNAIDs, it’s so good to be able to explain other people’s perspectives and tell their stories and fight for their rights. Every day I’m amazed by the opportunities I am given to be a voice for so many, and I wouldn’t be able to do it without that background.
F LI NT HI LL: YOU AR E PART I C ULAR LY PASSIONATE AB OUT HUMANI TAR I AN AND SOC I AL J U STICE I SSUES. CAN YOU T ELL US MOR E AB OUT THAT WOR K?
LCV: I think one of the moments that impacted me the most was when my husband started getting into politics because it’s completely the opposite of my training in journalism. I don’t like politics, so I am always saying what I think—sticking to my beliefs, my principles and my values. I’m just very honest and I don’t do much protocol. Sometimes as a first lady, you are asked which area you want to work in, and I couldn’t choose just one. I work with cancer patients because my mother was a cancer patient, but I had never worked with HIV patients. When I was asked to be an ambassador with UNAIDS, I accepted the challenge, but members of the LGBTQ community in Panama didn’t understand it at first. I’m Catholic, and 75% of our country is Catholic, so religion is a big thing in Panama. It was hard for members of the LGBTQ community to believe that I could understand their rights and be a voice for them. But I took the opportunity to listen to some of their stories, and I said, how can I not do this? They opened up to me and told me about their most painful memories. So I took it very personally. Last year I walked for the first time in an LGBTQ march in Panama, which is unheard of. For me, we are all brothers and sisters. Sometimes we don’t do things that we have the strength to do because of what others are going to say. But you have to find that strength if you want to make a change. I’m not the first lady of one group in Panama; I’m the first lady of everyone. F LI NT HI LL: H OW DOES YOUR POSI T I ON AS T HE F I R ST LADY OF T H E R EPUB LI C OF PANAM A ALLOW YOU TO F URT HER YOUR H UMANITARIAN WOR K?
LCV: As I was getting my team together, I decided that we had to make a difference. We have to get to the places where nobody goes, where nobody has been. I wanted numbers for child labor, for HIV patients, for infant mortality rates, poverty. So we started seeing the places in our country where our numbers were the lowest and we went to those places. We identified 14 communities where we are empowering the people to overcome poverty through sustainable development. The effort is based on
34 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
a program developed by Jeffrey Sachs, an economist at Columbia University who used the same model in Uganda. And it’s working! We are eradicating poverty in the poorest areas of our country. It’s a beautiful example.
F LI NT HI LL: W H AT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO B E?
LCV: Love everyone and zero discrimination. That is what I want people to remember the most. And if you cannot love each other, at least respect each other. The interview has been edited for clarity and length.
“Sometimes we don’t do things that we have the strength to do because of what others are going to say. But you have to find that strength if you want to make a change.”
“
AN EXCERPT FROM MRS. CASTILLO DE VARELA’S COMMENCEMENT SPEECH: I invite you to keep preparing yourself academically and to dream big and continue to strive, to learn and maintain a growth mindset that will help you along the way to achieve your goals and your full potential in life. Simple, small acts of kindness can take you a long way. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Smile; smiles open doors and brighten your day and that of others. And always remember—we are not victims; we are responsible for our decisions and our lives. If you learn from it, then [it] is not a mistake, it is a lesson. Fight for what you believe. Good always prevails. Commit to your personal well-being. Love yourself and be happy. You can only share what you have inside you. And remember, there are two types of people in this world: those who build and those who destroy. If we are not committed to being part of the group of those striving for a better world, sadly, we are helping to bring about its demise. It’s up to you to choose what kind of person you will be for yourself and the world.
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 35
Don’t miss a thing. ALUMNI APP
Follow Flint Hill Alumni on Facebook, Twitter, 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!
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.
36 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
REUNION WEEKEND 2019 FRIDAY & SATURDAY, APRIL 26-27 Classes of 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014
a w e a k l a T ow k d n m e mory lane TWO DAYS OF REUNIONS, RECEPTIONS AND ACTIVITIES Falcons and Huskies return to Flint Hill for Alumni Reunion Weekend 2019. Whether you are celebrating your 50th reunion or your 5th — or somewhere in between — come to campus to reconnect with old friends and to make new ones. Classes ending in 4s and 9s will celebrate their Reunions at Flint Hill April 26-27. If you would like to help plan your Reunion, please contact Director of Alumni Relations Maria Taylor at mtaylor@flinthill.org or 703.584.2350.
. t c R e n e m n o i n c i e sce . Reunite R
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 37
Thank you to President Sharon McBride P ’16, P ’20 and the 2017–2018 Parents’ Association Board. You have made a joyful impact!
38 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
AND SKILLS CLINIC
Friday, September 14 Upper School Tennis Courts | Rain Date: Tuesday, September 18 . All abilities welcome . Round robin, mixed doubles . Skills Clinic for beginners . . Luncheon to follow . Space is limited. Registration opens in August. www.flinthill.org/tennis
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 39
S AV E T H E D AT E
HO M ECOM I N G WE E KE ND Friday, October 19, and Saturday, October 20 Join fellow members of the Flint Hill community for a festive celebration of fall athletics and school spirit. Powderpuff Game . Bonfire . Field Hockey . Football . Soccer Volleyball . Activities for Huskies of all ages! www.flinthill.org/homecoming
S AV E T H E D AT E
Shop and Socialize!
Parents of Alumni Luncheon AT T H E A N N U A L H O L I D AY S H O P P E S
S AT U R D AY, N O V E M B E R 1 0 1 2 : 0 0 – 2 : 0 0 P. M .
Upper School Campus Learning Commons 3320 Jermantown Road, Oakton, VA For more information please visit www.flinthill.org/holidaylunch 40 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
“...the impact you’re having is you’re investing in the success of the students at Flint Hill. Your investment is something that’s going to be seen for generations.” - F L I N T H I L L PA R E N T
Your gifts to the Flint Hill Annual Fund expand the programs and opportunities available to every student from JK to Grade 12 and ensure that they have the freedom to find their passion wherever it may lead them. Thank you for supporting students through every step of their Flint Hill experience.
FLINT HILL MAGAZINE | 41
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 643 Oakton, VA
3320 Jermantown Road Oakton, VA 22124
Save the date to shop with us!
THE HOLIDAY SHOPPES at Flint Hill School
Saturday, November 10 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.
Upper School Campus - 3320 Jermantown Road, Oakton, VA 22124
One day only . Free admission . Open to the public . Kids’ Space with festive activities . This is not a craft show! Shop 30+ new and returning boutique vendors offering clothing, jewelry, accessories, menswear, home décor, holiday decorations and more!
www.flinthill.org/holiday 42 | FLINT HILL SCHOOL
A portion of all vendor sales benefit the Parents’ Association. The Parents’ Association contributes their net income to the Parents’ Association Endowment for Financial Aid in Honor of Sally Hazel.